WBCS Current Affairs 22/10/2016 to 28/10/2016

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1. The Union Agricultural Ministry has constituted a High-Level Committee to monitor the bird flu situation and help state governments take steps to contain the disease. The High-Level Committee will be headed by Joint Commissioner in the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries (DADF) Munialappa. Key Facts The committee will have representatives from the Union Ministry of Health, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Department of Agriculture Research and Extension (DARE) and the Delhi Government. Besides monitoring the situation, the committee will assist the state governments in taking steps to contain the spread of avian influenza. The state government will be assisted by the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Indian Veterinary Research Institute and four regional laboratories. In case of an emergency response, they will get samples tested. Background The committee was constituted after mortality among the birds in National Zoological Park, Delhi NCR and other parts of the country due to Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) was found. What is Avian influenza? Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu is an infectious viral disease of birds. Thus, it is zoonotic disease. It is an infectious viral disease of birds and can sometimes spread to domestic poultry and cause large-scale outbreaks of serious disease. Human Infections: Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans. There is no evidence that the disease can be spread to people through properly cooked food. However A(H7N9) and A(H5N1) virus strains have caused serious infections in people. The infections in humans have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry. Bird flu symptoms in Humans: Fever, sore throat, cough, muscle, body aches, nausea. It can lead to pneumonia, severe breathing problems and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Treatment: Controlling the spread of disease in animals is the first step in decreasing risks to humans. Human infections with bird flu viruses usually can be treated with the same prescription drugs that are used to treat human seasonal flu viruses.

2. India and New Zealand signed three agreements in the areas of double taxation avoidance (DTA), sports and food security to carry forward the ties between both sides. The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart John Key after the delegation-level talks in New Delhi. Both countries have reached an understanding on further cooperation on cyber security, counter-terrorism, customs, education and food safety Signed agreements are Arrangement between the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand regarding Food Safety Cooperation and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) MoU on cooperation in the field of youth affairs and sports. It was signed between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India and Sport New Zealand. Protocol to the convention for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. Besides, both countries also agreed to Establish Bilateral Ministerial Dialogue between two Foreign Ministries. Establish Annual Foreign Ministry Consultations at Senior Officials Level. Cooperation and Dialogue on Cyber Issues. Support for NSG During this visit of New Zealand PM, India failed to get outright support of New Zealand for its bid for Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) membership. India had clearly notified New Zealand that its entry to the NSG was tied to its need for clean energy and climate change commitments. Thus, it indicates that New Zealand is yet to change its position of admitting only signatories of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) countries in NSG, a group of 48 countries which works by consensus. Why New Zealand does not support India’s bid to NSG? New Zealand is part of a group called the New Agenda for Coalition which promotes the NPT and pushes for nuclear disarmament worldwide.

3. The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has launched two new schemes Biotech-KISAN and Cattle Genomics in order to apply science to boost rural economy. The intent of these programmes is to form a network to farmers directly with the scientists and experts. Thus they seek to empower farmers, especially women farmers. Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) Scheme Its purpose is to connect farmers, scientist and science institution across country. Under it, fellowship will be given to women farmers for training and education in farm practice. Under it scientists will spend time on farms and link communication tools to soil, water seed and market. The main aim of the scheme is to understand individual problems of the small holding farmers and provide ready solutions. It will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with objective of linking new technology to farm by understanding problem of local farmer. Cattle Genomics Scheme The scheme aims at boosting selective breeding of the native livestock more accurately to ensure high-yielding, disease-resistant, resilient livestock. Under it, government will undertake an ambitious project of genome sequencing of 40 registered indigenous cattle breeds of India. Besides, a high-density DNA chips will be developed under this scheme to reduce the cost and time interval of breeding of the native livestock. Genome selection will use information on variations in DNA sequences between animals to predict the breeding value more accurately. Thus, help to transform livestock breeding.

4. The Union Government has appointed Senior IPS officer Karnal Singh as the Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED). Decision in this regard was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be in office till 31 August 2017. Karnal Singh is 1984-batch IPS officer of the Union territories cadre. Prior to this appointment, he was holding additional charge as Director of ED for over a year.

