Current Affairs 30 January 2025

Content:

1. ISRO’s 100th launch lifts NavIC satellite into orbit
2. M23 rebels seize most of Goma in mineral-rich eastern Congo as Rwanda leader calls for truce
3. SC orders complete stop to practice of manual scavenging in six metros
4. Rooftop solar installation scheme reaches 8.5% of 1-crore house target
5. Retinal diseases: RNA therapeutics show promise but is India ready?
6. How can the Budget arrest growth decline?
7. Only a radical policy shift can lift farmers from widespread distress

ISRO’s 100th launch lifts NavIC satellite into orbit

• Historic Milestone: ISRO successfully conducted its 100th launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Relevance : GS 3(Space)

• Launch Details:
  • Rocket: GSLV-F15 with an indigenous cryogenic stage.
  • Satellite: NVS-02, part of India’s NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system.
  • Orbit Placement: Successful deployment into intended orbit.

Significance of the Launch:

• ISRO’s Achievement: Over 100 launches, ISRO has lifted 548 satellites into orbit, including 120 tonnes of payload (23 tonnes for 433 foreign satellites).

• NavIC Enhancement:
  • NVS-02 is the second satellite in the second-generation NavIC series.
  • NavIC provides accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) services to India and regions up to 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass.
  • Service Types:
    • Standard Positioning Service (SPS): Accuracy better than 20 metres.
    • Restricted Service (RS): Used for secure, strategic applications.

Future Plans & Indigenous Development:

• NavIC Expansion:
  • Five second-generation satellites planned to augment NavIC capabilities.
  • NVS-01 (first in the series) was launched aboard GSLV-F12 on May 29, 2023.

• Indigenous Atomic Clock:
  • First flown on NVS–01 and now on NVS–02.
  • Critical for accurate time synchronisation in navigation applications.

• NavIC Applications:
  • Strategic uses (defense, security).
  • Tracking shipping vessels.
  • Railway tracking & safety alerts.
  • Time synchronisation for networks & financial systems.

M23 rebels seize most of Goma in mineral rich eastern Congo as Rwanda leader calls for truce

Context : M23 Rebels’ Advance

• The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized most of Goma, the largest city in mineral-rich eastern Congo.
  • Rebels have captured the airport after intense clashes with government forces.
  • UN warns of law and order breakdown due to proliferation of weapons.

Relevance : GS 2(international Relations)

• Humanitarian Crisis:
  • Missiles overhead, bodies on streets—widespread violence has led to mass displacement.
  • Hospitals overwhelmed with injured civilians.
  • Thousands of displaced people are fleeing once again, exacerbating an ongoing refugee crisis.

Geopolitical Developments:

• Rwandan President Paul Kagame called for a ceasefire in talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• Rwanda denies backing M23, but UN reports estimate 4,000 Rwandan forces are operating in Congo.
• Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting the rebels, while Rwanda accuses Congo of backing Hutu rebels linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
• The East African Community (EAC) is holding a meeting on the crisis, but Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi will not attend.

M23 Rebels & Their Intentions:

• M23 consists mainly of ethnic Tutsis and claims to be setting up an administration in Goma.
• Rebels say they want normalcy for civilians and return of displaced people.
• Analysts believe M23 is emboldened by Rwandan support, making a withdrawal less likely than in 2012, when the group briefly captured Goma but later retreated.

International Response:

• Pope Francis called for an immediate ceasefire and protection of civilians.
• UN warns of escalating instability and humanitarian disaster in the region.

Key Minerals of the DRC

Critical Minerals for Global Supply Chains

• Cobalt (~70% global supply): Essential for EV batteries, smartphones, and laptops; key to green energy transition.
• Coltan (~60-70% global supply): Used in electronic capacitors; fuels conflict due to armed group control.
• Lithium: Crucial for EV batteries; positions DRC as a future lithium export leader.

 Precious Metals and Industrial Minerals

• Gold: Funds armed groups; major mines include Kibali and Twangiza.
• Diamonds: High illegal mining and smuggling despite DRC being a top producer.
• Copper & Zinc: DRC is a key copper producer for electrical and industrial use.
• Tin & Tungsten: Tin used in electronics; tungsten vital for industry and defense.

SC orders complete stop to practice of manual scavenging in six metros

Context : Supreme Court Order:

• The SC directed a complete halt to manual scavenging and hazardous manual sewer cleaning in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.

• The decision was based on a petition filed by Dr. Balram Singh.

Relevance : GS 2(Judiciary , Social Justice)

• Centre’s Report:
  • The Centre reported that 465 out of 775 districts in India have not reported any manual scavenging.

