Current Affairs 19 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. State Finance Commission
2. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Agriculture
3. DRDO Successfully Tests Long-Range Hypersonic Missile in India
4. Epilepsy
5. King Cobra
6. Leucism

State Finance Commission

Context:

According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, all states, except Arunachal Pradesh have constituted State Finance Commissions (SFCs). 

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. State Finance Commissions (SFCs)
2. Importance of State Finance Commissions
3. Challenges Faced by State Finance Commissions (SFCs)

State Finance Commissions (SFCs)

Constitutional Basis and Establishment

• Constitutional Provision: Established under Article 243-I of the Indian Constitution, State Finance Commissions (SFCs) are mandated to be set up by the Governor of each state.
• Frequency of Constitution: SFCs are required to be constituted every five years following the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.

Role and Responsibilities

• Primary Function: The central role of SFCs is to recommend how financial resources should be distributed between the state governments and their respective local bodies, including both Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and urban local bodies (ULBs).
• Evaluation of Financial Needs: SFCs assess the financial requirements and potentials of local bodies, ensuring that resources are allocated fairly and effectively to meet local governance needs.

Current Status and Recommendations

• Implementation Issues: Despite the constitutional mandate, many states lag in constituting their SFCs regularly. As per the 15th Finance Commission (2021-26), only nine states had constituted their 6th SFC as due in 2019-20, with others stuck at the 2nd or 3rd.
• 15th Finance Commission’s Directives: It has been recommended that states not only establish SFCs and implement their recommendations but also submit action reports to their legislatures. Non-compliance could result in withholding of certain grants.

Importance of State Finance Commissions

Ensuring Financial Health and Autonomy of Local Bodies

• Constitutional Mandate: The regular and timely establishment of SFCs is not just a procedural formality but a crucial element for maintaining the financial health and autonomy of local bodies.
• Fair Allocation of State Revenues: SFCs play a key role in ensuring that state revenues are equitably distributed among various local government tiers, thereby enhancing their financial capabilities.

Complementing Union Finance Commissions

• Integration with National Policies: SFCs complement the allocations made by the Union Finance Commission, which distributes central funds among states and local bodies, ensuring a cohesive financial governance structure across national and local levels.

Improving Local Governance

• Service Delivery Improvement: By recommending fiscal measures and resource allocations, SFCs empower local governments to enhance their service delivery, making them more responsive to the needs of citizens.
• Performance-based Evaluation Systems: SFCs can introduce mechanisms that incentivize better governance practices at the local level through a system of rewards and penalties.

Bridging Functional and Financial Gaps

• Addressing Unfunded Mandates: Local bodies often face challenges due to unfunded mandates where responsibilities are not matched by adequate financial resources. SFCs help address these disparities by recommending appropriate financial devolution.
• Streamlining Fiscal Transfers: Effective recommendations from SFCs can improve the predictability and stability of funding for local bodies, reducing volatility and enhancing fiscal management.

Empowering Local Representatives

• Decentralization of Power: Beyond fiscal matters, the role of SFCs is pivotal in empowering local elected officials, such as municipal councillors and panchayat pradhans, by ensuring they have the necessary resources to fulfill their roles effectively.

Challenges Faced by State Finance Commissions (SFCs)

• State governments frequently exhibit reluctance to delegate full authority and resources to local bodies as prescribed by the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments.
• SFCs often have to build their data from the ground up due to the absence of accessible and structured information, which diminishes their efficiency.
• The leadership of many SFCs often consists of bureaucrats or politicians rather than specialists in public finance or related fields.
• The lack of skilled technocrats in SFCs compromises the dependability and effectiveness of their recommendations, thereby weakening their influence.
• States commonly neglect to present Action Taken Reports (ATRs) in the legislative assembly following SFC recommendations, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability.
• There is a consistent trend of states disregarding the recommendations of SFCs, which diminishes the SFCs’ role in developing fiscal policies for local governance.
• Observers point out that urban local bodies are frequently overlooked, with minimal political awareness and inadequate public involvement, negatively impacting fiscal decentralization.

-Source: The Hindu

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Agriculture

Context:

With increasing contributions, the focus is on how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can support Indian agriculture to become both economically viable and ecologically sustainable. 

