IASTODAY DAILY CAPSULES -General Studies-02

IASTODAY CAPSULES are available free -date wise => CLICK HERE

Ahmedabad: 9 ration shop owners arrested for theft of Aadhaar details

News

• The Cyber Crime Cell of Ahmedabad, busted a gang involved in impersonation of fingerprints and theft of Aadhaar data, to print fake ration bills and procure food grains at subsidised rates from government ration shops for black marketing.

Theft of Aadhaar data

• According to police, three persons from Ahmedabad were arrested last week in the same case, for allegedly cloning fingerprints of ration card owners by stealing their Aadhaar data. After the cloning, fake invoices of ration card owners were printed to procure food ration at subsidised rates from ration shops.
• Police revealed that the three accused were in touch with at least 40 ration shops in the state, in order to cheat the government of subsidised food resources meant for people from the BPL (below poverty line) category.
• All 12 accused have been booked under IPC sections 420, 465, 406, 467, 468, 471 for fraud, forgery, criminal breach of trust, forgery of valuable security, forgery for purpose of cheating, of documents and using as genuine fraud documents respectively, apart from relevant sections of the IT act, the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, benefits and services) Act.

No contribution in 3 years from participating countries for Nalanda University construction: MEA

News

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between countries like India, China, Thailand, Australia and Laos for the construction of the Nalanda University, but only India has contributed towards it in the last three years, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed a parliamentary committee.

Construction of the Nalanda University

• The last installment of contribution by India was released in July 2019.There has been no contribution from any other country since August 2016.
• In the report, the Ministry of External Affairs told that Singapore had promised to contribute 50 lakh to 1 crore USD for the construction of the university’s library but no payment has been received so far.
• The report stated that the scope of contribution from other countries towards the operational and capital costs of the university is limited as no funds have been received from them during the last three years.
• Prior to August 2016, India contributed Rs 684.74 crore for the construction of the university, China and Australia granted 1 million USD each, Thailand gave 1,32,000 USD and Laos contributed 50,000 USD, it stated.
• The committee said an allocation of Rs 200 crore was made in the budget 2018-19 for the Nalanda University, which was reduced to Rs 190 crore at the revised stage. The allocation for the university in the 2019-20 budget was Rs 220 crore.
• The committee was informed that the actual construction work of the university started in May 2017 and is expected to be completed by 2021-22, the report stated.

Centre releases Rs 35,000 crore GST payment to states

News

With the crucial GST Council meeting coming up, the Centre released about Rs 35,000 crore to states and Union Territories as pending compensation.

GST Council

• The GST Council the highest decision-making body of the tax regime is to meet on December 18.
• Recently, governments of various states had flagged the issue of pending GST payments from the Centre, saying the lack of funds was affecting their infrastructure projects.
• The matter was also raised in Parliament last week, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying the Centre was committed to discharging its obligation.
• Earlier in November, five states Kerala, West Bengal, Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab had come out with a joint statement, saying they were facing “acute pressure” on their fiscal situation due to the delayed payment from the Centre.

Telling Numbers: Drop in Delhi particulate matter in days following odd-even

News

• For 12 days between November 4 and November 15, the Delhi government rolled out an odd-even scheme, based on licence plate numbers, to restrict the number of vehicles on the roads and reduce pollution.

Odd-even scheme

• Figures tabled by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently, showed 12-day trends for air pollution before, during and after the scheme.
• The average concentration of PM2.5 fell from 275 micrograms per cubic metre before the scheme (October 23-November 3) to 131 micrograms/cu.m. In the 12 days immediately following the scheme (November 16-27).
• During the scheme the average concentration was 252 micrograms/cu.m. The range of PM2.5 varied between a low of 133 and a high of 486 before the scheme, between 109 and 399 during the scheme, and between 64 and 214 after the scheme.
• For PM10, the average concentration fell from 428 micrograms/cu.m. (maximum 289, minimum 592) before the scheme to 380 micrograms/cu.m. (220-582) during October 23-November 27, and then 231 micrograms/cu.m. (127-3622) after the scheme.
• The average concentration of sulphur dioxide remained the same before and during the scheme, at 14 micrograms/cu.m, and fell slightly to 13 after the scheme. Nitrogen dioxide concentration dropped from 58 micrograms/cu.m. to 57 to 55.
• According to recent studies, the main contributors to PM2.5 and PM10 for Delhi are transport, industries, agriculture burning, residential and dust (soil, road and construction) along with meteorological conditions such as wind speed, temperature etc.

