Why in News: Recently, there is rising demand for a review of working and responses to the National Commission for Women (NCW) due to the cases of molestation and rape of women in Manipur.

National Commission for Women:

• It was set up in 1992 under the National commission for Women Act, 1990.
• It was established to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
• It enjoys all the powers of a civil court.
• It looks into complaints, and takes Suo Motto notice of matters relating to – deprivation of women’s rights, Non-implementation of the laws and Non-compliance of the policy decisions guaranteeing the welfare for women society.
• It tables reports to the central government, every year and at such other times as the commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.
• Each state has its own commission. Manipur State Commission for Women was formed in 2006. They are meant to investigate women’s rights violations.

Reason for ineffectiveness in addressing women issues in Manipur:

• Lack of Proactive Action: The national commission received numerous complaints from Manipur but they merely forwarded to the state commission. This led to the ignorance of those complaints.
• Preference over paperwork than fieldwork: The commissions focus heavily on paperwork, neglecting fieldwork.
• Political influence in Appointments: Members are nominated by the ruling political party. This makes them hesitant to criticize the government, affecting their objectivity.
• Lack of real time engagement: Despite numerous complaints from Manipur, there were no extensive field visits to understand the situation.

Steps to be taken for enhancing its effectiveness:

• Reforms in Appointment Process: Appointments should be done through a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India.
• Regular External Audits: Conduct regular social audits by competent agencies.
• Encourage Fieldwork engagement: Commission members should frequently visit areas of concern.
• Define the roles of Chairperson and members.
• Strengthen Collaboration: Instead of an adversarial approach, NCW should work closely with the enforcement agencies to address women’s issues effectively.
• Increase transparency in Reports: Regularly share the commission’s activities and reports with the public.

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/manipur-naked-parade-video-manipur-violence-ncw-dcw-women-commissions-in-india-8858184/

Why in News: Recently, a parliamentary panel has asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) to formulate and implement welfare schemes for gig and platform workers and unorganised sector workers at the earliest.

Gig Economy:

• As per the World Economic Forum, gig economy is defined by its focus on workforce participation and income generation via “gigs”, single projects or tasks for which a worker is hired.
• 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.
• 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.
  • Non-platform workers: Those who work outside of these platforms are non-platform workers, including construction workers and non-technology-based temporary workers.
• According to the NITI Aayog estimates, nearly 23.5 million workers will be engaged in the gig economy by 2029.

Challenges faced by the Gig Workers:

• The gig workers usually lack basic employment rights such as Minimum wage, overtime pay, medical leave and a statutorily bound resolution of employer-employee disputes.
• They have the characteristics of both employees and independent contractors due to which they fall outside the ambit of statutory benefits under the Minimum Wage Act 1948, EPF Act 1952, Payment of Bonus Act 1965, and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970.

Proposed Laws for the Gig Workers:

• The Code on Social Security 2020: It has proposed social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.
• The Code has not come into force till now.
• An MoU has been signed between the MoL&E and the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore for assistance in framing a new scheme for the gig and platform workers as well as workers in the unorganised sector.

Present Law for the Gig Workers in India:

• The Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act 2023: Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to pass a law for the welfare of gig workers earning their livelihood through online platforms (Ola, Swiggy, etc).

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/panel-asks-labour-ministry-to-implement-welfare-schemes-for-gig-workers-8857900/

In News: Diversification from molasses to a range of feedstocks and government’s differential pricing policy for ethanol, has enabled blending rates with petrol to more than double to 11.75% in the past five years.

About India’s ethanol production programme:

• India has rolled out 20% ethanol-blended petrol this year and aims to “cover the entire country by 2025”.
• There are 3 routes to ethanol production from sugarcane.

What is the status of feedstock diversification in India?

