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Current AffairsDIGEST
14th Mar to 20th Mar
Target UPSC 2020-21
Governance
Masks and Hand Sanitizers Under EC Act, 19551.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Social Justice
National Creche Scheme
Transparency & Accountability
Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
Government Policies
Bhoomi Rashi Portal
Government Policies
National Biopharma Mission
International Relations
Video Conference of SAARC Leaders on COVID-19
Economy
Defence Fund Shortfall
Science & Technology
Role of Glucose in Regulating Liver Functions
Geography
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam
Art & Culture
Tara Tarini Temple
Government Policies
ROPAX Service
Governance
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
1
2
3
4
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
i
5
Infrastructure
Use of Waterways for Reducing Transportation Cost13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Economy
Regulating Payment Aggregators and Gateways
Government Policies
Anti-HIV Drugs for COVID-19
Science & Technology
ISRO’s Assistance in Fishing
Government Policies
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram
Social Justice
NBCFDC and NISD
International Relations
Revival Of SAARC
Government Policies
National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme
Environment
GreenCo Rating System
Internal Security
Light Machine Guns (LMG)
International Institutions
UN World Happiness Report- 2020
14
16
20
21
22
25
26
27
28
ii
19
18
Government Policies
Tech For Tribals: TRIFED
29
NEWS 01
Why in News
Recently, the central government has notified that masks (2 ply and 3 ply surgical masks, N95
masks) and hand sanitizers as essential commodities up to June 30, 2020, under the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955 (EC Act).
The invocation of the EC Act aims to ensure that these products, key for preventing the spread
of Covid-19 infection, are available to people at the right price and of the right quality.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has also issued an advisory under
the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 to ensure these items are not sold for more than the Maximum
Retail Price (MRP).
NOTE:
• Essential Commodities Act, 1955: This Act intends to provide, in the interest of the general
public, for the control of the production, supply and distribution of, and trade and commerce,
in certain commodities.
• The Legal Metrology Act, 2009: It aims to establish and enforce standards of weights and
measures, regulate trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods which are
sold or distributed by weight, measure or number and for matters connected therewith or
incidental thereto.
• Both the mentioned Acts are regulated and administered by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution.
Key Points
Under the EC Act, the States and Union Territories can ensure that manufacturers enhance their
production capacity so that masks and hand sanitizers are widely available to consumers.
The invocation of EC Act has empowered the Centre as well as states to regulate the production,
quality, distributions of masks and hand sanitizers.
The Consumer Affairs Ministry has also invoked the Prevention of Black Marketing and
Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980 which would carry out action
against those involved in overpricing and black marketing of the products.
Governance
Masks and Hand Sanitizers Under EC
Act, 1955
01
NEWS 02
Why in News
The National Crèche Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by the
Ministry of Women and Child Development. The scheme was earlier named as Rajiv Gandhi
National Creche Scheme.
It aims to provide day care facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working
mothers.
The salient features of the National Creche Scheme are as follows:
• Daycare Facilities including Sleeping Facilities.
• Early Stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school Education for 3 to 6 years old
children.
• Supplementary Nutrition ( to be locally sourced)
• Growth Monitoring
• Health Check-up and Immunization
Further, the guidelines provide that :
• Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half (7-1/2) hours per day.
• The number of children in the crèche should not be more than 25 per crèche.
• User charges will be levied to bring in an element of community ownership.
The fund sharing pattern under National Creche Scheme amongst Centre, States/UTs & Non
Governmental Organisations/Voluntary Organisations is in the ratio of 60:30:10 for States,
80:10:10 for North Eastern States and Himalayan States and 90:0:10 for UTs.
Benefits of Creche Facility
It helps women to manage both their career as well as their family responsibility.
It promotes gender diversity at workplaces.
Creche facilities help promote gender equality and democracy by increasing participation of
women in the economy.
Social Justice
National Creche Scheme
02
NEWS 03
Why in News
The Public Financial Management System (PFMS), earlier known as Central Plan Schemes
Monitoring System (CPSMS), is a web-based online software application developed and
implemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance.
• PFMS was initially started during 2009 as a Central Sector Scheme of Planning Commission
with the objective of tracking funds released under all Plan schemes of the Government of
India, and real time reporting of expenditure at all levels of Programme implementation.
• Subsequently in the year 2013, the scope was enlarged to cover direct payment to
beneficiaries under both Plan and non-Plan Schemes.
