Current Affairs 11 September 2024

CONTENTS

1. Increasing Copper Imports Amidst Declining Domestic Production in India
2. India and UAE Strengthen Strategic Partnership with New Energy Agreements
3. Infrastructure Development for Pahadi Korwa Community under PM JANMAN Scheme
4. Yellow Food Dye
5. Curcuma ungmensis
6. Project NAMAN

Increasing Copper Imports Amidst Declining Domestic Production in India

Context:

Despite the global surge in copper demand, India has witnessed a decline in domestic copper ore production, dropping from 4.13 million tonnes in FY19 to 3.78 million tonnes in FY24, as reported by the Ministry of Mines. This reduction in production has led to a significant increase in copper concentrate imports, which have doubled to Rs 26,000 crore in FY24 from FY19. In response to these challenges, Indian smelters and refiners are proactively seeking to acquire copper assets overseas to meet the growing demand and stabilize supply.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Copper Metal and Reserves in India
2. Copper Production in India
3. Current Overview of Copper Ore Production in India

Copper Metal and Reserves in India:

• Properties of Copper:
  • Copper is known for its soft, malleable, and ductile properties along with high thermal and electrical conductivity.
  • It naturally occurs in a directly usable metallic form and is a crucial non-ferrous metal with extensive industrial applications in defense, space, railways, telecommunications, and more.

India’s Copper Reserves:

• Global Reserve Share:
  • India holds about 2% of the global copper reserves.
• Primary Locations:
  • The largest volume of copper ore, about 813 million tonnes, is located in Rajasthan, followed by Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The Khetri Mine in Rajasthan is one of the largest in India.
• State-wise Reserves:
  • Significant copper resources are also found in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Odisha.

Copper Production in India:

• Production Capacity:
  • India’s copper production accounts for 2% of global output, and the country is not self-sufficient in copper ore production.
• Demand and Supply:
  • Domestic demand for copper and its alloys is met through local production, recycling of scrap, and imports.
• Import Practices:
  • India primarily imports copper concentrates for processing in domestic smelters, which are then used to produce copper anode and subsequently refined into copper cathode. This refined copper is crucial for manufacturing various products like rods, sheets, and wires.

Key Players in the Copper Industry:

• Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL):
  • As a Public Sector Undertaking, HCL stands as the only integrated company in India involved in the mining, beneficiation, smelting, refining, and casting of refined copper.
• Private Sector Contributions:
  • Major private players like Hindalco Industries Ltd and Vedanta Limited significantly contribute to the copper industry, primarily relying on imported copper concentrates and owning mines in other countries.

Current Overview of Copper Ore Production in India:

Exploration Challenges:

• Reserve Estimates: India’s copper ore reserves are approximately 208 million tonnes, primarily of low grade.
• Resource Potential: The total copper resources are around 1.51 billion tonnes, needing significant exploration to be mined effectively.
• Exploration Oversight: The National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET), under the Ministry of Mines, manages mineral block exploration.
• Private Sector Engagement: There has been limited private sector involvement in exploration, which has slowed the development of new mines. For instance, NMET approved only two copper exploration projects in FY24 and FY23.
• Policy Changes: In 2023, the Ministry of Mines updated regulations to boost private exploration of critical minerals, including copper.

Reliance on Imports:

• Critical Mineral Status: Copper’s designation as a critical mineral emphasizes its importance in clean energy technologies such as wind turbines and EV batteries, highlighting the need for stable supplies.
• Import Strategies: India is actively seeking new import sources and has invested in copper-rich regions like Mongolia, Zambia, and Chile to secure its copper supply chain through major private sector collaborations.

-Source: Indian Express

India and UAE Strengthen Strategic Partnership with New Energy Agreements

Context:

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently conducted bilateral discussions aimed at deepening their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. During the talks, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi was hosted by India’s Prime Minister at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The meeting resulted in the signing of multiple agreements focused on expanding energy ties between the two nations, further solidifying their collaborative efforts.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Agreements Signed During the Visit
2. Key Aspects of India-UAE Relations
3. Challenges in India-UAE Relations

Key Agreements Signed During the Visit:

• Civil Nuclear Cooperation:
  • India and UAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation.
  • This involves collaboration between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) for the operation and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which is located in Al Dhafra, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the Arab world’s first nuclear power plant.

• Energy Agreements:
  • LNG Supply: An MoU was signed for the long-term supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) between UAE and India, enhancing energy cooperation between the two nations.
  • Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR): Another MoU was signed with India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) to ensure a stable supply of petroleum, safeguarding against geopolitical uncertainties or supply disruptions.

• Food Security:
  • An MoU was signed with the Government of Gujarat focusing on the development of food parks in India. This initiative is part of the broader I2U2 grouping, which includes India, the UAE, and other partners, aimed at enhancing food security in the regions of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh through agricultural development and food park initiatives.

