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CURRENT AFFAIRS

(16th– 31st May 2018)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Science & Technology 04

Nipah Virus 04

GRACE-FO 05

China launches relay satellite to explore far side of the Moon 05

Security 06

India protests Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan order 06

Mount Deotibba Expedition-2018 07

International Relations 07

Ireland overturns abortion ban in landslide vote 07

SCO and India 08

EU’s new data privacy regulation 09

Polity & Governance 10

Assam Citizenship Bill 10

EC declared political parties out of the purview of RTI 11

National policy on bio-fuels – 2018 12

Permanent Residency Status Scheme 13

Economy 14

Model Agriculture Produce and Livestock Contract Farming and Services

(Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2018 14

Green Skill Development Programme 15

Social Policies, Initiatives & Reports: 16

Global Burden of Disease Study 16

National Digital Communications Policy 17

New Norms for labeling of GM food 18

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TRAI proposes use of blockchain technology for telecom industry 19

PRAAPTI APP and web portal 19

Environment & Ecology 20

Microhyla Kodial 20

India’s fresh water stocks in danger: NASA 21

Clean Air India Initiative 22

Green Good Deeds Movement 23

MNRE issues National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 23

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Science & Technology: NIPAH VIRUS According to WHO, the Nipah virus infection is a newly emerging zoonosis, that is, a disease

transmitted from animals to humans. The virus belongs to a new genus termed Henipavirus

(subfamily Paramyxovirinae).

Disease spread through:

The natural host of the virus are fruit bats belonging to the family Pteropodidae. In 2004,

humans were affected after eating the date palm contaminated by infected fruit bats. Pigs can also

act as intermediate hosts.

It was first identified in 1998 at Kampung Sungai Nipah village, Malaysia. The virus is named after

this village.

Disease symptoms in humans:

The symptoms of Nipah are similar to that of influenza: fever, muscle pain, and respiratory

problems. Inflammation of the brain can also cause disorientation. Late onset of Encephalitis can

also occur. Sometimes a person can have an asymptomatic infection, and be a carrier of Nipah and

not show any symptoms.

Are there any vaccines?

Currently, there are no vaccines for both humans and animals. Intensive supportive care is given

to humans infected by Nipah virus.

According to WHO, ribavarin can reduce the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and convulsion

associated with the disease. Individuals infected need to be hospitalized and isolated. Special care

should be taken to prevent human-to-human transmission.

Surveillance systems should be established to detect the virus quickly and to initiate appropriate

control measures.

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GRACE-FO

Elon Musk led SpaceX has successfully launched twin NASA satellites GRACE-FO (Follow-On) that will

track Earth’s water cycle i.e. water movement and icemelt. It was launched onboard of

SpaceX’spreflown Falcon 9 Rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, US.

About GRACE-FO:

GRACE-FO is joint project between NASA and German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ). It is

follow-on mission to original GRACE mission, which had mapped Earth’s water and ice by measuring

changes in Earth’s gravity field from 2002 to 2017.

GRACE-FO will pick up where GRACE left off to continue study of rising sea levels, melting of glaciers

and polar ice caps and other changes in distribution of water on Earth. The two GRACE-FO satellites

will orbit together at 490 km altitude near polar orbit, circling Earth every 90 minutes.

CHINA LAUNCHES RELAY SATELLITE TO EXPLORE FAR SIDE OF MOON

China launched a relay satellite as part of a groundbreaking programme to be the first to land a

spacecraft on the far side of the moon later this year. The satellite, lofted into space abroad a Long

March-4C rocket, will facilitate communication between controllers on Earth and the Chang’e 4

mission, the China National Space Administration.

China hopes to become the first country to soft-land a probe on the moon’s far side, also known as

the dark side because it faces away from the earth and is comparatively unknown. The satellite,

named Queqiao, or “Magpie Bridge”, after an ancient Chinese folk tale, was launched from Xichang

Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

Multiple challenges in launch:

The launch is a “key step”, but the satellite’s mission must still overcome challenges, including

making multiple adjustments to its orbit, “braking” near the moon and using lunar gravity to its

advantage.

