Current Affairs 10 August 2024

CONTENTS

1. RBI’s 50th MPC Meeting: Emphasizing Flexible Inflation Targeting
2. New Transit-Oriented Development Plan for Major Indian Cities
3. Himalayan Towns Need a Different Kind of Development
4. Concerns Over New Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024
5. First Information Report
6. Homo Floresiensis
7. Gout

RBI’s 50th MPC Meeting: Emphasizing Flexible Inflation Targeting

Context:

The Reserve Bank of India’s 50th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting has introduced significant updates regarding interest rates and broader economic policies. Marking the eighth anniversary of the flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework, this milestone meeting focused on evaluating and enhancing measures designed to control inflation and improve economic efficiency. The emphasis on FIT highlights its central role in the country’s economic strategy and its impact on monetary policy decision-making.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Decisions of the 50th Monetary Policy Committee Meeting
2. Flexible Inflation Targeting Framework
3. Instruments of Monetary Policy
4. About Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

Key Decisions of the 50th Monetary Policy Committee Meeting

• The MPC has maintained the repo rate at 6.50% to manage inflation effectively and support economic growth.
• The Standing Deposit Facility Rate is held at 6.25%, and the Marginal Standing Facility and Bank Rate are both maintained at 6.75%, helping to manage the economy’s liquidity and borrowing costs.
• The committee continues to aim for a 4.0% inflation target, emphasizing the importance of controlling inflation while fostering economic growth.

Global Economic Insights

• Global Economic Trends: There is consistent but varied growth worldwide, with manufacturing slowing and services remaining robust.
• Inflation Trends: A gradual reduction in inflation is noted globally, with the price of services remaining persistent.
• Monetary Policy Variations: Across the globe, monetary policies vary, with some central banks reducing rates and others increasing them.
• Challenges: Demographic changes, climate change, geopolitical tensions, rising public debt, and technological advancements like AI are driving uncertainties in global economic prospects.

Domestic Economic Performance

• Economic Resilience: India’s economy shows resilience, buoyed by effective monsoon seasons and robust kharif crop production.
• Sector Performance: The manufacturing and service sectors are showing robust growth, evidenced by a rise in the Industrial Production Index.
• Consumer Spending: There is strong consumption growth driven by increased rural demand and sustained urban spending.

Inflation Dynamics

• Headline inflation rose to 5.1% in June 2024, primarily due to rising food prices, while core inflation has moderated.
• Food costs significantly influence overall inflation, with vegetable prices notably impacting the Consumer Price Index.
• Food inflation is expected to remain high, although some relief may come from favorable weather conditions.

Financial Market Stability

• Market Volatility: Global financial markets have shown volatility, impacted by economic downturns, geopolitical unrest, and shifting trade dynamics.
• Stability of Indian Markets: Despite global challenges, Indian financial markets remain stable, supported by solid macroeconomic fundamentals.

Regulatory Updates and Digital Initiatives

• The RBI is setting up a public registry of digital lending apps to increase transparency and combat unauthorized practices, following discoveries of numerous illegal apps.
• UPI Enhancements: The transaction limit for UPI payments will increase from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh to facilitate smoother tax payments, and new features will allow delegated payment capabilities, enhancing the utility for a broader user base.
• Cheque Processing Improvement: The RBI is moving to a ‘real-time settlement’ Cheque Truncation System to expedite cheque processing, aiming to clear cheques on the day of presentation to improve transaction efficiency.

Flexible Inflation Targeting Framework

• Implementation Date: Launched in February 2015, the Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) Framework is designed to maintain inflation around a 4% target, with a permissible range of ±2%, enabling occasional deviations to bolster economic growth.
• Collaborative Establishment: Formulated through a collaborative agreement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Finance, this framework aims to balance inflation management with economic growth, based on insights from the Urjit Patel Committee Report.
• Objective of FIT: The primary goal is to solidify inflation expectations, thereby promoting macroeconomic stability and contributing to sustainable economic growth.
• Legislative Support: In 2016, an amendment to the RBI Act of 1934 was enacted to establish a formal monetary policy framework, mandating that the inflation targets be determined by the government in consultation with the RBI every five years.
• Framework Goals: The FIT is structured to enhance the transparency and predictability of monetary policy, which aids in improving the synergy between the RBI’s monetary policy operations and governmental economic strategies.

