Daily CURRENT AFFAIRS

Daily Current Affair - UPSC/KAS Exams - 11th August 2021

What is in news : The BBMP will soon be brought under the ambit of a act in line with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act to ensure financial discipline

What is Fiscal Discipline: A method that envisages balance between the Government expenditure and revenue in an economy

Why is it important:

• If not maintained, it can lead to depreciation of currency and inflation in the economy
• Will help in maintaining an overall stability in the economy

How is it brought :

• Measures of FISCAL POLICY
• In India - Budget

About FRBM

• Was enacted in August 2003.
• Aims to make the Central government responsible for ensuring inter-generational equity in fiscal management and long-term macro-economic stability.
• Envisages the setting of limits on the Central government’s debt and deficits.
• Limited the fiscal deficit to 3% of the GDP.
• Ensure that the States too are financially prudent, the 12th Finance Commission’s recommendations in 2004 linked debt relief to States with their enactment of similar laws.
• States have since enacted their own respective Financial Responsibility Legislation, which sets the same 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) cap on their annual budget deficits.
• Mandates greater transparency in fiscal operations of the Central government and the conduct of fiscal policy in a medium-term framework.
• Budget of the Union government includes a Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement that specifies the annual revenue and fiscal deficit goals over a three-year horizon.
• Rules for implementing the Act were notified in July 2004.
• Rules were amended in 2018, and most recently to the setting of a target of 3.1% for March 2023.
• The NK Singh committee (set up in 2016) recommended that the government should target a fiscal deficit of 3% of the GDP in years up to March 31, 2020 cut it to 2.8% in 2020-21 and to 2.5% by 2023.

What is in news : The State government of Karnataka is promoting construction of new generation multiple arch buttress check  dams across natural streams, rivulets and other waterbodies under the MGNREGA programme

What are Multiple Arch Buttress dams :

• Multiple arch dam contains series of arches and in this case arch slabs are provided at the upstream face of the dam. These slabs are supported by buttresses. The buttress wall is constructed as single stiffened wall or double hollow wall.
• This type of dam can be preferred for larger heights about more than 50 meters. As compared to deck slab type buttress dams, multiple arch buttress dams are more flexible and stable.
• The main disadvantage in this case is the adjacent buttress units depends on each other. So, if one unit gets affected then it causes severe problems for the whole series of arches. To overcome this good foundation for each of buttresses wall should be provided.
• The thickness of arch provided varies in case of larger spans and constant in the case of shorter spans. The central angle of arch should be in between 180 degrees to 150 degrees.
• The space between buttresses should be in between 15 to 21 meters. However, larger spacing can also be provided by taking some consideration.

MAHITI FOR PRELIMS - MNREGA

• The scheme was introduced as a social measure that guarantees “the right to work”. The key tenet of this social measure and labour law is that the local government will have to legally provide at least 100 days of wage employment in rural India to enhance their quality of life.
• Key objectives:
  • Generation of paid rural employment of not less than 100 days for each worker who volunteers for unskilled labour.
  • Proactively ensuring social inclusion by strengthening livelihood base of rural poor.
  • Creation of durable assets in rural areas such as wells, ponds, roads and canals.
  • Reduce urban migration from rural areas.
  • Create rural infrastructure by using untapped rural labour.
  • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.

ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

What is in news : Thousands of people have fled parts of Greece due to raging uncontrolled wildfires.

What are Wildfires : Uncontrolled and non-prescribed combustion or burning of plants in a natural setting

 Three conditions that need to be present in order for a wildfire to burn: fuel, oxygen, and a heat source.

What's the situation in Greece right now?

As per local media in Greece as of Tuesday, a massive wildfire continues to burn on the northern tip of Greece’s second-largest island called Evia, which is close to the mainland. The fire started on August 3 and has destroyed most of the island’s northern part.

Concerns about Wildfire :

• Forest fires can have multiple adverse effects on the forest cover, soil, tree growth, vegetation, and the overall flora and fauna.
• Fires render several hectares of forest useless and leave behind ash, making it unfit for any vegetation growth.
• Heat generated during the fire destroys animal habitats.
• Soil quality decreases with the alteration in their compositions.
• Soil moisture and fertility, too, is affected.
• Forests can shrink in size.
• The trees that survive fire often remain stunted and growth is severely affected.

