Daily Prelims Notes 8 September 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

8 September 2023

Table Of Contents

1. IMF-­FSB gives crypto recommendation to G20
2. External debt grew 0.9% to $624b in FY23, reduces as share of GDP
3. Viability gap funding (VGF) for battery energy storage systems (BESS)
4. High Court ruling on service charge or ‘tips’ at eateries
5. India’s perspective, ahead of the G20 Summit
6. Lord of Dance
7. Unfolding dementia epidemic requires dealing with huge shortfalls in infrastructure and awareness
8. Advancements in Synthetic Human Embryo Models: A Comprehensive Overview
9. What is heat index and why is it important to measure?
10. U.K. rejoining Europe’s Horizon science programme
11. Central Empowered Committee: SC hands over its green watchdog committee to Environment Ministry
12. 2 agri initiatives piloted by India likely to figure in Summit outcomes
13. Arunachal Chief Minister Reveals Siang River Barrage Plan To Counter Chinese Dam

1. IMF-­FSB gives crypto recommendation to G20

Subject: Economy

Section: External Sector

In News: Joint paper by IMF and FSSB suggests comprehensive regulation, supervisory oversight than a blanket ban.

Key Points:

• A joint synthesis paper prepared by International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Financial Stability Board (FSB) has advocated for comprehensive regulatory and supervisory oversight of crypto-assets, as opposed to a blanket ban to address macroeconomic and financial stability risks.
• It also pitched for using norms for money laundering to check the use of crypto assets for criminal and terrorist misuse.
• This paper has been prepared on the request from India’s Presidency and combined IMF’s note and FSB’s high level recommendations.
• Gist of the paper:
  • The paper highlights that a blanket ban making all crypto activity (for instance, trading and mining) illegal can be costly and technically demanding to enforce.
  • It would also tend to increase the incentive for circumvention taking advantage of the inherent borderless nature of cryptoassets, potentially heightening financial integrity risks

Regulation and supervision:

• • Regulation of licensed or registered cryptoasset issuers and service providers can support the functioning of various policy measures.
  • In addition capital flow measures, fiscal and tax policies, and financial integrity requirements can be better managed.
  • For example, licensed, regulated and supervised cryptoasset service providers along with appropriate reporting requirements can reduce data gaps, which are particularly important for capital flow measures that rely on monitoring of crossborder transactions and capital flows.

Risks from free adoption of cryptos?

• • The paper noted that wide- spread adoption of cryptoassets could undermine the effectiveness of monetary policy,
  • circumvent capital flow management measures, exacerbate fiscal risks, divert resources available for financing the real economy, and threaten global financial stability.
  • These risks could reinforce each other, as financial instability can make maintaining price stability more difficult and vice versa; cause destabilising financial flows; and strain fiscal re- sources, the paper said.

Addressing criminal and terrorism financing:

• •  Jurisdictions should implement the financial action task force (fatf) anti- money laundering and counterterrorist financing (aml/cft) standards that apply to virtual assets (vas) and virtual asset service providers (vasps).
  • Jurisdictions should identify and assess the money laundering and terrorist financing (ml/tf) risks associated with vas and take steps to manage and mitigate those risks.

2. External debt grew 0.9% to $624b in FY23, reduces as share of GDP

Subject: Economy

Section: External sector

Key Points:

• India’s external debt declined to 18.9 per cent of GDP at the end of March 2023 from 20 per cent last year.
•  However, the external debt of India rose marginally by 0.9 per cent as the external debt stood at $624.7 billion at the end of March 2023 as compared to $619.1 billon last year.
•  India’s external debt grew by 8.2 per cent in March 2022 when compared to March 2021.

Composition of external debt:

• • Commercial borrowings remained the largest component of external debt Commercial borrowings.
  • Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits, short-term trade credits and multilateral loans together accounted for 89.6 per cent of the total external debt of India.
  • Long-term debt reduced by 0.2 per cent at the end of March 2023
  • Short-term debt, constituting 20.6 per cent of the total debt, rose by 5.5 per cent mainly due to 5.6 per cent increase in the short term trade credit.

