CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER PART - II

NOVEMBER 9-22, 2016

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POLITY, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC POLICY

AFSPA Expanded to 3 Districts of

Arunachal Pradesh

In News:The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in three districts of Arunachal Pradesh. These districts are Tirap, Changlang and Longding. They have been ―disturbed area‖ under Section 3 of the AFSPA.

Cause of Expansion

These areas were dominated by NSCN (Khaplang)

but now NSCN-IM is desperate to regain control which possesses challenge to the security scenario.

Extortion, area domination, recruitment of locals

and inter-factional rivalry has increased.

AFSPA

The Parliament had enacted AFSPA in 1958 to provide legal immunity to the armed forces in disturbed areas declared under the Act.

It was first applied in the Naga Hills, then part of Assam (1958) and spread, in other Northeaster state over two decade.

It was applied in Punjab and Chandigarh from

1983 to 1997 and in Jammu and Kashmir since

1990.

Presently, the AFSPA is in force in Assam, Jammu

and Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur (except Imphal municipal area), and part of Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

The Home Ministry revises its notification every six

months.

Sutlej – Yamuna Link Canal Background:

1960:- Indus water treaty was signed between India and Pakistan for sharing of Indus-basin rivers. This treaty gave India, absolute and unhindered access to Sutlej, Ravi and Beas.

1966:- Erstwhile Punjab was reorganised into Haryana & Punjab (remaining state after carving out Haryana) came into existence.

Differences arose between the two states over their share of the surplus Ravi and Beas waters.

There was a need to share the river waters among

the newly created states and it was decided to construct SYL canal to extend irrigation facility to Haryana and Rajasthan.

1981 agreement between Punjab and Haryana to complete SYL within 2 years.

Haryana constructed its part of SYL canal in 1980s.

The construction was stopped in Punjab when Sikh militants gunned down two senior engineers and 35 labourers working on the canal. A decision was taken to rope in the Border Roads Organisation, but not a brick has been laid since.

1996:- Haryana approached SC over delay.

Supreme Court’s judgment – 2002 and 2004:

Supreme Court in 2002 – Directed Punjab to complete its part of SYL canal in one year.

Supreme Court in 2004- Directed Punjab to ensure

unhindered construction of the canal. This was to provide for Haryana share of it water.

Reaction of Punjab legislature:

In 2004, following SC order, the Punjab assembly enacted the Punjab termination of agreements act, annulling all inter-state agreements on sharing Ravi and Beas waters.

The Centre on July 22, 2004 sought the opinion of the apex court on the validity of the Punjab law

through a presidential reference. The court heard the matter the next month without any outcome.

Disturb Area: Under section (3) of the AFSPA Act governor of the state can declare an area disturbed.

Centre has the authority to send armed forces for civilian aid in such areas.

Once declared ‗disturbed‘, the region has to

maintain status quo for a minimum of three months.

Tirap, Changlang and Longding

Both Changlang and Longding carved out of

Tirap district.

They shared border with Assam, Nagaland and

Myanmar.

The area is dominated by the naga tribes Nocte,

Konyak, Wancho, Tutsa and Tangsa, besides

non-Naga tribe Singhpo.

Japanese troops invaded and controlled the area for a brief period in 1945.

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Supreme Court’s Verdict: 2016

Supreme Court has ruled that Punjab reneged on its solemn promises by terminating its 1981 agreement with Haryana and Rajasthan to discharge itself of the obligation to construct the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal.

The court‘s reasoning draws from previous verdicts relating to the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar disputes, reiterating the principle that ―a State cannot,

through legislation, do an act in conflict with

the judgment of the highest court which has attained finality.‖

The verdict is a timely reminder that it would be destructive of the rule of law and federalism, if a State were to be allowed to usurp judicial powers, by nullifying a verdict that has rendered findings on both fact and law. If Punjab feels aggrieved, there may be scope for negotiation and conciliation even now, but it cannot take action unilaterally.

Centre to float Open-Data Policy

In News: The Centre is going to notify a policy on ‗open data‘ to put more data in the public domain,

allowing individuals to build apps or services for

commercial purposes.

Background

The government had notified the National Data

Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) in 2012.

Under this mandate IT ministry and the National

Informatics Centre (NIC) developed data.gov.in platform for open data sharing.

NPDSA is being brought out with a view to

empowering the citizens to secure access to information (non-strategic data) under the control of public authority which further leads to the transparency and accountability in the every public authority.

Open-data policy

The government generates a lot of data, which many people can use for various purposes.

Centre‘s open data platform which comprises over 42,000 databases which are currently available on a web platform

It includes revenue realised by Centre from road transport released by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highway, annual crime databases released by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Till now the data available on the platform data.gov.in was permitted for use only by academics and government institution.

Under the new policy Commercial entities including start-ups will be allowed to create commercial value added services based on this data.

It will be free of charge from government side but the developer of the services may charge. Ministry of IT is responsible for taking a decision on what data would be uploaded to the platform,

depending on the data‘s strategic interest and of national importance.

Supreme Court on Sex Ratio

In News: The Supreme Court issued a series of

directions to clamp down on the crime of female foeticide.

Supreme Court on Female Foeticide:

The court passed the verdict while disposing of a PIL by NGO Voluntary Health Association of Punjab.

In the judgment, court said ―When a female foetus is destroyed through artificial means, which is legally impermissible, the dignity of life of a woman to be born is extinguished.‖

Few Directions:

The Bench passed 16 directions to ensure immediate and effective implementation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act and the Rules framed there under. These are

All the States and the Union Territories in India shall maintain a centralised database of civil registration records from all registration units regarding the number of boys and girls being born.

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The information that shall be displayed on the website shall contain birth information for each district, municipality, and corporation or gram Panchayat.

It also directed that States and Union Territories, which do not have any incentive schemes for the girl child, shall frame the same.

Noting that courts hearing cases of female foeticide should expedite hearing, the court requested the

Chief Justices of High Courts to constitute a committee of three judges to periodically oversee the progress of these cases.

In 2011, India’s Child Sex Ratio was 919. It was 927 in 2001, 945 in 1991 and 962 in 1981.

PNDT Act, 1994:

Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act was passed in 1994 to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in the country.

This act banned the use of sex selection techniques before or after conception.

But it did not specify the techniques of sex selection and it did not bring all techniques within its ambit.

The PNDT act was amended and thus the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 2003 came into

existence.

Salient Provisions PCPNDT Act 2003:

With the enactment of this act, the use of prenatal diagnostic technique for sex selective abortion was made an offensive crime. ‖

The act prohibits determination and disclosure of the sex of the foetus but also

Advertisements related to preconception and pre-natal determinations of sex are bans.

All the technologies of sex determination, including the new chromosome separation technique have come under the ambit of the Act.

It regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques such as ultrasound and amniocentesis.

Further, all ultrasound scanning machines have to be registered and the manufacturers are required to furnish information about the

clinics and practitioners to whom the ultrasound machinery has been sold.

The act empowered the appropriate authorities with the power of civil court for search, seizure and sealing the machines and equipment‘s of the violators.

The act mentions that no person, including the one who is conducting the procedure as per the law, will communicate the sex of the foetus to the pregnant woman or her relatives by words, signs or any other method.

Way ahead:

A bill was introduced in 2012 to establish Fast

Track Courts to quickly and efficiently deliver justice and convict those who commit the horrendous crime of female foeticide.

Other Government initiatives to address declining sex ratio are Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, PC & PNDT Act etc.

With the advent of new sophisticated pre-conception sex selection technologies like sperm separation, the girl child‘s elimination started becoming more subtle, refined and probably also more socially acceptable.

Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana

In News: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSED) announces Pradhan Mantri Yuva Yojana to scale up an Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship for youngsters.

Key Facts

It is the MSDE’s flagship scheme on entrepreneurship education and training.

The scheme spans over five years (2016-17 to

2020-21) and will provide entrepreneurship education and training to students.

It will also include easy access to information and mentor network, credit, incubator and accelerator and advocacy to create a pathway for the youth.

The institutes under the PM‘s YUVA Yojana include 2200 Institutes of Higher Learning (colleges, universities, and premier institutes), 300

schools, 500 ITIs and 50 Entrepreneurship Development Centres, through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

The Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) will work closely with the local authorities and industries towards job aggregation.

There is provision of incentive for performer, but those who do not perform will have to exit.

Other initiatives by MSDE:

Institutionalisation of National Entrepreneurship

Awards for first generation achievers below 30 years, for the very first time.

The young entrepreneur will be awarded in various sectors contributing to the economy of our country.

Equal focus has been given to recognize young people from socially disadvantaged groups.

National Student Start-Up Policy In news: The President of India launched the National Student Start-up Policy on the opening day of the Second Visitor‘s Conference on Nov 16, 2016 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He said Brain rain & brain networks to be developed in place of brain drain.

