Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 27-02-2021

Useful compilation of Civil Services oriented - Daily Current Affairs - Civil Services - 27-02-2021

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• SECTION 1 - TEN NEWS HEADLINES

1. Indian Economy - Technical recession over as Q3 GDP nos. show - As per MoSPI data, India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the October-December quarter (Q3) grew by 0.4%, helping the economy out of recession. Provisional estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed the GDP had swung slightly into the positive territory. Earlier, GDP had contracted by 7.3% in July-September quarter (Q2) and 24.4% in April-June quarter (Q1). The overall annual contraction expected has been raised from 7.7% to 8% now. GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in Q3 of 2020-21 is estimated at Rs.36.22 lakh crore, as against Rs 36.08 lakh crore in Q3 of 2019-20, showing a growth of 0.4 per cent. However, Sensex plunged sharply on the same day, in response to the rising bond yields in US.
2. Terrorism - Explosives outside Ambani's Antilia - A letter addressed to India's richest man Mukesh Ambani was recovered from the vehicle which was found abandoned with explosive material near his residence Antilia, in Mumbai. "[Nita] Bhabhi and Mukesh Bhaiya, Be alert, this is just a trailer, we have made all arrangements to blow up the whole family. Good Night," the letter reportedly read. Besides gelatin sticks, a letter was also found in the SUV, in Hindi but written in English alphabet and purportedly threatening Ambani, his wife Nita and the family, police said. Satyanarayan Nuwal, owner of Solar Industries, said that he received a phone call from Mumbai police about the discovery of the packet. As provided under the Explosives Rules 2008, all the data of production and sale of explosives by the company is submitted to the Explosives Department and police, it said. Mumbai police have formed at least 10 teams to probe the case.
3. Governance and Institutions - Retirement age of state government employees increased in Tamil Nadu - The government of Tamil Nadu on February 25, 2021, raised the retirement age of state government employees to 60 years. The employees who will be covered under the new order are from the government sectors, government-aided schools, local bodies, legal and constitutional bodies, Union and Commissions, boards, PSY staff. In May 2020, the government had increased the age of retirement from 58 to 59 years. In 2020, Modi govt. had asked all departments to review service records of employees who have completed 30 years in job to identify inefficient or corrupt staff and retire them prematurely in public interest. The employees’ performance review is conducted under the Fundamental Rule (FR) 56 (J) and 56 (I), and also under Rule 48 (1) (b) of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, that gives “absolute right” to the appropriate authority to retire a government servant, “if it is necessary to do so in public interest”. The government may, at any time after a government servant has attained the age of 50/55 years or completed 30 years of service, as the case may be, retire him/her prematurely in public interest.
4. Healtcare and Medicine - Global coronavirus death toll exceeds 25 lakh mark - The global death toll from coronavirus on Friday rose to 25,07,391, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. The US has reported the highest number of coronavirus deaths globally at over five lakh, followed by Brazil at 2,51,498 deaths and Mexico at 1,83,692, the tracker showed. The total cases of coronavirus in the world rose to over 11.2 crore. The US is the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 28,486,118 and 510,458 respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of cases at 11,063,491. The other countries with more than a million confirmed coronavirus cases are Brazil (10,455,630), Russia (4,175,757), the UK (4,175,315), France (3,746,707), Spain (3,188,553), Italy (2,888,923), Turkey (2,683,971), Germany (2,436,506), Colombia (2,244,792), Argentina (2,098,728), Mexico (2,076,882), Poland (1,684,788), Iran (1,615,184), South Africa (1,510,778), Ukraine (1,381,273), Indonesia (1,322,866), Peru (1,308,722), Czech Republic (1,212,780) and the Netherlands (1,093,899).
5. World Politics - US President reverses Trump’s green card ban - President Joe Biden on February 24, 2021, reversed former President Donald Trump’s decision of freezing green card applications and certain forms of visas. President Biden has now revoked the ban by mentioning that it has prevented certain family members of US citizens from reuniting with their families. Trump had taken the decision by stating that it is necessary to protect US workers amid high unemployment. Trump had frozen four categories of immigration visas along with permanent residency application: (i) The H-1B visa, which is a non-immigrant visa, allows US companies to employ foreign workers for jobs that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is the most sought-after by Indian IT professionals; (ii) The H4 visa allows immediate family members, usually spouses, of the H-1B visa holders to lawfully come and stay in the US; (iii) The H-2B visa allows US employers to hire migrant workers to fill temporary non-agricultural roles in the US from ski-resort workers to amusement park employees; and (iv) The L-1 visa holders are those who are already employed by a US company and are merely relocating to an American office. It is different from the H-1B, where a person is looking to join an American company. A green card holder is a lawful permanent resident in the US, though they remain the citizen of another country.
6. Governance and Institutions - PM inaugurates second Khelo India National Winter Games - PM Modi on February 26, 2021, virtually inaugurated the Khelo India National Games. The event will start on Feb 26 and will continue till March 2. The winter games are being organized by the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council and Winter Games Association of J&K. 27 States, UTs and boards will be sending their teams for participation. Khelo India is a Government of India programme launched in 2016–17. This National Programme for Development of Sports, branded as Khelo India, aims at improving India's sports culture.
7. Defence and Military - US launches airstrikes in eastern Syria, destroys infrastructure of Iran-backed militant groups - The United States on February 25, 2021 launched airstrikes in eastern Syria targeting infrastructure utilised by Iranian-backed militant groups. US military forces conducted the airstrikes at the direction of US President Joe Biden. US Defense Department Press Secretary John Kirby said that the strikes were authorized in response to recent attacks against American and Coalition personnel in Iraq, and to ongoing threats to those personnel. The strikes specifically targeted and destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by several Iranian-backed militant groups, including Kait'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kait'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS). The military attack was conducted after consulting the coalition partners.
8. Governance and Institutions - Cabinet Approved PLI for IT Hardware - The scheme has the potential to create more than 1,800,000 direct and indirect jobs within four years. The Union Cabinet has approved the Production Linked Incentive Scheme related to IT Hardware. The PLI scheme proposes incentives to boost domestic manufacturing, and recommends attracting substantial investment in the value chain of IT Hardware. The scheme includes target market segments such as tablets, laptops, all-in-one computers and servers. The total cost of the proposed scheme is approximately Rs 73.5 billion in 4 years. The budget includes 73.25 billion rupees in rewards, in addition to 250 million rupees in administrative expenses. According to the scheme, a total production value of Rs 3,26,00 crore will be realized, 75% of which will be realized through exports. It has the potential to create more than 1,800,000 direct and indirect jobs within four years. It will also provide impetus for the Domestic Value Addition of IT Hardware. It is expected that by 2025, its domestic value will increase to 20%-25%.  
9. World Politics - FATF retains Pakistan in Grey List - The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to retain Pakistan on the “greylist” till the next review of its performance on its recommendations during the June Plenary session. During the October-2020 Plenary, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan was given an extension for full compliance with the 27-point action plan till February 2021. It had then not fully complied with 6 of the 27 directives. The FATF had issued the 27-point action plan after placing Pakistan on the ‘Grey List’ in June 2018. The action plan pertains to curbing money laundering and terror financing.
10. World Economy - Warren Buffet's team member doesn't like BTC - American conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway's Vice Chairman Charlie Munger has said that he doesn't know which is worse - Tesla's fully diluted enterprise value of $1 trillion or Bitcoin trading at $50,000. Munger further said he doesn't think Bitcoin will end up as the medium of exchange for the world. "It's too volatile...kind of an artificial substitute for gold," he added. Bitcoin saw huge price correction in the third week of February 2021.

