Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th May 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

National Medical Device Policy 2023

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the National Medical Devices (NMD) Policy, 2023.

• Policy lays down a roadmap for accelerated growth of the medical devices sector to achieve the following missions viz, Access & Universality, Affordability, Quality, Patient Centred & Quality Care, Preventive & Promotive Health, Security, Research and Innovation and Skilled manpower.

What are the Key Features of NMD Policy 2023?

• Regulatory Streamlining: To make it easier to do research and business while balancing patient safety and product innovation, a "Single Window Clearance System" for licensing medical devices will be created.
  • This system will involve all relevant departments and organizations, such as MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), and DAHD (Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying).
• Enabling Infrastructure: Large medical device parks with world-class infrastructure facilities will be established, near economic zones.
  • It will be done as envisioned under the National Industrial Corridor Program and the proposed National Logistics Policy 2021 under the ambit of PM Gati Shakti, and in collaboration with state governments and the industry, to improve convergence and integration with the medical device industry.
• Facilitating R&D and Innovation: The policy aims to promote Research & Development in India, complementing the proposed National Policy on R&D and Innovation in the Pharma-MedTech sector.
  • It also aims at establishing Centres of Excellence in academic and research institutions, innovation hubs, ‘plug and play’ infrastructures and support to start-ups.
• Attracting Investments: The policy encourages private investment and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to complement existing schemes such as Make in India, Ayushman Bharat program, Heal-in-India, and Start-up mission.
  • This includes funding from venture capitalists to support the growth of the medical device industry.
• Human Resources Development: The policy aims to ensure a skilled workforce in the medical device sector by providing skilling, reskilling and upskilling programs through the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • It will also support dedicated courses for medical devices in existing institutions to produce skilled manpower for futuristic technologies, manufacturing and research.
• Brand Positioning and Awareness Creation: The policy envisages the creation of a dedicated Export Promotion Council for the sector which will be an enabler to deal with various market access issues.

What is the Significance of the Policy?

• The policy is expected to provide the required support and directions to strengthen the medical devices industry into a competitive, self-reliant, resilient and innovative industry that caters to the healthcare needs of not only India but also of the world.
• It can place India’s medical devices sector on an accelerated path of growth with a patient-centric approach to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients.
• It envisions an accelerated growth path with a patient-centric approach and to emerge as the global leader in the manufacturing and innovation of medical devices by achieving 10-12% share in the expanding global market over the next 25 years.
  • With the new policy in place, the Centre aims to reduce India’s import dependence to nearly 30% in the next couple of years; and become one of the top five global manufacturing hubs.
• Policy is expected to help the Medical Devices Sector grow from present USD 11 Bn to USD 50 Bn by 2030.

What is the Scenario of the Indian Medical Device Sector?

About:

• The medical devices sector in India is a sunrise sector, growing at a fast pace and essential component of the healthcare industry.
• Its importance was highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic when India produced medical devices and diagnostic kits like ventilators, RT-PCR kits, and PPE kits on a large scale.
• It is a multi-product sector, with the following broad classifications:
  • Electronics Equipment
  • Implants
  • Consumables and Disposables
  • In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) reagents
  • Surgical Instruments
• The Sector has remained largely unregulated till 2017 when Medical Device Rules, 2017 were framed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Status:

• India is the 4th largest Asian medical devices market after Japan, China, and South Korea, and among the top 20 medical devices markets globally.
• India’s current market share in the medical device category is 1.5% of the global space or $11 billion (that is ₹90,000 crore) in 2020.
  • US dominates the global market with a 40% market share, followed by Europe and Japan at 25% and 15% respectively.

