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  • Disasters and Disaster Management – Sendai Framework, Floods, Cyclones, etc.

    Policy: Making India Earthquake Prepared

    2 March 2023 | op-ed snap | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: Disaster Management

    Policy

    Central Idea

    • The destruction caused by earthquakes in Turkey should be alarming for India. Over the last three weeks, tremors have been felt in Himalayan states. Moreover, geologists have warned of a probable massive earthquake in the Himalayan state. In this context the Delhi High Court asked the state government to file a status report and action plan on the structural safety of buildings in Delhi. Nearly 58 per cent of the Indian landmass is vulnerable to earthquakes and the concerns that have been raised by the court need a policy response instead.

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    How do earthquakes happen?

    • According to the theory of plate tectonics, the Earth’s crust and upper mantle are made of large rigid plates that can move relative to one another.
    • Slip on faults near the plate boundaries can result in earthquakes.
    • The point inside the Earth where the earthquake rupture starts is called the focus or hypocentre.
    • The point directly above it on the surface of the Earth is the epicentre.

    What is missing in India’s policy on earthquake preparedness?

    • Current policy operates primarily at the scale of structural details: Guided by the National Building Codes, this includes specifying dimensions of the structural members columns, beams, etc. and details of the reinforcements that join these elements together.
    • While scientifically sound, this view on earthquake preparedness is myopic:
    1. It ignores the buildings that were constructed before such codes were published in 1962. Such buildings form a large part of our cities.
    2. It assumes infallibility in the processes of enforcement, relying only on penalisation and illegalities.
    3. It treats earthquakes as a problem of individual buildings, as if they exist and behave in complete isolation from their urban context.

    What needs to be done?

    • Preparedness at Building and City Scale through policy: Earthquake preparedness, therefore, needs to act at the scale of building details as well as that of cities. Moreover, we must think about it in the realm of policy and not just legal enforcement.
    • Need for Comprehensive Policy: At the scale of building details, we need to create a system of retrofitting existing structures and enforcing seismic codes with more efficiency. While there has been political talk and piecemeal efforts towards retrofitting, we still lack a comprehensive policy.

    A policy should include two measures

    1. Retrofitting Buildings to Seismic Codes:
    • To create a system of tax-based or development rights-based incentives for retrofitting one’s building up to seismic codes.
    • Such a system of incentives will enable the growth of an industry around retrofitting and will generate a body of well-trained professionals and competent organisations.
    1. Improving Seismic Code Enforcement:
    • By ensuring better enforcement of seismic codes through a similar model. A step forward in this direction was the National Retrofitting Programme launched in 2014.
    • Under the programme, the Reserve Bank of India directed banks to deny loans for any building activity that does not meet the standards of earthquake-resistant design.

    Case study: Japan

    • Japan has invested heavily in technological measures to mitigate the damage from the frequent earthquakes that it experiences.
    • Skyscrapers are built with counterweights and other high-tech provisions to minimise the impact of tremors.
    • Small houses are built on flexible foundations and public infrastructure is integrated with automated triggers that cut power, gas, and water lines during earthquakes.
    • All of this has been a result of cultivating an industry around earthquake mitigation and fostering expertise.

    Criteria for an urban-level policy to generate earthquake vulnerability maps

    1. The percentage of vulnerable structures in the area;
    2. The availability of evacuation routes and distances from the nearest open ground;
    3. Density of the urban fabric;
    4. Location of nearest relief services and the efficiency with which these services can reach affected sites.
    • For example: Flood zone mapping is a good example of such an exercise that has proven to be successful in terms of timely evacuation and efficient implementation.

    Conclusion

    • Governments and policymakers ought to know better than act in a piecemeal manner. Programmes like the ongoing Urban 20 meetings are an excellent opportunity for international knowledge exchange on earthquake preparedness. The Delhi High Court’s directions must act as a reminder for the inclusion of an earthquake preparedness policy in urban renewal programmes such as the Smart Cities Mission. A policy on earthquake preparedness requires a visionary, radical and transformative approach.

