Mystery disease'' in Congo turned out to be malaria — and potentially, another disease

•  Early this month, health officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported that an unknown, flu-like illness had killed dozens in the country within a few months. The World Health Organization (WHO) investigated, alongside local authorities.
• Finally, on Tuesday (Dec. 17), the cause of the sicknesses was announced: severe malaria potentially complicated by malnutrition.
•  The Congo''s health ministry that read, "The mystery has finally been solved." At the time, the case count was 592, with the earliest cases occurring in October.
• But then, on Dec. 19, a man in the affected region died with symptoms of hemorrhagic fever.
• This type of disease is typically caused by viruses — hinting that malaria and malnutrition might not be the only culprits

Challenges to diagnosis

• The Congo has a high incidence of malaria, a parasitic disease spread by mosquitoes. In 2022, the most recent year with data, the country reported over 27 million infections and over 24,000 deaths from the disease.
• For context, across all of Africa that year, there were 233 million malaria infections and 580,000 deaths.
• Although malaria is endemic to the Congo, pinpointing the disease as a culprit in the unfolding situation is a complicated task.
• "It is noted that most of the cases and deaths have affected children under 14.
• At any given time, about 50% of the people in areas like this are walking around with malaria parasites in their blood.
•  In places where malaria is very common, many people may not show symptoms because they have some level of existing immunity. "So they could have something else, plus parasites in the blood."
• The Kwango province''s food insecurity worsened between spring and fall of 2024, the WHO noted. Also this year, much of southern Africa, including the Congo, experienced long dry spells, likely tied to climate change.

ISRO successfully tests CE20 cryogenic engine, paves way for Gaganyaan mission

• ISRO successfully conducted a sea level hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

Highlights of the Sea Level Test

• A Nozzle Protection System was employed to mitigate challenges associated with testing the CE20 engine at sea level. This approach reduces reliance on the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility making testing more cost-effective and less complex.
• The high area ratio nozzle (with an exit pressure of approximately 50 mbar) is prone to flow separation at sea level.
• Flow separation can cause severe vibrations, thermal problems and potential mechanical damage to the nozzle.

Significance :

• The Nozzle Protection System reduces the complexity and costs associated with testing at HAT facilities.
• The engine has been qualified for thrust levels of:
• 19 tonnes(used in six LVM3 missions to date).
• 20 tonnesfor the Gaganyaan mission.
• 22 tonnesfor the C32 stage enabling enhanced payload capability for future launches.
• The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of LVM3 (GSLV Mk III), India’s most powerful rocket which is central to:
• Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight program.
• Heavier payload launches and interplanetary missions.

CE-20 Cryogenic Engine

• The CE-20 cryogenic engine is an indigenous cryogenic rocket engine developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is a pivotal component of India''s GSLV Mk III also known as LVM-3 used for launching heavy payloads into geostationary orbits.

Cryogenic Technology

• Cryogenic technology involves the use of extremely low temperatures typically below -150°C to liquefy gases such as oxygen and hydrogen for use as rocket propellants.
• These propellants provide higher specific impulse making cryogenic engines more efficient compared to semi-cryogenic or solid rocket engines.
• ISRO initiated the development of the CE-20 engine as part of its efforts to achieve self-reliance in cryogenic technology. It succeeded the Russian-supplied KVD-1 engine used in earlier GSLV launches.
• The CE-20 engine was developed indigenously at ISRO''s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).

Specifications of the CE-20 Engine

Significance

• Powers the GSLV Mk III India''s most powerful rocket capable of lifting up to 4,000 kg into geostationary orbit and 10,000 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO).
• The engine has played a crucial role in missions like Chandrayaan-2 and is set to support Gaganyaan India’s first crewed space mission.

Major Achievements

• Maiden Flight: Successfully used in the GSLV Mk III-D1 mission in December 2014.
• Chandrayaan-2: Enabled the launch of the lunar mission in July 2019 demonstrating its efficiency and reliability.
• Commercial Launches: Strengthened ISRO’s position in launching foreign satellites under Antrix Corporation, ISRO’s commercial arm.

Types of Rocket Engines

• Performance Metrics
• Specific Impulse indicates efficiency measured in seconds. Electric engines have higher specific impulse than chemical engines but produce lower thrust.
•  Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: Chemical engines provide high thrust for takeoff while electric and plasma engines are suitable for space applications requiring prolonged thrust.

