Context:

• C3iHub, a cyber-security Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) of The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) hosted the 3rd National Workshop on Technology Innovation in Cyber Physical Systems (TIPS). 

Key Points about National Workshop on Technology Innovation in Cyber Physical Systems (TIPS).

• Organized by: The Department of Science & Technology (DST), National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). 
• Cyber-Security Focus at C3iHub, IIT Kanpur: The C3iHub which is one of the 25 this is the first of its kind Cyber Security Center in India.
• National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)
  • It was launched by the Department of Science &Technology (DST) in December 2018. 
  • Aims: To address the ever-increasing technological requirements of the society by fostering advanced technologies and international collaborations.
  • To facilitate its objectives, 25 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) were established in leading institutes across.
• Cyber-Physical System (CPS): A Cyber Physical System (CPS) is a mechanism controlled or monitored by computer-based algorithms, tightly integrated with the internet and its users.
  • Examples: CPS includes self-driving cars

News Source: PIB

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Context:

• The UN ESCAP report proposes 10 principles to boost financing for critical Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on climate action for the Asia Pacific region.

2023 Edition of ESCAP’s 

• Report Titled: Sustainable Finance: Bridging the Gap in Asia Pacific.
• Aim: To guide policymakers, regulators, and private finance in effectively mobilizing and deploying funds.

What are the Key Takeaways from the United Nations ESCAP Report on Sustainable Finance in Asia Pacific?

• Principles for Mobilizing Climate Finance: The report presents 10 principles to mobilize and deploy financing for UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals, particularly focusing on climate action.
• Key Principles for Action
  • Developing new climate finance partnerships 
  • Developing effective NDC financing strategies
  • Developing policy coherence and capacities across key government ministries
  • Taking decisive regulatory action to shift capital in the Asia Pacific towards the Net Zero transition
  • Driving investment in the capacities of financial personnel
  • Driving investment in much-needed sectoral and project-based financial data is undertaken
  • Committing to Net Zero pledges for 2050 with credible transition pathways and including 2030 goals
  • Increasing local-currency financing of energy transition projects as well as green technologies and other net-zero investments
  • Expanding and accelerating concessional financing and risk-sharing by multilateral development banks, bilateral development financial institutions, and public development banks
  • Increasing investment of time and effort with partners in project preparation
• Financial Needs and Reporting
  • Only 17 of the 51 Asia-Pacific countries party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have assessed and reported their financial needs to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions.
• Economic Losses: Average economic losses in the region from disaster-related and other natural hazards are expected to rise to $1.1 trillion in a moderate climate-change scenario and $1.4 trillion in a worst-case scenario.

News Source: DTE

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Context:

• The RBI Monetary Policy Committee has kept the key policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5%. RBI emphasizes on addressing inflation risks until they dissipate completely.

RBI Monetary Policy Committee’s Key Outcomes

• Status Quo on Rates and Policy Stance: In the latest RBI monetary policy announcement, RBI maintained the policy repo rate at 6.5% and retained the policy stance as the “withdrawal of accommodation.”
• Inflation Target and Projection: The fight against inflation remains a priority within the RBI monetary policy, targeting an inflation rate of 4% (rather than a range of 2-6%). The CPI inflation projection for FY24 is 5.4%, with specific projections for different quarters.
• GDP Growth Forecast Unchanged: RBI maintained the GDP growth forecast for FY24 at 6.5%, with detailed projections for each quarter, signaling stability in growth expectations.
• OMO Sales of Government Securities: RBI may consider Open Market Operation (OMO) sales of government securities to manage liquidity, aligning with the monetary policy stance.
  • The timing and quantum of such operations will be based on evolving liquidity conditions.
• Introduction of Card-on-File Tokenisation (CoFT): RBI proposed the introduction of card-on-file tokenization (CoFT) creation facilities directly at the issuer bank level to enhance convenience for cardholders when using e-commerce applications.

 Implication of RBI Status Quo

• Impact on Borrowers and Depositors: Pause in Repo rate hike ensures stability in external benchmark lending rates (EBLR) and Banks will not raise their lending rates, which, in turn, will mean that the equated monthly installments (EMIs) on home, vehicle and personal loans will remain steady.

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “Stubble burning witness spike in Punjab; 63% rise since 2022” which was published in the Hindu. As the the key Kharif season crop (paddy) harvest gains pace in Punjab, the perennial problem of stubble burning is also rising.

Stubble Burning in Punjab 

• Farmers across Punjab face the challenge of managing nearly 20 million tonnes of paddy straw. It is estimated that over 15 million tonnes of paddy straw is burnt in the open fields.
• According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), 656 cases of farm fire occurrence have been reported in the State till October 4, 2023.
  • By comparison, the same period last year saw only 415 such incidents. 
• According to Punjab’s State Action Plan, the government is committed to reducing paddy stubble burning incidents by half.
• In Punjab, the ban and action against people burning crop residue are regulated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. 

