Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th September 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2023 and NCAP

Context: Recently, the awards for Swachh Vayu Survekshan (Clean Air Survey) 2023 were announced. The survey was conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Note: 

• Every year, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is celebrated on 7 September to raise awareness and facilitate actions to improve air quality. 
• It was declared so by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2019. 
• Theme for 4th International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies (Swachh Vayu Diwas 2023) - “Together for Clean Air.”

What are the Key Findings about the SVS 2023? 

About: 

• Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) is a new initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to rank cities on the basis of air quality and implementation of activities approved under the city action plan (NCAP) in 131 non-attainment cities.
• Cities are declared non- attainment if over a 5-year period they consistently do not meet the NAAQS for PM10 or NO2.
• The categorisation of cities has been based on the 2011 population census. 

Criteria: The cities were assessed on eight major points: 

• Control of biomass 
• Municipal solid waste burning
• Road dust
• Dust from construction and demolition waste
• Vehicular emissions
• Industrial emissions
• Public awareness
• improvement in PM10 concentration

Performance: 

• Top 3 cities under 1st category (million plus population): Indore followed by Agra and Thane. 
• Worst Performers: Madurai (46), Howrah (45) and Jamshedpur (44)
• Bhopal ranked 5th and Delhi ranked 9th
• Top 3 cities under 2nd category (3-10 lakhs population): Amravati followed by Moradabad and Guntur.
• Worst Performers: Jammu (38), Guwahati (37) and Jalandhar (36)
• Top 3 cities under 3rd category (<3 lakhs population): Parwanoo followed by Kala Amb and Angul. 
• Worst Performer: Kohima (39) 

Comparison: 

• In SVS 2022, the first three spots (million-plus category) were secured by cities in Uttar Pradesh — Lucknow (1), Prayagraj (2) and Varanasi (3). 
• All three cities have been ranked lower this year.

Note:

• In 2020, the Prime Minister of India announced the intent and plan to improve the air quality in more than 100 cities through a holistic approach. 
• In the context, the MoEFCC has been implementing a National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a national-level strategy outlining the actions for reducing the levels of air pollution at city and regional scales in India since 2019.

What is the NCAP?

About: The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aims to systematically address air pollution by engaging all stakeholders and ensuring necessary action.

• 131 cities have been identified for the implementation of the city specific action plans under NCAP. 

Target: It is the first-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target.

• It seeks to cut the concentration of coarse (PM10) and fine particles (PM2.5) by at least 20% in the next five years (base year for comparison - 2017). 

Monitoring: The “PRANA” portal has also been launched by MoEFCC for: 

• Monitoring implementation of NCAP. 
• Monitoring the action plans and implementation status of cities. 
• Sharing best practices adopted by cities for others to emulate. 

State of Educational Empowerment for Religious Minorities in India

Context: Recently, the status of educational empowerment schemes for religious minorities in India has come under scrutiny. 

• These programs were initially designed to bridge the educational gap and promote inclusivity among different religious communities in the country. 
• However, there have been significant changes and controversies surrounding these schemes, leading to concerns about their impact on minority communities.

What is the Status of Educational Empowerment Schemes for Religious Minorities in India? 

About: 

• Religious minorities in India, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians, constitute a substantial portion of the population, making up approximately 20%. 
• The Sachar Committee's report in 2006 highlighted these disparities, placing Muslims behind several other groups in development indicators.
• To address the disparities, the government established the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2006, focusing on educational empowerment, economic development, infrastructure improvement, and special needs of religious minorities.
• Scholarships for minority students became a pivotal component of this initiative, aimed at providing financial assistance and access to quality education.

Curent Status of Welfare Schemes for Educational Empowerment of Minorities:  

• Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme: Initially awarded to minority students from class 1 to 10. Later, discontinued for classes 1 to 8, only covering class 9 and 10 in its revised form.
  • While discontinuing the scholarship, the government said the Right to Education Act (RTE Act) covered compulsory education up to class 8 for all students.
• Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: For students of class 11 and above (till Ph.D.). Funds increased from Rs 515 crore to Rs 1,065 crore in 2023-24. 
• Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme: Targeted professional and technical courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, it faced a significant reduction in funds in 2023-24.
• Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): Provided financial assistance to research scholars pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D. However, it was discontinued in 2022.
• Padho Pardesh: Provided an interest subsidy on education loans for overseas studies. However, it was discontinued from 2022-23.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship: Scholarship for meritorious girls for higher secondary education. However, no funds have been allocated in 2023-24.
• Naya Savera: Provided free coaching to minority students for competitive exams. However, it was discontinued in 2023-24.
• Nai Udaan: Supported minority students preparing for various examinations. However, no funds have been allocated in 2023-24.
• Scheme for Providing Education to Madrasas and Minorities (SPEMM): Aimed at modernizing madrasa education. Allocation reduced in 2023-24.

