2023 06 27
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
- The Digital India Bill
- Delimitation in Assam: Changes Proposed and Concerns
GS Paper 3:
- John Goodenough: Co-creator of the lithium-ion battery
- Global Financial Pact on Climate Change: Key Takeaways
- What are flash floods?
Content for Mains Enrichment
- Wild foods for dietary diversity
- Odisha Gunvatta Sankalp
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- Rani Durgavati
- Tectonic Deformation
- Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT)
- Greedflation
- Solar mean magnetic field
Mapping
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Taiwan Strait
- EHAGL region
The Digital India Bill
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Government policies and issues arising out of it
Source: TH
Context: The MeitY has been building consensus on the proposed Digital India Bill that will replace India’s 23-year-old IT Act 2000.
The current regime in India:
- The IT Act 2000 defines an “intermediary” to include any entity between a user and the Internet.
- The IT Rules sub-classify intermediaries into 3 main categories: Social Media Intermediaries (SMIs), Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) and Online Gaming Intermediaries.
- SMIs are platforms that facilitate communication and sharing of information between users.
- SMIs that have a very large user base (above a specified threshold) are designated as SSMIs.
Issues with the current regime:
- The definition of SMIs is very broad [encompassing a variety of services such as video communications, matrimonial websites, etc].
- The rules lay down stringent obligations for most intermediaries, such as a 72-hour timeline for responding to law enforcement ‘content take down’ requests.
- Unfortunately, all intermediaries [ISPs, websites, e-commerce platforms, cloud services] are treated similarly, which –
- Adds to their cost of doing business
- Exposes them to greater liability without meaningfully reducing risks presented by the Internet.
Global regime:
- Only a handful of countries have taken a clear position on the issue of proportionate regulation of intermediaries.
- The EU’s Digital Services Act creates 3 tiers of intermediaries – hosting services, online platforms and very large online platforms, with increasing legal obligations.
- Australia has created an 8-fold classification system, with separate industry-drafted codes governing categories such as social media platforms and search engines.
Salient provisions of the Digital India Bill:
- Classification of intermediaries: Such as social media platforms, e-commerce platforms, AI platforms, and fact-checking platforms, to prescribe specific rules to different types of intermediaries.
- It requires intermediaries to undertake risk assessments and uses that information to bucket them into relevant categories.
- New Regulator for the Internet: On the lines of the TRAI or the SEBI.
- Other provisions:
- The MeitY could classify deliberate misinformation, identity theft, cyberbullying of children, etc., as offences.
- Some of the fundamental rules that presently apply to internet platforms, such as safe harbour norms, may also be changed.
- Penal provisions for violations and user harms related to emerging technologies, including generative AI platforms like ChatGPT.
Significance of the Digital India Bill:
- A comprehensive legal framework that will upgrade the current legal regime to tackle emerging challenges (user harm, competition, misinformation) in the digital space.
- It will redefine the contours of how technology is regulated, not just in India but also globally.
- For example, a granular, product-specific classification could improve accountability and safety online.
Way ahead for India:
- As technology evolves, the specific categories may not work in the future. Therefore, an evolving classification framework is the need of the hour.
- Metrics for risk assessment and appropriate thresholds would have to be defined and reviewed on a periodic basis in consultation with the industry.
- The goal should also be to minimise obligations on intermediaries and ensure that regulations are proportionate to ability and size.
- Setting up in-house grievance appellate mechanisms with independent external stakeholders to increase confidence in the grievance process.
- Alternative approaches to curbing virality, such as circuit breakers to slow down content, could also be considered.
Conclusion:
Deliberation on the Digital India Bill could help create a regulatory environment that helps achieve the government’s policy goal of creating a safer Internet ecosystem, while also allowing businesses to thrive.
Insta Links:
New draft digital data protection bill: How it compares with the older version and laws elsewhere
Mains Links:
Critically analyse the proposed Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, in safeguarding the privacy of individuals and upholding the right to privacy of the citizens. Compare the proposed bill with the privacy laws of other countries.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, 27 June CA, Digital India Bill, GS 2, Today's Article, Today’s article
Delimitation in Assam: Changes Proposed and Concerns
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Parliament and State Legislatures and Issues Arising out of their functioning
Source: IE
Context: The Election Commission of India (EC) released a draft delimitation document for Assam.
What is delimitation?
- It is the act of redrawing the boundaries of an Assembly or Lok Sabha seat to reflect changes in population over time, based on the most current Census data.
