Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme

• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) organised a two-day global India Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme in association with the World Bank on 28th and 29th Nov. 2024, in New Delhi.
• About Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme: 
• It is a programme under the aegis of the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate Global Trade.
• The programme aims to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate movement of legitimate goods.
• Under this programme, an entity engaged in international trade is approved by Customs as compliant with supply chain security standards and granted AEO status & certain benefits.
• An AEO is a business entity involved in the international movement of goods requiring compliance with provisions of the national customs law.
• It is approved by or on behalf of the national administration in compliance with the World Customs Organization (WCO).
• The WCO in June, 2005, with a view to secure the international supply chain, adopted the SAFE Framework of Standards (WCO SAFE FoS).
• AEO is one of the three pillars on which the SAFE FoS is formed.
• AEO helps to build a closer partnership between the customs department and the trade industry.
• WCO SAFE FoS is the basis of the Indian AEO programme.

What is the India AEO programme?

• It was introduced in India by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in 2011.
• It is a voluntary programme administered by the CBIC.
• It seeks to provide benefits in the form of simplified customs procedures and faster customs clearances to those business entities that offer a high degree of security guarantees regarding their role in the supply chain. 
• Thus, an entity with an AEO status can be considered a reliable trading partner and a secure trader. 
• This segmentation approach enables customs resources to focus on less-non-compliant or risky businesses for control.

Deciphering the enigma of human−lion coexistence in India

Recently, new research revealed that the entire population of 674 Asiatic Lions, confined to Gujarat, coexists with humans due to mutual adaptation, strict legal protection, economic incentives, and government compensation for livestock losses.

The research analyzed over 14,000 livestock depredations, 11,000 compensation claims, human attacks, and surveys from 277 villages to explore the factors enabling human-lion coexistence.

Asiatic Lion

• The Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica), also known as the Indian Lion, is a subspecies of the lion found exclusively in India. 
• It is a symbol of courage and strength in Indian culture and is an integral part of the country’s wildlife heritage.
• Features
• Physical Appearance: Smaller and more compact than African lions, with a less developed mane in males.
• Distinctive Traits: A unique fold of skin runs along their belly, and they have shorter, sparser manes compared to their African counterparts.
• Habitat
• Preferred Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and open grassy patches.
• Current Habitat: Confined to the Gir Forest and surrounding areas in Gujarat, India.
• Geographical Range
• Historically ranged across the Middle East and India but now restricted to Gujarat.
• The population has expanded beyond Gir Forest into neighboring districts, covering an increasing geographic range.
• IUCN Status
• It was listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. However, the organization has revised the Asiatic lion’s status to vulnerable in 2024.
• Challenges Faced
• Habitat Loss: Agricultural expansion, industrialization, and human settlements encroach on lion habitats.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Livestock depredation and occasional attacks lead to tension with local communities.
• Genetic Bottleneck: Small population size increases vulnerability to diseases and reduces genetic diversity.
• Poaching and Illegal Activities: Threats from poaching and illegal wildlife tourism practices.
• Natural Calamities: Risk from droughts, forest fires, and potential pandemics.
• Conservation Efforts
• Legal Protection: Listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They are also listed in Appendix I of CITES.
• Conservation Projects: Initiatives like the Lion Conservation Project and compensation schemes for livestock losses.
• Translocation Plans: Efforts to establish a second population in Madhya Pradesh for long-term survival.

Key Findings of the Study

Factors enabling human-lion coexistence

• Economic and Sociocultural Drivers
  • Regulated tourism happens in and around protected areas such as Gir National Park.
  • On the other hand, there is unregulated tourism on private land and this also includes offering livestock as bait, illegally.
  • A study in Kenya found that compensating for livestock killed by lions reduced the number of lions killed by pastoralists by 87–91%.
• Earnings from regulated and unregulated wildlife tourism on private lands are significant.
• Proper implementation of livestock compensation schemes also reduced the human-lion conflict.
• Sociocultural acceptance, including viewing lions as noble and charismatic, fosters tolerance.
• Benefits to lions
  • With greater human acceptance, they can move around outside Gir’s protected areas. 
  • Second, owing to legal and cultural practices, old cattle are abandoned, which forms a big chunk of the big cat’s diet in the form of old livestock or carrion.
• Lions have benefitted on two key counts. 
• Conclusion
• The lions and communities are co-adapting to co-exist. And benefits to each other, lions and people, exceed the costs of living together, resulting in co-existence.