5. India has been placed at 130th position among the 190 countries in the recently released World Bank’s ease of doing business index for the year 2017. The index was released as part of the World Bank’s annual report Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All. This report had revised India’s rank to 131 from earlier 130th for the year 2016. Thus, India has improved its place by one spot in the 2017 index and its place remained unchanged from the previous original ranking of 130 in the year 2016. What is ease of doing business index? The ease of doing business index is annually released by World Bank in its Ease of Doing Business Report. It was introduced in 2004. In this index, ranking of country is based on index averages the country’s percentile rankings on 10 indicators each having equal weightage. A higher ranking of country in this list means that its regulatory environment is more conducive and favourable for the starting and operation of firms. 10 indicators are starting business, getting electricity, dealing with construction permits, registering property, protecting investors, getting credit, employing workers, trading across borders, paying taxes, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. Key Highlights of 2017 Report Top 10 Countries: New Zealand (1st), Singapore (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Hong Kong (4th), South Korea (5th), Norway (6th), UK (7th), US (8th), Sweden (9th) and Macedonia (10th). BIRCS Nations: India ranks lowest in Doing Business among the BRICS nations. Russia (40), South Africa (74), China (78), Brazil (123) and India (130). India’s Neighbours: Bhutan (73), China (78), Nepal (107), Sri Lanka (110), Pakistan (144) and Bangladesh (176). India Related Facts: In the ranking, India has made a substantial improvement in some areas such as electricity connection. But it has sliped in other areas, including payment of taxes and enforcing contracts. India has embarked on a fast-paced reform path and has acknowledged a number of substantial improvements. Some the improvement mentioned are electricity connections to businesses, paying taxes, electronic system for paying employee state insurance contributions, the Companies (Amendment) Act, electronic filing of integrated customs declarations, passage of the commercial courts and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Global Facts: Economies in all regions are implementing reforms easing the process of doing business. However, Europe and Central Asia continues to be the region with the highest share of economies implementing at least one reform. 96% of economies in the Europe and Central region have implemented at least one business regulatory reform. A record 137 economies around the world have adopted key reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized businesses. Developing countries carried out more than 75% of the 283 reforms in the past year, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for over one-quarter of all reforms.

6. India has been ranked 87th out of 144 countries on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2016. India has climbed 21 spots from 108th position in 2015. The report measures gender gap as progress towards parity between men and women in four areas (i) Educational attainment, (ii) Health and survival, (iii) Economic opportunity and (iv) Political empowerment. Key Highlights of the report Top 5 Countries in 2016 Report: Iceland (1st), Finland (2nd), Norway (3rd), Sweden (4th) and Rwanda (5th). India related facts: In this edition India has overtaken China which is ranked 99th. The improvement in India’s ranking is driven largely by major improvements in education, where it has managed to close its gap entirely in primary and secondary education. In case of education attainment, India has made considerable strides moving up from 125th rank in 2015 to 113th in 2016. On economic participation and opportunity too, India has moved up to 136th rank in 2016, from 139th in the year 2015. On health and survival, India has made little progress moving up by one place to 142nd rank compared to 141st in 2015. On political empowerment, India continues to be ranked 9th in the world. Overall Global Facts: The global march towards parity in key economic pillar has slowed down dramatically. This gap stands at 59% which is now larger than at any point since 2008. As a consequence, global economic gender gap will now not close until year 2186. Comment The gender gap in India has narrowed down. But India still remains one of the worst countries in the world for women in terms of labour force participation, income levels as well as health and survival. India has closed its gender gap by 2% in a year (2016), but much work remains to be done to empower women in the economic sphere. India continues to rank third-lowest in the world on Health and Survival, remaining the world’s least-improved country over the past decade.

7. The fourth edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise ‘MITRA SHAKTI 2016’ began at Sinha Regimental Centre in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka. The main focus of this edition of joint exercise is to enhance inter-operability while carrying out Counter Terrorism (CT) and Counter Insurgency (CI) operations under the UN Mandate. Key Facts Under this mandate the comprehensive training programme spanning fourteen days (24 October to 06 November 2016) has been drawn up. In this edition of exercise, India is being represented by a platoon from the RAJPUTANA RIFLES Regiment and Sri Lankan Army is represented by a platoon from the Sinha Regiment. The bilateral military exercise will be conducted in two stages in which both armies will get familiar each other’s respective methodology of such operations, arms and equipment and the command and control systems. It will also graduate towards tactical understanding to enhance inter-operability while carrying out Counter Terrorism (CT)/ Counter Insurgency (CI) operations. Background Mitra Shakti series of bilateral exercises is one of the major bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between India and Sri Lanka since 2013. The previous edition of the exercise between both nations was successfully conducted in September 2015 at Pune, Mahrashtra.

8. Paul Beatty (54) has won the 2016 Man Booker Prize. With this he becomes the first US author to win this prestigious literary award. He was bestowed with this award for his racial satirical novel ‘The Sellout’ at a ceremony held in London’s Guildhall. His novel tells the story of a young black man who tries to reinstate slavery and racial segregation in a suburb of Los Angeles. About Paul Beatty He was born in Los Angeles in 1962. He had received an MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College and an MA in psychology from Boston University. His novels are The White Boy Shuffle (1996), Tuff (2000), Slumberland (2008) and The Sellout (2015). In 2016, he was bestowed with the National Book Critics Circle Award (Fiction) for his novel The Sellout. About Man Booker Prize The Man Booker Prize world’s most prestigious English-language literary award. It was launched in 1969 and presented by the Man Group. The award aims at promoting the finest literary work in fiction by rewarding the best novel of the year written in English and published in the United Kingdom. It carries cash prize of 50,000 pounds. The authors are shortlisted by judges from a wide range of disciplines and all with a passion for quality fiction. The 2015 Man Booker Prize was conferred on Jamaican author Marlon James for his book A Brief History of Seven Killings.

