What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Rice fortification
• Fortified rice is safe for consumption for everyone

Why in News?

The Centre defended its initiative to supply fortified rice, aimed at combating micronutrient deficiencies, amid safety concerns and claims that it benefits multinational companies. 

The Union Food Ministry emphasized that iron-fortified rice is safe, following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and is globally recognized. 

Rice fortification

• About/definition
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) defines fortification as the deliberate addition of essential micronutrients to food to improve nutritional quality and provide public health benefits, with minimal health risks.
• Need for fortification of rice
  • Malnutrition in India
    • India faces high levels of malnutrition, especially among women and children. 
    • According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), anaemia affects a significant portion of the population, with every second woman being anaemic and every third child stunted. 
    • Deficiencies in iron, Vitamin B12, and folic acid are widespread, affecting health and productivity.
  • Fortification of Rice as a Solution
    • Rice, a staple food for two-thirds of India’s population, is considered an ideal candidate for fortification to address malnutrition. 
    • Per capita rice consumption in India is 6.8 kg per month, and fortifying it with micronutrients can help supplement the diet of the poor.
  • Fortification Process
    • Fortification technologies include coating, dusting, and extrusion, with extrusion being the most suitable for India. 
    • In extrusion, dry rice flour is mixed with micronutrients and water, then passed through an extruder to create fortified rice kernels (FRKs), which resemble regular rice. 
    • These kernels are blended with regular rice in a 10g FRK to 1 kg rice ratio to produce fortified rice.
  • Nutrient Content in Fortified Rice
    • According to FSSAI standards, 1 kg of fortified rice contains:
      • Iron: 28 mg-42.5 mg
      • Folic acid: 75-125 micrograms
      • Vitamin B12: 0.75-1.25 micrograms
    • It may also be fortified with other micronutrients like zinc, vitamin A, and various B vitamins.
  • Cooking and Consumption of Fortified Rice
    • Fortified rice is cooked and eaten just like regular rice, and it retains its micronutrient levels after cooking. 
    • Packaging is marked with a logo (‘+F’) and labeled as “Fortified with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12.”
  • Progress of the Rice Fortification Initiative
    • In 2015, PM Modi announced that rice distributed under government schemes, such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Mid-Day Meal Scheme, would be fortified by 2024. 
    • The Centre implemented the initiative in phases:
      • Phase 1: Integrated Child Development Services and PM POSHAN by March 2022.
      • Phase 2: PDS and welfare schemes in 112 Aspirational Districts by March 2023.
      • Phase 3: Full nationwide coverage by March 2024.
• Rice fortification ecosystem in India
  • Manufacturers and Premix Suppliers
    • India has 1,023 rice kernel manufacturers producing 111 LMT of fortified rice annually, well beyond the 5.20 LMT required for the programme. 
    • Additionally, 232 premix suppliers produce 75 LMT annually, far exceeding the 0.104 LMT needed.
  • Expansion of Fortification Infrastructure
    • The rice fortification ecosystem has expanded significantly, with over 21,000 out of 30,000 operational rice mills equipped with blending equipment.
    • This allows a monthly production capacity of 223 LMT of fortified rice.
  • Distribution of fortified rice
    • The distribution is taking place under schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS), and PM POSHAN (erstwhile MDM).
    • Recently, in October 2024, the govt approved the continuation of the universal supply of fortified rice under all Union government schemes, including the PMGKAY, from July 2024 until December 2028.

Fortified rice is safe for consumption for everyone

• About the news:
  • In a statement, the Union Food Ministry said scientific evidence suggested that iron-fortified rice was safe for consumption for everyone.
  • It said that said India was following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and fortification was a globally recognised practice.
• Health Advisory for Fortified Rice Packaging
  • The Food Ministry stated that, under the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, fortified rice packaging was initially required to include a health advisory for individuals with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. 
  • However, a scientific committee questioned the necessity of this advisory, noting that no other country mandates such labeling.
• Safety Assessment for Individuals with Hemoglobinopathies
  • A working group of the Ministry evaluated the safety of iron-fortified rice for people with hemoglobinopathies. 
    • Hemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders affecting the structure or production of hemoglobin in red blood cells.
    • These lead to conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, causing abnormal oxygen transport and various health complications.
  • They concluded that current scientific evidence does not indicate any safety concerns for such individuals consuming fortified rice.
• Iron Intake in Thalassemia Patients
  • The Ministry clarified that the iron intake from fortified rice is minimal compared to the iron absorbed through blood transfusions in Thalassemia patients. 
  • Additionally, fortified rice undergoes chelation to manage any potential iron overload.
• Iron Absorption in Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients
  • Individuals with Sickle Cell Anaemia are unlikely to absorb excess iron from fortified rice due to naturally higher levels of hepcidin, a hormone that regulates iron absorption, reducing the risk of iron overload in these patients.

