18 June 2024 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Kerala Migration Survey 2023: Surge in Returnees, Shift in Destinations, and Rising Female Emigration

(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 10)

Topic: GS2 – Governance – Government policies– Interventions for development in various sectors

Context:

The Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2023 report, released in Thiruvananthapuram, provides a comprehensive overview of migration patterns in Kerala. Conducted by the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMD) and the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation, KMS 2023 is the sixth survey in this series, conducted every five years since 1998. The survey offers valuable insights into the trends and characteristics of migration, as well as its economic impacts on the state.

Analysis of News:

Emigrant Population Trends

• In 2023, Kerala had an estimated 2.2 million emigrants, slightly more than the 2.1 million recorded in 2018. This reflects a recovery from the decline observed in the previous survey.
• The number of return emigrants also increased significantly, from 1.2 million in 2018 to 1.8 million in 2023, indicating a dynamic migration landscape.

Shift in Emigration Destinations

• There has been a notable decline in emigration to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with preferences shifting towards destinations beyond the GCC. In 2023, 19.5% of emigrants preferred non-GCC countries, up from 10.8% in 2018.
• This trend aligns with the decreasing dominance of GCC destinations, which accounted for 93.8% of Kerala’s emigrants in 1998.

Rising Student Emigration

• A significant rise in student emigration has contributed to the shift in emigration trends.
• Students now constitute 11.3% of total emigrants from Kerala, with their numbers nearly doubling from 129,763 in 2018 to 250,000 in 2023.
• This rise has offset the decline in emigration from other population categories.

Increasing Female Emigration

• The number and proportion of female emigrants have increased, rising from 15.8% in 2018 to 19.1% in 2023.
• Female emigrants tend to be better qualified than their male counterparts, with 71.5% of women being graduates compared to 34.7% of men.
• Women predominantly work in the nursing sector (51.6%) and make up 45.6% of Kerala’s student migrants.
• A significant 40.5% of female emigrants are in Western countries, compared to only 14.6% of male emigrants.

Regional Variations in Emigration

• North Kerala continues to be the largest source of emigrants, contributing 41.8% of the total emigrant population.
• Tirur taluk in the Muslim-majority Malappuram district remains the top source of migrants. Central Kerala accounts for 33.1% of emigrants, while South Kerala contributes 25%.

Religious Demographics of Emigrants

• Muslims, who make up 26% of Kerala’s population, represent 41.9% of the state’s emigrants.
• In contrast, Hindus, who comprise 54% of the population, account for 35.2% of emigrants.
• Christians make up 22.3% of the emigrant population, although they represent 18% of the state’s total population.

Surge in Remittances

• Remittances to Kerala saw a substantial increase, rising from Rs 85,092 crore in 2018 to Rs 216,893 crore in 2023, a 154.9% increase. This translates to a per capita remittance of Rs 61,118 for the state’s population of 3.55 crore.
• The average remittance per emigrant household also rose to Rs 2.24 lakh in 2023 from Rs 96,185 in 2018.
• Migrant households spent remittances on various needs: renovation of houses/shops (15.8%), paying bank loans (14%), educational expenses (10%), and medical bills (7.7%).

Increase in Returnees:

• The number of return emigrants has grown significantly, with the largest increase seen in the last five years—495,962 individuals or 38.3%.
• Pandemic-induced job loss was a major factor, with 18.4% citing job loss as the reason for their return, 13.8% citing low wages, 7.5% poor working conditions, and 11.2% illness or accident.
• Other reasons included the desire to work in Kerala (16.1%), homesickness (10.2%), and retirement (12.1%).

Policy Implications and Recommendations:

Addressing Student Migration

• The rise in student migration presents policy challenges. The study suggests upgrading the state’s education infrastructure and recommends regular monitoring and regulation of language training centers and recruitment agencies to prevent deceit and fraud by agents.
• Policies to encourage students studying abroad to return and contribute to the state’s development are essential.

