Prelims Primer 2 MK Yadav & IAS4Sure.pdf

Your Preparation Partner Partner

INA 2ND BATCH: PRELIMS PRIMER , 2018 ONLINE/OFFLINE BATCH STARTS: 15

TH

REGISTER NOW!

MARCH, 2018

Intensive News Analysis (INA) Current Affairs: Weekly Round Up Classes (Prelims, 2018-19) Under The Guidance Of

M K YADAV Both Online & Offline Classes Available

PRELIMS PRIMER: BOOKLET # 2

Dec 1-10 & Aug 1-15, 2017 (PART II OF II) 

 



SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGY ON RESOURCE EFFICIENCY BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2016 ISRAEL – PALESTINE CONFLICT: CHANGING US POLICY ON JERUSALEM WORLD AIDS DAY: NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN & MISSION SAMPARK







OIL SPILLS & MARINE POLLUTION: ‘CLEAN SEA 2017’ ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA: ISSUE OF AUTONOMY PRELIMS FACTSHEET

* We took all care in preparing this document. If you still find any discrepancy in the information provided, please inform us at [email protected] Published by: www.ias4sure.c by: www.ias4sure.com om IAS4Sure © 2017 | All Rights Reserved

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of

M K YADAV

TABLE OF CONTENTS PRELIMS PRIMER 1 2 3 4 5 6

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGY ON RESOURCE EFFICIENCY BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2016 ISRAEL – PALESTINE CONFLICT: CHANGING US POLICY ON JERUSALEM WORLD AIDS DAY: NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN & MISSION SAMPARK OIL SPILLS & MARINE POLLUTION: POLLUTION: ‘CLEAN SEA 2017’ ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA: ISSUE OF AUTONOMY

1 4 6 9 12 15

PRELIMS FACTSHEET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

KACHEGUDA: INDIA’S FIRST ENERGY EFFICIENT RAILWAY STATION KUMBH MELA IN THE LIST OF UNESCO’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) HORNBILL FESTIVAL IN NAGALAND VYAS SAMMAN, 2017 TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR – “THE SILENCE BREAKER” COMMITTEE FOR NON PERFORMING ASSETS (NPAS) IN POWER SECTOR CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE & CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS SUSTAINABLE ACTION FOR TRANSFORMING HUMAN CAPITAL (SATH) JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES BY INDIAN ARMED FORCES SMALL FARMERS’ AGRI-BUSINESS CONSORTIUM (SFAC) SOIL HEALTH CARD APP LAUNCHED INDIA AWARDED BY CITES EXCITONIUM: NEW FORM OF MATTER INDIA DECLARED FREE FROM TRACHOMA INFECTION ONE MEMBER BENCH - NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT) IRSDC : NODAL AGENCY FOR STATION REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

18 18 19 20 20 20 21 21 22 23 23 24 25 25 26 26 27

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of

M K YADAV

TABLE OF CONTENTS PRELIMS PRIMER 1 2 3 4 5 6

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGY ON RESOURCE EFFICIENCY BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2016 ISRAEL – PALESTINE CONFLICT: CHANGING US POLICY ON JERUSALEM WORLD AIDS DAY: NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN & MISSION SAMPARK OIL SPILLS & MARINE POLLUTION: POLLUTION: ‘CLEAN SEA 2017’ ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA: ISSUE OF AUTONOMY

1 4 6 9 12 15

PRELIMS FACTSHEET 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

KACHEGUDA: INDIA’S FIRST ENERGY EFFICIENT RAILWAY STATION KUMBH MELA IN THE LIST OF UNESCO’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) HORNBILL FESTIVAL IN NAGALAND VYAS SAMMAN, 2017 TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR – “THE SILENCE BREAKER” COMMITTEE FOR NON PERFORMING ASSETS (NPAS) IN POWER SECTOR CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE & CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS SUSTAINABLE ACTION FOR TRANSFORMING HUMAN CAPITAL (SATH) JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES BY INDIAN ARMED FORCES SMALL FARMERS’ AGRI-BUSINESS CONSORTIUM (SFAC) SOIL HEALTH CARD APP LAUNCHED INDIA AWARDED BY CITES EXCITONIUM: NEW FORM OF MATTER INDIA DECLARED FREE FROM TRACHOMA INFECTION ONE MEMBER BENCH - NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT) IRSDC : NODAL AGENCY FOR STATION REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

18 18 19 20 20 20 21 21 22 23 23 24 25 25 26 26 27

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV

PRELIMS PRIMER

1

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGY ON RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

1.1 NEWS IN FOCUS NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the European Union delegation to India and the Confederation of Indian Industries, CII, have released the first ever Resource Efficiency Strategy for India 

1.2 ABOUT THE STRATEGY ON RESOURCE EFFICIENCY 









It is the first ever policy document to emphasize resource productivity in India The document is developed with the recommendations from the Indian Resource Efficiency Programme (IREP) launched by (MoEFCC) and Indian Resource Panel (InRP) in April 2017. The strategy focuses on abiotic material resources, excluding fossil fuels, of two strategic sectors- Construction & Automobile It includes an action plan for promoting resource efficiency in India - Core-action plan for the period 20172018, and - Medium term action plan for 2017 – 2020 Key elements RE Strategy - Institutional development including setting up an inter-departmental committee and Task force of experts - Capacity development at various levels for strengthening of capacities and sharing of best practices - Launch of Short term course on RE under the MHRD GIAN Programme - Development of an indicator monitoring framework for baseline analysis, resource index - Promotional tools – Eco-labelling, recycling standards, R&D and technology development, green public procurement, industrial clusters, awareness generation - Regulation, economic instruments – viability gap funding, policy reforms across life cycle stages

 

























Indian Resource Panel (InRP) InRP officially unveiled in November, 2015 It is an advisory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change India is one of the first country among emerging countries to constitute a National Resource Panel. It was created with support of Indo-German bilateral cooperation The InRP will issue recommendations to Indian businesses and policy-makers on improving the general conditions for resource efficiency It will also prepare strategic roadmap for utilisation of secondary resources for meeting the developmental needs RE Strategy Implementation Implementation support by EU funded Resource Efficiency Initiative (EU-REI) led by GIZ, in the consortium with TERI, CII and Adelphi NITI Aayog - support in positioning RE document for public consultation and charting way forward Resource Use in India 97% of all materials, including all abiotic and nonrenewable materials consumed in India are extracted domestically In 2010, India’s material demand was the 3 rd largest in the world, after China and USA Extraction of primary raw materials increased by around 420% between 1970 and 2010 Until 2000, consumption was primarily biomass based; in 2010, the share of abiotic materials in consumption increased by nearly 58% India is highly self-sufficient in mineral fuels for coal and lignite; in metallic mineral for bauxite, chromite, iron ore, rutile etc However, it does remain highly import dependent for critical materials such as molybdenum, copper, nickel.

Published by: www.ias4sure.com IAS4Sure © 2017 | All Rights Reserved

1


 



International Resource Panel (IRP) Established by - United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2007 Objective – Act as a central institution to provide independent scientific assessments on sustainable use of natural resources and their environmental impacts and policy approaches. Panel includes - scientists & governments from both developed and developing regions, civil society, industrial and international organizations.

1.3 WHAT IS RESOURCE EFFICIENCY 





Resource efficiency or resource productivity, is the ratio between a given benefit or result and the natural resource use required for it ie. strategy to achieve the maximum possible benefit with least possible resource input It includes transforming ‘waste’ into ‘resources’ to foster circular economy Secondary Resource Management (SRM) However, RE comprises a wider range of strategies (than circular economy) through the entire life-cycle of products : Mining/Extraction of raw material  Design  Manufacturing/Production  Use/Consumption  Disposal/Recovery.