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Security: INDIA PROTESTS PAKISTAN’S GILGIT-BALTISTAN ORDER

India protests Islamabad’s order to integrate the region of Gilgit-Baltistan into the federal

structure of the country.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the region belongs to India and that Pakistan’s action has

no legal support.

Pakistan’s intensions:

India’s response came in the backdrop of Prime Minister ShahidKhaqanAbbasi’s speech to the

joint Session of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council and Legislative Assembly. The executive order from the

Prime Minister Abbasi intends to begin legislative, judicial and administrative measures to integrate

Gilgit-Baltistan with the rest of the federal structure of Pakistan.

Present status:

As per the previous arrangement, Pakistan’s National Assembly received representation from

five provinces – Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Agencies (FATA) and

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This excluded the Gilgit-Baltistan region which remained on the Pakistani side

following the war of 1947 and was governed directly from Islamabad. Following the declaration by

Mr. Abbasi, the status of Gilgit-Baltistan is expected to change.

How the situation has changed?

The idea of granting provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan gained momentum since work on the

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through the region, demanded greater

coordination between the local and central level leaders.

India, which opposes the CPEC for reasons related to sovereignty, reiterated its territorial claims

over Gilgit-Baltistan and said Mr.Abbasi’s executive order to alter the status of the region will be

against the position of the Indian Parliament which in 1994 passed a resolution in support of India’s

claims over the undivided Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s stand:

It was further conveyed that such actions can neither hide the illegal occupations of part of the state

of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of

freedom to the people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for the past seven decades.

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MOUNT DEOTIBBA EXPEDITION-2018

All women high altitude expedition to Mount Deotibba (6001 meters) which is located in

Himachal Pradesh, has been organized by the Indian Navy from 28 May to 15 June 2018.

Indian Navy has summitted Mt Everest in May 2017. The service had previously launched the first

successful expedition to Everest in 1965 and has been to the South & North poles in 2006 and 2008

respectively. Now, with culmination of Sagar-Parikarma, the circumnavigation around the globe by

All Women Navy Team, Indian Navy seeks to achieve a similar feat on land by organizing an All

Women Expedition to Mt Deotibba as a launch pad for scaling higher peaks including Everest in near

future.

International Relations: IRELAND OVERTURNS ABORTION BAN IN LANDSLIDE VOTE

Ireland voted by an overwhelming majority to overturn a constitutional ban on abortion in a

historic referendum in this traditionally Catholic country.

Referendum result:

The pro-choice campaign won referendum with 66% of the 2.1 million votes cast, the returning

officer said at the central counting centre in Dublin Castle.

Ireland has voted by a landslide to liberalise some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws.

Social laws of Ireland:

The outcome will be the latest milestone on a path of change for a country which only legalized

divorce by a razor thin majority in 1995 before becoming the first in the world to adopt gay marriage

by popular vote three years ago.

Why the law is relevant to India?

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Reform in Ireland also raised the prospect that women in Northern Ireland, where abortion is

still illegal, may start travelling south of the border. No social issue has divided Ireland’s 4.8 million

people as sharply as abortion, which was pushed up the political agenda by the death in 2012 of a 31

year old Indian immigrant from a septic miscarriage after she was refused termination.

SCO AND INDIA

The Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a multi-governmental organization that was

formed in 2001 as an expression of greater coordination among the major powers in the Eurasian

region. The organization was launched by China, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and

Kazakhstan, reflecting a growing awareness among these countries to come to terms with the

unilateralism of the U.S. led post-Cold War world order. The group was a formal initiative borne out

of the Shangai Five Mechanism which came up in the backdrop of growing unilateral moves by the

U.S., such as the Iraq war of 1990-91.

