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The City
Inefficient burning of biomass, like wood, leaves or stubble, in the early hours of the winter evenings could be the biggest contributor to the haze seen in and around Delhi during those months, a new research published in Nature Geoscience journal has revealed.
The research, led by Suneeti Mishra and Sachchida Nand Tripathi of IIT-Kanpur, noticed a sharp increase in the presence of small particulate matter like soot that were the result of incomplete combustion of biomass. It also reported an extraordinarily rapid growth in the size of particles within a few hours’ time.
Haze is caused by the suspension of such dry particulate matter, which scatter light rays and affect visibility. It is slightly different from fog, which produces a similar effect in terms of visibility, but is caused due to the suspension of water droplets.
Both haze and fog are common in northern India during the winter months, particularly in and around Delhi.
The research throws new light on the process of formation of new particles that contribute to haze. Till now, the formation of new particles was known to happen mostly during the day.
Govt & Politics
SCO's Chief Justices meet begins (Page no. 8)
(GS Paper 2, International Relations)
The Supreme Court of India will host the 18th meeting of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states from March 10 to 12 in the national capital.
The Indian participation in the meeting will include Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and SC judges Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph.
Sources said that while China and Russia will be participating in the event, Pakistan has opted out. CJI Chandrachud will speak on “Smart Courts” and the future of the judiciary, while Justice Kaul will speak on facilitating access to justice. Justice Joseph will address the gathering on institutional challenges facing the judiciary.
An official note said the meeting will involve a joint interaction with the Chief Justices/Chairpersons/Judges from the member/observer states and representatives from SCO Secretariat and SCO RATS (Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure) and will conclude with the signing of a joint statement.
It said that in the constantly expanding activities of the SCO, the interaction of the highest judicial instances is becoming more and more popular.
The meeting of the Presidents of the Supreme Courts allows for a constant dialogue on a wide range of issues, giving a new impetus to the development of relations and allowing the development of mechanisms for further improving the work of the judiciary, it said.
Express Network
Influenza Virus kills 2, Centre issues advisory (Page no. 9)
(GS Paper 2, Health)
With Karnataka and Haryana reporting one death each of patients suffering from the H3N2 subtype of the influenza A virus, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a review meeting to discuss preparedness in view of the rising cases. The Centre on Friday issued an advisory to states.
Government of India is working with States & extending support for public health measures to address the situation.
According to data provided by the government, 3,038 cases of influenza have been reported across the country as of March 9 – 1,245 in January, 1,307 in February, and 486 in March. There were 13,202 confirmed cases of influenza in 2022.
In Karnataka, Hire Gowda, 82, from Alur taluk in Hassan district, died on March 1. The 82-year-old, who was hypertensive and asthmatic, was admitted to a hospital on February 24 after he complained of cough and cold. Lab reports confirming that he was infected with the H3N2 virus came on March 3, two days after his death.
Editorial
Rules of crypto (Page no. 14)
(GS Paper 3, Indian Economy)
The central government has tightened regulatory control over virtual digital assets, more commonly known as cryptocurrencies.
According to a gazette notification, the government has mandated that a host of trading activities in such assets will now come under the ambit of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In other words, going ahead, trading between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies or among cryptocurrencies and other such services can be investigated by agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax department.
The move should be seen in light of the government’s efforts to bring cryptocurrencies under greater regulation. In April 2022, for instance, the government introduced a 30 per cent income tax on gains made from cryptocurrencies.
Later in July 2022, the government brought in rules regarding 1 per cent tax deducted at source on cryptocurrency. Broadly speaking, greater regulation of cryptocurrencies is advisable.
Old friends in new times (Page no. 14)
(GS Paper 2, International Relations)
This year marks 75 years of bilateral relations between India and Sweden and we have many reasons to celebrate: A record year for bilateral trade in 2022, strong growth of Swedish companies in India, and thriving bilateral cooperation.
My government, which took office in October last year, is committed to deepening and expanding our partnership even further, capitalising on the collaboration in innovation, green transition, energy, health, industry policy and more. In these uncertain geopolitical times, friends must stick together.
In 2023 we are also celebrating the anniversaries of Ericsson, SKF, Alfa Laval, and Volvo — notable Swedish companies in India.
These companies have been ambassadors of Sweden in India — for innovation, sustainable manufacturing, skill development, and social inclusion.
Much has changed in the past 100 years. We have gone from limited contacts to a flourishing partnership. Sweden and India have developed national wealth through industry and manufacturing.
Swedish companies have been key drivers in both these domains and through their work, Sweden and India have found friends in one another.
Ideas Page
A SUMup of ideas (Page no. 15)
(GS Paper 2, International Relations)
Think of a situation beyond our control — no matter how rich or poor one may be — that we are increasingly likely to face but would not like to.
Natural disasters are among such situations. There would hardly be anyone reading this article, who either hasn’t been in or doesn’t know someone who has survived a natural disaster.
