CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/08/2023

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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/08/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/08/2023

The cost of meals rose by 65% in five years, wages by just 37%

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Cost of homecooked vegetarian thali in Mumbai increased by 65% in the last five years.

Average wage of casual laborer in urban Maharashtra increased by 37% in the same period.
Average salary of salaried worker increased by 28% in urban Maharashtra.
Disparity between wage/salary increases and food cost has made essential food items unaffordable.

Key Highlights

Impact on Food Affordability:
- Essential food items becoming more expensive due to wage growth lagging behind cost increase.
- Fixed food budget in Indian households leads to smaller thalis or fewer items in meals.
Data Collection:
- Mumbai chosen as exemplar due to consistent data availability.
- Ingredient list for thali: white rice, toor dal, onion, garlic, green chilli, ginger, tomato, potato, peas, atta, cabbage, sunflower oil, salt, rice.
- Ingredients’ costs collected for various years: current, last year, 3 years ago, and 5 years ago.
Thalinomics:
- Total cost of ingredients for two thalis: ₹112.6 this year, ₹82 last year, ₹81.4 in 2020, and ₹67.9 in 2018.
- Ingredient list for thali include white rice, toor dal, onion, garlic, green chilli, ginger, tomato, potato, peas, atta, cabbage, sunflower oil, salt, rice.
Expenses on Thali
- Daily wage of men in urban Maharashtra increased from ₹301 in 2018 to ₹414 in 2023.
- Average salary of men in urban Maharashtra increased from ₹20,520 to ₹26,335 in the same period.
- Cost of making two thalis daily increased from ₹2,037 in 2018 to ₹3,378 in 2023.
- Percentage of monthly wages spent on two thalis increased from 22.5% to 27.2% for casual laborers.
- For salaried workers, it increased from 9.9% to 12.8% in the same period.
Impact on Meals:
- Rising food costs lead to unbalanced or unfulfilling meals.
- Families struggling to maintain dietary needs due to increased food expenses.
Actual thali cost could be even higher compared to wages/salaries.
This situation of increasing food costs, coupled with wage/salary disparity, is causing families to struggle with maintaining balanced meals and dietary needs due to the reduced affordability of essential food items.

Reroute railway track running through Assam gibbon sanctuary

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

A 1.65-km-long railway track in an eastern Assam sanctuary dedicated to the western hoolock gibbon has divided the sanctuary into two unequal parts.

Primatologists have proposed solutions to address the division and its impact on the sanctuary’s ecosystem.

Key Highlights

Railway Track Division and Study Report:
- A 1.65-km-long railway track divides the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, home to the western hoolock gibbon, into two sections.
- A study published in the journal Science suggests rerouting the track to restore the sanctuary’s ecological connectivity.
Artificial Canopy Bridge Proposal:
- The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) previously proposed an artificial canopy bridge design to facilitate the movement of hoolock gibbons across the railway track within the sanctuary.
- The current track is not yet electrified.
Sanctuary Details:
- Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, located in Jorhat district, Assam, spans 21 sq. km.
- Houses around 125 hoolock gibbons, along with six other primate species.
- The sanctuary’s forest on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra-Dibang river system is crucial habitat for the endangered western hoolock gibbons.
Challenges and Concerns:
- Gibbons are arboreal animals sensitive to habitat fragmentation.
- Sanctuary has lost connectivity with surrounding forest patches, isolating gibbon populations on both sides of the railway track.
- This isolation negatively impacts genetic variability and survival of gibbon families in the sanctuary.
Conservation Initiative: Artificial Canopy Bridge:
- The WII’s technical report in May 2023 recommends constructing an artificial canopy bridge across the railway track within the sanctuary.
- Such bridges aid the movement of arboreal animals across man-made barriers.
Importance of Solutions:
- Rerouting the railway track or constructing an artificial canopy bridge would reconnect the divided sections of the sanctuary.
- Restoration of connectivity would help maintain genetic diversity and enhance the survival prospects of the endangered western hoolock gibbons and other primate species.

About Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, located in Jorhat district of Assam, India, was officially renamed on May 25, 2004.
It was previously known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserve Forest.
The sanctuary has carved out of the then Hollongapar Reserve Forest named after the dominant tree species- the Holong.
Artificial regeneration efforts in the early 1900s led to the development of a thriving forest ecosystem.
Key primate species found here include:
- India’s only gibbons – the hoolock gibbons.
- Northeastern India’s sole nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.
Named “Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary” to reflect its unique primate inhabitants.
- Holds the distinction of being the only sanctuary in India named after a gibbon.

In Image: India’s only ape species- Gibbons.

Indian Army’s Emergency Procurement (EP)

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

The Indian Army has entered into contracts for the procurement of 130 tethered drones and 19 tank-driving simulators under the Emergency Procurement (EP) category.