Lifecycle Approach

1.4 NEED FOR RESOURCE EFFICIENCY (RE) Global commitment to SDGs - RE is a key element of Sustainable Development ie. SDG 12 which aims to ‘Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns’ - Eight other SDG goals (2, 6, 7,8,9,11,14 and 15) also have a bearing on resource efficiency National Commitment - Resource Security - As a consequence of rapid population growth, industrialization, and urbanization there are concerns over resource depletion, resource supply constraints, price shocks and rapid degradation of natural resource base  economic, social, and political consequences - Environmental burdens - emanating due to resource extraction, utilization and disposal, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution. - National priority- Crucial for several themes identified as priorities by Niti Aayog in the Vision 2030 document.  Theme 1: Accelerated Growth with Inclusion and Equity  Theme 2: Employment Generation Strategies  Theme 6: Swachh Bharat and Ganga Rejuvenation  Theme 7: Energy Conservation and Efficiency Thus, judicious use of resources through a combination of conservation and efficiency measures for economic, social and environmental sustainability is in every society’s interest. 






2

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV 1.5 BENEFITS OF RESOURCE EFFICIENCY TO INDIA











ECONOMIC BENEFITS Improve resource availability which translates into reduced price spikes due to supply constraints or disruptions Increased competitiveness and profitability – due to reduced material cost (largest cost for manufacturing sector) Increased recovery of primary/associated materials – through scientific mining of ores Creation of new industries – for eg. Recycling sector, innovative design and manufacturing  transforming India into key innovation hub for RE Improves trade balance & Economic stability – due to reduced import dependence for critical minerals

SOCIAL BENEFITS Ensures internal security - by reducing conflict & displacement in mining areas Improve health & welfare of local communities – traditional methods cause health hazard due to open cast mining, excavation, stacking of waste dumps, discharge from workshops etc Poverty reduction & human development – through improved affordability of and access to critical resources Potential for job creation – in recycling sectors and high skilled jobs in innovative design & manufacturing Sustainability preserving resources for future generations













ENVIONMENTAL BENEFITS Reduced ecological degradation & pollution associated with mining Opportunities for undertaking landscape restoration and regeneration of degraded mined areas Reduced energy intensity of resource extraction & use – leading to reduced GHG emission and fulfilling of commitment under climate change targets (INDC)





1.6 EXISTING POLICY CONTEXT IN INDIA (To be discussed in Class)

==========================================================================================


3


2

BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2016

2.1 NEWS IN FOCUS The Income-Tax Department is scrutinising all unexplained credits and investments in personal as well as corporate income-tax filings and is looking to invoke the Benami Transaction Act. Why the need for such an action? What is Benami? - The number of transactions with Benami is a term which means “without any unexplained credit has gone up in 2017 name”. - So far, unexplained credits in the books of a It is the kind of transaction where the person who company or bank accounts have been pays for the property ( beneficial owner) does not treated as black money (ie, on which tax has buy it under his/her own name, but in another not been paid), attracting a higher tax of up person’s name ( Benamidar) to 80%. The Benamidar owns property only “on papers” - But now, the Tax officers are examining but the beneficial owner actually holds the property papers and has the rights to sell the asset whether such unexplained credits are It amounts to falsification of identity to evade tax, Benami transactions, in which case they and hence is a criminal offence under Benami may be examined under the Benami Act and Transactions act may invite penal and criminal consequences. 











2.2 BACKGROUND: BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 



Though the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 has been on the statute book since more than 28 years, the same could not be made operational because of certain inherent defects With a view to providing effective regime for prohibition of Benami transactions, the Act was amended through the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amended Act, 2016. It came into effect from 1st November 2016.



  

Loopholes in Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 Non exhaustive definition of Benami property Lack of proper implementation machinery Absence of appellate mechanism Inadequate provisions for confiscation of property

2.3 BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2016: KEY PROVISIONS Key Objective: Effectively plug loopholes in 1988 act to prohibit Benami transactions and consequently prevent circumvention of law through unfair practices Definition of Benami Transactions: Amends the definition of Benami transactions to widen the scope for legal action Types of Benami property: will cover movable, immovable, tangible and intangible properties. In case of joint ownership of property, the tax payer will have to show financing sources 











Confiscation of Property: empowers the specified authorities to provisionally attach benami properties which can eventually be conf iscated without payment of compensation Appellate Mechanism: Establish adjudicating authorities and Appellate Tribunal to deal with Benami transactions - Initiating Officer may pass an order to continue holding property and may then refer c ase to Adjudicating Authority which will then examine evidence and pass an order. - Appellate Tribunal will hear appeals against orders of Adjudicating Authority. - High Court can hear appeals against orders of Appellate Tribunal. Stringent Penalties: violation of the act is punishable with imprisonment upto 7 years and fine.


4

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV 



Special courts: Certain session courts would be designated as Special Courts for trying any offences which are punishable under the Bill. Improvements over the Benami Transaction Act 1988:

Benami Transaction Act, 1988 The 1988 Act defines a Benami transaction as a transaction where a property is held by or transferred to a person, but has been provided for or paid by another person.

Under the Act, an Authority to acquire Benami properties was to be established by the Rules.

Under the Act, the penalty for entering into Benami transactions is imprisonment up to 3 years, or a fine, or both.

2.4 POSITIVE IMPACT OF BENAMI TRANSACTIONS (PROHIBITION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2016 (To be discussed in the class) 2.5 OUTSTANDING CONCERNS The list of penal provisions — prosecution, rigorous imprisonment and confiscation of Indian assets can be draconian. All the Benami property may not be linked with black money, some may be due to property restrictions. Act provides the accused an opportunity to show cause as to why a property should not be treated as a Benami property, thus opening a scope for trial Observations of the Standing Committee: - The Income Tax Act, 1961 also has provisions to deal with issues of tax evasion and unaccounted wealth. This might lead to multiplicity of such provisions. - Other structural reforms like digitization of land records are required to eliminate Benami transactions.

Benami Transaction Act, 2016 The Act amends this definition to add other transactions which qualify as Benami, where: i. The transaction is made in a fictitious name ii. The owner is not aware of denies knowledge of the ownership of the property iii. The person providing the consideration for the property is not traceable 4 authorities to conduct inquiries or investigations i. Initiating Officer ii. Approving Authority iii. Administrator iv. Adjudicating Authority Rigorous imprisonment of 1 year up to 7 years, and a fine which may extend to 25% of the fair market value of the Benami property. Other Measures To Curb Black Money:  























Constitution of SIT on Black Money Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015’ to specifically deal with black money stashed away abroad. Amendment to Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002: attachment & confiscation of property equivalent in value held within the country where proceeds of crime is taken/held outside the country Income Declaration Scheme: a window to violators to come clean by paying taxes, cess, and penalty amounting to 45% of total undisclosed income Demonetisation: It was the biggest blow to black money hoarders across the country. Linking bank accounts with Aadhaar & PAN : huge success in getting hold of fake or Ghost accounts and tracking big and suspicious transactions Proactively engaging with foreign governments: Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs), Multilateral Conventions ‘Project Insight’: ICT based initiative for strengthening non-intrusive, information driven approach for improving tax compliance. ‘Operation Clean Money’: using information on cash transactions & data analytics tools for e-verification of suspect cases. Portal launched.


