India Calls for Permanent Solution for Public Stockholding

Source: LM

Why in News?

At the 13^th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India asserted a robust position concerning the permanent solution for public stockholding for food security.

What are the Key Points Highlighted by India?

• Broadening Focus of WHO: India has called for a shift in the WTO's focus, urging it to move beyond catering solely to the trade interests of agricultural exporters.
  • Instead, the organisation should prioritise addressing fundamental concerns such as food security and sustaining livelihoods.
• Developing Country Needs: India argues that public stockholding programs are essential for developing countries to ensure food security for their populations, especially for vulnerable sections of society.
  • The current WTO rules allow some leeway for developing countries regarding public stockholding programs.
  • However, these provisions are temporary and India seeks a permanent solution that acknowledges their development needs.
  • Recently, G-33 nations also upheld the right of the developing country to use the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) as an important instrument against major import surges or sudden price declines.
• Call for Level Playing Field: India stressed the necessity of creating a level playing field in international agriculture trade, especially for low-income or resource-poor farmers across the globe. This aligns with the broader goal of promoting fairness and equity in trade practices.
  • India pointed out the glaring disparities in domestic support provided by countries to their farmers.
    • Notably, subsidies in some developed countries are reported to be up to 200 times higher than those in developing nations.
  • Also, India as a member of G-33 nations also urged WTO to find a permanent solution to public stockholding.

What is Public Stockholding?

• About: Public stockholding refers to the practice of governments purchasing, storing, and eventually distributing food grains. India along with many other countries uses this system to ensure food security for its population.
• Advantages:
  • Food Security: Public stockpiles ensure a buffer against potential food shortages caused by factors like droughts, crop failures, or market disruptions.
    • This helps maintain food availability for the population, especially during emergencies.
  • Price Stabilisation: By releasing stocks when prices rise due to short supply, governments can moderate price fluctuations and prevent sharp spikes that can burden consumers, particularly low-income households.
  • Supporting Farmers: Governments can buy grains at predetermined minimum support prices, offering some income security for farmers. This can incentivise production and maintain agricultural output.
  • Social Welfare Programs: Stockpiled food can be used for social welfare programs, providing subsidised food to vulnerable populations and those facing food insecurity.
• Disadvantages:
  • Fiscal Burden: Maintaining large stockpiles can be expensive for governments. Storage and maintenance costs can strain public finances and divert resources from other development priorities.
  • Market Distortion: Subsidised food grains from public stockpiles may undercut market prices, discouraging private sector investment in agriculture and potentially impacting overall production efficiency.
  • Spoilage and Waste: Improper storage leads to spoilage and wastage of food grains, causing economic losses and undermining the program's effectiveness.
  • Corruption Risks: The management of public stockpiles is vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement, leading to inefficiencies and leakages within the system.
  • International Trade Issues: Subsidised stockpiling practices can create friction in international trade.
    • Some countries argue such practices distort fair market competition and disadvantage exporters from other nations.
    • For instance, Thailand recently accused India of using its public stockpiles of rice, meant for domestic food security, to gain an unfair advantage in the export market.

What is the WTO Agreement on Agriculture?

• About: The WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) is a set of international rules established during the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations that came into effect in 1995.
  • It aims to promote fair trade in agricultural products by:
    • Reducing Trade Barriers: The AoA encourages member countries to reduce tariffs, quotas, and other restrictions on agricultural imports.
    • Domestic Support: It regulates the types and levels of subsidies that governments can provide to their domestic agricultural producers.
    • Market Access: The AoA promotes greater market access for agricultural exports by reducing import barriers.
• Agriculture Subsidy: As per WTO norms, agri subsidy should not exceed 10% of the value of agricultural production for developing countries. But developing nations receive certain protections.
  • However, under the Peace Clause of December 2013, WTO members agreed to refrain from challenging any breach in the prescribed ceiling by a developing nation at the dispute settlement forum of the WTO.
  • India’s subsidy on rice had exceeded the threshold on multiple occasions forcing it to invoke the ‘peace clause’ .

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss the impact of agricultural subsidies on global trade and food security, considering their role in promoting domestic agriculture versus their potential to distort markets and create trade imbalances.

Issue of Reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the issue of the 5% quota given to Muslims in Andhra Pradesh in 2004 has resurfaced, reigniting the debate regarding the religion-based reservation.

What is the Background of the Reservation for Muslims in Andhra Pradesh?

