UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 March 2024

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 3:

• Draft Karnataka Gig Workers (Conditions of Service and Welfare) Bill, 2024

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

• *Sosamma Iype: Rescuer of the Vechur Cow*

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• UN on Disarmament

• e-shram portal

• ₹1,000 Crore Fund for Agri-Tech Startups: NABARD Initiative

• Air Quality Report 2023

• Asbestos

• Genetic Rescue

• Bugun Liocichla

Mapping

• Barberton Greenstone Belt

Draft Karnataka Gig Workers (Conditions of Service and Welfare) Bill, 2024

#### GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions

Source: The Print

Context: Following the footsteps of Rajasthan, Karnataka has introduced the Draft Karnataka Gig Workers (Conditions of Service and Welfare) Bill, 2024 aiming to become the second state to enact legislation specifically catering to the welfare of gig economy workers.

What is a gig economy?

It is a labour market that relies heavily on temporary and part-time positions filled by independent contractors and freelancers rather than full-time permanent employees.

Who are Gig workers?

Gig workers refer to workers outside of the traditional employer-employee relationship. There are two groups of gig workers.

• Platform workers: When gig workers use online algorithmic matching platforms or apps to connect with customers, they are called platform workers. E.g. Zomato Food Delivery

• Non-platform workers: Those who work outside of these platforms are non-platform workers, including construction workers and non-technology-based temporary workers.

Status: According to the NITI Aayog estimates, nearly 23 million workers will be engaged in the gig economy by 2029 (currently the number is around 7.5 million)

Gig workers face significant challenges due to the nature of their employment:

• They often lack basic rights such as minimum wages, overtime pay, and medical leave.

• Resolution of employer-employee disputes is not statutorily bound.

• Their status as both employees and independent contractors excludes them from statutory benefits under various labour acts, including the Minimum Wages Act, EPF Act, Payment of Bonus Act (for employees), and the Contract Labour Act (for contract labourers).

• Gig workers are excluded from the category of ‘unorganised workers’ or ‘wage workers’.

• They also do not have the right to collective bargaining– a fundamental principle of modern labour law.

• All the above leads to the violation of their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 and comes within the meaning of forced labour under Article 23.

Key Provisions of the Karnataka Gig Workers Bill include:

• Ensuring income security for gig workers.

• Guaranteeing occupational safety

• Imposing penalties on aggregators for violations.

• Setting up a state-level welfare board for gig workers.

• Implementing a central transaction monitoring system.

• Charging aggregators gig workers’ welfare fees.

• Mandating fair terms of contract between aggregators and gig workers.

• Strict norms for termination of work and ensuring income security.

• Registration of gig workers with the welfare board.

• Providing gig workers with a ‘human point of contact’ for grievance resolution.

• Mandating aggregators to provide details of all registered gig workers to the board.

• Establishing a robust grievance redressal mechanism.

Previously, in 2023 Rajasthan government had made a similar bill.

Key provisions of the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023

Features | Details

About | The Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill aims to extend social security and welfare benefits to gig workers operating in the state.

Registration of Gig Workers | The bill mandates the registration of all gig workers with the state government to bring them under the ambit of labour regulations. Each gig worker will be assigned a unique ID, which will facilitate tracking their employment history and entitlements.

Access to Social Security Schemes | Gig workers will be granted access to a range of social security schemes. These schemes may include health insurance, accident coverage, and other welfare measures to provide financial support during emergencies.

Grievance Redressal Mechanism | The bill ensures that gig workers have the right to be heard and address any grievances they may have.

Establishment of Platform-Based Gig Workers Welfare Board | This board will be responsible for overseeing the welfare and rights of gig workers in the state. The Welfare Board comprises State officials, five representatives each from gig workers and aggregators, and two others (“one from Civil Society and another who evince interest in any other field”). At least one-third of the nominated members should be women.

Platform-Based Gig Workers Fund and Welfare Fee | The bill introduces a “Platform-Based Gig Workers Fund and Welfare Fee” to finance the social security measures for gig workers. The fund will be utilized to provide financial support and welfare benefits to gig workers during challenging times.

Fee Levied on Aggregators | Aggregators will be required to pay a fee for each transaction involving a platform-based gig worker. The specific percentage of the fee will be determined by the state government to contribute to the welfare fund.

Penalties for Non-Compliance | Aggregators failing to pay the welfare fee on time will be charged an interest rate of 12% per annum from the due date. The state government can impose fines of up to Rs 5 lakh for the first contravention and up to Rs 50 lakh for subsequent violations of the Act by aggregators.

