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   JournalsOfIndia com 2 INDEX AGRICULTURE

Fusarium or Panama Disease(Banana) 06 Millets and their special nutrient value 06 Feeder level solarisation under PM KUSUM scheme 07 Lakshadweep declared organic UT 08 Kisan credit cards scheme 09 FAO’s World Soil Day Award to ICAR 10

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Ammonia gas leakage in IFFCO & its impact 11

ECONOMY

Loan Cash Back Scheme 12 Discovered Small Field Policy 12 India Services Business Activity Index(ISBAI) 13 Digital payment security Control directions 2020 14 Draft Indian ports bill 14 Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure 15 Antitrust Suit 15 what is equalisation levy 16 NITI Aayog DigiBoxx 17 Quality Council of India(QCI) 18 Citizen Centric reforms in State and centre’s incentives 19 UNDP’s Human Development Index-2020 19 New Safety Features in Cheques 21 Electricity rights of consumers rules 2020 22 Green National Highways Corridor Project 23 Lottery, gambling and betting are taxable under the GST Act 24 Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor 24 Zero Coupon Bonds 25 Flexible in�lation targeting 26 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)3.0 & UMANG portal 27 Chennai- Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) 28 Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) programme 29

ENVIRONMENT Octane 100 petroleum in India 31 Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement 31 State of Global Climate Report 2020 32 First ever study on Malayan Giant Squirrel 32 Frothing in Yamuna river 33

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Central Zoo Authority announces two new zoos 34 Elephant Corridors 34 UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2020 35 Scientists spotted a new species of Indian Muraingrasses 36 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 36 WWF’s Management plan for Sukhna lake wetland 37 What are multi-use forests? 38 Eluru mystery illness 38 Fire�ly bird diverters to protect Great Indian Bustard 39 Great Rann of Kutch &Breeding colonies of Flamingos 40 Himalayan Serow 41 Myristica swamp tree frog 41 UNEP's Young Champions of the Earth prize 2020 42 Adoption of E20 fuel 42 Status of Leopard in India 2018 44 National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) 46 Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat 47 00 Tso Kar wetland complex 48 What is the Sonali bag? 48 Single use plastics 49 Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services(BEAM) programme 50

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) 53 international court of arbitration (when it was established its functions and recent cases of india) 53 The USA puts India on currency watchlist 54 United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) 55 Brief on Xinjiang province (include map) and the threats to China National unity 56 Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization(GAVI) 57

GEOGRAPHY

cyclone Burevi 59 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction after 397 Years 59 Winter Solstice and the celebrations associated with it 60 Aerosols led to increased incidents of high rainfall in Himalayan foothills 61 Planet Nine in our Solar System & HD106906 b 62 Digital ocean platform 63

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Central Zoo Authority announces two new zoos 34 GOVERNANCE

Elephant Corridors 34 Prime Minister WiFi Access Network Interface (PM- WANI) 64 UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2020 35 Criminal Tracking Network and Systems and Interoperable Criminal Justice System 64 Scientists spotted a new species of Indian Muraingrasses 36 e- Sampada Portal & Mobile App 65 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 36 WWF’s Management plan for Sukhna lake wetland 37 HISTORY What are multi-use forests? 38 Guru Nanak Dev Ji 66 Eluru mystery illness 38 Dr Rajendra Prasa 66 Fire�ly bird diverters to protect Great Indian Bustard 39 Stone chariot of Hampi 67 Great Rann of Kutch &Breeding colonies of Flamingos 40 Inclusion of Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta & Mallakhamba in Khelo India Youth Games 2021 68 Himalayan Serow 41 Madan Mohan Malaviya and his contributions 69 Myristica swamp tree frog 41 Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan 70 UNEP's Young Champions of the Earth prize 2020 42 Adoption of E20 fuel 42 LAW AND POLICY Status of Leopard in India 2018 44 What is Emergency Use Approval of a Vaccine? 72 National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) 46 New Uni�ied Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations 72 Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat 47 00 One Health Approach & Global Action Plan on AMR 73 Tso Kar wetland complex 48 Breach of privilege 74 What is the Sonali bag? 48 Directorate of revenue intelligence (statute and function ) 74 Single use plastics 49 Supreme Court judgement on the 2020 Tribunal Rules 75 Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services(BEAM) programme 50 Non Resident Indian (NRI) voting in India 75 VISVAS Yojana 76 India Workplace Equality Index 77 Plasmodium ovale a type of malaria 77 Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) 78 Recognition of prior learning under skill India programme 78 New Features of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 79 CIC Ruling on Electoral Bond scheme 80 National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation 81 Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) 82 Human personal Freedom Index 2020 83 Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Fund 85 Role of governor in summoning an assembly 85 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres 86 SCIENCE AND TECH

The Giant Metre wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) 89 Cultured meat approved by Singapore 89 what are technical textiles? 90 Nuclear magnetic resonance test 90

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Arti�icial Sun of China 91 The 2nd Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) 2020 Conference 91 What are Human clinical trials? 92 What is Radio Frequency (RF), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) based internet connectivity? 93 Anthrax disease 93 Mucormycosis or Black Fungus 94 COWIN system 95 Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) 95 What Is DTH service aand its difference with analog ? 96 What is genome sequencing? 97 Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 98 Autonomous Navigation Systems 98

SOCIETY

Mission COVID Suraksha 100 Naturopathy and its origin 100 NFHS-2019-20 on Domestic Violences in India 101 Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) 102 75th National Conference of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases (NATCON) and Tuberculosis Association of India 103 Tharu tribe 103 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-20 104 Monpa Tribe and their Handmade Paper Industry 105 National Medicinal Plants Board Launches Consortia for Medicinal Plants 106 PEOPLE IN NEWS

Ramanujan and his contributions 108

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 6 AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURE Fusarium or Panama Disease(Banana)

A brief note on the issue ◆ ◆ The scientists of Indian Council of Agriculture Research or ICAR, have found a cure for Panama ◆ The Fusarium fungus resides below ground and- Disease one of the most dreaded agricultural infects the plant through its roots. diseases. ◆ The infection then stops water and essential nutri ◆ ents from being transported to the rest of the plant. The leaves begin to wilt, and the stem of the plant For the �irst time, Indian scientists have brought ◆ starts turning dark brownish before the plant dies. out a biopesticide that can control the disease. This biopesticide has been made using another fungus. ◆ If one plant gets it, then it is most likely that an What is Panama disease/Fusarium Wilt? entire plantation can be wiped out. ◆ - cancer’ ◆ ItThis affects disease the isCavendish sometimes variety referred or the to G9 as ‘bananaBanana The fungal disease, called Fusarium Wilt, is popu ◆ larly known as the ‘Panama Disease’ and af�licts the world. banana plants Typescultivar, of Bananas which is in the India most widely grown banana in Panama Disease is caused by a soil borne fungus ◆ G9 variety. ◆ with a name called Fusarium Oxysporum f. Sp cubense. ◆ In India, more than 60 per cent of bananas are of the One of its strains which is called ‘Tropical Race 4’- Their different names are ‘Grand Naine’, ‘Robusta’, tion.or ‘TR4’ has created the most havoc, threatening ◆ In India at least four Indian states Bihar, Gujarat, ‘Bhusaval’, ‘Basrai’ and ‘Shrimanth’. ◆ almost 80 per cent of the global banana produc

It is the �irst disease of bananas to have spread theMadhya Cavendish Pradesh variety and Uttar is grown. Pradesh have been badly affected by this disease. All these are areas where Sourceglobally : Down in the to �irst Earth half of the 20th century. AGRICULTURE Millets and their special nutrient value

In news What is their special nutrient value? ◆ Agricultural and Processed Food Products ◆

formulating a strategy for andIt has antioxidant gained popularity contents in the West because Export Development Authority (APEDA) is ◆ ◆ it’sLike gluten-free most cereals, and millet boasts is higha starchy protein, grain �iber, —

promoting millets and its products with Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) What are millets? ◆ meaningLike most that cereals, it’s rich millet in carbs.is a starchy Notably, grain it also — ◆ packs several vitamins and minerals Poaceae family, commonly known as the grass familyMillet is a cereal grain that belongs to the meaning that it’s rich in carbs. Notably, it also ◆ packs several vitamins and minerals

Millets are coarse grains and a repository of protein, �ibre, vitamins and minerals. They include jowar (sorghum), ragi (�inger millet), korra (foxtail millet), arke (kodo millet), sama ◆ (little millet), bajra (pearl millet), chena/barr (proso millet) and sanwa (barnyard millet). animals.Since ages, these small crops were used for ◆ human consumption as well as a fodder for

Majorly cultivated in the semiarid tropical theseregions regions. of Africa and Asia, around 97 percent of world’s overall millet production happens in Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 7

Health bene�its Millet is rich in nutrients and ◆ Lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, duodenal regular millet consumers. ulcer and hyperglycemia (diabetes) are reported among plant compounds. Therefore, it ◆ may offer multiple health ben ◆ Millet grains are also rich in important vitamins viz., �its. Such as; ◆ - Thiamine, ribo�lavin, folic acid and niacin. Rich in antioxidants: Millet is rich in phenolic of the minerals as well as fatty acids. chins. These molecules act as antioxidants to Millets are comparable to rice and wheat or rich in some compounds, especially ferulic acid and cate ◆ Millets vary largely in composition of carbohydrates as ◆ protect your body from harmful oxidative stress- ◆ proportion of amylose and amylopectin content vary from 16-28% and 72-84%, respectively. The millet grain contains about 65% carbohy - The nutrient composition of Millet grain indicates that it drate, a high proportion of which is in the form als including trace elements is a good source of energy, protein, vitamins and miner of non-starchy polysaccharides and dietary �ibre which help in prevention of constipation, lowering of blood cholesterol and slow release Source : Indian Institute of Millet Research of glucose to the blood stream during digestion. AGRICULTURE Feeder level solarisation under PM KUSUM scheme

In news ◆

Feeder level solar power plant may be installed to Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy cater to the requirement of power for a single feeder (MNRE) has issued new guidelines for implementation or for multiple agriculture feeders emanating from of feeder-level solarisation under Component-C of the a distribution sub-station (DSS) to feed power at 11 PM-KUSUM Scheme Key highlights of the new guidelines kV or at the higher voltage level side of the DSS ◆ depending upon on factors like availability of land,- sation.technical feasibility, etc., and there is no cap of the Implementation: As per the new guidelines, the ◆ capacity of solar power plant for feeder level solari- power distribution company (DISCOM) or power - ◆ department will be the implementing agency for The DISCOMs may identify land near DSS, get own feeder-level solarisation in their respective areas. ership of land or its lease rights, provide connectivi andHowever, other therelated state activities Government of installation may appoint of solar any ◆ ty at DSS and lay sub-transmission line between DSS other expert agency to help DISCOM for tendering and solar power plan - ◆ - Where agriculture feeders are not separated, loan power plants for feeder level solarisation. ◆ for feeder separation will be available from NAB schemeWhere agriculture feeders have already been sepa ARD/PFC/REC ◆ rated the feeders may be solarised under the The savings on account of electricity subsidy on - agriculture and the income from the surplus This will lead to lower cost both in terms of capital electricity generated by the solar power plant when and power. Feeders having major load for agricul ◆ itThe is notstate being may used choose for irrigation to install canfeeder also levelbe used solar to ◆ ture may also be considered for solarisation under pay off the loan taken for feeder separation. the Scheme.

The requirement of total annual power for an ◆ power plant of capacity higher than capacity agriculture feeder will be assessed and a solar required for supplying power to agriculture feeder. power plant of capacity that can cater to the The additional solar power generated may be used requirement of annual power for that agriculture for supplying nearby rural/urban loads during day thatfeeder feeder. can be installed either through CAPEX mode time or alternatively stored/banked for supplying or RESCO mode, which will supply solar power to ◆ ◆ power during evening hours for lighting/induction- cooking and other household purposes. For example, a feeder having an annual power Implementation under CAPEX Model: For installa requirement of say 10 lakh units, the power can be tion of feeder level solar power plant CFA of 30% ◆ supplied by solar power plants of capacity around (50% in case of NE States, hilly states/UTs and- 600 kW with CUF of 19%. Island UTs) will be provided by central Government Higher or lower CUF, depending upon the average and balance will be met through loan from NAB solar insolation available in the areas, may be ARD/PFC/REC. considered for assessing solar power capacity. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 8

About PM KUSUM scheme ◆ - Solar Powered Agriculture Pumps and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has 3. Component-C includes Solarisation of Grid-con launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Thenected Component-C Agriculture of Pumps. the PM-KUSUM scheme seeks evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for to: infarmers the country. for installation of solar pumps and grid 1. Promote the use of solar energy to meet the irriga- ◆ connected solar and other renewable power plants tion needs, and

The scheme aims to add solar and other renewable capacity of 25,750 MW by 2022 with total central 2. Enable farmers to earn additional income by selling The�inancial Scheme support consists of of Rs.three 34,422 components. Crore including surplus solar power to the distribution companies- service charges to the implementing agencies. - (also known as net metering). - Under Component-C of PM-KUSUM Scheme solarisa 1. The Component-A includes installation of Decen tion of total 4 lakh grid connected pumps are targeted tralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renew for sanction by 2020-21 and 50% of these are to be able Power Plants solarised through feeder level solarisation and balance Source : PIB 2. Component-B includesAGRICULTURE installation of standalone 50% through individual pump solarisation. Lakshadweep declared organic UT

In news residues, animal manures, legumes, green manures, system rely upon crop rotations, use of crop schemeMinistry of Agriculture has declared Lakshadweep islandKey highlights as organic under participatory guarantee off farm organic wastes, biofertilizers, mechanical ◆ cultivation, mineral bearing rocks and aspects of organic biological control to maintain soil productivity and After Sikkim, Lakshadweep has turned to 100% ◆ - Participatorytilth to supply guarantee plant nutrients system and (PGS) to control of India insect, ◆ weeds and other pests. andLakshadweep’s Farmers’ Welfare, agriculture seeking department to declare had its submit entire ted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Agriculture PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System of- organic. India) is a quality assurance initiative that is locally- ◆ 32 square kilometre geographical land area as relevant, emphasize the participation of stakehold ◆ ers, including producers and consumers and oper Its proposal was approved in the month of October atesystem outside the frame of third party certi�ication. 2020 after receiving required certi�ications and ◆ It is a decentralized Organic farming certi�ication declarations under Centre’s Paramparagat Krishi focused quality assurance systems. They certify ◆ Vikas Yojana (organic farming improvement- "Participatory Guarantee Systems are locally- trationprogramme). formally declared that its entire farming In the month of September, Lakshadweep adminis networksproducers and based knowledge on active exchange”. participation of stake ◆ holders and are built on a foundation of trust, social- manure,community green was leaf practicing manure. organic agriculture and ◆ using organic inputs such as compost, poultry PGS is a process in which people in similar situa tions (in this case small holder producers) assess, ◆ The UT was following organic or biological methods inspect and verify the production practices of each for plant protection as well. Aboutother Lakshadweep and take decision on organic certi�ication Lakshadweep administration had imposed a formal ◆ (PGS-Green and PGSOrganic ). uniform ban on sale, use and entry of synthetic chemicals for agriculture purpose from October India’s smallest Union Territory Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of ◆ 2017 onwards to make the islands a chemical-free ◆ zone. 32 sq km. inAs the per entire the requirement territory. of organic certi�ication, no It is a uni-district Union Territory and comprises of 12 atolls, three reefs, �ive submerged banks and ten Whatgenetically is organic modi�ied farming? organism is allowed to be used ◆ ◆ inhabited islands. - UT.The islands have a total area of 32 sq km. The capital It is a production system which avoids or largely ◆ is Kavaratti and it is also the principal town of the excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertil ◆ izers, pesticides, growth regulators, genetically All Islands are 220 to 440 km away from the coastal Sourcemodi�ied : Down organisms to Earth and livestock food additives. city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. To the maximum extent possible organic farming Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 9

AGRICULTURE Kisan credit cards scheme

In news ◆

has suggested revisiting the current KCC scheme andIt also when covers needed. expenses related to ancillary activities Recently the State Bank of India (SBI) Ecowrap report norms to increase farmers' monthly income. ◆ through simpli�ied procedures in obtaining loans as

Key suggestions andIn 2004 non-farm The scheme activities was further extended for the ◆ ◆ investmentUnder this scheme,credit requirement farmers can of avail farmers collateral viz. allied free As per SBI’s Ecowrap report, the monthly income of ◆ Quantum of loan for the 1st year under this scheme normsfarmers will go up by a sharp 35 per cent by just loan up to Rs 1 lakh. revisiting the current Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

◆ ◆ is assessed on the basis of the cost of cultivation, conjunction with the government should introduce post-harvest expenses and farm maintenance cost. SBI, in its Ecowrap report, suggested that the RBI in ◆ For subsequent 5 year, loan will be sanctioned on the basis of the increase in the scale of �inance. an operational �lexibility in the structure of KCC and ◆ The interestpremium levied under on this the loanscheme under is borneKCC scheme by both is direct the banks to allocate a speci�ic percentage of the bank and borrower in respective 2:1 ratio. ◆ their loans to particularly agri start-ups to give a ◆ boost to agri supply chains in India. around 7 per cent simple interest per annum. According to the report, a combination of revolving In case of non-repayment within the due dates, thecredit current (say, KCCshare scheme. 40%) and term loan (60%) with interest is applied at card rate and beyond due date ◆ �lexibilityIt also said of thatpayment the creditscould be in introduced the revolving in lieu limit, of Whointerest can avail will bethe compounded Kisan Credit half Card yearly. Scheme ◆ equal to at least the interest, can be debited during ◆ Farmers – individual/joint borrowers who are the year, while principal of the term loan to be ◆ owner cultivators; repaid over 15 years (180 months) and interest Tenant farmers, oral lessees & sharecroppers; (simple not compounded) should be serviced as and ◆ Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Joint Liability Groups when debited ◆ (JLGs) of farmers including tenant farmers, share ◆ ItAs also per saysthe SBI that report, the KCC small outstanding tweaks in dataKCC clearlynorms croppers etc. can extend a helping hand to the rural sector. Household consumption limit: While 10 percent of the short-term limit under KCC can be used for- indicates that if per card outstanding is more then ture.household consumption purposes, it is advisable there would be less farmer suicide, despite no farm not to divert more funds for consumption expendi loan waiver by governments About Kisan Credit Card scheme Interest Subvention Scheme ◆ ◆ credit {including loans taken against Kisan Credit ◆ The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme is a credit With a view to ensuring availability of agriculture scheme introduced in August 1998 by Indian banks.- This model scheme was prepared by the National- Card (KCC)} at a reasonable cost/at a reduced rate Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NAB of 7% per annum to farmers, the Government of ◆ ARD) on the recommendations of R.V.Gupta com India, is implementing an interest subvention mittee to provide term loans for agricultural needs. ◆ scheme of 2% for short term crop loans up to- Its objective is to meet the comprehensive credit- Rs.3.00 lakh. requirements of the agriculture sector and by 2019 Currently, besides 2% interest subvention, the farm- ◆ for �isheries and animal husbandry by giving �inan ers, on prompt repayment of crop loans on or before cial support to farmers. ◆ the due date, are also provided 3% additional inter Participating institutions include all commercial est subvention. ◆ banks, Regional Rural Banks, and state co-operative Thus, in case of prompt payee farmers the short banks. and term loans ◆ term crop loans are provided at an effective interest ◆ The scheme has short term credit limits for crops, rate of 4% per annum. andThe bene�itmarginal of farmersinterest subventionhaving KCC is on extended loan against for a It provides timely and adequate credit to farmers to period of up to six months (post-harvest) to small meet their needs at the time of crop production Source(cultivation : Business expenses) Today and and NABARD meeting contingency negotiable warehouse receipts with the purpose of expenses. preventing distress sale of produce Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 10

AGRICULTURE FAO’s World Soil Day Award to ICAR

In news a virtual function AboutWorld the Soil Indian Day, celebratedCouncil of onAgricultural December Research5, through Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) bagged- (ICAR) the prestigious 'International King Bhumibol World ◆ ICAR is an autonomous organisation under the SoilAbout Day International Award' from KingFood Bhumiboland Agriculture World Organiza Soil Day tion(FAO)Award ◆ WelfareDepartment of Agricultural Research and Education events at all levels. ◆ (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers ◆ It aims to honor and encourage organizers of WSD- Formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural The 6th GSP Plenary Assembly endorsed the estab Research, it was established on 16 July 1929 as a lishment of the annual King Bhumibol World Soil Commissionregistered society on Agriculture. under the Societies Registration Day Award (WSDA), as a recognition tool for ◆ Act,The ICAR 1860 has in pursuanceits headquarters of the at report New Delhi. of the Royal individuals and/or institutions that have made an ◆ - ◆ - effort to organize successful celebrations. - ing and managing research and education in The objective of the WSDA is to encourage organiz The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guid ◆ ers of WSD events at all levels to facilitate challeng- animal sciences in the entire country. ing and outstanding celebrations around the globe. ◆ agricultureWith 101 ICAR including institutes horticulture, and 71 �isheries agricultural and The Award is sponsored by the Kingdom of Thai ◆ land, the champion country in the establishment of the largest national agricultural systems in the the now-famous World Soil Day. world.universities spread across the country this is one of ◆ The award consists of a medal, a USD 15 000 check ◆ and a trip to Thailand. The UN General Assembly decided in December- agricultureThe ICAR has in playedIndia through a pioneering its research role in and ushering tech- 2013 to of�icially designate 5 December as World- Green Revolution and subsequent developments in Soil Day to acknowledge the lifelong work and com - mitment of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adu nology development; lyadej of Thailand who has signi�icantly contributed • It has enabled the country to increase the produc ◆ to improving the quality of lives of millions through tion of foodgrains by 5.6 times, horticultural crops sustainable soil management. - by 10.5 times, �ish by 16.8 times, milk by 10.4 times ers.ICAR bagged the award for raising awareness about and nutritionaleggs by 52.9 security. times since 1950-51 to 2017-18, ◆ theThe importanceaward was ofconferred soil health to ICARamong for all its stakehold commit- ◆ thus making a visible impact on the national food higher education in agriculture. healthy soils. Particularly during last year's World ◆ It hasis engaged played a inmajor cutting role edge in promoting areas of excellencescience and in ment to raising awareness of the importance of -

◆ SoilThe awardDay celebration, was conferred which to ICARaddressed on the soil occasion erosion of technology development and its scientists are inter under the motto "Stop soil erosion, save our future". Source : FAO & ICAR nationally acknowledged in their �ields.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 11 DISASTER MANAGEMENT DISASTER MANAGEMENT Ammonia gas leakage in IFFCO & its impact

In news Impact of Ammonia on Human body ◆ concentration, can cause irritation to eyes, skin, Recently, two persons died in a major ammonia gas noseAccording and throat. to experts, Ammonia, even in moderate leakage at the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative ◆ - Limited (IFFCO) unit at Prayagraj About Ammonia ◆ tractIt interacts to form immediately ammonium uponhydroxide, contact which with is mois very ture present in the skin, eyes, oral cavity, respiratory Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen ultimately leading to cellular destruction. with the formula NH₃. A stable binary hydride, and caustic and disrupts the cell membrane lipids, ◆ the simplest pnictogen hydride, ammonia is a- colourless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. • further As cell damage proteins break down, water is extracted, usedA tri-hydroid in agriculture of nitrogen as a high-nitrogen (NH3), ammonia fertiliser. is a build ◆ resulting in an in�lammatory response that causes ◆ ing block for ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) that is Ammonia, which is highly soluble in water, is found The experts point out that ammonia is stored for excessin soil, acid.air, and water; it is naturally present in the industrial use in liquid form under high pressure or ◆ bodyHowever, and it secreted is highly bydiluted the kidneyswhen in tothe neutralise environ- in gaseous form at low temperature, as was the case Usagein the of IFFCO Ammonia unit wherein fertilizer the accident industry took place ◆ - ◆ ment and does not affect the human body to a ers, and is one of the largest-volume synthetic noticeable level, Ammonia is critical in the manufacturing of fertiliz When it is inhaled in excess(leads to oxygen ◆ de�iciency), the gas is toxic and affects the lungs chemicals produced in the world. inhalingwith a possibility irritants. of causing chemical pneumonitis More than 80 per cent of ammonia made is ◆ in�lammation of the lung caused by aspirating or formaldehyde.consumed in the manufacturing of fertilizer, and Othermost usages of the remainder goes into the production of Ammonia is considered a severe health hazard due - to its toxicity. Exposure to 300 ppm is immediately - ◆ dangerousIf it is excessive to life andinhalation, health andthe cancause be fatalof death within is Ammonia is also used as a refrigerant gas, for puri�ica alwaysa few breaths suffocation tionchemicals. of water supplies, and in the manufacture of plas tics, explosives, textiles, pesticides, dyes and other About Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) • IFFCO is one of India's iggest coo erative society which is wholly owned y Indian Coo eratives. • IFFCO is a Multi-state coo erative society engaged in the usiness of manufacturing and marketing of fertilisers headquarterebd in New Dpelhi, India . b p • tarted in 1967 with 7 mepm er coo eratives it is today the biggest co-o in the world y turnover on GDP er ca ita with around ,000 mem er coo eratives reaching over 0 million Indian farmers.With around S19 market share in U5rea andb aroundp 9 market share in cobm lex fertilpisers P O terbms IFFCO is India's lpargestp fertiliser manufac3t5urer. b p 5 % 2 % p ( 2 5 ) Source : The Indian Express

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ECONOMY ECONOMY Loan Cash Back Scheme

In news ◆

For credit card dues, the rate of interest will be the AboutCentre thewaves Loan compound cash back interest scheme on loans upto weighted average of lending rate (WALR) charged ◆Rs. 2 Crore by the card issuer for transactions �inanced on the ◆ EMI basis from its customers during the period Eligibility: The compound interest waiver is for- thefrom statutory March 1, auditor 2020 to of August the card 31, issuer. 2020. most of the loans — housing, MSME, education, - ◆ The computation of WALR should be certi�ied by- sionalsconsumer durable, credit card dues, automo bile, consumption and personal loans to profes With respect to education, housing, consumer dura demandbles, credit loan cardand not dues, an overdraft auto, consumption facility or cash and personal loans are in the form of a term loan or- - credit, the outstanding in the account as on Febru ◆ aryIt is 29, for 2020those will loan be accounts the reference which amount are standard for calcu and lation of simple interest.

◆ notIt also non-performing states that, for assets loan (NPAs) accounts as onwhich February were 29.

ofclosed such during account. this period, the ex gratia payment will ◆ be made from March 1, 2020 till the date of closure

croreNot eligible: — sanctioned Any borrower limits or whose outstanding aggregate amounts of all facilities with lending institutions is more than Rs 2 Calculation of interest: ◆ ◆ - — will not be eligible for the waiver The waiver will be provided by all private and Union government has speci�ied that for reim state-owned banks, cooperative banks, regional ◆ bursement, the compounding of interest ◆ ruralRate of banks, interest: housing The rate �inanceof interest companies used to calcu and- should be reckoned on a monthly basis. non-banking �inancial institutions. The interest rate to be applied for calculating the difference will be the contracted rate as late the ex gratia amount will be based on the Sourcespeci�ied : The inIndian the loan Express agreement. contracted rate speci�ied for most loans ECONOMY Discovered Small Field Policy

In news - Recently, Union Minister for Petroleum, Natural Gas, - Marginal Field Policy (MFP) was noti�ied on 14th Octo Policy ber, 2015 to monetize marginal �ields of Oil and Natu Oil, and Steel talked about Discovered Small Field ral Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited What is Discovered Small Field Policy? (OIL) under nomination regime which remained ◆ undeveloped for a long period of time. This policy was subsequently renamed as Discovered Small Field The new DSF policy is based on the principle of initiatives(DSF) Policy for securing which is energy now amongneeds of the the country's country. ‘ease of doing businesses’. This policy is an the government and the industry. The�lagship Government energy policies,has decided in alignmentto extend the with Discov other- outcome of a long consultation process between Background - ◆ Government has initiated key reforms in the ONGCered Small & OIL Field under (DSF) the Policynomination for fast-track regime monetizaand relin- tion of un-monetized small �ields / discoveries of Upstream Hydrocarbon E & P Sector to increase domestic production of oil and gas. quished discoveries under the PSC regime, remaining un-monetized. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 13

Key features DSF policy are as follows: ◆ - from a cluster / �ield / discovery on arm's length Single license for conventional and non-conven basis. The Government share of revenue shall be tional hydrocarbons: A single license is provided ◆ calculatedRoyalty: as per the Domestic Natural Gas Pricing- to enable exploration & production operators to- Guidelines in vogue at relevant point of time. explore and extract all hydrocarbon resources Royalty rates applicable under Hydro covered under the Oil�ields Regulation and Devel- ◆ carbonOil Cess: Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) ML.opment (ORD) Act, 1948, and Petroleum and regime will be adopted in this Policy. ◆ Natural Gas (PNG) Rules, 1959 under one PEL/P No oil cess shall be applicable on crude ◆ oilCustoms / condensate Duty: production from Discovered No restriction on exploration activity during Small Field Contract Period: The contractor will be allowed to Exemption from custom duty will- riskcarry and out cost exploration of the contractors. activity during entire be provided on all machinery, plants, equipments, ◆ contract duration. Exploration will be at the sole materials and supplies related to petroleum oper ations as applicable in HELP. Model for inviting the bids: Bids will be invited for • Mining Lease Current Mining Lease / License the Marginal Fields on a Revenue Sharing Contract holder will be required to transfer/assign the (RSC) Model. To ensure viability of operations, it is Mining Lease (ML) or Petroleum Exploration proposed to cluster �ields / discoveries, as may be License (PEL) along with all available clearances required at the time of Notice Inviting Offer (NIO). to the awardee of the area / Contractor, to the This revenue sharing model will be based on a ◆ extentContract legally Duration: possible, The or elsecontract the Contractor duration hasfor revenue-based linear scale. The contractor shall to obtain the same. ◆ be required to pay biddable Government share of revenue (net of royalty or post-royalty). administer contractual model in line with Govern- development and production from the offered- Ease of Doing Business: A simple and easy to Discovered Small Fields would be a maximum of - twenty (20) years from the effective date (effec ment’s efforts to promote ‘Ease of Doing Business’ tive date is the date of PEL/ML grant/ transfer- ◆ requiring minimum regulatory burden for mone /signing of deed) or till the economic life of the tizing these �ields has been developed. free to sell the crude oil exclusively in domestic the�ield Contract as submitted is terminated by bidder earlier along inwith accordance develop Crude Oil Pricing and Sale: The contractor will be ment plan in the bid, whichever is earlier, unless

◆ marketNatural throughGas Pricing: a transparent The contractor bidding processwill have on with its terms, but may be extended upon mutual arm's length basis. agreement between the Parties for a further Source : Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas period not exceeding ten (10) years freedom for pricing and allocation of gas produced ECONOMY India Services Business Activity Index(ISBAI)

In news

◆ separates growth from contraction for the second KeyISBAI highlights expanded of at the53.7 Index in November month in a row during November. ◆ This expansion indicated that economy remained on the right path to recovery, with a further upturn The seasonally adjusted India Services Business in new work supporting business activity growth ◆ ◆ Activity Index posted above the critical 50 mark that and the �irst rise in employment for nine months ◆ This index is released by IHS Markit effortsThe report and the also loosening states thatof COVID-19 the increase controls in sales ◆ As per the index, employment in the sector rose for ◆ stemmed from a pick-up in demand, marketing �irst time in nine months, albeit marginally According to the data released by IHS Markit- As per the report, Transport & Storage was the tionsreport, that the market overall conditions level of would positive normalise sentiment once best-performing sector in November, with rates of aclimbed vaccine to for the the highest COVID-19 since is Februaryrolled out amid predic ◆ growth for output and sales surpassing those seen ◆ - in consumer services and �inance & insurance. The reports data showed that the upturn in total The report states that services �irms hired addition new work was driven by the domestic market, with al workers in November, ending an eight-month new export orders decreasing sharply again in Sourcesequence : Business of job Today shedding November

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 14 ECONOMY Digital payment security Control directions 2020

In news Framework for grievance redressal by 2021: ◆ the internal grievance redress mechanism of the Reserve Bank of India proposes to issue Digital In order to strengthen and improve the ef�icacy of Keypayment highlights security of Controlthe directions directions 2020 ◆ banks and to provide better customer service, it has been decided to put in place a comprehensive In order to enhance security of digital payment- aframework monetary disincentive comprising in inter-alia the form of of recovery enhanced of systems, the Reserve Bank of India proposes to disclosures on customer complaints by the banks, ◆ issueRBI governor Reserve Bank has ofsaid India that (Digital the directionsPayment Secu will rity Controls) Directions, 2020 andcost undertaking of redress of intensive complaints review from of banks grievance when - maintainable complaints are comparatively high, mumcontain standards requirements on common for security robust governance,controls for implementation and monitoring of certain mini redress mechanism and supervisory action against banks that fail to improve their redress mechanism in a time bound manner ◆ channels such as internet and mobile banking and card payments. the Reserve Bank is an alternate grievance redress The proposed guidelines will be technology and mechanism.At present, the Ombudsman mechanism instituted by platform agnostic, it will create an enhanced and Signi�icance manner.enabling environment for customers to use digital payment products in a more safe and secure Source : The Hindu Businessline Such a move will improve the security of digital payment channels and also convenience for users ECONOMY Draft Indian ports bill

In news ◆ inter alia, create an enabling environment for the- consultationMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has ods:growth and sustained development of the ports ◆ circulatedIndian Ports draft Act, of 1908: Indian It is Ports an act Bill to 2020 consolidate for public the a. sector Constitution in India of Maritime through thePort following Regulatory broad Authority meth -

Keyenactments provisions relating of the billto ports and port charges b. Formulation of the National Port policy and Nation ◆ stakeholders.al Port plan in consultation with Coastal State Ports Act, 1908 Governments, State Maritime Boards and other ◆ The proposed bill will repeal and replace the Indian - c. Formulation of specialised Adjudicatory Tribunals Attract investments: The bill seeks to inter alia, namely Maritime Ports Tribunal and Maritime Ports enable the structured growth and sustainable devel- Appellate Tribunal to curb any anti-competitive opment of ports to attract investments in the Port ◆ practises in the port sector and act as a speedy and sector for optimum utilisation of the Indian Coast affordable grievance redressal mechanism ◆ line by effective administration and management of Opportunities for public and private investments: It ports. seeks to provide increased opportunities for public Conservation of ports: Bill will provide measures to and private investments in the Indian maritime and facilitate conservation of ports, taking into account ports sector by way of removing barriers to entry, ◆ theRegulatory prevalent Frameworks: situation with It shall respect further to the ensure high sectorsimplifying processes and establishment of agencies number of non-operational ports ◆ and bodies to plan and enable growth of the ports - hensivegreater investmentregulatory inframeworks the Indian maritimefor the creation and ports of Self-reliant domestic investment climate: Enhancing sector through the creation of improved, compre climate“Ease of in Doingthe maritime Business’,it sector, will towards provide Atamanir greater- ◆ impetus to a self-reliant domestic investment new ports and management of existing ports. Create enabling environment: The Bill also seeks to, bhar Bharat initiatives of the Government

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 15

Signi�icance: ◆ ◆ - ◆ The Bill will �ill up the gaps for achieving scienti�ic The up-to-date provisions of the proposed Bill would development of Ports and Port Network. ◆ ensure safety, security, pollution control, perfor- The Bill will bolster structured growth and sustained mance standards and sustainability of Ports ◆ developmentConsequently, ofit will Ports result and into ensure revolutionary achieving mari this- The Bill ensures that all up-to-date conventions /pro objective on fast track basis. ◆ tocols to which India is a party, are also suitably entirely in the times to come trueincorporated. sense. time reforms transmuting the Indian maritime set-up SourceThis will:PIB promote marineECONOMY safety and security in the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure In news

approved in diverse sectors of economy like, Health, Ministry of Finance stated that all the States except ThreeRural parts Development, of the scheme Water Supply, Irrigation, Power, Tamil Nadu have availed bene�its of the newly TheTransport, Scheme hasEducation, following Urban three Development. parts: announced scheme for “Special Assistance to States for Part –I of the scheme Capital Expenditure” ◆ Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure ◆ It covers the north-eastern region. Under this part, The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister Rs.200 crores is allocated to 7 north-eastern States ◆ (Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, ◆ on 12th October, 2020 as a part of the Atma Nirbhar- Bharat package. Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura). The Scheme is aimed at boosting capital expendi scheme.In view of higher population and geographical area, Assam has been allocated Rs.450 crores under the shortfallture by in the tax State revenue Governments arising from who the areCOVID facing 19 Part-II of the Scheme dif�icult �inancial environment this year due to the ◆ Why focus on capital expenditure? It is for all other States not included in Part-I.An ◆ pandemic. ◆ amount of Rs.7,500 crores is earmarked for this part. economy,Capital Expenditure and results has in a higher multiplierrate of economy effect, growth.enhancing the future productive capacity of the This amount has been allocated amongst these- States in proportion to their share of central tax as ◆ per the interim award of the 15th Finance Commis the Central Government, it was decided to extend a Part-III of the Scheme Therefore, despite the adverse �inancial position of ◆ sion for the year 2020-21.

special assistance to the State Governments in ◆ It is aimed at pushing various citizen-centric earmarked.reforms in the States. Therespect expenditure of capital so far expenditure, in �inancial year Under this Part, an amount of Rs.2000 crores is ◆ 2020-21. ◆ - - trySo farof Finance.capital expenditure proposals of Rs. 9,879.61 This amount will be available only to those States who carry out at least 3 out of the 4 reforms speci ◆ crore of 27 States have been approved by the Minis �ied by the Ministry of Finance in its letter dated An amount of Rs. 4,939.81 crore has already been ◆ 17th May, 2020 regarding reform linked additional andreleased funds to released the States is attached. as the �irst instalment under borrowing permissions. The 4 reforms are - One Nation One Ration Card, ◆ the scheme. State-wise allocation, approval granted Ease of doing Business Reform, Urban Local Body/ Source :PIB The capital expenditureECONOMY projects have been Utility Reform and Power Sector Reform. Antitrust Suit

In news -

◆ territories have put under the scanner the acquisi AThe brief Antitrust note on Suit the against issue Facebook by USA tion by Facebook of Instagram and WhatsApp. ◆ theThe acquisitionsUS Federal Tradeeven Commissionthough the (FTC)’sFTC itself lawsuit had accused Facebook of eliminating competition with Two lawsuits �iled by the United States federal government and governments of 48 US states and approved the deals.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 16

◆ -

The FTC has alleged that Facebook is illegally main market and said the company had imposed “unfair conducttaining its personal social networking monopoly conditions” on device manufacturers to prevent them ◆ through a years-long course of anticompetitive- from using other operating systems. And in February 2018,Which the authority CCI had enforces�ined Google Antitrust Rs 136 law crore in forIndia? unfair servicesUS had also and sued search Google advertising in antitrust case for unlaw business◆ practices in the online search market fully maintaining a monopoly in general search antitrust law The competition act 2002 provides basis to India’s What is Antitrust law? ◆ -

- The Competition Act monitors any economic activi Antitrust law is designed to prevent �irms from using andty that ensures monopolizes the freedom competition of trade. within the market; anticompetitive business practices that sti�le competi ◆ it aims to protect consumers and small enterprises, tion,Examples thereby of allowingAntitrust the suit companies in India to dominate the market and hold monopoly power. It is enforced by Competition Commission of India, it is now fully functional with a Chairperson and six SourceIn 2019, :The India’s Indian antitrust Express body had held Google guilty of members. misuse of its dominant positionECONOMY in the mobile Android what is equalisation levy

