Sept 23rd 2024 Current Affairs

Index:

1. Pro-farmer Turn in Edible Oils: Explained Economics

CONTENTS: Policy Shift: Recent government decisions mark a shift from pro-consumer to pro-farmer stance, easing inflation pressures and upcoming elections.

Import Duty Changes:
- Basic customs duty (BCD) increased on crude palm oil (from 7.5% to 12.5%) and soybean/sunflower oil (from zero to 10%).
- Additional levies include:
  - Agriculture Infrastructure Development Cess: 5%
  - Social Welfare Surcharge: 10%
- Effective import duty on crude palm oil increased from 13.75% to 25.75%.
- Refined edible oils’ import duties were also revised to earlier levels of 32.5%.

Pro-consumer to Pro-producer Shift:
- Before this shift, the Modi government reduced import duties to lower edible oil prices, benefiting consumers.
- The recent hikes are aimed at supporting domestic farmers and oilseed producers, reducing dependence on imports.
- Soybean MSP raised from ₹4,200-₹4,300/quintal to ₹4,600-₹4,700/quintal, expected to help Maharashtra farmers (who produce 50.3% of India’s soybeans).

Import and Pricing Trends:

India’s Edible Oil Imports:
- India’s import dependency on edible oils (2022-23):
  - Palm: 89.4 lakh tonnes
  - Soybean: 39.34 lakh tonnes
  - Sunflower: 22.55 lakh tonnes
- Major import sources:
  - Palm: Indonesia, Malaysia
  - Soybean: Argentina, Brazil
  - Sunflower: Russia, Ukraine, Romania
- Global Vegetable Oil Prices:
  - Global disruptions in 2022 due to the Ukraine war resulted in price spikes for sunflower oil (from $1,305/tonne).
  - Prices of other oils (soybean, palm) also fluctuated accordingly.

Government Measures:

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Index:
- Edible oil index saw a drop from 251.8 points in August 2022 to 136 points in August 2024.
Domestic Producer Support:
- Steps are in line with providing relief to domestic oilseed farmers to cope with international price fluctuations.

Upcoming Elections and Political Considerations:

Electoral Implications:
- Maharashtra elections are key, as the state is the top producer of soybeans.

The decision to raise import duties and increase MSP on soybeans is seen as part of election strategy to secure farmer votes.

2. ICGA Foundation Launches India's First Comprehensive Cancer Genomics Repository

Key Highlights:

Objective: The Indian Cancer Genome Atlas (ICGA) Foundation has launched a repository to improve understanding of genetic variations in Indian cancer patients.
Focus Area: Initially focused on breast cancer, the repository includes DNA, RNA, and protein profiles integrated with clinical outcomes, which will expand to over 500 patients soon.

Importance and Implications:

Indian-Specific Data: Indian cancers can differ significantly from Western counterparts at a molecular level. Creating a repository with Indian-specific data aims to improve cancer treatment outcomes, which have historically been based on Western datasets.
Collaborative Effort: The repository allows open sharing of data, promoting collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and innovators, facilitating breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

Technical and Ethical Aspects:

Data Sharing: The data from 50 breast cancer patients is currently available to the global research community, encouraging “ethical sharing and collaboration” in cancer research.
Future Plans: The repository will expand data availability and expects to produce India-centric insights into cancer treatments, particularly for breast cancer.

Inspiration and Global Context:

Inspiration from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas):
- The initiative draws inspiration from the U.S.-based TCGA launched in 2006, which molecularly characterized over 20,000 cancers.
- The TCGA’s success has demonstrated the global importance of such repositories, and India aims to replicate this model with a similar effort to encourage data sharing among institutions.
Challenges: Success in India requires incentives for institutions to share data and the development of a robust ecosystem involving diagnostic companies, hospitals, and drug companies.

Broader Significance:

Global Context: Breast cancer overtook lung cancer as the leading global cancer type in 2020, highlighting the urgency of improving breast cancer research and treatment in India.

3. Export Potential for India's Plantation Sector

Key Highlights:

Export Growth:
- Tea exports in the last fiscal year: 260 million kg.
- Coffee exports: Worth $1.29 billion.
- Spices exports are growing at a CAGR of 8.9% with about 50% being in value-added form.
- 38% of coffee exports are also value-added, with the emphasis on value addition in tea exports as well.