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• SECTION 2 - DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

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• 1. ECONOMY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

Latest update on Indian economy GDP growth 

• MoSPI releases India GDP Q3 data: After two consecutive quarters of contraction, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the October-December 2020 quarter (Q3) grew by 0.4 per cent positive, while the GDP for the entire financial year 2020-21 (FY21) is seen contracting (-)8 per cent. This is as per the second advanced and quarterly estimates of GDP released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

• Revision: The GDP estimates in the previous two quarters stand revised. Latest data shows the GDP contracted by 7.3 per cent in July-September 2020 quarter (Q2) instead of the previous estimate of -7.5 per cent and by a sharp 24.4 per cent in April-June quarter (Q1) instead of the earlier reported -23.9 per cent. The Q1 contraction is the worst in the history of the Indian economy, which happened due to a strict nationwide lockdown because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

1. In its first advanced estimate released last month, the government had estimated the GDP in FY21 to contract by 7.7 per cent.
2. The GDP had expanded by 4.0 per cent (positive) in 2019-20.
3. The FY21 GVA at Basic Prices is estimated at -6.5 per cent.
4. In Q3, the manufacturing sector, which had a contraction of 1.5 per cent in Q2, rose by 1.6 per cent.
5. The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector grew 3.9 per cent in Q3. Agriculture has been the only sector to register a growth in all the three quarters.
6. Contraction was seen in trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting at 7.7 per cent in Q3, better from a contraction of 15.3 per cent in Q2. The construction sector showed a growth of 6.2 per cent, much better from a contraction of 7.2 per cent in Q2.

