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Climate Change and Indian Dairy Sector

Source: DTE

Why in News?

In 2022, a study published in ‘Lancet’ estimated that increasing temperatures could reduce milk production in India’s arid and semi-arid regions by 25% by end century in 2085.

• This estimation for arid and semi-areas is the second highest in India, after Pakistan (at 28.7%). In humid and sub-humid areas, this reduction was estimated at 10%.

What is the Impact of Heat Stress on Cattles?

• Elevated temperatures affect the cow’s ability to display natural mating behaviour, as it reduces both the duration and intensity of oestrus (female animal's readiness to mate) expression.
  • The decrease in conception rates during summer seasons can range between 20 and 30%, as per the study.
• Lancet Study also shows that lactating dairy cows have an increased sensitivity to heat stress compared with nonlactating (dry) cows.
  • Moreover, because of the positive relationship between milk yield and heat production, higher yielding cows are more challenged by heat stress than lower yielding animals.
• The country’s milk production has been steadily increasing. However, the impact of rising temperatures, especially on cross-bred cows will make the task of meeting domestic demand difficult and could eventually lead to a decline in per capita consumption.
• The dairy sector is likely to be affected both directly and indirectly by climate change.
  • Direct Impact:
    • Stress to animals caused by changes in temperature-humidity index would directly affect milk production.
  • Indirect Impact:
    • Indirect effects include feed and water availability being impacted by adverse climate events.

What are the Issues Being Faced by Dairy Farmers?

• Issues Faced :
  • Farmers allege that the government, instead of addressing the core issues, has introduced policies that further threaten to bring down milk productivity of the country.
  • One such policy is sex-sorted semen production,which aims to produce only female calves up to “90% accuracy”. This has been done to enhance milk production and limit stray cattle population.
  • Over the next five years, 5.1 million pregnancies will be established under the programme that offers a subsidy of Rs 750 or 50% of the cost of sex-sorted semen on assured pregnancy.
    • This policy has the repercussions of overlooking and eliminating male cattle slowly.
• Growth in Female Cattle Population:
  • In artificial insemination and natural service, 50% of the calves are male and 50% are female calves. Under this policy, female cattle are going to grow.
  • The government has ignored that male cattle can be used in farming as an energy source.
  • There is also the issue of utility of female animals after they become unproductive, because it has become difficult to sell cows due to the anti-slaughter rules across many States.

Way Forward

• Encourage research and innovation in cattle breeding and management practices to mitigate the impact of climate change.
• Promote sustainable farming practices and the use of renewable energy sources for dairy operations.
• Advocate for policies that consider the welfare of both male and female cattle.
• Explore options for the responsible management of unproductive female cattle.
• As climate change is a challenge that impacts all of us, our dairy sector must not only evolve adaptation strategies but also help in mitigation by contributing to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector.

SC Calls for Stronger Discipline Mechanism for TV News Channels

Source: HT

Why in News?

The Supreme Court (SC) of India has expressed its concern over the lack of discipline and accountability among TV news channels and has called for stronger self-regulation.

• The SC has asked the two representative bodies of TV news channels, the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) and the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF), to suggest ways to strengthen the mechanism for dealing with errant channels.
• This issue started with NBDA's petition against the Bombay High Court's decision not to give legal recognition to the self-regulatory mechanism used by news channel associations.

What are the Problems with the Current Self-Regulation Mechanism of TV News Channels?

• Balancing Freedom of Speech and Accountability:
  • The Supreme Court acknowledges the importance of protecting the right to free speech and expression, as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
    • Striking a balance between this fundamental right and ensuring accountability and discipline among news channels poses a challenge.
• Ineffectiveness of Current Self-Regulation:
  • The current self-regulation mechanism of TV news channels is based on the guidelines issued by the NBDA and the NBF, which are voluntary associations of the broadcasters.
  • The NBDA has a regulatory overseer called the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), headed by a former Supreme Court judge, which can impose a penalty of ₹ 1 lakh on violations.
    • The fines imposed by self-regulatory bodies may not be seen as a sufficient penalty for channels engaging in unethical or sensationalized reporting. Channels may be willing to pay these fines as a cost of doing business, rather than changing their practices.
  • The NBF, which claims to represent half of the news broadcasters, has not framed any regulation so far and is not registered with the government.
  • The court says the current system doesn't stop TV channels from breaking rules effectively.
    • The court observed that news channels sometimes become overly excited and sensationalize sensitive topics like criminal cases before the investigation is complete.
• Registration and Recognition:
  • The government's Cable Television Networks (CTN) Amendment Rules in 2021 require registration of self-regulatory bodies.
    • NBSA has refused to register while the self-regulatory body of NBF, called the Professional News Broadcasters Standards Authority (PNBSA), is registered and it is the only statutorily recognised self-regulatory body for news channels.
• Monopolistic Concerns:
  • There are concerns that self-regulatory bodies, such as the NBDA, could be perceived as trying to create monopolistic control over the complaints redressal mechanism of news broadcasters, bypassing government or statutory oversight.