5


3

ISRAEL – PALESTINE CONFLICT: CHANGING US POLICY ON JERUSALEM

3.1 NEWS IN FOCUS US President Donald Trump has formally announced USA’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and has initiated the process of relocation of US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

3.2 TIMELINE OF ISRAEL - PALESTINE CONFLICT Early History - Jews have been persecuted throughout the history. - In 1897, Jews started a movement called a Zionist movement, to escape persecution and establish their own state in their ancestral homeland, Israel. - The World Zionist Organization was created to advocate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The Promise of Jewish Homeland - By 1916, Palestine came under the British control after the Sykes-Picot Agreement (a secret agreement between Great Britain and France) which led to the division of the old Ottoman Turkish Empire. - Later in the Balfour Declaration of November 2, 1917 Britain promised the Jews a "national home". - In July 1922, the League of Nations entrusted Britain with the Palestine Mandate, recognizing "the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine." - In 1930s, with the Nazis gaining power in Germany and the subsequent ‘Holocaust’, Jews fled to Palestine in large number, alarming the Palestinian Arabs. - The Great Arab Revolt (1936-39) took place agai nst the British and the Jews, which was crushed. Palestine’s Split - In 1947, the British Government referred the question of the future of Palestine to the United Nations. The UN voted to split the land into two sovereign states, Arab and Jewish - The Jewish people accepted the agreement and declared i ndependence of Israel. The state of Israel was finally created on May 14, 1948. - However, the Palestinians and surrounding Arab nations rejected it and were ready to go to war for complete control of the territory. The 1948-49 War - In 1948, the Arab states of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria declared war on Israel. - Israel emerged victorious. By the end of the war, Israel had conquered 78% of Palestine. It marked the beginning of the expansionist policy of Israel. - Post the 1948 war, the West Bank including east Jerusalem went to Jordan and the Gaza Strip to Egypt. - Consequentially, a large number of Palestinians either fled or were forced to move out of Israel and settle in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza and neighbouring Arab countries. - It was the beginning of Palestine refugee crisis which ultimately led to the creation of a terrorist organization PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) in 1964. The 1967 War - In 1967, Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and at the end o f this Six-Day War, Israel captured:  Golan Heights from Syria.  West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan  Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt - UN Security Council mandated that Israel should return the captured areas back to the defeated nations. Negotiations about how to implement it did not reach a conclusion. 










6

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV -



The Sinai was returned to Egypt under a separate peace deal in 1979, Egypt became the first Arab nation to officially recognize Israel as a State. - But the Golan Heights and the Palestinian territories remain under occupation Later Developments First Intifada: The tension between Israel and Palestine escalated in 1987 with Israel’s increased settlement in West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian population collectively rose against Israel’s suppression (called First Intifada or “shaking off”). Oslo Peace Accord: in 1993, Israel and PLO signed Oslo Peace accord which was based on the concept of two state solution. PLO recognized Israel. Israel agreed to give independence to the ‘occupied territories’. However, territories remained under Israel possession. Second Intifada (2000-05): In 2000, a more violent Palestine Uprising started. As a defensive measure, Israel constructed a West Bank Barrier along West Bank to separate Israel and Palestine settlements. Gaza Expulsion plan: This is a unilateral disarmament plan by Israel by which Israel’s defense forces leave the Gaza strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank (2005)

Hamas and Fatah 















After Oslo accord, a Palestinian Authority (PA) was created with a limited self-rule power in the occupied territories. But this led to disputes between Hamas and Fatah for political power Hamas – Hamas is supported by Iran, Syria. They do not accept the Oslo peace accord or 2 state peace resolutions. They want the whole state. They control Gaza. Fatah – accept the Oslo peace accord and negotiates for peace. They control West Bank. In 2006, Hamas won Palestine election and it intensified the tensions between Fatah and Hamas for power In 2011 Palestinian rivals, Fatah and Hamas, signed a Reconciliation Pact. Currently, Palestine West bank region is controlled by Fatah, with known presence of Israeli settlements. Gaza is controlled by Hamas, is under Israeli blockade but not ground troop occupation.


7

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV 3.3 SIGNIFICANCE & CURRENT STATUS OF JERUSALEM Historical significance - Jerusalem is a city that lies on the border between Israel and the West Bank. It is located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea - It is considered a holy city in three major Abrahamic religions a nd houses their religious sites  Judaism – Western Wall, part of the mount on which the Holy Temple stood, containing the Holy of Holies, the most sacred Jewish site where Jews believe the foundation creating the world was located, and where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son  Christianity - the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified, and where he rose again  Islam – the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam - Hence, both Israel and Palestine want to make it their capital. Status of Jerusalem post 1948 & 1967 wars - Under the 1947 United Nations (UN) Partition Plan to divide historical Palestine between Jewish and Arab states, Jerusalem was granted special status based on its religious origin - After the end of the First Arab-Israel War in 1948, Jerusalem was partitioned into West and East, under Israeli and Palestinian control respectively - Israel occupied East Jerusalem at the end of the 1967 War and claimed unilaterally both East and West Jerusalem as its “Undivided and Eternal Capital”, under its sovereignty and civil law Current Status of Jerusalem: - Israel and Palestine both claim Jerusalem as their capital under their respective laws - However, Jerusalem is under de facto control of Israel. The presidential residence, government offices, supreme court and Parliament are located there - Position of other countries - Israeli jurisdiction and ownership of Jerusalem is not recognised by the international community, believing its status should be resolved in negotiations. No other country bases its embassy in the city. - Position of India - India has traditionally backed a two-state solution, and assured that the Indian embassy would stay in Tel Aviv. 





3.4 IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECENT US DECISION It may broaden religious rifts among Arabs and Jews and hinder future peace process between Israel and Palestine. It will further erode the Palestinians’ trust in diplomatic and peaceful processes and push them back towards violence and direct action. Hamas has declared third Intifada and Turkey, Iran and Syria have come out openly in support of Palestine, adding to volatility and instability in region The move will undermine US credibility as global arbitrator in other areas too i.e Afghanistan and West Asia 







3.5 INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE AND INDIA’S POSITION Arab Nations/others - Saudi Arabia, an important US ally, claimed that the move damages Riyadh’s effort to rekindle a peace deal. The Arab countries, bordering Israel – Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria – have condemned the move. Turkey has hinted at cutting diplomatic ties with Israel. United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting where 14 out of 15 members condemned USA’s decision, holding it violative of U.N. resolutions and international law. UN General assembly voted against declaration of Jerusalem as capital of Israel by a majority of 128-9. India’s response – India voted against the United States (rather than abstaining), which reiterated India’s principled position on the issue ie. two state solution through peaceful negotiation 



 


8


4

WORLD AIDS DAY: NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN & MISSION SAMPARK

4.1 NEWS IN FOCUS World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1st each year to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories in fight against HIV/AIDS In India, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on World AIDS Day launched - National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), 2017-24 - Mission SAMPARK 

 





4.2 ABOUT HIV/AIDS The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) targets the human immune system, destroying immune cells called CD4+ cells, leading to progressive deterioration of the immune system This leads to decreased ability of the body to fight infections and other diseases. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection defined by the occurrence of any or more of 20 o pportunistic infections or related cancer. Some of the causes of AIDS - Unprotected Sexual Intercourse, Transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated injecting or surgical equipment and transmission during childbirth, breastfeeding. Treatment - There is no cure for HIV. But with good and continuous adherence to Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), progression of HIV can be slowed down. ART prevents HIV from multiplying in the body.

 













 









World AIDS Day World AIDS Day founded on 1988 UNAIDS took the lead on campaigning for World AIDS Day from its creation until 2004. From 2004 onwards the World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee began selecting a theme for World AIDS Day 2017 Theme: My health, my right India’s 2017 Theme : “25 years of National Aids Control Program”

UNAIDS UNAIDS is a Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS Co-sponsors include: UNICEF, World Food Programme, UNDP, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, World Bank, UN Women, among others Established in 1994 by a resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council Launched in January 1996 Aim - to help mount and support an expanded response to HIV/AIDS, one that engages the efforts of many sectors and partners from government and civil society. UNAIDS is leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. HQ - Geneva, Switzerland, shares some site facilities with WHO

4.3 PREVALENCE OF AIDS According to UNAIDS, there were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2016. Of these, 2.1 million were children (<15 years old). 







