Daily Prelims Notes 3 November 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

3 November 2023

1. Weapons, ammo, police vehicles looted in Imphal mob attack

Subject: Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

• Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured as they tried to stop the miscreants from looting weapons at the 1st Manipur Reserve Battalion camp.

Details:

• It is a part of the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

Moreh, Manipur:

• Founded by- Gambhir Singh.
  • Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (1788–1834), also known as Raja Gambhir Singh, was a ruler of the Manipur Kingdom.
• Moreh is a border town located on the India–Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district of the Indian state of Manipur.
• As a rapidly developing international trade point with the integrated customs and international immigration checkpoint, Moreh plays an important role in India’s Look East Policy, trade and commerce under ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, India-Myanmar relationship, India–Myanmar–Thailand road connectivity, and Trans-Asian Railway connectivity.
• Tamu in Myanmar, just across the Menal river from Moreh, is connected to Moreh via two roads: The Indo-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and a newer Moreh ICP Bridge which connects the Moreh Integrated Check Post (Moreh ICP).
• Tamu in Myanmar connects Moreh in India to Kalewa-Yagyi-Mandalay in Myanmar and Mae Sot in Thailand through the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway.
• The local population includes Kuki and Naga tribals and Meiteis. It is one of the fastest growing towns in Manipur.

Source: TH

2. Biosphere reserves are evolving as pockets of hope

Subject : Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

• World Biosphere reserve day is celebrated every year on 3 November.

Details:

• It is celebrated to raise awareness of the importance of biosphere reserves and to promote their conservation and sustainable use.
• In the Island of Principe Biosphere Reserve, Sao Tome and Principe in Africa, schoolchildren have been equipped with stainless steel bottles for drinking water, so the daily production and consumption of single-use plastic bottles can be completely avoided.

Biosphere reserves:

• Designated by UNESCO to promote the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable development, and research.
• Also supported by other United Nations agencies, for example the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, as well as the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• There are currently 748 biosphere reserves across 134 countries, including 22 transboundary sites, enhancing the friendly cooperation between neighboring countries. They impact the lives of more than 250 million people in 134 countries; 12 sites can be found in India alone.
• They are home to a wide variety of ecosystems — from tropical rainforests to alpine deserts.
• Benefits from biosphere reserves: provide habitats to endangered plants and animal species, ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, and act as a carbon sink.
• Division of biosphere reserves:
  • Core zone of biosphere reserves: Providing habitat for flora and fauna, and protecting water, soil, air, and biota as a whole ecosystem.
  • Buffer zone: Surrounds the core zone,  in this zone people live and work in harmony with nature; it functions as a laboratory for scientists to study nature, and for training and education.
  • Transition zone: communities practice socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable human activities in this zone.
• UNESCO recognized Biosphere reserves in India:

Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve:

• Recognised with the UNESCO Michel Batisse Award for Biosphere Reserve Management 2023
• Introduced the concept of ‘plastic checkpoints’– Community members check all vehicles and tourists for plastic waste, which is collected, recycled and used for the construction of roads.

UNESCO Man and Biosphere programme (MAB):

• It is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments. It combines the natural and social sciences with a view to improving human livelihoods and safeguarding natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable.
• Its World Network of Biosphere Reserves is a dynamic and interactive network of sites of excellence that foster harmony between people and nature for sustainable development through participatory dialogue; knowledge sharing; poverty reduction and human well-being improvements; respect for cultural values and society’s ability to cope with change.

South and Central Asian Biosphere Reserve Network Meeting (SACAM):

• UNESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, concluded the 10th South and Central Asian Biosphere Reserve Network Meeting (SACAM) in Chennai, India (November 1-3).
• With the theme “Ridge to Reef,” the SACAM provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and fostering collaborations in the realm of sustainable environmental practices in the South and Central Asia Region.

Source: TH

3. India taps into Bolivia, Chile for lithium availability

Subject : Geography

Section: Eco geography

Context:

• India is in talks with Chile and Bolivia for tapping into lithium mining and sourcing of the mineral that remains the cornerstone for the country’s switch to green mobility.

Details:

• India imports all major components that go into lithium-ion cell manufacturing. India’s lithium-ion import bill for FY23 was ₹23,171 crore. It covered electric accumulators, including separators.
• Chile-Bolivia-Argentina together forms the world’s lithium trinity or triangle and account for nearly half of the global resource base for the white metal (lithium).

Why Bolivia?

• Bolivia has a lithium resource base of 23 million tonnes (mt).
• Newly explored location of lithium: Coipasa and Pastos Grandes salt flats
• Other investments: from Russia and China
• Local laws there allow for investments in the downstream sector or processing of lithium rather than mining. Mining is restricted to local companies there.

Lithium:

• It is a delicate, white-silver alkali metal.
• It is the least dense metal and the least dense solid element under typical conditions.
• It never occurs freely in nature, but only in (usually ionic) compounds, such as pegmatitic minerals, which were once the main source of Li.
• Due to its solubility as an ion, it is present in ocean water and is commonly obtained from brines.
• Li metal is isolated electrolytically from a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride.
• Application:
  • Li is best known for its role in energy-storage technology.
    • Lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable and lightweight, power the most-used electronic devices on the planet, from cell phones to laptops.
    • The design of the battery laid the foundations for a wireless society.
  • Used in solar panels, pharmaceuticals, glass and ceramics, aerospace and military, and lubrication.

Lithium triangle:

• It is a region of the Andes that is rich in lithium reserves, encompassed by the borders of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
• The lithium in the triangle is concentrated in various salt pans that exist along the Atacama Desert and neighboring arid areas, the largest areas including Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, Salar de Atacama in Chile, and Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina.
• Of those, Salar de Atacama in Chile has the highest concentration lithium (0.15% by weight) among all World’s brine sources.
• Chile’s lithium reserve estimate is close to 11 mt.
• Argentina has 20 mt of reserves.

Lithium reserves in India:

• Lithium deposit estimated to be 5.9 million tonnes in the Salal-Haimana area of the Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir (UT) has been discovered.
• Southern Karnataka’s Mandya district.

