Daily Current Affairs

Centre issued an advisory for ‘Tomato flu’ (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)

 

Why in news?

• Recently, the Union Health Ministryraised concerns over the rise in cases of the “new virus known as tomato flu” among children in India.
• It issued an advisory, asking the States to take measures to prevent its spread.

 

Variant of HFMD:

• In a set of guidelines, the Centre referred to the disease as a probable variant of the hand, foot and mouth Disease, or HFMD, which commonly occurs in children under 10 years of age and can also infect adults. 
• India recorded around 100 cases of ‘tomato flu’ in children below nine years of age in less than three months.
• The transmission of the “highly contagious” yet “non-life threatening virus” could lead to serious consequences by spreading to adults as well.

 

What does The Lancet report say?

• A recent report define the infection as a “new virus” that has emerged in Kerala in children younger than five years.
• The report claims it to be in an endemic state. Epidemiologists use the term endemic to refer to a disease which has spread in a limited area but has been around for some time. 
• The report attempts to trace the history of the infection and claims that ‘tomato flu’ was first identified in the Kollam district of Kerala. However, a study published earlier says that cases of ‘tomato fever’ have been reported in the past in 2007.  
• They suggest that it may be an after-effect of chikungunya or dengue fever in children rather than a viral infection, or that the virus could also be a new variant of the HFMD — a common viral infection affecting young children that appears with fever, rashes or blisters on the skin and mouth sores.

 

Why it is called the ‘tomato flu’?

• As far as its etymology is concerned, the ‘tomato flu’ is so named because of the “eruption of red and painful blisters throughout the body that gradually enlarge to the size of a tomato.”
• Medical experts have taken strong exception to this, saying using such terms is unscientific and misleading. They also clarify that the infection is not related to the consumption of tomatoes in any way.
• Tomato flu’ is caused by Coxsackievirus A16. 
• It belongs to the Enterovirus family. HFMD is a frequent febrile rash illness of childhood caused by enteroviruses (EV): Coxsackie A16 (CA16), EV A71, Coxsackie A6, Coxsackie B and Echo viruses.”

 

What did the Central government advisory state?

• The ministry clarified that the virus causing ‘tomato flu’ is not related to SARS-CoV-2, monkeypox, dengue, or chikungunya despite symptoms similar to those in viral infections.
• It seems the disease is a clinical variant of the so-called hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) that is common in school-going children. Infants and young children are also prone to this infection through the use of nappies, touching unclean surfaces as well as putting things directly into the mouth.
• It is a self-limiting illness and no specific medication exists for its treatment yet.
• It also advised isolation for five to seven days from the onset of any symptom to prevent the spread of infection.

 

Symptoms:

• On symptoms, the Centre said a child infected with ‘tomato flu’ will have fever, rashes and pain in joints.
• The illness usually begins with mild fever, poor appetite, malaise, and occasionally, a sore throat. Small red blisters appear one or two days after the fever and these sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, inside of the cheeks, palms and soles, the advisory reads.
• In some cases, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, swelling of joints, body ache, and common influenza-like symptoms have also been noted.

 

Qubits for climate change

(GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)

 

Context:

• Technology-driven solutions to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change have become increasingly significant.

At present, nation-states and tech firms alike are deliberating the use of emerging technologies to respond to rising temperatures, unusual rainfall patterns, depleting water tables, and extreme weather conditions.

Scope of Quantum technology:

• Quantum technology has immense potential to power solutions for the climate crisis. Quantum applications and processes can play a critical role in our sustainable future, ensure compliance with emission standards, improve climate-related decision-making, and provide long-term solutions for a better environment.
• As the advances in quantum computing continue to soar, it is imperative that the investments expand and the ethical use of technology is streamlined with research and development to combat climate change.

 

Pragmatic applications of quantum technologies in climate action:

• Quantum computers deploy qubits rather than classical logical bits that aid in magnified computing power, exponential processing capabilities, and outcomes that are based on probabilities rather than binary decisions.
• This makes it easy for quantum computers to generate simulations that are otherwise complex and beyond the scope of classical computers.
• For instance, when coupled with Artificial Intelligence (AI), a quantum computer can assist in simulating tests for a water quality innovation with far more accuracy.
• They can also help in improving sustainability across the spectrum of the economy.

