Report on Climate and Catastrophe Insight

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, the 2024 Climate and Catastrophe Insight report has been published by a risk-mitigation service provider Aon PLC, which highlighted that the year 2023 recorded significant damages due to Natural Disasters.

• Aon plc is a leading provider of advice and solutions for commercial, reinsurance, retirement, health, and data & analytic services in over 120 countries and sovereignties.
• Their mission is to shape decisions for the better, protecting and enriching the lives of people around the world.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Increased Damages and Record-Breaking Events:
  • In 2023, the world witnessed 398 notable natural disasters, resulting in a staggering USD 380 billion in economic losses.
  • These losses surpassed the estimated economic loss in 2022 and marked the hottest year on record, underscoring the urgent need for better disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and increased resilience.
• Weather-Related Factors and Vulnerabilities:
  • 95% of the natural disasters (that occurred in 2023) causing damages exceeding USD 1 billion were attributed to Weather-related factors.
  • From extreme heat to severe storms and earthquakes, these events highlight the threat posed by catastrophe risk to our lives and livelihoods.

• Protection Gap and Insurance Coverage:
  • Insurance only paid out USD 118 billion, or 31%, of the total damages incurred indicating a significant “protection gap” of approximately 69% as opposed to 58% in 2022.
  • The majority of disaster losses were covered in the US, whereas most of the losses in three other regions — Americas (Non-US), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia and Pacific (APAC) — were uninsured.
    • The widest protection gap of around 91% existed in the APAC region, followed by 87% for non-US Americas and the EMEA.
• Global and Regional Insights:
  • US: Economic losses from natural disasters reached USD 114 billion, with insurance covering 70%. Severe convective storms (SCS) contributed significantly to the financial toll.
    • Convective storms or thunderstorms are severe local storms associated with thunder, lightning, heavy rain, hail, strong winds and sudden temperature changes. They can occur all year round but are most common during summer.
  • Americas (Non-US): Insurance covered only USD 6 billion of the USD 45 billion in economic losses.
    • Hurricane Otis occurred in Mexico's southern Pacific coast, stood out as the costliest individual event.
    • Drought impacted several regions in South America.
  • Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA): The region faced USD 150 billion in economic losses due to natural catastrophes, driven by devastating earthquakes.
    • The Turkey and Syria earthquake had a significant impact.
  • Asia and Pacific:
    • Economic losses hit USD 65 billion with a protection gap of 91% as insurance losses reached USD 6 billion.
    • Flooding events resulted in USD 1.4 billion of insured losses in China and USD 1.3 billion in New Zealand. A multi-week-long heatwave impacted many countries in South and Southeastern Asia.
• Recommendations:
  • There is a need to use climate analytics as catalysts that can provide forward-looking diagnostics for a range of extreme events.
  • There is a need for the organisations – from insurers to highly impacted sectors such as construction, agriculture and real estate — to utilise forward-looking diagnostics to help analyse climate trends and mitigate the risk, as well as protecting their own workforces.
  • The insurance industry can play a pivotal role in unlocking and speeding up the flow of capital into green investments and volatility management through innovative risk transfer programmes.

What is the Significance of Disaster Preparedness, Risk Management, and Resilience-Building?

