Daily Prelims Notes 11 February 2022

February 11, 2022
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

11 February 2022

Table Of Contents

1. DELHI GOVTS. DRAFT POLICY FOR DELIVERY SERVICES TO E-VEHICLES

TOPIC: Governance

Context- The Delhi government on Thursday put a draft policy in the public domain under which cab aggregators, food and other doorstep delivery services in the city would have to mandatorily switch their entire ﬂeet to electric vehicles in a phased manner.

Concept-

Once the policy is notiﬁed, within three months, cab aggregators and delivery services will have to make sure that 10% of all new two wheelers and 5% of all new four wheelers in their ﬂeet are electric.
By March 2023, they will have to ensure 50% of all new two wheelers and 25% of all new four wheelers are electric.
The move has been taken with an aim to reduce air pollution in the Capital.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

An electric vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion.
An electric vehicle may be powered through self-contained battery, solar panels or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity.
Government has set a target of electric vehicles making up 30 % of new sales of cars and two-wheelers by 2030 from less than 1% today.

Need for EVs in India

India has committed to cutting its GHG emissions intensity by 45% percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
Pollution: According to a recent study by WHO, India is home to 14 out of 20 most polluted cities in the world. EVs will help in tackling this problem by reducing local concentrations of pollutants in cities.
Energy security: India imports oil to cover over 80 percent of its transport fuel. EVs can reduce dependence on imported crude oil promoting India’s energy security.
EVs manufacturing capacity will promote global scale and competitiveness.
Promotion of EVs will facilitate employment growth in a sun-rise sector.

Challenges for EV Industry in India:

EV production is capital intensive sector requiring long term planning to break even and profit realization, uncertainty in government policies related to EV production discourages investment in the industry.
India is technologically deficient in the production of electronics that form the backbone of EV industry, such as batteries, semiconductors, controllers, etc.
Battery is single most important component of EVs. India does not have any known reserve of lithium and cobalt which are required for battery production.
EVs have higher servicing costs and higher levels of skills is needed for servicing. India lacks dedicated training courses for such skill

2. GOVERNOR V/S FEDERAL STRUCTURE

TOPIC: Polity

Context- Governor R.N. Ravi returning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) Bill passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly and the running battle between West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee underline again the problematic role that governors play in Indian politics.

Concept-

Constitutional Position of Governor: The provisions of Articles 154, 163, and 164 of the Constitution empower the constitutional post of Governor.

Article 153 of the Indian Constitution mandates the appointment of a Governor in each state. The 7th Amendment to the Constitution however, allows for the appointment of the same person as Governor of two or more states.
Article 154: The Governor shall have executive power over the state, which he shall exercise either directly or through officers subordinate to him in conformity with this Constitution.
Article 163: There shall be a council of ministers, led by the Chief Minister, to assist and advise the Governor in the exercise of his powers, except when he is compelled to execute his functions at his discretion.
Article 164: The council of ministers is collectively responsible to the state’s legislative assembly. This provision is the cornerstone of the state’s parliamentary system of governance.

Constitutional Provisions for Federalism in India:

The respective legislative powers of states and Centre are traceable to Articles 245 to 254 of the Indian Constitution.
The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution contains three lists that distribute power between the Centre and states (Article 246).
The SC in SatPal v State of Punjab and Ors (1969), held that the Constitution of India is more Quasi-federal than federal or unitary.
- A Federal theorist K.C. Wheare has argued that the nature of Indian Constitution is quasi-federal in nature.

3. Glaciers at Pangong in Ladakh retreated 6.7% since 1990- says recent research

TOPIC: Environment

Context- A recent study has found that 87 glaciers have retreated 6.7 percent at the Pangong region of Ladakh since 1990. This is primarily attributed to atmospheric warming and an increase in the anthropogenic footprint in the glacial and periglacial environments.

