Current Affairs 02 September 2024

CONTENTS

1. Supreme Court Ruling on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
2. Impact of Reduced PM2.5 Pollution on Life Expectancy in India
3. Advancing Biotechnology in India through Ethanol Production Support
4. Classical Language
5. Mimetus spinatus and Mimetus parvulus
6. Acetanilide

Supreme Court Ruling on the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act

Context:

The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a crucial decision concerning the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, focusing on whether verbal insults or intimidations against individuals from Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) are inherently considered offenses under the Act. This judgment was particularly relevant in a case involving anticipatory bail for a YouTube channel editor accused under this legislation.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Insults Under SC/ST Act, 1989
2. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
3. Recent Amendments to Enhance Protections
4. Challenges associated with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

Supreme Court Ruling on Insults Under SC/ST Act, 1989:

Background: The case involved allegations against a YouTuber who made derogatory remarks about an MLA belonging to the Scheduled Caste community.

Legal Interpretation:

• Scope of the Act: The Supreme Court clarified that not all insults or intimidations against SCs or STs constitute offenses under the Act. For the Act to be applicable, the derogatory act must be directly connected to the victim’s caste identity.
• Intent Requirement: The Court emphasized that mere knowledge of the victim’s SC/ST status is insufficient. The offensive act must be intended to humiliate the victim specifically because of their caste.
• Legal Precedent on Bail: Section 18 of the Act restricts anticipatory bail but does not outright prevent it. The Court can grant bail after a preliminary inquiry establishes that the allegations likely do not meet the Act’s criteria for constituting an offense.

Court’s Decision:

• Preliminary Inquiry: The Court mandated a preliminary inquiry to assess whether the allegations genuinely meet the legal criteria for an offense under the Act.
• Anticipatory Bail: Anticipatory bail was granted to the YouTuber, with the Court finding insufficient evidence at the preliminary stage that the remarks were intended to humiliate the MLA based on caste.
• Conclusion on Intent: It was determined that the remarks did not show an intent to insult based on the MLA’s caste, thus not meeting the stringent requirements of the Act for escalating to an offense.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:

• The Act was enacted to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from caste-based discrimination and violence, reinforcing the provisions of Articles 15 and 17 of the Indian Constitution.
• The legislation builds upon earlier laws like the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, aimed at abolishing untouchability and discrimination based on caste.

Key Provisions of the Act:

• Defined Offenses: The Act categorizes acts of physical violence, harassment, and social discrimination against SC/ST individuals as “atrocities,” subject to stringent legal penalties.
• Legal Framework:
  • The Central Government crafts the implementing rules, while State Governments and Union Territories provide local enforcement.
  • Special courts and SC/ST Protection Cells, led by senior police officers, are established for efficient case handling and trials.
  • Investigations must be led by officers at least at the Deputy Superintendent level and completed swiftly within a set timeframe.

Legal Protections and Bail Conditions:

• Anticipatory Bail Restrictions: Section 18 bars the application of anticipatory bail for accused under this Act, as outlined in Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Victim Support and Rehabilitation:

• The Act includes provisions for the relief and rehabilitation of victims, offering financial compensation, legal aid, and other support services.

Recent Amendments to Enhance Protections:

• 2015 Amendment: Introduced tougher provisions and broadened the definition of offenses to include actions like garlanding with footwear, forced manual scavenging, social or economic boycotts, and other forms of ostracism.
• Offenses Added:
  • Sexual exploitation and unauthorized physical contact with SC/ST women.
  • Outlawing traditional practices such as dedicating SC/ST women as devadasis.
• Public Accountability: Imposes penalties on public servants who fail to perform their duties in protecting SC/ST rights.
• 2018 Amendment: Simplified the arrest process by removing the requirement for Senior Superintendent approval before detaining an accused.

Scope Limitation:

• Intra-community Offenses: The Act does not address offenses committed within the SC/ST communities against each other.

