13th January 2021 Current Affairs Analysis - IASToppers
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13th January 2021 Current Affairs Analysis
By IASToppers' Editorial Team | 2021-01-13 17:00:00
Government Schemes & Policies
Centre pays Rs 1,364 crore to undeserving beneficiaries under PM-KISAN
The Union government has paid Rs 1,364 crore to 20.48 lakh undeserving beneficiaries under the PM-
KISAN scheme.
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Major Highlights:
The Agriculture Ministry identified two categories of undeserving beneficiaries who received PM-
KISAN pay-outs as "ineligible farmers" and "income tax payee farmers".
Majority of these ineligible beneficiaries belongs to five states - Punjab, Assam, Maharashtra,
Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
Proceedings have been initiated to recover these funds transferred to undeserving persons.
About PM KISAN Samman Nidhi:
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi is a Central Sector Scheme under the government of
India which provides income support to the farmers and their families.
Under the scheme, an income support of Rs 6,000 per year in three instalments is paid to small
and marginal farmer families having combined land holding or ownership of up to 2 hectares.
The amount will be deposited directly to their bank accounts.
Government Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Objective:
To provide income support to all eligible land-holding farmers and their families.
It also aims to supplement the financial needs of the farmers in procuring various inputs to
ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income.
Several categories of farmers are excluded from the scheme:
Institutional landholders
Farmer families in which one or more members is among beneficiaries
Former and present holders of constitutional posts
Former and present ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, mayors, and chairmen of district panchayat
Serving and retired government employees
Pensioners receiving over Rs. 10,000 monthly pensions
Income tax payees and professionals such as doctors, engineers, chartered accountants,
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architects, etc.
Similar programmes by states:
Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana- Madhya Pradesh
Rythu Bandhu scheme- Telangana
Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income augmentation (KALIA)- Odisha
[Ref: Indian Express]
PMFBY successfully completes 5 Years of operations
The crop issuance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) recently successfully
completes 5 years of operations on 13th January 2021.
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Features of PMFBY:
It was launched in 2016 by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
It is a Crop Insurance Scheme, in line with One Nation One Scheme theme.
It replaced two existing schemes: National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) as well as the
Modified NAIS.
Objectives:
To provide insurance coverage and financial support to the farmers in the event of failure of
any of the notified crop as a result of natural calamities, pests & diseases.
To stabilise the income of farmers to ensure their continuance in farming.
To encourage farmers to adopt innovative and modern agricultural practices.
To ensure flow of credit to the agriculture sector.
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Key features:
The scheme involves premium payments by the farmers in favour of PMFBY:
In case of all Kharif crops, 2% of the Sum insured or Actuarial rate (whichever is less) is
paid by the farmers
In case of all Rabi crops, 1.5% of the sum insured or Actuarial rate (whichever is less) is
paid by the farmers.
In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, 5% of the sum insured or
Actuarial rate (whichever is less) is paid as premium.
The balance premium is paid by the Government to provide full insured amount to the farmers
against crop loss on account of natural calamities.
There is no upper limit on Government subsidy.
The use of technology to reduce the delays in claim payment to farmers is encouraged to a
great extent.
Remote sensing is used to reduce the number of crop cutting experiments.
There is exemption from Service Tax liability of all the services involved in the implementation of
the scheme.
Eligibility:
All farmers growing notified crops in a notified area during the season who have insurable
interest in the crop are eligible.
To address the demand of farmers, the scheme has been made voluntary for all farmers from
Kharif 2020.
Earlier, the enrolment under the scheme was compulsory for following categories of farmers:
Farmers in the notified area who possess a Crop Loan account/KCC account (called as
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Loanee Farmers) to whom credit limit is sanctioned/renewed for the notified crop during the
crop season. and
Such other farmers whom the Government may decide to include from time to time.
Voluntary coverage may be obtained by all farmers not covered above, including Crop
KCC/Crop Loan Account holders whose credit limit is not renewed.
[Ref: PIB]
Funds for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme remain unutilised
States across India have utilised just 45 per cent of the funds allocated under the government’s
ambitious Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme in the five years (2015-16 to 2019-20).
Highlights of the funds:
Fourteen States have not utilised even half of the total allocation.
They are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana and
Madhya Pradesh.
The north-eastern States have utilised the maximum funds under the scheme.
Sikkim have utilised 96%
Manipur 90 %
Puducherry 84 %
Leh and Nagaland 82 % each.
Out of 14 States which have spent less than 50 per cent of the allocated funds in the five years
(2015-16 to 2019-20), six have a lower sex ratio at birth compared to the national figure of 934.
