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CURRENT AFFAIRS 1ST TO 15TH FEBRUARY 2019 CONTENT
1. FDI POLICY ON COMMERCE…………………………………………….2 53. SCHEME FOR PENSION & MEDICAL AID TO 2. NATIONAL VIRTUAL LIBRARY…………………………………………..2 ARTISTES…………………………………………………………………..29 3. SHEKATKAR COMMITTEE…………………………………………….....3 54. CHYLP……………………………………………………………………….30 4. NTA STUDENT APP………………………………………………………….3 55. LIGHT HOUSE PROJECT CHALLENGE……………………..…..30 5. DIGITALISATION OF SCHOOLS……………………………………...... 3 56. MAITHILI LANGUAGE……………………………….………………..31 6. MAHILA COIR YOJAN……………………………………………………….5 57. SCHEDULED TRIBES………………………………….………………..31 7. AGRICULTURE EXPORT POLICY………………………………………..5 58. SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE…….………………..32 8. PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION TRAINING 59. ROOF TOP SOLAR POWER SYSTEM…………….………………33 PROGRAMME………………………………………………………………….5 60. 5TH INTERNATIONAL DAM SAFETY CONFERENCE 9. CLEANING PROGRAMME FOR RIVER GANGA…………………..6 2019…………………………………………………………….……………33 10. TOKYO OYLMPICS 2020…………………………………………………..7 61. SEQI……………………………………………………………..……………34 11. 20TH BHARAT RANG MAHOTSAV……………………………………..7 62. SAATH-E…………………………………………………………..……….34 12. KNOW MY INDIA PROGRAMME………………………………………8 63. CLCS-TUS…………………………………………………………………..35 13. EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS SCHEME……………..8 64. E-AUSHADHI PORTAL…………………………………………..…..36 14. ADKL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM…………………………………………9 65. ATOMIC ENERGY BASED POWER……….……………………..36 15. CONSERVATION & PROMOTION OF MEDICINAL 66. BONDED LABOUR………………………………….………………….36 PLANTS………………………………………………………………………….10 67. BHARAT-22 ETF…………………………….….……………….………37 16. EXERCISE RAHAT……………………………………………………………10 68. LADIS PORTAL………………………………..…………..…………….37 17. CATEGORIZATION OF FARMERS…………………………………….11 69. PROJECT 75………………………………….….………….……………38 18. EASE OF DOING AGRI BUSINESS INDEX………………………….11 70. SAMANTHA EXPRESS………………………..…………..………….38 19. NCDRC…………………………………………………………………………..12 71. CAR-T…………………………….………………….………….………….38 20. TB ELIMINATION……………………………………………………………12 72. GSAT-31……………………………………………….……………..…..39 21. HIV AWARENESS……………………………………………………………13 73. AMAMI RABBIT…………………………………….……………..…..40 22. SENTINELES TRIBE…………………………………………………………13 74. SWASTHYA BHARAT YATRA….……………….……………..…..40 23. BADP…………………………………………………………………………….14 75. OPERATING RATIO………………………………….….………….….40 24. SAFE CITY PROJECT……………………………………………………….15 76. MICROBIAL FUEL CELL……………………………….……………..41 25. SHEHRI SAMRIDHI UTSAV……………………………………………..15 77. BLACK SOFT-SHELL TURTLE……………………….………………41 26. NATIONAL FILM DEVELOPMENT COPORATION OF 78. SOVIET’S LUNA 9……………………………………….……….……..41 INDIA…………………………………………………………………………….15 79. NATIONAL STATISTICS COMMISSION……….…………..……42 27. NMDFC………………………………………………………………………….16 80. ARIKAMEDU…………………………………………….……..…………42 28. WLPGA 2019…………………………………………………………………16 81. PMRU……………………………………………………….……..………..42 29. RASHTRIYA KAMDHENU AAYOG……………………………………16 82. WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION & PROSPECT REPORT 30. BANNING OF UNREGULATED DEPOSIT SCHEME BILL, 2019…………………………………………………………………………..42 2019……………………………………………………………………………..17 83. INDO-SARACENIC ARCHITECTURE…………….………………..43 31. IFSC AUTHORITY BILL, 2019…………………………………………..18 84. FLAMINGO SANCTUARY…………………………………….……….43 32. AMIF……………………………………………………………………………..19 85. NSDF…………………………………………………………………………..44 33. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PROJECTS…………………….19 86. RATOON CROPPING……………………………………………………44 34. NATIONAL GAS GRID…………………………………………………….20 87. GURU PADSAMBHAVA……………………………………..………..44 35. XPOSAT MISSION…………………………………………………………..20 88. SELA PASS…………………………………………………….…………….45 36. ANGEL TAX……………………………………………………………………20 89. TAZKIRAS…………………………………………………….……………..45 37. UNDP-SGP…………………………………………………………………….21 90. HYDRO SEISMICITY…………………………………………..…………45 38. SCHEMES FOR ECONOMIC BACKWARD CLASS 91. SHARK BAY………………………………………………………………….46 STUDENTS…………………………………………………………………….22 92. RAJIV GANDHI KHEL ABHIYAN……………………………………..46 39. ENERGY STORAGE TRACKING CLEAN ENERGY PROGRESS 93. HELINA MISSILE…………………………..……………….……………..46 REPORT………………………………………………………………………...23 94. E-COCOON APP………………………………………………………..….46 40. GRID INTERACTIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY………………………23 95. CRYING SNAKE……………………………………………………..……..46 41. RIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM………………………………………24 96. ALMICO……47 42. SEA PLANE SERVICES…………………………………………………….24 97. LUIRA PHANIT………………………………………………………..…….47 43. DARD ARYAN TRIBE………………………………………………………25 98. MYSTICELLULAS FRANKI……………………………………………….47 44. WATER CONSERVATION FEE…………………………………………25 99. GROSS DOMESTIC KNOWLEDGE PRODUCT………..…………48 45. MANAGEMENT OF GROUND WATER…………………………….26 100. GUIDELINES FOR AUDIO DEVICE………………………………..…48 46. SCHEME OF NCCSR……………………………………………………….26 101. NORD STREAM 2……………………………………………….………….48 47. EXERCISE CUTLASS EXPRESS 2019…………………………………26 102. SINHAGAD……………………………………………………….…………..48 48. COP 13TH OF CONVENTION ON CMS………………………………27 103. KALTAIKUTHU……………………………………………………..………..49 49. ASIATIC LION CONSERVATION PROJECT………………………..27 104. ISLAMIC REVOLUTION…………………………………………………..49 50. FRAMEWORK FOR ECB………………………………………………….28 105. PHENOLOGY…………………………………………………………….……49 51. SWACHH SHAKTI 2019…………………………………………..………29 106. ANNUAL DOLPHIN SURVEY……………………………………….…..49 52. NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY WEEK…………………………………..29 107. WORLD SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2019.50 108. LAPSING OF BILLS……………………………………………………..…..50
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109. NATIONAL BOARD OF WILDLIFE…………………………………….51 126. SCHEME ARUNDHATI…………………………………………………….57 110. GHUMOT………………………………………………………………………52 127. GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFENCES…………………………..58 111. COBRA GOLD MILITARY EXERCISE…………………………………52 128. INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEX 2019.58 112. BLOOD………………………………………………………………………….52 129. GOVERNMENT GRANT DIVISIONAL STATUS TO LADAKH.59 113. 7TH WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT…………………………….53 130. GLOBAL FUND……………………………………………………………….59 114. 1ST AQUA MEGA FOOD PARK…………………………………………53 131. LAIRCM SELF PROTECTION SUITES…………………………………59 115. MOHAR RESERVOIR PROJECTS………………………………………53 132. DARWAZA BAND PART-2……………………………………………….60 116. LAWASIA……………………………………………………………………….54 133. ZERO FATALITY CORRIDOR…………………………………………….60 117. AFRICAN UNION…………………………………………………………...54 134. HERA MISSION………………………………………………………………60 118. DRDO’S “DARE TO DREAM”…………………………………………..54 135. VVPAT…………………………………………………………………………..61 119. MSMEs……………………………………………………………………….…55 136. FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON……………………………..61 120. FRA 2006……………………………………………………………………….55 137. GAJ YATRA…………………………………………………………………….62 121. VAT CAU FESTIVAL………………………………………………………..56 138. HOVEIZAH MISSILE………………………………………………………..62 122. FILM & TELEVISION INSTITUTE………………………………………56 139. INSTEX…………………………………………………………………………..62 123. SOLID FUEL DUCTED RAMJET………………………………………..56 140. SDG INDEX…………………………………………………………………....63 124. DRUGS TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD…………………………..57 141. GSAT-7A………………………………………………………………………..63 125. CONSTITUTION (125TH AMENDMENT) BILL……………………57 142. FACTS……………………………………………………………………………63
FDI POLICY ON E-COMMERCE
In order to ensure due compliance of the FDI policy on e-Commerce, Press Note 2 (2018) has been issued.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ An entity having equity participation by e-commerce marketplace entity or its group companies, or having control on its inventory by e-commerce marketplace entity or its group companies, will not be permitted to sell its products on the platform run by such marketplace entity. ▪ e-Commerce marketplace entity will not mandate any seller to sell any product exclusively on its platform only. ▪ This Press Note is effective from February 01, 2019. ▪ Stakeholder consultations on creating a framework for National Policy on e-Commerce with representatives from Government Ministries, Departments, Reserve Bank of India, industry bodies, e-commerce companies, telecom companies, IT companies and payment companies have been held. ▪ Issues regarding the e-commerce sector are regularly reviewed by the Government.
NATIONAL VIRTUAL LIBRARY
Creation of National Virtual Library of India as one of the components of National Mission on Libraries.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The objective of National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) is to facilitate creation of a comprehensive database on digital resources of India on information about India in an open access environment. ▪ Salient features of NVLI are: - 1. Federated searching through multilingual user interfaces. 2. Virtual learning environment. 3. E-Governance platform facilitating data analytics. 4. Multilingual searching and retrieval on ontology/thesaurus based. P a g e 2 | 65
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▪ The project of creation of National Virtual Library of India costing Rs.72.34 crore had been entrusted to IIT Bombay (in collaboration with C-DAC, Pune and IGNOU, Delhi). ▪ As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between National Mission on Libraries and IIT Bombay in 2016, the time frame for completion of the project by IIT Bombay is 3 years. ▪ The Ministry of Culture continuously monitors the progress of the NVLI project.
SHEKATKAR COMMITTEE
The Committee of Experts (CoE) constituted by the Ministry of Defence under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen (Retd) DB Shekatkar to recommend measures to enhance combat capability and rebalance defence expenditure of the armed forces, submitted its report in December 2016.
The Report was taken up by the Ministry of Defence to frame key action points and roadmap for implementation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
▪ Optimization of Signals Establishments to include Radio Monitoring Companies, Corps Air Support Signal Regiments, Air Formation Signal Regiments, Composite Signal Regiments and merger of Corps Operating and Engineering Signal Regiments. ▪ Restructuring of repair echelons in the Army to include Base Workshops, Advance Base Workshops and Static / Station Workshops in the field Army. ▪ Redeployment of Ordnance echelons to include Vehicle Depots, Ordnance Depots and Central Ordnance Depots apart from streamlining inventory control mechanisms. ▪ Better utilization of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport units. ▪ Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations. ▪ Enhancement in standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army. ▪ Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.
NTA STUDENT APP
National Testing Agency (NTA) has launched a ‘mobile app’ through which students can practice or take mock tests on their own computers or smart phones.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ NTA has established a network of more than 4000 Test Practice Centres (TPCs) to acquaint the aspirants, especially those from rural areas with Computer Based Tests (CBTs). ▪ Students across the country can register themselves online at NTA Website or ‘NTA Students App’ for visiting the TPCs. ▪ All these services are provided to the students free of cost.
DIGITALISATION OF SCHOOLS
The Central Government has launched an Integrated Scheme for school education- Samagra Shiksha, which subsumes the three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education, from the year 2018-19.
HIGHLIGHTS
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▪ Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) component envisages covering all Government and Government Aided schools from classes VI to XII, subject to the availability of budgetary provision, progress of approved interventions and receipt of proposals from the States/UTs.
Further, the Government has undertaken various initiatives for providing education through digital means such as:
▪ ICT in Education Curriculum for School System: ICT curriculum for teachers and students has been developed by NCERT.
▪ e-pathshala: e-pathshala has been developed by NCERT (National Council for Educational Research and Training) for showcasing and disseminating all educational e-resources including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals and a variety of other print and non-print materials.
▪ National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER): The National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) is an initiative to bring together all digital and digitisable resources across all stages of school education and teacher education.
▪ SWAYAM: The ‘Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds’ (SWAYAM) is an integrated platform for online courses, using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and covering school (9th to 12th) to Post Graduate Level. It offers online courses for students, teachers and teacher educators. It may be accessed on swayam.gov.in. National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is promoting education through e-learning methods by providing courses on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on the portal.
▪ SWAYAM PRABHA: A programme for utilization of satellite communication technologies for transmission of educational e-contents through 32 National Channels i.e. SWAYAM PRABHA DTH-TV has been launched. CIET-NCERT is the national coordinator for one DTH TV channel i.e., Kishore Manch (#31) and has started feeding a 24x7 educational TV channel w.e.f. 09.07.2018. Everyday four hours fresh slot is telecast and repeated 5 more times in 24 hours to provide learning opportunities for the stake holders, as per their convenience. Besides, NIOS is running 5 channels for teachers, for secondary and senior secondary levels and for sign language.
▪ CBSE initiatives: SARANSH is a tool for comprehensive self-review and analysis for CBSE affiliated schools and parents. It enables them to analyse students’ performance in order to take remedial measures.
1. SARANSH brings schools, teachers and parents closer, so that they can monitor the progress of students and help them improve their performance. 2. It helps schools to compare their performance vis-à-vis all CBSE schools at various levels and also helps parents to compare their ward’s performance within school State, Region and National level. 3. It is currently available for Standards IX – XII and provides a comprehensive overview of Standard X performance since 2007 and Standard XII performance since 2009, till the current academic session.
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▪ KVS initiatives: ICT Skills are imparted in all the Kendriya Vidyalayas to the students of classes III to XII. Further, a pilot project e-Prajna has been started for providing tablets pre-loaded with e- content in Maths and Science.
▪ Operation Digital Board: An initiative has been taken by Government of India to provide interactive digital boards to nearly 15 lakh classrooms across the country for 9th standard to post graduate level, where they can receive lectures from best teachers/professors and access quality e-content, in order to enhance overall learning process and experience of the students.
SKILL UPGRADATION & MAHILA COIR YOJANA
Coir Board is implementing the Skill Upgradation & Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY) under which programmes like Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), awareness programmes, workshops, seminars and exposure tours are conducted.
During the training period, the women artisans are given stipend amounting Rs. 1000/- per month.
MAHILA COIR YOJANA
▪ Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY) is the women oriented self-employment programme in the coir industry, which aims to providing self-employment to rural women artisans in regions producing coir fibre. ▪ The conversion of coir fibre into yarn on motorized ratts in rural households provides scope for large scale employment, improvement in productivity and quality, better working conditions and higher income. ▪ The scheme is being implemented by the Government through the Coir Board under its Coir Vikas Yojana. ▪ The scheme is prevalent in coir producing coastal States such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Puducherry, A& N Islands, West Bengal and NE Region.
Eligibility
▪ Not more than one artisan per household would be eligible to receive assistance under the scheme. ▪ Women artisans need to have successfully completed training programme in spinning of coir yarn through any of the training centres of the Coir Board.
AGRICULTURE EXPORT POLICY
Meetings and Workshops have been conducted to evolve a roadmap for implementation of the Agriculture Export Policy.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Increasing agricultural exports from the present levels, to around USD 60 billion by 2022 is one of the objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy. ▪ Various measures to increase agricultural exports, both strategic and operational, have been included in the newly introduced Agriculture Export Policy. ▪ The Department of Commerce also has several schemes to promote exports, including exports of agricultural products, viz. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) etc. P a g e 5 | 65
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▪ In addition, assistance to the exporters of agricultural products is also available under the Export Promotion Schemes of Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Tobacco Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board and Spices Board. ▪ These organisations also seek to promote exports through participation in international fairs & exhibitions, taking initiatives to gain market access for different products in different markets, dissemination of market intelligence and taking steps to ensure quality of exported products.
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION TRAINING PROGRAMME
Given the need to orient potential migrant workers with regard to language, culture, do’s and don’ts in the destination country, the emigration process and welfare measures, a Pre-Departure Orientation Training (PDOT) programme has been launched.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is conducting the PDOT programme under the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY). ▪ PDOT and Arabic modules are currently catering to gulf countries. ▪ The National Skill Development Corporation is the implementing agency for this programme. ▪ However, MSDE has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Asian countries under the ‘Skill India Programme’.
