ARCHIVES

GS-2

Popularization of AYUSH System of Medicine

(Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/ Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources)

About- To promote AYUSH systems of medicine across the globe, the Ministry has set up Academic Chairs in three countries namely Hungary and Trinidad & Tobago (Ayurveda Chair) and South Africa (Unani Chair)

Objective-

• To promote academic and collaborative research activities on AYUSH systems abroad
• To develop quality standards of AYUSH education in foreign educational institutes
• To create awareness about strength of AYUSH systems

Steps taken-

• MoUs for setting up of AYUSH Academic Chairs have also been signed with Universities in Russia, Indonesia, Slovenia, Thailand (for Ayurveda Chair) and Armenia (for Homoeopathy Chair).
• Twenty AYUSH Information Cells have been set up in 19 countries (two in Indonesia) in the premises of the Indian Missions/ICCR Cultural Centre for dissemination of authentic information about AYUSH systems of medicine.
• Incentives are also being provided to AYUSH drug manufacturers, entrepreneurs, AYUSH institutions, etc.
• For participating in International exhibitions, conferences, workshops, seminars, road shows and trade fairs, etc. for generating awareness amongst the participating public about the Indian Medicines
• Registration of AYUSH products with regulatory agencies of different countries to enhance export of these products.

Photo Exhibition – ‘Azadi 70-Yaad Karo Qurbani’

(Topic: Promote the contribution made by freedom strugglers)

About- Bharat Parv, a festival to celebrate India’s 70 years of Independence will help foster the spirit of unity and integrity amongst the people across the country. It is being celebrated in remembrance of heroes of the freedom struggle.

Bharat Parv-

• Government as a part of celebrations has developed a massive programme of 75 Ministers going all over the country and visiting the birthplace of great heroes and places of historical importance like Jallianwala Bagh, Kakori, etc.
• Exhibition is broadly divided into two broad sections-the first section covers the period from the First War of Independence in 1857 to freedom in 1947 and how the public angst spread from Bengal to South India.
• Second segment tracks the progress since independence including the adoption of the Constitution, efforts at developing nuclear capabilities including the Pokhran test.

Amendment in Section 309 and 377 of IPC

(Topic: Constitutional amendments)

About- Law Commission of India, in its 210th Report: “Humanization and Decriminalization of Attempt to Suicide” had recommended that Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of IPC needs to be effaced from the statute book.

Nature of amendments-

• Amendments in the Criminal Justice System are a continuous process in order to make the laws in sync with social changes.
• Amendments in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are carried out from time to time based on the recommendations of the Law Commission of India, various Court judgments and the reports of any other committees specially constituted for the purpose.

Amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961

(Topic: Constitutional amendments)

About: Increasing maternity benefit to woman covered under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 from 12 weeks to 26 weeks up to two surviving children in order to allow the mother to take care of the child during his/her most formative stage

Details:

• Providing maternity benefit of 12 weeks to Commissioning mother (in case of surrogate child) and Adopting mother (in case of adoption)
• Facilitate “work from home” to a mother with mutual consent of the employee and the employer, making mandatory in respect of establishment having fifty or more  employees
• To have the facility of crèche either individually or as a shared common facility within such distance as may be prescribed by rules & also to allow four visits to the crèche by the woman daily, including the interval for rest allowed to her
• Every establishment to intimate in writing and electronically to every woman at the time of her initial appointment about the benefits available under the Act.

Major impact-

• On the health, well being and growth of the future generation in the country
• Positive impact on women’s participation in labour force
• Improve the work- life balance of the women workers

Beneficiaries- Organized work force in the country is around 2.8 crores, of which 18 lacks are women, who will be benefited.

Amendment of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923

(Topic: Constitutional amendments)

Objective- To modify the provisions of Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923 to rationalize the penalties and strengthen the rights of the worker under the Act

Outcome-

• Increase of penalty for contravention of Act from present 5000/- to Rs 50,000/- which may extend to Rs. 1 lakh.
• Impose penalty for failure to display provisions of Employee’s Compensation Act
• Section 30 provides for Appeal to high court whenever the disputed amount is more than Rs 300/-. It is proposed to revise this amount to Rs 10,000 for such higher amount as the Central Government may prescribe so as to reduce the litigations.
• Under Section 30A, the Commissioner could exercise discretion to withhold payment to an employee whenever an appeal to High Court is filed.
• It is proposed to omit Section 30(A)—With this omission, the amount can be withheld only when there is a stay or order to that effect by the High Court, where the appeal has been filed.

