CNA 15 Oct 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. Global Hunger Index 2022 C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIAL ISSUES 1. Do not ignore the role of the woman livestock farmer SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Indian Deep Tech and a case for a strategic fund INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. No time for placebo F. Prelims Facts 1. Haryana, Punjab CMs fail to reach consensus on SYL canal row G. Tidbits 1. Armed forces welfare fund: website set up for donations 2. INS Arihant carries out key missile test H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Syllabus: Issues related to poverty and hunger.
Mains: Hunger issues.
Prelims: Global Hunger Index 2022.
Context: Release of Global Hunger Index 2022.
Details:
- The Global Hunger Index (GHI) comprehensively measures and tracks hunger at regional, national, and international levels. The scores are evaluated on the basis of four indicators –
- Undernourishment
- Child stunting
- Child wasting
- Child mortality
- A GHI score is calculated on a 100-point scale on the basis of the values of four indicators. Zero is considered to be the best score as it reflects no hunger and 100 is considered to be the worst.
- On the basis of the respective score, countries are classified into five groups of hunger namely ‘low’, ‘moderate’, ‘serious’, ‘alarming’, and ‘extremely alarming’.
- The recent 2022 edition is the seventeenth annual edition jointly published by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide.
India-Specific Findings:
- India’s rank in GHI is 107 out of 121 countries. India fares worse than all other South Asian countries except for Afghanistan.
- India has a score of 29.1 thus putting it under the ‘serious’ category. India also ranks below its neighbours like Sri Lanka (64), Nepal (81), Bangladesh (84), and Pakistan (99).
- Afghanistan is the only country in South Asia that performs worse than India on the index with a rank of 109.
- China is among the countries collectively ranked between 1 and 17 having a score of less than 5.
Source: www.globalhungerindex.org
- The overall score has slightly worsened from 28.2 in 2014 to 29.1 in 2022.
- The child wasting rate (low weight for height) in India is 19.3% which has declined from 15.1% in 2014 and 17.15 in the year 2000. It is the highest among all the countries of the world.
- Undernourishment (the proportion of the population facing chronic dietary energy deficiency) has also increased from 14.6% in 2018-2020 to 16.3% in 2019-2021. It implies that 224.3 million people in India are undernourished.
- Child stunting has improved in India, which has decreased from 38.7% in 2014 to 35.5% in 2022. Moreover, child mortality has also reduced from 4.6% to 3.3% during the same time period.
- It should also be noted that the rankings in the GHI annual reports are not comparable with each other across different years. The GHI score for 2022 can only be compared with scores of the year 2000, 2007, and 2014.
Source: www.globalhungerindex.org
Nut Graf: India continues to perform poorly in the Global Hunger Index. Though child stunting and child mortality indicators have shown improvement, indicators like undernourishment and child wasting have further worsened in India. A careful analysis of the situation and efforts to address the issue is the need of the hour.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. Do not ignore the role of the woman livestock farmer
Syllabus: Role of women and women’s organizations, and associated issues
Prelims: International Day of Rural Women and National Livestock Policy (NLP)
Mains: Livestock sector in India, the role of women in the sector and their core problems.
Context: On the occasion of “International Day of Rural Women” (October 15), this article analyses the role of women in livestock rearing.
Livestock Sector in India
- The Livestock sector in India is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the rural economy.
- The Livestock sector in 2018-19 in India accounted for about 5% of the national income and around 28% of the agricultural GDP.
- In the last six years, the sector has grown at a rate of 7.9% while crop farming posted a 2% growth.
Women in Livestock Sector
- Various field studies reveal that in rural areas, especially in households that own livestock, women play an extensive part in animal rearing.
- It was found that there were over 50 lakh women members in dairy co-operatives in 2015-16 which increased further to 54 lakhs by 2020-21.
- Women constituted about 31% of all members of dairy producer cooperatives in 2020-21.
- Additionally, the number of women’s dairy cooperative societies also increased to 32,092 in 2015-16 as compared to 18,954 in 2012.
- However, other than the participation of women in the dairy co-operatives sector, their role in the livestock economy as a whole is not as widely known and has not been given adequate attention.
Lack of adequate data
- The traditional labour force surveys conducted in India have failed to record women’s role in livestock-raising adequately.