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About the Scheme:
BBBP, launched by Prime Minister of India in January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana.
It is aimed to address the declining child sex ratio and related issues of women empowerment over
a lifecycle continuum.
It is a tri-ministerial effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family
Welfare and Human Resource Development.
Objectives:
To prevent gender biased sex selective elimination
To ensure survival and protection of the girl child
To ensure education and participation of the girl child.
Coverage:
The Pan India Expansion of the scheme covering all 640 districts (as per census 2011) of the
country was launched on 8th March 2018.
Features of scheme:
The key elements of the scheme include the enforcement of the The Pre-Conception (PC) and
Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, and a nationwide awareness and advocacy
campaign.
BBBP’s emphasis is on changing mindsets through training, sensitisation, awareness-raising and
community mobilisation on the ground.
Key parameters:
Sex ratio at birth has been set as a parameter for monitoring the progress of this scheme.
It showed an improvement of 16 points at the national level from 918 in 2014-15 to 934 in
2019-20.
The evaluation of the BBBP scheme, carried out by the National Council of Applied Economic
Research (NCAER) August 2020, indicated a positive behavioural change towards the girl child.
The gross enrolment ratio of girls across all levels of education is higher than boys.
At the elementary level, it is 94.32 per cent for girls, against 89.28 per cent for boys.
Similar trends in gross enrolment ratio are also observed at the secondary and higher
secondary levels.
[Ref: The Hindu]
Issues related to Health & Education
How Pneumonia in Covid-19 patients is different from typical Pneumonia?
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Recently, a study has found that pneumonia in Covid-19 patients is different from the typical pneumonia.
Findings of the study:
In pneumonia caused by bacteria and viruses, these agents can usually be controlled by
antibiotics, or by the body’s immune system, within the first few days of the illness.
On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for Covid-19, does not rapidly infect large
regions of the lung like other viruses. Instead, it sets up in multiple small areas of the lung.
The virus then hijacks the lungs’ own immune cells and uses them to spread across the
lung over a period of many days or even weeks.
As a result of the detailed analysis, the study identified critical targets to treat severe SARS-
CoV-2 pneumonia and lessen its damage.
The study suggests that macrophages – cells typically charged with protecting the lung –
can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and can contribute to spreading the infection
through the lung.
Those with Covid-19 pneumonia are sick for a long time, but the inflammation in their lungs is
not as severe as regular pneumonia.
About Pneumonia:
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Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
Symptoms:
The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material).
Chest pain when you breathe or cough
Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
Cough, which may produce phlegm
Fatigue
Fever, sweating
Lower than normal body temperature
Carrier:
A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia.
Risk Factors:
It is most serious for infants and young children.
People older than age 65.
People with health problems or weakened immune systems.
[Ref: Indian Express]
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Minister of Health inaugurated the 5th National Kayakalp Awards
Union Minister of Health and family Welfare recently facilitated Kayakalp award to Public and Private
Health Facilities for high standards of Sanitation and Hygiene as part of 5th National Kayakalp
Awards.
Kayakalp:
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare launched a National Initiative ‘Kayakalp’ on 15th May
2015.
It was done to ensure hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness in Public Health Facilities such as
District Hospitals, Sub-divisional hospitals, Community Health Centres etc. in India.
Recognition:
It has also been internationally applauded during 72nd World Health Assembly.
The success of Kayakalp is duly recognized in Global Baseline Report 2019 published by:
World Health Organisation (WHO)
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP)
Significance:
Kayakalp has not only been able to facelift the condition of public health facilities but has also
made significant impact in improving the behaviour of masses.
This paradigm shift is well reflected in the number of ‘Satisfied’ patients as reported through
‘MeraAspataal’.
Swachh Swasth Sarvatra (SSS) program:
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It was launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation and the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare.
Aim: To leverage achievements of: Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Kayakalp.
Under this initiative:
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has declared over 700 blocks as Open
Defecation Free (ODF).
Community Health Centres (CHCs) in ODF blocks of the country will be allocated Rs 10
lakhs under National Health Mission (NHM) to focus on sanitation and hygiene.
[Ref: PIB]
Economy
Risk-Based Internal Audit (RBIA) Framework
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked the banks to ensure that the internal audit function has
sufficient authority, stature, independence and resources to carry out auditing with objectivity.
These directives are aimed at strengthening governance arrangements in banks under the Risk-
Based Internal Audit (RBIA) Framework.
About Risk-Based Internal Audit Framework:
It is an internal methodology which primarily focuses on the risk involved in the activities or
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system of a particular bank.