Q.1. Why is fortified rice considered safe for all individuals?

Fortified rice is considered safe for everyone, including those with conditions like Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia, as scientific evidence shows minimal iron intake from rice, following WHO guidelines.

Q.2. How does India ensure the safety of fortified rice for hemoglobinopathy patients?

India uses chelation treatment for fortified rice to manage iron overload and follows global standards, ensuring no safety concerns for people with Thalassemia or Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Source: Amid concerns, Centre claims fortified rice is safe for consumption for everyone | PIB | News on Air | Indian Express

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955
• Why was Section 6A of the Citizenship Act Challenged?
• SC's Ruling Regarding Section 6A of the Citizenship Act
• Key Takeaways from the SC's Ruling on Section 6A of the Citizenship Act

Why in News?

• In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• This section grants citizenship to certain immigrants who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971.

Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955:

• Background:
  • Section 6A was introduced following the Assam Accord of 1985, which aimed to address concerns regarding migrants from Bangladesh.
  • The accord established that January 1, 1966, would be the base cut-off date for identifying foreigners in Assam, with provisions for regularising those who entered between this date and March 24, 1971.
  • This was meant to mitigate the socio-political tensions arising from immigration in the state.
• Provisions of Section 6A:
  • Under this section, individuals of Indian origin who entered Assam before January 1, 1966, are deemed citizens.
  • Those who entered after this date but before March 24, 1971, can register as citizens, though they are excluded from electoral rolls for ten years.
  • Anyone entering after March 24, 1971, is classified as an illegal immigrant.

Why was Section 6A of the Citizenship Act Challenged?

• Grounds for challenge:
  • Petitioners, including NGOs like Assam Public Works and Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, argued that Section 6A is discriminatory and violates the equality clause of the Constitution.
  • They contended that it sets a different standard for citizenship in Assam compared to the rest of India, which is July 1948.
  • Concerns were raised that granting citizenship to migrants would infringe upon the cultural rights of indigenous Assamese people under Article 29(1) of the Constitution.
• Defence of Section 6A:
  • The government defended Section 6A by citing Article 11 of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship matters.
  • The Centre argued that if Section 6A were to be struck down, a vast number of residents would risk being rendered stateless after enjoying citizenship for over five decades.
  • The Centre highlighted that Assam has historically been a diverse state, with demographic changes influenced by various geopolitical factors.

SC's Ruling Regarding Section 6A of the Citizenship Act:

• Background: The SC's decision followed a 2014 referral to a Constitution Bench to address pivotal legal questions surrounding this section.
• Bench: The ruling was delivered by a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, with a 4:1 majority.
• Majority opinion:
  • Parliamentary authority:
    • CJI stated that Articles 6 and 7 of the Constitution pertain solely to the citizenship rights at the time of the Constitution's inception.
    • In contrast, Section 6A addresses individuals not covered by these articles.
    • The Parliament has the authority to define citizenship criteria based on unique circumstances.
  • Unique circumstances justified the differentiation: The situation in Assam (particularly the demographic impacts of migration) warranted a specific legal framework, which did not violate the right to equality under Article 14 of the Constitution.
  • Cultural rights: The mere presence of diverse ethnic groups does not undermine cultural rights and Section 6A embodies the “spirit of fraternity”.
• Dissenting opinion:
  • Temporal unreasonableness: The statutory provision (Section 6A) may have been constitutionally valid at the time of its enactment, it has become “unconstitutional” with the efflux of time.
  • Absence of a clear timeline for identifying foreigners: This undermines the rights of Assam's indigenous people and complicates the citizenship verification process.

Key Takeaways from the SC's Ruling on Section 6A of the Citizenship Act:

• The SC’s ruling on Section 6A reaffirms the complexities surrounding immigration and citizenship in India, particularly in Assam.
• While the majority opinion legitimises the law based on the unique context of the state, the dissent raises critical questions about the rights of indigenous populations and the practical implications of citizenship verification processes.
• This verdict will likely influence ongoing discussions regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam and the broader narrative of immigration in India.

Q.1. What is the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam?

The NRC for Assam is a registry meant to be maintained by the Government of India for the state of Assam for the identification of genuine Indian citizens in the state. In 2019, the government also declared its intention of creating such a registry for the whole of India, leading to major protests all over the country.

Q.2. What is the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of 2019?

The CAA 2019 is a law that provides a faster path to Indian citizenship for some (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Source: Supreme Court by 4:1 majority upholds constitutional validity of Section 6A of Citizenship Act | IE | IE

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Direct tax?
• Key highlights of the data released by the CBDT
• Analysis

Why in News?

According to data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the contribution of direct taxes to total tax revenue climbed to 56.72 per cent in 2023-24, the highest in 14 years. 

