Current Affairs – July 24, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Mineral Resources} Government Initiatives for Hydrocarbon Production

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released their initiatives to increase Hydrocarbon Production.

Natural Gas Marketing Reforms, 2020: To create a transparent and competitive sale of natural gas at market price through uniform bidding process.
Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT), 2018: To promote the use of Compressed Bio Gas as automotive fuel.
Policy for early monetization of Coal Bed Methane (CBM), 2017: To boost gas production and generate economic activities.
National Data Repository, 2017: Upgraded to a cloud-based system for seamless dissemination of Exploration & Production data to global investors.
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), 2016: To streamline the process of hydrocarbon exploration and production in the country.
Discovered Small Field Policy, 2015: To bring production in the small fields to enhance the domestic production.
2G Ethanol plants: To give thrust to Ethanol Blending Programme.
Increased Spending: For acquisition of seismic data in onland and offshore areas to make quality data of Indian Sedimentary Basins available.
Lower Royalty Rates and Zero Revenue Share till Windfall Gain (until they start generating profits) to attract bidders.
Release of ‘No-Go’ area of about 1 Million Sq. Km. for exploration.

Read about > Statistics of Energy Production I Sources of Energy

{GS1 – IS – Issues} Unemployment

Context (FP): Job Interview leads to a stampede-like situation in Gujarat.

Unemployment refers to the state of being without a job, despite actively seeking one and having the necessary qualifications, skills, and willingness to work.

Types of Unemployment

Frictional unemployment: Temporary unemployment when individuals are between jobs or changing careers.
Structural unemployment: Arises from a mismatch between job seekers’ skills and the available job opportunities, often due to technological changes or shifts in the economy.
Cyclical unemployment: Results from downturns in the business cycle, leading to reduced demand for goods and services and subsequent job losses.
Seasonal unemployment: Occurs in industries or occupations where demand fluctuates based on seasonal factors, such as agriculture or tourism.
Long-term unemployment: Refers to individuals who have been unemployed for an extended period, typically six months or longer.
Disguised unemployment: Exists when individuals appear employed but make negligible contributions to production, often seen in informal sectors.

Underemployment refers to workers who are employed but working fewer hours than they would like, or working at a job that is below their skill level.

Unemployment in India

According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s unemployment rate in June 2024 was 9.2%, which is a significant increase from 7% in May 2024.
CMIE also reported rural unemployment at 9.3% and urban unemployment at 8.9%.
The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in India has been increasing, reaching 41.4% in June 2024 (Forbes India).

The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE)

It is a Mumbai-based independent think tank founded in 1976 that collects, analyzes, and disseminates economic and business data to provide insights into the Indian economy.

The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the proportion of people in the working-age population who are either employed or unemployed but actively looking for work.

Also, read > India Employment Report 2024

Causes of Unemployment

Skill Mismatch: Graduates lack the skills needed by employers, creating a gap in the job market. For example, only about 52.5% of the youth deemed employable due to lack of necessary skills (India Skills Report 2024).
Rapid Population Growth: Intensifying competition for limited jobs. For example, 1800 applicants for 10 job openings incident in Gujarat.
Seasonal Nature of Agriculture: Agriculture-dependent workforce faces unemployment during non-harvest seasons. For example, Farmers are unemployed post-harvest, contributing to disguised unemployment.
Decline of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Challenges faced by SMEs reduce job creation opportunities. For example, the Textile industry decline affects SMEs and leads to job losses.
Limited Labor Mobility: Reluctance to relocate restricts access to job opportunities. For example, Cultural barriers hinder job relocation between regions.
Impediments to Women’s Workforce Participation: Social norms or lack of support hinder qualified women from entering or staying in the workforce. For example, PhD holders applying for lower-level positions.
Automation and Technological Advancements: Automation and technology replace jobs, contributing to unemployment. For example, E-commerce reduces retail jobs due to automated processes.
Growing informalisation of the formal sector:

Source: Down to Earth
Declining wages:

Source: Down To Earth

To read about the government’s initiatives to tackle unemployment, > Steps Taken to Increase Employment

Way Forward

Skill Development and Training programs: Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) provide training in relevant sectors like IT, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
Apprenticeship programs: Partnering with industries, like the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), allows individuals to gain practical experience.
Focus on agriculture: Initiatives like the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) impart skills related to value-added agriculture, processing, and marketing.
Promoting rural entrepreneurship: Programs like the Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) provide training and guidance for starting and running businesses in rural areas.
Focus on infrastructure projects: Investing in infrastructure development, like the Sagarmala project for port development, creates jobs in construction, logistics, and related sectors.
Promoting flexible work arrangements: Supporting part-time work and remote work options can cater to a wider range of job seekers.
Implementing the proposed programs: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report said that 8 crore jobs have been created in the last 3-4 years. However, the public is confused about its implementation.