Objective

The National Student Start-up Policy is formulated

by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).

It is to create 100,000 technologies based student

start-ups and a million employment opportunities within the next 10 years.

It is to develop an ideal entrepreneurial ecosystem using inter-institutional partnerships among technical institutions.

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To tap the innovative ideas of youth and prepared

them to turn into entrepreneurs.

Paradigm shift must take place given the machines replacing men in almost all fields.

Other Initiatives Taken

Project Vishwajeet– It is s a mission to fast forward old IITs into top global academic rankings.

Project envisaged by Ministry of HRD.

The proposed NSSP of MHRD is set to establish 10 world class institutions each in public and private sector.

Trinity of talent, resources and management will help in achieving this goal.

Supreme Court Uphold Entry Tax

In News: A recent nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court, in the context of entry tax, has upheld states‘ right to financial autonomy when it comes to designing their fiscal legislation.

The Judgement

Article 301 of the Constitution does not apply to taxes.

The objective of this article in our federal constitution was

1) To achieve the free flow of goods for trade, commerce and intercourse without any internal borders between the states.

2) To gain a sustaining force for the stability of the cultural and political unity of the federal polity, so that the country should function as the single economic unit devoid of any internal barriers.

Therefore, imposition of entry tax cannot be said to be restriction on freedom of trade and commerce.

Overruling earlier decisions court held that

concept of ‗compensatory taxes‘ does not have any juristic basis.

Compensatory taxes:

Taxes that are collected to provide certain

service to the taxpaying units.

It not be considered as violative of Article 301.

The court states that Article 304(a) and

304(b) are to be read separately and the states do not require Presidential assent to impose entry tax.

Article 304 states that the Legislature of a State may by law

(a) impose any tax on goods imported from other States or the Union territories which is not discriminate between goods so imported and goods so manufactured in that state; and

(b) Impose such reasonable restrictions on the freedom of trade, commerce or intercourse with or within that State as may be required in the public interest.

Liberalised Blacklisting Norms for Defence

Procurements In News: The government introduced new liberalised blacklisting policy for arms companies in its ‗Guidelines of the Ministry of Defence for Penalties in Business Dealings with Entities‘ with

the aim of ensuring probity and transparency into defence deals.

Why liberalisation?

The blacklisting of companies in the past have heavily impacted the modernisation of our military. Some examples are –

Bofors Howitzers blacklisting derailed the technology transfer and indigenous manufacture.

HDW Submarines Scandal delay in the induction

diesel-electric submarines.

New Norms

If there is no alternative available a banned firm could be the option.

It will be allowed after the vice-chief of the Service concerned (Army, IAF or Navy), the chief of the

integrated defence staff or the additional secretary (defence production) signs a certificate to that effect and gets permission from the ―competent authority‖ (the Defence Minister).

India will no longer impose a straight ban for 10 years.

Foreign companies will initially be suspended for six months.

This ban will be reviewed every six months depending on seriousness it can extant maximum up to 5 years.

Banning of business dealings may be ordered only

on the following three grounds, 1) if a company accepts its misconduct, 2) the CBI files a charge sheet against it or 3) A court or tribunal finds it guilty.

This ban period will not be less than five years for the following grounds,

if there is violation of the pre-contract integrity pact,

the company is found resorting to corrupt practices,

unfair means and illegal activities during any stage to bag a contract, or

if national security considerations warrant the step.

But the ban period will not exceed three years for

―non-performance or under-performance‖ or any other ground required in ―public interest‖.

The company with which business dealings are suspended or banned will, however, be allowed to take part in new tenders for spares, upgrades and maintenance for weapon systems supplied earlier.

The order of suspension banning of business with an entity may be extended to its allied firms only by a specific order of the defence minister.

The entity with which business has been suspended or banned will not be permitted to transact contracts under a different name or division.

FSSAI on Fortification

In News: The Food and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) announced that it is working on fortification standards for packaged food products such as cereals and biscuits.

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Food Fortification

Fortification means bolstering the nutritional

content of a food product by increasing essential micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins.

History of Food Fortification

In the early 1900s in the US vitamin B3 was added to ground corn — the staple of the poor in the country — in order to combating the rise of pellagra.

In Britain, vitamins A and D were added to margarine as butter had become a scarce commodity in the country after 1st World War.

In India, iodine was added to salt to combat goitre in 1960s.

UK, USA and many other countries have stringent

standards on food fortification.

Government’s emphasis on Fortification

Fortified food would be a key element in the government‘s fight against malnutrition.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme, ICDS and PDS would be mandated to buy and distribute these foods.

Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2016

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued draft guidelines for five fortified products — rice, wheat, salt, flour, milk and edible oil.

Salt will fortify with iodine and iron.

Edible oil and Milk will fortify with vitamin A and vitamin D

Flour and Rice will fortify with Iron, folic acid, Vitamin B12, Zink and other nutrients

SC on Property Inheritance

In News: The Supreme Court recently ruled that a child adopted by a Hindu widow would not have any rights to the property of the woman‘s deceased husband and may lay claim only over the property inherited by his mother.

Supreme Court’s directions

Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act held that the adoption of a child would not disturb or take away

the rights and interests of other family members.

The order came on the plea of an adopted son claiming his right over the entire property of his family.

Hindu Succession Act, 1956

It lays down a uniform and comprehensive system of inheritance.

Whereas attempt has been made to ensure

equality inheritance rights between sons and daughters.

It applies to all Hindus including Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Replacement of High Denomination

Currency

In News: In a surprise address to nation on 8th November 2016, PM announced that the existing Rs.500 and 1000 currency note will no longer be legal tender from midnight. This means that these notes will not be acceptable for transactions.

What is legal tender?

Legal tender‘ is the money that is recognised by

the law of the land, as valid for payment of debt. It must be accepted for discharge of debt.

The RBI Act of 1934, which gives the central

bank the sole right to issue bank notes, states that every bank note shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment for the amount expressed therein‖.

The Central government under Section 26(2) of the RBI Act has the authority to declare currency as not valid legal tender. This is generally done on the advice of the central board of directors of the

RBI.

Coins and banknotes are usually defined as legal tender whereas personal cheques, credit cards, and similar non-cash methods of payment are not considered legal tender as debt obligations is not relieved until the payment is tendered.

Legal tender can be limited or unlimited in

character. In India, coins function as limited legal

tender. Currency notes are unlimited legal tender and can be offered as payment for dues of any size. Paper money derives all its value from the

Government‘s recognition of it. But this is not the case with gold or other immovable assets.

Demonetization

It is an act of stripping legal tender of a

currency unit. It is necessary whenever there is a change of national currency.

The old unit of currency is retired and replaced

with a new currency unit. Remonetisation: The act or process of restoring the status of legal tender of currency.

Different processes of demonetization 1. Replacement of one form of currency with another.

It is the most common process of demonetization. 2. Replacement of smaller banknotes with coins of

the same value. 3. When older currencies & coins are declared to no

longer be legal tender after a certain date are. There can be two scenarios

i. To completely revamp the value and type of currencies used within the country. This is often due to matters involving the rate of exchange of currency with other countries.

ii. To streamline the currency in order to make the use of the money easier for all concerned. However, the older money can be redeemed for an equivalent amount of the newer forms of currency.

Demonetization across the world- a brief analysis

European Union: The creation of a single currency for the European Union over 1998-2000 was the

largest demonetization and currency issue exercise in history.

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Adoption of Euro resulted in demonetization across the various nations of European Monetary Union.

Authorities first fixed exchange rates for the varied national currencies into euros. When the euro was introduced, the old national currencies were demonetized.

Zimbabwe: Chronic hyperinflation forced the government to print currency notes with a face

value of one hundred trillion dollars.

This rendered lesser denominations obsolete, which were taken out of circulation quickly.

Australia: In1996, Australia became the first country to have a full series of circulating polymer bank notes after replacing all paper-based notes,

which the government systemically made non-tender for legal purposes.

To stop widespread counterfeiting, the Reserve Bank of Australia had released the world‘s first long lasting and counterfeit-resistant polymer (plastic) banknotes.

Pakistan: Pakistan phased out all currency notes with old designs. This was done to bring in new designs and security features to its currency

Libya: Its central bank started withdrawing old currency in early 2012 in an attempt to restore liquidity after it found that the vast majority of

funds are being kept outside banks.

Iraq: Even when the Iraqi Swiss dinar ceased to be legal tender in Iraq, it still circulated in the northern Kurdish regions.

Despite lacking government backing, it had a stable market value for more than a decade.

This example is often cited to demonstrate that the

value of a currency is not derived purely from its legal status (but this currency would not be legal tender).