9. The Uttarakhand High Court ordered state government to completely ban on the sale of whitener in the state following the death of a teenager from sniffing an excess of it. The High Court issued the order by taking suo motu cognisance of the death of the 14-year-old boy due to sniffing excess whitener for a kick. Besides, the high court also ordered that items such as Feviquick, Iodex should not be sold to children below 18 years of age in view of prevalent abuse of these among teenagers. What are whiteners? Whiteners are mainly used for erasing ink on paper and as shoe whitener. It contains volatile aliphatic petroleum hydrocarbons such toluene and trychloroethane which are intoxicating chemicals. What is whitener-inhalation addiction? In whitener-inhalation addiction, people inhale the whitener i.e. intoxicating chemicals present in it. By doing this for some time, it makes the sniffer dizzy, high and disconnected. It has a hallucinatory effect on the sniffer. Thus, it is the first step to drug addiction or alcoholism. The whitener abuse is generally seen among the youths. The problem has been compounded by its easy procurement, negligible cost and its lack of odour. What are side-effects of whitener-inhalation addiction on health? Whiteners contain hydrocarbons which is deadly solvents that can infuse easily with the blood and can affect the central nervous system of a person. Some of the reported symptoms of solvent addiction are uncharacteristic behaviours such as mood swings and insomnia and it may results in kidney, liver and lung damage What measures need to be taken to stop it? Government should completely ban the sale of products that contain intoxicating chemicals, like the whitener.

10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first National Tribal Carnival in New Delhi to promote a sense of inclusiveness among the tribals. The main purpose of this four-day carnival is to promote a sense of inclusiveness among the tribals. It will also showcase and promote various facets of tribal culture on a large scale. Key Facts In this carnival around 1,600 tribal artists and around 8,000 tribal delegates from across the country are taking part. Besides, eminent tribal personalities who have excelled in various fields like arts and culture, literature, sports, academics and medicine will also participate. The idea behind the carnival is to preserve and promote various facets of the tribal life relating to culture, tradition, customs and their skills. Besides it also seeks to expose it to the general public with a view to utilise the potential for overall holistic development of the Scheduled Tribes. The carnival will host activities like displaying documents on traditional socio-culture aspects, exhibition of art/artifacts, cultural performances. It will also demonstration of skills like paintings, traditional healing practices, sports, etc. It will also host workshops on issues like implementation of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA), Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

11. The board of India’s largest conglomerate Tata Sons Ltd has removed Cyrus Pallonji Mistry (48) as Chairman. However he will remain a director of the individual companies. The board has replaced him with his predecessor Ratan Tata as interim chairman for four months. Mistry had shortest tenure as Chairman so far at the group. Mistry had replaced Ratan Tata as chairman in December 2012. He was only the sixth group Chairman in nearly 15 decades and the first from outside the Tata family to be appointed to top most post of Tata group. Besides, the board also named a five-member search committee to choose a successor within four months. It has given time of four months to choose a successor. About Cyrus Pallonji Mistry Cyrus Pallonji Mistry is son of the billionaire Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry. Prior to his appointment as chairman he was deputy chairman of Tata Sons. He had remained the director of Tata Sons since 2006. Billionaire Pallonji Mistry, along with his sons, Shapoor Mistry and Cyrus Mistry are owners of 18.5% stake in Tata group. They are largest shareholders on individual basis of group. He also had served as chairman of Tata Motors, Tata Chemicals, Tata Steel and Tata Global Beverages.

12. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has amended the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 to facilitate the e-transfer of postal ballot. The new rules empower a returning officer in any constituency to send postal ballots to an eligible voter by electronic means as specified by the ECI. In India, postal ballots have played a critical role in extending the electoral process to voters who are unable to exercise their franchise due to either the nature of their job or geographical location of their posting. How the e-transfer of postal ballot will work? Under it, the returning officer can send ballot through a web portal with a ‘One Time Password (OTP)’ to voters. The voter needs to download the ballot for voting. The voter after voting will physically return the ballot through post. It should be noted that two-way e-voting has not been recommended by the Election Commission, citing security and secrecy concerns. What is significance of the new rule? The e-transfer of postal ballot will replace existing system in which postal ballots were sent through the Department of Posts. It will ease the logistical issues involved in ensuring that the ballot paper of the constituency, where a voter is eligible to vote, is sent in time. Thus, it will cut time in transmission of the ballot paper and help the EC overcome logistical problems.