• Corporates happy: India Inc. reacted saying the recouping of the country’s economy to a positive trajectory in the third quarter is a promising sign as it portends the end of the pandemic-induced recessionary phase seen in the first-half of the fiscal year. Industry bodies said that the GDP will improve further in the coming months on the back of positive growth stimuli emanating from the Union Budget and initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive scheme unveiled by the government.
• People hit by ‘double whammy’ of low growth, high inflation: Attacking the government over the latest GDP numbers, some politicians said the people have been hit by the double whammy of low growth and high inflation for which the Modi government’s “gross mismanagement” is responsible. The third-quarter GDP data proves yet again that fault lines in the Indian economy are more visible than ever before. The economy has grown by a mere 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of the financial year 2020-21, which is far below estimation.

• Broad trends: The Indian economy will shrink overall by 8% in 2020-21. The coming year will pose some challenges for the government, spilling over from FY 21. Those will be

1. poor tax collections, forcing govt. to rapidly privatise public sector firms
2. poor jobs scene, and no specific plan or programme to generate crores of new jobs (except MGNREGS rural)
3. low household incomes and generally high income insecurity (hence poor consumption uptick)
4. problematic exports scene and general de-globalisation
5. poor investment scene (since 2011 onwards) necessitating more govt. push and support

 

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• 2. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper

State of Environment Report 2021: CSE

• CSE report: Recently, the State of Environment Report, 2021 was released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The CSE is a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. It researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable.

• Key points:

1. Pandemic generation - India is all set to usher in a ‘pandemic generation’, with 375 million children (from newborns to 14-year-olds) likely to suffer long-lasting impacts, ranging from being underweight, stunting (low height-for-age) and increased child mortality, to losses in education and work productivity.
2. Increased school dropouts - Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, over 500 million children were forced out of school globally and India accounted for more than half of them.
3. Rise in extreme poverty - Covid-19 has made the world’s poor poorer. Over 115 million additional people might get pushed into extreme poverty by the pandemic and most of them live in South Asia.
4. Pollution levels worsened - India’s air, water and land have become more polluted between 2009 and 2018. Of 88 major industrial clusters in the country, according to the Central Pollution Control Board, 35 showed overall environmental degradation, 33 pointed to worsening air quality, 45 had more polluted water and in 17, land pollution became worse. Tarapur in Maharashtra emerged as the most polluted cluster.
5. Regarding sustainable development rankings - India ranked 117 among 192 nations in terms of sustainable development and was now behind all South Asian nations except Pakistan.

• States’ Performance In Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Best Performing States: Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
2. Worst Performers: Bihar, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh.

 

NGT - National River Rejuvenation Mechanism

• A positive urge: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to devise an appropriate National River Rejuvenation Mechanism for effective monitoring of steps to curb pollution and for rejuvenation of all polluted river stretches across the country.
• Points to note: According to the 2016-17 assessment of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the number of polluted stretches of the country's rivers has increased to 351 from 302 two years ago, and the number of critically polluted stretches — where water quality indicators are the poorest—has gone up to 45 from 34. Among them, 117 such river stretches are in the States of Assam, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
• Basis of the CPCB assessment: The CPCB, since the 1990s, has a programme to monitor the quality of rivers primarily by measuring Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BOD), which is a proxy for organic pollution—the higher it is, the worse the river. The CPCB considers a BOD less than 3 mg/l an indicator of a healthy river.
• Initiative taken: The NGT had constituted a Central Monitoring Committee to prepare and enforce a national plan to make over 350 river stretches across the country pollution free as it has caused serious threat to safety of water and environment. There has been deterioration in the quality of water in rivers in spite of the Water Act which was enacted way back in 1974 which was intended to bring about improvement.
• Establishment of NRRM: NGT suggested the mechanism could be called ‘National River Rejuvenation Mechanism (NRRM). NRRM may consider setting up a National, State or district environment data grid at appropriate levels as an effective monitoring strategy. The process of rejuvenation of rivers need not be confined to only 351 stretches but may be applicable to all small, medium and big polluted rivers, including those dried up.
• Implementation: Effective measures should be taken by Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs in terms of action plans for abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of rivers. The Chief Secretaries are also required to personally monitor progress at least once every month and the NRRM every quarter. The accountability for failure to comply with the direction for payment of compensation will be of the Chief Secretaries concerned.
• Causes of polluted river stretches: Rapid urbanisation and lack of efficient waste disposal systems. Industrial Cities on the banks of rivers. Run-off from agricultural activities, etc.