Source: Business Line

4. Cleaning our rivers

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

• According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2022, there are about 311 Polluted River Stretches (PRS – stretches in rivers where BOD>3mg/L) in 279 rivers (out of 603 rivers assessed).

Details:

• The Water Quality Management in India is performed under the provision of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Identification of Polluted river stretch (PRS):

• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) exceeding 3.0 mg/L (milligram per litre) is identified as a polluted location.
• Two or more polluted locations identified on a river in a continuous sequence are considered a “polluted river stretch.”
• A BOD less than 3 mg/L means the river stretch is fit for ‘Outdoor Bathing.’
• Further, stretches with a BOD exceeding 30 mg/L are considered ‘Priority 1,’ meaning, the most polluted and thus needing the most urgent remediation.
• There are five such categories with ‘Priority 2’ indicating a BOD of 20-30 mg/L and ‘Priority 5’ indicating 3-6 mg/L.
• The success of river-cleaning programmes is measured by the number of stretches moving from 1 to 2, 2 to 3 until those in 5 (requiring the least action) to be reduced.

States-wise status of polluted rivers:

• While Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of ‘Priority 1’ river stretches (6).
• Maharashtra had the maximum number of polluted river stretches i.e. 55, followed by Madhya Pradesh (19), Bihar (18), Kerala (18), Karnataka (17) and Uttar Pradesh (17).
• Every State had to ensure that at least one river stretch was “restored” to the extent that it was at least fit for bathing.

Biological Oxygen Demand:

• Biological Oxygen Demand is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter (waste or pollutants) under aerobic reaction (in the presence of oxygen).
• The more organic matter there is (e.g., in sewage and polluted bodies of water), the greater is the BOD.
• Greater BOD, the lower the amount of dissolved oxygen available for higher animals such as fishes.
• The BOD is therefore a reliable gauge of the organic pollution of a water body.
• One of the main reasons for treating wastewater prior to its discharge into a water resource is to lower its BOD i.e. to reduce its need of oxygen and thereby lessen its demand from the streams, lakes, rivers, or estuaries into which it is released.

Dissolved Oxygen:

• It is the amount of dissolved oxygen present in the water which is needed for aquatic life to survive. The quality of water increases with an increase in DO levels.
• A DO level of 5 mg/l or above is the recommended level for bathing in a river.

Source: Business Line

5. On World Food Day, India PM Modi Endorses Biofortification to Address Malnutrition

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context:

• The Indian Prime Minister has given a strong endorsement to staple crop biofortification as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to alleviate malnutrition.

Details:

• He also dedicated to the nation 17 recently-developed biofortified seed varieties of local and traditional crops, including wheat and paddy rice, that are being made available to Indian farmers.
• Bihar State has committed to rapidly scale up production of zinc wheat seed (zinc deficiency is a major cause of stunting). It has also established a “Nutritional Village” where 475 households will cultivate biofortified crops to help promote these varieties.
• In 2018, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established minimum levels of iron and zinc to be bred in national varieties of pearl millet.
• DRR Dhan 45 and DRR Dhan 49 are varieties of paddy, both fortified with zinc, released in 2016 and 2019 respectively, developed by the ICAR­ Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad.
• Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research is in Karnal, Haryana.

Some biofortified crops are:

• Iron pearl millet, zinc wheat, and iron lentil.
• zinc rice CR Dhan 315;
• wheat varieties HI 1633 rich in protein, iron and zinc, HD 3298 rich in protein and iron, and DBW 303 and DDW 48 rich in protein;
• Ladhowal Quality Protein Maize Hybrid 1, 2 and 3 rich in lysine and tryptophan;
• CFMV1 and 2 of finger millet rich in calcium, iron and zinc;
• CLMV1 of little Millet rich in iron and zinc;
• Pusa Mustard 32 with low erucic acid; 
• Girnar 4 and 5 of groundnut with enhanced oleic acid;
• yam variety Sri Neelima and DA 340 with enhanced zinc, iron and anthocyanin content.

Biofortification:

• It is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology.
• Biofortification differs from conventional fortification in that biofortification aims to increase nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during processing of the crops.
• It can be done using non-genetically-modified methods as well. Biofortification using traditional methods involves crossing varieties over successive generations to eventually yield a plant with high nutrient content along with other favorable traits.
• It is targeted primarily to the rural poor who rely heavily on locally produced staple foods as their primary source of nutrition, and who often have restricted financial or market access to commercially processed fortified foods.

Examples of biofortification projects include:

• Iron-biofortification of rice, beans, sweet potato, cassava, and legumes.
• Zinc-biofortification of wheat, rice, beans, sweet potato, and maize.
• Provitamin A carotenoid-biofortification of sweet potato, maize and cassava.
• Amino acid and protein-biofortification of sorghum and cassava.

Importance of biofortification:

• Eradicate iron deficiency among children and adolescents.
• More resilient to pests, diseases, higher temperatures, drought and provide a high yield.
• It provides a food-based, sustainable and low-dose alternative to iron supplementation.
• Improvement in nutritional status of the country.
• Eradicating hidden hunger (Hidden hunger is a lack of vitamins and minerals).

Source of this article: https://www.harvestplus.org/on-world-food-day-india-pm-modi-endorses-biofortification-to-address-malnutrition/

6. Project Kusha

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: DEFENCE

Context; India’s own long-range air defence system, titled ‘Project Kusha’, is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

More about the news:

• Project Kusha is an ambitious defense initiative by India aimed at developing its own long-range air defense system by 2028-29.
• It is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• The project has a budget of over $2.5 billion.
• Project Kusha aims to establish a three-layered air defense system. This means it will have different types of missiles capable of hitting targets at varying ranges.
• The Indian Air Force is leading the operational aspect of the project, underlining its focus on indigenous defense solutions.

7. Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

Subject: IR

Section: INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION

Context: As per FATF violent extremist organization’ in India collected funds through well-structured networks

More about the news:

• The FATF report on ‘Crowdfunding for Terrorism Financing‘has reported on a violent extremist organization in India using well-structured networks for fundraising, involving both offline and online mechanisms, such as distributing QR codes and account details.
• Though not explicitly named, the report alludes to the Popular Front of India soliciting funds at mosques and public places.
• Funds collected were used to procure arms, ammunition, and training for the organization. 
• The accounts involved domestic and foreign transactions, making investigations challenging.
• The report mentions the arrest of eight individuals in leadership positions on terrorist financing charges and the pursuit of confiscating assets worth Rs 3.5 crore.
• The FATF emphasizes the misuse of crowdfunding platforms for terrorist financing purposes, with terrorists exploiting multiple methods to raise funds.
• Crowdfunding’s global market is valued at billions, and although most activity is legitimate, it has been exploited by terrorist groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda.
• The FATF calls for consistent anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulation and comprehensive risk assessments of crowdfunding activities.

What is FATF:

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.
• The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris.
• FATF members include 39 countries, including the United States, India, China, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Germany, France, and the EU as such.
• India became a member of FATF in 2010.
• The FATF Plenary is the decision-making body of the FATF. It meets three times per year.

What are the two type of list of FATF:

• Grey List: Grey list is also called as “Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring”.Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.
• Black List: The black list is called as High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action .Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries.North Korea,Iran and Myanmar are in the black list.

What are the consequences of being on the FATF blacklist:

• No financial aid is given to them by the International Monetary Fund , the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank  and the European Union
• They also face a number of international economic and financial restrictions and sanctions.

8. UNESCO names Kozhikode ‘city of literature’

Subject: IR

Context: UNESCO names Kozhikode ‘city of literature’

More about the news:

• The city of Kozhikode in Kerala was added to UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
• Gwalior from Madhya Pradesh was also among the 55 new cities to join the network.
• These cities have been handpicked to represent seven creative fields i.e crafts and folk arts, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
• Kozhikode was included in the category of literature and Gwalior in the category of music.

What is UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN):

• The UCCN was created in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.
• It now includes 350 cities in over a hundred countries.
• The network is aimed at leveraging the creative, social, and economic potential of cultural industries.
• It was launched to promote UNESCO’s goals of cultural diversity and strengthen resilience to threats such as climate change, rising inequality, and rapid urbanization.
• It encourages a culture of creativity in urban planning and solutions to urban problems.

What is the Objective of the CCCN:

• The UNESCO Creative Cities Network allows member cities to recognise creativity as an essential component of urban development, notably through partnerships involving the public and private sectors and civil society.
• It envisages to develop hubs of creativity and innovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in the cultural sector.
• These cities have to achieve the UN agenda of sustainable development.

What is the annual conference of network cities:

• An integral feature of the network is the yearly gathering of mayors and various stakeholders representing cities within the network.
• This event provides a distinct opportunity to enhance connections among creative cities worldwide.
• The last conference was held in Santos, Brazil, and this year’s conference was in Istanbul.
• The next conference will be held in July 2024 in Braga, Portugal.

What members have to do

• Every four years, member cities are required to submit a Membership Monitoring Report.
• This report is presented with an aim of demonstrating their steadfast commitment towards the implementation of the UCCN Mission Statement.
• They present an action plan for the following four years, providing insights into their achievements and lessons learnt, as well as the impact of the designation.

What are the Indian cities in the network:

• Apart from Kozhikode and Gwalior, Varanasi (music), Srinagar (crafts and folk arts) and Chennai (music) are part of the network.

9. Bletchley Park birthplace of modern computing:

Subject: IR

Section: PLACES IN NEWS

Context: Bletchley Park where ‘computers’ helped the Allies win WWII,

Some Historical Importance of Bletchley Park

• Bletchley Park, an English country house, known as the birthplace of modern computing, hosts the world’s first global AI summit.
•  During World War II, it housed Britain’s Government Code and Cypher School, playing a crucial role in deciphering the Enigma code, shortening the war by two years. 
• From the Battle of El Alamein (1942) to the Normandy landings (1944), Bletchley Park’s fingerprints can be seen all over Allied Successes
• It also contributed to the development of the Colossus, considered one of the world’s first computers.
• Many regard the Colossus as the world’s first programmable, electronic, digital computer, although it was programmed by switches and plugs, rather than a stored program.
• The site is also known for creating the Turing Bombe, a device that expedited code-breaking efforts.
• Bletchley Park’s legacy continues to influence modern computing and AI.
• Notably, it underscores the vital role of women in its operations, as they operated machines and formed the backbone of the institution, though often underappreciated and underpaid.

10. Bletchley Declaration

Subject: IR

Section: International Conventions

Context: The United Kingdom hosted a two-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit which concluded with the Bletchley Declaration.

What is Bletchley Declaration:

• The declaration provides a comprehensive overview of the global consensus on both the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence.
• It underscores the importance of aligning AI systems with human intentions and encourages a deeper exploration of the full range of AI capabilities.
• The declaration acknowledges the potential for significant harm, including catastrophic consequences, arising from AI, whether these harms are intentional or unintentional.
• It places a strong emphasis on safeguarding human rights, ensuring transparency, explainability, fairness, accountability, regulation, safety, human oversight, ethical considerations, bias mitigation, privacy protection, and data security within AI development and deployment.
• The declaration reflects the intricate negotiations that took place among nations with differing interests and legal systems, including major players such as the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and China.
• It highlights the importance of involving civil society in addressing AI safety concerns, even though some civil society groups had voiced concerns about being excluded from the summit.
• The declaration also places a significant responsibility on companies developing cutting-edge AI systems to prioritize safety through thorough testing, evaluation, and the implementation of appropriate safety measures.

Why is this declaration significant:

• Twenty-nine countries such as the US, the UK, China, Australia, Brazil and India, along with the European Union have agreed to work together to prevent “catastrophic harm, either deliberate or unintentional” which may arise from artificially intelligent computer models and engines.
• The member countries include:Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Saudi, Arabia, Netherlands, Nigeria, The Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, and the European Union

What was India stance:

• During the opening plenary session at Bletchley Park, Union Minister of State for IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, emphasized the need to address the weaponization of social media.
• He also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence (AI).
• The Minister’s statement at the summit signifies the highest-level endorsement of India’s shift from its previous stance of not contemplating legal interventions to regulate AI in the country.
• In April 2023, the Ministry of Electronics and IT had stated that it had no plans for enacting laws to oversee the AI sector.

