GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

In Bihar, the state assembly passed a stringent bill to curb paper leak cases, malpractices and irregularities in government competitive examinations.

Key-highlights of the Bihar Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill 2024

• Penalty:The Bill proposes a jail sentence from three years to 10 years and a penalty of up to one crore rupees in serious cases. There is the provision of stringent punishment for convicted candidates who are involved in paper leak cases and malpractices which includes sentences to jail terms from three to five years and penalty up to 10 lakh rupees.
• As per the provisions of the Bill, all the competitive recruitment and entrance examinations conducted by government agencies will come under its mandate.
  • The Bihar Public Service Commission, Bihar University Service Commission, Bihar Staff Service Commission, Bihar Technical Services Commission, Central Selection Board of Constables, Bihar Police Sub-Ordinate Services Commission and other notified authorities will come under the mandate of the bill.
• All the charges of paper leak cases have been made cognizable offences in this bill.
• In the Bill, there is a provision for seizure of the assets of convicts who are entrusted to hold examinations.

Factors responsible for cheating and exam leaks

India’s examination system is in chaos. To be sure, cheating and paper leaks have long plagued exams. But now, major exams managed by the state-run National Testing Agency (NTA).

• Over-emphasis that has been placed on passing exams.
• Societal pressure is another major cause for cheating
• Despite decades of rapid economic growth, India has been slow to reform its higher education system.
• Many unfair practices also go unnoticed and the culprits go scot-free.
• Setting question papers and their printing and transport to examination centres, and transporting the completed answer (or OMR) sheets to the evaluation centres, have all been wrought with loopholes. 

Impact:

• Inequality: Cheating in government exams perpetuates inequalities by favoring those who can afford to pay for leaked exam papers or engage in fraudulent activities, while disadvantaging those who rely on their hard work and merit to succeed.
• Undermined principle:Cheating in government exams undermines the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunities.
• Brain drain: In 2022, more than 750,000 Indians went abroad to study - almost double the number in 2018, according to the foreign ministry data.
• Incompetency:It could lead to the recruitment of incompetent or unqualified individuals in key government positions, which could have detrimental effects on public service delivery, governance, and overall development.

Farmers in Kenya and other African countries blame recent widespread use of acidifying fertilizers for severely degrading soil fertility. Once fertile lands are now nearly barren due to these practices.

• Africa holds 65% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet spends approximately $60 billion annually on food imports. This amount is projected to increase to $110 billion by 2025 due to rising demand and changing consumption patterns.

How chemical fertilizers kills soil?

• Overuse of chemical fertilizers contributes to soil acidification, soil crust formation, reduced organic matter, and decreased beneficial species. This affects plant growth, alters soil pH, promotes pests, and can release greenhouse gases.
• Soil acidity leads to land degradation by reducing nutrient availability, weakening soil structure, and increasing susceptibility to erosion.
• Other responsible factors:
  • Farming Practices: Aggressive tilling disrupts soil structure and reduces beneficial bacteria.
  • Chemical Agriculture: Pesticides and fertilizers can disrupt soil microbiota, hindering nutrient availability.
  • Population Pressure: Increasing population, food insecurity, and intensive farming contribute to widespread soil degradation through erosion, acidification, and salinization.
  • Crop residue burning, land misuse, mismanagement, and climate change further exacerbate soil health.

Why Soil is Essential?

• Ecosystem Services: Soil acts as a vital ecosystem service by filtering water, providing habitat for countless organisms, and producing antibiotics crucial for fighting diseases.
• Food Security: Soil is essential for healthy food production, supplying nutrients, water, oxygen, and root support necessary for plant growth and development.
• Biodiversity: Soils harbor beneficial microbes crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem health.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Soil plays a critical role in carbon sequestration, storing an estimated 2,500 gigatons of carbon and helping combat climate change.

Methods to Save Soil:

• Organic Practices: Use organic fertilizers, recycle biomass, grow green manure crops, and practice mulching to replenish soil nutrients.
  • Neem-coated urea: India has introduced 100% Neem Coating on all subsidized agricultural grade urea. Neem coating works as nitrification resistant. It propagates slowly and ensures availability of nitrogen as per crop requirement which results in growth of crop production.
• Crop Diversity: Employ practices like inter-cropping, mixed cropping, and crop rotation to enhance soil fertility and nutrient replenishment.
• Agroforestry: Integrate tree and plant growth with crops to improve soil health and sustainability.
• Permaculture: Adopt sustainable farming methods that respect natural systems and maximize ecosystem benefits.
• Biofertilizers: Use microbial-based fertilizers to enhance soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
• Other sustainable practices: Adopting sustainable practices like vermicompost, green manure, and biopesticidescan enhance soil fertility and promote long-term crop productivity without relying on chemical inputs.

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved a cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s Banni grasslands, allowing for the reintroduction of the big cat to the state after many years.

