Current Affairs (CONSOLIDaTION)

June 2021 (Part – II)

Drishti, 641, First Floor, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110009 Phone: 87501 87501, WhatsApp: 92058 85200, IVR: 8010-440-440 Email: [email protected] Contents

Polity and Governance...... 1 zz Redefining Boundaries of UAPA: Delhi High Court...... 1 zz Right to Reservation in Promotions for PwDs...... 2 zz Recusal of Judges...... 3 zz Petition to Poll Results...... 4 zz Controversial Role of Governors...... 5 zz Attorney General of India...... 6 zz Supreme Court’s Ruling on ONORC System for Migrant Workers...... 7 zz Electronic Weighing Machines at Fair Price Shops...... 8 zz Gujarat Prohibition Law...... 9 zz National Statistics Day...... 11 zz Reform Linked Borrowing...... 11 zz New Norms on Hallmarking of Gold...... 12 zz MoU for Seaplane Services in India...... 13 zz Jal Shakti Abhiyan - II...... 14 zz Policy for Declassification of War History...... 15 zz Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board...... 16 zz Helpline for Cyber Fraud...... 17 zz Inland Vessel Bill 2021...... 19 zz Strategy to Promote Medical, Rural and MICE Tourism...... 20 zz Censorship of Films in India...... 21 zz Inoperable Provision of NDPS Act: Tripura High Court...... 22 zz Class Action Suits...... 24 zz Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir...... 25 zz Special Purpose Vehicle for Mission Karmayogi...... 26 zz Fugitive Economic Offenders...... 27 zz Cyber Capabilities and National Power Report: IISS...... 28 zz 6 Years of Transformative Urban Missions...... 30 zz PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme...... 32 zz Not-for-Profit Hospital Model Study: NITI Aayog...... 33 zz Changes in Cable Television Network Rules...... 34 zz Improving Employability of the Youth...... 35

Economic Scenario...... 37 zz International MSMEs Day ...... 37 zz Agristack: The New Digital Push in Agriculture...... 38 zz Toycathon 2021...... 39 zz Gujarat International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC)...... 40 zz Increase in Direct Tax Collections...... 41 zz Integrated Power Development Scheme...... 42 zz Biotech-KISAN Programme...... 44 zz World Competitiveness Index 2021...... 44 zz Interest Rates on Small Saving Schemes...... 45 zz US’ Digital Millennium Copyright Act...... 47 zz Guidelines for Other Service Providers (OSPs)...... 47 zz Proposal to Ban ‘Flash sales’ on E-commerce Sites...... 48 zz RBI’s Proposals for Microfinance Institutions...... 49 zz World’s First Genetically Modified Rubber: Assam...... 51 zz G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting...... 52 zz Electoral Trust Scheme, 2013...... 53 zz Drone Survey Mandatory for All National Highways Projects...... 55 zz Nutrient Loss in Wheat & Rice...... 56 zz Economic Relief Package after Covid – Second Wave...... 57

International Relations...... 60 zz Zen Garden - Kaizen Academy...... 60 zz FATF Retains Pakistan on Grey List...... 61 zz Global Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal: SIPRI Report...... 62 zz Tax Inspectors Without Borders Programme...... 64 zz 8th ADMM-Plus Meeting...... 64 zz Antonio Guterres: 2nd Term UN Secretary General...... 66 zz China as a Security Risk: NATO...... 67 zz Antarctic Treaty...... 68 zz New Chinese Militia Units for High Altitudes...... 69

Science and Technology...... 72 zz Ebola Virus...... 72 zz Antibodies against Nipah Virus in Bats...... 73 zz Covid-19 Delta Plus Variant...... 73 zz Gain-of-function Research...... 74 zz Peter Pan Syndrome...... 75 zz Deep Ocean Mission...... 76 zz China’s Shenzhou-12 Manned Mission...... 77 zz Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt Cotton...... 78 zz New Doppler Radars in Maharashtra: IMD...... 79 zz LiDAR Based Survey of Forest Areas...... 80

Environment and Ecology...... 82 zz Great Barrier Reef ...... 82 zz Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2020: IRENA...... 83 zz Indian Initiatives Shaping Energy Transition...... 84 zz Bharitalasuchus Tapani: A Carnivorous Reptile...... 86 zz Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary: Assam...... 87 zz 4th Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan...... 87 zz Children and Digital Dumpsites: WHO Report...... 89 zz African Swine Fever...... 90 zz Black Softshell Turtle...... 91 zz Pygmy Hog...... 92 zz Ambergris...... 92 zz Link between Air Quality and Covid-19...... 93 zz Pyrostria laljii: New Species from Andaman...... 94 zz Energy Compacts ...... 96 zz Namami Gange Programme...... 97

History...... 98 zz Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay...... 98 zz Sant Kabir Das Jayanti...... 99

Geography...... 101 zz Summer Solstice: 21st June...... 101 zz Early Southwest Monsoon...... 102 zz Baihetan Dam: World’s Second Biggest Hydropower Dam...... 103 zz Rising Sea Levels ...... 104

Social Issues...... 106 zz Disability Early Intervention Centres...... 106 zz World Sickle Cell Disease Day 2021...... 106 zz Suicide Worldwide in 2019: WHO...... 108 zz International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking...... 109

Art & Culture...... 110 zz National Maritime Heritage Complex: Lothal...... 110 zz Humayun’s Tomb: Mughal Architecture...... 111

Security...... 113 zz Creation of Integrated Triservice Theatre Commands...... 113 zz The World Drug Report 2021: UNODC...... 114 zz Agni-P (Prime)...... 116 zz IN-EUNAVFOR Joint Naval Exercise...... 117 zz Krivak Stealth Frigates...... 118 zz India-US: PASSEX ...... 119 zz Exercise Sea Breeze...... 120 zz INS Vikrant: First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier...... 120 zz Jammu Drone Attacks...... 121 zz Project Seabird: INS Kadamba ...... 123

Miscellaneous...... 124 zz NATRAX-High Speed Track...... 124 zz Land for Life Award: UN...... 124 zz 42nd Session of FAO Conference...... 125 zz 7th International Day of Yoga...... 127 www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 1 Polity and Governance

Highlights zz Redefining Boundaries of UAPA: Delhi High Court zz Helpline for Cyber Fraud zz Right to Reservation in Promotions for PwDs zz Inland Vessel Bill 2021 zz Recusal of Judges zz Strategy to Promote Medical, Rural and MICE Tourism zz Petition to Poll Results zz Censorship of Films in India zz Controversial Role of Governors zz Inoperable Provision of NDPS Act: Tripura High Court zz Attorney General of India zz Class Action Suits zz Supreme Court’s Ruling on ONORC System for Migrant Workers zz Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir zz Electronic Weighing Machines at Fair Price Shops zz Special Purpose Vehicle for Mission Karmayogi zz Gujarat Prohibition Law zz Fugitive Economic Offenders zz National Statistics Day zz Cyber Capabilities and National Power Report: IISS zz Reform Linked Borrowing zz 6 Years of Transformative Urban Missions zz New Norms on Hallmarking of Gold zz PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme zz MoU for Seaplane Services in India zz Not-for-Profit Hospital Model Study: NITI Aayog zz Jal Shakti Abhiyan - II zz Changes in Cable Television Network Rules zz Policy for Declassification of War History zz Improving Employability of the Youth zz Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board

zzThe extent and reach of terrorist activity must Redefining Boundaries travel beyond the effect of an ordinary crime and of UAPA: Delhi High Court must not arise merely by causing disturbance of law and order or even public order. „„It must be such that it travels beyond the Why in News capacity of the ordinary law enforcement Recently, the Delhi High Court granted bail to student agencies to deal with it under the ordinary activists in a Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), penal law. 1967 case. €€Careful while Defining Unlawful Activities: ¾¾While delivering the judgement, the court redefined zzThe courts must be careful in employing the the boundaries of the otherwise “vague” Section 15 definitional words and phrases used in Section of the UAPA. 15 of UAPA in their absolute literal sense, they Key Points should differentiate clearly how terrorism is different even from conventional, heinous crime. ¾¾High Court’s Ruling: „„Section 15of the UAPA defines “terrorist act” €€Extent of Terrorist Activity: and is punishable with imprisonment for a zzTerrorist activity cannot be broadly defined to term of at least five years to life. In case the include ordinary penal offences. terrorist act results in death, the punishment „„By doing so, it raised the bar for the State is death or imprisonment for life. to book an individual for terrorism under „„The court referred to how the Supreme the UAPA. Court itself, in case of Kartar Singh v State

Note: 2 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

of Punjab 1994, flagged similar concerns the same manner, even if crime is committed on a against the misuse of another anti-terror foreign land, outside India. law, the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities ¾¾Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a (Prevention) Act, 1987 (lapsed in 1995). charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests €€Intent of Enacting UAPA: and the duration can be extended further after zzTo bring terrorist activity within its scope, was, intimating the court. and could only have had been, to deal with ¾¾The 2004 amendment added “terrorist act” to the matters of profound impact on the ‘Defence of list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist India’, nothing more and nothing less. activities, under which 34 outfits were banned. zzIt was neither the intent nor purport of enacting €€Till 2004, “unlawful” activities referred to actions UAPA that other offences of the usual and related to secession and cession of territory. ordinary kind, however grave, egregious or ¾¾In August, Parliament cleared the Unlawful Activities heinous in their nature and extent, should also (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019 to designate be covered by UAPA. individuals as terrorists on certain grounds provided €€Right to Protest: in the Act. zzObserved that protests against Governmental €€The Act empowers the Director General of National and Parliamentary actions are legitimate; Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval of and though such protests are expected to be seizure or attachment of property when the case peaceful and non-violent, it is not uncommon for is investigated by the said agency. protesters to push the limits permissible in law. €€The Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the zzThe line between the constitutionally guaranteed rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases right to protest (Article 19) and terrorist activity of terrorism in addition to those conducted by seems to be getting somewhat blurred. the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in a state. ¾¾Significance of the Ruling: €€This is the first instance of a court calling out alleged misuse of the UAPA against individuals Right to Reservation in cases that do not necessarily fall in the category in Promotions for PwDs of “terrorism” cases. zzAccording to data provided by the Ministry of Why in News Home Affairs in Parliament in March, a total of 1126 cases were registered under UAPA in The Supreme Court of India has recently held that 2019, a sharp rise from 897 in 2015. persons with physical disabilities have the right to reservation in promotions also. Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967 ¾¾A disabled particular person can avail the advantage ¾¾UAPA was passed in 1967. It aims at effective prevention of reservation for promotion even when she or he of unlawful activities associations in India. was recruited within the common class or developed the incapacity after gaining employment. €€Unlawful activity refers to any action taken by an individual or association intended to disrupt Key Points the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. ¾¾ ¾¾The Act assigns absolute power to the central About the Case: government, by way of which if the Centre deems an €€The case was based on a claim under the Persons activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection Gazette, declare it so. of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. €€It has death penalty and life imprisonment as zzThis Act has been replaced with the Rights of highest punishments. Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. ¾¾Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can €€The Kerala Administrative Tribunal rejected the plea be charged. It will be applicable to the offenders in of applicant stating that the rule of Recruitment

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 3

in the State of Kerala, General Rules and other zzIn addition, the Government has been authorized orders issued by the Government under Section 32 to notify any other category of specified disability. of the 1995 Act did not provide for any reservation €€It increases the quantum of reservation for in promotions. people suffering from disabilities from 3% to 4% €€The Kerala High Court set aside the decision of in government jobs and from 3% to 5% in higher the Kerala Administrative Tribunal. education institutes. ¾¾Importance of Judgement: €€Every child with benchmark disability between the €€The 1995 Act recognizes the right to reservation age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the right in promotion. to free education. €€Identification of posts for reservation as per zzGovernment funded educational institutions as Section 32 of the 1995 Act is a prerequisite for well as the government recognized institutions appointment; but appointment cannot be frustrated will have to provide inclusive education. by refusing to identify posts. €€Stress has been given to ensure accessibility in €€The absence of provision for reservation in the public buildings in a prescribed time frame along recruitment rules will not defeat the right of a with the Accessible India Campaign. PwD as such right flows from the legislation. €€The Chief Commissioner for Persons with €€Reservation to promotioncan be given to a PwD Disabilitiesand the State Commissioners will act even if the person was not originally appointed as regulatory bodies and Grievance Redressal in the PwD quota. agencies, monitoring implementation of the Act. €€A will be created €€Further, the responsibility to provide equal separate National and State Fund opportunities to disabled persons does not end to provide financial support to the persons with with giving them reservation at the time of disabilities. recruitment. ¾¾Constitutional Framework for Disabled in India: €€Legislative mandateprovides for equal opportunity €€Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State for career progression, including promotion. Policy (DPSP) states that State shall make effective provision for securing right to work, to education zzThus, it would be negation of the legislative and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, mandate if promotion is denied to PwD and old age, sickness and disablement, within the such reservation is confined to the initial stage limits of its economic capacity and development. of induction in service. €€State Subject: The subject of ‘relief of the disabled zzThis would in fact result in stagnation of the and unemployable’ is specified in thestate list of disabled in a consequential frustration. the Seventh Schedule of the constitution. ¾¾Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016: €€It fulfills the obligations to the United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Recusal of Judges Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which India is a signatory. €€Disability has been defined based on an evolving Why in News and dynamic concept. Recently, two Supreme Court (SC) judges have zzThe types of disabilities have been increased recused themselves from hearing cases relating to West from 7 to 21. Bengal. zzThe Act added mental illness, autism, spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Key Points chronic neurological conditions, speech and ¾¾Recusal: language disability, thalassemia, hemophilia, €€It is the act of abstaining from participation in an sickle cell disease, multiple disabilities including official actionsuch as a legal proceeding due to a deaf blindness, acid attack victims and Parkinson’s conflict of interest of the presiding court official disease which were largely ignored in earlier act. or administrative officer.

Note: 4 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Reason for Recusal: although several SC judgments have dealt with €€When there is a conflict of interest, a judge can the issue. withdraw from hearing a case to prevent creating zzIn Ranjit Thakur v Union of India (1987), the a perception that he carried a bias while deciding SC held that the test of the likelihood of bias the case. is the reasonableness of the apprehension in €€The conflict of interest can be in many ways such as: the mind of the party. zzHaving a prior or personal association with a zzThe judge needs to look at the mind of the party party involved in the case. before him, and decide that he is biased or not. zzAppeared for one of the parties involved in ¾¾Concerns: a case. €€Undermining Judicial Independence: zzEx parte communications with lawyers or zzIt allows litigants to cherry-pick a bench of their non-lawyers. choice, which impairs judicial fairness. zzAn appeal is filed in the SC against ajudgement of zzAlso, the purpose of recusal in these cases a High Court (HC) that may have been delivered undermines both independence and impartiality by the SC judge when he was in the HC. of the judges. zzIn a matter of a company in which he holds €€Different Interpretations: unless he has disclosed his interest and shares zzAs there are no rules to determine when the there is no objection to it. judges could recuse themselves in these cases, €€The practice stems from the cardinal principle of there are different interpretations of the same due process of law that nobody can be a judge situation. in her own case. €€Delays the Process: zzAny interest or conflict of interest would be a zzSome requests for recusal are made with the from a case since a judge ground to withdraw intent to intimidate the court or to get better has a duty to act fair. of an ‘inconvenient’ judge or to obfuscate the ¾¾Decision & Process of Recusal: issues or to cause obstruction and delay the €€The decision to recuse generally comes from the proceedings or in any other way frustrate or judge himself as it rests on the conscience and obstruct the course of justice. discretion of the judge to disclose any potential conflict of interest. Petition to Poll Results zzSome judges orally convey to the lawyers involved in the case their reasons for recusal, many do not. Some explain the reasons in Why in News their order. Recently, the West Bengal Chief Minister has filed €€In some circumstances, lawyers or parties in the an election petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging case bring it up before the judge. Once a request the Assembly election result of Nandigram constituency. is made for recusal, the decision to recuse or not rests with the judge. Key Points zzWhile there are some instances where judges ¾¾Election Petition: have recused even if they do not see a conflict €€The Election Commission’s role ends with the but only because such an apprehension was declaration of results, after that, an election cast, there have also been several cases where petition is the only legal remedy available to a judges have refused to withdraw from a case. voter or a candidate who believes there has been €€If a judge recuses, the case is listed before the malpractice in an election. Chief Justice for allotment to a fresh Bench. €€Such a person can challenge the result through ¾¾Rule for Recusal: an election petition submitted to the High Court €€There are no formal rules governing recusals, of the state in which the constituency is located.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 5

€€Such a petition has to be filed within 45 days from €€In addition to that, the petitioner may also ask the date of the poll results; nothing is entertained the court to declare her (in case the petition is by courts after that. filed by a candidate) or any other candidate as the €€Although the Representative of the People Act winner or duly elected. (RP Act) of 1951 suggests that the High Court €€So the verdict on an election petition, if found should try to conclude the trial within six months, in favour of the petitioner, may result in a fresh it usually drags on for much longer, even years. election or the court announcing a new winner. ¾¾Grounds on which Election Petition be Filed (Section ¾¾History of Election Results Declared Void: 100 of the RP Act): €€The most famous being the Allahabad High Court which set aside €€On the day of the election, thewinning candidate verdict of 1975 Indira Gandhi’s was not qualified to contest. election from Rae Bareli constituency, four years earlier, on grounds of corrupt practice. €€The winning candidate, his poll agent or any other person with the consent of the winning candidate has indulged in a corrupt practice. Controversial Role of Governors €€Improper acceptance of the nomination of the winning candidate or improper rejection of a Why in News nomination. Recently, the West Bengal Chief Minister described €€Malpractice in the counting process, which includes the Governor of the state as the central government’s improper reception, refusal or rejection of any own person. vote, or the reception of any vote which is void. ¾¾The Chief Minister, including several MPs, have written €€Non-compliance with the provisions of the to the President of India demanding the withdrawal Constitution or the RP Act or any rules or orders of the Governor. made under the RP Act. ¾¾If Verdict is in favour of the Petitioner (Section 84 Key Points of the RP Act): ¾¾Constitutional Provisions Related to Governor: €€The petitioner may ask that the results of all or €€Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor the winning candidates may be declared void. for each State. One person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States. Provisions under RP Act 1951 zzA Governor is appointed by the President and ¾¾It regulates the actual conduct of elections and is a nominee of the Central Government. by-elections. €€It is stated that the Governor has a dual role. ¾¾It provides administrative machinery for conducting zzHe is the constitutional head of the state, bound elections. by the advice of his council of ministers (CoM). ¾¾It deals with the registration of political parties. zzHe functions as avital link between the Union ¾¾It specifies the qualifications and disqualifications Government and the State Government. for membership of the Houses. €€Articles 157 and 158specify eligibility requirements ¾¾It provides provisions to curb corrupt practices for the post of governor. and other offences. €€Governor has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, €€Section 123 of the RP Act has a detailed list of etc. (Article 161). what amounts to corrupt practice, including €€There is a CoM with the CM at the head to aid bribery, use of force or coercion, appeal to vote and advise the Governor in the exercise of his or refrain from voting on grounds of religion, functions,except some conditions for discretion. race, community, and language. (Article 163). ¾¾It lays down the procedure for settling doubts and €€Governor appoints the Chief Minister and other arising out of elections. disputes Ministers (Article 164).

Note: 6 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Governor assents, withholds assent, or reserves €€The “Punchhi commission - 2010” recommended the bill for the consideration of the President that Articles 355 & 356 be amended. passed by the Legislative Assembly(Article 200). €€The Sarkaria Commission (1988) recommended €€Governor may promulgate the Ordinances under that Article 356 should be used in very rare certain circumstances (Article 213). cases when it becomes unavoidable to restore ¾¾Controversies Related to Governor’s Role: the breakdown of constitutional machinery in €€Abuse of Power by the Centre: There are numerous the State. examples of the Governor’s position being abused, €€Recommendations have also been given by the usually at the behest of the ruling party at the Administrative Reforms Commission (1968), Centre. Rajamannar Committee (1971) and Justice zzThe process of appointment has generally been V.Chelliah Commission (2002). the cause behind it. ¾¾On Dismissal of State Government under Article 356: €€Biased Ideology: In several cases, politicians and €€S.R. Bommai Judgment (1994): The case put an end former bureaucrats identifying with a particular to the arbitrary dismissal of State governments political ideology have been appointed as the by a hostile Central government. Governors by the central government. zzThe verdict ruled that the floor of the Assembly zzThis goes against the constitutionally mandated is the only forum that should test the majority neutral seat and has resulted in bias, as appears of the government of the day, and not the to have happened in Karnataka and Goa. subjective opinion of the Governor. €€Puppet Rulers: Recently, the Governor of Rajasthan ¾¾On Discretionary Powers: has been charged with the violation of the model €€The Supreme Court in the Nabam Rebia judgment code of conduct. His support of the central ruling (2016) ruled that the exercise of Governor’s party is against the spirit of non-partisanship that discretion Article 163 is limited and his choice of is expected from the person sitting on constitutional action should not be arbitrary or fanciful. posts. zzDue to such incidents, negative terms like an Attorney General of India agent of the Centre, Puppet and rubber stamps are used to describe a governor of the state. €€Favouring a Particular Political Party:Governor’s Why in News discretionary powers to invite the leader of the The central government has extended the term largest party/alliance, post-election, to form the of K.K. Venugopal as Attorney General (AG) for one government has often been misused to favour a more year. particular political party. ¾¾This is the second time the Centre has extended €€Misuse of Power: A Governor’s recommendation his tenure. Venugopal received his first extension of for President’s Rule (Article 356) in a state has not term in 2020. always been based on ‘objective material’, but on ¾¾Venugopal was appointed the 15th AG of India in political whim or fancy. 2017. He succeeded Mukul Rohatgi who was AG from 2014-2017. Related Recommendations ¾¾He would be in command of the government’s legal ¾¾On Appointment and Removal of Governor: defence in several sensitive cases pending in the €€The “Punchhi commission - 2010” recommended Supreme Court, which includes the challenge to the that there should be a provision for the impeachment abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the of the governor by the state legislature. Citizenship Amendment Act. zzThe state chief minister should have a say in the governor’s appointment. Key Points ¾¾On the Use of Article 356: ¾¾About:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 7

€€The Attorney General (AG) of India isa part of the ¾¾Solicitor General of India and Additional Solicitor Union Executive. AG is the highest law officer in General of India assist the AG in fulfillment of the the country. official responsibilities. €€Article 76 of the Constitution provides for the ¾¾Corresponding Office in the States:Advocate General office of AG of India. (Article 165). ¾¾Appointment and Eligibility: €€AG is appointed by the President on the advice Supreme Court’s of the government. €€S/he must be a person who is qualified to be Ruling on ONORC appointed a judge of the Supreme Court, i.e. s/ System for Migrant Workers he must be a citizen of India and must have been a judge of some high court for five years or an advocate of some high court for ten years or an Why in News eminent jurist, in the opinion of the President. Recently, the Supreme Court directed all states and ¾¾Term of the Office: Not fixed by the Constitution. Union Territories (UT) to implement the One Nation, One ¾¾Removal: Procedures and grounds for the removal Ration Card (ONORC) system by 31st July 2021. of AG are not stated in the Constitution. S/he holds ¾¾The scheme allows migrant labourers covered under office during the pleasure of the President (may be the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to access food removed by the President at any time). at any fair price shop with his or her ration card in ¾¾Duties and Functions: any part of the country. €€To give advice to the Government of India (GoI) upon such legal matters, which are referred to Key Points her/him by the President. ¾¾Right to Food: €€ To perform such other duties of a legal character €€The fundamental right to life under Article 21 of that are assigned to her/him by the President. the Constitution may be interpreted to include zzTo appear on behalf of the GoI in all cases in the right to live with human dignity, having the the Supreme Court or in any case in any High right to food and other basic necessities. Court in which the GoI is concerned. ¾¾Importance of Migrants: zzTo represent the GoI in any reference made €€There are around 38 crore workers engaged in by the President to the Supreme Court under the unorganized sectors (National Statistics Office Article 143 (Power of the President to consult the Supreme Court) of the Constitution. (NSO) data of 2017-2018). €€These unorganized workers €€To discharge the functions conferred on her/him did not have any by the Constitution or any other law. permanent source of employment and have engaged themselves in small time vocations and ¾¾Rights and Limitations: occupations at various places away from their €€S/he has the right to speak and to take part in the native places. proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting and any committee of the €€Contributionsof these labourers towards different Parliament of which s/he may be named a member, projects, industries, make considerable additions but without a right to vote. in the economic development of the country. €€S/he enjoys all the privileges and immunitiesthat ¾¾Database: are available to a member of Parliament. €€Criticized the Labour Ministry for not completing €€S/he does not fall in the category of government the work of the Rs 45.39-crore National Database servants. S/he is not debarred from private legal for Unorganised Workers (NDUW) portal to register practice. and identify migrant workers. €€However, s/he should not advise or hold a brief zzThe Court had ordered the Ministry to finalise against the GoI. the NDUW module way back in 2018.

Note: 8 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Directed the States/UTs to register establishments zzWhile the Annavitaran portal maintains a record and license contractors under the Inter-State of intra-state transactions - inter-district and Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment intra-district - the IM-PDS portal records the and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 and ensure inter-state transactions. that they provide the authorities complete details ¾¾ONORC Coverage: of the workers employed with them. €€Till date, 32 states and UTs have joined the ONORC, ¾¾Redetermination of Beneficiaries under NFSA: covering about 69 crore NFSA beneficiaries. zzDirected the Centre “to undertake exercise €€Four states are yet to join the scheme - Assam, under Section 9 of the National Food Security Chhattisgarh, Delhi and West Bengal. Act, 2013” to re-determine the total number of €€While inter-state ration card portability is available persons to be covered under Rural and Urban in 32 states, the number of such transactions is areas of the State. much lower than that of intra-district and inter- district transactions. ONORC System ¾¾Benefits: ¾¾Background: €€Under the ONORC, the beneficiaries from one state €€Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), can get their share of rations in other states where 2013, about 81 crore people are entitled to buy the ration card was originally issued. subsidised food grains - rice at Rs 3/kg, wheat €€ONORC will also give the beneficiaries the at Rs 2/kg, and coarse grains at Re 1/kg – from opportunity to opt for the dealer of their choice. designated fair price shops. €€It will be particularly beneficial for women and other €€However, NFSA beneficiaries were not able to disadvantaged groups, given how social identity access their PDS (Public Distribution System) (caste, class and gender) and other contextual benefits outside the jurisdiction of the specific factors (including power relations) provide a strong fair price shop to which they have been assigned. backdrop in accessing PDS. €€ By introducing ONORC, the idea was to reform €€This will help achieve the target set under the PDS, which has been historically marred by SDG(Sustainable development Goals) 2 (Ending inefficiency and leakages. hunger by 2030). Also, it will address the poor state ¾¾Launch: of hunger in India, as highlighted by the Global €€ONORC was launched in August, 2019. Hunger Index, where India has been ranked 94 ¾¾Aim: out of 107 countries. €€The ONORC scheme is aimed at enabling migrant workers and their family members to buy subsidised Electronic Weighing ration from any fair price shop anywhere in the country under the NFSA. Machines at Fair Price Shops €€To promote this reform in the PDS, the government has provided incentives to states and also set a Why in News precondition for additional borrowing by states The Central Government has asked the States Govern- during the Covid-19 pandemic last year. ments to buy electronic weighing machines for ration ¾¾Technology Used: shops from electronic Point of Sale devices (ePoS) savings. €€ONORC is based on technology that involves ¾¾For this, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs has amended details of beneficiaries’ ration card, Aadhaar the Food Security (Assistance To State Government number, and electronic Points of Sale (ePoS). The Rules) 2015 to encourage the states to generate savings system identifies a beneficiary through biometric through judicious use of e-PoS devices. authentication on ePoS devices at fair price shops. €€The system runs with the support of two portals Key Points - Integrated Management of Public Distribution ¾¾About the Food Security (Assistance to State System (IM-PDS) and Annavitran. Government Rules) 2015:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 9

€€Additional Margin to Fair Price Shops: The rules zz5 Kgs of foodgrains per person per month at were notified to give additional margin to fair Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains. price shop dealers for sale through e-PoS as zzThe existing AAY household will continue to an incentive to ensure transparent recording of receive 35 Kgs of foodgrains per household transactions at all levels. per month. zzThe margin on food grain sold through ePoS is zzMeal and maternity benefit of not less than provided as “Fair Price Shop dealers margin”. Rs. 6,000 to pregnant women and lactating zzIt is meant to go towards the cost of purchase, mothers during pregnancy and six months after operation and maintenance of the point of the child birth. sale device, its running expenses and incentive zzMeals to children upto 14 years of age. for its use. zzFood security allowance to beneficiaries in case €€Benefits of Amendment: of non-supply of entitled foodgrains or meals. zzThe integration of ePoS devices with electronic zzSetting up ofgrievance redressal mechanisms weighing scales will ensure the right quantity at the district and state level. to beneficiaries in the distribution of subsidised ¾¾Public Distribution System (PDS): food grains under the National Food Security €€The PDS is an Indian food Security System Act (NFSA), 2013 as per their entitlement. established under the Ministry of Consumer zzIt will ensure greater transparency in the Public Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. distribution system (PDS) regime. It will reduce zzPDS evolved as a system of management of food grain leakages. scarcity through distribution of food grains at zzThe distribution through ePoS devicesensures affordable prices. that subsidised food grains are provided to zzIn June, 1997, the Government of India launched the rightful beneficiary through biometric the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) authentication. with focus on the poor. ¾¾National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 €€Functioning: €€Notified :on 10th September, 2013 zzThe Central and State Governments share €€Objective: To provide for food and nutritional responsibilities in order to provide food grains security in the human life cycle approach, by to the identified beneficiaries. ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality zzThe centre procures food grains from farmers at food at affordable prices to people to live a life a minimum support price (MSP) and sells it to with dignity. states at central issue prices. It is responsible for €€Coverage: 75% of the rural population and upto 50% transporting the grains to godowns in each state. of the urban population for receiving subsidized zzStates bear the responsibility of transporting food foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution grains from these godowns to each fair price System (TPDS). shop (ration shop), where the beneficiary buys the food grains at the lower central issue price. zzOverall, NFSA caters to 67% of the total population. „„Many states further subsidise the price of food grains before selling it to beneficiaries. zzNITI Aayog has recommended reducing the rural and urban coverage under the NFSA to 60% and 40%, respectively. Gujarat Prohibition Law €€Eligibility: zzPriority Households to be covered under TPDS, Why in News according to guidelines by the State government. Recently, the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949 has been zzHouseholds covered under existingAntyodaya challenged before the Gujarat High Court, more than Anna Yojana. seven decades after it came into effect as the Bombay €€Provisions: Prohibition Act.

Note: 10 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾The prohibition on manufacture, sale and consumption zzRight to privacy has been held as a fundamental of liquor in the state vide the Gujarat Prohibition Act, right by the Supreme Court in several judgments 1949, has been challenged on grounds of ‘manifest since 2017. arbitrariness’ and violation of ‘right to privacy’. €€Ground of Manifest Arbitrariness: It has been especially highlighted while challenging sections Key Points pertaining to grant of health permits and temporary ¾¾Background: permits to out-of-state tourists. €€Bombay Abkari Act, 1878: The first hint at the zzThe petitioner says that there are no intelligible prohibition of liquor was through the Bombay differences in the classes thus being created by Abkari Act, 1878 (in the Province of Bombay). the state on who gets to drink and who does not and violates the Right to Equality under zzThis Act dealt with levying of duties on intoxicants, . among other things and aspects of prohibition Article 14 of the Constitution via amendments made in 1939 and 1947. ¾¾Counter Argument: €€ €€Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949: There were “many Aggravate the Sense of Violence: Various research lacuna” in the Bombay Abkari Act, 1878, from and studies have shown that alcohol tends to the point of view of the government’s decision aggravate the sense of violence. to enforce prohibition. zzMost of the domestic violence crimes against women and children are committed behind zzThis led to the birth of Bombay Prohibition closed doors. Act, 1949. €€Constitutional Obligation of State: Challenging the zzThe Supreme Court (SC) upheld the Act broadly law, is an “attack on the constitutional obligation barring a few sections in 1951 in the judgment of the primary duty of the State as the guardian of State of Bombay and another versus FN of the population to protect the health and lives Balsara. of its people”. €€Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949: €€National Prohibition was advocated by Mahatma zzFollowing the reorganisation of Bombay province Gandhi. into the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat in ¾¾Arguments Against Prohibition: 1960, there was continued amendment and €€Loss of Revenue: Tax revenues from alcohol is a liberalisation in the state of Maharashtra, major part of any government’s revenues. These especially in 1963. enable the government to finance several public „„The ground for the liberalisation of the law welfare schemes. Absence of these revenues was to check the business of illicit liquor. severely impacts state’s ability to run public welfare zzGujarat adopted the prohibition policy in programmes. 1960 and subsequently chose to enforce it €€Burden on Judiciary: Bihar introduced complete with greater rigidity, but also made processes prohibition in April 2016. While it certainly has led easier for foreign tourists and visitors to get to reduction in alcohol consumption, the related liquor permits. social, economic, and administrative costs have zzIn 2011, the Act was renamed as Gujarat been far too much to justify gains. Prohibition Prohibition Act. In 2017, the Gujarat Prohibition crippled the judicial administration. (Amendment) Act was passed with provision of zzSo far over 2.14 lakh cases have been registered up to ten years jail for manufacturing, purchase, under the Act; 2.55 lakh people have been sale and transportation of liquor in the dry state. booked and 1.67 lakh arrests have been made. ¾¾Grounds for Challenging the Act: zzIronically, liquor sales in districts in Uttar Pradesh €€The right of privacy: Any invasion by the state in and West Bengal bordering Bihar have seen a an individual’s right to choice of food and beverage sharp rise. amounts to an unreasonable restriction and destroys €€Source of Employment: Today, Indian Made the individual’s decisional and bodily autonomy. Foreign Liquors (IMFL) industry contributes over

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 11

1 lakh crore in taxes every year. It supports the €€He also devised a statistical method called ‘Fractile livelihood of 35 lakh farming families and provides Graphical Analysis’, used to compare socio- direct and indirect employment to lakhs of workers economic conditions of varied groups. employed in the industry. ¾¾Timeline: ¾¾Prohibition in Other States: €€1930: Proposed the €€Alcohol prohibition is in force in the states ofBihar , Mahalanobis Distance Mizoram, Nagaland and the union territory of for the first time, which is Lakshadweep. a measure of comparison ¾¾Related Constitutional Provisions: between two data sets. €€State Subject: Alcohol is a subject in the State zzThe formula is used list under the seventh schedule of the Indian to find the distance Constitution. between a point and €€Article 47: The Directive Principle in the Constitution a distribution, based of India states that “The state shall undertake rules on measurements in to bring about prohibition of the consumption multiple dimensions. It is widely used in the except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating field of cluster analysis and classification. drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health”. €€1932: Founded the ISI in Kolkata which was declared as an institute of national importance National Statistics Day in 1959. €€1933: Launched ‘Sankhya: The Indian Journal of Statistics’. Why in News €€1950: Established the National Sample Survey Every year, the Statistics Day is celebrated on 29th and set up the Central Statistical Organisation June, the birth anniversary of Prof. Prasanta Chandra to coordinate statistical activities. Mahalanobis, to recognise his invaluable contribution in €€1955: Became a member of the Planning establishing the National Statistical System. Commission and continued in that capacity till 1967. Key Points zzHe was instrumental in formulating India’s ¾¾Aim: second five-year-plan (1956-1961), which €€To popularise the use of statistics in everyday life laid the blueprint for industrialisation and and sensitise the public as to how statistics help development in India. in shaping and framing policies. €€1968: Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. ¾¾Theme for 2021: zzHe was also conferred a large number of €€Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)- 2 (End awards by international organisations. Hunger, Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable Agriculture). Reform Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893-1972) Linked Borrowing ¾¾He is considered the father of modern statistics in India, founded the Indian Statistical Institute Why in News (ISI), shaped the Planning Commission (which was Indian states were able to borrow an extra Rs. 1.06 replaced by the NITI Aayog on 1st January 2015) and lakh crore in 2020-21 (FY21) due to the Reform Linked pioneered methodologies for large-scale surveys. Borrowing window. ¾¾He introduced innovative techniques for conducting ¾¾This was announced to provide an additional leeway large-scale sample surveys, calculated acreages and to states in order to cope with the adverse effects of crop yields, using the method of random sampling. Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.

Note: 12 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Note: €€For this, the reform conditions stipulated Aadhar Seeding of all Ration Cards, biometric authentication ¾¾Chapter II of Part XII of the Constitution of India of beneficiaries and automation of all the FPS in deals with borrowing by the Central Government the State. and State Governments. ¾¾‘Ease of Doing Business’ Reforms: ¾¾It comprises two provisions - Article 292 which covers borrowing by the Central Government €€It is to facilitate a better environment and seamless and Article 293, which covers borrowing by State process for entrepreneurs and companies to operate. Governments. €€The reforms stipulated in this category are: ¾¾Article 293 (3) requires State Governments that zzCompletion of first assessment of‘District Level are indebted to the Central Government to seek Business Reform Action Plan’. the consent of the Central Government before zzElimination of the requirements of renewal raising further borrowings. of registration certificates/approvals/licences obtained by businesses under various Acts. Key Points zzImplementation of a computerized central ¾¾About: random inspection system under the Acts. €€This was a nudge, incentivising the States to adopt ¾¾Urban Local Body/ Utility Reforms: progressive policies to avail additional funds. €€These reforms are aimed at financial strengthening €€In October 2020, the Central government had of ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) in the States and to linked permission for additional borrowing of 1% enable them to provide better public health and of their GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) to sanitation services to citizens. implementation of four critical reforms, which are: €€It required states to notify floor rates of property zzImplementation of One Nation One Ration tax and of water and sewerage charges. This was Card System, in consonance with stamp duty guideline values zzEase of doing business reform, for property transactions and current costs in zzUrban Local body/ utility reforms and urban areas. ¾¾ zzPower Sector reforms. Power Sector Reforms: €€ €€Under this reforms-linked borrowing window, There are three parameters a state must meet states were to get access to funds of up to Rs 2.14 under the power sector reforms - reduction in lakh crore on completion of all the four reforms. Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, targeted reduction in Average Cost of Supply and €€For states completingthree of the four reforms, the Average Revenue Realisation (ACS-ARR) gap, and Centre would provide additional funds assistance direct benefit transfer (DBT) of electricity subsidy of Rs. 2,000 crore for capital expenditure. to farmers. €€For FY 2021-22, the net borrowing ceiling for states has been fixed at 4% of the projected GSDP (about Rs 8.46 lakh crore), based on recommendations New Norms of the Fifteenth Finance Commission. on Hallmarking of Gold ¾¾One Nation One Ration Card System (ONORC) Reforms: €€This was aimed to ensure that the beneficiaries Why in News under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other welfare schemes, especially the migrant Recently, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & workers and their families, get ration from any Public Distribution made it mandatory for the hallmarking Fair Price Shop (FPS) across the country. of gold jewellery, which will be implemented in a phased €€Other aims of the intended reform were to better manner. target beneficiaries, elimination of bogus/ duplicate/ ineligible ration cards and thus enhance welfare Key Points and reduce leakage. ¾¾About Hallmarking:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 13

€€The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), which operates ¾¾Standards Formulation: BIS formulates Indian the gold and silver hallmarking scheme in India, Standards in line with the national priorities for defines hallmarking as the “ accurate determination various sectors that have been grouped under 14 and official recording of the proportionate content Departments like Chemicals, Food and Agriculture, of precious metal in precious metal articles.” Civil, Electro-technical, Electronics & Information €€So, it is a “guarantee of purity or fineness” of Technology, etc. precious metal articles, which started in 2000. ¾¾BIS’ International Activities: €€In India, at present two precious metals namely gold and silver have been brought under the €€BIS is a founder member of ISO (International purview of Hallmarking. Organization for Standardization) and is actively involved in the development of International €€The BIS certified jewellers can get their jewellery Standards. hallmarked from any of the BIS recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (A&HC). €€India is represented in IEC (International Electro- through BIS. IEC is the €€Earlier, it was optional for the jewellers and thus technical Commission) only 40% of gold jewellery was getting hallmarked. world’s leading organization for the preparation and publication of International Standards for all ¾¾Implementation in a Phased Manner: electrical, electronic and related technologies. €€In the first phase, gold hallmarkingwill be available only in 256 districts and jewellers having annual €€BIS is the National Enquiry Point for WTO -TBT turnover above Rs. 40 lakh will come under its (World Trade Organisation – Technical Barriers purview. to Trade). €€A certain category of jewellery and items will also ¾¾Other Initiatives: be exempted from the mandatory requirement €€BIS SDO Recognition Scheme: of hallmarking. zzTo attain theOne Nation One Standard vision zzJewellery for international exhibitions, jewellery of the Government of India, BIS launched a for government-approved B2B (Business-to- scheme which provides for Recognition of Business) domestic exhibitions will be exempted SDO (Standard Developing Organization). from mandatory Hallmarking. €€Product Certification Scheme: ¾¾Need of Gold Hallmarking: zzBIS operates a Product Certification scheme €€India is the biggest consumer of gold. However, for ensuring compliance to Indian Standards. the level of hallmarked jewellery is very low in Presence of BIS standard mark (popularly the country. known as ISI mark) on a product indicates €€The mandatory hallmarking will protect the public conformity to the relevant Indian Standard. against lower caratage (the fraction of pure gold) and ensure consumers do not get cheated while buying gold ornaments. MoU for Seaplane zzIt will help to get the purity as marked on the Services in India ornaments. €€It will bring in transparency and assure the consumers of quality. Why in News €€It will weed out anomalies and corruption in the The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and system of manufacturing of jewellery. the Ministry of Civil Aviation signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Development of Seaplane Bureau of Indian Standards Services in India. ¾¾BIS is the National Standard Body of India for ¾¾India’s first seaplane service started operation between the harmonious development of the activities of Kevadia and Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad standardization, marking and quality certification in October 2020, under Sagarmala Seaplane of goods. Services.

