UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 16th September 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS2/Governance

Realizing the rural-urban continuum

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

India is currently experiencing an urban transformation due to significant demographic shifts and increasing infrastructure needs. To effectively address these challenges, it must adopt a holistic urban-rural continuum approach.

Issue of Over-Centralisation of Finances:

• Over Financial Centralisation: Recent trends indicate a worrying centralization of finances, which adversely affects the financial autonomy of local bodies. The 13th Finance Commission noted that local bodies are being "asphyxiated" by this centralization.
• Tied vs. Untied Grants: Local bodies often face financial limitations as grants are frequently tied to centrally sponsored schemes. The increase in property tax must align with the rise in State Goods and Services Tax to prevent a loss of tied grants, which have become more prevalent compared to untied grants over time.

Programmatic Limitations:

• Flagship initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) do not adequately address the urban-rural continuum.
• Infrastructure funding for essential services like sewage treatment often overlooks nearby urban villages and census towns, which are crucial to the larger urban ecosystem.
• Initiatives taken by the Government:
  • Efforts are underway to enhance urban infrastructure for liquid waste management, initially intended only for statutory towns but now expanded to include all statutory towns.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission 1.0: This mission aims to create a garbage-free urban India and manage solid and liquid waste effectively.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0: This initiative seeks to extend its focus beyond just achieving an open defecation-free status to ensuring sustainable waste management in urban areas, along with solid and liquid waste management in rural regions.

Governance models needs to be revisited:

• The provisions under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments advocate for the empowerment of District Planning Committees, including Zila Panchayats and urban local bodies.
• Strengthening District Planning Committees: Currently, these committees are often subordinate to district bureaucracies. Empowering them can better integrate urban and rural planning, enhancing governance.
• Integrated Planning: The existing approach, which separates urban and rural local bodies, requires updating. With India’s rapid urbanization, a need for integrated and collaborative planning is necessary to effectively manage the increasingly blurred lines between urban and rural areas.
• Collaborative Infrastructure Planning: Infrastructure projects, including solid waste management, would benefit from a collaborative planning approach at district or regional levels, rather than being treated in isolation.

Way forward:

• Enhance Financial Decentralisation and Flexibility: There is a need to reform financial mechanisms to reduce centralization, granting greater autonomy to local bodies, and ensuring that grants are flexible enough to meet local needs in the context of urban-rural continuum challenges.
• Strengthen Integrated Planning Frameworks: Governance models should be revised to promote cohesive urban-rural planning and facilitate collaborative infrastructure development across district and regional levels, addressing the interlinked nature of urban and rural settings.

Mains PYQ:

• What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Present arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the context of PURA and RURBAN Mission. (UPSC IAS/2016)

GS3/Economy

A human touch to India’s mineral ecosystem

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The Indian government’s Mines and Minerals Act of 2015 established a framework for auctions and set up the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), ensuring that local communities gain benefits from resource-led development. Now in its 10th year, the DMF has gathered nearly ₹1 lakh crore, turning mineral resources into a vital development tool for various regions.

How the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Operates in India:

• The DMF requires mining licensees and leaseholders to allocate a share of their royalty payments to the foundation.
• To promote transparency and efficiency, the 'National DMF Portal' has been introduced.
• The DMF is designed to support sustainable development and the welfare of communities impacted by mining activities.
• A District Collector heads the DMF, ensuring that resources are directed to the most underserved areas.
• Funds are utilized for community-driven development projects across mining districts.
• As of 2024, approximately 3 lakh projects have been approved in 645 districts across 23 states.
• These projects aim to enhance socio-economic and human development indicators.

About Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY):

• Objective: Launched under the PMKKKY, its goal is to implement development and welfare projects in mining-affected areas.
• Complementary Approach: PMKKKY collaborates with existing state and central government schemes to bolster district development initiatives.
• Projects under PMKKKY encompass healthcare, education, skill development, sanitation, water supply, and sustainable livelihoods.
• The scheme has empowered women through self-help groups and facilitated youth skill development initiatives, including drone technology training.

