Current Affairs – 9th Feb 2024

Articles Covered:

  1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
  2. Department of Fisheries allocated an amount of Rs.  2584.50 crore for financial year 2024-25
    Cabinet approves new scheme for MSMEs in fisheries sector
  3. Smart Cities Mission
  4. Union government announced retail sale of rice at Rs 29 per kg under ‘Bharat Rice’
  5. Suspending free movement along Myanmar border: Amit Shah
  6. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024
  7. Kyasanur Forest disease

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project:

The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project was jointly identified by India and Myanmar to create a multi-modal mode of transport for the shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar.

  • Indian Prime Minister recently hailed the inaugural run of vessel from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to Sittwe Port Myanmar developed under the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.

Components of project: The project involves sea, river, and road transportation:

  • Sea Route:From Kolkata to Sittwe (539 km).
  • River Route:Sittwe to Paletwa via the Kaladan River (158 km).
  • Road Route:Paletwa to Indo-Myanmar border (110 km), and further into Mizoram.

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project:

  1. Kaladan Project would link India and Myanmar via the Bay of Bengal.
  2. It was jointly identified by India and Myanmar to create a multi-modal mode of transport for the shipment of cargo from the eastern ports of India to Myanmar as well as to the North-Eastern part of India through Myanmar.
  3. It is being constructed by India under the Grant in Aid Scheme.
  4. Once completed, it will link Kolkata with the Sittwe seaport in Rakhine state in Myanmar, primarily over the Bay of Bengal – covering over 500 km.

The project envisaged four important stages:

  • Kolkata to Sittwe waterway;
  • Sittwe to Paletwa inland (River Kaladan) waterway;
  • Paletwa to India-Myanmar border post in Myanmar;
  • Finally, linking the road to Lawngtlai in Mizoramas part of the project’s last leg;

Benefits:

  • The project is expected to contribute to the economic development of the North-Eastern Statesof India.
  • It also provides astrategic link to the North-East, thereby reducing pressure on the Siliguri Corridor. 

Department of Fisheries allocated an amount of Rs.  2584.50 crore for financial year 2024-25

  • Budgetary allocation is 15% higher than the current financial year
  • PMMSY is being stepped up to enhance aquaculture productivity, doubling exports to Rs 1 lakh crore and generate 55 lakh employment opportunities
  • Blue economy 2.0 to be launched to focus on promoting climate resilient activities, restoration and adaptation measures and development of coastal aquaculture and mariculture with integrated & multi-sectoral approach
  • Five Integrated Aquaparks to be setup

  1. Department of Fisheries has been allocated an amount of Rs. 2584.50 crore for financial year 2024-25 which is highest ever annual allocation to the Department of fisheries. The budgetary allocation is 15% higher than the current financial year. The budget allocated is one of the highest ever annual budgetary support for the Department.
  2. The expenditure towards fisheries sector since first five-year plan to 2013-14 was only Rs. 3680.93 crore however, since 2014-15 to 2023-24 an amount of Rs.  6378 crore has already been released for various fisheries developmental activities in the country. The targeted investment in last nine years in the sector is more than Rs. 38572 crore, which is highest ever investment in this sunrise sector.
  3. Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the development in the sector. The interim budget also emphasises on establishment of digital public infrastructure for formalization of the economy. The Union Finance Minister emphasised that a separate Fisheries Department was established to realize importance of assisting fishermen that has resulted in doubling both inland and aquaculture production, doubling of seafood exports since 2013-14. The flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Mastya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is being stepped up to enhance aquaculture productivity from existing 3 to 5 ton/Ha, doubling exports to Rs 1 lakh crore and generate 55 lakh employment opportunities along with big infrastructural changes of establishing 5 integrated aquaparks. In addition, the blue economy 2.0 will be launched to focus on promoting climate resilient activities, restoration and adaptation measures and development of coastal aquaculture and mariculture with integrated & multi-sectoral approach.
  4. Fisheries sector plays an important role in the Indian economy. It contributes to the national income, exports, food and nutritional security as well as employment generation. Fisheries sector is recognized as the ‘Sunrise Sector’ and is instrumental in sustaining livelihoods of around 30 million people in India particularly that of the marginalized and vulnerable communities.
  5. With record fish production of 175.45 lakh tons in FY 2022-23, India is the third largest fish producing country in the world accounting for 8% of global production and contributing about 1.09% to the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 6.724% to the agricultural GVA. The sector has immense potential to grow hence calls for focused attention through policy and financial support for sustainable, responsible, inclusive and equitable growth.
  6. The Fisheries sector was given the required boost by carving out Department of Fisheries from the erstwhile Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries on 5th February 2019 and has been equipped with profound schemes and programs namely Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Fisheries Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC), the Department is now set to achieve newer heights during the Amrit Kaal.