In news

has a permanent establishment in India and the Google India paid more than six hundred crore equali ◆ speci�ied service is effectively connected with such Whatsation islevy an inequalisation FY20 levy? permanent establishment ◆ The aggregate amount of consideration for speci�ied digital transactions i.e. the income accruing to service received or receivable in a previous year by The “Equalization Levy” is a tax aimed at taxing the the non-resident from a person resident in India and ◆ carrying on business or profession, or from a foreign e-commerce companies from India. ◆ non-resident having a permanent establishment in Equalisation Levy was �irst introduced in India by India, does not exceed one lakh rupees Finance Act 2016 as a separate Chapter VIII titled The payment for the speci�ied service by the person- ‘Equalisation Levy’ to provide for an equalisation- resident in India, or the permanent establishment in levy of 6% to be deducted from amounts paid to a India is not for the purposes of carrying out busi non-resident not having any permanent establish ◆ Recentness orchanges profession. ment in India, for speci�ied services. It covers all business to business and business to consumer transactions, third-party and related equalisationThe Finance levy Act 2020to include came e-commerce up with several transactions. new tax online.party transactions, across digital and non-digital provisions, one of which expanded the scope of 2016 Whichbusinesses, services where are covered goods under and services it? are sold - Currently, the following services are covered under The Act introduced Section 153(iv), which added- it: Section 165A to the Finance Act 2016 to put an equali ◆ Online advertisement sation levy charged at 2% on the non-resident e-com ◆ - merce operators. - What is the Finance Act? ◆ The Central Government, through this Act, gives mentAny provision for digital advertising space or facili ties/ service for the purpose of online advertise Charge of equalisation levy on speci�ied services every Financial Year. ◆ effect to �inancial proposals at the beginning of- There shall be charged an equalisation levy at the rate ries of India. Finance Act thus making this Act one of six per cent of the amount of consideration for any thatThe renewsAct applies itself to each all the year. States and Union Territo ◆ speci�ied◆ service received or receivable by a person, being a non-resident from in this Act. ◆ All the Governmental �inancial policies are included- ◆ a person resident in India and carrying on business or profession, or India The existing policies, new policies, as well as chang a non-resident having a permanent establishment in The equalisation levy shall not be charged, where India.es made to existing policies are all included here. ◆ Every Finance Act is assented by the President of The non-resident providing the speci�ied service Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 17 Equalisation levy (Amendment) Rules, 2020 ing off of consideration, equalisation levy, etc.” ◆ The amendment also inserted the new word “elec- - Central Board of Direct Taxes(CBDT) noti�ied the TheEqualisation following levy amendments (Amendment) have Rules, been 2020 made to further in the tronic veri�ication code” which means a code gener Equalisationamend the Equalisation Levy Rules, levy 2016: Rules, 2016. ◆ ated for the purpose of electronic veri�ication of the- ◆ person - tionIt amended to the assessee. rule 4 related to payment of equalisa ◆ De�inition of “electronic veri�ication code” is added- ◆ tion levy to include an e-commerce operator in addi to de�inition Rules 2 - It amended Rule 3 to excludeECONOMY the words “for speci The amendment allows an e-commerce operator to �ied services” and add the new heading as “Round NITI Aayog DigiBoxx�ile an appeal before the CIT(A) and ITAT. In news - NITI Aayog launched DigiBoxx India’s own online cloud storage service • Demonstrating resource ef�iciency, climate resil Need for country’s own cloud storage ience, green and safety aspects. ◆ 2. The second component, Institutional Capacity Enhancement, has the following subcomponents: - Recently, Google announced that it won’t be offering • ing Development climate resilience and implementation in National Highways of a Climate design unlimited free photo uploads starting June 1, 2021. Adaptation Policy and guidelines and mainstream • and Google other is services. currently offering 15GB free storage space, which includes data of Gmail, Photos, Drive,- and construction processes • Development and implementation of policy for • For 100GB cloud storage space, the basic subscrip greenreducing technologies emissions in from National transport Highways services design and ◆ tion of Google One costs Rs 130 per month or Rs • Research and Development and mainstreaming What1,300 is DigiBoxx?on a yearly basis. It also aims to support Atmanirbhar Bharat ◆ modelconstruction documents processes for mainstreaming safety and • green Development technologies and implementation of guidelines and It is a Made-in-India digital asset management, �ile Key features • Mainstreaming safety and green technologies in the ◆ sharing service and cloud storage platform - The platform is the �irst of its kind ‘Make in India, uct that is in line with the country’s national securi- development of highways; and Store in India’ digital asset management SaaS prod - • Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) ◆ ty and data localisation priorities solution in Ministry of Road Transport and High ways (MoRTH) and its implementing agencies. The service is priced competitively, as the company is offering free 20GB cloud storage and 100GB space 3. The third component, Road Safety, has the following In news subcomponents: per month to those who pay just Rs 30. - • Support to improve road safety data analytics and GovernmentNational Highways of India Corridor signed a $500Project million in the loan states agree of highway safety monitoring and implementation Rajasthan,ment with theAndhra World Pradesh, Bank to developHimachal a safe Pradesh and Green and • Support for operationalization of the National Road Uttar Pradesh Safety Board • Strengthening highway patrol and emergency About Green National Highways Corridor Project Signi�icance of the project Objective of the project ◆ response along the project highway To demonstrate safe and green National Highway - This project will provide ef�icient transportation for constructionroad users in materialsthe four states,and water connect to peoplereduce with the Highwayscorridors in mainstreaming selected States safety and enhance and green the technolo institu- markets and services, promote ef�icient use of giestional capacity of the Ministry of Road Transport and Components of the project ◆ depletion of scarce natural resources, and help This project has the following three components. lower GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions - The project will strengthen and widen existing introducestructures road by constructing safety features new pavements, drain 1. The �irst component, Green Highway Corridor ◆ age facilities and bypasses, improve junctions and Improvement and Maintenance, includes • Highways Upgradation in andthe maintenancestates of Rajasthan, for �ive Himachal years of nationalThe project highway would network, also support identify analytics constraints, to map and the Pradesh,about 783 Uttar kilometers Pradesh of and selected Andhra existing Pradesh National incor- freight volume and movement pattern on the

Source :The Indian Express provide innovative logistics solutions. porating green technologies and Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 18 ECONOMY Quality Council of India(QCI)

In news About Quality Council of India(QCI) Quality Council of India launched a scheme for ◆ Hygiene-rating audit agencies Govt.Quality of CouncilIndia of India is an autonomous body of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, A brief note on scheme for Hygiene-rating audit ◆ agencies ◆ QCI was set up in 1997 jointly by the Government of hygiene-rating audit agencies in the country, the industryIndia(under associations the Societies i.e. Registration Act ) and the In order to increase the number of recognised Indian Industry represented by the three premier

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India • Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of of(FSSAI) hygiene-rating said that auditthe Quality agencies. Council of India, at its India (ASSOCHAM), ◆ behest, has come out with a scheme for the approval • Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and ◆• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and QCI initiated this scheme after the FSSAI launched a cafeterias among others under its ‘Food Hygiene Industry (FICCI), - certi�ication system for restaurants, hotels and The main objectives of QCI are (a) to establish and ◆ operate national accreditation structure (b) to mon Rating Scheme’ ◆ - Ministryitor and administer of Commerce the National & Industry, Quality is Campaignthe nodal Under this initiative, these food establishments will ministryThe Department for QCI. of Industrial Policy & Promotion, ◆ be rated based on food hygiene and safety parame ters by recognised hygiene-rating audit agencies. ◆ As per the scheme, the hygiene rating will be in the ◆ Chairman of QCI is nominated by the Hon’ble Prime area.form of a smiley (1 to 5) and the certi�icate should Minister of India and is a non-executive post. be displayed prominently in the consumer-facing ◆ The recognised hygiene-rating audit agencies will The Council is independent and works under the- trydirections associations. of its Governing Body (GB) having equal ◆ representation of government, industry and indus getbe responsiblehygiene ratings for verifying compliance with food hygiene and safety procedures laid by the FSSAI and ◆ It does not get funded by the government and is a - ◆ self-sustaining non-pro�it organization with its own Currently, the scheme is applicable for food service Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Rules. establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafete stores. QCI operations are carried out by its constituent rias, dhabhas, sweet shops, bakeries and meat retail - Signi�icance of the scheme boards namely, National Accreditation Board for Certi�ication Bodies (NABCB), National Accredita- creating awareness amongst the consumers and devel- tion Board for Education and Training (NABET), The Hygiene Rating Scheme can be instrumental in - National Accreditation Board for Hospitals Health care Providers (NABH), National Board for Quality oping a culture of self-compliance amongst food busi Promotion (NBQP) and National Accreditation ness operators. It will improve the quality of the food How QCI is different from BIS? Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories supply and increase demand as well. (NABL) The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Quality Council of India (QCI)

● The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the Na�onal Standards ● Quality Council of India (QCI) is Na�onal Accredita�on Body of India, is a statutory body set up under the Bureau of body. Indian Standards Act, 1986. ● It is an autonomous body under Department of ● The Bureau is a body corporate and responsible for formula�ng Industrial Policy and Promo�on (DIPP). Na�onal Standards. ● Its main ac�vi�es are development and implement ● It comprises of members represen�ng the Industry, Consumer accredita�on schemes through its cons�tuent boards, Organiza�ons, Scien�fic & Research Ins�tutes and Professional promo�on of quality, both na�onal and interna�onal Bodies, Technical Ins�tu�ons, Central ministries, State levels. Governments and Members of Parliament. ● Its main ac�vi�es are: Standards Formula�on, Cer�fica�on, Laboratory Tes�ng, Calibra�on and Management, Standards Promo�on and Training, Interna�onal Coopera�on in the field of Standards. Source :The Hindu Businessline & QCI

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 19 ECONOMY Citizen Centric reforms in State and centre’s incentives

In news ◆ reforms. ◆ Half of this special dispensation was linked to Deadline for States to implement citizen centric Keyreforms highlights extended till 15th February 2021 The purpose was to motivate the States to carry out ◆ threereforms out of in the various four reforms citizen centric is additional areas. funds assis- The second bene�it available to the States completing The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has extended the deadline for the States to ◆ Now, if the recommendation from the nodal Minis- tance◆ under the “Scheme for Financial Assistance to complete citizen centric reforms in various sectors. States for Capital Expenditure”. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs.2,000 crore is try concerned regarding implementation of the ◆ earmarked for the States that will complete at least ◆ reform is received by 15th February, 2021, the State three out of the four stipulated reforms will be eligible for reform linked bene�its. The scheme was announced by the Finance Minister The Government of India has identi�ied four critical ◆ on 12th October, 2020 as part of Atma Nirbhar areas for reforms by the States: Bharat Package 2.0. - a. Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card ronmentIt is aimed this at year boosting due to capital the shortfall expenditure in tax byrevenue State System Governments who are facing dif�icult �inancial envi b. Ease of doing business reform ◆ c. Urban Local body/ utility reforms and arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Centre’sd. Power incentivesSector reforms. to states scheme.A total amount of Rs.12,000 crore has been States successfully completing the reforms are ◆ earmarked by the Government of India under this eligible to get the following two bene�its: economy,Capital Expenditure and results has in a higher multiplierrate of economy effect, growth.enhancing the future productive capacity of the Such States get the facility of additional borrowing Current status of the schemes ◆equivalent to 0.25 percent of their Gross States Domes - tic Product (GSDP) for completing each reform. - Under this facility, additional borrowings of up to The twin incentives have pushed the States to under- take the reforms. So far 9 States have implemented the ◆ Rs.2.14In view lakh of the crore resource is available requirement to the States to meet on com the pletion of all the four reforms. One Nation One Ration Card System, 4 States have com- pleted the ease of doing business reforms and one State challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the has done the urban local body/ utility reforms. Addi Government of India had decided in May, 2020 to tionalSigni�icance borrowing of the permission extension of Rs.40,251 crore has been granted to these States. ◆ raise the borrowing limit of the States by 2 percent of their GSDP. Extension of the date for completion of reforms is likely crore.This was aimed at enabling the States to mobilise additional �inancial resources of up to Rs.4.27 lakh to motivate other States also to complete the reform Source : PIB process expeditiously and avail the linked �inancial ECONOMY bene�its. UNDP’s Human Development Index-2020

In news Key highlights of the index ◆ 189India countries. dropped two ranks in the United Nations’ Human - Development Index this year, standing at 131 out of Human Development Index is part of the Human Development Report of United Nations Develop What is HDI? ◆ ◆ HDI is an assessment of a nation’s health, education ment Programme(UNDP) - and standards of living. For the �irst time, the UNDP introduced a new ◆ metric to re�lect the impact caused by each coun metalstry’s per-capita and other carbon resources emissions used to andmake its the material goods The HDI was created to emphasize that people and andfootprint, services which it consumes. measures the amount of fossil fuels, economictheir capabilities growth shouldalone. be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 20

Status of Countries around the world change ◆ ◆ - Although this year’s report covers 2019 only, and The report said that under the Paris Agreement, does not account for the impact of COVID, it project India pledged to reduce the emission intensity of its- introduced.ed that in 2020, global HDI would fall below for the GDP from the 2005 level by 33-35% by 2030 and to �irst time in the three decades since the Index was ◆ ◆ obtain 40% of electric power capacity from non-fos sil fuel sources by 2030. Norway, which tops the HDI, falls 15 places if this The report also lauded that Solar capacity in India ◆ new metric is used, leaving Ireland at the top of the gigawattsincreased fourfrom years 2.6 gigawatts ahead of schedulein March 2014 to 30 table. gigawatts in July 2019, achieving its target of 20 In fact, 50 countries would drop entirely out of the using this new metric, called the Planetary Pres- What is new in this year’s index? sures-adjusted“very high human HDI, or development PHDI. group” category, Planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development ◆ Index ◆ Australia falls 72 places in the ranking, while the United States and Canada would fall 45 and 40 PHDI is an experimental index that adjusts the Human Development Index (HDI) for planetary ◆ places respectively, re�lecting their disproportionate ◆ pressures in the Anthropocene. ◆ impact on natural resources. The oil and gas-rich Gulf States also fell steeply. inequality,The PHDI discountssimilar to thethe HDI Inequality-adjusted for pressures on HDI the planet to re�lect a concern for intergenerational ◆ China would drop 16 places from its current ranking of 85. intragenerational inequality. China’s net emissions (8 gigatonnes) are 34% below ◆ adjustment which is motivated by a concern for its territorial emissions (12.5 gigatonnes) compared with 19% in India and 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is computed as the product of the HDI and (1 – India’s status index of planetary pressures) where (1 – index of ◆ factor. ◆ planetary pressures) can be seen as an adjustment- It praised India’s record in achieving its carbon - The PHDI is the level of human development adjust ◆ emissions goals so far, and urged Indian policy- makers to take the path of sustainable development. ed by carbon dioxide emissions per person (produc According to the UNDP’s report India’s gross nation tion-based) and material footprint per capita to al income per capita fell to $6,681 in 2019 from ◆ account for the excessive human pressure on the planet. ◆ $6,829 in 2018 on purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. It should be seen as an incentive for transformation. The report said evidence from Colombia to India ◆ In an ideal scenario where there are no pressures on indicates that �inancial security and ownership of the planet, the PHDI equals the HDI. land improve women’s security and reduce the risk However, as pressures increase, the PHDI falls- below the HDI. In this sense, the PHDI measures the ◆ of gender-based violence, clearly indicating that sures are considered. level of human development when planetary pres Indiaowning and land Thailand can empower show more women. malnutrition-related issuesIt further such said as stunting indigenous and wasting. children in Cambodia, Interactive Dashboard: Human Development and the ◆ ◆ Anthropocene inAs pergirls’ the health UNDP and report, education In India havedifferent led responsesto higher The 2020 Human Development Report explores a in parent behaviour as well as some disinvestment ◆ suite of metrics for measuring human development consequence of shocks likely linked to climate in the Anthropocene. malnutrition among girls than among boys as a This new dashboard, with four dimensions and 21 indicators organized according to the Report’s December 2020 Monthly Prelims Snippets �indings JournalsOfIndia com 21

◆ ◆ The four dimensions are;

It provides a glimpse into the complex interactions- between people and ecosystems and helps monitor 1. The status of human development country progress towards easing planetary pres 2. Energy systems Source : The Hindu & UNDP sures and social imbalances. 3. Material cycles and ECONOMY 4. Transforming our future. New Safety Features in Cheques

In news About the Positive Pay System for cheque transac tions of recon�irm TheRBI RBI will announced introduce ‘Positivethe introduction Pay System’ of a Positive for cheque Pay ing key details of large-value cheques. transactions above Rs 50,000 from January 1, 2021. Positive Pay system involves a process

System for CTS on August 6. Under this process, the issuer of the cheque submits Key features electronically, through channels like SMS, mobile app, - Internet banking and ATM, certain minimum details of In the upcoming year Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will that cheque (like date, name of the bene�iciary, or eliminateintroduce frauds.the ‘Positive Pay System’ for cheque transac payee and amount) to the drawee bank, details of tions above Rs 50,000 in a bid to enhance safety and which are cross-checked with the presented cheque by Cheque Truncation System (CTS). About cheque by Cheque Trunca�on System (CTS) Cheque Trunca�on System or Image-based Clearing System, in India, is a project of the Reserve Bank of India, commenced in 2010, for faster clearing of cheques The average value of a cheque cleared in CTS presently is Rs 82,000. The CTS-2010 standard specifying minimum security features on cheque leaves acts as a deterrent against cheque frauds, while standardisa�on of field placements on cheque forms enables straight-through-processing by use of op�cal or image character recogni�on technology.

- ◆ sures.Any discrepancy is �lagged by CTS to the drawee bank awarenessoutside CTS among as well. their customers on features of the and presenting bank, who then take redressal mea The RBI has already told banks to create adequate Type of cheques which will come under Positive Pay system are: Positive Pay System through SMS alerts, displays in Following will come under the new system branches, ATMs, as well as through their websites ◆ Whatand will Internet be the banking. share of Positive Pay in overall account holders issuing cheques for amounts of Rs cheque transactions? Banks will enable a Positive Pay system for all ◆ ◆ While availing of this facility is at the discretion of 50,000 and above. It will cover approximately 20 per cent and 80 per mandatory in case of cheques for amounts of Rs ◆ cent of total cheques issued in the country by the account holder, banks may consider making it volume and value, respectively. ◆ The Cheque Truncation System (CTS) for clearing 5,00,000 and above. cheques is operational pan-India, and presently The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) covers 2 per cent and 15 per cent of total retail will develop the facility of Positive Pay in CTS, and Needpayments for new in system terms of volume and value respectively. Themake new it dispute available redressal to participant mechanism banks. ◆ The RBI says the Positive Pay system is to augment ◆ - As per the new announcement, only those cheques ingcustomer of cheque safety leaves. in cheque payments and reduce that are compliant with the new system will be ◆ instancesBanks had of recently fraud occurring witnessed on a rise account in frauds of tamper involv- ◆ accepted under the dispute resolution mechanism ing high-value cheques. arrangementsat the CTS grids. for cheques cleared or collected SourceIt also : Theallows Indian member Express banks to implement similar

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 22

ECONOMY Electricity rights of consumers rules 2020

In news ◆

to the Electricity Consumers through “Electricity ◆ Consumers shall have the option to pay bills online Union Government for the �irst time lays down Rights Disconnectionor of�line. and reconnection provisions: ReliabilityProvision of for supply advance payment of bills (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020” Need for the rules ◆ to all consumers. However, the Commission may - The distribution licensee shall supply 24x7 power According to the government, Distribution Companies consumers like agriculture. –across therefore the country it was necessary are monopolies that the – consumers’ whether govern rights ◆ specify lower hours of supply for some categories of- ment or private – and the consumer has no alternative The distribution licensee shall put in place a mecha be laid down in Rules and a system for enforcement of Consumernism, preferably as prosumer: with automated tools to the extent these rights be put in place. possible, for monitoring and restoring outages. Key highlights of the rules ◆ Following key areas are covered in the Electricity and have the same rights as the general consumer, While the prosumers will maintain consumer status - they will also have right to set up Renewable Energy (Rightslicensees of consumers) Rules: a) Rights of consumers and Obligations of Distribution (RE) generation unit including roof top solar photo voltaic (PV) systems – either by himself or through a existing connection ◆ b) Release of new connection and modi�ication in service provider. StandardsNet metering of performance: for loads up to ten kW and for gross c) Metering arrangement ◆ meteringThe Commission for loads aboveshall tennotify kW. the standards of d) Billing and Payment e) Disconnection and Reconnection ◆ performance for the distribution licensees. - f) Reliability of supply Compensation amount to be paid to the consumers g) Consumer as Prosumer Compensationby the distribution mechanism: licensees for violation of stan h) Standards of Performance of licensee ◆ dards of performance - i) Compensation Mechanism - Rightsj) Call Centre and Obligations: for Consumer Services Automatic compensation shall be paid to consum k)Grievance◆ redressal mechanism ◆ ers for which parameters on standards of perfor- mance can be monitored remotely. It is the duty of every distribution licensee to supply The standards of performance for which the com- ◆ electricityIt is the right on requestof consumers made byto anhave owner minimum or occupier stan- ing,pensation namely:- is required to be paid by the distribution of any premises in line with the provisions of Act. licensee include, but are not limited to, the follow-

Releasedards of of new service connection for supply and of modi�ication electricity from in the • No supply to a consumer beyond a particular dura existingdistribution connection: licensee. tion, to be speci�ied by the Commission; ◆ • TimeNumber taken of for interruptions connection, in disconnection, supply beyond recon the- ◆ limits as speci�ied by the Commission; ◆ Transparent, simple and time bound processes, Applicant has option for online application, nection, shifting; Maximum time period of 7 days in metro cities and • Time taken for change in consumer category, load; 15 days in other municipal areas and 30 days in and modify an existing connection: • Time taken for change in consumer details; rural areas identi�ied to provide new connection Metering • Time taken for replacement of defective meters; ◆ - • Time period within which bills are to be served; ◆ No connection shall be given without a meter • Time period of resolving voltage related com plaints; and ◆ ProvisionMeter shall of Testing be the of smart meters pre-payment meter or • Bill related complaints. ◆ pre-payment meter. Call Centre for Consumer Services: ◆ Provisions for replacement of defective or burnt or Billing and payment : Distribution licensee shall establish a centralised ◆ stolen meters speci�ied ◆ through24x7 toll-free a common call centre Customer Relation Manager Transparency in applicable consumer tariff and Licensees shall endeavour to provide all services bills Monthly Prelims Snippets (CRM) System to get a uni�ied view December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 23

Grievance redressal mechanism: ◆ ◆ informed to the consumers. ◆ The details of scheduled power outages shall be ◆ Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF) to include consumer and prosumer representatives. In case of unplanned outage or fault, immediate The consumer grievance redressal has been made estimatedintimation time shall for be restoration.given to the consumers through easy by making it multi-layered and the number of from one to four. Signi�icanceSMS or by of any the other rules electronic mode along with ◆ consumer’s representatives have been increased ◆ electricity and these Rules emanate from the convic- The licensee shall specify the time within which These rules shall empower the consumers of ◆ various types of grievances by the different levels of- consumers and the consumers have rights to get the ancethe forums redressal. are to be resolved. tion that the power systems exist to serve the GeneralMaximum Provisions: timeline of 45 days speci�ied for griev ◆ ◆ Use of online access to various services such as reliable services and quality electricity - These rules are also an important step towards thatfurthering new electricity the ease connections, of doing business refunds across and other the application submission, monitoring status of appli country. Implementation of these Rules shall ensure cation, payment of bills, status of complaints raised disregard to consumer rights will result in levying area-wise.,etc., to consumers through its website, web portal, services are given in a time bound manner. Wilful ◆ mobile app and its various designated of�ices ◆ penalties on service providers. The distribution licensee shall provide all services The Rules will bene�it about 30 crores existing and such as application submission, payment of bills, the prospective consumers in the country. Source : PIB ECONOMY etc., to senior citizens at their door-steps. Green National Highways Corridor Project In news green technologies in National Highways design and -

GovernmentNational Highways of India Corridor signed a $500Project million in the loan states agree of modelconstruction documents processes for mainstreaming safety and Rajasthan,ment with theAndhra World Pradesh, Bank to developHimachal a safe Pradesh and Green and • green Development technologies and implementation of guidelines and Uttar Pradesh • Mainstreaming safety and green technologies in the About Green National Highways Corridor Project Objective of the project To demonstrate safe and green National Highway development of highways; and - - • Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution in Ministry of Road Transport and High corridors in selected States and enhance the institu Highways in mainstreaming safety and green technolo- ways (MoRTH) and its implementing agencies. giestional capacity of the Ministry of Road Transport and 3. The third component, Road Safety, has the following Components of the project subcomponents: This project has the following three components. • Support to improve road safety data analytics and highway safety monitoring and implementation 1. The �irst component, Green Highway Corridor • Support for operationalization of the National Road Improvement and Maintenance, includes Safety Board • Highways Upgradation in andthe maintenancestates of Rajasthan, for �ive Himachal years of Signi�icance• Strengthening of the highway project patrol and emergency Pradesh,about 783 Uttar kilometers Pradesh of and selected Andhra existing Pradesh National incor- ◆ response along the project highway

- This project will provide ef�icient transportation for porating green technologies and constructionroad users in materialsthe four states,and water connect to peoplereduce with the • Demonstrating resource ef�iciency, climate resil markets and services, promote ef�icient use of ience, green and safety aspects. 2. The second component, Institutional Capacity ◆ depletion of scarce natural resources, and help lower GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions Enhancement, has the following subcomponents: - - The project will strengthen and widen existing • ing Development climate resilience and implementation in National Highways of a Climate design Adaptation Policy and guidelines and mainstream introducestructures road by constructing safety features new pavements, drain ◆ age facilities and bypasses, improve junctions and and construction processes • Development and implementation of policy for nationalThe project highway would network, also support identify analytics constraints, to map and the freight volume and movement pattern on the Sourcereducing :Economic emissions Times from transport services • Research and Development and mainstreaming Monthly Prelims Snippets provide innovative logistics solutions. December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 24 ECONOMY Lottery, gambling and betting are taxable under the GST Act

In news

The Supreme Court accepted the government’s stand Recently, Supreme Court held that lottery, gambling that the Parliament has the competence to levy GST on and betting are taxable under the Goods and Services lotteries under Article 246A of the Constitution. Tax (GST) Act Key guidelines of the Court It also said that “article 246A is a special provision with regard to goods and services tax w.e.f. 16.09.2016, The apex court held that lottery, betting and gambling towhich goods special and services power tax” has to be liberally construed are “actionable claims” and come within the de�inition empowering the Parliament to make laws with respect of ‘goods’ under Section 2(52) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.

lotteries does not amount to “hostile discrimination”. Stating its earlier judgment on the same issue, the The three judges bench also said that the levy of GST on Court said that Section 2(52) of the GST Act was in line thatwith “the the Constitutionsale of a lottery Bench ticket judgment amounts of to the the Supreme transfer Court in the Sunrise Associates case, which had held The 87 pages judgement mentions that “Lottery,- betting and gambling are well known concepts and of an actionable claim” have been in practice in this country since before Inde What does Section 2(52) of the CGST say? pendence and were regulated and taxed by different- legislations. When Act, 2017 de�ines the ‘goods’ to Section 2(52) of the Central Goods and Services- include actionable claims and included only three cate Tax(CGST) Act, 2017 states that “goods” means every thatgories there of actionable was no rationale claims, i.e., for lottery,the Parliament betting and in kind of movable property other than money and secu gambling, for purposes of levy of GST, it cannot be said- rities but includes actionable claim, growing crops, es, and leaving others” grass and things attached to or forming part of the land including these three actionable claims for tax purpos which are agreed to be severed before supply or under a contract of supply Power of Parliament under article 246A - Justice Bhushan stated that “the power to make laws as conferred by Article 246A fully empowers the Parlia Goods and services tax on supplies in the course of ment to make laws with respect to goods and services inter-State trade or commerce shall be levied and tax and expansive de�inition of goods given in Section collected by the Government of India and such tax shall 2(52) cannot be said to be not in accord with the be apportioned between the Union and the States in constitutional provisions”ECONOMY the manner as may be provided by Parliament by law Eastern Dedicated Freighton the recommendations Corridor of the Goods and Services Tax

In news entire route length of the EDFC. ◆ New Khurja section’ of Eastern Dedicated Freight Prime Minister will inaugurate the ‘New Bhaupur- The OCC is one of the largest structures of its type ◆ globally, with modern interiors, ergonomic design Corridor (EDFC) on 29th December A a brief note on New Bhaupur- New Khurja section and best-in-class acoustics. of EDFC The building is environment-friendly with a Green ◆ Building rating of GRIHA4 and is built as per norms of the ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’. The 351 km New Bhaupur- New Khurja section of About Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) ◆ ◆ EDFC is situated in Uttar pradesh and is built at a thecost local of Rs industries 5,750 crores. The EDFC (1856 route km) starts from Sahnewal ◆ The sectionsection will will open also new decongestvistas of opportunity the existing for near Ludhiana (Punjab) and will pass through the ◆ states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and- Railways to run faster trains. Jharkhand to terminate at Dankuni in West Bengal. ◆ Kanpur-Delhi main line and will enable Indian It is being constructed by Dedicated Freight Corri Prayagraj will act as the command centre for the dor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL), that has A state-of-the-art Operation Control Centre (OCC) at been set up as a special purpose vehicle to build and operate Dedicated Freight Corridors. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 25

◆ DFCCIL is also constructing the Western Dedicated Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Mumbai and will traverse through the states of UP, Freight Corridor (1504 route km) that connects DDadriedica tined Uttar Frei gPradeshht Corr itodo Jawaharlalrs Nehru Port in Presently, Ministry of Railways is im lementing two Dedicated Freight Corridors namely, Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni 18 6 km. and Western Dedicated Freight Corridor from Dadri to awaharlal Nehru Port Trust 1 0 kmp. . These corridors are targeted to e com leted in hases y Decem er 0 1. In addition, Ministry of Railways ha(s de5cided )to undertake Detailed Project Re orts DPR for new DJ edicated Freight corridors on( t5he4 follow) ing routes : b p p b b 2 2 p ( ) 1. East Coast corridor- Kharag ur to Vijayawada . East-West u -corridor a. Bhusaval-Wardha-Npag ur-Rajkharswan-Kharag ur-Ulu eria-Dankuni East-West u -corridor 2 . RajSkhbarswan-Kali ahari-Andal . North – outh su -corridor - Vpijayawada- Nag ur-Itarsi p b S b b p 3 S b p

Source :PIB

ECONOMY Zero Coupon Bonds

In news More about recent innovation by the government ◆ Funds raised through issuance of these instru-

Recently, the government has used �inancial innovation to recapitalise Punjab & Sind Bank by issuing the ments, which are a variation of the recapitalisation lender Rs 5,500-crore worth of non-interest bearing ◆ bonds issued earlier to public sector banks, are bonds valued at par. being deployed to capitalise the state-run bank. What is a Zero coupon bond? ◆ ◆ These will earn no interest for the subscriber Market participants term it both a ‘�inancial illusion’ A zero coupon bond also called a deep discount is a economy.and ‘great innovation’ by the government where it is valuebond inof whichmoney. the face value is repaid at the time of ◆ using Rs 100 to create an impact of Rs 200 in the ◆ maturity. That de�inition assumes a positive time According to MD & CEO of Punjab and Sind bank, It does not make periodic interest payments or have these are special types of zero coupon bonds issued ◆ so-called coupons, hence the term zero coupon ◆ by the government after proper due diligence and bond these are issued at par. When the bond reaches maturity, its investor anyAs these mark-to-market bonds are not gains tradable, or thelosses lender from has these kept receives its par (or face) value. them in the HTM bucket, not requiring it to book

bonds. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 26

The investment ortfolio of anks is classi ied under held to maturity HTM , availa le for sale AF and held for trading HFT category. The holding of securities under HTM rovides cushion for anks from valuation changes. p b � ( ) b ( S) ( ) p b ◆ government ◆ Though zero coupon, these bonds are different from traditional zero coupon bonds on one account as Zero coupon bonds by private companies are they are being issued at par, there is no interest; in ◆ normally issued at discount, but since these special previous cases, since they were issued at discount, ◆ According to Finance ministry, these are instru- Doesbonds it solve are not the tradable problems these faced can by be Banks?issued at par they technically were interest bearing. The special bonds are issued to a speci�ied person

issuedments whichin conformity are a variation with the of RBI the guidelines recap bonds but According to market participants, the innovative move effectively meet the same purpose, and these are by the government may not be a permanent solution for the banking sector’s problems. Difference between zero coupon bonds issued by They also state that it doesn’t solve the problem Source :The Indian Express private �irms and special zero coupon bonds by the permanently but gives you more time to solve it ECONOMY Flexible inflation targeting In news

of monetary policy is the concept of trend or steady Recently, RBI’s working paper on in�lation has found a state in�lation. It is the level to which actual in�lation steadyKey highlights decline inof the trend report/paper in�lation to 4.1-4.3 per cent shocks,outcomes die are out. expected to converge after short run since 2014. ◆ ◆ �luctuations from a variety of sources, including

The report says that Maintaining the in�lation target The paper points out that the real time estimate of at 4 per cent is appropriate for India in the backdrop trend in�lation was around 5 per cent until the end ◆ of the steady decline in trend in�lation to 4.1- 4.3 per of 2013, but it declined steadily thereafter to 4.1 per cent since 2014 ◆ centThe authors in Q1 ofsaid 2019, it is worthwhile before inching to note up that thereafter trend The observation by the report assumes signi�icance during the COVID-19 pandemic. given that the �lexible in�lation targeting/ FIT although it is on a declining trajectory. (formally instituted in June 2016), which commits ◆ in�lation still remains above the target under FIT, the RBI to a consumer price in�lation (CPI) target of 4 per cent with an upper and lower tolerance band As per the authors this indicates that in�lation ◆ of +/- 2 per cent, has to be reviewed by end-March- expectations are not yet fully anchored to the target 2021. Whatbut isconvergence �lexible In�lation is under Targeting(FIT)? way The authors report Harendra Kumar Behera, Direc- tor, and Michael Debabrata Patra, Deputy Governor, RBI underscored that: “The credibility bonus accru FIT is a monetary policy strategy used by the Central- ing to monetary policy warrants smaller policy Bank to maintain the price level within a certain range. actions to achieve the target (FIT). This points to This strategy indicates the importance of price stabili- ◆ maintaining the in�lation target at 4 per cent into ty as the prime factor of monetary policy. In�lation the medium-term. If it ain’t broke, don’t �ix it.” targeting is known to bring more stability, predictabili MAson epertar ythe o paper,licy re fcentralers to t htoe theol idesigncy of th ande ce nconducttral an k wty,ith and reg atransparencyrd to the use inof decidingmonetar ymonetary instrume policy.nts un der its control to achieve the goals s eci ied in the Act. The Reserve Bank of India RBI is vested with the res onsi ility of conductingp monetary olicy. Thpis res onsi ility is ebx licitly mandated under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 19 . p � ( ) p b

Flexible In�lation Targetingp Frameworkp b p 34 ◆ ◆ �ive years. In May 2016, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act,- Accordingly, the Central Government has noti�ied in ing1934 framework. was amended to provide a statutory basis for the Of�icial Gazette 4 per cent Consumer Price Index ◆ the implementation of the �lexible in�lation target (CPI) in�lation as the target for the period from August 5, 2016 to March 31, 2021 with the upper consultationThe amended with RBI Actthe alsoReserve provides Bank, for once the in�lationin every tolerance limit of 6 per cent and the lower tolerance target to be set by the Government of India, in limit of 2 per cent.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 27

◆ level for any three consecutive quarters. - ◆ tionThe target: Central Government noti�ied the following as factors that constitute failure to achieve the in�la- Prior to the amendment in the RBI Act in May 2016, the �lexible in�lation targeting framework was • the average in�lation is more than the upper toler governed by an Agreement on Monetary Policy ance level of the in�lation target for any three Framework between the Government and the consecutive quarters; or Reserve Bank of India of February 20, 2015. Source• the average :RBI & The in�lation Hindu is Business less than Line the lower tolerance

ECONOMY Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)3.0 & UMANG portal In news -

◆ TCsRecognition shall also of impart Prior training Learning: in SoftIndividuals Skills, Entre with PMKVY 3.0 to be launched soon will be placed on preneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy. UMANG platform About PMKVY 3.0 - ◆ prior learning experience or skills shall be assessed and certi�ied under the Recognition of Prior Learn- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0 ing (RPL) component of the Scheme. RPL aims to (2020-21) was approved by the Expenditure ◆ alignSpecial the Projects: competencies of the unregulated work Finance Committee (EFC) in the meeting held on force of the country to the NSQF. ◆ 17th September 2020 under the chairmanship of The Special Projects component Secretary (Expenditure). of PMKVY envisages the creation of a platform that The new (PMKVY 3.0) (2020-2021) is targeting to will facilitate trainings in special areas and/or ◆ trainIt will 8 focus Lakh oncandidates strengthening at an outlaydistrict of skill INR commit 948.90- premises of Government bodies, Corporates or teesCrore to during identify 2020-21. and cater to local skilling needs Industry bodies, and trainings in special job roles ◆ notKaushal de�ined and under Rozgar the Mela:available Quali�ication Packs About PMKVY (QPs)/National Occupational Standards (NOSs). - ◆ PMKVY assigns special importance to the involvement of the target bene�i Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is- ciaries through a de�ined mobilisation process. TPs the �lagship outcome-based skill training scheme of shall conduct Kaushal and Rozgar Melas every six ◆ the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneur months with press/media coverage; they are also ship (MSDE). ◆ requiredPlacement to participateGuidelines: actively PMKVY in envisages National to Career link The objective of this skill certi�ication and reward Service Melas and on-ground activities. scheme is to enable and mobilize a large number of ◆ IndianThe scheme youth aimsto take to upcover outcome 10 million based youth skill training during the aptitude, aspiration, and knowledge of the and become employable and earn their livelihood. skilled workforce it creates with employment- ◆ ment.opportunities and demands in the market. TPs shall the period 2016 -2020. ◆ alsoMonitoring provide Guidelines:support to entrepreneurship To ensure that high develop stan- ◆ Under this Scheme, Training and Assessment fees are completely paid by the Government. ledSkill standards. training would be done based on the National dards of quality are maintained by PMKVY TCs, Skill Quali�ication Framework (NSQF) and industry NSDC and empaneled Inspection Agencies shall use Key components of PMKVY various methodologies, such as self-audit reporting, ◆ Short Term Training: call validations, surprise visits, and monitoring enhancedthrough thewith Skillsthe engagement Development of latest Management technolo- The Short Term Training gies.System (SDMS). These methodologies shall be imparted at PMKVY Training Centres (TCs) is- Implementation expected to bene�it candidates of Indian nationality ◆ who are either school/college dropouts or unem ployed. Apart from providing training according to The scheme would be implemented through the the National Skills Quali�ication Framework (NSQF), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 28

