Daily Prelims Notes 12 November 2023

November 12, 2023
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Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

12 November 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Centre to unveil PM Kisan Bhai to end traders’ monopoly

Subject: Schemes

Section: Agriculture

Context:

To help small and marginal farmers, who do not have the capacity to hold their produce in warehouses and wait for better prices, the Centre plans to incentivise them under a scheme likely to be named PM Kisan Bhai (Bhandaran Incentive) scheme.
The Agriculture Ministry’s 10 day deadline to receive feedback ended on Friday after a concept paper was published, and the scheme is likely to be rolled out by December end.

Objective Of Scheme:

Kisan Bhai is expected to empower farmers, allowing them to retain their crops for a minimum of three months post harvest.

More about Scheme:

This is seen as an attempt to break the monopoly of traders in deciding prices of crops.
This initiative grants farmers the autonomy to decide when to sell, in contrast to the current practice where most crops are sold around harvest, typically spanning 23 months.
The government hopes that by providing monetary support for storage and promoting e-NWR trade through the online platform e-NAM, farmers will have more control over prices and access to a larger number of buyers.
According to the concept paper, though the pledge finance facility is available to farmers now, its outreach is constrained by the high carryover cost on the farmers and credit risk to the bankers.

Implementation of Scheme:

In the first phase, the scheme may be piloted in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh with an estimated expenditure of ₹170 crore in three years including current fiscal.

Major Components Of Scheme:

There are two components of the proposal — Warehousing Rental Subsidy (WRS) and Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI). Small and marginal farmers as well as farmer producer organisations (FPOs) will be eligible for the WRS benefit at ₹4 per quintal per month irrespective of rate of warehousing (storage) rental charges and also whether charged per quintal basis or area basis by warehouse operator.
But the government has proposed that the storage incentive will be provided for a maximum of three months. Besides, produce stored for 15 days or less will not be eligible for the subsidy. The incentive will be calculated on day to day basis.
After wheat harvesting is completed in MayJune, supplies are regulated from July onwards by traders until the next crop arrives. The government, by limiting the incentive for three months, will transfer the power to stockists from October, when festival season starts, as farmers will be forced to liquidate by before October.

About e-NWR:

The negotiable warehouse receipt (NWR) system was launched in 2011 allowing the transfer of ownership of a commodity stored in a warehouse without having to deliver it physically.
These receipts are issued in negotiable form, making them eligible as collateral.
This has been enabled by enabling the financing of warehouse receipts through the Warehouse (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007.
The Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) regulates the entire operation under NWR.

Salient features of e-NWR:

An e-NWR is available only in electronic form.
The single source of information for the e-NWR is the repository system where e-NWR is issued by registered warehouses.
Confidentiality, integrity and availability of the e-NWR information is provided by the Repository system.
An e-NWR has time validity.
All e-NWRS can be traded through off-market or on-market in Commodity Exchanges platforms.
An e-NWR can be auctioned under certain conditions such as loan not repaid, on expiry and delivery not taken, and on likely damage or spoilage of the commodity in the warehouse.
e-NWR can be transferred fully or in part.

Benefits:

Electronic-Negotiable Warehouse Receipt (e-NWR) will help farmers/FPOs to have access to a large number of buyers across the country.
It will help them get better bargaining powers and realise higher prices by selling graded produce.
It will provide them with the facility to get their prices quoted and receive immediate payment, besides avoiding distress sales by helping them get loans from banks against warehouse receipts.

Warehousing Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA):

WDRA was constituted in 2010 under the Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Act, 2007.
It is under the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).

2. Health benefits of functional foods

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Health

About:

Functional foods are defined broadly as foods that provide more than simple nutrition they supply additional physiological benefit to the consumer.
Some examples are oats, and millets like bajra, ragi, jowar, and soya proteins, besides the fruits.

A brief about Millets:

Millet is a collective term that includes several small-seeded grasses such as sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, and little millet. It is an important crop in Indian agriculture and society, providing food security, nutrition, cultural significance, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability.

Importance of Millets –

Drought Tolerance:Millet’s are naturally adapted to dry and arid conditions, making them a suitable crop for regions with limited rainfall. They require minimal water and are capable of growing in poor soil conditions, making them a reliable crop even during times of drought.
Nutritional Benefits: Millets are an excellent source of essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are gluten-free, low glycemic index, and have high antioxidant activity, which makes them a healthy alternative to rice or wheat.
Ecological Benefits: Millets have a shallow root system and require minimal fertilizers, making them an environmentally friendly crop. They also act as a natural barrier against soil erosion, and their short growth cycle allows for crop rotation, which helps in maintaining soil health.
Economic Benefits: Millets are an important crop for small-scale farmers as they require minimal investment and have a low input cost. They also have a high market demand due to their nutritional benefits, making them a lucrative crop for farmers.

