14 July 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
14-July-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
1. Man-made factors at play in city going under water, say experts.
Topic: GS3 – Disaster management
Context:
- Delhi is experiencing flooding despite heavy rainfall due to several man-made factors.
- Illegal construction on the floodplains of the Yamuna River is one of the key reasons for the flooding.
- Structures such as the Delhi Secretariat, Commonwealth Games Village, Akshardham Temple, and Outer Ring Road have been built on the floodplains.
- The narrowing of the river due to concrete structures in the 5-km stretch between Civil Lines and Okhla has contributed to flooding in these areas and parts of east Delhi.
Man-made factors leading to floods:
- Deforestation: Clearing of forests for agricultural purposes, urbanization, or logging reduces the natural absorption capacity of the land. Tree cover plays a crucial role in intercepting rainfall, reducing surface runoff, and promoting groundwater recharge. Deforestation disrupts this balance and increases the likelihood of flooding.
- Urbanization and Land Use Changes: Rapid urbanization often involves the construction of buildings, roads, and pavements, which reduces the permeability of the land. This results in increased surface runoff and reduced water infiltration, leading to heightened flood risks. Improper urban planning and construction in flood-prone areas can worsen the impact of floods.
- Dam Mismanagement: Poorly designed, operated, or maintained dams can contribute to flooding. Inadequate release of water during heavy rainfall can lead to excessive water accumulation in reservoirs, increasing the risk of downstream flooding if the excess water is released suddenly or inappropriately.
- Channelization and Encroachment of Water Bodies: Altering natural watercourses, such as straightening or narrowing rivers, can increase the speed and volume of water flow, intensifying flood events. Encroachment and construction in floodplains or along riverbanks further reduce the natural flood storage capacity and exacerbate flood risks.
- Drainage System Inadequacy: Insufficient or poorly maintained drainage systems, including stormwater drains, can result in waterlogging and urban flooding. Lack of proper infrastructure to handle excessive rainfall leads to inundation of roads, residential areas, and public spaces.
- Climate Change and Global Warming: While climate change is a natural process, human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels, contribute to the acceleration of global warming. Climate change influences weather patterns, leading to more intense and unpredictable rainfall events, which can contribute to floods.
2. Private sector share in investment sees sharp decline in Q1
Topic: GS3 – Indian economy.
Context:
- Fresh manufacturing investment plans by private players shrank 17.5% year-on-year in Q1 2023-24.
- Overall project outlays rose by just 4.7% to ₹3.88 lakh crore during the same period.
- Public investments witnessed an 80.9% surge, crossing ₹3.93 lakh crore, while private sector investment plans fell below the 50% mark for the first time in 13 quarters.
Importance of private investment for India:
- Economic Growth: Private investment contributes significantly to overall economic growth. It drives entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation, leading to increased production, consumption, and investment in various sectors of the economy. It fuels economic expansion and helps in achieving higher GDP growth rates.
- Infrastructure Development: Private investment plays a pivotal role in infrastructure development. It brings in the necessary capital, technology, and expertise to build and upgrade infrastructure such as roads, airports, ports, power plants, telecommunications networks, and urban infrastructure. Private investment in infrastructure enhances connectivity, improves productivity, and attracts further investments, supporting overall economic development.
- Employment Generation: Private investment is a key driver of job creation. It leads to the establishment and expansion of businesses, which in turn creates employment opportunities across sectors. The growth of industries, services, and entrepreneurship supported by private investment stimulates labor market dynamics and reduces unemployment rates.
- Technology and Innovation: Private investment fosters technological advancements and innovation. Businesses invest in research and development, adopt new technologies, and implement innovative practices to improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness. Private investment in sectors such as information technology, biotechnology, healthcare, and manufacturing facilitates the transfer and adoption of advanced technologies, driving overall economic progress.
- Export Promotion: Private investment plays a significant role in promoting exports. It enables the development of export-oriented industries, encourages foreign direct investment, and enhances India’s global competitiveness. Private investment supports the growth of export-driven sectors, generates foreign exchange earnings, and contributes to a favorable balance of trade.
