APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (27/09/2024)

Minimum Wage Hike

• Comprehensive View
  • Concept and Purpose: The minimum wage is the legally mandated lowest hourly, daily, or monthly remuneration that employers must pay to their workers. It serves as a safety net to ensure that workers receive a basic standard of living and are not exploited through excessively low wages. The purpose of minimum wage legislation is to protect workers, reduce poverty, and promote social justice.
  • Revision Mechanism in India: In India, the responsibility of revising minimum wages lies with both the Central and State Governments. The Central Government sets minimum wages for workers in the central sphere and advises states on minimum wage revisions. State Governments, in turn, determine minimum wages for workers within their jurisdiction. The process involves consultations with stakeholders, including trade unions and employer associations. The frequency of revisions varies, but it is generally done periodically to keep pace with inflation and changes in the cost of living.
  • Factors Influencing Revisions: Several factors are taken into consideration when revising minimum wages. The primary factor is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures changes in the prices of a basket of goods and services consumed by households. Other factors include the overall economic situation, productivity levels, and the prevailing wage rates in different sectors and regions. The aim is to strike a balance between ensuring a fair wage for workers and maintaining the competitiveness of businesses.
  • Impact on the Informal Sector: The informal sector, which constitutes a significant portion of the Indian workforce, often faces challenges in implementing and enforcing minimum wage laws. Due to the lack of formal employment contracts and regulatory oversight, workers in the informal sector are more vulnerable to exploitation and may not receive the mandated minimum wage. The recent hike in minimum wages aims to address this issue and provide much-needed relief to workers in the informal sector.
  • Challenges in Implementation and Enforcement: Despite the existence of minimum wage laws, their effective implementation and enforcement remain a challenge. Issues such as lack of awareness among workers, reluctance of employers to comply, and inadequate enforcement mechanisms hinder the realization of the intended benefits. Strengthening labor inspectorates, promoting awareness campaigns, and simplifying compliance procedures are crucial steps in ensuring that minimum wage laws are effectively enforced.
  • Role in Addressing Inequality and Poverty: Minimum wages play a vital role in addressing income inequality and poverty. By ensuring a basic level of income for workers, minimum wages help to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for low-income households. They also contribute to reducing income disparities between different segments of the workforce. However, the effectiveness of minimum wages in achieving these goals depends on their adequacy and proper enforcement.

Mpox Cases

• Comprehensive View
  • Disease Overview: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease that primarily occurs in Central and West Africa. It is caused by the mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. While mpox is less severe than smallpox, it can still cause significant illness and, in rare cases, be fatal.
  • Transmission: Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). Human-to-human transmission can occur through direct contact with bodily fluids, skin lesions, or respiratory droplets.  
  • Symptoms: The incubation period for mpox is typically 7-14 days but can range from 5-21 days. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash typically develops 1-3 days after the onset of fever, starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body. The rash evolves through various stages, from flat spots to raised bumps, blisters, and pustules, before eventually forming scabs and falling off.  
  • Preventive Measures: Several preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of mpox transmission. These include:
    • Avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
    • Practicing good hand hygiene, including frequent handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
    • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the elbow.
    • Avoiding contact with animals that could harbor the virus, especially rodents and primates.
    • Getting vaccinated if you are at high risk of exposure.
  • Public Health Preparedness: The Centre’s directive to states to prepare for potential mpox cases highlights the importance of public health preparedness for emerging infectious diseases. This includes:
    • Strengthening disease surveillance systems to detect and track cases early.
    • Establishing isolation facilities and ensuring the availability of necessary medical supplies and equipment.
    • Training healthcare workers on mpox identification, management, and infection prevention and control measures.
    • Conducting public awareness campaigns to educate the population about mpox and preventive measures.
  • International Cooperation: International cooperation is crucial in tackling global health threats like mpox. This involves:
    • Sharing information about outbreaks, epidemiological data, and laboratory findings.
    • Coordinating research and development efforts for diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
    • Providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to countries with limited resources.
    • Collaborating on public health interventions and response strategies.
  • Challenges in India: India’s vastness, diversity, and high population density pose challenges in disease surveillance and control. Effective coordination between central and state agencies, along with community engagement and awareness, is essential to address these challenges. Additionally, ensuring access to healthcare and preventive measures in rural and remote areas is crucial in preventing the spread of mpox and other infectious diseases.