Why are Millets Considered Important ‘Nutri-Cereals’?

Climate Resilient Staple Food Crops: Millets are drought-resistant, require less water and can grow in poor soil conditions. This makes them a suitable food crop for areas with unpredictable weather patterns and water scarcity.
Rich in nutrients: Millets are a good source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Gluten-free: Millets are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Adaptable: Millets can be grown in a variety of soils and climates, making them a versatile crop option for farmers.
Sustainable: Millets are often grown using traditional farming methods, which are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than modern, industrial farming practices.

What are the Related Initiatives taken by the Government?

National Millets Mission (NMM): NMM was launched in 2007 to promote the production and consumption of millets.
Price Support Scheme (PSS): Provides financial assistance to farmers for the cultivation of millets.
Development of Value-Added Products: Encourages the production of value-added millet-based products to increase the demand and consumption of millets.
Promoting Millets in PDS: The government has introduced millets in the Public Distribution System to make it accessible and affordable to the masses.
Promotion of Organic Farming: The government is promoting organic farming of millets to increase the production and consumption of organic millets.

3. Scientists pull paper from journal over Arunachal mention

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

Indian scientists were forced to withdraw a paper in an international peer-reviewed journal published from China on the grounds that it could not mention Arunachal Pradesh.

Details:

Indian scientists Dr Mukesh Thakur, Lalit Kumar Sharma, and Avijit Ghosh were forced to withdraw a paper on the White-Cheeked Macaque (Macaca leucogenys) on the grounds that it could not mention Arunachal Pradesh as the sampling site.
The Chinese government contested the inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh in the study, claiming it did not align with their defined map.
Paper title: Two Y chromosome lineages in White-Cheeked Macaque (Macaca leucogenys)’
The journal Wildlife Letters is a recently launched international peer-reviewed journal and is published from Northeast Forestry University in China.

White-Cheeked Macaque (Macaca leucogenys):

It is a species of macaque found only in Mêdog County in southeastern Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India.
- The forests in Mêdog, Tibet are protected by the YarlungZangbo Grand Canyon Nature Reserve.
They live in forest habitats, from tropical forests to primary and secondary evergreen broad-leaved forests and mixed broadleaf-conifer forests.
The species was first described by Chinese primatologists Cheng Li, Chao Zhao, and Peng-Fei Fan, in the American Journal of Primatology in 2015.
It is one of twenty-three extant species in the genus Macaca, and the most recent to be formally described to science. While the species’ exact conservation status has not yet been determined, it is likely threatened by poaching, deforestation, and increased human development of its habitat, much like the other primates which inhabit the area.
They live in small multi-male multi-female groups. When the white-cheeked macaque detects the presence of humans it emits a loud high-pitched alarm call, flees, and climbs trees. This call is distinct in frequency from the Assam macaque.

Source of this article: The Hindu

4. Drug smugglers find new route via Mizoram, evade clashes-hit Manipur

Subject: Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

Indian smugglers and their local contacts on either side of the international border used excavators to carve out a 10-km “jeepable road” in Myanmar for the ‘Dawn’ of a new drug route through Mizoram.

Details:

Mizoram has become a major transit for narcotic substances from Myanmar to other parts of India.
Dawn is the name of the nearest habitation from Lungkawlh, a village in central Mizoram’s Serchhip district situated near the border with Myanmar.
The track starts from the Tiau River – it marks Mizoram’s border with Myanmar – to Dawn.
- The Tiau River runs southward along the international edge of the Saitual district through the Champhai, Serchhip, and Hnahthial districts where it meets the Tuichang River and flows onward as the Chhimtuipui.
The smugglers are using this route to avoid the ethnic conflict-scarred Manipur.
Smugglers use Kenbos (Myanmar-made two-wheelers illegal in India but used within the FMR) for trans-border drug supply.
Most smuggled drugs through these routes: methamphetamine pills or crystal meth.
Earlier routes for smuggling:
- Moreh-Tamu route and Zokhawthar-Tiddim in Myanmar’s Chin State.
- Zokhawthar, a border trade centre, is about 40 km from Champhai, the headquarters of the Champhai district. Both places are within the 16-km distance a Myanmar national is allowed to travel.
- Another “stop-gap” route is from Dawn to Ngharchhip in the Hnahthial district south of Serchhip through Ralpel (Myanmar).

