Karnataka Ordered to Release Cauvery Water

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) has ordered Karnataka to release 9.19 tmcft of water for the month of June from the Biligundlu reservoir to the Mettur Dam in Tamil Nadu.

• The Central Government notified the Cauvery Water Management Scheme in June last year, inter alia, constituting the 'Cauvery Water Management Authority' and the 'Cauvery Water Regulation Committee' to give effect to the decision of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal as modified by the Supreme Court vide its order dated 16^th February, 2018.
  
  • The Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 had constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal vide notification dated the 2^nd June, 1990 to adjudicate upon the water dispute regarding the Inter-State river Cauvery and the river valley thereof among the States of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Union territory of Puducherry.
• The quantum of water to be released is in line with the Supreme Court’s order. While conferring authority to the CWMA to decide on releasing the Cauvery water, the Supreme Court said Karnataka’s share of the water was 284 tmcft, Tamil Nadu’s 404 tmcft, Kerala 30 tmcft and Puducherry 7 tmcft. Besides this, the court reserved 10 tmcft for environmental purposes and 4 tmcft for natural flow into the sea.
• Due to the poor monsoon and non-arrival of Cauvery water on time, the sluice gates of the Mettur Dam which are supposed to be opened on June 12 every year for the Kuruvai (Paddy) cultivation have not been opened since 2011. With the CWMA’s direction, the farmers of Tamil Nadu are looking at initiating Kuruvai cultivation.
• Also, several parts of Tamil Nadu are grappling with acute water shortage. The Centre had last week also issued a drought advisory to the state in the backdrop of depleting water levels in its reservoirs.

Anthropocene Epoch

Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) voted in favour of designating a new geological epoch i.e, the Anthropocene.

• The term 'Anthropocene' was coined in 2000 by Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen and Eugene Stoermer to denote the present geological time interval in which human activity has profoundly altered many conditions and processes on Earth.
• The word combines the root "anthro", meaning "human" with the root "cene", the standard suffix for "epoch" in geologic time.
• The Anthropocene is distinguished as a new period either after or within the Holocene, the current epoch, which began approximately 10,000 years ago (about 8000 BC) with the end of the last glacial period.

Anthropocene Epoch

• Anthropocene Epoch, unofficial interval of geologic time, making up the third worldwide division of the Quaternary Period (2.6 million years ago to the present), characterized as the time in which the collective activities of human beings (Homo sapiens) began to substantially alter Earth’s surface, atmosphere, oceans, and systems of nutrient cycling.
• A growing group of scientists argue that the Anthropocene Epoch should follow the Holocene Epoch (11,700 years ago to the present) and begin in the year 1950. The name Anthropocene is derived from Greek and means the “recent age of man.”
• International Union of Geologic Sciences (IUGS) voted to recommend the Anthropocene as a formal geologic epoch at the 35th International Geological Congress. In order for this interval to be made official, it first must be adopted by the IUGS and the International Commission on Stratigraphy.

Geologic Marker or Golden Spike

• It is technically called the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) that is used to define the lower boundary of a stage on the geologic time scale. Some of the geological markers used in declaring Anthropocene epoch are:
  
  • Artificial radionuclides: spread across the world by atomic bomb tests from the early 1950s would serve as the golden spike. The radionuclides are present almost everywhere from marine sediments to ice layers and even stalagmites and stalactites.
  • The rate of soil erosion: increased from intensive agriculture and the land-use conversion will leave a mark in rock strata.
  • Global warming: The rising air temperatures have caused glaciers and polar ice to melt and seawater to expand, both of which have contributed to a measurable rise in global sea level. Rising waters will change the stratigraphy in some places by submerging low-lying areas and allowing the ocean to deliver sediments farther inland than they do at present.
  • The decline in seawater PH: the depth at which carbonate minerals (e.g., limestone and chalk) form in the ocean will be shallower than it was during preindustrial times. Many preexisting carbonate formations will dissolve in response to increases in ocean acidity, leaving a signature of striking dark layers of carbonate-depleted rock.
  • The rapid extinction rate: is the most significant evidence of the Anthropocene in rock strata. Several ecologists have noted that the rate of species extinction occurring since the middle of the 20th century has been more than 1,000 times that of the preindustrial period, comparable to the pace of other mass extinctions occurring over the course of Earth’s history.
  • The ongoing conversion of forests: and other natural areas to agriculture and urban land and accelerated climate change resulting from alterations to the carbon cycle.
• As a result, it is expected that there will be stark differences in the fossils found in layers of rock deposited worldwide during preindustrial times and those that follow.

