Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Pusa-2090
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- In response to stubble burning challenge, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has developed Pusa-2090, an improved version of Pusa-44, offering similar yields but with a shorter maturity period.
About Pusa-2090
- Development: IARI developed Pusa-2090 by crossing Pusa-44 with CB-501, an early-maturing Japonica rice line known for stronger stems and higher grain production.
- Advantages: Pusa-2090 offers the same high yields as Pusa-44 but matures in just 120-125 days, addressing the stubble-burning issue.
- Field Testing: The variety has undergone successful trials in Delhi and Odisha, and Punjab farmers have reported promising results.
- Economic Benefits: Pusa-2090’s potential to match Pusa-44’s yields with a shorter duration makes it an attractive option for farmers.
Replacing Pusa-44
- Pusa-44 in Punjab: In the current kharif season, Punjab has planted 5.48 lakh hectares with Pusa-44, accounting for over 17% of the state’s total paddy area.
- Long Maturation Period: Pusa-44 takes 155-160 days to mature, delaying the availability of fields for the next wheat crop.
- Stubble Burning: To prepare fields for the next crop, farmers resort to burning the remaining stubble after harvesting Pusa-44, contributing to air pollution.
- Alternative Varieties: While there are alternative varieties like PR-126 with a shorter maturation period, their yields are lower than Pusa-44, impacting farmers’ income.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kerala Organic Farming Mission
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- In a proactive move towards sustainable and climate-smart farming, the Kerala Government has launched the Organic Farming Mission.
Kerala Organic Farming Mission
| Objective |
Expand organic farming to 5,000 hectares in 5 years |
| Annual Target |
Convert 1,000 hectares annually |
| Governance Structure |
Governing council chaired by Agriculture Minister
Executive committee with government and farm sector reps |
| Area Allocation |
State Agriculture department’s farms allocate 10% for organic |
| Long-term Commitment |
Beneficiaries commit to organic farming for at least 5 years |
| Certification & Marketing |
Enhance certification, branding, and marketing
Implement organic farming protocols aligned with standards |
| Value Addition |
Focus on adding value to organic products |
| Access to Resources |
Ensure access to quality seeds and production equipment
Utilize various channels like small-scale units, collectives,Karshika Karma Sena, Kudumbasree, Krishisree Centre, Agro Service Centres |
| Local Engagement |
Collaborate with Krishikoottam collectives and FPOs |
| Complementary Mission |
Poshaka Samriddhi Mission dedicated to millet and vegetable production for sustainable agriculture |
Complementary Mission: Poshaka Samriddhi
- In addition to the Organic Farming Mission, the Kerala Government created the Poshaka Samriddhi Mission in September 2023.
- This initiative is dedicated to ramping up millet and vegetable production, furthering the state’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GM Insects
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In April 2023, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) issued the ‘Guidelines for Genetically Engineered (GE) Insects’.
- The guidelines note that GE insects are becoming globally available and are intended to help Indian researchers navigate regulatory requirements.
- However, the guidelines don’t specify the purposes for which GE insects may be approved in India or how the DBT, as a promoter of biotechnology, envisions their use.
Genetically Modified Insects (GE Insects)
- A genetically modified insect is any insect whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
- GE insects offer multiple benefits, such as reducing disease burden, ensuring food security, and conserving the environment.
- India’s bioeconomy contribution is expected to reach 5% of GDP by 2030, and GE insects play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
- GE insects find applications in vector management, crop pest control, healthcare product production, and genetic improvement of beneficial insects.
Guidelines for GM Insects
- Nodal Agency: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is the nodal agency and promoter of biotechnology in India.
- Purpose: The Guidelines provide procedural roadmaps for those interested in creating GE insects.
- Harmonization: The guidelines have been harmonized with guidance from the World Health Organization on GE mosquitoes, emphasizing their potential applications in disease control.
Why discuss this?
- India’s bioeconomy, currently contributing 2.6% to the GDP, aspires to reach 5% by 2030, requiring substantial investment and supportive policies.
- However, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) faces challenges in both funding and policy alignment with these goals.
Challenges in Biotechnology Funding
- Stagnating Funding: Biotechnology funding in India has stagnated, with no return to pre-pandemic levels. The current allocation stands at a mere 0.0001% of India’s GDP, insufficient to drive meaningful growth.
- Impact on Pandemic Preparedness: Inadequate funding hampers pandemic preparedness efforts, undermining national interests and health security.
