NINTH SCHEDULE
#PolityGovernance #IndianExpress #important #prelims2020
LJP leader Chirag Paswan said that reservation should be put under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. His comments came days after the Supreme Court ruled that reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts was not a fundamental right, and that a state cannot be compelled to offer quota if it chooses not to.
About:
The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution contains a list of central and state laws which cannot be challenged in courts.
Currently, 284 such laws are shielded from judicial review. While most of the laws protected under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues, the list includes other subjects, such as reservation. A Tamil Nadu law that provides 69 per cent reservation in the state is part of the Schedule.
The Schedule became a part of the Constitution in 1951, when the document was amended for the first time. It was created by the new Article 31B, which along with 31A was brought in by the government to protect laws related to agrarian reform and for abolishing the Zamindari system.
While Article 31A extends protection to ‘classes’ of laws, Article 31B shields specific laws or enactments.
Although Article 31B excludes judicial review, the apex court has said in the past that even laws under the Ninth Schedule would be open to scrutiny if they violated fundamental rights or the basic structure of the Constitution.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#PolityGovernance #IndianExpress #important #prelims2020
LJP leader Chirag Paswan said that reservation should be put under the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution. His comments came days after the Supreme Court ruled that reservation in the matter of promotions in public posts was not a fundamental right, and that a state cannot be compelled to offer quota if it chooses not to.
About:
The Ninth Schedule of the Constitution contains a list of central and state laws which cannot be challenged in courts.
Currently, 284 such laws are shielded from judicial review. While most of the laws protected under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues, the list includes other subjects, such as reservation. A Tamil Nadu law that provides 69 per cent reservation in the state is part of the Schedule.
The Schedule became a part of the Constitution in 1951, when the document was amended for the first time. It was created by the new Article 31B, which along with 31A was brought in by the government to protect laws related to agrarian reform and for abolishing the Zamindari system.
While Article 31A extends protection to ‘classes’ of laws, Article 31B shields specific laws or enactments.
Although Article 31B excludes judicial review, the apex court has said in the past that even laws under the Ninth Schedule would be open to scrutiny if they violated fundamental rights or the basic structure of the Constitution.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
PRIVATE MEMBER’S BILL
#PolityGovernance #IndianExpress #prelims2020 #important
A BJP member in Rajya Sabha abandoned his plan of introducing a private member’s Bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Private Vs Government Bills
An MP who is not a minister is a private member. While both private members and ministers take part in the lawmaking process, Bills introduced by private members are referred to as private member’s Bills and those introduced by ministers are called government Bills.
While a government Bill can be introduced and discussed on any day, a private member’s bill can only be introduced and discussed on Fridays.
Government Bills are backed by the government and also reflect its legislative agenda.
Salient features of Private Members Bill:
Individual MPs may introduce private member’s Bill to draw the government’s attention to what they might see as issues requiring legislative intervention.
The admissibility of a private Bill is decided by the Chairman in the case of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the case of the Lok Sabha.
Before the Bill can be listed for introduction, the Member must give at least a month’s notice, for the House Secretariat to examine it for compliance with constitutional provisions and rules on legislation.
Has a private member’s bill ever become a law?
No private member’s Bill has been passed by Parliament since 1970.
To date, Parliament has passed 14 such Bills, six of them in 1956.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#PolityGovernance #IndianExpress #prelims2020 #important
A BJP member in Rajya Sabha abandoned his plan of introducing a private member’s Bill on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
Private Vs Government Bills
An MP who is not a minister is a private member. While both private members and ministers take part in the lawmaking process, Bills introduced by private members are referred to as private member’s Bills and those introduced by ministers are called government Bills.
While a government Bill can be introduced and discussed on any day, a private member’s bill can only be introduced and discussed on Fridays.
Government Bills are backed by the government and also reflect its legislative agenda.
Salient features of Private Members Bill:
Individual MPs may introduce private member’s Bill to draw the government’s attention to what they might see as issues requiring legislative intervention.
