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Daily Current Affairs- 4th February, 2020

The will is not free - it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect
but there is something behind the will which is free.
- Swami Vivekananda
MAHARASHTRA RECORDS HIGHEST NUMBER OF MISSING
WOMEN: NCRB
Part of GS- 3 Internal Security
Why in news?
The highest number of women and children who go missing in the country are from
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively, according to a study by the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB).

Highlights:
 The NCRB study was based on the annual Crime in India Report compiled by the agency for
the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
 The highest number of women and children who go missing in the country are from
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh respectively, according to a study by the National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB).
 The two States recorded the maximum number of cases of missing children and women
among all other States in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018.
 According to the report, the States where the highest number of women went missing in the
three years are Maharashtra, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. In 2016, as many as 28,316
women went missing in Maharashtra, followed by 29,279 in 2017, and 33,964 in 2018.
 In 2016-18, a total of 63,407, 63,349 and 67,134 children were reported missing across the
country. The study said that in Madhya Pradesh, Indore reported the highest number of
missing children, with 596 in 2017 and 823 in 2018.
Source: The Hindu

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MALDIVES REJOINS COMMONWEALTH

Part of GS- 2 IR
Why in news?
The Maldives on 1st February, 2020, re-joined the Commonwealth, more than three
years after the Indian Ocean island nation quit the association amid mounting criticism of its
human rights record then.

Highlights:
 In 2016, the Maldives pulled out of the Commonwealth terming “unjust” the grouping’s
decision to penalise the country over former President Mohamed Nasheed’s controversial
ouster in 2012.
 It followed the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)’s warning to Maldives of
suspension from the bloc, voicing “deep disappointment” over the country’s lack of progress
in resolving the political crisis during former President Abdulla Yameen’s presidency, whose
authoritarian slant sparked concern domestically and internationally.

India lauds inclusion

The Government of India congratulated the Government of Maldives on its readmission to
the Commonwealth of Nations as its 54th member.
COMMONWEALTH
 The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries. Our
member governments have shared goals like development, democracy and peace.
 The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries.
 It is home to 2.4 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing
countries. 31 of our members are small states, including many island nations.
 Our member governments have agreed to share goals like development, democracy and
peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.
 The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the
modern Commonwealth.
 Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
CHOGM:
 It is a biennial summit meeting of the de facto leaders from all Commonwealth nations.
 The next CHOGM will be in Kigali in Rwanda in June 2020.
 The theme for CHOGM 2020 is ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating,
Transforming.’ Leaders will discuss how to deliver the things which were discussed at
CHOGM 2018 in London, which was on the theme ‘Towards a Common Future’.
 Ahead of the meeting, members of parliament, youth and gender activists, and
representatives from society and business will meet at special forums to make sure the
voices of women, young people, businesses and other organisations are heard at CHOGM.
ORGANISATIONS:
 The Commonwealth is often described as a 'family' of nations. At the heart of this family are
3 intergovernmental organisations:
 The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to achieve the
Commonwealth's aims. This website is run by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
 The Commonwealth Foundation supports people's participation in democracy and
development.
 The Commonwealth of Learning promotes open learning and distance education.

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Source: The Hindu

IN KERALA, 2,130 ISLANDS BROUGHT UNDER CRZ REGIME

Part of GS- 3 Environment
Why in news?
As many as 2,130 backwater islands of Kerala, including Maradu, have been brought
under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regime thereby imposing curbs on development
activities.

Highlights:
 No new development activity will be permitted in these islands in an area between High Tide
Line (HTL) and 50 metres towards the landward side, which is the CRZ area of these islands.
The HTL is the line on the land up to which the highest water line reaches during the spring
tide.
 The islands of Mulavukad, Chendamangalam, Kothad, Pizhala and Kadamakudy of Ernakulam
where some major CRZ violations have been reported are there in the list of 1,068 islands of
the district.
 The 474 islands of Alappuzha and the 184 of Kollam are also in the list.
Thiruvananthapuram has the least number of islands, 43.
 Going by the rules, for the land owners of Maradu apartments, which were razed for
violating the CRZ notification, construction will be possible in an area beyond the 50 metres
from the High Tide Line.
COASTAL REGULATION ZONE (CRZ) NOTIFICATION 2018
Benefits
 The proposed CRZ Notification, 2018 will lead to enhanced activities in the coastal regions
thereby promoting economic growth while also respecting the conservation principles of
coastal regions.
 It will not only result in significant employment generation but also to better life and add
value to the economy of India.
 The new notification is expected to rejuvenate the coastal areas while reducing their
vulnerabilities.
Salient Features:
 Allowing FSI as per current norms in CRZ areas: As per CRZ, 2011 Notification, for CRZ-II
(Urban) areas, Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) had been frozen as per
1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels. In the CRZ, 2018 Notification, it has been
decided to de-freeze the same and permit FSI for construction projects, as prevailing on the
date of the new Notification. This will enable redevelopment of these areas to meet the
emerging needs.
 Densely populated rural areas to be afforded greater opportunity for development: For
CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate categories have now been stipulated as below:
o CRZ-III A - These are densely populated rural areas with a population density of 2161
per square kilometre as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall have a No Development
Zone (NDZ) of 50 meters from the HTL as against 200 meters from the High Tide Line
stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011 since such areas have similar characteristics
as urban areas.
o CRZ-III B - Rural areas with population density of below 2161 per square kilometre as
per 2011 Census. Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the