CLEANING PROGRAMME FOR RIVER GANGA
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had carried out Biological Water Quality Monitoring (BWQM) at 41 locations along main stem of river Ganga from Haridwar Barrage, Uttarakhand to Garden Reach, West Bengal.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ A draft report based on preliminary bio-monitoring study was prepared on the basis of biological parameters using benthic macro-invertebrates as indicator organisms following Biological Water Quality Criteria (BWQC). ▪ BWQC is qualitative criteria rather than quantitative and making any inference on qualitative assessment requires detailed collaboration with physico-chemical quality findings also which is quantitative parametric monitoring. ▪ The Central Government approved the ''Namami Gange'' Program on 13th May, 2015 with an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore as a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate the river Ganga and its tributaries, under one umbrella, by consolidating the existing ongoing efforts and planning for a concrete action plan for the future. ▪ The Namami Gange Programme covers short term, medium term and long-term activities. ▪ Under short term, certain entry level activities which cover development of ghats crematoria & river surface cleaning activities etc have been taken up. ▪ Under Medium term activities, existing Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) are being upgraded and new STPs & ETPs are being established. Beside, rural sanitation has been taken up in the villages on the banks of river Ganga. ▪ The long-term action plan involves restoration of wholesomeness of river Ganga and maintaining the ecological & geological integrity of river.
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▪ Namami Gange Programme is being executed by State Project Management Group (SPMG) in each Ganga main stem state and during the implementation of projects bottlenecks like delay in tendering process, retendering, non-availability of land, legal issues, delay in permission from local authorities on road cutting/crossing etc. are encountered.
TOKYO OLYMPICS, 2020
Preparation of Indian athletes and teams for their participation in International sports events including forthcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 is a continuous process. Government is providing full assistance to the identified athletes for intensive coaching through national coaching camps organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) besides providing foreign exposures / competitions under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs).
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Further, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is implementing Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) within overall ambit of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for providing financial assistance to elite athletes included in TOPS for their customized training in world class training institutes/academies within the country and abroad. ▪ TOPS give focused attention to identify, groom and prepare potential medal prospects for Olympics / Paralympics 2020. ▪ The training programme and other requirements of the athletes, selected under TOPS, are considered by the designated Committee in Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), headed by Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI). ▪ No complaint regarding food and accommodation during participation in sports events abroad has been received in recent past from athletes. ▪ SAI has signed agreements with foreign coaches. Foreign Coaches, engaged with SAI, are also to train two (2) Indian coaches to upgrade their knowledge / technical skill etc. At present, 18 foreign coaches and 6 foreign support staff have been engaged with SAI.
OLYMPICS
▪ The modern Olympic Games or Olympics are leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions. ▪ The Olympic Games are considered the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating. ▪ The Olympic Games are held every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating by occurring every four years but two years apart.
20TH BHARAT RANG MAHOTSAV
The 20th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the international theatre festival of India, is organized by National School of Drama (NSD), one of the prominent training institutions in the world.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The National School of Drama (NSD) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.
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▪ The 20th BRM comes with 111 national and international acts in its basket that includes folk and other traditional theatre forms, invitee plays, and productions by the students of the National School of Drama. ▪ Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM), the annual international theatre festival of India is organized by the National School of Drama (NSD), was established two decades ago to stimulate the growth and development of theatre across India. ▪ Originally a national festival showcasing the work of the most creative theatre workers in India, BRM has evolved to international scope, hosting theatre groups from around the world, and is now the largest theatre festival of Asia.
KNOW MY INDIA PROGRAMME
The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) is organizing a special workshop for 42 Youth in the age group of 15 to 22 years, who have been victims of communal violence in the past, under the Know My India Programme beginning in Bengaluru.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Youth come from 6 states including Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Gujarat along with 10 official mentors. ▪ The programme is being organized in collaboration with the Art of Living Foundation. ▪ The cornerstone is the powerful rhythmic breathing practice called Sudarshan Kriya, whose regular practice is known to significantly reduce stress hormones, improve clarity of mind and increase one’s happiness quotient. ▪ Know My India Programme is a unique programme initiated by the NFCH to bring together financially assisted children of the Foundation from different States/Regions of the country to promote oneness, fraternity and national integration. ▪ The programme is all about familiarization with the environment, family life, social customs, etc. of the people living in different parts of the country; developing understanding of the common historical and cultural heritage of the country.
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNAL HARMONY
▪ The NFCH is an autonomous organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. ▪ The main objective of the Foundation is to provide assistance to the children / youth rendered orphan / destitute in communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence for their rehabilitation besides promoting communal harmony and national integration through various activities. ▪ The NFCH sponsors/conducts different activities for the promotion of communal harmony and strengthening of national integration. ▪ The Foundation under Extension Activities viz. Reach, Interfaith Interaction, Partnership and Partnership takes up various activities, either independently or through State Governments/ Administrations, NGOs, educational and other institutions etc. with a view to promote communal harmony and National integration.
EXPORT PROMOTION CAPITAL GOODS SCHEME
In order to facilitate import of capital goods for producing quality goods and services and enhance India’s manufacturing competitiveness, the Central Government has been implementing a Scheme called the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme under the Foreign Trade Policy for
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NIRVANA IAS ACADEMY manufacturer exporters with or without supporting manufacturer(s), merchant exporters tied to supporting manufacturer(s) and service providers.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Under the Scheme, EPCG Authorizations are issued with actual user condition and import validity of 24 months to import capital goods (except those specified in negative list) for pre- production, production and post-production at zero customs duty, and subject to fulfilment of specific Export Obligation equivalent to 6 times of duties, taxes and cess saved on capital goods, to be fulfilled in 6 years from date of issue of Authorization. ▪ In addition, the Authorization holder is required to fulfil Average Export Obligation achieved by him in the preceding three licensing years for the same and similar products. ▪ However, if minimum 75% of specific Export Obligation and 100% of Average Export Obligation is fulfilled within half the original export obligation period, remaining export obligation can be condoned. ▪ Further, in case of indigenous sourcing of capital goods and for exports of Green Technology products, specific EO is only 75%. ▪ For Units located in North East Region and Jammu & Kashmir, specific EO is only 25%. ▪ Presently, capital goods imported for physical exports are also exempt from IGST and Compensation Cess up to 31.03.2019.
ALUSTENG-DRASS-KARGIL-LEH TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
The Prime Minister dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng - Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the Nation, a step that would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh round the year.
BACKGROUND
▪ This would give huge boost to the tourism sector and enhance socio-economic development of Ladakh. ▪ The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for this project on 12 August, 2014 and within 4.5 years, the project has been completed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) a Navratna Company of Government of India, under Ministry of Power.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Built at a height of around 3000-4000 meters, this approx. 335 km long transmission line has been constructed by POWERGRID. ▪ In this project, the four new State-of-the- Art 220/66 kV Gas Insulated Sub-stations built at Drass, Kargil, Khaltsi and Leh will help to ensure 24x7 quality power in all weather conditions. ▪ Funding provisions have been in the ratio of 95:05 (95% Govt. of India share and 5% J&K state share).
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▪ The implementation of this project was also aimed to supply power to the people of Ladakh in harsh winters and evacuation of surplus power of Kargil & Leh Hydel stations of NHPC in summers. ▪ It is a flagship project of Government of India, under PMRP scheme which was aimed to improve reliability & quality of power supply in Ladakh region of J&K by connecting with National Grid.
POWERGRID is one of the World’s Largest Power Transmission Utility, and has a wide network of 150,874 circuit kilometers transmission lines, with 238 Sub-stations and transformation capacity of 351,106 MVA.
CONSERVATION & PROMOTION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
As per information of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), an organization under Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change estimated more than 8,000 species of medicinal plants are found in India.
HIGHLIGHTS
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH is presently implementing following schemes to encourage farming / cultivation, conservation, processing and promotion of medicinal plants throughout the country:
▪ Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM). Under ‘Medicinal Plants’ component of the NAM scheme the large-scale farming / cultivation of medicinal plants is being supported. As per the scheme guidelines, the support is provided for: 1. Cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer’s land. 2. Establishment of nurseries for supply of quality planting material. 3. Post-harvest management. 4. Primary processing, marketing infrastructure etc.
▪ For cultivation, the support is provided as subsidy to farmers @ 30%, 50% and 75% based on cost of cultivation.
▪ Central Sector Scheme on “Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants”. Under the scheme, the project-based support is provided for following activities: 1. In-situ conservation through development of Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas (MPCDAs). 2. In-situ/Ex-situ resource augmentation. 3. Ex-situ conservation through establishment of herbal gardens. 4. Livelihood linkages with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) / Panchayats / Van Panchayats / Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) / Self Help Groups (SHGs). 5. IEC activities like Training / workshops / Seminars/ Conferences etc. 6. Research & Development. 7. Promotion of marketing and trade of medicinal plants produce.
▪ Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plants Produce (VCSMPP). The scheme is aimed to encourage Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCPs) in medicinal plants and enhance quality and safety of their produce.
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EXERCISE RAHAT
Jaipur based Sapta Shakti Command conducted Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise EXERCISE RAHAT on behalf of Indian Army over a period of two days on 11th and 12th February 2019.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Joint exercise in coordination with NDMA is being conducted to synergise efforts for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. ▪ The exercise will be conducted simultaneously in three places, beginning at Jaipur in the form of a table top exercise and at Kota and Alwar wherein on-ground capability and coordination amongst various stake holders has been demonstrated.
CATEGORIZATION OF FARMERS
In agriculture Census, the operational holdings are categorised in five size classes as follows:
Category Size-Class
Marginal Below 1.00 hectare
Small 1.00-2.00 hectare
Semi- Medium 2.00-4.00 hectare
Medium 4.00-10.00 hectare
Large 10.00 hectare and above
▪ The operational holdings are also classified in three social groups, viz., Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Others.
EASE OF DOING AGRI BUSSINESS INDEX
Ministry of Agriculture has proposed a new index to gauge the performance of states in implementation of policies and programs of government of India in the field of agricultural reforms.
The concept is to consider farming not solely as a production-oriented activity carried out to achieve food security for the country but as a business activity carried out by farmer as entrepreneur.
The index will measure performance of state on various sub-parameters:
1. Marketing Reforms. 2. Reducing cost of inputs. 3. Governance and Land reforms. 4. Risk Mitigation. 5. Increasing production/productivity. 6. Investment in and for agriculture. 7. Significance of Initiative.
▪ It will help in developing competitive spirit among the states and develop their performance to the highest level.
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▪ It will allow central government to plug the gaps in schemes and programmes and bring the states lagging behind in implementation up. ▪ By this index, Ministry of Agriculture will be able to reward high performing states, by linking their performance with allocation of funds.
Agricultural Marketing & Farm Friendly Reforms Index
▪ This Index was launched by NITI Aayog. ▪ NITI Aayog has launched this index to rank States and UTs based on implementation of seven provisions related to farm sector reforms. ▪ This indicator reveal ease of doing agribusiness as well as opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce and have wider option for sale of her/his produce.
NATIONAL CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION
▪ The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), India is a quasi-judicial commission in India which was set up in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986. ▪ Its head office is in New Delhi. ▪ The commission is headed by a sitting or retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. ▪ Section 21 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 posits that the National Consumer shall have jurisdiction to entertain a complaint valued more than one crore and also have Appellate and Revisional jurisdiction from the orders of State Commissions or the District fora as the case may be. ▪ Section 23 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986, provides that any person aggrieved by an order of NCDRC, may prefer an Appeal against such order to Supreme Court of India within a period of 30 days.
TB ELIMINATION
A massive partnership with the private sector has been initiated as Joint Effort for Elimination of Tuberculosis (JEET) for the elimination of TB by 2025, five years ahead of the global schedule. Though the MoU was signed in March 2018, the project was launched in May 2018 and has picked up from October 2018.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Indian Medial Association has been engaged for large scale sensitization and advocacy with private practitioners with standardised digital material. ▪ States have been supplied anti-TB drugs to covering TB patients notified from private sector based on demand. States have been guided to keep programme provided anti-TB drugs at private practitioner’s clinic or pharmacy ▪ Invalid or dormant bank accounts or holding of account in a branch which is yet to be integrated with PFMS (Public Finance Management System) are a few challenges being faced in scheme implementation. ▪ To overcome these issues and to ensure that beneficiaries of the schemes are not denied of DBT benefit, flexibility of providing the benefit through existing bank account of a blood relative has been given. ▪ States have also been advised to facilitate opening of zero balance accounts for TB patients, if necessary, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and Indian Postal Bank.
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The Government has taken up many certain steps in order to tackle the problem of TB by 2025:
▪ To identify the drug resistance at early stage, all TB patient are being screened for detection of resistance under Universal Drug Susceptible Testing (U-DST). ▪ Revised guidelines for Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB (PMDT) are being implemented since December 2017. ▪ Newer evidence-based regimens have been introduced to improve the treatment outcomes of drug resistance TB patients. ▪ The Shorter MDR Regimen for MDR/RR TB patients (9-11 months of regimen instead of 24 months of conventional regimen). ▪ Newer drugs (Bedaquiline) containing regimen has also been introduced country-wide under the program and made accessible to all districts during 2018. ▪ Newer drugs (Delamanid) containing regimen has been introduced in 7 states. ▪ The Nikshay Poshan Yojana provides 500 INR monthly to all TB notified TB patients in order to provide nutritional support and aid in the treatment of TB.
HIV AWARENESS
The Government implements 360 degrees multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media such as hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances and exhibition vans to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and promoting services/facilities across the country.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ At the inter-personal level, training and sensitization programmes for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other key stakeholders are also being organised to spread awareness about treatment and other facilities. ▪ In addition, awareness activities are conducted amongst High Risk Groups including Female Sex Workers, Men having Sex with Men, Injecting Drug Users, Hijra/ Transgenders and Bridge Population like truck drivers, migrants etc. as part of Targeted Intervention projects. ▪ The Government of India has enacted the HIV & AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017. The Act addresses discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at workplace, education setting, health setting and public places. ▪ The Act also provides a robust grievance redressal mechanism where compliant against discrimination would be disposed by Ombudsman at the state level. ▪ The steps taken by Government to track the patients through HIV diagnosis to care and treatment include adoption of Test and Treat policy under which all patients diagnosed with HIV are put on Anti Retro Viral Treatment irrespective of their CD4 Count. ▪ Launch of Mission Sampark to reach out to all the lost to follow patients living with HIV and linking them back as much as possible to Anti Retro Viral Treatment. ▪ In addition, there is software to maintain the details of the patients to enable them on regular treatment. Also, counsellors ensure tracking of HIV positive patients through telephone and home visits in the case of those who drop out between diagnosis and treatment to maintain their adherence to treatment.
SENTINELESE TRIBE
The Government has promulgated various laws/regulations from time to time to ensure that the rights and well-being of the Sentinelese are safeguarded. P a g e 13 | 65
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HIGHLIGHTS
These are being strictly implemented and enforced by the UT Administration. These Laws/Regulation include i) A &N Islands (PAT) Regulation 1956, ii) Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, iii) Restrictions under Foreigner (Restricted Area) Orders, 1963, iv) Visa Manual Conditions/Passport Act 1920, and v) Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
OTHER SAFEGUARDS
▪ The entire North Sentinel Island along with 5 km coastal sea from high water mark is notified as tribal reserve. ▪ The Sentinelese are still in isolation practicing primordial hunting and gathering way of life. The Government respects their way of life style, therefore, has adopted an ‘eyes-on and hands-off’ practice to protect and safeguard the Sentinelese tribe. ▪ A protocol of circumnavigation of the North Sentinel Island has been notified. ▪ The ships and aircrafts of Coast Guard and boats of Marine Police make sorties around North Sentinel to keep surveillance. ▪ Apart from the land territory the coastal sea up to fixed extent of 1 Km to 5 Km abutting the tribal territory has also been notified as tribal reserve so that marine resources like fish, turtle etc are available exclusively for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). ▪ The vehicular traffic on Andaman Trunk Road passing through Jarawa reserve is regulated by convoy system. ▪ Buffer Zone notified in 2013, around the Jarawa Tribal Reserve (5km landward side and 1km seaward side), prohibits all commercial / tourism activity in the Buffer Zone. ▪ Joint patrolling by Police, Forest & Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) is carried out around Jarawa area to prevent contact of poachers and unscrupulous non-tribal elements with Jarawa tribe.
The details of population of the Sentinelese and Jarawa Tribes are as under:
Name of the tribe Population
1. Jarawa 514 (till date). 2. Sentinelese 50 estimated as per 2011 census.
BORDER AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Government of India is implementing the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) through the State Governments, in 396 border blocks of 111 border districts in 17 States viz, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, as a major intervention to meet the developmental needs, and well being of the people living near the international border.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Programme was a 100% centrally sponsored gap filling programme till 2015-16. However, from 2016-17, on the recommendations of the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers, it has been classified as a Core Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) and is now part of the National Development Agenda.
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▪ The funding pattern of BADP (like other Core CSSs), in respect of 8 North Eastern States (viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura) & 3 Himalayan States (viz. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand) is in the ratio 90:10 (Centre Share : State Share) and in respect of 6 other States (viz. Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) is in the ratio 60:40. The new funding pattern has been implemented from the financial year 2016-17. ▪ Village wise data about amount spent under BADP is not centrally maintained. Village wise physical and financial progress of projects implemented under BADP is monitored by the State Government concerned.
SAFE CITY PROJECT
Empowered Committee of Officers for Nirbhaya funds scheme has approved pilot Safe City projects in eight selected metropolitan cities, namely, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Lucknow with a view to provide safety to women in public places at a total cost of Rs. 2919.55 crore. Out of these, funds have been released to States for five projects.
▪ The cost of the projects is shared between the Central Government and the concerned States in 60:40 ratio. ▪ The Safe City Project in Delhi is fully funded by the Central Government.
