Daily Prelims Notes 17 February 2023

February 17, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

17 February 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Sea level rise and Global Security Challenges

Subject: Geography

Section: Physical geography – Climate

Context: The rise in sea levels and its implications for international peace and security was debated for the first time at the United Nations Security Council February 14, 2023. However, India, along with Russia and Brazil, pointed out the Council was not the place to address climate change.

More on the News:

Sea-level rise (SLR) has doubled since 1993, according to State of the Global Climate in 2022 report by the UN agency World Meteorological Organization. It is a direct negative effect of climate change and creates global problems and, therefore, requires global solutions.
SLR unleashes both sudden and gradual threats to the existence, identity and security of people and nations.
Submerged coastlines will threaten critical infrastructure, precipitate resource disputes and further marginalise the most vulnerable.
Over 70 leaders at the meeting argued that climate change should be addressed as part of the Council’s efforts to prevent conflict, sustain peace and build resilience in conflict-affected or otherwise fragile states.
India, Russia and Brazil, however, stated that the Council is not an appropriate forum for such a discussion. The UNSC is an unrepresentative body that may not be the right platform to discuss climate change as it could further polarise the debate by promoting interventionist measures that disregard equity concerns.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process is the most equitable architecture to address the issue.
A more nuanced approach towards security implications of climate change in light of growing climate vulnerabilities is required for long-term peace and security.

Rising Sea level in India and threat to coastal areas

States such as Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have been witnessing rapid coastal erosion and face greater risk.
The Global Mean Sea Level (GMSL) reached a new record high in 2021, increasing at an average 4.5 mm per year over the period 2013 -2021.
This is more than double the rate at which sea levels rose between 1993 and 2002.
GMSL integrates changes occurring in many components of the climate system, these include ocean warming via thermal expansion of seawater, melting of land ice and exchange of water with water bodies on land.

Rise not uniform

Although the sea level has risen almost everywhere since 1993, it has not risen equally everywhere.
Several regions continue to be affected by a rate of sea-level rise substantially faster than the global mean which shows the difference between local and global sea levels.
This is particularly the case in the western Tropical Pacific, the Southwest Pacific, the North Pacific, the South-west Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic.

Affect on Indian coasts

National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai under Ministry of Earth science is monitoring shoreline erosion since 1990 using remote sensing data and GIS mapping techniques.
The approximately 6,907.18 km long Indian coastline of the mainland has been inspected from 1990 to 2018, and it has been noted that about 34 percent of the coastline is facing erosion in varying degrees.
West Bengal has reported the highest 60.5 percent erosion followed by Puducherry (56.2 percent).
The 15th Finance Commission has suggested that the National Disaster Management Authority and or Ministry of Home Affairs develop suitable norms as mitigation measures to prevent erosion, and that the Union and States develop a policy to deal with the extensive displacement of people due to coastal and river erosion.

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, 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 has 15 members: the five permanent members and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year term
The five permanent members are the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and the United Kingdom.
Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members.
A “No” vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the resolution.
Any member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council may participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that member are specially affected.
The council’s presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members.
The council is headquartered at NewYork.

2. El Nino and India

Subject : Geography

Section :Physical geography

Context: India should brace for dry and hot spring-summer, El Nino, say experts.

More on the News:

Very little rainfall and warmer-than-normal temperatures projected for February as well as a declining La Niña indicate a hot and dry spring and summer months for most of India.
United States Global Forecasting System data showed a spike in maximum temperatures in the northwest and some parts of central, eastern and southern India starting from February 17, 2023.
The reason for this sudden spike in temperatures is
- a strong upper level westerly jet that seems to be setting up lower-level winds that are sweeping in warm ocean and desert winds.
- The high-pressure region is causing subsidence of air as well as enhancing the influx of dry winds from the northwest into India.
During spring and summer seasons, there are concerns regarding the decline of the La Niña conditions by March-April and the development of El Niño conditions later in the year, which could mean further rise in temperatures and subsequent heat waves.
Forecasting model of the United Kingdom Met Agency about the 5°C barrier being temporarily breached for the average temperature anomaly for 2024 due to the prospective El Niño.

More about El Nino:

The ENSO cycle-

El Niño is characterised by warmer-than-average waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific and a slowdown of trade winds (which blow east to west), and La Niña by cooler-than-average waters and intensified trade winds.
A neutral phase emerges when conditions are neither warm nor cool.
El Niño, La Niña and neutral phases are a part of ENSO, climate phenomena that alter atmospheric circulation.
This impacts temperature and precipitation across the globe.