 

Power storage and supply:

• Electricity generation is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a practical application of quantum computing in the realm of energy could be its ability to optimise power generation through simulations and map demand/supply with more accuracy.
• In addition to this, quantum capabilities can also identify leaks and gaps in power supply, dramatically impacting how it is stored, transmitted, and distributed.
• In India, 15 percent to 20 percent of renewable energy is wasted every year as the grid cannot manage energy fluctuations. These issues arise because of the variation in the wind speed and solar intensity, which can be predicted only up to a certain accuracy right now.
• Similarly, nearly 20 percent of electricity is lost in transmission. Smart grids that use quantum algorithms can help reduce AT&T losses.
• Quantum applications based on more incisive optimisation algorithms can reduce the wastage of power. The emerging technology can also be deployed to produce more effective solar panels by cutting solar losses and helping in the green energy transition.

 

Construction materials:

• The construction and building sector accounts for nearly 40 percent of the GHG emissions around the world. This opens up avenues for designing new sustainable materials, bringing down emission levels, and helping reduce pollution. Quantum technologies can aid in the design of such materials.
• Error-corrected quantum computers, which are at least 10 years away from now, can help synthesise new molecular structures that result in a low carbon footprint.
• Models derived from quantum chemistry can be useful in replacing materials like cement, aluminium, and steel that are energy intensive, account for high emissions in their production, and produce a large number of emissions while in use.
• These new materials would be lighter and more robust, improving the longevity of infrastructure and reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacement.

 

Transportation and logistics:

• Transportation of goods and materials with the help of trucks, trains, aeroplanes, and waterways and the movement of people via cars, buses, trains, and other private vehicles accounts for nearly 20 percent of the global GHG emissions.
• Modern transportation involves the use of fluid dynamics which gets restricted in efficiency because classical computing cannot simulate large surfaces.
• This implies that a lot of such simulations are to be carried out as physical prototypes, which not only lead to GHG emissions but also are limited to only a few use cases.
• Such problems can be rectified by the use of quantum simulations which can provide better designs and reduce losses based on the system’s constraints. Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus are also contemplating quantum-led innovation which can reduce fuel consumption.

 

Quantum computing for improved environmental decision-making

• Quantum computers can be used with other emerging technologies like AI and machine learning to improve evidence-based decision-making. They can run a high number of simulations in parallel that allows for swift testing, comparison, error correction, and deployment of a product or a service.
• For instance, many nations in the European Union are opting for cleaner fuel by replacing coal with liquified natural gas (LNG) which emits 40 percent less GHGs compared to black coal. However, most of the European states have to import LNG which poses challenges around finding the most optimal route, frequency of shipments, and employing the best possible ways that reduce transportation losses.
• Since classical computing is faced with limitations, tech giants like IBM have stepped in to assist oil and gas conglomerates like ExxonMobil to work on quantum computing-based decisions. This will save many natural resources and cut down on losses that otherwise are detrimental to the environment.

 

Extreme weather events:

• When quantum computing algorithms are used along with predictive data modelling, forest fires can be pre-empted and flood mitigation can be scaled immensely.
• Other than this, extreme weather conditions that often impact power supply and surge in demand can also be predicted and addressed accordingly.

 

Agriculture sector:

• The emerging technology will also be useful for the fertiliser industry. At present, fertiliser production accounts for nearly 2 percent of the global GHG tally.
• And with the use of quantum computers, the process of nitrogen fixation can be made more sustainable and eco-friendly.
• Researchers and scientists are using quantum modelling to fathom the process of natural nitrogen fixation used by soil bacteria which can later be developed synthetically to curb soil pollution and lower the energy demand in the production of chemical nitrogen-based fertilisers.