13. According to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin level of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the atmosphere has reached a record high. The globally averaged concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere reached to 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in 2015. It is expected to surge again to new records in 2016 on the back of the very powerful El Niño event. Key Facts This is for the first time CO2 levels have reached the 400 ppm barrier on a global average basis for the entire year. Besides, longest-established GHGs monitoring station at Mauna Loa, Hawaii predicts that CO2 concentrations will stay above 400 ppm for whole of 2016 and not dip below that level for many generations. There was a 37% increase in radiative forcing (the warming effect on our climate) because of long-lived GHGs such as CO2, methane and nitrous oxide (N2O) released from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities between 1990 and 2015. What is relation between CO2 emissions and El Niño event? According to WMO, the growth spurt in CO2 was fuelled by the El Niño event, which started in 2015 and had a strong impact well into 2016. The El Niño event had triggered droughts in tropical regions and reduced the capacity of “sinks” like forests, vegetation and the oceans to absorb CO2. These sinks currently absorb about half of CO2 emissions but now there is a risk that they may become saturated. Once these sinks become saturated it will increase the fraction of emitted CO2 which stays in the atmosphere. About World Meteorological Organization (WMO) WMO is an intergovernmental organization and specialised agency of the UN for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group. Established: It had originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. Membership: 191 Member States and Territories. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

14. The Indian Space Research Organsiation (ISRO) has started a series of ground and aerial tests linked to the critical Moon landing of Chandrayaan-2. These tests were started as ISRO’s new site at Challakere in Chitradurga district, 400 km from Bengaluru. This site has simulated craters. ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC) is the lead centre for the second Moon mission. It has artificially created close to ten craters to simulate the lunar terrain and test the Lander’s sensors. ISAC will conduct many tests including on avionics and electronics, testing the Lander’s legs, followed by a combined full test. About Chandrayaan-2 mission Chandrayaan-2 mission is tentatively set for late 2017 or early 2018. The mission includes an Orbiter, a Lander and a Rover. The Orbiter spacecraft will be launched from Sriharikota will travel to the Moon and release the Lander, which will in turn deploy a tiny Rover to roam the lunar surface. The mission includes soft-landing on Moon and moving a rover on its surface. All three project components will be sending data and pictures to Earth. Some facts about Chandrayaan-1 mission Chandrayaan-1 was India’s first lunar probe. It was launched by the ISRO in October 2008 and operated until August 2009. The spacecraft was launched by PSLV-C11 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. It had completed 312 days in orbit. It made more than 3,400 orbits around the moon. The vehicle was successfully inserted into lunar orbit on 8 November 2008. The probe had impacted near Shackleton Crater ejecting underground soil that could be analysed for the presence of water or ice. It had sent more than 70,000 images of the lunar surface which provided breathtaking views of lunar mountains and craters, especially craters in the permanently shadowed areas of the Moon’s polar region.

15. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of Urja Ganga, the highly ambitious gas pipeline project in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The gas pipeline project aims to provide piped cooking (PNG) gas to residents of the eastern region of the country and CNG gas for the vehicles. Key Facts The project is being implemented by state-run gas utility GAIL. It envisages laying a 2,050-km pipeline connecting Jagdishpur (UP) to Haldia (West Bengal) by 2018. From Varanasi’s perspective, 50,000 households and 20,000 vehicles will get cleaner and cheaper fuel PNG and CNG gas respectively. The project is considered as a major step towards collective growth and development of the Eastern region of India. Under it, overall 20 lakh households will get PNG connections. The Urja Ganga project also augments existing GAIL’s network of trunk pipelines covering the length of around 11,000 km by 2540 km. Besides, under this project work on 2540-km long Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra Natural Gas pipeline project will begin and will be completed between 2018 and 2020. Seven East India cities Varanasi, Jamshedpur, Patna, Ranchi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack – will be the major beneficiary of this network development. Besides, LNG terminal at Dhamra will provide clean fuel to the Industrial Development of the Eastern states of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. 25 industrial clusters in these 5 states will be developed using gas from this pipeline. Besides, 40 districts and 2600 villages will benefit from this project. It will also help in revival of defunct fertilizer plants in Barauni in Bihar, Gorakhpur in UP, Sindri in Jharkhand and Durgapur in West Bengal by supplying gas.

16. The Union Government will provide higher a subsidy to airlines that operate flights between two regional airports under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The subsidy amount given to airlines that operate between two unserved or underserved airports will be 10% higher than sum offered to airlines that connect only one regional airport. Key Facts The subsidy will be provided under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam naagrik) scheme for three-years so that the route would become viable. It will be provided to airlines to fund their losses to enable them to offer airfares at Rs. 2,500 for an hour’s flight on half the seats under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. The subsidy amount for airlines connecting to one regional airport will vary between Rs. 2,350 and Rs. 5,100 per seat depending upon distance covered between two destinations. Besides, airlines can also transfer their rights or contract to get subsidy from government and fly on regional routes to another airline operating a similar type of aircraft.. Other decisions taken by Government to boost Regional Connectivity The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has scrapped its earlier proposal to reduce the subsidy amount based on improved passenger load factor. Earlier, the draft scheme had proposed that if an airline manages to fill 90% of its seats by operating regional flights during its first year of operations, the subsidy amount in subsequent year would be reduced by half as the route would become viable. Besides, Union Government has also reduced the bank guarantee to be provided by airlines to fly on each regional route. Now, Airlines will be required to submit a bank guarantee equivalent to 5% of the total subsidy amount.

