June 17 - June 22 Flashcards
What is the northern most state of India
Jammu and Kashmir
10th Schedule of the Constitution
Why in news
The Supreme Court has asked the Goa Assembly Speaker to respond to a plea filed by the opposition Congress party to decide on the disqualification proceedings against 10 legislators who joined the ruling BJP in July last year.
What’s the issue
10th Schedule of the constituion
In July last year 10 MLAs, purportedly claiming to form a two-third of Indian National Congress (INC), decided to merge the said legislature party with the BJP and accordingly addressed a communication to that effect to the Speaker.
Based on the communication, the Speaker took note of the “alleged merger of INC’s legislative party in the Goa Legislative Assembly, and allotted the 10 seats in the Assembly along with the members of the BJP”.
However, petitioners contended that the legislators in question have incurred disqualification under Article 191(2) of the Constitution, read with para 2 of the Tenth Schedule (defection), and are liable to be disqualified as members of the Legislative Assembly.
What is the anti-defection law?
The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution in 1985 by the 52nd Amendment Act.
It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House.
The decision on question as to disqualification on ground of defection is referred to the Chairman or the Speaker of such House, and his decision is final.
The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.
Disqualification under anti defection law
If a member of a house belonging to a political party:
Voluntarily gives up the membership of his political party, or
Votes, or does not vote in the legislature, contrary to the directions of his political party.
However, if the member has taken prior permission, or is condoned by the party within 15 days from such voting or abstention, the member shall not be disqualified.
If an independent candidate joins a political party after the election.
If a nominated member joins a party six months after he becomes a member of the legislature.
Exceptions under the law
Anti defection law or 10th schedule of the constitution
Legislators may change their party without the risk of disqualification in certain circumstances.
The law allows a party to merge with or into another party provided that at least two-thirds of its legislators are in favour of the merger.
In such a scenario, neither the members who decide to merge, nor the ones who stay with the original party will face disqualification.
Decision of the Presiding Officer is subject to judicial review
The law initially stated that the decision of the Presiding Officer is not subject to judicial review.
This condition was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1992, thereby allowing appeals against the Presiding Officer’s decision in the High Court and Supreme Court.
However, it held that there may not be any judicial intervention until the Presiding Officer gives his order.
Advantages of anti-defection law
Provides stability to the government by preventing shifts of party allegiance.
Ensures that candidates remain loyal to the party as well the citizens voting for him.
Promotes party discipline.
Facilitates merger of political parties without attracting the provisions of Anti-defection
Expected to reduce corruption at the political level.
Provides for punitive measures against a member who defects from one party to another.
Various Recommendations to overcome the challenges posed by the law
Dinesh Goswami Committee on electoral reforms: Disqualification should be limited to following cases:
A member voluntarily gives up the membership of his political party
A member abstains from voting, or votes contrary to the party whip in a motion of vote of confidence or motion of no-confidence.
Political parties could issue whips only when the government was in danger.
Law Commission (170th Report): Provisions which exempt splits and mergers from disqualification to be deleted.
Pre-poll electoral fronts should be treated as political parties under anti-defection.
Political parties should limit issuance of whips to instances only when the government is in danger.
Election Commission:
Decisions under the Tenth Schedule should be made by the President/ Governor on the binding advice of the Election Commission.
Reservation is not a fundamental right says Supreme Court
What Is the context
The Supreme Court has said that reservation of seats to certain communities was not a Fundamental Right.
What is the issue
Under Reservation is not a fundamental right says Supreme Court
The Court said this while refusing to act on a petition filed by all political parties from Tamil Nadu who sought 50% OBC reservation in the all-India NEET seats surrendered by states.
All political parties from Tamil Nadu filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution.
They accused the Centre of violating the “right of the people of Tamil Nadu to have a fair education” by not implementing the 50% quota for Backward Classes and Most Backward Classes for the All India Quota seats in medical and dental science courses.
Key observations made by the Court
Under Reservation is not a fundamental right says Supreme Court
Reservation is not a fundamental right”. Hence, Article 32 could not be applied.
Therefore, not giving the quota benefits cannot be construed as a violation of any constitutional right.
Petitioners’ arguments
Non-implementation of such reservations in the state amounted to violation of Fundamental Rights of its residents.
This is because, the Director General of Health Services is not following any of the following laws to provide reservations:
The Tamil Nadu Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in the Services under the State) Act, 1993 to provide 50% reservation for OBC candidates in All India Quota in undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical courses in Tamil Nadu.
27% reservation for OBC candidates in All India Quota in undergraduate as well as postgraduate medical courses to other States.
Court’s verdict on Reservation in promotions
In February 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that there is no fundamental right to claim reservation in public jobs and no court can order a state government to provide for reservation to SC/STs.
Additional information
For reservations
Articles 15(4) and 16(4)state that the equality provisions do not prevent the government from making special provisions in matters of admission to educational institutions or jobs in favour of backward classes, particularly the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Article 16(4A) allows reservations to SCs and STs in promotions, as long as the government believes that they are not adequately represented in government services.
In the Indra Sawhney case of 1992, the Supreme Court fixed the upper limit for the combined reservation quota should not exceed 50% of seats.
In 2019, the 103rd Constitution Amendment Act was passed empowering both Centre and the states to provide 10% reservation to the EWS category of society in government jobs and educational institutions.
Writ jurisdiction of SC and HC
The Supreme Court under Article 32 and the High courts under Article 226 of the Constitution can issue the writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo-warranto to check and enforce fundamental rights .
The Parliament under Article 32 can also empower any other court to issue these writs. However, no such provision has been made so far.
The Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of fundamental rights whereas a High court can issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and also for an ordinary legal right.
Supplying washed coal
Context
The government had recently amended the Environment Protection Act to drop the mandatory washing of coal supplied to thermal power plants.
This notification undid the government’s 2016 order, which made coal washing mandatory for supply to all thermal units more than 500 km from the mine as part of its climate-change commitments.
What’s the issue?
Under supplying washed coal
Few experts had opposed this move.
They said, the notification would “undo whatever limited progress” was made so far in reducing pollution load at coal-based power stations.
However, the government defended its move and has questioned those opposing, “How is coal not dirty within 500 km, and how does it become dirty after 500 km?”
What was the rationale behind the mandatory washing requirement?
From January 2014 onwards, the Environment Ministry had been working towards “progressive reduction” of distance that unwashed coal would travel, keeping in view that ultimately all coals, irrespective of distance from supplying mines, will have to be washed and comply with less than 34 per cent ash limit.
This was done in line with the country’s stand in climate change negotiations – not to reduce coal consumption and rather focus on emission control.
Washing coal increases the efficiency and quality of the dry fuel.
In theory, a process like coal washing was supposed to be good for everyone; thermal power plants would have fewer operational problems due to poor coal quality.
The combustion of washed coal would be better from an emissions and local air pollution perspective, and the unnecessary transport of large amounts of ash and non-combustible material would be minimized.
This was ultimately aimed at the protection of the environment.
Why the present government decided to do away with this?
