Septmebr 22 To September 30 Flashcards

Question

NHAI plans to monetise its highways through InvITs

Answer 1

Context: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to come up with its InvIT issue. It had received approval from the Union Cabinet in this regard in December 2019.

Answer 2

They are institutions similar to mutual funds, which pool investment from various categories of investors and invest them into completed and revenue-generating infrastructure projects, thereby creating returns for the investor. They are regulated under the Sebi (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014 and the Indian Trust Act, 1882.

Answer 3

They have a trustee, sponsor(s), investment manager and project manager. Trustee (certified by Sebi) has the responsibility of inspecting the performance of an InvIT. Sponsor(s) are promoters of the company that set up the InvIT. Investment manager is entrusted with the task of supervising the assets and investments of the InvIT. Project manager is responsible for the execution of the project.

Answer 4

InvITs enable investors to buy a small portion of the units being sold by the fund depending upon their risk appetite. Given that such trusts comprise largely of completed and operational projects with positive cash flow, the risks are somewhat contained. Unitholders also benefit from favourable tax norms, including exemption on dividend income and no capital gains tax if units are held for more than three years.

Answer 5

The issue will enable NHAI to monetise its completed National Highways that have a toll collection track record of at least one year. This will help the company raise funds for more road development across the country.

Answer 6

Context: Delhi journalist arrested under Official Secrets Act for passing on information such as the deployment of Indian troops on the border to Chinese intelligence officers. About the Official Secrets Act: Originally enacted during the time of Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. One of the main purposes of the Act was to muzzle the voice of nationalist publications. The Indian Official Secrets Act (Act No XIX of 1923) replaced the earlier Act, and was extended to all matters of secrecy and confidentiality in governance in the country.

Answer 7

It broadly deals with two aspects: Spying or espionage, covered under Section 3. Disclosure of other secret information of the government, under Section 5.

Answer 8

The Act does not say what a “secret” document is. It is the government’s discretion to decide what falls under the ambit of a “secret” document. It has often been argued that the law is in direct conflict with the Right to Information Act, 2005. However, please note that if there is any inconsistency in the Official Secret Act with regard to furnishing of information, it will be superseded by the RTI Act. But, under Sections 8 and 9 of the RTI Act, the government can still refuse information.

Answer 9

These tribes are from Odisha. These groups are classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Of the 62 tribal groups in Odisha, 13 are recognised as PVTGs – the highest in the country. Why in News? Members of these tribes have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Answer 10

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that mainly infects cattle, swine, goats, sheep and dogs. Humans can get infected if they come in direct contact with infected animals or by eating or drinking contaminated animal products or by inhaling airborne agents. According to the WHO, most cases of the disease are caused by ingesting unpasteurised milk or cheese from infected goats or sheep. Why in News? The health commission of Lanzhou City in China announced this week that a leak in a biopharmaceutical company last year caused an outbreak of brucellosis disease. More than 3,000 people have been infected with the disease since and no fatalities have been reported so far.

Answer 11

Whale strandings are not uncommon in Tasmania, and whale strandings of this scale are not uncommon either. However, exact reasons for stranding are unknown yet. (The term stranding refers to an aquatic animal observed in an inappropriate location, for example, an offshore species found inshore. Most often, stranded animals are found on a beach or in shallow water) Key points: Pilot whales are so named because it was once believed that each observed group was navigated by a pilot or leader. Their Latin name, Globicephala, means ‘round head’, which is one of the main identifying features of the species. There are two species of pilot whales: Short finned pilot whales, which are mainly found in tropical and warm-temperate regions, and long-finned pilot whales, which inhabit colder waters. Both species are designated as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Answer 12

Investigations have shown that toxins in water produced by cyanobacteria killed more than 300 elephants in Botswana this year. Botswana is home to a third of Africa’s declining elephant population. Key points: Cyanobacteria are microscopic organisms common in water and sometimes found in soil. Also known as blue-green algae, they are found worldwide especially in calm, nutrient-rich waters Some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins that affect animals and humans People may be exposed to cyanobacterial toxins by drinking or bathing in contaminated water Symptoms include skin irritation, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat, headache Animals, birds, and fish can also be poisoned by high levels of toxin-producing cyanobacteria.

Answer 13

Launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This Scheme is to bring overseas scientists and academicians including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to India to work in public funded Institutions and Universities for a specific period of time. The scheme offers adjunct / visiting faculty assignments to overseas scientists including Indian researchers to undertake high quality collaborative research in cutting edge areas of science and technology with one or more Indian collaborators.

Answer 14

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all mandated Rabi crops for marketing season 2021-22. This increase in MSP is in line with the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission. Swaminathan Committee had recommended that MSP should be at least 50% more that the average production cost.

Answer 15

It is a regional organization of Arab countries in and around North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Arabia. Formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Currently, the League has 22 members, but Syria’s participation has been suspended since November 2011, as a consequence of government repression during the Syrian Civil War. Main goal is to “draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries “.

Answer 16

In a response to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalising their ties with Israel, the Palestinian Authority has formally stepped down from a key role in the Arab League. What’s the issue? The United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed deals in Washington on September 15, which despite being hailed as “the dawn of the new Middle East” by the Trump Administration, drew criticism from the Palestinians – seen as a serious blow to their efforts to end illegal Israeli occupation and achieve an independent state.

Answer 17

An IFSC caters to customers outside the jurisdiction of the domestic economy. Such centres deal with flows of finance, financial products and services across borders. London, New York and Singapore can be counted as global financial centres.

Answer 18

Fund-raising services for individuals, corporations and governments. Asset management and global portfolio diversification undertaken by pension funds, insurance companies and mutual funds. Wealth management. Global tax management and cross-border tax liability optimization, which provides a business opportunity for financial intermediaries, accountants and law firms. Global and regional corporate treasury management operations that involve fund-raising, liquidity investment and management and asset-liability matching. Risk management operations such as insurance and reinsurance. Merger and acquisition activities among trans-national corporations.

Answer 19

The SEZ Act 2005 allows setting up an IFSC in an SEZ or as an SEZ after approval from the central government. IFSCs in India: The first IFSC in India has been set up at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar.

Answer 20

The National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Singapore Exchange (SGX) have entered into a formal agreement to cement the key terms for operationalising the NSE IFSC-SGX Connect. This will bring together international and Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) participants to create a bigger liquidity pool for Nifty products in GIFT City.

Answer 21

A government security (G-Sec) is a tradeable instrument issued by the central government or state governments. Key features: It acknowledges the government’s debt obligations. Such securities can be both short term (treasury bills — with original maturities of less than one year) or long term (government bonds or dated securities — with original maturity of one year or more). The central government issues both: treasury bills and bonds or dated securities. State governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the state development loans. Since they are issued by the government, they carry no risk of default, and hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments. FPIs are allowed to participate in the G-Secs market within the quantitative limits prescribed from time to time.

Answer 22

G- Sec prices fluctuate sharply in the secondary markets. Factors affecting their prices: Demand and supply of the securities. Changes in interest rates in the economy and other macro-economic factors, such as, liquidity and inflation. Developments in other markets like money, foreign exchange, credit and capital markets. Developments in international bond markets, specifically the US Treasuries. Policy actions by RBI like change in repo rates, cash-reserve ratio and open-market operations.

Answer 23

From April 7 to September 22 in this financial year, 27 States and 2 Union Territories have cumulatively raised ₹3.26 lakh crore via State government securities or State development loans (SDLs). This is a 45% increase from the borrowings in the corresponding period of 2019-20. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan have been the top 5 borrowing States, accounting for 54% of total borrowings by States so far.

Answer 24

NBFC MFI is a non-deposit taking NBFC (other than a company licensed u/s 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956) that meets the following conditions: Minimum Net Owned Funds (NOF) of Rs.5 crore. (For those registered in the North Eastern Region of the country, Rs. 2 crore is required as minimum NOF). At least 85% of its Total Net Assets are in the nature of “Qualifying Assets.”

Answer 25

“Net assets” are total assets excluding cash, bank balances, and money market instruments. “Qualifying assets” are those assets which have a substantial period of time to be ready for its intended use or sale.

Answer 26

Loan disbursements by non-banking financial companies-microfinance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) declined 96% to ₹570 crore in the first quarter of the current financial year, according to a report by Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN). It had stood at ₹15,865 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Answer 27

Net neutrality means that governments and internet service providers treat all data on the internet equally and does not differentially charge consumers for higher-quality delivery or giving preferential treatment to certain websites. Network neutrality requires all Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide the same level of data access and speed to all traffic, and that traffic to one service or website cannot be blocked or degraded.

Answer 28

Telecom and Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the Prohibition of Discriminatory Tariffs for Data Services Regulations, 2016. These regulations prohibit Telecom Service Providers from charging different tariffs from consumers for accessing different services online.