Instruments of Monetary Policy

There are several direct and indirect instruments that are used for implementing monetary policy.

• Repo Rate: The (fixed) interest rate at which the Reserve Bank provides overnight liquidity to banks against the collateral of government and other approved securities under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF).
• Reverse Repo Rate: The (fixed) interest rate at which the Reserve Bank absorbs liquidity, on an overnight basis, from banks against the collateral of eligible government securities under the LAF.
• Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF): The LAF consists of overnight as well as term repo auctions. Progressively, the Reserve Bank has increased the proportion of liquidity injected under fine-tuning variable rate repo auctions of range of tenors. The aim of term repo is to help develop the inter-bank term money market, which in turn can set market based benchmarks for pricing of loans and deposits, and hence improve transmission of monetary policy. The Reserve Bank also conducts variable interest rate reverse repo auctions, as necessitated under the market conditions.
• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): A facility under which scheduled commercial banks can borrow additional amount of overnight money from the Reserve Bank by dipping into their Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) portfolio up to a limit at a penal rate of interest. This provides a safety valve against unanticipated liquidity shocks to the banking system.
• Corridor: The MSF rate and reverse repo rate determine the corridor for the daily movement in the weighted average call money rate.
• Bank Rate: It is the rate at which the Reserve Bank is ready to buy or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial papers. The Bank Rate is published under Section 49 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. This rate has been aligned to the MSF rate and, therefore, changes automatically as and when the MSF rate changes alongside policy repo rate changes.
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The average daily balance that a bank is required to maintain with the Reserve Bank as a share of such per cent of its Net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) that the Reserve Bank may notify from time to time in the Gazette of India.
• Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): The share of NDTL that a bank is required to maintain in safe and liquid assets, such as, unencumbered government securities, cash and gold. Changes in SLR often influence the availability of resources in the banking system for lending to the private sector.
• Open Market Operations (OMOs): These include both, outright purchase and sale of government securities, for injection and absorption of durable liquidity, respectively.
• Market Stabilisation Scheme (MSS): This instrument for monetary management was introduced in 2004. Surplus liquidity of a more enduring nature arising from large capital inflows is absorbed through sale of short-dated government securities and treasury bills. The cash so mobilised is held in a separate government account with the Reserve Bank.

About Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the body of the RBI, headed by the Governor, responsible for taking the important monetary policy decisions about setting the repo rate.
• Repo rate is ‘the policy instrument’ in monetary policy that helps to realize the set inflation target by the RBI (at present 4%).

Membership of the MPC

• The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is formed under the RBI with six members.
• Three of the members are from the RBI while the other three members are appointed by the government.
• Members from the RBI are the Governor who is the chairman of the MPC, a Deputy Governor and one officer of the RBI.
• The government members are appointed by the Centre on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee which is to be headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

Objectives of the MPC

Monetary Policy was implemented with an initiative to provide reasonable price stability, high employment, and a faster economic growth rate.

The major four objectives of the Monetary Policy are mentioned below:

• To stabilize the business cycle.
• To provide reasonable price stability.
• To provide faster economic growth.
• Exchange Rate Stability.