State governments have urged the central government to raise their borrowing

• State governments in India have urged the central government to raise their borrowing limits. This request comes as states face growing fiscal pressures and increasing expenditures.
• The demands were articulated during a pre-budget consultation meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaisalmer on December 20, 2024.
• The meeting aimed to address various financial concerns and developmental priorities of the states ahead of the Union Budget for 2024-25.
• States like Punjab and Kerala are experiencing fiscal stress. They have requested special financial packages to help manage their budgetary challenges.
• These packages are intended to provide immediate relief and support ongoing fiscal stability
• Another critical demand from the states is for increased allocations under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
• This fund is vital for strengthening disaster mitigation measures. Enhanced funding can improve preparedness and response capabilities during natural calamities.
• States are also advocating for a higher allocation under the 50-year interest-free loan scheme.
• This scheme plays important role in supporting capital investment plans. Greater flexibility in its application would allow states to tailor investments to meet their specific developmental needs.
• During discussions on infrastructure, states have called for the central government to share a larger portion of land acquisition costs.
• These costs often impose a heavy financial burden on state budgets, hindering the progress of essential road and rail projects
• To advance rather than defer the desirable goal of fiscal prudence, India,  like several other countries, embarked in the mid-2000s on an ambitious project of fiscal consolidation, adopting fiscal rules aimed at curbing fiscal deficits.
•  The most well-known and best-studied part of this project was the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, adopted by the Centre in 2003. 
•  This Act was mirrored by Fiscal Responsibility Legislations (FRLs) adopted by the states, laws that were no less important than the FRBM, since states account for roughly half the general government deficit.
• The enactment of FRBM Act and FRLs by states paved the way for sub-national fiscal consolidation. 
•  Fiscal consolidation describes government policies intended to reduce deficits and accumulation of debt.

What is fiscal deficit?

• The fiscal deficit is the difference between the government’s total expenditure and its total receipts (excluding borrowing). In layman’s terms, it corresponds to the borrowings and liabilities of the government.
• As per the technical definition, fiscal deficit is equal to budgetary deficit plus borrowings and other liabilities of the government.

The enactment of FRBM

• Periods of macroeconomic instability in India have invariably been pre-dated by fiscal adventurism. 
•  In the 1980s, for example, the combined fiscal deficit had widened to 8.6 per cent in 1984-85 and breached 9 per cent of GDP in the ensuing years. 
•  While there are many explanations for the 1991 crisis, including the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Kuwait war affecting remittance flows, the increase in petroleum prices, an indisputable proximate cause was the unsustainable fiscal deficit in the years preceding the 1991 crisis. 
•  Following the crisis, fiscal corrections were made coupled with other sector specific structural reforms. A combination of these macro policies and other reforms stabilised the economy.• It unleashed the entrepreneurial instincts of the private sector and with progressive dilution of financial sector repression, it enhanced competitive efficiency and our economic performance.
•  However, later in the 1990s, fiscal deficits again rose sharply to over 10 per cent. 
•  Then, the government introduced the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill in Parliament.
•  The FRBM Act enacted by the Parliament, received the President’s assent in August 2003, and FRBM rules framed under section 8 of the Act, came into force in July 2004.
• The Act aims to make the central government responsible for ensuring inter-generational equity in fiscal management and long-term macroeconomic stability by removing fiscal impediments in the effective conduct of monetary policy and prudential debt management consistent with fiscal sustainability.
•  The FRBM Act mandated that the central government limit its fiscal deficit to 3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).
•  The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) was entrusted with the responsibility of periodically reviewing the compliance of the provisions of the FRBM Act and presenting such reviews before both the Houses of Parliament.
•  It was felt that instead of corrections through executive action, adherence to fiscal norms were more likely if they were embedded in a legal framework.
•  Following the enactment of FRBM Act, by the government of India, the states adopted their respective Fiscal Responsibility Legislations (FRLs) with the objective of designing and implementing a rule-based fiscal management system.
•  The FRBM Act has since been amended four times — in 2004, 2012, 2015 and 2018.

Highlights of FRLs by state govts

• Fiscal rules facilitate prudent fiscal management by bringing discipline in the conduct of public finances. 
•  The FRLs complemented the provision of debt and interest relief to states by the central government.Since then the states have followed a series of reforms aimed at improving the sustainability, efficiency, and transparency of their finances.
•  The FRBM Act of the Centre and FRLs of the states follow a deficit rule and set a debt-to-GDP ratio target.  
•  The implementation of FRLs has incentivised formulation of fiscal policy strategies, creation of Medium-Term Fiscal Plans (MTFPs) and improvement in transparency. The states have amended their FRLs periodically to adapt to changing needs.
•  Fiscal rules can be classified into four broad categories, based on the fiscal variables these rules impinge upon. 

