Current Affairs – September 10, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – PG – Climatology} La Nina Predictions

• Context (IE): Global agencies had widely predicted the onset of La Nina in July 2024, but those predictions were off the mark. This delay has raised questions about the impact on global weather patterns, especially for India, which expected increased rainfall during the monsoon season.

La Nina

• La Nina, Spanish for ‘The Little Girl’, is a phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO is a key driver of global natural climate variability, characterised by changes in sea temperatures along the tropical Pacific Ocean due to atmospheric fluctuations.
• ENSO occurs in irregular cycles of two to seven years and has three phases: Warm phase (El Nino), Cool phase (La Nina), and Neutral phase.
• During La Nina, trade winds become stronger than usual, pushing larger quantities of water to the western Pacific. This results in cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific.
• In India, La Niña is typically associated with enhanced monsoon activity, while El Niño often suppresses rainfall during the monsoon season.
• La Nina years are associated with more frequent cyclogenesis in the north Indian Ocean basin, with storms of above-average intensity and longer duration.

Global Weather Model Predictions

• Multiple global weather models initially suggested that La Nina conditions would onset around July 2023, following the end of a strong El Nino event in June.
• By mid-July, it became clear that La Nina would be delayed. The US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) adjusted their predictions, anticipating La Nina’s emergence later in the year.
• The earliest signs of La Nina onset are expected by late September or early October, with peak conditions anticipated in November and likely lasting throughout the northern hemisphere winter.

Reasons for Prediction Inaccuracies

• Weather models are more accurate in detecting strong La Niña (or El Niño) phases. The expected weak intensity of the upcoming La Niña made it challenging for models to pick up clear signals.
• Factors such as inter-seasonal variability in the atmosphere, wind, and pressure linked to the Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) complicate predictions by interacting with Pacific Ocean conditions.

Read more > Indian Monsoon.

{GS2 – Governance – Laws} 23^rd Law Commission

• Context (IE): The Union government of India has established the 23rd Law Commission for a period of three years (2024 to 2027).

Composition of the Commission

• The Commission will have a full-time chairperson, four full-time members, ex-officio members, the Secretary of the Legal Affairs and Legislative Departments, and up to five part-time members.
• The government has not yet appointed (to be done by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister) the members of the commission.
• The chairperson and members can be serving judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts, or other qualified individuals, as seen in previous Law Commissions. Usually, the chairperson is a retired judge.

Key Responsibilities of the 23^rd Law Commission

• Identify obsolete laws which can be repealed to streamline the legal system.
• Conduct audits of laws that affect the poor to ensure that legislation is fair and beneficial to all.
• Provide its views on any law referred by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• Examine existing laws in light of the Directive Principles of State Policy. It will suggest ways to improve and reform these laws and propose new legislation to implement the Directive Principles.
• Examine the impact of globalisation on food security and unemployment. It will recommend measures to protect the interests of marginalised groups in the face of these global trends.
• Reviewing the judicial administration system to make it more responsive to contemporary demands.

The 22nd Law Commission, set up in February 2020, had its chairperson and members appointed in November 2022. It was working on reports regarding the Uniform Civil Code and simultaneous elections, but these were not completed before its term ended on August 31, 2023. The 22nd Law Commission recommended retaining Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, the sedition law, citing internal security threats like Maoism, militancy, terrorism, and the Khalistan movement. It also proposed amendments to clarify its usage.

About Law Commission

• A non-statutory body established by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice (gazette notification).
• Since Independence, 22 Law Commissions have submitted 289 reports, many of which have shaped key Indian laws. E.g. the Code of Criminal Procedure (1973) and the Right to Education Act (2009).
• The recommendations of the commission are not binding on the government.
• The Law Commission is usually chaired by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge. Its members include legal scholars and sometimes serving judges.

{GS2 – Governance – Laws} Goa’s Land Use Law: Controversy and Concerns

• Context (IE): Land use in Goa has long been a contentious issue, balancing economic development—driven by tourism, real estate, and mining — against environmental regulation.

