06-November-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

CONSEQUENCES OF REBRANDING PMAY-G SCHEME IN ANDHRA PRADESH

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The inclusion of “YSR” initials into the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme by the Andhra Pradesh government has led to withheld funds and concerns from the Centre. This rebranding move has created complications, impacting financial assistance for housing initiatives in the state.

Repercussions of Rebranding:

Financial Consequences for Andhra Pradesh:

• The addition of “YSR” to PMAY-G resulted in the withholding of ₹1,300 crore PMAY-Gramin funds and an additional ₹4,000 crore capex assistance.
• Despite an agreement to remove their branding, the funds haven’t been released.

Similar Cases in West Bengal:

• West Bengal’s rebranding as the “Bangla Awas Yojana” led to non-receipt of Central funds since 2022 due to non-compliance with Ministry directives.

Violation of Scheme Norms:

• The Union Rural Development Ministry highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s violation, emphasizing that altering the scheme’s core features breached the pre-approved design.
• The Ministry stressed that funds from the Government of India can only flow if the core aspects of the scheme are maintained.

Government Correspondence and Compliance:

Communication between Central and State Officials:

• Letters were sent by the Union Rural Development Ministry to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary, underscoring the unalterable nature of PMAY-G guidelines.
• Despite the State’s top-up of ₹70,000 per unit, the proposal for co-branding was rejected by the Centre.

State Compliance Efforts:

• Andhra Pradesh assured the removal of “YSR” initials and the State’s logo in response to Central directives.
• However, compliance has not guaranteed the restoration of funds, prompting a national-level monitoring team’s dispatch to verify the rebranding’s removal.

Ongoing Evaluation:

• Monitoring by Union Rural Development Ministry:
• A team is evaluating the ten districts of Andhra Pradesh to ensure the removal of “YSR” initials and the State logo.
• Pending this verification report, the funding situation for the State remains uncertain.

Conclusion:

The repercussions of the rebranding of the PMAY-G scheme in Andhra Pradesh have resulted in a financial deadlock, pending the state’s complete compliance with the Union’s guidelines regarding the unaltered nature of the scheme’s core features. Compliance and confirmation remain crucial to restore financial assistance for housing projects in the state.

THE DOUBLE-WHAMMY FROM FALLING FARM EXPORTS

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

India faces challenges in its agricultural sector with a considerable decline in agricultural exports coupled with unabated imports, affecting its farmers’ welfare. The imposition of bans and restrictions on crucial agricultural commodities has significantly impacted the agricultural trade, presenting a double blow to the sector.

Decline in Agricultural Exports:

Reduction in Exports Year-on-Year:

• The data from the Department of Commerce reports a decline of 11.6% in agricultural exports in April-September 2023, totaling $23.6 billion, down from $26.7 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Imports and Agricultural Trade Surplus:

• Imports also experienced a downturn, dropping from $19.3 billion to $16.2 billion, resulting in a marginal dip in the agricultural trade surplus from $7.4 billion in April-September 2022 to $7.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2023.

                               

Impact of Global Prices on Trade:

Correlation with World Prices:

India’s agricultural exports and imports are closely linked to global prices, especially following the trends in the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Food Price Index (FPI).

Fluctuations in Export Values:

The rise and fall in the FPI directly influence India’s agricultural trade, with a direct impact on the value of exports and imports.

Government Restrictions and Bans:

Ban on Essential Exports:

• The Indian government-imposed bans and restrictions on various agricultural exports, such as wheat, rice, and sugar, affecting international trade dynamics.
• Measures include bans, export duties, and Minimum Export Price (MEP) curbs on rice and sugar.

Reduction in Agricultural Exports:

• The restrictions led to a substantial decline in wheat, rice, and sugar exports, affecting the overall trade volume and revenue generated from these commodities.

Impact on Farmers and Trade Dynamics:

Consequences of Price Fluctuations:

• Declining international prices have made India’s agricultural exports less competitive, rendering farmers vulnerable to imports, notably seen in cotton and edible oils.