SCO agenda:

The agenda of the SCO was shaped under the Shanghai Five Mechanism to include violent

liberation movements and counter-terrorism efforts. For instance, in a criticism of U.S. led

intervention in various states in West Asia and the Balkans, the Shanghai Five Mechanism aimed to

secure national sovereignty of the member countries. The SCO also served as a platform to facilitate

warmer ties among its countries by enhancing cooperation on the economic, technology, culture,

energy and other fronts, subsequently helping China resolving its border problems with the Central

Asian region. The SCO aims to create a ‘fair and rational new international political and economic

order’.

India’s role in the SCO:

The SCO granted India and Pakistan full membership in 2017. After inclusion, both India and

Pakistan are expected to participate in the activities of the SCO Secretariat in Beijing.

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While the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) provides rare platform for regional cooperation to

counter-terrorism, it also brought into focus the different views the two countries have on terrorism.

Yet in September, India and Pakistan will join other SCO members in counter-terrorism exercises.

EU’s NEW DATA PRIVACY REGULATION

A lot will change after the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force across

Europe on May 25. While the regulation comes into effect across EU member states “to harmonize

data privacy laws”, its impact will be felt across the world.

About data regulation:

Enacted in 2016, GDPR ensures data protection and privacy for all those living within the EU,

and also prevents the export of personal data outside its territories. Simply put, it deals with three

primary areas: personal data, consent for its use, and privacy by design. The EU defines personal

data as all information “related to an identified or identifiable natural person”.

About personal data:

While a lot of this such as names, phone numbers and credit card information is clearly defined,

there are grey areas where work timings, answers in a test, and even opinion can be defined as

personal data.

Personal data processing on consent:

On consent, GDPR states that processing personal data is “generally forbidden if it is not

expressly allowed by law”, or the “impacted persons have not consented” to the data being used.

Even the basic requirements of consent have been defined and “must be voluntarily granted”, that

too after “sufficient information” is provided to the person involved.

Privacy by design:

The thought behind the concept of “privacy by design” is to ensure “data protection through

technology design”- the idea that data processing procedures are best adhered to when they are

integrated at the point at which the technology is created. The enactment of GDPR changes the

game drastically for most internet companies, which are fuelled in every sense by the data of users.

From algorithms that define the product to business models that make them multi-billion-dollar

entities, almost everything these firms do originates from the small bits of data they collect from

users.

Possible implications for users:

A lot of this data is offered voluntarily by users, but not always because they are fully aware of

what data they are creating, what they are transmitting, and how it is used. If access to this data is

capped, because GDPR will need users to give explicit consent to use their data, a lot of the products

offered by these companies will not be as effective as they have been so far.

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Polity & Governance: ASSAM CITIZENSHIP BILL

Political Parties and civil society groups have argued that the Assam Citizenship Bill provides

legitimacy to Hindus who migrated from Bangladesh post-1971. It precludes individuals from six

religious minorities from three”Muslim-dominated countries” (Afghanistan, Bangladesh and

Pakistan) from being defined as “illegal immigrants” under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Rationale of the bill:

The intent behind this Bill, promised by the BJP in the run-up to the 2014 general election, is to

clear a path to citizenship for minorities persecuted in the three countries.

NRC view:

The National Register of Citizens, on the other hand, does not distinguish migrants on the basis

of religion and regards all post-March 24, 1971 migrants, irrespective of their religion, as illegal

aliens who need to be deported.

View of the State government:

Clearly, the Bill is seen by detractors to be breaking the general consensus on the NRC forged

after years of political differences and legal challenges to the Assam Accord, of which the ongoing

exercise to update the register is an outcome. Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal has responded

saying his government will continue to protect the rights of the citizens.

Issues with the bill:

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• The bill is indeed discriminatory and problematic in limiting accelerated citizenship to non-

Muslims. As the case of the Rohingya highlights, Muslims in neighboring countries who are

fleeing persecution are being denied refuge in India currently.

• The bill conflates the definition of migrants, people who shift voluntarily, with that of

refugees, who are forced to do so under duress giving them a claim to humanitarian

protection.

