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Current Affairs Current Affairs & & General Awareness General Awareness
Current Affairs Current Affairs & & General Awareness General Awareness
Current Affairs Current Affairs & & General Awareness General Awareness
As we move closer to same time of the UPSC Season when the aspirants are getting into groove of PT mode of f exhaustive study; we at CSC have come up with the present issue that caters to this aspect of the syllabus. Being appreciative of the fact regarding the unpredictability of UPSC-PT; we have endeavored to come up with a master-key that can build upon the conceptual clarity of the students rather than stufng them with unmindful facts. Moreover as we have been witnessing the unadulterated fact that PT exam has now become an essential part of selection rather than being a mere tool of rejecting non-serious candidates. Apart from getting into an aptitude model of n testing, CSAT (as UPSC-PT is now commonly referred to) also requires intrusive and intensive knowledge (rather than mere information) on any and everything that has to do with Current awareness (a hybrid intersecting between Current Affairs and General Awareness). Lucidly, speaking anything that has to do with convergence of human life, Governance, international polity and socio-economic fraternity is included in the fathomless syllabus of PT. With the vast experience we have at CSC, in training and modulating success stories, the issue in your hand is expected to be a gem in your book shelf. Conceptual clarity also makes this issue important for the later stages of exam including other Provincial Services Exams. Hoping, that our sincere efforts has really helped You in making your dreams a reality by the turn of next year.
NATIONAL NEWS
Right to Privacy Bill
Right to Privacy, like other fundamental rights in the Constitution and statutory rights under various laws, will soon become a reality. The Right to Privacy Bill is to provide for such a right to citizens of India and to regulate collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of their personal information. The bill comes in the backdrop of the Centre's assurance in the Supreme Court during the course of hearing of a writ petition led by industrialist Ratan Tata, challenging the publication of Nira Radia tapes, alleging that such publications violated his right to privacy. The bill says that every individual shall have a right to his privacy confidentiality of communication made to, or, by him including his personal correspondence, telephone conversations, telegraph messages, postal, electronic mail and other modes of communication; condentiality of his private or his family life; protection of his honour and good name; protection from search, detention or exposure of lawful communication between and among individuals; privacy from surveillance; condentiality of his banking and nancial transactions, medical and legal information and protection of data relating to individual. The bill gives protection from a citizen's identity theft, including criminal identity theft (posing as another person when apprehended for a crime), nancial identify theft (using another's identity to obtain credit, goods and services), etc. The bill prohibits interception of communications except in certain cases with approval of Secretarylevel ofcer. It mandates destruction of interception of the material within two months of discontinuance of interception. The bill provides for constitution of a Central Communication Interception Review Committee to examine and review the interception orders passed and is empowered to render a finding that such interception contravened Section 5 of the Indian Telegraphs Act and that the intercepted material should be destroyed forthwith. It also prohibits surveillance either by following a person or closed circuit television or other electronic or by any other mode, except in certain cases as per the specied procedure. As per the bill, no person who has a place of business in India but has data using equipment located in India, shall collect or processor use or disclose any data relating to individual to any person without consent of such individual. The bill mandates the establishment of a Data Protection Authority of India, whose function is to monitor development in data processing and computer technology. The bill makes contravention of the provisions on interception an offence punishable with imprisonment for a
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Project Vigeye
Project VIGEYE (Vigilance Eye) is a citizen-centric initiative, wherein citizens join hands with the Central Vigilance Commission in ghting corruption in India. Citizens have multiple channels to air their grievances and complaints to CVC Through their mobile phones: by downloading the mobile application from the CVC website. The complaints can be better articulated with additional data like audio/ video/ photo evidence from their mobiles directly. Through the internet: by ling up the complaint form online they can attach audio/video/photo evidence. Through telephone: help line have been setup The entire complaint processing is done online, in digital form, enabling fast and accurate processing of complaints. The concerned CVO will interact with the complainant directly over phone/email or in person, as the case may be, to take it forward. Status of the complaint is communicated back to the complainant - the communication loop becomes complete.