• Constitutional provisions:

1. Article 21: The fundamental right to clean the environment, and further, pollution-free water, has been protected under the broad rubric of the right to life.
2. Article 51-A (g): It mandates as a fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife. 

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• 3. FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Prelims, GS Paper 3, Essay paper)

FATF retains Pakistan in grey list 

• What happened: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has decided to retain Pakistan on the “greylist” till the next review of its performance on its recommendations during the June Plenary session.
• Details: During the October-2020 Plenary, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan was given an extension for full compliance with the 27-point action plan till February 2021. It had then not fully complied with 6 of the 27 directives. The FATF had issued the 27-point action plan after placing Pakistan on the ‘Grey List’ in June 2018. The action plan pertains to curbing money laundering and terror financing.

1. FATF acknowledged Pakistan’s significant progress in combating terrorism, however it was still to fully comply with three of the 27-point action plan.
2. The three points pertain to effective steps in terms of financial sanctions and penalties against the terror funding infrastructure and the entities involved.
3. After assessing the measures taken during the June 2021 session, the FATF would verify the implementation and test the sustainability of reforms undertaken by Pakistan, to review its inclusion or exclusion on the grey list.

• Significance: In Pakistan's case, the FATF has taken cognisance of the inaction against several banned organisations involved in raising funds for terror activities and those linked to global terrorists like Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Hafiz Saeed and its operations chief Zaki-Ur Rahman Lakhvi. On several occasions, India has also raised the involvement of elements within Pakistan in a number of terror cases, including the 26/11 Mumbai and Pulwama attacks. Perpetual containment of Pakistan on the grey list of FATF would further pressurise Pakistan to take adequate measures to prevent such terrorist attacks on India from its soil.
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF): It is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris. The FATF assesses the strength of a country’s anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing frameworks, however it does not go by individual cases.

1. Objectives - To set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
2. Headquarters - Its Secretariat is located at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris.
3. Member Countries - The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations — the European Commission and Gulf Cooperation Council. India is a member of the FATF.
4. Sessions - The FATF Plenary is the decision making body of the FATF. It meets three times per year.

• Lists under FATF:

1. Grey List - Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.
2. Black List - Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries.

• Knowledge centre:

1. Terror financing - Any crime which results in a profit can be used to finance terrorism. This means that a country may face terrorism finance risks even if the risk of a terrorist attack is low. Sources of terrorist funding include, but are not limited to, low-level fraud, kidnapping for ransom, the misuse of non-profit organizations, the illicit trade in commodities (such as oil, charcoal, diamonds, gold and the narcotic “captagon”), and digital currencies. By disrupting the flow of terrorist funding and by understanding the funding of previous attacks, we can help prevent attacks in the future.
2. Bioterrorism - Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, toxins or other harmful agents to cause illness or death in people, animals or plants. The threat from bioterrorism is real, with current reports indicating that individuals, terrorist groups and criminals have both the capability and intention to use biological agents to cause harm to society. Access to knowledge and data is also increasingly available through the Internet, and criminals use hidden and anonymous streams of communication, such as the Darknet, to buy, sell and share data and communicate with each other. The damage caused by such an event could reach untold magnitude, causing widespread illness and death, and instilling fear and panic on a global scale.

 

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• 4. GOVERNMENT SCHEMES (Prelims, GS Paper 2, Essay paper)

Rajasthan government to bring Universal Health Care 

• The announcement: The Ashok Gehlot government has said that from FY22, universal health coverage will be implemented at a cost of Rs 3,500 crore, under which every family in the state will get medical insurance benefit of up to Rs 5 lakh. The government presented the Budget for 2021-22 and said it will bring a Universal Health Care scheme.
• Claim: Every family in the state will get medical insurance benefit of up to Rs 5 lakh. He claimed that "for the first time in the country, we are going to implement universal health coverage in the state in the coming year at the cost of Rs 3,500 crore." A Bill on Right to Health will be introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly. He said that his government has been farmer-friendly and it will present an agriculture budget separately from the coming year in view of better future and interests of the farmers.
• Pandemic induced stress: In a first, the Gehlot-led Congress government presented its first paperless budget in the state assembly. The biggest challenge while making this budget was that despite the difficult economic conditions, there should be no shortage of resources for the development of the state. The CM claimed that govt. was taking this resolution to mobilize economic resources with far-reaching thinking.