Answer 29

TRAI recently suggested the setting up of a multi-stakeholder body (MSB) to ensure that internet service providers in the country adhere to the principles of net neutrality.

Answer 30

Composition: The MSB should be a forum which would contain representatives and stakeholders from all telecom and internet service providers, content providers, researchers from the academic and technical community, as well as the government. Functions: Assist the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in monitoring, and proposing technical standards and methodologies for the best practices to be adopted for traffic management practices. Assist the DoT in enforcement of the best practices and handling of complaints on net neutrality.

Answer 31

EPCA is a Supreme Court mandated body tasked with taking various measures to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region. It was notified in 1998 by Environment Ministry under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Answer 32

Besides the chairman, the EPCA has 14 members, some of whom are the environment secretary of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT), chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council, transport commissioner of the NCT, the commissioners of various municipal corporations of Delhi and professors at IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Answer 33

It has the power suo-moto, or on the basis of complaints made by any individual, representative body or organization functioning in the field of environment.

Answer 34

To protect and improve quality of environment and prevent and control environmental pollution in National Capital Region. To enforce Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in NCR as per the pollution levels.

Answer 35

EPCA recently wrote to the chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana stating that early burning of crop residue was taking place and urged them to address the issue “urgently”.

Answer 36

It is a central agency to investigate and prosecute offences: affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India, security of State, friendly relations with foreign States. against atomic and nuclear facilities. smuggling in High-Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency. It is also the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency. It is empowered to deal with terror related crimes across states without special permission from the states. Established under the National Investigation Agency Act 2008. Works under the Ministry of Hime Affairs.

Answer 37

A State Government may request the Central Government to hand over the investigation of a case to the NIA, provided the case has been registered for the offences as contained in the schedule to the NIA Act. Central Government can also order NIA to take over investigation of any scheduled offense anywhere in the India.

Answer 38

Officers of the NIA are drawn from the Indian Police Service and Indian Revenue Service.

Answer 39

Various Special Courts have been notified by the Central Government of India. Any question as to the jurisdiction of these courts is decided by the Central Government. These are presided over by a judge appointed by the Central Government on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the High Court with jurisdiction in that region. Supreme Court of India has also been empowered to transfer the cases from one special court to any other special court within or outside the state.

Answer 40

The NIA Special Courts are empowered with all powers of the court of sessions under Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for trial of any offense.

Answer 41

An appeal from any judgement, sentence or order, not being an interlocutory order, of a Special Court lies to the High Court both on facts and on law. State Governments have also been empowered to appoint one or more such special courts in their states.

Answer 42

The government has empowered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act so that the agency need not rely on local police to unravel drug trade ties that emerge during counter-terrorism operations. NIA officers of inspector rank and above have been vested with the same powers as an officer in charge of a police station under the 1985 NDPS law.

Answer 43

DRDO recently conducted the successful flight test of ABHYAS–High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT). Key features: Abhyas is designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), DRDO. The vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. Usage: Abhyas’s radar cross-section (RCS) and its visual and infrared signatures can be used to simulate a variety of aircraft for air-defense weapon practices. It can also function as a jammer platform and decoy.

Answer 44

The Lok Sabha has passed the J&K Official Languages Bill, 2020 that seeks to include Kashmiri, Dogri and Hindi as the official languages in the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, only English and Urdu were the official languages in the former State.

Answer 45

Passed by both the houses of Parliament. Key Points: The Bill will declare 5 IIITs in Public-Private Partnership mode at Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala & Raichur as Institutions of National Importance by granting them statutory status along with the already existing 15 IIITs under the IIIT (PPP) Act, 2017. It will entitle the institutions to use the nomenclature of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) or Master of Technology (M.Tech) or PhD degree as issued by a University or Institution of National Importance.

Answer 46

Indian Navy (IN) is scheduled to undertake a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the East Indian Ocean Region from 23 to 24 Sep 20. PASSEXs are regularly conducted by IN with units of friendly foreign navies, whilst visiting each other’s ports or during a rendezvous at sea.

Answer 47

Celebrated on September 22. It celebrates all five species of rhino: Black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos. In 2010 the first World Rhinoceros Day was celebrated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). IUCN Status: ‘Critically endangered’ species are- Javan Rhinos, Sumatran rhinos and black rhinos. The White Rhinos have been declared ‘near threatened’ while one-horned rhinos are said to be vulnerable to extinction.

Answer 48

A sitting of Parliament can be terminated by adjournment or adjournment sine die or prorogation or dissolution (in the case of the Lok Sabha). Adjournment: It suspends the work in a sitting for a specified time, which may be hours, days or weeks. Adjournment sine die: It means terminating a sitting of Parliament for an indefinite period. In other words, when the House is adjourned without naming a day for reassembly. The power of adjournment as well as adjournment sine die lies with the presiding officer (Speaker or Chairman) of the House. Prorogation: The President issues a notification for prorogation of the session after the business of a session is completed and the presiding officer declares the House adjourned sine die. The President can also prorogue the House while in session. Dissolution: Only the Lok Sabha is subject to dissolution. Rajya Sabha, being a permanent House, is not subject to dissolution. A dissolution ends the life of the existing House, and a new House is constituted after general elections are held. The President is empowered to dissolve the Lok Sabha.

Answer 49

The Lok Sabha adjourned sine die recently in what is being termed one of the shortest sessions in India’s parliamentary history, but which was packed with 25 Bills. In this session, Lok Sabha productivity clocked at 167% with 25 Bills passed; 2,300 unstarred questions answered; 68% of the sittings dealing with legislative work; and 370 Zero Hour mentions.

Answer 50

CPCB is a statutory organisation which was constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. It was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Answer 51

to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution. to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.

Answer 52

CPCB recently celebrated its 46th Foundation Day.

Answer 53

Launched in 2014 by the then Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education). Aim: to meet the Right to Education Act’s mandate that all schools must have separate toilets for boys and girls. Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) were roped in to implement the program. The programme norms require the CPSEs to build toilets with running water and hand washing facilities. It also requires CPSEs to maintain the toilets for three to five years while charging the annual expenses to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budgets.

Answer 54

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) recently submitted a report on the performance of this program. Key Highlights: Public sector units claimed to have constructed 1.4 lakh toilets in government schools as part of a Right to Education project, but almost 40% of those surveyed were found to be non-existent, partially constructed, or unused. Over 70% did not have running water facilities in the toilets, while 75% were not being maintained hygienically. The objective of providing separate toilets for boys and girls was not fulfilled in 27% of the schools, said the CAG.

Answer 55

Who are G4 Nations? The G4 nations comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan are four countries which support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. Basis for these demands: Each of these four countries have figured among the elected non-permanent members of the council since the UN’s establishment. Their economic and political influence has grown significantly in the last decades, reaching a scope comparable to the permanent members (P5).

Answer 56

The United Kingdom and France have backed the G4’s bid for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. Japan has received support from the United States and the United Kingdom. All the permanent members of P5 have supported India’s bids for permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) but China had previously implied that it is only ready to support India’s bid for a permanent seat on United Nations Security Council if India did not associate its bid with Japan. Brazil has received backing from three of the current permanent members, namely France, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

Answer 57

There has been discontent among the present permanent members regarding the inclusion of controversial nations or countries not supported by them. For instance, Japan’s bid is heavily opposed by China, Russia and South Korea who think that Japan still needs to make additional atonement for war crimes committed during World War II. Under the leadership of Italy, countries that strongly oppose the G4 countries’ bids have formed the Uniting for Consensus movement, or the Coffee Club, composed mainly of regional powers that oppose the rise of some nearby country to permanent member status.

Answer 58

The foreign ministers of the G4 countries held a virtual meeting coinciding with the 75th session of the UN General Assembly during which they held extensive discussion on the need for urgent reform of the UNSC. They expressed their concern over lack of any “meaningful” forward movement on long-pending reform of Council and demanded “urgency” on the issue.

Answer 59

Permanent seats should be given in the council for these countries. There is a clear need for an enhanced role of developing countries and of major contributors to the United Nations to make the Council more legitimate, effective and representative. Africa needs to be represented in both the permanent and non-permanent categories to correct the historical injustice against this continent with regard to its under-representation. Need for text-based negotiations within a fixed time frame for the UNSC reform.

Answer 60

At present, the UNSC comprises five permanent members and 10 non-permanent member countries which are elected for a two-year term by the General Assembly of the UN. The five permanent members are Russia, the UK, China, France and the United States. These countries can veto any substantive resolution.

Answer 61

It is a form of tax levied or collected by the government for the development or welfare of a particular service or sector. It is charged over and above direct and indirect taxes. Cess collected for a particular purpose cannot be used for or diverted to other purposes. It is not a permanent source of revenue for the government, and it is discontinued when the purpose levying it is fulfilled.