• In 2017, the Government scrapped the distinction between plan and non-plan expenditure.
• The primary objective of PFMS is to facilitate a sound Public Financial Management System
for the Government of India (GoI) by establishing an efficient fund flow system as well as a
payment cum accounting network.
• At present, the ambit of PFMS coverage includes Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored
Schemes as well as other expenditures including the Finance Commission Grants.
• PFMS provides various stakeholders with a real time, reliable and meaningful management
information system and an effective decision support system, as part of the Digital India
initiative of GoI.
• PFMS is integrated with the core banking system in the country.
Transparency & Accountability
Public Financial Management System
(PFMS)
03
NEWS 04
Why in News
• The Bhoomi Rashi Portal is an e-Governance initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport &
Highways.
• The portal intends to expedite the process of land acquisition for National Highways.
• It has fully digitized and automated the entire process of land acquisition.
• It has helped to make land acquisition error-free & more transparent with notifications at
every stage being processed on a real-time basis.
• Earlier, the acquisition of land for the purpose of National Highway projects, payment of
compensation to the landowners etc. was done manually by physical movement of
documents.
• It had some constraints viz. delay in issuing land acquisition notification, errors in the land/
area details etc.
• The portal is integrated with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for depositing
the compensation in the account of affected/ interested persons on a real-
Government Policies
Bhoomi Rashi Portal
04
NEWS 05
Why in News
• The National Biopharma Mission (NBM) is an industry-academia collaborative mission for
accelerating biopharmaceutical development in the country.
• It was launched in 2017 at a total cost of Rs 1500 crore and is 50% co-funded by World Bank
loan.
• It is being implemented by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
• BIRAC is a Public Sector Enterprise, set up by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
• The oversight to the mission activities is provided by the inter-ministerial Steering Committee
chaired by the Secretary-DBT (Ministry of Science & Technology).
• The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) chaired by an eminent scientist provides scientific
leadership to the mission drawing upon global expertise.
• Under this Mission, the Government has launched Innovate in India (i3) programme to create
an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in the
biopharma sector.
It has a focus on following four verticals:
1. Development of product leads for Vaccines , Biosimilars and Medical Devices that are
relevant to the public health need by focussing on managed partnerships.
2. Upgradation of shared infrastructure facilities and establishing them as centres of product
discovery/discovery validations and manufacturing.
3. Developing human capital by providing specific training.
4. Developing technology transfer offices to help enhance industry academia inter-linkages.
Government Policies
National Biopharma Mission
05
NEWS 06
Why in News
The Video Conference of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Leaders on
COVID-19 was held recently.
All the members of SAARC (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
and Pakistan) attended the conference.
The conference is considered as a step towards the revival of SAARC as the SAARC Summit has
not taken place since 2014 because of India-Pakistan tensions.
Key Points
• COVID-19 Emergency Fund: India has proposed to create a COVID-19 Emergency Fund which
could be based on a voluntary contribution from all SAARC members.
• Further, $10 million has been extended by India as a contribution to the fund.
• The fund can be used to meet the cost of immediate actions by any member and will be
coordinated through foreign secretaries and embassies of the member countries.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also constituted the COVID-19 Solidarity Response
Fund with the help of corporate bodies, foundations and the UN Foundation.
Other Proposals by India:
India has also proposed a rapid response team of doctors and specialists, along with testing kits
and other equipment for all the member countries.
India has set up an Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal to better trace possible virus carriers
and the people they contacted. India has offered to share it with member countries.
International Relations
Video Conference of SAARC Leaders on
COVID-19
06
Economic Issues and Measure:
• The conference also discussed longer-term economic consequences of COVID-19.
• The member countries have also proposed to insulate internal trade of South Asia and local
value chains from its impact.
Measures by SAARC to Manage Health Pandemics:
• It has been decided to frame and enforce the common SAARC pandemic protocols.
• The members have also decided to establish a working group of national authorities for
health information, data exchange and coordination in real-time.
• It has also proposed a SAARC health ministers’ conference and the development of regional
mechanisms to share disease surveillance data in real-time.
Country-Specific Issues:
• Afghanistan has highlighted the vulnerability as it shares a long and open border with Iran,
one of the worst affected countries in the world.
• The Maldives has cited the economic downturn owing to the drop in tourists inflow from Italy,
China and Europe - the main source of tourists for the country and sought a South Asian
response to the crisis.
• The tourism-dependent countries like Bhutan, Sri Lanka has also sighted issues related to the
economic slowdown.