- The process may alter the number of seats in a state so that the population of all seats is as uniform as possible across the state.
Legal/constitutional provisions:
- Article 82: Following each census, the allocation of Lok Sabha seats to the states, as well as the division of each state into territorial constituencies, shall be readjusted by such authority as Parliament may by law determine.
- Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950: It allows for delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur or Nagaland.
- Article 170 (Composition of the Legislative Assemblies): Census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of constituencies in the State.
- Reservation of seats for the SCs/STs will be provided as per Articles 330 (Lok Sabha) and 332 (State Assemblies) of the Constitution.
Delimitation Commission:
- Article 82 of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of such a commission through a Parliamentary act.
- The orders of such a commission (have the force of law and cannot be challenged in court) will take into effect on a date to be determined by India’s President
Need of delimitation in Assam:
- Assam currently has 14 Lok Sabha, 126 Assembly constituencies.
- The last delimitation of constituencies in Assam was done in 1976 on the basis of the 1971 Census.
- While the delimitation process was done in the rest of the country in 2008, it was deferred in Assam (and some other NE states) citing security concerns of the time.
- In 1971, Assam’s population was 1.46 crore, which increased to 2.66 crore (2001) and to 3.12 crore (2011).
Proposals of EC:
- Following a 2020 notification from the Law Ministry, the EC in 2022 announced that it would initiate the exercise on the basis of census figures from 2001.
- While the number of seats is being retained, the EC has proposed not just changes in geographical boundaries, but also an increase in the number of reserved constituencies for STs and SCs.
- Districts with autonomous councils (administered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution) get more seats.
- Change in nomenclature: Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency now named ‘Kaziranga’
Why have these proposals run into controversy?
- The state’s Bengali-origin Muslim community (often labelled as outsiders and non-indigenous to the state) alleged that the draft is partisan, depriving them politically.
- Constituencies have been shaped to mix minority areas with majority [Hindu] populations.
- Several seats – with a significant Muslim population – have been done away with.
- For example, as per the draft proposal, constituencies of the Barpeta district have now been reduced from 8 to 6 (one of them reserved for SC).
- Constituencies of several sitting legislators and parliamentarians (across parties) may be impacted by virtue of changes.
- For example, many Muslim-majority areas from the new Kaziranga constituency have been shifted to neighbouring Nagaon, which will affect the electoral fortunes of sitting MP.
Supporters of the proposals: Groups from the Bodo Territorial Council and Karbi Anglong district have hailed the proposal because it secures at least 102 constituencies for the “indigenous” people.
Insta Links:
What is the CAG audit report on Assam’s NRC?
Mains Links:
What is delimitation? Examine its objectives and how delimitation affects the representation of the people act. (250 words)
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, 27 June CA, Delimitation, GS 2, Today's Article, Today’s article
John Goodenough: Co-creator of the lithium-ion battery
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology
Source: TH
Context: John Goodenough, the Nobel Prize-winning co-creator of the lithium-ion battery, passed away at the age of 100.
Goodenough, Whittingham and Yoshino received Nobel Prize in 2019 for Chemistry. Each had unique breakthroughs that laid the foundation for developing a commercial rechargeable battery.
- The 1970s: Whittingham: Whittingham’s work in the 1970s harnessed the tendency of lithium — the lightest metal — to give away its electrons to make a battery capable of generating just over two volts.
- The 1980s: Goodenough had built on Whittingham’s work and doubled the battery’s capacity to four volts by using cobalt oxide in the cathode, one of the two electrodes that make up the ends of a battery.
- The 1980s: Yoshino: That battery remained too explosive for general commercial use. Yoshino’s work in the 1980s eliminated the volatile pure lithium from the battery and instead opted for lithium ions that are safer. The first lightweight, safe, durable and rechargeable commercial batteries entered the market in 1991.
- In 2017, Goodenough led a team of engineers to develop the first all-solid-state battery cells that could lead to safer, faster-charging, longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for handheld mobile devices, electric cars and stationary energy storage.
Significance: Li-ion batteries revolutionized technology by providing rechargeable power for various devices such as cellphones, computers, and electric cars.
Working Principle of Li-ion batteries:
Lithium-ion batteries work based on the movement of lithium ions between two electrodes, the cathode (positive electrode) and the anode (negative electrode), through an electrolyte. When the battery is being charged, lithium ions move from the cathode to the anode, where they are stored. During discharge, the ions move back to the cathode, creating an electric current that can power devices.