• India’s ethanol programme is no longer reliant on a single feedstock or crop.
  • Earlier, it was molasses and cane.
  • Today, it’s also rice, maize and other grains.
• Ethanol yields from grains are actually higher than from molasses.
  • However, the process is longer.
  • The starch in the grain has to first be converted into sucrose and simpler sugars (glucose and fructose), before their fermentation into ethanol by using yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae).
  • Molasses already contain sucrose, glucose and fructose.
• Some leading sugar companies, including Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd, DCM Shriram and Dhampur Sugar Mills, have installed distilleries with the flexibility to operate on multiple feedstocks and, hence, round the year.
  • The flexibility and incentive for mills/distilleries to use multiple feedstocks has largely come from the government’s policy of differential pricing.
  • Till 2017-18, the OMCs were paying a uniform price for ethanol produced from any feedstocks.
  • From 2018-19, the government began fixing higher prices for ethanol produced from B-heavy molasses and whole sugarcane juice/syrup.
  • The idea was to compensate mills for revenues foregone from reduced/nil production of sugar.
• Uttar Pradesh is a major sugarcane grower, just as Bihar is in maize. If their farmers were to supply rice, barley and millets as well to distilleries, these two states could well “fuel India” the way Punjab, Haryana or Madhya Pradesh “feed India”.
• The domestic availability or stocks of cereals and sugar might get affected from El Niño-induced monsoon uncertainties.
  • While the government has already banned exports of wheat, sugar and non-parboiled non-basmati rice, it hasn’t put any brakes so far on the ethanol blending programme.
• Byproduct benefits
  • The new molasses-based distilleries have MEE (multi effect evaporator) units, where the spent wash is concentrated to about 60% solids.
  • The concentrated wash is used as a boiler fuel along with bagasse in 70:30 ratio.
  • The resultant ash coming out from the incineration boiler in dry form contains up to 28% potash, which can be used as fertiliser.
  • DDGS or distillers’ dried grain with solubles, is sold as animal feed.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/the-ethanol-impetus-8856449/lite/

In News: The new FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031 rests on our vision of climate-resilient agriculture to transform agri-food systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable, accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

About the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031

• VISION
  • FAO envisions the future state brought about by its climate action.
  • Agri-food systems are sustainable, inclusive, resilient and adaptive to climate change and its impacts and contribute to low-emission economies while providing sufficient, safe and nutritious foods for healthy diets, as well as other agricultural products and services, for present and future generations, leaving no one behind.
• GUIDING PRINCIPLES
  • Take an agri-food systems approach.
  • Put farmers, livestock keepers, fishers, aquaculturists and forest-dependent people at the centre.
  • Embrace good practices and innovations.
  • Build on science-based evidence, including open science and data.
  • Promote country-driven climate action for sustainable results.
  • Deliver through strategic partnerships.
  • Mainstream gender equality, youth engagement, Indigenous People’s participation and social inclusiveness.
  • Support inclusive multi-stakeholder approaches.
  • Scale up support.
  • Adopt a “no-one-size-fits-all” approach.
• Theory of Change

Source:

https://www.fao.org/3/cc2274en/cc2274en.pdf

In News: Civil society and Trade experts call on India to refrain from ratifying WTO's Fisheries Subsidies Agreement

About WTO: Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies:

• The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reached an agreement on fisheries subsidies in Geneva which was part of the 'Geneva Package' secured in
• The goal of the agreement is to curb harmful fishing subsidies that contribute to overfishing and depletion of marine resources.
• As per the proposal the developed countries engaged in distant water fishing will be prohibited from providing subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities.
• Ratification requires acceptance from two-thirds of the 164 WTO members and for now only 10 countries have ratified the agreement excluding India.
• Trade experts and certain members of civil society are urging India not to ratify the current agreement and instead advocate for a comprehensive pact.
• Developing countries have sought restrictions on non-specific fuel subsidies used by developed countries to subsidize their fishing fleets however the demand was rejected in negotiations.
• Overall, there is a need to ensure a fairer distribution of subsidies, supporting sustainable small-scale fishing activities, and addressing the imbalance caused by industrial fishing fleets from developed nations.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/civil-society-trade-experts-urge-india-not-to-ratify-wtos-agreement-on-fisheries-subsidies/articleshow/102084177.cms

In News: Research findings suggest the potential of harnessing Silvopasture Systems for Local Climate Resilience

About Silvopasture Systems:

