30 August 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related GEOGRAPHY 1. Cyclone frequency may rise over Indian coast from the warming of Pacific B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India’s push for small businesses at the G20 trade summit must be pursued C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. The Election Commission — Autonomy in the crosshairs ECONOMY 1. Gig Workers Bill: reading between the lines F. Prelims Facts 1. Pragyan confirms sulphur near south pole of moon; search on for hydrogen G. Tidbits 1. Indian Army signs deals for 130 tethered drones and 19 tank-driving simulators 2. India, Kenya sign MoU for shipbuilding collaboration H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
1. Cyclone frequency may rise over Indian coast from the warming of Pacific
Syllabus: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc.
Mains: Warming of oceans and its impact on cyclone formation and frequency.
Prelims: About Pacific Decadal Oscillation and El Nino Southern Oscillation
Context:
Equatorial cyclones, historically subdued, could become more frequent due to a combination of global warming and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), as per a recent study.
PDO (Pacific Decadal Oscillation):
- PDO is a long-term pattern of climate variability in the Pacific Ocean. It involves shifts in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure, alternating between warmer (positive) and cooler (negative) phases over multi-decadal periods. It influences weather patterns and can impact phenomena like cyclone activity.
ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation):
- ENSO refers to the periodic variation in ocean temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the tropical Pacific Ocean. El Nino (warmer waters) and La Nina (cooler waters) are two phases of ENSO. They influence global weather patterns, affecting rainfall, droughts, and cyclone activity in various regions.
Equatorial-Origin Cyclones and Changing Patterns
- Recent Subdued Cyclone Activity
- Equatorial cyclones, though historically destructive, have been less active in recent years.
- Last major cyclone of this type was Cyclone Okchi in 2017, impacting Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka.
- Potential Increase due to Global Warming and PDO
- Study in “Nature Communications” suggests that global warming and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) might lead to increased equatorial cyclone frequency.
- PDO, repeating every 20-30 years, influences cyclone activity.
Impact of PDO on Cyclone Occurrence
- 1981-2010 Period
- Equatorial cyclones decreased by 43% during 1981-2010 compared to 1951-1980.
- PDO in “warmer” or positive phase contributed to this decline.
- ENSO Phenomenon and Equatorial Conditions
- El Nino: Warming of Central Equatorial Pacific, associated with reduced rainfall over India.
- La Nina: Cooler Eastern Pacific, linked to excessive rainfall.
- The ENSO phenomenon repeats in the Pacific over 2-7 years.
- Distinct Nature of PDO
- PDO is not annual; alternates between warm Western and cooler Eastern Pacific over longer timeframes.
- “Positive” or “warmer phase” of PDO detected after several years of ocean temperature measurements.
- Potential Increase in Cyclones
- In 2019, PDO shifted to a cooler, negative phase.
- Negative PDO might lead to more equatorial-origin cyclones after monsoon months.
Implications of Equatorial Cyclones
- Effects of Warm Waters
- Rare for cyclones to form near the Equator, but warm waters can intensify cyclone moisture and intensity.
- El Nino’s Impact
- Developing El Nino in the Pacific affecting central and southern India.
- Recorded rainfall deficits of 7% and 17% in central and southern India, respectively.
Nut Graf: Recent equatorial cyclones decline attributed to PDO’s warmer phase. A shift to a cooler phase in 2019 might increase such cyclones, driven by warm waters and potential El Nino impacts.
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India’s push for small businesses at the G20 trade summit must be pursued
Syllabus: Bilateral, regional, and global groupings involving India.
Mains: Bilateral and regional relations, India’s international engagement, global groupings and agreements affecting India’s interests..
Prelims: About G20
Context:
G-20 Trade and Investment Ministers, representing major global economies, concluded their discussions under India’s presidency. The summit addressed cross-border commerce challenges and MSME empowerment.
Comprehensive Communiqué and Geopolitical Issues
- G-20 Trade and Investment Ministers representing 80% of the global economy concluded their deliberations under India’s presidency.
- China and Russia blocked reference to geopolitical matters linked to Ukraine conflict, a recurring issue since the G-20 Bali summit last year.
Focus on Cross-border Commerce and Investment
- Despite challenges in global trade and investment, G-20 agreed to joint actions to reinforce cross-border commerce’s role in prosperity and growth.
- India highlighted five action-oriented outcomes, including global standards dialogue and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
Noteworthy Outcomes for India
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised trade track’s significant outcomes, citing generic value chain mapping, digital trade documentation, and empowering MSMEs.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Enhancement
- ‘Jaipur Call for Action’ aims to boost MSMEs’ access to information.
- Global Trade Helpdesk operators (ITC, WTO, UNCTAD) urged to enhance data portal, bridging information gaps for small businesses.
Societal Empowerment and Challenges
- Empowering MSMEs resonates with PM Narendra Modi’s call, considering their significant role in employment and GDP.
- India urged to enhance small enterprise capacity, possibly through tailored incentives and reduced bureaucratic obstacles.