They are: 

• i) Budget Balance Rules (BBRs) aim at targeting either the overall fiscal balance or the cyclically adjusted fiscal balance. 
• ii) Debt rules set ceilings for public debt-to-GDP ratios. 
• iii) Expenditure rules restrict total or specific government spending. 
• iv) Revenue rules aim to control revenue through taxation limits or by ensuring minimum receipts.
• Internationally accepted fiscal management principles incorporate the features of transparency, stability, responsibility, fairness, and efficiency at their core. 
• Transparency ensures clear policy objectives and access to information by the public.
•  Stability involves predictable policymaking and some certainty around its economic impact.
• Responsibility emphasises integrity in budget formulation and public finance management.
• Fairness considers financial implications for future generations.
•  Efficiency pertains to the effective design and implementation of fiscal policy and asset/liability management.
•  Containing the fiscal deficit and revenue deficit within prescribed limits, maintaining the debt stock at a sustainable level, using borrowed funds for productive use and capping guarantees within an indicative ceiling are some of the fiscal management principles adopted by the states’ FRLs. 
•  The associated rules also require three documents to be laid before the legislatures at the time of presentation of the state budget.

They are: 

• i) Macroeconomic Framework Statement containing an overview of the state economy, an analysis of growth and sectoral composition of GSDP, and an assessment related to state government finances and future prospects.
• ii) Medium Term Fiscal Policy (MTFP) Statement, outlining the state government’s fiscal goals and three-year rolling targets, covering revenue-expenditure balance, use of capital receipts for productive assets, and estimated pension liabilities for the next 10 years.
• iii) Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement covering the state’s fiscal policies for the upcoming year relating to taxation, expenditure, borrowings and other liabilities. 

The states’ FRLs also entail that the document should highlight:

• i) Strategic fiscal priorities
• ii) Key fiscal measures
• iii) Reasons for any significant deviations in policies related to taxation, subsidies, and expenditures.
• iv) An evaluation of current policies against the fiscal management principles. 

Impact of FRLs

•  The adoption of FRLs by state governments in the early 2000s contributed to an improvement in their key fiscal parameters. 
•  The consolidated gross fiscal deficit (GFD) of the Indian States fell from an average of 4.3 per cent of GDP during the period 1998-99 to 2003-04 to 2.7 per cent of GDP during 2004-05 to 2023-24. 
• Also, the overall debt of the states declined from 31.8 per cent of GDP at end-March 2004 to 28.5 per cent of GDP at end-March 2024.
•  However, it remains well above the level of 20 per cent recommended by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Review Committee (2017). 
•  Moreover, large inter-state variation persists, and new pressures are emerging from an increasing subsidy burden. 
• These developments underline the need for deepening fiscal consolidation by the states. 
•  After the implementation of FRLs, fiscal reforms by states have mainly aimed at simplification of taxes and prioritisation of expenditure on focused areas at its core. 
• The most noteworthy taxation reform in the post-FRL era has been the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which addressed issues such as multiplicity and cascading effect of indirect taxation. 
•  The prominent expenditure reforms include shift from the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to the National Pension System (NPS); move towards Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT); and implementation of a Single Nodal Agency (SNA) for Centrally Sponsored Schemes.  Rapid changes in the economic and geopolitical environment warrant further refinements in states’ fiscal frameworks.

Strengthening the roots of an agri-carbon market 

• In India, existing carbon credit projects listed under non-governmental entities need to be examined to ensure inclusivity and efficiency.
• Carbon markets hold the potential to transform Indian agriculture, turning sustainable farming practices into a lucrative opportunity for farmers while combating climate change.
• In this, carbon pricing is a critical tool for mitigating climate change. It functions through compliance and voluntary carbon markets. Compliance markets, regulated by governments or international bodies such as the United Nations, impose emissions caps on companies.
• Businesses exceeding these caps must either purchase carbon credits from projects that mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as agroforestry or sustainable agriculture projects, or pay carbon taxes for their extra emissions.
• In contrast, the voluntary carbon market operates without regulation, allowing organisations to trade carbon credits through mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism, Verra, and Gold Standard, among others. Together, these systems aim to reduce GHG emissions and support global climate goals.
• Carbon markets are gaining momentum. At COP29, in November 2024, for instance, a centralised carbon market under the UN got a green signal.
• Last year, India announced that it would launch its own compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
•  Recently, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and State universities, listed five agriculture carbon credit projects in Verra.

What are carbon markets?

• Carbon markets allow businesses to offset their greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits from projects that reduce or eliminate emissions. 
• Carbon markets in India are classified as either voluntary or compliance. 
• In compliance markets, businesses have to comply with emissions targets established by governments or international organisations such as the United Nations. If they exceed these limits, they must purchase carbon credits from projects such as sustainable agriculture or agroforestry. 
• Voluntary markets operate without government regulation and allow businesses and organisations to trade carbon credits through platforms such as the Clean Development Mechanism, Verra, or Gold Standard.

