13 July 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
13-July-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
1. June inflation quickens to 4.8% as food prices climb.
Topic: GS3 – Economy – inflation.
Context:
- Retail inflation in June rose to a three-month high of 4.81%, driven by increased food prices.
- Food price inflation accelerated to 4.5% from less than 3% in the previous month.
- Retail inflation has stayed below the RBI’s upper tolerance threshold of 6% for the fourth consecutive month.
- Vegetable prices are expected to further increase inflation to around 5.3-5.5% in July.
- The inflation trend may delay the prospect of interest rate cuts by the RBI.
Impact of food price on inflation in India:
- Consumer Spending: Food is a major expenditure for Indian households, especially for those with lower incomes. When food prices rise, it directly affects consumers’ purchasing power and can reduce their spending on other goods and services, impacting overall economic activity.
- Inflationary Pressure: Food items have a substantial weightage in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is used to measure inflation in India. Fluctuations in food prices, particularly essential commodities like cereals, pulses, and vegetables, can contribute to overall inflationary pressure in the economy.
- Rural-Urban Divide: Inflation in food prices can have a disparate impact on rural and urban areas. Rural areas are more directly affected as agriculture is a primary source of livelihood, and fluctuations in food prices can directly impact farmers’ incomes and rural households’ purchasing power.
- Supply and Demand Factors: Food price inflation in India is influenced by a combination of factors, including domestic production, imports, seasonal variations, storage and distribution infrastructure, and global commodity prices. Supply-side constraints, such as inadequate storage facilities or transportation bottlenecks, can contribute to price volatility.
- Government Interventions: The Indian government implements various measures to manage food prices and mitigate inflationary pressures. These include price controls, minimum support prices for agricultural commodities, procurement and distribution systems, and policy interventions to enhance agricultural productivity and supply chain efficiency.
- Monetary Policy Considerations: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country’s central bank, closely monitors food price inflation while formulating monetary policy. Higher food prices can influence the RBI’s decisions on interest rates and liquidity management to ensure price stability and anchor inflation expectations.
- Socioeconomic Impact: Rising food prices disproportionately affect vulnerable populations in India, such as low-income households and those living below the poverty line. Inflation in food prices can lead to increased food insecurity, exacerbate poverty, and impact social welfare outcomes.
Model question: Discuss the impact of food price inflation on overall inflation and the economy in India. Analyze the factors contributing to food price fluctuations and their implications for consumer spending, rural livelihoods, and monetary policy. Provide recommendations for policies and strategies to mitigate the impact of food price volatility. (250 words)
2. What is the National Research Foundation?
Topic: GS3.
Context:
- The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill in Parliament, as recommended by the National Education Policy 2020.
More information about the news:
- The NRF aims to act as a coordinating agency between researchers, government bodies, and industry, promoting industry involvement in research.
- It will be funded with a budget of ₹50,000 crore over five years, with 28% from the government and 72% from the private sector.
- The increase in funding for research and development (R&D) through the NRF is considered insufficient compared to the GDP and spending in other major economies like the U.S. and China.
- The NRF can facilitate the “ease of doing science” by minimizing the time between grant application and disbursal, digitizing paperwork, providing clear spending guidelines, and ensuring timely release of funds.
The NRF draws inspiration from international science agencies, but its success will depend on transparent and effective implementation of rules and coordination across institutions.
3. Despite conservative backlash, EU Parliament backs biodiversity Bill
Topic: GS2 – International relations.
Context:
- The European Parliament narrowly backed the Nature Restoration Law, a key biodiversity bill aimed at rewilding EU land and water habitats.
- The law passed with 336 votes in favour, 300 against, and 13 abstentions, paving the way for negotiations with member state governments.
About Biodiversity Bill in EU Parliament:
The Biodiversity Bill EU, also known as the Nature Restoration Act, is a piece of legislation that aims to restore degraded ecosystems in the European Union. The bill was adopted by the European Parliament on July 12, 2023, in a razor-thin vote. The bill sets out legally-binding targets for restoring nature in seven specific areas:
- Forests
- Grasslands
- Wetlands
- Marine ecosystems
- Pollinating insects
- Soils
- Rivers and lakes
The targets include increasing the amount of forested area in the EU by 20%, restoring 30% of former peatlands, and creating 100,000 km of new or restored rivers and lakes.