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. The Need for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Agriculture
2. How CSR Can Transform Agriculture
3. Challenges in CSR Implementation in Agriculture
4. About Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

The Need for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Agriculture

Context and Challenges

• Dependency on Agriculture: Nearly 47% of India’s workforce is employed in agriculture, highlighting its critical role in the economy. The sector supports over 70% of rural households, with a majority being small and marginal farmers who face significant challenges.
• Access to Resources: Many farmers struggle with high interest rates and limited access to formal credit sources, which hampers their ability to invest in necessary inputs like seeds, equipment, and fertilizers.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Inadequate rural infrastructure, including storage, transportation, and irrigation systems, often leads to post-harvest losses, inefficient supply chains, and reduced market access.
• Environmental and Operational Challenges: Unpredictable weather patterns, poor irrigation practices, and overuse of chemicals contribute to soil degradation, water scarcity, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters.

How CSR Can Transform Agriculture

Technological Integration

• Precision Agriculture: CSR programs can facilitate the adoption of advanced technologies such as sensors, drones, GPS, and data analytics. These tools can help farmers optimize irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, enhancing crop health and sustainability.

Financial Support

• Affordable Financing: Collaborations between companies and financial institutions can provide farmers with low-interest loans and subsidies, improving their access to essential agricultural inputs and services.

Sustainable Practices

• Renewable Energy: CSR initiatives can promote the use of renewable energy sources in farming operations, such as solar power, wind energy, and biogas. This shift not only supports sustainable agriculture but also reduces the carbon footprint of farming activities.

Biotechnological Advancements

• Biotechnology and GMOs: Supporting the development of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms can make crops more resistant to pests and diseases, enhance stress tolerance, boost yields, reduce dependency on pesticides, and improve overall food security.

Capacity Building

• Skill Development: Providing farmers with access to knowledge and skill-building programs can equip them with modern farming techniques. This empowerment enables them to enhance productivity, minimize risks, and adopt more efficient farming practices.

Market Linkages

• Value Chain Integration: CSR can help create and strengthen market linkages for farmers, ensuring they receive fair prices for their products and gain access to broader, more lucrative markets. This integration is crucial for improving the economic stability of farming communities.

Challenges in CSR Implementation in Agriculture

Lack of Clear Definition and Scope

• Ambiguous Demarcation: CSR activities related to agriculture often lack clear definitions and well-defined objectives, making it challenging to align and execute these initiatives effectively.
• Broad Legal Framework: Under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, agricultural sustainability activities could fit into multiple development sectors, such as gender equality, poverty alleviation, technology incubators, and animal welfare, adding to the complexity of categorization and focus.

Focus on Short-Term Goals

• Short-Term Orientation: Many CSR programs are designed to achieve quick results, whereas agriculture benefits from long-term investments and continuous support to achieve significant and sustainable outcomes.

Measurement Challenges

• Difficulties in Impact Assessment: The social impact of CSR initiatives in agriculture, especially in rural settings, is often hard to quantify. Metrics like improvements in farmers’ incomes or enhancements in livelihoods and well-being due to CSR activities can be subjective and difficult to measure accurately.

Integration with Business Strategies

• Business Alignment Challenges: Companies may find it challenging to integrate CSR strategies in agriculture with their core business strategies, particularly if there is no direct linkage or benefit. For example, cosmetic companies might see little incentive to invest in farming practices.

Resource Allocation

• Competition for CSR Funds: Agriculture often receives less focus as CSR funding is predominantly directed towards education and health sectors.
• Diversion of Funds: Significant CSR funds are sometimes redirected to broader purposes like the PM CARES Fund, which can reduce the availability of funds for specific sectors like agriculture.

Focus and Implementation Issues

• Narrow Focus: CSR initiatives may target isolated aspects of agriculture, such as providing training or technology, without addressing broader challenges like climate change, market access, or financing.
• Partnering Difficulties: Finding NGOs in rural areas that align with specific CSR objectives can be challenging, complicating the implementation of projects.
• Geographic Disparities in Funding: A significant portion of CSR funds is often allocated to more industrialized states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, leaving less-developed regions with fewer resources.
• Strategic Misalignment: Companies may prefer to channel their CSR efforts into regions where they have existing operations or stronger ties, rather than strategically allocating resources to areas with greater needs.

About Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• The term “Corporate Social Responsibility” in general can be referred to as a corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare.
• Section 135 of the Companies Act mandates corporates who are beyond a certain level of profits and turnover to pay at least 2% of their net profits before tax to the development space.
• India is the first country in the world to mandate CSR spending along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities.
• The indicative activities, which can be undertaken by a company under CSR, have been specified under Schedule VII of the Act. The activities include:
  • Eradicating extreme hunger and poverty,
  • Promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women,
  • Combating Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and other diseases,
  • Ensuring environmental sustainability;
  • Contribution to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government for socio-economic development and relief and funds for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and women etc.

How is the CSR law helping?