-Source: Indian Express

New Transit-Oriented Development Plan for Major Indian Cities

Context:

The union government has introduced a comprehensive transit-oriented development (TOD) plan targeting 14 large Indian cities, each with a population exceeding 30 lakh. This strategic initiative aims to transform these cities into dynamic “growth hubs” by integrating economic and transit planning with the structured development of peri-urban areas.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
2. Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
3. Components of TOD
4. Challenges Associated with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

• TOD is a strategic urban planning approach that focuses on concentrating jobs, housing, and services around public transportation hubs. The goal is to foster environments that are pedestrian and cyclist-friendly, ensuring easy access to transit options.
• The strategy hinges on the synergistic relationship between economic growth, urban transportation, and land use, ensuring these elements are integrated efficiently for optimal urban development.
• Global Examples: Cities such as Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore have effectively implemented TOD, demonstrating its viability and benefits.
• World Bank 3V Framework for TOD:
  • Node Value: Measures the significance of transit stations based on traffic, connectivity, and central location within the transit network.
  • Place Value: Assesses the attractiveness and quality of the environment surrounding transit stations.
  • Market Potential Value: Evaluates the economic potential surrounding transit areas, considering aspects like job availability, housing density, and market dynamics.

Benefits of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):

• Enhanced Urban Density and Competitiveness: TOD promotes the clustering of jobs in compact areas, which heightens urban competitiveness.
• Boost in Economic Productivity: Studies indicate that doubling job density can elevate economic productivity by between 5% and 10%.
• Creation of Vibrant Urban Spaces: TOD strategically locates jobs, housing, and amenities near transit stations, fostering lively communities with excellent public spaces and reduced commute times.
• Synergy Between Urban Planning and Transit: There is a mutual reinforcement between dense urban development and efficient public transit. This density increases ridership, which in turn makes transit systems economically viable and supports the broader urban infrastructure.
• Attractive Neighborhoods and Increased Property Values: Proximity to transit hubs enhances neighborhood appeal and boosts property values.
• Funding Opportunities for Urban Development: The increased property values can be leveraged to fund transit improvements, affordable housing projects, and sustainable urban growth initiatives.
• Success Stories:
  • Hong Kong: From 1980 to 2005, the TOD model in Hong Kong generated 140 billion Hong Kong Dollars and supported the development of 600,000 public housing units.
  • Stockholm: The implementation of TOD along transit routes in Stockholm from 1993 to 2010 led to a 41% increase in economic value per person and a 35% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per capita.
• Affordable Housing Integration: By integrating affordable housing within new developments, the potential increase in property prices associated with TOD can be managed, ensuring access remains broad-based.
• Inclusivity and Accessibility: A well-implemented TOD strategy ensures that people of all income levels have access to essential services and employment opportunities.
• Reduction in Environmental Impact: By decreasing reliance on cars and shortening commutes, TOD significantly reduces carbon emissions and enhances overall urban sustainability.
• Disaster Resilient Development: Implementing TOD in areas less susceptible to natural hazards promotes safer, high-density living, which minimizes risk exposure.

Components of TOD:

• Pedestrian-Centric Design: TOD prioritizes pedestrian-friendly environments where walking is a central element of the design.
• Mixed-Use Developments: Incorporates a diverse blend of uses including offices, residential areas, retail, and civic amenities within close proximity to each other.
• Transit System Integration: Includes comprehensive transit options like streetcars, light rail, and buses.
• Cycling and Scooting: Facilities are designed to accommodate bicycles and scooters as everyday transport modes.
• Reduced and Managed Parking: Parking is strategically reduced and confined to areas within a 10-minute walk from central transit hubs.
• Retail and Service Offerings: Transit stations offer specialized retail and service options catering to both commuters and local residents.

Challenges Associated with Transit-Oriented Development (TOD):