- The sporadic nature of livestock-raising work is done at short durations throughout the day and is carried out within the homestead. These two reasons have acted as key hurdles for data collection.
- As per a time-use survey conducted in a village in Karnataka, a poor peasant woman would spend close to 3.5 hours on livestock-related work, which is combined with her other household chores.
- Further, the data from the surveys conducted by the Foundation for Agrarian Studies in Karnataka suggest that in every rural household that owned a milch animal, a woman spent at least two to eight hours a day on animal rearing.
- This pattern of work has made it difficult even for women to report “livestock raising” as an economic activity.
- Additionally, there is a wide underestimation of the number of women engaged in livestock activities.
- According to an estimate based on the Employment and Unemployment Survey of 2011-12, it was reported that there were 1.2 crore rural women working in livestock-raising
- However, with a broader definition, other estimates reveal that over 4.9 crore rural women were engaged in livestock raising which is four times the official estimates.
Fundamental Problems associated with Women in Livestock Sector
- Conventional national-level employment surveys like the Periodic Labour Force Survey fail to collect data on specific activities of persons engaged primarily in domestic duties. This has resulted in the gross undercounting of women in the livestock sector.
- The services extended to women livestock farmers in the country are largely inadequate.
- As per the official estimates, only about 80,000 livestock farmers were trained across the country in 2021 and the number of women livestock farmers out of this would be much lower.
- According to field studies, women found it difficult to purchase livestock due to their difficulties in availing of loans or credit facilities.
- Under the Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) scheme, about 15 lakh new KCCs were given to livestock farmers but the number of women farmers among this is not known.
- Further, the women livestock farmers in the country lacked scientific expertise in the choice of animals and veterinary care.
- Studies also reveal that women are not aware of the composition and functions of dairy boards and that men dominate in decision-making even in women-only dairy cooperatives. Further, the voices of landless and poor women were ignored.
- The National Livestock Policy (NLP) which was launched with a view to increasing livestock production and productivity in a sustainable manner acknowledged that around 70% of the labour for the livestock sector comes from women.
- However, the NLM as of now does not consist of any programmes which specifically benefit women livestock farmers.
Nut graf: As about 70% of the labour for the livestock sector comes from women, the role of women is said to be significantly crucial for the livestock economy. Thus there is a need for the inclusion of women in all aspects of livestock development such as veterinary care, extension services, training, credit facilities and decision-making.
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Indian Deep Tech and a case for a strategic fund
Syllabus: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Mains: Deep Tech ecosystem in India – its significance, challenges and the way forward.
Context: As the Union Government led by the Prime Minister is pushing for self-reliance in military technology, semiconductors and science-based businesses, there has been increased attention on establishing the “India Strategic Fund” to fund these industries.
Background
- To become self-reliant and a developed country in the next 25 years, India must build world-class deep tech capabilities in certain sectors as deep technology is almost always dual use.
- Example: Position navigation timing technology such as GPS and NavIC is not only used for civil navigation purposes but also serves defence services.
- However, market failure on account of a lack of investment from venture capitalists and inadequate funding from the government has become a key roadblock to the prospects of deep tech capabilities.
- According to experts, there are four technology battlegrounds at present and they are semiconductors, 5G, revolutions in biology and autonomy.
- But all of these sectors are vulnerable to challenges such as military conflict, health emergencies and natural disasters.
- In this context, experts propose the setting up of the “India Strategic Fund” to which a certain amount of capital can be allocated from the existing corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets and high net worth individuals (HNIs) taxation.
The importance of adequate funding
- Despite having a thriving startup ecosystem and a number of unicorns in the country, India has not performed as expected in enhancing its deep tech capabilities.
- The reason for this is the lack of capital or funding.
- In countries like the U.S., Israel and the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the government has remained the largest source of funds for Deep Tech.
- Large amounts of funding flow through agencies such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (U.S.A.), the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (Israel) and the Defence and Security Accelerator (the U.K.) which have incentivised and provided an impetus to small businesses.
- This increased funding in these countries has facilitated the startups to act as a bridge between the IEEE publications or prototypes of academia and the large industries of production.