About UMANG platform Services under UMANG ◆ ◆ -

UMANG (Uni�ied Mobile Application for New-age It is an all-in-one single uni�ied secure multi-chan Governance) is developed by Ministry of Electronics nel multi-platform multi-lingual multi-service- Governanceand Information in India. Technology (MeitY) and National freeware mobile app for accessing over 841 services ◆ e-Governance Division (NeGD) to drive Mobile through 127 central and state government depart ments in multiple Indian languages over Android, UMANG provides a single platform for all Indian iOS, Windows and services such as: AADHAR,. Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging DigiLocker, Bharat Bill Payment System, PAN, EPFO from Central to Local Government bodies and other services, PMKVY services, AICTE, CBSE, Tax and fee, Source :PIB citizen centric services.ECONOMY Utilities bills payments, Education, Passport Chennai- Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC)

In news

Chennai BengaluruBengaluru Industrial Industrial Corridor Corridor (CBIC) Project. have The Union cabinet approved Industrial Corridor nodes been approved to kick start the development in- at Krishnapatnam and Tumakuru under CBIC recently Key updates tained with world-class infrastructure, road and rail ◆ These green�ield industrial cities will be self-sus

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs qualityconnectivity social for infrastructure. freight movement to and from ports chaired by Prime Minister has approved proposals and logistic hubs along with reliable power and of Department of Promotion of Industry & Internal Background Trade (DPIIT) for construction of various trunk ◆ - infrastructure components for: a. Krishnapatnam Industrial Area in Andhra Pradesh In the year 2011, during the visit of the Prime Minis- with an estimated cost of the project of Rs. 2,139.44 ter of Japan to India in December, 2011, the two- crore; Prime Ministers stressed the importance of infra b. Tumakuru Industrial Area in Karnataka with an structure development in the areas between Chen- estimated cost of Rs. 1,701.81 crore; nai and Bengaluru and directed to operationalize c. Multi Modal Logistics Hub (MMLH) and Multi Modal CBICthe modalities for the preparation of the Compre crore.Transport Hub (MMTH) at Greater Noida in Uttar hensive Integrated Master Plan for development of Pradesh with an estimated cost of Rs. 3,883.80 Key features of CBIC About Industrial corridor project ◆ agglomerationThe strategy to in developthe states CBIC of Tamil is part Nadu, of the Karnataka plan to The objective of Industrial Corridor Programme is achieve accelerated development, regional industry facilitatethe creation the manufacturing of green�ield industrialinvestments cities into with the sustainable, ‘plug n play’, ICT enabled utilities to and Andhra Pradesh and to facilitate development of a and resilient infrastructure to industries. well-planned and ef�icient industrial base by providing smooth access to the industrial production units, ◆ country by providing quality, reliable, sustainable ready for immediate allotment for attracting invest- decreased transportation logistics costs along with an- The developed land parcels in these cities will be ufacturingimproved deliveryand industrial time activity and reduction in the three in inventory states. cost and ensure increased private investments in man

◆ mentsThe Industrial into manufacturing Corridor andProgramme positioning thrives India as to a strong player in the Global Value Chain. - Bharat” to drive the growth of industries and create hensiveJapan International Integrated Master Cooperation Plan for Agency Chennai- (JICA) Bengaluru Study greaterattain the avenues objective for investmentsof creation of across an “Atmanirbhar the country. Team undertook the Preliminary Study for Compre- ects across various sectors aimed at removing infra- Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and a total 25 priority proj ◆ - India under the aegis of National Industrial Corridor structural bottlenecks were identi�ied in their report. It is one of the �ive industrial corridors coming up in Following◆ three nodes were taken up for Master Plan ning under JICA assistance: ◆ ◆ Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) of multi modal connectivity infrastructure. Krishna- ◆ Tumkur (Karnataka) These projects have been planned on the backbone Ponneri ( Tamil Nadu) Tumakuru Industrial Area in Karnataka under Krishnapatnam ( Andhra Pradesh) patnam Industrial Area in Andhra Pradesh and

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- The report of master planning of above 3 industrial way,proximity Eastern to Eastern& Western peripheral Dedicated expressway, Freight NH91,Corri- nodes submitted by JICA has been accepted as �inal and dors.Noida- Greater Noida Expressway, Yamuna Express State Governments have been directed to initiate the ◆ process of noti�ication of master plan of these nodes. Signi�icance of the projects Logistics Hub project will be developed as a- - world-class facility that will provide ef�icient These projects will generate ample employment storage/transitioning of goods to/from the Dedicat opportunities through industrialisation. For Krishna ◆ ed Freight Corridors (DFC) and offer a one-stop patnam node, estimated employment projection on destination to freight companies and customers. completion of the �irst phase of development is likely value-addedThe facility will services not only to providereduce standardlogistics containercost with to be around 98,000 persons of which about 58,000 handling activities but also provide various persons are likely to be employed at the site. For ◆ - Tumakuru node, employment of about 88,500 persons- improved ef�iciency of operations. is estimated, out of which 17,700 persons will be from The MMTH project will provide world-class passen- service industries such as retail, of�ices and other com ger movement facilities for the growing population mercialA brief noteopportunities on Multi in Modal the initial Logistics development Hub (MMLH) phase. & decongestof the catchment Delhi. zone catering to upcoming devel Multi Modal Transport Hub (MMTH) Projects opments in U.P. sub-region of the NCR and thus, ◆ MMLH & MMTH at Greater Noida, U.P. are in close Source :PIB ECONOMY Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) programme

In news

that has been approved by the Expenditure Finance Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has tied up ◆ Committee (EFC) in November 2016 for a total cost with 77 apparel manufacturing units for world bank ofGovernment Rs. 2200 crore of India (US $ and318 million).International Bank for funded STRIVE programme About STRIVE programme The �inancial agreement was signed between ◆ - Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) on 19th Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhance December, 2017 and the closing date of the project ment (STRIVE) is a new World Bank funded project is November, 2022 Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 30

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The project falls under the Programme for Results ◆ mance including apprenticeship by involving SMEs, ◆ (P4R) based category of World Bank that ensures business association and industry clusters. outcome based funding. The project aims to develop a robust mechanism for wouldThe project address aims the at challenge creating awarenessof involvement through of delivering quality skill development training by- industry clusters/ geographical chambers that strengthening institutions such as State Directorate of training & Employment, The Central Staff Train ◆ micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ing and Research Institute (CSTARI), National (MSMEs). Instructional Media Institute(NIMI), National Skill It is aimed at institutional reforms and improving- FourTraining result Institutes areas (NSTIs), ITIs etc. tionquality training. & market relevance of skill development It is covering the following 4 result areas: ◆ trainingThe Project programs would in also long aim term at vocational integrating educa and ◆ enhancing delivery quality of ITIs. In order to ◆ Improved performance of ITI. ◆ Increased Capacities of State Governments to scheme.ensure achievement of outcome these ITI would be ◆ support ITIs and Apprenticeship Training Improved Teaching and Learning. ◆ competitively selected for upgradation under the- Improved and Broadened Apprenticeship Training. SourceIt shall :PIB incentivize & World Bank ITIs to improve overall perfor

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 31 ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENT Octane 100 petroleum in India

In news Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas launches India’s Whysion high the octanefuel can number withstand is goodbefore detonating. ◆ Fuels with a higher octane rating are used in �irst 100 Octane petrol(Branded as XP100, the premium Whograde has petrol) developed it and where to be implemented? ◆ high-performance gasoline engines that require ◆ higher compression ratios.The higher an octane ◆ The technology for India’s �irst100 Octane petrol has number, the more stable/resistant the fuel. been indigenously created by IndianOil R&D The fuels with lower octane numbers (but higher- ◆ The fuel is manufactured at IOC's Mathura re�inery in cetane numbers) are ideal for diesel engines, because Uttar Pradesh and supplied at select petrol pumps diesel engines (also referred to as compression-igni Indian Oil plans to roll-out XP100 premium grade tion engines) do not compress the fuel, but rather ◆ petrol in 15identi�ied cities across the country in two ◆ compressGasoline engines only air rely and on then ignition inject of air fuel and into fuel the com air- phases. which was heated by compression. In the �irst phase, it has been made available at select ROs w.e.f December 1, 2020, in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, pressed together as a mixture, which is ignited near ◆ Agra, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune ◆ the end of the compression stroke using electrically and Ahmedabad. - mainlyactivated for spark gasoline plugs. engines. Use of gasoline with In the second phase, the availability of this 100 Therefore, high compressibility of the fuel matters ◆ Octane petrol would be extended to Chennai, Banga- engine knocking lore, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Kolkata. ◆ lower octane numbers may lead to the problem of These cities have been selected basis their aspira tional demographics and availability of high-end cars Knock occurs when fuel is prematurely ignited in the engine's cylinder, which degrades ef�iciency and can Whatand is bikes an octane dealerships number? in these cities Signi�icance ◆ be damaging to the engine - It is a �igure indicating the anti-knock properties of a Worldwide, 100 Octane petrol has a niche market for ◆ fuel, based on a comparison with a mixture of isooc luxury vehicles that demand high performance, and is tane and heptane. available only in six countries like Germany, USA, etc gasoline.An octane rating, or octane number, is a standard countries, having access to such high quality oil. It will ◆ measure of the performance of an engine or aviation- The availability of XP100 puts India in an elite group of

SourceThe : higher EPA the octane ENVIRONMENT number, the more compres provide high quality and power to the engine. Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement In news Recently, the Government of India has constituted the will serve as Members to AIPA who will oversee the progress in implementation of India’s NDC and- Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris mentsreceive of periodic the Paris information Agreement. updates to monitor, AboutAgreement(AIPA) the Apex Committee for the Implementation review and revisit climate goals to ful�il the require of the Paris Agreement(AIPA) Functions of AIPA ◆ ◆ MoEFCC Apex committee will be chaired by Secretary, ◆ IndiaKey function under Article of AIPA 6 of wouldthe Paris be Agreement to operate as a ◆ NationalIt will formulate Authority guidelines to regulate for carbon consideration markets inof The purpose of AIPA is to generate a coordinated underresponse the onParis climate Agreement change including matters its that Nationally ensures India is on track towards meeting its obligations marketprojects mechanism, or activities and under other Article similar 6 instruments of the Paris ◆ Agreement, issue guidelines on carbon pricing, Determined Contributions (NDC). Members: Senior of�icials from fourteen ministries that have a bearing on climate change and NDCs. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 32

◆ ment, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and miti It will take note of the contributions of the private made by countries that are a part of the Paris Agree sector as well as multi-/bi-lateral agencies in the �ield of climate change and provide guidance for India’sgate the NDCs impacts of anthropogenic climate change. Signi�icancealigning their climate actions with national priorities. ◆ ◆ - mentation of the Paris Agreement and the constitu- ◆ TheIndia NDC submitted has eight its goals NDC inincluding 2015 for three implementation quantitative tionThe yearof AIPA 2021 is centralwould markto strengthening the beginning the of national imple goalsof the namelyParis Agreement in the post-2020 period. - • A reduction in the emissions intensity of Gross mentation and monitoring of climate actions. ◆ systemsIt will also and ensure institutional that India arrangements maintains its for climate imple Domestic Product (GDP) by 33 to 35% by 2030 from whose climate actions are consistent with the goals 2005 level ofleadership the Paris asAgreement. one the few countries in the world • Achieving about 40% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy What are NDCs? resources by 2030; and - • Creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion Source : PIB & The Hindu tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through addi NDCs are the accounts of the voluntary efforts to be tional forest and tree cover by 2030. ENVIRONMENT State of Global Climate Report 2020

In news ◆ among the warmest years on record modern records began in 1850 KeyAs per �indings state of of global the report climate report, the year 2020 is “areIt also also adds the warmest that temperature on record averages across the ◆ ◆ last �ive years, and across the last 10-year period, The World Meteorological Organization’s(WMO) to go down as one of the warmest in history with 1970s,the WMO registered said that record oceans, heat whichlevels have absorbed provisional report states that year 2020 is expected- ◆ 93% of heat captured by greenhouse gases since the global temperatures about 1.2°C above the pre-in ◆ timeThe dataduring in the this report year, showed with thatmarine more ecosystems than 80% dustrial (1850-1900) level decade on record, with the warmest six years all alreadyof the ocean suffering experienced from amore marine acidic heatwave waters at someas a The report also says 2011-20 will be the warmest

◆ coming since 2015. The warmest year on record is ◆ consequence of carbon dioxide absorption. - 2016, followed closely by 2020. The report estimates that there is at least a 20% Secretary of WMO says that there is at least a one in chance that global average temperatures will tempo �ive chance of global temperatures temporarily ◆ estimated.rarily increase by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by exceeding the pre-industrial level by 1.5°C by 2024. ◆ 2024, from 1850 to 1900 levels, the UN agency WMO’s provisional report is based on data �indings take action to cut greenhouse gas emissions in order ◆ between January-October 2020. A �inal report will In the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries pledged to be released in March. As per the report, the past six years, 2015 to 2020, to keep global warming below 2ºC and ideally close Source : The Hindu & Indian Express are set to make up all six of the hottest years since to 1.5ºC by the end of this century ENVIRONMENT First ever study on Malayan Giant Squirrel

In news Key �indings Recently researchers of Thailand unearthed Bryde’s ◆ Researchers of Thailand have unearthed a rare whale skeleton

inlandpartially site fossilised west of Bangkok skeleton belonging to a Bryde’s whale believed to be around 5,000 years old at an

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 33

◆ whale. The skeleton was found by a cyclist, who spotted ◆ overlap in range with both sub-species of Bryde’s ◆ part of the vertebrae coming out of the ground, in early November. Bryde's whales can be easily confused with sei As per the experts, this whale skeleton is thought to whales. The presence of 3 head ridges con�irms a Aboutbe the Bryde’s only one whale in Asia whale's identity as a Bryde's whale (however, be ◆ - ◆ awareFin whale that and rippling minke water whale on can the also head cause of othersome species can be mistaken for accessory head ridges). ◆ Bryde’s whales are one of the most poorly under- - stood baleen whale species. confusion; size (�in whales are largerand minke Also known as ‘tropical whales’, due to their prefer whales smaller), head shape, and coloration differ ence for waters of 16° Celsius or higher, they are Foodences system: are the best characteristics to use. ◆ found in both nearshore and open waters between ◆ the latitudes of 40° South and 40° North. - They can be found both inshore and offshore, and Bryde’s whales predominantly feed on schooling ◆ tend to be associated with areas of high productivi �ish (including sardines, anchovies, mackerels and ty, such as upwelling areas. herrings), but they have also been documented to Historically Bryde’s whales have been confused ◆ prey on crustaceans like krill, copepods or pelagic red crabs. ◆ with Sei whales, which are larger and have a more Bryde’s whale stomach contents. temperate and sub-polar distribution. ◆ Even squid remains have been detected in some Further confusion is caused by uncertainty about the possible existence of two species of Bryde’s They are typically associated with tropical or whales, which have provisionally been classi�ied as subtropical areas of unusually high productivity – two sub-species with partially overlapping ranges: such as the upwelling areas off the coast of Brazil, a. the smaller Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni ConservationSouth Africa, status and the in the Arabian Sea ◆ edeni), and ◆ b. usually larger Bryde’s whale (B. e. brydei) ◆ - Another species that was formerly confused with IUCN: Data de�icient Bryde’s whales is the Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera The species is listed on Appendix II of the Conven Sourceomurai), : The which Hindu was & International only described Whaling in 2003, Commission and can tion on Migratory Species (CMS) and Appendix I of CITES.

ENVIRONMENT Frothing in Yamuna river

In news Recently, the river Yamuna witnessed toxic froth What causes a foam? The foam is likely the result of a mixture of washing

Why�loating does on frothingits surface in in rivers Delhi occur ? froth ◆ detergent residue and other waste, whipped into a Why does such a problem occur repeatedly? High phosphate content: The primary reason Majority of the detergents in the country don’t have a behind the formation of the toxic foam was high andphosphate households content in the wastewater because of ◆ detergents used in dyeing industries, dhobi ghats certi�ication by International Organisation for Stan dardisation (ISO), which has capped the concentration Turbulence and churning: These detergents and Otherof phosphates river pollutants in the chemical and their substance impact other organic matter gets deposited in the riverbed ◆ when the river is �lowing normally. When more andwater churning is released which upstream, causes froth it falls from a height on ◆ Other river pollutants are cyanide, zinc, lead, ◆ reachingRelease of the certain Okhla gases: Barrage, For leading the frothing to turbulence is the copper, cadmium and mercury. immediately.These substances may enter the water in such high concentrations that �ish and other animals are killed release of certain gases when a speci�ic kind of Sourcebacteria : The becomes Indian Express active in anaerobic conditions -- when there is no or little oxygen is available.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 34 ENVIRONMENT Central Zoo Authority announces two new zoos

In news ◆

U.P and another in Bihar ◆ The zoo features enclosures for a range of birds,- Central Zoo Authority recognizes two new zoos one in herbivores and carnivores. - Key Highlights rienceThe zoo through aims to state-of-the-art create awareness visitor through facilities natural like istic enclosures and create long-lasting visitor expe to Divyangjan. At the 37th General Body meeting of Central Zoo 4D Theatre, battery-operated train and accessibility Authority chaired by Union Minister for Environment, About Central Zoo Authority(CZA) Forest and Climate Change two new zoos the Rajgir ◆ - wereZoo Safari granted in Nalanda, recognition. Bihar and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh acrossThe CZA the is country.a statutory body chaired by the Environ Rajgir Zoo Safari, Nalanda, Bihar ◆ ment Minister and tasked with regulating zoos ◆ only safari enclosures which, on contrary to conven- nationallyIt lays down and guidelines internationally. and prescribes rules under The zoo is established exclusively comprising on ◆ which animals may be transferred among zoos animals. ◆ tional enclosure, offer larger space for captive Apart from the chairman, it consists of 10 members- and a member-secretary. Almost all of them are- ◆ There are �ive safari enclosures and a walk-in- of�icials in the Environment Ministry and non-gov proposed in the zoo. ◆ ernment experts are those who are wildlife conser- The zoo proposes to house Lion, Bear, Tiger, Leop vationistsment and orstrengthen retired forest the national of�icers. effort in conser- ◆ ard and a mixed safari of common herbivore species The main objective of the Authority is to comple- such as Spotted Deer, Sambar among others. ◆ The zoo is located close to the historically important ◆ vation of the rich biodiversity of the country, partic Nalanda and is expected to have a high footfall. ularly the fauna as per the National Zoo Policy, 1998. conservation.The zoo will display wild animals in naturalistic Other objectives of this Authority include enforcing safari enclosures and promote awareness of wildlife minimum standards and norms for upkeep and Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, ◆ healthcare of animals in Indian zoos and to control- Gorakh pur, U.P. mushrooming of unplanned and ill conceived zoos. ◆ ◆ RoleEvery of zoo the in Authority the country is more is required as a facilitator to obtain than recog as anition regulator. from the Authority for its operation. ◆ With the recognition by CZA, the state of Uttar hasPradesh a high has visitation. a total of 9 zoos SourceIt is : situatedPIB in the spiritualENVIRONMENT land of Gorakhpur and Elephant Corridors In news

documented by the Wildlife Trust of India with Recently, National Green Tribunal directed Odisha ◆ assistance from the State Forest Department of governmentWhat are elephant to submit corridors? action plan on strengthening 14 elephant range states. elephant corridors corridorsThe United Kingdom based organization, Elephant WhyFamily, are Elephant has partly corridors funded ground important? truthing of these Elephant corridors are linear, narrow, natural habitat ◆ corridorslinkages that are allowsecured elephants through to voluntary move between relocation secure of habitats without being disturbed by humans. Elephant A large chunk of the country’s elephant habitat is Elephant corridors in India ◆ unprotected, susceptible to encroachment or settlements◆ After much and/or research, acquisition the Wildlife of land Trust of India has already in use by humans. - As forest lands continue to be lost, these relatively throughout India that are critical to the long term ◆ narrow, linear patches of vegetation form vital natu- published a comprehensive list of 101 corridors ral habitat linkages between larger forest patches. ◆ And while elephant populations are largely concen survival of the Asian Elephant. trated in protected forests these animals require ◆ Corridors comprise the unprotected lands between free movement between these areas to maintain fragments of protected areas genetic �low and offset seasonal variations in the 101 elephant corridors in the country have been availability of forage and water. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 35

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◆ corridors allow elephants to move between secure cial and technical support to wildlife management habitats freely, without being disturbed by humans. ◆ efforts by states for their free-ranging populations makeElephants through are atheir keystone home species.ranges – Their is immensely nomadic of wild Asian Elephants. - behaviour – the daily and seasonal migrations they The project aims to ensure the long-term survival to ◆ migrationthe populations corridors. of elephants in their natural habi forimportant other towildlife the environment including India’s endangered ◆ tats by protecting the elephants, their habitats and NationalIn many Animal,cases, elephant the Royal corridors Bengal tiger are also critical research of the ecology and management of Project Elephant Other goals of Project Elephant are supporting the ◆ - - elephants, creating awareness of conservation It was launched in 1992 by the Ministry of Environ among local people, providing improved veterinary Source : The Hindu & WTI ment, Forests and Climate change to provide �inan care for captive elephants ENVIRONMENT UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2020

In news ◆ - sionsGHG Emissionis slowing. rate: However,The report GHG states emissions that there are is UNEP’s 11th edition of Emissions Gap Report 2020 some indication that the growth in global GHG emis says that “the world is still heading for a temperature - Whatrise in doesexcess the of UNEP3°C this report century” say? ingdeclining in non-OECD in Organisation economies. of Economic Cooperation ◆ ◆ and Development (OECD) economies and increas

As per UNEP’s executive director the year 2020 is on haveConsumption declined at based similar emissions: rate Both territorial havoccourse to be one of the warmest on record, while ◆ based and higher consumption-based emissions ◆ wild�ires, storms and droughts continue to wreak- COVID-19 pandemic impact on the emission level: The UNEP report measures the gap between antici emissionCO2 emissions levels could due decreaseto COVID-19, by about with 7 pera smaller cent in pated emissions and levels consistent with the Paris 2020 (range: 2–12 per cent) compared with 2019 Agreement goals of limiting global warming this - Keycentury �indings to well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C”. trationsdrop expected of GHGs in continueGHG emissions to rise. as non-CO2 is likely ◆ ◆ toCOVID-19 be less and affected. sector However, wise emission: atmospheric The reduction concen continued to grow for the third consecutive year in Increased GHG emissions: “Global GHG emissions - in GHG emissions in 2020 due to COVID-19 is likely ◆ 2019, reaching a record high of 52.4 Gigatonne to be signi�icantly larger than the 1.2 per cent reduc carbon equivalent (GtCO2e) tion during the global �inancial crisis in the late- andFossil consequently carbon dioxide the (CO2) growth emissions: in GHG It dominatesemissions. 2000s. Studies indicate that the biggest changes- total GHG emissions including LUC (65 per cent) tionshave have occurred also occurred in transport, in other as COVID-19sectors. restric ◆ tions were targeted to limit mobility, though reduc ◆ Preliminary data suggest that fossil CO2 emissions reached a record 38.0 GtCO2 (range: ±1.9) in 2019 GreenHouse Gases (excluding Carbon dioxide) Forest Fire behind increased GHG: Since 2010, GHG- level: it states that although CO2 emissions will emissions without LUC have grown at 1.3 per cent decrease in 2020, the resulting atmospheric per year on average, with preliminary data suggest concentrations of major GHGs (CO2, methane (CH4) ing a 1.1 per cent increase in 2019. When including ◆ and nitrous oxide (N2O)) continued to increase in the more uncertain and variable LUC emissions, both 2019 and 2020. global GHG emissions have grown 1.4 per cent per As per the report sustained reductions in emissions year since 2010 on average, with a more rapid to reach net zero CO2 are required to stabilise global increase of 2.6 per cent in 2019 due to a large ◆ ◆ warming, while achieving net-zero GHG emissions- increase in vegetation forest �ires. will result in a peak then decline in global warming Bulk of the emission is from G20 countries: Over the On net zero level: It states that At the time of com last decade, the top four emitters (China, the United- pleting this report, 126 countries covering 51 per States of America, EU27+UK and India) have- cent of global GHG emissions have net-zero goals contributed to 55 per cent of the total GHG emis that are formally adopted, announced or under sions without LUC. The top seven emitters (includ consideration. If the United States of America ing the Russian Federation, Japan and international adopts a net-zero GHG target by 2050, as suggested transport) have contributed to 65 per cent, with in the Biden-Harris climate plan, the share would G20 members accounting for 78 per cent. Monthly Prelims Snippets increase to 63 per cent. December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 36 ENVIRONMENT Scientists spotted a new species of Indian Muraingrasses In news

mum janarthanamii from plateaus of Western Ghats A new species of Indian Muraingrasses known for their of Goa, and a research paper describing this species ecological and economic importance, such as fodder, Ghats ◆ was published recently in Annales BotaniciFennici, have been spotted by scientists in Goa in the Western a Finland based journal. About Indian Muraingrasses The species was named Ischaemumjanarthanamiiin ◆ Indianhonour grass of Prof. taxonomy M. K. Janarthanam,and documentation Professor of the of Botany, Goa University, for his contribution to the A new species of Indian Muraingrasses known for fodder ◆ ◆ their ecological and economic importance, such as- �loristic diversity of Goa state. ◆ The �irst collection of this new species was made in monsoon.The species has adapted to survive harsh condi the 2017 monsoon. ◆ tions, low nutrient availability, and blossoms every characters.The population was kept under observation for the ◆ next two years to con�irm the consistency of its ◆ Globally 85 species are known from Ischaemum, of which 61 species are exclusively found in India. concentration of the genus. ◆ IschaemumjanarthanamiiMorphological and molecular grows data on of low the altitude species The Western Ghats have 40 species with the highest were used to con�irm the novelty of the species. - Other key highlights vir National Park, Goa. ◆ A team of scientists from Agharkar Research Insti- ◆ lateritic plateaus in the outskirts of Bhagwan Maha conditions like desiccation in drier months and soils The vegetation is exposed to extreme climatic tute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute of the ◆ - theDepartment last few decades. of Science & Technology, has been with low nutrient availability. exploring the biodiversity of the Western Ghats for ◆ - monsoonHowever, withstanding these, the species has adapt Source : PIB ed to survive harsh conditions and blossom every The team discovered a ENVIRONMENTnovel species named Ischae Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) In news About the index ◆

India remains in the top 10 for the second year in a row ◆ The index evaluates and compares the climate in the latest global Climate Change Performance Index protection performance of 57 countries and the EU (CCPI) Who publishes it? Published annually since 2005, the Climate Change ◆ - ◆ Performance Index (CCPI) tracks countries’ efforts Climate Institute and the Climate Action Network to combat climate change. Germanwatch(Non-Pro�it organisation), the New As an independent monitoring tool it aims to- enhance transparency in international climate- publish the index annually. tries.politics and enables comparison of climate protec tion efforts and progress made by individual coun

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 37

Key �indings of the CCPI-2020 ◆

As per CCPI, the biggest current emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) China �igures at 33rd rank while the largest ◆ historical polluter, the USA, appears at the bottom of the list. The Index is prepared by assessing categoriesperformances - of 57 countries and European Union (as a whole) in four

• GHG emissions (40%) • Renewable energy (20%)

◆• Energy use (20%) and - • Climate policy (20%) These 57 countries and the EU collec ◆ tively are responsible for about 90% of theglobal countries GHG emissions. assessed for the annual The index states that globally none of meet their Paris Agreement commit- CCPI report are, however, on the path to

endment of the of century keeping and global actually warming to make increase below 2 degree celsius by the rise. efforts to restrict it to 1.5 degree celsius ◆

The report, covering CCPI, shows that overall, GHG AboutNone Germanwatch of them have any useful federal climate policy surveyed.emissions have increased slightly, but are actually ◆ in place to reduce carbon pollution ◆ falling in more than half of the countries (32) Germany.Germanwatch founded in 1991, is a non-pro�it, The index of 2021, covering the year 2020, reveals ◆ non-governmental organization based in Bonn,- that only two G20 countries - the UK and India - are among the high rankers while six others - the USA, It seeks to in�luence public policy on trade, the envi ◆ Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, South Korea and ◆ ronment, and relations between countries in the Russia (52nd) – are at the bottom of the index. industrialized north and underdeveloped south. ◆ It’s the second time in a row that the USA is bringing The organization collates a variety of economic and up the rear, below Saudi Arabia. ◆ socialParticular data areas to formulate of interest position include trade papers, in food often and in According to the senior advisor, global energy partnership with other NGOs. policies of Climate Action Network, the US, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Australia are among the highest agricultural policy, climate change, and corporate Source : Times of India & CCPI Organization carbon polluters and the highest energy consumers. accountability. ENVIRONMENT WWF’s Management plan for Sukhna lake wetland

In news

to stop de�icit water in the wetland, preservation of the wetlandRecently, free the of World cost Wide Fund (WWF) agreed to local �lora and fauna, and controlling and regulating prepare a management plan for the Sukhna lake the boating pressure. About Sukhna Wetland What is the management plan with respect to a ◆ wetland? ◆ Sukhna Wetland is spread over 565 acres. tourism activities around and inside the wetland, ways The catchment area of Sukhna Wetland spreads The management plan includes water conservation, over 10,395 acres, including 2,525 acres of Haryana and 684 acres of Punjab, as per the Survey of India.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 38

◆ -

◆ A major threat to Sukhna is the discharge of pollut- zation founded in 1961 that works in the �ield of ants from the neighboring states. wilderness preservation and the reduction of ◆ The WWF was the knowledge partner of UT admin ◆ human impact on the environment. 1989,istration the for UT declaring Administration Sukhna again lake issuedas a wetland. a wetland WWF works in nearly 100 countries. Although Sukhna lake was declared a wetland in- ◆ As the world’s leading conservation organization,

noti�ication in 2019 under the Wetland (Conserva WWF works to help local communities conserve the Abouttion Worldand Management) Wide Fund Rulefor Nature 2017. natural resources they depend upon; transform ◆ WWF is an international non-governmental organi- markets and policies toward sustainability; and protect and restore species and their habitats. ENVIRONMENT What are multi-use forests?

In news British India and Malaya from the late 1890s Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and How can this model be accomplished? - use forests in India tion of the following Climate change stated that Leopards are seen Multi Thus,◆ The MFM concurrent may be andaccomplished continuous by use one of orseveral a combina forest The concept of multi use forest ◆ - resources obtainable in a forest management unit ◆ The conceptual and practical development of MFM (FMU), requiring the concurrent provision of sever started in North America and Europe al goods and/or ecosystem services from the same Multi use forest is a concept of forest management ◆ areaAlternating (e.g. combining or rotating the the extraction use of various of rattan resources with that combines two or more objectives, such as wildlife conservation) production of wood or wood-derivative products, forage and browse for domestic livestock, proper - ◆ or product combinations in a unit (e.g. through- environmental conditions for wildlife, landscape shifting cultivation); effects, protection against �loods and erosion, recre The geographic separation of uses or use combina Backgroundation, and protection of water tions so that multiple use is accomplished across a mosaic of units, with each FMU being put to the single use to which it is most suited (e.g. zoning of a The multiple-value nature of forests has long been- forest area). appreciated and used by forest-dependent people in Importance of Multi use forests ◆ Under the right conditions, MFM could diversify the tropics and the goal of multiple-use forest manage ment (MFM) is stated in the laws of many countries, in incentives for maintaining forest cover. much the same way as the guiding principles of ◆ forest use, broaden forest productivity and provide sustainable forest management (SFM) became entrenched in laws following the Rio Earth Summit in It could also allow a greater number of stakeholders 1992. ◆ Multi use forest models to receive forest bene�its. andIn addition, exclusion developing in remaining workable forest MFMareas, approaches as well as could provide opportunities to reduce social con�lict MFM models can also be found as part of longstanding practices in the tropics, for example in India and the help reduce forest resource degradation and assist sacred forests described in the aranyakas. Likewise, in establishing REDD+ programmes Sourcethe spatial :PIB & separation FAO ofENVIRONMENT forest use was practised in Eluru mystery illness

In news this mystery disease. ◆ in the blood and serum samples of those affected by- KeyThe scientists�indings suggests that Organochlorines may be behind Eluru mystery illness ◆ ◆ Experts said that these chemicals present in insecti cides and pesticides affect human health Experts investigating the outbreak have found the Scientists suspect that pesticide or insecticide has presence of organochlorine and organophosphorus seeped into drinking water sources.

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◆ How do these organochlorines pesticides reach people? AIIMS and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology ◆ accidental inhalation if they are in an area where ◆ foundThe Institute lead and of Preventive nickel in Medicine, blood samples in its analysis, of the People can be exposed to organochlorines through foundvictims, no but heavy they metal didn’t in �ind milk. anything in the water. ◆ ◆ National Institute of Nutrition found traces of mer- such pesticides were used or sprayed. contaminated.Organochlorines can also be ingested through �ish, ◆ dairy products and other fatty foods, which can get Symptomscury in rice of andEluru pesticides mystery and illness herbicide residues in excess quantities in vegetables surfaceThese pesticidesrunoff or groundwater. accumulate in the environment. headachesMost of them who are affected by this mystery illness ◆ TheyOCs, in are the persistent mid-1970s and in moveIndia, longresulted distances in wide in- areWhat suffering are organochlorines? from seizures, nausea, dizziness and ◆ Impactspread of reproductiveorganochlorine failure pesticides among birds; on Human they laid Organochlorines (OC) are a group of chlorinated Healtheggs with thin shells that cracked before hatching. thecompounds environment. that belong to the class of persistent ◆ - ◆ organic pollutants (POPs) with high persistence in ness,Exposure nausea, to organochlorine vomiting, tremors, pesticides confusion, over musclea short ◆ OC insecticides were earlier used to control malaria period may result in convulsions, headache, dizzi OCs are widely used as pesticides. - ◆ tries. weakness, slurred speech, salivation and sweating. and typhus; they were later banned in most coun may damage the liver, kidney, central nervous ◆ - Long-term exposure to organochlorine pesticides OC can cause several adverse are substances capa ◆ There is also evidence indicating that organochlo- system, thyroid and bladder. ◆ ble of causing adverse effects in the central and- peripheral nervous system 27 Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and - rine pesticides may cause cancer in humans. They are relatively cheaper; as a result Dichlorodi use in India phenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclohex Asia.ane (HCH), aldrin and dieldrin are among the most 1. Aldrin 2. Benzene Hexachloride 3. Calcium Cyanide ◆ widely used pesticides in developing countries of 4. Chlordane 5. Copper Acetoarsenite 6. CIbromochlo ropropane 7. Endrin 8. Ethyl Mercury Chloride 9. Ethyl- ◆ A �inding says that 40 per cent of all pesticides used Parathion 10. Heptachlor 11. Menazone 12. Nitrofen belong to the organochlorine class of chemicals. 13. Paraquat Dimethyl Sulphate 14. Pentachloro Nitro insecticides.Organochlorine and organophosphorous poisoning benzene 15. Pentachlorophenol 16. Phenyl Mercury Sourcecan occur:Down from to Earth indiscriminate and Hindustan use ofTimes pesticides and Acetate 17. Sodium Methane Arsonate 18. Tetradifon 19. Toxafen 20. Aldicarb 21. Chlorobenzilate 22.- ENVIRONMENT Dieldrine 23. Maleic Hydrazide 24. Ethylene Dibromide 25. TCA (Trichloro acetic acid) 26. Metoxuron 27. Chlo Firefly bird diverters to protectrofenvinphos Great Indian Bustard

In news ◆ The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate - - Birds can spot them from a distance of about 50 ◆ meters and change their path of �light to avoid colli Change (MoEFCC) along with the Wildlife Conserva sion with power lines. tion Society (WCS) India has come up with a unique- The �ire�ly detectors have been installed along two lationsinitiative are a found“�ire�ly in bird the wilddiverter” for overhead power tehsilstretches after ofground approximately surveys and 6.5 due km,consultations selected linesBackground in areas where Great Indian Bustard (GIB) popu between Chacha to Dholiya villages in the Pokhran ◆ with the Rajasthan Forest Department. A report by the Ministry, submitted to the National- A total of 1,813 �ire�ly bird diverters are being Green Tribunal in 2019, pointed out that power lines, installed in this stretch — a model that has been threatespecially for high-voltageGIBs in the transmissionThar region, linesand arewith causing multi endorsed by experts from the International Union ple overhead wires, are the most important current ◆ for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission’s (SSC) Bustard Specialist Group. unsustainably high mortality in about 15% of their A brief note on �ire�ly bird diverters inThe the diverters night. are called �ire�lies because they look population.◆ Aboutlike �ire�liesGreat Indian from a Bustard distance, (GIB) shining on power lines lines. ◆ ◆ Fire�ly bird diverters are �laps installed on power The GIB is one of the heaviest �lying bird’s endemics They work as re�lectors for bird species like the GIB. Monthly Prelims Snippets to the Indian subcontinent. December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 40

◆ ◆ Protected areas: ◆ They are primarily terrestrial birds. ◆ The GIB lays one egg every 1-2 years and the • Desert National Park Sanctuary in Rajasthan success rate of these eggs is 60-70 per cent. Threats:• Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh ◆ However, this rate has been reduced to 40-50 % due ◆• Karera Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh ◆ to predators like fox and dogs. lines Collision/electrocution with power transmission ◆ Today less than 150 individuals are left in India. ◆ Irrigation and farming technology They have poor frontal vision. ◆ Mining nearMaximum Pokhran, numbers Rajasthan. of GIBs are found in Jaisalmer ◆ ◆ andOther the areas Indian where Army they controlled are found �ieldin less �iring than range10 in ◆ Wind turbines and Solar farms (photovoltaic power andstations) grasslands in the name of afforestation number are Kutch district in Gujarat, Nagpur and Plantation of exotic shrub/tree species in deserts andSolapur Amravati districts in Andhra in Maharashtra, Pradesh. Bellary and ◆ KoppalIUCN status: districts Critically in Karnataka Endangered and Kurnool district BreedingThe government of Great has recentlyIndian releasedBustard-An Rs 33 Integrated crore to a project, titled ‘Habitat Improvement and Conservation- Source :The Indian Express estation Fund Management and Planning Authority Approach’, for �ive years from the Compensatory Affor ENVIRONMENT (CAMPA) for conservation and breeding of the GIB. Great Rann of Kutch &Breeding colonies of Flamingos

In news - • Kutch Bustard Sanctuary(Lala-Parjan Sanctuary): Recently, over 250 chicks of greater �lamingos separat dedicated for the conservation and preservation of ed from their �lock and stuck in mud at a breeding ofIndia’s India, heaviest is located �lying in the bird Gulf – the of KutchBustard colony in Great Rann of Kutch (GRK) were rescued About Great Rann of Kutch • Marine National Park:It is the �irst marine reserve ◆ It is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch Great Rann of Kutch is the largest wildlife sanctuary District of Gujarat, India. • in Kutch India Desert area-wise Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in the ◆

worldIt is about 7500 km2 (2900 sq miles) in the area and • Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary: It is known as the last is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the ◆ grasslandremaining ecosystemhabitat of theon thecheetahs outer insouthern India edge of • Banni Grasslands Reserve : I forms a belt of arid ◆ Location:The area of The Rann Great of Kutch Rann has of Kutch,been inhabited along with by the in Kutch District, Gujarat Kutchi people Little Rann of Kutch and the Banni grasslands on its • the The desert Chari-Dhand of the marshy wetland salt conservation �lats of Rann reserve: of Kutch It southern edge, is situated in the district of Kutch is located on the edge of arid Banni grasslands and

and comprises some 30,000 square kilometres mouth of the Indus River in southern Pakistan Aboutthe marshygreater salt �lamingos �lats of the Rann of Kutch in Kutch ◆ (10,000The Great sq Rannmi) between of Kutch the together Gulf of withKutch the and Little the ◆ District, Gujarat State in India Rann of Kutch is called Rann of Kutch. ◆ ◆ It is the most widespread and largest species of the �lamingo family. During summer monsoon, the �lat desert of salty ◆ IUCNIt is found status: in Least Africa, Concern on the Indian subcontinent, in clay and mud�lats, which average 15 meters above ◆ In very wet years, the wetland extends from the Gulf ◆ the Middle East, and in southern Europe. sea level, �ills with standing water on the east. The greater �lamingo is the largest living species of of Kutch on the west through to the Gulf of Cambay ◆ Climate: It is one of the hottest areas of India – with ◆ �lamingo, averaging 110–150 cm (43–59 in) tall and weighing 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lb). ◆ The largest male �lamingos have been recorded at summer temperatures averaging and peaking at up to 187 cm (74 in) tall and 4.5 kg (9.9 lb) - ◆ 49.5 °C. Winter temperatures reduce dramatically- In India, �lamingos can be observed in Gujarat’s the and can go below 0 °C vation reserves in Rann of Kutch: ◆ NalThey Sarovar remain Bird there Sanctuary, during the Khijadiya entire winter Bird seasonSanctu Wildlife sanctuaries and National parks and conser ary, Flamingo City, and in the Thol Bird Sanctuary. Source :The Indian Express • Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, located in the Little Rann

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ENVIRONMENT Himalayan Serow

In news sea level, and also in hill and mountain forest areas - in the Himalayan cold desert region. AKey Himalayan highlights serow has been sighted for the �irst time with gentler terrain. Serows prefer damp and thick ◆ ly wooded gorges and typically occur at altitudes between 1,500-4,000 m This is the �irst recorded human sighting of the serow HimalayanDistribution:They region. are known to be found in eastern, in Himachal Pradesh. The animal has been spotted a ◆ central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans fewAbout times Himalayan earlier in serow the state, but that has always been through◆ camera traps. - Description: An appearance of a goat with long, donkey like ears, and a habit of standing with forestsThe Himalayan of the Himalayas. serow (Capricornis thar) is a medi forelegs astraddle, make the Serow an ungainly goat um-sized goat like antelope, native to the montane ◆ - ◆ antelope. Its coarse coat(long hair length than the Goral) varies from black to red. It is considered a �lagship species due to its special forests coatIt’s aof medium-sizeddark hair. mammal with a large head, ized habitat requirements of dense and undisturbed ◆ Threatthick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like ears, and a the mainland serow - ◆ Taxonomically, Himalayan serow is a subspecies of are found in Asia. According to IUCN, Himalayan serows have experi ◆ There are several species of serows, and all of them enced signi�icant declines in population size, range size thar, is restricted to the Himalayan region. andConservation habitat in thestatus last decade, and this is expected to ◆ The Himalayan serow, or Capricornis sumatraensis continue◆ due to intensive human impact. ◆ Himalayan serows are herbivores ◆ Himalayan serow is categorised as ‘vulnerable’ in- Habitat: They inhabit steep hills with rocky slopes, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Sourceespecially : The Indian limestone Express regions up to 3,000 m above It is listed under Schedule I of The Wildlife Protec tion Act, 1972, which provides absolute protection. ENVIRONMENT Myristica swamp tree frog

In news Its Unique breeding behaviour ◆ According to the researchers, these frogs are rare

Recently, Rare Myristica Swamp Tree frog has been recorded for the �irst time north of the Shencottah gap season.and elusive for the reason that they are arboreal and in Vazhachal Reserve Forest in Thrissur. active only for a few weeks during their breeding About Myristica Swamp Tree frog ◆ During this season, there is a large aggregation of ◆ - trees. Myristica Swamp Tree frog is a rare arboreal species ◆ males that descend from the high canopy of the ◆ endemic to the Western Ghats that bears the scien ti�ic name Mercurana myristica palustris - The males vocalise in groups from the low perches The frog was �irst described in 2013 from the ◆ in the swamps. They exhibit unique breeding Agasthyamalai.lowland Myristica swamps of Arippa, near Kulathu behaviour. ◆ puzha Reserve Forest, in the western foothills of The breeding season, unlike for other frogs, starts in ◆ the pre-monsoons season (May) and ends before ◆ The current species was spotted by the researchers the monsoon becomes fully active in June. foothills170 km north of the of Arippa.Agasthyamalai, these frogs were Before the end of the breeding season, the female Unlike the Myristica Swamp Treefrog found in the ◆ frogsThe female along withdigs theirthe mud male and counterparts lays eggs descendin shallow to - the forest �loor. found to be active throughout June and early July ◆ and has adapted to a non-Myristica swamp predom burrows in mud. inant with the plant Polyalthia fragrans After breeding and egg-laying, they retreat back to the high canopies of the tree and remain elusive till the next breeding season.

