Daily UPSC Current Affairs 28 Jun 2021

By Aman|Updated : June 28th, 2021

The Daily Current Affairs Series covers events of national and international importance sourced from various national newspapers - The Hindu, PIB, The Indian Express, Down to Earth, Livemint, etc.

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Daily Current Affairs: 28 Jun 2021

Nuclear site images won’t be shared with IAEA: Iran

(Topic- GS Paper II –IR, Source- The Hindu)

Why in the news?

  • Recently the speaker of Iran’s Parliament has said that Tehran will never hand over images from inside of some Iranian nuclear sites to the U.N. nuclear watchdog as a monitoring agreement with the agency had expired.

More on the news

  • The announcement could further complicate talks between Iran and six major powers on reviving a 2015 nuclear deal also known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
  • The atomic energy agency and Tehran struck the three-month monitoring agreement in February to cushion the blow of Iran reducing its cooperation with the agency.
  • The agreement was extended by a month on May 24.

About the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

  • The JCPOA was the result of prolonged negotiations from 2013 and 2015 between Iran and P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, or the EU).
  • It was signed between Iran and the P5, plus Germany and the EU in 2015.
  • The P5 is the 5 permanent members of the UNSC (US, China, France, Russia, and UK). • The deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear programme.

 Under the deal:

  • most of Iran’s enriched uranium was shipped out of the country
  • a heavy water facility was rendered inoperable
  • operational nuclear facilities were brought under international inspection
  • In return, the deal involved lifting of international sanctions on Iran.

Why has US pulled out of the deal?

  • The Trump administration had pulled out of the deal in 2018.
  • Trump and opponents to the deal say it is flawed because it gives Iran access to billions of dollars but does not address Iran’s support for groups the U.S. considers terrorists, like Hamas and Hezbollah.
  • They note it also doesn’t curb Iran’s development of ballistic missiles and that the deal phases out by 2030.
  • They said Iran has lied about its nuclear program in the past.

About the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

  • It is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
  • It is entrusted with the task of upholding the principles of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970.

Establishment

  • It was established as an autonomous organisation on July 29, 1957, at the height of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Objective

  • The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
  • In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a safe and peaceful world.

Headquarter

  • It headquarter is at Vienna, Austria.

 

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Financial Action Task Force

(Topic- GS Paper II –International Organization, Source- The Hindu)

 

Why in the news?

  • Recently, Haiti, Malta, the Philippines and South Sudan were placed on the Financial Action Task Force “grey list" to monitor and counter money laundering and terrorist financing.
  • It has removed Ghana from the FATF grey list.

More on the news

Number of Countries in Grey List

  • As of now 22 countries or territories on the so-called grey list.
  • Pakistan, which was added to the grey list in 2018, has made substantial progress but remains on the grey list.

Related Information

About Financial Action Task Force

  • It is a global watchdog that was founded to tackle money laundering initially but its role became prominent post the 9/11 terror attacks.
  • It was set up in 1989 by the G7 countries, with headquarters in Paris.

Objectives

  • The objectives are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
  • It is therefore a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
  • It is empowered to curtail financing of UN-designated terrorist groups.
  • The FATF monitors countries to ensure they implement the FATF Standards fully and effectively, and holds countries to account that do not comply.

Members

  • The FATF currently comprises 37 member jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations, representing most major financial centres in all parts of the globe.
  • The two regional organisations are – Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Commission.
  • India became a full member in 2010.

Financial Action Task Force has two lists:

Grey List

  • Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list.
  • This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.

Consequences of being in the FATF grey list:

Considered in the grey list may face

  1. Economic sanctions from IMF, World Bank, ADB 
  2. Problem in getting loans from IMF, World Bank, ADB and other countries
  3. Reduction in international trade
  4. International boycott

Black List

  • Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist.
  • These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities.
  • The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries.

Note:

  • As of 2019, FATF has blacklisted North Korea and Iran over terror financing.

 

Govt launches LiDAR survey reports to augment water in forest areas

(Topic- GS Paper III –Environment, Source- The Hindu)

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Why in the news?

  • Union Environment Minister has recently released LiDAR-based reports mapping out the water requirement within forest areas in 10 states.

About the LiDAR survey

  • The survey was conducted by WAPCOS, a Public Sector Undertaking(PSU) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.
  • WAPCOS Limited is a Mini Ratna

Coverage

  • The survey was carried out in forest areas of 10 states.
  • These states include Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura.