El Nino impacts on India:

In a normal monsoon year (without El Nino), the pressure distribution is as follows:
The coast of Peru in South America has a higher pressure than the region near northern Australia and South East Asia.
The Indian Ocean is warmer than the adjoining oceans and so, has relatively lower pressure. Hence, moisture-laden winds move from near the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean.
The pressure on the landmass of India is lower than on the Indian Ocean, and so, the moisture-laden winds move further from the ocean to the lands.
If this normal pressure distribution is affected for some reason, the monsoons are affected.
El Nino means lesser than average rains for India. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the monsoons and because of this, lesser rainfall during the monsoons generally translates to below-average crop yields.

Triple-dip La-Nina-

A “triple-dip” La Nina is a multiyear cooling of the surface temperature of the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which can cause droughts, fierce winds and heavy rainfall.
According to WMO, the current La Nina is projected to span three consecutive northern hemisphere winters.
Since 1950, the Earth has witnessed a triple La Niña thrice, including the current one.
A La Niña phase four years in a row has not been recorded so far.

Possible Consequence of El Nino :https://optimizeias.com/four-possible-consequences-of-el-nino-returning-in-2023/

3. Lead poisoning

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context: Lead poisoning is a huge public health concern for India.

More on the News:

Half the children in India report high blood lead levels, reveals a 2020 report by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Pure Earth, a US-based environmental health non-profit.
In terms of average blood lead levels among the population, some 23 states exceed the 5 µg/dL margin.

Lead:

Lead is a naturally occurring element and is found in the earth’s crust.
It is usually found in combination with other elements, such as sulfur and oxygen, in the form of lead sulfide or lead oxide.
Lead is also found in small amounts in the air, soil, and water.
It is highly malleable and ductile, meaning it can be easily shaped and stretched into thin wires.
It is also highly resistant to corrosion, making it useful in plumbing and other applications where it may be exposed to water or other corrosive substances.
However, lead is highly toxic and can cause a range of health effects, particularly in children and pregnant women.

Source of Lead Pollution:

Effects of Lead Pollution

Health effects: Lead exposure can cause a range of health effects, including damage to the central nervous system, developmental delays, cognitive impairment, and anemia. Lead exposure can also affect the cardiovascular, renal, and reproductive systems. Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of lead exposure.
Environmental effects: Lead pollution can harm plants, animals, and ecosystems. Lead can accumulate in soil and water, and can be toxic to plants and animals. Lead pollution can also affect the quality of aquatic ecosystems, and can contribute to the decline of fish and other aquatic species.
Economic impacts: Lead pollution can have economic impacts, including costs associated with healthcare and lost productivity due to lead-related illnesses. The costs of cleaning up lead-contaminated sites and replacing lead-based products can also be significant.
Social impacts: Lead pollution can disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities, who may be more likely to live near sources of lead pollution, such as industrial sites or highways. Children in these communities may be at higher risk of lead exposure and the associated health effects.

Global initiatives to end Lead Pollution

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint: This initiative aims to eliminate lead paint in all countries by 2020. The initiative provides technical and financial support to countries to help them phase out lead paint.
World Health Organization (WHO) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programme: This initiative focuses on preventing childhood lead exposure and improving the diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning. The WHO also works to raise awareness of the dangers of lead exposure and promote the use of lead-free products.
The Partnership for Clean Indoor Air (PCIA): The PCIA is a global alliance of public, private, and non-governmental organizations that work to reduce indoor air pollution. The PCIA provides technical assistance, training, and resources to help countries and organizations transition to cleaner, safer energy sources.
The Global Battery Alliance: This initiative aims to promote sustainable battery production and use, including the responsible recycling of batteries to prevent lead pollution. The alliance brings together stakeholders from across the battery value chain to collaborate on sustainable solutions.
The Basel Convention: The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal is a global treaty that aims to minimize the generation of hazardous waste and prevent its transboundary movement. The convention includes provisions for the environmentally sound management of lead waste and the prevention of lead pollution.

India’s initiatives to end Lead Pollution

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Fluorosis and National Programme for Prevention and Control of Lead Poisoning: These programs were launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to prevent and control fluorosis and lead poisoning in high-risk areas. The programs focus on providing safe drinking water, promoting hygiene and sanitation, and conducting health education campaigns to raise awareness of the health effects of lead exposure.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) lead-free certification mark: In 2017, BIS introduced a new certification mark to indicate that products are lead-free. The mark is intended to help consumers identify lead-free products and promote the use of safer alternatives.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework: India has implemented an EPR framework for e-waste management, which requires producers to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of their products. This framework helps to prevent lead pollution from electronic waste, which is a significant source of lead exposure in India.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) has passed a notification as “Regulation on Lead contents in Household and Decorative Paints Rules, 2016″ and has prohibited manufacture, trade, import as well as export of household and decorative paints containing lead or lead compounds in excess of 90 Parts Per Million (PPM).
In 2022, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. The new rules aim at reducing share of battery recycling in the informal sector and stress on extended producer responsibility.

4. Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India

Subject : Environment

Section :Places in news

About Cold Desert Cultural Landscape:

The Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India is situated in the Himalayas and stretches from Ladakh (J&K) in the north to Kinnaur (H.P.) in the south.
The region constitutes a Cold Desert biome with harsh climatic conditions, which can be attributed to two factors.
- One is its location on the leeward side of the Himalayas, which makes it a rain-shadow zone inaccessible to the annual south eastern monsoon winds that sweep the rest of the country, thus creating desert conditions with low levels of precipitation.
- Second is its very high elevation (ranging from 3000 – 5000m ASL) that adds to the coldness in its environment.
A huge seasonal variation is seen in the climatic conditions, ranging from short and dry summers with harsh sunlight (max temperature reaching upto 36˚C during the day) to long, windy and freezing winters (min temperature touching -32˚C at night). Blizzards, snowstorms and avalanches are common.
The soil is not very fertile and the climatic conditions allow very short growing seasons making it a bare landscape. Water resources are minimal and comprise glacier-fed streams.
The settlements are small, isolated, sparsely populated and their planning a testament to the harsh terrain and environment. The population belongs predominantly to the Indo-Mongoloid (Tibetan) race with some parts of western Ladakh occupied by the Dards, who are intermediaries of Ladakhis and Baltis of the neighbouring Baltistan in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Two distinct regions of human habitation and culture can be distinguished within this cold desert, namely (1) the Leh-Kargil areas of Ladakh (J&K) and (2) Spiti Valley (H.P.).
Historical background of Ladakh
- Ladakh (‘land of the passes’) is one of the most elevated (2,900 m to 5,900 m msl), and coldest regions (from -30°C to -70°C) of the earth.
- Its topography is barren and population sparse inhabited along the river banks of different valleys namely Indus, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Suru.
- The mean annual precipitation is less than 50 mm, received mostly in the form of snowfall during winters.
- The region faces fast blowing winds 40-60 km/hrmainly in the afternoon hours.
- The soil moisture remains frozen during winters and with low relative humidity during the summer months.
- Despite such inhospitable conditions for survival, it is postulated that Ladakh has been occupied by humans since pre-historic times, as evidenced in the discovery of Lower Palaeolithic tools, Petroglyphs and other pre-historic art works that mark the beginning of man’s interaction with this cold desert landscape.
Historical background of Spiti
- Spiti, is known as the ‘middle country’ that lies between Tibet and India.
- Throughout history, it kept changing hands among the various kingdoms of Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Kullu. Subjugated to successive attacks and influences, many a times the rulers had to pay attributes to one another to keep peace in the region.
- The archaeological records substantiate that the original inhabitants in these regions were also pastoral nomads who braved harsh climatic conditions of all sorts. For protection, they defied the natural forces and elements, and began to worship them. It is believed that this is how the Naga Cult (cult of snake worship) and others came into existence that revolve around the worship of natural features as tree, rivers, sun, moon et al.
- The river Spiti originates at the base of the Kunzam range and flows eastward to join the Sutlej at Khab in Kinnaur.
- The inhabitants are largely dependent on agriculture, wild resources such as Droh, Gandam (Triticumaestivum), Neh, Jau (Hordeum himalayense) and medicinal plants for their livelihood.
Cultural Heritage
- Almost all settlements in the property are associated with Buddhist monasteries known as Gompas with a trademark prayer flag fluttering on top. Built either on flat land or atop the neighbouring hillock depending upon local factors, these shrines are the centers of the people’s cultural life and have influenced their religious beliefs for centuries.
- The architecture of the region is an interesting amalgamation of Indian and Tibetan influences, and monastic buildings reflect a deeply Buddhist approach.
- There are other architectural manifestations unique to this region. One is the Chorten (‘receptacle of worship’), which are remarkable types of stupas, and the Mani walls, long and thick platform-like row of stones, about 1 to 1.25 m high and 1.25 m wide, faced with carved stones inscribed with holy mantras.
- Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the Trans-Himalayan Ladakh Region, Jammu and Kashmir, has been inscribed since 2012 as one of elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- The performing arts: traditional dance including mask dance, theater, contemporary plays, folk music
- Craft-making techniques: thangkas, carpet weaving, pashmina and marino shawls and local quilt weaving, prayer flags of cloth, gold, silver, bronze sculptures, copper objects, wooden furniture including manuscript shelves, stone, stucco and clay
- Customs: sacred paintings, agriculture farming, kitchen-gardening, culinary, giving birth, wedding, death et al
- Rituals and beliefs: folk stories, legends, classical and vernacular language, dialects, songs, poems, ancient scripts etc. are parts of cultural legacy and well-maintained intangible heritage traditions of the property.
Natural Heritage
- Region displays an extremely fragile ecosystem that shows a complex relationship of the climatic and geomorphological processes, and exhibits very less but highly endemic diversity.
- Many rare and special varieties of flora and fauna are found here so much so that many national parks and wildlife reserves have been declared here by the Government for their protection.
- Furthermore, the Cold Desert has been declared as the 16th Biosphere Reserve of India in 2009 that includes Pin Valley National Park and surroundings, Chandratal and Sarchu, and the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in H.P. The Changtang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in district Leh, J&K is another protected habitat for flora and fauna in the region. In H.P.
- The region is home to a number of endangered species, including the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, and Tibetan wolf, as well as a range of unique plant species.