The deliveries of these equipment are expected within 12 months from the contract signing.
The Emergency Procurements are part of the fourth tranche sanctioned by the Defence Ministry, focusing on enhancing operational readiness.

Key Highlights

Tethered Drones and Simulators:
- The tethered drone systems have been contracted at an approximate value of ₹250 crore.
- These drones are designed for long-endurance and can be deployed in high-altitude regions.
- The tank-driving simulators will provide realistic training for tank operators, enhancing their skills.
Impact on Operational Preparedness:
- The Indian Army highlighted that the induction of these new equipment will significantly enhance the overall operational preparedness of the armed forces.
- The procurement aims to provide the military with cutting-edge technology for various operational needs.
Recent Focus on Drones and Technologies:
- Over the last few months, the Indian Army has issued tenders for a range of drone-related technologies, including logistics, load-carrying drones, anti-drone systems, and loitering munitions.
- The Army’s focus on emerging technologies has been fuelled by the changing security dynamics and the need to strengthen surveillance and defense capabilities.
Contracts with Start-ups:
- In the past few years, the Indian Army has signed contracts with Indian start-ups for various drone applications.
- Start-ups like Raphe mPhibrPvt. Ltd. received orders for logistics drones and quadcopter drones for different military units.
- Mumbai-based drone manufacturer ideaForge secured a repeat contract for its Switch Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) mini-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
Emergency Procurement and Financial Powers:
- The concept of Emergency Procurement was introduced after the 2016 Uri terror attack.
- Under these powers, the armed forces can procure weapons systems up to ₹300 crore urgently without requiring additional clearances, aiming to expedite the procurement cycle and ensure quick access to critical equipment.

The Defense Acquisition Procedure

The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) was initially introduced in 2002 to establish a systematic and time-bound approach for procuring military hardware for the Indian Armed Forces.
The most recent iteration is the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, introduced to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan in the defense manufacturing sector.
Key Features of DAP 2020:
- The DAP facilitates increased domestic production by offering reservation in procurement categories for Indian vendors.
- Across various procurement categories, there is a strong emphasis on increasing the acquisition of indigenously manufactured products.
- Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGAs): IGAs are utilized to enable import substitution of defense products, technologies, and spare parts.
- DAP 2020 encourages Research and Development activities in the defense sector.
- The DAP promotes technology transfer and collaborations with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to enhance indigenous capabilities.

Note: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is allowed up to 100% in defense manufacturing (up to 74% under Automatic route and beyond 74% under Government route).

About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is a high-level decision-making body within the Indian Ministry of Defence.
It oversees and approves defense acquisitions and procurement proposals.
Its primary objective is to ensure the timely and efficient procurement of the approved requirements of the armed forces, promoting modernization and readiness.
Formation and Background:
- The DAC was established based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001 after the Kargil War in 1999.
- The war highlighted the need for strategic planning, modernization, and efficient procurement processes within the defense sector.
Composition:
- The DAC is chaired by the Defence Minister of India.
- Its membership includes the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Key Functions:
- Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP): The DAC gives in-principle approval for a 15-year LTIPP, outlining the future defense procurement plans and strategies for the armed forces.
- Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): It accords acceptance of necessity to acquisition proposals, initiating the formal procurement process.
- Categorization: The DAC categorizes acquisition proposals into ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’, and ‘Make’ categories, based on strategic considerations and technological aspects.
- Single Vendor Clearance: The council addresses issues related to single vendor clearance, ensuring transparency and fair competition in the procurement process.
- Offset Provisions: The DAC takes decisions regarding ‘offset’ provisions for acquisition proposals exceeding Rs 300 crore.
  - Offset policies mandate foreign vendors to invest a portion of the contract value in India’s defense industry.
- Technology Transfer:
  - For ‘Buy & Make’ category acquisitions, the DAC decides on the transfer of technology, enabling India to acquire advanced capabilities through collaboration with foreign manufacturers.
- Field Trial Evaluation:
  - The DAC oversees the evaluation of equipment through field trials, ensuring that acquired assets meet the required standards and specifications.

18.3% MGNREGS workers out of Aadhaar-based wage system

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

The fourth extension for mandatory payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) via the Aadhaar Based Payments System (ABPS) is set to conclude on August 31.

However, a significant portion of job card holders remains ineligible for this mode of payment.
The Ministry of Rural Development has indicated that no further extensions will be granted, citing a low percentage of ineligibility among active workers.