Objective: To help the management function of the bank by providing assurance about the risk
mitigation.
Banks are encouraged to adopt the International Internal Audit standards, like those issued by the
Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
Under the RBIA framework, the banks are advised to:
Ensure authority, stature and independence to internal auditors to carry out their
assignments with objectivity.
Ensure that each internal auditor is of professional competence, knowledge and
experience.
The Board should prescribe a minimum period of service for staff in the Internal Audit
function.
The Head of Internal Audit (HIA) shall be a senior executive of the bank who shall the
ability to exercise independent judgment.
The HIA shall directly report to either the Audit Committee of the Board (ACB) /
MD & CEO or Whole Time Director (WTD).
The remuneration policies should be structured in a way that it avoids creating conflict of
interest and compromising audit’s independence and objectivity.
The internal audit function shall not be outsourced.
[Ref: RBI]
RBI appoints full-time director of College of Supervisors (CoS)
CoS of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is now fully operationalized with full-time director supported by
an Academic Advisory Council (AAC).
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College of Supervisors (CoS):
Objectives:
CoS has been set up to reinforce skills among its regulatory and supervisory staff both at
entry level and on a continuous basis.
It facilitates the development of unified and focused supervision by providing training and
other developmental inputs to the concerned staff.
Academic Advisory Council (AAC):
Composition:
Total members: Six
Mandate:
To identify areas where skill building/up-skilling are required.
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Plan and develop curricula of all programmes.
Benchmark the programmes with international standards/best practices.
Develop appropriate teaching methods, among others.
[Ref: CNBCTV18]
A boost in green bonds
Green bonds rose 13 per cent to set an issuance record of $305.3 billion in the year 2020.
Major Highlights:
A record $732.1 billion (Rs 53.6 lakh crore) worth sustainable bonds and loans were issued in
the year 2020.
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The swell in social bond issuance was driven by products addressing the coronavirus pandemic
and the recession.
The vast majority of issuance of these bonds came from government agencies and supranational
bodies that borrowed money for healthcare and relief objectives.
The year 2020 saw the largest single social bonds issued ever, from entities such as the
European Union, National Professional Union for Employment in Industry and Trade
(UNEDIC), and African Development Bank.
Offerings through green bonds, raised to support environmental activities, surged with a
whopping $62 billion.
What are Green Bonds?
These bonds are very similar to any other bonds.
The only difference is that the money raised by the issuer are earmarked towards financing
‘green’ projects, i.e. assets or business activities that are environment-friendly.
Such projects could be in the areas of renewable energy, clean transportation and sustainable
water management.
Who can issue Green Bonds?
Green bonds are issued by multilateral agencies such as the World Bank, corporations,
government agencies and municipalities.
Green bonds are open for investment by insurance companies, mutual fund companies,
pension funds and the likes.
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According to SEBI guidelines, green bonds are not available for smaller investment as of now
and hence we cannot invest as a retail investor directly.
[Ref: Down to Earth]
Ecology, Environment & Disaster Management
Richer wildlife mammal’s variety in Haryana portion of Aravallis
A study on “systematic assessment of mammals in the wildlife corridor formed by the Aravalli hills
in Gurgaon and Faridabad with the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi” has been carried out.
The study is conducted over two-seasons in 2019.
It is supported by WWF- India Grants Programme and Centre for Ecology, Development and
Research (CEDAR).
Key Findings
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In comparison to Asola sanctuary (Southern ridge of Aravallis in Delhi), the wildlife corridor of
the Aravallis in Gurgaon and Faridabad harbours a richer variety of mammals.
Reasons:
The attitude of tolerance to wildlife amongst the local population
Low density of people
Subsistence agricultural practices
The density of leopards and striped hyena is approximately double.
There is a healthy presence of rhesus macaque only in Asola.
About Asola Wildlife Sanctuary
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Asola Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the northern terminal of Aravalli Hills.
In 1991, it was notified as a sanctuary.
It has a variety of biodiversity because of its merger with Indo Gangetic plains.
Important Fauna- Indian leopard, red-headed vulture and egyptian vulture.
Important Places-
Surajkund and Anangpur Dam, Haryana
Tughlaqabad Fort, Delhi
Adilabad ruins, Delhi
Chhatarpur Temple, Delhi
About Aravalli Range
Aravalli range is running northeasterly from Rajasthan to just south of Delhi in northern India.
It is divided into two sections:
The Sambhar-Sirohi ranges:
It is taller.
It includes Guru Peak on Mount Abu, which is the highest peak in the Aravalli
Range.
