National Current Affairs – UPSC/IAS Exams- 17th July 2019

by Mentors4ias · July 17, 2019

Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM)

Topic: Government Policies

In News: KUSUM is in news related to its low policy reach to the farmers.

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KUSUM aims to provide energy sufficiency and sustainable irrigation access to farmers.
At present, despite burgeoning farm power subsidies, nearly 30 million farmers, especially marginal landholders, use expensive diesel for their irrigation needs as they have no access to electricity. More than half of India’s net sown-area remains unirrigated.

About KUSUM:

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energyis the nodal agency for the policy implementation.
Funding will be done with support from the states.

The proposal on KUSUM Scheme provides for :-

Installation of grid-connected solar power plants each of Capacity up to 2 MW in the rural areas;
Installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfil irrigation needs of farmers not connected to grid; and
Solarisation of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also enable them to sell surplus solar power generated to DISCOM and get extra income.

Concerns and solutions:

The existing disparity among States with regard to solar pumps deployment and irrigation access is a concern. The states with higher number of desal engines shows lower number of solar motors.
This disparity highlights poor State budget allocation towards solar pumps and the lack of initiative by State nodal agencies.
Inequity within a State is another concern. There is need for allocation towards beneficiaries from socially disadvantaged groups due to the mandate of the State.
Solarising grid-connected pumps must include replacement of the pump. Poor efficiency levels of the existing pumps would mean unnecessary oversizing of the solar panels and lesser available energy to feed into the grid.
The injection of solar power by farmers would require the entire agriculture electricity line (feeder) to be energised throughout the daytime, including for those not having solarised pumps. This would aggravate DISCOMs’ losses on such feeders.
Instead, an effective alternative is to solarise the entire feeder through a reverse-bidding approach, and provide water-conservation-linked incentives to farmers as direct benefit transfer.

Source: The Hindu, PIB

AIDS

Topic: Health

In News: A recent report of UNAIDS shows that in many countries, continued access to HIV treatment and prevention options is reducing AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections.

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Community participation acted as main pillar in attaining the desired result. Sustained investment in community responses led by people living with HIV and those most affected is important.
Adopting the latest scientific research and medical knowledge, strong political leadership, and proactively fighting and reducing stigma and discrimination are crucial necessities.

UN Political Declaration:

The UN Sustainable Development Goals include ensuring good health and well-being for all by 2030. This includes the commitment to end the AIDS epidemic.
By signing the 2016 UN Political Declaration on Ending AIDS, countries affirmed the critical role that communities play in advocacy, coordination of AIDS responses and service delivery.

About AIDS:

The word AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. This means deficiency of immune system, acquired during the lifetime of an individual.AIDS is caused by the Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV).
Transmission of HIV-infection generally occurs by: sexual contact with infected person,by transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products, by sharing infected needles as in the case of intravenous drug abusers and from infected mother to her child through placenta.
It is important to note that HIV/AIDS is not spread by mere touch or physical contact; it spreads only through body fluids.
A widely used diagnostic test for AIDS is Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA).
Treatment of AIDS with anti-retroviral drugs is only partially effective. They can only prolong the life of the patient but cannot prevent death, which is inevitable.As AIDS has no cure, prevention is the best option.

Source: Hindu, Wikipedia

Biomedical waste management

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed all States and Union Territories to furnish a report on the amount of biomedical waste generated and asked them to set up common treatment and disposal facilities.

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According to Bio-medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules of India “Any waste which is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or in research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of biologicals.
The rule sets guidelines for segregation and proper disposal of wastes.

Hazards associated with poor health care waste management:

Injuries from sharps to all categories of health care personnel and waste handlers.
Increase risk of infections including HIV, Hepatitis.
Increase in risk associated with hazardous chemicals and drugs being handled by persons handling wastes.
Possibility to recycle disposables and disposed drugs for repacking and reselling.
Development of resistant strains of microorganisms.