Enhancing Skills for Labour Emigrants

• Since 76.9% of Kerala’s emigrants are still labor emigrants, primarily to GCC countries, it is crucial to improve their skills to secure better employment opportunities abroad.
• This could also encourage emigrants to choose non-GCC countries, especially in the West, as their destinations.

Rehabilitating Return Migrants

• The growing number of return migrants necessitates comprehensive rehabilitation and reintegration measures.
• This includes providing support for employment, healthcare, and social integration to help returnees adapt and contribute positively to the local economy.

Methodology of the Survey:

• KMS 2023 surveyed 20,000 households, making it one of the largest socio-economic surveys conducted in Kerala. The sample was selected using a stratified multi-stage sampling method, covering rural and urban areas in each of Kerala’s 14 districts.
• A total of 500 localities were selected statewide, and 40 households were identified in each locality using systematic random sampling.
• The survey employed 300 trained investigators and used a digital data collection tool for the first time.

Practice Question:  Discuss the key findings of the Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2023 and their implications for the socio-economic development of the state. What policy measures can be adopted to address the challenges and opportunities arising from these trends? (250 words/15 m)

2. Limited Adoption of Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) in Punjab Despite Potential Benefits

(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 10)

Topic: GS3 – Agriculture

Context:

Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR), a technique promoted by the Punjab government to improve water efficiency and reduce labor in rice cultivation, has seen limited adoption despite its potential benefits. This analysis explores the reasons behind its slow uptake, the specifics of the DSR method, its advantages, soil suitability concerns, and the necessary steps to encourage wider adoption among farmers.

Analysis of News:

DSR Technique Overview:

• Traditional Method vs. DSR: Traditionally, rice farmers prepare seedlings in nurseries and transplant them to flooded fields, a process that is both labor-intensive and water-intensive. DSR, on the other hand, involves directly sowing paddy seeds in the field, skipping the nursery stage. This technique requires precise irrigation and soil preparation but can potentially save water and labor.
• Sowing Process: In DSR, seeds are treated with fungicide, soaked, dried, and then sown using a seed drill. The first irrigation occurs 21 days after sowing, followed by regular intervals, significantly reducing water use compared to traditional methods.

Benefits of DSR:

• Water Conservation: DSR can reduce water consumption by 15-20%, a critical benefit in water-scarce Punjab. Traditional methods use 3,600-4,125 liters of water per kilogram of rice, whereas DSR requires fewer irrigation rounds, conserving valuable groundwater resources.
• Labor Efficiency: DSR reduces the need for labor as it eliminates the transplantation stage. The crop also matures 7-10 days earlier, providing farmers with more time to manage post-harvest activities like paddy straw management.

Soil Texture and Suitability:

• Importance of Soil Type: The success of DSR largely depends on soil texture. It is more suited for heavy or medium-to-heavy-textured soils, which retain water better than light-textured soils. Punjab’s Majha and Doaba regions predominantly have suitable soil types, while the Malwa region contains a mix of soil textures.

• Iron Content: Soil iron content is crucial for DSR. Soils deficient in iron can severely impact yields, necessitating potential re-transplantation and nullifying labor-saving benefits. Farmers need to ensure their soils have adequate iron, either naturally or through supplements.

Challenges and Farmer Perceptions:

• Negative Experiences: Farmers using DSR in unsuitable soils often face lower yields and revert to traditional methods, spreading negative feedback. This apprehension and lack of awareness about the proper application of DSR contribute to its slow adoption.

• Training and Support: Education and awareness are essential for DSR adoption. Farmers need extensive training and support throughout the cultivation process. Ready helplines and guidance can help build confidence in the technique.

Incentives and Compensation:

• Government Incentives: The Punjab government offers financial incentives to encourage DSR adoption, yet uptake remains low. Effective policy measures, including adequate compensation for initial losses, are necessary to motivate farmers to try and persist with DSR.

• Long-term Benefits: While initial adoption may be challenging, the long-term benefits of water and labor savings make DSR a viable and sustainable option for rice cultivation in Punjab. Ensuring farmers understand and experience these benefits is crucial.