The valuation effect on external debt:

• • Change in valuation of US dollar and other major currencies also plays an important role on the external debt of the country.
  • There was a valuation gain of $206 billion as of endmarch 2023 due to appreciation of the dollar vis avis the rupee and other major currencies such as yen sdr and euro.
  • Excluding the valuation effect external debt would have increased by $262 billion instead of $56 billion as of end march 2023.
• The current foreign exchange reserve is sufficient to cover around 93 per cent of total debt.
• It may be noted that as on august 25 forex reserves were at $594.86 billion debt
• The debt service ratio at 53 per cent was within comfort zone
• The sovereign external debt (SED)accountis for 21.3 per cent of the total external debt rose 19 per cent to $133.3 billion as of endmarch 2023.
•  NonSED accounting for 78.7 per cent of the total external debt saw a growth of 0.6 per cent to $491.3 billion as of end march 2023.
•  Although sed and nonsed have increased in absolute terms, they have reduced in terms of ratio to gdp.

3. Viability gap funding (VGF) for battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Subject: Schemes

Context:: Cabinet approves viability gap funding of ₹3,760 cr for battery energy storage systems l.

Key Points:

• The approved scheme envisages development of 4,000 megawatt hour (MWh) of BESS projects by 2030-31 with a financial support of up to 40 per cent of the capital cost as budgetary support in the form of VGF.
• The move is expected to bring down the cost of battery storage systems increasing their viability.
• Designed to harness the potential of renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar and wind power, the scheme aims to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to the citizens.
• By offering VGF support, the scheme targets achieving a levelised cost of storage (LCoS) ranging from ₹5.50-6.60 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), making stored renewable energy a viable option for managing peak power demand across the country.
• The VGF shall be disbursed in five tranches linked with the various stages of implementation of BESS projects.
• A minimum of 85 per cent of the BESS project capacity will be made available to distribution companies (Discoms).
• This will not only enhance the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid but also minimise wastage while optimising the utilisation of transmission networks.
• Consequently, this will reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

Benefits of VGF:

• The selection of BESS developers for VGF grants will be carried out through a transparent competitive bidding process, promoting a level playing field for both public and private sector entities. This approach will foster healthy competition and encourage the growth of a robust ecosystem for BESS, attracting significant investments and generating opportunities for associated industries.
• A production-linked incentive programme to promote indigenous manufacturing could also facilitate not only technology and innovation, but also create employment opportunities.
• VGF would play a critical role in bridging the development cost that battery manufacturers need during technology development stages. This will also come in handy for pre-commercial battery projects to reach commercial stage.
• This funding from the government has the benefit of bringing non-dilutive capital to battery tech companies thus lowering the pressure of fund raise during the early technology development stage of various battery tech start-ups.
• Overall, a good move from the government and India is showing its clear intent to develop and promote indigenisation of battery tech in the country, he added.

4. High Court ruling on service charge or ‘tips’ at eateries

Subject: Polity

Section: National body 

In News: Delhi HC said on service charge: Use term ‘staff contribution’, amount can’t be over 10% of bill

Key Points:

• The Delhi High Court in an interim order Tuesday directed members of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) to replace the term ‘service charge’ with ‘staff contribution’, while adding that the amount charged should not exceed 10% of the total bill
• FHRAI-associated hotels and restaurants will now specify on their menus in bold that tips need not be given after staff contribution is paid.
• The order was passed on pleas filed by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and the FHRAI, challenging the July 4, 2022, guidelines issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).

What did the CCPA guidelines say?

• The guidelines said that restaurants or hotels should not automatically add service charge to the bill or collect it from consumers under any other name.
• High Court stayed the CCPA guidelines subject to fulfillment of certain conditions.

What did the HC say?

• The association members should ensure that the levying of service charge in addition to the amount and taxes is “duly and prominently displayed on the menu or other places”
• There should be no scope of confusion between service tax and service charge as service tax is no longer being imposed on restaurants
• A complaint against unfair trade practices could also be lodged electronically with the Consumer Commission through the eDaakhil portal for speedy redressal or otherwise.
• Complaints could also be submitted to the District Collector of the district concerned for investigation and subsequent proceedings by the CCPA, either through email or in person.

5. India’s perspective, ahead of the G20 Summit

Subject: IR

Section: Grouping

Context: India is going to host the G20 summit from 9th-10th of September.