Answer 62

Education Cess, Swachh Bharat Cess, Krishi Kalyan Cess etc.

Answer 63

Cess is different from taxes such as income tax, GST, and excise duty etc as it is charged over and above the existing taxes. While all taxes go to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), cess may initially go to the CFI but has to be used for the purpose for which it was collected. If the cess collected in a particular year goes unspent, it cannot be allocated for other purposes. The amount gets carried over to the next year and can only be used for the cause it was meant for.

Answer 64

The Centre retained in the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) more than ₹1.1 lakh crore out of the almost ₹2.75 lakh crore collected in 2018-19 through various cesses, instead of transferring the receipts to the specified Reserve Funds that Parliament had approved for such levies, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India observed in a report.

Answer 65

₹1,24,399 crore collected as cess on crude oil over the last decade had not been transferred to the designated Reserve Fund — the Oil Industry Development Board. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Compensation Cess, which has become a bone of contention between the States and the Centre, was also ‘short-credited’ to the relevant reserve fund to the extent of ₹40,806 crore in 2018-19.

Answer 66

Any set of data which does not contain personally identifiable information. This means that no individual or living person can be identified by looking at such data. For example, while order details collected by a food delivery service will have the name, age, gender, and other contact information of an individual, it will become non-personal data if the identifiers such as name and contact information are taken out.

Answer 67

According to the results of a survey, majority of MSMEs and start-ups are not comfortable with the draft non-personal data policy in the current form. They believe permitting large businesses and platforms to sell aggregate data for a price will not help them. The survey was conducted by LocalCircles.

Answer 68

Committee of Experts on Non-Personal Data Governance Framework had released a draft in July this year. This committee (formed in 2019) headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan has suggested that non-personal data generated in the country be allowed to be harnessed by various domestic companies and entities. The committee has classified non-personal data into three main categories, namely: Public non-personal data. Community non-personal data. Private non-personal data.

Answer 69

Formulate a separate legislation to govern non-personal data. Setup a new regulatory body- Non-Personal Data Authority (NPDA). It has also set circumstances under which a private organisation, that collects non-personal data, needs to be remunerated.

Answer 70

Digital transformations all over the world have meant that data is treated as an asset, which is monetised, either directly by trading it, or indirectly by developing a service on top of that data. In a data economy, companies with “largest data pools have outsized and seized unbeatable techno-economic advantages.” These companies, having leveraged their “first-mover advantage” to create large pools of data, mean that smaller startups are often squeezed out of the competition, or there are significant barriers to their entry. India, being the second-most populous country in the world, also with the second-largest smartphone userbase, is by extension, one of the largest data markets in the world.

Answer 71

Robber flies belong to the family Asilidae. They’re named for their feeding behaviour: they ‘rob’ other insects of their lives. Like all true flies, robber flies have only 2 wings. Robber flies also have a distinctive hollow space between their 2 large compound eyes. This characteristic distinguishes robber flies from most other kinds of flies. Asilidae occur in all zoogeographical regions except Antarctica.

Answer 72

It is being organised in order to promote potential technology solutions for enhancing farm mechanization with special emphasis on women friendly equipments. The hackathon has been planned by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP). Who can participate? Students, faculties and innovators/entrepreneurs from any university / technical institution across the country can apply and participate in the event in the form of a group.

Answer 73

Observed on 23 September. Theme: ‘Sign Languages are for everyone’. The day was celebrated in India by ISLRTC. Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), an autonomous body under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognizes Sign Language as a means of communication.

Answer 74

National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has speeded up the detailed project report (DPR) work on this Tunnel. The tunnel is 13.5 Km long. The tunnel connects the Union Territory of Ladakh and tribal Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. On completion of this tunnel, the Manali – Kargil highway will remain open throughout the year.

Answer 75

It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of potters community in the remotest of locations in the country. It was launched in 2018. This program provides the following support to potters. Training for advanced pottery products. Latest, new technology pottery equipments like the electric Chaak. Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions.

Answer 76

They are the largest lizards on Earth. They have venom glands loaded with toxins which have been shown to secrete anticoagulants. Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is situated in the Island of Komodo (eastern Indonesia) and is the habitat for this lizard species. IUCN Status of the animal is Vulnerable. Why in News? According to a recent study, these lizards could become extinct in the next few decades due to climate change unless measures are taken to change the status quo.

Answer 77

Context: The Centre has permitted five States to borrow an additional ₹9,913 crore through open market borrowings to meet expenditure requirements amid falling revenues due to the COVID-19 crisis. These States are A.P., Telangana, Goa, Karnataka and Tripura.

Answer 78

The permission was accorded after these States met the reform condition of implementation of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ system.

Answer 79

The Centre had, in May, allowed additional borrowing limit of up to 2% of Gross State Domestic Product to States for FY21 with certain conditions.

Answer 80

Why states need centre’s permission while borrowing? Is it mandatory for all states? Article 293(3) of the Constitution requires states to obtain the Centre’s consent in order to borrow in case the state is indebted to the Centre over a previous loan. This consent can also be granted subject to certain conditions by virtue of Article 293(4). In practice, the Centre has been exercising this power in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Commission. Every single state is currently indebted to the Centre and thus, all of them require the Centre’s consent in order to borrow. Does the Centre have unfettered power to impose conditions under this provision? Neither does the provision itself offer any guidance on this, nor is there any judicial precedent that one could rely on. Interestingly, even though this question formed part of the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission, it was not addressed in its interim report.

Answer 81

The Centre can impose conditions only when it gives consent for state borrowing, and it can only give such consent when the state is indebted to the Centre.

Answer 82

One possible purpose behind conferring this power upon the Centre was to protect its interests in the capacity of a creditor. A broader purpose of ensuring macroeconomic stability is also discernible, since state indebtedness negatively affects the fiscal health of the nation as a whole.

Answer 83

This means that in the present case, the Centre was not justified in requiring states to join the One Nation One Ration Card scheme by exercising its power under Article 293(4). After all, this has no direct bearing on a state’s fiscal health or on macroeconomic stability, and encroaches upon the legitimate domain of states. Given these limitations, if the Centre desired to extend its One Nation One Ration scheme throughout the country, it should have opted for building consensus with reluctant states instead of compelling them through this route.

Answer 84

Why in News? A daily wager in Odisha’s Kandhamal district has moved the Lok Adalat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he allegedly failed to get an Aadhaar card registered in his name despite 21 attempts. He took the unusual step for redressal of his grievance as he ran out of patience after applying and getting photographed multiple times at different places for the elusive card. What is a Lok Adalat? Lok Adalat is one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, it is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/ compromised amicably. The Lok Adalats are formed to fulfil the promise given by the preamble of the Indian Constitution– securing Justice – social, economic and political of every citizen of India.

Answer 85

Article 39A of the Constitution provides for free legal aid to the deprived and weaker sections of the society and to promote justice on the base of equal opportunity. Articles 14 of the Constitution also make it compulsory for the State to guarantee equality before the law.

Answer 86

Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 Lok Adalats have been given statutory status.

Answer 87

The decision made by the Lok Adalats is considered to be a verdict of a civil court and is ultimate and binding on all parties.

Answer 88

There is no provision for an appeal against the verdict made by Lok Adalat. But, they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court of appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of their right to litigate

Answer 89

There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat. Note: If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded back to the parties.

Answer 90

Any case pending before any court. Any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the court. Provided that any matter relating to an offence not compoundable under the law shall not be settled in Lok Adalat.

Answer 91

Context: Foreign Ministers’ meeting of SAARC Nations was held recently. India’s call: During the meet, India called on all SAARC members to “collectively resolve to defeat the scourge of terrorism, including the forces that nurture, support and encourage an environment of terror and conflict, which impede the objective of SAARC to realise its full potential for collective collaboration and prosperity across South Asia”.

Answer 92

What is SAARC? When was it established? South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. Afghanistan became the newest member of SAARC at the 13th annual summit in 2005. The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal. Importance of SAARC: SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (US$2.9 trillion) of the global economy. It is the world’s most densely populated region and one of the most fertile areas. SAARC countries have common tradition, dress, food and culture and political aspects thereby synergizing their actions. All the SAARC countries have common problems and issues like poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, natural disasters, internal conflicts, industrial and technological backwardness, low GDP and poor socio-economic condition.

Answer 93

India has to re-think about SAARC, which has been in the doldrums since 2014. This is especially necessary to counter China’s growing aggression and economic dominance in the region. India started investing in other regional instruments, such as BIMSTEC, as an alternative to SAARC. However, BIMSTEC cannot replace SAARC for reasons such as lack of a common identity and history among all BIMSTEC members. Moreover, BIMSTEC’s focus is on the Bay of Bengal region, thus making it an inappropriate forum to engage all South Asian nations.