Difference between Sold-State Batteries and Lithium-Ion Batteries:
| Solid-State Batteries | Lithium-Ion Batteries |
| Use solid-state electrolytes, which are non-flammable and safer | Use liquid or gel electrolytes, which can be flammable |
| Offer higher energy density, allowing for a longer driving range | Typically have lower energy density compared to solid-state batteries |
| Faster-charging capability | Charging time is relatively longer |
| Longer cycle life | Typically have a limited number of charging cycles |
| Can be made using earth-friendly materials | Relies on the use of lithium, which may have supply concerns |
| Require further development and commercialization | Widely used in portable electronic devices and electric vehicles |
| Higher cost due to the use of advanced materials | Relatively lower cost and mature manufacturing processes |
Conclusion:
It’s important to note that solid-state batteries are still in the development and research phase, while lithium-ion batteries are widely used in various industries. Both Solid-state and lithium batteries hold great promise for the future and are a testament to John Goodenough’s work.
Insta Links:
New Electric Vehicle Batteries
Mains Links
Lithium-ion batteries are the edifice of the wireless technology revolution. In this context discuss the significance and challenges facing these rechargeable Lithium Batteries. (250 words)
Prelims Links
With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2015)
- If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by-products.
- Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
- Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen or other fuels to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity (in the form of Direct Current). It can be used for powering the building as well as small devices (micro fuel cells). Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not run down or need recharging. They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, John Goodenough, lithium-ion battery, Today's Article
Global Financial Pact on Climate Change: Key Takeaways
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Environment Change
Context: Recently, a summit called the ‘Global Financial Pact on Climate Change’ was held in Paris. Prior to the summit, we had covered expectation from it: Here. This article covers the agreements reached at the summit.
Aim of the summit: To boost crisis financing for low-income states and ease their debt burdens, reform post-war financial systems and free up funds to tackle climate change.
Outcomes of the summit:
| Description | |
| Additional lending capacity | An additional lending capacity of $200 billion for Multi-Development Banks (MDBs) to support emerging economies in addressing climate challenges. |
| World Bank: Suspension of debt payment | The World Bank announced disaster clauses for debt deals, suspending debt payments in case of extreme weather events, and providing financial relief. |
| IMF measures | $100 billion is to be provided to poorer countries through Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), an international reserve provided by the IMF. |
| Proposal to recycle SDRs from rich countries to poor countries, expanding the amount of concessional finance available for developing countries. | |
| Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) for Senegal | Announcement of a new 2.5 billion Euro Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) deal for Senegal, aimed at increasing the renewable share in the energy mix. |
| Polluter taxes | Momentum on polluter taxes accelerated, promoting the implementation of pollution taxes as a means to discourage environmentally harmful practices. |
| Review on Debt | Proposal for a Global Expert Review on Debt, Nature, and Climate to assess the impact of debt on low- and medium-income countries’ capacity. |
| EU measure | EU unveiled a call to action on ‘Paris Aligned Carbon Markets’ with the goal of covering at least 60 per cent of global emissions with carbon pricing mechanisms for climate alignment. |
| $100 billion climate finance goal | Commitment to delivering the long-overdue $100 billion climate finance goal in the current year (2023) to support developing countries efforts. |
Concerns with the Pact:
The current commitment of $100 billion represents a fraction of the amount required by the Global South to develop resilience against climate change (estimated to be $2 trillion annually by 2030 for developing countries (excluding China)).
Conclusion:
Instead of support from the developed nation, loans currently constitute the primary source of funds for climate financing. Therefore, financing support from developed countries must be fulfilled as soon as possible.
Insta Links:
Mains Links:
Discuss the significance of climate finance for developing countries and the key challenges they face in accessing climate finance. (15M)
Prelims Links:
“Climate Action Tracker” which emission reduction pledges of different countries are a: (UPSC 2022)
(a) Database created by a coalition of research organisations
(b) Wing of “International Panel of Climate Change”
(c) Committee under “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”
(d) Agency promoted and financed by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Bank.
Answer – A
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Climate Finance., Global Financial Pact on Climate Change, Today's Article
Wild foods for dietary diversity
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: TH
A study conducted by the Indian School of Business (ISB) has highlighted the significant contribution of wild foods to women’s dietary diversity, particularly in tribal areas of rural India.
What are Wild Foods?