Government Initiatives:

• The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of Medical Devices. NMDP 2023 will be in addition to the existing PLI schemes.
  • The GoI India has already initiated implementation of PLI Scheme for medical devices and support for setting up of four medical devices parks – one each in Himachal Pradesh, MP, TN and UP.
• Promotion of Medical Devices Parks intends to encourage the domestic manufacturing of Medical Devices.
• In June 2021, the Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Association of Indian Manufacturers of Medical Devices (AiMeD) launched the Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED) 13485 Plus scheme to undertake verification of the quality, safety and efficacy of medical devices.

What are the Issues with the Medical Device Sector in India?

Inconsistent Regulations:

• The complex regulatory environment is one of the most significant challenges faced by the medical device industry.
• Manufacturers have to navigate inconsistent regulations that use varying standards and wordings, making it difficult to understand and comply with the requirements.

Research and Development Struggles:

• The adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and robotics is still limited in the Indian medical device sector.
• Embracing these technologies could help companies overcome challenges related to R&D, production, and distribution.

Import Dependency:

• India relies heavily on imports for medical devices, which leads to a high import bill and adds to the cost of healthcare. To reduce import dependency, India needs to increase domestic manufacturing of medical devices and encourage innovation in the sector.

Limited Access to Capital:

• Access to funding is a critical challenge for medical device startups in India, as investors are often reluctant to invest in a sector with a long gestation period and regulatory uncertainties.

Way Forward

• Policy makers in India will need to set out an action plan to reduce the country’s dependency on medical devices/technology imports.
• Medical device companies should develop India as a manufacturing hub for domestic and international markets, undertake India-based innovation in combination with indigenous manufacturing, collaborate across the Make in India and Innovate in India schemes, and produce low to medium technology products to cater to the underpenetrated domestic markets.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Context: Recently, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), a laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has tied up with Boeing, Indigo, Spicejet and the three Tata Airlines - Air India, Vistara and AirAsia India to support the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

About:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), also referred to as bio-jet fuel, is created using domestically developed methods using cooking oil and oil-rich seeds from plants.
• The SAF samples produced by the institutes are undergoing strict testing at the US Federal Aviation Administration Clearinghouse to meet the standards required for the ASTM D4054 certification from ASTM International.

Sources of Production:

• The CSIR-IIP has created fuel using different materials, such as non-edible and edible oils, as well as used cooking oil.
• They used various sources, including palm stearin, sapium oil, palm fatty acid distillates, algae oil, karanja, and jatropha.

Benefits of SAF Scaling in India:

• Scaling up the production and use of SAF in India can bring several benefits, including reducing GHG emissions, improving air quality, enhancing energy security, creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, and promoting sustainable development.
• It can also help the aviation industry meet its environmental targets and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
• Biofuel for aviation can be mixed with regular jet fuel and used together. Compared to traditional fuel, it has lower sulfur content, which can decrease air pollution and support India's goal of achieving Net Zero emissions.

What is ASTM Certification?

• ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is a global organization that develops and publishes technical standards for a wide range of products, materials, and systems.
• ASTM standards are used by industry, governments, and other organizations to ensure quality, safety and reliability in products and processes.
• ASTM certification is a process by which a product or material is tested and evaluated against relevant ASTM standards.
• Certification can be used to demonstrate that a product or material meets certain requirements, such as performance specifications, safety standards, or environmental regulations etc.

What are the Efforts for Promoting the SAF Worldwide?

• CORSIA Program: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has established the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to address aviation emissions.
  • CORSIA requires airlines to offset any emissions above 2020 levels and encourages the use of SAF to reduce emissions in the first place.
• Clean Skies for Tomorrow Initiative: The World Economic Forum has launched the Clean Skies for Tomorrow initiative, which aims to accelerate the production and use of SAF.
  • This initiative brings together stakeholders from the aviation, fuel, and technology sectors to collaborate on developing and scaling up SAF production.
• SAF Blending Targets:
  • The European Union (EU) has established blending targets for sustainable aviation fuel to reduce GHG emissions from aviation which aims to increase the use of SAF in aviation fuel over time.
  • Starting in 2025, the blending of SAF with conventional jet fuel made of gasoline and kerosene will begin at 2%.
  • The blending targets will increase every five years, with a goal of reaching 63% SAF blending in 2050.
• Sustainable Skies Act and SAF Production Incentives:
  • To encourage the use and production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the United States, the US Congress introduced the Sustainable Skies Act in May 2021.
  • The Sustainable Skies Act provides a $1 billion grant over five years to expand the number of SAF-producing facilities in the US.

