Daily Current Affairs 13 October 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 13 October 2023 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

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Dam Safety In India

Source Dam Safety In India: Down to Earth
GS III: Disaster Management

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. What was the primary reason?
3. How can disaster avoided?
4. Dam Safety Act, 2021

Why in the News?

The ongoing scientific investigations over the Chungthang dam bursting are trying to unravel the exact cause of the abrupt eruption of South Lhonak Lake, situated in northern Sikkim. 

News in Brief

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• This catastrophic event led to the collapse of the Chungthang Dam on October 4, 2023.
• The dam’s collapse triggered a staggering surge in water levels, elevating them by an alarming 15-20 metres within the Teesta River.
• The resultant flash flood wreaked havoc across numerous districts.
• In the four most affected districts of Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi, water pipes, sewage lines, and 277 homes have been damaged.
• The flood formed as a result of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF).

 

What was the primary reason for Dam Safety In India?

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• South Lhonak Lake is one of the rapidly expanding lakes in the Sikkim Himalayan region.
• Its growth is inversely related to the accelerated melting of the Lhonak glacier resulting from global warming.
• Over the past 29 years, this glacier has shrunk by approximately 0.96 square kilometres.
• Its submerged area expanded to 1.35 square km in 2019 from 0.42 square km in 1990.
• This rapid growth increases the lake’s vulnerability to collapse when subjected to heavy rainfall, earthquakes and other similar events,
  • Particularly in the Himalayan region where geological activity is more pronounced.

How can disaster avoided?

• Global warming is causing glaciers to melt and increasing water pressure in glacial lakes, reducing the emission is one potential solution.
• Pumping out the water from the lake.
• Identification of Potentially Dangerous area in the Lakes
• Channeling Potential Floods
• Awareness & Preparedness

Dam Safety Act, 2021

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Objective of Dam Dam Safety Act, 2021?

• The Act provides for the surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of all specified dams across the country.
• Prevention of dam failure-related disasters and providing for institutional mechanisms to ensure their safe functioning
• These are dams with heights of more than 15 metres, or heights between 10 m and -15 m with certain design and structural conditions.

National Level Bodies

• National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)
  • Implements policies of the NCDA and provides technical assistance to State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs) and resolves disputes involving an SDSO.
  • The Authority shall be headed by an officer not below the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or equivalent to be appointed by the Central Government.
    • He has knowledge of, and adequate qualifications, experience and capacity, to deal with problems relating to dam engineering and dam safety management.
  • The Authority shall comply with such directions as may, from time to time, be given to it by the Central Government.
    • Authority shall make all endeavours to resolve any issue between the State Dam Safety Organisations of States or between a State Dam Safety Organisation and any owner of a specified dam in that State.
    • It shall have the power to enforce the attendance of any person and call for any information as may be necessary.
    • Implement the policy, guidelines and standards evolved by the National Committee for proper surveillance, inspection and maintenance of specified dams
  • Every decision of the Authority taken in respect of matters under this Act shall be final and binding upon all the parties to the issue.
• National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS)
  • Improvises policies and recommends regulations regarding dam safety standards.
  • Established under section 8 of the Act.
  • Members
    • Chairman, Central Water Commission—Chairperson, ex officio.
    • Not exceeding ten representatives of the Central Government not below the rank of Joint Secretary to that Government or equivalent dealing with matters relating to dam engineering or dam safety, nominated by the Central Government.
    • Not exceeding seven representatives of the State Governments of the level of Engineer-in-Chief or equivalent by rotation, nominated by the Central Government.
    • Not exceeding three specialists in the field of dam safety and allied fields
  • Functions
    • National Committee shall discharge such functions as specified in the First Schedule as may be necessary to prevent dam failure-related disasters and to maintain standards of dam safety.
    • National Committee shall meet at such times and places and shall observe such rules of procedure in regard to the transaction of business at its meetings in the manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Offences and Penalties

• Anyone obstructing a person in the discharge of his functions under the Act or refusing to comply with directions may be imprisoned for a year.
• In case of loss of life, the person may be imprisoned for two years.

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Caste Census in India

Source: PIB
GS I: Indian Society

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Overview

1. Socio-economic data
2. History of Caste Survey in India

Why in the News?