• About:
  • In Andhra Pradesh, where Muslims constitute about 9.5% of the population, certain Muslim groups are already included in the state OBC lists, with quotas ranging from 7% to 10%.
    • However, there has been a push to include all Muslims in the OBC category, following the models of Karnataka and Kerala.
• Reservation in 2004:
  • In June 2004, the government examined the socio-economic and educational status of Muslims in the state for inclusion in the OBC list, leading to a 5% reservation under Articles 15(4) and 16(4).
  • However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court struck down the quota for being implemented without being referred to the Backward Classes Commission and for not excluding the creamy layer.
    • Court held that the muslim community cannot be considered as a homogenous group.
    • One of the key questions before the court was whether Muslims, as a group, are entitled to affirmative action within the constitutional framework, which the court ruled affirmatively, stating that such reservations do not violate secularism.
• Reservation in 2005:
  • The Backward Classes Commission recommended providing reservations to the entire Muslim Community, stating that they are socially, educationally, and economically backward.
  • The state government again introduced an Ordinance granting a 5% quota to Muslims, which was subsequently replaced with legislation.
  • The High Court once again struck down the quota, stating that the Commission did not rely on objective criteria (M. Nagaraj v. Union Of India, 2006) to conclude that Muslims as a group were backward in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The ruling was challenged before the Supreme Court, which in 2010 directed to maintain the status quo till the issue was heard.
• Current Status:
  • The final hearing in the Supreme Court was scheduled for 2022. However, the SC decided to hear the case after the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota issue was decided.
  • The EWS quota was cleared in November 2022, but the AP quota issue is yet to be heard.
• Issues With Andhra Model of Reservation:
  • Considering muslims as homogenous group violates principle of equality in the Constitution's Basic Structure.
  • It also violates the constitutional prohibition on granting reservations based solely on religion (Articles 15(1) and 16(2)).
  • The High Court observed that Andhra Pradesh's reservation quota, already at 46% under Articles 15(4) and 16(4), breached the 50% limit with the addition of a 5% quota for Muslims, questioning the lack of compelling reasons for this breach.

What are the Arguments Related to Religion-based Reservation in India?

• Arguments in Favour of Religion-Based Reservations in India:
  • Socio-Economic Backwardness: According to the Sachar Committee Report, Muslims in India lag behind other communities in terms of socio-economic indicators such as education, employment, and income.
    • Reservations can help in bridging this gap.
  • Constitutional Mandate: The Indian Constitution provides for affirmative action for socially and educationally backward classes irrespective of the religious and cultural denomination.
  • Ensuring Adequate Representation: Reservations can ensure adequate representation of underrepresented religious groups in employment, education, and other fields.
• Arguments Against Religion-Based Reservations in India:
  • Secularism: Critics argue that providing reservations based on religion goes against the principle of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which advocates equal treatment of all religions by the state.
  • Undermining National Unity: Religion-based reservations could undermine national unity as it could lead to resentment and division among different communities.
  • Economic Criteria: Reservations should be based solely on economic criteria rather than religion, to ensure that benefits reach those who are truly economically disadvantaged, irrespective of their religion.
  • Administrative Challenges: Implementing reservations based on religion could pose administrative challenges, such as determining the criteria for identifying beneficiaries and preventing misuse of the system.

Way Forward:

• Socio-Economic Criteria: Instead of religion, reservations could be based on socio-economic criteria, ensuring that benefits reach the most disadvantaged individuals regardless of their religion.
• Empowerment Through Education: Focus on improving educational infrastructure and providing skill development programs to empower the backward communities and enhance their socio-economic status.
• Inclusive Policies: Implement inclusive policies that address the specific needs of the backward religious communities in areas such as education, employment, and healthcare, without resorting to religious-based reservations.
• Dialogue and Consensus: Engage in a dialogue involving all stakeholders to arrive at a consensus to address the socio-economic challenges faced by the various communities, ensuring that any measures taken are in line with constitutional values and principles.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Discuss the constitutional validity and socio-political implications of providing reservation based on religion in India. How does it impact the principles of secularism, equality, and social justice?

Massive Floods in Dubai

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, one of the heaviest rainfall was recorded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after a severe thunderstorm hit the country. The storm had initially hit Oman before it landed in the UAE.

• On the other hand, Mumbai, lying on the other side of the Arabian Sea, has been undergoing a humid heatwave for the past few days, having a high relative humidity of 55%.

What is the Climate of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Rain Pattern?