USA: Paper money was issued by the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

It became worthless by its own terms after the war, since it could only be redeemed a stated number of years after a peace treaty was signed between the Confederacy and the United States (which never happened, as the Confederacy was defeated and dissolved).

Demonetization is currently prohibited in the United States and the Coinage Act of 1965 applies to all US coins and currency regardless of age.

The closest historical equivalent in the US, other than Confederate money, was from 1933 to 1974, when the government banned most private ownership of gold bullion, including gold coins held for non-numismatic

Now, however, even surviving pre-1933 gold coins are legal tender under the 1964 act.

History of Demonetization in India

First Demonetization -12 Jan 1946

Rs.1, 000 and Rs.10, 000 banknotes, which were in circulation, were demonetized primarily to curb unaccounted money.

Any new currency was not introduced and exchanges were made with Rs 100 and lower.

Its purpose as a minatory and punitive gesture towards black-marketing was not effectively served. This is because:

i. There was no fool-proof administrative method by which a particular note brought by an individual could be proved as the life-savings of the hard-working man.

ii. The exemption of the princely States from scrutiny or questioning when such notes were presented by them.

It was more of conversion , at varying rates of profits and losses than demonetization

Second Demonetization -16 Jan 1978

The higher denomination banknotes in Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 were reintroduced in the year 1954 and these banknotes were again

demonetized in January 1978.

It wasprimarily aimed at controlling illegal transactions.

Around 73.1 crore was the demonetised amount and1717 crores were added, so it did not destroy any money stock at all.

Denominations of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20 & 25 paisa were in circulation till June 30, 2011 but were then withdrawn.

While the 50 paisa coins are still in circulation. They are called small coins while the other

denominations are known as rupee coins.

Similarity and differences with 2016 Action

Similarities that all three were aimed at curbing black money. Though this time security is an added challenge.

The big difference obviously is the size this time as 85% of currencies are on target.

Other difference is size of machinery and people’s inclusion with the financial system.

The first exercise was a case of conversion, second was of accumulation.

Third is projected as a demonetization but is more of a conversion. Will it be a case of demon? Only time will tell.

Why ban large value notes?

The Financial Action Task Force, a global body

notes that high-value bills are used in money laundering schemes, racketeering, and drug and

people trafficking.

The share of large-value notes has only been increasing over the years.

India has one of the highest levels of currencies in circulation at over 12% of GDP and of this cash, 87% is in the form of Rs 500 and Rs 1, 000 notes.

In May, the European Central Bank had announced that it was phasing out the 500 Euro note from 2018 because of heightened concerns of money laundering and terror financing, especially after the terror attacks in Paris.

US treasury secretary Larry Summers also recommended that the $100 bill be demonetised.

In India two years ago the RBI announced that it was phasing out and decommissioning all currency notes issued before 2005.

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Impact of Demonetisation

Negative Effect:

Infrastructure sector will be impacted as payment to labour is usually made in cash.

Low number of bank accounts in remote, small villages and supply-chain disruptions could affect demand for consumer staples for a brief.

The demand impact of large-ticket consumer durables items such as.

The short-term debt servicing capacity of small borrowers could be reduced, which may impact the asset quality as well as credit growth of microfinance companies such as Bharat Financial Inclusion, Ujjivan Financial Services, Equitas, etc.

Housing finance companies, too, could witness

pressure on their credit quality as well as growth, as fall in real estate prices would impact the loan against property (LAP) business.

Positive Effect:

Banks stand to gain meaningfully from implementation of demonetisation, but over a period of time.

While operating costs could increase in the immediate future, there would be an increase in the low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA),

It wills also bringing down deposit and lending rates further without the RBI having to cut its

repo rate. A rise in deposit base will allow banks to lower the blended cost of funds

Rising use of credit/debit cards, net banking and other online payment mechanisms will be another positive.

Mining will be another sector to benefit from this move as this will hurt illegal/unauthorised mining activities.

In the long run, this is a significant positive shock to the Indian economy and society.

It also provides a boost to the government‘s financial inclusion drive, pushing more households towards efficient banking and payment infrastructure.

As bank deposits will increase and they will have more capacity to support the economy. It will boost growth as it will expand and clean the formal gross domestic product.

Conclusion Despite having many positives such as rising tax to GDP, higher GDP growth, lower inflation, higher financial savings, this demonetisation move may not curb the root cause of black money. ―This initiative addresses the ‗stock‘ of black money but not necessarily the flow/fresh creation of black money unless some mechanism is built to track the movement of the new high-value currency notes.

The rupee is named after the silver coin, rupiya, first issued by Sultan Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century and later continued by the Mughal Empire.

In 2010, a new symbol was adopted. It was derived from the combination of

the Devanagari consonant ―र‖ (ra) and

the Latin capital letter ―R‖.

The parallel lines (=) at the top (with white space between them) are said to make an allusion to the tricolor Indian flag.

It also depicts an equality sign that symbolizes the nation‘s desire to reduce economic disparity.

MSP for Rabi Crops In News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all Rabi Crops of 2016-17 seasons.

Minimum Support Price

It provides minimum guaranteed to farmers produce from distress sales.

It is market intervention mechanism to stabilize

the price while protecting farmer‘s interests.

However farmers are free to sell their produce in open market at higher price.

It also regulate the food production baskets(item to be grow more or less)

Why Increased for Rabi?

It is a signal to farmer to increase production of pulses and oilseed to meet the demand supply gap.

It also gives a strong price signal to farmers to increase future investment in these crops production for.

Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices

CACP came into existence in 1965 as an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

It is mandated to recommend MSPs to the

GoI.

CACP submits its recommendations to the

government in the form of Price Policy

Reports every year, separately for five groups of commodities namely Kharif, Rabi, Sugarcane, Raw Jute and Copra (dried

coconut kernels, from which oil is obtained).

While recommending price policy of various

commodities under its mandate, the Commission keeps in mind the various Terms of Reference (ToR).These ToR are:

1. demand and supply; 2. cost of production; 3. price trends in the market, both domestic and

international; 4. inter-crop price parity; 5. terms of trade between agriculture and non-

agriculture; 6. Likely implications of MSP on consumers of

that product.

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Recent Welfare Measures Taken

The Government has set a target to double the farmers’ income by 2022.

‗National Agriculture Market’ (pan India electronic trading platform) has launched to integrate regulated market.

Under Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY), the Government organic farming and their potential marketis being promoted.

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana is being implemented for extending the coverage of irrigation. ‗Har Khet ko Pani‘.

‗Per Drop More Crop for optimal utilization of water

resources.

Soil Health Card for optimal utilization of land

resources.

Food Corporation of India (FCI) will be the designated central nodal agency for price support operations for cereals, pulses and oilseeds.

Food Management Policy

The main elements of the Government‘s food management policy are procurement, storage and movement of food grains, public distribution and maintenance of buffer stocks.

Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) starts from 1st October and lasts up to 30 September next year.

The Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) starts from 1 April and lasts up to 31 March next year.

For the Central Pool food grains are procured by various agencies FCI, State Government Agencies (SGAs) and private rice millers.

Under Decentralised Procurement (DCP) scheme

Sates/ Union Territories (UTs) also procure food grains for the Central Pool.

Distribution of food grains to the consumers is carried out by the State Governments through

Targeted Public Distribution Scheme and Other Welfare Schemes.

Any surplus stock over state procured stock is

taken over by FCI.

FCI also meets the shortfall in procurement

against allocation made by the GOI, out of the Central Pool.

food grains are also disposed of by FCI and State Governments, through sale under Open Market

Sales Scheme

Buffer Stock Policy of the GOI

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs fixes the quarterly minimum buffer norms i.e. as on 1st April, 1st July, 1st October and 1st January of every financial year.

In addition to buffer norms, Government of India

has prescribed a strategic reserve of 30 lakh tonnes of wheat and 20 lakh tonnes of rice.

Why Buffer Stock?

First introduced during the IV Five Year Plan (1969-74) and maintained by the GoI in the Central Pool. It is for

meeting the prescribed minimum buffer stock norms for food security;

monthly release of food grains for supply through TPDS and Other Welfare Schemes;

meeting emergency situations and

Price stabilization or market intervention to moderate the open market prices.

The Indian Cropping Season is classified into two main seasons based on the monsoon - Kharif:-from July –October during the south-west monsoon. Rabi: -October-March (winter crop). The crops grown between March and June are summer crops.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

PM’s Japan Visit

In News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visited Japan for the annual India-Japan bilateral summit early this month. They reviewed the strength of a

Special Strategic and Global Partnership. After the talks, about 12 pacts signed by the two sides, which covers areas like skill development, cultural exchanges and infrastructure. Here we will discuss the two major agreement signed- Civil Nuclear deal and Double Taxation Avoidance Convention.

I. Civil Nuclear Deal Background

The deal had been under negotiation for 6 years

were stuck on India’s non-NPT status as Japan sought assurances that the deal would be used for peaceful purposes.