More about India’s approach:

• India’s innovative approach of hosting over 200 G20 meetings across 50 locations, reaching cities and Tier-2 towns, has set a new standard in size and scale for G20 Presidencies, generating widespread awareness.
• India is discussing an ambitious set of proposals across various sectors like digital public infrastructure, gender, development, multilateral reforms, climate change, health and future pandemics, use of technology, etc
• India has taken up the mantle of leading the developing and underdeveloped world during its G20 Presidency.
• India had written a letter to the G20 nations in which he proposed that the African Union be given full, permanent membership of the bloc at the upcoming summit in New Delhi. Countries like Germany, Brazil, and Canada have also expressed their support for African Union membership to the G20.With the negotiations among sherpas held recently, the African Union (AU) is set to join the G-20

More about India Presidency:

• India assumed the presidency of G20 from 1st of December 2022.
• The G20 Presidency also marked the beginning of “Amritkaal”, the 25-year period beginning from the 75th anniversary of its independence on 15 August 2022, leading up to the centenary of its independence, towards a futuristic, prosperous, inclusive and developed society, distinguished by a human-centric approach at its core.
• Guest countries during India’s presidency will include Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE
• The theme of the G20 summit is -‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, and One Future’.
• The G20 logo is created with the four colors of India’s national flag, comprises earth sitting atop a lotus.
• The seven petals in the logo signify the seven seas and the coming together of seven continents at G20 India 2023.

What is G20 Summit:

• G-20 was a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 individual countries and the European Union.
• It was established in 1999 and was elevated to a forum of Heads of Government in 2008 to effectively respond to the global financial crisis of 2008.
• G-20 is a forum, not a legislative body and its agreements and decisions have no legal impact, but they do influence countries’ policies and global cooperation..
• The G20 membership accounts for
  • Two-thirds of the world’s population, 
  • 85% of global gross domestic product,
  • 80% of global investment 
  • 75% of global trade.
  • Contribute 79% of the world carbon emissions
• G20 does not have any permanent secretariat or headquarters.
• The G20 Summit is formally known as the “Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy”.

How G20 works:

• Since the G20 has no permanent secretariat.Theagenda and work are coordinated by representatives of the G20 countries, known as ‘Sherpas’.
• The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members, and the country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika’.
• Troika ensures continuity of the G20 agenda.
• During India’s presidency, India, Indonesia and Brazil will form the troika.

Multilateral conferences, events, and summits hosted by India:

• The UNESCO conference in 1956, 
• The Asian Games of 1982, 
• The NAM Summit of March 1983, 
• The Commonwealth Games of 2010, 
• The India-Africa Forum Summit in 2015

6. Lord of Dance

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context: The magnificent Nataraja sculpture has been installed at Bharat Mandapam

More about the news:

• It is the tallest statue of Lord Shiva’s dancing form in the world.
• The statue is an ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) piece of art, crafted by sculptors from Swamimalai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu.
• The statue is 27 feet tall and  weighs about 18 tonnes.
• The design draws inspiration from three revered Nataraja idols i.e. the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, the Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram, and the Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Thanjavur.

More about Nataraja:

• Nataraja, also known as the Lord of the Dance, is represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.
• It is an important piece of Chola sculpture,
• The Nataraja sculpture is characterized by various features:
  • The drum, symbolizing the sound of creation, is held in the upper right hand. It is signified that all creations originate from the great sound of the damru.
  • The eternal fire, representing destruction, is held in the upper left hand, emphasizing that destruction precedes and complements creation.
  • The lower right hand is raised in the Abhay mudra, which signifies benediction and the assurance to devotees not to be afraid.
  • The lower left hand points towards the upraised foot, indicating the path of salvation.
  • The figure of a small dwarf serves as the base upon which Shiva is depicted dancing, symbolizing ignorance and individual ego.
  • Shiva’s matted and flowing locks symbolize the flow of the Ganges River.
  • In terms of ornamentation, one ear of Shiva is adorned with a male earring, while the other features a female earring. This represents the fusion of male and female energies and is often referred to as Ardhanarishwar.
  • A snake is elegantly twisted around Shiva’s arm, symbolizing the kundalini power, which resides in the dormant stage within the human spine and, when awakened, leads to true consciousness.
  • The Nataraja is surrounded by a nimbus of glowing lights, symbolizing the vast unending cycles of time,reminding observers of the eternal nature of the universe and the perpetual dance within it.

