Current Affairs – 19th Feb 2024
Articles Covered:
- Jharkhand CM gives go-ahead for caste-based survey: official
- Seven cheetahs born in Kuno: Challenges, survival chances, and the wild-vs-protected debate
- After PAC nod, govt proposes to hike ministries’ reporting limits for financial expenditure
- IPCC work on seventh climate assessment threatened by shorter timelines
- ISRO’s latest launch: Why is the GSLV rocket nicknamed ‘naughty boy’?
- Report on the Development and Promotion of Jute Industry
- CMS COP14 ends in Samarkand; proposals listing 14 migratory species adopted
Jharkhand CM gives go-ahead for caste-based survey: official
‘If everything goes according to the plan, the exercise will begin after the Lok Sabha elections’
- The CM has directed the personnel department to prepare a draft (SoP for conducting the survey) and place it before the cabinet for approval.
- The caste-based survey will be conducted in Jharkhand based on data collected between 7thJanuary and 2nd October 2023.
Census
- The origin of the Census in India goes back to the colonial exercise of
- Census has evolved and been used by the government, policymakers, academics, and others to capture the Indian population, access resources, map social change,delimitation exercise, etc.
First Caste Census as SECC (Socio-Economic and Caste Census):
- SECCwas conducted for the first time in 1931.
- SECCis meant to canvass every Indian family, both in rural and urban India, and ask about their:
- Economic status, so as to allow Central and State authorities to come up with a range of indicators of deprivation, permutations, and combinations of which could be used by each authority to define a poor or deprived person.
- It is also meant to ask every person their specific caste nameto allow the government to re-evaluate which caste groups were economically worse off and which were better off.
Difference Between Census & SECC:
- The Census provides a portrait of the Indian population,while the SECC is a tool to identify beneficiaries of state support.
- Since the Census falls under the Census Act of 1948, all data are considered confidential, whereas according to the SECC website, “all the personal information given in the SECC is open for use by Government departments to grant and/or restrict benefits to households.”
A Background of Caste-Based Surveys
- Pre-Independence Era: Caste wise enumeration of the population was introduced under the British colonial administration in 1881 and continued till the 1931 census.
Post Independence Surveys
- Independent India’s governments abandoned full caste enumeration on the apprehension that it would strengthen caste divisions and perpetuate the caste system.
- The caste system has persisted and flourished in independent India — even without the caste census along with its discriminatory and exclusionary consequences as revealed by official surveys and statistics.
Mandal Commission Report
- The report of the Backward Classes Commission headed by B.P. Mandal submitted to the President of India in 1980.
- The report had the dictum inscribed at the outset,” There is equality only among equals. To equate unequals is to perpetuate inequality.”
- The Mandal Commission report had concluded from the caste/community-wise population figures of the 1931 census.
- It estimated the combined population of Hindu and non-Hindu OBCs to be 52% of India’s population.
- The commission had also arrived upon a crucial conclusion, that caste is also a class of citizens.
- And if the caste as a whole is socially and educationally backward, reservationcan be made in favour of such a caste on the ground that it is a socially and educationally backward class of citizens within the meaning of Article 15(4).
- Article 15(4) of the Constitutionenables the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens.
Andhra Pradesh started collecting data – SECC, and Recently, the Bihar government released the results of its survey of castes in the state which put the share of Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) cumulatively at more than 63%.
The survey has triggered a national debate and therefore it is important to have an assessment of socio-economic data and arguments in favour and against of the nation-wide caste-based survey.
Seven cheetahs born in Kuno: Challenges, survival chances, and the wild-vs-protected debate
Wildlife officials in Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National park are ecstatic about the birth of seven cheetah cubs in January this year. Four cubs were born to the Namibian Cheetah Jwala and three to Asha.
On February 18, 2023, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa into the Kuno Palpur National Park located in Sheopur district. These include 7 male cheetahs and 5 female cheetahs.
Key Points
- With these 12 cheetahs brought from South Africa, there are now 20 cheetahs in Kuno. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released 8 cheetahs brought from Namibia in Kuno on his birthday on September 17, 2022.