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  • Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

    Case for open and verifiable Forest Cover Data

    2 March 2023 | | Environment
    Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    forest

    Central idea: From 19.53% in the early 1980s, today India’s total green cover stands at 24.62% ‘on-paper’.

    Defining Forest and Tree Cover

    • The Forest Survey of India (FSI) publishes its biennial State of Forest reports in 1987.
    • A/c to FSI, India counts all plots of 1 hectare or above, with at least 10% tree canopy density, irrespective of land use or ownership, within forest cover.
    • This disregards the United Nation’s benchmark that does not include areas predominantly under agricultural and urban land use in forests.

    How are forests categorized?

    The Forest Survey of India has listed four categories of forests. They are:

    1. Very Dense Forest (with tree canopy density of 70 per cent or above) (added since 2003)
    2. Moderately Dense Forest (tree canopy density of 40 per cent or above but less than 70 per cent)
    3. Open Forest (tree canopy density of 10 per cent or above but less than 40 per cent)
    4. Scrub (tree canopy density less than 10 per cent)

    New category:  NOT a forest (isolated or small patches of trees — less than 1 hectare)

    Satellite imagery used for precision

    • Until the mid-1980s (SFR 1987), the forest cover was estimated through satellite images at a 1:1 million scale.
    • The resolution then improved to 1:250,000, reducing the minimum mappable unit size from 400 to 25 hectares.
    • Since 19.53% in the early 1980s, India’s forest cover has increased to 21.71% in 2021.
    • By 2001, the scale improved to 1:50,000, bringing down the unit size to 1 hectare, and interpretation went fully digital.

    Accounting losses in forest cover

    • Satellite imagery shows decline: The National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) estimated declines in India’s forest cover using satellite imagery.
    • Official account on deforestation: While reliable data on encroachment is unavailable, government records show that 42,380 sq. km — nearly the size of Haryana— of forest land was diverted for non-forest use between 1951 and 1980.
    • Reconciled data: The NRSA and the newly established FSI “reconciled” India’s forest cover at 19.53% in 1987. The FSI did not contest the NRSA finding that the dense forest cover had fallen from 14.12% in the mid-1970s to 10.96% in 1981, and reconciled it to 10.88% in 1987.

    What about Total Recorded Forests?

    Ans. Lost some areas due to encroachment, diversion, forest fire etc.

    • In India, land recorded as forest in revenue records or proclaimed as forest under a forest law is described as Recorded Forest Area.
    • These areas were recorded as forests at some point due to the presence of forests on the land.
    • Divided into Reserved, Protected and Unclassed forests, Recorded Forest Areas account for 23.58% of India.

    One-third forest lost!

    • Almost one-third of India’s old natural forests — over 2.44 lakh sq. km (larger than Uttar Pradesh) or 7.43% of India are lost.
    • Even after extensive plantation by the forest department since the 1990s, dense forests within Recorded Forest Areas added up to cover only 9.96% of India in 2021.
    • That is a one-tenth slide since the FSI recorded 10.88% dense forest in 1987.

    Then why is there a net increase in India’s forest cover?

    • Plantations disguise as forest: The loss remains invisible due to the inclusion of commercial plantations, orchards, village homesteads, urban housings etc. as dense forests outside Recorded Forest Areas. Natural forests do not grow so fast.
    • Plantation data unavailable: The FSI provides no specific information on the share of plantations in the remaining dense forests inside Recorded Forest Areas.

    Why are plantations not an alternative to forests?

    Plantations can grow a lot more and faster than old natural forests. This also means that plantations can achieve additional carbon targets faster. However they are cannot be accounted as forests because-

    • Lack of biodiversity: Natural forests have evolved naturally to be diverse and, therefore, support a lot more biodiversity. Simply put, it has many different plants to sustain numerous species.
    • Non-sustainable: Plantation forests have trees of the same age, are more susceptible to fire, pests and epidemics, and often act as a barrier to natural forest regeneration.
    • Low carbon capacity: Natural forests are old and therefore stock a lot more carbon in their body and in the soil.

