Daily Current Affairs UPSC 3 & 4 March 2024

Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) initiative:

• Collaboration between Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation and Ministry of Tourism.
• Bison Resorts, Madhya Pradesh received the first Five Swachhata Green Leaf Rating Certificate.
• SGLR evaluates tourist facilities based on hygiene and sanitation standards.
• Aim is to improve sanitation practices in the tourism industry.
• Aligns with Travel for LiFE (TFL) program under Mission LiFE.

Cavum Cloud:

• NASA shared a picture of the 'Cavum cloud' above the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Florida.
• Also known as hole-punch clouds or fallstreak holes.
  • Formed when planes fly through altocumulus clouds with supercooled water droplets.
• Adiabatic expansion process causes droplets to freeze into ice crystals.
• Ice crystals grow heavy and fall out of the sky, leaving a hole in the cloud layer.

Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP):

• Nicaragua is the first Spanish-speaking nation to recognize IP.
  • IP is the official book of standards for drugs in India.
  • Published by IPC under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 and Rules 1945 thereunder.
• IPC is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Dual-use Goods:

• Indian security agencies detained a vessel suspected of carrying dual-use goods.
  • Dual-use goods have both civilian and military applications.
  • Categorized as SCOMET under Foreign Trade Policy under Foreign Trade Policy, 2023.
  • Export of dual-use items is regulated under Wassenaar Arrangement.
• Wassenaar Arrangement is a multilateral export control regime with 42 members, including India.

Hangul Conservation

• Experts predict Hangul population to exceed 300 this spring based on their calls during rutting season.
• Hangul is classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN and is listed under Schedule I of WPA and Appendix I of CITES.
  • The species is part of the National Species Recovery Program to protect and recover their population.
• Hangul Characteristics:
  • Hangul is a subspecies of Central Asian red deer found only in Kashmir.
  • Female Hangul do not have horns and the species follows a matriarchal society led by a female leader.
  • Their primary habitat is in Dachigam National Park (DNP) and Tral Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Conservation Efforts: - Project Hangul is dedicated to the conservation of this species, which is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir.

World Poverty Clock (WPC) Update:

• Latest data from WPC shows India has reduced 'extreme poverty' to below 3% of its population.
• About World Poverty Clock (WPC):
  • Developed by World Data Lab, a global data enterprise.
  • Monitors global progress in ending extreme poverty.
  • Funded by IFAD and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.

Tripartite Agreement in Tripura:

• Signed by Government of India, Government of Tripura, and The Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance (TIPRA) and other stakeholders.
• Aims to resolve issues of indigenous people in Tripura related to history, land, political rights, economic development, identity, culture, and language.
• Establishes a Joint Working Group/Committee to implement agreed points and urges stakeholders to avoid protests or agitation.

Global Resources Outlook 2024 Report

• Released by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Titled 'Bend the trend: Pathways to a liveable planet as resource use spikes'.
• Highlights the importance of resources in achieving Agenda 2030 and multilateral environmental agreements.
  • Addresses the triple planetary crisis (TPC) of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Mauritius (Capital: Port Louis):

• Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius inaugurated new airstrip and community development projects in Agalega Island.
• Island country in the Indian Ocean, off the south-eastern coast of Africa.
• Nearest neighbor is the French island of Réunion.
• Geographical Features of Mauritius:
  • Volcanic island surrounded by coral reefs.
  • Designated as a "Centre of Plant Diversity" by IUCN.
  • Part of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity hotspot.
  • Major rivers include Grand River Southeast and Black River.
  • Highest peak is Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (Black River Peak).

App delisting cannot be permitted: Union Minister for IT and Telecom

• Google's removal of apps over fee dispute.
• Google removed established mobile apps from its platform and Play Store due to fee payment dispute.
  • IAMAI condemned the removal, start-up founders raised concerns about digital monopolies.
• Threats posed by Digital Monopolies:
  • Anti-competitive practices: Companies like Apple restricting third-party apps on iPhones.
  • Limited consumer choices: Digital firms preventing users from using alternatives.
  • Data privacy and security: Concentration of user data can lead to misuse for surveillance, privacy breaches, targeted marketing.
• Recommendations for Addressing Digital Market Issues:
  • Systemically Important Digital Intermediaries (SIDIs): Identify key players in digital markets as SIDIs and implement specific regulations to promote fair competition.
  • Legal and Institutional Measures: Introduce the Digital Competition Act and enhance the powers of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to address issues with digital monopolies.

Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• Role: Safeguard Indian markets from anti-competitive practices by companies.
• Legal Basis: Established as a statutory body under the Competition Act, 2002.
• Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020: - To Regulate e-commerce platforms and uphold consumer rights in online transactions.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: - To Ensure the privacy and security of personal data in the digital realm.

Crop Husbandry, Agriculture Inputs, Demand and Supply report released by NITI Aayog:

Key Highlights:

• Positives of Agriculture:
  • Domestic production meets most food demand.
  • Agricultural exports are increasing, with the changing export basket.
  • India wit a share of 40% largest exporter of global rice (Semi-milled).
• Major Challenges:
  • Land and water resources shrinking due to competing demands for domestic, energy and industrial uses.
  • Food production is facing pressures from climate change, pests, and diseases.
  • Deceleration in oilseeds production due to stagnation in area.
  • India imports 60% of edible oil demand.
• Recommendations for Crop Diversification:
  • Land use planning: Develop economically feasible cropping patterns for different agro-ecological zones.
  • Limit open-ended procurement: Avoid disincentives for diversification by compensating farmers for surplus through a price deficiency scheme.
  • Promote millet consumption and production.
  • Other recommendations: Enhance pulses production, establish seed hub, promote climate-resilient technologies and practices.