The NRC puts the onus on migrants to prove their status of residence prior to 1971 based on a series

of documents that would lead to registration as a citizen.

• The bill seeks to bring in consideration of religious identity.

• There are unresolved issues with the NRC process as well.

• There is the question of modalities of deportation, which would involve negotiations with

Bangladesh.

EC DECLARED POLITICAL PARTIES OUT OF THE PURVIEW OF RTI

Political parties are out of the purview of the Right to Information Act, the Election Commission

has said in an order, which is contrary to the directive of the Central Information Commission (CIC)

to bring six national parties under the law.

The order came on the appeal of an RTI applicant seeking to know the donations collected by the six

national parties which were brought under the ambit of the law by the CIC in June 2013.

CIC order:

Six of the seven parties – the BJP, Congress, BSP, NCP, CPI and CPI(M), for which information was

sought were brought under the RTI Act by a full Bench of the CIC on June 3, 2013.

Order not challenged in courts:

The order has not been challenged in higher courts, but the parties have refused to entertain

RTI applications. Several activists have approached the SC for their non-compliance with the CIC’s

order, and the matter is pending.

Provisions of RTI Act:

As for RTI Act, the CIC is the only appellate authority, which may declare a body public authority

if it is convinced that it meets the criteria for being under the Act.

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NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOFUELS – 2018

The Union Cabinet has approved National Policy on Biofuels – 2018, the salient features of the

policy are:

Salient features:

• The policy categorizes biofuels as “Basic Biofuels” viz. First Generation (1G) bioethnol&

biodiesel and “Advanced Biofuels”- Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Muncipal Solid Waste

(MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of

appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.

• The policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of

sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials like sugar Beet, sweet Sorghum, starch

containing materials like Corn, Cassava, damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, Rotten

potatoes, which unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.

• Farmers are at a risk of not getting appropriate price for their produce during the surplus

production phase. Taking this into account, the policy allows use of surplus food grains for

production of ethanol for blending with petrol, with the approval of National Biofuel

Coordination Committee.

• With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for

2G ethanol Bio refineries of Rs.5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives,

higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.

• The policy encourages setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from

non-edible oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil, short gestation crops.

• Roles and responsibilities of all the concerned Ministries/Departments with respect to

biofuels has been captured in the Policy document to synergize efforts.

Expected benefits:

1. Reduce import dependency

2. Cleaner environment

3. Health benefits

4. Municipal solid waste management

5. Infrastructural investment in rural areas

6. Employment generation

7. Additional income to farmers

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PERMANENT RESIDENCY STATUS SCHEME

The Permanent Residency Status (PRS) scheme provides for a host of facilities for foreigners

who invest at least Rs.10 crore under the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It was launched two years

ago. The scheme is not applicable to Pakistani citizens or third country nationals of Pakistani origin.

The scheme is open for citizens of every country, which gives only ‘Residency’ but not citizenship.

This was not a citizenship that was being offered to foreigners and was subject to review every 10

years.

The Union Cabinet had cleared the PRS in 2016 to boost its “Make in India” policy. The scheme is

open for foreign investors who invest a minimum of Rs. 10 crore within 18 months or Rs.25 crore in

36 months.

Details:

The foreign investment should result in generating employment to at least 20 resident Indians in

every financial year, PRS will be granted for a period of 10 years with multiple entry and can be

renewed for another 10 years. There will be no requirement of registration with the Foreigners

Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The PRS card holders are also eligible to buy residential property

in India.

Response to the scheme:

The scheme is yet to find a single applicant. No foreigner had applied for the scheme, but the

lack of applicants should not be seen as “no foreign investment”.

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Global trend:

Most European Union countries, the U.S., Canada and others offer permanent residency to

foreign investors.

The U.S. offers the EB-5 visa programme where foreigners could apply for permanent residency if

they created employment opportunities for 10 people with a minimum investment of Rs. 6.5 crore.