SHEHRI SAMRIDHI UTSAV
▪ Shehri Samridhi Utsav, an initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) aims to extend the outreach of Deendayal Antyodaya Mission – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), to the most vulnerable, showcase its initiatives and facilitate access of Self-Help Group (SHG) members to the other government schemes. ▪ Through Shehri Samridhi Utsav, SHG members across cities are being linked to national government schemes viz. Swachchh Bharat Mission (U), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (U), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana and National Nutrition Mission. ▪ A major highlight of Shehri Samridhi Utsav is the National Exhibition cum sale of SHG products and National Street Food Festival being organized in New Delhi.
NATIONAL FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF INDIA
National Film Development Corporation of India has been selected as Winner under the Miniratna Category (Category II) by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
▪ National Film Development Corporation Ltd. (NFDC), incorporated in the year 1975, was formed by the Government of India with the primary objective of planning and promoting an organized, efficient, and integrated development of the Indian film industry. ▪ NFDC has so far funded / produced over 300 films. ▪ These films, in various Indian languages, have been widely acclaimed and have won many national and international awards. ▪ The primary activities of NFDC are Film Production – 100% finance for debutant directors & Co- Production with Foreign & Indian Film Makers, Promoting Indian Films at various International Film Festivals and markets in India and abroad, NFDC’s Film Bazaar has now become one of the leading platforms for promoting & showcasing Indian cinema to the world.
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▪ NFDC is now positioned as a 360-degree integrated media service provider for the creation and dissemination of advertising communication across various electronic platforms. ▪ Ministry of I&B has taken the lead with a long-term objective of positioning and promoting India as a preferred destination for filmmakers across the world, by setting up the Film Facilitation Office (FFO), which is housed under the aegis of NFDC.
NATIONAL MINORITIES DVELOPMENT AND FINANCE CORPORATION
National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) is concerned, its schemes are being implemented for the socio-economic development of the ‘backward sections’ amongst the notified minorities through the State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by the respective State Governments/UT Administration.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ For availing assistance under NMDFC schemes, the annual family income eligibility criterion under Credit Line-1 is Rs.98,000 for rural areas & Rs.1.20 lacs for urban areas. ▪ Higher annual family income eligibility criterion of upto Rs.6.00 lacs has also been introduced as Credit Line-2, for increasing coverage of beneficiaries under NMDFC schemes. ▪ NMDFC regularly engages a 3rd party independent consultancy organization for verification of beneficiaries and also Impact of its Schemes on the target Minority groups.
National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC)
▪ The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) was incorporated as a company not for profit. ▪ It is a National Level Apex Body for the benefit of Minorities as defined under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992. ▪ The prime mandate of NMDFC is to provide concessional finance to the Minorities for self- employment/ income generation activities. ▪ The notified Minorities in India are Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists & Parsis and Jain. ▪ Under NMDFC program, preference is given to Artisans & Women.
WLPGA 2019 ASIA LPG SUMMIT
The WLPGA 2019 Asia LPG Summit inaugurated in New Delhi.
▪ The Asia LG summit is being organized by the World LPG Association (WLPGA), which is the voice of the global LPG Industry representing the full LPG value chain. ▪ The primary goal of the Association is to add value to the sector by driving premium demand for LPG, while also promoting compliance to good business and safety practices. ▪ The WLPGA brings together over 200 private and public companies operating in more than 125 countries involved in one, several or all activities of the industry; develops long-term partnerships with international organisations; and implements projects on local and global scales. ▪ The Association was established in 1987 and granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1989.
RASHTRIYA KAMDHENU AAYOG
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for establishment of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for Conservation protection and development of cows and their progeny. P a g e 16 | 65
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HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The setting up of Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will lead to conservation, protection and development of cattle population in the country including development and conservation of indigenous breeds. ▪ It will result in increased growth of livestock sector which is more inclusive, benefitting women, and small and marginal farmers. ▪ The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog will work in collaboration with Veterinary, Animal Sciences or Agriculture University or departments or organizations of the Central/State Government engaged in the task of research in the field of breeding and rearing of cow, organic manure, biogas etc. ▪ It is in pursuance of the announcement of setting up of the Aayog in the Union Budget 2019-20.
BANNING OF UNREGULATED DEPOSIT SCHEMES BILL, 2018
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to move official amendments to the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018, pursuant to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF).
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Bill contains a substantive banning clause which bans Deposit Takers from promoting, operating, issuing advertisements or accepting deposits in any Unregulated Deposit Scheme. The principle is that the Bill would ban unregulated deposit taking activities altogether, by making them an offence ex-ante rather than the existing legislative-cum-regulatory framework which only comes into effect ex-post with considerable time lags. ▪ The Bill creates three different types of offences, namely, running of Unregulated Deposit Schemes, fraudulent default in Regulated Deposit Schemes, and wrongful inducement in relation to Unregulated Deposit Schemes. ▪ The Bill provides for severe punishment and heavy pecuniary fines to act as deterrent. ▪ The Bill has adequate provisions for disgorgement or repayment of deposits in cases where such schemes nonetheless manage to raise deposits illegally. ▪ The Bill provides for attachment of properties / assets by the Competent Authority, and subsequent realization of assets for repayment to depositors. ▪ Clear-cut time lines have been provided for attachment of property and restitution to depositors. ▪ The Bill enables creation of an online central database, for collection and sharing of information on deposit-taking activities in the country. ▪ The Bill defines “Deposit Taker” and “Deposit” comprehensively. ▪ “Deposit Takers” include all possible entities (including individuals) receiving or soliciting deposits, except specific entities such as those incorporated by legislation; ▪ “Deposit” is defined in such a manner that deposit-takers are restricted from camouflaging public deposits as receipts, and at the same time, not to curb or hinder acceptance of money by an establishment in the ordinary course of its business; and ▪ Being a comprehensive Union Law, the Bill adopts best practices from State laws, while entrusting the primary responsibility of implementing the provisions of the legislation to the State Governments.
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BACKGROUND
The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018, which was introduced in Parliament on 18th July, 2018 provides a comprehensive legislation to deal with the menace of illicit deposit schemes in the country through-
1. complete prohibition of unregulated deposit taking activity. 2. deterrent punishment for promoting or operating an unregulated deposit taking scheme. 3. stringent punishment for fraudulent default in repayment to depositors. 4. designation of a Competent Authority by the State Government to ensure repayment of deposits in the event of default by a deposit taking establishment. 5. powers and functions of the competent authority including the power to attach assets of a defaulting establishment. 6. Designation of Courts to oversee repayment of depositors and to try offences under the Act. 7. listing of Regulated Deposit Schemes in the Bill, with a clause enabling the Central Government to expand or prune the list.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICES CENTRES AUTHORITY BILL, 2019
The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a unified authority for regulating all financial services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India through International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019.
BACKGROUND
The first IFSC in India has been set up at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. An IFSC enables bringing back the financial services and transactions that are currently carried out in offshore financial centres by Indian corporate entities and overseas branches / subsidiaries of financial institutions (FIs)to India by offering business and regulatory environment that is comparable to other leading international financial centres in the world like London and Singapore. It would provide Indian corporates easier access to global financial markets. IFSC would also compliment and promote further development of financial markets in India.
Currently, the banking, capital markets and insurance sectors in IFSC are regulated by multiple regulators, i.e. RBI, SEBI and IRDAI.
Taking into account the regulatory requirements of IFSCs and the provisions of the existing laws of financial sector, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF) has prepared a draft Bill to set up a separate unified regulator for IFSCs.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Authority shall consist of a Chairperson, one Member each to be nominated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), two members to be dominated by the Central Government and two other whole-time or full-time or part-time members. ▪ The Authority shall regulate all such financial services, financial products and FIs in an IFSC which has already been permitted by the Financial Sector Regulators for IFSCs. ▪ The Authority shall also regulate such other financial products, financial services or FIs as may be notified by the Central Government from time to time.
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▪ It may also recommend to the Central Government such other financial products, financial services and financial institutions which may be permitted in the IFSCs. ▪ All powers exercisable by the respective financial sector regulatory (viz. RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA etc.) under the respective Acts shall be solely exercised by the Authority in the IFSCs in so far as the regulation of financial products, financial services and FIs that are permitted in the IFSC are concerned. ▪ The processes and procedures to be followed by the Authority shall be governed in accordance with the provisions of the respective Acts of Parliament of India applicable to such financial products, services or institutions, as the case may be. ▪ The Central Govt. may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, make to the Authority grants of such sums of money as the Central Government may think fit for being utilized for the purposes of the Authority. ▪ The transactions of financial services in the IFSCs shall be done in the foreign currency as specified by the Authority in consultation with the Central Govt.
AGRI MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs gave its approval for the creation of a corpus of Rs. 2000 crore for Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund (AMIF) to be created with NABARD for development and up-gradation of agricultural marketing infrastructure in Gramin Agricultural Markets and Regulated Wholesale Markets.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ AMIF will provide the State/UT Governments subsidized loan for their proposal for developing marketing infrastructure in 585 Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and 10,000 Grameen Agricultural Markets (GrAMs). ▪ States may also access AMIF for innovative integrated market infrastructure projects including Hub and Spoke mode and in Public Private Partnership mode. ▪ In these GrAMs, physical and basic infrastructure will be strengthened using MGNREGA and other Government Schemes. ▪ After approval of AMIF Scheme, the interest subsidy will be provided by DAC&FW to NABARD in alignment with annual budget releases during 2018-19 and 2019-20 as well as upto 2024-25. ▪ The Scheme being demand driven, its progress is subject to the demands from the States and proposals received from them.
12000 MW GRID CONNECTED SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PROJECTS
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy's proposal for implementation of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Scheme Phase-llfor setting up 12,000 MW grid-connected Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power Projects, by the Government Producers with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support of Rs. 8,580 crores for self- use or use by Government or Government entities, both Central and State Governments.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The 12,000 MW or more capacity of grid connected solar power projects will be set up by the Government Producers in 4 years period, i.e. 2019-20 to 2022-23, as per the terms and conditions specified in Government Producer Scheme.
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▪ The Scheme will mandate use of both solar photovoltaic (SPV) cells and modules manufactured domestically as per specifications and testing requirements fixed by MNRE.
NATIONAL GAS GRID
The Government has envisaged to develop the National Gas Grid.
▪ These pipelines have been authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and are at various stages of execution viz. Pre-Project activities/laying/testing/commissioning etc. ▪ PNGRB has authorized GAIL to develop North East gas pipeline to develop approximately 750 km long Barauni - Guwahati pipeline as an integral part of Jagadishpur –Haldia –Bokaro Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL) project which will connect North East region with the National Gas Grid. ▪ Further, PNGRB has also authorized Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), a joint venture company of five Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) i.e. IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL and NRL for the development of North East Gas Grid to connect eight states of North Eastern India.
XPOSAT MISSION
A study committee constituted by ISRO to chart out the long-term program for space science exploration, has prepared a report outlining high priority missions to be taken up.
HIGHLIGHTS
These include follow up missions to Mars, a new mission to Venus and a return to Moon with capability to return samples from extra-terrestrial sources.
1. Development of highly polished optical mirrors - for a solar coronographic mission – Aditya-L1. 2. Development of large, light-weight collimators with non-cylindrical aperture – for x-ray polarimetric applications – XpoSAT mission. 3. Development of indigenous silicon sensors and coatings for optical and IR spectroscopic applications – for payloads on Chandrayaan-2 mission.
▪ Indian Space research Organisation through the programme called RESPOND (Sponsored Research) is encouraging academia to participate in the R & D activities. ▪ Respond programme provides support to research projects in wide range of topics in space technology, space science and applications to universities/ institutions. ▪ ISRO has also set up Space Technology Cells at various institutions like Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) - Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur & Madras; Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore and with University of Pune (UoP) to carry out research activities. ▪ Some of the other recent initiatives for capacity building include setting up of Space Technology Incubation Centres (S-TIC) and Regional Academic Centres for Space (RAC-S).
ANGEL TAX
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) issued notification in April 2018 for easing the norms for providing tax exemption to the Start-up companies and further amended the notification on 4th February 2019.
As per the notification, an entity is considered as a Start-up:
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▪ Up to a period of seven years from the date of incorporation/registration, if it is incorporated as a private limited company (as defined in the Companies Act, 2013) or registered as a partnership firm (registered under section 59 of the Partnership Act, 1932) or a limited liability partnership (under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008) in India. ▪ In the case of Start-ups in the biotechnology sector, the period shall be upto ten years from the date of its incorporation and registration. ▪ Turnover of the entity for any of the financial years since incorporation/ registration has not exceeded Rs. 25 crores ▪ Provided that an entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a ‘Startup’. ▪ A Startup which is recognised by DPIIT is eligible to apply for approval for the shares already issued or proposed to be issued if the following conditions are fulfilled:
1. Aggregate amount of paid up share capital and share premium of the start-up after the proposed issue of share, if any, does not exceed ten crore rupees. 2. The investor or proposed investor shall have — a) returned income of Rs. 50 lakh or more for the financial year preceding the year of investment or proposed investment; and b) net worth exceeding Rs. 2 crore or the amount of investment made/proposed to be made in the start-up, whichever is higher, as on the last date of the financial year preceding the year of investment or proposed investment.
▪ Provided that in case the approval is requested for shares already issued by the Start-up, no application shall be made if assessment order has been passed by assessing officer for the relevant financial year. ▪ The application, accompanied by the documents specified therein, shall be transmitted by DPIIT to CBDT with the necessary documents. ▪ CBDT within a period of 45 days from the date of receipt of application from DPIIT may grant approval to the Start-up or decline to grant such approval.
UNDP SMALL GRANT PROGRAMME
A Workshop on MoEFCC-Global Environment Facility, UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP) was inaugurated in New Delhi
▪ Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Program was established in the year of the Rio Earth Summit 1992. ▪ It provides financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods. ▪ It demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives. ▪ UNDP has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in implementing the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and financed Small Grants Program (SGP) in India since 1997. ▪ The program provides grants of up to $50,000 directly to local communities including indigenous people, community-based organizations and other non-governmental group. ▪ The SGP has been working extensively in the areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change and land degradation. P a g e 21 | 65
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▪ SGP in India aims to support the vulnerable communities through community led approaches towards environmental conservation and livelihoods enhancement. ▪ Projects under the SGP are implemented through 1. National Host Institution – Centre for Environment Education (CEE). 2. NGO partners and stakeholders that has presence in different parts of the country. 3. National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research.
BACKGROUND
▪ UNDP has been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in implementing the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and financed Small Grants Programme (SGP) in India since 1997. ▪ Projects under the SGP are implemented through a National Host Institution – Centre for Environment Education (CEE), and other NGO partners and stakeholders that has presence in different parts of the country. ▪ MOEFCC, GEF UNDP – SGP has been operational for over 25 years and is being implemented throughout the country. ▪ The SGP has been working extensively in the areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change and land degradation. ▪ As one of the upgraded SGP Country Programmes, SGP India has supported 112 community- based projects that benefited more than 400,000 people across the country. ▪ In addition to improving the functioning and productivity of local ecosystems through better resource use practices and restoration activities, SGP projects in India also contributed and resulted in economic, social, and political benefits, access to credit including job creation and expanded local markets, grater social cohesion and community self- reliance, political and social empowerment and increased food security.
SCHEMES FOR ECONOMICALLY BACKWARD CLASS STUDENTS
Ministry of Human Resource Development is implementing following schemes for the Economically Backward Class students.
1. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) ▪ Under this scheme, scholarship is provided to the eligible meritorious students having family income less than Rs. 8.0 lakh per annum, for pursuing higher studies. ▪ The amount of scholarship is Rs. 10,000/- per annum for the first three years and Rs. 20,000/- per annum for the fourth and fifth year.
2. Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir (SSS for J&K) ▪ Scholarship is provided to the eligible students from the State of Jammu & Kashmir, having family income less than Rs. 8.0 lakh per annum, to pursue higher studies outside the State of J&K. ▪ An amount to the tune of Rs. 1.30 lakh to Rs. 4.00 lakh per annum is provided.
3. Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme (CSIS) ▪ Under this Scheme, full interest subsidy is provided during the moratorium period (course period plus one year), on the educational loan up to Rs. 7.5 lakh, taken by the students having annual parental income up to Rs.4.5 lakh. ▪ The BE for the Financial Year is Rs. 2150 Crore. P a g e 22 | 65
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4. Fees Waiving in IITs ▪ In IITs, from the academic year 2016-17, following provisions were made for protecting the interest of the socially and economically backward students while making the payment of tuition fee. ▪ The SC/ST/PH students shall get complete fee waiver. ▪ The most economically backward students (whose family income is less than Rs.1 lakh per annum) shall get full remission of the fee. ▪ The other economically backward students (whose family income is between Rs.1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs per annum) shall get remission of 2/3rd of the fee. ▪ All students shall have access to interest free loan under the Vidyalaxmi scheme for the total portion of the tuition fee payable. ▪ Under the Vidyalaxmi Scheme, Interest subvention on the education loans for all students admitted for undergraduate and the five years integrated degree programmes is provided.