Concept-

Pangong Lake:

Pangong lake is an endorheic lake (a lake whose water does not flow into the sea) in the Himalayas situated at a height of about 4350 metres.
It is 134 kms long and extends from India to China.
Approximately 60 percent of the length of the lake lies in China.

About Glacier:

It is a large, perennial accumulation of crystalline ice, snow, rock, sediment, and water that originates on land and moves down slope under the influence of its own weight and gravity. They are sensitive indicators of changing climate.
Out of total water on Earth, 1% is in glaciers while 97.2% is in the oceans and inland seas.
Condition of glacier formation:
- Mean annual temperatures are close to the freezing point.
- Winter precipitation produces significant accumulations of snow.
- Temperatures throughout the rest of the year do not result in the complete loss of the previous winter’s snow accumulation.

4. MULLAPERIYAR DAM

TOPIC: Environment

Context- In January this year, the Central Water Commission told Supreme Court that no review on the safety of Mullaperiyar was done in the past 12 years. However, it also maintained that reports indicate that the dam is safe in all respects, hydrologically, structurally, and seismically.

Concept-

Though located geographically in Kerala, the 126-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam is owned, operated, and maintained by the Tamil Nadu government and has been a point of dispute between the two neighbouring states for decades.

About Mullaperiyar Dam:

The Mullaperiyar dam is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers in Kerala’s Idukki district.
The dam stands at the height of 53.66 metres and 365.85 metres in length.
It is operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu for meeting the drinking water and irrigation requirements of five of its southern districts.
- According to a 999-year lease agreement made during the British rule the operational rights were handed over to Tamil Nadu.
The dam intends to divert the waters of the west-flowing river Periyar eastward to the arid rain shadow regions of the Tamil Nadu.

Periyar River

The Periyar River is the longest river in the state of Kerala with a length of 244 km.
Periyar River originates from Sivagiri hills of Western Ghats and flows through the Periyar National Park.
It is also known as ‘Lifeline of Kerala’ as it is one of the few perennial rivers in the state.
The main tributaries of Periyar are:
- Muthirapuzha,
- Mullayar,
- Cheruthoni,
- Perinjankutti.

5. TRANSGENDERS/LGBTQI+ RIGHTS

TOPIC: Polity

Context- A controversial education bill in Florida, which seeks to outlaw all discussions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

Concept-

What is the ‘Don’t say gay’ legislation?

The Florida House Bill 1557 was introduced in the state House of Representatives last month, while an identical version, called the Senate Bill 1834, advanced in the state Senate.
Both bills, titled ‘Parental Rights in Education’, ban classroom discussions about sexuality and gender identity in “primary grade levels”.
The bill, if passed, will also enable students to take legal action against a school or school district if they find that conversations about LGBTQI+ issues are taking place in the classroom.

Transgenders Rights in India:

In April 2017, the Ministry of Jal Shakti instructed states to allow transgender people to use the public toilet of their choice.
ShabnamMausi is the first transgender Indian to be elected to public office. She was an elected member of the Madhya Pradesh State Legislative Assembly from 1998 to 2003.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

6. COURT RULINGS ON HIJAB

TOPIC: Polity

Context- In its order prohibiting hijab in government educational institutions, Karnataka has cited rulings by three HCs.

The order cited three cases decided by different High Courts to hold that banning the headscarf is not violative of fundamental rights, particularly freedom of religion.

Concept-

What are these three cases?