• Covid: The CM claimed that the last one year had been difficult but they were able to strengthen the health infrastructure in the state, turning this disaster into opportunities. Corona RT-PCR investigation facility has been ensured in all districts of the state.

1. The government has provided assistance of Rs 1,155 crores at the rate of Rs 3,500 per family to 31 lakh helpless, destitute families during this pandemic.
2. A further assistance of Rs 1,000 as final instalment to these families in the coming year was announced.
3. The CM announced the launch of Indira Gandhi Urban Credit Card Scheme for self-employment and employment needs of street vendors of urban areas and youth and unemployed people of all areas. Under this scheme, an interest-free loan of up to Rs 50,000 will be provided to five lakh needy people.

• Schemes and packages:

1. A Rs 500-crore package for tourism development, which was severely hit due to the COVID pandemic
2. To provide employment opportunities to the youth of the state, more than 50,000 posts will be recruited in the next two years
3. Every district will have a nursing college. Apart from eight existing nursing colleges, 25 new colleges will be opened
4. Candidates participating in competitive examinations will be provided free travel in roadways buses
5. Under the Jeevan Rakshak Yojana, Rs 5,000 and citation will be given to good samaritans who save lives in road accidents
6. Increasing the unemployment allowance currently payable to eligible youth by Rs 1,000, and organizing the common competitive exam for some examinations in the state
7. As many as 1,200 Mahatma Gandhi Government Schools will be opened in villages with a population of 5000

• Fiscal crunch: All states of India have been facing a financial crunch since 2020, when pandemic struck, as the Centre was unable to
• transfer resources in time due to its own fiscal hands being tied. The 15th Finance Commission has deliberated at length on this issue.

 

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• 5. POLITY AND CONSTITUTION (Prelims, GS Paper 2, GS Paper 3)

Income-Tax Settlement Commission scrapped 

1. Budget announcement: The Finance Bill 2021 made a proposal to scrap, from February 1, 2021, the Income-Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC) that offers one-time life opportunity to errant taxpayers. It consists of a Chairman and as many Vice-Chairmen and other Members as the Central Government thinks fit.
2. Details of ITSC: The Direct Taxes Enquiry Committee (commonly known as 'Wanchoo Committee') had recommended the settlement machinery. The objective was to ensure that the door for compromise for an errant taxpayer should not remain closed for ever. An assessee may, at any stage of a case relating to him/her, make an application in the prescribed form.
3. Extant rules: It should contain a 'full' and 'true' disclosure of - (a) income which has not been disclosed before the Assessing Officer, (b) the manner in which such income has been derived, (c) the additional amount of income-tax payable on such income, and (d) other prescribed particulars. The Settlement Commission may either admit the application for consideration or reject it. Once the application for settlement is admitted, the Settlement Commission will have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with the case. No other Income Tax authority will have such jurisdiction. Till the time the matter is pending before the Settlement Commission, the Assessing Officer cannot proceed in the matter, in any manner.
4. Recent proposals: The Income-Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC) shall cease to operate on or after 1st February, 2021. This means that no application under section 245C of the Income Tax Act 1961 for settlement of cases shall be made on or after 1st February, 2021. In respect of pending application, the Central Government shall constitute one or more "Interim Board" for Settlement, as may be necessary. Every Interim Board shall consist of three members, each being an officer of the rank of Chief Commissioner, as may be nominated by the Board.
5. Why scrap: The Settlement Commission is said to have outlived its utility value with the government encouraging voluntary compliance. The power of the Settlement Commission was challenged. The commission was also facing other administrative issues. Moreover, the government had invoked several other provisions and proposals to settle cases by reducing litigation through ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ scheme. The government thus expects that the move will simplify tax administration, ease compliance and reduce litigation.
6. Constitutional stand: Some have termed the proposal as 'unconstitutional'. Institutions like ITSC cannot be scrapped until the Bill is passed and becomes a law. That apart, ITSC is a quasi-judicial body independent of CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes). All applications filed till January 31, 2021, must be settled by the same body. Bringing the cases under the purview of an interim board which reports to CBDT would be unfair.
7. Other concerns: The proposal would be a gross injustice to applicants whose cases are pending before ITSC as on January 31, 2021. There are assessees who have filed applications before the Commission. They settle their disputes by paying taxes and interest and in return, get immunity from penalty and prosecution. They will now have to fight the case before multiple layers of appellate and judicial bodies. The discriminatory treatment meted out to such applicants is impermissible under Article 14 of the Constitution. There is a wrong perception that the ITSC is a window for compulsive tax evaders.
8. Summary: The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the financial health of the country and its economy. The finance ministry may reconsider the decision of scrapping ITSC from February 1, 2021. The government can contemplate allowing ITSC to receive fresh applications till March 31, 2021, and settle the pending cases within a stipulated time frame.