Nut Graf: G-20’s trade meet, despite geopolitical tensions, emphasises joint actions for cross-border commerce and empowering MSMEs, with India’s Commerce Minister highlighting key outcomes.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. The Election Commission — Autonomy in the crosshairs
Syllabus: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Mains: Appointment issue of Election Commission
Context:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently become a flashpoint for disagreements between the government and the judiciary. This time, the disagreement is about its appointment.
Background:
- The Supreme Court of India directed that the President of India select the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners (EC).
- The President will make this decision based on the recommendations of a committee composed of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single largest Opposition party, and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
- This Constitution Bench decision was a significant step towards broadening and strengthening the ECI’s constitutional position.
Significance of Supreme Court Judgement:
- Article 324 of the Constitution requires Parliament to pass such legislation.
- The fact that this was a unanimous decision by a five-judge Bench adds to its weight.
- So far, the President of India has appointed the ECI’s senior executives on the suggestion of the federal government.
Government Response
- The current administration submitted a Bill in the Rajya Sabha that, if enacted, will overturn this ruling.
- The Bill proposes that the high-powered selection committee replace the Chief Justice of India.
- The Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (Member), and a Union Cabinet Minister selected by the Prime Minister (Member) shall make up the committee.
- The government has confronted the Supreme Court, stating unequivocally that it wants greater weightage in the nominations of key election officials – and hence a stronger grip on the institution.
- Experience and studies reveal that incumbent governments, particularly those with authoritarian tendencies, strive tirelessly to make them pliant.
Concerns over the Appointment
- Since the deliberations in the Constituent Assembly, the selection process for the CEC and the ECs has been the subject of extensive discussion in political and policy circles, and much has been written about it.
- During the Constituent Assembly debates, it was suggested that the CEC’s nomination be subject to confirmation by a two-thirds majority in a joint session of both Houses of Parliament.
- However, Parliament was charged with enacting suitable legislation on the subject.
- The committee shall comprise the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the Law Minister, the Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson and a Supreme Court judge recommended by the CJI.
Conclusion
The government is aiming to drive the ECI towards further state control through the present Bill, creating the notion that democracy is deteriorating. The Indian public views the ECI as a dependable, accountable, and trustworthy institution. It is uncertain whether this has to do with election schedules, electoral speeches, electoral rolls, or other types of malpractices. But it is weakening not only its own autonomy but also the confidence of the public. However, the fact still stands that the current administration continues to view the ECI as an independent organization.
Nut Graf: The Election Commission of India is in risk of being weakened as the focal point of disagreements between the government and the court over its selection procedure.
1. Gig Workers Bill: reading between the lines
Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Mains: Critical analysis of Gig Workers Bill
Context
The Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023, is a first of its type that was introduced by the Rajasthan government.
Concerns over the Bill
- Ambiguity of definition:
- The Bill’s definitions of a gig worker and an aggregator give rise to the first problem.
- A “person who performs work or participates in a work arrangement and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationships and who works on a contract that results in a given rate of payment” is defined as a “gig worker” in the bill.
- These definitions do not recognise the aggregator as an employer in a way that is obvious or legally binding.
- This deficiency is significant because the aggregator would therefore see gig workers as independent contractors or self-employed rather than as employees.
- Issues with regard to Gig Worker:
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- A contentious topic across the world has been whether a gig worker or an aggregator may be regarded as an employer or employee, respectively.
- In reality, the ABC Test’s central question is whether a gig worker may be classified as an employee rather than an independent contractor.
- The ABC Test was created in response to a lawsuit involving delivery drivers for Dynamex, a same-day delivery firm, and is now included into California’s labor legislation.
- Instead, the Rajasthan Bill uses ambiguous terminology that might lead to divergent interpretations. This is not only against international best practices, but it also raises the second, equally important problem.
- Issues with gig workers’s Database
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- The Bill intends to establish a database of gig workers, with the information of all employees onboarded or registered with a platform being transmitted to the proposed gig workers’ welfare board.
- The board’s database cannot survive ‘the duration or time of involvement with app-based platforms’. In other words, whether the workers remain on the platform or not, their registration is ‘perpetuity’.
- This progressive aspect might unintentionally act as a barrier. On any one day, a person frequently works for two or more aggregators. There is no safeguard against this in the Bill.
- Concerns with Social security provisions
- At its core, the bill seeks to ensure social security to gig workers employed by platforms by setting up a representative welfare board and a welfare fund. It includes eight key employers or aggregators within its purview.
- It neither identifies assistance programmes that might broadly be considered social security nor defines social security in a definitive manner.
- The welfare board is given the authority to “formulate and notify schemes for social security of registered platform-based gig workers and take such measures as it may deem fit for administering such schemes,” leaving this key decision up to their judgment.
- Other Limitations of the Bill
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- The Bill’s capacity to incorporate current labour regulations within its scope is constrained by its failure to define gig workers as employees.
- As a result, the aggregators will continue to be exempt from adhering to labour law requirements and to dodge their need to provide workplace benefits to gig employees.
- The responsibility for ensuring a worker’s health and safety while at work or otherwise falls on “a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)”.