• Disaster Preparedness: It refers to proactive measures taken before a disaster occurs to enhance readiness and response.
  • Early Warning Systems: Preparedness involves setting up efficient early warning systems. These systems provide timely alerts about impending disasters (e.g., cyclones, floods, earthquakes), allowing people to evacuate and take necessary precautions.
  • Training and Drills: Regular training sessions and mock drills prepare emergency responders, healthcare professionals, and the public to handle crises effectively.
  • Stockpiling Supplies: Preparedness includes stockpiling essential supplies (food, water, medicines) to meet immediate needs during disasters.
  • Community Awareness: Educating communities about disaster risks and preparedness measures fosters a culture of safety and resilience.
• Risk Management: It involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with disasters.
  • Risk Assessment: By analysing vulnerabilities, exposure, and potential impacts, risk management helps prioritise actions.
  • Risk Reduction Strategies: Implementing structural (e.g., building codes) and non-structural (e.g., land-use planning) measures reduces vulnerability.
  • Financial Protection: Insurance and risk financing mechanisms provide financial resilience against losses.
  • Climate Adaptation: Risk management integrates climate change adaptation strategies to address evolving risks.
• Resilience-Building: Resilience refers to a community’s ability to bounce back after a disaster.
  • Social and Psychological Resilience: Strengthening social networks, community cohesion, and mutual support enhances resilience. Mental health support and coping mechanisms help individuals recover from trauma.
  • Economic and Infrastructural Resilience: Diversifying livelihoods, promoting local businesses, and creating employment opportunities contribute to economic resilience. Building robust infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities) that can withstand shocks is vital.
  • Environmental Resilience: Conserving ecosystems (forests, wetlands) contributes to overall resilience.

What is the Role of Insurance Coverage in Mitigating Economic Losses?

• Safety Net in Difficult Times:
  • High Inflation and economic volatility can lead to unexpected financial losses and during such periods, insurance acts as a safety net.
  • For instance, repairing or rebuilding damaged property is now more expensive due to increased costs of building materials and services. Labour shortages and disrupted supply chains can further delay repairs.
    • Insurance coverage ensures that individuals and businesses are financially protected against such losses. Without coverage (or with inadequate coverage), the financial burden can be devastating.
• Increased Risk Awareness:
  • Financial shocks prompt consumers to become more cautious and aware of risks.
  • Insurance companies can capitalise on this by emphasising their value in managing inflation risk and providing financial security.
  • By offering timely payouts, insurers help businesses and individuals recover faster, allowing economic activities to resume after catastrophes.
• Economic Development and Stability:
  • Insurance turns accumulated capital into productive investments. It enables businesses to mitigate losses, maintain financial stability, and promote trade and commerce activities.
  • A robust insurance sector contributes to sustainable economic growth.
• Disaster Mitigation and Risk Reduction:
  • Insurance companies increasingly contribute to disaster mitigation by encouraging policyholders to invest in risk reduction measures. By incentivizing long-term thinking, insurers play a role in reducing overall risks.
  • For example, PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) offers financial protection to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities such as droughts, floods, cyclones, pests, and diseases.
    • By providing timely compensation for crop damages, PMFBY helps farmers recover from losses and reduces their vulnerability to economic shocks triggered by disasters.

Conclusion

• Investing in disaster preparedness, risk management, and resilience-building is not only a matter of protecting lives and livelihoods in the short term but also crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and prosperity of communities in an increasingly uncertain world.

Ladakh’s Statehood Demand

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Territory of Ladakh observed a shutdown over demands for statehood and constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule.

What are the Primary Demands Related to Ladakh?

• Background: Ladakh, once a part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, became a Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two separate Union Territories in August 2019.
  • Since then, the region has grappled with its newfound administrative status and has been advocating for greater autonomy and protection of its cultural and demographic identity.
• Primary Demands: The two socio-political organisations spearheading the movement are seeking protections for the UT previously enshrined under Article 370 and 35A. Their primary demands include:
  • Statehood for Ladakh: Seeking to elevate Ladakh from its current Union Territory status to a full-fledged state, granting it greater political autonomy and decision-making powers.
  • Safeguards under the 6^th Schedule: Advocating for Constitutional provisions under the 6th Schedule to protect the cultural, linguistic, and land rights of the indigenous population.
  • Reservation of Jobs: Calling for reservations in employment opportunities for the youth of Ladakh, ensuring equitable access to economic resources and opportunities.
  • Creation of Separate Parliamentary Constituencies: Proposing the establishment of distinct Parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil, reflecting the unique demographic and geographical characteristics of each region.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set up a high-powered committee to engage with the representatives of the demands from Ladakh.