India holds the 3rd largest population of people with HIV after South Africa and Nigeria. According to UNAID, India has the highest number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS in 2016-17

Four high prevalence states Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for 55% of the total cases in the country


9

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV 4.4 NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN ON HIV/AIDS & SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI), 2017-24 The National Strategic Plan (2017-24) was developed by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) It aims to strive, along with partners: - To ‘fast track’ efforts to achieve an 'AIDS free India’ by 2030 (in line with SDG goal 3) - To pave a roadmap for achieving the target of 90:90:90. Goal – “3 Zeros” - Achieving zero new infections, zero AIDS related deaths and zero discrimination Fast Track Targets - 75% reduction in New HIV Infections - 90-90-90 By - Elimination of Mother to Child 2020 Transmission of HIV & Syphilis - Elimination of Stigma & Discrimination 







 





80% reduction in New HIV infections By Extending from 90:90:90 strategy to 2024 95:95:95 strategy It will herald the country to the midpoint of the 2030 SDG goals.

3.5 MISSION SAMPARK Aim - to trace those who are Left to Follow Up and are to be brought under Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) services. “Community Based Testing” will be taken up for fast-tracking the identification of all who are HIV positive 

   



3.6 OTHER GOVT. INITIATIVES National Aids Control program (NACP) - Launched in 1992 - A comprehensive programme for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India - NACP based on three pillars -Prevention, Carecounselling and Treatment - Implemented by - National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), a division of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare - Currently in the fourth phase (since 2012) of NACP, with following objectives:  50% reduction in new infections (2007 Baseline of NACP III)  Provision of comprehensive care and support to people living with HIV







90-90-90 Target Adopted by UNAIDS An ambitious treatment target to help end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 By 2020: - 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status - 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy - 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. World Health Organization (WHO) A specialized agency of UN Established in 1948 HQ - Geneva, Switzerland World Aids Day is one of the 8 Global Health Campaigns being run by WHO. Other campaigns - World Tuberculosis Day, World Health Day, World Malaria Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Hepatitis Day, and World Antibiotic Awareness Week. Apart from these WHO also celebrates World Immunization Week.

1.

2.

3. 4. 5.

NACP-IV Components Intensifying & Consolidating Prevention services with a focus on High-Risk Group (HRG) and vulnerable populations. Expanding IEC services for (a) general population and (b) high risk groups with a focus on behaviour change & demand generation. Comprehensive Care, Support, Treatment. Building capacities at National, State, District and facility levels Strategic Information Management Systems


10

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV  



 

National AIDS Prevention and Control Policy (2002, adopted under NACP II) Focus on elimination of Mother to Child transmission and more than 1500 Targeted intervention programs (female sex workers, Transgender and injecting D rug Users) have been conducted. “Test and Treat Policy for HIV”- As soon as a person is tested and found to be positive, ART will be provided irrespective of the patient’s CD count and clinical stage. HIV Sensitive social protection portal has been launched to help officials and counsellors HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017: Key Provisions -

-

-

-

-

-

The Act mandates that no one should be tested for HIV as a pre-requisite for securing a job, accessing health care or education. It prohibits publishing of information or advocating of feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons by anybody. It prohibits HIV testing or medical treatment without informed consent. An HIV positive person will be required to disclose his/her HIV status only if required by a court order. There are also penal provisions for discrimination and breach of confidentiality. The Bill requires appointment of ombudsman by each state government to inquire into the complaints related to the violation of the Act and the provision of health care services Every HIV infected or affected person below the age of 18 years has the right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of the household Cases relating to HIV positive persons shall be disposed off by the court on a priority basis. The proceedings to be conducted by suppressing the identity of the person and in camera

==========================================================================================


11


5

OIL SPILLS & MARINE POLLUTION: ‘CLEAN SEA 2017’

5.1 NEWS IN FOCUS The Indian Coast Guard recently conducted Exercise 'Clean Sea - 2017' at sea off Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 

5.2 ABOUT CLEAN SEA EXERCISE It is a Regional Level Marine Oil Pollution Response exercise. Objective - to ascertain the preparedness of the Indian Coast Guard, resource agencies and other stakeholders in responding to a major oil spill in line with the provisions of the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan. Oil Spill Need for such exercise Oil spills include any spill of crude oil - The Great 6 degree Channel between the Nicobar Islands or oil distilled products (e.g., and Northern Sumatra that leads into the Malacca Straits gasoline, diesel fuels, jet fuels, is the Marine Drive of the high seas kerosene, Stoddard solvent, - Almost 200 ships cross the 160-km wide Straits daily hydraulic oils, lubricating oils) that making it among the busiest sea routes of the world can pollute the surface of the land, - Considering the tanker traffic through thi s route, the area air, and water environments. is highly vulnerable to oil spills Oil spills at sea are generally much - Oil spill may cause irreversible harm to the eco-sensitive more damaging than those on land, islands, adversely impacting the flora & fauna and causing since they can spread for hundreds a bio diversity imbalance - endangering marine species, of nautical miles in a thin oil slick damaging virgin beaches, coastline, mangroves, corals, which can cover beaches with a thin fishery and marine protected areas. coating of oil - The exercise was therefore planned to evaluate the Causes of Oil spills preparedness for Response Operations for any such oil - Natural: oil that seeps from the pollution incident in this highly sensitive area. bottom of oceans which enters the marine environment 5.3 IMPACT OF OIL SPILL - Anthropogenic: accidents involving On Marine biodiversity tankers, pipelines, refineries, - Large scale elimination of marine life - The immediate drilling rigs, and storage facilities impact of an oil slick is the mass death of fish and turtles and of birds because they cannot fly with wings coated by Other Major Sources Of Marine heavy oil. For eg. Huge number of fishes and turtles killed Pollution: due to massive oil spill off the coast of Chennai (Ennore) Plastic waste: Nearly 269,000 - Destabilization of marine food chain - It contaminates tonnes of plastic waste is floating in the world’s oceans. planktons, which in turn contaminate all who feed on them Agricultural run-off: discharge of - Impact growth of marine organism - Exposure in adult fish nutrients & pesticides leading to leads to reduced growth, changes in heart and respiration algal blooms. rates, fin erosion and reproduction damage. Oil can kill Untreated sewage: Marine habitats eggs and larva. worldwide are contaminated with - Suffocation of marine life - The oil forms a thin film on the man-made debris. sea surface, reducing the amount of light and oxygen Nuclear waste & cooling water from passing into the water. power plants and industrial sites - Impact on coral reef - Oil and toxic chemicals leached from Invasive species: Several thousand the oil sink to the seabed, damaging coral reefs per day transported in ballast water (ship tanks)  






















12




Contamination of Beaches - The shore lines and sandy beaches in coastal areas may also be an indirect victim of oil water pollution Examples: Oil spills from tanker ship accidents have damaged vulnerable ecosystems in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, East China Sea, Sundarbans etc.

On Economy - Loss of precious crude oil affects energy security. - Cleaning the oil spill requires a lot of financing, diverting funds away from developmental programmes - Livelihood of coastal communities is affected due to non-availability of fishes. - Makes water unsuitable for irrigation and other uses - The local tourism industry suffers a huge setback as recreational activities such as sailing, swimming, rafting, fishing, cannot be performed. Aesthetic beauty of beaches is destroyed due to formation of oil tars. Legal issues - Violates Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn convention), to which India is a signatory. - International treaties, like the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), administered by the International Maritime Organization place mandatory restrictions, recording, and penalties for the spilling of oil from ships.