Economy: MODEL AGRICULTURE PRODUCE AND LIVESTOCK CONTRACT FARMING AND SERVICES (PROMOTION & FACILITATION) ACT, 2018

With a view to integrate farmers with bulk purchasers including exporters, agro-industries etc.

for better price realization through mitigation of market and price risks to the farmers and ensuring

smooth agro raw material supply to the agro industries, union Finance Minister in the budget for

2017-18 announced preparation of a “Model Contract Farming Act” and circulation of the same to

the States for its adoption. Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO) have a major role in promoting

Contract Farming and Services Contract. On behalf of farmers they can enter into agreement with

the sponsor.

Salient features of model contract farming Act,2018:

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• The Act lays special emphasis on protecting the interests of the farmers, considering them as

weaker of the two parties entering into a contract.

• In addition to contract farming, services contracts all along the value chain including pre-

production, production and post-production have been included.

• “Registering and Agreement Recording Committee” or an “Officer” for the purpose at

district/block/taluka level for online registration of sponsor and recording of agreement

provided.

• Contracted produce is to be covered under crop/livestock insurance in operation.

• Contract farming to be outside the ambit of APMC Act.

• No permanent structure can be developed on farmers land/premises.

• No right, title of interest of the land shall vest in the sponsor.

• Promotion of Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs) / Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to

mobilize small and marginal farmers have been provided.

• FPO/FPC can be a contracting party if so authorized by the farmers.

• No rights, title ownership or possession to be transferred or alienated or vested in the

contract farming sponsor etc.

• Ensuring buying of entire pre-agreed quantity of one or more of agricultural produce,

livestock or its product of contract farming producer as per contract.

• Contract Farming Facilitation Group (CFFG) for promoting contract farming and services at

village/panchayat level provided.

• Accessible and simple dispute settlement mechanism at the lowest level possible provided

for quick disposal of disputes.

• It is a promotional and facilitative Act and not regulatory in its structure.

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GREEN SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched full fledged Green

Skill Development Programme (GSDP). It aims to train over 5.5 lakh workers in environment and

forest sectors in the country through 30 courses by 2021 for sustainable conservation and

management of natural resources. GSDP-ENVIS mobile application was also launched to provide

more information and applying to courses under GSDP programme.

About Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP):

GSDP was launched as pilot project in 2017 by MoEFCC in partnership with National Skill

Development Agency (NSDA) to develop green skilled workers having technical knowledge and

commitment to sustainable development. Under it, skilling of youth (especially 10th and 12th

dropouts) will be undertaken for increasing availability of skilled workforce in environment or self-

employment.

The green skills under it will be imparted in more than 30 programmes in diverse fields identified,

which will be conducted in 84 institutions across country. Moreover, vast network and expertise of

Environmental Information Sysyem (ENVIS) hubs and Resource Partners (RPs) will be utilized for

implementation of this programme.

In the first stage, pool of master trainers and specialists is being created, who can further train youth

across the country. All skilling courses under this programme will be National Skills Qualificatios

Framework (NSQF) compliant. The MoEFCC will give certificates indicating skilling levels to all

successful candidates.

Significance:

The programmeendeavours to develop green skilled workers having technical knowledge and

commitment to sustainable development. It will go long way in reaping demographic dividend in the

country and filling the skill gaps in environment and forest sector. It will help in attainment of

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), National

Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) and Waste Management Rules 2016.

Social Policies, Initiatives & Reports: GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE STUDY India ranks a lowly 145th among 195 countries in terms of healthcare access and quality in 2016,

as assesses in a Global Burden of Disease study published in The Lancet. The study used an index

based on 32 causes of death that should be preventable with effective medical care. Each country

was given a healthcare access and quality (HAQ) score between 0-100. India’s HAQ score is 41.2, up

from 24.7 in 1990. The global average HAQ score was 54.4. Iceland and Norway top the list with a

HAQ score of 97 each.

