Insights Daily Current Affairs + PIB: 20 July 2019

insightsonindia.com/2019/07/20/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-20-july-2019

July 20,
2019

Insights Daily Current Affairs + PIB: 20 July 2019

Relevant articles from PIB:

GS Paper 3:

Topics covered:

1. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of
irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural
produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

Schemes to support organic farming in the country

What to study?

For prelims and mains: Organic farming in the country, significance, challenges and schemes in
this regard.

Context: Government of India has been encouraging/ promoting organic farming under two
dedicated Schemes, namely, Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern
Region (MOVCDNER) and Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2015.

Organic Farming has also been supported under other Schemes viz Rashtriya Krishi
Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH),
Network Project on Organic Farming under ICAR. Third party certification of organic
farming is promoted by Agriculture Processed Food and Export Development
Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce.

About MOVCDNER:

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched this Central Sector Scheme
named “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region ”
(MOVCDNER) for implementation in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
2. The scheme aims at development of certified organic production in a value chain
mode to link growers with consumers and to support the development of entire value
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 chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification and creation of facilities for collection,
aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative.
3. The assistance is provided for cluster development, on/off farm input production,
supply of seeds/planting materials, setting up of functional infrastructure,
establishment of integrated processing unit, refrigerated transportation, pre-cooling/
cold stores chamber, branding, labelling and packaging, hiring of space, hand
holdings, organic certification through third party, mobilization of farmers/processors
etc.

Background:

Total farm area currently under Organic Certification is taken up in an area of 27.70 lakh
hectares in the country including 5.98 lakh hectares under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
(PKVY) , 0.639 lakh hectares under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North
Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) , 19.38 lakh hectares under National Program for Organic
Production (NPOP) of APEDA and 1.70 lakh hectares under other initiatives.

GS Paper 2:

Topics Covered:

Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance, e-applications,

models, successes, limitations and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and
institutional and other measures.

Government e Marketplace (GeM)

What to study?

For Prelims: About GeM and it’s features.

For Mains: Significance and the need for GeM.

Context: A government meeting was recently held to review and formulate an action plan
for Government e Marketplace (GeM) to achieve a target for Rs. lakh crore Gross
Merchandise Volume (GMV) on GeM in FY 2019-20.

About GeM:

What is it? GeM is a state-of-the-art national public procurement platform of Ministry of

Commerce and Industries, that has used technology to remove entry barriers for bonafide
sellers and has created a vibrant e-marketplace with a wide range of goods and services.

Aim: GeM aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement.
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Features: It facilitates online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by
various Government Departments / Organisations / PSUs. It provides the tools of e-bidding,
reverse e-auction and demand aggregation to facilitate the government users, achieve the
best value for their money.

GS Paper 2:

Topic covered:

1. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues
arising out of their design and implementation.

Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019

What to study?

For prelims: key features of RTI, amendments proposed and the need.

For main: significance of RTI, issues present and measures to address these issues.

Context: The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 that amends the Right to
Information Act, 2005 has been introduced in Lok Sabha.

What does the RTI Act do?

Under the RTI Act, 2005, Public Authorities are required to make disclosures on various
aspects of their structure and functioning.

This includes: (i) disclosure on their organisation, functions, and structure, (ii) powers and
duties of its officers and employees, and (iii) financial information.

Need:

The intent of such suo moto disclosures is that the public should need minimum recourse
through the Act to obtain such information. The intent behind the enactment of the Act is
to promote transparency and accountability in the working of Public Authorities .

Who is included in the ambit of ‘Public Authorities’?

‘Public Authorities’ include bodies of self-government established under the Constitution, or

under any law or government notification. For instance, these include Ministries, public
sector undertakings, and regulators. It also includes any entities owned, controlled or
substantially financed and non-government organizations substantially financed directly or
indirectly by funds provided by the government.

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How is the right to information enforced under the Act?

The Act has established a three tier structure for enforcing the right to information
guaranteed under the Act.

Public Authorities designate some of their officers as Public Information Officers.

The first request for information goes to Central/State Assistant Public Information Officer
and Central/State Public Information Officer, designated by the Public Authorities. These
Officers are required to provide information to an RTI applicant within 30 days of the
request.

Appeals from their decisions go to an Appellate Authority.

Information Commissions:

Appeals against the order of the Appellate Authority go to the State Information
Commission or the Central Information Commission.

These Information Commissions consists of a Chief Information Commissioner, and up to

10 Information Commissioners.

What does the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019 propose?

The Bill changes the terms and conditions of service of the CIC and Information
Commissioners at the centre and in states.

The Bill states that the central government will notify the term of office for the CIC and the
ICs.