Challenges associated with the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:

Resource Limitations:

• These courts often struggle with insufficient resources and infrastructure, affecting their functionality and efficiency.
• There is a notable backlog and slow processing of atrocity cases, which can extend beyond the intended scope of the SC/ST Act.

Victim Support and Rehabilitation:

• The Act provides limited and unclear details on the rehabilitation of victims, primarily focusing on social and economic support without concrete measures.
• Victims often encounter physical, psychological, and social challenges. There is a crucial need for more detailed and comprehensive rehabilitation strategies to aid victims towards economic self-sufficiency.

Awareness and Training:

• Both beneficiaries, including victims and law enforcement personnel, frequently lack sufficient understanding of the Act’s specific provisions.

Legal and Misuse Concerns:

• The Act includes provisions for warrantless arrests and non-bailable offenses, which have occasionally led to misuse.
• The broad and stringent nature of the law has led to concerns about false accusations and harassment, particularly impacting individuals from non-SC/ST backgrounds.

Coverage of Offenses:

• Certain crimes that lead to atrocities, such as blackmailing among SC/ST communities, are not explicitly addressed within the Act.
• The current definition of atrocities may not fully cover all forms of abuse experienced by SCs and STs, suggesting a need for legislative amendments to include a broader array of crimes.

-Source: The Hindu

Impact of Reduced PM2.5 Pollution on Life Expectancy in India

Context:

A recent study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) highlights a positive correlation between improved air quality and life expectancy in India. Favorable weather conditions and a slight reduction in emissions from 2021 to 2022 led to decreased PM2.5 levels, which have, in turn, contributed to extending the average life expectancy in India by one year. Moreover, the study suggests that aligning with the World Health Organization’s pollution guidelines could potentially increase life expectancy in Delhi by an additional 7.8 years.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. WHO’s Revised Air Quality Guidelines (2021)
2. Key Findings from the “Air Quality Life Index” 2024 Report

WHO’s Revised Air Quality Guidelines (2021)

• WHO updated its guidelines to recommend stricter air quality levels for six pollutants: ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, PM10, and PM2.5.
• The new recommendations mark a significant tightening of the levels from those set in 2005, aiming to further protect public health.
• These guidelines are advisory and are not mandatory for countries to adopt.

Key Findings from the “Air Quality Life Index” 2024 Report

• Publication: Released by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
• Purpose: Provides an annual global assessment of air quality, highlighting areas where air quality standards are unmet alongside policy successes and failures.

Specific Highlights

• India’s Air Quality Progress:
  • Reduction in Pollution: In 2022, India saw a 19.3% reduction in particulate pollution from the previous year, marking the second-largest decline globally after Bangladesh.
  • Impact on Life Expectancy: The reduction in pollution potentially adds an average of 51 days to the life expectancy of Indian citizens.
  • Meteorological Influence: Favorable weather conditions and fewer thermal inversions contributed to the pollution decline.
  • Life Expectancy Risk: There is a potential loss of 3.6 years in life expectancy for Indians if the WHO’s PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³ is not met. In 2022, India’s PM2.5 level was approximately 9 µg/m³.
• Regional Analysis:
  • Notable Improvements: Significant declines in PM2.5 were observed in districts like Purulia and Bankura in West Bengal and several districts in Jharkhand, with reductions exceeding 20 µg/m³.
  • Population Exposure: Approximately 42.6% of India’s population resides in areas that exceed national air quality standards.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
  • Overview: Launched in 2019, NCAP aims to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30% by 2024 from 2017 levels, with a more ambitious target of a 40% reduction by 2026.
  • Scope: Covers 131 cities that have historically failed to meet set air quality standards, noting a 19% average PM2.5 reduction in monitored cities.
• Innovative Policies and Impacts:
  • Particulate Pollution Market: Initiated in Gujarat in 2019, leading to a 20-30% reduction in pollution in cities like Surat, with plans for expansion.
  • Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Credited with reducing emissions from residential cooking by promoting clean cooking facilities.
  • Transport Emissions: Declines attributed to reduced diesel use in transport.

