Savitribai Phule

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India’s Steel Sector

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Over the years, the Steel Sector has witnessed tremendous growth and India has emerged as a global force in steel production and the 2^nd largest producer of steel in the world after China.

What is the State of Steel Sector in India?

• Present Scenario:
  • India’s steel output has been 125.32 million tonnes (MT) of crude steel and 121.29 MT of finished steel production in FY23.
• Significance:
  • Steel is one of the widely used materials all over the world. The iron and steel industry is the bottom line producer industry.
    • The steel industry plays a pivotal role in crucial sectors such as construction, infrastructure, automobile, engineering, and defense.
  • Steel is a key sector for the Indian economy (responsible for 2% of the country’s GDP in FY 21-22).
• Producing States:
  • India's major steel-producing states include Odisha, which leads among all steel producing states, followed by Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal also play crucial roles.

What are the Government Initiatives for the Growth of Steel Sector?

• Inclusion of Specialty Steel in PLI Scheme:
  • The government approved a Rs 6322 crore outlay for a 5-year period to promote manufacturing of specialty steel, attracting investments, and fostering technological advancements in the sector.
• Green Steel Making:
  • The Ministry of Steel constituted 13 Task Forces with the engagement of industry, academia, think tanks, S&T bodies, different Ministries and other stakeholders to discuss, deliberate and recommend upon different levers of decarbonisation of the steel sector.
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a National Green Mission for green hydrogen production and usage. The steel sector has also been made a stakeholder in the mission.
  • The steel sector has adopted the Best Available Technologies (BAT) available globally, in the modernization & expansions projects.
• Ministry's Engagement with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan:
  • The Ministry of Steel has integrated BISAG-N's capabilities into the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, uploading geolocations of more than 2000 steel units to gain insights into steel production facilities.
  • This information will aid in planning railway line extension, inland waterways, highways, ports, and gas pipeline connectivity.
• Steel Scrap Recycling Policy:
  • The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy (SSRP) has been notified in 2019 which provides a framework to facilitate and promote establishment of metal scrapping centres in the country for scientific processing and recycling of ferrous scrap generated from various sources including end of life vehicles (ELVs).
• National Steel Policy 2017:
  • The Government has formulated the National Steel Policy 2017, which lays down the broad roadmap for encouraging long term growth for the Indian steel industry, both on demand and supply sides, by 2030-31.
    • Government’s push for infrastructure development through Gati-Shakti Master Plan, ‘Make-in-India’ initiative for manufacturing sector and other flagship schemes of the Government would provide impetus to the demand and consumption of steel in the country. .
• Steel and Steel products (Quality Control) Order:
  • The Ministry of Steel has introduced Steel Quality Control Order, thereby banning sub-standard/ defective steel products both from domestic & imports to ensure the availability of quality steel to the industry, users and public at large. As per the Order, it is ensured that only quality steel conforming to the relevant BIS standards are made available to the end users.
• Safety in the Iron & Steel Sector:
  • After extensive consultations with stakeholders, academia etc, a set of 25 common minimum Safety Guidelines for the Iron & Steel Sector was formulated.
  • These Safety Guidelines are at par with the global standards and are compliant with the requirements of the ILO Code of practice on safety in the Iron & Steel industry.
  • Inputs have also been taken from the World Steel Association’s guidance document on “Safety & Health Principles and Definitions”.
• National Metallurgist Award :
  • This award is a prestigious award given by the Ministry of Steel to recognize the outstanding contributions of metallurgists in the iron and steel sector.

Bharatmala Phase-1: Deadline Extended

Source: FE

Why in News?

Recently, the Government has extended the deadline for completion of the flagship highway development project Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-I to 2027-28.

• The move follows an over 100% increase in the estimated cost of the mega project and reflects the slowing of implementation, and financial constraints.

What is Bharatmala Pariyojana?

