1. PM VISHWAKARMA SCHEME.
TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE
THE CONTEXT: The PM Vishwakarma scheme has an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, aimed at the skill up-gradation and income-boost of carpenters, washermen, cobblers, coir weavers, etc.
EXPLANATION:
- The scheme will be fully funded by the central government.
- Under the scheme, beneficiaries will also be provided Rs 15,000 each as toolkit incentives through e-vouchers or e-RUPI. It will be a purpose-specific voucher issued by banks on behalf of the central government. This means the voucher can be utilized only for the purpose of purchase of toolkits.
- The minimum age of the beneficiary should be 18 years on the date of registration.
About the scheme:
- The name of the scheme is kept in honor of the divine builder and craftsman lord Vishwakarma. The PM Vishwakarma scheme is a central sector scheme.
- The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) will handle the scheme.
- It would be open to traditional artists and crafters from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
- Eighteen(18) traditional trades such as carpenter, boat maker, armorer, blacksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, stone breaker, cobbler, ma son, basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, traditional doll and toy maker, barber, garland maker, washerman, tailor and fishing net maker will be covered under the Scheme.
Aim of the scheme:
- The scheme aims to support and preserve the “Guru-Shishya parampara” (teacher-student tradition), or the family-based practice of ancient skills by artisans and craftspeople using their hands and tools.
- The scheme also aims to improve the quality and reach of the artisans’ and craft-people’s products and services as well as to make sure that the Vishwa karmas are integrated with the domestic and international value chains.
Benefits of the scheme:
- Training and Skill Development: A comprehensive 6-day training program will provide traditional artists with an invaluable opportunity to develop their talents. By equipping them with cutting-edge skills and knowledge, this program is specifically designed to meet the demands of carpenters, tailors, basket weavers, barbers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, potters, confectioners, cobblers, and others.
- Financial Support: The PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, as well as credit support up to Rs. 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs. 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5% without any collateral, would be given to artisans and craftspeople.
- Opportunities for Employment: The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a catalyst for opening doors for employment. It aims to promote economic stability and prosperity by creating jobs for about 15,000 people each year.
Challenges:
- DMK and its allies have opposed the scheme saying it promoted traditional businesses and lured students with its eligibility age of 18, thus discouraging them from entering colleges.
- Lack of Awareness: Many artisans and craftsmen are frequently not aware of the different government programs, financial assistance, and training possibilities available to them. They are unable to use the resources that could assist them advance their knowledge and enterprises due to their ignorance.
- Economic viability: Due to poor demand, insufficient price, and a lack of effective marketing channels, some craftsmen find it difficult to make a reasonable living from their crafts. Younger generations may become less interested in pursuing traditional crafts as a result of this.
- Infrastructure and Training: For artisans to improve their trade, they need access to specialized training facilities, adequate infrastructure, and raw materials. The enhancement of product quality and skill development may be hampered by a lack of these facilities.
2. OVER THE TOP PLATFORM REGULATIONS (OTT)
TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE
THE CONTEXT: The telecom regulatory authority of India asking for opinions on selectively banning OTT services such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X etc.
EXPLANATION:
- Authority of India (TRAI) invited responses to a consultation paper it released on a regulatory mechanism for over-the-top (OTT) communication services.
- Telecom Service Providers are of the opinion that OTTs should be regulated and charged because they use and thrive on the infrastructure built by operators over the years.
OTT Services:
- A company that offers streaming media as a stand-alone product is known as an “over-the-top” media service. OTT communication services like WhatsApp, Signal, Meta, Google Meet, Zoom, X, etc. Audio streaming, messaging services, or internet-based voice calling solutions also come under the OTT communication services.
- In India, there is currently no formal regulatory structure in place for OTT communication services.
- Since 2015, TRAI has published a number of consultation papers on this subject, but no recommendations or regulations have been finalized.
Banning of OTT service: Banning of OTT service is a set of service rules that the operator applies to the specific set of BTSs (Base Stations) that it intends to block. Through this rule, the targeted BTSs can be set for zero or very low data rates, so that all kinds of data services emanating or targeted towards them get throttled — making them useless.
Selective Blocking (OTT level): Selective blocking of OTT applications can get executed either at the OTT player level or at the telecom operator level. Now for the OTT player to block services in a specific geography it will need the location information of all the users. The location information can be at the GPS level or at the Cell ID level.
Why is there a need for a regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) communication services?
- OTT communications services have led to erosion of revenues for the telcos.
- These platforms offer users an array of services, sending of Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS), instant messaging to voice and video calls, delivered over the internet.