17. As per new study, India’s school education system is under-performing in terms of quality in female literacy when compared to its neighbours, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. These findings were released by International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity (or Education Commission). It shows that India’s education system is under-performing. What the study says? The proportion of women who completed five years of primary schooling in India and were literate was 48%, much less than 92% in Nepal, 74% in Pakistan and 54% in Bangladesh. The female literacy rates in India went up by one to 15% after completing two years of schooling. Corresponding numbers for Pakistan and Nepal were three to 31% and 11 to 47% respectively. Around the world, female literacy rates are improving. However, it is not clear if that is because of improvement in school quality. India ranks low in global indices of female literacy as well. African countries Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania all rank higher than India. India was ranked 38th among the 51 developing countries for female literacy rates when countries are ranked by earliest grade at which at least of the women are literate. How study was conducted? For this research, researchers had devised a way to measure the quality of education around the world, with a specific focus on girls. They had used data from nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) which is one of the most comparable data sources on living standards in developing world.

18. The United Nations Day is being observed globally on October 24. The day marks the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter (the founding document of UNO) in 1945. It entered into force on 24 October 1945 after it was ratified by the original five permanent members of the Security Council—China, France, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now Russia), United Kingdom, and United States and majority of the other signatories. What is significance of UN Charter? With the ratification of UN Charter, the United Nations officially came into existence. It is a constituent treaty and all signatory members are bound by its articles. Furthermore, Article 103 of the UN Charter states that obligations to the United Nations prevail over all other treaty obligations. Most countries in the world have now ratified the Charter. 2016 Celebrations This year’s UN Day will be used to highlight concrete actions people can take to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Besides, UN Day Concert is also organised in the United Nations General Assembly Hall with the theme “Freedom First”. Background The United Nations General Assembly had declared 24 October as the United Nations Day by adopting Resolution 2782 in 1971. The day is devoted making people aware of the aims and achievements of the United Nations Organization. This day is part of United Nations Week, which runs from 20 to 26 October.

19. The Union Government is planning to fast-track four projects in Indus river basin to increase irrigation area in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) by nearly 2.05 lakh acres. This decision was taken after India had decided to exploit to the maximum the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab as per Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Key Facts Three projects Prakachik Khows Canal in Kargil, Tral Irrigation Project in Pulwama and restoration and modernisation of main Ravi Canal in Jammu’s Sambha and Kathua are expected to be completed by this fiscal. The fourth project of Rajpora Lift Irrigation is planned will be completed by December 2019. While the first three projects will help irrigate around 1.45 lakh acres of land, the Rajpora Lift Irrigation is expected to help irrigat around 59,305 acres of land. The funds for these projects will be raised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Background These projects are part of the Union Government’s efforts to irrigate larger swaths across the country by completing small and medium 99 irrigation projects under ambitious Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKYS). Besides, earlier in September 2016, Union Government had decided to review the 56-year-old IWT in the aftermath of the Uri attack, asserting that “blood and water cannot flow together.” Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): It was launched by the Union Government with an aim to enhance physical access to water on farm. It also seeks to expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc through major and minor irrigation projects. Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP): It was launched in 1996-97 to provide central assistance to major and minor irrigation projects in the country. It main objective is to accelerate implementation of such major and minor irrigation projects. Since its inception, 143 projects have been completed under AIBP.

20. Telecom Regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended Department of Telecom (DoT) to impose combined penalty of 3,050 crore rupees on Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea cellular. It had mentioned that the penalty should be imposed on these telecom companies for allegedly denying interconnectivity to newcomer Reliance Jio. What is the issue? The Reliance Jio had alleged that due to inadequate interconnection points its subscribers were unable to make calls to other networks. TRAI has found that these three companies have violated licence norms by denying adequate interconnection points to Reliance Jio Infocomm. Their combined actions have stifled the competition and are seen as anti-consumer and against public interest. Now the DoT will decide on next course of action. If DoT finds violations of norms in all circles as mentioned by TRAI, these three telcos will be imposed combined penalty of Rs 3,050 crore. About Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) The TRAI is an independent regulator of the telecommunications business in India. It came into existence by the Act of the Parliament in 1997. It was established in wake of entry of private sector in telecom industries after Government had constituted the National Telecom Policy (NTP) to attract domestic and FDI investment in the telecommunication sector. Its main purpose is to deliver a fair and transparent environment for fair competition in telecom market. TRAI also fixes or revises the tariffs for telecom services in India.