• About
  • Bharatmala Pariyojana is an umbrella programme launched under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • The first-phase of Bharatmala was announced in 2017 and was to be completed by 2022.
• Sailent Features:
  • Bharatmala focuses on enhanced effectiveness of already built infrastructure, multi-modal integration, bridging infrastructure gaps for seamless movement and integrating National and Economic Corridors. There are six key features of the programme:
    • Economic Corridors: Integrating the economic corridors facilitates larger connectedness between economically important production and consumption centers.
    • Inter-corridor and Feeder routes: This would ensure first mile and last mile connectivity.
    • National Corridor Efficiency Improvement: Through this, the greater actionable goal is to undertake lane expansion and decongestion of existing National Corridors.
    • Border and International Connectivity roads: Better border road infrastructure would ensure greater maneuverability, while also boosting trade with neighboring countries.
    • Coastal and Port connectivity roads: Port-led economic development is further boosted through connectivity to coastal areas, encouraging both tourism and industrial development.
    • Green-field Expressways: Expressways have higher traffic configuration and choke points would benefit from green-field expressways.
• Status:
  • Till November 2023, 15,045 km or 42% of the project has been completed.
• Challenges:
  • Cost of raw material, Increased land acquisition cost, Construction of high speed corridors and increase in Goods and Services Tax rates.

Way Forward

• Examine strategic procurement methods to acquire raw materials at competitive prices. Participate in negotiations with suppliers to ensure favorable rates, particularly during market fluctuations.
• Implement efficient and transparent land acquisition practices to minimize compensation disputes. Explore alternatives such as land pooling and community engagement to streamline the process.
• Conduct thorough feasibility studies before incorporating high-speed corridors. Optimize corridor designs to balance functionality with cost-effectiveness.
• Advocate for stable and predictable GST policies to minimize uncertainties. Engage with government authorities to provide industry insights on the impact of tax rate changes.

Sanitation Challenges in Indian District Courts

Source: TH

Why in News?

A recent report published by the Centre for Research and Planning of the Supreme Court of India, titled 'State of the Judiciary,' has brought attention to disparities in gender-specific facilities within district court complexes across the country.

• The report sheds light on the inadequate provision of separate toilets for women, the lack of sanitary napkin vending machines, and the absence of toilets for transgender persons.

What are the Key Findings of the Report?

• Inadequate Women-Friendly Facilities:
  • Nearly one-fifth of district court complexes lack separate toilets for women.
  • Only 6.7% of women's toilets have sanitary napkin vending machines.
• Challenges in Existing Washrooms:
  • Existing washrooms often have broken doors and face issues of irregular water supply.
  • Shared washrooms for male and female judges raise concerns about privacy and equality.
  • Judges personally engage sweepers and cleaners to ensure cleanliness in court toilets.
    • For instance, In Peren district of Nagaland, no maintenance facility was engaged to clean the toilets. Staff members themselves had to ensure the upkeep of the washrooms.
• Lack of Inclusive Facilities:
  • Most district courts do not have toilets for transgender persons.
  • Emphasized the need for "gender-inclusive toilets" in every court complex.
    • In Kerala, washrooms for transgender persons are shared with persons with disabilities.
    • Uttarakhand has only four washrooms for transgender persons across the state.
    • Tamil Nadu offers such facilities in only two districts — Chennai and Coimbatore.
  • Using washrooms that do not align with their gender identity may cause discomfort and harassment to transgender persons.

What are the Challenges Posed by Inadequate Sanitation Facilities?

• Health and Hygiene Risks:
  • Insufficient toilet facilities may result in unhygienic conditions, posing health risks for women, including the increased likelihood of infections and diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
  • Lack of separate toilets can contribute to safety concerns for women, especially in poorly lit or secluded areas, making them vulnerable to harassment or assault.
  • Pregnant women and elderly individuals may face challenges accessing shared toilet facilities, impacting their comfort and mobility.
• Violation of United Nations Human Rights:
  • The UN Human Rights state that the right to sanitation entitles everyone to have physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure, and socially and culturally acceptable and that provides privacy and ensures dignity.
• Violation of Fundamental Right:
  • The Supreme Court, in Virendra Gaur vs State Haryana (1995), emphasized that Article 21 protects the right to life, extending it to sanitation for the enjoyment of life with dignity.

