CURRENT AFFAIRS - 02/10/2023

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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/10/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/10/2023

Oil firms raise ATF, commercial LPG prices

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

On October 1, the price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), commonly known as jet fuel, was increased by 5%, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase since July.

The price hike also affected commercial cooking gas, which saw a sharp increase of ₹209 per 19-kg cylinder.
Despite the increases in ATF and commercial cooking gas prices, the cost of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder remained unchanged.

Key Highlights

Impact on Air Fares:
- The rise in ATF prices is expected to lead to an increase in airfares, especially ahead of the festive season.
- Airlines attribute approximately 40% of the ticket price to ATF costs.
- ATF prices are revised monthly and are based on the average international price in the previous month.
ATF Price Details:
- In September, ATF prices experienced their steepest-ever hike of 14.1%, followed by an 8.5% increase in August and 1.6% in July.
- The latest increase results in a total rise of ₹29,391.08 per kl in jet fuel prices.
Impact on Commercial LPG Users:
- The price increase for commercial LPG, often used by hotels and restaurants, is likely to raise expenses for these establishments.
- This increase effectively reverses the price cuts of ₹157.5 per cylinder in commercial LPG on September 1 and ₹100 on August 1.
Unchanged Domestic LPG Prices:
- In contrast to commercial LPG, the prices of 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinders, which had been reduced by ₹200 in August, have not been altered.
- This price reduction also applies to beneficiaries enrolled in the Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana (PMUY), providing a total subsidy of ₹400 per 14.2-kg LPG cylinder.
PMUY Expansion:
- The Union Cabinet approved approximately 75 lakh new LPG connections under PMUY in September, with plans to provide these connections over the next three years at an estimated cost of ₹1,650 crore.

About Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana (PMUY)

Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana (PMUY) is a flagship social welfare scheme launched by the Government of India in May 2016.
The primary objective of PMUY is to provide clean cooking fuel, in the form of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), to households in rural and economically disadvantaged urban areas.
This initiative aims to promote the use of clean energy for cooking, reduce indoor air pollution, and improve the health and well-being of women and children.
The target under the scheme was to release 8 Crore LPG Connections to the deprived households by March 2020.
On 7th September 2019, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India handed over the 8th Crore LPG connection in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Key Features and Objectives:
- Access to Clean Cooking Fuel:
  - PMUY seeks to provide access to clean cooking fuel, specifically LPG, to families living below the poverty line (BPL) and those belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
- Health and Environmental Benefits:
  - The scheme aims to reduce the health hazards associated with traditional cooking methods such as burning firewood, dung, or coal indoors, which can lead to respiratory diseases and other health issues.
  - Additionally, it promotes environmental conservation by reducing deforestation and air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods.
- Financial Assistance:
  - Under PMUY, eligible beneficiaries receive financial assistance from the government to facilitate the initial cost of purchasing an LPG connection, which includes a gas cylinder, regulator, and stove.
  - The financial support helps make LPG connections affordable for disadvantaged households.
- Empowering Women:
  - PMUY primarily targets women from low-income households, as they are often responsible for cooking and are disproportionately affected by indoor air pollution.
  - By providing LPG connections, the scheme aims to empower women and improve their quality of life.
- Eligibility Criteria:
  - To qualify for the Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana, households must meet certain criteria:
    - The applicant’s household should belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, as determined by the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
    - The applicant should not already have an LPG connection in the household.
    - The applicant should be a woman above the age of 18.
    - The applicant’s household should have a savings bank account.
  - Implementation:
    - Identification of Beneficiaries:
      - Eligible beneficiaries are identified based on SECC data and other criteria.
    - Distribution of LPG Connections:
      - Beneficiaries receive financial support for purchasing an LPG connection, which includes a gas cylinder, regulator, and stove.
      - The government provides a subsidy to reduce the initial cost.
    - Subsidized Refills:
      - After receiving the initial connection, beneficiaries can purchase subsidized LPG refills as needed.
      - The subsidy amount is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
    - Ujjwala 2.0:
      - Ujjwala 2.0 is an extension of the Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana (PMUY).
      - Under Ujjwala 2.0, the government has allocated an additional 1.6 Crore (16 million) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to further expand the reach of the PMUY scheme.
      - This initiative also includes a special provision to cater to migrant households.
      - The Ujjwala 2.0 scheme was officially launched by the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi, in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh.