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985:

The NDPS Act defines cannabis (hemp) as a narcotic drug based on the parts of the plant that come under its purview. The Act lists these parts as:
- Charas: The separated resin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified, is obtained from the cannabis plant and also includes concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish.
- Ganja: The flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant (excluding the seeds and leaves when not accompanied by the tops), by whatever name they are known or designated.
- Any mixture, with or without any neutral material, of any of the above forms of cannabis or any drink prepared therefrom.
The Act, in its definition, excludes seeds and leaves “when not accompanied by the tops”.
Bhang is not mentioned in the NDPS Act.
Punishment:
- Section 20 of the NDPS Act lays out the punishment for the production, manufacture, sale, purchase, import and inter-state export of cannabis, as defined in the Act. The prescribed punishment is based on the amount of drugs seized.
- It also provides for the death penalty in some cases where a person is a repeat offender.

Source of this article: The Hindu

5. Grindavik

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Context: State of emergency declared after 800 tremors in 24 hours in Grindavik

More about the news:

A state of emergency is declared in Iceland following a swarm of 800 earthquakes in under 14 hours, with a magnitude of 5.2 near Reykjavík.
Over 24,000 quakes have been recorded in the Reykjanes peninsula since late October. While seismic activity has somewhat diminished, scientists expect it to continue.

How many active volcanos does Iceland currently have:

Iceland has 33 active volcanoes which have erupted over 180 times in the past 1,000 years.
Iceland experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
One of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes is Eyjafjallajökull. In 2010, this volcano erupted and caused a massive ash cloud to spread across Europe
Other famous volcanoes include Hekla, Grímsvötn, Hóluhraun, and Litli-Hrútur (part of the Fagradalsfjall system).

Some facts about Grindavik:

Grindavík is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
It is a fishing town on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland.
It is home to the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
The lava field surrounding Grindavík is called Illahraun, or “the evil lava.”

6. ICC should probe Israel war crimes’: Arab leaders

Subject: IR

Section: International Organisation

Context: Arab leaders call for immediate Gaza ceasefire

More about the news:

Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations, in an extraordinary summit in Riyadh, called for an immediate halt to military operations in Gaza, rejecting Israel’s self-defense justification.
The summit urged the International Criminal Court to investigate Israeli “war crimes” in the Palestinian territories.
Leaders, including Iran’s Raisi and Turkey’s Erdogan, attended the gathering convened by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemning Israel’s actions.
Palestinian President Abbas described the situation as a “genocidal war,” urging the U.S. to end Israeli “aggression”.

What are the laws of war:

Two fundamental aspects of international law govern conflicts.
- Jus ad Bellum: This aspect of international law addresses the conditions and justifications for countries to use force in their international relations. It is regulated by the United Nations (UN) Charter.
- Jus in Bello: Jus in bello concerns the rules that dictate how a war is to be fought, specifying what military actions are permissible. Even if a country is justified under the UN Charter to use force, it must adhere to these rules.
This law of war, known as international humanitarian law (IHL), outlined in customary international law, the 1949 Geneva Conventions, and the 1977 Additional Protocols, prescribes rules to protect civilians and minimize suffering during armed conflicts. Regardless of the justness of their cause, warring parties must abide by IHL.

Do the laws of war apply to the ongoing military conflict:

The conflict between Israel and Hamas is considered an armed conflict in international law.
It falls under the category of non-international armed conflict (NIAC) because it involves non-governmental forces i.e Hamas in battle with governmental forces i.e Israel.
Both parties are obligated to adhere to International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

What are war crimes:

War crimes encompass grave breaches of humanitarian laws within conflicts.
The Rome Statute of the ICC provides the definition, which draws from the principles of the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
It centers on the principle of individual accountability for actions committed on behalf of a state or its armed forces.Illustrative examples include hostage-taking, deliberate killings, torture or inhumane treatment of prisoners of war, and the recruitment of child soldiers.

What is Criteria for War Crimes:

International humanitarian law employs three key principles to determine whether an individual or military has committed a war crime:
- Distinction: This principle forbids targeting objectives that are likely to cause excessive harm to civilians or civilian infrastructure compared to the expected military advantage.
- Proportionality: Proportionality restricts the use of disproportionate force in response to an attack. For instance, it prohibits indiscriminate retaliation, such as bombing an entire city for the death of a single soldier.
- Precaution: Parties involved in a conflict are obligated to take measures that prevent or minimize harm to the civilian population.

Some facts about International Criminal Court (ICC):

The International Criminal Court is a permanent court to prosecute serious international crimes committed by individuals.
It tries crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
The court was established to fight global impunity and bring to justice criminals under international law, regardless of their rank or stature.
It is different from the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, also at The Hague.
The Head Quarter of ICC is in The Hague, The Netherlands
Statute :Before the ICC became functional in 2002, its founding treaty was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1998 in Rome, Italy, thereby making it the Rome Statute.