Challenges and Recommendations

• Conservation Concerns:
• Co-existence is fragile and requires management to reduce conflicts and protect lions.
• Translocation of lions to Madhya Pradesh for genetic diversity and disease prevention remains unimplemented despite Supreme Court orders.
• Conflict Mitigation:
  • This can pre-empt lion movement and mitigate negative human-lion interactions.
• Proactive monitoring of lion prides in risk areas using radio collars with virtual geofences that can trigger warning signals.
• Revising livestock compensation schemes to match market rates and exploring livestock insurance schemes.

Community Tolerance and Conflict

• High- and moderate-conflict villages showed greater tolerance due to economic benefits from lions.
• Pastoralist communities exhibited the highest intolerance, primarily due to economic losses.

Livestock Losses

• 91% of livestock depredations occurred outside protected areas.
• Amreli district reported the most livestock death claims, followed by Junagadh, Gir Somnath, and Bhavnagar.
• Cattle were the most common prey, followed by goats, sheep, and buffalo.

Global Engagement Scheme

• It was previously known as the Scheme for promotion of International Cultural Relations.
• It promotes India’s rich cultural heritage and enhances India’s image in the global arena in a concerted manner.
• It has following three components:
• Festival of India: Itis organized abroad to promote people to people connect and bilateral cultural contacts. The artists from diverse cultural fields such as Folk Art including Folk Music, Folk Dance, Folk Theatre & Puppetry, Classical and Traditional Dance, Experimental/ Contemporary Dance, Classical/ Semi Classical Music, Theatre etc. perform in the ‘Festivals of India’ abroad.
• Grant in aid to Indo Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies Scheme: The Grants under this scheme will be sanctioned with the object of fostering closer friendship and cultural contacts between India and foreign country concerned.
• Contribution Grant: This component is meant for Indian contribution towards membership of International Organizations like ICROM, UNESCO, World Heritage Fund and to facilitate Indian participation and hosting of international meetings
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Culture

High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) Observatory

• Scientists at the HESS observatory in Namibia have found the most energetic cosmic rays ever detected, reaching up to 40 teraelectronvolts.

High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) observatory:

• It is an array of Cherenkov Telescopes located in the Khomas Highlands in Namibia.
• H.E.S.S. started operations in 2003 and has been operated very successfully since then.
• It observes gamma rays, the most energetic form of light, in the very high energy range (>100 GeV), which are produced by some of the most violent processes in the universe.
• Being in the southern hemisphere, H.E.S.S. is very well located for observations of gamma-ray sources within our galaxy, the Milky Way.
• Since gamma rays cannot penetrate the Earth''s atmosphere, H.E.S.S. detects them indirectly via their interactions with the air molecules.
• Besides sources from our Milky Way sources, it has a rich and wide physics program, covering also outbursts in very distant galaxies and fundamental physics questions related to dark matter and Lorentz invariance.
• The H.E.S.S. observatory is operated by a collaboration of more than 260 scientists from about 40 scientific institutions and 13 different countries.

Koraga Tribe

• The Revenue department in Kerala has initiated steps to provide land titles (patta) to the Koraga tribe (ST) group in Kasaragod and Manjeswaram taluks under a project called Operation Smile.
• Koragas are one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) found in the southern part of India particularly Kerala and Karnataka.
• Language: At present most of the Koragas are speaking Tulu languages but they have their own independent language.
• Koragas are divided into a number of exogamous clans or sects. The clan is known as bali. There are 17 balis found among Koragas.
• Economy: The Korags are basically agriculturists and eke out their livelihood depending on the forest produce such as bamboo, cane, creepers for basketry.
• They sing songs and perform folkdances, rituals and magics to appease their deity for bountiful crops and eradicate epidemics.
• Dholu and Voote (Drum and Flute) were two important musical instruments of the Koragas.
• The Family among the Koraga is matrilineal, the decent being reckoned along the female line. But residence after marriage is patrilocal.
• The property is equally divided among both son and daughters.
• The Koragas were worshippers of different Bhuta’s (Bhuta Kola is a ritual folk dance in Tulu Nadu) such as Panjurli, Kallurti, Korathi and Guliga etc.

Minister orders study on Handigodu disease

Handigodu Disease is a rare and peculiar osteoarthritic disorder (bone and joint disease) prevalent in Shimoga and Chikmaglur Districts of Karnataka.