The two countries had reached an agreement in

civil nuclear energy sector during Abe‘s visit to India in December 2015.

However, the final seal on the text had to wait

legislative clearance from Japan.

Nuclear deal

The agreement will allow Japan to supply nuclear reactors, fuel and technology to India.

India will be the first country that has not signed NPT to have such a deal with Japan.

Japan such as France and the U.S.

Japan is a major player in the nuclear energy and it has 13 civil nuclear agreements with many countries.

It enables India to obtain high-quality components for nuclear reactors, especially ones that we are negotiating for with Westinghouse (US) and (French) Areva.

After the at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster political resistance in Japan has increased

Japan is also the only country to suffer atomic bombings during World War II.

Significance

Buying a reactor from the US or France is impossible without Tokyo’s concurrence as the reactor cores in almost every nuclear plant made in the world come from Japan.

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India’s ambitious carbon emission targets under the Paris agreement have brought nuclear power back into the energy equation.

Solar and wind cannot provide base-load power and they are prone for fluctuations.

Nuclear is the only carbon-free way to satisfy that all important need.

Japan is looking to shed its post-war pacifisms

and become an autonomous diplomatic and military power in Asia.

However, Japan faces strong opposition from China and other victims of Japan‘s imperial aggression. Japan sees signing of Civil Nuclear Agreement as India‘s acceptance of this new expanding Japanese role.

Japan has been very vocal against spread of nuclear weapons as it is the only victim of use of nuclear weapons. Hence, Japan signing CNA with India, signifies global acceptance of India as a responsible nuclear power.

Against the backdrop of China‘s reluctance to support India‘s application for the membership of the NSG, the import of Indo-Japanese nuclear cooperation assumes great salience.

Nullification clause

The deal includes the option that Japan can give a year‘s notice before terminating it in case India

breaks the nuclear testing moratorium that it had extended to the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008.

Nullification clause seeks automatic cancellation of the deal if India resorts to nuclear testing.

Other nuclear partners

Other nations who have signed civil nuclear deal with India include the US, Russia, South Korea, Mangolia, France, Namibia, Argentina, Canada, Kazakhstan and Australia.

I. Amendment to Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) A Protocol amending the DTAC between India and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income which was signed on December, 2015 has entered into force on 29th October, 2016.

The Protocol provides for internationally accepted standards for exchanging information on tax matters including bank information.

Information from Japan can be shared with other law enforcement agencies with authorization from Japanese authority.

Tax is exempted on income from interest in the source country with respect to debt-claims insured by the Government or Government owned financial institutions.

It inserts a new article on assistance in collection of taxes.

India and Japan shall now lend assistance to each other in the collection of revenue claims.

The existing Double Taxation Avoidance

Convention (DTAC) came into force in1990

What is DTAC?

A DTAC is a tax treaty signed between two or more countries. Its key objective is that tax-payers in these countries can avoid being taxed twice for the same income.

A DTAC applies in cases where a tax-payer resides in one country and earns income in another.

It is both comprehensive to cover all sources of income or be limited to certain areas such as

taxing of income from shipping, air transport, inheritance, etc.

It makes a country an attractive investment destination by providing relief on dual taxation.

DTACs also provide for concessional rates of tax in some cases.

India-Bhutan Trade Agreement

In News: The Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and the Royal Government of Bhutan has been signed in Thimpu, Bhutan.

Previous Agreements:

The first Agreement on Trade and Commerce between Bhutan and India was signed in 1972.

Since then, the Agreement has been renewed four times. The last Agreement was renewed on July 28, 2006 and was valid till July 29, 2016.

The validity of the Agreement was extended for a period of one year or till the date of coming into force of the new Agreement.

New Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit:

The new bilateral Trade Agreement aims to enhance trade between the two countries through trade facilitation by improving procedures, cutting down on documentation and adding additional exit/entry points for Bhutan‘s trade with other

countries.

It is also expected to further strengthen the excellent relations between the two countries.

India-Bhutan Trade Relationship:

India is Bhutan‘s largest trading partner.

A free trade regime exists between India and Bhutan

Major exports from India to Bhutan are diesel,

parts of hydraulic turbines, including regulators, ferrous products, petrol, wood charcoal, other coal, coke and semi coke etc.

The major items of import from Bhutan to India are electricity from the four Hydropower

Plants of Basochhu, Chukha, Tala and Kurichhu ferro silicon, Portland cement, dolomite, carbides of calcium etc.

A total of 1840MW of electricity is generated, out of which about 460MW is consumed domestically and the rest, exported to India.

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Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

In News: With Donald Trump as President, the US could see a renegotiation of some of its existing trade deals with other countries, especially TPP.

What is TPP?

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a trade and investment agreement between the US, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru.

India is not part of the TPP.

The deal, which was negotiated under Barack Obama‘s presidency and agreed, last year, is yet to be ratified.

The aim is to ease the flow of goods, services and

investments among them, and to strengthen the rules on labour standards, environmental issues, origin criteria and intellectual property.

It is seen as the most ambitious of trade deals

between these countries that have about 800 million people and account for 40 per cent of the global trade.

It will create uniform IPR rules will lead to an overall growth of 1.1%.

It will crackdown on wildlife trafficking and environmental abuses.

What are its disadvantages?

Due to already existing NAFTA‘s low tariffs, around 700,000 jobs were lost to cheap labour in other countries, most of which on manufacturing industries.

These additional tariff cuts will lead movement of more jobs away from US.

It has provisions like protection of 10 years for trademark, to enforce copyright until 70 years

after the death of the creator, etc.

A company could sue any signatory country‘s government, if it believed the country‘s law harmed its copyright interests. This brings the corporate on equal footing with the government.

IPR provisions like extensions of patent to 25 years, allowing simple changes for re-patenting will delay the availability of generic drugs.

It may interfere in the necessary regulatory laws like food safety, banking regulations etc.

These are the reasons why India did not want to be a part of it.

How will TPP affect India?

The US is India‘s second biggest trade partner and the single biggest export destination.

It If the TPP were to go through, India could likely

see a diversion of its trade with the US and European Union (EU) to TPP member countries, over a period of time.

Countries such as Vietnam, which are among the biggest textile exporters to the US, could gain an edge over India thanks to freer market access.

The TPP requires its members to discourage the import of goods that have not been produced in adherence with internationally recognised labour laws.

India‘s merchandise exports to TPP member countries (apart from the US) would be rendered less competitive

Services exports would also be hurt as these would be replaced by trade in services between the TPP member countries.

India is trying to offset the possible trade loss by engaging in ARSEP (Asean Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) which

consists of ASEAN and ASEAN FTA countries.

Trump, with his strong trade protectionist stance, has vociferously opposed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and has talked about withdrawing from it. In the light of the above mentioned issues the move of withdrawal could

work in India‘s favour.

India – Cyprus DTAA

In News: Nearly three months after the Cabinet‘s approval to the signing of the revised double tax avoidance agreement (DTAA) with Cyprus, India has now signed the new pact with the island nation, which is a popular tax haven. Similar

agreements have been signed with Mauritius and Singapore. DTAA

DTAA applies in cases where a tax-payer resides in one country and earns income in another.

Thus it is to avoid being taxed twice for the

same income.

It can either be comprehensive to cover all sources of income or be limited to certain areas.

It brings clarity on how certain cross-border

transactions will be taxed.

India has DTAAs with more than eighty countries, of which comprehensive agreements with Australia, Canada, Germany, Mauritius, Singapore, UAE, the UK and US.

Provisions of the Agreement

The protocol for the revised agreement will replace the existing agreement signed in June 1994.

Existing DTAA provides residence-based taxation.

The new DTAA provides for source-based

taxation of capital gains arising from alienation of shares,

The treaty also expands the scope of the permanent establishments to allow for source-based taxation of business income.

It reduces the tax rate on royalty in the country

from which payments are made to 10 per cent from the existing rate of 15 per cent, in line with the tax rate under Indian tax laws.

It updates the text of other provisions in accordance with the international standards and consistent policy of India in respect of tax treaties.

Significance of the Deal

Cyprus is the seventh top country from which India gets maximum FDI inflow.

But as a non-cooperative jurisdiction, due to lack of effective exchange of information.

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On November 2013, the Finance Ministry had notified Cyprus as a non-cooperative jurisdiction. It was the only country to have been blacklisted

by India.

The new pact provides for assistance between the two countries for collection of taxes.

It also updates the provisions related to exchange of banking information with the prior approval of the competent authorities of the country providing

the information.

Is any country likely to benefit as a result of the amendment?

Experts say the Netherlands may emerge as an alternative due the series of agreements with Cyprus, Singapore and Mauritius.

The India-Netherlands treaty provides that if a company based in Netherlands holds less than 10% equity in an Indian entity, it would not attract capital gains on the sale of those shares to residents or non-residents.