India’s UNSC Bid

• Comprehensive View
  • Current Structure of the UNSC: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the most powerful organ of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining international peace and security. It consists of 15 members, including five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The permanent members have veto power, allowing them to block any substantive resolution.  
  • India’s Aspirations: India has been actively seeking a permanent seat in the UNSC for several decades. It argues that its large population, economic strength, contributions to UN peacekeeping missions, and commitment to multilateralism make it a deserving candidate. India’s inclusion would enhance the UNSC’s representativeness, legitimacy, and effectiveness in addressing global challenges.
  • Arguments for India’s Inclusion: India’s bid for a permanent seat is supported by several arguments:
    • Representativeness: India represents nearly one-sixth of the world’s population and is the world’s largest democracy. Its inclusion would make the UNSC more representative of the global community.
    • Economic Strength: India is a major emerging economy and a key player in global trade and investment. Its presence in the UNSC would reflect the changing economic landscape of the world.
    • Contributions to UN Peacekeeping: India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining international peace and security.
    • Multilateralism: India has consistently advocated for a rules-based international order and multilateralism. Its inclusion in the UNSC would strengthen these principles.
  • Challenges and Obstacles: The process of reforming the UNSC is complex and faces several challenges:
    • Resistance from Existing Permanent Members: Some of the existing permanent members may be reluctant to share power and influence with new members.
    • Competing Claims: Several other countries, including Brazil, Germany, and Japan, are also vying for permanent seats, leading to competition and potential disagreements.
    • Lack of Consensus: Achieving consensus among all UN member states on the specific modalities of UNSC reform is a major hurdle.
  • India’s Role in Promoting Multilateralism: India has been playing an active role in promoting multilateralism and a reformed global order. It has consistently called for UNSC reforms to reflect contemporary realities and has supported initiatives to strengthen the UN’s role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, terrorism, and pandemics. India’s inclusion in the UNSC would further amplify its voice and influence in shaping the global agenda.

Drought Patterns in Assam

• Comprehensive View
  • Meteorological Drought: Meteorological drought is a condition characterized by a significant deficit in rainfall compared to the long-term average for a particular region and time period. It is primarily caused by a lack of precipitation or a prolonged dry spell.
  • Impact on Agriculture and Economy: Droughts can have a devastating impact on agriculture, leading to crop failures, reduced yields, and livestock losses. This can result in food shortages, increased food prices, and economic hardship for farmers and rural communities. Droughts can also affect other sectors such as hydropower generation, industry, and tourism, further impacting the overall economy.
  • Climate Change and Drought: Climate change is likely exacerbating drought conditions in Assam. Rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are contributing to more frequent and severe droughts. This poses a significant challenge to agriculture and water resource management in the region.
  • Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Adapting to changing rainfall patterns and mitigating the impact of droughts requires the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. These include:
    • Water-efficient irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
    • Cultivation of drought-resistant crop varieties.
    • Crop diversification, including the cultivation of crops that are less water-intensive or have shorter growing seasons.
    • Improved soil and water conservation practices, such as terracing, contour farming, and mulching, to enhance soil moisture retention.
    • Strengthening early warning systems for droughts to enable timely preparedness and response.
    • Promoting climate-smart agriculture, which integrates sustainable practices to enhance resilience to climate change and variability.
• Water Resource Management: Efficient water resource management is crucial for drought mitigation. This includes:
• Construction and maintenance of rainwater harvesting structures to capture and store rainwater for later use.
• Development of efficient irrigation systems, such as micro-irrigation and precision irrigation, to minimize water wastage.
• Promotion of water conservation practices among farmers and communities.
• Equitable distribution of water resources to ensure access for all, especially during periods of scarcity.
• Integrated watershed management to enhance water availability and reduce soil erosion.
• Challenges and Way Forward: Implementing these strategies requires concerted efforts from the government, agricultural institutions, and communities. It is essential to:
• Invest in research and development to develop drought-resistant crop varieties and improve water-use efficiency.
• Provide training and extension services to farmers on sustainable agricultural practices and water resource management.
• Strengthen institutional mechanisms for drought monitoring, early warning, and response.
• Promote community participation in water resource management and conservation efforts.
• Integrate drought mitigation strategies into broader climate change adaptation plans.