11. Developing country needs at least 10 times more fund for climate adaptation : UN Report

Subject : Environment

Section: Climate change

Context: The Adaptation Gap Report 2023 was released.

More about the news:

• A United Nations Adaptation Gap Report 2023 reveals that funding for adaptation measures in developing countries has been declining despite increasing climate risks.
• In 2021, only $21 billion was allocated for adaptation projects, down 15% from previous years.
• However, developing countries require at least $215 billion annually this decade to address climate impacts effectively.
• The gap between requirements and available funding is growing, with efforts to increase financing falling short of the substantial need.
• The report suggests increased reliance on domestic resources and private finance, along with reforms in global financial architecture, to bridge this adaptation gap.

What is Adaptation Gap Report;

• Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) is a yearly flagship release of UNEP.
• The report’s primary objective is to inform the negotiators of the UNFCCC Member States, and the broader UNFCCC constituency, about the status and trends within climate adaptation at global and regional levels.
• The report also offers policy-makers with a collection of science-based choices for increasing ambition in climate change adaptation across important climate-sensitive industries
• The UNEP has released the Adaptation Gap Report (AGR) every year since 2014

What is United Nations Environment Programme:

• The UNEP, established on June 5, 1972, is a prominent global environmental organization with several key roles.
• It plays a central role in shaping the global environmental agenda, advocating for sustainable development within the United Nations framework, and serving as a leading voice for the protection of the global environment.
• The organization produces significant reports such as the Emission Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, and Invest into a Healthy Planet.
• It also engages in major campaigns, including Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, and Wild for Life. 
• The UNEP’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya.

12. Apple joins CERT-In prob in snooping case

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Awareness in IT

Context: Apple joins CERT-In prob in connection with the probe into allegations of attempts to hack the iPhones of some Opposition leaders.

More about the news:

• Apple has teamed up with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the government’s cyber security agency, to investigate alleged attempts by some opposition leaders to hack the iPhone.
• The Indian government probe aims to establish the safety and reliability of Apple products to protect consumer privacy.
• The Department of Electronics and Information Technology issued a notice to Apple, asking for an explanation for the threat alerts sent to political leaders and journalists
• The government wants Apple to clear about the security of its devices and the nature of threat reports.
• The review also includes Apple’s response to vulnerabilities in the iPhone’s operating system that CERT-In discovered in late October, before Apple launched its product.

What is the issue all about:

• Several Indian opposition leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Shashi Tharoor, received Apple alerts warning of “state-sponsored attackers” attempting to compromise their iPhones, raising concerns of government surveillance.

What are apple threat notifications:

• Apple’s threat notifications are a way of alerting and helping users who may have been targeted by state-sponsored attackers.
• As a response to these attacks, the company has developed a system that can spot activity that matches certain patterns.
• When an attack is detected, a Threat Notification is sent by email and iMessage to the email addresses and phone numbers that are linked to the affected user’s Apple ID.

What does Apple advise users should do when an attack is detected:

• Some of the general security tips that Apple recommends are updating to the latest software versions, setting a passcode, enabling two-factor authentication, and using a strong password for the Apple ID.
• It also recommends that users should download apps only from the App Store, use a different password for each online account, and avoid clicking on links or attachments from unknown sources.
• Apple also suggests that users activate the Lockdown Mode.

13. Slightly difficult to accept voter has no right to know source of funding

Subject: Polity

Section: Elections

Context:

More about the news:

• The Indian Supreme Court is currently examining the constitutionality of the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018, which enables parties to receive donations without disclosing the sources.
• Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud heading the Court expressed skepticism regarding the government’s argument that voters do not have a right to know where political party funding comes from.
• The Bench proposed that the current scheme has shortcomings and suggested the establishment of a robust electoral bond system.
• Instructing the Election Commission of India the Court requested details of contributions received through bonds until September 30 2023.
• The Solicitor General argued for maintaining confidentiality in order to safeguard donors’ identities while the Court stressed the importance of striking a balance that promotes transparency in elections.
• Moreover concerns were raised regarding eligibility, for donations and citizens’ right to be aware of funding sources for parties.
• The government claimed that the electoral bonds scheme encourages money in politics and does not impact voters’ decisions based on party funding sources.
• Declining an offer to privately interact with bank officials, the Court emphasized transparency as an element during proceedings.
• It was clarified that this scheme is intended for running parties and not for election funding.
• The Court continues to deliberate on the matter of electoral bonds in India’s political finance system.

What is the issue all about:

• A five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud will hear petitions challenging the 2018 Electoral Bonds Scheme
• The bench will also comprise Justices Sanjeev Khanna, B R Gavai, J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
• A batch of petitions was filed by various parties, including the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms, CPI(M), Congress leader Jaya Thakur, and an individual named Spandan Biswal.
• On October 16, a three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice Chandrachud referred the petitions to a Constitution bench and scheduled the hearing for October 31.
• The decision to refer the case to a Constitution bench was based on the significance of the issue and Article 145(3) of the Constitution, which requires at least five judges to hear cases involving substantial constitutional questions.
• The electoral bond scheme, introduced in the 2017 Union Budget, allows for anonymous donations to political parties. The government claims it is a step toward electoral reform, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• The petitioners argue that the scheme makes political funding less transparent, as it allows political parties not to disclose their annual contribution reports to the Election Commission of India (ECI) or reveal the identities of bond donors.

What was Supreme Court previous judgements:

• In April 2019, a three-judge Supreme Court bench directed political parties that received donations through electoral bonds to submit details of the bonds to the ECI.
• The Supreme Court had previously dismissed a request to halt the sale of new bonds in March 2021, disputing the claim that the bond scheme provides complete anonymity to donors. The court noted that it had already ordered certain safeguards in its April 2019 interim order.
• The court also mentioned that the Election Commission had received details of contributions made through bonds as per the April 2019 order.
• The Supreme Court expressed uncertainty regarding the extent of anonymity in political party financing by corporate houses, both within India and abroad, under the scheme. The court questioned whether the allegation of complete anonymity was sustainable at this stage.