What are the Imperatives Behind Ladakh's Current UT Status?

• Cultural and Demographic Differences: Prior to its designation as a UT, Ladakh was part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Ladakh's Buddhist majority contrasted significantly with the Muslim-majority population of the erstwhile state of J&K.
  • This difference often translated into concerns about resource allocation, political representation, and cultural preservation.
• Security Considerations: Ladakh borders sensitive regions like Pakistan and China, making strategic importance a significant factor.
  • Establishing it as a union territory allowed for more direct and streamlined administration from the central government in security matters.
• Developmental Perspective: The Indian government likely saw creating the union territory of Ladakh as a way to address long-standing grievances, improve administrative efficiency, and expedite development in the region.

What are the Constitutional Provisions Related to Formation of States in India?

• Article 3 of the Indian Constitution grants Parliament the authority to undertake various actions regarding the formation, alteration, or dissolution of states. These actions include:
  • Formation of New States: Parliament can create a new state by separating territory from an existing state, uniting two or more states, or combining any territory with a part of an existing state.
  • Increase or Decrease in State Area: Parliament has the power to increase or diminish the area of any state.
  • Alteration of State Boundaries: Parliament can alter the boundaries of any state.
  • Change of State Name: Parliament can change the name of any state.
• Conditions under Article 3:
  • A bill proposing such changes must be introduced in either house of the Parliament only with the prior recommendation of the President.
  • Before recommending the bill, the President must refer it to the concerned state legislature to express its views within a specified period.
• Additional Consideration:
  • Parliament's authority to form new states includes the ability to create a new state or union territory by uniting a part of any state or union territory with another state or union territory.
  • Parliament is not obligated to adhere to the views of the state legislature and may accept or reject them, even if received on time.
  • For union territories, no reference needs to be made to the concerned legislature, and Parliament can take any action it deems appropriate.
  • Therefore, India is an indestructible union of destructible states.

What is the Sixth Schedule?

• About: Sixth Schedule contains special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in the four northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram under Article 244(2) of the Indian Constitution
• Objectives: It aims to safeguard tribal land and resources, preventing their transfer to non-tribal entities. It also strives to protect tribal communities from exploitation, ensuring their cultural and social identities are upheld and promoted.
• Autonomous Districts and Regions: The tribal areas within these states are to be administered as Autonomous Districts.
  • In cases where different Scheduled Tribes inhabit an autonomous district, the Governor has the authority to divide the district into Autonomous Regions.
  • The Governor is vested with the power to organise, reorganise, and alter the boundaries or names of autonomous districts.
• District and Regional Council: For each autonomous district, a District Council is to be constituted, comprising a maximum of 30 members.
  • Of these, no more than 4 members are nominated by the Governor, while the remainder are elected through adult suffrage.
  • Likewise, a separate Regional Council is established for each area designated as an autonomous region.

FSSAI to Streamline Food Safety Regulations

Source: PIB

Why in News?

In a recent meeting held in New Delhi, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approved various amendments aimed at simplifying food safety regulations and promoting ease of doing business.

• FSSAI will issue a draft notification in this regard and will seek stakeholders’ comments before finalising the amendments.

What are the Proposed Amendments in Food Safety and Standard Regulations?

• Elimination of Multiple Certifications:
  • The amendments aim to abolish the requirement for certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Agricultural Marketing (AGMARK) certification for food products.
    • Instead, only certification from the FSSAI would be mandatory if these changes are finalised.
• Facilitation of Ease of Doing Business:
  • The amendments align with the government's vision of 'One Nation, One Commodity, One Regulator,' intending to simplify regulations and administrative processes for businesses operating in the food sector.
• Expansion of Standards:
  • Apart from the simplification of the certification process, the proposed amendments include the establishment of standards for Mead (Honey wine) and Alcoholic Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, and the introduction of standards for 'Haleem,' a dish made of meat, pulses, grains, and other ingredients.
    • Haleem currently lacks defined quality parameters.

