Daily Prelims Notes 1 September 2023

September 1, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

1 September 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Taiwan and Malaysia reject China’s latest South China Sea map

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Context: China released the 2023 edition of its so-called “standard map” incorporating disputed areas and including its claims over Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region along with South China Sea.

More about the news:

China released the 2023 edition of its standard map based on the drawing method of national boundaries of China and various countries in the world.
The map showed Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as South Tibet, and Aksai Chin occupied by it in the 1962 war.
The map also incorporated Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory though the island sees itself as a sovereign nation, and the nine-dash line, claiming a large part of the South China Sea.
China’s U-shaped line loops as far as 1,500 km south of its Hainan island and cuts into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.

What is Exclusive Economic Zone:

Under the Law of the Sea Convention, all states have a right to 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to exploit the resources of the sea and seabed, as measured from their land territories. Where these zones overlap, countries are obliged to negotiate with other claimants.

More about the South China Sea.

The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.
The South China Sea is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.
Bordering states & territories (clockwise from north): the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.
The Gulf of Thailand and the Gulf of Tonkin are also part of the South China Sea.
Contesting Claims Over Islands:
- The Paracel Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.
- The Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Philippines.
- The Scarborough Shoal is claimed by the Philippines, China and Taiwan.

2. Special Session of Parliament from Sept. 18 to 22

Subject: Polity

Section: Parliament

Context: Govt calls special session of Parliament from Sept. 18 to 22

More about the news:

The government said a special session of Parliament was being convened from September 18 to September 22.
No reason for calling the session was given which would have five sittings.
This special session of Parliament will also set the tone for the forthcoming P20 summit – a meeting of Parliamentary Speakers of G20 countries – which is to be held in New Delhi in October.

More about Parliament Sessions:

The summoning of Parliament is specified in Article 85 of the Constitution
The power to convene a session of Parliament rests with the government.
The decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.
The committee comprises ministers, including those for Defence, Home, Finance, and Law.
The decision of the Committee is formalised by the President, in whose name MPs are summoned to meet for a session.
India does not have a fixed parliamentary calendar. By convention, Parliament meets for three sessions in a year.
Budget Session: Thelongest, the Budget Session, starts towards the end of January and concludes by the end of April or the first week of May. The session has a recess so that Parliamentary Committees can discuss the budgetary proposals.
Monsoon Session: The second session is the three-week Monsoon Session, which usually begins in July and finishes in August.
Winter Session: The parliamentary year ends with a three-week-long Winter Session, which is held from November to December.

3. Decoding the OCCRP’s Adani report

Subject: Economy

Section: Capital market

Introduction:

In March 2023, the Supreme Court of India ordered investigations into the Adani-Hindenburg matter.
The investigations were directed at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and an Expert Committee to examine potential violations of securities regulations.
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) has done an independent investigation into the case.

Rule 19A and its Significance:

Rule 19A of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules 1957 is a crucial regulation inserted through an amendment in 2010 under the “Continuous Listing Requirement.“
The rule mandates that every company listed in the Indian stock market must maintain a minimum of 25 percent public shareholding.
In this context, “public” is defined within the rule, encompassing individuals other than “the promoter and promoter group”.
- The “promoter group” includes the spouse of the person, parents, siblings, children, subsidiaries, or associates of the company.
It plays a vital role in ensuring that a sufficient number of shares of a listed company are available for trading in the stock market.
This facilitates price discovery.
Violations of Rule 19A may suggest potential issues like stock price manipulation and insider trading, which can undermine the integrity of the equity market.

Latest Revelations by OCCRP:

OCCRP uncovered investments in Adani companies by two Mauritius-based funds, EIFF and EMRF, between 2013 and 2018.
Key foreign investors were Nasser Ali Shaban Ahli and Chang Chung-Ling.
Funds were channeled through the Global Opportunities Fund (GOF), revealing significant investments.
UAE-based firm Excel Investment and Advisory Services, owned by Vinod Adani, received substantial advisory fees from these funds.
There’s prima facie evidence suggesting these entities served as fronts for Vinod Adani’s massive investments in Adani group stocks, potentially breaching securities regulations.

SEBI and DRI Probe:

OCCRP reveals correspondence between the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and SEBI in 2014 regarding Adani group’s stock market dealings.
SEBI’s former chairperson’s connection to the Adani group adds complexity to the situation.
SEBI claims to have conducted numerous investigations into Adani-Hindenburg matters but faces challenges in identifying “economic interest shareholders” in suspected overseas entities.