What role does carbon pricing play in mitigating climate change?

• Carbon pricing helps to mitigate climate change by providing financial incentives for businesses and farmers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 
• Businesses can support the global effort to reduce GHG emissions by purchasing carbon credits from emission-reduction projects or paying carbon taxes through compliance and voluntary markets, respectively.

What are the key principles that govern carbon credit projects?

• Carbon credit projects are governed by two fundamental principles: additionality and permanence. 
• Additionality ensures that emission reductions are only achieved as a result of the carbon credit initiative. This means that farmers must adopt new sustainable practices; those who already do so are ineligible. 
• Permanence ensures that environmental benefits, such as carbon stored in soil, are preserved over time. For example, if a farmer abandons sustainable practices and returns to traditional methods, the carbon stored in the soil may be released, eliminating the benefits.

How is carbon measurement evolving in India?

• The science of measuring carbon in soil and greenhouse gas emissions is improving as digital technologies advance. 
• Remote sensing, satellite imagery, drones, and sensors are becoming more accessible, allowing for more accurate monitoring of carbon credits and project activities. These technologies will be critical to the success of carbon markets because they improve data collection and ensure that emission reductions are properly accounted for.

What is the potential of carbon markets in transforming Indian agriculture?

• Carbon markets have the potential to transform Indian agriculture by converting sustainable farming practices into profitable opportunities for farmers. 
• They help to mitigate climate change by allowing farmers to earn carbon credits for using environmentally friendly farming methods, which benefits both the environment and the farmers financially.

How do carbon markets support sustainable farming in India?

• Carbon markets allow farmers to adopt sustainable practices while earning additional income. 
• Farmers in India can generate carbon credits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through practices such as zero tillage, alternate wetting and drying, and agroforestry. These credits can then be sold on the carbon market, providing farmers with financial incentives. 
• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state universities, has already launched several carbon credit projects under Verra, which target agricultural land across India.

Is India prepared for the agriculture sector''s full-scale carbon market?

• In just four years, Verra has listed over 50 carbon farming projects in the agriculture sector, involving 1.6 million hectares. These projects aim to generate approximately 4.7 million carbon credits annually. However, none of the projects have yet been registered, so carbon credits have not been issued, and farmers have not received their expected payments. This indicates that India should address implementation issues before expanding.

What are the challenges facing India’s agricultural carbon farming projects?

• Despite the potential for carbon farming in India, several challenges remain. One major issue is a lack of inclusion for marginalised communities, particularly small farmers and women. Many of these communities are excluded from the benefits of carbon credits, raising questions about social equity. 
• According to a recent study published in Climate Policy titled "Carbon farming in India: , approximately 45% of farmers reported no communication, more than 60% lacked training in new techniques, and 28% abandoned sustainable practices after the second year due to insufficient financial incentives. A major issue is the delay in carbon credit payments; 99% of farmers have yet to receive their due payments.

How can India improve its carbon farming projects?

• To improve carbon farming projects, India must prioritise inclusivity, particularly among smallholders and marginalised communities. Offering higher prices for carbon credits from socially inclusive projects can be beneficial. 
• Regular communication, training, and timely payments are critical for engaging farmers and ensuring long-term participation. 
• Collaboration with research institutions to identify the best regions and techniques for carbon farming will also help to address issues such as yield penalties and ensure food security.

Way forward

• Policymakers, researchers, and private companies must collaborate to create a system that is transparent, inclusive, and effective.
•  There is a need to ensure that farmers receive timely and fair payments, get adequate training, and navigate social issues in carbon farming projects.
•  With improved implementation and targeted research, India can establish an expanding agricultural carbon market that benefits both the environment and farmers.

Weight-loss drugs can help ‘reverse’ obesity pandemic, say WHO experts

• Obesity has now reached “pandemic proportions,” affecting more than 1 billion people worldwide.
•  scientists at the World Health Organization (WHO) have officially supported a new class of weight loss drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists in December 2024.
• These drugs pretend to be a natural hormone in the body that helps control appetite and blood sugar levels.
• WHO scientists acknowledge that while existing efforts to promote healthy eating and exercise are important, they have not been successful in curbing the global obesity crisis.
• The new GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include drug like semaglutide and tirzepatide, have the potential to transform how we treat obesity.

Why Is This Significant?

• This is important because it comes at a time when patents for popular GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide are soon going to expire.
• This is a key moment, as generic versions of these drugs will be available in countries like India and Brazil.

