Daily Prelims Notes 20 February 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

20 February 2025

1. Faecal coliform bacteria: What is it? How does it affect your health?

Sub : Env

Sec: Pollution

Context: A report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has raised alarming concerns. The report claims that faecal coliform bacteria are present in the holy river at Prayagraj.

What is faecal coliform bacteria?

• Faecal coliform bacteria is a class of microorganisms found in the excreta or waste produced by all warm-blooded animals and humans. Generally found inside human and animal intestines, it could possibly contaminate the holy river because of human and animal excreta in water.  Although not all coliform bacteria are harmful, there are possibilities of the presence of other harmful pathogens like viruses, Salmonella, and E. coli. These could lead to severe illnesses.

Maha Kumbh 2025: Health risks of faecal bacteria exposure

There could be several health issues for the person bathing in water contaminated with the faecal coliform, including:

• Gastrointestinal infections: These can be caused by the presence of pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella in water. Its symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
• Skin and eye infections:Bathing in polluted water can lead to rashes, eye irritation, and fungal infections.
• Typhoid and hepatitis A: Contact with this contaminated water could cause serious infections that can spread through ingestion of contaminated water, leading to long-term health complications.
• Respiratory issues: Inhaling water droplets that contain bacteria can also cause serious lung infections.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), statutory organisation, was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Functions of the Central Board at the National Level

• Advise the Central Government on any matter concerning prevention and control of water and air pollution and improvement of the quality of air. Plan and cause to be executed a nation-wide programme for the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board and resolve disputes among them;
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to the State Boards, carry out and sponsor investigation and research relating to problems of water and air pollution, and for their prevention, control or abatement;
• Plan and organise training of persons engaged in programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Organise through mass media, a comprehensive mass awareness programme on the prevention, control or abatement of water and air pollution;
• Collect, compile and publish technical and statistical data relating to water and air pollution and the measures devised for their effective prevention, control or abatement;
• Prepare manuals, codes and guidelines relating to treatment and disposal of sewage and trade effluents as well as for stack gas cleaning devices, stacks and ducts;
• Disseminate information in respect of matters relating to water and air pollution and their prevention and control;
• Lay down, modify or annul, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, the standards for stream or well, and lay down standards for the quality of air; and Perform such other function as may be prescribed by the Government of India.

2. On building resilient telecom infrastructure

Sub : Eco

Sec: Infra

Context:

• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, recently released a report assessing India’s telecom networks’ preparedness for disasters.

Highlights of the report:

• The report highlights the crucial role of telecom networks during disasters, as they enable fast communication between disaster management authorities, local municipalities, and governments.
• However, telecom infrastructure is vulnerable, with exposed cables, towers that may not withstand strong winds, and reliance on power supply, which is often disrupted during disasters like cyclones and earthquakes.
• Power outages are a major issue, as telecom operators often don’t have enough backup power to keep services running.

Recommendations for Strengthening Telecom Network Resilience:

• Power Infrastructure Resilience: Strengthening power infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted supply, even during disasters, is vital for sustaining telecom services.
• Stronger Telecom Towers: In disaster-prone areas, especially coastal regions, towers must be designed to withstand higher wind speeds to prevent damage from cyclones and other severe weather events.
• Dig-Once Policy: This policy advocates the simultaneous construction of underground infrastructure, including water, gas, and fibre optic cables, to reduce the risk of damage when new infrastructure is built.
• Disaster Risk Modelling: The report suggests integrating disaster risk modelling into telecom infrastructure planning to account for regional vulnerabilities and strengthen asset design.
• The CDRI report also highlights the importance of parametric insurance, where telecom operators are financially incentivized to quickly restore services after disasters.

About CDRI:

• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a multi-stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions.
• The Prime Minister of India launched CDRI during his speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019.
• The CDRI Secretariat is based in New Delhi, India.
• Members: 40 countries and 7 organizations
• The coalition is supposed to serve as a ‘knowledge centre’ where member countries can share and learn best practices with respect to disaster-proofing infrastructure projects.
• The coalition will not create any new infrastructure but, instead, will work towards making existing and upcoming infrastructure in member countries more robust and resilient so that they can withstand climate disasters like floods, heat waves, cyclones, forest fires, rains and other such events.
• CDRI publishes Global Infrastructure Resilience Report.