5.3 EFFORTS REQUIRED Preventive Measures: - GPS based navigation systems, thus less ship collisions. - Regular technological assessment of equipment, procedures and documentation - Protocols for training, inspection, and contingency plans for the avoidance, control, and shutdown of offshore operations. - Recycling technology for coastal industries to treat waste oils. Oily effluents from chemical industries must be checked. - A mechanism to deal with oil spills should be made a part of National Disaster Management Policy. 



Remedial measures: - Boosting capacity of the coastal guards to clean up the spilled oil. - Boosting pollution response equipment funding of ports. (Centre contributes only 50%, rest by the ports) - Methods to clean oil:  Bioremediation - Oilzapper has been used in Chitra oil spill (2010) by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute)  Booms - which are floating barriers to oil (for example, a big boom may be placed around a tanker that is leaking oil, to collect the oil).  Skimmers - which are boats that skim (scoop) spilled oil from the water surface.  Sorbents - which are big sponges used to absorb oil.  Chemical dispersants and biological agents - which break down the oil into its chemical constituents.  Vacuum trucks - which can vacuum spilled oil off of beaches or the water surface.  Use of Robot technology such as AEROS (Airborne Emergency Response to Oil Spills)


13

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV 5.4 GOVERNMENT EFFORTS National Oil Spill Disaster & Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP)  



INCOIS (Indian National centre for ocean information services), an agency responsible for forecasting the course of an oil spill. Some of the major initiatives taken to stop ship collusion - Establishment of Long Range & Identification System (LRIT) on the Indian Coast - Restrictions on old vessels in Indian territorial waters and exclusive economic zone - Establishment of safety fairways, Traffic Separation Schemes, Recommended routes in coastal waters on the west coast of India

Ratification of - International Convention for the Prevention of pollution from Ships, 1973 (MARPOL) - International Convention on Civil Liability for oil pollution damage, 1969 - International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (Bunker Convention) of IMO, which ensures adequate, prompt, and effective compensation for damage caused by oil spills. ( Adoption: 23 March 2001; Entry into force: 21 November 2008) - International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974 - It aims to specify minimum standards for construction, equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety - International Convention on the establishment of an International Fund for compensation of Oil Pollution Damage 1971 Indian Coast Guard 5.5 NATIONAL OIL SPILL DISASTER & CONTINGENCY PLAN (NOS-DCP) The Indian Coast Guard is a multimission organization, conducting First promulgated in 1996. Updated last in 2014 round-the-year real-life Key objectives: operations at sea. - To develop appropriate and effective systems for the It was formally established on 18 detection and reporting of spillage of oil. August 1978 by the Coast Guard - To ensure prompt response to prevent, control, and Act, 1978 of the Parliament of combat oil pollution. India as an independent Armed - To ensure that adequate protection is provided to the force of India. public health and welfare, and the marine environment. The organization is headed by the - To ensure that appropriate response techniques are Director General Indian Coast employed to prevent, control, and combat oil pollution, Guard (DGICG) and dispose off recovered material in an It operates under the Ministry of environmentally accepted manner. Defence - To ensure that complete and accurate records are It has jurisdiction over the maintained of all expenditure to facilitate cost of territorial waters of India, recovery. including its contiguous zone and Central Coordination Authority for marine oil spill response exclusive economic zone. activities – Indian Coast guard (ICG) ICG is responsible for marine Area of Responsibilities: environment protection & - Port authorities - responsible for action within port limit. enforcement of maritime law - Oil industries - in and around their area of operations. It is the coordinating authority for - Costal state - frontier tidal zones, beaches and up to response to oil spills in Indian death beyond which CG ships and craft cannot operate. waters. - Coast guard - responsibilities lies beyond port l imits. For the same, the Coast Guard has - Director General Indian Coast guard (DGICG) - has established three pollution overall responsibility for appropriate response to oil spill response centres at Mumbai, incidents Chennai and Port Blair resp. 



 




















14


6

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA: ISSUE OF AUTONOMY

6.1 NEWS IN FOCUS The Supreme Court sought the Attorney-General’s assistance on a PIL petition calling for a complete autonomy to Election Commission of India (ECI) 

6.3 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS (UNDER ARTICLE 324) Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner & Election Commissioner - The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a permanent and independent constitutional body established in 1950 - It consists of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such other number o f Election Commissioner as decided by President from time to time (currently consists of the CEC and two ECs) - The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the El ection Commissioners are appointed by President. - The President may appoint Regional Commissioners after consultation with Election Commission to assist it. - The CEC and the Election Commissioners have a tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Removal of Chief Election Commissioner & Election Commissioner - The CEC can be removed from his/her office in same the manner and on the same grounds as the Supreme Court Judge. Thus, difficult r emoval procedure. - However, the Election Commissioner can be removed only after the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. This provision injects vagueness and raises the question whether CEC can suo motu recommend the removal of EC (as was witnessed in TN Sheshan Vs. Union of India case, 1995) Independence & Autonomy: Constitutional Safeguards for CEC & EC - The proviso to Article 324 (5) of the Constitution safeguards the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) from arbitrary removal (ie. Removal only in the same manner as Supreme Court Judge), but not the EC. - Service conditions of Chief Election Commissioner cannot be varied to his/her disadvantage after his/her appointment, though the ECs enjoy no such similar protection. - The CEC is a permanent incumbent but the posts of the ECs can be abolished, as happened in the SS Dhanoa case. ECs may or may not be appointed, their number not being fixed. - Any other Election commissioner or a Regional commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the CEC. Status and power: CEC Vs. EC - Both CEC and EC draw salaries and allowance at par with the Supreme Court Judge - In case of difference of opinion among CEC and other EC regarding any matter, matter is decided by Commission by majority. - Thus, the CEC and the ECs enjoy the same decision-making powers, which is suggestive of the fact that their powers are at par with each other. 







6.2 KEY ISSUES RAISED IN THE PIL ON ELECTION COMMISSION’S AUTONOMY Ambiguity on removal procedure of Election Commissioners - Article 324 (5) of the Constitution safeguards only the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and not the two Election Commissioners from arbitrary removal. ECI cannot function independently until the CEC & ECs are protected similarly 


15










Rule-making power of ECI – PIL has also sought directions to the Centre to take appropriate steps to confer rule-making authority status on the ECI, similar to the powers vested in the apex court, to empower it to make election-related rules and code of conduct. Independent Secretariat - For functional autonomy, the PIL called for an independent secretariat for ECI along the lines of the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha secretariats, provided in Article 98(2), which permits the Parliament to regulate the recruitment and service conditions of persons appointed to secretarial staff









Financial Autonomy – ECI expenditure to be charged on Consolidated Fund of India Recommendation of various Commissions – The PIL also submitted that various Committees & Commissions including the Goswami Committee, Election Commission and Law Commission (in 255th Report) have suggested in this regard but the Executive has not implemented those recommendations till date. Primacy of Institution not individual - The element of independence sought to be achieved under the Constitution is not exclusively for an individual alone but for the institution ie. Election Commission of India









Public Interest Litigation PIL is litigation filed in a court of law, for the protection of “Public Interest” It is judicial innovation and is not defined in any statute or act PIL can be filed in Supreme Court & High court as writ petitions under Article 32 & 226 resp. and in the Court of Magistrate under Sec.133, Cr. P.C. It can be filed by any publically spirited individual, group, or organization on behalf of the aggrieved party. for eg. when the victim does not have the necessary resources or means to commence litigation The Court can also take Suo Motu cognizance PIL can be filed in case of violation of human rights /fundamental rights, breach of public duty by government etc Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer used the expression PIL for first time in 1970s and Justice PN Bhagwati added momentum to it Post cards, newspapers, letters etc. have been admitted by courts as PIL

6.2 ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA: DEMAND FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS The ECI, too, submitted its own set of recommendations to the government in 2016. The major points of the recommendations are: Constitutional protection for all three of its members as opposed to just one at present. The senior most EC should be automatically elevated as CEC in order to instil a feeling of security in the minds of the ECs and insulate them from executive interference. ECI budget to be ‘charged’ to the Consolidated Fund as opposed to the current practice of being voted and approved by Parliament. Independent Secretariat for ECI, to reduce dependency on DoPT to appoint its officers Amendment to RPA to include specific powers to postpone or countermand polls on the grounds of use of money power. Power to use contempt of court Act against parties making unfounded allegations.  