• About:
  • UAE lies in the arid regions of the world, so such heavy rainfalls are unusual there.
  • On average, Dubai experiences 94.7 mm of rain in a year. But this event was historic as it brought more than 142 mm of rainfall that had soaked Dubai over 24 hours.
• Possible Causes of Extreme Rain: The possible causes for such catastrophic event may be attributed to following reasons.
  • Climate Change:
    • Climate Change along with multiple factors associated with it like patterns of natural climate variability, such as El Niño and La Niña, has contributed to the extreme rain.
    • Global warming: It has led to higher temperatures causing evaporation of water not only from land but also oceans and other water bodies, causing a warmer atmosphere to hold more moisture.
      • For every 1 degree Celsius rise in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more moisture.
      • This makes storms more dangerous as it leads to an increase in precipitation intensity, duration and/or frequency of storm.
  • Cloud Seeding:
    • Cloud seeding is a process in which chemicals such as silver iodide crystals are implanted into clouds to increase rainfall in an environment where water scarcity is a concern.
    • UAE, located in one of the hottest and driest regions on earth, has been leading the effort to seed clouds and increase precipitation.
  • Thunderstorm:
    • Thunderstorms are generated by atmospheric imbalance and turbulence caused by a combination of several conditions, including unstable, warm air rising rapidly into the atmosphere; sufficient moisture to form clouds and rain; and upward lift of air currents caused by colliding weather fronts (cold and warm), sea breezes, or mountains.

What are Thunderstorms?

• About:
  • It is also known as an electrical storm or a lightning storm, is a storm in which lightning strikes and produces a tremendous audible effect in the Earth's atmosphere.
  • It often occurs in warm, humid environments and can bring about intense rainfall, hail, and powerful winds. These storms usually develop in the afternoon or evening and can persist for a few minutes to several hours.
• Formation: There are 3 stages in the formation of a thunderstorm.
  • Cumulus stage:
    • The ground is greatly heated due to solar insolation.
    • Due to the intense lifting of an air parcel, a low pressure begins to form (convention).
    • Air from the surrounding area rushes in to fill the void created by the low pressure.
    • A towering cumulonimbus cloud forms due to the intense convection of wet hot air.
  • Mature Stage:
    • Characterised by a strong updraft of rising warm air that causes clouds to develop larger and rise higher. Later, a downdraft sends chilly air and rain to Earth.
    • A powerful blast of wind signals the arrival of a thunderstorm. This wind is caused by a strong downdraft.
    • The route of the thunderstorm is determined by the updraft and downdraft. The course is erratic the majority of the time.
  • Dissipating Stage:
    • Hails form when clouds reach heights where temperatures are below freezing, and they fall as hailstorms. There is a lot of precipitation.
    • The storm subsides in a matter of minutes, and clear weather begins to prevail.

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss how Climate Change has accelerated the frequency and magnitude of Extreme Weather Events. Also, suggest the measures that need to be taken in order to enhance our preparedness to deal with these events.

Mpox Virus

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a study revealed a novel adaptation mechanism of the Mpox virus enhancing its ability to infect humans amidst recent outbreaks.

• The name was changed from "monkeypox" to "mpox" to avoid stigma towards monkeys and reflect the virus's direct human infectivity.

What is Mpox?

• About:
  • Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a DNA virus. It belongs to the family Poxviridae, which consists of large, double-stranded DNA viruses.
    • The virus was first identified in monkeys in 1958 but has since been found to infect humans as well.
  • Transmission: Mpox is primarily transmitted to humans from animals, particularly rodents and primates, through direct contact or through contaminated objects.
  • Symptoms: Mpox infection in humans typically presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that progresses from macules to papules to vesicles and pustules.
  • Vaccination: While a vaccine for mpox exists, its availability and effectiveness are limited, highlighting the need for improved prevention and control measures.
• Global Outbreaks: Mpox gained global attention during a widespread outbreak that affected over 100,000 people in more than 118 countries in 2022-2023.
  • The outbreak was characterised by high human-to-human transmission, particularly through close contact and the sexual route.
• WHO Declaration: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, leading to coordinated efforts to control its spread.
• Genomic Features:
  • Clades and Lineages: Mpox genomes are divided into clades I and II, with evidence suggesting clade I has higher mortality.
    • The 2022 outbreak involved a new lineage, clade IIb, better adapted for human-to-human transmission.
  • Genomic Analysis: Researchers found evidence of a distinct lineage of clade I associated with human-to-human transmission, suggesting a recent zoonotic spillover event.
  • Evolutionary Adaptations: Mpox viruses can undergo genomic accordion through gene duplication or deletion to adapt to different hosts and environments.
    • A study published in Nature Communications sequenced the genome of the mpox virus from the 2022 outbreak, revealing that certain sections strongly influence human-to-human transmission and are the virus's genomic accordions.

