PERIYAR IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS 3-APRIL-2018
Topic: Indian culture will cover the
salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to
modern times.
Adopt
a Heritage Project
Context: Infrastructure
conglomerate GMR and tobacco company ITC Ltd are currently bidding to adopt the
Taj Mahal under the ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project. The iconic tomb in Agra was not
initially on the list of monuments to be adopted under the Adopt a Heritage
scheme, because of its importance. However, it was added to the list in
February and a seven-member Oversight and Vision Committee will now decide whom
to hand over the bid to.
Adopt
a Heritage Project:
What
is it? The ‘Adopt a Heritage Scheme’ of Ministry of Tourism was
launched on World Tourism Day i.e. 27th September, 2017. This
project is a key initiative of Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with
Ministry of Culture and Archeological Survey of India (ASI), to develop the heritage sites
/ monuments and making them tourist-friendly to enhance the tourism potential
and their cultural importance in a planned and phased manner.
How
it works? The project plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and
other tourist sites to private sector companies, public sector companies and
individuals for the development of tourist amenities. The project aims to
develop synergy among all partners.
Monument
Mitras: Successful bidders selected for adopting heritage sites /
monuments by the Oversight and Vision Committee shall be called as Monument
Mitras. The basic and advanced amenities of the tourist destinations would be
provided by them. They would also look after the operations and the maintenance
of the amenities. The ‘Monument Mitras’ would associate pride with their CSR
activities.
Facts
for Prelims:
In 2007, the government of
Maharashtra had announced its own adopt-a-monument scheme, inviting private and
public sector companies to adopt heritage sites for a period of five years.
This was extended to 10 years in 2014 because of the poor response from
companies. So far, the only site to be adopted by a private company under this
scheme is Osmanabad district’s Naldurg fort, where tourism amenities are now
being managed by Unity Multicons.
What’s important?
For Prelims: Adopt a Heritage,
Monument Mitras and World Tourism Day.
For Mains: Need for
conservation of heritage sites.
Sources: pib.
Topic: Indian culture will cover
the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to
modern times.
National
Culture Fund
Context: As per latest data
released by the government, 34 projects have been successfully implemented
under National Culture Fund Scheme till date, thus, promoting, protecting and
preserving India’s cultural heritage.
About
National Culture Fund:
National Culture Fund (NCF) was
set up as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890 in November 1996 by
the Government, with a view to mobilize extra resources through Public Private
Partnerships.
§ The
National Culture Fund is managed and administered by a council headed by
Hon’ble Culture Minister to decide the policies
and an Executive Committee headed by Secretary, Culture to actualize those
policies.
§ The Fund aims at inviting the
participation of the corporate sector, non-government organizations,
private/public sector as well as individuals in the task of promoting,
protecting and preserving India’s cultural heritage.
§ All the projects undertaken by
the NCF are completed within a specified period, in accordance with an MoU
signed by NCF with the concerned donor organization.
What’s important?
For Prelims: National Culture
Fund.
Sources: pib.
Paper
2:
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and
various quasi-judicial bodies.
Central
Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Context: The Central Vigilance
Commission (CVC) is planning to use Aadhaar to track the ill-gotten wealth of
corrupt bureaucrats.
Significance
of this move:
Aadhaar is being made mandatory
for numerous financial transactions and property deals. Information made
available through a person’s Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Aadhaar cards
could help the CVC check if financial deals carried out by the cardholder were
within his or her means.
About
CVC:
It is the apex vigilance
institution. It was created via executive resolution (based on the
recommendations of Santhanam committee) in 1964 but was conferred
with statutory status in 2003. It submits its report to the
President of India.
Composition: Presently, the body consists
of central vigilance commissioner along with 2 vigilance commissioners.
Appointment: They are appointed by the
President of India on the recommendations of a committee consisting of Prime
Minister, Union Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha (if
there is no LoP then the leader of the single largest Opposition party in the
Lok Sabha).
Term: Their term is 4 years or
65 years, whichever is earlier.
Removal: The Central Vigilance
Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner can be removed from his office only
by order of the President on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity
after the Supreme Court, on a reference made to it by the President, has, on inquiry,
reported that the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner,
as the case may be, ought to be removed.
