Daily Prelims Notes 3 October 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

3 October 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Indian elephants lost genetic vigour as they moved north to south, 5 distinct populations exist: Study
2. Beyond the Iron Dome: The many layers of Israel’s air defence system
3. The significance of India’s mission to develop supercomputers
4. Odisha’s Rising Construction Worker Registrations Amid Employment Challenges
5. Coastal Erosion in Brazil: A Growing Crisis Due to Rising Atlantic Waters
6. Levitating Nanodiamonds: Pushing the Boundaries of Quantum Mechanics and Industrial Applications
7. Controversy Surrounds Dropped Couplet from Jyotiba Phule Memorial
8. Modi says toilet coverage reached 100% after launch of Swachh Bharat Mission
9. Little Prespa Lake on Albanian-Greek border slowly dying
10. Food safety laws in states

1. Indian elephants lost genetic vigour as they moved north to south, 5 distinct populations exist: Study

Sub : Env

Sec: Species in news

Context:

• A team of researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has discovered that Indian elephants migrated from the north to the south over millennia, gradually losing genetic diversity with each migration.
• Their study analysed whole genome sequences from both wild and captive elephants across India, identifying five genetically distinct populations.

Key Findings:

• Five Distinct Elephant Populations:
  • One population along the Himalayan foothills (northwest to northeast)
  • One in central India
  • Three in southern India
• Population Estimates (2017 Census):
  • Total elephants in India: Over 29,000
  • Southern populations: 14,500
  • Central population: 3,000+
  • Northern population: 12,000 (2,000 in the northwest, 10,000 in the northeast)

Genetic Divergence and Migration:

• The northern population diverged from other populations more than 70,000 years ago.
• Central Indian elephants diverged around 50,000 years ago.
• The three southern populations diverged only about 20,000 years ago.

Genetic Diversity and Conservation:

• The southern populations show reduced genetic variation, likely due to the “serial founder effect,” where smaller groups of individuals migrated southward, establishing new populations.
• This reduced variation increases the risk of inbreeding depression (harmful genetic traits due to related individuals breeding).
• The southernmost population (fewer than 150 elephants, south of the Shencottah Gap) has the lowest genetic diversity and is highly vulnerable to extinction.

Insights on Barriers to Elephant Movement:

• The Palghat Gap and Shencottah Gap in the Western Ghats have acted as natural barriers, leading to three distinct southern elephant populations:
  • North of Palghat
  • Between Palghat and Shencottah
  • South of Shencottah
• The study also confirmed two previously identified populations:
  • Central Indian elephants (from southwestern West Bengal to eastern Maharashtra)
  • Northern elephants (in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and the Northeast, separated by the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers)

Importance of Habitat Connectivity:

• The north Indian elephant landscape, from Uttarakhand to Arunachal Pradesh, once formed a single connected population. However, recent infrastructure development has disrupted gene flow, particularly in the Western Ghats.
• The researchers emphasize the need for region-specific conservation strategies, given the genetic differences between populations.
• The team plans to develop a genetic toolkit using DNA from elephant feces to monitor populations more accurately and identify individual elephants in the wild.

Source: IE

2. Beyond the Iron Dome: The many layers of Israel’s air defence system

Sub : Sci

Sec: Defence

Context:

• On October 1, Iran launched a missile attack against Israel, which prompted Israel to announce retaliatory measures. While Iran claimed successful strikes, Israel reported that their advanced air defence systems intercepted many incoming missiles. This event highlighted the importance of Israel’s multi-layered missile defence strategy.

Israel’s Air Defense Systems:

• Israel maintains a sophisticated, multi-layered air defence network designed to counter various threats, from short-range rockets to long-range ballistic missiles.

Source: IE

3. The significance of India’s mission to develop supercomputers

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in AI & Computers

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers on September 26, with a total investment of Rs 130 crore.
• These supercomputers are designed to provide advanced facilities to India’s scientific community, supporting research across various fields including physics, cosmology, and earth sciences.

What is a Supercomputer?

