Hindu Notes from General Studies-02
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Govt. offers free bus rides during odd-even scheme
News:
- The Aam Aadmi Party government announced free bus rides aboard its Delhi Transport Corporation fleet from November 13 to 17, the proposed dates of odd-even car rationing scheme.
Background:
- This is to commuters in all DTC and cluster buses between November 13 and November 17, in a bid to promote the use of public transport.
Beyond News:
- According to sources, the free rides are expected to cause a loss of around Rs. 9.5 crore to the cash-strapped public transporter.
- As per the latest data from June this year, the DTC, which has a fleet of nearly 4,000 buses, carries about 2.8 million passengers daily and earns around Rs. 1.88 crore per day.
NGT’s Stand:
- A Bench headed by NGT chairperson asked the Delhi government to submit reports or studies on the basis of which it planned to enforce the scheme from November 13 to November 17.
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The NGT also asked the government to provide reasons for exempting two-wheeler from the scheme.
- The Tribunal has also asked for a detailed report on the emissions caused by cars in the National Capital Region (NCR) and what the other pollutant factors are.
- It permitted the operation of industries which are providing essential services and goods like food items and medical facilities.
Centre approves creation of National Testing Agency
News:
- The Union Cabinet on Friday approved the creation of a National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational institutions.
Beyond News:
- Its creation will relieve the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – which conducts exams like the National Eligibilty-cum-Entrance Test – and the All India Council for Technical Education of the burden of conducting entrance tests.
- The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has approved the creation of a National Testing Agency (NTA) as a Society registered under the Indian Society Registration Act, 1860, and as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational institutions.
- The NTA will begin by conducting exams managed by the CBSE and gradually conduct other examinations too.
The Centre will give an initial grant of Rs. 25-crore to the NTA to start its operations in the first year.
India, Canada may ‘trade off’ wish lists
News:
- India and Canada will next week discuss ways to take forward talks on the proposed bilateral trade and investment pacts.
Beyond News:
- In the talks related to the proposed Canada-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), officially known as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, both sides are expected to exchange their respective services trade wish list, indicating the areas where they would like to gain from the trade pact.
One main area of interest for India is ensuring easier movement of Indian skilled workers to Canada for short-term work.
Hindu Notes from General Studies-03
Gene therapy helps treat boy’s life-threatening skin disease — a first {Not much important}
News:
In a first, scientists have successfully treated a child suffering from extensive skin damage due to a genetic disease using transplants derived from genetically modified cells.
Background:
The boy suffered from Epidermolysis bullosa, a genetic skin disease that had destroyed about 80 per cent of the outermost layer of his skin.
Epidermolysis bullosa is the scientific name of a congenital skin disease that is currently considered to be incurable.
Its underlying mechanism is a defect in protein-forming genes that are essential for skin regeneration. Even minor stress can result in blisters, wounds, and skin loss with scar formation.
The disease significantly reduces the patients’ quality of life; often it is also life-threatening.
Beyond News:
- The transplants were applied to the boy’s arms and legs, entire back, flanks, and partially to the stomach, neck and face as well.
- The integration of the intact gene through retro viral gene transfer into the genome of the epidermal stem cells had been successful and was proven to be stable.
GST slashed on 178 items ahead of Gujarat elections
News:
- The Goods and Services Tax Council on Friday sharply reduced to just 50 the number of items in the highest tax rate of 28%.
Beyond News:
- The Council decided to reduce the tax rate on 178 of current 228 items from 28% to 18%, with effect from November 15.
- Items with tax rates reduced to nil from 5% include guar meal, sweet potatoes, and dried or frozen fish.
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