Key Aspects of India-UAE Relations:

• Strategic Partnerships:
  • The relationship is characterized by a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ and a ‘strategic security dialogue’, emphasizing strong political and strategic ties.
  • The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner.

• Economic Agreements:
  • The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has notably increased bilateral trade from USD 72.9 billion to USD 84.5 billion within a year, marking a 16% increase.
  • UAE is a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI), ranking as the fourth largest investor in India during FY23, with a substantial increase in FDI received.

• Energy Security:
  • UAE is a critical oil supplier and plays a significant role in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), ensuring energy security.

• Financial Integration:
  • Initiatives like India’s RuPay card and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) being introduced in the UAE enhance financial collaboration.
  • Both nations have implemented a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system to facilitate trade and financial transactions.

• Defense and Security Cooperation:
  • Enhanced cooperation in defense and security, including counter-terrorism and joint military exercises like Exercise Desert Cyclone.
  • UAE shows a keen interest in Indian defense products, including BrahMos missiles and Tejas fighter jets.

• Space Collaboration:
  • An MoU between ISRO and the UAE Space Agency promotes cooperation in the exploration and utilization of outer space for peaceful purposes.

• Multilateral Engagements:
  • The UAE’s participation in the I2U2 grouping (India-Israel-UAE-US) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) underscores its role in broader regional and global multilateral frameworks.

• Cultural and Social Links:
  • The large Indian diaspora in the UAE acts as a bridge enhancing cultural and social ties.
  • Notable cultural initiatives include the inauguration of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, symbolizing shared values of tolerance and coexistence.

• Healthcare Cooperation:
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the collaboration was particularly evident as both countries supported each other with medical supplies and vaccines.

Challenges in India-UAE Relations:

• Trade Diversification Challenges: Although the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has boosted overall trade figures, there remains a lack of expansion into new categories, keeping trade concentrated in a few sectors like gems, jewelry, petroleum, and smartphones. This limits broader economic gains and reduces diversification.
• Growing Imports and Trade Imbalance: There has been a significant 19% increase in imports from the UAE, totaling USD 53,231 million in FY23. This spike in imports, focused on a few key sectors, is affecting India’s trade balance and placing stress on its trade surplus.
• Export Barriers: Indian exports are hampered by requirements such as Halal certification, which restrict market access and competitiveness for processed foods in the UAE due to these non-tariff barriers.
• Labor Rights Concerns: The Kafala system in Gulf countries, which grants nearly complete control over migrant workers’ employment and immigration status, raises serious concerns about the rights and welfare of migrant laborers.
• Regional Conflicts: Navigating regional tensions, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and the strain between Iran and Arab nations, adds a layer of complexity to India’s foreign relations and strategic planning.
• Financial Assistance to Pakistan: UAE’s financial support to Pakistan has sparked worries about potential misuse for activities that could be detrimental to India, potentially souring bilateral relations.
• Diplomatic Friction: The support the UAE provides to Pakistan and the aforementioned challenges could potentially create friction between India and the UAE, complicating ongoing and future diplomatic interactions.

-Source: The Hindu

Infrastructure Development for Pahadi Korwa Community under PM JANMAN Scheme

Context:

A recent government announcement highlighted that 54 settlements of the Pahadi Korwa community in north Chhattisgarh will soon be connected by roads. This initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s JANMAN scheme, aimed at enhancing accessibility and infrastructure in remote areas, fostering better connectivity and development for the community.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Pahadi Korwa Tribe
2. Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Empowering Tribal Communities

Pahadi Korwa Tribe:

• Identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Chhattisgarh, India.
• Predominantly residing in the Korba and Jashpur districts of Chhattisgarh, with smaller populations in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
• Language:
  • Primary Language: The Korwa tribe speaks Korwa, also known as Ernga or Singli.
  • Dialect: They refer to their language as Bhashi, meaning ‘local language.’
  • Linguistic Family: Korwa language is part of the Munda sub-group of the Austroasiatic languages.
  • Additional Languages: Many also speak Sadri and Chhattisgarhi.
• Economic Practices:
  • Subsistence: Primarily engaged in small-scale farming, fishing, hunting, and forest foraging.
  • Agricultural Practices: They employ a traditional farming method known as jhoonga kheti, which involves clearing forest areas to cultivate crops like lentils.
• Family Structure: Typically, Pahadi Korwa families are nuclear.
• Housing Customs:
  • Settlement Patterns: They build their homes near forest areas using minimal resources.
  • Cultural Practices: Upon the death of a family member within their home, they abandon and relocate, constructing a new home elsewhere.
• Governance:
  • Local Governance: The tribe governs itself through a panchayat system, where community meetings deal with justice and law enforcement based on traditional norms.
• Religious Beliefs:
  • Worship Practices: Devotion is primarily directed towards ancestral spirits and a few key deities.
  • Main Deities: Key figures of worship include Sigri Dev, Gauria Dev, Mahadev (Lord Shiva), Parvati, and Khudia Rani, who is regarded as the supreme deity of the community.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN): Empowering Tribal Communities

Comprehensive Scheme:

• PM JANMAN, comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, is a holistic initiative targeting 11 critical interventions through nine ministries, with a particular focus on the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Key Interventions:

• Aims to address 11 critical interventions, including permanent housing, road connectivity, piped water supply, mobile medical units, hostel construction, ‘Anganwadi’ facilities, and skill development centers.

