Daily Prelims Notes 23 December 2023

December 23, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

23 December 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Centre’s ‘swift effort’ saved rain devastated south TN districts, says FM Sitharaman; lashes out at State govt

Subject: Polity

Section: National body

What are the classifications of disasters and how does this affect funding?

According to the National Disaster Management Policy, the State governments have to provide disaster relief from their respective State Disaster Response Funds (SDRFs), and only for a “calamity of severe nature”, will additional assistance be provided from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
There is, however, no provision in the law or rules for the government to designate a disaster a “national calamity”.
Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed Parliament recently that the guidelines of the NDRF and SDRFs did not contemplate declaring a disaster a national calamity.

How are the NDRF and the SDRFs funded?

The NDRF is funded through a National Calamity Contingent Duty levied on pan masala, chewing tobacco and cigarettes, and with budgetary provisions as and when needed. A provision exists to encourage any person or institution to make a contribution to the NDRF. However, this source of funding has not been tapped so far, according to the government.
The 14th Finance Commission recommended changes to this structure once the cess was discontinued or subsumed within the Goods and Services Tax. However, the government, instead, decided to continue with the National Calamity Contingent Duty even in the GST regime.
The SDRF corpus is contributed by the Union government and the respective State governments in a 75:25 ratio for general category States and 90:10 for Special Category States.
The allocation of the SDRF for each State is done by the Finance Commission, and the Centre contributes its specified share each financial year.
The Central share of SDRF is released in two equal instalments, in June and then in December.

What has been the trend in budgetary allocations to the NDRF and SDRFs?

The Union government has maintained a steady flow of funds to the NDRF each year, ranging from ₹5,690 crore in 2015-16 to a budgeted amount of ₹2,500 crore for the current financial year. In addition, the Centre has also been contributing to the SDRFs every year, amounting to ₹ 8,374.95 crore in 2016-17 and ₹7,281.76 crore in 2017-18.

How have NDRF funds been allocated to States in the recent past?

In 2017-18, up to December 27, 2017, the central government released NDRF funds to nine states — Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana — over and above its contributions to their respective SDRFs. The recipient of the highest amount of these states was Karnataka, which got ₹913 crore that year.

Over the last four years, up to December 27, 2017, the Centre has released the most cumulative funds to Maharashtra (₹5,244.69 crore), Karnataka (₹5,122.45 crore), Uttar Pradesh (₹4,949.04 crore), Tamil Nadu (₹3,115.31 crore), and Madhya Pradesh (₹1,958.93 crore).

For specific calamities, the Centre released ₹1,365.67 crore for the Chennai floods of 2015 and ₹218.76 crore for relief after cyclone Vardah in 2016.

2. China bans export of rare earth technologies

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic Geography

Context:

China, the world’s top processor of rare earths, banned the export of technology to extract and separate the strategic metals, as it overhauled a list of technologies deemed key to national security.

Details:

It also banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals and alloy materials as well as technology to prepare some rare earth magnets.
The move comes as Europe and the U.S. scramble to wean themselves off rare earths from China, which accounts for 90% of global refined output.
Top 5 REE producing countries: China, the USA, Australia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Rare Earth Elements (REE):

These are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the 15 lanthanides plus scandium (Atomic Number 21) and Yttrium (Atomic Number 39).
The Lanthanide series comprises the 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 57 through 71, from lanthanum through lutetium.
Scandium and yttrium are considered rare-earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties, but have different electronic and magnetic properties.
Cerium (AN 58) is the most abundant rare earth metal.
Their colour ranges from Shiny Silver to Iron Gray. They are soft, malleable, ductile and usually reactive, especially at elevated temperatures or when finely divided.
Its application ranges from Civilian (smartphones, laptops, petroleum refining catalysts) to military including nuclear applications. Rare minerals that are essential to electric vehicles, wind turbines and drones.
China has the largest reserve (37 percent), followed by Brazil and Vietnam (18 percent each), Russia (15 percent), and the remaining countries (12 percent). Deng Xiaoping once said, The Middle East has oil and China has rare earth.
Why are these elements called RARE?
- There is no shortage of rare earths. But their extraction is difficult (Requires high skill, Capital intensive, Environmental issues).