2023 amendment to the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act of 1974

• It permitted the conversion of privately owned plots when owners claim “inadvertent errors” in Goa’s Regional Plan 2021, allowing corrections without public consultation.
• It introduced Section 17(2), which simplifies the process of “correcting” “green zones“ marked in the Regional Plan 2021 into “settlements.“
• Changing land classification from “green zone” to “settlement” allows residential and commercial construction, enabling the owner to build houses, villas, complexes, or hotels and significantly increasing land value. For example, a plot in Anjuna saw its value rise from Rs 74 lakh to Rs 6.8 crore after rezoning.
• This opens the floodgates to widespread construction activity, especially in ecologically sensitive areas.
• In 2023, The Goa Foundation, Khazan Society of Goa, and Goa Bachao Abhiyan filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court (Goa) challenging the constitutional validity of Section 17(2) of the TCP Act.

Concerns Raised by Urban Planners and Activists

Environmental Impact

• Destruction of hill slopes, fields, and natural cover.
• Compromise of eco-sensitive zones (orchards, forests, no-development slopes).

Unbalanced Development

• Favouring real estate lobbies and speculative housing markets.
• Sacrificing the state’s natural resources and agricultural spaces.

Procedural Issues

• Questionable “error correction” claims for clearly defined areas like hill slopes.
• Lack of public feedback in the correction process.

Governance Issues

• The involvement of the TCP and Environment Ministers in approving land use changes has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and transparency in the decision-making process.
• According to experts, “zoning has become a racket,” with the government sacrificing the state’s life support systems in exchange for fees.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} India, UAE civil nuclear energy agreement

• Context (TH): India and UAE signed the first civil nuclear cooperation agreement.

• It was signed between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) for the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance.
• Trilateral cooperation format: It is seen as the outcome of the trilateral cooperation format between France, India, and the UAE, which was discussed on the sidelines of the UNGA summit in 2022.
• Additional Agreements: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited for long-term LNG supply; Urja Bharat and ADNOC signed a Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1; Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) for developing food parks in India.

Read more > Gulf region’s importance for India | Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

{GS2 – MoAFW – Schemes} Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)

• Context (PIB): PM-KMY completed five years. It was launched as a Central Sector Scheme in 2019.

• Administered by: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in partnership with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• The Scheme is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
• Eligibility:
  • Small and marginal farmers who own cultivable lands up to 2 hectares as per the land records of the respective State/UT as of 1^st August 2019.
  • The age of the farmers should be between 18 to 40 years.
• PM-KISAN Benefit: SMFs can use their PM-KISAN benefits to contribute to the scheme voluntarily.
• Benefit: Fixed monthly pension of Rs. 3,000 after attaining the age of 60 to eligible farmers.
• Monthly Contributions: Rs. 55 to Rs. 200, depending on the age at entry into the Scheme.
• Equal Contribution by Government: The Central Government, through the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, also contributes an equal amount.
• Family pension: If the subscriber dies, his/her spouse is entitled to 50% of the pension.

Farmers excluded under the scheme SMFs covered under other statuary social security schemes such as National Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation scheme, Employees’ Fund Organization Scheme etc. Farmers who have opted for Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM). Farmers who have opted for Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-LVM). Farmers with a higher economic status (like institutional holders, constitutional post holders, Ministers, legislators, govt. officers, etc.). All Persons who paid Income Tax in the last assessment year. Professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers, Chartered Accountants, and Architects.

{GS3 – Infra – Transportation} Road Safety in India

• Context (TH): The “India Status Report on Road Safety 2024,” prepared by the TRIP Centre at IIT Delhi, exposes disparities in road traffic death rates across States.

• Road traffic injuries remain a significant public health challenge in India, with little progress in reducing fatalities despite advancements in other sectors.

Key Findings

• In 2021, road traffic injuries were the 13^th leading cause of death in India and the 12^th leading cause of health loss (measured in Disability-Adjusted Life Years, or DALYs).
• In six States (Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh), road traffic injuries ranked among the top 10 causes of health loss. Most Indian States are unlikely to meet the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety goal to halve traffic deaths by 2030.
• Only eight States have audited more than half of their National Highway lengths. Most states still lack basic traffic safety measures, including traffic calming, markings, and signage.
• Helmet usage in rural areas is particularly low, and trauma care facilities are inadequate.