Agreeing that coal washing does not help reduce emissions, the power ministry has said that “coal rejects from washery find their way into the market for use by industries and create pollution”.
It said washing of coal is unable to meet its intended objective as “it merely localises the pollution around coal mines which otherwise would have been distributed over larger areas”.
It has also pointed out that the process of coal washing is cumbersome and costly.
It also leads to reduction in the calorific value of the coal as well.
Way ahead
The power ministry has instead batted for pollution control technologies at power generation units.
Under the guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board, plants with close to 50 gigawatt of thermal power capacity need to install emission control systems.
It would also be beneficial to use raw coal instead of washed coal.
With the use of supercritical technology in power plants, technological improvement to arrest emissions, unwashed coal can be used efficiently and economically using washed coal which makes power generation costlier.
IAEA begins meet over Iran’s n-programme
The Context
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed “serious concern” about Iran’s failure to cooperate with its probe into undeclared nuclear material in the country.
Observations made by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
Iran had failed to give its inspectors access to two sites the agency wanted to visit.
Iran didn’t answer questions about the use of possible undeclared nuclear material in the early 2000s and what had happened to it since.
There is a big jump in Iran’s nuclear-fuel stockpile, far above the levels permitted under the 2015 pact.
Iran has reduced its compliance with the nuclear deal in response to sweeping U.S. sanctions.
What next?
If Iran fails to answer the IAEA’s questions, the issue could be sent up to the U.N. Security Council, which has previously imposed sanctions on Iran.
However, permanent members of the security council Russia and China have publicly played down the significance of Iran’s past nuclear work.
Why this oversight is necessary?
The suspected work on a uranium metal disk, which could be used as a nuclear weapon component, and on neutrons—which are used to trigger a nuclear implosion—point to Iranian work on a neutron initiator for a nuclear weapons test or nuclear weapons device.
Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium has grown by around 50% since February to 1,572 kilograms.
That puts Iran’s stockpile of the nuclear fuel far above the limit of 202.8 kilograms stipulated in the 2015 nuclear accord.
With 1,000 kilograms of low-enriched uranium, Iran would likely have enough material to fuel a single bomb once the material is further enriched, a process some experts believe could take as little as three months.
Can Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) be reinstated?
It is clear that the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal cannot simply be reinstated.
Not only has Iran been in breach of key JCPOA commitments from day one of the agreement, it has now made significant progress toward nuclear bomb capabilities over the last two years since openly violating the agreement’s enrichment restrictions.
A simple return to the JCPOA, with its sunset clauses beginning to lift almost all restrictions on enrichment a bare three years from now, would all but guarantee full Iranian military nuclear capability in a very short period of time.
What was the iran nuclear deal?
Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear programme in a 2015 deal struck with the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany.
Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) Tehran agreed to significantly cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy-water, all key components for nuclear weapons.
The JCPOA established the Joint Commission, with the negotiating parties all represented, to monitor implementation of the agreement.
Why has US pulled out of the deal now?
Trump and opponents to the deal say it is flawed because it gives Iran access to billions of dollars but does not address Iran’s support for groups the U.S. considers terrorists, like Hamas and Hezbollah.
They note it also doesn’t curb Iran’s development of ballistic missiles and that the deal phases out by 2030.
They say Iran has lied about its nuclear program in the past.
About IAEA
Set up as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization in 1957 within the United Nations family.
Reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
Headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
Functions of IAEA
Works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
Seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
Board of governors of IAEA
22 member states (must represent a stipulated geographic diversity) — elected by the General Conference (11 members every year) – 2 year term.
At least 10 member states — nominated by the outgoing Board.
Board members each receive one vote.
Recommendations to the General Conference on IAEA activities and budget.
Responsible for publishing IAEA standards.
Responsible for making most of the policy of the IAEA.
Appoints the Director General subject to General Conference approval.
Programs under IAEA
Program of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT).
Human Health Program.
Water Availability Enhancement Project.
International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles, 2000.
Fifth State of Matter
Why in News?
NASA scientists on Earth have collaborated with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) to corral the first ever Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC)- the fifth state of matter- outside of Earth’s gravity.
The matter has been created in one of the coldest places in the universe- the Cold Atom Laboratory– a device on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Basics- What is a matter, an atom and molecule?
Matter is the “stuff” that makes up the universe — everything that takes up space and has mass is matter.
All matter is made up of atoms, which are in turn made up of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Atoms come together to form molecules, which are the building blocks for all types of matter.
Both atoms and molecules are held together by a form of potential energy called chemical energy.
Five states of matter
There are four natural states of matter: Solids, liquids, gases and plasma.
The fifth state is the man-made Bose-Einstein condensates.
About Bose-Einstein condensate
A Bose-Einstein condensate is so named because its existence was posited almost a century ago by Albert Einstein and Indian mathematician Satyendra Nath Bose.
This exotic material only exists when atoms of certain elements are cooled to temperatures near absolute zero.
At that point, clusters of atoms begin functioning as a single quantum object with both wave and particle properties.
When was it first created?
BEC was created by scientists in 1995.
Using a combination of lasers and magnets, scientists cooled a sample of rubidium to within a few degrees of absolute zero.
At this extremely low temperature, molecular motion comes very close to stopping.
Since there is almost no kinetic energy being transferred from one atom to another, the atoms begin to clump together.
There are no longer thousands of separate atoms, just one “super atom.”
Why study BEC?
A BEC is used to study quantum mechanics on a macroscopic level.
Light appears to slow down as it passes through a BEC, allowing scientists to study the particle/wave paradox.
A BEC also has many of the properties of a superfluid, or a fluid that flows without friction.
BECs are also used to simulate conditions that might exist in black holes.
Why is it easy to create BEC in space?
BECs have been produced in a variety of experiments on Earth since 1995, but these are hindered by gravity, which collapses the clouds in a split second.
To make a BEC, scientists must first corral and then supercool atoms.
In the near-zero gravity in space, they can mix the ingredients in a much smaller catchment “trap.”
On Earth’s surface, the atoms begin to repel each other and fly apart almost instantaneously.
On Earth, laboratories can only maintain Bose-Einstein condensates for a matter of milliseconds.
However, research aboard the ISS has created a Bose-Einstein condensate that persisted for more than a second.
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought: 17 June
Theme for 2020
Food. Feed.Fibre. – the links between consumption and land.
Why June 17?
As world day to combat desertification
This day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1995, after the day when United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification was drafted.
What is Desertification?
Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas.
It is caused primarily by human activities and climatic variations.
Desertification does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts.
It occurs because dryland ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world‘s land area, are extremely vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate land use.
Poverty, political instability, deforestation, overgrazing and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the productivity of the land.
About UNCCD
Established in 1994.
It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
It is the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
To help publicise the Convention, 2006 was declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”.
Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
Aim: Its 197 Parties aim, through partnerships, to implement the Convention and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The end goal is to protect land from over-use and drought, so it can continue to provide food, water and energy.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry for this Convention.
Concerns for India in the area of desertification
India has witnessed increase in the level of desertification in 26 of 29 states between 2003-05 and 2011-13, according to the State of India’s Environment (SoE) 2019 in Figures.
