POLITY AND GOVERNANCE                                                             

1. Rabies Vaccination                                                                           

2. World AIDS Day                                                                               

ECONOMY                                                                                             

1. India's Sep-quarter GDP growth slips to 4.5%, the lowest in over six years                                                                                               

2. Promotion of e-agriculture                                                                

3. IBBI amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India               

4. Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme launched                     

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY                                                      

1. Petrol Min:SATAT initiative to promote Compressed Biogas as green fuel                                                                                                 

SECURITY                                                                                           

1. Indo-Nepal joint military Exercise SURYA KIRAN – XIV                    

DISASTER MANAGEMENT                                                              

1. International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure          

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

Rabies Vaccination

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context :

• Under National Rabies Control programme(NRCP) funds are not provided for procurement of Anti- Rabies vaccine(ARV).

More in the news :

• Funds under NRCP are only provided for training, surveillance, laboratory strengthening and advocacy etc.

• However for rabies vaccination all the states/UTs have been communicated to include Anti- Rabies vaccine (ARV) and Anti Rabies serum ( ARS ) under essential drug list and to undertake the procurement of ARV and ARS under National Free Drug service initiative under National Health Mission.

National Rabies Control Programme (NCRP):

The NRCP has both human and animal health components.

Human Component – which is being implemented in all the states & UTs. National Centre for the Diseases control is the nodal agency for the Human Component of the program. The strategies for the human component are:

• Training of health professionals.

• Implementing use of intra-dermal route of inoculation of cell culture vaccines.

• Strengthening surveillance of human rabies.

• Laboratory strengthening.

Animal Component- which is being pilot tested in the Haryana & Chennai. The Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests is the Nodal agency for the Animal Component of the program. The strategies for the animal component are:

• Population survey of dogs.

• Mass vaccination of dogs.

• Dog population management.

                                                                                                                                                                         Source :- PIB

World AIDS Day

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context :

• The Government is organizing an event to commemorate World AIDS Day on 1st December, 2019.

• The theme of the event is “Communities make the difference”     

National AIDS Control Programme (NACP):

• National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) Phase-IV, 2017-20 is under implementation as 100% Central Sector Scheme through 37 State/District AIDS Control Societies for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.

• NACP response to HIV/AIDS epidemic in India comprise a comprehensive three-pronged strategy of prevention, testing and treatment supported through critical enablers of Information Education Communication (IEC), laboratory services and strategic information management. Communities are at the centre of response, and equity, gender and respect for the rights of communities are NACP’s guiding principles.

• Currently, there are around 1,408 targeted interventions for prevention of new HIV infection among high risk groups.

• HIV counselling and testing services are being provided.

• Free lifelong Anti-Retroviral Therapy for HIV is being provided.

• State/UT AIDS Control Societies are instructed to ensure the availability of HIV testing kits and drugs by means of relocation/diversion from facilities or undertake local procurement to prevent shortages.

Strategy :

• The Government has developed seven years National Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV/AIDS and STI 2017 – 2024 to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal i.e. ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The fast track target by 2020 envisaged the National AIDS Control Programme:

• 75% reduction in new HIV infections,

• Achieving 90-90-90 i.e. 90% of those who are HIV positive in the country know their status, 90% of those who know their status are on treatment and 90% of those who are on treatment experience effective viral load suppression,

• Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and

• Elimination of HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination.

                                                                                                                                  Source :- PIB

ECONOMY

India's Sep-quarter GDP growth slips to 4.5%, the lowest in over six years

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - growth, development and employment.

Context :

• As per the data released by the National Statistical Office, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth slipped to a 26-quarter low of 4.5% in the second quarter (Q2 i.e. July-September) of the financial year 2019-20.

slowdown in GDP growth rate :

• The growth is the lowest in six years and three months with the previous low recorded at 4.3% during the January - March 2013.

• In terms of quarterly growth, India has lost the tag of the fastest growing economy to China which posted a growth of 6% in the September quarter.

• The global economy is also facing a slowdown and this has hurt demand for India's exports, which have slumped in recent months.

Key Facts and Data’s :

• Growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) dipped to 4.3% in Q2 of 2019-20 from 6.9% in Q2 of 2018-2019.

• Manufacturing Sector Growth contracted 1% as against 6.9% growth last year during the same quarter.

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing sector recorded a growth rate of 2.1% as against 4.9% last year.

• The ‘Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services’ category saw growth slow to 5.8% in Q2 of 2019-20, compared with 7% in Q2 of the previous year.

