Current Affairs 02-MAR-2024 (The Hindu)

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

D => (Pg-8)

Why in News?

India plans to establish the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to promote global big cat conservation, with a commitment of ₹150 crore over five years. So far, 16 nations have agreed to join, with the alliance aiming to share conservation best practices and provide funding and training for frontline staff and local communities.

About IBCA

• Focus: Conservation of big cats worldwide.
• Members: 96 countries with big cat populations.
• Aim: Share successful conservation strategies, knowledge, and resources.
• Headquarters: In India.
• Investment: Rs. 150 crore (20 million) over 5 years.
• Target Species: Tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, pumas, jaguars, and cheetahs.
• Activities: Strategy sharing, frontline conservation training, wildlife research and monitoring, and promoting eco-tourism benefits for local communities.

Background on India's Conservation Success

There has been a significant increase in the tiger population due to conservation efforts.

Global Tiger Forum (GTF)

• Founded: 1994, headquartered in New Delhi.
• Only inter-governmental organization for tiger conservation.
• Meetings: Every three years.
• Goals: Global tiger preservation campaigns, secure habitats, support conservation frameworks, foster research/training, enhance international cooperation, combat illegal trade, expand and connect protected areas.

Global Tiger Forum

Prelims Practice Question

Which of the following statements about the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is/are correct?

1. The IBCA is an initiative started by India to share successful strategies for the conservation of big cats worldwide.

2. The headquarters of the IBCA will be located in Russia.

3. The alliance aims to focus on tigers only.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) None of the above

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

D => (Pg-8)

Why in News?

The Union government is spending around ₹15 crore in five states to procure bags with the photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for distributing foodgrains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Regional offices of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) in Rajasthan, Sikkim, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya have finalized tenders for the bags, with Rajasthan ordering 1.07 crore bags at a cost of ₹13.29 crore.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PM-GKAY)

• Part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package
• covering 80 Crore people under NFSA.
• Benefit: 5 Kg of Free Rice per person per month.

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

Provides 5 Kgs of foodgrains per month:

• Rice - Rs. 3 per Kg
• Wheat - Rs. 2 per Kg
• Coarse grains - Rs. 1 per Kg

Example: For a family of 5 members

• PMGKAY - 25 Kg of rice = Free
• NFSA - 25 Kg of rice = Rs. 75 (Rs. 3/Kg)
• Total - 50 Kg of rice = Rs. 75

PM-GKAY

UPSC Prelims 2018

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements:

1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidies food grains.

2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.

3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 3 only

PMI and PPI

D => (Pg-12)

Why in News?

India’s manufacturing sector continued its recovery in February, with the seasonally-adjusted HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 56.9 from 56.5 in January. This indicates an expansion in activity, with production levels and sales increasing at the fastest pace in five months. New export orders grew at the highest pace in 21 months, but employment levels remained stable as existing staff strengths were deemed sufficient to cope with the workload.

Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI)

• An economic indicator derived from monthly surveys of private sector companies, providing a snapshot of the business environment and forecasting economic trends.
• Compiled by IHS Markit, now part of S&P Global.
• Coverage includes both manufacturing and services sectors.
• Key components include output, demand, employment, prices, etc.

• The PMI is a number from 0 to 100.
• A print above 50 means expansion, while a score below that denotes contraction.
• A reading at 50 indicates no change.

Significance: Offers early insights into economic health, impacting decision-making for businesses, analysts, and investors.

Producer Price Index (PPI)

• Measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output.
• Compiler: Office of Economic Adviser (OEA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India.
• Components include primary articles, fuel and power, manufactured products.
• Exclusions: Does not include indirect taxes and subsidies to provide a clearer picture of actual price changes.

• Calculation Formula: (Value of Total Output at Base Year Prices / Value of Total Output at Current Prices) × 100
• Provides insights into inflationary trends at the producer level,
• helping to gauge the economic health and its potential impact on consumer inflation.

Prelims Practice Question

Which of the following organization releases Producer Price Index (PPI)?

(a) Ministry of Finance

(b) Ministry of Commerce and Industry

(c) Ministry of Labour

(d) NITI Aayog