03 May 2024 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Why are Indian spices facing the heat? D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY 1. The judiciary’s shadow over standard essential patents SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. Recognise ‘this leave’ as a woman’s right F. Prelims Facts 1. Removing exotic plants will ensure food for wild animals, finds study 2. NPCI’s global arm to develop UPI-like system for Namibia 3. April PMI signals second-best gain in manufacturing sector in 42 months G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
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C. GS 3 Related
Category: ECONOMY
1. Why are Indian spices facing the heat?
Syllabus: Indian Economy and Exports
Mains: Challenges faced in exports of Indian spices
Context: Indian spices, renowned globally for their flavour and aroma, are facing scrutiny due to alleged contamination issues, particularly in products sold by prominent brands like MDH and Everest. Several countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S., have initiated investigations into the safety of these spice mixes, citing concerns over the presence of ethylene oxide (EtO) beyond permissible limits.
Issues
- Contamination Allegations: Countries like Hong Kong and Singapore have suspended the sale of certain spice blends due to high levels of ethylene oxide, a toxic chemical used as a food stabilizer, found in MDH and Everest products.
- Health Concerns: Ethylene oxide is a prohibited pesticide that, when present in excess, can lead to the formation of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. Long-term exposure to these compounds is associated with severe health risks, including cancer.
- History of Rejections: Previous instances of rejections by regulatory bodies, particularly the U.S. FDA, due to various issues including salmonella contamination and misbranding, raise questions about the quality and safety standards of Indian spice exports.
Significance
- Economic Impact: The potential repercussions of these investigations and regulatory actions on Indian spice exports could have significant economic ramifications, with billions of dollars in exports at stake.
- Consumer Safety: Ensuring the safety and quality of spice products is crucial to safeguarding public health and maintaining consumer trust in Indian spice exports.
- Farmers’ Livelihood: Any downturn in spice exports could adversely affect farmers’ incomes, particularly small-scale farmers, who rely on the spice trade for their livelihoods.
Solutions
- Regulatory Measures: The Spices Board of India has initiated mandatory testing of exported products and is working with exporters to address contamination issues. Additionally, the FSSAI has directed state regulators to conduct tests on major spice brands for ethylene oxide.
- Enhanced Food Safety Standards: Calls for updating food safety standards and improving regulatory oversight to align with global practices and ensure compliance with safety norms.
- Improved Traceability: Addressing operational challenges and enhancing traceability in the food supply chain to enable better monitoring and control of potential risks.
Image source: The Hindu
Nut Graf: The current scrutiny of Indian spice exports underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address contamination issues, uphold food safety standards, and protect the reputation and livelihoods associated with the Indian spice industry. Collaborative efforts between regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders, and advocacy groups are essential to restore consumer confidence and ensure the long-term sustainability of India’s spice trade.
D. GS 4 Related
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E. Editorials
Category: POLITY
1. The judiciary’s shadow over standard essential patents
Syllabus: GS-2, Indian judiciary
Mains: Crisis concerning the handling of standard essential patents (SEPs)
Context: India is facing a potential crisis concerning the handling of standard essential patents (SEPs) by certain technology companies, particularly in the telecom manufacturing sector. The regulatory oversight of SEPs, crucial for India’s domestic manufacturing industry for cellular phones, has largely been left to the judiciary, resulting in both lethargy and activism with significant implications.
Issues
- Importance of SEPs: SEPs cover technologies adopted as industry standards, ensuring interoperability in sectors like telecom. However, the dominance of private technology companies in setting these standards leaves countries like India with little influence.
- Patent Holdup Problem: Owners of SEPs can demand high royalties, leading to anti-competitive practices and hindering market competition, a phenomenon known as the “patent holdup” problem.
- Judicial Response: The Indian judiciary’s handling of SEP-related issues has been characterized by delays and activism, impacting competition law enforcement and patent infringement lawsuits.
Significance
- Impact on Domestic Manufacturing: Unregulated SEPs can stifle domestic manufacturing growth by imposing unfair licensing terms and hindering competition, affecting India’s efforts to attract investment and boost manufacturing under initiatives like the production-linked incentives scheme.
- Need for Regulatory Intervention: There is a pressing need for regulatory measures to address SEP-related challenges, similar to those implemented by the European Parliament, to ensure fair competition, protect consumer interests, and support domestic industries.
- International Obligations: India, compelled by international agreements to enforce patents of foreign technology companies, must balance regulatory intervention with its obligations while safeguarding its domestic interests.
Solutions
- Regulatory Framework: The Indian government should intervene to regulate SEPs, ensuring fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory licensing terms to prevent anti-competitive practices and promote market competition.