Generics are copies of the original drug that are often cheaper.

• Manufacturers in India are already working on creating generic versions of the drug, and bioequivalence trials are being done to make sure these generics are safe and effective.
• The timing is critical because obesity rates have been rising sharply worldwide. According to the WHO:
• In 2022, 1 in 8 people globally were obese, including 890 million adults and 160 million adolescents.
• In India, 44 million women and 26 million men were living with obesity in 2022.
• Obesity rates have been steadily increasing since 1990, and childhood obesity has seen a huge rise too.
• The WHO also predicts that the costs of obesity-related healthcare could reach $3 trillion by 2030.
• In some countries, obesity treatment could use up to 18% of national health spending.
• Moreover, obesity is linked to a high number of deaths from non-communicable diseases (like heart disease and diabetes), with 5 million obesity-related deaths worldwide in 2019.

WHO’s New Guidelines for GLP-1 Drugs

• The WHO is currently working on guidelines for using GLP-1 receptor agonists in adults with obesity.
• These guidelines will help doctors understand when and how to use these drugs safely and effectively.
• The guidelines are expected to be released in July 2025.

Popular Weight Loss Drugs

• Some of the most popular drugs in the GLP-1 class include:
• Ozempic (from Novo Nordisk), which was originally approved for type 2 diabetes but is now used off-label for weight loss.
• Wegovy (another semaglutide-based drug from Novo Nordisk) is approved for chronic weight management and was the first such treatment in a decade.
• Zepbound (from Eli Lilly) and Mounjaro (a diabetes drug also used for weight loss) have also become widely used for obesity treatment.
• These drugs have become highly popular and in demand, but their availability is often limited, and some countries have faced supply shortages.

Risks and Concerns

• While these drugs can lead to significant weight loss (between 10% to 25% of body weight), there are important risks:
• Side Effects: The drugs can cause serious side effects like gastroparesis (a condition where the stomach doesn''t empty properly), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and even thyroid cancer.
• Weight Regain: If a person stops using the drug, they are likely to regain the weight they lost, which is a concern about the long-term effectiveness of these treatments.
• The drugs can be expensive, and there are worries about the rise of counterfeit products and grey markets due to high demand. However, once the patents expire, the drugs should become more affordable and more widely available.

What Does This Mean for Obesity Treatment?

• The endorsement of these drugs by the WHO is a major step forward in the fight against obesity.
• It shows that while lifestyle changes (like diet and exercise) are still important, new medications may play a crucial role in helping people manage their weight.
• However, these drugs are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
• They come with risks and should only be used under medical supervision.
• The high costs and possible side effects mean that they may not be suitable for everyone.
• But with more research and the eventual availability of generics, these medications could become a key part of obesity treatment in the future.

Conclusion

• The WHO’s endorsement of GLP-1 receptor agonists marks an important shift in how the world approaches obesity. As more people globally struggle with obesity and its related health problems, these drugs may offer an effective solution.
•  However, their use must be carefully managed, and guidelines will be essential to ensure they are used safely and appropriately.
• With the expiration of patents and the rise of generics, access to these drugs is expected to increase, making them more affordable for many people worldwide.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing tabled its first report

• On December 17, 2024, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Food Processing tabled its first report on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for the 2024-25 fiscal year in the 18th Lok Sabha.
• The committee, chaired by Charanjit Singh Channi, the former Punjab Chief Minister, made several important recommendations aimed at improving farmers'' welfare.
• Among these recommendations are the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP), compensation for stubble disposal, debt waiver schemes, increased budgetary allocations, and more.

Key Recommendations of the Report:

• Legal Guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP):
• The committee recommends a legally binding MSP, which would ensure that farmers receive a guaranteed price for their crops, irrespective of market conditions.
• A legal MSP would provide financial stability for farmers, reduce farmer suicides, mitigate the volatility in agricultural markets, alleviate the debt burden, and help improve the mental health of farmers.
• By stabilizing the prices of foodgrains, a legal MSP would align with national food security goals, ensuring affordable food for public distribution systems.
• It would also contribute to economic activity in rural areas, as farmers with guaranteed income would be more likely to invest in sustainable agricultural practices, which in turn could lead to higher productivity and rural economic growth.
• The committee recommends that the Ministry of Agriculture declare a clear roadmap for the implementation of a legal MSP as soon as possible.
• This would also help the central government plan its finances accordingly.
• The committee further suggests that the Ministry provide a report in Parliament after every crop season, detailing the number of farmers who sold their produce at MSP and the gap between MSP and actual market prices for each crop.
• Compensation for Paddy Waste Disposal:
• The burning of paddy stubble (parali) is a significant environmental issue, especially in Punjab, where it leads to severe air pollution and contributes to smog in the Delhi-NCR region during the winter months.
• The committee suggests that farmers be compensated for the proper management and disposal of crop residue, rather than burning it.
• The Punjab government has requested the Centre to provide Rs 2,000 per acre as a bonus for farmers managing the disposal of stubble.
• Punjab has offered to contribute half the amount, with the Centre expected to cover the other half.

