GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The Supreme Court of India recently laid down a set of guidelines to ensure that demolitions of properties by state authorities follow due process and do not serve as a form of punishment without trial. This ruling came after cases where properties were demolished for alleged involvement in criminal activities, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The guidelines aim to protect citizens' rights and ensure transparency in such actions.

Case Background and Trigger

• The case was prompted by incidents in Udaipur (Rajasthan) and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) where state authorities demolished properties of individuals accused of crimes, raising concerns about due process violations.
• The Supreme Court’s verdict followed a reference by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, who criticized such demolitions as a form of "bulldozer justice," which bypasses legal procedures.
• Several petitions challenged the practice of demolishing properties as a punitive measure, particularly when no court order exists or trial has been held.

Supreme Court’s Guidelines

The Supreme Court laid down a series of clear, constitutional guidelines for demolitions:

• Notice Requirement: The property owner or occupier must be given at least 15 days’ notice before any demolition. This notice should include details of the structure, reasons for demolition, and a date for a personal hearing.
• Transparency: A copy of the notice must be sent to the local authorities, with an acknowledgment of receipt to prevent backdating.
• Hearing and Final Order: A hearing must be conducted where the property owner can present their case, and the minutes of the hearing must be recorded.
  • The final demolition order must include clear reasons explaining why demolition is the only option, whether the entire structure or only part of it is to be demolished, and the arguments presented by the property owner.
• Post-Order Procedure
  • 15-Day Grace Period: After the final demolition order is issued, there must be a 15-day window before the demolition is carried out, allowing the owner to remove the structure or challenge the order in court.
  • Documentation: Before demolition, authorities must record the condition of the property with video evidence. A detailed report, including the personnel involved in the demolition, must also be prepared.

SC’s Reasoning and Legal Principles

• Separation of Powers
  • Judiciary vs Executive: The Supreme Court emphasized that it is the judiciary’s responsibility to determine guilt, not the executive (government authorities). Demolition cannot be used as a punishment before a person has been tried and convicted in court.
  • Unconstitutional Punishment: Demolishing property without judicial approval amounts to an unconstitutional punishment, as the executive cannot replace the judiciary's role.
• Public Trust and Accountability
  • Accountability of Public Officials: The Court stressed that officials who issue demolition orders must be held accountable. High-handed actions by the state, like demolishing properties without following due process, undermine public trust and must be corrected.
  • Transparency: The guidelines aim to ensure transparency in government actions and prevent arbitrary decisions that could harm innocent people.
• Right to Shelter
  • Protection of Innocent Lives: The Supreme Court reinforced that the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to shelter. Demolishing the property of an accused person could unfairly affect other family members who are innocent.
  • Targeting Specific Properties: The Court noted that demolitions should not appear to target specific individuals or families as a form of collective punishment. When similar violations in the area are ignored, it suggests an improper motive.

The State of Food and Agriculture 2024 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations highlights the hidden costs of agrifood systems around the world. For India, these costs are particularly significant, reaching around USD 1.3 trillion annually. These costs are not directly reflected in the price of food but are felt by society, impacting public health, the environment, and social well-being.

Key Findings for India

• Dietary Risks and Health Costs:
  • A large part of India’s hidden costs comes from unhealthy diets. High consumption of processed foods, sugars, salt, and additives, alongside low consumption of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, contributes to major health problems.
  • These dietary habits are linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
  • Specifically, unhealthy dietary patterns in India lead to a hidden cost of $128 billion due to the overconsumption of processed foods and USD 846 billion due to low intake of plant-based foods and healthy fats.
• Impact of Unhealthy Diets:
  • The report notes that the global trend of unhealthy eating—which includes high sugar and salt intake, and low consumption of healthy, plant-based foods—is responsible for 73% of the total hidden costs in India.
  • The overall health impacts from these dietary risks are a key driver of economic loss, as they contribute to lower labor productivity and increased healthcare costs.
• Social Costs: India’s agrifood systems also face social costs, including poverty among food system workers. These workers often suffer from low wages and poor working conditions, contributing to inequality within the agrifood sector.
• Environmental Costs: India’s food systems also have significant environmental costs. These include the emission of greenhouse gases from food production and transport, nitrogen runoff, and the environmental damage from harmful land-use practices, like deforestation for agriculture.