    How accurate are these estimations?

    • The FSI compares some interpreted data with the corresponding reference data collected from the ground under the National Forest Inventory (NFI) programme.
    • In 2021, it claimed to have established an overall accuracy of 95.79% in identifying forests from non-forests.
    • However, given the limited resources, the exercise was limited to less than 6,000 sample points.

    What led to such decline in forest cover?

    • Agricultural expansion
    • Infrastructure development
    • Mining and industrial activities
    • Illegal logging (for timber)
    • Climate change and natural disasters

    Way forward

    • Aggressive conservation policies and programs: The government needs to strengthen forest conservation policies and programs to promote the sustainable use and management of forests and trees.
    • Community participation and empowerment: Engaging local communities in forest conservation and management can promote sustainable practices and enhance their livelihoods.
    • Sustainable forest management practices: Promoting sustainable forest management practices like agroforestry, silvopasture, and mixed-use landscapes can enhance the productivity and resilience of forests.
    • Use of technology for monitoring and enforcement: Leveraging technology like remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and blockchain can improve the monitoring and enforcement of forest conservation policies and programs.
    • Involving individuals and communities: They play a crucial role in protecting forests and trees by adopting sustainable practices, supporting forest conservation initiatives, and raising awareness about the importance of forests for the environment and people.

     

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  • Anti Defection Law

    Role of Whip in Indian Polity

    2 March 2023 | | Polity
    Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    whip

    Central idea: The article aims to demystify the concept of whip and provide clarity on its role and importance in the functioning of state assemblies and parliament in India.

    Who is a Whip?

    • A whip is an official of a political party whose task is to ensure party discipline in a legislature.
    • This means ensuring that members of the party vote according to the party platform, rather than according to their own individual ideology or the will of their donors or constituents.
    • Whips are the party’s “enforcers”.
    • They try to ensure that their fellow political party legislators attend voting sessions and vote according to their party’s official policy.
    • Members who vote against party policy may “lose the whip”, effectively expelling them from the party.

    Whips in India

    • In India, the concept of the whip was inherited from colonial British rule.
    • Every major political party appoints a whip who is responsible for the party’s discipline and behaviors on the floor of the house.
    • Usually, they direct the party members to stick to the party’s stand on certain issues and directs them to vote as per the direction of senior party members.

    What happens if a whip is disobeyed?

    • A legislator may face disqualification proceedings if she/he disobeys the whip of the party unless the number of lawmakers defying the whip is 2/3rds of the party’s strength in the house.
    • Disqualification is decided by the Speaker/Chairman of the house.

    Limitations of whip

    • There are some cases such as Presidential elections where whips cannot direct a Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) to vote in a particular fashion.

    Types of whips

    There are three types of whips or instructions issued by the party

    • One-line whip: One-line whip is issued to inform members of a party about a vote. It allows a member to abstain in case they decide not to follow the party line.
    • Two-line whip: Two-line whip is issued to direct the members to be present in the House at the time of voting.
    • Three-line whip: Three-line whip is issued to members directing them to vote as per the party line.

    Need for Whips

    • Collective decision-making: The need for a whip arises from the fact that political parties operate on the principle of collective decision-making.
    • Fulfill election promises: The whip ensures that the party’s agenda is advanced, and its promises to the electorate are fulfilled, which is essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy.
    • Maintain policy cohesiveness: This requires the party to work together as a cohesive unit and ensure that its members vote in a coordinated manner on important legislative matters.
    • Address differing opinions: There may be disagreements and differing opinions on certain matters, and this can lead to disunity and chaos within the party.
    • Ensure party discipline: To prevent such situations, political parties appoint whips who are responsible for ensuring party discipline and ensuring that all members vote in accordance with the party’s position.

    Conclusion

    • The whip’s role is therefore crucial in maintaining party discipline and facilitating the smooth functioning of legislative business.
    • Without a whip, it would be difficult for parties to ensure that their members vote in a coordinated manner, and this could lead to legislative gridlock and inefficiency.

