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GS Paper: GS3

  • Godhan Nyay Yojana to boost rural economy

    Chhattisgarh is set to launch ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’. The scheme aims to put money in the pockets of people living in rural areas and also solve the problem of stray cattle.

    Try this question from CSP 2019:

    Consider the following statements

    1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into the environment.
    2. Cattle release ammonia into the environment.
    3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into the environment.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 2 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Godhan Nyay Yojana

    • Under the scheme, the Chhattisgarh government will purchase cow dung at the rate of Rs 2 per kg.
    • This scheme will turn cow dung into a profitable commodity.
    • The scheme also aims to make cow rearing economically profitable and to prevent open grazing in the state, as well as help with the problem of stray animals on roads and in urban areas.

    How will the scheme help the rural economy?

    • The scheme will generate additional income and increase employment opportunities.
    • The government will procure cow dung and prepare vermicompost in order to move towards organic farming.
    • There is a huge market for organic farming. Vermicompost will be sold by cooperative societies.
    • Distribution of vermicompost fertilizer to farmers will be done as a commodity loan by cooperative societies, banks.

    Preventing strays in urban areas

    • In urban areas, the scheme will prevent movement of stray animals on roads and highways, and also improve urban sanitation with proper disposal of waste produced by cattle.
    • Cattle will be tagged with the owner’s name, address, mobile number to the neck of each animal after the survey to ensure accountability of cattle owners if their cattle are found in the open.

  • What is Itolizumab, newly cleared for Covid?

    The Drug Controller General of India recently approved Itolizumab as a novel biologic therapy for restricted emergency use.

    Various drugs in news these days are:

    1) Remdesivir: Ebola

    2) Lopinavir: HIV

    3) Hydroxychloroquine: Malaria

    What is Itolizumab?

    • Itolizumab is an existing drug used for psoriasis, a chronic skin disease involving unregulated growth of some skin cells that develop into red patches mostly on knees and elbows, but also on some other parts of the body.
    • The drug, developed by Bengaluru-based Biocon, was approved in 2013.
    • It is a monoclonal antibody which is used to treat acute psoriasis.

    Why it is being used for COVD-19?

    • The coronavirus has been observed to induce an overreaction of the immune system, generating a large number of cytokines that can cause severe damage to the lungs and other organs.
    • Itolizumab is safe and efficient in preventing cardio-renal complications in Covid-19 patients who also have acute respiratory distress.

    What are monoclonal antibodies?

    • Monoclonal antibodies are proteins cloned in the lab to mimic antibodies produced by the immune system to counter infection.
    • They have their genesis in serum, the colourless constituent of blood that contains antibodies.
    • These proteins bind to an antigen, the fragment of an infectious virus in the case of SARS-CoV-2, and either destroy it or block its action.

  • Vitamin D and its health benefits

    There have been considerable discussions in scientific circles on the importance of vitamin D in these days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Try this question from CSP 2017:

    Q.Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person maintain health and promote longevity?

    (a) They activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency.

    (b) They prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy.

    (c) They neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism.

    (d) They activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process.

    Vitamin D and its prevalence

    • It is produced when sunlight (or artificial light, particularly in the ultraviolet region of 190-400 nm wavelength) falls on the skin.
    • Light triggers a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule and converts it into calcidiol in the liver and into calcitriol in the kidney.
    • It is these two molecules that are physiologically active.
    • Since sunlight is important for the generation of vitamin D, tropical countries have an advantage over the northern countries.
    • India, being a tropical country, one would expect naturally derived vitamin D levels to be good.

    Why Vitamin D is important?

    • Vitamin D deficiency can affect COVID-19 high-risk patients, particularly those who are diabetic, have heart conditions, pneumonia, obesity and those who smoke.
    • It is also associated with infections in the respiratory tract and lung injury.
    • Besides, vitamin D is known to help in having the right amount of calcium in the bones, catalyse the process of protecting cell membranes from damage, preventing the inflammation of tissues.
    • Moreover, it helps stop tissues from forming fibres and weakening bones from becoming brittle, leading to osteoporosis.

  • Species in news: Raksasa Cockroach

    A team of researchers has discovered a supergiant cockroach when they explored waters of the Indian Ocean in Bantan, off the southern coast of West Java in Indonesia.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The ‘Bathynomus Raksasa’, a species recently discovered is basically a:

    a) Mollusc

    b) Annelid

    c) Arthropod

    d) Flagella

    Bathynomus Raksasa

    • The Bathynomus raksasa is a giant isopod (phylum: Arthropoda) in the genus Bathynomus.
    • It is described as the “cockroach of the sea”. The epithet is the Indonesian word “raksasa” for giant, alluding to its enormous size.
    • The giant isopods are distantly related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimps (which belong to the order of decapods), and are found in the cold depths of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
    • It has 14 legs but uses these only to crawl along the bed of oceans in search of food.
    • As a scavenger, Bathynomus raksasa eats the remains of dead marine animals, such as whales and fish, but can also go for long periods without food, a trait that it shares with the cockroach.

    Why this cockroach matters?

