PERIYAR IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS 8-FEBRUARY-2018
Paper
1:
Topic:
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Mahamastakabhisheka
Context: 88th
Mahamastakabhisheka (head anointing ceremony) of the monolithic statue of Lord
Bahubali has begun at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka.
About
Mahamastakabhisheka:
The
mastakabhisheka is held once in 12 years. One of the biggest festivals for the
Jain community, it honors Lord Bahubali, a revered Jain icon. According to Jain
texts, Bahubali attained liberation from the cycle of births and deaths
(moksha) at Mount Kailash and is revered as a liberated soul (Siddha) by the
Jains.
Bahubali
is also called Gommateshwara because of the
Gommateshwara statue dedicated to him and as lord “Kammateswara” from an
inscription. The Gommateshwara statue was built by the Ganga dynasty minister
and commander Chavundaraya; it is a 57-foot monolith situated above a hill in
Shravanabelagola in the Hassan district, Karnataka state, India. It was built
in around 981 A.D. and is one of the largest free-standing statues in the
world.
Sources:
pib.
Paper
2:
Topic:
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions and basic structure.
Parliament
adopts motion of thanks to President’s Address
The
Parliament has adopted the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address.
What
is “Motion of Thanks” and what it contains?
The
President makes an address to a joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the
Budget session, which is prepared by the government and lists its achievements.
The President’s speech is a statement of the legislative and policy
achievements of the government during the preceding year and gives a broad
indication of the agenda for the year ahead. The address is followed by a
motion of thanks moved in each House by ruling party MPs. During the session,
political parties discuss the motion of thanks also suggesting amendments.
Amendments
to the “Motion of Thanks”:
Notices
of amendments to Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address can be tabled
after the President has delivered his Address. Amendments may refer to matters
contained in the Address as well as to matters, in the opinion of the member,
the Address has failed to mention. Amendments can be moved to the Motion of
Thanks in such form as may be considered appropriate by the Speaker.
Limitation:
The
only limitations are that members cannot refer to matters which are not the
direct responsibility of the Central Government and that the name of the
President cannot be brought in during the debate since the Government and not
the President is responsible for the contents of the Address.
Provisions
governing them:
President’s
Address and Motion of Thanks are governed by Articles 86 (1) and 87 (1) of the
Constitution and Rules 16 to 24 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of
Business in Lok Sabha.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic:
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Commission
for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
Context: Based
on recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), the
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for increase in
the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of “Milling
Copra” to Rs.7500 per quintal for 2018 season from Rs. 6500 per quintal in
2017.
The
MSP of copra is expected to ensure appropriate minimum prices to the farmers
and step up investment in coconut cultivation and thereby production and
productivity in the country.
About
CACP:
The
Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) is an attached office of
the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It came
into existence in January 1965. Currently, the Commission comprises a Chairman,
Member Secretary, one Member (Official) and two Members (Non-Official). The
non-official members are representatives of the farming community and usually
have an active association with the farming community.
It
is mandated to recommend minimum support prices (MSPs) to incentivize the
cultivators to adopt modern technology, and raise productivity and overall
grain production in line with the emerging demand patterns in the country.
However, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) of the Union
government takes a final decision on the level of MSPs and other
recommendations made by CACP.
Sources:
pib.
Topic:
Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Rationalization
of Autonomous Bodies under Department of Health & Family Welfare
Context: The
Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for closure of Autonomous Bodies,
namely, Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) and Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) and the
functions are proposed to be vested in Department of Health & Family
Welfare (DoHFW).
The
rationalization of Autonomous Bodies under Department of Health & Family
Welfare will involve inter-ministerial consultations and review of existing bye
laws of these bodies. The time frame for implementation is one year.
Rashtriya
Arogya Nidhi (RAN):
It
was set up as a registered society to provide financial medical assistance to
poor patients receiving treatment in designated central government hospitals.
An advance is placed with the Medical Superintendents of such hospitals who
then provide assistance on a case to case basis. Since the DoHFW provides funds
to the hospitals, the grants can be given from the Department to the hospital
directly. RAN functions can, therefore, be vested in DoHFW. Managing Committee
of RAN Society will meet to dissolve the Autonomous Body (AB) as per provisions
of Societies Registration Act, 1860 (SRA). In addition to this, Health
Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) shall also be transferred to the Department.
The timeline required for this is one year.
Jansankhya
Sthirata Kosh (JSK):
It
was set up with a corpus grant of Rs.100 crores in the year 2003 to raise
awareness for population stabilization strategies. JSK organizes various
activities with target populations as a part of its mandate. There has been no
continuous funding to JSK from the Ministry. Population stabilization
strategies require private and corporate funding, which can be accessed through
JSK. Although, JSK will continue to play a significant role in population
stabilization strategies, its existence as an Autonomous Body is not necessary.
