Current Affairs 11 July 2024

Contents:

1. BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat
2. Secular remedy for Divorced Muslim women: SC
3. The problem of Food Inflation
4. Need for bolstering MSMEs
5. Floral Waste is boosting circularity in economy
6. National Gopal Ratna Award 2024

BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat

Context:

The 2nd Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat will begin today in New Delhi.

• The event will provide an opportunity for the grouping’s members to broaden and deepen cooperation across sectors including in the fields of security, connectivity, trade and investment in the Bay of Bengal region and littoral areas.

Relevance:

GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests, Important International groupings), Prelims

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About BIMSTEC
2. History of Formation of the BIMSTEC
3. Significance of BIMSTEC

About BIMSTEC

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and Southeast Asia:
  • Bangladesh
  • Bhutan
  • India
  • Nepal
  • Sri Lanka
  • Myanmar (South-east Asia)
  • Thailand (South-east Asia)
• Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand are the member states dependent on the Bay of Bengal.
• Its members lie in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity. BIMSTEC not only connects South and Southeast Asia, but also the ecologies of the Great Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal.
• Fourteen priority sectors of cooperation have been identified and several BIMSTEC centres have been established to focus on those sectors.
• The permanent secretariat of the BIMSTEC is in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• The BIMSTEC uses the alphabetical order for the Chairmanship which has been taken in rotation commencing with Bangladesh (1997–1999).

History of Formation of the BIMSTEC

• In 1997, a new sub-regional grouping was formed in Bangkok under the name BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
• Following the inclusion of Myanmar on 22 December 1997 during a special Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, the Group was renamed ‘BIMST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
• In 2004, at the first Summit the grouping was renamed as BIMSTEC or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

Significance of BIMSTEC

• BIMSTEC acts as a platform for intra-regional cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN members.
• Around one-fourth of the world’s traded goods cross the Bay of Bengal every year.
• Important Connectivity Projects related to BIMSTEC
• Kaladan Multimodal Project – links India and Myanmar.
• Asian Trilateral Highway – connecting India and Thailand through Myanmar.
• Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement – for seamless flow of passenger and cargo traffic.

Strategic Significance for India

• BIMSTEC Enables India to pursue three core policies:
  • Neighbourhood First- primacy to the country’s immediate periphery;
  • Act East- connect India with Southeast Asia; and
  • Economic development of India’s North Eastern states- by linking them to the Bay of Bengal region via Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• India has moved from Look East Policy to Act East Policy and Indo Pacific cooperation through its diaspora, culture and connectivity. This has led to India’s goodwill in the region.
• Allows India to counter China’s creeping influence in countries around the Bay of Bengal due to the spread of its Belt and Road Initiative.
• Physical connectivity with BIMSTEC would also help India integrate itself with ASEAN’s Master Plan of Connectivity 2025.
• A new platform for India to engage with its neighbours with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) becoming dysfunctional because of differences between India and Pakistan.
• BIMSTEC suddenly received special attention as New Delhi chose to treat it as a more practical instrument for regional cooperation over a faltering SAARC.

-Source: The Hindu, AIR

Secular remedy for Divorced Muslim women: SC

Context:

The Supreme Court of India recently held that divorced Muslim women are entitled to maintenance under the “secular” Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

• The court noted that a remedy under the secular statutory provision of Section 125 of the Cr.PC cannot be foreclosed for divorced Muslim women by virtue of enactment of a personal law remedy under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.
• Hence, a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to all rights of maintenance available to other equally situated women in the country.

Relevance:

GS Paper 2: Historical underpinnings & evolution; Features, amendments, significant provisions, basic structure; Comparison of Indian constitutional scheme with other countries’

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are Alimony and Maintenance?
2. Laws related to Alimony and Maintenance in India.
3. Issues related to Alimony and Maintenance in India.
4. The Supreme Court’s guidelines regarding alimony
5. way forward

What are the Alimony and Maintenance?

Alimony and maintenance both connote the existence of a duty on the part of one person to provide for the needs of another person or persons who are dependent on them.