What are the Implications of the Case?

• The case will have a direct impact on the TV news channels, which are facing various allegations and complaints of violating the norms and ethics of journalism, such as spreading misinformation, sensationalism, hate speech, and defamation.
  • Depending on the outcome of the case, they may face stricter regulations and penalties, or continue to enjoy their immunity and autonomy.
• The case will have an indirect impact on the functioning and integrity of the media and the democracy, as well as the rights and interests of the public. Depending on the outcome of the case, it may strengthen or weaken the accountability and transparency of the media and may encourage or discourage the practice of responsible and ethical journalism.

National Education Policy 2020 in Higher Education

Source: TH

Why in News?

In a special session of Parliament, the Parliament Standing Committee on Education, presented a comprehensive report on the "Implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Higher Education."

• The report examined the progress and challenges in implementing this significant policy shift in India's higher education sector.

What are the Major Highlights of the Report?

• Diversity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs):
  • The report emphasized that a significant portion of India's higher education system operates under State Acts, with 70% of universities falling under this category.
  • Furthermore, 94% of students are enrolled in State or private institutions, leaving just 6% in Central higher educational institutions.
    • This underscores the critical role played by States in providing higher education
• Key Issues Discussed:
  • Disciplinary Rigidity: The panel raised concerns about the rigid separation of disciplines, which can hinder interdisciplinary learning and innovation.
  • Limited Access in Disadvantaged Areas: Access to higher education in socio-economically disadvantaged regions remains limited, impeding the equitable distribution of educational opportunities.
  • Language Barriers: There's a dearth of higher education institutes (HEIs) that offer instruction in local languages, potentially excluding a substantial section of the population.
  • Faculty Shortage: A scarcity of qualified faculty members is plaguing the higher education sector, adversely impacting the quality of education.
  • Lack of Institutional Autonomy: Many institutions face a lack of autonomy, hindering their ability to adapt and innovate.
  • Research Emphasis: The panel noted a diminished emphasis on research within the current higher education system.
  • Ineffective Regulatory System: The regulatory framework governing higher education was deemed ineffective, requiring comprehensive reform.
  • Concern Related to Multiple Entry Multiple Exit Programme: The panel expressed concerns that implementing the MEME system in Indian institutions, while flexible in theory, may not align effectively due to unpredictability in student entry and exits. This unpredictability could disrupt the pupil-teacher ratio.
• Recommendations:
  • Equitable Funding: Both the Union and State Governments should allocate sufficient funds to support Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) in higher education.
    • Clear targets for the Gross Enrolment Ratio should be set for SEDGs to ensure increased access to higher education.
  • Gender Balance: Efforts should be made to enhance gender balance in admissions to HEIs.
  • Inclusive Admissions and Curriculum: Admission processes and curriculum should be made more inclusive to cater to diverse learner needs.
  • Regional Language Courses: Development of more degree courses taught in regional languages and bilingually should be encouraged.
  • Accessibility for Physically Challenged: Specific infrastructural steps should be taken to make higher education institutions more accessible to physically challenged students.
  • Anti-discrimination Measures: Strict enforcement of no-discrimination and anti-harassment rules was recommended to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.
  • HEFA Diversification: The Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) should diversify its funding sources beyond government allocations.
    • Exploration of partnerships with private sector organizations, philanthropic foundations, and international financial institutions for funding should be pursued.

Study on Joshimath Sinking

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, separate studies were conducted by eight premier institutions of India including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to know the cause of land subsidence in Joshimath town of Uttarakhand and provided independent reasons for the sinking of the Himalayan town.

What are the Reports by Institutions about Joshimath Sinking?

