26nd May 2 - Amazon S3
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NEWS TODAY VISIONIAS 26 th MAY, 2021 The estimated 30-40 million metric tonnes of paddy straw that remains unutilized and burnt in north-west India has potential to generate about 6000-8000MW and 45000 million units of electricity by co-firing it along with coal in existing coal fired power plants. Nepal goes through yet another political turmoil as Nepal's President dissolved the House of Representatives. Reasons for Political crisis in Nepal India’s stand: Recent political developments are 'internal matters of Nepal'. India visibly withdrew from Nepal’s political affairs after the 2015 blockade that created a wave of anti-Indian backlash. However, China’s attempt to involve in current crisis is a major strategic and Economic concern for India. Since the emergence of a federal, democratic republic agenda to mainstream the Maoist rebellion in 2006, none of the coalitions have remained stable. Nepal’s inherently weak and fragile constitutional and political institutions suffering from political cronyism, patronage and lack of experience. A highly ambitious and intensely power-driven political leadership which does not want to share power. A fragmented polity where no political party is without internal factions. MEA has said that Nepal will deal with it under their own domestic framework and democratic processes. It rather began focusing on its aid and infrastructure projects intended to expand connectivity and people-to-people relations. Interfering role of external stakeholders, particularly immediate neighbours. Key India-Nepal Development Project: 69km-long Amlekhganj-Motihari oil pipeline, Arun-3 hydro-electricity projects, India has also sent across oxygen during this current wave. Integrated Check-Posts at major points along borders. Railway projects like Jaynagar (India)-Janakpur (Nepal) to Bardibas in Nepal, Jogbani in India to Biratnagar in Nepal, Nautanwa in India to Bhairahawa in Nepal and Kathmandu-Raxual etc. Nepal-Bharat Development Cooperation program (Rapti cold storage building, upgraded Fateh Bal Eye Hospital). India’s “vaccine diplomacy” allowed Nepal to be one of the first countries in the world to vaccinate its people. POLITICAL CRISIS IN NEPAL MINISTRY OF POWER DECIDES TO SET UP A NATIONAL MISSION ON USE OF BIOMASS IN COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS DELHI HIGH COURT UPHOLDS RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN (RTBF) OF AN INDIVIDUAL PAYROLL DATA FROM MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION (MOSPI) SHOWS RISE IN FORMAL JOB CREATION Higher number of formal jobs were created in March despite the imposition of fresh lockdowns in several states. Payroll data from MOSPI shows a higher number of jobs were created under the Employees State Insurance Corporation and the National Pension Scheme in March while those under Employees Provident Fund Organisation were at par with those created in February. Central Government launched NCAP as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year. Government Initiatives towards Formal Employment. Objectives of the mission: Significance About RTBF Need for RTBF Supreme Court in the case of K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India had observed that RTBF was subject to certain limitations. Formal Employment refers to regular work in the organised sector with protection through various laws, social security benefits etc. with other rights; Economic Survey 2019-20 stated that introduction of GST, digitization of payments, direct benefit transfer of subsidies/ scholarships/wages & salaries to bank accounts, opening of Jan Dhan accounts etc help to increase in formal employment. Code on Social Security Bill, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code Bill 2020 specifically expand the social security net for the informal labours. Decrease in contributions limits under ESI scheme (applicable to non-seasonal, manufacturing establishments with 10 or more workers under ESI Act, 1948) from 6.5% to 4% To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels. To take up R&D (Research and Development) activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets. To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants. To address rampant air pollution caused by the burning of farm stubble. RTBF is the right to have personal information removed from publicly available sources, including the internet and search engines, databases, websites etc. once the personal information in question is no longer necessary, or relevant. Though the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 includes it but it lacks specific right to erasure of data (or RTBF) as given by the European GDPR’s Article 17, outlining the circumstances under which individuals can exercise their right to be forgotten or right to erasure. Protect autonomy and right to privacy of an individual (Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India). Protect individual reputation (Karnataka HC on removal of name from cause title). Avoid social and economic isolation. Protecting women's interests on the internet, limiting harassment, threats and assault (Odisha HC in Subhranshu Rout @ Gugul v. State of Odisha). Presently, India lacks statutory provisions regarding RTBF. To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing. Reduce the carbon footprint in thermal power generation. Contribute to the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) Promotion to Start-ups, disrupting informal sector with promotion of formalisation. Importance of Formalisation in Economy Improving job security with better quality jobs and higher productivity, Broaden tax base with higher tax-to-GDP ratio (low in India at around 15% of GDP), Improve resilience of our economy to disasters and pandemics like Covid-19. Access to formal capital and land for MSMEs sector. About Co-firing Biomass: Cofiring biomass consists of burning biomass in coal-fired power plants along with coal. UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) recognizes biomass cofiring as a carbon neutral technology for mitigation of carbon emission from coal-based power plant. Cofiring provides many advantages compared with power plants that burn 100% biomass, including lower capital costs, higher efficiency, increased economies of scale, and lower electricity costs due to the larger size and superior performance of conventional coal power plants. RTBF could not be exercised where the information in question was necessary for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information; the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims the performance of a task carried out in public interest, or public health; archiving purposes in the public interest; scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes; or compliance with legal obligations;
Transcript of 26nd May 2 - Amazon S3
NEWS TODAY
VISIONIAS
26th MAY, 2021
The estimated 30-40 million metric tonnes of paddy straw that remains unutilized and burnt in north-west India has potential to generate about 6000-8000MW and 45000 million units of electricity by co-firing it along with coal in existing coal fired power plants.