What is in news : Transportation of Milk through “Doodh Duronto” special trains from Renigunta of Andhra Pradesh to the National Capital has crossed ten crore litres mark.

About :

• Introduced - 26th March, 2020
• By - South Central Railway
• Prior to Covid-19, Milk tankers were being attached to weekly Superfast Trains to cater the milk needs of the people in New Delhi and surrounding regions.
• When Lockdown was implemented in the country, to supplement the cause, South Central Railway has started unique concept of operating “Doodh Duronto” special trains by exclusively attaching Milk tankers.
• Doodh Duronto specials are run normally with 06 Milk tankers, each milk tanker having a capacity of 40,000 liters i.e., totaling to 2.40 lakh liters of milk in a train.

What : High-valued brackishwater fish

What is in news : Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA), Chennai under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed breeding and seed production technology of Grey Mullet (Madavai) under controlled conditions.

About Blue Mullet :

• Ray-finned
• Found worldwide in coastal temperate and tropical waters

Details :

It is under PM Matsya Sampada Yojana

MAHITI FOR PRELIMS : PM MATSYA SAMPADA

• PMMSY is a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India under two components namely, Central Sector Scheme (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• The Scheme will be implemented during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Major Benefits of PMMSY:
  • Address the critical gaps in the fisheries sector and realize its potential.
  • Augmenting fish production and productivity at a sustained average annual growth rate.
  • Improving availability of certified quality fish seed and feed, traceability in fish and including effective aquatic health management.
  • Creation of critical infrastructure including modernisation and strengthening of value chain.
  • Creation of direct gainful employment opportunities to about 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish workers, fish vendors and other rural/urban populations in fishing and allied activities.
  • Boost to investments in fisheries sector and increase of competitiveness of fish and fisheries products.
  • Social, physical and economic security for fishers and fish workers.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

What is in news : Union Government has informed Parliament that it has approved Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) for 5 years during the period 2021-2026

About Deep Ocean Mission

• The Deep Ocean Mission is proposed as multi-ministerial multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of deep sea technology, exploration of deep sea mineral resources and biodiversity, acquisition of a research vessel for exploration, deep sea observations, and capacity building.
• Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal agency for implementing the programme.
• The Deep Ocean Mission is proposed to be a Central Sector Scheme and no separate allocation for States is envisaged.
• The funds are expected to be allocated based on the given estimates.
• It is proposed to collaborate with non-governmental organizations for research collaboration for various components of Deep Ocean Mission.
• Under Deep Ocean Mission, it is proposed to develop, test and demonstrate the mining technology for harvesting of polymetallic nodules from the Test Mine Site (TMS) in the allocated area of 75000 sq. km in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
• A manned submersible for 6000 m depth is also proposed to be developed as an ocean exploratory tool.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

What is in news : China’s anti-sanctions law will be implemented in some form in Hong Kong

About the law :

• China passed the law in 2021 January
• Chinese law has following countermeasure provisions:
  • Refusal to issue visas, denial of entry & deportation.
  • Sealing, seizing, and freezing property of individuals and businesses which is attached to foreign sanctions against Chinese businesses or officials
  • Restrictions can also be applied to family members of individuals who fall foul of China.
  • It allows Chinese courts to punish companies complying with foreign laws that damage national interests.

When : August 10th every year

Why : Raise awareness on lions

Since :2013

By : WWF

MAHITI FOR PRELIMS : LIONS IN INDIA

• India is home to majestic Asiatic Lion, who inhabit protected territory of Sasan-Gir National Park.
• Asiatic lion is scientifically called as Panthera leo persica. They are approximately 110 cm in height. They have been listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and are considered as Endangered species on IUCN Red List. Weight of Adult males is in between 160 to 190 kg and that of female is in between 110 to 120 kg.
• Threat to lions : Asiatic lions face significant threats of poaching and threat of genetic inbreeding. WWF has also recorded instances of deaths of lions as a result of falling into unguarded wells around Gir.
• Population of Asiatic Lions: In 2020, population of Asiatic lions has surged by almost 29% in Gujarat’s Gir forests. The distribution area of lions has also increased by 36%.

SNIPPETS

• Lok sabha passes 127 constitutional amendment bill that aims at restoring States’ rights to specify OBC groups.
• August 7, the day Neeraj Chopra scripted history by winning the Olympic gold, will be celebrated as ‘National Javelin Day’ by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).