07th JULY, 2022

NEWS TT DAY
NEWS DAY
NATIONAL MONUMENTS AUTHORITY (NMA) CHAIRMAN SUBMITS REPORT ON DECLARING

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MANGARH HILLOCK AS A MONUMENT OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
As a tribute to tribal freedom fighters who lost their lives, government is exploring possibility of declaring Mangarh Hillock, in
Banswara District (Rajasthan), a monument of national importance.
It is situated at Gujarat-Rajasthan border. Place has become sacred and is better known as Mangarh Dham.

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About Mangarh massacre

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In 1913 some bhils revolted against British rule under headship of a social reformer Govind Guru (a local tribal) and Punja.

Govind Guru launched 'Bhagat movement' among Bhils asking them to adhere to vegetarianism, and abstain from all types of
intoxicants.
In November 1913, hundreds of tribals had gathered at the Mangarh hillock for a peaceful meeting when they were surrounded
and shot dead by British forces.

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Event is also known as Mini Jalianwala Bagh massacre.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 considers
sites for declaration as national importance provided they meet certain criterion (refer box).
There are at present more than 3650 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.

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Criteria for declaration

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Ancient monument or archaeological site is not less than 100 years old;
It has special historical, archaeological or artistic interest;
It qualifies under the provisions of definition as contained under ASAMR Act, 1958;
Interested public do not have major objections to declare them as of national importance;

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THE OZONE HOLE OVER THE TROPICS

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Scientists revealed a large, all-season ozone hole in the lower stratosphere over the tropics comparable in-depth to that of the
Antarctic hole, but roughly seven times greater in area.
All-season ozone hole is defined as an area of ozone loss larger than 25% compared with the undisturbed atmosphere.

Ozone (O3) layer is a high ozone concentration region in the stratosphere, protecting life on earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet

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radiations from the Sun.
Thinning of the ozone layer was confirmed in 1985 through the formation of the ozone hole over the Antarctic during the Southern
Hemisphere spring.
Causes- Release of certain chemicals e.g., chlorine and bromine, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, and carbon
tetrachloride.
Initiatives to protect Ozone Layer
Vienna Convention on Protection of Ozone Layer 1985, for the promotion of research and monitoring of human activities on the
ozone layer.
Impact of ozone layer depletion
In 1987, the Montreal Protocol was adopted to protect the
ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals which deplete it. Increases ground-level UV radiation, increasing the risk of skin
cancer and cataracts in humans, as well as weakening human
The Kigali Agreement (adopted in 2016 and entered into immune systems.
force in 2019), provided a path to achieve an 80% reduction in
Decrease agricultural productivity and affects terrestrial and
HFCs (not ozone-depleting but have high global warming
aquatic biogeochemical cycles.
potential) consumption by 2047.

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SUB-CATEGORISATION OF OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCS): GOVERNMENT GIVES
13TH EXTENSION TO ROHINI COMMISSION
Government had constituted the Rohini commission (2017) under Article 340 to examine issues related to the sub-categorisation
of OBCs.
Article 340: President appoints the Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes.
The argument for sub-categorisation —or creating categories within OBCs for reservation — is that it would ensure “equitable
distribution” of representation among all OBC communities.
Need for sub-categorisation:

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OBCs are currently granted 27% reservation in jobs and education under the central government.
However, it is perceived that only a few affluent communities in the Central List of OBCs have secured a major part of this
reservation.

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Earlier commissions
The First Backward Class Commission report of 1955 had proposed sub categorization of OBCs into backward and extremely

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backward communities.
In a dissenting response to Mandal Commission report of 1979, there was a proposed sub-categorization in intermediate and
depressed backward classes.
In 2015, the National Commission for Backward Classes proposed that
OBCs division into; Extremely Backward Classes (EBC-Group A), More 2022 EDITION OF THE STATE OF
Backward Classes (MBC-Group B), and Backward Classes (BC-Group C).
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION

Budgeting Act.