- It is noteworthy that Palpur Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh is the most unique destination for wildlife lovers. Kuno has breathtaking forests with abundance of kardhai, khair and salai and there are dozens of grass-grazing wildlife in vast grasslands.
- This area was designated a sanctuary with about 350 sq km area was shaped like a leaf- in the middle of which river Kuno flows like a backbone. This river not only helps in keeping a constant water supply in the forest and irrigating the forest, but it also gives the name to this protected area.
- Kuno National Park/Kuno Wildlife Division and the surrounding area have historically been rich in wildlife. This area was also known as dense forest in ancient times. The area around the Kuno River has been rich in biodiversity since ancient times.
- Realizing the importance of this place, the state government established the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1981 with an area of about 345 sq.km within a large forest area of about 3300 sq.km. To further strengthen wildlife protection and ensure proper management of this area, the Kuno Wildlife Division of 1235 sq km was established in the year 2002 by adding an additional 891 sq km area as buffer.
- The area includes dry grasslands and tropical riverine forests. It is equally rich in different species of animals. This area is a rare habitat of various favorable factors for wildlife. This area was identified as the most suitable place for the rehabilitation of cheetahs.
- The forest area of Kuno National Park is mainly dominated by kardhai, salai, khair trees, mostly among mixed forests. It also helps in having a variety of species of flora and fauna. In total, 123 species of trees, 71 species of shrubs, 32 species of vines and exotic vegetation, 34 species of bamboo and grass are found in Kuno National Park.
After PAC nod, govt proposes to hike ministries’ reporting limits for financial expenditure
According to the report, a substantial growth in budget size has diminished the delegated powers of the ministries leading to voluminous proposal(s) being forwarded, for reporting/approval of the Parliament.
- After a gap of about 18 years, the government is set to revise its financial limits for ‘New Service’ and ‘New Instruments of Service’ after getting approval from PAC .
- The panel has approved the Finance Ministry’s proposal to raise the reporting limit for new policy-related expenditure by ministries/departments to above Rs 50 crore but not exceeding Rs 100 crore along with mandating prior approval of Parliament for spending over Rs 100 crore.
Parliamentary Committee
- A Parliamentary committee is a committee ofMembers of Parliament (MPs) who are elected or appointed from amongst the members of the house or nominated by the Speaker or Chairman.
- The concept of Parliamentary committees originated in the British Parliament.
- These committees operate under the direction of the Speaker of Lok Sabha or Chairman of Rajya Sabha and present their findings and recommendations to the respective houses.
- The Parliamentary committees draw their authority from the constitution.
- Article 105:Powers, privileges, etc., of the houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
- Article 118: Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulations, subject to the provisions of this constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.
Public Accounts Committee help in establishing accountability of the government to the people
- PAC is a financial committee constituted every year to examine the annual audit reports of submitted by the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) and reports its finding to the parliament.
- PAC acts as the watchdog of the public purse by examining the audit report on appropriation account and finance account.
It scrutinises the appropriation account to verify:
- If the funds were legally available.
- If a competent authority sanctioned it’s use.
- If the rules laid by procedure were followed.
- PAC’s function has been sometimes criticised since it does not look into the policy aspect and is only recommending. Yet, PAC has been in establishing financial accountability of the government to the people.
- It further establishes the accountability of the government by examining the budgetary appropriations and accounts of the government and Reports of Comptroller and Auditor General (under article 151) on the execution of the projects and programmes by the various ministries.
- Examining the demand for excess grants before they are presented to the Parliament for regularisation.
- The committee examines public expenditure not only from legal and formal point of view to discover technical irregularities but also from the point of view of economy, prudence, wisdom and propriety to bring out the cases of waste, loss, corruption, extravagance, inefficiency and nugatory expenses.
Public Accounts Committee – Functions
The CAG submits three reports:
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Public Accounts Committee – Limitations
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IPCC work on seventh climate assessment threatened by shorter timelines
The IPCC Bureau, which prepares climate assessment reports, is under pressure to publish them in time for the next global stocktake
- The fourth and final installment of the sixth assessment report (AR6) by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was released.
