Daily Current Affairs UPSC 20 July 2024

PM SVANidhi Scheme

• Madhya Pradesh has achieved the top ranking in the 'Best Performing State' category of the PM SVANidhi scheme.
• PM SVANidhi is a Central Sector Scheme managed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• The scheme aims to provide street vendors with affordable working capital loans to help them restart their businesses after the Covid lockdown.
• Key features of the scheme include an initial loan of up to ₹10,000, a 7% interest subsidy on timely repayments, and a monthly cashback incentive for digital transactions.
• The scheme is targeted towards street vendors and hawkers operating in urban areas before March 24, 2020.

Bamboo

• The National Symposium on Bamboo aimed to promote sustainable rural livelihoods, women's empowerment, and climate resilience through bamboo farming.
• Bamboo is a perennial plant with over 1200 species worldwide, belonging to the subfamily Bambusoideae of the family Poaceae.
• Bamboo is found in tropical, sub-tropical, and mild temperate regions, with India being a natural habitat for bamboo except in the Kashmir region.
• The North-Eastern states and West Bengal in India account for more than 50% of bamboo resources.
• Bamboo has various uses such as construction material, textile fibers, musical instruments, and furniture.
• Bamboo provides environmental benefits such as rapid carbon sequestration, soil erosion control, and water purification.

Article 361

• The Supreme Court has decided to review the constitutional provision that grants immunity to Governors.
• Article 361 is an exception to Article 14, which guarantees the right to equality, and states that Presidents or Governors are not accountable to any court for their actions in office.
• While they have immunity from criminal proceedings and cannot be arrested or imprisoned while in office, Parliament can review the President's conduct through designated investigative bodies.
• Civil suits against the President or Governor require a two-month notice before they can be filed.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act or Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009

• The Bombay High Court has reversed the Maharashtra government's decision to exempt private schools from the RTE quota admissions for disadvantaged and economically weaker students.
• The HC stated that this exemption went against the RTE Act and Article 21 of the Constitution.
• The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 added Article 21-A, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14.
• The RTE Act mandates that private schools must reserve 25% of their seats for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring access to education for all.

Uranium Contamination in Water

• A recent study by BARC scientists found that having up to 60 micrograms per liter of uranium in drinking water is considered safe.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) lowered the acceptable level of uranium concentration in drinking water from 60 μg/l to 30 μg/l in 2021.
• Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can contaminate water through various processes such as geogenic processes, overexploitation of groundwater, and nitrate pollution.
• High concentrations of uranium in drinking water can have harmful effects such as kidney damage and an increased risk of cancer.

Plastic waste to electronic device

• A recent study found that plastic waste can be transformed into electronic devices through a chemical process.
• Researchers created a method to convert Styrofoam into the conducting polymer PEDOT:PSS.
• PEDOT:PSS is a polymer with both electronic and ionic conductivity.
• The polymer can be produced by sulfonating polystyrene, a common synthetic plastic used in disposable containers and packaging materials.

National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

• According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the majority of funds allocated to the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) were used for dust management.
• NCAP was launched by the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change in 2019 with the aim of ensuring strict implementation of measures to prevent, control, and reduce air pollution.
• One of the goals of NCAP is to expand the ambient air quality monitoring network.
• The targets of NCAP include achieving a 20%-30% reduction in particulate matter concentrations by 2024, using 2017 as the base year.
• NCAP focuses on Non-Attainment Cities (NACSs) where the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has been exceeded for 5 consecutive years.

Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary

• A new plant species called 'Phlogacanthus sudhansusekharii' was found in Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the southern-west part of Arunachal Pradesh, with the state capital Itanagar located within its boundaries.
• The sanctuary is home to major streams such as Poma, Pam, Pachin, Neorochi, and Chingke.
• The habitat in the sanctuary ranges from mixed evergreen to semi-evergreen forests.
• It has been designated as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International due to its location in the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.
• The sanctuary is home to a variety of fauna including the Asian Elephant, four species of Hornbills, Tiger, and Asiatic Black Bear.
• Threats to the sanctuary include hunting, unorganized urbanization/settlement, and encroachment.

Kadambini Ganguly (1861 – 1923)

Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Dr. Kadambini Ganguly

About Kadambini Ganguly

• Born in 1861 in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• First Indian-educated female doctor.

