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Jan 11, 2022
EC HIKES EXPENDITURE LIMITS FOR CANDIDATES AHEAD OF ASSEMBLY POLLS
Recently, Election Commission has announced a hike in expenditure limit.
Highlights:
Doctrine of separation of powers:
Highlights:
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD):
Highlights:
Highlights:
Hydrogen:
Veer Baal Diwas (26th December):
Highlights:
- The expenditure limit for candidates has been raised to Rs 95 lakhs from 75 lakhs for the Lok Sabha elections.
- For Assembly polls, the amount has been raised to Rs 40 lakhs from 28 lakhs.
- Election Commission had formed a committee to study cost factors and subsequently make suitable recommendations.
- Suggestions were invited by the committee from political parties, chief electoral officers, and election observers.
- For Assembly Elections, the revised expenditure limit for candidates is Rs 40 lakh for big states, and candidates in smaller states can spend a maximum of Rs 28 lakh.
- The Commission has accepted recommendations of the Committee and decided to enhance the existing election expenditure limit for candidates
Doctrine of separation of powers:
- The doctrine of separation of powers implies that each pillar of democracy performs separate functions and act as separate entities.
- The doctrine is a part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution even though it is not specifically mentioned in its text.
- The executive is vested with the power to make policy decisions and implement laws.
- The legislature is empowered to issue enactments.
- It also reviews the functioning of the executive.
- The judiciary is responsible for adjudicating disputes.
- The judiciary exercises judicial review over executive and legislative action.
- The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) calls for the formulation of one law for India.
- It would be applicable to all religious communities in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption.
- The code comes under Article 44of the Constitution.
- It lays down that the state shall endeavor to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
- The objective of Article 44 was to address the discrimination against vulnerable groups and harmonize diverse cultural groups across the country.
- The article on UCC was incorporated as a Directive Principle.
- It was added so that it would be fulfilled when the nation would be ready to accept it and the social acceptance to the UCC could be made.
- British government submitted its report in 1835 stressing the need for uniformity in the codification of Indian law.
- It will strengthen the ideals of ‘secular democratic republic’ as enshrined in the Preamble.
- It will codify the various personal laws that are segregated at present on the basis of religious beliefs like the Hindu code bill, Shariat law, and others.
- It will simplify the complex laws around marriage ceremonies, inheritance, succession, adoptions making them one for all.
- The same civil law will then be applicable to all citizens irrespective of their faith.
- It will result in integration of India by bringing communities on the common platform on matters which are at present governed by diverse personal laws.
- It has saved 13.5 lakh firms from going bankrupt and consequently 1.5 crore jobs.
- Amongst the states, Gujarat has been the biggest beneficiary, followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
- To provide 100% guarantee coverage to banks and NBFCs to enable them to extend emergency credit facility to Business enterprises and MSMEs in view of covid-19 to meet their additional term loan.
- Launched by government of India as a special scheme in view of Covid-19.
- Tenor of loan under Scheme shall be four years with moratorium period of one year on the principal amount.
- Interest rates under the Scheme shall be capped at 9.25% for banks and FIs, and at 14% for NBFCs.
- For the purpose of this scheme, the term ‘Business Enterprises/MSMEs’ would also include loans covered under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY).
Highlights:
- India’s nominal GDP measured in USD terms is forecast to rise from USD 2.7 trillion in 2021 to USD 8.4 trillion by 2030.
- Currently, India is the sixth-largest economy in the world, behind the US, China, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.
- The key growth driver is rapidly growing domestic consumer market.
- This will increase consumption expenditure, thereby consumer spending.
- The digital transformation of India is expected to accelerate the growth of e-commerce, changing the retail consumer market landscape over the next decade.
- It will make India one of the most important long-term growth markets for multinationals in a wide range of industries.
- Foreign Direct Investment:
- It is being boosted by large inflows of investments from global technology Multinational Companies (MNCs) that are attracted to India's large domestic consumer market.
- The government is considering a series of measures to boost the economy, including:
- offering up to ₹3 lakh crore in incentives spread over six years to create global supply chains in some sectors,
- tariff protection to key industries
- relaxation in foreign investment rules
- schemes aimed at the urban unemployed
- PM Garib Kalayan Yojana:
- Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana is a comprehensive relief package of Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore Yojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against Corona Virus.
- The scheme has been extended to add free vaccination for all.
- Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan:
- The government announced a ₹20 lakh crore Atamnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-reliant India Initiative) package.
- It also included monetary measures by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Make in India
- It focuses on reducing import dependence, increasing domestic capacity, and modernising the armed forces.
- Aim: Increasing domestic manufacturing capacity, promoting local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- National Policy on Electronics 2019 (NPE 2019)
- This intended to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub.
- Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme:
- Aim: To entice multinational firms to relocate their manufacturing capacity to India.
- It provides eligible companies with incentives ranging from 4-6 percent on incremental sales of mobile phones manufactured in India over a five-year period beginning with the base year (2019-20).
