Daily Current Affairs for UPSC CSE
Topics Covered
- India – ASEAN Relationship and Trade Pact
- UNHCR
- PLI Scheme
- Anaemia
- Facts for Prelims
1 . India – ASEAN Relationship and Trade Pact
Context: India-ASEAN to rejig 15-year trade pact in early 2024.
About the news
- India and the ten-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) will begin negotiations to “modernise” their decade-and-a-half-old free trade agreement (FTA) to bring more balance in the pact currently weighed against New Delhi.
- New areas like labour, environment, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and gender, are likely to be kept out.
- The first round of negotiations for reviewing the FTA, officially known as the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITGA), will be on February, 2024 in New Delhi.
- Negotiations will follow a quarterly schedule aiming to wrap them up by 2025.
About the Trade Agreements between India and ASEAN
- The Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between ASEAN and India was signed in 2003 and served as legal basis to conclude further agreements, including Trade in Goods Agreement, Trade in Services Agreement, and Investment Agreement that form the ASEAN-Indian Free Trade Area (AIFTA).
- The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed and entered into force on 2010. Under the Agreement, ASEAN Member States and India have agreed to open their respective markets by progressively reducing and eliminating duties on 76.4% coverage of good.
- The ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement was signed in November 2014. It contains provisions on transparency, domestic regulations, recognition, market access, national treatment and dispute settlement.
- The ASEAN-India Investment Agreement was also signed in November 2014. The Investment Agreement stipulates protection of investment to ensure fair and equitable treatment for investors, non-discriminatory treatment in expropriation or nationalisation as well as fair compensation.
- Economic co-operation activities under the AIFTA are now being undertaken on agriculture, fisheries and forestry; services; mining and energy; science and technology; transport and infrastructure; manufacturing; human resource development; and other sectors such as handicrafts, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), competition policy, Mekong Basin Development, intellectual property rights and government procurement.
Concerns Raised by India
- India’s exports to Asean have been affected due to non-reciprocity in FTA concessions, non-tariff barriers, import regulations and quotas.
- Concerns have also been raised about the routing of goods from third countries in India through Asean members by taking the duty advantages of the agreement. Asean has a much deeper economic engagement with China through the Asean China Trade and Goods Agreement.
- During 2010-11, India’s exports to ASEAN increased to USD 25.7 billion from USD 18.11 billion in 2009-10. However, imports in 2010-11 rose to USD 30.6 billion from USD 25.8 billion in 2009-10.
- Similarly, during 2022-23, India’s exports to ASEAN increased to USD 44 billion from USD 42.32 billion in 2021-22. However, imports jumped to USD 87.57 billion in 2022-23 as against USD 68 billion in 2021-22.
- The trade deficit has widened to USD 43.57 billion in the last fiscal from USD 25.76 billion in 2021-22. It was just USD 5 billion in 2010-11.
Revamping the Agreement
- Modernising the AITGA will include incorporating changes in the Rules of Origin (ROO), which can work in favour of India by increasing market access for some items as well as blocking possible re-routing of goods by China through the ASEAN countries.
- It will also have a chapter on trade remedies, which will seek to provide a safety net for domestic industry against unfair trade practices or unforeseen surges in imports of goods.
2 . UNHCR
Context: UNHCR thanks India for taking care 142 Rohingyas intercepted in Andaman.
About UNHCR
- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution.
- It leads international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
- Formally known as the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 in the aftermath of the Second World War to help the millions of people who had lost their homes.
- It is mandated by the United Nations to protect and safeguard the rights of refugees.
- They are guided by and act as the guardian of the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
Functions
- UNHCR’s role complements that of States, contributing to the protection of refugees by:
- Promoting accession to, and implementation of, refugee conventions and laws;
- Ensuring that refugees are treated in accordance with internationally recognized legal standards;
- Ensuring that refugees are granted asylum and are not forcibly returned to the countries from which they have fled;
- Promoting appropriate procedures to determine whether or not a person is a refugee according to the 1951 Convention definition and/or to other definitions found in regional conventions; and
- Seeking durable solutions for refugees.
1951 Refugee Convention
- It defines the term “refugee” and outlines their rights and the international standards of treatment for their protection.
- The core principle of the 1951 Convention is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
- It outlines the basic minimum standards for the treatment of refugees, including the right to housing, work and education while displaced so they can lead a dignified and independent life.