The Sambhar-Khetri ranges:
It consisting of three ridges that are discontinuous.
Several rivers are originated from Aravalli range such as the Banas, Luni, Sakhi, and
Sabarmati.
About WWF-India’s Small Grants Innovation Program
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Aim: Encouraging young Indians to respond innovatively and independently to the
conservation issues which affect the country.
One-time grant:
WWF-India is offering eligible individuals grant of upto INR 400,000 over a maximum
period of 2 years.
It will be used to fund research and initiatives.
[Ref- The Indian Express]
Bilateral & International Relations
India at United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
India has started its two-year term as non-permanent member at UNSC.
India at UNSC:
India has served in the UNSC seven times previously.
India had played a significant role in promoting peace in the world, countering terrorism,
cooperation against pirates, prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to
non-state actors, etc.
Issues before India:
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UN reforms:
India has asked for permanent seat in UNSC on the basis of:
Population size
Territorial size
Gross Domestic Product
Economic potential
Civilizational legacy
Cultural diversity
Political system
Past and ongoing contributions to UN activities: UN peacekeeping operations
Terrorism:
India took the initiative to pilot a draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism
(CCIT) in 1996.
India worked closely with its partners in the UNSC to ensure the listing of Pakistan-based
terrorist Masood Azhar under the UNSC’s 1267 Sanctions Committee.
Issues related to China:
China has tried to raise the Kashmir issue with the help of Pakistan.
India could use the issues of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet at the UNSC against China.
However, it should calculate cost benefit ratio before using Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet cards.
For more information kindly visit our site: http://www.iastoppers.com/articles/3rd-4th-january-2021-currents-
affairs-analysis
[Ref: Indian Express]
Defense & Security
Creation of healthy environment for army personnel
Recently, A study titled “Prevailing Stress Levels in Indian Army due to Prolonged Exposure to
Counter Insurgency/Counter Terrorism environment” has been released by United Service
Institution of India (USI).
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Key Findings
More than half of the Indian Army personnel seem to be under severe stress.
Army has been losing more personnel due to suicides, fratricides and untoward
incidents rather than terrorist activities.
Officers experience higher stress levels compared to the Junior Commissioned Officers (JCO).
Overall job satisfaction and pride in uniform remains high amongst JCOs and Other Ranks
(ORs).
Causes of stress
Operational and non-operational stressors
Prolonged exposure of Indian Army personnel to Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism
(CI/CT) environment.
Organizational causes-
Inadequacies in the quality of leadership
Overburdened commitments
zero error syndrome
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Inadequate resources
Frequent dislocations
Lack of fairness and transparency in postings and promotions
Insufficient accommodation
Non-grant of leaves
Impact
Adverse effects on health and combat efficiency of soldiers.
Affecting trust, faith and confidence in their units.
Recommendation of the report
It recommends for an institutional approach.
The stress prevention and management should be treated “as a leadership role at Unit and
Formation level.”
Measures Taken by Government for defence personnel
Provision of better quality of facilities such as clothing, food, travel facilities etc.
Periodic welfare meetings.
Conduct of yoga and meditation.
Deployment of more skilled psychological counsellors.
To reduce stress among troops projects MILAP and SAHYOG has been institutionalized.
Establishment of Mansik Sahayata Helpline to take professional counselling.
Provision for Mental Health Awareness.
Formation of Military Psychiatry Treatment Centre at INHS Asvini
Establishment of Mental Health Centres.
About United Service Institution
United Service Institution of India (USI) is a national security and defence services think tank.
It is based in New Delhi.
It was established in 1870 by Major General Sir Charles MacGregor in Shimla.
USI operates centres for research in various areas of national security.
The USI Journal, published quarterly since 1872, is the oldest defence journal in Asia.
It also publishes a number of monographs based on research and study by its members.
[Ref- The Hindu]
Art & Culture
Winter harvest festivals of India
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The series of winter harvest festivals starting with Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal are coming up.
Makar Sankranti:
Makar Sankranti is celebrated in various parts of the Indian subcontinent to observe the day
which marks the shift of the sun into ever-lengthening days.
It is celebrated as Pongal in the south and Lohri in the north.
Other names:
Thai Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
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Uttarayan (Gujarat)
Lohri (Punjab)
Poush sôngkr?nti (Bengal)
Suggi Habba (Karnataka)
Makara Chaula (Odisha)
Maghi Sankrant (Maharashtra and Haryana)
Magh/Bhogali Bihu (Assam)
Shishur Saenkraat (Kashmir)
Khichdi Parv (UP and Bihar)
Significance:
Makar Sankranti generally marks the beginning of the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh while in
South India, in Kerala, pilgrimages of Shabrimala ends on this auspicious day.