Note: 14 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Key Points unserved airports are those where there are no operations. ¾¾About MoU: €€Financial incentives from the Centre, state €€This MoU envisages developing non-scheduled governments and airport operators are extended and scheduled operation of seaplane services to selected airlines to encourage operations from within territorial jurisdiction of India. unserved and under-served airports, and keep €€Seaplane services will be developed as a part of airfares affordable. the RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme- ¾¾About UDAN 4.1: Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) initiative of the Civil Aviation Ministry. €€The UDAN 4.1 focuses on connecting smaller airports, along with special helicopter and €€The Shipping Ministry would identify and develop seaplane routes. waterfront aerodromes and other required infrastructure. €€Some new routes have been proposed under the Sagarmala Seaplane services. €€The Civil Aviation Ministry will select potential ¾¾ airline operators through a bidding process. It Sagarmala Seaplane Services: will also incorporate the location and routes as €€It is an ambitious project under the Ministry of identified by the Shipping Ministry. Ports, Shipping and Waterways. ¾¾Benefits: €€The project is being initiated under aSpecial Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework through prospective €€This MoU will help in expediting the development of new water aerodromes and also operationalisation airline operators. of new seaplane routes in India. €€The project execution and implementation would be through Sagarmala Development Company Ltd €€It will not only enhance seamless connectivity , which is under the administrative control across the nation by promoting eco-friendly (SDCL) of the Ministry. transportation through seaplanes but also give a boost to the tourism industry. €€To provide connectivity and easier accessibility to remote locations, SDCL is exploring plans to €€It will lead to an increase in tourism and hotel leverage the potential of the vast coastline and business at the local level. It will also serve numerous water bodies/rivers across India by employment to local people. commencing seaplane operations. €€Establishment of water airports will contribute zzSeveral destinations are envisaged for seaplane to an increase in the level of current social operations. Seaplanes will utilise the nearby infrastructural facilities (healthcare, education, water bodies for take-off and landing and thus community housing, etc.) at the proposed sites. connect those places in an economical way as ¾¾About UDAN Scheme: conventional airport infrastructure like a runway €€Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) was launched as and terminal buildings are not required for a regional connectivity scheme under theMinistry seaplane operations. of Civil Aviation in 2016. €€The routes may be operated under the government’s €€The objective of the scheme is to create affordable subsidised UDAN scheme. yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns. Jal Shakti Abhiyan - II €€The scheme envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the Why in News country through the revival of existing air-strips The Minister of Jal Shakti has urged all MPs to support and airports. The scheme is operational for a the ongoing “Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch The Rain” period of 10 years. campaign in their respective constituencies and states. zzUnder-served airports are those which do ¾¾Such interventions would ensure water source not have more than one flight a day, while sustainability in rural areas and would strengthen

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 15

the ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission being implemented through functional taps in all statutory towns by the Ministry. in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal- 6 (clean water and sanitation). Key Points €€National Water Mission: ¾¾About: zzIt was launched with the objective of conservation €€The Abhiyan with the theme- “Catch the Rain of water, minimising wastage and ensuring more where it falls, when it falls’ was launched on the equitable distribution both across and within occasion of world water day (22nd March 2021). states through integrated water resources €€It covers all rural and urban areas of all districts development and management. of the country. €€NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index: zzJal Shakti Abhiyan-I of 2019, covered only 1592 zzWith the objective of achieving effective water stressed blocks out of 2836 blocks in 256 utilization of water, NITI Aayog has developed districts of the country. the Composite Water Management Index. €€ €€National Water Mission, under the Ministry of Jal Atal Bhujal Yojana: Shakti, is the nodal agency for its implementation. zzIt is a central sector scheme worth Rs. 6,000 crore for sustainable management of groundwater €€A total of almost Rs. 14,000 Cr worth of water conservation related workis completed/ongoing with community participation. under the MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National zzIt envisages people’s participation through the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) of Dept of formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water Rural Development. budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc. ¾¾Aim: €€The campaign aims at tapping rainwater by constructing artificial recharge structures, revitalizing Policy for Declassification existing ponds and water bodies, creating new water of War History bodies, provisioning check dams, rejuvenating wetlands and rivers before the onset of monsoon. Why in News €€It is also planned to create a data-base of all water bodies in the country by geo tagging them and The Union Defence Minister has approved a policy using this data to create scientific and data-based on archiving, declassification, compilation and publication district level water conservation plans. of war and operations histories by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). ¾¾Other Initiatives to Conserve Water: €€Jal Jeevan Mission: Key Points zzAn initiative under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, ¾¾Desirability of Authoritative Record: aims to ensure access to piped water for every €€Timely publication of war histories would give household in rural India. people an accurate account of the events, provide zzGovernment of India has restructured and authentic material for academic research and subsumed the National Rural Drinking Water counter the unfounded rumours. Programme (NRDWP) into Jal Jeevan Mission €€The requirement of having war histories written (JJM) to provide Functional Household Tap with clear cut policy on declassification was Connection (FHTC) to every rural household recommended by the Kargil Review Committee, i.e., Har Ghar Nal Se Jal (HGNSJ). 2019 headed by K Subrahmanyam to analyse the €€Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban): lessons learnt and prevent future mistakes. zzIn the Budget 2021-22, Jal Jeevan Mission €€Post Kargil conflict, a Group of Ministers (GoM) (Urban) was announced under the Housing recommendations on national security, 2001 and Urban Affairs Ministry to provide universal also mentioned the desirability of an authoritative coverage of water supply to all households war history.

Note: 16 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Provisions of Policy: be taken up on a case by case basis by a committee €€Transfer of Record: Each organisation under the to be constituted under the new policy. MoD such as Services (Army, Airforce and Navy), Integrated Defence Staff, Assam Rifles and Coast Corporatization of Guard, will transfer the records, including war diaries, letters of proceedings and operational Ordnance Factory Board record books, etc., to the history division of MoD for proper upkeep, archival and writing the histories. Why in News zzThe will be responsible for History Division Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a plan to coordination with various departments while corporatise the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). compiling, seeking approval and publishing of war and operations histories. Key Points €€Constitution of a Committee: For compilation of ¾¾New Structure: war and operations histories, the policy mandates €€ across the country the constitution of a committee headed by Joint 41 factories will be dissolved Secretary, MoD and composed of representatives into seven new Defence Public Sector Undertakings The newly created entities of the Services, Ministry of External Affairs (DPSU). will be 100% (MEA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and other owned by the government. organisations andprominent military historians, €€These entities will be responsible for different if required. verticals of the products such as the Ammunition group will be engaged in production €€Timeline: The policy sets clear timelines with and Explosives regard to compilation and publication of war and of ammunition whilea Vehicles group will engage operations histories. in production of defence mobility and combat vehicles. zzThe committee should be formed within two years of completion of war and operations. €€All OFB employees in the production units will be transferred to the new corporate entities on a zzThereafter, collection of records andcompilation deemed deputation initially for a period of two should be completed in three years and years without altering their service conditions as disseminated to all concerned. central government employees. zzThe records should ordinarily be declassified €€Pension liabilities of the retirees and existing (i.e. no more secret) in 25 years. employees will continue to be borne by the zzRecords older than 25 years should be government. appraised by archival experts and transferred ¾¾ to the National Archives of Indiaonce the war/ OFB: operations histories have been compiled. €€It is an umbrella body for the ordnance factories and related institutions, and is currentlya subordinate €€Responsibility for Declassification of Records: This rests with the respective organisations as office of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). specified in the Public Record Act 1993 and the zzThe first Indian ordnance factory was set up Public Record Rules 1997. in the year 1712 by the Dutch Company as a €€For Internal Consumption First: The compiled GunPowder Factory, West Bengal. history on wars and operations, within five years, €€It is a conglomerate of 41 factories, 9 training will be for internal consumption first, and later Institutes, 3 regional marketing centres and 5 the committee may decide to publicly release regional controllers of safety. whole or parts of it, considering the sensitivity €€Headquarters: Kolkata of the subject. €€Significance: A major chunk of the weapon, ¾¾Declassification of Older Wars: ammunition and supplies for not just armed forces €€The declassification of older wars like the1962 war but also paramilitary and police forces comes from and Operation Bluestaris not automatic and will the OFB-run factories.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 17

€€Production includes: Civilian and military-grade €€It will allow these companies autonomy as well arms and ammunition, explosives, propellants and as help improve accountability and efficiency. chemicals for missile systems, military vehicles, €€The restructuring is aimed at transforming the armoured vehicles, optical devices, parachutes, ordnance factories into productive and profitable support equipment, troop clothing and general assets, deepen their specialisation in product range, store items. enhance competitiveness and improve quality and ¾¾Reasons for Corporatization: cost-efficiency. €€A performance evaluation by the Comptroller and ¾¾Apprehensions: Auditor General (CAG) in its report for 2019 on €€One of the main apprehensions of the employees the OFB highlights a few of the lacunae, which is that corporatisation (ownership and management ails this organisation. lies with the government) would eventually zzOverheads (expenses not directly attributed lead to privatisation (transfer of ownership and to creating a product or service) constitute a management rights to the private player). staggering 33% of the overall allotted budget €€The new corporate entities would not be able for the year. to survive the unique market environment of „„The major contributors being supervision defence products that has very unstable demand costs and indirect labour costs. and supply dynamics. zzDelayed Production: The Ordnance factories €€Restructuring will result in greater autonomy and achieved production targets for only 49% of lesser government control over the corporation the items. but there is a fear of job loss. „„More than half the inventory (52%) was store-in-hand, procured for manufacture but not used within the year by the factories. Helpline for Cyber Fraud €€The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, also calls for the Corporatisation of OFB for:‘improving autonomy, Why in News accountability and efficiency in ordnance suppliers’. The Ministry of Home Affairs has operationalised ¾¾Importance of new structure: the national Helpline 155260 and Reporting Platform €€The restructure would also help in overcoming for preventing financial loss due to cyber fraud. The st various shortcomings in the existing system of the helpline was soft-launched on 1 April. OFB by eliminating inefficient supply chains and ¾¾The National Helpline and Reporting Platformprovides provide these companies incentive to become a mechanism for persons cheated in cyber frauds competitive and explore new opportunities in to report such cases to prevent loss of their hard the market. earned money.

Note: 18 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Also, a National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 is zzNational Cyber Crime Reporting Portal being formulated by the Office of National Cyber zzNational Cyber Crime Training Centre Security Coordinator at the National Security Council zzCyber Crime Ecosystem Management Unit Secretariat. zzNational Cyber Crime Research and Innovation Cyber Security Centre ¾¾Cyber Security is protecting cyber space including zzNational Cyber Crime Forensic Laboratory critical information infrastructure from attack, Ecosystem damage, misuse and economic espionage. zzPlatform for Joint Cyber Crime Investigation ¾¾Critical Information Infrastructure: According Team. to Section 70(1) of the Information Technology €€15 States and Union Territories have given their Act, CII is defined as a “computer resource, the consent to set up Regional Cyber Crime Coordination incapacitation or destruction of which, shall have Centres. debilitating impact on national security, economy, €€This state-of-the-art Centre is located in New Delhi. public health or safety”. ¾¾Other Initiatives to Tackle Cybercrime: ¾¾Cyber Fraud: It is the crime committed via a €€Draft Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 (based computer with the intent to corrupt another on the recommendation ofJustice BN Srikrishna individual’s personal and financial information stored Committee) to secure citizens data. online. €€Cyber Swachhta Kendra: The “Cyber Swachhta €€It is the most common type of fraud and individuals Kendra” (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis and organisations need to be vigilant and protect Centre) is a part of the Government of India’s Digital their information from fraudsters. India initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Key Points €€Indian Computer Emergency Response Team ¾¾ About: (CERT-IN): It is an organisation of the MeitY, with €€The helpline has been made operational by the the objective of securing Indian cyberspace. It is Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), in the nodal agency which deals with cybersecurity coordination with the Reserve Bank of India, all threats like hacking and phishing. major banks, payment banks, wallets and online ¾¾Related International Convention (Budapest merchants. Convention): €€The Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and €€The Council of Europe’s (CoE) Cybercrime has been developed by I4C Management System Convention, also known as the Budapest Convention to integrate Law Enforcement Agencies and Banks is the sole legally binding international multilateral and Financial Intermediaries. treaty on cybercrime. It coordinates cybercrime €€The facility empowers both the banks and the investigations between nation-states and police, by leveraging new-age technologies for criminalizes certain cybercrime conduct. sharing online fraud related information and €€It was opened for signature in 2001 and came taking action in almost real time. into force in 2004. €€Since its soft launch, in a short span of two months, €€The Budapest Convention is supplemented by a the helpline has assisted in saving more than Rs Protocol on Xenophobia and Racism committed 1.85 crore. through computer systems. ¾¾Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre: €€India is not a party to it. India recently voted €€The scheme to set up I4C was approved in October in favour of a Russian-led UN resolution to 2018, to deal with all types of cybercrimes in a set up a separate convention. The resolution comprehensive and coordinated manner. seeks to set up new cyber norms considered as €€It has seven components: a counter alternative to the US backed Budapest zzNational Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit Accord.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 19

Project (JMVP) for capacity augmentation Inland Vessel Bill 2021 of navigation on the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of Ganga (part of NW-1) with the technical Why in News and financial assistance of theWorld Bank. Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the Inland €€Utilization: Vessels Bill, 2021, which will replace the Inland Vessels zzAbout 55 million tonnes of cargo is being moved Act, 1917 after passing in Parliament. annually by IWT (Inland Water Transport), a ¾¾The Bill will regulate safety, security and registration fuel-efficient and environment-friendly mode. of inland vessels. „„However, freight transportation by waterways is highly underutilized in the country as Key Points compared to developed countries. ¾¾Features of the Bill: zzIts operations arecurrently restricted to a few €€A key feature of the Bill is a unified law for the stretches in the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly rivers, entire country, instead of separate rules framed the Brahmaputra, the Barak river (northeastern by the States. India), the rivers in Goa, the backwaters in zzThe certificate of registration granted under Kerala, inland waters in Mumbai and the deltaic the proposed law will be deemed to be valid regions of the Godavari - Krishna rivers. in all States and Union Territories, and there zzBesides these organized operations by will be no need to seek separate permissions mechanized vessels, country boats of various from the States. capacities also operate in various rivers and €€The Bill provides for a central database for recording canals and substantial quantum of cargo and the details of vessel, vessel registration, crew on passengers are transported in this unorganized an electronic portal. sector as well. €€All non-mechanically propelled vessels will also zzIn India, IWT has the potential to supplement have to be enrolled at the district, taluk or panchayat the overburdened railways and congested or village level. roadways. In addition to cargo movement, the €€It enlarges the definition of ‘inland waters’, by IWT sector also provides a convenient function including tidal water limitand national waterways in related activities such as carriage of vehicles declared by the Central Government. {on Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) mode of cross €€It also deals with pollution control measures ferry} and tourism. of Inland Vessels. This Bill directs the Central €€Steps Taken: Government to designate a list of chemicals, substances, etc. as pollutants. ¾¾Inland Waterways: €€About: zzIndia has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks, etc. zzAs per the National Waterways Act 2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways (NWs). „„NW-1: Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System (Prayagraj-Haldia) with length 1620 km is the longest National Waterway in India. „„The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is implementing the Jal Marg Vikas

Note: 20 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzThe waterways will also be linked to the eastern €€Scope in India: and western Dedicated Freight Corridors zzState of the Art Medical Facilities: Top of the (DFCs), as well as the Sagarmala Project, which line medical and diagnostic equipment from aims to promote port-led direct and indirect global international conglomerates are available. development. zzReputed Healthcare Professionals: Reputation zzFurther, the provisions of the Indo-Bangladesh for high-quality medical training and also fluent (Sonamura-Daudkandi) and Indo-Myanmar in English to converse with foreigners. protocol (Kaladan) permitting transhipment zzFinancial Savings: The cost of quality of medical of goods through Bangladesh and Myanmar procedures and services are low in India. waters – which, in many cases, are a continuum zzAlternative Cures:India has a unique advantage of India’s inland waterways – enabling quicker of offeringYoga, Ayurveda & Naturopathy for shipments and deeper market penetration in treatment. India’s North East. €€Major Strategy: ¾¾Inland Waterways Authority of India: zz“Heal in India” Brand for promoting India as a €€It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for MVT destination. development and regulation of inland waterways zz , enterprises for shipping and navigation. Capacity building of MVT facilitator and staff. €€It primarily undertakes projects for development zzSetting up of an online MVT Portal to provide one and maintenance of IWT (Inland Water Transport) stop solution to facilitate international patients. infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping. zzConvergence of Wellness, Hospitality and Travel businesses. €€It is headquartered at Noida (Uttar Pradesh). ¾¾Rural Tourism: Strategy to Promote Medical, €€About: zzAny form of tourism that showcases the rural Rural and MICE Tourism life, art, culture, and heritage at rural locations, thereby benefiting the local community Why in News economically and socially. zzIt offers an opportunity to promotesustainable The Ministry of Tourism has formulated three draft and responsible tourism and fulfill the vision strategies with roadmaps for promoting Medical and of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Wellness Tourism, for development of Rural Tourism and for promotion of MICE Industryin India. €€Scope in India: ¾¾India has been ranked 34th out of 140 countries on zzIndian villages have unparalleled culture, craft, the World Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index music, dance and heritage to offer to the visitors. 2019, released by the World Economic Forum (WEF). zzWell-developed agriculture and farms to provide stay facilities and experiences. Key Points zzBeautifulclimate conditions and Biodiversity. ¾¾Medical and Wellness Tourism (MWT): zzIndia has coastal, Himalayan, desert, forest €€About: and tribal areas amongst others for tourists. zzDescribes the rapidly growing practice of €€Major Strategy: travelling across international borders to obtain zzState Assessment and Ranking as a tool for healthcare services. Capacity Building (including that of Panchayati zzIt may be broadly classified intothree categories Raj Institutions). - Medical Treatment, Wellness & Rejuvenation zzEnabling Digital Technologies for Rural Tourism and Alternative Cures. Now it is often referred like enabling broadband internet infrastructure to as Medical Value Travel (MVT). to rural areas having tourism potential.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 21

zzDeveloping clusters for rural tourism. Constraints ¾¾MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and ¾¾Infrastructure and Connectivity: Deficiencies in Exhibitions): infrastructure and inadequate connectivity hamper €€About: tourist visits to some sites. zzThe main purpose is to create a networking ¾¾Promotion and Marketing: Although it has been platform for business, industry, government increasing, online marketing/branding remains limited and Academic Community and engage in and campaigns are not coordinated. meaningful conversations. ¾¾Tourist information centers are poorly managed, zzMICE is also known as ‘Meetings industry’ or making it difficult for domestic and foreign tourists ‘Events industry’. to access information with ease. €€Scope in India: ¾¾Lack of Skills: A limited number of multilingual zzCore MICE infrastructure amenities areat par trained guides, and the limited local awareness and with most developed countries. understanding of the benefits and responsibilities associated with tourist growth. zzIndia has consistently improved its rank in World Bank Ease of Doing Business and WEF ¾¾Others: Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Rank. €€There is a perception about India not being a very zzGrowing Economic Strength of India. hygienic country. This impacts the choice of India as a medical destination. zzIndia has progressed rapidly in the areas like Information Technology, and Scientific Research. €€Lack of prioritization for rural tourism at the State and National level. €€Major Strategy: €€Lack of focussed approach on MICE as an industry. zz“Meet in India” Brand for promoting MICE Industry. Major Schemes of the Ministry of Tourism zzProviding Infrastructure status for financing of ¾¾Iconic Tourist Sites Initiative MICE infrastructure. ¾¾DekhoApnaDesh Campaign zzSkill development for the MICE industry. ¾¾PRASHAD Scheme ¾¾ Significance Swadesh Darshan Scheme ¾¾Multiplier Effect: Not only does the tourism sector provide high-quality jobs, it also enhances investment Censorship of Films in India in India, accelerates development. ¾¾Push to the Service Sector: A large number of Why in News businesses engaged in the service sector such as The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has airlines, hotels, surface transportation, etc. grows recently sought public comments on its draft Cinema- with the growth of the tourism industry. tograph (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which proposes to bring ¾¾Preservation of National Heritage and Environment back its “revisionary powers” over the Central Board of and Renewal of Cultural Pride. Film Certification. ¾¾Soft Power: Tourism helps in promoting cultural ¾¾The new Bill will also “make the process of sanctioning diplomacy, people to people connect and thereby of films for exhibition more effective, in tune with promotes friendship and cooperation between India the changed times and curb the menace of piracy”. and other countries. Key Points ¾¾Boost to Other Forms of Tourism: India has huge potential for related areas such asEco-tourism, Nature ¾¾Background: Reserves, Wildlife tourism, Himalayan tourism. India €€The Supreme Court of India (SC) in November has 38 world heritage sites that include 30 Cultural 2000, had upheld a Karnataka High Court order properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site. which struck down the Centre’s “revisional powers

Note: 22 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

in respect of films that are already certified by ¾¾Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): the Board”. €€It is a statutory body under the Ministry of €€However, the SC had opined that the Legislature Information and Broadcasting, regulating the may, in certain cases, overrule or nullify the judicial public exhibition of films under the provisions of or executive decision by enacting an appropriate the Cinematograph Act 1952. legislation”. €€The Board consists of non-official members and a ¾¾Provision of Draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Chairman (all of whom are appointed by Central Bill, 2021: Government) and functions with headquarters €€Granting Revisionary Powers: The government at Mumbai. on account of violation of Section 5B(1) of the €€Films can be publicly exhibited in India (on cinema Cinematograph Act, 1952 can order for “re- halls, T.V. channels) only after they have been examination” by the certification board of an already certified by the Central Board of Film Certification. certified film, following receipt of complaints. €€At present, films are certified under 4 categories: zzSection 5B(1) deals with the principles for U, U/A, A& S. guidance in certifying films. It is derived from zzUnrestricted Public Exhibition (U) Article 19(2) of the Constitution and is non- zzUnrestricted Public Exhibition - but with a word negotiable. of caution that Parental discretion required for zzUnder Section 6 of the existing Cinematograph children below 12 years (U/A) Act, 1952, the Centre is already empowered to zzRestricted to adults (A) call for the record of proceedings in relation to zzRestricted to any special class of persons (S) certification of a film and pass any order thereon. €€Provisions for Censorship: „„The Central Government, if the situation warranted, has the power to reverse the zzArticle 19(2) of the Constitution authorises decision of the Board. the government to impose, by law, reasonable restrictions upon the freedom of speech and €€Sub-division of Existing UA Category: The provisions expression in the interests of the sovereignty relating to certification of films under “unrestricted and integrity of India, the security of the State, public exhibition (U/A)” category are proposed to friendly relations with foreign States, public be amended so as to sub-divide the existing UA order, decency or morality or in relation to category into age-based categories like U/A 7+, contempt of court, defamation or incitement U/A 13+ and U/A 16+. to an offence. €€Film Piracy: In most cases, illegal duplication in zzThe Cinematograph Act,1952 also provides for cinema halls is the originating point of piracy. At similar provisions as stated under Article 19(2). present, there are no enabling provisions to check film piracy in the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The draft Bill proposes to insert Section 6AA which Inoperable Provision of prohibits unauthorised recording. NDPS Act: Tripura High Court zzPunishment for Piracy: Section 6AA of the draft legislation makes piracy a punishable offence. Why in News „„The punishment of imprisonment for a term upto three years and with a fine which shall Recently, the Tripura High Court has discovered that not be less than Rs 3 lakh but which may an oversight in drafting the 2014 amendments to the extend to 5% of the audited gross production Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cost or with both. Act, 1985 had unintentionally rendered a key provision €€The recommendations of the Justice Mukul Mudgal (Section 27A) of the Act inoperable. Committee of 2013 and the Shyam Benegal Key Points Committee of 2016 had also been considered while drafting the legislation. ¾¾Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 23

€€India is a signatory to the United Nations (UN) ¾¾NDPS Act 2014 Amendment: Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961, the €€It was made to allow for better medical access Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971and to narcotic drugs. Since the regulation under the Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs NDPS was very stringent, despite being a leading and Psychotropic Substances, 1988. manufacturer of morphine, an opioid analgesic zzThey prescribe various forms of control aimed used as a painkiller, it was difficult to access the to achieve the dual objective of limiting the use drug even for hospitals. of narcotic drugs and psychotropicsubstances €€The 2014 amendment essentiallyremoved state- for medical and scientific purposes as well as barriers in transporting, licensing drugs classified as preventing the abuse of the same. “essential narcotic drugs”, and made it centralised. €€ The basic legislative instrument of the Government €€This was done by defining essential narcotic of India in this regard is the NDPS Act, 1985. drugs, and allowing the manufacture, possession, €€The Act provides stringent provisions for the transport, import inter-State, export inter-State, control and regulation of operations relating to sale, purchase, consumption and use of essential narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. narcotic drugs. €€It also provides for forfeiture of property derived zzThe amendment to add the definition of essential from, or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and narcotic drugsre-lettered the old Section 2(viiia) psychotropic substances. that was the catalog of offences as Section €€It also provides for death penalty in some cases 2(viiib), and under the Section 2(viiia), defined where a person is a repeat offender. essential narcotic drugs. €€The Narcotics Control Bureau was also constituted zzHowever, the drafters missed amending the in 1986 under the Act. enabling provision in Section 27A to change ¾¾Section 27A of the NDPS Act: Section 2(viiia) to Section 2(viiib). €€The provision reads that whoever indulges in ¾¾High Courts Ruling: financing, directly or indirectly, any of the activities €€It directed the Central Government, Ministry of specified in sub-clauses (i) to (v) of clause (viiia) Home Affairs to take appropriate steps for amending of section 2 or harbours any person engaged in section 27A of the NDPS Act 1985. any of the aforementioned activities. zzIt noted that the amendment is yet to take place. €€He shall be punishable with rigorous imprisonment However, criminal laws cannot be amended for a term which shall not be less than ten years retrospectively. So even if the amendment but which may extend to twenty years and shall is brought in, the result of the drafting error also be liable to fine which shall not be less than could lead to more constitutional questions one lakh rupees but which may extend to two being raised. lakh rupees: €€Ordered that both the Central Government and zzProvided that the court may, for reasons to the State Government shall publish a notification be recorded in the judgment, impose a fine bringing about the content of this order in short for exceeding two lakh rupees. the public notice so that the requirement of Article-20 ¾¾Reason of Section 27A getting Inoperable: of the Constitution of India is not diminished. €€The text of the provision says that offences zzArticle 20 of the Constitution guarantees mentioned under Section 2 (viiia) sub-clauses i-v protection against double jeopardy. are punishable through Section 27A. zzArticle 20(1) says that no person shall be €€However, Section 2 (viiia) sub-clauses i-v, which convicted of any offence except for violation of is supposed to be the catalog of offences, does the law in force at the time of the commission of not exist after the 2014 amendment. the act charged as an offence, nor be subjected €€So, if Section 27A penalises a blank list or a non- to a penalty greater than that which might have existent provision, it can be argued that it is been inflicted under the law in force at the time virtually inoperable. of the commission of the offence.

Note: 24 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzIt is a tool extensively used in the US where Class Action Suits individuals or small communities, aggrieved by the actions of a large entity, come together Why in News to exercise legal options collectively. €€Over the years, class action has become so successful Incidents such as the recent Oil and Natural Gas at curbing negligence, that it is now a part of US Corporation Limited (ONGC) barge disaster underline corporate and consumer laws, environmental the absence of effective class action suits/lawsuits in litigation, etc. India. ¾¾Rules in India for Class Action Suits: ¾¾71 people were killed afterCyclone Tauktae damaged ONGC’s barge vessels off Bombay High. €€Civil Procedure Code 1908: zzThe Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 is a procedural Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited law related to the administration of civil ¾¾It is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) proceedings in India. of the Government of India. zzRule 8 refers to representative suits, which ¾¾It was set up in 1995 and is under the Ministry of is the closest to a classic class action suit in a Petroleum and Natural Gas. civil context in India. It does not cover criminal ¾¾It is the largest crude oil and natural gas company proceedings. in India, contributing around 70% to Indian domestic €€Companies Act 2013: production. zzSection 245 of it allows members or depositors of a company to initiate proceedings against the Key Points directors of the company in specific instances. ¾¾About: zzThere are threshold limits, requiring a minimum €€It is a case brought to court by a group representing number of people or holders of issued share a larger set of people, often in thousands, who capital before such a suit can proceed. have suffered the same loss.Such a group forms zzThis type of suit is filed in the National Company a class. Law Tribunal (NCLAT) currently. €€It derives from representative litigation, to ensure €€Competition Act 2002: justice to the ordinary individual against a powerful zzUnder Section 53(N), it allows a group of adversary. aggrieved persons to appear at the NCLAT in €€The accused in such cases usually are corporate issues of anti-competitive practices. entities or governments. €€Consumer Protection Act 2019 (replaced the €€Generally, in class action suits, the damages paid 1986 Act): may be small at an individual level or may not zzThe Supreme Court has held that in certain even be quantifiable. complaints under the Consumer Protection Act zzThe total damages calculated, however, could 1986, they can be considered as class action be large. suits. (Rameshwar Prasad Shrivastava and Ors v Dwarkadhis Project Pvt Ltd and Ors 2018 €€The difference between public interest litigation ). (Article 32 or Article 226 of the Constitution) and ¾¾Benefits: class action suits is that unlike a class action suit, €€Reduced Burden: a public interest litigation cannot be filed against zzAn immediate benefit is that the court has to a private party. hear only one case and not several. This reduces ¾¾History of Class Action Suits: the chance of similar cases clogging the already €€While class action suits have a history dating overburdened courts. back to the 18th century, these were formally €€Helps the Weak: incorporated into law in the US in 1938 under zzAs not everyone has the means or time to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. pursue a legal case, a small group of people

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 25

with funds or the ability to raise money can bring justice to other victims who may be Delimitation in disadvantaged. Jammu and Kashmir €€Affects Brand Image: zzCompanies are reluctant to face such suits as it Why in News affects their brand image. They prefer settling such cases faster to minimize the damage to Recently, the delimitation exercise has started in their reputation. Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). ¾¾ zzAn advantage for the accused parties, however, The completion of the delimitation exercise willmark is that they have to deal with only one case. the political process in the Union Territory (UT) that has been ¾¾Challenges: under Centre’s rule since June 2018. €€Underdeveloped system of torts: zzTort law has not developed sufficiently in India for a number of reasons, primarily due to the high cost and time-consuming nature of litigation. €€Lack of contingency fees: zzThe rules of the Bar Council of India do not allow lawyers to charge contingency fees, i.e., a percentage of the damages claimants receive if they win a case. zzThis disincentives lawyers from appearing in time-consuming cases that class action suits inevitably are. €€Lack of Third-party financing mechanisms for Key Points litigants: ¾¾ zzSince litigation costs are high, class action suits Delimitation: can be made easier by allowing external parties €€Delimitation is the act of fixing or redrawing the to fund or sponsor the cost of litigation. limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies „„Some states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, (Assembly or Lok Sabha seat) in a country or a Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka have province having a legislative body, as per the made changes in the Civil Procedure Code Election Commission. to allow this. €€The delimitation exercise is carried out by an independent high-powered panel known as the Delimitation Commission whose orders have the force of law and cannot be questioned by any court. €€The exercise has been carried out over the years to redefine the area of a constituency-based on its population size(based on the last Census). €€Aside from changing the limits of a constituency, the process may result in change in the number of seats in a state. €€This exercise also involves reservation of Assembly seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in accordance with the Constitution. ¾¾Aim:

Note: 26 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€The key aim is to have equal representation to €€Following this, a special delimitation commission equal segments of the population in order to was constituted on 6th March, 2020 to carve out ensure a fair division of geographical areas so Assembly and Parliament seats in the UT. that all political parties or candidates contesting ¾¾Issues with Delimitation: elections have a level playing field in terms of a €€States that take little interest in population control number of voters. could end up with a greater number of seats in ¾¾Constitutional Basis for Delimitation: Parliament. The southern states that promoted €€Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a family planning faced the possibility of having Delimitation Act after every Census. their seats reduced. €€Under Article 170, States also get divided into €€In 2002-08, Delimitation was done based on the territorial constituencies as per Delimitation Act 2001 census, but the total number of seats in the after every Census. Assemblies and Parliament decided as per the €€Once the Act is in force, the Union government 1971 Census was not changed. sets up a Delimitation Commission. €€The Constitution has alsocapped the number of €€However, the first delimitation exercise was carried Lok Shaba & Rajya Sabha seats to a maximum of out by the President (with the help of the Election 550 & 250 respectively and increasing populations Commission) in 1950-51. are being represented by a single representative. zzThe Delimitation Commission Act was enacted in 1952. Special Purpose Vehicle €€Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the for Mission Karmayogi Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002. zzThere was no delimitation after the 1981 and Why in News 1991 Censuses. Recently, a three-member task force has been formed ¾¾Delimitation Commission: to help the government in bringing major bureaucratic €€The Delimitation Commission isappointed by the reforms through its ambitious “Mission Karmayogi”. President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India. Key Points €€Composition: ¾¾About: zzRetired Supreme Court judge €€The Centre has recently approved the ‘National zzChief Election Commissioner Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building – zzRespective State Election Commissioners. Mission Karmayogi’ to effect a transformational shift from rule based training to role-based capacity ¾¾Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir: development of all civil services in the country. €€The delimitation exercise in J&K in the past has been slightly different from those in the rest of zzThe Programme also aims to enhance citizen the country because of the region’s special status. experience for government services and improve availability of competent workforce. €€The delimitation of Lok Sabha seats was then governed by the Indian Constitution in J&K, but €€To effectively roll out this competency driven the delimitation of Assembly seats was governed mission, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely separately by the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution ‘Karmayogi Bharat’, would be set up as a not-for- and Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the profit company. People Act, 1957. zzIt will be set up under section 8 of Companies €€However, Jammu and Kashmir lost its special status Act, 2013 as a 100% government-owned entity. and was divided into two Union Territories (J&K zzThe SPV will be responsible to deliver and manage and Ladakh) after the abrogation of its special design, implement, enhance and manage a status under Article 370, on th5 August, 2019. digital platform and infrastructure, manage

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 27

and deliver competency assessment services, bureaucratic cadre, with respect to appointments and manage governance of telemetry data and at the level of joint secretary (JS). ensure provision of monitoring and evaluation. zzInstead, appointments to posts have been drawn €€The task force shall submit its recommendations from other cadres also like the Indian Revenue on organisational structure for the SPV aligning Service, Indian Accounts and Audit Service and its vision, mission and functions. the Indian Economic Service. ¾¾About Mission Karmayogi: €€Similarly, the Union government has also encouraged €€Aim and Objectives: lateral induction of personnel from the private zzIt is aimed at building a future-ready civil service sector. with the right attitude, skills and knowledge, aligned to the vision of New India. Fugitive zzIt aims to prepare Indian civil servants for the future by making them more creative, Economic Offenders constructive, imaginative, proactive, innovative, progressive, professional, energetic, transparent, Why in News and technology-enabled. The Enforcement Directorate has transferred assets €€Reason for Mission: worth Rs. 8,441.50 crore to public sector banks that zzAt present bureaucracy is facing challenges suffered losses to the tune of Rs. 22,585.83 crore due to like- Rule orientation, political interference, frauds committed allegedly by Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi inefficiency with promotions, and generalist and Mehul Choksi. and specialist conflict. ¾¾All the three have been declared ‘Fugitive Economic zzTo change the status quo of civil services and Offenders’ by PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering bring about the long pending civil services Act) Court in Mumbai. reforms. ¾¾Extradition requests to the United Kingdom (UK), €€Features of the scheme: Antigua, and Barbuda, have also been filed against zzTech-Aided: The capacity building will be all the three accused. delivered through iGOT Karmayogi digital platform, with content drawn from global best Key Points practices. ¾¾Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018: zzCoverage: The scheme will cover 46 lakh €€About: It seeks to confiscate properties of economic central government employees, at all levels, offenders who have left the country to avoid facing and involve an outlay of Rs. 510 crores over a criminal prosecution or refuse to return to the five-year period. country to face prosecution. zzShift from Rules to Roles: The programme €€Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO): A person will support a transition from “rules-based to against whom an arrest warrant has been issued roles-based” Human Resource Management for committing an offence listed in the Act and (HRM) so that work allocations can be done the value of the offence is at least Rs. 100 crore. by matching an official’s competencies to the €€Some of the offences listed in the act are: requirements of the post. zzCounterfeiting government stamps or currency. zzIntegrated Initiative: Eventually, service matters zzCheque dishonour. such as confirmation after probation period, deployment, work assignments and notification zzMoney laundering. of vacancies will all be integrated into the zzTransactions defrauding creditors. proposed framework. ¾¾Declaration of a Fugitive Economic Offender: ¾¾Other Bureaucratic Reforms: €€After hearing the application, a special court €€The Government has ended the hegemony of (designated under the PMLA, 2002) may declare the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the apex an individual as a fugitive economic offender.

