Current Affairs 19 August 2024

CONTENTS

1. Transformation of India’s Broiler Chicken Industry
2. Central Government Boosts Land Reform and Farmers’ Registry with Financial Incentives
3. Governor Sanctioning the Prosecution of the Chief Minister
4. Nationwide Strike by Resident Doctors for Enhanced Safety Laws
5. St Martin’s Island
6. Namdhari Sect
7. Owlflies

Transformation of India’s Broiler Chicken Industry

Context:

India’s broiler chicken industry has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from traditional, small-scale farming to a highly organized and vertically integrated agri-business. This shift has been pivotal in enabling smallholders to participate effectively in commercial poultry farming. As a result, there has been a notable increase in both productivity and profitability within the sector, demonstrating the positive impact of modern agricultural practices and business models on traditional farming communities.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Current State of India’s Poultry Industry
2. Key Growth Drivers
3. Challenges Facing the Poultry Industry in India
4. Proposed Solutions

Current State of India’s Poultry Industry

• India is currently the third-largest producer of eggs and the eighth in meat production worldwide.
• Egg production has surged from 78.48 billion in 2014-15 to 129.60 billion in 2021-22. Similarly, meat production increased from 6.69 million tonnes to 9.29 million tonnes over the same period.
• The country produces approximately 5 million tonnes of broiler meat annually.
• In 2022, the total poultry feed production in India reached 27 million metric tons.
• The sector has witnessed an average annual growth rate of 8% in meat production and 7.45% in egg production from 2014-15 to 2021-22.
• The Indian poultry market reached approximately Rs. 2,099.2 billion in 2023, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.9% from 2024 to 2032.
• During 2022-23, India exported poultry products to 64 countries, generating revenue of USD 134 million.
• The top egg-producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka.

Broiler Chickens

• Broilers are chickens specifically bred for meat production, characterized by rapid growth and large breast muscles.
• These chickens convert feed into meat efficiently, making them economically viable for commercial production.

Key Growth Drivers

• Contract Farming: Utilization of contract farming models provides resources such as day-old chicks, feed, and technical support, enhancing control over the supply chain.
• Modern Facilities: The use of environmentally controlled (EC) sheds with automated feeding and climate control systems has improved growth efficiency and reduced mortality rates.
• Breeding Advances: Improved breeding techniques have led to faster growth rates and better disease resistance.
• Urban Demand: Rising urban populations and shifting dietary preferences towards processed and ready-to-eat poultry products have increased demand.
• Government Support: Initiatives and subsidies, along with enhanced infrastructure for transportation and cold storage, have spurred sector growth.
• Financial Support: Loans and credit facilities from financial institutions have also supported investments in poultry farming.
• Export Potential: There is significant potential for exporting poultry products to international markets, though this is influenced by global market conditions and competition.

Challenges Facing the Poultry Industry in India

• Environmental Impact: The confinement of chickens in high-density battery cages leads to poor air quality, significant waste management issues, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
• Regulatory Compliance: Poultry operations with over 5,000 birds are classified as polluting industries, necessitating stringent regulatory compliance as mandated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Feed Price Volatility: The profitability of poultry farming is heavily impacted by fluctuations in the prices of key feed ingredients like corn and soybean, making it crucial to ensure a stable supply and explore alternative feed sources.
• Animal Welfare Concerns: Inhumane practices prevalent in industrial poultry operations, such as mutilation, starvation, and overcrowding, directly violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
• Financial and Operational Challenges: Farmers face substantial financial pressures due to large debts, reliance on informal facilities, and the complexities of contract farming arrangements, often leading to significant losses.
• Competition from Alternative Proteins: The rising popularity of plant-based proteins poses a competitive threat to the poultry market.
• Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Challenges in transportation, cold storage, and distribution networks can lead to significant wastage and negatively impact the quality of poultry products.
• Environmental Pollution: The industry contributes to environmental degradation through the emission of pollutants like methane, CO2, and through water effluents and solid waste that lead to soil and water pollution.
• Excess Manure: Accumulation of manure beyond the land’s capacity for absorption creates pollution and breeds disease vectors like flies and mosquitoes.