The admissibility of a private Bill is decided by the Chairman in the case of the Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the case of the Lok Sabha.
Before the Bill can be listed for introduction, the Member must give at least a month’s notice, for the House Secretariat to examine it for compliance with constitutional provisions and rules on legislation.
Has a private member’s bill ever become a law?
No private member’s Bill has been passed by Parliament since 1970.
To date, Parliament has passed 14 such Bills, six of them in 1956.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT
#Environment #TheHindu
Ministry of Environment provided latest data in the Rajya Sabha on the Human-elephant conflict in the country over the past five years, from 2014-15 to 2018-19.
Key findings:
Three States in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country — West Bengal, Odisha and Assam — account for about half of both human and elephant deaths in the overall human-elephant conflict in the country.
2,361 human deaths were recorded in elephant attacks across the country, of which 1,132 (48%) fatalities were from these three States. West Bengal had the highest number of human casualties: 403, followed by Odisha with 397, Jharkhand with 349, and Assam with 332 deaths.
When it comes to unnatural deaths of elephants (mainly due to poaching, train accidents, electrocution and poisoning), the country recorded 510 deaths in the same period (2014-15 to 2018-19). Of these, 259 (53%) occurred in these three States alone.
Among the reasons for unnatural deaths of elephants, electrocution is at the top of the list, accounting for 68% of elephant deaths in the country. Assam accounted for 66 electrocution deaths, followed by Odisha with 57 deaths and Bengal with 39 fatalities.
The second most common cause for unnatural deaths of elephants is train accidents. Between 2014-15 to 2018-19, 77 deaths were due to train accidents.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
#Environment #TheHindu
Ministry of Environment provided latest data in the Rajya Sabha on the Human-elephant conflict in the country over the past five years, from 2014-15 to 2018-19.
Key findings:
Three States in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country — West Bengal, Odisha and Assam — account for about half of both human and elephant deaths in the overall human-elephant conflict in the country.
2,361 human deaths were recorded in elephant attacks across the country, of which 1,132 (48%) fatalities were from these three States. West Bengal had the highest number of human casualties: 403, followed by Odisha with 397, Jharkhand with 349, and Assam with 332 deaths.
When it comes to unnatural deaths of elephants (mainly due to poaching, train accidents, electrocution and poisoning), the country recorded 510 deaths in the same period (2014-15 to 2018-19). Of these, 259 (53%) occurred in these three States alone.
Among the reasons for unnatural deaths of elephants, electrocution is at the top of the list, accounting for 68% of elephant deaths in the country. Assam accounted for 66 electrocution deaths, followed by Odisha with 57 deaths and Bengal with 39 fatalities.
The second most common cause for unnatural deaths of elephants is train accidents. Between 2014-15 to 2018-19, 77 deaths were due to train accidents.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
MEDARAM JATARA
#Culture #TheHindu
Recently, the festival of Medaram Jatara concluded.
About:
Names: Medaram Jatara is also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara.
What is it? It is a tribal festival honouring the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning rulers against an unjust law.
Location:
It is celebrated in the state of Telangana. The Jatra begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandal in Warangal district.
Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the region.
When celebraeted? It is held every two years (biannually). It is celebrated during the time the goddesses of the tribals is believed to visit them.
Ritual: People offer bangaram/gold (jaggery) of a quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to River Godavari.
Significance: Many tribal Devotees from different states of India reach to the festive place to celebrate the Jatara.It is believed that after Kumbha Mela, the Medaram jatara attracts the largest number of devotees in the country.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#Culture #TheHindu
Recently, the festival of Medaram Jatara concluded.
About:
Names: Medaram Jatara is also known as Sammakka Saralamma Jatara.
What is it? It is a tribal festival honouring the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning rulers against an unjust law.
Location:
It is celebrated in the state of Telangana. The Jatra begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandal in Warangal district.
Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the region.
When celebraeted? It is held every two years (biannually). It is celebrated during the time the goddesses of the tribals is believed to visit them.
Ritual: People offer bangaram/gold (jaggery) of a quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to River Godavari.