    • Bathynomus raksasa is the sixth ‘supergiant’ species from the Indo-West Pacific and is one of the largest known members of the genus.
    • The discovery takes the number of known giant isopods to 20.
    • As the Bathynomus raksasa reveals its secrets, it will contribute towards increasing knowledge about the deep.

  • Issue of Food subsidy in India

    Solutions to Problems in Food Subsidy Delivery

    The following solutions will help in addressing problems associated with PDS.

    1. Replacing Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of food subsidy. National Food Security Act (NFSA) states that the centre and states should introduce schemes for cash transfers to beneficiaries.Cash transfers seek to increase the choices available with a beneficiary, and provide financial assistance.  It has been argued that the costs of DBT may be lesser than TPDS, owing to lesser costs incurred on transport and storage.  These transfers may also be undertaken electronically. As per a report given by a high level committee of Food Corporation of India, DBT would reduce Government subsidy bills by more than Rs 30,000 crores.
    2. Automation at the Fair Price Shops is another important step taken to address the problem in PDS. Currently more than 4.3 lakh (82%) Fair Price Shops have been automated across the country. Automation involves installation of Point of Sale (PoS) devices, for authentication of beneficiaries and electronic capturing of transactions.
    3. Aadhar and introduction of Biometrics was recommended to plug leakages in PDS. Such transfers could be linked to Jan Dhan accounts, and be indexed to inflation. It  facilitates the removal of bogus ration cards, check leakages and ensure better delivery of food grains. In February 2017, the Ministry made it mandatory for beneficiaries under NFSA to use Aadhaar as proof of identification for receiving food grains.
    4. 100% ration cards had been digitised.
    5. Between 2016 and 2018, seeding of Aadhaar helped in detection of 1.5 crore fake, duplicate and bogus ration cards and these cards were deleted.
    6. Increase the procurement undertaken by states known as Decentralised Procurement (DCP), and reduce the expenditure on centralised procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI). This would drastically reduce the transportation cost borne by the government as states would distribute the food grains to the targeted population within their respective states. As of December 2019,17 states have adopted decentralised procurement.
    7. The Fair Price shops operate at very low margins as per findings of the Government. Hence the fair price shops should be allowed to sell even non-PDS items and make it economically viable. This will motivate them to not to resort to unfair practices in the distribution of Government subsidized food grains meant for beneficiaries of Government schemes.
    8. A greater and more active involvement of the panchayats in the PDS can significantly improve access at the village level.
    9. There is also an urgent need to set up a proper and effective grievances redressal system for both the fair price shops as well as beneficiaries

  • Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve

    As a fresh wave of floods ravages Assam, killing, 85 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) remains submerged.

    Try this question from CSP 2019:

    Q.Consider the following statements:

    1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
    2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
    3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve

    • The KNTPR is a national park in the Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam.
    • The sanctuary, which hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses, is a World Heritage Site.
    • Kaziranga is home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006 (now the highest tiger density is in Orang National Park, Assam).
    • The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.
    • It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.

    Significance of floods in Kaziranga’s ecosystem

    • The entire area of Kaziranga — formed by alluvial deposits from the Brahmaputra and its tributaries — is centred on the river.
    • There is a consensus that floods are necessary for Kaziranga by virtue of it being riverine ecosystem.
    • The regenerative nature of floods helps replenish Kaziranga’s water bodies and maintain its landscape, a mix of wetlands, grasslands and semi-evergreen deciduous forests.
    • The floodwaters also function as a breeding ground for fish.
    • The same fish are carried away by the receding waters into the Brahmaputra — in a way, the park replenishes the river’s stock of fish too.
    • The waters also help get rid of unwanted plants such as water hyacinth which collect in huge masses in the landscape.

  • [pib] Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)

    The Environment Ministry has approved the Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) for the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone.

    Note the following things with respect to the ESZs:

    1) Its demarcation

    2) Law/Regulation providing it

    3) Boundary restrictions

    Bhagirathi ESZ

    It covers a watershed of about  100 kilometres stretch of the river  Bhagirathi from Gaumukh to Uttarakashi covering an area of  4179.59 square km.

    What are the Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZs)?

    • Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the MoEFCC around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
    • The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
    • They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.

    How are they demarcated?

    • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”.
    • However, Section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall be carried out or shall not, subject to certain safeguards.
    • Besides Rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 states that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of certain considerations.
    • The same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones (NDZs).

    Defining its boundaries

    • An ESZ could go up to 10 kilometres around a protected area as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002.
    • Moreover, in the case where sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, are beyond 10 km width, these should be included in the ESZs.
    • Further, even in the context of a particular Protected Area, the distribution of an area of ESZ and the extent of regulation may not be uniform all around and it could be of variable width and extent.

  • [pib] ASPIRE Portal

    The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) is developing a technology platform for the automotive industry called ASPIRE – Automotive Solutions Portal for Industry, Research and Education.