India’s Position Globally

• India ranks as the third highest in the world for hidden costs, behind China and the United States. Here’s how it compares:
  • China: USD 1.8 trillion
  • United States: USD 1.4 trillion
  • India: USD 1.3 trillion
• Globally, the total hidden costs of agrifood systems amount to about USD 12 trillion The majority of these costs (around 70%, or USD 8.1 trillion) stem from unhealthy diets that lead to diseases and reduced productivity.

Key Recommendations from the Report

The report calls for collective action to address these hidden costs and transform food systems globally. Here are some key recommendations:

• Incentives for Sustainable Practices: Governments should provide financial and regulatory incentives to encourage sustainable food production and reduce environmental harm, such as greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen pollution.
• Promoting Healthier Diets: Policymakers should create programs to make healthy, nutritious foods more affordable and accessible to people, especially in low-income households.
• Environmental Protection: Incentivize actions that reduce environmental harm, such as certification and labeling for sustainable food products, voluntary standards for food companies, and industry-wide initiatives to promote sustainability.
• Consumer Empowerment: Providing consumers with clear, accessible information about the environmental, social, and health impacts of their food choices is crucial. This would allow consumers to make more informed decisions and contribute to better food system outcomes.

India has emerged as one of the world's largest agricultural exporters, with exports valued at USD 53.1 billion in 2022-2023, a remarkable six-fold increase from USD 8.7 billion in 2004-2005.

However, as agricultural exports grow rapidly, there persists multiple challenges to the ‘sustainability’.

What is the status of India’s agricultural export?

• India is one of the world’s largest agricultural product exporters. The Indian agricultural export is valued at USD 53.1 billionin 2022-2023, up from USD 8.7 billion in 2004-2005, a six-fold increase in less than two decades. 
• Why it matters (Significance): For an economically developing economy like India, exports play a significant role in strengthening the economy by increasing revenue, foreign exchange, and transactional options.
• Challenges/Concerns: The rapid surge in exports poses multiple challenges to the sustainability of the production, processing, and distribution systems of the respective commodities. This involves addressing ecological, economic, and social factors to promote long-term sustainability in agriculture, especially for commodities like tea, sugar, and millets.

What is Sustainability in Agriculture?

• A truly sustainable agricultural commodity is not just economically viable but also ecologically and socially responsible. It must be built on three pillars:
  • Ecological Sustainability: Ensuring the conservation of natural resources, preventing land degradation, and promoting biodiversity.
  • Economic Sustainability: Ensuring that the agricultural system is profitable and supports livelihoods without over-exploiting resources.
  • Social Sustainability: Promoting fair labor practices, workers’ rights, and social equity in the agricultural sector.
• All of these need strong governance and policies to ensure long-term viability.
• Sustainability should not only focus on agricultural production but should also encompass the entire lifecycle, including pre-sowing, production, and post-harvest stages.
  • For example, sustainability challenges in tea and sugar highlight the need for more comprehensive approaches that address environmental and social issues across all stages of production and trade.

Case Studies: Sustainability Challenges in Key Commodities

1. Tea

• Export and Production: India is the world’s fourth-largest tea exporter and second-largest producer, with tea exports valued at over USD 793 million in 2022-2023. However, there are significant sustainability challenges within the tea industry:
• Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Around 70% of tea plantations are located near forests, which are migration routes for elephants. These interactions can lead to crop damage and conflicts.
• Chemical Use: Pesticides constitute up to 85% of pesticide use in tea plantations, resulting in chemical residues that pose health risks like cancer and neurotoxicity.
• Labor Issues: Many tea plantation workers, especially women, face underpayment and unsafe working conditions, with poor enforcement of labor laws. These issues highlight the need for better management practices, stricter pesticide regulations, and improved labor conditions.

2. Sugar

• Water Usage and Environmental Impact: India is the second-largest sugar producer globally, with sugar exports growing by 291% between 2013-2014 and 2021-2022. However, sugar production has severe environmental consequences:
• Water Depletion: Sugarcane requires vast amounts of water, with 1 kg of sugar requiring between 1,500-2,000 liters of water. This contributes to the over-extraction of groundwater, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, leading to water shortages for other crops.
• Biodiversity Loss: Natural ecosystems like grasslands and savannahs have been converted into sugarcane fields, leading to biodiversity loss and increased pressure on water resources.
• Labor Issues: The sugar industry also faces labor challenges, with workers in harsh conditions and exposed to extreme heat, particularly in the context of rising temperatures.