What has the ECI’s stance been

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) expressed strong objections to amendments in the Representation of the People Act (RPA) that exempted political parties from disclosing donations received through electoral bonds in May 2017.
• They considered this exemption as a regressive step and urged the government to reconsider and modify these amendments.
• Additionally, in March 2019, the ECI highlighted concerns about changes in the law that allowed political parties to accept contributions from foreign companies.
• They believed this could lead to unchecked foreign funding of political parties and the potential influence of foreign companies on Indian policies

What are the features of Electoral Bonds Scheme:

• A person being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals. 
• The bonds are like banknotes that are payable to the bearer on demand and are interest-free.
• Only the Political Parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than one percent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, shall be eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds.
• The Finance Act(s) of 2016 and 2017 amended four separate legislations to make way for the electoral bonds scheme, including the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010; the RPA, 1951; the Income Tax Act, 1961; and the Companies Act, 2013.

What is the procedure to purchase the electoral bond:

• The State Bank of India  has been authorized to issue and encash Electoral Bonds through its 29 Authorized Branches.
• The bonds are sold by the SBI in denominations of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.
• One can purchase these bonds only digitally or through cheques.
• The Electoral Bonds can be encashed by an eligible Political Party only through a Bank account with the Authorized Bank.
• The Electoral Bond deposited by an eligible Political Party in its account is credited on the same day.
• Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue and no payment is being made to any payee Political Party if the Electoral Bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period.

14. Understanding worker productivity

Subject :Economy

Section: employment

In News: Narayan Murthy’s statement that young Indians need to work more hours has brought the idea of worker productivity in focus.

Key Points:

What did Narayan Murthy say?

• Murthy said that India has one of the lowest productivity rates in the world
• and suggested that the country’s youth should consider working 70 hours a week to bolster the nation’s growth and development.
• Murthy’s statement does draw attention to a critical issue—the declining productivity rate in India.
• Data shows that India’s labour productivity growth has dropped from 9.1 percent in 2016 to 2.5 percent in 2022.

What explains the low productivity growth?

• India’s productivity problem is not of fewer working hours, for data shows that there is little correlation between working hours and productivity.
• India faces a trade off between productivity growth and employment growth.
• Agriculture which still employs over 45% of workforce, and has low or stagnant productivity growth.
• There is also an increased trend towards sub-contracting of work, which results in lower wage growth for workers.
• Indian average productivity growth has been amongst the highest in the world. While this has helped in narrowing the gap with advanced economies the absolute level of productivity is still low.

How does India compare in productivity with other countries?

• India’s labour productivity is only three-fourth of that of China, around half that of Brazil and Thailand, a mere 20 per cent of that in Japan and 13 per cent of that in US

Do work hours equal productivity?

• Not necessarily, as for similar jobs a more productive worker will achieve same output in less time. Thereby for all other things being same there is an inverse relationship between hours worked and productivity.
• Countries that are among the top 10 in clocking long working hours, such as Gambia, Bhutan, Lesotho, and the Congo, have very poor productivity.
• Countries such as the UAE and Qatar have managed higher productivity with longer hours due to the massive capital investments made by these countries.

15. Indian shipping needs a domestic Protection & Indemnity (P&I) Club

Subject :IR

Section: Groupings

Context: West backed sanctions against Russia highlight the importance of a domestic Protection & Indemnity club.

Key Points:

• Effects of sanctions on Russia have shown that India needs its own Protection & Indemnity entity, like the Western countries.
  • In the absence of an Indian P&I Indian shipping needs to toe the line taken by the Price Cap Coalition or risk loosing insurance related services provided by London based P&Is.

What are P&I clubs?

• P&I clubs are mutual insurance associations that provide risk pooling, information, and representation for their members, mainly shipowners.
• Their primary focus is on liabilities related to marine activities, including cargo damage, environmental damage, and personal injury.
• Shipping operations can face a wide array of liabilities, ranging from cargo damage to crew negligence.
• P&I clubs cover these multifaceted risks, often overlooked by standard marine insurance.
• Most of these P&I clubs are affiliated to the International Group:
• The International Group, composed of 12 P&I clubs, provides marine liability cover for about 90 per cent of the world’s ocean­going tonnage.
• The Group’s main functions are claims pooling and reinsurance, serving as an information sharing platform, and acting as a representative body for external engagement, especially concerning maritime regulations and policies.
• The pooling agreement, where liabilities exceeding $10 million are shared among clubs, is a pivotal function of the Group. This structure ensures that shipowners have adequate insurance and promotes balanced maritime policies and regulations.
• Surprisingly, none of these P&I entities which are part of the International Group is based out of India.

Why India needs own P&I?

• India’s extensive coastline and major maritime activities underscore the need for such an entity.
•  As one of the world’s largest economies, a significant chunk of India’s trade happens via sea.
• The surge in maritime trade, commercial shipping, and fleet size necessitates an entity addressing the intricate liabilities these operations encounter.
• A domestic P&I entity would facilitate risk pooling for Indian shipowners, offering cost benefits, especially to smaller operators.
• Furthermore, an in­country P&I club would provide valuable legal and compliance guidance, adhering to local laws and norms.
• Such an entity could also champion the interests of Indian shipping globally, influencing maritime law and environmental policies.
• In the context of geo-political sanctions having own P&I would allow India to take an individual stand based on economic self interests and not ally to any strategic bloc.

16. SC Collegium proposes new Chief Justices for three HCs 

Subject : Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context:

The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y.  Chandrachud on Thursday recommended to the government the appointment of three new Chief Justices to the High Courts of Uttarakhand, Orissa, and Meghalaya.

What are the Procedures for Judicial Appointments?

For CJI:

• The President of India appoints the CJI and the other SC judges.
• As far as the CJI is concerned, the outgoing CJI recommends his successor.
• In practice, it has been strictly by seniority ever since the supersession controversy of the 1970s.

For SC Judges:

• For other judges of the SC, the proposal is initiated by the CJI.
• The CJI consults the rest of the Collegium members, as well as the senior-most judge of the court hailing from the High Court to which the recommended person belongs.
• The consultees must record their opinions in writing and it should form part of the file.
• The Collegium sends the recommendation to the Law Minister, who forwards it to the Prime Minister to advise the President.