• Central Building Research Institute (CBRI):
  • In its report, the CBRI stated that Joshimath town has 44%, 42%, 14% of masonry, RCC and other (traditional, hybrid) construction typologies, respectively, among which 99% are non-engineered.
    • These structures are not in compliance with the National Building Code of India, 2016.
  • Other Findings:
    • Joshimath town is situated on Vaikrita groups of rocks (made up of coarse mica-garnet-kyanite and sillimanite-bearing psammitic metamorphics) overlain by morainic deposits which are composed of irregular boulders and clay of varying thicknesses.
    • Such deposits are less cohesive and susceptible to slow subsidence and landslide subsidence.
• National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) Report:
  • It mapped various springs, drainage networks and areas of subsidence inferring that land subsidence and subsurface water in Joshimath might have some connections.
  • The institution recommended the safe disposal of the water coming from the upper reaches and waste disposal as the top priority.
• Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) Report:
  • Institution mentioned earthquakes as a reason for slow and gradual land subsidence.
  • The main reason for the subsidence appears to be internal erosion caused by the subsurface drainage, which may be due to infiltration of rainwater/melting of ice/wastewater discharge from households and hotels.
• ISRO’s stand:
  • The subsidence in the Joshimath region may be due to the toe-cutting phenomenon.
  • Also due to slope instability as a result of seepage of local drainage water in the soil.
  • Terrain and edaphic characteristics are also responsible for subsidence.
  • Loose and unconsolidated moraine materials of the slope (due to old landslides) and flash flood events in and around the area in the recent past, also contributed to land sinking.

What can be done to save Joshimath?

• Experts recommend a complete shutdown of development and hydroelectric projects in the region. But the urgent need is to relocate the residents to a safer place and then reimagine the town's planning to accommodate the new variables and the changing geographical factors.
• Drainage planning is one of the biggest factors that needs to be studied and redeveloped. The city is suffering from poor drainage and sewer management as more and more waste is seeping into the soil, loosening it from within. The irrigation department has been asked by the state government to look into the issue and create a new plan for the drainage system.
• Experts have also suggested replantation in the region, especially at the vulnerable sites to retain soil capacity. There is a need for a coordinated effort between the government and civil bodies with the aid of military organizations like the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to save Joshimath.
• While the state already has weather forecasting technology that can warn people of local events, its coverage needs to be improved.
• The state government also needs to take scientific studies more seriously, which clearly spells out the reasons for the current crisis.

What is Landslide?

• A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth down a slope.
• They are a type of mass wasting, which denotes any downward movement of soil and rock under the direct influence of gravity.
• The term landslide encompasses five modes of slope movement: falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows.

Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), initially notified until 30^th September 2023, has been extended until 30^th June 2024, with the same rates applicable to existing export items.

What is the RoDTEP Scheme?

• About:
  • The Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) has emerged as a critical tool in supporting India's exporters.
  • It became operational on 1st January 2021 replacing the existing export incentive scheme, Merchandise Exports from India (MEIS).
    • This change was prompted by a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that determined the MEIS scheme's violation of WTO regulations due to its provision of export subsidies for a broad spectrum of goods.
  • The rebate under the scheme is allowed, based on the allowed percentage of FOB (Freight On Board) value of exports and issued in the form of a transferable duty credit/electronic scrip (e-scrip), the details of which are maintained in a digital ledger by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
  • The RoDTEP Committee operates within the Department of Revenue.
    • Its primary responsibility is to review and recommend ceiling rates for different export sectors under the RoDTEP Scheme.
• Objective:
  • Its primary objective is to provide comprehensive support to exporters by remitting duties and taxes incurred during the production and distribution of exported products.
    • Importantly, RoDTEP covers taxes, duties, and levies at the central, state, and local levels, which are not refunded through any other existing mechanisms.
• Financial Allocation:
  • In the financial year 2023-24, the Indian Government has allocated a substantial budget of Rs. 15,070 crores to support the RoDTEP Scheme.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • The Committee recently initiated its activities by engaging with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Chambers of Commerce.

Vibrio Vulnificus Infection

Source: DTE

Why in News?

In recent years, India has been grappling with a growing concern related to Vibrio vulnificus infections, a deadly bacteria found in marine environments.

• Despite its potential threat, this pathogen remains largely underreported in India.

What is Vibrio Vulnificus?

