13-November-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

GLOBAL HEALTH STRATEGY AND CHALLENGES IN INDIA

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU

The World Bank’s recent report, Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Non-communicable Diseases, and Human Capital (September 2024), addresses the rapid increase in global aging and the shift towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as leading causes of death, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) like India.

Key Insights from the World Bank ReportS

• Demographic Shift: The world is witnessing an increase in elderly populations, leading to higher rates of NCDs. This trend is pronounced in LMICs, where most NCD-related deaths occur.
• Projected Mortality: Global deaths are anticipated to rise from 61 million in 2023 to 92 million in 2050, with increased demand for hospital and long-term care for NCDs.
• Goal of Healthy Longevity: The Healthy Longevity Initiative (HLI) aims to reduce avoidable deaths and disabilities by enhancing physical, mental, and social health across all life stages, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Challenges for India’s Health System

• Healthcare Gaps: The HLI envisions accessible, competent healthcare systems, yet India’s health sector struggles with a shortage of trained medical personnel, inadequate facilities, and limited digital monitoring systems. Many rural and low-income patients face high out-of-pocket expenses, further hindering access.
• Fiscal Burden: India’s elderly population, growing rapidly, faces high rates of NCDs like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Addressing these alongside infectious diseases places a substantial fiscal strain on the government.
• NCD Prevalence: NCDs accounted for 40% of all deaths in India in 1990, projected to reach 75% by 2030. Leading causes include cardiovascular conditions, cancer, respiratory diseases, and diabetes, largely driven by lifestyle risk factors.

Role of Social Security and Health Schemes

• Social Support: Although pensions are low, they help elderly citizens cover healthcare costs. Programs like Ayushman Bharat aim to provide health insurance to low-income groups, but eligibility requirements, documentation challenges, and delays limit their reach.
• Healthcare Costs: Private healthcare expenses are often prohibitive. A Supreme Court directive in 2024 urged the government to regulate hospital rates to ensure affordability. However, without robust enforcement, price caps may only have temporary effects.
• Diet and Lifestyle: Rising intake of refined grains, red meats, and unhealthy fats has increased risks for heart disease and diabetes. Limited access to primary care in rural areas further complicates early detection and treatment of NCDs.

Behavioural Factors and Lifestyle Risks

• Physical Inactivity and Diet: High-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles are common, contributing to obesity, which increases risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
• Tobacco and Alcohol Use: Tobacco consumption significantly impacts individual health. Higher taxes on tobacco and unhealthy foods could help reduce NCD rates by encouraging healthier choices.

Addressing the Healthcare Infrastructure

• Insurance Limitations: Health insurance schemes provide partial relief, but their impact is restricted by bureaucratic hurdles and corruption. The 2023 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted issues like ineligible beneficiaries and delayed hospital empanelment’s in Ayushman Bharat.
• Need for Comprehensive Care: True access to quality care depends on well-equipped healthcare facilities, trained providers, and greater health literacy.

REPORTS PUBLISHED BY THE WORLD BANK

• Global Economic Prospects: This report is issued periodically.
• Ease of Doing Business Index: This index is published by the World Bank.

• Remittances & Migration Report
• Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report
• Global Financial Development Report
• Logistics Performance Index
• World Governance Indicators
• Global Monitoring Report

Conclusion

Achieving healthy longevity in India is challenging due to systemic healthcare limitations, rising NCD burdens, and fiscal constraints. While initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the Supreme Court’s hospital rate regulations are positive steps, substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure, preventive care, and behavioural changes are essential to meet the long-term goals of healthy aging.

INDIA-MIDDLE EAST-EUROPE CORRIDOR (IMEC)

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: THE HINDU

The India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), a major transcontinental trade route, was announced in September 2023 at the G20 summit in New Delhi. Designed to cut transit times by 40% and transportation costs by 30% compared to the Suez Canal route.

However, one year later, the corridor’s progress presents a mixed picture, with advancements on the eastern front and significant geopolitical challenges on the western front.

Objectives:

• Establish an integrated transport network combining rail, road, and sea routes across India, the Middle East, and Europe.
• Improve efficiency and reduce the cost of transport, increase economic cooperation, and boost employment.
• Lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by providing more sustainable transport options.
• Facilitate better trade and connectivity between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Significance:

• IMEC will provide a dependable and economical ship-to-rail network to support current maritime and road systems.
• Expected to enhance regional integration and provide a strong alternative to traditional routes like the Suez Canal.