Even if it were to own more than 10% equity in an Indian company, the treaty allows it to sell the shares to a non-resident without attracting tax

Colombo Declaration on Drug Trafficking In News: The High Level Meeting of Interior Ministers of Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to Counter Drug Trafficking was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It had adopted Colombo declaration.

The high-level meeting was attended by 18 littoral

states of the IOR.

It was also attended by seven international

organizations and UN agencies engaged in counter-narcotics initiatives in the region.

Colombo declaration

It stresses upon need for coastal states to

cooperate more closely on enforcing maritime law, providing mutual legal assistance and sharing information in narcotic drug trafficking.

Littoral states of the IOR to meet annually basis

within the framework of the Southern Route Partnership (SRP) of Indian Ocean Forum on Maritime Crime (IOFMC).

It also calls for the expansion and development of

communication through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC‘s) Indian Ocean Prosecutors Network.

UN Convention for Drugs: There are three

conventions to deal all kind of drug. Convention on Narcotic Drugs-1961 Convention on Psychotropic Substances -1971 Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic

Drugs and Psychotropic Substances -1988

UNODC deals in Crime, Drug, and Terrorism. Its Maritime Crime Programme (MCP) was formed in 2009 as the UNODC "Counter Piracy Programme" (CPP).

Israeli President’s Visit

In News: Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is in India on a six-day official state visit. He is the first Israeli

head of state to visit India in nearly 20 years. The

last and first Israeli president to officially visit India was Ezer Weizman in January 1997.

Evolution of India Israel Relation

Both countries are natural allies in a way as they

are isolated democracies threatened by neighbors.

Although both countries gained their

independence from the United Kingdom within months of each other, but relations were not always warm.

India as a leader in the Non-Aligned Movement came closer to the Arab world and the Soviet Union. Israel linked its closer ties with the United

States and Western Europe.

India's large Muslim population also prevented India‘s close relations with the Jewish State that might radicalize its Muslim citizens and hurt its

relations with the Arab world.

India and Israel established full diplomatic

relations in 1992 and since then the bilateral relationship between the two countries has blossomed at every levels.

Contemporary Relation

The key to the growing India-Israel ties is the

security and defence.

Indian army‘s modernization program started in

early 2000s. Since then, defence trade with Israel has grown exponentially.

Israel had also trained Indian armed personnel in

counter terrorism and counter insurgency operation methods.

Israeli technology in sold radar, surveillance

systems and defence electronic components for military aircraft are far more advance.

India continuously benefited from Israel‘s

agriculture and water desalination technology.

Mashav, an international development program of

Israel provides field expertise to India since 2006 in various sectors.

Israel also provided special courses and training

in agricultural technology and community development to thousands of Indian.

Diamonds constitutes close to 50% of $ 4.5 bl bilateral trade between both countries.

In recent times trade has diversified into agriculture, pharmaceuticals, IT and telecom and homeland security.

Key Defence deals are: India's elite Cobra Commando’sX-95 assault rifle. Advanced Israeli Phalcon AWACS planes (airborne

warning and control systems) for detecting hostile aerial threat.

Sword Fish ground radar trackers and precision-guided artillery.

Spike anti-tank guided missiles and 321 missile launchers developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd.

Barak 8 air and naval defence missile system jointly developed India and Israel.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) DRDO collaborating on surface-to-air missile system development.

Unmanned drones for surveillance and military purposes.

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Reliance Defence and Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defence Systems signed a cooperative agreement worth $10 billion.

Extradition Treaty and a pact on Transfer of

Sentenced Prisoners between two countries are also in place.

India’s Policy Shift

First time India voted against Palestinian

interests at the UNHRC, signaling a significant shift in India-Israel relations.

India abstained from a vote at the UNHRC that approved their Gaza Commission of Inquiry report,

in July 2015.

Significance of Recent Visit

In The wake of India‘s surgical strike on LoC this visit may fuel to the anti-India element in

Pakistan.

Indian Muslim has condemned the ISIS thus

radical factors must keep in check.

During this visit India, Israel ink two Agreements

in the field of water resources management and agriculture.

Being leading knowledge economies the Future

cooperation lies in strong hi-tech partnership.

Both the countries are in final stage of negotiation on Free Trade Agreement started in 2010.

Mashav

It is Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation in the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs, set up in the wake of the

Bandung Conference of 1955. It design, coordinate and implement the

Israel's worldwide development and cooperation programs in developing countries.

Through this Israel share its own

development experience as a young country.

It conducted through workshops and

training in the social sectors.

It is funded jointly by multinational

organizations.

ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

Marrakech Climate Conference (CoP 22) In news: The twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22), the twelfth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol

(CMP 12), and the first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 1) were held in Marrakech, Morocco from 7-18 November 2016.

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force on 21 March

1994 is one of three convention adopted at the “Rio Earth Summit” in 1992.

With near-universal membership its convention - Parties to the Convention-has ratified by 197 countries.

It is an international environmental treaty to ―stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent

dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system‖.

The parties to the convention have met annually from 1995 in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to assess progress

Its sister Rio Conventions are UN Convention on Biological Diversity Convention to Combat Desertification. It now the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands also

incorporated.

Earlier CoPs

In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was concluded and

established legally binding obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in the period 2008-2012.

2010’s Cancun agreements state that future global warming should be limited to below 2.0 °C (3.6 °F) relative to the pre-industrial level.

2012’s Doha amendments extended the Kyoto Protocol obligation up to the year 2020.

2015’s Paris Agreement was adopted, governing emission reductions from 2020 through Nationally Determined Contributions.

Key Contentions

The rich countries have promised to mobilise at least USD 100 billion per year from the year 2020.

Most developed countries have not yet ratified the Doha Amendments.

Paris Agreement is not legally-binding, and does not assign any emission cut targets on any country.

As there is no progress seems on these fronts it disappoints and angered the developing counties.

Marrakech COP-22

The nations attending the COP22 summit adopted the Marrakech Action Proclamation.

The negotiators agreed to finalise the rules for implementation of Paris Climate Deal, latest by

2018.

If UNFCCC is the Constitution for fighting climate

change, then Paris Agreement is the law and Marrakech Conference was supposed to come out as a rulebook for it.

Rules are meant to implement the law, but at Marrakech the developed countries, tried to use the rule-making process to subvert the law.

Rich nations succeeded in establishing their dubious climate finance report into formal negotiations.

This OECD report could now become one of the bases for defining climate finance.

The existing Adaptation Fund (for developing countries) will continue under the Paris Agreement but with attached conditions.

But these conditions eventually choke it by the time Paris Agreement gets implemented.

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About India’s Aspirations

Neither the ‗Climate Justice‘ nor the India‘s demand for life styles adjustment was mentioned.

Principles of common but differentiated responsibilities could find a very nominal space.

The BASIC group (group of big developing economies) had become less coherent than ever before.

Nationally Determined Contributions

UNFCC member countries have intended to contribute in reducing green house emission based on their priorities, circumstances and capabilities.

It will update every five years. Once submitted, parties have to declare the steps taken to

achieve this.

India’s NDC: To reduce emissions intensity of

its GDP by 33 to 35 per cent by 2030 from 2005 level.

To create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3

billion tons of CO2 equivalent.

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)

It is a principle within the UNFCCC which

acknowledges the different capabilities and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change.

Principle of CBDR was enshrined in the 1992

UNFCCC treaty as guiding principle but became source of contention.

International Solar Alliance

In News: More than 20 countries signed a

Framework Agreement on International Solar Alliance when it was opened for signature on side-lines of the UN climate conference (COP22) in Marrakech, Morocco. What is ISA?

The ISA is a treaty-based inter-governmental organization and headquartered in Gurugram, India.

This initiative was launched at the India-Africa Summit by India in 2015.

The alliance will take the shape of an international

treaty once its rules are worked out.

The agreement will become operational after at least 15 countries have ratified it.

The membership is open to the countries between tropics (fully or partially) who are also UN members. The

ISA structure will consist of two tiers in the form of

an Assembly and Secretariat.

Partner Country status to be granted to other countries (not within tropics) by the decision of ISA Assembly.

The alliance will work in tandem with International Renewable Energy Agency and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership to bring a co-ordinated effort.

Objectives:

The ISA seeks to do three things to bring down

the costs of technology as well as of finance needed for a solar project. These are

1. By boost global demand, prices of solar energy deployment will be reduced.

2. By standardization of equipment and processes for generating electricity.

3. By boost research and development, particularly in areas of efficient storage systems.

It will not duplicate or replicate the efforts that

others bilateral or multilateral organizations are currently engaged in.

It is also expected to mobilize $1 trillion for

funding solar energy projects by 2030 by various stake holders

Is ISA part of UN program?