3. About 240 mn PCs can end up in landfill on MS move

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

Microsoft Corp’s plan to end support for Windows 10 operating system could result in about 240 million personal computers (PCs) being disposed, potentially adding to landfill waste.
The electronic waste from the PCs could weigh about 480 million kg, equivalent to 3.2 lakh cars.

What is E-Waste?

E-Waste is short for Electronic-Waste and the term is used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded electronic appliances. It includes their components, consumables, parts and spares.
Laws to manage e-waste have been in place in India since 2011, mandating that only authorized dismantlers and recyclers collect e-waste.E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 was enacted in 2017.
India’s first e-waste clinic for segregating, processing and disposal of waste from household and commercial units has been set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Originally, the Basel Convention (1992) did not mention e-waste but later it addressed the issues of e-waste in 2006 (COP8).
- The Nairobi Declaration was adopted at COP9 of the Basel Convention on the Control of the Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste. It aimed at creating innovative solutions for the environmentally sound management of electronic wastes.

What are the Provisions regarding E-waste in India?

India has a formal set of rules for electronic waste management, first announced these rules in 2016 and amended it in 2018.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the E-Waste Management Rules, 2016 in supersession of the E-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011.
Over 21 products (Schedule-I) were included under the purview of the rule. It included Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and other mercury containing lamps, as well as other such equipment.
For the first time, the rules brought the producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), along with targets. Producers have been made responsible for the collection of E-waste and for its exchange.
Various producers can have a separate Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) and ensure collection of E-waste, as well as its disposal in an environmentally sound manner.
Deposit Refund Scheme has been introduced as an additional economic instrument wherein the producer charges an additional amount as a deposit at the time of sale of the electrical and electronic equipment and returns it to the consumer along with interest when the end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment is returned.
The role of State Governments has been also introduced to ensure safety, health and skill development of the workers involved in dismantling and recycling operations.
A provision of penalty for violation of rules has also been introduced.
Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Committee/Council/Corporation) have been assigned the duty to collect and channelize the orphan products to authorized dismantlers or recyclers.
Allocation of proper space to existing and upcoming industrial units for e-waste dismantling and recycling.

4. Red Sea attacks: Rerouting of ships to push up cost, impact India’s trade

Subject :IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

Global trade, which is heavily dependent on container shipping, is in troubled waters due to the fallout of the recent attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi militants on ships passing through the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden.

Details:

Container ships are now being diverted via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, resulting in a sharp rise in both the transit time and freight cost.
These ships burn a million dollars worth of fuel per trip more than they would if they went via the Suez Canal.

Consequences:

The circuitous Cape of Good Hope route, which adds about 6,000 nautical miles to a typical voyage from Asia to Europe, doubles the travel time to more than a fortnight.
As ships spend more time sailing, their turnaround time is cur-tailed.
Freight charges will double to more than $2,000 per TEU.

DOUBLE BLOW

Global Shipping were facing the drought at Panama canal and now the Red Sea crisis.
The Panama Canal is another vital link for ships from Asia heading to the Eastern Coast of the United States and Europe.

India’s trade using Red Sea route:

Exports include engineering goods, textiles, and tea, and its imports are electronics and minerals through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Europe accounts for over 65 per cent of India’s coffee exports.
In the short term, insurance rates may increase. Freight charges may go up, which will have an impact on costs.
In this dynamic geopolitical situation, India is likely to emerge as an important player in strengthening the food security of the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).

