POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-II- POLITY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced that the Centre will not consider the demands for “special category status “ for any states.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Special Category Status :

• It is a classification given by the Centre to assist development of states that face geographical and socio-economic disadvantages.
• Under this, the Central government extends financial assistance to states that are at a comparative disadvantage against others.
• There is no provision of SCS in the Constitution of India.
• The concept emerged in 1969 with the approval of the Gadgil formula in the Fifth Finance Commission in 1969.

The parameters required for Special Category Status:

• Must be economically backward with poor infrastructure.
• The states must be located in hilly and challenging terrain.
• They should have low population density and significant tribal population.
• Should be strategically situated along the borders of neighboring countries.
• First SCS was accorded in 1969 to Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and Nagaland.
• The 14th Finance Commission has done away with the ‘special category status’ for states, except for the North-eastern and three hill states.
• Presently, eleven states have the Special Category Status in the country including Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Uttarakhand, and Telangana.

Benefits to States with SCS:

• The Centre pays 90% of the funds required in a centrally-sponsored scheme to special category status states as against 60% or 75% in case of other states, while the remaining funds are provided by the state governments.
• Preferential treatment in getting central funds.
• 30 percent of the Centre’s gross budget also goes to special category states.
• Unspent money does not lapse and is carried forward.
• Significant concessions are provided to these states in excise and customs duties, income tax and corporate tax.
• These states can avail the benefit of debt-swapping and debt relief schemes.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

2. INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND AUTHORITY (IEPFA)

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-I

THE CONTEXT: The IEPFA is seeking applications from young students and scholars for its short-term internship programme which began recently.

THE EXPLANATION:

About IEPFA:

• IEPF is a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, established under the Companies Act 2013.
• It administers the Investor Education and Protection Fund.
• IEPF Authority has undertaken a proactive approach to achieve its mandate of promoting investor education, awareness and protection.
• Its objective is to promote Investor Education, Awareness, and Protection.
• The Amounts credited to IEPF are maintained under the Consolidated Fund of India (Article 266 of the Constitution).

Composition:

• Secretary Ministry of Corporate Affairs is the Chairperson of the Authority.
• The Joint Secretary Ministry of Corporate Affairs is the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority.
• The Authority is entrusted with the responsibility of administration of the Investor Education Protection Fund (IEPF), make refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, matured deposits/debentures etc. to investors and to promote awareness among investors.
• The Authority has taken a 360 degree approach to sensitize stakeholders to include household investors, housewives, professionals, etc. across the country in rural and urban areas through direct investor awareness programmes, media campaign and engaging with other stakeholders with the common goal.
• In the urban and semi-urban areas the Authority organizes investor awareness programmes in association with the Institute of charted Accountants of India, Institute of Cost Accountants of India and Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
• In the rural areas the programmes are organised in collaboration with CSC e-governance Services Private Limited through the Common Service Centre (CSC’s) located in villages.
• Multilingual Information, Education and Communication booklets and films have been developed for creating awareness.
• A Joint Awareness campaign has been launched in association with Reserve Bank of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India & Department of Consumer Affairs.

The IEPF is to be utilized for :

• The refund of unclaimed dividends , matured deposits, debentures , application money due for refund and interest thereon.
• Promotion of investor’s education, awareness and protection.
• Distribution of any disgorged amount among eligible and identifiable applicants for shares or debentures , shareholders, debenture-holders or depositors who have suffered loss due to wrong actions by any one person , in accordance with the ordered made by the court which had ordered disgorgement.

3. SPECIAL RUPEE VOSTRO ACCOUNTS

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-III-ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, government of India informed that Russian banks have opened Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA) with partner banks in India.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA):

• The SRVA is an additional arrangement to the existing system that uses freely convertible currencies.
• It works as a complimentary system to facilitate transactions that cannot be executed through the existing banking setup.
  About Vostro Accounts:
• A Vostro account is an account that domestic banks hold for foreign banks in the former’s domestic currency.
• In this, a foreign bank acts as an agent providing financial services on behalf of a domestic bank.
• It enables domestic banks to provide international banking services to their clients who have global banking needs.
• Domestic banks use Vostro accounts to facilitate transfers, conduct business transactions, accept deposits, and gather documents on behalf of the foreign bank.

