NEWS IMPULSE | INDIA AND BHUTAN INK MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING | 30 JUNE 30-06-21

Syllabus Section: International Relations

Why in News:

India and Bhutan have inked a Memorandum of Understanding for developing cooperation between two countries in the area of environment.

About:

• It will open new vistas of bilateral co-operation in the area of climate change and waste management.
• India wants to engage with Bhutan on environmental related issues including climate change.
• The MoU is a platform to further enhance Indian and Bhutanese partnership and support, exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management and Climate Change.
• It also provides the possibility to have joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
• The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.

Source: All India Radio

NEWS IMPULSE | RURAL TOURISM | 30 JUNE 30-06-21

Syllabus Section:Economy

Why in News?

• Ministry of Tourism invites feedback on the draft National Strategy and Roadmap for development of Rural Tourism in India.

About:

• The Ministry of Tourism has the main objective of promoting and facilitating tourism both inbound and domestic in India. 
• Augmenting tourism infrastructure, ensuring ease of travel, promoting tourism products and destinations is one of the focus areas.
• Ministry of Tourism has recognized the immense potential of Rural Tourism and has been actively working on promotion and development of this niche area of tourism.
• Identification, diversification, development, and promotion of niche tourism products in the country is the initiative of the Ministry to overcome the aspect of ‘seasonality’ and to promote India as a 365 days’ destination, to attract tourists with specific interest, and to ensure repeat visits for the unique products in which India has a comparative advantage.
• The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism in India - An initiative towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Driven by the spirit of “Vocal for Local”, rural tourism can contribute significantly to the mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Source: PIB

NEWS IMPULSE | US HEAT WAVE | 30 JUNE 30-06-21

Syllabus Section: Environment (Climate Change)

Why in News?

The National Weather Service issued another excessive-heat warning for much of Washington state and Oregon that will remain in effect in coming days.

About:

Heat Wave:

• Heat waves begin when high pressure in the atmosphere moves in and pushes warm air toward the ground. That air warms up further as it is compressed, and we begin to feel a lot hotter.
• The high-pressure system pressing down on the ground expands vertically, forcing other weather systems to change course.
• It even minimizes wind and cloud cover, making the air more stifling. This is also why a heat wave parks itself over an area for several days or longer.

Heat Dome:

• When the ground warms, it loses moisture, which makes it easier to heat even more.And in the drought-ridden West, there is plenty of heat for the high-pressure system to trap.
• The trapped heat continues to warm, the system acts like a lid on a pot — earning the name “heat dome.
• In the Pacific Northwest, the heat and the drought are working in concert, exacerbating the problem and causing temperature records to fall day after day.

 

NEWS IMPULSE | SERB-DST PARTNERS WITH INTEL INDIA TO LAUNCH FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND INITIATIVE | 30 JUNE 30-06-21

Syllabus Section: Science and Technology

Why in News?

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST), partners with Intel India to launch first-of-its-kind initiative to advance deep tech-based research in India.

About:

• Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has launched first-of-its-kind research initiative called ‘Fund for Industrial Research Engagement (FIRE)’in collaboration with Intel India.

Significance:

• It will increase research opportunities in the space of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), platform systems, circuits & architecture, Internet of Things (IoT), materials & devices, security, and so on from edge to cloud.
• It will help in bringing together industry and academia on a common platform to exchange ground-breaking ideas and co-promote innovative research.
• It will open many new doors for exploration in scientific research, which could make India a key player in technology-based solutions
• The FIRE program is a joint government and industry initiative with a co-funding mechanism to promote innovative technology solutions and strengthen academic research through collaboration with key research and development (R&D) organizations in India.
• The program intends to select highly impactful research projects in every cycle which have breakthrough potential at a national or global level.
• It will support the best researchers in academia with funding, mentoring, and industry connect.

Source: PIB

NEWS IMPULSE | ATMANIRBHAR KRISHI APP | 30 JUNE 30-06-21

Syllabus Section: Agriculture

Why in News?

• Recently, Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India has launched Atmanirbhar Krishi APP.