Controversy on Endosulfan
Endosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide that has been banned in some developed countries. Endosulfan became a highly controversial agro-chemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bio-accumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor. The Supreme Court has banned the manufacture, sale and use of toxic pesticide endosulfan in India. But the Central Government had contended against its ban in the Supreme Court by stating that the long term use of pesticides was unlikely to affect the health of human beings. The reason might be that banning endosulfan would affect market where its annual value is 270 crores. Indian manufacturers produce about 70% of world production of endosulfan. In 2001, in Kerala endosulfan spraying was suspended when linked to a series of abnormalities noted in local children. Initially endosulfan was banned, yet under pressure from the pesticide industry this ban was largely revoked. The decision of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants to include the pesticide endosulfan in the list of chemicals scheduled for elimination at the global level was also being argued by India as India is the largest manufacturer and consumer of endosulfan. Finally India has agreed to ban endosulfan and accepted it as a health hazard. India also agreed to phase out ban with an exemption for some crops. The Stockholm Convention exempted 14 crops for a ve-year phase out period, during which India will receive nancial assistance to help with the switch to alternatives. Additionally, India has the option to apply to the Stockholm Convention for a second ve-year extension.
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Varanasi Ghats and Mumbai's Royal Opera House in 'Most Endangered Heritage sites'
The Balaji Ghat of Varanasi and the Royal Opera House in Mumbai have been declared among the 100 most endangered heritage sites of the world by the World Monuments Fund. The 18th century Balaji Ghat, which falls between the famous Manikarnika and Panchganga ghats is situated along the river Ganges in Varanasi, is among the over 60 endangered cultural heritage sites in the world that are in dire need of preservation, according to World Monuments Fund (WMF), a New Yorkbased private foundation's watch list for 2012. It is commonly known as the Mangala Gauri Ghat. The main building of the temple on the ghat was a structure of wood and stones which suffered severe damage over the years due to to inadequate conservation, maintenance as well as poor heritage protection. Its inclusion in the list will support a plan to restore the building for use as a cultural centre. The building was nominated to the World Monuments Fund by Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). Nominated by Mumbai researcher and writer, Sharada Dwivedi, The Royal Opera House which rises prominently at a bustling intersection in Mumbai is another site which has made it to the WMF's list for 2012. Maurice E. Bandmann, a renowned entertainer from Calcutta, and Jehangir Framji Karaka, head of a rm of coal brokers, drew up the Baroque style designs for the theatre. In 1911, permission was sought, and granted, on the occasion of George V's visit to Mumbai to use the prex 'Royal'. Completed in 1915, the structure hosted operas and live performances until converted into a cinema in 1935. Today it is the only remaining opera house in India. Abandoned over twenty years ago, the building has deteriorated over time yet eluded demolition. The structural restoration of the building is now almost complete under the supervision of its owner, the Maharaja of Gondal.
(i) Special economic package of Rs.350 crore (Rs.70 cr. p.a.) over and above the plan fund over the next 5 years to KAATC for identied projects; (j) Improvement of road connectivity , water supply and supply of power in Karbi Anglong District under existing schemes; (k) Providing one-time grant for capacity building in KAATC for preparation of DPR etc. (l) Rehabilitation of UPDS cadres; Withdrawal of cases relating to heinous crimes shall be reviewed case by case according to existing policy for withdrawal of such cases. Implementation of MoS will be reviewed periodically. Amendments will be made in the relevant paragraphs of the Sixth Schedule for (b) to (f) above and other executive orders will be issued to implement the other provisions of MoS.
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LETHAL LIQUOR
What is illicit liquor? Alcoholic beverages are made by fermentation of sugary and starchy substances, followed by distillation to increase alcohol concentration. The active ingredient in them is ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Any alcoholic beverage made under unlicensed conditions is called illicit liquor. Usually sub-standard raw material is used, often this is spiked with other chemicals. What makes it poisonous? Under unregulated conditions, methanol or methyl alcohol can be produced with the desired ethanol. Sometimes, industrial methyl alcohol or denatured spirit (mixture of ethanol and methanol) added by illicit brewers to save costs and in mistaken belief that it'll increase potency. There have been incidents where chemicals like organo-phosphorus compounds have been added to illicit liquor. Methyl alcohol is extremely toxic - 10 ml can cause blindness and 30 ml can cause death within 10 to 30 hours. It is like ethyl alcohol in taste and smell. What are the antidotes? Ethyl alcohol and fomepizole are antidotes, inhibiting metabolizing of methyl alcohol so that it passes through urine. Sodium bicarbonate used for acidosis. Advanced treatment requires haemodialysis to remove toxic substances from bloodstream.