More than 80 per cent of the country’s degraded land lies in just nine states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
Top three districts with highest area under desertification or land degradation are (just know the places in map and remember names no need to remember numbers, just see the numbers once and feel Aww)
- Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (92.96 per cent during 2011-13 and 98.13 per cent during 2003-05),
- Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh (80.54 per cent during 2011-13 and 80.57 per cent during 2003-05) and
- Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir (78.23 per cent during 2011-13 and 78.22 per cent during 2003-05).
Main reasons that cause desertification in India are
Water erosion (10.98 per cent).
Wind erosion (5.55 per cent).
Human-made/settlements (0.69 per cent).
Vegetation degradation (8.91 per cent).
Salinity (1.12 per cent).
Others (2.07 per cent).
Most observable part here is — human made settlements has degraded land less than wind erosion and vegetation erosion
Schizothorax sikusirumensis
It is a new species of fish discovered in Arunachal Pradesh recently.
The fish species belongs to genus Schizothorax.
The name of this fish species has been derived from the name of the rivers where it was found- junction of River Siku and Sirum near Gakang area under Mebo circle of East Siang District.
This you must mug up
(Trick is see the fish image in google, and see its beauty you will remember it for ever)
What are the drugs that are used for diagnosing the arthritis and asthma
Dexamethasone
Mug up this (Cram)
What are antigens and anti bodies
The body of the foreign Bacteria or virus produce antigens
This was somewhat poisonous to our body, so our immune system retaliate the organisms by producing antibodies
What are cytokine
Cytokines are “cell signalling” molecules that aid “cell to cell communication” in immune responses and stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection and trauma.
What is cytokine storm
This is happened when cytokines over do the work
This makes the immune system work on out body instead of foreign germs
How many members are in UNSC
There are 15 members
5 permanent and other 10 non permanent
5 permanent are — US, UK, France, China, Russia
These 10 non permanent — 5 are elected for every 2 years
Does UNSC right from beginning is it a 15 member body
Nope it was 11 member body i,e 5 permanent and 6 non permanent
In 1965 it got changed to 15
How are the 10 non permanent are elected
2 from Latin America and caraibean islands
1 from Eastern Europe states
5 from Asia and Africa
2 from Western Europe and other states
(See all these on map)
What is MPLADS
Its the Member of Parliament land areas development scheme
I.e he gets 5 crore amount annually, executive will use this 5 crore
And this was to be used for assets creation like roads, tanks, etc construction, but 78% of the works are used for improvement of existing works.
Is the retried member of UNSC non permanent seat, can be eligible for immediate reelection
Nope
How is the election in UNSC non permanent member done
The election is done in the form of secret ballot and there are no nominations
How are Rajya Sabha members use MPLADS funds
They can use it in there elected state only
Are nominated members are eligible for MPLADS scheme
Yes
Which is the nodal Agency for MPLADS
MoSPI (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation)
When does Hongkong got hold of china
In 1997, when UK left with a guarantee of “One country Two systems”
When was the friendship treaty seen between India and bhutan
In 1949
And renegotiated in 2007
Dried water bodies in recent past due to human activities
- Aral Sea
- Black Sea
- Lake Baikal
- Aral Sea
- Lake baikal
(Point these on map)
Can Aadhar be taken by a foreigner
Yes, when he stays more than 182 days
So it is not used as the proof of citizen ship
Rapid antigen test
The context
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of Standard Q COVID-19 Ag antigen detection test in containment zones and healthcare settings in combination with the RT-PCR test.
The is to be used in specified settings, and kits from only one manufacturer have got approval– the South Korean company S D Biosensor.
What are antigens?
Antigens are foreign substances that induce an immune response in the body.
What is the rapid antigen detection test for Covid-19?
It is a test on swabbed nasal samples that detects antigens that are found on or within the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
It is a point-of-care test, performed outside the conventional laboratory setting, and is used to quickly obtain a diagnostic result.
How is rapid antigen detection test different from RT-PCR test?
Like RT-PCR, the rapid antigen detection test too seeks to detect the virus rather than the antibodies produced by the body.
The most significant difference between the two is time.
RT-PCR test takes a minimum of 2-5 hours including the time taken for sample transportation.
In a rapid antigen detection test, the maximum duration for interpreting a positive or negative test is 30 minutes.
What are the limitations of an antigen test’s results?
These tests are very specific for the virus, but are not as sensitive as molecular PCR tests.
This means that positive results from antigen tests are highly accurate, but there is a higher chance of false negatives, so negative results do not rule out infection.
Negative results from an antigen test may need to be confirmed with a PCR test prior to making treatment decisions or to prevent the possible spread of the virus due to a false negative.
Once the sample is collected in the extraction buffer, it is stable only for one hour.
Therefore, the antigen test needs to be conducted at the site of sample collection in the healthcare setting.
What is Vaccine Nationalism?
The context
The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Other countries, including India and Russia, have taken similar stances.
This prioritisation of domestic markets has become known as vaccine nationalism.
How it works?
Vaccine nationalism
Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries.
This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer.
How was it used in the past?
Vaccine nationalism
Vaccine nationalism is not new. During the early stages of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, some of the wealthiest countries entered into pre-purchase agreements with several pharmaceutical companies working on H1N1 vaccines.
At that time, it was estimated that, in the best-case scenario, the maximum number of vaccine doses that could be produced globally was two billion.
The US alone negotiated and obtained the right to buy 600,000 doses.
All the countries that negotiated pre-purchase orders were developed economies.
Why its not good? What are the associated concerns?
Vaccine nationalism is harmful for equitable access to vaccines.
It further disadvantages countries with fewer resources and bargaining power.
It deprives populations in the Global South from timely access to vital public health goods.
Taken to its extreme, it allocates vaccines to moderately at-risk populations in wealthy countries over populations at higher risk in developing economies.
What needs to be done?
International institutions — including the WHO — should coordinate negotiations ahead of the next pandemic to produce a framework for equitable access to vaccines during public health crises.
Equity entails both, affordability of vaccines and access opportunities for populations across the world, irrespective of geography and geopolitics.
Housing Finance Companies
The context
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed stringent norms for housing finance companies.
Proposed norms include
For housing finance companies by RBI
At least 50% of net assets should be in the nature of ‘qualifying assets’ for HFCs, of which at least 75% should be towards individual housing loans.
Such HFCs which do not fulfil the criteria will be treated as NBFC – Investment and Credit Companies (NBFC-ICCs) and will be required to approach the RBI for conversion of their Certificate of Registration from HFC to NBFC-ICC.
The NBFC-ICCs which want to continue as HFCs would have to follow a roadmap to make 75% of their assets individual housing loans.
The target has been set at 60% by March 31, 2022, 70% by March 31, 2023, and 75% by March 31, 2024.
It has also proposed a minimum net-owned fund (NOF) of ₹20 crore as compared to ₹10 crore now. Existing HFCs would have to reach ₹15 crore within a year and ₹20 crore within two years.