Significance:

• The system could reduce the “net demand for foreign exchange, the U.S. dollar in particular, for the settlement of trade flows”
• It will reduce the dependence on foreign currencies.
• It can make the country less vulnerable to external shocks.
• Ensure timely payments.
• This helps domestic banks to gain wider access to foreign financial markets and serve international clients without having to be physically present abroad.
• Vostro accounts are not restricted to banks, they can be used by other entities such as insurance companies and business entities to keep funds with another entity.
• When Vostro accounts are used by corresponding banks, the domestic bank can execute transfers, deposits, and withdrawals on behalf of the corresponding bank.

Functioning :

• The framework entails three important components, namely, invoicing, exchange rate and settlement.
• Invoicing entails that all exports and imports must be denominated and invoiced in INR.
• The exchange rate between the currencies of the trading partner countries would be market-determined.
• The final settlement also takes place in Indian National Rupee (INR).
• Domestic importers are required to make payment in INR into the SRVA account of the correspondent bank against the invoices.
• Domestic exporters are to be paid the export proceeds in INR from the balances in the designated account of the correspondent bank of the partner country.

Legal framework:

• All reporting of cross-border transactions are to be done in accordance with the extant guidelines under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

Eligibility criteria of banks:

• Banks from partner countries are required to approach an authorised domestic dealer bank for opening the SRVA.
• The domestic bank would then seek approval from the apex banking regulator providing details of the arrangement.
• Domestic banks should ensure that the correspondent bank is not from a country mentioned in the updated Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Public Statement on High Risk & Non-Co-operative jurisdictions.
• Authorised banks can open multiple SRV accounts for different banks from the same country.
• Balances in the account can be repatriated in freely convertible currency and/or currency of the beneficiary partner country depending on the underlying transaction, that is, for which the account was credited.

There are 3 types of accounts : Vostro, Nostro and Loro Accounts

1. Vostro accounts -are maintained in the domestic currency.
2. Nostro accounts- are maintained in foreign currency.
3. A Loro account -is a current account that is maintained by one domestic bank for another domestic bank in the form of a third-party account, unlike nostro and vostro which is bilateral correspondence.

The Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA):

• It is a civil law dealing with foreign exchange market in India.
• Under it the Central Government can regulate the flow of payments to and from a person situated outside the country.
• Financial transactions concerning foreign securities or exchange cannot be carried out without the approval of FEMA.
• The Act empowers RBI to place restrictions on transactions from capital Account even if it is carried out via an authorized individual.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF SOIL CARBON IN GRASSLANDS

TAGS: PRELIMS- GS-III- ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the FAO(Food and Agricultural Organization) published its first Global Assessment of Soil Carbon in Grasslands.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The study found that if the SOC content in the 0–30 cm depth layer of available grasslands increased by 0.3 percent after 20 years of the application of management practices that enhance soil organic carbon sequestration, 0.3 tonnes C/ha per year could be sequestered.
• Grasslands contain approximately 20 percent of the world’s SOC
• Grasslands have suffered losses because of human activities such as intensive livestock grazing, agricultural activities, and other land-use activities.
• Most of the world’s grasslands have a positive carbon balance, meaning the land is stable or well-maintained.

About Grasslands:

• Grasslands are areas dominated by grasses.
• Distribution: Grasslands are found in areas having well-defined hot and dry, warm and rainy seasons.
• Grasslands can majorly be divided into two parts:
• Tropical Grasslands – Savannah, Campos, and Llanos
• Temperate Grasslands- Pampas, Prairie, Veld, Steppe, and Down.