• It is named after the village of Handigodu, where it was first noticed, in Shimoga district of the state of Karnataka.
• It is an inherited degenerative osteoarthropathy.
• In this progressive skeletal system disorder, affected individuals are presented with severe joint and hip pain.
• In certain extreme cases in adults, crippled individuals are made to crawl due to pain.
• Lack of normal growth is noticeable from early childhood, such as deformation of the limbs and dwarfism.
• Symptom onset is at preadolescence (as early as age 10) to young adulthood.
• Difficulty in walking and pain in hip joints eventually affect HS patients'' locomotion and nominal routine chores.
• The prevalence of HS in the general population may not be meaningful as it is restricted to a specific geographic region. However, it is known to have killed over 1000 people since it was first noticed around 1975.
• Though not clinically identical, Handigodu Disease is akin to Mseleni Joint Disease in the Zululand of South Africa.

Phlegraean Fields

• The Phlegraean Fields, now considered one massive supervolcano, are beginning to stir, making the scientific community uneasy.
• The Phlegraean Fields (also known in Italian as ‘Campi Flegrei’) is an active volcanic area located in the vicinity of Naples, Italy. 
• Unlike the nearby Mount Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei is not characterised by a single volcano. 
• It is more of a volcanic system, with several centres situated within a depressed area called a caldera (essentially a deep sinkhole or cauldron).
• The caldera has a diameter of about 12-15 km (7.5-9.3 miles).
• It was formed 39,000 years ago after an eruption emptied it of magma. According to a new hypothesis, this eruption could have been the beginning of the end of the Neanderthal.
• One-third of it lies under the Tyrrhenian Sea, between the Italian mainland and the country’s island of Sardinia. 
• It is the largest active caldera in Europe. It is much larger than the cone-shaped Vesuvius, which destroyed the ancient Roman city of Pompeii in AD79, and is much more active.
• Phlegraean Fields has been in a restless state since 1950. It is a result of a phenomenon known as bradyseism, which scientists understand to be the gradual movement of part of Earth’s surface caused by the fillingor emptying of an underground magma chamber or hydrothermal activity.
• It last erupted in 1538, after an interval of about 3000 years. This eruption, although minor in comparison, formed Monte Nuovo, a new mountain.
• Scientists consider Phlegraean Fields to be a supervolcano whose eruptions can have worldwide effects.
• These volcanic fields are among the top eight emitters of volcanic carbon dioxide worldwide.

Second quarter GDP growth slips to worrying 7-quarter low

• Slowest Growth in Seven Quarters:
• India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.4% in the July-September 2024 quarter, down from 6.7% in the previous quarter. This is below the 6.5% projected by analysts.
• Sectoral Slowdown:
• Manufacturing grew by just 2.2%, compared to 7% previously, driven by weak consumer demand, inflation, and high borrowing costs.
• Private Consumption, constituting 60% of GDP, slowed to 6%, reflecting reduced demand for goods.
• Rural-Urban Dynamics:
• Rural demand showed recovery due to strong agricultural output (+3.5%), while urban demand lagged due to high inflation and weak wage growth.

Economic Concerns and Policy Challenges

• Policy Pressures:
• Economists suggest the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) might need to cut the repo rate, currently at 6.5%, to stimulate growth.
• The government faces challenges in balancing growth targets, inflation control, and job creation.
• Private Sector Issues:
• Weak hiring and wage growth have reduced purchasing power and dampened demand, particularly for consumer goods.
• The profit-GDP ratio grew to 4.8% in FY24 but did not translate into proportional compensation or job growth.

Structural Recommendations

• Deregulation:
• Double down on deregulation, especially at state and local levels, to foster ease of doing business and increase investment.
• Public Investment:
• Focus on increasing capital expenditure (capex) for long-term infrastructure development.
• Private Sector Responsibility:
• Improve hiring practices and wage growth to sustain demand and boost private consumption.
• Geopolitical Risks:
• Address challenges like supply chain disruptions, rising US dollar strength, and tightening liquidity conditions in emerging markets.

• Positive Outlook

• Resilience in sectors like agriculture, construction, and parts of manufacturing supports optimism.
• Record production in Kharif food grains and promising prospects for Rabi crops signal rural economic recovery.
• The labour market shows signs of improvement, though further policy efforts are needed.

Conclusion

• India’s growth remains one of the fastest among major economies but faces challenges from domestic constraints like weak consumption and global risks such as geopolitical uncertainties.
• Policymakers must balance stimulating growth with controlling inflation, focusing on structural reforms and private sector participation.