Key Highlights

ABPS for MNREGS Payments:
- The ABPS utilizes a worker’s unique Aadhaar number as their financial address for MNREGS payments.
- This method requires linking the worker’s Aadhaar details with their job card and bank account, and also mapping the Aadhaar details with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) database.
- The bank’s institutional identification number (IIN) should also be mapped with the NPCI database.
Ineligibility Percentage:
- Out of the total 26 crore job card holders, approximately 41.1% are ineligible for ABPS payments.
- However, among active workers, only 18.3% are ineligible.
State Variation:
- The percentage of ineligibility varies among states.
- In states with a significant number of active MNREGA workers like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, a substantial portion will no longer be eligible for payments due to the lack of ABPS-enabled accounts.
Research Analysis:
- A research paper conducted by scholars, including those from the non-profit organization LibTech India, questions the claims that ABPS accounts result in speedy payments and reduce rejections.
- The analysis is based on transactions recorded in the central database managed by the Ministry from the 2021-22 financial year.
Payment Processing Time:
- The research indicates that there is no statistically significant difference in the time taken to process payments between normal accounts and Aadhaar-linked accounts.
Rejection Rates:
- The study reveals that there is also no substantial difference in the rejection rates between the two payment types.
Challenges for Workers:
- Despite claims that ABPS payments reduce rejections, anecdotal evidence suggests that ABPS payments lead to challenges for workers.
- These include payments being diverted to incorrect accounts, misdirected payments due to Aadhaar-linking errors, and mass deletions of job cards due to non-compliance with ABPS requirements.

About Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS)

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS), launched in 2006, is a flagship social welfare program in India.
It is aimed at providing employment opportunities and improving the livelihoods of rural households.
This scheme guarantees a certain number of days of wage employment to rural households, with a focus on vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Key Points:
- MNREGS aims to enhance livelihood security by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
- The scheme covers all rural areas across India, making it one of the largest social security and public works programs globally.
- Under MNREGS, beneficiaries can engage in various activities such as building rural infrastructure, creating water conservation structures, road construction, afforestation, and more.
  - These activities contribute to local development and asset creation.
- The scheme guarantees a minimum wage rate determined by the state government for the work performed by beneficiaries.
- The wages are provided within 15 days of the work being completed.
- The demand for employment under MNREGS is initiated by rural households, and the work is provided within 15 days of making the demand.
- If work is not provided within the stipulated time, workers are entitled to an unemployment allowance.
- MNREGS has embraced technology to enhance transparency and reduce delays in payment distribution.
  - The Electronic Fund Management System (eFMS) ensures direct electronic transfers of wages to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- The scheme has a strong focus on empowering women by ensuring that at least one-third of the beneficiaries are women.
MNREGS serves as a social safety net during periods of economic distress, helping rural households cope with income fluctuations and providing them with a stable source of income.

Note: The Union Budget allocated ₹60,000 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme for 2023-24. This is 18% lower than the ₹73,000 crore budget estimates for the previous financial year.

In Image: Budget allocation to MNREGA over the previous financial years.

India, Kenya for sign MoU for deeper cooperation in maritime security

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Goa Shipyard Limited and Kenya Shipyard Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration in ship design and construction.

The MoU aims to enhance capacity building and cooperation between the two shipyards.

Key Highlights

The MoU was signed during discussions between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale.
Deeper cooperation in maritime security within the Indian Ocean region was emphasized.
Exchange of Tokens of Friendship:
As a gesture of friendship, Rajnath Singh presented 15 pairs of parachutes to Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence, manufactured by Gliders India Limited for use by Kenyan forces.
India also extended support for the establishment of an advanced CT scan facility in Kenya.
Both sides discussed capacity building and collaboration in the defence industry and equipment sector.
“Training of Trainers” and Joint Training:
Aden Bare Duale (Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence) suggested the concept of “training of trainers,” with Indian armed forces instructors training Kenyan forces’ trainers for continuity and enhanced program benefits.
Both sides agreed to joint training initiatives in counter-insurgency and UN peacekeeping domains.

About Goa Shipyard Limited

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) is a public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.
Established in 1957, GSL has played a significant role in India’s maritime defense capabilities and naval infrastructure.
Goa Shipyard Limited is located in Vasco da Gama on the banks of river Zuari in Goa.
- The shipyard’s strategic coastal location provides easy access to the Arabian Sea, facilitating shipbuilding and maritime activities.
GSL is engaged in the construction of a wide range of vessels, including naval ships, offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), fast patrol vessels (FPVs), coastal surveillance vessels (CSVs), research vessels, and more.

Pragyan rover confirms sulphur at Moon’s South Pole

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

The Pragyan rover of Chandrayaan-3, a lunar mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has detected the presence of sulphur on the moon’s surface near its south pole.

This discovery was made using the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard the rover.