{GS1 – IS – Labour} Government Initiatives for Labour Welfare

Context (PIB): Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment gave information on Central Sector Schemes for the welfare of Labourers.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), 2020: To incentivise employers for creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during Covid-19 pandemic.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM), 2019: Voluntary contributory scheme with matching contribution by GoI for old-age social security to unorganized sector workers.
National Career Service (NCS), 2015: Establish Model Career Centres (MCCs) for Skill Development, Career Counselling and Job Placement.
Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995: Implemented through Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) to give retirement benefit for employees in the organized sector.

Unorganized worker: Defined under the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008, as a home based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganized sector or a worker in the organized sector who is not covered by any of the Acts mentioned in Schedule-II of Act.

Labour Welfare Scheme (LWS): For health, housing and scholarship of Beedi/Cine/Non-Coal Mine workers and their family members.
Health services and cash benefits through Employees State Insurance Corporation.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO)

A statutory body under Ministry of Labour and Employment by Employee Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952.
It administers:
- Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF): Both the employee and employer contribute a fixed percentage of the employee’s basic salary and dearness allowance. The accumulated amount, along with interest, is paid to the employee at the time of retirement or withdrawal.
- Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS): A part of the EPF contribution is allocated to this scheme, which provides a monthly pension to eligible employees upon retirement.
- Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI): This scheme provides life insurance coverage with the insured amount linked to the employee’s provident fund balance.

Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

A statutory body under Ministry of Labour and Employment created in 1948 to administer Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme offered as per the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.
Employees and the employers make regular monthly contributions to the scheme at a certain percentage of their wages to provide protection to employees against disablement/death due to employment injury, sickness, and maternity.
It provides benefits like Sickness Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Maternity Benefit and Medical Benefit.

{GS2 – IR – Diplomacy} Strategic Autonomy

Context (TP): At a recent conclave in New Delhi US ambassador Eric Garcetti said that “in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy” adding “no war is distant anymore.”

This brings to the fore a very important aspect, namely ‘strategic autonomy’.
The concept of strategic autonomy refers to a nation’s ability to make decisions independently of external influences, particularly in matters of national security and foreign policy.

Benefits of Strategic Autonomy

Helps in balancing national interests with international cooperation. Historically, India has pursued a policy of non-alignment.
Helps in managing differences om global issues while maintaining cooperation with multiple partners. For instance, India and US differ on global issues India’s defense ties with Russia.
Helps in shaping India’s relations with the countries that respects sovereignty and independence. For example, India- US cooperation in defense, economic, and technological areas is deep despite of occasional hiccups.
Allows India to engage with others while maintaining its priorities. For example, India-US collaborations in defense, counterterrorism, trade, technology, and climate change.
Bilateral Agreements enhance interoperability while recognizing India’s role as a significant regional player with its strategic imperatives.
Helps in prioritizing independent decisions during conflicts or wars by evaluating whether the ongoing global conflicts or wars impact its core values and interests. If they do, India considers involvement; otherwise, it avoids external entanglements.

Conflicts vs Wars

Conflict involves disagreements or tensions, including political, economic, social, or territorial disputes, ranging from minor skirmishes to serious confrontations (Israel and Hamas).
War is organized and sustained armed fighting between states or large-scale armed groups, typically involving prolonged violence and formal declarations. War is governed by international laws with significant global implications (Operations in Ukraine).

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} Importance of Balancing BRICS and QUAD

Context (TH): As the only country that is a founding member of both QUAD and BRICS, India cannot afford to prioritize one over the other.

	BRICS	QUAD
Global Governance and Security	Essential for addressing Indo-Pacific security challenges and countering Chinese influence.	Crucial for global economic reform and countering Western dominance.
Strategic Benefits	Enhances maritime security, technology partnerships, and economic cooperation.	Provides financial resources through initiatives like the New Development Bank and promotes global equity.
Economic and Technological Cooperation	Focuses on reorienting global supply chains and advancing technology in areas like digital, telecom, and health.	Facilitates economic collaboration and development with a focus on South-South cooperation.
Diplomatic Leverage	Provides a platform for strategic alignment with major democracies, enhancing India’s global stature.	Offers an alternative forum for India’s economic and political interests, balancing Western influences.
Regional Dynamics	Addresses regional vulnerabilities and flashpoints, such as the South China Sea.	Contributes to a balanced global order and counters attempts to marginalize emerging economies.

