MLC Daily Current Affairs – 19 September 2024

Today in History (September 19^th, 1960)

A treaty was signed at Karachi by Field Marshal Mohammad Ayub Khan, the then President of Pakistan, Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Indian Prime Minister and Mr. W.A.B. Illif of the World Bank on 19th September, 1960.

Let’s Revise

A) What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

1. Resistance of humans to antibiotics
2. Resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial drugs
3. Resistance of plants to pesticides
4. Resistance of animals to vaccines

Answer: B
Explanation: AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat.

B) Which of the following is NOT a consequence of AMR?

1. Increased risk of disease spread
2. Easier treatment of infections
3. Severe illness
4. Increased risk of death

Answer: B
Explanation: AMR makes infections harder to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.

C) By what percentage did AMR deaths among children under five decline between 1990 and 2021?

1. 20%
2. 30%
3. 50%
4. 80%

Answer: C
Explanation: The total number of AMR deaths globally among children under five declined by 50 percent during this period.

D) What is the estimated number of deaths worldwide by 2050 due to antibiotic-resistant infections?

1. 10 crore
2. 20 crore
3. 30 crore
4. 39 crore

Answer: D
Explanation: Over 39 crore deaths by antibiotic-resistant infections are estimated to occur worldwide by 2050.

E) What is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance?

1. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics
2. Lack of vaccines
3. Poor physical exercises
4. Climate change

Answer: A
Explanation: The excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and animals is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance.

F) Which age group saw an increase in AMR deaths by more than 80% between 1990 and 2021?

1. Children under five
2. People aged 20-30 years
3. People aged 50-60 years
4. People aged 70 years and above

Answer: D
Explanation: The number of AMR deaths among people aged 70 years and above increased by more than 80 percent during this period.

G) What is the impact of AMR on cancer chemotherapy and major surgeries?

1. No impact
2. Reduced effectiveness
3. Increased effectiveness
4. No change

Answer: B
Explanation: Antibiotic resistance is emerging as a threat to the successful treatment of infectious diseases, organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, and major surgeries.

H) What is the primary cause of AMR according to the report?

1. Genetic mutations
2. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics
3. Climate change
4. Poor sanitation

Answer: B
Explanation: The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance.

Summary of Today’s News

Economic Performance of Indian States

Context:
• A report titled “Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24” has been released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).

Key Points:
• The report looks at how states have performed economically over the past 64 years using two measures: their share in India’s GDP and their per capita income compared to the national average.
• A state’s share in India’s GDP is found by dividing the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) by the total GSDP of all states.
• Relative per capita income is calculated by comparing the state’s per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP) to the all-India per capita Net National Product.
• The data comes from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Key Findings:
Southern States:
• Before 1991, southern states didn’t perform exceptionally well. However, since the economic reforms of 1991, they have become top performers.
• In 2023-24, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu together made up about 30% of India’s GDP.
• After 1991, the per capita income of all southern states became higher than the national average.
Western States:
• Maharashtra has had the highest share of India’s GDP for most of the period.
• Gujarat’s share increased quickly from 6.4% in 2000-01 to 8.1% in 2022-23.
• Both Gujarat and Maharashtra have had per capita incomes above the national average since the 1960s.
• Goa has excelled in terms of per capita income, doubling its relative per capita income since 1970-71.
Northern States:
• Delhi and Haryana have done very well, but Punjab’s economy has worsened since 1991.
• Delhi’s share of India’s GDP grew from 1.4% to 3.6% during this time.
• Haryana’s share of India’s GDP is now higher than Punjab’s, with its per capita income at 176.8%, compared to Punjab’s 106.7% in 2023-24.
Eastern States:
• West Bengal, which had the third-largest share of national GDP at 10.5% in 1960-61, now only accounts for 5.6% in 2023-24.
• West Bengal’s per capita income dropped to 83.7% in 2023-24 from 127.5%.
• The per capita income of undivided Bihar was 70.3% in 1960-61, but it fell to 31% in 2000-01 for the divided state of Bihar.
• Odisha’s per capita income increased from 54.3% in 1990-91 to 88.5% in 2023-24.
Central States:
• Uttar Pradesh had a 14.4% share of India’s GDP in 1960-61, but this share has been declining, even after the state was divided.
• Madhya Pradesh saw a decline over five decades (from 82.4% in 1960-61 to 60.1% in 2010-11).
• However, its per capita income rose from 60.1% in 2010-11 to 77.4% in 2023-24.
North-eastern states:
•In 1980-81, Sikkim’s per capita income was below the national average. However, it’s per capita income surged from around 100 percent of the national average in 2000-01 to 320 percent in 2023-24.
• Assam, which initially had a per capita income slightly above the national average experienced a decline reaching 73.7 percent in 2023- 24.

Reasons for regional disparities among the states
• Unequal Resource Distribution: Natural resources like minerals, fertile land, and water are unevenly distributed, benefiting some states more than others.
• Infrastructure Gaps: States with better infrastructure (roads, electricity, ports) attract more investment and development, leading to growth disparities.
• Industrialization: Industrialized states experience faster economic growth, while states with limited industries remain underdeveloped.
• Governance and Policy Implementation: States with efficient governance and policies tend to grow faster compared to those with poor policy execution and governance issues.
• Human Capital and Education: States with better educational facilities and skilled labor force attract more businesses, leading to economic growth, while others lag behind due to lower human development indices.

In conclusion
• Overall, the western and southern regions of the country are outperforming others, with notable success also observed in parts of the north.
• The eastern part of the country continues to be a concern.
• The maritime states have clearly outperformed the other states, with the exception of West Bengal.
• Even the coastal state of Odisha which was traditionally a laggard state has seen improved performance in the last two decades.