Key Highlights

In-Situ Measurements and Elemental Composition:
- The LIBS instrument conducted in-situ measurements of the elemental composition of the lunar surface near the Moon’s South Pole.
- These measurements have confirmed the presence of sulphur (S) on the lunar surface, which was not feasible with the instruments onboard the orbiters.
Search for Hydrogen (H):
- The Chandrayaan-3 mission is also actively searching for the presence of hydrogen on the moon’s surface near the South Pole.
- The search for hydrogen is ongoing, and its detection could provide valuable insights into the lunar composition.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS):
- LIBS is a scientific technique used to analyze the composition of materials by subjecting them to intense laser pulses.
- The technique involves focusing a high-energy laser pulse onto the material’s surface, creating a localized and hot plasma.
- The emitted plasma light is then analyzed using charge coupled devices to determine the elemental composition based on characteristic wavelengths of light emitted by each element in a plasma state.
Elements Detected on Lunar Surface:
- Preliminary analyses using the LIBS instrument have revealed the presence of several elements on the lunar surface near the south pole:
  - Aluminum (Al)
  - Sulphur (S)
  - Calcium (Ca)
  - Iron (Fe)
  - Chromium (Cr)
  - Titanium (Ti)
  - Manganese (Mn)
  - Silicon (Si)
  - Oxygen (O)
- Instrument Development:
  - The LIBS payload used in Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover was developed at ISRO’s Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems in Bengaluru.

In Image: Spectrum highlighting the presence of Sulphur and other elements of Moon’s surface.

Cyclone frequency may rise over Indian coast

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

Tropical cyclones originating near the Equator have been relatively subdued in recent decades.

The last major cyclone of this kind was the 2017 Cyclone Okchi, which caused significant damage in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka.
A study published in the journal Nature Communications highlights that a combination of global warming and a cyclical event called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) could lead to more frequent equatorial-origin cyclones in the coming years.

Key Highlights

Effect of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO):
- The study reveals that the number of equatorial-origin cyclones was 43% fewer during 1981-2010 compared to 1951-1980, primarily due to the PDO being in a “warmer” or positive phase.
- The PDO is a cyclical pattern that repeats every 20-30 years and affects ocean temperatures in the Western and Eastern Pacific.
- It results in a warmer Western Pacific Ocean and relatively cooler Eastern Pacific over longer time scales.
El Nino and La Nina in Relation to PDO:
- The Central Equatorial Pacific experiences El Nino (warmer) and La Nina (cooler) events, collectively known as the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
- An El Nino is associated with reduced rainfall over India, while La Nina is linked to excessive rainfall.
- The PDO’s warmer or cooler phase can amplify these effects, but its stages are determined over several years of observing ocean temperatures and atmospheric interactions.
Recent Trends and Outlook:
- In 2019, the PDO transitioned into a cooler, negative phase.
- If the negative phase persists, it could lead to more tropical cyclones originating near the Equator, as warmer waters in the region can intensify cyclone formation.
El Nino’s Impact and Rainfall Patterns:
- Currently, an El Nino is developing in the Pacific, resulting in rainfall deficits of 7% and 17% in central and southern India, respectively.
- The combination of El Nino with a positive PDO is generally unfavourable, but when coupled with a negative PDO, it can bring more rainfall to India.

About Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)

The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is a long-term climate pattern characterized by fluctuations in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and atmospheric pressure in the Pacific Ocean.
It operates on a longer time scale, typically spanning 20 to 30 years, and it has a significant impact on climate and weather patterns in various regions around the Pacific basin.
The PDO is similar in some aspects to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but it operates on a longer time frame and has broader effects.
Key features of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) include:
- Phases: The PDO has two primary phases—positive (warm) and negative (cool).
  - During a positive phase, the sea surface temperatures in the northeastern Pacific Ocean are warmer than average, while the western Pacific experiences cooler temperatures.
  - In the negative phase, the opposite pattern occurs, with cooler waters in the northeastern Pacific and warmer waters in the western Pacific.
- Spatial Distribution:
  - The PDO affects a larger area of the Pacific Ocean compared to the more localized El Niño and La Niña events.
  - It covers both the North Pacific and the tropical Pacific regions.
- Duration:
  - Each phase of the PDO can last for several decades before transitioning to the opposite phase.
  - This makes the PDO a slow-changing climate pattern compared to the relatively short-lived ENSO events.
- Climate Impacts:
  - The PDO has significant effects on climate and weather patterns.
  - It influences temperature and precipitation patterns, ocean currents, marine ecosystems, and even fisheries.
  - For example, during a positive PDO phase, regions like the western coast of North America tend to experience warmer and drier conditions, while cooler and wetter conditions are observed during the negative phase.
- Global Impact:
  - The PDO’s influence extends beyond the Pacific region.
  - Changes in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure associated with the PDO can influence weather patterns in other parts of the world, including North America, Asia, and even the Indian Ocean.
- Interaction with Other Climate Patterns:
  - The PDO can interact with other climate patterns, such as ENSO.
  - The interactions between the PDO and ENSO can lead to amplified or attenuated effects on climate patterns in different regions.