What are qualifying assets?
The RBI defined ‘qualifying assets’ as loans to individuals or a group of individuals, including co-operative societies, for construction/purchase of new dwelling units, loans to individuals for renovation of existing dwelling units, lending to builders for construction of residential dwelling units.
Regulatory oversight
A housing finance company is considered a non-banking financial company (NBFC) under the RBI’s regulations.
A company is treated as an NBFC if its financial assets are more than 50% of its total assets and income from financial assets is more than 50% of the gross income.
NASA’s Gateway Lunar Orbit outpost
The context
NASA recently finalised the contract for the initial crew module of the agency’s Gateway lunar orbiting outpost.
The contract, which is worth $187 million has been awarded to Orbital Science Corporation of Dulles, Virginia, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Space.
What is the contract for?
NASA has issued this contract to design the habitation and logistics (HALO) support for the Gateway, which is a part of NASA’s Artemis program that aims to send the first woman and the next man to the Moon by 2024.
The HALO refers to the pressurised living quarters where astronauts will spend their time while visiting the Gateway.
These quarters will be about the size of a small apartment and will provide augmented life support in tandem with NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
What is NASA’s Gateway Lunar Orbit outpost?
The Gateway is a small spaceship that will orbit the Moon, meant for astronaut missions to the Moon and later, for expeditions to Mars.
It will act as a temporary office and living quarters for astronauts, distanced at about 250,000 miles from Earth.
The spaceship will have living quarters, laboratories for science and research and docking ports for visiting spacecraft.
Compared to the ISS, the Gateway is much smaller.
How long will it take to build the Gateway?
As of now, NASA has targeted the completion of the Gateway for 2026, while work on the spaceship is already underway.
By 2022, NASA plans to ready the power and propulsion for the spaceship, which will be launched on a partner-provided commercial rocket.
What is Artemis?
Artemis– Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of Moon’s Interaction with the Sun.
It is NASA’s next mission to the Moon.
Objective: To measure what happens when the Sun’s radiation hits our rocky moon, where there is no magnetic field to protect it.
Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the Moon in Greek mythology.
World Crocodile Day
Observed on June 17th every year.
It is a global awareness campaign to highlight the plight of endangered crocodiles and alligators around the world.
India is home to three crocodilian species
The mugger or marsh crocodile
The estuarine or saltwater crocodile
The Gharial
(See there pics in google)
Mugger
The mugger crocodile, also called the Indian crocodile, or marsh crocodile, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent.
It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN.
The mugger is mainly a freshwater species, and found in lakes, rivers and marshes.
(Remember IUCN categories)
Gharial
The Gharial or fish eating crocodile is native to the Indian subcontinent.
It is listed as a Critically Endangered by IUCN.
Small released populations are present and increasing in the rivers of the National Chambal Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary and the rainforest biome of Mahanadi in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Orissa.
(Remember IUCN categories)
Saltwater Crocodile
It is the largest of all living reptiles.
It listed as least concern by IUCN.
It is found throughout the east coast of India.
(Remember IUCN Categories)
Crocodile conservation programmes in India
The Gharial and Saltwater crocodile conservation programme was first implemented in Odisha in early 1975 and subsequently the Mugger conservation programme was initiated, since Odisha is having distinction for existence of all the three species of Indian crocodilians.
The funds and technical support for the project came from UNDP/ FAO through the Government of India.
‘BAULA’ PROJECT AT DANGAMAL: ‘Baula’ is the Oriya term for Saltwater Crocodile. Dangmal is in Bhitarkanika sanctuary.
MUGGER PROJECT AT RAMATIRTHA: The Ramatirtha center, in Odisha, is meant for Mugger crocodiles.
GHARIAL PROJECT AT TIKARPADA, Odisha.
CAPTIVE BREEDING OF CROCODILES AT NANDANKANAN, Odisha.
India China Galwan Valley standoff
The context
Even as India and China are engaged in military-level talks and in controlled engagement, there has been a violent face-off between the army troops of both sides.
Recently, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Indian Army clashed and used stones, knives, and machetes to attack each other and this resulted in fatalities on both sides.
This incident happened at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh region.
Background
On Galwan valley
India and China share a border that is more than 3,440km (2,100 miles) long and have overlapping territorial claims.
From past one month, Indian and Chinese armies have been locked in a tense stand-off at three points along the Line of Actual Control — the Galwan River Valley, Hot Springs area and the Pangong Lake — since early May.
The strategic importance of Galwan River Valley (GRV)
The Galwan river is the highest ridgeline and it allows the Chinese to dominate the Shyok route passes, which is close to the river.
It lies along the western sector of the LAC and close to Aksai Chin, a disputed area claimed by India but controlled by China.
Why tensions are suddenly on rise in this area?
India is trying to construct a feeder road emanating from Darbuk-Shyok Village – Daulat Beg Oldi road (DS-DBO road).
This road runs along the Shyok River and is the most critical line of communications close to LAC.
Hence, Chinese are keen on controlling this area as they fear that the Indian side could end up threatening their position on the Aksai Chin plateau by using the river valley.
Way ahead for India
That China is becoming more belligerent across strategic theatres, challenging the status quo, is supported by multiple examples from the South China Sea.
For the Government of India, this is a moment to guard against complacency, fostered by decades of nimble diplomacy that led to equilibrium, however precarious, on the border issue with China.
Pangolin
Why in News?
China has accorded the pangolin the highest level of protection and removed the scales of the endangered mammal from its list of approved traditional medicines.
Key facts:
Pangolin is only scaly mammal on the planet.
According to CITES, it is also the most illegally traded vertebrate within its class (Mammalia).
Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are Chinese pangolin, mostly found in northeast India and Indian pangolin.
Protection Status:
Chinese pangolin has been listed as “critically endangered”.
Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) has been listed as “endangered”.
It is also a Schedule I category protected animal, under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
(See the pic of pangolin, i like it, it is so diff species) — See the IUCN red list category its endangered
(Least concern < Vulnerable < endangered < critically endangered < extinct in the wild < extinct — these are the threat levels faced by animals — least concern means they are abundant and extinct means they are gone from this world, so IUCN red list categorisation is important )
What is G4
Germany, India, Japan and Brazil constitute G4 nations
Civil Services Board
Context:
The Punjab government, last week, constituted a three-member civil services board to decide on IAS transfers and postings in the state.
Opposition to this move:
This notification providing for fixed tenure of IAS officers has left some leaders in the state upset.
It is because they feel appointment and transfer of IAS officers are a prerogative of the state.
They say, If their term is fixed, it will not only create functional and administrative problems, but also overstep the authority and jurisdiction of the state government.
With the fixed tenure rule and Chief Secretary’s board having all power to examine a recommendation for a transfer, the leaders feel their influence has been reduced to a naught and all power handed to the CS.
What is the government’s argument in its favour?
Civil services board
It says if the officials have a fixed tenure they will be able to provide better administration.\
They will also feel safe and try to stick to the rules instead of pleasing political bosses.
It says every official requires 3-6 months to get into the groove at his new place of posting.