Significance: Many tribal Devotees from different states of India reach to the festive place to celebrate the Jatara.It is believed that after Kumbha Mela, the Medaram jatara attracts the largest number of devotees in the country.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
RECUSALS
#PolityGovernance #TheHindu
Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar recused himself from hearing a petition filed against the government’s move to charge J&k CM Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act. The case was finally heard by another bench.
About:
Recusal usually takes place when a judge has a conflict of interest or has a prior association with the parties in the case.
There are no written rules on the recusal of judges from hearing cases listed before them in constitutional courts. It is left to the discretion of a judge.
The reasons for recusal are not disclosed in an order of the court. Some judges orally convey to the lawyers involved in the case their reasons for recusal, many do not.
A recusal inevitably leads to delay. The case goes back to the Chief Justice, who has to constitute a fresh Bench.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#PolityGovernance #TheHindu
Supreme Court judge Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar recused himself from hearing a petition filed against the government’s move to charge J&k CM Omar Abdullah under the Public Safety Act. The case was finally heard by another bench.
About:
Recusal usually takes place when a judge has a conflict of interest or has a prior association with the parties in the case.
There are no written rules on the recusal of judges from hearing cases listed before them in constitutional courts. It is left to the discretion of a judge.
The reasons for recusal are not disclosed in an order of the court. Some judges orally convey to the lawyers involved in the case their reasons for recusal, many do not.
A recusal inevitably leads to delay. The case goes back to the Chief Justice, who has to constitute a fresh Bench.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
DARKNET
#ScienceTech #TheHindu
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested the country’s first ‘darknet’ narcotics operative, who allegedly shipped hundreds of psychotropic drug parcels abroad in the garb of sex stimulation medicines.
About:
Dark Net (or Darknet), also known as the dark web, refers to the deep hidden internet platform that is used for narcotics sale, exchange of pornographic content and other illegal activities by using the secret alleys of the onion router (ToR) to stay away from the surveillance of law enforcement agencies.
Darknet is the part of the Internet below the private deep web that uses custom software and hidden networks superimposed on the architecture of the Internet.
Owing to its end-to-end encryption, darknet is considered very tough to crack when it comes to investigating criminal activities being rendered over it.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
#ScienceTech #TheHindu
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested the country’s first ‘darknet’ narcotics operative, who allegedly shipped hundreds of psychotropic drug parcels abroad in the garb of sex stimulation medicines.
About:
Dark Net (or Darknet), also known as the dark web, refers to the deep hidden internet platform that is used for narcotics sale, exchange of pornographic content and other illegal activities by using the secret alleys of the onion router (ToR) to stay away from the surveillance of law enforcement agencies.
Darknet is the part of the Internet below the private deep web that uses custom software and hidden networks superimposed on the architecture of the Internet.
Owing to its end-to-end encryption, darknet is considered very tough to crack when it comes to investigating criminal activities being rendered over it.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
#ScienceTech #TheHindu
Dark Net vs. Deep Web
The terms "dark net" and "deep web" are occasionally used interchangeably. However, this is not correct.
The dark net is part of the greater deep web. The deep web encompasses all unindexed sites that don't pop up when you do an Internet search.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
Dark Net vs. Deep Web
The terms "dark net" and "deep web" are occasionally used interchangeably. However, this is not correct.
The dark net is part of the greater deep web. The deep web encompasses all unindexed sites that don't pop up when you do an Internet search.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
LORCASERIN
#Health #TheHindu
Indian doctors have cautioned against the use of lorcaserin (brand name Belviq or Belviq XR), a weight-loss drug that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently said is linked to a “possible increased risk of cancer.”
About:
Doctors warn against use of weight-loss drug.
Lorcaserin, marketed under the brand name Belviq is a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals.
It reduces appetite by activating a type of serotonin receptor in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is known to control appetite.
Lorcaserin is used long term for weight loss in those who are obese.