Government Initiatives for Crop Diversification

• Crop Diversification Programme (CDP): A sub-scheme of RKVY to shift from water-intensive paddy crops to alternative crops.
• State involvement in RKVY: States can promote crop diversification with approval from the State Level Sanctioning Committee.
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Government supports state efforts to encourage diversified crop production.

The government announced Geographical Indication (GI) tag for ten products.

State    Product and Description
Odisha:    •    Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi (Silver Filigree):
o    Silver filigree jewelry technique dating back to 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia.
o    Practiced in Cuttack after reaching from Persia through Indonesia.
West Bengal:    •    Banglar muslin: - Traditional handloom craft made of cotton.
Andhra Pradesh:    •    Narasapur crochet lace products: - Brought by missionaries to Narsapur.
Madhya Pradesh:    •    Ratlam Riyawan Lahsun (Garlic)
Assam:    •    Majuli Mask and Majuli Manuscript Painting.
Tripura:    •    Risa Textile.
Telangana:    •    Hyderabad Lac Bangles.
Gujarat:    •    Kutch rogan craft
•    Ambaji White Marble formed from re-crystallized limestone under the earth's crust.

• Definition of Geographical Indication (GI): - Sign used on products with specific geographical origin and qualities/reputation due to that origin.
• International Recognition:
  • Covered under Paris Convention for Protection of Industrial Property.
  • Also covered under WTO's TRIPS Agreement.
• GI Registration in India:
  • Administered by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
  • Used to identify agricultural, natural, or manufactured goods.
  • Registered by Registrar of Geographical Indications (RGI).
  • Duration of 10 years, renewable.
  • Nodal Ministry in India: - Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Significance of GI Registration:
  • Confers legal protection against unauthorized use.
  • Boosts exports.
  • Conveys assurance of quality and distinctiveness.

Union Minister of Cooperation inaugurated National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Cooperation (NUCFDC)

• NUCFDC is an Umbrella Organization (UO) for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) in India.
• Recommended by Vishwanathan Committee on Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks and approved by RBI in 2019.
• Registered with RBI as a non-deposit taking NBFC.
• UCBs can voluntarily subscribe to its capital.
• Objectives of NUCFDC:
  • Expand the numbers of credit societies and UCBs.
  • Facilitate dialogue between banks and regulators.
  • Extend liquidity to UCBs.
  • Set up IT infrastructure for shared use of members.
  • Enable UCBs to widen their range of services.
• Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs):
  • Primary cooperative banks in urban and semi-urban areas.
  • Registered as cooperative societies under State or Multi State Cooperative Societies Act.
• Dual control: RBI regulates banking functions, while State/Central Registrar supervises managerial and administrative matters.

Ministerial Declaration on Cross-border Remittances

• Joint communication from India, Bangladesh, Nepal & Sri Lanka to CTFS
  • Emphasizes socio-economic impact of remittances for developing nations
  • 78% of remittance flows in 2023 went to Low and Middle-Income Countries
• Commitment to UN SDG Goal 10.C.
  • Reduce transaction costs of remittances to less than 3%.
  • Eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5% by 2030.
  • The current global average transaction costs of remittances is at 6.18%.
  • Instructions to CTFS
  • Undertake work program to reduce the cost of remittances.
• Significance of Remittances for India:
  • Largest recipient of remittances in the world (125 billion USD in 2023).
  • Important source of family income, driving consumption market.
  • Major contributor to forex reserves and stable source of external financing.
• Concerns:
  • Dependency created by remittances.
  • Human cost of migration.

Committee on Trade in Financial Services (CTFS):

• Subsidiary body under the Council for Trade in Services (CTS) at the World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Responsible for facilitating the operation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and furthering its objectives.

Supreme Court directs Centre to set Hospital Treatment Charges nationwide.

• SC directs Centre to set Hospital Treatment Charges nationwide.
  • Writ of Mandamus under Article 32 used to enforce Rule 9 of Clinical Establishment Rules.
  • The rule requires hospitals to display rates and charge fees within the determined range.
• Petitioners seek enforcement of Rule 9 to ensure transparency and affordability in healthcare costs.
• Need to fix charges:
  • Affordability: Healthcare costs can be very high, especially for those without insurance.
  • Transparency: Fixed charges can make healthcare pricing clearer and prevent overcharging.
  • Standardization and fair competition: Fixed charges can create a level playing field among hospitals.
  • Responsibility of the State: The State is directed to improve public health by fixing charges.
• Challenges in fixing treatment charges: Cost variability, potential discouragement of investment in new technologies, market distortion, and administrative burden.

Initiatives for Affordable Healthcare in India:

• Ayushman Bharat scheme: Health and Wellness Centres and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
• National List of Essential Medicines to Monitor Prices.
• PM Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana for affordable generic medicines.