3. Millets:

• Ecological and Social Benefits: Millets present a more sustainable option for both domestic consumption and export. Millets are resilient to drought conditions, require fewer inputs, and improve soil health. Their rise in popularity is demonstrated by a significant increase in exports from USD 26.97 million in 2020-2021 to $75.45 million in 2022-2023.
• Environmental Impact: Millets use fewer water resources compared to sugarcane or rice and help preserve soil quality, making them an environmentally friendly crop.
• Social Impact: Millets also provide nutritional security, especially for rural communities, and are less resource-intensive, contributing to a more resilient agricultural system.

India's gig economy has seen dramatic growth in recent years, driven by the rise of digital platforms in sectors such as food delivery, ride-hailing, e-commerce, and freelance services. This growth has brought both economic opportunities and regulatory challenges, highlighting the urgent need for labor protections and fair wages.

The Rise of Gig Work in India

• As of 2024, India has approximately 7.7 million gig workers, with projections that this number could soar to 23.5 million by 2030.
• Gig work is typically characterized by short-term, flexible contracts, where workers are classified as independent contractors rather than full-time employees.
• In India, the gig economy has been seen as a crucial component of the informal sector, already a significant part of the country's workforce, with 85% of people employed in informal or casual jobs.
• Benefits: Flexibility, enabling individuals to work according to their own schedules; independence to work
• Disadvantages: However, this flexibility comes at a cost: higher work hours than regular workers; loss of work-life balance and exhaustion; lack of labor protections, such as minimum wage guarantees, health benefits, and social security, which are usually provided to formal employees.
  • Limited progress on social security: While the Code on Social Security aimed to address this by mandating benefits like life insurance and maternity support for gig workers, the progress has been slow, and the impact remains limited. 
  • Wage Fairness Debate: Wage fairness remains one of the most contentious issues in India’s gig economy. Operating on a commission-based model means payment per task rather than a fixed salary. While this model allows for high earnings during periods of peak demand, it also leaves workers vulnerable to income fluctuations 

Women in the Gig Economy (Potential for Women’s Empowerment)

• The gig economy offers a unique opportunity to formalize women’s participation in the labor market.
• Women in the informal sector often face significant barriers to formal employment, including lack of access to jobs, discriminatory practices, and unsafe working conditions.
• Gig work, with its flexibility and accessibility, can help women gain economic independence and social mobility.
• However, to truly harness this potential, targeted policies are required:

• Safe Working Conditions: Ensuring that women can access gig jobs without fearing for their safety.
• Support for Work-Life Balance: Offering flexible work arrangements and enhanced social protections to make gig jobs more accessible and sustainable for women. 

Regulatory Developments

• Code on Social Security (2020) marked a significant policy milestone by extending social security benefits to gig workers. The legislation mandates that platform companies contribute to schemes covering life and disability insurance, health benefits, and old-age protection.
• Delhi High Court Ruling (2024): In a landmark case, the Delhi High Court ruled that Swiggy delivery executives should be classified as employees and be entitled to benefits such as health insurance and paid leave. This ruling could set a precedent for how courts address the legal status of gig workers and may signal a shift toward greater worker protection in India’s gig economy.
• Minimum Wage Guidelines (2023): The government introduced minimum wage guidelines for gig workers in 2023, but enforcement has been challenging. Platforms argue that commission-based models do not align with traditional wage structures, and sector-specific wage regulations may be needed.
• Health insurance: In September 2024, the Indian government launched a pilot initiative to provide health insurance for gig workers under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) scheme, aiming to cover one million workers by 2025.

Scientists have proposed a bold and innovative solution to halt the rapid melting of Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, also known as the "Doomsday Glacier," which has the potential to trigger catastrophic sea-level rise.

Key Findings and Proposals

• The Thwaites Glacier, located in West Antarctica, is melting rapidly due to the intrusion of warm ocean waters beneath it, causing significant ice loss.
• The glacier has been losing ice at an accelerated rate due to climate change, threatening to raise global sea levels by up to 10 feet, endangering coastal cities like New York, Miami, Charleston, and Atlantic City.
• Geoengineering Proposal: Researchers have suggested a radical geoengineering approach to slow or stop the glacier’s melting.
  • One of the proposed methods involves pumping seawater onto the glacier’s surface, where it would freeze due to cold air temperatures, thickening the glacier over time.
  • Another idea involves installing a giant underwater curtain to prevent warm ocean waters from reaching the base of the glacier, helping to cool the bedrock and reduce melting.
• Challenges and Costs: While the idea has potential, it comes with several risks and costs:
  • The seawater’s salinity could harm the glacier’s structural integrity.
  • Large-scale deployment would require immense amounts of energy and cost around USD 6 billion per year.
• Researchers acknowledge that such interventions would not be a permanent solution and would require continuous, large-scale efforts.

