Current Affairs 14 March 2024

CONTENTS

1. Financial Thresholds Revision Endorsed by Public Accounts Committee
2. Election Commission of India
3. India Conducts Successful Test of Multi-Warhead Agni Missile
4. Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024
5. Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
6. Graphics Processing Unit
7. Gorsam Kora Festival
8. Karnataka Government Bans Harmful Colorants in Food

Financial Thresholds Revision Endorsed by Public Accounts Committee

Context:

The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has recently endorsed the Finance Ministry’s proposal to increase the financial thresholds for expenditure on ‘New Service’ and ‘New Instruments of Service’ by government ministries and departments. This proposed revision, which marks the 4th instance since Independence, comes after the last revision in 2005, which came into effect in 2006.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Public Accounts Committee
2. New Financial Limits Proposed by the Finance Ministry
3. Potential Benefits
4. Potential Drawbacks

Public Accounts Committee

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is an essential oversight body in the Indian Parliament, tasked with scrutinizing the government’s revenue and expenditure. Here are its key features:

• Mandate: The PAC is responsible for examining the audit reports issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. Its primary focus is to ensure accountability and transparency in the government’s financial operations.
• Composition: The PAC comprises members of Parliament, with a maximum of 22 members. Fifteen members are elected by the Lok Sabha (Lower House), and up to seven members are from the Rajya Sabha (Upper House).
• Selection Process: Members of the PAC are chosen annually through proportional representation using a single transferable vote system. This ensures a fair representation of various political parties in the committee.
• Chairperson: The chairperson of the PAC is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Typically, the chairperson is from the opposition party, ensuring impartiality and effective scrutiny of the government’s actions.
• Term of Office: Members of the PAC serve a term of one year, after which new members are elected or appointed. This ensures regular turnover and fresh perspectives in the committee’s work.
• Role of the CAG: The CAG provides assistance to the PAC during its investigations and audits. The reports prepared by the CAG serve as the basis for the PAC’s scrutiny of the government’s financial activities.
• Ministerial Positions: Members of the PAC are not permitted to hold ministerial positions in the government. This ensures independence and prevents conflicts of interest, allowing members to scrutinize government actions objectively.

New Financial Limits Proposed by the Finance Ministry

The Finance Ministry has proposed new financial limits for reporting to Parliament and obtaining approval for expenditures, particularly for New Service (NS) and New Instrument of Service (NIS). Here are the key points:

New Service and New Instruments of Service:

• New Service (NS): Expenditure resulting from a new policy decision not previously brought to Parliament’s notice, including new activities or investments.
• New Instrument of Service (NIS): Significant expenditure arising from a notable expansion of an existing policy.

New Limits Proposed:

• For expenditures ranging between Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore, reporting to Parliament is mandatory, but upfront approval is not required.
• Prior parliamentary approval is necessary only if the spending exceeds Rs 100 crore.

Reporting Limit for New Instrument of Service:

• The reporting limit for New Instrument of Service (NIS) has been set at up to 20% of the original appropriation or up to Rs 100 crore, whichever is higher.
• Parliament’s approval becomes mandatory for amounts exceeding 20% of the original appropriation or above Rs 100 crore, subject to savings within the same grant section.

Potential Benefits:

• Streamlined Budgetary Process: Increasing the financing limit reduces the need for Supplementary Demands for Grants, streamlining the budgetary process and reducing administrative burden.
• Efficiency in Decision-Making: Higher limits minimize bureaucratic hurdles, enabling quicker decision-making and implementation within government departments and agencies.
• Accommodating Economic Growth: With expected GDP growth, larger budgets are anticipated. Raised financial limits ensure budgets can meet the evolving needs of a growing economy.

Potential Drawbacks:

• Risk of Misuse or Misallocation: Higher limits may increase the risk of funds being misused or misallocated without proper oversight, leading to corruption or wasteful spending.
• Impact on Fiscal Health: Misallocation or overspending could result in budgetary overshooting or deficits, negatively impacting overall fiscal health.
• Reduced Accountability: Greater financial autonomy for ministries and departments may reduce accountability, making it challenging to track expenditures and ensure alignment with intended purposes.
• Reduced Parliamentary Scrutiny: Higher limits might decrease the frequency of parliamentary scrutiny, limiting opportunities for meaningful debate and oversight over government expenditures.
• Weakness in Checks and Balances: Reduced oversight could weaken the checks and balances necessary for transparent governance, potentially undermining public trust in government spending.