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DEVELOPMENT, MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICE
(DMEO) PITCHES FOR GENDER BUDGETING ACT
DMEO, an attached office under NITI Aayog, has called for mainstreaming of
gender-based budgeting across all ministries through formulation of Gender
IN THE WORLD (SOFI) REPORT
RELEASED
It is a joint publication by Food and
Agriculture Organization, International Fund
for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, UN

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India is ranked 140 out of 156 countries as per Global Gender Gap Report World Food Programme and WHO.
2021 (by World Economic Forum). Key findings
DMEO is aimed at fulfilling organization’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) In 2021, 828 million people are affected
mandate and building M&E ecosystem in India. by hunger globally, an increase of about

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Gender Budgeting is an outcome-oriented approach to government fiscal 46 million since 2020.
policy that seeks to use a country’s budget as a tool to resolve societal World is moving in reverse, away from
gender inequality and promote inclusive development.

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the Sustainable Development Goal of
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 1995 provided various policy ending hunger, food insecurity, and
recommendations with regard to Gender Budgeting. malnutrition in all its forms, by 2030.
India has had a Gender Budget component since 2005-06. Gender Budget Major drivers of food insecurity and
statement comprises of two parts: malnutrition: conflict, climate extremes

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and economic shocks, combined with
Part A: Highlights Women
growing inequalities.
Specific Schemes, with
100% allocation for Recommendations
women. Incentivize production, supply and
consumption of nutritious foods, to make
Part B: Schemes
healthy diets less costly, more affordable
where at least 30%
and equitably for all.
of allocation is for
women. Reduce trade barriers, which would help
lower the price of nutritious foods, such as
Gender Budgeting fruits, vegetables and pulses.
promotes: Engagement of small- and
Government-wide strategy medium-sized enterprises and civil
for gender equality reform. society groups to balancing out unequal
powers within agrifood systems.
Sound mechanisms to ensure
India related findings
accountability and sustainability of gender initiatives.
Undernourishment in total population: 16.3%.
Tools and evidence to inform policy decisions. Wasting(low weight-for-height) in children
(under 5 years of age): 17.3%
There are two offices attached to the NITI Aayog, one is DMEO and other is Stunting(low height-for-age) in children
(under 5 years of age): 30.9%
National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development (NILERD).
Exclusively breastfeeding among infants: 58%
ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) FIRE: GOVERNMENT SETS UP PANEL TO SUGGEST CERTIFICATION
Amid increasing instances of fires in EVs, Centre has formed a panel to formulate procedures on battery certification and quality
control.
Reasons for fire may include manufacturing defects, external damage, faulty charging or faults in the deployment in the battery
management system, which could result in these batteries becoming a fire risk.
With growing concern over climate change and a larger aim to reduce its crude import bill, government’s focus is on pushing
passenger vehicle owners to shift to EVs.
Different types of batteries are available to power EVs such as Li-ion, Solid state, Nickel-Metal Hydride etc.
However, Li-ion batteries are most preferred because of their high power-to-weight ratio, high energy efficiency, low
self-discharge etc.
Steps Taken for Battery Safety
Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) formulated performance standards for EV Batteries.

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Constitution of a Probe Committee to look into fire incidents reasons.
Regenerative braking to increase its range by recovering energy.
Re-use of EV batteries in factories and home energy battery storage systems.

ALSO IN NEWS

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Aim is to provide a fillip to government's 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign, under which people will
be encouraged to hoist national flag over their house.
Changes allow machine-made polyester to be used in production of national flag.
Earlier, only flags made of handspun and handwoven khadi were permitted.
FCI allows unrestricted display of Tricolour as long as honour and dignity of flag were being
respected.

Flag Code of India (FCI),
2002 tweaked to cut
Tricolour price
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It is divided into three parts:
A general description of tricolour,
Rules on display by public and private bodies and educational institutions,
Rules for display by government and government bodies.