- PLI Scheme for Telecom:
- PLI scheme for telecom and networking products was implemented to reduce import dependency and boost domestic production and exports.
- Aim: To turn India into a global manufacturing hub for telecom equipment by encouraging telecom players to invest in India and incentivizing both foreign and domestic investments.
- Telecom sector reforms:
- Aim: To boost employment, growth, competition, and consumer interests.
- The reforms include rationalisation of adjusted gross revenue, the rationalisation of bank guarantees (BGs), and the encouragement of spectrum sharing.
- Deep Ocean Mission (DOM):
- The Indian government approved the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), with a budget outlay of Rs. 4,077 crore (US$ 553.82 million) over the next five years.
- DOM is an Indian initiative to undertake the deep ocean exploration focused on India's exclusive economic zones and continental shelf.
- Initiatives by Reserve Bank of India:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the investment limit for FPI (foreign portfolio investors) in State Development Loans (SDLs) and government securities (G-secs) would remain unchanged.
- Roadmap 2030:
- It is a joint initiative by India and United Kingdom to collaborate and combat climate change by 2030.
- India is focusing on renewable sources to generate electricity.
- Reforms in Aerospace:
- The government has announced a number of reforms to the aerospace and defence manufacturing policies.
- This is to provide a boost to Indian defence equipment manufacturer.
- Inclusive economic growth:
- ₹20 lakh crore stimulus was announced by the government.
- It has immensely helped the rural poor, especially with their active involvement in MGNREGS [Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme].
- NIP [National Infrastructure Pipeline]:
- Implementation of ₹111 lakh crore allocated for the NIP
- NIP is a government exercise to provide world-class infrastructure to citizens and improving their quality of life.
- Aim: To improve project preparation and attract investments into infrastructure.
- Gharials were wiped out from the Brahmaputra River system in the 1950s.
- Location: Darrang and Sonitpur districts (Assam),
- It is situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
- ONP was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and declared a national park in 1999.
- Famously, It is also known as the mini Kaziranga National Park (IUCN site).
- ONP is also an integral part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
- Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia sissoo, Sterculia villosa, Trewia nudiflora, Zizyphus jujuba and Litsaea etc.
- Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) have bulbous knob (narial excrescence) present at the end of their long snout.
- They live in clear freshwater. Their presence indicates the ecology of rivers.
- Found in: Ganges River system of India and Nepal.
- It includes Girwa river (Uttar Pradesh), Son River (Madhya Pradesh), Ramganga river (Uttarakhand), Gandak River (Bihar), Chambal River (Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan), and Mahanadi River (Orissa).
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered category
- As part of the project, 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various National Parks over five years.
- India will source cheetahs from Southern Africa.
- The locally extinct cheetah-subspecies of India is found in Iran.
- Cheetahs from Southern Africa have the maximum observed genetic diversity among extant cheetah lineages.
- To establish breeding cheetah populations in safe habitats across its historical range and manage them as a meta population.
- To use the cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems
- To enhance India’s capacity to sequester carbon through ecosystem restoration activities in cheetah conservation areas.
- Thereby India can contribute towards the global climate change mitigation
- To use the ensuing opportunity for eco-development and eco-tourism to enhance local community livelihoods.
- To manage any conflict by cheetah or other wildlife with local communities within cheetah conservation areas expediently through compensation, awareness, and management actions to win community support.
- Kuno Palpur National Park, Madhya Pradesh
- Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
- Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
- Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- Mukundara Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
- It is a large cat native to Africa and central Iran.
- It is the fastest land animal, estimated to be capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h.
- Habitat: Savannahs in the Serengeti, arid mountain ranges in the Sahara and hilly desert terrain in Iran.
- The cheetah is a carnivore that hunts small to medium-sized prey.
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule I
- Cheetah is threatened by several factors, like habitat loss and fragmentation of populations.
- Habitat loss: Due to introduction of commercial land use, ecological degradation.
- Shortage of prey and conflict with other species such as humans and large carnivores are other major threats.
- The emission norms were set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) in 2015.
- 35 per cent of the total coal power will fail to meet their respective deadlines to meet the new emission norms.
- A majority of the coal thermal power capacity that is likely to meet the norms belongs to the central sector followed by the private sector.
- The major defaulters belong to the following states: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
- Except for Assam, none of the other states among these 17 will 100 per cent comply with the stipulated deadlines.
- The country’s 596 coal thermal power plant units have been put under three categories: A, B and C.
- 61 per cent coal thermal power capacity in Category A, 35 per cent capacity in Category B and 32 per cent capacity in Category C will not be able to meet deadlines in 2022.
- The deadline for compliance of Category C powerplants is 2024.
- Major pollutants from coal-fired power plants are oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM).
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD):
- PBD is celebrated once every two years on January 9.
- Conducted by: Ministry of External Affairs.