 



Other demands for electoral reforms: Election Finance: Focus on putting caps on Election Expenditure as well as limits to political funding from corporate parties. Decriminalization of politics - Any person convicted for heinous crimes (rape, murder, dacoity etc.) to be permanently debarred from contesting lection 




16






  

 

 

Disqualification of a candidate from contesting elections if a court has framed charges against him. Currently a candidate is disqualified if convicted for crime bearing sentence more than 2 years. - ECI wants bribery during election season as cognizable offence. Regulation of Political Parties and Inner Party Democracy: providing for the de-registration of a political party for failure to contest Parliamentary or State elections for 10 consecutive years Changes to Anti-Defection Law: vesting the power to decide on questions of disqualification on the ground of defection with the President or the Governor, who shall act on the advice of the ECI Paid News: Paid media to be made an electoral offence under RPA, 1951 Opinion and Exit polls: Complete ban on Exit Polls and opinion polls. Election Petitions: appointment of Additional judges to the High Court to expedite election related cases pending before them. Also case for separate election tribunal. Totaliser machine for Counting Votes & introduction of VVPAT Restriction on Government Sponsored Advertisements: regulating and restricting government sponsored advertisements six months prior to the date of expiry of the House/Assembly. Restriction on the Number of Seats from which a Candidate May Contest Inclusion of Print media ads - The ECI wants print media to be included in Section 126 of the RP Act. This section currently prohibits publication of advertisements by political parties in electronic media (TV, radio) and recently added social media, 48 hours before voting ends.

==========================================================================================


17


PRELIMS FACTSHEET 1. KACHEGUDA: INDIA’S FIRST ENERGY EFFICIENT RAILWAY STATION 







The News: Kacheguda Railway Station, under the South Central Railway (SCR), has earned the unique distinction of being the first Energy Efficient ‘A1 Category’ Railway Station on Indian Railways. It has achieved 100% energy efficiency by replacing - Conventional lights with light-emitting diode (LED) lighting - Ceiling fans with energy efficient Brushless DC Electrical (BLDC) motors fans - Air conditioners with energy efficient inverter-type air conditioners. About Kacheguda Railway station - It is a historic building (completed 100 years) - Situated in the heart of Hyderabad - Built in 1916 by the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway during the reign of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the 7th Nizam. Additional fact: Taking note of the increasing electricity demand from the railways, Indian Railways has developed a long-term Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program (EECP) (2010–2032) to reduce energy consumption by 10% by 2032.

2. KUMBH MELA IN THE LIST OF UNESCO’S INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE 



The News: The Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, under UNESCO, has inscribed ´Kumbh Mela´ o n UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Indian Intangible Cultural Heritage About Kumbh Mela - Kumbh Mela (the festival of the sacred Pitcher) is the largest 1. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre peaceful congregation of pilgrims on Earth. 2. Tradition of Vedic chanting - This vast celebration attracts tens of millions of Hindu 3. Ramlila, traditional performance pilgrims, including mendicant nagas of Ramayana - The first written evidence of the Kumbha Mela is mentioned 4. Ramman, religious festival & in Bhagvat Purana ritual theatre of Garhwal - Kumbh Mela is held four times, every 12 years, at four Himalayas different locations - Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik 5. Chhau dance (ie. held every 3 rd year in one of these places) 6. Kalbelia folk songs & dances of - Ardha Kumbha Mela , which is next in sanctity, is held only at Rajasthan Haridwar and Allahabad. 7. Mudiyettu, ritual theatre & - Kumbh Mela encapsulates the science of astronomy, dance drama of Kerala astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and social and 8. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in 9. Sankirtana, ritual singing, knowledge. drumming & dancing of Manipur - Knowledge and skills related to the tradition are transmitted 10. Traditional brass & copper craft through ancient religious manuscripts, oral traditions, of utensil making among historical travelogues and texts produced by eminent Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, historians. Punjab - However, the teacher-student ( Guru-Shishya parampara) 11. Yoga relationship of the sadhus in the ashrams and akhadas 12. Nawrouz/Novruz remains the most important method of imparting and 13. Kumbh Mela safe uardin knowled e and skills relatin to Kumbh Mela. Published by: www.ias4sure.com IAS4Sure © 2017 | All Rights Reserved

18


Intangible Cultural Heritage List - The UNESCO’s coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance. - It was established in 2008 after Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003 came into effect. - It compiles two lists viz.  Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity  List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. - Intangible culture includes: traditions or living expressions inherited from the ancestors and passed on to the descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.

3. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION (IMO) 









The News: - India has been re-elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organization [IMO] at the 30th session of the Assembly of the IMO, held in London. - It has been elected under Category “B” that represents nations with the largest interests in international sea borne trade. IMO Council plays a crucial role in deciding various important matters within the mandate of the IMO in relation to the global shipping industry, including its work strategy and budget. International Maritime Organization [IMO] - It is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. - Established in 1948 (came into force in 1959 - First meeting) - Members - 173 member states and 3 associate members - HQ - London, UK - IMO’s primary purpose - to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping. Its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. India and IMO - India has been one of the earliest members of the IMO, having ratified its Convention and joined it as a member-state in the year 1959. - India has been elected to the Council of the IMO ever since it started functioning, and till date, except for two years for the period 1983-1984. - India is a party to 34 IMO Conventions and protocols and is currently in the advanced stage of ratifying Ballast Water Convention and has recently approved the Bunker Convention. Benefits to India -

-

India has a large merchant marine fleet of 1359 vessels, and with the Indian economy poised to grow at a faster pace, there exist more opportunities for both the Indian and foreign flag vessels to carry large volumes of goods, to and from the Indian coasts. Provides platform to engage with the international maritime community to further India’s maritime interests and promote the welfare of the citizens

International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM): It aims to prevent spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another by establishing standards for management of ships’ ballast water and sediments (imp. Cause of marine pollution) Came into force in September 2017 




19


4. HORNBILL FESTIVAL IN NAGALAND  



The News: The President inaugurated the Hornbill Festival at Kisama, Nagaland. Hornbill Festival - The Hornbill Festival is held every year from 1 - 10 December at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, in Nagaland. - 1st December is also Nagaland’s State Formation Day - The festival is named after the Indian Hornbill, the large and colourful forest bird which is displayed in the folklore of most of the state's tribes. - Started in 2000 as a main event to promote tourism in the state and to bring all the tribes to unite them in one platform. - Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments Hornbills - Hornbills are large and wide-ranging birds and most species are dependent on tropical forest habitats that contain large and tall trees. - India has 9 hornbill species spread across - Western Ghats, the Himalayan foothills in Uttaranchal, Narcondam island (northern tip of Andaman and Nicobar Island), & north-east India - Indian Protected Areas where Hornbills are commonly sighted - Anamalai Tiger Reserve and Dandeli National Park (Western Ghats), Corbett Tiger Reserve (north India) and Kaziranga, Pakke, Namdapha and Manas (north-east India). - Hornbill is a scheduled species under the 1972 Wildlife Protection Act - Threats – hunting (for oil, meat, beaks to make traditional headgear), habitat loss - The Great Hornbill is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh & Kerala

5. VYAS SAMMAN, 2017 







The News: Ms. Mamta Kalia has been awarded the 27 th Vyas Samman (2017) for her novel “Dukkham Sukkham” The Vyas Samman - The Vyas Samman award was instituted by KK Birla Foundation in 1991 - It is a literary award which includes a cash payout of Rs 3,50,000, a citation and a plaque - Eligibility for the award - literary work must be in the Hindi language and have been published in the past 10 years by an Indian citizen Mamta Kalia’s “Dukkham Sukkham” - The literary work focuses on the transition in relations and situations of our society. Poet Ram Vilas Sharma was the first recipient in 1991.