What is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India?

• About:
  • FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, of 2006.
    • The Act of 2006, consolidates various laws related to food, such as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, the Fruit Products Order, 1955, the Meat Food Products Order, 1973, and other acts that were previously handled by different ministries and departments.
      • The Act also aims to establish a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards, by moving from multi-level, multi-departmental control to a single line of command.
  • FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health by regulating and supervising food safety and quality in India, operating under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
  • FSSAI has a headquarters in New Delhi and regional offices in eight zones across the country.
  • The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI, appointed by central government. The Chairperson is in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
• Functions and Powers:
  • Framing of regulations and standards for food products and additives.
  • Granting of licences and registration to food businesses.
  • Enforcement of food safety laws and regulations.
  • Monitoring and surveillance of food safety and quality.
  • Conducting risk assessment and scientific research on food safety issues.
  • Providing training and awareness on food safety and hygiene.
  • Promoting food fortification and organic food.
  • Coordinating with other agencies and stakeholders on food safety matters.
• Events and Campaigns:
  • World Food Safety Day.
  • Eat Right India.
    • Eat Right Station.
    • Eat Right Mela.
  • State Food Safety Index.
  • RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil).
  • Food Safety Mitra.
  • 100 Food Streets.

Red Sea Disruptions and India's Oil Import Dynamics

Source: IE

Why in News?

The recent turmoil in the Red Sea has sent ripples through India's oil import dynamics, triggering notable changes in its reliance on conventional suppliers like the US.

Why is India Moving its Oil Imports Away from the US?

• For a while, the US has consistently ranked among India's top five crude suppliers, with domestic refiners procuring an average of 205,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude in 2023.
  • However, recent data indicates that Indian refiners did not acquire any US crude in January 2024.
• Red Sea troubles escalated freight rates, rendering US crude economically unviable for Indian refiners. Consequently, Indian refiners reverted to traditional suppliers in the Persian Gulf (West Asia).
  • Recently, Chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto was struck by a drone attack, approximately 200 nautical miles off Gujarat's coast.
    • MV Chem Pluto is a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned, and Netherlands-operated chemical tanker.
    • It had started its journey carrying crude from Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia and was expected to arrive in New Mangalore, India.
  • It is believed to have been carried out by Houthi rebels based in Yemen, citing protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Who are the Top Crude-Oil Suppliers for India?

• Status of Oil Imports: India currently is the 3rd largest consumer of oil behind the US and China. It imports 85% of its oil needs and this dependence is likely to rise as domestic production falls.
  • India will overtake China as the biggest driver of global oil demand in 2027. Diesel will be the single largest source of demand growth, accounting for almost half of the rise in the nation's demand (International Energy Agency).
• Major Oil Suppliers:
  • Russia: Russia is currently India’s largest supplier of oil. Russian oil imports to India surged to 1.53 million barrels per day (bpd) in January, 2024.
    • India capitalised on discounted Russian offers following Western sanctions on Russia (due to Russia-Ukraine Conflict), displacing traditional suppliers.
    • The Urals crude oil grade of Russia has become a cornerstone of India's energy diversification efforts.
  • Ira: Iraq is the second-largest source of crude supplier to India, with imports reaching 1.19 million bpd in January 2024, the highest since April 2022.
    • India's efforts to diversify oil procurement channels aim to mitigate geopolitical risks and ensure a stable energy supply.
  • Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia is India’s third-largest oil supplier and exported approximately 690,172 bpd of crude oil to India in January, 2024 maintaining its position as a key player in India's energy security landscape.
  • UAE: Oil imports from the UAE surged by 81% in January, 2024 reaching around 326,500 bpd.
    • Abu Dhabi is India’s fourth-largest supplier of crude oil.

