Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: Governance

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

Issue: Acquisition of Lithium Reserve.

Context: Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) signs a historic agreement to acquire five lithium brine blocks in Argentina from Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN).

Synopsis:

• KABIL, a government company, initiates the first-ever lithium exploration and mining project, covering approximately 15,703 hectares in Catamarca province.
• Deal termed historic for both India and Argentina, reinforcing India’s commitment to a resilient and diversified supply chain for critical minerals, crucial for industries.
• Argentina, part of the “Lithium Triangle,” holds 20% of the world’s lithium resources, making it a key player in the global lithium market.

Significance for India

• Enhances India’s standing in the electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy sectors, aligning with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
• India currently meets 100% of its lithium demand through imports, with over 95% coming from China and Hong Kong. The exploration agreement aims to reduce dependence on foreign sources.
• This marks India’s second international partnership for critical minerals, following a memorandum of understanding with Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office in 2022.
• The exploration and development deal aligns with India’s clean energy goals and aspirations to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries.
• The acquisition aims to ensure a resilient supply chain for critical minerals, essential for various industries, enhancing India’s strategic resource security.
• In addition to international acquisitions, India has initiated domestic critical minerals auctions, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and sustainability.

Background:

India’s Lithium Reserves: In a move toward securing the supply chain, India also initiated its inaugural critical minerals auction drive on November 29. Two lithium blocks in Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh were made available for bidding. The Reasi district block in Jammu and Kashmir holds approximately 5.9 million tonnes (mt) of lithium resources, as per government estimates.

Conclusion: India’s KABIL acquiring a lithium reserve signifies a historic move securing critical resources. This bolsters India’s strategic position in the global lithium market, aligning with clean energy goals.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS-III

Subject: Economic Development

Topic: Government Budgeting.

Context: India’s net direct tax collections hit ₹14.7 lakh crore by January 10, exceeding 80% of the fiscal year 2023-24 target. A substantial 19.4% growth.

Synopsis:

Breakdown of Collections:

• Gross collections expanded by 16.77% to ₹18 lakh crore.
• Personal Income Tax (PIT) saw a significant 26.11% surge.
• Corporate Income Tax (CIT) grew at a more moderate 8.32%.

Budget Progress:

This collection represents a solid 80.61% of the total Budget Estimates of Direct Taxes for FY 2023-24.

Future Projections:

Rating agency ICRA anticipates direct tax collections to surpass Budget estimates by ₹1 lakh crore, with an expected 18% growth over the provisional numbers for 2022-23.

Outlook for FY 2024-25:

A 12% growth in direct tax revenues is projected for the upcoming fiscal year.

Factors include favorable commodity prices and government initiatives to enhance compliance and broaden the tax base.

Background:

Conclusion: The data indicates a positive trajectory in direct tax collections, surpassing targets and reflecting a robust economic environment.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS-III

Subject: Economic Development

Topic: Infrastructure.

Context: PM Modi inaugurates the 22-km Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), India’s longest sea bridge.

Issue: India’s Longest Sea Bridge.

Synopsis:

• The link connects Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Raigad, Navi Mumbai, reducing travel time by 45 minutes.
• Renamed from ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewari-Nhava Sheva Atal Setu.
• Loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Benefits and Usage:

1. Improves connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and reduces congestion between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
2. Faster access to Mumbai International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport. Expected to substantially reduce travel time to key destinations in Maharashtra and southern parts of the country.
3. Promotes regional economic development, and reduces travel time to Alibaug, Pune, Goa, and southern regions. Connectivity Boost: Enhances connectivity between Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port, facilitating economic growth and development.

Challenges:

• Constructing segments in the marine portion required digging as deep as 47 meters, posing engineering challenges.
• The bridge’s proximity to sensitive establishments like ONGC, JNPT, and BARC complicated construction to avoid damage to underwater installations.
• While engineers and experts were sourced globally, coordinating diverse teams and ensuring seamless collaboration presented logistical and communication challenges.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: Governance

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

Issue: Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023.

Context: Swachh Survekshan 2023 covers 4,416 urban local bodies, 61 cantonments, and 88 Ganga towns.

Synopsis:

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023

Cleanest Cities:

Indore and Surat were declared the cleanest cities in the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023. Indore maintains its top position for the seventh consecutive year, while Surat secures the top spot for the first time. Both cities score 100% in door-to-door waste collection, 98% in source segregation, and 100% in remediation of dumpsites. Tied for the cleanest cities with a population over 1 lakh; Navi Mumbai takes the third spot.

Cleanest State:

Maharashtra bags the cleanest state award with 89.24% door-to-door waste collection and 67.76% source segregation followed by Madhya Pradesh.

Special Recognitions:

• Chandigarh was awarded for the best safety standards for sanitation workers.
• Varanasi named the cleanest ‘Ganga town.’
• Mhow Cantonment is recognized as the cleanest cantonment in the country.
• Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Nagaland, and Tripura ranked as the bottom five states.

Background:

Conclusion: The recognition in Swachh Survekshan 2023 calls for sustained efforts, innovation, and citizen involvement to further enhance urban cleanliness nationwide.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus: GS-II

Subject: Governance

Topic: Effects on industrial growth

Context: The Assam government has introduced the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA), a financial support scheme for rural women entrepreneurs.

Issue: Child limit for welfare schemes.

Synopsis:

• The scheme imposes a cap on the number of children for eligibility: three for general and OBC women, and four for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) women.
• This aligns with the push for population norms, aiming to link all beneficiary schemes to such norms.
• The scheme targets women in self-help groups, aiming to help them become rural micro-entrepreneurs with an annual income goal of Rs 1 lakh per member.
• The child limit emphasizes the need for women to focus on business rather than raising a large family.
• About 5 lakh women out of 39 lakh involved in self-help groups may be excluded due to the child limit.
• The beneficiaries must also fulfill other conditions, including enrolling girl children in school and ensuring the survival of trees planted under a government drive.
• This move follows the state’s previous decision, starting in 2021, that those with more than two children would be ineligible for government jobs.

It’s Impact:

Conclusion: The impact hinges on balancing demographic concerns with empowering women economically, raising questions about inclusivity and family planning priorities.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus: GS-III;

Subject: Technology;

Topic: Services relating to Health.

Context: The Indian government plans to roll out a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 9-14 to combat cervical cancer.

Issue: Vaccination for cervical cancer.

Synopsis:

1. The vaccine not only targets cervical cancer but also protects against HPV strains causing cancer in the anus, vagina, oropharynx, and genital warts.
2. Aims to immunize one-third of girls aged 9-14 each year over three years, with a total target of nearly 8 crore children across the country.
3. India accounts for about 20% of global cervical cancer cases, with 1.25 lakh new cases and 75,000 deaths annually, making it the second most common cancer among women in the country.
4. The vaccine, Cervavac, developed by the Serum Institute of India, is quadrivalent, offering protection against HPV strains.
5. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has recommended ICMR to conduct trials on the efficacy of a single-dose regimen for HPV vaccine in the 9-15 age group, considering global WHO guidelines supporting a single-dose regimen for public health programs.

Background:

Way Forward: Expand HPV vaccination to boys, enhance awareness, and ensure accessible healthcare, progressing towards comprehensive prevention of cervical cancer.

Source: Indian Express