Note: 28 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€It may confiscate properties which are proceeds of „„If the crime involves the Narcotic Drugs and crime, Benami properties and any other property, Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, the in India or abroad. punishment can go up to 10 years, along €€Upon confiscation, all rights and titles of the with fine. property will vest in the central government, zzPowers of attachment of tainted property: free from encumbrances (such as any charges on „„The property is believed to be “proceeds of the property). crime” and can be provisionally attached for €€The central government may appoint an 180 days. Such an order is required to be administrator to manage and dispose of these confirmed by an independent Adjudicating properties. Authority ¾¾Bar on Filing or Defending Civil Claims: zzThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) is responsible €€The Act allows any civil court or tribunal to prohibit for investigating offences under the PMLA. a declared fugitive economic offender from filing „„Also, the Financial Intelligence Unit – India or defending any civil claim. (FIU-IND) is the national agency that receives, €€Further, any company or limited liability partnership processes, analyses and disseminates where such a person is a majority shareholder, information related to suspect financial promoter, or a key managerial person, may also transactions. be barred from filing or defending civil claims. zzBurden of proof: A person, who is accused €€The authorities mayprovisionally attach properties of having committed the offence of money of an accused, while the application is pending laundering, has to prove that alleged proceeds before the Special Court. of crime are in fact lawful property. ¾¾Powers: Enforcement Directorate €€The authorities under the PMLA, 2002 will exercise ¾¾ powers given to them under the Fugitive Economic Directorate of Enforcement is a specialized financial Offenders Act. investigation agency under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. €€These powers will be similar to those of a civil ¾¾On 1st May 1956, an ‘Enforcement Unit’ was formed, court, including the search of persons in possession of records or proceeds of crime, the search of in the Department of Economic Affairs, for handling premises on the belief that a person is an FEO and Exchange Control Laws violations under Foreign seizure of documents. Exchange Regulation Act, 1947. €€In the year 1957, this Unit was renamed as ¾¾Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA): ‘Enforcement Directorate’. €€Money Laundering: ¾¾ED enforces the following laws: zzMoney laundering is concealing or disguising €€Foreign Exchange Management Act,1999 (FEMA) the identity of illegally obtained proceeds so that they appear to have originated from €€Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 legitimate sources. It is frequently a component (PMLA) of other, much more serious, crimes such as drug trafficking, robbery or extortion. Cyber Capabilities and zzAccording to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), global Money Laundering is estimated National Power Report: IISS between 2 to 5% of World GDP. €€Salient Features: Why in News zzPunishment for money-laundering: According to a report by International Institute for „„Money laundering is punishable with rigorous Strategic Studies (IISS), an influential think tank,India’s imprisonment for a minimum of 3 years and offensive cyber capability is “Pakistan-focused” and a maximum of 7 years and Fine. “regionally effective”, and not tuned towards China.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 29

Key Points for at least the next ten years. There can be two reasons for this. ¾¾Countries Under Observation: zzIn advanced cyber technologies and their €€The report has done a qualitative assessment of exploitation for economic and military power, cyber power in 15 countries. the US is still ahead of China. €€Four members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada zzSince 2018, the US and several of its leading and Australia. allies have agreed to restrict China’s access to some Western technologies. €€Three cyber-capable allies of the Five Eyes states – France, Israel and Japan. „„By doing so, these countries have endorsed a partial decoupling of the West and China that €€Four countries viewed by the Five Eyes and their could potentially impede the latter’s ability allies as cyber threats – China, Russia, Iran and to develop its own advanced technology. North Korea. ¾¾India Specific Observations: €€Four states at earlier stages in their cyber power development – India, Indonesia, Malaysia and €€Despite the geo-strategic instability of its region and Vietnam. a keen awareness of the cyber threat it faces, India ¾¾Assessment Criteria: has made only “modest progress” in developing its policy and doctrine for cyberspace security. €€The methodology analyses the cyber ecosystem of each state and how it intersects with international €€India has some cyber-intelligence and offensive security, economic competition and military affairs. cyber capabilitiesbut they are regionally focused, The countries are assessed in seven categories: principally on Pakistan. zz zzStrategy and doctrine However, the military confrontation with China in the disputed Ladakh border area in June zzGovernance, command and control 2020, followed by a sharp increase in Chinese zzCore cyber-intelligence capability activity against Indian networks, has heightened zzCyber empowerment and dependence Indian concerns about cyber security, not least zzCyber security and resilience in systems supplied by China. zzGlobal leadership in cyberspace affairs €€India is currently aiming to compensate for its zzOffensive cyber capability weaknesses by building new capability with the ¾¾Key Observations: help of key international partners – including €€The report has divided the 15 states into three the US, the UK and France – and by looking to tiers of cyber power: concerted international action to develop norms of restraint. zzFirst Tier: States with world-leading strengths across all the categories in the methodology. €€India’s approach towards institutional reform of The United States of America is the only country cyber governance has been “slow and incremental”, in this tier. with key coordinating authorities for cyber security in the civil and military domains established only zzSecond Tier: States that have world-leading strengths in some of the categories. Australia, as late as 2018 and 2019 respectively. Canada, China, France, Israel, Russia and the zzThe key authorities work closely with the main United Kingdom are in this tier. cyber-intelligence agency, the National Technical zzThird Tier: States that have strengths or Research Organisation. potential strengths in some of the categories €€The strengths of the Indian digital economy include but significant weaknesses in others. India, a vibrant start-up culture and a very large talent Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, North Korea pool. and Vietnam are in this tier. zzThe private sector has moved more quickly €€This report provides confirmation of the likely than the government in promoting national durability of US digital-industrial superiority cyber security.

Note: 30 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€The country is active and visible in cyber diplomacy zz1.12 crore houses sanctionedand over 83 lakh but has not been among the leaders on global houses grounded under PMAY-U. norms, preferring instead to make productive zz16 lakh families benefited from PMAY-U’sCredit practical arrangements with key states. Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS). National Technical Research Organisation zzGovernment investment under PMAY-U created ¾¾National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), around 689 crore person days of employment established in 2004, is under the National Security translating into around 246 lakh jobs. Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office and focuses zzAffordable Rental Housing Complexes scheme on intelligence gathering. under PMAY-U for urban migrants/ poor has ¾¾The agency specializes in multiple disciplines, elicited remarkable response on ground. which include remote sensing, data gathering and €€AMRUT: processing, cyber security, geospatial information zzSo far, 1.05 crore household water tap gathering, cryptology, strategic hardware and connections and 78 lakh sewer/ sepatage software development and strategic monitoring. connections provided under AMRUT Mission. ¾¾The National Critical information Infrastructure zzAbout 88 lakh street lights were replaced with Protection Centre (NCIIPC), an agency under the energy efficient LED lights leading to energy control of National Technical Research Organisation, savings. aims to monitor, intercept and assess threats to zz84.6 lakh tons carbon footprint was reduced critical infrastructure and other vital installations from through various initiatives under AMRUT, as intelligence gathered using sensors and platforms per The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). which include satellites, underwater buoys, drones, VSAT-terminal locators and fiber-optic cable nodal €€SCM: tap points. zz70 cities have developed and operationalised ¾¾NTRO has the same “norms of conduct” as the Integrated Command and Control Centres Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and (ICCCs) under Smart Cities Mission. Analysis Wing (R&AW). ¾¾Important Launches/ Releases During the Event: €€India Smart Cities Awards 2020: 6 Years of Transformative zzThe awards were given across the themes of Social Aspects, Governance, Culture, Urban Urban Missions Environment, Sanitation, Economy, Built Environment, Water, Urban Mobility. Why in News zzThemes such as Sustainable Business model Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of ICCC and Innovation award especially in (MoHUA) organised an online event to commemorate Covid-19 Management are added this year. six years of the three transformative Urban Missions vis. zzIndore & Surat won the City Award jointly this Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Atal Mission for Urban year for their overall development and Uttar Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)and Pradesh won the State award. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U). €€Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0: ¾¾The day also marked the 45 years of establishment of zzLaunched in September, 2020 with an aim to National Institute of Urban Affairs, an autonomous provide an overarching roadmap to formulate, body of MoHUA, tasked to bridge the gap between implement and monitor urban climate actions research and practice on issues related to urbanization. in India. zzThe top 9 performing cities which have been Key Points awarded 4 star rating are Surat, Indore, Ahmed- ¾¾Progress/Achievements: abad, Pune, Vijayawada, Rajkot, Visakhapatnam, €€PMAY-U: Pimpri-Chinchwad and Vadodara.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 31

€€ICT initiatives under Smart Cities real time data driven decision making with better zzICCC Maturity Assessment Framework (IMAF): situational awareness in an integrated manner. „„It is a self-assessment tool kit to help cities ICCCs are expected to deliver specific outcomes identify areas of improvement in their ICCCs focusing on bringing positive impact on day-to-day to deliver better services to the citizens. life of the citizens. zzSmart Cities ICT standards: AMRUT Mission „„These will facilitate interoperability between ¾¾Launch: June 2015 products in a multi-vendor, multi-network ¾¾Concerned Ministry: Housing and Urban Affairs and multi-service environment that exists ¾¾ in a smart city. Purpose: €€To ensure that every household has access to „„Organised by Bureau Of Indian Standards a tap with the assured supply of water and a (BIS). sewerage connection. zzIndia Smart Cities Fellowship Program: €€To increase the amenity value of cities by „„To promote youth leadership and usher developing greenery and well maintained open vibrancy in the design of India’s urban future. spaces (e.g. parks). zz‘TULIP-The Urban Learning Internship Program’ €€To reduce pollution by switching to public transport Report: or constructing facilities for non-motorized „„It is a platform to connect graduates to Urban transport (e.g. walking and cycling). Local Bodies and Smart Cities to co-create new solutions for our cities. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban ¾¾ th zzCITIIS - Knowledge Products: Launch: 25 June 2015, intends to provide housing for all in urban areas by year 2022. „„Launched in partnership with the French Development Agency and the European ¾¾Implemented by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Union in 2018. Affairs ¾¾ „„It has a novel approach of developing de- Features: monstrative projects and furthering the €€Addresses Urban housing shortage among agenda of sustainability and innovation in the Urban Poor including the Slum Dwellers by urban infrastructure. ensuring a pucca house to eligible urban poor. €€The Mission covers the entire urban area Smart City Mission consisting of Statutory Towns, Notified Planning ¾¾About: It is an innovative initiative under theMinistry Areas, Development Authorities, Special Area of Housing and Urban Affairs, to drive economic Development Authorities, Industrial Development growth and improve the quality of life of people Authorities or any such authority under State by enabling local development and harnessing legislation which is entrusted with the functions technology as a means to create smart outcomes of urban planning & regulations. for citizens. ¾¾Objective: To promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of Smart Solutions. ¾¾Focus: On sustainable and inclusive development and to look at compact areas, create a replicable model which will act like a lighthouse to other aspiring cities. ¾¾Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCCs) equip cities to do more with less by graduating to

Note: 32 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Implementation: Over a period of five years from PM Formalization of 2020-21 to 2024-25. Micro Food Processing ¾¾Funding Details: Enterprises Scheme €€It is a centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore. €€The expenditure under the scheme would Why in News be shared in 60:40 ratio between Central and The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food State Governments, in 90:10 ratio with North Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, launched under Eastern and Himalayan States, 60:40 ratio with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, completed its one year UTs with legislature and 100% by Centre for other th on 29 June. UTs. ¾¾The PMFME Scheme is currently being implemented ¾¾Need: in 35 States and Union Territories (UTs). €€The unorganized food processing sector comprising Key Points nearly 25 lakh units contributes to 74% of employment in the food processing sector. ¾¾Nodal Ministry: €€The unorganised food processing sector faces a €€Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). number of challenges which limit their performance ¾¾Features: and their growth. The challenges include lack €€One District One Product (ODOP) Approach: of access to modern technology & equipment, zzThe States would identify food products for training, access institutional credit, lack of basic districts keeping in view the existing clusters awareness on quality control of products; and lack and availability of raw material. of branding & marketing skills etc. zzThe ODOP could be a perishable produce based ¾¾Status of Indian Food Industry: or cereal based or a food item widely produced €€The Indian food and grocery market is the world’s in an area. E.g. mango, potato, pickle, millet sixth largest, with retail contributing 70% of the based products, fisheries, poultry, etc. sales. €€Other Focus Areas: €€The Indian food processing industry accounts for zzWaste to wealth products, minor forest products 32% of the country’s total food market, one of and Aspirational Districts. the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth zzCapacity building and research: Academic in terms of production, consumption, export and and research institutions under MoFPI along expected growth. with State Level Technical Institutions would €€It contributes around 8.80 and 8.39% of Gross Value be provided support for training of units, Added (GVA) in Manufacturing and Agriculture product development, appropriate packaging respectively, 13% of India’s exports and 6% of total and machinery for micro units. industrial investment. €€Financial Support: ¾¾Other Schemes Related to Food Processing: zzUpgradation of Individual Micro Food Processing Units: Existing individual micro food processing €€Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food units desirous of upgrading their units can Processing Industry (PLISFPI): Aims to give avail credit-linked capital subsidy at 35% of the companies incentives on incremental sales from eligible project cost with a maximum ceiling of products manufactured in domestic units. Rs.10 lakh per unit. €€Mega Food Park Scheme: Mega Food Parks create zzSeed Capital to SHG: Initial funding of Rs. modern infrastructure facilities for food processing 40,000- per Self Help Group (SHG) member along the value chain from farm to market with would be provided for working capital and strong forward and backward linkages through a purchase of small tools. cluster-based approach.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 33

most of them had some form of accreditation Not-for-Profit Hospital for their services. Model Study: NITI Aayog ¾¾Challenges: €€Recruitment: Why in News zzMost of the hospitals find it difficult to recruit and retain doctors and staff. Recently, the NITI Aayog released a comprehensive study on the Not-for-Profit Hospital Modelin the country. €€Reimbursements: ¾¾It is an initiative in a step towards closing the zzDelayed reimbursements and long-pending information gap on such institutions and facilitating amounts, despite their persistence, causing robust policymaking in this area. strain in their cash flows, and in turn, burdening their operations. NITI Aayog €€Funding: ¾¾It is a public policy think tank of the Government of zzMany of these hospitals are dependent on India, established with the aim to achieve sustainable external funding in the form of philanthropy development goals with cooperative federalism by and grants for capital expenditure components, fostering the involvement of State Governments of such as infrastructural expansion, purchase of India in the economic policy-making process using new technology, and advanced equipment. a bottom-up approach. €€Compliance burden: ¾¾It was established to replace the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister is its ex-officio zzSome of the hospitals, especially those in remote chairman. areas, reported challenges because of the high compliance burden of staffing requirements of Key Points the Regulations for running a blood bank 1999, ¾¾Major Findings: Clinical Establishments Act 2010, Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) €€Low Charge: 1994, and Quality standards. zzMost of the not-for-profit hospitalscharge lower ¾¾Suggestions: than the for profit hospitals. €€Policy Interventions: zzPrices of Rural Community Based Hospitals are lower, while Rural Cooperative Hospital prices zzShort- and long-term policy interventions—such are comparable with government hospital rates. as developing criteria to identify these hospitals, €€Empanelment: ranking them through a performance index. €€ zzMost of the Not-for-profit Hospitals are Tax Exemptions: empaneled with State or Central Government zzTo promote these hospitals, the government Healthcare schemes. should increase the tax exemption for donations €€Expenditure: and membership fees of these hospitals. zzThe not-for-profit hospitals use various levers €€Using their Expertise: to facilitate their low cost of clinical care and zzPromoting top hospitals for practising reduced operational expenditure. philanthropy, among others. It also highlights „„Following levers are used - multitasking the need to use the expertise of these hospitals of workforce, In-house manufacturing of in managing human resources with limited equipment, such as beds, dental chairs, etc. finance in remote areas. zzNot for profit Hospitals have lower operating costs as compared to For-Profit Hospitals. Not-for-Profit Hospital €€Quality: ¾¾About: zzThere is a strong focus on quality care across €€Private hospitals are largely divided into for-profit all categories of not-for-profit hospitals, as hospitals and not-for-profit hospitals.

Note: 34 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzCumulative cost of care at not-for-profit hospitals thereby providing a statutory mechanism for redressal is lesser than for-profit hospitals by about one- of grievances/complaints of citizens. fourth in the in-patient department. ¾¾These grievances/complaints are related to content zzFor-profit hospitals account for 55.3% of in- broadcast by television channels in accordance with patients, while not-for-profit hospitals account the provisions of the Cable Television Network Act, for only 2.7% of in-patients in the country. 1995. €€Not-for-profit does not make profits for its owners from the funds collected for patient services. The Key Points owners of these hospitals are often charitable ¾¾About the Notification:The notification issuesCable organizations or non-profit corporations. Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021. €€The fees for service at these hospitals are generally €€It provides for a three-level grievance redressal lower than for-profit hospitals and the income mechanism — self-regulation by broadcasters, from fees (above the cost of service) are reinvested self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies in the hospital. of the broadcasters, and oversight by an Inter- €€These hospitals are a potential remedy to the Departmental Committee at the level of theUnion challenges of unavailability and unaffordability government. of healthcare in India. ¾¾Significance Cable Television Networks (Amendment) ¾¾Significance: Rules, 2021: €€The infrastructure, services, and charges of these €€Various Self-regulatory bodies like News hospitals are positioned tocater to the unreached Broadcasters Standards Authority (NBSA) and and underprivileged population of the country. Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) €€The not-for-profit hospital sector provides not only will get legal recognition. curative but also preventive healthcare. zzAt present, there is an institutional mechanism €€It links healthcare with social reform, community by way of an Inter-Ministerial Committee engagement, and education. It uses government to address grievances of citizens relating to resources and grants to provide cost-effective violation of the Programme/Advertising Codes healthcare to people without being concerned under the Rules. about profits. zzVarious broadcasters have also developed zzHowever, over the years, this sector has remained their internal self-regulatory mechanism for understudied. addressing grievances. €€There are over 900 television channels that Recent Initiatives in Health Sector have been granted permission by the Ministry of ¾¾Increased Allocation for Health in Budget 2021. Information and Broadcasting (MIB). ¾¾PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Scheme zzThe recent notification is significant as it paves ¾¾National Digital Health Mission the way for a strong institutional system ¾¾National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019. for redressing grievances while placing accountability and responsibility on the ¾¾Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana. broadcasters and their self-regulating bodies. ¾¾Ayushman Bharat. €€This will bring the television’s self-regulatory mechanism at par with that being set-up for OTT Changes in Cable players and digital news publishers, as envisaged in the Information Technology (Intermediary Television Network Rules Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Why in News ¾¾Cable Television Network Act, 1995: The central government issued a notification €€Objective: The Act aimed at regulating content amending the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 and operationof cable networks. This Act regulates

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 35

the ‘haphazard mushrooming of cable television existing mainstreamed initiatives of both parties networks’. in select states. €€Important Provisions: €€This will co-create and implement solutions at scale zzSection 2:Under the Act, district magistrates, sub- to tackle the employment and skilling challenges divisional magistrates and police commissioners for adolescents and youth in India, with focus on are the ‘authorised officers’ to ensure that the vulnerable populations. Programme Code is not breached. zzVulnerable Populations include young people zzSection 3: No person shall operate a cable with special needs, youth leaving care institutions, television network unless he is registered as a migrant youth, victims ofchild labour, violence, cable operator under this Act. child marriage and trafficking and like other zzSection 4A:It is obligatory for cable operators matter. to transmit programmes of any channel in an ¾¾Areas of Collaboration: encrypted form through a digital addressable €€Connecting young people with employment system when the centre asks them to do so. opportunities. zzSection 16: Whoever contravenes any of the st €€Upskilling of young people on 21 century skills provisions of this Act shall be punishable. including life skills, financial skills, digital skills, zzSection 19: Authorised officer has power to vocations skills etc. prohibit transmission of certain programmes €€Strengthening National Career Service (NCS). in public interest if it promotes, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between €€Support in Job forecasting by exploring the gaps. different religious, racial, linguistic or regional €€Supporting direct dialogue and the establishment groups or castes or communities. of a feedback mechanism between youth and zzSection 20: Parliament has power to prohibit policy stakeholders. operation of cable television networks in public ¾¾National Career Service (NCS): interest. €€About: zzIt was launched in 2015, within the umbrella Improving of the e-governance plan. Employability of the Youth zzIt is a one-stop solution that provides a wide array of employment and career related services to the citizens of India. Why in News €€Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment. Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment €€Three Pillars: The NCS project reaches out to the and UNICEF have signed a Statement of Intent to improve people of this country through its three essential employment outcomes for the youth in India. pillars i.e. ¾¾According to Census 2011, every fifth person in India zzA well designed ICT based portal which is NCS is a youth (15-24 years). portal, ¾¾UNICEF is a special program of the United Nations zzCountry wide set up of Model Career Centers and (UN) devoted to aiding national efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education, and general welfare zzInterlinkage with all the states through of children. ‘The State of the World’s Children’ is employment exchanges. UNICEF’s flagship report. ¾¾UNICEF’s Initiative (YuWaah): €€The India chapter of Generation Unlimited (GenU) Key Points – YuWaah – was born in 2018. ¾¾Purpose of this Collaboration: €€GenU is a global multi-stakeholder platform that €€It intends to provide a platform for cooperation aims to prepare young people to transition to between the Ministry and UNICEF to leverage the productive work and active citizenship.

Note: 36 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Other Initiatives Taken ¾¾Increased public expenditure on schemes like to Improve Employability of the Youth Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment ¾¾National Youth Policy-2014provides a holistic Vision Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), Pt. Deen Dayal for the youth of India which is “to empower the Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) youth of the country to achieve their full potential, scheme run by Ministry of Rural Development and and through them enable India to find its rightful Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Urban place in the community of nations”. Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) run by Ministry ¾¾Prime Minister’s Employment Generation of Housing & Urban Affairs. Programme (PMEGP): It was introduced in 2008 ¾¾Other Flagship Programmes which have the for generation of employment opportunities through Potential to Generate Employment: Make in establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart as urban areas. It is administered by the Ministry City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Urban Transformation, Housing for All, Industrial ¾¾Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): It was corridors, etc. launched in 2015 for providing loans up to Rs. 10 €€In India, by 2030, YuWaah aims to ensure, the lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small/micro- following: enterprises. It has a focus on self-employment. zzBuild pathways for 100 million young people ¾¾Pradhan Mantri Rojgar ProtsahanYojana (PMRPY): to aspirational economic opportunities. It has been launched by the Ministry of Labour zzFacilitate 200 million young people to gain and Employment for incentivising employers for relevant skills for productive lives and the promoting employment generation.The Government future of work. is paying the entire employer’s contribution towards zzPartner with 300 million young people as EPF and EPS for all eligible new employees for all changemakers and create spaces for developing sectors for 3 years. their leadership.

nnn

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 37

Economic Scenario

Highlights zz International MSMEs Day zz Guidelines for Other Service Providers (OSPs) zz Agristack: The New Digital Push in Agriculture zz Proposal to Ban ‘Flash sales’ on E-commerce Sites zz Toycathon 2021 zz RBI’s Proposals for Microfinance Institutions zz Gujarat International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC) zz World’s First Genetically Modified Rubber: Assam zz Increase in Direct Tax Collections zz G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting zz Integrated Power Development Scheme zz Electoral Trust Scheme, 2013 zz Biotech-KISAN Programme zz Drone Survey Mandatory for All National Highways Projects zz World Competitiveness Index 2021 zz Nutrient Loss in Wheat & Rice zz Interest Rates on Small Saving Schemes zz Economic Relief Package after Covid- Second Wave zz US’ Digital Millennium Copyright Act

€€It has been funded by the 2030 Agenda for International MSMEs Day Sustainable Development Sub-Fund of the United Nations Peace and Development Fund. Why in News ¾¾Significance: Every year, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enter- €€The UN wants countries to recognise sustainable prises (MSMEs) Day is celebrated on 27th June to recognise development goals and create awareness about the contribution of these industries in the implementation them. of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). zzAn International Trade Centre survey on Covid-19 impact among businesses in 136 countries has Key Points shown that nearly 62% of women-led small ¾¾History: businesses have been strongly affected by the €€The United Nations (UN) designated 27th June as crisis, compared to just over half of firms led by Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day men, and women-owned are 27% more likely through a resolution passed in the UN General not to survive the pandemic. Assembly in April 2017. €€Formal and informal MSMEs make up over 90% €€In May 2017, a program titled ‘Enhancing National of all firms and account, on average, for 70% of Capacities for Unleashing Full Potentials of MSMEs total employment and 50% of GDP. As such, they in Achieving the SDGs in Developing Countries’ are key actors in achieving a green recovery. was launched. ¾¾2021 Theme:

Note: 38 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€MSME 2021: Key to an inclusive and sustainable ¾¾Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small recovery. Enterprises: Launched to facilitate easy flow of ¾¾Role of MSMEs in Indian Economy: credit, guarantee cover is provided for collateral €€They are the growth accelerators of the Indian free credit extended to MSMEs. economy, contributing about30% of the country’s ¾¾Micro and Small Enterprises Cluster Development gross domestic product (GDP). Programme (MSE-CDP): It aims to enhance the €€In terms of exports, they are an integral part of productivity and competitiveness as well as capacity the supply chain and contribute about 48% of building of MSEs. the overall exports. ¾¾Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology €€MSMEs also play an important role in employment Upgradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS): CLCSS aims at generation, as they employ about 110 million facilitating technology upgradation of Micro and people across the country. Small Enterprises (MSEs) by providing 15% capital zzInterestingly, MSMEs are intertwined with the subsidy for purchase of plant & machinery. rural economy as well, as more than half of the ¾¾CHAMPIONS portal: It aims to assist Indian MSMEs operate in rural India. MSMEs march into the big league as National and Global CHAMPIONS by solving their grievances Initiatives to Promote MSME Sector and encouraging, supporting, helping and hand ¾¾The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises holding them. (M/o MSME) envisions a vibrant MSME sector by ¾¾ It enables them to directly register promoting growth and development of the MSME MSME Samadhan: Sector, including Khadi, Village and Coir Industries. their cases about delayed payments by Central Ministries/Departments/CPSEs/State Governments. ¾¾The Micro; Small and Medium Enterprises ¾¾ Development (MSMED) Act was notified in 2006 Udyam Registrations Portal:This new portal assists to address policy issues affecting MSMEs as well as the government in aggregating the data on the the coverage and investment ceiling of the sector. number of MSMEs in the country. ¾¾Prime Minister’s Employment Generation ¾¾MSME SAMBANDH: It is a Public Procurement Portal. programme (PMEGP): It is a credit linked subsidy It was launched to monitor the implementation scheme, for setting up of new micro-enterprises of the Public Procurement from MSEs by Central and to generate employment opportunities inrural Public Sector Enterprises. as well as urban areas of the country. ¾¾Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Agristack: The New Industries (SFURTI): It aims to properly organize the artisans and the traditional industries into Digital Push in Agriculture clusters and thus provide financial assistance to make them competitive in today’s market scenario. Why in News ¾¾A Scheme for Promoting Innovation, Rural Industry Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture has signed a & Entrepreneurship (ASPIRE): The scheme promotes Memorandum of Understanding with Microsoft to run innovation & rural entrepreneurship through rural a pilot programme for 100 villages in 6 states. Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI), Technology ¾¾The MoU requires Microsoft to create a ‘Unified Business Incubator (TBI) and Fund of Funds for Farmer Service Interface’ through its cloud computing start-up creation in the agro-based industry. services. ¾¾Interest Subvention Scheme for Incremental Credit ¾¾This comprises a major part of the ministry’s plan of to MSMEs: It was introduced by the Reserve Bank of creating‘AgriStack’ (a collection of technology-based India wherein relief is provided upto 2% of interest interventions in agriculture), on which everything to all the legal MSMEs on their outstanding fresh/ else will be built. incremental term loan/working capital during the period of its validity. Key Points

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 39

¾¾About AgriStack: €€Commercialisation: €€It is a collection of technologies and digital zzThe formation of ‘Agristack’ will imply databases that focuses on farmers and the commercialisation of agriculture extension agricultural sector. activities as they will shift into a digital and €€AgriStack will create a unified platformfor farmers private sphere. to provide them end to end services across the €€Absence of Dispute Settlement: agriculture food value chain. zzThe MoUs provide for physical verification of €€It is in line with the Centre’s Digital India the land data gathered digitally, but there is programme, aimed at providing a broader push nothing on what will be the course of action to digitise data in India, from land titles to medical if disputes arise, especially when historical records. evidence suggests that land disputes take years zzThe government is also implementing the to settle. National Land Records Modernisation €€Privacy and Exclusion Issues: Programme (NRLMP). zzGiven that the proposed farmer ID will be €€Under the programme, each farmer will have a Aadhaar-seeded, further issues of privacy and unique digital identification (farmers’ ID) that exclusion would emerge. contains personal details, information about the zzSeveral researchers have demonstrated the land they farm, as well as production and financial vulnerability of the Aadhaar database to details. breaches and leaks, while Aadhaar-based zzEach ID will be linked to the individual’s digital exclusion in welfare delivery has also been well national ID Aadhaar. documented in different contexts. ¾¾ Need: zzAlso, making land records the basis for farmer €€At present, the majority of farmers across India databases would mean excluding tenant farmers, are small and marginal farmers with limited access sharecroppers and agricultural labourers. to advanced technologies or formal credit that „„Data shows that the population of farm can help improve output and fetch better prices. labourers has outstripped that of farmers €€Among the new proposed digital farming and cultivators. technologies and services under the programme include sensors to monitor cattle, drones to analyse soil and apply pesticide, may significantlyimprove Toycathon 2021 the farm yields and boost farmers’ incomes. ¾¾Potential Benefits: Why in News €€Problems such as inadequate access to credit Recently, the Prime Minister of India urged people and information, pest infestation, crop wastage, to be “vocal for local toys”, while interacting with the poor price discovery and yield forecasting can be participants at the Toycathon 2021. sufficiently addressed by use of digital technology. €€It will also fuel innovation and breed investment Key Points towards the agricultural sector and augment ¾¾Ministry: research towards more resilient crops. €€It was a joint initiative by the Ministry of Education, ¾¾Concerns: WCD (Women and Child Development) Ministry, €€Absence of a Data Protection Legislation: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, zzIn its absence, it might end up being an exercise Textile Ministry, Ministry of Information and where private data processing entities may Broadcasting and All India Council for Technical know more about a farmer’s land than the Education. farmer himself and they would be able to exploit €€It was launched on 5th January 2021 to crowd- farmers’ data to whatever extent they wish to. source innovative toys and games ideas.

Note: 40 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Aim: €€This will be the first centre of its kind in the country €€To conceptualize innovative toys based on the that will manage arbitration and mediation Indian value system which will inculcate positive proceedings with disputes related to the maritime behaviour and good value among the children. and shipping sector. €€To promote India as a global toy manufacturing €€The GIMAC will be part of a maritime clusterthat hub (Atmanirbhar Bharat). the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) is setting up ¾¾Features: in GIFT City at Gandhinagar. ¾¾ €€Based on: Indian culture and ethos, local folklore Need: and heroes, and Indian value systems. €€India’s Focus on Arbitration: Recently, the €€Themes: Nine themes, including fitness and sport Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, and rediscovering traditional Indian toys. 2021 was notified, considered as the landmark step towards making India as the hub of International €€Participants: Students, teachers, start-ups and Commercial Arbitration. toy experts. zzArbitration is a kind of dispute resolution method €€Prize: Participants can get prizes upto Rs. 50 lakhs. where the disputes arising between the parties ¾¾ Significance: are resolved by the arbitrators appointed by €€Toys can play a big role in highlighting India’s them instead of state’s legal bodies. capabilities, art and culture and society to the world. €€There are over 35 arbitral institutions in India, €€Toycathon can prove to be effective in making however, none focus exclusively on the disputes India a Production Hub of Toys and hence can be related to the maritime sector. the creation of ‘Toyoconomy’. zzWith the state continuing to witness a rapid €€Toys can be an excellent medium to further the extension in maritime activities and inching spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. closer to becoming a global maritime hub with €€It will help reduce imports. the implementation ofGujarat Maritime Cluster ¾¾Status of Toy Market: project, a strong growing and recurring demand €€Global toy market is worth nearly $100 billion. is being generated for a specialized facility for maritime arbitration services. €€Of which, India contributes only around $1.5 billion. €€The idea is to create a world-class arbitration centre €€India imports around 80% of toys from abroad. focused on maritime and shipping disputes that Which means crores of rupees of the country are can help resolve commercial and financial conflicts going abroad on them. between entities having operations in India. zzThe arbitrationinvolving Indian players is now Gujarat International Maritime heard at the Singapore Arbitration Centre. Arbitration Centre (GIMAC) zzGlobally, London is the preferred centre for arbitration for the maritime and shipping sector. Why in News ¾¾Benefits: €€Facilitate faster dispute resolution. Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Gujarat Maritime University €€Enhance the attractiveness ofGIFT Special Economic and International Financial Services Centres Authority Zone (SEZ) among the International Maritime in GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) City. Community. ¾¾The objective of the MoU is to jointly support the €€Increase the ease of doing business. establishment of the Gujarat International Maritime €€Reduce burden on courts. Arbitration Centre (GIMAC). ¾¾Gujarat Maritime Cluster: €€It is conceived as a dedicated ecosystem of Key Points Ports, Maritime Shipping and Logistics services ¾¾About GIMAC: providers.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 41

€€It will host an array of maritime, shipping industry players and service providers, along with relevant Government regulatory agencies, in GIFT City, Gandhinagar – India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). zzThe International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the IFSC in India. €€It will be a one stop solutionfor all maritime services while attaining economic growth, employment generation and industry – academia confluence in the region.

Increase in Direct Tax Collections

Why in News India’s direct tax collections in the first two and a half months (April - June) of 2021-22 stand at nearly Rs. 1.86 lakh crore, which is double the collections over the same period of last year that was affected by the national lockdown. ¾¾The collections last year over the same period were Rs. 92,762 crore. Key Points ¾¾Surge in Direct Tax Collections: €€It includes Corporation Tax collections of Rs. 74,356 crore and Personal Income Tax inflows, which include the Security Transaction Taxof Rs. 1.11 lakh crore. €€The jump in the direct tax collections reflects healthy exports and a continuation of various industrial and construction activities. €€It is expected that GDP (Gross Domestic Product) will record a double-digit expansion in Quarter 1 of 2021-22. ¾¾Direct Tax: €€A direct tax is a tax that a person or organization pays directly to the entity that imposed it. €€An individual taxpayer, for example, pays direct ¾¾Corporation Tax: taxes to the government for various purposes, €€Corporation tax is a direct tax imposed on the including income tax, real property tax, personal net income or profit that enterprises make from property tax, or taxes on assets. their businesses.

Note: 42 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Companies, both public and privately registered ¾¾TDS/TCS: in India under the Companies Act 1956, are liable €€Tax Deduction at Source: A person (deductor) to pay corporation tax. who is liable to make payment of specified nature €€This tax is levied at a specific rate according to the to any other person (deductee) shall deduct tax provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. at source and remit the same into the account of €€In September 2019, India slashed corporate tax the Central Government. rates to 22% from 30% for existing companies €€Tax Collection at Source:It is an additional amount and to 15% from 25 % for new manufacturing collected as tax by a seller of specified goods from companies. the buyer at the time of sale over and above the zzIncluding a surcharge and cess, the effective sale amount and is remitted to the government tax rate for existing companies now stands at account. 25.17%, down from 35%. ¾¾Government Initiatives to Improve Direct Taxes: ¾¾Security Transaction Tax (STT): €€For Personal Income Tax - The Finance Act, 2020 €€It is a direct tax charged on purchase and sale of has provided an option to individuals and co- securities that are listed on the recognized stock operatives for paying income-tax at concessional exchanges in India. rates if they do not avail specified exemption and €€Both purchaser and seller need to pay 0.1% of incentive. share value as STT. €€Vivad se Vishwas: Under Vivad se Vishwas, ¾¾Advance Tax Collections: declarations for settling pending tax disputes are currently being filed. €€Advance tax is paid by those who have tax liability of Rs. 10,000 or more in a financial year. It ispaid zzThis will benefit the Government by generating by both salaried and businesses, thus including timely revenue and also to the taxpayers by collections from corporate tax and personal bringing down mounting litigation costs. income tax. €€Expansion of scope of TDS/TCS - For widening the €€Advance tax is paid as and when the money is tax base, several new transactions were brought earned in four instalments rather than at the end into the ambit of Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) of the fiscal year. and Tax Collection at Source (TCS). €€It is considered an indication of economic sentiment. zzThese transactions include huge cash withdrawal, €€The first instalment or 15% of the annual tax is to foreign remittance, purchase of luxury cars, be paid by 15thJune, the second by 15th September e-commerce participants, sale of goods, (30%), the third by 15th December (30%), and the acquisition of immovable property, etc. rest by 15th March. €€‘Transparent Taxation - Honoring The Honest’ ¾¾Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT): platform: It is aimed at bringing transparency in income tax systems and empowering taxpayers. €€Dividend refers to the distribution of profits to shareholders of a company. €€Thus, the dividend distribution tax is a type of Integrated Power tax that is payable on the dividends offered to its Development Scheme shareholders by the corporation. €€In the Union Budget for 2020-2021 the DDT was withdrawn from the tax paid by the dividend Why in News payer. Instead, from April 2021 on, dividends A 50 kWp Solar rooftop in Solan, Himachal Pradesh would be taxed in the hands of the recipients, i.e. was inaugurated under Integrated Power Development shareholders of the distributing company. Scheme (IPDS) of the MInistry of Power. zzThe proposed rate is 10% for dividends paid to ¾¾The project further reinforces the ‘Go Green’ shareholders resident in India and 20% if paid Initiative of the government envisaged in the Urban to foreign investors. Distribution scheme.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 43

Key Points €€India is the third-largest producer and second- largest consumer of electricity in the world. ¾¾About IPDS: €€Electricity is a concurrent subject (Seventh Schedule €€Launch: of the Constitution). zzDecember 2014. €€The Ministry of Power is primarily responsible €€Nodal Agency: for the development of electrical energy in the zzPower Finance Corporation Ltd. (PFC), a country. Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise zzIt administers the Electricity Act, 2003 and the under the administrative control of the (CPSE) Energy Conservation Act, 2001. Ministry of Power. €€The Government has released its roadmap to €€Components: achieve 175 GW capacity in renewable energy by zzStrengthening of sub-transmission and 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar power and distribution networks in the urban areas. 60 GW of wind power. zzMetering of distribution transformers / feeders zzThe Government is preparing a ‘rent a roof’ / consumers in the urban areas. policy for supporting its target of generating 40 zzSchemes for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) gigawatts (GW) of power through solar rooftop and IT enablement of the distribution sector. projects by 2022. „„ERP helps in integrating the important parts zzThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of a business. (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry for all matters zzUnderground cabling to include additional relating to new and renewable energy. demand of States and smart metering solution €€100% FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is permitted for performing UDAY States and Solar panels under automatic route in the power sector. on Govt. buildings with net-metering are also ¾¾Related Government Initiatives: permissible under the scheme. €€Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana €€Objectives (Saubhagya): To ensure electrification of all zz24×7 Power supplies for consumers. willing households in the country in rural as well zzReduction of AT&C (aggregate technical and as urban areas. commercial) losses. €€Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY): zzProviding access to power to all households. The rural electrification scheme provides for (a) separation of agriculture and non-agriculture €€Eligibility: feeders; (b) strengthening and augmentation of zzAll Power Distribution Companies (Discoms) sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure are eligible for financial assistance under the in rural areas including metering at distribution scheme. transformers, feeders and consumers end. €€Funding Pattern: €€GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) App: To monitor zzGoI (Government of India) Grant: 60% (85% transparency in implementation of the electrification for special category States). schemes, Grameen Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVAs) have zzAdditional Grant: 15% (5% for special category been appointed by the government to report States) - linked to achievement of milestones. progress through the GARV app. ¾¾Power Sector in India: €€Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY): For €€India’s power sector is one of the most diversified operational and financial turnaround of Discoms. in the world. Sources of power generation range €€‘4 Es’ in the Revised Tariff Policy:The 4Es include from conventional sources such as coal, lignite, Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable natural gas, oil, hydro and nuclear power to viable tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease non-conventionalsources such as wind, solar, and of doing business to attract investments and ensure agricultural and domestic waste. financial viability.