Significance and Scope of DMF in India:

• Community Welfare: DMFs channel direct financial resources to support communities affected by mining, transforming mineral wealth into concrete social benefits.
• Inclusive Development: DMFs foster social inclusivity by involving elected representatives and local gram sabha members in governance processes.
• Cooperative Federalism: DMFs exemplify cooperative federalism by integrating national, state, and local governance to address the impacts of mining and encourage regional development.
• Innovation and Planning: Many DMFs adopt innovative strategies to enhance project outcomes, including three-year planning for targeted development and employing Public Works Department personnel for effective project execution.
• Sustainability: DMFs align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the livelihoods of forest dwellers, improving sports infrastructure, and health initiatives, thereby contributing to long-term environmental and socio-economic sustainability.

Way Forward:

• Standardisation and Best Practices: Establish uniform guidelines to standardise effective practices across DMFs while preserving local knowledge for efficient long-term project implementation.
• Enhanced Integration with National Schemes: Strengthen the connection between DMF activities and ongoing central and state schemes, particularly in aspirational districts, to maximize socio-economic and environmental benefits in mining-affected areas.

GS3/Environment

NGT seeks report from Central Pollution Control Board

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to provide a new report concerning the generation and management of electronic waste by various states and Union territories (UTs).

About

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

• Established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Empowered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Operates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Nodal Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Main Objective: Aims to promote the prevention, control, and reduction of water and air pollution throughout India.
• Collects and shares technical and statistical data related to water and air pollution.

Key Programs

• National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP)
• National Water Quality Monitoring Program (NWQMP)
• Oversees the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) for real-time air quality data.

Initiatives

• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
• Clean Air Campaign

GS2/Polity

One nation, one election to be implemented in this term

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

As per the government official, the concept of simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, referred to as “One Nation, One Election” will be implemented within the current term of the present government.

About

The concept of "One Nation, One Election" envisions a system where all state and Lok Sabha elections are conducted simultaneously. This would require a restructuring of the Indian election cycle to align the elections for both the states and the central government. Consequently, voters would cast their ballots for both Lok Sabha members and state assembly representatives on the same day or in a phased manner.

Various Committees on Simultaneous Election

• The idea of simultaneous elections was first proposed in the Election Commission's annual report of 1983.
• It was also referenced in the Law Commission's Report in 1999.
• After Prime Minister Modi reintroduced the concept in 2016, the NITI Aayog drafted a working paper on the issue in 2017.
• The Law Commission's 2018 working paper indicated that at least "five Constitutional amendments" would be needed to realize simultaneous elections in India.
• In June 2019, PM Modi announced the formation of a committee to examine the issue and convened a meeting with political party leaders.
• In July 2022, the topic of simultaneous Parliamentary and Assembly elections was referred to the 22nd Law Commission, which recommended several steps to facilitate these elections.

Simultaneous Election by 2029

The panel recommended amending the Constitution to ensure that elections for the Lok Sabha, all state assemblies, and local bodies can occur by 2029.

Amending the Constitution

• The Constitution needs to be amended in two phases to allow for simultaneous elections.
• Initially, simultaneous elections will be conducted for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Subsequently, elections for municipalities and panchayats will be synchronized with Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
• This synchronization will ensure that local body elections occur within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
• This amendment will require ratification by at least half of the states.

Achieving Synchronization for First Step

To achieve synchronization in the first step, the government should establish a specific date following a Lok Sabha election. After this date, the terms of all state assemblies that hold elections will conclude simultaneously with the Parliament's term.

• The panel has suggested amendments to Article 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament) and Article 172 (duration of State legislatures) of the Constitution.
• These amendments will not require state ratification.

Insertion of Article 324A

The committee recommended inserting an Article 324A, which would empower Parliament to enact laws ensuring that elections for municipalities and panchayats coincide with General Elections.

Single Electoral Roll and Election ID

• To facilitate a single electoral roll and electoral photo identity cards for all three tiers of government elections, the Constitution should be amended.
• The committee recommended an amendment to Article 325, enabling the Election Commission of India to prepare a unified electoral roll and election ID in collaboration with State Election Commissions.
• These amendments will necessitate ratification by at least half of the states.

In Case of Hung House

In the event of a hung House, a no-confidence motion, or similar circumstances, fresh elections should be conducted to form a new Lok Sabha or state Assembly for the unexpired term.

Meeting Logistics Requirement

The committee suggests that the Election Commission of India should collaborate with State Election Commissions to plan logistics, including manpower, polling staff, security forces, and voting machines, to ensure fair elections occur simultaneously across all levels of government.

Rejected the Germany Model of Bringing No-Confidence Motion Against a Government

The committee rejected the German model of constructive votes of no-confidence, which requires a positive confidence vote for an alternative leader to initiate a no-confidence motion. The committee stated that the existing Parliamentary practices regarding no-confidence motions are satisfactory and do not require changes.