Key terms:

The Suez Canal is a man-made 193 km tiny strip of water that connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Gulf of Aden is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channel, Socotra and Somalia to the south.
- In the northwest, it connects with the Red Sea through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and it connects with the Arabian Sea to the east. To the west, it narrows into the Gulf of Tadjoura in Djibouti. The Aden Ridge lies along the middle of the Gulf and is causing it to widen about 15mm per year.
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa.
- It is not the southernmost point of the African continent, but Cape Agulhas is the southernmost point.

5. Assam-Meghalaya panels on boundary dispute to submit reports by Dec. 31

Subject :Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

The regional committees on the boundary dispute between Assam and Meghalaya have been asked to submit their reports by December 31, a Meghalaya government official said.

What is Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute?

Assam and Meghalaya have a longstanding dispute in 12 stretches of their 884-km shared border.
The Assam-Meghalaya border dispute are the areas of Upper Tarabari, Gazang reserve forest, Hahim, Langpih, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Retacherra.

History:

During British rule, undivided Assam included present-day Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Meghalaya was carved out in 1972, its boundaries demarcated as per the Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act of 1969, but has held a different interpretation of the border since.
In 2011, the Meghalaya government had identified 12 areas of difference with Assam, spread over approximately 2,700 sq km.

Major Point of Concern:

A major point of contention between Assam and Meghalaya is the district of Langpih in West Garo Hills bordering the Kamrup district of Assam.
Langpih was part of the Kamrup district during the British colonial period but post-Independence, it became part of the Garo Hills and Meghalaya.
Assam considers it to be part of the Mikir Hills in Assam.
Meghalaya has questioned Blocks I and II of the Mikir Hills -now Karbi Anglong region – being part of Assam.
Meghalaya says these were parts of erstwhile United Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts.

Attempts to Resolve Dispute:

In 1985, under the Assam chief minister and Meghalaya chief minister, an official committee was constituted under the former Chief Justice of India Y V Chandrachud.
However, a solution was not found.
Both state governments identified six out of 12 disputed areas for resolution in the first phase.
Out of 36.79 sq km of disputed area taken up for settlement in the first phase, Assam would get full control of 18.46 sq km and Meghalaya of 18.33 sq km.
In March 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed based on these recommendations.
The second round of discussions for the remaining six areas commenced from the end of November 2022.

What Additional Can be done to Resolve the Dispute?

Boundary disputes between the states can be settled by using satellite mapping of the actual border locations.
Under Article 263 of the Constitution, the Inter-state council is expected to inquire and advise on disputes, discuss subjects common to all states and make recommendations for better policy coordination.
Similarly, Zonal councils need to be revived to discuss the matters of common concern to states in each zone—matters relating to social and economic planning, border disputes, inter-state transport, etc.
India is the epitome of unity in diversity. However, in order to strengthen this unity furthermore, both the centre and state governments, need to imbibe the ethos of cooperative federalism.

6. Ministry holds meet with CMs of northeast States over lag in DevINE scheme

Subject: Schemes

Section: MSc

Context:

With a little over 10% of funds under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PMDevINE) sanctioned so far, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) convened a meeting with the Chief Ministers of the States in the region.

What is PM-DevINE?

Origin of PM-DevINE:
- The PM-DevINE scheme as a Central Sector scheme, was introduced as a part of the Union Budget 2022-23.
- The Cabinet granted approval for the PM-DevINE scheme on 12th October 2022. It has been granted 100% Central funding, ensuring that resources are directly allocated to the development initiatives.
- It will be implemented by Ministry of Development of North-East Region.

Objectives of PM-DevINE:

Infrastructure Development: In line with the spirit of PM GatiShakti, PM-DevINE aims to fund infrastructure projects in a cohesive manner, ensuring seamless connectivity and accessibility across the NER.
Supporting Social Development Projects: Recognizing the unique needs and challenges of the NER, the scheme endeavors to support social development projects that address critical issues and improve the overall quality of life for the region’s inhabitants.
Empowering Youth and Women: PM-DevINE seeks to create livelihood opportunities specifically targeting the youth and women of the NER, enabling them to participate actively in the region’s development and progress.