Note: 44 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Achievements: ¾¾Objective: €€Solar tariffs in India have reduced from Rs. 7.36/ €€It was launched for agriculture innovation with kWh in FY15 to Rs. 2.63/kWh in FY20. an objective to connect science laboratories with €€As of December 2020, over 36.69 crore LED bulbs, the farmers to find out innovative solutions and 1.14 crore LED tube lights and 23 lakh energy- technologies to be applied at farm level. efficient fans have been distributed across the ¾¾Progress: country, saving 47.65 billion kWh per year. €€146 Biotech-KISAN Hubs have been established €€In the first half of November 2020, India’s power covering all 15 agroclimatic zones and 110 consumption increased 7.8% to 50.15 billion units Aspirational Districts in the country. (BU), indicating an improvement in economic €€The scheme has benefittedover two lakhs farmers activity. so far by increasing their agriculture output and €€Energy generation from thermal sources stood at income. Over 200 entrepreneurships have also 472.90 billion units (BU) in April-September 2020. been developed in rural areas. €€India’s rank jumped to 22 in 2019 from 137 in ¾¾About the Present Call: 2014 on World Bank’s Ease of doing business - €€The present call specifically focuses on theNorth “Getting Electricity” ranking. East Region (NER) as it is predominantly agrarian th €€As of 28 April, 2018, 100% village electrification with 70% of its workforce engaged in agriculture was achieved under DDUGJY. and allied sector for livelihood. €€The region produces merely 1.5 % of the country’s Biotech-KISAN Programme food grain and continues to be anet importer of food grains even for its domestic consumption. Why in News €€The NER has untapped potential to enhance the The Ministry of Science and Technology has issued income of the farming population by promotion of a Special Call for the NorthEast Region as a part of its location specific crops, horticultural and plantation Mission Programme “Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science crops, fisheries and livestock production. Application Network (Biotech-KISAN)”. €€The Biotech-KISAN Hubs in NER will collaborate with the top scientific institutions across the Key Points country as well as State Agricultural Universities ¾¾About: (SAUs) / Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) / existing €€It is a scientist-farmer partnership scheme state agriculture extension services / system in launched in 2017. the NER for demonstrations of technologies and €€It is a pan-India program, following a hub-and- training of farmers. spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers and empowers women World farmers. €€The Biotech-KISAN hubs are expected to fulfil the Competitiveness Index 2021 technology required to generate agriculture and bio-resource related jobs and better livelihood Why in News ensuring biotechnological benefits to small and According to the World Competitiveness Yearbook marginal farmers. (WCY), India maintained 43rd rank on the annual World €€Farmers are also exposed to best global farm Competitiveness Index. management and practices. ¾¾The World Competitiveness Index is a comprehensive ¾¾Ministry: annual report and worldwide reference point on the €€This is a farmer-centric scheme developed by competitiveness of countries. and with farmers under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. Key Points

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 45

¾¾About: €€India’s Strengths: €€Published by: WCY was first published in 1989 zzIndia’s strengths lie in investments in telecoms and is compiled by the Institute for Management (1st), mobile telephone costs (1st), ICT services Development (IMD). exports (3rd), remuneration in services professions th th zzIn 2021, the IMD examined the impact of Covid-19 (4 ) and terms of trade index (5 ). on economies around the world. €€India’s Weaknesses: zzIt provides extensive coverage of 64 economies. zzIndia’s performance is the worst in sub-indices €€Factors: It measures the prosperity and such as broadband subscribers (64th), exposure to competitiveness of countries by examining four particulate pollution (64th), human development factors (334 competitiveness criteria): index (64th), GDP per capita (63rd) and foreign nd zzEconomic performance currency reserves per capita (62 ) among others. zzGovernment efficiency ¾¾Analysis: zzBusiness efficiency €€Qualities of Top Performers: The qualities such as zzInfrastructure investment in innovation, digitalisation, welfare benefits, diversified economic activities, supportive ¾¾Top Global Performers: public policy and leadership, resulting in social €€Europe: cohesion have helped countries better manage the zzThe European countries display regional crisis and thus ranking higher in competitiveness. strength in world competitiveness ranking with €€Addressed Unemployment: Competitive economies Switzerland (1st), Sweden (2nd), Denmark (3rd), succeeded in transitioning to a remote work routine the Netherlands (4th). while also allowing remote learning. €€Asia: €€Public Spending: The effectiveness of key public zzThe top-performing Asian economies are, in spending, such as public finance, tax policy and th th order, Singapore (5 ), Hong Kong (7 ), Taiwan business legislation, are seen to relieve the pressure th th (8 ) and China (16 ). on the economies hit by the Covid-19. „„Singapore was 1st in the 2020 World ¾¾Recent Steps Taken by India to Increase its Com- Competitiveness Index. petitiveness : €€Others: €€The government has introduced the Production- zzThe UAE and the USA remain in their same Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in various sectors th th spots as last year (9 and 10 , respectively). for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities ¾¾India’s Performance: and exports. €€In Comparison to BRICS Nations: Among the BRICS €€The five pillars of Atmanirbhar‘ Bharat Abhiyan rd nations, India ranked second (43 ) after China (or Self-reliant India Mission)’ are - Economy, th th th (16 ), followed by Russia (45 ), Brazil (57 ) and Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography and nd South Africa (62 ). Demand. €€Performance on Four Factors: Among the four indices used, India’s ranking in government efficiency increasedto 46 from 50 a year ago, while Interest Rates on its ranking in other parameters such as economic Small Saving Schemes performance (37th), business efficiency (32th) and infrastructure (49) remained the same. Why in News €€Improvements in Government Efficiency:Mostly due to relatively stable public finances. Despite Government may reduce interest rates on small saving difficulties brought by the pandemic, in 2020, the schemes for the July - September Quarter. government deficit stayed at 7%. The Government ¾¾A cut in small savings rates at this point would further also provided support and subsidies to the private hurt households amid a surge in inflation, according companies. to economists.

Note: 46 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Key Points zzThe Shyamala Gopinath panel (2010) constituted ¾¾Background: on the Small Saving Scheme had suggested a market-linked interest rate system for small zzSmall savings rates were slashed between 0.5% savings schemes. and 1.4% on different instrumentsin April 2020, bringing the PPF (Public Provident Funds) rate ¾¾Advantage of the Rate Cut: to 7.1% from 7.9%. €€Since the central government uses the small savings zzThe government decided to further slash fund to finance its deficit, the lower rates would interest rates for the first quarter of 2021-22 reduce the cost of deficit financing. (April-June), but withdrew its decision terming €€A cut in rates would mean that the government it an “oversight”. wants people to spend and provide impetus to ¾¾Small Saving Schemes/Instruments: the economy. €€About: ¾¾Disadvantage: zzThey are the major source of household savings €€Rate cuts would hurt investors, particularlysenior in India and comprises 12 instruments. citizens and the middle class. zzThe depositors get an assured interest on zzMoreover, household savings have been shrinking their money. significantly for two quarters in a row even zzCollections from all small savings instruments before the second Covid-19 wave. are credited to the National Small Savings €€This would lead to further rationalisation of fixed Fund (NSSF). deposit rates by banks going forward, and would zzSmall savings have emerged as a key source of reduce returns further. financing the government deficit, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic led to a ballooning €€A lower rate would mean a negative real rate of of the government deficit, necessitating higher return on most debt instruments as inflation is need for borrowings. hovering around 5%. €€ Small savings instruments can be Classification: Rate of Return and Inflation classified under three heads: ¾¾The rate of return is the expected or desired zz (comprising savings account, Postal Deposits amount of money a person receives from an recurring deposits, time deposits of varying investment in a savings account, mutual fund or maturities and monthly income scheme). bond. zzSavings Certificates: National Small Savings ¾¾The real rate of return is the return on investment Certificate (NSC) and Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP). after adjusting for the rate of inflation.It is calculated zzSocial Security Schemes: Sukanya Samriddhi by subtracting the inflation rate from the return on Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Senior Scheme, investment. Citizens‘ Savings Scheme (SCSS). ¾¾Inflation has the power to erode a person’s annual €€Determination of Rates: rate of return. When the annual inflation rate zzInterest rates on small savings schemes are reset exceeds the rate of return, the consumer loses

on a quarterly basis, in line with the movement money when they invest it because of the decline of similar in benchmark government bonds in purchasing power. maturity. The rates are reviewed periodically ¾¾Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most by the Ministry of Finance. goods and services of daily or common use, such „„For the last one year, yields on benchmark as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, government bonds have ranged between consumer staples, etc. It is indicative of the decrease 5.7% and 6.2%. This provides the government in the purchasing power of a unit of a country’s the leeway to cut rates on small savings schemes in future. currency.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 47

zzIt also obligates that signatories to the treaty US’ Digital ensure ways to prevent circumvention of the Millennium Copyright Act technical measures used to protect copyrighted work. It also provides the necessary international legal protection to digital content. Why in News Recently, the Union Minister for Electronics and Intellectual Property Information Technology was locked out of his Twitter ¾¾It is a category of property that includes intangible account for an hour allegedly over a notice received for creations of the human intellect, and primarily violation of the US’ Digital Millennium Copyright Act encompasses copyrights, patents and trademarks. (DMCA) 1998. ¾¾It also includes other types of rights, such as trade secrets, publicity rights, moral rights, and rights Key Points against unfair competition. ¾¾Digital Millennium Copyright Act: ¾¾Every year World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on 26th April. €€It is a law passed in the US and is among the world’s first laws recognising Intellectual Property ¾¾Other than WIPO treaties, it is also covered under (IP) on the internet. the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO)Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property €€The DMCA oversees the implementation of two 1996 treaties signed by World Intellectual Property (TRIPS Agreement). Organisation (WIPO) member nations. €€India is a member of WTO and hence committed to TRIPS. ¾¾Complaint and Compliance: €€Any content creator of any form, who believes that their original content has been copied by a Guidelines for Other user or a website without authorisation can file an application citing their intellectual property Service Providers (OSPs) has been stolen or violated. €€In the case of social media intermediaries like Why in News Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, content creators Recently, the Department of Telecommunications can directly approach the platform with a proof (DoT) has eased the norms for Other Service Providers of them being original creators. (OSPs). zzSince these companies operate in nations which ¾¾The OSP guidelines were earlier liberalised in November are signatories to the WIPO treaty, they are 2020 in order to encourage the BPO (Business Process obligated to remove the said content if they Outsourcing) industry in India. The new guidelines receive a valid and legal DMCA takedown notice. have been simplified even further, offering greater ¾¾WIPO Treaties: ease of business and regulatory clarity. €€WIPO members had agreed upon two treaties, Key Points namely the WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. ¾¾Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): zzIndia is a member of both the treaties. €€BPO is a business practice in which an organization €€Both the treaties require member nations contracts with an external service provider to and signatories to provide in their respective perform an essential business task. jurisdictions, protection to IPthat may have been zzBPO offers several benefits, such as lower costs, created by citizens of different nations who are global expansion, and higher efficiency, while also co-signatories to the treaty. some of the drawbacks include security issues, zzProtection must not be any less in any way than hidden costs, and overdependence. the one being given to a domestic copyright €€OSPs or Other Service Providers are companies or holder. firms whichprovide secondary or tertiary services

Note: 48 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

such as telemarketing, telebanking or telemedicine will invite foreign companies to set up or expand for various companies, banks or hospital chains, their other service providing units in India. respectively. €€It will allow employees to opt for freelancing for €€The Indian Information Technology (IT) - BPO more than one company while working from home, industry was worth $37.6 billion in 2019-2020, thereby attracting more workers in the sector. and has the potential to rise to $55.5 billion over the next four to five years. Proposal to Ban ‘Flash ¾¾Important Features of New Policy: €€Distinction between Domestic and International sales’ on E-commerce Sites OSPs has been removed. A BPO centre with common Telecom resources will now be able to Why in News serve customers located worldwide including in The government proposed changes to the Consumer India. Protection (e-commerce) Rules 2020, banning all “flash zzNow, the interconnectivity between all types sales” in order to monitor the deep discounts offered on of OSP centres is permitted. e-commerce websites. €€The Electronic Private Automatic Branch Exchange (EPABX) of OSPs can now be located anywhere Key Points in the world. ¾¾Rationale for Making Changes: €€Removed the requirement of OSPs submitting €€Conventional flash sales by third party sellers are their reports to the DoT on a period basis. not banned on e-commerce platforms but only zzSuch service providers will have to self-regulate the predatory ones. and maintain a call data record, a usage data €€Small businesses complain of misuse of market record and a system log for all customer calls dominance and deep discountingby e-commerce for a certain time period. marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart. zzThey will also have to abide by the data security €€The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has been receiving norms prescribed by the Centre. complaints against widespread cheating and unfair €€Other Provisions: trade practicesbeing observed in the e-commerce zzExempted OSPs from requirement of any ecosystem. registration. €€Certain e-commerce entities are engaging in zzNo Bank Guarantees were to be furnished. limiting consumer choice by indulging in ‘back zzWork from Home and Work from Anywhere to back’ or ‘flash’ sales wherein one seller on a was also permitted. platform does not carry any inventory or order fulfilment capability but merely places a ‘flash or zzPenalties for violations were removed altogether back to back’ order with another seller controlled reaffirming the trust the Government has in by platform. business. ¾¾Other Important Proposals: ¾¾Expected Benefits: €€The guidelines will make it easier for BPOs and ITes firms in cutting down on the cost of location, rent for premises and other ancillary costs such as electricity and internet bills. €€The companies will no longer have to carry the additional compliance burden of providing the details of OSP employees to the DoT, as they are recognised as extended or remote agents. €€The doing away of registration norms will also mean that there will be no renewal of such licenses. This

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 49

€€The e-commerce sites are also directed to ensure ¾¾The Indian e-commerce industry has been on an appointment of Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), upward growth trajectory and is expected to surpass a nodal contact person for 24x7 coordination with the US to become the second-largest e-commerce law enforcement agencies. market in the world by 2034. €€These companies will also have to name a resident grievance officerwho has to be a company employee and a citizen of India. €€To tackle growing concerns of preferential treatment, the new rules propose to ensure none of the related parties are allowed to use any consumer information (from the online platform) for ‘unfair advantage’. €€The companies will also have to identify goods based on their country of origin and provide a filter mechanism at a pre-purchase stage for customers. zzThey will also have to offer alternatives to these imported goods to provide a “fair opportunity” to domestic sellers. €€In the event a seller fails to deliver a good or RBI’s Proposals for service, the final liability will fall on the e-commerce Microfinance Institutions marketplace. €€E-commerce firms operating in India will also have Why in News to register under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed Ministry of Commerce and Industry. to lift the interest rate cap on Microfinance Institutions ¾¾Significance of Proposals: (MFIs), and said all micro loans should be regulated by a common set of guidelines irrespective of who gives them. €€This would ensure effective compliance with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Rules, Key Points 2020 and also strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism. ¾¾Proposals: €€The proposal comes at a time when large €€RBI has suggested a common definition of e-commerce marketplaces are being investigated microfinance loans for all regulated entities. by the Competition Commission of India (CCI)for €€Microfinance loans should mean collateral-free alleged abuse of market dominance and giving loans to households with annual household preferential treatment to sellers in which they income of Rs 1,25,000 and Rs 2,00,000 for rural hold indirect stakes. and urban/semi urban areas, respectively. zzFor this purpose, ‘household’ means a group E-Commerce of persons normally living together and taking ¾¾Electronic commerce or e-commerce is a business food from a common kitchen. model that lets firms and individuals buy and sell €€RBI has mooted capping the payment of interest things over the Internet. and repayment of principal for all outstanding ¾¾Propelled by rising smartphone penetration, the loan obligations of the household as a percentage launch of 4G networks and increasing consumer of the household income, subject to a limit of wealth, the Indian e-commerce market is expected maximum 50%. to grow to USD 200 billion by 2026 from USD 38.5 €€Non-banking Financial Company (NBFC)-MFIs, billion in 2017. like any other NBFC, shall be guided by a board-

Note: 50 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

approved policy and the fair practices code, whereby ¾¾MicroFinance Institution (MFI): disclosure and transparency would be ensured. €€Microfinance is aform of financial servicewhich €€There would be no ceiling prescribed for the provides small loans and other financial services interest rate. There would be no collateral allowed to poor and low-income households. for micro loans. €€Indian microfinance sector has witnessed €€There can be no prepayment penalty, while all phenomenal growth over the past two decades in entities have to permit the borrowers to repay terms of increase in both the number of institutions weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments as per providing microfinance and thequantum of credit their choice. made available to the microfinance customers. €€Microcredit is delivered through a variety of institutional channels viz., zzScheduled commercial banks (SCBs) (including small finance banks (SFBs) and regional rural banks (RRBs)) zzCooperative banks, zzNon-banking financial companies (NBFCs) zzMicrofinance institutions (MFIs) registered as NBFCs as well as in other forms. €€MFIs are financial companies that provide small loans to people who do not have any access to banking facilities. zzThe definition of “small loans” varies between countries. In India, all loans that are below Rs. 1 lakh can be considered as microloans. €€Significance: zzIt is an economic tool designed to promote financial inclusion which enables the poor and low-income households to come out of poverty, increase their income levels and improve overall living standards. zzIt can facilitate achievement of national policies that target poverty reduction, women empowerment, assistance to vulnerable groups, and improvement in the standards of living.

Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institution ¾¾The NBFC-MFI is a non-deposit taking financial company. ¾¾Conditions to qualify as NBFC-MFI: €€Minimum Net Owned Funds (NOF) of Rs. 5 crore. ¾¾Significance of Proposal: €€At least 85% of its Net Assets in the nature of €€RBI has reposed faith in the maturity of the Qualifying Assets. microfinance sector with this step. zzThe Qualifying Assets are those assets which €€This is a forward-looking step where the responsibility have a substantial period of time to be ready is of the institutionto fix a reasonable interest rate for its intended use or sale. on transparent terms.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 51

¾¾The difference between an NBFC-MFI and other zzGrowth of young rubber plants remains NBFC is that while other NBFCs can operate at a very suspended during the winter months, which are high level, MFIs cater to only the smaller level of also characterised by progressive drying of the soil. This is the reason for the long immaturity social strata, with need of smaller amounts as loans. period of this crop in the region. ¾¾Natural Rubber: World’s First Genetically €€Commercial Plantation Crop: Rubber is made Modified Rubber: Assam from the latex of a tree called Hevea Brasiliensis. Rubber is largely perceived as a strategic industrial raw material and accorded special status globally Why in News for defence, national security and industrial Recently, the world’s firstGenetically Modified (GM) development. rubber plant developed by Rubber Research Institute €€Conditions for Growth: It is an equatorial crop, was planted in Assam. but under special conditions, it is also grown in ¾¾The rubber plant is the first of its kind developed tropical and sub-tropical areas. exclusively for this region, and is expected to grow zzTemperature: Above 25°C with moist and well under the climatic conditions of the mountainous humid climate. northeastern region. zzRainfall: More than 200 cm. zzSoil Type: Rich well drained alluvial soil. Rubber Board zzCheap and adequate supply of skilled labour ¾¾It is headquartered at Kottayam, Kerala, under is needed for this plantation crop. the administration of the Ministry of Commerce €€ and Industry. Indian Scenario: zz ¾¾The Board is responsible for the development of The British established the first rubber plantation on the banks of the river Periyar the rubber industry in the country by assisting and in India in 1902 in Kerala. encouraging research, development, extension and training activities related to rubber. zzIndia is currently the sixth largest producer of NR in the world with one of the highest ¾¾Rubber Research Institute is under the Rubber Board. productivity (694,000 tonnes in 2017-18). Key Points zzTop Rubber Producing States: Kerala > Tamil Nadu > Karnataka. ¾¾About the GM Rubber: €€Government Initiatives: Rubber Plantation €€Genetic modification (GM) technology allows Development Scheme and Rubber Group Planting the transfer of genes for specific traits between Scheme are examples of government led initiatives species using laboratory techniques. for rubber. €€The GM rubber has additional copies of the gene zz100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in MnSOD, or manganese-containing superoxide plantations of rubber, coffee, tea, cardamom, dismutase, inserted in the plant, which is expected palm oil tree and olive oil tree. to tide over the severe cold conditions during €€Major Producers Globally: Thailand, Indonesia, winter in the northeast. Malaysia, Vietnam, China and India. zzThe MnSOD gene has the ability to protect plants €€Major Consumers: China, India, USA, Japan, from the adverse effects of severe environmental Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. stresses such as cold and drought. ¾¾India’s National Rubber Policy: €€Need: €€The Department of Commerce brought out the zzNatural rubber is a native of warm humid National Rubber Policy in March 2019. Amazon forests and is not naturally suited for €€The policy includes several provisions to support the colder conditions in the Northeast, which is the Natural Rubber (NR) production sector and one of the largest producers of rubber in India. the entire rubber industry value chain.

Note: 52 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzIt covers new planting and replanting of rubber, G20 support for growers, processing and marketing ¾¾It is an informal group of 19 countries and the of natural rubber, labour shortage, grower European Union, with representatives of the forums, external trade, Centre-State integrated International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. strategies, research, training, rubber product manufacturing and export, climate change ¾¾The G20 membership comprises a mix of the concerns and carbon market. world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s zzIt is based on the short term and long term population, 85% of global gross domestic product, strategies identified by theTask Force constituted on the rubber sector for mitigating problems 80% of global investment and over 75% of global faced by rubber growers in the country. trade. ¾¾ zzDevelopmental and research activities for Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, supporting the NR sector for the welfare of China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, growers are carried out through Rubber Board Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi by implementing thescheme Sustainable and Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber States, and the European Union. Sector in the Medium Term Framework (MTF) ¾¾Initiatives Highlighted by India: (2017-18 to 2019-20). €€Educational and Skilling Efforts: zzThe developmental activities include financial zzNew National Education Policy, 2020: and technical assistance for planting, supply of quality planting materials, support for „„It aims for reforms in school and higher grower forums, training and skill development education systems. programme. „„India is strengthening its educational and skilling efforts to ensure quality education G20 Labour and Employment from preschool to senior secondary stage. zzNational Skill Development Mission: Ministers’ Meeting „„It aims to create convergence across sectors and States in terms of skill training activities. Why in News zzPradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Recently, the Union Minister for Labour and Employ- „„It enables the youth to take up industry ment has said that India is making collective efforts to related skill training to assist them in securing reduce gender gaps in labour force participation. better opportunities. ¾¾He was delivering the Ministerial Address on Declaration zzDigital educational content has been made and Employment Working Group Priorities at G20 available on various e-learning platforms like Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting. DIKSHA, SWAYAM. €€For Employment Generation: Key Points zzAatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana: ¾¾Issues Discussed: „„The government is paying up to 24% of wages €€The Employment Working Group deliberated upon towards EPF contributions for new employees key issues, including women employment, social as well as those who lost their jobs in the security and remote working. pandemic and are being re-employed. zz In 2014, G20 Leaders pledged in Brisbane to €€To Ensure Women Participation: reduce the gap in labour force participation zzNew Code on Wages, 2019: rates between men and women by 25% by 2025, with the aim of bringing 100 million women „„It will reduce gender-based discrimination into the labour market, increasing global and in wages, recruitment and conditions of inclusive growth, and reducing poverty and employment. inequality. zzPradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 53

„„It provides financial support to women Labour Force Participation entrepreneurs to start small enterprises. ¾¾The labor force participation rate indicates the „„Collateral free loans worth Rs 9 lakh crore percentage of all people of working age who are have been disbursed under this scheme. employed or are actively seeking work. „„There are around 70% of women in this ¾¾India continues to struggle to provide its women scheme. with equal opportunity. zzNew Code on Social Security: ¾¾In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, female labor „„It may now include even self-employed and force participation in India was 23.5%, according all other classes of workforce into the folds to ILO estimates. of social security coverage. ¾¾According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey, zzOthers: 2018-19, the female labour force participation rates „„Women can now work even during night (LFPR) among women aged above 15 years are as hours and the duration of paid maternity low as 26.4% in rural areas and 20.4% in urban leave has been increased from 12 weeks areas in India. to 26 weeks. €€This divide can become a barrier for women to ¾¾G20 Roadmap Towards and Beyond the Brisbane access critical education, health, and financial Target: services, or to achieve success in activities or €€This has been developed for achieving equal sectors that are becoming more digitized. opportunities and outcomes for women and men in ¾¾Technological Disruption: Women hold most of the the labour markets as well as societies in general. administrative and data-processing roles that artificial €€The G20 Roadmap Towards and Beyond the Brisbane intelligence and other technologies threaten to usurp. Target has been set as: €€As routine jobs become automated, the pressure zzIncreasing the quantity and quality of women’s on women will intensify and they will experience employment. higher unemployment rates. ¾¾ Globally, major gaps zzEnsuring equal opportunities and achieving Lack of Gender-Related Data: better outcomes in the labour market. in gendered data and the lack of trend data make it hard to monitor progress. zzPromoting a moreeven distribution of women and men across sectors and occupations. €€In India, too, significant gaps in data on the girl child prevent a systematic longitudinal assessment zzTackling the gender pay gap. of the lives of girls. zzPromotinga more balanced distribution of paid ¾¾Impact of Covid-19: Owing to Covid-19, global and unpaid work between women and men. female employment is 19% more at risk than male zzAddressing discrimination and gender employment (ILO estimates). stereotypes in the labour market.

Constraints in Female Labor Force Participation Electoral Trust Scheme, 2013 ¾¾Stereotyping in Society: India’s societal norms are such that women are expected to take the responsibility of Why in News family care and childcare. This stereotype is a critical For the first time, anelectoral trust (under Electoral barrier to women’s labor force participation. Trust Scheme, 2013) has declared donation through €€Due to this, women are in constant conflict over- electoral bonds and hasn’t revealed the names of the allotment of time for work and life is a war of political parties that received the money, citing anonymity attrition for them. guaranteed under the electoral bond scheme. ¾¾Digital Divide: In India in 2019, internet users were ¾¾According to the Association of Democratic Reforms 67% male and 33% female, and this gap is even (ADR), this “practice is against the spirit of theElectoral bigger in rural areas. Trusts Scheme, 2013 and the Income Tax Rules,

Note: 54 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

1962 which make it mandatory for trusts to furnish zzA firm or Hindu undivided family or an Association each and every detail about the donor contributing of persons or a body of individuals, resident to the trust. in India. €€If Electoral trusts start adopting this precedent €€Shall not accept contributions From: of donating through bonds, it will be a complete zzAn individual who is not a citizen of India. situation of i.e. total anonymity, unfair practices zzAny other electoral trust which has been unchecked and unlimited funding, free flow of registered as a company under section 25 of black money circulation, corruption, foreign the Companies Act, 1956 and approved as funding, corporate donations and related conflict an electoral trust under the Electoral Trusts of interest etc. Scheme, 2013; Key Points zzA Government company as defined in section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013. ¾¾About the Electoral Trust Scheme: zzA foreign source as defined in section 2 of the €€Electoral Trust is a non-profit organization formed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. in India for orderly receiving of the contributions €€An electoral trust can accept contributions only from any person. by cheque, demand draft or account transfer to €€Electoral Trusts are relativelynew in India and are the bank. part of the ever-growing electoral restructurings ¾¾Other Points: in the country. €€The electoral trust may spend up to 5% of the €€Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013 was notified by the total contributions received in a year subject Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). to an aggregate limit of Rs. 5 Lakh in the first year zzThe provisions related to the electoral trust of incorporation and Rs. 3 Lakh in subsequent are under Income-tax Act, 1961 and Income years. tax rules-1962. €€The trust obtains a receipt from the eligible political ¾¾Objective: party indicating the name of the political party, its €€It lays down a procedure for grant of approval to permanent account number etc. an electoral trust which will receive voluntary contributions and distribute the same to the Electoral Bond political parties. ¾¾Electoral Bond is a financial instrument for making €€A political party registered under section 29A of donations to political parties. the Representation of the People Act, 1951 shall ¾¾The bonds are issued in multiples of Rs. 1,000, be an eligible political partyand an electoral trust Rs. 10,000, Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore shall distribute funds only to the eligible political without any maximum limit. parties. ¾¾State Bank of India is authorised to issue and encash ¾¾Criteria for Approval of Trusts: these bonds, which are valid for fifteen days from €€An electoral trust shall be considered for approval the date of issuance. if it fulfills following conditions, namely:- ¾¾These bonds are redeemable in the designated zzThe company registered for the purposes of account of a registered political party. section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. ¾¾The bonds are available for purchase by any person zzThe object of the electoral trust shall not be (who is a citizen of India or incorporated or to earn any profit or pass any direct or indirect established in India) for a period of ten days each benefit to its members or contributors. in the months of January, April, July and October ¾¾Contributions to Electoral Trusts: as may be specified by the Central Government. €€Receive Voluntary Contributions From: €€A person being an individual can buy bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals. zzAn individual who is a citizen of India; €€Donor’s name is not mentioned on the bond. zzA company which is registered in India; and

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 55

€€The trust shall keep and maintain such books of zzNSV uses the latest survey techniques such as account and other documents in respect of its high-resolution digital camera for 360 degree receipts, distributions and expenditure. imagery, Laser Road Profilometer and other €€The trust shall also maintain a list of persons from latest technology for measurement of distress whom contributions have been received and to in road surface. whom the same have been distributed. ¾¾NHAI’s Portal “Data Lake”: ¾¾Significance of Scheme: €€NHAI has gone ‘Fully Digital’ with the launch of €€Electoral Trusts are designed to bring in more cloud based and Artificial Intelligence poweredBig transparency in the funds provided by corporate Data Analytics platform– Data Lake and Project entities to the political parties for their election Management Software. related expenses. €€All project documentation, contractual decisions €€The Election Commission had also circulated and approvals are now done through the portal only.

guidelines for submission of contribution reports €€Data Lake software forecasts the delays, likely of electoral trusts to submit an annual report disputes and gives advance alerts. containing details of contributions received by the €€Significance: electoral trusts and disbursed by them to political parties in the interest of transparency. zzThe Data Lake will bring revolutionary changes to NHAI with benefits like No delays, Quick decision making, No question of missing records, Work Drone Survey Mandatory for All from anywhere/anytime. National Highways Projects zzIt will enhance transparency, as all officers and stakeholders connected with the project can Why in News see what is going on a real time basis. zzIt will also help in carrying out audits by the The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) senior officers and other external agencies. has made use of drones mandatory for video recording of the national highway projectsduring different stages ¾¾National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): of development, construction, operation and maintenance. €€NHAI was set up under NHAI Act, 1988. ¾¾These videos will be saved on NHAI’s portal “Data €€It has been entrusted with the National Highways Lake” to assess the progress made on the projects. Development Project (NHDP), along with other minor projects for development, maintenance Key Points and management. ¾¾Significance: zzNHDP is a project to upgrade, rehabilitate €€It will enhance transparency, uniformity and and widen major highways in India to a higher leverage the latest technology. standard. The project was started in 1998. €€NHAI officials can use the videos during the €€NHAI maintains the National Highways network physical inspection of the projects to check the to global standards and in a cost effective manner, discrepancies and rectifications made on the thus promoting economic well being and quality earlier observations. of life of the people. €€Since these videos will be permanently stored on National Highways the ‘Data Lake’, they can also be used as evidence during the dispute resolution process before ¾¾The major roads in India are the national and Arbitral Tribunals and Courts. state highways. National Highways (NH) are built, financed and maintained by the Central govern- €€Also the mandatory deployment of Network Survey ment whereas State Highways (SH) are developed Vehicle (NSV) to carry out road condition surveys by the respective States’ public works department. on the National Highways will enhance the overall ¾¾ quality of the highways. Constitutional Provisions:

Note: 56 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Highways declared by or under law made by Nutrient Loss in Wheat & Rice Parliament to be national highways - Union List under Seventh Schedule. Why in News €€Article 257 (2): The executive power of the Union shall also extend to the giving of directions Recently, researchers from various institutes under to a State as to the construction and mainte- the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and nance of means of communication declared Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya found depleting in the direction to be of national or military trends in grain density of zinc and iron in rice and wheat importance. cultivated in India. zzProvided that nothing in this clause shall be ¾¾The researchers collected seeds of rice (16 varieties) taken as restricting the power of Parliament to and wheat (18 varieties) from the gene bank maintained declare highways or waterways to be national at the ICAR’s Cultivar repositories. highways or national waterways or the power of the Union with respect to the highways or Indian Council of Agricultural Research waterways so declared. ¾¾It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education ¾¾The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of NHs. ¾¾It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture €€The Ministry has taken up detailed review including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences of NHs network with a view to develop the in the entire country. road connectivity to Border areas, develop- ¾¾ th ment of Coastal roads including road connectivity It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered for Non-Major ports, improvement in the society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. efficiency of National Corridors, develop- ¾¾It is headquartered at New Delhi. With 102 ICAR ment of Economic Corridors, Inter Corridors institutes and 71 agricultural universities spread and Feeder Routes along with integration across the country this is one of the largest national with Sagarmala, etc., under Bharatmala agricultural systems in the world. Pariyojana. ¾¾Cultivar repositories are nodal institutes that ¾¾NHs in the country are notified under the National preserve and archive the old cultivars or varieties Highways Act, 1956. from our country. ¾¾Land for development of National Highways and Key Points associated purposes is acquired under Section 3 of the NHs Act, 1956 and compensation is determined ¾¾Observation: in accordance with the First Schedule of the Right €€Concentrations in Rice: to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land zzZinc and iron concentrations in grains of rice Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement cultivars released within the 1960s were 27.1 (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013. mg/kg and 59.8 mg/kg. This depleted to 20.6 €€BhoomiRashi portal was launched in 2018, to mg/kg and 43.1 mg/kg, respectively within fully digitize and automate the entire process the 2000s. of land acquisition. €€Concentrations in Wheat: ¾¾The aim of the Green Highways (Plantation, zzThe concentrations of zinc and iron were33.3 Transplantation, Beautification & Maintenance) mg/kg and 57.6 mg/kg in cultivars of the Policy, 2015 is to promote greening of Highway 1960s, dropped to 23.5 mg/kg and 46.4 mg/ corridors with participation of the community, kg, respectively in cultivars released during farmers, private sector, NGOs, and government the 2010s. institutions. ¾¾Reason for the Decrease:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 57

€€Dilution effect’ that is caused by decreased nutrient concentration in response to higher grain yield. €€This means the rate of yield increase is not com- pensated by the rate of nutrient take-up by the plants. Also, the soils supporting plants could be low in plant-available nutrients. ¾¾Suggestions: €€Growing newer-released (1990s and later) cultivars of rice and wheat cannot be a sustainable option to alleviate zinc and iron malnutrition in Indian population. zzZinc and iron deficiency affects billions of people globally and the countries with this deficiency have diets composed mainly of rice, wheat, corn, and barley. €€The negative effects need to be circumvented by improving the grain ionome (that is, nutritional make-up) while releasing cultivars in future breeding programmes. „„The health sector component is aimed at €€There is a need to concentrate on other options scaling medical infrastructure targeting like biofortification, where we breed food crops underserved areas (i.e. non-metropolitan that are rich in micronutrients. areas). zzGuarantee Coverage: 50% for expansion & 75% Economic Relief Package for new projects. „„For aspirational districts, the guarantee after Covid – Second Wave cover of 75% will be available for both new projects and expansion. Why in News zzMaximum loan admissible under the scheme Recently, the Ministry of Finance announced a slew is Rs. 100 crore and guarantee duration is up of measures to provide relief to diverse sectors affected to 3 years. by the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. €€Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme: ¾¾It aims to prepare the health systems for emergency zzExpand the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee response and provide impetus for growth and Scheme (ECLGS), launched as part of Atmanirbhar employment. However it will increase the Fiscal Bharat Package in May, 2020, by Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Deficit by 0.6% as per a report of State Bank of India. €€Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro Finance ¾¾A total of 17 measures amounting to Rs. 6,28,993 Institutions: crore were announced in the Economic Relief Package. zzIt is a new scheme which aims to benefit the smallest of the borrowers who are served Key Points by the network of Micro Finance Institutions ¾¾Economic Relief from Pandemic: (MFIs). €€Loan Guarantee Scheme for Covid Affected Sectors: zzGuarantee will be provided to Scheduled zzAdditionalcredit of Rs 1.1 lakh crore will flow Commercial Banks for loans to new or existing to the businesses. This includes Rs 50,000 crore Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)-MFIs for the health sector and Rs 60,000 crore for or MFIs for on lending upto Rs 1.25 lakh to other sectors, including tourism. approximately 25 lakh small borrowers.