5. Anti-encroachment drive in historic city of Mehrauli

Subject: History

Section: Medieval India

Concept:

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) carried out an anti-encroachment drive in the nearby villages of Mehrauli and Ladha Sarai leaving hundreds of families in uncertainty about their future.

History of Delhi

Purani Dilli, commonly referred to as Old Delhi, is a misnomer as the city’s history dates back to before the establishment of Shahjahanabad.
The oldest evidence of habitation in Delhi, dating back to the Iron Age (around 1100-800 BC), is the painted grey ware fragments found in Purana Quila.
Historians recognize seven cities of Delhi, from the 11th century onwards, namely Lalkot/Quila Rai Pithora/Mehrauli, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firozabad, Shergarh (Old Fort), Shahjahanabad, and New Delhi.
However, depending on what is considered a city, this number can be as high as 11.

City of Mehrauli

Mehrauli is widely considered to be the oldest ‘city’ of Delhi and is the oldest area of the metropolis to be continuously inhabited.
It was first built by a ruler called Anangpal II in the 11th century, and it was called Lalkot.
Later, it was known as ‘Quila Rai Pithora’ and was fortified by the Chauhans.
This was christened ‘Quila Rai Pithora’ by Mughal court historian Abu’lFazl in his epic hagiography, ‘Ain-i-Akbari’.
The Mamluk dynasty took control of the city in 1192, and QutubudinAibak, the first ruler of the dynasty, built the Qutub Minarand the Quwwat-al-Islam mosque(oldest mosque in North India).
In the following century, more buildings like tombs, step wells, palaces, and fortifications were constructed during the reigns of Iltutmish, Razia Sultan, and Alauddin Khilji.

Continued relevance and inhabitation

Even as the newer cities came up and the seat of power shifted northwards, Mehrauli witnessed building activity as late as the Mughal and British periods.
Due to its location on the lap of the Aravallis hills, the area was preferred as a summer retreat.
Two Mughal summer palaces (Zafar Mahal and Jahaz Mahal) and a summer abode of Sir Thomas Metcalfe (Dilkhusha) are situated here.
Mehrauli lay on a historic trade route, as the number of sarais (Ladho Sarai, Ber Sarai, Neb Sarai) around the area would suggest.
Note :A sarai was a resthouse for weary travellers.

Cultural significance of Mehrauli

Mehrauli is also a spiritual centre.
Sufi saint HazratQutubuddinBakhtiar Kaki (1173 -1235 AD) was buried in the city and his dargah remains popular till date, across religious lines.
Some historians cite the dargah as a reason for the city surviving the test of time – despite power shifting elsewhere, the dargah remained a revered destination for pilgrims far and wide.
Historian Rana Safvi, in her book, ‘Where Stone Speaks’ talks about Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji’s (1290-1296) contribution to building the bazaar (market) in Mehrauli.
Some of the markets still exist, though much smaller.
Another spiritual centre for the community is the Yogmaya mandir, believed to be one of the oldest in the city.
Yoginis (semi-divine deities) have been an integral part of Indian folklore and this temple dedicated to them is believed to have been constructed by the Pandavas.
‘Phool Walon ki Sair’ Festival :
The cosmopolitan spirit and secular heritage of Mehrauli are perhaps best expressed in the annual community celebration of ‘Phool Walon ki Sair’ or Sair-e-Gulfaroshan (walk of the flowers).
This 19th-century Mughal-era festival was revived in 1962 by India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and has become the symbol of the city’s communal harmony since then.
The three-day festival includes processions and festivities led by shehnai players and dancers.
An offering of pankhas(large floral fans) is made to the Yogmaya Temple and a chadar is offered at the dargah of Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki.

Encroachments

Like much of the rest of Delhi, the Partition brought many changes to Mehrauli too.
Many refugees from the West found sanctuary here. The city has also seen sectarian tensions.

6. Short Selling in India

Subject : Economy

Section :Capital Market

Concept :

Market regulator Sebi has indicated to the Supreme Court that it is not in favour of banning short-selling or sale of borrowed shares, and said it is investigating allegations made by a short-seller against the Adani Group as well as its share price movements.
Background
Initially, market regulator SEBI has banned short selling of securities in 2001.
After that, SEBI issued short-selling guidelines for institutional investors in July 2007.
Seven years after short selling was banned, both retail and institutional investors had the option to go short in 2008.