Note

• Some other sustainable sources of fuels that India is working on include:
• Biodiesel
• Ethanol blending in conventional fuel
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell

What are the Challenges Associated with SAF?

• High Cost: The cost of producing SAF is currently higher than traditional jet fuel, making it less economically viable for airlines to invest in SAF production and use.
• Resource Availability: There is limited infrastructure for the production, storage, and distribution of SAF, making it difficult to scale up production and supply of SAF.
• Feedstock Availability: The availability of feedstock for SAF production is limited, and there is competition for resources between other industries, such as the food and agriculture sectors.
• Certification: The certification process for SAF is complex and time-consuming, and there is a lack of globally recognized standards for SAF production.
• Public Awareness: There is a need to raise public awareness and understanding of the benefits of SAF and to encourage greater support from policymakers and investors.

Way Forward

• Increase Investment: Governments, airlines, and investors need to increase investment in SAF production and infrastructure to reduce costs and increase availability. This includes funding R&D, as well as building new facilities and retrofitting existing ones to produce SAF.
• Support Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Governments can implement policy and regulatory frameworks that incentivize the use of SAF, such as tax incentives, subsidies, and mandates for airlines to use a certain percentage of SAF.
• Encourage Collaboration: Collaboration between stakeholders, including airlines, fuel producers, and research institutions, can help to build a more integrated and efficient SAF supply chain.
• Promote Public Awareness: Raising public awareness about the benefits of SAF and the need for sustainable aviation can increase demand and encourage greater support from policymakers and investors.
• Develop new feedstock sources: Investing in research to develop new feedstock sources for SAF production, such as municipal solid waste and agricultural waste, can help to increase feedstock availability and reduce competition with other industries.

Tea Fortification

Context: A recent study conducted in Maharashtra on 43 women to assess the impact of fortifying tea with folate and vitamin B12 has found a significant increase in Folate and Vitamin B12 levels. It also highlighted a significant increase in hemoglobin levels.

• However, the study has been found erroneous primarily because of its sample size.

How Tea Fortification could be a Game-Changer?

• Countering Anaemia and NTDs: According to the new study, Fortifying tea with folate and vitamin B12 may help counter anaemia and NTDs in Indian women as tea is the most common beverage drunk in India.
  • The majority of Indian women have a poor dietary folate and vitamin B12 intake resulting in their chronically low vitamin status, contributing to anaemia and the high incidence of folate-responsive neural-tube defects (NTDs) in India.
  • Vitamin B12 and folate are both important for the production of red blood cells in the body.
  • Vitamin B12 is necessary for the proper absorption and utilization of folate in the body; folate deficiency can cause severe birth defects (NTDs).

Note: Neural tube defects happen when the neural tube, which eventually forms the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues, doesn't close properly during fetal development.

• Issues with Tea Fortification:
  • Limited Cultivation: Tea is largely grown and processed in the highlands of only 4 states: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • Lack of Infrastructure: Many tea-growing areas lack adequate infrastructure for processing and packaging fortified tea. This includes facilities for blending and packaging tea, as well as transportation and storage infrastructure.
  • Dietary Constraints: Around 70% of the population lives in rural villages, where cereal grain is more often grown, milled, and purchased locally. And diets vary considerably according to cultural, religious, and ethnic differences and beliefs.

What is Food Fortification?

About:

• Fortification is the addition of key vitamins and minerals such as iron, iodine, zinc, Vitamin A & D to staple foods such as rice, milk and salt to improve their nutritional content. These nutrients may or may not have been originally present in the food before processing.