What’s
important?
§ For Prelims: CVC.
§ For Mains: Corruption- issues,
challenges and ways to prevent.
Sources: the hindu.
Topic: Important aspects of
governance, transparency and accountability.
Guidelines
for accreditation of journalists
Context: Noticing the increasing
instances of fake news in various mediums including print and electronic media,
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has amended the Guidelines for
Accreditation of Journalists.
Highlights:
§ Accreditation of a journalist
(both television and print) can be cancelled/annulled if the new reported by
them is found to be “fake”.
§ On receiving complaints of
“fake news” will be referred to Press Council of India (PCI) if it pertains to
print media & to News Broadcasters Association (NBA) if it relates to
electronic media.
§ Both the agencies will have to
dispose off each complaint within 15-days. During the period of probe, the
journalist’s accreditation will be suspended.
§ The Accreditation Committee of
the Press Information Bureau, which consists of representatives of both the
Press Council of India and NBA, shall be invariably be reached out to for
validating any accreditation request of any news media agency.
§ If publishing or telecast of
fake news is confirmed, the journalist’s accreditation shall be suspended for 6
months for first violation, one year for second violation and will be
permanently cancelled if there is a third violation.
§ Additionally, while examining
the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies “will examine
whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and
Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered
to by the journalists” and it would be “obligatory for journalists to abide by
these guidelines”.
What’s
the concern?
Some incidents in the past few
years have shown that society and its conflicts manifest themselves in what has
come to be known as “fake news” — and the internet does aid its rapid
distribution. That is not the malaise of the internet or social media
platforms, however. It is the actors, very often, competing political and other
special interests which are producers of such content. But, fake news is a huge
problem and demands an urgent solution.
Way
ahead:
Social media platforms are a
modern-day Roman Forum. These platforms are agnostic wondrous architectures,
enabling different forms and types of self-expression. However, the need for
checks around credibility and authenticity seem to have long forgone. What
stays is the need for freedom. Which is warranted, of course. Yet, at the same
time, need a sense of direction. With a critical sense of objectivity. Social
media services can simply not afford to step in the conversation and regulate
it.
What’s
important?
§ For Prelims: Important
guidelines.
§ For Mains: Fake news menace-
challenges, concerns and legislations in this regard.
Sources: the hindu.
Topic: Important International
institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
World
Heritage Site
Context: As many as 6
monuments/historical sites in the North Eastern states have been identified
tentatively for listing under World Heritage Site.
Monuments/sites
identified/placed under tentative list for listing under world heritage in the
north eastern states are:
§ Apatani Cultural Landscape,
Arunachal Pradesh.
§ Iconic Saree Weaving Clusters
of India.
§ Moidams – the Mound – Burial
System of the Ahom Dynasty, Assam.
§ Namdapha National Park,
Arunachal Pradesh.
§ River Island of Majuli in
midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam.
§ Thembang Fortified Village,
Arunachal Pradesh.
UNESCO
world heritage site:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is
a place that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as of special cultural or physical significance.
§ The
list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered
by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 UNESCO member
states which are elected by the General Assembly.
§ Each
World Heritage Site remains part of the legal territory of the state wherein
the site is located and UNESCO considers it in the interest of the international
community to preserve each site.
§ As of July 2017, 1,073 sites
are listed: 832 cultural, 206 natural, and 35 mixed properties, in 167 states.
Italy is the home for the largest number of sites with 53.
Selection
of a site:
To be selected, a World
Heritage Site must be an already classified landmark, unique in some respect as
a geographically and historically identifiable place having special cultural or
physical significance (such as an ancient ruin or historical structure,
building, city, complex, desert, forest, island, lake, monument, mountain, or
wilderness area). It may signify a remarkable accomplishment of humanity, and
serve as evidence of our intellectual history on the planet.
Legal
status of designated sites:
UNESCO designation as a World
Heritage Site provides prima facie evidence that such culturally sensitive
sites are legally protected pursuant to the Law of War, under the Geneva
Convention, its articles, protocols and customs, together with other treaties
including the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed
Conflict and international law.
What
are endangered sites?