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MyGov, the world’s largest citizen engagement platform, launched in 2014 with the idea of
bringing the government closer to the common man.
MyGov Gujarat, the 18th MyGov state instance, has been launched.

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MyGov is part of Digital India Corporation, a Section 8 company (non-profit) under the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
My Gov Gujarat
Twitter (a microblogging site) initiated legal action against government order of take down
certain content posted on it.

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Government issued this order under Section 69 (A) of IT act 2000, that allowed the Central
government to issue blocking orders to social media intermediaries in the interest of sovereignty

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and integrity of India, public order etc.
Section 69 (A) of the IT Act, As per rules for blocking orders are sent to a review committee, which then issues these
2000 directions.
Blocking orders issued under the aforesaid section are usually confidential in nature.

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RBI eases forex rules to
defend currency
India's June trade deficit
widened to a record $25.63
billion
RBI announced a series of steps to boost foreign exchange inflows to arrest rupee’s slide against
dollar.
Measures include
Doubling annual overseas borrowing limits for companies to $1.5 billion.
Temporarily abolishing interest-rate caps for banks to attract deposits from non-resident
Indians.
Eased rules for foreign investors to invest in government and corporate debt in India.
Note: For more information about rupee slide and its impact, kindly refer to News Today dated 2nd July, 2022.
Trade deficit is pushed (from $9.61 billion a year ago) by a rise in crude oil and coal imports,
adding to fears of further pressure on the rupee.
Also, slowdown in the world economy is dampening exports.
Trade deficit refers to a situation where the country’s import dues exceed the receipts from the
exports.
This imbalance is not always unhealthy. Deficits might occur when a country is on a path of
growth, and seeks more investment than it generates savings.
However, it can put pressure on the external payments and on the currency of a country.

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IRDAI approves new
motor insurance policies
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has permitted general insurance
firms to introduce following tech-enabled concepts for Motor Own Damage (OD) cover:
Pay as You Drive: Premium based on their usage.
Pay How You Drive: Premium will depend on the driving behaviour.
Floater Policy: Will allow vehicle owners to get a single policy for their multiple vehicles.
With these add-ons, motor OD policy can be tailored, based on customer driving patterns, vehicle
usage, and other parameters to offer the best features.

Hindustan Power Exchange
begins operation (HPX)
HPX is the 3rd power exchange in the country as Indian Energy Exchange and Power Exchange
of India Ltd are already operational.
It is promoted by Power Trading Corporation of India Limited, Bombay Stock Exchange, and
ICICI Bank.
Power exchanges provide the market participants a platform for trading and hence manage their
power portfolios efficiently.

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Scientists at Vector Control Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research) have cross-bred
local Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with mosquitoes that carry the Wolbachia bacteria from
Australia’s Monash University.
Wolbachia bacteria blocks proliferation of harmful viruses but doesn’t harm the mosquitoes
themselves.

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Wolbachia is a common bacteria which is found in 60% of insects naturally.
Wolbachia Bacteria Aedes aegypti is a known vector of several viruses including yellow fever virus, dengue virus,

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chikungunya virus and Zika virus.
Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso), the spiritual head of Tibetans, celebrated his 87th birthday.
According to teachings, each Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of the Avalokiteśvara, who embodies the
compassion of all Buddhas.
Dalai Lama is found rather than chosen. Following Buddhist belief in reincarnation, the Dalai Lama

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is believed to be able to choose the body into which he is reincarnated.
Dalai Lama belongs to the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and has traditionally been
responsible for governing Tibet, until the Chinese took control in 1959.
His official residence was Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Post 1959, he finally settled
for a life in exile in Dharamsala.

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Personality in news Contributions:
He has travelled the world and spoken about the welfare of Tibetans, environment, women's rights,

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nonviolence, interfaith dialogue etc.
He received the Nobel Peace Prize for maintaining a policy of non-violence with the Chinese
government (1989).
Values: Compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and self-discipline.

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