-Source: Indian Express

Election Commission of India

Context:

Recently, the Election Commissioner of India resigned from his post, just days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections.

Relevance:

GS II- Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. How are the CEC and ECs currently appointed?
2. About Election Commission of India
3. Structure of the Election Commission
4. Issues with ECI
5. Some Powers

About Election Commission of India

• The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
• The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
• It is the Commission that decides the election schedules for the conduct of elections, whether general elections or by-elections.
• ECI decides on the location of polling stations, assignment of voters to the polling stations, location of counting centers, arrangements to be made in and around polling stations and counting centres and all allied matters.
• In the performance of its functions, the Election Commission is insulated from executive interference.
• Part XV of the Indian constitution deals with elections, and establishes a commission for these matters.
• The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950, hence it is a constitutional body. Article 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc., of the commission and the member.

Litigations against EC

• The decisions of the Commission can be challenged in the High Court and the Supreme Court of India by appropriate petitions.
• By long-standing convention and several judicial pronouncements, once the actual process of elections has started, the judiciary does not intervene in the actual conduct of the polls.

Structure of the Election Commission

• Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it has been made a multi-member body.
• The commission consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
• The secretariat of the commission is located in New Delhi.
• At the state level election commission is helped by Chief Electoral Officer who is an IAS rank Officer.
• The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
• They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge for by Parliament.

Issues with ECI

• Flaws in the composition: The Constitution doesn’t prescribe qualifications for members of the EC. They are not debarred from future appointments after retiring or resigning.
• No security of tenure: Election commissioners aren’t constitutionally protected with security of tenure.
• Partisan role: The EC has come under the scanner like never before, with increasing incidents of breach of the Model Code of Conduct in the 2019 general elections.
• Political favor: The opposition alleged that the ECI was favoring the ruling party by giving clean chit to the model code of conduct violations made by the PM.
• Non-competence: Increased violence and electoral malpractices under influence of money have resulted in political criminalization, which ECI is unable to arrest.

Some Powers:

• The Election Commission of India is considered the guardian of free and reasonable elections.
• It issues the Model Code of Conduct in every election for political parties and candidates so that the decorum of democracy is maintained.
• It regulates political parties and registers them for being eligible to contest elections.
• It publishes the allowed limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties, and also monitors the same.
• The political parties must submit their annual reports to the ECI for getting tax benefit on contributions.
• It guarantees that all the political parties regularly submit their audited financial reports.

Other powers handled by the Election Commission of India are as follows:

• The Commission can repress the results of opinion polls if it deems such an action fit for the cause of democracy.
• The Commission can recommend for disqualification of members after the elections if it thinks they have violated certain guidelines.
• In case, a candidate is found guilty of dishonest practices during the elections, the Supreme Court and High Courts consult the Commission.
• The Commission can postpone candidates who fail to submit their election expense accounts timely.

-Source: Indian Express

India Conducts Successful Test of Multi-Warhead Agni Missile

Context:

India has announced the successful testing of an Agni missile capable of carrying multiple warheads meant to hit multiple targets simultaneously. The test, named Mission Divyastra, was carried out from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast and was confirmed by Prime Minister Modi. This technology enables a single missile to deploy multiple warheads at different locations, enhancing India’s strategic capabilities. The system is equipped with indigenous avionics systems and high-accuracy sensor packages, ensuring that the re-entry vehicles reached the target points with desired precision.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Facts About MIRV Technology
2. Agni-5 Missile

Key Facts About MIRV Technology:

Origins and Development:

• MIRV technology originated in the United States with the deployment of MIRVed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) in 1970.
• It allows a single missile to carry multiple independently targetable warheads (3-4), significantly increasing its destructive potential.

Enhanced Effectiveness:

• MIRV technology enhances a missile’s effectiveness by enabling it to engage multiple targets independently in a single launch.
• This capability increases the overall lethality of the missile system, making it a formidable weapon in strategic operations.

Operational Flexibility:

• MIRVs can be launched from both land-based and sea-based platforms, including submarines.
• This versatility enhances operational flexibility and extends the range of missile systems, enabling them to engage targets across various geographic locations.