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• 6. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (Prelims, Various GS Papers)

Helina and Dhruvastra: Anti-tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) 

• India's march forward: India has successfully test-fired indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile systems ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ in the Pokhran range, Thar desert (Rajasthan).

• Points to note:

1. The Helina (the Army version) and Dhruvastra (Indian Airforce version) are helicopter-launched versions of third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (the Nag missile system).
2. The missile system has all-weather day-and-night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armor and explosive reactive armor.
3. These have been designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• Operations: The ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode.

1. Top Attack Mode: The missile is required to climb sharply after launch and travel at a certain altitude, then plunge on top of the target.
2. Direct Attack Mode: The missile travels at a lower altitude, directly striking the target.

• Nag Missile: Nag is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile developed by DRDO to support both mechanized infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army. It is an all-weather condition with day and night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500m and a maximum range of 4 km. Nag can be launched from land and air-based platforms. The land version is currently available for integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA). The DRDO has developed nag Missiles under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
• IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program): It was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to enable India to attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology. It was approved by the Government of India in 1983 and completed in March 2012. The missiles developed under this program are -

1. Prithvi: Short-range surface to surface ballistic missile (SSBM)
2. Agni: Ballistic missiles with different ranges, i.e., Agni (I, II, III, IV, V), and Agni VI under development
3. Trishul: Short-range low-level surface to air missile (SAM)
4. Nag: 3rd generation anti-tank missile
5. Akash: Medium range surface to air missile (SAM)

(you can remember them with the acronym PATNA)

• Knowledge centre:

1. Cruise missile - A cruise missile is an unmanned self-propelled guided missile that maintains flight through aerodynamic lift, and is made to deliver the payload on the target. They do not cross Earth's atmosphere, and use jet engine technology. They can be subsonic, supersonic or hypersonic. They can fly in a relatively straight line and at lower altitudes, thanks to rocket propellants. Subsonics fly at close to speed of sound, or 0.8 Mach. India's BRAHMOS flies at 2-3 Mach, and is the only known versatile multi-launch mode supersonic cruise in service. BRAHMOS-II would go beyond 5 Mach, and be hypersonic.
2. Ballistic missile - These fly on a ballistic trajectory over most of the flight path. That means once the missile burns up the fuel that propels it, the missile keeps moving, the same way that a bullet does after it's been fired out of a gun. Once the fuel is gone, the missile's direction can't be altered. It follows a path determined by the speed of its launch and the force of gravity trying to pull it back toward the Earth's surface. Eventually, gravity guides the missile — and its payload, which might be an explosive, a chemical or biological weapon, or a nuclear device — down toward its target. Short-range ballistic missiles stay within the Earth's atmosphere, while intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) are launched on a sub-orbital trajectory. India's Agni range missiles are ballistic missiles.

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• 7. SOCIAL ISSUES (Prelims, GS Paper 2)

Battling drug addiction

• Taking control: Recently, news emerged that people in a few villages of Jodhpur district’s Bilara block, Rajasthan have come together to tackle Drug Addiction among the youth. The villagers took many steps including boycott of persons consuming liquor, tobacco and narcotics (a controversial social practice, though). They have imposed a penalty on the sellers and buyers of these substances also.
• Drug addiction: It refers to the condition of being addicted to a drug, particularly narcotic drugs, which are generally illegal drugs that affect the mood and behaviour of a person. Drug abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain. There are over 19 cr drug users around the world and the problem has been increasing at alarming rates, especially among young adults under the age of 30.
• The Indian situation: The menace of drug addiction has spread fast among the youth of India. India is sandwiched between two largest Opium producing regions of the world that is the Golden triangle on one side and the Golden crescent on other. The golden triangle area comprises Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos, and the golden crescent area includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

• AIIMS report: As per the report Magnitude of Substance Use in India released by All India Institute Of Medical Science (AIIMS) in 2019 -

1. Alcohol is the most abused substance in India
2. Around 5 crore Indians reported to have used cannabis and opioids at the time of the survey (conducted in the year 2018)
3. Estimated that there are about 8.5 lakh people who inject drugs
4. Of the total cases estimated, more than half of them are contributed by states like Punjab, Assam, Delhi, Haryana, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh
5. About 60 lakh people are estimated to need help for their opioid use problems
6. More children are taking to alcohol consumption and the highest percentage of children who are addicted to alcohol are in Punjab followed by West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