Shift in Trade Dynamics:

• India’s cotton exports faced a drastic reduction, leading to a shift from being a net exporter to a net importer, affecting trade balance and domestic market prices.
• Edible oil imports more than doubled from 2019-20 to 2022-23 due to rising global prices post-war in Ukraine, and though prices have decreased, imports continue at a low duty.

Conclusion:

The imposition of bans and restrictions on key agricultural exports in India has significantly affected the agricultural trade dynamics, resulting in declining exports and increasing imports. Farmers are facing the repercussions of diminishing international prices, making them more susceptible to import competition. This has resulted in a severe setback for the agricultural sector, impacting both the trade balance and domestic agricultural markets.

WOLBACHIA: A PIVOTAL BACTERIAL GENUS IN DISEASE CONTROL

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Evolution of Wolbachia:

• Named after Simeon Burt Wolbach and Marshall Hertig in 1924, Wolbachia is a genus of bacteria that develops intricate associations with various host insects, establishing complex relationships over time.

Effects on Mosquito Reproduction:

• Research in 1971 revealed that Wolbachia-infected male Culex mosquitoes led to inviable eggs when fertilizing healthy eggs from uninfected females due to modified sperm cells. However, infected females showed viable eggs when mated with either uninfected or same-strain-infected males.

Advantages of Wolbachia Infection:

• Infected female mosquitoes gain reproductive advantages over time as Wolbachia presence in the population increases, demonstrating a form of selection benefiting the infected individuals.

Potential Disease Control:

• Wolbachia’s capability to impede the replication of chikungunya and yellow fever viruses in mosquitoes showcases its potential for disease control.
• Some Wolbachia strains exhibit strong resistance against the malaria parasite, presenting an opportunity to curtail malaria transmission by strategically propagating specific bacterial strains in mosquito populations.

Future Implications:

• Ongoing studies aim to harness Wolbachia to control mosquito-borne diseases, potentially offering a groundbreaking solution in our enduring battle against these ailments.
• Wolbachia, once harnessed and strategically distributed within mosquito populations, stands to be a pivotal tool in the fight against various mosquito-borne diseases.

POWER SHIFT: TRANSITIONING INDUSTRIAL FOOD SYSTEMS AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUEL

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food has released a significant report underscoring the imperative need to shift industrial food systems away from fossil fuels. Food systems today contribute to a substantial 15% of global fossil fuel consumption, equivalent to a staggering 4.6 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide annually. This report emphasizes the importance of understanding the various aspects of food systems that contribute to this alarming statistic.

Key Findings:

• Energy-Intensive Supply Chains: As food supply chains grow longer, the energy intensity of food processing, refrigeration, warehousing, and storage has risen significantly. This elongation of supply chains necessitates increased usage of packaging materials.
• Energy Consumption Breakdown: Among various stages in the food system, processing and packaging rank highest in energy consumption. They are followed by retail, consumption, and waste management.
• Fertilizer Production Impact: The report highlights the substantial fossil fuel usage in fertilizer production. This demand is expected to surge even further, projecting into 2050.
• Corporate Domination: Multinational corporations wield significant control over both the agri-food and energy sectors, signifying the need for widespread changes.

Recommendations:

• Agroecological Approaches: Advocating for regenerative and agroecological approaches to food production, which prioritize sustainability.
• Support for Biofuel Production: Encouraging tax credits, subsidies, and loans to boost the production of biofuels as a renewable energy source.
• Renewables Integration: Promoting the implementation of renewables-based technologies for tasks such as cooling, heating, and drying agricultural products.
• Promotion of Plant-Rich Diets: Striving to establish sustainable food environments that encourage plant-rich dietary choices for both health and environmental benefits.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Fostering collaboration between stakeholders in both food and energy systems, recognizing their interdependence.