The Bill states that the salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the
central and state CIC and ICs will be determined by the central government.

Mains Question: The Right to Information (RTI) has emerged as an effective tool for citizen’s
dispute resolution. Should the ambit of RTI be expanded to politicians and Judiciary too?
Give your opinion with substantial justification.

GS Paper 2:

Topics covered:

1. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues
arising out of their design and implementation.
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Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2019

What to study?

For prelims and mains: AERA- key features, composition, functions and recent amendments
proposed.

Context: Rajya Sabha recently passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India
(Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The Bill amends the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008.

Background:

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 established the Airports
Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).

Functions: AERA regulates tariffs and other charges for aeronautical services provided at
civilian airports with annual traffic above 15 lakh passengers. It also monitors the
performance standard of services across these airports.

Why was AERA created, and what is its role?

To ensure that private airport operators do not misuse their monopoly , the need for an
independent tariff regulator in the airport sector was felt. Consequently, the Airports
Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 (AERA Act) was passed which set up AERA.

What changes are being proposed in the Bill?

The Bill seeks to do two things:

1. Definition of major airports: Currently, the AERA Act defines a major airport as one
with annual passenger traffic over 15 lakh, or any other airports as notified by the
central government. The Bill increases the threshold of annual passenger traffic for
major airports to over 35 lakh.
2. Tariff determination by AERA: Under the Act, AERA is responsible for determining the:
(i) tariff for aeronautical services every five years, (ii) development fees, and (iii)
passengers service fee. It can also amend the tariffs in the interim period. The Bill
adds that AERA will not determine: (i) tariff, (ii) tariff structures, or (iii) development
fees, in certain cases. These cases include those where such tariff amounts were a
part of the bid document on the basis of which the airport operations were awarded.
AERA will be consulted (by the concessioning authority, the Ministry of Civil Aviation)
before incorporating such tariffs in the bid document, and such tariffs must be
notified.

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Why is the Act getting amended?

The exponential growth of the sector has put tremendous pressure on AERA, while its
resources are limited. Therefore, if too many airports come under the purview of AERA, it
will not be able to perform its functions efficiently.

How would the Bill affect the regulatory regime?

Currently, there are 32 major airports (annual traffic above 15 lakh), and AERA regulates
tariffs at 27 of these. As per the Bill, AERA will regulate 16 major airports (annual traffic
above 35 lakh). The remaining 16 airports will be regulated by AAI. Till 2030-31, air traffic in
the country is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 10-11%. This implies that in a
few years, the traffic at the other 16 airports will increase to over 35 lakh and they will again
fall under the purview of AERA. This may lead to constant changes in the regulatory regime
at these airports. The table below provides the current list of major airports:

Relevant articles from various news sources:

GS Paper 2:

Topics covered:

1. Issues related to health.

Chandipura virus:

What to study?

For prelims and mains: About the virus, symptoms, effects and prevention.

Context: Chandipura virus detected in Gujarat.

What is it?

Named after the Maharashtra village where the virus was first discovered, the likely vector
(carrier) of the virus is the female phlebotomine sandfly. It has been detected in sand flies
in Senegal and Nigeria, apart from India. The virus is known to cause inflammation of the
brain, and progresses rapidly from an influenza-like illness to coma and death.

Chandipura virus (CHPV) belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family in the order Mononegavirales
of the genus Vesiculovirus. Interestingly, its continuing mutating trend has enhanced its
lethality to cause human infections, unlike its genetic cousin, the vesicular stomatitis virus
(VSV).

Symptoms:
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 Sudden high fever accompanied by headaches and altered consciousness.
Convulsions.
Vomiting and nausea.
Unconsciousness

Key facts:

The virus predominantly infects children between the ages of 2-16 , spreading through the
bite of a sandfly, and in some cases, even the mosquito during the monsoon and pre-
monsoon season.
It is distantly related to the virus that causes rabies and is known to have a case fatality
between 55-75 per cent.

Sources: the Hindu.

GS Paper 2:

Topics covered:

1. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues
arising out of their design and implementation.

Protection of Human Rights (Amendments) Bill, 2019

What to study?

For Prelims: Key features of the bill, NHRC and SHRC.

For Mains: Human Rights related issues.

Context: Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill 2019 passed in Lok Sabha.

The bill aims to accelerate the process of appointment of chairperson and members of the
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Salient Features of the Bill:

The Bill amends the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Act provides for a National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC), as well as
Human Rights Courts.

Composition of NHRC: Under the Act, the chairperson of the NHRC is a person who has
been a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Bill amends this to provide that a person
who has been Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or a Judge of the Supreme Court will be
the chairperson of the NHRC.
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Inclusion of woman member: The Act provides for two persons having knowledge of human
rights to be appointed as members of the NHRC. The Bill amends this to allow three
members to be appointed, of which at least one will be a woman.

