daily current affairs 17.10.2020 ( selfstudyforias.com )

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 17.10.2020 ( SELFSTUDYforIAS.com )

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS : 17.10.2020

CONTENTS

General Studies 1

1. Zojila Tunnel ( GS-I Topic : Indian Geography )

General Studies 2

2. Pakistan gets re-elected to the UNHRC ( GS-II – Global Groupings) 3. 65th Anniversary of Bandung Conference: NAM ( GS-II : Groupings and

Agreements involving India )

General Studies -3

4. GST Compensation: Centre to Borrow on Behalf of States ( GS 3 Topic : Indian Economy ; Mobilization of resources )

5. Parasitic Infections found in One-Horned Rhinoceros (GS-III –

Environment; Biodiversity)

6. Wheat Variety MACS 6478 ( GS-III Topics : Agricultural Resources )

7. Chapter Proceedings ( GS-III Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.)

Facts for Prelims

1. Taiwan Strait

2. Mahila Kisan Diwas



General Studies 1

Zojila Tunnel ( GS-I Topic : Indian Geography )

CONTEXT

Work on the Zojila Tunnel in J&K has begun recently. The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh (Ladakh plateau) on NH-1, and will bring about an all-round economic and socio–cultural integration of Jammu & Kashmir (Now UTs of J&K and Ladakh).

Details –

It involves construction of a 14.15 Km long tunnel at an altitude of about 3000 m under Zojila pass (presently motorable only for 6 months in a year) on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras & Kargil. It is one of the most dangerous stretch in the world to drive a vehicle & this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2018, had laid the foundation stone for the ₹6,800 crore project, billed as Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, in Jammu and Kashmir.

About Zojila Pass –

Zoji La is a high mountain pass located in the Kargil district of Ladakh. The pass links Leh and Srinagar and provides an important link between

Union Territories of Ladakh and Kashmir. Zojila pass remains closed during winters due to heavy snowfall, cutting

off Ladakh region from Kashmir.

Sr

No.

Salient

Features



1 Length

Zojila Tunnel length = 14.15 Km and

Approach road length = 18.63 Km. Total

project length is 32.78 km.

2

Scope of

Work

14.150 km long Bi-directional

tunnel without Egress/escape passage

between Baltal and Minamarg. 18.63 Km

approach road between Z-Morh tunnel

and Zojila tunnels including two tunnels of

length 433m and 1958m in approach

road. Net Road length is 12 KMs. Road

safety & avalanche protection structures

such as Catch Dams, Snow Galleries, Cut &

Cover, Deflector Dam etc.

3

Construction

Period Zojila Tunnel = 6 Years

Approach

road = 2.5

Years

Significance of the project

The construction of Zojila Tunnel will provide all-weather safe connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions. The all-weather safe connectivity of the road is immensely important from the strategic point of view.

The construction of Zojila Tunnel shall bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions which remains cut-off from rest of the country during winters due to heavy snowfall for about six months.

A tunnel in Zojila is the only viable alternative at present for a full year connectivity road. This tunnel when completed will be a landmark achievement in the history of modern India.



It will also be of great importance to the Defence of the country, in view of the fact that massive military activities along our borders in Ladakh, Gilgit and Baltistan regions are taking place.

Zojila Tunnel project shall bring to fruition, 30 years of overwhelming public demand of Kargil, Drass and Ladakh region.

This Project will make the travel on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches.

Project would enhance the safety of the travellers crossing Zojila Pass and would reduce the Travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes.

Source : The Hindu

General Studies 2

Pakistan gets re-elected to the UNHRC ( GS-II – Global Groupings) Why In news Recently Pakistan was re-elected to the United Nations Human Rights

Council. Pakistan is currently serving on the United Nations Human Rights Council

(UNHRC) since 1st January, 2018. With its re-election, Pakistan will continue as a member for another three-

year term starting from 1st January, 2021. This is the fifth time that Pakistan has been elected to the UNHRC. Key takeaways A total of 15 countries were elected to the 47-nation council. Russia and Cuba were elected unopposed. Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Nepal and China were elected from the Asia-Pacific

region. Pakistan has been re-elected despite opposition from activist groups over

its low human rights records. With a number of countries with questionable rights records being elected, the current system of entry to UNHRC is in serious need of reform.



