Current Affairs 13-MAR-2024 (The Hindu)

Nuclear Waste

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Why in News?

The article discusses the challenges of nuclear waste management amidst India's progress in nuclear power development, focusing on the generation, handling, and storage methods. The news highlights the complexities of nuclear waste management, detailing its generation, handling procedures, and storage techniques, particularly in the context of India's nuclear energy program and the challenges it faces.

Nuclear Waste

Atoms of certain elements get hit by neutrons, causing them to break apart inside a reactor. Some of these new elements can't undergo further fission, resulting in nuclear waste.

Sources of Nuclear Waste

• Spent Nuclear Fuel: Contains unused uranium and plutonium.
• Materials Contaminated with Radioactive Substances: Includes control rods, pipes, and coolant systems.
• Radioactive Materials in Medical and Industrial Applications: Used in cancer treatment, sterilization, etc.

Classification of Nuclear Waste

• High-Level Waste: Extremely radioactive and long-lived.
• Low-Level Waste: Less radioactive and shorter-lived.

Challenges of Nuclear Waste Management

• Safe Storage: Facilities must prevent leaks and protect the environment.
• Long-Term Management: Involves significant financial costs and ensuring the integrity of storage facilities.
• Handling Nuclear Waste: Meeting stringent regulatory requirements adds complexity.
• Public Perception: Concerns about safety and long-term impact can lead to opposition and regulatory hurdles.

Quiz Qestions-Prelims.

Match the column 1 with column 2.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Column 1	Column 2
1. Pressurised heavy water reactor	a. Uranium
2. Fast breeder reactor	b. Plutonium
3.Thorium based breeder reactors	c.Thorium

a) 1-a; 2-c; 3- b
b) 1-a; 2-b; 3-c
c) 1-b; 2-a; 3-c
d) 1-b; 2-c; 3-a

India as Largest Arms Importer

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Why in News?

India topped global arms imports for 2019-23, with a 4.7% increase from 2014-18. European imports surged 94%, linked to the Ukraine conflict. Russia remained India's main supplier, but its share fell below 50% for the first time since 1960-64. The U.S. led in exports, up 17%, while France became the second-largest supplier. Over half of European imports were from the U.S., reflecting Europe's strong military-industrial capacity.

Key Findings of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• India as Largest Arms Importer: India was the largest importer of arms globally during the period 2019-2023.
• Changing Dynamic in Arms Suppliers: There's a shifting dynamic in arms suppliers, with a growing role of western suppliers.
• China's Dominance in Supplying Pakistan: China dominates in supplying arms to Pakistan.
• Europe's Arms Imports: Europe accounted for over half of arms imports by European countries, with the United States being the primary supplier.
• Top Importers: India leads, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine, Pakistan, Japan, Egypt, Australia, South Korea, and China.
• Top Exporters: The United States leads with a 42% share, followed by France and Russia.

Practice Question – Prelims

Which country held the position of the top arms importer globally during the period of 2019-2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)?

(a) Saudi Arabia

(b) China

(c) India

(d) Russia

FCI & OMSS

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Why in News?

Indian wheat stocks hit a seven-year low, dropping to 9.7 million metric tonnes, the lowest since 2017, due to two consecutive years of low crops. Record state sales were conducted to bolster domestic supplies and reduce local prices. State reserves decreased from 11.7 million tonnes in March 2023 to 9.7 million tonnes in the current month, according to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

Food Corporation of India (FCI)

• Establishment: Statutory body set up in 1965 under the Food Corporation Act, 1964.
• Under: Works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
• Function: Buys, stores, transports, distributes, and sells food grains across the country.
• Organization:
  • Headquarters in New Delhi
  • 5 Zonal Offices
  • 25 Regional Offices
  • 170 District Offices
• Main Objectives:
  • Effective price support operations
  • Distribution of food grains through the public distribution system
  • Maintaining satisfactory levels of operational and buffer stocks

Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)

• Description: FCI sells surplus food grains in the open market.
• Buyers: Traders, bulk consumers, retail chains, etc., at pre-determined prices.
• Auctions:
  • Weekly auctions on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) platform.
  • Open market bidders can buy specified quantities at set prices.
  • Prices are revised routinely during the auction cycle.
• State Government Procurement: Allowed to procure food grains beyond the National Food Security Act (NFSA) quota.
• Aim: Regulate and improve domestic supply of grains, especially wheat and rice, to bring down prices in the open market and curb food grain inflation.

Practice Question

Consider the following statements about Food Corporation of India:

1. It is a bedrock of National Food Security Act.
2. It works under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
3. It conducts Open Market Sale scheme to exclusively sell pulses and millets across India.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) One pair only.

(b) Only 2 pairs.

(c) Only 3 pairs.

(d) No pair is correct.