Answer 94

Context: Special Ministerial conference of CICA was held recently. India also participated in the event. What is CICA? It is an inter-governmental forum for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia. The key idea of the Conference is based on the priority of the indivisibility of security, joint initiative and mutually beneficial interaction of small and large states.

Answer 95

Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Answer 96

The CICA Summit is convened every four years in order to conduct consultations, review the progress of, and set priorities for CICA activities. Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs is required to be held every two years.

Answer 97

The idea of convening the CICA was first proposed by Kazakhstan in October 1992, at the 47th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. However, the first meeting of the CICA Ministers of Foreign Affairs was held on 14 September 1999 with participation of 15 Member States. The first CICA summit was held on 4 June 2002 with participation of 16 Member States and Almaty Act, the charter of the CICA, was adopted.

Answer 98

27 member states; 8 observer states; 5 observer organizations. For becoming a member of CICA, a state must have at least a part of its territory in Asia. All decisions within CICA framework are taken by consensus.

Answer 99

Context: The ‘Technology Vision for Cyber Security for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) 2020-2023’ was recently released by RBI. It has been formalised based on inputs from various stakeholders. It seeks to enhance cybersecurity of urban co-operative banks (UCBs). RBI plans to achieve its objective through a five-pillared strategic approach GUARD, viz. Governance Oversight. Utile Technology Investment. Appropriate Regulation and Supervision. Robust Collaboration. Developing necessary IT, cybersecurity skill sets.

Answer 100

Involve more board oversight over cybersecurity. Enable UCBs to better manage and secure IT assets. Implement an offsite supervisory mechanism framework for UCBs on cybersecurity-related controls. Develop a forum for UCBs so that they can share best practices and discuss practical issues and challenges. Implement a framework for providing awareness/training for all UCBs.

Answer 101

Context: Google India Digital Services Limited has told the Delhi High Court that its GPay app, being a TPAPs (Third Party Application Providers), is allowed under the law to share customer’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transaction data with third parties. But, what’s the issue? A petition was filed against Google India’s payments app, Google Pay, at the Delhi High Court as it flouted the rules of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) interoperability. According to the petition, Google Pay does not allow new users to use their existing Virtual Payment Address (VPAs) or UPI ID on its platform, which the consumer might have created through other UPI platforms or apps. And this is against the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) Guidelines. As per NPCI guidelines on interoperability, UPI payment platforms need to give a choice to users to transact using their existing IDs. Also, the petitioner had claimed that GPay was acting as a payments system provider in violation of the Payments and Settlements Act as it has no valid authorisation from the central bank of the country to carry out such functions.

Answer 102

Interoperability enables payment systems to be used in conjunction with other payment systems. It allows prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) issuers, system providers and system participants from different systems to undertake, clear and settle transactions across systems without participating in multiple systems.

Answer 103

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has told the Delhi High Court that Google Pay is a third party app provider (TPAP) and does not operate any payment systems. Therefore, its operations are not in violation of the Payment and Settlement System Act of 2007.

Answer 104

It provides for the regulation and supervision of payment systems in India and designates the Reserve Bank of India (Reserve Bank) as the authority for that purpose and all related matters. The Reserve Bank is authorized under the Act to constitute a Committee of its Central Board known as the Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS), to exercise its powers and perform its functions and discharge its duties under this statute.

Answer 105

Context: The Assam government has informed a UAPA tribunal that major extremist outfits of the northeast had contacted Chinese authorities for assistance in their “fight against India”, but the Chinese had refused to provide assistance directly or indirectly. What’s the issue? The United National Liberation Front of West of South East Asia (UNLFWSEA), a Myanmar-based conglomerate of banned outfits such as the NSCN-K, ULFA-I, NDFB-S and KLO, had taken a resolution “to take assistance from a third nation” to achieve their goal. The conglomerate was formed in 2015. The affidavit is not clear on when it approached the Chinese authorities.

Answer 106

The tribunal was constituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after the Union Home Ministry extended the ban on the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) in November 2019 for five years. On September 22, the tribunal upheld the ban and declared NDFB an “unlawful association for a period of five years”.

Answer 107

Passed in 1967, the law aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so. It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments.

Answer 108

Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India. Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court.

Answer 109

The 2004 amendment, added “terrorist act” to the list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist activities, under which 34 outfits were banned. Till 2004, “unlawful” activities referred to actions related to secession and cession of territory. As per amendments of 2019: The Act empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency. The Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state.

Answer 110

The law is often misused and abused. Could be used against political opponents and civil society activists who speak against the government and brand them as “terrorists.” The 2019 amendment gives unfettered powers to investigating agencies. The law is against the federal structure, given that ‘Police’ is a state subject under 7th schedule of Indian Constitution.

Answer 111

Jnanpith award announced in November last year was handed over to poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri at a special function held recently. Akkitham About the Award: Instituted in 1961. Eligibility: Any Indian citizen who writes in any of the official languages of India is eligible for the honour. English language was added to the list of languages for consideration after the 49th Jnanpith Award.

Answer 112

It is an international human rights non-governmental organization. Composition: It is a standing group of 60 eminent jurists—including senior judges, attorneys and academics. Functions: To develop national and international human rights standards through the law. Why in News? ICJ had observed that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2020 passed by Parliament was incompatible with international law. The legislation fails to comply with India’s international legal obligations and constitutional provisions to respect and protect the rights to freedom of association, expression, and freedom of assembly.

Answer 113

It will be held in October. RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020.’ It is being conducted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog. It will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like healthcare, agriculture, education and smart mobility, among other sectors.

Answer 114

Context: The Union government has set up the National Medical Commission (NMC) along with four other autonomous boards while abolishing the MCI. The four autonomous boards include: Undergraduate Medical Education Board. Postgraduate Medical Education Board. Medical Assessment and Rating Board. Ethics and Medical Registration Board. These boards have been constituted to help the NMC in day-to-day functioning.

Answer 115

The Centre has notified the 33-member NMC, which will be chaired for three years by Suresh Chandra Sharma. Apart from the Chairman, the NMC will consist of 10 ex-officio members and 22 part-time members appointed by the Central government.

Answer 116

laying down policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals. assessing the requirements of human resources and infrastructure in healthcare. ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils with the regulations made under the Bill. framing guidelines for determination of fee for up to 50% of the seats in the private medical institutions.

Answer 117

Context: In a unanimous decision, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague has ruled that: India’s retrospective demand of Rs 22,100 crore as capital gains and withholding tax imposed on Vodafone for a 2007 deal was “in breach of the guarantee of fair and equitable treatment”. India should not to pursue the tax demand any more against Vodafone Group.

Answer 118

In May 2007, Vodafone bought a 67% stake in Hutchison Whampoa for $11 billion. In September that year, Indian government raised a demand of Rs 7,990 crore in capital gains and withholding tax from Vodafone, saying the company should have deducted the tax at source before making a payment to Hutchison. Vodafone challenged the demand notice in the Bombay High Court, which ruled in favour of the Income Tax Department. Then, Vodafone challenged the judgment in the Supreme Court, which in 2012 ruled that Vodafone Group’s interpretation of the Income Tax Act of 1961 was correct and that it did not have to pay any taxes for the stake purchase. But, the same year, the then Finance Minister, the late Pranab Mukherjee, circumvented the Supreme Court’s ruling by proposing an amendment to the Finance Act, thereby giving the Income Tax Department the power to retrospectively tax such deals. The case had by then become infamous as the ‘retrospective taxation case’.

Answer 119

The Act was passed by Parliament in 2012 and the onus to pay the taxes fell back on Vodafone. Later, Vodafone Group invoked Clause 9 of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) signed between India and the Netherlands in 1995. Article 9 of the BIT says that any dispute between “an investor of one contracting party and the other contracting party in connection with an investment in the territory of the other contracting party” shall as far as possible be settled amicably through negotiations.

Answer 120

The BIT was signed for promotion and protection of investment by companies of each country in the other’s jurisdiction. The two countries would, under the BIT, ensure that companies present in each other’s jurisdictions would be “at all times be accorded fair and equitable treatment and shall enjoy full protection and security in the territory of the other”.

Answer 121

It ruled in favour of Vodafone. Because, the taxation was in violation of the BIT and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The tribunal also said that now since it had been established that India had breached the terms of the agreement, it must now stop efforts to recover the said taxes from Vodafone. It also directed India to pay £4.3 million ($5.47 million) to the company as compensation for its legal costs.