Lack of funding in India
- The startup ecosystem has failed to play the role of a bridge between academia and the production industry because of a lack of adequate funding and capital allocation.
- In India, the venture capital ecosystem is still sceptical about investing as they still do not understand Deep Tech and also because these investments do not fit their 10-year fund return cycle as it takes more time for them to gain returns which acts as an entry barrier.
- Further, apart from the lack of funds from the venture capital ecosystem, the government capital is also not enough or is not fast enough.
Recommendations
- With the government announcing initiatives such as the Indian Semiconductor Mission and the Ministry of Defence’s flagship iDEX and TDF schemes which depend heavily on funding, investments in deep and critical technology have become crucial.
- There is a need for creating an exclusive India Strategic Fund to fund industries or startups involved in Deep Tech.
- The India Strategic Fund can be funded from two sources namely:
- CSR budgets: as per estimates, the annual CSR budget is ₹15,000 crore, out of which a large portion is unutilised which can be used to fund the development of strategic technology.
- High net worth individuals (HNIs) taxation: HNIs could be offered tax incentives to attract equity investments in critical technology startups and this corpus of investment should be made tax deductible.
- Further, to ensure that these funds are used correctly, qualifying criteria can be created and the pool of investable companies must be restricted to the ones that are recognised by the Government and also startups must be accorded an “acceptance of necessity” from the Indian military or the Ministry of Defence.
Nut graf: With India setting an ambitious target of achieving Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in key sectors, the significance of the dual use of Deep Tech capabilities has come to the fore. In this context, the creation of the India Strategic Fund with the help of CSR funds and tax incentives to HNIs can help create a self-sustaining Indian Deep Tech ecosystem.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Syllabus: Bilateral agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Mains: The Gambia Cough Syrup Scandal and its implications for India
Context: Recently nearly 70 children in the Gambia lost their lives which has been linked to the use of contaminated cough syrups which were made in India.
Background
- Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited is under the scanner for its substandard paediatric cough syrups.
- As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the cough syrups may have been contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol which could have caused acute kidney failure resulting in the death of these children.
- This incident has caused a global outcry.
The implications of the incident on India
- India is a major drug supplier to Africa and these drugs play a significant role in the healthcare sector of African nations. India accounts for 45% of all generic medicines in Africa.
- This latest incident has threatened the thriving India-Africa relations in the healthcare sector.
- The incident which has caused an international outcry will be detrimental to India’s reputation of being the“pharmacy of the world” as India is a major global supplier of drugs and vaccines.
- Indian drugs, medicines and vaccines which are exported will now attract greater scrutiny which can be exploited by other countries.
India’s response to the incident
- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) which is India’s apex drug regulator, has banned Maiden Pharmaceuticals from manufacturing medicinal drugs.
- The Ministry of Health, Government of India has set up a technical committee to advise the Government on its future course of action against the company.
- In India, the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 put in place stringent acts with imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹10 lakh against the manufacturers for making adulterated drugs and violating established medical practices.
Way forward
- Thorough investigations have to be conducted with the help of India’s top agencies and those who are responsible for the tragedy must be held accountable and punished.
- CDSCO must work towards ensuring that such kinds of instances do not repeat.
- To increase the value chain of its vaccines or drugs, India must work harder at improving its image of having an impartial and independent regulator which can be trusted globally.
Nut graf: As such incidents have a serious implication on India’s reputation, bilateral and multilateral relations, as well as its economy, it is crucial to impose stringent standards and regulations on the pharma industry to maintain the trust of the international community.
F. Prelims Facts
1. Haryana, Punjab CMs fail to reach consensus on SYL canal row
Category: GS 2, POLITY
Syllabus: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure – Inter-state Relations
Prelims: Satluj-Yamuna Link
Context: Meeting of chief ministers of two states for discussion on the Satluj-Yamuna Link Canal.
Details:
- The Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab failed to reach a consensus on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal project. The two states are having a water-sharing dispute.
- The meeting between the two ministers was held under the direction of the Supreme Court.
- The construction of the canal is important for Haryana as it is the lifeline of the State. But Punjab holds the view that the state does not have enough water to share.
- According to the Chief Minister of Punjab, the state was getting 18.56 million acre-feet (MAF) of water which has declined to 12.63 MAF.