Major Impact-

• More deterrence and hence better compliance
• More litigations likely to be closed at the level of Commissioner
• Employer cannot withhold Employee compensation, unless stay by High Court

Number of beneficiaries- It will benefit around 3 crore work force in organized sector in the country.

International Meeting on Counter Terrorism in Indonesia

(Topic: International meets)

About- International Meeting on Counter Terrorism to be held at Bali, Indonesia on 10th August, 2016 –First of its kind meeting being hosted by Indonesia.
Aims at- Strengthening the international cooperation network in addressing the growing threat of cross-border movement of terrorism from the aspects of actor, information and also financing

Theme- Countering Cross-Border movement of Terrorism

Agreement between India and Croatia—Economic Cooperation

(Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests)

Agreement-

• India and Croatia had earlier signed an Agreement on trade and economic cooperation in September, 1994 with an aim to promote and develop bilateral trade and economic relations.
• Signing of the new Agreement between India and Croatia would be a step in continuity as the existing Agreement expired in November, 2009.

Foreign investment in other Financial Services sector approved

(Topic:  Cabinet decision and undertakings)

Outcome of amendment-

• Enable inflow of foreign investment in “Other Financial Services” on automatic route provided such services are regulated by any financial sector regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA etc.) / Government Agencies.
• Foreign investment in “Other Financial Services”, which are not regulated by any regulators / Government Agency, can be made on approval route.
• Further, minimum capitalisation norms as mandated under FDI policy have been eliminated as most of the regulators have already fixed minimum capitalisation norms. This will induce FDI and spurt economic activities.
• It will cover whole India and is not limited to any State/Districts.

SWAYAM Portal— Scheme under Online Courses 

(Topic: Government schemes and policies)

About-Government will be launching the SWAYAM portal for providing online learning courses offered by the best teachers to anyone desirous of learning, at anytime of his choice and to be accessed anywhere in the Country.

Benefit-

• It would be possible for any student or any school drop-out to join virtual classes offered by the best teachers in the country, interact with the teacher, take tests, earn academic credits and transfer them on their academic record.
• The courses offered in this portal will cover 9th Class to Post Graduation levels. These courses would be available throughout the country.
• In order to benefit the areas without internet access, the content provided under SWAYAM would also be telecast through the free-to-air Direct-To-Home TV channels that are going to be launched.

MAA Programme: Promotion of  Breastfeeding

(Topic: Government schemes and policies)

About- Launch of MAA – Mothers Absolute Affection, a flagship programme to ensure adequate awareness is generated among masses, especially mothers, on the benefits of breastfeeding.

Why- Breastfeeding is the most natural, cost effective and significant intervention and should be promoted at all levels. This is an enormous resource that every child should have access to.

Agenda- To reduce the under-five mortality of children

MAA-Mother’s Absolute Affection-

• Chief components of the MAA Programme are—
• Community awareness generation
• Strengthening inter personal communication through ASHA
• Skilled support for breastfeeding at Delivery points in Public health facilities
• Monitoring and Award/recognition
• Programme will be monitored by UNICEF.

Importance-

• Early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth and thereafter exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is essential for the wellness of the child as a simple act of breastfeeding can ensure for the child the right nutrients to start their life.
• Breastfeeding is a child’s first inoculation against death, disease and poverty and according to the latest scientific evidence; breastfeeding is most enduring investment in physical, cognitive and social capacity development.
• It creates a special bond between mother and baby and the interaction between the mother and child during breastfeeding has positive impact for life, in terms of stimulation, behaviour, speech, and sense of well-being, security and how the child relates to other people.

Matter of concern- Around 20% new-born deaths and 13% under-five deaths can be prevented by early initiation of breastfeeding

‘FMD Mukt Bharat’

(Topic: Government schemes and policies)

Issue-

• Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most economically devastating contagious viral animal diseases affecting all susceptible cloven-footed animals.
• As per the estimates by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), direct loss due to milk and meat is to the tune of RS. 20,000 crores per annum.
• It can be much more if indirect losses due to reduced work capacity; abortions, subsequent infertility and sterility (that account for the reduced milk production subsequently) are taken into account.