Answer 122

As the name suggests, retrospective taxation allows a country to pass a rule on taxing certain products, items or services and deals and charge companies from a time behind the date on which the law is passed. Countries use this route to correct any anomalies in their taxation policies that have, in the past, allowed companies to take advantage of such loopholes. While governments often use a retrospective amendment to taxation laws to “clarify” existing laws, it ends up hurting companies that had knowingly or unknowingly interpreted the tax rules differently.

Answer 123

Context: G7 finance ministers has backed an extension of a G20 bilateral debt relief initiative for the world’s poorest countries, but said it must be revised to address shortcomings hindering implementation.

Answer 124

G20 nations, in April this year, agreed to freeze bilateral government loan repayments for low-income countries until the end of the year as part of a plan to tackle the health and economic crises triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and prevent an emerging markets debt crunch. The group also called on private creditors “to participate in the initiative on comparable terms” and asked multilateral development banks, such as the IMF and World Bank, “to further explore the options for the suspension of debt service payments over the suspension period”.

Answer 125

The G7, originally G8, was set up in 1975 as an informal forum bringing together the leaders of the world’s leading industrial nations. The summit gathers leaders from the European Union (EU) and the following countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Answer 126

Russia was formally inducted as a member in the group in 1998, which led G7 to become G8. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s condemnable act of moving Russian troops into eastern Ukraine and conquering Crimea in 2014 drew heavy criticism from the other G8 nations. The other nations of the group decided to suspend Russia from the G8 as a consequence of its actions and the group became G7 again in 2014.

Answer 127

What? Three insurers- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) and New India Assurance Co.- have been recognised as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for 2020-21. By? Insurance Regulator and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Answer 128

D-SIIs refer to insurers of such size, market importance and domestic and global inter-connectedness whose distress or failure would cause a significant dislocation in the domestic financial system. D-SIIs are perceived as insurers that are ‘too big or too important to fail’ (TBTF). Therefore, the continued functioning of D-SIIs is critical for the uninterrupted availability of insurance services to the national economy.

Answer 129

To identify such insurers and put them to enhanced monitoring mechanism, IRDAI has developed a methodology for identification and supervision of D-SIIs. The parameters, as per the methodology, include: Size of operations in terms of total revenue, including premium underwritten and the value of assets under management. Global activities across more than one jurisdiction.

Answer 130

The three insurers will now be subjected to enhanced regulatory supervision. They have also been asked to raise the level of corporate governance, identify all relevant risks and promote a sound risk management culture.

Answer 131

Context: The sonification project is led by the Chandra X-ray Center in collaboration with NASA’s Universe of Learning Program (UoL). The objective of the project is to transform data from astronomical images into audio. This project allows audiences — including visually-impaired communities — to experience space through data.

Answer 132

It refers to the use of sound values to represent real data. Simply put, it is the auditory version of data visualisation.

Answer 133

NASA’s distant telescopes in space collect inherently digital data, in the form of ones and zeroes, before converting them into images. The images are essentially visual representations of light and radiation of different wavelengths in space, that can’t be seen by the human eye. The Chandra project has created a celestial concert of sorts by translating the same data into sound. Pitch and volume are used to denote the brightness and position of a celestial object or phenomenon.

Answer 134

So far, the astronomers behind Project Chandra have released three examples made using data collected from some of the most distinct features in the sky — the Galactic Centre, Cassiopeia A, and Pillars of Creation Nebula.

Answer 135

With this data sonification project, users can now experience different phenomena captured in astronomical images as an aural experience. The birth of a star, a cloud of dust or even a black hole can now be ‘heard’ as a high or low pitched sound.

Answer 136

The government has issued a notification operationalising ‘Faceless Income Tax Appeals’ system. It was announced last month. It seeks to honour honest taxpayers of the country and promote transparency in tax collection. Under faceless appeals, all Income Tax appeals will be finalised in a faceless manner under the faceless ecosystem. The system is not applicable in case of appeals relating to serious frauds, major tax evasion, sensitive and search matters, international tax and Black Money Act.

Answer 137

HSRPs are chrome-based hologram plates manufactured through a process of hot-stamping and laser-branding a unique identification number, which cannot be duplicated, linked to the central vehicular database of the Union government. The plates are also supposed to help authorities in tracking authenticity of vehicle ownerships, which will help in criminal probes, curb illegal sale in the grey market, and prevent thefts and forging of number plates. Through an amendment in Rule 50 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, of India has made HSRP mandatory. Why in News? The process of booking high security registration plates (HSRPs) has been made easier following the Delhi government’s public appeal to citizens to get these installed.

Answer 138

The FFF is a global climate strike movement that started in August 2018, when 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began a strike in Sweden. It is an international movement of school students who take time off from class to participate in demonstrations to demand action to prevent further global warming.

Answer 139

It is a bilateral Maritime Exercise Between Japan and India. The 4th edition of the exercise will be held in the North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020. JIMEX is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with a special focus on maritime security cooperation.

Answer 140

Why in News? In an important milestone in the induction of the Pinaka rocket system in the Armed forces, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently handed over the Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of the system to the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) of the Ministry of Defence. Key points: Pinaka is a free flight artillery rocket system having a range of 37.5 km. Pinaka rockets are launched from a multi-barrel rocket launcher which has a capability to launch 12 rockets in 44 seconds. The weapon system is designed and developed by Pune-based DRDO lab, Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).

Answer 141

Context: NCDC has sanctioned as first instalment, funds amounting to Rs 19444 crores to the states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Telangana for Kharif paddy procurement under Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations.

Answer 142

It is a statutory corporation set up under the National Cooperative Development Corporation Act, 1962. The objectives of NCDC are planning and promoting programmes for production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock and certain other notified commodities and services on cooperative principles. NCDC is a major financial institution for cooperatives, and has started Mission Sahakar 22, which aims to double farmers’ income by 2022.

Answer 143

Context: To ensure availability of medical oxygen in the country at a reasonable price amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the national drug pricing regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped the price of medical oxygen cylinders and liquid medical oxygen for six months.

Answer 144

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare delegated powers under Section 10(2) (l) of Disaster Management Act, 2005 to NPPA to take all necessary steps to immediately regulate the availability and pricing of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and medical oxygen cylinders. Oxygen Inhalation (Medicinal Gas) is a scheduled formulation, covered under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM).

Answer 145

Under the provisions of Drug Prices Control Order, 2013, only the prices of drugs that figure in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) are monitored and controlled by the regulator, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority. Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the majority of the population. The primary purpose of NLEM is to promote rational use of medicines considering the three important aspects i.e. cost, safety and efficacy. Paragraph 19 of the DPCO, 2013, deals with increase or decrease in drug prices under extraordinary circumstances. However, there is neither a precedent nor any formula prescribed for upward revision of ceiling prices.

Answer 146

Context: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released guidelines on sale of loose sweets. As per the new guidelines: In case of non-packaged/ loose sweets, the container/tray holding sweets at the outlet for sale should display the ‘Best Before Date’ of the product mandatorily with effect from October 1, 2020. The food business operators (FBOs) might also display the date of manufacturing. It is not mandatory however. The FBOs shall decide and display the ‘Best Before Date’ of sweets depending on the nature of the products and the local conditions. Food safety commissioners should ensure compliance.

Answer 147

The decision was based on various complaints about the quality and adulteration of sweets, mostly during festive season. This regulation will help to ensure that the consumers are purchasing fresh products.

Answer 148

It is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act). Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the administrative Ministry of FSSAI.

Answer 149

Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 Fruit Products Order, 1955 Meat Food Products Order, 1973 Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947 Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988 Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992

Answer 150

Context: The Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Health Care has expressed disappointment over the recent reply of Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Sadanada Gowda, in Parliament that there is no decision yet to make the Uniform Code of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) mandatory.

Answer 151

The alliance has said that UCPMP should be made mandatory to bring fairness in marketing of the drugs as the industry has failed to comply with the code on a voluntary basis.

Answer 152

It is a voluntary code issued by the Department Of Pharmaceuticals relating to marketing practices for Indian Pharmaceutical Companies and as well medical devices industry. Applicability: At present, the UCPMP Code is applicable on Pharmaceutical Companies, Medical Representatives, Agents of Pharmaceutical Companies such as Distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Associations.

Answer 153

\No gifts, pecuniary advantages or benefits in kind may be supplied, offered or promised, to persons qualified to prescribe or supply drugs, by a pharmaceutical company or any of its agents. As regards travel facilities, the UCPMP Code prohibits extending travel facility inside the country or outside, including rail, air, ship, cruise tickets, paid vacations, etc., to HealthCare Professionals and their family members for vacation or for attending conference. The Code also provides that free samples of drugs shall not be supplied to any person who is not qualified to prescribe such product.

Answer 154

Context: Farmers in many states are protesting against three recent bills passed by the Parliament. The controversy pertains to: ‘Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020′ Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020′ and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill 2020.

