10-December-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

REFORMS IN MERCHANT SHIPPING

TOPIC: (GS2) SOCIAL JUSTICE: THE HINDU

India’s maritime sector is undergoing a transformative phase with the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024. These Bills aim to address the outdated provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838, providing a modern framework to enhance the sector’s efficiency, safety, and global competitiveness.

Why a New Bill?

• The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and Coasting Vessels Act, 1838, are outdated and fail to address current needs in the maritime industry.
• Regulatory gaps exist for offshore vessels, which account for 50% of Indian-flagged vessels.
• Welfare provisions for Indian seafarers under the existing Act are limited to Indian-flagged ships, excluding the majority employed on foreign vessels.
• Absence of enabling provisions to implement global conventions ratified by India.
• Inefficiencies in promoting a business-friendly maritime environment.

Key Features of the Merchant Shipping Bill

Simplified Vessel Registration

• Reduces Indian ownership requirement from 100% to 51%.
• Allows Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), NRIs, and OCIs to register vessels.
• Enables temporary registration for vessels destined for demolition to support the ship recycling industry.

Broadened Scope of Regulation

• Includes various crafts like submersibles, hydrofoils, barges, and amphibious crafts under its purview.
• Addresses gaps in maritime security highlighted by incidents like the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Tackling Marine Pollution

• Incorporates global conventions such as MARPOL and the Wreck Removal Convention.
• Mandates the reduction of sulphur content in marine fuel and bans single-use plastics on Indian ships.

Seafarers’ Welfare

• Extends welfare provisions to Indian seafarers working on foreign-flagged ships.
• Aligns with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to improve safety and working conditions.

Maritime Training

• Establishes a legal framework for regulating over 160 private maritime training institutes.
• Eliminates unauthorised training centres and ensures quality education.

Focus on Coastal Shipping

• Separates technical ship regulations from commercial operations in coastal waters.
• Promotes coastal shipping under the Sagarmala Programme through infrastructure and regulatory reforms.

Conclusion

The proposed Bills aim to modernise India’s maritime sector, promoting safety, sustainability, and economic growth. By addressing longstanding challenges and aligning with global standards, these reforms are pivotal for unlocking the sector’s potential.

INTERLINKING FOOD SECURITY AND ENERGY DEPENDENCY

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU

The intertwined challenges of food insecurity and energy dependency are shaping the global landscape. Agriculture, the backbone of human sustenance, faces dual threats: climate change and reliance on carbon-intensive energy sources.

These crises are compounded by energy poverty, geopolitical disruptions, and a slow shift towards renewable energy, creating significant hurdles for global stability.

Key Challenges

Agriculture’s Environmental and Energy Impact

• Resource Intensive: Agriculture uses nearly 70% of freshwater and accounts for over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Energy needs for machinery, irrigation, fertilizer production, and transport create a feedback loop of environmental degradation and vulnerability to energy price shocks.
• Global Insecurity: Rising temperatures and erratic weather affect agricultural output, jeopardizing the livelihoods of 2.5 billion people globally.

Energy Poverty and Inequality

• Global Inequity: Low-income countries contribute minimally to energy consumption but bear the brunt of supply disruptions and extreme weather events.
• Agricultural Productivity: In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, limited energy access and low fertilizer usage hinder productivity, exacerbating food insecurity.
• High Dependency on Imports: For example, in 2021, top African countries spent $1.9 billion on fertilizer imports, doubling their 2016 expenditure.

Vulnerability to Fossil Fuel Price Volatility

• Natural Gas Dependency: Fertilizer production heavily relies on natural gas, making agricultural costs susceptible to geopolitical and price fluctuations.
• Geopolitical Disruptions: Export restrictions, like China’s 2021 phosphate ban, disrupt global supply chains, impacting nations such as India.

Potential Solutions

Transition to Renewable Energy

• Renewable energy sources like solar irrigation and biomass hold promise but remain underutilized in low-income nations due to infrastructure gaps and costs.
• The global renewable capacity saw uneven growth in 2022, with high-income countries leading installations.

Balancing Energy and Food Needs

• The rising demand for biofuels diverts land and resources from food production, raising ethical concerns in a world where 12% of people face hunger.
• Addressing hunger and malnutrition requires investments of $90 billion annually until 2030, with an additional $11 billion for women and children.

Inclusive Clean Energy Transition

• Investments in renewables should focus on inclusivity, ensuring vulnerable populations are not marginalized.
• Africa’s mineral resources, essential for clean energy, must benefit local economies to break cycles of poverty.

Conclusion
The twin crises of food and energy insecurity demand urgent and holistic action. Agriculture must be redefined as a driver of sustainability. Addressing these challenges is vital to prevent hunger, foster equity, and achieve global climate goals. Failure to act could exacerbate instability, costing trillions in productivity losses and health outcomes.

RIGHT TO DISCONNECT: A NECESSITY FOR INDIAN WORKPLACES

TOPIC: (GS3) SOCIETY: THE HINDU

The concept of the “right to disconnect” allows employees to disengage from work-related communications after official working hours. It has gained attention worldwide due to its importance in protecting mental health and ensuring work-life balance.

In India, incidents like the recent tragic death of an employee at a major firm, allegedly due to work stress, highlight the urgent need to address overworking.

What is the Right to Disconnect?

• This right enables employees to avoid responding to work-related communications, such as emails and calls, outside working hours.
• Several countries, including France, Portugal, Spain, and Australia, have adopted laws to enforce this right.
• It promotes work-life balance and safeguards employees’ mental health by reducing stress from constant connectivity.

Global Practices

• France: Courts ruled that employees cannot be penalized for not being reachable outside working hours.
• Portugal: Employers are prohibited from contacting workers after hours, except in emergencies.
• Spain: Employees are entitled to switch off devices after legal work hours to preserve personal privacy and family life.
• Australia and Ireland: Laws ensuring employees’ right to disconnect have been enacted recently.

India’s Current Scenario

• Lack of Specific Laws: India has no direct legislation addressing the right to disconnect.
• Constitutional Provisions: Articles 38 and 39(e) emphasize the welfare and health of workers.
• Judicial Support:
  • Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan (1997): Affirmed the right to dignity in workplaces.
  • Ravindra Kumar Dhariwal v. Union of India (2021): Highlighted inclusive equality and the need for reasonable accommodations.
  • Praveen Pradhan v. State of Uttaranchal (2012): Stated that workplace humiliation is unacceptable.
• Proposed Legislation: In 2018, MP Supriya Sule introduced a private bill advocating the right to disconnect, with penalties for violations, but it lacked significant progress.

Challenges of Prolonged Working Hours

• Health Impacts: Prolonged working hours lead to stress, heart diseases, and mental health issues.
• Productivity Myths: Studies, such as by Oxford University, show that employee happiness boosts productivity, debunking the notion that overwork yields better results.

Way Forward

• Recognizing the right to disconnect is essential to improve workplace culture and employee well-being.
• India should introduce laws similar to global practices, ensuring accountability for overworking employees.
• As India advances towards becoming a leading global economy, safeguarding mental health and productivity through such measures is crucial.

Conclusion

Balancing economic ambitions with employee well-being is vital. Ensuring the right to disconnect will foster a healthier, more productive workforce and support sustainable growth.

ANTIBIOTIC USAGE IN LIVESTOCK: A GROWING CONCERN

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

Antibiotics overuse, particularly in livestock, poses risks of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening both human and animal health. India’s use of antibiotics in animals highlights a concerning trend that needs immediate attention to prevent long-term consequences.

Antibiotic Use in Livestock: Global Scenario

Extent of Usage:

• Globally, around 70% of antibiotics are used in livestock, exceeding human usage.
• Antibiotics are often misused as substitutes for proper animal welfare practices, such as maintaining hygiene and providing adequate living space.

Risks of Overuse:

• Increases disease risks in animals and humans due to poor farm hygiene.
• Leads to the development of drug-resistant bacteria, posing a threat to both animals and humans.
• Humans may consume antibiotic-resistant pathogens through contaminated meat and dairy.

Measuring Usage:

• Antibiotic use is quantified in milligrams per kilogram of animal product.
• Sheep receive the highest dosage (243 mg/kg), followed by pigs (173 mg/kg), cattle (60 mg/kg), and chickens (35 mg/kg).

