Comprehensive Current affairs 13 October 2020

 MHA asks states to follow SOP in crimes against women.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory to all States regarding “mandatory action by the police in crimes against women”.

The Ministry reiterated that the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, provides that the statement, written or verbal, by a person who is dead shall be treated as relevant fact in the investigation.

“In order to facilitate the State police to monitor compliance, in this regard MHA has provided an online portal called Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences for monitoring the same. This is available exclusively to law enforcement officers,” the Ministry said.

It reminded the States regarding compulsory registration of FIR in cases of cognisable offences.

“The law also enables the police to register FIR or a ‘Zero FIR’ (in case the crime is committed outside the jurisdiction of police station) in the event of receipt of information on commission of a cognizable offence, which includes cases of sexual assault on women,” the MHA said.

 The MHA also asked States to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Directorate of Forensic Science Services for collection, preservation and transportation of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases.

“In order to facilitate the State Police, Bureau of Police Research and Development has issued Sexual Assault Evidence CollectionKits to every State/UT. It is necessary to use these SAEC kits in every case of sexual assault reported,” it said.

Interview for jobs abolished in majority of states/UT’s

Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh has said that so far, interview for jobs has been abolished in 23 States and eight Union Territories of India.

•He said, this is a follow up to the abolition of interview for Group-B (Non-Gazetted) and Group-C posts in the Central Government ever since 2016.

•Mr Singh said, in the past, there had been complaints, grievances and allegations about marks in interviews being manipulated to help certain favoured candidates. He said, the abolition of interview and considering only the written test marks as merit for selection, offers an equal level-playing field to all the candidates.

•The Minister said, several states have also reported heavy savings on the State Exchequer because quite a substantial expenditure was being incurred in conducting interviews of candidates whose number often ran in thousands and the interview process continued for several days together.

NCERT Books in Indian Sign Language.

The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to make NCERT textbooks accessible to hearing-impaired students in Sign Language.

•NCERT textbooks, teachers’ handbooks and other materials for Class I-XII of all subjects in Hindi and English medium would be converted into Indian Sign Language (ISL) in Digital Format.

 Significance:

• It is a step towards fulfilling needs of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 and New Education Policy, 2020.

• Signing of this MoU is based on the United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF’s initiative “Accessible Digital Textbooks for All”.

• So far, hearing impaired children used to study only through verbal or written medium now they can study through Indian Sign Language which is the same all over the country.

• In the childhood days, cognitive skills of children are developed and it is very necessary to provide them educational material as per their learning needs.

• It will not only enhance their vocabulary but also enhance their capabilities to understand concepts.

Indian Sign Language (ISL):

• Broadly, it’s a set of hand and facial gestures used to communicate, most often by the hearing and speech impaired.

• It has its own grammar, syntax and regional “dialects", essentially different gestures for the same word or sentiment.

• The main difference from spoken languages lies in form: Sign languages are visual, spoken ones are auditory.

• Sign language is recognized as an official language in many countries across the world like the USA.

• Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre.

• ISLRTC is an autonomous national institute of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

 • It was established in 2015.

• It is dedicated to the task of developing man-power for popularizing the use of Indian Sign Language, teaching and conducting research in Indian Sign Language.

NCERT:

• It is an Autonomous Organization under the Ministry of Education (MoE) which is responsible for:

• Ensuring Qualitative improvement in school education by undertaking and promoting research in areas related to school education.

• Prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material.

• Develop and disseminate innovative educational techniques and practices.

• Act as a nodal Agency for achieving the Goals of Universalization of Elementary Education.

Ministry of external affairs hails potential of NAM. .

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has said that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has potential to take lead in addressing the primary issues of current times that demand global cooperation.

•Addressing the virtual Ministerial Meeting of the NAM, Mr Muraleedharan said, individual members must stop and think before raising issues that are not on the agenda and which find no resonance in the wider membership. He said, the NAM never was and never can be a platform for pursuits aimed at undermining the territorial integrity of a State by another State.