SAARC
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional
intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member
states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Place founded: Dhaka
Geographic scope: Southern Asia
Date founded: 8 December 1985
07
NEWS 07
Why in News
Recently, a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has shown concern at the widening
gap between projections and allocations in the defence budget. The Committee noted that since
2015-16, none of the three Services (Army, Navy and Air Force) has been given the matching
allocation as per the projection.
Key Findings of the Committee
There is a considerable shortage in the allocation in the Capital Head, which is 35% less than the
projection.
The Committee noted that committed liabilities constitute a significant part of the Capital Head
and inadequate allocation would definitely lead to ‘default situation’ on contractual obligations.
Committed liabilities are payments anticipated during a financial year for contracts concluded in
previous years.
Such a situation is not conducive for preparation of the country to modern-day warfare, where
possession of capital intensive modern machines is a prerequisite for tilting the result of the war
in favour and also to have a credible deterrence.
Both the Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have a situation where their committed liabilities
are more than their share of the capital allocation in the Budget.
To offset this, the Services have been forced to defer payment of committed liabilities of the
Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU) among other measures.
The shortfall in expenditure will affect:
Operationalisation of three tri-service organizations i.e. Defence Space Agency (DSA), Defence
Cyber Agency (DCYA) and Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD).
Operational readiness of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).
Maintenance of SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) equipment.
Administration of training institutes and operational units.
Recommendations:
The committee has recommended a dedicated fund for committed liabilities and procurements
before the shortfall impacts modernisation, invariably from next Budget onwards (2021-22).
Economy
Defence Fund Shortfall
08
NEWS 08
Why in News
A study by researchers from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (TIFR) has
revealed that glucose in the body controls the function of SIRT1 directly.
SIRT1 is an enzyme that deacetylates (removal of acetyl) proteins that contribute to cellular
regulation (reaction to stressors, longevity).
A shortage or absence of the control by glucose may lead to a diabetic-like state, while excess
feeding and sustained low levels of SIRT1 can lead to obesity and enhanced ageing.
This study paves the way might be beneficial in tackling lifestyle disorders and ageing-related
diseases.
Key Points
• In normal healthy individuals, SIRT1 protein levels are known to increase during fasting and
decrease during the feed, which is essential to maintain a balance between glucose and fat
metabolism.
• The glucose controls the functions of a protein SIRT1 which in turn maintains everyday feed-
fast cycles and is also associated with longevity.
• The feed-fast cycle is a basic pattern and the metabolism-related to this is largely taken care
of by the liver.
• Thus, the study shows that both over-activation and under-activation of SIRT1 can lead to
diseases.
• Glucose puts a check on the activity of SIRT1 in the fed state. In the absence of this check,
SIRT1 activity increases and results in hyperglycemia in a fasted state, mimicking diabetic
state.
• The constant feeding or high-calorie intake that leads to a sustained reduction in the levels of
SIRT1 (by glucose) is associated with ageing and obesity.
Science & Technology
Role of Glucose in Regulating Liver
Functions
09
NEWS 09
Why in News
The water level in the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam in Mandya district (Karnataka) is coming
down rapidly owing to the increase in the evaporation rate and the decrease in the inflows as a
result of summer.
• The Krishna Raja Sagar Dam was built
across river Kaveri for the Mysore and
Mandya districts in Karnataka in 1932.
• The dam is named for the then ruler of the
Mysore Kingdom, Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.
• The Dam is the creation of one of the
greatest engineers that India had produced,
Sir M. Vishweshwaraiah. His birthday, 15th September is celebrated as Engineers day.
• The reservoir is also the main source of drinking water for all of Mysore city and almost the
whole of Bangalore.
• The water released from this dam is further used as an important source of water in the state
of Tamil Nadu.
Kaveri River
Source: The river rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in southwestern Karnataka.
Drainage Basin: It flows in a southeasterly direction through the states of Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu, and descends the Eastern Ghats in a series of great falls. Before emptying into the Bay of
Bengal south of Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, the river breaks into a large number of distributaries
forming a wide delta called the “garden of southern India.”
Tributaries: Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Lakshmana Theertha, Shimsa, Kabini and Harangi.
Geography
Krishna Raja Sagar Dam
10
NEWS 10
Why in News
The annual Chaitra Jatra festival scheduled to be held on 17th March, 2020 at Odisha’s Tara
Tarini hill shrine has been cancelled as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 infection.