ENERGY STORAGE-TRACKING CLEAN ENERGY PROGRESS REPORT
As per International Energy Agency’s report “Energy Storage – Tracking Clean Energy Progress”, the utility scale deployment for storage technology excluding pumped hydro storage in the year 2017 was 620 MWh and the cumulative energy storage volume including pumped hydro storage was 15.3 GWh.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Australia, China, Japan, Germany, Korea and United States are the leading countries in deployment of energy storage technology. ▪ Through various bilateral engagements, India has been encouraging technological cooperation on energy storage. ▪ A specific proposal on designing research programme and collaboration projects has been proposed under the India- United Kingdom Energy for Growth Partnership. ▪ The Government of India has been making concerted efforts for developing energy storage technologies for managing the variable generation from renewable energy sources, including solar power. ▪ In this regard, an Expert Committee chaired by Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has proposed draft National Energy Storage Mission that strives for leadership in the energy storage sector by encouraging manufacturing, deployment, innovation and cost reduction.
GRID INTERACTIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY
The Government is already implementing various programs/schemes for promotion of grid interactive renewable energy such as solar, wind, bio-power and small hydro power in the country.
The details of major steps taken by the Government to attract investment in the renewable energy sector are as follows: -
▪ Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges and losses for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned up to March, 2022. ▪ Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route.
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▪ Notification of standard bidding guidelines to enable distribution licensee to procure solar and wind power at competitive rates in cost effective manner. ▪ Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2022. ▪ Implementation of Green Energy Corridor project to facilitate grid integration of large-scale renewable energy capacity addition.
The Government has set a target of installing 175000 MW of renewable energy capacity by the year 2022 which includes 100000 MW from solar, 60000 MW from wind, 10000 MW from bio-power and 5000 MW from small hydro power.
RIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM (FARAKKA-PATNA)
The inauguration of 2nd phase of RIS on National Waterway-1 on the 410 km Farakka-Patna stretch, will enhance swift electronic data transfer between mobile vessels and base stations on shore through advance and real-time exchange of information.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ It is a form of vessel traffic management using next generation technology. ▪ It will help in crises management and enhanced inland navigation safety by preventing ship-to- ship collisions, ship - bridge collisions, groundings etc. ▪ The service will immensely help in optimization of navigation and minimize collision risks in the waterway thus benefitting the users greatly. The services are being used in advanced waterways of Europe, China and U.S.A. ▪ Under phase II, five base stations – Manihari, Bhagalpur, Munger, Barh and Hatidah and one control station have been made at Patna. ▪ IWAI is implementing the project in three phases on NW-1 at a cost of about Rs 57 Cr. Earlier, in 2016, the first phase of RIS - 545 km on Haldia- Farakka stretch was commissioned. ▪ RIS aims to streamline the exchange of information between waterway operators and users. ▪ RIS Services are a combination of sensors like Automated Identification system, Meteorological and Hydrological equipment and software related services designed to optimize traffic and transport processes in inland navigation. RIS works on the lines of Air Traffic Controls.
IWAI is implementing the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1 on the Haldia – Varanasi stretch of Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System with the technical and financial support of the World Bank at a cost of Rs 5369 Crore.
SEA PLANE SERVICES
Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN version 3.0 of Ministry of Civil Aviation, the routes connecting the following six water aerodrome sites have been awarded to start seaplane and helicopter services.
1. Guwahati River Front. 2. Nagarjuna Sagar. 3. Sabarmati River Front. 4. Shatrunjay Dam. 5. Statue of Unity (Sardar Sarovar Dam). 6. Umrangso Reservoir.
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So far there is no proposal to start seaplane and helicopter operations on 1680 km. length of Ganga river for passenger transport.
DARD ARYAN TRIBE
A festival of Dard Aryan was organised by in January, 2019 at IGNCA, in which around 35 artists from Dard Aryan regions participated.
It organised a workshop at Dha-hanu, Laddakh, Jammu & Kashmir in June 2018 for documentation of traditions of Aryan Valley.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Dard Aryans is a tribe of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh region. ▪ The Dard Aryans inhabit Dha, Hanu, Beema, Darchik and Garkone villages in Leh and Kargil districts. The villages are together called the Aryan valley. ▪ ‘Dard’ is derived from a Sanskrit word, ‘Daradas’, which refers to people who live on hillsides. ▪ Dard Aryans are believed to be the original descendants of ‘pure Aryan race’. ▪ According to researchers, the ‘Aryans of Ladakh’ or the ‘Brokpas’ were a part of Alexander’s army and had come to the region over 2,000 years ago. ▪ The people of this region have unique physical features, social life, ethnic culture and language. ▪ The tribe is known for its liberal customs and ornate costumes. ▪ The community prohibits marriage with outsiders to keep the gene pool intact. ▪ The tribe is considered “threatened” due to their depleting numbers, which, at present, is around 4,000. ▪ They are mainly dependent on agriculture and are “educationally and economically backward”. ▪ ‘Dard Aryan’ is ‘NOT’ among the list of notified Schedule Tribes. ▪ Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) has taken up the following initiatives to preserve their cultural heritage – it has provided Assistance in setting up a few Museums in the Regions of Dard Aryans in Leh, Laddakh, Kargil, etc., with the help of local community.
WATER CONSERVATION FEE
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation had notified revised guidelines regulate and control ground water extraction in India, which was proposed to be effective from 01.06.2019.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ As per these revised guidelines, Water Conservation Fee (WCF) would be levied for use of ground water depending on the category of area, type of industry and quantum of ground water withdrawal. ▪ There was no provision for exemption from WCF to Government infrastructure, water supply agencies and mining projects. ▪ However, National Green Tribunal (NGT) vide order dated 3rd January 2019 has directed that the notification may not be given effect and has ordered Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF & CC) to constitute an expert committee by including representatives from IIT Delhi, IIT Roorkee, IIM Ahmedabad, CPCB, NITI Aayog and any other concerned agency or department to examine the issue of appropriate policy for conservation of ground water. ▪ Water being a State subject, initiatives on water management including conservation and artificial recharge to ground water in the Country is primarily States’ responsibility. P a g e 25 | 65
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MANAGEMENT OF GROUND WATER
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has been entrusted with the responsibilities of developing & disseminating technologies, monitoring national policies for the scientific and sustainable development and management of India’s ground water resources.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ CGWB periodically takes up various studies which include ground water management studies, exploratory drilling programmes, monitoring ground water level and water quality through a network of ground water observation wells etc and the result collected is shared with the concerned States for taking up suitable ground water specific interventions. ▪ The National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM) was initiated as a part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation scheme to delineate and characterize the aquifers to develop plans for ground water management. ▪ Aquifer maps and management plans are being regularly shared with State Governments through the State Ground Water Coordination Committees, chaired by the concerned Principal Secretaries of the respective States and also with the respective District Authorities for their suitable ground water specific demand side and supply side interventions.
SCHEME OF NATIONAL CENTRE OF SPORTS SCIENCE & RESEARCH
The scheme of National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) aims to support high level research, education and innovation with respect to high performance of elite athletes.
The scheme has two components: One is setting up of NCSSR and other is focused on creation of support to Sports Sciences Departments in Six Universities and Sports Medicine Departments in Six Medical Colleges/ Institutes/ Hospitals.
OBJECTIVES
▪ Application of scientific principles to the promotion, maintenance and enhancement of sporting performance. ▪ Developing athletes to their maximum potential and to prolong their competitive sporting career. ▪ Dissemination of sports science information ▪ Testing and Certification of food supplements/Indigenous preparations. ▪ Application of Ayurvedic/Homeopathic Medicines in sporting performance. ▪ Management and rehabilitation of sports injuries
EXERCISE CUTLASS EXPRESS 2019
INS Trikand, a front-line warship of the Indian Navy, participated in a multinational training exercise ‘CUTLASS EXPRESS – 19’ held from 27 Jan to 06 Feb 19.
▪ INS Trikand of the Indian Navy, participated in a multinational training exercise ‘CUTLASS EXPRESS – 19’. ▪ The aim of the exercise was to improve law enforcement capacity, promote regional security and progress inter-operability between the armed forces of the participating nations. ▪ The exercise was conducted for the purpose of interdicting illegal maritime activity in the Western Indian Ocean.
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▪ During the exercise, Naval, Coast Guard and Marine Police personnel from a number of East African countries were jointly trained by mentors from USA, India, and Netherlands. ▪ It was conducted with support of international organizations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Combined Maritime Force (CMF) and European Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR).
COP 13TH OF CONVENTION ON CMS
The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme, is going to be hosted by India during 15th to 22nd February, 2020 at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
CMS
▪ India has been a Party to the CMS since 1983. ▪ The Conference of Parties (COP) is the decision-making organ of this convention. ▪ In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), has been in force, under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme. ▪ Also referred to as the Bonn Convention, it provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range. ▪ Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I and Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them. ▪ Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention. ▪ India has also signed non-legally binding MOU with CMS on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016). ▪ The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans, and covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory water bird species, including 29 globally threatened species. ▪ India has also launched the National Action Plan for conservation of migratory species under the Central Asian Flyway.
ASIATIC LION CONSERVATION PROJECT
“Asiatic Lion Conservation Project” with a budgetary contribution of Rs 97.85 Cr from Central Government was launched. With a view to strengthen the conservation initiatives, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) approved the project for three financial years 2018-19, FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the 'Asiatic Lion Conservation Project' with an aim to protect and conserve the world's last ranging free population of Asiatic Lion and its associated ecosystem. ▪ The decision came two days after three Asiatic lions were run over by a goods train in Gir.
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▪ The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project will strengthen the ongoing measures for conservation and recovery of Asiatic Lion with the help of state-of-the-art techniques, regular scientific research studies, disease management, modern surveillance techniques. ▪ Total budget of the project for 3 years will be funded through a Centrally sponsored scheme, the Development of Wildlife Habitat, with the contributing ratio of 60:40 for central and state share.
ASIATIC LIONS
▪ Asiatic Lions which once ranged from Persia (Iran) to Palamau in Eastern India had almost been driven to extinction by indiscriminate hunting and habitat loss. ▪ A single population of less than 50 lions persisted in the Gir forests of Gujarat by late 1890's. ▪ With stringent protection offered by the state and the Central governments, Asiatic lions have increased to the current population of over 500. ▪ The Asiatic Lion endemic to Gir landscape of Gujarat, is one of the 21 critically endangered species identified by the Ministry for taking up recovery programmes. ▪ Asiatic Lion, being listed in Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to be accorded the highest degree of protection.
FRAMEWORK FOR ECB
Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India (GoI), has rationalized the framework for External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) and Rupee Denominated Bonds and notified a new Policy.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Under the New Policy, all entities eligible to receive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) are permitted to raise ECBs up to USD 750 million or equivalent per financial year under automatic route subject to certain terms and conditions prescribed in the Guidelines, replacing the system of sector wise limits. ▪ The Minimum Average Maturity Period (MAMP) has been kept at 3 years for all ECBs, irrespective of the amount of borrowing in lieu of various layers of MAMPs as under the earlier framework, except the borrowers specifically permitted in the circular to borrow for a shorter period. ▪ Earlier Tracks I and II of the ECB Policy Framework have been merged as “Foreign Currency Denominated ECB” and Track III and Rupee Denominated Bonds framework have been combined as “Rupee Denominated ECB” to replace the four-tiered structure. ▪ As per the new ECB framework, the list of eligible borrowers has been expanded to include all entities eligible to receive FDI.
EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL BORROWINGS
▪ External commercial borrowing (ECBs) are loans in India made by non-resident lenders in foreign currency to Indian borrowers. ▪ They are used widely in India to facilitate access to foreign money by Indian corporations and PSUs (public sector undertakings). ▪ ECBs include commercial bank loans, buyers' credit, suppliers' credit, securitised instruments such as floating rate notes and fixed rate bonds etc., credit from official export credit agencies and commercial borrowings from the private sector window of multilateral financial Institutions such as International Finance Corporation (Washington), ADB, AFIC, CDC, etc.
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▪ ECBs cannot be used for investment in stock market or speculation in real estate. ▪ The DEA (Department of Economic Affairs), Ministry of Finance, Government of India along with Reserve Bank of India, monitors and regulates ECB guidelines and policies.
SWACHH SHAKTI 2019
The Prime Minister participated in Swachh Shakti 2019, a convention of Women Sarpanches and distribute the Swachh Shakti-2019 awards.
▪ Swachh Shakti-2019 is a national event which aims to bring in to focus the leadership role played by rural women in Swachh Bharat Mission. ▪ The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in association with the Govt. of Haryana has organized the Swachh Shakti-2019. ▪ The event will showcase the achievements of Swachh Bharat and the recently conducted Swachh Sunder Shauchalay, (neat and clean toilet) - a unique and first of its kind in the world campaign.
BACKGROUND
Prime Minister launched the Swachh Shakti program first in 2017 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 6000 women sarpanches from across the country had assembled in Gujarat on the occasion of International Women’s Day under the banner of Swachh Shakti 2017. PM addressed and honoured them. The second Swachh Shakti event, Swachh Shakti-2018 was held at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Now the third edition is being inaugurated from Kurukshetra.
NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY WEEK
National Productivity Council (NPC) is celebrated its 61st Foundation Day on 12th February with the theme “Circular Economy for Productivity & Sustainability”.
This year theme represents a unique opportunity for circular business model for Make à Use à Return. It presents an opportunity for long term economic prospects and regeneration of materials.
NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL
▪ NPC is national level organization to promote productivity culture in India. ▪ Established by the Ministry of Industry, Government of India in 1958, it is an autonomous, multipartite, non-profit organization with equal representation from employers’ & workers’ organizations and Government, apart from technical & professional institutions and other interests. ▪ NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an Inter- Governmental Body, of which the Government of India is a founder member. ▪ The Council promotes a comprehensive view of productivity focused on improving triple bottom line – economic, environmental and social and adds value for all the stakeholders through generation & application of advanced knowledge for inclusive Growth.
SCHEME FOR PENSION AND MEDICAL AID TO ARTISTES
The Government is implementing a Scheme namely “Scheme for Pension and Medical Aid to Artistes”.
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▪ The objective of the Scheme is to improve financial and socio-economic status of the old aged artistes and scholars who have contributed significantly in their specialized fields of arts, letters etc. but leading a miserable life or are in penury condition. ▪ The Scheme has also provision to provide medical aid facility to such Artistes and his/her spouse by covering them under a convenient and affordable Health Insurance Scheme of the Government.
CULTURAL HERITAGE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
The scheme for Cultural Heritage Youth Leadership Programme (CHYLP) envisaged enriching awareness of Indian culture and heritage amongst the youth in order to promote, understand and develop fondness for India’s rich cultural heritage, with a view to develop appropriate leadership qualities amongst youth.
▪ The focus of the programme was to be on less privileged children residing in backward areas by interacting with them in vernacular languages for their better understanding. ▪ Intermittently programme was given to Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), an autonomous organization working under the purview of Ministry of Culture. ▪ CCRT organized workshops for the scheme. However, to accelerate the process, Museum Division of this Ministry arranged visits of children of unprivileged section of society to museums so that these children may get an opportunity to gain the knowledge relating to the Indian History and Culture and Science.
LIGHT HOUSE PROJECTS CHALLENGE
“Light House Projects challenge” launched - to bring about Paradigm shift in housing construction Technology Sector.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has instituted a challenge for States/ UTs to select six sites across the country for constructing the Lighthouse projects under GHTC-India. ▪ The winning six States/ UTs that score the highest marks across the prescribed criteria will be awarded lighthouse projects. ▪ The States/ UTs will receive Central Assistance to construct these projects as per PMAY (U) guidelines. ▪ In addition to this, a Technology Innovation Grant (TIG) for the States/ UTs is provisioned to offset the impact of any additional cost implication due to the use of new technology and to absorb the issues related to economies of scale and other related factors. T ▪ he selected sites for lighthouse projects will be used as an ‘open laboratory’ for live demonstration and will receive due attention from academia (Civil Engineering, Planning, Architecture), practitioners (Public/ Private), policy makers (Central/ State) and media apart from felicitation/ recognition in Grand Expo-cum-Conference.
BACKGROUND
▪ The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has already launched a “Global Housing Technology Challenge-India (GHTC- India)”. ▪ The challenge has three components viz. i) Conduct of Grand Expo-cum-Conference, ii) Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies from across the globe and iii) Promoting
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Potential Technologies through the establishment of Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators- India (ASHA-I) for incubation and accelerator support. ▪ Out of the three, the second component intends to identify and pilot ‘Proven Demonstrable Technologies’ from around the world in actual housing projects in different parts of the country. ▪ The shortlisted global technology providers will be invited to plan and construct light house projects within the framework of PMAY (U) on pre-selected sites provided by States/UTs across six identified PMAY.
MAITHILI LANGUAGE
The Ministry of Human Resource Development constituted a Committee in the year 2018 for making a report for the Promotion and Protection of Maithili Language and its scripts.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Committee has submitted its report to MHRD in which it has made several recommendations for promotion and protection of Maithili language.
▪ To establish a Script and Manuscript Centre at Darbhanga in any one of the Universities viz. Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University or Lalit Narayan Mithila Unviersity. ▪ Early completion of the work pertaining to Unicode Scripts of Mithilakshar by Technology Development of Indian Languages (TDIL) and ▪ To prepare audio-visual teaching materials for teaching the Mithilakshar scripts.