Govt set to develop organic farming corridor along Ganga to arrest pollution

News

• To check non-point source of pollution from agriculture, the government may launch a special programme to develop an organic farming corridor along the Ganga, and a proposal of this effect was discussed in the National Ganga Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister.

Organic farming corridor

• According to sources, the idea of organic farming corridor was mooted by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, and received a positive response from the Council the Prime Minister is learnt to have underlined the importance of sustainable agriculture in the Ganga basin.
• Prime Minister urged for a holistic thinking process where ‘Namami Gange’ evolves to ‘Arth Ganga’, or a sustainable development model with focus on economic activities related to the river.
• As part of this process, farmers should be encouraged to engage in sustainable agriculture practices, including zero budget farming, planting of fruit trees and building plant nurseries on the banks of Ganga.
• Priority could be given to women’s self-help groups and ex-servicemen organisations for these programmes. Such practices, along with creation of infrastructure for water sports and development of camp sites, cycling and walking tracks etc, would help to tap the ‘hybrid’ tourism potential of the river basin area.
• Income generated from encouraging eco-tourism and Ganga wildlife conservation and cruise tourism, etc, will help generate sustainable income streams for cleaning of Ganga.
• Council also discussed the idea to start a special programme to enhance dolphin population in the river. It is learnt that continuation of the Namami Gange programme beyond 2020 was also given green signal at the meeting.

IASTODAY DAILY CAPSULES -General Studies-03

India, Pakistan exchange ‘heavy fire’ along LoC

News

• Heavy exchange of fire between India and Pakistan started along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district evening after the former foiled an infiltration attempt by some armed men from across the border.

Infiltration attempt

• A suspicious movement was observed along the LoC in Laleali area of Sunderbani by Indian Army troops. As the Army troops challenged them, they resorted to firing followed by a “heavy explosion”.
• Immediately after this, Pakistani troops resorted to “heavy firing” towards the Indian side so as to support the suspicious movement, Col Anand said. The Indian Army retaliated and the exchange of fire between two sides was in progress.
• Earlier in the day, Pakistani troops had taken to mortar shelling and small arms fire along the LoC in Krishna Ghati area of Poonch district to which the Indian army had retaliated.

Trekking restrictions restore Triund hill to cleanliness, safety

News

• Restrictions on camping and other regulations at Triund hill near Dharamshala, which became notorious for uncontrolled tourism in recent years, has led to the revival of the place in terms of cleanliness and safety.

Restrictions

• The district administration closed the route for trekkers following a spell of heavy snowfall over the last two days. Visitors can go up till the starting point of the trek at Gallu, a picturesque spot which is also blanketed in snow.
• Around six months ago, the state government had banned overnight camping at Triund following the High Court’s orders.
• Several eateries and camps which had come up on the route and the pasture land on the top were also shut down. Only a day hike is allowed now, and visitors are required to start the seven-kilometre trek to the hilltop before 11 am so that they can return by evening. They are also required to carry their own eatables. However, visitors can stay at the forest rest house if they have a booking.
• A relatively easy hike, Triund in the Dhauladhar mountain range remains one of the most popular trekking options in the region for locals and tourists alike. Even during the off-season, an average of 150-300 people trek up to the hill-top pasture daily.
• From there, the route further leads to Chamba through the Indrahar Pass and is used by migratory shepherds, mountaineers and area residents.

SOPA to formulate standards for sustainable soyabean production

News

• To improve the per hectare yield of soyabean, the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA), along with the Indian Institute of Soyabean Research and Solidaridad, has decided to develop Indian standards for sustainable production.

Indian standards for sustainable production

• These standards will help India develop sustainable solutions for soyabean production, a SOPA press release stated, elaborating on the incorporation of practices and measures for improved production.
• India, is at fourth place in area coverage and fifth in production of soyabean globally.
• However, the average productivity has hovered about one tonne per hectare for the last few decades. Bridging the yield gap through sustainable crop production practices will enhance the domestic availability of edible oils through higher production of soya and enhance the livelihood of farmers.
• The development of these standards will help in achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils.