The U.S. FDA requested the drug manufacturer to voluntarily withdraw lorcaserin, after a post-marketing trial with more than 12,000 subjects revealed an increased occurrence of cancer.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#Health #TheHindu
Indian doctors have cautioned against the use of lorcaserin (brand name Belviq or Belviq XR), a weight-loss drug that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently said is linked to a “possible increased risk of cancer.”
About:
Doctors warn against use of weight-loss drug.
Lorcaserin, marketed under the brand name Belviq is a weight-loss drug developed by Arena Pharmaceuticals.
It reduces appetite by activating a type of serotonin receptor in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is known to control appetite.
Lorcaserin is used long term for weight loss in those who are obese.
The U.S. FDA requested the drug manufacturer to voluntarily withdraw lorcaserin, after a post-marketing trial with more than 12,000 subjects revealed an increased occurrence of cancer.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
SPICe+
#Economy #TheHindu
The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) has come out with the format of the new web form — SPICe+ — for incorporation of companies with effect from February 15.
About:
The web form has replaced the existing electronic form SPICe (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically).
The 22-page integrated web form will, among other things, offer 10 services by three Central Government Ministries and Departments (Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry) and one State Government (Maharashtra).
The incorporation of companies are made through the Corporate Affairs Ministry’s portal MCA21. The new form would be available on this portal.
The web form will help save many procedures, time and cost for starting a business in India.
The Ministry has also come up with an AGILE PRO form, part of SPICe+, for GSTIN/ EPFO/ ESIC/ Profession Tax/ Bank Account.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
#Economy #TheHindu
The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) has come out with the format of the new web form — SPICe+ — for incorporation of companies with effect from February 15.
About:
The web form has replaced the existing electronic form SPICe (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically).
The 22-page integrated web form will, among other things, offer 10 services by three Central Government Ministries and Departments (Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry) and one State Government (Maharashtra).
The incorporation of companies are made through the Corporate Affairs Ministry’s portal MCA21. The new form would be available on this portal.
The web form will help save many procedures, time and cost for starting a business in India.
The Ministry has also come up with an AGILE PRO form, part of SPICe+, for GSTIN/ EPFO/ ESIC/ Profession Tax/ Bank Account.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
ADRIAN HELMET
#History #IndianExpress
A new research by biomedical engineers of Duke University has found that the Adrian helmet performs better than modern military helmets in protecting the head from shock waves created by overhead blasts.
About:
During World War I, the first combat helmet was issued to the French Army. Called the Adrian helmet, and introduced in 1915, it is often described as the first modern steel helmet.
It was designed to protect French troops in trenches from head wounds from falling shrapnel.
Recent research:
In protection from ballistics and blunt impacts, modern military helmets have advanced.
But in terms of protecting the brain from shock waves from nearby blasts, the modern helmets are no better than WWI helmets. And the Adrian helmet, in particular, actually performed better than modern designs in protecting from overhead blasts.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
#History #IndianExpress
A new research by biomedical engineers of Duke University has found that the Adrian helmet performs better than modern military helmets in protecting the head from shock waves created by overhead blasts.
About:
During World War I, the first combat helmet was issued to the French Army. Called the Adrian helmet, and introduced in 1915, it is often described as the first modern steel helmet.
It was designed to protect French troops in trenches from head wounds from falling shrapnel.
Recent research:
In protection from ballistics and blunt impacts, modern military helmets have advanced.
But in terms of protecting the brain from shock waves from nearby blasts, the modern helmets are no better than WWI helmets. And the Adrian helmet, in particular, actually performed better than modern designs in protecting from overhead blasts.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
#Environment #TheHindu
The attempts of the Kerala Forest Department to notify the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary as the third Tiger Reserve in the State was rejected at the recently held State Wildlife Advisory Board due to public resistance.
Geography:
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala.
The sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It is bounded by protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.
Tiger population:
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than half the number of tigers present in Kerala.
The Status of Tigers in India report released last year had estimated the tiger population of Wayanad as between 75 and 80 individuals. Periyar Tiger Reserve, the first one in Kerala, has an estimated population of 30 to 35 big cats whereas Parambikulam, the second reserve, has a population of 20 to 25 tigers.