Broad framework for short selling in India

Short selling” shall be defined as selling a stock which the seller does not own at the time of trade.
All classes of investors, viz., retail and institutional investors, shall be permitted to short sell.
Naked short selling shall not be permitted in the Indian securities market and accordingly, all investors would be required to mandatorily honour their obligation of delivering the securities at the time of settlement.
No institutional investor shall be allowed to do day trading e., square-off their transactions intra-day. In other words, all transactions would be grossed for institutional investors at the custodians’ level and the institutions would be required to fulfill their obligations on a gross basis.
The custodians, however, would continue to settle their deliveries on a net basis with the stock exchanges.
The stock exchanges shall frame necessary uniform deterrent provisions and take appropriate action against the brokers for failure to deliver securities at the time of settlement which shall act as a sufficient deterrent against failure to deliver.
A scheme for Securities Lending and Borrowing (SLB) shall be put in place to provide the necessary impetus to short sell. The introduction of a fullfledged securities lending and borrowing scheme shall be simultaneous with the introduction of short selling by institutional investors.
The securities traded in F&O segment shall be eligible for short selling.
SEBI may review the list of stocks that are eligible for short selling transactions from time to time.
The institutional investors shall disclose upfront at the time of placement of order whether the transaction is a short sale.
However, retail investors would be permitted to make a similar disclosure by the end of the trading hours on the transaction day.
The brokers shall be mandated to collect the details on scrip-wise short sell positions, collate the data and upload it to the stock exchanges before the commencement of trading on the following trading day.
The stock exchanges shall then consolidate such information and disseminate the same on their websites for the information of the public on a weekly basis.
The frequency of such disclosure may be reviewed from time to time with the approval of SEBI.

Debate over Short selling

Proponents of short selling consider it an outstanding and fundamental feature of the securities market.
On the other hand, critics of short selling firmly believe that short selling poses potential risks and can quickly destabilise the market.
Securities market regulators in most countries, particularly in all developed securities markets, recogniseshort selling as a legitimate investment activity.
The International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) also examines short selling and securities lending practices in various markets and recommends greater transparency in short selling rather than a ban on short selling.

Naked Short Selling

In naked short selling, stocks are not borrowed.
Therefore, in times of panic, more people could dump their holdings, without any obligation to fulfil their settlements, thereby pushing the prices of the stock further down.
It is illegal in India.

Difference between covered short sales and naked short sales

Covered short sales are those in which the seller arranges for the delivery of shares he has sold by borrowing them. Naked short sales are those in which the seller does not intend to provide for the delivery of shares he has sold.

7. Tax devolution to states

Subject: Polity

Section :Federalism

Concept :

The Centre’s tax devolution to the States, which has been consistently falling short of the Finance Commission’s recommendation, will hit a five-year low in FY24, according to an analysis of Budget 2023-24 by Emkay Global Financial Services .
Tax devolution in FY24 is estimated to hit a five-year low of 36.5 per cent.
The 14th Finance Commission had recommended a devolution of 42 per cent of Central taxes to States, but after Jammu and Kashmir was carved out into two Union Territories, the final report of the 15 th Finance Commission recommended the transfer of 41 per cent.

Reasons for Low tax devolution

Increasing cess&surcharges :
Decline in tax devolution is largely due to increasing cess and surcharges imposed by the Centre.
Cess and surcharges are part of central taxes but not part of the divisible tax pool and do not have to be shared with States.
In fact, cess and surcharge has grown at a faster pace than gross tax revenues.
The 15 th Finance Commission said that the divisible pool, as a percentage of the gross revenues of the Union, has been consistently falling as more and more resources are raised through non-shareable cesses and surcharges.
Total 15th Finance Commission transfers (devolution + grants) constitutes about 34% of estimated Gross Revenue Receipts to the Union.

Discontinuation of GST compensation :
Other reason for the Centre’s devolution coming down in FY24 could be the discontinuation of compensation for States (to be paid to states to meet the shortfall in indirect tax revenue below a specified threshold, due to the introduction of GST) ending in June 2022.
Going ahead, the compensation cess will be used for servicing debt that the Centre took on behalf of the States during the Covid-19 pandemic. For FY24, market loans worth ₹78,100 crore are due for redemption.

What is Tax Devolution?

Tax Devolution is to make recommendations for distributing the net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the states.
It is one of the key responsibilities of a finance commission according to Article 280 (3) (a) of the Constitution.
Vertical Devolution :distribution of net taxable income between the Union and states.
Horizontal Devolution :distribution of net taxable income between the states.