Nepal goes through yet another political turmoil as Nepal's President dissolved the House of Representatives.
Reasons for Political crisis in Nepal
India’s stand: Recent political developments are 'internal matters of Nepal'.
India visibly withdrew from Nepal’s political affairs after the 2015 blockade that created a wave of anti-Indian backlash.
However, China’s attempt to involve in current crisis is a major strategic and Economic concern for India.
Since the emergence of a federal, democratic republic agenda to mainstream the Maoist rebellion in 2006, none of the coalitions have remained stable.
Nepal’s inherently weak and fragile constitutional and political institutions suffering from political cronyism, patronage and lack of experience.A highly ambitious and intensely power-driven political leadership which does not want to share power.
A fragmented polity where no political party is without internal factions.
MEA has said that Nepal will deal with it under their own domestic framework and democratic processes.
It rather began focusing on its aid and infrastructure projects intended to expand connectivity and people-to-people relations.
Interfering role of external stakeholders, particularly immediate neighbours.
Key India-Nepal Development Project:69km-long Amlekhganj-Motihari oil pipeline,Arun-3 hydro-electricity projects,
India has also sent across oxygen during this current wave.
Integrated Check-Posts at major points along borders.
Railway projects like Jaynagar (India)-Janakpur (Nepal) to Bardibas in Nepal, Jogbani in India to Biratnagar in Nepal, Nautanwa in India to Bhairahawa in Nepal and Kathmandu-Raxual etc.
Nepal-Bharat Development Cooperation program (Rapti cold storage building, upgraded Fateh Bal Eye Hospital).
India’s “vaccine diplomacy” allowed Nepal to be one of the first countries in the world to vaccinate its people.
POLITICAL CRISIS IN NEPAL MINISTRY OF POWER DECIDES TO SET UP A NATIONAL MISSION ON USE OF BIOMASS IN COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS
DELHI HIGH COURT UPHOLDS RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN (RTBF) OF AN INDIVIDUAL
PAYROLL DATA FROM MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION (MOSPI) SHOWS RISE IN FORMAL JOB CREATION
Higher number of formal jobs were created in March despite the imposition of fresh lockdowns in several states.
Payroll data from MOSPI shows a higher number of jobs were created under the Employees State Insurance Corporation and the National Pension Scheme in March while those under Employees Provident Fund Organisation were at par with those created in February.
Central Government launched NCAP as a long-term, time-bound, national level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner with targets to achieve 20% to 30% reduction in Particulate Matter concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year.
Government Initiatives towards Formal Employment.
Objectives of the mission:
Significance
About RTBF
Need for RTBF
Supreme Court in the case of K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India had observed that RTBF was subject to certain limitations.
Formal Employment refers to regular work in the organised sector with protection through various laws, social security benefits etc. with other rights;
Economic Survey 2019-20 stated that introduction of GST, digitization of payments, direct benefit transfer of subsidies/ scholarships/wages & salaries to bank accounts, opening of Jan Dhan accounts etc help to increase in formal employment.
Code on Social Security Bill, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code Bill 2020 specifically expand the social security net for the informal labours. Decrease in contributions limits under ESI scheme (applicable to non-seasonal, manufacturing establishments with 10 or more workers under ESI Act, 1948) from 6.5% to 4%
To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels.To take up R&D (Research and Development) activity in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.To facilitate overcoming the constraints in supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue and its transport upto to the power plants.
To address rampant air pollution caused by the burning of farm stubble.
RTBF is the right to have personal information removed from publicly available sources, including the internet and search engines, databases, websites etc. once the personal information in question is no longer necessary, or relevant.