Statutory Framework for Gig Economy in India:

• Code on Social Security, 2020: Provides for extension of social security benefits to gig workers as well.

• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020: To promote a safe and healthy work environment and it also regulates contract labour.

Other best practices:

• Germany’s Temporary Employment Act provides for equal pay and equal treatment of gig workers.

• Singaporehas also proposed legislative changes to extend work injury insurance and pension coverage to such workers.

Insta Links:

• Issues faced by gig workers in India

• Gig economy

Mains Links:

Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (UPSC 2021)

How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country? (UPSC 2016)

Sosamma Iype: Rescuer of the Vechur Cow

#### Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Context: Dr. Sosamma Iype won the Padma Shri in 2022 for her remarkable achievement of saving and resurrecting the indigenous Vechur cow breed.

About Vechur Cow:

It is a rare Bos indicus breed from Kerala, India, and holds the Guinness World Record as the smallest cattle breed. Named after the village of Vechoor (Kottayam district, Kerala), it’s valued for its high milk yield relative to its food consumption.

Professor Iype’s efforts:

She was deeply attached to the breed from her childhood and embarked on a mission to revive it when she realized its disappearance. Her efforts initially met with skepticism and challenges, led to the establishment of the Vechur Conservation Unit at Kerala Agricultural University. Despite obstacles from officials, colleagues, and media, she persevered, expanding her project’s scope and inspiring national initiatives. Through community participation and empowerment, she ensured the Vechur’s survival and made a lasting impact on India’s cultural and agricultural heritage. By 2000, it was listed on FAO’s endangered breeds list. Today, around 200 cows exist, with nearly half under the care of the Veterinary College.

Ethical Values Exhibited by Iype:

• Commitment to conservation.

• Dedication to community welfare.

• Persistence despite obstacles.

• Empowering local farmers.

• Preservation of cultural heritage.

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) was recently conducted nationwide under the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, across 23 states for about 37 lakh learners.

What is FLNAT?

The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT) evaluates Reading, Writing, and Numeracy skills to assess foundational literacy and numeracy. It will be conducted in all districts of participating States/UTs at District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and Government/aided schools.

Aim: FLNAT aims to certify non-literate learners and promote multilingualism, aligned with NEP 2020.

The test comprises three subjects – Reading, Writing, and Numeracy – each carrying 50 marks, totalling 150 marks. Conducted in regional languages, it aims to promote multilingualism and preserve linguistic diversity. Successful learners will receive certificates from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).

What is ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society)?

It is a centrally sponsored scheme for 2022-2027, that empowers adults aged 15 and above with basic literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills, promoting lifelong learning through volunteerism and access to regional language content on the DIKSHA Portal and ULLAS mobile app.

Other initiatives for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN):

• DIKSHA or Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing: Launched in 2017, it is a national platform of the NCERT, where teachers can find interactive and engaging teaching material to make their classes interesting.

• NIPUN Bharat Mission: Launched in 2021 to ensure that every child in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy by the end of the third grade by the year 2026-27.

• NISHTHA: A new training program (in FLN) for the teachers, as well as the heads of the school launched by the NCERT.

• The National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Skills 2022: To meet a key focus area of the NEP 2020, to improve the foundational skills of students. Under this, ‘jadui pitara’ – learning and teaching material for the foundational stage of schooling, has been launched recently.

• Under this, ‘jadui pitara’ – learning and teaching material for the foundational stage of schooling, has been launched recently.

UN on Disarmament

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: UN

Context: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed that disarmament is the only viable solution to eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons.

What is Disarmament?

Disarmament refers to the reduction or elimination of military weapons, particularly nuclear, chemical, and conventional arms, with the goal of enhancing global security and promoting peace. It involves measures to control, limit, or abolish weapons of mass destruction and conventional weaponry, often through treaties, negotiations, and international agreements.

Six areas for action for Nuclear Disarmament:

• Dialogue to work together for transparency and prevent accidental use

• Threats to use nuclear weapons should stop

• Nuclear weapon States must re-affirm moratoria on nuclear testing

• Nuclear weapon states must fulfil their disarmament commitments

• A joint no-first-use agreement

• US and Russia should resume talks to reduce nuclear stockpiles under New START treaty

Key treaties for Nuclear disarmament:

• The new START Treaty is a nuclear arms reduction agreement between the US and Russia signed in 2010.

• Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)- 2017: Prohibits development, testing, possession, and use of nuclear weapons (entered into force in 2021)

• India signed and ratified only the Partial Test Ban Treaty among the above.

₹1,000 Crore Fund for Agri-Tech Startups: NABARD Initiative

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: LM

Context: NABARD plans to launch a ₹1,000 crore fund to support technology-driven agri-startups and rural enterprises, addressing challenges in scaling up operations due to limited access to equity and debt instruments to create new forward and backward linkages in the rural ecosystem.

What is the Agritech startups?

These startups use technology to enhance agriculture, providing smart agriculture services such as crop information, farming as a service, and big data analytics with AI to improve productivity and income.

Key initiatives taken by the government:

• Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) with the India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) and funding for new technology

• Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development Programme under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• Access to loans for agri-startups through Priority Sector lending directed by the RBI

• NIDHI Seed Support Program (NIDHI-SSP) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST)

About NABARD:

NABARD (HQ: Mumbai; est. 1982) a key government institution, oversees Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks, facilitating credit planning, policy formulation, and rural development financing. It replaced entities like the Agricultural Credit Department and Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation. NABARD is fully owned by the Ministry of Finance and plays a crucial role in financial inclusion efforts

e-shram portal

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Deccan Herald

Context: The Supreme Court of India has directed all states and Union territories to issue ration cards to migrant laborers registered on the e-shram portal within two months.

• This decision comes after authorities failed to comply with previous directives given in April 2023, which granted a three-month window for providing ration cards to laborers.

• Out of around 29 crore registrants on the e-shram portal, around 8 crore do not have ration cards and do not receive subsidized food grains under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013.

The e-Shram portal is a centralized database that helps to implement social security services for unorganized workers.

It also helps to share information with stakeholders and provide a comprehensive database for national crises.

The portal uses Aadhaar to deliver social security benefits and ensure that the benefits are portable to migrant and construction workers at their workplaces.

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the USA has announced a comprehensive ban on asbestos, a deadly carcinogen still present in some products despite previous partial bans.

• This new rule expands EPA regulation under a 2016 law aimed at overseeing toxic chemicals in everyday items.

• The ban specifically targets chrysotile asbestos, the only remaining form of asbestos used in the US, found in products like brake linings and chlorine bleach.

• Asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma, causing over 40,000 deaths annually in the US.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is heat and corrosion-resistant. It is found in rocks and soil and has been used in many products for insulation and as a fire retardant

Asbestos can release microscopic fibres into the air when asbestos-containing material is disturbed or damaged. Inhaling these fibres can cause lung damage, including cancer, and other health problems

The most dangerous type of asbestos is crocidolite asbestos, also known as blue asbestos. Other types of asbestos include:

• Actinolite asbestos: Used in products like cement, insulation, paint, and drywall

• Amosite asbestos: Brown asbestos commonly used in cement, insulation, roofing, and other construction materials

Air Quality Report 2023

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Frontline Magazine

Context: Only 10 countries had healthy air quality in 2023, with 9% of global cities meeting WHO guidelines for PM2.5 pollution, as per the Air Quality Report 2023, released by Swiss organisation IQAi

Key Findings:

• The most affected areas were in West Asia, Africa, and Central and South Asia, while French Polynesia, Mauritius, and Iceland had the least pollution.

• India was ranked third worst globally after Bangladesh and Pakistan in PM2.5 pollution

• New Delhi tops the list as the world’s most polluted capital city, while Bihar’s Begusarai is the most polluted metropolitan area.

• Over 1 billion people in India experience PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO recommendations.

About PM2.5:

It refers to atmospheric particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, about 3% the width of a human hair. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to serious health issues like lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke with prolonged exposure. PM2.5 pollution is primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)

• The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 µg/m3 and the annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m3.

• In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during periods of inclement weather.

• PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.

• Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• a) 1, 3 and 4

• b) 1 and 4 only

• c) 2, 3 and 4

• a) 1 and 2 only

Answer: Option b) 1 and 4 only

Genetic Rescue

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

Context: Conservation efforts alone are insufficient for Ranthambore’s highly inbred tiger population. A recent study has suggested genetic rescue as a strategy to preserve the tiger population in Ranthambore National Park.

Issues:

The tiger population in Ranthambore faces issues of genetic isolation and inbreeding due to fragmentation and habitat loss. Inbreeding can lead to genetic disorders and reduced fitness, posing a threat to the population’s long-term viability.