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A brief note on Myristica Swamp ◆ ◆ trees of the Myristicaceae family—one of the most - Myristica swamps. Comprised mainly of evergreen tica.Myristica swamps are a type of freshwater swamp ◆ forestThese predominantlyare found in two composed localities of in species India. Myristicaof Myris primitive families of �lowering plants renowned for ◆ the nutmeg tree species, the swamps are rich in roots and knee roots. biodiversity ◆ swampsThey are have fragmented, adapted andto inundation endangered by ecosystemsway of stilt waterOwing in to the their streams ability and to hold groundwater water all-year-around, sources. The Myristica swamps play a crucial role in sustaining Kerala, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, Goa, ◆ - andrestricted recently to discovered small patches in the found northern in southernWestern swamps act as sponge in a landscape Ghats of Maharashtra. In addition, during heavy rains, they help in moder ating �loodwaters Source : The Hindu & India Mongabay

ENVIRONMENT UNEP's Young Champions of the Earth prize 2020

In news ◆ -

Since its inception in 2017, 28 environmental trail Vidyut Mohan, an Indian entrepreneur named among blazers have been recognised from every corner of UNEP's Young Champions of the Earth prize 2020 Key highlights Whatthe isglobe. the selection process? ◆ ◆ -

Vidyut Mohan, a 29-year-old Indian entrepreneur is Shortlisted �inalists from every region will be select among the seven winners of the prestigious “Young ◆ ed following an open call for applications. A Global Champions of the Earth” 2020 prize given by the Jury will then choose seven winners. UNEP to global change-makers using innovative Each winner is expected to implement their big idea ◆ ideasVidyut and Mohan, ambitious is the action co-founder to help solve of “Takachar”, some of the a and keep UNEP updated on their progress by world’s most pressing environmental challenges. ◆ producing videos and blogs that we will share on communicationUNEP’s website. efforts throughout the year, so that social enterprise enabling farmers to prevent open- Winners will also be given funding to support their burning of their waste farm residues and earn extra with our audiences. income by converting them into value-added chemi they can produce high-quality materials to share cals like activated carbon on-site About Young Champions of the Earth prize In 2020, seven Young Champions of the Earth were ◆ selected from each global region: Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Young Champions of the Earth aims to celebrate and - West Asia and two from Asia and the Paci�ic. Each support individuals aged between 18 and 30 who winner received: ◆ haveIt is the outstanding United Nations potential Environment to create a positiveProgramme's envi ◆ leadingronmental initiative impact. to engage youth in tackling the ◆ Attendance at a high-level UN meeting ◆ US$10,000 in seed funding ◆ world's most pressing environmental challenges. the Earth award ceremony ◆ An introduction to dignitaries at the Champions of Seven winners were announced in December 2020. ◆ The winners are given funding and mentorship to Publicity and recognition through interviews and Sourcesupport : PIB their environmental initiative ENVIRONMENT online and global media Adoption of E20 fuel

In news Key highlights of the noti�ication ◆

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has ◆ The noti�ication facilitates the development of E20 published a draft noti�ication, seeking comments from compliant vehicles. the public for adoption of E20 fuel It will also help in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, etc.

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◆ What is E20 fuel? ◆ VehicleIt will compatibility help reduce the oil import bill, thereby saving ◆ foreign exchange and boosting energy security. emissionE20 fuel, i.e,standards blend of for 20% this of fuel ethanol with gasoline, ◆ as an automotive fuel and for the adoption of mass The compatibility of the vehicle to the percentage of ethanol in the blend of ethanol and gasoline shall be The current permissible level of blending is 10% of de�ined by the vehicle manufacturer and the same ethanol though India reached only 5.6% of blending shall be displayed on the vehicle by putting a clearly in 2019. visible sticker.

What is Ethanol ? ◆ ◆ to allow use of grain for ethanol and is likely to allow Under the proposed policy, the government is likely Ethanol is a biofuel and a common by-product of biomass left by agricultural feedstock such as corn, ◆ - ◆ use of maize to supplement ethanol supplies from sugarcane, hemp, potato, etc. cane/molasses in the next two-three months. - Ethanol fuel is ethyl alcohol, the same type of alco The government would �ix ethanol prices by next additivehol found for in gasoline. alcoholic beverages, used as fuel. It is issue.quarter for maize and is likely to �ix realistic trans most often used as a motor fuel, mainly as a biofuel ◆ port rates at par with petrol to address the price Ethanol Blending policy proposed in India: - ◆ nolTo movement. �ix transportation challenges the policy will ◆ enable creation of pipeline infrastructure for etha The proposed ethanol policy will focus on the key features of manufacturing, sale, utilization and ◆ On GST rates, the government is likely to reduce 28- blending. percent GST on molasses, and reduce 18 percent on The policy has proposed a roadmap, which would special denatured spirit to 5 percent. (GST on etha “increase blending by states from 5 percent to 12-15 nol is 5 percent from July 2018). percent by 2026, and then increase to 20 percent by Source :PIB & The Hindu 2030.”

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 44 ENVIRONMENT Status of Leopard in India 2018

In news The Minister of Environment Forest and Climate ested habitats (coffee and tea plantations and other land uses from where leopards are known to occur),- Change releases the ‘Status of Leopards in India 2018' higher elevations in the Himalayas, arid landscapes report. and majority of North East landscape were not sam ◆ pled and Key �indings of the report • Therefore, the population estimation should be As per the report, India's leopard population ◆ considered as minimum number of leopards in each ◆ increased to 12,852 in 2018 from around 8,000 in of the landscapes. 2014 The report states that tiger has not only served as ◆ Population of leopards has been estimated using an umbrella species but even its monitoring has camera trapping methods. ◆ helpedA study evaluate earlier thethis status year ofhad other found species, four distinctlike the The highest concentration of the leopard in India is leopard ◆ estimated to be in Madhya Pradesh (3,421) followed by Karnataka (1,783) and Maharashtra (1,690). sub-populations of leopards in India with high genetic variations - leopards of the Western Ghats, ◆ According to the report, Leopard occurs in prey mountains, and the Terai region in North India. inrich tiger protected range areas areas of as the well country. as multi-use forests. the Deccan Plateau semi-arid region, the Shivalik The leopard was estimated across forested habitats- Methods of estimation

• But other leopard occupied areas such as non-for It used similar methods as used in Tiger estimation;

Threats: ◆ ◆ human-induced 75-90% population decline in the In Indian subcontinent poaching, habitat loss, last ~120-200 years. ◆ depletion of natural prey and con�lict are major The data analyses of leopard status and distribution threats to leopard populations. suggest 48–67% range loss for the species in Africa In India, leopards have experienced a possibly and 83–87% in Asia. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 45

Region wise population of Leopards

About leopard Distribution and Habitat: ◆ ◆ cats, occurring widely in Africa as well as the Cauca- The leopard is one of the �ive extant species in the The leopard has the largest distribution of all wild genus Panthera, a member of the Felidae. It occurs- and declining. in a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, in small parts- ◆ sus and Asia, although populations are fragmented of Western and Central Asia, a small part of Europe ◆ an Russia, and on the Indian on the Indian subconti- whereIt is considered grasslands, to woodlands,be extirpated and in riverineNorth Africa. forests It nent to Southeast and East Asia. inhabits foremost savanna and rainforest, and areas The leopard is distinguished by its well-camou ◆ �laged fur, opportunistic hunting behaviour, broad- remain largely undisturbed. ingdiet, arid strength, and montane and its abilityareas. to adapt to a variety of In sub-Saharan Africa, it is still numerous and habitats ranging from rainforest to steppe, includ surviving in marginal habitats where other large Source :PIB & Times of India cats have disappeared Conservation status: Vulnerable’ as per International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 46 ENVIRONMENT National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA)

In news ◆ in 2006 are as under: NTCA has asked Odisha chief wildlife warden to submit thisTo approve Act the tiger conservation plan prepared by a status report on the adverse impact of tourism on ◆ the State Government under section 38 O (1) (a) of Satkosia Tiger Reserve About the National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA) Evaluate and assess various aspects of sustainable- The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statuto- ectsecology within and the disallow tiger reserves any ecologically unsustainable ◆ landLay downuse such normative as, mining, standards industry for andtourism other activi proj- - ry body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests- and Climate Change constituted under enabling provi ties and guidelines for project tiger from time to sions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amend - time for tiger conservation in the buffer and core ed in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per ance area of tiger reserves and ensure their due compli powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act. ◆ Provide for management focus and measures for Objectives The objectives of NTCA are: ◆ Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so theaddressing National con�licts Parks, sanctuariesof men and orwild tiger animal reserve, and toin emphasize on co-existence in forest areas outside ◆ - that compliance of its directives become legal. ◆ the working plan code Fostering accountability of Center-State in manage Provide information on protection measures ◆ ment of Tiger Reserves, by providing a basis for MoU with States within our federal structure. including future conservation plan, estimation of ◆ population of tiger and its natural prey species, Providing for an oversight by Parliament. areas surrounding Tiger Reserves. status of habitats, disease surveillance, mortality Addressing livelihood interests of local people in survey, patrolling, reports on untoward happenings Establishment: ◆ and such other management aspects as it may deem �it including future plan conservation NTCA has been constituted under Composition of NTCA Approve, co-ordinate research and monitoring on- section 38 L (1) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. ◆ tiontiger, co-predators, prey habitat, related ecological the authority consists of the Minister in charge of ◆ andEnsure socio-economic that the tiger reserves parameters and andareas their linking evalua one As per the section 38 L, sub section 2 of the said Act,-

the Ministry of Environment and Forests ( as Chair ◆ protected area or tiger reserve with another person) protected area or tiger reserve are not diverted for The Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment ◆ forecologically Wild Life unsustainableand on the advice uses, of the except Tiger in Conser public- and Forests (as Vice-Chairperson), vationinterest Authority and with the approval of the National Board Three members of Parliament, Secretary, Ministry ◆ - Sourceof Environment of authority and Forests and other members. Facilitate and support the tiger reserve manage ment in the State for biodiversity conservation The authority derives its power from section 38 O (1) initiatives through eco-development and people\’s of WLPA, 1972 and functions under the guidance of participation as per approved management plans Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and members. Mandate ◆ and to support similar initiatives in adjoining areas- consistent with the Central and State laws Ensure critical support including scienti�ic, infor The National Tiger Conservation Authority has been- ◆ mation technology and legal support for better ful�illing its mandate within the ambit of the Wildlife implementation of the tiger conservation plan (Protection) Act, 1972 for strengthening tiger conser Facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for vation in the country by retaining an oversight through reserves, and tiger status, ongoing conservation initiatives and skill development of of�icers and staff of tiger advisories/normative guidelines, based on appraisal of ◆ The Tiger Conservation Authority may, in the exer-

recommendations of specially constituted Committees. Powers and Functions of NTCA cise of its powers and performance of its functions, Powers and functions of the National Tiger Conserva- issue directions in writing to any person, of�icer or authority for the protection of tiger or tiger reserves and such person, of�icer or authority shall be bound tion Authority as prescribed under section 38O (1) and to comply with the directions. (2) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 47

Important milestones of NTCA evaluate Tiger Reserves of the country. Following are the successful tiger conservation ◆ initiatives of NTCA ◆ Project Tiger MSTrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive ◆ Protection and Ecological Status): The MSTrIPES program uses Global Positioning System (GPS), Monitoring Tigers, Co-predators, Prey and Their ◆ - General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), and remote Habitat through national tiger assessment ◆ sensing, to collect information from the �ield The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in close collabo ◆ - International Co-operation with TRCs ration with global experts and National Tiger ◆ Voluntary Village Relocation Program ‘Special Tiger Protection Force’ (STPF). Conservation Authority (NTCA) developed a frame Sourcework :The for Hindu independent & NTCA evaluation procedure to ENVIRONMENT Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat

In news ◆ During the day, it roosts in caves ◆ IUCN status: Critically endangered in Kolar caves Threat KeyConservation updates plan is under pipeline to save bat species ◆ ◆ Few years ago the Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat was found mining. in only two caves in the village of Hanumanahalli in ◆ Its habitat is under threat due to illegal granite Kolar district of Karnataka.

◆ ◆ Granite Its single miners cave have is not driven on protectedthem out of land, at least and two the caves species itself is not protected by Indian law. ◆ But the bat became locally extinct in one of the two extraction easier. with the Bat Conservation India Trust, is on a war Batscaves in India by setting& their Signi�icance �ires; the �ires make granite Therefore, the Karnataka Forest Department, along ◆ Bats are one of the least studied mammals in the endemic to the area, from extinction. ◆ footing to save the remaining bats, which are ◆ country, though there are 130 species in India. The Bat Conservation Society, which has been They are very adaptable creatures and therefore entrusted with drawing up a conservation plan, has ◆ can often be found near human habitation or even in Aboutalso Kolar been Leaf-Nosed awarded a Bat grant to conduct further urban settlements, which makes them vulnerable. - ◆ research on this species of bats. Bats also have a bad image in the public eye, as carriers of diseases. But the truth is, bats are abso The Kolar leaf-nosed bat, or lea�letted leaf-nosed ◆ ◆ lutely vital for the ecology as they are pollinators, forestsbat is a andspecies caves. of bat in the family Hipposideridae. their main diet being nectar. ◆ ItIts is natural known habitats from only are one subtropical cave in Hanumanahallior tropical dry While insectivorous bats act as best insect cleansers village in the Kolar district of the state of Karnataka by devouring and keeping them under control, fruit in India eating bats on the other hand are the best natural ◆ ◆ seed dispersal agents and cross pollinators and hence play a vital role in regeneration. ◆ Its cave is described as an inaccessibly narrow Many species of fruiting trees depend on these bats opening in granite rocks A brieffor dispersal note on and Bat regeneration. Conservation India Trust ◆ The habitat surrounding its single remaining cave ◆ Hanumanahalli,consists of tropical of whichdry shrubland the Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat - isThere just areone. �ive According species ofto batsrecent that estimates, live in the there caves are of Bat conservation India Trust (BCIT) is a non-pro�it- tat.organization which was conceived for the protec ◆ ◆ tion of bat species in India by protecting their habi- just 150 Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bats left in these caves. - ◆ The Kolar leaf-nosed bat is placed in the "bicolor" nities,It aims scientists, to preserve researchers, and conserve government bats and and its orgahabi- species group tats across India through partnership with commu The "bicolor" species group is characterized by the absence of secondary lea�lets on their nose-leaves nizations. and a forearm length of 33–44 mm

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 48 ENVIRONMENT Tso Kar wetland complex

In news ◆ above sea level in the Changthang region of Ladakh. India has added Tso Kar Wetland Complex in Ladakh as The complex includes two connected lakes, the- its 42nd Ramsar site, the second one in the Union freshwater Startsapuk Tso(438 hectares) and the Territory (UT) of Ladakh About Tso Kar Wetland Complex larger hypersaline Tso Kar(1800 hectares); it pres ◆ ◆ ents a notable example of two such lakes existing in- close proximity. - India has designated Tso Kar Wetland Complex as orationThe name of theTso saline Kar refers waters. to the white salt ef�lores ◆ its 42nd Wetland of International Importance cence on the margins of the lake caused by the evap (Ramsar Site). The wetland is found at more than 4,500 metres ◆ Climate: The local climate is arid, and glacial

lakes. ◆ meltwaterBiodiversity: is the primary water source for the

The lakes and in particular the presence of fresh water attract biodiversity in- inga biologically sparse region. Inhabiting the Site are numerous threatened species includ and • the endangered saker falcon (Falco cherrug)

• Asiatic wild dog or dhole (Cuon alpinus laniger), and • the vulnerable snow leopard (Panthera ◆ tain anuncia). international network of wetlands which are

Stopover ground for migratory birds: The Site also diversity and for sustaining human life through the acts as an important stopover ground for migratory important for the conservation of global biological birds along the Central Asian Flyway and is one of Importantthe most Birdimportant Area breeding areas in India for the ◆ maintenance of their ecosystem components, ◆ black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). processesIt includes and all bene�its”.lakes and rivers, underground aqui- The Convention uses a broad de�inition of wetlands.- stagingThe Tso site Kar in Basin the Centralis an A1 Asian Category Flyway. Important Bird - ◆ Area (IBA) as per Bird Life International and a key grovesfers, swamps and other and coastal marshes, areas, wet coral grasslands, reefs, and peat all lands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal �lats, man India.The site is also one of the most important breeding areas of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in ◆ human-made sites such as �ish ponds, rice paddies, About Ramsar Convention Contractingreservoirs and Parties salt pans. commit to: ◆ Ramsar convention is an inter-governmental envi- 1. Under work towards the “three the wise pillars” use of of all the their Convention, wetlands the

ronmental treaty established by UNESCO and came ◆ 2. ensure designate their suitable effective wetlands management for the list of Wetlands into force in 1975. of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and A Ramsar site is a wetland site designated to be of Convention. wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared ◆ international importance under the Ramsar- 3. cooperate internationally on transboundary Source : PIB & AIR ENVIRONMENT The aim of the Ramsar list is “to develop and main species. What is the Sonali bag?

In news About the Sonali bag

Plastic-like Jute material developed in Bangladesh The Sonali Bag or Golden Bag is a cellulose-based biodegradable bioplastic alternative to plastic bags, particularly polythene bags, developed in Bangladesh Monthly Prelims Snippets by Mubarak Ahmad Khan December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 49

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◆ Mubarak Ahmad Khan invented the bag from jute in birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the government 2017 had launched massive campaigns against single-use plastic. ◆ The cellulose used in Sonali Bags is extracted from What is single-use plastic? jute, a major �iber crop grown across the globe. ◆ Scientists in Bangladesh have developed a method use-and-throw. to convert Jute �ibre into low cost bio-degradable ◆ Single-use plastics are disposable plastics meant for ◆ cellulose sheets named Sonali which can be used as wrapping material and carrying bags. These comprise polythene bags, plastic drinking Mubarak Ahmad Khan, scienti�ic adviser to the bottles, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC)- ◆ sachets, plastic wrappers, straws, stirrers and- and leader of the team that developed the new Styrofoam cups or plates. ◆ 'sonali' says that the physical qualities of the invent ◆ It is harmful to the environment as it is non-biode ed jute �ibre and plastic are quite similar. gradable. - ◆ The bag not only looks and feels like plastic but is tics.Single-use plastics slowly and gradually break down also compostable and completely biodegradable. into smaller pieces of plastic known as micro plas andThe theyEco-friendly are not harmful jute poly for bags human made health. up of Sonali Conventions related to plastic waste ◆ can be used in garments and food packaging work ◆ -

Basel convention: Controlling transboundary move ChallengePolythene bags were banned in Bangladesh in 2002 ◆ The International Convention for the Prevention of ◆ because of environmental concern. ments of hazardous wastes and their disposal

The main challenge in the large scale adoption of Pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL): MARPOL ◆ Soanli sheet is the relatively high cost of production ◆ speci�icallyThe Convention prohibits on the the Prevention discharge ofof Marineplastics Pollu from- which is almost double that of polythene. ships. However, production on large scale is expected to Whatbring are down biodegradable the cost. plastics? tion by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 - (London Convention) and its 1996 Protocol (the London Protocol): With the aim of preventing Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be decom marine pollution from the dumping of wastes and posed by the action of living organisms, usually other matter, the London Protocol further prohibits microbes, into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.- ◆ the dumping and incineration at seas of wastes,- Biodegradable plastics are commonly produced with including plastics renewable raw materials, micro-organisms, petro Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollut- chemicals, or combinations of all three ants: With the potential to regulate the production, Single use plastic ban in India use, and disposal of additives used in the manufac ture of plastics, to the extent they are persistent Source : DD news As part of the year-longENVIRONMENT celebrations to mark the 150th organic pollutants (POPs) Single use plastics

In news ◆

It can take thousands of years for plastic bags to Vice President India calls for mass media campaign to ◆ decompose, thus contaminating soil and water in Whateducate is peoplesingle-use on single plastic? use plastics the process. ◆ humanThe noxious food chain.chemicals used to produce plastic get use-and-throw. ◆ transmitted to animal tissue, and �inally enter the ◆ Single-use plastics are disposable plastics meant for marineFish consume mammals. thousands of tons of plastic in a year, These comprise polythene bags, plastic drinking ultimately transferring it up the food chain to bottles, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic Environmental effects of single use plastic ◆ sachets, plastic wrappers, straws, stirrers and- ◆ While it is still unclear, some studies suggest that Styrofoam cups or plates. ◆ It is harmful to the environment as it is non-biode gradable. - plastic bags and Styrofoam containers can take up tics.Single-use plastics slowly and gradually break down to thousands of years to decompose, contaminating into smaller pieces of plastic known as micro plas landsoil and in water, the ocean. and posing signi�icant ingestion, choking and entanglement hazards to wildlife on Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 50

◆ Ban on single use plastics in India Due to their light weight and balloon-shaped design, ◆ two-thirds of the country was submerged ◆ plastic bags are easily blown in the air, eventually - naturalending updisasters. on land and in the ocean. The Government of India has held off imposing a blanket ban on single-use plastics to combat pollu ◆ Plastic bags can choke waterways and exacerbate - tion a measure seen as too disruptive for industry at In 1988, poor drainage resulting from plastic bag ◆ a time when it is coping with an economic slow litter clogging drains contributed to devastating down and job losses. �loods in Bangladesh, causing several deaths as The plan was part of a broader campaign to rid India of single-use plastics by 2022. ◆ -

It was mentioned that there would be no immedi ate move to ban plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets and ◆ insteadFor now, the the government government would will ask try statesto curb to their enforce use. existing rules against storing, manufacturing and

Ministryusing some of Environment single-use plastictold products such as polythene bags and styrofoam, the of�icials of the ◆ There was a conscious decision within the govern-

ment not to hit businesses hard for now and discourage the use of plastic only on a voluntary basis,” said an of�icial working on policy.

State wise plastic ban(as in 2019) micro-converter ◆ ◆ -

◆ According to CPCB, eighteen States have imposed a- safelySome degrade bioplastics in the likeenvironment PHAs within (polyhydroxyal weeks or complete ban on plastic carry bags and products. months,kanoates) leaving are soil- no harmfuland marine-safe residues. — that is, they Besides, �ive States namely Andhra Pradesh, Guja ◆ rat, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and West Bengal have imposed the partial ban on plastic carry bags ◆ ◆ Water dispensers & ‘water ATMs’: They can replace and products at religious and historical places - packaged plastic bottled water in most locations. laya,As per Telangana the CPCB, and the UTs seven of Goa States and Pondicherry.where a partial Finally, where single-use plastic cannot be avoided, ban was imposed are Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Megha machines,a plethora ofreverse technologies vending can machines help recover and and smart sort Alternative to plastic the waste. Examples are smart bins, sorting- ◆ rate different materials. packaging technologies that make it easier to sepa SourceBioplastics: : The Hindu Made & from UPEP algae, waste agricultural and food residues, using bacteria or mushrooms as ENVIRONMENT Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services(BEAM) programme

In news The Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate mental Education (FEE) etc. announced the award at Copenhagen, Denmark. Change virtually hoisted the international blue �lags in 8 beaches across the country. Background India started its journey of sustainable development of coastal regions on World Environment Day in June’ - 2018 by launching its beach cleaning campaign – I-AM-- India secured the International Blue Flag Certi�ication SAVING-MY-BEACH simultaneously at 13 coastal states for these beaches on 6th October 2020, when an Inter- and thereafter implementing the Environment Minis national Jury comprising member organizations UNEP, try's coveted program BEAMS(Beach Environment & UNWTO, UNESCO, IUCN, ILS, Foundation for Environ Monthly Prelims Snippets Aesthetics Management Services). December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 51

About Blue Flag certi�ication ◆ - tries.a not-for-pro�it non-governmental organisation Blue Flag certi�ication is a globally recognised- consisting of 65 organisations in 60 member coun eco-label accorded by "Foundation for Environment ria. The beaches where the International Blue Flags ◆ Education in Denmark" based on 33 stringent crite were hoisted are:

meetsThe Blue its standards. Flag is a certi�ication given to a beach, ◆ marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Rushikonda The Blue Flag is a trademark owned by FEE which is (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

About BEAMS(Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services) Objective of BEAMS ◆ - recognized and the coveted eco-label ‘Blue �lag”.

Society for Integrated Coastal Management(SI The objective of BEAMS program is to abate pollution COM), MoEFCC in pursuit of promoting its policies ecosystemsin coastal waters, & natural promote resources, sustainable and seriously development chal- for sustainable development in coastal regions have- lengeof beach local facilities,authorities protect & stakeholders & conserve to strive coastal and embarked upon a highly acclaimed program maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene & “BEAMS” (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Man ◆ agement Services) under its ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project. safety for beachgoers in accordance with coastal This is one of the several other projects of ICZM that environment & regulations. This program promotes Govt of India is undertaking for the sustainable beach recreation in absolute harmony with nature. Sodevelopmentciety of Integr ofat ecoastald Coas tregions,al Mana gstrivingement (forSIC globallyOM) It has een esta lished under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change, Government of India with a vision for vibrant, healthy and resilient Coastal and Marine Environment for continuous and enhanced out�low of bene�ibts to the bCountry and the Coastal Community.

Objective and Functions of SICOM • To su ort the im lementation of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management of India. • To romote Research & Develo ment R&D and stakeholder artici ation in the management of the Coastal areas of India.p p p • To psupport to check violatipons to( CRZ) through improvped tepchnology-enabled enforcement strengthened institutions and regulatory and legal reforms. • SICOM is the National Project Management Unit (NPMU) of India in strategic planning, management, execution, monitoring and successful implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project and Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Ef�iciency (ENCORE Project) in all 1 Coastal tates UTs of India. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Puducherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nico ar Island, Lakshadwee 3 S / ( • ICOM has also embarked upon the Pilot Blue Flag programme �irst time in India under Beach Environment & Aestbhetic Management Serpv)ices (BEAMS) for Pilot Beaches. • TSo undertakes any additional work or function as may e assigned y MOEF&CC from time to time in the areas of coastal management and other related activities. b b Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 52

Main Roles, responsibilities, and objectives • Nodal agency for strategic planning, management, execution, monitoring and successful implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) practices in across the country and National Project Management Unit (NPMU) for the ICZM Project and ENCORE roject in all the 1 Coastal tates UTs. • To act as a technical Secretariat to the National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA)related to regulatory rovisions and CRZ classi ication of coastal stretcphes of the country3. S / • Coordinating agency and an interface for various ministries of Govt. Of India and the Govts and various line de artments pof the 1 Coastal tate U�Ts., Funding Institutions World Bank for Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Resource Ef iciency Project ENCORE p • To su 3ort to checSk vio/lations to CRZ through im r(oved technol)ogy-ena led enforcement strengthened institutio� ns and regulato(ry and leg)al reforms. • Capacpipty building of Coastal State Units in planpning, implementationb and management of Integrated Coastal Zone Management programs and other national and tate organi ation agencies associated with the rojects • erving as an interface among coastal communities, ex erts, and governments, including roviding with and disseminating exam les of est ractices and guidSelines for cozastal a/nd marine ecological security pand livelihood security Sof coastal and island communities p p • To undertake any adpditionabl woprk or function as may e assigned y MOEF&CC from time to time in the areas of coastal management and other related activities b b

Source : PIB & SICOM

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 53 FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOREIGN AFFAIRS UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) In news While discussing resolutions of the UN Alliance of About UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) ◆ has criticised United Nations for what it called “selec Civilizations (UNAOC) on the ‘Culture of Peace’, India The Alliance aspires to the ideal of a culture of peace and dialogue, based on the conviction that tivity” in seeking to protect Abrahamic religions such “differences within and between societies be neither feared nor repressed, but cherished as a Whatas Islam, was Christianity India's stand? and Judaism over others. ◆ precious asset of humanity.” The Alliance of Civilizations is a United Nations India pointed out that previous resolutions of the political initiative of the Secretary-General. It was- UNAOC dating back to 2006 had repeatedly decried launched in 2005 by former SecretaryGeneral Ko�i the hatred against those religions — “Islamophobia, ◆ Annan, with the co-sponsorship of the Prime Minis Christianophobia and anti-Semitism” — but didn’t ters of Spain and Turkey. condemn attacks on other religious groups including Based on the recommendations of a report by a strikes and seen their shrines destroyed in Afghani High-Level Group in November 2006, Secretary Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, who have suffered terror - stan and Pakistan. General Ban Ki-moon appointed Jorge Sampaio, ◆ former President of Portugal, as his High Represen It also said that the UN’s selectivity under the aegis of tative for the Alliance of Civilizations. The primary mission of the UNAOC is to forge- collective political will and to mobilize concerted the UNAOC, an organisation that was set up in 2005 to andaction communities. aimed at improving cross-cultural under prevent polarisation between societies and cultures ◆ standing and cooperation among countries, peoples tions”and to instead.bridge differences between them, only serves to and extremism further the theory of an inevitable “clash of civilisa ◆ It also works to counter forces that fuel polarization India’s remarks were made during a “Culture of Peace” - The UNAOC is now the premier global platform for UN has organised such sessions each year since 1997. intercultural dialogue, understanding and coopera session organised by the UN General Assembly. The tion. Neither a UN body nor an agency, the Alliance Source : The Hindu occupies a unique niche within the UN family. FOREIGN AFFAIRS international court of arbitration (when it was established its functions and recent cases of india)

What is an International Court of Arbitration? ◆ - tion for the resolution of international commercial ◆ languages, including Arabic, Chinese, German,- ICC-International Court of Arbitration is an institu Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. ◆ The ICC Court performs an essential role by provid disputes. ing individuals, businesses and governments alike It operates under the auspices of the International ◆ - ◆ withAlthough a variety the ICC of Court customisable is called servicesa court in for name, every it Chamber of Commerce(ICC) stage of their dispute. formerThe Court French was Ministerfounded of in Finance 1923 under the leader matters. Instead, the ICC Court exercises judicial ◆ ship of the ICC's �irst president Étienne Clémentel, a- does not make formal judgments on disputed ly 90 countries ◆ ContraryIt consists to of whatmore itsthan name 100 arbitratorssuggests, the from ICC rough does Members:supervision of arbitration proceedings. ◆

Members of the ICC Court are appointed to ◆ notThe issueheadquarters formal judgements.of the ICC is in Instead, Paris, France. it provides recommendation of ICC 'national committees' or three-year terms by the ICC World Council on the ◆ "judicial supervision of arbitration proceedings." languages. However, the ICC Court can administer ◆ In jurisdictions where there is no national commit- groups. casesEnglish in andany languageFrench are and the communicate Court’s of�icial in allworking major tee or group, members are recommended for appointment by the President of the Court. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 54

◆ Council on the recommendation of the court's Pres- ◆ setting, managing and — if necessary — adjusting ident.Alternate members are appointed by the World reinforcefees and advances quality and enforceability ◆ Responsibilities of ICC ICC’s responsibilities include: overseeing emergency proceedings before the start ◆ Whatof the is Arbitration?arbitration as well as deciding on any challenges made against themcon�irming, appointing and replacing arbitrators, ◆ Arbitration is a procedure in which a dispute is submitted, by agreement of the parties, to one or more monitoring the arbitral process to make certain arbitrators who make a binding decision on the ◆ that it is performed properly and with the required todispute. court. In choosing arbitration, the parties opt for a speed and ef�iciency necessary private dispute resolution procedure instead of going scrutinising and approving all arbitral awards to About Interna�onal Chamber of Commerce ● ICC was founded in the a�ermath of the First World War when no world system of rules governed trade, investment, finance or commercial rela�ons. ● ICC is the ins�tu�onal representa�ve of more than 45 million companies in over 100 countries. ● Its mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. ● ICC granted observer status at United Na�ons General Assembly

Source : ICC FOREIGN AFFAIRS The USA puts India on currency watchlist

In news ◆

◆ The move was disclosed in the US Treasury’s Recently,A brief note the Unitedon the Statesissue of America placed India on semi-annual currency manipulation report - its◆ currency manipulator watch list for the third time. landThe and USA India labelled to the Switzerland seven others and already Vietnam in the as watchcurrency list. manipulators, and added Taiwan, Thai The USA for the third time placed India on its ◆ Countries which are already under watch list are currency manipulator watch list after the Reserve Bank of India’s relentless dollar purchase that Malaysia resulted in forex reserves rising by $100 billion this China, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, Singapore and �iscal.