The festival is held on each Tuesday in the month of Chaitra, which falls in March-April as per
the English calendar.
Key Points
• Tara Tarini hill shrine, located at a hilltop on banks
of the Rushikulya river, is a major centre of Shakti
worship in Odisha.
• The twin goddesses Tara and Tarini represent one
Shakti and are the main deity of Ganjam district
(Odisha).
• Tara is an important deity of Mahayana Buddhist Sect.
• This temple had been built as per traditional Rekha style of Odia temple architecture, as per
which famous Jagannath temple of Puri and Lingaraj temple of Bhubaneswar have been
built.
• Unlike other temples, it wasn’t built under the patronage of a King or a Noble, the temple was
set up by a Brahmin named Basu Praharaj as per popular legend.
• Since its inception it has been an established seat of Tantrism.
• Indian Navy’s sailboat INSV Tarini was named after Tara Tarini hill shrine.The first Indian all-
woman crew had circumnavigated the globe in INSV Tarini.
Art & Culture
Tara Tarini Temple
11
NEWS 11
Why in News
The Ministry of Shipping has launched a roll on-roll off cum passenger ferry service, called
‘ROPAX’, between Mumbai and Mandwa (Maharashtra).
• ROPAX service is a water transport service project under Eastern Waterfront Development.
• The road distance from Mumbai to Mandwa is about 110 kilometres, and it takes three to
four hours, whereas by waterway the distance is about 18 kilometres and a journey of just an
hour.
• ROPAX Vessel M2M -1 was built in Greece in September 2019. This Vessel has a speed of 14
knots and can carry 200 cars and 1000 passengers at a time. It is capable of operating even
in a monsoon season.
• People will be able to travel in their cars directly on to the ROPAX vessel.
• The benefits of this service include reduction in the travel time, vehicular emission and traffic
on the road.
Eastern Waterfront Development
• The Eastern Waterfront is the Mumbai Port Trust’s (MbPT’s) plan to develop the port lands
across Mumbai’s eastern coast stretching from Sassoon Dock to Wadala.
• MbPT is an autonomous Body of the Government of India under the Ministry of Shipping.
• Some of the major proposals under the project include a 93- hectare park near Haji Bunder,
around 17 hectares for tourism-related projects such as themed streets and affordable
housing.
• The project also has a focus on a water transport by making a provision for water taxis,
international and domestic cruises and ro-pax (roll on/roll off passengers) services.
Government Policies
ROPAX Service
12
NEWS 12
Why in News
Recently, information related to the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) was given by the Ministry for
Human Resource Development (MHRD).
Key Points
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is a flagship program of the Ministry for Human Resource Development
(MHRD).
It aims to link the Higher Education Institutions with a set of at least (5) villages, so that these
institutions can contribute to the economic and social betterment of these village communities
using their knowledge base.
Main Objectives:
To engage the faculty and students of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in identifying
development issues in rural areas and finding sustainable solutions for the same.
Identify & select existing innovative technologies, enable customisation of technologies, or
devise implementation methods for innovative solutions, as required by the people.
To allow HEIs to contribute to devising systems for smooth implementation of various
Government programmes.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0
It is the upgraded version of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 1.0. It was launched in 2018. The scheme is
extended to all educational institutes; however under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0 participating
institutes are selected based on the fulfillment of certain criteria.
Performance So Far
Currently under the scheme, 13072 villages have been adopted by 2474 Institutes.
The technological interventions under the UBA cover different subjects broadly categorized like
in the area of sustainable agriculture; water resource management; artisans, industries and
livelihood; basic amenities (infrastructure & services) and rural energy system. This has
transformed the living conditions in villages and has been beneficial for rural India.
Governance
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
13
NEWS 13
Why in News
Recently, the Minister of State for Shipping has informed in the Rajya Sabha that significant
savings in the cost of transportation are expected by using the Inland Water Transport (IWT)
mode.
IWT mode is widely recognized as environment-friendly and cost-effective mode of transport.
It aims to create for the shippers and logistic players, an alternative to the two dominant modes
of transport viz. road and rail.
Key Points
• As per RITES Report of 2014 on Integrated National Waterways Transportation Grid, the cost
comparison on the modes of surface transport is given below:
• India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways which comprise of rivers, canals,
backwaters, creeks, etc.
• About 55 million tonnes of cargo is being moved annually by IWT, a fuel-efficient and
environment-friendly mode.