Significance of Grasslands :

• Farmers who keep cattle or goats, as well as shepherds who keep sheep, are highly dependent on grasslands.
• Domestic animals are grazed in the ‘common’ land of the village.
• Fodder is collected and stored to feed cattle when there is no grass left for them to graze in summer.
• The grass is also used to thatch houses and farm sheds.
• The thorny bushes and branches of the few trees that are seen in grasslands are used as a major source of fuelwood.
• Nutrient cycling (biogeochemical cycles)
• Ecological succession or ecosystem development

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

5. SURVEY OF INDIA

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Centre officially released the National Geospatial Policy of India which allows any private agency to make high-resolution maps.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Survey of India:

• Survey of India, The National Survey and Mapping Organization of the country under the Department of Science & Technology.
• It is the oldest scientific department of the Indian government.
• It was established in 1767 to help consolidate the Indian territories of the British East India Company.
• Its assigned role as the nation’s Principal Mapping Agency.
• It is headquartered in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
• It is India’s principal mapping agency and functions under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• It provides base maps for expeditious and integrated development of the country by ensuring that all resources contribute to the progress, security, and prosperity of the nation for the present and the future.
• It is headed by the Surveyor-General of India.

THE CONTEXT: In the recent times the monsoons in India have been accompanied by the intensive cyclones. These tropical cyclones of category 2 and 3 have wind speeds between 150 and 250 kilometres per hour. The phenomenon is rare during the monsoons, but weather experts warn that such events could become normal monsoon phenomena in coming years.

RECENT CYCLONES ON INDIA’S COAST

NAME – FORMED IN – MAX WIND SPEED

Cyclone Asani (May 2022) – Bay of Bengal – 119 km/h
Cyclone Jawad (December 2021) – Bay of Bengal – 65 km/h
Cyclone Gulaab (September 2021) – Bay of Bengal – 130 km/h
Cyclone Tauktae (May 2021) – Arabian Sea – 220 km/h
Cyclone Yaas (May 2021) – Bay of Bengal – 119 km/h
Cyclone Nisarga (June 2020) – Arabian Sea – 111 km/h
Cyclone Amphan (May 2020) – Bay of Bengal – 241 km/h

TROPICAL CYCLONES IN INDIA

Tropical cyclones originate over the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian ocean. These tropical cyclones have very high wind velocity and heavy rainfall and hit the Indian Coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat (These five states are more vulnerable to cyclone disasters than others in India). High wind velocity and torrential rains make these cyclones highly destructive.

Elements associated with cyclones which cause destruction:

• Strong Winds/Squall: It damages installations, dwellings, communications systems, trees etc., resulting in loss of life and property.
• Torrential rains and inland flooding: Heavy rainfall is usually spread over a wide area and causes large scale soil erosion and weakening of embankments. It also brings loss of live and property to the people.
• Storm Surge: It is an abnormal rise of sea level near the coast caused by a severe tropical cyclone. Due to storm surges, sea water inundates low lying areas of coastal regions affecting human beings and livestock, causing erosion on the beaches etc.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND TROPICAL CYCLONES

• Climate change will have opposite effects on the frequency of strong tropical cyclones along the western and eastern coasts of India by 2050. The frequency will reduce in the Bay of Bengal, traditionally known for its powerful storms, while it will increase in the Arabian Sea.
• However, tropical storms that used to be formed more towards the open waters of the Bay of Bengal are likely to form in regions that lie relatively closer to the Indian and Sri Lankan coasts in the future, due to climate change. This shift is likely to cause the cyclones to make landfall sooner, shortening the time needed to intensify into Category 3 or Category 4 tropical cyclones and eastern coastal states are likely to see less intensive cyclones in the future compared to the last three decades.
• On the other hand, cyclones originating in the Arabian Sea are likely to witness the opposite effect, i.e. they are more likely to be intense.
• Microclimatic changes triggered by local climate change drivers are also contributing towards the intense cyclones. Changes include land-use-surface change, deforestation, encroachments upon wetlands and water bodies, which are contributing to this change.These factors are contributing to excessive heating of land areas. This heat is further pulled into the ocean, which is in excess of the heating of oceans due to global warming. It intensifies storms into cyclones.