Note: 58 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Extension of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana €€Boost for Project Exports: (ANBRY): zzIt has been decided to provide an additional zzANBRY incentivises employers for creation corpus to the National Export Insurance of new employment, restoration of loss of Account (NEIA) over 5 years. This will enable employment through Employees’ Provident it to underwrite additional Rs. 33,000 crore of Fund Organisation (EPFO). project exports. €€ Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana: „„NEIA Trust promotes Medium and Long zzTo the beneficiaries under the National Food Term (MLT) project exports by extending Security Act (NFSA), 2013, 5 kg of food grains risk covers. per month free will be provided during May- „„It provides cover to buyer’s credit, given by November 2021. EXIM (Export-Import) Bank, to less credit- ¾¾ Strengthening Public Health: worthy borrowers and supporting project €€New Scheme for Children and Paediatric Care: exporters. zz A new scheme for strengthening public health €€Boost to Export Insurance Cover: infrastructure and human resources with outlay zzIt has been decided to infuse equity in Export of Rs. 23,220 crore was also announced. Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) over 5 zzIt will focus on short term emergency years to boost export insurance cover by Rs. preparedness with special emphasis on children 88,000 crore. and paediatric care/paediatric beds. €€Digital India: ¾¾Growth & Employment: zzAdditional Rs. 19,041 crore will be provided €€Free one month tourist visa to 5 lakh tourists. to implement Bharat Net in PPP model in 16 €€Additional Subsidy for DAP & P&K fertilizers. States on viability gap funding basis. €€Climate Resilient Special Traits Varieties: zzThis will enable expansion and upgradation of zzIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Bharat Net to cover all Gram Panchayats and has developed varieties having biofortified crop inhabited villages. high nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, vitamin-A. €€Extension of PLI Scheme: zzThese varieties are tolerant to diseases, insects, pests, drought, salinity, and flooding, early zzTenure of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) maturing and amenable to mechanical harvesting scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing also developed. has been decided to be extended by one year i.e. till 2025-26. zz21 such varieties of rice, peas, millet, maize, soyabean, quinoa, buckwheat, winged bean, €€Reform-Based Result-Linked Power Distribution pigeon pea & sorghum will be dedicated to Scheme: the nation. zzRevamped Reforms-Based, Result-Linked power €€Revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural distribution scheme of financial assistance Marketing Corporation: to DISCOMS for infrastructure creation, up- zzA revival package of Rs 77.45 crore will be gradation of system, capacity building and provided to North Eastern Regional Agricultural process improvement was announced in the Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC). Union Budget of 2021-22. zzNERAMAC has facilitated registration of 13 „„It aims at state specific intervention and Geographical Indicator (GI) crops of North-East. to provide assistance for installation of 25 zzIt has prepared a plan to give 10-15% higher crore smart meters, 10,000 feeders, 4 lakh price to farmers by-passing middlemen/agents. km of LT overhead lines. zzIt also proposes to set up North-Eastern Centre zzThe amount available under the scheme is in for Organic Cultivation, facilitating equity finance addition to the allowed additional borrowing to entrepreneurs. of 0.5% of Gross Domestic Product of State

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 59

which will be available to the States annually zzA new policy will be formulated for appraisal and for the next four years subject to carrying out approval of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) specific power sector reforms. proposals and monetization of core infrastructure zzOngoing works of Integrated Power Development assets, including through Infrastructure Scheme (IPDS), Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Investment Trusts (InvITs). Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and SAUBHAGYA will zzThe policy will aim to ensure speedy clearance of also be merged in the scheme. projects to facilitate private sector’s efficiencies €€New streamlined process for PPP Projects and in financing construction and management of Asset Monetization: infrastructure.

nnn

Note: 60 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

International Relations

Highlights zz Zen Garden - Kaizen Academy zz Antonio Guterres: 2nd Term UN Secretary General zz FATF Retains Pakistan on Grey List zz China as a Security Risk: NATO zz Global Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal: SIPRI Report zz Antarctic Treaty zz Tax Inspectors Without Borders Programme zz New Chinese Militia Units for High Altitudes zz 8th ADMM-Plus Meeting

zzZen is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism Zen Garden - Kaizen Academy emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures. Why in News Zen in Japan is meditation in India. Recently, Indian Prime MInister virtually inaugu- zzKaizen translates to ‘change for the better’ or ‘continuous improvement’. Kaizen is a Japanese rated a Japanese ‘Zen Garden - Kaizen Academy’ at the business philosophy that focuses on gradually Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) in Gujarat. improving productivity by involving all employees Key Points and by making the work environment more efficient. ¾¾About: ¾¾India-Japan Friendship: €€It is a joint endeavour of the Japan Information and Study Centre at the AMA and the Indo-Japan €€Highlights of Recent Telephonic Conversation Friendship Association (IJFA), Gujarat. It is supported between the Prime Ministers of India and and by the Hyogo International Association (HIA) Japan. Japan: zzTo overcome challenges posed by the pandemic, €€It has traditional Japanese elements such as Red Bridge Guzei, Shoji Interior, Glory of Tori, a 3D art there is a need to work together to create mural, fusion Chabutaro, Taki waterfall, Tsukubai resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply basin and Kimono scroll. chains, ensure reliable supply of critical materials and technologies, and develop new partnerships €€It will propagate Japan’s work culture in India in manufacturing and skill development. and increase business interactions between Japan and India. zzConfirmed the importance of Japan-India bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including Japan- Australia-India-US quadrilateral cooperation, towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific. zzPossible Cooperation in areas like 5G, submarine cables, strengthening of industrial competitiveness and development projects in the northeastern state. €€Other Recent Developments Between India and Japan: zzRecently, India, Japan and Australia have formally launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in a move to counter China’s dominance of the supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 61

zzJapan has finalised loans and a grant totalling zzIt had then not fully complied with 6 of the 27 around 233 billion yen for several key directives. infrastructure projects in India, including for €€In February 2021, FATF acknowledged Pakistan’s a project in the Andaman and Nicobar islands. significant progress in combating terrorism, zzIn 2020, India and Japan signed a logistics however it was still to fully comply with three of agreement that will allow armed forces of the 27-point action plan. both sides to coordinate closely in services zzThe three points pertained to effective steps and supplies. The agreement is known as the in terms of financial sanctions and penalties Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement against the terror funding infrastructure and (ACSA). the entities involved. zzIn 2014, India and Japan upgraded their ¾¾About: relationship to ‘Special Strategic and Global €€The FATF said Pakistan had failed to take appropriate Partnership’. action against UN-designated terrorists such as zzThe India-Japan Comprehensive Economic 26/11 accused Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief Masood Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that came Azhar. However, Pakistan has completed 26 of the into force in August 2011 covers trade in 27 action items. goods, services, movement of natural persons, €€The FATF encourages Pakistan to continue to investments, Intellectual Property Rights, custom make progress to address as soon as possible the procedures and other trade related issues. one remaining Countering Finance of Terrorism €€Defence Exercises: (CFT)-related item by demonstrating that Terror zzIndia and Japan defence forces organize a Financing investigations and prosecutions target series of bilateral exercises namely, JIMEX senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated (naval), SHINYUU Maitri (Air Force), and terrorist groups. Dharma Guardian (Army). Both countries also €€In addition, the FATF has handed down another participate inMalabar exercise (Naval Exercise) 6-point list of tasks mainly on money laundering with the USA. actions to be completed as well. zzPakistan is expected to amend its Money- FATF Retains Laundering Act, crackdown on Designated Non- Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) Pakistan on Grey List like real estate agencies and gemstone traders, confiscate and freeze assets of money laundering Why in News entities and monitor businesses for proliferation The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to financing, with sanctions for non-compliance. retain Pakistan on “increased monitoring list’. ¾¾Significance: ¾¾“Increased monitoring list” is another name for the €€In Pakistan’s case, the FATF has taken cognisance of Grey List. the inaction against several banned organisations involved in raising funds for terror activities and Key Points those linked to global terrorists like Jaish-e- ¾¾Background: Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e- €€The FATF had issued the 27-point action plan Taiba’s Hafiz Saeed and its operations chief Zaki-Ur after placing Pakistan on the ‘Grey List’ in June Rahman Lakhvi. 2018. The action plan pertains tocurbing money €€On several occasions, India has also raised the laundering and terror financing. involvement of elements within Pakistan in a number €€During the October-2020 Plenary, due to the of terror cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai and Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan was given an extension Pulwama attacks. for full compliance with the 27-point action plan €€Perpetual containment of Pakistan on the grey till February 2021. list of FATF would further pressurise Pakistan to

Note: 62 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

take adequate measures to prevent such terrorist zzThe FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding attacks on India from its soil. or deleting entries. €€Unlike the next level “blacklist”, greylisting carries ¾¾Sessions: The FATF Plenary is the decision making no legal sanctions, but it attracts economic body of the FATF. It meets three times per year. strictures and restricts a country’s access to international loans. Global Expansion of zzPakistan’s Foreign Minister had estimated a loss of $10 billion annually to the Pakistani Nuclear Arsenal: SIPRI Report economy for every year Pakistan has been on the greylist. Why in News Financial Acton Task Force According to a recent report published in the SIPRI Yearbook 2021, the number of nuclear warheads which ¾¾ About: are ready and deployed have increased globally. €€It is an inter-governmental body established in ¾¾The SIPRI Yearbook is released by the Stockholm 1989 during the in Paris. G7 Summit International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)which €€The FATF assesses the strength of a country’s researches international armament and conflict. anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing ¾¾The SIPRI “Yearbook 2021” assesses the current state frameworks, however it does not go by individual of armaments, disarmament and international security. cases. ¾¾Objectives: Key Points €€To set standards and promote effective ¾¾Nine Nuclear Armed States: implementation of legal, regulatory and operational €€The nine nuclear armed states are: US, Russia, measures for combating money laundering, terrorist the U.K., France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel financing and other related threats to the integrity and North Korea. of the international financial system. zzThese countries together possessed an estimated ¾¾Headquarters: 13,080 nuclear weapons at the start of 2021. €€Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for zzRussia and the US together possessed over 90% Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) of global nuclear weapons and have extensive headquarters in Paris. and expensive modernisation programmes ¾¾Member Countries: under way. €€The FATF currently has 39 members including two „„Both the US and Russia have approved the regional organisations — the European Commission extension of the New START treaty. and Gulf Cooperation Council. India is a member „„The Treaty is the last remaining nuclear of the FATF. Russia-US arms control treaty which expired ¾¾Lists under FATF: in February 2021. €€ Grey List: €€China’s nuclear arsenal consisted of 350 warheads zzCountries that are considered safe haven for up from 320 at the start of 2020. supporting terror funding and money laundering zzChina is in the middle of a significant modernisation are put in the FATF grey list. and expansion of its nuclear weapon inventory. zzThis inclusion serves as a warning to the country €€India possessed an estimated156 nuclear warheads that it may enter the blacklist. at the start of 2021 compared to 150 at the start €€Black List: of last year, while Pakistan had 165 warheads, up zzCountries known as Non-Cooperative Countries from 160 in 2020. or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. zzIndia and Pakistan are seeking new technologies zzThese countries support terror funding and and capabilities that dangerously undermine each money laundering activities. other’s defence under the nuclear threshold.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 63

€€ The availability of Low Levels of Transparency: energy in an explosive manner as a result of reliable information on the status of the nuclear nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, or a combination arsenals and capabilities of the nuclear-armed of the two. states vary considerably. €€Fission weapons are commonly referred to as ¾¾ Largest Military Spenders: atomic bombs, and fusion weapons are referred €€The growth in total spending in 2020 was largely to as thermonuclear bombs or, more commonly, influenced by expenditure patterns in theUnited hydrogen bombs. States and China (first and second largest spenders €€These have been used in the bombings of respectively). Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. €€India’s spending of USD 72.9 billion, an increase ¾¾Treaties Preventing Nuclear Proliferation and Testing of 2.1% in 2020, ranked it as the third highest €€The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear spender in the world. Weapons (NPT). ¾¾Importers of Major Arms: €€The Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests In €€SIPRI identified 164 states as importers of major The Atmosphere, In Outer Space And Under arms in 2016-20. Water, also known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty €€Country Wise: The five largest arms importers (PTBT). were Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and €€The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty China, which together accounted for 36% of total (CTBT) was signed in 1996 but has yet to enter arms imports. into force. €€Region wise: The region that received the largest €€The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear volume of major arms supplies in 2016-20 was Asia Weapons (TPNW), which will enter into force and Oceania, accounting for 42% of the global total, on 22nd January 2021. followed by the Middle East, which received 33%. ¾¾Other Related Initiatives: ¾¾Suppliers of Major Arms: €€Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology €€The five largest suppliers in 2016-20 - the United Control Regime, the Hague Code of Conduct States, Russia, France, Germany and China - against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, and the accounted for 76% of the total volume of exports Wassenaar Arrangement. of major arms. ¾¾India’s Nuclear Weapon Program: ¾¾Recent Instances of Armed Conflict: €€India tested its first nuclear device in May €€The territorial conflict between India and Pakistan 1974, and remains outside both the Treaty over Kashmir. The situation in 2020 largely reverted to the status quo of relatively low levels of armed on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons violence. (NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). €€In June 2020, for the first time in over five decades, €€However, India has a facility-specific safeguards the border tensions between China and India in the disputed eastern Ladakh region of Kashmir agreement in place with the International Atomic turned deadly. Energy Agency (IAEA) and a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) allowing it to €€A new armed conflict broke out in theTigray region participate in global civilian nuclear technology of northern Ethiopia in November 2020 between commerce. federal government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which killed thousands and forced €€It was admitted as a member into the Missile more than 46, 000 refugees to flee into eastern Sudan. Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016, Wassenaar Arrangement in 2017 and Australia Nuclear Weapons Group in 2018. ¾¾About: €€India maintains its official commitment to €€Nuclear weapon is a device designed to release no-first-use of nuclear weapons.

Note: 64 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Tax Inspectors 8th ADMM-Plus Meeting Without Borders Programme Why in News Why in News Recently, the defence minister addressed the 8th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus. Recently, the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), ¾¾ a joint initiative of the United Nations Development The ADMM-Plus is a platform forASEAN and its eight Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Dialogue Partners. , launched its Cooperation and Development (OECD) Key Points programme in Bhutan. ¾¾ ¾¾India was chosen as the Partner Jurisdiction and has Security & Dispute Resolution: provided the Tax Expert for this programme. €€India called for an open and inclusive order in Indo-Pacific based upon respect for sovereignty Key Points and territorial integrity of nations. ¾¾About: €€Supports freedom of navigation, overflight, €€This programme is expected to be of about 24 and unimpeded commerce in the international months’ duration. waterways including the South China Sea , India hopes that the Code of Conduct negotiations(for €€It aims to aid Bhutan in strengthening its tax South China Sea) will lead to outcomes that are administration by transferring technical know- in keeping with international law, including the how and skills to its tax auditors, and through the United Nations Convention on the Law of sharing of best audit practices. The focus of the the Sea (UNCLOS). programme will be in the area of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing. zzRecently, ASEAN and China agreed to expedite the resumption of negotiations on the code, zzTransfer price, also known as transfer cost, is which were halted by the pandemic. the price at which related parties transact with each other, such as during the trade of supplies zzChina and ASEAN started negotiations in 2013 or labor between departments. Multinational on a supposedly binding code of conduct. companies can manipulate transfer prices in €€Stressed on peaceful resolutions of disputes order to shift profits to low tax regions. through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws. €€This programme is another milestone in the continued cooperation between India and Bhutan €€Need new systems to address the emerging and India’s continued and active support forSouth- challenges to international peace and security. South cooperation. ¾¾Act East Policy: ¾¾Tax Inspectors Without Borders: €€The key elements of the Act East Policy aims to €€TIWB is a capacity-building programme. promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationshipswith countries in the €€It is a joint OECD/UNDP initiative launched in July 2015 to strengthen developing countries’ auditing Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement capacity and multinationals’ compliance worldwide. at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. ¾¾Terrorism: €€It deploys qualifiedexperts in developing countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America €€Called for collective cooperation to fully disrupt and the Caribbean to help build tax capacity in the terror organisationsand their networks. areas of audit, criminal tax investigations and the zzIdentify the perpetrators and hold them effective use of automatically exchanged information. accountable and ensure that strong measures €€TIWB assistance has led to increased domestic are taken against those who support and finance resource mobilisation in some of the least developed terrorism and provide sanctuary to terrorists. countries in the world. €€As a member of the Financial Action Task Force

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 65

(FATF) India remains committed to combat financing ADMM-Plus of terrorism. ¾¾About: zzFATF is the global money laundering and terrorist €€The 2nd ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting financing watchdog. (ADMM) in 2007 at Singapore adopted a resolution ¾¾Cybersecurity: to establish the ADMM-Plus. €€Called for a multi-stakeholder approach, guided zzThe first ADMM-Plus was convened at Hanoi, , with a governance structure by democratic values Vietnam in 2010. that is open and inclusive and a secure, open and zzBrunei is the Chair of the ADMM Plus forum stable internet with due respect to sovereignty of for the year 2021. countries, that would drive the future of cyberspace. €€It is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of ¾¾Covid-19: 10 ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partner €€Globally available patent free , unhindered vaccines countries. supply chains and greater global medical capacities zzThe are some of the lines of effort that India has Association of Southeast Asian Nations suggested for a combined effort. (ASEAN) is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social zzSouth Africa and India have called for the World stability amid rising tensions among the Asia- Trade Organization (WTO) to suspend intellectual Pacific’s post-colonial states. property (IP) rights related to Covid-19 to ¾¾ ensure equitable sharing of vaccines and new Membership: technology to control the pandemic. €€The ADMM-Plus countries include ten ASEAN ¾¾Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Member States and eight Plus countries, namely Operations: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and the €€India remains one of the first to respond in times United States. of distress in the immediate as well as extended neighbourhood. ¾¾Aim: €€ €€As a founding member of the Heads of Asian Coast It aims to promote mutual trust and confidence Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM), India seeks between defence establishments through greater to enhance capacity building through collaboration dialogue and transparency. in the areas of Maritime Search & Rescue. ¾¾Areas of cooperation: zzHACGAM is an apex level forum facilitating €€Maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian the congregation of all the major Coast Guard assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping Agencies of the Asian region, it was established operations and military medicine. in 2004. ¾¾ASEAN Centrality: €€India shares a deep connection with ASEANand has continued its active engagement in many areas contributing to regional peace and stability, particularly through ASEAN led mechanisms, such as: zzEast Asia Summit. zzASEAN Regional Forum. zzADMM-Plus. €€The India-ASEAN strategic partnership has been strengthened by virtue of flourishing cultural and civilisational links and enhanced people-to-people cooperation.

Note: 66 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

bound by it. The UN Charter codifies the major nd Antonio Guterres: 2 principles of international relations, from sovereign Term UN Secretary General equality of States to the prohibition of the use of force in international relations. ¾¾About UNGA: Why in News €€The General Assembly occupies a central position The United Nations General Assembly appointed as the chief deliberative, policymaking and Antonio Guterres as the ninth UN Secretary General representative organ of the United Nations. (UNSG) for a second term beginning 1st January, 2022 €€Composed of all 193 Members of the United and ending on 31st 2026. Nations, itprovides a unique forum for multilateral ¾¾India had expressed its support for the re-election discussion of the full spectrum of international of Guterres as UN Chief. issues covered by the Charter. Key Points €€It also plays a significant role in the process of standard-setting and the codification of ¾¾About Antonio Guterres: international law. st €€Guterres took oath of office on 1 January, 2017 ¾¾UN Security Council: and his first termends on 31st December 2021. €€Established by the UN charter in 1945, the Security €€Guterres served as the United Nations High Council has the primary responsibility of maintaining Commissioner for Refugees for a decade from international peace and security. June 2005 to December 2015. €€The Security Council has 15 members. €€He was the former Prime minister of Portugal. zzThere are five permanent members: the United ¾¾Appointment: States, the Russian Federation, France, China €€Under the UN Charter, the Secretary-General is and the United Kingdom. appointed by the General Assembly upon the zzThe non-permanent members of the Security recommendation of the Security Council. Council are elected for a term of two years. €€Each Secretary-General has the option of a second Recently, India has been elected. term if they can garner enough support from €€Each member of the Security Council has one Member states. vote. Decisions of the Security Council on matters €€Guterres was elected after a reformed selection are made by an affirmative vote of nine members process that included a public informal dialogue including the concurring votes of the permanent session in the General Assembly, involving civil members. A “No” vote from one of the five society representatives, aimed at ensuring permanent members blocks the passage of the transparency and inclusivity. resolution. ¾¾UN Charter: €€Any member of the United Nations which is not a €€The Charter of the United Nations is the founding member of the Security Council may participate, document of the United Nations. It was signedon without vote, in the discussion of any question 26th June 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion brought before the Security Council whenever the of the United Nations Conference on International latter considers that the interests of that member Organization, and came into force on 24th October are specially affected. 1945. ¾¾Challenges Pertaining to UN: €€The UN can take action on a wide variety of issues €€UNGA has no control over veto power exercised due to its unique international character and the by UNSC and it cannot take any decisive action powers vested in its Charter, which is considered against permanent members of UNSC. an international treaty. €€The 15-member Security Council is by far the most €€As such, the UN Charter is an instrument of powerful arm of the United Nations. However, the international law, and UN Member States are veto power is used by five permanent countries

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 67

to serve the strategic interest of themselves and €€NATO’s Decisions: A “NATO decision” is the their allies. expression of the collective will ofall 30 member €€The UN charter is vague in defining the duties of the countries since all decisions are taken by consensus. secretary general, the United Nations’ top official. ¾¾Analysis of NATO’s Performance: €€Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has €€Cold War Era: NATO was completely successful in been criticised by the US on account of mishandling its mission of protecting the “Euro-Atlantic area” of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently from Soviet expansion and preventing war between suspended its financial contribution to WHO. the two superpowers. zzAlso, WHO has been under pressure from the US zzThe formation of NATO, and its Soviet counterpart, government to adopt an approach that favours the Warsaw Pact, in 1955, inaugurated the Cold interests of US pharma companies. War era (approximately 1945 until 1991). €€ zzWHO is a specialised agency of the UN. Post-Cold War Era: When Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, NATO witnessed a paradigm shift from collective defence, which implied a known adversary, China as a Security Risk: NATO to collective security, which is open-ended, and might require action against any number of threats, Why in News including unknown ones and non-state actors. zzWhen the Balkans conflict broke out in 1999, The recently held North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO got the chance to prove its utility in a (NATO) summit for the first time has explicitly described post-Cold War Europe. China as a security risk. ¾¾Mutually Beneficial Arrangement: ¾¾The other two threats identified by the NATO €€ , it was an attractive bargain where, ‘declaration’ areRussia and terrorism. For Europe in exchange for a marginal loss in autonomy, it Key Points enjoyed absolute security at a cheap price. zzNot having to spend massively on defence ¾¾North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO): allowed Europe to focus on building powerful €€Formation: NATO was established by the North economies and invest its surplus in a strong Atlantic Treaty (also called the Washington Treaty) welfare state. of 4th April, 1949, by the United States, Canada, €€NATO also offered the added bonus of keeping and several Western European nations to provide Germany down, historically a major factor for collective security against the Soviet Union. peace and stability in the region. zzIt is headquartered at Brussels, Belgium. €€A collective military force organised and managed €€Political and Military Alliance: NATO’s primary by the Europeans themselves may offer a way out goals are the collective defence of its members of American oversight and occasional bullying. and the maintenance of a democratic peace in zzHowever, it carried the danger of one or two the North Atlantic area. of the stronger and wealthier states, such as zzThe collective defence principle enshrined in Germany or France, dictating terms to the NATO’s Article Vstates that “an attack against smaller ones, a danger attractively absent in one ally is considered as an attack against all the NATO arrangement. allies”. ¾¾NATO and China: €€NATO’s Forces: NATO has a military and civilian €€NATO leaders declared China a constant security headquarters and an integrated military command challenge and said the Chinese are working to structure but very few forces or assets are undermine global order. exclusively its own. zzThis is in sync with US President efforts to get zzMost forces remain under full national command allies to speak out with a more unified voice and control until member countries agree to against China’s trade, military and human rights undertake NATO-related tasks. practices.

Note: 68 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzThe US’ growing conviction is that China is a threat to its global supremacy and must be contained. €€However, both France and Germany sought to put some distance between NATO’s official position and their own perception of China. zzNATO’s European member states may view China as an economic rival and adversary, but they are unconvinced by the American line that it is an outright security threat. €€China’s Stand: It has urged NATO to “view China’s development rationally, stop exaggerating various forms of ‘China threat theory’ and not to use China’s legitimate interests and legal rights as excuses for manipulating group politics artificially creating confrontations”. ¾¾NATO and Russia: €€Tensions with Russia are an inevitable outcome of Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Union of NATO’s bid to expand eastward into what Russia Soviet Socialist Republics, the UK and the US. considers its sphere of influence. €€It entered into force in 1961 and has since been zzTrying to bring countries such as Ukraine, Georgia acceded by many other nations. and Moldova under the NATO umbrella has led €€Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice to a confrontation with Russia. shelves south of 60°S latitude. €€As Russia sought to protect its interests by zzRecently, an enormous iceberg ‘A-76’ has calved “annexing” Crimea and stationing troops in Georgia from the western side of the Ronne Ice Shelf, and Moldova, NATO accused it of acting irresponsibly lying in the Weddell Sea, in Antarctica. and breaking the “rules-based international order”. ¾¾Members: €€Currently it has 54 parties.India became a member Antarctic Treaty of this treaty in 1983. ¾¾Headquarters: Why in News €€Buenos Aires, Argentina. Recently, the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty ¾¾Major Provisions: was celebrated. €€Promoting the freedom of scientific research. ¾¾The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a €€Countries can use the continent only for peaceful single treaty that governs a whole continent. purposes. ¾¾It is also the foundation of a rules-based international €€Prohibition ofmilitary activities, nuclear tests and order for a continent without a permanent population. the disposal of radioactive waste. €€Neutralising territorial sovereignty, this means Key Points a limit was placed on making any new claim or ¾¾About: enlargement of an existing claim. €€The Antarctic Treaty was signed between 12 €€It put a freeze on any disputes between claimants countries in Washington on 1st December 1959 over their territories on the continent. for making the Antarctic Continent a demilitarized ¾¾Dispute & Resolution: zone to be preserved for scientific research only. €€There have been tensions from time to time. Ar- zzThe twelve original signatories are Argentina, gentina and the UK, for instance, have overlapping Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New claims to territory on the continent.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 69

€€However, a key reason why the treaty has been able €€NCPOR is the nodal agency for planning, to survive has been its ability to evolve through promotion, coordination and execution of a number of additional conventions and other the entire gamut of polar and southern ocean legal protocols. scientific research in the country as well as for zzThese have dealt with the conservation of marine the associated logistics activities. living resources, prohibitions on mining, and zzIt was established in 1998. the adoption of comprehensive environmental ¾¾Dakshin Gangotri: protection mechanisms. €€Dakshin Gangotri was the first Indian scientific €€As disputes have arisen over the years, many have research base station established in Antarctica, been addressed through the expansion of the as a part of the Indian Antarctic Program. treaty framework with these agreements. This framework is now referred to as the Antarctic €€It has weakened and become just a supply base. Treaty System. ¾¾Maitri: ¾¾Antarctic Treaty System: €€Maitri is India’s second permanent research €€About: station in Antarctica. It was built and finished in 1989. zzIt is the whole complex of arrangements made for the purpose of regulating relations among €€Maitri is situated on the rocky mountainous states in the Antarctic. region called Schirmacher Oasis. India also built a freshwater lake around Maitri known as Lake zzIts purpose is to ensure in the interests of all Priyadarshini. mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes ¾¾Bharti: and shall not become the scene or object of €€Bharti, India’s latest research station operation international discord. since 2012. It has been constructed to help „„It is a global achievement and has been a researchers work in safety despite the harsh hallmark of international cooperation for weather. more than 50 years. €€It is India’s first committed research facility and zzThese agreements are legally binding and is located about 3000 km east of Maitri. purpose-built for the unique geographical, ¾¾Other Research Facilities: environmental and political characteristics of €€Sagar Nidhi: the Antarctic and form a robust international zzIn 2008, India commissioned the Sagar Nidhi, governance framework for the region. for research. €€ Major International Agreements of the Treaty zzAn ice-class vessel, it can cut through the System: thin ice of 40 cm depth and is the first Indian zzThe 1959 Antarctic Treaty. vessel to navigate Antarctic waters. zzThe 1972 Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals. New Chinese Militia zzThe 1980 Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Units for High Altitudes zzThe 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Why in News Recently, Chinese Military has raised new militia units Indian Antarctic Programme comprising local Tibetan youth for high-altitude warfare. ¾¾About: €€It is a scientific research and exploration program Key Points under the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean ¾¾About: . It started in Research (NCPOR) 1981 when the €€The new units named Mimang Cheton are presently first Indian expedition to Antarctica was made. undergoing training, and are to be deployed mostly

Note: 70 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

of training, they are being blessed by Buddhist monks in Tibet, which is being interpreted as a sign of greater socio-cultural outreach from the PLA to ethnic Tibetans. zzThis is possibly a new strategy of the PLA to get some mileage in the Tibet region. ¾¾Recent Chinese Developments along the Border: €€Railway Line: zzChina has started the first bullet train line in Tibet, linking Lhasa to Nyingchi near the border with Arunachal Pradesh. zzIt is the second major rail link to Tibet after the Qinghai-Tibet railway that opened in 2006. €€Highway: in upper Himalayan ranges, both in the eastern zzIn 2021, China completed construction of a and western sectors of the India-China border. strategically significant highway enabling greater zzThey are being trained for a variety of tasks, access to remote areas along the disputed including using high-tech equipment such as border with Arunachal Pradesh in India. drones on the one hand, as well as mules and €€New Villages: horses to reach regions in the Himalayan range zzIn January 2021, there were reports of Chinese that can’t be accessed by modern means. construction of three villages in Arunachal €€They have been raised near Eastern Ladakh, the Pradesh 5 kilometres from the Bum La pass. site of the recent border tensions along the Line zzIn 2020, satellite images emerged showing a of Actual Control (LAC), as well as near its borders new village called Pangda built 2-3 km into with Sikkim and Bhutan. what Bhutan sees as its land. zzThe is the demarcation that separates LAC zzIn 2017, the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Indian-controlled territory from Chinese- government launched a plan to build moderately controlled territory. well-off villages in border areas. €€ Trained units have already been deployed along „„Under this plan 628 first line and second various locations in the Chumbi valley and at line villages — referring to those right on the Rutog in Tibet, near the Pangong Tso (lake) in border and others in remote areas slightly eastern Ladakh. further within — would be developed along €€The deployment of the new Mimang Cheton China’s borders with India, Bhutan and Nepal. units mirrors India’s elite and decades-old Special ¾¾Concerns for India: Frontier Force (SFF). €€Strategic Location: zzJust like the SFF which relies on the knowledge zzSuch development in view of the strategic location of Tibetans, the Mimang Cheton also relies on of Chumbi Valley creates a concern for India. the local knowledge of Tibetans as well as „„Chumbi Valley is a 100-km protrusion of locals’ resistance to High Altitude Sickness, a Chinese territory located between Bhutan problem in alpine warfare. in the east and Sikkim in the west. ¾¾Objectives: zzThe valley’s location has long resulted in €€ High Altitude WarFare: concerns that it could be used to launch zzThe new units will be used for high-altitude operations to snap strategic communications warfare as well for surveillance. links in the Siliguri Corridor. €€Socio Cultural Aspect: „„Siliguri Corridor is a narrow stretch of land zzA new feature of the units is that upon completion located around the city of Siliguri in West

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 71

Bengal. It connects northeastern states with €€A tunnel is being constructed under the Se La pass the rest of the country, and is also known in Arunachal Pradesh which connects Tawang to as chicken’s neck. the rest of Arunachal and Guwahati. €€China’s Strengthening Position: €€The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has zzThese developments have come against the advocated selection of 10 census towns along the backdrop of the border standoff that began in India-China border as pilot projects for infrastructure May 2020 and a rapid build-up of infrastructure development in order to stop people living along on the Chinese side along the LAC, including its international borders, specifically with China, airports, helipads, missile facilities and air sites. from migrating to faraway urban centres in the ¾¾Steps Taken by India to Strengthen its Border: State. €€India has its own High Altitude Warfare School €€Sisseri River Bridge, located at lower Dibang (HAWS) in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, connects Dibang €€India will spend 10% funds of the Border Area Valley and Siang. Development Programme (BADP) only to improve €€In 2019, the Indian Air Force inaugurated resurfaced the infrastructure along the China border. runway at India’s easternmost Village-Vijaynagar €€The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed (Changlang district) in Arunachal Pradesh. the Daporijo bridge over Subansiri river in Arunachal €€In 2019, the Indian Army conducted exercise Pradesh. ‘HimVijay’ in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam zzIt links roads leading upto the LAC between with its newly created Integrated Battle Groups India and China. (IBG). €€A tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district €€Bogibeel bridge, which is India’s longest road of Arunachal Pradesh will shorten travel time for -rail bridge connecting Dibrugarh in Assam to troops till the LAC through Tawang, which China Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated claims to be its territory. in 2018.

nnn

Note: 72 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Science and Technology

Highlights zz Ebola Virus zz Deep Ocean Mission zz Antibodies against Nipah Virus in Bats zz China’s Shenzhou-12 Manned Mission zz Covid-19 Delta Plus Variant zz Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt Cotton zz Gain-of-function Research zz New Doppler Radars in Maharashtra: IMD zz Peter Pan Syndrome zz LiDAR Based Survey of Forest Areas

zzBlood or body fluids of a person who is sick Ebola Virus with or has died from Ebola. zzObjects that have been contaminated with such Why in News body fluids (like blood, feces, vomit). Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has ¾¾Symptoms: declared that the Ebola outbreak, that started in February €€These can be sudden and include: Fever, Fatigue, 2021 in Guinea, is over now. Muscle pain, Headache, Sore throat, Vomiting, ¾¾In its first deadly wave in 2013-2016, the Ebola Diarrhoea, Symptoms of impaired kidney and outbreak killed 11,300 people, mostly in Guinea, liver function, in some cases, both internal and Sierra Leone and Liberia. external bleeding. ¾¾The WHO in its list of “Ten threats to global health ¾¾Diagnosis: in 2019” also included Ebola. €€It can be difficult to clinically distinguish Ebola from other infectious diseases such as malaria, Key Points typhoid fever, and meningitis but confirmation ¾¾About Ebola Virus Disease (EVD): that symptoms are caused by Ebola virus infection €€EVD, formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, are made using the following diagnostic methods: is transmitted to people from wild animals and zzELISA (antibody-capture enzyme-linked immu- spreads in the human population throughhuman nosorbent assay). to human transmission. zzReverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction €€Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 near (RT-PCR) assay, etc. the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic ¾¾Vaccines: Republic of Congo. €€The Ervebo vaccine has been shown to be effective ¾¾Transmission: Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family in protecting people from the species Zaire are natural Ebola virus hosts. ebolavirus. €€Animal to Human Transmission: Ebola is introduced €€In May 2020, the European Medicines Agency into the human population through close contact recommended granting marketing authorization with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals such as fruit bats, for a 2-component vaccine called Zabdeno-and- chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope Mvabea for individuals 1 year and older. or porcupines found ill or dead or in the rainforest. ¾¾Treatment: €€Human-to-Human Transmission: Ebola spreads €€Two monoclonal antibodies (Inmazeb and Ebanga) via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous have been approved for the treatment of Zaire membranes) with: ebolavirus infection in adults and children by the US.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 73

zzThe disease spreads through fruit bats or ‘flying Antibodies against foxes,’ of the genus Pteropus, who are natural Nipah Virus in Bats reservoir hosts of the Nipah and Hendra viruses. zzThe virus is present in bat urine and potentially, bat faeces, saliva, and birthing fluids. Why in News €€Symptoms: A recent survey has found the presence of antibodies zzThe human infection presents as anencephalitic against the Nipah virus (NiV) in some bat species from syndrome marked by fever, headache, drowsiness, a cave in Mahabaleshwar, a popular hill station in disorientation, mental confusion, coma, and Maharashtra. potentially death. ¾¾ The survey was conducted by the Indian Council €€Prevention: of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of zzCurrently, there are no vaccines for both humans Virology (NIV). and animals. Intensive supportive care is given Key Points to humans infected by Nipah virus. ¾¾About the Survey: Covid-19 Delta Plus Variant €€The NIV team looked at Rousettus leschenaultii and Pipistrellus pipistrellus bats that are common Why in News in India. Recently, the zzPteropus medius bats, which are large fruit- Union Ministry of Health and Family eating bats, are the reservoir for NiV in India Welfare (MoHFW), has warned people against the new strain as both NiV RNA and antibodies were detected Covid-19 ‘Delta Plus’ (DP). in the samples of these bats collected during ¾¾There is fear that this new variant may spark the previous NiV outbreaks. third wave of Covid-19. €€A bat’s immune system is especially adept at Key Points withstanding viral infection because of its ability ¾¾About: to limit excessive inflammation — which uniquely allows viruses to thrive without proving deadly to €€Delta plus (B.1.617.2.1/(AY.1) is a new variant the mammal. of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus formed due to a mutation in the Delta strain of the virus (B.1.617.2 ¾¾Nipah virus (NiV): variant). It is technically the next generation of €€About: SARS-COV-2. zz It is a zoonotic virus (it is transmitted from €€This mutant of Delta was first detected in Europe animals to humans). in March 2021. zz The organism which causes Nipah Virus zzThe Delta variant that was first detected in encephalitis isan RNA or Ribonucleic acid virus of India (in February 2021) eventually became a the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus, huge problem for the whole world. However, and is closely related to Hendra virus. the Delta Plus variant, at present, is limited to „„Hendra virus (HeV) infection is arare emerging smaller areas in the country. zoonosis that causes severe and often fatal €€It is resistant to monoclonal antibodies cocktail. disease in both infected horses and humans. Since it’s a new variant, its severity is still unknown. zzIt first broke out in Malaysia and Singapore in €€People reported symptoms like headaches, sore 1998 and 1999. throats, runny noses, and fever. zzIt first appeared in domestic pigsand has been €€The World Health Organisation (WHO) is tracking found among several species of domestic animals this variant as part of the Delta variant, it is doing including dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep. so for other Variants of Concern with additional €€Transmission: mutations.

Note: 74 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Transmissibility: €€There are worries Delta Plus would inflict another €€It has acquired the spike protein mutation called wave of infections on Indiaafter it emerged from K417N which is also found in the Beta variant first the world’s worst surge in cases only recently. identified in South Africa. zzJust over 4% of Indians are fully vaccinated zzThe spike protein is used by SARS-CoV-2, the virus and about 18% have received one dose so far. which causes Covid-19, to enter the host cells. €€Some scientists fear that the mutation combined Gain-of-function Research with other existing features of the Delta variant could make it more transmissible. Why in News ¾¾Major Concerns: €€Multiple studies are ongoing in India and globally The Wuhan Institute of Virology was said to have to test the effectiveness of vaccines against the conducted gain-of-function research on coronaviruses Delta plus Covid-19 mutation. which may possibly have caused the lab-leak origin of the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19 pandemic). €€India’s health ministry warned that regions where it has been found “may need to enhance their Key Points public health response by focusing on surveillance, enhanced testing, quick contact-tracing, and ¾¾Gain-of-function Research: priority vaccination.” €€About: zzIn virology, gain-of-function research involves Virus Variant deliberately altering an organism in the lab, ¾¾Variants of a virus have one or more that mutations altering a gene, or introducing a mutationin a differentiate it from the other variants that are in pathogen to study its transmissibility, virulence While most mutations are deleterious circulation. and immunogenicity. for the virus, some make it easier for the virus to survive. zzThis is done by genetically engineering the virus and by allowing them to grow in different growth ¾¾The SARS-CoV-2 (Corona) virus is evolving fast mediums, a technique called serial passage. because of the scale at which it has infected people around the world. High levels of circulation mean „„Serial Passage refers to the process of growing it is easier for the virus to change as it is able to bacteria or a virus in iterations. For instance, a replicate faster. virus may be grown in one environment, and then a portion of that virus population can be ¾¾The original pandemic virus (founder variant) was removed, and put into a new environment. Wu.Hu.1 (Wuhan virus). In a few months, variant D614G emerged and became globally dominant. €€Significance: ¾¾Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics zzThis would allow researchers to study potential (INSACOG) is a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, therapies and ways to control the disease pan-India network to monitor genomic variations better in future. in the SARS-CoV-2. zzGain-of-function studies, which enhance viral ¾¾Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data yield and immunogenicity (relating to immune (GISAID) is a public platform started by the World response), are required for vaccine development. Health Organization (WHO) in 2008 for countries ¾¾Issues: to share genome sequences. €€Gain-of-function research involves manipulations €€The GISAID Initiative promotes the international that make certain pathogenic microbes more sharing of all influenza virus sequences, related deadly or more transmissible. clinical and epidemiological data associated €€There is also ‘loss-of-function’ research, which with human viruses, and geographical as well involves inactivating mutations, resulting in a as species-specific data associated with avian significant loss of original function, or no function and other animal viruses. to the pathogen.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 75

zzWhen mutations occur, theyalter the structure ¾¾A syndrome is a combination of symptoms and signs of the virus, resulting inaltered functionswhich that together represent a disease process. might weaken the virus or enhance its function. €€Gain-of-function research reportedly carry inherent Key Points biosafety and biosecurity risks and are thus referred ¾¾About: to as ‘dual-use research of concern’ (DURC). €€PPS is a psychological condition that is used to zzThis indicates that while the research may describe an adult who is socially immature. result in benefits for humanity, there is also €€People who develop similar behaviours of living the potential to cause harm — accidental or life carefree, finding responsibilities challenging deliberate escape of these altered pathogens in adulthood, and basically never growing up from labs may even cause pandemics (Like it suffer from PPS. is said to be in case of ). Covid-19 €€The term was coined by psychologist Dan Kiley to ¾¾Situation in India: explain the behaviour of such men who ‘refuse to €€All activities related to genetically engineered grow’ and behave their age in 1983. organisms or cells and hazardous microorganisms zzDan Kiley got the idea of PPS after noticing Peter and products are regulated as per the “Manufacture, Pan, a fictional character created by Scottish Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous novelist James Matthew Barrie. Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms zzPeter Pan was a care-free young boy, who or Cells Rules, 1989”. never grew up. €€In 2020, the Department of Biotechnology issued €€While the WHO (World Health Organization) does guidelines for the establishment of containment not recognise Peter Pan Syndrome as a health facilities, called ‘Biosafety labs’. disorder, many experts believe it is a mental health zzThe notification provides operational guidance condition that can affect one’s quality of life. on the containment of biohazards and levels ¾¾Symptoms: of biosafety that all institutions involved in €€PPS hasn’t officially been diagnosed as a health research, development and handling of these disorder, there are no clearly-defined symptoms microorganisms must comply with. or characteristics or even reasons which cause it. ¾¾Debate over Gain-of-function: €€However, it could affect one’s daily routine, relation- €€Proponents: ships, work ethic, and result in attitudinal changes. zzIt makes science and governments battle-ready ¾¾People Affected: for future pandemics. €€It can affect anyone, irrespective of gender, race or zzProponents of gain-of-function research believe culture. However, it appears to be more common that “nature is the ultimate bioterrorist and we among men. need to do all we can to stay one step ahead”. €€It affects people who do not want or feel unable €€Critic: to grow up, people with the body of an adult but zzAfter the Covid-19 pandemic, more concerns are the mind of a child. raised on carrying out such kinds of research. zzThey don’t know how to or don’t want to stop zzThis may cause the extinction of the living things being children and start being mothers or fathers. or may change their genetic makeup forever. €€It is not currently considered a psychopathology. However, a large number of adults are presenting Peter Pan Syndrome emotionally immature behaviors in Western society. zzPsychopathology is a term which refers to Why in News either the study of mental illness or mental Recently, a special court in Mumbai granted bail to distress or the manifestation of behaviours and an accused of sexually assaulting a minor as he was experiences which may be indicative of mental suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome (PPS). illness or psychological impairment.