Other members: Under the Act, chairpersons of various commissions such as the National
Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, and National
Commission for Women are members of the NHRC. The Bill provides for including the
chairpersons of the National Commission for Backward Classes, the National Commission
for the Protection of Child Rights, and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
as members of the NHRC.

Chairperson of SHRC: Under the Act, the chairperson of a SHRC is a person who has been a
Chief Justice of a High Court. The Bill amends this to provide that a person who has been
Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court will be chairperson of a SHRC.

Term of office: The Act states that the chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC will
hold office for five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier. The Bill
reduces the term of office to three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is
earlier. Further, the Act allows for the reappointment of members of the NHRC and SHRCs
for a period of five years. The Bill removes the five-year limit for reappointment.

Powers of Secretary-General: The Act provides for a Secretary-General of the NHRC and a
Secretary of a SHRC, who exercise powers as may be delegated to them. The Bill amends
this and allows the Secretary-General and Secretary to exercise all administrative and
financial powers (except judicial functions), subject to the respective chairperson’s control.
Union Territories: The Bill provides that the central government may confer on a SHRC
human rights functions being discharged by Union Territories. Functions relating to human
rights in the case of Delhi will be dealt with by the NHRC.

Benefits:

1. The Amendment will strengthen the Human Rights Institutions of India further for
effective discharge of their mandates, roles and responsibilities.
2. Moreover, the amended Act will be in perfect sync with the agreed global standards
and benchmarks towards ensuring the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and
dignity of the individual in the country.
3. The amendment will also make National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State
Human Rights Commission (SHRC) more compliant with the Paris Principle concerning
its autonomy, independence, pluralism and wide-ranging functions in order to
effectively protect and promote human rights.

Sources: the Hindu.

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GS Paper 2:

Topics Covered:

Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.

Conservation related issues.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

What to study?

For Prelims and Mains: Categorization of IUCN red list, features and criteria, recent additions
from India to the list.

Context: The latest update to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Red List of Threatened Species shows that more and more species assessed are being
threatened with extinction.

The IUCN Red List assesses 1,05,732 species. The current update breaks the 1,00,000
species barrier, making it the largest such assessment of species.
According to the new updated list, 28,338 species are threatened with extinction.

Key findings:

1. Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate
of species extinction is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world
now likely.
2. According to the global assessment, one million animal and plant species are under
extinction. Moreover, thousands of these would extinct within decades.
3. The new list brings out an alarming rate of decline of freshwater and deep-sea
species. For example, over 50 per cent of Japan’s endemic freshwater fishes are under
extinction. The main drivers of this decline are the loss of free-flowing rivers and
increasing agricultural and urban pollution.

About IUCN red list of threatened species:

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the world’s most comprehensive inventory
of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
It uses a set of quantitative criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of
species. These criteria are relevant to most species and all regions of the world. With
its strong scientific base, The IUCN Red List is recognized as the most authoritative
guide to the status of biological diversity.

The IUCN Red List Categories:

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The IUCN Red List Categories define the extinction risk of species assessed. Nine categories
extend from NE (Not Evaluated) to EX (Extinct).

Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) species are considered to
be threatened with extinction.

The IUCN system uses a set of five quantitative criteria to assess the extinction risk of a
given species. In general, these criteria consider:

The rate of population decline.

The geographic range.
Whether the species already possesses a small population size.
Whether the species is very small or lives in a restricted area.
Whether the results of a quantitative analysis indicate a high probability of extinction
in the wild.

Significance:

The IUCN Red List brings into focus the ongoing decline of Earth’s biodiversity and the
influence humans have on life on the planet. It provides a globally accepted standard with
which to measure the conservation status of species over time.

Scientists can analyze the percentage of species in a given category and how these
percentages change over time; they can also analyze the threats and conservation
measures that underpin the observed trends.

Sources: the hindu.

Facts for prelims:

Nag- Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM):

Context: Indian Army has successfully conducted summer user trials of NAG, 3rd
Generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM).

Key facts:

The NAG missile is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack
capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day
and night.
It uses an imaging infrared seeker in lock-on-before-launch mode.
It is launched from NAG missile carrier (NAMICA) which is capable of carrying up to 6
combat missiles.
Range: Minimum-500 metres and Maximum- 4 kilometres.
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 Developed by DRDO.

Tiangong 2:

It is a space station launched by China . It is part of China’s plan to establish a manned

space station around 2022.
It is placed at 380 kilometres above Earth. There are two astronauts on board.
Tiangong 2 will be used to test space technology and conduct medical and space
experiments.

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