Cabinet approves new scheme for MSMEs in fisheries sector:

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the extension of Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund to another three years, up to 2025-26

  1. The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, for the micro and small enterprises operating in the fisheries sector with an expected investment of ₹6,000 crore in the next four years.
  2. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the extension of Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) to another three years, up to 2025-26. The already approved fund size of the FIDF is ₹7,522.48 crore and the budgetary support is ₹939.48 crore.
  3. About 121 fisheries infrastructure projects with an investment cost of ₹5,588.63 crore have been approved under the FIDF for creation of various fisheries infrastructures.
  4. Extension of FIDF, the government said, would intensify development of various fisheries infrastructure such as fishing harbours, fish landing centres, ice plants, cold storage and fish transport facilities.

PM Matsya Kisan Smariddhi Sah Yojana:

  1. To formalise the unorganised fisheries sector, facilitate institutional finance to MSME and promote aquaculture insurance, the Union Cabinet also approved PM Matsya Samriddhi Sah Yojana, which is a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
  2. Briefing the media about the scheme, Anurag Thakur said the new sub-scheme will be for fishermen, fish farmers, fish workers, micro and small enterprises, and fish farmers producers’ organisations, among others.
  3. Under the scheme, the government will invest around ₹6,000 crore over four years from 2023-24 to 2026-27 fiscal years in all states and Union Territories for the formalisation of the fisheries sector with a focus on MSMEs.

Smart Cities Mission:

  1. Smart Cities Mission was launched by the Union government in June, 2015.
  2. The main objective of the Mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, clean and sustainable environment and give a decent quality of life to their citizens through the application of ‘smart solutions’.
  3. The Mission aims to drive economic growth and improve quality of life through comprehensive work on social, economic, physical and institutional pillars of the city.
  4. The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development by creation of replicable models which act as lighthouses to other aspiring cities.

Core Infrastructure Elements of Smart Cities Mission:

The core infrastructure elements in a Smart City are as follows:

  1. Adequate water supply
  2. Assured electricity supply
  3. Sanitation including solid waste management
  4. Efficient urban mobility and public transport
  5. Affordable housing, especially for the poor
  6. Robust IT connectivity and digitalization
  7. Good governance, especially e-governance and citizen participation
  8. Sustainable environment
  9. Safety and security of citizens, particularly women, children and the elderly
  10. Health and education

The focus is on sustainable and inclusive development and the idea is to look at compact areas, create a replicable model to serve as a beacon to other aspiring cities.

Coverage of Smart Cities Mission:

  1. The mission will cover 100 citiesthat have been distributed among the States /Union Territories (UT) on the basis of an equitable criteria.
  2. The formula gives equal weightage (50:50) to urban population of the State/UT and the number of statutory towns (a town with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board or notified town area committee) in the State/UT.
  3. Based on this formula, each State/UT will, therefore, have a certain number of potential Smart Cities, with each State/UT having at least one.

Union government announced retail sale of rice at Rs 29 per kg under ‘Bharat Rice’

  • The Union government announced retail sale of rice at Rs 29 per kg under ‘Bharat Rice’ through three cooperatives.
  • The move is aimed at controlling the rise in rice prices, which have risen by 14.5 per cent in retail and 15.5 per cent in the wholesale markets in the last one year.

Retail Sale of Rice

  • In 2023, the Union government, in order to check domestic rice prices and ensure domestic food security, had prohibited the export of white (non-basmati) rice and levied a 20% export duty on par-boiled rice.
  • The government’s decision to curb rice exports was prompted by escalating domestic prices and the desire to ensure adequate supply for the country.
  • Most industry experts anticipate that the government will not ease restrictions before the general election, which is scheduled for April-May 2024.
  • The fall in rice production during the 2023-24 kharif season, influenced by El Nino-induced dry weather conditions, further complicates the supply situation.
  • Despite trade curbs, local rice prices have remained robust, leading the government to issue warnings to retailers.