Budget Allocation:

The scheme received an initial allocation of Rs. 1500 crore in the Union Budget 2022-23.
Over the 4-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26, which aligns with the remaining years of the 15th Finance Commission period, the scheme has an overall outlay of Rs. 6,600 crore.
A state-wise, project-wise list of projects approved during FY 2022-23 has been laid out, with each project tailored to address the specific needs of the respective states.

Other Initiatives Related to Development of Northeast Region:

North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS)
North Eastern Council (NEC)
North East Road Sector Development Scheme
Connectivity Projects: Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Project (Myanmar) and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Corridor.
Bharatmala Pariyojana ( 5,301 km road stretches in NER for improvement)
North East has been kept as a priority area under RCS-UDAN (to make flying more affordable).

7. The Sahitya Akademi must do more to promote Indian literature

Subject :History

Section: Art and culture

Context:

Sahitya Akademi has recently announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 in 24 languages.

Sahitya Akademi Award 2023

Awards: 9 books of poetry, 6 novels, 5 short story collections, 3 essays and 1 literary study have won the Sahitya Akademi Awards this year.
Process: The awards recommended by distinguished jury members were approved by the Executive Board of the Sahitya Akademi under the Chairmanship of the President of the Akademi.

About Sahitya Akademi

It was founded in 1954 as an autonomous body under the Union Culture Ministry and is dedicated to promoting literature in Indian languages.
It is the central institution for literary dialogue, publication and promotion in the country and the only institution that undertakes literary activities in 24 Indian languages.
It was registered as a society in 1956 under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.

Functions:

It works actively to develop Indian literature.
Set high literary standards to foster and coordinate literary activities in all the Indian languages.
Promote the cultural unity of the country through literary activities.
Awards: The first Awards were given in 1955. The award is in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper plaque, a shawl, and ₹1,00,000.
Literary Works: Akademi gives 24 awards annually to literary works in the languages it has recognized.
Literary Translation: 24 awards are given annually to literary translations from and into the languages of India.
Bhasha Samman: It also gives special awards for significant contributions to the languages not formally recognized by the Akademi and for contributions to classical and medieval literature.
Languages Recognised: Besides the 22 languages enumerated in the Constitution of India, the Akademi has recognised English and Rajasthani as languages in which its programme may be implemented.

8. UNSC clear Gaza aid resolution

Subject: IR

Section: International Organisation

Context: UN Security Council calls for Gaza aid, but stops short of demanding a ceasefire

More about the news:

The UN Security Council passed a new resolution calling for speeding up humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, but without the original insistence on an “urgent suspension of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas.
The United States and Russia abstained from the vote.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that around 20,000 people have been killed, constituting approximately 1% of the prewar population, with over half a million people facing starvation due to insufficient food entering the besieged territory amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes and ground operations for over 10 weeks.
The death toll includes both civilians and combatants, while Israel reports over 130 of its soldiers killed in the ground offensive.

What is UNSC Resolutions:

A United Nations Security Council resolution is a United Nations resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council
The UN Charter specifies in Article 27 that a draft resolution on non-procedural matters is adopted if nine or more of the fifteen Council members vote for the resolution, and if it is not vetoed by any of the five permanent members.
The term “resolution” does not appear in the text of the United Nations Charter.
Resolutions by the Security Council are legally binding.
In instances where the council fails to achieve consensus or secure a majority vote for a resolution, an alternative option is the issuance of a non-binding presidential statement. Such statements are adopted through consensus, serving as a means to exert political pressure. They act as a cautionary signal that the Council is closely monitoring the situation, with the implication that additional actions might be taken in the future.

Some more facts about UNSC:

The Security Council was established by the UN Charter in 1945. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
The other 5 organs of the United Nations are—the General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
Its primary responsibility is to work to maintain international peace and security.
The council is headquartered in New York.
UNSC has 15 members of which 5 are permanent and 10 are non-permanent members. Non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
Five permanent members are- US, UK, France, Russia, and China.
It is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member states.