Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 30th September 2022) - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Convergence Portal of the MoFPI

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has launched the Convergence Portal between the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).

• A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was also issued with the objective of providing maximum benefits to the beneficiaries under AIF, PMFME and PMKSY.

What is the Convergence Module?

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) along with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, jointly launched a Convergence Portal to better reap the benefits of the Agriculture and Food Processing Sector.
• It is launched on the idea that all Ministries and Departments of the Government should work together in cohesion to serve the people of the country to the best of their abilities.
• The portal will prove to be very important for the Food Processing Enterprises of the country, benefiting different sections of the country, including farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs of the processing industry.
• It is a stepping stone to achieve the Prime Minister's dream of an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and will also boost the concept of ‘Vocal For Local’.

What is Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme?

About:

• It was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in June, 2020 under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Campaign to enhance the competitiveness of individual micro enterprises.
• It provides financial, technical and commercial assistance for the upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country.
• The scheme adopts the One District One Product (ODOP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products.
• It will be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

Funding:

• It is a centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore.
• The expenditure under the scheme would be shared in 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in 90:10 ratio with North Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 ratio with UTs with legislature and 100% by Centre for other UTs.

Need:

• The unorganized food processing sector comprising nearly 25 lakh units contributes to 74% of employment in the food processing sector.
• Nearly 66% of these units are located in rural areas and about 80% of them are family-based enterprises supporting livelihood of rural households and minimising their migration to urban areas.
  • These units largely fall within the category of micro enterprises.
• The unorganised food processing sector faces a number of challenges such as lack of access to modern technology & equipment, training, access institutional credit, lack of branding & marketing skills etc. which limit their performance and their growth.

Achievements:

• So far about 62,000 beneficiaries engaged in food processing activities have benefitted from this scheme. Around 7,300 loans have been sanctioned under the scheme for setting up new micro food enterprises or for upgrading existing units.
• The pace of loan approvals is expected to increase by 50% in the third quarter of 2022-23.

What is AIF?

• Agriculture Infra Fund (AIF) is a financing facility launched in July 2020 for creation of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farm assets, with benefits including 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
• Under this, Rs 1 lakh crore from 2020-21 to 2025-26 provision of funds has been made and interest subvention and credit guarantee assistance will be given till the year 2032-33.
• AIF scheme has the facility of convergence with any other scheme of State or Central Government, therefore in order to optimize the benefits of multiple government schemes for a particular project, these are being integrated with multiple external systems/portals.

What is Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sampada Yojna?

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, is envisaged as a comprehensive package, which will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet.
• Seven component schemes under PMKSY:
  • Mega Food Parks.
  • Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure.
  • Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters.
  • Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages.
  • Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities.
  • Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure.
  • Human Resources and Institutions.

Live-Streaming of the Supreme Court’s Proceedings

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) decided to live stream its proceedings in crucial Constitution Bench cases that will be heard from 27th September, 2022.

• Positive systemic corrections have been made possible due to the broadcast of court proceedings.

What is the Background?

• The Supreme Court in Swapnil Tripathi vs Supreme Court of India (2018) had ruled in favour of opening up the apex court through live-streaming.
• It held that the live streaming proceedings are part of the right to access justice under Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution
• Gujarat High Court was the first high court to livestream court proceedings followed by Karnataka high court.
• Currently, the Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Patna High Courts live stream their proceedings.
  • Allahabad High Court is considering power doing the same.

What were the Recommendations by the Attorney-General of India?

• Live-streaming must be introduced as a pilot project in Chief-Justice of India’s (CJI’s) court, and only in Constitution Bench cases.
  • The success of this project will determine whether or not live streaming should be introduced in all courts i.e., the Supreme Court and in courts pan-India.
• De-congestion of courts and improved physical access to courts for litigants who have to otherwise travel long distances to come to the SC were cited by the Attorney general (AG) in support of his recommendation.
• A set of guidelines suggested by the A-G was approved by the SC. However, the A-G suggested that the court must retain the to withhold broadcasting, and also not permit it in cases involving:
  • Matrimonial matters
  • Matters involving interests of juveniles or the protection and safety of the private life of the young offenders
  • Matters of National security
  • To ensure that victims, witnesses or defendants can depose truthfully and without any fear.
  • Special protection must be given to vulnerable or intimidated witnesses.
  • It may provide for face distortion of the witness if she/he consents to the broadcast anonymously.
  • To protect confidential or sensitive information, including all matters relating to sexual assault and rape
  • Matters where publicity would be antithetical to the administration of justice, and
  • Cases which may provoke sentiments and arouse passion and provoke enmity among communities.