- This circumvents the need for traditional telecom services, particularly voice calls and text messages, leading to a significant reduction in the revenue streams of telecom companies, responded the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing telecom players like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea.
- OTT communication service providers neither contribute to the exchequer nor make investments like the TSPs in the spread of network infrastructure in the country.
- The OTT communication service providers take a free ride on TSP funded networks without contributing to the setting up and maintaining digital infrastructure for access networks.
What is the argument for banning OTT services?
For:
- OTTs obtain the location of the customers and can easily bar access. Once the OTT communication services are under license this barring will be much easier to implement.
- Telecom service providers in India are regulated by several laws, including the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, and have to adhere to requirements such as lawful interception. Such requirements are not applicable to OTT services currently.
- According to the Internet Service Providers Association of India, if OTT services are a substitutable service offered by licensed service providers, then such OTT services should be considered as the same services offered under the telecom licence granted by the Government.
Against:
- According to COAI, the Government should consider source-level blocking so that the desired outcome may be achieved without any significant difficulties.
- The IAMAI believes that there is no need to implement additional regulations governing OTT services, or even a regulatory framework for the selective banning of OTT services.
- The Broadband India Forum (BIF) firmly opposed any selective ban on OTT services as they are adequately regulated under the existing IT Act, 2000, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and other associated Acts and Rules.
3. ANAMUDI SHOLA NATIONAL PARK
TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Anamudi Shola National Park, near Munnar has transformed into a green heaven teeming with life, through an initiative by the Forest department.
EXPLANATION:
- Munnar Wildlife Division converted a park filled with exotic species of trees into 50 hectares of forest land. The project was implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It was started in 2019 and completed in 2022.
About Anamudi shola National Park:
- The Anamudi shola National Park is located in the western Ghats.
- The Park is surrounded by Eravikulam National Park, Pambadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary, Mathikettan Shola National Park.
- Anamudi shola National Park consists of three Shola Reserve Forests namely Pannavan shola, Pullaradi shola and Indivara shola together occupying an area of 42068 Sq.Km.
- The area is drained by small streams and they finally join Pambar river, which flows east and joins Amaravathi reservoir.
Forest:
- Anamudi Shola consists of southern subtropical hill forests, southern montane wet temperate forests and moist deciduous forests. The unique things are the dense shola woods that houses a dense patch of stunted trees and the luxurious presence of lichen, mosses, and climbers, which are all hallmarks of the pure air in such high altitudes.
Fauna:
- The park provides safe and comfortable habitat to the wild species of flora and fauna. The rich wildlife includes Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Indian Bison, Nigiri Tahr, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Giant Grizzled Squirrel, Hanuman Langur, Sloth Bear, Flying Squirrels etc.
4. THE SCRUB TYPHUS
TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, Odisha has been hit by a deadly disease called scrub typhus.
THE SCRUB TYPHUS:
- Scrub typhus is also referred to as bush typhus.
- It is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi.
- Scrub typhus is transmitted to humans by bites from tiny, infected mites.
- The transmission to humans mostly occurs through the bites of chiggers, which are infected larval mites.
- Chiggers are also called berry bugs, bush-mites, red bugs or scrub-itch mites.
- The disease is predominantly seen in the rural locales of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia.
- The symptoms of scrub typhus typically begin within 10 days of being bitten.
- Some of the symptoms of the scrub typhus: Fever and chills Headache, Body aches and muscle pain, Mental changes: ranging from confusion to coma.
- One-third of patients develop a severe disease that affects multiple organs in the body and leads to lethally low blood pressure.
SCRUB TYPHUS: TREATMENT
- In March 2023, a team of Indian scientists has identified a significantly more effective treatment for severe scrub typhus.
- The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), showed that treating patients with a combination of intravenous antibiotics doxycycline and azithromycin is more effective than the current monotherapy of using either drug alone.
- The study found that when both azithromycin and doxycycline were administered together to patients with severe scrub typhus, the bacteria were cleared away quicker and patients improved faster.
- This could be because doxycycline and azithromycin stop the bacteria from producing proteins through different, but complementary, mechanisms.
5. GROWTH IN THE BASMATI RICE EXPORTS
TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: Approximately $5 billion export of basmati rice from India is testimony of what can be accomplished with effective public sector breeding and industry collaboration.
EXPLANATION:
- Basmati rice annual exports from India have soared from 0.3-0.35 million tonnes valued at $200-250 million to 4.5-4.6 million tonnes (mt) worth $4.7-4.8 billion, in the past three decades.
- Much of this has been courtesy of scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi.
BASMATI RICE:
- Basmati rice is known for its fragrance and unique flavour. It is popularly known as ‘Queen of Rice’ and ‘Pearl of Rice’.