Allocation to states

Central transfers to states include devolution from a divisible pool of taxes, transfers towards Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Finance Commission grants, other transfers and capex loans.
Of these, tax devolutions accounts for over 70 per cent .
Tax devolved to States are untied funds and hence states are free to spend them as per their discretion.

Finance Commission Grants

Revenue Deficit Grants to States:
- Revenue deficit grants emanate from the requirement to meet the fiscal needs of the States on their revenue accounts that remain to be met, even after considering their own tax and non-tax resources and tax devolution to them.
- Revenue Deficit is defined as the difference between revenue or current expenditure and revenue receipts, that includes tax and non-tax.
Performance Based Incentives and Grants to States:
- These grants revolve around four main themes.
- The first is the social sector, where it has focused on health and education.
- Second is the rural economy, where it has focused on agriculture and the maintenance of rural roads.
- Third, governance and administrative reforms under which it has recommended grants for judiciary, statistics and aspirational districts and blocks.
- Fourth, it has developed a performance-based incentive system for the power sector, which is not linked to grants but provides an important, additional borrowing window for States.
Grants to Local Governments:
- Along with grants for municipal services and local government bodies, it includes performance-based grants for incubation of new cities and health grants to local governments.
- In grants for Urban local bodies, basic grants are proposed only for cities/towns having a population of less than a million. For Million-Plus cities, 100% of the grants are performance-linked through the Million-Plus Cities Challenge Fund (MCF).
Statutory Grants:
- Article 275 authorizes Parliament to offer grants to states in need of financial help, rather than to all states. Every year, these funds are charged to India’s Consolidated Fund.
- Aside from this basic provision, the Constitution also provides for specific funds to promote the welfare of scheduled tribes in a state or to improve the standard of administration in scheduled areas in a state, such as Assam.
- The Finance Commission recommends the states that receive statutory grants (both general and particular) under Article 275.

8. Changes in organ transplant rules

Subject :Schemes

Section :Health

Concept :

The Union health ministry modified national organ transplantation guidelines to allow even those above 65 years of age to register to receive an organ for transplantation from deceased donors.

Background

The Union Health Ministry is working on a ‘One Nation, One Organ Allocation’ policy in consultation with states to come up with uniform guidelines for registration, allocation and other aspects of the process.
Working towards firming up the policy, the ministry has recommended several changes in the organ transplant rules.
The government is also planning to introduce a chapter in school curriculum regarding organ donation awareness for students.

What are the changes brought in organ transplantation policy?

Upper age limit for registration has been removed :
- The new guidelines have done away with the 65-year age limit for registration of patients seeking organs from a deceased donor.
- There was no age cap for living donor transplants, where family members donate organs like kidneys and livers.
- However, people over the age of 65 years couldn’t register to receive organs from deceased donors as per guidelines of NOTTO
No domicile requirement :
- It has asked states to remove the domicile criterion for registering those seeking organs from deceased donor for transplant procedures.
- Now the needy person can go to any state of the country and register for getting organ and also get the transplant done.
- The patient will be allotted a unique ID by NOTTO on registering.
- This will get carried forward even if the patient changes multiple hospitals in different States.
No registration fee required :
- Noting that some states have been charging fees ranging between Rs 5,000 to 10,000 for registering such patients, the Union Health Ministry has asked them not to charge money.

Regulatory frameworks guiding the organ transplantation in India

Legislation
In 1994, The Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) was promulgated by the government of India.
The Transplantation of Human Organs Rules followed in 1995 and were last amended in 2014, increasing the scope of donation and including tissues for transplantation.
The act made commercialization of organs a punishable offence and legalized the concept of brain death in India allowing deceased donation by obtaining organs from brain stem dead person.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a national level organization set up under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Besides laying down policy guidelines and protocols for various functions, it coordinates all the activities associated with organ donation at national level.

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)

NOTTO is a national level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It functions as apex centre for all India activities of coordination and networking for:
- National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network – procurement and distribution of organs and tissues.
- National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank) – registry of Organs and Tissues Donation and Transplantation in country.
Besides laying down policy guidelines and protocols for various functions, it coordinates all the activities associated with organ donation at national level.

9. Viral Interference

Subject : Science and technology

Section : Health

Concept :

Three years into the pandemic, COVID-19 is still going strong, causing wave after wave as case numbers soar, subside, then ascend again.
Now in addition to covid, there is a return of flu (absent during the pandemic) plus respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), creating a “tripledemic.”
The surges in these old foes were particularly striking because flu and RSV all but disappeared during the first two winters of the pandemic. Even more surprising, one particular version of the flu may have gone extinct during the early Covid pandemic.
Scholar Webby thinks that the factor that may have kept them at bay while Covid raged. It’s called viral interference, and it simply means that the presence of one virus can block another.