MORE CYCLONES IN THE ARABIAN SEA IN THE RECENT PAST

• Sea surface temperatures in the Arabian Sea have increased rapidly during the past century due to global warming. Temp. now is 1.2–1.4 °C higher than the temperature witnessed four decades ago. These warmer temperatures support active convection, heavy rainfall, and intense cyclones. The rising temperature is also enabling the Arabian Sea to supply ample energy for the intensification of cyclones. Currently, seawater up to depths of 50 metres has been very warm that allowed Cyclone tauktae to become intense.
• Greater occurrence of El Niño Modoki. It is a climate phenomenon that means ‘pseudo El Niño’ and creates conditions that are not conducive for cyclogenesis in the Bay of Bengal. However, this condition is conducive for the formation of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. (El Nino is associated with suppressing cyclone formation in the Arabian Sea.)

THE ANALYSIS: ARE CYCLONES DURING THE MONSOON ARE THE NEW NORMAL?

• Ocean warming due to climate change is increasing the chances of cyclone formation in the Indian seas, close to the monsoon onset and withdrawal periods. However, it is hard to say yet that such cyclones are normal during the monsoons, and data from a longer period will have to be observed to see if the cyclone occurrences in monsoon become a new phenomenon.
• Scientists are of the opinion to wait at least four years more and observe the changes, but given the climate change scenario, it is likely that cyclones in monsoon could become a new normal.

Mains Practice Questions:

1. India has been witnessing more number of cyclones during the monsoon season for the past few years. Elaborate on the reasons for the same?
2. Climate change is having the opposite effect on the intensity and frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Substantiate.

BACK TO BASICS

Cyclones are rapid inward air circulation around a low-pressure area. The air circulates in an anticlockwise direction in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern hemisphere. The word Cyclone is derived from the Greek word Cyclos meaning the coils of a snake coined by Henry Paddington as the tropical storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea appear like coiled serpents.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMATION AND INTENSIFICATION OF TROPICAL CYCLONES:

• Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27° C.
• Presence of the Coriolis force.
• Small variations in the vertical wind speed.
• A pre-existing weak low- pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.
• Upper divergence above the sea level system.

COMPARISON OF TROPICAL AND EXTRA-TROPICAL CYCLONES:

Basis – Tropical Cyclone – Extra-tropical Cyclone

Characteristics

• A low-pressure centre
• A closed low-level atmospheric circulation
• Strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain.

• A large scale low-pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth.

Formation

• It gets intensified over warm tropical oceans and required temperature higher than 27° C.
• Presence of the Coriolis force, small variations in the vertical wind speed, a pre-existing weak low- pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation and upper divergent above the sea level system.

• It gets intensified any part of extratropical regions of the Earth (usually between 30° and 60° latitude from the equator), either through cyclogenesis or extratropical transition.

Movement

• It moves from east to west.

• It moves from west to east.

Nature of Cyclone

• Violent storms

• Static, not violent

Type

• Warm Core

• Cold Core

TROPICAL CYCLONE DISTRIBUTION AROUND THE WORLD:

CYCLONE PRONE REGIONS IN INDIA:

COLOR CODED WEATHER WARNING: Issued by the IMD, its objective is to alert people ahead of severe or hazardous weather event which has the potential to cause damage, widespread disruption or loss of life and property. Warnings are updated daily. The IMD uses 4 colour codes are:

• Green (All is well): No advisory is issued.
• Yellow (Be Aware): Yellow indicates severely bad weather spanning across several days. It also suggests that the weather could change for the worse, causing disruption in day-to-day activities.
• Orange/Amber (Be prepared): The orange alert is issued as a warning of extremely bad weather with the potential of disruption in commute with road and rail closures, and interruption of power supply.
• Red (Take Action): When the extremely bad weather conditions are certainly going to disrupt travel and power and have significant risk to life, the red alert is issued.

WHY EASTERN COAST OF INDIA IS MORE VULNERABLE TO CYCLONES:

With a coastline of 7517 km, India is exposed to nearly 10 per cent of the world’s tropical cyclones. Although cyclones affect the entire coast of India, the eastern coast is significantly more prone to cyclones as compared to the western coast.
According to National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) data, about 58 percent of the cyclones that are formed in the Bay of Bengal hit and cross the eastern coast while only 25 percent of the cyclones developing in the Arabian Sea are seen approaching the western coast of India.