21. The 22nd meeting of the Western Zonal Council was recently held at Mumbai, Maharashtra under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The Western Zonal Council consist of the States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli Key facts The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers and ministers of these States and Union Territories administrators as well as senior officers of Union and State Governments. The Council reviewed issues related to internal security, coastal security, issuance of bio-metric identity cards to fishermen and card readers, modernization of police force, formulation of plans for countering terrorism etc. It also reviewed other important issues such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (Urban) Mission, providing shelters to the urban homeless, and surplus lands of Union Government for ‘Housing for All: 2022’. Issues related to checking pollution in Daman Ganga River and Kolak River due to discharge of untreated effluents from Vapi industrial area was also discused. What are Zonal Councils? Zonal Councils were set up under the States Reorganization Act, 1956 (so it is not constitutional body) to foster Inter-State co-operation and co-ordination among the States. Currently, there are total five zonal councils viz. Northern, Western, Eastern, Central and Southern. The Zonal Councils are mandated to discuss and make recommendations on any matter of common interest in field of social and economic planning, linguistic minorities, border disputes or inter-State transport etc. Thus, Zonal Councils are regional fora of cooperative endeavor for States linked with each other economically, culturally and politically. They are specially meant for looking after the interests of respective Zones and focus attention on specific issues taking into account regional factors, while keeping national perspective in view. Note The north eastern states are not included in these five zonal Councils. Their special problems are looked after by North Eastern Council, set up under the North Eastern Council Act, 1972. It is also headed by Union Home Minister. The North Eastern Council includes Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Sikkim was included in the North Eastern Council in 2002 and excluded from the eastern council.

22. India has won the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup by defeating Iran by 38-29 score in the final match played at the Arena By TransStadia in Ahmedabad (Gujarat. It was India’s third consecutive Kabaddi World Cup in the Standard Style version of Kabaddi. Earlier India had won in 2004 and 2007. Captain of Indian team: Anup Kumar Captain of Iranian team: Meraj Sheykh About Kabaddi World Cup Kabaddi World Cup is standard style indoor international kabaddi competition conducted by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF). The competition has been previously contested in 2004, 2007 and 2016. All the three tournaments have been won by India by defeating Iran in the finals. Arena By TransStadia It is India’s first-ever convertible stadium. It uses a globally patented technology, which converts an outdoor stadium into an indoor arena within 6 minutes at a touch of a button. It can house 14 sports, excluding cricket and has seating capacity of 20,000.

23. The Union Government has launched the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam naagrik) which seeks to get more people to fly in the smaller towns. The scheme was launched by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi. It will be rolled out by January, 2017 and will be in operation for a period of 10 years. What is UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam naagrik) Scheme? The UDAN scheme seeks to provide connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports. This first-of-its-kind scheme will ensure affordability, connectivity, growth and development. It aims to increase ticketing volume from 80 million to 300 million by 2022. Under it regional connectivity will be developed on market-based mechanism under which Airlines will bid for seat subsidies. Airline operators will bid for up to 40 subsidised seats and minimum seats will be 9. There will be 50% seats on market based pricing. It will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns. Under it, airlines will have complete freedom to enter into code sharing with larger airlines for connectivity and they will be exempted from various airport charges. Airlines will have exclusive rights for three years to fly on a particular regional route. On these routes for regional flights Airfares will be capped at 2500 rupees for an hour’s flight. How the scheme will achieve targets ? Central and State governments and airport operators will provide a financial stimulus in the form of concessions to airlines. The mechanism of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) will be provided to interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports so that the passenger fares are kept affordable. Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) will be created to meet the VGF requirements under the scheme. The RCF levy per departure will be applied to certain domestic flights. What are various facilities available for Airline and helicopter operators? Airline and helicopter operators interested under the scheme can start operations on un-connected routes by submitting proposals to the Implementing Agency. The can seek various concessions apart from the Viability Gap Funding (VGF). The un-connected routes proposed under the scheme will be offered through competitive bidding and will be awarded to participant quoting the lowest VGF per Seat. The successful bidder will have exclusive rights to operate the route for a period of three years. After a three year grace period, such support will be withdrawn as the route is expected to become self-sustainable. Selected airline operator will have to provide a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 40 UDAN Seats (subsidized rates) on the UDAN Flights for operations. Airport operators will not impose any Landing and Parking charge and Terminal Navigation Landing Charges. What is role of States in the UDAN Scheme? The selection of airports where UDAN operations begins will be done in consultation with State Government and after confirmation of their concessions. The scheme will also help in starting operations on un-served airports and revival of the dysfunctional airports. Way forward The UDAN Scheme is likely to a give a major fillip helicopters and small aircraft operations along with tourism and employment generation in the hinterland. It will also help to significantly reduce travel timings in remote and hilly regions, as well as islands and other areas of the country.

24. The Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGSs) ‘Aryaman’ and ‘Atulya’ were commissioned into Indian Coast Guard in Kochi, Kerala. These ships are the eighteenth and nineteenth in the series of twenty Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. Key Facts The ships have been christened ICGS ‘Aryaman’ and ‘Atulya’. Aryaman literally meaning is ‘Possessor of Greatness’ and Atulya meaning is ‘Unrivalled’. Both FPVs are 50m long and have displace of 317 tonnes of water. They can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with range of 1500 nautical miles. They are equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, advanced communication and navigational equipment. These FPVs are ideal platform for undertaking multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction and search and rescue. These ships have onboard Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS) and Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS). Aryaman will be based at Kochi under the administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (West). Atulya will be based at Visakhapatnam under the administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East). About Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ICG is India’s statutory multi-mission paramilitary organization that protects country’s maritime interests and enforces maritime law. It was established on 18 August, 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 and operates under the aegis of Union Ministry of Defence. Its headquarters are in New Delhi. ICG has jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

25. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has given its consent for using the Decision Review System (DRS) in the forthcoming five-Test series against England in November 2016. BCCI will use the DRS on a trial basis to evaluate the improvements and changes made to the system over a period of time. Earlier, BCCI as well as many members of the current Indian cricket team including Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had objected used of DRS as is not 100% accurate. What changes have been made? The technology approved by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It includes introduction of ultramotion cameras with better frame rates for accurate ball tracking and Ultra edge, a sound based technology for determining the frame of impact and minimising manual intervention. A data retrieval system also has been included as a further safeguard. What is Decision Review System (DRS)? DRS is technology-based system used in sport of cricket for the sole purpose of reviewing controversial decisions made by on-field umpires as to whether or not a batsman had been dismissed. The system was first tested in an India v Sri Lanka match in 2008. It was officially launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2009 during the first Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan. Initially, ICC had made the DRS mandatory in all international matches, but later made its use optional, so that the system would only be used if both teams agree. How does the Decision Review System (DRS) work? The DRS comprises a combination of several off-field technologies. Using these off-field technologies, the third umpire informs the on-field umpire whether to overturn or uphold their original decision. The process of checking a DRS it starts with (i) Checking of No-ball (ii) Inside Edge (iii) Pitch of Ball (iv) Location of Ball while hitting the pads (v) Ball hitting the stumps First two things are checked manually by 3rd Umpire. The rule to give out you require this three things (i) Ball should pitch In-Line of stumps or Outside off (ii) Impact of ball while hitting the pads should be In-Line of stumps (iii) Ball should be hitting stumps. What are off-field technologies of Decision Review System? Off-field technologies of DRS includes (i) footage from TV cameras placed around the ground; (ii) Hot Spot, an infrared camera system that highlights parts of the bat and body that have been hit by the ball; (iii) Hawkeye, a ball-tracking system usually used to check leg before wicket decisions; and (iv) Realtime Snickometre, a waveform of the sound captured by a stump microphone.

26. Supreme Court has frozen all financial transactions between the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and state cricket associations. The apex court directed BCCI, the apex cricket body not to disburse any funds to state cricket associations till they resolve to abide by Justice RM Lodha Committee recommendations. Besides, the Supreme Court also asked the Lodha Committee to appoint an independent auditor to verify the BCCI’s accounts. It was also asked to set a “threshold value” for various contracts the BCCI enters into, and all contracts in excess of that amount would need the committee’s approval. What is the issue? The Lodha committee appointed by the Supreme Court had recommended a complete overhaul the cricket, the most popular sport in India. The committee had recommended sweeping reforms in BCCI’s administrative and governance structures from top to grassroot levels and on the issue of transparency. The most important set of recommendations were aimed at transforming the entire power structure in the BCCI. However, BCCI’s position was that it could not implement the Committee’s recommendations as majority of its state associations are not agreeing to do so. These state associations were reluctant to accept Committee’s recommendations such as one-state-one-vote policy, the age cap of 70 years for administrators and the limit of three, three-year terms with cooling-off periods in between for office bearers.

27. Researchers from Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV),Chattisgarh have developed a protein-enriched rice variety. The new developed rice variety has over 10% protein content, which is 3% more than what is found in any popular variety and has 30 PPM (parts per million) zinc content. Key facts The protein-enriched rice variety was developed by researchers from IGKV’s Department of Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. They had worked for seven years to develop the variety of rice that is rich in protein along with high zinc content. This protein rice variety will play a crucial role in addressing issues of protein deficiencies and it will serve as a boon for malnourished population, especially children, in tribal-dominated Chhattisgarh. Zinc-enriched variety of rice Earlier in May 2015, scientists from Indira Gandhi Agriculture University (IGAU), Raipur (Chhattisgarh) had developed a high zinc-enriched called “Chhattisgarh Zinc Rice-1”. It was the first zinc biofortified rice variety developed in India. Advantages Zinc and other mineral content are not lost upon polishing. The rice has long self-life and used after keeping it for long time. Even it tastes just as good as the conventional variety. Why is zinc so important to the body? Zinc is important to the body because over 300 enzymes in our body use it as an essential component in their action. Zinc is essential in supporting our immune system, in synthesising and degrading DNA, in wound healing and several other activities. Our body requires very small amount of Zinc, but if the level falls down to below normal it may result into growth retardation, diarrhoea, eye and skin lesions and loss of appetite. Background As per a survey conducted in 2015 very high rate of malnutrition was found among preschool children in tribal areas across Chhattisgarh which is considered rice bowl of the country. The survey had showed that over five lakh children in the state are underweight and stunted growth especially in the tribal districts.