•The Minister said, terrorism and their enablers continue to spread their tentacles unabated. Misinformation and fake news are wreaking havoc on social cohesion and collective security.

•Climate change has become an existential threat, especially to the most vulnerable Small Island Developing States or SIDS countries. He said, Cyber security threats and the uneven impact of frontier technologies are causing turbulence.

 •Mr Muraleedharan said, COVID-19 has reminded us of our interconnectedness, and dependence on each other as one cannot fight this adversary alone.

RBI seeks permission to limit extension of loan moratorium. .

The Reserve Bank of India submitted to the Supreme Court that a loan moratorium exceeding six months might result in vitiating the overall credit discipline, which will have a debilitating impact on the process of credit creation in the economy.

•In an affidavit filed in the apex court in the loan moratorium case, the RBI has said that a long moratorium period could impact credit behaviour of borrowers and increase the risks of delinquencies post resumption of scheduled payments.

•The banking regulator filed the affidavit in pursuance to the apex court's October 5 order asking the Centre and the RBI to place on record the K V Kamath committee recommendations on debt restructuring because of COVID-19 related stress on various sectors as well as the notifications and circulars issued so far on loan moratorium.

•In its affidavit, the RBI has said that any waiver of interest on interest would entail significant economic costs which cannot be absorbed by the banks without serious dent of their finances which would have huge implications for the depositors and the broader financial stability.

•The RBI has said that mere continuation of the temporary moratorium would not even be in the interest of borrowers.The affidavit said the RBI has been the most proactive in announcing several measures to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

DRDO test fires anti-radiation missile.

A new-generation anti-radiation missile, RudraM-I, was successfully flight-tested on Friday by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This is the first indigenous anti-radiation missile.

An anti-radiation missile can locate and target radiation-emitting sources such as enemy radars, communication sites and other radio frequency-emitting targets. They can play a key role in neutralising any jamming platforms of the enemy or take out radar stations, thereby clearing a path for fighter jets to carry out an offensive and prevent own systems from being jammed.

• The missile, integrated with the SU-30 MkI aircraft, has a capability of varying ranges based on the launch conditions. Having the Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation with Passive Homing Head (PHH) for the final attack, it is a potent weapon for the Indian Air Force for suppression of enemy air defence effectively from large stand-off ranges, the DRDO said.

• Another source said that once the SU-30 MkI approached the target, the launch processor in the launcher, the on-board computer and the passive seeker in the missile worked in unison to display the required mission data to the pilot. “After completion of alignment of navigation system of the missile, the dynamic launch zone was displayed to the pilot,” the source said.

The NGARM is being developed by Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, as the nodal agency. It is a joint effort involving DRDO labs, the IAF, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and several public and private sector enterprises.

Temporary shelters for migratory birds in Sambhar Lake.

The Rajasthan government has recently decided to build temporary shelters for migratory birds near the Sambhar Lake near Jaipur before 2020’s Winter Season.

• More than 20,000 migratory birds died due to avian botulism in the lake, in 2019. Every year, a large number of birds from the cold northern regions of Central Asia come to Sambhar Lake.

• The Court has constituted a seven-member expert committee to study the impact of salt-forming and identify any illegal salt mining in the lake.

• It has suggested the state government seek the centre’s support for more funds for creating an infrastructure for the safety and security of birds.

About Sambhar Lake:

 • It is India's largest inland saline water body located near Jaipur in Rajasthan.

• It is surrounded on all sides by the Aravali hills.

• It is the source of most of Rajasthan's salt production.

• It has been designated as a Ramsar site (recognised wetland of international importance) because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other Migratory Birds.

About Avian Botulism

• It is a neuro-muscular illness caused by Botulinum (natural toxin) that is produced by bacteria, Clostridium botulinum.