Conclusion:

The urgent need to reduce emissions, enhance energy security, and ensure food sustainability necessitates a transformative shift in industrial food systems. By adopting the recommendations outlined in this report, we can mitigate the environmental impacts and secure a more sustainable future for global food systems and energy consumption.

GUNDLA BRAHMESWARAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (GBWS)

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – NEW INDIA EXPRESS

The Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBWS) presents a diverse and rich ecosystem, and a recent survey focusing on ‘Grasses Identification and Grassland Management’ identified a significant variety of grass species within this protected area.

                          

Key Features of Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Geographical Location: Positioned amidst Kurnool and Prakasam districts, the sanctuary is flanked by two hill passes, “Mantralamma kanuma” and “Nandi kanuma.”
• Adjacent to Tiger Reserve: It lies in close proximity to the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, bolstering its ecological significance.
• River Flow: The Gundlakamma River courses through the sanctuary, enhancing its environmental diversity and ecological balance.
• Forest Variability: Encompasses various forest types, including dry mixed deciduous forest, moist dry deciduous, semi-evergreen, dry deciduous scrub forest, and dry savannahs. This variation augments the sanctuary’s ecological complexity.
• Flora and Fauna: The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of fauna, including the Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Striped Hyaena, Jungle Cat, Grey Langur, and the Lesser Wooly Horse-shoe Bat, highlighting the biodiversity present within its confines.

Conclusion:

The GBWS stands as a significant protected area in Andhra Pradesh, featuring a rich tapestry of natural diversity and wildlife. The recent discovery of over 50 grass species underscores its ecological importance, while its geographical location, diverse forests, and the presence of various animal species emphasize the sanctuary’s ecological richness. Preserving and protecting such sanctuaries is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of natural ecosystems.

UNDERSTANDING FORMALDEHYDE: AN INSIGHT INTO HEALTH RISKS AND SOURCES

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE- DOWN TO EARTH

Formaldehyde is a chemical compound known for its colorless nature, strong odor, and flammability. Recent research has shed light on the impact of formaldehyde exposure on histone methylation, raising concerns about its carcinogenic properties.

                      

Sources of Formaldehyde:

• Industrial Applications: Formaldehyde finds extensive use in the manufacture of resins, plastics, and the cosmetics industry.
• Household Products: It is a common component in various household products, including cleaning agents and building materials.
• Metabolic Generation: Surprisingly, our bodies can generate formaldehyde through the metabolism of everyday dietary substances such as the artificial sweetener aspartame.

Health Implications:

• Histone Methylation: Exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to the loss of methylation of histones. Histones are proteins crucial for packaging DNA and regulating the function of numerous genes. This alteration could contribute to the well-established carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde.
• Carcinogenic Properties: Formaldehyde exposure is known to have carcinogenic properties, and this new research adds another dimension to our understanding of its potential health risks.

UNPRECEDENTED FIRE RAVAGES DADIA PARK

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE- DOWN TO EARTH

• Impact on Livelihood: The catastrophic blaze in Dadia Park, Greece, during August resulted in a desolate landscape and severe loss to the local community.
• Largest Recorded Fire: Labeled as the most extensive fire in the EU, the Dadia fire caused unprecedented damage, engulfing 90,000 hectares of the protected Dadia National Park and its diverse habitats.

                          

• Ecological Consequences: The inferno destroyed numerous animals, vegetation, and landscapes within the park. The tragedy led to the loss of various species such as deer, reptiles, turtles, and endangered birds.
• Environmental Rehabilitation: Efforts are underway to facilitate the revival of the forest ecosystems and support the survival of the wildlife affected by the fire. Measures involve erecting barriers against soil erosion and establishing aid for the reestablishment of habitats.
• Impact on Agriculture: The local farmers’ livestock, constituting a major part of the area’s agriculture, suffered heavy losses. The scarcity of pasture and animal feed aggravates the predicament, challenging the region’s livelihood.