BACKGROUND
▪ Mithilakshar or Tirhuta is the script of broader cultural Mithila. The scripts of Mithilaksar, Bangla, Assamese, Nebari, Odia and Tibetan are part of the family. ▪ It is an extremely ancient script and is one of the scripts and is one of the scripts of the broader North Eastern India. ▪ Mithilakshar had come to its current shape by 10th Century AD. The oldest form of Mithilakshar is found in the Sahodara stone inscriptions of 950 AD. ▪ Afterwards, the scripts had been used throughout Mithila from Champaran to Deoghar.
SCHEDULED TRIBES
The Scheduled Tribes (STs) have been the most marginalized, isolated and deprived population. To protect and safeguarding the land rights and other rights of Scheduled Tribes, following constitutional and legislative measure have been put in place:
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ “The Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006” to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land to forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes.
▪ “Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013” (RFCTLARR Act, 2013 in short) safeguards against displacement of Scheduled Tribes. Special provisions have been made for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under Sections 41 and 42 of the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 which protect their interests. The RFCTLARR Act, 2013 also lays down procedure and manner of rehabilitation and resettlement.
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▪ “The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996”, also provides that the Gram Sabha or the Panchayats at the appropriate level shall be consulted before making the acquisition of land in the Scheduled Areas or development projects and before resettling or rehabilitating persons affected by such projects in the Scheduled Areas; the actual planning and implementation of the projects in the Scheduled Areas shall be coordinated at the State Level.
▪ Constitutional provisions under Schedule – V also provide for safeguards against displacement of tribal population because of land acquisitions etc. The Governor of the State, having scheduled Areas, is empowered to prohibit or restrict transfer of land from tribals and regulate the allotment of land to members of the Scheduled Tribes in such cases. Land being a State subject, various provisions of rehabilitation and resettlement as per the RFCTLARR Act, 2013 are implemented by the concerned State Governments.
▪ “The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987” provides for legal services to members of Scheduled Tribes.
▪ “The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989” has been introduced to prevent the commission of offences of atrocities against members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, to provide for the trial of such offences and for the relief of rehabilitation of the victims of such offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Wrongfully dispossessing members of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes from their land or premises or interfering with the enjoyment of their rights, including forest rights, over any land or premises or water or irrigation facilities or destroying the crops or taking away the produce there from amount to atrocities and are subject to punishment under the said Act.
SPACE TECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare since early 80s has been funding various projects, under which Indian Space Research Organisation developed methodologies for Crop Production Forecasting.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare established a Centre, called Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre, in 2012, for operationalisation of the space technology developed in the Indian Space Research Organization, for crop production forecasting. ▪ The Department has another centre called Soil and Land Use Survey of India, which uses satellite data for soil resources mapping. ▪ Pre-harvest multiple crop production forecasting, at national-state-district level for 8 major crops of the country under the FASAL (Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, ▪ Agro-meteorology and Land based observations) project. ▪ District and sub-district level drought indicator assessment using satellite data, under NADAMS (National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System) project. ▪ National-State-District level Crop production estimation of 7 major horticultural crops using satellite data and horticultural developmental planning using geospatial technology, under
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CHAMAN (Coordinated Horticulture Assessment using Management using geoinformatics) project. ▪ Use of Satellite data for crop insurance (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana), including crop loss assessment, area discrepancy and yield dispute resolution, risk zoning, seasonality mapping, etc., under KISAN project. ▪ Crop intensification suitability planning in rice-fallow areas of 6 Eastern Indian States ▪ R&D studies on use of SCATSAT data for crop yield modelling.
ROOF TOP SOLAR POWER SYSTEM
Under the present rooftop solar programme, which was approved by the Government in December 2015, an aggregated capacity of 2100 MW is targeted to be achieved in residential, institutional, social and Government sector through central financial assistance by the year 2019-20.
As per data captured on the SPIN portal of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), a total of 1279 MW capacity grid connected rooftop solar PV systems have been reported installed in the country as on 31.1.2019.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Government is taking a number of steps to promote rooftop solar in the country, these include:
▪ Providing central financial assistance (CFA) for residential/institutional/social sectors and achievement linked incentives for Government sectors through Rooftop Solar Scheme. ▪ Persuading states to notify the net/gross metering regulations for RTS projects. Now all the 36 States/UTs/SERCs have notified such regulations and/or tariff orders. ▪ Prepared model MoU, PPA and Capex Agreement for expeditious implementation of RTS projects in Govt. Sector. ▪ Allocate Ministry-wise expert PSUs for handholding and support in implementation of RTS projects in various Ministries/Departments. ▪ Suryamitra program is being implemented for creation of a qualified technical workforce. ▪ Initiated DG S&D rate contract for solar rooftop systems. ▪ Creation of SPIN-an online platform for expediting project approval, report submission and monitoring progress of implementation of RTS projects. ▪ Initiated Geo-tagging of RTS project, in co-ordination with ISRO, for traceability and transparency. ▪ Facilitated availability of concessional loans from World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to SBI and PNB respectively, for disbursal of loans to industrial and commercial sectors, where CFA/incentive is not being provided by the Ministry.
5TH INTERNATIONAL DAM SAFETY CONFERENCE 2019
The 5th International Dam Safety Conference–2019 is being held during 13 and 14 February 2019 in Bhubaneswar as a joint initiative of the Government of India, Government of Odisha and the World Bank under aegis of the ongoing World Bank assisted Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) as a part of institutional strengthening.
HIGHLIGHTS
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▪ Dam Safety Conferences are being organized as an annual event in different DRIP States in collaboration with the Implementing Agencies and leading academic institutes to provide a common platform for all stakeholders including non-DRIP States. ▪ Globally India ranks third after China and the USA in terms of the number of large dams with 5264 large dams in operation and 437 large dams under construction. ▪ Presently, DRIP covers rehabilitation of 198 large dam projects located in seven States namely Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand. ▪ The overall implementation, supervision, and coordination of DRIP has been entrusted to the Central Water Commission. ▪ The objective of DRIP is not to provide budgetary support for regular Operation and Maintenance (O & M), but to bring new initiatives in the dam safety area through technological advancements, novel rehabilitation construction materials, best global dam safety practices, capacity building of dam owning agencies as well as other selected stakeholders, cross-learning among partners, publication of technical guidelines and manuals, strengthening of the State and the Central Dam Safety Organisations etc. ▪ Seismic Hazard Mapping of the entire country is being done to facilitate the dam safety professionals and dam owners to generate seismic design parameters for preliminary planning and design of water resources structures and seismic review of existing dams. In this context, a web bases Seismic Hazard Information System (SHAIS) is being develop for simplifying the procedures and analysis. ▪ Dam Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA), a software tool for asset management has been developed to capture authentic data pertaining to all large dams to act as information repository. It covers the monitoring and health information to regularly review the safety aspects of any dam.
SCHOOL EDUCATION QUALITY INDEX
▪ The SEQI is a composite index that will report annual improvements of states on key domains of education quality, conceptualised and designed by Niti Aayog and the HRD Ministry. ▪ Its larger vision is to shift the focus of states from inputs towards outcomes, provide objective benchmarks for continuous annual improvements, encourage state-led innovations to improve quality and facilitate sharing of best practices. ▪ In order to precisely report the quality of education imparted across India, SEQI is divided into two categories — Outcomes, and Governance & Management. ▪ These are further divided into three domains of Outcomes (Learning, Access and Equity) and two domains of Governance & Management (Governance Processes and Structural Reforms). ▪ Currently, the index has 34 indicators and 1,000 points, with the highest weightage given to learning outcomes (600 out of 1,000 points).
SAATH-E
▪ SATH-E (Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital in Education) project is based on formal agreements with the selected state. ▪ The fund for this will be shared between NITI Aayog and these states. ▪ Knowledge partners for the project will be the Boston Consulting Group and Piramal Foundation for Education leadership. ▪ These institutes will help in reviewing collection of data and implementation of the programme.
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▪ The primary aim of SATH-E programme is to bring about transformation in the elementary and secondary school education in the chosen states namely Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha. ▪ The SAATH-E Project envisages time-bound efforts in the direction of uplifting pre-college education. ▪ The academic year 2020 has been selected as the deadline by which the project will be completed. ▪ The progress will be monitored by a National Steering Group (NSG) under the chairmanship of CEC, NITI Aayog. The Chief Secretaries of the concerned states will be the members of the NSE.
CREDIT LINKED CAPITAL SUBSIDY AND TECHNOLOGY UP-GRADATION SCHEME
Cabinet approves continuation of Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) beyond 12th Plan for three years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ This scheme aims at improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic interventions aimed at up-grading technology through Credit Linked Capital Subsidy (CLCS), hand holding for zero defect zero effect manufacturing (ZED), increasing productivity through waste reduction (Lean), design intervention (Design), cloud computing (Digital MSMEs), facilitation of intellectual property (IPR) and nurturing new ideas (Incubation). ▪ Special provisions have been made in this scheme to promote entrepreneurship for SC/STs, women NER, Hill States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) Island Territories (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep) and the Aspirational Districts/ LWE Districts, as in these cases the subsidy shall be admissible also for investment in acquisition /replacement of plant & machinery / equipment & technology up-gradation of any kind. The scheme would be demand driven. ▪ In addition, the scheme through Zero Defect & Zero Effect, component will promote reduction in emission level of greenhouse gases and improve the competitiveness through reduction in defect / wastage during the manufacturing process of the products. It will also promote the innovation, digital empowerment of MSMEs, design interventions and support the protection of intellectual property of MSMEs. ▪ The scheme will facilitate technology up-gradation to MSEs, improvement in Quality of products by MSMEs, enhancement in productivity, reduction in waste and shall promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Zero defect and zero affect (ZED) aims to achieve a twin goal of production of high-quality products with clean technology.
▪ ZED Scheme aims to rate and handhold all MSMEs to deliver top quality products using clean technology. ▪ It will have sector-specific parameters for each industry. ▪ Zero defects will provide with high quality products for consumers and zero effect provides with minimal pollution of the environment. Thus, scripting a new role for MSMEs according to changing socio-economic scenario ▪ ZED being implemented by quality council of India ensures both capacity building and handholding of MSMEs together with assessment and rating of MSMEs in line with the global best practices and benchmarking.
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E-AUSHADHI PORTAL
Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters in New Delhi.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ e-AUSHADHI portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability. ▪ In this direction, this new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative. ▪ It is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability. ▪ It will provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for specific grievances.
ATOMIC ENERGY BASED POWER
The share of atomic energy in the overall electricity generation in the country was about 2.93% in the year 2017-18.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Government has taken several measures to enhance the generation from nuclear power plants in the country. The measures include
▪ Securing fuel supply by conclusion of fuel supply contracts with several countries for existing and future fleet of reactors under IAEA Safeguards and augmentation of fuel supplies from domestic sources. ▪ Augmenting nuclear power capacity: Resolution of issues related to Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act & Creation of Indian Nuclear Insurance Pool (INIP). ▪ Accord of administrative approval and financial sanction of - ten (10) indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) to be set up in fleet mode & two (02) units of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) to be set up in cooperation with Russian Federation. ▪ Amendment of the Atomic Energy Act to enable Joint Ventures of Public Sector Companies to set up nuclear power projects.
CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEME FOR REHABILITATION OF BONDED LABOURER
The Central Government has revamped the Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers with effect from 17th May, 2016.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Financial assistance is provided for rehabilitation of a rescued bonded labourer at the rate of rupees one lakh for adult male beneficiary, Rs. 2 lakhs for special category beneficiaries such as children including orphans or those rescued from organized & forced begging rings or other forms of forced child labour, and women and Rs. 3 lakhs in cases of bonded or forced labour involving extreme cases of deprivation or marginalization such as trans-genders, or women or children rescued from ostensible sexual exploitation such as brothels, massage parlours, placement agencies etc., or trafficking, or in cases of differently abled persons, or in situations where the District Magistrate deems fit. P a g e 36 | 65
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▪ The financial assistance for rehabilitation is 100% funded by the Central Government. ▪ The Scheme also provides for financial assistance of Rs. 4.50 lakh per district to the States for conducting survey of bonded labourers, Rs. 1.00 Lakh for evaluatory studies and Rs. 10 Lakhs per State per annum for awareness generation. ▪ Central Government will give 50% of the amount required for conducting Survey, Awareness Generation and Evaluatory Studies in advance. ▪ A State may conduct survey once in every three years per sensitive district. A State may conduct five Evaluatory Studies per year. ▪ The release of rehabilitation assistance has been linked with conviction of the accused. However, immediate assistance upto Rs. 20,000/- may be provided to the rescued bonded labour by the District Administration irrespective of the status of conviction proceedings. ▪ The Scheme provides for creation of a Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Fund at District level by each State with a permanent corpus of at least Rs. 10 lakhs at the disposal of the District Magistrate for extending immediate help to the released bonded labourers.
BHARAT 22 ETF
▪ Bharat 22 is an ETF that will track the performance of 22 stocks, which the government plans disinvest. ▪ The ETF unit represents a slice of the fund, issued units are listed on exchanges for anyone to buy or sell at the quoted price. ▪ The Bharat-22 ETF will span six sectors, such as basic materials, energy, finance, FMCG, industrials and utilities. ▪ Besides public sector banks, miners, construction companies, and energy majors, the ETF will also include some of the government’s holdings in SUUTI (Specified Undertaking of Unit Trust of India). ▪ The Bharat 22 ETF will be managed by ICICI Prudential AMC while Asia Index will be the index provider. ▪ The index will be rebalanced annually.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETFs)
▪ ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks. ▪ An ETF holds assets such as stocks, commodities, or bonds and generally operates with an arbitrage mechanism. ▪ It is designed to keep it trading close to its net asset value, although deviations can occasionally occur. ▪ ETFs may be attractive as investments because of their low costs, tax efficiency, and stock-like features. ▪ Bharat-22 ETF is the second ETF from Govt. of India after CPSE ETF, hence it is attracting investors in the stock market.
LADIS PORTAL
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) launched a new portal LADIS – Least Available Depth Information System.
▪ LADIS will ensure that real-time data on least available depths is disseminated for ship/barge and cargo owners so that they can undertake transportation on NWs in a more planned way. ▪ The portal being hosted on IWAI’s website www.iwai.nic.in has been developed in-house. P a g e 37 | 65
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▪ Initially LAD information will be available for NW-1, NW-2, Indo-Bagladesh Protocol route and NW-3, along with the date of survey. The facility will be expanded to other NWs also. ▪ IWAI has designed LADIS to facilitate the day to day operations of inland vessels plying on National Waterways and to avoid any hindrance in service and operation. ▪ It will enhance credibility and efficiency of information sharing to achieve seamless operations on National Waterways, besides pre-empting problems that may occur during movement of vessels.
PROJECT 75
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved indigenous construction of six submarines for the Indian Navy at a cost of over Rs. 40,000 crores.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Under Project 75, six Scorpene submarines are being built with assistance and technology transfer from DCNS of France under deal signed in October 2005. ▪ The Scorpene class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarine ▪ The first of the series INS Kalvari is completing sea trials and will be commissioned shortly. ▪ The other four submarines are expected to be launched at nine-month intervals after the INS Khanderi. ▪ At Present, the Indian Navy operates only 13 conventionally powered submarines and two nuclear submarines.
SAMANTHA EXPRESS
'Samantha Express' is a special tourist train covering prominent places associated with chief architect of the Indian Constitution Dr BR Ambedkar and Gautam Buddha.
▪ It will be run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation. ▪ It will embark on its maiden journey on April 14 from Nagpur. ▪ The train will cover Chaityabhoomi (Mumbai), Mhow (Indore), Bodhgaya (Gaya), Sarnath (Varanasi), Lumbini (Nautanwa), Kushinagar (Gorakhpur), Deekshabhoomi (Nagpur), all places linked with either Lord Buddha or Ambedkar.
CAR-T
▪ CAR-T is a personalized form of cancer treatment. ▪ CAR-T involves removing immune cells and modifying them in a laboratory so they can recognize cancer cells. ▪ Immunotherapy is treatment that uses your body's own immune system to help fight cancer ▪ First, the patient has blood removed and the white blood cells are separated out, with the rest of the blood being returned to the patient. ▪ A harmless virus is used to insert genes into T-cells, a special type of immune cell. ▪ These genes cause the T-cells to add a hook on to their surface, known as a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). ▪ These engineered CAR-T cells - programmed to recognize and destroy the patient's cancer cells - are multiplied in huge numbers and then infused back into the patient.
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GSAT-31
Indian Space Research Organisation will launch its latest communication satellite GSAT-31.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The launch vehicle Ariane 5 VA-247 lifted off from Kourou Launch Base, French Guiana carrying India’s GSAT-31 and Saudi Geostationary Satellite 1/Hellas Sat 4 satellites. ▪ With a lift-off mass of 2536 kg, GSAT-31 will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit. ▪ The satellite will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites. GSAT-31 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series. ▪ GSAT-31 has a unique configuration of providing flexible frequency segments and flexible coverage. ▪ The satellite will provide communication services to Indian mainland and islands.
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▪ GSAT-31 will provide DTH Television Services, connectivity to VSATs for ATM, Stock-exchange, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) and e-governance applications. The satellite will also be used for bulk data transfer for a host of emerging telecommunication applications. ▪ Scientists will undertake phase-wise orbit-raising manoeuvres to place the satellite in Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator) using its on-board propulsion system. ▪ During the final stages of its orbit raising operations, the antenna reflector of GSAT-31 will be deployed. Following this, the satellite will be put in its final orbital configuration. The satellite will be operational after the successful completion of all in-orbit tests.