• Aims to make cross-border trade faster and more efficient, benefiting global supply chains.

Key Developments and Challenges

• Geopolitical Strains: Tensions in West Asia, particularly due to the Israel-Palestine conflict since October 2023, have hindered collaboration on the northern leg of the corridor.
• Impacts on Key Stakeholders: Saudi Arabia and Jordan, crucial players in the corridor, have faced challenges in advancing their parts of the project, primarily due to the sensitive relations with Israel.
• Pace of Implementation: Until regional stability improves, progress in West Asia is expected to be slow, affecting the corridor’s full connectivity.

Progress on the Eastern Corridor

• Strengthening India-UAE Ties: India and the UAE, connected by the eastern leg of IMEC, have seen strong economic growth post the 2022 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• Rising Bilateral Trade: Trade between India and the UAE surged from $43.30 billion in 2020-21 to $83.64 billion in 2023-24, with non-oil trade also increasing significantly.
• Virtual Trade Corridor: India and the UAE have established a Virtual Trade Corridor, simplified trade processes and reducing logistics costs, setting a model for other IMEC nations to enhance cross-border trade facilitation.

Limited Progress on Broader IMEC Components

• Clean Energy and Technology: Key elements like clean energy transmission, undersea fiber-optic cables, and energy grid integration remain on hold due to West Asian tensions.
• Focus on Connectivity: Currently, connectivity efforts, particularly on the eastern leg, are seeing progress, while other technology and energy components will wait for regional stability.

India’s Strategic Role in Advancing IMEC

Enhancing Domestic Logistics and Port Infrastructure

• Port Readiness: India can utilize the delay in West Asia to upgrade its port facilities to better integrate into IMEC.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Developing SEZs along the corridor will enhance export capabilities and attract global manufacturing.
• Digital Logistics Improvements: Investing in digital infrastructure for logistics will reduce costs and time, making Indian exports more competitive within IMEC.

Positioning in Global Supply Chains

• Supply Chain Alternatives: IMEC offers India a chance to establish itself as a viable global supply chain alternative, provided it enhances its manufacturing competitiveness.
• Integrated Manufacturing Strategy: By improving domestic manufacturing, India can leverage IMEC to gain stronger positions in global trade and value chains.

Proposal for an IMEC Secretariat

• Organizing IMEC Operations: An IMEC secretariat would streamline operations, standardize cross-border trade protocols, and provide a structured framework for the corridor.
• Research and Outreach: The secretariat could conduct research on the corridor’s potential benefits, attracting interest from neighbouring countries who may consider joining the project.

INDIA-MIDDLE EAST-EUROPE ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (IMEC) PROJECT

IMEC is a proposed trade and transport corridor that will connect India, the Middle East, and Europe through a network of rail, road, and sea routes.

• • East Corridor: Connects India to the Arabian Gulf.
  • Northern Corridor: Connects the Gulf to Europe.
• Additional components: The corridor will also feature an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline, and a high-speed data cable.
• Countries Involved (Signatories): India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, UAE, European Union, Italy, France, and Germany.

Ports and Key Connections:

• India: Ports at Mundra, Kandla, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Navi Mumbai.
• Middle East:
  • UAE: Ports at Fujairah, Jebel Ali, and Abu Dhabi.
  • Saudi Arabia: Ports at Dammam and Ras Al Khair.
  • Railway line from Fujairah (UAE) through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Haifa port (Israel).
• Israel: Haifa port.
• Europe: Ports at Piraeus (Greece), Messina (Italy), and Marseille (France).

Conclusion

unresolved tensions in West Asia continue to hinder the corridor’s full potential, especially on the western end. For India, this period allows strategic improvements in infrastructure and logistics, while a dedicated IMEC secretariat could provide organizational support, enabling smoother cross-border trade. IMEC’s success will ultimately depend on regional stability and India’s ability to integrate effectively into global supply chains.

GLOBAL CARBON MARKET FINALISED IN BAKU

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

At the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, countries reached a significant agreement to finalize a global carbon market, enabling carbon credit trading.