Answer 155

These bills are anti-farmer and will only result in reduced crop prices for farmers and undermine seed security even further. Food security will be eroded as government intervention is eliminated. These bills promote corporate control of the Indian food and farming systems. They will also encourage hoarding and black marketing, in addition to exploitation of farmers. The bills also lack any assurance about Minimum Support Price(MSP).

Answer 156

Key provision: It allows for regulating the supply and stock limit of certain specified agricultural produce under extraordinary circumstances such as an extraordinary price rise and natural calamity of grave nature, etc. Issues: Any action on imposing stock limits will be based on the price trigger. In case of horticultural produce, a 100 per cent increase in the retail price of the commodity over the immediately preceding 12 months or the average retail price of the last five years, whichever is lower, will be the trigger for invoking the stock limit for such commodities. For non-perishable agricultural foodstuffs, the price trigger will be a 50 per cent increase in the retail price of the commodity over the immediately preceding 12 months or the average retail price of the last five years, whichever is lower. This stock limit regulation will not be applicable for value chain participants of any agricultural produce if their stock limit remains within their installed capacity. It will also not apply to exporters if they can show demand for export.

Answer 157

Key provisions: The Bill, through Clauses 3 & 4, gives freedom to the farmer to indulge in intra-state or inter-state trade in areas outside the APMC mandis. It also prohibits the collection of any market fee or cess under the state APMC Acts with respect to such trade outside the APMC market yards (Clause 6). A key provision of the Bill is Clause 14, which gives it an overriding effect over the inconsistent provisions of the State APMC Acts. Also, the Central Government has been given powers to frame rules and regulations under the Act. Issues: This leads to a situation where local farmers do not find adequate demand for their produce at MSP in the local market. Since most farmers are small or marginal landowners, they do not have wherewithal to transport their produce to large distances. Hence, they are forced to sell them at a lower price than the MSP in the local market itself.

Answer 158

Key provision: It seeks to create a legal framework for contract farming in India. There are two broader concerns here: First, one principle concern with contract farming has been regarding the negotiating power of the two parties involved. It seems likely that individual farmers might not find themselves equipped or powerful enough to negotiate with corporates or big-pocket sponsors to ensure a fair price for their produce. Second, the Bill says that the quality parameters can be mutually decided by the two parties in the agreement. But the quality aspect will become crucial when a few corporates will try to usher in uniformity which might end up adversely impacting the already skewed agro-ecological diversity in the country.

Answer 159

Observed on 27th September every year. This Day has been celebrated since 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). 27th September was chosen as the date since it was the day in 1970 on which the statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. Theme this year is “Tourism and Rural Development”.

Answer 160

SAATHI is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism with Quality Council of India to assist the hospitality industry to continue to operate safely and thereby instill confidence among the Staff, employees and the guests about the safety of the hotel/unit.

Answer 161

What is it? The award is named after the founder Director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), the late Dr (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and is known as the ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Prize for Science and Technology’. The Prize is given each year for outstanding contributions to science and technology. Eligibility: Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years. Overseas citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible. The Prize is awarded on the basis of contributions made through work done primarily in India during the five years preceding the year of the Prize. Context: Dr Abhijit Mukherjee, Associate Professor, Deptt. of Geology & Geophysics, IIT Kharagpur Selected for ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar’ Prize.

Answer 162

Why in News? Azerbaijan has carried out an air and artillery attack on Nagorno-Karabakh. Key points: Nagorno-Karabakh is a breakaway region that is inside Azerbaijan but is run by ethnic Armenians. It broke away from Azerbaijan in a conflict that broke out as the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Though a ceasefire was agreed in 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia frequently accuse each other of attacks around Nagorno-Karabakh and along the separate Azeri-Armenian frontier.

Answer 163

The disease is caused by phytoplasma — bacterial parasites of plant tissues — which are transmitted by insect vectors. The disease was first reported in Kodagu in 1899. The disease is characterized by extreme reduction in leaf size accompanied by stiffening and reduction of internode length. In advanced stage, the entire shoot gives the appearance of a spike inflorescence. Context: India’s sandalwood trees are facing a serious threat with the return of the destructive Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD). The infection has resurfaced in Karnataka and Kerala. The present rapid spread of the infection is largely due to restrictions on green felling in forests, which has allowed vectors to spread the disease to healthy trees.

Answer 164

Started by Odisha Government. The classes will be for students between class 1 to 8 in the state. Students can also get this audio programme in the central government’s DIKSHA online platform.

Answer 165

8,000 nodal officers have been appointed for the purpose in villages. The officers will work in coordination with staff of the Cooperation, Revenue, Rural Development and Panchayats, Agriculture, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Departments, as well as the Punjab Pollution Control Board. Armed with a super SMS system, these officers will also prepare lists of owners who have given their land on rent and then call each land owner on phone with the warning that a red entry shall be made in their land record if they fail to ensure that no paddy straw is burning.

Answer 166

It is a new ocean-monitoring satellite launched recently by China. It is the country’s third ocean dynamic environment satellite. It can provide all-weather and round-the-clock observation of wave height, sea surface height, wind speed and direction, and temperature. HY-2C will form a network with the previous HY-2B and subsequent HY-2D, which is scheduled for launch next year, to carry out high-precision maritime environment monitoring. The planned satellite network will be capable of carrying out 80 percent of the world’s sea surface wind monitoring within six hours.

Answer 167

Released recently by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Key findings: As per the report, Zoroastrian community remains the most susceptible to ailments. The survey defines ailment as any deviation from a person’s state of physical and mental well-being. (National Sample Survey (NSS)’s 75th Round released in July show that 31.1 per cent of Zoroastrians reported that they were suffering from an ailment at the time the survey was conducted).

Answer 168

FSSAI has prohibited the amalgamation of other vegetable oils with mustard oil from 1st October 2020. This new decision was rolled out to ensure the purity of mustard oil. This step is believed to eliminate the adulteration in mustard oil, especially for domestic consumption.

Answer 169

Context: Scientists have warned India of another virus — cat que virus — largely reported in China and having the potential to cause disease in India. The presence of this virus in culex mosquitoes and pigs has been reported in China and Vietnam.

Answer 170

It is one of the arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses).

Answer 171

Its natural host is a mosquito. Domestic pigs are the primary mammalian host of CQV.

Answer 172

Availability of vector, primary mammalian host (swine) and confirmation of CQV from jungle myna. Besides, National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune researchers have found antibodies for the virus in two out of the 883 human serum samples which were taken from various Indian states, indicating that people at some point contracted the virus.

Answer 173

It can cause febrile illnesses, meningitis and paediatric encephalitis in humans.

Answer 174

Context: DAP 2020, which will govern the procurement of defence equipment from the capital budget, was recently unveiled. The new policy will supersede the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2016 from October 1.

Answer 175

Reservations for Indigenous firms: The policy reserves several procurement categories for indigenous firms. DAP 2020 defines an “Indian vendor” as a company that is owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens, with foreign direct investment (FDI) not more than 49 per cent. New Buy (Global–Manufacture in India) category: This stipulates indigenisation of at least 50 per cent of the overall contract value of a foreign purchase bought with the intention of subsequently building it in India with technology transfer. Meeting the difficult indigenisation requirement would force the vendor to build the equipment in India, rather than supply most of it ready-built from abroad. Greater indigenous content: It promotes greater indigenous content in arms and equipment of the military procures, including equipment manufactured in India under licence. In most acquisition categories, DAP-2020 stipulates 10 per cent higher indigenisation than DPP 2016. Measuring indigenous content: Indigenous content will now be calculated on ‘Base Contract Price’, that is Total Contract Price, less taxes and duties. Import embargo list: The “import embargo list” of 101 items that the government promulgated last month has been specifically incorporated into DAP 2020. (An embargo is a government order that restricts commerce with a specified country or the exchange of specific goods.) Offset liability: The government has decided not to have an offset clause in procurement of defence equipment if the deal is done through inter-government agreement (IGA), government-to-government or an ab initio single vendor. The offset clause requires a foreign vendor to invest a part of the contract value in India.

Answer 176

Why in News? Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad A. Bobde has questioned the infallibility of a land acquisition judgment delivered by a Constitution Bench, led by his former colleague, Justice Arun Mishra, saying the verdict had left things “unsaid”. Important observations made by CJI: The order gifted the government “laxity” in several aspects, which even Parliament did not bother to provide under the Act of 2013. The verdict did not specify for how long the government could possess a land acquired without paying compensation.

Answer 177

In March this year, the Supreme Court Constitution Bench had reaffirmed the February 2018 ruling on Section 24 on land acquisition compensation awards in the Indore Development Authority case.