Government Support and Financial Assistance:

Increased Allocations:
- Coffee sector allocation increased from ₹220 crore to ₹300 crore to promote mechanization and quality improvement.
- Tea sector financial assistance under the Tea Development & Promotion Scheme increased from ₹290.81 crore to ₹528.97 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Focus Areas:
- The government emphasizes value addition in the plantation sector to enhance the competitiveness of Indian exports.
- The schemes aim to support the mechanization and modernization of the tea and coffee sectors.

Implications for Planters:

Planters and Industry Encouraged:

The government encourages the industry to leverage the increased financial support and approved schemes to boost exports and improve the overall efficiency of the plantation sector.

4. Quad Launches Maritime, Health Initiatives; Condemns Aggression

Key Highlights:

Quad Leaders’ Meeting:
- Leaders from India (Prime Minister Narendra Modi), USA (President Joe Biden), Australia (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese), and Japan (Prime Minister Fumio Kishida) held their sixth summit at Archmere Academy, Delaware.
- Key agenda items included maritime initiatives, health projects, and geopolitical stances, particularly concerning disputed regions.

Maritime and Security Initiatives:
· Quad-at-Sea Mission (2025):	o A new Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission was announced for 2025, aimed at improving interoperability and maritime safety. o Coast guard missions and expanded maritime surveillance were discussed for the post-2025 period.
· Logistics Network for Disaster Response:	o A logistics network pilot project was launched, involving Quad countries to enhance airlift capabilities for disaster response.
· MAITRI Workshop:	o The Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI) was announced, focusing on training Quad partners to monitor waters, enforce maritime laws, and deter unlawful behavior. o India will host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.
· Maritime Legal Dialogue:	o A maritime legal dialogue was launched to support actions that uphold rules-based order in disputed waters.
Geopolitical Stance:
· Condemnation of Maritime Aggression:	o The Quad condemned maritime aggression, with specific references to China’s actions in the South China Sea and its coast guard operations near the Sabina Shoal, 150 km off the coast of the Philippines. o The Quad expressed concern about militarization and intimidation in the East and South China Seas, emphasizing the need for maintaining peace and stability.
· Response to Ukraine Conflict:	o Leaders expressed alarm over the ongoing war in Ukraine, noting the collective commitment of all Quad countries to global stability.
Health Initiative:
· Quad Cancer Moonshot:	o A new health project, the Quad Cancer Moonshot, was launched to combat cervical cancer. o India committed $10 million towards screening and vaccinations for cervical cancer. o Serum Institute of India and Gavi will supply up to 40 million doses of vaccines, subject to approvals.

5. Ransomware Threats: Growing Every Year

Key Highlights:

Ransomware Doubling Annually:
- Ransomware threats are increasing both in terms of frequency and financial damage.
- 80% of breached firms paid the ransom, yet 25% never retrieved their data even after payment, according to Veeam Software’s CEO Anand Eswaran.

India’s Vulnerability:

India as a Prime Target:
- India’s significant role in the global digital economy makes it highly vulnerable to ransomware attacks.
- Government and private organizations must focus on enhancing data protection, disaster recovery capabilities, and cyber resilience to safeguard critical assets.

Analysis of Current Threats:

Veeam’s White Paper:
- The report developed with Cert-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) outlines the growing ransomware landscape in India.
- 39 lakh ransomware incidents were recorded in India in 2022, with major threats to IT, finance, and critical infrastructure.

Data Protection Measures:

Importance of Backup:
- A hardened backup strategy is emphasized as the “last line of defense” against data loss and ransomware.
- Effective backup systems ensure business continuity and resilience in the event of an attack.
Cybersecurity Legislation:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, introduces stringent measures for safeguarding data in the public and private sectors. It aims to bolster India’s cyber resilience amidst the growing cyber threat landscape.

6. India-US Semiconductor Fab Agreement

CONTEXT: Historic Pact: India and the US have signed a major agreement to set up a semiconductor fabrication plant in India, focusing on chips for national security, next-generation telecom, and green energy applications. The partnership marks the first time the US military will work with India on high-value technology.