Increase in PM-KISAN Support:

• The committee has recommended increasing the annual PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi (a direct income support scheme for farmers) from Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 per year for each eligible farmer.
• It also suggests that tenant farmers and farm labourers be included in the scheme to ensure that all agricultural workers benefit from financial support.

Debt Waiver to Combat Farmer Distress:

• According to the NABARD Survey (2022-23), the percentage of rural families taking loans has increased from 47.4% in 2016-17 to 52% in 2021-22.
• As a result, the financial pressure on farmers has increased, leading to a rise in farmer distress and suicides linked to debt repayment.
• The committee recommends introducing a debt waiver scheme specifically aimed at farmers and farm labourers to ease their financial burden and reduce distress, which could help in reducing suicides caused by mounting debts.
• Increasing Budgetary Allocations for Agriculture:
• The committee points out that despite the absolute increase in the total budgetary allocation for agriculture from 2021-22 to 2024-25, the percentage share of agriculture in the total central plan outlay has declined.
• In 2020-21, agriculture received 3.53% of the total central budget, but this share dropped to 2.54% in 2024-25.
• Given the decline in agriculture''s growth rate to 1.4% in 2023-24 (the lowest in the last 7 years), the committee urges the government to increase budget allocations for agriculture.
• This would help improve agricultural growth and ensure a better future for the sector.

Other Key Recommendations:

• The committee recommends implementing compulsory crop insurance for smallholder farmers (those with landholdings of up to 2 acres), similar to the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) health insurance scheme.
• This would provide financial protection to small farmers against crop failures due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters.
• The committee recommends the establishment of a National Commission for Minimum Living Wages for Farm Labourers to address long-standing issues regarding the wages and welfare of agricultural labourers.
• The committee also suggests renaming the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to Department of Agriculture, Farmers, and Farm Labourers Welfare.
• This would highlight the broader focus on the welfare of farm labourers, who often face exploitation and neglect in agricultural policy.

Conclusion:

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee’s report highlights several critical measures for improving the economic and social welfare of Indian farmers. Key proposals like legal MSP guarantees, debt waiver schemes, increased financial support through PM-KISAN, and compensation for paddy waste disposal aim to tackle the ongoing agricultural crisis.

One Nation, One Election'' Bill: Key details on 31-member joint committee

• A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) comprising up to 31 MPs will be formed to review the Constitution (129th) Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Constitution to allow for simultaneous federal and state elections.
• Two Bills were introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, sparking a lengthy and heated debate.
• After a division vote, the bills passed the first hurdle with ease. A total of 269 MPs voted in favour, while 198 opposed it. Following this, the bills were referred to a JPC for ‘wider consultation’.
• Political parties have been asked to nominate their members to the committee, the news report mentioned. The specific allocation of seats among the parties has not been disclosed, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the largest party in the Lok Sabha, is expected to hold a majority and chair the committee. 
• Typically, 21 of the 31 MPs on a JPC are from the Lok Sabha. Once formed, the committee will have 90 days to submit its report, though this deadline can be extended if needed.
• After gathering feedback, the JPC will examine the entire text of the two bills to amend the Constitution, reviewing each clause before finalising a report.

What does the ONOE Bill propose?

• A draft of the bill, circulated on December 13, outlines provisions for conducting midterm elections only for the remainder of the term if the Lok Sabha or any state Assembly is dissolved before completing its full five-year tenure. 
• The bill proposes the addition of Article 82(A), which mandates the holding of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state legislative Assemblies. It also calls for amendments to Articles 83 (duration of Houses of Parliament), 172, and 327 (power of Parliament to make provisions with respect to elections to Legislatures).
• These changes would take effect on an ‘appointed date’, to be declared by the President, coinciding with the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election.

Simultaneous elections set for 2034?

• The timeline for implementing the bill suggests that the ‘appointed date’ will follow the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029, with simultaneous elections scheduled to begin in 2034. From this point, the Lok Sabha’s tenure will be fixed at five years, and state Assemblies elected thereafter will have their terms end concurrently with the Lok Sabha’s term.
• If the Lok Sabha or any state Assembly is dissolved early, the newly elected body will serve only the remaining duration of the original term.
• For ‘One Nation, One Election’ to become a reality, a constitutional amendment must be passed and ratified by all state and Union Territory governments, and potentially by major political parties.
• The proposed amendments would affect several Articles, including Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356. 