• Interim maintenance: While the legal proceedings are still underway, a husband is required to pay maintenance for the wife, along with the expenses of the proceedings. The interim maintenance is payable from the date the petition is filed, till the time the final order is passed.
• Permanent maintenance:  When a decree of dissolution of marriage or judicial separation is obtained by the wife, the court may order that the husband shall pay the wife any particular amount fixed by the court, either periodically.

Laws related to Alimony and Maintenance in India:

Our country comprises different communities, and each community has its own personal laws derived from religious scriptures, customs and traditions.

• Hindu woman can seek divorce and alimony may not be the same for every other community. The Hindu community is governed by The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, which grant the right to women to claim maintenance. Under Hindu laws, the quantum of maintenance amount is based on several factors like husband’s financial income, assets, liabilities, wife’s employment and earning status etc.
• Under Muslim personal law, the wife can claim compensation through Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.
• Divorced Christian women can claim maintenance under the Indian Divorce Act, 1869. The Act prescribes one-fifth of the husband’s income as the maximum maintenance amount.
• The Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936 provides the right of a wife to claim maintenance from her husband as one of the rights of wife after divorce in India, while in the case of inter-caste marriage it is governed by Special Marriage Act, 1954.

Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which applies to all communities lays down the provision for maintenance of wives, children, and parents if they do not earn enough and reasonable means to maintain themselves, or suffer from any physical or mental incapacity. Under this section, even a wife who has not divorced her husband has the right to get maintenance from her husband.

Issues related to Alimony and Maintenance in India:

• Maintenance and alimony is the only source of livelihood hence discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth is a direct attack on the right to life, liberty and dignity, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• The discriminatory maintenance and alimony reinforce patriarchal and stereotypical notions about women and thus any provision that perpetrates or reinforces discriminatory stereotypes against women is manifestly arbitrary.
• All the women don’t have equal rights related to alimony in India which violate their right to equality as a fundamental rights under Indian constitution.
• In India, the women are much vulnerable due to patriarchal attitude of society towards women therefore, there should be clarity regarding alimony so that women can live dignified life.
• Most of the girls in India get marry at early age and if they get divorce then proper alimony is needed to sustain their life.
• In India, judicial proceedings take long time and require enough money therefore interim maintenance is needed.
• Even after 73 years of Independence and 70 years of India becoming a socialist secular democratic republic, laws relating to maintenance and alimony are not only complex and cumbersome but also against the constitutional mandate of being equal, rational and just.
• The discriminatory grounds of maintenance and alimony are violative of Articles 14, 15, 21 of the Constitution.

The Supreme Court’s guidelines regarding alimony

Article 15(3), which states ‘nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children’, read together with Article 39, which directs state policy towards equal pay and opportunities for both men and women, and protecting the health of women and children, are two key constitutional safeguards. The Supreme Court leaned on these two Articles, and a host of other laws, and set down comprehensive guidelines on alimony.

• The right to claim maintenance under all enactments, including those under Section 125 of the CrPC, must date back to filing of the application.
• “Financial constraints of a dependent spouse hamper their capacity to be effectively represented before the court. In order to prevent a dependant from being reduced to destitution, it is necessary that maintenance is awarded from the date on which the application for maintenance is led before the court concerned,” a Bench headed by Justice Indu Malhotra said.
• The delay in adjudication is not only against human rights, but also against the basic embodiment of dignity of an individual.
• While women can make a claim for alimony under different laws, including the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and Section 125 of the CrPC, or under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, it “would be inequitable to direct the husband to pay maintenance under each of the proceedings”, urging civil and family courts to take note of previous settlements.

-Source: The Hindu

The problem of Food Inflation

Context:

India has been witnessing a continued growth in the GDP, but the core inflation seems set on a downward trajectory. The food inflation has stayed stubbornly elevated, restricting the fall in the consumer price index (CPI).