If he stays there for two years, it would mean better delivery and stable tenure to people.
What is a Civil Services Board? What are its functions?
To insulate the bureaucracy from political interference and to put an end to frequent transfers of civil servants by political bosses, the Supreme Court had in 2013 directed the Centre and the states to set up a civil services board to consider transfers and postings of bureaucrats among others.
As per rules, all states should have a civil services board to decide on transfers and postings of the bureaucrats.
Functions:
The board is mandated to decide on the transfer of a civil servant before completion of his or her fixed tenure.
The rules mandate the civil services board to submit an annual report on January 1 to the central government about the date of the meetings held by them.
Composition:
The civil services board is headed by chief secretary of a state.
It has senior most additional chief secretary or chairman, Board of Revenue, Financial Commissioner or an officer of equivalent rank and status as member.
In addition, it will have Principal Secretary or Secretary, Department of Personnel in the state government as member secretary.
Why banning trade with China will hurt India more?
Context:
The Indian government has tried to respond to the border dispute with China by training its guns on trade. The idea resonating in Indian streets is that Indians should boycott Chinese goods and thus “teach China a lesson”.
But, given China’s centrality and India’s insignificant share in global trade, banning trade will barely hurt China while adversely impacting Indian consumers and businesses.
Boycotting China is not as easy as data from key sectors show
Smartphones: Market size: Rs 2 lakh Cr. Share of Chinese products: 72%.
Telecom Equipment: Market size: Rs 12,000 Cr; Share of Chinese products: 25%.
Auto Components: Market size: 43.1 lakh Cr.; Share of Chinese products: 26%.
Internet Apps: Market size: 45.0 Crore smartphone users; Share of Chinese products: 66% of people use at least one Chinese app on their smartphones.
Solar Power: Market size: 37,916 MW; Share of Chinese products: 90%
Steel: Share of Chinese products: 18-20%.
Pharma/API: Market size: 1.5 Lakh Crore; Share of Chinese products: 60%.
When is “Boycott China” possible?
When the economical gap between India and China is narrowed, the country, prompted by emotions of nationalism amid the standoff between the two countries, can boycott Chinese products and carve out a path for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat.’
Why is China cheaper?
Provision of cheap labour is one of the factors that contribute to cheaper Chinese products.
Raw materials are cheaper. They are a significant part of the total cost of the product. Since the Chinese firms invest in bulk purchases for bulk production, it saves the tremendous cost of production.
Efficient business ecosystem comprising of a network of suppliers, component manufacturers, distributors, government agencies, and customers. All have key-roles to play in ironing out the production process.
Business loans are easily accessible, especially for bigger industries which provides a greater financial cushion to businesses in the manufacturing segment.
The Chinese factories have been criticized for their lower compliance with health and safety regulations and environmental protection laws.
China follows a Value Added Tax (VAT) system. A tax which is charged only on the “value-added” to a product, material or service at every stage of its further manufacture or distribution. Exported goods are subject to zero per cent VAT. In simpler terms, they enjoy a VAT exemption or rebate policy.
Why ‘Boycott Chinese Products’ Movement is difficult in India?
Trade deficit: In 2018-19, India’s exports to China were mere $16.7 billion, while imports were $70.3 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $53.6 billion.
Private Indian companies with Chinese investment: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China stood at a total of $1.8 billion between 2015 and 2019.
Chinese tech investors have put an estimated $4 billion into Indian start-ups. Over a period of five years ending March 2020, 18 of India’s 30 unicorns are now Chinese-funded.
China’s dominance in the Indian digital market: Apps with Chinese investments constituted a substantial 50% of top app downloads (both iOS and G Play combined) which includes web browsers, data sharing and social media apps as per the Gateway house report.
A blanket ban on Chinese imports will hurt all small businesses at a time when they are already struggling to survive, apart from hitting India’s ability to produce finished goods.
What can be done?
Estimates indicate that a third of the Chinese imports constitute low-tech goods that were either made earlier by Indians, or are still being made but in smaller quantities.
These can surely be discouraged, and re-replaced by local products and brands.
In addition, such attempts will prove to be a fillip for the hundreds of small and medium firms, which have languished due to the lack of demand.
If the MSME segment kicks off, the overall manufacturing sector will get a boost, which will benefit the ‘Make in India’ scheme.
As local sales grow, Indians will become competitive.
They can emerge as exporters of these products, and battle globally with China.
Russia-India-China grouping
Why in News?
India will participate in the virtual meeting of the Russia-India-China grouping on June 23.
The Indian decision to go ahead with the ministerial level exchange has created an opening for de-escalation of tension along the Line of Actual Control with the Russian diplomatic sources indicating that they support “constructive dialogue” over the tension in eastern Ladakh.
What is RIC?
Conceived by the then Russian foreign minister Yevgeny Primakov in 1998.
The group was founded on the basis of “ending its subservient foreign policy guided by the U.S.,” and “renewing old ties with India and fostering the newly discovered friendship with China.”
Significance and potential of the grouping
Together, the RIC countries occupy over 19 percent of the global landmass and contribute to over 33 percent of global GDP.
All three are nuclear powers and two, Russia and China, are permanent members of the UN Security Council, while India aspires to be one.
The trio could also contribute to creating a new economic structure for the world.
They could work together on disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
Importance of RIC for India
It forms the core of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
India is in a geostrategic sweet spot today.
It is important for India as an aspiring power to be able to thwart China’s aspirations of being a hegemon in both the maritime and continental spheres.
U.S. Uighur rights Bill
Context:
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed legislation calling for sanctions over the repression of China’s Uighur Muslims.
Details:
The Bill calls for sanctions against those responsible for repression of Uighurs and other Muslim groups in China’s Xinjiang province, where the United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in camps.
It singles out the region’s Communist Party secretary, Chen Quanguo, as responsible for “gross human rights violations” against them.
The Bill also calls on U.S. firms operating in Xinjiang region to ensure their products do not include parts using forced labour.
Background of U.S. Uighur rights Bill
The United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in camps in the Xinjiang region.
The U.S. State Department has accused Chinese officials of subjecting Muslims to torture, abuse “and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion.”
Who are Uighurs?
Uighurs are a Muslim minority community concentrated in the country’s northwestern Xinjiang province.
They claim closer ethnic ties to Turkey and other central Asian countries than to China, by brute — and brutal — force.
Why is China targeting the Uighurs?
Xinjiang is technically an autonomous region within China — its largest region, rich in minerals, and sharing borders with eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia and Afghanistan.
Over the past few decades, as economic prosperity has come to Xinjiang, it has brought with it in large numbers the majority Han Chinese,who have cornered the better jobs, and left the Uighurs feeling their livelihoods and identity were under threat.
This led to sporadic violence, in 2009 culminating in a riot that killed 200 people, mostly Han Chinese, in the region’s capital Urumqi. And many other violent incidents have taken place since then.
Beijing also says Uighur groups want to establish an independent state and, because of the Uighurs’ cultural ties to their neighbours, leaders fear that elements in places like Pakistan may back a separatist movement in Xinjiang.