Reasons for more number of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal:

• Since sea surface temperatures and humidity both directly correlate with chances of cyclone formation, the Bay of Bengal is a more likely target because it gets higher rainfall. The sluggish winds around it keep temperatures relatively high: about 28 degrees around the year. Warm air currents enhance this surface temperature and aid the formation of cyclones.
• In addition, the Bay receives higher rainfall and constant inflow of freshwater from the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. This means that the Bay’s surface water keeps getting refreshed, making it impossible for the warm water to mix with the cooler water below, making it ideal for depression. On the other hand, the Arabian Sea receives stronger winds that help dissipate the heat, and the lack of constant freshwater supply helps the warm water mix with the cool water, reducing the temperature.
• But not all cyclones are formed in the Bay of Bengal. The basin is also host to cyclones formed elsewhere but move towards the water body, especially those formed in the Pacific Ocean. Cyclones usually weaken if they encounter a large landmass. However, due to the lack of any such presence between the Pacific and the Bay, cyclonic winds easily move into the Bay of Bengal. Once here, the winds encounter the Western Ghats and the Himalayas, either becoming weak or getting blocked in the Bay but never reaching the Arabian Sea.

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. JALLIKATTU-CULTURAL PRACTICE OR CRUELTY?

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE- GS-II-GOVERNANCE

THE CONTEXT: Amid the Supreme Court quash the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Jallikattu Act, 2009 in 2014, the State said the ban on Jallikattu was perceived as an onslaught against the cultural identity of the people of Tamil Nadu.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Jallikattu?

• It is a bull-taming sport and a disputed traditional event in which a bull such is released into a crowd of people.
• Multiple human participants attempt to grab the large hump on the bull’s back with both arms and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape.
• Participants hold the hump for as long as possible, attempting to bring the bull to a stop. In some cases, participants must ride long enough to remove flags on the bull’s horns.
• It is typically practised in the state of Tamil Nadu as a part of Pongal (harvest) celebrations in January.

Issue with the sport

• An investigation by the Animal Welfare Board of India concluded that “Jallikattu is inherently cruel to animals”.
• Human deaths: The event has caused several human deaths and injuries and there are several instances of fatalities to the bulls.
• Manhandling of animals: Animal welfare concerns are related to the handling of the bulls before they are released and also during the competitor’s attempts to subdue the bull.
• Cruelty to animal: Practices, before the bull is released, include prodding the bull with sharp sticks or scythes, extreme bending of the tail which can fracture the vertebrae, and biting of the bull’s tail.
• Animal intoxication: There are also reports of the bulls being forced to drink alcohol to disorient them, or chilli peppers being rubbed in their eyes to aggravate the bull.

Arguments in favour

• Native breed conservation: According to its protagonists, it is not a leisure sport available but a way to promote and preserve the native livestock.
• Cultural significance: Jallikattu has been known to be practiced during the Tamil classical period (400-100 BCE) and finds mention in Sangam texts.
• Man-animal relationship: Some believe that the sport also symbolizes a cordial man-animal relationship.

2. 50 ASI-PROTECTED MONUMENTS DISAPPEAR

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE-GS-I

THE CONTEXT: The Ministry of Culture recently told Parliament that 50 of India’s 3,693 centrally protected monuments were missing.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Fifty of India’s 3,693 centrally protected monuments have gone missing, according to the Ministry of Culture has told Parliament.

What are centrally protected monuments?

• The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) regulates the preservation of monuments and archaeological sites of national importance. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture, functions under this Act.
• The Act protects monuments and sites that are more than 100 years old, including temples, cemeteries, inscriptions, tombs, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and even objects like cannons and mile pillars that may be of historical significance.
• According to the provisions of AMASR Act, ASI officials are supposed to regularly inspect the monuments to assess their condition. Apart from various conservation and preservation operations, ASI officials can also file police complaints, issue show cause notices for the removal of encroachments, and communicate to the local administration the need for demolition of encroachments.