• Food commands nearly 40 per cent weight in the CPI basket.
• Major factors that lead to food inflation is uncertain monsoon, weather shocks such as heatwaves and unseasonal rains. Further, the climate change has further increased the frequency of such shocks.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Calculation of Food Inflation in India
2. Factors Contributing to India’s Elevated Food Inflation
3. Strategies to Address Food Inflation Effectively
4. About the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)

Calculation of Food Inflation in India:

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Food and Beverages: Food inflation in India is primarily measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Food and Beverages. CPI tracks changes in the prices paid by typical consumers for a basket of goods and services over time.
• Weightage in CPI: Food has a weight of 45.9% in the consumer price index. However, its contribution to overall inflation has increased significantly, from 48% in April 2022 to 67% in November 2023.
• Household Consumption Survey: The government’s Household Consumption Survey revealed that food’s share of the rural consumption basket fell below 50% for the first time to 46% and to 39% for urban consumers.
• Factors Influencing Food Inflation: About 90% of food inflation is determined by non-cyclical factors such as weather conditions, supply conditions, international prices, and availability. However, demand factors also play a role, contributing to about 10% of food inflation with significant time variation.

Factors Contributing to India’s Elevated Food Inflation:

Temperature and Weather Challenges:

• Adverse weather conditions, including predictions of a weak monsoon and heatwaves, have affected crop yields, particularly for cereals, pulses, and sugar, which require significant water for growth.
• This has led to supply shortages and higher domestic prices, with cereal and pulse inflation showing double-digit increases in April 2024.
• The MPC, with a 4-2 majority vote, emphasized its focus on withdrawing accommodation to align inflation progressively to the 4% target, noting the difficulty in achieving this amid increasing climate-related supply shocks. The CMIE attributed the rise in fruit and vegetable prices to last month’s heatwaves.

Fuel Prices:

• Fuel prices, a critical input in agriculture, have significantly increased in recent years.
• A 1% increase in fuel inflation results in a 0.13% rise in food inflation, with the impact gradually diminishing over the next 12 months.

Supply Chain Disruptions:

• Disruptions in the supply chain, due to transportation constraints, labor shortages, and logistical challenges, have reduced the availability of food products, leading to price hikes.
• Vegetables have continued to experience double-digit inflation for six consecutive months, reaching 27.8%, exacerbated by the lack of efficient storage facilities, which leads to the wastage of perishable items.

Global Effects:

• Despite a decrease in global food prices, India’s food prices remain high due to limited transmission of international prices to domestic markets.
• The Russia-Ukraine war has acted as a deterrent, affecting imports. India heavily depends on imports for edible oils (60% of consumption) and pulses, while for most other agricultural commodities like cereals, sugar, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, it is an exporter.
• Food inflation, measured by the Consumer Food Price Index, rose to a provisional 8.7% in April from 8.52% in March.

Other Factors Contributing to Inflation:

• The MPC is acutely aware that, beyond the threat from rising food costs—which are vulnerable to the low water storage levels in the country’s reservoirs and the ongoing exceptionally hot summer—escalating prices of industrial metals could disrupt the deflationary trend in core inflation.
• Additionally, the uncertain outlook for crude oil prices, due to tensions in West Asia and output cuts by OPEC+ nations, adds to the uncertainty of the inflation path.

Strategies to Address Food Inflation Effectively:

• Investment in Agricultural Infrastructure and Technology: Improving agricultural infrastructure, adopting advanced technology, and investing in research can enhance crop yields and reduce production costs, boosting supply and stabilizing prices.
• Enhancing Logistics and Storage Facilities: Improving logistics, storage facilities, and distribution networks can reduce wastage and ensure a steady supply of food items to the market, mitigating price fluctuations.
• Promoting Crop Diversification: Encouraging the cultivation of a variety of crops and supporting alternative farming practices can reduce reliance on a few commodities, thereby balancing market dynamics and reducing price volatility.
• Regular Monitoring and Price Regulation: Regular monitoring of food prices and implementing effective price regulation mechanisms can prevent price manipulation and ensure fair pricing for consumers and producers.
• Addressing Climate Change Challenges: Implementing sustainable farming practices, efficient water management strategies, and promoting crop diversification can help mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture, reducing production risks and enhancing long-term food security.

About the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI):

• Definition: The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) measures the change in retail prices of food items consumed by the population.
• Purpose: It is a specific measure of inflation focusing solely on the price changes of food items in a consumer’s basket of goods and services.
• Usage: The CFPI is a sub-component of the broader Consumer Price Index (CPI) and is utilized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to monitor inflation.
• Release: The Central Statistics Office (CSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), began releasing CFPI data for three categories—rural, urban, and combined—separately on an all-India basis from May 2014.
• Methodology: Similar to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the CFPI is calculated monthly using the same methodology.
  • The current base year used is 2012.
  • The CSO revised the base year for CPI and CFPI from 2010 to 2012 in January 2015.