FMD-CP-

• In order to prevent economic losses due to Foot and Mouth Disease, a location specific programme called ‘Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP)’ is under implementation since 10^th Plan Period.
• Scope of the programme will be extended to cover remaining States in a phased manner so as to have geographically contiguous areas to yield desired results for the creation of FMD Free Zones depending upon availability of resources.
• With robust implementation of FMD-CP in the States, disease occurrence has drastically been reduced particularly in FMD-CP States e.g. 879 FMD outbreaks were reported in 2012 throughout the country which have been reduced to 109 in 2015.
• Looking at the economic importance of the control disease, the Department has conceived ‘FMD Mukt Bharat’

GS-3

Diamond Quadrilateral Network in Indian Railway

(Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways etc)

About- Six corridors on Diamond Quadrilateral connecting metropolitan cities and growth centres of the country (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & Kolkata) have been identified for feasibility studies for high speed rail connectivity.

Six corridors include-

• Delhi-Mumbai
• Mumbai-Chennai
• Chennai-Kolkata
• Kolkata-Delhi
• Delhi-Chennai
• Mumbai-Kolkata routes.

Feasibility studies-

• Feasibility studies for Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata and Mumbai-Chennai have been awarded in September, 2015.
• Feasibility studies for Delhi-Nagpur portion of Delhi-Chennai corridor and Mumbai-Nagpur portion of Mumbai-Kolkata corridor are being undertaken through Government to Government cooperation, with China and Spain respectively.

Revised ‘CAR’ will be Effective from 1st September, 2016 

(Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways etc)

About- DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), which specifies the requirements of Flight Duty and Flight Time Limitation (FDTL) for cabin crew. The existing CAR has been reviewed and the revised CAR will be effective from 1st September, 2016. Revised CAR lays down the provision for extension of FDTL of cabin crew under unforeseen operational circumstances.

Security system at airports in India-

• It is also reviewed from time to time and upgraded as per requirements with involvement of all security agencies and stakeholders, depending upon threat perceptions.
• To strengthen security arrangements include time bound deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at major airports, deployment of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) at major airports and regular monitoring of security arrangements through inspections and dummy checks.

Battery-Operated Car Service—Railway Stations

(Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways etc)

About- Zonal Railways have been authorized to introduce Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs) at major railway stations.

It is for- Disabled, elderly and ailing passengers on ‘first come first served’ basis through sponsorship from individuals, NGOs, Trusts, Charitable institutions, Corporates and PSUs/Corporate Houses under their Corporate Social Responsibility free of charge to passenger or to the Railway.

Video Surveillance to be installed at 1000 Railway Stations under Nirbhaya Fund

(Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, and Railways etc)

About- The proposal of Ministry of Railway namely- Integrated Emergency Response Management System has been appraised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development under Nirbhaya Fund which includes installation of video surveillance at 1000 railway stations.

Steps taken for women safety-

• Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing scheme of One Stop Centre to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and a Scheme for Universalisation of Women Helpline to provide 24 hours immediate and emergency response to women affected by violence.
• Safety and security of women and children in the country is of utmost priority for the Government.

Steps to Rescue Power-loom Weavers from Financial Crisis

(Topic: Industrial development)

Issue- Power-looms in Malegaon, Bhiwandi, Ichalkaranji, Solapur, Surat, Varanasi, Erode, and other centres in the country are working at sub-optimal capacities due to high input costs and reduced off-take of fabrics. The low off-take has resulted in partial stoppage of power-looms in some clusters.

Main cause of reduction- On account of input costs and lower demand, there has been some impact on decentralized power-loom industry which has resulted in the reduction of operational shifts in some clusters.

 Steps taken to overcome problems-

• Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme for upgradation of technology
• In-situ Upgradation Scheme for upgrading plain power-looms
• Group Work-shed Scheme for giving assistance for constructing work-shed for power-loom sector
• Integrated Scheme for Power-loom Sector Development (ISPSD) for extending support in the form of Buyer Seller Meets, Yarn Banks, setting up of Common Facility Centres, organising Seminar/ Workshops
• Group Insurance Scheme for social security
• Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) for skill upgradation.

Financial support to BHEL: R&D project for development of Advanced Ultra Super Critical Technology

(Topic: Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life)

A Consortium of three Government Entities- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indira Gandhi Centre of Atomic Research (IGCAR), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have proposed a R&D project for the development of AUSC Technology for Thermal Power Plants of future, envisaging reduced coal consumption as well as Carbon Di-Oxide (CO2) emission.

Benefit-

• Enable Indian industries to design, manufacture and commission higher efficiency coal fired power plants with indigenously developed technology and manufacturing processes.
• This will be the first time large power plant equipment will be manufactured with advanced technologies, but without any technological collaboration/ Licensing Agreement with foreign companies.