Status of Food Fortification in India:

• Rice: Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has been running a “Centrally Sponsored Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice & its distribution through Public Distribution System”.
  • The scheme was initiated in 2019-20 for a three-year pilot run.
  • This scheme will run till 2023 and rice will be supplied to the beneficiaries at the rate of Rs 1/kg.
• Wheat: The decision on fortification of wheat was announced in 2018 and is being implemented in 12 states under India’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan to improve nutrition among children, adolescents, pregnant mothers and lactating mothers.
• Edible Oil: Fortification of edible oil, too, was made compulsory across the country by FSSAI in 2018.
• Milk: In 2017, the National Dairy Development Board of India (NDDB) initiated the fortification of milk by encouraging companies to add vitamin D.

Significance:

• Population-Wide Health Improvement: Since the nutrients are added to staple foods that are widely consumed, this is an excellent method to improve the health of a large section of the population, all at once.
• Safe Method: Fortification is a safe method of improving nutrition among people.
  • If the quantity added is well regulated as per prescribed standards that likelihood of an overdose of nutrients is unlikely.
• No Impact on Food Habits: It does not require any changes in food habits and patterns of people and is a socio-culturally acceptable way to deliver nutrients to people.
  • It also does not alter the characteristics of the food—the taste, the feel, the look.
• Cost-Effective: This method is cost-effective especially if advantage is taken of the existing technology and delivery platforms.
  • The Copenhagen Consensus estimates that every 1 Rupee spent on fortification results in 9 Rupees in benefits to the economy.

Challenges:

• In India, food fortification is done for only a few food items (wheat, rice, salt); many other food items are not fortified, leading to inadequate nutrient intake.
• The process of blending micronutrients can have a negative impact on natural foods' protective substances, such as phytochemicals and polyunsaturated fat.
• Consumption of excess iron by pregnant women can adversely affect foetal development and birth outcomes; children may have increased risk of contracting chronic diseases.
• Fortification may provide a guaranteed market for MNCs, which could potentially harm the livelihoods of small businesses across India.
• Fortification of certain food items, such as milk and oil, poses technical challenges due to the instability of the added vitamins and minerals.

What Should be Done to Address Challenges Related to Tea Fortification?

• Government Intervention: The government can play a crucial role in promoting tea fortification by introducing policies and regulations that mandate the addition of certain nutrients to tea.
  • e.g. - the government can make it mandatory for tea manufacturers to fortify their products with essential micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and Vit. B.
• Promote Industry Involvement: Tea manufacturers can take the lead in promoting tea fortification by investing in R&D and introducing fortified tea products to the market.
  • They can also collaborate with the government and non-profit organizations to promote the benefits of fortified tea.
• Increase Consumer Awareness: Educating consumers about the benefits of fortified tea can go a long way in promoting its consumption.
  • This can be achieved through various means such as advertising campaigns, social media, and awareness programs in schools and colleges.
• Improve Logistics: To implement tea fortification on a large scale, it is essential to have a robust logistics system in place.
  • This includes ensuring that the fortified tea reaches the target population in a timely and efficient manner, without any loss of nutritional value.

Freedom of Religion

Context: Recently, the Tamil Nadu (TN) Government has stated that the Article 25 (Freedom of Religion) of the Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to propagate his religion, while replying to a petition in the Supreme Court (SC).

• The petitioner complained about the instances of forceful conversion in TN, violating the Fundamental Rights.

What is the Case About?

• The petitioner sought an NIA (National Investigation Agency)/CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) investigation into the “root cause” of the death of a 17-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu amidst a swirl of accusations that she had been forced to convert to Christianity. The petition argued that forcible or deceitful conversion was a violation of fundamental rights.
• TN govt has replied that the acts of missionaries to spread Christianity by themselves cannot be seen as illegal, since the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to propagate his religion under Article 25.
• However, if their act of spreading their religion is against public order, morality and health and against other provisions of Part III of the Constitution, it has to be viewed seriously.