What is the Scenario in Other Countries?

• United States: Since 1955, audio recording and transcripts of oral arguments has been allowed.
• Australia: Live or delayed broadcasting is allowed but the practices and norms differ across courts.
• Brazil: Since 2002, live video and audio broadcast of court proceedings, including the deliberations and voting process undertaken by the judges in court, is allowed.
• Canada: Proceedings are broadcast live on Cable Parliamentary Affairs Channel, accompanied by explanations of each case and the overall processes and powers of the court.
• South Africa: Since 2017, the Supreme Court of South Africa has allowed the media to broadcast court proceedings in criminal matters, as an extension of the right to freedom of expression.
• United Kingdom: After 2005, proceedings are broadcast live with a one-minute delay on the court’s website, but coverage can be withdrawn in sensitive appeals.

What are Associated Concerns and the Way Forward?

Concerns:

• Video clips of proceedings from Indian courts that are already there on YouTube and other social media platforms with sensational titles and little context are leading to the spread of misinformation among the public, as prevalent from the recent past.
• Also, the commercial agreements with broadcasters are also concerning.
• The unauthorised reproduction of live streaming videos is another cause for concern as its regulation will be very difficult at the government’s end.

Way Forward:

• Broadcasting court proceedings is a step in the direction of transparency and greater access to the justice system. Citizens have the right to information and technology exists to make matters of constitutional and national importance available for public viewership.
  • If a live stream of the top court’s proceedings is not possible, alternatively video recording of the proceedings should be allowed.
• The agreements with broadcasters should be on a non-commercial basis. No one should profit from the arrangement.
• A set of guidelines must be framed to ensure that the video titles and description are not misleading and convey accurate information, only.
• Strict punishment/penalty must be attached with the unauthorised reproduction of live-streaming of videos.

International Year of Millets 2023

Context: A series of pre-launch events and initiatives have been organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare as a run-up to the International Year of Millets 2023 to create awareness and a sense of participation in the country around the ancient and forgotten golden grains.

• Many events were launched such as ‘India's Wealth, Millets for Health’, Millet Startup Innovation Challenge, Mighty Millets Quiz, Logo and slogan contest etc.

What is IYM?

About:

• India's proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023 was approved by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 2018 and the United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
• This was adopted by a United Nations Resolution for which India took the lead and was supported by over 70 nations.

Objectives:

• Awareness of the contribution of millet to Food Security and nutrition.
• Inspire stakeholders to improve sustainable production and quality of millets.
• Focus on enhanced investment in research and development and extension services to achieve the other two aims.

What is Millet?

About:

• Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
• Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).
• The earliest evidence for these grains has been found in Indus civilization and were one of the first plants domesticated for food.
• It is grown in about 131 countries and is the traditional food for around 60 crore people in Asia & Africa.
• India is the largest producer of millet in the world.
• It Accounts for 20 % of global production and 80% of Asia’s production.

Global Distribution:

• India, Nigeria and China are the largest producers of millets in the world, accounting for more than 55% of the global production.
• For many years, India was a major producer of millets. However, in recent years, millet production has increased dramatically in Africa.

Significance:

• Nutritionally Superior:
  • Millets are less expensive and nutritionally superior to wheat & rice owing to their high protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals like iron content.
  • Millets are also rich in calcium and magnesium. For example, Ragi is known to have the highest calcium content among all the food grains.
  • Millets can provide nutritional security and act as a shield against nutritional deficiency, especially among children and women. Its high iron content can fight high prevalence of anaemia in India women of reproductive age and infants.
• Gluten-free a low glycemic index:
  • Millets can help tackle lifestyle problems and health challenges such as obesity and diabetes as they are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index (a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels).
• Super Crop at Growing:
  • Millets are Photo-insensitive (do not require a specific photoperiod for flowering) & resilient to climate change. Millets can grow on poor soils with little or no external inputs.
  • Millets are less water consuming and are capable of growing under drought conditions, under non-irrigated conditions even in very low rainfall regimes.
  • Millets have low carbon and water footprint (rice plants need at least 3 times more water to grow in comparison to millets).
• Initiatives Taken by Government:
  • Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion (INSIMP)
  • Increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP): The government has hiked the Minimum Support Price of Millets, which came as a big price incentive for farmers.
  • Further, to provide a steady market for the produce, the government has included millets in the public distribution system.
  • Input Support: The government has introduced provision of seed kits and inputs to farmers, building value chains through Farmer Producer Organisations and supporting the marketability of millets.