• The bacteria are commonly found in the soil, rivers, and seawater. It affects both humans and animals.

• The bacteria also need anaerobic (absence of oxygen) conditions and do not grow in acidic Conditions.

• The illness affects the nervous system of birds, leading to paralysis in their legs and wings.

• The outbreaks of avian botulism tend to occur when average temperatures are above 21 Degrees Celsius, and during droughts.

IhalSarin wins Chess.com's 2020 online championship. .

In Chess, Young Indian player NihalSarin emerged winner in the Chess.com's 2020 Junior Speed Online Championship in Chennai, beating Russia's world junior No. 6 Alexey Sarana 18-7 in the final.

•The title win earned the 16-year old Sarin 8,766 US Dollars and enabled him to qualify for the 2020 Speed Chess Championship Final which will feature the world's best players.

 Focus on Civil service mains:

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)

The Emmanuelle Charpentier of France and Jennifer A Doudna of the USA have recently been awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing CRISPR/Cas9 genetic Scissors, one of Gene Technology’s Sharpest Tools.

Highlights:

• It is for the first time a Nobel science prize has gone to a women-only team.

• The Nobel Prize for Medicine/Physiology, 2020 is give to Harvey J Alter and Charles M Rice from the USA and Michael Houghton from the UK for the discovery of the Hepatitis C Virus.

• The Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 is given to three astrophysicists Roger Penrose from the UK, Reinhard Genzel from Germany, and Andrea Ghez from the USA for discoveries related to blackholes.

• Recent Discoveries in Cas9:

• Charpentier, while studying the Streptococcus pyogenes, a harmful bacterium, discovered a previously unknown molecule, tracrRNA.

• TracrRNA is part of bacteria’s ancient immune system, CRISPR/Cas, that disarmed viruses by cleaving (cutting) their DNA. It is programmed to locate the particular problematic sequence on the DNA strand, and a special protein called Cas9 (also known as genetic scissor) is used to break and remove the problematic sequence.

• Both scientists collaborated and succeeded in recreating the bacteria’s genetic scissors in a test tube and simplifying the scissors’ molecular components making it easier to use.

• In their natural form, the scissors recognise DNA from viruses but the duo reprogrammed them so that they could be controlled and can cut any DNA molecule at a predetermined site.

 About CRISPR Technology:

• It is a technology for gene-editing was first developed in 2012.

• It makes gene sequencing very easy, simple and extremely efficient providing nearly endless possibilities.

• The Editing, or modifying, gene sequences is not new and has been happening for several decades now, particularly in the field of agriculture, where several crops have been genetically modified to provide particular traits.

• The technology replicates a natural defence mechanism in Streptococcus pyogenes that use a similar method to protect it from virus attacks.

• The DNA strand, when broken, has a natural tendency to repair itself but the auto-repair mechanism can lead to the re-growth of a problematic sequence.

• The Scientists intervene during this auto-repair process by supplying the desired sequence of genetic codes, which replaces the original sequence.

• It can be used to change the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of animals, plants and microorganisms with extremely high precision.

• It has already contributed to significant gains in crop resilience, altering their genetic code to better withstand drought and pests.

• This technology has had are volutionary impact on the life sciences and contributes to new cancer therapies. It has the potential of Curing Inherited Diseases.

Suggestions:

• Ethical Concerns such as Ease of altering DNA will allow more people to choose the characteristics of their progeny and this will hamper the natural process.

 • A Chinese researcher claimed to have altered the genes of a human embryo that eventually resulted in the birth of twin baby girls. It was the first documented case of a ‘designer babies’ being produced using gene-editing tools like CRISPR.

• It was probably done without any regulatory permission or oversight which makes it even worse.

• Few scientists have pointed out that CRISPR technology is not 100% accurate, and it is possible that some other genes could also get altered by mistake.

• Doudna has been campaigning for the development of international rules and guidelines for the use of CRISPR technology and has also advocated a general pause on these kinds of applications till such time.

