Current Affairs 23rd Aug 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Gumti River

Context: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has denied Bangladesh’s allegations that floods in eastern districts of Bangladesh were caused due to the opening of the Dumbur dam in Tripura.

About Gumti River

• It is the largest, longest and most important river in the state of Tripura.
• Origin: Dumboor Lake, Tripura
• Tributaries
  • Right Bank: Kanchi Gang, Pitra Gang, San Gang, Mailak Chhara and Surma Chhara
  • Left Bank: Ek Chhari, Maharani Chhara, Ganga
• The river is formed by the confluence of two small rivers, the Raima and the Sarma
• Gumti is considered to be a sacred river in Tripura, especially by the tribals and the Bengali settlers.

Creator’s Economy

Context: India is set to host the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit in Goa this November

About Creator’s Economy

• It is an internet-facilitated economy which allows content creators and influencers to earn revenue from their creations.
  • Examples of creator economy software platforms include YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, Spotify, etc.

About Waves Summit

• WAVES is a global summit for the media and entertainment industry, specifically focusing on the Indian media and entertainment Industry.
• The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoIB) is going to host the first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Goa.
  • It will be hosted along with the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) from 20-24 November 2024.

Industrial Accidents

Context: The blast at Escientia’s plant in the Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, is considered the worst industrial accident in the region in recent times.

Historical Context of Accidents in the SEZ

• The Atchutapuram SEZ has a troubling history of industrial accidents.
• On June 30, 2022, a massive explosion at another pharma plant within the SEZ resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.
  • The SEZ, which is one of the largest in the state, houses more than 100 factories.
• A similar catastrophic event occurred on May 7, 2020, when a styrene monomer vapour leak from a polymers unit at Venkatapuram village, near Visakhapatnam, resulted in the deaths of 12 people.
• These recurring incidents highlight ongoing concerns about industrial safety within the SEZ.

Specifics of the Escientia Blast

• Cause of the Accident: Workers were attempting to stop a leak of the chemical/solvent MTBE (Methyl tert-butyl ether) when the chemical fell on an electrical panel, triggering a fire and subsequent blast.
• Safety Concerns: The safety data sheet for MTBE, which should be well-known to operating personnel, indicates that it is highly flammable and poses serious risks of fire and explosion.
  • It also highlights that MTBE vapours can cause skin and eye irritation and that explosion-proof electrical, ventilating, and lighting equipment should be used to prevent such accidents.

Industrial Safety Concerns and Criticisms

• Call for Accountability: Trade unions and activists are demanding stringent punishment for management that neglects safety standards.
  • They argue that the safety standards in the SEZ are inadequate and are calling for an immediate and thorough safety audit of all units within the SEZs and other industrial areas in Andhra Pradesh.
• Exemptions from Government Inspections: A key issue raised is the 2016 government order that exempts units in SEZs and Export Processing Zones from regular government inspections.
  • This order, which facilitates online inspections, also applies to high-risk industries like pharmaceuticals and chemicals.
• Self-Certification for Medium-Risk Industries: Another concern is the exemption granted to medium-risk industries, allowing them to self-certify compliance with safety norms based on third-party audits.
  • While the government’s intention is to reduce bureaucracy and corruption, these exemptions are seen as potentially compromising safety standards.

Broader Implications and Recommendations

• Need for Broader Investigation: The recent series of accidents suggests that a broader investigation into the safety practices within SEZs in Andhra Pradesh is necessary.
  • The investigation should aim to identify and rectify any loopholes in current safety regulations.
• Deterrence Through Punishment: The swift and strict enforcement of safety norms, including the punishment of non-compliance and the award of punitive damages, is recommended as a deterrent to ensure that safety standards are not ignored.

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