Why is it in the News?

The Union government on February 9, 2024, announced former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh, P.V. Narasimha Rao and agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan will be honoured with the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

News Summary:

• The government recently conferred the Bharat Ratna for former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao and agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, who is known for his leading role in India's 'Green Revolution', posthumously.
  • Earlier, the government had announced Bharat Ratna, for veteran BJP politician LK Advani and socialist icon and former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur.

Who was PV Narasimha Rao?

• Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (28 June 1921 – 23 December 2004) was a lawyer and a towering Congress leader in undivided Andhra Pradesh, who became the 9th prime minister of India.
  • He ruled the country between 1991 and 1996.
• In 1991, when India was facing a foreign reserves crisis, Narasimha Rao's government brought about three big-ticket economic reforms -- globalisation, liberalisation and privatisation.
• PV Narasimha Rao was the first person from South India to become the prime minister of India.
• He was born in a Telugu Niyogi Brahmin family in the Laknepalli village of Narsampet mandal, Warangal.
  • The district is currently in Telangana.
• He was a freedom fighter who took part in Hyderabad's Vande Mataram movement in the late 1930s.
• After Independence, PV Narasimha Rao became a full-time politician.
• He was elected as an MLA for the first time in 1957.
  • Till 1971, he assumed many ministerial positions in the state government. He became the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh in 1971.
• He was known as an Indira Gandhi loyalist and supported her in 1969 when the Congress vertically split into two parts.
• Rao also served as a member of parliament from Andhra Pradesh and handled home, defence and foreign affairs portfolios as a central minister.
• In 1991, he had almost retired, however, he came back to active politics after the assassination of Congress President and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
• He was also the first Congress PM outside the Nehru-Gandhi family.
• He broke several conventions as the prime minister.
  • He appointed economist Manmohan Singh as his finance minister.
  • Together, they brought about economic reforms.

Who was Chaudhary Charan Singh?

• Chaudhary Charan Singh was born in a middle-class farmer family in Meerut in 1902.
• He started his political career with the Congress.
• He was first elected to the Uttar Pradesh assembly in 1937 from Chhaprauli and later got re-elected in 1946, 1952, 1962 and 1967.
• Chaudhary Charan Singh was appointed as a parliamentary secretary in Govind Ballabh Pant's government in 1946.
  • He worked in several departments before being appointed a cabinet minister for justice and information in 1951.
• In 1967, he quit the Congress and became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time after being elected as the leader of the Sanyukta Vidhayak Dal coalition.
  • He became the chief minister for the second time in 1970.
• In 1979 after the Jana Sangh (BJP's predecessor) pulled out of the 18-month-old Morarji Desai-led Janata Party government.
• Congress (I) decided to extend support to Chaudhary Charan Singh who took oath as prime minister on July 28, 1979.
  • But before he could prove his majority in the Lok Sabha, Indira Gandhi withdrew support to his government and Singh resigned.
  • He continued to remain as caretaker PM till January 14, 1980.

Who was MS Swaminathan?

• M.S. Swaminathan is an eminent Indian agricultural scientist and geneticist hailed as the "Father of the Green Revolution" in India.
• Born on August 7, 1925, Swaminathan's groundbreaking research and advocacy have significantly contributed to India's agricultural development and food security.
• He played a crucial role in introducing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, which revolutionized agricultural productivity in the country during the 1960s and 1970s.
• Swaminathan has received numerous awards and honours for his contributions to agriculture and sustainable development, and he continues to be a leading voice in global efforts to address food security and environmental sustainability.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY), a sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

About Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana:

• Implemented as a Central Sector Sub-scheme within the broader framework of the PMMSY, this initiative aims to bolster the fisheries sector.
• Funding: With an estimated outlay of Rs. 6,000 crore, the scheme comprises 50% public finance, including contributions from the World Bank and the AFD, and the remaining 50% anticipated investment from beneficiaries and the private sector.
• Duration: Operational for four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27, spanning all States and Union Territories.

Intended Beneficiaries:

• Fishers, Fish (Aquaculture) Farmers, Fish workers, Fish Vendors or such other persons directly engaged in the fisheries value chain.
• Micro and Small enterprises in the form of Proprietary Firms, Partnership Firms and Companies registered in India, Societies, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Cooperatives, Federations, Village Level Organizations like Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmers Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and Startups engaged in fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
• FFPOs also include Farmer's Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• Any other beneficiaries that may be included by the Department of Fisheries, Gol as targeted beneficiaries.

