Daily Prelims Notes 19 July 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

19 July 2024

Table Of Contents

1. The Green Revolution in maize
2. If India gives land, we will work together to produce palm oil here, says visiting Malaysian Minister
3. Why recent sighting of Peru’s uncontacted Mashko Piro people is concerning
4. How do Assam’s Foreigners Tribunals function?
5. Flare-Up in Vegetable Prices Stalls Overall Disinflationary Trend
6. 7th apex level meeting of Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD)
7. International Centre for Audit of Local Governance, which the CAG inaugurated in Gujarat
8. Ivory Coast joins UN Water Convention as 10th African nation

1. The Green Revolution in maize

Sub: Geo

Sec: Eco geo

Context:

• India achieved self-sufficiency in wheat and rice, thanks to high-yielding varieties bred by institutions such as Mexico-based CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) and IARI, under scientists like Norman Borlaug and M S Swaminathan.

Maize Revolution in India

• Maize production in India has more than tripled from 11.5 million tonnes in 1999-2000 to over 35 million tonnes in 2023-24, with average yields rising from 1.8 to 3.3 tonnes per hectare.
• Only a fifth of maize is used for human consumption, with 60% serving as feed for poultry and livestock.
• Maize is a key energy source in broiler, egg-layer, and cattle feeds, with broiler feed containing 55-65% maize.

India’s first ‘Waxy’ Maize hybrid- Pusa Waxy Maize Hybrid-1:

• 14-15% of maize is used industrially for starch and 1-3% of other simple carbohydrates (sucrose, glucose and fructose), which has applications in various industries, and for ethanol production for blending with petrol.
• IARI has bred India’s first “waxy” maize hybrid with high amylopectin starch content, better suited for ethanol production.
• The new Pusa Waxy Maize Hybrid-1(AQWH-4) has a higher starch recovery rate, enhancing ethanol yield.
• Normal maize starch has 30% amylose and 70% amylopectin. The starch from IARI’s waxy maize hybrid (AQWH-4) has 93.9% amylopectin.
  • Softness ensures better grinding of the grains fed into the mill for making flour.
  • Granules with higher amylopectin are also easily accessible by alpha-amylase, the enzyme that hydrolyses or breaks down the starch into smaller glucose units.
  • The glucose is, then, fermented into ethanol using yeast.
• Field trials are underway in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Distillers’ Association.

CIMMYT’s Contribution:

• CIMMYT has opened a maize-doubled haploid facility in Karnataka, producing genetically pure inbred lines to speed up maize breeding.
• This facility produced 29,622 maize DH lines last year, focusing on high-yielding lines tolerant to various stresses.
  • CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) is one of the 15 CGIAR centres based in Mexico.
  • CIMMYT is known for hosting the world’s largest maize and wheat genebank.

Private Sector’s Role:

• The Green Revolution in maize has been led by the private sector, with private sector-bred hybrids accounting for over 80% of India’s maize area.
• CIMMYT collaborates with both public institutions and private seed companies to improve maize varieties.

2. If India gives land, we will work together to produce palm oil here, says visiting Malaysian Minister

Sub: Geo

Sec:  Eco geo

Context:

• India and Malaysia agreed to enhance cooperation in oil palm cultivation and palm oil production and trade.

Details:

• The ministers discussed India’s National Mission on Edible Oils and plans to increase oil palm cultivation.
• Malaysia offered its expertise in research, seed supply, and partnership management to support India’s efforts.
• The versatile uses of palm oil include edible oil and biofuel.
• Malaysia exports 14.8 million tonnes of palm oil, with 3 million tonnes going to India, its biggest partner.
• Malaysia ensures its palm oil meets sustainability standards, using no new land for cultivation and halting deforestation.

Oil Palm Production in India:

• Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis), originated in West Africa is comparatively a new crop in India and has the highest vegetable oil-yielding capability per ha.
• It produces two distinct oils, i.e., palm oil and palm kernel oil, which are used for culinary as well as industrial purposes.
• Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala are major Oil palm-growing States and account for 98% of total production.
• Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Mizoram also have sizable areas under Oil palm cultivation.