- Aim: To strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
- It was held in New Delhi in 2021
- Theme: Contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat
- The first PBD was organised on January 9, 2003.
- On January 9 Mahatma Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa, in 1915.
- After his return, he led the country's freedom struggle which changed the lives of Indians.
- Sixteen PBDs have been held earlier in various places of India so far.
- It is celebrated to mark the contribution of the Indians residing abroad in the development of the land of their origin.
- It is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian, Person of Indian Origin, an organisation or institution established and run by Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin.
- Understanding of India abroad
- Support India's causes and concerns in a tangible way
- Community work abroad
- Welfare of local Indian community
- Philanthropic and charitable work.
- Launched in: 2015-16
- Aim: To strengthen the engagement with young overseas Indians and encourage them to know more about their country of origin.
- The first edition of the "Bharat ko Janiye" Quiz was organized in 2015-16.
- Second edition in 2018-19.
- The third edition was organised in 2020.
Highlights:
- The Maya people faced starvation because of their dependence on drought-sensitive crops such as corn, beans and squash.
- They could have turned to chaya and cassava to meet their carbohydrates and protein needs.
- Chaya is a shrub whose leaves are high in protein, iron, potassium and calcium.
- Social and economic upheaval likely played a key role in the decline of civilization.
- Also, climate change has negatively affected the yield of maize and wheat in low-latitude areas.
- The Maya are an indigenous people of Mexico and Central America.
- The civilization originated in the Yucatan Peninsula.
- It flourished between 600 and 800 AD.
- It developed in the area that today comprises southeastern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, the western portions of Honduras and El Salvador.
- The designation Maya comes from the ancient Yucatan city of Mayapan, the last capital of a Mayan Kingdom in the Post-Classic Period (950-1524) CE.
- They had their own calendars, farming methods, writing systems and religion.
- They built palaces, pyramids, ceremonial structures and temple observatories.
- The Mayans had different Gods and Goddesses.
- Chaac was the God of rain and storms.
- Itzamna was one of the creator Gods and was a patron of learning.
- Awilix was the Goddess of night and the moon
- The Mayans had a writing system where they used
- Hieroglyphics are signs that make up sounds and words.
- There were up to 800 glyphs in their writing system.
- Between 800 and 950 AD, many of the southern cities were abandoned.
- This period is called the collapse of the Classic Maya civilizations.
Highlights:
- The presence of water had been confirmed by remote observation, but the signs of water in rock and soil is deducted by the lander.
- As per the study published by peer-reviewed journal Science Advances, reveals that the lunar soil at the landing site contains less than 120 parts-per-million(ppm) water.
- Lander measured the spectral reflectance of the Regolith and the rock and detected water on the spot for the first time.
- Chang’e 5 is the fifth lunar exploration mission of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, and China's first lunar sample-return mission.
- Manufactured By: China Academy of Space Technology (CAST)
- Rocket used for Launching: Long March 5
- Lander: It landed on the lunar surface after separating from the Orbiter, installed with a drill and a scooping device.
- Ascender: After the collection of samples, they are transported back to the orbiter with the help of ascender.
- Orbiter: Once the samples are transported to Orbiter, orbiter travels back to the earth orbit and releases the returner or reentry capsule.
- Returner: It performs a skip reentry to bounce off the atmosphere once before formal reentering.
Hydrogen:
- Hydrogen is the lightest element, lighter than air.
- It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible.
- Stars such as the Sun are mainly composed of hydrogen in the plasma state.
- Most of the hydrogen on Earth exists in molecular forms such as water and organic compounds.
- It has zero carbon content and is a non-polluting source of energy
- It has the highest energy content by weight and lowest energy content by volume.
- Hydrogen can cut down carbon emissions and also diversify a country’s energy basket and reduce external reliance.
- Green Hydrogen can provide impetus to India’s Renewable Energy target of 450 GW by 2030.
- As per International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Hydrogen shall make up 6 per cent of total energy consumption by 2050.
- The Hydrogen Council Report, 2021 mentions that, global investments on hydrogen will constitute around 1.4 per cent of the total global energy funding by 2030.
- Hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolyzer powered by electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar is known as Green Hydrogen.
- The mission mainly focusses on generation of hydrogen from green power resources.
- Propose a framework for inter alia creating demand for Green Hydrogen in sectors such as petroleum refining and fertilizer production
- Support for indigenous manufacturing of critical technologies
- Research & Development activities
- An enabling policy and regulatory framework.
- To set up Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and make it available in the market for use in automotive fuels
- The scheme emphasizes active promotion of advanced bio-fuels, including Compressed Biogas.
- Aim: To o convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to CBG and compost.
Veer Baal Diwas (26th December):
- It is observed to remember the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji (6 years of age), and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji (9 years of age).
- They were the kids of Guru Gobind Singh (10th Sikh guru).
- On 26th December 1705, on orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, both kids were sealed alive in the wall, for not accepting Islam.
POSTED ON 11-01-2022 BY ADMIN
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