Current Affairs 20 August 2024

CONTENTS

1. CITI and ILO Launch Initiative to Enhance Labor Standards in Textile Industry
2. Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project Faces Opposition in Bihar
3. Controversy Surrounds UPSC Lateral Entry Scheme for Senior Positions
4. Purandar figs
5. Subclinical Tuberculosis
6. Aarogya Maitri Health Cube

CITI and ILO Launch Initiative to Enhance Labor Standards in Textile Industry

Context:

The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has launched a new initiative, the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW). This project aims to foster awareness and disseminate technical know-how on maintaining the highest labor standards in the textile sector. By equipping stakeholders with essential knowledge and practices, the initiative seeks to improve working conditions and ensure that fundamental labor rights are upheld within the industry.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW)
2. Importance of FPRW for India
3. International Labor Organization (ILO)

ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW)

The ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) encompasses a commitment from governments, employers, and workers’ organizations worldwide to uphold essential human values critical to societal and economic prosperity. Here are the core aspects and categories of the FPRW project:

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

• Purpose: Ensures the right of workers and employers to form organizations without interference.
• Key Conventions:
  • Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No. 87, 1948)
  • Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention (No. 98, 1949)

Elimination of Forced or Compulsory Labour

• Principle: Workers should be free to join or leave employment at will, with reasonable notice.
• Key Conventions:
  • Forced Labour Convention (No. 29, 1930)
  • Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105, 1957)

Effective Abolition of Child Labour

• Goal: Sets minimum age limits for employment to ensure children are not employed too young.
• Key Conventions:
  • Minimum Age Convention (No. 138, 1973)
  • Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182, 1999)

Elimination of Discrimination in Employment and Occupation

• Objective: Ensures no discrimination in employment based on race, sex, religion, and other categories.
• Key Conventions:
  • Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100, 1951)
  • Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111, 1958)

Safe and Healthy Working Environment

• Aim: To prevent workplace accidents and promote a culture of safety and health.
• Key Conventions:
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 155, 1981)
  • Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention (No. 187, 2006)

The ILO’s declaration, first introduced in 1998 and amended in 2022, reflects evolving global standards and the added emphasis on occupational safety and health, demonstrating the ILO’s adaptive approach to global workforce challenges.

Importance of FPRW for India

• Trade and Compliance: India’s inclusion in the US Labor Department’s list of goods produced by child labor highlights the necessity for initiatives like the FPRW to remove trade barriers associated with labor violations.
• Universal Application: As a part of the ILO, India is obligated to adhere to the FPRW principles, regardless of the ratification status, to ensure compliance and uphold labor standards.
• Community Impact: Implementing FPRW can transform cotton-growing regions by promoting fairness, sustainability, and prosperity, benefiting workers and their communities extensively.
• Knowledge Empowerment: Farmers will gain insights into government schemes and initiatives crucial for their socioeconomic advancement.
• Development Goals: Aligning with FPRW will aid India in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

International Labor Organization (ILO):

Nature and Structure:

• The only tripartite United Nations (UN) agency.
• Brings together governments, employers, and workers from 187 member States, including India.
• Aims to set labor standards, develop policies, and create programs promoting decent work for all.

Recognition and Awards:

• Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1969 for its efforts in promoting social justice and labor rights.

Establishment and Affiliation:

• Established in 1919 by the Treaty of Versailles.
• Initially affiliated with the League of Nations.
• Became the first affiliated specialized agency of the UN in 1946.

Headquarters:

• Geneva, Switzerland.

-Source: The Hindu

Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project Faces Opposition in Bihar

Context:

The Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project, an integral part of India’s National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking rivers, has sparked protests among flood victims in Bihar. While the project primarily aims to enhance irrigation capabilities within the region, local residents express concerns that it inadequately addresses the recurring issue of flood control. This annual challenge significantly impacts their lives and livelihoods, leading to widespread dissent against the project’s current focus and implementation strategy.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project
2. Interlinking of Rivers

Kosi-Mechi River Linking Project

• Purpose and Scope: The project aims to connect the Kosi River with the Mechi River, affecting areas in Bihar, India, and Nepal. It targets to facilitate irrigation across 4.74 lakh hectares and provide 24 million cubic meters of water annually for domestic and industrial purposes.
• Water Release: Expected to increase water discharge from the Kosi barrage by 5,247 cubic feet per second, a small fraction of the barrage’s total capacity of 900,000 cusecs.
• Management: Managed by the National Water Development Agency under India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• Irrigation Focus: Primarily supports agriculture in the Mahananda river basin during the Kharif planting season.
• Flood Control: There are significant concerns due to its limited impact on flood control in a region frequently affected by severe flooding.
• Local Impact: The minimal increase in water flow is unlikely to mitigate the longstanding issues of flooding and land erosion that regularly affect local communities.