The Panje wetland in Navi Mumbai, a 289-hectare site, has gone dry due to the blocked flow of intertidal waters, despite the state’s directive to maintain the tidal flow. 

About Panje Wetland

• Panje wetland is a vast expanse of a low-lying inter-tidal area in Uran taluka of Raigad district in Maharashtra.
• It is bordered by the fishing villages of Panje, Phunde, Bokadvira and Dongri.
• Panje Wetland is the largest migratory water bird congregation site in Navi Mumbai and one of the best birding sites in Maharashtra.
• Panje typically draws 50 bird species, with around 30 being migratory. These birds, including flamingos from Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, rely on Panje and similar wetlands for survival. 
  • Other important species include Northern Pintail, Ruddy Shelduck, Bar and Black-tailed Godwits, Ruddy Turnstone, Glossy Ibis, Curlew Sandpiper, Kentish Plover, Slender-billed Gull and Pacific Golden Plover.
• Panje wetland plays a critical role in supporting local fishing communities, who now face dwindling resources.

A recent study on the population of African elephants has made headlines due to the alarming decline in their numbers over the past five decades. The study, described as the most comprehensive of its kind, sheds light on the factors contributing to this decline, including illegal hunting (poaching) and the loss of natural habitats due to agricultural expansion.

Key Findings of the Study

• Savanna elephants (the more common species) saw a 70% population decline on average.
• Forest elephants experienced an even steeper decline, with a 90% decrease in their populations.
• There was a 77% population decrease on average at the various surveyed sites, spanning both species.
• Responsible factor:
• Poaching: Poaching, primarily for ivory tusks, has had a particularly devastating effect on forest elephants. The ivory trade is driven mainly by demand in Asia, especially China.
• Habitat Loss: The primary cause of habitat loss is agricultural expansion, which has significantly reduced the natural areas where elephants live. 

Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a growing public health crisis, exacerbated by lifestyle changes and globalization, with Tamil Nadu as a focal point in highlighting the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, contributing to premature deaths and a strain on health resources. This issue is being underscored in light of World Diabetes Day on November 14.

Health Burden & Statistics 

• Rising Prevalence of NCDs: In Tamil Nadu, NCDs now account for 69% of premature deaths and 68% of years lost to disability, with 28.5% of the population overweight and 11.4% obese, reflecting a larger national trend.
• Diabetes & Hypertension Crisis: The state’s 2020 STEPS survey reveals alarming levels of diabetes (17.6%) and hypertension (33.9%), with poor glycemic control and management, particularly among poorer communities.
• Economic Impact: The rising burden of NCDs, especially CKM-related conditions like coronary angioplasty and dialysis, strains Tamil Nadu’s health budget, with nearly Rs 1,200 crore spent annually on insurance premiums under CMCHIS.

Challenges in Healthcare Management 

• Fragmented Care: Current healthcare models treat diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease separately, leading to fragmented care, multiple specialist visits, and inefficiencies.
• Integrated Care Model: There is a push for integrated clinics where multidisciplinary teams of specialists manage CKM as a unified condition, optimizing care and reducing patient burden.
• Public Health Initiatives: Tamil Nadu has implemented schemes like Muthu Lakshmi Reddy for pregnant women and school-based weight screenings, which aim to tackle CKM risk factors early in life.

Globalization and Lifestyle Impact

• Lifestyle Changes: Globalization has fostered workaholism, long hours, and unhealthy eating habits, contributing to CKM syndrome by disrupting hormone regulation and metabolism.
• Role of Work Hours: There is increasing recognition that long working hours and frequent night shifts exacerbate health risks, leading to poor metabolic health and increased obesity.
• Health Policy Recommendations: Experts argue for regulating work hours and improving lifestyle, including healthier food options like millets and low-sodium salt, as preventive measures to curb the CKM epidemic.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the rising burden of Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) syndrome in India. Analyze the public health, economic, and policy challenges posed by this emerging health crisis, particularly in the context of Tamil Nadu.

The International Energy Agency reports that 681 million people in India still rely on solid fuels for cooking, creating significant health and environmental concerns. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which provides subsidized LPG connections to poor households, aims to reduce reliance on traditional fuels. A recent study in Jammu and Kashmir examines the impact of PMUY on LPG adoption, health benefits, and barriers to exclusive LPG use.