How can Sanitation Facilities be Improved in Courts?

• Allocate Dedicated Resources:
  • Budget sufficient funds for sanitation upkeep and allocate staff responsible for cleaning and maintenance. Consider appointing hygiene champions within the court to raise awareness and monitor standards.
    • As suggested by the former CJI, a dedicated institution, the National Judicial Infrastructure Authority of India (NJIAI), could be established to serve as a central body for mobilizing funds for sanitation improvement projects in courts.
• Upgrade Existing Facilities:
  • Renovate bathrooms to ensure cleanliness, functionality, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Install proper ventilation, lighting, and hygiene supplies like soap, paper towels, and sanitary bins.
• Develop Sanitation Guidelines:
  • Set national standards for sanitation facilities in courts, ensuring consistency and quality across different states and court levels. This could include guidelines for minimum amenities, accessibility requirements, and hygiene protocols.
• Encourage User Feedback:
  • Create mechanisms for court users to provide feedback on sanitation facilities, identify issues, and propose improvements. This could involve suggestion boxes, surveys, or public meetings.
    • Ensure swift and timely action on suggestions and complaints.

What is the Status of Toilet Facilities in India?

• Sanitation is a State subject, and hence the task of providing toilets, initiating behaviour change activities, providing Solid and Liquid Waste Management arrangements and sustaining the various activities vests with the states.
• According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 69.3% of households have access to improved toilet facilities or those that are not shared.
  • 8.4% of households have access to shared toilet facilities and 2.9% have access to unimproved facilities.
• The report by NFHS showed that 80.7% of urban households and 63.6% of rural households have access to improved toilet facilities, while the percentage stands at 63.6 for rural households.
  • A total of 19.4% of Indian households did not use any toilet facility in 2019-2021.
    • In urban regions, open defecation is practiced in 6.1% of all households while that number shoots up to 25.9% for households in rural areas.
• Among states and union territories, access to a toilet facility is lowest in Bihar (available only in 61.2% of households). Bihar is followed by Jharkhand (69.6%) and Odisha (71.3%).
  • Lakshadweep reports 100% household access to toilet facilities.

RBI Guidelines on Inoperative Accounts and Unclaimed Deposits

Source: IE

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently revised guidelines regarding inoperative accounts and unclaimed deposits, aiming to streamline the classification and activation processes.

• The revised instructions apply to all Commercial Banks and all Cooperative Banks and will come into effect from 1^st April 2024.

What are Inoperative Accounts and Unclaimed Deposits?

• Inoperative Account:
  • An account with no 'customer-induced transactions' for over two years is deemed inoperative.
    • A customer-induced transaction can be a financial transaction initiated by or done at the behest of the account holder by the bank or third party, a non-financial transaction, or a KYC (know your customer) updation done in face-to-face physical mode or through digital channels such as internet banking or mobile banking application of the bank.
  • Around Rs 1-1.30 lakh crore is estimated to be lying in inoperative bank accounts.
• Unclaimed Deposits:
  • Balances in savings/current accounts inactive for 10 years or term deposits unclaimed after 10 years from maturity are considered unclaimed deposits.
  • As of March 2023, around Rs 42,270 crore remains unclaimed in banks.

What are the Revised RBI Guidelines?