National Mission on Edible Oils- Oil Palm (NMEO-OP):

• Launched by the Government of India in August 2021, NMEO-OP targets a substantial increase in oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production.
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a special focus on the Northeast region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a focus on increasing the area and productivity of oilseeds and Oil Palm. 
• Scheme Outlay: A financial outlay of Rs. 11,040 crores has been made for the scheme, out of which Rs. 8,844 crore is the Government of India share and Rs. 2,196 crore is the State share, and this includes the viability gap funding also.
• Targets:
  • To increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh ha during 2019-20 by 2025-26 (an additional 6.50 lakh ha).
  • To increase the Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes during 2019-20 to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26.
  • Increase consumer awareness to maintain a consumption level of 19.00 kg/person/annum till 2025-26.
• The State Department of Agriculture, State Department of Horticulture, Central University, ICAR-Institutions, CDDs, SAUs, KVKs, Central Agencies/Cooperatives, Oil palm processors/ Associations, DD Kisan, AIR, DD, TV channels will be the implementing stakeholders of the NMEO-Oil palm.
• Features: The salient features of NMEO-OP include assistance for planting material, inputs for intercropping upto gestation period of 4 years and for maintenance, the establishment of seed gardens, nurseries, micro irrigation, bore well/pump set/water harvesting structure, vermicompost units, solar pumps, harvesting tools, custom hiring centre cum harvester Groups, farmers and officers training, and for replanting of old oil palm gardens etc.

3. Why recent sighting of Peru’s uncontacted Mashko Piro people is concerning

Sub: IR

Sec:  Places in news

Context:

• Survival International released rare photos of the Mashco Piro, one of the world’s uncontacted tribes.
• Over 50 tribespeople were seen near a river close to logging concessions, highlighting a potential humanitarian crisis.

Mashco Piro- Uncontacted Tribe:

• The Mashco Piro, numbering over 750, are nomadic hunter-gatherers living in the Amazon jungles near Peru’s borders with Brazil and Bolivia.
• Peru’s government forbids contact with them to prevent disease spread, and most information about them comes from the Yine people.

Logging Threats:

• In 2002, Peru created the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve to protect the Mashco Piro, but much of their land remains outside the reserve.
• Logging companies, especially Canales Tahuamanu, have been granted large concessions and have aggressively defended their rights.
• The Mashco Piro have expressed their distress to the Yine about the logging activities.

Displacement and Survival:

• The Mashco Piro were previously displaced during Peru’s rubber boom in the 1880s, and moved further upstream on the Manu river, leading to their current isolation.
• Recent logging incursions have left them with nowhere to go, increasing sightings as they seek food and flee encroachers.
• Some have even been spotted in Brazil, fleeing the logging activities in Peru.

4. How do Assam’s Foreigners Tribunals function?

Sub: Polity

Sec:  National body

Context:

•  The Assam government asked the Border wing of the State’s police not to forward cases of non-Muslims who entered India illegally before 2014 to the Foreigners Tribunals (FTs).

What are the  Foreigners Tribunals?

• Foreigners Tribunals are  quasi-judicial bodies set up under  the Foreigners’ Tribunal Order, 1964 and the Foreigners Act, 1946 to enable state administration to refer to a person suspected of being a foreigner.
• It is currently functioning only in the state of Assam presently.
• Each FT is headed by a member drawn from judges, advocates, and civil servants with judicial experience.
• The Tribunal possesses the power of Civil Court while trying a suit.
• It can summon and request the attendance of any individual and examine him/her on oath.
• The Tribunal can request anyone to produce the necessary documents.
• A tribunal is required to serve a notice in English or the official language of the State to a person alleged to be a foreigner within 10 days of receiving the reference.
• Such a person has 10 days to reply to the notice and another 10 days to produce evidence in support of his or her case.
• An FT has to dispose of a case within 60 days of reference.
• If the person fails to provide any proof of citizenship, the FT can send him or her to a detention center, now called transit camp, for deportation later.

2019 Amendment to The (Foreigners Tribunals) Order, 1964

• District Magistrates have the authority to establish Foreigners Tribunals in their respective area of operation to determine the legality of a person’s citizenship status
• An individual can now in their own capacity file an appeal in FTs to prove their citizenship if left out of NRC( Assam).

What is the role of the Border police?

