13 OCTOBER 2022 – MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS:
Q1. What do we mean when we say we’re moving toward clean energy. Describe a few of the related government projects.
· Paper & Topic: GS IIIàEnvironmental Conservation related issues
· Model Answer:
· Why is using clean fuel for cooking so crucial?
· The National Multidimensional Poverty Index, developed by NITI Aayog, lists the inability to get clean cooking fuels as one of its contributing reasons and will be made public in 2021.
· The advantages of using clean cooking fuel include:
· Reducing the amount of pollution within.
· Improving health approaches to improve moms’ and kids’ overall wellbeing
· Attaining environmental objectives.
· What kind of tasks does the government perform?
· The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which was introduced in 2016, has significantly accelerated the switch from traditional fuels to LPG.
· Through PMUY phase I, 8 crore low-income women were able to get LPG connections without having to pay a deposit.
· Along with an initial refill, complimentary LPG hookups and stoves were provided to PMUY phase II participants.
· Numerous efforts to increase LPG consumption have been tried over time to achieve this, including:
· Each 14.2 kg of refill is deducted at the rate of 200 rupees.
· The maximum DBC 14.2 kg to 5 kg with a 5 kg option, double bottle connection, allows for twelve refills per year.
· There are a maximum of three complimentary refills per recipient when using PM GARBI BALYA. As part of the 2020 strategy, the government is actively supporting PNG since it is more commercially viable than LNG.
· Consider the National Gas Grid, which is now being built.
· This campaign was launched by the Union Power Ministry in February 2021 to promote EVs and electric cooking.
· It might lead to an annual saving on import costs of Rs. 8 crore.
· Indra Nutan:
· The IOCL and the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas developed a solar-powered burner (Indian Oil Corporation Limited).
· This fixed, rechargeable indoor cooking platform was introduced in June 2022 in an effort to reduce the demand for gas.
· It operates in a variety of ways, making it a reliable solution regardless of the weather:
· Online refers to the use of solar energy in addition to a backup energy source; hybrid refers to the use of solar energy alone.
· What are the challenges?
· Poor rural migrant workers frequently dwell in illegal slums in urban areas where they have no legal claim to the land. To open a bank account, which is required for DBTs to function, you must possess certain credentials.
· In addition, they struggle with a hostile environment, a weak feeling of community, and restricted access to public services.
· Due to rules like kerosene sales limitations that were intended to encourage the changeover to clean cooking, some homes unintentionally started burning firewood again. In other homes, the price of kerosene is rising on the black market.
· Cylinders with a monthly fuel capacity are used to provide gas, which is given subject to full payment. Less fortunate people experience misery as a result.
· Conclusion:
· Clean cooking is essential for the health and wellbeing of the population. Recent actions have made it easier to move away from traditional, dirty fuels, but the current price instability could reverse the change. Diversifying clean cooking fuel sources and reducing dependency on solely LPG and PNG may make it easier to retain the benefits.
Q2. What is the Global Pandemic Treaty India’s role in this regard.
· Paper & Topic: GS IIà International Relations
· Model Answer:
· The healthcare systems in the countries were overburdened, especially in the early phases of the epidemic. The distribution of diagnoses, therapies, and immunizations showed a considerable discrepancy.
· In August 2022, more than 32,000 cases of monkeypox were reported worldwide in more than 80 countries, prompting the WHO to classify the outbreak as a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern). According to this classification, there may be another health catastrophe before the COVID-19 epidemic is over.
· Low- and low-middle-income countries have experienced irreparable socioeconomic impacts, while high-income countries are still feeling the effects of the pandemic.
· The Global Pandemic Treaty’s details:
· The outbreak has drawn attention to the flaws in the existing international health systems and the requirement for new laws.
· In this context, the World Health Assembly Special Session examined the viability of a global pandemic treaty (WHASS). The Assembly decided that creating an international treaty will begin in December 2021 in order to enable global pandemic governance, which was ineffective during the COVID-19 pandemic.
· The “The World Together” decision was approved by the Assembly in accordance with Article 19 of Who’s Constitution, which established a worldwide negotiation committee to draught and negotiate the treaty’s articles.
· The agreement is anticipated to address a wide range of topics, including data interchange, genome sequencing of recently discovered viruses, fair treatment and vaccine distribution, research, and other things.
· In addition to these other grounds, the EU has suggested language in the agreement that would restrict the sale of wildlife. For context, the SARS CoV 2 is believed to have originated in a Chinese wildlife market.
· India is excellently positioned to take the lead for the reasons listed below:
· Global legislators have looked to India’s response to the pandemic and contribution to the global crisis as an example.
· As a result of the “vaccine maitri” effort, India produces 60% of the vaccines and provides 60–80% of the UN’s yearly vaccine procurement. India must keep selling COVID-19 diagnostics and vaccinations despite internal shortages. When the second wave was at its height, the support for the vaccination was only momentarily stopped.
· India exported more than 594 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the year 2021. A total of 339.67 lakh doses were delivered commercially, 81.25 lakh doses were given out as gifts, and 173.43 lakh doses were offered as part of the COVAX initiative (under GAVI).
· Next Steps:
· Numerous initiatives, including the Vaccine Alliance, have been started since the outbreak first started. Despite their worth, a treaty under the WHO is required to foster cohesion and prevent fragmentation.
· The agreement should particularly require the governments to implement early warning systems and adequately fund quick reaction mechanisms, in addition to important subjects like data exchange and the sequencing of developing diseases.
· Governments must be persuaded to embrace uniform standards for the results of health investment. These initiatives are required to close the divide between the public and private sectors.
· Conclusion:
· A worldwide pandemic treaty would lessen socioeconomic disparities between nations while enhancing pandemic preparedness. India must take the initiative in this.
