13 September 2024

• Economy: The Chief Economic Adviser dismissed Universal Basic Income as unnecessary. SEWA Bharat's evidence for women's empowerment through targeted cash transfers was cited as an alternative approach.
• Agriculture: Government promoted Nano DAP (developed by IFFCO) for the Rabi season in Punjab, though scientists at PAU flagged lower wheat yields with nano DAP alone.
• Environment: Mikania micrantha, an invasive weed, was covering 10-15 per cent of Bhadra Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.
• Society: China's decision to raise retirement ages prompted analysis of India's own demographic and pension challenges.

GS area: Economy (welfare policy)

The Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran dismissed Universal Basic Income (UBI) as unnecessary for India at this stage. The debate draws on both the 2016-17 Economic Survey and recent field evidence.

Key dimensions:

• UBI definition: A fixed, unconditional cash transfer to all eligible individuals regardless of income, employment status or social category.
• Economic Survey 2016-17: UBI was seriously examined as a potential replacement for India's fragmented subsidy system. The cost was estimated at Rs 7,620 per year per person, equivalent to about 4.9 per cent of GDP.
• SEWA Bharat study: Evidence from this study showed that women in rural India who received unconditional cash transfers gained greater autonomy in household decision-making. This is the strongest argument for targeted UBI pilots.
• Benefits of UBI: Eliminates targeting errors in subsidy delivery, provides a counter-cyclical buffer during downturns, promotes financial inclusion, preserves human dignity.
• Challenges: Fiscal sustainability at 4-5 per cent of GDP is very high. Risk of work disincentive effects. Potential inflationary pressure from cash in the hands of millions simultaneously.
• CEA's alternative preference: Strengthen MGNREGA, expand DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) targeting, invest in skill development and promote microfinance through SHGs.

Static linkage: Social welfare policy, Direct Benefit Transfer, poverty alleviation.

GS area: Economy (agriculture), Science and Technology

The government promoted Nano DAP (di-ammonium phosphate in nano form) developed by IFFCO for the Rabi 2024-25 season, particularly for Punjab.

Key facts:

• Developer: IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative). The world's largest fertiliser cooperative.
• Form: Liquid nano DAP in a 500 ml bottle.
• Cost: Rs 600 per 500 ml bottle covering one acre. Conventional granular DAP costs Rs 1,350 per 50 kg bag.
• Use recommendation: Nano DAP should be used alongside granular DAP for optimal results, not as a complete replacement.
• Concern: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) scientists reported lower wheat yields when only nano DAP was used. This is a genuine agricultural science limitation.
• Benefits of nano-fertilisers generally:
  • Nutrient Use Efficiency exceeds 85 per cent (compared to 30-40 per cent for conventional fertilisers).
  • Reduces fertiliser use by approximately 50 per cent.
  • Minimises soil, water and air pollution.
• Government benefit: Reduced subsidy bill on non-urea fertilisers. India imports large quantities of DAP (mainly from China and Jordan).
• Risk: Potential toxicity to soil microbes at high concentrations remains under study.

Static linkage: Fertiliser policy, agricultural inputs, IFFCO, nano-technology in agriculture.

GS area: Environment (biodiversity, invasive species)

Mikania micrantha (common name: "mile-a-minute" vine) was found covering 10-15 per cent of the Bhadra Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.

Key facts:

• Classification: An aggressive creeping vine native to Central and South America. Listed among the world's most invasive plant species.
• Mode of invasion: Rapidly climbs over and smothers native vegetation. Grows at rates up to 3-5 cm per hour in optimal conditions.
• Impact: Reduces light availability to native understory plants. Reduces prey availability for large mammals by degrading grassland habitat. Threatens chital (spotted deer), gaur and tiger prey base.
• Other affected reserves: Chitwan Tiger Reserve (Nepal) and Valmiki Tiger Reserve (Bihar) have reported similar invasions.
• Control methods: Manual removal, biological control using stem-boring insects (Actinote zikani), and herbicide application.
• Relevance: UPSC questions on invasive species typically test the species' origin, the mechanism of damage and the legal framework. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 does not specifically address invasive plants; the Biological Diversity Act 2002 is more relevant.

Static linkage: Invasive species, tiger conservation, biodiversity.

GS area: Governance (health)

President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2024 to 15 nurses at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Key facts:

• Award established: 1973, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Components: Certificate of Merit, a medal and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000.
• Florence Nightingale (1820-1910): English social reformer who founded modern nursing. Worked during the Crimean War (1853-56) where she dramatically reduced mortality rates through sanitation improvements. Established the first scientifically based nursing school at St. Thomas' Hospital, London, in 1860.
• Relevance: The award celebrates nurses making exceptional contributions to healthcare. India has a severe nurse shortage (approximately 1.5 nurses per 1,000 population against the WHO recommended 3 per 1,000).

Static linkage: Health governance, primary healthcare infrastructure.

GS area: Environment (coastal), Governance

Mumbai's 5,378 acres of salt pan lands came under attention after 256 acres were transferred to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

• What salt pan lands are: Flat coastal lands used for solar salt production by evaporating seawater. They occur in arid, semi-arid and coastal regions. When salt pans are abandoned, they accumulate rainwater and tidal inflows, acting as natural buffers against flooding.
• Ecological function: Prevent flooding by absorbing tidal inflows. They are critical coastal wetland ecosystems supporting migratory birds and mangrove fringes.
• CRZ classification: Salt pan lands in coastal areas fall under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification. Their development is restricted.
• Mumbai flooding risk: Transfer of salt pan lands for urban development is blamed for worsening flooding in areas like Vikhroli and Kanjurmarg.
• Dharavi context: The Dharavi Redevelopment Project aims to rehabilitate Asia's largest slum. The land allocation from salt pans is part of the project's land assembly.

Static linkage: Coastal Regulation Zone, urban planning, disaster management.

GS area: Economy (energy), Environment

The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) Scheme was approved by the Heavy Industries Ministry to promote electric vehicle adoption.

• Components:
  • 14,028 electric buses for public transport in nine major cities. Demand aggregation managed by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
  • Subsidies for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers (the largest segment of EV sales in India).
  • Fast chargers and electric truck incentives.
  • Modernisation funding for EV testing agencies.
• Context: PM E-Drive replaces the earlier FAME scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles). The focus shifts from two-wheelers to buses, which have the largest per-vehicle emission reduction impact.
• EV target: No specific year-wise mandate, but aligned with India's 500 GW non-fossil capacity and 30 per cent EV sales targets by 2030.
• Charging infrastructure: Separate guidelines by Ministry of Power specify minimum charging station density in urban areas and highway spacing requirements.

Static linkage: EV policy, FAME scheme, clean energy transition.

• Myristica swamp forest: Researchers found an endangered Myristica swamp forest near the Goa-Maharashtra border at a sacred grove. The site covers 8,200 square metres and contains 70 Myristica magnifica trees. Myristica swamps are among the most threatened ecosystems in the Western Ghats, providing groundwater recharge and flood mitigation.
• Mission Mausam: Rs 2,000-crore scheme by the Ministry of Earth Sciences to make India "Weather Ready and Climate Smart." Plans to deploy 50 Doppler Weather Radars and use AI/ML for improved forecasting, with implementation by 2026.