When Did The Anthropocene Begin?

• Although the scale of humanity’s influence over Earth is large in modern times, there is much debate in the scientific community surrounding when human activities began to dominate the planet’s natural systems.
  
  • Extinction of large Pleistocene mammals: is considered as the first signs occurred approximately 14,000 years ago. Though the incontrovertible proof linking humans to the demise of those mammals is lacking.
  • Rise of agriculture: Others note that the rise of agriculture between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago might mark the onset of the Anthropocene.however, this start time may be problematic since it roughly coincides with the beginning of the Holocene Epoch.
  • Dawn of the Industrial Revolution: a period of rapid change that brought about the advances in medicine, food production, and other technologies that fueled the recent growth in the world’s human population is also considered as the popular views among those who push for the formalization of the Anthropocene Epoch.
  • Anthropocene Working Group: In 2016, recommended that the year 1950 serve as the starting point of the interval. This recommendation was based upon the idea that by this point in Earth’s history, plutonium isotopes caused by nuclear weapons testing fallout would be concentrated enough to serve as an observable signal in rock strata.
• Once a formal proposal is made by the AWG, it will be considered by several more groups of the International Commission on Stratigraphy.
  
  • The final ratification will be made by the executive committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences.

Singapore is India’s Top FDI Source

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows from Singapore were twice that from Mauritius during the last financial year (1^st April, 2018 to 31^st March, 2019) as companies opted to route funds into the country via the southeast Asian city-state, instead of the island nation in the Indian Ocean, the most preferred route for overseas flow so far, after the tax treaty with both the countries was reworked.

• In 2018-19, inflows from Singapore are estimated at $16.2 billion, compared with $8.1 billion from Mauritius. This is only the third time that inflows from Singapore have topped those from Mauritius with investment advisers attributing the change to the revamped tax treaty that has led to parity in tax treatment. Also, Singapore offers other advantages on the ease of doing business front like zero tax on capital gains received from overseas sources.

Agreement Between India and Singapore

• The Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Singapore and India came into effect in 1994. The provisions of this agreement were modified by a protocol signed on June 29, 2005.
• Its second protocol was signed on June 24, 2011 coming into force on September 1, 2011. The agreement eliminates the double taxation of income between Singapore and India and reduces the overall tax burden of the residents of both countries.
• The third protocol amending the existing India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) came into force on 27th February 2017.
• The Third Protocol amends the DTAA with effect from 1^st April, 2017 to provide for source based taxation of capital gains arising on sale of shares in a company. This curbs revenue loss, prevents double non-taxation and streamline the flow of investments.
• It is expected that Indian and multinational companies will now no longer be able to misuse the agreement to avoid paying tax or to route illicit funds.

Slowdown in Coffee Production

According to Coffee board estimates, Uneven blossom showers will bring down this years coffee bean output to almost half of a normal year’s yield.

• This is for the second successive year after last years cyclone that domestic coffee planters are facing low yield of coffee crop.
• Coffee Board usually gives out two crop estimates in a year: one based on blossoms and the other, after the monsoons.

Fact

• As per Upasi’s statistics, India produced 3.16 lakh tonnes of coffee during 2017-18.
• Country’s exports were 3.92 lakh tonnes.
• Karnataka alone accounts for around 80% of the country’s total coffee production.
• India currently has over three lakh small and medium coffee farmers.

Coffee Cultivation in India

• India ranks 6^th among the world’s 80 coffee producing countries, with some of the finest robusta and some top-notch arabica cultivated.
• Nearly 70% of India’s coffee is exported, largely to European and Asian markets.
• Coffee in India is traditionally grown in the rainforests of the Western Ghats in South India, covering Chikmagalur, Kodagu (Coorg), Wayanad, the Shevaroy Hills and the Nilgiris.