- Judicial Reform: Efforts should be made to streamline judicial processes and reduce delays in resolving SEP-related disputes, ensuring timely justice and minimizing the negative impact on domestic manufacturing.
- Stakeholder Consultation: The government should engage with industry stakeholders, legal experts, and international bodies to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses the complexities of SEP licensing while safeguarding India’s interests.
Nut Graf: India’s handling of standard essential patents (SEPs) presents a complex policy challenge with far-reaching implications for the domestic manufacturing sector. The judiciary’s role in adjudicating SEP-related disputes has been marked by delays and activism, underscoring the need for regulatory intervention to ensure fair competition, protect consumer interests, and support India’s manufacturing aspirations. By implementing effective regulatory measures and fostering stakeholder collaboration, India can navigate the challenges posed by SEPs while promoting innovation, competitiveness, and economic growth in its manufacturing sector.
Category: SOCIAL JUSTICE
1. Recognise ‘this leave’ as a woman’s right
Syllabus: GS-2, Issues related to the development and management of the social sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Mains: Challenges of menstrual leave in India
Context: The debate over menstrual leave in India has gained momentum, with the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), promising to advocate for a law providing menstrual leave to women. However, legislative efforts in this regard have faced challenges, reflecting deep-rooted gender biases and institutional barriers.
Legislators and Bills
- Private Member Bills: Several Members of Parliament (MPs), including S. Jothimani and Ninong Ering, have introduced Private Member Bills seeking to establish menstrual leave as a woman’s right and impose penalties for refusal.
- Key Provisions: These Bills propose entitlements such as paid leave, rest periods during menstruation, and access to menstrual hygiene management facilities for women in various sectors.
- Judicial Response: Despite legislative efforts, the judiciary’s stance on menstrual leave has been passive, with the Supreme Court deferring to the government’s policy domain, leading to a lack of regulatory clarity.
Progressive Indian States, Asian nations
- State Initiatives: States like Kerala and Bihar have historically led in recognizing menstrual leave, while Kerala has recently extended it to students above 18. However, other states need to proactively implement such measures.
- International Precedents: Several Asian countries, including Japan, Indonesia, and South Korea, have enacted legislation for menstrual leave, highlighting India’s lag in addressing this issue.
- Global Advocacy: International organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have endorsed menstrual leave as a women’s right, emphasizing its importance in promoting gender equality.
Greater Gender Sensitivity Needed
- Labour Laws: The absence of menstrual leave in key legislation like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act underscores the need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard women’s rights in various sectors.
- Policy Solutions: Gender-sensitive policy interventions are essential to address the socio-cultural and biological dimensions of gender inequalities, challenging taboos, and fostering a more inclusive society.
- Political Commitment: Recognition of menstrual leave by political parties is crucial for advancing women’s rights and fostering gender equality, signalling a progressive shift in addressing women’s health and well-being.
Nut Graf: The debate surrounding menstrual leave in India reflects broader issues of gender discrimination and institutional biases. While legislative efforts have been initiated at various levels, there is a pressing need for proactive measures to recognize menstrual leave as a fundamental women’s right. By advocating for policy reforms, promoting gender-sensitive interventions, and fostering political commitment, India can take significant strides towards achieving gender equality and empowering women in the workforce.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Removing exotic plants will ensure food for wild animals, finds study
Context: A recent study conducted by the Kerala State Forest Protective Staff Organisation highlights the importance of removing exotic plants from forest areas, particularly in Chinnakkanal, Munnar, to ensure food availability for wild animals, specifically elephants. The study emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the region.
Issues
- Exotic Plant Invasion: Forest areas in Chinnakkanal, Munnar, are dominated by exotic plant species like Acacia mearnsii and eucalyptus, inhibiting the growth of native vegetation and restricting the movement of wild animals, including elephants.
- Impact on Wildlife: The presence of exotic plants deprives wild animals of natural food sources and disrupts their habitat, leading to conflicts between humans and elephants.
- Restricted Elephant Movement: The landscape, particularly in Chinnakkanal, is heavily infested with West Indian Lantana, further limiting the movement of elephants and exacerbating human-animal conflicts.
Significance
- Wildlife Conservation: Removing exotic plants and restoring natural grasslands will enhance habitat quality and ensure adequate food and water sources for wild elephants, contributing to wildlife conservation efforts.
- Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation: Addressing the issue of exotic plant invasion and reopening elephant corridors, as recommended by expert panels, is crucial for reducing human-elephant conflicts and promoting coexistence.
- Environmental Restoration: Restoring native vegetation in forest areas will not only benefit wildlife but also improve overall ecosystem health and resilience.
Solutions
- Exotic Plant Removal: Urgent action is needed to remove invasive exotic plants such as Acacia mearnsii, eucalyptus, and West Indian Lantana from forest areas in Chinnakkanal, Munnar.
- Habitat Restoration: Efforts should be made to restore natural grasslands and promote the growth of native plant species to provide food and habitat for wild animals, including elephants.
- Corridor Reopening: Implementing the recommendation to reopen elephant corridors, such as the route from Anayirankal to Old Devikulam in Munnar, will facilitate the movement of elephants and reduce conflicts with human settlements.
2. NPCI’s global arm to develop UPI-like system for Namibia
Context: NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), the global subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has entered into an agreement with the Bank of Namibia to assist in the development of an instant payment system similar to India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI). This collaboration aims to leverage India’s technological expertise and experience with UPI to modernize Namibia’s financial infrastructure.
Issues
- Financial Infrastructure in Namibia: Namibia lacks a robust instant payment system similar to India’s UPI, which hampers the efficiency and accessibility of financial transactions in the country.
- Need for Modernization: The partnership between NIPL and the Bank of Namibia highlights the necessity for modernizing Namibia’s financial ecosystem to enhance efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity.
- Technological Transfer: Transferring India’s UPI technology and expertise to Namibia presents challenges such as adapting the system to suit Namibia’s specific requirements and regulatory framework.
Significance
- Enhanced Financial Inclusion: The development of an instant payment system in Namibia akin to UPI has the potential to promote financial inclusion by providing convenient and accessible digital payment services to a wider population.
- Efficiency and Innovation: The adoption of modern payment systems fosters efficiency in financial transactions, encourages innovation in the fintech sector, and stimulates economic growth.
- International Collaboration: The partnership between NIPL and the Bank of Namibia exemplifies the significance of international collaboration and knowledge sharing in addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development.
3. April PMI signals second-best gain in manufacturing sector in 42 months
Context: India’s manufacturing sector witnessed a notable improvement in April, registering the second-best gain in three-and-a-half years, according to the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI). Despite a slight easing from the previous month’s record high, key indicators such as new orders and output growth remained strong, signalling continued momentum in the sector.
Issues
- Slight Easing in Manufacturing Activity: The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI slipped to 58.8 in April from March’s 16-year high of 59.1, indicating a marginal slowdown in manufacturing activity.
- Divergence in Demand: While new orders increased at the second-fastest pace in nearly 40 months, domestic demand outpaced export orders, reflecting the robustness of the domestic market.
- Cost Pressures: Input costs rose due to higher prices of materials like aluminium, paper, plastics, and steel, as well as increased labour costs, posing challenges for manufacturers.
Significance
- Continued Growth Momentum: Despite the slight easing, the PMI data suggests that India’s manufacturing sector maintains strong growth momentum, supported by robust demand and confidence levels among manufacturers.
- Employment Opportunities: Manufacturers ramped up hiring at a moderate pace, indicating potential employment opportunities and contributing to overall economic recovery and livelihoods.
- Resilience Amid Challenges: Despite cost pressures, manufacturers remain optimistic about future demand conditions, leading to inventory-building initiatives and higher output charges, which could support improved margins.
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
- The UPI is a digital and real-time payment system developed and regulated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- It is designed to enable peer-to-peer inter-bank transfers through a single two-click factor authentication process.
- UPI requires just one single mobile app to access various bank accounts.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: The UPI is a digital and real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Q2. With reference to the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), consider the following statements:
- It is a survey-based economic indicator that evaluates the perception of purchasing managers at different businesses.
- It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.
Choose the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: Both the statements are correct.
Q3. Which of the statements with respect to Standard Essential Patent is/are correct?
- It is a patent granted for technological inventions essential for the implementation and working of a standard.
- These are essential to a standard and have been adopted by a Standard Setting Organization (SSO).
Choose the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All statements are correct.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to exotic species:
- Exotic species can face competition from the native natural species in the area in which they are introduced.
- Unlike exotic species, Invasive species are always a cause of concern for the environment in which they are introduced.
Choose the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All statements are correct.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- Kerala was the first to recognise the need for a “period leave” for students and allowed it during examinations in 1912.
- Bihar, in 1992, allowed government employees two-day menstrual leave.
- India’s new code on Social Security, 2020 has included the aspect of menstrual leave in its code.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- One only
- Two only
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: India’s new code on Social Security, 2020, passed by Parliament, which consolidated existing labour laws, has not included the aspect of menstrual leave in its code.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- India still has a long way to go in order to match up to the global standards of Intellectual Property Rights. Do you agree? Highlight the role of the judiciary in this regard. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity/GS-3, IP]
- Our exports are our flagbearers around the world and shouldn’t be compromised on quality. Discuss in light of the recent controversies regarding Indian spices. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Economy]
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