Aims and objectives of PM-MKSSY:

• Gradual Formalization of the unorganized fisheries sector through self-registration of fishers, fish farmers and supportive workers under a National Fisheries Sector Digital Platform including the creation of work-based digital identities of fish workers for improved service delivery.
• Facilitating access to institutional financing fisheries sector micro and small enterprises.
• Providing a one-time incentive to beneficiaries for purchasing aquaculture insurance.
• incentivising fisheries and aquaculture microenterprises through performance grants for improving fisheries sector value-chain efficiencies including the creation and maintenance of jobs.
• Incentivising micro and small enterprises through performance grants for the adoption and expansion of fish and fishery product safety and quality assurance systems including the creation and maintenance of jobs.

Why is it in the News?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a “white paper” on the Indian economy in Parliament recently.

What is a White Paper?

• A White Paper is a report, guide, research-based paper or formal government document that presents expert analysis about a topic or solution to a problem, or policy proposals, often bound in white covers.
• They have been used historically to introduce new policies or legislation and gauge public reaction to government initiatives, schemes or policies.

Types of White Paper:

• There are three types of white paper Economic White Paper, Budget White Paper, and Policy White Paper.
  • Economic White Paper: It contains an analysis of the current state of the economy and talks about the challenges, and opportunities it faces.
    • The paper also contains the government’s plans and strategies to address the issues.
  • Budget White Paper: A Budget White Paper contains government budgetary priorities, spending schemes, revenue sources, and fiscal projections among other issues.
  • Policy White Paper: A Policy White Paper talks about a specific policy, scheme or program of the government to address a particular issue or problem in the economy.

What is the use of White Paper?

• The purpose of a white paper on the economy is to inform the public, Parliament, and stakeholders about a government's policy, vision, goals, plans, and actions being taken to safeguard the economic interests of the country.
• The document can also be used as a tool for consultation and feedback, as it invites comments and suggestions from various parties on the proposed policies or programs.
• A white paper can also influence public opinion and shape the political debate on economic issues.

Key Insights from the White Paper on the Indian Economy and its Objectives:

• The comprehensive 58-page document is structured into three primary segments.
  • Section 1 delves into the macroeconomic landscape during the UPA's 10-year tenure.
  • Section 2 presents an overview of various corruption scandals that occurred under the UPA administration.
  • Section 3 outlines the strategies employed by the NDA to revitalize the economy.

Objectives of the white paper presented by FM:

• To elucidate the governance, economic, and fiscal challenges inherited by the NDA government upon assuming office in 2014.
• To shed light on the policies and initiatives undertaken by the NDA government since 2014 to rejuvenate the economy.
• To stimulate a more informed discourse on the significance of national interest and fiscal responsibility in governance, transcending political expediency.

Most Important Claims in the White Paper:

• The UPA era was marred by policy missteps and corruption scandals, notably non-transparent auctions of public resources like coal and telecom spectrum.
• In the aftermath of the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the UPA's pursuit of high economic growth undermined macroeconomic stability, leading to challenges such as high inflation and fiscal deficit.
• Capital expenditure as a percentage of total expenditure declined significantly during the UPA tenure, impeding infrastructure development and economic growth.
• The White Paper highlights improvements under the NDA, including lower inflation rates and enhanced efficacy of schemes like Jan Dhan and Swachh Bharat Mission.
• The NDA government's proactive measures have steered the economy away from crisis, positioning India as one of the top global contributors to growth.
• Overall, the White Paper underscores the NDA's efforts to address economic challenges and foster sustainable growth in India.

What Insights Can We Draw from the Above Assertions?

• Examining the economic performance spanning two decades, especially in consecutive terms, presents a formidable challenge due to the multitude of factors influencing both the economy and its measurement methodologies.
  • For example, the significant fluctuations in domestic inflation during the latter years of the UPA administration can largely be attributed to the volatile cost of crude oil.
• During FY12 to FY14, crude oil prices fluctuated between $111 and $105 per barrel, significantly impacting inflation rates. Subsequently, oil prices declined to $84 in FY15 and further to $46 in FY16.
• While the NDA government has achieved noteworthy milestones such as the implementation of GST and IBC, the white paper fails to acknowledge shortcomings within the economy.
• Notably, it overlooks critical issues such as unemployment, and the absence of a formal measure of poverty since 2011 is not addressed.