• Annual Review:
  • Banks must conduct an annual review of accounts with no customer-induced transactions for over a year.
    • In the absence of an explicit mandate to renew term deposits, banks must review such accounts.
    • Banks need to review such accounts, where the customers have not withdrawn the proceeds after maturity or transferred these to their savings/current account to prevent such deposits from becoming unclaimed.
• Communication Protocol:
  • Banks are instructed to notify account holders through letters, emails, or SMS about the lack of operations in the last year.
  • Alert messages must explicitly state the account's impending 'inoperative' status if no operations occur in the next year.
  • Customers will be required to submit fresh KYC documents for reactivation in such cases.
• Classification Criteria for Inoperative Accounts:
  • Only customer-induced transactions, not bank-induced ones, are considered for classification.
    • Mandates like standing instructions or auto-renewal with no other operations are also treated as customer-induced transactions.
    • Bank-induced transactions encompass charges, fees, interest payments, penalties, and taxes.
  • The classification of an account as inoperative will be for a particular account of the customer and not with reference to the customer.
• Exemptions from Inoperative Classification:
  • Accounts opened for beneficiaries of government schemes and students (with zero balance) should be segregated in the core banking solution.
    • This ensures that the 'inoperative' label is not applied due to non-operation for more than two years.
• Reactivation Process:
  • Reactivation of inoperative accounts necessitates the submission of KYC documents. This process applies to all branches, including non-home branches.
    • The Video-Customer Identification Process (V-CIP) can also be utilized for reactivation if requested by the account holder.
    • No charges are permitted for the activation of inoperative accounts.
• Penalties and Interest:
  • Banks are not authorized to impose penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balances in any account classified as an inoperative account.
  • Accounts opened for beneficiaries of government schemes and students (with zero balance) should be segregated in the core banking solution.
    • This ensures that the 'inoperative' label is not applied due to non-operation for more than two years.
  • Interest on savings accounts should be credited regularly irrespective of the fact that the account is in operation or not.
• Depositor Education and Awareness Fund:
  • The credit balance in any deposit account maintained with banks, not operated for ten years or more, is required to be transferred by banks to the DEA (Depositor Education and Awareness) Fund maintained by the RBI.

Sickle Cell Disease

Source: PIB

Why in News?

More than 1 crore people have been screened for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

• The National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission launched in 2023, aims to eliminate sickle cell anemia from India by 2047.

What is Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)?

• About:
  • SCD is a group of inherited red blood cell (RBC) disorders. RBCs contain hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen and healthy RBCs are round. In SCD, the hemoglobin is abnormal, which causes the RBCs to become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms of sickle cell disease can vary, but some common symptoms include:
    • Chronic Anaemia: leading to fatigue, weakness, and paleness.
    • Painful episodes (also known as sickle cell crisis): these can cause sudden and intense pain in the bones, chest, back, arms, and legs.
    • Delayed growth and puberty
• Treatment:
  • Blood Transfusions: These can help relieve anemia and reduce the risk of pain crises.
  • Hydroxyurea: This is a medication that can help reduce the frequency of painful episodes and prevent some of the long-term complications of the disease.
  • It can also be treated by bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.
• Government Initiatives to Tackle SCD:
  • The government released technical operational guidelines for the prevention and control of sickle cell anaemia in 2016.
  • The State Haemoglobinopathy Mission has been established in Madhya Pradesh to address the challenges in screening and management of the disease.
  • Anaemin Mukt Bharat Strategy.

Captive-bred Wolves into the Wild in Gujarat

Source: IE

Why in News?

Gujarat's ambitious project to reintroduce wolves bred in captivity to the wild shows early signs of success.

• This initiative is the first of its kind outside the United States, aiming to restock wolf populations and they can perform their role as biocontrol agents that keep the population of wild herbivores, like nilgai (blue bulls) and wild boars under control.

What are the Major Points Related to Wolves?

