UPSC QUIZ 29.05.2024

Explanation:

• Department of Commerce data revealed that India's agricultural exports declined by 8.2% in 2023-24, primarily due to government curbs on various commodities.
• Meanwhile, agricultural imports dropped by 7.9% due to lower edible oil prices.
• These trends underscore the need for a balanced agriculture export-import policy to stabilise the agricultural sector and ensure both domestic availability and market growth.

Current State of Indian Agricultural Exports and Imports

Agricultural Exports

• India's agricultural exports witnessed a substantial decline of 8.2% in the fiscal year 2023-24, totalling USD 48.82 billion.
• This drop comes after a record-breaking performance of USD 53.15 billion in the previous fiscal year 2022-23.

Declined Commodities

• Sugar Exports: No sugar exports were allowed from October 2023, reducing exports to USD 2.82 billion in 2023-24 from USD 5.77 billion in the previous year.
• Non-Basmati Rice Exports: Concerns over domestic availability and food inflation triggered a ban on all white non-basmati rice exports from July 2023.
• Currently, only parboiled grain shipments are permitted within the non-basmati segment, attracting a 20% duty.

Explanation:

• Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has recently achieved an important milestone with the charter of the grouping coming into force on 20th May 2024.

BIMSTEC Grouping

• BIMSTEC is a regional organisation comprising 7 member states - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• It was formed in 1997 with the aim of promoting multifaceted technical and economic cooperation among the countries of the Bay of Bengal region.
• The region covered by BIMSTEC is home to around 1.5 billion people, with a combined GDP of over USD 3.8 trillion.

Origin

• The sub-regional organisation was established in 1997 with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration.
• Initially consisting of 4 Member States, it was known as 'BIST-EC' (Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation).
• In 1997, it was renamed 'BIMST-EC' after Myanmar joined.
• The admission of Nepal and Bhutan in 2004 led to another name change to the 'Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation' (BIMSTEC).

Explanation:

• 64 Great Indian Bustard was spotted during the annual waterhole survey conducted in the National Desert Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• In the last 2022 census, 42 birds were counted using the waterhole technique No census was conducted in 2023 due to rains caused by the western disturbances.
• The Great Indian Bustard bird, also known as Godawan, is the state bird of Rajasthan.
• The Great Indian Bustard is a critically endangered species which mainly lives in dry grasslands.
• It is a terrestrial bird with a black crown on the forehead contrasting with the pale neck and head. These have a brownish body, and the wings are marked with black, brown, and grey.

Explanation:

• A new law formally approved by EU governments, designed to ensure that the EU produces 40% of its solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps and other clean tech equipment.
• This will help European industry compete with American and Chinese rivals.
• The Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) will come into force next month or early July after it is signed by the Presidents of the European Parliament and Council.
• It will be published in the Official Journal of the EU.
• The Act is the centerpiece of the EU's effort to become a global leader not only in cutting greenhouse gas emissions but also in building the necessary technology.
• Europe is becoming increasingly dependent on China, which is estimated to have 80% of its global manufacturing capacity in solar energy.
• The EU has also concerned that the $369 billion in green subsidies in the US Inflation Reduction Act will tempt European producers to relocate.
• The bloc has set a target of producing 40% of products needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
• These will include other decarbonizing technologies, including renewable energy, nuclear power, heat pumps, electrolyzers and carbon capture.

Explanation:

• Telangana government has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of gutka and pan masala containing tobacco and nicotine for one year.
• The ban has become effective for one year from May 24, 2024.
• The restriction has been imposed for public well-being. The ban is imposed under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
• Tobacco products can cause oral cancer, oral submucous fibrosis and many other diseases.
• The Pan Shop Owners Association of Telangana has supported the ban and many shops have stopped selling the pan masala.
• Chewing or smokeless tobacco was first banned by Maharashtra in 2002.