Global Adoption and Proliferation:

• Major nuclear powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and India, possess MIRV technology.
• Pakistan tested MIRV technology with the Ababeel Missile in 2017, marking its entry into the club of nations with MIRV capability.

Strategic Significance:

• Initially designed to enhance offensive capabilities, MIRVs pose significant challenges to ballistic missile defense systems.
• Their ability to deploy multiple warheads independently makes them difficult to defend against compared to traditional single-warhead missiles.

Challenges:

• Deploying MIRV technology presents complex challenges, including miniaturizing warheads, developing advanced guidance systems, and ensuring the reliability of individual re-entry vehicles.
• Addressing these challenges is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness and reliability of MIRV systems in strategic operations.

Agni-5 Missile:

Development and Origin:

• Agni-5 is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed indigenously by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India.

Capabilities:

• Capable of carrying nuclear warheads, Agni-5 has a target range exceeding 5,000 kilometers.
• It utilizes a three-stage solid-fueled engine for propulsion, enhancing its reliability and range.

Test Successes:

• Since its first successful test in 2012, Agni-5 has undergone multiple successful tests, demonstrating its reliability and operational readiness.
• In December 2022, DRDO conducted a successful test of Agni-5 to evaluate its night-time capabilities, further enhancing its versatility.

Variants in the Agni Family:

• Agni-I: A short-range ballistic missile with a range exceeding 700 kilometers.
• Agni-II: A medium-range ballistic missile capable of targeting distances ranging from 2,000 to 3,500 kilometers.
• Agni-III: An intermediate-range ballistic missile with a target range surpassing 3,000 kilometers.
• Agni-IV: Another intermediate-range ballistic missile with a range exceeding 3,500 kilometers.
• Agni-P (Agni Prime): A nuclear-capable, two-stage canisterized solid propellant ballistic missile designed for ranges between 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers.

Future Development:

• The next iteration of the Agni missile series, Agni-6, is anticipated to be a full-fledged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of targeting distances well over 7,000 kilometers.

-Source: The Hindu

Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024

Context:

The Department of Pharmaceuticals issued the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Need for the UCPMP 2024
2. Highlights of the UCPMP 2024 on Ethical Practices of Pharma Companies
3. Highlights of the UCPMP 2024 on Drugs
4. Implementation of the UCPMP 2024

Need for the UCPMP 2024

• Preventing Unethical Practices: The UCPMP 2015 was implemented to curb unethical practices by pharmaceutical and medical device companies. However, its voluntary nature meant that compliance was not enforced, leading to concerns about continued unethical behavior.
• Criticism of Voluntary Nature: The voluntary nature of the UCPMP 2015 attracted criticism, as there was no legal backing to its provisions. This lack of teeth rendered the code ineffective in addressing unethical practices effectively.
• Demand for Mandatory Implementation: Various health activists and stakeholders have long demanded that the UCPMP be made mandatory to ensure compliance and accountability within the pharmaceutical industry. Even the Department of Pharmaceuticals’ annual report for 2017-18 emphasized the need to make the code mandatory.
• Removal of Voluntary Status: In response to criticism and demands for accountability, the government has removed the word ‘voluntary’ from the UCPMP 2024. However, it falls short of making compliance mandatory and instead requests pharmaceutical companies’ associations to ensure implementation.

Highlights of the UCPMP 2024 on Ethical Practices of Pharma Companies

The Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) 2024 addresses the need for ethical practices within the pharmaceutical industry and aims to prevent unethical behavior by pharmaceutical companies. Here are the highlights of the UCPMP 2024:

• Engagement with Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) for Continuing Medical Education (CME):
  • Pharmaceutical industry engagement with HCPs for CME should only occur according to well-defined, transparent, and verifiable guidelines.
  • Conducting such events in foreign locations is prohibited by the uniform code.
• Prohibition of Incentives and Payments:
  • Medical representatives are prohibited from using any incentives or paying for access to healthcare practitioners.
  • Companies or their representatives are prohibited from offering cash or monetary grants to any healthcare professional or their family members under any pretext.
• Prohibition of Gifting:
  • Gifting by pharmaceutical companies or their agents to healthcare professionals or their family members is prohibited.
  • No pecuniary advantage or benefit in kind may be offered, supplied, or promised to any person qualified to prescribe or supply drugs by any pharmaceutical company or its agent.
• Restrictions on Travel and Accommodation:
  • Paid travel and hotel stays should not be extended to healthcare professionals or their family members by pharmaceutical companies or their representatives unless the person is a speaker for a CME or similar event.
• Research Grants:
  • Pharmaceutical firms are allowed to provide research grants for healthcare professionals, provided these grants are provided in a transparent manner.
  • The guidelines permit the industry to support research studies authorized by bodies such as the Indian Council for Medical Research or the Drug Controller General of India.