• Fragmented Authority and Planning: The presence of multiple municipal and state authorities with differing priorities often results in fragmented and inefficient TOD planning. This fragmentation is compounded by separate processes for land use and transportation planning, which frequently lead to misaligned goals.
• Sector Integration Failures: TOD planning frequently neglects the requirements of crucial sectors like agriculture, affecting the comprehensive development of TOD areas.
• Regulatory and Infrastructure Overloads: Inadequate or overly restrictive regulations can result in uneven development—either overdevelopment or underutilization of certain areas. This often leads to high-density developments that can overburden existing infrastructure, rendering parts of cities underdeveloped and poorly connected.
• Pedestrian and Transit Accessibility: Many Indian cities suffer from poorly designed pedestrian infrastructures, making access to transit stations difficult and unsafe. This challenge is crucial as pedestrian accessibility is a core component of effective TOD.
• Cultural and Behavioral Barriers: Effective TOD requires significant behavioral changes, particularly in reducing reliance on private vehicles. Motivating such changes remains a challenge despite considerable investments in public transit infrastructure.
• Disaster Risk Enhancement: High concentrations of population in TOD zones can amplify the risk of casualties and overstretch emergency services during disasters, highlighting a need for disaster-resilient planning.
• Urban Sprawl and Rapid Urbanization: The rapid urbanization typical of many Indian cities complicates the creation of compact, walkable neighborhoods, which are essential for successful TOD.
• Inclusivity Concerns: Ensuring that TOD benefits all socio-economic groups equally is a persistent challenge, with a risk that new developments may disproportionately serve more affluent populations.
• Local Opposition and Financial Constraints: Implementation of effective TOD strategies is often hindered by local regulations, community resistance, and budgetary constraints, particularly in major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata.
• Contextual Suitability: The success of TOD strategies employed in cities like Hong Kong or Singapore may not directly translate to Indian cities such as New Delhi or Bengaluru due to differing urban sprawl characteristics and local contexts.

-Source: The Hindu

Himalayan Towns Need a Different Kind of Development

Context:

The Indian Himalayan Range (IHR), comprising 11 States and two Union Territories, had a decadal urban growth rate of more than 40% from 2011 to 2021. Towns have expanded, and more urban settlements are developing. However, Himalayan towns require a different definition of urbanisation.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of Current Challenges
2. Causes of the Crisis
3. Solutions and Recommendations
4. Conclusion

Overview of Current Challenges

• Almost every town in the Himalayan region, including prominent state capitals like Srinagar, Guwahati, Shillong, and Shimla, grapples with severe civic management challenges.
• The predominant issues include inefficient handling of sanitation, and the management of solid and liquid waste. Additionally, water management poses significant challenges.
• These issues are exacerbated by the adoption of planning models inappropriate for the unique geographical and ecological conditions of the Himalayas, combined with a critical shortage of skilled personnel in urban planning departments.

Expansion and Environmental Impact

Urban expansion is aggressively consuming surrounding rural lands, leading to the degradation of communal lands, forests, and watersheds. Notably, Srinagar witnessed a dramatic increase in built-up areas, which expanded by over 75% in two decades, severely impacting local water bodies and leading to unmanaged waste disposal.

Causes of the Crisis

The root causes of these environmental and civic challenges include:

• Rapid Urbanization and Poor Planning: Expansion is often uncontrolled, with little regard for sustainable practices.
• High-Intensity Tourism: Tourism, while beneficial economically, often replaces eco-friendly infrastructure with harmful constructions and inadequate waste management systems.
• Climatic Changes: Increasingly variable weather patterns contribute to water scarcity, deforestation, and biodiversity loss.

Solutions and Recommendations

1. Revised Planning Approaches: There is an urgent need for planning reforms tailored to the unique needs of the Himalayan towns, focusing on sustainable land use and incorporating local community insights.
2. Infrastructure Financing: A dedicated financial strategy for urban infrastructure in the Himalayas is essential, recognizing the high costs and special requirements of these regions. The Finance Commission should consider a separate allocation for these towns to enhance sustainability.
3. Community-Driven Planning: Moving away from consultant-driven models to community-centric planning can ensure that development aligns with the local socio-ecological context.
4. Enhancing Central Support: Current financial transfers from central to local governments are insufficient, covering only a fraction of necessary expenditures. Increasing this support is crucial for sustainable urban development in the Himalayan regions.

Conclusion

For Himalayan towns to thrive amidst these challenges, a shift towards integrated, locally informed, and ecologically sensitive planning is critical. By fostering community involvement and ensuring adequate funding, these towns can aim to balance development needs with environmental sustainability.