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) grants, which wouldn’t necessarily have flowed had it not been for the CSR law, have assumed importance to provide the much-needed sustenance to NGOs and CSOs as key players in non-state governance.
• This law gives corporates the necessary impetus to collaborate with non-state actors like Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
• This strengthening of citizenry-private partnerships is a major component of development activities and this is a classic case of state-driven governance mechanism promoting collaboration among non-state actors.

-Source: The Hindu

DRDO Successfully Tests Long-Range Hypersonic Missile in India

Context:

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully flight-testing a long-range hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha on November 17. This advanced missile, capable of carrying various payloads over distances greater than 1,500 km, marks a major advancement for the Indian Armed Forces. The missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs and industry partners, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in high-speed weaponry technology.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Hypersonic Missiles
2. India’s Hypersonic Missile Development

Hypersonic Missiles

Definition and Characteristics

• Speed and Agility: Hypersonic missiles are defined by their ability to travel faster than five times the speed of sound, which is approximately 760 miles (1,220 km) per hour at sea level. This classifies them at speeds beyond Mach 5.
• Maneuverability and Trajectory: Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons do not follow a predetermined, arched trajectory and can maneuver en route to their target, making them difficult for traditional missile defense systems to detect and intercept.

Types of Hypersonic Weapons

• Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGVs): These are launched from rockets and then glide to their targets, leveraging high speeds to overcome defensive measures.
• Hypersonic Cruise Missiles (HCMs): Powered by high-speed air-breathing engines, known as scramjets, these missiles maintain propulsion throughout their flight.

Advantages

• Responsive Strike Capability: Hypersonic missiles can quickly reach and neutralize distant, defended, or time-sensitive targets effectively.
• Conventional Use: They rely on kinetic energy for destruction, suitable for striking unhardened or underground facilities without the need for explosive payloads.
• Detection Challenges: Flying at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, they are difficult to track with certain ground-based radar systems.

Engineering Challenges

• Heat and Air Resistance: The extreme speeds generate significant heat and air resistance, presenting substantial material and design challenges.
• Precision and Maneuverability: The high velocities require exceptionally precise mechanisms for maneuvering and guidance.
• Communication: High speeds complicate maintaining effective communication with ground operators.
• Development Costs: They are significantly more expensive to develop compared to traditional ballistic missiles.

Global Developments

• Russia and China: Both countries are leaders in hypersonic technology, with Russia having actively deployed such systems in military operations.
• United States: Continues to advance its hypersonic capabilities, including significant investments like the $756 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin for developing the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW).
• Other Nations: France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Iran, and Israel are also investing in developing hypersonic technology.

India’s Hypersonic Missile Development

Progress and Milestones

• Early Challenges: India faced setbacks such as the 2019 failure of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV).
• Successful Tests: Achievements include a successful test in 2020 where a scramjet-powered vehicle reached Mach 6.
• Ongoing Development: India plans further trials to enhance the duration and reliability of its hypersonic technology before eventual deployment.

Recent Achievements

• First Hypersonic Missile Test: Marking a significant milestone, India successfully tested its first long-range hypersonic missile capable of executing mid-flight maneuvers and traveling at speeds of Mach 6.
• Technical Capabilities: The missile boasts advanced speed, maneuverability, and a range exceeding 1,500 km, enhancing the strategic capabilities of the Indian armed forces.

Future Implications

• Strategic Impact: The development of hypersonic missiles significantly boosts India’s defense capabilities, offering new avenues for deterrence and combat readiness.
• BrahMos Hypersonic Variant: Considerations for developing a hypersonic variant of the existing BrahMos missile indicate ongoing efforts to expand India’s arsenal with cutting-edge technology.

-Source: Indian Express

Epilepsy

Context:

National Epilepsy Day is marked every year in India on November 17 to raise awareness about the disease, the struggles associated with it, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Overview of Epilepsy

Epilepsy, commonly referred to as a seizure disorder, is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures. These seizures are the result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. Different parts of the brain can be the site of such discharges, leading to varied types of seizures.

Characteristics of Seizures

• During a seizure, numerous neurons may fire at the same time, significantly faster than normal, leading to various symptoms.
• These can include involuntary movements, altered sensations, unusual emotions, and behaviors, or an altered level of consciousness.
• Post-seizure recovery can vary; some individuals may recover immediately, while others might take hours to feel normal again.

Causes of Epilepsy

• In about 50% of cases, the exact cause of epilepsy remains unknown.
• For other individuals, epilepsy can be traced to genetic factors, brain developmental anomalies, infections, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, brain tumors, and other conditions.