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations responsible for advancing knowledge on human-induced climate change.
- It was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- The report highlighted theClimate change that is a threat to human well-being and planetary health and there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all.
- The report finds that it is likely that warming will exceed 1.5°C during the 21st century, despite progress in climate mitigation policies and legislation.
- The report also highlights the economic imperative for taking action, finding that the global economic benefit of limiting global warming to 2°C exceeds the cost of mitigation in most assessed literature.
- The report demonstrates an undeniable scientific consensus about the urgency of the climate crisis, and the irreversible harm that will occur if warming surpasses 1.5°C, even temporarily.
- The report evaluates the physical science basis of climate change, impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, and mitigationof greenhouse gas emissions.
Key Takeaways from the Report
- Green House Gas (GHG) emissions will lead toincreasing global warming in the near term, and it’s likely this will reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2035.
- The world is currently at around 1°C of warming,and current climate policies are projected to increase global warming by 3.2°C by 2100.
- The IPCC has “very high confidence”that the risks and adverse impacts from climate change will escalate with increasing global warming.
- To keep within the 1.5°C limit,emissions need to be reduced by at least 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels and at least 60% by 2035.
- Losses and damageswill disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations, particularly those in Africa and least-developed countries, creating more poverty.
- Tracked climate financefor mitigation falls short of the levels needed to limit warming to below 2°C or to 1.5°C across all sectors and regions.
- Public and private financeflows for fossil fuels are still greater than those for climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Prioritizingequity, social justice, inclusion, and just transition processes would enable ambitious climate mitigation actions and climate-resilient development.
Climate emergency
- Climate emergency refers to the urgent and immediate need to take action to address the escalating threats posed by the changing climate.
- This is based on overwhelming scientific evidence that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, are driving global temperatures to unprecedented levels.
- These have led to catastrophic consequencessuch as extreme weather events, sea level rise, loss of biodiversity, and widespread human suffering.
- The need for climate emergency action is urgent as there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5°C and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.
ISRO’s latest launch: Why is the GSLV rocket nicknamed ‘naughty boy’?
Unlike its predecessors, GSLV uses cryogenic engines — they consist of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen — that provide far greater thrust than the engines used in the older launch vehicles.
‘Disciplined boy’
- The GSLV or geosynchronous launch vehicle was termed the “naughty boy” of Indian space due to its repeated failures in the past.
- Following this successful launch, GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission Director Tommy Joseph said that the GSLV had become a “disciplined boy”.
GSLV rocket called ‘naughty boy’
- The GSLV gained the nickname naughty boy as at least four out of 15 previous launches with the rocket have been unsuccessful.
- Only three of the60 missions so far by ISRO’s workhorse PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).
- None of the seven missions by its successor LVM-3, have failed.
GSLV-F14
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a three-stage (51.7 m long) launch vehicle having a liftoff mass of 420 tonnes.
- The first stage (GS1) comprises a solid propellant (S139) motor having 139-ton propellant and four earth-storable propellant stages (L40) strapons which carry 40 tons of liquid propellant in each.
- The second stage (GS2) is also an earth-storable propellant stage loaded with 40-ton propellant.
- The third stage (GS3) is a cryogenic stage with a 15-ton propellant loading of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2).
It can be used to launch a variety of spacecraft capable of performing communications, navigation, earth resource surveys, and any other proprietary mission.
GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission and its Primary Objective
The mission:
- INSAT-3DS Satellite is a follow-on mission of Third Generation Meteorological Satellite from Geostationary Orbit and the Indian industries have significantly contributed to the making of the Satellite.
- The mission is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and it will augment the Meteorological services along with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites.
The primary objectives of the mission are:
- To monitor Earth’s surface, carry out Oceanic observations and its environment in various spectral channels of meteorological importance.
- To provide the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the Atmosphere.
- To provide the Data Collection and Data Dissemination capabilities from the Data Collection Platforms (DCPs).