Difference Between Small Pox, Chicken Pox, Mpox

Feature	Smallpox	Monkeypox	Chickenpox
Virus	Variola virus	Monkeypox virus	Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
Severity	Highly severe, often fatal	Milder than smallpox, rarely fatal	Mild
Status	Eradicated in 1980	Endemic in Central and West Africa, cases emerging elsewhere	Common childhood illness, less common due to vaccination
Transmission	Highly contagious through respiratory droplets and contact with infected lesions	Spread through contact with infected animals, lesions, or bodily fluids	Highly contagious through respiratory droplets and contact with lesions
Symptoms	Fever, headache, severe fatigue, vomiting, followed by a deep-seated, pus-filled rash	Fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash that progresses through stages	Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, followed by an itchy, fluid-filled rash
Vaccination	No longer needed	Not routinely recommended, may be given to high-risk individuals	Routine vaccination for children and adults who haven't had chickenpox

Satellite Technology Day 2024

Source: ISRO

Why in News?

U R Rao Satellite Centre (formerly known as ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC)), Department of Space, in Bengaluru recently celebrated Satellite Technology Day (STD) 2024, marking the significant milestone of the 50^th anniversary of India's first satellite launch, Aryabhata, on 19^th April 1975.

• The event highlighted URSC's achievements along with recent missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and X-ray Polarimeter Satellite which garnered national and international recognition.

What are the Key Facts About Aryabhata Satellite?

• The Aryabhata spacecraft, named after the 5^th Century CE mathematician and astronomer, was India's first satellite. It was completely designed and fabricated in India and launched from Kapustin Yar, Russia on 19^th April 1975.
  • On that day, India became only the world’s 11th nation to send a satellite into orbit.
• Aryabhata was built by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to conduct experiments in X-ray astronomy, aeronomics, and solar physics.

Aryabhata Satellite
Payload	X-ray Astronomy Aeronomy and Solar Physics
Launch site	Volgograd Launch Station (presently in Russia)
Launch vehicle	C-1 Intercosmos

Ikshvaku Period Coins Found in Telangana

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, Telangana’s Department of Heritage discovered a hoard of 3,730 lead coins in an earthen pot at Phanigiri, a renowned Buddhist heritage site located 110 km away from Hyderabad.

What are the Findings of the Excavation?

• Recent Excavation:
  • A globular pot measuring 16.7 cm in diameter and 15 cm in height was unearthed at a depth of 40 cm from the ground level in the Southernmost monastic cell.
  • The pot's mouth was covered with a shallow pot on the outside and a broken bowl base on the inside and contained 3730 coins weighing an average of 2.3 grams each.
  • Archaeologists conclude that all coins, similar in appearance and made of lead, featuring an elephant symbol on the obverse and Ujjain symbol on the reverse, belong to the Ikshvaku period (3^rd-4^th century CE) based on strata graphical and typological studies.
  • Other Artefacts Found:
    • Many other valuable cultural antiquities and structural remains, including beads of stone and glass, shell bangle fragments, stucco motifs, broken limestone sculptures, toy cartwheels, iron nails, and pottery, were also unearthed during the excavation.
• Earlier Excavation:
  • Excavations at Phanigiri have been conducted on seven separate occasions in the past.
    
    • These excavations at Phanigiri brought to light a Mahastupa, apsidal Chaitya Grihas, Votive stupas, pillared congregation halls, Viharas, platforms with staircases at various levels, octagonal stupa chaitya.
    • A 24-pillared mandapa, a circular chaitya, and cultural materials including terracotta beads, semi-precious beads, iron objects, shell bangle pieces, coins, stucco figures, Brahmi label inscriptions, and a holy relic casket were also found.

• Significance of Phanigiri Village:
  • Phanigiri village lies on the left bank of the Bikkeru Rivulet, a tributary of the river Musi in Hyderabad.
  • It is one of the important Buddhist monasteries strategically located on the hilltop, on the ancient trade route (Dakshinapatha) connecting north to south.
  • Etymologically, the village Phanigiri has derived its name from the shape of a hillock located on the northern side of the village, which is like a snake hood.
    • In Sanskrit, Phani means snake and Giri means hillock.
  • This village was occupied by pre/proto-historic, early historic, early medieval, and Asaf Jahi period (1724-1948) inhabitants.
  • This village had a vibrant life from 1000 BCE to late 18th century CE.
  • This evolved Buddhist monastery surpasses the monasteries at Amaravathi and Vijayapuri (Nagarjunakonda) in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The early historic site at Phanigiri was first discovered and protected during the period of Nizam and was excavated from 1941 to 1944 by Sri Khaja Mahamad Ahmad.
• Other Buddhist Sites in the Region:
  • There are several Buddhist sites near Phanigiri, such as Vardhamanukota, Gajula Banda, Tirumalagiri, Nagaram, Singaram, Aravapalli, Ayyavaripalli, Arlagaddagudem and Yeleswaram.