- Lack of Private Investment: Attracting private investment for biotechnology research and development is challenging and necessitates enhanced funding efforts.
Policies for a Thriving Bioeconomy
Guidelines for Genetically Engineered (GE) Insects: In April 2023, the DBT released guidelines for GE insects, offering procedural guidance but revealing three key issues.
(1) Uncertainty of Purpose
- The guidelines lack clarity regarding the purposes for which GE insects may be approved in India, hindering alignment with the broader bioeconomy commitment.
- Emphasis is placed on improving disease management, food security, and environmental conservation, but the economic potential of GE insects is underemphasized.
(2) Uncertainty for Researchers
- The guidelines only apply to research and not confined trials or deployment, limiting researchers’ options.
- Deployment of GE insects requires community engagement and monitoring due to potential environmental impacts, but criteria for approval remain unclear.
- The absence of clarity on government support for specific insect applications discourages research investment.
(3) Uncertainty of Ambit
- Ambiguity surrounds the definition of ‘beneficial’ GE insects, creating uncertainty among funders and scientists.
- Lack of precise guidelines inhibits progress, particularly in a country with limited public and private funding.
- Inadequate consideration of potential misuse or unintended consequences adds to the uncertainty.
Way forward
- To achieve the ambitious bioeconomy goals set out in the Bioeconomy 2022 report, India must address challenges in biotechnology funding and policy alignment.
- Increased funding, private sector engagement, and clear, supportive policies are essential.
- The guidelines for GE insects should reflect economic opportunities and research priorities, fostering a thriving bioeconomy that benefits India’s society, economy, and environment.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Loss and Damage Fund (LDF)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- In the escalating climate crisis, the terms “adaptation” and “loss and damage” (L&D) have taken center stage.
- While the concept was embraced at COP 27, recent meetings of the Transitional Committee (TC) to operationalize the fund have encountered major roadblocks.
Birth of the L&D Fund
- Historic Pollution Accountability: The call for affluent nations to acknowledge their historical pollution accountability dates back over 30 years.
- COP 19 Agreement: In 2013, at COP 19 in Warsaw, Poland, member countries formalized the creation of the L&D fund. It aimed to provide financial and technical support to economically developing nations grappling with L&D due to climate change.
- Subsequent Developments: COP 25 introduced the Santiago Network for L&D, and COP 26 established the Glasgow Dialogue on finance for L&D. COP 27 in November 2022 saw the creation of the L&D fund and a Transitional Committee (TC) tasked with operationalizing the fund.
Challenges in Creation of the L&D Fund
- Contentious Issues: TC meetings have grappled with contentious issues such as hosting the fund at the World Bank, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), climate reparations, and eligibility criteria for developing nations.
- Developed vs. Developing Nations: These disagreements have deepened the divide between developed and developing nations, hampering progress.
Outcome of TC4 and TC5 Meetings
- TC4 Impasse: The fourth meeting of the TC concluded without a consensus on how to operationalize the L&D fund, reflecting divisions on key issues.
- TC5 Draft Recommendations: An impromptu fifth meeting of the TC led to draft recommendations forwarded to COP 28. Developing nations conceded to the fund being hosted by the World Bank temporarily, but developed nations, including the U.S., remained non-committal regarding primary donor status and rejected references to CBDR, equity, and liability in the draft.
- Lack of Clarity: The draft does not specify the fund’s size due to pressure from certain developed nations.
A blow to climate multilateralism
- Erosion of Trust: The outcome underscores a severe trust deficit between affluent and emerging economies concerning historical responsibilities, deepening the rift between wealthy and impoverished nations.
- Failure to Fulfill Commitments: The unwillingness of wealthy nations to fulfill intended commitments undermines global climate negotiations, cooperation, and climate justice.
- Humanitarian Consequences: The watering down of the L&D fund can lead to humanitarian crises, food shortages, displacement, conflict, and exacerbate the suffering of vulnerable communities.
- Economic and Environmental Impact: It also has economic consequences, with potential financial crises and environmental degradation, exacerbating global economic instability.
- Security Implications: Climate-induced instability may lead to security implications as conflicts emerge in vulnerable nations, threatening to spill across borders.
L&D as Part of Climate Justice
- Balancing Adaptation and L&D: Adaptation and L&D are not mutually exclusive but coexist on the continuum of climate resilience.
- Moral and Financial Responsibility: Addressing L&D is a moral and financial responsibility of affluent nations, ensuring climate justice, equity, and solidarity.