     

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  • NPA Crisis

    Extradition of Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEOs)

    2 March 2023 | | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Money-Laundering & Its Prevention

    fugitive

    Central idea: India has called upon G20 countries to adopt multilateral action for faster extradition of fugitive economic offenders (FEOs) and recovery of assets both on the domestic front as well as from abroad.

    Who are Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEOs)?

    • FEOs are individuals who have fled their home country to avoid facing prosecution for financial crimes such as money laundering, fraud, and embezzlement.
    • These individuals typically engage in illegal activities that involve large sums of money and often cause significant damage to the economy of the country they have fled.

    FEOs and India

    fugitive

    • India has put in place specialized legislation in this regard, in the form of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
    • It defines the term- as an individual against whom a warrant of arrest in relation to a scheduled offense has been issued by any court in India and who has left the country so as to avoid criminal prosecution; or the FEO abroad, refuses to return to face criminal prosecution”.

    Why do offenders go fugitive?

    • Finding safe heavens: FEOs seek refuge in countries that do not have an extradition treaty with their home country or that have weak extradition laws.
    • Evading justice: FEOs often exploit legal loopholes and the differences in laws and regulations across countries to evade justice.
    • Asset offshoring: They may move their assets to offshore accounts or invest in assets such as real estate and art that are difficult to seize.

    How FEOs impact the economy?

    FEOs can have a significant impact on the economy of the country they have fled from.

    • Loan defaults: They may default on loans, engage in fraudulent activities, and siphon off large amounts of money from banks and financial institutions.
    • NPA crisis: This can lead to a rise in non-performing assets (NPAs), a slowdown in economic growth, and a loss of investor confidence.

    International mechanisms for FEOs

    Some of the key international mechanisms for FEOs are:

    • Extradition treaties: Many countries have extradition treaties in place with other countries that enable them to request the extradition of individuals who have fled to other countries to avoid prosecution.
    • Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs): MLATs are agreements between countries that facilitate the exchange of information and evidence in criminal investigations and proceedings.
    • International Conventions and Agreements: There are several international conventions and agreements that address financial crimes and provide a framework for international cooperation. Ex. UN Convention against Corruption, FATF etc.
    • INTERPOL: Interpol facilitates cross-border police cooperation and coordination. It maintains a database of wanted individuals, including FEOs, and works with member countries to locate and apprehend them.
    • Asset recovery: Such mechanisms are designed to enable countries to recover assets by means of seizure and repatriation of assets, as well as the freezing of assets to prevent FEOs from accessing them.

    Way forward

    • Strengthening domestic laws: India can strengthen its domestic laws and regulations to make it easier to prosecute FEOs and recover their assets.
    • Developing extradition treaties: India can work to develop and strengthen extradition treaties with other countries to ensure that FEOs are not able to evade justice by fleeing to other countries.
    • Enhancing international cooperation: India can enhance its cooperation with other countries and international organizations to facilitate the sharing of information and intelligence about FEOs.
    • Seizing and repatriating assets: India can work to seize and repatriate assets that have been acquired through illegal means by FEOs.
    • Improving transparency and accountability: India can improve transparency and accountability in its financial system to prevent FEOs from exploiting loopholes and engaging in illegal activities.

     

     

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  • Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

    Two Australian public universities to set up campuses in GIFT City

    2 March 2023 | | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Health & Education

    Central idea:

    GIFT City, Gandhinagar

    • GIFT city is India’s first operational smart city and international financial services centre (much like a modern IT park).
    • The idea for GIFT was conceived during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor Summit 2007 and the initial planning was done by East China Architectural Design & Research Institute (ECADI).
    • Approximately 225 units/companies are operational with more than 12000 professionals employed in the City.
    • The entire city is based on the concept of FTTX (Fibre to the home / office).The fiber optic is laid in fault tolerant ring architecture so as to ensure maximum uptime of services.
    • Every building in GIFT City is an intelligent building. There is piped supply of cooking gas. India’s first city-level DCS (district cooling system) is also operational at GIFT City.

