19 May 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
19-May-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
1. Tamil Nadu’s amended law on jallikattu valid: SC
Topic: GS1 – Art and Culture
 Context:
- The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act of 2017, which allows for the practice of jallikattu, a bull-taming event in Tamil Nadu.
Issue:
- The court also found similar laws in Karnataka and Maharashtra, allowing bullock cart races and buffalo racing (kambala), to be valid.
- The Constitution Bench stated that jallikattu has been a part of Tamil Nadu’s cultural heritage and tradition for at least a century.
- The court recognized that the 2017 Amendment Act introduced measures to minimize the pain and suffering of animals participating in jallikattu, overcoming the concerns raised in a previous judgment that banned the practice in 2014.
- The judgment emphasized that the district administrations and competent authorities in Tamil Nadu must ensure strict compliance with the safeguards outlined in the 2017 Amendment Act and Rules during jallikattu events.
- The court dismissed arguments from animal welfare activists and organizations that jallikattu harms bulls, stating that the sport is part of the cultural tradition and does not go against the fundamental nature of bovine animals.
- The Division Bench of the court in a previous judgment was found to have erred in concluding that jallikattu was not part of Tamil Nadu’s cultural tradition without sufficient evidence.
2. Inside Jharkhand’s single-teacher schools
Topic: GS2 – Education
Context:
- In Jharkhand, many government schools are operated by single teachers who handle primary, upper primary, and senior classes.
Issue:
- The Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) data for 2022-23 shows that out of the 35,443 government schools in Jharkhand, 7,239 are single-teacher schools.
- Single-teacher schools violate the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, which mandates a minimum of two teachers for schools with up to 60 students.
- Lack of recruitment in recent years has led to an increase in single-teacher schools in Jharkhand.
- The Ministry of Education reported approximately 1,17,285 single-teacher schools in Jharkhand, one of the highest numbers in India.
- Single teachers face challenges in managing administrative work, dividing classes, and providing quality education with limited resources and time.
- Students in single-teacher schools engage in peer learning and may assist younger students in completing coursework.
- A lack of recruitment and understaffing in deprived areas of Jharkhand reflects a systemic issue in the education system, and the government may prioritize saving money over providing adequate staffing.
- Disparities in the education system are evident at the university level as well, with significant gaps between students.
- The curriculum is developed for privileged children, and disadvantaged children receive less support, leading to rote learning and limited value in their degrees.
- Disengaged teachers, absenteeism, and alcohol use by some teachers further hinder the learning environment.
- Many schools lack basic infrastructure, including functioning toilets, electricity, and water supply.
- The lack of interest and investment in improving education for marginalized communities has contributed to the prevalence of single-teacher schools.
The Jharkhand government has announced the recruitment of 26,000 teachers to address the issue.
3. Elections and the airwaves
Topic: GS2 – RPA
Context:
- Political parties in India are provided with free airtime on public broadcasters, including All India Radio (Akashvani) and Doordarshan, during elections
Issue:
- This provision is based on the 2003 amendment to the Representation of People Act, 1951, which recognizes airwaves as public property and aims to ensure fair use for the greater public good.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) distributes time vouchers to political parties through a lottery system to avoid bias and preferential treatment.
- The transcripts of political parties’ broadcasts are vetted to ensure adherence to relevant codes, which prohibit content that is critical of other countries, attacks religions or communities, incites violence, or involves personal attacks.
- The scheme provides diversity and colour to the electoral process by offering State-sponsored airtime, which is perceived as more impartial compared to private media outlets.
- Operational challenges include the argument of inequity since the scheme is available only to recognized national and State parties, as well as potential conflicts of interest within the Apex Committee responsible for reviewing content.
- Some suggest extending the provision to cover private broadcasters and mandating a designated slot for equitable content dissemination and promoting smaller parties and candidates.
- The aim is to use airwaves to foster a nourishing and enriching democratic process, setting standards for other electoral democracies.
4. What are RBI regulations on green deposits?
Topic: GS3 – Economy
Issue:
- Green deposits are similar to regular bank deposits, but the money received is earmarked for environment-friendly projects.