Ratification of 7 Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The Cabinet further delegated its powers to ratify chemicals under the Stockholm Convention to Union Ministries of External Affairs (MEA) and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC) in respect of POPs for streamlining the procedure.

• Considering its commitment towards providing a safe environment and addressing human health risks, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had notified the 'Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Rules, in 2018 under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

• The regulation inter alia prohibits the manufacture, trade, use, import and export of seven Chemicals, Namely:

✓ Chlordecone,

✓ Hexabromobiphenyl,

✓ Hexabromodiphenyl ether and Hepta Bromodiphenyl Ether (Commercial octa-BDE),

✓ Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and Pentabromodiphenyl ether (Commercial penta-BDE),

 ✓ Pentachlorobenzene,

✓ Hexabromocyclododecane, and

✓ Hexachlorobutadiene.

About Persistent Organic Pollutants:

• POPs are identified chemical substances that are characterised by:

✓ Persistence in the environment.

✓ Bio-accumulation in the fatty acids in living organisms.

✓ Less soluble in water.

✓ Adverse effect on Human Health/ Environment.

• Exposure to POPs can lead to cancer, damage to central & peripheral nervous systems, diseases of the immune system, reproductive disorders and interference with normal infant and Child Development.

• The property of long-range environmental transport (LRET) makes them spread widely in the Atmosphere.

About the Stockholm Convention:

• It is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from POPs.

• It was opened for signature in 2001 in Stockholm (Sweden) and became effective in 2004.

• POPs are listed in various Annexes to the Stockholm Convention after thorough scientific research, deliberations and negotiations among member countries.

• Objectives of the Convention are:

✓ Support the transition to safer alternatives.

 ✓ Target additional POPs for action.

✓ Clean-up old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs.

✓ Work together for a POPs-free future.

• India ratified the Stockholm Convention in 2006 as per Article 25(4), which enabled it to keep itself in a default "opt-out" position such that amendments in various Annexes of the convention cannot be enforced on it unless an instrument of ratification/ acceptance/ approval or accession is explicitly deposited with UN depositary.

• The convention calls to ban nine of the dirty dozen chemicals (key POPs), limit the use of DDT to malaria control, and curtail inadvertent production of dioxins and furans. The convention listed twelve distinct chemicals in three categories:

✓ Eight pesticides (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene)

✓ Two industrial chemicals (poly chlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene)

✓ Two unintended by-products of many industrial processes involving chlorine such as waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing and pulp and paper bleaching (poly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, commonly referred to as dioxins and furans).

Significance of Decision:

• The Cabinet's approval for ratification of POPs demonstrates India's commitment to meet its international obligations with regard to protection of Environment and Human Health.

• It also indicates the resolve of the Government to take action on POPs by implementing control measures, develop and implement action plans for unintentionally produced chemicals, develop inventories of the chemicals' stockpiles and review.

• The ratification process would enable India to access the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Financial Resources.

 What is Global Environment Facility?

• GEF was established with the Rio Earth Summit of 1992.

• It is headquartered at Washington, D.C., USA.

• The GEF is jointly managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• The financial mechanism was established to help tackle our planet’s most pressing environmental problems.

• It provides funds to the developing countries and transition economies for projects related to climate change, biodiversity, the ozone layer, etc.

• It is a Financial Mechanism for 5 Major International Environmental Conventions:

✓ The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC),

✓ The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD),

✓ The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs),

✓ The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and

✓ The Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report.

The World Bank in its biennial Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report mentions that

COVID-19 can add around 27-40 million new poor in Sub-Saharan Africa and around 49-57 million in South Asia region.

Who will be the New Poor?

• The “new poor” will:

 ✓ Be more urban poor.

✓ Be more engaged in informal services and manufacturing and less in agriculture.

✓ Live in congested urban settings and work in the sectors most affected by lockdowns and mobility restrictions.