• As per the National Waterways Act 2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National
Waterways (NWs).
• National Waterway-1 (Prayagraj-Haldia) with length 1620 km is the longest National waterway
in India.
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is implementing the Jal Marg Vikas Project
(JMVP) at an estimated cost of ₹5369.18 crores for capacity augmentation of navigation on
the Haldia-Varanasi stretch of Ganga (part of NW-1) with the technical and financial
assistance of the World Bank.
Infrastructure
Use of Waterways for Reducing
Transportation Cost
14
Integrated National Waterways Transportation Grid
• It plans to link many of the national waterways to each other and also to roads, railways and
major ports.
• Setting up of a large number of ports/terminals, riverside jetties, godowns, boat building
workshops, repairing yards and ancillary industries will spur investment opportunities.
• The capital cost is estimated at ₹22,763 crores to be used in phase-I (2015-18) and phase- II
(2018-23).
Inland Waterways Authority of India
• It came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland
waterways for shipping and navigation.
• It primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on
national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
• It is headquartered at Noida with regional offices at Patna (Bihar), Kolkata (West Bengal),
Guwahati (Assam) and Kochi (Kerala) and sub-offices at other places throughout India.
15
NEWS 14
Why in News
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released guidelines for regulating activities of Payment
Aggregators (PAs) and Payment Gateways (PGs) in the country.
PAs and PGs are intermediaries playing an important function in facilitating payments in the
online space.
Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways
• Payment Aggregators facilitate e-commerce sites and merchants in accepting payment
instruments from the customers for completion of their payment obligations without the need
for merchants to create a separate payment integration system of their own. Example:
Billdesk.
• Payment Gateways are entities that provide technology infrastructure to route and facilitate
processing of an online payment transaction without any involvement in handling of funds.
PGs in India mainly include banks.
• A Payment Gateway allows the merchants to deal in a specific payment option put on the
portal, whereas a Payment Aggregator allows one to have multitudes of options for payment.
Thus, a Payment Aggregator covers a payment gateway in its ambit.
Guidelines
Authorisation
• Non-bank PAs will require authorisation from the RBI under the Payment and Settlement
Systems Act, 2007 (PSSA). A PA should be a company incorporated in India under the
Companies Act, 1956 / 2013.
• Banks provide PA services as part of their normal banking relationship and do not therefore
require a separate authorisation from RBI.
• E-commerce marketplaces (e.g. flipkart, Paytm) providing PA services should separate PA
services from the marketplace business and they should apply for authorisation on or before
30th June, 2021.
• PGs will be considered as ‘technology providers’ or ‘outsourcing partners’ of banks or non-
banks, as the case may be.
Economy
Regulating Payment Aggregators and
Gateways
16
Capital Requirement
Existing PAs have to achieve a net worth of ₹15 crore by 31st March, 2021 and a net worth of
₹25 crore on or before 31st March, 2023. The net worth of ₹25 crore has to be maintained at all
times thereafter.
New PAs should have a minimum net worth of ₹15 crore at the time of application for
authorisation and have to attain a net worth of ₹25 crore by the end of the third financial year of
the grant of authorisation. The net worth of ₹25 crore has to be maintained at all times
thereafter.
Disclosure Requirements
PAs need to disclose comprehensive information regarding merchant policies, customer
grievances, privacy policy and other terms and conditions on the website and / or their mobile
application.
They need to undertake background and antecedent checks of the merchants to ensure that
such merchants do not have any malafide intention of duping customers, and do not sell fake /
counterfeit / prohibited products.
17
NEWS 15
Government
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines on the ‘Clinical
Management of COVID-19’.
• COVID-19 patients may present with mild, moderate, or severe illness and the early
recognition of suspected patients allows for timely initiation of infection, prevention and
control.
• The Ministry has recommended use of drug combinations Lopinavir and Ritonavir (sold under
the brand name Kaletra) depending upon the severity of the condition of a person having
coronavirus infection, on a case-to-case basis.
Key Points
• Lopinavir-Ritonavir is recommended for high-risk groups of patients aged above 60 who are
suffering from diabetes mellitus, renal failure, chronic lung disease and are immuno-
compromised.
• Lopinavir-Ritonavir is used widely for controlling Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
infection.
• However, the use of Lopinavir-Ritonavir is also associated with significant adverse events
which many times have led to discontinuation of therapy.