-Source: The Hindu

Advancing Biotechnology in India through Ethanol Production Support

Context:

The Department of Biotechnology is exploring the development of enzyme-manufacturing facilities to enhance ethanol production. This initiative aligns with the recent launch of the BioE3 policy—Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment—aimed at fostering biotechnology-driven manufacturing in India. This move is part of a broader strategy to integrate more biotechnology solutions into India’s industrial landscape, with a focus on boosting economic growth, environmental sustainability, and job creation.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of BioE3 Policy for Enhanced Biomanufacturing
2. Ethanol Production and Utilization in India
3. Enhancing Ethanol Production in India Through Innovative Methods

Overview of BioE3 Policy for Enhanced Biomanufacturing:

• Definition of High-Performance Biomanufacturing:
  • Involves production of a wide range of products, including medical and material goods, while addressing agricultural challenges.
  • Focuses on crafting bio-based products via sophisticated biotechnological methods.
• Strategic Focus Areas:
  • Development of high-value bio-based chemicals, enzymes, and biopolymers.
  • Innovation in smart proteins and functional foods.
  • Advancements in precision biotherapeutics.
  • Promotion of climate-resilient agricultural methods.
  • Enhancements in carbon capture and utilization.
  • Research in marine and space sectors.
• Key Policy Features:
  • Encourages research and entrepreneurship across targeted sectors.
  • Aims for rapid technology development and market introduction through Bio-AI hubs and biofoundries.
  • Supports government initiatives for a ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and sustainable living.
  • Advocates for ‘Green Growth’ through a ‘Circular Bioeconomy’.
  • Envisions a sustainable and innovative future addressing global challenges, aligned with the Bio-vision for a Developed India.
• Policy Significance:
  • Addresses critical issues like climate change, food security, and public health.
  • Seeks to establish a robust biomanufacturing ecosystem to foster innovative bio-based product development.

Ethanol Production and Utilization in India:

• Annual Ethanol Demand:
  • NITI Aayog projects a need for approximately 13.5 billion liters of ethanol annually by 2025-26.
  • Approximately 10.16 billion liters are expected to fulfill the E20 fuel-blending requirements.

Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme (EBP)

• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme was launched in 2003- and this initiative is pursued aggressively in the last 4 to 5 years to reduce import dependence of crude oil as well as mitigate environmental pollution.
• The Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) seeks to achieve blending of Ethanol with motor sprit with a view to reducing pollution, conserve foreign exchange and increase value addition in the sugar industry enabling them to clear cane price arrears of farmers.
• Although the Government of India decided to launch EBP programme in 2003 for supply of 5% ethanol blended Petrol, it later scaled up blending targets from 5% to 10% under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).
• The Government of India has also advanced the target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol (also called E20) to 2025 from 2030.
• Currently, 8.5% of ethanol is blended with petrol in India.

Enhancing Ethanol Production in India Through Innovative Methods:

• Introduction of 2G Ethanol Plant in Panipat, Haryana:
  • Utilizes second-generation bioethanol technology, which converts agricultural waste such as rice straw into ethanol, diverging from traditional molasses-based methods.
  • Established by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. in 2022, this pioneering facility has the capacity to produce 100,000 liters of ethanol daily.
  • Although it offers a sustainable use for rice stubble, the process can increase air pollution due to the burning of stubble.
• BioE3 Policy Implementation:
  • Aims to innovate within biotechnology by creating ‘bio-foundries’ for developing new types of feedstock and catalysts, enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of bio-manufacturing processes.
• Development of Enzyme Manufacturing Units:
  • Enzymes for ethanol production are being developed from genetically modified Penicillium funiculosum, a fungus that breaks down rice stubble and soil.
  • A facility planned in Manesar, Haryana, is expected to supply enzymes to both the Panipat plant and forthcoming facilities in Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) and Bhatinda (Punjab).
• Importance of Local Enzyme Production Facilities:
  • Essential for the conversion of agricultural waste to ethanol, these enzymes can significantly decrease production costs.
  • By producing enzymes domestically, India could significantly reduce its import costs, potentially cutting the overall expense of ethanol production by approximately two-thirds, aligning with national energy and environmental goals.