Unfortunately, it is clear from the rigorous work of many scientists today that, going forward, even if we drastically improve our dealings with nature, at least a few generations to come are likely to experience natural disasters with a frequency, intensity, and complexity far greater than the generations before them.
Globally, natural disasters are on the rise. Even if we limit our analysis to only those events with 10 or more deaths; 100 or more people affected, injured, homeless; declaration of a state of countrywide emergency; and appeal for international assistance, there is a disturbing pattern.
The FAO’s report, ‘The impact of disasters and crises on agriculture and food security: 2021 shows that there were 360 such events per year in the 2010s, compared to just over 100 in the 1980s and 90 in the 1970s.
The frequency of climate, weather and hydrology-related disasters has increased, not the geophysical or biological emergencies — except Covid-19, of course.
The impact, too, has been unsparingly global — be it the forest fires of Australia and California, heat and dust storms of northern India, or floods of South Sudan and Pakistan.
We know from science that such challenges aren’t going away anytime soon and the best we can do is get better at dealing with them. Fortunately, help is on the way.
Explained
Rethink on ‘safe harbour’ in Digital India Bill (Page no. 16)
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
Should online intermediaries be entitled to safe harbour at all asked Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar as he presented a broad overview of the upcoming Digital India Bill – the proposed successor to the decades-old Information Technology Act, 2000.
The proposed law will impact a host of entities on the Internet, including social media, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence-based platforms.
The answer to Chandrasekhar’s question, should the government not lean on the current regulatory status quo, could bring about a fundamental change in how a crucial part of the Internet’s infrastructure – from big technology platforms like Google, Meta and Twitter to internet service providers Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea – offer services to their users.
Currently, the Information Technology Act, 2000 is the core framework that regulates entities on the Internet. However, the law needs an update since it was framed for an Internet era that looked very different from the Internet of today.
Given its limitations, the government has also on occasion found it difficult to promulgate rules since the parent Act is limited in its scope.
Chandrasekhar said that the core objectives of the new Digital India Bill are to ensure an open and safe Internet in the country to ensure users’ rights and reduce risks for them online; accelerate the growth of technology innovation.
The Bill is a key pillar of an overarching framework of technology regulations the Centre is building, including the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022; Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022; and a policy for non-personal data governance.
Landslide Atlas of India (Page no. 16)
(GS Paper 1, Geography)
In 2022, heavy rain, floods and landslides claimed 835 lives in the country, according to the Statement of Climate of India 2022 released by the India Meteorological Department.
With a steady rise in the number of extreme weather events, especially heavy rainfall capable of triggering landslides and floods, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently released the Landslide Atlas of India, a detailed guide identifying landslide hotspots in the country.
Landslides are natural disasters occurring mainly in mountainous terrains where there are conducive conditions of soil, rock, geology and slope.
A sudden movement of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope is termed as a landslide. Natural causes that trigger it include heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snowmelting and undercutting of slopes due to flooding.
Landslides can also be caused by anthropogenic activities such as excavation, cutting of hills and trees, excessive infrastructure development, and overgrazing by cattle.
Economy
What the amended PMLA rules mean for NGOs & PEPs (Page no. 17)
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
The Finance Ministry has amended money-laundering rules to incorporate more disclosures for non-governmental organisations by reporting entities like financial institutions, banking companies or intermediaries.
In addition, it has defined “politically exposed persons” (PEPs) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in line with the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The new clause in the rules for PMLA compliance defines “Politically Exposed Persons” as individuals who have been “entrusted with prominent public functions by a foreign country, including the heads of States or Governments, senior politicians, senior government or judicial or military officers, senior executives of state-owned corporations and important political party officials”. The amendment is in relation to foreign PEPs and not domestic ones.
The move to define politically exposed persons under PMLA is to bring uniformity with a 2008 circular of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for KYC norms/anti-money laundering standards for banks and financial institutions, which had defined PEPs in line with FATF norms.
PEP has already been in the RBI’s master circular, in line with FATF. The definition has now been given in the PMLA rules so that the same definition is applicable everywhere.
World
Iran and Saudi Arabia agree to revive diplomatic ties with the help of China (Page no. 21)
(GS Paper 2, International Relations)
Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed on Friday to resume diplomatic ties that have been severed for years, following Beijing-hosted talks which went on for four days.
The two countries plan to reopen their respective embassies in Tehran and Riyadh within two months, they said in a joint statement published on the Saudi news agency SPA’s website. They also vowed to respect countries’ “sovereignty and not interfere in internal affairs.”
As a result of the talks, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to resume diplomatic relations and re-open embassies…within two months.
The Iranian Mizan news agency shared a video of the ceremony of inking the agreement on Twitter. Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016.
The decision followed the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran after the Sunni kingdom executed a Shiite Muslim cleric.
The two countries agreed on a meeting between their top diplomats to implement the restoration of ties and organize the logistics of exchanging ambassadors.