Proposed Solutions

• Improving Business Environment: There’s a need to improve the ease of doing business by enhancing the export framework and integrating informal sector units into the formal economy.
• Investment in Research and Development: Boosting investment in R&D could drive innovation and lead to significant advancements in the poultry sector.
• Stricter Environmental Regulations: Enforcing stringent environmental regulations is crucial, especially given the CPCB’s classification of the poultry industry as a high-polluting sector.
• Adherence to One Health Principles: It’s essential that India’s environmental laws and regulations embody the One Health principle, which integrates human health, animal health, and environmental sustainability.
• Public Health and Welfare: Strengthening the linkage between animal welfare, public health, and ecosystem integrity should be prioritized to foster sustainable practices.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The government should fund campaigns to raise public awareness about the crucial aspects of poultry farming, aiming to inform and sensitize the wider community.

-Source: Indian Express

Central Government Boosts Land Reform and Farmers’ Registry with Financial Incentives

Context:

The central government of India has announced significant financial incentives under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment for the fiscal year 2024-25. This initiative allocates Rs 10,000 crore to assist states in implementing land-related reforms that affect both rural and urban areas. Additionally, a sum of Rs 5,000 crore is dedicated to the creation of a Farmers’ Registry. These funds aim to promote and streamline land management practices and enhance agricultural productivity by improving record-keeping and resource allocation.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Recent Announcements for Land Reforms
2. Major Initiatives for Land Reforms
3. Challenges in Land Reforms
4. Proposed Steps for Reform

Recent Announcements for Land Reforms

• Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN): Often referred to as Bhu-Aadhaar, these numbers will uniquely identify every surveyed parcel of land in rural areas, helping to prevent land fraud and disputes over land ownership.
• Digitization of Cadastral Maps: Cadastral maps will be digitized to reflect current ownership, with comprehensive land registries being established to facilitate better management and dispute resolution.
• GIS Mapping Incentives: In urban areas, states will receive financial incentives to digitize land records using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
• Development of IT Systems: States are mandated to develop IT-based systems for efficient property record administration, updating, and tax management.

Major Initiatives for Land Reforms

• Historical Context: Prior to independence, land ownership issues were prevalent, with significant control held by zamindars and jagirdars.
• Post-Independence Reforms: Initiated by the appointment of the J.C. Kumarappa committee in 1949, reforms focused on the abolition of intermediaries, tenancy reforms, and the introduction of ceiling limits on landholdings to prevent land concentration.
• Land Ceiling Acts: These acts were established to cap the maximum land one could own, aiming to distribute land more equitably among the population.
• Land Consolidation: Targeted at addressing land fragmentation and improving the management of agricultural land.

Recent Initiatives

• Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP): Launched in 2008, this program aims to digitize and modernize land records, creating a centralized management system.
• Integrated Land Information Management System (ILIMS): A central sector scheme designed to streamline and standardize land records across various states.
• SVAMITVA Scheme: Launched to map land parcels in rural areas using advanced technologies like drone technology and CORS, facilitating clear land title ownership.

Challenges in Land Reforms

• Resistance from Large Landowners: Hinders the enforcement of land ceiling acts and redistribution policies.
• Outdated Record-Keeping Systems: These systems lead to disputes and complicate the identification of land for redistribution.
• Economically Unviable Small Landholdings: Resulting from the division of land among heirs.
• Declining Average Size of Operational Holdings: As reported in the Agriculture Census, the size has reduced significantly from 1970 to 2015.
• Weak Law Enforcement and Loopholes: Such as the lack of a clear ceiling on family basis, undermining reform efforts.
• Contentious Farmland Acquisition: Rapid development leads to farmer displacement and conflicts.
• Balancing Redistribution and Effective Farming: Ensuring that new owners can farm effectively remains a significant challenge.

Proposed Steps for Reform

• Digitization and Security of Land Records: Employing AI, satellite imaging, and blockchain technology to manage land records efficiently and reduce disputes.
• Enforcing Land Reform Laws: Strengthening enforcement and closing loopholes to improve the implementation of reforms.
• Learning from Successful Models: Adopting strategies from regions like West Bengal and Kerala, where land reforms have been more effective due to strong political will.
• Incentivizing Land Consolidation: Promoting voluntary pooling and cooperative farming models to enhance agricultural efficiency.
• Transparent Land Acquisition Policies: Implementing fair policies that provide adequate compensation and rehabilitation for affected farmers.
• Support for New Landowners: Offering comprehensive support including agricultural training, access to credit, and market linkages to assist new landowners.

-Source: The Hindu

Governor Sanctioning the Prosecution of the Chief Minister

Context:

Karnataka Governor sanctioned the prosecution of the Chief Minister in a case of alleged corruption in the allotment of land to his wife by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is the MUDA ‘Scam’?
2. Powers of Sanctioning the Prosecution of the CM
3. Historical Context and Comparisons

What is the MUDA ‘Scam’?