Therefore, the Chinese policy seems to have been one of treating the entire community as suspect, and launching a systematic project to chip away at every marker of a distinct Uighur identity.
One Nation-One Ration Card scheme
Context:
14 states/UTs yet to join the scheme.
About the scheme:
One Nation One Ration Card (RC) will ensure all beneficiaries especially migrants can access PDS across the nation from any PDS shop of their own choice.
Benefits: no poor person is deprived of getting subsidised foodgrains under the food security scheme when they shift from one place to another.
It also aims to remove the chance of anyone holding more than one ration card to avail benefits from different states.
Significance: This will provide freedom to the beneficiaries as they will not be tied to any one PDS shop and reduce their dependence on shop owners and curtail instances of corruption.
Highlights of the scheme
One nation one ration card
The poor migrant workers will be able to buy subsidised rice and wheat from any ration shop in the country but for that their ration cards must be linked to Aadhaar.
Migrants would only be eligible for the subsidies supported by the Centre, which include rice sold at Rs. 3/kg and wheat at Rs. 2/kg, It would not include subsidies given by their respective state government in some other state.
Standard format of ‘one nation, one ration card’
A standard format for ration card has been prepared after taking into account the format used by different states.
For national portability, the state governments have been asked to issue the ration card in bi-lingual format, wherein besides the local langauge, the other language could be Hindi or English.
The states have also been told to have a 10-digit standard ration card number, wherein first two digits will be state code and the next two digits will be running ration card numbers.
Besides this, a set of another two digits will be appended with ration card number to create unique member IDs for each member of the household in a ration card.
Challenges
Of one nation one ration card
Prone to corruption: Every state has its own rules for Public Distribution System (PDS). If ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ is implemented, it will further boost corruption in an already corrupted Public Distribution System.
The scheme will increase the woes of the common man and, the middlemen and corrupt PDS shop owners will exploit them.
Tamil Nadu has opposed the proposal of the Centre, saying it would result in undesirable consequences and is against federalism.
Way Forward
The current migrant crisis should be seen as an opportunity to develop a national migration policy addressing the challenges faced by migrant workers’ productivity, living conditions and social security.
While this must be done, the government must also fast-track the ONORC scheme because India’s present rights-based regime is based on the assumption that people are sedentary.
The ONORC should also include access to health and other things.
What is dexamethasone?
It is an anti-inflammatory drug, commonly used to treat conditions in which the body’s immune system does not function properly, and causes inflammation and tissue damage.
Dexamethasone reduces the production of the chemicals that cause inflammation and also reduces the activity of the immune system by affecting the way white blood cells function.
It falls in a category called corticosteroids, which closely mimic cortisol, the hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands in humans.
Why in News?
It has become the subject of discussion after researchers from the Recovery Trial reported that it helps reduce death rates in certain Covid-19 patients.
Jagannath Rath Yatra
Popularly known as the ‘Festival of Chariots’, Rath Yatra festival in honour of Puri’s Lord Jagannath is grand celebration.
The festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his sister Goddess Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra.
All the three deities of the temple – Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra – travel in three different chariots during this festival.
The chariots are called Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, and Devadalana respectively.
New chariots for all the three deities are constructed every year using wood even if the architect of the chariots remain similar.
Four wooden horses are attached to each chariot.
Why in News?
Supreme Court of India has stayed annual Rath Yatra at Puri’s Jagannath Temple in Odisha which was scheduled from June 23.
The apex court said that ‘Lord Jagannath won’t forgive us if we allow this year’s Rath Yatra’.
Kodumanal
Kodumanal is a village located in the Erode district in Tamil Nadu.
It is located on the northern banks of Noyyal River, a tributary of the Cauvery.
It was once a flourishing ancient trade city known as Kodumanam, as inscribed in Patittrupathu of Sangam Literature.
It served as a trade-cum-industrial centre from 5th century BCE to 1st century BCE.
The place is an important archaeological site, under the control of State Archaeological Department of Tamil Nadu.
Why in News?
The following things have been found during the ongoing excavation at the site:
10 Pots and bowls placed outside three-chambered burial cists and inside the cairn-circle.
This has thrown light on burial rituals and the concept of afterlife in megalithic culture.
Other findings: Animal skull, possibly of a wolf or a dog; precious stones; copper smelting units; potteries.
Keeladi excavations
The Context:
Skeletal remains of a child excavated as part of Keeladi’s 6th phase excavation. The skeleton was found buried between two terracotta urns.
All about Keeladi excavations:
Excavations in Keeladi prove that an urban civilisation existed in Tamil Nadu in the Sangam era on the banks of the river Vaigai.
Many antiquities have been unearthed that provide crucial evidence to understanding the missing links of the Iron Age [12th century BCE to 6th century BCE] to the Early Historic Period [6th century BCE to 4th century BCE] and subsequent cultural developments.
Literate society: Tamil Brahmi letters found were inscribed when the pot was wet or after the pot became dry. This clearly suggests literacy levels in the 6th century BC.
Agrarian society that reared cattle: Skeletal fragments of cow/ox, buffalo, sheep, goat, nilgai, blackbuck, wild boar and peacock were found.
High standard of living: Long walls, Well-laid floors along with roof tiles in a collapsed state, iron nails fastened to the poles and rafters prove a high standard of living during the Sangam age.
Items found: Brick structures, terracotta ring wells, fallen roofing with tiles, golden ornaments, broken parts of copper objects, iron implements, terracotta chess pieces, ear ornaments, spindle whorls, figurines, black and redware, rouletted ware and a few pieces of Arretine ware, besides beads made of glass, terracotta and semi-precious stones.
Graffiti marks are found in earthenware, caves and rocks in or near the excavation sites.
Rule of Law index
Why in News?
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court asking the Court to direct the government to setup expert panels to boost India’s prospects in the Rule of Law Index.
What has the petitioner demanded?
A direction to the government to constitute expert committees to examine the best practices of the countries ranked among top 20 in Rule of Law Index-2020 and accordingly take steps to improve the “pathetic ranking” of India.
And why these demands have been made?
In rule of law index
On March 11, the World Justice Project announced the Rule of Law Index and ranked India in the 69th position.
India has never been ranked even among top 50 in the Index, but successive governments did nothing to improve international ranking of India.
The nation’s ranking in the Index “confirms poor performance in eight sectors, constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, public order and security, regulatory enforcement and civil and criminal justice”.
Besides, poor rule of law has a devastating effect on right to life, liberty, economic justice, fraternity, individual dignity and national integration.
It also offends rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21.
What has the Court said?
In rule of law index
This was not an “appropriate case” for the court and a representation to this effect can be made to the government for taking action.
This petition may be treated as representation by the respondents for such appropriate actions as may be found appropriate, which may be decided within a period of six months.
What is Rule of Law index?
Released by the World Justice Project- an independent organisation.
It is a quantitative assessment tool designed to offer a detailed and comprehensive picture of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law in practice.
The index covers 128 countries.
How are countries ranked?