Kashmir bat industry hits its sweet spot after 102 years

(General Studies- Paper II and III)

Source : The Hindu

For the first time in its 102-year manufacturing history in the Kashmir Valley, the famous Kashmir willow cricket bats will be used in 50-over World Cup matches.

The Afghan cricket team will be wielding these Kashmir willow bats at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, hosted by India.

Key Higlights

Role of GR8 Cricket Bat Company:
- The GR8 cricket bat company, managed by FawzulKabiir, is behind this significant development.
- At least five Afghan players have previously used bats from the GR8 cricket bat company.
- This initiative marks a proud moment for Kashmir’s bat manufacturing industry.
Kashmir’s Cricket Bat Industry:
- The bat manufacturing industry in Kashmir is primarily concentrated in Pulwama and Anantnag districts, where willow groves thrive.
- Around 200 bat manufacturing units employ approximately 50,000 people for production.
- The preferred weight of a cricket bat globally is around 2 pounds and 7 ounces (a little over 1 kg).
Export and Demand Surge:
- In 2022, Kashmir exported about 1.35 lakh cricket bats.
- The demand for Kashmiri bats is on the rise, leading to increased production. Some companies are working in double shifts to meet the demand.
- Bat manufacturers have received bulk orders from various Indian states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Delhi, and Kerala.
Customization and Sweet Spot:
- Customized cricket bats, allowing players to choose the weight and position of sweet spots, are gaining popularity among domestic cricketers.
- The placement of the sweet spot on a bat may vary based on the pitch conditions, with lower middle being popular in Asia due to low ball bounce.
Historical Background:
- The first cricket bat unit in the region was established by industrialist Allah Baksh from Pakistan in the 19th century.
- Willow tree clefts used for making cricket bats were transported via the Jhelum Valley road to Sialkot, Pakistan, for finishing touches before being used by British colonialists who introduced cricket to India.
Challenges and Sustainability:
- Around 75,000 willow trees are cut annually to sustain the bat industry in Kashmir.
- However, the industry faces challenges related to the depletion of raw materials.
- Manufacturers highlight the need for organized willow farming to maintain a consistent supply to meet the industry’s demand.
- Sustainable practices and new technology could potentially contribute to the future success of Kashmiri cricket bats in the international market.

In Image: Clefts of willow are stacked at a factory in Sangam in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

India’s statistical performance on the global stage

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

India was ranked 67th out of 174 countries in the World Bank’s compilation of Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI) for the year 2019.

The analysis of India’s SPI ranking reveals both shortcomings and commendable performances in various aspects of statistical performance.
SPI evaluation is considered crucial for enhancing international competitiveness.