     

    Procedure for Universities coming to India

    • The process for getting approval for setting up a campus in India will be strictly online in the beginning. Interested institutions have to apply at the UGC portal with a non-refundable fee, and then submit some documents.
    • After the applications are received, a committee formed by the Commission will examine these applications on these factors:
    1. Credibility of the institution
    2. Programmes to be offered by the institution
    3. Their potential to strengthen academic opportunities in India
    4. Proposed infrastructure

    UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions in India) Regulations 2023: Key questions answered

    • UGC approval compulsory: All foreign universities that wish to set up their campus in India will be allowed to do so only after getting approval from the UGC.
    • Reputed institutions: To set up a campus in Indian foreign universities will either have to be in the top 500 to apply or will have to be “highly reputed” in their respective countries (if the varsity does not participate in global rankings). If their ranking is between 500 and 100, but the subject-wise ranking is higher than overall, then in such cases, the institutions will be permitted to set up their campuses only for those ranked subjects.
    • Quality assurance: Additionally, the UGC will reserve the right to inspect these Indian campuses of foreign HEIs at any time, and they will not be outside the purview of anti-ragging and other criminal laws.
    • Offline classes only: All the foreign universities that open their branches in India will be allowed to conduct offline classes only, i.e. foreign universities can offer only full-time programmes in physical mode.
    • Freedom to choose admission process, fee, and faculty: All foreign varsities will have the freedom to come up with their own admission process. However, the universities will have to ensure “quality of education imparted at their Indian campuses is on par with their main campus.”
    • Admissions to all: Foreign higher educational institutes will have the freedom to enroll Indian as well as international students on their Indian campuses.
    • International funds transfer: To ensure that there is no chaos in funds transfer, all matters related to funding will be as per the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999.
    • Safeguarding of students’ interest: FHEI shall not discontinue any course or programme or close the campus without the commission’s prior approval. In the case of a course or programme disruption or discontinuation, the parent entity shall be responsible for providing an alternative to the affected students.
    • Equivalence with degrees awarded by Indian HEIs: The qualifications awarded to the students in the Indian campus shall be recognised and treated as equivalent to the corresponding qualifications awarded by the FEHI in the main campus located in the country of origin.
    • Securing India’s national interest: FEHIs shall not offer any such programme or course which jeopardises the national interest of India or the standards of higher education in India. The operation of FEHIs shall not be contrary to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency, or morality.

    Why such move?

    • Increase in domestic enrolment: India has more than 1000 universities and 42,000 colleges. Despite having one of the largest higher education systems in the world, India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is just 27.1%, among the worlds’ lowest.
    • Education quality improvement: The lack of quality in Indian education is reflected in the QS World University Rankings 2022. IIT Bombay was the top-ranking Indian institute in the list with a ranking of 177. Only eight Indian universities made it to the top 400.
    • Paving the way: London Business School, King’s College in London, the University of Cambridge, and New York University have started preliminary discussion with the GIFT City authorities and the regulator to establish facilities at the GIFT International Financial Services Centre.

    Benefits of the move

    • Human capital generation: This move would complement efforts to provide high quality human capital to India’s financial services industry.
    • Decreased overseas spending: Indian students’ overseas spending is set to grow from current annual $28 billion to $80 billion annually by 2024.
    • Reduce FOREX spending: Apart from fostering a competition in quality, International branch campuses can also help in reducing the foreign exchange outflow.
    • Prevents brain-drain: Education attracts opportunities. Atmanirbhar Bharat push will retain the domestic talent. More than eight lakh Indians gave up their citizenship in the last seven years.
    • Increase India’s soft power: Opening the door for foreign universities can improve India’s soft power as it will provide further impetus to the government’s Study in India programme that seeks to attract foreign students.