Way Forward

• Diversifying Biofuel Development: Beyond ethanol blending, the government can invest in research and development of advanced biofuels derived from algae, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste.
  • These biofuels can be used in transportation and industrial sectors, reducing the need for fossil fuels.
• Promoting Public Transportation and Active Mobility: Integrated public transportation systems with efficient last-mile connectivity can encourage more people to opt for sustainable modes of travel and reduce the demand for oil-based transportation fuels.
• Green Building Standards: Mandating green building standards for residential and commercial constructions can reduce energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting.
  • Incorporating energy-efficient designs and materials in buildings can lessen the reliance on fossil fuels for electricity and heating purposes.
• Towards Hydrogen Economy: Developing India as a hydrogen economy can offer a clean alternative to traditional fossil fuels.
  • Hydrogen fuel cells can be utilised in various sectors including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation.

India Becomes Net Exporter of Toys

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, The Indian toy industry exhibited remarkable growth, exports surged by 239% and imports dropped by 52% between 2014-15 and 2022-23 making India a net exporter.

• The toy industries are dealing with higher costs in China and struggling to find cheaper places to move their production.

What is the Status of India's Toy Industry?

• Focus on the Toy Industry:
  • Policy discussions have spanned from the old "permit license raj" era to the current 'Make in India' initiative.
  • A study attributes the industry's recent success to 'Make in India' initiatives.
• Positive Shift in Trade Balance:
  • Trade balance was negative Rs.1,500 crore in 2014-15, but turned positive from 2020-21.
  • This shift can be attributed to:
    • Increased import duty from 20% to 60% in February 2020.
    • Non-tariff barriers are like Quality control order (QCO) and mandatory sample testing.
    • COVID-19 disruptions Impacted imports globally.
  • Decline in Net Exports in 2022-23:
    • Despite high import duty, net exports fell from Rs. 1,614 crore to Rs. 1,319 crore.
    • This decline is more significant for toys (31%) compared to all toys (18%).

What led India to become a Net Exporter?

• Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers: The increase in customs duty on toys from 20% to 60% in February 2020, and subsequently to 70% in March 2023, acted as a significant deterrent to toy imports.
  • Non-tariff barriers, such as the quality control order (QCO) and mandatory sample testing of each import consignment since January 2021, further restricted imports.
  • These measures aimed to reduce the demand for imported toys and protect the domestic industry.
• Global Supply Chain Disruption: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains in 2020-21, adversely affecting imports. As the global supply chain was restored in 2022-23, net exports reduced, indicating a correlation between supply chain disruptions and India's net export performance.

What are the Challenges?

• Limited Domestic Productive Capabilities: The analysis of data from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) indicates that there is hardly a steady rise in fixed capital per worker, gross value of output, and a decline in labor productivity.
  • This suggests that the domestic industry may not have experienced substantial improvement in its productive capabilities during the period under consideration (2014-15 to 2019-20).
• Declining Labor Productivity: There is a steady decline in labor productivity from ₹7.5 lakh per worker in 2014-15 to ₹5 lakh in 2019-20. This decline raises concerns about the efficiency and competitiveness of the industry, indicating potential challenges in enhancing productivity.
• Foreign dependence for sourcing raw materials: Indian manufacturers excel in producing board games, soft and plastic toys, puzzles, and similar products. However, to manufacture these items, companies often need to import materials from South Korea and Japan.
• Lack of Technology: It also seems to act as a barrier to the Indian toy industry. Most of the domestic toy manufacturers use outdated technology and machinery, which affects the quality and design of the toys.
• High Tax Rates: The toy industry in India faces challenges due to high GST rates. Currently, electronic toys are taxed at 18% GST, while non-electronic toys incur a 12% GST rate.
• Cheap Alternatives: The Indian toy industry faces competition from inexpensive and low-quality imports from countries such as China. China constitutes around 80% of toy imports into India, negatively impacting domestic toy manufacturers.
• Unorganized and Fragmented: The Indian toy industry remains largely fragmented, with 90% of the market being unorganised. This fragmentation makes it challenging to maximise the industry's potential benefits.

