15 Feb 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. ‘MSP guarantee across crops can raise income and demand’ D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. A scheme that is bleeding hospitals dry ECONOMY 1. Farming consensus F. Prelims Facts 1. Scientists seek more protections for ‘living fossil’ 2. Kerala House requests Central govt. to amend Wildlife Act to tackle human-animal conflict 3. Centre uses British-era Act to block Internet in Punjab 4. Reconsider move on withdrawal of Free Movement Regime 5. PM inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple 6. Does updating COVID-19 vaccines frequently have any benefits G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
Category: ECONOMY
1. ‘MSP guarantee across crops can raise income and demand’
Syllabus: Agriculture
[Topic can also come under GS-2 Governance, Government policies and interventions]
Mains: Issues related to agricultural pricing, Issues related to agricultural policy
Introduction:
Guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) across all crops has emerged as a topic of significant debate in agricultural policy circles. The move aims to bolster farm incomes and stimulate consumption demand, thereby addressing key challenges in the agricultural sector.
Analysis of MSP Guarantee:
CRISIL Market Intelligence & Analytics recently conducted an analysis to estimate the “real cost” of such a guarantee and to assess its potential implications on India’s agricultural landscape.
CRISIL’s analysis focused on 16 crops, including staples like paddy and wheat, which collectively represent over 90% of India’s farm output. The findings suggest that ensuring MSP for all crops could require a substantial investment of approximately ₹6 lakh crore in working capital for the Marketing Year (MY) 2023. This estimation underscores the financial commitment necessary to implement such a policy across the agricultural sector.
Cost Considerations:
The “real cost” of guaranteeing MSP is a critical factor in evaluating the feasibility of this policy initiative. In MY 2023, where half of the 16 crops traded above MSP and half below it, CRISIL estimated the total cost at around ₹21,000 crore. However, the actual expenditure could vary depending on fluctuations in mandi prices and the government’s procurement strategies.
Impact on Farmers and Crop Diversification:
For farmers, an MSP guarantee offers the promise of stable income during periods of price volatility. It provides them with the confidence to diversify their crop choices beyond traditional staples like paddy and wheat. Despite limited procurement in crops like mustard and other commodities, a universal MSP guarantee could incentivize farmers to explore alternative cultivation options.
Challenges and Opportunities:
While the prospect of MSP guarantee across all crops presents opportunities for income enhancement and agricultural diversification, it also poses several challenges. Implementation complexities, including logistical issues and budgetary constraints, need to be carefully addressed to ensure the effective execution of the policy.
Way forward:
The implementation of a universal MSP guarantee reflects the broader efforts to reform India’s agricultural sector and support the livelihoods of millions of farmers. As policymakers deliberate on the path forward, it is imperative to strike a balance between addressing the needs of farmers, promoting agricultural sustainability, and ensuring fiscal prudence in policymaking.
Nut graf: Guaranteeing Minimum Support Price (MSP) across crops aims to stabilize farm incomes and boost demand. Despite potential benefits, challenges in implementation and crop diversification remain significant considerations for policymakers.
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. A scheme that is bleeding hospitals dry
Syllabus: GS-2, Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Mains: Financial burden of Health Insurance in Kerala
Introduction:
- The Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhati (KASP) in Kerala, despite receiving accolades, is causing financial strain on both private and public hospitals.
- The government owes hospitals a staggering amount of ₹1,128.69 crore for medical treatments provided under the scheme.
- This financial burden has led to shortages of essential supplies like drugs and implants in public hospitals, forcing patients to resort to private outlets for medications.
Impact on Public Healthcare Infrastructure:
- Public hospitals, previously able to manage emergencies through local purchases, are now unable to do so due to the fiscal crisis and pending reimbursements from the government.
- Hospitals are experiencing shortages in essential supplies, affecting patient care and development activities.
- Superintendents of hospitals express helplessness as patients are compelled to purchase medicines from private sources, further exacerbating the strain on public healthcare infrastructure.
Rise in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):
- Despite high per capita government expenditure on health, Kerala has the highest per capita out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) in the country, reaching ₹7,206.
- The intended purpose of KASP was to alleviate the burden of healthcare expenditure, but it has inadvertently contributed to increased OOPE due to administrative inefficiencies and delayed reimbursements.
- The lack of proper financial oversight and technical expertise in running the scheme has led to significant cost overruns and overdue claims, as highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recent audit report.
Transition Challenges and Unsustainability:
- Kerala’s transition of KASP from the insurance mode to the trust/assurance mode in 2020 has posed significant challenges, leading to a surge in claims expenditure.
- The State’s high morbidity burden and robust health-seeking behaviour have further strained the scheme’s financial sustainability.
- The fixed premium provided by the National Health Agency fails to account for inter-state differences in health service delivery, exacerbating Kerala’s financial burden in administering the scheme.
- Despite criticisms, public health experts assert that the issue lies not with KASP itself but with the unprofessional manner in which the State Health Agency (SHA) manages the scheme.