After the publication of a caste survey in Bihar, which found that 63% of Bihar’s 13 crore population belong to castes listed under the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised and rejected the demand for a nationwide caste census made by Opposition parties.

Socio-economic data

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• National Sample Survey
  • The average monthly per capita consumption expenditures (MPCE) of Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and OBC households in rural areas were, respectively 65%, 73% and 84% of the MPCE of the ‘Others’, i.e. the general category, as per the National Sample Survey (NSS), 2011-12.
  • In urban areas, the average MPCE of ST, SC and OBC households were 68%, 63% and 70% of the general category in 2011-12.
• National Family Health Survey (NFHS4/ 2015-16)
  • The persistence of inequality across caste categories in India can also be seen in the multidimensional poverty estimates based on the National Family Health Survey (NFHS4/ 2015-16).
• NIT, Rourkela research paper by scholars
  • It has been estimated that while on average 25% of Indians were multidimensionally poor in 2015-16, the poverty ratio among STs was 44.4%, SCs 29.2%, OBCs 24.5% and Others 14.9%.
  • STs, SCs and OBCs taken together comprised around 73% of the Indian population, they accounted for 84% of the country’s poor.
  • Over 50% of India’s multidimensionally poor belonged to the OBC category.
• Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
  • Almost 28% of all Indians were multidimensionally poor in 2015-16.
  • The poverty headcount ratio among STs was 50.6%, SCs 33.3%, OBCs 27.2% and Others 15.6%.
  • As per this estimate, while STs, SCs and OBCs taken together comprised around 77.6% of the Indian population in 2005-06, this share increased to almost 84% of the country’s poor in 2015-16.
• The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio among Muslims at 31% was also higher than that of Hindus (28%), Christians (16%) and other religious communities (15.7%).
• Sachar Committee report (2006)
  • Estimated that 31% of Muslims were Below the Poverty Line on the basis of the NSS 61st round, 2004-05.
  • The poverty headcount ratio among SCs & STs together was 35%, Hindu OBCs 21% and other Hindus (general category) 8.7%.
• What does the data mean?
  • Over the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic shift in the methodologies used to estimate poverty, which suggests that the amount of poverty has decreased considerably.
  • Nonetheless, throughout time, India’s disproportionately high rates of poverty among Muslims, OBCs, SCs, and STs have not changed.
  • This demonstrates unequivocally that poverty and deprivation are directly related to caste-based discrimination and exclusion against STs, SCs, and OBCs as well as religion, notably in the case of Muslims.

History of Caste Survey in India

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• Caste-wise counts of the population were introduced under the British colonial administration in 1881 and continued till the 1931 census.
• Later after Independence, the government stopped the full caste census as it would help the caste division.
  •  After Independence, Census 1951, the government collected and published caste data of only SCs and STs.
• Socio-Economic and Caste Census
  • The first time was conducted in 1931.
  • It aimed to collect information on the economic status of Indian families
  • This includes both in rural and urban areas, to identify indicators of deprivation.
  • It also collects data on specific caste names to evaluate the economic conditions of different caste groups.

Significance of Caste Census

• Understand the contours of inequality.
• Provides data for policy formulation.
• Understand the socio-economic status of castes.
• Sample surveys might not be a true reflection of the current caste headcount in India.

Why is opposing the Caste Census?

• The exact population share of OBCs greater than or equal to 52%, as estimated by the Mandal Commission, would trigger demands for enhancing the 27% reservation quota for OBCs.
• Political parties can manipulate the data for their own selfish political gains.

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Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023

Source for Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023: Globalhungerindex
GS I : Issues related to poverty and hunger, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection of vulnerable sections of society etc; GS II: Health

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Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About GHI 2023
3. India in the report
4. Global Hunger Scenario?
5. India’s Effort Against Hunger

Why in the News?

Global Hunger Index is a tool for comprehensively measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels released its latest report Global Hunger Index 2023.

