Daily Current Affairs UPSC 20 March 2024

World Happiness Report (WHR) 2024

• WHR 2024 Released by UNSDSN
• Evaluates happiness based on 6 key variables: Healthy life expectancy, GDP per capita, social support, Low corruption, Generosity and freedom.
• Scores based on individuals' assessments
• Key highlights of WHR 2024:
  • India ranked 126 out of 143 countries
  • Top 3 countries: Finland, Denmark, Iceland
  • Large gap of 6 points between (Finland) top and bottom (Afghanistan) countries.

Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT)

• NHIT completed largest InvIT monetization for National Highway stretches
• NHIT is an InvIT by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
• InvIT is a type of Collective Investment Scheme that is comparable to a mutual fund.
• It allows both individual and institutional investors to directly invest in infrastructure projects and receive a portion of the income generated as returns.
• InvITs are regulated by SEBI through the Infrastructure Investment Trusts Regulations of 2014.
• The structure of an InvIT consists of four key components: trustee, sponsor, investment manager, and project manager.

Negative Interest Rates (NIR)

• Bank of Japan discontinues negative interest rates introduced in 2016
• NIR is when central banks set target interest rates below zero percent
• Aims to combat deflation and recession by encouraging spending and investment
• Other unconventional monetary policy tools include Extended lending and Asset Purchase Programmes

Inter-State Coordination for Wildlife Conservation

• Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu Forest departments collaborate to protect forest communities and animals under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act
• Agreement includes action plan for conservation and conflict mitigation, intelligence sharing, and resource exchange
• Synchronized population estimation in protected areas will be conducted
• Advisory board of wildlife conservation experts will be formed to enhance conflict mitigation strategies
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing human-animal conflict will be developed.

Peatlands

• Peatlands are wetland ecosystems with waterlogged conditions that slow down the decay process.
• Found in permafrost regions, coastal areas, tropical rainforests, and boreal forests.
• One of the largest stores of carbon in the world.
• Drainage canals for peatlands are a major source of carbon emissions.

Asbestos

• Asbestos is a group of fibrous minerals with high tensile strength and resistance to heat and chemicals.
• Main forms are chrysotile (white asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos).
• Used in building materials, insulation, and automobile parts.
• Health impacts include lung cancer, mesothelioma, larynx and ovarian cancer, and asbestosis.
• USA's EPA has banned all forms of asbestos, but India has not banned any type.

Seaweed

• Indonesia is leading large-scale seaweed cultivation projects in East Lombok with support and collaboration from India.
• Seaweed is a common name for marine plants and algae that grow in various water bodies.
• They come in colors of red, green, brown, and black.
• Seaweed is low in calories but rich in minerals and not a major source of protein.
• Potential benefits include weight control, prebiotic properties, and antioxidants.

Red Mud

• Researchers from IIT Madras developed a method to treat Red Mud using phosphoric acid.
• Valuable materials can be extracted from Red Mud, such as ceramics with potential applications in electronics and energy storage.
• Red Mud is a byproduct of aluminums production and contains toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium.
• Its high alkalinity makes it corrosive and damaging to soil and life forms.

Bulgaria (Capital: Sofia)

• The crew of the Bulgarian ship "Ruen" that was taken over was recently saved by the Indian navy.
• Political characteristics:
  • Is in the European Union and situated on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe.
  • Countries bordering: North Macedonia and Serbia (west), Romania (north), and Turkey and Greece (south).
  • The Black Sea surrounds the body of water.

• Geographical characteristics:
  • Principal Rivers: Maritsa, Struma, Iskar, and Danube
  • Mountain Ranges: Pirin, Rhodopes, Rila, Balkan Mountains
  • The peak is called Mount Musala.

Indian Army establishes specialized technology unit 'STEAG' for Future Warfare

• STEAG (Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group) is a unique unit focused on researching and evaluating futuristic communication technologies.
• It is part of the IA’s “On Path to Transformation” initiative and aims to make 2024 the year of technology absorption for the IA.
• The objective of STEAG is to identify and implement the most suitable technologies to enhance IA’s communication infrastructure.
• It also aims to nurture technologies across wired and wireless systems.
• Significance of STEAG:
  • STEAG provides user interface support through maintenance and upgrading of contemporary technologies.
  • It helps bridge the gap between Armed Forces, industry, and academia.
  • STEAG plays a crucial role in making India self-reliant in high-end communication technologies and reducing dependence on a few countries.
• Need for STEAG in response to changing nature of warfare:
  • Precision and automation: Utilization of drones, laser weapons for targeted strikes
  • Advanced intelligence gathering: Networks of sensors, satellites, AI-powered data tools for real-time battlefield awareness
  • 'Grey-zone' tactics: Enhanced by technological advancements like Network-centric warfare

Other initiatives to improve future readiness of IA:

• Defense Cyber Agency (DCA): Tri-service organization addressing cyber issues
• Command Cyber Operations Support Wings (CCOSWs): Protecting communication and cyber missions for military operations
• Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version (SAMBHAV) handsets: End-to-end secure mobile ecosystem for military use.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 notified.

• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024 have been notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• The amended rules include a new Rule for the responsibility of Panchayats at the District level.
• This new Rule requires Panchayats to assess plastic waste generation and management infrastructure at the District level.
• The previous PWM Rules, 2016 only had provisions for Gram Panchayats related to waste segregation, collection, and storage.
• Responsibility of Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners:
  • Those who introduce plastic packaging in the market are responsible for collecting it.
  • Fulfilling Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is part of this responsibility.
  • EPR involves a producer's responsibility for managing a product in an environmentally sound way until the end of its life.
• Reports: - Manufacturers and importers of plastic raw material must submit quarterly and annual reports online to the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) or Pollution Control Committee (PCC).
  • Urban local bodies and Panchayats at the District Level must submit annual reports to Urban/Rural Development Departments and SPCB/PCC, which will be audited by SPCB/PCC or another designated agency.