Note: 76 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Wendy Syndrome €€It will be a mission mode project to support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Government of ¾¾The Psychologist who defined PPS also used the India. term Wendy Syndrome (WS) to describe women who act like mothers with their partners or people zzBlue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean close to them. resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health. ¾¾People suffering from WS are often seen making decisions, tidying up messes, and offering one- €€The technology and expertise needed in such sided emotional support. missions is now available with only five countries - US, Russia, France, Japan and China. Deep Ocean Mission zzIndia will now be the sixth country to have it. ¾¾Major Components: €€Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, Why in News and Manned Submersible: Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs zzA manned submersible will be developed to has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Earth carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres Sciences (MoES) on the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). in the ocean with a suite of scientific sensors ¾¾The blueprint of the DOM to explore the deep recesses and tools. of the ocean was unveiled in 2018. Earlier, MoES had zzAn Integrated Mining System will be also also rolled out the draft Blue Economy Policy. developed for mining polymetallic nodules at those depths in the central Indian Ocean. „„Polymetallic nodules are rocks scattered on the seabed containing iron, manganese, nickel and cobalt. zzThe exploration studies of minerals will pave the way for commercial exploitation in the near future, as and when commercial exploit- ation code is evolved by the International Seabed Authority, an United Nations (UN) organisation. €€Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services: zzIt entails developing a suite of observations and models to understand and provide future projections of important climate variables on seasonal to decadal time scales. €€Technological Innovations for Exploration and Conservation of Deep-sea Biodiversity: zzBio-prospecting of deep sea flora and fauna including microbes and studies on sustainable Key Points utilization of deep sea bio-resources will be ¾¾About: the main focus. €€ €€The cost of the Mission has been estimated at Rs. Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration: 4,077 crore over a five-year period and will be zzIt will explore and identify potential sites of multi- implemented in phases. MoES will be the nodal metal Hydrothermal Sulphides mineralization ministry implementing this multi-institutional along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges. ambitious mission. €€Energy and Freshwater from the Ocean:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 77

zzStudies and detailed engineering design for off- use of IT enabled services for modernization shore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) of ports. powered desalination plants are envisaged in €€O-SMART: this proof of concept proposal. zzIndia has an umbrella scheme by the name of „„OTEC is a technology which uses ocean tem- O-SMART which aims at regulated use of oceans, perature differences from the surface to marine resources for sustainable development. depths lower than 1,000 meters, to extract €€Integrated Coastal Zone Management: energy. zzIt focuses on conservation of coastal and marine €€Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology: resources, and improving livelihood opportunities zzIt is aimed at the development of human capacity for coastal communities etc. and enterprise in ocean biology and engineering. €€National Fisheries Policy: zz It will translate research into industrial zzIndia has a National Fisheries policy for promoting application and product development through ‘Blue Growth Initiative’ which focuses on on-site business incubator facilities. sustainable utilization of fisheries wealth from ¾¾Significance: marine and other aquatic resources. €€Oceans, which cover 70% of the globe, remain a key part of our life. About 95% of the Deep Ocean China’s Shenzhou-12 remains unexplored. €€Three sides of India are surrounded by the oceans Manned Mission and around 30% of the country’s population living in coastal areas, the ocean is a major economic Why in News factor supporting fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, Recently, a Chinese spaceship “ Shenzhou-12” car- livelihoods and blue trade. rying a three-person crew docked with China’s new space zzIndia has a unique maritime position. Its 7517 station module Tianhe-1. km long coastline is home to nine coastal states ¾¾This has come after the launch of the Tianzhou-2 and 1382 islands. cargo spacecraft, which carried vital supplies for the zzThe Government of India’s Vision of New space station. India by 2030 announced in February 2019 highlighted the Blue Economy as one of the Key Points ten core dimensions of growth. ¾¾About Mission: €€Oceans are also a storehouse of food, energy, €€The Shenzhou-12 craft connected with the Tianhe minerals, medicines, modulator of weather and space station module about six hours after takeoff climate and underpin life on Earth. from the Jiuquan launch center in Gobi Desert. zzConsidering the importance of the oceans on €€The three-man crew will spend three months on sustainability, the UN has declared the decade, the Tianhe module, which is orbiting at some 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for 340km to 380km above the earth. Sustainable Development. zzChina is the third country after the former ¾¾ Other Blue Economy Initiatives: Soviet Union and the United States to carry €€India-Norway Task Force on Blue Economy for out a manned mission on its own. Sustainable Development: €€This is the first of two manned space missions zzIt was inaugurated jointly by both the countries planned for this year, part of an intense schedule in 2020 to develop and follow up joint initiatives of launches aimed at completing the Chinese between the two countries. space station in 2022. €€Sagarmala Project: zzAt least five more missions are planned for the zzThe Sagarmala project is the strategic initiative year, with the Shenzhou-13 manned mission, also for port-led development through the extensive carrying three astronauts, set for later this year.

Note: 78 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€The three astronauts are the first to take up residency in the main living module and will carry out experiments, test equipment, conduct maintenance and prepare the station for receiving two laboratory modules next year. €€It was China’s seventh crewed mission to space but marked a number of firsts for the country – the first manned one during the construction of China’s space station, the first in nearly five years after the country’s last manned mission in 2016 and China’s longest crewed space mission to date. ¾¾Purpose of the Mission: €€It will help test technologies related to long-term astronaut-stays and health care, the recycling and life support system, the supply of space materials, extravehicular activities and operations, and in- orbit maintenance. ¾¾China’s Space Station: €€China is not a participant in the International Space Station (ISS), largely as a result of US objections to the Chinese program’s secrecy and close military ties. zzThe ISS is a joint project between five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). €€However, China has been stepping up cooperation with Russia and a host of other countries, and its station may continue operating beyond the ,ISS which is reaching the end of its functional life. ¾¾Other Recent Space Missions of China: zzMAA is a blueprint for space cooperation that supports NASA’s plans to return humans to the €€China’s Mars Probe: moon by 2024 and to launch an historic human zzIn May 2021 landed China’s Tianwen spacecraft mission to Mars. on Mars carrying a rover, the Zhurong. „„It will conduct scientific investigations into the planet’s soil, geological structure, Herbicide environment, atmosphere and water. Tolerant (HT) Bt Cotton €€China’s Moon Probe: zzIn November 2020, Chang’e-5 mission landed Why in News on the moon’s less explored far side and brought back the first lunar samples by any country’s The illegal cultivation of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) Bt space program since the 1970s. cotton has seen a huge jump as the sale of illegal seed €€China and Russia have also unveiled an ambitious packets has more than doubled from 30 lakh in 2020 to plan for a joint International Lunar Research Station 75 lakh in 2021. running through 2036. That could compete and possibly conflict with the Multinational Artemis Key Points Accords (MAA). ¾¾Bt Cotton:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 79

€€Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been ¾¾In January 2021, the Union Minister for Earth Sciences approved by the Centre for commercial cultivation commissioned two of the ten indigenously built in India. X-Band Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) to closely €€It has been genetically modified (GM) to produce monitor the weather changes over the Himalayas. an insecticide to combat the cotton bollworm, a common pest. India Meteorological Department ¾¾It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, ¾¾Herbicide Tolerant Bt (HTBt) Cotton: established in 1875. €€The HTBt cotton variant adds another layer of ¾¾It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological modification, making the plant resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, but has not been approved observations, weather forecasting and seismology. by regulators. Key Points €€Fears include glyphosate having a carcinogenic effect, as well as the unchecked spread of herbicide ¾¾About: resistance to nearby plants through pollination, €€Doppler radars of varying frequencies — S-band, creating a variety of superweeds. C-band and X-band — are commonly used by the ¾¾Need for Using HTBt Cotton: IMD to detect and track the movement of weather systems, cloud bands and gauge rainfall over its €€Saves Cost: There is a shortage of the labour needed coverage area of about to do at least two rounds of weeding for Bt cotton. 500 km. €€Four X-band and one C-band radar will be deployed zzWith HTBt, simply one round of glyphosate spraying is needed with no weeding. It saves over Mumbai. In addition, Ratnagiri will get a new Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 per acre for farmers. C-band and Vengurla will get an X-band radar, each of which will operate for multiple purposes. €€Support of Scientists:Scientists are also in favour of this crop, and even the World Health Organization ¾¾Existing Radars: (WHO) has said it does not cause cancer. €€East Coast: Kolkata, Paradip, Gopalpur, Visakhapa- zzBut the government has still withheld approval tnam, Machilipatanam, Sriharikota, Karaikal and for HTBt. Chennai. ¾¾Issues Emanating from Illegal Sale of HTBt Cotton: €€West Coast: Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Goa and Mumbai. €€As it is not approved by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), illegal sale takes €€Other Radars: Srinagar, Patiala, Kufri, Delhi, Muk- place in Indian markets. teshwar, Jaipur, Bhuj, Lucknow, Patna, Mohanbar, Agartala, Sohra, Bhopal, Hyderabad and Nagpur. €€Farmers are at risk with such illegal cotton seed sale as there is no accountability of the quality of ¾¾Significance: seed, it pollutes the environment, the industry is €€They will guide meteorologists, particularly in losing legitimate seed sale and the government times of extreme weather events like cyclones also loses revenue in terms of tax collection. and associated heavy rainfall. €€It will not only decimate small cotton seed €€As the radar observations will be updated every companies but also threatens the entire legal 10 minutes, forecasters will be able to follow cotton seed market in India. the development of weather systems as well as their varying intensities, and accordingly predict New Doppler weather events and their impact. Radars in Maharashtra: IMD Radars ¾¾Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging): Why in News €€It is a device which uses electromagnetic waves in Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) the microwaves region to detect location (range announced that it will install seven new doppler radars & direction), altitude, intensity and movement in Maharashtra, including Mumbai in 2021. of moving and non-moving objects.

Note: 80 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾Doppler Radar: ¾¾Types Of Doppler Radars : Doppler radar can be €€It is a specialized radar that uses the Doppler divided into several different categories according effect to produce velocity data about objects at to the wavelength which are L, S, C, X, K. a distance. zzDoppler effect: When the source and the signal are in relative motion to each other there is a change in the frequency observed by the observer. If they are moving closer, frequency increases and vice versa.

€€X-band radar: zzIt operates on a wavelength of 2.5-4 cm and a frequency of 8-12 GHz. Because of the smaller wavelength, the X band radar is more sensitive and can detect smaller particles. zzIt is used to detect thunderstorms and lightning. €€C-band radars: zzIt operates on a wavelength of 4-8 cm and a frequency of 4-8 GHz. Because of the wavelength and frequency, the dish size does not need to be very large. €€It does this by bouncing a microwave signal off zzThe signal is more easily attenuated, so this type a desired target and analyzing how the object’s of radar is best used for short range weather motion has altered the frequency of the returned observation. signal. „„It guides at the time of cyclone tracking. €€This variation gives direct and highly accurate €€ : measurements of the radial component of a S band radars target’s velocity relative to the radar. zzIt operates on a wavelength of 8-15 cm and a . Because of the wavelength ¾¾Doppler Weather Radar (DWR): frequency of 2-4 GHz and frequency, S band radars are not easily €€Based on Doppler principle the radar is designed attenuated. to improve precision in long-range weather zzThis makes them useful for near and far range forecasting and surveillance using a parabolic dish antenna and a foam sandwich spherical radome. weather observation. €€DWR has the equipment to measure rainfall intensity, wind shear and velocity and locate a LiDAR Based storm centre and the direction of a tornado or Survey of Forest Areas gust front. Why in News Recently, the Union Environment Minister in a virtual event released the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based survey of forest areas in ten states. ¾¾The 10 mapped states are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 81

Key Points €€It will help in recommending different types of Soil & Water conservation structures such as ¾¾Survey of Forest Areas Project: Anicut, Gabion, Gully Plug, Mini percolation tank, €€The project was awarded to WAPCOS in July 2020 Percolation Tank, Field bund, Sunken pond, Farm at a for implementation cost of over Rs. 18 crore pond etc. in 26 states over 261897 hectares. zzWAPCOS is a Mini Ratna Public Sector Under- LiDAR taking (PSU) under the Jal Shakti Ministry. ¾¾About: €€ It is a first of its kind and a unique experiment €€It is a remote sensing method that uses light in using LiDAR technology which will help augment the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges & water and fodder in jungle areas thereby reducing variable distances. human-animal conflict. €€These light pulses—combined with other data zzLiDAR technology has been found to have 90% recorded by the airborne system— generate accuracy. precise, three-dimensional information about the €€States will be given Compensatory Afforestation shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics. Fund Management and Planning Authority €€A LiDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, (CAMPA) funds to use in this project. a scanner, and a specialized Global Positioning zzCAMPA is meant to promote afforestation and System (GPS) receiver. regeneration activities as a way of compensating zzAirplanes and helicopters are the most commonly for forest land diverted to non-forest uses. used platforms for acquiring LiDAR data over zzCAMPA was established to manage the broad areas. Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) and €€LiDAR follows a simple principle — throw laser light it acts as the custodian of the CAMPA fund. at an object on the earth surface and calculate €€One major ridge inside a forest block is identified the time it takes to return to the LiDAR source. in these states with an average area of 10,000 zzGiven the speed at which the light travels ha selected in each State; the area should have (approximately 186,000 miles per second), average rainfall of the state, and requires assisted the process of measuring the exact distance natural generation. through LiDAR appears to be incredibly fast. ¾¾Significance: ¾¾Applications: €€Besides reducing human-animal conflict,it will help €€Lidar is commonly used to make high-resolution us in identifying areas which need groundwater maps, with applications in surveying, geodesy, recharge which will in turn help local communities. geomatics, archaeology, geography, geology, €€It will help in catching rainwater and prevent geomorphology, seismology, forestry, atmospheric stream run-off, which will help in recharging physics, laser guidance, airborne laser swath groundwater. mapping (ALSM), and laser altimetry.

nnn

Note: 82 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Environment and Ecology

Highlights zz Great Barrier Reef zz Black Softshell Turtle zz Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2020: IRENA zz Pygmy Hog zz Indian Initiatives Shaping Energy Transition zz Ambergris zz Bharitalasuchus Tapani: A Carnivorous Reptile zz Link between Air Quality and Covid-19 zz Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary: Assam zz Pyrostria laljii: New Species from Andaman zz 4th Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan zz Energy Compacts zz Children and Digital Dumpsites: WHO Report zz Namami Gange Programme zz African Swine Fever

¾¾Some nations have their sites added to gain Great Barrier Reef international attention and help to save them.

Why in News Key Points Recently, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee ¾¾Reason behind this Move: has recommended that the Australia’s Great Barrier Reef €€It was recommended to add to the list because of should be added to a list of “in danger” World Heritage the impact of climate change. Sites. €€Despite Reef 2050, the coral reef ecosystem has ¾¾Placement on the ‘‘in-danger list’’ is not considered suffered three major bleaching events since 2015 a sanction. due to severe marine heatwaves. zzThe Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan is the Australian and Queensland Government’s overarching framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef by 2050. zzWhen corals face stress by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. This phenomenon is called coral bleaching. zzMarine heatwave is an event of anomalous warm sea surface temperatures (SST​) from several days to years. ¾¾Repercussions: €€It prompted environmental groups to take aim at the Australian government’s reluctance to take stronger climate action. €€Australia, which is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita, has remained reluctant to commit to stronger climate action and has cited jobs as a major reason to back the country’s fossil fuel industries.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 83

zzIt has not updated its climate goals since 2015. €€The Great Barrier Reef of the Queensland coast of ¾¾About Great Barrier Reef: Australia is the largest aggregation of coral reefs. €€It is the world’s most extensive and spectacular ¾¾Coral Reef Areas in India: coral reef ecosystem composed of over 2,900 €€India has four coral reef areas: Gulf of Mannar, individual reefs and 900 islands. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep €€The reef is located in the Coral Sea (North-East islands and the Gulf of Kutch. Coast), off the coast of Queensland, Australia. ¾¾Threats: €€It can be seen from outer space and is the world’s €€Due to anthropogenic activitiessuch as coastal biggest single structure made by living organisms. development, destructive fishing methods and €€This reef structure is composed of and built by pollution from domestic and industrial sewage. billions of tiny organisms, known ascoral polyps. €€Due to increased sedimentation, over-exploitation zzThey are made up of genetically identical and recurring cyclones. organisms called polyps, which are tiny, soft- €€Coral diseases such as black band and white band bodied organisms. At their base is a hard, due to infectious microorganisms introduced by protective limestone skeleton called a calicle, the human population that live on the coastal which forms the structure of coral reefs. regions. zzThese polyps have microscopic algae called zooxanthellae living within their tissues. The Renewable Power Generation corals and algae have a mutualistic (symbiotic) relationship. Costs in 2020: IRENA €€It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. ¾¾Initiatives to Protect Corals: Why in News €€A number of global initiatives are being taken to Recently, the International Renewable Energy Agency address the issues, like: (IRENA) released the ‘Renewable Power Generation Costs zzInternational Coral Reef Initiative in 2020’ report. zzGlobal Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) zzGlobal Coral Reef Alliance (GCRA) zzThe Global Coral Reef R&D Accelerator Platform €€Similarly, the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change(MoEF&CC), India has included the studies on coral reefs under the Coastal Zone Studies (CZS). zzIn India, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with help from Gujarat’s forest department, is attempting a process to restore coral reefs using “biorock” or mineral accretion technology. Levelized cost of electricity trends by technology, zzNational Coastal Mission Programme, to protect 2010 and 2020 and sustain coral reefs in the country. Key Points Coral Reef ¾¾Replacing Coal with Renewables: ¾¾Largest Coral Reef Area: €€810 gigawatts (GW) capacity of the world’s existing €€Indonesia has the largest coral reef area in the coal-fired plants i.e. 38% of the total global energy world. capacity now have higher operating costs than €€ have the India, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Chagos new utility-scale photovoltaics and onshore maximum coral reefs in South Asia. wind energy.

Note: 84 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzThe cost range for generation of fossil fuel-fired International Renewable Energy Agency power in G20 countries is estimated to be ¾¾About: between USD 0.055 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and USD 0.148/kWh. €€It is an intergovernmental organisation,it was officiallyfounded in Bonn, Germany, in January €€Replacing this expensive coal power with 2009. renewables will save operators USD 32 billion a th year and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions €€Currently it has 164 members, India is the 77 by around three billion tonnes. Founding Member of IRENA. €€ zzRenewable capacities added in 2019 would It has its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United have saved emerging and developing nations Arab Emirates. USD 6 billion per annum compared to the same ¾¾Major Functions: capabilities from conventional sources. €€It supports countries in their transition to a ¾¾Growth of Renewables in 2020: sustainable energy future, and serves as the €€The year 2020 was a record year for renewables principal platform for international cooperation, deployment despite the Covid-19- pandemic, with a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, 261 GW installed. The addition was almost 50% technology, resource and financial knowledge higher than that made in 2019 and represented on renewable energy. 82% of the global new power capacity. €€It promotes the widespread adoption and €€Around 162 GW or 62% of total renewable power sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, capacity added last year had lower costs than the including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, cheapest new fossil fuel option. ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy ¾¾Supplies from Sources Added in 2020: security and low-carbon economic growth and €€Geothermal > Photovoltaics (PV)> Wind power> prosperity. Hydropower > Bioenergy> Concentrating solar power. ¾¾Reasons for Growth: Indian Initiatives €€Between 2000 and 2020, renewables capacity Shaping Energy Transition grew more than three times, increasing by 754 GW to 2,799 GW. Why in News €€The growth was occasioned by advancements in technologies, consistent fall in component costs, Recently, the Minister of State for New & Renewable cost-competitive supply distribution channels, Energy launched ‘The India Story’ booklet, a compilation learning by using and commercial-scale availability. of Indian initiatives that are shaping India’s energy ¾¾Reducing Cost of Renewables: transition. ¾¾The booklet was launched at the event on €€In about 10 years (2010-2020), the cost of power Accelerating produced from commercial solar PVs fell by 85%, Citizen Centric Energy Transition organized by the CSP 68%, onshore wind 68% and offshore wind 48%. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). €€ zzThe outlook till 2022 sees global renewable It was organized in collaboration with the Permanent power costs falling further. Mission of India (PMI) to the United Nations and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water ¾¾Indian Initiatives for Renewable Energy: (CEEW). €€Hydrogen Energy Mission. ¾¾The Minister also launched a website which will act as €€Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). a repository of energy transition related knowledge €€International Solar Alliance. resources from around the world. €€PM- KUSUM. €€National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy. Key Points €€Rooftop Solar Scheme. ¾¾Growth of Renewable Sector:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 85

€€In the last 6 years, India’s installed Renewable energy projects at a cheaper rate as compared to Energy (RE) capacity has increased by over two power from conventional fuel sources. and a half times and stands at more than 141 Giga zzGovernment is also promotingGreen Hydrogen Watts (including large Hydro). with obligations for Fertilizers and Refining zzIt is about 37% of the country’s total capacity. industries (Green Hydrogen Purchase obligations). €€The installed solar energy capacity has increased ¾¾Initiatives to Increase Investment in Renewables: by over 15 times, and stands at 41.09 GW. €€Viability Gap Funding options for OffshoreWind €€India’s RE capacity is the 4th largest in the world. Energy. Its annual RE addition has been exceeding that €€Green Term Ahead Market and Green Day Ahead of coal based thermal power since 2017. Market. ¾¾Ease of Investment in Renewables: €€Rules for facilitating RE through Open Access. €€During the last 7 years, over USD 70 billion invest- €€RE procurement through exchanges will also be ment has been made in RE in India. notified to promote non - conventional resources €€India has a very liberal foreign investment policy of energy. for renewables allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through the automatic route Initiatives Shaping India’s Energy Transition in the sector. ¾¾Electrification zzEase of doing business is India’s utmost priority. €€Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA): Empowering rural and urban €€Established dedicated Project Development Cells households through access to reliable and (PDC) and FDI cells in all Ministries for handholding affordable electricity and facilitating domestic and foreign investors. €€Green Energy Corridor (GEC): Synchronising zzPDCs have been established for the development grid-connected renewable energy with India’s of investible projects in coordination between national transmission network the Central Government and State Governments €€ and thereby grow the pipeline of investible National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) and Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP): Modernising projects in India and in turn increase FDI inflows. India’s power sector into a secure, adaptive, €€Renewable Energy Investment Promotion and sustainable, and digitally enabled ecosystem Facilitation Board (REIPFB) Portal: ¾¾Renewable Energy zzIt has been developed to provide one-stop €€National Solar Mission (NSM): The 100 GW assistance and facilitation to the Industry solar ambition at the heart of the world’s largest for development of projects and and Investors renewable energy expansion programme bringing new investment to the RE sector in India. €€The Wind Energy Revolution: Leveraging India’s ¾¾ Industry’s Commitment: robust wind energy sector to boost clean energy €€Several members from the Industry have voluntarily manufacturing and the rural economy declared RE goals and committed to the Carbon €€National Biofuels Policy and SATAT: Building Disclosure Project (CDP), Renewable 100% (RE100) value chains to reduce fuel imports, increase and Science based targets (SBTs). clean energy, manage waste, and create jobs zzCDP is a global disclosure system that enables €€Small Hydro Power (SHP): Harnessing the power companies, cities, states and regions to measure of water to integrate remote communities into and manage their environmental impacts. the economic mainstream. zzSBTs are greenhouse gas reduction goals set €€National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM): by businesses. Exploring the commercial viability of a versatile ¾¾Green Tariff: clean fuel, €€Rules are being framed for a ‘green tariff’ policy €€Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: that will help electricity Distribution Companies Integrating India into the global clean energy (Discoms) supply electricity generated from clean value chains

Note: 86 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€National Biofuels Policy and SAYAY: Building ¾¾GlobalInitiatives value chains to reduce fuel imports, increase €€International Solar Alliance (ISA): Harnessing clean energy, manage waste and create jobs the infinite power for the Sun for sustainable ¾¾Energy Efficiency human development. €€Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA): €€Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM): Fostering Bringing affordable, energy-efficient lighting and international cooperation for a technology-driven appliances to citizens transition to a global clean energy economy. ¾¾Clean Cooking €€Mission Innovation (MI): Investing in innovation in breakthrough clean energy technologies to €€Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Delivering LPG gas to households for Swacch deliver impact at scale. Indhan, Behtar Jeevan – Clean Fuel, Better Life ¾¾Industrial Decarbonisation Bharitalasuchus Tapani: €€Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT): Enhancing A Carnivorous Reptile energy efficiency and curtailing emissions of hard-to-abate industrial sectors Why in News ¾¾SustainableTransport €€Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid Recently, an international team of paleontologists &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) : Driving India’s has thrown light on a carnivorous reptile that lived 240 vision for reliable, affordable, and efficient million years ago (Bharitalasuchus tapani). electric mobility ¾¾The Team studied some of the fossil specimens stored €€Indian Railways: Going Green: Fuelled by at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. environmental conservation, racing towards net ¾¾In the mid 20th century, researchers from the Institute zero carbon emissions by 2030 carried out extensive studies on rocks of the Yerrapalli €€Sustainable Aviation: Integrating cleaner fuels, Formation in what is now Telangana, uncovering energy efficiency and ecosystem preservation several fossils. with aircraft and airport operations Key Points ¾¾Climate Smart Cities ¾¾About: €€Smart City Mission (SCM): Developing sustainable and resilient urban habitats via ‘smart solutions’ €€This reptile belongs to a genus and species pre- viously unknown to science. They named it €€The Green Buildings Market: Constructing resource efficient, sustainable and resilient Bharitalasuchus tapani (BT). buildings €€BT were robust animals with big heads and large ¾¾City Gas Distribution teeth, and these probably predated other smaller reptiles. €€India’s CNG and PNG Network: Increasing the adoption of the ‘green’ fossil fuel for vehicles, zzThey were approximately the size of an adult households and industries male lion and might have been the largest predators in their ecosystems. ¾¾Cooling Action €€In the Telugu language, Bhari means huge, Tala €€India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Incentivising means head, and Suchus is the name of the Egyptian the air conditioner industry to build a sustainable crocodile-headed deity. cooling value chain €€The species is named after paleontologist Tapan ¾¾Skilling Roy Chowdhury in honour of his contribution to €€Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ): Building Indian vertebrate paleontology and especially a skilled and specialised workforce to deliver his extensive work on the Yerrapalli Formation India’s sustainable development goals. tetrapod fauna.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 87

€€Further studies revealed that the reptile belonged to ¾¾It is one of the smallest WS (Wildlife Sanctuary) of a family of extinct reptiles named Erythrosuchidae. Assam and covers an area of 26.22 sq. km. zzErythrosuchids are known from Lower-Middle Triassic rocks of South Africa, Russia, and China, Key Points and there have been preliminary reports from ¾¾Location: the Middle Triassic Yerrapalli Formation of €€Barnadi Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) is located in south-central India. northern Assam’s Baksa and Udalguri districts bordering Bhutan. €€The Sanctuary is bordered by the Barnadi river and Nalapara river to the west and east respectively. ¾¾Legal Status: €€It was affirmed as the WS in 1980 by the Govern- ment of Assam. €€Barnadi was established specifically to protect ¾¾Yerrapalli Formation: the Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius) and Hispid Hare €€It is a Triassic (period from 250-201 million years ago) (Caprolagus hispidus). rock formation consisting primarily of mudstones ¾¾Biodiversity: that outcrops in the Pranhita–Godavari Basin in southeastern India. €€This is important for threatened species such as the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Tiger €€Apart from this erythrosuchid reptile, the fossil (Panthera tigris) and Gaur Bos frontalis. assemblage of the Yerrapalli Formation includes many other extinct creaturessuch as ceratodontid €€About 60% of the BWS is reported to be grassland, lungfish, rhynchosaur and allokotosaurian. most of it is now grassy woodland. €€ €€However, deforestation, mining, agricultural The main Forest types are Tropical Moist Deciduous expansion, urbanisationare gradually destroying along the northern edge of the Sanctuary, and the fossiliferous localities of India. mixed scrub and grassland in the southern part with few trees. ¾¾ Barnadi Wildlife Vegetation: €€The vegetation has been drastically modified by Sanctuary: Assam human activity. €€Most of the natural vegetation has been cleared Why in News and replaced by commercial plantations of Bombax ceiba, Tectona grandis and Eucalyptus Recently, the World Wide Fund for Nature-India and by thatch grasses (mostly Saccharum, with (WWF) found a few tigers inhabiting the Barnadi Wildlife some Phragmites and Themeda). Sanctuary in Assam. ¾¾Other Protected Areas in Assam: €€Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, €€Manas National Park, €€Nameri National Park, €€Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park. €€Kaziranga National Park.

4th Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan

Why in News Recently, the Ramgarh Vishdhari wildlife sanctuary

Note: 88 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

received a nod from the National Tiger Conservation from Bundi City on Bundi-Nainwa Road near Authority’s (NTCA) technical committee to become the Village Ramgarh, District Bundi, Rajasthan. th 4 Tiger reserve of Rajasthan. €€Established: nd ¾¾This will be the 52 Tiger Reserve of India. zzIt was notified in the Year 1982 and is spread ¾¾The Global Tiger Day, celebrated on 29th July, is an over an area of 252.79 Sq. Km. annual event marked to raise awareness about tiger €€Area of Tiger Reserve: conservation. zzThe total area of 1,017 sq. km has been identified Project Tiger as the reserve area comprising two forest blocks of Bhilwara, territorial forest block of Bundi and ¾¾It was launched in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves for Indargarh, which falls under the buffer zone of conserving our national animal, the tiger. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). ¾¾It is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of €€Biodiversity: the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. zzIts flora consists of Dhok, Khair, Salar, Khirni trees with some Mango and Ber trees. ¾¾Currently, the Project Tiger coverage has increased to 51 Tiger reserves, spread out in 18 tiger range zzThe Fauna consists of birds and animals like states which amounts to around 2.21% of the Leopard, Sambhar, Wild boar, Chinkara, Sloth geographical area of our country. bear, Indian Wolf, Hyena, Jackal, Fox, deer and Crocodile. ¾¾The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/ buffer strategy. The core areas have the legal ¾¾Other Three Tiger Reserves: status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas €€Rajasthan has three tiger reserves with over the buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest 90 big cats at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) area. in Alwar, and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve ¾¾The NTCA was launched in 2005, following the (MHTR) in Kota. recommendations of the Tiger Task Force. It is ¾¾Other Protected Areas in Rajasthan: a statutory body of the Ministry, with an over- €€Desert National Park, Jaisalmer arching supervisory/coordination role, performing €€Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) €€Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur Act, 1972. €€National Chambal Sanctuary (on tri-junction of ¾¾M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh). Protection and Ecological Status) is an app based monitoring system, launched across Indian tiger reserves by the NTCA in 2010. Protection Status of Tiger ¾¾Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I ¾¾International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Endangered. ¾¾Convention on International Trade in Endan- gered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I.

Key Points ¾¾Ramgarh Vishdhari wildlife sanctuary: €€Location: zzThis Sanctuary is located at a distance of 45 Km

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 89

from 7 lakh tonnes in 2017-18. Against this, the Children and Digital e-waste dismantling capacity has not been Dumpsites: WHO Report increased from 7.82 lakh tonnes since 2017-18. zzIn 2018, the Ministry of Environment had told the tribunal that 95% of e-waste in India is Why in News recycled by the informal sector and scrap The World Health Organization (WHO) in its recent dealers unscientifically dispose of it by burning report “Children and Digital Dumpsites” has underlined or dissolving it in acids. the risk that children working in informal processing are ¾¾Impact of Working at Digital Dumpsites: facing due to discarded electronic devices or e-waste. €€On Children: The children working at these ‘digital ¾¾ There are as many as 18 million children ( as young dumpsites’ are more prone to improper lung as five years) and about 12.9 million women work function, deoxyribonucleic acid damage and at these e-waste dumpsites every year. increased risk of chronic diseases like cancer and ¾¾The e-waste from high-income countries is dumped cardiovascular disease. in the middle- or low-income countries for processing zzThey are less likely to metabolise or eradicate every year. pollutants absorbed. Key Points €€On Women: Several women, including expectant mothers, also work there. Processing e-waste ¾¾ About the E-waste: exposes them as well as their children to these €€E-Waste is short for Electronic-Waste. It is the toxins, which can lead to premature births and term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded stillbirth. electronic appliances. €€On Others: The hazardous impact of working at zzIt majorly includes electronic equipment, such sites is also experienced by families and completely or in part discarded as waste by the communities that reside in the vicinity of these consumer or bulk consumer as well as rejects e-waste dumpsites. from manufacturing, refurbishment and repair ¾¾Management of E-waste (International Convention): processes. €€Basel Convention on the Control of the Trans- zzIt contains over 1,000 precious metals and other substances like gold, copper, lead, mercury, boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste, 1992. cadmium, chromium, polybrominated biphenyls zzOriginally the Basel Convention did not mention and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. e-waste but later it addressed the issues of ¾¾Volume of E-waste: e-waste in 2006 (COP8). zz €€Global Scenario: According to the Global E-waste The convention seeks to ensure environmentally Statistics Partnership, the volume of e-waste sound management; prevention of illegal traffic generated is surging rapidly across the globe. to developing countries and; building capacity to better manage e-waste. zzAbout 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was generated in 2019. zzThe Nairobi Declaration was adopted at COP9 of the Basel Convention. It aimed at creating zzOnly 17.4% of this e-waste was processed in formal recycling facilities. The rest of it was innovative solutions for the environmentally dumped in low- or middle-income countries sound management of electronic wastes. for illegal processing by informal workers. ¾¾Management of E-waste in India: zzThis is because of the rise in the number of €€Producers: smartphones and computers. zzThe government has implemented the E-waste €€Indian Scenario: (Management) Rules (2016) which enforces zzAccording to the Central Pollution Control the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Board (CPCB), India generated more than 10 „„Under EPR principle the producers have lakh tonnes of e-waste in 2019-20, an increase been made responsible to collect a certain

Note: 90 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

percentage of E-waste generated from €€Other manifestations of the disease include their goods once they have reached their high fever, depression, anorexia, loss of appetite, “end-of-life”. hemorrhages in the skin, vomiting and diarrhoea €€State Governments: among others. zzThey have been entrusted with the responsibility €€It was first detected in Africa in the 1920s. for maintaining industrial space for e-waste zzHistorically, outbreaks have been reported in dismantling and recycling facilities. Africa and parts of Europe, South America, zzThey are also expected to establish measures and the Caribbean. for protecting the health and safety of workers zzHowever, more recently (since 2007), the disease engaged in the dismantling and recycling facilities has been reported in multiple countries across for e-waste. Africa, Asia and Europe, in both domestic and wild pigs. €€Recycling of E-waste: €€The mortality is close to 100% and since the fever zzIndia’s first e-waste clinic for segregating, has no cure, the only way to stop its spread is by processing and disposal of waste from household culling the animals. and commercial units has been set-up in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. €€ASF is not a threat to human beings since it only spreads from animals to other animals. €€ASF is a disease listed in the World Organisation African Swine Fever for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and thus, reported to the OIE. Why in News ¾¾Classical Swine Fever: Nagaland has not reported fresh cases of African €€CSF, also known as hog cholera, is an important Swine Flu in the last two weeks. disease of pigs. ¾¾The disease was first reported in November-December, €€It is one of the most economically-damaging 2019 from the areas of China bordering Arunachal pandemic viral diseases of pigs in the world. Pradesh. €€It is caused by a virus of the genus Pestivirus of ¾¾Earlier in April 2020, there were reported deaths of the family Flaviviridae, which is closely related pigs due to the Classical Swine Fever (CSF). to the viruses that cause bovine viral diarrhoea in cattle and border disease in sheep. Key Points World Organisation for Animal Health ¾¾About: ¾¾OIE is an intergovernmental organisation responsible €€It is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that for improving animal health worldwide. infects and leads to an acute form of hemorrhagic ¾¾It has 182 Member Countries. India is one of the fever in domestic and wild pigs. member countries. ¾¾OIE develops normative documents relating to rules that Member Countries can use to protect themselves from the introduction of diseases and pathogens. One of them is the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. ¾¾OIE standards are recognised by the World Trade Organization as reference international sanitary rules. ¾¾It is headquartered in Paris, France.

€€Mortality is 100%. €€Recently, the ICAR-IVRI developed a Cell Culture CSF Vaccine (live attenuated) using theLapinized Vaccine Virus from foreign strain.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 91

zzThe new vaccine has been found to induce mining, encroachment of wetlands and change protective immunity from day 14 of the in flooding pattern. Vaccination till 18 Months. ¾¾Sea Turtles of Indian Waters: €€There are five species in Indian waters i.e. Olive Black Softshell Turtle Ridley, Green turtle, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback. Why in News zzThe Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Loggerhead are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List Recently, the Assam forest department has signed of Threatened Species. a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two zzThe Hawksbill turtle is listed as ‘Critically Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and adopted Endangered’ and Green Turtle is listed as a Vision Document to raise at least 1,000 black softshell ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened turtles by 2030. Species. „„They are protected in Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, under Schedule I. ¾¾Turtle Conservation: €€National Marine Turtle Action Plan: zzIt contains ways and means to not only promote inter-sectoral action for conservation but also guide improved coordination amongst the government, civil society and all relevant stakeholders on the response to cases of stranding, entanglement, injury or mortality of marine mammals and also conservation of Key Points marine turtles. ¾¾About Black Softshell Turtle: €€Indian Ocean Sea Turtle Agreement (IOSEA): €€Scientific Name: Nilssonia nigricans zzIndia is a signatory to the Indian Ocean Sea €€Features: Turtle Agreement (IOSEA) of the Convention zzThey look almost the same as the Indian peacock on Migratory Species (CMS), a United Nations softshell turtle (Nilssonia hurum), which is backed initiative. classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. zzIt puts in place a framework through which €€Habitat: States of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asian region, as well as other concerned States, zzA freshwater species and there are 29 species of can work together to conserve and replenish freshwater turtles and tortoises found in India. depleted marine turtle populations for which zzThey are found in ponds of temples in they share responsibility. northeastern India and Bangladesh. Its €€KURMA App: distribution range also includes the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries. zzIt has a built-in digital field guide covering 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises of €€Protection Status: India. zzIUCN Red List: Critically Endangered zzIt was developed by the Indian Turtle Conservation zzCITES: Appendix I Action Network (ITCAN) in collaboration with zzWildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: No legal the Turtle Survival Alliance-India and Wildlife protection Conservation Society-India. €€Threats: €€World Turtle Day is observed every year on 23rd zzConsumption of turtle meat and eggs, silt May.