- A lack of robust claims monitoring, technical expertise, and financial discipline has rendered KASP unsustainable in its current form, jeopardising the financial stability of public hospitals.
Nut Graf: The Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhati (KASP) in Kerala, initially hailed for healthcare accessibility, now burdens state finances and strains public hospitals due to administrative inefficiencies and delayed reimbursements, revealing its unsustainable nature.
Category: ECONOMY
Syllabus: GS-3, Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices
Mains: Current ongoing farmer’s protest and their demand
Context:
- Thousands of farmers from Punjab are protesting at border points with Haryana, demanding various concessions.
- Demands include legally guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP), debt waiver, cancellation of certain international agreements affecting agriculture, and a minimum pension for farmers.
- The protest is led by SKM (non-political), a splinter group from the earlier protest, indicating internal divisions within interest groups across several states.
Expansion of Protests Across Regions:
- Protests are not limited to Punjab; farmers in western U.P., Haryana’s Sonipat, and other areas are also demonstrating.
- Grievances range from land acquisition for infrastructure projects to labour issues, reflecting diverse challenges faced by farmers nationwide.
- A national rural and industrial strike has been planned for February 16 by the original SKM and trade unions, with additional demands including the repeal of four labour codes.
Government Response and Challenges:
- The government engaging in talks with Punjab farmers, but the MSP guarantee seems unlikely.
- Police interventions in Haryana and Delhi preventing farmers from reaching the capital, reminiscent of the 2021-22 siege.
- MSP-based procurement by FCI has been crucial for food security, but calls for reform due to uneven geographical spread and unsustainable farming practices.
- Political implications noted, especially given the proximity to the Lok Sabha elections.
Need for Reform and Public Consensus:
- There’s a pressing need for political consensus and dialogue to revamp public support for agriculture.
- Diversification of production and increased productivity should be encouraged among beneficiaries of existing support systems.
- The government’s proactive role is crucial in fostering a new model of public support for the agricultural sector, considering its significance for national food security.
Nut Graf: The ongoing farmer protests in India highlight grievances regarding MSP, debt, and policy reforms. Divisions within the farming community and the government’s response underscore the need for a revamped agricultural support system and political consensus.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Scientists seek more protections for ‘living fossil’
Context: Environmental groups are advocating for the protection of the American horseshoe crab, a species considered a “living fossil,” through a petition to the U.S. government.
Issue:
- Once abundant along the mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, horseshoe crab populations have dwindled due to commercial harvests, habitat loss, and climate change.
- The decline has ripple effects on other marine species, including the rufa red knot bird.
- The petition, filed by 23 conservation organizations, urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to grant endangered species status to the horseshoe crab. This designation would prohibit harming or killing the species without special permits and ensure the protection of critical breeding habitats.
- Human activities like pharmaceutical blood extraction exacerbate the threats faced by horseshoe crabs. Climate change-related factors like oceanfront development and sea-level rise further endanger their survival.
Significance: Urgent conservation efforts are needed to safeguard these ancient creatures and maintain the ecological balance of coastal ecosystems.
2. Kerala House requests Central govt. to amend Wildlife Act to tackle human-animal conflict
Context: The Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central government to amend the Wildlife Protection Act to address human-wildlife conflicts effectively.
Issue:
- the State Forest Minister introduced the resolution for discussion under Rule 118 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.
- Members from all parties supported the resolution, which aims to tackle wildlife intrusions into human habitats, crop destruction, and attacks on livestock.
- The government highlighted the urgent need for contemporary amendments due to increasing instances of wildlife encroachment and attacks on residents.
Significance: The resolution calls for empowering Chief Forest Conservators to use lethal force against wild animals posing imminent threats to human life. Additionally, it urges the Central government to implement scientific and humane methods for wildlife population control.
3. Centre uses British-era Act to block Internet in Punjab
Context: The recent suspension of mobile Internet services in select districts of Punjab by the Union government has sparked concerns and debates over free speech and governmental authority.
Issue: Invoking powers under a British-era law, the government cited public emergency and safety reasons for the move, a departure from norms where such decisions typically rest with state governments.
- The suspension, imposed ahead of a planned protest march to Delhi, underscores the evolving dynamics of digital rights and governance. Critics view it as an infringement on free speech, while supporters argue for the necessity of maintaining public order.
Significance: This episode highlights the delicate balance between security concerns and civil liberties in the digital age. As technology becomes increasingly intertwined with daily life, questions around Internet access, censorship, and governmental control over communication channels continue to provoke discussions on democracy and individual freedoms.
4. Reconsider move on withdrawal of Free Movement Regime
Context: A collective of five non-governmental bodies in Mizoram has appealed to the Indian government to reconsider its move to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the 1,643 km India-Myanmar border.
Issue:
- The FMR permitted border residents to travel up to 16 km within each other’s territory without requiring a visa.