    Challenges

    • Regulatory challenges: The following factors may deter foreign higher educational institutions from investing in India-
    1. Multi-layer regulatory framework governing different aspects of higher education
    2. Lack of a single regulatory body overlooking the collaborations/ investments and
    3. Multiple approvals are required to operate in India
    • Implementation issues: While NEP has taken the right steps to boost the education sector and pave the way for a globally-compatible education system, its implementation has been slow and requires clarity.
    • Higher possibility of Brain Drain: A policy challenge that stands before the GoI is to facilitate such tie-ups in a way that the Indian talent chooses to and is incentivised to remain in India and the Indian educational infrastructure is developed to match global standards.

    Conclusion

    • The intent of the GoI, with respect to international universities setting up campuses in India, is clear from the provisions in the NEP.
    • However, much clarity is awaited for the proper implementation.

     

     

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  • G20 : Economic Cooperation ahead

    G20: Multilateralism and India’s Diplomacy

    1 March 2023 | op-ed snap | International Relations
    Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    G20

    Central Idea

    • The inability of the G20 finance ministers to agree on a joint statement last week points to an important reality about multilateralism. When great powers are at peace with each other, multilateralism has reasonable chances of success; but when they are at each other’s throats, the room for global cooperation shrinks.

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    What is multilateralism?

    • Multilateralism is an approach in which multiple countries or parties come together to address and solve common problems, through negotiations and cooperation, while respecting each other’s sovereignty and interests.
    • In international relations, multilateralism can take different forms, such as multilateral agreements, treaties, and organizations.
    • The United Nations (UN) is an example of a multilateral organization, which brings together almost all countries in the world to promote peace, development, and cooperation.

    Multilateralism and Major Powers: From Cooperation to Conflict

    1. The Cold War and Multilateralism:
    • Lack of cooperation during the Cold War, except in a few areas such as nuclear arms control
    • The formation of the UN after the Second World War with the expectation of great power cooperation.
    • Allies turning into adversaries and sharp division of the world into competing economic and military blocs.
    1. Post-Cold War Multilateralism:
    • Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to an expansive phase of multilateralism
    • Great power cooperation at the UN and creation of the WTO
    • The financial crisis of 2008 and the rallying of the top 20 economies to stabilise the global economy.
    1. Current State of Multilateralism
    • World of shared interests among top nations no longer exists
    • Simmering political conflict between Russia and the West, possibility of military conflict between the US and China.
    • Consensus on key issues eludes the G20 today
    • Rising geopolitical conflict mirrored in the economic domain
    • Efforts by the US and China to reduce their massive economic exposure to each other
    • Economic conflict enveloping emerging technologies, especially in the digital domain.

    India’s Multilateral Diplomacy amidst the Great Power Conflict

    • Multilateralism and G20: As the current chair of the G20 in 2023, India has to steer the group amidst the renewed rivalry between the major powers. Reducing the impact of the political conflicts on the G20 would be a diplomatic achievement for India.
    • Delhi’s Troubled Relationship with Beijing: India is part of the great power rivalry with China. The conflict is not just about military assertiveness but also deep differences on multilateral issues
    • Need to Balance China: India cannot stand apart from the great power conflict while representing the Global South at the G20. India has to balance its cooperation and contestation with China in various multilateral forums.
    • India’s Participation in Multiple Multilateral Institutions: India’s approach to multilateralism has evolved from a focus on the UN and NAM to participation in multiple institutions including the Quad and the G7. It is also working to strengthen its coalition with the Global South.

    Conclusion

    • The diversity of India’s multilateralism reflects the structural imperatives of global politics. Delhi must cooperate with adversaries for regional and global problem-solving while wrestling with rivals and collaborating with like-minded countries. Cooperation and contestation balance depend on the issue and context.

    Mains Question

    Q. What do you understand by Multilateralism? India is continuously expanding its multilateral approach. Discuss.

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  • Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

    In news: Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan

    1 March 2023 | Prelims Only | Governance
    Mains Paper 2: Government Scheme/Policies

    A recent initiative called the ‘Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan’ (Precious Life Campaign) in Barmer, Rajasthan has motivated village panchayats and homeowners to add hand pumps and locked covers to tankas for improved structure.