Criteria for labelling The US Treasury has three criteria to label coun tries as currency manipulators. These are: 12-month period. 3. Persistent, one-sided intervention when net purchases of foreign currency are conducted 1. A signi�icant bilateral trade surplus with the US that repeatedly, in at least 6 out of 12 months, and these is at least $20 billion over a 12-month period. net purchases total at least 2% of an economy’s 2. A material current account surplus that is at least GDP over a 12-month period 2% of the gross domestic product (GDP) over a Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 55

What did theUS Treasury report say about India’s - economy? ◆ ◆ $64Referring billion, to or India’s 2.4% inclusionof the GDP, in over the watchthe four list quar the contraction and slower recovery relative to its key ters through June 2020. The report said that India’s deep domestic demand • the treasury encourages the authorities to limit report said that trading partners contributed to the economy’s �irst - four-quarter current account surplus since 2004 ◆ - foreign exchange intervention to periods of exces (0.4% of the GDP over the year to June 2020). sive volatility, while allowing the rupee to adjust- As per the report, India for several years has main based on economic fundamentals. tained a signi�icant bilateral goods trade surplus • By further opening the economy to foreign inves with the US, which totalled $22 billion in the four ◆ tors, India can also support economic recovery and quarters through June 2020. ◆ According to it, India has historically argued that it bolster long-term growth. Based on the central bank’s regularly published is an outlier when it comes to currency intervention intervention data, India’s net purchases of foreign exchange accelerated notably in the second half of as it is the only country with sizeable reserves and 2019, ◆ historically a large current account de�icit. • The sales during the initial onset of the pandemic, The argument against manipulators is that they India sustained net purchases for much of the �irst the exchange rate. have an unfair advantage in trade by manipulating Sourcehalf of: Times 2020. of India • This pushed net purchases of foreign exchange to FOREIGN AFFAIRS United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)

In news Nations Commission for India and Pakistan Recently, Pakistan Foreign ministry said that it has

- (UNCIP), established in 1948 by Security Council taken up the “attack” by India on the United Nations Mandateresolutions of UNMOGIP 39 and 47. Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMO ◆ Following the India-Pakistan hostilities at the end intoGIP) the Observers incident. and their vehicle along the LoC with the UN, urging it to initiate a transparent investigation

India’s response ◆ of 1971 and a subsequent cease�ire agreement of ◆ India rejected Pakistan’s allegations regarding 17 December of that year Indian forces targeting a UN vehicle and called them The tasks of UNMOGIP have been to observe, to the extent possible, developments pertaining to the- al.strict observance of the cease�ire of 17 December “incorrect and false”, and asked Islamabad to ◆ ◆ 1971 and to report thereon to the Secretary-Gener “responsibly investigate its lapses”. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said authoritiesThe tasks in of their the observers,investigations, as de�inedgather as by much the that instead of repeating baseless and fabricated Military Adviser, were to accompany the local inallegations territory against under India its tocontrol, cover upPakistan its own shouldfailure in ensuring the safety and security of UN personnel ◆ information as possible, and report as completely, - accurately and impartially as possible. sentationsresponsibly to the investigate Pakistani itsside lapses. India has Any direct intervention by the observers between conveyed its �indings and views on these misrepre ◆ the opposing parties or any interference in the About United Nations Military Observer Group in armies’ orders was to be avoided. India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) To ful�ill the UNMOGIP mandate, military observers Background ◆ conduct �ield tasks (area recce, �ield trip, �ield visit ◆ and observation post) along the Line of Control. eventually formed the nucleus of the United As part of the 1949 Karachi Agreement, UNMOGIP The �irst team of unarmed military observers, who- also conducts investigations into alleged cease�ire Nations Military Observer Group in India and Paki ◆ violation complaints, which the two parties can submit to the Mission. stan (UNMOGIP), arrived in the mission area in- - stan,January and 1949 to assist to supervise,the Military in Adviser the State to the of JammuUnited The �indings of the investigations are shared with and Kashmir, the cease�ire between India and Paki the Secretary-General and a summary of investiga tions with the two parties. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 56

India’s policy towards UNMOGIP ◆ - with UNMOGIP. ◆ toThe lodge military alleged authorities cease�ire of violationsIndia have complaintslodged no withIn July minor 1972, deviations, India and followed Pakistan the signed same ancourse agree as - ment de�ining a Line of Control in Kashmir which,- sidecomplaints of the Line since of January Control, 1972 though limiting they continue the activi to ◆ the cease�ire line established by the Karachi Agree- ties of the UN observers on the Indian-administered ment in 1949. services to UNMOGIP. India took the position that the mandate of UNMO - ◆ provide necessary security, transport and other GIP had lapsed, since it related speci�ically to the - ◆ cease�ire line under the Karachi Agreement. Paki Given the disagreement between the two parties stan, however, did not accept this position. over UNMOGIP's mandate and functions, the Secre- Since the Simla Agreement of 1972, India has ritytary-General's Council. position has been that UNMOGIP adopted a non-recognition policy towards third ◆ could be terminated only by a decision of the Secu Kashmir.parties in their bilateral exchanges with Pakistan ◆ overThe military the question authorities regarding of Pakistan the state have of Jammu continued and In the absence of such an agreement, UNMOGIP has Source :The Indian express & UNMOGIP been maintained with the same arrangements as established following December 1971 cease�ire FOREIGN AFFAIRS Brief on Xinjiang province (include map) and the threats to China National unity

In news

rapidly deteriorated, particularly since the launch Recently, the European Parliament askEd China to Autonomous region ◆ of the Chinese Government's 'Strike Hard against allow UN fact-�inding team to visit Xinjiang Uyghur Violent Terrorism' campaign in 2014" Key issues raised by European parliament The European Parliament also raised concern over ◆ - ◆ forced labour practice in Xinjiang which produces over 20 per cent of global cotton production. The European Parliament (EP) on passed a resolu onThe the European condition Parliament that it is givenrequested free and China unrestrict to allow- tion on forced labour and the situation of the a mission from the European Parliament to Xinjiang Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region while calling on the EU to proactively work towards ed access while guaranteeing con�identiality and an independent UN inquiry on China with a view to ◆ - Aboutsafety Xinjiang for the localUyghur population. Autonomous region ensuring accountability for the crimes committed. ◆ According to the resolution of European Parlia China, is a vast region of deserts and mountains. ment, the situation in Xinjiang, where more than 10 Xinjiang, an autonomous territory in northwest million Muslim Uyghurs and Kazakhs live, has

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 57

◆ ◆

◆ It's home to many ethnic minority groups, including China initially denied the existence of the camps, the Turkic Uyghur people. ◆ beforeIt also denies claiming carrying they out were forced a necessary sterilisations. measure ◆ The ancient Silk Road trade route linking China and Whoagainst are the separatist Uighurs? violence in Xinjiang. the Middle East passed through Xinjiang province ◆ The Uighurs are a mostly Muslim Turkic ethnicity PakistanXinjiang bordersand India. the countries of Mongolia, Russia, who regard themselves as culturally and ethnically ◆ Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, close to Central Asian nations. ◆ It is home to a number of ethnic groups, including The majority live in Xinjiang, where they number Con�lictthe Turkic between Uyghur, Uyghur Kazakhs and the and Chinese Kyrgyz, authori the Han, ◆ tiesTibetans, Hui, Tajiks, Mongols, Russians and Xibe. about 11 million people. ◆ liveUighur in Australia. communities are also found in Uzbekistan, ◆ Kyrgyzstan,They have their and Kazakhstan,own language, and also several called thousand Uighur, It is a con�lict in China's far-northwest autonomous though China is accused of forcing those taken to region of Xinjiang centred on the Uyghurs, a Turkic minority ethnic group who make up the largest ◆ ◆ group in the region camps in Xinjiang to learn Mandarin. Though the con�lict is traced to 1931, factors such In the early part of the 20th Century, Uighurs brie�ly as the massive state-sponsored migration of Han declared independence, but the region was brought Chinese from the 1950s to the 1970s, government ◆ under the complete control of communist China in policies promoting Chinese cultural unity and- 1949. punishing certain expressions of Uyghur identity Xinjiang is currently designated an autonomous and harsh responses to separatism have contribut Han Chinese. Chineseregion within state. China, like Tibet to its south, but in ed to tension between Uyghurs, and state police and ◆ What'sreality the the view province of China? has little autonomy from the ◆ withoutIn recent trial years, of over government one million Uyghurs policy hasand other been and says that the outside world does not under- marked by mass surveillance and the incarceration China has long denied operating internment camps ◆ It insists that Uighur militants are waging a violent ◆ MuslimThe government minority ethnicis now groups also inaccused "re-education of a stand the situation in Xinjiang. camps women campaign for an independent state by plotting Sourceprogramme : Times ofof forcedIndia & sterilisationBBC against Uighur bombings, sabotage, and civic unrest. FOREIGN AFFAIRS Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization(GAVI) In news Recently, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan ◆ strategic decision making, innovation and partner collaboration. thehas GAVI been Board nominated by the Global Alliance for The board normally meets twice a year in June and Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) as a member on Key highlights AboutNovember-December Global Alliance for and Vaccines holds an and annual Immunisa retreat, ◆ tiongenerally (GAVI) in March or April ◆ According to the Ministry, Dr. Vardhan will be constituencyrepresenting on the the South GAVI East Board. Area Regional Of�ice Started in 2000, the GAVI Alliance (formerly the ◆ (SEARO)/ Western Paci�ic Regional Of�ice (WPRO)- Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) is a mar. forglobal all”. health partnership of public and private ◆ The seat is currently held by Myint Htwe of Myan ◆ sector organizations dedicated to “immunisation ◆ AboutDr. Vardhan GAVI Board will be representing India from January It is based in Geneva, Switzerland ◆ 1, 2021 till December 31, 2023. It provides a unique opportunity for a wide-range of partners to build consensus around policies, The Board is responsible for strategic direction and- strategies, and priorities and to recommend mentation.policymaking, oversees the operations of the ◆ responsibility of implementation to the partner- ◆ Vaccine Alliance and monitors programme imple with the most experience and insight in the area. ◆ GAVI has developed innovative approaches to inter With membership drawn from a range of partner national health and development. organisations, as well as experts from the private GAVI has observer status at the World Health sector, the Board provides a forum for balanced Assembly Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 58

GAVI Partners

GAVI brings together the following

Main activities ◆ ◆ - performance,lectual resources outcomes for care and advancement. results. GAVI’s strategy supports its mission to save - ◆ Its partners provide funding for vaccines and intel children’s lives and protect people’s health by tries. of the health system to deliver immunisation and ◆ increasing access to immunisation in poor coun They contribute, also, to strengthening the capacity

It contributes to achieving the United Nations’ other health services in a sustainable manner. SourceMillennium : The Hindu Development & WHO Goals by focusing on

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 59 GEOGRAPHY GEOGRAPHY cyclone Burevi

In news ◆ - ing over the north Indian Ocean, including the Bay As an RSMC, the IMD names the cyclones develop- AboutCyclone Cyclone Burevi roBurevi cross Tamil Nadu on 4th December ◆ ◆ of Bengal and Arabian Sea, after following a stan dard procedure. GulfOrigin: of Mannar As per and India the Meteorological adjoining Comorin Department area on cyclonesThe IMD andis also storms. mandated to issue advisories to 12 (IMD),Cyclone Burevi is likely to emerge into the other countries in the region on the development of When was the naming of cyclones started? 3rd December, after crossing the Sri Lankan coast ◆ Cyclone is likely to cross south Tamil Nadu, ◆ on 2nd December ◆ In 2000, a group of nations called WMO/ESCAP between Kanniyakumari and Pamban (World Meteorological Organisation/United IMD also stated that the Cyclone may largely impact Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia ◆ theIt also southern informed parts that of Burevi the State may and take bring the same fairly Lankaand the and Paci�ic), Thailand, which decided comprised to start Bangladesh, naming widespread rain till 5 december cyclonesIndia, the in Maldives, the region. Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri ◆ After each country sent in suggestions, the route as Cyclone Ockhi, which impacted Sri Lanka, ◆ the southern parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala in 2017. WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) ◆ AccordingIMD has given to theyellow IMD alert, it willupdating cross the as authoritiesa cyclonic The�inalized naming the of list.cyclones over North Indian Ocean stormon the overapproaching the Tamil weather Nadu coast disturbances and weaken. ◆ The names of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, the ◆ eight countries. area,Squally Gulf winds, of Mannar with speeds and the reaching south 45-55Tamil kmphNadu ◆ IndianEach of Ocean them and lists the out Arabian eight Seanames are decidedwhich areby coastand gusting on Wednesday to 65 kmph, noon. are likely This over may the gradually Comorin

next day turnsapproved to name by the the weathermen cyclones. of these countries. So increase to 70-80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph, from ◆ each time the list has 64 names. The countries take How are tropical cyclones named ? ◆ ◆ The �irst cyclone named by India was Agni, in 2004, - The 13 names in the recent list that have been Cyclones that form in every ocean basin across the suggested by India include Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, world are named by the regional specialised meteo ◆ Vyom,The countries Jhar (pronounced that get to name Jhor), the Probaho, cyclones Neer, are ◆ rological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone India,Prabhanjan, Pakistan, Ghurni, Oman, Ambud, Myanmar, Jaladhi and Bangladesh, Vega. Warning Centres (TCWCs). TCWCs.There are six RSMCs in the world, including the SourceIndia : The Meteorological Hindu DepartmentGEOGRAPHY (IMD), and �ive Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand Jupiter-Saturn conjunction after 397 Years In news ◆ viewed this close to each other since 16 July, 1623 On December 21 both Jupiter and Saturn will be seen Why is it such a unique celestial event? ◆ Prior to 1623, the closest observable Jupiter-Saturn ◆very close to each other, appearing like one bright star occursconjunction at an wasinterval in the of medieval19 years andtimes seven — in months, 1226. - While a conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn Because the two planets have never been so close since 1623, and hence, the term "a great conjunc years.the proximity between them when viewed from tion" and the planets will next come comparably ◆ Whatearth is conjunction?varies and hasn’t appeared this close in 397 close on March 15, 2080. ◆ ◆ As per experts, On the night of December 21, their other from Earth, it is called a conjunction. And physical distance will be around 735 million km If two celestial bodies visually appear close to each Experts also point out that this will be the called a great conjunction second-most close conjunction of Jupiter and such conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter is at times Saturn since the invention of the telescope in 1609 by Galileo Galilei. The two planets have not been Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 60

Source : Times of India & Business Standard GEOGRAPHY Winter Solstice and the celebrations associated with it

In news Summer solstice in Northern Hemisphere ◆

Winter Solstice made the December 21 the shortest During the Northern Hemisphere’s summer day of the year in the northern hemisphere and ◆ solstice which usually falls around June 21/22 and longest in longest in southern hemisphere (Summer the Southern Hemisphere gets its winter solstice. Solstice) What are Solstices? sunlightThe Northern during Hemispherelong summer spendsdays half the year ◆ tilted in the direction of the Sun, getting direct Winter solstice in Northern Hemisphere aroundSolstices the occur sun. because Earth’s axis of rotation is ◆ ◆ tiltedThis tilt about drives 23.4 earth’s degrees seasons, relative as the to Northern Earth's orbit and During the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice sunlight over the course of a year. ◆ whichDuring falls the aroundother half December of the year, 21/22—the it tilts away Southern from ◆ Southern Hemispheres get unequal amounts of- Hemisphere gets its summer solstice.

During March to September, the Northern Hemi the Sun, and the days are shorter. Winter Solstice, ◆ sphere is tilted more toward the sun, driving its- December 21, is the day when the North Pole is spring and summer. Whatmost are tilted the awayreasons from for the the Sun. difference in hours of During September to March, the Northern Hemi daylight? reversed.sphere is tilted away, so it feels like autumn and ◆ Because earth’s axis of rotation is tilted at an angle ◆ winter.On two Themoments Southern each Hemisphere's year—what seasonsare called are solstices—Earth's axis is tilted most closely toward ◆ of 23.5° to its orbital plane. This tilt combined with factors such as Earth’s spin home star sees its longest day, while the hemi- the sun. The hemisphere tilted most toward our differentand orbit days leads of the to year. variations in the duration of sunlight that any location on the planet receives on night. sphere tilted away from the sun sees its longest

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 61

Its impact on seasons ◆ Spain: ◆ - Before Peru’s colonisation by Spain, the Inca encesThe tilt day, is also which responsible changes tofor night the different as Earth seasons contin- civilisation honoured the sun god Inti by fasting for that we see on Earth. The side facing the Sun experi three days, and celebrated on the fourth day with ◆ - feasts and sacri�ices. naryues to lines, spin whichon its axis.are also key to determining when • The festival was banned under Spanish rule, but The Earth’s tilt helps de�ine some familiar imagi was later revived in the 20th century and continues measure of a location’s distance from the Equator. Othertoday, parts with of mock Europe: sacri�ices. a Solstice occurs. These are latitudes, which are a ◆ Celebrations associated with the Winter Solstice Jewish people: animalsIn pre-Christian so they would Europe, not solstice have to was feed celebrated them. as Tevet’, which marks the start of winter. ◆ theWine start created of winter. during People the summer slaughtered months their was farmalso Ancient Egyptians:They call the Winter Solstice ‘Tekufat ◆ Hence, the solstice turned into an occasion for a days during mid-winter.They celebrated the birth of ready for consumption. China:Horus, the son of Isis (divine mother goddess) for 12 theirfeast, timeoften indoors. a community one, before snow covered most of the land and people were forced to spend Other countries: In China the day is celebrated by families ◆ ◆coming together for a special meal. The Yule festival, which used to be celebrated in In Iran and neighbouring Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, pre-Christian Scandinavian lands for 12 days, later Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, Vedicbecame tradition: associated with Christmas as Yule-tide. ◆ theThe festival Winter marks Solstice the last is celebratedday of the Persian as Yalda month or ◆ In Vedic tradition, the northern movement of the Shab-e-Yalda. - - ness. ◆ of Azar, and is seen as the victory of light over dark Earth on the celestial sphere is implicitly acknowl edged in the Surya Siddhanta, which outlines the Uttarayana (the period between Makar Sankranti ◆ It is also the birthday of the sun god Mithra, a pre-Islamic deity. and Karka Sankranti). Hence, Winter Solstice is the Families celebrate Yalda late into the night with Structures�irst day ofassociated Uttarayana with Winter Solstice special foods such as ajeel nuts, pomegranates and ◆ watermelon, and recite works of the 14th century - The Winter Solstice also in�luenced culture to the CelebrationsSu�i poet Ha�iz in Southern Shirazi. Hemisphere extent that ancient people built several architectur ◆ Peru: ◆ al structures aligned to the phenomenon. with a festivalIn the called Southern Inti Raymi, Hemisphere, meaning where “sun festi the- Some of these structures include the Stonehenge val”Winter in the Solstice Quechua in language. June, Peru celebrates the day and Glastonbury (England), Chichen Itza (Mexico), Goseck Circle (Germany), and Temple of Karnak Source :The National Geographic & The Indian Express (Egypt). GEOGRAPHY Aerosols led to increased incidents of high rainfall in Himalayan foothills

In news • Indian Institute of Technology Madras have led to increased incidents of high rainfall in the of Leipzig, Germany HimalayanA new study foothills �inds that Aerosols in Indo-Gangetic Plain ◆ • Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur What are the �indings of the study? The team was supported by the Department of ◆ crucialScience role & Technology, of the aerosol Government direct radiative of India effect under on DST Climate Change program have highlighted the Scientists have found that aerosols like black region. havecarbon led and to dust,increased which incidents makes the of Indo-Gangetichigh rainfall ◆ high precipitation events over the Himalayan eventsPlain one in theof the foothills most pollutedof the Himalayan regions of Region. the world, ◆ A team of researchers included from They showed that particulate emissions can alter • National Institute of Technology Rourkela the physical and dynamical properties of cloud systems and, in turn, amplify rainfall events over orographic regions downwind of highly polluted • Leipzig Institute for Meteorology (LIM), University urban areas. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 62

◆ events over the Himalayan region. Why Indo-Gangetic Plain to study the impact of The study used 17 years (2001–2017) of rainfall aerosol? ◆ rate, aerosol measurement called aerosol optical The region is associated with high aerosol loading, depth (AOD) It also included meteorological reanalysis �ields such as pressure, temperature, and moisture much of which is black carbon and dust, and thus provides an opportunity for studying how aerosol andcontent outgoing at different long-wave altitudes radiation are used from to compute Indian mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher eleva- the thermodynamic variable “moist static energy” tionaffects as extremeit moves rainfallover rising events, terrain particularly technically when called air the foothills of the Himalayas. ◆ region to investigate high precipitation events on What is aerosol optical depth(AOD)? orographic◆ forcing. The team found clear associations between high precipitation events, high aerosol loading, and high Aerosol optical depth is a measure of the extinction- moist static energy (MSE) values (Moist static of the solar beam by dust and haze. In other words,- energy of an air mass includes the potential energy ingparticles light. in the atmosphere (dust, smoke, pollu ◆ tion) can block sunlight by absorbing or by scatter ◆ due to its height above the ground and the latent heat due to its moisture content). The �indings also highlight the crucial role of the AOD tells us how much direct sunlight is prevented GEOGRAPHY from reaching the ground by these aerosol particles radiative effect of aerosolPlanet on Nine high precipitationin our Solar System & HD106906 b In news Nine to ‘Planet Nine' that may exist in our solar system ◆ objects) happening under the in�luence of Planet HubbleKey �indings observed a strange, distant exoplanet similar ◆ Beyond Neptune of our solar system, there is a ◆ region called the Kuiper belt, populated by icy NineThe oddball if it exists. behaviour of the planet, HD106906 b, debris. ◆ provide clues about our own mysterious Planet Some of the objects in this region have been found ◆ to be very peculiarly aligned, and Planet Nine is Although the exoplanet was discovered in 2013 likely responsible for this using the Magellan Telescopes at the Las Campanas In 2018, astronomers reported the peculiar ◆ Observatory in Chile, researchers were unable to behaviour of another object in the Solar System, determine its orbit. called 2015 BP519. The object orbits our Sun but at theThis system, led them unattached to question to anyif it star.was orbiting the two an extreme tilt (54°)(due to the in�luence of Planet stars or if it was a rogue planet traveling away from ◆ ◆ nine) when compared to the orbits of Earth and the other seven planets. The Hubble Space Telescope, however, provided WhatSimulations is an exoplanet? showed that the in�luence of Planet Whataccurate is exoplanet measurements and what of theis Planet planet's Nine? movements Nine (if it exists) would explain this tilt ◆ over a 14-year period. Planets that orbit around other stars are called- As we know HD106906 b is not a new discovery: It exoplanets. All of the planets in our solar system orbit appears in archival images taken by the Hubble around the Sun. Exoplanets are very hard to see direct Space Telescope in 2004. But at the time, people did ◆ lyComparing with telescopes. new planet They are(HD106906 hidden by b) the with bright Planet glare not recognise the object to be a planet. ofnine the stars they orbit. andUsing other data key on details. the object’s motion over 14 years, ◆ ◆ astronomers have now precisely calculated its orbit Both planets (assuming Planet Nine is real) reside And the Planet Nine is an elusive, distant planet in- ◆ far out in their respective stellar systems. Both orbit our own Solar System. Although it has not been their respective stars at an extreme tilt. found yet, it has been predicted by a series of stud regions.And both are massive enough to in�luence the ◆ iesIf it over exists, the Planetlast few Nine years, is 10and times has been as massive described as ◆ behaviour of other objects in their respective Earth.by astronomers as “hiding in plain sight”. Reasons to believe about the existence of Planet HD106906 b presents a more extreme case in these Nine respects. While Planet Nine is assumed to be 10 ◆ - ◆ times as massive as Earth, HD106906 b is 11 times the mass of Jupiter. Predictions about Planet Nine arise from the pecu fromHD106906 the sun. b is unusually far away from its pair of ◆ liar behaviour and alignment of various objects in host stars over 730 times the distance that earth is Sourcethe Solar :The IndianSystem. Express & CNN Astronomers believe all this is(alignment of various Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 63

Other parts of Europe: Vedic tradition: ◆ ◆ In Vedic tradition, the northern movement of the - animalsIn pre-Christian so they would Europe, not solstice have to was feed celebrated them. as ◆ theWine start created of winter. during People the summer slaughtered months their was farmalso Earth on the celestial sphere is implicitly acknowl edged in the Surya Siddhanta, which outlines the ◆ Hence, the solstice turned into an occasion for a Uttarayana (the period between Makar Sankranti ready for consumption. Structuresand Karka associated Sankranti). with Hence, Winter Winter Solstice Solstice is the ◆ �irst day of Uttarayana theirfeast, timeoften indoors. a community one, before snow covered - The Winter Solstice also in�luenced culture to the ◆ most of the land and people were forced to spend ◆ extent that ancient people built several architectur The Yule festival, which used to be celebrated in al structures aligned to the phenomenon. pre-Christian Scandinavian lands for 12 days, later Some of these structures include the Stonehenge Sourcebecame :The associated National Geographic with Christmas & The as Indian Yule-tide. Express and Glastonbury (England), Chichen Itza (Mexico), Goseck Circle (Germany), and Temple of Karnak (Egypt). GEOGRAPHY Digital ocean platform In news ◆ - and is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization ◆ IndianRecently, National Union Minister Centre forfor ScienceOceanic and Information Technolo (ESSO) gy launched Digital Ocean platform of services to various stakeholders in the country, includ- INCOIS provides ocean information and advisory AboutServices Digital (INCOIS) Ocean platform ◆ ing Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories( issued in related needs of a wide range of users, including Hindi, English and 8 vernacular languages. ), Ocean Digital Ocean is a one stop-solution for all data - others.,State Forecast using state-of-the-art (OSF), high wave technologies alerts, tsunami and tools early to gic users, academic community, maritime industry, warnings, storm surge and oil-spill advisories, among research institutions, operational agencies, strate ◆ servingget real as timethe National information Argo Data on Centre oceanographic and Regional and and the public. Argomarine Data meteorological Centre of data. the The International institute has beenArgo This platform will facilitate an online interactive Programme, web-based environment for data integration, 3D and 4D data visualization, data analysis to assess- es,the remote evolution sensing of oceanographic and model data features obtained International Involvement of INCOIS: ◆ from multiple sources like on site monitoring devic - Signi�icance of the platform INCOIS has a prominent international presence, ◆ being a permanent member of the Indian delega - tion to IOC of UNESCO and a founding member of standingIt is expected of oceans to bringsurrounding a sea-change us. in how the the Indian Ocean Global Ocean Observing System ◆ oceanographic data is served for a better under ◆ (IOGOOS) and the Partnership for Observing the Oceans (POGO). Economy’Digital Ocean initiatives play a central role in sustainable ESSO-INCOIS houses the IOGOOS secretariat and ◆ management of our oceans and expanding our ‘Blue- the Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemistry and ◆ Ecosystem Research (SIBER) International This �irst of its kind platform for ocean data man Programme Of�ice. technology.agement has a set of applications that present Through the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard heterogeneous oceanographic data with geospatial Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), A brief note on Indian National Centre for Oceanic ◆ ESSO-INCOIS provides ocean information and Information Services (INCOIS) forecasts to member countries. NCOIS is also a member of the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE) OceanView ESSO-INCOISSource :The Hindu was established & INCOIS as an autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Science Team (GOVST) and Patrons Group.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 64 GOVERNANCE GOVERNANCE Prime Minister WiFi Access Network Interface (PM- WANI) In news ◆ Central Registry: WiFi networks under PM-WANI App for accessing the internet service. Recently, Union Cabinet approved setting up of public It will maintain the details of App Salient features of PM-WANI ◆ Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. To begin with, the ◆ Central Registry will be maintained by C-DoT. - While no registration would be required for PDOs,- ◆ Under PM-WANI, WiFi will be provided through- PDOAs and App Providers will get themselves regis public data of�ices (PDOs) tered with Department of Telecommunica ◆ There shall be no license fee for providing Broad tions(DoT) through online registration portal- band Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks. (SARALSANCHAR; https://saralsanchar.gov.in) of- The PDO, to be set up along the lines of public tion.DoT, without paying any registration fee. Registra calling of�ice, can be a mom-and-pop store in the Backgroundtion shall be granted within 7 days of the applica inarea the or country. the common services centre present in ◆ various small towns, gram panchayats, and villages own or lease it from other telecom and internet The idea of a PDO was �irst �loated by the Telecom The PDOs can either provide the internet on other Regulatory Authority of India in 2017. Six months ◆ Public Data Of�ice (PDO): - later, it set up the initial pilot project for PDO, in which service providers companies such as Facebook, and government’s It will establish, main- C-DOT had participated. Like a PCO, the PDO allows ers.tain, and operate only WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access user.users to connect to a public WiFi system for a limited session depending on the internet pack chosen by the ◆ PointsPublic andData deliver Of�ice broadband Aggregator services (PDOA): to subscrib Signi�icance It will be ◆ anApp aggregator Provider: of PDOs and perform the functions relating to Authorization and Accounting. The proposal will promote the growth of Public Wi-Fi It will develop an App to register Networks in the country and, in turn, will help in users and discover WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots proliferation of Broadband Internet, enhancement of Source : PIB & Indian Express in the nearby area and display the same within the income and employment and empowerment of people. GOVERNANCE Criminal Tracking Network and Systems and Interoperable Criminal Justice System

In news Affairs in detailed consultation with all stakeholders the inaugural session of the second conference on (CCTNS) was conceptualized by the Ministry of Home 'GoodRecently Practices Minister inof StateCrime for andHome Criminal Affairs addressedTracking and is being implemented as a "Mission Mode Project (MMP)" since 2009. Network and Systems (CCTNS) and Interoperable Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems Criminal Justice System (ICJS) About Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and (CCTNS) is a plan scheme conceived in the light of Systems (CCTNS) experience of a non-plan scheme namely - Common Integrated Police Application (CIPA) -

The minister said that out of the total of 16,098 police- CCTNS aims at creating a comprehensive and integrat stations in the country, the CCTNS software is being ed system for enhancing the ef�iciency and effective used in over 95 per cent of police stations and connec andpolicing creation at all of levels a nationwide and especially networked at the infrastructure Police Station tivity is available at 97 per cent police stations, and 93 level through adoption of principles of e-Governance, per cent of police stations are entering 100 per cent system around "investigation of crime and detection of throughoutFIRs through the CCTNS. country. criminals"for evolution in real of IT-enabled time, which state is a critical of- the-art requirement tracking The CCTNS is accessible to the investigating of�icers scenario. The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems in the context of the present day internal security

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 65

Objectives of CCTNS About Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) ◆

◆ Provide Citizen Centric Police Services via a web Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is an Criminalportal records ambitious project aiming to integrate the Crime and ◆ Pan India search on National database of Crime & Criminals Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project with the e-courts and e-prisons databases, as ◆ Crime and Criminal reports at State and Center well as with other pillars of the criminal justice system Computerization of Police Processes such as Forensics, Prosecution, and Juvenile homes in a phased manner.

Signi�icance of ICJS ◆ - nal justice system, which will not only enhance ◆ the policy makers as well as lawmakers in taking Quick data transfer among different pillars of crimi appropriate and timely action. ◆ trackingEnable pan-India of criminal criminal/accused movement. name search in transparency but also reduce processing time. the regional language for improved inter-state SourceEnable : The National Hindu & MHA level crime analytics to be published at increased frequency,GOVERNANCE which will help e- Sampada Portal & Mobile App

In news across India. The Directorate of Estates, Ministry of Housing and Bene�its of the e-Sampada ◆

Urban Affairs launched a e-Sampada, anew web portal availedIt will online promote on a ease single of window living with for governmenta live track- and Mobile App About e-Sampada of�icers and departments as all services can be ◆ ◆ Real time information on utilisation of assets and - ing of applications. - ingThe Weballotment Portal andfor Mobileover one App, lakhe-Sampada government which provides a single window for all the services includ minimisedelivery of human service intervention will facilitate and optimum will lead utilisa to tion of resources. The automated processes will residential accommodations, of�ice space allotment ◆ to government organisations in 28 cities and greater transparency. The portal provides online venues like 5, Ashoka Road for social functions. willfacility reduce to users administrative across India cost to and lodge will complaints, save time In its endeavour to provide ‘One Nation, One submit documents and appear for virtual hearing. It andSystem’, the erstwhile four websites (gpra.nic.in, Estate. ◆ eawas.nic.in, estates.gov.in, holidayhomes.nic.in), Signi�icanceand resources by reducing visits to Directorate of ◆ two Mobile Apps (m-Awas & m-Ashoka5) of the - Directorate of Estates have been integrated into This is a signi�icant step towards promotion of e-governance to boost transparency and account ◆ one, which paves the way for all services on the - same platform throughout the country. cateability etc. in providing various Estate Services like The ministry said that E-Sampada is developed to allotment, retention, regularisation, no dues certi�i Monthlysimplify Prelims processes Snippets and bring uniformity in system December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 66 HISTORY HISTORY Guru Nanak Dev Ji

In news His teachings ◆

Prime Minister of India greeted people on the occa Accompanied by Bhai Mardana, Guru Nanak Dev ji undertook four major spiritual journeys, running Asion brief of Parkash history Purabof Guru of NanakShri Guru ji Nanak Dev Ji ◆ ◆ - across India, South Asia, Tibet and Arabia. - In these journeys, he preached the new concept of Guru Nanak ji, the founder and �irst Guru of Sikh God as "Supreme, All powerful and Truthful, Form ism, was born in 1469, at the village Talwandi less (Nirankar), Fearless (Nirbhau), Without hate ◆ which is located in the Punjab(present Pakistan) (Nirvair), the Sole (Ik), the Self-Existent (Saibhang), ◆ regionHis father of the Mehta Indian Kalu, subcontinent. was a village accountant and the Incomprehensible and Everlasting creator of all This village is known as Nanaka Sahib. ◆ things (Karta Purakh), and the Eternal and Absolute Truth (Satnam)". ◆ every one of his creations, and that all human rationalhis mother thinking, was Mata young Tripta Nanak ji would often Nanak ji taught people that the 'One' God dwells in Blessed with a deeply contemplative mind and ◆ beingsHe attacked can have Hindu direct Caste access system to Godand withoutcondemned the need of any rituals or priests. ◆ astound his elders and teachers with the sublimity- the theocracy of Mughal rulers. of his knowledge, particularly on divine matters. ◆ Growing up,Nanak ji refused to partake in tradition al religious rituals, and often spoke out against He rejected the path of renunciation (Tyaga), demi-Gods.several prevalent societal practices such as the emphasizing a householder's (family) life based on ◆ Caste System, idolatry, and the worship of name.honest conduct, sel�less service (Sewa), and ◆ constantIn the later devotion years of andhis life, remembrance Guru ji founded of God's and Guru Nanak ji had mastered multiple religious - texts(at the age of 16) and languages including- tions.Sanskrit, Persian, and Hindi, and was writing what ◆ settledGuru Nanak down ji atintroduced the township the institution of Kartarpur of Langar ("cre ◆ many believed were divinely inspired composi ator's town"), on the banks of river Ravi in Punjab

◆ He was married to Mata Sulakhni in the year 1487 social(free communal and economic kitchen) status. at Kartarpur, establishing Muslimand they childhood had two sons,friend Sri of ChandGuru Nanak and Lakhmi Dev ji, Dasthen ◆ the basic equality of all people regardless of their The family, accompanied by Bhai Mardana, a andIn the some year followers1539, knowing over thatthe years,the end installed was drawing Bhai ◆ moved to the town of Sultanpur Lodhi, where Guru near, Guru Ji, after having tested his own two sons ji took the job of an accountant One day, while bathing in “Vain Nadi” (a small Lehna ji (Guru Angad Dev Ji) as the Second Nanak, and after a few days passed into Sachkhand. ◆ river), Guru Nanak ji heard God‘s call to dedicate Writings of Guru Nanak ji himself completely to the service of humanity. - ◆ The very �irst sentence which he uttered then was, Guru Nanak Dev ji's writings, in the form of 974 spiri and"There given is no a Hindu,divine no mission, Musalman Guru (Muslim)". Nanak ji then Stating that he had been taken to the God's court tual hymns comprising the Japji Sahib, Asa di Var, Bara ArjanMah, Sidh Dev Goshtji and Dakhni Onkar were incorporated began the next stage of his life, to preach his unique in the scripture Guru Granth Sahib by the �ifth Guru Sourcedoctrine : PIB (Sikhi) & Sikhiwiki to the entire world. HISTORY Dr Rajendra Prasad

In news

◆ who was the �irst president of the Republic of India versaryThe President of India paid homage to Dr Rajendra (1950–62). APrasad, brief historythe �irst ofPresident Dr. Rajendra of India, Prasad(1884-1963) on his birth anni KamleshwariHis father, Mahadev Devi Sahai Srivastava, was a scholar ◆ ◆ of both Sanskrit and Persian languages. His mother, ◆ to Rajavanshi Devi. He was born in 1884 in Bihar's Ziradei In June 1896, at an early age of 12, he was married He was a Indian politician, lawyer, and journalist Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 67

◆ Prasad joined the Presidency College, Calcutta in ◆

He was deeply in�luenced by Mahatma Gandhi and 1902, initially as a science student. He passed the F. ◆ went to jail during the 'Salt Satyagraha' of 1931 and A. under the University of Calcutta in March 1904 ◆ the 'Quit India Movement' of 1942. ◆ and then graduated with a �irst division from there He was a president of INC in 1934, 1939, and 1947- in March 1905 In 1946 Prasad was sworn in as minister for food A devoted student as well as a public activist, he ◆ and agriculture in the interim government preced ◆ wasPrasad an activewas instrumental member of thein theDawn formation Society( ofunder the ing full independence. Satish Chandra Mukherjee) constitution.From 1946 to 1949 he presided over the Indian Patna College. ◆ Constituent Assembly and helped to shape the- Bihari Students Conference in 1906 in the hall of His role in India’s independence movement Rajendra Prasad was unanimously elected presi ◆ dent in 1950 and, after the �irst general election was during the 1906 annual session organised in to(1952), a third was term. chosen by an overwhelming majority His �irst association with Indian National Congress ◆ of the new electoral college; in 1957 he was elected while studying in Calcutta. his deteriorating health. That same year he was ◆ Calcutta,Formally, he where joined he the participated Indian National as a Congress volunteer, in honouredPrasad retired with from the Bharatpublic lifeRatna, in 1962 India’s because highest of the year 1911, when the annual session was again civilian award. held in Calcutta ◆ His literary works Congress held in 1916, he met Mahatma Gandhi. ◆ ◆ During the Lucknow Session of Indian National ◆ Mahatma Gandhi asked him to come with his volun- ◆ Satyagraha at Champaran (1922) teersDuring the satyagraha at Champaran in 1917, Division of India (1946, online) ◆ ◆ Atmakatha (1946), his autobiography written- during his 3-year prison term in Bankipur Jail He gave up his law practice in 1920 to join the ◆ As a journalist in the nationalist interest, he wrote ◆ Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminis noncooperation movement. ◆ cences(1949) ◆ Bapu Ke Kadmon Mein (1954) for Searchlight in English, founded and edited the ◆ AtSince the Independence feet of Mahatma (published Gandhi in 1960) language.Hindi weekly Desh (“Country”), and started his Bharatiya Shiksha lifelong campaign to establish Hindi as the national Source : PIB & Britannica HISTORY Stone chariot of Hampi

In news ◆ About the stone chariot elephantsother three are famous seated. stone chariots in India- One in ◆The iconic stone chariot of Hampi gets protective ring The Hampi Chariot has earned its name among the

◆ The chariot is a shrine dedicated to Garuda, built Konark, Odisha, and the other in Mahabalipuram inside the Vittala Temple Complex. About(Tamil Hampi Nadu). The massive sculpture of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s ◆ ◆ escort once was seated atop the chariot but it is empty at the present date. ◆ Hampi a UNESCO world Heritage site is one of the It was built by King Krishnadevaraya of the �inest historical sites of medieval age in India. Vijayanagara Empire during the 16th century, who It was the initial capital city of the famous historical ◆ got fascinated with the Konark Sun temple chariot Vijayanagara Empire(14th century) located on the while �ighting a battle in Odisha architecture, the chariot is a colossal structure ◆ bank of Tungabhadra River about 11 km away from whichArchitecture: shows the It isskill inspired of the byearlier Dravidian craftsmen style and of Hospet City. architects. It is a small location covering an area of 25 sq. km. ◆ - and it is totally bounded by mountains (Anjaneya, ◆ Malyavanta and Matanga Hills) by the three sites The base on which the chariot rests depicts beauti manyand rest as one7 concentric site is bordered layers of by walls Tungabhadra around it. River. ful mythical battle scenes in intricate details. There As estimated by the archaeologists the city had as were sculptures of horses where presently