6. TIME PERSON OF THE YEAR – “THE SILENCE BREAKER”  





The News: The Time magazine has named “The Silence Breakers” as its Person of the Year, 2017 This is in recognition of the efforts of women and some men who came forward with the stories of sexual harassment and assault to raise the awareness. “The Silence Breakers” designates a broad range of people, from the first public accusers of Harvey Weinstein (Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan) to those who shared their stories of sexual abuse using #MeToo (created by activist Tarana Burke) The magazine called them “the voices that launched a movement.”


20


7. COMMITTEE FOR NON PERFORMING ASSETS (NPA S) IN POWER SECTOR 













The News: Government has set up a high-level committee, headed by NITI Aayog Chief Executive Amitabh Kant, to address the issue of Stressed Assets in the power sector Non-performing assets (NPAs) in Power Sector - NPAs in power generation accounted for around 5.9% of the banking sector’s total outstanding advances, according to the second volume of the Economic Survey 2016-17. - Issues faced by power sector projects - paucity of funds, lack of power-purchase agreements (PPAs), and absence of fuel security. - Tackling these issues will provide much needed relief for banks weighed down by bad loans. What are Non-Performing Assets? NPA is a loan or advance where: - Principal or Interest remains overdue for more than 90 days - In case of an Agricultural Loan  Short Duration Crop – Principal + Interest overdue 2 crop seasons  Long Duration Crop – Principal + Interest overdue 1 crop season Categories of NPA - Sub Standard Asset – Assets which has remained NPA for a period less than or equal to 12 months. - Doubtful Asset - If asset has remained in the substandard category for a period of 12 months - Loss Asset - Where Principal and Interest are uncollectible, but not written off as bad debt yet as it may have some recovery value Restructured Loans - Some of the loans are restructured by banks to give a further opportunity to the borrower if they default. This opportunity is in the form of extended repayment period, reduced interest rate, converting a part of the loan into equity, providing additional financing, or some combination of these measures. Written off Assets – The process of declassifying the loan as an ‘asset’ in the banks’ books is termed as a write-off. Since the asset/loan is no longer generating money, it is removed from the banks’ balance sheet to give a true picture. But this write-off does not mean that the bank will not try to recover the money Stressed assets = NPAs + Restructured loans + Written off assets

8. CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE & CONTROLLER GENERAL OF ACCOUNTS 



The News: The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) has launched an upgraded version of CPAO website to cater to the needs of civil pensioners and other stakeholders. Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) - Setup as an administrative unit of the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure under the Controller General of Accounts (CGA). - This office started functioning with effect from 1st January, 1990.


21


-



Primary objective: to simplify the procedure and reduce the number of agencies for pension payment and to expedite the process of authorization, revision and transfer of pension through Authorized Banks. CPAO is administering the 'Scheme for payment of Pension to Central Government Civil Pensioners by Authorized Banks (both Public Sector and some Private Sector Banks)'.

Controller General of Accounts - Apex Accounting Authority of the Central Government - Exercises the powers of the President under Article 150 of the constitution for prescribing the forms of Accounts of the Union and State Governments, on the advice of the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) of India. - Its statutory mandate {duties and functions} have been defined in the Allocation of Business Rules, 1961, which include:  Defining general principles of government accounting {both state and union} and framing rules, manuals, forms etc.  Reconciliation of Cash Balance of Union with RBI  Overseeing of accounting functions.  Administration of Central Treasury Rules  Cadre Management of Group A {Civil servants} and Group B {Central Civil Account Offices} and matters related to accounts related group C and D staff.  Disbursement of payments of Central Civil Pensioners; Freedom Fighters; High Court Judges; Ex MPs and Ex Presidents via Public Sector Banks.

Difference between CAG and CGA: - The CAG was both the audit and accounting authority for the Centre as well as the States until 1976 - The accounting functions were taken away, in the case of the Centre, in 1976 and handed over to the Controller General of Accounts. However, the accounts of the States continued to be compiled by the CAG - The year 1984 saw the bifurcation of the existing offices into audit and accounts offices in the States by creating separate offices for accounting and entitlement functions CAG Controller General of Accounts Constitutional body Not a constitutional body Independent Works under Ministry of Finance Associated Articles – Article 148 - 151 Associated Articles – Article 150 Comptroller and Auditor-General's (Duties, Powers and Allocation of Business Rules, 1961 Conditions of Service) Act, 1971 

9. SUSTAINABLE ACTION FOR TRANSFORMING HUMAN CAPITAL (SATH) 



The News: NITI Aayog has launched SATH, a program providing ‘Sustainable Action for Transforming Human capital’ with the State Governments. SATH - Vision - to initiate transformation in the education and health sectors . - The program addresses the need expressed by many states fo r technical support from NITI Aayog. - Aim: to identify and build three future ‘role model’ states for health systems. - Implementation - by NITI Aayog along with McKinsey & Company and IPE Global consortium - The NITI Aayog will work in close collaboration with these states to design a robust roadmap of intervention, develop a program governance structure, set up monitoring and tracking


22

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV mechanisms, hand-hold state institutions through the execution stage and provide support on a range of institutional measures to achieve the end objectives.

10. JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES BY INDIAN ARMED FORCES NAME OF EXCERCISE Surya Kiran Sampriti Mitra Shakti Ekuverin Lamitye Hand In Hand Yudh Abhyas Vajra Prahar Indra Ajeya Warrior Blue Flag Vinbax I Imbax Garuda Shakti Bold Kurukshetra Maitree Force 18 Nomadic Elephant Khanjar Prabal Dostyk Al Nagah-Li

COUNTRY Nepal Bangladesh Sri Lanka Maldives Seychelles China United States United States Russia UK Israel (Multilateral Exercise) Vietnam Myanmar Indonesia Singapore Thailand ASEAN + Mongolia Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan Oman

11. SMALL FARMERS’ AGRI-BUSINESS CONSORTIUM (SFAC) 



The News: The 22nd meeting of Board of Management (BOM) of S mall Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium(SFAC) was held in New Delhi About SFAC - SFAC is an autonomous society promoted by Union Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare - It was registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 18th January, 1994 - The Society is also registered as Non-Banking Financial Institution by Reserve Bank of India. - Objective - focused on increasing incomes of small and marginal farmers through aggregation and development of agribusiness. - The Society is governed by Board of Management  President - ex-officio, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  Vice-President - ex-officio, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare - Initiatives of SFAC  SFAC has pioneered the formation and growth of Farmer Producer Organizations/Farmer Producer Companies


23

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV 



It offers Schemes like Equity Grant and Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme to FPCs to improve availability of working capital and development of business activities.  SFAC promotes development of small agribusiness through its VCA (Venture Capital Assistance) Scheme for value added processing and marketing linkages.  SFAC is also implementing the National Agriculture Market Electronic Trading (e-Nam) platform. Farmer Producer Companies (FPC) e-NAM platform - FPC is a hybrid between cooperative societies and private limited companies Pan-India electronic trading portal launched - Objective - to organize farmers into a by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare collective to improve their bargaining strength Aim: To facilitate farmers, traders, buyers, in the market. exporters and processors with a common - Owned and governed by - shareholder platform for trading commodities. farmers (or artisans) and administered by It currently links 470 APMCs (Agriculture professional managers. Produce Marketing Committees) from across - FPC can be formed by any 10 or more primary 15 states. producers or by two or more producer Portal managed by - Small Farmers’ institutions, or by a contribution of both Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) - Non-producers cannot invest in FPC Traders and exporters need to get themselves shareholding registered with the portal to access its - Voting rights: each producer or member has services. equal voting rights irrespective of the number 90 commodities including staple food grains, of shares held vegetables and fruits are currently listed in its - Profit - is largely distributed on the basis of list of commodities available for trade. “ atrona e”, which acts as a reward for members contributing to the business. - FPC can undertake activities related to production, harvesting, procurement, grading, pooling, marketing, processing, etc., of agricultural produce. 