A site may be added to the List
of World Heritage in Danger if there are conditions that threaten the
characteristics for which the landmark or area was inscribed on the World
Heritage List. Such problems may involve armed conflict and war, natural
disasters, pollution, poaching, or uncontrolled urbanization or human
development.
§ This danger list is intended to
increase international awareness of the threats and to encourage counteractive
measures. Threats to a site can be either proven imminent threats or potential
dangers that could have adverse effects on a site.
§ The state of conservation for
each site on the danger list is reviewed on a yearly basis, after which the
committee may request additional measures, delete the property from the list if
the threats have ceased or consider deletion from both the List of World
Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List.
Sources: the hindu.
Paper
3:
Topic: Issues related to direct and
indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices.
Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Context: The Centre has allowed
states to set up their own insurance companies for implementing Pradhan Mantri
Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Presently, five public sector insurers and 13
private insurance companies are empanelled for implementation of the scheme.
Background:
The move comes after several
requests from states as well as observations made by Comptroller and Auditor
General (CAG) in its 2017 report that old crop insurances schemes which have
now been merged with PMFBY, were poorly implemented during 2011-2016.
About
PMFBY:
What
is it?
The PMFBY, launched in April
2016, compensates farmers for any losses in crop yield. In the event of a crop
loss, the farmer will be paid based on the difference between the threshold
yield and actual yield. The threshold yield is calculated based on average
yield for the last seven years and the extent of compensation is set according
to the degree of risk for the notified crop. The scheme is compulsory for
farmers who have availed of institutional loans.
§ The scheme insures farmers
against a wide range of external risks — droughts, dry spells, floods,
inundation, pests and diseases, landslides, natural fire and lightning,
hailstorms, cyclones, typhoons, tempests, hurricanes and tornadoes. The scheme
also covers post-harvest losses up to a period of 14 days.
§ The Scheme covers all Food
& Oilseeds crops and Annual Commercial/Horticultural Crops for which past
yield data is available and for which requisite number of Crop Cutting
Experiments (CCEs) are conducted being under General Crop Estimation Survey (GCES).
Implementation:
The scheme is implemented by
empanelled general insurance companies. Selection of Implementing Agency (IA)
is done by the concerned State Government through bidding. The scheme is
compulsory for loanee farmers availing Crop Loan /KCC account for notified
crops and voluntary for other others. The scheme is being administered by
Ministry of Agriculture.
Why
is it important?
While the idea of insuring
farmers against crop losses isn’t new, the PMFBY is an attempt to plug the
holes in the older crop insurance schemes — the National Agriculture Insurance
scheme (NAIS) introduced in 1999 and the Modified NAIS (mNAIS) introduced in
2011.
§ These older schemes didn’t find
too many takers among farmers, the main dampener being their limited risk
coverage. In mNAIS, the premium was capped at 8 to 12 per cent of the sum
insured to limit the government’s subsidy outgo. Thus, for crops where actuarial
rates were higher (that is, the premiums were steeper), insurance companies
proportionally reduced the sum insured. Many a time, the ‘compensation’ fell
way short of even the farmer’s cost of production.
§ The Fasal Bima Yojana has done
away with this cap on premium. The sum insured per hectare for a farmer is now
decided by the District Level Technical Committee and is pre-declared and
notified by the State Level Coordination Committee on Crop Insurance.
§ The
farmer also pays less — the premium he shells out is 2 per cent of the sum
insured for all kharif crops and 1.5 per cent of it for all rabi crops. For
horticulture and commercial crops, the premium is 5 per cent of sum covered. The remaining premium is paid
by the government.
What’s
important?
§ For Prelims: PMFBY.
§ For Mains: Crop insurance-
need, challenges and significance.
Sources: the hindu.
Topic: Issues related to direct and
indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices.
‘
Samridhi – the virtual assistant’
Context: SIDBI celebrated it’s
Foundation day on April 2nd with launch of ‘ Samridhi – the virtual assistant’. It will
answer standard queries of aspirants 24*7.
About
SIDBI:
§ Small Industries Development
Bank of India (SIDBI) was set up on 2nd April 1990 under an Act of Parliament.
§ It acts as the Principal
Financial Institution for Promotion, Financing and Development of the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector as well as for co-ordination of
functions of institutions engaged in similar activities.