Climatic Conditions

• Coffee plant requires hot and humid climate with temperatures ranging between 15°C and 28 °C and rainfall from 150 to 250 cm.
• Frost, snowfall, high temperature above 30°C and strong sun shine is not good for coffee crop and is generally grown under shady trees.
• Dry weather is necessary at the time of ripening of the berries.
• Stagnant water is harmful and the crop is grown on hill slopes at elevations from 600 to 1,600 metres above sea level.
• Well drained, loams containing good deal of humus and minerals like iron and calcium are ideal for coffee cultivation.

Women in Business and Management

The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently released its second global report, titled Women in Business and Management: The business case for change.

• This report has shared the findings of enterprise survey on women in business and management. Salient issues on gender diversity with the benefits and implications for enterprises.

Findings of the Report

• The average global labour force participation rate of women in 2018 stood at 48.5 % while that of men was 75 per cent. This equates to a 26.5 percentage point gender gap in labour force participation.
• Just for Asia and the Pacific, the average female labour force participation rate has declined from 52.9 in 1991 to 45.3 per cent in 2018, dropping by 7.6 percentage points.
• If the global gender gap in labour market participation is closed by 25 per cent by 2025, an additional $5.3 trillion would be added to GDP globally.
• The enterprises with gender-inclusive cultures are over 60 per cent more likely to have improved profits and productivity.

Some key messages derived from the report are:

• A changing world is changing the economic and business environment, technologies. With the calls for sustainable development, the composition of global and national labour markets is also changing.
  
  • Gender stereotypes: are being challenged in many societies, with women and men taking on a more diverse range of jobs in all sectors and at all levels.
• Occupational segregation: is broken down in few countries and it represents a departure from the traditional expectations of employers and society.
  
  • Women are increasingly employed in traditionally male-dominated areas, for example, airline pilots, engineers and information technology specialists.
  • More women are managers even though they tend to be concentrated in management support functions such as human resources and administration.
  • Women have moved into professional, managerial and entrepreneurial roles in significant numbers.
• Women’s talent and skills: are recognised and they surpassing men in country after country in their level of education.
  
  • Women's possesses some of the essential human centred skills such as relational skills, communication skills, empathy and emotional intelligence.
• Undervaluing of women’s work: Numerous studies are contributing to a growing awareness that the undervaluing of women’s work and skills leads to a loss of resources for the economy.
  
  • It is strongly reflecting the positive relationship between greater gender diversity and profit margins, as well as a wider range of business outcomes.

Potential Outcome

• Gender balance: at all levels of an organization, especially at the top decision-making level, leads to improved business outcomes.
  
  • More women in the workplace can directly boost profitability, but increasing the representation of women can also contribute to the bottom line indirectly by enhancing the image and reputation of the enterprise.
  • It also boosts other aspects of business such as employee loyalty and commitment.
  • Women’s increased labour force participation contributes to higher levels of GDP.

Way Forward

• Many enterprises still need to recognize and seek out the benefits of a gender-balanced workforce at all levels, including decision-making and board membership.
• There is no "one size fits all". Employer play a key role in guiding their member companies to the right tools and advocating the message that gender diversity. It is good for business development and sustainability.
  
  • This is all the more urgent, in view of the anticipated disruption, change and complexity of labour markets associated with the future of work.
• To a large extent, the gender pay gap is related to the segmentation of the labour market along gender lines and how women’s and men’s jobs are perceived and valued.
  
  • Governments and private institutions can work together to remove traditional barriers for women.
• Reaping the gender diversity dividend: There are many ways enterprises can begin to leverage the benefits of gender diversity.
  
  • Introducing a set of strategic gender initiatives and practices in an enterprise can go a long way in effecting positive change.
  • Reviewing procedures for merit-based recruitment and promotion and controlling for gender bias is one of the most effective ways of ensuring that men and women are placed on an equal footing in their career paths.
• The goal of working towards a gender diverse and inclusive business needs to be a strategic one for the entire company and not limited to human resources management alone.

Important Facts For Prelims (29th May 2019)

Kerala to impose Flood Cess

Kerala government will impose an additional cess of 1% on goods and services with GST slab above 5% from June 1.