Key Highlights of the Global Carbon Market Agreement

Background on Carbon Market Mechanism

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: This article enables international collaboration in reducing emissions. It consists of:

• Article 6.2: Allows bilateral carbon trading between countries.
• Article 6.4: Establishes an UN-supervised global carbon market.

Purpose: Carbon credits represent verified emissions reductions, with prices influenced by emission caps. This market allows nations to trade these credits to meet their climate targets.

Importance of Carbon Credit Verification

• Transparency and Authenticity: Ensuring that carbon credits are legitimate and transparently generated has been a significant challenge.
• UN Supervisory Body: Established to develop standards for carbon removal and project evaluation, ensuring credibility in credit transactions.

Challenges in Accounting for Carbon Credits

• Cross-border Projects: Issues arise when projects funded by a developed country take place in a developing country. Questions include:

• Credit Ownership: Determining if credits from a project can be counted in the investing country’s emissions ledger.
• Timing of Credit Eligibility: Deciding at what stage of a project’s life-cycle credits become tradable.
• National Contributions: Clarifying whether credits generated within a country can count toward its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) even if funded externally.

Potential Impacts and Future Directions

• Financial Support: Carbon markets can be a “game-changing tool,” directing essential funds to developing countries to foster sustainable projects.
• Implementation Cost Reduction: Finalizing Article 6 could lower the cost of implementing national climate goals by an estimated $250 billion annually through international cooperation.

• Beyond Carbon Markets: The New Collective Quantified Goal, a climate finance target, remains critical. Carbon markets are just one method of achieving this broader climate finance objective.

CARBON MARKET

Carbon markets are systems designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by offering financial incentives to lower carbon footprints.

They work on a “cap-and-trade” principle, where a regulatory body sets an emission limit (cap) for a specific area or sector.

Types of Carbon Markets:

·       Compliance Markets: Mandatory for regulated entities like large polluting industries. Companies must buy carbon credits to offset their emissions within the set cap.

·       Voluntary Markets: Open for individuals, businesses, and organizations wanting to offset emissions beyond legal requirements. India is a major player in the voluntary market, with carbon credits worth around USD 200-300 billion per year, contributing 17% of the global supply in 2022.

Carbon Credits:

Each carbon credit represents a reduction or avoidance of one ton of carbon dioxide (tCO₂e).

Credits are generated by activities such as:

·       Switching to energy-efficient technologies.

·       Reducing waste.

·       Adopting renewable energy.

·       Preventing deforestation or promoting reforestation

Measures India Could Adopt for Effective Carbon Market

• Phased Implementation – Gradual Introduction: Introduce carbon taxation gradually, with a low initial rate that increases over time. Start with high-emission sectors, allowing industries time to adapt.
• Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs): Apply carbon pricing to imported goods based on emissions. Helps protect domestic industries from unfair competition and prevents “carbon leakage.”
• Technology Transfer Incentives: Encourage clean tech adoption by providing incentives, especially for SMEs. Allocate part of carbon tax revenue to a “Clean Tech Fund” for low-interest loans or grants to support green technologies.
• Green Lanes for Carbon-Conscious Industries: Offer benefits like faster clearances and low-interest green financing for industries actively reducing carbon. This encourages voluntary adoption of clean tech without strict regulations.
• Carbon Credit Cooperative for SMEs: Enable small businesses to work together in carbon markets by pooling emission reduction efforts. SMEs can jointly generate carbon credits and share the financial benefits

Conclusion

The COP29 decision in Baku on finalizing the carbon market under Article 6 represents a pivotal development in global climate action, with the potential to streamline cross-border cooperation. While further technical details are required, especially on project accounting, this agreement marks a step toward a collaborative climate response that could significantly benefit the developing world.

RECENT APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud as the 51st CJI.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s Key Judicial Rulings:

• Upheld the abrogation of Article 370.
• Struck down the 2018 electoral bonds scheme.
• Ruled on Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) minority status.
• Supported Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections, rejecting a return to paper ballots.

Key Provisions Related to the Chief Justice of India (CJI)

Qualifications for CJI:

• Must be a citizen of India.
• Should have served as a judge of a High Court (or in multiple High Courts) for at least five years; or
• Must have been an advocate in a High Court (or multiple High Courts) for ten years; or
• Recognized as a distinguished jurist by the President.