- India is the largest cultivator, consumer, and exporter of basmati rice.
- India enjoys monopoly over basmati in the world markets.
- Basmati rice is exported to more than 80 countries mainly to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Kuwait and others Gulf and European Countries United Kingdom, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy.
- Half the quantity of basmati exported from the country is sela (parboiled) basmati mainly to the gulf countries.
Origin:
- Basmati rice originated in India.
Distribution:
- Basmati rice is grown in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh.
Climate:
- The rainfall requirement is 700 mm to 1100 mm.
- The mean temperature ranges from 16.4 to 32.1 ° C.
- Relative humidity ranges from 65 to 92%.
Soil:
- Basmati type rice is mostly cultivated in alluvial and Tarai soils.
- The soils are neutral to slightly alkaline and calcareous.
- Soils are loam to clay loam.
Now, let’s see revolution of basmati rice in India with passage of time.
THE FIRST REVOLUTION (PB-1):
- Till the late 1980s, Indian farmers grew traditional basmati varieties having tall plants (150-160 cm) which were prone to lodging (bending over when heavy with well-filled grains) and yielding barely 10 quintals of paddy an acre over 155-160 days from nursery sowing to harvesting.
- These included Taraori (also called Karnal Local or HBC-19) and Dehraduni (Type-3).
- The breakthrough happened with Pusa Basmati-1 (PB-1); an improved variety released in 1989.
- It was a cross between Karnal Local and Pusa-150, a high-yielding non-basmati line.
- With a plant height of 100-105 cm, PB-1 didn’t lodge, yielded 25-26 quintals grain per acre, and matured in 135-140 days.
- PB-1 was bred by a team of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) scientists.
- At the turn of the century, India was exporting 0.6-0.7 mt of basmati rice fetching $400-450 million annually, with PB-1’s share at roughly 60%.
THE SECOND REVOLUTION (PB-1121):
- PB-1 delivered a yield revolution and helped double India’s basmati exports. But the real revolution came in 2003, with the release of Pusa Basmati-1121 (PB-1121).
- PB-1121 yielded less (20-21 quintals/acre) with a slightly longer maturity of 140-145 days with the good quality of grain.
- Between 2001-02 and 2013-14, India basmati rice exports surged from 0.7 mt to 3.7 mt, and from $390 million to $4.9 billion in value terms.
- Over 70% of that was from PB-1121.
THE THIRD REVOLUTION (PB-1509):
- In 2013, the IARI released Pusa Basmati-1509 (PB-1509).
- It yielded just as much as PB-1, with the milled rice length before and after cooking comparable to PB-1121’s.
- PB-1509’s seed-to-grain duration was just 115-120 days.
- Being an early-maturing high-yielding variety made PB-1509 advantageous for farmers, as they could now take an extra crop.
- Crop combinations being adopted by farmers after harvesting of PB-1509 include planting of a three-month potato crop in the first week of October, followed by sunflower, sweet corn or onion in early-January and maturing in 90-100 days.
BREEDING FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE:
- In the last few years, IARI scientists have focused on preserving the yield gains from their improved basmati varieties by incorporating genes for disease resistance.
- PB-1121, for instance, has become susceptible to bacterial leaf blight.
- To control it, the scientists have sought to transfer genes from landrace cultivars and wild relatives of paddy that are resistant to this bacterial disease.
- Such genes have been identified through a technique called marker-assisted selection.
- In 2021, IARI released Pusa Basmati-1885 and Pusa Basmati-1847.
- These were basically PB-1121 and PB-1509 having “in-built resistance” against bacterial blight as well as rice blast fungal disease.
- Both incorporated two bacterial blight resistant genes Xa21 and xa13, derived from a wild rice species (Oryza longistaminata) and a traditional indica landrace (BJ1) respectively.
- They also carried two other genes Pi2 and Pi54 against blast, similarly, sourced and transferred from an indica rice cultivar (5173) and landrace (Tetep).
- In-built resistance to bacterial blight and blast through such marker-assisted backcross breeding means farmers no longer have to use streptomycin or tetracycline combinations and fungicides such as tricyclazole, azoxystrobin and picoxystrobin.
- Minimising the spraying of crop protection chemical also helps protect the premium value of Indian basmati in the global market.
RISK FACTORS:
- There’s no minimum support price (MSP) for basmati paddy. Also, its rice is mostly exported with only a limited domestic market.
- Farmers are also exposed to the vagaries of the market and government policy with regard to exports.
- The recent restrictions not allowing basmati shipments priced below $1,200 per tonne is only a pointer to that.