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 68

Prominent temples and architecture of Hampi ◆ ground is decorated with several stunning Yalis is one of the best attractions in Hampi. The temple ofVittala Lord TempleVishnu. A is stone one ofmade the chariot prime attractionsin front of the of Hampi dedicated to Hindu God Vittala who is a form ◆ designed pillars and impressive carvings of ◆ elephant balustrades. entry of the temple gives extra beauty to the temple. Lakshmi Narasimha is a fantastic big statue of Lord Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to the Hindu Lord 10thNarasimha avatars (Nara of Lord – man Vishnu. and Simha This –statue lion, ais lordthe Shiva. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples combined with a man and lion’s �igure) who was the in India where people have been doing continuous ◆ ◆ - worship to god for the last 7th century to till today. biggest in Hampi. Hemakuta is a rocky hill especially famous for structureQueen’s bath in the is an Royal indoor Palace. aquatic complex especial several temples situated on the top of it. Among ◆ ly used for royal family bathing. It is the �irst ruined these, the Virupaksha Temple of this hill is most Vijayanagara architecture. The original reason for ◆ famous. This hilltop offers a lovely scenic view of Lotus Mahal is an example of complex ancient Hampi. Kadalekalu Ganesha is an enormous statue about the use of this historical palace is still unknown. 14 ft high of Lord Ganesha. Some big slender stone ◆ Most probably it was a cultural place where some pillars with many mythological themes carved insideregional the forms royal of house. dances It iswere dedicated performed. to Hindu Lord decorated the front hall of this Statue. Sasivekalu Hazara Rama Temple is an inner temple located ◆ Ganesha is another big statue of Lord Ganesha- located inside an open pavilion. theRama story and of still Ramayana. today one can �ind here some comic SourceKrishna : THE Temple HINDU was constructed by the Krishnade scripts on the stone of temple walls which depict varaya in 1513 honourHISTORY to Lord Krishna. This temple Inclusion of Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta & Mallakhamba in Khelo India Youth Games 2021 In news that are unique to India. ◆ artists due to its long-standing history within The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of four Kalaripayattu is held in high regard by martial indigenous Games(Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta & surviving martial art in India. Mallakhamba ) to be a part of Khelo India Youth Games ◆ Indian martial arts. It is believed to be the oldest 2021, scheduled to take place in Haryana. A brief note on the indigenous games arts still in existence, with its origin in the martial Gatka It is also considered to be among the oldest martial ◆ BCE arts timeline dating back to at least the 3rd century Gatka originates from Punjab and this traditional ◆ - �ighting style of the Nihang Sikh Warriors is used ◆ Kalaripayattu is mentioned in the Vadakkan Pattu both as self-defense as well as a sport wooden stick used. The word originates as a dimin- kal (northern ballads) written about the Chekavar The Punjabi name gatka properly refers to the Thang-Tafrom the Malabar region of Kerala. ◆ ◆ utive of Sanskrit gada "mace” There are many weapons used in Gatka like, Stick, ◆ ◆ Thang-Ta, a Manipuri martial art has passed into- Talwar, kirpan and kataar. - tialoblivion art in recent decades. onsThe used.attacking and defense methods are based upon ◆ It is one of the components of Huyen langlon mar ◆ the positions of the hands feet and nature of weap Huyen langlon consists of two main components: Gatka's theory and techniques were taught by the ◆ ◆ thang-ta (armed combat) and sarit sarak (unarmed newSikh Britishgurus administrators of India in the mid-19th �ighting). century.After the Anglo-Sikh wars the art was banned by the ◆ The primary weapons of huyen langlon are the- ◆ ticedthang (sword)in three and ways: ta (spear) ritual, demonstration, and The thang-ta aspect of huyenSource langlon :PIB can be prac KalaripayattuIt is also displayed during the different celebrations ◆ or at fairs in Punjab entirelycombat. ritualistic in nature. • The �irst way is related to tantric practices and is- ◆ Kalaripayattu has its origin from Kerala and has practitioners all over the world - • The second way consists of a spectacular perfor Kalaripayattu is a martial art designed for the - mance involving sword and spear dances. These ancient battle�ield (the word "Kalari" meaning "bat routines can be converted into actual �ighting prac Monthlytle�ield"), Prelims with Snippets weapons and combative techniques December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 69

◆

◆ Thang-ta shares a connection with certain The name Mallakhamb derives from the terms • The third way is the true combat application. malla, meaning wrestler, and khamb, which means wrestlers.a pole. Literally meaning "wrestling pole", the term war-dances, often blurring the line between dance ◆ refers to a traditional training implement used by and combat forms, such as thangkairol (sword century, where it is mentioned in Manas-Olhas - a The origin of Mallakhamb can be traced to the 12th Mallakhambadance) and khosarol (spear dance). - ◆ classic by Chalukya in 1135 A.D. For seven centu Mallakhamb is a traditional sport, originating from instructorries, the art to Peshwa lay dormant, Bajirao tillII it was revived by the Indian subcontinent, in which a gymnast ◆ Balambhatta Dada Deodhar, the sports and �itness performs aerial yoga or gymnastic postures and ◆ wrestling grips in concert with a vertical stationary Mallakhamba has been well-known across India or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope. - ◆ and Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been The word Mallakhamb also refers to the pole used the hotspots of this sport in the sport.The pole is usually made from sheesh In 2013 the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh am (Indian rosewood) HISTORYpolished with castor oil. declared Mallakhamba the state sport Madan Mohan Malaviya and his contributions

In news ◆

Malviya participated actively in debates on issues Prime Minister of India pays tribute to Madan Mohan including free and compulsory primary education,- Malviya on his birth anniversary About Madan Mohan Malviya(1861-1946) tionthe prohibition of railways. on recruiting of Indian indentured ◆ - ◆ labourIn the infreedom the British struggle, colonies, Malaviya and the was nationaliza midway - Known as 'Mahamana'(a luminous mind and mag erates and the Extremists, as the followers of nanimous heart), a title given by Rabindranath between the Liberals and the Nationalists, the Mod Tagore, he was born on 25th December 1861, in ◆ Malaviya was the son of Pandit Brij Nath, a noted ◆ Allahabad Gokhale and Tilak were respectively called. Though a strong supporter of Congress, Malaviya ◆ SanskritAfter graduating scholar, and from his early Muir education Central took College, place localhelped Hindu establish nationalist the movements Hindu Mahasabha together. (“Great at two Sanskrit pathshalas (traditional schools). ◆ Society of Hindus”) in 1906, which brought diverse school. - ◆ Allahabad,He was a scholar, in 1884, educational he took upreformer, teaching and in a aleader local an.He is also remembered for his role in ending the of the Indian nationalist movement ◆ Indian indenture system, especially in the Caribbe- ◆ - His efforts in helping the Indo-Caribbeans is com Malviya made his political debut at the 1886 Calcut ◆ pared to Mahatma Gandhi's efforts of helping fourta (Kolkata) times session of the Indian National Indian South Africans - ◆ Congress. And was elected president of Congress Malaviya, who was keenly interested in uplifting the- educational standards of the country, was the prin theIn protestIndian National against theCongress Communal and started Award, Congress Madan India.cipal founder in 1916 of the Banaras Hindu Univer Mohan Malaviya and Madhav Aney split away from ◆ sityHe servedin Varanasi, as the a premier university’s institution vice-chancellor of learning for in ◆ Nationalist Party in 1934. at the school until his death. ◆ PanditHe also Madan served Mohan on the MalviyaImperial was Legislative also one Council of the ◆ somePandit two Madan decades Mohan (1919–38) Malviya’s and remainedconsciousness active (1909–20) - founders of Scout and Guide in India. Madan Mohan toward the public led to the launch of his own Malaviya was conferred the Bharat Ratna posthu Hindi-language weekly, the Abhyudaya (1907), the Hismously contributions in 2014. ◆ Leader of Allahabad, an English-language daily- ◆ Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya was the one who (1909), and the Hindi monthly the Maryada (1910). died.In addition, he was chairman of the board of direc tors of the Hindustan Times from 1924 until he popularized the term ' Satyamev Jayate' which Sourcemeans : Britannica 'Truth Alone & The Triumphs'. Indian Express

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 70 HISTORY Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan In news - the agency with best vision for the heritage site will The Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (I/C) ◆ be given an opportunity to associate pride with- took a review meeting of the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni theirtion and CSR maintenance activities. of amenities and facilities at Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project recently. About the project theThe heritage,project plans natural to entrust & tourist development, sites to the upgrada Monu- ◆ - gy interventions to increase awareness of these The ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni ment Mitras, coupled with innovation and technolo Pehchaan’ project is an initiative of the Ministry of ◆ ◆ Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of- extendedincredible treasures.to heritage, natural and tourist sites ismCulture Day. and the Archaeological Survey of India. acrossThe project India. began with 93 ASI monuments and has It was launched in September 2017 on World Tour ◆ ◆ amenities and facilities across heritage, natural, & It aims at ensuring quality & inclusive provision of ◆ These sites are classi�ied into various categories based on visibility and footfall. tourist sites through active participation of private- The 'Monument Mitras' would take up the sites of and public sector organizations and individuals. varied visibility and footfall as a package, based on ◆ These organizations would be known as “Monu their viability, and through CSR. They would get ment Mitras” for their collaboration initiative. visibility on the monument premises and Ministry They would become ‘Monument Mitras’ through of Tourism digital platforms for their initiative. Listthe of innovativeMonuments/Sites concept identi�ied of “Vision and Bidding”, adopted where by companies (monument-wise, company-wise and state-wise) under the Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan, Project

Sl.No. Agency/Monument Mitrasx Sl.No. Name of Monument State

1. Dalmia Bharat Ltd. 1. Red Fort Delhi

2. Gandikota Fort Andhra Pradesh

2. Adventure Tour Operators 3. Area surrounding Gangotri U�rakhand Associa�on of India Temple and Trail to Gaumukh

4. Mt. Stok Kangri Trek, Lakakh Jammu and Kashmir

3. Apeejay Park Hotels 5. Jantar Mantar Delhi

4. Bliss Inns 6. Surajkund Haryana (V-Resorts)

5. Yatra Online 7. Qutub Minar Delhi

8. Ajanta Caves Maharashtra

9. Leh Palace, Leh Jammu & Kashmir

10. Hampi (Hazara Rama Karnataka Temple)

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 71

◆ - ◆

Under the project, 27 Memorandum of Understand- naturalDevelop sites facilities and tourist and amenitiessites. to improve the nologicalings (MoUs) interventions have been across awarded India. to 12 Monument ◆ touristPromote experience cultural and at heritage heritage value sites, of monuments, the country ◆ Mitras for twenty-�ive (25) sites and two (2) Tech

Under the MoUs handed over for implementation of ◆ and develop avenues to create awareness about the- amenities includes basic facilities such as Dustbin;- heritage/natural/tourist sites in the country - Public Conveniences; Clean drinking water facility;- tenanceDevelop therein. and promote sustainable tourism infra Illumination; Ease of Access; Aesthetics and cleanli- ◆ structure and ensure proper Operations and Main ness of site; Bench Installations, Waste Manage livelihoods of local communities at the heritage, ment; App based Multi lingual Audio Guide; Instal naturalDevelop and employment tourist sites. opportunities and support ◆ lation of Digi Kiosk and Ticketing Kiosk; Signage -Descriptive and directional; Wi-Fi. Who is eligible for adopting a heritage site / monu Advanced amenities under implementation include ment under the project? Visitor Facility Centre; Sound and Light Show -3D-Projection Mapping (Interior and Exterior);- Snack Counter & Souvenir Shop; Augmented Reality Private and Public Sector Companies, Trusts, NGOs and Individuals are eligible for adopting heritage site- TheExperience objectives and of Virtualthe project Reality are (360-degree : Experi (s)/ monument (s) under this project. However, the ◆ ence). around heritage sites, monuments, natural sites �inalization of this interest, will depend on their evalu andDeveloping tourist sites. basic tourism infrastructure in and ation of their proposal and other criteria provided under the project guidelines Source : PIB & Ministry of Tourism

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 72 LAW AND POLICY LAW AND POLICY What is Emergency Use Approval of a Vaccine?

In news one, regulatory authorities around the world have

COVIDRecently, vaccine. the USA’s drug maker Moderna said it was developed mechanisms to grant interim approvals applying for emergency use authorization for its ◆ if there is suf�icient evidence to suggest a medical What is Emergency Use Approval/Authorisation product is safe and effective. - (EUA)of a Vaccine? gencyFinal approvaluse authorisation is granted allows only afterthe medicine completion or the of ◆ the trials and analysis of full data; until then, emer use of medical countermeasures, including When can emergency use authorisation be granted? It is a mechanism to facilitate the availability and ◆ vaccine to be used on the public. - ◆ vaccines, during public health emergencies, such as In the USA, the Food and Drug Administration the current COVID-19 pandemic (FDA) grants an EUA only after it has been deter In India such authorization is given by the Central mined that the “known and potential bene�its Is approvalDrugs Standard necessary Control & what Organisation is the process? (CDSCO). ◆ outweigh the known and potential risks of the ◆ Vaccines and medicines, and even diagnostic tests vaccine” (or medicine). - It means that an EUA application can be considered only after suf�icient ef�icacy data from phase 3 trials and medical devices, require the approval of a regu ◆ Processhad been of getting generated an emergency use authorisation grantedlatory authority after an before assessment they can of be their administered. safety and in India With respect to vaccines and medicines, approval is ◆ ◆ everyeffectiveness, stage of basedthese trials.on data from trials. According to the experts, India’s drug regulations- do not have provisions for an EUA, and the process ◆ The approval from the regulator is required at- tent. ◆ for receiving one is not clearly de�ined or consis ◆ It's a long process, designed to ensure that a medi cine or vaccine is absolutely safe and effective. Even though, CDSCO has been granting emergency The fastest approval for any vaccine until now — ◆ or restricted emergency approvals to Covid-19 drugs during this pandemic ◆ theDuring mumps the emergency vaccine in situations,like the 1960s — the took current about four-and-a-half years after it was developed. For instance, it has given emergency approval for remdesivir and favipiravir in June, and itolizumab LAW AND POLICY in July. New Unified Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff Regulations In news further away from sources of gas, effectively seeks the cost of gas transportation for consumers New uni�ied natural gas pipeline tariff regulations noti�ied by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory to levy a weighted average tariff of 14 pipelines andBoard consumers (PNGRB) ofwill natural likely gas.face legal challenges due to ◆ clubbed as the national gas grid to its users, even if the impact on existing agreements between suppliers they use only one of these pipelines Another complication stems from the fact that four Key highlights of the regulations ◆ The new regulations mark a shift from the existing resultof these that 14 pipelinesforced changes have been to the handed tariff out structure after a nowtariff-based effectively competitive raises questionbidding process,marks overwith the - system which charges consumers based on the ers indicated. distance from the source of gas and the number of ◆ sanctityThere is ofalso the the bidding issue ofprocess, the lack multiple of clarity stakehold of settle- pipelines used to a proposal involving a uni�ied gas- - tariff system, with one tariff for gas transported - gas.within 300 km and another tariff for gas transport ment matters owing to “the complex revenue settle- ◆ edAccording beyond to300 PNGRB, km from its move the source is aimed of atthe reducing natural ersment” themselves. to the pipeline operators, which the regula tor has left to be thrashed out by the service provid

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 73

Implications to a rise in tariff for a majority of users such as steel ◆ The move has faced criticism from a section of stakeholders as one which would lead to consum- onand urea. fertiliser plants, which could result in an those located further away ◆ upwardNew tariffs revision would in lead the government’s to higher costs subsidy of gas spendtrans- ◆ ersThe closer new tariff to sources regulations of gas may ending lead to up a risesubsidising in tariff for a majority of users such as steel and fertiliser gas, including LNG terminals on the west coast of Indiaportation for industries located near the sources of

plants, which could result in an upward revision in the government’s subsidyLAW spend AND POLICYon urea.may lead One Health Approach & Global Action Plan on AMR

What is One Health Approach on AMR? ◆ ◆ and agriculture warrants coordinated action in all The purpose of One Health is to provide a formal The rational use of antibiotics in humans, animals, ◆ platform for experts to plan and work together multi-institutional actions constitute the ‘One towards shared objectives. sectors. These multi-sectoral, multidisciplinary and ◆ Implementation of One Health warrants a strong and continuous national narrative on zoonoses. Health’ approach. Importance of One Health Approach asThis also approach to address advocates issues related a multi-sectoral to AMR. response ◆ ◆ to public health problems, particularly pandemics,-

The one Health approach has gained currency It supports focussed actions on the human-ani across the world as an ef�icient and cost-effective mal-environment interface for the prevention, response to AMR and several other challenges, detection and response to the public health events ◆ especially endemic zoonoses (diseases transmitted that in�luence global health and food security. between animals and humans) and pandemics. World Health Organization Global Action Plan on AMR (2015) This approach is reinforced by the fact that all the ◆ epidemics in the current millennium (SARS, MERS, intobird animal �lu and domains. COVID-19) have originated from At the Sixty-eight World Health Assembly in May ◆ animals because of unwanted excursion of humans 2015, the World Health Assembly endorsed a global drugaction resistance plan to trend tackle antimicrobial resistance, ◆ India’sThe Coronavirus National Action pandemic Plan on has AMR emphasised is an excellent the ◆ including antibiotic resistance, the most urgent urgency of implementing One Health. The goal of the global action plan is to ensure, for as example of the One Health approach and can be- andlong safe as possible, medicines continuity that are quality-assured,of successful treatment used in used as a guiding document to develop a workable and prevention of infectious diseases with effective ◆ road map for the country to respond to other simi them. lar public health challenges. ◆ a responsible way, and accessible to all who need AMR is one of the biggest challenges to human and animal health. There is a need to optimally utilise To achieve this goal, the global action plan sets out ◆ emerging technologies to improve human health �ive strategic objectives: and development. • to strengthen improve awarenessknowledge through and understanding surveillance and of One Health has been acknowledged as the optimum antimicrobial resistance; approach to counter the impact of AMR and future Howpandemics does it work? and must be adopted expeditiously. research; ◆ • to reduce the incidence of infection; - infrastructure in various sectors with a focus on • ment to optimize that takes the use account of antimicrobial of the needs agents; of all and coun- This endeavour utilises existing expertise and - • tries, develop and the increase economic investment case for sustainablein new medicines, invest munication. diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions. inter-sectoral coordination, collaboration, and com Source : The Hindu and WHO

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 74

LAW AND POLICY Breach of privilege

In news What is a breach of privilege? ◆ - lege notice against Finance Minister Thomas Isaac to - Recently, Kerala speaker referred the breach of privi torsWhile to the maintain Constitution the dignity has accorded and authority special ofprivi the leges and powers to parliamentarians and legisla- Whatthe Ethics is a CommitteeParliamentary of Kerala privilege? legislative assembly. ◆ Houses, these powers and privileges are not codi �ied. - Parliamentary privilege refers to the right and immu mentThere it are attracts. no clear, noti�ied rules to decide what constitutes a breach of privilege, and the punish actionsnity enjoyed done byor legislatures,statements made in which in the legislators course of are their ◆ legislativegranted protection duties against civil or criminal liability for Any act that obstructs or impedes either House of ofthe such state House legislature in the indischarge performing of his its duty, functions, or has or a Constitutional provisions which obstructs or impedes any Member or of�icer ◆

The powers, privileges and immunities of either ◆ tendency, directly or indirectly, to produce such results is treated as breach of privilege. Constitution.House of the Indian Parliament and of its Members - It is a breach of privilege and contempt of the House ◆ and committees are laid down in Article 105 of the to make speeches or to print or publish libel re�lect ing on the character or proceedings of the House, or andArticle their 194 committees. deals with the powers, privileges and or relating to his character or conduct as a legisla- immunities of the State Legislatures, their Members tor.its Committees, or on any member of the House for Source : The Indian Express

LAW AND POLICY Directorate of revenue intelligence (statute and function )

In news • as well as various inter-ministerial committees on

Currency Notes, etc. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence celebrates its 63rd FunctionsTerror Financing,of DRI Coastal Security, Fake Indian Aboutfounding the day Directorate on December of Revenue 4 Intelligence (DRI) ◆ ◆ It is an Indian intelligence agency. ◆ internationalIt is tasked with trade detecting in wildlife and curbingand environmentally smuggling of sensitivecontraband, items including drug traf�icking and illicit ◆ It is the country's apex anti-smuggling intelligence, ◆ investigations and operations agency. related to international trade and evasion of MandateIt is headed by a Director General of the rank of CustomsIt is also taskedduty. with combating commercial frauds ◆ Special Secretary to the Government of India. - ◆ The Agency works to secure India's national and - Act,DRI Armsenforces Act, provisions WMD Act ofetc. the Customs Act in addi - ◆ tion to over 50 other statutes including the NDPS ics,economic Fake Indian security Currency by preventing notes, the antiques, outright wildlife smug - gling of contraband such as �irearms, gold, narcot DRI is also a part of ◆ • the Cabinet Secretariat's National Authority Chemi and environmental products. cal Weapons Convention commercialMoreover, it frauds.also works to prevent the proliferation • the Special Investigation Team on Black Money - ◆ ofRI blackis the money, major intelligencetrade based agencymoney whichlaundering enforces and • ty the Task Force on Shell Companies • the Multi Agency Center (MAC) on National Securi drugs, gold, diamonds, electronics, foreign curren- Left Wing Extremism Financing cy,the and prohibition counterfeit of theIndian smuggling currency of items including • the Ministry of Home Affairs/NIA's special wings on Source : DRI

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LAW AND POLICY Supreme Court judgement on the 2020 Tribunal Rules

In news

• Ministry, Secretary and to the Ministry of Law and Justice Country’s apex Court passed a judgement on several • Secretary to central government from non-parent aspects of the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other ◆ Authorities (Quali�ications, Experience and other • Secretary from parent Ministry (without a vote). - BackgroundConditions of Service of Members) Rules, 2020 Eligibility: Advocates with experience of 10 years- will be eligible for appointment as judicial mem ◆ bers in tribunals (instead of the current require In 2019, the Supreme Court had struck down an earli ment of 25 years in some tribunals). er version of the Rules noti�ied in 2017. The Court had Five year term: Tribunal members will have a term then held that these Rules con�licted with various of �ive years instead of four years. Further, the Theprinciples government of the Constitutionwas asked to which re-formulate stressed the on rules the ofvice-chairman, age. vice-president and other members need to preserve the independence of the judiciary. ◆ will be allowed to hold of�ice till they reach 67 years

to align them with the previous judgements of the The Court stated that the 2020 Rules will have prospective effect and will be applicable from the KeyCourt, points following of Supreme which the Court 2020 judgment Rules were noti�ied. date of its noti�ication (February 12, 2020). Further, ◆ directed the Union government to constitute an ◆ all appointments made till date of the judgement National Tribunals Commission: The apex Court under the Rules will be valid. Appointments to tribunals: Central government- independent body called the National Tribunals tionmust Committee. make all tribunal appointments within three months of the recommendations made by the Selec ◆ Commission to supervise appointments, as well as functioning and administration of the tribunals. Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities It also directed that a separate wing under the- (Quali�ications, Experience and other Conditions of tutedMinistry of Finance may be set up to supervise the Service of Members) Rules, 2020 needs of the tribunals till the Commission is consti ◆ The Union Ministry of Finance has framed new ◆ -

Composition of Selection committee: The Court rules that prescribe uniform norms for the appoint pointed that the selection committees did not give ◆ ment and service conditions of members to various primacy to judicial members in decision making. It tribunals. speci�ied that the committee should consist of: ◆ The new rules are made in exercise of powers- • Chief Justice of India or his nominee (with a casting under Section 184 of the Finance Act 2017 vote) The rules apply to various tribunals such as Indus • The presiding of�icer of the tribunal or a retired trial Tribunal, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of High Court Central Administrative Tribunal, Railway Claims in case the presiding of�icer is not a judicial Tribunal, Security Appellate Tribunal, etc. Sourcemember : PRS or India if he is seeking re-appointment LAW AND POLICY Non Resident Indian (NRI) voting in India

In news Current process of voting for an NRI ◆ As of now, an NRI can vote in the constituency in Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI)

approached the Law Ministry to permit NRIs to cast ◆ which her place of residence, as mentioned in the theirKey highlights votes from overseas through postal ballots passport, is located. The Election Commission informed the government NRI can only vote in person and will have to that it is “technically and administratively ready” to ◆ produceVoting rights his/her for passport NRIs were in original introduced at the onlypolling in extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot station for establishing identity. -

year in Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and 2011, through an amendment to the Representa Puducherry.System (ETPBS) to voters abroad for elections next tion of the People Act 1950.

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Current population of NRIs ◆ ◆ - A 12-member committee was set up after the 2014 ◆ As per UN report of 2015, India’s diaspora popula Lok Sabha elections to study mainly three options tion is the largest in the world at 16 million people. very low: a little over one lakh overseas Indians ◆ — voting by post, voting at an Indian mission registeredRegistration as of voters NRI voters, in India, in according comparison, to the has EC. been abroad and online voting. ◆ The committee ruled out online polling as it felt this could compromise “secrecy of voting”. It also shot In the recent Lok Sabha elections, around 25,000 of ◆ down the proposal to vote at Indian missions Whatthem will �lew be to the India process to vote. of voting by postal ballots, abroad as they do not have adequate resources. if approved by the government? In 2015, the panel �inally recommended that NRIs ◆ should be given the “additional alternative options of e-postal ballot and proxy voting”, apart from As per ECI’s proposal, any NRI interested in voting ◆ - voting in person. through the postal ballot in an election will have to Under proxy voting, a registered elector can dele ◆ informAfter receiving the Returning such Of�icer information, (RO) not laterthe thanRO will�ive days after the noti�ication of the election. voting.gate his voting power to a representative. The Law Ministry accepted the recommendation on proxy ◆ dispatch the ballot paper electronically. What is the situation in other countries? The Indian diaspora voters will download the ballot paper, mark their preference on the printout and Voting by expatriates differs from country to country, send it back along with a declaration attested by an ◆ for example: NRIof�icer is resident. appointed by the diplomatic or consular representative of India in the country where the A British citizen living abroad can register as an overseas voter for up to 15 years after leaving the Voting power to NRIs: The story so far ◆ UK, as long as he is a British or Irish citizen and was ◆ a registered voter in the UK in the last 15 years. from overseas after it received several requests, ECI began to look for options to enable NRIs to vote USA’s expatriates enjoy voting rights in the US irrespective of how long they have been living abroad. They can vote for federal of�ice candidates Overseasincluding Affairs, one from former Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Naveen Jindal and the Ministry of in the primary and general elections. Source : Indian Express LAW AND POLICY VISVAS Yojana

In news to time. ◆ In order to implement the VISVAS Yojana National ◆ Applicant’s annual family income should be less- Backward Classes Finance & Development Corpora ARDthan withRs. 3.00 more Lakh. than two years of credit history tion(NBCFDC) and the National Scheduled Castes signed an agreement with Central Bank of India ◆ SHGs must be registered with NRLM/NULM/NAB Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) have

◆ SHGs/Individuals must have made all repayments timely to be eligible for Interest Subvention - Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ko Aarthik Sahayata All OBC Antoday Anna Yojana (AAY) card holders,- and OBC individuals facing three or more Depriva ObjectivesYojana (VISVAS Yojana) tions in terms of SECC-2011, as per records avail ◆ able at the relevant BDO Of�ice shall be eligible for- OBCUnder individuals this scheme, who interest have taken subvention loan for will various be provid Interestties and Subvention.getting coverage under the PM Kisan shall incomeed to Self generating Help Groups activities with 100% from thoseOBC members Lending Instiand All OBC bene�iciaries involved in Agricultural activi tutions who have signed MoA with NBCFDC. Financialbe eligible aid for coverage under Interest Subvention ◆ Who is eligible? Following are the eligibility criteria of the scheme ◆ ◆ ◆ Maximum loan limit (for SHG)- Rs. 4.00 Lakh Maximum loan limit (for individual) - Rs. 2.00 Lakh Members of Backward Classes, as noti�ied by Maximum Subvention Amount -@5% p.a. Source :The Hindu & NBCFDC Central Government/State Governments from time

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LAW AND POLICY India Workplace Equality Index

In news

launched and bene�its, employee lifecycle, employee network Country’s �irst LGBT+ India Workplace Equality Index andgroup, additional allies and work. role models, senior leadership, Background monitoring, procurement, community engagement About India Workplace Equality Index Background ◆ ◆ -

It is India’s First comprehensive benchmarking tool In September 2018, the Apex Court ruled unani for employers to measure their progress mously in Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India that ◆ on lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) inclusion in adultsSection of 377 the same was unconstitutionalsex". "in so far as it the workplace ◆ criminalises consensual sexual conduct between- The IWEI empowers organisations to navigate the ◆ challenges of embedding LGBT+ inclusion and In its ruling, the Supreme Court stated that consen provides them with a clear roadmap to follow sual sexual acts between adults cannot be a crime, The IWEI comes two years after the Supreme ◆ ◆ deeming the prior law "irrational, arbitrary and Court’s landmark decision on Section 377. incomprehensible." This year, Keshav Suri Foundation (KSF), Pride MisraThe judgment was given by a �ive judges bench Circle and Stonewall have partnered to create the ◆ ◆ headed by the then Chief Justice of India Dipak India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI) carnal intercourse against the order of nature with The IWEI follows in the footsteps of Stonewall’s UK Section 377 states that whoever voluntarily has WEI. This benchmarking tool has been used by equalityemployers in the over UK. the last 15 years to assess their any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with ◆ achievements and progress on LGBT+ workplace imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to Source :The Indian Express This index measures nine areas, such as policies ten years, and shall also be liable to �ine LAW AND POLICY Plasmodium ovale a type of malaria In news that causes tertian malaria in humans. ◆

heAn mightuncommon have contracted type of malaria, Plasmodium Plasmodium ovale duringovale, has P. ovale malaria-like other types of malaria infection been identi�ied in a soldier in Kerala, it is believed that glandbegins during when feeding.female Anopheles mosquito bites and endemic. ◆ inoculates plasmodial sporozoites from its salivary his posting in Sudan where the Plasmodium ovale is Plasmodium ovale curtisi and Plasmodium ovale What is Malaria? wallikeriP. ovale may be composed of two coexisting species: ◆ ◆ mosquito, if the mosquito itself is infected with a It is caused by the bite of the female Anopheles PlasmodiumIt is termed ovale ovale around as about the 20% world of the parasitised ◆ cells are oval in shape ◆ malarial parasite. Infected mosquitoes carry the Africa Plasmodium parasite - ◆ P ovale malaria is endemic to tropical Western- The mosquito transmits plasmodium from its saliva into the host while ingesting a blood meal. The plas inIt hasthese also areas. been detected in the Philippines, Indone Whatmodia are then the entertypes the of Malaria? red blood cells and feed on the ◆ sia and Papua New Guinea, but is still relatively rare Therehemoglobin. are �ive kinds of malarial parasites was found that P ovale and P malariae occurred at In a 2016 study on the China-Myanmar border, it

1. Plasmodium falciparum Statusvery oflow malaria prevalence, in the but world: were Worldoften misidenti�ied. malaria 2. Plasmodium vivax (the commonest ones) report 2019 3. Plasmodium malariae ◆ What4. Plasmodium is Plasmodium ovale and ovale? ◆5. Plasmodium knowlesi inAccording 89 countries to the WHO World malaria report 2019, there were an estimated 228 million malaria cases Plasmodium ovale is a species of parasitic protozoa Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 78

◆ ◆

Most malaria cases in 2018 were in the World As per the Union Health Ministry, in India, out of Health Organization (WHO) African Region (213 1.57 lakh malaria cases in the high-burden states of million or 93%), followed by the WHO South-East Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya and ◆ Asia Region with 3.4% of the cases and the WHO ◆ Madhya Pradesh in 2019, 1.1 lakh cases (70%) Eastern Mediterranean Region with 2.1%. were cases of falciparum malaria ◆ Nineteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa and India The report also said that, India made impressive carried almost 85% of the global malaria burden. - gains in the global �ight against malaria, recording Six countries accounted for more than half of all yearthe largest reduction in cases in South-East Asia malaria cases worldwide: Nigeria (25%), the Demo ◆ from 20 million in 2000 to about 5.6 million last cratic Republic of the Congo (12%), Uganda (5%), Statusand of Côte Malaria d’Ivoire, in India Mozambique and Niger (4% The report said that India also recorded a decrease ◆ each) ◆ inIt also the stated number that of Malaria deaths deaths from malariain India betweendeclined 2000 and 2019. According to the WHO World malaria report 2019, ◆ - India’s target to eliminate malaria India represents 3% of the global malaria burden. ◆ from about 29,500 in 2000 to about 7,700 last year India is accelerating progress towards the attain ◆ ment of malaria free status by 2027 and eliminating In November 2015, the Prime Minister of India the disease by 2030. joined 17 Asia Paci�ic leaders in endorsing a plan The WHO report said that cases in India dropped ◆ and roadmap to eliminate malaria throughout the Sourcefrom :WHOabout &20 The million Indian in Express 2000 to about 5.6 million region by 2030. in 2019 India further pledged to achieve this goal by 2027 - LAW AND POLICY three years ahead of the regional and global target. Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)

In news ◆

The academic fee is paid to the institution where Extending support to J&K and Ladakh students, AICTE as maintenance allowance under Prime Minister’s ◆ theThe academic student is fee provided covers tuition admission fee and after other on-line com- has decided to release the instalment of Rs. 20,000/- counselling process conducted by the AICTE. - Background: sional, medical and other under-graduate courses. Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) - ◆ ponents as per the ceiling �ixed for various profes - An Expert Group was constituted by the Prime Minis In order to meet expenditure towards hostel ter in 2010 for enhancing employment opportunity- accommodation, mess expenses, books & statio among youths of J&K and Ladakh and formulate job nery etc., a �ixed amount of Rs.1.00 Lakh is provided opportunities in public and private sectors. Subse Whoto theis eligible bene�iciary to get and PMSSS? is paid in instalments @ Rs. quently, Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme ◆ 10,000/- per month directly into students account. (PMSSS) is being implemented in 2011 by the All India What is the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship ◆ CouncilScheme for (PMSSS)? Technical Education(AICTE), New Delhi. Students having domicile of Jammu & Kashmir. ◆ ◆ Passing 10+2 examination from J&K Board or CBSE located in J&K. The Scheme aims to build the capacities of the ◆ Only those willing to study outside the State of J&K. courseyouths of J&K and Ladakh by Educating, Enabling annum. ◆ Whose family Income is Rs. 6.00 Lakh or below per ◆ and Empowering them to compete in the normal

Under the PMSSS Scheme, the youths of J&K and ◆ Ful�illing minimum age and other eligibility criteria as prescribed by the colleges. allowance.Ladakh are supported by way of scholarship in two parts namely the academic fee & maintenance Aadhar Card is essential for smooth disbursement Source : Source : PIB & AICTE scholarship through direct bene�it transfer. LAW AND POLICY Recognition of prior learning under skill India programme

In news - mentation of skill development programmes, RajSkill in India Chandauli undertakes and Varanasi Recognition of Prior Learning Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneur (RPL)Key highlights for workers of the under programme Department of Panchayati ship (MSDE) is conducting a Special Recognition of ◆ andPrior Varanasi. Learning (RPL) program for workers, with - Department of Panchayati Raj (DoPR) in Chandauli In line with its vision to promote decentralization Monthlyand localPrelims governance Snippets for better planning and imple December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 79

The programme, implemented under SANKALP Objectives Programme of MSDE RPL under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana ◆ (PMKVY) 2016-20 primarily has threefold objectives: The implementing agency for the programme is ◆ ◆ - National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) The learnings from the RPL programme in It aims to align the competencies of the un-regulat Chandauli and Varanasi will be incorporated in the ◆ ed workforce of the country to the standardized future.national launch of the proposed scheme aiming at National Skills Quali�ication Framework (NSQF), getting gram panchayats skill ready for jobs of the ◆ higherTo enhance education the employability and opportunities of an ◆ individual as well as provide alternative routes to Panchayat’This initiative that isfocuses part ofon aintroducing larger programme Recognition on ‘Skill Development Planning at the level of ‘Gram overTo provide others. opportunities for reducing inequalities GPs of various districts across the country. based on privileging certain forms of knowledge of Prior Learning (RPL) in a structured manner in Other features of RPL What is Recognition of Prior Learning ◆ ◆ Recognition of Prior Learning commonly known as

◆ No fee is charged from a candidate for participating in the RPL program RPL largely refers to an assessment process used to RPL recognizes the value of learning acquired evaluate a person's existing skill sets, knowledge or informal learning. outside a formal setting and provides a government and experience gained either by formal, non-formal ◆ ◆ certi�icate for an individual’s skills Every successfully certi�ied candidate receives INR Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme ◆ - 500 recognizes the value of learning acquired outside a cate for an individual’s skills. Candidates receive Candidate receive exposure to concepts of digital formal setting and provides a government certi�i ◆ Candidate receive an accidental insurance coverage - and �inancial literacy cy and an accidental insurance coverage for three for three years at free of cost yearsexposure at free to conceptsof cost. of digital and �inancial litera SANKALP Programme • In order to strengthen institutional mechanisms for skill develo ment and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for youth across the country, ANKALP was launched on 19th anuary 018. • ANKALP has a six-year im lementation eriod till March 0 .p • ANKALP aims to address the ongoing challenges like Sringing a out convergence, infusJing quali2ty in skill Sdevelo ment rograms anpd making thpem market rele2van2t3 and accessi le while ensuring rivate Sartici ation in the context of short-term training. b b • ANKApLP has fpour key result areas vi : b p p pInstitutional trengthening at Central, tate & District level S Quality Assurance of skill devezlo ment rogrammes ○ Inclusion of mSarginali ed o ulation inS skill develo ment rogrammes and ○ Ex anding kills through PPPs. p p ○ z p p p p ; Signi�icance of thep move S - - creating sustainable employment and entrepreneur The initiative will contribute to the development of ship opportunities for workers and drive socio-eco- rational and realistic state skill development plans,- nomic development of the local economies. This will �inally leading to a well-grounded national plan for country.further enhance the scope of replicability and scalabil skill development. Down-streaming the skill develop ity of the RPL programme to other GPs across the ment planning to the gram panchayat (GP) level would Source :PIB contribute` to decentralization in the true sense. Thus, LAW AND POLICY New Features of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019

In news

Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution- Recently, the National Consumer Day 2020 was virtually celebrated the National Consumer Day observedKey highlights with the theme “New Features of the 2020 with the theme “New Features of the Consum Consumer◆ Protection Act, 2019” er Protection Act, 2019” in association with the Centre for Consumer Studies, Indian Institute of The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Public Administration in New Delhi Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 80

◆ In his inaugural address Union Minister of Consum- selling. ◆ teleshopping, multi-level marketing or direct er Affairs, Food and Public Distribution appealed to ourall thePrime consumers Minister. to be vocal for local to prefer As per the act, the central government will set up a ◆ indigenous products and services as appealed by- enforceCentral the Consumer rights of consumers. Protection Authority (CCPA) mitment towards quality and standards and Atma with an investigating wing to promote, protect and The Minister emphasized the need for greater com - ◆ • The CCPA may impose a penalty on a manufacturer Nirbhar Bharat. advertisement.or an endorser of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprison The Minister said that the inauguration of Second ment for up to two years for a false or misleading phase of of�ice cum laboratory building at National Test House at Mumbai is a step-in direction as it ◆• In case of a subsequent offence, the �ine may extend inprovides e-vehicles. for development of testing facilities of air to Rs 50 lakh and imprisonment of up to �ive years. ◆ conditioner, refrigerators, toys and batteries used- Consumer rights de�ined: it includes right to - • be protected against marketing of goods and Emphasizing the need for ‘vocal for local’, the Minis services which are hazardous to life and property ◆ ter observed that local products should be encour • be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, aged which can be done by the consumers only standard and price of goods or services The Minister observed that next year, India should • beseek assured redressal of against access tounfair a variety or restrictive of goods trade or ◆ be celebrating the year of quality in standard and- services at competitive prices; and productivity ◆ The Minister concluded the speech by saying ‘Jago practices. - aurJageraho’ meaning consumers should be aware Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (CDRC) of their rights and they should remain aware and be • of The goods District and Consumer services does Dispute not exceed Redressal Rs one Commis crore. Keyvigilant features while of Consumerpurchasing Protectiongoods and services. Act 2019: sion (CDRC) will entertain complaints where value ◆ good or avails a service for a consideration. • The State CDRC will entertain complaints when the It de�ines a consumer as a person who buys any Rs 10 crore. ◆ value is more than Rs one crore but does not exceed It does not include a person who obtains a good for ◆ It covers transactions through all modes including • Complaints with value of goods and services over resale or a good or service for commercial purpose. CDRC Rs 10 crore will be entertained by the National Sourceof�line, : PIB and onlineLAW throughAND POLICY electronic means, CIC Ruling on Electoral Bond scheme In news

sure of names of donors and the donees may be in interest,Recently, violates the Central RTI Information Commission (CIC) contravention of provisions contained in section 8 stated that revealing names of donors not in public (1) (e) ( j ) of the RTI Act itself, What is the ruling of CIC on the Electoral Bond • The section exempt a public authority to give a scheme? citizen information available to a person in his ◆ warrants�iduciary the relationship, disclosure of unlesssuch information”. the competent Right to Information Act, has now ruled that the ◆ authority is satis�ied that the larger public interest CIC which is the lead body for implementing the