Except for the Asia-Pacific contest, the election of 15 members was decided in advance because all the other regional groups had unopposed states.

However, there is a silver lining to repressive countries being elected to the council. It is far more difficult for them to hide their own human rights abuses because of their position as the supposed guardian of human rights makes

Important value additions United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) The Council was created through the resolution 60/251. Established in: 2006. Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland Aim: (1) To Promote and protect human rights around the globe; (2) To

investigate alleged human rights violations. Features: The UNHRC has 47 members elected for three-year terms on a

regional group basis from 5 groups. Membership: To become a member, a country must receive the votes of at

least 96 of the 191 states of the UN General Assembly (an absolute majority).

Members are elected directly by secret ballot by the majority of the UN General Assembly.

Five regional groups for membership: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

The members are elected for a period of three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Sessions: The UNHRC holds regular sessions three times a year.

Source : The Hindu



65th Anniversary of Bandung Conference: NAM ( GS-II : Groupings and

Agreements involving India )

Why in News

The year 2020 marks the 65th anniversary of the landmark Bandung Conference that resulted in the adoption of the founding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The basic concept for NAM originated in 1955 during discussions that took place at the Asia-Africa Bandung Conference held in Indonesia.

Key Points

The milestone of the 65th anniversary is a good time to reflect upon the philosophy behind the movement.

India reiterated that NAM never was and can never be a platform for pursuits that undermine the territorial integrity of a State by another State.

o India will deploy her rich developmental experience for the peace and welfare of humanity, treating the world as one family.

India also emphasized that in order to make NAM a relevant entity in the global decision making process, its members must avoid raising issues that divide the forum.

Covid-19 is a reminder of the interconnectedness and dependence of NAM members on each other.

o Members must work to reduce the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable sections of society. NAM's unique tradition of promoting South-South cooperation can provide a way out as societies look to rebuild and regenerate in the wake of this crisis.

Apart from the global pandemic, terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity threats and the uneven impact of frontier technologies (Artificial Intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things, etc.) and development



concerns are few other challenges which can only be tackled if all the members work together.

The strength of the NAM lies in its diversity, its shared developmental experience, and its youthful populations.

Non-Aligned Movement

Background:

o It was formed during the Cold War as an organisation of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the USA (Capitalism) or the Soviet Union (Socialism) but sought to remain independent or neutral.

Foundation:

o Six years after the Bandung Conference, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was founded on a wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade, which was held in September 1961.

o It was held under the leadership of Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and Sukarno of Indonesia.

Purpose:

o The purpose of the organisation was enumerated in the Havana Declaration of 1979 to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign subjugation.

Members and Observers:

o It has 120 members as of April 2018 comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe.



o There are 17 countries and 10 international organisations that are Observers at NAM.

Headquarters:

o NAM does not have a formal constitution or permanent secretariat, and its administration is non-hierarchical and rotational.

o Decisions are made by consensus, which requires substantial agreement, but not unanimity.

Way Forward

Even if members call for effective and reformed multilateralism, they need to introspect, reform and revitalise the current arrangements of their own movement, which will enable them to pursue a focused, positive and transformative agenda going forward.

The NAM has a glorious past but the future will depend on how the member nations perform in addressing the defining challenges of the current era, which could be solved easily with the help of the principles of solidarity and cooperation.

Source : The Hindu

General Studies 3

GST Compensation: Centre to Borrow on Behalf of States ( GS 3 Topic : Indian

Economy ; Mobilization of resources )

Why in News

Recently, the Centre has decided to borrow an estimated revenue shortfall of Rs. 1.1 lakh crore as loans to States to meet the Goods and Services Tax (GST) shortfall.



Key Points

Borrowing:

o The borrowing will not have any impact on the fiscal deficit of the Government of India as the Centre is acting as mediator only. The Centre is borrowing the loan and passing that on to the states.

o The amounts will be reflected as the capital receipts of the state governments and as part of financing of its respective fiscal deficits.

Background:

o The economic slowdown had reduced both GST and cess collections in FY 2019-20, resulting in a 40% gap (shortfall) between the compensation paid and cess collected.

o The state’s GST revenue gap in 2020-21 is expected to be about Rs. 3 lakh crore, while cess collections are only projected to reach Rs. 65,000 crore, leaving a shortfall of Rs. 2.35 lakh crore.

o The Centre distinguished the GST shortfall into two types:

Due to GST implementation itself.