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HTL.
 Tourism infrastructure for basic amenities to be promoted: Temporary tourism facilities
such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc. have now been
permitted in Beaches. Such temporary tourism facilities are also now permissible in the "No
Development Zone" (NDZ) of the CRZ-III areas as per the Notification. However, a minimum
distance of 10 m from HTL should be maintained for setting up of such facilities.
 CRZ Clearances streamlined: The procedure for CRZ clearances has been streamlined. Only
such projects/activities, which are located in the CRZ-I (Ecologically Sensitive Areas) and CRZ
IV (area covered between Low Tide Line and 12 Nautical Miles seaward) shall be dealt with
for CRZ clearance by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The powers
for clearances with respect to CRZ-II and III have been delegated at the State level with
necessary guidance.
 A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Islands: For islands
close to the main land coast and for all Backwater Islands in the main land, in wake of space
limitations and unique geography of such regions, bringing uniformity in treatment of such
regions, NDZ of 20 m has been stipulated.
 All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been accorded special importance: Specific guidelines
related to their conservation and management plans have been drawn up as a part of the
CRZ Notification.
 Pollution abatement has been accorded special focus: In order to address pollution in
Coastal areas treatment facilities have been made permissible activities in CRZ-I B area
subject to necessary safeguards.
 (viii) Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation.
Source: The Hindu

BULBUL
Part of GS- 3 Environment
Why in news?
The flame-throated bulbul, also called the Rubigula, was chosen as the mascot of the
36th National Games to be held in Goa because it is the state bird, a senior sports
department official said on 1st February, 2020.

Highlights:
 The mascot, which was unveiled by Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs
Kiren Rijiju, has been designed by Goa-based artist Sharmila Coutinho, he said.
 The 36th National Games will be held between October 20 and November 4 this year, and
12,000 athletes from 36 states and union territories are expected to participate in 37
disciplines across 24 venues in Goa.
BULBUL

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 They occur in the lowlands and foothills of the Ghats up to 900m, rarely to1200m. Flame-
throated Bulbuls usually shy and hidden within scrub.
 They are usually seen singly or in pairs. The calls of this species include hurried, subdued,
upslurred churring “prririt” notes like initial notes of song phrase, or clear short rising “prit”
notes.
 Protection:
o Flame-throated Bulbul is a Schedule – IV bird, according to wildlife (Protection) act,
1972. The Flame-throated Bulbul is a beautiful bird, with short and slender neck.
o IUCN Status: Least Concern
 Size between 17 cm to 20 cm. The weight of adult is between 25 g to 35 g. Both Sexes alike.
The tail is long and the wings short and rounded and the mouth is yellowish pink in color.
 The Flame-throated Bulbul prefer habitats like rocky, scrub covered hills mostly in the
Eastern Ghats and central peninsular India but also in some places in the Western Ghats.
Source: The Hindu

GRAM NYAYALAYAS
Part of GS- 1 Polity
Why in news?
The Supreme Court has directed the states, which are yet come out with
notifications for establishing Gram Nyayalayas, to do so within four weeks.

Highlights:
 The Supreme Court also took into account the fact that several states have issued
notifications for establishing Gram Nyayalayas but all of them were not functioning except in
Kerala, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
 Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 is an Act of Parliament enacted for establishment of Gram
Nyayalayas or village courts for speedy and easy access to justice system in the rural areas of
India.
 Sections 5 and 6 of the 2008 Act provide that state government in consultation with the high
court will appoint a ‘Nyayadhikari’ for each ‘Gram Nyayalaya’, who will be a person eligible
to be appointed as a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.
 The Gram Nyayalayas have both civil and criminal jurisdiction over the offences and nature
of suits specified in the First, Second and Third schedule of the Act.
Source: AIR

NEW NATURAL GAS FIELD: JEBEL ALI GAS FIELD

Part of GS- 3 Economy
Why in news?
The United Arab Emirates today announced the discovery of a new
natural gas field containing 80 trillion standard cubic feet of gas in the cross-border area of
the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

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Highlights:
 This new gas field, spanning an area of 5,000 square kilometres in the cross-border area of
the two emirates, represents one of the largest natural gas discoveries in the UAE.
 The discovery strengthens the UAE’s position among countries with the world’s largest
natural gas reserves. This discovery will help UAE in transiting the gulf nation from a net
importer of gas to a potential net exporter of gas in coming times.
Source: AIR

INDIA, MALDIVES SIGN FIVE MoUS FOR

ESTABLISHING ADDU TOURISM ZONE
Part of GS-2 IR
Why in news?
India and Maldives today signed five MoUs for establishing the Addu
Tourism zone in five islands of Addu atoll at a cost of 2.49 million dollars.