• The Assam Police Border Organisation was established as a part of the State police’s Special Branch in 1962 under the Prevention of Infiltration of Pakistani (PIP) scheme.
• It was  made an independent wing in 1974 and is headed by the Special Director General of Police (Border).
• The members of this wing are tasked with detecting and deporting illegal foreigners, patrolling the India-Bangladesh border with the Border Security Force, maintaining a second line of defense.
• It also refers people of suspicious citizenship to the FTs.
• Cases of ‘D’ or doubtful voters can also be referred to an FT by the Election Commission of India.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act,2019:

• The CAA, 2019 provides a path to Indian citizenship for migrants belonging to six religious minorities: Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

The application process for citizenship under CAA has been made under Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955

5. Flare-Up in Vegetable Prices Stalls Overall Disinflationary Trend

Sub: Eco

Sec: Inflation and Unemployment

• Consumer Price Inflation:
  • Consumer price inflation rose to 5.1% in June from 4.8% in May.
  • The increase in inflation was primarily due to a surge in vegetable prices.
  • The 28 basis points (bps) rise in inflation stemmed from a positive momentum of 133 bps, outweighing a favorable base effect of 106 bps.
• Factors Affecting Inflation:
• Food Inflation:
• Food inflation firmed up to 8.4% in June from 7.9% in May.
• The positive price momentum of 269 bps in food significantly contributed to the rise.
• Fuel Inflation:
• Fuel inflation saw a slight positive momentum of 6 bps.
• Deflation in LPG prices continued, while growth in kerosene and electricity prices moderated.
• Core Inflation:
• Core inflation saw a positive momentum of 12 bps.
• Vegetable Prices:
  • Vegetable prices continued to record a double-digit rise year-on-year (YoY).
  • The persistent rise in vegetable prices played a significant role in halting the disinflationary trend.
• Insights and Observations:
  • The view that food price shocks are transitory is not supported by the past year’s experience.
  • The past year’s prolonged food price shocks suggest that these shocks cannot be considered transitory.
  • Sporadic spikes in various vegetable prices have contributed to a persistent inflationary trend in the food category.
• Implications:
  • Food prices are dominating the behavior of headline inflation.
  • The gains achieved through the reduction of core and fuel inflation, facilitated by a combination of monetary policy and supply management, are being undermined by the surge in food prices.

Conclusion:

• The recent spike in vegetable prices has interrupted the overall disinflationary trend in the Indian economy.
• Despite efforts to control core and fuel inflation, food prices, particularly vegetables, have shown persistent and sporadic spikes, challenging the notion that food price shocks are merely transitory.
• This highlights the need for more robust measures to manage food price volatility and sustain the disinflationary momentum.

Inflation

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power over time.

Core and Headline Inflation 

• Demand-Pull Inflation
  • Definition: Occurs when the demand for goods and services exceeds supply, leading to higher prices.
  • Causes: Increased consumer spending, government spending, or investment.
  • Example: An economic boom where consumers and businesses are spending more, driving up prices.
• Cost-Push Inflation
  • Definition: Happens when the costs of production increase, leading to higher prices for final goods and services.
  • Causes: Rising wages, increased prices for raw materials, and supply chain disruptions.
  • Example: A spike in oil prices leading to higher transportation and production costs.
• Hyperinflation
  • Definition: Extremely rapid and out-of-control inflation, often exceeding 50% per month.
  • Causes: Severe economic instability, excessive money supply, loss of confidence in the currency.
  • Example: Zimbabwe in the late 2000s, where inflation reached astronomical levels.
• Deflation
  • Definition: A decrease in the general price level of goods and services.
  • Actual decrease in price levels. Disinflation is still positive inflation, just at a slower pace.
  • Causes: Reduced consumer spending, lower demand, excess supply.
  • Example: The Great Depression in the 1930s, where prices fell significantly due to decreased demand.
• Stagflation
  • Definition: A situation where the economy experiences stagnant growth, high unemployment, and high inflation simultaneously.
  • Causes: Supply shocks, inappropriate monetary policies.
  • Example: The 1970s oil crisis, where oil prices soared, leading to high inflation and economic stagnation.
• Reflation
  • Definition: Measures taken by the government to increase inflation to counteract deflationary pressures.
  • Causes: Monetary policies like lowering interest rates, fiscal stimulus.
  • Example: Post-recession policies aimed at boosting economic activity and prices.
• Disinflation
  • Definition: Disinflation refers to a slowdown in the rate of inflation. In other words, it represents a decrease in the rate at which prices are rising.
  • Unlike deflation, which is a decrease in the general price level of goods and services, disinflation still involves increasing prices, but at a slower rate than before.