There are five Tiger Reserves in the neighbouring States that share boundaries with Wayanad.
Its notification as a tiger reserve would ensure financial aid from the Centre and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and better conservation and management of the tiger population.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#Environment #TheHindu
The attempts of the Kerala Forest Department to notify the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary as the third Tiger Reserve in the State was rejected at the recently held State Wildlife Advisory Board due to public resistance.
Geography:
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala.
The sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It is bounded by protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.
Tiger population:
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is home to more than half the number of tigers present in Kerala.
The Status of Tigers in India report released last year had estimated the tiger population of Wayanad as between 75 and 80 individuals. Periyar Tiger Reserve, the first one in Kerala, has an estimated population of 30 to 35 big cats whereas Parambikulam, the second reserve, has a population of 20 to 25 tigers.
There are five Tiger Reserves in the neighbouring States that share boundaries with Wayanad.
Its notification as a tiger reserve would ensure financial aid from the Centre and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and better conservation and management of the tiger population.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
INDIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH
#Economy #IndianExpress
A US-based think tank World Population Review in its report said that India emerged as the world’s fifth largest economy by overtaking the UK and France in 2019.
About:
India’s economy is the fifth largest in the world with a GDP of $2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and France in 2019 to take the fifth spot. The size of the UK economy is $2.83 trillion and that of France is $2.71 trillion.
In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India’s GDP (PPP) is $10.51 trillion, exceeding that of Japan and Germany.
Due to India’s high population, India’s GDP per capita is $2,170 (for comparison, the US is $62,794).
The US-based World Population Review is an independent organisation without any political affiliations.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
#Economy #IndianExpress
A US-based think tank World Population Review in its report said that India emerged as the world’s fifth largest economy by overtaking the UK and France in 2019.
About:
India’s economy is the fifth largest in the world with a GDP of $2.94 trillion, overtaking the UK and France in 2019 to take the fifth spot. The size of the UK economy is $2.83 trillion and that of France is $2.71 trillion.
In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, India’s GDP (PPP) is $10.51 trillion, exceeding that of Japan and Germany.
Due to India’s high population, India’s GDP per capita is $2,170 (for comparison, the US is $62,794).
The US-based World Population Review is an independent organisation without any political affiliations.
jOiN ➛ @CurrentAffair4Exams
YELLOW RUST
#ScienceTech #IndianExpress
The Punjab Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department issued an advisory about Yellow Rust disease in wheat crops.
About:
Yellow Rust disease appears as yellow stripes of powder or dust on leaves and leaf sheaths of the wheat crop. This yellow powder comes out on clothing or fingers when touched.
The disease can spread rapidly under congenial conditions and affects crop development, and eventually the yield.
Yield due to the disease can be affected by between 5 and 30 per cent. This occurs when the rust colonies in the leaves drain the carbohydrates from the plant and reduce the green leaf area.
In India, it is a major disease in the Northern Hill Zone and the North-Western Plain Zone and spreads easily during the onset of cool weather and when wind conditions are favourable.
Rain, dew and fog favour the disease’s development.
Last year, a new variety of wheat called HD-3226 or Pusa Yashasvi was released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which had higher levels of resistance against major rust fungi such as the yellow/stripe, brown/leaf and black/stem.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#ScienceTech #IndianExpress
The Punjab Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department issued an advisory about Yellow Rust disease in wheat crops.
About:
Yellow Rust disease appears as yellow stripes of powder or dust on leaves and leaf sheaths of the wheat crop. This yellow powder comes out on clothing or fingers when touched.
The disease can spread rapidly under congenial conditions and affects crop development, and eventually the yield.
Yield due to the disease can be affected by between 5 and 30 per cent. This occurs when the rust colonies in the leaves drain the carbohydrates from the plant and reduce the green leaf area.
In India, it is a major disease in the Northern Hill Zone and the North-Western Plain Zone and spreads easily during the onset of cool weather and when wind conditions are favourable.