Appointment of CJI:

• The CJI is appointed by the President of India under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
• Generally, the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court is appointed as the CJI, based on their years of service in the SC.

Role of CJI:

• Acts as the “Master of the Roster,” assigning cases to different benches and scheduling their hearings.
• Heads the collegium (along with four senior SC judges) for recommending the appointment of judges in the SC and High Courts.
• Can appoint ad-hoc judges in the SC under Article 127.
• With the President’s consent, may shift the Supreme Court’s location from Delhi to another place.

Removal of CJI:

• The CJI can only be removed by the President after Parliament passes an address with a special majority in both Houses (majority of total members and at least two-thirds of those present and voting).

Appointment of Chief Justices in Other Democracies

• United States: The Chief Justice has a life tenure, serving until impeachment or retirement.
• United Kingdom: The Lord Chief Justice is appointed by a special panel of the Judicial Appointments Commission. The tenure is lifelong, with a mandatory retirement age of 75.

NANO COATED FERTILISERS

TOPIC: (GS3) AGRICULTURE: THE HINDU

Indian scientists have recently developed nano-coated muriate of potash, a type of nanofertiliser, to improve the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of fertilisers.

About Nano Fertilisers

What are Nano Fertilisers?

• The coating, made from nanoclay-reinforced carbohydrates, allows a slow nutrient release, reducing fertiliser dosage while enhancing crop production.
•  This coating is biodegradable, hydrophobic, and mechanically stable.

• Nano fertilisers are traditional fertilisers coated with nanoparticles (1-100 nanometres).
• These nano-sized materials allow a controlled and gradual release of nutrients, extending nutrient availability to crops.

Types of Nano Fertilisers:

• Nanoscale Coating Fertilisers: Nutrients are coated with nanoparticles for controlled, slow release.
• Nanoscale Additive Fertilisers: Nutrients attached to nano-adsorbents for stability and gradual absorption by plants.
• Nanoporous Materials: Fertilisers embedded in nanoporous structures that release nutrients slowly, maximizing absorption.

Applications in Agriculture:

• Precision Agriculture: Nano fertilisers support precise nutrient and water use, reducing waste and energy consumption.
• Soil and Plant Health: Nano fertilisers improve seed germination, nitrogen metabolism, photosynthesis, protein and carbohydrate content, and crop resilience.
• Long-Term Soil Fertility: Their slow nutrient release contributes to sustainable soil fertility and long-term crop productivity.

Advantages of Nano Fertilisers

• Enhanced Nutrient Efficiency: Nano fertilisers reduce nutrient loss from leaching and runoff, and slow down nutrient degradation, maintaining soil fertility.
• Increased Crop Yields: Controlled nutrient release supports consistent crop growth, improving overall productivity.
• High Surface Area and Penetration: Nano fertilisers penetrate deeper into the soil, improving nutrient uptake.
• Biofortification: Nano fertilisers can enrich crops with essential micronutrients like zinc, iron, and iodine.
• Cost Efficiency: Nano fertilisers require fewer applications, cutting long-term costs (e.g., liquid nano urea shows an efficiency of 85-90% compared to 25% for regular urea).

Challenges in Using Nano Fertilisers

• Environmental Risks: Nanoparticles could pose ecotoxicity risks, potentially harming soil and water ecosystems.
• Health Concerns: The small size of nanoparticles allows them to enter biological systems more easily, raising health concerns for humans and the environment.
• Impact on Soil Microbes: Metal-based nanoparticles may harm beneficial soil microorganisms critical for nutrient cycling.
• Bioaccumulation: Persistent nanoparticles may build up in the food chain, causing long-term effects.
• Yield Concerns: Studies indicate possible declines in crop yields, such as wheat and rice, with excessive nano fertiliser use.

Way Forward

• Support Small-Scale Farmers: Developing affordable nano fertilisers from local resources can benefit small farmers.
• Improve Access: Nano fertilisers should be made available through farmer education programs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and community outreach.
• Invest in Research: Research on nano-toxicity and the interaction of nanoparticles with crops is essential for safe use.
• Develop Biodegradable Options: Plant-based or microbial nanomaterials can lower toxicity and minimize environmental impacts.