6. 7th apex level meeting of Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD)

Subject: polity

Sec: National body

Context:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called for ruthless action against drug smuggling syndicates stating that police and other agencies should not only aim to arrest those who consume narcotics.

More about News:

• The Minister launched a toll-free helpline called MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) at 1933.
• All agencies should move from ‘Need to Know’ policy to that of ‘Duty to Share’. There should be a ruthless approach towards supply of drugs, a strategic approach towards demand reduction and a humane approach towards harm reduction.

MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra):

–       Toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile app and UMANG app so that citizens of the country can anonymously connect with NCB 24×7 for seeking advice on de-addiction and rehabilitation, sharing information on drug trafficking.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB):

• Headquarters: Delhi
• Ministry:  Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
• Statutory body
• Constituted by the Government of India in1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
• NCB now has 30 zonal offices and 7 regional offices.

Major challenges posed by synthetic drugs:

• Entire business of such substances is getting linked with terrorism and the money coming from drugs has emerged as the most serious threat to the security of the country.
• Economic transactions meant to weaken the economy have also been
• Illegal hawala dealings and tax evasion.
• Foreign countries have decriminalised drugs-related offences as they do not have enough space in jails, it is not due to any humanitarian approach.
• Maritime routes were being used for smuggling drugs.

Action against drugs:

• To increase the usage of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS).
• Harsh laws are made to fight organised crimes.
• Strategy for coastal and land-locked areas should be unique.

Govt. of India has adopted two-pronged strategy to achieve

The vision of “Nasha Mukt Bharat”:-

• Drugs supply reduction initiatives.
• Drugs demand reduction initiatives.

Drugs supply reduction initiatives taken by the Government are as detailed below:

(i) Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) – The Government has introduced the NCORD mechanism in 2016 to have effective coordination of actions among various Ministries, Departments, Central and States law enforcement agencies dealing with narcotics. The mechanism was restructured in 2019 into a 4 tier structure as detailed under:-

• Apex Level Committee (headed by Union Home Secretary)
• Executive Level Committee (headed by Special Secretary (IS),

MHA).

• State Level Committee (headed by Chief Secretary of the

concerned State).

• District Level Committee (Headed by District Magistrate)

(ii) A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) was constituted vide MHA’s consisting of Central and State Agencies to monitor investigations in case of large seizure of drugs.

(iii) A special Task Force on Dark net and Crypto currency has been constituted to monitor suspicious transactions related to drugs on Darknet.

(iv) To prevent smuggling along border areas various border guarding forces like BSF, SSB and Assam Rifles have been empowered under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act, 1985 to make interdiction of drugs.

(v) To mitigate the problem of drug trafficking through maritime route, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has been empowered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for making interdiction of narcotic drugs at sea.

(vi) Since illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and its abuse is a trans-national problem, Govt. of India has entered into bilateral agreements with 27 countries, Memorandum of Understanding

(B) Initiatives taken by the Government for Drugs demand reduction are as follow :

(i) National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) is an umbrella scheme of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E) under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Skill development, vocational training and livelihood support to ex-drug addicts, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by States/UTs and Non-Governmental Organizations/ Voluntary Organizations for running and maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs), Community based Peer Led Interventions (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention among Adolescents, Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODIC) and Addiction treatment facilities (ATFs) in Government Hospitals.

(ii) Launching of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) in 372 most vulnerable districts with a massive community outreach programme, involving more than 8000 youth volunteers.

 (iii) The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is also running a National Toll Free Helpline 14446 to provide tele-counseling to drug users and refer them to the nearest de-addiction center.

(iv) NCB has also launched awareness campaigns through various social media platforms by way of Audio Video messages of eminent personalities from the field of Politics, Bureaucracy, Sports, Films, Music etc. and also through Telecom Service Providers, FM Radios, Television Channels, etc.

Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS):

• Section 3 of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988empowers the government to detain a person to prevent him from engaging in illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

7. International Centre for Audit of Local Governance, which the CAG inaugurated in Gujarat

Subject: Polity

Sec: Local Govt, PRI

Context:

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Girish Chandra Murmu inaugurated the International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) in Rajkot.

More about News:

• The institute, a first in the country as per the CAG office, will function out of the office building of the Accountant General (account & entitlement and Audit-1) in Rajkot.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG):

Founded: 1858

Abbreviation: CAG

Deputy: Deputy Comptrollers and Auditors General of India

Appointed by: President of India

Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

Department: Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IAAD)

Aim:

• To set global standards for auditing local governance bodies.