Highlights of the UCPMP 2024 on Drugs:

• Consistency with Marketing Approval: The promotion of a drug must align with the terms of its marketing approval, ensuring that claims about the drug’s efficacy and safety are accurate and verified.
• Evidence-Based Claims: Claims regarding the usefulness of a drug must be supported by up-to-date evaluations of all available evidence, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based medicine in pharmaceutical promotion.
• Use of Terminology: Certain terms such as ‘safe’ must not be used without qualification, and it is prohibited to categorically state that a medicine has no side effects, toxic hazards, or risk of addiction. This aims to ensure transparency and prevent misleading information.
• Restriction on ‘New’ Claims: The term ‘new’ cannot be used to describe any drug that has been generally available or any therapeutic intervention that has been promoted in India for more than a year. This prevents misleading marketing tactics regarding the novelty of drugs or interventions.

Implementation of the UCPMP 2024:

• Circulation for Compliance: The UCPMP is to be circulated for strict compliance among pharmaceutical associations. They are required to ensure that all members adhere to the code’s provisions.
• Establishment of Ethics Committee: Pharmaceutical associations are requested to constitute an Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices. This committee will oversee compliance and handle any complaints related to unethical marketing practices.
• Dedicated UCPMP Portal: Associations are directed to set up a dedicated UCPMP portal on their website, providing information about the code and procedures for lodging complaints. This portal will serve as a centralized platform for monitoring compliance and addressing grievances.
• Transparency Measures: All Indian pharmaceutical associations must upload the UCPMP on their website, along with detailed procedures for lodging complaints. This information will be linked to the UCPMP portal of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, ensuring transparency and accessibility for stakeholders.

-Source: Indian Express

Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

Context:

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation recently released the Quick Estimates of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for January 2024, revealing a growth of 3.8 percent.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
2. About Laspeyre’s formula

About the Index of Industrial Production (IIP):

• Definition: The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is a key indicator used to measure trends in industrial production over time, providing insights into the performance of the industrial sector.
• Purpose: It serves as a crucial short-term indicator for assessing industrial growth until more detailed industrial surveys become available. The IIP helps policymakers, economists, and analysts understand the direction and magnitude of changes in industrial production.
• Calculation: The IIP is computed and published monthly by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. It is calculated using Laspeyre’s formula, which involves taking a weighted arithmetic mean of production relatives. Production figures are deflated using Wholesale Price Indices to remove the effect of price changes.
• Base Year: The base year, typically assigned a value of 100, serves as the reference point for comparing industrial production. In India, the current base year for the IIP series is 2011-12. For example, if the current IIP reads as 116, it indicates a 16% growth compared to the base year.

About Laspeyre’s formula:

• Origin: The formula was proposed by German economist Étienne Laspeyres (1834–1913) for measuring current prices or quantities relative to those of a selected base period.
• Calculation: A Laspeyres price index is computed by comparing the total cost of purchasing a specified group of commodities at current prices to the cost of the same group at base-period prices, multiplied by 100. The base-period index number is set at 100, with periods having higher price levels reflected in index numbers greater than 100.

-Source: The Hindu

Graphics Processing Unit

Context:

As the world rushes to make use of the latest wave of AI technologies, one piece of high-tech hardware has become a surprisingly hot commodity: the graphics processing unit, or GPU.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
2. Applications

About Graphics Processing Unit (GPU):

• Definition: A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a specialized computer chip designed to render graphics and images by performing rapid mathematical calculations.
• Usage: GPUs are utilized in both professional and personal computing environments. Originally, they were responsible for rendering 2D and 3D images, animations, and videos.
• Component: Similar to a central processing unit (CPU), a GPU is a chip component in computing devices. However, it is specifically optimized to handle and accelerate graphics workloads and display graphics content on devices such as PCs or smartphones.
• Architecture: Modern CPUs typically consist of 8 to 16 cores capable of processing complex tasks sequentially. In contrast, GPUs have thousands of relatively small cores designed to work simultaneously (“in parallel”) to achieve fast overall processing. This architecture is well-suited for tasks requiring a large number of simple operations performed simultaneously.