• There is no current evidence from randomised controlled trials to recommend any specific
treatment for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
• No specific antivirals are recommended for treatment of those suffering from respiratory
ailment due to lack of adequate evidence from medical literature.
• The use of this drug combination is suggested by an expert committee comprising doctors
from the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), experts from National Centre for
Disease Control (NCDC) and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Government Policies
Anti-HIV Drugs for COVID-19
18
NEWS 16
Why in News
Recently, the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying replied in Lok Sabha
on ISRO’s Assistance in finding Rich Fishing Areas.
Key Points
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has developed the methodology for the generation
of fishery advisories and transfer to Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
(INCOIS) since 2002 as an operational service for providing Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)
advisories.
This INCOIS utilizes data on chlorophyll concentration (Chl) obtained from ISRO’s Oceansat-2
satellite and the sea surface temperature from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA / USA satellites).
The INCOIS uses these satellite datas to prepare the PFZ advisories on the potential rich fishing
areas and provide to the sea faring fishermen in all states.
Benefits
PFZ advisories helped fishermans in avoiding the unwanted search for fish shoals. This reduces
their fuel consumption.
Reduction in fuel consumption reduces carbon emission and hence pollution.
OceanSat-2
OceanSat-2 provides service continuity for the operational services of Oceansat-1 with
enhanced application potential. It was launched in 2009.
It’s main objectives are to study surface winds and ocean surface strata, observation of
chlorophyll concentrations, monitoring of phytoplankton blooms, study of atmospheric aerosols
and suspended sediments in the water.
INCOIS
INCOIS is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It is headquartered
at Hyderabad.
It is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society,
industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean
observations and constant improvements through systematic and focussed research.
Science & Technology
ISRO’s Assistance in Fishing
19
NEWS 17
Why in News
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed the Rajya Sabha about the
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) while discussing the health and well-being of
adolescents in the country.
Key Points
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was launched by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare (MoHFW) in 2014.
It intends to ensure holistic development of the adolescent population.
The RKSK programme defines an adolescent as a person within 10-19 years of age, in urban and
rural areas, includes both girls and boys, married and unmarried, poor and affluent, whether they
are in school or out of school.
The programme also focuses on reaching out all adolescents including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).
To guide the implementation of this programme, MoHFW in collaboration with the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has developed a National Adolescent Health Strategy.
The six thematic areas of RKSK as well as that of the strategy are nutrition, sexual reproductive
health, substance misuse, non - communicable diseases, mental health and injuries and
violence.
The programme envisages a paradigm shift from the clinic-based services to the promotion and
prevention and reaching adolescents in their own environment, such as in schools, families and
communities.
The prime elements of the programme are:
Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs) across various levels of public health institutions in
all the States.
Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) Programme for school going adolescent boys
and girls and out of school adolescent girls across the country.
Peer Educator Programme in select 200 districts, based on Composite Health Index and
identified as High Priority Districts (HPDs).
The Menstrual Hygiene Scheme that provides funds to the States/UTs for procurement of
sanitary napkins for Adolescent Girls (aged 10-19 years).
Government Policies
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram
20
NEWS 18
Why in News
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is exploring the possibilities of a scheme for
persons engaged in the act of begging.
The Scheme would cover identification, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling,
education, skill development with the support of State Governments/UTs and Voluntary
Organizations, etc.
The Ministry also provides funds to the National Backward Classes Finance & Development
Corporation (NBCFDC) and the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) for the development
of members of beggars’ community.
National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation
NBCFDC is a Government of India Undertaking under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment.
It was incorporated under Section 25 of the Companies Act 1956 on 13th January 1992 as a
Company not for profit.
Its objective is to promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward
Classes and to assist the poorer section of these classes in skill development and self-
employment ventures.
National Institute of Social Defence
The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) is an Autonomous Body and is registered under
Societies Act XXI of 1860 with the Government of National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi.
It is a central advisory body for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
It is the nodal training and research institute in the field of social defence.
The institute currently focuses on human resource development in the areas of drug abuse
prevention, welfare of senior citizens, beggary prevention, transgender and other social defence
issues.
The mandate of the institute is to provide inputs for the social defence programmes of the
Government of India through training, research & documentation.
Social Justice
NBCFDC and NISD
21
NEWS 19
Why in News
Recently, Prime Minister of India proposed to set up a South Asian Association of Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) Emergency Fund ($10 million) and formation of a Rapid Response Team
(of doctors, specialists, testing equipment and attendant infrastructure) in order to combat
Covid-19.