    What are Tankas?

    anmol

    • The tankas with a huge water storage capacity are traditionally built adjacent to the residential units in western Rajasthan.
    • It is used for collecting rainwater and using it throughout the year for drinking and other household needs.
    • They were constructed in households under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

     

    Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan

    • The ‘Anmol Jeevan Abhiyan’ (Precious Life Campaign) has encouraged village panchayats and owners of houses to make the structural addition of hand pumps and locked covers on tankas.
    • The light-weight hand pumps made of fibre serve the dual purpose of preventing the accidents and suicides as well as drawing of water from the tank.
    • The campaign has been started jointly by the district administration, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Action Aid.
    • Among the 171 suicide cases reported last year, as many as 64 were those of women and a majority was those who had jumped into the water tanks.

    Benefits offered

    • Though the campaign has made an impact during the last three to four months, it cannot be measured in quantitative terms at present because of its continuity, even as the reports of suicides have gradually reduced.
    • The permanent closure of tankas with the metal cover having lock also ensured that no cattleheads or other animals fall into them tank.

     

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  • RBI Notifications

    RBI’s new pilot project on Coin Vending Machines

    1 March 2023 | | Economics
    Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    coin

    The RBI in collaboration with banks is set to launch a pilot project to assess the functioning of a QR-code-based coin vending machine.

    Coin Vending Machines

    • The vending machines would dispense coins with the requisite amount being debited from the customer’s account using United Payments Interface (UPI) instead of physical tendering of banknotes.
    • Customers would be endowed the option of withdrawing coins in required quantities and denominations.
    • The central idea here is to ease the accessibility to coins.
    • With particular focus on ease and accessibility, the machines are intended to be installed at public places such as railway stations, shopping malls and marketplaces.

    Why such a move?

    • Prevent hoarding of coins: The situation with respect to coins is peculiar with the supply being very high. It is taking up a lot of storage space and is not getting properly distributed despite high demands.
    • Eliminate the physical tendering of banknotes: It was observed that the currency being fed into the machines (for coin exchange) were often found to be fake and could not be checked right at that point of time.

    Do you know?

    For perspective, coins in India are issued in denominations of 50 paise, one rupee, two rupees, five rupees, ten rupees and twenty rupees (not considering special edition coins of various denomination).

    Coins of up to 50 paise are called ‘small coins’ while those of one rupee and above are called ‘rupee coins’.

     

    How coins are significant in our economy?

    • As per the latest RBI bulletin, the total value of circulation of rupee coins stood at ₹28,857 crore as of December 30 last year. The figure is an increase of 7.2% from the year-ago period.
    • Circulation of small coins remained unchanged at ₹743 crore.
    • The figures above could be compared to the volume of digital payments until December 2022 which stood at approximately ₹9,557.4 crore, as per the Digidhan Dashboard.
    • The number is inclusive of mobile banking, internet banking, IMPS, BHIM-UPI and NEFT, among others.
    • Hence the reliance on UPI for dispensing coins is particularly noteworthy.

    Is it going against the digital push?

    • RBI is in the midst of a pilot for the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
    • But this proposal should not be viewed as a “zero-sum game of digital versus cash.”
    • The two can easily supplement each other by re-circulating existing coins in the economy.

     

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Proton Beam Therapy out of reach for many

    1 March 2023 | Prelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    proton

    There is currently a demand-supply gap of proton beam therapy machines in India, leaving many cancer patients in a difficult situation.

    What is Proton Beam Therapy?

    • Proton beam therapy is a type of radiation therapy — a treatment that uses high-energy beams to treat tumors.
    • Radiation therapy using X-rays has long been used to treat cancers and noncancerous (benign) tumors.
    • It uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells.
    • It can also be combined with x-ray radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy.
    • Like x-ray radiation, proton therapy is a type of external-beam radiation therapy.