For the first time, the study also analyzed health care access and quality between regions of seven

countries including India. China and India had the widest disparities of 43.5 and 30.8 points,

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respectively, while Japan had the narrowest of 4.8 points. In India, the 30-point difference marks an

increase in disparity from 23.4 points in 1990. Goa and Kerala had the highest scores in 2016, both

over 60, whereas Assam and Uttar Pradesh had the lowest, both below 40.

NATIONAL DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

The DoT had released the draft NDCP on 1st May 2018 for public comments. The key objectives

of the policy include broadband for all, creating 4 million additional jobs in the Digital

Communications sector, enhancing the contribution of the Digital Communications sector to 8% of

India’s GDP from around 6% in 2017, propelling India to the Top 50 Nations in the ICT Development

Index of ITU from 134 in 2017, enhancing India’s contributions to Global Value Chains, and ensuring

Digital Sovereignty of the country.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the last date for submission of

comments on the recently published draft National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), 2018.

Highlights of the policy:

• Change of name: previously known as the National Telecom Policy 2012, the NDCP marks a

clear shift in priorities from just telecommunications to digital infrastructure, services and

security.

• Broadband for all: The new policy aims to make sure that every citizen has access to

broadband running at least 50 Mbps, while all key developments institutes should be

receiving at least 100 Mbps of speed by 2022. The NDCP also seeks to ensure connectivity in

all areas that are currently uncovered through channelizing the Universal Services Obligation

Fund (USOF).

• Fibre first initiative: There are two parts to this, the first involves the implementation

collaborative models to improve infrastructure sharing between public, local and private

entities to increase access to fibre optic cables in municipalities, rural areas and national

highways. The second fold involves leveraging the existing infrastructure to boost

connectivity, affordability and sustainability.

• National digital grid: a central authority, called the National Fibre Authority, will be put in

place to handle utility between new initiatives being launched under the NDCP. The

authority would coordinate access, standardization of costs and timelines with respect to

the National Digital Grid between the centre, states and local bodies. More importantly,

such a mechanism will hopefully help remove barriers to obtaining approvals.

• Create 4 million additional jobs in digital arena by 2022: although the NDCP has stated the

creation of additional jobs as a primary strategic goal that needs to be achieved by 2022, no

specific measures or plan outline has been presented in the draft. That being said, they do

vaguely point towards ‘capacity building’ as a subset of propelling India forward.

• Re-train and re-skill 1 million people with ‘new-age skills’: The people who are already a

part of the workforce will be further empowered with the strengthening of PSUs. The

existing training infrastructure that’s already available with the telecom PSUs can be used

for further skill development.

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• Creating broadband readiness index for states/UTs: a standard measurement mechanism

will help attract investments and address challenges from the rest of the world. This

initiative will be supported through fiscal stimuli like depreciation and tax incentives.

• Secure India: The aim of the policy is to establish a strong, flexible and robust data

protection regime so that each citizen and enterprise can operate with autonomy and be

given the freedom of choice. More importantly, the NDCP wants to put forth a Telecom

Testing and Security Certification (TTSC) to enforce security standards that are at par with

global standars with consideration for local requirements.

NEW NORMS FOR LABELLING PACKAGED GM FOOD

All packaged food with at least 5% content from genetically engineered sources need to be

labeled so. Moreover, foods that exceed norms of sugar and fat should carry ‘Red’ and ‘Green’ labels

specifying the extent to which they do so, according to draft regulations by the Food Safety and

Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

This is the first time that the Central government has laid down guidelines for labeling genetically

modified (GM) food.

Present position:

The government has been contemplating a system for labelling GM foods for at least two years.

Current laws prohibit any GM food – unless cleared by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal

Committee, a Environment Ministry body, from being sold in India.

Through a 2007 notification, the Ministry exempted processed foods from this requirement, this has

been stayed by the courts. There was also dispute between the FSSAI, a Union Health Ministry body,

and the Environment Ministry on who checks if a particular food had a GE provenance. The

companies will check the GM content and we will conduct further tests and checks.

