04-April-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

TURNING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE URBAN POOR

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMICS– SOURCE: THE HINDU

The India Employment Report (IER) 2024 highlights concerns about the trickle-down effect of economic growth on the working class amidst a 5.4% average real economic growth from 2015-16 to 2022-23.

• Divergent trends between rural and urban areas in terms of employment and income are observed.

Employment Dynamics in Slums

• Major occupations in Kolkata’s slums have remained stable over the decade, with a significant portion engaged in unskilled labour.
• Notable increases in employment are seen in petty businesses/small shops, truck driving and cleaning, and construction-related work.

Income Trends

• Average monthly income decreased by 5% at constant prices (2012) in 2019 compared to 2012.
• Government employees had the highest income, but their real income decreased by 5% in 2019.
• Significant declines in real income were observed in construction-related work (51%), petty business/small shops (32%), and government service (32%).

Shifts in Employment Patterns

• Petty business/small shops and construction-related work indicates a need for more gainful employment options.
• Rise in real income of unskilled labour (33%) and a decrease in the availability of skilled/semi-skilled labour work.

Gender Composition and Workforce Participation

• Overall, the percentage of women in the workforce declined by 3% in 2021-22 compared to 2012.
• The rise in female workforce participation observed in non-slum areas contrasts with the decline in slum areas.

Concerns

• Casual work, particularly labour work, has increased due to rising wages but offers substandard work conditions without social security.
• Self-employment is on the rise, but without a proportional increase in income, leading to a rise in low-earning petty business owners in slums.

MEASURING POVERTY: THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX

India traditionally calculates poverty using the Tendulkar Method, which relies on household consumption data.

UNDP’s Holistic Approach:

• (UNDP) measures poverty through its Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
• This index has been in use since 2010, providing a comprehensive view of poverty.

Components of Multidimensional Poverty:

• Health: Includes indicators such as child mortality rates, reflecting the overall health status of a population.
• Education: Encompasses factors like years of schooling, assessing access to and quality of education.
• Standard of Living: Incorporates elements like access to electricity, clean water, and other essential services, reflecting living conditions.

Measurement Approach:

Unlike the Tendulkar Method’s focus on household consumption. The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) offers a nuanced understanding of poverty by considering health, education, and standard of living indicators.

It guides policymakers towards targeted interventions by highlighting areas of deprivation in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

 

SHOULD STATE GOVERNMENTS BORROW MORE?

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMICS– SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Government of Kerala has approached the Supreme Court regarding the amount it can borrow from the market to cover its excess expenditures over receipts.

• State governments receive funds from three main sources: their own revenues, transfers from the Union government, and market borrowings.
• Economists in the Keynesian tradition argue that borrowing can be beneficial if the borrowed funds are used effectively to generate new incomes and job opportunities.

State Government Spending Dynamics

Spending Disparity Between Union and State Governments:

• While the power to raise taxes largely rests with the Union government, State governments bear the brunt of overall government spending, particularly in sectors affecting people’s daily lives.
• In 2022-23, State governments collectively outspent the Union government significantly in social services, education, and health.

3. 3. Rise in State Government Developmental Expenditures:

• Developmental expenditures, particularly on social services, have witnessed a significant increase by State governments over the last two decades.
• As a proportion of the country’s GDP, State governments’ developmental expenditures have risen from 8.8% in 2004-05 to 12.5% in 2021-22, contributing to alleviating livelihood crises, especially in rural areas.

Fiscal deficit

• The fiscal deficit shows the difference between the overall spending and total revenue of a government.
• It signifies when a government’s spending exceeds its income.

Funding Deficit:

• When expenditure surpasses revenue, the government must resort to borrowing money or selling assets to cover the shortfall.

Revenue Sources:

• Taxes constitute the primary revenue source for governments.
• In the fiscal year 2024-25, the government anticipates tax receipts of Rs 26.02 lakh crore out of a total estimated revenue of Rs 30.8 lakh crore.

 MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE HITS TAIWAN: WHAT IS THE RING OF FIRE?

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Nine individuals perished and over 800 sustained injuries in Taiwan following the island’s most substantial earthquake in at least 25 years.

About Ring of fire:

• A geographical area consisting of a series of volcanoes and earthquake-prone sites encircling the Pacific Ocean.
• It forms a semi-circle or horseshoe shape, spanning approximately 40,250 kilometres.
• Plate Interactions: The Ring of Fire marks the convergence of multiple tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, North American, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Nazca, Antarctic, Indian, Australian, and Philippine plates, around the Pacific Plate.
• Countries Affected: It traverses through 15 countries, including the USA, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Guatemala, Russia, Chile, Peru, and the Philippines.

         

Why is the Ring of Fire Vulnerable to Earthquakes?

• Tectonic Plate Movements: Constant sliding, colliding, and subduction of tectonic plates lead to frequent earthquakes.
• Plate Boundaries: Rough edges of the plates get stuck together, causing stress to build up until it is released in the form of an earthquake.
• Specific Example: Taiwan experiences earthquakes due to interactions between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

Why Are There Many Volcanoes in the Ring of Fire?

• Tectonic Plate Movements: Subduction occurs when one plate is forced beneath another, leading to the formation of volcanoes.
• Volcanic Activity: Many volcanoes in the region are a result of subduction, where magma from the Earth’s mantle rises to the surface, causing eruptions.
• Geological Process: The collision and subduction of tectonic plates create conditions conducive to volcanic activity, contributing to the abundance of volcanoes in the Ring of Fire.

NUCLEAR POWER IS KEY TO DEVELOPMENT, SAYS IIMA STUDY

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY– SOURCE: THE HINDU

Nuclear Energy Prioritization:

IIMA Study suggests significant investment in nuclear energy and related infrastructure to achieve net zero emissions by 2070.