- Revenue Generation: Private investment generates tax revenues for the government, which can be utilized for public welfare, social programs, and infrastructure development. It reduces the burden on the government to solely finance development projects and allows for a more sustainable fiscal position.
- Improving Living Standards: Private investment contributes to improved living standards by providing better quality goods and services, promoting consumer choice, and driving price competitiveness. It creates opportunities for individuals to access better employment, education, healthcare, and housing, leading to enhanced standards of living for the population.
3. DAC nod for buying 26 Rafale-M jets
Topic: GS3 – defence cooperation.
Context:
- Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh approved three proposals.
- Approval was given for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).
- The procurement includes associated equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training, and logistic support.
Significance of Rafael Marine aircraft procurement:
- Defence Acquisition: The procurement of advanced military equipment, such as the Rafale Marine aircraft, is crucial for strengthening the defense capabilities of a country.
- Inter-Governmental Agreement: The procurement of the Rafale Marine aircraft is based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between India and France. This highlights the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships in the defense sector.
- Naval Aviation Capabilities: The acquisition of the Rafale Marine aircraft signifies India’s intent to enhance its naval aviation capabilities. It can play a significant role for naval aviation in safeguarding territorial waters, securing sea lines of communication, and supporting naval operations.
- Indigenization and Self-Reliance: The integration of Indian designed equipment and the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO) Hub emphasize the government’s focus on indigenization and self-reliance in the defense sector.
- Employment Opportunities and Industrial Growth: The procurement of additional submarines and the involvement of domestic shipyards, such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), highlight the potential for employment generation and industrial growth in the defense sector.
- National Security Considerations: The acquisition of advanced defense equipment like the Rafale Marine aircraft is essential for maintaining national security.
About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is a high-level decision-making body in India responsible for approving defense acquisitions and procurement proposals. It functions under the Ministry of Defence and is chaired by the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) of India. The DAC plays a vital role in shaping the country’s defense capabilities and modernizing its armed forces.
- Objective: The primary objective of the DAC is to ensure the modernization and strengthening of India’s defense forces by approving capital acquisitions of defense equipment, systems, and platforms.
- Functions: The DAC is responsible for formulating defense acquisition policies, reviewing and approving defense procurement proposals, and monitoring the progress of ongoing defense acquisition programs. It considers various aspects, such as operational requirements, technology transfer, indigenization, offset obligations, and budgetary implications.
Model question: Discuss the role and significance of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in shaping India’s defense procurement and modernization process. Examine the challenges faced by the DAC and suggest measures to enhance transparency and efficiency in defense acquisitions. (250 Words).
Guidelines:
- In your answer, provide a comprehensive analysis of the functions and decision-making authority of the DAC.
- Discuss its role in promoting indigenous manufacturing, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships.
- Highlight the challenges faced by the DAC, such as delays, budgetary constraints, and lack of transparency.
- Provide specific recommendations to improve the transparency and efficiency of defense acquisitions under the DAC’s purview. Support your arguments with relevant examples and case studies.
4. Proposed National Research Foundation looks to tap CSR to address funding concerns.
Topic: GS3.
Context:
- The proposed National Research Foundation (NRF) aims to allocate ₹50,000 crore over the next five years, with ₹36,000 crore expected to come from the private sector.
- Measures are being considered to encourage private companies and public sector entities to contribute from their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to the NRF.
More information about the news:
- The NRF Bill, 2023, has been approved by the Union Cabinet and is expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.
- The objectives of the NRF include boosting private sector contribution to research in India and ensuring a larger portion of funds reaches State universities and colleges.
- Currently, only 36% of India’s research expenditure comes from the private sector, contributing to the low research and development expenditure of 0.6% of the GDP.
- The NRF will be administered by the Department of Science and Technology, with a board of eminent researchers and professionals overseeing its governance.
- Challenges related to private sector funding revolve around ensuring autonomy for the NRF, as it needs to have control over the funds and research direction without strict adherence to general financial rules and administrative control.
- Clarity on the autonomy clauses is essential to avoid repeating past unsuccessful attempts in research funding.
For Enquiry
14 July 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
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12 July 2023 : PIB
12 July 2023 : Indian Express
12 July 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF
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