-Source: Indian Express

Classical Language

Context:

Recently, the centres for the promotion of classical Telugu, Odia, Kannada and Malayalam demand autonomy for proper functioning.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Criteria for Classical Language Status

• The language must have a documented history of at least 1,500-2,000 years, evident in early texts.
• It should have a substantial body of ancient literature, highly regarded as a cultural heritage.
• The literary tradition of the language must be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
• There should be a clear distinction between the classical form of the language and its modern forms or offshoots.

Recognized Classical Languages in India

• Tamil: First declared in 2004.
• Sanskrit: Recognized in 2005.
• Telugu: Declared in 2008.
• Kannada: Also recognized in 2008.
• Malayalam: Added in 2013.
• Odia: Recognized in 2014.

Benefits of Classical Language Status

• Promotion and Support: The Ministry of Education offers various supports to promote these languages:
  • International Awards: Two major international awards are given annually to scholars of eminence in the language.
  • Centers of Excellence: Establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in the Classical Language.
  • Professional Chairs: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is requested to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities dedicated to the classical language.

-Source: Indian Express

Mimetus spinatus and Mimetus parvulus

Context:

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered two new species of spiders named Mimetus spinatus and Mimetus parvulus from the southern Western Ghats.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Mimetus Spinatus and Mimetus Parvulus

• Mimetus spinatus was found in the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, while Mimetus parvulus was collected from Ernakulam district in Kerala.
• Both species belong to the Mimetidae family, known for their predatory behavior akin to pirates or cannibals of the spider world.
• These spiders are adept at infiltrating the webs of other spiders, where they mimic vibrations to deceive and prey on the resident spiders.

Distinctive Features

• Mimetus Spinatus:
  • Appearance: Medium-sized with a pale yellow head and a dull grey-white abdomen featuring scattered light green mottling.
  • Notable Characteristics: Named for its distinctive long, black, flattened spine-like hairs on its dorsal head.
• Mimetus Parvulus:
  • Appearance: Noted for its pale creamy-rose head with dense grey-black mottling and a triangular-shaped, dull grey-white abdomen.

Significance of Discovery

• This discovery marks the first report of new Mimetus species after 118 years since the last recorded species, Mimetus indicus, in India.
• The addition of these species increases the known diversity of Mimetus in India to three, highlighting the ecological richness of the Southern Western Ghats.

-Source: Indian Express

Acetanilide

Context:

Five persons fell unconscious and were hospitalised when they were engaged in shifting acetanilide bags from one container to another in Visakhapatnam recently.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Acetanilide:

• Acetanilide, with the molecular formula C8H9NO, is also known as N-phenylacetamide, acetanil, or acetanilid.
• It appears as a white, odorless solid.
• Chemical Relationship: It is functionally related to acetic acid.

Historical and Medical Significance:

• First used in 1886, primarily as a fever-reducing drug.
• Found effective for relieving pain, it served as an alternative to aspirin for treating headaches, menstrual cramps, and rheumatism.
• Side Effects: Prolonged or excessive use can lead to toxic effects, specifically interfering with hemoglobin function.

Current Medical and Industrial Use:

• Replacement in Therapy: Now largely replaced by acetaminophen (paracetamol) in medical treatments due to lower risk of inducing blood disorders.
• Industrial Use: Employed as an intermediate in the manufacture of dyes, rubber, and various chemicals.

-Source: The Hindu