Role of Joint Parliamentary Committee

• The Joint Parliamentary Committee will engage in extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including MPs outside the committee and constitutional and legal experts, such as former judges and lawyers.
• Former Election Commission members may also be consulted, as the Commission will play a key role in organising simultaneous elections if the amendments are passed.

Formation of Joint Parliamentary Committee

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to finalise the composition of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will include members from the Rajya Sabha, within 48 hours. This timeline is critical as the current parliamentary session ends on Friday. If the committee is not formed by then, the bill will expire and will need to be reintroduced in the next session.
•  Parliament was adjourned sine die on December 20, capping off a tumultuous session that saw a robust debate on the country’s constitutional journey and the introduction of two landmark bills on simultaneous elections.
•  The Winter Session commenced on November 25. The Session provided 20 sittings of Lok Sabha and 19 sittings of Rajya Sabha spreading over 26 days. The productivity of Lok Sabha was approximately 54.5 per cent and that of Rajya Sabha was 40 per cent.
•  During the Session, five Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha, which passed four of them. 

The Rajya Sabha passed three Bills. 

•  The highlight of the Session’s legislative agenda was two landmark Bills — the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth) Amendment Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill — to give effect to the mechanism of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and assemblies. It was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 17 and was referred to a 39-member Joint Committee of Parliament.
• One Bill — The Bhartiya Vayuyaan Vidheyak, 2024 — was passed by both the Houses during the Session. The Bill seeks to re-enact the Aircraft Act to address the ambiguity owing to insertions/omissions/deletions effected by amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934 from time to time.
•  A special session was also held to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the country’s Constitution on November 26. A special discussion on the ‘Glorious journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India’ was organised in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14  and in the Rajya Sabha on December 16 and 17.
•  Opposition parties submitted a notice to move a motion of no-confidence against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, but it was dismissed by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who slammed it as an act of impropriety, being severely flawed and drawn in haste to mar the Chairperson’s reputation.
•  At least 60 opposition members had signed the notice on December 10 for removal of Dhankhar from his post, alleging he was “biased” and they did not have trust in him.

What are the Sessions of Parliament?

•  A Session is the period of time between the meeting of a Parliament and its prorogation. During the course of a Session, either House may adjourn to such date as it pleases. 
• Normally three Sessions are held in a year: 
• (1) Budget Session -  January & February and March & April.
• The Budget Session is divided into two parts. It has a break to enable department-related committees to consider and report on demands for grants of the various ministries.
• (2) Monsoon Session - July, August and September.
• (3) Winter Session -  November and December.
•  The period between the prorogation of Parliament and its reassembly in a new Session is termed as a ‘recess’.
•  ‘Adjournment’ is a short break of a few hours or days and then the House resumes its sitting. 

Parliamentary Committees

•  The work done by the Parliament in modern times is not only varied and complex in nature, but also considerable in volume. The time at its disposal is limited. It cannot, therefore, give close consideration to all the legislative and other matters that come up before it. 
•  A good deal of its business is, therefore, transacted in Committees of the House, known as Parliamentary Committees. 
•  Parliamentary Committee means a committee which is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker and which works under the direction of the Speaker and presents its report to the House or to the Speaker and the Secretariat for which is provided by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

By their nature, Parliamentary Committees are of two kinds: 

• i) Standing Committees
• ii) Ad hoc Committees. 
•  Standing Committees are permanent and regular committees which are constituted from time to time in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
• The work of these Committees is of continuous nature. The Financial Committees, Departmentally Related Standing Committees and some other Committees come under the category of Standing Committees. 
•  Ad hoc Committees are appointed for a specific purpose and they cease to exist when they finish the task assigned to them and submit a report.
• The principal Ad hoc Committees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills. Railway Convention Committee, Joint Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex, etc also come under the category of Ad hoc Committees.
• Broadly, the Parliamentary Committees may be classified into following:
• a) Financial Committees
• b) Departmentally Related Standing Committees
• c) Other Parliamentary Standing Committees
• d) Ad hoc Committees.

India, ADB ink $350 mn deal to boost logistics sector reforms & efficiency

• The Indian government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday (December 20) signed a landmark $350 million policy-based loan under the second subprogramme of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) programme. This agreement represents a pivotal step towards revolutionising India’s logistics sector.  

A unified effort for sustainable logistics 

• This initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and ADB, seeks to position India as a global leader in efficient, resilient, and sustainable logistics systems.  
• The government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $350 million policy-based loan pact to strengthen and modernise the country’s logistics sector and achieve increased economic competitiveness under the second sub-programme of Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE).