ing the environment and protecting against climate change. But India's decadal population growth rate, which touched a high of over 24 per cent in the 1970s, is slowing down. According to the 2011 census, it was 17.64 per cent in the last decade. That presents both opportunities and challenges. The opportunity is the demographic "dividend" of a "youth bulge": 50 per cent of India's population is under the age of 25. That means more working hands, especially as women join the work force in greater numbers. But the UNPF has warned that this "opportunity clock is ticking fast." The youth bulge witnessed a peak in 2000, and its effects will be felt only until 2025, when the number of dependents, aided by decreasing mortality rates, begins to rise. India will not only need to keep its young population usefully employed, but also needs to plan for an ageing population. In 2001, there were 80 million elderly people in India. Ms. Billimoria belongs to the Parsi community, which represents a separate problem of a vanishing people:
Parsis now number around 60,000 in India; Kolkata counts only 600 among its residents. The UNPF estimated that in 2001, as many as 30 million elderly lived alone. The number of elderly is expected to increase to 173 million by 2026. This highlights the need to build support systems for the aged. The other, perhaps more important, challenge is the falling sex ratio and the "vanishing" girl population. The 2011 census showed a steep fall in the sex ratio, from 927.31 girls for every 1000 boys in 2001 to 914.23 a decade later. The shaming numbers underscore the fact that laws have done nothing to curb female foeticide or change the cultural preference for a boy child. The world has added a billion babies - or almost another China - since Adnan Mevic was born. Having taken millennia to pass the one-billion mark, the world's population has now doubled in 50 years. Mounting concern over humanity's environmental impact and fears that we may not be able to feed ourselves 100 years from now cast a cautionary tone over the buildup to Monday's milestone.
Food fortication is dened as the practice of deliberately increasing the content of essential micronutrients - vitamins and minerals - in a food so as to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and to provide a public health benet with minimal risk to health. The public health benets of fortication includes: a) Prevention or minimization of the risk of occurrence of micronutrient deciency in a population or specic population groups. b) Contribution to the correction of a demonstrated micronutrient deciency in a population or specic population groups. c) Plausible benecial effects of micronutrients consistent with maintaining or improving health (e.g. there is some evidence to suggest that a diet rich in selected antioxidants might help to prevent cancer and other diseases).
are tribal-dominated, with indigenous groups constituting 26.3 per cent and 64.2 per cent of the population. This is also true of health, wherein the ve worst performing States are Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. All among them are essentially tribal States, except Uttar Pradesh.
Rating on the basis of gender equality : Despite its high literacy rate, Kerala was ranked last in gender equality in prevention of child marriages, and had a high percentage of girls (under 18) getting married. On the other hand, West Bengal, which was the worst performing state in education, was also the worst performer in gender equality, and fared poorly in prevention of girl child marriages as well. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu too were ranked poorly in child marriage. Rating on the basis of crime against children : Karnataka is the best state for children to live in as it has the least number of cases of crime against children, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. While crimes against children are highest in Nagaland (in proportion to the number of children), and Manipur is the worst performer in crimes by children. Despite being ostensibly backward on social sector parameters, Bihar is ranked number 1 when it comes to crimes committed by children. It has the least number of such cases.
Rating on the basis of health facility : Kerala and Goa, the two best performing States in health, are performing poorly in the provision of health infrastructure. Himachal Pradesh, one of the ve best States in health care, ranks among the last ve in HIV/AIDS intervention. The ranking has a regional pattern: four of the ve best performing States - Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh - are from the southern region. Maharashtra alone is from the west. On the other hand, all the worst performing States are in the Northeast: Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. In fact, of the ve States falling in the not-so-well performing States category, Tripura, Assam and Mizoram are from the Northeast. They are performing badly in almost indicators. Rating on the basis of education : A signicant proportion of the population of the worst performing States, which are performing badly in education, are tribals: Jharkhand and Arunachal Pradesh
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Recommendations
The working group on enforcement mentioned that the penalty structure as per Amendment of Motor Vehicles Act 1988 has become redundant and the nes not a deterrence for trafc rule violators. It suggested increasing the penalties for offences. While revising the penalties for traffic offences, the group mentioned a clause needs to be inserted in the Amendment Act so that every three years there is revision of the nes based on consumer price index. On the topic of overloading of commercial vehicles, the group specied that if a commercial vehicle was found overloaded it would be prosecuted with mandatory criminal case under the provisions of Damage to Public Property Act against the transporter, the consignor and the consignee. The groups felt the need for digitization of the existing driving licence holders. Measures need to be adopted to ensure when driving licence of a defaulter is suspended he should not be able to get another licence from any other transport authority. It was noted that a large number of accidents on roads happen because of many commercial vehicles not being in good condition.