For Chief Justice of High Courts:

• The Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed as per the policy of having Chief Justices from outside the respective States.
• The Collegium takes the call on the elevation.
• High Court judges are recommended by a Collegium comprising the CJI and two senior-most judges.
• The proposal, however, is initiated by the outgoing Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in consultation with two senior-most colleagues.
• The recommendation is sent to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law Minister.

What is the collegium system in the Indian judiciary?

• The Collegium system is a system for the appointment and transfer of judges in the Supreme Court and High Court.
• It is not rooted in the Constitution. Instead, it has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court.
• Under the system, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), along with four senior-most Supreme Court judges, recommends the appointment and transfer of judges.
• A High Court Collegium, meanwhile, is led by the incumbent Chief Justice and the two senior most judges of that court.
• The government can also raise objections and seek clarifications regarding the Collegium’s choices, but if the Collegium reiterates the same names, the government is bound to appoint them to the post.

17. NCERT to introduce electoral literacy content in textbooks

Subject : Polity

Section: National body

Context: 

• In a bid to address voter apathy among young Indians, the National Council of Educational Research and Training(NCERT) will introduce and update textbooks  to include content on electoral literacy and will advise the State Education Boards and other Boards to follow suit.

More about News:

• It will integrate voter education and electoral literacy into the curricular framework, starting from classes 6 to 12 in all schools.
• From Classroom to Polling Stations: the move will ‘catch them young’ and prepare students in schools for their first vote; democratic values and ethos to be ingrained at formative age.
• ‘Democracy Room’ in senior secondary schools for display of voter education materials and activities.
• NCERT to include content on electoral literacy in school textbooks and to advise State Education Boards to follow suit.

About Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)

• It is the flagship program of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• It is a programme of multi-interventions through different modes and media designed to educate citizens, electors and voters about the electoral process in order to increase their awareness and participation in the electoral processes.
• It is designed according to the socio-economic, cultural and demographic profile of the state as well as the history of electoral participation in previous rounds of elections and learning thereof.   

Other Initiatives by ECI

• e-VIGIL App to make complaints against violation of election conduct.
• SUVIDHA Portal for filing nomination, permission etc.
• Radio series – ‘Matdata Junction’ in collaboration with All India Radio for voter awareness.

18. Low on salt: turning the spotlight on kidney donors

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context

• There is a great deal of attention paid to the recipient of an organ transplant, and rightly so, but the backbone of live kidney transplantation for transplant surgeons is also to make sure that donors do not face the same problem in the future.

Before the  donation

• Before donating the donor is fully evaluated to make sure the person is completely normal. Age-matched kidneys may be ideal but usually 18 to 60 years is accepted. Between 60- 70 years, an exceptional kidney function and health may permit donation. Blood group matching is usually required but O can donate to any group.
• Minor ailments may not be a contraindication for donating.Diabetes or prediabetes, obesity, hypertension, kidney stones, etc. require special attention. Medical evaluation is always biased in the donor’s favor. Diabetes in the donor is usually an absolute contraindication. Hypertension with easy control with a single tablet is permitted.
• It is also essential that the kidney function on special tests is at least 75 ml per minute. There should be no protein leak. Metabolic workup in persons having small stones is a must. Those with multiple stones should be rejected. Normally the evaluation should favor the donor and the better working kidney should be left behind with the donor.

After the donation

• After the donation the person requires life long follow-up. Immediately after the surgery the kidney function drops by almost half and the single kidney starts working more to compensate for the loss of the other. This is a process of hyperfiltration at the microscopic level and compensatory hypertrophy at the gross level.
• Donors are required to periodically monitor blood pressure. Kidney function and protein loss should be checked at least once a year. Almost one third of donors would develop hypertension over several years but this is almost the same incidence as in the general population. A small percentage would develop protein leak in the urine.
• It is essential that the donors are instructed properly with regards to diet, exercise and avoidance of drugs toxic to the kidneys. DASH diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) would be ideal. Sufficient vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat, moderate restriction of salt and sugar, and avoidance of transfats is essential.

Salt and Kidney

• The WHO and other medical associations caution on the importance of salt restriction to 5 gms per day in the general population. The 5 gms includes salt present in natural food, salt added during cooking and hidden salt present in preserved or packed food like bread and noodles. Restriction of salt reduces not only blood pressure but also strokes and kidney failure.

Calculating kidney function

• Creatinine is produced by muscles in the body and excreted by the kidneys. Since normally only kidneys remove the creatinine ,its measurement in blood reflects kidney function .
• Mathematical formulas adjusting for age, weight and sex are used to calculate kidney function and express as eGFR(Glomerular function rate).
• Proteinuria or protein leak is a more sensitive test and 85% of the kidney diseases are detected earlier than creatinine estimation. Protein has a large molecular weight and does not appear in the urine unless the microscopic vessel (glomerulus)in the kidney is damaged or it is secreted by tubules.
•  The quantity of protein loss in the urine reflects the kidney damage and is used as a measure to see the response for treatment.
• Proteinuria unlike creatinine is not only a marker of kidney disease but also a cause for progression of kidney disease.
• This understanding has led to the development of several groups of drugs which would lower protein loss to reduce damage to the kidneys. They include the anti renin system (ACE and ARB) group of drugs, the SGLT2 inhibitors, anti aldosterone drugs etc.

Conclusion

• A recent study from MIOT international on the salt intake in renal donors has highlighted the importance of monitoring salt intake in kidney donors  Chronic Kidney disease(CKD) affects almost 10% of the world’s population. So it is essential to detect CKD early and intervene to halt the disease.  It is high time we realize the importance of this, and implement salt reduction globally.