Note: The budget allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs saw a drastic reduction, with a 38% decrease for the fiscal year 2023-24 compared to the 2022-23. This cut in funding has had a direct impact on the implementation of various programs, with underutilization of funds being a common trend.

What are the Constitutional Provisions Related to Religious Minorities? 

• Article 25: It guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion to all persons.
• Article 26: It grants every religious denomination or section thereof the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, and to manage its own affairs in matters of religion.
• Article 29: It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same.
• Article 30: Under the article, all minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

Note: The term "minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution recognizes only religious and linguistic minorities.

What are the Other Major Challenges Related to Religious Minorities?

• Communal Violence: One significant challenge is the occurrence of communal violence, where conflicts erupt along religious lines. 
  • These incidents result in loss of life, property damage, and displacement of minority communities. 
  • This challenge is rooted in factors like political manipulation, economic disparities, and historical tensions that need careful examination.
• Intersectional Discrimination: Beyond religious discrimination, religious minorities, especially women, may face intersectional discrimination. 
• Social Isolation: Religious ghettoization, where minority communities cluster in specific neighborhoods, impacts their social integration and economic opportunities.
• Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: The rise of cyberbullying and online harassment to target religious minority individuals or groups,is impacting their online safety and mental well-being.

Way Forward

• Leverage Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaborations between the government, private sector, and non-profit organizations to supplement funding and resources for minority education initiatives. 
  • This can help offset budget cuts and ensure sustained support for these schemes.
• Digital Literacy Programs: Implement digital literacy programs tailored for religious minority communities to ensure they are not left behind in the digital age. This can enhance access to information and opportunities.
• Local Level Initiatives: Empower local communities to take the lead in promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Grassroots initiatives can have a significant impact in building trust and social cohesion.
  • There is a need to establish community-based conflict resolution centers that specialize in addressing interfaith and inter-community disputes. 
  • These centers can provide mediation and counseling services.
• Traditional Knowledge Preservation: Recognize and preserve traditional knowledge systems and practices of religious minority communities. This can be done through digital documentation and funding for cultural preservation projects.
• Social Impact Assessment and Investment: There is a need to conduct time bound social impact assessment and encourage social impact investment in religious minority-owned businesses and startups. This can help create economic independence and reduce disparities.

Negotiations to Revive Black Sea Grain Deal

Context: Recently, the Turkish President has met with the Russian President in order to revive Black Sea Grain Deal, which Russia had withdrawn from in July 2023.

What is the Black Sea Grain Initiative?

About:

• The Black Sea Grain initiative endeavors to tackle escalating food prices emanating from supply chain disruptions because of Russian actions in the world’s ‘breadbasket’.
• The deal brokered by the United Nations (UN) and Turkey, was signed in Istanbul in July, 2022.
• The Initiative specifically allows for commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea – Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.

Objective:

• Initially stipulated for a period of 120 days, the deal was to provide for a safe maritime humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian exports (particularly for food grains).
• The central idea was to calm markets by ensuring an adequate supply of grains, thereby limiting food price inflation.

Role of Joint Coordination Centre (JCC):

• The JCC was established to monitor the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. 
• The JCC is hosted in Istanbul and includes representatives from Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine and the UN. The UN acts also as the Secretariat for the Centre.
• All commercial ships are required to register directly with the JCC to ensure appropriate monitoring, inspection and safe passage. Inbound and outbound ships (to the designated corridor) transit as per a schedule accorded by the JCC post-inspection.
• This is done so as to ensure there is no unauthorised cargo or personnel onboard.
• Following this, they are allowed to sail onwards to Ukrainian ports for loading through the designated corridor.