Other provisions of the draft:

The draft also defines the safe levels of fat, sugar and salt in processed food. Food packs would

have a designated space colored RED in case the value of energy from total sugar was more than 10

percent of the total energy (Kcal) provided by the 100 g/100 ml of the product, the value of energy

(Kcal) from trans-fat is more than 1 per cent of the total energy (Kcal) provided by the 100 g/100 ml

of the product, and total fat or sodium content provided by the 100 g/ 100 ml of the product is more

than certain specified threshold values.

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TRAI PROPOSES USE OF BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY FOR TELECOM INDUSTRY

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its draft Telecom Commercial

Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018 has proposed use of blockchain technology

to check menace of Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) or spam calls and messages. This

will be for first time, any country will country will deploy blockchain technology to check unwanted

calls.

Details:

The blockchain technology based norms to check menace of UCC will record all communication

between subscribers and entities, capturing customer consent for information and authorized

telemarketing agencies. It will ensure two things, non-repudiative and confidentiality.

It will be safeguarding personal information of the consumers as well as for better check on

unsolicited commercial calls. Only those authorized to access details will be able to access subscriber

details and only when they need to deliver service.

The draft proposes to check misuse of repeated UCC being made even to those subscribers who

have given consent. The subscriber will be now able to revoke consent given to entities through TRAI

app and other mechanism that will be provided under regulation.

Benefits:

Using blockchain technology, all information can be recorded and more options can be given to

customers regarding commercial communications. The telemarketers will not have access to

database of telecom customers and they can only reach out to those, who have opted to receive

communication. Moreover, any spammer who uses normal 10-digit number to communicate with

people can be tracked immediately after few people reported to TRAI as data can be matched.

PRAAPTI APP AND WEB PORTAL

A web portal and an App namely PRAAPTI (Payment Ratification And Analysis in Power

procurement for bringing transparency in Invoicing of generators) has been officially launched.

PRAAPTI App and web portal has been developed to bring transparency in power purchase

transactions between Generators and Discoms.

The App and Web portal will capture the Invoicing and payment data for various long term PPAs

from the Generators. This will help the stakeholders in getting month-wise and legacy data on

outstanding amounts of Discoms against power purchase.

The app will also allow users to know the details related to the payments made by the Discoms to

the power generation company and when they were made.

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PRAAPTI will also enable the consumers to evaluate financial performance of their Discoms in terms

of payments being made to the generation companies.

Environment & Ecology: MICROHYLA KODIAL

Scientists have discovered new frog species named MicrohylaKodial or Mangaluru narrow-

mouthed frog in a small industrial region in coastal Karnataka. It is christened MicrohylaKodial after

city of Mangaluru (called Kodial in Konkani language) from where they spotted it two years ago. The

frog is seen only in small industrial region which was former timber dumping yard surrounded by

seaport, petrochemical, chemical and refinery industries.

About MicrohylaKodial:

Mangaluru narrow mouthed frog belongs to Microhyla genus which is primarily recorded from south

Asia. It is small in size measuring just 2 cm long. It is grayish-brown in colour with thick olive-green

band on its head, less-prominent dark green bands on rest of its body. It has very distinct loud, long

calls. It is not seen outside urban area and its behavioural observations revealed that it breeds only

during monsoon.

Its detailed genetic studies show that it is more closely related to Southeast Asian frogs than Indian

frogs.

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INDIA’S FRESH WATER STOCKS IN DANGER: NASA

According to first of its kind study of NASA, India is among hotspots where overuse of water

resources has caused sharp decline in availability of freshwater. The study was conducted by

scientists from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre by using an array of NASA satellite observations

to track global hydrologic changes.

About study:

Scientists had used 14 years of observations from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment

(GRACE) spacecraft mission, a joint project of NASA and German Aerospace Centre, to track global

trends in freshwater in 34 regions around the world. This is for first time scientists had used

observations from multiple satellites for assessment of how freshwater availability is changing

everywhere on Earth.