Abnormal Temperature Rise

• Comprehensive View
  • Causes of Rising Temperatures: The increase in abnormal temperature days in Assam is a complex phenomenon with multiple contributing factors.
    • Climate Change: Global climate change, driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, is a major contributor to rising temperatures worldwide, including in Assam. The increase in greenhouse gas emissions traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming trend.
    • Deforestation: Deforestation, or the clearing of forests, reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Trees also play a crucial role in regulating local climates through evapotranspiration, a process that releases moisture into the atmosphere and cools the surrounding air. Deforestation disrupts this natural cooling mechanism, contributing to higher temperatures.
    • Unplanned Urbanization: Rapid and unplanned urbanization leads to the creation of urban heat islands, where built-up areas experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. Concrete, asphalt, and other building materials absorb and retain heat, while the lack of vegetation reduces evapotranspiration. This results in elevated temperatures in urban areas.
  • Impact on Human Health and Environment: The rise in abnormal temperatures has several adverse effects:
    • Heat-Related Illnesses: High temperatures can lead to heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and outdoor workers.
    • Agricultural Impacts: Increased temperatures can affect crop yields, alter growing seasons, and increase water stress for plants, impacting agricultural productivity and food security.
    • Ecosystem Disruption: Rising temperatures can disrupt ecosystems, leading to changes in species distribution, altered migration patterns, and increased risk of wildfires.
    • Water Scarcity: Higher temperatures can accelerate evaporation, leading to water scarcity and affecting both human consumption and agricultural needs.
  • Measures to Combat Rising Temperatures: Addressing the issue of rising temperatures requires a multi-faceted approach:
    • Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigate climate change and limit global temperature rise. This involves transitioning to cleaner energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable transportation and land-use practices.  
    • Adaptation: Adaptation measures are necessary to cope with the impacts of rising temperatures. This includes developing heat action plans, improving early warning systems for heatwaves, and promoting sustainable urban planning and building designs.
    • Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees and restoring forests can help to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating local climates.
    • Sustainable Urban Planning: Adopting sustainable urban planning practices, such as incorporating green spaces, promoting green roofs and walls, and using reflective materials for buildings, can help to reduce the urban heat island effect and create more livable cities.
• Challenges and Way Forward: Implementing these measures requires concerted efforts from governments, businesses, and individuals. It is essential to:
  • Raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and the importance of taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
  • Promote sustainable transportation and land-use practices.
  • Protect and restore forests.
  • Adopt sustainable urban planning and building designs.
  • Support research and development for climate change adaptation and mitigation technologies.

By taking collective action, we can address the challenge of rising temperatures and create a more sustainable and resilient future for Assam and the planet.

APSC Prelims Practice Questions

Polity & Governance

1. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the recent Supreme Court verdict on the amended IT Rules?

(A) The amended IT Rules were upheld as constitutional.

(B) The Fact Checking Unit (FCU) was deemed essential for combating fake news.

(C) The rules were struck down as unconstitutional due to their potential chilling effect on free speech.

(D) The court emphasized the need for stricter regulations on social media content.

2. The Indian Air Force Day is celebrated on:

(A) October 8

B) October 6

(C) September 25

(D) November 14

3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the recent developments in the MUDA site allotment case?

(A) The Karnataka High Court upheld the sanction granted for an investigation against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

(B) The Lokayukta police have registered an FIR against the Chief Minister.

(C) The Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent given to the CBI to investigate cases in the state.

(D) Both (A) and (C)

Current Affairs (National)

1. The Union government has recently announced a hike in minimum wage rates for workers. The revised minimum wage rate for highly skilled workers in area ‘A’ will be:

(A) Rs 783 per day

(B) Rs 868 per day

(C) Rs 954 per day

(D) Rs 1,035 per day

2. India’s first case of the mpox Clade 1 strain has been reported. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding this strain?

(A) It is less virulent and less transmissible than the Clade 2 strain

(B) It is more virulent and more transmissible than the Clade 2 strain

(C) It has been found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

(D) It has no clinical differences compared to the Clade 2 strain

3. Which countries have jointly launched a legal initiative against the Taliban for violating a UN convention on women?

(A) Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands

(B) US, UK, France, and Germany

(C) India, Japan, Brazil, and South Africa

(D) China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran

Current Affairs (International)

1. French President Emmanuel Macron has supported India’s bid for permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. Which other countries did he also advocate for permanent membership?