• Flood cess is aimed at raising the funds to rebuild the state, which was struck by devastating floods in August 2018.
• The funds raised will be added to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund and to re-routed loan amounts from international financial agencies like World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) for financing Rebuild Kerala projects.
• Will be imposed for 2 years starting from 1 June.
• Cess is applicable only on those goods and services with a GST slab above 5%.
• Will not be applicable on railway services, movie tickets.
• Kerala is the first state to impose additional cess on GST after it was implemented.
• In order to minimise the burden of Cess, there will be no additional tax on products sold by small traders, with an annual turnover of less than Rs 1.5 crore.
• The cess will be applicable only on transactions within Kerala and not interstate transactions.
• The government has also decided to levy 0.25% as flood cess on gold and silver.

About Cess:

• CESS is tax on tax and usually levied for the specific purposes.
• Once its purpose is solved they are stopped. Unlike the other taxes that have to be shared with other Indian states, the centre keeps the entire amount raised from the Cess.
• Cess fund is to be kept in the Consolidated Fund of India, before being transferred to the dedicated accounts.
• Types of Cess are:
  
  • As of now some cess are being subsumed under the GST with effect from 1 July 2017, like Krishi Kalyan Cess, Swachh Bharat Cess,Clean energy cess, Cess on Tea, sugar and jute etc.
• Currently there are 6 cess continued to be levied by the centre government namely, Primary Education Cess, Secondary Education Cess, Cess on Crude Petroleum Oil Road Cess NCCD on tobacco and tobacco products,Education cess on imported goods.

Social and Labor Convergence Programme

The 'Social and Labor Convergence Programme (SLCP)', an initiative to have a standard-neutral, converged assessment framework for the textile and clothing industry.

• It is a mission to implement a Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) that supports stakeholder’s efforts to improve working conditions in global supply chains.
• The CAF consists of a Data Collection Tool, a Verification Protocol and a Verifier Guidance document.
• It is compatible with existing audit systems and codes of conduct. The same data set can be used by a wide range of stakeholders. It eliminates the need for repetitive audits to be carried out on the same facility.

Objectives

• Reduce audit fatigue: avoid duplication and reduce the number of social & labour audits by replacing current proprietary assessment tools
• Increase the opportunity for greater comparability of social & labour data
• Redeploy resources towards improvement actions
• To improve the working conditions in textile units by allowing resources that were previously designated for compliance audits to be redirected towards the improvement of social and labour conditions.
• Build mutual trust and respect, measure and understand working conditions and improve those conditions over time.

Veer Savarkar Jayanti

On 28 May, The Birth Anniversary of Veer Savarkar, PM of India paid Tribute to the Freedom fighter,Veer Damodar Savarkar.

About Veer Savarkar:

• VD Savarkar or Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883 in Bhagur, a village near Nashik in Maharashtra.
  • Savarkar was associated with the India House and founded student societies like Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society.
• He was sentenced to 50 years and was sent to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1911. He was released in 1921.
• Savarkar was arrested in 1910 for his connections with revolutionary group India House.
• Veer Savarkar was a freedom fighter, politician, lawyer, writer, social reformer and formulator of the Hindutva philosophy.
• In 1923, he founded the word "Hindutva" and said that India belonged to only those who had it as their holy land and their fatherland.
• Veer Savarkar founded the two-nation theory in his book Hindutva calling Hindus and Muslims two separate nations and In 1937, Hindu Mahasabha passed it as a resolution.
• The airport at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar's capital was renamed Veer Savarkar International Airport in 2002.

Surface Ozone Pollution

According to a forecast by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), with rising temperatures, surface ozone pollution is expected to increase in Delhi in the next three days.

• Ozone, a key component of photochemical smog, is formed by a complex reaction between nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons in the presence of sunlight.
  
  • Photochemical smog is produced when pollutants from the combustion of fossil fuels react with sunlight. The energy in the sunlight converts the pollutants into other toxic chemicals. In order for photochemical smog to form, there must be other pollutants in the air, specifically nitrous oxides and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Ozone is considered to be a criteria pollutant in the troposphere — the lowermost layer of the atmosphere — but not in the upper atmosphere, where it occurs naturally and serves to block harmful ultraviolet rays from the Sun.
• When temperature increases, the rate of production of surface ozone also increases. Surface Ozone can lead to cough, shortness of breath, throat pain in the short term and cause corrosion of linings of lungs and make lungs vulnerable to further infections in case of long-term exposure.