Note: 92 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzOnce found along a narrow strip of tall and wet Pygmy Hog grassland plains on the Himalayan foothills – from Uttar Pradesh to Assam, through Nepal’s Why in News terai areas and Bengal’s duars. Today found mainly in a small population in Recently, eight captive-bred pygmy hogs, the world’s Assam. rarest and smallest wild pigs, were released in the Manas €€Protection Status: National Park of Assam. zzIUCN Red List: Endangered ¾¾This is the second batch to have been reintroduced zzCITES: Appendix I into the wild under the Pygmy Hog Conservation zzWildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I Programme (PHCP) in a year. €€Threats: Key Points zzHabitat (grassland) loss and degradation, and illegal hunting. ¾¾Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP): €€The PHCP is a collaboration among Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust of UK, Assam Forest Department, Wild Pig Specialist Group of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. €€It is currently being implemented by NGOs - Aaranyak and EcoSystems India. €€Conservation of pygmy hog was initiated by noted naturalist Gerald Durrell and his trust in 1971. zzThe pygmy hog was brought back from near- extinction by the partnership effort, and now moving towards the establishment of a population across the entire range. €€Six hogs were captured from the Bansbari range Ambergris of the Manas National Park in 1996 for starting the breeding programme. Why in News €€The reintroduction programme began in 2008 Recently, the Mumbai Police has arrested five people with the Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Orang and seized nearly 9 kg of Ambergris. National Parkand Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary, all of them are in Assam. Key Points €€By 2025, the PHCP plans to release 60 pygmy ¾¾About: hogs in Manas. €€Ambergris, French for grey amber, is generally ¾¾ About Pygmy Hog: referred to as whale vomit. €€Scientific Name: Porcula Salvania €€It is a solid waxy substance originating in the €€Features: intestine of the sperm whale. zzIt is one of the very few mammals that build zzAmbergris is produced only by an estimated its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’. 1% of sperm whales. zzIt is also an indicator species. Its presence €€Chemically, ambergris contains alkaloids, acids, reflects the health of its primary habitat, the and a specific compound calledambreine, which tall, wet grasslands of the region. is similar to cholesterol. €€Habitat: €€It floats around the surface of the water body zzIt thrives in wet grassland. and at times settles on the coast.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 93

¾¾Habitat: €€They are found in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world. ¾¾Threats: €€The greatest threats to sperm whales are those of habitat impacts including noise pollution and €€Because of its high value it is referred to as floating gold. 1 kg of ambergris is worth Rs 1 crore in the climate change. international market. €€Other threats include entanglement in fishing gear, and proposals to allow for a ¾¾Use: collisions with ships, commercial hunt once again. €€It is used in the perfume market, especially to ¾¾ create fragrances like musk. Protection Status: €€IUCN Red List: Vulnerable zzIt is believed to be in high demand in countries like Dubai that have a large perfume market. €€CITES: Appendix I €€Ancient Egyptians used it as incense. It is also €€Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:schedule I believed to be used in some traditional medicines and as a spice. Link between Air ¾¾ Smuggling: Quality and Covid-19 €€Due to its high value it has been a target for smugglers especially in coastal areas. Why in News zzThere have been several cases where the coastline of Gujarat has been used for such For the first time, a pan-India study has found a direct smuggling. correlation between air pollution and Covid-19. €€Since the sperm whale is a protected species, ¾¾The study found that areas with poor air quality hunting of the whale is not allowed. However, and higher emissions of particulate matter (PM) smugglers are known to have illegally targeted 2.5 are more likely to have Covid-19 infections and the fish in order to obtain the valuable Ambergris related deaths. from its stomach. Key Points Sperm Whale ¾¾About: ¾¾About: €€The study was conducted by scientists from various €€Sperm whale, (Physeter catodon), also called universities such as Indian Institute of Tropical cachalot, the largest of the toothed whales, Meteorology (IITM), Pune, National Institute of easily recognized by its enormous square head Technology Rourkela; Indian Institute of Technology, and narrow lower jaw. Bhubaneswar. €€ €€The sperm whale is dark blue-gray or brownish, It was partially funded by the Ministry of Earth with white patches on the belly. It is thickset Sciences, the Government of India. and has small paddle-like flippers and a series ¾¾Components: of rounded humps on its back. €€The study involves three kinds of data sets—

Note: 94 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

¾¾ Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 Impact: ¾¾It is an atmospheric particulate matter of diameter €€When human-induced emissions are added of fewer than 2.5 micrometres, which is around 3% combined with the double impact of the Covid-19 the diameter of a human hair. virus, the damage to lungs will be much faster and worsen health conditions. €€It is very small and can only be detected with the help of an electron microscope. €€The study results will help slow down the spread of the virus by providing more preventive steps ¾¾It causes respiratory problems and also reduces and resources in areas with high pollution levels for visibility. It is an endocrine disruptor that can present situations as well as for future possibilities. affect insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, thus contributing to diabetes. ¾¾Solution: ¾¾These particles are formed as a result of burning €€There is a need to adopt cleaner technology, better fuel and chemical reactions that take place in the transport emission norms like Bharat Stage (BS) VI atmosphere. Natural processes such as forest fires at the earliest, and ensure better coal technology also contribute to PM2.5 in the air. like ultra-supercritical power plants to reduce particulate emissions. ¾¾These particles are also theprimary reason for the occurrence of smog. ¾¾Other Initiatives to Reduce Air Pollution: €€UJALA scheme. zzNational Emission Inventory (NEI) of PM2.5 €€International Solar Alliance. for 2019, developed by the scientists; €€National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) zzNumber of Covid-19 positive cases and €€ corresponding death as of 5th November, 2020. System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) zzAir quality index data (in-situ observations). ¾¾Important Observations: Air Quality Index (AQI) €€The study titled Establishing‘ a link between fine ¾¾The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. particulate matter (PM2.5) zones and Covid-19 over ¾¾It focuses on health effects one might experience India based on anthropogenic emission sources within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. and air quality data’ dealt with how people living ¾¾AQI is calculated for eight major air pollutants: in highly polluted areas are more vulnerable to €€Ground-level ozone, coronavirus infections. €€PM10, €€The regions using huge amounts of fossil fuels €€PM2.5, such as petrol, diesel and coal by combustion in transport and industrial activities alsoexperience €€Carbon monoxide, a far higher number of Covid-19 cases. €€Sulfur dioxide, zzFor Example, the highest numbers of Covid-19 €€Nitrogen dioxide, cases are found in States like Maharashtra, Uttar €€Ammonia, Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat, where exposure to €€Lead, the prolonged high concentration of PM2.5 is ¾¾Ground-level ozone and airborne particles are relatively high, especially in the cities, due to the two pollutants that pose the greatest threat overuse of fossil fuel. to human health in India. zzMumbai and Pune are among hotspots where high air pollution from the transport and industrial sectors is related to a higher number Pyrostria laljii: of Covid-19 cases and deaths. New Species from Andaman €€There is also evidence that the novel coronavirus sticks to fine particles like PM2.5 allowing them to move from one part to another by making the Why in News airborne transmission of Covid-19 more effective. Recently, Pyrostria laljii, a new species which belongs

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 95

to the genus of the coffee family has recently been Rivina andamanensis discovered from the Andaman Islands. ¾¾Another new species of pokeweed named Rivina ¾¾A new species of pokeweed andamanensis was also discovered. It was found named Rivina andaman- growing under large trees, shaded and rocky areas, ensis was also discovered. along with herbs and shrubby plants. ¾¾ Andaman and Nicobar €€Pokeweed is a strong-smelling plant with a is a group of 572 islands poisonous root. The berries contain a red dye and islets that are rich and used to colour wine, candies, cloth, and paper. unique in terms of plant ¾¾This discovery of new species, representing the first diversity in India. record of the pokeweed family Petiveriaceae in the Key Points Andaman and Nicobar Islands, adds one more family to the islands’ flora. ¾¾About: €€It is the first record of the genus Pyrostria in India. It is a 15-meter- tall tree. zzPlants belonging to genus Pyrostria are usually found in Madagascar but the recently discovered species is new to science. zzWhile the genus Pyrostria is not found in India, there are several genera from the family Rubiaceae that are common in India. zzThese plants, including cinchona, coffee, adina, hamelia, ixora, gallium, gardenia, mussaenda, rubia, morinda, have high potential for economic Botanical Survey of India value. ¾¾About: €€Named Pyrostria laljii after Lal Ji Singh, Joint €€It is the apex research organization under the Director, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) Botanical Survey of India. for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country. €€It has been assessed as ‘Critically Endangered’ based on the International Union for Conservation €€It was established in 1890 with the objective to of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List criteria. explore plant resources of the country and to identify plant species with economic virtues. ¾¾Features: €€It has nine regional circles situated at different €€Distinguished by a long stem with a whitish regions of the country. However the headquarter coating on the trunk, and oblong-ovate leaves is located in Kolkata, West Bengal. with a cuneate base. ¾¾Functions: €€Another physical feature that distinguishes the tree €€Exploration, inventorying and documentation from other species of the genus is its umbellate of phytodiversity in general and protected areas, inflorescence with eight to 12 flowers. hotspots and fragile ecosystems in particular ¾¾Habitat in India: €€Publicationof National, State and District Floras. €€First reported from South Andaman’s Wandoor €€Identificationof threatened and red list species forest. Other places in the Andaman and Nicobar and species rich areas needing conservation. Islands where the tree could be located are the €€ of critically threatened Tirur forest near the Jarawa Reserve Forest and Ex-situ conservation species in botanical gardens. the Chidiya Tapu (Munda Pahar) forest.

Note: 96 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

and the , actions defined in an €€Survey and documentation of traditional Paris Agreement knowledge (ethno-botany) associated with plants. Energy Compact can be directly linked to Nationally Determined Contributions considered as SDG €€Develop National database of Indian plants, Acceleration Actions. including herbarium and live specimens, botanical paintings and illustrations, etc. ¾¾Difference between Energy Compacts (EC) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): €€NDCs address Member States’ national climate Energy Compacts ambitions and targets that are legally required under the Paris Agreement, focusing on a country’s Why in News emissions profile from the economy as a whole. National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)Limited €€EC includes a variety of voluntary commitments, has become the first energy company in the energy actions, initiatives, and partnerships focused domain in India to declare its Energy Compact Goals as specifically on the energy system and SDG7. part of UN High-level Dialogue on Energy (HLDE). zzThey will cover the SDG7 targets, including ¾¾The United Nations is set to convene a high-level those that are not reflected in a country’s dialogue (HLD) in September, 2021 to promote the NDCs, such as clean cooking access. implementation of the energy-related goalsand targets €€EC is also open to all stakeholders in the global of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. movement on SDG7, including businesses, ¾¾NTPC is India’s largest power generating company organizations, and subnational authorities, and which is under the Ministry of Power. will have annual mechanisms to track progress on the commitments. Key Points ¾¾Need for Energy Compacts (EC): Energy Compacts (a platorm to unite and connect €€The energy sector continues to be the most¾¾ commitments and actions): significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions €€Energy Compacts are being mobilized by UN-Energy (GHG) globally, continuing a trend aligned with and will continue to be mobilized and updated industrialization. throughout the current Decade of Action. €€Current Situation: €€These are ongoing or new commitments with clear, zz789 million people without access to electricity underlying actions that willadvance progress on (2018) one or more of SDG7’s three core targets. zz2.8 billion people without access to clean zzSDG7 calls for “affordable, reliable, sustainable cooking (2018) and modern energy for all” by 2030. zzSDG 7 three core targets: Access to energy, Re- newable energy, Energy efficiency. €€These are voluntary com- mitments from Member States and non-state actors, such as companies, region- al/local governments, NGOs, and others. €€Since affordable, clean energy is a prerequisite for achieving all other SDGs

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 97

zz17% share of total final energy consumption ¾¾Namami Gange Programme: from renewables (2017) €€Namami Gange Programme is an Integrated zz1.7% energy efficiency improvement rate (2017) Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship ¾¾NTPC Energy Compact Goals: Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 to accomplish the twin objectives of effective €€It has set a target to install 60 GW of renewable abatement of pollution and conservation and energy capacity by 2032. It is also aiming at 10% rejuvenation of National River Ganga. reduction in net energy intensity by 2032. €€It is being operated under the Department of €€NTPC has declared that it will form at least 2 Water Resources, River Development and Ganga international alliances/groups to facilitate clean Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. energy research and promote sustainability in the €€The program is being implemented by the energy value chain by 2025. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state UN-Energy counterpart organizations i.e State Program ¾¾UN-Energy was established by the UN System Chief Management Groups (SPMGs). Executives Board for Coordination (CEB) in 2004 as zzNMCG is the implementation wing ofNational the United Nations‘ mechanism for inter-agency Ganga Council (set in 2016; which replaced the collaboration in the field of energy. National Ganga River Basin Authority - NGRBA). ¾¾It seeks to act to support countries in achieving €€It has a Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally-funded, non- SDG7 and the interrelated goals of the Paris Climate lapsable corpus and consists of nearly 288 projects. Agenda and the broader SDG agenda. €€The main pillars of the programme are: Decade of Action zzSewage Treatment Infrastructure ¾¾In September 2019, the United Nations General zzRiver-Front Development Assembly proclaimed the Decade of Action (2021- zzRiver-Surface Cleaning 2030) to deliver the Sustainable Development zzBiodiversity Goals (SDGs) to accelerate efforts to deliver on the zzAfforestation ambitious, universal and inclusive 2030 Agenda. zzPublic Awareness zzIndustrial Effluent Monitoring Namami Gange Programme zzGanga Gram ¾¾The Ganga River System: Why in News €€The headwaters of the Ganga called the ‘Bhagirathi’ Recently, an agreement was signed for Development are fed by the Gangotri Glacier and joined by the of 35 MLD (Mega Liters per day) Sewage Treatment Plant Alaknanda at Devprayag in Uttarakhand. in Maheshtala (City situated on the east bank of River €€At Haridwar, Ganga emerges from the mountains Ganga), West Bengal under Namami Gange Programme. to the plains. ¾¾The project was signed under Hybrid Annuity PPP €€The Ganga is joined by many tributaries from mode. the Himalayas, a few of them being major rivers such as the Yamuna, the Ghaghara, the Gandak Key Points and the Kosi.

nnn

Note: 98 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com History

Highlights zz Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay zz Sant Kabir Das Jayanti

€€He died on 8th April, 1894. Bankim ¾¾Contributions to India’s Freedom Struggle: Chandra Chattopadhyay €€His epic Novel Anandamath - set in the background of the Sanyasi Rebellion (1770-1820), when Bengal Why in News was facing a famine too - made Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay an influential figure on the Bengali Indian Prime Minister paid homage to Rishi Bankim renaissance. Chandra Chattopadhyay on his Jayanti on 27th June. zzHe kept the people of Bengal intellectually Key Points stimulated through his literary campaign. ¾¾About: zzIndia got its national song, Vande Mataram, from Anandamath. €€He was one of the greatest novelists and poets of India. €€He also founded a monthly literary magazine, Bangadarshan, in 1872, through which Bankim €€He was born on 27th June 1838 in the village of is credited with influencing the emergence of a Kanthapura in the town of North 24 Parganas, Bengali identity and nationalism. Naihati, present day West Bengal. zzBankim Chandra wanted the magazine to work €€He composed the song Vande Mataram in Sanskrit, as the medium of communication between the which was a source of inspiration to the people in educated and the uneducated classes. their freedom struggle. zzThe magazine stopped publication in the €€In 1857, there was a strong revolt against the , but was rule of East India Company but Bankim Chandra late 1880s resurrected in 1901 with . Chatterjee continued his studies and passed his Rabindranath Tagore as its editor B.A. Examination in 1859. zzWhile it carried Tagore’s writings - including his first full-length novel Chokher Bali - the ‘new’ zzThe Lieutenant Governor of Calcutta appointed Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as Deputy Collector Bangadarshan retained its original philosophy, in the same year. nurturing the nationalistic spirit. zzDuring the Partition of Bengal (1905), the €€He was in Government service for thirty-two years and retired in 1891. magazine played a vital role in giving an outlet to the voices of protest and dissent. Tagore’s Amar Sonar Bangla - the national anthem of Bangladesh now - was first published in Bangadarshan. ¾¾Other Literary Contributions: €€He had studied Sanskrit and was very interested in the subject, but later took on the responsibility to make Bengali the language of the masses. However, his first published work - a novel - was in English. €€His famous novels include Kapalkundala (1866), Debi Choudhurani, Bishabriksha (The Poison

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 99

Tree), Chandrasekhar (1877), Rajmohan’s wife €€Language: Kabir’s works were written in theHindi and Krishnakanter Will. language which was easy to comprehend. He used to write in couplets to enlighten people. Sanyasi Rebellion ¾¾Bhakti Movement: ¾¾The Sanyasi Uprisings took place in Bengal between €€Beginning: The movement probably began in the the periods of 1770- 1820s. Tamil region around the 6th and 7th century AD ¾¾The Sanyasis rose in rebellion after the great famine and achieved a great deal of popularity through of 1770 in Bengal which caused acute chaos and the poems of the Alvars (devotees of Vishnu) and misery. Nayanars (devotees of Shiva), the Vaishnavite and ¾¾However, the immediate cause of the rebellion Shaivite poets. was the restrictions imposed by the British upon zzThe Alvars and Nayanars travelled from place pilgrims visiting holy places among both Hindus to place singing hymns in Tamil in praise of and Muslims. their gods. zzThe Nalayira Divyaprabandham is a composition Sant Kabir Das Jayanti by the Alvars. It is frequently described as the Tamil Veda. €€ : At a different level, historians of Why in News Classification religion often classify bhakti traditions into two Recently, Sant Kabir Das Jayanti was observed on broad categories: saguna (with attributes) and 24th June, 2021 to mark the birth anniversary of Sant nirguna (without attributes). Kabirdas. zzThe saguna included traditions that focused on ¾¾Kabirdas Jayanti is celebrated on theJyeshtha Purnima the worship of specific deities such as Shiva, tithi, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations) and forms of the goddess or Devi, all often conceptualised Key Points in anthropomorphic forms. ¾¾About: zzNirguna bhakti on the other hand was worship of an abstract form of god. €€Sant Kabir Das was born in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He was a 15th century mystic poet, ¾¾Social Order: saint and social reformer and a proponent of the €€This movement was responsible for many rites Bhakti Movement. and rituals associated with the worship of God by Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of Indian subcontinent. zzKabir’s legacy is still going on through a sect For example, Kirtan at a Hindu Temple, Qawaali known as Panth of Kabir, a religious community at a Dargah (by Muslims), and singing of Gurbani that considers him as the founder. at a Gurdwara. €€Teacher: His early life was in a Muslim family, but €€They were often opposed to the establishment he was strongly influenced by his teacher, the and all authoritarian monastic order. Hindu bhakti leaderRamananda . €€They also strongly criticized allsectarian zealotry €€Literature: Kabir Das’ writings had a great influence and caste discrimination in society. on the Bhakti movement and includes titles like €€Hailing from both high and low castes, these poets , , , and Kabir Granthawali Anurag Sagar Bijak Sakhi created a formidable body of literature that firmly Granth. established itself in the popular narratives. zz His verses are found in Sikhism’s scripture Guru €€All of them claimed relevance for religion in social Granth Sahib. life, in the sphere of real human aspirations and zzThe major part of his work was collected by the social relationships. fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev. €€Bhakti poets emphasized surrender to god. zzHe was best known for his two-line couplets, €€The movement’s major achievement was its known as ‘Kabir Ke Dohe’. abolition of idol worship.

Note: 100 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Kannada Region: In this region, the movement began by Basavanna (1105-68) in the 12th century. €€Maharashtra: The Bhakti movement began in the late 13th century. Its proponents were known as the Varkaris. zzAmong its most popular figures wereJnanadev (1275- 96), Namdev (1270-50) and Tukaram (1608-50). €€Assam: Srimanta Sankardeva (a Vaishnava saint born in 1449 AD in Nagaon district of Assam. He started the neo-Vaishnavite movement). €€Bengal: Chaitanya was a renowned saint and reformer of Bengal who popularised the Krishna cult. €€Northern India: From the 13th to the 17th centuries, a large number of poets flourished who were all ¾¾Role of Women: Bhakti figures of considerable importance. €€Andal was a woman Alvar and she saw herself as zzWhile Kabir, Ravi Dass and Guru Nanak spoke the beloved of Vishnu. of the formless god (nirgun bhakti),Meerabai €€Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a devotee of Shiva and (1498-1546) from Rajasthan composed and sung she adopted the path of extreme asceticism in devotional verses in praise of Krishna. order to attain her goal. Her compositions were zzSurdas, Narasimha Mehta and Tulsidas also preserved within the Nayanar tradition. made priceless contributions to the canon of ¾¾Important Personalities: Bhakti literature and enhanced its glorious legacy.

nnn

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 101 Geography

Highlights zz Summer Solstice: 21st June zz Baihetan Dam: World’s Second Biggest Hydropower Dam zz Early Southwest Monsoon zz Rising Sea Levels

zzAt latitudes of 23.5° are the Tropics of Cancer st Summer Solstice: 21 June and Capricorn, north and south of the Equator. zzAt 66.5° are the Arctic and Antarctic Circles, to Why in News the north and south. 21st June is the longest day in the Northern Hemi- zzLatitudes are a measure of a location’s distance sphere, technically this day is referred to as Summer from the Equator. solstice. In Delhi, the day length is around 14 hours. €€During the solstice, the Earth’s axis — around ¾¾The amount of light received by a specific area in the which the planet spins, completing one turn Northern Hemisphere during the summer solstice each day — is tilted in a way that the North Pole depends on the latitudinal location of the place. is tipped towards the sun and the South Pole is ¾¾21st June is also observed as the International Yoga Day. away from it. €€Typically, this imaginary axis passes right through Key Points the middle of the Earth from top to bottom and ¾¾Meaning of the Word ‘Solstice’: is always tilted at 23.5 degrees with respect to the sun. €€It is a Latin word that means ‘stalled sun’. It is a natural phenomenon that occurs twice every €€At the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets during year, once in the summer and again during winter, the solstice. in each hemisphere of the earth - Summer and ¾¾Greater Amount of Energy: Winter Solstice. €€This day is characterised by a greater amount of ¾¾About Summer Solstice: energy received from the sun. According to NASA €€It is the longest day and shortest night of the year (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), in the Northern Hemisphere. the amount of incoming energy the Earth received €€During this, countries in the Northern Hemisphere from the sun on this day is 30% higher at the North are nearest to the Sun and the Sun shines overhead Pole than at the Equator. on the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North). €€The maximum amount of sunlight received by the Northern Hemisphere during this time is usually on June 20, 21 or 22. In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere receives most sunlight on December 21, 22 or 23 when the northern hemisphere has its longest nights– or the winter solstice. ¾¾Geography Behind: €€The reason behind the changing lengths of the days is the Earth’s tilt. €€The Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted at an angle of 23.5° to its orbital plane. This tilt, combined with factors such as Earth’s spin and orbit, leads

Note: 102 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

to variations in the duration of sunlight, due to arrive early over Karnataka, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, which any location on the planet receives different Telangana, Maharashtra and southern Gujarat. lengths of days. ¾¾Further Progress: zzThe Northern Hemisphere spends half the year €€Over Northwest India, the monsoon becomes tilted in the direction of the Sun, getting direct active only when the monsoon currents- either sunlight during long summer days. During the from the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal - reach other half of the year, it tilts away from the Sun, the region. As it is not expected to happen soon, and the days are shorter. the monsoon progress will remain slow. €€The tilt isalso responsible for the different seasons €€Also, a stream of mid-latitude westerly winds is on Earth. This phenomenon causes the movement approaching Northwest India, which will hinder of the Sun from the northern to the southern the monsoon advancement in the immediate hemisphere and vice versa bringing in seasonal coming days. changes in the year. ¾¾Early Monsoon and Rainfall Quantum: The Equinox €€The time of monsoon onset over a region has no direct impact on the rainfall quantum received ¾¾Twice each year, during the equinoxes (“equal during the season, or in the monsoon’s progress. nights”), Earth’s axis is not pointed toward our Sun, but is perpendicular to the incoming rays. €€For instance, the monsoon took 42 days in 2014 and 22 days in 2015 to cover the entire country. ¾¾It results in a “nearly” equal amount of daylight Even with such distinct ranges, India recorded and darkness at all latitudes. deficient rainfall during both years. ¾¾The vernal or spring equinox occurs in the northern ¾¾Impact on Summer-Sown Crops: hemisphere on March 20 or 21. September 22 or €€ 23 marks the northern hemisphere autumnal or The early arrival of monsoon rains in central and northern India will help farmers accelerate fall equinox. sowing of summer-sown crops such as paddy rice, cotton, soybean and pulses, and may boost crop yields too. Early Southwest Monsoon ¾¾Indications of Climate Change: €€The onset of the monsoon over various parts of the Why in News country each year can be ahead of time, in time After arriving at the Kerala Coast two days behind or late. These variations are generally considered the schedule, the Southwest Monsoon has hit early across normal, given the complexity of the monsoon. some areas of south peninsular and central India. €€However, climate experts have linked extreme weather events like intense rainfall over a region Key Points within a short time span or prolonged dry spell ¾¾Cause of Early Monsoon: during the four months (June-September) as €€Cyclone Yaas, formed in the Bay of Bengal in May, indications of climate change. helped in bringing the crucial southwest monsoon winds over the Andaman Sea.. Monsoon in India zzAs a rule-of-thumb, the monsoon makes its onset ¾¾About: over Kerala roughly ten days after it makes its €€The climate of India is described as the ‘monsoon’ advent over the south Andaman sea. type. In Asia, this type of climate is found mainly €€After delaying in Kerala,fast progress was mainly in the south and the southeast. due to strong westerly winds from the Arabian Sea, €€Out of a total of 4 seasonal divisions of India, and also the formation of a low-pressure system monsoon occupies 2 divisions, namely: over the North Bay of Bengal, that currently lies zzThe southwest monsoon season - Rainfall over eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. received from the southwest monsoons is €€An off-shore trough, prevailing between Ma- seasonal in character, which occurs between harashtra and Kerala, has helped the monsoon June and September.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 103

zzThe retreating monsoon season - The months of October and November are known for retreating monsoons. ¾¾Factors Influencing South-West Monsoon Formation: €€The differential heating and cooling of land and water creates a low pressure on the landmass of India while the seas around experience comparatively high pressure. €€The shift of the position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in summer, over the Ganga plain (this is the equatorial trough normally positioned about 5°N of the equator. It is also known as the monsoon-trough during the monsoon season). €€The presence of the high-pressure area, east of Madagascar, approximately at 20°S over the Key Points Indian Ocean. The intensity and position of this ¾¾About the Dam: high-pressure area affect the Indian Monsoon. €€It is on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze €€The Tibetan plateau gets intensely heated during (the longest river in Asia). summer, which results in strong vertical air currents and the formation of low pressure over the plateau €€It has been built with a total installed capacity of at about 9 km above sea level. 16,000 megawatts. €€The movement of the westerly jet stream to €€It will eventually be able to generate enough the north of the Himalayas and the presence of electricity each day once to meet the power needs the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian of 5,00,000 people for an entire year. peninsula during summer. ¾¾Significance for China: €€Tropical Easterly Jet (African Easterly Jet). €€It is part of Chinese efforts to curb surging fossil €€El Nino/Southern Oscillation (SO):Normally when fuel demand by building more hydropower capacity. the tropical eastern south Pacific Ocean experiences zzThis comes at a time when dams have fallen out high pressure, the tropical eastern Indian Ocean of favor in other countries due to environmental experiences low pressure. But in certain years, complaints (such as flooding farmland and there is a reversal in the pressure conditions and disruption of the ecology of rivers, threatening the eastern Pacific has lower pressure in comparison fish and other species). to the eastern Indian Ocean. This periodic change €€China’s pledge in 2020 to reach carbon neutrality in pressure conditions is known as the SO. by 2060 had also added urgency to the construction. ¾¾China’s Other Upcoming Projects: Baihetan Dam: World’s Second €€China’s planned mega-dam in Tibet’s Medog County, which is set to surpass the Three Gorges Biggest Hydropower Dam Dam in size, has been described by analysts as a threat to Tibetan cultural heritage and a way for Why in News Beijing to effectively control a substantial portion Recently, China has put into operation theBaihetan of India’s water supply. Dam, world’s Second Biggest Hydropower Dam. zzThe plan is to build a dam on the lower reaches ¾¾The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydropower of the Brahmaputra River. dam in the world and is also along China’s Yangtze zzThe Brahmaputra (called Yarlung Tsangpo in River. It began operations in 2003. China) is one of the longest rivers in the world.

Note: 104 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzStarting in the Himalayas in Tibet, it enters India in Arunachal Pradesh, then passes through Assam, Bangladesh, and empties into the Bay of Bengal. €€The impact of dams on China’s portion of the Mekong has also raised fears that irreversible damage is being inflicted upon a waterway which feeds 60 million people downstream as it winds through to the Vietnamese Delta. ¾¾Concerns: €€Agriculture: zzA huge dam (like on Brahmaputra) could hold back the massive amount of silt carried by the river (Silty soil is more fertile than other types of soil and it is good for growing crops). zzThis could affect farming in the areas downstream. €€Water Resources: ¾¾India’s smallest Union Territory, Lakshadweep is an zzIndia is also worried about the release of water archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of during the monsoons, when north-eastern 32 sq km. states such as Assam experience floods. zzChange in the flow rate during times of standoff Key Points between the countries is also a cause of concern. ¾¾Sea Level Rise (SLR): „„During the 2017 Doklam border standoff €€SLR is an increase in the level of the world’s oceans between India and China, China stopped due to the effects of climate change, especially communication of water flow levels from global warming, induced by three primary factors: its dams. Thermal Expansion, Melting Glaciers and Loss of €€Ecological Impact: Greenland and Antarctica’s ice sheets. zzThe ecosystem in the Himalayan region is €€Sea level is primarily measured using tide stations already on the decline. Several species of flora and satellite laser altimeters. and fauna are endemic to this part of the world ¾¾SLR is Linked to Three Primary Factors: and some of them are critically endangered. €€Thermal Expansion: When water heats up, it It could have disastrous consequences in this expands. About half of the sea-level rise over the ecologically sensitive zone. past 25 years is attributable to warmer oceans zzThe massive engineering projects have also simply occupying more space. displaced hundreds of thousands of local €€Melting Glaciers: Higher temperatures caused by communities and prompted concern in neigh- global warming have led to greater-than-average bouring countries. summer melting of large ice formations like mountain glaciers as well as diminished snowfall Rising Sea Levels due to later winters and earlier springs. zzThat creates an imbalance between runoff and Why in News ocean evaporation, causing sea levels to rise. Recently, a study has projected that sea levels will €€Loss of Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets: As rise around Lakshadweep Islands due to the impact of with mountain glaciers, increased heat is causing global warming. the massive ice sheets that cover Greenland and ¾¾It will affect airport and residential areas that are Antarctica to melt more quickly, and also move quite close to the present coastline. more quickly into the sea.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 105

¾¾Rate of SLR: example, Kiribati Island has planned to shift to Fiji, €€Global: Global sea level has been rising over the while the Capital of Indonesia is being relocated past century, and the rate has accelerated in recent from Jakarta to Borneo. decades. The average global sea level has risen €€Building Sea Wall: Indonesia’s government launched 8.9 inches between 1880 and 2015. That’s much a coastal development project called a Giant Sea faster than in the previous 2,700 years. Wall or “Giant Garuda” in 2014 meant to protect zzAlso, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate the city from floods. Change (IPCC) released ‘The Special Report €€Building Enclosures: Researchers have proposed on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Northern European Enclosure Dam (NEED), Climate’ in 2019 which underlined the dire enclosing all of the North Sea to protect 15 changes taking place in oceans, glaciers, and Northern European countries from rising seas. ice-deposits on land and sea. The Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Irish Sea, and the Red Sea were €€Regional: SLR is not uniform across the world. also identified as areas that could benefit from Regional SLR may be higher or lower than Global similar mega enclosures. SLR due to subsidence, upstream flood control, erosion, regional ocean currents, variations in land €€Architecture to Steer Flow of Water: Dutch City height, and compressive weight of Ice Age glaciers. Rotterdam built barriers, drainage, and innovative architectural features such as a “water square” ¾¾Consequences of SLR: with temporary ponds. €€Coastal Flooding: Globally, eight of the world’s 10 ¾¾Vulnerability of India: largest cities are near a coast, which is threatened €€India’s 7,516-kilometre-long coastline includes by coastal flooding. 5,422 kilometres of coastline on the mainland and €€Destruction of Coastal Biodiversity: SLR can cause 2,094 kilometres on the islands belonging to nine destructive erosion, wetland flooding, aquifer and states and four Union Territories. agricultural soil contamination with salt, and lost €€The coastline accounts for 90% of the country’s habitat for biodiversity. trade and it spans 3,331 coastal villages and 1,382 €€Dangerous Storm Surges: Higher sea levels are islands. coinciding with more dangerous and hurricanes ¾¾India’s Efforts: typhoons leading to loss of life and property. €€Coastal Regulation Zone: €€Lateral and Inland Migration: Flooding in low- zzThe coastal areas of seas, bays, creeks, rivers, lying coastal areas is forcing people to migrate and backwaters which get influenced by tides to the higher ground causing displacement and up to 500 m from the high tide line (HTL) and dispossession and in turn a refugee crisis worldwide. the land between the low tide line (LTL) and €€Impact on Infrastructure: The prospect of higher the high tide line were declared as Coastal coastal water levels threatens basic services such Regulation Zone (CRZ)in 1991. as internet access. zzThe latest regulation also takes into account €€Threat to Inland Life: Rising seas can contaminate rising sea-levels due to global warming. soil and groundwater with salt threatening life €€National Action Plan on Climate Change: farther away from coasts. zzIt was launched in 2008 by the Prime Minister’s €€Tourism and Military Preparedness: Tourism to Council on Climate Change. coastal areas and military preparedness will also zzIt aims at creating awareness among the be negatively affected by an increase in SLR. representatives of the public, different agencies ¾¾Steps taken to Tackle SLR: of the government, scientists, industry and the €€Relocation: Many coastal cities have planned communities on the threat posed by climate to adopt relocation as a mitigation strategy. For change and the steps to counter it.

nnn

Note: 106 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

Social Issues

Highlights zz Disability Early Intervention Centres zz Suicide Worldwide in 2019: WHO zz World Sickle Cell Disease Day 2021 zz International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

€€These centers will also focus on school readiness. Disability Early ¾¾Need: Intervention Centres €€Scenario from 2011 Census: zzThere are more than 20 lakh children with Why in News disabilities in the age group of 0-6 years, who belong to the categories of visually impaired, Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empower- hearing impaired, locomotor disability etc. ment has launched 14 cross-disability early intervention zzThis means that around 7% of children in this centres across the country to provide support to infants age group suffer from some form of disability. and young children at risk of or with disabilities. €€Expected Rise in Number: Disabilities zzThe number of such children is expected to ¾¾Disabilities is an umbrella term, covering impairments, increase as the Rights of Persons with Disabilities activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Act 2016, increases the number of disabilities €€An impairment is a problem in body function to 21 from 7. or structure; €€0-6 Years is a Critical Phase: €€An activity limitation is a difficulty encountered zzEarly Childhood (0-6 years) is the most critical by an individual in executing a task or action; phase of brain development. Early intervention €€A participation restriction is a problem experienced can provide specialised support and services by an individual in involvement in life situations. for infants and young children at-risk or with ¾¾The United Nations Convention on the Rights disability or developmental delay and their of Persons with Disabilities adopts a broad families to help their development, well-being categorization of persons with disabilities and and participation in family and community life. reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities zzThis can lead to lesser economic burden by must enjoy all human rights and fundamental creating a better future and independent/less freedoms. dependent lives. €€India has ratified the Convention and has enacted ‘The Rights of Persons with Disabilities World Sickle Act, 2016’. Cell Disease Day 2021 Key Points ¾¾About: Why in News €€The services provided at the centres will include To commemorate the World Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) screening of children and referral to appropriate Day on 19th June, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) rehabilitative care; speech therapy, occupational flagged off mobile vans under the Unmukt project for therapy and physiotherapy; parental counselling strengthening screening and timely management of SCD and training and peer counselling. in tribal districts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 107

¾¾The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution recognising SCD as a public health problem on 22th December, 2008. ¾¾The UNGA also recognised SCD as one of the first genetic diseases.

Key Points ¾¾Sickle Cell Disease: €€It is an inherited blood disease which is most common among people of African, Arabian and Indian origin. €€Social Stigmaand Prevalence among Tribal Pop- €€It is a group of disorders that affects hemoglobin, ulation(where Access to care for SCD is limited). the molecule in red blood cells that delivers €€School Drop Out: oxygen to cells throughout the body. zzChildren with sickle cell disease often have to €€People with this disease have atypical hemoglobin drop out from school. molecules called hemoglobin S, which can distort €€Policy Issue: red blood cells into a sickle, or crescent shape. zzThe delayed implementation of the 2018 draft zzThis blocks blood flow and oxygen from reaching policy on haemoglobinopathies. all parts of the body. zzThe policy aims to provide evidence-based ¾¾Symptoms: treatment for patients and reduce the number €€It can cause , referred to as sickle cell severe pain of new-born children with sickle cell disease crises. through initiatives such as the Sickle Cell €€Over time, people with sickle cell disorders can Anaemia Control Program, screening and experience damage to organs including the liver, prenatal diagnosis. kidney, lungs, heart and spleen. Death can also ¾¾Initiatives by India: result from complications of the disorder. €€Initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs: ¾¾Treatment: zzSCD Support Corner, a portal to collect real €€Medication, blood transfusions and rarely a bone- time data and provide relevant information marrow transplant. related to Sickle Cell. ¾¾Related Data: „„It will help in making a Central Repository €€India alone is home to about 1,50,000 patients of data. with SCD and about 88% of Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) cases in Asia. zzAn ‘Action Research’ project under which Yoga dependent lifestyle is promoted to reduce the €€The disease in India occurs predominantly in complications in the patient suffering from eastern Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, this disease. Chhattisgarh, western Odisha and in pockets of the Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala. €€Expanded Screening: €€The disease is prevalent among tribal communities zzCertain states, such as Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, (including children). have expanded their screening programmes zzAs per MOTA, SCD is affecting more women and from hospital to school-based screenings. children and nearly 20% of tribal children with zzExtrapolating such screening efforts and imple- SCD die before reaching the age of two, and mentation strategies to other states will help 30% children die before reaching adulthood. map the prevalence of the disease. ¾¾Challenges: €€Disability Certificate:

Note: 108 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzThe Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment age of 50 years. Suicide was the fourth-leading has increased the validity of disability certificates cause of death among young people aged 15-29 for SCD patients from 1 year to 3 year. globally in 2019. €€Some 77% of global suicides in 2019 occurred in Suicide low- and middle-income countries. ¾¾ Worldwide in 2019: WHO Regional Data: €€Africa, Europe and South-East Asia recorded suicide rates higher than the global average. Why in News zzThis number was highest in the Africa region Recently, a report titledSuicide worldwide in 2019 (11.2) followed by Europe (10.5) and South- was published by the World Health Organization (WHO). East Asia (10.2). ¾¾Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed €€In 20 years (2000-2019), the global suicide rate injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of had decreased by 36%. the behavior. zzThe decrease ranged from 17% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to 47% in the European Key Points Region and 49% in the Western Pacific Region. ¾¾ Unmet Target: €€The Region of the Americas recorded a substantial €€Reducing the global suicide mortality rate by a third 17% increase in the suicide rate during the same is both, an indicator and a target (the only one for period and has been an exception. mental health) in the United Nations-mandated ¾¾Suicides in India: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But the €€India has the highest suicide rate in the Southeast world will not be able to reach this target. Asian region. zzThe SDGs call on countries to reduce premature zzA total of 1,34,516 cases of suicide were reported mortality from non-communicable diseases in 2018 in India, according to the National Crime by a third, by 2030 through prevention and Records Bureau. treatment and to promote mental health and well-being. zzWhile the rate of suicide was 9.9 in 2017, it increased to 10.2 in 2018. zzThey ask countries to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including ¾¾WHO Guidelines to Reduce Suicides: narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. €€The WHO had published new LIVE LIFE guidelines They also call for universal health coverage, to help countries reduce the global suicide mortality which mental health is part of. rate by a third by 2030. These are: €€Although some countries have placed suicide zzLimiting access to the means of suicide, such prevention high on their agendas, too many as highly hazardous pesticides and firearms. countries remain uncommitted, the report said. zzEducating the media on responsible reporting zzCurrently, only 38 countries are known to have of suicide. a national suicide prevention strategy. zzFostering socio-emotional life skills in adolescents. ¾¾Suicides in 2019: zzEarly identification, assessment, management €€The Covid-19-pandemic has increased mental and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal stress globally. However a crisis was already in thoughts and behaviour. place in 2019. Approximately 7,03,000 people or €€These needed to go hand-in-hand with foundational one in a 100, died by suicide in 2019. pillars like situation analysis, multi-sectoral zzThe global age-standardized suicide rate was collaboration, awareness raising capacity building, 9.0 per 1,00,000 population for 2019. financing, surveillance and monitoring and €€Many of these were young people. More than evaluation. half of global suicides (58%) occurred before the ¾¾Legal Status of Attempted Suicide in India:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 109

€€According to Article 21 of the Indian constitution, to students, family members and teachers for their “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal mental health and well-being during the times of liberty except according to procedure established Covid-19. by the law”. While the constitution covers the right to life or liberty, it does not include the ‘right to die’. International Day zzThe attempts at taking one’s own life are not Against Drug Abuse considered to fall under purview of constitutional right to life. and Illicit Trafficking €€Section 309of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) states whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any Why in News act towards the commission of such offence, shall Recently, the Minister for Social Justice & be punished with simple imprisonment for a term Empowerment launched the website for the Nasha Mukt which may extend to one year or with fine or both. Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on the occasion of International zzIt is to be noted that the abetting of the com- Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26th June). mission of suicide (but not the abetting of ¾¾The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is attempt to commit suicide) is covered under the nodal ministry for Drug Demand Reduction, Section 306 IPC and the abetment of suicide implements various programmes for drug abuse of a child is covered under Section 305 IPC. prevention across the country. €€Section 115 (1) of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 of the Act provides, “Notwithstanding anything Key Points contained in section 309 of the IPC, any person who ¾¾About: attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, €€In order to strengthen action and cooperation in unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse, and shall not be tried and punished under the the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, in said Code. December 1987, decided to mark 26th June as zzHowever, this law applies only to those suffering the International Day Against Drug Abuse and from mental illness. There is presumption of Illicit Trafficking. severe stress in case of an attempt to die by ¾¾2021 Theme: suicide. €€Share Drug Facts to Save Lives. ¾¾Related Indian Initiatives: ¾¾Related Initiatives: €€Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 €€Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. €€KIRAN: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empow- erment has launched a 24/7 toll-free helpline to €€The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. provide support to people facing anxiety, stress, €€The UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988. health concerns. zzIndia is a signatory to all three and has enacted €€Manodarpan Initiative: It is an initiative of the the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Ministry of Educationunder Atmanirbhar Bharat (NDPS) Act, 1985. Abhiyan. It is aimed to provide psychosocial support €€Every year, the UN publishes a World Drug Report.

nnn

Note: 110 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com Art & Culture

Highlights zz National Maritime Heritage Complex: Lothal zz Humayun’s Tomb: Mughal Architecture

which connected the city to an ancient course of National Maritime the Sabarmati river on the trade route between Heritage Complex: Lothal Harappan cities in Sindh and the peninsula of Saurashtra. Why in News Indus Valley Civilization ¾¾ The Ministry of Culture (MoC) and Ministry of Ports, Also known as Harappan Civilization that flourished Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed a Memorandum around 2,500 BC, in the western part of South Asia, in contemporary of Understanding (MoU) for ‘Cooperation in Development Pakistan and Western India. of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)’ at ¾¾It was home to the largest of the four ancient Lothal, Gujarat. urban civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India and China. Key Points ¾¾It was basically an urban civilizationand the people ¾¾About: lived in well-planned and well-built towns, which were also the centers for trade. €€NMHC will be developed in Lothal region of Gujarat. €€They had wide roads and a well-developed €€It would be developed as an international tourist drainage system. destination, where the maritime heritage of India from ancient to modern times would be showcased. €€The houses were made of baked bricks and had two or more storeys. zzThe idea is to create an edutainment (education ¾¾The highly civilized Harappans with entertainment) approach for this destination knew the art of , and wheat and barley constituted that would be of great interest for the visitors. growing cereals their staple food. €€It is going to cover an area of 400 acres, with ¾¾By 1500 BC, the Harappan culture came to an end. structures such as Heritage Theme Park, National Among various causes ascribed to the decay of Indus Maritime Heritage Museum, Lighthouse Museum, Valley Civilization are the recurrent floods and other Maritime Institute, eco-resorts, and more. natural causes like earthquakes, etc. €€There will also be many pavilions where all coastal states in India and union territories can showcase their artifacts and maritime heritage. €€The unique feature of NMHC is the recreation of ancient Lothal city, which is one of the prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization. ¾¾About Lothal: €€Lothal was one of the southernmost cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization located in Gujarat. €€Construction of the city began around 2400 BCE. €€According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Lothal had the world’s earliest known dock,

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 111

€€Lothal was a vital and thriving trade Centre in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems, and valuable ornaments reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa. zzThe techniques and tools they pioneered for bead-making and in metallurgy have stood the test of time for over 4000 years. €€The Lothal site has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its application ispending on the tentative list of UNESCO.