How one can become member of ICC:

To become a member of the ICC or State party to the Rome Statute, countries have to sign the statute and ratify it under their respective legislatures.
123 countries are currently members of the ICC, with African countries making up the largest bloc.
Notably, countries including India, China, Iraq, North Korea and Turkey never signed the Rome Statute.
Others including the US, Russia, Israel and Syria signed, but never ratified

What are the Geneva Conventions (1949):

The Geneva Conventions, established in 1949 along with their Additional Protocols, represent crucial international agreements that set forth fundamental regulations to mitigate the cruelty of armed conflict.
These conventions provide safeguards for non-combatantsi.e civilians, medical personnel, humanitarian workers and individuals who are no longer able to participate in combat i.e injured, sick, and shipwrecked military personnel, as well as prisoners of war.
The First Geneva Convention protects wounded and sick soldiers on land during war.
The Second Geneva Convention protects wounded, sick and shipwrecked military personnel at sea during war.
The Third Geneva Convention applies to prisoners of war, including a wide range of general protections such as humane treatment, maintenance and equality across prisoners, conditions of captivity, questioning and evacuation of prisoners, transit camps, food, clothing, medicines, hygiene and right to religious, intellectual, and physical activities of prisoners.
The Fourth Geneva Convention protects civilians, including those in occupied territory. The other Geneva Conventions were concerned mainly with combatants rather than civilians.
Two Protocols of 1977: Additional to the four 1949 Geneva Conventions were adopted in 1977. They strengthen the protection of victims of international (Protocol I) and non-international (Protocol II) armed conflicts and place limits on the way wars are fought.
In 2005, a third Additional Protocol was adopted creating an additional emblem, the Red Crystal, which has the same international status as the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems.

7. Uttarakhand to hold special session of assembly for UCC

Subject: Polity

Section: Constitution

Context: Uttarakhand to hold special session of assembly for UCC

More about the news:

The Uttarakhand government plans to hold a special Legislative Assembly session after Diwali to discuss and pass the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.
Emphasizing gender equality and equal rights for daughters in ancestral properties, the proposed legislation aims for uniformity in personal laws related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across religions.
The bill does not recommend raising the marriageable age for women, retaining it at 18.
The five-member committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, is expected to submit its report soon, and the Union government may use it as a template for its own UCC Bill.

What is Uniform Civil Code(UCC):

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) aims to enforce a uniform legal framework to all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
The Uniform Civil Code wasintroduced in Goa in the year 1870 by the erstwhile Portuguese rulers and was retained even after the territory was merged with India in the year 1961.

What are the Constitutional Provisions related to UCC:

Article 44: The “State shall endeavor to provide for its citizens a uniform civil code (UCC) throughout the territory of India.”
Article 37: The “state shall endeavor by suitable legislation”, while the phrase “by suitable legislation” is absent in Article 44.

What are some Supreme Court Judgement related to UCC:

Ms. Jordan Diengdeh Case:
- In 1985, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of Law to take appropriate action based on the judgment in the Ms. Jordan Diengdeh case. However, more than three decades later, it remains unclear what steps have been taken in this regard.
- The comments on the Uniform Civil Codearose from a petition challenging the applicability of The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to a Meena community couple. Although they acknowledged solemnizing their marriage according to Hindu rites, the wife argued, in response to a divorce petition, that the Act did not apply due to their membership in a notified Scheduled Tribe in Rajasthan, invoking an exclusion under Section 2(2) of the Act.
Sarla Mudgal vs Union of India (1995):
- The court held that a Hindu marriage solemnized under Hindu law could only be dissolved based on grounds specified in the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Conversion to Islam and subsequent remarriage would not automatically dissolve the Hindu marriage, making a second marriage after converting to Islam an offense under Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
John Vallamathon vs Union of India (2013):
- Advocating for a uniform civil code across India, the Supreme Court, in 2013, emphasized the need for a uniform civil code for all citizens throughout the country.
SC Refused to Direct (2015):
- In 2015, the Supreme Court declined to direct Parliament to enact a Uniform Civil Code, stating that it was within Parliament’s purview to make decisions on this matter.
Shah Bano Case (2017):
- In 2017, the Supreme Court declared the practice of Triple Talaq (talaq-e-bidat) unconstitutional and criminalized it.
Law Commission (2018):
- In 2018, the Law Commission opined that a Uniform Civil Code was neither necessary nor desirable at the current stage.”