Facts related to Road accidents in India

• With only 1% of the world’s vehicles, India accounts for ~10% of all crash-related deaths (World Bank).
• The severity of road crashes (measured by the number of people killed per 100 accidents) has increased from 28.2% in 2012 to 36.5% in 2022.
• National and State highways, which account for only 4.9% of the total road network, witnessed 56.1% of all road crashes and almost 61% of all road crash fatalities in the country.

Causes of road accidents

• Poor Enforcement and Governance: Lengthy legal procedures result in delayed justice, a lack of deterrence, and corruption among traffic police personnel, undermining road safety efforts.
• Poor Infrastructure: E.g., potholes, uneven surfaces, poorly demarcated lanes, inadequate signage, substandard lighting, and insufficient pedestrian-friendly features.
• Lack of dedicated resources: In most cases, road safety is an additional charge for officers. They end up prioritising their primary responsibilities, neglecting road safety.
• Lack of adherence to traffic rules and regulations: Non-use of seat belts and helmets, traffic rules violations, vehicle overloading, driving without a valid license.
• Lack of essential safety features like airbags in many budget-friendly cars in India.
• Overcrowding of roads with vehicles, pedestrians, and animals.

Impacts of road accidents

• Impact on the economy: Road crashes cost the Indian economy around 5-7% of its GDP annually.
• Loss of life: In India, a traffic accident claims the life of one person approx. every three and a half minutes.
• Disproportionate impact on the poor: The financial loss due to road accidents amounted to more than seven month’s of household income, while it was equivalent to less than one month’s household income for affluent households.
• Increased out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure: Under-coverage of health insurance facilities uplifts medical and non-medical expenditures, imposing severe financial burdens and pushing non-poor families into poverty and the already poor into extreme poverty and indebtedness.

Road Safety Initiatives in India

• National Road Safety Policy India, 2010: It emphasised the need for better road infrastructure, stricter traffic rule enforcement, enhanced emergency medical services, public awareness campaigns, and improved post-crash care.
• Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS): Established in 2014 to address the issue and guide and monitor all states and UTs to bring down crash fatalities in the country.
• Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019: The Act introduced higher penalties for traffic violations, including speeding, drunk driving, and not wearing helmets or seat belts, and imposed stricter penalties for offences by juveniles.
• Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD): It is a central accident database management system that analyses the causes of road crashes and devises safety interventions to reduce them.
• National Road Safety Month/Week: Observed every year to spread awareness about road safety.
• Road Safety Audits (RSA): All National Highways (NHs) are mandated to have safety audits through third-party auditors/ experts at all stages, i.e., design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
• Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR): The e-DAR project has been initiated to establish a central repository for reporting, managing, and analysing road accident data nationwide.
• India State Support Programme for Road Safety by World Bank: The World Bank has approved a $250 million loan for seven States to set up a single accident reporting number.
• Good Samaritan Law: It protects Good Samaritans from harassment in their actions to save the life of road accident victims.

Good Samaritan: A person who, in good faith, without expectation of payment or reward and any duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily comes forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident, crash, or emergency medical condition or emergency.

Global Initiatives to Promote Road Safety

• Brasilia Declaration on Road Safety, 2015: Under it, the countries plan to achieve SDG 3.6, i.e. to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by 2030. India signed it in 2015.
• Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030: The UN General Assembly adopted the “Improving global road safety” resolution to prevent at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.
• Bloomberg Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) 2020-2025: It aims to reduce road crash fatalities and injuries in low and middle-income countries and cities by implementing a comprehensive set of proven life-saving actions.

Way Forward

• Raise Awareness: More efforts are needed to promote awareness about road safety, the implications of road accidents, and what needs to be done to reduce the increasing number of road accidents.
• Strict Enforcement of Law: Establish a proper driving licensing system to ensure standardised driving skills, increased political and financial commitments, and for road safety to be included in mainstream development policies.
• Engineering of Vehicles and Road Infrastructure along with emergency care. The curved road, potholes and ongoing road works under construction, etc., need to be the focus of attention for the engineers maintaining these roads by installing safety signages at appropriate spots.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Successful launch of Agni-4 Ballistic Missile

• Context (PIB): India has successfully completed a test-fire of the Agni-4 Ballistic Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile from the Integrated Test Range located in Chandipur, Odisha.