Powers of Sanctioning the Prosecution of the CM:

• The sanction for prosecution is granted under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and the Bharatiya Nagarika Suraksha Samhitha 2023, following petitions from social activists.
• Supreme Court’s Stance: A significant reference is made to a 2004 Supreme Court ruling emphasizing that Governors must exercise their discretion based on facts, or risk a breakdown of the rule of law.

Intention Behind the Governor’s Decision:

• Governor’s Justification: The Governor believes the evidence and allegations sufficiently indicate the commission of offenses, warranting a neutral and objective investigation.
• Criticism from the State Government: The state government criticizes this move as politically motivated, aimed at destabilizing the state’s governance, and labels it as illegal, unconstitutional, and contrary to the spirit of democracy and federalism.

Historical Context and Comparisons:

• Previous Instances: The document references past instances where Governors exercised their discretion to prosecute CMs, including a notable 1982 Supreme Court judgment supporting the Governor’s discretion in the case of Maharashtra CM A.R. Antulay, and the 1995 sanction against Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa.
• Legal Precedents: These cases highlight the complex interplay between state governance and central oversight, particularly through the discretionary powers of the Governor as interpreted by judicial decisions.

-Source: Indian Express

Nationwide Strike by Resident Doctors for Enhanced Safety Laws

Context:

Resident doctors across India have initiated a strike to demand robust legislation ensuring their safety while on duty. This action follows the tragic incident on August 9, where a young doctor was raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The uproar began after her body was found in the seminar room of the emergency building where she worked. The medical community has expressed frustration over the hospital administration and state government’s alleged attempts to downplay the incident. A significant point of contention is the absence of a central law that explicitly protects healthcare workers, prompting this widespread protest for better security measures and legal protections.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Ground Reality
2. Immediate Needs for a Safe Work Environment
3. Global Measures to Protect Healthcare Workers
4. Need for Action in India
5. Government Initiatives

Ground Reality

Legal and Administrative Framework

• Decentralized Responsibility: Health and law and order are primarily the responsibility of State governments or Union Territory administrations. This decentralization means that responses and regulations can vary significantly from one region to another.
• Lack of Centralized Data: There is no central record of the number of fatalities among medical professionals due to violence, which complicates efforts to address the issue systematically and measure the effectiveness of interventions.

Historical Context and Ongoing Issues

• The case of Aruna Shanbaug underscores the longstanding nature of violence against healthcare workers in India, highlighting not just extreme cases of assault but also the daily risks faced by medical staff.

Immediate Needs for a Safe Work Environment

• Infrastructure Improvements: Many medical facilities in India suffer from infrastructural deficiencies such as poor lighting and inadequate security measures, which can increase the vulnerability of healthcare workers.
• Security Enhancements: There is a crucial need for the implementation of robust security measures including:
  • Improved Lighting: Ensuring that all areas within medical facilities are well-lit to prevent dark spots where assaults can occur.
  • Security Personnel: Deploying trained security guards to monitor sensitive areas within hospitals and respond quickly to incidents.
  • Surveillance Systems: Installing cameras and conducting regular monitoring can help deter potential assailants and document incidents should they occur.
  • Controlled Access: Managing access to various parts of hospitals through manned checkpoints can prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of violence.

Broader Implications

• Cultural and Educational Campaigns: Beyond physical and legal measures, there is a need for cultural change regarding how healthcare workers are viewed and treated. Education campaigns that highlight the critical role and rights of healthcare professionals could foster greater respect and understanding.
• Policy and Legislation: Advocacy for comprehensive national legislation, akin to the protections offered in other countries, could provide a uniform level of security and legal recourse for healthcare workers across all states and territories in India.

Global Measures to Protect Healthcare Workers

• United Kingdom:
  • The National Health Service (NHS) has a zero-tolerance policy towards violence.
  • This policy is supported by dedicated security teams and an elaborate reporting system to handle incidents immediately and effectively.
• United States:
  • In many states, assaults on healthcare workers are classified as felonies, providing a strong legal deterrent against such acts.
  • The severity of the legal repercussions underscores the seriousness with which these incidents are treated.
• Australia:
  • Hospitals have incorporated several safety protocols, including the deployment of security personnel and the installation of panic buttons.
  • Mandatory de-escalation training for staff helps in managing potentially volatile situations without escalating to violence.