How can a monument go “missing”?

• The ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham, when he realised the need for a permanent body to oversee archaeological excavations and conservation. But while the body remained largely dysfunctional in the 19th century owing to fund crunch, in the decades preceding Independence, it became very active. A bulk of the protected monuments were taken under the ASI’s wings during the 1920s and 30s, up till the 50s, according to the sources.
• But in the decades after independence, the focus of successive governments was on health, education and infrastructure, rather than protecting heritage. Even within the scope of heritage, the aim was to uncover more monuments and sites, instead of conservation. So in due course, many monuments and sites were lost to activities like urbanisation, construction of dams and reservoirs, and even encroachments.
• As per the ASI submission in Parliament, 14 monuments have been lost to rapid urbanisation, 12 are submerged by reservoirs/dams, while 24 are untraceable, which brings the number of missing monuments to 50.
• The agency told the Parliamentary committee that security guards were posted at only 248 of the 3,693 monuments. “The committee notes with dismay that out of the total requirement of 7,000 personnel for the protection of monuments, the government could provide only 2,578 security personnel at 248 locations due to budgetary constraints”.

VALUE ADDITION:
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958

• The AMASR Act provides for preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
• It provides for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for protection of sculptures, carvings and other like objects.
• The Archaeological Survey of India functions under the provisions of this act.
• The Act prohibits construction in ‘prohibited area’, an area of 100 meters around protected monument.
• It does not permit construction in such prohibited areas even if it is for public purposes, except under certain conditions.
• The central government can extend the prohibited area beyond 100 meters.
• The iconic monuments in India, Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, The Great Stupa at Sanchi and the Sun Temple of Konark, among others are designated as “ancient monuments of national importance” and protected under the AMASR Act. The Archaeological Survey of India is the custodian of these monuments.
• National Monument Authority will make a recommendation, for construction of public works to the central government, only if it is satisfied that there is no reasonable possibility of moving the construction outside the prohibited area.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. INDIA-FRANCE STRATEGIC DIALOGUE

TAGS-GS-II-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The 36th India-France dialogue will record a forward movement with French President Emmanuel Macron committed to support India for developing advanced military industrial complex.

THE EXPLANATION:

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DIALOGUE
Aircraft Engines and Submarines

• One area where India is seeking French assistance is in the manufacturing of aircraft engines. India is looking for a transfer of technology to enable it to make engines for its indigenous twin-engine fighter, as well as the design and development of next-generation military and civilian engines for future fighter and transport platforms. The Tata group has already teamed up with Airbus to manufacture C295 tactical transport aircraft in Gujarat, and this partnership is set to be expanded to include the production of other civilian and military aircraft through a joint venture with France.
• In addition to aircraft engines, India is also interested in continued French assistance with the production of submarines. The Kalvari (French Scorpene) class submarine line is set to deliver its final submarine this year, and India is hoping that France will help to continue the manufacturing line at Mumbai Dockyards. The plan is to retrofit diesel attack submarines with indigenous air independent propulsion (AIP) systems for long endurance. It is expected that progress will be made on both aircraft engines and long-range submarines during this year’s strategic dialogue with France.

Indo-Pacific Security and Space Cooperation

• Another key topic of discussion during the strategic dialogue will be the Indo-Pacific region, where France is ready to help India with ocean bed mapping and the development of underwater drones and sensors.
• With the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China becoming increasingly aggressive in the Indo-Pacific, and rapidly expanding its warship and nuclear submarine force, India and its allies must be prepared for any eventualities in the Indian Ocean, which is fast becoming a new frontier. In order to ensure maritime domain awareness and security from the east coast of Africa to the far Pacific, India and France have formed a trilateral group with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• In addition to security in the Indo-Pacific, India and France are also working together in the field of space technology, sharing knowledge in an effort to counter China’s rapid strides in this area.