• However, Amicus Curiae K. Parameshar questioned the accuracy of state data, pointing out the lack of monitoring committees in many districts.

• Court’s Concern:
  • The SC referenced its October 2023 judgment, which highlighted that manual scavenging is an inhumane practice that continues despite legal bans.

• The SC emphasized that forced labor in sewers undermines the nation’s ideals of equality, fraternity, and dignity.

• The court stressed its determination to enforce its ruling, stating it will ensure compliance by any means.

• Deadline for Affidavits:
  • The State officials from the six metros are required to file affidavits by February 13, 2025, detailing when and how manual scavenging and sewer cleaning ceased in their cities.

• The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 was introduced to eliminate manual scavenging, but it continues, often leading to fatalities.

Rooftop solar installation scheme reaches 8.5% of 1-crore house target

Relevance : GS 2(Schemes) .

• PM Surya Ghar Scheme Overview:
  • Launched on February 15, 2024, with a budget of ₹75,000 crore, aiming to install rooftop solar systems in 1 crore households across India.
  • 8.5 lakh households have successfully installed rooftop solar connections within a year.

• Progress & Targets:
  • The scheme is expected to reach the 1 crore target within the next 2-3 years, according to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.
  • Challenges: The Parliamentary Standing Committee raised concerns about the slow pace of installations, with only 5 lakh installations completed out of 20 lakh applications by October 2024.
  • Delays were attributed to rain-related factors, but the Ministry plans to cover 12 lakh households in FY 2024-25.
  • Increased Pace: The number of daily installations has increased from 3,000 to 9,000.

• Subsidy Structure:
  • 60% subsidy for systems up to 2 kW capacity and 40% subsidy for systems between 2 kW and 3 kW, capped at 3 kW.
  • Subsidy examples:
    • ₹30,000 for 1 kW system
    • ₹60,000 for 2 kW system
    • ₹78,000 for 3 kW system or higher

• Minister’s Remarks on India’s Renewable Energy Growth:
  • India’s renewable capacity has increased by 200% in the last decade, from 75.52 GW in 2014 to 220 GW today.
  • India aims to add 50 GW of new renewable capacity annually in the coming years.
  • The tariff for grid-connected solar power has decreased by 80%, from ₹10.95 per unit in 2010-11 to ₹2.15 per unit today, making India a leader in affordable renewable energy.

Retinal diseases: RNA therapeutics show promise but is India ready?

• Prevalence of Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs):
  • 5.5 million people globally suffer from IRDs, with a higher prevalence in India:
    • 1 in 372 in rural South India.
    • 1 in 930 in urban South India.
    • 1 in 750 in rural Central India.

Relevance : GS 2(Health )

• Gene Therapy Breakthrough:
  • In 2017, the FDA approved the first gene therapy for blindness caused by RPE65 gene mutations.

• Over 50 clinical trials are exploring gene therapy for other genetic eye disorders, offering hope for IRD patients.

• RNA-based Therapies:
  • RNA-based therapies are emerging as safer alternatives to DNA-based treatments, offering temporary genetic changes.

• Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) have shown success in treating conditions like spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy and are now being tested for retinal conditions such as Stargardt disease and Leber congenital amaurosis.

• Advanced therapies like RNA editing and suppressor tRNAs are showing promise for correcting mutations in IRD patients.

• India’s Gap in Research:
  • There is a lack of large cohort studies in India to identify common genetic mutations responsible for IRDs.

• India has no study involving 500+ patients to map the mutation spectrum of IRDs, making targeted therapies challenging.

• Challenges for RNA-based Therapies in India:
  • Genetic diversity: India’s large, diverse population requires extensive research to identify common mutations across communities.

• Barriers: Limited genetic counselling, inadequate research funding, and restricted diagnostic infrastructure in rural areas.

• Lack of awareness: Many clinicians are unaware of RNA-based therapies and their potential applications.

• Collaboration and Awareness:
  • Research collaboration between global pharmaceutical companies and local Indian institutions (e.g., CSIR-Institute of Genomics and L.V. Prasad Eye Institute) has led to the development of precision therapies.

• Raising awareness among clinicians and researchers about RNA-based advancements will be key to ensuring the availability and effectiveness of these treatments in India.

How can the Budget arrest growth decline?

Introduction : Economic Slowdown:

• The Indian economy is facing a growth slowdown, with provisional GDP estimates lower than expected.
  • Despite rising capital expenditure in recent budgets, private consumption and investment remain sluggish.

Relevance  : GS 3(Economy )

• High Growth Period (2004-2011):
  • From 2004 to 2011, India experienced sustained high growth rates and a reduction in absolute poverty.