• Definition: A large computing system designed for complex scientific and industrial challenges.
• Purpose: Handles time-consuming and computation-intensive tasks
• Physical Structure: Occupies large rooms with multiple racks containing computer nodes with many cores
  • IBM Blue Gene P supercomputer is one of the largest examples of parallel computing as of the year 2023.
• Applications:
  • Quantum mechanics, Weapons research, Weather forecasting, Climate research, Oil and gas exploration, Molecular dynamics, Physical simulations, Data analytics, Big data processing

The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

• Launch: 2015
• Goal: Build a grid of 70 powerful supercomputing systems
  • These supercomputers were later networked on the National Supercomputing Grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN).
• Budget: Rs 4,500 crores
• Duration: Seven years
• Current Status: Two phases complete, third phase ongoing

Key Stakeholders

• Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)
• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

Applications

• Climate and weather modeling, Aerospace engineering, Computational biology, Atomic energy simulations, National security and defence, Seismic analysis, Disaster management, Computational chemistry, Nanomaterials research, Astrophysics, Financial modeling

Achievements (2019-2023)

Technical Milestones

• Total capacity: 24.83 petaFLOPS High-Performance Computing (HPC) machines commissioned
• Installation of multiple systems:
  • 7 systems > 1 petaFLOPS
  • 8 systems: 500 teraFLOPS – 1 petaFLOPS
  • 13 systems: 50-500 teraFLOPS

Infrastructure Development

• Operational R&D Systems: SANGAM Testbed, PARAM Shrestha, PARAM Embryo, PARAM Neel, PARAM Spoorthi, PARAM Sampooran, Bioinformatics facility, System software lab

Human Resource Development:

• 1.75 lakh people trained in HPCs
• 5,930 experts from 100+ institutes utilized facilities
• 73.25 lakh high-performance computational queries executed
• Learning centers established at: IIT Kharagpur, IIT Palakkad, IIT Chennai, IIT Goa, CDAC, Pune

Historical Significance

• The NSM represents India’s response to historical technology denials:

1. Space technology restrictions in the 1970s
2. Supercomputer development barriers in the 1990s

• These challenges motivated India to develop indigenous, cost-effective technologies, with the NSM emerging as a crucial tool for technological self-reliance and soft power projection.

Source: IE

4. Odisha’s Rising Construction Worker Registrations Amid Employment Challenges

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Economy

• Significant Increase in Registrations with OBCWWB:
  • Over 42.66 lakh people have registered as construction workers with the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (OBCWWB).
  • Almost every daily wage earner in Odisha is now identifying as a construction worker.
  • Registrations are driven by workers’ need to access welfare benefits provided by OBCWWB, which include assistance for accidents, medical emergencies, education, and housing under schemes like Nirmana Shramik Pakka Ghar Yojana.
• Mismatch Between Registrations and Sector Capacity:
  • Experts argue that the construction sector in Odisha is not large enough to support such a huge labor force.
  • The number of registered workers (42 lakh) significantly exceeds the sector’s realistic employment capacity.
  • Many casual laborers identify as construction workers to access social security benefits, leading to the issue of “ghost beneficiaries”.
• OBCWWB Welfare Fund and Collection:
  • A 1% construction cess is collected from all construction activities in the state, which is deposited into the OBCWWB Fund.
  • ₹4,571.84 crore has been collected so far, and ₹3,588 crore has been spent on welfare measures.
  • The government now targets to collect ₹1,000 crore annually for the fund.
• Economic and Employment Data from Odisha:
  • According to the Odisha Economic Survey 2023-24, the state has a population of 351 lakh people in the age group of 15 and above, out of which 214 lakh are part of the labour force.
  • Of this labor force, 96% (205.3 lakh) are employed. 64% (131.6 lakh) are self-employed, and the remaining 36% are either regular wage workers or casual workers.
  • Odisha’s unemployment rate for the first quarter of this fiscal is 8.2%, higher than the all-India average of 5.8%.
• Limited Job Creation and Skills Mismatch:
  • The construction sector cannot accommodate the vast number of registered workers, highlighting the employment challenges.
  • Between 2020 and 2024, 9,90,696 people registered at employment exchanges in the state, but only 1,176 obtained jobs.
  • Odisha faces a skills gap, with a large number of technical jobs going to workers from outside the state due to local workers lacking requisite skills.
• Government Initiatives and Promises:
  • The BJP, which came to power in Odisha in May 2024, promised to create 1.5 lakh jobs in the government sector.
  • The government has also committed to creating more than 3.5 lakh jobs in sectors like automobiles, semiconductors, and IT/ITES.
  • 65,000 vacant government positions are expected to be filled in the next two years, with recruitment to be fair and transparent.