What is stubble burning?

• Stubble burning is a practice of removing agricultural waste from the field by setting on fire the straw stubble (parali) that is left on the land after harvesting of grains like paddy, wheat etc.
• Paddy stubble burning is practised mainly in the Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for rabi crop sowing. 
  • The paddy crop is harvested between the first and last weeks of October and wheat is sown from the first week of November until the middle of December.

• Although rice and wheat account for large volumes of crop residues, sugarcane leaves are also burnt on fields. 
• Burning crop residue is a crime under Section 188 of the IPC and under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.

Also read: POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH

What are the challenges associated with stubble burning?

• Air Pollution: Stubble burning in North India is seen as a major cause of air pollution affecting the Air Quality Index (AQI). Each year, air pollution levels rise and the AQI reaches a ‘severe’ and ‘hazardous’ level.
• Heat Penetration: Stubble burning generates heat that penetrates the soil, causing an increase in soil erosion, loss of useful microbes and moisture, leading to soil degradation and loss of soil fertility. 
  • For instance, the heat from burning paddy straw penetrates 1 centimeter into the soil, elevating the temperature to around 400 Celsius.
• Lack of Political Will: As farmers are an important political constituency, the state government adopted a soft approach.
  • In recent years, the government has developed a framework and action plan for effective prevention and control of stubble burning, their successful implementation and enforcement remains a challenge. 
  • For instance, following the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of 2015 banning stubble burning, the PPCB has been imposing penalties on farmers, still, the cases are rising.
• Lack of Viable Alternatives: Although farmer outfits in Punjab are against the burning of stubble, they would continue with the status quo without a viable alternative or financial incentive.
• Harmful Health Impacts: Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants in the atmosphere containing harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds (VOC). 
• These pollutants disperse in the surroundings and eventually affect air quality and people’s health by forming a thick blanket of smog (fog with soot or smoke).
• Global Warming: Pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) lead to global warming. These are also responsible for the haze in Delhi and the melting of Himalayan glaciers. 

ALSO READ: CLIMATE CHANGE & MITIGATION STRATEGIES

What are the policy interventions by the central government to reduce stubble burning?

• National Policy for Management of Crop Residues: Control of burning of crop residue by promotion of in-situ management (incorporation in soil, mulching) of crop residue.
• Waste to Energy Programme under the Umbrella scheme of the National Bioenergy Programme: It supports the setting up of Waste to Energy projects for the generation of biogas, bioCNG, power, and syngas from urban, industrial and agricultural residues.
• Promotion of agricultural mechanization for in-situ crop residue management in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT of Delhi. 
  • It aims to address air pollution and subsidize machinery required for in-situ crop residue management.
• Crop Residue Management Guidelines: For efficient ex-situ management of paddy straw generated, surplus paddy straw will be collected and biomass collection depots will be built in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • It would generate employment opportunities, reduce air pollution, and would result in new investments in biomass to the biofuel and energy sectors.

Way Forward

• Subsidizing Innovative Farm Technologies: Recent innovations  like happy seeder, rotavator, baler, paddy straw chopper, etc. are costly but they could help farmers to manage crop residues effectively. New and Improved seed varieties: Using improved varieties of rice and wheat crops, particularly short-duration crop varieties.
  • For example, Pusa Basmati-1509 and PR-126 mature quickly and also improve the quality of the soil.
• Using Bio-Waste Decomposers: These decomposers contain agricultural micro-organisms which increase the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
  • For instance, using Pusa-bio-decomposer, developed by the scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which turns crop residue into manure in 15-20 days by accelerating the decomposition process.
• Sustainable farm management practices: Such measures include the production of biochar in-situ management with mechanical intensification. These measures could not only manage the crop residues but also help control GHG emissions.
• Educating and Empowering the Stakeholders: It could be an important step to make farmers feel that they are also responsible for the crop residue and empower them to better utilize agricultural waste for financial and environmental gains.

Conclusion

To solve the problem of stubble burning in Punjab, everyone needs to work together. We should encourage farmers to use new and eco-friendly farming methods, teach and support them, and put effective rules in place to reduce the harm to the environment and people’s health.

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “Russia may pull out of CTBT: How the treaty tried — and failed — to stop nuclear testing” which was published in the Indian Express. Recently, Russia indicated it was moving swiftly towards revoking its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) after President Vladimir Putin held out the possibility of resuming nuclear testing.

Treaty in Turmoil

• Russia has suspended participation in the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with the United States in February 2023, after accusing the West of being directly involved in attempts to attack its strategic air bases.
• Further, Russia could look at revoking ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) as the United States had signed, but not ratified, it. 