AMAMI RABBITS
Japan’s Environment ministry has started to catch feral cats on Amami Oshima island to avoid them from preying on Amami rabbits.
▪ Ammai rabbits are endemic to the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. So it is also known as the Ryukyu rabbit. ▪ The Amami rabbit is a living remnant of ancient rabbits that once lived on the Asian mainland and it is often called a living fossil. ▪ The rabbit is a primitive, dark-furred rabbit. ▪ IUCN has classified the rabbit as endangered.
SWASTHYA BHARATHA YATRA
Tamil Nadu has received the Swasthya Bharat Yatra award under ‘The Best Performing State’ category recently.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ 'Swasthya Bharat Yatra' is a pan-India Cyclothon and a key element of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement. ▪ It was also organized in commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. ▪ Swasthya Bharat Yatra would provide the trigger for cascading the message of Eat Right India to every corner of the country. ▪ 'Eat Right India' movement has been launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. ▪ The 'Eat Right India' movement is a collective effort of key stakeholders and citizens. ▪ It is aligned with Government's recent focus on public health through its three key programmes, namely 'Ayushman Bharat', 'Swachh Bharat Mission', and 'POSHAN Abhiyaan'.
OPERATING RATIO
The finance minister said that the operating ratio of the railways is expected to improve from 98.4% in 2017-18 to 96.2% in 2018-19 and to 95% in 2019-20.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The operating ratio shows the efficiency of an organization’s management by comparing operating expense to net sales. ▪ The smaller the ratio, the greater the organization's ability to generate profit if revenues decrease. ▪ The operating ratio of Indian Railways was under stress by December 2018.
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▪ The main reason for the stress is that the expenditure is continuing to far exceed earnings and thereby Indian Railways is facing a dismal financial scenario. ▪ Higher operating ratio for railways simply means that the national transporter does not have money for capital investments. ▪ The implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission has put a heavy burden on the railways which contributed to the increase in its expenditure
MICROBIAL FUEL CELL
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical device that harnesses the power of respiring microbes to convert organic substrates directly into electrical energy.
▪ At its core, the MFC is a fuel cell, which transforms chemical energy into electricity using oxidation reduction reactions. ▪ The bacteria are made to act upon the organic substrates or waste water. ▪ These bacteria are isolated from the very wastewater they are meant to degrade. ▪ They feed on the organic material in the water and break it down under anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, releasing electrons in the process. ▪ The electrons are collected at the anode which results in a current in the circuit.
BLACK SOFT-SHELL TURTLE
Recently black softshells hatchings were released into the Haduk Beel (wetland) of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.
HIGHLIGHT
▪ The rare turtle species are being bred in the ponds of Assam’s shrines. ▪ India hosts 28 species of turtles, of which 20 are found in Assam. ▪ The black softshell turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) figures in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List as “extinct in the wild”. ▪ It is a freshwater turtle that is found in India and Bangladesh.
Consumption of turtle meat and eggs, silt mining, encroachment of wetlands and change in flooding pattern have had a disastrous impact on the State’s turtle population
SOVIET’S LUNA 9
Soviet’s Luna 9 was the first to achieve soft landing on the moon.
▪ Soft-landing denotes the landing of a space vehicle on a celestial body or on Earth in such a way to prevent damage or destruction of the vehicle. ▪ In other words, it is a landing by a spacecraft on the moon or a planet at a sufficiently low velocity for the equipment or occupants to remain unharmed.
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▪ Only three countries have ever soft-landed on the moon— the United States, the U.S.S.R. and China. ▪ The latest country to make the soft landing specifically in the far side of the moon is China by its Chang’e 3.
NATIONAL STATISTICAL COMMISSION
▪ The Government of India through a resolution in 2005 set up the National Statistical Commission (NSC). ▪ The setting up of the NSC followed the decision of the Cabinet to accept the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission, which reviewed the Indian Statistical System in 2001. ▪ The NSC was constituted with a mandate to evolve policies, priorities and standards in statistical matters. ▪ NSC works under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation. ▪ The NSC has four Members besides a Chairperson, each having specialization and experience in specified statistical fields. ▪ The Chief Statistician of India is the Secretary of the Commission
ARIKAMEDU
▪ Arikamedu is the ancient Roman trade centre. ▪ It is situated in the south of Puducherry on the right bank of Ariyankuppam River. ▪ The port town was inhabited by Romans, Cholas and French. ▪ The exports must have included textile, beads, semiprecious gems, glass and shell bangles as wastage at the manufacturing site suggests. ▪ The Romans must have used the Red Sea to come to India as traces of beads have been found in Alexandria and other Red Sea ports.
PRICE MONITORING & RESEARCH UNIT
Kerala has become the first State to set up a price monitoring and research unit (PMRU).
▪ It is to track violation of prices of essential drugs and medical devices under the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO). ▪ The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) had proposed such a system for the States and the Union Territories five years ago. ▪ The State Health Secretary would be the Chairman of the society and the Drugs Controller would be its member secretary. ▪ Its members include a State government representative, representatives of private pharmaceutical companies, and those from consumer rights protection forum. ▪ The society would also have an executive committee headed by the Drugs Controller. ▪ The new watchdog will offer technical help to the State Drug Controllers and the NPPA to monitor notified prices of medicines detect violation of the provisions of the DPCO look at price compliance collect test samples of medicines collect and compile market-based data of scheduled as well as non-scheduled formulations.
WORLD ECONOMIC SITUATION & PROSPECT REPORT 2019
The report is a joint product of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the 5 United Nations regional commissions. P a g e 42 | 65
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▪ According to the 2019 report, Global growth is expected to remain at 3% in 2019 and 2020. ▪ However, the steady pace of expansion in the global economy masks an increase in downside risks that could potentially exacerbate development challenges in many parts of the world. ▪ The global economy is facing a confluence of risks, which could severely disrupt economic activity and inflict significant damage on longer-term development prospects. ▪ These risks include 1. An escalation of trade disputes. 2. An abrupt tightening of global financial conditions. 3. Intensifying climate risks.
INDO-SARACENIC ARCHITECTURE
▪ It represents a synthesis of Islamic designs and Indian materials developed by British architects in India.
▪ The style was prevalent during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. ▪ The architecture style is characterized by a combined diverse architectural element of Hindu and Mughal with cusped arches, domes, spires, tracery, minarets and stained glass. ▪ Chepauk Palace in Chennai designed by Paul Benfield is said to be the first Indo- Saracenic building in India. ▪ The other outstanding examples are Muir college in Allahabad, Napier Museum in Thiruvananthapuram, Gateway of India in Mumbai, the Palaces at Mysore and Bangalore.
FLAMINGO SANCTUARY
Great Flamingos migrate to India between the months of December to February, important flamingo migration hotspots in India are as follows
1. Maharashtra - Sewri Mudflats, Thane Creek, Bhigwan. 2. Gujarat - Flamingo City, Thol Lake, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. 3. Rajasthan - Jawai Dam, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. 4. Odisha - Chilika lake 5. Telangana - Osman sagar lake 6. Andhra Pradesh - Pulicat Lake
▪ Maharashtra state forest department has declared Western side of Thane creek as Flamingo sanctuary in 2012. ▪ The sanctuary aims to protect the flamingos and several other birds that are threatened by pollution and habitat destruction in the north-eastern Mumbai area. ▪ The sanctuary is a part of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which has spread over three districts – Palgar, Thane and Mumbai Suburb.
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NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND
▪ National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was established in 1998, under Charitable Endowments Act 1890, vide Government of India Notification dated 12th November 1998. ▪ The NSDF supports sportspersons to excel in the field by providing opportunities to train under coaches of international repute. ▪ It also provides technical, scientific and psychological support and also in getting exposure to international competitions. ▪ Financial assistance is also provided to specific projects for promotion of sports and games sponsored by reputed Organizations/Institutes, provided the facilities so created are made available to a sizeable population of the area/region. ▪ The office of NSDF is located in Shastri Bhavan in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
RATOON CROPPING
▪ Ratoon cropping is a form of cultivation in which a second crop is allowed to grow from the remains of one already harvested. ▪ It is also called stubble cropping as the new plants grow from the stubble of the harvested crop. ▪ Sugarcane, pineapple and banana are crops in which this method is practiced. ▪ Ratooning cannot be used endlessly as the yield and quality decrease after each cycle. ▪ In sugarcane, for example, two or three ratooning crops are possible, after which fresh planting has to be done.
GURU PADMASAMBHAVA
Odisha Chief Minister unveiled a 19-foot-high statue of Guru Padmasambhava at Gajapati district recently.
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▪ He is the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. ▪ He is also known as second Buddha. ▪ Historians claim that Guru Padmasambhava was born and brought up in Odisha before he left for Tibet. ▪ In Tibetan, Guru Padmasambhava is generally referred to as Guru Rinpoche, which means “precious master.”
SELA PASS
The foundation stone for Sela Tunnel Project was laid recently
.
▪ The Sela Pass is called as Se La, as La means Pass. ▪ It is the high-altitude mountain pass located in Tawang District of Arunachal Pradesh. ▪ It has an elevation of 4170 m (13,700 ft) connects the Buddhist city of Tawang Town to Tezpur and Guwahati. ▪ It is the main road connecting Tawang with the rest of India. ▪ The Sela Lake also known as Paradise Lake is located near to the pass. ▪ It is usually open throughout the year unless landslides or snow require the pass
to be shut down temporarily.
TAZKIRAS
▪ Tazkiras are genealogies and short biographies. ▪ It is essentially a collection of life stories or biographies put together on a theme. ▪ The tazkira or “reminiscences” genre is a very old one in Persian literature. ▪ The musicians’ tazkiras were a new thing in the late 18th century, especially during the Mughal period in Medieval India. ▪ These tazkiras offers insights into the music, politics and society of the dying Mughal Empire. ▪ The minutest details obtained from it are the information about new cultural centers and patrons who supported the musicians.
HYDRO SIESMICITY
The recent Palghar earthquake swarms may be due to a phenomenon called “hydro-seismicity.”
▪ In “hydro-seismicity” water from heavy rainfall enters small fractures in rocks, which raises the pressure. ▪ It is estimates that with every 10 meter rise in groundwater pore pressure increases by 1 bar. ▪ The pressure built up due to the rise in ground water is released in earthquake swarms. ▪ Earthquake swarms are events where a local area experiences sequences of many earthquakes striking in a relatively short period of time.
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▪ The length of time used to define the swarm itself varies, but may be of the order of days, weeks, or months. ▪ They are differentiated from earthquakes succeeded by a series of aftershocks by the observation that no single earthquake in the sequence is obviously the main shock.
SHARK BAY
▪ Shark Bay is the World Heritage-listed marine ecosystem situated in Australia. ▪ Since 2011 it has been devastated by extreme temperatures, when a brutal marine heatwave struck off Western Australia. ▪ According to World Heritage Advisory Committee Shark Bay is classified as the highest category of vulnerability to future climate change. ▪ Shark Bay hosts the world’s most extensive population of Stromatolites – stump-shaped colonies of microbes that date back billions of years.
RAJIV GANDHI KHEL ABHIYAN
▪ It is centrally sponsored scheme which being implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. ▪ The scheme aims to construct block level sports complexes and conduct annual rural sports competitions. ▪ Following sports competitions at block, district, state and national levels are conducted under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan: 1. Rural Sports Competitions. 2. Sports Competitions exclusively for Women. 3. North East Games. 4. Sports Competitions for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Areas
▪ For the development of sports infrastructure in the country the Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme is being implemented under the scheme. ▪ National Sports Development Fund has been setup by union sports ministry with the objective of development and maintenance of sports infrastructure.
HELINA MISSILE
India recently test-fired its helicopter-launched version of NAG anti-tank guided missile, HELINA.
▪ It is indigenously designed and built by DRDO. ▪ Helina has a hit range of 7-8 km can be launched from army chopper. ▪ It is guided by an infrared imaging seeker (IIR) operating in the lock-on before-launch mode and helps in further strengthening the defense capabilities of the country.
E-COCOON APP
▪ Ministry of Textiles has launched a mobile application for quality certification in silkworm seed sector. ▪ The app will be used by the Seed Analysts and Seed Officers nominated under Central Seed Act for system and product certification through real time reporting.
CRYING SNAKE
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▪ It is a non-venomous crying keelback, whose zoological name is Hebius lacrima. ▪ ‘Lacrima’ means tear in Latin. ▪ The name for this keelback was suggested because of a dark spot under its eyes looking like black tear. ▪ The snake prefers to live near streams along paddy fields. ▪ It was found to feed on small fish, tadpole, frogs and geckos. ▪ The northeast is home to some 110 global snake species.
ALIMCO
▪ Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is a Miniratna Central Public Sector Enterprise. ▪ It is functioning under the Administrative Control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. ▪ It is 100% owned Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises. ▪ Its objective is to benefit the persons with disability to the maximum extent. ▪ The company makes it possible by manufacturing Rehabilitation Aids for persons with disabilities and by promoting, encouraging and developing the availability, use, supply and distribution of Artificial Limbs and other Rehabilitation Aids to the disabled persons of the country. ▪ The Corporation is the only manufacturing company producing various types of assistive devices under one roof to serve all types of disabilities across the country.
LUIRA PHANIT
▪ Luira Phanit is one of the most important festivals of the Tangkhuls Naga. ▪ Tangkhuls are a major Naga ethnic group living in the Indo-Burma border area occupying the Ukhrul district in Manipur. ▪ It is a traditional seed sowing festival which is famous for song ,dance and food. ▪ It also remains the greatest agriculture festival celebrated by the Tangkhuls. ▪ It is also called as ‘pork eating festival’ as a pig or cattle is killed during the festival.
MYSTICELLUS FRANKI
▪ It is a mysterious narrow-mouthed frog that was spotted in the seasonal roadside puddles in Kerala’s Wayanad district. ▪ It is a new species and belongs to a completely new genus, Mysticellus. ▪ Mysticellus is named after Latin ‘mysticus’, meaning mysterious; and ‘ellus’ meaning diminutive as the frog is just around 3 cm long. ▪ The species is named after evolutionary biologist Franky Bossuyt from Brussel’s Vrije Universiteit. ▪ Adults have two black spots that look like eyes on their backs, a defensive feature that probably helps startle predators. ▪ The frogs’ calls are extremely different as it resembles that of insects. ▪ Genetic studies further revealed that the frog is around 40 million years old and its nearest relatives live more than 2,000 km away, in Southeast Asia (including Indo-Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam). ▪ The genetic studies add strength to the theories that India and Southeast Asia were connected in the past by land bridges.
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GROSS DOMESTIC KNOWLEDGE PRODUCT
The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation in collaboration with Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) held a one-day workshop on the emerging concept Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP).
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ GDKP provides a fundamental measure of growth by including a wide range of factors that involve the creation and accumulation of knowledge. ▪ GDKP creates a comparable measure of the production of individual wealth based on knowledge. ▪ GDKP creates an optimal capital investment measure for private companies in knowledge rather then in other forms of capital investments. ▪ GDKP is based on four basic pillars 1. Knowledge items (Ki). 2. Country’s Knowledge Producing Matrix (CKPM). 3. Country’s Knowledge User Matrix (CKUM). 4. Cost of Individual Learning, compared to the Cost of Living.
GUIDELINES FOR AUDIO DEVICE
▪ World Health Organization and International Telecommunications Union issued a non-binding international standard for the manufacture and use of audio devices. ▪ WHO considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe. ▪ The safe listening devices and systems standard calls for “sound allowance” software to be included in all audio devices. ▪ It will track the volume level and duration of a user’s exposure to sound, and to evaluate the risk posed to their hearing.
NORD STREAM 2
▪ Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline project. ▪ Its purpose is to bring Russian gas under the Baltic Sea direct to Germany. ▪ The decision to build Nord Steam 2 was based on the successful experience in building and operating the Nord Stream gas pipeline. ▪ So it is an expansion of the Russia’s existing Nord Stream gas pipeline. ▪ It will also ensure a highly reliable supply of Russian gas to Europe.
SINHAGAD
▪ The Battle of Sinhagad took place on the fort of Sinhagad near the city of Pune, Maharashtra, India. ▪ The battle was fought between Tanaji Malusare commander of Maratha ruler Shivaji and Udaybhan Rathod, fort keeper under Jai Singh I who was a Mughal Army Chief. ▪ Tanaji Malusare lost his life but the Kondana fort was captured. ▪ The Sinhagad Fort was initially known as "Kondhana" after the sage Kaundinya. ▪ Shivaji renamed the fort from Kondhana fort to Sinhagad to honour the Commander Tanaji Malusare
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KATTAIKUTHU
▪ It is a Tamil-language based, physical and vocal form of rural, open-air ensemble theatre. ▪ It is widespread in the northern and central parts of the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. ▪ Kattaikkuttu uses different kinds of song, music, articulated prose, acting, movement, make-up and elaborate costumes. ▪ It produces all-night narrative events most of which are based on the pan-Indian epic, the Mahabharata. ▪ The performers – by tradition only men - sing, act and dance and the musicians accompany them on the harmonium, the mridangam and the mukavinai. ▪ It uses a wide range of media that require multiple skills, including a strong voice, versatile acting and movement skills and a talent for spontaneous comedy.