 

The way ahead:

• At present, there is only limited discussion on the use of quantum technologies to mitigate the climate crisis. While governments have rolled out strategies, missions, and programmes for advancing quantum technologies, most nation-states have not concluded on the practical applications of the technology.
• Political leaders should be aligned toward solving these pressing issues with the help of quantum technologies. In this matter, multilateral groupings like the QUAD and G20 can provide a platform for deliberation and discussion.
• Along with technological development, working on ethical frameworks for the use of quantum technologies will also be important. Instead, the quantum community should work alongside environmentalists and decision-makers to lay down frameworks, accords, rules, and guidelines for the ethical use of quantum technologies.

 

The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022

(GS Paper 2, Governance)

Context:

• The Indian Competition Act was passed in 2002, but it came into effect only seven years later. The Competition Commission primarily pursues three issues of anti-competitive practices in the market: anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance and combinations.
• As the dynamics of the market changes rapidly due to technological advancements, artificial intelligence, and the increasing importance of factors other than price, amendments became necessary to sustain and promote market competition.

Therefore, a review committee was established in 2019 which proposed several major amendments. The long-awaited Bill to amend the Competition Act, 2002, was finally tabled in the Lok Sabha recently.

What is the major change in dealing with new-age market combinations?

• Any acquisition, merger or amalgamation may constitute a combination.
• Section 5 currently says parties indulging in merger, acquisition, or amalgamation need to notify the Commission of the combination only on the basis of ‘asset’ or ‘turnover’. The new Bill proposes to add a ‘deal value’ threshold.
• It will be mandatory to notify the Commission of any transaction with a deal value in excess of ₹2,000 crore and if either of the parties has ‘substantial business operations in India’.
• The Commission shall frame regulations to prescribe the requirements for assessing whether an enterprise has ‘substantial business operations in India’.
• This change will strengthen the Commission’s review mechanism, particularly in the digital and infrastructure space, a majority of which were not reported earlier, as the asset or turnover values did not meet the jurisdictional thresholds.
• When business entities are willing to execute a combination, they must inform the Commission. The Commission may approve or disapprove the combination, keeping in mind the appreciable adverse effect on competition that is likely to be caused.

 

Approval time:

• The Commission earlier had 210 days to approve the combination, after which it is automatically approved.
• The new Bill seeks to accelerate the timeline from 210 working days to only 150 working days with a conservatory period of 30 days for extensions.
• This will speed up the clearance of combinations and increase the importance of pre-filing consultations with the Commission.

 

What is gun-jumping?

• Parties should not go ahead with a combination prior to its approval.
• If the combining parties close a notified transaction before the approval, or have consummated a reportable transaction without bringing it to the Commission’s knowledge, it is seen as gun-jumping.
• The penalty for gun-jumping was a total of 1% of the asset or turnover. This is now proposed to be 1% of the deal value.

 

What challenge do combining parties face in open market purchases?

• There have been several gun-jumping cases owing to the combining parties’ inability to defer the consummation of open market purchases.
• Many of them argue that acquisitions involving open market purchase of target shares must be completed quickly, lest the stock value and total consideration undergo a change. If parties wait for the Commission’s clearance, the transaction may become unaffordable.
• Similar to the European Union merger regulations, the present amendment Bill also proposes to exempt open market purchases and stock market transactions from the requirement to notify them to the Commission in advance.
• This is subject to the condition that the acquirer does not exercise voting or ownership rights until the transaction is approved and the same is notified to the Commission subsequently.

 

Does the amendment Bill address the issue of Hub-and-Spoke Cartels?

• A Hub-and-Spoke arrangement is a kind of cartelisation in which vertically related players act as a hub and place horizontal restrictions on suppliers or retailers (spokes).
• Currently, the prohibition on anti-competitive agreements only covers entities with similar trades that engage in anti-competitive practices. This ignores hub-and-spoke cartels operated at different levels of the vertical chain by distributors and suppliers.
• To combat this, the amendment broadens the scope of ‘anti-competitive agreements’ to catch entities that facilitate cartelisation even if they are not engaged in identical trade practices.

 

What is the amendment to the ‘settlements’ and ‘commitments’ mechanisms?