• Silvopasture is an ancient and proven land management practice that integrates trees, forage, and livestock on the same piece of land.
• It is a sustainable agroforestry system that offers numerous environmental and economic benefits besides helping to combat deforestation and promote sustainable land use.
• Important features:
  • The combination of trees and pasture enhances biodiversity, providing habitat for wildlife and contributes to carbon sequestration and mitigates greenhouse gas emissions.
  • These systems have been found to sequester significantly more carbon than traditional pastures without trees as trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • It reduces soil erosion and improves soil health by enhancing nutrient cycling and organic matter content.
  • It creates a favourable microclimate for livestock which experiences improved welfare due to the provision of shade and wind protection reducing heat stress during hot weather.
  • It promotes better water management, as tree roots help increase soil water infiltration and storage capacity.
• This agroforestry system also provides economic benefits to farmers by diversifying income streams through timber, forage, and livestock products.
• Silvopasture practices can be tailored to specific ecological and socio-economic contexts, making it adaptable to different regions and farming systems.
• Overall, Governments and agricultural policymakers can promote and incentivize the adoption of silvopasture systems to foster sustainable agriculture and combat climate change.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/harness-silvopasture-systems-for-local-climate-resilience-90813

In News: Centre plans nationwide events under the ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign in August.

About

• ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ campaign as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration of India’s 75 years of Independence.
• It aims to develop a garden called Amrit Vatika along the Kartavya Path in Delhi using soil collected from different parts of the country in August.
• It includes events at the panchayat, village, block, urban local body, state, and national levels.
• The agenda involves installing a memorial plaque bearing the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice, including freedom fighters and defence personnel.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-plans-nationwide-events-under-meri-maati-mera-desh-campaign-in-august/article67116911.ece

In News: Wi-fi hotspot pouches: Internet from a sachet Distributed through PMWANI, it can be a game changer in digital connectivity.

About

• The Digital India program has outlined three key vision areas: digital connectivity, software and services on demand, and the digital empowerment of citizens. To effectively achieve these goals, the concept of PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) was introduced.
• PM-WANI aims to establish interoperable public Wi-Fi hotspots, particularly in rural and underserved regions, to make affordable Internet access readily available to the general public.
• This initiative operates through Public Data Offices (PDOs), which act as last-mile distributors of broadband services. They offer internet packages at very affordable rates, as low as Rs 5 to 10, known as "sachet-sized" packages.
• The beauty of this framework lies in the opportunity it presents for aggregators, known as PDOAs, to establish Wi-Fi hotspots without the burden of additional licensing fees. This, in turn, encourages the growth of local nano-entrepreneurs who can set up Wi-Fi hotspots and provide internet access to users.
• PM-WANI's affordability and reliability make it a highly beneficial solution for areas that have been traditionally underserved.
• Expansion of internet connectivity benefits Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telecommunication Companies (Telcos) by enabling them to reach a larger customer base and foster further growth in the digital landscape.

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/internet-from-a-sachet-8858169/

In News: A team of chemists has developed an entirely new method for generating critically important fluorochemicals that bypasses the hazardous product hydrogen fluoride (HF) gas.

About

• Fluorochemicals play a crucial role in diverse industries such as polymers, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and lithium-ion batteries, owing to their exceptional properties like high thermal stability and chemical resistance.
• The conventional method of producing fluorochemicals involves an energy-intensive process that relies on hazardous hydrogen fluoride (HF) This gas is generated by reacting the mineral fluorspar (CaF2) with sulfuric acid under harsh conditions, leading to safety risks and environmental issues, particularly due to the potential for HF spills.
• The new approach has the potential to enhance safety and environmental impact, streamline the supply chain, and reduce energy demands in the rapidly expanding global fluorochemical industry.

https://phys.org/news/2023-07-nature-breakthrough-hazard-free-production-fluorochemicals.html

In News: Harvesting electricity from humid air could one day power our devices.

About

• Hygroelectricity is the generation of electricity from the humidity of the air. It is a type of renewable energy that has the potential to be a major source of power in the future.
• Hygroelectricity, as described, utilizes a tiny device with nanopores to generate electricity from the water molecules present in the air.
• The interaction between the water molecules and the nanopores leads to an electric charge imbalance, effectively creating a miniature battery that can continuously generate electricity.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230710-how-harvesting-electricity-from-humid-air-could-one-day-power-our-electronic-devices

In News: India and Argentina have agreed for a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.

