India Inequality Report 2022

(GS-II: Social Justice/Indian Society)

In News:

According to ‘India Inequality Report 2022: Digital Divide’ released by the NGO Oxfam India – growing inequalities based on caste, religion, gender, class, and geographic location are being worryingly replicated in the digital space in India.

Key Highlights of the report:

Gender Divide:

Women constitute only one-third of internet users in India

61% of men-owned mobile phones compared to just 31 % of women in 2021

Rural-Urban Divide:

Only 31 per cent of the rural population uses the Internet compared to 67 per cent of their urban counterparts

Maharashtra has the highest internet penetration, while Bihar has the lowest.

Religion and Caste wise Divide:

Sikhs have the highest likelihood of having a computer followed by Christians, Hindus and lastly Muslims.

The tendency to use formal financial services is lowest for ST households, followed by SC households and OBC households.

Division because of poverty:

The chances of having a computer are higher with higher levels of education as well as income.

The likelihood of a digital payment by the richest 60 per cent is four times more than the poorest 40 per cent in India.

About Digital Divide:

The digital divide is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology (ICT), and those that do not or have restricted access.

Determinants of Digital Divide:

• Low literacy and income levels.
• Geographical restrictions.
• Lack of motivation to use technology.
• Lack of physical access to technology.
• Digital illiteracy.

Tackling Digital Divide:

• Create awareness about digital platforms.
• Enhance digital skills among the population.
• Investment to bridge the digital divide – create better infrastructure.

Indian Government Initiatives to tackle digital divide:

• Jan-Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity
• Bharat Net
• Digital Payments
• Optical Fibre Network (NOF-N)

Socio-economic benefits of the fisheries sector

(GS-III: Economics of Animal-Rearing)

In News:

According to a new study, small fish captured in lakes and the oceans of low and middle-income countries (LMIC) of Africa, Asia and the Pacific can help fill nutritional gaps.

Background:

Over a billion people across the world depend heavily on fish and other aquatic foods for nutrition.

The majority of these people reside in the LMIC of Africa, Asia and the Pacific, often near rivers, lakes or the ocean.

Highlights of the study – Small Pelagic Fish Supply Abundant and Affordable Micronutrients to LMIC:

Pelagic fish (herring, sardines and anchovies), which live in the upper layers of open water, are the –

• Least expensive,
• Most nutrient-dense (in selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron and calcium) and
• Readily available fish.

Cold-water species that are found close to the ocean floor, such as cod and flounder, are the most expensive.

Significance:

These superfoods are incredible sources of the micronutrients needed for human health and cognitive growth.

Small fish could provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help fill nutrient gaps in LMIC.

The findings will help inform public health and fisheries strategies in areas with inadequate information on fish nutrition.

Challenges to the availability of these small fish: Overfishing, trade and the growing international demand for fish oil.

Way ahead:

Creating equitable and sustainable regulations for managing small-scale fisheries.

Fishery sector in India:

Overview:

• Fisheries is a fast-growing ‘Sunrise Sector’ in India, which provides nutrition and food security to a large population and employment to over 28 million people.
• It occupies an important place in socio-economic development and has witnessed an average annual growth of ~11% since 2014-15
• The sector has reached record fish production of 142 lakh tons in FY 2019-20, making India the second largest fish-producing (7.56% of global production) country, contributing over 7.28% to the agricultural GVA.
• The sector has immense potential for growth and it has been instrumental in sustaining the livelihoods, especially of vulnerable communities.

Schemes and programs:

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
• Implementation of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
• Budget (2021-22) announcements –

○ Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu

○ Development of 5 Major Fishing harbours as the hub of economic activities – Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Petuaghat

Recognising the sector’s enormous potential, the Indian government established a dedicated Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy in 2019.

India to become a hub of drone technology

(GS-III: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.)

In News:

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister said that India will become a hub of drone technology and will require at least 1-lakh drone pilots by next year while addressing the gathering after flagging of the ‘Drone Yatra 2.0’.

About Drones:

A drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a remotely controlled flying device.

Drones have been divided into five categories based on their weight (existing rules) –

• Nano: Less than or equal to 250 grams,
• Micro: From 250 grams to 2kg, Small: From 2 kg to 25kg,
• Medium: From 25kg to 150kg,
• Large: Greater than 150kg.

Rules regulating drones in India:

In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) governs the use of all (manned or automated) aerial vehicles.

‘The Drone Rules, 2021’, to regulate the use and operation of Drones or Unmanned Aerial Systems.

Risks associated with drones:

Drones can be misused as weapons of Mass Destruction.

Increased Risk of Armed Attacks.

To smuggle arms, ammunition and drugs.

Way Forward:

Balancing security and benefits associated with drones.

Increase Investments in developing drones, which are safer and cheaper.