technique and adoption of UHDP practice under a joint capability building programme under the aegis of Jain irrigation and Coca-Cola University. The area under mango cultivation is not growing at required pace. UHDP mango plantation is a viable solution to tackle this problem and can be undertaken in all tradition mango growing regions.
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In Gujarat, Indias First Vessel Traffic Service was Dedicated to the Nation
In Gujarat, Indias rst highly sophisticated vessel trafc service was dedicated to the nation in Kandla. Sixteen thousand square kilometres of Gulf of Kutch are now under strict vigilance by this ultra modern radar system which is the rst and the largest radar surveillance system on Indian coast. The very sensitive and strategically most important, the Gulf of Kutch, is now more safe, with the dedication of ultra-modern vesel management service at Kandla this morning. Approximately, 16500 sq. km. of Gulf of Kutch areas are under the surveillance of high-tech radars and other navigational systems.
The Seal
The rare seal was found at Wattoowala, located near Derawar Fort and along the ancient bed of the Hakra river.
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The policy attempts to curb the menace of drug abuse and contains provisions for treatment, rehabilitation and social re-integration of victims of drug abuse. Implementation of the provisions of the policy will lead to reduction of crime, improvement in public health and uplifting of the social milieu. The NDPS Policy will serve as a guide to various Ministries and organizations and re-assert India`s commitment to combat the drug menace in a holistic manner.
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NPS-Lite
National Pension System (NPS) is an initiative of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the apex body established by Government of India to regulate and develop the pension sector in India. NPS has been extended to all citizens of India with effect from 1st May 2009. To extend the coverage of NPS to the weaker and economically disadvantaged sections of the society with their limited investment potential, PFRDA has launched NPS- Lite which specically targets the marginal investors and promotes small savings during their productive life. It aims at building up a corpus sufcient enough to buy an annuity for their old age. "NPS-Lite Model" is designed to ensure ultra-low administrative and transactional costs, so as to make such small investments viable. NPS-Lite works on a "group" model. It also aims at harnessing the outreach and capacity of the Government operated schemes, NGOs, MFIs, NBFCs etc. in targeting and servicing the old age savings needs of low income workers. Each eligible group or Aggregator in NPS Lite model will be responsible for grass-root level enrolments, ongoing collection, re-conciliation and transfer of individual contributions as well as for ongoing services and information delivery. Distinguishing Features of NPS Lite: Focused- For economically disadvantaged sections of the society and marginal investors. Voluntary - Open to eligible citizens of India, in the age group of 1860 years. Subscriber is free to choose the amount he/she wants to invest every year. Simple Eligible individuals in the unorganized work force can open an account through their Aggregator and get an Individual subscriber (NPS Lite) Account. Safe - Regulated by PFRDA, with transparent investment norms and regular monitoring and performance review of fund managers by NPS Trust. Economical Ultra-low cost structure with no minimum amount required per annum or per contribution. Portable Subscriber can operate account from anywhere in the country, even with change of location, employment or Aggregator.
Swayamsidha
It is an integrated project for the development and empowerment of women. It is based on the formation of women into Self Help Groups with emphasis on converging services, developing access to microcredit and promoting micro enterprises. The long term objective of the scheme is to achieve an all around development especially socially and economically by ensuring their direct access to, and control over, resources through a sustained process of mobilization and convergence of all ongoing sectoral programmes. The immediate objectives of the programme are as follows: Establishment of self-reliant womens Self Help Groups (SHGs); Creation of condence and awareness among members of SHGs regarding womens status, health, nutrition, education, sanitation and hygiene, legal rights, economic upliftment and other social, economic and political issues; Strengthening and institutionalizing the savings habit among rural women and their control over resources; Improving access of women to microcredit; Involvement of women in local level planning; and Convergence of services of DWCD and other Departments.