Key Organizations and Terms:

OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project):

An international non-profit organization of investigative journalists.
Specializes in exposing corruption, money laundering, and organized crime.
Collaborates with news outlets worldwide to publish in-depth investigative reports.

SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India):

India’s regulatory authority for securities and commodity markets was established under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
Regulates and supervises market activities to protect investors and ensure market integrity.
Enforces securities laws and issues guidelines for market participants.
Promotes transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the Indian financial markets.

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI):

A government agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
Responsible for investigating customs, excise, and tax-related offenses.
Focuses on curbing smuggling, tax evasion, and illegal financial activities.
Works to ensure compliance with customs and taxation laws.

SCRR 1957 (Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules 1957):

A comprehensive rulebook governing securities transactions in India under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.
Contains provisions related to trading, listing, and regulation of securities.
Provides the legal framework for the functioning of the Indian securities market.

Continuous Listing Requirement:

A regulatory framework that stipulates ongoing obligations for listed companies under the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirement (LODR) Regulations.
Includes rules related to corporate governance, financial reporting, and disclosures.
Aims to maintain market integrity and protect investor interests.
Requires companies to meet specific criteria to remain listed on stock exchanges.

Tax Haven-Based Shell Companies:

Entities registered in jurisdictions with low taxes and strict financial secrecy laws, often subject to international agreements and conventions against tax evasion.
Often used for legitimate tax planning but can also be exploited for illegal financial activities.
May facilitate tax evasion,money laundering, and concealment of beneficial ownership, subject to international anti-money laundering standards.

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs):

Foreign entities, including institutional investors and individuals, invest in the securities markets of another country.
Often subject to regulations and reporting requirements by the host country’s regulatory body, e.g., SEBI in India.

Economic Interest Shareholder:

A term referring to a shareholder or entity that holds an economic or financial interest in a company, often distinct from legal ownership.
May have a stake in the company’s profits, losses, or financial performance without necessarily holding the formal legal title to shares.

Ultimate Beneficiary Ownership:

A concept related to identifying and verifying the actual individuals or entities that ultimately benefit from or control an asset or entity, particularly in cases of complex ownership structures.
Often a focus of anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations to prevent hidden ownership and illicit financial activities.

Round Tripping

Money leaves the country through various channels such as inflated invoices, payments to shell companies overseas, the hawala route and so on. After cooling its heels overseas for a while, this money returns in a freshly laundered form; thus completing a round-trip.
How does the money return to India? It could be invested in offshore funds that in turn invest in Indian assets. The Global Depository Receipts (GDR) and Participatory Notes (P-Notes) are some of the other routes that have been used in the past.

4. Finding proof for the axiom that nutrition aids recovery

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Importance of Nutrition

Proper nutrition is essential for all biochemical processes.
It plays a fundamental role in the body’s ability to recover and heal during medical treatments.
Medical professionals increasingly emphasize the integration of nutrition with medicine.

The RATIONS Trial: Exploring Nutrition’s Impact on Tuberculosis Patients

Conducted by Anurag Bhargava and his team, the trial focuses on nutrition’s impact on tuberculosis patients and their families.
Intervention and Control Groups
- The intervention group received a 6.5 kg food basket and micronutrients.
- The control group continued with their usual PDS-based diet.
- Patients received a 10 kg/month food basket but were not randomized due to ethical reasons.

Key Findings:

High prevalence of undernutrition among both household members and patients.
Early weight gain (5% of body weight in the first 2 months) was associated with a 60% reduction in the risk of death.
After treatment, 75% of patients were able to return to work.

Nutrition’s Crucial Role in HIV/AIDS Recovery

HIV infection and poor nutritional status are closely linked.
Malnutrition impairs immune function and worsens the effects of HIV infection.
In response to these challenges, organizations like the World Food Programme initiated programs to address the lack of access to nutrition for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART).

Organizations involved:

The RATIONS trial was sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and led by researchers at Yenepoya Medical College, with other investigators from the National Institute of Research on Tuberculosis – Chennai.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

Established in 1911.
Apex body for biomedical research in India.
Supports and sponsors medical research initiatives.