◆ Durve had �irst sought the information in this disclosure of identity of electoral bond scheme regard from SBI’s CPIO on June 16, 2018. donors will not serve any larger public interest and ◆ Dissatis�ied by the CPIO’s reply, he had appealed to will violate provisions of the Act itself. • FAA also ruled that the “information related to the First Appellate Authority (FAA) with the bank, soughtCIC in itsinformation order, while of dismissing the scheme an appealdonors by – a Maharashtra-based activist Vihar Durve – who had electoral bonds issued to political parties was held by the SBI in �iduciary capacity” and that the names donorsremarked and that donees “there concerned”. appears to be no larger public ◆ of the donors could not be disclosed as these fell in ◆ interest overriding the right of privacy of the- directedthe bracket the of Centre third partyto reveal information. the names of electoral In its previous order issued this January, CIC had It upheld the contention of the Central Public Infor mation Of�icer (CPIO) of the State Bank of India ◆ - bond scheme donors who wanted their identities to (SBI) remain con�idential. The commission further observed that the “disclo Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 81

◆ - of “Person” includes Citizen groups have been arguing that the informa • Incorporated An Individual. or Established in India. The de�inition tion of donors must be disclosed in the interest of • Hindu Undivided Family Abouttransparency Electoral Bond scheme ◆ • A Firm. • AnA Company. Association of Persons or a Body of Individuals, ◆ The Government of India noti�ied the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 in January 2018. As per provisions of the Scheme, Electoral Bonds whether incorporated or not. ◆ may be purchased by a person, who is a citizen of • Every Arti�icial Juridical Person, not falling within India or incorporated or established in India any of the preceding sub clauses Only the Political Parties registered under Section ◆• Any Agency, Of�ice or Branch owned or controlled 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by such a person. and which secured not less than one per cent of the The Security Printing & Minting Corporation of votes polled in the last General Election to the ◆ India (SPMCIL), has been authorised to print the Bonds.House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of crore.electoral bonds. ◆ the State, shall be eligible to receive the Electoral ◆ The range of a bond is between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 - Electoral Bond is a bearer Banking Instrument (in A donor with a KYC-compliant account can the nature of promissory note) to be used for fund ◆ purchase the bonds and can then donate them to ing eligible Political Parties. ◆ authorisation from the Central Government to the party or individual of their choice. These are issued by the State Bank of India upon The �irst 10 days of January, April, July and October have been speci�ied by the government for intending donors, but only against cheque and ◆ purchase of electoral bonds. ◆ digital payments (it cannot be purchased by paying cash). ◆ An additional period of 30 days shall be speci�ied by the government in the year of Lok Sabha elections. madeThe party only willthrough be allotted this account a veri�ied account by the - ECI and the electoral bond transactions can be A donor will get a tax deduction and the recipient, Working of electoral bonds or the political party, will get tax exemption, provid ◆ ◆ eddays. returns are �iled by the political party. The electoral bond will be valid only for �ifteen SourceThe Electoral: The Indian Bonds Express under this Scheme may be purchased by a Person, who is a Citizen of India or LAW AND POLICY National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation

In news Objectives of NSFDC ◆

Ministry of Food Processing Industries signed a Joint - ◆ Identi�ication of trades & other economic activities Communique with Ministry of Tribal Affairs and 5 - of importance to Scheduled Castes population. MoUs with NCDC, TRIFED, ICAR, NAFED and NSFD ◆ PromotionUpgradation of ofsmall, skills cottage & processes & village used industries. by persons C(National Scheduled Castes Finance and Develop ◆ belonging to Scheduled Castes. ment Corporation) About National Scheduled Castes Finance and Devel - opment Corporation(NSFDC) uledFinancing Castes. of pilot programmes for upliftment and Establishment ◆ economic welfare of persons belonging to Sched

Improvement in �low of �inancial assistance to NSFDC was setup by the Government of India on- ◆ persons belonging to Scheduled Castes for their- February 08, 1989 with the name National Scheduled economic well-being. Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Develop Assistance to target group in setting up their proj ment Corporation (NSCSTFDC). It was incorporated as ◆ ects by way of project preparation, training and aBifurcation fully owned Government of India Company under �inancial assistance. Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 - Extending loans to eligible students belonging to Scheduled Castes for pursuing full time profession Consequent upon the orders of the Government of ◆ al and technical courses in India and abroad. India declaring bifurcation of the erstwhile NSCSTFDC - Extending loans to eligible youth to enhance their into two separate corporations (one each for SCs & tion & training courses in India. skill & employability by pursuing vocational educa STs), the existing NSFDC is now functioning exclusively Monthlyfor the developmentPrelims Snippets of the Scheduled Castes December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 82

Tasks assigned to NSFDC ◆ - - NEDFiChannel etc. Partners such as Public Sector Banks, It has been assigned the task for �inancing, facilitat ◆ Regional Rural Banks, NBFC-MFIs, JHARCRAFT,- ing and mobilizing funds for the economic empow - ◆ erment of persons having annual family income up- This is managed by a Board of Directors with repre to Rs. 3.00 lakh for both rural and urban areas. sentation from Central Government, State Sched It provides �inancial assistance for income generat uled Castes Development Corporations, Financial ing schemes for the target group through State Institutions and non-of�icial members representing Channelising Agencies (SCAs) which are nominated LAW AND POLICY Scheduled Castes by respective State/UT Government and other Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) In news gender. ◆ one. Nearly �ifty percent of the treatments under PMJAY are ◆ All pre–existing conditions are covered from day Aboutavailed Pradhan by women Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) ◆ Bene�its of the scheme are portable across the treatment.country i.e. a bene�iciary can visit any empanelled Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the ◆ public or private hospital in India to avail cashless second component under Ayushman Bharat(�irst is ◆ covering all the costs related to treatment, includ- Health and Wellness Centres) Services include approximately 1,393 procedures MinisterThis scheme of India was launched on 23rd September, ◆ 2018 in Ranchi, Jharkhand by the Hon’ble Prime charges,ing but notOT and limited ICU charges to drugs, etc. supplies, diagnostic ◆ services, physician's fees, room charges, surgeon ◆ PM-JAY is the world’s largest health insurance/- assurance scheme fully �inanced by the government Bene�itsPublic coveredhospitals under are reimbursed the scheme for the healthcare The households included are based on the depriva ◆ services at par with the private hospitals tion and occupational criteria of Socio-Economic ◆ Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban listedPM-JAY secondary provides and cashless tertiary care cover conditions. of up The to areas respectively. - INR5,00,000 to each eligible family per annum for tened.PM-JAY was earlier known as the National Health - ◆ Protection Scheme (NHPS) before being rechris ment.cover under the scheme includes all expenses • incurred Medical examination, on the following treatment components and consultation of the treat It subsumed the then existing Rashtriya Swasthya ◆ Bima Yojana (RSBY) which had been launched in 2008. • Non-intensivePre-hospitalization and intensive care services PM-JAY is fully funded by the Government and cost • Medicine and medical consumables of implementation is shared between the Central Keyand features State Governments. of PM-JAY • Diagnostic and laboratory investigations ◆ • FoodMedical services implantation services (where necessary) • Accommodation bene�its It provides a cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization India. • Complications arising during treatment across public and private empanelled hospitals in ◆ ◆ - • Post-hospitalization follow-up care up to 15 days Over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable entitled fami The bene�its of INR 5,00,000 are on a family �loater lies (approximately 50 crore bene�iciaries) are ◆ basis which means that it can be used by one or all ◆ members of the family. eligible for these bene�its. ◆ PM-JAY provides cashless access to health care The RSBY had a family cap of �ive members. However, based on learnings from those schemes, ◆ services for the bene�iciary at the point of service, that is, the hospital. ◆ PM-JAY has been designed in such a way that there PM-JAY envisions to help mitigate catastrophic is no cap on family size or age of members. ◆ In addition, pre-existing diseases are covered from ◆ expenditure on medical treatment which pushes the very �irst day. nearly 6 crore Indians into poverty each year. - This means that any eligible person suffering from nosticsIt covers and up medicines. to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 thoseany medical medical conditionconditions beforeas well beingunder this covered scheme by ◆ days post-hospitalization expenses such as diag rightPM-JAY from will the now day bethey able are toenrolled. get treatment for all SourceThere : PM-JAY is no restriction on the family size, age or Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 83 LAW AND POLICY Human personal Freedom Index 2020 In news ◆ States and Fraser Institute in Canada - GlobalIndia ranks perspective 111 in personal freedom index lia,The Canada, countries Ireland, that ranked Estonia, in theand top Germany 10 are Newand ◆ Zealand, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Denmark, Austra It noted a decrease in personal freedoms since ◆ ◆ Sweden (with the last two tied in the 9th place). 2008 globally. and economic freedom Japan ranked 11th, the UK and the US were tied in The index covered 76 indicators of personal, civic ◆ ◆ New Zealand was ranked one in the index, followed the 17th place. ◆ TheWhile index Syria is calculated was ranked using the 76 worst, distinct followed indicators by ◆ The three least-free countries in descending order Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen and Iran. by Switzerland and Hong Kong. rule of law, security and safety, religion, legal ◆ of personal and economic freedom in areas such as are Venezuela, Sudan, and Syria, money. ◆ The Human Freedom Index 2020 uses data from system and property rights, and access to sound 2008 to 2018 It was released by the Cato Institute in the United

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 84

India’s status ◆ ◆ The global ranking covers personal, civil and economic freedom, it placed India at 111 out of 162 countries It ranks india’s neighbouring countries such as China- 129, bangladesh-139 and Pakistan at 140

Source : The Hindu & The Wire

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 85 LAW AND POLICY Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Fund In news scheme. They recommend their choice of works to Recently, during the meeting of the standing commit- - duresthe concerned of the concerned district authoritiesstate government. who implement tee on MPLAD funds of Rajya Sabha headed by Deputy- these works by following the established proce Chairman, members of all parties unanimously asked What kinds of works are eligible under it? the government to release funds for the projects sanc ◆ tioned in 2018 and 2019 About MPLADS scheme ◆ Works, developmental in nature, based on locally ◆ feltPreference needs andunder always the availablescheme is for given the useto works of the fundsMPLADS are is releaseda centrally-sponsored in the form planof grants scheme in-aid fully public at large, are eligible under the scheme. directlyfunded byto the the district government authorities. of India under which ◆ roads,relating etc. to national priorities, such as provision of drinking water, public health, education, sanitation, Implementation: The Member of Parliament Local Role of District authority and MPs Area Development Division is entrusted with the- ◆ responsibility of implementation of Member of ◆ ParliamentUnder the Localscheme, Area each Development MP has the Scheme choice (MP to The District authority is empowered to examine the suggestLADS) to the District Collector for, works to the overalleligibility execution, of works and sanction monitor funds the andscheme select at the groundimplementing level. agencies, prioritise works, supervise ◆ The district authorities get the works executed ◆ tune of Rs.5 Crores per annum to be taken up in- - his/her constituency. ments or other government agencies. In some The Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament can recom cases,through the the district line authorities departments, get localthe works self-govern execut- ◆ mend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected. ◆ The Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and ed through reputed non-government organisations. workRajya underSabha themay scheme. select any Districts from any State ◆ The Lok Sabha Members can recommend works in- ◆ inThe the fundsCountry released for implementation under the of theirscheme choice are of mendtheir respective works anywhere constituencies. in the state from which they areThe elected. elected members of the Rajya Sabha can recom ◆ non-lapsable. Funds not released in a particular ◆ yearThe MPs is carried have a forward recommendatory to the subsequent role under years, the anywhereNominated in members the country. of the Lok Sabha and Rajya subject to eligibility. Sabha may select works for implementation LAW AND POLICY Role of governor in summoning an assembly In news

light as the Kerala Governor has turned down a required to act on the “aid and advice” of the Cabinet. Role of governor in summoning an assembly comes to So when the Governor summons the House under the Chief Minister Article 174, this is not of his or her own will but on the request to summon a special sitting of the Assembly by aid and advice of the Cabinet. Applicability of discretionary power of Governor in Governor’s role in summoning an assembly summoning the assembly ◆ There are a few instances where the Governor can from time to time summon the House or each House of Article 174 of the constitution says “the Governor shall - ◆ summon the House despite the refusal of the Chief the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and Minister who heads the Cabinet. place as he thinks �it, but six months shall not inter When the Chief Minister appears to have lost the vene between its last sitting in one session and the Minister,majority thenand the the legislativeGovernor canmembers decide ofon the his Houseor her date appointed for its �irst sitting in the next session”. What does article 163 say about the Governor? ownpropose on summoning a no-con�idence the House. motion against the Chief ◆ But the actions of the Governor, when using his

Although it is the Governor’s prerogative to summon the House, according to Article 163, the Governor is discretionary powers can be challenged in court. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 86

Supreme court decision on Governor’s discretionary power ◆ atcouncil his own of will, ministers. or in his In own the discretion,” above situation, he is precluded [from taking] an individual call on the issue A number of rulings by the Supreme Court has settled the position that the Governor cannot refuse Governor’s discretionary apply in limited areas:SC ◆ ◆ the request of a Cabinet that enjoys majority in the House unless it is patently unconstitutional The court said the Governor’s discretionary powers The �ive-judge Constitution Bench judgment of the are limited to speci�ied areas like giving assent or Supreme Court in Nabam Rebia versus Deputy withholding/referring a Bill to the President or Speaker on July 13, 2016 held that a Governor toappointment quit, etc. of a Chief Minister or dismissal of a summoncannot employ the House. his ‘discretion’, and should strictly ◆ government“The area for which the exercise has lost of con�idence his discretion but isrefuses limit- ◆ abide by the “aid and advice” of the Cabinet to

HouseThe then only Chief on the Justice aid and J.S. advice Khehar of heldthe Council that “the of ed. Even in this limited area, his [Governor’s] choice MinistersGovernor withcan summon, the Chief prorogueMinister asand the dissolve head. And the of action should not be arbitrary or fanciful. It must not at his own” be a choice dictated by reason, actuated by good ◆ Sarkariafaith and Commission tempered by on caution,” Governor the court said. the Constitution does not give the Governor a “gen- The Supreme Court highlighted how Article 163 of the advice of his Council of Ministers”. theEven states, the had Sarkaria said that Commission “so long as of the 1983, Council which of eral discretionary power to act against or without reviewed the arrangements between the Centre and - - Ministers enjoys the con�idence of the Assembly, its In another case (Arunachal Pradesh constitutional advice in these matters, unless patently unconstitu crisis) the court had held that“in ordinary circum tional must be deemed as binding on the Governor. It is stances during the period when the Chief Minister and only where such advice, if acted upon, would lead to an- his council of ministers enjoy the con�idence of the infringement of a constitutional provision, or where- majority of the House, the power vested with the erthe the Council Governor of Ministers may act has in theceased exercise to enjoy of his the discre con�i- withGovernor the aid under and Article advice 174 of theto summon, chief minister prorogue and and his tion”.dence of the Assembly, that the question arises wheth dissolve the house(s) must be exercised in consonance Source :The Indian Express & The Hindu LAW AND POLICY Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres

Background minutes. ◆ The National Health Policy, 2017 recommended ◆ Primary Health Centres in rural and urban areas strengthening the delivery of primary health care, would also be converted to HWC. through the establishment of “Health and Wellness Such care could also be provided/ complemented Centres” as the platform to deliver comprehensive through outreach services, Mobile Medical Units, primary health care and called for a commitment of camps, home and community-based care, but the two-thirds of the health budget to primary health care. principle should be a seamless continuum of care that ensures the principles of equity, universality In order to expand access to Comprehensive Primary Ayushmanand no �inancial Bharat hardship. Health & Wellness Centres Health Care (CPHC), under Ayushman Bharat – Health ◆ Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres and Wellness Centres (HWCs), Sub Health Centres - (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are being man Bharat strengthened as Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). ◆ (HWCs) is the one of the two components of Ayush ◆De�ining HWCs - Ayushman Bharat is an attempt to move from a To ensure delivery of Comprehensive Primary selective approach to health care to deliver compre convertedHealth Care to (CPHC)Health andservices, Wellness existing Centres, Sub withCentres the hensive range of services spanning preventive,- covering a population of 3000 -5000 would be tarypromotive, to each curative,other. rehabilitative and palliative care. It has two components which are complemen principle being “time to care” to be no more than 30

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 87

◆ - -

Under its �irst component, 1,50,000 Health & Well- ◆ Non-CommunicableBasic Oral health care diseases and chronic commu salness and Centres free to (HWCs)users, with will a befocus created on wellness to deliver and ◆ nicable disease like TB and Leprosy Comprehensive Primary Health Care, that is univer ◆ Elderly and Palliative health care services to the community. ◆ Care for Common Ophthalmic and ENT problems the delivery of an expanded range of services closer ◆ ◆ ailmentEmergency Medical Services The second component is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Screening and Basic management of Mental health Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) which provides health Other Services in HWCs secondaryinsurance coverand tertiary of Rs. 5care. lakhs per year to over 10 ◆ crore poor and vulnerable families for seeking These centres will provide Comprehensive Primary careHWC services are envisaged to include to care deliver for non expanded -communica range- Health Care (CPHC), by expanding and strengthening services that go beyond Maternal and child health the existing Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) and- Communicable Diseases services and by including forble emergenciesdiseases, palliative and trauma and rehabilitative , including free care, essen Oral,- services related to Non-Communicable Diseases (com- Eyetial drugsand ENT and care, diagnostic mental services health and �irst level care mon NCDs such as, Hypertension, Diabetes and 3 common cancers of Oral, Breast and Cervix) and incre- Expanded range of services atricmentally and Palliative adding primary care and healthcareTrauma care services as well foras - Mental health, ENT, Ophthalmology, Oral health, Geri

The expansion of services has been planned in incre health promotion and wellness activities like yoga. mental manner. As a �irst step, Screening, Prevention, Control and Management of Non-communicable A few States/UTs have already started rolling out these Diseases and Chronic Communicable diseases like HWCs. additionalKey Milestones packages in a phased manner. Tuberculosis◆ and Leprosy has been introduced at ◆ Neonatal and infant health care services ◆ ChildhoodCare in pregnancy and adolescent and childbirth. health care services. The �irst HWC was launched in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh on April 18th, 2018. In the �irst year, over 17,000 ◆ HWCs were operationalized, more than the target of 15,000 set for FY 2018-19. ◆ Family planning, Contraceptive services and Other Roll out plan HealthReproductive Programs Health Care services ◆ Management of Communicable diseases: National - Given the magnitude of inputs required to strengthen the primary health care facilities, the operationaliza illnessesManagement and minor of Common ailments Communicable Diseases tion of HWC has been planned in a phased manner till ◆ and General Out-patient care for acute simple the year 2022. Screening, Prevention, Control and Management of Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 88

Source : PIB & Ministry of health & Family Welfare

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 89 SCIENCE AND TECH SCIENCE AND TECH The Giant Metre wave Radio Telescope (GMRT)

In news The previous two Indian IEE Milestones were: ◆

The Giant Metre wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) obser Sir J.C. Bose- In 2012 IEE recognised him for vatory gets international recognition About the Giant ◆ demonstrating the generation and reception of radio waves in 1895 (in 2012) and ◆Metre wave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observatory Sir C.V. Raman- For the Nobel Prize-winning (in awardedGiant Metre the Institute wave Radio of Electrical Telescope and (GMRT) Electronics has About1930) National ‘scattering Centre of light’ for phenomenonRadio Astrophysics observed by become the third Indian scienti�ic facility to be- (NCRA)in 1928 ◆ - Engineers (IEEE) milestone for its novel engineer NCRA has its roots in the Radio Astronomy Group of ing, advanced technology and scienti�ic contribu - ◆ Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), tions made in the �ield of radio astronomy. Mumbai, set up in the early 1960s under the leader A special accolade for a very special telescope - ◆ scientists and engineers. ship of Prof. Govind Swarup. GMRT - designed, built and operated by Indian ◆ In 1963, the young branch of astronomy, called world to study our Universe. `Radio Astronomy‘ got a kick start in India with the It is used by radio astronomers from across the ◆ establishment of a radio astronomy group at the ◆ Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR),- researchGMRT was using set the up metre by National wavelengths Centre range for of Radio the Mumbai. Astrophysics (NCRA) for radio astronomical ◆ The group designed and built the Ooty Radio Tele ◆ scope. radio spectrum In the early 80's an ambitious plan for a new SourceIt is located : The Hindu at a site about 80 km north of Pune. telescope was proposed - the Giant Meterwave SCIENCE AND TECH Radio Telescope. Cultured meat approved by Singapore

In news

cultured meat for commercial sale create realistic meat-like food products, without Singapore has become the �irst country to approve ethicalrequiring and the environmental slaughter of issues animals. of animal Proponents agricul of- Key highlights ture,cultured while meat still believeallowing it consumers could help to overcome enjoy eating the ◆ meat.

U.S. start-up Eat Just the Greenlight has been given- approval by Singapore to sell its lab-grown chicken notmeat, come in what from the slaughtered �irm says isanimals. the world’s �irst regu The cells used in Eat Just’s cultured chicken products ◆ latory approval for so-called clean meat that does will be grown in 1,200 L bioreactors and combined chicken,with plant-based and so do ingredients.not require Theanimal cells slaughter. used come The As per the U.U start up, the meat, to be sold as from a cell bank established from a biopsy of a live “innuggets, the very will near be pricedterm” at premium chicken prices resources. ◆ when it �irst launches in a restaurant in Singapore- nutrients supplied to the cells come from plant-based Challenges Eat Just also said that it will manufacture the prod However, the industry has faced several challenges uct in Singapore, where it also plans to start making - a mung bean-based egg substitute it has been Whatselling is cultured commercially meat? in the United States. that have prevented the release of a commercial prod Cultured meat, otherwise known as cultivated meat or uct. These include high production costs, dif�iculty in clean meat, involves the use of cultured animal cells to scaling up production, and securing regulatory Source : The Hindu & FnB news approval.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 90

SCIENCE AND TECH what are technical textiles?

In news -

aestheticucts manufactured characteristics. primarily for technical perfor Recently, the Ministry of Textiles has invited proposals Categoriesmance and of Technical functional Textiles properties rather than for constitution of a dedicated Export Promotion ACouncil brief note(EPC) on for the Technical issue Textiles ◆ - Technical Textiles products are divided into 12 broad categories (Agrotech, Buildtech, Clothtech, Geotech, The Exporter Association and Trade bodies regis- Hometech, Indutech, Mobiltech, Meditech, Protech, tered under Companies Act or Society Registration Sportstech, Oekotech, Packtech) depending upon their application areas. Act have been asked to submit proposals for consti National Technical Textiles Mission ◆ tution of a dedicated EPC for Technical Textiles by ◆ 15th December 2020. The Council shall abide by all directions of the The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in its Central Government in respect of promotion and meeting held on 26th February,2020, gave its development of international trade and would be approval to set up a National Technical Textiles fromresponsible time to to time. promote ITC(HS) lines identi�ied and TechnicalMission with Textiles. a total outlay of Rs. 1480 Crore, with a ◆ Noti�ied by Directorate General of Foreign Trade ◆ view to position the country as a global leader in- - nentsThe constitution of the National of anTechnical Export Textiles Promotion Mission. Council ◆ The Mission Mission will would focus have on usage a four of year technical implementa textiles for Technical Textiles is part of one of the compo tion period from FY 2020-21 to 2023-24. What are Technical Textiles? country including strategic sectors ◆ Technical Textiles are a futuristic and nice segment ◆ in various �lagship missions, programmes of the

ranging from agriculture, roads, railway tracks, India shares nearly 6% of the world market size of of textiles, which are used for various applications world250 Billion average USD. growth. However, the annual average ◆ growthPenetration of the level segment of technical is 12%, textiles as compared is low in to India 4% sportswear, health on one end to bullet proof- trum.jackets, �ire proof jackets, high altitude combat gear ◆ and space applications on the other end of spec- levelat 5-10%, of technical against textiles 30-70% in the in advancedcountry. countries. Source : PIB The Mission aims at improving the penetration Technical textiles areSCIENCE textiles materialsAND TECH and prod Nuclear magnetic resonance test

In news What is Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) test? ◆ NMR is an analytical chemistry technique used in Recently, Centre for Science and Environment alleged quality control and research for determining the in a report that the ten leading Indian brands of honey - including Dabur, Patanjali have failed a Nuclear Mag lar structure ◆ content and purity of a sample as well as its molecu Keynetic highlights Resonance of Spectroscopy the report (NMR) test ◆ - - calIt cansystems, also provideliquids and analytical solids data regarding the According to the Centre for Science and Environ type, quantity and arrangement of atoms in chemi whichment(CSE) the Indian report government the brands hadhave made failed mandatory a Nuclear ◆ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) test (NMR) analysis applications are: ◆ • Chemical structure analysis of liquids and dissolved for exports starting August 1, 2020. solids The report named only three out of the 13 brands – ◆ Saffola, Markfed Sohna and Nature’s Nectar — as studiesthose which in India have and passed Germany the lab reveal tests the adultera- • Deformulation of products The report also said investigations with laboratory • mixtures Quanti�ication of mixture components • Kinetic and temperature studies of reaction tion, with 77% samples found to be adulterated Sourcewith sugar : Economic syrup, Times adding that of 22 samples tested, • weight. Characterization of polymers, including structure, only 5 passed all tests. co-monomer ratios, end groups, average molecular Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 91 SCIENCE AND TECH Artificial Sun of China In news core of the sun. ◆ - Recently, China successfully powered up its “arti�icial ◆ The reactor is located in Sichuan province and com sun” nuclear fusion reactor(HL-2M Tokamak) for the pleted late last year - �irst time, marking a great advance in the country’s Key highlights es.The reactor is often called an “arti�icial sun” on nuclear◆ power research capabilities. ◆ account of the enormous heat and power it produc- ing smaller versions of the nuclear fusion reactor The HL-2M Tokamak reactor is China's largest and Chinese scientists have been working on develop most advanced nuclear fusion experimental ◆ source.research device, and scientists hope that the device since 2006. can potentially unlock a powerful clean energy ◆ According to the scientists, they plan to use the Reactor,device in the collaboration world's largest with nuclear scientists fusion working research on According to the People’s Daily, the reactor uses a the International Thermonuclear Experimental powerful magnetic �ield to fuse hot plasma and can Sourcereach : temperaturesThe Hindu of over 150 million degrees project based in France, which is expected to be SCIENCE AND TECH Celsius, approximately ten times hotter than the completed in 2025. The 2nd Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) 2020 Conference

◆

KeyThe Ministerhighlights of Scienceof the TCGA and Technology conference virtually inau The data, which has already led to improvements in ◆gurated the 2ndTCGA 2020 conference in New Delhi researchthe ability community to diagnose, to use. treat, and prevent cancer, ◆ will remain publicly available for anyone in the It is a landmark cancer genomics program that molecularly characterized over 20,000 primary On similar lines, the establishment of an ‘Indian ◆ cancer and matched normal samples spanning 33 Cancer Genomics Atlas (ICGA)’ has been initiated by- cancer types. a consortium of key stakeholders in India led by- NationalTCGA was Human established Genome in 2006Research with Institute the joint effort CSIR, Government of India in which several govern ◆ between the US- National Cancer Institute and the Signi�icancement agencies, cancer hospitals, academic institu tions and private sector partners. ◆ TCGA is bringing together researchers from diverse is a much needed initiative and will add value to India disciplines and multiple institutions. andEstablishment to the world of Indian of science Cancer in Genomicsterms of cancer Atlas (ICGA) treat- Over the years, TCGA generated over 2.5 petabytes ment. of genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data.

Source : PIB & Better India

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 92

SCIENCE AND TECH What are Human clinical trials?

In news ◆

Phase II studies test treatments that have been clinicalIndia’s �irsttrials indigenous mRNA vaccine candidate effects.found to be safe in phase I but now need a larger receives approval to initiate Phase 1 and 2 human ◆ group of human subjects to monitor for any adverse- A brief note on novel mRNA vaccine tions and in different regions and countries, and are ◆ The novel mRNA vaccine candidate, HGCO19 has Phase III studies are conducted on larger popula

with seed grant under the Ind-CEPI mission of the ◆ often the step right before a new treatment is been developed by Gennova, Pune and supported approved.and there is a need for further testing in a wide ◆ The mRNA vaccines do not use the conventional Phase IV studies take place after country approval Department of Biotechnology. ◆ Instead, they carry the molecular instructions to Clinicalpopulation trials over in India a longer timeframe. model to produce immune response. ◆ Clinical trials in India refers to clinical research in RNA of the virus. India in which researchers test drugs and other ◆ make the protein in the body through a synthetic ◆ mRNA-based vaccines are scienti�ically the ideal treatments on research participants. ◆ choiceThe mRNA to address vaccine a pandemicis considered because safe ofas their is non-in rapid- thatThe Newall researchers Drugs and conductingClinical Trials a clinical Rules, trial2019 must and fectious,developmental non-integrating timeline. in nature, and degraded section 3.7.1 to 3.7.3 of ICMR guidelines requires India publicly document it in the Clinical Trials Registry Whatby standard are clinical cellular trials? mechanisms. Who regulates Human Clinical trials in India? ◆ ◆ The Drugs Controller General of India grants research that studies new tests and treatments and evaluatesAccording their to WHO,effects Clinicalon human trials health are outcomes. a type of ◆ ◆ approval for clinical trials and is the top level medical interventions including drugs, cells and authority which speci�ically oversees clinical trials People volunteer to take part in clinical trials to test The Drugs Controller is a part of the Central Drugs - ◆ Standard Control Organisation and answers to that other biological products, surgical procedures, oforganization. Health and Family Welfare as the highest level ◆ radiologicalClinical trials procedures, are carefully devices, designed, behavioural reviewed treat and governmentBoth of those agency organizations overseeing answer everything to the Ministry related ments and preventive care. to medicine and health. ◆ The Indian Council of Medical Research governs the trials,completed, including and children. need to be approved before they can start. People of all ages can take part in clinical scientists. Four phases of clinical trials ◆ professionalThe Pharmacovigilance and ethical behavior Program of ofthe India doctors tracks and There are 4 phases of biomedical clinical trials: ◆ ◆ Outside of the central government, each state has itsreports own of regional harm from regulatory the use ofagencies drugs. with some dosagePhase I rangestudies and usually identify test side new effects. drugs for the �irst time in a small group of people to evaluate a safe Source : PIB & WHO input into governing trials.

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SCIENCE AND TECH What is Radio Frequency (RF), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) based internet connectivity?

In news Con�igurations of VSAT Most VSAT networks are con�igured in one of these Under e-Court project Department of Justice plans to topologies: connect complexes located all over India by a ◆ high-speed Wide Area Network (WAN) via different modes of connectivity such as Radio Frequency (RF), A star topology, using a central uplink site, such as a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) ◆ network operations center (NOC), to transport data What is a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) back and forth to each VSAT via satellite connectivity? ◆ A mesh topology, where each VSAT relays data via satellite to another terminal by acting as a hub, VSAT is a two-way satellite ground station with a Whatminimizing is Radio the Frequency need for a(RF) centralized connectivity? uplink site dish antenna that is smaller than 3.8 meters. The ◆ When it comes to a wireless connectivity, a radio ◆ majority of VSAT antennas range from 75 cm to - 1.2 m. magnetic signal used as a form of communication VSATs access satellites in geosynchronous orbit or ◆ frequencyRadio waves (RF) are signal a form refers of electromagnetic to a wireless electro radia- geostationary orbit to relay data from small remote Earth stations (terminals) to other terminals (in tion with identi�ied radio frequencies that range ◆ mesh topology) or master Earth station "hubs" (in ◆ star topology). from 3kHz to 300 GHz. VSATs are used to transmit narrowband data (e.g., lightFrequency and does refers not toneed the a rate medium of oscillation like air in (of order the point-of-sale transactions using credit cards, toradio travel. waves.) RF propagation occurs at the speed of polling or RFID data, or SCADA), or broadband data ◆ ◆ (for the provision of satellite Internet access to remote locations, VoIP or video). - theyRF waves age occur naturally from sun �lares, lightning, timeVSATs communications. are also used for transportable, on-the-move and from stars in space that radiate RF waves as ◆ (utilising phased array antennas) or mobile mari Its usage mission critical systems such as remote autono- RF communication is used in many industries includ mousIt is also mine used sites as and a backup offshore communication Oil and Gas rigs. link for ◆ ing television broadcasting, radar systems, computer VSAT links are used for both internet data and voice and mobile platform networks, remote control, Source(VoIP : PIB – Voice over IP) traf�ic. remote metering/monitoring, and many more. SCIENCE AND TECH Anthrax disease In news disease ◆

launchedTwo elephants a vaccination died of drive Anthrax and is disease trying to in trace Assam, the toIt animal is caused through by Bacillus contaminated anthracis, soil and a rod-shaped feed following the two deaths the forest department has source of the infection ◆ spore-forming bacteria and can spread from animal

What is Anthrax disease? amongThe disease omnivorous naturally and occurs carnivorous among herbivorous animals ◆ animals through contaminated soil and feed; - It is a highly infectious zoonotic disease found anthraxthrough infected contaminated carcasses. meat, bone meals or other primarily in herbivorous animals(could be trans ◆ ◆ feeds;It commonly and among affects wild domestic animals and from wild feeding animals on ferred from animals to humans) around the world. Anthrax also called Malignant pustule, Malignant oedema, Woolsorter's disease, or Ragpicker's

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 94

◆ It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection and cause severe illness. ◆ ◆ spread out in the body, produce toxins (poisons), food or drink water that is contaminated with Anthrax exists in many parts of the world, including This can happen when people breathe in spores, eat HowAsia, does southern it affect Europe,animals? sub-Sahelian Africa and Anthrax in India parts of Australia. ◆ spores, or get spores in a cut or scrape in the skin.

Domestic and wild animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, Anthrax is enzootic (normally present in an area in antelope, and deer can become infected when they ◆ animals) in southern India but is less frequent to breatheDoes it infect in or human ingest beings? spores in contaminated soil, north-east.absent in the northern Indian States. plants,◆ or water. ◆ Elephants have been known to die of anthrax in the - People get infected with anthrax when spores get mir,In the Tamil past Nadu, years Orissa the and anthrax Karnataka. cases have been ◆ into the body. When anthrax spores get inside the reported from Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kash body, they can be “activated.” SourceWhen : The they Indian become Express active, the bacteria can multiply, SCIENCE AND TECH Mucormycosis or Black Fungus

In news

whichzygomycosis, exist in isthe a environment. serious but rare fungal infection In Delhi, doctors �lag Covid-linked deadly fungal infec Thiscaused fungal by ainfection group ofcauses molds loss called of eyesight, mucormycetes removal Whattion after is mucormycosis Ganga Ram hospital or black sees fungus? more than ten cases in 15 days of the nose and jaw bone, and 50 per cent mortality in BlackWha t Fungus are m ol ords ? Mucormycosis, previously called cases where it affects the brain within 15 days. ● Mold is a type of fungus. These small organisms can be black, white, orange, green, or purple and live almost anywhere indoors and outside. ● Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce through lightweight spores that travel through the air. What are Mucormycetes? ● Mucormycetes, the group of fungi that cause mucormycosis, are present throughout the environment, par�cularly in soil and in associa�on with decaying organic ma�er, such as leaves, compost piles, and animal dung. ● They are more common in soil than in air, and in summer and fall than in winter or spring

Whom does it affect the most? ◆ sinus pain, etc black fungus mainly affects people who have health CausesThe symptoms of mucormycosis of skin infection are blackened skin Whatproblems are orthe take symptoms medicines of thatmucormycosis lower the body’s or black Mucormycosistissue, blisters, is fever,caused redness by exposure and swelling to mucormy fungus?ability to �ight germs and sickness. cetes molds. These organisms occur in: ◆ leaves a skin infection. With a skin infection, mucormycosis ◆ Mucormycosis presents itself as either a respiratory or ◆ soil ◆ rottingpiles of woodcompost can develop within any part of your body. It may initially occur at the site of skin trauma, but it can quickly spread to another area. Following are the ◆ • TheOne fungus can contract can also mucormycosis infect one's skin by breathingvia a cut or in symptoms of both: affect ed mold spores in the air(sinus). The symptoms of sinus or respiratory infection are face numbness, one-side nose obstructions or burn(cutaneous exposure).In such cases,the wound Sourceswelling : The ofIndian eyes, Express or pain, and headache, Healthline cough, fever, or burn ends up becoming the area of infection.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 95 SCIENCE AND TECH COWIN system

In news ◆

along with Ministry of Electronics and Information The top 5 applicants will be provided the CoWIN- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) APIs (Application Programming Interface) to prove “CoWIN” ◆ the ef�icacy of their solutions for possible integra TechnologyWhat is it? (MeitY) has announced the launching of tion with the platform. ◆ CoWIN is a Grand Challenge for strengthening the requirements.Each shortlisted applicant at this stage stands a ◆ chance to win Rs. 2 Lakhs covering their logistical

COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) The solutions once integrated with the platform system and a digitalised platform to be used to ◆ through open APIs will be assessed for robustness effectively roll out and scale up the mechanism for About the challenge and scalability. - ◆ COVID Vaccine Distribution System, nationally. Top 2 contestants from the challenge will be- rewarded with Rs. 40 Lakh and 20 Lakh respective To be launched on the MSH (MeitY Startup Hub) tions on the cloud on which the CoWIN is hosted, ly post successful migrations of the developed solu portal, a collaborative platform developed under the aegis of MeitY towards building meaningful Seven focus areas ◆ apart from their integration with CoWIN synergies in the Indian tech startup space • In order to facilitate MeitY's vision of promoting MoHFW has identi�ied seven (07) focus areas of technology innovation, start-ups and creation of technology development to holistically address the Intellectual Properties, a nodal entity called ‘MeitY seamlesslikely limitations administration associated across with India. complete and Start-up Hub' (MSH) has been set up under its aegis. ◆ effective vaccine distribution system (VDS) and its • MSH acts as a national coordination, facilitation and areas relating to monitoring centre that integrates all the incubation of MeitY. a. InfrastructureThese challenges try to broadly address the priority ◆ centres, start-ups and innovation related activities c. Dynamic learning and information systems The challenge invites participation from talented b. Monitoring and management and innovative startups and emerging technology d. Constraints of human resources-including technical ◆ specialistsThe Challenge to augmentkickstarts andwith scale the theregistration CoWIN platform. e. Vaccine logistics management and capacities process on 23rd December 2020 and is open for participants to apply tillSCIENCE 15th January AND 2021.TECH f. Tracking enlisted bene�iciaries for any adverse event following immunization on real time basis. Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO)

In news lifetime of several decades. be set up, which will build and run the SKAO over its- Recently, the formal go ahead for establishing the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) has • join Earlier, the new Australia, treaty South organisation. Africa, Italy, The Nether recently been received, after the United Kingdom About Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) ◆ lands and Portugal had given similar approvals to rati�ied◆ the international treaty Convention. With six member-countries having rati�ied the Once built, Square Kilometre Array Observatory ◆ ◆ Convention, now an SKAO Council for the same will (SKAO) will be the world’s largest radio telescope be set up. It will be built across two continents – Africa and UK. theOnce way the SKAOfor the Council commencement approves the of constructionthe on-site ◆ Australia — and have its global headquarters in the proposal and other related documents, it will pave ◆ Project cost: It is not a single telescope, but a collection of construction of SKA ◆ telescopes known as an array, which would be The SKAO is scheduled to be built in installed in Australia and South Africa. - two phases and the estimated cost for the initial Rati�ication by member countries: SKAO project ◆ phaseTime isperiod: about 1.8There billion are Euros, numerous which stages will be for spent the was awaiting rati�ication by at least �ive of its mem constructionover a period and of 10 it years.will go on for six to seven years, ber-countries, including the three host countries – after which it will take another three to four years countrythe UK, Australia to ratify theand treaty South Convention Africa. • HenceWith thean international recent approval treaty UK organisation became the can sixthnow to make the SKA fully operational for meeting its Monthly Prelims Snippets main scienti�ic objectives December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 96 India’s involvement in the project ◆ - ics(NCRA), some of the major Indian institutes India, too, is involved in this project through the involved in this project are Raman Research Insti ◆ Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) as the of�icial- tute, Indian Institute of Science, Inter University representative of the 20-plus scienti�ic institutions. FundamentalCentre for Astronomy Research, and Presidency Astrophysics, College IITs fromand However, as a member country, India is yet to com Kanpur, Kharagpur and Indore, Tata Institute of ◆ plete the �inal approval and rati�ication process for ◆ joining the construction phase. IISER-Mohali, among others. Started in 2014, the SKA design work took six years- India is proposing to participate at a level that is- tries.to be completed, with contributions made by over ment.close to 6 percent of the total SKA budget. This ◆ 1,000 engineers and scientists from across 20 coun proposal is presently under review by the govern Signi�icance of SKAO A team from India played a signi�icant role during - this phase, leading the design of the sophisticated ◆ Telescope Manager (TM) system of the entire SKA Once completed,this observatory could help the scien- leadobservatory. the construction of the TM system. Nicknamed ti�ic community improve its knowledge and seek India has already been chosen as the country to history,answers the to someevolution of the of fundamentalgalaxies over and cosmic yet poortime, ly-explored aspects of the universe, such as its early ◆ the SKA ‘nervous system’, it will be responsible for- more. the complete end-to-end operations of the SKAO. fundamental physics in extreme environments and Source : The Indian Express Along with National Centre for Radio Astrophys SCIENCE AND TECH What Is DTH service aand its difference with analog ?