- Recently the revocation of FMR was announced due to security concerns arising from the civil war in Myanmar and ethnic conflicts in Manipur.
- The NGO Coordination Committee highlighted India’s commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- They expressed astonishment at the decision to scrap FMR and fence the border instead, emphasizing its vital role in maintaining ethnic and cultural ties between the Zo ethnic group residing on both sides of the border.
5. PM inaugurates Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple marks a significant moment in the cultural landscape of the UAE.
About:
- Built by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), the temple symbolizes shared human heritage and fosters communal harmony.
- Modi expressed gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohammad Zayed Al Nahyan for his pivotal role in realizing the temple, emphasizing its impact on both Indian and global communities.
- The event, attended by various dignitaries including UAE Tolerance Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, underscores the UAE’s commitment to cultural diversity and inclusivity. Reflecting on the recent Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya, Modi celebrated the auspicious occasion of witnessing the BAPS temple inauguration, highlighting its cultural significance alongside iconic UAE landmarks.
Significance: The temple’s inauguration signifies a deeper bond between India and the UAE, enriching the cultural fabric of both nations.
6. Does updating COVID-19 vaccines frequently have any benefits
Context: Researchers regularly update influenza vaccines to align with circulating strains, yet achieving an ideal match remains challenging due to the lengthy development process.
Issue:
- Influenza vaccine effectiveness hinges on strain compatibility, influencing efficacy by up to 25%.
- Additionally, vaccine protection diminishes over time, mirroring challenges seen with COVID-19 vaccines.
- The Omicron variant, with its antigenic distance, has further complicated vaccine efficacy. Despite efforts to update vaccines, newer variants like XBB.1.5 and JN.1 present hurdles. Studies suggest updating vaccines may enhance neutralizing antibody titers against future variants, but uncertainties persist about long-term efficacy and T-cell immunity. India, with its Corbevax and Gemcovac vaccines, faces decisions on updating formulations to counter emerging variants.
Significance: The need for updated boosters hinges on population vulnerability and the evolving SARS-CoV-2 landscape, prompting critical considerations for vaccine strategy adaptations.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. The CACP recommends the MSP based on the formula A2+FL, and the government eventually declares the same. Here, A2+FL refers to
- Paid out cost plus imputed value of family labour
- Only input cost of the farmers
- paid out cost plus imputed value of family labour plus rental value of owned land and interest on fixed capital.
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
A2+FL refers to Paid out cost plus imputed value of family labour. This formula is used to calculate the MSP (Minimum Support Price) for agricultural products in India.
Q2. Consider the following statements with regard to INSAT:
- The INSAT system was initiated with the launch of INSAT-1B in August 1983 (following the earlier unsuccessful INSAT-1A launched in April 1982).
- This system facilitated the rapid extension of TV and modern telecom services to remote regions and offshore islands.
- INSAT data is used to monitor crops and assess their health.
- INSAT satellites help locate distressed vessels and individuals.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- Any one
- Any two
- Any three
- All four
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- The statement that INSAT was initiated with the launch of INSAT-1B in August 1983 is correct. INSAT-1A was launched earlier in April 1982.
- INSAT facilitated the rapid extension of TV and modern telecom services to remote regions and offshore islands.
- INSAT data is indeed used to monitor crops and assess their health, contributing to agricultural activities.
- INSAT satellites also aid in locating distressed vessels and individuals, contributing to search and rescue operations. Therefore, all four statements are correct.
Q3. Consider the following statements with regard to Fatehpur Sikri:
- It was founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, and from 1571 to 1585, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire.
- The Mughal capital was moved to Delhi in 1586 because of Fatehpur Sikri’s inadequate water supply.
- It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- Any 1
- Any 2
- All 3
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Fatehpur Sikri was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, not 1996.
Q4. With reference to the WTO, which of the following best defines the ‘Cairns Group’?
- Group of agricultural exporting nations lobbying for agricultural trade liberalization
- Group of agricultural importing nations lobbying for agricultural trade protectionism
- Group of nations opposing ‘Least Developed Nation’ status
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
The Cairns Group refers to a group of agricultural exporting nations that lobby for agricultural trade liberalization. The group seeks to reduce trade barriers and increase market access for agricultural products.
Q5. With reference to Rowlatt Satyagraha, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The Rowlatt Act was based on the recommendations of the ‘Sedition Committee’.
- In Rowlatt Satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilize the Home Rule League.
- Demonstrations against the arrival of the Simon Commission coincided with Rowlatt Satyagraha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
The Simon Commission, established by the British government in 1927, was tasked with assessing the advancements of constitutional reforms in India. In contrast, the Rowlatt Satyagraha occurred in 1919, as a protest against the Rowlatt Act.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- How far do you agree with the government’s decision to repeal the farm laws? (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Economy]
- Health insurance ensures the basic right to health but if not properly implemented, it may derail the economic health of the country. Critically analyse. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, Governance/Health]
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