3. Breaking down soybean trade

Sub : Eco

Sec: External sector

Context:

• Global soybean exports are dominated by Brazil and the United States, which together account for 85% of shipments, with China being the largest importer, making up over 60% of imports.
• However, the remaining 40% of soybeans are distributed among other markets, and these trends have shifted, particularly with rising tensions over trade tariffs and Brazil’s growing soybean production.

U.S. and Brazil’s Role in Global Soybean Exports:

• The U.S. has historically been the leading exporter of soybeans, but its market share has declined in recent years, largely due to trade tensions and increased competition from Brazil.
• The European Union (EU) is the second-largest soybean importer, making up about 8% of global imports.
• Both the U.S. and Brazil export significant amounts of soy to the EU, but Brazil’s share has significantly decreased over the years.
• U.S. soybean exports to the EU have grown, but new EU policies restricting agricultural imports treated with banned chemicals may impact U.S. shipments, potentially shifting trade dynamics.

Impact of U.S.-China Trade War on Soybean Exports:

• During the trade war, China significantly reduced its dependence on U.S. soybeans, primarily due to widespread disease in its hog herd, which reduced feed demand.
• U.S. soybean shipments to China fell by 12% from the 2015-2017 average, even as China’s total imports increased by 13%.
• Brazil capitalized on the opportunity, increasing its soybean exports to China by 51%.

Export Dynamics:

• Brazil’s total soybean exports are now about 80% larger than the U.S.’s, yet both countries have seen similar export volumes to markets outside China and the EU.
• The U.S. maintains a slight advantage with a more diverse customer base, though its future export prospects depend on factors like domestic demand and biofuel policies, which are currently uncertain.
• The U.S. could face further challenges with the EU, as new policies restricting agricultural imports could hurt U.S. exports.

4. 30100 ‘foreigners’ deported from Assam, says Minister

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:-

• Nearly 1.66 lakh immigrants have been identified as “illegal” under the Assam Accord norms.
• Over 30,100 illegal immigrants have been deported from Assam.
• A total of 1,65,531 immigrants staying illegally in Assam have been detected till December 31, 2024.
  • 32,870 immigrants entered between 1966 and 1971.
  • 1,32,661 immigrants entered after 1971.

About Assam Accord

• The Assam Accord was a Memorandum of Settlement signed by the Governments of India and Assam, and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) in New Delhi on August 15, 1985.
• It was signed after a six-year-long violent anti-foreigner movement.
• As per the accord, names of all foreigners who entered Assam on or after March 25, 1971, will be detected and removed from electoral rolls.

Clause 6 of the Assam Accord

• Safeguards for Assamese People: Clause 6 mandates provisions for constitutional, legislative, and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve, and promote the cultural, social, and linguistic identity, as well as the heritage of the Assamese people.
• Purpose: It aims to ensure the security and continuity of Assamese heritage amid concerns over demographic changes.
• Historical Context: The Assam Accord brought an end to a period of intense violence and unrest in Assam’s modern history.
• Role of Youth: The agitation was primarily led by young people who viewed the illegal influx of foreigners as a direct threat to their future.

Justice (Retd.) Biplab Kumar Sharma Committee Report

• The committee has made 67 recommendations related to the implementation of the Assam Accord.
• 52 recommendations fall under the jurisdiction of the State government.
• The government has decided to implement these 52 recommendations and has already initiated steps for their execution.

Barbed Wire Fencing along the India-Bangladesh Border

• The total length of the India-Bangladesh border in Assam is 267.5 km.
• Work on 228.541 km of barbed wire fencing has been completed.
• 171.507 km of the border is on land, while 95.993 km is in water.

5. Top court takes note of Lokpal order on HC judge

Sub: Polity

Sec: National Body

Context:-

• The Supreme Court stayed the Lokpal’s order asserting jurisdiction over High Court Judges.
• The stay was issued on February 20, 2025, by a Special Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and A.S. Oka.

Concern for Judicial Independence

• Justice B.R. Gavai called the Lokpal order “disturbing.”
• He emphasized that the issue concerns the independence of the judiciary.

Suo Motu Cognisance by Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the Lokpal’s decision dated January 27, 2025.
• The Lokpal had declared that High Court Judges are “public servants” under the Lokpal Act.

Basis of Lokpal’s Order

• The Lokpal order was delivered by a Bench led by former Supreme Court Judge, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar.
• The order cited clause (f) of Section 14(1) of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• It stated that a High Court Judge falls under the expression “any person” in the clause.