The bill also includes measures to support farmers and other land managers in their efforts to restore nature. These measures include providing financial incentives, technical assistance, and access to new technologies.
The Biodiversity Bill EU is a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to protect nature. If it is implemented effectively, it could help to reverse the decline of biodiversity in Europe and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Here are some of the key points of the bill:
- It sets legally-binding targets for restoring nature in seven specific areas.
- It includes measures to support farmers and other land managers in their efforts to restore nature.
- It is a significant step forward in the EU’s efforts to protect nature.
4. IIP rises 5.2%, led by infrastructure.
Topic: GS3 – economy.
Context:
- Industrial output in India grew at the fastest pace in three months in May, with infrastructure leading the way.
- Overall industrial production rose by 5.2%, compared to the previous month’s growth of 4.46%.
More information about IIP:
- The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a statistical measure that tracks the performance of different sectors in the Indian industrial economy. It provides valuable insights into the overall growth and performance of industrial production in the country.
- The IIP is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO) of India. It covers a wide range of sectors, including mining, manufacturing, and electricity generation. The data is collected from various industrial units across the country and is used to calculate the growth rate of industrial production.
- The IIP is calculated using a base year and a fixed set of weights assigned to different industries. The base year is periodically updated to reflect changes in the industrial structure and composition of the economy. The IIP data is presented in the form of an index number, which indicates the percentage change in industrial production compared to the base year.
- The IIP is an important indicator for policymakers, economists, and businesses as it provides insights into the overall health of the industrial sector. It helps in analyzing trends, identifying growth sectors, and making informed decisions related to industrial development and investment.
- The monthly IIP data is closely monitored by the government, financial institutions, and market analysts as it reflects the overall economic activity and can have implications for policy formulation, monetary policy decisions, and investment strategies.
5. Yamuna water level breaches 60-year record; Kejriwal seeks Centre’s help.
Topic: GS3 – Disaster management.
Context:
- The water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi has reached a 60-year high, touching 208.13 meters, the highest recorded level since 1963.
- Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has urged the Centre to take measures to prevent further rise in the water level and requested the release of water from the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana at a limited speed.
Challenges to flood management in India:
- Inadequate infrastructure: One of the major challenges to flood management in India is the lack of proper infrastructure, including drainage systems, flood control channels, and embankments. Insufficient investment in flood control infrastructure leads to inadequate water management during heavy rainfall events.
- Encroachment of water bodies: The encroachment and illegal construction on riverbanks, floodplains, and water bodies exacerbate the flooding problem. This encroachment reduces the natural capacity of rivers and water bodies to hold excess water, leading to increased flood risks.
- Deforestation and soil erosion: Extensive deforestation and soil erosion in hilly areas and river catchments result in increased surface runoff and sedimentation in rivers. This, in turn, leads to higher flood peaks and increased flood vulnerability downstream.
- Climate change: Climate change has contributed to erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and flash floods. These changes pose challenges to flood management strategies, as traditional flood control measures may not be effective in dealing with unpredictable and intense rainfall.
- Ineffective flood forecasting and early warning systems: The lack of efficient flood forecasting and early warning systems hinders timely evacuation and preparedness efforts. This results in increased damage and loss of life during flood events.
- Poor coordination and governance: Effective flood management requires coordination among various agencies and stakeholders at different levels of governance. However, poor coordination and fragmented governance structures often impede the implementation of comprehensive flood management strategies.
- Population growth and urbanization: Rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization lead to the conversion of floodplains and agricultural lands into concrete jungles. This reduces the natural absorption capacity of the land, increases surface runoff, and intensifies the risk of flooding in urban areas.
- Inadequate public awareness and community participation: Lack of awareness among the public about flood risks and inadequate community participation in flood management initiatives hinder effective preparedness and response efforts.
Way forward:
- Improve infrastructure: Invest in the construction and maintenance of flood control infrastructure such as drainage systems, embankments, reservoirs, and flood control channels. Enhance the capacity of existing infrastructure to effectively manage heavy rainfall and excess water.
- Promote sustainable land use practices: Encourage measures like afforestation, watershed management, and soil conservation to reduce soil erosion and increase the natural absorption capacity of the land. Strictly enforce regulations to prevent encroachment and illegal construction on riverbanks, floodplains, and water bodies.
- Enhance flood forecasting and early warning systems: Invest in advanced technologies and systems for accurate and timely flood forecasting. Establish efficient early warning systems to alert communities at risk and enable timely evacuation and preparedness.