What is Direct tax?

• About
  • Direct tax is a tax paid directly by the taxpayer to the government and cannot be shifted.
  • This is the opposite of indirect tax, which is a tax levied on goods and services and can be passed on to another entity or individual. 
  • The direct rules are framed such that taxes turn out to be a method to redistribute money in the country.
• Examples
  • The more common types of direct tax are: Individual income tax; Corporate income tax; Capital gains tax; Estate tax; Property tax etc.

Key highlights of the data released by the CBDT

• Record Contribution of Direct Taxes in 2023-24
  • In FY24, the contribution of direct taxes to total tax revenue reached 56.72%, the highest in 14 years. 
  • This marks an increase from 54.63% in FY23, reducing the share of indirect taxes to 43.28%.
• Direct tax-to-GDP ratio
  • The direct tax-to-GDP ratio also hit a two-decade high of 6.64%.
    • A "direct tax-to-GDP ratio" is an economic indicator that measures the proportion of a country's total direct tax revenue relative to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
    • It essentially shows how much direct tax is collected compared to the overall size of the economy.
    • A higher ratio indicates the government is effectively collecting more direct taxes from its citizens, allowing for greater funding of public services and investments.
    • It signifies a potentially stronger tax administration and better compliance within the economy.
• Surge in Personal Income Tax Collections
  • For the second consecutive year, personal income tax collections exceeded corporate tax collections.
    • Corporate tax is a direct tax imposed by the government on the income or profits earned by a corporation. 
    • Unlike individual income tax, which is levied on personal earnings, corporate tax is specifically targeted at business entities, including both domestic and multinational companies. 
  • In FY24, personal income tax collections stood at ₹10.45 lakh crore, surpassing corporate tax collections of ₹9.11 lakh crore. 
    • This shift began after the corporate tax rate cut in September 2019.
    • Tax rates for corporates were cut in September 2019 in India, with the rate for existing companies reducing from 30 to 22%, and that of new companies from 25 to 15%. 
• Tax Buoyancy Growth
  • Tax buoyancy, indicating the growth rate of taxes relative to the nominal economic growth, increased to 2.12 in FY24, compared to 1.18 in FY23. 
    • Tax buoyancy is a ratio of change in tax revenue in relation to change in gross domestic product or GDP of an economy. 
    • It measures how responsive a taxation policy is to growth in economic activities.
  • This marked the highest level since FY22 (2.52).
• Cost of Tax Collection at a Record Low
  • The cost of tax collection dropped to 0.44% of total tax collections, the lowest since 2000-01. 
  • However, in absolute terms, the cost increased to ₹8,634 crore.
• Increase in Tax Filers and Taxpayers
  • Income tax return filers grew from 7.4 crore in FY23 to 8.09 crore in FY24. 
  • Taxpayers, defined as those filing returns or having tax deducted at source, increased from 9.37 crore to 10.41 crore.
• State-Wise Direct Tax Contributions
  • Maharashtra contributed 39% of the total direct tax revenue (₹7.6 lakh crore), followed by Karnataka (12% or ₹2.34 lakh crore) and Delhi (10.4% or ₹2.03 lakh crore).

Analysis

• Sign of Progressive Taxation and Equity
  • A higher share of direct taxes, linked to income levels, is considered progressive as it reduces the burden on the poor compared to indirect taxes. 
  • The last time the share of direct taxes exceeded FY24 levels was in FY10, at 60.78%.
• Signals a growth phase of the Indian economy
  • As per the experts, the increasing share of direct tax collections and significant jump in direct tax-to-GDP ratio signal a growth phase of the Indian economy.
• Increased formalization of the economy
  • The government has steadily increased its data collection as well as its IT prowess, in addition to expanding the scope of taxes collected or deducted at source. 
  • The increased formalization of the economy too has helped.
• Credit to the government’s efforts 
  • A fair share of credit can be given to the government’s efforts in rationalizing direct tax provisions and in bringing tax certainty among the investor community. 
  • Key steps such as dispute resolution schemes and digitization of tax compliance procedures have played a key role in boosting direct tax collections. 
  • The cost of collection has also gone down which is likely the result of use of technology and artificial intelligence tools by tax department in its operations

Q.1. What contributed to the surge in direct tax collection in 2023-24?

The increase is attributed to personal income tax outpacing corporate tax, rationalized provisions, and the government's efforts to digitize tax compliance and boost collection efficiency.

Q.2. Why is a higher direct tax-to-GDP ratio significant?

A higher direct tax-to-GDP ratio indicates effective tax collection and economic formalization, signaling the growth of the Indian economy

Source: Direct taxes bring 57% to total revenue, highest in 14 years | The Hindu | Business Standard | Live Mint