Conclusion:

• The DSR technique presents a promising solution to the water and labor challenges in Punjab’s rice cultivation. However, its success hinges on suitable soil conditions, farmer education, and sustained government support.
• By addressing these areas, DSR can be more widely adopted, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Practice Question:  What are the reasons behind the limited adoption of Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) in Punjab, despite its potential benefits and government incentives? Analyze the challenges associated with it. (250 words/15 m)

3. Nine killed in rail accident in West Bengal

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

Topic: GS3 –  Disaster and disaster management

Context:-

Nine persons including two railway crew members were killed in accident between Agartala Sealdah Kanchanjunga Express and goods train between the Rangapani and Chattar Hat stations in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

Analysis of the news:-

• A goods train hit a stationary Kanchanjunga Express train at speed, causing four coaches and five wagons to derail.
• The express train’s coaches, including the guard’s cabin and two parcel vans, climbed onto the goods train’s coaches, causing the coaches to be mangled and the rescue team to struggle for hours to extricate the trapped passengers.
• The Railway Board Chairperson Jaya Varma Sinha said the collision might have happened as the goods train driver disregarded the signal.
• The railway network in West Bengal is being included under Kavach protection, a made-in-India technology to prevent collisions of trains travelling on the same track.
• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the Railways for the accident, stating that passenger safety is negligible in the current state of Indian Railways.
• Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw declared an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh for the family of each of the dead, ₹2.5 lakh for the seriously injured, and ₹50,000 for those who sustained minor injuries.

4. ‘Digi Yatra could be expanded to hotels, rail travel, public places’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Topic: GS2 – Governance

Context

Digi Yatra, a facial recognition check in service at airports, could be implemented in hotels and public places like historical monuments, according to Suresh Khadakbhavi, the CEO of the Digi Yatra Foundation.

Analysis of the news:

• The Digi Yatra initiative, launched in 2022, uses biometrics to enable paperless movement through airport checkpoints. The initiative covers 14 airports and is expected to expand to 15 more by the end of 2024.
• The Digi Yatra Central Ecosystem saves a hash value or numerical value that identifies the content of the file, preventing data leakage.
• The initiative was initially launched to improve passenger throughput at airports, but the proposed use-case for hotels and public places suggests its role could extend beyond air travel.
• The Digi Yatra Foundation is a consortium of five private airports and the Airports Authority of India, which holds a combined 74% shareholding. The initiative is expected to be implemented at more touch points, such as boarding gates and baggage drops.

Prelims Facts

1. NSAs of India, U.S. review progress on iCET

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Context:-

●       The NSA Ajit Doval and US counterpart Jake Sullivan have resolved to prevent the leakage of sensitive technologies to countries of concern during their visit to India.

 

About iCET:

The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) is a joint effort between India and the US to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies. Launched in May 2022, it aims to:

• Boost cooperation in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and quantum computing.
• Develop strong innovation ecosystems in both countries.
• Deepen defense ties through collaboration on technology and industry.
• Ensure responsible technology development aligned with democratic values.

Overall, iCET aims to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership and position both countries as leaders in critical emerging technologies.

2. US Supreme Court Upholds FDA Approval of Mifepristone, Rejects Anti-Abortion Groups’ Petition

 

Context:

On June 13, the US Supreme Court unanimously rejected a petition by anti-abortion groups aiming to overturn the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of mifepristone, a widely used abortion pill.

 

Analysis of News:

 

About Mifepristone:

• Mifepristone is a key component of a two-drug regimen for medical abortions. Initially, mifepristone is administered to block progesterone, a hormone crucial for maintaining pregnancy.
• Subsequently, misoprostol is taken to induce uterine contractions and expel the fetus, mimicking a miscarriage. Approved by the FDA in 2000 for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, mifepristone has been used by over six million people in the US.
• It is now employed in approximately two-thirds of abortions in the country. Extensive studies have confirmed its safety, with serious complications being rare.