Antibiotic Usage in India and Globally

• India’s Position: India used 114 mg of antibiotics per kilogram of meat in 2020, ranking 30th out of 190 countries. In comparison, Norway used only 4 mg per kilogram.
• Regional Variations: Countries in Asia, Oceania, and the Americas have high antibiotic usage. Europe and Africa generally report lower usage due to better regulation and limited access.

Factors Influencing Usage:

• Livestock Type: Sheep and pigs receive more antibiotics compared to cattle and chickens. Chickens, with shorter lifespans, consume fewer antibiotics.
• Regulations: Stringent rules in Europe have significantly reduced antibiotic use.
• Access and Affordability: Limited access in African regions results in lower usage.

Reducing Antibiotic Usage

• Need for Responsible Use: Antibiotics should be used effectively to prevent disease rather than promote growth. Farming practices must improve to minimize unnecessary antibiotic use.
• Successful Reductions: European countries have halved veterinary antibiotic sales between 2011 and 2022. Use of critical human antibiotics in animals has decreased by 80-90% in these regions.

Conclusion
While antibiotics are vital for animal health, their overuse in livestock is a major contributor to antimicrobial resistance. By adopting stricter regulations and sustainable farming practices, India can reduce antibiotic use, ensuring safer food systems and combating AMR.

IMPORTANCE OF PALLIATIVE CARE IN INDIA

TOPIC: (GS2) SOCIETY: THE HINDU

Palliative care is essential for providing dignity and relief from suffering to individuals with terminal or severe health conditions. As non-communicable diseases rise and the population ages, investing in palliative care has become a pressing need in India.

Need for Palliative Care

Global Trends in Assisted Dying:

• Countries like the UK and states like Oregon, USA, witness debates on assisted dying for terminally ill patients.
• Reasons for seeking such measures include loss of dignity, fear of dependency, unrelieved pain, and financial strain.

Data on Mental Health:

• Young male cancer survivors (15-39 years) face a threefold increase in suicide rates.
• This highlights the need for holistic care that addresses physical, emotional, and social challenges.

Global Palliative Care Gaps:

• In developed countries like the UK, palliative care systems face funding shortages, often relying on charities.
• Accessible and affordable care can prevent premature deaths and improve quality of life.

Issues in India’s Palliative Care Framework

• Limited Accessibility: Less than 4% of patients in need have access to palliative care. Services are mainly provided by NGOs that face hurdles like funding shortages and regulatory issues.
• Challenges with Medication: Licensing for essential drugs like oral morphine remains complex, restricting effective pain management.
• Legal and Ethical Concerns: Cases such as parents unable to care for a bedridden son reveal societal indifference to suffering. Advance medical directives and living wills lack enforcement in the Indian legal framework.

Why Palliative Care is Crucial for India

• Rising Non-Communicable Diseases: India is witnessing an increase in conditions like cancer and cardiovascular diseases, requiring long-term care.
• Ageing Population: A growing elderly population will demand more focus on managing chronic conditions and end-of-life care.
• Risks of Assisted Dying Laws: Vulnerable groups, including marginalized populations, could face misuse of such laws due to financial dependency.

Way Forward

• Incorporate Palliative Care in Public Healthcare: Integrate palliative care into government health programs to ensure universal access.
• Policy and Legal Reforms: Simplify licensing for pain-relief medications and enforce living will directives.
• Awareness and Training: Promote awareness among healthcare providers and train them in delivering compassionate care.

Conclusion

Investing in palliative care is crucial to mitigate suffering and provide dignity to patients. Addressing this issue with compassion and foresight can prevent isolated cries for assisted dying from becoming widespread demands.

PILIBHIT TIGER RESERVE

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) is an important wildlife sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, India, recognized for its rich biodiversity and role in tiger conservation. Recently, a video showing vehicles allegedly belonging to a minister passing through its core area has sparked a probe, highlighting the need for better protection of such reserves.

Key Features of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

• Location: Spread across Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Bahraich districts in Uttar Pradesh. Lies along the India-Nepal border, encompassing the Himalayan foothills and Terai plains.
• Rivers and Water Bodies: The Gomti River originates in the reserve. It serves as a catchment area for rivers like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot. The Sharda Sagar Dam, extending 22 km, forms the reserve’s boundary.
• Vegetation: Features North Indian moist deciduous forests. Dominated by dense sal forests, which cover 76% of the area. Interspersed with grasslands and swamps maintained by periodic river flooding.
• Climate and Soil: Hot and dry climate. The combination of dry teak forests and soils from the Vindhya Mountains enriches the ecosystem.