Why is it in the News?

Karnataka is currently facing challenges posed by the spread of Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also recognized as monkey fever.

What is KFD?

• The disease was first noticed in the Kysanur Forest area of Sorab Taluk in Shivamogga district in 1956 and was named after the region.
• It is also known as monkey fever, as monkeys also get infected.
  • The death of a monkey serves as a warning of a KFD outbreak.
• The scientists concluded that the virus (Flaviviridae virus family) must have been present in the forests of the Malnad region.
• It became active due to ecological changes.
• The disease spreads through ticks.
• Primates that come in contact with infective ticks contract the disease.
• Human beings who visit the forest area either for livelihood, to graze cattle, or to collect firewood contract the disease.
• Normally, the transmission begins from late November to June.
• It peaks between December and March, according to studies.
  • A blood test is done to identify if someone has KFD.

Symptoms:

• Symptoms start to appear three to eight days after the bite, of an infective tick.
• The common symptoms are:
  • Fever
  • Redness of the eyes
  • Severe headache, and
  • Body pain
• Three to four days after the onset of initial symptoms, the patient may have gastrointestinal symptoms.
• In severe cases, bleeding from the nose is noted.

Treatment:

• There is no specific treatment, doctors handle the symptoms and monitor the vitals daily.
• An attempt to use a vaccine was given up after studies showed it to be ineffective.
• The ICMR is said to be in consultation with Indian Immunologicals for the development of a vaccine.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs that Some projects under the Smart Cities Mission would not be able to meet the June 30 deadline and the respective state governments would be responsible for completing them thereafter.

Key Highlights of the Report:

• Approximately 400 Smart City Mission (SCM) projects are facing challenges in meeting the extended deadline of June 2024, according to a recent report by the Parliamentary committee.
• These projects, being implemented by around ten cities under the Center's flagship SCM, are at risk of not being completed within the timeframe.
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has granted a second extension to the Smart Cities Mission, giving it until June 2024 to finalize pending work.
  • However, if these projects are not completed by then, the respective state governments will be responsible for completing them at their own expense.
• The role of the ministry extends beyond merely transferring funds; it also involves overseeing project execution and ensuring successful completion.
  • Despite the challenges, the ministry has emphasized that there will be no further extensions to the mission.
• Delays have been attributed to various factors, including difficulties in relocating local populations, legal hurdles such as land procurement issues, frequent turnover of smart cities' CEOs, and delays in projects requiring coordination with other government entities.
• In light of these challenges, the committee has proposed extending the Smart Cities Mission to Tier-2 cities located within 50-100 km of capital cities and tourist destinations.
  • Additionally, the committee has highlighted the importance of protecting privacy rights, especially given the extensive deployment of surveillance technology like CCTV cameras and Integrated Command and Control Centers across all 100 cities involved in the mission.

What is the Smart Cities Mission (SCM)?

• The Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was initiated on 25th June 2015, to foster urban centers that offer essential infrastructure and a sustainable, clean environment.
• Through a competitive process spanning from 2016 to 2018, 100 cities were selected for development as Smart Cities, each receiving five years from their selection to complete designated projects.
• Administered as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the program entails financial support from the Central Government amounting to Rs. 48,000 crores over five years, equating to an average of Rs. 100 crore per city per year, matched by an equivalent contribution from the State or Urban Local Body (ULB).
• Guided by six core principles, the Smart Cities initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for residents through the implementation of innovative solutions, fostering economic growth, and addressing social, economic, physical, and institutional aspects of urban development. It prioritizes sustainable and inclusive progress, endeavouring to establish scalable models that can serve as beacons for other cities aspiring for advancement.

• Financing for the Smart Cities Mission entails shared responsibilities between the Central Government, state governments, and ULBs, requiring equal contributions for project implementation.
  • As of December 1, 2023, significant progress has been made, with 6,419 projects worth Rs. 1,25,105 crore completed out of a total of 7,970 projects valued at Rs. 1,70,400 crore.
  • An additional 1,551 projects worth Rs. 45,295 crore are currently in progress, though certain cities, particularly those in the North-Eastern and Himalayan regions, as well as small Union Territories, face challenges in keeping pace.
• Budget allocations for the Smart Cities proposal have seen adjustments, with a reduction in the outlay from Rs. 7,634 crores to Rs. 7,535 crores in the revised budget for 2023-24, and a further decrease to Rs. 2,236 crores for the 2024-25 fiscal year.