Strictly speaking, the ISA agreement is separate from the United Nations-mandated climate change talks that are held every year.

But after two climate conference the process is

getting linked closely with the UN climate process.

How significant is ISA to India?

The ISA gives India an opportunity to take global

leadership in the fight against climate change.

The secretariat of the ISA is to be located in India.

It will also host a meeting of ISA assembly every

year.

India has promised to contribute $27 million and recurring expenditure for five years. This is for infrastructure creation and creating a corpus fund.

International Agro Biodiversity Congress

In News: The 1st International Agro biodiversity Congress held in New Delhi from 6th to 9th November, 2016 was attended by 900 participants from 60 countries.

Agro biodiversity Congress:

The objective of the Congress is to provide a

platform to all the stakeholders engaged in genetic resource conservation and management to deliberate on thematic issues of global importance.

The IAC 2016 is being organized by the Indian

Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR) and

Biodiversity International, in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Delegated discussed various aspects of access, conservation and use of agro biodiversity in multiple sessions.

Based on these deliberations, at the concluding session delegates unanimously adopted Delhi Declaration on Agro biodiversity Management.

Highlights of Declaration:

Agro biodiversity conservation and their sustainable use must be given top priority to achieve targets of SDGs relating to social indicators.

Necessary funding, legal and institutional mechanism and active participation must be ensure.

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It urged researchers and policy-makers to initiate, strengthen, and promote complementary conservation strategies. to

It invites researchers to employ modern technologies including, genomic, space, computational, and nano-technologies for characterization, evaluation and trait discovery using genetic resources.

The aim should be to achieve efficiency, equality,

economy and environmental security in agricultural production systems and landscapes.

It reemphasized the necessity of global exchange of plant, animal, aquatic microbial and insect genetic resources for food security.

Phyto sanitary capacities must be improved to

facilitate safe transfer of genetic resources.

The governments and societies must emphasis on public awareness and capacity building.

Agro biodiversity index must be implemented to monitor conservation.

It urges public and private sector partnerships to invest in and incentivize the utilization of agro biodiversity.

The UN is urged to consider declaring soon a ‗Year of Agro biodiversity‘ to draw worldwide attention

and to catalyse urgent action.

Air pollution – Emergency measures taken across the world

In News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) announced emergency measures to tackle pollution which will come into place when air quality touches the ‗severe‘ limit.

What are the measures? These measures include

Sprinkling water using helicopters,

Stopping construction activity,

Cleaning of dust from roads by mechanical. Manual cleaning only helps in regeneration of pollution,

Stopping stone crushing and

Stopping thermal power plants & diesel generator sets that cause more pollution than is permitted.

These measures are somewhat different from those put in place on bad air days in major cities elsewhere in the world

Beijing

Once among the most polluted cities in the world, Beijing has had stringent emergency measures to combat chronic air pollution in place since 2011. These were formalized in 2013.

The Chinese capital enforces an odd-even road-rationing scheme for private cars whenever a ‗Red‘ alert is sounded, immediately pulling some 1.8 million cars off the roads for every day that the scheme is in force.

An alarm will be sounded and messages will be played in buses and trains asking people to be cautious.

All schools are closed so that children are not exposed to toxic air, factories are shut down, and

fireworks — which are a major draw during the Chinese New Year celebrations — are banned.

Even outdoor barbecues, which are very popular in local markets, are stopped.

All government departments have to ensure that only 70% of their vehicles are on the roads.

An alert is sounded on the day before a heavy smog day based on forecasts.

Paris

When smog enveloped the iconic Eiffel Tower in March 2015, the French capital took half its cars off the roads, much like Delhi‘s odd-even scheme.

Only ―clean‖ cars, those with uneven number plates or vehicles carrying more than three people have been permitted to enter Paris and 22

surrounding areas

Heavy fines were imposed for flouting the ban, and the speed limit was set at a low 20 km per hour.

An estimated 750 police officers were dispatched from 5.30am onwards to about 100 busy roads and junctions to hand out fines to those who ignored the measures.

Public transport and parking in residential areas were made free to encourage people to use public transport.

According to the government, the steps were

successful and helped cut pollution significantly.

2015 was only the third time since 1997 that the city had to implement emergency measures.

Mexico City

When it declares an air emergency, Mexico City bans a fifth of private cars from roads on every day of the week.

The temporary measure included ordering all cars to remain idle one day a week in response to the notoriously smoggy capital‘s worst air-quality crisis

It also offers free rides on buses and trains.

The city started its battle with air pollution in the late 1980s and was the first to implement the odd-even scheme.

ICARDA

In News: The International Centre for Agricultural

Research in the Dry Areas, or ICARDA, hosts the largest collection of seeds in Morocco.

The crucial role of seed banks in protecting

biodiversity is receiving increasing attention because of climate change, which threatens to wipe out crops as dry areas of the world get even hotter and drier.

The Rabat centre holds tens of thousands of seeds spanning from wheat and barley to lentils and chickpeas inside a vault in near-freezing temperatures.

The seed bank not only preserves these essential staples but develops them to become more resistant to disease and a warming climate.

The site in Rabat has become primary centre of storage and research after its previous hub in Aleppo, Syria, was seized by an Islamist rebel group in September 2015.

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TECHNOLOGICAL AFFAIRS

Pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1

China has successfully launched experimental X-ray pulsar navigation satellite XPNAV-1 from it‘s the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

It is the world’s first pulsar navigation satellite

or spacecraft. It was launched on board of Long March 11 solid-fuelled rocket in China‘s northwest.

XPNAV-1 satellite will operate in a Sun-

synchronous orbit (500 kilometers) inclined 97 degrees.

It will conduct in-orbit experiments of autonomous

spacecraft navigation using pulsar detectors to demonstrate new technologies.

It will also test its detectors‘ functions in

responding to the background noise of the universe, outline pulsar contours, and create a database for pulsar navigation.

What is Pulsars?

Pulsars are highly magnetized, rotating neutron stars that emit a beam of electromagnetic

radiation.

They are spherical, compact objects that are about the size of a large city but contain more mass than the sun.

Scientists are using pulsars to study extreme

states of matter, search for planets beyond Earth‘s solar system and measure cosmic distance.

What is X-ray pulsar navigation?

It is an innovative navigation technology in which

periodic X-ray signals emitted from pulsars are used to determine location of a spacecraft in deep space.

This method of navigation, based on X-ray signals

emitted from pulsars is known as XNAV.

It is expected to provide a faster estimation of

spacecraft location in space as current systems are limited by the time delay at great distances.

It is also seen as a cheaper alternative for a radio-based system as it would require reduced ground infrastructure.

Besides, it is expected to lead to autonomous

spacecraft navigation in the future. It will also save additional cost as X-ray satellites can be made smaller and lighter.

South Asian Satellite

Proposed by Indian Prime Minister for the benefit of SAARC Members in Nepal in 2014.

It was previously named as “SAARC Satellite‖. After Pakistan has opted out of this project, it is renamed as ―South Asian Satellite‖.

This satellite is likely to be launched by GSLV MK

III launch vehicle.

SAARC consists of 8 member countries. Its secretariat is located in Kathmandu.

Surya Jyoti -Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated

Micro Solar Dome (MSD)

In News:In order to capture day light and

concentrate the same inside a dark room, particularly in urban slum or rural areas which lack electricity supply, a low cost and energy efficient Micro Solar Dome has been tested and developed.

Micro Solar Dome

The Micro Solar Dome (MSD) is a day and night lighting single device.

It has a transparent semi-spherical upper dome made of acrylic material which captures the sunlight and the light passes through a sun-tube having a thin layer of highly reflective coating on the inner wall of the passage.

It is installed in 10 million households. Thus, it would lead to a saving of 1750 million units of energy.

The Micro Solar Dome (MSD) is a clear and green energy initiative of the Department of Science and Technology.

Solanum Nigrum

A compound derived from the leaves of Solanum nigrum, has remarkable efficacy in treating liver

cancer.

The compound saponin named Uttroside B, has shown that it is 10 times more effective than

Sorafenib, the only drug currently available for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (common type of liver cancer).

Solanum nigrum belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is also called as Black Nightshade.

It is widely used in traditional medicine for various ailments such as inflammation, jaundice, bronchitis, asthma, leprosy, and skin disorders. It is a rich source of anticancer molecules.

India became Associate Member State of

CERN

India and European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) signed an agreement today making India an Associate Member State of CERN.

CERN is the world‘s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory, where scientists and engineers

are probing the fundamental structure of the Universe.

CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border.

Presently CERN has 22 member states, four associate member states, and the observer status is given to four states and three International Organizations.

Previously India was awarded the Observer status of CERN in 2003.

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Last year, the Indian Cabinet gave its approval following which the CERN Council has accepted India as an Associate member.