• Members of Parliament have the right and responsibility to propose no-confidence motions.
• The committee does not support diluting this feature of the Indian Parliamentary system.

GS2/Governance

Centre Doubles Funding for Road Connectivity in LWE Areas

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

The Centre has doubled the allocation of funds under the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) for the financial year 2024-25. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Left Wing Extremism will be “completely eradicated” in the country before March 2026.

About Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas:

• The RCPLWEA aims to enhance infrastructure in areas significantly impacted by insurgency and extremism.
• It was launched as part of a broader effort to promote development and peace, focusing on the construction and upgrading of roads in the most affected regions.
• This project operates as a separate vertical under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• The goal is to ensure all-weather road connectivity, including necessary structures like culverts and cross-drainage systems, in 44 of the worst-affected LWE districts and surrounding districts across 9 states.
• Funding is shared between the Centre and states at a ratio of 60:40, consistent with the PMGSY framework.
• The Ministry of Rural Development oversees this initiative and has revised the indicative allocation of funds for the central share to ₹1,000 crore for the upcoming financial year.

About Naxalism:

• Naxalism originated from the Naxalbari uprising in 1967, a peasant revolt in West Bengal led by communist figures against local landlords.
• This extremist ideology rejects democratic principles and promotes armed insurgency against the state, motivated by Leftist or Maoist thought.
• The movement aims for land redistribution to working peasants, who have been historically marginalized by landlords.
• It has attracted support from oppressed populations, including tribal groups and rural Dalits, who seek their rightful share of land.
• Urban elites have also been drawn to Naxal ideology, contributing to the movement's expansion.
• By the early 1970s, Naxalism had spread to nearly every Indian state, except for the western regions.

Steps Taken by the Successive Governments to Counter Naxalism:

• The government has implemented various sustainable strategies to tackle the Maoist insurgency.
• A primary strategy is the 'Law and Order Approach'.
• Multi-Agency Centres (MAC) at the central level and State Multi-Agency Centres (SMAC) at the state level have been established to enhance intelligence and networking capabilities.
• Deployment of Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) has been crucial in executing counterinsurgency operations.
• In 2017, the Union Government launched the SAMADHAN initiative, which stands for:
  • S – Smart Leadership
  • A – Aggressive Strategy
  • M – Motivation and Training
  • A – Actionable Intelligence
  • D – Dashboard Based Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • H – Harnessing Technology
  • A – Action plan for each operational area
  • N – No access to Financing.
• This policy aims to disrupt critical links within the Maoist network.
• A nationwide ban was imposed on the CPI(Maoist) in 2009, supported by the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to curb Naxalite activities and enhance the powers of police and paramilitary forces.

GS3/Economy

Divide Between High-Skilled and Low-Skilled Jobs in India

Source: Indian Express

Why in news?

A country with a population of 1.4 billion cannot rely entirely on the services sector to contribute to job creation, since this will increase the gap between high-skilled and low-skilled jobs.

Decline in labour-intensive jobs:

• The Indian economic growth has increasingly been driven by the services sector, particularly in IT, banking, and finance, over the past two decades.
• This shift has led to a significant decline in traditional industries such as apparel and footwear, which are crucial for the livelihoods of many low-skilled workers.
• Manufacturing has stagnated at around 14% of GDP, falling short of the target of 25%, worsening the divide between high-skilled and low-skilled jobs.

Decline in export-related jobs:

• A World Bank report indicates a decline in export-related jobs in India over the last decade, attributed to the dominance of the service sector and high-skill manufacturing in the export basket.
• These sectors do not effectively absorb large segments of the Indian workforce, with India's services exports constituting 4.3% and goods exports 1.8% of the world's total.

High tariffs on input materials:

• Since 2017, India has reversed the tariff reductions that began in the early 1990s, leading to an increase in the average Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff to 18.1% in 2022.
• This rise in import tariffs on essential intermediate inputs has elevated production costs, diminishing the competitiveness of Indian producers in the global market.

Declining participation in Global Value Chains (GVCs):

• Indian exporters linked to GVCs show better export performance and product diversification compared to those not connected.
• However, India's participation in GVCs is on the decline, hindered by challenges in sourcing raw materials and high transportation costs.