- To provide Satellite Aided Search and Rescue services.
Significance of the GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS Mission
At least four of the 15 launches using the GSLV so far have been unsuccessful.
- In comparison, only three of the 60 missions so far by ISRO’s workhorse PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle), and none of the seven by its successor LVM-3, have failed.
- Therefore, the mission’s success will be crucial for the GSLV, which is scheduled to carry later this year the Earth observation satellite, NISAR, which is being jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
- INSAT-3DS, with a mission life of 10 years, will take over the functions of INSAT-3D (launched in 2013) and INSAT-3DR (2016) that have come to the end of their mission life. It
- The mission will help in short-range forecasts of extreme weather events such as thunderstorms, provide visibility estimation for aviation, and help in studying forest fire, smoke, snow cover, climate studies.
Report on the Development and Promotion of Jute Industry
Recently, the Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development has presented the Fifty-Third Report on ‘Development and Promotion of jute industry
Key Highlights of the Report
Potential of Jute Industry:
- The Jute industry occupies an important place in the national economy of India. It is one of the major industries in the eastern region, particularly in West Bengal.
- Jute, the ‘golden fibre’, meets all the standards for ‘safe’ packaging in view of being a natural, renewable, biodegradableand eco-friendly product.
India as Major Share of Jute Production in the World:
- India is a major player in global jute production, contributing 70% of the world’s jute output.
- The Jute industry directly employsapproximately 3.7 lakh workers, with around 90% of the production consumed domestically.
- About 73% of jute industries are concentrated in West Bengal (out of 108 composite jute mills 79 are in West Bengal).
Production and Export Data (2022-23):
- In the fiscal year 2022-23, the production of jute goods reached a significant milestone, totalling 1,246,500 metric tons (MT).
- Exports of jute goods surged to 177,270 MT, constituting approximately 14% of the total production. This represents a remarkable 56% increase in exports compared to figures recorded in 2019-20.
- The rise in exports can be attributed to several factors, including increased demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products worldwide.
- India imported 121.26 thousand MT of raw jute during the same period.
- The importation primarily stems from the preference for high-quality jute from Bangladesh, which is utilised in the manufacturing of value-added products.
- The top export markets for jute goods include a diverse array of countries such as theUSA, France, Ghana, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium,Côte d’Ivoire, Australia, and Spain.
Key Facts About Jute Conditions Required for Cultivation:
Production:
Uses: It is known as the golden fibre. It is used in making gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets and other artefacts. |
CMS COP14 ends in Samarkand; proposals listing 14 migratory species adopted
A host of new measures to safeguard migratory species, have been adopted at the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) concluded today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Recently, the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) adopted the Single Species Action Plan for conservation of the Hawksbill Turtle.
Dimensions:
- International Single Species Action Plan under AEWA
- AEWA Overview
International Single Species Action Plan under AEWA
Key Instrument for Conservation:
- The International Single Species Action Plan is a crucial instrument developed within the framework of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).
- Its primary purpose is to facilitate coordinated measures aimed at restoring migratory waterbird species to a favourable conservation status.
AEWA Overview:
- AEWA is an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across diverse regions, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland, and the Canadian Archipelago.
- Developed under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), AEWA aims to establish coordinated conservation and management efforts for 255 migratory waterbird species dependent on wetlands.
Geographical Scope:
The Agreement spans 119 Range States, encompassing the migratory range of waterbirds from the northern reaches of Canada and Russia to the southernmost tip of Africa and parts of Asia.
Organizational Structure:
AEWA consists of three primary bodies:
- Meeting of the Parties (MOP): The governing body of AEWA.
- Standing Committee (StC): Responsible for steering operations between MOP sessions.
- Technical Committee (TC): Provides scientific and technical advice.
- The UNEP/AEWA Secretariat, based in Bonn, Germany, supports the Parties and services the Agreement’s bodies.
- International Cooperation:
- International cooperation among the species’ range states is deemed essential for the effective implementation of action plans and the overall conservation efforts under AEWA.