Method

  • The survey has used the LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology to create 3-D images of the forest areas to recommend soil and water conservation structures.

Funding

  • The Government of India will provide funds from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to states so that they can enhance water resources within the forests to meet the needs of flora and fauna as well as fodder augmentation.

 Significance

  • The survey is the first of its kind and a unique experiment using LiDAR technology.
  • These reports will be used to augment groundwater in forest areas so that animals don’t venture out in search of water which will result in reducing the human-animal conflict.

Related Information

Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016

  • It established National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (NCAF) under the public account of India and State Compensatory Afforestation Funds under public accounts of states.
  • These funds will receive payments for-

(a) Compensatory afforestation

(b) Net present value of forest (NPV)

(c) Other project specific payments

  • The National Fund will receive 10% of these funds, and the State Funds will receive the remaining 90%.
  • The Act provides statutory status for two ad-hoc institution which are named as-
  1. National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for management and utilisation of NCAF.
  2. State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority ( State CAMPA) for utilization of State Compensatory Afforestation Fund.
  • The act also provides for annual audit of the accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

 

Govt extends Fame scheme till 2024

(Topic- GS Paper III –Environment, Source- The Hindu)

Why in the news?

  • The Union government has recently extended the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (Fame) scheme to promote electric mobility by two years till 31 March 2024.

More on the news

  • Fame or Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (Fame) scheme’s first phase began on 1 April 2015, and was extended till 31 March 2019, and the second phase (Fame-2) that began on 1 April 2019 is to end on 31 March 2022.
  • However, the scheme has failed to take off with only 5% or ₹492 crore, of the ₹10,000 crore allocated under its second phase spent till March, as reported by Mint earlier.

About FAME India scheme

  • The Department of Heavy Industry is administering the scheme “Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehciles in India”, popularly known as FAME India scheme since 01st April 2015.
  • It is a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
  • The scheme has four focus areas i.e. Technology Development, Demand Creation, Pilot Project and Charging Infrastructure.
  • The FAME scheme is aimed at encouraging faster adoption of Electric and hybrid vehicle by way of offering an upfront incentive on the purchase of Electric vehicles and also by way of establishing a necessary charging Infrastructure for electric vehicles.

FAME II

  • FAME II emphasizes on electrification of the public transportation that includes shared transport.
  • The Scheme would provide incentives on operational expenditure model for electric buses which will be delivered through State/city transport corporation (STUs).

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Goa is first rabies-free state in the country

(Topic- GS Paper III –Health Issue and Science and Technology, Source-Indian Express)

Why in the news?

  • Recently, Goa has not reported a single rabies case in the last three years, making Goa the first rabies-free state in the country.
  • The task of rabies control has been carried out by Mission Rabies project.

Related Information

About National Rabies Control Programme

  • National Rabies Control Programme was approved during 12th FYP by Standing Finance Committee in 2013.
  • It is Central Sector Scheme.

Components of NRCP

The NRCP has both human and animal health components.

  1. Human Component: It is being implemented in all the states & UT by the National Centre for Disease Control.
  2. Animal Component: It is being pilot tested in the Haryana & Chennai under the Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests.

 

Objectives

  • Training of Health Care professionals on appropriate Animal bite management and Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis.
  • Advocacy for states to adopt and implement Interdermal route of Post exposure prophylaxis for Animal bite Victims and Pre exposure prophylaxis for high risk categories.
  • Strengthening Human Rabies Surveillance System.
  • Strengthening of Regional Laboratories under NRCP for Rabies Diagnosis.
  • Creating awareness in the community through Advocacy & Communication and Social Mobilization.

About Rabies

  • Rabies is a bullet-shaped lyssavirus which is a Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus that is present in the saliva of a rabid animal.
  • It is transmitted following a bite of a rabid animal that leads to deposition of the saliva and the virus in the wound.
  • The death invariably occurs in four days to two weeks due to cardio-respiratory failure.

Status of Rabies in India

  • According to the Health Ministry’s data, India accounts for more than one-third of the world’s rabies deaths.
  • India has a population of 30 million stray dogs which cause 96% of rabies in humans.
  • Each year, as many as 20,000 people die due to the vaccine-preventable fatality.

About World Rabies Day

  • World Rabies Day takes place each year on September 28, the anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur who, with the collaboration of his colleagues, developed the first efficacious rabies vaccine.
  • World Rabies Day aims to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on humans and animals, provide information and advice on how to prevent the disease in at-risk communities, and support advocacy for increased efforts in rabies control.