How a GPU works:

• Parallel Processing: GPUs employ parallel processing, where multiple processors handle separate parts of a single task simultaneously.
• Dedicated RAM: GPUs have their own RAM specifically designed to store the large amounts of data processed for intensive graphics tasks.
• Graphics Pipeline: For graphics applications, the CPU sends instructions to the GPU for drawing graphics content on screen. The GPU executes these instructions in parallel and at high speeds to display the content on the device, a process known as the graphics or rendering pipeline.

Applications:

• Creative Content Production: GPUs are used for tasks such as video editing, rendering, and graphic design.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC): GPUs play a crucial role in accelerating scientific simulations, data analysis, and other computationally intensive tasks.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): GPUs are essential for training and deploying machine learning and deep learning models due to their ability to perform parallel computations efficiently.
• Offloading Tasks: GPUs were initially developed to offload graphics-related tasks from CPUs, allowing for faster and smoother rendering of content on computer screens.

-Source: The Hindu

Gorsam Kora Festival

Context:

The Gorsam Kora festival, symbolised the enduring friendship between India and Bhutan commenced on 7th March and concluded on 10th March this year.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Gorsam Kora Festival

The Gorsam Kora Festival is a significant cultural event held in Arunachal Pradesh’s Zeminthang Valley along the Nyanmjang Chu River. Here are some key details about the festival:

• Location: The festival takes place at Gorsam Chorten, a 93 feet tall stupa located in the Zeminthang Valley. The valley is situated along the Nyanmjang Chu River in Arunachal Pradesh.
• History: The Gorsam Chorten was built during the 13th century AD by a local monk named Lama Pradhar. It holds historical significance as it served as the first resting place for the 14th Dalai Lama after he fled from Tibet in 1959. The festival celebrates the cultural heritage associated with the Gorsam Chorten.
• Cultural Significance: The festival features cultural performances and Buddhist rituals held at the Gorsam Chorten. It is considered older than the renowned Tawang Monastery. The festival attracts devotees from various regions, including Bhutan, Tawang, and neighbouring areas.
• Date: The Gorsam Kora Festival typically takes place on the last day of the first month of the Lunar calendar.
• Attendees: The festival attracts a diverse audience, including pilgrims, lamas, and cultural enthusiasts. Many Bhutanese nationals also participate in the festival, fostering camaraderie and cultural exchange among attendees.
• Events: The festival includes a variety of events, such as cultural performances by local troupes and Indian army bands. Additionally, martial performances like Mallakhamb (traditional Indian gymnastics) and Zanjh Pathaka (sword dance) are also featured during the festival.

-Source: Indian Express

Karnataka Government Bans Harmful Colorants in Food

Context:

The Karnataka Government’s recent announcement regarding the ban on harmful colorants in popular food items such as cotton candy and Gobi Manchurian is a significant step towards ensuring food safety and public health.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Ban on Harmful Colorants:

• The ban specifically targets the use of Rhodamine B in cotton candy and imposes restrictions on the usage of Tartrazine in Gobi Manchurian.
• Rhodamine B is a chemical compound commonly used as a synthetic dye in various industries, including textiles, cosmetics, and plastics.
• Tartrazine is a bright yellow azo dye often used as a food colorant and is considered a cheaper alternative to natural food dyes.

Food Safety Regulations:

• The ban aligns with the regulations set forth by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• According to the FSSAI’s regulations, no coloring matter should be added to food unless explicitly permitted in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation of 2011.
• This regulation aims to ensure that only safe and approved food additives are used in food processing, thereby safeguarding consumer health.

Public Health Impact:

• By prohibiting the use of harmful colorants in popular food items, the Karnataka Government’s initiative aims to protect consumers from potential health risks associated with the ingestion of such chemicals.
• These colorants may have adverse effects on human health, including allergic reactions and other health complications, particularly when consumed in large quantities over time.

-Source: The Hindu