Source: Hindu, NSH Foundation

Great Indian Bustard

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In News: The Centre government has initiated a project worth ₹33.85 crore for the conservation of Great Indian bustards.

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Through ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’, government provides funds to states & Union Territories under the component ‘Species Recovery Programme’.
The fund is for conservation and protection of 21 critically endangered species, including the Great Indian Bustard.
The ministry has also initiated ‘Habitat Improvement and Conservation Breeding of Great Indian Bustard’ – An Integrated Approach.
The important objective of this is to, build up captive population of great Indian bustard and to release the chicks in the wild for increasing the population.
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the important range states involved in this programme.

About Great Indian bustard:

Only 130 great Indian bustards left in the country.
Protection Status: Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972
Appendix I of CITES
Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List

Threats:

Agriculture & aquaculture
Energy production & mining
Transportation & service corridors
Human intrusions & disturbance
Invasive and other problematic species and diseases

Source: Hindu, Wikipedia

Defence Corridor

Topic: Economy

In News: In pursuance to the budget announcement (2018-19) it has been decided to set up two Defence Industrial Corridors in the Country, one in Uttar Pradesh and another in Tamil Nadu.

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It refers to a route along which domestic productions of defence equipment by public sector, private sector and MSMEs are lined up to enhance the operational capability of the defence forces.
Development of these corridors will help in accelerated growth and regional industry agglomeration.
It will encourage domestic production and benefit all small and medium manufacturers along the corridor.
The locations of these corridors are strategically decided by the Defence Ministry.
The proposed corridor in Tamil Nadu will connect Kattupalli port, Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Hosur and Bengaluru.
In U.P it is planned through Agra, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, Jhansi, Kanpur and Lucknow.

Source: The Hindu, PIB

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019

Topic: Government Policies

In News: The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to provide for road safety.

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Compensation for road accident victims: The central government will develop a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour. The central government may also make a scheme for providing interim relief to claimants seeking compensation under third party insurance.
Compulsory insurance: The Bill requires the central government to constitute a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, to provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in India.
The fund will be utilised for: Treatment of persons injured in road accidents as per the golden hour scheme, compensation to representatives of a person who died in a hit and run accident, compensation to a person grievously hurt in a hit and run accident, and compensation to any other persons as prescribed by the central government.
This Fund will be credited through: (i) payment of a nature notified by the central government, (ii) a grant or loan made by the central government, (iii) balance of the Solatium Fund (existing fund under the Act to provide compensation for hit and run accidents), or (iv) any other source as prescribed the central government.
Good samaritans: The Bill defines a good samaritan as a person who renders emergency medical or non-medical assistance to a victim at the scene of an accident. The assistance must have been in good faith, voluntary, and without the expectation of any reward. Such a person will not be liable for any civil or criminal action for any injury to or death of an accident victim, caused due to their negligence in providing assistance to the victim.
Recall of vehicles: The Bill allows the central government to order for recall of motor vehicles if a defect in the vehicle may cause damage to the environment, or the driver, or other road users.
The manufacturer of the recalled vehicle will be required to: (i) reimburse the buyers for the full cost of the vehicle, or (ii) replace the defective vehicle with another vehicle with similar or better specifications.
National Transportation Policy:The central government may develop a National Transportation Policy, in consultation with state governments. The Policy will: (i) establish a planning framework for road transport, (ii) develop a framework for grant of permits, and (iii) specify priorities for the transport system, among other things.
Road Safety Board: The Bill provides for a National Road Safety Board, to be created by the central government through a notification. The Board will advise the central and state governments on all aspects of road safety and traffic management including.
Offences and penalties: The Bill increases penalties for several offences under the Act.
Taxi aggregators:The Bill defines aggregators as digital intermediaries or market places which can be used by passengers to connect with a driver for transportation purposes (taxi services). These aggregators will be issued licenses by state. Further, they must comply with the Information Technology Act, 2000.