Additional Ministries’ Involvement:

• Beyond the 11 critical interventions, other ministries contribute to the mission’s success.
  • Ministry of Ayush:
    • Establishes Ayush Wellness Centres based on existing norms.
    • Extends Ayush facilities to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations through Mobile Medical Units.
  • Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship:
    • Facilitates skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations, multipurpose centers, and hostels, aligning with the specific skills of these communities.

-Source: The Hindu

Yellow Food Dye

Context:

Recently, a recent study has demonstrated that tartrazine, a common food dye, can make the skin of living mice temporarily transparent.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Yellow Food Dye:

• Common Name: Known as tartrazine, this synthetic dye falls under the category of azo dyes.
• Appearance: Tartrazine is noted for its lemon yellow hue and is soluble in water.
• Usage: This dye finds its application across a variety of products including dairy items, beverages, desserts, and confectioneries.

Key Findings from Recent Study:

• Light Absorption: Tartrazine is particularly effective in absorbing blue light, which alters its color to orange-to-red when it dissolves in water.
• Visibility Effect: The absorption results in only the orange-to-red spectrum being visible due to the dye’s properties.
• Interaction with Biological Tissues:
  • Scattering Reduction: Biological tissues typically scatter light due to their complex makeup of proteins, fats, and fluids. Tartrazine can harmonize with the refractive indices of these components, minimizing scattering and allowing more light to pass through, rendering the skin nearly transparent.
  • Wavelength Absorption: It absorbs specific wavelengths, notably in the red light spectrum, altering the interaction of light with tissue.
  • Visualization Enhancement: This unique interaction allows for the visualization of blood vessels, internal organs, and muscle movements in real time.

Potential Applications:

• The properties of tartrazine could revolutionize medical procedures by simplifying blood draws, enhancing the effectiveness of laser tattoo removal techniques, and potentially aiding in the early detection of cancers.

-Source: The Hindu

Curcuma Ungmensis

Context:

Researchers have identified a new ‘cousin’ of the turmeric, thanks to a serendipitous discovery during a field trip in Nagaland.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Overview of Curcuma ungmensis:

• Taxonomic Classification: This species is part of the Curcuma genus, which belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.
• Naming Origin: The species was named after its discovery location, Ungma village in the Mokokchung district.
• Plant Description: Curcuma ungmensis is a rhizomatous herb with branched rhizomes that are deeply embedded in the soil, making it suitable for garden cultivation.
• Cultivation: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for ground cover, thriving post-domestication.
• Flowering Season: The plant blooms during the rainy season from August to October, with flowers that open in the morning and wilt by day’s end.
• Conservation Concerns: It is under severe threat from activities like road development, building construction, and natural disasters.

Botanical Significance and Distribution:

• Family Details: The Zingiberaceae family comprises 21 genera and approximately 200 species in India.
• Significant Relatives: Within its genus, it is related to well-known species such as turmeric (Curcuma longa), black turmeric (Curcumacaesia), and mango ginger (Curcuma amada).
• Geographical Spread: The Curcuma genus is predominantly found in South and Southeast Asia, Southern China, parts of Northern Australia, and the South Pacific.
• Indian Diversity: About 40 species of Curcuma are identified across India, particularly in the northeastern and southern states, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

-Source: The Hindu

Project NAMAN

Context:

Recently, the Indian Army launched the first phase of Project NAMAN, in presence of General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff along with Mrs Sunita Dwivedi, President Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA).

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Project Naman
2. SPARSH Portal (System for Pension-related Information & Services Handled Electronically)

About Project Naman:

• Objective: Project Naman aims to establish facilitation and grievance redressal centers to assist veterans and the families of personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
• Location: The inaugural center will be set up in Delhi Cantonment.
• Services: ‘Naman’ will host a Common Service Center, providing access to various government-to-customer services. Additionally, it will support the updating of pensioner accounts on the SPARSH portal for veterans, next of kin, and dependents.

SPARSH Portal (System for Pension-related Information & Services Handled Electronically):

• Implemented by: The Ministry of Defence is responsible for implementing the SPARSH portal.
• Purpose: The portal serves the pension sanction and disbursement requirements for the Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Civilians.
• Transparency: SPARSH offers transparency to defence pensioners by maintaining a comprehensive record of their pension accounts, encompassing all events and entitlements from the pension’s initiation to its cessation upon the last eligible beneficiary.
• Administration: The Defence Accounts Department, under the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), manages this system.
• Functionalities: SPARSH covers various pension-related activities, including initiation and sanction, disbursement, revision, and managing service and grievance requests.

-Source: The Hindu