• During this period, the consumption share of the richest 20% fell, while the bottom 80% saw a significant rise in consumption.

• State intervention through welfare schemes (e.g., NREGA, rural development) played a key role in improving incomes for the working class.

• Private Consumption and State Spending:
  • Those at the lower end of the income spectrum have a higher propensity to consume, meaning that spending focused on these groups creates a larger income and employment multiplier effect.

• A hypothetical comparison shows that spending on income transfers (e.g., NREGA wages) has a larger multiplier effect than spending on capital expenditure (e.g., large-scale infrastructure projects), which might also result in higher imports.

• Impact of Fiscal Expenditure Composition:
  • From 2004 to 2011, there was a sharp rise in social services and development expenditure, which boosted consumption among the bottom 80% of the population.

• This shift in fiscal spending helped reduce consumption inequality by ensuring the working class had higher disposable income.

• Government’s Current Response:
  • The government’s focus has been on capital expenditure (choice A) in recent years, expecting it to crowd-in private investment.

• However, private investment has not responded, as businesses are hesitant to invest in the absence of demand growth, regardless of tax cuts or access to cheap credit.

• Need for Revenue Expenditure:
  • The key to reviving growth lies in increasing revenue expenditure, particularly in the social sector (e.g., welfare programs, direct transfers).

• This would create a virtuous cycle, increasing income for workers, leading to higher demand and investment.

• In addition to revenue expenditure, capital expenditure should focus on labour-intensive projects, which offer better employment and income multipliers.

• Proposed Strategy:
  • The government should increase fiscal expenditure as a share of GDP, with a shift in focus towards revenue expenditure.

• This requires a reversal of the current trend, where capital expenditure dominates, and more emphasis on social and welfare spending to stimulate demand and reverse the economic slowdown.

Only a radical policy shift can lift farmers from widespread distress

Agrarian Crisis:

• 1,00,474 farmers and agricultural workers committed suicide between 2015 and 2022 (according to NCRB data).
• India ranks 105th out of 127 countries on the Global Hunger Index 2024, highlighting the severity of the agrarian crisis.

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues) , GS 3(Agriculture) .

Union Budget Treatment of Agriculture:

• Agricultural allocations have decreased from 5.44% in 2019 to 3.15% in 2024.
• Significant cuts in subsidies: ₹7,082 crore in food subsidies and ₹24,894 crore in fertilizer subsidies.
• Allocations for the MGNREGA job guarantee scheme were lower than previous years.

Farmers’ Primary Concerns:

• Minimum Support Price (MSP): The MSP needs to be set at C2+50%, as recommended by the M.S. Swaminathan Commission. The government’s failure to implement this has led to indebtedness, suicides, and distressed land sales.
• The BJP’s 2014 manifesto promised MSP implementation but it remains unfulfilled.

Rising Input Costs:

• Costs of fertilizers, seeds, diesel, water, and electricity have been rising, exacerbating the financial burden on farmers.
• The government must control input costs through public sector production (fertilizers, seeds, and insecticides) and raise subsidies for these inputs.

Comprehensive Loan Waiver:

• A one-time loan waiver for farmers is critical to prevent farm suicides.
• The government has written off ₹14.46 lakh crore in corporate loans, suggesting that farm loan waivers are financially feasible.

Implementation of MSP and Cost Reductions:

• To address 70% of the agrarian crisis, the government must:
  • Implement MSP at C2+50%
  • Reduce the cost of production through input subsidies and public sector control
  • Offer a loan waiver to farmers

Climate Change and Crop Insurance:

• Increasing frequency of droughts, floods, and unseasonal rains requires a comprehensive crop insurance scheme.
• The current Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is deemed ineffective and is not favorable to farmers. States have started opting out.

Public Investment in Irrigation and Power:

• Public sector investment in irrigation and power must be ramped up to ensure steady water and electricity supply for farmers.
• Many irrigation projects remain incomplete; completing these would increase agricultural yields and create jobs.

Expansion of MGNREGA:

• The 100-day rural job guarantee scheme (MGNREGA) must be expanded, with wages raised to ₹600 and workdays increased to 200.
• The scheme is vital for increasing purchasing power in rural areas, where most farmers and workers reside.

Funding for Reforms:

• The government can fund these reforms by imposing a wealth tax and inheritance tax on the wealthy, as well as restoring corporate taxes.
• The government has cut corporate taxes, leading to a loss of ₹1.45 lakh crore annually in revenue.
• There is a need to raise direct taxes while reducing indirect taxes and cracking down on tax evasion.