High national unemployment rate:

• The Economic Survey 2023-24 highlights the need for India to create approximately 7.85 million jobs annually in the non-farm sector to accommodate the growing workforce.
• Despite this need, the national unemployment rate increased from 7% to 9% in June 2024, according to CMIE data.

India has been unable to capitalise on the opportunity presented by China:

• Between 2015 and 2022, China's share in low-skill manufacturing of apparel, leather, textiles, and footwear decreased.
• Countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Germany, and the Netherlands have emerged as primary beneficiaries of China's shrinking market share, while India has not capitalised on this shift.

Way Ahead to Boost Jobs in India (Particularly in the Labour-Intensive Sectors):

Steps taken to boost scale in the Indian textile sector:

• PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks: In 2023, the Centre approved the establishment of PM MITRA parks to develop world-class infrastructure with an investment of Rs 4,445 crore, planned for completion by 2027-28.
• National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has recently approved the creation of 12 industrial smart cities under the NICDP, with an estimated investment of Rs 28,602 crore.

Reducing tariffs and simplifying procedures:

• In the FY25 Union Budget, the government announced reductions in tariffs on various items, including medical equipment, critical minerals, solar energy products, leather, and textiles.

Rise in Global Capability Centres (GCCs):

• Despite a slowdown in manufacturing within traditionally high-labour-intensive sectors, India has become an attractive location for multinational corporations to establish data analytics and software development centres.
• These centres, known as GCCs, have proliferated in India, leveraging the large pool of qualified IT engineers, with close to 1,600 GCCs from various sectors, making India a key player similar to China in tech hardware.

GS3/Environment

Typhoon Yagi - Asia’s most powerful storm

Source: Indian Express

Why in news?

Typhoon Yagi, recognized as the most powerful tropical cyclone in Asia this year and the second overall after Hurricane Beryl, has caused extensive destruction across Southeast Asia. Countries including the Philippines, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand have faced severe impacts, with Vietnam experiencing the most devastation, resulting in approximately 233 fatalities. The situation has been exacerbated by heavy rains, flooding, and landslides, affecting millions in the region.

About

• Tropical cyclones are defined as weather systems that develop in regions between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.
• The World Meteorological Organization refers to these systems as 'Tropical Cyclones' when wind speeds exceed Gale Force, which is a minimum of 34 knots (63 kph).
• These cyclones are formed from the interactions of ocean and atmospheric conditions, fueled by heat from the ocean and influenced by easterly trade winds, temperate westerlies, and high planetary winds.

Formation of cyclones

• Tropical cyclones are unique weather phenomena that develop exclusively over warm ocean waters near the equator.
• The eye of the cyclone is characterized by calm and clear conditions, with extremely low air pressure.
• Average wind speeds within these storms can reach up to 120 km/h.
• Closed isobars indicate areas of equal atmospheric pressure, resulting in higher wind velocities.
• These cyclones only form over oceans and seas.
• They typically move from east to west, propelled by trade winds.
• Cyclones have a seasonal nature, occurring predominantly during specific times of the year.

Classification of cyclones

• Cyclones are classified according to their wind speeds by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
  • Depression: Wind speeds between 31-49 km/h
  • Deep Depression: Wind speeds between 50-61 km/h
  • Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 62-88 km/h
  • Severe Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 89-117 km/h
  • Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 118-166 km/h
  • Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds between 167-221 km/h
  • Super Cyclonic Storm: Wind speeds above 222 km/h

Category of a tropical cyclone

• The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is used to categorize tropical cyclones based on their sustained wind speeds, classifying them into five categories from Category 1 to Category 5.
• Category 1 cyclones have winds ranging from 119 to 153 km/h, while Category 5 cyclones, which are the most intense, have winds exceeding 252 km/h.
• Major tropical cyclones are those that reach Category 3 or higher, due to their potential to cause significant damage.

Tropical cyclones are known by various names depending on their location:

• Hurricanes – In the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
• Tornados – In the Guinea lands of West Africa and the southern USA.
• Typhoons – In the Northwest Pacific Ocean, notably affecting East and Southeast Asia (e.g., Japan, Philippines, China, Taiwan).
• Willy-Willies – An informal term for tropical cyclones in Australia.