In rule of law index
It measures countries’ rule of law performance across eight factors:
(1) Constraints on Government Powers, (2) Absence of Corruption, (3) Open Government, (4) Fundamental Rights, (5) Order and Security, (6) Regulatory Enforcement, (7) Civil Justice, and (8) Criminal Justice.
How is rule of law defined?
The World Justice Project defines the rule of law system as one in which the following four universal principles are upheld:
The government and its officials and agents are accountable under the law.
The laws are clear, publicized, stable and fair, and protect fundamental rights, including the security of persons and property.
The process by which the laws are enacted, administered, and enforced is accessible, efficient, and fair.
Justice is delivered by competent, ethical, and independent representatives and neutrals who are of sufficient number, have adequate resources and reflect the makeup of the communities they serve.
PM Svanidhi
Context:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has signed MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in order to engage SIDBI as the Implementation Agency for PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) – a Special Micro-Credit Facility for Street Vendors.
Role of SIDBI
SIDBI will manage the credit guarantee to the lending institutions through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
It will develop and maintain a customized and integrated IT Platform providing end-to-end solutions to ensure engagement and information flow between Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Lending Institutions, Digital Payment Aggregators and other stakeholders.
Overview of the scheme
It is a special micro-credit facility plan to provide affordable loan of up to ₹10,000 to more than 50 lakh street vendors, who had their businesses operational on or before 24 March.
The scheme is valid until March 2022.
Small Industries Development Bank of India is the technical partner for implementation of this scheme.
It will manage the credit guarantee to the lending institutions through Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises.
Loans under the scheme
Under the scheme, vendors can avail working capital loan of up to ₹10,000, which is repayable in monthly instalments within one year.
On timely/early repayment of the loan, an interest subsidy of 7% per annum will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on six-months basis.
There will be no penalty on early repayment of loan.
Eligibility
The scheme is applicable to vendors, hawkers, thelewalas, rehriwalas, theliphadwalas in different areas/contexts who supply goods and services.
Street vendors belonging to the surrounding peri-urban/rural areas are also included.
Need for
The lockdown has affected the lives and livelihoods of many especially daily wagers including street vendors who businesses were affected due to the restrictions.
Street vendors usually work with a small capital base taken on very high interest rates from informal sources.
Further, they might have consumed their savings and high cost capital during the lockdown.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide affordable credit for working capital through formal banking channel to street vendors to help them resume the business.
What is GAFA tax?
Why in News?
The United States has reportedly pulled out of talks aimed at overhauling the global tax system for digital giants.
With this, France has now confirmed an “impasse” on the so-called GAFA tax.
What’s the concern now?
France as well as U.K., Spain, Italy and others have imposed taxes on the largest digital firms.
U.S. officials have slammed the moves as discriminating against American firms, and say any new levies should come only as part of a broader overhaul of international tax rules.
Now, the US withdrawal from talks risks reigniting a transatlantic trade spat.
Background
Of GAFA Tax
In January, 137 countries agreed to negotiate a deal on how to tax tech multinationals by 2020-end, under the auspices of the OECD.
France, Britain, Italy and Spain have already sent a reply expressing their desire to agree on “a fair digital tax at the level of the OECD as quickly as possible.
What is GAFA tax?
GAFA tax—named after Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon—is a proposed digital tax to be levied on large technology and internet companies. France has decided to introduce the tax (3% tax on revenues from digital activities).
The rationale for having separate taxation on digital firms:
Existing tax norms that are framed envisaging brick and mortar business models are not suitable to regulate online services.
The technology companies differ from traditional businesses as a result of user participation in creating value, which, in turn, translates into revenue.
The often complex corporate structures set up by several companies that derive huge revenues from major European economies but allow them slash their tax bills by shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions. (Base Erosion and Profit Sharing issue)
European countries in particular say the so-called GAFA — Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon — are unfairly exploiting tax rules that let them declare profits in low-tax havens, depriving them of a fair share of their fiscal payments.
Digital tax in India
India has the second-largest online users in the world, with over 560 million internet users, and hence, from the viewpoint of its tax revenue base, digital businesses could not be overlooked.
However, as is the case in other jurisdictions, Indian tax laws were suited for conventional business models such as brick and mortar stores and thus in dire need of an overhaul.
Recent Amendments:
To ensure that value created digitally is appropriately taxed; two significant amendments were introduced in Indian taxation laws in the recent past –
The “Equalization Levy” –
A tax aimed at foreign digital companies has been in place since 2016 and levied a 6% tax payable on gross revenues from online advertising services, which raked over Rs. 550 crores in fiscal year 2017-2018.
The new amendment, effective from April 1, 2020, essentially expands the equalization levy from online advertising to nearly all online commerce activitiesdone in India by businesses that do not have taxable presence in India through applicability of 2% on its revenues.
Specifically, it is levied on consideration receivable by the e-commerce operator for supply or services or facilitation of supply or service to – Person resident in India, Non-resident under specified circumstances such as through sale of data collected from a person resident in India, and Person who buys goods or services through an IP address located in India.
The concept of “Significant Economic Presence” (SEP):
Introduced for the purposes of corporate income tax, which expanded to include the following:
Advertisement which targets a customer residing in India or who accesses advertisement through internet protocol (IP) address located in India.
Sale of data collected from a person residing in India or who uses an IP address located in India.
Sale of goods/services using data collected from a person residing in India or who uses IP address located in India.
Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID)
Why in News?
China has released genome sequencing data for the coronavirus responsible for a recent outbreak in Beijing. It has shared this data with WHO and GISAID.
What the data suggest?
At least one of the strains tied to the Chinese capital’s largest wholesale food market had reportedly shown similarities to a strain found in Europe.
Local confirmed infections had been recorded for five consecutive days in two areas, apparently referencing Beijing and the neighbouring province of Hebei.
Background
GISAID
Beijing has seen 183 confirmed cases since the outbreak last week at the Xinfadi market and the situation for prevention remains very grave.
What is genomic sequencing?
Genomic sequencing is a technique that allows us to read and interpret genetic information found within DNA or RNA.
Why is it important to understand the genomic sequence of COVID-19?
The SARS-CoV2 genome, as it is formally known, has about 30,000 base pairs, somewhat like a long string with 30,000 places where each one of these occupy one of four chemicals called nucleotides.
This long string, with its unique combination of nucleotides, is what uniquely identifies the virus and is called its genomic sequence.
A look at virus genome sequences from patient samples that test positive for COVID-19 helps researchers to understand how the virus is evolving as it spreads.
So far, there are over 1,000 COVID-19 genomes that have been published worldwide.
Therefore, sequencing is necessary because
Genome sequence
It helps track the transmission route of the virus globally.
It can determine how quickly the virus is adapting as it spreads.
It identifies targets to therapies.
It is required to understand the role of co-infection.
What is GISAID?
The GISAID platform was launched on the occasion of the Sixty-first World Health Assembly in May 2008.
GISAID is a global science initiative and primary source for genomic data of influenza viruses and and the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.
In 2010 the Federal Republic of Germany became the official host of the GISAID platform and EpiFlu™ database providing sustainability of the platform and stability through its public-private-partnership with the GISAID Initiative to this day.