Sources: pib.
Topic: Awareness in space.
Advanced
Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE)
Context: A supersonic parachute
that will help NASA missions to land on Mars, was successfully launched into
the sky during a key test designed to mimic the conditions of entering the red
planet. The Advanced Supersonic Parachute
Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) was launched aboard a
sounding rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in the US.
Background:
An ambitious NASA Mars rover
mission set to launch in 2020 will rely on a special parachute to slow the
spacecraft down as it enters the Martian atmosphere at over 12,000 mph (5.4
kilometers per second). The Mars 2020 mission will seek signs of ancient Martian
life by investigating evidence in place and by caching drilled samples of
Martian rocks for potential future return to Earth.
What’s important?
For Prelims: ASPIRE.
Sources: the hindu.
Topic: Conservation, environmental
pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Delhi
becomes first city to roll-out Euro VI fuel
Context: New
Delhi has become the first city in India to deploy Bharat Stage 6 Fuel for both
petrol and diesel. two years ahead of the rest of the county. The idea behind this
implementation two years ahead of the previously scheduled date of April 1,
2020, is to help battle Delhi’s long-standing terminal pollution problem.
What
are BS norms?
The BS — or Bharat Stage —
emission standards are norms instituted by the government to regulate the
output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine equipment, including
motor vehicles. India has been following the European (Euro) emission norms,
though with a time-lag of five years.
Difference
between BS-IV and the new BS-VI:
The major difference in
standards between the existing BS-IV and the new BS-VI auto fuel norms is the
presence of sulphur. The newly introduced fuel is estimated to reduce the
amount of sulphur released by 80 per cent, from 50 parts per million to 10 ppm.
As per the analysts, the emission of NOx (nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars is
also expected to reduce by nearly 70 per cent and 25 per cent from cars with
petrol engines.
Why
is it important to upgrade these norms?
Upgrading to stricter fuel
standards helps tackle air pollution. Global automakers are betting big on
India as vehicle penetration is still low here, when compared to developed
countries. At the same time, cities such as Delhi are already being listed
among those with the poorest air quality in the world. The national capital’s
recent odd-even car experiment and judicial activism against the registration
of big diesel cars shows that governments can no longer afford to relax on this
front.
With other developing countries
such as China having already upgraded to the equivalent of Euro V emission
norms a while ago, India has been lagging behind. The experience of countries
such as China and Malaysia shows that poor air quality can be bad for business.
Therefore, these reforms can put India ahead in the race for investments too.
The
government could face two key challenges in implementing the decision:
§ First, there are questions
about the ability of oil marketing companies to quickly upgrade fuel quality
from BS-III and BS-IV standards to BS-VI, which is likely to cost upwards of Rs
40,000 crore.
§ Second, and more challenging,
is the task of getting auto firms to make the leap. Automakers have clearly
said that going to BS-VI directly would leave them with not enough time to
design changes in their vehicles, considering that two critical components —
diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction module — would have
to be adapted to India’s peculiar conditions, where running speeds are much
lower than in Europe or the US.
What’s
important?
§ For Prelims: BS Norms and composition.
§ For Mains: BS norms-
implementation- issues, challenges and solutions.
Sources: the hindu.
Facts
for Prelims:
Malaysia
approves law against fake news:
Context: Malaysia has approved
a law banning fake news ahead of elections.
Key facts: The law makes “fake
news” punishable with a maximum six-year jail term. The law covers all media
and extends even to foreigners outside Malaysia.
Concerns: Critics fear the law
will be abused to silence dissent ahead of a general election.
Fimbristylis
agasthyamalaensis:
Context: Researchers
have reported the discovery of a new plant species from the Western Ghats
biodiversity hotspot. Classified as a sedge, the grass-like plant has been named
Fimbristylis agasthyamalaensis, after the locality from which it was found.
Key facts:
§ The new species belongs to the
Cyperaceae family. In India, the genus is represented by 122 species, of which
87 are reported from the Western Ghats. Many of the known Cyperaceae species
are medicinal plants or used as fodder.
§ The researchers have
recommended a preliminary conservation assessment of the plant as
‘critically endangered,’ according to IUCN criteria. The report says the species
is highly prone to wild grazing.
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