Details:

The study revealed that wetter parts of earth’s were getting wetter and dry areas getting drier

due to variety of factors, including human water use, climate change and natural cycles. Areas in

northern and eastern India, West Asia, Australia and California (US) are among hotspots where

overuse of water resources has caused serious decline in availability of freshwater.

In northern India, groundwater extraction for irrigation of wheat and rice crops has led to depletion,

despite rainfall being normal. The ground water extractions has already exceed recharge during

normal precipitation, does not bode well for the availability of groundwater during future droughts.

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CLEAN AIR INDIA INITIATIVE

Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte, who is in India on a two day visit, launched the ‘Clean

Air India Initiative’ in the national capital. The campaign aims to crub air pollution in Indian cities by

promoting partnerships between Indian start-ups and Dutch companies and build a network of

entrepreneurs working on business solution for cleaner air.

What is the initiative?

The Clean Air India Initiative is a collaborative project between Get In The Ring, a platform for

start-ups, the government of the Netherlands, Start-up India, and INDUS Forum, an online

matchmaking platform of Indian and Dutch businesses.

How it involves a business opportunity?

A major business opportunity for Dutch firms that was highlighted included the potential for sale

of equipment (such as sensors), data, and solutions concerning air quality monitoring (AQM), with

experts estimating that 80% of India is not covered by AQM data collecting which is the first step

toward monitoring and combating air pollution.

Start from reducing paddy stubble burning:

Also, under focus was the severe air pollution in Delhi caused by the burning of paddy straw in

neighboring Harayana and Punjab. An ‘INDUS impact’ projects aims to halt the hazardous burning of

paddy stubble by promoting business partnerships that “upcycle” it. This entails using paddy straw

as feedstock to make materials that would find use in construction and packaging – a technology and

expertise that Dutch companies are keen to market in India.

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GREEN GOOD DEEDS MOVEMENT

Green Good Deeds, the societal movement launched by the Union Minister for Environment,

Forest & Climate Change, to protect environment and promote good living in the country, has found

acceptance by the global community.

Adopted at BRICS Environment meeting:

The BRICS Ministerial on Environment at Durban, South Africa, has agreed to include “Green

Good Deeds” in its official agenda in the next Ministerial in Brazil and another meeting in Russia.

About Green Good Deeds:

It was formally launched as a nation-wide campaign in January 2018. He enlisted the cooperation

of thousands of people – students, teachers, voluntary organizations, Residents Welfare Associations

and Professionals to adopt these deeds. The MoEF&CC had drawn up a list of over 500 Green Good

Deeds and asked people to alter their behavior to Green Good Behaviour to fulfill their Green Social

Responsibility. These small, positive actions, to be performed by individuals or organizations to

strengthen the cause of environmental protection have been put up on a mobile App.

MNRE ISSUES NATIONAL WIND-SOLAR HYBRID POLICY

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy. The

objective of the policy is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar

PV hybrid system for efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land. It also aims at

reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.

The policy seeks to promote new hybrid projects as well as hybridization of existing wind/solar

projects. The existing wind/solar projects can be hybridized with higher transmission capacity than

the sanctioned one, subject to availability of margin in the existing transmission capacity.

Technological front:

On technology front the Policy provides for integration of both the energy sources i.e. wind and

solar at AC as well as DC level. The policy also provides for flexibility in share of wind and solar

components in hybrid project, subject to the condition that, rated power capacity of one resource be

at least 25 percent of the rated power capacity of other resource for it to be recognized hybrid

project.

What will the policy lead to?

The policy provides for procurement of power from a hybrid project on tariff based transparent

bidding process for which government entities may invite bids. Policy also permits use of battery

storage in the hybrid project for optimizing the output and further reduce the variability. It

mandates the regulatory authorities to formulate necessary standards and regulations for wind-solar

hybrid systems.

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With significant capacity additions in renewable in recent years and with Hybrid Policy aiming at

better utilization of resources, it is envisaged that the Hybrid Policy will open-up a new area for

availability of renewable power at competitive prices along with reduced variability. A scheme for

new hybrid projects under the policy is also expected shortly.