- Global Climate Action: Failure to meet these obligations can derail global climate action, adding pressure to future COP talks.
Conclusion
- The protracted impasse surrounding the Loss and Damage fund reflects a troubling lack of consensus and trust between nations, hindering climate justice and cooperation.
- As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, balancing adaptation and addressing L&D remains paramount.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Airshed
Mains level: Transboundary nature of Delhi Air Pollution Menace
Central Idea
- The annual recurrence of ‘severe’ air quality levels in the Delhi-National Capital region and surrounding areas during winter often leads to the misconception that air pollution is a seasonal issue primarily driven by farm residue burning.
- However, this perception falls short of the complex, year-round, multi-source, and multi-pollutant nature of the problem.
This article highlights the need to adopt a comprehensive, science-backed approach to address air pollution effectively.
Year-round, Multi-source Pollution
- Misconception: Labelling air pollution as a ‘winter’ problem caused solely by farm residue burning oversimplifies the issue.
- Complex Reality: Air pollution is a continuous problem arising from various sources, not confined to a particular season.
- Ineffectiveness of City-Centric Strategies: Current initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) focus on cities, ignoring the transboundary nature of pollution.
Transboundary Air Pollution
- Understanding Dispersion: Pollution emitted in one region can significantly impact air quality in another due to transboundary dispersion.
- Inter-state Implications: Weather, topography, and climatic conditions influence transboundary dispersion, creating challenges for downwind regions.
- Limited Jurisdictional Power: Downwind regions often lack the authority to regulate upwind pollution sources, rendering mitigation strategies ineffective.
Need for Airshed Air Pollution Management
- Defining Airsheds: An airshed is a geographic area governed by common meteorology, topography, and climate, impacting air mass dispersion.
- Global Precedents: Countries like the United States, China, and the European Union have implemented effective regional airshed-level frameworks.
Policy Levers in India
- Existing Legal Framework: The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) Act, 2021 recognizes the transboundary nature of air pollution.
- Expanding Scope: The Air Act, 1981, can be expanded to cover multiple jurisdictions and pollution sources under a single air quality management framework.
- Global Experiences: Drawing lessons from frameworks like the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) in the US and the Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) in Europe can inform India’s approach.
Implementation Challenges
- Accountability: Holding upwind polluting regions accountable for transboundary pollution remains a challenge, necessitating legal mechanisms and cooperation.
- Conflict Resolution: Implementing a formal procedure for resolving conflicts arising from the interpretation or application of airshed-level frameworks is crucial.
- Political Will: Ensuring consistent implementation of air quality management measures despite bureaucratic cycles and political considerations is a persistent challenge.
- Cross-Boundary Cooperation: Encouraging cooperation between jurisdictions and regions to collectively address air pollution requires coordinated efforts.
- Data Integration: Integrating data from diverse sources and ensuring uniformity in air quality monitoring can be challenging.
Way Forward
- Legal Framework Expansion: Expanding the scope of the Air Act, 1981, to encompass multiple jurisdictions and pollution sources under a single air quality management framework.
- Global Lessons: Drawing lessons from international frameworks like the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) to inform India’s approach.
- Accountability Measures: Legally binding upwind polluters to address transboundary pollution through mitigation plans.
- Scientific Independence: Separating scientific and technical activities from political negotiations to ensure data-driven decisions.
- Conflict Resolution Mechanism: Implementing a mechanism for resolving disputes arising from framework interpretation or application.
- Promoting Change: Integrating an airshed-level framework within existing legal structures or introducing a new framework to deliver cleaner air for citizens.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CAG
Mains level: Social Audit
Central idea
The article highlights the pivotal role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in India’s democracy, emphasizing citizen engagement, social audits, and capacity building for local governance. It underscores challenges in finding skilled personnel and the imperative to ensure effective grassroots service delivery. The way forward involves an international center for local governance and online courses to address competency gaps.
Key Highlights:
- Role of CAG in Democracy: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) ensures transparency, accountability, and financial integrity. Maintains separation of powers and promotes good governance through audit findings.
- Citizen-Centric Approach: Emphasis on citizen engagement for better audit focus. Use of technology and digital solutions to enhance citizen involvement.
- Social Audit and Local Governance: Introduction of social audit as a tool for citizen oversight. Empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and urban local bodies for grassroots participation.
- Capacity Building and Online Courses: Collaboration with Institute of Chartered Accountants for online courses. Aiming to create a pool of competent accountants for local governance.