- It also defines a refugee’s obligations to host countries and specifies certain categories of people, such as war criminals, who do not qualify for refugee status.
- In addition, it details the legal obligations of the States that are party to one or both of these instruments.
1967 Protocol
- The 1967 Protocol broadens the applicability of the 1951 Convention.
- The 1967 Protocol removes the geographical and time limits that were part of the 1951 Convention.
- These limits initially restricted the Convention to persons who became refugees due to events occurring in Europe before 1 January 1951.
UNHCR India
- UNHCR India operates in 11 locations with the support of 8 implementing partners.
- It provides sustainable and timely support to address the basic needs of the most vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers across the country.
- Functions includes the determination of refugee status, providing emergency and life-saving health care, legal and social counselling, along with psycho-social support.
3 . PLI Scheme
Context: The production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for 14 sectors have attracted more than ₹95,000 crore in investment till September this year
About PLI Scheme
- In order to boost domestic manufacturing and cut down on import bills, the central government in the Union Budget 2021-22, introduced a scheme that aims to give companies incentives on incremental sales from products manufactured in domestic units. Apart from inviting foreign companies to set shop in India, the scheme also aims to encourage local companies to set up or expand existing manufacturing units.
Why is the production linked scheme needed?
- According to experts, the idea of PLI is important as the government cannot continue making investments in these capital intensive sectors as they need longer times for start giving the returns. Instead, what it can do is to invite global companies with adequate capital to set up capacities in India.
- The kind of ramping up of manufacturing that we need requires across the board initiatives, but the government can’t spread itself too thin.
- Electronics and pharmaceuticals themselves are large sectors, so, at this point, if the government can focus on labour intensive sectors like garments and leather, it would be really helpful,”Biswajit Dhar, trade expert and professor at JawaharLal Nehru University’s Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, said.
Which sectors currently have the PLI scheme?
- Targeted Sectors: The 14 sectors are mobile manufacturing, manufacturing of medical devices, automobiles and auto components, pharmaceuticals, drugs, specialty steel, telecom & networking products, electronic products, white goods (ACs and LEDs), food products, textile products, solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery, and drones and drone components.
Impact
- As per the Economic Survey, the PLI scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing has attracted an investment of INR 4,784 crore and contributed to a total production of INR 2.04 lakh crore, including exports of INR 80,769 crore (as of September 2022).
- As per the data released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, PLI scheme for large scale electronics has emerged as the most successful scheme while generating an employment of 28,636 and leading to a 139 per cent increase in exports of smartphones over the last three years.
- Similarly, under the scheme, the automobile and auto component industry has attracted proposed investment of INR 74,850 crore over a period of five years.
- According to the Indian Staffing Federation, this massive boost in production due to the PLI scheme has the potential to double the existing workforce across sectors.
- Sectors where PLI performance is healthy include large-scale electronics manufacturing, pharma, food processing, telecom, white goods, auto and auto components. Sectors which are not picking up well include high-efficiency solar PV modules, advanced chemistry cell (ACC) batteries, textile products and speciality steel.
4 . Anaemia
Context: ICMR initiates steps for non-invasive testing method to tackle anaemia.
About the news
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),Delhi, has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from the eligible organisations, companies and start-ups manufacturing non-invasive haemoglobinometer useful in effective screening of anaemia.
What is Anaemia?
- As per WHO, Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal.
- Haemoglobin is needed to carry oxygen and if one has too few or abnormal red blood cells, or not enough haemoglobin, there will be a decreased capacity of the blood to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.
- Causes: Anaemia may be caused by several factors like nutrient deficiencies through inadequate diets or inadequate absorption of nutrients, infections (e.g. malaria, parasitic infections, tuberculosis, HIV), inflammation, chronic diseases, gynaecological and obstetric conditions, and inherited red blood cell disorders. The most common nutritional cause of anaemia is iron deficiency, although deficiencies in folate, vitamins B12 and A are also important causes.
- It is a serious global public health problem that particularly affects young children, menstruating adolescent girls and women, and pregnant and postpartum women.
- WHO estimates that 40% of children 6–59 months of age, 37% of pregnant women, and 30% of women 15–49 years of age worldwide are anaemic.
Symptoms
- Anaemia can cause a range of non-specific symptoms including tiredness, weakness, dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness, and shortness of breath, especially upon exertion.
- Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable, with more severe cases of anaemia leading to an increased risk of maternal and child mortality.