Kosi River: “The Sorrow of Bihar”

• Starts from over 7,000 meters above sea level in the Himalayas, encompassing regions around Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
• Flows through China, Nepal, and India, joining the Ganga River in Bihar. Notable tributaries include the Trijunga, Bhutahi Balan, Kamla Balan, and Bagmati.
• Notorious for its unpredictable course changes, which have historically caused extensive damage to agriculture in northeastern Bihar.

Mechi River: A Trans-boundary River

• Originates in the Mahabharat Range in Nepal and traverses down to Bihar, India, where it joins the Mahananda River in Kishanganj.
• Acts as a natural line in the geographic and administrative landscapes between Nepal and India, impacting bilateral water management discussions.

Interlinking of Rivers

• In 1858, Arthur Cotton (British general and irrigation Engineer) came up with even more ambitious proposals such as connecting all major rivers of India, and interlinking of canals and rivers. He suggested drought-relief measures for Odisha.
• The National River Linking Project (NRLP) formally known as the National Perspective Plan, envisages the transfer of water from water ‘surplus’ basins where there is flooding, to water ‘deficit’ basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.
• The interlinking of river project is a Civil Engineering project, which aims to connect Indian rivers through reservoirs and canals.
• The farmers will not have to depend on the monsoon for cultivation and also the excess or lack of water can be overcome during flood or drought.
• Since the 1980s, the interlinking project has been managed by India’s National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Water Resources.
• It has been split into three parts as follows:
  • A northern Himalayan river interlink component.
  • A southern peninsular component.
  • An Intra-State river linking component.

-Source: Down To Earth

Controversy Surrounds UPSC Lateral Entry Scheme for Senior Positions

Context:

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recently announced a lateral entry scheme aimed at recruiting 45 specialists for the positions of joint secretaries, directors, and deputy secretaries in various government departments. This initiative is designed to infuse fresh expertise into the bureaucracy. However, the move has sparked considerable debate and backlash from opposition parties, who contend that the scheme undermines the reservation rights traditionally afforded to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Lateral Entry Scheme
2. Benefits of Lateral Entry in Civil Services
3. Challenges of Lateral Entry in Civil Services
4. Way forward

Lateral Entry Scheme

• Purpose: The scheme facilitates the appointment of professionals from outside the government into mid-level and senior positions within the government, aiming to infuse domain-specific expertise and fresh perspectives into governance.
• History and Advocacy:
  • Introduced during the 2004-09 period and endorsed by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission in 2005.
  • Later promoted by NITI Aayog in 2017, with recommendations to induct skilled personnel into central government roles.
• Contract Duration:
  • Lateral entrants are appointed on a contractual basis for three years, extendable up to five years.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Candidates from the private sector, state governments, autonomous bodies, or public undertakings with proven expertise and professional achievements are eligible.
• Recruitment and Selection:
  • Selection emphasizes professional accomplishments and subject matter expertise.

Reservation Policy in Lateral Entry

• 13-Point Roster System:
  • This policy calculates a candidate’s quota as a fraction of one hundred based on their group (SC, ST, OBC, and EWS).
  • Lateral entry positions, being considered “Single Posts,” are exempt from the traditional reservation system, thus appointments are made without following the reservation guidelines.

Recruitment Statistics

• Total Appointments:
  • Since the initiation of this recruitment strategy in 2018, 63 individuals have been appointed to various roles across ministries and departments.
  • As of August 2023, 57 lateral entrants actively hold positions within the central government.

Benefits of Lateral Entry in Civil Services:

• Recruitment of Experts: The lateral entry scheme enables the recruitment of specialists in fields such as technology, management, and finance to fill knowledge gaps not covered by traditional civil service roles.
• Introduction of Diverse Experiences: Individuals from the private sector, NGOs, and other organizations contribute new insights and approaches, helping to improve administrative functions and governance.
• Addressing Personnel Shortages: Data from the Department of Personnel and Training highlights a shortfall of approximately 1,500 IAS officers, which lateral entry aims to mitigate.
• Transforming Work Culture: This approach seeks to update the existing work culture known for its bureaucracy and inflexibility, fostering a more dynamic environment.

Challenges of Lateral Entry in Civil Services:

• Limited Acclimation Period: The current three-year tenure for joint secretaries may not provide sufficient time for lateral entrants to fully understand and integrate into complex governance structures.
• Risk to Objectivity and Neutrality: There is a potential for conflicts of interest and bias, particularly if entrants have previous affiliations with private sectors or special interest groups.
• Potential Division within the Services: The growing number of lateral entrants could possibly lead to a cultural divide within the services, affecting the morale of traditional bureaucrats.
• Impact on Meritocracy: There are concerns that lateral entry may undermine the merit-based system of recruitment, leading to possible favoritism and nepotism.