Answer 178

The judgment of the Constitution Bench was interpreting Section 24 (2) of the 2013 Act, which dealt with payment of compensation for land acquired by the government. It said acquisition would not lapse as long as the government earmarked the compensation money by paying it into the treasury. In short, the money need not actually reach the farmer or the landowner. Acquisition would also not lapse just because the farmer refused the compensation and claimed higher. Similarly, there was no lapse in acquisition if the compensation had been paid but possession not taken of the land.

Answer 179

The judgment had declared that acquisition would only lapse if the government had neither taken possession nor paid the compensation due to the landowner for five or more years prior to January 1, 2014.

Answer 180

Context: Because of economic woes created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reserve Bank has decided to extend by six months the enhanced borrowing facility provided to banks to meet the shortage of liquidity till March 31, 2021.

Answer 181

Borrowing limit for scheduled banks under the marginal standing facility (MSF) scheme was increased from 2% to 3% of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) with effect from March 27, 2020.

Answer 182

This dispensation provides increased access to funds to the extent of ₹1.49 lakh crore, and also qualifies as high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) for the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR).

Answer 183

Under the MSF, banks can borrow overnight at their discretion by dipping into the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR). It is a window for scheduled banks to borrow overnight from the RBI in an emergency situation when interbank liquidity dries up completely. This scheme was launched by RBI while reforming the monetary policy in 2011-12. It is a penal rate at which banks can borrow money from RBI when they are completely exhausted of all borrowing assistance.

Answer 184

NDTL refers to the total demand and time liabilities (deposits) of the public that are held by the banks with other banks. The high-quality liquid assets include only those with a high potential to be converted easily and quickly into cash.

Answer 185

Context: Three Apple Inc.’s top contract manufacturers are planning to invest a total of almost $900 million in India in the next five years to tap into a new production-linked incentive plan. About the PLI scheme: Notified on April 1 as a part of the National Policy on Electronics. It proposes a financial incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the electronics value chain.

Answer 186

The scheme shall extend an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales (over base year) of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies, for a period of five (5) years with financial year (FY) 2019-20 considered as the base year for calculation of incentives. The Scheme will be implemented through a Nodal Agency which shall act as a Project Management Agency (PMA) and be responsible for providing secretarial, managerial and implementation support and carrying out other responsibilities as assigned by MeitY from time to time.

Answer 187

According to the scheme, companies that make mobile phones which sell for Rs 15,000 or more will get an incentive of up to 6 per cent on incremental sales of all such mobile phones made in India. In the same category, companies which are owned by Indian nationals and make such mobile phones, the incentive has been kept at Rs 200 crore for the next four years.

Answer 188

All electronic manufacturing companies which are either Indian or have a registered unit in India will be eligible to apply for the scheme. These companies can either create a new unit or seek incentives for their existing units from one or more locations in India. However, all investment done by companies on land and buildings for the project will not be considered for any incentives or determine eligibility of the scheme.

Answer 189

Why in News? Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has allowed use of H-CNG (18% mix of hydrogen) in CNG engines. A notification for amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, for inclusion of H-CNG as an automotive fuel has already been published. Background: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also developed specifications (IS 17314:2019) of Hydrogen enriched Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG) for automotive purposes, as a fuel.

Answer 190

The blending of hydrogen with CNG provides a blended gas termed as HCNG. It can be used in place of gasoline, diesel fuel and propane (C3H8) / LPG and its combustion produces fewer undesirable gases.

Answer 191

HCNG reduces emissions of CO up to 70%. Enables up to 5 % savings in fuel. First step towards future Hydrogen economy. Engines can be calibrated to release lower amounts of NO. Engines need minimum modification to run on HCNG. Ideal fuel for high load applications and heavy-duty vehicles. Better performance due to higher Octane rating of H2.

Answer 192

Determining the most optimized H2/ NG (Natural Gas) ratio. It requires new infrastructures for preparing HCNG. Many steps need to be taken for commercializing it at a large scale. Current cost of H2 is more than the cost of Natural Gas. So, HCNG’s cost is more than CNG.

Answer 193

Why in News? A special court has declared three people fugitive economic offenders (FEO) in the Sterling Biotech case on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) request. What’s the issue? The ED is conducting the money laundering probe based on two FIRs registered by the CBI against Sterling Biotech and others in October 2017. In one case, the agencies have alleged routing of undisclosed funds belonging to unknown Income-Tax Department officials, while the second case pertains to bank loan defaults of ₹8,100 crore.

Answer 194

A person can be named an offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, if there is an arrest warrant against him or her for involvement in economic offences involving at least Rs. 100 crore or more and has fled from India to escape legal action.

Answer 195

The investigating agencies have to file an application in a Special Court under the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 containing details of the properties to be confiscated, and any information about the person’s whereabouts. The Special Court will issue a notice for the person to appear at a specified place and date at least six weeks from the issue of notice. Proceedings will be terminated if the person appears. If not the person would be declared as a Fugitive Economic Offender based on the evidence filed by the investigating agencies. The person who is declared as a Fugitive Economic Offender can challenge the proclamation in the High Court within 30 days of such declaration according to the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.

Answer 196

It is one of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India. It was set up by the Sangeet Natak Akademi as one of its constituent units in 1959. In 1975, it became an independent entity and was registered as an autonomous organization under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, financed by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Bharat Rang Mahotsav, or the ‘National Theatre Festival’, established in 1999, is the annual theatre festival of National School of Drama (NSD). It is acknowledged as the largest theatre festival of Asia, dedicated solely to theatre.

Answer 197

It is headed by the Defence Minister. Functions: The DAC is responsible to give policy guidelines to acquisitions, based on long-term procurement plans. It also clears all acquisitions, which includes both imported and those produced indigenously or under a foreign license. It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).

Answer 198

UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD) to drive Mobile Governance in India. UMANG provides a single platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local Government bodies and other citizen centric services.

Answer 199

UVIT is a remarkable 3-in-1 imaging telescope simultaneously observing in the visible, the near-ultraviolet (NUV), and the far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrum. It is one of the five payloads onboard India’s first multi-wavelength astronomical observatory AstroSat. Its superior spatial resolution capability has enabled astronomers to probe star formation in galaxies as well as resolve the cores of star clusters (3 times better than the last NASA mission, GALEX). Observations from UVIT has recently led to the discovery of a galaxy located at a distance of about 10 billion light-years from Earth and emitting extreme ultraviolet radiation that can ionize the intergalactic medium. Why in News? It completed five years of operation in the sky by imaging astronomical objects on 28 September 2020.

Answer 200

The Telescope is housed within the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Ladakh. It is a 2-m diameter optical-infrared telescope. The telescope is used to make observations of extrasolar planets and it also looks for comets and asteroids whizzing around in our solar system. It is operated remotely by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore. It is operated using a dedicated satellite communication link from the Centre for Research & Education in Science & Technology (CREST). Why in News? The telescope is celebrating its 20th Birthday.

Answer 201

The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the ban on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K) by notifying it as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Naga insurgent group, since it was first banned in 2015, has been involved in 104 violent incidents.

Answer 202

113th birth anniversary celebrated on 28th September, 2020. About Bhagat Singh: Born in September, 1907. Gandhi’s influence: Initially, he supported Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement. However, when Gandhi withdrew the movement in the wake of the Chauri Chaura incident, Bhagat Singh turned to revolutionary nationalism.

Answer 203

In 1924 in Kanpur, he became a member of the Hindustan Republican Association, started by Sachindranath Sanyal a year earlier. In 1925, Bhagat Singh returned to Lahore and within the next year he and his colleagues started a militant youth organisation called the Naujawan Bharat Sabha. In 1928, he was associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) along with Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad and others. Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev also organized the Lahore Students Union for open, legal work among the students.

Answer 204

Lahore Conspiracy case. 1929 Central Assembly Bombing Case.

Answer 205

Bhagat Singh was arrested and charged in the Saunders murder case, along with Rajguru, Sukhdev and others. The trio was ordered to be hanged on 24 March 1931 but the sentence was carried out a day earlier at the Lahore Jail. 23rd March is observed as ‘Martyrs’ Day’ or ‘Shaheed Diwas’ or ‘Sarvodaya Day’ in honour of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Answer 206

His azaadi freedom was not limited to the expelling of the British; instead he desired azaadi from poverty, azaadi from untouchability, azaadi from communal strife, and azaadi from every form of discrimination and exploitation.

Answer 207

Context: The National Statistical Office (NSO), which is a wing of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has conducted the first Time Use Survey (TUS) in India during January to December 2019. About the Survey: The primary objective is to measure participation of men and women in paid and unpaid activities. It is an important source of information on the time spent in unpaid caregiving activities, volunteer work, unpaid domestic service producing activities of the household members. It also provides information on time spent on learning, socializing, leisure activities, self-care activities, etc., by the household members.