28. Pakistan has warned India that it will take appropriate action if India violates the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) unilaterally. It also mentioned that it was closely monitoring the situation after India decided to suspend all talks with Pakistan on IWT in the wake of the Uri attack. Why Indus River is important for Pakistan? Around 65% of the Pakistan’s geographical area including entire Pakistan’s Punjab province is part of Indus basin. The water of Indus River is lifeline of Pakistan and is source of irrigation, hydro power and drinking water for millions of Pakistanis. If the water from rivers is stopped by India it can surely cut lifeline of Pakistan. What is Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)? IWT is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan which was brokered by the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development). The treaty deals with sharing of water of Indus water system having six rivers — Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum between the two countries. It was signed by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Ayub Khan in Karachi on September 19, 1960. As per treaty, control over three eastern rivers Ravi, Beas and Sutlej was given to India. While control over three western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab was given to Pakistan. It allows India to use only 20% of the water of Indus river, which flows through it first, for irrigation, power generation and transport. Most disagreements and disputes have been settled via legal procedures, provided for within the framework of the treaty. Under it Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was set up as a bilateral commission to implement and manage the Treaty. The Commission solves disputes arising over water sharing. Besides, treaty also provides arbitration mechanism to solve disputes amicably. A Permanent Indus Commission was set up as a bilateral commission to implement and manage the Treaty. The Commission solves disputes arising over water sharing It is most successful water treaty in world. Even, it has survived India-Pakistan wars of 1965, 1971 and the 1999 Kargil standoff besides Kashmir insurgency since 1990.

29. The National Commission of Women (NCW) has held that triple talaq was a “highly misused” custom and Government should scrap it to protect the rights of Muslim women. NCW clearly mentioned that the traditional custom of triple talaq should be banned in an effort to protect the rights of Muslim women and it cannot be linked to the Uniform Civil Code. According to the commission, Muslim women feels disempowered because of the practice of triple talaq. What is triple talaq? ‘Triple Talaq’ or ‘Oral talaq’ is a procedure of divorce mentioned under the Sharia Law which is a body of the Islamic law. Under this, a husband can divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘Talaq’ thrice. Why triple talaq should be abolished? The practice of ‘triple talaq’ has enabled husbands to divorce their wives arbitrarily, devoid of any substantiation. It impact adversely on the right of women to a life of dignity. The ‘triple talaq’ has been abolished in 21 Islamic theocratic countries including Pakistan. It is also against constitutional principles such as gender equality, secularism, international laws etc. What is Government’s position? Recently Central Government in affidavit submitted to Supreme Court held that the practice of Triple talaq is against the principles of gender justice, gender equality and dignity enshrined in the Constitution. This pernicious practice is not integral to the right to freedom of religion. Triple talaq is not an essential religious practice in Islam and violates right to equality, non-discrimination on the grounds of sex and the right to live with dignity to women in par with men guaranteed in the Constitution. About National Commission for Women (NCW) The NCW is a statutory body generally concerned with advising the government on all policy matters affecting women. It was established in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990 as per the provisions of the Indian Constitution. The objective of the NCW is to represent the rights of women in the country and to provide a voice for their issues and concerns.

30. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II (KWDT-II) headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, has decided to maintain status quo on the allocation of Krishna River water among all four riparian states viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. However, tribunal decided to confine the reallocation of Krishna water to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. What is the case? The KWDT-II pronounced its judgement on the litigation prompted by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Both states in their petition had sought fresh allocation of Krishna River water among all four riparian states. They had urged that Section 89 in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 meant redistribution of Krishna water among all the four riparian States not just between both of them. What was KWDT-II verdict? In its verdict, the tribunal said that Section 89 the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 was not applicable to all four riparian states but is meant only for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Thus, there was no need to re-allocate of Krishna River water among all four riparian states. The river water should be re-allocated between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, from the share of undivided Andhra Pradesh. What is Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT)? Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) is a tribunal set up by the Central Government in 1969 under the Interstate River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to resolve the disputes between the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra and then undivided Andhra Pradesh over sharing of Krishna river water. About Krishna River The Krishna River is the second biggest river in peninsular India after Goadavri River. It originates near Mahabaleshwar (Satara) in Maharashtra. It then runs from four states Maharashtra (303 km), North Karnataka (480 km) and the rest of its 1300 km journey in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh before it empties into the Bay of Bengal. What are Water Disputes Tribunals? As per the Article 262 of the Constitution, Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, any interstate rivers or river valley. In pursuance of this article, the parliament had enacted Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 to govern the inter-State river water disputes. Under this law, water disputes tribunals are constituted for the adjudication of the interstate water dispute. Article 262 vs Article 131 of the Constitution The Article 131 of the Constitution which deals with the Supreme Court’s exclusive jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes between States is not an unrestricted one. The apex court can exercise its jurisdiction under Article 131 in an inter-State dispute, provided other Articles in the Constitution allowed it to do so. Article 262 (2) of the Constitution allows Parliament, by law, to bar the Supreme Court from interfering in an inter-State water dispute. It means that award of water tribunal appointed under a law to resolve inter-State water dispute would be final and deemed to have the force of a Supreme Court order or decree. Thus, it can be said that the award of the tribunal formed under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956 eclipses the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.