    How it works?

    proton

    • Fundamentally, all tissue cells are made up of molecules with atoms as their building blocks.
    • In the center of every atom is the nucleus. Orbiting the nucleus of the atom are negatively charged electrons.
    • When energized protons pass near orbiting electrons, the positive charge of the protons attracts the negatively charged electrons, pulling them out of their orbits. This is called ionization.
    • It changes the characteristics of the atom and consequentially the character of the molecule within which the atom resides.
    • Because of ionization, the radiation damages molecules within the cells, especially the DNA.
    • Damaging the DNA destroys specific cell functions, particularly the ability to divide or proliferate.
    • While both normal and cancerous cells go through this repair process, a cancer cell’s ability to repair molecular injury is frequently inferior.
    • As a result, cancer cells sustain more permanent damage and subsequent cell death than occurs in the normal cell population.

    Why in news?

    • There is currently a significant demand-supply gap of proton beam therapy machines in India, with only a few machines available in the country.
    • This has resulted in long wait times for patients who need the treatment, and many patients are forced to travel abroad to access the treatment, which can be prohibitively expensive.

    Various challenges

    • Huge demand: The demand for PBT machines is also increasing, as more and more patients are being diagnosed with cancer and are seeking the latest and most effective treatments available.
    • High cost: One of the major challenges in setting up PBT machines is the high cost involved, as the machines are complex and require a significant investment.
    • Shortage of personnel: In addition, there is a shortage of trained personnel who can operate and maintain the machines, which further limits their availability.

    Way Forward

    • The government and private sector need to invest more in setting up and maintaining the machines. This could include-
    1. Offering tax incentives and subsidies to private healthcare providers who invest in PBT machines
    2. Providing training and education to personnel who can operate and maintain the machines
    3. Setting up more public hospitals that offer proton beam therapy, which would help to make the treatment more accessible and affordable to patients who need it

     

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  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    ISRO successful in key test for Chandrayaan-3 Mission

    1 March 2023 | Prelims Only | Science and Technology
    Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    chandrayaan

    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted a crucial test for its upcoming Chandrayaan-3 mission.

    What was the test?

    • The test involved the high-thrust cryogenic engine, which will be used to power the rocket that carries the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft.
    • The engine was tested for its endurance and performance under various conditions.

    About Chandrayaan-3 Mission

    • The Chandrayaan-3 mission is the third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
    • The mission follows the successful Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions, which were launched in 2008 and 2019 respectively.
    • The Chandrayaan-3 mission is designed to further explore the Moon’s South Pole region and conduct various scientific experiments, including studying the lunar surface, mineralogy, and the presence of water.

    Significance of the recent test

    • With the successful test of the high-thrust cryogenic engine, ISRO is now one step closer to launching the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
    • The mission is expected to be a significant step forward in India’s space exploration efforts and will further our understanding of the Moon and its potential for future exploration and exploitation.

    Chandrayaan-2: A quick recap

    • Chandrayaan-2 consisted of an Orbiter, Lander and Rover, all equipped with scientific instruments to study the moon.
    • The Orbiter would watch the moon from a 100-km orbit, while the Lander and Rover modules were to be separated to make a soft landing on the moon’s surface.
    • ISRO had named the Lander module as Vikram, after Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneer of India’s space programme, and the Rover module as Pragyaan, which crash-landed.

    Inception of Chandrayaan 3

    • The subsequent failure of the Vikram lander led to the pursuit of another mission to demonstrate the landing capabilities needed for the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission proposed in partnership with Japan for 2024.

    Its design

    • The lander for Chandrayaan-3 will have only four throttle-able engines.
    • Unlike Vikram on Chandrayaan-2 which had five 800N engines with a fifth one being centrally mounted with a fixed thrust.
    • Additionally, the Chandrayaan-3 lander will be equipped with a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV).

    Back2Basics: Chandrayaan-1 Mission

    • The Chandrayaan-1 mission was launched in October 2008 was ISRO’s first exploratory mission to the moon, in fact to any heavenly body in space.
    • The mission was designed to just orbit around the moon and make observations with the help of the instruments onboard.
    • The closest that the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft came to the moon was in an orbit 100 km from its surface.

     

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