What are the Key Facts About the Ikshvaku Period?

• About:

  • The Ikshvakus emerged in the Krishna-Guntur region following the decline of Satavahana power in the eastern part of the peninsula.

    • The Ikshvaku dynasty (300 CE- 400 CE), is named after the legendary King Ikshvaku.

  • Knowledge of the Ikshvakus comes primarily from inscriptions, coinage, and archaeological excavations.

  • Evidence suggests that the dynasty emerged in the Vijayapuri region (modern Bellary district, Karnataka) around the 3^rd century CE.

    • The Ikshvakus were succeeded by Pallavas.

• Expansion and Consolidation:
  • The Ikshvakus rose to prominence under King Kanha, who significantly expanded their territory.
  • Kanha's conquests encompassed parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra, establishing a formidable regional power.
• Cultural and Economic Contributions:
  • The dynasty actively patronised Buddhism, leading to the construction of magnificent stupas and monasteries, like those at Kanaganahalli and Sankaram.
  • Ikshvaku coins, featuring Buddhist symbols and regional deities, were widely circulated during this era.

India’s Biggest Climate Clock

Source: PIB

Recently, the Council of Scientific &Industrial Research (CSIR), installed and activated India’s biggest Climate Clock at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi as a part of the Earth Day Celebrations.

• The event signifies CSIR’s aim to spread awareness about climate change and to make people energy literate.
• It was launched in 2015 to provide a measuring stick against which viewers can track climate change mitigation progress.
• It is a graphic to demonstrate how quickly the planet is approaching 1.5°C of global warming, given current emissions trends. It also shows the amount of CO2 already emitted, and the global warming to date.
• The date shown when humanity reaches 1.5°C will move closer as emissions rise, and further away as emissions decrease.
  • As of 4^th April 2024, the current climate temperature is 1.295°C.

Read more...

National Panchayati Raj Day 2024

Source: PIB

The National Colloquium on "Governance at the Grassroots after Three Decades of the 73^rd Constitutional Amendment" was inaugurated in New Delhi to mark National Panchayati Raj Day 2024.

• The event will honour the best panchayats with awards for their efforts in improving the lives of rural households.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj in India observes 24^th April as National Panchayati Raj Day each year. The 73^rd Amendment Act of 1992 which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and improved local self-governance in India was enacted on this day.
• India's three-tiered (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad) administrative structure is known as the Panchayati Raj system, it aims to bring about improvement at the grassroots level in rural areas.
  • It is important for achieving inclusive growth and addressing issues like climate change and rural-to-urban migration

Read more: National Panchayati Raj Day

Next-Gen Sodium Batteries

Source: IND

Recently, scientists from South Korea have developed next-generation sodium batteries capable of charging in just a few seconds.

• These new hybrid sodium-ion batteries combine materials from traditional batteries with those used in supercapacitors.
  • These are both cheaper and safer than the conventional lithium-ion batteries found in smartphones and electric cars.
• Sodium (Na) is also 500 times more abundant than lithium, while holds the potential for greater charge and efficiency than its Li-ion batteries..
• Sodium-ion batteries haven't been widely adopted due to drawbacks like slow charging and low energy storage.
• This new battery offers:
  • Faster charging times than current lithium-ion batteries.
  • Higher energy density than commercial lithium-ion batteries (247 Wh/kg).
  • High power density (34,748 W/kg).
• Its potential applications include electric vehicles and consumer electronics.

Read more: sodium-ion batteries

Infrastructure investment trust (InvIT)

Source: TH

IndoSpace, a developer of industrial and logistics parks in India, aims to launch an infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) to raise USD 700-800 million.

• This will be the biggest InvIT in India's industrial and logistics sector. IndoSpace owns 52 industrial logistics parks in 11 cities of India.

Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvIT):

• InvITs are instruments that work like mutual funds. They are designed to pool small sums of money from a number of investors to invest in assets that give cash flow over a period of time. Part of this cash flow would be distributed as dividends back to investors.
• The minimum investment amount in an InvIT Initial Public Offering (IPO) is Rs 10 lakh, therefore, InvITs are suitable for high net-worth individuals, institutional and non-institutional investors.
  • Similar to stocks, InvITs raise capital through IPOs and are then tradable on stock exchanges. Examples of listed InvITs include the IRB InvIT Fund and India Grid Trust.
• InvITs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.

Read more: Infrastructure investment trust (InvIT), Securities and Exchange Board of India