Stats of the Report:

• Extreme Poverty Projection: The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to push an additional 88 million to 115 million people into extreme poverty this year, with the total rising to as many as 150 million by 2021, depending on the severity of the economic contraction.

• Percentage of Population: The pandemic and global recession may cause over 1.4% of the world’s population to fall into extreme poverty.

• Extreme poverty: It is defined as living on less than $1.90 a day. The World Bank measures poverty lines of $3.20 and $5.50, and also a multidimensional spectrum that includes access to education and basic infrastructure.

• Increase in Rate of Poverty: Global extreme poverty rate is projected to rise by around 1.3% to 9.2% in 2020. If the pandemic would not have been there, the poverty rate was expected to drop to 7.9% in 2020.

• Regions of Incidence: Many of the newly poor individuals will be from countries that already have high poverty rates (Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia). Around 82% of the total poor will be in middle income countries (MICs).

• Flood Prone Areas: About 132 million of the global poor live in high flood risk regions.

The focus on flooding in this report primarily reflects the fact that floods are one of the most common and severe hazards, especially in lower-income countries.

• Reverse of Progress Made: Current increasing poverty is reversal of the achievements made in two-and-a-half decades (1990-2015).

 ✓ Extreme poverty rate declined by 26%. It dropped to 10% from nearly 36%.

✓ During 2012-2017, the growth was inclusive and the incomes of the poorest 40% of the population grew.

✓ The Average Global Shared Prosperity was 2.3% during the period.

• Diminished Shared Prosperity: Average Global shared Prosperity is estimated to stagnate or even contract over 2019-2021 due to the reduced Growth in Average Incomes.

✓ Shared prosperity is defined as the growth in the income of the poorest 40% of a country’s population.

Reasons for the Poverty:

• Global extreme poverty is expected to rise for the first time in 20 years because of the disruption caused by COVID-19. It is exacerbating the impact of conflict and climate change, which were already slowing down Poverty Reduction.

Proposed Strategy:

• The World Bank recommends for a complementary two-track approach which involves short as well as long term strategy:

• Short-run: Without policy actions, the COVID-19 crisis may lead to an increase in income inequality, resulting in a world that is less inclusive. Countries need to prepare for a different economy post-COVID, by allowing capital, labour, skills, and innovation to move into new businesses and sectors.

• Long-run: Continuing to focus on foundational development problems, including conflict and climate change as the Key Areas.

Poverty in India:

 • Poverty estimation in India is carried out by NITI Aayog’s task force through the calculation of poverty line based on the data captured by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI).

• Poverty line estimation in India is based on the consumption expenditure and not on the Income Levels.

About Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2020:

• India lifted as many as 270 million people out of multidimensional poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16.

• Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is having a profound impact on the development landscape.

• The study finds that on average, poverty levels will be set back 3 to 10 years due to COVID-19.

• Sustainable Development Goals: The index emphasises on measuring and monitoring progress under the goals to reach ‘zero poverty by 2030-Goal 1’ of the SDGs.

Recent Measures taken by India:

• The government enhanced its social safety programs including direct benefit transfers such as cash transfers under PM Kisan scheme, more liberal financing under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 like advance disbursement, direct cash grants to construction workers and release of free and subsidized food grains under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to about 800 million people to ensure food for all.

• The Government announced a special economic package of Rs 20 lakh crore (equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP) under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme with the aim of making the country independent against the tough competition in the global supply chain and to help in empowering the poor, labourers, migrants who have been adversely affected by COVID.

Way Forward:

• The Challenge of Poverty is Enormous especially in the background of COVID-19. The need is to collaborate at both Global and Regional levels.

• Collaboration in the form of Sharing information on disease and cure.

• Developmental and Poverty Eradication aid by the international financial organizations is of real meaning here.

• At national level, respective governments must ensure both short and long-run strategies proposed by the World Bank apart from Existing efforts of National Governments.