• Major reasons: Social pressure plays a role, and children take to it to be accepted by the peers. Increasing economic stress leads to it, as well. Changing cultural values have made it acceptable, and also the angle of experimentation. Neurotic pleasure drives people to it, as much as ineffective policing.
• Impact of drug bbuse: There are long-lasting and deleterious consequence, including a higher risk of unintentional injuries, accidents, domestic violence incidents, medical problems, and death. Economic potential is wasted. It affects relationships with family, friends creating emotional and social problems, and increases financial burden. It increases diseases like Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis. Drug dependence, low self esteem, hopelessness can lead to criminal action and even suicidal tendencies.

• Challenges to curb:

1. Legally available drugs - Such as tobacco is a huge problem which is usually seen as a gateway drug which children take just to experiment with.
2. Lack of availability of rehabilitation centres - There is a lack of sufficient nos. of rehabilitation centres.
3. Smuggling of drugs - Smuggling of drugs through the states like Punjab, Assam and Uttar Pradesh which share the border with neighbouring countries.

• Government initiatives: It constituted the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in November, 2016 and revived the scheme of “Financial Assistance to States for Narcotics Control”. The Narcotics Control Bureau has been provided funds for developing a new software i.e. Seizure Information Management System (SIMS) which will create a complete online database of drug offences and offenders. The government has constituted a fund called “National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse” to meet the expenditure incurred in connection with combating illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs; rehabilitating addicts, and educating the public against drug abuse, etc. It is also conducting a National Drug Abuse Survey to measure trends of drug abuse in India through the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment with the help of National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS. The 'Project Sunrise' was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016, to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states in India, especially among people injecting drugs.

1. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, (NDPS) 1985: It prohibits a person from producing, possessing, selling, purchasing, transporting, storing, and/or consuming any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. The NDPS Act has since been amended thrice – in 1988, 2001 and 2014.
2. Government also announced the launch of the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’, or Drug-Free India Campaign which focuses on community outreach programs.

• International Treaties and Conventions: India is signatory of the following International treaties and conventions to combat the menace of Drug Abuse -

1. United Nations (UN) Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961)
2. UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971).
3. UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988)
4. UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000

• Summary: Addiction should not be seen as a character flaw, but as an ailment that any person could be afflicted with. Hence, the social stigma needs to be reduced. Certain crop drugs which have more than 50% alcohol and opioids need to be contained. Strict enforcement action is required from police officers and the excise and narcotics department to curb the problem of drug menace in the country. There is a need to strictly implement the NDPS Act. Radical political decisions like that one of alcohol prohibition in Bihar may be another solution, though prohibition rarely works as intended. 

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• 8. MISCELLANEOUS (Prelims, GS Paper 1, GS Paper 2)

India-Ireland: Consultations on UN Security Council issues 

1. Virtually together: India and Ireland held the bilateral consultations on UN Security Council issues on February 26, 2021 in the virtual mode.
2. Key points: During the bilateral consultations, both the countries congratulated each other for their election to United Nation Security Council (UNSC). They also held discussions and briefed each regarding the UNSC priorities, and spoke on several issues on UNSC agenda and they agreed to work closely during their terms at the UNSC in 2021-2021.
3. India-Ireland relations: The bilateral relation dates back to the British Era. Both the countries were former possessions of the British Empire, and fought a common adversary! Both had vigorous independence movements. And finally, India brought many of the constitutional provisions from the Irish constitution. The relation between both the countries were strengthened by luminaries including Rabindranath Tagore Jawaharlal Nehru, Sister Nivedita and Annie Besant. Formal relations between the countries started in 1947 after Indian independence, while diplomatic exchange was started at the later stage with the establishment of Indian embassy in Ireland in the year 1951. Ireland opened its embassy in India in 1964.
4. History: During the independence struggle, leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Eamon de Valera were in talk with each other. Similarly, Vithalbhai Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose and other Irish nationalist leaders were in touch with each other.  The strongest link between both the countries was Annie Besant who belonged to an Irish family but was a supporter of Indian self-rule.
5. Home Rule League: Ms. Annie Besant had launched the Home Rule League to make Indian independence similar to Irish struggle.