Way forward:

• Ensure Transparent Selection: It is crucial to maintain a selection process that is transparent and based solely on merit, focusing on the candidate’s expertise, experience, and abilities.
• Comparative International Models: Drawing parallels with programs like the UK’s Civil Service Fast Stream could offer valuable insights into structuring similar frameworks.
• Development of Comprehensive Training Programs: Tailored training programs for lateral entrants are essential to help them navigate the public sector’s complexities.
• Clear Definition of Roles and Expectations: It is important to establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance metrics to align individual goals with organizational objectives.
• Adjustment of Age Criteria: To attract more talent, reconsidering age requirements for senior positions could be beneficial, potentially lowering the minimum age to 35 to accommodate more dynamic and innovative leaders.

-Source: Indian Express

Purandar figs

Context:

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) recently facilitated the export of India’s first ready-to-drink fig juice, made from geographical indication (GI)-tagged Purandar figs, to Poland.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Purandar Figs
2. Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA)
3. Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

Purandar Figs:

• Purandar figs are celebrated as some of India’s premium figs and were recognized with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2016 for their distinctive sweet taste, large size, and nutritional benefits.
•  These figs are primarily grown in several villages within the Purandar taluka in Pune district, Maharashtra.
• The cultivation thrives under specific agro-climatic conditions including dry weather and hilly terrains with well-drained soil, which are crucial for optimal growth.
• The region’s unique red and black soil is rich in Calcium and Potassium, contributing to the fruit’s unique size and the vibrant violet hue of its skin.
• Unique Characteristics:
  • Shape and Size: The Purandar fig is noted for its bell shape and larger size compared to other varieties.
  • Edible Portion: These figs boast over 80% edible pulp.
  • Pulp Features: The pulp of the Purandar fig is pinkish-red, packed with high nutritional value, including a rich composition of vitamins and minerals.

Agricultural and Processed Foods Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Nodal:  Ministry of Commerce and Industry

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. 
• The Authority has its headquarters in New Delhi.
• A Chairman is appointed by the Central Government.

Functions:

• APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the scheduled products viz. fruits, vegetables and their products; meat and meat products; poultry and poultry products; dairy products; confectionery, biscuits and bakery products; honey, jaggery and sugar products; cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; cereal and cereal products; groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts, pickles, papads and chutneys; guar gum; floriculture and floriculture products; herbal and medicinal plants.
• APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor import of sugar.
• Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products and fixing of standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports.
• Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises and improving packaging of the scheduled products.

Geographical Indications (GI) Tag

Definition and Importance:

• Geographical Indications of Goods indicate the country or place of origin of a product.
• They assure consumers of the product’s quality and distinctiveness derived from its specific geographical locality.
• GI tags are an essential component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and are protected under international agreements like the Paris Convention and TRIPS.

Administration and Registration:

• Geographical Indications registration in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• The registration and protection are administered by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The registration is valid for 10 years, and it can be renewed for further periods of 10 years each.

Significance and Examples:

• GI tags provide a unique identity and reputation to products based on their geographical origin.
• The first product in India to receive a GI tag was Darjeeling tea.
• Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags with 47 registered products, followed by Tamil Nadu with 39.

Ownership and Proprietorship:

• Any association, organization, or authority established by law can be a registered proprietor of a GI tag.
• The registered proprietor’s name is entered in the Register of Geographical Indication for the applied product.
• Protection and Enforcement:
• Geographical Indications protect the interests of producers and prevent unauthorized use of the product’s name or origin.
• Enforcement of GI rights helps maintain the quality and reputation of the products associated with their specific geographical regions.

Location of the Geographical Indications Registry:

• The Geographical Indications Registry is located in Chennai, India.

-Source: Indian Express

Subclinical Tuberculosis

Context:

Subclinical Tuberculosis (TB) is a growing concern in India, contributing to the slow decline in TB incidence rates despite advances in detection and treatment. 

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Subclinical Tuberculosis:
2. About Tuberculosis
3. India’s TB Elimination Target: Goals and Challenges
4. Efforts to Achieve TB Elimination Target of 2025 in India

Subclinical Tuberculosis:

• Subclinical tuberculosis (TB) is a type of TB infection where the affected individuals show no common symptoms like a persistent cough, making it more challenging to detect than active TB.
• It is typically identified not through standard symptom-based screenings but via more advanced methods such as chest X-rays or molecular diagnostics.
• According to the National TB Prevalence Survey from 2019 to 2021, subclinical TB constitutes 42.6% of cases, with Tamil Nadu reporting a similar rate of 39%.
• Individuals with subclinical TB are asymptomatic yet capable of transmitting the bacteria to others, posing a hidden risk of spreading the infection.
• A significant number of subclinical TB cases are found in countries with high TB burdens like India, where many cases remain undetected, perpetuating the disease’s spread.
• Countries such as Vietnam have effectively lowered TB rates by implementing widespread screenings using X-rays and molecular tests that do not depend on symptom presentation.
• For a country like India, adopting large-scale, systematic screening strategies including the deployment of mobile units and increased community involvement is essential.
• Subclinical TB significantly contributes to the slow reduction in overall TB rates as many cases go unnoticed and untreated.