What is Understood by the Freedom of Religion?

About:

• Every citizen is entitled with this right and liberty to preach, practice and propagate the religion of his choice.
• An opportunity is also provided by this right to spread it among everyone without any fear of government intervention.
• But also, it is expected by the state to practice it amicably within the jurisdiction of the country.

Need:

• India is home to people following different religions and having different faiths. As per the Pew Research Centre 2021 data, there are 4,641,403 people who follow other religions apart from the six major religions which are Hinduism, Jainism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Christianity.
• So with such a diverse population, following different religions and beliefs, it becomes necessary to protect and secure rights regarding the faith of each and every religion.

Secularism:

• The 42nd Constitutional amendment in 1976 added the word ‘secular’ to the preamble of the Constitution. India being a secular state, is a no state religion which means that it follows no particular religion.
• In Ahmedabad St. Xavier’s College v. State of Gujarat (1975), the SC held that Secularism neither means anti-god nor pro-god. It just ensures that no one is differentiated on the basis of religion eliminating the concept of God in matters of the state.

Constitutional Provisions Related to Freedom of Religion:

• Article 25: It imparts freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
• Article 26: It gives freedom to manage religious affairs.
• Article 27: It sets freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
• Article 28: It gives freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.

Secularism in India v/s US:

• India follows the concept of ‘neutrality’ and ‘positive role’ towards religion. The State can introduce religious reforms, protect minorities and formulate policies on religious matters.
• The US follows the principle of ‘non-interference’ in the matters of religion. The State cannot take any action in religious matters.

What are the Major Judicial Pronouncements on Freedom of Religion

Bijoe Emmanuel and Ors. v. State of Kerala (1986):

• In this case, three children of Jehovah’s Witnesses sect were suspended from the school as they refused to sing the national anthem claiming that it is against the tenets of their faith. The court held that expulsion is violative of fundamental rights and the right to freedom of religion.

Acharya Jagdishwaranand v. Commissioner of Police, Calcutta (1983):

• The Court held that Ananda Marga is not a separate religion but a religious denomination. And the performance of Tandava on public streets is not an essential practice of Ananda Marga.

M. Ismail Faruqui v. Union of India (1994):

• The apex court held that the mosque is not an essential practice of Islam, and a Muslim can offer namaz (prayer) anywhere even in the open.

Raja Birakishore v. State of Orissa (1964.):

• The validity of the Jagannath Temple Act, 1954 was challenged as it enacted provisions to manage the affairs of Puri temple on the grounds that it is violating Article 26. The court held that the Act only regulated the secular aspect of seva puja, therefore, it is not violative of Article 26.

Note:

• States like Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have passed laws restricting religious conversion.
• In March 2022, Haryana State Assembly passed the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, against religious conversion by allurement, coercion or fraudulent means.
• In August 2022, the Himachal Pradesh government also passed the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) bill 2022, seeking to criminalise mass religious conversions.

Decarbonisation of Steelmaking

Context: Hydrogen is a crucial part of the world’s plans to greenify its manufacturing and automobile industries as a fuel whose production and use needn’t emit carbon.

• Hydrogen can also be used as a reducing agent instead of carbon monoxide (CO), which would result in much lower greenhouse gas emissions.

What is the Direct Reduction Process by Hydrogen in Steel Making?