Global Initiative to eliminate rabies

Zero by 30

  • The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) reveal an ambitious plan to end human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.
  • The plan –‘Zero by 30: The Strategic Plan’ – centres on a One Health approach and addresses the disease in a holistic and cross-sectoral manner while highlighting the important role veterinary, health and educational services play in rabies prevention and control.
  • The plan ensures support to countries in developing national plans, and provides innovative training and education tools across regional rabies networks.
  • The United Against Rabies collaboration provides leadership and advocates for resources critical to reaching zero human rabies deaths by 2030.

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Vandana Aggarwal committee

(Topic- GS Paper III –Economics, Source- The Hindu)

Why in the news?

  • The International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) has recently constituted Vandana Aggarwal committee.

About the Vandana Aggarwal committee

  • The committee has setup to examine global best practices in financing and leasing of ships, identify opportunities and devise a roadmap to enable such activities from GIFT IFSC.
  • Other members include representatives from the Government of India, Gujarat Maritime Board and industry experts possessing domain knowledge.

Mandate

  • The committee is mandated to examine the existing legal, regulatory, tax and other applicable frameworks, identify the bottlenecks pertaining to ship financing and leasing and recommend specific measures required which shall enable ship financing and leasing from IFSC at par with best international practices.
  • The committee would submit its recommendations to IFSCA in three months.

Significance

  • India is strategically located on the world’s shipping routes and has a large coastline of approximately 7500 kms.
  • India also has 12 major and over 200 minor ports.
  • Ministry of Shipping suggests that 95 percent of India’s trading by volume and 70 percent by value is done via maritime transport.
  • In spite of significant exposure to shipping, India is yet to develop as an international shipping hub.

About Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City

  • Gujarat International Finance Tec (GIFT) City is a business district near Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
  • It is country's first operational Greenfield smart city and international financial services centre.
  • IFSCA aims to provide an enabling regulatory framework and facilitative environment so that GIFT IFSC can become an international hub for Ship Financing & Leasing activities thereby benefitting shipowners, lessors, carriers, ship operators, ship management companies and other stakeholders in the maritime ecosystem.

 

Unmanned aerial vehicle

(Topic- GS Paper III –Defense + Science and Technology, Source- The Hindu)

Why in the news?

  • Recently, the Air Force Station in Jammu has faced the dropping of explosive devices from drones which was the first such instance in India.
  • However, over the past two years, drones have been deployed regularly by Pakistan-based outfits to smuggle arms, ammunition and drugs into Indian territory.

About the Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

  • These are commonly known as Drone, and are controlled by a ground based controller through a system of Communications between the UAV and the ground station.
  • These can operate with different levels of autonomy either being remotely controlled by a human operator or autonomously by onboard computers.

Some UAVs of India

Panchi

  • It is the wheeled version of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Nishant, capable of taking-off and landing by using small airstrips. Panchi UAV has autonomous flight capabilities and is controlled from a user friendly Ground Control Station (GCS).

AURA

  • AURA is stealth UCAV, capable of releasing missiles, bombs and precision-guided munitions.

Nishant

  • It is a multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Day/Night capability used for battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, target tracking & localization, and artillery fire correction.

Rustom

  • Rustom (Warrior) is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Prospects of the UAVs for Indian Armed forces

  • A UAV can range from MALE (Medium altitude Long Endurance) which can be in air for whole day/night operations, to smaller versions in the category of Mini/Micro or Nano drones.
  • Each of the Armed Forces services have their own UAV arms operational for last two decades, as the UAVs had already evolved as future warfare technology world over in 1990’s itself, especially in the asymmetric warfare.
  • Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) are UAVs capable to launch missiles, bombs and precision-guided munition.
  • UCAVs are effectively used world over for Search and Attack role, safeguarding own soldiers from risks.
  • By 2050, at least 50 per cent of combat missions would be designated to UAVs and that would require a large fleet of various types of UAVs.

Pinaka rockets

(Topic- GS Paper III –Defence, Source- The Hindu)

Why in the news?

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have ecently successfully test-fired enhanced range versions of indigenously-developed Pinaka rockets.

About Pinaka

  • It is an indigenous multi-barrel rocket launch system, which has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army.
  • Its weapon system has a state-of-the-art guidance kit bolstered by an advanced navigation and control system.
  • This news enhanced range version of the Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to

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