Wild foods are food items that are gathered or harvested from natural environments such as forests, fields, or water bodies. These foods are not cultivated or cultivated with human intervention
- Examples of wild foods include berries like blackberries and raspberries, mushrooms like morels and chanterelles
The research, published in the journal Nature Food, revealed that food items collected from forests and common lands play a crucial role in women’s diets, especially during the months of June and July when other crops are still growing. The findings shed light on the significance of wild foods for nutrition security, particularly in forest-dwelling communities, and highlight their role in stabilizing food consumption during climate shocks that impact rainfed crops.
Usage: The study highlights the importance of public policies that promote indigenous knowledge of wild foods and protect people’s rights to access forests and common lands, as a means to improve nutrition. This example can be used in Indian Society, Social Justice, Environment and Anthropology papers.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Dietary diversity of women, Today's Article, Wild foods
What are flash floods?
GS Paper 1/3
Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena/ Disaster Management
Source: IE
Context: The Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked following flash floods and landslides in parts of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
What are flash floods?
- Excessive or continuous rainfall over a period of days or during particular seasons, can lead to stagnation of water and cause flooding.
- Flash floods occur in a much shorter span of time (say, when rainfall creates flooding in less than 6 hours) and are highly localised.
- Flash floods can also be caused by factors apart from rainfall, like when a dam overflows.
Causes of flash floods in India:
- Nearly 75% of the total rainfall is concentrated over just four months (June to September) → rivers witness a heavy discharge during these months.
- Cloudbursts or thunderstorms and overflowing glacial lakes (in Himalayan states formed due to the melting of glaciers).
- Depression and cyclonic storms in the coastal areas of Orissa, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Flash floods may begin to take place after wildfires. Wildfires destroy forests and other vegetation, which in turn weakens the soil and makes it less permeable for water to seep through.
- Climate change/global warming has increased the frequency/numbers of the above events.
What makes flash floods very dangerous?
- These are accompanied by landslides, which are sudden movements of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope.
- Landslides are common in mountainous terrains, where there are conditions created for them in terms of the soil, rock, geology and slope.
Vulnerability of India:
- According to government data, India is the worst flood-affected country in the world, after Bangladesh.
- ~40 million hectares of land in the country are liable to floods annually. (National Flood Commission)
- India accounts for one-fifth of the global death count due to floods.
- Flash floods have been commonly witnessed in cities like Chennai and Mumbai.
Steps taken: India has launched first-of-its-kind Flash Flood Guidance services for India and other South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Way ahead: A comprehensive strategy of monitoring, planning development works in a way that is sensitive to the region’s ecology, and mitigation to reduce the extent of damages.
Insta Links:
India launches flash flood guidance services for South Asia
Mains Links:
What is a flash flood? Analyse the causes and consequences of flash floods and suggest measures to mitigate their impact.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, 27 June CA, flash floods, GS 1/3, Today's Article, Today’s article
Odisha Gunvatta Sankalp
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: PIB
The Government of Odisha and the Quality Council of India, in collaboration with industry associations, have launched the Odisha Gunvatta Sankalp (Odisha Quality Mission) in Bhubaneswar.
The initiative aims to promote and prioritize quality across various sectors in Odisha, creating an ecosystem of quality for a progressive and empowered Odisha.
The Quality Council of India, established in 1997, is responsible for national accreditation, improving quality across sectors, and advising the government on quality-related matters.
Usage: The example of this initiative can be used in Economy Questions.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Odisha Gunvatta Sankalp, Today's Article
Rani Durgavati
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Narendra Modi will attend the six-day “Veerangana Rani Durgavati Gaurav Yatra” (to honour 16th-century Gondwana kingdom queen Rani Durgavati) in Madhya Pradesh
About Rani Durgavati:
| Aspect | Details |
| Rani Durgavati (1524 – 1564) was the ruling Queen of Gondwana from 1550 until 1564. She is chiefly remembered for defending her kingdom against the Mughal Empire. | |
| Heritage | Belonged to the Chandel dynasty known for its brave king Vidyadhar and architectural marvels like Khajuraho |
| Marriage and Alliance | Married Dalpatshah, the Gond dynasty’s eldest son and son of King Sangramshah. She strengthened the alliance between the Chandel and Gond dynasties |
| Leadership | Assumed leadership of the Gond kingdom around 1550 after her husband’s passing |
| Defeating Bajbahadur | Defeated Bajbahadur, who took control of the Malwa province in 1556 |
| Interactions with the Mughals | Direct interaction between Rani Durgavati’s realm and the Mughal Empire. Abdul Majid Khan, a Mughal subedar, invaded Rani Durgavati’s realm with Akbar’s approval |
| Battle | She defended her realm from the Mughal army, and set up camp in Narrai valley. She refused to leave the battlefield and killed herself with a dagger |
| Legacy and Honours | Renamed the University of Jabalpur as Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya; Commemorated with a postal stamp by the Indian government; Durgavati Express, a train, and ICGS Rani Durgavati, an Inshore Patrol Vessel, named after her; She is hailed as a patriotic ruler and defender of culture, becoming a symbol of pride and honour. |
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Rani Durgavati, Today's Article
Tectonic Deformation
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: DTE
Context: A recent study conducted by researchers in Haryana, India, has identified an expanding area of active tectonic deformation in the northern plains of Haryana, south of the Himalayas.