In news ◆

The cap of 49% FDl in the existing DTH guidelines TheUnion salient Cabinet features approved of the100% decision FDI in DTHare: services time.will be aligned with the extant Government ◆ ◆ (DPIIT's) policy on FDl as amended from time to - Union Cabinet approved revised guidelines for mationThe decision and Broadcasting will come into effect as per revised Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting services, ◆ DTH guidelines are issued by the Ministry of Infor yearsallowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment ◆ (FDI) as well as increasing the licence period to 20 The proposed reduction is intended to align the ◆ license fee regime applicable to Telecom sector and- License for the DTH will be issued for a period of 20 erswill to be invest prospectively for more applied. coverage leading to increased time.years in place of present 10 years. Further the The difference may also enable DTH service provid ◆ period of License may be renewed by 10 years at a them.operations and higher growth and thereby License fee has been revised from 10 percent of ◆ enhanced and regular payment of License Fee by gross revenue (GR) to 8 percent of adjusted gross ◆ revenue(AGR). AGR will be calculated by deduction Registration fee for Platform Services is likely to of GST from GR. bring a revenue of approximately Rs. 12 Lakhs. ◆ License Fee will be collected on quarterly basis in Sharing of infrastructure by the DTH operators may lieu of presently annual basis. consumers.bring in more ef�icient use of scarce satellite DTH operators shall be permitted to operate to a ◆ resources and reduce the costs borne by the maximum of 5 percent of its total channel carrying foreign investment into the country. capacity as permitted platform channels. A Signi�icanceAdoption of of the the extant move FDI policy will bring in more one-time non-refundable registration fee of ◆ Rs.10,000 per PS channel shall be charged from a DTH operator. The DTH is operable on pan-India basis. DTH sector is Sharing of Infrastructure between DTH operators. a highly employment intensive sector. It directly DTH operators, willing to share DTH platform and employs DTH operators as well as those in the call ◆ transport stream of TV channels, on a voluntary centres besides indirectly employing a sizeable basis, will be allowed. andnumber clarity of on installers renewals, at relaxed the grass-root FDI limits, level. etc., Thewill Distributors of TV channels will be permitted to amended DTH guidelines, with longer license period share the common hardware for their Subscriber Management System (SMS) and Conditional Access ensure fair degree of stability and new investments in System (CAS) applications. the DTH sector along with employment opportunities. Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 97 What are DTH services and its difference with analog ?

Direct-to-home (DTH) Broadcasting Service Analog/Cable transmission

In India, direct-to-home DTH Broadcasting Analog transmission is a transmission method of conveying ervice refers to the distri ution of multi channel TV information using a continuous signal which varies in rogrammes in Ku Band y us(ing a) satellite system am litude, hase, or some other ro erty in ro ortion to Sy roviding TV signalbs direct to su scri ers' that information premises. b p p p p p p b p b b pDTH is an encry ted transmission that travels to the In an analog television roadcast, the rightness, colors and consumer directly through a satellite. sound are re resented y am litude, hase and frequency p of an analog signal b b p b p p DTH transmission is received directly y the For exam le ca le TV o erates on just analog signals consumer at his end through the small dish antenna. A set-to ox, unlike the regular ca le connbection, p b p decodes the encry ted transmission. p b b It reaches even thep most isolated locations Reaching remote areas is not ossi le with ca le TV as it requires the su scri er to e within the availa le range of the ca le network p b b b b b b Source : PIB SCIENCE AND TECH b What is genome sequencing?

In news The Ministry of Health & Family welfare asked state method for determining the nucleotide sequence of method is also called the Sanger method. is a

governments to send the samples of the passengers DNA. The method was developed by two time Nobel who tested positive(for SARS-CoV-2) on arrival from ◆ Laureate Frederick Sanger and his colleagues in study.the UK to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune 1977, hence the name the Sanger Sequence. or any other appropriate lab for genome sequencing High-Throughput Sequencing: Newer methods that What is the genome sequencing? can process a large number of DNA molecules ◆ quickly are collectively called High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) techniques or Next-Generation Genome sequencing is �iguring out the order of CellsSequencing used for (NGS)sequencing methods. DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome the order of ◆ ◆ Adenine(A), thymine(T), cytosine(C,) & guanine(G) of the DNA, even a very small amount of DNA or that make up an organism's DNA. Almost any biological sample containing a full copy ofWhole an organism's Genome genome sequencing at a single is ostensiblytime. the necessary for full genome sequencing. ◆ processThis entails of determining sequencing the all complete of an organism's DNA sequence chro- ◆ ancient DNA can provide the genetic material mosomal DNA as well as DNA contained in the mito- Such samples may include saliva, epithelial cells, thatbone has marrow, DNA-containing hair (as long cells. as the hair contains a Whatchondria is a genome and, for ? plants, in the chloroplast hair follicle), seeds, plant leaves, or anything else ◆ Uses of genome sequencing including all its genes. Each genome contains all of ◆ The sequence tells scientists the kind of genetic Genome is a complete set of DNA of an organism segment. ◆ theAll information needednecessary to buildto construct that organism and main and- ◆ information that is carried in a particular DNA- tainallow that it to organism grow and is develop. contained in each genome. tion to determine which stretches of DNA contain ◆ genesFor example, and which scientists stretches can carry use sequenceregulatory informa instruc- these genetic letters. tions, turning genes on or off. The human genome is made up of over 3 billion of ◆ Methodology of genome sequencing traitsIt will or help diseases to map across the the demographic country. composition ◆ and help to measure the distribution of different There are two main types of DNA sequencing. Sanger method: The classical chain termination Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 98

◆ sequencing genetics. ◆ The genome sequencing study would determine if ◆ RecentlyAssists in governmentmapping genetic of India traits advisedin population the state and

- the COVID patients are carrying the existing strain governments to send samples of passengers who of SARS-CoV-2 or the mutant strain which was tested positive on arrival from the UK to the Nation discovered in the UK's population. Source : PIB al Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for genome SCIENCE AND TECH Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

In news

bacterium called Streptococcus Pneumoniae(also- The Union health minister launches India’s �irst indig known as pneumococcus) different types of diseases enous vaccine against pneumonia, developed by the Key highlights caused◆ Pneumonia: by pneumococcus Diseases caused by pneumo ◆Serum According Institute to of the India ministry, (SII) the newly launched coccus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) are: - In�lammation of the lungs, It is a form of acute respiratory infection that causes in�lamma vaccine would be sold under the name ‘Pneumosil’ ◆ tionBacteremia/sepsis: or �luid in the lungs. It makes breathing and would be available either as a single dose in a dif�icultor without and infection limits oxygen of secondary intake. sites, e.g., menin- vial and pre-�illed syringe or as multidose in vials at ◆ gitis bloodstream infection, with affordable prices ◆ Bacterial meningitis: The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) would be used to treat pneumonia in children and has ◆ Otitis media: Middle ear infection infection of the membranes ◆ been developed by SII in collaboration with other that cover and protect the spinal cord and brain partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation More about Pneumonia ◆ While mentioning about its trial, the Minister stated that Pneumosil has been extensively evaluated in 5- With pneumonia, the air sacs may �ill with �luid or randomized controlled clinical trials and has pus. The infection can be life-threatening to anyone, demonstrated comparable safety and immunoge ◆ but particularly to infants, children and people over- nicity against licensed pneumococcal vaccines where Pneumosil was administered to adults, nia65. toddlersacross diverse and infants populations using different of India andvaccination Africa, ◆ Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause pneumo schedules ◆ ◆ Symptoms include a cough with phlegm or pus, - fever, chills and dif�iculty breathing. He also said the vaccine has proven safe during vaccines.Antibiotics can treat many forms of pneumonia. these trials and has prevented pneumonia follow- Some forms of pneumonia can be prevented by ing which the Drugs Controller General (India) ◆ Pneumonia accounts for nearly 1 million deaths worldwide and is the single largest infectious cause Whatapproved is Pneumococcal the vaccine indisease? July 2020 after the approv al from the subject expert committee (SEC). Source : Hindustan Times of death among children under �ive years of age. It is the name given to a group of diseases caused by a SCIENCE AND TECH Autonomous Navigation Systems

In news real-time and in a real-life environment - without human intervention. ◆ - Recently, IIT Hyderabad has set up ‘TiHAN-IIT’ agement and collision avoidance for unmanned Abouttestbed autonomousfor autonomous navigation navigation systems systems Northstar delivers real-time optimum route man- ◆ An autonomous navigation system can safely navi- gate unmanned vessels in real-time and in a ◆ platforms,It achieves inthis any through environment fusing real-time (including and GPS-de refer- real-life environment without human intervention. nied), without human control. - ◆ - autonomous navigation system, Northstar, has ence data to create a layered 3D synthetic environ- Recently UK based tpgroup ’s patent pending ment, and optimising paths within this digital envi that it can safely navigate unmanned vessels in time,ronment cost – and along risk with considering platform dynam completed its sea trials programme, demonstrating ics against user-de�ined measures of performance,

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 99

About ‘TiHAN-IIT’ ◆ - (NM-ICPS) to be implemented by the Department of Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navi ScienceAim of the & Technology mission (DST) with a total outlay of Rs. gation and Data Acquisition Systems was set up 3660 Crore for a period of �ive years with the �inancial assistance Rs. 135 crore of the- Department of Science and Technology to IIT The Mission aims to create a strong foundation and a - ◆ Hyderabad under the National Mission on Interdis ciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) - seamless ecosystem for CPS technologies by coordi- The Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous nating and integrating nationwide efforts encompass Navigation Systems for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles- ing knowledge generation, human resource develop and Remotely Operated Vehicles at IIT Hyderabad, ment, research, technology and product development, known as 'TiHAN Foundation' has been incorporat innovation and commercialization. Implementation of the mission ◆ ed as a Section-8 company by the institute in June 2020. ◆ TiHAN is a multi departmental initiative, including The mission will be implemented through a researchers from electrical, computer science, - - network of 15 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), mechanical and aerospace, civil, mathematics and ed institutions and industry 6 Sectoral Application Hubs (SAHs) and 4 Technolo Design with collaboration and support from reput ◆ - ◆ gy Translation Research Parks (TTRPs). Each hub and technology park will follow a technol This hub focuses on addressing various challenges - ogy life cycle approach, addressing all stages viz. hindering the real-time adoption of unmanned Knowledge-Development-Translation-Commercial autonomous vehicles for both terrestrial and aerial ◆ - ◆ - ization applications The �irst Phase of NM-ICPS will focus on establish The hub's focus sectors include Intelligent, Autono following domain areas: ing six Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) in the Monitoring.mous Transportation and Systems, Agriculture, Surveillance, and Environmental & Infrastructure ◆ 1. Arti�icial Intelligence and Machine Learning - 2. Technologies for Internet of Things and Everything The developed testbed in TiHAN will be available (IOT & IOE), Sensors, Activators and Control autonomousfor use by industries, navigation R&D labs, academia conduct ing research and development in the broad areas of 3. Databanks & Data Services, Data Analytics About the National Mission on Interdisciplinary 4. Advanced Communication Systems Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) 5. Infrastructure Robotics & Autonomous Systems ◆6. Cyber Security and Cyber Security for Physical In order to harness the potential of this new wave of technology and make India a leading player in CPS, the The �irst phase of NM-ICPS will be implemented by Union Cabinet approved the launch of National Source : The Hindu & SERB the Science and Engineering Research Board Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (SERB).

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 100 SOCIETY SOCIETY Mission COVID Suraksha

In news Objectives of the fund The important objectives of the fund will be ◆ The Government of India (GOI) has announced the- ◆ Licensure of COVID-19 vaccine candidates that are third stimulus package of Rs. 900 Crore for the Mission currentlyAccelerating in clinical preclinical stages & clinicalor ready development to enter clinical COVID Suraksha- The Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Devel opment Mission. Key highlights ◆ stage of development Establishing clinical trial sites, and strengthening- The recently announced grant will be provided to the the existing immunoassay laboratories, central Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research & laboratories and suitable facilities for animal stud Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines. ies, production facilities and other testing facilities What is Mission COVID Suraksha? ◆ ◆ to support COVID-19 vaccine development. Supporting development of common harmonized- Mission COVID Suraksha is the targeted effort to ityprotocols, management trainings, systems data and management accreditations. systems, enable development of indigenous, affordable and ◆ regulatory submissions, internal and external qual ◆ accessible vaccines for the country Capabilities for process development, cell line The COVID-19 Vaccine development Mission with for animal toxicology studies and clinical trials will development and manufacturing of GMP batches end-to-end focus from preclinical development through clinical development and manufacturing ◆ also be supported under the Mission. and regulatory facilitation for deployment, would - A key element will be development of a suitable consolidate all available and funded resources - Target Product Pro�ile so that vaccines being intro ◆ towards accelerated product development. duced through the mission have preferred charac Phase-I of the COVID Suraksha Mission has been Vaccineteristics Candidates applicable for India. ◆ allotted Rs.900 Crore for a period of 12 months. - Led by Department of Biotechnology and imple Unit at Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance A total of 10 vaccine candidates have been supported mented by a dedicated Mission Implementation - datesby Department are in human of Biotechnology trials including so farthe atRussian both academia and industry and as on date, 5 vaccine candi Council (BIRAC),the existing activities under National Bio Pharma Mission (NBM) and India- Vaccine Sputnik-V with at least 3 more in advanced Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations strengths to this Mission stages of preclinical to enter human trials shortly. (Ind-CEPI) Mission will provide complementary Source : PIB SOCIETY Naturopathy and its origin

A brief history of its origin Naturopathy in India ◆ ◆

The term "naturopathy" originates from "natura" The revival of Naturopathy started in India by ◆ (Latin root for birth) and "pathos" (the Greek root ◆ translation of Germany’s Louis Kuhne’s book “New for suffering) to suggest "natural healing". Science of Healing”. Naturopaths claim the ancient Greek "Father of Shri D. Venkat Chelapati Sharma translated this ◆ Medicine", Hippocrates, as the �irst advocate of- book in Telgu language in 1894. Shri Shroti Kishan naturopathic medicine, before the term existed. Swaroop of Bijnor translated this book into Hindi ◆ Naturopathy has its roots in the 19th-century Natu ◆ and Urdu languages in 1904. All this gave a wide ral Cure movement of Europe. propagation to this system. In Scotland, Thomas Allinson started advocating his Gandhiji was in�luenced by the book Return to and"Hygienic overwork. Medicine" in the 1880s, promoting a ◆ NatureHe not only written wrote by several Adolf articles Just and in becamefavour of a Natu �irm- ◆ natural diet and exercise with avoidance of tobacco believer of Naturopathy.

The term naturopathy was coined in 1895 by John- ropathy in his newspaper Harijan but did its several Scheel,and purchased by Benedict Lust, whom experiments on himself too, on his family members naturopaths consider to be the "Father of U.S. Natu and members of his Ashram ropathy". Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 101

What is Naturopathy? ◆ - ◆ - - alNaturopaths medicines. focus on a holistic approach, com Naturopathy is a drugless non-invasive rational and ◆ pletely avoiding the use of surgery and convention vitality,evidence theory based systemof toxemia, of medicine theory imparting of self healing treat - ments with natural elements based on the theory of It uses natural therapies such as Nutrition, Herbal living. ExerciseMedicine, and Acupuncture, other modalities, Homeopathy, in accordance Hydrothera with ◆ capacityIn other wordsof the itbody is a and form the of principlesalternative of medicine healthy py, Physical manipulations, Hydrotherapy, Fasting, ◆ - Naturopathic Principles. "self-healing".that employs an array of pseudoscienti�ic practices These principles are kept in mind when a Naturo ◆ branded as "natural", "non-invasive", or promoting health.path takes a case, develops and offers treatment ◆ plans and maintenance support for long-term good Pseudoscience consists of statements, beliefs, or reduction and changes to diet and lifestyle, often methodpractices that are claimed to be both scienti�ic and Naturopaths aim to prevent illness through stress ◆ factual but are incompatible with the scienti�ic Appliedrejecting aspects the methods of Naturopathy of evidence-based medicine. The practice of naturopathy is based on a belief in- thenally. body's ability to heal itself through a special ◆ vital energy or force guiding bodily processes inter- The applied aspects of Naturopathy includes mainly- - fasting and diet supported by treatments with natural- Diagnosis and treatment concern primarily alterna elements which includes Hydrotherapy, Chromothera heal.tive therapies and "natural" methods that naturo py, Mud Therapy, Manipulative therapy, Electrothera Sourcepaths : Ministry claim promote of Ayush the body's natural ability to py, Acupuncture, Magnetotherapy, Physiotherapy, SOCIETY Exercise & Yoga Therapy. NFHS-2019-20 on Domestic Violences in India

In news ◆

However, several other parameters to measure According to NFHS-2019-20, Domestic violence women empowerment such as independent Keyagainst �indings women doubles in Karnataka savings accounts, separate mobile phones and ◆ According to National Family Health ◆ participation in household decisions, improved in- - the last �ive years. For instance, the number of women with an inde Survey-2019-20, in Karnataka 44.4% women expe pendent savings account rose to 76.7% in Bihar in rienced domestic violence in 2019-20 as compared ◆ - Protection2019-20 fromof Women mere 26.4%from Domestic in 2015-16. Violence Act to 20.6% in 2015-16 2005 ◆ BarringThe survey these also three states states, that theAssam(32%) incidences and of domes Maha- ◆ It is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to ticrashtra(25%) violence against too saw women a jump are on on that a declinecount in the ◆ protect women from domestic violence. ◆ - remaining 19 provinces. The Act provides for the �irst time in Indian law a NFHS mentions that the percentage of women in de�inition of "domestic violence", with this de�ini the 18-49 age group who experienced spousal tion being broad and including not only physical released.violence — physical and sexual — was 20.6% in violence, but also other forms of violence such as Karnataka in 2015-16 when the NFHS-4 report was Whoemotional/verbal, is covered under sexual, the act? and economic abuse. ◆

◆• It rose to 44.4% in 2019-20 (NFHS-5) with barely The Act covers all women who may be mother, any difference between rural and urban areas. - Other big states with a large number of women sister, wife, widow or partners living in a shared household. The relationship may be in nature of ◆ facing spousal violence are Bihar (40.7%), Telanga- na (36.9%) and West Bengal (27%). familymarriage are or also adoption. included. In additionHowever, relationships no female As per the survey, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maha with family members living together as a joint rashtra and Assam are also the four big states that relative of the husband or the male partner can �ile thesaw age an of increase 18. in the number of young women (18-29 years) who experienced sexual violence by a complaint against the wife or the female partner,- for e.g. the mother-in-law cannot �ile an application against a daughter-in-law, but she can �ile an appli • The number of such women in Karnataka is 11% in son to commit violence against her. cation against her daughter-in-law for abetting her 2019-20, followed by West Bengal (9.7%), Assam Monthly(8%) Prelims and Maharashtra Snippets (6.2%). December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 102

Key provisions ◆ • Harassment by way of unlawful dowry demands to It is a civil law meant primarily for protection ◆ The Act seeks to cover those women who are or ◆ the woman or her relatives would also be covered orders and not for meant to be enforced criminally underwoman’s this right de�inition. to secure housing. - ◆ One of the most important features of the Act is the have been in a relationship with the abuser where the matrimonial or shared household, whether or both parties have lived together in a shared house- notThe she Act hasprovides any title for or the rights woman’s in the right household. to reside in hold and are related by consanguinity, marriage or livinga relationship together inas thea joint nature family of aremarriage, also included. or adop ◆ tion; in addition relationship with family members • This right is secured by a residence order, which is - ◆ passed by a court. These residence orders cannot tional"Domestic and economic. violence" includes actual abuse or the be passed against anyone who is a woman. threat of abuse that is physical, sexual, verbal, emo Source : Deccan Herald The act also provides for appointment of protection SOCIETY of�icers by the state government Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI)

What is the Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI)? Who releases it? ◆ ◆

It measures how social beliefs obstruct gender The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) is released equality in areas like politics, work, and education, by United Nations Development Programme that and contains data from 75 countries, covering over measures how social beliefs affect gender equality. 80 percent of the world’s population.

Key �indings of the Gender Social Norms Index ◆ - (GSNI) 2020 ◆ - According to GSNI, nearly half of the world’s popu lation believe it is men who make better leaders. The analysis reveals that, despite decades of prog ◆ About 40 per cent of people believe that men make ress closing the equality gap between men and better business executives. women, close to 90 percent of men and women hold- The total number of female heads of government is ingsome equality. sort of bias against women, providing new actually lower than what it was �ive years ago, down clues to the invisible barriers women face in achiev ◆ The study found that there were no countries in the ◆ worldto 10 from with 15gender in 2014, equality. as per the study. According to the index, about half of the world’s ◆ men and women feel that men make better political Surprisingly, 28 per cent of men and women feel leaders, and over 40 percent feel that men make ◆ The trends show that while in some countries there men are justi�ied in beating their wives. ◆ better business executives and that men have more right to a job when jobs are scarce. have been improvements, in others, attitudes The publication also includes the GSNI trends for appear to have worsened in recent years, signaling 31 countries, representing 59 percent of the global Source : UNDP that progress cannot be taken for granted. population.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 103 SOCIETY 75th National Conference of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases (NATCON) and Tuberculosis Association of India

In news - Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Harsh tion. ◆ larThe in undertaking whole or in ofpart the to Research the objects and of Investigation the Associa

Vardhan virtually addressed the Platinum Jubilee of chest diseases. the National Conference of Tuberculosis and Chest ◆ onThe subjectsdoing of concerningall such things tuberculosis as are incidental and allied or Diseases (NATCON). Who organized it? ◆ This year the conference was organised under the India'sconducive initiatives to the attainment of the above objectives. Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore and MP TBaegis Association. of Tuberculosis Association of India, Mahatma Signi�icance of the conference relatedIndia aims to TB: to eliminate TB by 2025, �ive years before globalNikshay targets. Poshan Following Yojana(2018): are the some of initiatives ◆ ChestThis megaDiseases event and servedCovid -19 as to a share platform their forknowledge various professionals and experts in the �ield of Tuberculosis,- ◆ Its a direct bene�it transfer (DBT) scheme, to provide nutritional support to TB patients. - in the �ight against Tuberculosis with the goal of Elimi mentUnder the scheme, TB patients have been receiving nating TB from India by 2025. About the Tuberculosis Association of India (TAI) NationalRs 500 Strategic per month Plan for forthe TBentire Elimination duration of treat ◆ 2017-2025: ◆ - ◆ ItTAI is hasone been of the serving oldest the and cause largest of tuberculosisvoluntary organi since- work to guide the activities of all stakeholders 1939. includingThe NSP for the TB national elimination and 2017–25 state governments, is a frame ◆ zations having its af�iliates all over the country. international agencies, research institutions, It was set up in February, 1939 as a registered development partners, civil society organizations, society by incorporating the King Emperor's relevant to TB elimination in India. ◆ Anti-Tuberculosis Fund and King George ◆ private sector, and many others whose work is Thanks-giving (Anti-Tuberculosis) Fund. - Marchioness of Linlithgow was the �irst President The NSP 2017-2025 which builds on the success of the Association when the Tuberculosis Associa and learnings of the last NSP, and articulates the bold and innovative steps required to move Itstion aims of and India objectives was established TAI are: on February 23, 1939. and a 8 year strategy document. ◆ ◆ towards TB elimination, is a 3 year costed plan

◆ The prevention, control, treatment and relief of- It provides goals and strategies for the country’s tuberculosis. response to the disease during the period 2017- The encouragement of and assistance in the estab to 2025 and aims to direct the attention of all thoselishment of the throughout Association. India of State Associations stakeholders on the most important interven ◆ having objectives similar in whole or in part to tions or activities that the RNTCP believes will - bring about signi�icant changes in the incidence, prevalence and mortality of TB. SourceThe : af�iliation PIB & TAI or control of and the rendering of assistance to any institutionSOCIETY having objectives simi Tharu tribe

In news Recently, Uttar Pradesh government has started a new ◆ Lakhimpur and Pilibhit bordering Nepal, with the home stay scheme of the UP Forest Department. scheme to put Tharu villages on the tourism map, and madeThe idea of grass is to collectedoffer tourists mainly an fromexperience the forests. of living to create jobs and bring economic independence to the ◆ in the natural Tharu habitat, in traditional huts tribal population. A brief note on the scheme to charge tourists directly for the accommodation ◆ The U.P government is working to connect Tharu andWith home-cooked this scheme, meals.Tharu homeowners will be able

villages in the districts of Balrampur, Bahraich, Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 104

About Tharu tribe Maithili. ◆ Food system terai, they live mostly in Uttarakhand, Uttar ◆ - Pradesh,They live and in Bihar both India and Nepal. In the Indian ◆ ◆ The Tharu people survive on wheat, corn and vege tables grown close to their homes. ◆ Tharu community belongs to the Terai lowlands, ◆ Most Tharu tribals consume alcoholic beverages, agriculture.amid the Shivaliks or lower Himalayas. and some eat beef. ◆ Most of them are forest dwellers, and some practice- Major items on the Tharu plate are bagiya or dhikri vir, meaning followers of Theravada Buddhism. thatwhich is iscooked a steamed in a currydish of made rice of�lour coriander, that is eatenchili, ◆ The word tharu is believed to be derived from stha garlic,with chutney and onion. or curry and ghonghi, an edible snail Culture and customs They represent the biggest chunk of U.P’s tribal ◆ Theirpopulation language ◆ They worship Lord Shiva as Mahadev, and call their ◆ supreme being “Narayan”, who they believe is the ofTharu Hindi, tribes Urdu, speakand Awadhi. various dialects of Tharu, a allowedprovider toof sunshine,women in rain, mainstream and harvests. North Indian ◆ language of the Indo-Aryan subgroup, and variants HinduTharu womencustom. have stronger property rights than is

SourceIn central : The IndianNepal, Expressthey speak a variant of Bhojpuri, while in eastern Nepal, they speak a variant of SOCIETY National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-20 In news Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ◆ Bengal and �ive Union Territories (including J&K) ◆ The survey captures the state of health in these has published National Family Health Survey (NFHS) states before the Covid pandemic 2019-20 report Key �indings of the survey Phase 2 of the survey, which will cover other states ◆ such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, across the country have reversed course and ◆ was delayed due to the pandemic and its results are As per the phase-I of the survey, several states recorded worsening levels of child malnutrition severalexpected statesto be made have available either inwitnessed May 2021. meagre Meagre improvements: The new survey shows that

despite dramatic improvements in sanitation and ◆ suchimprovements as or sustained reversals on child ◆ better access to fuel and drinking water (under 5 years of age) malnutrition parameters It marks a shift since the last NFHS in 2015-16. 17 states including Maharashtra, Bihar, and West underweight and child mortality rate. The NFHS 2019-20 data of �irst phase pertains to • child stunting; child wasting; share of children Child stunting: child stunting re lects chronic undernutrition and refers to the ercentage of children who have low height for their age. � p Child wasting: Child wasting re lects acute undernutrition and refers to children having low weight for their height. � Infant mortality rate:It is the num er of deaths er 1000 live irths for children under the age of 1

◆ b p b witnessedChild wasting: an increase States in such Child as wasting. Telangana, Others Kerala, like NFHS-3, and 50 deaths per 1,000 births in NFHS-4, Bihar, and Assam as well as the UT of J&K have a decline of about 33% over 10 years. NFHS-5 and on this NFHS-4 are about �ive years apart, but we are- ◆ Maharashtra and West Bengal have been stagnant seeing very little progress in many states. Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Assam and • In Maharashtra, the under-5 mortality rate is basi Kerala,Underweight have seen children: an increase. Several big states, Gujarat, ◆ callyAccording the same to a senior in NFHS-4 research and fellow 5, and at in the Bihar, Inter it- ◆ Child stunting: Telangana, Gujarat, Kerala, Maha- reduced by just 3% over �ive years rashtra, and West Bengal — all saw increased levels - of child stunting tion.national In Foodother Policy words, Research child Institute,malnutrition over 60is perthe ◆ cent of child mortality is explained by poor nutri

Infant Mortality Rate: Under 5 mortality was central problem. observed to be 74 deaths per 1,000 births in Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 105

◆ -

According to the Ministry, the contents of NFHS-5 International Development (USAID) with supple are similar to NFHS-4 to allow comparisons over ◆ mentary support from United Nations Children's time. The NFHS-5, however, includes some new forFund India (UNICEF). on fertility, infant and child mortality, the topics, such as preschool education, disability, The survey provides state and national information access to a toilet facility, death registration, bathing Aboutpractices National during Family menstruation, Health Survey and methods and practice of family planning, maternal and child ◆ reasons for abortion. services.health, reproductive health, nutrition, anaemia, large-scale, multi-round survey conducted in a ◆ utilizationList of NHFS: and quality of health and family planning The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is a India. ◆ representative sample of households throughout- 1. NHFS-1 (1992-93) 2. NHFS-2 (1998-99) The NFHS is a collaborative project of the Interna 3. NHFS-3 (2005-06)- tional Institute for Population Sciences(IIPS), 4. NHFS-4(2015-16) Mumbai, India; ORC Macro, Calverton, Maryland, Government’s efforts to �ight malnutrition 5. NHFS-5 (2019-20) ◆ USAThe andMinistry the East-West of Health Center, and Honolulu,Family Welfare Hawaii, USA. POSHAN ABHIYAN, Integrated Child Development - Services (ICDS), the National Health Mission, the (MOHFW), Government of India, designated IIPS as Janani Suraksha Yojana, the Matritva Sahyog Yojana, ◆ the nodal agency, responsible for providing coordi the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and the National Food nation and technical guidance for the NFHS. Security Mission, among others SourceNFHS :was The fundedIndian Express by the United States Agency for

SOCIETY Monpa Tribe and their Handmade Paper Industry

In news ◆ - inalThe valuesMonpa too. handmade paper is made from the bark The 1000-year old heritage art the Monpa Handmade extinction, has come to life once again, with the com- ◆ of a local tree called Shugu Sheng, which has medic mittedPaper ofefforts Arunachal of Khadi Pradesh and Village – which Industries was driven Com to- Back then, such was the scale of production that makingMonpas industryused to sell existed these in papers these tocountries countries at thatlike mission (KVIC). About Monpa Handmade Paper time.Tibet, Bhutan ,Thailanand and Japan as no paper ◆ - ◆ nated over 1000 years ago. ◆ The art of making Monpa handmade paper origi But, the local industry gradually began declining custom and culture in Tawang in Arunachal ◆ and the indigenous handmade paper was taken Pradesh.Gradually the art became an integral part of local over by inferior Chinese paper. ◆ However, the handmade paper industry almost disappeared in the last 100 years; prompting KVIC Once produced in every household in Tawang, this for the locals. A briefto plan note revival on Monpa of this ancientTribe art. ◆ handmade paper was a major source of livelihood ◆ ◆ The �ine-textured handmade paper, which is called Monpa is a major tribe of Arunachal Pradesh - ◆ Mon Shugu in the local dialect, is integral to the- The Monpa are believed to be the only nomadic vibrant culture of the local tribes in Tawang. horses.tribe in Northeast India they were totally depen The paper has great historic and religious signi�i dent on animals like sheep, cow, yak, goats and cance as it is the paper used for writing Buddhist scriptures and hymns in monasteries.

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 106

◆ - Religion: In�luence of Buddhism

SubThe groups Monpa among share aMonpas very close af�inity with the Shar chops of Bhutan. The Monpa are generally adherents of the Gelug sect of- nese-educatedTibetan Buddhism, Merag which Lama. they The adopted testimony in the to 17ththis namely:The Monpa are sub-divided into six sub-groups century as a result of the in�luence of the Bhuta because◆ of their variations in their language. They are- tion history from Changrelung. impactLanguage was the central role of the Tawang Monastery in the daily lives of the Monpa folk. ◆ Tawang Monpa-The Tawang Monpas have a migra ◆ ◆ Dirang Monpa ◆ Their languages are Tibeto-Burman languages ◆ written with the Tibetan alphabet ◆ Lish Monpa Bhut Monpa ◆ The languages spoken by the Monpa people are ◆ often referred to as the "Monpa languages" Kalaktang Monpa and Tshangla languages. "Monpa languages" include Kho-Bwa, East Bodish, SourcePanchen : PIB Monpa

SOCIETY National Medicinal Plants Board Launches Consortia for Medicinal Plants

In news Recently, National Medicinal Plants Board launched Consortia for Medicinal Plants chainof AYUSH of Medicinal envisages Plants. the necessity of connectivity Background ◆ between stakeholders in the supply chain and value- The Indian systems of medicines use Medicinal Plants as the main raw material and their accelerated growth NMPB Consortia will address/deliberate (not limit ed to) on Quality Planting Material, Research & ◆ Development, Cultivation, Trade of medicinal is pushing strongly for the demand for medicinal plants/market linkage etc. plants. It is challenging to meet the ever-increasing To establish the linkage between the farmers and demand sustainably through wild collection. Although manufacturers, a ‘Seed to Shelf’ approach is being- in recent years, cultivation of medicinal plants has introduced, wherein, aspects related to Quality sources.started gaining momentum, still a signi�icant part of Planting Materials (QPM), Good Agriculture Prac industry’s requirements continues to be met from wild Whichtices plants(GAP’s), are Good covered Post Harvest under NMPBPractices consortia? (GPHP’s) In order to meet the increasing demand for medicinal would be addressed.

In the �irst phase NMPB consortia is proposed for- plants, from both domestic and overseas markets, medicinal plant species - Ashwagandha (Withania- there is a need to focus on both ex-situ cultivation of- somnifera), Pippali (Piper longum), Aonla (Phyllan medicinal plants as well as in-situ conservation. Both thus emblica), Guggulu (Commiphora wightii), Sata vari (Asparagus racemosus). endthe domesticconservation as well and as cultivation the export activities markets arealong depen with Who can register? dent on quality raw materials. NMPB supports end to- - good post harvesting. NMPB also envisaged the neces Eligible organizations viz, Farmers/ FPOs/ FPCs/QPM- sity of connectivity between stakeholders in the centres/ Seed banks/ Nurseries/ SHGs/ NGOs/ Trad supplyKey updates chain and value chain. ofers/manufactures/Exporters/Pharma/Research consortia. insti ◆ tutes / Agriculture Universities can register to be part

National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 107

- About National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) ◆ • development of agro-techniques and credible insti Mandatetution aof mechanism NMBP for certi�ication of quality of ◆ It was set up by the government of India in the year raw drugs, seeds and planting material. - 2000 ◆ Currently, the board is located in the Ministry of The primary mandate of NMPB is to develop an appro AYUSH priate mechanism for coordination between various NMPB supports programs for quality assurance and ministries/ departments/ organizations in India and standardization through: implements support policies/programs for overall (conservation, cultivation, trade and export) growth of • development of Good Agricultural and Collection- International level. Practices (GACPs) medicinal plants sector both at the Central /State and • development of monographs laying down stan Sourcedards : PIB of quality, safety and ef�icacy;

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020 JournalsOfIndia com 108 PEOPLE IN NEWS PEOPLE IN NEWS Ramanujan and his contributions

In news - series,mathematics, and continued he made fractions, substantial including contributions solutions to Recently, the Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathemati mathematical analysis, number theory, in�inite- cians 2020 awarded to Dr. Carolina Araujo from Brazil for outstanding work in Algebraic Geometry About Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians ◆ to mathematical problems then considered unsolv 2020 able. ◆ ◆ In 1911 Ramanujan published the �irst of his papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. - The prize is awarded annually to a researcher from His genius slowly gained recognition, and in 1913- a developing country funded by the Department of he began a correspondence with the British mathe Science and Technology of the Government of India- matician Godfrey H. Hardy led to a special scholar inmatical collaboration Union with ICTP (International Centre for ship from the University of Madras and a grant from Theoretical Physics), and the International Mathe ◆ His original and highly unconventional results, such ◆ - Trinity College, Cambridge. -

The Prize, given every year to young mathemati as the Ramanujan prime, the Ramanujan theta func cians less than 45 years of age who have conducted ◆ ation, vast partition amount offormulae further andresearch mock theta functions, outstanding research in a developing country ◆ have opened entire new areas of work and inspired The recent prize is given to Dr. Carolina Araujo(�irst non-Indian to receive it) for her work on birational In 1918 Ramanujan became one of the youngest geometry, which aims to classify and describe the Fellows of the Royal Society of London and only the structure of algebraic varieties. A brief note on Srinivasa Ramanujan and his contri ◆ second Indian member, and the �irst Indian to be butions elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. ◆ During his short life, Ramanujan independently India He was born on 22nd december 1887 in Erode, ◆ compiled nearly 3,900 results (mostly identities ◆ - and equations). In 1919, due to hepatic amoebiasis (a complication Ramanujan, Indian mathematician whose contribu- from episodes of dysentery many years previously) tion.tions to the theory of numbers include pioneering discoveries of the properties of the partition func ◆ compelled Ramanujan's return to India, where he ◆ died in 1920 at the age of 32 function the last year of his life, caused great excitement amongHis "lost mathematicians notebook", containing when it was discoveries rediscovered from ◆ He also discovered the properties of the partition in 1976. SourceThough : Britannica he had almost no formal training in pure

Monthly Prelims Snippets December 2020