SMILE Programme: Driving strategic reforms 

• The SMILE programme, a flagship policy-based initiative, adopts a comprehensive approach to logistics reforms. Spanning two sub programmes, it is designed to enhance the competitiveness of India’s manufacturing sector and strengthen the resilience of supply chains.  

Key pillars of the programme

• -Improving trade logistics: Enhancing the efficiency of India’s external trade operations.  
• - Promoting smart, low-emission systems:Leveraging advanced technologies to boost efficiency while reducing environmental impact.  
• - Strengthening institutional frameworks: Developing capacities at national, state, and city levels for the seamless integration of multimodal logistics infrastructure.  
• - Standardising warehousing: Establishing uniform standards to streamline supply chains and attract private investment.  

SMILE Programme and its significance

• The development of India’s logistics sector is pivotal in enhancing the competitiveness of its manufacturing sector. Through strategic policy reforms, infrastructural improvements, and digital integration, the government’s ongoing programmes are set to transform the logistics landscape. 
•  This transformation will not only reduce costs and improve efficiency, but also create employment opportunities and promote gender inclusion — driving sustainable economic growth. From 2000 to 2022, India’s goods export increased from $48.5 billion to $467.5 billion while industrial exports grew from $39.6 billion to $317.4 billion.  The government aims to reach $2 trillion in exports of goods and services by 2030. 
• Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) is a policy-based loan (PBL) programme to support the government in undertaking wide-ranging reforms in the logistics sector in India.
• The programme is helping India achieve this target by enhancing productivity and transfer of goods and reducing logistics cost while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. 
• The loan will finance the second sub-programme of the SMILE. 
• The programme establishes and operationalises a comprehensive policy framework to enhance logistics efficiency through:
• i) Strengthening the institutional bases for multimodal logistics infrastructure development at the national, state, and city levels.
• ii) Standardising warehousing and other logistics assets to strengthen supply chains and incentivise greater private sector investment.
• iii) Improving efficiencies in external trade logistics.
• iv) Adopting smart systems for efficient and low-emission logistics.
• • This builds on reforms introduced during the first sub-programme by institutionalising policies to strengthen interagency coordination as well as standardising processes to encourage private sector investment and improve operational efficiency.
•  The logistics sector reforms are also expected to create substantial employment opportunities, both in urban and rural areas. The increased demand for skilled logistics workers, driven by private sector investments and process efficiency, will contribute to job creation.

Asian Development Bank

•  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.
•  From 31 members at its establishment in 1966, ADB has grown to encompass 68 members — of which 49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
•  ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.
•  ADB maximises the development impact of its assistance by facilitating policy dialogues, providing advisory services, and mobilising financial resources through co-financing operations that tap official, commercial, and export credit sources.
•  Committed to pursue a differentiated approach for states at different stages of development, ADB prioritises projects on basic services, critical infrastructure and services, institutional strength, and private sector development through sovereign operations in low-income states.
•  Support for more developed states focuses on transformational programmes with policy and knowledge advice, combined with non-sovereign operations.

History of ADB

• ADB was conceived in the early 1960s as a financial institution that would be Asian in character and foster economic growth and cooperation in one of the poorest regions in the world.
•  A resolution passed at the first Ministerial Conference on Asian Economic Cooperation held by the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East in 1963 set that vision on the way to becoming reality.
• The Philippines capital of Manila was chosen to host the new institution, which opened on December 19, 1966, with 31 members that came together to serve a predominantly agricultural region. Takeshi Watanabe from Japan was ADB’s first president.

ADB and India

•  India was a founding member of ADB in 1966 and fourth largest shareholder.
•  ADB started operations in India in 1986.
• As of December 31, 2023, ADB has committed 623 public sector loans, grants, and technical assistance totaling $55.3 billion to India. ADB’s current sovereign portfolio in India includes 67 loans worth $14.15 billion.
•  Cumulative sovereign and non-sovereign loan and grant disbursements to India amount to $43.45 billion. These were financed by regular ordinary capital resources and other special funds.
•  ADB has said that it will continue to focus on projects and programmes that accelerate India’s structural transformation, create jobs, address infrastructure gaps, promote green growth, and foster social and economic inclusiveness while deploying smart technologies and innovations.
•  In 2023, ADB approved additional funding to support India’s national industrial corridor development programme to enhance its manufacturing competitiveness along with a loan for Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor Development.
•  Two policy-based loans were committed to support the government’s urban reforms agenda at the state level and power sector reforms to facilitate the shift to renewable energy.
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