About:

• It was created to equip farmers with actionable agricultural insights and early weather alerts.
• Data related to soil type, soil health, moisture, weather, and water tablewere aggregated and analysed to generate personalized insights related to crop selection, fertilizers requirements, and water needs for each farmer at the farm-holding level.
• The app was envisioned in 5 stages:

1. Data aggregation
2. Building centralized insights
3. Enable local expertise (KVK) supported interactions and insights
4. Deriving Machine Learning inferences
5. Continuous improvement

• Salient features of the app:

• The app is available in 12 languages.
• Considering the connectivity issues in the remote areas of the country, the app has been designed to work on minimal bandwidth.
• The app does not collect any inputs from the farmer. 
• It relies on the geo-location of the farm to provide relevant data 

 

• Significance:

• With the Atmanirbhar Krishi app of the KisanMitr initiative, farmers will have in their hands, evidence-based information generated by our research organizations like IMD, ISRO, ICAR, and CGWA.
• It will help in making the decisions by factoring in the importance of sustainability of water and environment, and judicious use of resources.

Source: PIB

NEWS IMPULSE | ASSOCIATION OF CLOUD BURSTS WITH FOREST FIRES | 30 JUNE 30-06-21

Syllabus Section: Environment

Why in News?

• Recently held study indicates association of cloud bursts with forest fires.

About:

• A recent study has found a connection between the formation of the tiny particles, the size of a cloud droplet on which water vapor condenses leading to the formation of clouds and forest fires.
• The quantity of such particles called the cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) were found to have peaks associated with forest fire events.
• Study published in the ‘Atmospheric Environment’ journal showed that the highest concentration of CCN was found to be associated with excessive fire forest activities of the Indian subcontinent.
• There were other peaks also associated with a variety of events, such as long-range transportation and local residential emission.
• It can help inimproving the understanding of the complex mechanism of cloud burst, weather prediction and climate change condition over this region of Himalayas.
• This research will be helpful in source allocation of pollutants reaching the high-altitude regions of Garhwal Himalaya. Also, it will provide the better understanding for the cloud formation mechanism and weather extremities over this region.

Source: PIB

NEWS IMPULSE | FINANCIAL RELIEF PACKAGE FOR 2ND WAVE OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC | 29 JUNE 29-06-21

Syllabus Section: Economy

Why in News?

Union Finance Minister announced a slew of measures to provide relief to diverse sectors affected by the 2nd wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Economic relief from Pandemic

Eight out of 17 schemes announcedaim at providing economic relief to people and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Special focus is on health and reviving travel, tourism sectors.

1. 1.10 lakh crore Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID Affected sectors

• Under this new scheme, additional credit of Rs 1.1 lakh crore will flow to the businesses.
• This includes Rs 50,000 crore for health sector and Rs 60,000 crore for other sectors, including tourism.

• The health sector component is aimed at up scaling medical infrastructure targeting underserved areas.
• Guarantee cover will be available both for expansion and new projects related to health/medical infrastructure in cities other than 8 metropolitan cities.
• While the guarantee cover will be 50% for expansion & 75% for new projects

2. Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS)

 Under the expanded scheme, limit of admissible guarantee and loan amount is proposed to be increased above existing level of 20% of outstanding on each loan. 

3. Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro Finance Institutions

• This is a new scheme announced today which aims to benefit the smallest of the borrowers who are served by the network of Micro Finance Institutions.
• Guarantee will be provided to Scheduled Commercial Banks for loans to new or existing NBFC-MFIs or MFIs for on lending upto Rs 1.25 lakh to approximately 25 lakh small borrowers.
• Loans from banks to be capped at MCLR plus 2%.
• Maximum loan tenure will be 3 years, and 80% of assistance to be used by MFI for incremental lending.
• Interest rates will be at least 2% below maximum rate prescribed by RBI. The scheme focuses on new lending, and not on repayment of old loans.
• Another feature of the scheme is that all borrowers (including defaulters upto 89 days) will be eligible. Guarantee cover will be available for funding provided by MLIs to MFIs/NBFC-MFIs till March 31, 2022 or till guarantees for an amount of Rs. 7,500 crore are issued, whichever is earlier.
• Guarantee will be provided upto 75% of default amount for upto 3 years through National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC)
• No guarantee fee to be charged by NCGTC under the scheme.

Scheme for Tourists guides/ stakeholders

• This is a new scheme.