How will iCAL work?

• iCAL will be a collaborative platform for policymakers, administrators and auditors linked with local governments.
• It will enhance the local government auditors independence to ensure improved financial performance assessment, service delivery, and data reporting.
• It will also serve as a centre of excellence for capacity building of local government auditors.

Primary aim :

• To effectively fulfil their roles through training and leadership development initiatives.
  • Empower auditors
  • Executives
  • Elected representatives of local governments.

Three-tier governance structure:

• India has a three-tier governance structure comprising the Union or Central government, state governments, and local bodies at urban and rural levels.
• Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs) like village panchayats, taluka (block) panchayats and district panchayats have been set up for self-governance in rural areas, with Urban Local Bodies such as municipal corporations and municipalities in urban areas.

How are local bodies audited in India?

• The concerned local body, many state governments have an Examiner of Local Fund Accounts (ELFA) or Director of Local Fund Accounts (DLFA) for auditing their accounts.
• ELFA is an autonomous office functioning under the aegis of the finance department.
• ELFA audits the utilisation of funds granted by the state government to local bodies.
• The CAG, conducts audits of all funds (including the state and Central governments).
• It also exercises control and supervision over the proper maintenance of accounts and auditing for all three levels of PRIs/ULBs.

Why was a need felt for it?

• A lot of funds are flowing to local bodies now and there is a need for proper auditing of these institutions, there have long been concerns about the lack of funding available to local bodies, and its utilisation.
• A 2022 report from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) found, Most municipalities only prepare budgets and review actuals against budgeted plans but do not use their audited financial statements for balance sheet and cash flow management, resulting in significant inefficiencies.

8. Ivory Coast joins UN Water Convention as 10th African nation

Subject: IR

Sec: Int conventions

Context:

• Ivory Coast joined the United Nations Water Convention, becoming the 10th African nation. In 2024, at least three more African nations, which include Sierra Leone, Zambia and Zimbabwe, are in the final stages of accession and joining the convention.

More about  News:

• Ivory Coast joined the convention to enhance cooperative water management across borders in response to growing water stress and the effects of climate change on the water resources it shares with its neighbours.
• It is now the 53rd Party (country) to the 1992 UN Water Convention, which is also known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.

UN Water Convention:

• The Convention was initially established as a regional framework for the pan-European region.
• Ivory Coast shares eight transboundary river basins (Black Volta, Bia, Tanoe, Comoe, Niger, Sassandra, Cavally et Nuon) with six of its neighbours, which include Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
• Niger basin, which is the continent’s third-longest river at 4,200 kilometres and traverses nine countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria), is one of Africa’s most vulnerable regions to climate change.
• Niger River basin is the largest decrease in river flows in all of Africa due to climate change, according to a recent study titled Combined impacts of climate and land-use change on future water resources in Africapublished in the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences on 8 January 2024.
• Under the convention, the parties (or nations) are required to cooperate for the sustainable management of transboundary waters.
• While all 54 countries are facing water insecurity, Ivory Coast is categorised as the 40th “water insecure country in the continent”, according to the Global Water Security 2023 Assessment.
• Meeting the water needs of the country’s 30 million residents, whose population is growing by 5 per cent annually, presents numerous challenges. The region’s water supplies are threatened by urbanisation, climate change effects such as drought and flooding, and pollution from industrial and agricultural waste, illicit gold panning, and untreated wastewater, stated the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), which services the UN Water Convention.
• In the context of increasing water scarcity and high demand for water in Africa, Cote d’Ivoire’s accession as the 10th African Party to the 1992 Water Convention is a significant step for the continent.
• No transboundary aquifers shared by the country are covered by operational arrangements, shows the UN portal on SDG 6.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6:

• Ensure access to water and sanitation for all. Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and well-being. Billions of people will lack access to these basic services in 2030 unless progress quadruples.

Significant for Africa:

• Potential to stimulate economic growth, secure livelihoods, and alleviate poverty.
• Transboundary water (TBW) resources, where 63 international transboundary river basins cover about 62 per cent of the region’s land area and account for 90 per cent of the total surface water.
• Development in Ivory Coast strengthens the continent’s strong momentum for water
• Cote d’Ivoire’s accession is a milestone for multilateralism and reaffirms the role of the UN Water Convention as a tool to support water cooperation for peace, sustainable development, and climate change adaptation across borders.