7. Unfolding dementia epidemic requires dealing with huge shortfalls in infrastructure and awareness

Subject: Science and Technology

Section: Health

Introduction

• India’s elderly population is projected to reach 20 crore by 2031, leading to an increased demand for a national action plan to address Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Rising Dementia Cases in India

• A multicentric study revealed a dementia prevalence rate of 7.4% among individuals aged 60 and above, equivalent to nearly 9 lakh Indians living with dementia.
• The prevalence of dementia is estimated to rise from 88 lakh in 2016 to 1.7 crore by 2036.
• The study, titled ‘Prevalence of dementia in India: National and State estimates from a nationwide study‘, was published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia journal in July this year.
• Some states like Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, and West Bengal reported higher rates of dementia than expected.
• WHO declared dementia a public health priority in 2012 and launched the Global Action Plan (2017-2025) emphasizing dementia awareness, risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, caregiver support, and research.
• NIMHANS and Dementia India Alliance (DIA) are collaborating with the Karnataka government to formulate a Karnataka State Dementia Action Plan aligned with WHO’s global action plan.

Understanding Dementia: Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

• Dementia is a clinical syndrome caused by various brain diseases or injuries.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, responsible for up to 70% of diagnoses.
• Early symptoms of dementia include forgetfulness, difficulty recalling names, disorientation, and reduced social engagement.
• Advanced stages involve severe memory loss, mood swings, apathy, and loss of bodily functions.
• Diagnosis is based on clinical grounds, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological tests.
• Cognitive assessments using tools like MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) help differentiate dementia from normal aging.
• Currently, there is no genetic or biomarker test for diagnosing dementia.

Preventing Dementia: Lifestyle and Risk Factors

• The WHO emphasizes preventing Alzheimer’s disease as a key element in fighting the global dementia epidemic.
• Delaying the onset of dementia by even one year could reduce its prevalence by 11%, while a delay of five years could halve it.
• Lifestyle risk factors such as sedentary behavior, unhealthy diet, smoking, and excessive alcohol use contribute to dementia risk.
• Managing vascular risk factors, including hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity, is crucial in preventing dementia.
• Smoking cessation can reduce dementia risk.
• Regular exercise, managing depression, and higher education levels are protective against dementia.
• The cognitive reserve theory suggests that education stimulates brain development and delays clinical symptoms.

Dementia Care: Treatment and Support

• Dementia care involves managing the disease’s effects and cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and functional symptoms.
• A dementia care team includes psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, psychologists, and social workers.
• Non-pharmacological interventions are the first-line therapy.
  • Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are addressed through non-pharmacological interventions.
• Medications like cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat cognitive symptoms.
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms respond to various therapies, including aromatherapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy.

Commonly known diseases that can cause dementia:

8. Advancements in Synthetic Human Embryo Models: A Comprehensive Overview

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Biotechnology

Introduction: 

• Scientists from the Weizmann Institute have achieved a remarkable feat by creating synthetic human embryo models that closely resemble 14-day-old embryos.
• Unlike traditional methods, these models do not rely on sperm, eggs, or a womb.
• This groundbreaking research aims to provide valuable insights into the early stages of human development, addressing the ethical complexities surrounding embryo research.
• Researchers anticipate that these models will enhance understanding of early human development, infertility, and pregnancy loss.

Navigating the Complexity of Early Embryo Development

• The first few weeks following fertilization are marked by intricate and rapid changes in cell development. 
• Unfortunately, this period is associated with a high risk of miscarriage and birth defects, making it a poorly understood stage in human development.

Key Features of the Synthetic Embryo Model

• The starting material for these synthetic embryos consists of naive stem cells.
• These stem cells were skillfully reprogrammed to give them the potential to differentiate into any type of tissue found in the human body.
• While not entirely “synthetic,” these models are distinct from natural embryos as they originate from cultured cells.
• These synthetic embryos consist of four distinct cell types found in early embryos:
  • epiblast cells, which become the embryo proper (or foetus)
  • trophoblast cells, which become the placenta
  • hypoblast cells, which become the supportive yolk sac
  • extraembryonic mesoderm cells
• A meticulous mixing of approximately 120 of these cells was followed by the remarkable phenomenon of spontaneous self-assembly into structures closely resembling human embryos.

Ethical Questions and Legal Distinctions

• One significant question arising from this research is whether synthetic embryo development could extend beyond the established 14-day limit.
• Researchers emphasize the ethical and legal boundaries surrounding these embryo models, reiterating that using them to achieve pregnancy is unethical, illegal, and scientifically impossible.
• The necessity for careful ethical and legal discussions as these advancements outpace regulatory frameworks.
• Legal and ethical experts in the UK are actively developing voluntary guidelines for the ethical use of synthetic embryo models.