About Banni Grasslands:

• Location:Banni grasslands, along with Kachchh Desert Sanctuary, cover about 5000 square kilometers in Gujarat's Kachchh district in the northwest.
• Geography: It lies south of the Rann of Kachchh mud-flats and some parts can get flooded by seawater during the rainy season.
• Surroundings:Banni is bordered by Narayan Sarovar Wildlife Sanctuary on the west and Kachchh Wildlife Sanctuary on the east.
• The area is home to 40,000 Maldharis, a pastoral community known for raising high-yielding buffaloes and cows.

India recently achieved a significant milestone in its defence capabilities with the successful flight-testing of the second phase of its Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System. This system is designed to protect against hostile missiles with ranges up to 5,000 km.

Phases of India's BMD Programme

• India's BMD programme is structured into two phases. The first phase has been completed, while the second phase, known as Phase-II AD (Endo-atmospheric missile),is currently underway.
• Phase-II aims to validate intercept systems for a new range category, enhancing India's defence capabilities in both endo-atmospheric and low exo-atmospheric regions.
  • Exo-atmospheric missiles are capable of completing missions in the upper-most region of the earth's atmosphere.
  • Endo-atmospheric missiles are the ones that operate within the earth's atmosphere that covers an altitude below 100 km.
• Key Features of Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric Missile
• Phase-II AD is an indigenous, two-stage, solid-propelled missile system designed for intercepting various types of enemy ballistic missiles within the altitude range of endo-atmospheric to low exo-atmospheric regions.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has initiated efforts to introduce an affordable, rapid, and user-friendly testing technology for detecting tuberculosis (TB). This move comes in response to the staggering toll of TB in India, which claims an estimated 480,000 lives annually.

About the Technology

• ICMR has developed a pioneering TB detection system based on CRISPR Cas technology.
• This system, considered the world’s most economical for TB testing, utilizes DNA from saliva samples.
• It can identify TB bacteria early and process over 1,500 samples simultaneously in about two hours, making it suitable even for primary health centers in rural areas.
• Challenges in TB Diagnosis: India faces challenges in TB diagnosis, with a significant number of cases going unreported or inadequately treated, especially in the private sector.

The current monkeypox (mpox) outbreak in Congo has resulted in over 27,000 cases and claimed more than 1,100 lives since the start of 2023, primarily affecting children.

About Monkeypox (mpox)

• Monkeypox, caused by the monkeypox virus, is a viral infection that spreads through close contact. It typically causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to pus-filled lesions on the body.
• The virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. It is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus and is related to viruses like vaccinia, cowpox, and variola (smallpox).
• Transmission:Monkeypox spreads from person to person through direct contact with infected skin or lesions, including those in the mouth or genital areas.
• The global monkeypox outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in 2022.
• Genetic Clades: There are two main genetic clades of the virus:
  • Clade 1: More severe, with up to 10% mortality rate among those infected.
  • Clade 2: Less severe, with over 99% recovery rate. The 2022 outbreak was caused by Clade 2.
• Variants:
  • The current outbreak in Congo started with an endemic strain known as Clade I.
  • A new variant, Clade Ib, has emerged, showing increased spread among children.
  • Clade IIb, another variant, caused an international health emergency in 2022, spreading mainly through sexual contact among men who have sex with men.

A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court recently delivered a split verdict on whether to allow the environmental release of GM mustard, highlighting ongoing deliberations and concerns surrounding its adoption and impact in India.

About Genetically Modified Mustard (GM Mustard (DMH-11))

• In 2022, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) recommended the environmental release of genetically-modified (GM) mustard variety DMH-11.
• This variety, known as Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11, has been developed using the 'barstar-barnase' system to make it herbicide-resistant and improve yields.
• Benefits of DMH-11:
  • DMH-11 has demonstrated the potential to increase yields by about 30% compared to traditional varieties.
  • Existing mustard varieties yield around 1,000-1,200 kilograms per hectare, while global averages reach 2,000-2,200 kilograms per hectare.
• Mustard Cultivation in India: Mustard (Brassica juncea) is a crucial winter crop in India, cultivated across approximately 6.5-7 million hectares primarily in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh.

The maiden Budget of the new government has underscored the critical importance of urban development amidst India's ongoing urbanization trend. Recognizing cities as pivotal growth hubs, the Budget aims to address various infrastructure and housing challenges faced by urban areas.

Housing and Infrastructure Boost:

• Pradhan MantriAwasYojana (Urban): The Budget proposes to construct one crore housing units in urban areas with an investment of ?10 lakh crore, supported by central assistance of ?2.2 lakh crore. This includes provisions for interest subsidies to facilitate affordable housing loans.
• Rental Housing for Industrial Workers: A new initiative under PPP mode aims to provide rental housing with dormitory-style accommodation for industrial workers, supported by Viability Gap Funding (VGF) from the central government.
• Core Infrastructure Development: Funds allocated through schemes like AMRUT and the provision of VGF for PPP projects will enhance water supply, sanitation, roads, and sewerage systems in cities.

Integrated Urban Planning:

• National Urban Digital Mission (NUDM): Introduced with a budget of ?1,150 crore, NUDM focuses on digitizing property and tax records using GIS mapping, aimed at improving urban management and financial planning by local bodies.
• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Emphasizes the development of mass rapid transit systems to encourage denser development around transit hubs, reducing traffic congestion and promoting economic growth.
• Electric Bus Systems: The Budget allocates ?1,300 crore to promote electric bus systems in cities, aiming for eco-friendly and cost-effective urban transportation solutions.