In conclusion, the surge in registrations with OBCWWB reflects the desperation of workers in Odisha to access social security benefits, while the state’s employment scenario remains challenging with a high unemployment rate and a significant skills gap.

Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996

This Act was introduced to regulate the employment conditions and ensure the welfare and safety of construction workers. It applies to any establishment employing 10 or more workers in building or other construction work.

• Welfare Provisions:
  • Establishment of Welfare Boards at state levels.
  • Registration of workers to provide them access to welfare schemes.
  • Benefits such as maternity leave, accident insurance, pension, and housing assistance.
• Regulation of Employment:
  • Regulates working hours, wages, and employment conditions.
  • Promotes safety measures at construction sites to prevent hazards.
• Establishment of Cess:
  • A cess (tax) is levied on employers, which funds welfare measures for workers.
• Coverage:
  • Covers all workers involved in construction, including building roads, bridges, and projects requiring manual labor.
• Social Security Schemes:
  • Includes health insurance, disability compensation, scholarship schemes for children, and other financial support systems.

Nirman Shramik Pakka Ghar Yojana (Odisha)

This is a welfare scheme by the Government of Odisha aimed at providing permanent houses to registered construction workers in the state.

• Eligibility: Registered construction workers under the Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board.
• Financial Assistance: Workers are provided monetary support for building pucca houses.
• Objective: To improve the living conditions of workers by ensuring they have durable housing.

5. Coastal Erosion in Brazil: A Growing Crisis Due to Rising Atlantic Waters

Sub : Geo

Sec: Climatology 

Why in News

The coastal erosion along Brazil’s Atlantic shoreline has intensified, with the Atlantic Ocean advancing inland at an alarming rate. In 2023, saltwater intrusion reached areas as far as 150 km inland, particularly impacting communities near the Amazon River. The consequences of climate change, rising sea levels, and weakened river systems have caused destruction to coastal towns, threatening both local livelihoods and ecosystems.

Impact of Climate Change on Brazil’s Coastline

Case of Atafona, Rio de Janeiro: The coastal town of Atafona, north of Rio de Janeiro, has seen severe coastal erosion due to a combination of climate change and natural factors.

Rising sea levels and the silting of the Paraíba River have resulted in the destruction of over 500 homes, including a four-story building.

Rising Sea Levels in the Region: The United Nations report, “Surging Seas in a Warming World,” states that sea levels around Atafona have risen by 13 cm in the last 30 years. By 2050, this region could see an additional 16 cm rise in sea levels, leading to further erosion and displacement.

Coastal areas like Atafona could see the ocean advance inland by 150 meters within the next 28 years. This is primarily due to the lack of sediment carried by the Paraíba River, which previously helped maintain beach formations.

Ponta Negra Beach Erosion: Ponta Negra, a popular seaside resort in northeastern Brazil, has lost 15 meters of white sand over the past two decades.

Accelerating Sea Level Rise: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that sea levels are rising at an accelerated rate, with the current increase rate at 0.48 cm per year, more than double that of the previous decade (0.21 cm annually in 1993-2002).

About Brazil:

Paraíba River

The Paraíba do Norte River, also known as Parahyba do Norte, originates from the Borborema Plateau in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The river is approximately 380 kilometers long.

Some of its important tributaries include the Mamanguape River. It drains water into the Atlantic Ocean near the capital of Paraíba state, João Pessoa.

The river runs through the state of Paraíba and is a crucial waterway for agriculture, particularly sugarcane cultivation, which was historically significant to the economy of northeastern Brazil.

“Surging Seas in a Warming World” (2024) report:

Released by: United Nations (2024).

Key Concern: Accelerating sea-level rise due to global warming.

Current Rate: Sea levels are rising at 0.48 cm per year, more than double the rate in the 1990s.

Projection: By 2100, sea levels could rise by up to 1 meter if high emissions persist.

Affected Population: Over 600 million people living in coastal zones globally are at risk.