19. Digital lending in India

Subject: Economy

Section: Monetary policy

1. RBI’s Monitoring of Evergreening and Delinquencies: RBI Deputy Governor Rajeshwar Rao stated that the Reserve Bank of India is actively monitoring and engaging with banks to address instances of evergreening of loans and higher delinquencies in certain loan segments. Banks are instructed to create additional provisions and disclose divergences as required.
2. Challenges from Digital Lending: With the exponential growth in digital lending post the pandemic, several business conduct issues have emerged. These include exploitative customer and recovery practices, gaps in existing regulations, and aggressive marketing strategies. The RBI aims to balance innovation with stability, which can be challenging as the pace of change often exceeds regulatory agility.
3. Risk Management and Regulatory Measures: He emphasized the need for robust data governance frameworks, consideration of environmental impacts, effective supervision, and measures to prevent the spread of misinformation over social media. The RBI is adopting a forward-looking, data-driven, and collaborative approach in its regulations to ensure a sound and robust financial system.
4. Principle-Based Regulations: The RBI is gradually granting banks greater operational freedom within the regulatory framework and moving toward more principle-based regulations. The principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation” is being followed, with an emphasis on establishing a level playing field for market participants.

Overall, the RBI is actively engaging with banks to ensure financial stability and address challenges arising from the rapid expansion of digital lending, while also emphasizing the importance of proportionate regulations and risk management.

Evergreening of loans

The term “evergreening of loans” refers to a practice in which banks attempt to sustain a loan that is on the brink of default by providing further loans to the same borrower. This process is often a temporary fix that obscures the true condition of stressed loans and delays the recognition of losses. The objective is to prevent the loan from being classified as a non-performing asset (NPA) to minimize the impact on the bank’s profitability and provisioning requirements.

Evergreen loans themselves refer to a specific type of loan where the principal payment is deferred, and typically only the interest is expected to be paid until the end of the loan term. This setup allows for indefinite postponement of principal repayment and operates similarly to revolving credit.

Reasons for Evergreening of Loans:

1. Impact on Profitability: Banks need to make higher provisions if an account turns into an NPA, which can impact their profitability.
2. Avoiding NPA Classification: Banks resort to evergreening loans to avoid classifying them as NPAs, thereby delaying the recognition of losses.
3. Liquidity and Provisioning: Evergreening allows banks to avoid provisioning to cover loan losses and helps them maintain liquidity.

Methods of Evergreening:

1. Interbank Arrangements: Banks collaborate to evergreen each other’s loans through the sale and buyback of loans or debt instruments.
2. Structured Deals: Encouraging sound borrowers to engage in structured deals with stressed borrowers to conceal stress.
3. Internal Adjustments: Use of internal or office accounts to adjust borrower’s repayment obligations.
4. Renewal of Loans: Renewing loans or disbursing new/additional loans to stressed borrowers or related entities closer to the repayment date of earlier loans.

What is an FLDG arrangement?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted the use of First Loss Default Guarantee (FLDG) for fintech Lending Service Providers (LSP).

It is a lending model involving Regulated Entities (REs) like banks or non-banking finance companies and lending service providers (fintech firms).

The FLDG system ensures that the fintech firm bears the initial loss on defaults within a predetermined percentage of the loan portfolio.

How does FLDG work?

The FLDG arrangement implies that the fintech firm guarantees the first loss up to a certain percentage of loans it generates.

The lender doesn’t participate directly in the lending process, but the nominal loans appear on their balance sheet. The credit risk is borne by the LSP without the need to maintain regulatory capital.

Need for FDLG:

It helps prevent ‘synthetic securitization,’ which is prohibited by the RBI.

Additionally, it addresses the hesitation of REs to lend through fintechs without a commitment towards loan loss.

The FLDG serves as a demonstration of the fintech’s underwriting skills and also ensures the platform’s commitment to the business from the lender’s perspective.

RBI’s Circular on FDLG:

The RBI has issued a circular outlining the scope, eligibility, structure, form, cap, disclosure requirements, and exceptions related to FLDG. It stipulates that the total amount of the guarantee does not exceed 5% of the outstanding loan portfolio.

Benefits of FDLG:

It promotes the development of the digital lending ecosystem and enhances fintech activity in the financial sector.

It also facilitates increased credit penetration through the digital space and encourages small and medium fintechs to enter the digital lending space in partnerships with banks or NBFCs.

RBI Working Group on digital lending

The RBI Working Group on digital lending submitted key recommendations in 2021, addressing the rising concerns related to digital lending apps and platforms.

Some of the crucial proposals and the challenges are as follows:

Key Recommendations:

1. Enactment of separate legislation: To oversee lending activities conducted through online platforms and mobile apps.
2. Establishment of a Nodal Agency: For vetting Digital Lending Apps, ensuring compliance with prescribed regulations.
3. Formation of a Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO): To monitor and regulate participants within the digital lending ecosystem.
4. Development of Baseline Technology Standards: Mandatory compliance with these standards before offering digital lending solutions.
5. Direct Disbursement and Servicing: Loans should be disbursed directly into borrowers’ bank accounts, and servicing should be done solely through the accounts of digital lenders.
6. Data Collection and Storage Guidelines: Prior consent of borrowers for data collection, with verifiable audit trails, and local storage of data.

Benefits of Digital Lending:

1. Enhanced Access to Financial Products: Digital lending can promote greater access to financial services, fostering inclusivity and efficiency.
2. FinTech-Led Innovation: FinTech innovations have transitioned from a supporting role to a central role, influencing the design, pricing, and delivery of financial products and services.

Challenges in Digital Lending:

1. Deceptive Practices: Digital lending apps often allure borrowers with the promise of quick and hassle-free loans but impose exorbitant interest rates and concealed additional charges.
2. Unethical Recovery Practices: Some platforms resort to aggressive and unacceptable recovery methods, causing distress to borrowers.
3. Data Privacy Concerns: These platforms exploit agreements to access data on the mobile phones of borrowers, raising serious data security and privacy issues.