Progress made- Proposed technology is still in research stage and is still not matured or demonstrated anywhere in the world.

Reduction in CO₂ percentage-

• Power generation from coal contributes to about 38% of CO2 pollution in the atmosphere.
• 20% reduction in CO2 emission at source combined with 20% saving in coal consumption compared to a sub-critical plant and by about 11% compared to a supercritical plant are the primary reasons justifying this project.
• Use of this technology in all future large power plants will ensure energy security for the country for a longer period, along with a greener environment.

Hanle – A potential site for the Thirty Meter Telescope

(Topic: Science and technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life)

About- Hanle in Ladakh has been identified as one of the potential alternate sites for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).

Previously- The original site for TMT was Mauna Kea in Hawaii in the United States of America but the construction work for TMT at Mauna Kea had to be stalled due to revocation of Permit by orders of the Supreme Court of Hawaii.
Participation of India-

• India’s participation in the TMT project is being jointly funded and overseen by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), with DST as the Lead Agency. DST has received clearances from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs for hosting TMT at Hanle in Ladakh.
• Indian scientists leading this project, led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, visited the region and have completed measurements of the key scientific parameter, viz. ‘Atmospheric turbulence or Seeing measured in arc-second’.

Development of Deep Brain Stimulator

(Topic: Achievements of Indians in Science and Technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology)

About- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram (an institute of national importance under DST) have agreed to join hands to develop ‘Deep Brain Stimulator’ (DBS).

Deep Brain Stimulator-

• DBS involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of brain, and the regular electrical pulses generated by a pacemaker-like device placed under the skin in upper chest regulates the abnormal impulses of the brain.
• DBS is used in typical neurological conditions of Essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease and Dystonia.
• DBS consists of implanted pulse generator, electrodes and extension cables which interface with external Programmer module and wireless battery charger.
• Devices are currently being imported, limiting its wider usage due to the high cost. The planned joint development is targeted to provide an affordable alternative.

MoU-

• BARC will develop the device as per specifications provided by SCTMIST and SCTMIST will be responsible for clinical trials, testing and qualification.
• Electronics Division, Reactor Control Division and Centre for Design & Manufacture of BARC will participate in the development of various subsystems. The 1st prototypes are planned to be available in 3 years.

National Committee on Trade Facilitation- Road map for trade facilitation

(Topic: Effects of liberalization of economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on Industrial growth)

About- Consequent to India’s ratification of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) in April 2016, the National Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) has been constituted. The establishment of the Committee is part of the mandatory, institutional arrangement of the TFA.

Objective-

• To have a national level body that will facilitate domestic co-ordination and implementation of TFA provisions.
• It will play the lead role in developing the pan-India road map for trade facilitation.
• It will be instrumental in synergizing the various trade facilitation perspectives across the country and will also focus on an outreach programme for sensitization of all stakeholders about TFA.

Let’s know more about NCTF-

Type- This is a prime, inter – ministerial body on trade facilitation.

Chaired by- Cabinet Secretary

Housed by- Its Secretariat will be housed within the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), in the Directorate General of Export Promotion, New Delhi.

Role of Private Sector and State Governments in Development of Food Parks

(Topic: Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management)

About-Ministry is implementing Mega Food Park (MFP) Scheme to create modern infrastructure for food processing. The Mega Food Parks may be set up by private promoters as well as State Government / its entities / cooperatives.

MFP Scheme- Financial assistance is provided as grants-in-aid @50% of the eligible project cost in general areas and 75% of eligible project cost in difficult and hilly areas i.e. North East Region including Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) notified areas of the States subject to a maximum Rs. 50.00 crore per project.

Important role has been envisaged of the State Government in implementation of the projects, as under:

• Providing assistance to Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in procurement/purchase of suitable land
• Providing all the requisite statutory clearances including permission for sub-leasing of land by SPV, wherever needed, for setting up the MFP and its components thereof and providing the necessary assistance for power, water, roads and other external infrastructure to the project
• Providing flexible and conducive labour environment and considering special facilities like exemption of stamp duty, VAT/Sales Tax exemption etc. for the MFP and the units located in the MFP
• Monitor the implementation of project
• Nominating a suitable officer to be appointed as Ministry’s nominee Director in the SPV.
• Providing a fast track single window agency to facilitate clearances and permissions required for the project.