Key Highlights

Need for Robust Representation to the World Bank:
- There is a call for more robust representation to the World Bank to refine SPI.
- This suggests the importance of India’s involvement in shaping international statistical standards and practices.
Scrutiny of India’s Official Statistical System:
- India’s own official statistical system has faced scrutiny recently.
- Questions have been raised about the credibility of the statistics it produces and the competence of official statisticians.
- Even established statistical methods used for generating statistics have come under questioning.
- Claims have been made that results from censuses and surveys are of poorer quality compared to data from administrative sources, despite the latter having their own limitations.
- The statistical system in India is undergoing a trial period where its effectiveness and reliability are being questioned.
- There is a need for a closer examination of the quality and credibility of the statistics produced.
The SPI and its Dimensions:
- The World Bank compiles Statistical Performance Indicators (SPIs) to evaluate national statistical systems in 174 countries.
- SPI assesses performance across five dimensions, often referred to as the “five pillars” of a national statistical system:
  - data use, data services, data products, data sources, and data infrastructure.
- India’s SPI Scores in 2019:
  - In 2019, India’s overall SPI score was 70.4, ranking 67th among the assessed 174 countries.
  - Pillar-wise scores were as follows:
    - Data Use: 80.0
    - Data Services: 88.0
    - Data Products: 60.0
    - Data Sources: 68.9
    - Data Infrastructure: 55.0
  - Pillar-wise Analysis:
    - India’s performance in the ‘Data Use’ and ‘Data Products’ pillars was relatively lower, with scores of 80 and 60, respectively.
    - These lower scores led to poor rankings, specifically 101 for Data Use and 105 for Data Products.
    - ‘Data Use’ evaluates how various sectors, including government, civil society, academia, and international bodies, utilize statistics. In 2019, SPI considered data usage by international bodies.
    - India performed well in areas such as child mortality, debt reporting, drinking water, and labor force participation but lost points due to the unavailability of comparable poverty estimates for the World Bank over the last 10 years, particularly since 2017.
    - This was due to a new comparability indicator introduced by the World Bank’s PovcalNet for poverty estimation.
  - Importance of Data Use:
    - Data Use is a critical dimension that assesses how effectively data is utilized by different stakeholders.
    - India’s good performance in specific areas demonstrates its capability in providing useful statistics in those domains.
  - Challenges in Data Products:
    - The relatively lower score in the ‘Data Products’ pillar indicates room for improvement in the quality and availability of statistical products.
  - An India assessment
    - India has taken steps to improve its data products for tracking Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by conducting Multiple Indicator Surveys and Comprehensive Annual Modular Surveys.
    - Data Infrastructure
      - India’s overall score for data infrastructure is 55, ranking 73 out of 100.
      - This pillar includes Legislation and Governance, Standards and Methods, Skills, Partnership, and Finance.
      - While legislation and governance are strong, India’s performance is moderate in standards and methods and poor in finance.
    - Legislation and Governance:
      - India’s national statistical legislation aligns well with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
    - Standards and Methods:
      - India fares well in adopting certain international standards but lags in adopting others, especially in classifying employment status and utilizing the Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM).
    - Finance:
      - India receives a low score in finance due to a lack of full funding for its national statistical plan.
    - Data Services
      - India excels in data services with a score of 88 and a rank of 35.
      - However, there is room for improvement in online accessibility, including better download options, more comprehensive metadata availability, and open terms for data usage.
      - India also scores well in openness, with a rank of 40 in the Open Data Inventory.
    - Data Sources
      - India’s data sources score 68.9, ranking 31.
      - This pillar evaluates censuses and surveys, administrative data, and geospatial data.
      - India scores highly in this category, contributing significantly to its overall ranking.
    - Administrative Data:
      - India’s score is relatively low due to not meeting the criteria of at least 90% registration of births under the Civil Registration System (CRS).
      - There is a discrepancy in estimates, with India citing higher coverage than the UN SDG monitoring database.
    - Geospatial Data:
      - India’s score for geospatial data is lower compared to other categories.
    - SPI score and its relevance
      - India’s SPI (Statistical Performance Index) score for 2019, compiled by the World Bank, highlights its strong performance in censuses and surveys but also reveals weaknesses in administrative data.
      - Examining the SPI score is essential to drive improvements and enhance international competitiveness.
      - By analyzing the SPI score, India can identify specific issues in data collection and management, allowing for targeted improvements.
      - Establishing achievable goals based on SPI metrics can help India significantly improve its rankings in the future.
      - Focusing on pivotal pillars such as ‘Data products,’ ‘Data use,’ and ‘Data infrastructure’ can lead to substantial ranking improvements.
      - Achieving a 20-point increase in each of the three pivotal pillars would have positioned India at 34 in the SPI ranking for 2019.
      - Proactive engagement with the World Bank is necessary to strengthen the robustness of the SPI.
      - India should consider using more reliable data sources, like “Vital Statistics of India,” for estimating key indicators like birth and death registrations.

About World Bank’s compilation of Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI)

The World Bank’s compilation of Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI) is a framework designed to assess and evaluate the statistical capabilities and performance of countries in generating, managing, and disseminating official statistics.
The SPI aims to provide a comprehensive overview of a country’s statistical system’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing for international comparisons and identifying areas for improvement.

An ageing India needs age-responsive TB care

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

India is experiencing demographic changes, with an increasing proportion of elderly citizens.

In 2011, 9% of the population was over 60, projected to reach 12.5% by 2030.
The elderly represent a valuable source of wisdom, and respecting their rights and freedoms is essential for society.