Jurisdiction of Lokpal

• Established Under: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• Scope: Covers public servants, including:
  • Prime Minister
  • Union Ministers.
  • Members of Parliament.
  • Group A, B, C, and D officers of the central government.
  • Employees of government-funded NGOs.
• Investigation Authority: Can direct the CBI for investigations.
• Exclusion: Judiciary, including Supreme Court and High Court Judges, is traditionally not under its jurisdiction.

6. The Iron Age in India and Tamil Nadu’s Role

Sub: History

Sec: Ancient India

Context:

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a recent report, asserted that the Iron Age began on “Tamil soil” around 5,300 years ago (4th millennium BCE).
• This challenges previous perspectives on the antiquity of iron use in India.

Previous Research on the Iron Age in India

• Initially, scholars believed iron arrived in India through immigrants from the West.
• Early studies placed the use of iron around 700-600 BCE.
• However, subsequent research and radiocarbon dating pushed this back to the 16th century BCE.
• Excavations in Uttar Pradesh (Central Ganga Plain and Eastern Vindhyas) provided key evidence:
  • Excavations at Raja Nala-ka-tila (1996-98), Malhar (1998-99), and Dadupur (1999-2001) found iron artefacts, furnaces, and tuyeres.
  • The findings suggested large-scale iron smelting by the 13th century BCE.
  • Malhar revealed finished iron artefacts, indicating well-established manufacturing.

Iron Age in Tamil Nadu: Key Excavations and Findings

• Mayiladumparai Excavation (2022)
• The Tamil Nadu State Archaeology Department placed the Iron Age in Tamil Nadu at 4,200 years ago (3rd millennium BCE).
• This suggested Tamil Nadu’s iron use was contemporaneous with the Copper/Bronze Age in northern India.
• Sivagalai, Adichanallur, Kilnamandi, and Mayiladumparai Excavations
• Conducted by the State Archaeology Department and Archaeological Survey of India.
• The findings indicate that cultural zones north of the Vindhyas were in the Copper Age while those in Tamil Nadu had already transitioned to the Iron Age.
• The presence of limited commercially viable copper ore in South India may have led to earlier adoption of iron.

Recent Report: ‘Antiquity of Iron: Recent Radiometric Dates from Tamil Nadu’

• The new report pushed the antiquity of iron in Tamil Nadu back to 3,345 BCE – 2,953 BCE (1st quarter of 4th millennium BCE).
• This places the region far ahead of other parts of India in iron usage.
• However, scholars caution against the claim that the Iron Age itself originated in Tamil Nadu.

7. Slight Dip in Urban Unemployment Rate: PLFS Report

Sub: Eco

Sec: Unemployment 

Why in News?

• The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), reported a marginal decline in the unemployment rate in urban areas for persons aged 15 years and above, from 6.5% in Oct-Dec 2023 to 6.4% in Oct-Dec 2024.

Context & Significance:

• The marginal dip in unemployment rate reflects steady economic recovery and improved employment opportunities in urban areas.
• Increase in Worker Population Ratio (WPR) and Female Labour Force Participation (LFPR) signals greater workforce inclusion, but gender disparity remains high.
• High unemployment in Himachal Pradesh & low participation in Bihar indicate regional employment challenges.
• The PLFS findings will help policymakers design targeted employment generation programs and enhance skill development initiatives.

Key Highlights of the PLFS Report:

Gender-Wise Unemployment Rate (Oct-Dec 2024):

• Male: 5.8% (Down from 6.5% last year’s corresponding Quarter)
• Female: 8.1% (Down from 8.6% last year’s corresponding Quarter)

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):

• Overall LFPR: 39.6% (vs. 39.2% last year’s corresponding Quarter)
• Female LFPR: 20% (Slight rise from 19.9% last year’s corresponding Quarter)

Worker Population Ratio (WPR) – Urban Areas (Age 15+):

• Overall WPR: 47.2% (Vs. 46.6% last year)
• Male WPR: 70.9% (vs. 69.8% last year)

Employment Classification:

• Self-Employed: 39.9%
• Regular Wage/Salaried: 49.4%
• Casual Labourers: 10.7%

Sector-Wise Employment Distribution:

• Agriculture Sector: 5.5%
• Secondary Sector (Manufacturing, Mining, etc.): 31.8%
• Tertiary Sector (Includes Services): 62.7%