What is CTBT?

• The CTBT is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, whether for military or peaceful purposes. It was negoitatied at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. 
• The CTBT has been signed by 187 countries and ratified by 178 but cannot go into force until eight countries have signed and ratified it. 
• China, Egypt, Iran, and Israel have signed CTBT but not ratified it. North Korea, India and Pakistan have not signed. While Russia ratified the agreement in 2000, the US is still to do so.
• While the US signed CTBT but did not ratify the treaty, it has observed a moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions since 1992 that it has no plans to abandon.
• When the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the CTBT in September 1996, 2048 nuclear explosions were already conducted worldwide. 18 years later, the number of explosions has further increased to 2055. 
• Given this, the CTBT has an important role in ensuring a world where nuclear weapons tests are barred and thus constrain the development of new nuclear weapons and new nuclear weapon countries.

Also read: UNGA’s 78th Session: Promoting Peace, Prosperity, and Sustainability

What are the implications if Russia move out from CTBT?

• Global Disarmament: Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place. India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, according to the United Nations. It would be a big setback to the Nuclear disarmament movement.
• Nuclear Arms Race: This move would enable Russia to build and deploy more nuclear weapons targeting its adversaries without the treaty’s constraints. Both sides could get sucked into a dangerous arms race.
• Russia-Ukraine Crisis: The missile attacks against each other by both Russia and Ukraine have also led to a growing escalation of mutual suspicion. The present Russian decision has only aggravated the crisis.
• Russia-West Relations: The Russian decision can be described as symbolic and strategic in nature. It wants to pressurize the West by sending an ambiguous message strategically. Russia has tried not to appear aggressive and has attempted to put all the blame on the US  this will further erode Russia and West ties.
• Global Politics and Security: Taking a cue from the present stand-off between Russia and the United States over the current nuclear question, many countries like North Korea, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and China may go for further proliferation of nuclear weapons without any scrutiny.. 
• Undermining Future Agreements: Arms control has been a progression from one treaty to the next. If Russia revokes its ratification.  it will leave the world without a common starting point for future efforts. 
  • For example, the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) did not find support from any of the P-5 countries.

What is the Indian viewpoint on the Global Nuclear Disarmament issue and the NPT and CTBT?

• Complete Disarmament: India has consistently advocated global nuclear disarmament since the concept’s inception in the United Nations. 
• Two-Front Nuclear War: India, faced with two nuclear neighbors (Pakistan and China) with one declaring its nuclear arsenal as India-specific, reluctantly had to become a nuclear weapon state. 
• Universal Non-discriminatory and verifiable Treaty: India remains committed to negotiating a universal, non-discriminatory and internationally and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, one that considers India’s national security interests.
• Delinking Disarmament and Non-Proliferation: In 1965, India was a member of the eighteen nation disarmament committee (ENDC) that advocated for delinking disarmament and non-proliferation.
• India opposed the signing of the NPT (treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons which it views as discriminatory (dividing the world into Nukes haves and haves not).
• In 1988, India Proposed a Comprehensive Proposal for complete  Universal disarmament  (Rajiv Gandhi Action Plan)-  to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Disarmament.

India and the CTBT

• India’s stand on the CTBT is principled. India has declared that it would be unable to sign and ratify the CTBT in its discriminatory form. 
• However, India has pledged to continue its voluntary and unilateral moratorium on further nuclear testing. 
• The Post 1998 Pokhran test India stipulated its Nuclear doctrine in 2003 and reiterated its commitment to complete disarmament.

India and the NPT

• The UN Security Council adopted unanimous resolution 1887 on nuclear non-proliferation which among other actions called on states not party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to join it. 
• However, India responded to the resolution by declaring categorically that it would not join the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon state since nuclear weapons constitute an integral part of India’s security. To date, the NPT recognises only the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (US, Russia, UK, France and China) as nuclear weapon powers.
• India’s stated position on the NPT is that it “cannot accept externally prescribed norms or standards on matters within the jurisdiction of its Parliament or which are not consistent with India’s constitutional provisions and procedures, or are contrary to India’s national interests or infringe on its sovereignty.”
• India and Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW):India did not participate in the negotiations on the TPNW and did not sign it.
• India believes that this Treaty does not constitute or contribute to the development of customary international law; nor does it set any new standards or norms.

Conclusion

Considering the present pessimistic environment, the Russian revocation of the Treaty may not seem shocking or startling. Still, it is unfortunate for arms control efforts.

In this regard, India supports the commencement of negotiations on a comprehensive Nuclear Weapons Convention in the Conference on Disarmament, which is the world’s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum working on the basis of consensus.

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