Way forward

• Balancing Protectionism and Competitiveness:
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of protectionist measures and tariffs to ensure they provide a temporary boost to the industry without fostering long-term dependence.
  • Consider implementing protectionism alongside policies that encourage investments, foster innovation, and improve overall competitiveness.
• Investment in Domestic Capabilities:
  • Develop and implement investment policies that incentivize the toy industry to invest in modern technology, research and development, and skill development to enhance productivity and quality.
  • Provide financial and non-financial support to encourage the industry's growth, such as subsidies, tax incentives, and access to affordable credit.
• Quality Control and Standards:
  • Continue to enforce quality control measures like the quality control order (QCO) to ensure that domestically produced toys meet international standards.
  • Invest in establishing and promoting industry-specific standards to enhance the reputation of Indian toys in the global market.
  • Implement eco-friendly practices throughout the toy value chain, including using recycled materials, sustainable packaging, and adopting reuse and reshare models to promote environmental sustainability.
• Infrastructure Development:
  • Develop localized, industry-specific public infrastructure to support the toy manufacturing clusters. This could include efficient transportation, logistics, and production facilities.
    • Support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through skill development, financial assistance, and other forms of support to foster growth in the toy industry.
  • Facilitate collaboration between industry stakeholders, academia, and the government to identify and address infrastructure gaps.

ASI Results for 2020-21 and 2021-22

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the results of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for the reference periods of 2020-21 and 2021-22 referred to as ASI 2020-21 and ASI 2021-22.

What are the Key Highlights From the ASI 2020-21 and ASI 2021-22 Results?

• Growth in Gross Value Added (GVA):
  • GVA grew by 8.8% in the year 2020-21 over 2019-20, primarily due to a sharp fall in input (4.1%) that offset an output contraction (1.9%) during the pandemic.
  • In 2021-22, GVA surged significantly by 26.6% over the previous year, riding on high growth in industrial output, which expanded by more than 35% in value terms.
  • The year 2021-22 witnessed a sharp rise in level as well as in the growth of the majority of the important economic parameters like invested capital, input, output, GVA, net income and net profit registered by the sector and even surpassed the pre-pandemic level in absolute value terms.
• Key Industry Drivers:
  • Industries such as Manufacture of Basic Metal, Coke & Refined Petroleum Products, Pharmaceutical Products, Motor vehicles, Food Products, and Chemical and Chemical products emerged as major drivers of growth.
    • Together, these industries contributed about 56% of the total GVA of the sector, with a GVA growth of 34.4% and output growth of 37.5% compared to 2020-21.
• Regional Performance:
  • Gujarat remained at the top in terms of GVA in 2020-21 and second in 2021-22, while Maharashtra ranked first in 2021-22 and second in 2020-21.
    • Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh consistently maintained their positions among the top five states contributing to manufacturing GVA.
• Employment Trends:
  • Despite a marginal fall in employment in 2020-21 due to the pandemic, 2021-22 saw robust growth of 7.0% year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in total estimated employment in the sector.
    • The estimated number of persons engaged in the sector in 2021-22 exceeded pre-pandemic levels by more than 9.35 lakh, with the average salary per employee registering an increase of 1.7% in 2020-21 and by 8.3% in 2021-22 in comparison to respective previous years.
  • Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana emerged as the top five states employing the highest number of persons in the manufacturing sector in both 2020-21 and 2021-22.
    • Together, these states contributed about 54% of total manufacturing employment in both years.

What is the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI)?