Though, this initiative may or may not fully succeed in eradicating the epidemic, in a densely-
populated South Asia which has very poor public health awareness and infrastructure. However,
this may have prompted the reactivation and revival of the SAARC.
Problems faced by SAARC nations vis-a-vis Coronavirus
• The Maldives and Sri Lanka highlighted the massive economic impact of the dramatic decline
of tourism that is a major source of revenue and employment.
• Land-locked Afghanistan is struggling to cope with the open border with virus-infected Iran
and Pakistan’s decision to close the border through which much of the nation’s trade flows
occur.
• Apart from this, many SAARC countries share borders with China, the place where the virus
originated.
• Also, the population density in Indian subcontinent is very high, so there are more chances of
rapid transmission of infection.
Idea of SAARC
In 1980's the idea of SAARC was initiated by General Zia Ur Rehman of Bangladesh, which
resulted in the first summit of the seven leaders of the region in 1985. Later, Afghanistan joined
in 2007. However, in the nearly 35 years of its existence, SAARC has not lived up to its promise
of regional integration.
South Asia is the world’s least integrated region; less than 5% of the trade of SAARC countries is
within.
A South Asian Free Trade Zone, which was agreed on in 2006, has not been materialised yet.
The 19th SAARC summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November 2016, was postponed
after the terrorist attacks in Uri; none has been held since then.
International Relations
Revival Of SAARC
22
Why SAARC failed?
Most of the smaller states and external players believe that the India-Pakistan conflict has
undermined SAARC.
• The reasons for a dysfunctional SAARC:
• Bilateral issues cannot be discussed in SAARC but since the organisation relies on the
principle of unanimity for all major decisions, Pakistan has often vetoed the major initiatives
proposed at SAARC. For example, SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement proposed at Kathmandu
summit, 2014.
• For India, Pakistan’s use of terror as an instrument of foreign policy has made normal
business impossible.
• Dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the Durand line, is also a reason.
• Also, India’s economic position vis-a vis other SAARC countries, creates an impression of
India being a big brother rather than a strategic partner.
• Lack of Trust in Indo-Pakistan relations: After the deadly terror attack on the Indian security
forces at Uri in 2016, India refused to engage with the SAARC.
• Since then, the SAARC has become almost marginal to the regions' collective consciousness
and other organisations such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and
Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) came into the forefront.
Should India continue to neglect SAARC over BIMSTEC?
The two organisations—SAARC and BIMSTEC—focus on geographically overlapping regions.
However, this does not make them equal alternatives.
• SAARC is a purely regional organisation, whereas BIMSTEC is interregional and connects
both South Asia and ASEAN. BIMSTEC provides SAARC countries a unique opportunity to
connect with ASEAN.
• Further, the scope of BIMSTEC has been undermined by China.Thailand and Myanmar are
now economically and strategically closer to China. Apart from it, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka
and Bangladesh also have extensive economic engagement with China and are struggling to
work out balancing strategies between India and China.
• The revival of SAARC will also facilitate India’s neighbourhood policy in meeting the challenge
of regional strategic encroachment by China through its Belt and Road Initiative.
• Thus, insofar as their regions of interest overlap, SAARC and BIMSTEC complement each
other in terms of functions and goals. . The success of BIMSTEC does not render SAARC
pointless; it only adds a new chapter in regional cooperation in South Asia.
23
Conclusion
The tragedy of Covid-19 may provide an opportunity for India to demonstrate its compassionate
face to secure a region at peace with itself. This emergency fund is a step in reviving SAARC
which has been dysfunctional till now, is a reiteration of India’s prompt and decisive support to
the neighbours at the time of facing natural disasters. However, the dream of New South Asia
requires much more diplomatic and political will.
Expected Mains Question
The success of BIMSTEC does not overshadow the role of SAARC in contemporary international
relations. Critically analyse.
24
NEWS 20
Why in News
• The National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM) is being implemented by
the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
• NAQUIM envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization
and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of
groundwater resources.
• NAQUIM was initiated as a part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme to
delineate and characterize the aquifers to develop plans for ground water management.
Aquifers
The rocks in which groundwater is stored are called aquifers. They are typically made up of
gravel, sand, sandstone or limestone.
Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme
It is a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Water Resources, River Development &
Ganga Rejuvenation.
Central Ground Water Board
• It is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Water Resources and is the National Apex Agency
entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for management, exploration,
monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources of the
country.