Areas of Focus:

Strategic Importance:

National Security and Economic Growth:
- The agreement is described as a “watershed arrangement” that aims to boost India’s capabilities in critical technologies such as infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors.
- It aligns with both India’s strategic defense needs and civilian economic infrastructure, especially in sectors like telecom and energy.

Collaboration:

· Bharat Semi and US Partnership:

o The partnership involves Bharat Semi, 3rd Tech, and the US Space Force, signaling deeper India-US defense ties in high-tech sectors.

o A parallel was drawn to the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, showcasing this collaboration’s long-term potential.

· Global Tech Diplomacy:

o The semiconductor plant agreement builds on previous India-US tech cooperation initiatives like iCET and tech dialogues.

o This will create a trusted supply chain in semiconductor technologies, a critical area for both defense and civilian sectors globally.

Economic Impact:

High-Value Investment:
- India is expected to join an elite group of nations capable of producing advanced semiconductors.

The agreement targets investment worth USD 1 billion annually in national security-related semiconductor technologies.

7. Antibiotic Resistance in India: Major Diseases and Trends

Key Highlights: Report by ICMR: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through its Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (AMRSN) has highlighted growing resistance to commonly used antibiotics in treatment of:

Pathogens and Resistance Patterns:

Gram-negative Bacilli:
- Most isolated pathogen in various clinical samples such as blood, urine, and respiratory tract infections.
- In Outpatient Departments (OPD):
  - Escherichia coli: 30.74% of cases
  - Klebsiella pneumoniae: 13.63%
  - Staphylococcus aureus: 12.15%
  - Pseudomonas aeruginosa: 12.06%
  - Enterococcus faecalis: 4.41%
- In-Patients/Ward Data:
  - Escherichia coli: 22.75% of cases
  - Klebsiella pneumoniae: 16.21%
  - Acinetobacter baumannii: 11.87%
- ICU Data:
  - Acinetobacter baumannii: 23.74%
  - Klebsiella pneumoniae: 20.88%
  - Escherichia coli: 13.11%

Surveillance Data:

The findings are from January 1 to December 31, 2023, marking the seventh detailed report from ICMR-AMRSN.

21 regional centers across India, from both public and private sectors, participated in the data collection and analysis.

8. The Perception of Justice

Key Points: Importance of Perception: The perception of justice is as critical as justice itself. Transparency in conduct and restraint in public engagement, especially for unelected constitutional institutions, is vital to maintaining public trust.

Challenges in Contemporary Democracies:
- Democracies across the world are witnessing ideological divides, driven by increased polarization in public discourse.
- The rise of electronic and social media has amplified public discourse, often at the expense of meaningful debate and engagement.
- This media-driven discourse can distort public perceptions of issues, leading to a decline in the quality of discussions on matters of public interest, such as justice.

Role of Unelected Constitutional Institutions:
- Institutions like the judiciary and the Election Commission are unelected yet central to the functioning of democracy.
- These bodies are designed to operate independently to ensure impartiality and fairness, counterbalancing the often-politicized actions of elected officials.
- They must maintain a high standard of transparency and avoid political interference to preserve public confidence.

The Information Overload Problem:

The vast increase in platforms and media outlets has made it harder for the public to discern between personalities and principles, diluting meaningful engagement.
There is a need to restore national boundaries around constitutional mandates and promote focused public discourse.

Institutional Accountability:

Unelected institutions must hold themselves to higher ethical standards than elected bodies.
They must avoid the politicization of their roles and operate strictly within the constitutional framework.
Case of the Election Commission:

The article references the example of TN Seshan, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, who upheld the integrity and independence of the office, becoming a symbol of impartial governance.

9. GDP Estimate

10. India’s Trade Deficit

11. NIPAH Virus Protocol

12. PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) - 6 Years Review

Launch Date: September 23, 2018
Under Ayushman Bharat Scheme: PM-JAY was launched as part of Ayushman Bharat to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by providing healthcare access to economically vulnerable sections.
Objective: To provide health insurance coverage for secondary and tertiary hospital care for poor and vulnerable populations.