About Tuberculosis

• TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer.
• Each day, over 4000 people lose their lives to TB and close to 30,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease
• TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.
• Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
• Symptoms: Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
• Treatment: TB is a treatable and curable disease. It is treated with a standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.
• Anti-TB medicines have been used for decades and strains that are resistant to 1 or more of the medicines have been documented in every country surveyed.
• Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.
• Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options

India’s TB Elimination Target: Goals and Challenges

India has set an ambitious target of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global sustainable development target of 2030. Here are the goals and challenges in achieving this target:

• Target Goals: India’s national strategic plan 2017-2025 aims to report no more than 44 new TB cases or 65 total cases per lakh population by 2025. The plan also aims to reduce TB mortality to 3 deaths per lakh population by 2025 and eliminate catastrophic costs for affected families.
• Current Incidence: The estimated TB incidence for 2021 stood at 210 per lakh population. However, achieving the target is a big task as the plan had envisaged an incidence of only 77 cases per lakh population by 2023.
• Mortality: The estimated TB mortality for the year 2020 stood at 37 per lakh population, which is higher than the 2025 target of 3 deaths per lakh population.
• Catastrophic Costs: The plan aims to reduce catastrophic costs for the affected family to zero. However, the report states that 7 to 32 per cent of those with drug-sensitive TB, and 68 per cent with drug-resistant TB experienced catastrophic costs.
• Challenges: India faces several challenges in achieving the TB elimination target, including inadequate funding, weak health infrastructure, low awareness, and poor treatment adherence.
• End TB Strategy: The goals are in line with the World Health Organisation’s End TB strategy that calls for an 80% reduction in the number of new cases, a 90% reduction in mortality, and zero catastrophic cost by 2030.

Efforts to Achieve TB Elimination Target of 2025 in India

• Active Case Finding: The government is actively looking for TB cases among vulnerable and co-morbid populations and screening for it at health and wellness centers.
• Notification System: A Ni-kshay portal has been established to track notified TB cases, and the private sector has been called upon to notify all TB cases.
• Improved Diagnostic Tests: The pandemic has led to improved access to more accurate molecular diagnostic tests like CB-NAAT and TureNat, with 4,760 molecular diagnostic machines covering all districts of the country. Additionally, 79 line probe assay laboratories and 96 liquid culture testing laboratories have been set up for the diagnosis of multi and extremely drug-resistant TB.
• Universal Drug Susceptibility Test: The government has implemented a universal drug susceptibility test, which determines antibiotic susceptibility for all newly diagnosed cases, ensuring patients are given effective treatment from the outset.
• Community Engagement Program: The government launched a community engagement program in which Ni-kshay mitras adopt TB patients and provide them with monthly nutritional support. So far, 71,460 Ni-kshay Mitras have adopted about 10 lakh TB patients under the program.

-Source: The Hindu

Aarogya Maitri Health Cube

Context:

The Indian Army and Air Force recently conducted a first-of-its-kind paradrop of the Aarogya Maitri Health Cube, the indigenously-made world’s first portable hospital, at 15,000 feet elevation.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Aarogya Maitri Health Cube:

• The Aarogya Maitri Health Cube is recognized as the world’s inaugural portable hospital.
• Developed under the auspices of Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri), this initiative is entirely indigenous.
• The cube is equipped with a mini-ICU, surgery theatre, cooking station, sustenance supplies, power generation units, blood testing facilities, and an X-ray machine.
• Design and Configuration:
  • Cube Structure: Known as the ‘Aarogya Maitri Cube Cage’, it consists of three frames, each capable of holding 12 mini-cubes.
  • Capacity and Utility: A single setup can accommodate 36 mini-cubes which together can support survival needs for 100 individuals over 48 hours.
  • Scalability: Two such cages can be combined to manage up to 72 cubes, enhancing emergency responsiveness for up to 200 survivors.
  • Cube Features: Each mini cube is designed to be durable, waterproof, and configurable for various scenarios.
  • Portability and Accessibility: These units are lightweight and can be easily transported by an individual, using a messenger bag, stroller, or briefcase format, and can even be airlifted via drones.
  • Medical Capacity: They are tailored to manage multiple trauma scenarios including bullet wounds, severe bleeding, burns, head and spinal injuries.
  • Technological Integration: Incorporates a tablet-based control system for operation management and leverages artificial intelligence and data analytics for enhanced functionality.

-Source: India Today