About GHI 2023

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• The global hunger index is a means of monitoring whether countries are achieving hunger-related Sustainable Development Goals.
• It can be used for international ranking.
• The global hunger index captures three dimensions of hunger
  • Insufficient availability of food
  • Shortfalls in the nutritional status of children
  • Child mortality
• Accordingly, the index includes three equally weighted indicators
  • The proportion of people who are food energy-deficient, as estimated by FAO.
  • Prevalence of underweight in children aged under 5 years, as compiled by WHO
  • The mortality rate of children aged under 5 years, as reported by UNICEF.
• GHI score is based on a formula which combines four indicators that together capture the multidimensional nature of hunger, including
  • Undernourishment
  • Child stunting
  • Child wasting
  • Child mortality
• Countries are ranked on a 100-point scale, with 0 and 100 being the best and worst possible scores, respectively.
• The 2023 Global Hunger Index report has revealed that global efforts to combat hunger have not produced significant results.
• Despite extensive efforts, progress remains largely stagnant.
• This year, more than 345 million people are facing high levels of food insecurity, which is an increase of almost 200 million from early 2021, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Details in the Report

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India in the report

• India with a score of 28.7 categorises India’s severity of hunger as serious.
• India ranks 111 out of a total of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023
• The report shows progress against hunger nearly halted since 2015, reflecting a global trend.
• In 2022, India ranked 107th out of 121.

How did India respond to the Report?

• The Union government, though, contested India’s performance for the third year in a row, citing flawed methodology.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development yet again questioned the GHI and called it a flawed measure of hunger that doesn’t reflect India’s true position.
• Why is India opposing the report?
  • Three out of the four indicators used for the calculation of the index are related to the health of children and cannot be representative of the entire population.
  • The fourth and most important indicator Proportion of the Undernourished population (PoU) is based on an opinion poll conducted on a very small sample size of 3,000.

How do India’s neighbouring countries perform?

• The GHI ranked Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka at 102nd, 81st, 69th, and 60th, respectively.
• China improved and found in the top 5 ranked at 5

Global Hunger Scenario?

• GHI 2023 score for the world is 18.3.
  • It is considered moderate.
  • Shows minimal improvement since 2015.
• GHI 2023 report, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Chile and China are among the top-ranked countries
• Yemen, Madagascar, Central African Republic are the bottom.
• Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest hunger levels with scores indicating serious hunger.
• South Asia and Africa south of the Sahara hunger levels, both with a GHI score of 27.

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Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 17th Report

Source: PIB
GS II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

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Overview

1. Achievements of DA&FW
2. Centralized Public Grievances Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)

Why in the News?

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) released its 17th Monthly Report on Centralized Public Grievances Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) for September 2023 which provides a detailed analysis of types and categories of public grievances and the nature of disposal.

Achievements of DA&FW

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• Department maximum number of 11198 public grievances in September 2023.
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is the top performer in the Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index within Group A more than 500 grievances for September 2023.
• CPGRAMS has been integrated with the Common Service Centre (CSC) portal and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has received the maximum number of grievances with the department receiving 5167 grievances in the month of September 2023
• 46.14% of grievances received by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in the month of September 2023 have been filed through CSCs i.e., 5167 grievances out of 11198 receipts have been registered through CSCs.
• During the month of September 2023, 387 grievances were brought forward, and 11198 new grievances were received making a total of 11585 grievances out of which 8830 were disposed of and 2755 grievances were pending on 30th September, 2023.
• From January to September 2023, 5145 grievances were brought forward from 31st December 2022, and 95687 new grievances were received making a total of 100832 grievances out of which 98077 were disposed of and 2755 grievances were pending on 30th September 2023.
• During this period, a disposal rate of 97% was achieved.

 

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Prelims

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World Arthritis Day

News: World Arthritis Day is observed on October 12th every year. This global awareness day is aimed at raising awareness about arthritis, a common and often misunderstood condition that affects people of all ages, races, and genders.

The objectives of World Arthritis Day

• Raising Awareness: The day serves as a platform to educate the public, policymakers, and healthcare professionals about the impact of arthritis on individuals and society.
• Providing Support: World Arthritis Day encourages support for people living with arthritis and related conditions. It emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and access to proper treatment and care.
• Promoting Advocacy: Arthritis organizations and patient groups use this day to advocate for policies and resources to improve the lives of those with arthritis. They work towards reducing the burden of this condition.
• Sharing Information: The day provides an opportunity to share information about arthritis, its different types, symptoms, and management strategies.
• Reducing Stigma: By increasing awareness, World Arthritis Day helps to reduce the stigma associated with arthritis and dispel misconceptions.

 

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