Agni-4 Missile

• Indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Range: 4,000 kilometres. Payload capacity: 1,000 kg.
• The Agni-4 is a 20-metre-long missile designed for mobility and rapid deployment. It can be fired from a road-mobile launcher, enhancing its strategic flexibility and survivability.
• Agni-4 missile was previously known as Agni-2 Prime.

The Agni missiles are long-range, nuclear weapons-capable surface-to-surface ballistic missiles.

Read more > Agni Missiles | Ballistic Missile vs. Cruise Missile, India’s Missile Systems, IGMDP

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Digital public infrastructure (DPI)

• Context (IE): India has seen rapid DPI growth, achieving 80% financial inclusion in six years.

Key Features of Good Digital Public Infrastructure

• Citizen-Centric Design: A good DPI should enhance the relationship between citizens, the market, and the state, ensuring it is free from adverse influences that could distort these interactions.
• Empowerment and Privacy: It must prioritise citizen empowerment through a consent-based system for data sharing, safeguarding individual privacy.
• Interoperability: Good DPIs should prevent lock-in by monopolistic entities and promote interoperability that allows citizens to switch between services without being trapped.
• Techno-Legal Regulation: A combination of technology and legal frameworks is necessary to govern ethical tech use and ensure innovation aligns with security and societal rights.
• Public-interest innovation: Collaboration between public and private sectors should drive innovation to serve the public good rather than just corporate interests.

Role of stack

India Stack

• Open APIs: India Stack consists of open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that facilitate creating digital services across various sectors.
• Core Components: Three primary pillars — digital identity (Aadhaar), payments (UPI), and data management (DigiLocker) work together to provide a comprehensive digital ecosystem.
• Inclusivity Focus: India Stack aims to foster digital, financial, and social inclusion for all sections of society, ensuring that even marginalised populations can access essential services.
• Global Applicability: While initially conceptualised for India, the principles of India Stack can be applied to other nations, making it a model for digital public infrastructure worldwide.

Citizen Stack

• Regulatory Authority: Citizen Stack certifies and authenticates DPIs, ensuring high standards of security, scalability, and inclusivity, unlike traditional DPI manufacturers.
• Holistic Approach: The organisation adopts a holistic approach to digital infrastructure, integrating technology with societal needs while prioritising user data protection and privacy.
• Commitment to Public Good: By adhering to these principles, Citizen Stack ensures that DPIs are developed with a focus on public benefit, aiming to empower citizens and maintain fair market dynamics.
• Global Benchmark: Citizen Stack sets a global standard for DPIs, promoting practices that are beneficial for society while ensuring technological and legal safeguards are in place.

Challenges

• Data Privacy and Security Concerns: Handling sensitive personal data raises significant risks related to data breaches and unauthorised access.
• Digital Divide: The effectiveness depends on widespread internet access and digital literacy, as marginalised communities may be excluded from digital services, impacting inclusivity.
• Interoperability Challenges: Ensuring seamless interoperability among digital systems is complex, especially when integrating legacy systems with modern platforms.
• Ethical and Legal Compliance: Establishing a governance framework that adheres to ethical standards and legal requirements is crucial for promoting innovation while protecting citizens’ rights.
• Building Public Trust: Maintaining public trust is vital for adopting digital services. Addressing concerns about privacy and security is essential for fostering confidence.
• Resource Limitations: Implementing a robust DPI framework requires significant resources, including funding and skilled personnel, which may be limited.

{Prelims – Awards} Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards 2024

• Context (PIB): The Union Environment Minister presented the awards on the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (also celebrated as Swachh Vayu Diwas). Participation in the Ideas4LiFE campaign focusing on seven Mission LiFE themes was also encouraged.

• The awards recognised nine of the best-performing NCAP cities for improving air quality.

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (declared by the United Nations General Assembly), observed annually on 7th September, aims to raise awareness and promote actions to improve air quality. Ek Ped Maa ke Naam campaign (“One Tree in Mother’s Name”) aims to encourage tree planting as a way to honour mothers and promote environmental conservation.

About Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards

• “Swachh Vayu Survekshan” is an initiative by MoEF&CC to rank cities based on implementing activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in 130 NCAP cities.

Award Categories and Winning Cities – 2024

• The Swachh Vayu Survekshan Awards were presented in three categories based on population size:
  • Category 1 (Population over 10 lakhs): Surat, Jabalpur, Agra.
  • Category 2 (Population between 3-10 lakhs): Firozabad, Amravati, Jhansi.
  • Category 3 (Population under 3 lakhs): Raebareli, Nalgonda, Nalagarh.

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) Achievements A video showcasing the NCAP program’s essence, agency contributions, and air quality improvements in 131 NCAP cities was presented. 95 cities have shown declining trends in air pollution. 51 cities have reduced PM10 levels by over 20% compared to the 2017-18 base year. 21 cities have achieved a reduction of more than 40% in PM10 levels.

Ideas4LiFE initiative invites innovative ideas and solutions that promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. This online platform seeks to gather proposals related to products and services that can drive behavioural change towards sustainable living. ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Initiative’ is a rainwater harvesting project spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Discovery of New Curcuma Species in Nagaland

• Context (TH): A new species Curcuma ungmensis discovered in Ungma village of Nagaland adds a new ‘cousin’ to the well-known turmeric plant (genus Curcuma).

• It could be ideal for gardens, with its attractive inflorescence.

The Zingiberaceae family has 21 genera and about 200 taxa in India. Curcuma is one of the largest and most important genera in this family. Well-known Curcuma species include turmeric (Curcuma longa), black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), and mango ginger (Curcuma amada). Curcuma is widely found in south and southeast Asia and south China. Some species occur in northern Australia and the South Pacific. In India, about 40 species are present, mainly in northeast and southern states, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

{Prelims – In News} Food Price Index

• Context (BS): The FAO Food Price Index in August declined from its revised July figure.

• Released by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
• It measures the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities.
• It consists of the average of five commodity group price indices (Cereal, Vegetable Oil, Dairy, Meat and Sugar) weighted by the average export shares of each group over 2014-2016 (Base Year).
• Introduced in 1996 as a public good to help monitor developments in agricultural commodity markets.

{Prelims – In News} Standing Committee on Statistics

• Context (IE | TH): Centre dissolves Standing Committee on Statistics amid delayed Census.

• Reason for dissolution: The roles and responsibilities of the Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys (NSS) overlap with those of the Standing Committee on Statistics.
• The Standing Committee on Statistics was established in July 2023 after renaming and expanding the scope of coverage of Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES) formed in December 2019.
• Mandate:  To advise the Union government on survey methodology, including sampling frame, sampling design, and survey instruments, and to finalise a tabulation plan of surveys.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} YUDH ABHYAS

• Context (PIB): The 20^th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise, YUDH ABHYAS-2024, has commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.

• The joint exercise is aimed at enhancing the military capabilities of both nations to conduct counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional scenario, adhering to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The operations are specifically tailored to a semi-desert environment.
• YUDH ABHYAS has been conducted annually since 2004 and alternates between India and the USA each year. It will enhance defence cooperation and deepen bilateral relations between India and the USA.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Presbyopia Treatment

• Context (IE): Newly approved eye drop PresVu will reduce dependency on reading glasses for individuals with presbyopia.

Presbyopia

• Definition: Presbyopia is an age-related eye condition that typically begins around age 40.
• Cause: Results from hardening of the eye’s lens and decreased flexibility of the ciliary muscles.
• Symptoms:
  • Difficulty reading small text
  • Holding reading materials farther away
  • Headaches and eyestrain
• Impact: Affected individuals often require reading glasses or contact lenses for management.

PresVu

• Active Ingredient: Pilocarpine — contracts the iris muscles, helping improve focus on close objects.
• Technology: PresVu utilises “advanced dynamic buffer technology” to adapt to the pH level of tears, ensuring consistent efficacy and safety for long-term use.
• Temporary: The effects of PresVu are temporary, lasting approx. Four to six hours.