• The scheme will cover 10,700 Regional Level Tourist Guides recognised by Ministry of Tourism and Tourist Guides recognised by the State Governments; and  about 1,000 Travel and Tourism Stakeholders (TTS) recognized by Ministry of Tourism.
• TTS’s will be eligible to get a loan upto Rs. 10 lakh each while tourist guides can avail loan upto Rs 1 lakh each.
• There will be no processing charges, waiver of foreclosure/prepayment charges and no requirement of additional collateral.
• Scheme to be administered by the Ministry of Tourism through NCGTC.

v. Free one month tourist visa to 5 lakh tourists

vi. Extension of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ANBRY)

vii. Additional Subsidy for DAP & P&K fertilizers

viii. Free food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) from May to November, 2021

2. Strengthening Public Health

• Rs. 23,220 crore more for public health with emphasis on children and paediatric care/paediatric beds

3. Special attention has been paid by the Government to provide impetus for growth and employment.  For this the following eight schemes were announced.

1. Release of Climate Resilient Special Traits Varieties

2. Revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC)
3. Revival of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC)

4. Rs. 88,000 crore boost to Export Insurance Cover

5. Digital India: Rs. 19,041 crore for Broadband to each Village through BharatNet PPP Model

6. Extension of Tenure of PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing
7. Extension of Tenure of PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing

8. New streamlined process for PPP Projects and Asset Monetization

Source: PIB

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS IMPULSE | ENFORCING CONTRACTS PORTAL | 29 JUNE 29-06-21

Syllabus Section: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

Recently, justice department launches “Enforcing Contracts Portal”.

About:

• Aim: It aims to promote ease of doing business and improve ‘Contract Enforcement Regime’ in country
• The portal is envisioned to be a comprehensive source of information pertaining to the legislative and policy reforms being undertaken on the “Enforcing Contracts” parameters
• It will provide easy access to latest information on commercial cases in Dedicated Commercial Courts of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata
• The portal will also provide access to repository of commercial laws for ready reference.
• The portal will also host online reporting by all High Courts regarding the Mediation and Arbitration centres annexed to the Commercial Courts in order to monitor and promote institutional mediation & arbitration by way of Pre-institution Mediation and Settlement (PIMS) of commercial cases.

• PIMS has been introduced with the aim of reducing pendency of cases and to promote mediation as a viable dispute resolution alternative in commercial cases.

What is Enforcing Contracts?

• The “Enforcing Contracts” indicator is one such essential area that measures time and cost to resolve a standardized commercial dispute as well as a series of good practices in the judiciary.

Source: PIB

NEWS IMPULSE | CHINA’S DRAGON MAN | 29 JUNE 29-06-21

Syllabus Section: History

Why in News?

• Researchers from China have found an ancient human skull of new human species dubbed the “Dragaon Man” or Homo longi in the Songhua River in China’s Harbin city that could belong to an altogether.

About:

• The name “Dragon Man” has been derived from the Long Jiang or Dragon River in China’ Heilongjiang province where Harbin is located.
• The cranium could be over 146,000 years old. Because of the distinctive shape of the skull, some team members have suggested that it be declared a part of a new species of the genus Homo.
• The size of the skull, which has a considerable brain capacity, is comparable to that of modern humans and Neanderthals.

Significance of the discovery:

•  If the “Dragon Man” is a new species, it might bridge the gaps between our ancient ancestors called Homo erectus and us. It brings new knowledge about the evolution of sapiens.
• Interbreeding with ancient humans allowed Homo sapiens to acquire genes that improved their chances of survival, and that some of these genes are present in modern humans even today.

Source: Indian Express

 

NEWS IMPULSE | ROCK PHOSPHATE | 29 JUNE 29-06-21

Syllabus Section: Geography

Why in News?

To improve the availability of phosphatic fertilisers (DAP and NPK) and to reduce the dependence on imports, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers chaired a meeting. Government ready with Action Plan to make India Aatmanirbhar in Rock Phosphate.

About:

• Rock phosphates or phosphorites are sedimentary phosphatic deposits comprising fine-grained mixture of various calcium phosphates, most important being hydroxylapatite, carbonateapatite, fluorapatite and their solid solutions.
• About 80% phosphate production in the world is derived from phosphate rocks (phosphorite)
• Rock Phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilisers and India is 90% dependent on imports.
• Of the total reserves/resources, 34% are in Jharkhand, 31% in Rajasthan, 19% in Madhya Pradesh, 8% in Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand each , respectively. Meagre quantities of resources are also located in Gujarat and Meghalaya. 

Source: The Hindu