• Private final consumption expenditure, the closest proxy in the data to a measure of consumption demand, grew 5.06% in Q2 of 2019-20 as against the growth of 9.79% in Q2 of the previous year.

• Gross fixed capital formation, which is a measure of the level of investment in the country by both the government and the private sector, grew only 1.02% in Q2 of 2019-20 as against the growth of 11.8% in Q2 of last year.

Reasons for growth slowdown:

• The slowdown in GDP growth happened due to a number of factors including slowdown in private consumption, investment and export.But the key indicator is lack of credit growth and demand in the market.

• However,only government expenditure has supported the growth by growing at 11.6%.

Recent Steps taken by Government:

            To overcome the growth slowdown,the government has undertaken a number of measures.

• It has announced a cut in the corporate tax rate to 22% from 30%.It also lowered the tax rate for new manufacturing companies to 15% to attract new foreign direct investments.

• It has also taken other initiatives such as bank recapitalization, mergers of 10 public sector banks into four, support for the auto sector, plans for infrastructure spending as well as tax benefits for startups.

• However, none of these measures directly address the widespread weakness in consumption demand which has been the chief driver of the economy.

                                                                                                                                                         Source :- The Hindu

Promotion of e-agriculture

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - e-technology in the aid of farmers

For promotion of technology in agriculture sector, following initiatives have been taken:

• Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) :

  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established a network of 715 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the country mandated with Technology Assessment and Demonstration for its Application and Capacity Development (TADA–CD).

  • KVKs organize demonstrations, training programs and skill development programs for the benefit of farmers and farm women, rural youth and in-service extension personnel.

•  on farm trials (OFTs) :

  • for assessing technologies and front line demonstrations (FLD) showcasing potentials on improved varieties, modern technologies and practices were conducted on farmers’ fields to create awareness among farmers.

  • To update the knowledge and skills on modern agricultural technologies, training courses on various technologies were organized benefitting as many as 13.51 lakh farmers and farm women. 139.67 lakh farmers participated in various extension activities.

•  mKisan portal :

  • mKisan portal is a platform which provides web-based mobile advisory to farmers with the technological backstopping from Research Institutes and Agricultural Universities supporting farmers.

  • Information on weather, market, various farm operations, outbreak of pest and disease incidence and their control measures are given to farmers through Short Message Service (SMS).

• Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) :

  • provides a suitable platform for converging all activities for inclusive growth of agricultural mechanization by providing a ‘single window’ approach for implementation with a special focus on small & marginal farmers.

•  National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) scheme :

  • for transparent price discovery for remunerative prices for the farmers for their produce through competitive online bidding system.

• Marketing Research & Information Network (MRIN) Scheme,

  • support is provided to the States towards setting up and maintaining connectivity with Agmarknet portal for collection and dissemination of market information on arrivals and prices of agri-commodities.    

                                                                                                                                          Source :- PIB     

IBBI amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context :

• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has notified the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2019.

Key features :

• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code) envisages corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) for reorganisation and insolvency resolution of corporate debtors.

• Insolvency professional (IP) conducts the CIRP and manages its operations during the CIRP.

• Keeping in view the responsibilities of the IPs and the importance of CIRP, the Code casts an obligation on the IBBI and the Insolvency Professional Agencies (IPA) to monitor performance of IPs, and to collect, maintain and disseminate information and records relating to insolvency process of corporate debtors.

• It also casts an obligation on IPs to forward/submit certain information and records relating to CIRP to the IPA and IBBI.

• In the interest of transparency and accountability in conduct of CIRPs and conduct of the IPs, and to facilitate the IBBI, the IPAs and the IPs to discharge of their statutory obligations, the Amendment Regulations require the IPs to file a set of Forms, covering the life cycle of a CIRP, online on an electronic platform hosted on the website of the IBBI.

• An IP shall be liable to action permissible under the Code, including refusal to issue or renew Authorisation for Assignment, for failure to file a Form or for inaccurate or delayed filing.

                                                                                                                                                                      Source :- PIB

Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme launched

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - AGRICULTURE - economics of animal-rearing.

Context :

• The Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme (N.A.I.P) which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11th September, 2019 covering 600 chosen districts including aspirational districts as identified by NITI Aayog has picked up pace.

Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme:

• The rate of Artificial Insemination is continuously increasing and has reached an average of 25,000 animals per day so far.