- The RBI’s regulatory framework requires banks to establish rules and policies for investing green deposits, which must be made public on their websites.
- Banks accepting green deposits need to disclose information about the amount received, allocation to green projects, and the environmental impact of such investments.
- Third-party verification is required to validate the banks’ claims about the projects and their sustainability credentials.
- The RBI has provided a list of eligible sectors for green deposits, including renewable energy, waste management, clean transportation, energy efficiency, and afforestation.
- Green deposits cannot be invested in projects involving fossil fuels, nuclear power, tobacco, gambling, palm oil, and hydropower generation.
- The aim of the framework is to prevent greenwashing and ensure transparency in green investments.
- Green deposits may offer satisfaction to depositors who prioritize environmental concerns, but there are debates about their actual impact and the effectiveness of such investment products.
- Critics argue that green investments can be a way to make investors feel good without significant positive environmental outcomes.
- The complexity of assessing environmental sustainability and the potential for unintended consequences make it challenging to determine the true impact of green projects.
5. Centre pushes vaccination as lumpy skin ravages cattle.
Topic: GS2 – Health
 Context:
- Fresh cases of lumpy skin disease have been reported in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Sikkim in May.
Issue:
- The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry reviewed the situation and concluded that it is under control despite 10,000 cases reported in the past two weeks.
- The infection is not as contagious as last year, attributed to the protection provided by vaccination.
- The Ministry urged states to increase vaccination efforts, with approximately nine crore cattle already vaccinated and a recovery rate of over 94%.
- The gravity of the infection is lower than last year, as cattle have developed herd immunity.
- The Centre has advised states to take precautions during the monsoon, including fogging and disinfection drives in high-risk areas.
- Central teams have visited Maharashtra, and teams will visit Uttarakhand and Karnataka to monitor the situation.
About Lumpy Virus:
- Causative Virus: Lumpy skin disease is caused by a virus belonging to the genus Capripoxvirus. The specific virus responsible for the disease is known as the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV).
- Transmission: The disease is mainly transmitted through insect vectors, particularly biting flies of the genus Stomoxys and mosquitoes. Direct contact with infected animals or contaminated materials can also spread the virus.
- Clinical Signs: Affected cattle develop fever, followed by the formation of nodules or lumps on the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs. These nodules can vary in size and may be painful. Other signs include loss of appetite, decreased milk production, and general weakness.
- Impact on Cattle: Lumpy skin disease can significantly impact the health and productivity of cattle. It can lead to reduced milk production, weight loss, decreased fertility, and in severe cases, even death.
- Geographical Distribution: Lumpy skin disease is primarily found in Africa, but it has spread to other regions, including parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The disease has become a global concern due to its potential for rapid spread and economic impact.
- Control Measures: Vaccination is an important control measure for lumpy skin disease. Vaccines are available to provide immunity against the virus and reduce the severity of the disease. Other control strategies include vector control, strict quarantine measures, and proper management practices.
6. EU norm threatens coffee, leather export.
Topic: GS3 – Economy
 Context:
- The European Union (EU) has approved new regulations on deforestation, posing a threat to Indian exports of items such as coffee, leather, paper, and wooden furniture.
Issue:
- The regulations target imports from areas where deforestation has occurred after December 2020.
- Larger companies will need to comply with the regulations starting from December 2024, while smaller businesses have until June 2025 to comply.
- Violations of the regulations can result in penalties, including monetary fines of up to 4% of a company’s annual turnover in the EU, confiscation of products, confiscation of revenues from a transaction, and exclusion from public procurement processes.
- The new regulations are expected to impact 479 tariff lines, in addition to the 777 lines covered by the EU’s carbon tax measure.
- Based on 2022 data, it is estimated that the regulations will affect nearly $10 billion worth of Indian exports to Europe.
- These regulations come alongside the EU’s carbon border tax, further complicating the implications for Indian exporters.
For Enquiry
19 May 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
18 May 2023 : The Hindu Editorial
18 May 2023 : PIB
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17 May 2023 : The Hindu Editorial
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16 May 2023 : PIB
16 May 2023 : The Hindu Editorial
16 May 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
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