Though the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 includes it but it lacks specific right to erasure of data (or RTBF) as given by the European GDPR’s Article 17, outlining the circumstances under which individuals can exercise their right to be forgotten or right to erasure.
Protect autonomy and right to privacy of an individual (Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India).
Protect individual reputation (Karnataka HC on removal of name from cause title).Avoid social and economic isolation.
Protecting women's interests on the internet, limiting harassment, threats and assault (Odisha HC in Subhranshu Rout @ Gugul v. State of Odisha).
Presently, India lacks statutory provisions regarding RTBF.
To consider regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.
Reduce the carbon footprint in thermal power generation.Contribute to the National Clean Air Program (NCAP)
Promotion to Start-ups, disrupting informal sector with promotion of formalisation.
Importance of Formalisation in EconomyImproving job security with better quality jobs and higher productivity, Broaden tax base with higher tax-to-GDP ratio (low in India at around 15% of GDP),
Improve resilience of our economy to disasters and pandemics like Covid-19.
Access to formal capital and land for MSMEs sector.
About Co-firing Biomass:Cofiring biomass consists of burning biomass in coal-fired power plants along with coal.UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) recognizes biomass cofiring as a carbon neutral technology for mitigation of carbon emission from coal-based power plant.Cofiring provides many advantages compared with power plants that burn 100% biomass, including lower capital costs, higher efficiency, increased economies of scale, and lower electricity costs due to the larger size and superior performance of conventional coal power plants.
RTBF could not be exercised where the information in question was necessary for
exercising the right of freedom of expression and information;
the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims
the performance of a task carried out in public interest, or public health;archiving purposes in the public interest;
scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes; or
compliance with legal obligations;
VISIONIAS
VISIONIASALSO IN NEWS
Mekedatu Dam
K-shaped recovery
Banni Grassland Reserve
WHO BioHub initiative
Vesak Buddha Poornima
Banni region emerged from the sea as a result of tectonic activities, received soils from the rivers flown from Bhuj mainland which made the land of Banni richer to generate diverse grass species.
Maldhari community is a tribe of herdsmen in Gujarat. They live in settlements called ness and make their living by selling milk from their water buffaloes.
He attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree at Bodhgaya. He gave his first sermon at Sarnath and later his teachings and principles became Buddhism.
K-shaped recovery happens when different sections of an economy recover at starkly different rates. While certain industries and individuals pull out of a recession, others stagnate.
K shaped recovery is also observed in Job market: Lower-skilled workers lost their jobs disproportionately, while job losses aren’t as significant for office workers in financial, service sectors.
Banni Grassland Reserve is in the Kutch district of Gujarat.
Maldhari tribe lives in the Banni Grasslands Reserve area, for the past thousand years.
India’s real estate sector sees K-shaped recovery where the residential segment experienced healthy growth, the office segment remained lacklustre.
Earlier, Tamil nadu opposed the proposal, arguing that it violates the final award of the Cauvery River Water Tribunal.
Recently, NGT formed a committee to investigate into the alleged violation of norms in the construction of a reservoir across the Cauvery river at Mekedatu in Karnataka.
Presently, pathogens are shared bilaterally between countries.
The initiative will enable member states to share biological materials with and via the BioHub under pre-agreed conditions, including biosafety, biosecurity, and other applicable regulations.
The move would further contribute to the establishment of an international exchange system for novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and other emerging pathogens.
Vesak Buddha Poornima is considered the Triple Blessed Day as Tathagata Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and Maha Parnirvana (death).Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama on the Purnima Tithi (full moon day) in 563 BC in Lumbini (modern day Nepal).
The WHO and Switzerland signed a MoU to launch a BioHub facility to allow rapid sharing of pathogens between laboratories and partners to facilitate safe storage, better analysis, sequencing and preparedness against them.
Since according to the new rules action can be taken against a message that originated outside India.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (INTERMEDIARY GUIDELINES AND DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS CODE) RULES, 2021 COME INTO EFFECT
The rules were notified on February 25 and social media intermediaries have been given three months to comply.
Factors that necessitated formulation of new rules
Concerns associated
Rules had been framed by the Central Government in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011.
Break the promise of end-to-end encryption of social media companies to identify the first originator of the information, misinformation, dis-information as the case may be.
Increasing instances of misuse of social media by criminals, anti-national elements have brought new challenges for law enforcement agencies.
Failure of self-regulation despite having internal mechanisms to tackle illegal and inappropriate content.
To tackle Persistent spread of fake news and misinformation.
Potential for misuse of Verification data in the absence of a data protection law.Large number of internet users in India makes it difficult to implement new rules.
Conflicts with extraterritorial jurisdiction norms made in the IT Act.