Caused by the impact of Covid-19.

o The Finance Minister termed the fall of GST revenue due to Covid-19 as an act of God. However, the GST Compensation Act, 2017 did not foresee an act of God.

The GST Compensation Act, 2017 guaranteed states that they would be compensated for any loss of revenue in the first five years of GST implementation, until 2022, using a cess levied on sin and luxury goods.

o The Centre has been at loggerheads with many states over the compensation issue due to GST shortfall. In August 2020 at GST Council meet, the Centre had proposed two options to states to meet the shortfall:



A special window could be provided, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), so that the states can get Rs. 97,000 crore at a reasonable rate of interest, the amount can be repaid after five years (of GST implementation) ending 2022 from cess collection.

Another option is that this entire gap of Rs. 2.35 lakh crore can be met by the borrowing by the states in consultation with RBI.

o However, many states were against these two options and were planning to move the Supreme Court over the issue.

Benefits:

o The borrowing by the Centre would avoid differential rates of interest that individual states may be charged for their respective State Development Loans (SDLs) and would be an administratively easier arrangement.

o The country’s general government debt, which includes both the Centre’s and States’ borrowings will not increase due to this step.

o The States that get the benefit from the Special Window are likely to borrow a considerably lesser amount from the additional borrowing facility of 2% of Gross State Domestic Product under Atma Nirbhar Package.

The borrowing limits of state governments was increased from 3% to 5% of GSDP for the year 2020-21 under Atma Nirbhar Package.

Source : The Hindu

Parasitic Infections found in One-Horned Rhinoceros (GS-III – Environment;

Biodiversity)

In news



Recently, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has published report – ‘Prevalence of Endoparasitic Infections in Free-Ranging Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros’ for Assam and West Bengal.

Key takeaways The report highlights the natural causes due to which these rhinos die along

with poaching. These natural causes have not been studied in great detail yet.

Since 2017, the Rhino Task Force of Assam and WWF India have been undertaking steps to study pathogens found in fresh rhino dung samples in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

According to the researchers, habitat degradation can lead to an increased exposure to pathogens

From the samples from Assam and West Bengal, the study concluded that parasites from four genera were present in an estimated 68% of India’s rhino population.

The overall prevalence of endoparasites was 58.57% in Assam and 88.46% in West Bengal.

Results from UP are pending.

Do you know? Endoparasites are parasites that live in the tissues and organs of their hosts,

such as tapeworms, flukes, and protozoans of vertebrates.

Important value additions There are three species of rhino in Asia — Greater one-horned, Javan and

Sumatran. Two greatest threats: Poaching for the horns and habitat loss The five rhino range nations: India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia. These Nations have signed a declaration ‘The New Delhi Declaration on

Asian Rhinos 2019’ for the conservation and protection of the species.

Protection Status IUCN Red List



o Javan and Sumatran Rhino: Critically endangered o Greater one-horned rhino: vulnerable

All three listed under Appendix I (CITES). Greater one-horned rhino: Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In India, rhinos are mainly found in Kaziranga National Park (NP), Pobitora

Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Orang NP and Manas NP in Assam, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP in West Bengal and Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in UP.

Conservation Efforts by India Recently, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

has begun a project to create DNA profiles of all rhinos in the country. National Rhino Conservation Strategy: It was launched in 2019 to conserve

the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Indian Rhino Vision 2020: It was launched in 2005. Aim: To attain a wild

population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos spread over seven protected areas in the Indian state of Assam by the year 2020.

Source : The Indian Express

Wheat Variety MACS 6478 ( GS-III Topics : Agricultural Resources )

Why in News

The wheat variety called MACS 6478 has doubled the crop yield for farmers in Karanjkhop, a village in Maharashtra.

Key Points

Developed By: Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune- an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Features:

o A common wheat or bread wheat (Triticum aestivum).



Other popular wheat varieties are durum wheat (T. durum) and club wheat (T. compactum).

o Hybrid Crop, i.e. produced by the cross-breeding of two genetically different varieties or species. Hybrids are often spontaneously and randomly created in nature when open-pollinated plants naturally cross-pollinate with other related varieties (not genetically modified).

o Matures in 110 days and is resistant to most races of leaf and stem rust.