Hence, JSK as an Autonomous Body can be closed as it can be administered by the
Department as a fund.
Sources:
pib.
Topic:
Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs,
various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders.
Village
Resource Centres
Context: To
demonstrate the potential of satellite technology for development of rural
areas, ISRO established Village Resource Centres (VRCs) on a pilot scale. About
Rs 18 crores was spent for establishing 473 VRCs. The project is running in
association with selected NGOs, Trusts and State Government Departments.
About
Village Resource Centres program:
To
provide the space based services directly to the rural areas, ISRO/ DOS has launched
the Village Resource Centres (VRCs) programme in association with NGOs/ Trusts
and state/ central agencies.
VRCs
provide various space technology enabled services such as tele-healthcare,
tele-education, natural resources information, advisories related to
agriculture, career guidance to rural students, skill development and
vocational training etc.
Establishing
new VRCs is an ongoing process and the same is carried out based on
communication technology needs, funds available, proposals received from State
Governments/NGOs etc. The parameters for selecting NGOs and Trusts as partners
in VRC include experience in community organisation and social work,
availability of required infrastructure for housing the VRC facility, requisite
manpower for day-to-day operation and capacity for conducting programmes of
relevance for the development of rural areas.
Sources:
pib.
Topic:
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and
States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and
bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable
sections.
Ujjwala
Yojana
Context: The
Cabinet has approved the increase in the target for the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala
Yojana, meant to provide LPG connections to rural women, to eight crore from
the earlier five crore, adding that this has to be achieved by 2020. It also
approved an additional allocation for the scheme of ₹4,800 crore.
About
the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana:
Pradhan
Mantri Ujjwala Yojana aims to provide LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) connections
to poor households. Under the scheme, an adult woman member of a below poverty
line family identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) is given
a deposit-free LPG connection with financial assistance of Rs 1,600 per
connection by the Centre.
Eligible
households will be identified in consultation with state governments and Union
territories. The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas.
What
makes LPG adoption necessary?
About
75 crore Indians, especially women and girls, are exposed to severe household
air pollution (HAP) from the use of solid fuels such as biomass, dung cakes and
coal for cooking. A report from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
places HAP as the second leading risk factor contributing to India’s disease
burden.
According
to the World Health Organization, solid fuel use is responsible for about 13%
of all mortality and morbidity in India (measured as Disability-Adjusted Life
Years), and causes about 40% of all pulmonary disorders, nearly 30% of cataract
incidences, and over 20% each of ischemic heart disease, lung cancer and lower
respiratory infection.
Way
ahead:
The
PMUY is a bold and much-needed initiative, but it should be recognised that
this is just a first step. The real test of the PMUY and its successor
programmes will be in how they translate the provision of connections to
sustained use of LPG or other clean fuels such as electricity or biogas. Truly
smokeless kitchens can be realized only if the government follows up with
measures that go beyond connections to actual usage of LPG. This may require
concerted efforts cutting across Ministries beyond petroleum and natural gas
and including those of health, rural development and women and child welfare.
Sources:
the hindu.
Topic:
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or
affecting India’s interests.
New
Instrument adopted by International Labour Organization (ILO)
Context: The
Union Cabinet has given its approval for placing the new Instrument adopted by
International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation concerning “The
Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience (No.-205)” before the
Parliament.
About
the Recommendation No.- 205:
The
International Labour Conference of ILO at its 106th Session held in Geneva in
June, 2015 adopted the Recommendation. India supported the adoption of
Recommendation.
The
Recommendation provides guidance to member States on the measures to be taken
to generate employment and decent work for the purposes of prevention,
recovery, peace and resilience with respect to crisis situations arising from
conflicts and disasters. It also emphasizes the need to ensure respect for all
human rights and the rule of law, including respect for fundamental principles
and rights at work and for international labour standards, in particular those
rights and principles relevant to employment and decent work.
The
Recommendation affirms the need to develop and strengthen measures of social
protection, as a means of preventing crises, enabling recovery and building
resilience. It states that Members should adopt a phased multi-track approach
implementing coherent and comprehensive strategies for promoting peace,
preventing crises, enabling recovery and building resilience.
Approach: The
approach should include promoting local economic recovery for employment and
decent work opportunities and socio-economic reintegration, social protection
and social inclusion, sustainable development, the creation of sustainable
enterprises (in particular small and medium-sized enterprises); ensuring
consultation and encouraging active participation of employers’ and workers’
organizations in planning, implementing and monitoring measures for recovery
and resilience.