Procedure:

• Direct reduction by hydrogen (DR-H) in steel making is a process that uses hydrogen gas to reduce iron oxide (Fe2O3) into metallic iron (Fe) without the use of a blast furnace.
• This method is also known as the "green route" for steel production, as it significantly reduces the carbon emissions associated with traditional steelmaking processes.
• The Direct Reduction process typically involves mixing iron ore pellets or lumps with hydrogen gas in a reactor vessel at temperatures ranging from 600 to 800°C.
• The hydrogen reacts with the iron oxide to form metallic iron and water vapor, as shown in the following chemical equation:
  • Fe₂O₃ + 3H₂ → 2Fe + 3H₂O

Significance:

• Lower Carbon Emissions: Using Hydrogen as a reducing agent produces only water vapor as a byproduct making it a much cleaner alternative to coal/coke.
  • This process has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by up to 97%.
• Energy Efficiency: The process is more efficient because it eliminates the need for heating and melting large quantities of iron ore in a blast furnace.
• Higher Quality Steel: The direct reduction process produces high-quality iron that is purer and has lower levels of impurities, resulting in higher-quality steel.
• Flexibility: Direct reduction by hydrogen can be used to produce steel from a wide range of iron ores, including those with lower iron content.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The direct reduction process can be more cost-effective than traditional steelmaking methods, especially when natural gas prices are high.

What is the Use of Hydrogen in Industries other than Steel Making?

• Energy Production: Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for power generation, either through combustion or fuel cells. In fact, hydrogen fuel cells are already used in some vehicles and are being explored as a renewable energy source for buildings.
• Chemical Production: Hydrogen is used as a feedstock for the production of chemicals like ammonia, methanol, and other hydrocarbons which are used in various industries (agriculture, transportation, and construction).
• Electronics: Hydrogen is used in the manufacturing of electronic components, such as semiconductors, and in the production of flat panel displays and light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
• Food Processing: Hydrogen is used in the food processing industry as a reducing agent to preserve the quality and appearance of food products.
• Medical Applications: Hydrogen is being investigated as a potential medical gas with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also used as a tracer gas in medical diagnostics.

Note:

• The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a program to incentivise the commercial production of green hydrogen and make India a net exporter of the fuel.
• The National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM) was announced in Union Budget 2021-22 for promoting the development and deployment of hydrogen energy technologies in the country.

What is the Status of Steel Production in India?

• Production and Consumption: India is currently the world's 2nd largest producer of crude steel (as of 2021) and also the 2nd largest consumer of finished steel in 2021 (preceded in both cases by China).
• Important Steel-Producing Centers in India: Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Durgapur (West Bengal), Burnpur (West Bengal), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), Rourkela (Odisha) and Bokaro (Jharkhand).
• Export: India is a significant exporter of steel products, with major export destinations including the US, the UAE, and Nepal.
• Government Policies: The National Steel policy was launched in 2017 which projects crude steel capacity of 300 million tonnes (MT), production of 255 MT and a robust finished steel per capita consumption of 158 Kgs by 2030-31.
• Steel Industry and GHG Emissions:
  • According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the steel industry is responsible for around 7% of global CO2 emissions, making it one of the largest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases.
• Pollutants from Steel Industries:
  • Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM 10)
  • Oxides of Sulphur
  • Oxides of Nitrogen
  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
  • Solid Waste
• Green Steel:
  • The Ministry of Steel seeks to reduce CO2 in steel industry through promotion of Green Steel (manufacturing steel without using fossil fuels).
  • This can be done by using low-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, coal gasification, or electricity instead of the traditional carbon-intensive manufacturing route of coal-fired plants.
  • It eventually lowers GHG emissions, cuts cost and improves the quality of steel.

What are the Challenges Associated with Using Hydrogen in Steel Production?

• High Capital Costs: The initial capital costs of building and operating a direct reduction plant are typically higher than traditional steel making methods. This can be a barrier to entry for smaller steel producers.
• Availability of Hydrogen: The availability and cost of hydrogen can be a challenge, especially if it is produced using fossil fuels. The development of low-cost, green hydrogen production technologies will be critical for the widespread adoption of this process.
• Scale-up Challenges: Scaling up the direct reduction process can be challenging, especially when producing large volumes of steel as it requires careful management of the reactor and the supply of hydrogen gas.
  • Also, it requires a high degree of technical expertise and process control to ensure the quality and consistency of the iron product.
• Infrastructure Requirements: The process requires specialized infrastructure, including storage and handling facilities for hydrogen gas. The development of this infrastructure can be costly and time-consuming.