This balanced approach could enhance the adoption of nano fertilisers while addressing potential health and environmental concerns.

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY (AMU)

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

The Supreme Court recently reversed its 1967 ruling on Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), which had previously led to the denial of minority status for the university.

About Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

• AMU is a government-run institution in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
• Founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875.
• Established after the 1857 Indian War of Independence to promote education among Muslims and encourage their involvement in public services.
• Raja Jai Kishan also contributed to the college’s establishment.
• The college transformed into AMU in 1920 with the passing of the Aligarh Muslim University Act.
• It accepts students regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
• Attracts students from all Indian states and several foreign countries, especially from Africa, West Asia, and Southeast Asia.
• Some seats are reserved for students from SAARC and Commonwealth countries.

• Off-Campus Centres: AMU has three additional campuses: in Malappuram (Kerala), Murshidabad (West Bengal), and Kishanganj (Bihar).

Recent Judgement:

• The Supreme Court overturned the 1967 Azeez Basha case ruling.
• A new bench will now make the final decision on AMU’s minority status.
• The recent ruling emphasizes the need to trace AMU’s historical origins to properly assess its claim to minority status.

MINORITY STATUS OF AMU

• 1967 Supreme Court Ruling: In the Azeez Basha vs. Union of India case, the Supreme Court ruled that AMU, as a central university, could not have minority status.
• 1981 Amendment: Parliament restored AMU’s minority status through the AMU (Amendment) Act.
• 2006 Allahabad High Court Verdict: The Allahabad High Court struck down the 1981 provision, revoking AMU’s minority status.
• Supreme Court Appeals:
  • Following the 2006 verdict, appeals were filed in the Supreme Court challenging the decision.
  • In January 2024, a seven-judge Supreme Court bench started reviewing arguments regarding AMU’s minority status.

PINAKA MULTI-BARREL ROCKET

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU

Two South American countries have shown interest in acquiring the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, as per defence officials.

About Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher

• Design and Development: Developed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a lab of DRDO.
• First Use: Deployed during the Kargil War to successfully strike Pakistani Army positions on mountain tops.
• Purpose: Provides powerful and quick-fire support to target enemy troops, vehicles, communication hubs, air terminals, and ammunition/fuel storage.

Key Features

• Includes a multi-tube launcher vehicle, a reloading vehicle, a supply vehicle, and a command post vehicle.

• Rocket Setup:
  • Has two pods, each carrying six rockets.
  • Can cover an area of 700 x 500 square meters within 48 seconds.
• Support System: Supported by four hydraulic outriggers during firing.
• Range: Can strike targets at a distance of 60 to 75 kilometers.
• Mobility: Mounted on a Tatra truck, making it easy to move.

Global Reach and Applications

• International Interest: Armenia has already placed orders, and other countries have expressed interest.
• Operational Suitability: Effective for counter-terrorism, border security, and traditional warfare.

SUBANSIRI LOWER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT (SLHEP)

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP) is set to begin power generation next year. This project, located on the Subansiri River, has been a subject of controversy due to its environmental and social impacts.

About the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project (SLHEP)

• Location: The project is located on the Subansiri River, which lies on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, in North Eastern India.
• Type: It is a run-of-river project, meaning it uses the flow of the river to generate electricity without storing large amounts of water.
• Capacity: Once completed, it will be the largest hydroelectric plant in India, with an expected power generation of 2,000 MW using eight 250 MW units.

• The dam will be 116 metershigh from the riverbed level and 130 meters from the foundation.
• The dam’s length will be 284 meters.

• Development: The project is being developed by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), a state-run entity.

About the Subansiri River

• Type: The Subansiri is a trans-Himalayan River and a right-bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
• Nickname: It is also known as the Gold River due to the gold dust found in its waters.
• Course:
  • The river originates from the Himalayas in China and flows eastward, passing through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India.
  • It joins the Brahmaputra River in the Lakhimpur district of Assam.
• Length and Basin: The Subansiri River is approximately 518 km long and has a drainage basin of 32,640 square kilometres.
• Contribution: The Subansiri is the largest tributary of the Brahmaputra, contributing about 7.92% of the Brahmaputra’s total flow.