ISLAMIC REVOLUTION
The 40th anniversary of the Iran’s Islamic Revolution that took place in 1978-79 was observed.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The protests during the 1978-79 upended the Pahlavi dynasty and brought the theocratic regime. ▪ The reason for the revolution was to stop the oppression under the western secular policies of the authoritarian Shah of Iran. ▪ This movement against the United States-backed monarchy was supported by various leftist and Islamist organizations and student movements. ▪ After 1988 Iran was officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran. ▪ The Islamic Revolution impacted other Muslim majority countries by showing how to fight against oppression, westernization and secularization of society. ▪ Iran’s crude oil production, which makes up for 70% of the country’s export, saw a major fall following the Islamic revolution in 1979. ▪ United States of America imposed sanctions upon Iran following the revolution.
PHENOLOGY
▪ Phenology is the time of flowering, fruiting, and arrival of leaves. ▪ Across the world, scientists have recorded a shift in phenology in several tree species with the rising air temperatures. ▪ In Germany an examination of data from 1961 to 2000 showed that the phenology of fruit trees and field crops had clearly advanced as air temperatures had drastically changed since the late 1980s. ▪ Another study across Europe revealed that a warming in early spring (February to April) by 1 degree Celsius caused an advance in the beginning of the growing season by seven days. ▪ In India, Kani Kona flowers in Kerala blossomed two months ahead of Vishu. ▪ Vishu is the Malayalam New Year celebrated during the Mid-April. ▪ The ‘kani konna’ or the Indian laburnum is the state flower of Kerala.
ANNUAL DOLPHIN SURVEY
Annual Dolphin census was recently carried out in Odisha by the state’s forest and environment department.
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The census covered important aquatic ecosystems in the state including the Chilika lake, India’s largest brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts, the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and its nearby areas within the Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara district, Balasore district and the mouth of the Rushukulya River in Ganjam district.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Population declined from 469 in 2018 to 259 this year. The reduction in the number of dolphins compared to last year could be due to the migration of species from the Chilika Lake and other water bodies to the deep sea. ▪ Gahirmatha is the home of the state’s largest dolphin population, having 126 animals. More dolphins were found in Gahirmatha than Chilika due to its bigger areas. ▪ After Gahirmatha, Chilika had the next largest population at 113, followed by the Rushukulya River in Ganjam district, with 15 dolphins and finally, Balasore, with 5 individuals. ▪ The dolphin species sighted during the state-wide census included the Irrawaddy, the Bottle Nose and the Humpback.
Dolphins have been included in Schedule I of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and categorised as ‘Endangered’ on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2019
The World Sustainable Development Summit 2019 is being held in New Delhi. It is organized by The Energy and Resources Institute – TERI.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The World Sustainable Development Summit is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). ▪ World Sustainable Development Summit is the sole Summit on global issues taking place in the developing world. ▪ It provides a platform for global leaders and practitioners to discuss and deliberate over climatic issues of universal importance. ▪ It strives to provide long-term solutions for the benefit of the global community by assembling the world’s most enlightened leaders and thinkers on a single platform. ▪ It is continuing the legacy of Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) which was initiated in 2001 with the aim of making ‘sustainable development’ a globally shared goal.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is a leading think tank dedicated to conducting research for sustainable development of India and the Global South. TERI was established in 1974 as an information centre on energy issues. However, over the following decades, it made a mark as a research institute, whose policy and technology solutions transformed people’s lives and the environment.
LAPSING OF BILLS
The contentious Citizenship (amendment) Bill and the one on banning triple talaq are set to lapse on June 3 when the term of the present Lok Sabha ends as they could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha which has adjourned sine die.
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The Budget session was the last Parliament session of the present government. The 17th Lok Sabha has to be constituted before June 3.
When Does a Bill Lapse in Indian Parliament?
Articles 107 and 108 of the Indian Constitution deals with these provisions. When the Lok Sabha is dissolved, all business including bills, motions, resolutions, notices, petitions and so on pending before it or its committees lapse. They must be reintroduced in the newly-constituted Lok Sabha to be pursued further.
Cases when a bill lapse:
▪ A bill originated in the Lok Sabha but pending in the Lok Sabha. ▪ A bill originated and passed by the Rajya Sabha but pending in Lok Sabha. ▪ A bill originated and passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha. ▪ A bill originated in the Rajya Sabha and returned to that House by the Lok Sabha with amendments and still pending in the Rajya Sabha on the date of the dissolution of Lok Sabha.
Cases when a bill does not lapse:
▪ A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse. ▪ If the president has notified the holding of a joint sitting before the dissolution of Lok Sabha, does not lapse. ▪ A bill passed by both Houses but pending assent of the president does not lapse. ▪ A bill passed by both Houses but returned by the president for reconsideration of Rajya Sabha does not lapse. ▪ Some pending bills and all pending assurances that are to be examined by the Committee on Government Assurances do not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
➢ Adjournment (of a sitting) does not affect the bills or any other business pending before the House and the same can be resumed when the House meets again. ➢ Prorogation (of a session) does not affect the bills or any other business pending before the House. However, all pending notices (other than those for introducing bills) lapse on prorogation and fresh notices have to be given for the next session.
NATIONAL BOARD FOR WILDLIFE
India’s apex National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny. Only five projects were rejected since August 2014.
NBWL
▪ It is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. ▪ Its role is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country. ▪ Primary function of the Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests. ▪ It has power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries. ▪ No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without approval of the NBWL.
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▪ Composition: The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. It has 47 members including the Prime Minister. Among these, 19 members are ex-officio members. Other members include three Members of Parliament (two from Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha), five NGOs and 10 eminent ecologists, conservationists and environmentalists.
GHUMOT
Ghumot, an indigenous earthen drum will soon be notified as a heritage instrument of Goa.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Ghumot is an indigenous earthen drum fashioned as a designed clay pot, with the skin of the monitor lizard stretched taut across the pot’s mouth, forming a drumhead. ▪ It is a percussion instrument widely played during Ganesh Chaturthi Aarties. ▪ The instrument was banned due to the use of the skin of the endangered monitor lizard for the drum membrane. ▪ In recent years, ghumot makers have started using goat skin instead. ▪ The ban is applicable to the use of any animal listed in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and that the goat is not one of them. Monitor lizard is listed under this.
COBRA GOLD MILITARY EXERCISE
The United States and Thailand are hosting the multi-nation Cobra military exercise this year. The exercise is taking place in the northern Thai province of Phitsanulok. This is the 38th edition of this exercise.
▪ This is a Thai-American initiative with an aim to improve coordination between the armed forces. ▪ It is one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest multinational military exercises that is held in Thailand every year. ▪ It was first held in 1982 and its headquarters is in Bangkok, Thailand. ▪ India joined this exercise for the first time in 2016 while China was admitted for the first time in 2015 but was only allowed to participate in humanitarian assistance training.
BLOOD
A ready supply of safe blood in sufficient quantities is a vital component of modern health care. However, in 2015-16, India was 1.1 million units short of its blood requirements.
▪ There were considerable regional disparities, with 81 districts in the country not having a blood bank at all. ▪ Yet, in April 2017, it was reported that blood banks in India had in the last five years discarded a total of 2.8 million units of expired, unused blood (more than 6 lakh litres).
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▪ Blood is considered to be a ‘drug’ under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. ▪ Therefore, just like any other manufacturer or stores of drugs, blood banks need to be licensed by the Drug Controller-General of India (DCGI). ▪ For this, they need to meet a series of requirements with respect to the collection, storage, processing and distribution of blood, as specified under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945. ▪ Blood banks are inspected by drug inspectors who are expected to check not only the premises and equipment but also various quality and medical aspects such as processing and testing facilities. Their findings lead to the issuance, suspension or cancellation of a licence.
7TH WORLD GOVERNMENT SUMMIT
The seventh annual World Government Summit is being held in Dubai (UAE).
▪ The World Government Summit is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of government worldwide. ▪ Each year, the Summit sets the agenda for the next generation of governments with a focus on how they can harness innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity. ▪ It is basically a knowledge exchange centre at the intersection between government, futurism, technology, and innovation. ▪ It functions as a thought leadership platform and networking hub for policymakers, experts, and pioneers in human development. ▪ The Summit is a gateway to the future as it functions as a stage for analysis of the future trends, issues, and opportunities facing humanity. ▪ It is also an arena to showcase innovations, best practice, and smart solutions to inspire creativity to tackle these future challenges.
1ST AQUA MEGA FOOD PARK
The government has commissioned Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park at Tundurru Village in Bhimavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
▪ This is the 1st Mega Aqua Food Park operationalised exclusively established for fish and marine products processing in the State of Andhra Pradesh. ▪ It will provide a platform and establish backward and forward linkages covering the entire aqua food processing value chain, quality assurance, food safety and implementation of best practices in post-harvest management.
MOHAR RESERVOIR PROJECT
The Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department (CWRD) commenced the work on Mohar Reservoir Project in Balod district without ensuring the land required was acquired and obtaining environment and forest clearances.
▪ The Mohar reservoir project is proposed across the confluence of river Dangarh and Dalekasa with a catchment of 143 square km. ▪ The gross command area of the project is 1100 hectares. ▪ The proposed project is expected to irrigate 800 hectares of Kharif paddy and supply 1000 million cubic (1 TMC) water by feeder canal to Kharkhara reservoir for 500MW power plant of NSPCL in Bhilai.
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LAWASIA
The first LAWASIA Human Rights Conference was organised by LAWASIA, in association with the Bar Association of India recently.
▪ The conference aims to provide a unique opportunity for lawyers and associated professional members to exchange insights and expertise on topics of significant importance to all. ▪ Theme: “State Power, Business and Human Rights: Contemporary Challenges”. ▪ The conference explored a wide range of human rights issues of relevance in the Asia Pacific region.
LAWASIA
▪ It is a regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organisations and it advocates for the interests and concerns of the Asia Pacific legal profession. ▪ It provides a platform to promote the cross-jurisdictional exchange of legal knowledge; as a voice of the legal profession; and as a conduit for encouraging adherence to mutually-held principles of the rule of law, professional integrity and the protection of human rights.
AFRICAN UNION
▪ The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 countries of the continent of Africa, with exception of various territories of European possessions located in Africa. ▪ The bloc was founded on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and launched on 9 July 2002 in South Africa. ▪ The intention of the AU is to replace the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established on 25 May 1963 in Addis Ababa by 32 signatory governments. ▪ The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi- annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states. ▪ The AU’s secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa. ▪ Key objectives: To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and Africans. To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States. To accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent.
DRDO’s “DARE TO DREAM”
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched ‘Dare to Dream’, a contest to encourage start-ups and individuals to come up with innovative defence and aerospace technologies.
Applicants are invited to send innovative, workable proposals that can impact various related domains. The winning entries, which should specify the plan of executing it into a prototype, stand to get one of five prizes ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹10 lakh in two categories.
The military R&D organisation has asked for solutions in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, Cybersecurity, Hypersonic Technologies, Smart Materials, Quantum Computing, and Soldier as a System.
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MSMEs
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) restructuring package for small businesses announced last month will help recast Rs 1 lakh crore of loans for 7 lakh eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The scheme announced by RBI is a one-time scheme wherein a loan tenor and interest rate can be revised without classifying the asset as a NPA. ▪ The facility is available for standard advances of up to Rs 25 crore only. ▪ The scheme will help free up additional resources which will fuel demand and create further opportunities in the industry. ▪ The restructuring must be implemented by March 31, 2020. Banks will need to make a provision of 5% towards these restructured loans. Each bank/NBFC should formulate a policy for this scheme with board approval. ▪ Those MSMEs that are not exempt from GST will need to be registered on the GSTN on the date on restructuring.
FOREST RIGHT ACT, 2006
The Odisha State Food Commission has again asked the State government to expedite implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, that would help ensure food and nutritional security to the vulnerable section of society.
FRA
▪ The act was passed in December 2006. ▪ It deals with the rights of forest-dwelling communities over land and other resources. ▪ The Act grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities, partially correcting the injustice caused by the forest laws.
RIGHTS
▪ Title rights – Ownership to land that is being farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares; ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family, meaning that no new lands are granted. ▪ Use rights – to minor forest produce (also including ownership), to grazing areas, to pastoralist routes, etc. ▪ Relief and development rights – to rehabilitation in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement; and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection. ▪ Forest management rights – to protect forests and wildlife.
Eligibility to get rights under the Act is confined to those who “primarily reside in forests” and who depend on forests and forest land for a livelihood. Further, either the claimant must be a member of the Scheduled Tribes scheduled in that area or must have been residing in the forest for 75 years.
▪ The Act provides that the gram sabha, or village assembly, will initially pass a resolution recommending whose rights to which resources should be recognised. ▪ This resolution is then screened and approved at the level of the sub-division (or taluka) and subsequently at the district level.
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▪ The screening committees consist of three government officials (Forest, Revenue and Tribal Welfare departments) and three elected members of the local body at that level. These committees also hear appeals.
VAT CAU FESTIVAL
▪ Vat Cau is a centuries-old sport which began as a training exercise for soldiers in Vietnam and contains elements of wrestling and rugby. ▪ Vat Cau is the main draw of a three-day annual festival held during Vietnam’s much celebrated Tet Lunar New Year. ▪ Dating back to the 11th century, the game was invented by a revered general to teach his recruits about the importance of teamwork, intelligence and strength when fighting against foreign invaders. ▪ A single match has four separate teams of eight men wearing waist straps of different colours. They tussle over a 17kg (37-pound) ball made from the wood of a jackfruit tree, laboriously inching it towards one of the holes dug in each team’s corner.
FILM & TELEVISION INSTITUTE
▪ The permanent campus of Film and Television Institute will come up at Jollang-Rakap (Jote), Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh. ▪ It will be the first Film and Television Institute of entire North-East. ▪ This will the third Film and Television Institute of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the first two being FTII Pune and SRFTI Kolkata. ▪ It will provide a boost to the talented youngsters of the North-East in film and television sector.
SOLID FUEL DUCTED RAMJET
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the second indigenously developed ‘Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)’ propulsion-based missile system.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ It is a missile propulsion technology jointly developed by India and Russia. ▪ It will help both India’s surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles to perform better and enhance their strike range, making them more lethal. ▪ With it, India can have fastest long-range missiles in two categories, providing full-fledged and multi-layered aerial protection from hostile attacks. ▪ Its successful use in missiles will mark India’s entry into select club of nations that use next- generation missile technology against manoeuvring targets, compromising effectiveness of conventional missiles.
RAMJET
Ramjet is a form of air-breathing jet engine that uses the vehicle’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber where it mixes with the hot compressed air and ignites. A ramjet-powered vehicle requires an assisted take-off like a rocket assist to accelerate it to a speed where it begins to produce thrust.
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DRUGS TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD
The Centre, in a notification, has said that medical devices — all implantable devices, CT Scan, PET and MRI equipment, defibrillators, dialysis machines and bone marrow separators — will be treated as drugs for human beings with effect from April 1, 2020.
The decision was taken in consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board.
Majority of medical devices are completely unregulated in India. With this move, all implantable devices and some diagnostic equipment will be brought into the regulatory framework which is important from a patient safety perspective.
DTAB is highest statutory decision-making body on technical matters related to drugs in the country. It is constituted as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. It is part of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
CONSTITUTION (125TH AMENDMENT) BILL
The government has introduced Constitution (125th Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha to increase the financial and executive powers of the 10 Autonomous Councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the North-eastern region. The amendment will impact one crore tribal people in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The proposed amendments provide for elected village municipal councils, ensuring democracy at the grassroot level. ▪ The village councils will be empowered to prepare plans for economic development and social justice including those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry. ▪ The Finance Commission will be mandated to recommend devolution of financial resources to them. ▪ The Autonomous Councils now depend on grants from Central ministries and the State government for specific projects. ▪ At least one-third of the seats will be reserved for women in the village and municipal councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura after the amendment is approved. ▪ 6th schedule: The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration of the tribal areas in the four North-eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
SCHEME ARUNDHATI
The government of Assam has announced a new scheme called Arundhati to provide gold at free of cost to the brides.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Under the scheme, the government of Assam aims to provide 1 Tola Gold to brides belonging to all such communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at the time of the wedding. ▪ The scheme is named after Arundhati, wife of great sage Basistha. The government has set aside Rs 300 cr has been for the implementation of the Arundhati Scheme.
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▪ The benefit under Arundhati scheme can be availed upon formal registration of marriages under Special Marriage (Assam) Rules, 1954. ▪ The scheme is limited for economically weaker sections, whose annual income is below Rs 5 lakh.
GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES
Vowing to reduce the U.S. deficit with large economies, President Trump is planning to withdraw the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) from India, the world’s largest beneficiary of a scheme that has been in force since the 1970s.
BACKGROUND
The trigger for the latest downturn in trade ties was India’s new rules on e-commerce that restrict the way Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart-backed Flipkart do business in a rapidly growing online market set to touch $200 billion by 2027.
GSP
The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is a U.S. trade program designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing preferential duty-free entry for up to 4,800 products from 129 designated beneficiary countries and territories.