In 2013 the European Commission recognized GISAID as a research organization and partner in the PREDEMICS consortium, a project on the Preparedness, Prediction and the Prevention of Emerging Zoonotic Viruses with Pandemic Potential using multidisciplinary approaches.
Key role of GISAID
The Initiative ensures that open access to data in GISAID is provided free-of-charge to all individuals that agreed to identify themselves and agreed to uphold the GISAID sharing mechanism governed through its Database Access Agreement.
Individual contributions to NDRF get green light from Finance Ministry
Context:
The Finance Ministry has given approval to a proposal to allow individuals and institutions to contribute directly to the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
Significance and implications of this move:
This is a significant development at a time when many have expressed concerns about donations sent to the PM CARES Fund or the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, as both claim they are not public authorities subject to questions under the Right to Information Act.
About NDRF
The NDRF was set up in accordance with Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
It is meant to “meet the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation” for any threatening disaster situation.
It is a fund managed by the Central Government for meeting the expenses for emergency response, relief and rehabilitation due to any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
Constituted to supplement the funds of the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) of the states to facilitate immediate relief in case of calamities of a severe nature.
Although Section 46 includes a clause regarding grants made by any person or institution, provisions for such donations had not been made.
Located in the “Public Accounts” of Government of India under “Reserve Funds not bearing interest“.
What is PMNRF? When was it setup?
In pursuance of an appeal by the then Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru in January, 1948, the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was established with public contributions to assist displaced persons from Pakistan.
The resources of the PMNRF are now utilized primarily to render immediate relief to families of those killed in natural calamities like floods, cyclones and earthquakes, etc. and to the victims of the major accidents and riots.
Assistance from PMNRF is also rendered, to partially defray the expenses for medical treatment like heart surgeries, kidney transplantation, cancer treatment, etc.
SATYABHAMA portal
Launched by Ministry of Mines.
SATYABHAMA stands for Science and Technology Yojana for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement.
Designed, developed and implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Mines Informatics Division.
It allows online submission of project proposals along with monitoring of the projects and utilization of funds / grants.
The researchers can also submit progress reports and Final Technical Reports of the projects in the electronic format in the portal.
Secrecy of ballot
Why in News?
Supreme Court has delivered its judgment on Secrecy of Ballot.
The judgment came on an appeal against the Allahabad High Court decision setting aside the voting of a no-confidence motion in a zila panchayat in Uttar Pradesh in 2018.
The High Court had found that some of the panchayat members had violated the rule of secrecy of ballot. It relied on CCTV footage to conclude that they had either displayed the ballot papers or by their conduct revealed the manner in which they had voted.
What has the Supreme Court said on Secrecy of Ballot?
Secrecy of ballot is the cornerstone of free and fair elections.
The choice of a voter should be free and the secret ballot system in a democracy ensures it.
It is the policy of law to protect the right of voters to secrecy of the ballot.
Even a remote or distinct possibility that a voter can be forced to disclose for whom she has voted would act as a positive constraint and a check on the freedom to exercise of franchise.
The principle of secrecy of ballots is an important postulate of constitutional democracy.
However, a voter can also voluntarily waive the privilege of non-disclosure.
No one can prevent a voter from doing.
Nor can a complaint be entertained from any, including the person who wants to keep the voter’s mouth sealed as to why she disclosed for whom she voted.
What the RPA says?
Section 94 of the Representation of People Act upholds the privilege of the voter to maintain confidentiality about her choice of vote.
What next?
The apex court ordered a re-vote of the motion within the next two months.
It ordered the Allahabad District Judge or his nominee to act as the presiding officer.
The vote should be conducted by the secret ballot system.
Madhesis oppose new Nepal rule
Why in News?
Nepali opposition party leaders have opposed the planned changes in the existing citizenship rules that will most notably affect the families in Nepal’s plains also known as the Madhes region where cross-border kinship with India is common.
However, the government defends its move by citing India’s citizenship rules to justify the amendments the Nepalese govt has brought.
Proposed changes
The Bill seeks to amend the country’s Citizenship Act that would require a foreign woman married to a Nepali national to wait seven years for naturalised citizenship.
It includes seven rights that a foreign woman married to a Nepali national can exercise till she acquires citizenship certificates.
Lack of a citizenship certificate will not bar them from running any businesses and earn, use and sell any fixed and movable assets, make profits through businesses and get involved in transaction of property of any kind.
Who are Madheshi? Why they are concerned about these changes?
The Madheshi are residents of Terai region in the south of Nepal at the foothill of the Himalayas on the border with India in Bihar.
The Madhesis have castes and ethnicity similar to Bihar and eastern UP, with frequent inter-marriages between families on either side of the border.
They believe these changes will introduce uncertainty and tension in the society and families.
Critics have termed the changes as racially motivated.
Changing ties between India and Nepal
The move to amend the citizenship act comes days after the Nepal government completed the process of redrawing the country’s political map through a Constitutional amendment, incorporating three strategically important Indian areas, a move that could severely jolt relations with New Delhi.
These include- Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh.
Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG)
Context:
India attended the virtual 32nd special Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) plenary meeting, under the aegis of the Financial Action Task Force.
What is EAG?
The EAG is a regional body comprising nine countries: India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus.
Established in 2004, it is an associate member of the FATF.
The founding conference was held in Moscow on October 6, 2004 and was attended by six founding countries:Belarus, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
In 2005 and 2010 the group was expanded to include Uzbekistan (2005), Turkmenistan (2010) and India (2010).
The Agreement on the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism was signed in Moscow in June 2011, granting the EAG the status of a regional intergovernmental organization.
The main tasks of the EAG
Assisting member-states in implementing the 40 FATF anti-money laundering
Recommendations and the 9 Special FATF Recommendations on combating terrorist financing (FATF 40+9 Recommendations).
Developing and conducting joint activities aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
Implementing a program of mutual evaluations of member-states based on the FATF 40+9 Recommendations, including assessment of the effectiveness of legislative and other measures adopted in the sphere of AML/CFT efforts.
Coordinating international cooperation and technical assistance programs with specialized international organizations, bodies, and interested states.
Analyzing money laundering and terrorist financing trends (typologies) and exchanging best practices of combating such crimes taking into account regional specifics.
Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan launched
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the mega ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’ aimed to boost livelihood opportunities in rural India amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Highlights of the scheme
The first priority of the scheme is to meet the immediate requirement of workers who have gone back to their districts by providing them with livelihood opportunities.
The focus is also on rural citizens.
It is a focused campaign of 125 days across 116 districts in six states to work in mission mode.
Public works worth 50,000 crore rupees to be carried out under the scheme.
It includes focused implementation of 25 different types of work to provide employment and to create durable infrastructure.
The villages will join this programme through the common service centres and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
Implementation of the scheme
The scheme will be a coordinated effort by 12 different ministries including rural development, Panchayati Raj, Road transport and highways, mines, drinking water and sanitation, environment, railways, petroleum and natural gas, new and renewable energy, border Roads, Telecom and agriculture.