India’s Rice Exports

  • India is the largest rice exporter globally with a 45% share in the world rice market.
  • Overall rice exports in April-May of 2023 were 21.1% higher compared with the same period last financial year.

In May 2023 itself, export of Basmati rice was 10.86% higher than its exports in May 2022.

  • The shipment of non-Basmati rice has been on the rise for the last three yearsand the export of Basmati rice in 2022-2023 was higher than the previous year.
  • The data shared by the government says that till August 17 this year, total rice exports (except broken rice) were 15% more at 7.3 million tonnes as against the 6.3 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
  • Thailandexpects nearly 25% lower production in 2023-2024; Myanmarhas stopped raw rice exports; and it is said to be low in Iraq and Iran as well.

Government’s Intervention Measures:

  1. Union Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said that the retail prices had increased by 14.51% over the past year.
  2. Worried over the increase in rice prices, the Centre has asked traders/wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors/millers to declare their stock position of rice and paddy every Friday.
  3. The Union Food Secretary said the decision is to manage the overall food inflation and to prevent unscrupulous speculation.
  4. Further, to check inflationary trends, the Centre has decided to start retail sale of ‘Bharat Rice’ to general consumers.
  • In the first phase, 5 lakh tonnes of rice have been allocated for retail sale under the ‘Bharat Rice’ brand through three agencies, the NAFED, NCCF and the Kendriya Bhandar.
  • The retail price for sale of Bharat Rice to general consumers will be ₹29 per kilogram.
  • Rice will be sold in 5 kg and 10 kg bags.

Sufficient stock of good quality rice is available with the FCI, which is being offered to traders/wholesalers under the open market sales scheme at a reserve price of ₹29/Kg.

Bharat Rice:

  • The launch of retail sale of ‘Bharat’ Rice will increase supplies in the market at affordable rates and will help in continued moderation of prices of this important food item.
  • The step is to ensure that price of essential commodities is being kept in check.
  • Bharat’ Rice will be available at all physical and mobile outlets of Kendriya Bhandar, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India (NCCF).
  • It will be sold in family friendly 5 Kg and 10 Kg Bags at maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs. 29/kg.
  • Bharat Attais already being sold by these 3 agencies @ Rs. 27.50 per Kg in 5Kg and 10 Kg packsfrom their physical retail outlets, mobile vans as well as through some other retail networks and e commerce platforms.
  • Bharat Dal(chana dal) is also being sold by these 3 agencies @ Rs.60 per kg for 1kg pack and Rs.55 per kg for 30 kg pack along with onions @ Rs.25 per kg.

Suspending free movement along Myanmar border: Amit Shah

The home ministry has recommended the immediate suspension of the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar that allows tribes along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.

Free Movement Regime (FMR) on the India-Myanmar Border:

  1. About:The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa. It was implemented in 2018 as part of the Indian government’s ACT EAST POLICY.
  2. Rationale:The partition of the India-Myanmar border traces back to 1826 when British colonial rulers demarcated the boundary without considering the opinions of the local inhabitants. The demarcation has resulted in the division of people who share strong ethnic and familial bonds across the border.
  3. Significance:In addition to fostering people-to-people interactions, the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was envisioned to boost local trade and business activities. The area has a rich tradition of cross-border commerce facilitated by customs and border haats.

Indo-Myanmar border:

  1. The Indo-Myanmar border runs for 1,643 km.
  2. The States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km) have common border with Myanmar.

Demarcation of Indo-Myanmar border

  1. Out of 1643 km, demarcation of 1472 km has been completed.
  2. There are only two un-demarcated portionsalong Indo-Myanmar:
  • Lohit sub-sector of Arunachal Pradesh-136 km
  • Kabaw valley in Manipur – 35 km.
  • Security Concerns along the border
  1. Secessionist movements – The movement for Greater Nagaland comprising of areas in both India and Myanmar has dramatically destabilised the border.
  2. Support to insurgents and terrorists in India – Many of the Insurgents in the North Eastern States of India have ties with groups in Myanmar who provide political backing, economic assistance, logistic support, military training or arms supplies.
  • The porous border also helps provide safe havens to the insurgents.