Swadhar
This scheme was launched during the year 2001-2002 as a central sector scheme for providing the holistic and integrated services to women in difcult circumstances, such as destitute widows deserted by their families in religious places like Vrindavan and Kashi; women prisoners released from jail and without family support; women survivors of natural disasters who have been rendered homeless and are without any social and economic support; trafcked women/ girls rescued or runaway from brothels or other places or victims of sexual crimes, who are disowned by family or who do not want to go back to their respective family for various reasons; women victims of terrorist violence who are without any family support; mentally challenged women who are without any support of family or relatives, etc. The package of services made available under the Scheme include provision for food, clothing, shelter, health care
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of withdrawal of MPLADS Funds, NOC from MGNREGA would be required. The guidelines of MGNREGA such as, no contractors, no use of machinery, social audit, etc. shall be strictly followed. The Gram Panchayat shall be nominated as the Implementing Agency by the District Planning Committee (DPC) for the convergence works under MPLADS. The DPC shall provide adequate technical support to the Gram Panchayat to implement the works. The accounts of Expenditure will be strictly maintained separately for both MPLADS and MGNREGA.
GOI Approves Convergence of Member of Parliament Local area Development Scheme with MGNERGA
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has approved the convergence of Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLADS) with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). After the convergence, the funds from Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) can be used with MGNREGA for creating more durable assets. MPs may allot fund for MGNREGA projects approved by the Zilla Panchayat for the year out of MPLADS funds but it should be sanctioned by the District Programme Coordinator who approves the Annual Work Plan under MGNREGA of the district. As far as possible, the MPLADS Funds shall be used in respect of material component only. Once a work is recommended for MGNREGA, MPs will not be authorized to withdraw the same. In case of request
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S. Sundar Committee
The Chairman of the Committee of Experts on creation of a body for Road Safety and Traffic Management, S. Sundar presented the Report to the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu in February 2007. The Committee was set up on the directions of the Committee on Infrastructure, headed by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in November 2005, recognizing the need to contain burgeoning road accidents and fatalities in the country. The main recommendations of the Committee include creation of the National Road Safety & Traffic Management Board, an Apex body at national level to promote road safety and trafc management in the country to be constituted through an Act of the Parliament with members and experts drawn from the various elds including road engineering, automobile engineering, trafc laws, medical care, etc. The Committee has proposed that the Board would have regulatory as well as advisory functions. As far as regulatory functions are concerned, the Board would set standards and designs for mechanically propelled vehicles and National Highways. In its advisory role, the Board would advise Government on various road safety aspects and will promote road safety research, road user behavior strategies, lay guidelines for establishing medical care and rehabilitation, etc. The Report has also recommended that apart from monitoring adoption and implementation of various strategies, the Board would also have powers to issue directions with regard to corrective measures and conduct safety audits. The Committee, in its Report, has also recommended setting up of the state level bodies namely State Road Safety Boards as the issue of road safety is required to be taken up vigorously at all-India level. The functions of the State Board would be to aid and advise State Governments on matters relating to road safety & trafc management, coordinate road safety & traffic management functions with State level agencies, specify minimum standards for design, construction and operation of roads other than
National Highways, providing minimum standards for establishing and operating trauma care facilities, commission safety audits to monitor compliance with standards, specify minimum standards for design and manufacture of vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles, recommend measures for enquiry and redressal of complaints and grievance relating to road safety & trafc management, etc. To provide ow of funds, the Committee has suggested earmarking of 1% of total proceeds of cess on diesel and petrol for Road Safety Fund. Some part of the assistance to the State Board is proposed to be released on the basis of performance of the State in promoting the cause of road safety. The Committee has also dwelt upon other various issues like decriminalization of road accidents, insurance and dedicated highway police, etc.
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It also noted that for the poor, the dividing line between production and consumption needs is thin. In the absence of access to short term loans, the productive investments are impaired. It is recommended that banks should provide a separate exible revolving credit limit to the small borrowers of production or investment loans for meeting their temporary shortfalls in family cash ow. Some impediments to the ow of institutional credit to disadvantaged sections are: higher transaction cost to banks and borrowers, unfriendly procedures, systems and documentation formalities, borrower inability to provide tangible collateral securities distortion of normal banking principles on account of linking of credit with capital/interest sops under various poverty alleviation plans and announcements of interest/loan waivers vitiating the recovery.
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