Warm waters of South China Sea

• Typhoon Yagi originated as a tropical storm in the western Philippine Sea, making landfall in the Philippines and initially weakening.
• However, due to exceptionally warm waters in the South China Sea, the storm regained strength.
• Yagi ultimately intensified to a Category 5 typhoon, with peak sustained winds reaching 260 km/h.
• This storm is noteworthy as one of only four recorded Category 5 storms in the South China Sea, alongside Pamela in 1954, Rammasun in 2014, and Rai in 2021.
• Although it was later downgraded to a tropical depression, it still caused substantial rainfall in countries like Myanmar, triggering severe flooding around Naypyidaw, the capital.

Role of climate change

• There is ongoing debate among scientists about the impact of climate change on tropical cyclones, given the numerous factors that influence storm formation and development.
• Nevertheless, there is consensus that rising global temperatures are contributing to the increased intensity of tropical cyclones.
• Recent studies indicate that in Southeast Asia, cyclones are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and persisting longer over land.
• This trend is likely linked to the rise in sea surface temperatures, which have increased by nearly 0.9°C since 1850.
• Warmer oceans provide more water vapor and heat, resulting in stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and increased flooding when these storms make landfall.

Operation Sadbhav by India

• In response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi, India initiated Operation Sadbhav to deliver humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
• India has pledged $1 million in flood relief to Vietnam and $100,000 to Laos.
• As one of the first responders, India is actively contributing to HADR efforts in the region.
• This operation aligns with India’s broader strategy to enhance HADR cooperation within the ASEAN region, consistent with its long-standing Act East Policy.

GS3/Environment

Post-glacial ecosystems could help slow down climate change – Study

Source: The Hindu

Why in news?

The retreat of glaciers is a prominent sign of climate change, but it also leads to the formation of new ecosystems that may help mitigate its impacts, according to a global study titled ‘The Development of Terrestrial Ecosystems Emerging After Glacier Retreat’ published in “Nature”.

How are Glaciers Formed?

• Glaciers develop when snow accumulates in areas where temperatures remain low enough for snow to persist throughout the year.
• As snow continues to pile up, the lower layers undergo compression, transforming into firn, a compacted form of snow.
• With further compression, firn turns into ice.
• When glaciers reach a significant thickness, they start to flow due to gravity, resembling slow-moving rivers of ice.
• This movement is caused by the internal deformation of the ice and sliding at the glacier's base, which results in the creation of crevasses and various glacial formations.

What is Glacier Retreat?

• Glacier retreat is the process in which glaciers lose mass due to melting and a lack of sufficient snowfall to restore their ice.
• This process is exacerbated by climate change, resulting in rising sea levels and changes in water supply.
• As global temperatures increase, glaciers shrink at a faster rate, affecting ecosystems and communities that depend on glacial meltwater for drinking, farming, and hydropower.

Key Highlights of the Recent Study

• Ecosystem Development: The study reveals that although glacier retreat signifies climate change, it also spurs the creation of new ecosystems that can help mitigate climate impacts by enhancing carbon capture and storage through biogeochemical processes.
• Microbial Colonization: Post-glacier retreat, microorganisms such as bacteria and algae are the first to inhabit the barren landscapes, aiding in soil formation. Within a decade, resilient plants like lichens and grasses begin to grow, enriching the soil and supporting more complex life forms.
• Management Importance: The study stresses the need for effective management strategies, as these newly formed areas can quickly evolve, providing habitats for species at risk from climate change and aiding in biodiversity conservation.
• Water Regulation: In regions like the Himalayas, emerging post-glacial ecosystems are essential for regulating water availability, which significantly impacts rivers that serve millions of people.
• Potential for Discoveries: The biodiversity present in these ecosystems may lead to new agricultural and medicinal innovations, underscoring the ecological advantages of protecting and researching these areas.

Way Forward:

• Ecosystem Management: Develop strategies for managing post-glacial ecosystems to enhance their carbon capture capabilities and promote biodiversity conservation, thereby aiding climate change mitigation efforts.
• Research and Conservation: Prioritize research into these ecosystems, particularly in areas like the Himalayas, to protect water resources and explore potential agricultural and medicinal discoveries that could benefit both the environment and local communities.

GS3/Economy

Jute Production in India

Source: Economic Times

Why in News?

Jute production in India is anticipated to decrease by 20% this financial year, as reported by the National Jute Board (NJB). The cultivation of jute in West Bengal and Assam has been significantly impacted by natural disasters, including floods, which have harmed crop yields in affected regions.