Applicability: The
Recommendation No. 205 is applicable to all workers and jobseekers, and to all
employers, in all sectors of the economy affected by crisis situations arising
from conflicts and disasters and to workers engaged in crisis response,
including in the immediate response.
Way
ahead:
Each
member state of ILO is required to submit the instruments so adopted before the
competent authority (the Parliament in case of India). The adoption and placing
of the Instrument for the information of the Parliament does not create any
immediate obligation. An ILO Recommendations is a non-binding instrument which
seeks to serve as a guiding principle for national policy process.
Sources:
pib.
Topic:
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure,
mandate.
Minamata
Convention
Context: The
Union cabinet has approved a proposal for ratification of the Minamata
Convention, a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from
adverse effects of mercury. After joining the Convention, it will now be easier
for India to get technological or financial assistance to address issues
related to mercury.
About
Minamata convention:
The
Minamata Convention on Mercury is a multilateral environmental agreement that
addresses specific human activities which are contributing to widespread
mercury pollution. Implementation of this agreement will help reduce global
mercury pollution over the coming decades.
The
Minamata Convention is named after the Japanese city of Minamata, which
experienced a severe, decades-long incidence of mercury poisoning after
industrial wastewater from a chemical factory was discharged into Minamata Bay.
The wastewater contained methylmercury, which bioaccumulated in fish and
shellfish in the bay. Local people who consumed seafood from Minamata Bay
became very sick, and many died or were left severely disabled.
Major
highlights of the Minamata Convention include a ban on new mercury mines, the
phase-out of existing ones, the phase out and phase down of mercury use in a
number of products and processes, control measures on emissions to air and on
releases to land and water, and the regulation of the informal sector of
artisanal and small-scale gold mining. The Convention also addresses interim
storage of mercury and its disposal once it becomes waste, sites contaminated
by mercury as well as health issues.
Background:
Till
now, the convention has 88 ratifications and 144 signatories including India,
which signed it on 30 September 2014. India had actively participated in the
negotiating process, making significant contributions in finalizing the treaty
text but had not ratified it till now. India’s neighbours – Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan – are also signatories to the convention. But
only Sri Lanka has ratified it.
Way
ahead:
Mercury
pollution is a global problem that requires global action. It moves with air
and water, transcends political borders, and can be transported thousands of
miles in the atmosphere. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is an opportunity
for the global community to address this mounting problem before it gets worse.
Over the next decades, implementation of this international agreement will help
reduce mercury pollution from the specific human activities responsible for the
most significant mercury releases to the environment.
Sources:
pib.
Paper
3:
Topic:
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and
their effects on industrial growth.
Change
in the basis of classifying Micro, Small and Medium enterprises
Context: The
Union Cabinet has approved change in the basis of classifying Micro, Small and
Medium enterprises from ‘investment in plant & machinery/equipment’ to
‘annual turnover’.
Section
7 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 will
accordingly be amended to define units producing goods and rendering services
in terms of annual turnover as follows:
§ A
micro enterprise will be defined as a unit where the annual turnover does not
exceed five crore rupees;
§ A
small enterprise will be defined as a unit where the annual turnover is more
than five crore rupees but does not exceed Rs 75 crore;
§ A
medium enterprise will be defined as a unit where the annual turnover is more
than seventy five crore rupees but does not exceed Rs 250 crore.
§ Additionally,
the Central Government may, by notification, vary turnover limits, which shall
not exceed thrice the limits specified in Section 7 of the MSMED Act.
Background:
At
present the MSMED Act (Section 7) classifies the Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) on the basis of investment in plant and machinery for
manufacturing units, and investment in equipment for service enterprises. The
criterion of investment in plant and machinery stipulates self declaration
which in turn entails verification if deemed necessary and leads to transaction
costs.
Significance
of this move:
The
change in the norms of classification will enhance the ease of doing business.
The consequent growth and will pave the way for increased direct and indirect
employment in the MSME sector of the country. This will also encourage ease of
doing business, make the norms of classification growth oriented and align them
to the new tax regime revolving around GST (Goods & Services Tax).
Sources:
pib.
Topic:
indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Prithvi-II
Context: India
has successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable
Prithvi-II missile as part of a user trial by the Army from a test range in
Odisha.
About
Prithvi-II:
Inducted
into the Armed forces of the country in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage
liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the
DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
§ Prithvi-II
is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is thrusted by liquid
propulsion twin engines. The state-of-the-art missile uses advanced inertial
guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.
§ Prithvi-II
is indigenously developed and is nuclear-capable surface-to-surface. With a
strike range of 350 km, Prithvi-II is powered by twin-engines which use liquid
propulsion. It also uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring
trajectory to hit its target.
§ Notably,
Prithvi is India’s first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the
five missiles being developed under the country’s Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme.
Sources:
the hindu.
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