Current Nuclear Energy Status:

• Nuclear energy presently constitutes only 1.6% of India’s energy mix.

Ideal Scenario Results:

• Emissions falling to 0.55 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2070, with nuclear power rising five-fold by 2030 and contributing 30% of total energy by 2050.

Challenges and Requirements:

• Doubling of investments in nuclear energy, along with ensuring uranium availability.
• Requiring infrastructure for alternative sources like nuclear power, flexible grid, and storage for renewable integration.

NUCLEAR ENERGY OVERVIEW:

• Nuclear energy is released from the nucleus of atoms.
• High Energy Density: Small nuclear fuel quantities generate vast energy.
• Methods of Harnessing:
• Nuclear Fission: Splits atom nuclei, yielding immense energy.
• Utilized in nuclear power plants.
• Uranium-235 or plutonium-239 commonly used fuels.
• Bombarding heavy isotopes’ nuclei with neutrons initiates chain reactions, producing heat.
• Heat converts water to steam, powering turbines for electricity generation.

Financial Implications:

Estimated close to ₹150-200 lakh crore between 2020-2070 required for these energy transitions.

Nuclear Energy’s Importance:

• Nuclear energy offers high energy density and potential for significant power generation.
• It plays a crucial role in addressing climate change challenges and supporting India’s developmental goals.

            

Existing Nuclear Infrastructure:

• Notable projects include the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3), a 700 MWe unit, and joint ventures with public sector undertakings to bolster the nuclear program.
• Strategic Roadmap: The editorial proposes a comprehensive national strategy for rapid nuclear India boasts a significant nuclear energy infrastructure with over 22 reactors in operation.
• energy expansion to meet India’s energy needs and development aspirations effectively.

A RARE CHANCE TO WITNESS THE SUN’S CORONA DURING A SOLAR ECLIPSE, WHERE THE OUTER ATMOSPHERE BECOMES VISIBLE.

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY– SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will sweep across North America, offering a rare spectacle as the moon completely covers the sun.

About corona:

The word “corona” translates to “crown,” and during the eclipse, the corona appears as streaming plasma, forming stunning patterns.

• While observing the corona is safe once the sun’s bright surface is fully obscured, it’s crucial to avoid looking at partial phases of the eclipse without proper eye protection.
• Temperature and Density: The sun’s corona is exceptionally hot, with temperatures reaching up to two million degrees Kelvin, while the surface temperature is around 5,800 kelvins. However, it’s safe to look at the corona due to its thin density.

LAYERS OF THE SUN’S ATMOSPHERE:

• Photosphere: The Sun’s visible surface, located deepest within its atmosphere.

• Chromosphere: An irregular layer above the photosphere, characterized by a temperature increase from 6000°C to about 20,000°C.

• Transition Region: A thin and irregular layer separating the hot corona from the cooler chromosphere.

• Corona: The outer atmosphere of the Sun, visible only during a total solar eclipse or with specialized equipment like a coronagraph.

Solar Wind: Extending beyond the corona, the solar wind consists of an outward flow of gas from the Sun’s atmosphere.

PM-SUMAN SCHEME

TOPIC: (GS3) SOCIETY – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Introduced by the Ministry of Union Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2019.

• Aim: To eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths, ensuring zero-cost healthcare services for pregnant women and newborns.
• Eligibility Criteria: Open to pregnant women from all categories, including APL and BPL, as well as newborns aged 0 to 6 months and lactating mothers up to 6 months post-delivery.

Key Objectives:

• Provide free detection and management of pregnancy-related complications.
• Offer zero-cost delivery and C-section facilities at public health facilities.
• Ensure no denial of services to pregnant women and children.
• Provide free transport to and from health facilities for pregnant women.
• Offer vaccination services for newborns at no cost.
• Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) Reduction: The scheme aims to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which targets reducing the global MMR to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST FLOODS

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

GLOFs, or Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, occur when water from glacial lakes formed by melting glaciers is abruptly discharged, posing severe risks downstream.

Trigger: Glacial lakes form as glaciers melt, leaving depressions filled with meltwater. When ice or sediment dams surrounding these lakes destabilize, it can lead to catastrophic flooding.

Climate Change Impact: Rising global temperatures, attributed to climate change, increase the risk of GLOFs worldwide, endangering millions of people.

Expanding Glacial Lakes: Approximately 15 million people face sudden flooding threats from expanding glacial lakes due to accelerated glacier melting.

Himalayan Region Vulnerability:

• Increased Frequency: The Himalayan region, including Uttarakhand, has seen a rise in GLOF events due to glacier melting and rapid infrastructure development.
• Threats Posed: Elevated GLOF occurrences threaten communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems in the region.

Implications and Regional Impact:

• Dire Consequences: Past GLOF events in Uttarakhand in 2013 and 2021 highlight the devastating impact on the state.
• Risk Categorization: Glacial lakes are categorized into risk levels (‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’) to prioritize high-risk areas for mitigation efforts.

SWELL WAVES

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Swell waves recently inundated coastal areas in central and southern districts of Kerala.

   

About Swell waves:

• Swell waves are long wavelength waves formed on the sea surface, composed of a series of surface gravity waves.
• They are not formed by local winds but by distant storms like hurricanes or long periods of fierce gale winds.
• Huge energy transfer from air to water during storms leads to the formation of high waves that can travel thousands of kilometers until they reach the shore.
• Swells have a narrower range of frequencies and directions compared to locally generated wind waves because they disperse and lose randomness, taking on a defined shape and direction.
• They can propagate in directions different from the wind and have wavelengths usually less than 150 meters, but can occasionally exceed 700 meters in severe storms.
• Swell waves occur without precursors or local wind activity.