World Food Programme:

Established in 1961.
United Nations‘ food assistance branch.
Addresses global hunger and food security.
Provides food aid and nutrition support, especially during emergencies.

National Institute of Research on Tuberculosis – Chennai:

Established in 1956.
Specializes in TB and respiratory disease research.
Conducts studies, clinical trials, and research projects related to TB and related health issues.

Tuberculosis (TB):

TB is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body.
It is a global health concern, with a high prevalence in many developing countries.
Effective treatment involves a combination of antibiotics taken over several months.
Preventative measures include vaccination (BCG vaccine) and infection control practices.

AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome):

HIV attacks the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.
Early HIV infection may not cause noticeable symptoms, but as the disease progresses, the immune system weakens.
AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 T-cell count falls below a certain threshold or when specific opportunistic infections occur.
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard treatment for HIV, which can delay the progression to AIDS.
Preventative measures include safe sex practices, HIV testing, and access to ART for those with HIV.

5. Chandrayaan probe finds sparse plasma on moon

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space technology

Context:

Langmuir Probe (RAMBHA-LP) payload on board Chandrayaan-3’s lander Vikram has completed the first in-situ measurements of the surface-bound lunar plasma environment over the south polar region.

Understanding RAMBHA-LP

RAMBHA-LP stands for Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe.
Named after Nobel laureate Irving Langmuir, it characterizes lunar plasma.
RAMBHA-LP’s milestone: measuring lunar plasma’s density.

Lunar Plasma Density Assessment

Initial findings indicate sparse plasma near the lunar surface.
Density ranges from about 5 to 30 million electrons per cubic meter.
Importance: Influence on radio wave communication through space.

Langmuir Probe Operation

Langmuir probe functions as an electrode in plasma.
Collects electrons and ions, measuring their properties.
RAMBHA-LP: 5 cm metallic spherical probe mounted on 1-meter boom.
Deployment away from the lander to analyze undisturbed lunar plasma.
Can detect minute return currents as low as pico-amperes.
Measures ion and electron densities and their energies.

Sulphur & Other Elements on the Moon

Detection methods: Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Alpha Particle X-ray Spectroscope (APXS).
Other Elements Detected
APXS instrument reveals the presence of additional elements.
Elements include aluminum, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen.

Plasma and its significance

Fourth State of Matter: Plasma is the fourth state, distinct from solids, liquids, and gases.
Charged Particles: It’s made up of charged particles, like electrons and ions.
Widespread in the Universe: Plasma is abundant in stars, galaxies, and lightning.
Unique Properties: It conducts electricity, generates magnetic fields, and emits light.
Temperature Range: Plasma can be extremely hot (as in stars) or cooler (as in fluorescent lights).
Space Exploration: Plasma affects communication, spacecraft charging, and space weather.
Measurement: Instruments like Langmuir probes study plasma to enhance mission safety and success.
Plasma on Earth:
1. Natural Occurrence: Plasma can be found naturally on Earth in phenomena like lightning and the auroras (northern and southern lights).
2. Man-made Plasma: It’s also created in man-made environments like fluorescent lights and plasma TVs.

6. India sees lowest August rainfall in a century; September is likely to be ‘normal’: IMD

Subject: Geography

Section: Physical geography

Context:

Rainfall in August had been the least in over a century, with India getting 36% less rain than it usually does in the month.

What was the usual trend?

Of the four monsoon months, August usually sees the most amount of rainfall (25.4 cm) after July’s 28 cm.
The rainfall was deficient in the whole part of India except in northeastern India, the Himalayan States, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
Earlier in August 2005, shortfall was about 25% of the normal, and in August 2009, shortfall was about 24% of the normal.
There is an increasing trend in the break days (of Break in Monsoon).
- Break days refer to rainless stretches during the monsoon months of June-September.

Regional analysis:

Rainfall in August has brought the overall national deficit to 10%, with the regional deficits being:
- 17% in east and northeast India,
- 10% in central India, and
- 17% in southern India.
Monsoon rainfall in September, the last of the four monsoon months, is likely to be within a 10% window of the 16.7 cm that’s usual for the month.

Probable reason for rainfall deficit:

Strengthening of El-Nino.
Unfavorable conditions both in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

To know more about El-Nino:https://optimizeias.com/el-nino/

7. Protect world heritage sites to conserve biodiversity: UN

Subject: Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

Protecting world heritage sites can help conserve biodiversity and meet the targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), according to a joint assessment by UNESCO and IUCN.