20. Various Energy Efficient Programmes in India

Subject : Environment

Section: Sustainable development

1. Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) Achievements:
   • EESL commended for reducing carbon emissions by 45 million tonnes.
   • New aim to reduce power consumption in fans by 35 percent.
2. Ceiling Fan Electricity Consumption:
   • Ceiling fans contribute around 40 percent to total residential electricity consumption.
   • Replacement of current fans with energy-efficient models could reduce consumption by nearly 20 percent.
3. Program Focus:
   • Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) aims to deploy 1 crore energy-efficient BLDC ceiling fans.
   • National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) introduces induction-based cook stoves, targeting 20 lakh units.
4. EESL’s Market Transformation Approach:
   • Focus on generating demand and creating an ecosystem for energy-efficient products.
   • Commitment to competitive prices and easy accessibility through an inventory-less and automated B2B e-marketplace.
5. EESL’s Contributions to Energy Transition:
   • EESL’s initiatives prevented a peak power demand of 12 GW.
   • Significant reduction of carbon emissions by 45 million tonnes.
6. Cooking Solutions and Sustainability:
   • NECP aims to reduce dependence on LPG and kerosene-based cooking.
   • Introduction of low-emission alternatives for sustainable and cost-effective cooking.

National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP):

1. NECP is a part of the Clean Cooking Scheme, focusing on Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligned with the Ministry of Power’s Go-electric initiative.
2. EESL has initiated efforts to promote clean and safe electric cooking to support India’s Go-electric campaign and contribute to carbon mitigation goals.
3. The induction cooktop market witnessed rapid growth in 2021-22, driven by efficiency, technology, and aesthetic appeal, with over 10 million units sold.
4. Increased demand is attributed to factors like modular kitchens, rising LPG costs, and the convenience and safety associated with induction stoves.

Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP):

1. EESL is actively promoting the adoption of energy-efficient appliances, including LED bulbs, tube lights, and high-performance fans.
2. Ceiling fans contribute to approximately 40% of total residential electricity consumption in India.
3. By replacing current fans with more efficient models, up to 20% of total residential electricity consumption can be reduced.
4. The program aims to deploy 1 crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans across India to capitalize on the potential for energy savings.

About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):

1. EESL is a leading Energy Service Company operating under the Ministry of Power, focused on promoting energy-efficient products like LED bulbs, tube lights, fans, air conditioners, streetlights, and electric vehicles.
2. This resulted in significant energy savings, reduced peak demand, and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a joint venture of state-run power companies. EESL is responsible for implementing the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All scheme (previously known as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme).
4. Through its initiatives, EESL has successfully reduced the prices of LED bulbs by 75%.
5. This format provides a succinct overview of EESL’s role in implementing energy-efficient lighting schemes and its impact on reducing the cost of LED bulbs.

Super-Efficient Air Conditioning Programme

1. Product Efficiency: The Super-Efficient Air Conditioners are 40% more efficient than the 3-star ACs currently available in the market (ISEER 3.8).
2. Pricing: They are priced comparably with the 3-star ACs.
3. Expansion: EESL aims to make the programme available to all consumers across the nation, with other DISCOMs likely to partner with EESL in the future.

Significance and Benefits

1. The programme helps to reduce the peak power demand in South and West Delhi by 22MW, promoting energy security and sustainability.
2. Addresses the projected increase in energy consumption from buildings and cooling appliances in India by 2032, aligning with India’s Cooling Action Plan and Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase Out Management Plan.
3. Contributes to achieving India’s targets under the Kigali and Paris Agreements.

Funding

1. Global Environment Facility (GEF): EESL’s investment in the programme is partially supported by a grant from GEF.
2. Support: Asian Development Bank (ADB) and United Nations Environment (UNEP) provide grant support and technical assistance to the Super-Efficient AC programme.

About GEF

1. Establishment: GEF was established in 1992 to address global environmental issues.
2. Partnership: It is an international partnership of 183 countries, international institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
3. Role: GEF serves as a financial mechanism for five major international environmental conventions.

About UJALA Scheme

1. Objective: The main aim of the Ujala Scheme is to promote efficient lighting and raise awareness about the use of energy-efficient equipment to reduce electricity bills and preserve the environment.
2. Implementation: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Union Ministry of Power, is responsible for implementing the scheme.
3. Flagship Project: UJALA is a flagship project of the Government of India, aimed at ensuring the use of LED bulbs in every home across India to reduce net power consumption and control carbon emissions.

About SLNP

1. Launch: EESL’s Street Light National Programme (SNLP) was launched in 2015.
2. Achievements: The initiative has successfully replaced over 50 lakh street lights in more than 500 cities in India, resulting in 135 crore kWh of energy savings and cost savings of INR 742 crore annually.
3. Adoption: EESL replaces the conventional street lights with LEDs at its own costs, requiring no upfront investment from the municipalities, making the transition more attractive.

Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency (RAISE) National Programme:

1. Joint Initiative: The programme is a collaboration between Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) MAITREE Program.
2. Objective: The primary aim of the program is to enhance indoor air quality in workspaces across the nation, addressing concerns over poor air quality, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. Significance: It emphasizes the importance of maintaining good indoor air quality for occupant comfort, well-being, productivity, and public health.
4. Potential Impact: The RAISE initiative is expected to pioneer innovative methods to promote healthier and more eco-friendly workspaces.

Market Integration and Transformation Program for Energy Efficiency (MAITREE) Program:

1. It forms a part of the US-India bilateral Partnership between the Ministry of Power and USAID.
2. The program focuses on accelerating the adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency practices, particularly in the context of cooling, within buildings.

The RAISE program, in collaboration with the MAITREE initiative, reflects a commitment to improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency in work environments.

SAATHI Initiative (Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of Efficient Textile Technologies to Help Small Industries):

1. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power would procure energy-efficient Powerlooms, motors, and Rapier kits in bulk.
2. Small and medium Powerloom units will receive these efficient equipments at no upfront cost.
3. Implementation of these efficient technologies will lead to energy savings and cost savings for the unit owners.
4. Unit owners will repay the cost in installments to EESL over a 4 to 5 year period.
5. The initiative follows the aggregation, bulk procurement, and financing model successfully implemented by EESL in sectors like LED bulbs, Smart Meters, and Electric Vehicles.

Nodal Ministry:

1. The SAATHI initiative will be jointly implemented by EESL and the office of the Textile Commissioner on a pan-India basis.

This initiative aims to promote sustainable and energy-efficient practices in the textile industry, benefiting small and medium enterprises in the sector.