Delhi to switch all its hired vehicles to EVs

1. A big switch: The Deputy CM of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, announced that all departments of Delhi government will now use only electric vehicles. This transition to the electric vehicles will be done within 6 months.
2. Key points: The Delhi government has over 2,000 cars in use, and it is of the view that this decision will inspire other cities in the country as well as world which is a key decision to tackle the issues like pollution and climate change. This announcement was made after the government launched ‘Switch Delhi’ campaign. The transition from the diesel or petrol vehicle to EVs will be monitored by the Transport Department of Delhi. The departments under the government are required to produce monthly action reports on the transition to EVs to the nodal department.
3. Switch Delhi Campaign: This was launched in order to encourage the private vehicle owners to shift to the electric vehicles and install a charging point in their premises within three years. It is an eight-week mass awareness campaign, which seeks to sensitize each and every Delhiite regarding the benefits of switching to EVs. It also seeks to make the public aware of the incentives and infrastructure which are being developed under Delhi’s EV policy. First two weeks of the campaign will focus to promote two and three-wheeler owners to adopt to EVs, and the third week of the campaign will focus on four-wheeler vehicle owners to shift to EVs.
4. EV policy: The Delhi government had launched its Electric Vehicle Policy in August 2020, to tackle air pollution. Government proposed to waive off the registration fee and road tax, and also provide an incentive of up to ?1.5 lakh for new electric cars in Delhi. Under it, 12 four-wheeler models are available and eligible to get the purchase and scrapping incentives.

IRDAI launches 'Standard Personal Accident Cover'

• What it is: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has launched a standard personal accident cover called Saral Suraksha Bima. This accident cover will be mandatorily offered by the general and health insurers from April 1, 2021.
• Saral Suraksha Bima: This product has assured maximum sum of Rs 1 crore while the minimum assured sum of Rs 2.5 lakh. Beyond this specified range, insurers are free to offer the sum assured on their own. For such sum assured, same name can be given if all terms and conditions are same. The product also comprises of a basic cover for which entire sum assured will be paid by the insurance company after the death of insured person because of injury sustained in accident. In such cases, death occurs within 12 months from the date of accident. In cases of the permanent total disablement, similar benefit will be paid by insurance firm. In the partial disablement condition, benefit equal to the sum assured of up to 50 % will be paid in accordance with the severity of disablement. Policyholder will get benefit under the base cover even after policy period has ended but the benefits should be availed within 12 mo­nths from date of accident. The company will also be providing an Optional cover. Under the optional cover, if insured person sustains an injury in an accident because of which they are incapable of engaging in employment then those persons will be eligible for the compensation at 0.2 percent rate of the base sum insured in a week till they get return to work.
• Other Benefits: Under the policy, hospitalisation expenses will be compensated up to the limit of 10 percent of base sum insured. One-time educational grant of 10 percent of the base sum insured will also be payable to the dependent children of the insured. In order to avail the benefits, the children should be pursuing an educational course and should not above age of 25. Further, the sum insured will be increased by 5 per cent every year for each of the claim-free policy year. In such cases, Policy is required to be renewed without break.

Central Report on Odisha elephant deaths

1. Sad deaths: In the month of January-February 2021, six elephants died at the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalahandi. Following that, a central team was set up by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. Its preliminary report highlighted that the elephants died because of haemorrhagic septicaemia which is caused by bacteria Pastuerella multoceda.
2. Key points: The report said the elephants might have contracted the bacteria from cattle residing at Tentulipada village, a small hamlet of 12 households in Odisha. The team conducted the post-mortems and RNA extraction tests at the Orissa Veterinary College to come to the conclusion however, samples have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Bareilly, UP for final confirmation. The elephant carcasses were found near water bodies. A total of seven elephants comprising five adults and two calves died and all of them were females. Preliminary tests confirm that, all of them had very high levels of Pastuerella multoceda.
3. Pasteurella multocida: It is a Gram-negative, nonmotile, penicillin-sensitive coccobacillus that belongs to the family Pasteurellaceae. Strains of this species are classified into five serogroups namely A, B, D, E, F. This germ causes several diseases in the mammals and birds, including fowl cholera in poultry, bovine hemorrhagic septicemia in cattle & buffalo and atrophic rhinitis in pigs. It also causes a zoonotic infection in humans because of bites or scratches from domestic pets. Mammals such as domestic cats & dogs and birds harbour it under their normal respiratory microbiota.
4. Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Kalahandi district and is a popular tourist attraction of Odisha state, over an area of 175 sqkm. It lies in the Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forests.  The sanctuary is home to leopard, tiger, nilgai, sambar, mouse deer, barking deer etc.

 

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• SECTION 3 - MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions)

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