Way Forward

Develop a cohesive foreign policy that leverages strengths from both Quad and BRICS to address global and regional challenges. For example, India’s “Act East” policy integrates Quad engagements with BRICS.
Maintain robust diplomatic relations with both Quad and BRICS partners, ensuring consistent communication and alignment on strategic goals.
Diverse objectives like the Quad’s Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative could be paired with BRICS’ Contingent Reserve Arrangement to improve global economic stability
Encourage collaborative projects that span both Quad and BRICS to address shared interests and global issues.
Ensure a balanced influence, for example, India should support BRICS expansion to include countries that align with its vision while simultaneously strengthening Quad’s security frameworks to counter regional threats. This would ensure that neither group’s objectives undermine the others’.
Adapt and recalibrate strategies based on changing geopolitical dynamics and priorities in both Quad and BRICS.
Advocate for inclusive policies within both groups to reflect a broad range of interests and enhance India’s strategic positioning.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Bangladesh Student Protest

Context (TH): At least 130 people have been killed in the student protest clashes against quotas for government jobs.

Effects on India

Trade: Trade between India and Bangladesh via land ports has halted as the land port came to standstill. For example, the Petrapole landport, a major trade route, is non-functional.
Indian students in Bangladesh: According to the Ministry of External Affairs, over 4500 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh due to the agitations.
Refugee crisis: This protest may lead to an increase in the flow of refugees from Bangladesh to India.

Read more > Bangladesh and India’s Interests

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} India’s Right to Propagate Religion

Context (TW): India is an unusual nation where the propagation of religion is both a fundamental right and a criminal offence.

Constitutional Provision regarding Right to Propagate

Article 25 guarantees all individuals the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, health and other provisions relating to fundamental rights.
- Freedom of Conscience: Inner freedom of an individual to mould his relation with God or Creatures in whatever way he desires.
- Right to profess: Declaration of one’s religious beliefs and faith openly and freely.
- Right to Practice: Performance of religious worship, rituals, ceremonies and exhibition of beliefs and ideas.
- Right to propagate: Transmission and dissemination of one’s religious beliefs to others, or exposition of the tenets of one’s religion.
Article 25 covers not only religious beliefs but also rituals which are available to both citizens and non-citizens.

Conflicting Provisions of Right to Propagate

Courts have often placed judicial limits on the right to propagate, distinguishing it from the right to convert others. For example: The Allahabad High Court’s ruling in 2023 against Shriniwas Rav Nayak highlighted that the right to propagate does not extend to collective proselytizing.
States like Madhya Pradesh have anti-conversion laws, particularly those perceived to be forced or induced. Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977) upheld state laws restricting conversions, stating that the Constitution guarantees the right to propagate religion, but not to convert others.
Pastor Brian Tiwari have faced legal action and arrest for propagating their Christian faith, highlighting the gap between constitutional guarantees and actual enforcement.
Propagation efforts often meet resistance due to public order concerns, reflecting societal tensions regarding religious conversions. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) discussed the constitutional protection of right to propagation, while noting that states can impose restrictions for maintaining public order.
Increasing violence against Christians, as reported by Human Rights Watch, instills fear to propagate their religion.

Way Forward

Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977) could be revisited to ensure consistent interpretation of Article 25 and to address any judicial inconsistencies regarding religious propagation.
Re-examine and amend state laws like the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021, which may be viewed as conflicting with the constitutional right to propagate.
Establish specialized legal aid cells and awareness campaign to support individuals facing harassment or legal action for religious propagation, akin to the support provided by the Legal Aid Society for human rights cases.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – PWDs} Reasonable Accommodation (RA)

Context (TH): Indian institutions often resist providing RAs for persons with disabilities (PwD), citing “undue burden” due to perceived high costs.

RAs are adjustments which ensure that PwD can exercise their rights equally with others (RPwDs Act, 2016).
Institutions can avoid implementing RAs if they prove it would cause them “undue burden.”

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD)

First major human rights instrument of the 21st century, adopted in 2007.
Defines PwD as those with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that hinder full societal participation due to various barriers.
India has ratified the UNCRPD.

Why Indian Institutes are Reluctant to Implement RA?

Financial reluctance of institutions to bear the costs of RAs, seeing them as expensive.
Prejudices against PwDs lead institutions to view them as less productive, affecting willingness to accommodate.
Institutions often use “undue burden” as a defense to avoid implementing RAs, even when actual hardship is minimal.
Lack of Uniform Standards for determining undue burden leads to misuse and inequities.
National Fund for PwDs remains underutilized, and funds allocated for reasonable accommodations are often insufficient.