Workshop on Transformational Change in Policy and Practices for Sustainable Agriculture

(Topic: Sustainable Agriculture practices)

Issue- Indian agricultural sector is facing a number of challenges. On one hand, there are challenges to feed a growing population, on the other hand, our farmers are facing challenges due to the limited availability of natural resources along with increasing pressure on agricultural land.

Problems emerging due to- Climate change and consequent to it the adverse circumstances are clear on the scenario.

Organised by- National Workshop organized on Indian Green Agricultural Project was carried out under the joint efforts of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as well as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Fifth national report submitted in Bio-Diversification Summit by India indicates that-

• There is an acute pressure on the productivity potential of land in various pockets of the country due to the extension in the area of agriculture and continuous use of the land.
• Pressure owes its existence particularly to deforestation, disintegration of forest areas, and eradication of wet land and conversion of meadows into agricultural sector.
• Solved the problem of food-grain to some extent, however, it has triggered a scarcity in bio diversification. It has also posed a challenge for the survival of wild life as well as human beings.

Steps taken to overcome-

Schemes launched-

• Climate smart agriculture
• Sustainable land use and management
• Bio-production
• Use of local and traditional knowledge along with the agriculture bio diversification conservation.

National Level Programmes launched-

• National Mission for Sustainable Development of Agriculture (NMSA)
• Integrated Horticulture Development Mission (MIDH)
• National Livestock Development Mission as well as Traditional Agriculture Development Scheme (PKVY) etc. is being implemented

Global Environmental Facility (GEF)-

• Started in India in-1991
• Has mandate to: Resolve problems related to global environment.
• GEF provides: Financial support for environmental improvements.
• Span of GEF is for- Five years
• Works on: Sustainable agriculture development, Land degradation, Bio diversification, Sustainable forest management because it is directly related to the adaptation of climate change process.
• For the first time, Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved the project related to- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on the subject “to obtain revolutionary change on the strategies and methodologies for sustainable agriculture in India”; to implement it in various parts of five states viz Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa and Mizoram.

Corrective Measures to Prevent Reduction in Cotton Production

(Topic: Measures taken to prevent major crops)

About- For the cotton season 2015-16, Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) has revised the cotton production estimate at 338 lakh bales as against its earlier estimates of 352 lakh bales.

Reasons for the downwards cotton production estimates are-

• Acreage under cotton has decreased by around 7% as against previous year due to switching over to other crops in Northern & Central Regions
• White fly attack in Northern zone and pink boll-worm attack in Gujarat region
• Delayed rains in Central & Southern region and deficit rains across all cotton growing areas.

Corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government to prevent the reduction in production of cotton are as under-

• Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare is implementing Cotton Development program
• Focus on- Cropping system approach under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 15 major cotton growing states viz; Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal
• Scheme – Under the scheme, thrust is given for transfer of latest technology to cotton growers through Front Line Demonstration (FLD) on Integrated Crop Management (ICM), Desi Cotton, Extra Long Staple Cotton, High Density Planting System.
• Scheme is being implemented through State Department of Agriculture (SDA), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) etc.  Besides, States can support cotton development programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
• With a view to promote Cotton farming,  during cotton season 2016-17,  Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmer Welfare has fixed minimum support price for medium staple length cotton at Rs. 3860/- per quintal and for long staple at Rs. 4160/- per quintal.
• Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) Limited has been entrusted with procurement of cotton from farmers at Minimum Support Price (MSP) to protect the interest of farmers by giving MSP to their produce to avoid distress sale.

First National Conference of Investigating Agencies

(Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security)

Organised by- Two-day conference is being organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in coordination with National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Objective– To discuss the latest laws and judgments and their implications for investigation and prosecution, and to deliberate on new legislation/ criminal law amendments and systematic changes for meeting new challenges in investigation.

Conference envisages to-

• Provide an annual national platform to all the officers of law enforcement agencies engaged in investigation tasks
• Adoption of latest technology in forensic sciences for expeditious and professional investigation and to share best practices followed by different investigation agencies which could be implemented by others.
• There will be sessions on show-casing the best practices in investigation being followed in various States/UTs and investigation agencies.
• Leading experts and practitioners in these areas would present their views.

Help in-

• Improving the quality of investigation which has been a long felt demand of public.
• Conference offers sessions by investigation experts of national repute on themes of Combating Economic and Organized crime, Digital and Technology driven crime, Terrorist Crime Investigation, Legal issue relating to Investigation and Ideas from States: Sharing good practices.