Key Impact Areas: Low-lying islands, coastal cities, ecosystems (e.g., mangroves, coral reefs).

6. Levitating Nanodiamonds: Pushing the Boundaries of Quantum Mechanics and Industrial Applications

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in IT

Why in News

Physicists at Purdue University, USA, have successfully levitated fluorescent nano diamonds (FNDs) in a high vacuum, spinning them at extremely high speeds. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough, paving the way for potential advancements in fundamental physics and multiple industries, especially for quantum research and sensing technologies.

About Fluorescent Nanodiamonds (FNDs): They are nanometre-sized diamonds made of carbon nanoparticles produced under high temperature and pressure.

FNDs are non-toxic and stable under light, making them ideal for biomedical applications like cell tracking and high-resolution imaging.

They exhibit long fluorescence lifespans and do not blink under prolonged irradiation, unlike many other nanomaterials.

FNDs contain nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, which are vital for quantum computing and sensing technologies. FNDs are used in microscale temperature sensing and correlative microscopy.

Recent Breakthrough: Levitating and Spinning FNDs

In a recent study published in Nature Communications, physicists successfully levitated FNDs in a high vacuum and spun them at ultra-high speeds. This accomplishment opens the door for multiple industrial applications, particularly in sensor technology.

Industrial Applications of FNDs

FNDs are highly sensitive to acceleration and electric fields, making them ideal for use as sensors in various high-value industries.

The researchers suggest that the Berry phase generated by the rotation of FNDs could be useful in developing advanced gyroscopes for rotation sensing.

FNDs can be doped with elements like nitrogen to enhance their electrical, magnetic, thermal, and optical properties.

Doping creates nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers, which are key to the electron spin qubits in FNDs. These NV centers help in producing a macroscopic quantum superposition effect, which has implications for quantum computing.

About Carbon Nanoparticles

Carbon nanoparticles are nanoscale carbon materials with unique properties, including high surface area and electrical conductivity. Include carbon black, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and graphene.

Used in drug delivery, cancer therapy, energy storage (batteries), electronics, and environmental remediation.

Biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and potential for targeted therapy in medical applications.

What is Quantum Spin?

It is an intrinsic property of particles like electrons and nuclei, analogous to angular momentum in classical physics.

Spin has two states: up and down, which are used in quantum computing to represent data as qubits (0s and 1s).

Spin is essential in magnetic hard drives and quantum computing, making it crucial for data storage and processing.

What is Berry Phase?

It is a geometric phase acquired by a particle’s wave function when subjected to cyclic changes, discovered by Michael Berry in 1986.

It is crucial in quantum mechanics for understanding particle behavior in complex systems like topological insulators. The Berry Phase can be used in quantum sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers.

7. Controversy Surrounds Dropped Couplet from Jyotiba Phule Memorial

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Health

Why in News

A political controversy erupted after a key line referring to the word ‘Shudra’ from Jyotiba Phule’s seminal work Shetkaryacha Asud was omitted from an inscription at the newly inaugurated Phule memorial in Nasik.

Memorial: Inaugurated by CM Eknath Shinde, the memorial features an 18-foot bronze statue of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule.

About Jyotiba Phule:

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule (11 April 1827 – 28 November 1890) was an Indian social activist, thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra.

His work extended to many fields, including eradication of untouchability and the caste system and for his efforts in educating women and oppressed caste people.

He and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were pioneers of women’s education in India.

Phule started his first school for girls in 1848 in Pune at TatyasahebBhide’s residence or Bhidewada. He, along with his followers, formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to attain equal rights for people from lower castes.

Phule’s akhandas were organically linked to the abhangs of Marathi Varkari saint Tukaram.

Among his notable published works are:

Tritiya Ratna, 1855

Brahmananche Kasab, 1869

Powada 1869

Manav Mahammand (Muhammad) (Abhang)

Gulamgiri, 1873

Shetkarayacha Aasud (Cultivator’s Whipcord), 1881

Phule was influenced by Thomas Paine’s book titled The Rights of Man and believed that the only solution to combat the social evils was the enlightenment of women and members of the lower castes.

It is believed by many that it was Phule who first used the term ‘Dalit’ for the depiction of oppressed masses often placed outside the ‘varna system’.