About National Jute Board (NJB)

• The NJB was founded in 2008 under the National Jute Board Act, 2008 (effective from 2010) and functions under the Ministry of Textiles.
• Its main goal is to advance the jute sector by backing modernization, boosting productivity, and facilitating both domestic and international marketing of jute products.
• NJB implements various initiatives, including Jute-ICARE, to enhance jute cultivation techniques and promotes Jute Geotextiles for infrastructure projects.
• Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal.
• NJB also carries out the Jute Technology Mission (JTM) to enhance productivity, quality, and the diversification of jute products.
• JTM 2.0 currently aims to further improve productivity, quality, and diversification in the jute sector.

About the Jute Industry in India

• Jute, often called the 'golden fibre', is valued for its natural, renewable, biodegradable, and eco-friendly properties, making it ideal for packaging.
• The Indian jute industry has a history of over 150 years, with around 93 jute mills operational, according to the Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA).
• The first jute mill in India was established in 1854 in Rishira, near Kolkata.
• Post-independence, India encountered difficulties since jute-growing regions remained in Bangladesh while jute manufacturing facilities were in India.
• This sector is crucial for East India, supporting approximately 40 lakh agricultural families and providing employment to 1.4 lakh people in the tertiary sector and 2.6 lakh in manufacturing.
• India is the largest producer of jute, followed by Bangladesh and China. However, Bangladesh dominates the global jute trade, accounting for 75% of exports, while India holds only 7%.

Jute Cultivation in India

• Jute is primarily cultivated in three Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar, which together contribute to 99% of the country’s jute production.
• Conditions Required for Cultivation:
  • Temperature: 25-35°C
  • Rainfall: 150-250 cm
  • Soil Type: Well-drained alluvial soil
• The rich alluvial soil in the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta is ideal for jute cultivation.
• Jute is versatile and can be used to produce gunny bags, mats, ropes, yarn, carpets, and various artifacts.
• Seeds are sown between April and May and harvested from July to August.
• The leaves can be sold in vegetable markets for nearly two months during the four-month jute crop cycle.
• Jute plants can grow tall, reaching up to 2.5 meters, with each part of the plant having multiple uses.
• The outer layer of the stem yields the fibre used in manufacturing jute products.
• The government establishes the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for raw jute procurement from farmers.

PYQ:

[2020] “The crop is subtropical. A hard frost is injurious to it. It requires at least 210 frost-free days and 50 to 100 centimeters of rainfall for its growth. A light well-drained soil capable of retaining moisture is ideally suited for the cultivation of the crop.” Which one of the following is that crop?

(a) Cotton
(b) Jute
(c) Sugarcane
(d) Tea

GS3/Economy

India raises Import Tax on Edible Oils

Source: Economic Times

Why in News?

India has raised the basic import tax on both crude and refined edible oils by 20%. This decision is aimed at supporting local farmers who are struggling with low oilseed prices. The increase in import duties may lead to higher prices for edible oils, potentially reducing demand and lowering imports of palm oil, soyoil, and sunflower oil.

Edible Oil Scenario in India

• India relies on imports for over 70% of its vegetable oil needs, primarily sourcing from:
  • Palm oil from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • Soyoil and sunflower oil from Argentina, Brazil, Russia, and Ukraine
• These sources account for more than 50% of India's edible oil imports.

NITI Aayog Report on Edible Oil Self-sufficiency

Key Highlights

• NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders, published a report titled "Pathways and Strategies for Accelerating Growth in Edible Oils Towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta."

Details

• India's per capita consumption of edible oil is 19.7 kg/year.
• During the fiscal year 2022-23, India imported 16.5 million tonnes of edible oil, meeting only 40-45% of its demand through domestic production.

Projections

• Domestic production of edible oil is expected to reach:
  • 16 million tonnes by 2030
  • 26.7 million tonnes by 2047 under a Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario

Strategic Interventions

• Focus on crop retention and diversification.
• Horizontal expansion to increase cultivation areas.
• Vertical expansion to enhance yield through technological advancements.

Self-sufficiency Targets

• Aim for edible oil production of:
  • 36.2 million tonnes by 2030
  • 70.2 million tonnes by 2047

Key Recommendations

• Enhance seed quality and modernize processing infrastructure.
• Encourage public-private partnerships to foster growth in the sector.

PYQ:

[2018] Consider the following statements:

1. The quantity of imported edible oils has exceeded domestic production in the past five years.
2. The Government does not impose any customs duty on all imported edible oils in special cases.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2