What is tectonic deformation?
Tectonic deformation refers to the changes in the Earth’s crust caused by the movement and interaction of tectonic plates. It includes processes such as folding, faulting, and uplift, which shape the Earth’s surface and give rise to features like mountains, valleys, and earthquakes.
Findings:
- The study focused on the Piedmont zone (transition area between the mountains and the adjacent plains) between the Ghaggar and Yamuna river basins and found clear evidence of ongoing tectonic activity.
- This active deformation has the potential to turn the Piedmont zone into a future seismic hazard area.
- The research also suggests that this tectonic activity may have played a role in the extinction of the Vedic Saraswati River that once flowed through the region.
Significance of the finding: The findings highlight the need for further investigations, including paleoseismic studies and SAR interferometry, to better understand the region’s stress distribution and strain accumulation.
Fault lines in the Himalayas:
- HFF (Himalayan Frontal Fault): It is a major thrust fault at the front of the Himalayas, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Eurasian plate.
- MBT (Main Boundary Thrust): It is a significant fault in the Himalayas, marking the boundary between the Lesser Himalayas and the Sub-Himalayas.
- MCT (Main Central Thrust): This fault separates the Lesser Himalayas from the Greater Himalayas and is responsible for the uplift of the Greater Himalayas.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Tectonic Deformation, Today's Article
Greedflation
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The article explores the concept of “greedflation” and discusses whether India is experiencing it.
What is Greedflation?
It refers to a situation where corporate greed fuels inflation. Instead of the traditional wage-price spiral, it is the profit-price spiral that drives inflation. In developed countries like Europe and the US, there is a growing consensus that greedflation is a significant factor contributing to inflation.
Types of Greedflation:
| Scenario | Description | Greedflation |
| Energy Companies and Fuel Prices | During a crisis or sudden surge in energy demand, such as a natural disaster or geopolitical event, energy companies may raise fuel prices disproportionately. | Energy companies exploit the situation by imposing excessive price hikes, leading to higher inflationary pressures for consumers. |
| Essential Commodities during a Crisis | In times of scarcity or crisis, certain essential commodities like food, water, or medical supplies may experience a surge in demand | Sellers of essential commodities increase prices excessively, exploiting consumers and contributing to higher inflation during crises. |
| Price Mark-ups and Profit Margins | Companies may increase profit margins by keeping market prices high even when input costs decrease. | For example, if raw material costs decline, companies may maintain product prices without passing on savings to consumers. This allows companies to generate higher profits and contributes to inflationary pressures. |
India’s Case: In the context of India, the profitability of Indian companies has nearly tripled compared to the period before the pandemic. A significant growth in net profit, primarily driven by an increase in profit margins, indicates a possibility of corporate greed contributing to inflation in India.
Impact of Greedflation: It leads to higher inflationary pressures, financial strain on individuals, and reduced purchasing power. It undermines trust in businesses, distorts market dynamics, and hampers economic stability and growth.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Greedflation, Today's Article
Solar mean magnetic field
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) have made progress in identifying the source of the Solar Mean Magnetic Field (SMMF), which influences interplanetary magnetic space and plays a significant role in space weather.
What is Solar Mean Magnetic Field (SMMF)?
The Solar Mean Magnetic Field (SMMF) refers to the average strength and direction of the magnetic field on the surface of the Sun.
Findings:
- The researchers found a strong similarity between the SMMF at chromospheric heights and the SMMF at photospheric heights, suggesting that the sun’s primordial magnetic field could be the source of the SMMF.
- Understanding the source and driving parameters of the SMMF could enhance our understanding of how it affects the IMF and space weather.