Achievements Over 6 Years:

Large Coverage:
- Beneficiaries are primarily from marginalized and low-income households, ensuring inclusivity.
Number of Hospitals Empanelled:
- As of the 6-year mark, more than 25,000 hospitals (both public and private) are empanelled under PM-JAY to provide services.
Health Services Provided:
- Treatments include cancer care, cardiovascular surgeries, neurosurgeries, orthopedic interventions, and other major health services.
- Focus on preventive healthcare, maternal health, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), along with emergency treatments.
Expansion of Benefits:
- In addition to hospitalizations, there has been a gradual focus on strengthening primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat.
Utilization by Women:
- Women have benefited significantly, with a large portion of hospital admissions under PM-JAY related to maternal and child health services.

Technological Integration:

National Health Authority (NHA): PM-JAY is administered by the NHA, which uses advanced IT infrastructure to monitor fraud, improve transparency, and ensure smooth delivery of services.
Arogya Setu and Co-WIN applications have been integrated with PM-JAY for better healthcare tracking and coordination.

Impact on Health Infrastructure:

Strengthening Public Hospitals: The scheme has provided public hospitals with greater financial resources, allowing them to upgrade their infrastructure and cater to a larger pool of patients.
Private Sector Participation: With significant involvement of the private sector, PM-JAY has also driven private hospital expansions into underserved areas.

Challenges Faced:

Awareness and Access: Despite widespread coverage, there remain pockets of low awareness, especially in rural and remote areas, impacting scheme uptake.
Quality of Care: Ensuring quality and uniform healthcare standards across diverse regions and hospitals has been a challenge.
Fraud Detection: While IT systems help detect fraud, continuous efforts are needed to address misuse of the scheme in some states.
Financial Sustainability: Given the expansive scope and rising healthcare costs, ensuring long-term financial sustainability of the scheme remains a concern.

Recent Developments:

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Integration of PM-JAY with ABDM is ongoing, aiming to build a digital health ecosystem in India by linking health records and enabling telemedicine services.
Cooperation with States: States have been encouraged to develop their own health programs in conjunction with PM-JAY, enhancing local health infrastructure.

Future Roadmap:

Further Expansion: Plans to increase the coverage to more beneficiaries, including those not captured under SECC 2011 data, through dynamic enrollment systems.
Healthcare Innovation: Increased use of AI and Machine Learning in health diagnostics and healthcare delivery through PM-JAY to ensure precision and cost-efficiency.
Strengthening Primary Healthcare: Focus on Health and Wellness Centres for preventive healthcare and early detection of diseases.

Health Financing: Sustainable financing models and public-private partnerships are expected to play a key role in ensuring the program’s viability in the future.

13. Unwarranted Curbs: Fact-Checking and Censorship

CONTEXT: The Bombay High Court struck down a contentious rule that empowered a ‘fact-checking unit’ to order the removal of “fake, false or misleading” information from digital and social media platforms.

Key Judgments:

Justice A.S. Chandurkar of the Bombay High Court led the ruling, making the decision 2:1 against the rule.
- Majority Opinion:
  - The fact-checking rule violated free speech and was found to be unconstitutional.
  - The terms “fake,” “false,” and “misleading” were deemed vague and undefined, creating grounds for misuse.
  - The law placed a restriction on free speech, which is not permitted under Article 19(2) of the Constitution except in specified circumstances.
- Dissenting Opinion (Justice Neela Gokhale):
  - Upheld the rule, stating that there was no vagueness in the terms and that platforms could publish disclaimers to retain safe harbor protection.

Concerns with the Rule:

Free Speech Violation:
- The rule was seen as violating Article 19(1)(a), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression.
- Fact-checking based on undefined terms could lead to self-censorship, affecting critical journalism, satire, and political commentary.
Safe Harbor Protection:
- Failure to comply with the fact-checking unit’s orders would result in the loss of safe harbor protection, leaving platforms vulnerable to third-party legal action.
Constitutionality:
- According to the court, free speech can only be reasonably restricted under Article 19(2) of the Constitution (for reasons like security, public order, etc.), and fact-checking does not fall under these provisions.

Government’s Position:

The government defended the rule, arguing that recklessly published misleading information cannot be constitutionally protected.
They also maintained that aggrieved platforms had legal remedies to approach the courts.