Joint drills in anti-terror operations will help both countries fight the threat: Top Lankan military official

News

• Highlighting the existing channels of cooperation on the strategic front between India and Sri Lanka, top Sri Lankan military official, Major General HPNK Jayapathirane, said in Pune that the joint drills in anti-terror operations will help both countries fight the threat.

Exercise Mitra Shakti

• • The India-Sri Lanka joint training exercise, Exercise Mitra Shakti, concluded at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh Military Station. The exercise ended with a simulated occupation of a village by terrorists and a hostage situation, which was tackled by a joint team from the two armies.
  • Contingents from the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army and Gemunu Watch Infantry Regiment of Sri Lanka had been undergoing the joint exercise to practice sub-unit level counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural set-ups.
  • The exercise was being conducted under the United Nations mandate as both the armies contribute to the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, which are deployed in troubled areas across the world.
  • Contingents comprising 120 personnel each from Sri Lankan and Indian armies participated in the exercise. The daily routines of the exercise had both outdoor training and classroom components. Some of the latest additions to the topics taught and discussed in the classrooms were perception management and information warfare.
  • The classroom sessions also had modules on human rights and humanitarian law, also called laws of armed conflict, cyber threats, hostage rescue and casualty management.

Railways to run trial for automatic door-closing system in three coaches

News

• In a bid to reduce the number of deaths due to commuters falling off crowded trains, Western Railway (WR) will carry out trial runs wherein non-AC coaches will have an automatic door-closing system.

Automatic door-closing system

• Three coaches fitted with such doors will first operate during non-peak hours, followed by peak hours, during which officials will note down the experience of the commuters on these trains.
• At least three coaches a ladies’ first-class coach, a general first-class coach and a second-class coach have been equipped with these automatic doors in a 15-coach Siemens train.
• The construction of this train has been going on over the past eight months at the Mahalaxmi workshop of WR, after which static and field trials were also conducted to check its feasibility. Chief PRO of WR.
• As per the instruction from the Railway Board, three coaches have been equipped with door-closing systems. After taking the passengers’ feedback, a report will be sent to the board.
• The current trials are being done to gauge the reduction in the carrying capacity of a particular coach, as well as the time taken by these doors to open and close at crowded stations during peak and non-peak hours.
• According to Government Railway Police (GRP), a total of 711 passengers died after falling off trains, of which 482 were on Central Railway (CR) and 299 were on WR.

Chandigarh administration seeks central body’s intervention to prevent road fatalities

News

• The UT administration has sought the intervention of Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in New Delhi for reducing road fatalities on at least 11 identified black spots in the last three years.

Reduce road fatalities

• The administration urged the CRRI to send a team of experts to conduct a survey of all these 11 black spots and suggest some corrective measures to prevent future road crashes at these spots.
• These black spots were identified by the Road Crash Analysis Cell of the Chandigarh Police. A majority of the black spots are on Dakshin Marg.
• The 11 black spots include stretches of National Highway or other category of roads of about 500m in length in which either five road accidents ( involving fatalities/ grievous injuries ) or 10 fatalities took place during the last three calendar years.

India’s weak household consumption to curb economic growth: Moody’s

News

• Moody’s Investors Service said that India’s weak household consumption will curb economic growth and weigh on the credit quality of Indian issuers in a range of sectors.

Weak household consumption

• Moody’s has lowered its GDP growth projection for India for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 4.9 per cent from 5.8 per cent.
• The major factors responsible for weakening economic growth were rural financial stress, low job creation and liquidity constraints, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report.
• Household consumption has been the backbone of India’s growth, making up about 57 per cent of GDP in FY2018-19.
• Like other major markets, India’s growth has decelerated, with GDP growth falling to 4.5 per cent in Q3 2019 from 5.0 per cent in Q2 2019.
• The report noted that the credit crunch among non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), the major providers of retail loans in recent years, has “exacerbated” this slowdown.
• Moody’s expects that government measures to stimulate domestic demand including income support for farmers and low-income households, monetary policy easing and a broad corporate tax cut will be limited in offsetting this slowdown.
• In automotive, weak demand and tight liquidity will constrain automakers’ earnings.
• Slower economic growth over the last few quarters will also reduce debt servicing capabilities of households, which in turn will weaken the asset quality of retail loans across all segments.
• Private-sector banks have a larger exposure to retail loans and may be more at risk,an increase in non-performing loans (NPLs) would be gradual.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DATE WISE CURRENT AFFAIRS