What are the Reasons Behind Russia's Exit from the Grain Deal?

• Russia claims that the promises made to it under the deal have not been met, and it is still facing trouble exporting its own agricultural products and fertilisers because of the many sanctions the West has slapped on it.
• While there is no direct restriction on Russia’s agricultural products, the country says barriers on payment platforms, insurance, shipping and other logistics are hampering its exports.
• Russia has also said that it had agreed to the grain deal in order to help ensure global food security, but Ukraine has since exported mainly to high-and middle-income countries. 
• Russia cited the failure to uphold a parallel agreement that promised to remove obstacles to its exports of food and fertilizer as the reason for its withdrawal. 
• Russia claimed that shipping and insurance restrictions hindered its agricultural trade, despite its record-breaking wheat exports in recent years.

What is Turkey’s Stake at Brokering the Deal?

• Turkey has played a crucial role in attempting to reinstate the grain deal. It has consistently pledged to renew arrangements that helped prevent Food Crises in various parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 
• Both Ukraine and Russia are significant suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil, and other essential goods for developing nations. 
• Turkey's close ties with Putin during the 18-month Ukraine conflict have positioned it as a vital trading partner and logistical hub for Russia's international trade. 
• Despite its NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) membership, Turkey has refrained from imposing Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, highlighting its unique diplomatic position.

Why is the Black Sea Grain Initiative Important?

• Ukraine is among the largest exporters of wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds and sunflower oil, globally.
• Its access to the deep-sea ports in the Black Sea enables it to directly approach Russia and Europe along with grain importers from the Middle East and North Africa.
• The initiative has also been credited for having made a huge difference to the global cost of living crisis.
• This agreement facilitated the safe export of nearly 33 million metric tons (36 million tons) of grain and other commodities from three Ukrainian ports despite Russia's Ongoing War. 
• People hoarding the grain in the hope of selling it for a sizable profit owing to the supply crunch were now obligated to sell.
• Although the initiative alone cannot address global hunger, it can avert the chances of the global food crisis spiralling further, especially when the region is yet to scale prior year levels.

How are Russia, Ukraine Grain Exports Faring Amid the War?

• Russia is consolidating its position as the world’s top wheat exporter, even as Ukraine’s shipments are projected to more than halve from their peak and production plunge to a 11-year-low.
• The primary destinations for Russian wheat are the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, led by Egypt, Iran and Algeria. 
• While the Black Sea Grain Initiative helped Ukraine export 16.8 million tonnes in 2022-23, about 39% of its wheat actually moved via the land route to Eastern Europe. 
• Ukraine’s markets have shifted dramatically from Asia and North Africa before the war to mainly Europe, mostly due to ease of shipment. 
• In fact, glut of Ukrainian grain has led to protests from farmers in some Eastern European countries, who said the price of their produce had crashed.

Viability Gap Funding Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for the development of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), aiming to boost the adoption of renewable energy sources.

• Battery storage, or BESS, are devices that enable energy from renewables, like solar and wind, to be stored and then released when the power is needed most.

Note: VGF is a financial mechanism used by governments to bridge the gap between the cost of infrastructure projects and their economic viability. It is typically employed in projects that are considered economically unviable or financially unattractive for private investors due to various reasons, such as high capital costs, low revenue potential, or long gestation periods.

What is the VGF Scheme for Battery Storage?

About:

• The government will provide financial support of up to 40% of the capital cost as budgetary support through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to substantially reduce the cost of battery storage systems, making them more economically viable.
• The scheme is strategically designed to harness the potential of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity to citizens. 
• To ensure the benefits of the scheme reach consumers, a minimum of 85% of the BESS project capacity will be made available to Distribution Companies (Discoms). 
• This strategic move not only strengthens the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid but also minimizes waste and optimizes the utilization of transmission networks. Consequently, it reduces the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

Objective:

• The primary objective is to facilitate the development of 4,000 megawatt hour (MWh) of BESS projects by 2030-31. 
• By offering VGF support, the scheme targets achieving a Levelized Cost of Storage (LCoS) ranging from Rs. 5.50-6.60 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). 
• This cost-effectiveness makes stored renewable energy a practical choice for managing peak power demand nationwide. 