The three cases cited in the government order are from the Kerala, Bombay and Madras High Courts.
Kerala High Court, 2018: In Fathima Thasneem v State of Kerala, a writ challenged the school’s denial of permission to wear full-sleeved shirts and a headscarf as it was against the prescribed dress code. Kerala High Court ruled in favour of the school which was a Christian Missionary school, a minority educational institution.
- The court said that “collective rights” of the school must be given primacy over individual rights of the students.
- However this case refers to a minority education institution as opposed to a government educational institution. Constitutionally, minority educational institutions have greater freedom to regulate their affairs.
Bombay High Court, 2003: In Fathema Hussain Sayed v Bharat Education Society, a minor student had challenged the school’s prescribed dress code that did not allow the wearing of a headscarf. Since the minor girl attended an all-girls school, the Bombay High Court ruled against her, despite the argument that wearing a headscarf is an essential religious practice which must be protected under the Constitution.
- The High Court referred to relevant verses from the Quran and held that the book did not prescribe wearing of a headscarf before other women.
Madras High Court, 2004:Sir M VenkataSubba Rao, Matriculation Higher Secondary School Staff Assn v Sir M VenkataSubba Rao, Matriculation Higher Secondary School was a case challenging the dress code imposed by the management of a school on teachers.
- Although the Madras High Court held that the imposition of the dress code had no statutory backing, it refused to interfere on the grounds that the teachers “should set high standards of discipline and should be a role model for the students”.

Freedom from Attending Religious Instructions:

Article 28 states that:

No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State funds.
Nothing in clause (1) shall apply to an educational institution which is administered by the State but has been established under any endowment or trust which requires that religious instruction shall be imparted in such institution.
No person attending any educational institution recognised by the State or receiving aid out of State funds shall be required to take part in any religious instruction that may be imparted in such institution or to attend any religious worship that may be conducted in such institution or in any premises attached thereto unless such person or, if such person is a minor, his guardian has given his consent thereto.

7. RUSSIA LAUNCHES BELARUS MILITARY DRILLS

TOPIC: Geography

Context- Russia has sent six war ship through the Bosphorus for naval drills on the Black Sea and the neighbouring Sea of Azov.

The S-400 air defence system being prepared during the joint exercise of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus in the Brest region of Belarus.

Concept-

Geographical Location of Black Sea:

The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is one of the major water bodies and a famous inland sea of the world.
This marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains in the south, east and north respectively.
The Dardanelles, Bosporus and Marmara Sea – forms a transitional zone between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch.
The bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.

Sea of Azov:

The Sea of Azov is a shallow body of water that Ukraine shares with Russia.
Its only access to the open seas is through the Kerch Strait, which connects it to the Black Sea.
After Crimea’s annexation in 2014, Russia gained control over both sides of the Kerch strait.

8. Type 1 DIABETES LEADING CAUSE OF DIABETES DEATH BELOW 25

TOPIC: Science & Tech

Context- Type 1 diabetes in those below 25 years accounted for at least 73.7 per cent of the overall 16,300 diabetes deaths in this age group in 2019, according to a new study by LANCET

Concept-

The United Nations and the World Health Organization in the 2013-2020 global action plan had recognised diabetes as one of the key challenges in the non-communicable diseases group and aimed to confront it.
Diabetes mortality is high in sub-Saharan Africa, parts of central and southeast Asia, Oceania and Latin America and the Caribbean, and will likely increase, the researchers observed.

Diabetes:

Diabetes is a Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or glucose), or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
Type I diabetes: It is also known as juvenile diabetes (as it mostly affects children of age 14-16 years), this type occurs when the body fails to produce sufficient insulin.
- People with type I diabetes are insulin-dependent, which means they must take artificial insulin daily to stay alive.
Type 2 diabetes: It affects the way the body uses insulin. While the body still makes insulin, unlike in type I, the cells in the body do not respond to it as effectively as they once did. The population with 45 and above age group is the most affected with it. This is the most common type of diabetes and it has strong links with obesity.
Gestational diabetes: This type occurs in women during pregnancy when the body sometimes becomes less sensitive to insulin. Gestational diabetes does not occur in all women and usually resolves after giving birth.
Diabetes affects the five major organs namely, Kidney, Heart, Blood vessels, Nervous System, and Eyes (retina).

9. INDO PACIFIC REGION

TOPIC: IR

Context- The United States remains focussed long term on the Indo Paciﬁc region despite concerns over Russian aggression toward Ukraine.

