The gravitational wave observatories at LIGO scientific collaboration have detected a merger of two unequal-mass black holes for the first time since it started functioning.
Key takeaways:
The event is dubbed as GW190412.
It was detected nearly a year ago.
The event involved two black holes of unequal masses combining together.
One of the black holes was around 30 times the mass of the Sun and the other had a mass nearly 8 times the sun’s mass.
The actual merger took place at a distance of 2.5 billion light years away.
Important value additions:
The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)
It is a large-scale physics experiment and observatory to detect cosmic gravitational waves and to develop gravitational-wave observations.
It is the world’s largest gravitational wave observatory.
It consists of two detectors situated 1,865 miles (3,002 kilometers) apart in isolated regions in the states of Washington and Louisiana.
Retired bureaucrat Sanjay Kothari was sworn in as the next Central Vigilance Commissioner by President Ram Nath Kovind at an official oath-taking ceremony, recently.
Important value additions:
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Background: It was set up by the Government in 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by K. Santhanam.
Status: It is a statutory body governed by the Central Vigilance Commission Act 2003.
Mandate: To inquire into offences which might have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 by certain categories of public servants.
Composition: The Commission shall consist of a Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson); and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Members).
Appointment: They are appointed by the President of India on recommendation of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister (Chairperson), the Minister of Home Affairs and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Miscellaneous
Benzalkonium Chloride
Most of the household cleaning agents consist of benzalkonium chloride solution.
It is a chemical with antimicrobial properties acting against pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses.
It is primarily a skin irritant.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPC) classifies benzalkonium chlorides (BACs) in toxicity category II by oral and inhalation routes and category III via the dermal (skin) route.
Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerators
Many countries, industry groups, and NGOs have committed to join a project called Access to COVID-19 Tools led by the World Health Organization.
It is a global collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable access to New COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
(MAINS FOCUS)
INTERNATIONAL/ SECURITY
Topic: General Studies 2 & 3:
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India
It was founded in 1996 to promote the Treaty so that it can enter into force.
It also establishes a verification regime to monitor adherence to the Treaty.
The CTBT verification includes
International Monitoring System (IMS),
International Data Centre (IDC)
On-site inspections (OSI).
Criticism of the Treaty
Defining the “comprehensive test ban” as a “zero yield” test ban that would prohibit supercritical hydro-nuclear tests but not sub-critical hydrodynamic nuclear tests.
Anchoring the CTBT in a disarmament framework, as proposed by India, was not accepted
The treaty’s entry-into-force- provisions, which listed 44 countries by name, was protested by India as arm-twisting tactic and violation of Sovereign right of India
CTBTO is largely funded by US and unable to promote the treaty effectively.
Recent trends in Nuclear Arms
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) that limits U.S. and Russian arsenals will expire in 2021 and US is not inclined to extend it
US has embarked on a $1.2 trillion nuclear modernisation plan spanning 30 years
China has also embarked on modernisation plan to enhance the lifespane of its smaller nuclear arsenal
US wants to China into some kind of nuclear arms control agreement
But China is not interested by pointing to the fact that the U.S. and Russia still account for over 90% of global nuclear arsenals.
China also maintains that it will ratify CTBT only after the U.S.
This indicates the increasing divergence between US and China –trade and technology disputes, militarisation in the South China Sea and coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. could also be preparing the ground for resuming nuclear testing at Nevada indicating the beginning of new arms race
Conclusion
The developments between US and China could be the signs for a new cold war
Connecting the dots:
India’s Nuclear Doctrine
India’s attempt to become a member of Nuclear Supplier Group
GOVERNANCE/ FEDERALISM/ ECONOMY
Topic: General Studies 2 & 3:
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources
Context: The relief package announced by Union Government directed States to provide relief to Construction workers using provisions under Building and Other Construction Workers Act(BOCW), 1996.
What is BOCW Act?
The Act regulates the employment and conditions of service of building and other construction workers.
It provides for the levy and collection of cess at 1-2 % of the cost of construction, as the Central government may notify.
The cess is collected by the State governments and UTs.
It is utilised for the welfare of building and other construction workers by the respective State BOCW Boards.
Presently Rs 31,000 crore of funds is available with such welfare boards
Therefore, the basic framework of the governance is
States collect a cess from construction projects, register construction workers, and design schemes to use the funds collected for their welfare.
Constraints to provide assistance to casual workers during this pandemic
Dependent on Formalisation: Only registered construction workers benefit from the welfare schemes
Low worker registrations– As of end-2018, according to Union Labour Ministry only 3.24 crore workers were registered across India, which represented about 60% of the construction workforce in India
Low Awareness among the workers and their organisations about the benefits which can be availed through such legislation
Limited State capacity for expenditure
Chhattisgarh’s board would go bankrupt if they paid workers the central minimum daily NREGA wage of Rs 202 for the lockdown period
Significant variations across states
Six states—Tamil Nadu, UP, MP, Odisha, Rajasthan and West Bengal—have 54% of the registered workforce, but only 32% of cess funds collected.
Issues of interstate migrants
They constitute 42.7% of the urban construction workforce (Census 2001)
State BOCW Boards are reluctant to register migrants due to lack of political incentives
Way Ahead
Centre can use the expertise of the Central BOCW Advisory Committee to play a proactive role in coordinating amongst states
Centre can facilitate sharing beneficiary lists and funds between these states through interstate MoU
States—labour departments and welfare boards- need to improve the registration process.
The quarantine camps for migrants are an opportunity to disseminate information, and even register such workers by utilizing the services of Civil Society groups.
Connecting the dots:
Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016
Farmers distress during Pandemic
(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)
Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)
Note:
Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.
Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”.
Q.1 The event GW190412 is associated with which of the following?
Merger of two galaxies
Merger of two equal-mass black holes
Merger of two unequal-mass black holes
Merger of two dwarf planets
Q.2 Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerators is led by which of the following?
World Health Organisation
United Nations Human Rights Commission
Bill Gates Foundation
UNICEF
Q.3 Consider the following statements regarding Benzalkonium Chloride?
It acts only against the bacteria.
It is a skin irritant.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.4 Consider the following statements regarding Central Vigilance Commission?
The Commissioner is appointed by the President of India.
It is a non-statutory body.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.5 Consider the following statements regarding hydrogen fuel?
It is less efficient than internal combustion engine.
The manufacture of hydrogen fuel is expensive.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
ANSWERS FOR 25th April 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)