Terrorism and Regional Stability

• During the strategic dialogue, Bonne will also be briefed by Doval on the posture of the PLA along the 3488 km Line of Actual Control (LAC) between China and India, and the two leaders will discuss ways to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table to end the conflict that began in February 2022.
• Another topic of discussion will be the issue of radicalization in the region, particularly in the Af-Pak region, in the wake of the rise of the Taliban, as well as terrorism emanating from Pakistan and targeting India, as seen in the recent terrorist attacks in Rajouri by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayebba (LeT) group.

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

4. SILENT VALLEY BIRD SPECIES GOES UP TO 175

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, a bird survey conducted at the Silent Valley National Park in the December 2022 identified 141 species, of which 17 were new.

THE EXPLANATION:

• This year’s survey marked the 30th anniversary of the first bird survey in Silent Valley. Brown wood owl, Banded Bay cuckoo, Malabar woodshrike, White-throated kingfisher, Indian nightjar, Jungle nightjar, and Large cuckooshrike were among the 17 species newly identified in the Silent Valley.

Silent Valley National Park:

• It is a beautiful representation of the last remaining rainforest of Kerala. The forests of the Silent Valley National Park harbour some of the most pristine, unique and highly productive forests in the world.
• Silent Valley is located in the Southwestern corner of Nilgiris.
• A perennial river named Kunthipuzha is passing through the western side of the park, from north to south direction finally merging into Bharathapuzha.
• Fauna: Silent Valley Park is known for many highly endangered species such as lion-tailed macaque, tiger, gaur, leopard, wild boar, panther, Indian Civet and Sambhar.
• The indigenous tribal groups that live within park boundaries include Irulas, Kurumbas, Mudugas and Kattunaikkars.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTION

5. TELANGANA JOINS FREE RICE SCHEME

TAGS: GS-II-GOVERNMENTS SCHEMES & INTERVENTIONS

THE CONTEXT: The Telangana government has recently made the decision to join the free rice scheme of the Central government under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

THE EXPLANATION:

• This initiative aims to provide assistance to families in need by distributing free rice to those who are eligible under the NFSA. The Telangana government’s decision to join this scheme demonstrates a commitment to addressing issues of food security and poverty in the state.
• The Central scheme envisages the supply of five kilograms of rice per person per month to 54.44 lakh NFSA cardholders in the state. However, the Telangana government will extend this benefit to an additional 35.52 lakh cardholders, at its own cost.
• Previously, both types of cardholders were receiving free rice under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, which is a part of the Public Distribution System (PDS). The Central government used to supply this rice at a subsidized price of ₹3 per kilogram. However, the Telangana government added its own subsidy of ₹2 per kilogram and distributed the PDS rice for only ₹1 per kilogram.

Uncertainty Surrounding Amount of Rice Supplied

• It is currently unclear whether the state government will continue to supply six kilograms of rice per person per month, as it did under the PMGKA, or if it will restrict this amount to the five kilograms specified under the NFSA.
• The Telangana government has made the decision to join the free rice scheme of the Central government under the National Food Security Act in order to provide assistance to families in need. Although there is some uncertainty surrounding the amount of rice that will be supplied, the state government is committed to distributing free rice to all cardholders starting on January 5, 2022.

About PMGKAY

• In March 2020, during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the central government had announced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) welfare scheme. Initially, the scheme was planned for a period of 3 months but since then, it has been extended several times.
• This scheme looked to provide every individual covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) with an additional 5 kg of grains (rice or wheat) free of cost, along with the 5 kg of subsidized food grain that is already being provided through the country’s Public Distribution System (PDS). It covers people belonging to Below Poverty Line – Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories.
• It also covers other vulnerable people like widows, terminally ill, elderly, landless agricultural labourers, primitive tribe households, informal sector workers etc. More than 81.35 crore people are benefiting from this scheme. Wheat has been allocated for 6 states and union territories and rice has been provided for the rest. This supplements the monthly entitlements under the NFSA.

Connect the Dots:

• National Food Security Act (NFSA)
• What is the difference between Central sector schemes and Centrally sponsored schemes