Key Contributions

• Member of Brahmo Samaj.
• One of six representatives in the first female delegation of the 1889 Indian National Congress.
• Organized the Women’s Conference in Calcutta in 1906.
• Worked with Kamini Roy on a government committee to investigate conditions of women miners in Bihar and Orissa.
• Efforts led to India’s first Age of Consent Act in 1891.

Values

• Courage
• Determination
• Leadership

"Kerala Forest Dept. Releases Elephant Population Report"

• Report is part of a synchronized elephant population estimation in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Mandated by Interstate Coordination Committee (ICC) Charter in response to Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC).

Key Highlights

• Elephant population in Kerala decreased to 1793 from 1920 in May 2023.
• High death rate (40%) among Juvenile elephants due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs).
• Recommendations include conducting socio-ecological studies on crop raiding animals and monitoring HEC.

Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus)

• Sumatran and Sri Lankan elephants are the other two subspecies.
• Over 60% of the world's elephant population is in India.
• Highest population in Karnataka, followed by Assam and Kerala.

Characteristics

• Life span: 60-70 years.
• Gestation period: 20-22 months.
• Reproduction: Females start calving at 18-20 years.
• Leader of elephant group: Female.

Threats

• Habitat Fragmentation and degradation.
• Human settlements, expansion of agriculture and industry.
• Human-elephant conflict.
• Poaching.

Conservation Status

• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule.
• IUCN status: Endangered.
• CITES: Appendix I.

Role of Elephants in Ecosystem

• Maintain ecological balance by limiting vegetation growth and facilitating seed dispersal.
• Improve soil fertility through nutrient recycling and maintaining grasslands.
• Keystone species that positively influence plant and animal growth.

Conservation Measures

• Project Elephant launched in 1992 to protect elephants and their habitat.
• Mitigate HEC through electric fences, early warning systems, and beehive fences.
• 33 Elephant Reserves in 14 major Elephant states.

"Train Derailment in Gujarat"

• The Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express derailed in Uttar Pradesh previously, and there was a collision between the Kanchanjungha Express and a goods train last month.

Reasons for Train Accidents

• Under-investment in Railways: Slow expansion of rail network leads to congestion and compromises safety.
• Derailments: The highest cause of casualties, with 1127 derailments occurring during 2017-21.
• Accidents due to failure of railway staff: Over 50% of accidents are caused by lapses such as carelessness and non-observance of safety rules.
• Overworked loco-pilots exceeding stipulated hours increases the risk of accidents.
• Unmanned Railway Crossings: Issues with land, encroachment, and delays in completing road over bridges/road under bridges.

Measures to improve Rail Safety

• Accelerate adoption of LHB coaches to reduce casualties during derailments.
• Improve working conditions and amenities for loco-pilots to enhance performance.
• Standardize signal locations based on visibility, braking distance, and train speed.
• Eliminate remaining unmanned Railway crossings on metre and narrow gauge tracks.
• Accelerate deployment of the KAVACH train collision avoidance system.

Steps taken to improve Rail safety

• Establishment of a separate Safety Department following Justice Khanna Committee recommendations.
• Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (2017-18) for replacement/renewal/upgradation of critical safety assets.
• Elimination of all unmanned level crossings on the Broad Gauge route.
• Equipping all locomotives with Vigilance Control Devices to ensure alertness of Loco Pilots.

"NCORD Meeting Chaired by Home Affairs Minister"

• The Ministry for Home Affairs introduced a toll-free helpline called MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) during a meeting. 
• Citizens can use this helpline to connect with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to provide anonymous information on drug peddling, trafficking, or seek consultation for drug abuse or addiction related issues.

Illicit Drug Trade in India

• From 2014 to 2024, approximately 5.43 lakh kilograms of drugs worth Rs 22,000 crore were seized in India.
• India accounts for around 21% of global manufacturing of internationally controlled psychotropic substances and is the largest opiate market in South Asia.
• Narco Terrorism, which is terrorism funded by the drug trade, poses a threat to India's national security.

Factors Contributing to Illicit Drug Trade

• The role of the internet and social media in connecting drug sellers and buyers at a local level.
• The emergence of cryptocurrencies and darknet drug markets.
• The role of synthetic drugs in aiding drug manufacturing.

Challenges in handling Drug Trade

• India's geographical location, surrounded by the Death Triangle (Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos) and Death Crescent (Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan).
• The transnational nature of the crime involving illegal Hawala transactions and tax evasion.
• Illicit cultivation of drugs such as opium within India.