LPG Adoption & Usage Patterns

• High LPG Adoption in Rural Areas: In Jammu and Kashmir, 85.07% of rural households have LPG connections, with 68% of these connections provided under the PMUY scheme.
• Dual Cooking Systems: Despite the increased availability of LPG, 92% of households maintain traditional cooking methods, and 85% continue to use both LPG and solid fuels, highlighting the prevalence of fuel stacking.
• Moderate LPG Consumption: On average, households consumed 3.56 LPG cylinders in the last six months, with PMUY beneficiaries in Kulgam showing slightly higher LPG adoption compared to non-beneficiaries.

Health Benefits of LPG Adoption

• Improved Health Outcomes: Households that adopted LPG under PMUY showed a marked reduction in respiratory issues, such as coughing, chest infections, and headaches, particularly in BPL and AAY households.
• Impact of Modern Appliances: Households with additional appliances like rice cookers experienced better health outcomes, with reduced incidences of coughing and chest infections compared to those without these appliances.
• Educational Influence: Households where the main cook had secondary or higher education saw further improvements in health, with a significant drop in chest infections among BPL households.

Barriers to Exclusive LPG Usage

• Lack of Awareness: Nearly 47% of households were unaware of the health risks associated with solid fuel use, and 64% lacked access to television, which limits communication about the benefits of LPG.
• Financial Constraints: The cost of LPG refills remains a significant burden, leading to widespread fuel stacking as households use both LPG and solid fuels, despite the availability of LPG connections.
• Need for Targeted Support: Households with greater awareness of LPG’s health benefits and those using modern appliances, such as rice cookers, reported higher LPG usage, indicating the importance of financial and informational support.

Practice Question

Q. Analyze the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on improving health outcomes and promoting clean cooking fuel in rural India. What are the key barriers to exclusive LPG usage, and how can these challenges be addressed?

As COP29 negotiations unfold amidst global political uncertainties and regional conflicts, India faces the dual challenge of decarbonizing its economy while ensuring sustainable economic growth and attracting climate finance. The country must adopt seven critical shifts to build a green, resilient, and clean energy system that aligns with its growing power demands and emerging climate goals.

Key Shifts in India's Energy Transition

• Decentralized Energy Systems: India needs to shift from centralized to decentralized energy systems by scaling up distributed renewable energy (DRE) sources. While rooftop solar potential is significant, affordability remains a barrier for lower-income groups, requiring market-driven interventions like community solar models.
• Opex Model for Clean Energy: A shift is required from traditional capital expenditure (capex) models to operational expenditure (opex) models. This would involve pay-as-you-go models for solar installations, energy efficiency services, and electric transport, reducing the financial burden on individual consumers.
• Climate-Resilient Investments: Investment in climate-resilient energy infrastructure should replace short-term financial risk considerations. As more than 80% of India’s population now lives in climate-vulnerable districts, making energy systems resilient against climate shocks is the least risky long-term strategy.

Strategic Approaches for Economic Integration

• Global Clean Energy Supply Chains: India should move beyond protectionist policies and focus on plugging into global clean energy supply chains. By adding value and collaborating on solar PV and green hydrogen, India can contribute to building a global rules-based energy architecture.
• Integration of Decarbonisation and Digitalisation: With India’s rapid internet penetration, integrating decarbonisation with digital technologies, such as AI systems, smart appliances, and meters, can optimize energy flow and enhance system resilience. Smart meters and digitally managed grids can become key elements of future energy business models.
• Circular Economy for Critical Minerals: India must transition to a circular economy, particularly for critical minerals used in clean energy technologies. The management of solar waste and recovery of valuable minerals such as silicon and cadmium is crucial to both environmental sustainability and mineral security.

People-Centric Approach to the Energy Transition

• Financing End-Use Consumers: Shifting the focus from financing large power developers to financing end-use consumers is vital. This includes supporting consumers who wish to buy electric vehicles, install solar panels, or adopt energy-efficient appliances.
• Investment in Consumer-Centric Business Models: Small-scale investments in individual consumers can create a market of substantial size. By developing financial portfolios for consumers, India can unlock a massive opportunity for clean energy adoption.
• Centrality of People in Policy Making: The energy transition should prioritize people at its core, ensuring that policies benefit end-users and align with the needs of both rural and urban consumers for cleaner energy access and affordable energy solutions.

Practice Question

Q. Discuss the seven fundamental shifts India must adopt to build a sustainable, resilient, and clean energy system in the context of its growing power demand and climate commitments. How can these shifts align with India’s broader economic and environmental goals?