Challenges:
- Competent Accountants Shortage: Difficulty in finding skilled accountants for local governments, especially in remote areas.
- Grassroots Service Delivery: Ensuring effective delivery of devolved functions at the grassroots level.
- Capacity Building Imperatives: The article highlights the necessity for robust capacity-building initiatives to overcome challenges and strengthen local self-governance.
Key Terms:
- Devolved Functions: Functions transferred to local governments for implementation.
- Audit Diwas: Day marking the commencement of registration for online courses on November 16, 2023.
Key Phrases:
- Citizen Oversight: Involving citizens in identifying high-risk areas for audit.
- Social Audit: Facilitating citizen engagement through regular audits and follow-up actions.
- Capacity Building: Strengthening local governance through training and online courses.
Analysis:
The article underscores the critical role of CAG in upholding democratic principles and the evolving strategies to enhance citizen engagement. It highlights challenges in local governance, emphasizing the need for skilled personnel and effective service delivery at the grassroots.
Key Facts/Data:
- The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Audit of Scheme Rules was notified in 2011 to facilitate social audits.
- The 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments created a three-tier structure for rural self-governance.
Way Forward:
- International Centre for Local Governance: Establishing a center for excellence to enhance the capacity of local government auditors globally.
- Online Courses: Introducing online courses to address the shortage of competent accountants for local bodies.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: cognisable offences
Mains level: e-FIR
Central idea
The Law Commission proposes e-FIR registration for unknown accused in cognizable offenses, combining electronic submission with physical signing within three days. Despite ensuring swift crime registration, concerns arise over limited efficacy, emphasizing the importance of human intervention, especially in cases requiring immediate police involvement. The article suggests exploring e-authentication techniques for enhanced verification.
What is e-FIR?
- Definition: Digital system for reporting crimes to the police.
- Process: Information submitted online through a national portal. Complainant required to physically sign the report within a specified timeframe (usually three days).
- Objective: Streamline crime registration with initial electronic submission.
Key provisions of law commissions report
- e-FIR Recommendation: Proposal for e-FIR registration in all cognizable offenses with unknown accused. Verification through OTP and Aadhaar ID proof suggested by the Law Commission.
- Verification Process: Complainant verification through OTP for authenticity. Aadhaar ID proof mandated to confirm the complainant’s identity.
- Information Deletion: Automatic deletion of unverified information within two weeks. Complainant’s failure to sign the e-FIR within the prescribed time leads to deletion.
- Timeframe for Physical Signing: Complainants given three days to physically sign the e-FIR for formal registration. Failure to sign within the stipulated time results in non-registration.
- Human Intervention: The article emphasizes the importance of human interaction in certain cases, suggesting that electronic registration may be suitable only for offenses where immediate police interaction is not crucial.
What are cognisable offences?
- Cognizable Offenses Definition: Offenses for which police can make an arrest without a warrant. Immediate police action is permissible upon receiving information or a complaint.
- Serious Nature: Generally involves more severe crimes. Examples include murder, robbery, kidnapping, and certain types of fraud.
- No Court Permission Needed: Law enforcement can initiate an investigation without court authorization. Immediate action can be taken by the police upon learning about the offense.
- Jurisdictional Variations: Classification as cognizable or non-cognizable may vary in different legal systems. The severity and nature of offenses determine their categorization.
Challenges:
- Limited Efficacy: The concept of e-FIR relies on obtaining information electronically but requires physical signatures within a prescribed time, limiting the effectiveness of the online process.
- Lack of Discussion: The article notes that the Law Commission did not discuss models adopted by states currently lodging e-FIRs, leading to potential gaps in understanding the practical implementation.
Key Phrases:
- Cognizable Offenses: Offenses for which police can make an arrest without a warrant.
- E-authentication Technique: The use of digital signatures or e-authentication techniques, not extensively discussed in the Law Commission’s recommendations.
- Human Interaction: Highlighted as crucial, especially in cases like kidnapping, where immediate police involvement is essential for both medical examinations and crime scene visits.
Key Facts/Data:
- Verification Methods: OTP and Aadhaar are suggested as methods for verifying the complainant’s identity in the e-FIR process.
- Three-Day Timeframe: Complainants have three days to physically sign the e-FIR; otherwise, the information is automatically deleted from the portal.
Way Forward:
- Mandating E-authentication: The article suggests considering the use of e-authentication techniques, such as digital signatures, to enhance the verification process and facilitate immediate e-FIR registration.