As an Associate Member of CERN, India will be a part of the huge scientific and technological endeavour.

Becoming Associate Member of CERN will enhance participation of young scientists and engineers in various CERN projects and bring back knowledge

for deployment in the domestic programmes.

LIGO Observatory in India

LIGO-India is an Indo-US joint collaboration

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave

Observatory (LIGO) -India mega-science project would establish a state-of-the-art gravitational wave inter-ferometric Advanced LIGO detector in India.

The project will be jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and

Department of Science & Technology (DST).

A primary site has been identified at Aundha in Hingoli district of Maharashtra as the preferred site for the LIGO-India Project.

LIDAR

LIDAR—Light Detection and Ranging—is a remote sensing method used to examine the surface of the Earth.

It uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth.

The light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.

A LIDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver. Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring LIDAR data over

broad areas

Two types of LIDAR are topographic and

bathymetric.

Topographic LIDAR typically uses a near-infrared laser to map the land,

Bathymetric LIDAR uses water-penetrating green light to also measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.

MISCELLANEOUS

Smart India Hackathon In News: The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has launched Smart India Hackathon 2017.

Hackathon

A Hackathon is technically defined as an event, in which many people meet to engage in collaborative computer programming.

‗Smart India Hackathon 2017‘ is a pan-India 36-

hour nonstop digital programming competition which will take place in more than 20 centres simultaneously.

It is the world‘s largest digital national building

initiative.

It is joint initiative of All India Council for

Technical Education (AICTE), UGC, MyGov, NASSCOM, i4c, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabod hini and Persistent Systems.

Various Ministries and departments also

participating with the future prospect.

It aims to find digital solutions by harnessing creativity and technical expertise of over 30 lakh students from technology institutes in remotest parts of India.

Under this programme, technical problems concerning ministries will be put in the public domain and students from all the technical institutions will be free to volunteer to provide solutions to any specific problem

It will help in capacity building for ‗Start-up India,

Stand-up India’ Digital India, Skill India, and Make in India campaign.

It will have nearly 500 problem statements in all and will be published on innovate.mygov.in. In the first set of 250 problem statements were unveiled.

Professor Raj Bisaria selected for Kalidas

Samman In News: Madhya Pradesh Government has selected renowned theatre personality Prof Raj Bisaria for the prestigious ‗Kalidas Samman‘ national award for 2015-16.

Raj Bisaria is director, producer, actor and

educationalist.

He is best known for blending artistic concepts of the East and the West and the traditional and the

modern.

The Press Trust of India (PTI) describes him as the father of the modern theatre in North India.

Kalidas Samman is an annual award constituted

by Madhya Pradesh in 1980.

It is bestowed upon personalities in the four fields

of classical music, classical dance, theatre and arts.

Some of the previous recipients are Pandit Ravi

Shankar, MF Husain, Pandit Jasraj, Shambhu Mitra, Habib Tanvir, Ebrahim Alkazi etc.

Twin Trial of Prithvi-II Missile In News: The Indian Armed forces successfully test fired two nuclear capable Prithvi-II ballistic missiles back-to-back in salvo mode from two mobile launchers at a defence test facility off the at Chandipur in Odisha.

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Prithvi-II Launch

Launch activities were carried out by strategic

force command (SFC).

The missile trajectory was tracked by the DRDO

radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha.

The downrange teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events.

Strategic Forces Command (SFC)

The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) also called

Strategic Nuclear Command forms part of India‘s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).

It is responsible for the management and

administration of the country‘s tactical and

strategic nuclear weapons stockpile.

Prithvi-II

It is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface

medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs).

It is the first missile to be developed by the DRDO

under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Twin engines liquid Propelled missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warhead.

Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and North East Monsoon

The North-East monsoon is likely to extend its deficient run for next three days which is mainly attributable to the persisting negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), which causes the Indian Ocean just south to Bay of Bengal to warm up abnormally.

IOD – It is an atmosphere-ocean coupled phenomenon in the tropical Indian Ocean (like the

El Nino is in the tropical Pacific), characterized by a difference in sea-surface temperatures (SST).

Positive IOD – It is associated with cooler than normal sea-surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean and warmer than normal

sea-surface temperatures in the western tropical Indian Ocean.

Negative IOD – It is characterized by warmer than normal SSTs in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean and cooler than normal SSTs in the western tropical Indian Ocean.

Negative IOD & N.E. Monsoon – Negative IOD had a more direct and immediate impact on the North-East monsoon since the warmth builds up lower pressure over the Indian Ocean where most

of the moisture gets directed.

Induction of Indigenously Developed Naval Systems

In News: The Defence Minister Shri Manohar

Parrikar handed over four Naval Systems developed by DRDO to the Indian Navy. The four indigenously developed naval systems were ABHAY, HUMSA UG, NACS and AIDSS which will boost underwater surveillance capability of the Indian Navy.

ABHAY is an advanced Active-cum-Passive integrated SONAR system designed and developed for the smaller platforms such as shallow water crafts and coastal surveillance/patrol vessels.

HUMSA-UG has been designed for upgrading the existing HUMSA SONAR system of the Indian Naval platforms.

NACS determines the in-situ performance of the SONAR systems which are used to find the frequency-dependent 3-D transmission and reception characteristics of the SONAR.

It is also used to measure the magnitude and phase characteristics of the SONAR transmission and reception electronics and the transducers.

AIDSS, a distress SONAR is an Emergency Sound Signalling Device which is used to indicate that a submarine is in distress and enable quick rescue and salvage.

IN SHORT

Mitra Shakthi – 2016

It is India – Srilanka Joint military exercise.

2016 version of Mitra Shakthi was concluded at

Ambepussa, Srilanka.

2015 version was conducted in Pune, India.

Prabal Dostyk – 2016

It is India – Kazakhstan joint military exercise.

The exercise was conducted in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan. It means ‗Robust Friendship‘.

The primary aim of this exercise is undertaking Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in rural and semi-urban environment under the United Nation Mandate.

Super battery from junkyard metals

It is a new high performance, grid-scale battery made from metal scrap and common household

chemicals.

It is modelled based on the ancient technology called the ―Baghdad battery‖.

It can withstand the equivalent of 13 years of daily charging while retaining 90% of its capacity.

Conference of Parties (COP) of WHO

World Health Organization‘s Conference of Parties (COP7) held session on Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The Conference of Parties (COP) is held at two-year intervals.

It is the world‘s biggest convention on tobacco control policy.

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FCTC – Framework Convention on Tobacco Control was framed to curb emerging non-communicable diseases arises out of tobacco use.

FCTC is the first International treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO and was adopted by World Health Assembly in 2003.

Protection for Uttarkhand Glaciers

Uttarkhand High Court asked state government to ban construction near the glaciers and impose a ‗glacier tax‘ on tourists visiting the Himalayas.

The Famous Glaciers in Uttarkhand – Gangotri, Yamunotri, Milam, Pindari, Satopnath and

Bhagirathi- Kharak Glacier.

The 100 Km stretch of the Bhagirathi River from

Gaumukh to Uttarkashi had been declared as eco-sensitive zone under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986.

Business Impact Scorecard

India leads the World in the Digital Transformation Business Impact Scorecard.

The survey introduces a global ranking of countries and industries across 14 key performance indicators (KPIs) critical for digital transformation success.

The performance indicators include business agility, business growth, customer focus and operational efficiency

Surya Kiran

It is the Indo-Nepal Joint Military Training Exercise.

It provides an ideal platform for troops of the two countries to share their experiences

Counter Terrorists Operations and Disaster Management.

Hunar Haat

Hunar Haat‖ (Skill Haat) exhibition is aimed at promoting and supporting artisans from Minority communities and providing them domestic as well as international market for display and sell their

products.

The ―Hunar Haat‖ is being organized at India International Trade Fair.

It is implemented by National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under scheme ―USTTAD‖ (Upgrading the Skills & Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) of Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Super moon

―super moon‖, technically a ―perigee full moon‖ — a phenomenon that occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon being the closest it gets to the Earth on its orbit.

The main cause of this event is that the moon‘s orbit around the Earth is not quite a circle but an ellipse — a kind of squashed circle.

BRICS Trade Fair

The 1st BRICS Trade Fair was organized at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

It was organized with an objective to promote trade and investment opportunities amongst the participating BRICS nations i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

India organised the 1st BRICS Trade Fair during its Presidency pursuant to the announcement

made during the BRICS Summit at Ufa, in 2015.

The Presidency of BRICS will move to China in 2017 and they would need to take a decision on the organisation of the next BRICS Trade Fair.

National Innovations on Climate Resilient

Agriculture (NICRA)

NICRA is a network project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched in February, 2011.

The project aims to enhance resilience of Indian agriculture to climate change and climate vulnerability through strategic research and technology demonstration.

