Daily Current Affairs UPSC 7 February 2024

South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)

• Established in 2001 with the Asian Development Bank as the secretariat.
• Members include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
• Objectives include improving cross-border connectivity, boosting trade among member countries, and strengthening regional economic cooperation.
• Four main sectors: transport, trade facilitation, energy, and economic corridor development.

Nagoya Protocol

• Adopted in 2010 as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Aims to share the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way.
• Establishes a framework for obtaining access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
• India is a party to the Nagoya Protocol.

Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC)

• Constituted in 2018 to advise the Prime Minister on matters related to Science, Technology, and Innovation.
• The council works under the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA).
• Objectives include synergizing collaborative research, fostering public-private linkages, and formulating major inter-ministerial Science & Technology missions.
• PM-STIAC has shaped missions such as Deep Ocean Exploration Mission, One Health Mission, and National Quantum Mission.

Bharat Brand

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution launches 'Bharat Rice' at subsidized rate:

• Offered through central cooperative agencies.
• Aims to stabilize prices, curb food inflation, and increase domestic availability.

Rajya Sabha Passes Bills to Modify SC, ST list in States

• Adds four Particularly Tribal Vulnerable Groups to ST list of Odisha.
• Defines SC and ST as per the Constitution.
• President and Parliament have the power to modify the list.

Bannerghatta National Park (BNP)

Environmental activists protest against proposed six-lane elevated highway in Bannerghatta National Park (BNP):

• BNP is located near Bangalore, Karnataka.
• BNP includes Bannerghatta Biological Park and India's first butterfly park.
• Vegetation is scrub type with mixed dry deciduous patches.
• Fauna includes panther, elephant, tiger, and more.
• Suvarnamukhi stream runs through the park.
• Four wildlife ranges: Anekal, Bannerghatta, Harohalli, and Kodihalli.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Recently, the ANRF Act has been enforced.
• The ANRF Act repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.
• The ANRF is operationalized by the Department of Science and Technology.
• The Governing Board of ANRF is headed by the Prime Minister of India.
• The ANRF's functions include providing strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in natural sciences, engineering and technology, and scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences.

Davis Cup

• The Indian Davis Cup team defeated Pakistan to secure a place in World Group I.
• This was the first time in 60 years that an Indian tennis team traveled to Pakistan for a Davis Cup tie.
• The Davis Cup is an annual international team event for men's tennis.
• The Davis Cup is run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is competed by teams from 155 nations in a knock-out format.
• The Davis Cup originally began as the International Lawn Tennis Challenge in 1900 between the USA and Great Britain.

Suriname (Capital: Paramaribo)

• A Parliamentary delegation from Suriname visited the President of India.
• Suriname is located on the northern coast of South America.
• It shares boundaries with the Atlantic Ocean, French Guiana, Brazil, and Guyana.
• The southern part of Suriname is covered by tropical rainforest.
• Suriname's economy is dependent on natural resources, particularly Bauxite.
• Major rivers in Suriname include Maroni, Courantyne, Coppename, and Suriname River.
• The highest peak in Suriname is Juliana Top.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC) 2024 Bill Tabled in Uttarakhand Assembly

• Uttarakhand to become the first state in India to adopt UCC after independence.
• Goa is currently the only state with a UCC due to retaining the Portuguese Civil Code.
• UCC Bill in Uttarakhand is in line with Article 44 of the Constitution, which aims to secure a uniform civil code for all citizens.
• The objective of the bill is to propose a common law on marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance for all citizens regardless of their religion.
• The UCC Bill does not apply to tribal communities.
• The bill aims to regulate live-in relationships and prohibits bigamy or marriages with more than one person.
• The need for UCC is to ensure equality, promote gender justice, and enhance national integration by separating religion from social relations and personal laws.

Challenges in Adoption of UCC:

Challenges in Adoption of UCC Plurality and diversity:

• Diversified customary practices make it difficult to reach a consensus on UCC.
• The Law Commission of India stated in 2018 that UCC is not necessary or desirable at this stage.

Concerns of Minorities:

• Minorities fear loss of identity and marginalization.
• Legal pluralism exists in civil laws.

Indian Secularism:

• Indian secularism is based on the diversity of religion and people.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approved amendments to various food safety and standards regulations

• FSSAI aims to facilitate ease of doing business through the concept of 'One Nation, One Commodity, One Regulator'.
• FSSAI certification will be made mandatory for food products, eliminating the need for Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) or AGMARK certification.
• Currently, BIS certification is mandatory for certain food products, while AGMARK is mandatory for others.
• FSSAI also approved a comprehensive manual of methods of analysis for ensuring regulatory compliance of food products.
• Other approvals include standards for Alcoholic Ready-to-drink beverages and revision of standards for milk fat products.

Food safety and standards regulations in India:

• The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 establishes FSSAI as the primary food safety authority.
• The Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 contain labeling requirements and standards for packaged food, permitted food additives, microbiological requirements, etc.
• Various FSSAI Food Safety Standards are developed by the Scientific Committee and Scientific Panels, the principal arms of FSSAI in the standard development process.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):

• Established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
• Comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Role includes setting science-based standards for food articles and regulating their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import.