Other initiatives to address Plastic Pollution:

• Ban on Single-use Plastics from July 01, 2022
• Swachh Bharat Mission: - This initiative focuses on source segregation, collection, transportation, and processing of plastic waste to keep the environment clean.
• Waste to Wealth Mission: - Aims to promote a circular economy in plastic and other urban waste management, turning waste into valuable resources.

Supreme Court orders ration cards for e-Shram registered migrants

• e-Shram portal aims to create a database of unorganized workers for welfare benefits
• Out of 29 crore registrants, around 8 crore registrants do not have ration cards or receive subsidized foodgrains under NFSA
• Ministry of Consumer Affairs is implementing One Nation One Ration Card plan for migrants
• Migrant beneficiaries and their families can claim entitled ration in both destination and origin states
• Supreme Court directed that ration cards must be issued regardless of quotas in NFSA 2013.
  • Section 3 of NFSA outlines provisions for eligible households to receive subsidized foodgrains
  • Priority Households are entitled to 5 kgs per person per month, AAY households to 35 kgs per household per month
  • Government is providing free foodgrains to AAY and Priority Households under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013:

• NFSA represents a change in how food security is viewed, shifting from a welfare-based approach to a rights-based approach.
• The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is responsible for implementing NFSA.
• NFSA legally guarantees that up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population (approximately 80 crore people) are entitled to receive subsidized foodgrains.

Draft Karnataka Gig Workers (Conditions of Service and Welfare) Bill, 2024

• Karnataka government shares draft bill for welfare of gig workers
• Aims to ensure income security, occupational safety, and grievance redress mechanism
• Rajasthan is currently the only state with legislation for gig workers
• Definition of gig workers according to the Code on Social Security, 2020
• Gig workers classified into platform-based and non-platform-based categories
  • Platform-based workers use online software apps or digital platforms
  • Non-platform-based workers are casual wage workers in traditional sectors, working part-time or full-time.
• Status of Gig economy in India (NITI Aayog):
  • 2.6% (7.7 million) of non-agricultural workforce engaged in Gig economy in 2020-21
  • Gig workforce expected to expand to 23.5 million by 2029-30
• Reasons for growth of Gig economy:
  • Flexibility to workers: Allows for job switching, freedom to choose work hours
  • Flexibility to employers: Scalable workforce, access to specialized skills, reduced operating costs
  • Technology: Increased internet penetration, surge in e-Commerce leading to increased demand for delivery and logistics services
• Concerns: Low wages, poor upward mobility within organization, lack of social security

Statutory Framework for Gig Economy in India:

• Code on Social Security, 2020: Provides social security benefits to gig workers
• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: Promotes safe and healthy work environment, regulates contract labour.

Guidelines released for National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

• Green Hydrogen Definition: Hydrogen produced by splitting water using renewable energy
• Objective of NGHM: Make India a global hub for producing, utilizing, and exporting Green Hydrogen and its derivatives
• Period: FY 2023-24 to FY 2029-30
• Mission Subcomponents:
  • Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Program
  • Green Hydrogen Hubs
  • R&D programme
  • Skill Development and others.
• Guidelines for the various NGHM subcomponents:
  • Green Hydrogen Hubs: Supports the establishment of hub-based core infrastructure and plans to establish a minimum of two hubs by FY2025–26.
  • A hydrogen hub is a designated geographic area that has a network of hydrogen producers, end users, and enough infrastructure for transportation, processing, and storage.
• Retraining, upskilling, and skill-building: via Centers of Excellence creation, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and Short-Term Training (STT).
• Component I of the SIGHT Program: Electrolyzer Manufacturing Incentive Scheme to aid in the production of electrolysers.
  • MNRE's implementation via the Indian Solar Energy Corporation.
  • The second component of SIGHT addresses incentives to produce green hydrogen.
• R&D Scheme: Up to FY2025–2026, R&D support will be provided for hydrogen production, storage, compression, transportation, utilization, etc.

GAIL (India) Limited launches SSLNG unit in Madhya Pradesh

• GAIL (India) Limited establishes India's first Small Scale Liquefied Natural Gas (SSLNG) unit in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh
• GAIL was formed in 1984 as a Central PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to promote the efficient use of Natural Gas
• SSLNG involves delivering gas in its liquid form (LNG) to industrial and commercial users through specialized trucks and small vessels in areas without pipeline connections
  • Traditional LNG is regasified and distributed through pipelines
  • SSLNG is used for marine fuel, power generation in remote areas, and transportation fuel
• LNG is primarily methane with other hydrocarbons and trace elements
  • India aims to increase natural gas usage to 15% of the primary energy mix by 2030 from the current 6% to achieve a Gas-based Economy.
• Importance of promoting natural gas:
  • Reduced carbon emissions and pollution compared to other hydrocarbons
  • Cost-effective clean energy alternative
  • Key fuel for transportation, cooking, and industrial uses
• Initiatives for promoting natural gas in India:
  • National Natural Gas Grid
  • Revised Guidelines for City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network 2022
  • New Domestic Natural Gas Pricing Guidelines 2014
  • Draft LNG Policy 2021
  • National Coal Gasification Mission.