Rain, dew and fog favour the disease’s development.
Last year, a new variety of wheat called HD-3226 or Pusa Yashasvi was released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which had higher levels of resistance against major rust fungi such as the yellow/stripe, brown/leaf and black/stem.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
BODO LANGUAGE
#Culture #IndianExpress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord among the Centre, Assam government and Bodo groups by writing these tweets in the Bodo language. The language is one of the key thrust areas in the Bodo Accord.
About:
Estimated to have 1.5 million speakers (Census 2011), Bodo is listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
It is spoken in Assam, where the Bodo tribe constitutes about 5-6% of the population, and in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
While Bodo is officially written in the Devanagri script, the language has a history of having been written in at least three different scripts — until in 1974, the Government recognised Devanagari as its official script.
Bodo Peace Accord 2020:
The 2020 Accord makes Bodo the associate official language throughout Assam.
The new Accord also promises to establish a separate directorate for Bodo medium schools, provincialise schools and colleges in the BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District) and establish a Cultural Complex-cum-Centre of Excellence named after the late social activist Bodofa Upendranath Brahma in Kokrajhar for protection and promotion of the language.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#Culture #IndianExpress
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord among the Centre, Assam government and Bodo groups by writing these tweets in the Bodo language. The language is one of the key thrust areas in the Bodo Accord.
About:
Estimated to have 1.5 million speakers (Census 2011), Bodo is listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
It is spoken in Assam, where the Bodo tribe constitutes about 5-6% of the population, and in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and West Bengal.
While Bodo is officially written in the Devanagri script, the language has a history of having been written in at least three different scripts — until in 1974, the Government recognised Devanagari as its official script.
Bodo Peace Accord 2020:
The 2020 Accord makes Bodo the associate official language throughout Assam.
The new Accord also promises to establish a separate directorate for Bodo medium schools, provincialise schools and colleges in the BTAD (Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District) and establish a Cultural Complex-cum-Centre of Excellence named after the late social activist Bodofa Upendranath Brahma in Kokrajhar for protection and promotion of the language.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
‘WORLD’S LARGEST’ SUBTERRANEAN FISH
#Environment #IndianExpress
From deep dark Meghalaya cave, explorers bring to light ‘world’s largest’ subterranean fish — an almost-blind species that seems similar to the Golden Mahseer.
About:
A paper published in November 2019 in the journal Cave and Karst Science describes Harries’s accidental discovery as “world’s largest known subterranean fish.” The fish is yet to be named.
It is nearly five times the mean length (85mm/8.5 cm) for all known subterranean fish to date.
The experts feel that the fish species is very similar to the Golden Mahseer. Unique characters that distinguishes it from the Golden Mahseer is the lack of pigmentation, a lack of eyes and its subterranean habitat – being locked in caves.
Subterranean fauna refers to animal species that are adapted to live in underground environment.
Subterranean ecosystems are considered extreme, high-stress environments characterised by darkness, truncated food webs and food scarcity.
@CurrentAffair4Exams
#Environment #IndianExpress
From deep dark Meghalaya cave, explorers bring to light ‘world’s largest’ subterranean fish — an almost-blind species that seems similar to the Golden Mahseer.
About:
A paper published in November 2019 in the journal Cave and Karst Science describes Harries’s accidental discovery as “world’s largest known subterranean fish.” The fish is yet to be named.
It is nearly five times the mean length (85mm/8.5 cm) for all known subterranean fish to date.
The experts feel that the fish species is very similar to the Golden Mahseer. Unique characters that distinguishes it from the Golden Mahseer is the lack of pigmentation, a lack of eyes and its subterranean habitat – being locked in caves.
Subterranean fauna refers to animal species that are adapted to live in underground environment.
Subterranean ecosystems are considered extreme, high-stress environments characterised by darkness, truncated food webs and food scarcity.
@CurrentAffair4Exams
EMPOWERED “TECHNOLOGY GROUP”
#ScienceTech #Air
The Union Cabinet has approved the Constitution of an empowered “Technology Group”.