Economic Terms

• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): The total value of goods and services produced within a country in a specific period. It reflects the economic health of a nation.
• Gross Value Added (GVA): A measure of economic activity that shows the value of goods and services produced, excluding taxes and subsidies. It offers a more precise sectoral view of economic performance.
• Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks. Lowering the repo rate can stimulate borrowing and investment, boosting economic growth.
• Profit-GDP Ratio: The share of corporate profits in the GDP. A high ratio indicates profitability but may also signal unequal income distribution if wages do not grow proportionally.
• Capital Expenditure (Capex): Government or corporate spending on physical assets like infrastructure, machinery, or buildings, aimed at boosting long-term growth.
• Kharif and Rabi Crops: Kharif crops are sown during the monsoon season (e.g., rice), while Rabi crops are sown during the winter season (e.g., wheat).
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Interruptions in the production and distribution process of goods due to geopolitical issues, natural disasters, or pandemics.

Silica mining: NGT asks CPCB to prepare pan-India guidelines

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to create nationwide guidelines for silica sand mining and washing plants to address health risks and environmental issues.
• The NGT was hearing a petition on illegal silica sand mining in Uttar Pradesh.
• CPCB has been given three months to prepare and circulate guidelines.
• Court criticized authorities for irregularities in silica sand mining operations and imposed penalties on companies involved.
• Silica sand washing removes impurities but poses health risks, including silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust.

The implications of CCI''s investigation into Google

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated an investigation into Google following a complaint by real money gaming (RMG) platform Winzo. 

The complaint alleges that Google’s pilot project, which selectively allowed fantasy sports apps like Dream11 and rummy games on its Play Store, discriminates against other RMG companies and distorts market competition.

• CCI has launched a probe into Google for alleged abuse of its dominant position in the real money gaming (RMG) ecosystem.
• The CCI noted that prolonged pilot programs and non-transparent policy enforcement by Google raise concerns about anti-competitive practices.
• It has tasked its director general to carry out a “thorough probe” into the matter within the next two months.
• Allegations on Google
  • Google introduced a one-year pilot programme in 2022, allowing only Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and rummy apps on its Play Store in India.
  • Winzo criticized the exclusion of other real money gaming (RMG) apps, calling it “discriminatory and arbitrary.”
  • Winzo alleged that Dream11, a competitor included in the pilot, gained 1.7 crore new users within two months of the programme’s launch.
  • Google restricted its advertising policy in 2022, allowing only DFS and rummy apps to host advertisements.
  • Winzo argued that this restriction constituted an abuse of Google’s dominant position, as access to Google’s advertising platform offered significant business growth potential.
  • Winzo alleged that Google discouraged users from engaging with its app by showing warning messages during payments made via Google Pay.
  • Messages included warnings like “This person might be flagged as risky” and “This is an unusually high amount,” potentially deterring users.
• Google’s 2022 Policy Update and Pilot Programme
• Advertising Policy Restrictions
• Payment Warning Messages
• Key Allegations
• Winzo claimed Google’s actions created unfair competition, provided undue advantages to select competitors, and hindered the growth of other RMG platforms.
• Google’s defence
• Lack of Objective Definition for Games of Skill
• Google argued before the CCI that there is no clear or objective definition of "games of skill" in India.
• Determining whether a game qualifies as a game of skill requires case-by-case evaluation based on specific features, format, and rules.
• Pending Online Gaming Rules
• Google highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the online gaming rules notified by the IT Ministry.
• These rules mandate the creation of self-regulatory bodies to decide permissible games on platforms like the Play Store, but their implementation is still pending.
• Fragmented Gaming Legislations in India
• Google raised concerns about India’s fragmented gaming laws, where different state governments have varying regulations.
• The lack of uniformity complicates compliance for online gaming platforms.

UN Peacebuilding Commission

• Recently, India has been re-elected to the U.N. Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for 2025–2026.
• UN Peacebuilding Commission was established on 20 December 2005 by resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Security Council. 
• It is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries and is a key addition to the capacity of the International Community in the broad peace agenda, according to its website.
• The PBC is composed of 31 Member States, elected from the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Economic and Social Council.
• The top financial contributing countries and the top troop-contributing countries to the United Nations system are also members.
• The Commission is mandated
• To bring together all relevant actors to marshal resources and to advise on and propose integrated strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery;
• To focus attention on the reconstruction and institution-building efforts necessary for recovery from conflict and to support the development of integrated strategies in order to lay the foundation for sustainable development.
• It is also mandated to provide recommendations and information to improve the coordination of all relevant actors within and outside the United Nations, to develop best practices, to help to ensure predictable financing for early recovery activities and to extend the period of attention given by the international community to post-conflict recovery, the Commission said.
• The Commission also focuses on promoting an integrated, strategic and coherent approach to peacebuilding.
• India is among the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to U.N. Peacekeeping.
• It currently deployed about 6,000 military and police personnel to UN operations in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.