12. SOIL HEALTH CARD APP LAUNCHED 





The News: The Agriculture minister launched the Soil Health Card Mobile App on the occasion of the World Soil day (December 5th) Soil Health Card App - The app will benefit field-level workers as it will automatically capture GIS (Geographical Information Systems) coordinates while registering sample details at the time of sample collection in the field and indicate the location from where the sample has been collected. - The app contains farmers' details including name, Aadhaar card number, mobile number, gender, address and crop details. Soil Health Card (SHC) - SHC is centrally-sponsored nationwide scheme - It is a printed report card issued to farmers indicating the nutrient status of the soil - The card carries crop-wise recommendation on appropriate dosage of fertilisers and other soil amendments to improve soil health and f ertility. - SHC is issued once in 2 years so that nutrient deficiency can be regularly detected & improved. - The card is issued in 14 regional languages. Now, it is being done in local dialects such as Kumaoni, Garhwali, Khasi, and Garo.


24


SOIL DAY 2017 - World Soil Day 2017 activities aim to communicate messages on the importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being - Theme: ‘Caring for the Planet starts from the Ground’

13. INDIA AWARDED BY CITES 





The News: India was awarded Certificate of Commendation for its effort to combat illegal wildlife trade by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). - The award was given to Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) for its efforts in conducting and coordinating species-specific wildlife enforcement operation, codenamed ‘Operation Save Kurma’. “Operation Save Kurma” - It was conducted in the country by the WCCB to combat the proliferating illegal trade in live turtles and its parts from the country to destinations abroad. The operation was also aimed to invite attention of the enforcement agencies towards such illegal trade. - During the operation conducted from December 15, 2016 to January 30, 2017, approximately 16,000 live turtles and tortoises were seized and released back into the wild. - WCCB had worked in close collaboration with regional law enforcement agencies of different states CITES Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) Also known as Washington Convention - It is a multidisciplinary statutory body, formed by It is an intergovernmental multilateral amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 , a Treaty special Act to protect the wildlife in the country. Drafted as a result of a resolution - Established in June 2007 adopted in 1963 at a meeting of - Objective - to combat organized wildlife crime in members of IUCN India Opened for signing : 1973 - It comes under the Union Ministry of Environment, Parties : 182 Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) It is legally binding on the Parties, but - HQ : New Delhi does not take the place of national laws. - Key functions: Aim: to ensure that international trade in  To collect and collate intelligence related to specimens of wild animals and plants organized wildlife crime and disseminate it to does not threaten their survival. state and other enforcement agencies It classifies plants & animals according to  To assist foreign authorities and international three categories, or appendices (I,II,III), organization to facilitate co-ordination and based on how threatened they are. universal action for wildlife crime control.  



  





14. EXCITONIUM: NEW FORM OF MATTER 



The News: Scientists have proven the existence of new form of matter called Excitonium - first theorised almost 50 years ago by Harvard theoretical physicist Bert Halperin Excitonium - It exhibits macroscopic quantum phenomena, like a superconductor or a super fluid. - It consists of excitons, particles formed from an unlikely pairing of an escaped electron and the hole it leaves behind


25




The hole actually behaves like a positively-charged particle itself. It attracts an electron and together they form the composite particle known as the exciton Significance of the Discovery: - Findings holds great promise for unlocking further quantum mechanical mysteries. - Beyond that, possible technological applications of excitonium are purely speculative.

15. INDIA DECLARED FREE FROM TRACHOMA INFECTION 







The News: - India was declared free from Trachoma, a contagious bacterial infection of the eye. - This was announced by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare while releasing the National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17) What is Trachoma? - It is a chronic infective disease of the eye and is the leading cause of infective blindness globally and one of the 18 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). - Trachoma is caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria and is totally preventable and curable - It is caused by poor environmental and personal hygiene and inadequate access to water and sanitation - It affects the conjunctiva under the eyelids and repeated infections cause scarring leading to inturning of the eyelashes and eyelids. This damages the cornea and subsequently lead to blindness - It is found affecting the population in certain pockets of the states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh as well as the Nicobar Islands. National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17): Key highlights - The survey findings indicate that the active trachoma infection has been eliminated among children in all the survey districts with overall prevalence of only 0.7 per cent - Active trachoma is considered eliminated if the prevalence of active infection among children below 10 years is less than 5 per cent. - India met the goal of trachoma elimination as specified by the WHO under its GET 2020 program. What is GET 2020? - It is WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020 (GET2020), launched in 1996. - GET 2020 is a partnership which supports country implementation of WHO’s SAFE (Surgery, Antibodies, Facial cleanliness, Environmental modification) strategy

16. ONE MEMBER BENCH - NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT) 

 

 



The News: The Centre has passed a notification, amending rules under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, allowing the National Green Tribal (NGT) to form One-member Bench. Why? To address the festering problem of vacancies in the NGT The Current rules require that every Bench of the NGT consist of “two or more” members and made up of at least one judicial and one expert member . The notification amends the rules to set up One-member Bench in “exceptional circumstances.” Though the NGT Act, 2010, makes it mandatory for the NGT chairperson to be a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of High Court , the rules now allow even a judicial member or expert member for three years as qualified to be a chairperson of the NGT. It is a ‘stop gap’ arrangement to expedite case disposal


26

INTENSIVE NEWS ANALYSIS (INA): TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV National Green Tribunal - Established under National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 - Objective - Effective & expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environmental and giving relief and compensation to damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. - Not bounded by Civil Procedure Code, but by Principles of Natural Justice. - Helps reduce burden of litigation in the higher courts. - Aims to dispose applications/appeals within 6 months of filing of the same.



17. IRSDC: NODAL AGENCY FOR STATION REDEVELOPMENT PLAN 







The News: The Indian Railways has decided to appoint Indian Railway Station Development Corp. Ltd (IRSDC) as nodal agency for its ambitious station redevelopment plan. The Railway Board took the decision to appoint IRSDC following recommendations by a three-member expert committee Aim: to expedite the revamp of 400 A1 and A category railway stations, under the Rs 1 trillion station redevelopment plan Need for a Nodal Agency - The Railway ministry has used a number of models and arrangements for station redevelopment including in PPP mode, in cooperation with Ministry of Urban Development in cities with SMART & AMRUT schemes, in partnership with state government, PSUs and foreign governments and firms. - The different models resulted in overlapping of work and decisions leading to chaos and tardy progress of the project. With one nodal agency, things will be more streamlined.

Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) IRSDC has been constituted under the Companies Act, 1956 as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to develop Railway Stations across India with the primary objective of augmenting and improving passenger related amenities at stations in a holistic manner. It is Joint Venture company of - IRCON International Limited (IRCON) (A Govt. of India Undertaking, under Ministry of Railways) and - Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), a statutory authority under the Ministry of Railways IRSDC Authorised Capital - Rs. 100 crore with equity participation in the ratio of 50:50 respectively.







==========================================================================================


27

Prelims Primer 2 MK Yadav & IAS4Sure.pdf

Recommend Documents