Way Forward 

• Cooperation between international organizations, national governments, regulatory authorities, and private companies.
• A strategic approach towards reducing demand and disrupting the drug supply chain.

Measures taken by India to Combat Drug Trade

• Implementation of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act (1985).
• Enactment of The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1988).
• Establishment of Anti-Narcotics Task Forces in each state/Union Territory.
• Creation of a Special Task Force on Darknet and Cryptocurrency.
• Empowerment of Border Guarding Forces, Indian Coast Guard, and Railway Protection Force under the NDPS Act.

"Union Minister Launches NLFC in Kolkata"

• NLFC is focused on reducing the risk of landslides in India and plans to provide early warning bulletins for states prone to landslides. The goal is to implement a regional Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS) across the country by 2030.

Other Initiatives:

• Bhusanket Web Portal: A platform that will make it easier to share important information about landslide risks and provide short-term and medium-term forecasts for landslides.
• Bhooskhalan Mobile App: An app designed to quickly share daily forecasts for landslides, making it easier for people to stay informed about potential risks.

About Landslides

• Landslides are a form of mass wasting where rocks, debris, or earth move quickly down a slope.
• In India, about 12.6% of the land area, excluding snow-covered areas, is at risk of landslides.
• The Himalayas and Western Ghats are especially prone to landslides because of their mountainous terrain and high levels of rainfall.

Causes of Landslides

• Natural causes include heavy rainfall, flooding, earthquakes, and snowmelt.
• Anthropogenic causes include overgrazing, soil erosion, terrain cutting, and excessive development.

Effects of Landslides

• Loss of life, infrastructure, and cultivable land.
• Disruption of traffic and isolation of habitations in hilly regions.
• Floods due to diversion of river courses, channel blockages, or reduced effectiveness of dams due to added silt load.

Components of National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)

• Utilizing advanced technology like UAVs, Terrestrial Laser Scanner, and high-resolution Earth Observation data for hazard zoning.
• Setting early warning alert thresholds and enhancing early warning systems.
• Developing regulations for mountain zones to manage land use and enforce building regulations.
• Implementing measures to stabilize and mitigate landslides, including creating a Special Purpose Vehicle for landslide management. 

"Call for 'Bhil Pradesh' Gains Momentum"

• The Bhil tribes are requesting the creation of a separate tribal state called Bhil Pradesh, which would include areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Factors Driving Demand for New States in India

• Linguistic diversity: Maharashtra and Gujarat were created in 1960 based on language.
• Cultural identity: Gorkhaland region in West Bengal demands statehood.
• Developmental differences: Vidarbha region in Maharashtra seeks separate statehood.
• Administrative efficiency: Harit Pradesh demands separation from Uttar Pradesh.

Advantages of Smaller States

• Better Governance: More focused administration and quicker decision-making.
• Economic Development: Targeted policies for local needs and better resource utilization.
• Administrative Efficiency: Easier management of smaller areas.
• Other: Reduced regional disparities and distribution of power from larger units.

Concerns about New States

• Administrative challenges: High initial costs of setting up new state machinery.
• Conflicts: Potential for increased conflict over resources and borders.
• Regionalism: Fragmentation and weakening of national unity.
• Economic Concerns: Financial burden on central government and less attractive markets for investments.
• Pandora box: Creation of new states may lead to further demands for new states.

Constitutional Provisions for New States

• Parliament has the power to form new states by separating territory or uniting existing states (Article 3).

"Delhi Crime Branch Cracks Kidney Transplant Racket"

• Challenges in Curbing Organ Trafficking and Illegal Organ Trade.

Reasons for the Issue

• High demand and low supply of organs for transplants.
• Poverty leading to false promises of high payments and employment.
• Transnational nature of donors and recipients.
• Low deceased donation rate compared to developed countries.
• Administrative inadequacies in current organ procurement policies.

Issues Arising from Illegal Organ Trade

• Non-consensual organ donation undermines donor's health and human rights.
• Leads to organized crime networks.
• Ethical concerns as human body parts are treated as commodities.

Steps to Address the Issue

• Reduce people's vulnerability and raise awareness about organ donation.
• Provide victim protection and assistance in cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
• Establish uniform legal and ethical guidelines for organ donation and transplantation.
• Ensure fair selection of patients for waiting lists and organ allocation.

India's Measures to Combat Organ Trafficking

• Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 regulates removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues.
• Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) provides financial support up to Rs. 15 lakh to BPL patients for organ transplants such as heart, lung, liver, and kidney.