About

• Argentina, the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, is situated between the Andes Mountains and Chile to the west.
• The country's interior is characterized by vast, fertile grasslands known as the Pampas, extending eastward.
• The eastern boundary of Argentina is defined by the Atlantic Ocean, while Bolivia lies to the northwest and Paraguay to the north.
• Lithium Triangle' is an area of South America located in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
• Argentina is famous for livestock ranching in the world. Argentina's world-famous ranchers are culling their breeding cows at the fastest rate in 30 years.
• Agriculture in Argentina is relatively capital intensive, employing around 7% of the workforce and accounting for less than a third of all labor even during its heyday around 1900.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1942174#:~:text=Visiting%20Governor%20of%20Santa%20Fe,talks%20with%20India's%20Science%20Minister&text=by%20PIB%20Delhi-,India%20and%20Argentina%20have%20agreed%20for%20a%20bilateral%20exchange%20of,field%20of%20Biotechnology%20and%20Agriculture.

Exam View: Challenges for ASEAN; ASEAN’s vision; India’s role.

Context: An in-depth study of various outcome documents, particularly the joint communiqué of the 56th Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM), is indicative of ASEAN’s brave attempts to navigate through transformative changes in the present decade.

Decoding the Editorial:

An elaborate institutional architecture created by ASEAN has become an inclusive platform that draws nations from near and far, engaged in shaping the strategic contestation in a vast region stretching from east Africa to the South Pacific.

Challenges for ASEAN

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Economic slowdown
• The Ukraine war
• Climate change
• Internal differences on Myanmar
  • The grouping is unable to forge unity in the Myanmar situation.
  • It has led ASEAN to bar a member-state (Myanmar) from all its political-level discussions.
  • In the run-up to the FMM, Thailand, defying ASEAN’s official policy, ran its own dialogue with the military government which permitted the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to have a meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, much to the discomfiture of Indonesia, the ASEAN chair.
  • Without unity, ASEAN centrality loses much of its credibility.
• China
  • It enjoys close political and economic relations with the ASEAN states.
  • At least three of them, i.e., Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, are its virtual dependencies.
  • While the Philippines has become more assertive of late in its claims in the South China Sea, the central players, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, are all favourably disposed towards Beijing.
  • This explains why none of them raises its voice against China’s delaying tactics in negotiating an enforceable code of conduct concerning the South China Sea.
  • For many years, ASEAN and China have called for “an early conclusion of an effective and substantive” code of conduct; they did it this year too, but are content to leave the matter there.
  • No indication of a timeline is given.
  • It is hard to find a similar example of diplomatic doublespeak.
• Debate between the U.S. and Chinese governments
  • ASEAN’s desire to lead the region and shape its agenda stands jeopardised by the strained relationship between the U.S. and China.
  • The Chinese argument is that the U.S. is solely responsible for poor relations because it steadily refuses to accept and accommodate itself to China’s ‘peaceful rise.’
  • The U.S., on the other hand, is no longer willing to turn a blind eye to Chinese aggressiveness and coercion in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
  • A North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s Vilinius summit communiqué stated, “The People’s Republic of China’s stated ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values.”

ASEAN’s vision

• ASEAN is portrayed as “the Epicentre of Growth”.
• It has a well-chiselled vision with three interrelated dimensions:
  • creating a political community that ensures regional peace and a just, democratic and harmonious environment;
  • an economic community focused on achieving a well-integrated and connected regional economy within the global economic system; and
  • a socio-cultural community to enhance the quality of life of ASEAN’s citizens as well as sustainable development of the region.
• ASEAN’s ability to manage regional and global dynamics depends on two critical ingredients that promote its unity and centrality.
  • It should maintain its credibility by adhering to the ASEAN Charter, and
  • It should stay in the driver’s seat while navigating regional dynamics.
• Anxious over “the intensifying geopolitical tensions in the region,” ASEAN prefers to promote the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Its four identified areas are
  • maritime cooperation,
  • connectivity,
  • UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and
  • economic cooperation.

India’s role

• A “strong and unified” ASEAN is important in the emerging dynamic of the Indo-Pacific.
• The convergence between the AOIP and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative has also become very important.
• To build on the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and ASEAN, India has suggested that the two sides work in newer areas such as cyber, financial and maritime security domains.

Though it appeared that ASEAN did not make much progress, and no new ground was broken, its persistence with dialogue, internally and externally, prevented geopolitical temperatures from rising.

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/asean-a-persistence-with-dialogue-on-a-trodden-path/article67116954.ece/amp/