This is against the normal maturing attained after 140 to 150 days, required for wheat varieties cultivated commonly in northern India.

o This amber colored medium sized grain contains 14% protein, 44.1 ppm (parts per million) zinc and 42.8 ppm iron which is higher than other cultivated varieties.

o Farmers get a yield of 45-60 quintal per hectare with the new variety as against earlier average yield ranging 25-30 quintal per hectare when they cultivated Lok 1, HD 2189 and other old varieties.

Other ARI Wheat Variety (MACS 4028):

o This bio-fortified durum variety has very high protein (14.7%), iron (46.1 ppm) and zinc (40.3 ppm) content, compared to the corresponding levels of 8-10%, 28-32 ppm and 30-32 ppm in normally-grown varieties.

Biofortification is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology.

o Maturing in just over 100 days, it is suitable for cultivation in rainfed and low fertility conditions in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

o It was chosen for a UNICEF-funded Farming System for Nutrition project, operated through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s (ICAR) Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), as part of the National Nutrition Strategy.



ARI has also bred MACS 2971, a high-yielding variety of the traditionally cultivated dicoccum (also known as ‘khapli’) wheat that is rich in dietary fibre.

The Karan Vandana (DBW 187) wheat variety, developed by the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is used for cultivation in North Eastern Plains Zones.


Chapter Proceedings ( GS-III Topic: Role of external state and non-state

actors in creating challenges to internal security.)

The Mumbai police has begun “chapter proceedings” against Republic Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami who has been summoned by it. What are ‘chapter proceedings’?

Chapter proceedings are preventive actions taken by the police if they fear that a particular person is likely to create trouble and disrupt the peace in society.

These proceedings are unlike punitive action taken in case of an FIR with an intention to punish. Here, the police can issue notices under sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure that the person is aware that creating nuisance could result in action against him, which includes paying a fine, in the absence of which, he could be put behind bars.

Which sections are used?

Generally a notice is issued to a person under section 111 of the CrPC whereby he is asked to present himself before the Executive Magistrate – an ACP-rank officer in a commissionerate of a deputy collector in rural areas – who has issued the notice.



The person has to explain why he should not be made to sign a bond of good behaviour. If the Executive Magistrate is not satisfied with the answer, the person is asked to sign a bond of good behaviour and produce sureties vouching for his/her good behaviour.

A fine amount is also decided – in accordance with the crime and the person’s financial capability – which the person would have to pay if he violates the conditions set in the bond.

What are the chapter proceedings generally used for?

Generally, when an ACP receives information that any person is likely to commit a breach of the peace or disturb public tranquillity or do any wrongful act that may probably occasion a breach of the peace or disturb the public tranquillity and is of opinion that there is sufficient ground for proceeding, he may in the manner hereinafter provided, require such person to show cause why he should not be ordered to execute a bond.

There is no need for even an FIR against a person for issuing a notice under section 107 of the CrPC (security of keeping peace in other cases). In this case the bond is signed for one year. Under section 110, a notice is served to a habitual offender who has a record of FIRs registered against him. In his case, he is asked to sign a bond for three years.

Why are such notices called chapter proceedings?

According to officers, since all the sections related to preventing of crime fall under a single chapter, it was colloquially called “chapter proceedings” and has since been used to refer to actions of this nature.


Facts for Prelims



Taiwan Strait:

1. The Taiwan Strait is a 110-mile-wide channel that separates mainland China from the island of Taiwan.

2. It is also known as the Formosa Strait or the Tai-hai (the Tai Sea). 3. The Taiwan Strait makes up part of the South China Sea, and its

northern portion is linked to the East China Sea. 4. The strait borders the south eastern part of China and runs along

the eastern part of China’s Fujian Province.

Why in News?

U.S. warship in Taiwan Strait enrages China. China claims sovereignty over the island and surrounding seas.

Mahila Kisan Diwas

Observed on 15th October.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare set aside this day to empower women in the field of agriculture.



The UN also observes 15th October as the ‘International Day of Rural Women’.

The main objective of celebrating this day is to create awareness and to encourage women farmers to take up different income generation activities in agriculture and allied sectors to enhance the economy of the nation.

daily current affairs 17.10.2020 ( selfstudyforias.com )

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