- Clarification on Models: The Law Commission and states should provide clearer insights into the practical models adopted for e-FIR registration, addressing potential gaps in the recommendations.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kangani System
Mains level: Decolonization
Central idea
The article explores the historical exploitation of indentured labor, particularly focusing on the plight of Plantation Tamils in Sri Lanka. Shashi Tharoor emphasizes the challenges, discrimination, and struggles faced by this community, calling for a post-colonial, inclusive identity and highlighting the importance of decolonization in shaping a more equitable future for nations with colonial histories.
What is indentured labour?
- Definition: Indentured labor is a historical practice where individuals, often from impoverished backgrounds, enter a contract (indenture) with an employer.
- Terms: In exchange for their service, laborers receive passage, accommodation, and sometimes wages, binding them to work for a specified number of years (typically 4 to 7).
- Purpose: Common during the 17th to 20th centuries, indentured labor served as a substitute for slavery, especially in regions where slavery had been abolished.
Key Highlights:
- Bicentenary Commemoration: The article discusses the recent commemoration of the bicentenary of Tamil indentured laborers’ arrival in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the historical significance of this event.
- Impact of British Empire: Shashi Tharoor highlights the detrimental impact of the British Empire’s policies, including the exploitation of colonies, draining of resources, and the introduction of indentured labor as a form of bonded servitude.
- Plight of Plantation Tamils: The article sheds light on the challenges faced by Plantation Tamils in Sri Lanka, detailing their exploitation, discrimination, and struggles for basic rights, identity, and integration.
- Identity and Integration: Despite adversities, Plantation Tamils forged an identity rooted in Tamil traditions and values. The article acknowledges their journey towards integration and efforts to reclaim their heritage as equal citizens of Sri Lanka.
Challenges faced by these labors :
- Indentured Labor Exploitation: The article highlights the exploitative nature of indentured labor, depicting the harsh conditions, misinformation, and economic hardships faced by laborers brought to distant lands.
- Discrimination and Statelessness: Plantation Tamils faced discrimination by colonial practices, being labeled “foreigners” and rendered stateless. Discriminatory laws, like the Citizenship Act of 1948, further marginalized them.
- Kangani System: The detrimental role of the sub-contractor system, known as kanganies, is discussed, emphasizing the abuse of power and exploitation faced by Indian laborers even after the indenture period.
| Highly important term from prelims perspective
Kangani System:
Role: Kangani was like a boss who hired and supervised workers.
Function: Managed laborers on plantations, overseeing their work.
Abuse of Power: Kangani could be unfair, exploiting workers and causing them to be in debt.
After Work Ended: Unlike other workers, Plantation Tamils had no escape from the kangani system even after their work time was over.
Restrictions: Workers couldn’t ask to go home or buy land because of unclear contracts with the kangani. |
Key Phrases:
- Licensed Looting: Describes the initial phase of the British imperial project as a form of licensed looting in service of crude capitalism.
- Indentured Labour: Refers to the replacement of slavery with bonded servitude, termed “indentured labor,” as a consequence of the abolition of slavery.
- New Kind of Slavery: Hugh Tinker’s characterization of indentured labor, highlighting its exploitative and degrading nature.
- Decolonization: Stresses the importance of post-colonial countries breaking free from oppressive practices and attitudes inherited from their imperial rulers.
Analysis: Tharoor critically analyzes the historical exploitation by the British Empire, juxtaposing the wave of liberal humanism in Europe with the continued oppression in the colonies. He underscores the challenges faced by Plantation Tamils, portraying their struggle for identity and integration as a valorous subaltern endeavor.
Key Data/Facts:
- Bicentenary: Marks the 200th anniversary of Tamil indentured laborers’ arrival in Sri Lanka in November 1823.
- Citizenship Act of 1948: The legislation rendered Plantation Tamils stateless, hindering their assimilation into Sri Lankan society.
- Economic Shift to Tea: The shift from coffee to tea plantations in Sri Lanka resulted in a massive transfer of Indian Tamils due to increased demand for labor.
Way Forward:
- Decolonization: Tharoor emphasizes the need for post-colonial countries like Sri Lanka to actively decolonize themselves from oppressive practices inherited from imperial rulers.
- Inclusive Identity: The article suggests that forging an inclusive, post-colonial identity for all people in Sri Lanka should be central to the nation-building process.
- Land Ownership: The government’s potential plan to divide plantations, making workers owners of the land they work on, is seen as a positive step, representing a potential way forward.
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