• About:
  • The Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) is the principal source of industrial statistics in India. It started in 1960 with 1959 as the base year and continues annually except for 1972, under the Collection of Statistics Act, of 1953.
  • From ASI 2010-11, the Survey is being conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008.
    • The Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 has been amended in 2017 as the Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Act, 2017 which extends the coverage to All India.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) conducts the ASI. The NSO is part of the MoSPI.
    • The MoSPI is responsible for the coverage and quality of released statistics.
• Scope and Coverage:
  • ASI covers factories registered under Sections 2(m)(i) and 2(m)(ii) of the Factories Act, 1948.
  • Bidi and cigar manufacturing establishments registered under the Bidi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act,1966.
  • Electricity undertakings engaged in generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, not registered with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
  • Units with 100 or more employees registered in the Business Register of Establishments (BRE) prepared and maintained by the State Governments as and when such lists are shared by the respective State Governments.
• Data Collection Mechanism:
  • Data for ASI are collected from the selected factories under the Collection of Statistics Act 2008 as amended in 2017 and Rules framed there under in 2011.

Assam's Traditional Buffalo and Bulbul Fights

Source: IE

The Assam government's efforts to revive traditional buffalo and bulbul (songbird) fights during Magh Bihu festival face legal challenges from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who filed petitions in the Gauhati High Court to prohibit both these practices.

• These fights, part of the folk culture linked to the Assamese winter harvest festival, Magh Bihu, were stopped following a 2014 Supreme Court ruling on animal cruelty.
• However, in 2023, the Supreme Court allowed amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, leading to the revival of such events.
  • A recent controversy over a buffalo fight scheduled outside the designated period has prompted legal intervention.
• This issue highlights the tension between preserving cultural heritage and addressing ethical concerns in modern society.

Read More: Harvest Festivals, Jallikattu, Kambala

Zero Hour

Source: TH

During the ongoing Budget session, members of the Lok Sabha have raised key issues including Manipur ethnic violence, stricter hate speech laws, and a national task force for stray dogs during the Zero Hour.

• Zero hour commences directly after the question hour and extends until the commencement of the day's agenda, signifying the interval between the two.
  • Under this, Members of Parliament (MPs) can raise matters without any prior notice.
  • Zero Hour is an Indian parliamentary innovation. The phrase is not mentioned in the rules of procedure.
• Zero Hour originated in early Indian Parliament as MPs sought to address constituency and national concerns informally before the lunch break, starting around 12 noon and lasting until adjournment.
  • This led to the hour being popularly referred to as Zero Hour and the issues being raised during this time as Zero Hour submissions.

Read more: Question Hour and Zero Hour, Questioning in Parliament

Birth Anniversary of Dr. Zakir Hussain

Source: PIB

Recently, the President of India, paid floral tributes to Dr. Zakir Hussain, former President of India on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• Dr. Zakir Husain (08 Feb 1897- 03 May 1969) was an Indian statesman, and the first Muslim to hold the position of President of India in 1967.
  • He was also appointed governor of Bihar state in 1957 and was elected vice-president of India in 1962.
• He helped found the Muslim National University in Aligarh (later moved to New Delhi) and served as its vice-chancellor from 1926 to 1948.
  • At Mahatma Gandhi’s invitation, he also became chairman of the National Committee on Basic Education, established in 1937 to design a Gandhian syllabus for schools.
• During 1956–58, he served on the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Read More: Parliament, United Nations

Olive Ridley Turtles on Mangaluru Beaches

Source: DTE

After a gap of nearly 40 years, Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) returned to nest on the beaches of Karnataka’s Mangaluru division in February 2024, overcoming environmental challenges such as increased salinity and pollution.

• Olive Ridley turtles, typically laying around 150 eggs per site, have pleasingly nested on Sasihithlu and Tannerbavi beaches.
• The Olive Ridley turtles, named for their olive-coloured shell, are the world’s smallest and most populous sea turtles.
  • They are known for their mass nesting practice called 'Arribada'.
  • Protection Status:
    • IUCN- Vulnerable
    • Wildlife Act of 1972- Schedule 1
• They feed on jellyfish, play a role in controlling the jellyfish population.

Read more: Olive Riddley Turtle