Distinct cell types found in early embryos:

9. What is heat index and why is it important to measure?

Subject: Geography

Section: Climatology

Context:

• Iran recorded a scorching heat index of 70 degrees Celsius (°C) in the coastal part of the country in August, earlier in July 2023 Persian Gulf Airport reported a heat index of 66.7 °C.

Heat Index:

• In 2024, India is scheduled to launch its own heat index to quantify the impact of heat on its population and generate impact-based heat wave alerts for specific locations.

Heat Index Calculation:

• Dr. Robert Steadman, a professor in the textiles and clothing department of Colorado State University, had published a complex formula to calculate heat index in 1979.
• He considered an important factor- Dew point (14^oC), which is the temperature at which gas is transformed into a liquid state.
• Humidex of Canada:

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) uses the following chart to determine heat index:

Why is it important to measure the heat index?

• Hot air can hold more moisture than cold air.
• Humidity is typically higher during heat waves — which is why the heat index at the time is usually higher than just the temperature.
• High humidity can lead to heat stress.
• Humans usually maintain a core temperature in the range of 36.1 to 37.2 °C.
• When the body is unable to get rid of excess heat, the heart rate increases due to a rise in core temperature, leading to heat-related exhaustion and rashes, among other symptoms. It can also be fatal if not addressed promptly.
• During high humidity, it is difficult to sweat and then for that sweat to evaporate because the air around is already saturated with moisture. This makes it difficult for the body to lose heat. That is why measuring the heat index is more important than just measuring the temperature.

For details of Heat waves follow: https://optimizeias.com/68-dead-in-ballia-amid-heatwave-how-high-temperatures-combined-with-high-humidity-can-be-fatal/

10. U.K. rejoining Europe’s Horizon science programme

Subject: Science and technology

Section: Msc

Context:

• Britain is rejoining the European Union’s $100 billion science-sharing program Horizon Europe, the two sides announced on September 7.

Details:

• Britain is also rejoining the Copernicusprogramme.
• Deal signed between: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and British PM Rishi Sunak.
• Earlier the EU blocked the U.K. from its Horizon programme due to dispute over trade rules with Northern Ireland, the only part of the U.K. that shares a border with an EU member, the Republic of Ireland.

What is Horizon Europe?

• It is a Research and innovation funding programme until 2027.
• Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion.
• It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
• The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies.
• It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimizes investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.
• Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate.

Copernicus:

• Named after a great European scientist and observer: Nicolaus Copernicus.
• Copernicus is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme, looking at our planet and its environment to benefit all European citizens. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data.
• The European Commission manages the Programme.
• It is implemented in partnership with the Member States, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), EU Agencies and Mercator Océan.
• Vast amounts of global data from satellites and ground-based, airborne, and seaborne measurement systems provide information to help service providers, public authorities, and other international organizations improve European citizens’ quality of life and beyond. The information services provided are free and openly accessible to users.

11. Central Empowered Committee: SC hands over its green watchdog committee to Environment Ministry

Subject: Environment

Section: Environment legislation

Central Empowered Committee (CEC):

• Setup in 2002 by the Supreme Court of India, and reconstituted in 2008.
• Aim: To flag cases of official non-compliance with its orders related to conservation.
• The current CEC is chaired by retired IAS officer PV Jayakrishnan and includes four other members: Retired Forest service officers Amarnatha Shetty, Dr Maharaj K Muthoo, SK Patnaik, and lawyer and naturalist Mahendra Vyas.
• Recent development:
  • The CEC has been made a permanent body that will now report to the Environment Ministry which will nominate its members and have the final say on the merit of its recommendations.
  • In case any suggestion or recommendation of the Central Empowered Committee is not acceptable to the State or Central Government, the Government shall give reasons in writing for not accepting the same and such decision of the Central Government shall be final.
• Impact:
  • It has diluted the CEC’s autonomy on four key counts:
    • The committee will report to the ministry, instead of the SC;
    • The ministry will pick all the members and the SC will have no role in the process;
    • The ministry, and not the court, will fund the committee;
    • The provision of having two NGOs in the committee has been done away with.
  • Now anyone considered an “expert” can be included as a member.
• Significant works of CEC’s:
  • It has filed thousands of reports on issues referred to it by the apex court that have shaped the discourse around environment policy.
  • These include: Compensatory afforestation, Net present value of forests, Kudremukh mining, Aravali forests, Bellary mining, Recommendation to cancel the double-tracking of a railway line from Castle Rock in Karnataka to Kulem in Goa, Imprisonment to former Maharashtra minister for permitting wood mills to operate in violation of the SC’s order.