He was bestowed with honorific Mahātmā title by Maharashtrian social activist Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar in 1888.

About Savitribai Phule:

Savitribai Phule (3 January 1831 – 10 March 1897) was an Indian social reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra.

She is regarded as the first female teacher of India. Along with her husband, JyotiraoPhule, she played an important and vital role in improving women’s rights in India.

She is regarded as the mother of Indian feminism.

Savitribai and her husband founded one of the first Indian girls’ school in Pune, at Bhidewada in 1848. It was the country’s first school for women started by Indians.

She worked to abolish the discrimination and unfair treatment of people based on caste and gender.

In the 1850s, the Phule couple initiated two educational trusts—the Native Female School, Pune and The Society for Promoting the Education of Mahars, Mangs and Etceteras—which came to have many schools under them.

She published Kavya Phule in 1854 and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1892. In her poem, Go, Get Education, she urges the oppressed communities to get an education and break free from the chains of oppression.

In 1852, Savitribai started the MahilaSeva Mandal to raise awareness about women’s rights.

She simultaneously campaigned against child marriage, while supporting widow remarriage

8. Modi says toilet coverage reached 100% after launch of Swachh Bharat Mission

Sub : Schemes

Sec: Health

Context:

• 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

• The SBM or Clean India Mission was launched on October 2, 2014, to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management.
• Target population: Particularly aimed at improving sanitation for marginalized communities (Dalits, tribals, women).
• The urban component of the mission is implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the rural component by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Community Participation: Engaged NGOs, celebrities, and local communities to promote cleanliness and sanitation as a public movement.

Key Achievements:

• Over 12 crore toilets constructed since the launch.
• Toilet coverage increased from less than 40% to 100%.
• Increased awareness and participation in sanitation initiatives.

Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)

• The SBM(G) was launched on 2nd October 2014. It aimed to ensure cleanliness in rural areas through Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities and make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) in Five Years (2014-2019).
• Having achieved the milestone of an ODF India, the aim now is overall cleanliness (Sampoorn Swachhata) in villages. e., sustaining the ODF status and managing solid and liquid waste by 2024-25 and transforming all the villages from ODF to ODF Plus Model.

Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM – U)

• Launched on October 2, 2014, as part of the broader Swachh Bharat Mission, SBM-U focuses on enhancing sanitation and hygiene in urban areas across India.
• Objectives:
  • elimination of open defecation
  • conversion of unsanitary toilets to pour flush toilets
  • eradication of manual scavenging
  • municipal solid waste management and
  • bringing about a behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices.

SBM-U 2.0:

• The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 was launched in 2021 along with Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0.
• It aims to make all cities ‘Garbage Free’.
• SBM-U 2.0 will ensure grey and black water management in all cities, other than those covered under AMRUT.
• The mission focusses on source segregation of solid waste.

Swachh Bharat Kosh:

• The government in 2014 formally launched the Swachh Bharat Kosh (fund) to facilitate channelisation of philanthropic contributions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds towards this cause.
• The fund is aimed at finance activities such as construction of new toilets as well as repair and renovation of dysfunctional toilets in rural areas, urban areas, elementary, secondary and senior secondary government schools, anganwaadis.

Significance of the mission:

• The initiative is critical for improving public health and hygiene standards in India.
• Aligns with global goals for sustainable development, particularly in sanitation (SDG 6).

Impact on Society:

• Addressed issues of dignity and health, especially for women and marginalized groups.
• Changed public perception of sanitation workers (safaimitras), leading to increased respect and pride in their work.
• Increased awareness and participation in sanitation initiatives.

Key Terminology:

• Safaimitras: Sanitation workers involved in cleaning and maintaining hygiene.
• Open Defecation Free (ODF): A status indicating that a community has eliminated open defecation.
• ODF Plus: ODF Plus refers to a village that has maintained its Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and has solid and liquid waste management systems in place.

Three stages of ODF Plus villages:

• ODF Plus Aspiring: A village that has ODF status and either solid or liquid waste management
• ODF Plus Rising: A village that has ODF status and both solid and liquid waste management
• ODF Plus Model: A village that has ODF status, both solid and liquid waste management, and is visually clean.