• The NAIP is a campaign mode genetic upgradation program covering all breeds of bovines to enhance the milk production using low cost breeding technology for improving genetic merit of milch animals with high quality seed.

• The aim of the program to inseminate over 1 crore bovines in 6 months & ear-tag them with ‘PashuAadhaar’ which is a unique identification provided to the animals so as to enable the Government to identify and track the animals uniquely with all details such as the breed, age, gender and owner details.

• Every cow and buffalo under AI will be tagged and can be tracked through the Information Network on Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH) Database.

                                                                                                                                      Source :- PIB

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Petrol Min:SATAT initiative to promote Compressed Biogas as green fuel

GS PAPER - 03 ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Context :

• Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas has informed the Lok Sabha that SATAT initiative has the potential of addressing environmental problems arising from stubble burning.

SATAT initiative:

• SATAT stands for Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation(SATAT).

• The initiative aims to promote Compressed Biogas as an alternative, green transport fuel.It would benefit both vehicle-users as well as farmers and entrepreneurs.

• The potential for Compressed Biogas production from various sources in India is estimated at about 62 million tonnes per annum.

Key features :

• Compressed Biogas(CBG) plants are proposed to be set up mainly through independent entrepreneurs.

• CBG produced at these plants will be transported through cascades of cylinders to the fuel station networks of OMCs for marketing as a green transport fuel alternative.

• The entrepreneurs would then be able to separately market the other by-products from these plants including bio-manure, carbon-dioxide to enhance returns on investment.

Significance :

• Responsible waste management, reduction in carbon emissions and pollution

• Additional revenue source for farmers

• Boost to entrepreneurship, rural economy and employment

• Support to national commitments in achieving climate change goals

• Reduction in import of natural gas and crude oil

• Buffer against crude oil/gas price fluctuations

                                                                                                                               Source :- PIB 

SECURITY

Indo-Nepal joint military Exercise SURYA KIRAN – XIV

GS PAPER - 03 SECURITY - India and its neighborhood- relations.

Context :

• The Joint military exercise between India and Nepal, ‘SURYA KIRAN – XIV’ will be conducted in Nepal.

‘SURYA KIRAN – XIV :

• The exercise is an annual event which is conducted alternatively in Nepal and India.

• SURYA KIRAN with Nepal is an important exercise in terms of the security challenges faced by both the nations in the realm of changing facets of global terrorism.

• The aim of this exercise is to conduct a Battalion level combined training between Indian Army and Nepal Army to increase interoperability in jungle warfare and counter terrorist operations in mountainous terrain, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, medical and environmental conservation including aviation aspects.

• The joint military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.

                                                                                                                                                                       Source :- PIB

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

GS PAPER - 03 DISASTER MANAGEMENT - Disaster and disaster management.

Context :

• The Government of India has approved the establishment of an International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

  • to fund technical assistance and research projects on an ongoing basis over a period of 5 years from 2019-20 to 2023-24.

International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) :

• The charter of CDRI has been shared with 38 countries including G 20 and non-G 20 nations.

• The coalition is to -

  • Provide a platform for India to emerge as a global leader on climate Action and Disaster Resilience:

  • Complement the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and address adaptation and disaster resilience.

  • Facilitate India’s support to resilient infrastructure in Africa, SIDS and Asia.

  • Provide access to knowledge, technology and capacity development for infra developers.

  •  Create opportunities for Indian infrastructure & technology firms to expand services abroad.

Objective :

• The CDRI is to serve as a platform where knowledge is generated and exchanged on different aspects of disaster and climate resilience of infrastructure.

• To bring together technical expertise from a multitude of stakeholders.

  • In doing so, it is to create a mechanism to assist countries to upgrade their capacities and practices, with regard to infrastructure development in accordance with their risk context and economic needs.

• The work of CDRI is to focus on relevant thematic areas including the four major themes of

  • Risk Assessment for key infrastructure sectors at multiple scales;

  • Standards, regulation and mechanisms for enforcement; 

  • Role of finance in promoting disaster resilience; and

  • Predictable mechanisms for supporting disaster recovery in key infrastructure sectors.

• Gaps in knowledge and practice in the above thematic areas act as barriers to the development of resilient infrastructure.

Structure :

• Governing Council (GC),

• Executive Committee (EC) and

• Secretariat of the Society.

Significance :

• This coalition is to provide a platform/forum for countries at all stages of development to access knowledge and resources from other members and to contribute to the resilience of each other’s infrastructure.

                                                                                                                           Source :- PIB

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------