• About:
  • Wolves are the largest members of the dog family (Canidae), known for their majestic physique, thick fur, sharp eyes, strong jaws, pointed ears, and a long bushy tail add to their formidable presence.
• Ecology and Behavior:
  • Social Animals: They live in packs typically consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring, working together to hunt and raise pups.
  • Apex Predators: Primarily hunting large ungulates like deer, elk and moose, they play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.
  • Communicative Masters: Their famous howls are not just eerie calls, they serve to strengthen pack bonds, defend territory, and communicate with other packs.
• Subspecies Found in India:
  • India boasts two wolf subspecies: the grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) in the peninsular region and the Himalayan or Tibetian wolf (Canis lupus chanco) in the north.
• Distribution Range in India:
  • The range of grey wolf stretches across several states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra among others.
  • The Himalayan wolf is primarily found in the Ladakh region and the Lahaul and Spiti region of northeastern Himachal Pradesh among others.
• Protection Status:
  • Grey Wolf:
    • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
    • Wildlife Protection Act (India): Schedule I
    • CITES Appendix: I
  • Himalayan Wolf
    • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Extended PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has recently extended the tenure of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components by one year, with incentives now applicable for five consecutive financial years starting from 2023-24.

• This decision has been made after receiving the approval of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS).
• Companies failing to meet the first year's sales increase threshold will not receive incentives for that year.
  • However, they remain eligible for future benefits by achieving a 10% year-on-year growth over the first year's threshold.

What is a Production Linked Incentive Scheme?

• About: PLI scheme is a government initiative in India that offers financial incentives to companies based on their incremental sales of products manufactured in India.
  • The scheme aims to drive domestic manufacturing, spur job creation, bolster exports, facilitate technology transfer, and diminish import reliance.
• Key Features:
  • Sector-specific: The scheme is currently active in 14 key sectors: mobile manufacturing, manufacturing of medical devices, automobiles and auto components, pharmaceuticals, drugs, specialty steel, telecom & networking products, electronic products, white goods (ACs and LEDs), food products, textile products, solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery, and drones and drone components.
  • Incentive Rate: The incentive rate varies depending on the sector and product category, but can range from 4% to 6% of incremental sales.

What is the Status of the Automobile Sector in India?

• India is the world’s third-largest automobile market. The Automobile Sector resulted in 5.41% of the total FDI inflow as per the September 2023 DPIIT Report.
• The Electric Vehicle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 49% between 2022-2030 and the EV industry would create 5 Mn direct and indirect jobs by 2030.
• Related Government Initiatives:
  • FAME Scheme
  • Automotive Mission Plan 2016-26 (AMP 2026)

Savitribai Phule Birth Anniversary

Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tributes to Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary (3^rd January 1831).

Read more: Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule

Rani Velu Nachiyar Birth Anniversary

The Prime Minister of India has paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar (3rd Jan 1730 – 25th Dec 1796) on her birth anniversary.

• Rani Velu Nachiyar, also known as Veeramangai, was the princess of the Ramnad Kingdom of Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu.
• She is revered as the first queen to fight against the British colonial power in India.
  • She was a scholar in languages like French, English, and Urdu.
• Nachiyar became queen of the Sivaganga estate (present-day Tamil Nadu) in 1780 after her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar’s death. She ruled until 1790.
  • She went on to produce the first human bomb as well as establish the first army of trained women soldiers in the late 1700s.

World Braille Day

World Braille Day, celebrated annually on 4^th January, since 2019, is observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.

• Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific symbols.
  • Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those printed in a visual font.
• Braille is essential in the context of education, freedom of expression and opinion, as well as social inclusion, as reflected in Article 2 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Read more: Person with Disabilities in India

Reviving Ancient Water Bodies in Coastal Karnataka Towns

Recently, the two coastal towns Moodbidri and Karkala in Karnataka, are reviving their ancient water bodies that date back to thousands of years ago.

• These water bodies are part of the natural heritage and cultural identity of the towns, which are also known for their Jain temples and monasteries.
• The citizens have taken up the initiative to restore these water bodies by petitioning the authorities, raising funds, and engaging in community work.
• Moodbidri town is known as ‘Jain Kashi’ (Benares of the Jains). It is home to Jain temples (Basadis and Nishidis) as well as monasteries.
  • Moodbidri draws Jain pilgrims from across the world and has also grown into an educational hub.
• The revival of these water bodies has multiple benefits such as improving groundwater recharge, enhancing biodiversity, providing drinking water, and preserving cultural heritage.