Narcotics smuggling

  1. India is located near the Golden Triangle of drug production in the East (Northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar), which has resulted in rampant drug trafficking through the country.
  2. Trafficking of synthetic drugs to and from Myanmar is a concern.

Border management

Security force along Indo-Myanmar border

  • Fondly known as “Friends of the North East People”, the Assam Riflesis deployed in the North East for guarding the Indo-Myanmar Border.

Modern Weapons for surveillance and border security

  • Modern weapons and equipment like Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR), Laser Range Finder etc. are being used for border security.

Border Fencing

  • In order to check the problem of infiltration, smuggling of contrabands and illegal activities in the Indo-Myanmar border area, the Government of India has initiated work to fence the area.

Comprehensive Border Infrastructure Project

  • To improve border infrastructure on India-Myanmar Border, a comprehensive border infrastructure project is being undertaken.

Integrated Check Posts (ICPs)

  • The government of India decided to set up Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at major entry points on our land borders.

Border Area Development Programme (BADP)

  • Various developmental works in the border areas have been undertaken by the MHA under the BADP as part of a comprehensive approach to border management.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

The Central government has introduced the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 in Rajya Sabha.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Actwas enacted in 1974 to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution.
  • The Act prescribes various penal provisions for non-compliance or contravention of the provisions punishable with imprisonment.
  • The Amendment Bill, tabled in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizes that the cornerstone of democratic governance lies in the government trusting its own people and institutions.
  • The Bill indicates that outdated rules and regulations causes trust deficit.
  1. For example, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 imprisonment of up to three months for not informing the State Board about abstraction of water from a stream or well.
  2. The Bill amends it to a fine between Rs10,000 and Rs15 lakh.
  • The imprisonment provisions for minor violations which are simple infringements, not leading to any injury to humans or damage to the environment, many a times cause harassment to business and citizen.
  • It is also not in consonance with the spirit of Ease of Livingand Ease of Doing Business.
  • Therefore, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024proposes rationalising criminal provisions and ensuring that citizens, business and companies operate without fear of imprisonment for minor, technical or procedural defaults.

Major Features of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024, among other things, seeks to provide:

  1. that the manner of nomination of the chairman of the State Pollution Control Board is to be prescribed by the Central Government;
  2. that the Central government may exempt certain categories of industrial plants from the application of Section 25 relating to restriction on new outlets and new discharges;
  3. that the Central government may issue guidelines on the matters relating to the grant, refusal or cancellation of consent by any State Board for establishment of any industry;
  4. for decriminalising of minor offences and replacing it with monetary penalty in case of continuation of contravention;
  5. the manner of adjudication of penalties by the adjudicating officer who shall be an officer not less than the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India or Secretary to the State government;

punishment for failure to comply with the provisions of section 25 relating to restrictions on new outlets and new discharges and section 26 relating to existing discharge of sewage or trade effluent, etc.;

the amount of penalty imposed is to be credited to the Environmental Protection Fund established under section 16 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

News Summary

  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by MoS for Environment Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
  • It would be applicable to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, and any other state that passes a resolution under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
  • The Bill enables the Centre to “exempt certain categories of industrial plants” from the restrictions on new outlets and discharges.

It also enables the Centre to “issue guidelines” on matters relating to grant, establishment of any industry, etc.

Kyasanur Forest disease

  • Two people from Karnataka since January 1, 2024 have died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease, a viral infection.
  • Since January 1, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has conducted 2,567 tests and 68 people have been found positive.

Kyasanur Forest disease

  • Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic (accompanied by or produced by loss/escape of blood from a broken blood vessel, either inside or outside the body) fever ENDEMIC TO SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF INDIA.
  • The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae.
  • KFDV is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected hard ticks(Haemaphysalis spinigera) which act as a reservoir of KFDV.
  • Patients may experience abnormally low blood pressure, and low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell count.
  • A variety of animals are thought to be reservoir hosts for the disease, including porcupines, rats, squirrels, mice, and shrews.
  • Monkeys are the main amplifying hosts for KFD virus and they are also sufferers, hence, the name Monkey Fever.
  • Man is a terminal host and there no human-to-human transmission because the human domestic environment does not sustain the ticks.
  • Prevention is by vaccination, as well as preventive measures such as protective clothing and tick population control.
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