-Source: The Hindu

Concerns Over New Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024

Context:

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has released a draft version of the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill 2024, targeting enhanced regulation within the broadcasting sector. This draft has been shared with select industry stakeholders for input and discussion. A significant aspect of the proposed legislation is the introduction of stricter guidelines for independent news content creators on digital platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X. This move has sparked a debate regarding potential impacts on freedom of speech and expression, highlighting the delicate balance between regulatory oversight and individual liberties in the digital age.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Objective and Purpose of the Draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024
2. Key Elements of the Bill Impacting Creative Freedom
3. Challenges and Concerns with the Draft Bill
4. Future Directions for Internet Regulation in India

Objective and Purpose of the Draft Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024:

• Digital media is recognized as a crucial platform for creators and commentators to scrutinize government actions and enforce accountability.
• The bill seeks to empower voices marginalized by mainstream media, fostering diverse narratives on critical issues.
• It aims to expand existing broadcast regulations to include internet platforms, enhancing accountability and regulatory oversight.
• Specifically targets prominent influencers, content creators, and political commentators to regulate their speech, which could severely restrict creative freedom and limit online expression, affecting the democratic vibrancy of India.

Key Elements of the Bill Impacting Creative Freedom:

• Defines digital news broadcasters as entities systematically broadcasting news and current affairs online, whether through text, video, or audio on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, or podcasts.
• Mandates these digital broadcasters to register with the government, adhere to a specific Programme Code, establish grievance mechanisms, and comply with a structured regulatory framework.
• Requires non-news digital content to undergo pre-certification from a Content Evaluation Committee.
• Authorizes the government to impose penalties, demand cessation of broadcasts, or completely ban broadcasts based on national security, public order, or other state interests.
• Subjects global digital content creators and commentators to the same regulatory conditions.
• Imposes new responsibilities on social media platforms to monitor and report on broadcasters’ activities.

Challenges and Concerns with the Draft Bill:

• Unlike traditional TV’s broad dissemination, internet content is individualized and interactive, raising concerns that the bill could disproportionately increase operational costs and hinder the agility of small-scale creators and independent journalists.
• Potential for severe censorship effects, risking a suppression of free speech.
• Difficulty in enforcing extraterritorial provisions due to the decentralized nature of the internet.
• Overlap and potential conflict with existing laws such as the IT Act 2000, which already governs social media platforms with similar provisions for grievance redressal and content management.

Future Directions for Internet Regulation in India:

• The draft bill is seen as part of broader efforts to regulate digital content, paralleling challenges faced with the IT Rules 2021, which courts have temporarily blocked.
• Emphasizes the need for using existing laws like the IT Act 2000 to address concerns around misleading or harmful content.
• Stresses the importance of comprehensive consultations and discussions with a wide array of stakeholders before finalizing the legislation to ensure it aligns with democratic principles and protects individual freedoms.

-Source: The Hindu

First Information Report

Context:

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a first information report (FIR) must be mandatorily registered in cases of alleged fake encounters, reinforcing legal accountability for police actions.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions  of the Article:

1. What is an FIR?
2. What are cognizable offence and non-cognizable offence?

What is an FIR?

• An FIR is the document that has been prepared by the police after verifying the facts of the complaint.
• The FIR may contain details of the crime and the alleged criminal.
• The term first information report (FIR) is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law, but in police regulations or rules, information recorded under Section 154 of CrPC is known as First Information Report (FIR).
  • Section 154 (“Information in cognizable cases”) says that “every information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence, if given orally to an officer in charge of a police station, shall be reduced to writing by him or under his direction, and be read over to the informant; and every such information, whether given in writing or reduced to writing as aforesaid, shall be signed by the person giving it, and the substance thereof shall be entered in a book to be kept by such officer in such form as the State Government may prescribe”.
  • Also, “a copy of the information as recorded…shall be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant”.

Three important elements of an FIR:

• The information must relate to the commission of a cognizable offence,
• It should be given in writing or orally to the head of the police station
• It must be written down and signed by the informant, and its key points should be recorded in a daily diary.

What happens after an FIR is filed?