• It was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tubewells Organization under the
Ministry of Agriculture and later on merged with the Groundwater Wing of the Geological
Survey of India during 1972.
Government Policies
National Aquifer Mapping and
Management Programme
25
NEWS 21
Why in News
• The Green Companies (GreenCo) Rating System has been developed by the Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII).
• The system evaluates the companies on 10 broad green parameters, including GreenHouse
Gases (GHG) reduction, renewable energy use etc.
• Accordingly, ratings are provided which remain valid for three years.
• It is the "first of its kind in the world" holistic framework that evaluates companies on the
environmental friendliness of their activities using a life cycle approach.
• The life cycle approach considers product design, materials used, procurement, vendor
management, logistics, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, product use, disposal and
recycling.
• Its mission is to facilitate Indian industry to make a substantial improvement in their
environmental performance thereby saving both natural and financial resources.
• It has been acknowledged in India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)
document, submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) in 2015, as a proactive voluntary action of Indian industry/ private sector towards
combating climate change.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization. It was
founded in 1895.
It works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering
industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.
Environment
GreenCo Rating System
26
NEWS 22
Why in News
Recently, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with the Israeli Weapon Industries
(IWI) for procuring Light Machine Guns (LMG).
Key Points
• LMG is designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an
infantry support weapon.
• It is often called the squad automatic weapon.
Some examples of LMG:
1. Negev 7.62X51 mm - Israeli LMG
2. SIG-716 assault rifles- American LMG
3. AK-203 assault rifles -Russian LMG
Internal Security
Light Machine Guns (LMG)
27
NEWS 23
Why in News
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the United Nations released the World
Happiness Report on 20th March, 2020.
March 20 was designated as the World Happiness Day by the UN General Assembly in 2012.
About the World Happiness Report
• The World Happiness Report ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive
themselves to be.
• The rankings are based on polling (Gallup World Poll) which looks at six variables: GDP per
capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of
corruption.
• The 2020 Report for the first time ranked cities around the world by their subjective well-being
and looked into how the social, urban and natural environments combine to affect happiness.
Highlights From the Report
Top Performers
• Finland is ranked as the world’s happiest nation for the third consecutive year.
• Nordic states dominated the top 10, along with countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand
and Austria.
• Luxembourg edged into the 10th spot for the first time this year.
Worst Performers
The countries at the bottom are those afflicted by violent conflicts and extreme poverty, with
Zimbabwe, South Sudan and Afghanistan classified as the world’s least happy nations.
India’s Performance
• India, previously ranked at 140 dropped to 144.
• Its rank is way lower than its neighbours. Nepal is ranked 15, Bangladesh is at 107 and Sri
Lanka at 130.
• India is a new entrant to the bottom-fifteen group.
Sustainable Development Solutions Network
• The SDSN, launched in 2012, mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to
promote practical problem solving for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the
Paris Climate Agreement.
• It was established under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General.
• The SDSN and the Bertelsmann Stiftung have been publishing the annual SDG Index &
Dashboards Global Report since 2016.
International Institutions
UN World Happiness Report- 2020
28
NEWS 24
Why in News
Recently, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has
launched a transformational “Tech For Tribals” program in partnership with Institutes of
National Importance (INIs) to develop Tribal entrepreneurship.
Key Points
• Tech For Tribals program aims to transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs by capacity building
and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the
Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY).
• The program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and
empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.
• Under the program trainees will undergo a 30 days training program over six weeks
comprising 120 sessions. The Partner institutions will develop course contents relevant to
Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces.
• The course curriculum will include Achievement Motivation and positive psychology,
Entrepreneurial Competencies, capacity utilization, Product positioning - Grading / Sorting,
Branding, Packaging, etc.
TRIFED
• The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into
existence in 1987. It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative
control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• The objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by
way of marketing development of the tribal products such as metal craft, tribal textiles,
pottery, tribal paintings and pottery on which the tribals depend heavily for a major portion of
their income.
• TRIFED acts as a facilitator and service provider for tribes to sell their product.
• The approach by TRIFED aims to empower tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of
information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific
manner.
• It also involves capacity building of the tribal people through sensitization, formation of Self
Help Groups (SHGs) and imparting training to them for undertaking a particular activity.
• TRIFED has its Head Office located in New Delhi and has a network of 13 Regional Offices
located at various places in the country.
Government Policies
Tech For Tribals: TRIFED
29
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