-Source: Indian Express

Need for bolstering MSMEs

Context:

Recently, Union Minister for MSMEs said six pillars were identified as focus areas for the growth of the MSME sector namely

1. Formalisation and access to credit,
2. Increased access to market and e-commerce adoption,
3. Higher productivity through modern technology,
4. Enhanced skill levels and digitalisation in the service sector
5. Support to Khadi, Village and Coir industry to globalise them
6. Empowerment of women and artisans through enterprise creation

Relevance:

GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of Indian Economy, Mobilization of Resources)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Understanding MSMEs in India
2. Measures that can give some hope to the MSME sector

Understanding MSMEs in India

• MSME stands for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises which are small sized entities, defined in terms of their size of investment in plant and machinery/equipment along with THE NEW CRITERION OF ANNUAL TURNOVER.
  1. As per the revised definition, any firm with investment up to Rs 1 crore and turnover under Rs 5 crore will be classified as “micro”.
  2. A company with investment up to Rs 10 crore and turnover up to Rs 50 crore will be classified as “small”.
  3. A firm with investment up to Rs 50 crore and turnover under Rs 250 crore will be classified as “medium”.

Pointers about MSMEs in India

• According to the Annual Report of the Department of MSMEs (2018-19), there are more than 6 crore MSMEs in the country.
• MSMEs are the growth accelerators of the Indian economy, contributing about 30% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
• 99.5% of all MSMEs fall in the micro category. Small and medium MSMEs are predominantly present in urban India whereas, micro enterprises are equally distributed over rural and urban India.
• Around 51% of MSMEs are situated in rural India and 49% of them are situated in urban India.
• Both rural and urban MSMEs together employ over 11 crore people but 55% of the employment happens in the urban MSMEs.
• The gender ratio among employees is largely consistent across the board at roughly 80% male and 20% female.
• In terms of exports, MSMEs are an integral part of the supply chain and contribute about 48% of the overall exports.
• MSMEs also play an important role in employment generation, as they employ about 110 million people across the country.

Measures that can give some hope to the MSME sector

• Why assemble in India, when we can Make-in-India?: Now could be the right time for the Government to roll out sops to MSMEs that manufacture locally. The Government eMarketplace (GeM) could be of great use to suppliers looking for purchasers and vice versa. Investing in online infrastructure while also encouraging small businesses to source locally could help improve manufacturing while also cutting on our import costs.
• Delay MSME loan repayments or extend tenures: As the RBI pumps in more cash into the banking sector, deferring or relieving the MSMEs of loan repayments could come as a welcome move. Most businesses are looking for financial support from the government and doing this can help them cope with cash flow problems. Relaxing bad loan norms could also be a saving move for this sector.
• Inventory management for exporters: Businesses that are into exports could use some help with inventory management. In the Union Budget 2020, Sitharaman proposed building warehouses at block/taluk level. If the government could allot subsidised warehousing to exporters while figuring out the supply chain side of things, it could potentially help support the economy.

-Source: The Hindu

Floral Waste is boosting circularity in economy

Context:

The floral waste sector in India is experiencing new growth, marked by its multifaceted benefits.

Relevance:

GS II: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Waste to Wealth
2. Highlighted Initiatives in Waste Management

Waste to Wealth:

• As a significant move towards sustainability and a circular economy, the focus on waste to wealth is the way to be.
• The floral waste sector in India is experiencing new growth, marked by its multifaceted benefits. Not only is it providing meaningful employment opportunities for women, but is also effectively diverting waste from dumpsites, contributing to environmental preservation.
• What is the issue?
  • Floral waste, collected from the spiritual sites mostly biodegradable, often ends up in landfills or water bodies, causing health hazards and harming aquatic life.
  • According to a UN Climate Change report, the river Ganga alone absorbs over 8 million MT of flower waste annually. 
• Measures to be undertaken:
  • Implementing composting pits in temples and involving Temple trusts and SHGs in recycling efforts can create significant employment opportunities.
    • Social entrepreneurs are stepping in to recycle flowers into valuable products like organic compost, soaps, candles, and incense sticks.
  • Outreach programs to educate priests and devotees about not dumping floral waste in rivers can help encourage waste reduction.
  • The “Green Temples” concept can be integrated into policies to transform temples into eco-friendly spaces.
  • Promoting digital offerings or biodegradable materials instead of traditional flowers can also help reduce floral waste. 
  • The National Horticulture Board can be involved in tracking and managing floral waste in green spaces like parks etc.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission is spearheading a transformative journey towards sustainability, where the ethos of circular economy and waste-to-wealth reign supreme.

Highlighted Initiatives in Waste Management:

Swachh Bharat Mission for Solid Waste Management:

• Central assistance provided for solid waste management, including plastic waste management in urban and rural areas.
• Launch of Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 in 2021 with the goal of creating “Garbage Free Cities.”
• Focus on door-to-door collection, source segregation, and scientific processing of municipal solid waste.
• Emphasis on source segregation, reducing single-use plastic, managing construction-and-demolition waste, and bio-remediation of waste dump sites.
• Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen Phase II includes solid waste management activities at the village level.

 Waste Management Rules and Guidelines:

• Implementation of various waste management rules and guidelines under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Includes Solid Waste Management Rules (2016), Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), Bio-medical Waste Management Rules (2016), Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules (2016), Hazardous and other wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules (2016), E-waste Management Rules (2022), and Battery Waste Management Rules (2022).
• Guidelines issued for environmentally sound waste management.
• Development of guidelines for the levy of environmental damages/environmental compensation charges based on the polluter pays principle for hazardous waste, E-waste, and plastic waste.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Mechanism:

• EPR is a policy approach that holds producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.
• Producers are responsible for product collection, recycling, and disposal.
• Aims to reduce environmental impact by shifting waste management responsibility to producers.
• In 2022, EPR initiatives were implemented for plastic packaging, E-waste, battery waste, and used oil.
• Utilization of market mechanisms expected to stimulate growth in the waste management sector.

Waste Processing Capacity:

• Approximately 76% of the 1.5 lakh metric tons per day (MT/D) of urban waste is processed.
• Notable increase in waste processing capacity since 2014.
• Capacity expansion for solid waste, hazardous waste, bio-medical waste, E-waste, plastic waste, and construction and demolition waste.
• Solid waste processing capacity increased by around 1.05 lakh MT/D under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

-Source: PIB       

National Gopal Ratna Award 2024

Context:

The Nominations for the National Gopal Ratna Award for the year 2024 will be opened from the 15th of July.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions, Prelims

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About National Gopal Ratna Award 2024
2. About the Rashtriya Gokul Mission

About National Gopal Ratna Award 2024:

• The National Gopal Ratna Award is conferred every year to encourage the milk producing farmers, dairy cooperative societies, Milk producer Companies, Dairy Farmer Producer Organizations, and Artificial Insemination Technicians.
• The awards will be conferred on the occasion of National Milk Day which will be celebrated on 26th November.
• The National Gopal Ratna Award will be conferred in different categories.
• The award consists of a certificate of merit, a memento, and monetary prize ranging from two lakh to five lakh rupees.
• The award is being conferred under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) since 2001 by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

About the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

• The Rashtriya Gokul Mission was launched in December 2014.
• It has been extended as part of the Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana from 2021 to 2026.

Mission Objectives:

• Enhancing Productivity: The mission aims to boost the productivity of indigenous bovine breeds while ensuring sustainability. It leverages advanced technologies for this purpose.
• Increased Milk Production: One of its goals is to facilitate a significant increase in milk production through efficient bovine management practices.
• High-Quality Breeding: The mission advocates the use of high genetic merit bulls for breeding, contributing to the improvement of cattle genetics.
• Widening Insemination Coverage: Strengthening the breeding network and making artificial insemination services easily accessible to farmers is a key objective.
• Holistic Conservation: The mission is dedicated to the scientific and comprehensive conservation of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds.

-Source: PIB, The Hindu