Answer 208

Average Indian woman spends 243 minutes, a little over four hours, on these , which is almost ten times the 25 minutes the average man does. An average Indian woman spends 19.5% of her time engaged in either unpaid domestic work or unpaid care-giving services. Men spend just 2.5% of a 24-hour period on these activities. In every other group of activities – from employment and learning to socialising, leisure, and self-care activities like sleeping and eating – men spend a higher share of their daily time than women. There seems to be an inverse relationship between age and the amount of time spent by women on household chores, but a direct one between age and the time spent by men on these. While women above the age of 60 see a sharp fall in their domestic work burden, men tend to devote a greater time to domestic work when they cross 60.

Answer 209

Total percentage of employed population: As much as 2 per cent of persons who were of the age of six years or above were engaged in employment and related activities in the country in 2019. Proportion of males and females: 57.3 per cent males were engaged in employment and related activities while the proportion was 18.4 per cent for females in the country. Women in rural areas: In rural areas, the proportion of women engaged in employment and related activities was higher at 19.2 per cent compared to 16.7 per cent in cities. Gainful employment: Proportion of males above the age of six years engaged in gainful employment or related activities was higher in cities at 59.8 compared 56.1 per cent in rural areas. Unpaid domestic services: 53.2 per cent of participants in the survey were engaged in unpaid domestic services for household members. The proportion of females in the category was higher at 81.2 per cent compared to 26.1 per cent for males. This figure for both men and women is higher in rural areas. People engaged in production of goods for own final use: 1 per cent in the country. The proportion of such males was 14.3 per cent while it was 20 per cent for women in the country.

Answer 210

Context: Results of the second national sero-survey have been released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). What are Sero-surveys? They are conducted by drawing blood samples and checking for a specific class of antibodies called IgG that appear within two weeks of an infection. Because it is yet unclear how long antibodies detectably persist in the body, their presence only indicates past exposure to — and not presence of — the virus.

Answer 211

Around 7% of India’s adult population may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus till the last fortnight of August. This is roughly a 10-fold jump in numbers from the first sero-survey conducted by the Council across 70 districts in 21 States that sought to estimate the likely number of infected until early May. During the first survey, it emerged that there were 82-130 infections for every confirmed COVID-19 positive case. That number has now dropped to 26-32 infections. However, the numbers also suggest that the country still has an overwhelming majority of its population yet to be exposed to the virus and therefore, is far from any peak or herd immunity levels. The country wide prevalence of the virus was similar to that seen in the United States, which was around 9.3%. Brazil and Spain had a prevalence of 2.8% and 4.6%.

Answer 212

Context: Maharashtra Governor has issued a notification modifying the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. The notification has been issued by the Governor using his powers under sub paragraph (1) of paragraph 5 of the Schedule V of the Constitution.

Answer 213

The changes will enable tribals and other traditional forest dwelling families to build houses in the neighbourhood forest areas.

Answer 214

The decision is likely to provide a major relief to Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest-dwelling families residing in the scheduled areas of the State. The move aims to prevent the migration of forest-dwelling families outside their native villages and provide them housing areas by extending the village site into forest land in their neighbourhood.

Answer 215

The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas as well as of Scheduled Tribes residing in any State other than the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Answer 216

The Governor of each State having Scheduled Areas (SA) shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding the administration of Scheduled Areas in that State. The Union Government shall have executive powers to give directions to the States as to the administration of the Scheduled Areas. Para 4 of the Fifth Schedule provides for establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council (TAC) in any State having Scheduled Areas. Composition: Consisting of not more than twenty members of whom, three-fourths shall be the representatives of the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assembly of the State. If the number of representatives of the STs in the Legislative Assembly of the State is less than the number of seats in the TAC to be filled by such representatives, the remaining seats shall be filled by other members of those Tribes. Functions: The TAC shall advise on such matters pertaining to the welfare and the advancement of the STs in the State as may be referred to them by the Governor.

Answer 217

The number of members of the Council, the mode of their appointment and the appointment of the Chairman of the Council and of the officers and servants thereof, the conduct of its meetings and its procedure in general. The Governor may, by public notification, direct that any particular Act of Parliament or of the Legislature of the State shall or shall not apply to a SA or any part thereof in the State, subject to such exceptions and modifications, as specified. The Governor may make regulations for the peace and good government of any area in the State which is for the time being a SA. Such regulations may prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by or among members of the Scheduled tribes in such area; regulate the allotment of land to members of the STs in such area. In making such regulations, the Governor may repeal or amend any Act of Parliament or of Legislature of the State or any existing law after obtaining assent of the President.

Answer 218

Context: Indian Health Minister recently participated in PMNCH ‘Accountability Breakfast’ through Video Conference. The event was co-hosted by the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) and Every Woman Every Child (EWEC). Theme this year was the effort to protect hard earned gains in the field of Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health from the COVID pandemic.

Answer 219

Launched in 2005, PMNCH is an alliance of more than 1000 organizations in 77 countries from the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health communities, as well as health influencing sectors. The vision and goals of the new Partnership were outlined in “The Delhi Declaration” – a landmark statement developed by participants of “Lives in the Balance: The Partnership Meeting for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health”, held in New Delhi, India, 7-9 April 2005.

Answer 220

The Partnership is governed by a Board, and administered by a Secretariat hosted at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Roles and functions: The Partnership provides a platform for organizations to align objectives, strategies and resources, and agree on interventions to improve maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health.

Answer 221

Context: PM Modi inaugurated 6 mega projects in Uttarakhand under Namami Gange. The six sewage treatment plants or STPs were inaugurated at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Muni-ki-Reti and Badrinath via video conference.

Answer 222

It an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ in June 2014. It seeks to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga. It is being operated under Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Answer 223

The program is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organizations i.e., State Program ManagementGroups (SPMGs). NMCG is the implementation wing of National Ganga Council (set in 2016; which replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA). National Ganga Council (NGC) was Created in October 2016 under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. It is Headed by Prime Minister.

Answer 224

It has a Rs. 20,000-crore, centrally-funded, non-lapsable corpus and consists of nearly 288 projects.

Answer 225

Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure River-Surface Cleaning Afforestation Industrial Effluent Monitoring River-Front Development Bio-Diversity Public Awareness Ganga Gram

Answer 226

It is a registered non-profit International Think Tank initiated by public spirited individuals to awaken further issues of national interest and global conscience about terrorism as a threat to humanity, human security etc. Members belong to different faculties & background like senior bureaucrats, academicians, officers from the armed forces & paramilitary services, distinguished diplomats, leading researchers, media analysts, parliamentarians, professionals, corporate heads, human rights groups. They provide support and regularly contribute with the aim to deliberate on the root causes of Global Terrorism and to present effective solutions to the problems faced by society and the government. Why in News? International Energy Security Conference 2020 was recently organised by Global Counter-Terrorism Council (GCTC).

Answer 227

It is the first museum on the river located at Chandi ghat in Haridwar. It was inaugurated recently. It is aimed at showcasing the culture, biodiversity and rejuvenation activities done in the river.

Answer 228

Sri Lankan government has approved the proposal to ban cattle slaughter in the island nation. However, it decided to import beef for the benefit of those who consume it. Background: According to 2012 census, the over 20 million population in Sri Lanka comprised of 70.10% Buddhists, 12.58% Hindus, 9.66% Muslims, 7.62% Christians and 0.03% others.

Answer 229

India and Denmark recently elevated their relations to a “green strategic partnership”. The Green Strategic Partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities; with focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Answer 230

In a first-of-its-kind attempt to visually empower Mumbai’s citizens with the resources they share the city with, a biodiversity map of the city to showcase the wildlife hotspots, mangrove forests, urban green spaces and over 90 species that can be spotted in the city has been illustrated. Rohan Chakravarty, popularly known for his work under the title of Green Humour, is the man behind the map. The map will serve as a reminder to Mumbaikars that they must act to protect Mumbai’s biodiversity, which has been under threat due to unsustainable development. This is part of a campaign Biodiversity by the Bay, initiated by the Ministry of Mumbai’s Magic, a citizen’s collective comprising Mumbaikars who wish to bring the issue of protecting biodiversity to the forefront.

Answer 231

Why in News? Amnesty International halts India operations following the freezing of its bank accounts by the Enforcement Directorate. The government case against Amnesty India broadly rests on two investigations, one alleging discrepancies under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, and another case that was registered by the CBI alleging violations under the FCRA. Amnesty International is a non-governmental organisation focused on human rights. The stated objective of the organisation is “to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated.” The organisation was awarded the 1977 Nobel Peace Prize for its “campaign against torture,” and the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1978. In the field of international human rights organisations, Amnesty has the second longest history, after the International Federation for Human Rights and broadest name recognition.