Biodiversity in UNESCO WHS:

The total of 1157World Heritage sites take up only 1 per cent of the earth’s surface.
UNESCO World Heritage sites (WHS) are home to 75,000 species of plants, and over 30,000 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians — a fifth of all the species mapped globally.
Today, up to 1/3 of remaining elephants, tigers and pandas can be found in these sites, as well as at least one in 10 great apes, giraffes, lions and rhinos.
They are home to all remaining Javan rhinos, vaquitas (the world’s smallest cetacean) and pink iguanas, as well as more than half of all Sumatran rhinos, Sumatran orangutans and mountain gorillas.
Threats to these WHS:
- agricultural expansion,
- infrastructure development,
- Poaching,
- overexploitation of resources and
- proliferation of invasive species.
Every 1 degree Celsius rise in global temperature can double the number of species threatened by dangerous climate conditions.

These WHS are instrumental in:

Maintaining a beneficial relationship between human beings and nature
Conservation of water resources
Opportunity for people to earn a livelihood through sustainable work
Strengthen the link between nature and culture

World Heritage List:

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. It has a World Heritage List for the same.
This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN):

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organizations.
Created in 1948, IUCN has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network.
It is headquartered in Switzerland.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
The IUCN World Heritage Outlook provides conservation outlook assessments for all natural World Heritage sites.

About the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):

Adopted in 15th COP of UN-CBD held in Montreal, Canada in 2022.
The framework has 4 long-term goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets that the world needs to achieve by 2030.
In 2020, the world failed to meet the last set of targets, the Aichi Targets.
The countries will monitor and report every five years or less on a large set of indicators related to progress.
The CBD will combine national information submitted by late February 2026 and late June 2029 into global trends and progress reports.

For details of Global Biodiversity framework (GBF): https://optimizeias.com/cop15-kunming-montreal-global-biodiversity-framework-adopted/

8. 50 most polluted regions of world in India’s northern plains: University of Chicago report

Subject: Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

The world’s 50 most polluted regions belong to the Northern Plains of India, showed the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report for 2023 by the University of Chicago.

Key Findings:

Particulate pollution has increased over time. From 1998 to 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 61 per cent, further reducing life expectancy by 3.2 years.
Delhi is the most polluted city in India and the world.
Seven states and Union territories that include Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, comprise a majority of this region.
These states/UTs also face the greatest health burden due to particulate pollution in India.
In north India, fine particulate air pollution (particulate matter 2.5) shortens lives by eight years.
In the most polluted region of the Northern Plains — the national capital territory of Delhi — 18 million residents are on track to lose 11.9 years of life expectancy on average relative to the World Health Organization guidelines and 8.5 years relative to the national guideline if current pollution levels persist.
Even in the least polluted district in the region — Pathankot in the state of Punjab — particulate pollution is more than seven times the WHO guideline, taking 3.1 years off life expectancy if current levels persist.

High pollution density:

North plains (with 38.9 per cent of India’s population) live in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level is 17.3 times higher than the WHO guideline.
Human activity plays a key role in generating the severe particulate pollution.
The region’s population density is nearly three times that of the rest of the country, meaning more pollution from vehicular, residential and agricultural sources.

About Air Quality Life Index (AQLI):

AQLI is a pollution index that translates particulate air pollution into the most important metric that exists: Its impact on life expectancy.
Developed by the University of Chicago’s Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, Michael Greenstone, and his team at the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
The index also illustrates how air pollution policies can increase life expectancy when they meet the WHO’s guideline for a safe level of exposure, existing national air quality standards or user-defined air quality levels.
This information can help inform local communities and policymakers about the importance of air pollution policies in concrete terms.

What are the Initiatives Taken for Controlling Air Pollution in India?

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal.
Air Quality Index: AQI has been developed for eight pollutants viz. PM2.5, PM10, Ammonia, Lead, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide.
Graded Response Action Plan (for Delhi).
For Reducing Vehicular Pollution:
- BS-VI Vehicles,
- Push for Electric Vehicles (EVs),
- Odd-Even Policy as an emergency measure (for Delhi).
New Commission for Air Quality Management
Subsidy to farmers for buying Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) Machine for reducing stubble burning.

National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP): Under NAMP, four air pollutants viz. SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 have been identified for regular monitoring at all locations.