- Iron deficiency anaemia has also been shown to affect cognitive and physical development in children and reduce productivity in adults.
- Anaemia is an indicator of both poor nutrition and poor health.
- It is problematic on its own, but it can also impact other global public health concerns such as stunting and wasting, low birth weight and childhood overweight and obesity due to lack of energy to exercise.
- School performance in children and reduced work productivity in adults due to anaemia can have further social and economic impacts for the individual and family.
Anaemia in India
- The prevalence of anaemia among six groups as per the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21), is 25.0 percent in men (15-49 years) and 57.0 percent in women (15-49 years). 31.1 percent in adolescent boys (15-19 yrs), 59.1 percent in adolescent girls,52.2 percent in pregnant women (15-49 years) and 67.1percent in children (6-59 months).
- Few States/UTs have shown decline in anaemia prevalence.
Steps Taken: Anaemia Mukt Bharat
- In 2018, the Government of India launched the Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy with the target to reduce anaemia in the vulnerable age groups such as women, children and adolescents in life cycle approach providing preventive and curative mechanisms through a 6X6X6 strategy including six target beneficiaries, six interventions and six institutional mechanisms for all stakeholders to implement the strategy.
- Under AMB strategy, the interventions for tackling the problem of anaemia in all the States and UTs include:
- Prophylactic Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation in all six target age groups
- Intensified year-round Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Campaign for:(a) improving compliance to Iron Folic Acid supplementation and deworming, (b) enhancing appropriate infant and young child feeding practices, (c) encouraging increase in intake of iron-rich food through diet diversity/quantity/frequency and/or fortified foods with focus on harnessing locally available resources, and (d) ensuring delayed cord clamping after delivery (by 3 minutes) in health facilities
- Testing and treatment of anaemia, using digital methods and point of care treatment, with special focus on pregnant women and school-going adolescents
- Addressing non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis
- Management of severe anaemia in pregnant women undertaken by administration of IV Iron Sucrose/Blood transfusion
- Providing incentives to the ANM for identification and follow-up of pregnant women with severe anaemia in high priority districts (HPDs)
- Training and orientation of Medical Officers and front line-workers on newer Maternal Health and Anaemia Mukt Bharat guidelines
- Field level awareness by ASHAs through community mobilization activities and IEC and BCC activities.
5 . Facts for Prelims
Stagflation
- Stagflation is a condition in which slow economic growth (stagnation), rising prices (inflation), and rising unemployment all happen at the same time.
- When stagflation is present, workers make less money but have to pay more for the things they buy.
- Investors see lower returns due to slow growth, and the longer stagflation continues, the more it impacts the future value of their investments.
Veer Bal Diwas
- In 2022, the Centre announced that December 26 would be observed as ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ to mark the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger sons.
- The historic battle of Chamkaur in December 1704 was fought here when a small number of Sikhs took on the huge army of the Mughals and the hill kings.
- Guru Gobind Singh’s younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (9) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (7), were killed following an attack on Anandpur Sahib.
- Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh were captured by the Mughals at the age of six and nine respectively after they had defended their fort of Anandpur Sahib from a siege.
- They were then taken to Sirhind, where they refused to convert to Islam and were sentenced to death by being bricked alive in 1705.
Breakthrough Prize
- The Breakthrough Prizes are a set of international awards bestowed in three categories by the Breakthrough Prize Board in recognition of scientific advances.
- The awards are part of several “Breakthrough” initiatives founded and funded by Yuri Milner and his wife Julia Milner, along with Breakthrough Initiatives and Breakthrough Junior Challenge.
- Laureates receive $3 million each in prize money. Those that go on to make fresh discoveries remain eligible for future Breakthrough Prizes.
- The Breakthrough Prize awards “the world’s most brilliant minds” in fields including life sciences, fundamental physics and mathematics
- 2024 prizes in the Life Sciences category recognised groundbreaking research set to change the lives of those suffering from three debilitating diseases: Parkinson’s disease, cystic fibrosis, and cancer.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)
- The Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems, abbreviated to CCTNS, is a project for creating a comprehensive and integrated system for effective policing through e-Governance.
- The system includes a nationwide online tracking system by integrating more than 14,000 police stations across the country.
- It is implemented by National Crime Records Bureau.
- CCTNS aims to integrate all the data and records of crime into a Core Application Software (CAS), which is presently spreading across 28 states and 9 union territories of India. CAS was developed by the Bangalore-based IT firm, Wipro.