• The new amendment proposes a framework for settlements and commitments for cases relating to vertical agreements and abuse of dominance.
• In the case of vertical agreements and abuse of dominance, the parties may apply for a ‘commitment’ before the Director General (DG) submits the report. ‘Settlement’ will be considered after the report is submitted and before the Commission decides.
• According to the amendment, the Commission's decision regarding commitment or settlement will not be appealable after hearing all stakeholders in the case. The Commission will come out with regulations regarding procedural aspects.

 

What are the other major amendments?

• In the amendment Bill, a provision called ‘Leniency Plus’ allows the commission to give an additional waiver of penalties to an applicant who discloses the existence of another cartel in an unrelated market, provided the information enables the Commission to form a prima facie opinion about the existence of the cartel.
• Other noteworthy amendments include the appointment of the DG by the Commission rather than the Central government, giving the Commission greater control. According to the Bill, the DG has the power to conduct investigations, including raids.
• The Commission will only consider information filed within three years of the occurrence of the cause of action. As part of the Bill, penalties and penalty guidelines are proposed to be amended.
• For any false information filed, a penalty of five crore will be imposed, and for failure to comply with the Commission directions, a penalty of ₹10 crore will be imposed.
• Additionally, the Commission will develop guidelines regarding the amount of penalties for various competition violations. For an appeal to be heard by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) against the Commission’s order, the party will have to deposit 25% of the penalty amount.

 

What next?

• By implementing these amendments, the Commission should be better equipped to handle certain aspects of the new-age market and transform its functioning to be more robust.
• The proposed amendments are undoubtedly needed; however, these are heavily dependent on regulations that will be notified by the Commission later.
• These regulations will influence the proposals. Also, the government needs to recognise that market dynamics change constantly, so it is necessary to update laws regularly.

 

Benami Transaction Amendment Act 2016

(GS Paper 2, Governance)

Why in news?

• Recently, the Supreme Court of India stated the provision of the Benami Transaction Amendment Act unconstitutional on the grounds of being manifestly arbitrary.
• Some of the provisions dealt with a three-year jail term and a penalty.

Details:

• Chief Justice stated that the Benami Transactions Amendment Act of 2016 should not be applied retrospectively.
• Section 3(2) suggests that whoever enters in a benami transaction is punishable with imprisonment for a term which might get extended upto three years with a fine, without a fine or both.
• The bench further remarked that the amendment of 2016 is not procedural.

 

What is the 1988 Benami Property Act?

• Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 or 1988 Benami Property Act is an act of the Indian parliament that disallows certain financial transactions.
• This act labels a ‘benami’ transaction as any transaction in which property is transferred to one person for the amount paid by another person.
• In legal terms, it means any transaction in which property is transferred to one person for a consideration paid or provided is called a ‘benami transaction’.

 

What is Benami Transaction Amendment Act 2016?

• In 2016, the government of India amended the Benami Transaction Amendment Act.
• The motive of this amendment was to curb black money in India. This amendment came into effect in November 2016.
• This new law amended the Benami Transactions Act, 1988 and renamed the same as Prohibition of Benami Property Act (PBPT), 1988.

 

What was the motive behind Benami Transaction Act 2016?

• Apart from curbing the black money, the motive of the Amendment Act was to strengthen the Benami Act, of 1988.

 

Key points:

• Many transactions in real estate involve unaccounted investments, making it difficult to track.
• Benami Act can help the government stop black money from circulating in the system.
• Government can increase tax revenue by bringing down corruption and false trade practices.
• It can increase transparency and honesty in Indian businesses.

 

Who is benamidar?

• Benamidar is a person who helps another person to enter benami transactions.
• This person may also get liable to pay a fine of up to 25 per cent of the fair market value of such benami property or get jailed for 1 to 7 years.

 

Why is Benami Property Act unconstitutional?

• Chief Justice of India, stated that this provision violated Article 20(1) of the Indian Constitution.
• According to Article 20(1), no person should be convicted of an offence or violation which was not in force at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence.
• Benami Provisions Act 2016 has section 5, which states that any property which is a subject matter of a benami transaction shall be liable to be confiscated by the central government. The Supreme Court announced that this provision cannot be applied retrospectively.

Chief Justice Ramana dismissed the government's version that acquisition, confiscation of property, and forfeiture were not like prosecution and can not be restricted under Article 20.