Viral interference

Viral interference is a phenomenon for which a cell infected by a virus becomes resistant toward a second outcoming infection by a superinfectant virus.
Multiple respiratory viruses can concurrently or sequentially infect the respiratory tract and lead to virus‒virus interactions.
Infection by a first virus could enhance or reduce infection and replication of a second virus, resulting in positive (additive or synergistic) or negative (antagonistic) interaction.
The concept of viral interference has been demonstrated at the cellular, host, and population levels.
The mechanisms involved in viral interference have been evaluated in differentiated airway epithelial cells and in animal models susceptible to the respiratory viruses of interest.
A likely mechanism is the interferon response that could confer a temporary nonspecific immunity to the host.
Even though other mechanisms are known, it can be assumed that most cases of viral interference occurring in natural conditions are mediated by interferon.
It is a low molecular weight protein produced by the infected cell in response to a stimulus provided by viral nucleic acid(s).
The interferon produced by a cell can migrate to other cells not yet involved by the spreading infection, transmitting to them the antiviral-resistant state.

10. Moderating Current Account Deficit

Subject : Economy

Section : External sector

Concept :

There are indications that the current account deficit (CAD) will moderate despite the global slowdown triggered by the rising inflation and interest rates.
According to the RBI, the CAD was at $36.4 billion for the quarter ending September 2022 and is expected to moderate in the second half of 2022-23.
CAD for the first half of 2022-23 stood at 3.3% of GDP.
The situation has shown improvement in Q3:2022-23 as imports moderated in the wake of lower commodity prices, resulting in narrowing of the merchandise trade deficit.

Factors responsible for moderating CAD :

The moderation in CAD was aided by:
the fall in commodity prices,
rising workers remittances and services exports, and
abatement of selling pressure by foreign investors.
Recently, there has been sharp drop in imports which also led to the moderation of CAD.
This sharp decline in imports was due to:
Non-oil imports falling, mainly due to a price impact;
Softening in domestic demand post the festive season;
Seasonal impact of the Chinese New Year holidays.

How will moderating CAD impact the market?

While rising CAD raises concerns among investors as it hurts the currency and thereby the inflow of funds into the markets, a notable decline in CAD in January has improved market sentiments.
CAD is very important for the currency.
The value of an economy hinges a lot on the value of its currency and thereby, it also supports the equity markets by keeping the fund flow intact.

Current Account Deficit (CAD)

It is a measurement of a country’s trade where the value of the goods and services it imports exceeds the value of the products it exports.
The current account includes net income, including interest and dividends, and transfers, like foreign aid.
It represents a country’s foreign transactions and, like the capital account, is a component of a country’s Balance of payments (BOP).

Significance of CAD

CAD and the fiscal deficit together make up the twin deficits – the enemies of the stock market and investors.
If the current account shows surplus, that indicates money is flowing into the country, boosting the foreign exchange reserves and the value of rupee against the dollar.
While an existing deficit can imply that a country is spending beyond its means, having a current account deficit is not inherently disadvantageous.
If a country uses external debt to finance investments that have higher returns than the interest rate on the debt, the country can remain solvent while running a current account deficit.
If a country is unlikely to cover current debt levels with future revenue streams, however, it may become insolvent.

11. EC raps Congress, BJP for campaign on Twitter during polling in Tripura

Subject :Polity

Section : Elections

Concept :

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tripura on Thursday issued notices to the State units of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as BJP national general secretary DilipSaikia for seeking votes on Twitter when polling was under way in the northeastern State.
The Election Commission (EC) said the tweets are violative of election law as they were posted in the 48 hour “silence period”.

Silence Period

Election silence is observed for a period of 48 hours until the conclusion of the polling, as per Section 126 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
The ‘Silence Period’ is basically a ban imposed by the ECI which prevents political parties from engaging in election campaigning prior to voting.

Section 126 (l)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951

It prohibits display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus in the polling area during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area.

12. SC to pronounce order on whether a speaker on notice can disqualify legislators

Subject : Polity

Section :Parliament

Concept :

The Supreme Court is scheduled on Friday to pronounce its order on the question of whether a seven judge Bench should reexamine its 2016 decision that a Speaker under a cloud should first clear his name before hearing disqualification petitions against legislators under the anti-defection law.

Background

In 2016, a majority judgment of the Supreme Court in the Nabam Rebia case had held that a Speaker or Deputy Speaker facing notice of removal cannot decide disqualification proceedings against legislators.