Need for Action in India

In light of the effective measures taken by these countries, there is a pressing need for India to enhance the protection of its healthcare workers:

• Legislative Action: Implementing a Central Protection Act could provide a legal framework for the protection of healthcare workers, similar to those in place in other countries.
• Adoption of Best Practices: By learning from the systems implemented internationally, India can develop a more robust approach to safeguarding healthcare workers. This might include stricter security protocols, comprehensive training for handling aggression, and more substantial legal penalties for offenders.

Government Initiatives

• Ministry of Health’s Directives: Recent directives require the heads of medical institutions to file an FIR within six hours of any incident of violence against healthcare workers.
• NMC Guidelines: The National Medical Commission has mandated that medical colleges develop comprehensive safety policies and take immediate actions following any incident of violence.

-Source: The Hindu

St Martin’s Island

Context:

Recently, after former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resignation, St Martin’s Island came into controversy over its lease to another nation.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Key Facts about St Martin’s Island:

• St Martin’s Island is situated in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, close to the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• The island is 9 kilometers from the southern tip of Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf peninsula.
• It stretches over 7.3 kilometers in length and rises about 3.6 meters above sea level.
• It is the only coral island in Bangladesh and serves as a breeding ground for sea turtles.
• Historical Background: Historically part of the Teknaf peninsula, the island was submerged around 5,000 years ago. The southern parts of today’s island resurfaced about 450 years ago, with the remaining areas emerging over the next century.
• Early Settlements: Arab merchants were among the first settlers during the 18th century, initially naming the island “Jazira” or “the island” and later renaming it “Narikel Jinjira” or “Coconut Island”.
• Colonial Era: In 1900, the island was annexed by British India and named after the then Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong, Martin.
• Post-Colonial Status: Following the partition of British India in 1947, the island became part of Pakistan and later transitioned to being part of independent Bangladesh after the 1971 Liberation War.

-Source: The Hindu

Namdhari Sect

Context:

Recently, hundreds of followers of two rival groups of the Namdhari religious sect clashed violently in Rania in Haryana Sirsa district.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Namdhari Sect

• Origin and Advocacy: Founded by Satguru Ram Singh in 1857 during the festival of Baisakhi, the Namdhari sect is notable for its foundation in social reform and resistance against British rule in India.
• Unique Practices: Known colloquially as “Kukas,” a term derived from their distinctive high-pitched chant called “Kook” of the Gurbani, the followers were directed by Satguru Ram Singh to reject all British influences.
• Leadership and Resistance: Over time, Baba Ram Singh emerged as a secular leader, organizing the Kukas across Punjab, promoting military training among the youth, and facing severe repercussions, including deportation to Rangoon by the British, from which he never returned.
• Spiritual Beliefs: The Namdharis hold the Guru Granth Sahib as the ultimate spiritual authority but uniquely, they also recognize a living human as a Guru.
• Cultural Practices: Adherents of the sect uphold the cow as sacred, abstain from alcohol, and avoid caffeine, reflecting their commitment to purity.
• Headquarters: The main center for the Namdharis is situated in Ludhiana’s Bhaini Sahib, the birthplace of Ram Singh, with additional establishments stretching across Punjab, Haryana, and internationally.

-Source: Indian Express

Owlflies

Context:

Recently, a rare species of owlfly species Glyptobasis dentifera has been rediscovered after 75 years from Kerala by researchers.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Owlflies

• Owlflies belong to the order Neuroptera, which comprises holometabolous insects. This sets them apart from dragonflies, which are categorized under the order Odonata and are hemimetabolous.
• Due to their similar appearance, owlflies are often mistakenly identified as dragonflies by those unfamiliar with entomological taxonomy.
• During daylight hours, adult owlflies are typically found perched on grass blades in lateritic soils or around homes within densely vegetated areas.
• Distinctive Features:
  • Owlflies are recognized by their long, clubbed antennae, nearly as long as their bodies, and prominent bulging eyes.
  • Post-emergence, some owlflies exhibit color changes in their wings.
• Diet and Defense:
  • As aerial predators, owlflies primarily feed on other insects.
  • They are known to emit a strong, musk-like chemical when threatened, which serves to repel potential predators.
• Reproductive Strategy:
  • Owlflies typically deposit their eggs in clusters at the extremities of branches or twigs.
  • To safeguard the eggs from predators, the female constructs a protective barrier beneath the egg clusters.
• Larval Development:
  • Owlfly larvae are generally found either in soil or residing in tree clusters, leveraging these environments for protection.

-Source: The Hindu