9. Little Prespa Lake on Albanian-Greek border slowly dying

Sub : IR

Sec: Mapping

Context:

• Plants have sprouted up as the waters of Little Prespa Lake recede, indicating that the lake is slowly dying.

Little Prespa Lake:

• Situated on the Albanian-Greek border.
• The majority of the lake sits in Greek territory, with just its southern tip crossing into Albania.
• It is also known as Small Lake Prespa and is the smaller of the two Prespa Lakes.
• The larger Great Prespa Lake is situated to its north.

Current condition:

• Formerly a crystal-clear lake vital for local fishing communities, the lake has transformed into a marshy area, with 430 of the 450 hectares having turned into swamps or dried out.

Contributing Factors:

• Environmental decline began in the 1970s due to diversion of Devoll River to irrigate fields around the nearby Albanian city of Korca.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures and increasingly mild winters with reduced snowfall and precipitation has negatively impacted water levels.

10. Food safety laws in states

Sub : Polity

Sec: Legislation in news

Why in news?

• The UP government last week made it mandatory for food establishments to “prominently” display to customers the names of the operator, proprietor, manager, and other relevant personnel. The reason cited for the measure was to ensure public health.
• A day later, Himachal Pradesh minister said that in his state too, every eatery and fast-food cart will have to display the owner’s ID. However, the statement was retracted later.

Supreme Court ruling:

• On July 22, the Supreme Court stayed similar orders passed by police in UP and Uttarakhand for this year’s Kanwar yatra.
• The court said that the competent authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA) could indeed issue such orders, but police could not usurp this power.

What are the regulations for selling food in India?

• Anyone who intends to operate a food business is required to either register or license their business from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• Under Section 63 of the FSSA, any operator carrying on a food business without a licence can be punished with up to six months in prison and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.

Under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Rules, 2011, enacted under the FSSA:

• Petty Food Manufacturers such as small-scale food businesses, hawkers, vendors, and stall holders, are required to register with the FSSAI.
• If the registration is approved, they receive a registration certificate and a photo identity card which shall be displayed at a prominent place at all times within the premises or vehicle or cart.
• Operators of relatively large businesses have to obtain a licence from the food authority. The licence must be displayed at a prominent place at all times within the premises where the Food Business Operator carries on the food business.
• In both cases, the owner’s identity and the establishment’s location are already required to be displayed through the photo ID and the licence.

Do states have the power to make rules under the FSSA?

• Section 94(1) of the FSSA says that the State Government can create rules, but only after getting approval from the Central Government and the Food Authority.
• They must also publish these rules beforehand.

Powers of State Government under FSSA:

• The state government appoints the Commissioner of Food Safety under Section 30 to effectively implement the FSSA and its rules.
• Sections 30(2)(a) to (e) outline specific tasks for the Commissioner, such as conducting surveys, providing training, and approving legal actions for violations.
• Section 30(2)(f) allows the Commissioner to take on additional tasks as decided by the state government in consultation with the Food Authority.
• Section 94(2)(c) lets the state government create rules for any other necessary matters.
• Section 94(3) requires that these rules be presented to the state legislature for approval as soon as possible.

Can a state government’s directives under FSSA be challenged in court?

• State government directives under the FSSA can be challenged in court.
• In previous case from UP and Uttarakhand, petitioners argued that the directives compelled individuals to disclose their religious and caste identities, violating Article 15(1) of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on religion, race, caste, or sex.
• They claimed the orders could lead to economic boycott of Muslim minorities, infringing on the right to practice any profession under Article 19(1)(g) and promoting untouchability, contrary to Article 17.

Non-compliance with FSSA:

• If a Food Business Operator violates any provision of the FSSA, the food authority can issue an Improvement notice under Section 31, outlining the reasons for non-compliance, required corrective actions, and a minimum compliance period of 14 days.
• Failure to comply with the notice may result in license suspension or cancellation for repeat offenders.
• Penalty: Section 58 allows for fines up to ₹2 lakh for violations. A second conviction may double the penalty and incur additional daily fines up to ₹1 lakh.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• FSSAI is a body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to monitor and create regulations for how food should be processed, distributed, sold, and imported to ensure safe and wholesome