Way Forward

• Better Investment: Governments and the private sector should increase investment in R&D of green hydrogen production technologies to reduce the cost and increase the availability of hydrogen.
• Encourage Collaboration: Collaboration between steel producers, hydrogen producers, and other stakeholders can help address technical challenges and promote the development of necessary infrastructure.
• Policy Support: Governments can provide policy support through incentives such as tax credits, grants, and loan guarantees to encourage the adoption of this technology.
  • Also, developing standards for the production/use of green hydrogen can help ensure the quality and consistency of the product, reduce costs, and promote market acceptance.

Ludhiana Gas Leak Tragedy

Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed an eight-member fact-finding committee to look into the death of 11 people due to a recent gas leak in Ludhiana district of Punjab.

• The NGT took suo motu cognisance of the matter based on media reports.

What happened in Ludhiana?

Background:

• A gas leak has claimed the lives of 11 people in the Giaspur area of Ludhiana.
• The Police has suspected that a poisonous gas may have emanated from a partially open manhole in the locality and spread to the shops and houses nearby.
  • The inquiry for the cause of the leak is on.
• The autopsy reports suggested that the deaths were due to “inhalation poisoning”.
  • Forensic experts have suspected Hydrogen Sulphide – a neurotoxic gas – to be responsible for the tragedy.
  • According to an expert - Probably some acidic waste was thrown into sewer which reacted with methane, carbon monoxide and other sewerage gases to produce hydrogen sulphide.

Neurotoxins:

• Neurotoxins are poisonous substances which can directly affect the nervous system.
  • These substances can disrupt or even kill neurons or nerve cells, which are important for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.
• Neurotoxic Gases:
  • Methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are common neurotoxic gases.
  • Methane and carbon monoxide are odourless gases, but hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour and in higher concentration can be fatal for humans.
  • Hydrogen sulphide is so toxic that even one breath of it taken inside can kill a person.

What are the Safeguards Against Chemical Disasters in India?

• Background: Prior to the Bhopal Gas tragedy, the IPC 1860 was the only law providing safeguards against such disasters; however, soon after the tragedy, the government came with a series of legislations regulating the environment and prescribing and specifying safeguards and penalties. Some of the laws are:
  • Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 gave powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy.
  • Under the provisions of this Act, such claims are dealt with speedily and equitably.
  • The Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards and inspect industrial units.
  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.
  • Under the Hazardous Waste (Management Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 1989, industries are required to identify major accident hazards, take preventive measures and submit a report to the designated authorities.
  • Under the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989, importers must furnish complete product safety information to the competent authority and must transport imported chemicals in accordance with the amended rules.
  • Chemical Accidents (Emergency, Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996 requires the central govt to constitute a central crisis group for management of chemical accidents; set up quick response mechanism termed as the crisis alert system.
  • Each state is required to set up a crisis group and report on its work.
  • The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997: Under this Act, the National Environment Appellate Authority can hear appeals regarding the restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards under the EPA1986.

What is the National Green Tribunal?

About:

• It is a statutory body set up under the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
• With NGT, India became the 3rd country in the world to set up a specialised environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so.
• NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
• The NGT has five places of sitting, New Delhi is the principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.

Powers:

• The Tribunal has jurisdiction over all civil cases involving substantial questions relating to the environment (including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment).
• It can take Suo Motu cognizance of the environmental cases.
• Apart from original jurisdiction side on filing of an application, NGT also has appellate jurisdiction to hear appeal as a Court (Tribunal).
• NGT is not bound by the procedure laid down under the CPC 1908 but shall be guided by principles of 'natural justice'.
• An order/decision/award of Tribunal is executable as a decree of a civil court.