12. 2 agri initiatives piloted by India likely to figure in Summit outcomes

Subject: IR

Section: Grouping

Context:

• Two key initiatives are likely to figure in the G20 outcome document.

Proposed key initiative by India at G20:

1. Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition, 2023
2. An international initiative for research on millets and other ancient grains

Agriculture Deputies Group (ADP):

• Created in 2011 during France’s G20 presidency
• Aim: To deal with volatility in global food prices.
• It has emerged as a key forum to enhance cooperation among G20 members on food security and nutrition in view of challenges posed by Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine conflict in recent years.
• The working group facilitates “information exchange and cooperation on a range of global issues such as food security, nutrition, antimicrobial resistance, food waste and loss, sustainability, and resilient and inclusive food value chains.”
• 4 ADP meetings were held under India’s presidency in Indore, Chandigarh, Varanasi and Hyderabad.

• Key outcome: Making inclusive digital infrastructure to make it a catalyst for socioeconomic transformation of the agriculture ecosystem and farmer-centric public and private digital innovations.

Agriculture Deputies Group(ADP) initiative:

1. Agricultural Market Information System:

• An inter-agency platform to enhance food market transparency and policy response for food security.
• Launched in 2011 by G20 Ministers of Agriculture following the global food price hikes in 2007-08 and
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
• It assesses global food supplies — it focuses on wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans — and provides a platform to coordinate policy action in times of market uncertainty.

2. The Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring Initiative (GEOGLAM):

• Aim: To increase the market transparency and improve food security by producing and disseminating relevant, timely, and actionable information on agricultural conditions and outlooks of production at national, regional, and global scales.
• Launched after the French G20 Presidency (2011).

3. Wheat Initiative:

• Proposed by research and funding organizations from several countries.
• Originally named as the International Research Initiative for Wheat Improvement with the acronym IRIWI.
• Launched on September 15, 2011.

4. The Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP):

• A G20 initiative to promote agricultural innovation in the tropics, was launched at the first G20-led Meeting of Agriculture Chief Scientists in September 2012, Mexico.

5. Platform for Agriculture Risk Management (PARM):

• A global partnership on agricultural risk management (ARM) for development, was established in 2013 as an outcome of G20 discussions on agricultural growth.

13. Arunachal Chief Minister Reveals Siang River Barrage Plan To Counter Chinese Dam

Subject: Geography

Section: Indian geography

Context:

• Arunachal Chief Minister warns the center of China’s building a mega dam on the YarlungTsangpo River in Tibet’s Medog district.

Details:

• The mega dam is referred to as a “ticking water bomb for residents downstream (in Arunachal and Assam)”.
• The centre plans to build a large barrage – a low-lying structure with gates to control the flow of water – across the Siang river.

The mega dam may cause:

• The river may shrink due to diversion of water
• Threat of flood if excess water is released
• Land erosion of cultivable land in Assam and Arunachal region

Why is China building this mega dam?

• It is mentioned in China’s strategic 14th Five-Year Plan.
• It is expected to produce triple the electricity produced by the Three Gorges – the world’s largest power station.

YarlungTsangpo river:

• It is the longest river of Tibet and the fifth longest in China.
• Originates at Angsi Glacier in western Tibet, southeast of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
• The Tsangpo flows through Tibet before entering Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang. It becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh before it empties into the Bay of Bengal.
• The river forms the world’s largest and deepest canyon at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters (4,900 feet), YarlungTsangpo Grand Canyon.
• The YarlungTsangpo River is the highest major river in the world.
• Its longest tributary is the Nyang River.
• In India, he tributaries namely Subansiri, Ronganadi, Dikrong, Buroi, Borgong, Jiabharali, Dhansiri (North) Puthimari, Manas, Beki, Aie, Sonkoshare the main tributaries on the North, while the Noadehing, Buridehing, Desang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri (South), Kopilli, Kulsi, Krishnai, Dhdhnoi, Jinjiran are the main tributaries on the south.