Significance:

• The Government of India reaffirms its commitment to promoting clean and green energy solutions. The BESS Scheme represents a significant step towards achieving this vision by harnessing renewable energy and promoting the adoption of battery storage. 
• This initiative aims to create a brighter and greener future for all citizens, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Drop in India's Reservoir Water Levels

Context: India, a country heavily reliant on monsoon rains, faced a significant challenge in August 2023 with an unprecedented rainfall deficit.

• As a result, the water levels in the nation's crucial reservoirs have experienced a sharp decline, raising concerns about water supply for households, industries, and power generation.
• August is typically a month when India's reservoirs see their water storage levels increase significantly. However, August 2023 was an exception, as it marked the driest August in over 120 years. Instead of the expected 255 mm of rainfall, the country received only about 162 mm, resulting in a 36% rainfall deficiency.

How Dry are India’s Reservoirs?

• According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the live storage in the 150 reservoirs was 113.417 billion cubic meters (BCM) as of 31st August, 2023, which was 63% of their total live storage capacity.
• This was about 23% less than the storage during the same period in 2022 and about 10% less than the average of the last 10 years.
• The water levels in the reservoirs varied across different regions and river basins. The southern region, which had a rainfall deficiency of 60% in August, had the lowest storage level of 49% of its combined capacity.
• The eastern region, which received normal rainfall, had the highest storage level of 82% of its combined capacity.

Some of the river basins that had highly deficient or deficient water levels were:

Highly Deficient:

• Pennar basin in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
• Mahanadi basin in Chhattisgarh and Odisha

Deficient:

• Subarnarekha, Brahmani and Vaitarni basins in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha
• Kaveri basin in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
• Mahi basin in western India
• Krishna basin in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana
• Water storage in the reservoirs of the eastern, western, central and southern regions, except the northern region is less than last year (2022).

Note:

• A 20% reduction in a river basin is close to normal, according to the CWC.
• A basin is categorized as deficient if the reduction is greater than 20% and less than or equal to 60%.
• A reduction of over 60% is called highly deficient.

What Are the Consequences of this Water Scarcity?

Agriculture:

• The reservoirs provide irrigation water for crops, especially during the rabi season. The reduced water availability can affect crop production and farmers’ incomes.

Power:

• The reservoirs also supply water for hydropower generation, which accounts for over 12% of India’s total electricity generation.
• The dry August led to an unexpected increase in power demand, primarily for irrigation purposes.
• Power generation reached a record high in August, necessitating additional electricity production by coal-fired power plants due to the precarious water levels in the reservoirs.

Environment:

• The reservoirs also support biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as flood control, groundwater recharge, fisheries and recreation. The lower water levels can affect these functions and cause ecological damage.

Impact on Water Supply:

• India's annual rainfall primarily occurs during the southwest monsoon season, making these reservoirs vital for water supply year-round. This scarcity in water storage threatens households.

What are the Causes for the Rainfall Deficit?

El Niño:

• El Niño is a climatic phenomenon that occurs when the sea surface temperature in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean rises above normal.
• It affects the global weather patterns and reduces rainfall in India during the monsoon season.
• According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), El Niño was present during August 2023 and was expected to continue till September.
• The IMD has forecasted that rainfall in September will likely not be more than 10% deficient.
• However, the looming threat of El Niño in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which is still gaining strength, poses a significant risk to India's water resources.

Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD):

• The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is defined by the difference in sea surface temperature between two areas (or poles, hence a dipole) – a western pole in the Arabian Sea (western Indian Ocean) and an eastern pole in the eastern Indian Ocean south of Indonesia.
• The IOD affects the climate of Australia and other countries that surround the Indian Ocean Basin, and is a significant contributor to rainfall variability in this region.
• According to IMD, IOD was expected to turn favourable for the monsoon rainfall this year, but did not have much impact.

Way Forward

• Promote efficient water management practices in agriculture, including the adoption of drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting techniques.
• Encourage crop diversification and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops to reduce the reliance on water-intensive farming.
• Water innovation initiatives, such as desalination, wastewater treatment, smart water technologies, and climate-resilient agriculture, can help enhance water supply and efficiency and cope with water challenges and uncertainties.
• Invest in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce the dependency on hydropower generation, especially during dry periods.
• Raise awareness among the public about responsible water usage and the importance of conservation.