Application of SMMF:
The Solar Mean Magnetic Field (SMMF) has various applications in the field of space weather. For example, by studying the SMMF, scientists can better predict and understand phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These events can have a significant impact on Earth’s magnetic field, leading to geomagnetic storms and disruptions in satellite communication and power grids.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, GS3, SCIENCE, Solar mean magnetic field, space, Today's Article
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Mapping
Source: NIE
The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha has recorded a higher prey density and the sighting of a tiger during a recent survey.
The Sanctuary is located near the reservoir of Hirakud Dam, built on the Mahanadi River, in the Sambalpur district.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, Today's Article
Taiwan Strait
Mapping
Source: TOI
Context: The Taiwan Strait holds significant importance for India, and India is well-positioned to lead a collaborative effort among Indo-Pacific states to ensure peace in this crucial sea route. The status of Taiwan remains the primary point of contention for China, which blames the US for hindering its goal of reunifying Taiwan with the mainland.
The Taiwan Strait is a 180-kilometre-wide strait separating the island of Taiwan and continental Asia. The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north. The narrowest part is 130 km wide.
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, Taiwan Strait, Today's Article
EHAGL region
Mapping
Source: DTE
According to a UN report, over 11 million people have been displaced in East Africa and the Great Lakes region (EHAGL) in 2023.
Causes: The displacement is primarily caused by climate shocks such as floods and droughts, as well as conflicts and violence. Countries like Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan have the highest numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
June 27, 2023 /27 June 2023, East Africa, Today's Article
Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 Scheme
GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Govt budgeting (capital expenditure)
Source: PIB
Context: The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has approved capital investment proposals of Rs. 56,415 crore in 16 States in the current financial year.
Approval has been given under: The scheme entitled ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24’.
What is capital expenditure (capex)?
- It includes money spent by the government on the development/upgrading/repairing of physical assets (like health and education facilities), acquiring fixed and intangible assets, repayment of loans, etc.
- Capex of the government has been the prime driver in the economy (in recent years) because the private sector has not been in a position to invest due to poor demand and high inflation.
- In FY23, the Centre’s capital expenditure exceeded the government’s revised estimate of Rs 7.28 lakh crore by Rs 8,551 crore.
Significance of capex:
- Long-term in nature, leads to the creation of assets and allows the economy to generate revenue for many years.
- Add or improve production facilities, increases labour participation, boost operational efficiency and raise the capacity of the economy to produce more in future.
- Repayment of loan reduces liability.
Capex vs revenue expenditure: Revenue expenditure (salaries of employees, interest payment on past debt, subsidies, pension, etc) is recurring in nature and neither creates assets nor reduces any liability of the government.
Concerns: Conflict between capex and public spending. For example, when capex was 14.2% of Budget Estimates in the FY 2019-20, the government had to cut public spending sharply in order to meet its deficit target.
| The Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 Scheme | |
| About | The scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 to give special assistance to the State Governments in the form of a 50-year interest-free loan up to an overall sum of Rs. 1.3 lakh crore during the FY 2023-24. |
| Need | It was launched in view of a higher multiplier effect of capital expenditure and in order to provide a boost to capital spending by States. |
| Background | The scheme was first instituted in 2020-21 in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The flexibility and simplicity of the scheme design have earned praise from States. Hence, a similar scheme was also executed by the Ministry of Finance in the last financial year. |
| Components | Part-I is the largest component with an allocation of Rs. 1 lakh crore. It has been allocated amongst States in proportion to their share of central taxes and duties as per the 15th Finance Commission. |
| For Part–II, Rs. 3,000 crore has been set aside for providing incentives to States for scrapping State Government vehicles and ambulances, etc. | |
| Part–III & IV aims at providing incentives to States for reforms in Urban Planning and Urban Finance. | |
| Part V aims at increasing the housing stock for police personnel and their families within the police stations in urban areas. | |
| Part VI promotes national integration, Make in India and One District, One Product (ODOP) through the construction of Unity Mall in each State. | |
| Part VII provides financial assistance to States for setting up libraries with digital infrastructure at Panchayat and Ward levels. | |
| Need for special assistance to states in the current FY | Many states, led by Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, UP and Kerala, failed to meet the target in terms of actual capex. According to a Bank of Baroda report, out of 25 states as many as 14 states met less than 75% of the target in FY2023. |
June 28, 2023 /27 June 2023, Capex expenditure, Special assistance to States, Today's Article