OBJECTIVES
▪ The objective of GSP was to give development support to poor countries by promoting exports from them into the developed countries. ▪ GSP promotes sustainable development in beneficiary countries by helping these countries to increase and diversify their trade with the United States. ▪ GSP provide opportunities for many of the world’s poorest countries to use trade to grow their economies and climb out of poverty.
Difference between GSP and the usual trade arrangement under WTO
Under the normal trade laws, the WTO members must give equal preferences to trade partners. There should not be any discrimination between countries. This trade rule under the WTO is called the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause.
The MFN instructs non-discrimination that any favourable treatment to a particular country. At the same time, the WTO allows members to give special and differential treatment to from developing countries (like zero tariff imports). This is an exemption for MFN. The MSP given by developed countries including the US is an exception to MFN.
INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INDEX 2019
The International IP Index 2019 has been released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC).
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ Released by GIPC, the Index evaluates the IP infrastructure in each economy based on 45 unique indicators, which are critical to the growth of effective IP systems.
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▪ The indicators encompass 8 categories of IP protection: patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, commercialization of IP assets, enforcement, systemic efficiency, and membership and ratification of international treaties. ▪ The 2019 Index demonstrates the close correlation between effective IP protection and economic growth, global competitiveness, and the creation of 21st century knowledge-based economies.
GOVERNMENT GRANTS DIVISIONAL STATUS TO LADAKH
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has granted Ladakh a divisional status. It will comprise Leh and Kargil districts, with headquarters at Leh. Earlier, Ladakh was a part of the Kashmir division.
▪ With this, there shall be three administrative units of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh in the State. ▪ The move leaves the Kashmir valley geographically the smallest division at 15,948 sq. km, Jammu division at 26,293 sq. km and Ladakh, the biggest division, at 86,909 sq. km. ▪ Ladakh will now get its own Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police. ▪ During the winter months, the entire Ladakh region remains cut-off from the rest of the country for almost six months. The remoteness and inaccessibility of the area makes it eligible for establishing a separate division.
GLOBAL FUND
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (or simply the Global Fund) is an international financing organization that aims to “attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to support attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.”
▪ Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. ▪ The organization maintains its secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. ▪ The Global Fund was formed as an independent, non-profit foundation under Swiss law and hosted by the World Health Organization in January 2002. ▪ In January 2009, the organization became an administratively autonomous organization, terminating its administrative services agreement with the World Health Organization.
LAIRCM SELF PROTECTION SUITES
US has approved a foreign military sale to India — two 777 Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Self-Protection Suites (SPS), for an estimated $190 million.
▪ LAIRCM is a programme meant to protect large aircraft from man-portable missiles. It increases crew-warning time, decreases false alarm rates and automatically counters advanced infrared missile systems. ▪ These systems will protect two Boeing-777 Head-of-State aircraft. This would bring the security of Air India One at par with that of Air Force One, the aircraft used by the American President. ▪ It consists of missile warning sensors (MWS), a laser transmitter assembly, control interface unit (CIU) and processors to detect, track, jam and counter incoming infrared missiles.
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DARWAZA BAND-PART 2
The Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen has launched the ‘Darwaza Band -Part 2’ campaign starring Amitabh Bachchan.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ The campaign, produced by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and supported by the World Bank was launched in Mumbai. ▪ The campaign talks about how a toilet must be used by all, always and under all circumstances (har koi, har roz, hamesha). ▪ The focuses on sustaining the open defecation free status of villages across the country. ▪ It focuses on ensuring that people’s behaviour is changed for good and everyone always uses a toilet.
ZERO FATALITY CORRIDOR
The Delhi government has kicked off its pilot project of creating Delhi’s first ‘zero fatality corridor’. It has also issued actionable points to all agencies to ensure a 10% reduction in road accidents by the end of the year.
Action plan for 2019
▪ This is first-ever Annual Action Plan for 2019 to ensure greater road safety in the national capital. ▪ The plan includes conducting a host of audits such as studying and identifying unsafe roads, transportation of schoolchildren, road signage, emergency care service and enforcement activities of agencies. ▪ The plan, mandatory under Delhi’s first ‘road safety policy’ released last year, is in line with the Delhi government’s plan to reduce fatalities due to road crashes by 30% by 2020. ▪ It binds all agencies — transport, public works department, health, education and Delhi traffic police — to a year-round set of actions to reduce road fatalities in Delhi. ▪ All district magistrates will ensure footpaths are continuous and encroachment-free. An action taken report will have to be submitted by all DMs monthly. ▪ The road safety cell will also contribute in improving traffic engineering. ▪ The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has been made the nodal agency for this.
HERA MISSION
The European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) Hera mission is set for a new record by becoming the first spacecraft to explore a binary asteroid — the Didymos pair.
The moon orbiting Didymos, called ‘Didymoon’ — almost the size of the Giza Pyramid in Egypt, measuring just 160 metres in diametre — will be the smallest asteroid ever explored.
Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)
▪ On the sidelines, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in USA will also launch the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) between 2020 and 2021, which will target Didymoon as part of its planetary defence programme. ▪ The programme, designed to protect Earth from dangerous comets and asteroids, aims to crash DART into Didymoon in 2022 to alter its orbit around Didymos.
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▪ DART will deliberately crash itself into the moonlet at a speed of approximately 6 km per second, using an onboard camera and autonomous navigation software. ▪ The collision will change the speed of the moonlet in its orbit around the main body. Following the collision, Hera would explore the asteroid in 2026 and check the impact and deflection created by DART.
FACTS
▪ Didymoon was chosen because of its close proximity to Earth and its size. ▪ Didymoon is small and in a tight enough 12-hour orbit around its parent, that its orbital period can indeed be shifted in a measurable way. ▪ Didymos is a binary asteroid; the primary body has a diameter of around 780 m and a rotation period of 2.26 hours, whereas the Didymoon secondary body has a diameter of around 160 m and rotates around the primary at a distance of around 1.2 km from the primary surface in around 12 hours.
VVPAT
The Election Commission recently informed the Madras High Court that it had made it clear way back in 2017 that there shall be 100% use of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system during the Lok Sabha election this year to gain voter confidence.
VVPAT
▪ The Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail is a method that provides feedback to voters. ▪ It is an independent verification printer machine and is attached to electronic voting machines. ▪ It allows voters to verify if their vote has gone to the intended candidate.
How do VVPAT machines work?
▪ When a voter presses a button in the EVM, a paper slip is printed through the VVPAT. ▪ The slip contains the poll symbol and name of the candidate. ▪ It allows the voter to verify his/her choice. After being visible to the voter from a glass case in the VVPAT for seven seconds, the ballot slip will be cut and dropped into the drop box in the VVPAT machine and a beep will be heard. ▪ VVPAT machines can be accessed by polling officers only. ▪ VVPAT is a machine which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip dropped in a box but the voter cannot take it home.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON
The State Bank of India’s UK head Sanjiv Chadha has been honoured with the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ award in recognition of his contribution to promoting the bilateral relations.
▪ Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by a City of London Corporation upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. ▪ The genesis of the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ is traced to the medieval time of around 1237. ▪ The honour enabled recipients to carry out their trade. The previous Indian recipient of the honour is Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
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GAJ YATRA
▪ ‘Gaj Yatra’, a nationwide campaign to protect elephants, was launched on the occasion of World Elephant Day in 2017. ▪ The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states. ▪ The elephant is part of India’s animal heritage and the Government celebrates this day to spread awareness about the conservation of the species. ▪ The 15 months campaign will be led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The campaign aims to create awareness about elephant corridors to encourage free movement in their habitat.
HOVEIZEH MISSILE
▪ Iran has announced the successful test flight of Hoveizeh long-range cruise missile. ▪ The Hoveizeh Cruise Missile is part of the Soumar family of cruise missile and has a range of over 1,350 km (840 miles). ▪ It is designed to use against ground targets. ▪ The Hoveizeh missile needs a very short time for its preparedness and can fly at a low altitude and is manufactured by the Aerospace Industries Organization of Israel.
HUBBLE TELESCOPE
Using the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered a dwarf galaxy in a globular cluster which is only 30 million light-years away.
The researchers determined that this galaxy — nicknamed Bedin 1, after discovery team leader L. R. Bedin of the INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova in Italy — is a “spheroidal dwarf” just 3,000 light-years wide.
▪ The Hubble Space Telescope is a large telescope in space. NASA launched Hubble in 1990. ▪ It was built by the United States space agency NASA, with contributions from the European Space Agency. ▪ Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts. ▪ Expanding the frontiers of the visible Universe, the Hubble Space Telescope looks deep into space with cameras that can see across the entire optical spectrum from infrared to ultraviolet.
INSTEX
It is a payment mechanism being setup by the European Union to secure trade with Iran and skirt US sanctions after Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal last May.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ INSTEX will allow trade between the EU and Iran without relying on direct financial transactions. ▪ INSTEX is registered at Paris with an initial 3,000 Euros in the capital and a supervisory board with members from France and Germany and chaired by the UK. ▪ It is a project of the governments of France, Germany and Britain and will receive the formal endorsement of all 28 EU members. ▪ It will initially be used for non-sanctionable trade, including humanitarian goods such as medicine, food and medical devices.
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SDG INDEX
The SDG Index released by the NITI Aayog.
The SDG Index aims to promote healthy competition among states and Union Territories (UTs) by evaluating their progress in social, economic and environmental terms which will help India achieve the UN SDG goals by 2030.
▪ The Index aims to provide a tool to policy-makers and policy-implementers in the states and UTs so that they get to know their performances for SDG targets. ▪ Based on their performances across 13 of the 17 identified SDGs, states and UTs were given scores ranging from 0 to 100. Goals like health-care, gender equality, clean energy, infrastructure, etc are measured. ▪ India has become the first country in the goal to measure the goals at a sub-national level. ▪ Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the top performing states in the country with score of 69 on the SDG India Index. Chandigarh has topped the list among the UTs. ▪ Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are at the bottom of the SDG Index. Such states need to focus a lot on the goals to improve. ▪ To achieve the SDG Index Government of India has launched many programmes focussed on Gender Equality, climate change and resource mobilisation. But still there are several issues like unequal distribution of resources in several regions, high air pollution in several cities, gender inequality, etc. ▪ Efforts are being done to get cleaner fuel, eliminate all single-use plastic by 2022, explore solar energy under International Solar Alliance, improving health and sanitation, ending open defecation by 2019 through the Swachh Bharat programme in India. All such efforts will help in making progress towards achieving the SDGs.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
▪ The idea of SDGs arose with the realisation that in the pursuit of development extensive damage has been done to the ▪ The targets of SDGs (17 Goals and 169 targets) set by the United Nations in 2015 that have to be achieved by 2030. It is called the “2030 Agenda”. ▪ Setting of targets to achieve the goals puts a pressure on governments to work on them. Citizens should also get involved in achieving it.
GSTA-7A
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched GSAT-7A on 19 December 2018 which is a dedicated communication satellite for defence purposes.
HIGHLIGHTS
▪ It is a military communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF). It will provide connections to various assets used by IAF uninterrupted in real time. ▪ It will enhance global operations of IAF. ▪ It will operate in Ku band (frequencies ranging from 12-14 gigahertz) transponder which has several advantages over C-band (frequencies ranging from 4-8 gigahertz) like more powerful satellite signals, smaller antennas, and non-interference of communication signals with terrestrial microwave systems.
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▪ Predecessor of GSAT-7A is GSAT-7 that provided secure connections for Indian ships in the vast Indian Ocean Region.
BACKGROUND
▪ GSAT-6 (launched in August 2015) is another sophisticated communication satellite gives an edge to Central Forces of India like CRPF when operating in Naxal-prone areas. ▪ India also has, in addition, which can do Earth imaging like the Cartosat series. They have special cameras that can constantly view over India and Indian Ocean Region. So, all such satellites provide India an edge in warfare. ▪ For navigation purposes, India has Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) or NAVIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation). It covers India and a region 1500 km around it. ▪ 7 operational satellites of IRNSS series = 3 Geostationary orbit satellites + 4 Geosynchronous satellites. ▪ Indian Navy already has a satellite GSAT 7 (Rukmini), launched in 2013, which provides it real time secure communications over the Indian Ocean Region.
COMMUNCATION SATELLITES
▪ An “artificial” satellite (different from “natural” satellites like Earth’s Moon) is an artificial object intentionally placed into orbit using a launch vehicle (rocket). ▪ Various types of artificial satellites include civilian and military Earth observation satellites, communication satellites, navigation satellites, weather satellites, and space telescopes. ▪ A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunications via a It creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and receiver at different locations on Earth. ▪ They can be used for television, telephone, radio, internet and military applications. ▪ They use a range of wide range of radio and microwave frequencies. ▪ Much of the world’s data, TV, and telephone communications are transmitted long distances by microwaves between ground stations and communication satellites. ▪ Frequencies in the microwave range are referred as S, C, X, Ku, K, or, Ka ▪ An artificial satellite used for military purpose is called a ‘military satellite’. They can be used for intelligence gathering, navigation and military communications. ▪ There are more than 300 military or dual-use satellites (in December 2018), mostly owned by USA, Russia, China and India.
GSAT SATELLITES
▪ The GSAT satellites are India’s indigenously developed communication satellites, used for digital audio, data and video broadcasting. ▪ Satellites like GSAT-6 (INSAT-4E), GSAT-7, GSAT-7A, GSAT-8 (INSAT-4G), GSAT-9 (South Asia satellite), etc are in service. FACTS
➢ 3RD INDO GERMAN ENVIRONMENT FORUM: Third Indo-German Environment Forum with the theme "Cleaner Air, Greener Economy:" is being held in New Delhi. The one-day event through panel discussions and parallel sessions focuses on challenges, solutions and necessary framework conditions of air pollution control, waste management and circular economy as well as implementation of NDCs and SDGs based on Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030 of UN respectively.
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➢ The number of human trafficking cases in the country more than doubled between 2013 and 2016. West Bengal accounted for one-third of all human trafficking cases in India between 2013 and 2016. Out of a total of 24,450 cases across the country in these four calendar years, 8,115 were reported from West Bengal. Of the 8,132 cases in 2016, West Bengal accounted for 3,579, or 44%.
➢ Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) recently came up with a tagging system to ensure communities residing within the biodiversity zone get Access Benefit Share (ABS) from their profits. The tag will show that the ingredients used are sourced from the nature. Under this, the sellers are supposed to pay 0.01% of their annual profit to the GSBB and the board will then use this amount to protect the habitat from where the ingredients are.
➢ Nilavembu kudineer: The Tamil Nadu government has distributed nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) concoction to treat people infected with dengue during the outbreak. Under in vitro conditions, nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) was found to provide protection against chikungunya virus while it was effective as a treatment during acute phase of dengue infection.
➢ Operation Smile: The ‘Operation Smile-V’ initiative launched by Hyderabad Police has helped in rescuing 325 children, who were either working as labourers or begging on the streets, since January 1 this year. Objective: To trace the missing children and rescue child labourers, Operation Smile-V was launched on January 1 across Telangana. Operation Smile also called as Operation Muskaan is an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to rescue/rehabilitate missing children.
➢ 160th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council, held in Rome in December 2018, approved India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023.
➢ Thailand makes Siamese fighting fish national aquatic animal: Known in the West as a betta fish, the underwater brawler is popular in home aquariums for its iridescent body and many-hued tail. IUCN status: Vulnerable.
➢ India’s first “career portal” has been launched in Rajasthan. It is aimed at addressing the needs of secondary and higher secondary students for information on scholarships and career choices. It was launched with the support of United Nations Children’s Fund. The portal is expected to help the students take “informed decisions” about their academic and professional pursuits.
➢ Kerala to get country’s 2nd longest rail tunnel: A 10.7-km railway line, including a 9.02-km tunnel, has been proposed to connect the upcoming Vizhinjam International Multipurpose Deepwater Seaport to the railway network. The 9.02- km tunnel, mooted by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL), will be the second longest railway tunnel in the country. The 11.26-km Pir Panjal rail tunnel, connecting Banihal and Hillar Shahabad, is the longest.
➢ Abu Dhabi has included Hindi as the third official language used in its courts, alongside Arabic and English, as part of a move designed to improve access to justice. The Indian community in the UAE, numbering 2.6 million, constitutes 30% of the total population and is the largest expatriate community.
➢ Uttar Pradesh has launched ‘Sarthi Sandesh Vahini’ mission. The ‘Sarthi Sandesh Vahini’ is a mission started by the state family welfare department with an aim to spread awareness regarding family planning in urban and rural areas. Under this campaign, vehicles will provide family planning information to the viewers through various documentaries and films.
➢ EXERCISE TOPCHI: It is an annual exercise held by Indian Army to showcase its artillery firepower, aviation and surveillance capabilities. The latest edition was held at Deolali Camp near Nashik.
➢ Selenium: Scientists have found that nanoparticles of selenium, an essential micronutrient, can be used as an antibacterial agent. Scientists found that selenium nanoparticles, owing to their unique structure and properties, may be more effective than antibiotics as they have a larger surface area and therefore can be more in contact with the external environment. Selenium is found naturally in wheat, eggs, cheese, nuts and sea food. It is an antioxidant and immunity booster.
➢ ‘Parmanu Tech 2019’ conference has been organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The conference discussed issues related to Nuclear Energy and Radiation Technologies. P a g e 65 | 65
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