    Try this MCQ:

    Q.The recently launched ASPIRE Portal deals with:

    a) Aspirational Districts

    b) Primary Education

    c) Industrial Clusters

    d) Automotive Technology

    ASPIRE Portal

    • The key objective of this portal is to facilitate the Indian Automotive Industry to become self-reliant by assisting in innovation and adoption of global technological advancements.
    • It aims to bring together the stakeholders from various associated avenues.
    • This includes bringing together the automotive OEMs, Tier 1 Tier 2 & Tier 3 companies, R&D institutions and academia (colleges & universities) on matters involving technology advancements.
    • The activities would include R&D, Product Technology Development, Technological Innovations, Technical and Quality Problem Resolution for the industry, Manufacturing and Process Technology Development etc.
    • Apart from acting as a solution and resource platform, the portal will also host grand challenges in line with the need of the industry as will be identified from time to time, for development of key automotive technologies.

    About ICAT

    • International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) is located at Manesar in Gurugram district of Haryana.
    • It is a govt entity owned by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
    • It has facilities for vehicle homologation and also testing laboratories for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and passive safety.
    • It also includes a powertrain laboratory, engine dynamometers, emission laboratory with Euro-V capability, a fatigue laboratory, passive safety laboratory, and vehicle test tracks.

  • How to treat data as public good

    This is the age of Big data. Even after anonymising it, we gain useful information using analytical tools. So, given its potential, there is a call for treating the public data as a public good. This article analyses the suggestion of Kris Gopalakrishnan panel in this regard.

    Why data matter

    • By one brave count, the world generates over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day.
    • A significant chunk of it is highly valuable.
    • With the increasing sophistication of tools designed to analyse it, the value of the data is increasing further.
    • This analysis of data can yield market patterns, traffic predictions, epidemic risks and much more.[Remember why Google shows you only particular ads.]
    • Data need not be either big or personal for it to be highly sought after.

    Non-personal data: A public good

    • Would it not be better if at least some data were treated as a public good?
    • Treating it as a public good will allow its open use by startups, do-gooders and government bodies.
    • Dealing with such questions, a centre-appointed panel, headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, submitted its draft report on the regulation of non-personal data in India.
    • “Non-personal data” is defined as that which is either devoid of people’s details or anonymized to prevent individual identification.

    Proposals of Kris Gopalan panel

    • The panel has proposed a new data authority to regulate non-personal data.
    • It has also outlined the need of a framework that would require companies to share its databanks with others.
    • Sharing of databank will help the country catalyse business innovation, bolster India’s startup ecosystem, and help governments and local authorities frame data-enriched public policies. 

    Challenges

    • What data a private entity can be forced to disclose must follow a commonly accepted set of principles.
    • Data authority demanding companies to share data painstakingly acquired often with large sums invested to acquire it won’t work.
    • Also, if sharing data blunts companies’ strategic edge over competitors, they would probably appeal against it in court.
    • If enterprises fear that their confidential learnings could be threatened by intrusive data authority, then the cause of innovation would actually be set back.

    Way forward

    • A clear set of guidelines could be set down that specify what sort of data qualifies as a public good and must be kept open to all.
    • For other kinds of data, maybe a market mechanism could evolve that lets various parties bid for privately-held information.

    Consider the question “There is a growing demand for treating the non-personal data as a public good. What are the benefits and challenges of treating the non-personal data as public good?

    Conclusion

    Given its potential, big data does deserve regulation. But it needs to be done with clarity.

  • A demand problem contributing to lower imports

    India registered a trade surplus after almost two decades. But this is not the result of a sudden rise in India’s export. It is due to subdued import indicating the low demand.

    What latest data indicate

    • Data released by the commerce ministry indicate a contraction in exports observed over the past few months easing slowly.
    • But the continuing contraction in import which indicates low demand is worrying.
    • This is trend is leading to the growing gap between import and export.

    India registered a trade surplus: what it indicates

    • This growing gap led to India registering a trade surplus of nearly $800 million in June.
    • This is the first time in almost two decades that the country has registered a trade surplus.
    • But does this mean that India’s exports have grown drastically?
    • No. It is a sign of collapse in domestic demand.

    Merchandise exports growing trends

    • India’s merchandise exports continue to witness an upward swing.
    • The pace of contraction fell to 12.4 per cent in June, from 36.2 per cent in May and 60 per cent in April.
    • Exports of items such as iron ore, drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and various agricultural commodities saw an expansion in June.

    What growing exports and falling import indicate

    • An upswing in exports could be indicative of a faster recovery of India’s export partners.
    • Restrictions on economic activities in some of these countries had eased earlier.
    • Other reason could be the rush by Indian exporters to ship out orders to meet their seasonal deadlines.
    • Imports continue to remain deep in negative territory.
    • The contraction in non-oil exports has actually worsened with decline observed in both consumer and investment/industrial goods imports.
    • Some movement is visible in imports of electronic goods.
    •  But the import of machinery and transport equipment has not moved significantly.
    • Of the 30 main import items, only four registered mildly positive growth in June — this indicates the pace of the domestic slowdown.

    Conclusion

    Economic activities across the world will take time to return to normalcy, India’s exports will take time to reach pre-COVID levels. It seems that the chasm between exports and imports could persist, given the plateauing of the post-lockdown spurt in demand/production.