Humayun’s Tomb: Mughal Architecture ¾¾Mughal Architecture: €€About: Why in News zzThis is a building style that flourished in northern and central India under the patronage of the Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Mughal emperors from the mid-16th to the late notified that all centrally protected monuments, sites, 17th century. and museums across the country including the Humayun’s zzThe Mughal period marked a striking revival Tomb will reopen for visitors from 16th June 2021. of Islamic architecture in northern India. ¾¾ Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is a fine specimen of the Under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, great Mughal architecture. Persian, Indian, and various provincial styles ¾¾ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier were fused to produce works of unusual quality organization for the archaeological research and and refinement. of the cultural heritage of the nation. protection zzIt became so widespread especially in north India that these can be seen further in the Key Points colonial architecture of Indo-Saracenic style. ¾¾ Humayun’s Tomb: €€Important Features: €€ About: zzMixed Architecture: It was a blend of Indian, zzThis tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural Persian, and Turkish architectural style. significance as it was the first garden-tomb on zzDiversity: Different types of buildings, such as the Indian subcontinent. majestic gates (entrances), forts, mausoleums, „„It inspired several major architectural palaces, mosques, sarais, etc. innovations, culminating in the construction zzBuilding material: Mostly, red sandstone and of the Taj Mahal. white marble were used. zzIt was built under the patronage of Humayun’s zzSpeciality: Specific features such as the Charbagh son, the great Emperor Akbar. style of the mausoleums, pronounced bulbous zzIt is also called the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’ domes, slender turrets at the corners, broad as in the cells are buried over 150 Mughal gateways, beautiful calligraphy, arabesque, family members. and geometric patterns on pillars and walls, zzIt is an example of the charbagh (a four quadrant and palace halls supported on pillars. garden with the four rivers of Quranic paradise „„The arches, chhatri, and various styles represented), with pools joined by channels. of domes became hugely popular in the zzThe United Nations Educational Scientific and Indo-Islamic architecture and were further Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)recognized it developed under the Mughals. as a World Heritage Site in 1993. €€Some Examples:

Note: 112 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzTaj Mahal: „„UNESCO designated it as the World Heritage „„Built by Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1653, Site in 2007. in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. zzJama Masjid: „„UNESCO recognized the Taj Mahal as a „„Built by Shah Jahan in Delhi. The construction World Heritage Site in 1983. It is located was completed in 1656. in Agra. zzBadshahi Mosque: zzRed Fort: „„Built during the reign of Aurangazeb. At the „„Built by Shah Jahan in 1618 when he decided time ofcompletion in 1673, it was the largest to move the capital from Agra to Delhi. It was mosque in the world. It is located in Lahore, the residence of Mughal rulers. capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab.

nnn

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 113 Security

Highlights zz Creation of Integrated Triservice Theatre Commands zz India-US: PASSEX zz The World Drug Report 2021: UNODC zz Exercise Sea Breeze zz Agni-P (Prime) zz INS Vikrant: First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier zz IN-EUNAVFOR Joint Naval Exercise zz Jammu Drone Attacks zz Krivak Stealth Frigates zz Project Seabird: INS Kadamba

€€The commander of such a force will be able to Creation of Integrated Triservice bear all resources at his disposal — from the Theatre Commands Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Navy — with seamless efficacy. €€The integrated theatre commander will not be Why in News answerable to individual Services. Recently, a high-level committee has been formed €€Integration and jointness of the three forces will for the consultations on the creation of integrated avoid duplication of resources. The resources triservice theatre commands. available under each service will be available to ¾¾The committee will examine all issues and find a way other services too. forward before a formal note on their creation is sent €€The Shekatkar committee (in 2015) had rec- to the Cabinet Committee on Security. ommended the creation of 3 integrated theatre commands — northern for the China border, Key Points western for the Pakistan border, and southern ¾¾About the Move: for the maritime role. €€The move was necessitated due to some aspects ¾¾Views in favour of Integration: like bringing in paramilitary forces (which is under €€The integrated theatre commander will not be Home Ministry) under the purview of the theatre answerable to individual Services, and will be free commands and financial implications that may to train, equip and exercise his command to make arise in the process of integration. it a cohesive fighting force capable of achieving €€The proposed Air Defence Command plans to designated goals. integrate all air assets of the armed forces while €€The logistic resources required to support its the Maritime Theatre Command plans to bring in operations will also be placed at the disposal of all assets of Navy, Coast Guard as well as coastal the theatre commander so that it does not have formations of Army and Air Force under one umbrella. to look for anything when operations are ongoing. €€On land, the Army’s Northern command and €€This is in contrast to the model of service-specific Western Command would be converted into 2-5 commands which India currently has, wherein theatre commands. the Army, Air Force and Navy all have their own ¾¾Integrated Theatre Command: commands all over the country. In case of war, each €€An integrated theatre command envisages a Service Chief is expected to control the operations unified command of the three Services, under of his Service through individual commands, while a single commander, for geographical theatres they operate jointly. (areas) that are of strategic and security concern. ¾¾Views against Integration:

Note: 114 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€There has been no occasion, during actual warfare, zzThese JLNs will provide integrated logistics when the three services have not operated with cover to the Armed Forces for their small arms commendable cooperation. ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil €€Faraway land war and medium to high intensity hired transport, aviation clothing, spares and wars are a distant possibility. also engineering support in an effort to synergise their operational efforts. €€With increased communication networks, interaction between three organizations is easy, they can come on board, can plan without much The World Drug consideration of spatial distance, so there is no need for a new organisation. Report 2021: UNODC €€Domain knowledge of the integrated force commander is likely to be limited in respect of Why in News the other two Services components under his Recently, the United Nations Offce on Drugs and command, thereby limiting his ability to employ Crime (UNODC), in its World Drug Report 2021, has them in the most suitable manner and at the highlighted that the lockdown restrictions duringCovid-19 appropriate time. have accelerated drug trafficking using the Internet. ¾¾Current Situation: ¾¾By drugs, the Report refers to substances controlled €€The Indian armed forces currently have 17 under international drug control conventions, and commands. There are 7 commands each of the their non-medical use. Army and the Air Force. The Navy has 3 commands. Key Points zzEach command is headed by a 4-star rank military officer. ¾¾Data Analysis: €€There is one joint command in Andaman and €€Between 2010-2019, the number of people using Nicobar Islands. drugs increased by 22%, owing in part to an increase zzIt is the first Tri-Service theatre command of in the global population. the Indian Armed Forces, based at Port Blair in €€Around 275 million people used drugs worldwide Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. last year, while over 36 million people suffered €€The other tri-service command, the Strategic from drug use disorders. Forces Command (SFC), looks after the delivery and €€Opioids continue to account for the largest burden operational control of the country’s nuclear assets. of disease attributed to drug use. ¾¾Recent Developments: €€A rise in the non-medical use of pharmaceutical €€The appointment of the CDS (Chief of Defence Staff) drugs was also observed during the coronavirus and the creation of the Department of Military pandemic. Affairs (DMA) are momentous steps towards the ¾¾Cannabis is More Potent but Fewer Young People integration and advancement of defence forces. See it as Harmful: zzCDS: It is the single-point military adviser to €€In the last 24 years, cannabis potency had increased the government as suggested by the Kargil as much as four times in some parts, even as the Review Committee in 1999. percentage of adolescents who perceived the zzDepartment of Military Affairs: Work exclusively drug as harmful fell by as much as 40%. pertaining to military matters will fall within the zzThe major psychoactive constituent in cannabis, purview of the DMA. Earlier, these functions Δ9-THC, is responsible for the development of were the mandate of the Department of mental health disorders, in the long-term. Defence (DoD). €€Reason: Aggressive marketingof cannabis products €€The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and promotion through social-media channels. has operationalised the thirdJoint Logistics Node ¾¾Rising Web-based Sales Could Transform Global (JLN) in Mumbai. Drug Use Patterns:

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 115

€€Access to drugs has also become simpler than ¾¾Reasons for Increase in Drug Use: ever with online sales, and major drug markets €€Drug traffickers havequickly recovered from initial on the dark web are now worth some $315 million setbacks caused by lockdown restrictions and are annually. operating at pre-pandemic levels once again. €€In Asia, China and India are mainly linked to zzIt is driven in part by a rise in the use of shipment of drugs sold on the 19 major darknet technology and cryptocurrency payments, markets analysed over 2011-2020. operating outside the regular financial system. €€Cannabis dominates drug transactions on Dark €€Contactless drug transactions, such as through web and on clear web involves sale of Narcotic the mail, are also on the rise, a trend possibly Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) and accelerated by the pandemic. substances used in the manufacture of synthetic €€Vendors play a cat-and-mouse game with law drugs. enforcement by marketing their products as “research chemicals” or advertising “custom synthesis”. ¾¾Suggestions: €€Combating misinformationon the impact of the use of cannabis products is crucial. €€Awareness-raising and communication efforts that disseminate scientific information without stigmatizing people. €€Increasing the capacity of law enforcement agencies to address drug trafficking over the darknet remains a priority. ¾¾Impact of Covid-19: €€Joint responses by Governments and the private sector can involve controlling and removing €€Socio Economic impact: advertisements and listings of illegal drugs on zzThe Covid-19 crisis has pushed more than 100 the Internet. million people into extreme poverty, and €€Continuously update scientific standardsto keep has greatly exacerbated unemployment and abreast of the acceleration of Internet-based inequalities, as the world lost 255 million jobs services. in 2020. zzMental health conditions are also on the rise United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime worldwide. Such socioeconomic stressors have ¾¾It was established in 1997 and was named as a United likely accelerated demand for the drugs. Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2002. €€Positive Trend: ¾¾It acts as the Office for Drug Control and Crime zzA rise in the use of technology during the Prevention by combining the United Nations pandemic has also triggered innovation in drug International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and prevention and treatment services, through the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division more flexible models of service delivery such as of the United Nations Office at Vienna. telemedicine, enabling healthcare professionals Relate International Initiatives to reach and treat more patients. ¾¾International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit zzThe th number of new NDPS emerging on the global Trafficking is celebrated every year on 26 June. market fell from 163 in 2013, to 71 in 2019. ¾¾Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. zzThe pharmaceutical opioids used to treat people ¾¾The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971. with opioid use disorders have become increas- ingly accessible, as science-based treatment ¾¾The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic has become more broadly available. in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.

Note: 116 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

mechanisms and state-of-the-art navigation systems €€India is a signatory to all three and has enacted the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances have been introduced. The Agni-P missile would further (NDPS) Act, 1985. strengthen India’s credible deterrence capabilities. ¾¾In comparison to other Agni class missiles, Agni-P has improved parameters including manoeuvring Agni-P (Prime) and accuracy. ¾¾Agni Class of Missiles: Why in News €€They are the mainstay of India’s nuclear launch Recently, a new generation nuclear capable ballistic capability. missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by €€Range of other Agni Missiles: the Defence Research and Development Organisation zzAgni I: Range of 700-800 km. (DRDO) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast zzAgni II: Range more than 2000 km. of Odisha, Balasore. zzAgni III: Range of more than 2,500 Km Key Points zzAgni IV: Range is more than 3,500 km and can fire from a road mobile launcher. ¾¾Agni-P is a new generation advanced variant of the zzAgni-V: The longest of the Agni series, an Inter- Agni class (under IGMDP - Integrated Guided Missile Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)with a range ). Development Program of over 5,000 km. ¾¾It is a canisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 km. IGMDP (Integrated Guided €€Canisterisation of missiles reduces the time required Missile Development Program) to launch the missile while improving its storage ¾¾It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable and mobility. India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile ¾¾Many advanced technologies including composites, technology. It was approved by the Government propulsion systems, innovative guidance and control of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012. ¾¾The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are: €€Prithvi: Short range surface to surface ballistic missile. €€Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5) €€Trishul: Short range low level surface to air missile. €€Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile. €€Akash: Medium range surface to air missile.

¾¾Nuclear Triad: €€Nuclear triad, a three-sided military-force structure consisting of land-launched nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile-armed submarines, and strategic aircraft (e.g. Rafale, Brahmos) with nuclear bombs and missiles. €€DRDO had in January 2020 successfully test-fired a 3,500-km range submarine-launched ballistic missile, K-4, from a submerged pontoon off the Visakhapatnam coast. €€Once inducted, these missiles will be the mainstay of the Arihant class of indigenous ballistic missile

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 117

nuclear submarines (SSBN) and will give India the protection of vessels deployedunder the charter stand-off capability to launch nuclear weapons of World Food Programme (UN WFP). submerged in Indian waters. €€The two navies also have regular interaction through zzINS Arihant, the only SSBN in service, is armed SHADE (Shared Awareness and Deconfliction) with K-15 missiles with a range of 750 km. meetings held annually at Bahrain. €€In the past few years, India has been able to complete zzSHADE is an international operational counter its nuclear triad. This is especially important given piracy platform, convened in Bahrain. India’s No-First-Use policy while reserving the zzIt aimed to encourage partners for sharing right of massive retaliation if struck with nuclear information, assessing the evolution of trends, weapons first. best practices and to de-conflict operations amongst counter-piracy actors in the Gulf of IN-EUNAVFOR Aden, the Gulf of Oman and the Western Indian Ocean. Joint Naval Exercise €€It also underscores the shared values in ensur- ing freedom of seas and commitment to an Why in News open, inclusive and a rules-based international order. The maiden Indian Navy - European Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR) Exercise is being conducted in Gulf Major Indian Maritime Exercises Of Aden. Name of the Exercise Name of the Country

SLINEX Sri Lanka

Bongosagar and IN-BN CORPAT Bangladesh

JIMEX Japan

Naseem-Al-Bahr Oman

Indra Russia

Key Points Za’ir-Al-Bahr Qatar

¾¾Participants: Samudra Shakti Indonesia €€Along with Indian Navy, other naval forces are from Italy, Spain and France. Indo-Thai CORPAT Thailand €€The naval exercise included advanced air defence Exercise MAITREE (Army) and anti-submarine exercises, tactical manoeuvres, Exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Search & Rescue, and other maritime security Force) operations. IMCOR Malaysia ¾¾Aim: €€To enhance and hone their war-fighting skillsand SIMBEX Singapore their ability as an integrated force to promote peace, security and stability in the maritime domain. AUSINDEX Australia ¾¾Significance: Malabar Exercise Japan, Australia €€EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converge on multiple and the USA issues including counter piracy operations and

Note: 118 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

€€Concurrently, a virtual “Information sharing Exercise” is also being conducted between the Indian Navy Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa, an integral part of EUNAVFOR.

Krivak Stealth Frigates

Why in News Recently, the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff has inaugurated the construction of the second frigate of the Krivak or Talwar class. ¾¾The construction of the first ship was laid in January, 2021. It would be delivered in 2026 and the second ship after six months. Key Points ¾¾About: €€The Krivak class stealth ships are being built with technology transfer from Russia by Goa Shipyard Ltd. (GSL) under ‘Make in India’. Engines for the ships are supplied by Ukraine. zzIn October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for four Krivak or Talwar stealth frigates. zzThe first two frigates will be built in Yantar Shipyard, in Kaliningrad, Russia. The following two will be built in GSL. ¾¾Existing Frigates: €€The new Krivak frigates will have the same engines €€The navy already operates six Krivak III frigates. and armament configuration as Yantar’s last three The first three joined the fleet between June frigates - INS Teg, Tarkash and Trikand. These 2003 and April 2004, followed by another three will be armed with BrahMos anti-ship and land between April 2012 and June 2013. With the attack missiles. current contract, the navy will operate 10 Krivak ¾¾Use: frigates. €€They are primarily used to accomplish a wide variety of naval missions such as finding and eliminating India-Russia Defence Relation enemy submarines and large surface ships. ¾¾About: €€Defence cooperation is an important pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership. €€The two Defence Ministers meet annually, alternately in Russia and India, to discuss and review the status of ongoing projects and other issues of military technical cooperation. €€As India has been spreading its supplier base with Israel, US and France, Russia still remains a major supplier.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 119

€€The two sides are successfully moving towards the zzThe exercise is in the IAF’s Southern Air Com- implementation of an AK-203 rifle contract and mand’s area of responsibility and the IAF forces 200 Ka-226T utility helicopter supplies. will include Jaguars, Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, €€According to a paper published by Stimson Center, Air-to-Air Refueller aircraft, Airborne Warning 86% of the equipment, weapons and platforms And Control System (AWACS) and Airborne currently in military service in India are of Russian Early Warning and Control (AEW&C). origin. €€High tempo operations during the exercise ¾¾Joint Exercises: include advanced air defence exercises, cross €€Exercise INDRA, is a joint, tri services exercise deck helicopter operations and anti-submarine between India and Russia. exercises. ¾¾Russia’s Military Equipment Deployed by India: ¾¾Previous PASSEX with US: €€Navy: €€The Indian Navy conducted as PASSEX with the zzThe Navy’s only active aircraft carrier INS USS Ronald Reagan in October 2020. Vikramaditya is from Russia. A nuclear attack €€Indian naval ships conducted another PASSEX with submarine Chakra II is also in service. the USS Nimitz in July 2020. €€Army: ¾¾Impact: zzArmy’s T-90 and T-72 main battle tanks. €€Establish Rule Based Order: zzS-400 Triumf missile system. zzIt underscores the shared values as partner €€Air Force: navies, in ensuring commitment to an open, zzIAF’s Su30 MKI fighter. inclusive and a rule-based international order. €€Increased Interoperability: India-US: PASSEX zzIt will enhance aspects of interoperability, nuances of international integrated maritime Why in News search and rescue operations and exchange of best practices in the maritime airpower domain. Indian naval ships will join maritime patrol and other aircraft to participate in a Passage Exercise or PASSEX €€Counter China’s Expansionism: with the US Navy’s Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group zzThe exercise comes a week after the Indian during its transit through Indian Ocean Region (IOR). defence minister called for an open and inclusive ¾¾A passage exercise is normally undertaken whenever order in the Indo-Pacific region, including the an opportunity arises, in contrast to pre-planned South China Sea at the 8th ASEAN Defence maritime drills. Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus Meeting. ¾¾Earlier, the Indian Navy had also conducted zzThe Indian Navy is carrying out round-the-clock similar PASSEXs with the Japanese Navy and the surveillance in the IOR, which, it believes, French Navy. China will inevitably try to enter in its quest to become a global power, just as it has laid Key Points claim to large portions of the disputed South ¾¾About: China Sea. €€Indian Naval Ships Kochi and Teg along with ¾¾India-US Joint Exercises: (maritime patrol aircraft) and (Indian ship P8I €€Vajra Prahar (Army). based) MiG 29K aircraft are participating in the €€Yudh Abhyas (Army). PASSEX. €€Cope India (Air Force). €€The Indian Naval warships along with aircraft from Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) will €€Red Flag (USA’s multilateral air exercise). be engaged in joint multi-domain operations with €€Malabar Exercise (trilateral naval exercise of India, the US Carrier Strike Group. USA and Japan).

Note: 120 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

zzSecondly, the region is an important transit Exercise Sea Breeze corridor for goods and energy. zzThirdly, the Black Sea region is rich in cultural Why in News and ethnic diversity, and due to geographical proximity, shares . Ukraine and the United States launched joint naval close historical ties with Russia Exercise ‘Sea Breeze’ in the Black Sea in a show of Western €€Following such interest, Russia annexed Crimea cooperation with Ukraine as it faces off with Russia. from Ukraine in 2014 and claims the waters around ¾¾The drills come just days after theBritish Royal Navy’s the peninsula as part of its territory. HMS Defender passed near Russian-annexed Crimea zzMost countries do not recognise the takeover in the Black Sea. and stand behind Ukraine’s claims to the waters. ¾¾International Rules of Passage through Sea: €€Under international law of the sea (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982), innocent passage permits a vessel to pass through another state’s territorial waters so long as this does not affect its security. ¾¾Black Sea: €€The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is one of the major water bodies and a famous inland sea of the world. €€This marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located Key Points between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. ¾¾ About the Exercise: €€The bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia, €€The exercise Sea Breeze has been held since 1997, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. involving NATO states and their allies in the Black €€The Black Sea happens to be the largest water Sea region. body with a meromictic basin, which means the €€It has taken place 21 times since 1997.This edition movement of water between the lower and upper (2021) will be the largest In Exercise’s history that layers of the sea is a rare phenomenon which is also will involve some 5,000 military personnel from responsible for its Anoxic Water (i.e. a significant more than 30 countries. absence of oxygen in the water). ¾¾Aim of the Exercise: Anoxic Waters €€The drill is aimed at improving naval and land ¾¾ operations and improving cooperation among Anoxic waters are areas of sea water, fresh water, participating counties. or groundwater that are depleted of dissolved oxygen and are a more severe condition of hypoxia. €€The exercise is also aimed at sending a powerful ¾¾This condition is message to maintain stability and peace in the generally found in areas that have region. restricted water exchange. ¾¾Significance of Black Sea for Russia: €€The unique geography of the Black Sea region INS Vikrant: First confers several geopolitical advantages to Russia Indigenous Aircraft Carrier and thus Russia always wanted to control the region. zzFirstly, it is an important crossroads and strategic Why in News intersectionfor the entire region. Access to the Black Sea is vital for all littoral and neighboring Recently, India’s Defence Minister reviewed the states, and greatly enhances the projection of ongoing work on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), power into several adjacent regions. INS Vikrant (IAC-1), which is a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 121

¾¾INS Vikrant, is likely to be commissioned in 2022. €€The navy ensures that it has state of the art SONARs At present, India has only one aircraft carrier, the and Radars. Also, many of the ships contain a high Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya. amount of indigenous content. ¾¾Earlier, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) ¾¾Navy’s Contribution to Fight against Covid-19: approved issuance of Request for Proposal (RFP) for €€Operation Samudra Setu- I:Bringing back Indian six advanced submarines for the Indian Navy under citizens from overseas amidst coronavirus-induced Project-75I. travel restrictions. €€Operation Samudra Setu-II: Indian Navy has Key Points launched this for shipment of Oxygen-filled ¾¾About: containers to India. €€The vessel, to be named Vikrant after the decom- missioned maiden carrier of the Navy. Jammu Drone Attacks €€It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising , MiG-29K fighter jets Kamov-31 airborne Why in News early warning helicopters and the soon-to-be- inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter, besides Recently, Drones were used for the first time to drop the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters. explosive devices, triggering blasts inside the Air Force Station’s technical area in Jammu. €€It is expected to have a top speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 kmph) and is propelled by four Drone gas turbines. Its endurance is 7,500 nautical miles ¾¾Drone is a layman terminology for Unmanned at 18 knots (32 kmph) speed. Aircraft (UA). There are three subsets of Unmanned €€The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM Aircraft- Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and RAN-40L Aircraft and Model Aircraft. 3D radars as sensors. The vessel has a Shakti EW €€Remotely Piloted Aircraft consists of remote pilot (Electronic Warfare) Suite. station(s), the required command and control €€It has a pair of runways and a ‘short take off links and any other components, as specified in but arrested recovery’ system to control aircraft the type design. operations. ¾¾Besides combat use, drones are used for a range ¾¾Significance: of purposes like package delivery, in agriculture €€The combat capability, reach and versatility of the (spraying pesticides etc), monitoring environmental aircraft carrier will add formidable capabilities in changes, aerial photography, and during search and the defence in the country and help secure India’s relief operations, among others. interests in the maritime domain. Key Points €€It would offer an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project air power over long ¾¾Drone Attacks and Concerns: distances, including air interdiction, anti-surface €€Over the past two years, drones have been deployed warfare, offensive and defensive counter-air, regularly by Pakistan-based outfits to smuggle airborne anti-submarine warfare and airborne arms, ammunition and drugs into Indian territory. early warning. zzDrones fly low and therefore cannot be detected ¾¾Current Status of Indian Navy: by any radar system. €€As per the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan, €€According to government figures, 167 drone by 2027, India ought to have about 200 ships but sightings were recorded along the border with there is still a lot to cover to reach the target. Pakistan in 2019, and in 2020, there were 77 zzHowever, the cause is not mainly funding such sightings. but procedural delays or some self imposed €€With the rapid proliferation of drone technology restrictions. and exponential growth of its global market in

Note: 122 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

recent years, the possibility of a drone attack cannot €€What makes combat drones in the hands of non- be ruled out even in the safest cities in the world. state actors most dangerous is the threat of them €€Drones are becoming security threats particularly being used to deliver weapons of mass destruction. in conflict zones where non-state actors are active zzWeapons of mass destructionare weapons with and have easy access to the technology. the capacity to inflict death and destruction zzFor example: 2019 twin drone attacks on on such a massive scale and so indiscriminately Aramco crude oil production in Saudi Arabia. that its very presence in the hands of a hostile power can be considered a grievous threat. €€In the military domain, small drones have been proliferating at a rate that has alarmed battlefield commanders and planners alike. zzIn certain incidents, the small drones were also armed with explosive ordnance, to convert them into potentially lethal guided missiles, thus demonstrating the growing sophistication with which these potent warriors have found relevance in combat zones. ¾¾Reason for Increasing Drone Attacks: €€Cheap: zzThe primary reason for this proliferation is that drones are relatively cheaper in comparison to conventional weapons and yet can achieve far more destructive results. €€Remotely Controlled: zzThe biggest advantage that comes with using a drone for combat purposes is that it can be controlled from a remote distance and does not endanger any member of the attacking side. €€Easy to Operate: zzIt is this easy-to-procure, easy-to-operate, and proven damage potential that makes it important for any country to equip its forces with anti-drone combat technology. ¾¾Rules for Drone Regulations in India: €€Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2020: zzIt is a set of rules notified by the govern- ment that aims to regulate the production, import, trade, ownership, establishment of the drone ports (airports for drones) and operation of UAS. zzIt also seeks to create a framework for drones use by businesses. €€National Counter Rogue Drones Guidelines 2019: zzThe guidelines had suggested a number of measures to counter rogue drones depending on the vitality of assets being protected.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 123

zzFor places of critical national importance, the hospital, a dockyard uplift centre and a ship lift. It rules called for deployment of a model that was completed in 2005. consists of primary and passive detection means €€Phase-II of Project Seabird was cleared by the like radar, Radio Frequency (RF) detectors, Cabinet Committee on Security in 2012.It envisages electro-optical and infrared cameras. expanding facilities to house additional warships zzIn addition to this, soft kill and hard kill measures and set up a new Naval Air Station, among other like RF jammers, Global Positioning System plans. (GPS) spoofers, lasers, and drone catching nets €€INS Kadamba is currently the third-largest Indian were also suggested to be installed. naval base, and is expected to become the largest ¾¾Other Initiatives: naval base in the eastern hemisphere after €€Directed-Energy Weapon: completion of expansion Phase II. zzDefence Research and Development €€The Navy’s lone aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya Organisation (DRDO) has developed two anti- is based at Karwar. The base also has the country’s drone Directed-Energy Weapon (DEW) systems, first sealift facility, a unique “shiplift” and transfer with a 10-kilowatt laser to engage aerial targets system for docking and undocking ships and at 2-km range and a compact tripod-mounted submarines. one with a 2-kilowatt laser for a 1-km range. €€The project involves several technical and But they are yet to be productionized in large environmental challenges. numbers. ¾¾Efforts to Boost Self Reliance in Indian Navy: €€Smash-2000 Plus: €€More than two-thirds of the Navy’s modernisation zzThe armed forces are now also importing a budget has been spent on indigenous procurement limited number of other systems like Israeli in the last five financial years. `Smash-2000 Plus’ computerized fire control €€Out of the 48 ships and submarines, 46 are being and electro-optic sights, which can be mounted inducted through indigenous construction. on guns and rifles to tackle the threat from small €€Project 75 (I) envisages indigenous construction of hostile drones in both day and night conditions. submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated Project Seabird: INS Kadamba cost of Rs. 43,000 crore. €€Aircraft Carrier Vikrant,likely to be commissioned in 2022, is a shining example of the Navy’s self- Why in News reliance efforts. Recently, the Defence Minister visited the Karwar €€The Navy is continuously strengthening India’s Naval Base in Karnataka to review the ongoing relations with its maritime neighbours with its focus infrastructure development under Phase-II of ‘Project on ‘SAGAR’ (Security & Growth for All in Region). Seabird’. zzFrom rescuing stranded Indian nationals from affected countries to ferrying-in critical Key Points equipment, including oxygen cylinders, from ¾¾Project Seabird-Phase II: abroad, Indian Navy has worked tirelessly in €€Project Seabird involves construction of a naval the fight against Covid-19 (Operation Samudra base over an area of 11,169 acres. Setu - I and II). €€Phase I comprised construction of a deep-sea zzSAGAR was launched in 2015. It is India’s strategic harbour, breakwaters dredging, a township, a naval vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

nnn

Note: 124 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com Miscellaneous

Highlights zz NATRAX-High Speed Track zz 42nd Session of FAO Conference zz Land for Life Award: UN zz 7th International Day of Yoga

zzIt aims to create a state of the art testing, NATRAX-High Speed Track validation and R&D infrastructure in the country. €€It is a world class 11.3 km High Speed Track. The Why in News track is the longest in Asia and the fifth-largest in the world. Recently, the Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises inaugurated NATRAX- the High Speed Track zzIt is developed in an area of 1000 acres of land. in Pithampur, Indore (Madhya Pradesh). ¾¾Significance: €€Development of Prototype Cars for India: Key Points zzHigh Speed Track is used for measuring the ¾¾About: maximum speed capability of high-end cars like €€It is one of the state-of-the-art automotive testing BMW, Mercedes etc which cannot be measured and certification centre underNational Automotive on any of the Indian test tracks. Testing and Research and development (R&D) zzForeign Original Equipment Manufacturers Infrastructure Project (NATRIP). (OEMs) will be looking at NATRAX High Speed zzNATRIP is the largest and most significant Track for the development of prototype cars initiative in the automotive sector which for Indian conditions. comprises representatives from the Government „„At present, foreign OEMs go to their respective of India, a number of State Governments and high speed track abroad for high speed test Indian Automotive Industry. requirements. „„It is a flagship project of the Ministry of €€One Stop Solution: Heavy Industries. zzIt is one stop solution forall sorts of high speed performance tests, being one of the largest in the world. zzIt can cater to the widest category of vehicles; say from two wheelers to the heaviest tractor trailers.

Land for Life Award: UN

Why in News Recently, Shyam Sundar Jyani, a Rajasthan-based climate activist, has won the prestigiousUnited Nations’ Land for Life Award for his environment conservation concept, Familial Forestry. ¾¾The winner was announced on 17th June 2021 which is the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 125

¾¾Familial Forestry means transferring the care of the zzWhich means with long-term changes and tree and environment in the family so that a tree dedicated actions for 25 years or longer and becomes a part of the family’s consciousness. remarkable positive impacts on land, people, communities, and society. Key Points ¾¾Launch: ¾¾About: €€The Land for Life Award was launched in 2011 €€Every two years, the United Nations Convention at the UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP)10 in to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) organizes the the Republic of Korea as part of the Changwon Land for Life Award. The Award recognizes excellence Initiative. and innovation in efforts towards land in balance. zzThe Changwon Initiativeintends to complement €€The past editions shed light on inspiring initiatives activities being undertaken in line with The of recovery and restoration of degraded landscapes Strategy (for 2008-18) and in accordance with worldwide. COP 10 decisions. €€They all made a significant contribution towards zzThe main components of the Changwon achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Initiative include: 15: “Life on Land”, in particular Target 15.3 Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). „„Enhancing the scientific process of the UNCCD. „„ €€This year the award will put the spotlight on Mobilizing additional resources and facilitating individuals/organizations that made an outstanding partnership arrangements. contribution to land degradation neutrality on a „„Supporting a global framework for the large scale. promotion of best practices. ¾¾2021 Theme: United Nations €€ Convention to Combat Desertification Healthy Land, Healthy Lives. ¾¾Established in 1994, it is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and 42nd Session of FAO Conference development to sustainable land management. ¾¾It addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and Why in News dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and and peoples can be found. Farmers’ Welfare addressed the 42nd session of Food €€The convention obliges national governments and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Conference. to take measures to tackle the issue of desert- ¾¾The Conference takes place every two years and is ification. FAO’s supreme governing body. ¾¾It is one of the three Rio Conventions, the other ¾¾It determines the policies of the Organization, two are Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) approves the budget, and makes recommendations and United Nations Framework Convention on to Members on food and agriculture issues. Climate Change (UNFCCC). €€India is among the select few countries to have Key Points hosted the COP of all three Rio conventions. ¾¾India’s Efforts for Food Security during the Covid-19 ¾¾The new UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework Pandemic: is the most comprehensive global commitment €€High Production of Foodgrains: India registered to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in an all-time high production of foodgrains at 305 order to restore the productivity of vast expanses million tonnes as well as in exports during 2020- of degraded land, improve the livelihoods of more 21, contributing to global food security. than 1.3 billion people, and reduce the impacts of €€KISAN RAIL: It was introduced to transport the drought on vulnerable populations to build. essential commodities including perishable

Note: 126 CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 www.drishtiIAS.com

horticulture produce, milk and dairy produce from to develop certified organic production in a value the production centres to the large urban markets. chain mode. €€Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package: Under ¾¾Other Steps Highlighted: this scheme, free food grains were provided to €€Green Revolution, White Revolution, blue 810 million beneficiaries and it has been further revolution, Public Distribution Systemand price extended in which workers will be benefited till support system. November, 2021. €€PM Kisan Scheme: More than Rs.1,37,000 Crore Food and Agriculture Organization have been sent to the bank accounts of over 100 ¾¾FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations million farmers under this to provide income that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. support to the farmers. ¾¾World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16th ¾¾Climate Change and Agricultural Schemes: October to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO in 1945. €€Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): It was launched in 2015 to address the issues of ¾¾It is one of the UN food aid organisations based water resources and provide a permanent solution in Rome (Italy). Its sister bodies are the World that envisages Per Drop More Crop. Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). €€Green India Mission: It was launched in 2014 under the umbrella of National Action Plan on Climate ¾¾Initiatives Taken: Change (NAPCC) with the primary objective €€Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems of protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s (GIAHS). diminishing forest cover. €€Monitors the Desert Locust situation throughout €€Soil Health Card (SHC): It was launched with the the world. main objective of analysing cluster soil samples €€The Codex Alimentarius Commission or CAC is and advocating farmers regarding their land the body responsible for all matters regarding fertility status. the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food €€Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY): It Standards Programme. was executed to extensively leverage adaptation €€International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources of climate-smart practices and technologies in for Food and Agriculture. conjunction with theIndian Council of Agricultural ¾¾Flagship Publications: Research and state governments of India. €€The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture €€Rainfed Area Development (RAD): It focuses on (SOFIA). Integrated Farming System (IFS) for enhancing €€The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO). productivityand minimizing risks associated with €€The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the climatic variabilities. World (SOFI). €€Sub-mission on Agro Forestry (SMAF): It aims to €€The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA). encourage farmers to plant multi-purpose trees €€The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets together with the agriculture crops for climate (SOCO). resilience and an additional source of income to the farmers, as well as enhanced feedstock to inter €€World Food Price Index. alia wood-based and herbal industry. ¾¾India and FAO: €€National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture €€Support of FAO in endorsing the Indian proposal (NMSA), to develop, demonstrate and disseminate for an International Year of Pulses which was the techniques to make agriculture resilient to celebrated in 2016 and for declaring 2023 as adverse impacts of climate change. the International Year of Millets. €€Mission Organic Value Chain Development for €€India released a commemorative coin of Rs. 75 th North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER): It is a Central denomination to mark the 75 Anniversary of th Sector Scheme, a sub-mission under NMSA, aims the FAO (16 October 2020).

Note: www.drishtiIAS.com CURRENT AFFAIRS JUNE 2021 127

zzSome places in the list of 75 sites are the th Agra 7 International Day of Yoga Fort in Uttar Pradesh,Shanti Stupa in Ladakh, Ellora Caves in Maharashtra and Nalanda in Why in News Bihar, Rajiv Lochan Temple, Raipur, Sabarmati in Gujarat, and . Seventh International Day of Yoga (21st June 2021) Ashram Akhnoor Fort in Jammu is being celebrated by the Ministry of Culture at 75 cultural €€The Prime Minister announced the M-Yoga App heritage locations across the country. which will help in achieving ‘One World One Health’. zzThe app is a work of collaboration between Key Points the World Health Organisation (WHO) and ¾¾Proposed by India: the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, €€The idea of International Day of Yoga (IDY) was Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ministry of proposed by India during the opening of the 69th AYUSH), Government of India. session of the United Nations General Assembly zzIn the M-Yoga App, there will be yoga training (UNGA), held in 2014. videos and audio sessions in different languages €€The UN proclaimed 21st June as IDY by passing a for people across the world which will play a resolution in December, 2014. ‘great role’ in expanding yoga across the globe. €€The first Yoga Day celebrations in 2015 at Rajpath zzThe app is currently available in English, Hindi in New Delhi created two Guinness World Records. and French. It will be available in other UN zzIt was the world’s largest yoga session with languages in the upcoming months. 35,985 people. ¾¾Other Initiatives by India: zz84 nationalities participated in it. €€The Ministry of AYUSH in its ‘Common Yoga ¾¾About Yoga: Protocol’ has listed Yama, Niyama, Asana, etc. €€Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual among popular yoga ‘sadhanas’. practice that originated in India. €€The Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council €€The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and (B&WSSC) has vocational education courses in means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union Yoga for CBSE schools. of body and consciousness. zzB&WSSC is established as a non-profit organization €€Today it is practiced in various forms around the under the aegis of National Skill Development world and continues to grow in popularity. Corporation, Ministry of Skill Development and €€Yoga plays an important role in the psycho-social Entrepreneurship. care and rehabilitation of Covid-19 patients in €€Thousands of candidates have been trained as yoga quarantine and isolation. instructors and trainers through various skilling €€The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also initiatives like thePradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas asked its member states to practice Yoga and has Yojana (PMKVY). included it in its Global Action Plan for physical zzPMKVY is the flagship scheme of the Ministry activity 2018-30. of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. ¾¾IDY - 2021: €€Yoga is also a part of the Fit India Movement. €€This year’s theme is “Yoga for wellness”. zzFit India Movement is a nation-wide campaign €€The extensive drive (Yoga at 75 cultural heritage) has that aims at encouraging people to include been titled “Yoga, An Indian Heritage”, and is part physical activities and sports in their everyday of India’s “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” campaign. lives.

nnn

Note: Key Points Details

Summary Key Points Details

Summary