Nabam Rebia ruling

The Supreme Court held that it is “constitutionally impermissible” for a speaker to proceed with disqualification proceedings, if a notice of removal against him is pending.
If a Speaker truly and rightfully enjoys support of the majority of the MLAs, there would be no difficulty whatsoever, to demonstrate the confidence which the members of the State Legislature, repose in him.
This ruling gave a window to defecting legislators to stall or circumvent the Tenth Schedule by seeking removal of the Speaker when disqualification proceedings are anticipated — effectively tying the hands of the Speaker.
Since 2016, this legal route has a been a familiar playbook for legislators cutting across states and political affiliations.

Notice for removal of Speaker

Under Article 179 of the Constitution, a Speaker can be removed by a resolution of the Assembly passed by a majority of “all the then members of the Assembly”.
The process begins with notice of at least 14 days.
In the 2016 Nabam Rebia ruling, the Supreme Court interpreted Article 179, specifically the term “all the then members of the Assembly”, to mean the composition of the house at the date/time of giving the notice for the removal of the Speaker.
No change on composition of the house :
This interpretation would mean that the composition of the Assembly cannot be changed from the date of issuing of a notice of the removal of the Speaker, and therefore the Speaker cannot make any decisions under the Tenth Schedule to change the composition of the House until the question of his removal is settled.
Rationale behind SC ruling :
The Supreme Court’s reasoning in barring the Speaker from acting under the Tenth Schedule when a notice for his own removal is pending, is to ensure that the Speaker who disqualifies legislators must enjoy the confidence of the Assembly.

13. China and Russia Fail to Defund UN Human Rights Work

Subject : International Relations

Section: International Organization

Concept :

United Nations member states agreed to fully fund UN human rights mechanisms that China, Russia, and their allies had sought to defund in the 2023 budget. This should set a precedent for UN human rights funding in the future.

Background

During the General Assembly’s budget negotiations in late 2022, China, Russia, and allies proposed a resolution to defund human rights investigations in various countries.
all these efforts failed.
The Czech Republic as European Union president countered by proposing full funding for human rights mechanisms at the level proposed by Secretary-General António Guterres. The resolution passed by a sizable majority.

UN Human rights funding

Almost two thirds of UN Human Rights’ income come from voluntary contributions from Member States and other donors.
The remainder is covered by the UN regular budget.

UN Regular Budget

The UN regular budget, approved by the General Assembly, is funded by “assessed contributions” from each Member State.
These are determined by a formula that takes into account the size and strength of their respective national economies.
The 2023 regular budget is the fourth annual budget prepared in accordance with the UN management reform agenda.
Indeed, during its seventy-second session, the General Assembly approved the proposed change from a biennial to an annual budget cycle on a trial basis, beginning with the programme budget for 2020.
The General Assembly reviewed the implementation of the annual budget at its seventy-seventh session in September 2022, with a view to taking a final decision.

India’s Contribution

India has paid USD 29.9 million in UN regular budget assessments for the year 2022.
Apart from regular contribution, India has contributed four lakh US dollars to four Voluntary Trust Funds as part of its commitment to global promotion and protection of human rights and support for United Nations Human Rights.
The four Trust Funds to which contribution has been made includes,
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture,
Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation,
Voluntary Fund for financial and technical assistance for the implementation of Universal Periodic Review,
Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to support the participation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDs) in the work of the council.

14. Schedule M norms

Subject : Science and Technology

Section : Health

Context: In just six months, reports of three major global incidents, including deaths, have been potentially linked to pharmaceutical products sourced from India. The incidents, have put local manufacturing practices and supply chain management under fresh scrutiny

Content

After incidents of deaths reported recently a policy directive is being discussed to “upgrade” present manufacturing practices to the World Health Organization’s cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practices) levels. But not everyone is convinced that such “upgradation” would ensure quality products are supplied in the country and outside. Especially, since some of the companies in the dock now are reportedly WHO-GMP compliant.

The present Schedule M norms for manufacturing are stringent, and sometimes all that’s needed is technical hand-holding by regulators, or financial help to upgrade systems and documentation.

Schedule M norms: It is good manufacturing practice norm.

15. 12 African cheetah likely to land on Saturday

Subject : Environment

Section : Species in news

African Cheetah

IUCN status – Vulnerable
CITES status – Appendix-I of the List. This List comprises of migratory species that have been assessed as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
Habitat – Around 6,500-7,000 African cheetahs present in the wild.
Physical Characteristics – Bigger in size as compared to Asiatic Cheetah.

Asian Cheetah

IUCN Status – Critically Endangered.
CITES – Appendix I of the list
Habitat – 40-50 found only in Iran.
Physical Characteristics – Smaller and paler than the African cheetah. Has more fur, a smaller head and a longer neck. Usually have red eyes and they have a more cat-like appearance.

Kuno National Park

It was established, in 1981, as a wildlife sanctuary in the Sheopur and Morena districts. It was also known as Kuno-Palpur and Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.
In 2018, it was given the status of a National Park.
It is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
The protected area is largely dry, deciduous forest.