For more information on the Satluj-Yamuna link, read here: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. Sep 7th, 2022
G. Tidbits
1. Armed forces welfare fund: website set up for donations
- The Defence Minister of India launched the ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ website for the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF).
- The AFBCWF is a Tri-Service fund, which is utilized to grant immediate financial aid to the dependents/kin of airmen/soldiers/sailors who get grievously injured or lay down their lives in active military operations.
- The website will enable the general public to directly contribute to the fund through online mechanisms. A certificate of online contribution can also be downloaded.
- Shri Amitabh Bachchan is the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ of the initiative.
2. INS Arihant carries out key missile test
- India’s first ballistic missile nuclear submarine INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM).
- The missile was tested in a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy.
- The test thus validated the country’s second-strike nuclear capability and assured the credible minimum deterrence ability of India.
For more information on Indian missiles, read here: Types of Missiles of India
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements: (Level – Difficult)
- So far, ISRO has only used Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) to carry out commercial launches.
- India currently has three operational launch vehicles – the PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mk III.
- The government opened up the space sector for private players in 2020.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 & 2 only
- 2 & 3 only
- 1 & 3 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Till now ISRO has used only PSLV for commercial launches. There have been eight commercial launches using PSLV. However, GSLV Mk III is set to launch 36 satellites and enter the commercial foray.
Statement 2 is correct: India presently has three operational launch vehicles PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mk III. The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle of ISRO was partially successful.
Statement 3 is correct: The government opened the space sector for private players in 2020 with the aim to allow private players to offer regular space services and ISRO to focus on scientific missions.
Q2. Consider the following statements with regard to the GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City: (Level – Easy)
- It consists of a multi-service Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which houses India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and an exclusive Domestic Tariff Area (DTA).
- It doesn’t have any residential facilities.
- The GIFT city also houses the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX), India’s first International Bullion Exchange.
Choose the correct code:
- 1 only
- 1 & 3 only
- 2 only
- All of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct and Statement 2 is incorrect: It is India’s first operational greenfield smart city and international financial services center consisting of a multi-service SEZ. The city is located on the banks of the Sabarmati river. The city includes commercial, financial and residential complexes.
Statement 3 is correct: GIFT city consists of India’s first International Bullion Exchange called India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX).
Q3. With respect to India’s Ethanol blending programme, the Government has set a target of achieving ______ ethanol blending in petrol by _____. (Level – Easy)
- 15%, 2025
- 20%, 2025
- 25%, 2025
- 20%, 2030
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: The Government of India has advanced the target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030. The twenty percent ethanol-blended petrol is likely to be made available in India in December 2022 or January 2023, as cited by the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Q4. Consider the following statements with regards to Electoral bonds in India: (Level – Medium)
- They are valid for 15 days from the date of issue.
- Only the political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and have secured not less than 1% of the votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly, are eligible to receive electoral bonds.
- The bonds are available for purchase by any citizen of India for a period of ten days each in the months of January, April, July and October as may be specified by the RBI.
Choose the correct code:
- Only 1 statement is correct
- Only 2 statements are correct
- All the statements are correct
- None of the statements is correct
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Electoral bonds are valid for 15 days from the date of issue.
Statement 2 is correct: Only the political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and have secured not less than 1% of the votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly, are eligible to receive electoral bonds.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The bonds are available for purchase by any citizen of India for a period of ten days each in the months of January, April, July and October as may be specified by the Central Government.
Q5. “Rule of Law Index” is released by which of the following? (Level – Difficult)
- Amnesty International
- International Court of Justice
- The Office of UN Commissioner for Human Rights
- World Justice Project
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation: The World Justice Project released its Rule of Law Index 2017-18 report, which measures the extent to which 113 countries have adhered to the rule of law in that period. India’s rank was 62, better than China, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh; Denmark occupied the top spot.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- With the lax standards of drug regulations in place in India, the Gambia medical syrup tragedy was waiting to happen. Comment. (250 words; 15 marks) (GS-2; Governance)
- Despite multiple efforts by the government in the past few years, India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index has remained disappointing. What can be the possible reasons for this? (250 words; 15 marks) (GS-2; Social Justice)
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 15 Oct 2022:- Download PDF Here
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