Key Highlights

Tuberculosis (TB) Impact on the Elderly
- TB affects over 25 lakh Indians annually, with at least 1,000 daily deaths.
- A National TB Prevalence Survey in 2021 revealed higher TB prevalence among those over 55 (588 per one lakh population) compared to the national average (316).
- Delayed Diagnosis:
  - Elderly TB patients often experience delayed or missed diagnoses, as TB symptoms, such as cough, fatigue, and weight loss, are mistaken for other conditions or dismissed as signs of aging.
- Managing TB in the elderly is complicated due to comorbidities, especially diabetes, resulting in a higher pill count and increased side effects.
- Irregular treatment adherence and poor outcomes can occur.
- Social and Emotional Challenges:
  - Older individuals may face reduced “will to live” without social and emotional support.
  - They often struggle with mental health issues, loneliness, and a loss of purpose and connection.
- Access Barriers:
  - Accessing healthcare services can be challenging for older individuals, particularly in rural areas.
  - Limited access to reliable health information and infrastructure-related challenges are also prevalent.
- Economic Dependence:
  - Many elderly people are financially dependent on savings or family members.
    - Limited social welfare schemes and age-related stigma contribute to mental health challenges.
  - Building Elderly-Friendly TB Care
    - Holistic Care:
      - Shift from disease-specific care programs to holistic models, reducing the need for elderly patients to interact with multiple providers and facilities.
    - Health Professional Training:
      - Enhance the clinical understanding of TB in the elderly and improve the management of comorbidities among healthcare professionals.
    - Effective Case Finding:
      - Improve case-finding among the elderly through efficient sputum collection, mobile diagnostic vans, and active case finding at geriatric clinics and residential homes.
    - Protocols for Elderly TB Care:
      - Develop protocols for diagnosing and treating TB in the elderly, addressing issues like sample extraction, comprehensive assessment of comorbidities, and drug dosage adjustments.
    - Socio-Economic Support:
      - Design support protocols in consultation with elderly TB patients, including community care models, doorstep medicine delivery, peer support, counseling, help desks at facilities, and assistance with accessing social support schemes.
    - Data Collection and Analysis:
      - Collect and analyze age-disaggregated data to identify TB trends among the elderly, ensuring their inclusion as a separate age category in all TB reports.
    - Collaboration within the Health System:
      - Strengthen collaboration within the health system to build elderly-friendly healthcare systems.
      - Establish a robust research agenda focused on TB in the elderly, examining state-specific trends, drug resistance, comorbidity patterns, preventive therapy uptake, and intersectionality with other aspects of equity.

About Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It mainly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.
TB is a global health concern due to its contagious nature and the potential for severe illness or death if left untreated.
Transmission:
- TB is primarily transmitted through the air when an infected person with active TB disease coughs or sneezes, releasing TB bacteria into the air.
- People nearby can inhale these bacteria and become infected.
Latent TB vs. Active TB:
- Latent TB Infection (LTBI):
  - In LTBI, a person carries the TB bacteria but does not show symptoms and is not contagious.
  - However, LTBI can progress to active TB disease if the immune system becomes weakened.
- Active TB Disease:
  - Active TB occurs when the TB bacteria multiply and cause symptoms. It is contagious and can spread to others.
- Symptoms of Active TB:
  - Persistent cough that may produce blood
  - Chest pain
  - Fatigue
  - Fever
  - Night sweats
  - Weight loss
  - Loss of appetite
- Diagnosis:
  - TB is diagnosed through various tests, including a TB skin test (TST) or blood test, chest X-ray, and sputum culture to confirm the presence of TB bacteria.
- Treatment:
  - TB is treatable and curable with appropriate antibiotics, typically a combination of antibiotics taken for several months.
  - Treatment adherence is crucial to prevent drug resistance.
- Drug-Resistant TB:
  - Drug-resistant TB occurs when the TB bacteria become resistant to standard TB drugs. This poses a significant challenge for treatment.
  - Multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) are severe forms of drug-resistant TB.
- Global Impact:
  - TB is a major global health issue, with millions of cases reported worldwide each year.
  - It is a leading cause of death, particularly in low-income and resource-limited countries.
- Prevention:
  - TB prevention strategies include vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, infection control measures, and treatment of latent TB infection in high-risk individuals.
- Challenges:
  - Challenges in TB control include drug resistance, lack of access to healthcare, stigma associated with the disease, and co-infection with HIV, which can worsen TB outcomes.
- Other Key Facts:
  - A total of 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021 (including 187 000 people with HIV).
  - Worldwide, TB is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV and AIDS).
  - In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide.
  - TB is present in all countries and age groups. But TB is curable and preventable.
  - Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat.
    - Only about 1 in 3 people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2021.
  - An estimated 74 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2021.
  - US$ 13 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target agreed at the 2018 UN high level-meeting on TB.
  - Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).