What is Genetic Rescue?

Genetic rescue involves introducing individuals from a different population to increase genetic diversity and offset inbreeding in a small or isolated population. It aims to improve the population’s health and viability by introducing new genes and reducing the risk of extinction due to inbreeding depression.

Wildlife managers bring individuals from larger, healthier populations to smaller ones to achieve this. The aim is to reduce extinction risks and improve survival, particularly in endangered species, thereby mitigating inbreeding depression.

Definitions:

• Inbreeding: Inbreeding refers to the mating between close relatives within a population. This can lead to an increase in homozygosity, meaning individuals inherit two identical forms of a particular gene, one from each parent.

• Inbreeding Depression: Inbreeding depression occurs when the offspring resulting from mating between closely related individuals exhibit reduced fitness or health compared to the population average. This can include traits such as decreased fertility, lower survival rates, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

About Ranthambore National Park:

Ranthambore National Park, located in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district, began as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 before becoming a Project Tiger reserve in 1973 and a national park in 1980. Situated at the intersection of the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges, it is bounded by the Banas River to the north and the Chambal River to the south. The park’s vegetation is predominantly mixed deciduous, with prominent plant species including Dhok, Banyan, Pipal, Neem, Babul, and Gum. Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary and Sawai Mansingh Wildlife Sanctuary are linked to Ranthambore’s core by narrow corridors, forming part of the Tiger Reserve

Bugun Liocichla

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Deccan Herald

Context: The Bugun tribe in Arunachal Pradesh has demonstrated exemplary conservation efforts by donating 1,470 hectares of forest land to the state forest department for the protection of the critically endangered songbird Bugun Liocichla.

• This species, discovered in 2006, faces threats from deforestation and hunting.

The Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla bugunorum) is a small, critically endangered babbler with olive-grey plumage, a black cap, and a yellow-orange eyebrow.

It is only found in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India, and has been described as similar to a small laughingthrush.

The Bugun Liocichla was first spotted in 1995 and described as a new species in 2006.

Barberton Greenstone Belt

#### Mapping

Source: Live Science

Context: The oldest evidence of earthquakes was discovered in 3.3 billion-year-old rocks from Africa, indicating early plate tectonics.

What is the Barberton Greenstone Belt?

The Barberton Greenstone Belt (similar to New Zealand’s geological features) is a geological formation in southern Africa (on the eastern boundary of the Kaapvaal Craton in South Africa.) that provides one of the most extensive geological records for Earth between 3.2 billion and 3.6 billion years ago. It consists of ancient rocks and provides evidence of early Earth conditions, including signs of seismic activity, early plate tectonics, and potential impact on the evolution of life.

The Barberton Greenstone Belt’s outcrops were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list in 2008 under the name ‘Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains’.

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Business Line

Context: The Indian Army has established the “Signals Technology Evaluation and Adaptation Group” (STEAG), a specialized technology unit aimed at researching and assessing next-generation communication technologies for defence applications.

• This unit will focus on areas such as Artificial Intelligence, 5G and 6G networks, machine learning, and quantum technologies.

• Operated under the Corps of Signals, STEAG will play a crucial role in enhancing the Army’s digital capabilities by scouting, evaluating, developing, and managing cutting-edge ICT solutions.

• STEAG aligns with India’s goals of self-reliance in high-end communication technologies, contributing to the nation’s strategic autonomy.

World Bees Day

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: UN

Context: The UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day to raise awareness and protect pollinators. The 2024 theme, “*Bee Engaged with Youth*,” emphasizes involving young people in conservation.

Honey bees, with three pairs of legs, four wings, and five eyes, perform a “waggle dance” to communicate food source locations. They produce propolis, a resinous substance that seals hive cracks, protects against invaders, and prevents bacterial and fungal buildup.

The Importance of Bees and Pollinators

• Bees, butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds are crucial for pollination.

• 90% of wild flowering plants, 75% of food crops, and 35% of agricultural land rely on animal pollination.

• Pollinators are vital for food security and biodiversity conservation.

• Threats to Pollinators: Human activities like habitat destruction, pesticides, and climate change threaten pollinators.

• Actions to Protect Pollinators: Plant diverse native plants, avoid pesticides, and buy local honey. Governments should involve local communities, enforce protective measures, and encourage sustainable practices.

Initiatives:

• The International Pollinator Initiative promotes sustainable pollinator use.

• FAO provides technical assistance for sustainable beekeeping and honey production.