Concept-

Indo Pacific:

The idea of the Indo-Pacific as a single strategic space is an outgrowth of China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region. It signifies the interconnectedness of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the importance of the oceans to security and commerce.
The Indo-Pacific provides a geographic and strategic expanse, with the two oceans being linked together by the ten ASEAN countries.
The Indo Paciﬁc is the fastest growing region in the world, accounting for two thirds of global economic growth over the past ﬁve years and home to half the world’s population.

The Indo-Pacific region is highly heterogeneous in terms of economic size and level of development, with significant differences in security establishments and resources.
India has been an active participant in mechanisms like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the East Asia Summit, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers Meeting Plus.

10. RBI EXTENDS LIQUIDITY WINDOW FOR HEALTHCARE

TOPIC: Economy

Context- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday proposed to extend the term liquidity facility of ₹50,000 crore offered to emergency health services by three months till June 30.

Last year in May, RBI had announced an on tap liquidity window of ₹50,000 crore, at the repo rate with tenors of up to three years, to boost provision of immediate liquidity for ramping up COVID19 related health care infrastructure and services in the country.

Concept-

On-Tap Term Liquidity Facility to Ease Access to Emergency Health Services

As announced on May 05, 2021 by RBI, it has been decided to open an on-tap liquidity window of ₹50,000 crore with tenors of up to three years at the repo rate till March 31, 2022 to boost provision of immediate liquidity for ramping up COVID-related healthcare infrastructure and services in the country.
Under the scheme, banks can provide fresh lending support to a wide range of entities including vaccine manufacturers; importers/suppliers of vaccine and priority medical devices; hospitals/dispensaries; pathology labs and diagnostic centres; manufacturers and suppliers of oxygen and ventilators; importers of vaccines and COVID-related drugs; COVID-related logistics firms and also patients for treatment.
Banks are being incentivised for quick delivery of credit under the scheme through extension of priority sector lending (PSL) classification.
Banks may deliver these loans to borrowers directly or through intermediary financial entities regulated by the RBI.
Under the scheme, such banks will be eligible to park their surplus liquidity up to the size of the COVID loan book with the RBI under the reverse repo window at a rate which is 25 bps lower than the repo rate.

11. INDIA INVESTING IN NUCLEAR POWER TO PROVIDE CLEAN ELECTRICITY

TOPIC: Environment

Context- The Government of India has undertaken a nuclear power expansion programme to provide the country with clean electricity.

India is pursuing an indigenous three-stage nuclear power programme. Besides, light water reactors based on foreign cooperation are also being set up as additionalities.

Concept-

The actual commercial generation of nuclear energy has increased to 43,918 million units in 2021, from 34,162 million units in 2014.
The share of nuclear energy in the total electricity generation in the country has remained around 3-3.5 per cent since 2014.

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme:

India’s three-stage nuclear power programme was formulated by Homi Bhabha in the 1950s to secure the country’s long term energy independence, through the use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the monazite sands of coastal regions of South India.

Stage 1- Pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR): The first stage involved using natural uranium to fuel PHWR to produce electricity and Plutonium-239 as a byproduct.
- Also the byproduct plutonium-293 would be used in the second stage.
Stage 2- Fast breeder reactor (FBR): The second stage involves using plutonium-239 to produce fuel, which would be used in Fast Breeder Reactors. Plutonium 239 undergoes fission to produce energy. Once a sufficient amount of plutonium-239 is built up, thorium will be used in the reactor, to produce Uranium-233. This uranium is crucial for the third stage.
Stage 3- Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR): The main purpose of stage-3 is to achieve a sustainable nuclear fuel cycle.
- The advance nuclear system would be used a combination of Uranium-233 and Thorium.
- Thorium absorbs the neutrons, which can more efficiently produce more Plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactor for a faster growth.
Thus, the ultimate objective of the above programme is to create capacity to use Thorium for sustainable production of nuclear energy and make India energy independent.