About:
Composition: The 12-Member Technology Group will be chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India.
Mandate:
To render timely policy advice on latest technologies;
mapping of technology and technology products;
commercialisation of dual use technologies developed in national laboratories and government R&D organisations;
developing an indigenisation road map for selected key technologies; and
selection of appropriate R&D programs leading to technology development.
The three pillars of the work of the Technology Group include:
Policy Support;
Procurement Support; and
Support on Research and Development proposals.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#ScienceTech #Air
The Union Cabinet has approved the Constitution of an empowered “Technology Group”.
About:
Composition: The 12-Member Technology Group will be chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India.
Mandate:
To render timely policy advice on latest technologies;
mapping of technology and technology products;
commercialisation of dual use technologies developed in national laboratories and government R&D organisations;
developing an indigenisation road map for selected key technologies; and
selection of appropriate R&D programs leading to technology development.
The three pillars of the work of the Technology Group include:
Policy Support;
Procurement Support; and
Support on Research and Development proposals.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
SWACHH BHARAT MISSION (GRAMEEN) PHASE-II
#SocialIssues #Air
The Union Cabinet has approved the Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)].
About:
Implementation period: SBM (G) Phase-II will also be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Focus areas:
It will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus), which includes ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM). The program will also work towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet.
The ODF Plus programme will also converge with MGNREGA, especially for grey water management and will also complement the newly launched Jal Jeevan Mission.
Budget: It will be implemented with a total outlay of Rs. 1,40,881 crores. Of this Rs.52,497 crore will be allocated from the budget of D/o Drinking Water and Sanitation.
The fund sharing pattern between Centre and States will be 90:10 for North-Eastern States and Himalayan States and UT of J&K; 60:40 for other States; and 100:0 for other Union Territories, for all the components.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
#SocialIssues #Air
The Union Cabinet has approved the Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) [SBM (G)].
About:
Implementation period: SBM (G) Phase-II will also be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Focus areas:
It will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus), which includes ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM). The program will also work towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet.
The ODF Plus programme will also converge with MGNREGA, especially for grey water management and will also complement the newly launched Jal Jeevan Mission.
Budget: It will be implemented with a total outlay of Rs. 1,40,881 crores. Of this Rs.52,497 crore will be allocated from the budget of D/o Drinking Water and Sanitation.
The fund sharing pattern between Centre and States will be 90:10 for North-Eastern States and Himalayan States and UT of J&K; 60:40 for other States; and 100:0 for other Union Territories, for all the components.
jOiN ➛ https://www.tg-me.com/CurrentAffair4Exams
Do We Start Posting Of Some Questions Based On (Including some coaching Daily MCQ Also) Current Affair ???
Anonymous Poll
95%
Yes
4%
No
1%
Nota
BHASKARACHARYA NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS AND GEO-INFORMATICS (BISAG(N))
#ScienceTech #BusinessStandard
The Union Cabinet has approved Elevation of Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG), Gujarat as Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG(N)) under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY), Government of India.
About:
At present, BISAG is a state agency of Department of Science and Technology Government of Gujarat, located at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It is registered as a Society and Trust with the Charity Commissioner of Ahmedabad.
Its Governing body is chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat.
The elevation of BISAG has been done to expand its scope of activities & research and to ensure efficient rollout of GIS projects. Now it will be an Autonomous Scientific Society under Government of India instead of State Government.
@CurrentAffair4Exams
#ScienceTech #BusinessStandard
The Union Cabinet has approved Elevation of Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG), Gujarat as Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG(N)) under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY), Government of India.
About:
At present, BISAG is a state agency of Department of Science and Technology Government of Gujarat, located at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It is registered as a Society and Trust with the Charity Commissioner of Ahmedabad.
Its Governing body is chaired by the Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat.
The elevation of BISAG has been done to expand its scope of activities & research and to ensure efficient rollout of GIS projects. Now it will be an Autonomous Scientific Society under Government of India instead of State Government.
@CurrentAffair4Exams