About Lohri:
Lohri marks the beginning of the end of winter, coming of spring and the new year.
The festival is traditionally associated with the harvest of the rabi crops (e.g. sugarcane).
Importance of Lohri:
Lohri is a festival dedicated to fire and the sun god.
It is the time when the sun transits the zodiac sign Makar (Capricorn), and moves towards the
north.
About Thai Pongal
Thai is the first month of the Tamil Calendar, and Pongal is a dish of sweet concoction of
rice, moong dal, jaggery and milk.
This festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevance to any particular religious
faith.
Significance:
The festival is a thanks giving ceremony in which the farmers celebrate the event to thank the
spirits of nature spirit, the Sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a
successful harvest.
It is a festival to encourage social cohesiveness and unite people by bringing them together in
a common function.
Rituals followed on Thai Pongal:
The traditional Pongal (rice pudding) is prepared.
A flat square pitch is made and decorated with kolam drawings.
Kolam drawing is also known as Muggu.
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It is drawn with the help of rice flour, chalk, chalk powder or rock powder.
Different names: Raangolee in Maharashtra, Aripan in Mithila, Hase and Rangoli
in Kannada in Karnataka.
[Ref: News18]
Science and Technology
Ultra-high mobility 2d-electron gas (2DEG)
Indian scientists have produced electron gas with ultra-high mobility, which can speed up transfer of
quantum information and signal and increase data storage and memory.
An ultra-high mobility 2D-Electron Gas (2DEG) has been produced at the interface of
two insulating oxide layers.
Key Findings:
As the property of an electron called spin degree of freedom along with its charge has been
manipulated. It has given rise to an altogether new field of spin-electronics or ‘spintronics’.
A phenomenon called the ‘Rashba effect’ might play a key role in Spintronic devices.
Rashba effect refers to splitting of spin-bands in an electronic system.
The strong spin-orbit coupling and relativistic nature of the electrons in the 2DEG resulted
in the ‘Rashba field’.
Spintronic devices: devices that use the properties of electrons to transmit, process and store
information.
They use fundamental property known as spin (intrinsic angular momentum of the
electron).
Scientists have produced an ultra-high mobility 2D-Electron Gas (2DEG) at the interface of two
insulating oxide layers.
Advantages:
They can easily remember and transfer its memory for a long time and distance because
electrons do not collide inside the medium for a long distance.
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They don’t dissipate energy as heat as of very low resistance they produce by less colliding
properties.
They do not heat up easily and need less input energy to operate.
Applications:
Open up a new field of device physics, especially in the field of quantum technology.
Applicable for next-generation data storage media and quantum computers.
Key Facts:
A two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is an electron gas that is free to move in two
dimensions, but tightly confined in the third.
This tight confinement leads to quantized energy levels for motion in the third direction.
[Ref: PIB]
Key Facts for Prelims
Euphranta siruvani
A new species of fruit fly called Euphranta siruvani was discovered. It has been named after Siruvani in
the Western Ghats.
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About:
Family: Tephritidae.
It lays eggs in fruits and the larvae feed on the pulp.
Presence of a 'V' shaped black band on the wing and prominent sub-apical band connected to
the apical black patch.
Food:
Eggs laid by plant feeders such as hoppers
Habitat:
Siruvani is located in Tamil Nadu.
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[Ref: The Hindu]
Whitewashing
Recently, with the appearance of US Vice President on the cover of the Vogue Magazine, people on
social media accused vogue of whitewashing the woman.
About Whitewashing
Whitewashing refers to the digital modifying or altering of the skin of a non-white person to
make it appear whiter.
It is usually employed to make people of colour seem to conform more to be Eurocentric
beauty standards.
The Eurocentric standards generally correlate the whiter skin to higher social standing, wealth, and
status.
Utility
To be noticed in the fashion industry.
To be featured in fashion publications, digital media and beauty product advertisements.
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SC stayed the three controversial farm laws
The Supreme Court formed a four-member committee to take over negotiations with the farmers and
"solve the problem."
All four committee members have spoken or written in support of the farm laws and this has made
many people question the impartiality of the committee.
The members of the committee include:
An Agricultural economist
President of Bharatiya Kisan Union
President of Shetkari Sangathan
A member of International Food Policy Research Institute
Background:
Three bills aimed at Agri market reforms, contract farming provisions and on amending Essential
Commodities Act were passed by the Parliament in September, is being opposed by farmers of the
country as well as the Opposition.
[Ref: The Quint]
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