Group of Four (G-4) Countries

Context: On the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the G-4 countries highlight ‘urgent need’ for reform in U.N. Security Council (UNSC).

Who are the Group of Four(G-4) Countries?

• The G4 is a grouping of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan which are aspiring to become permanent members of the UNSC.
• The G4 countries are supporting each other’s bids for permanent membership of the UNSC.
• The G4 nations traditionally meet on the sidelines of the annual high-level UN General Assembly session.

What are the Key Highlights of the G-4 Meeting?

• They felt that the UN decision-making bodies needed to be urgently reformed as global issues were increasingly complex and interconnected.
• Further, they reiterated their joint commitment to work toward text-based negotiations that lead to Reformed Multilateralism.
• They highlighted that General Assembly did not make “meaningful progress” in the Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) and lacked transparency.
• They reiterated their support for African countries being represented in a permanent and non-permanent capacity.
• The Ministers agreed on the need for enhanced role and presence of developing countries and of major contributors to the United Nations to enhance the capacity of the Council to respond effectively to the complex and evolving challenges on questions of international peace and security.

Why is there a Need for UNSC Reforms?

• UN represents a larger world and the irony is that it has only 5 permanent members in its important body.
• The current composition of the Security Council represents the post-World War II realities and thus is not in pace with the changing balance of power in the world.
• At the time of the formation of the UNSC, big powers were given privileges to make them part of the council. This was necessary for its proper functioning as well as to avoid failure like that of the organization ‘League of Nations.
• The regions like far East Asia, South America, and Africa have no representation in the permanent membership of the council.

Why is India Demanding the Permanent Membership of the UNSC?

Overview:

• For the first 40 years of the UN Security Council's formation, India never asked for permanent membership.
• Even in 1993 when India submitted its written proposal to the UN in response to the General Assembly resolution related to reforms, it did not specifically state that it wants permanent membership for itself.
• It is only from the last few years that India has started asking for permanent membership in the council.
• India deserves a permanent place in the council considering the size of its economy, population and the fact that it is the largest democracy in the world.
  • India has become a major player not only in Asia but also in the world.
  • The Security Council would be a more representative body if India would be there in it as a permanent member.

Need:

• By having veto power, one can enjoy enormous powers.
  • Since 2009, India was trying to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. One veto power of China kept delaying it.
• India will be able to work better for its interests.
  • There was a time when the USSR actually started boycotting the UNSC and that was the time when US managed to get the resolution passed for the Korean War. From that time onwards USSR realized that it doesn’t make sense to boycott the UN. It needs to keep veto if at all resolution is against them.
• India’s presence as a permanent member will be an acknowledgement of its rise as a global power, ready to play a key role in the council’s objectives of international peace and security.
• India will be able to enjoy the 'prestige’ associated with the permanent membership of the council.

What is the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?

• Established by the United Nations charter in 1945, the Security Council has primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.
• The Security Council has 15 members.
  • There are five permanent members: the United States, the Russian Federation, France, China and the United Kingdom.
  • The non-permanent members of the Security Council are elected for a term of two years.
• Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members. A "No" vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the resolution.
• Any member of the United Nations which is not a member of the Security Council may participate, without vote, in the discussion of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that member are specially affected.

What is Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN)?

• IGN is a group of nation-states working within the United Nations to further reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
• The IGN is composed of several different international organizations, namely:
  • African Union
  • G4 nations
  • Uniting for Consensus Group (UfC)
  • L.69 Group of Developing Countries
  • Arab League
  • Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Way Forward

• Global power hierarchies are changing and the P5 needs to realize that this is high time to initiate UNSC reforms. The declining powers should either give away their membership or should expand the size of the UNSC, opening the doors for new emerging powers.
• Other reforms might succeed earlier than the expansion of P5. None of the so-called powerful nations wants to expand the table and share their pie with another nation.
• India needs to focus on strengthening itself economically, militarily & diplomatically in order to participate in major conversations and groupings. Steadily, the UNSC will itself deem India fit to become a part of the UNSC.