Highlights:
 The MOUs were signed between the High Commissioner of India Sunjay Sudhir, Minister of
Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Addu City Council.
 A 6th MoU to set up a bottled water plant in Hoarafushi was also signed today.
 All six projects are grant projects falling under India’s High Impact Community Development
Scheme (HICDP). These projects are driven by the needs of communities on the islands.
Source: AIR
PORTAL SANTUSHT
Why in news?

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‘Santusht’ - Implementation Monitoring Cell (IMC) has been constituted

in the Office of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment in
January 2020.
Highlights:
 The objective of ‘Santusht’ is to promote transparency, accountability, effective delivery of
public services and implementation of policies, schemes of Ministry of Labour and
Employment at grassroot level through constant monitoring.
 For public grievances, Centralized Public Grievance Redresal and Monitoring System
(CPGRAM) portal is already functional.
 Besides, written grievances as received from stakeholders are also disposed by the Ministry.
Further, online portal under ‘Santusht’ for public grievances has not been started so far.
Source: PIB

SOPHISTICATED ANALYTICAL & TECHNICAL HELP INSTITUTES

(SATHI)
Part of GS-3 S&T
Why in news?
The Department of Science & Technology has launched a unique scheme
called Sophisticated Analytical & Technical Help Institutes (SATHI) to address the need for
building shared, professionally managed and strong Science and Technology infrastructure
in the country.

Highlights:
 These Centres are expected to house major analytical instruments to provide common
services of high-end analytical testing, thus avoiding duplication and reduced dependency
on foreign sources.
 These would be operated with a transparent, open access policy.
 DST has already set up three such centres in the country, one each at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi
and BHU at a total cost of Rs 375 Cores.
 It is planned to set up five SATHI Centres every year for the next four years.
 SATHI will address the problems of accessibility, maintenance, redundancy and duplication
of expensive equipment in our Institutions, while reaching out to the less endowed
organizations in need, e.g., industry, MSMEs, startups and State Universities.
Source: PIB
APEDA-CFTRI SIGN MOU FOR LIASON OFFICE IN GUWAHATI
Part of GS-3 Agriculture
Why in news?
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by CSIR-CFTRI with
APEDA to set up a Liaison Office in Guwahati, Assam today to provide technical support to
the food industries in the North East region. It will benefit the farmers, producers and
entrepreneurs.

Highlights:

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 Central Food Technological Research Institute, CSIR−CFTRI, Mysuru, (a cons tuent

laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi) is a pioneering
Institute working in the area of Food Science and Technology and Human Resource
Development started during 1950.
 Capacity building is another such area where APEDA is keenly focusing to hand-hold the new
exporters from the North East region.
 Recently, APEDA organised an exposure visitto Maharashtra, considered as one of the major
export hubs, to acquaint the exporters and state officials from Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya
and Nagaland on export oriented farming, pack house and modern food processing units.
 APEDA is an organization under Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. It is
responsible for promoting exports of Agriculture and Processed Food Products from India.
Source: PIB

LIVE ATTENUATED CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER VACCINE

(IVRI-CSF-BS)
Part of GS- 3 S&T
Why in news?
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) released the Live
attenuated Classical Swine Fever Vaccine (IVRI-CSF-BS) Technology developed by ICAR -
Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar.

Highlights:
 Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is one of the most important diseases of pigs causing high
mortality with annual loss of approx. Rs.4.299 billion.
 A lapinized CSF vaccine (Weybridge strain, UK) is being used in India since 1964 for
controlling the disease. The vaccine is produced by sacrificing large numbers of rabbits for
each batch.
 In order to do away sacrificing of rabbits and increase the productivity, IVRI has developed a
new CSF Cell Culture Vaccine by attenuating an indigenous virulent CSF virus in cell culture.
 The vaccine is safe, potent, does not revert to virulence and provide protective immunity
from day 14 of the vaccination till 24 months studied so far. The vaccine has been tested on
around 500 pigs at multiple locations.
 The new vaccine will be part of the Government’s One Health Initiative.
Source: PIB

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