Waste Management and Street Vendors:

• Solid Waste Management (SWM): Special emphasis on bankable SWM projects in collaboration with states and financial institutions, utilizing VGF support to replicate successful models like Indore's.
• Street Vending Hubs: Proposals to develop 100 weekly street food hubs ('haats') across cities under the Street Vendors Act, enhancing vending zones and consumer safety.
• Citizen Participation: Acknowledges citizen engagement as pivotal to successful urban development, stressing the role of municipalities and state governments in leveraging both Union and local resources.

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the key initiatives proposed in the Union Budget 2024 for sustainable urban development in India. How can effective implementation of these initiatives address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization?

The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 has shifted focus towards economic growth through infrastructure and employment, while also addressing critical issues in health and agriculture amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and climate challenges.

Health Sector Budget Allocation:

• Comparison Metrics: The Budget compares budgetary estimates (BE) of the current year with those of the previous year rather than revised estimates (RE). This has led to an apparent 12% increase in health budget allocations, though the actual increase is much lower when comparing BEs of 2023-24 and 2024-25.
• Modest Increases: The overall Health Ministry budget saw a marginal increase of 1.98%, with only 1.16% for the National Health Mission (NHM) and 1.4% for the Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PMJAY). This falls short of the need to expand healthcare coverage, especially for immunization, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases.
• Challenges for NHM: NHM, responsible for primary care and district hospitals, needs substantial resources to achieve universal child immunization and combat diseases like tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases effectively.

Universal Health Coverage and PMJAY:

• Coverage Concerns:Despite aspirations to achieve universal health coverage by 2030, PMJAY's budget increase is insufficient to include all elderly individuals, raising doubts about its inclusivity.
• Missed Opportunities: While new medical colleges were mentioned, the Budget overlooked the need for a larger healthcare workforce. The health sector presents significant employment and skill-building opportunities, particularly for the youth.
• Drug Pricing and Procurement: Customs duty waivers on anti-cancer drugs were noted, but broader price controls and pooled procurement mechanisms for other essential drugs were missed opportunities in the Budget.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture:

• Budgetary Commitment: The Budget prioritizes investment in climate-resilient agriculture amid concerns over global warming's impact on staple crops' quantity and quality.
• Benefits of Diversification: Promoting climate-resilient crops not only enhances nutrition security but also reduces water, pesticide use, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with sustainable agricultural practices.
• Smart Agriculture Initiatives: The focus on climate-smart agriculture marks a strategic approach towards ensuring food security and sustainability in the face of environmental challenges.

Mains Question:

Q. Critically analyze the budgetary allocations and policy priorities for the health sector in Union Budget 2024. How far do they align with India's goals of achieving universal health coverage and addressing emerging health challenges? What additional measures are necessary to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services in the country?

The Union Budget 2024-25 has attracted attention for its emphasis on economic growth, tax reforms, and simplification initiatives aimed at bolstering India's position as a global growth engine.

Simplification and Rationalisation of Tax Structure

Objective:Enhancing Ease of Doing Business. The Budget focuses on simplifying and rationalising the tax structure to minimize disputes and broaden the tax base. This includes withdrawing the 2% equalisation levy on e-commerce transactions to align with OECD BEPS Action Plan, introducing safe harbour rules, and reducing corporate tax rates for foreign companies.

Impact:

• These measures are expected to improve investor sentiment, ease international taxation processes, and attract more foreign investments.
• The changes aim to strengthen India's economic participation in global frameworks and support sustainable economic growth.
• Overall, the Budget aims to enhance ease of doing business and foster a conducive environment for economic development.

Support for Startups and MSMEs

Objective:Promoting Startup Ecosystem. The Budget abolishes the angel tax to facilitate the orderly growth of Indian startups. This move aims to alleviate regulatory burdens and boost investor confidence in the startup sector.

Impact:

• Removal of the angel tax is anticipated to stimulate investment in startups, foster innovation, and enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• It is expected to propel India's position as a global hub for startups and encourage more startups to build and grow from India.

Ease of Compliance and Litigation Reduction

Objective:Simplification of Tax Procedures. The Budget focuses on easing compliance burdens and reducing litigation under the tax regime. Measures include introducing block assessment for search cases and reducing reassessment time limits.

Impact:

• These steps are aimed at streamlining tax administration, reducing compliance costs for taxpayers, and enhancing overall tax governance.
• Introduction of the 'Vivad se Vishwas Scheme, 2024' for settlement of pending appeals is expected to significantly reduce tax litigation and release stuck amounts.
• Digitisation of taxpayer services is also introduced to improve efficiency and promote transparency in tax administration.

Mains Question

Q. Discuss the key provisions and objectives of the Union Budget 2024-25 with respect to tax reforms, startup support, and simplification of tax procedures. How do these initiatives contribute to enhancing India's economic competitiveness and growth prospects? Illustrate with suitable examples and their potential impacts on the economy.