(A) Germany, Japan, Brazil, and South Africa

(B) Germany, Japan, Brazil, and two countries chosen by Africa

(C) Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia

(D) Germany, Japan, Australia, and Canada

2. The US and its allies have called for an immediate ceasefire between which two entities?

(A) Israel and Palestine

(B) Israel and Hamas

(C) Lebanon and Hezbollah

(D) Israel and Hezbollah

3. Which country’s zoo has decided to return two giant pandas to China due to financial constraints?

(A) Sweden

(B) Finland

(C) Norway

(D) Denmark

Economy

1. India’s pharmaceutical sector is projected to reach what value by 2030?

(A) $50 billion

(B) $80 billion

(C) $100 billion

(D) $130 billion

2. The Indian government plans to borrow a significant amount in the second half of the current fiscal year. What is the planned borrowing amount?

(A) Rs 4.61 lakh crore

(B) Rs 5.61 lakh crore

(C) Rs 6.61 lakh crore

(D) Rs 7.61 lakh crore

3. India’s tourism sector is expected to create a substantial number of jobs by the end of 2024. What is the projected number of jobs?

(A) 29.5 million

(B) 39.5 million

(C) 49.5 million

(D) 59.5 million

Answer Key

1. B

2. C

3. B

4. D

5. D

6. B

7. A

8. B

9. D

10. D

APSC Mains Practice Question

Question:

The recent incident in Nagaon, where a hospital allegedly withheld the body of a deceased patient due to unpaid medical bills, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the ethical and legal obligations of healthcare institutions. In light of this incident, critically examine the following:

1. The ethical considerations surrounding the practice of withholding bodies of deceased patients due to unpaid bills.
2. The legal provisions in India that address such situations and protect the rights of patients and their families.
3. The role of the government and regulatory bodies in ensuring that healthcare institutions adhere to ethical and legal standards in handling deceased patients.
4. Suggest measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that healthcare remains accessible and compassionate, even in cases of financial hardship.

Model Answer:

The incident in Nagaon, where a hospital allegedly refused to release the body of a deceased patient due to unpaid medical bills, underscores a deeply concerning ethical and legal dilemma in the healthcare sector. While hospitals have a right to recover dues, withholding a deceased patient’s body is a violation of human dignity and the rights of the bereaved family.

Ethical Considerations:

Ethically, healthcare institutions have a moral obligation to treat patients with compassion and respect, even in cases of financial hardship. Withholding a body due to unpaid bills is a blatant disregard for human dignity and causes immense emotional distress to the grieving family. It is also a violation of the right to a dignified burial or cremation, which is enshrined in various international human rights instruments.

Legal Provisions in India:

In India, there are several legal provisions that address such situations. The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette, and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, prohibits doctors from refusing to provide medical care or withholding treatment due to non-payment of fees. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986, also provides recourse to patients and their families in cases of medical negligence or unfair trade practices. Additionally, various state-level legislations and court judgments have upheld the right to a dignified burial or cremation and condemned the practice of withholding bodies due to unpaid bills.

Role of Government and Regulatory Bodies:

The government and regulatory bodies have a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare institutions adhere to ethical and legal standards. This includes:

• Enforcing existing regulations and guidelines that prohibit the withholding of bodies due to unpaid bills.
• Strengthening the grievance redressal mechanisms for patients and their families.
• Conducting regular audits and inspections of healthcare institutions to ensure compliance with ethical and legal standards.
• Promoting awareness among healthcare providers and the public about the rights of patients and their families.

Preventive Measures:

To prevent such incidents in the future, the following measures can be considered:

• Hospitals should have clear and transparent policies regarding billing and payment, and these should be communicated to patients and their families at the time of admission.
• Hospitals should explore alternative mechanisms for recovering dues, such as installment plans or mediation, rather than resorting to unethical practices like withholding bodies.
• The government should consider establishing a dedicated fund to assist families in cases of financial hardship, ensuring that they can access healthcare and receive the bodies of their loved ones without undue burden.
• Strengthening the public healthcare system and expanding health insurance coverage can also help to reduce the financial burden on patients and their families.

Conclusion:

The incident in Nagaon serves as a stark reminder of the need to uphold ethical and legal standards in healthcare. While financial considerations are important, they should never overshadow the principles of compassion, dignity, and respect for human life. By adopting a multi-pronged approach that includes ethical awareness, legal enforcement, and financial support mechanisms, we can ensure that healthcare remains accessible and compassionate for all, regardless of their financial circumstances.

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