The research on adaptation and mitigation covers crops, livestock, fisheries and natural resource management.

The project consists of four components viz.

Strategic Research, Technology Demonstration, Capacity Building and Sponsored/Competitive Grants.

INS Chennai

INS Chennai, a P 15A Guided Missile Destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy.

It is the third and the last of the three ‗Kolkata‘ class destroyers, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy‘s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai.

INS Chennai, last of the Project 15 A class Destroyers.

INS Chennai is packed with Surface to Surface Missile and Surface to Air Missiles and Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.

The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear,

Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.

A unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenization incorporated in the production, accentuating our national objective of ‗Make in India‘.

Communal Harmony Campaign

Communal Harmony Campaign week is being observed from November 19-25, 2016.

It is organised by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH).

The NFCH also provides financial assistance for relief and rehabilitation of children rendered orphan or destitute in communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence.

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Solar City

The Solar City aims at minimum 10% reduction in projected demand of conventional energy at the end of five years, through a combination of enhancing supply from renewable energy sources in the city and energy efficiency measures.

The basic aim is to motivate the local Governments for adopting renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures.

In a Solar City all types of renewable energy based projects like solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, waste to energy etc. may be installed along with possible energy efficiency measures depending on the need and resource availability in the city.

GOES-R

NASA launches ‗Next Generation‘ weather satellite.

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration‘s (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R (GOES-R), reaches its final designated orbit in the next two weeks, it will be renamed GOES-16.

Improved space weather sensors on GOES-R will monitor the sun and relay crucial information to forecasters so they can issue space weather alerts and warnings.

Exo-planet It is new ‗super Earth‘ planet with a mass around

5.4 times that of the Earth, orbiting a very bright star near to our Sun.

The star, GJ 536, is a red dwarf which is quite cool and near to our Sun.

The exo-planet, GJ 536 b has the short orbital period of 8.7 days and the luminosity of its star make it an attractive for investigating its atmospheric composition.

Karai-kulakkalnatham A bad land in Perambalur district of Tamilnadu

State, houses some of the best developed Cretaceous marine fossils in the world.

It is known for unique lithology and diversity of extinct marine life.

The site was declared a ―Geological Heritage Site‖ by the state government in 2015, for the protection and maintenance of the marine fossils.

Setu Bharatam Project It is an ambitious programme with an investment

of Rs. 50,000 crore to build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways.

The programme aims at making all national highways Railway Level Crossing free by 2019.

The project will do away with railway crossings on national highways and it is intended to prevent accidents and make travel safer.

Shenzhou 11 China‘s Shenzhou 11 space capsule landed safely

in the northern region of Inner Mongolia.

It is the country‘s longest manned space mission.

It separated from orbiting experimental space lab Tiangong-2.

Tiangong-2, which is the second experimental space lab, will remain in its orbit and remote experiments will continue until it docks with Tianzhou-1, China‘s first cargo spacecraft, which is set to be launched in April 2017.

R-MITRA App A Mobile Application ―R-MITRA‖ (Railway Mobile

Instant Tracking Response & Assistance) has been launched by Eastern Railway for security of passengers especially women passengers in Kolkata and suburban areas of the zone.

Mission Madhumeha The Ministry of AYUSH is also going to launch

―Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda‖ on the occasion.

The Mission will be implemented throughout the

country through National Treatment Protocol for effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.

It provides for free Ayurvedic health care services for the patients of Diabetes by organizing health check-up camps, public lectures for creating awareness in public regarding Diabetes etc.

POCSO e-box

WCD Ministry has launched (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) POCSO e-box for direct online reporting of child sexual abuse cases.

POCSO e-box was launched on 26th August 2016 for direct online reporting of child sexual abuse cases to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)

RBSK initiative aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years to cover 4 ‗D‘. Defects at birth, Deficiencies, Diseases, Development delays including

The services aim to cover children of 0 -6 years of age in rural areas and urban slums in

addition to children enrolled in classes I to XII in Government and Government aided .

Swachh Survekshan-2017

Aligarh leads in Swachh Bharat awareness campaign in urban areas under the evaluation of IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities by the Ministry.

IEC performance has been assessed by the Ministry.

The evaluation of other parameters of Swachh

Survekshan-2017 will be done by the Quality Council of India.

The other cities in the top 10 in this regard are Vasai-Virar (Maharashtra), Hyderabad, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Vadodara and Rajkot (Gujarat), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Mysuru (Karnataka).

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Nuclear Power Plants in India

Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant – Karnataka.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station – Gujarat.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant – Tamil nadu.

Madras Atomic Power Station – Kalpakkam, Tamil nadu.

Narora Atomic Power Station – Uttar Pradesh.

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station – Rawatbhata, Rajasthan.

Tarapur Atomic Power Station – Maharashtra.

Major Ports to be developed in India

Sagar Island (West Bengal) – Kolkata Port.

Enayam near Colachel, (Tamil nadu) – V. O.

Chidambaranar Port.

Paradip Outer Harbour (Odisha) – Paradip Port Trust

Brucellosis

Brucellosis is a dreadful disease caused by the genus of the bacteria known as Brucella infecting various species of Brucella cows, buffalos, sheep, goats, deer, pigs, dogs and other animals as well as humans.

Brucellosis is endemic in India and that it could spread to humans.

Brucella species are small, gram-negative, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped (coccobacilli) bacteria.

Hydro power project classification in India Government has set the target to reach 175 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by the year 2022 which includes 5 GW from Small Hydro (up to 25 MW station capacity).

Micro Hydro Up to 100 KW

Mini Hydro 101 to 2000 KW

Small Hydro 2001 to 25000 (below 25 MW)

Large Hydro Above 25 MW

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

(AIIB)

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is an international financial institution that aims to

support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.

The bank has 57 member states (all ―Founding Members‖) and was proposed as an initiative by the government of China.

The headquarters of AIIB is located in Beijing.

China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders of AIIB.

It will fund infrastructural projects such as energy, urban construction, transportation and logistics as well as education and healthcare.

Major weather events in the world

Hurricane Matthew – Haiti and parts of the U.S.

Typhoon Lion rock – destructive flooding in the Democratic People‘s Republic of Korea.

Cyclone Winston – severe tropical storm on record to affect Fiji.

Above-normal seasonal rainfall in the Sahel led to significant flooding in the Niger River basin, with the river reaching its highest levels in about 50 years in Mali.

Phalodi in Rajasthan, India which set a new record for heat in India recording 51.0°C on May 19.

UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize

In 1995, to mark the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of

Mahatma Gandhi, UNESCO created a prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.

The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, and cultural or communication fields aimed at the

promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence.

The prize is awarded every two years on the International Day for Tolerance, 16 November.

The Prize may be awarded to institutions, organizations or persons, who have contributed in a particularly meritorious and effective manner to tolerance and non-violence.

The 2016 winner is the Federal Research and Methodological Center for Tolerance Psychology and Education (Tolerance Center) of Russia.

Indo-U.S. Collaboration on Pelagic Fish

The Ministry of Earth Sciences, India and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S., are jointly working on a research collaboration programme.

The programme would focus on prediction of

pelagic fish resources, especially sardines similar to fishery management in the California current.

The research will focus on formation mechanisms of the harmful algal blooms, its spread and the environmental set-up favouring their production.

The programme also develop improved predictive capability for the small pelagic of the south eastern Arabian Sea especially sardines.

INS Sumitra INS Sumitra visits Auckland, New Zealand for international naval review 2016 in pursuit of India‘s ‗Act East‘ policy and outreach to friendly countries

Sumitra is the fourth of the Saryu class ships, based on an indigenous design and constructed by Goa Shipyard Ltd, India.

The ship has been deployed for multiple operational tasks, the most notable being ‗Operation Rahat‘, which entailed the evacuation of personnel of various nationalities from war-torn Yemen in 2015.

The ship has a range of 6,500 nautical miles and

is capable of embarking one Dhruv / Chetak helicopter.

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Green GDP

Green Gross Domestic Product (Green GDP) is an index of economic growth with the environmental consequences of that growth factored in.

It deducting natural resources depletion costs and environmental degradation costs, so as to assess the quality of economic development in real sense.

It includes medical costs generated from factors such as air and water pollution, loss of livelihood due to environmental crisis such as floods or droughts.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation set up an expert group in 2011 led

by Partha Dasgupta, to work out a framework for green national accounts in India.

The Committee recommended that economic evaluation be made on the basis of a comprehensive notion

Lake Urmia

Iran‘s Lake Urmia – It was once the second-largest hyper-saline lake in the world.

Climate, humans caused decline of the annual flow of water into Lake Urmia.

The study indicates that climate change and variability has contributed to the lake desiccation

and the dominate role of water usage leads to changes in the lake surface area.