Massive fire broke out in a firecracker factory in Madhya Pradesh’s Harda

Fire Safety Regulations in India:

• The National Building Code of India provides guidelines for fire safety measures in buildings, including industrial structures.
• The Model Bill to Provide for the Maintenance of Fire and Emergency Service for the State, 2019 provides a model framework for states for maintenance of fire and emergency service.
• The Occupational Safety, Health And Working Conditions Code, 2020 provides for liability of owners of factory premises for fire prevention and protection.
• The Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) administers responsibilities under the Explosives Act, 1984 & Petroleum Act, 1934 for prevention of accidents.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set standards specific to fire safety equipment and systems used in industries.

Major causes for industrial fire disasters:

• Structural irregularities such as dilapidated buildings and weak fire prevention and containment systems.
• Faulty electrical systems including wiring, overloaded circuits, equipment failure, and short circuits.
• Chemical storage and handling risks such as improper segregation and handling of explosive materials and lack of ventilation.
• Human error including negligent actions like overcharging electrical appliances, lack of material handling knowledge, and use of flammable materials.

Petronet LNG and QatarEnergy extend Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply deal for another 20 years beyond 2028

Extension of LNG Supply Deal between Petronet LNG and QatarEnergy:

• The agreement extends an existing long-term contract for LNG supply, signed in 1999, for another 20 years beyond 2028.
• Under the new agreement, LNG supply of 7.5 million metric tonnes per annum will commence from 2028 till 2048.
• The agreement promotes a gas-based economy and aims to increase the share of gas in the energy mix from 6% to 15% by 2030.
• It ensures continued supplies of regasified LNG to major consuming sectors like fertilizers, city gas distribution, refineries, power generation, etc.
• The use of natural gas as a cleaner and cheaper fuel helps reduce import bills compared to crude oil.
• LNG terminals and initiatives like the One Nation One Gas Grid Project and Gas4India campaign have been implemented to promote natural gas usage in India.

Petronet LNG Limited:

• Fast-growing energy company: Petronet LNG Limited is a rapidly expanding public limited company in the Indian energy sector.
• Joint venture: It is a joint venture between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, GAIL (India) Limited, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. These companies have come together to collaborate and invest in the LNG (liquefied natural gas) sector.
• World-class status: Petronet LNG Limited is recognized for its high standards and quality in the industry, positioning itself as a world-class company.
• Contribution to the energy sector: The company plays a significant role in the energy sector by facilitating the import, regasification, and distribution of LNG in India, thereby contributing to the country's energy security and meeting the growing demand for natural gas.

Scientists Declare Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) a Biosphere on Brink of Collapse

• Researchers at ICIMOD describe the speed and scale of losses in nature and habitat in the HKH region as catastrophic.
• The HKH region extends about 3,500 km from Afghanistan to Myanmar and is known as the greater Himalayan region or the roof of the world.
• Concerns include the region warming faster than the global average and the potential melting of 75% of glaciers in Bhutan and Nepal by the end of the century.
• Initiatives to protect the HKH region include the work of ICIMOD, the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP), and India's National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem.

Significance of HKH:

• Regulates global climate system: The HKH region plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate system through its impact on atmospheric circulation patterns and the distribution of moisture.
• Cultural and spiritual importance: The HKH region is home to several sacred sites and cultural practices that hold immense spiritual significance for the local communities. For example, the Gangotri glacier is considered sacred by Hindus.
• Cryosphere components: The HKH region contains important cryosphere components such as permafrost and glacial lakes. These components are vital for maintaining the region's hydrological cycle and water resources.
• Sustains livelihoods: The HKH region supports the livelihoods of billions of people through its vast natural resources, including water, forests, and biodiversity. It provides essential ecosystem services and supports agriculture, tourism, and other economic activities.

Cancer Remission Achieved after Commercial Use of NexCAR19, India’s First Indigenous CAR-T Cell Therapy

• NexCAR19, developed by ImmunoAct and Tata Memorial Hospital, has been granted market authorization by CDSCO in 2023.
• CAR-T cell therapy is a new approach in immunotherapy that strengthens the patient's immune system to attack cancer cells.
• The therapy involves genetic engineering of T-cells by introducing Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) to recognize and attach to specific proteins on cancer cells.
• CAR-T cell therapy is very effective against some types of cancer, has a short treatment time and rapid recovery, and is useful for cancers not responding to other treatments.
• CAR T-cells are known as living drugs as they persist in the body for the long-term and can provide benefits for many years.

How CAR-T Works:

• Extraction of T cells: Blood is taken from the patient to isolate T cells, which are a type of white blood cell known for their ability to fight diseases.
• Genetic engineering of T cells: In a laboratory, the T cells are genetically modified by introducing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which are proteins that enable the T cells to recognize and target cancer cells.
• Targeting and destruction of cancer cells: The engineered CAR-T cells are now capable of identifying and homing in on cancer cells. Once they latch onto the cancer cells, they are triggered to destroy them.
• Multiplication and infusion of CAR-T cells: The CAR-T cells are multiplied in the lab to create millions of cells. These cells are then infused back into the patient's body to attack and eliminate cancer cells.