Flora

• Dense sal forests and grass species
• Swamps support additional aquatic plant life.

Fauna

Wildlife:

• Endangered species include the tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, and hog deer.
• Other animals include leopards and jungle cats.

Birdlife:

• Birds like the Swamp Francolin, Great Hornbill, Black Francolin, and Asian Openbill thrive here.

Importance of PTR

• A crucial habitat for endangered species and a biodiversity hotspot.
• Plays a significant role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Terai region.

Conclusion

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is vital for tiger conservation and ecosystem preservation in northern India. Protecting its core areas is essential to ensure the survival of its unique wildlife and flora. Any human interference, such as the recent incident, must be addressed promptly to safeguard this fragile ecosystem.

MULEHUNTER.AI INITIATIVE

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: PIB

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced MuleHunter.AI, an advanced tool to combat financial fraud. It aims to detect and eliminate mule accounts used for illegal activities like money laundering. This initiative, developed by the RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH), reflects a significant step towards strengthening India’s financial security.

About MuleHunter.AI

• Technology: An AI/ML-based model developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a subsidiary of the RBI.
• Purpose: Detects and tracks mule accounts efficiently. Designed to identify accounts used for fraudulent or illegal financial activities.
• Pilot Project: Tested with two large public sector banks, yielding promising results.

Advantages of MuleHunter.AI

• Detection of Mule Accounts: Identifies suspicious accounts involved in transferring illegal funds. Analyses transaction patterns to flag potential mule accounts.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Monitors transactions instantly, enabling prompt action against fraud. Prevents further misuse of flagged accounts.
• Data Analytics: Utilizes advanced machine learning algorithms to process large transaction datasets. Recognizes trends linked to fraudulent activities, allowing for proactive intervention.
• Collaboration Between Stakeholders: Promotes cooperation among banks, payment service providers, and law enforcement agencies. Facilitates the sharing of information about identified mule accounts.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assists financial institutions in meeting Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT) requirements. Strengthens the overall security and integrity of the financial system.

What is a Mule Bank Account?

• Definition: A bank account used by criminals for illegal activities such as laundering illicit funds.
• How It Happens: Criminals acquire accounts from individuals, often from low-income groups or those with limited technical literacy.
• Money Mule: Refers to innocent individuals used by criminals to launder money through their accounts. Money mules face investigations since the transactions occur in their accounts, while the real criminals remain hidden.

Conclusion

MuleHunter.AI is a vital tool in RBI’s efforts to combat financial fraud. By leveraging artificial intelligence and promoting collaboration among financial entities, this initiative ensures a safer and more transparent banking system.

INDIAN STAR TORTOISE

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: PIB

Researchers have recently identified two genetically distinct groups of the Indian Star Tortoise: the northwestern group and the southern group. This discovery sheds light on the species’ genetic diversity and distribution

Key Features of Indian Star Tortoise

• Distinctive Shell: Named for the star-like patterns on its high-domed shell. Its unique shell shape and patterns make it highly sought after in the exotic pet trade.
• Activity: It is crepuscular, meaning it is active during early morning and late afternoon in hot, dry weather.

Habitat

Found in diverse habitats such as:

• Semi-arid lowland forests
• Thorn scrub forests
• Arid grasslands
• Semi-deserts

• Climate Tolerance: Adapts well to areas with alternating wet and dry seasons, such as monsoon regions.

Distribution

• Native Regions: Found in arid pockets of northwest India, South India, and Sri Lanka.
• Global Presence: Some members have been discovered as pets in countries like Canada and the United States.

Diet

Primary Diet: Herbivorous, mainly eating:

• Grasses
• Herbaceous leaves
• Flowers

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I (highest level of international protection)
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I (highest legal protection in India)

Threats

• Habitat Fragmentation: Increasing urbanization and agricultural activities have greatly impacted its natural habitat.
• Illegal Trade: High demand in the exotic pet market further endangers the species.

Conclusion

The Indian Star Tortoise plays a vital role in its ecosystem but faces significant threats due to habitat loss and illegal trade. Its conservation requires urgent attention and enforcement of legal protections.