Also read Gig and Platform Workers.
Conclusion
The 2023 Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill proposes to provide gig workers with social protection. Thus, due to these shortcomings, whether the Bill can deliver what it promises appears doubtful.
Nut Graf: Despite its good intent and noteworthy features, the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023 appears wanting in important aspects.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Pragyan confirms sulphur near south pole of moon; search on for hydrogen
Syllabus: GS 3- Science & Technology
Prelims: Chandrayaan 3
Pragyan Rover’s Findings
- Pragyan, the rover of Chandrayaan-3 mission, has verified the existence of sulphur on the moon’s south pole.
- It’s actively seeking hydrogen presence on the lunar surface.
- The rover employs Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for on-site elemental composition analysis.
LIBS Technique for Elemental Analysis
- LIBS is a scientific method using intense laser pulses to analyse material composition.
- Material is exposed to laser pulses, generating localised plasma.
- Collected plasma light is analysed by charge coupled devices.
- Specific wavelengths of light emitted in plasma state determine elemental composition.
Discovered Lunar Elements
- Initial analysis identifies elements: Aluminum (Al), Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Titanium (Ti).
- Further observations reveal presence of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O).
- Ongoing investigation aims to confirm the presence of hydrogen (H).
Recognition and Celebration
- The Union Cabinet commends the Chandrayaan-3 mission as a triumph for ISRO and India’s global stature.
- August 23 is designated as National Space Day to commemorate the achievement.
G. Tidbits
1. Indian Army signs deals for 130 tethered drones and 19 tank-driving simulators
- The Indian Army has secured contracts for Emergency Procurement (EP) for 130 tethered drones and 19 tank-driving simulators.
- The equipment is set to be delivered within 12 months as part of the fourth tranche of EPs approved by the Defence Ministry.
- Acquisition of these assets will significantly enhance operational readiness and preparedness of the Indian Army.
- The tethered drone systems, valued at around ₹250 crore, are designed for extended flight endurance and are suitable for deployment in high-altitude regions.
- In the past three years, amidst the Ladakh standoff, the Army had previously entered contracts with Indian startups for smaller surveillance and load-carrying drones.
- Notable startup contracts include Raphe mPhibr Pvt. Ltd., which received orders for 48 mR-20 logistics drones and 100 quadcopter drones, and ideaForge, which secured a repeat order for 200 Switch Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
- Another contract was awarded to NewSpace, a Bengaluru-based firm, for drones capable of precision strikes with 5-10 kg explosives.
2. India, Kenya sign MoU for shipbuilding collaboration
- Goa Shipyard Ltd. and Kenya Shipyard Ltd. have formally entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on ship design and construction.
- The signing of the MoU took place alongside discussions between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale.
- The bilateral defence partnership between the two countries has progressed beyond focusing solely on training and has embraced a more strategic approach, with a specific emphasis on enhancing maritime security within the Indian Ocean region.
- According to a statement from the Defence Ministry, as a gesture of goodwill, Rajnath Singh presented 15 pairs of parachutes (both main and reserve) manufactured by Gliders India Ltd. to the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence, intended for the utilisation of Kenyan armed forces.
- Furthermore, India has offered its assistance for the establishment of an advanced CT scan facility in Kenya.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements about Lake Victoria:
- It is the largest freshwater lake in Africa by surface area.
- Lake Victoria is bordered by three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- It is the primary source of the Nile River.
How many of the statements given above are incorrect?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
All three statements are correct. Lake Victoria is the largest freshwater lake in Africa, bordered by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, and is the primary source of the Nile River.
Q2. The 'Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)' recently in the news, is:
- A scientific technique to analyse the composition of materials by exposing them.
- A new form of renewable energy.
- Used to enhance Cyber security.
- A global navigation satellite system.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
LIBS is a scientific method analysing material composition using powerful laser pulses.
Q3. Consider the following statements about tethered drones:
- Tethered drones are unmanned aerial vehicles connected to the ground via a cable.
- Tethered drones do not require GPS navigation.
- Tethered drones have shorter flight times compared to free-flying drones.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Statement 3 is incorrect. Tethered drones provide secure communication and have longer flight times compared to free-flying, battery-operated drones.
Q4. Consider the following statements about tropical cyclones:
- Tropical cyclones form over warm tropical waters with sea-surface temperatures above 26.5°C.
- Once a tropical cyclone forms, it primarily relies on warm ocean moisture as its fuel.
- The eye of a tropical cyclone is characterised by strong winds and heavy rain in the eye wall.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
All three statements are correct.
Q5. With reference to the gig workers, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
- A gig worker is someone who earns from work outside traditional employer-employee relationships.
- The Code on Social Security, 2020 aims to provide social security schemes for gig workers.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
Both Statements are correct.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- What is a Gig Economy? How can we regulate and create a social net for its workers? (250 words, 10 marks)- [GS-3; Economy]
- What is Pacific Decadal Oscillations? How does it impact cyclones in this region? (150 words, 10 marks)- [GS-1; Geography]
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