Symptoms Variation

• Seizure manifestations can differ greatly; some individuals lose awareness during a seizure, while others may not.
• Common physical manifestations include blank staring, convulsions, or other involuntary movements.

Diagnosis

• Epilepsy is typically diagnosed after an individual has experienced at least two unprovoked seizures, spaced more than 24 hours apart.
• Experiencing one seizure does not necessarily mean an individual has epilepsy.

Demographics

• Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people globally, making it one of the most common neurological diseases.
• It can develop in any person, regardless of gender, ethnic background, or age.

Treatment Options

• Medication and Surgery: While many individuals manage their condition with medication, some may require surgery to control seizures.
• Long-Term Management: Treatment needs can vary; some people may need lifelong treatment, whereas others might see an improvement or resolution of symptoms over time.
• Pediatric Considerations: Certain forms of epilepsy in children may improve or resolve with age.

-Source: The Hindu

King Cobra

Context:

In ground-breaking research, well-known wildlife biologist from Agumbe has proved that king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) the longest venomous snake in the world, has four different species.

Relevance:

GS III: Species in News

King Cobra

Scientific Classification and Description

• The king cobra was named Ophiophagus hannah by Theodore Edward Cantor in 1836. The genus name Ophiophagus translates to “snake-eater,” reflecting its diet.
• King cobras are distinguished from other cobras by the presence of 11 large scales on the crown of their head. They are the world’s largest venomous snake.

Behavior and Ecology

• Primarily preys on other snakes, making it a specialized hunter. Its active hunting behavior occurs both during the day and at night.
• Capable of delivering a significant amount of neurotoxic venom in a single bite—enough to kill up to 10 people or even an elephant. The venom affects the respiratory centers in the brain, leading to respiratory arrest and potential cardiac failure.
• Notable for being the only snake species to build nests for their eggs, which are aggressively guarded by the female. The nest dimensions are typically about 4 feet by 3 feet.

Species Differentiation Recent studies have identified four distinct species of king cobras:

1. Ophiophagus kaalinga: Found in the Western Ghats of southwestern India; characterized by having fewer than 40 bands on its body.
2. Ophiophagus hannah: Widespread across northern and eastern India, the Andaman Islands, eastern Pakistan, Indo-Burma, Indo-China, and Thailand, with 50 to 70 bands.
3. Ophiophagus bungarus: Inhabits the Malay Peninsula, the Greater Sunda Islands, and parts of the southern Philippines, featuring more than 70 bands.
4. Ophiophagus salvatana: Native to Luzon in the northern Philippines, this species lacks bands.

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Listed as Vulnerable, indicating it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.
• CITES: Included in Appendix II, suggesting that although not necessarily threatened with extinction, the species must be controlled in trade to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

Threats

• Habitat Destruction: Loss of forest habitats due to logging, agricultural expansion, and urban development significantly impacts their survival.
• Exploitation: King cobras are threatened by hunting for their skin, use in traditional medicines, consumption as food, and international pet trade.

-Source: The Hindu

Leucism

Context:

Tamil Nadu Forest Department staff and members of a non-governmental organisation recently rescued a rare peacock with white feathers, caused by a genetic condition called leucism.

Relevance:

GS III: Species in News

Leucism

Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in various animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. It results from a genetic mutation that prevents melanin and other pigments from being properly deposited in feathers, hair, or skin. This condition can manifest as overall paleness or as patches of reduced coloring across the body.

Characteristics in Birds

• Feather Pigmentation: In birds, leucism is observed specifically in the feathers. Affected birds may exhibit white patches in areas typically colored, or their entire plumage might appear pale or as if it has been bleached.
• Normal Body Pigmentation: Unlike albinism, leucism does not affect the pigmentation of the skin, eyes, or other non-feather parts of birds.

Albinism vs. Leucism

Albinism

• Genetic Mutation: Albinism is caused by a mutation that leads to absent or significantly reduced melanin production.
• Physical Appearance: Albinos typically have white or pinkish skin and hair due to the lack of melanin. Their eyes usually appear red because the blood vessels are visible through the translucent iris.
• Total Pigmentation Loss: This condition involves a complete loss of pigmentation throughout the body, including the eyes, which distinguishes it markedly from leucism.

Leucism

• Partial Pigmentation Loss: Leucism involves only a partial loss of melanin production or its distribution. This can lead to white or patchy-colored skin, hair, and feathers.
• Normal Eye Coloration: The eyes of leucistic animals usually retain normal pigmentation, which helps differentiate it from albinism. Similarly, the pigmentation of other body parts like legs and bills in birds remains unaffected.

-Source: The Hindu