• The police will investigate the case and will collect evidence in the form of statements of witnesses or other scientific materials. They can arrest the alleged persons as per law.
• If there is sufficient evidence to corroborate the allegations of the complainant, then a chargesheet will be filed. Or else, a Final Report mentioning that no evidence was found will be filed in court.
• If it is found that no offence has been committed, a cancellation report will be filed. If no trace of the accused persons is found, an ‘untraced’ report will be filed.

What are cognizable offence and non-cognizable offence?

• A cognizable offence/case is one in which a police officer may, in accordance with the First Schedule of the CrPC, or under any other law for the time being in force, make an arrest without a warrant.
• In the First Schedule, “the word ‘cognizable’ stands for ‘a police officer may arrest without warrant’; and the word ‘non-cognizable’ stands for ‘a police officer shall not arrest without warrant’.”

What is the difference between a complaint and an FIR?

• The CrPC defines a “complaint” as “any allegation made orally or in writing to a Magistrate, with a view to his taking action under this Code, that some person, whether known or unknown, has committed an offence, but does not include a police report.”
• However, an FIR is the document that has been prepared by the police after verifying the facts of the complaint. The FIR may contain details of the crime and the alleged criminal.
• If, on the basis of a complaint, it appears that a cognizable offence has been committed, then an FIR under Section 154 CrPC will be registered, and police will open an investigation. If no offence is found, the police will close the inquiry.
• Section 155 (“Information as to non-cognizable cases and investigation of such cases”) says: “When information is given to an officer in charge of a police station of the commission within the limits of such station of a non-cognizable offence, he shall enter or cause to be entered the substance of the information in a book…and refer the informant to the Magistrate. No police officer shall investigate a non-cognizable case without the order of a Magistrate having power to try such case or commit the case for trial.”

-Source: Indian Express

Homo Floresiensis

Context:

A microscopic analysis of a 700,000-year-old miniature human arm and dental fossils has put an end to the debate on the origins of Homo floresiensis.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Homo floresiensis:

• Homo floresiensis is an archaic human species that once inhabited Flores Island in Indonesia approximately 60,000 years ago.
• Commonly referred to as ‘Hobbit’ due to their diminutive stature.
• Fossils have been dated between 100,000 and 60,000 years ago, with stone tools dating from around 190,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Physical and Behavioral Characteristics:

• Individuals stood about 3 feet 6 inches tall, characterized by tiny brains, large teeth relative to size, shoulders that slouched forward, no chins, and receding foreheads.
• They possessed disproportionately large feet compared to their short legs.
• They crafted and utilized stone tools, hunted small elephants and large rodents, managed threats from predators like the giant Komodo dragon, and possibly used fire.
• Their small size and reduced brain volume are believed to be adaptations to island dwarfism—a condition of evolutionary adjustment to limited resources and reduced threat levels on isolated islands.
• Both the smallest known species of Homo and the Stegodon elephant coexisted on Flores, highlighting the island’s unique biodiversity and evolutionary dynamics.

-Source: The Print

Gout

Context:

Recently, Lucknow based CSIR-NBRI has developed a herbal product called ‘NBRI-Gout Out’ which is a combination of five medicinal plants, to address the problem of Gout.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Overview of Gout:

• Gout is a prevalent and intricate form of arthritis that can affect anyone.
• The condition stems from elevated levels of uric acid in the bloodstream.

Prevalence:

• It is more commonly observed in men, primarily because women generally have lower uric acid levels.

Risk Factors:

• Factors that can increase uric acid levels, leading to gout, include obesity, certain medications like diuretics, and consumption of foods and beverages rich in purines such as alcohol and sugary drinks.

Symptoms:

• Joint Pain: The most intense pain usually affects the big toe but can occur in any joint including the ankles, knees, elbows, wrists, and fingers.
• Inflammation: Affected joints become swollen, tender, warm, and red, showing visible signs of inflammation.

Treatment:

• Medication: Treatment options include medications like allopurinol (Aloprim, Lopurin, Zyloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric), which are designed to reduce the body’s uric acid production.

-Source: Indian Express, PIB