- Strengthen coordination and governance: Improve coordination and cooperation among different agencies and stakeholders involved in flood management. Establish clear roles and responsibilities, streamline decision-making processes, and promote integrated flood management approaches at the national, state, and local levels.
- Climate change adaptation: Incorporate climate change considerations into flood management strategies. Develop climate-resilient infrastructure and incorporate climate projections in flood risk assessments. Implement measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as promoting sustainable water management practices and enhancing adaptive capacity.
- Public awareness and community participation: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate the public about flood risks, preparedness measures, and the importance of community participation. Encourage community involvement in planning, decision-making, and implementation of flood management initiatives.
Model question: Examine the challenges and strategies for flood management in India. Discuss the role of infrastructure development, sustainable land use practices, early warning systems, coordination and governance, climate change adaptation, public awareness, research, and international cooperation in effective flood management. (250 words)
6. ANTHROPOCENE
Syllabus – GS I, GS III
Recent Context – Scientists say sediments from Canada’s Crawford Lake provide evidence of the beginning of the Anthropocene epoch.
Findings
- Members of the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) estimated that the new epoch started between 1950 and 1954.
- They revealed the findings after analysing the lake’s bottom sediments, which have, over the years, captured the fallouts of large-scale burning of fossil fuels, explosion of nuclear weapons, and dumping of plastic and fertilisers on land and in water bodies.
- The data show a clear shift from the mid-20th century, taking Earth’s system beyond the normal bounds of the Holocene epoch.
- Notably, not all geologists agree that the Anthropocene epoch is a reality.
- There are disagreements regarding when it began, if it has already begun, or if there is enough evidence to prove its advent.
What is this epoch?
- The Anthropocene epoch as a term was coined by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen and biology professor Eugene Stoermer in 2000 to denote the present geological time interval, in which the Earth’s ecosystem has gone through radical changes due to human impact, especially since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
- Numerous phenomena are associated with this epoch, such as global warming, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, mass-scale soil erosion, the advent of deadly heat waves, deterioration of the biosphere and other detrimental environmental changes.
7. Tied by security
Syllabus – GS II
Recent Context – Military deals dominate Indo-French relations. Other partnerships show potential.
India and France
- The ties between India and France are dominated by security objectives in which non-state actors are marginal players.
- Official narratives do emphasise structural affinities such as democratic like-mindedness, but what matters more are common security-related interests.
- First, both countries are keen to balance China in the Indian Ocean, a region where France is a resident power; India is equally worried about China’s growing influence in its neighbourhood.
- Its Quad partners matter a lot to India. Still, France’s military presence in the Indian Ocean is also significant, as is evident from the role of the French Armed Forces in the Southwest Indian Ocean in La Réunion and Mayotte.
- In 2018, New Delhi and Paris’s partnership was expressed in a Joint Strategic Vision of Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and a logistic support agreement.
- These agreements gave the two countries access to each other’s military facilities. While France and India did conduct joint manoeuvres in the Indian Ocean, these exercises have gained momentum in recent years.
- France has helped India expand its pool of arms suppliers beyond Russia and the US, especially because the latter has imposed sanctions on New Delhi.
- After the 1974 nuclear test, Washington stopped supplying enriched uranium to the US-built nuclear plant of Tarapur.
- France then took over from the US. The first Indo-French military deal occurred in this context, resulting in the sale of 40 Mirages.
- Indo-French ties do go beyond arms sales, nuclear cooperation — especially after the Tarapur episode— is a major part of the relationship between the two countries.
- Military cooperation has continued to play an important role in Indo-French relations.
- The 2005 Scorpene contract included six submarines and major technology transfers. India purchased 36 aircraft as part of the Rafale deal in 2016.
Can both countries build something more ambitious on the security trope?
- The International Solar Alliance initiated by the then French President Hollande and PM Modi before the Paris 2015 COP 21 is a good model, but it needs to gain momentum.
- India and France could also conceive other forms of minilateralism and foster multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific.
- France is a part of three regional networks — the Indian Ocean Commission since 1986, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium since its creation in 2008 and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (created in 1995) since 2020.
- Trilateral forums are also being forged – the France /India /Australia dialogue, for instance. It was interrupted for a couple of years after the making of AUKUS. Another minilateral has been forged between France, India and the UAE.
For Enquiry
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