Way Forward

Ensure that the proportionality of RAs is evaluated from a welfare-based approach rather than a cost-benefit based approach. For example, Norway’s Anti-Discrimination and Accessibility Act promotes universal design across sectors disregarding the cost benefit.
Incentives for Compliance: Provide tax breaks or financial rewards.
Enhance and better utilize the National Fund for PwDs as outlined in Section 86 of the RPwD Act.
Require institutions to assess their financial capacity and submit requests for support from the National Fund.

Government Initiatives

Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016:
- Mandates RAs for persons with disabilities to ensure equal exercise of rights.
- Section 2(y) defines RAs and Section 86 establishes the National Fund for PwDs.
National Fund for PwD: Provides financial support for the implementation of RAs.
Deen Dayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme and the National Career Service for PwDs: Promote employment of PwDs and provide necessary workplace adjustments.
Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan): Improve accessibility in public spaces and transportation like ramps, elevators, and accessible toilets.
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities: Provide training and resources to improve accessibility and support for PwDs.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Forest Cover of India

Context (PIB): Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change presented India State of Forest Report of 2021 in Lok Sabha amidst the contradictions of Global Forest Watch data.

India State of Forest Report (ISFR)

It is an assessment of forest cover and tree cover (small patches outside the forests) carried out biennially by Forest Survey of India (FSI).
The first survey was published in 1987, and 2021 report is the 17^th report of FSI.

Forest Survey of India (FSI)

It was established in 1981 to assess and monitor the forest resources of India.
It is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand and functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
It serves as a nodal agency to collect, compile, store and disseminate forest resource datas.
It supports state and union territory forest departments in conducting surveys, mapping, and inventory assessments.

Features of the 2021 report

Included a new chapter related to the assessment of forest cover in the Tiger Reserves, Corridors and Lion conservation area of India.
Estimated the ‘Above Ground Biomass’ (part of vegetation above the ground e.g. stumps, tree, deadwood, litter and foliage).

Findings of the report

India has the tenth-largest forest area in the world. Russia stands first.
India ranks third globally in terms of average annual net gain in forest area, an increase of 2261 sq km in the total forest and tree cover from 2019.
The total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.9 million hectare which is 24.62% of the geographical area of the country.
Area-wise, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
Mizoram (84.53%), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33%), Meghalaya (76.00%), Manipur (74.34%) and Nagaland (73.90%) leads in forest cover as percentage of total geographical area.
Top five states showing increase in forest cover are Andhra Pradesh (647 sq km), Telangana (632 sq km), Odisha (537 sq km), Karnataka (155 sq Km) and Jharkhand (110 sq. Km).
Total mangrove cover and stock of Bamboo in the country has increased.
An increase of 79.4 million tonnes in the carbon stock of country which amounts to 7204 million tonnes in total.

Global Forest Watch

It is an open-source web application of Washington-based nonprofit research organization, World Resources Institute (WRI), to monitor global forests in near real-time.
The report tells that India experienced a tree cover loss of 2.33 million hectares since 2000.
95 percent of India’s tree cover loss between 2013 and 2023 occurred within natural forests.
But, Indian forests acted as a net carbon sink, absorbing 89.9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually between 2001 and 2022, despite emitting 51 million tons in the same period.

{GS3 – Envi – RE} Offshore Wind Energy

Context (DTE): The Union Cabinet issued a press release highlighting the advantages of offshore wind energy.

It refers to the production of electricity through wind turbines set up in marine environments like seas or oceans.
It has several advantages over onshore wind energy, such as higher adequacy and reliability, lower storage requirements, higher employment potential, and also contributes towards achieving India’s energy transition targets.

Challenges

High Initial Costs and Technological Complexities.
Stringent Regulations causes delays due to complex permitting procedures.
Maintenance requires special vessels and equipments creating logistics constraints.
Viability Gaps: Although MNRE invited Expressions of Interest (EoI), no project has been set up yet.
Higher risks and longer payback periods make it difficult to secure financing.

Government Initiatives

National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015)
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme
National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has been set up for the implementation of this policy and has identified Gujarat and Tamil Nadu as potential energy zones and installed LiDAR on both the coasts.
International Collaborations and Technology transfer. For example, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Germany helped India in developing offshore wind farms.
MNRE has set targets for offshore wind power capacity, 5 GW by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs)

Context (TH I IT): GoI plans to partner with the private sector to set up BSRs and conduct R&D on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Bharat Small Reactors are SMRs designed to generate electricity on a smaller scale compared to traditional large nuclear power plants.
The BSRs will be based on India’s tried and tested 220-megawatt Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology.
One of the PHWR at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, will become the first BSR.