• About:
  • Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that can cause severe infections in humans. It can result from eating undercooked seafood, especially oysters, which may contain the bacteria.
• Carriers:
  • It is typically contracted through two main routes: consuming infected raw shellfish and exposing wounds to contaminated waters.
    • It spreads through marine organisms like fish like eel, derbio, tilapia, trout, and shrimp.
    • The first case in marine organisms was documented in Japanese eel in 1975. The first case of V vulnificus in humans was recorded in 1976 in the US.
      • The pathogen arrived in Spain through imported eels in 1985.
    • In 2018, India documented an outbreak of V vulnificus in a tilapia farm in Kerala.
      • Originally from Africa and West Asia, tilapia is one of the most traded food fish globally.
• Symptoms:
  • Symptoms of V. vulnificus infection include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and, in severe cases, flesh-eating diseases that can be fatal within days.
• Environmental Factors Favoring V. vulnificus in India:
  • This bacterium thrives in warm waters above 20°C. India's average sea surface temperature of 28°C provides a perfect habitat.
    • Climate change, with increased rainfall and reduced coastal salinity, further supports the growth of V. vulnificus.
• Consequences:
  • V. vulnificus infections have a high mortality rate, ranging from 15% to 50%, even with prompt diagnosis and treatment.
  • Vulnerable populations, such as those with chronic liver disease, cancer, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes, are at increased risk.
  • Infections can lead to limb amputations ( surgical removal of part of the body, such as an arm or leg), making them a significant health concern.
• The Global Spread: 
• Measures to Mitigate V. vulnificus Risk:
  • Healthcare Awareness: Ensure that healthcare professionals in coastal areas are aware of V. vulnificus risks and test patients with relevant symptoms.
  • Predictive Tools: Researchers are developing risk-warning tools using satellite-based sensors to monitor sea surface temperature and phytoplankton levels, which are associated with increased V. vulnificus infections.
  • Learning from Seasonal Consumption in Japan: In Japan, bivalves like oysters and mussels are consumed only in winter, avoiding the summer when bacteria levels are high. This practice significantly reduces infection risk.

Rapid Fire Current Affairs

Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferred on Waheeda Rehman

• Renowned Indian veteran actor Waheeda Rehman, celebrated for her legendary roles in Indian cinema classics, has been bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021.
• The award will be presented during the 69^th National Film Awards ceremony.
  • The Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award is India's highest recognition in cinema. The award is presented annually at the National Films Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals.
  • The award is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, an Indian filmmaker who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
• She also received accolades such as the National Award for Best Female Actor, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan for her unwavering dedication, commitment, and professional excellence.

Read more: Dadasaheb Phalke Award

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DNA Nanoball Strategy

• In a remarkable scientific development, the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) nanoball strategy has emerged as a groundbreaking, cost-effective technology for the rapid detection of pathogens in the field.
  • Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease in their host. They can be viruses, bacteria, protozoans, or fungi.
• The DNA nanoball strategy combines nucleic acids-based diagnostics and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology for rapid pathogen detection.
  • LAMP is a process that amplifies circular DNA molecules into long strands that contain multiple copies of DNA. These strands then fold into spherical structures called DNA nanoballs, which can be easily observed by a microscope or an electrical device.
• The design does not need laboratory techniques to support diagnosis. It is a low-cost technology that can be widely deployed and scalable.

Read more: Chitra GeneLAMP-N for Covid-19 Test

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India's Digital Public Infrastructure: A Global Model

Union Minister of Electronics & IT, participated in the "South-South Knowledge Sharing Series" organized by the World Bank, focusing on India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its potential as a model for African nations, particularly in light of the African Union's recent inclusion in the G20 during India's presidency.

• India's commitment to promoting technology for global empowerment aligns with its goal of making the internet an enabler of transformation, resilience, safety, and trust, establishing India as a global case study in the profound impact of technology on people's lives.

Read more: Digital Public Infrastructure

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Government Grants Over Rs. 256 Crore in Relief to MSMEs Amid Pandemic

The Indian government has provided significant relief to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by accepting more than 10,000 claims under the Vivad se Vishwas - I scheme, aimed at supporting these businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

• The Vivad se Vishwas I – Relief for MSMEs scheme was introduced by the Union Finance Minister during the 2023-24 Budget Speech and was launched through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
• It allowed MSMEs to submit claims for relief, including the refund of 95% of deducted performance security, bid security, and liquidated damages, as well as assistance for MSMEs facing debarment due to contract execution defaults.

Read more: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises