Daily Current Affairs UPSC 16 March 2024

National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

• India's first Oil Palm Processing Mill inaugurated under NMEO-OP
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation and reduce import burden on edible oils
• Targets by 2025-26
• Increase area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares
• Increase in Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes
• About Palm Oil:
  • Around 90% of world's oil palm trees are grown in Malaysia and Indonesia
  • Used in food products, detergents, cosmetics and biofuel
  • Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala account for 98% of total production.

Standards and Labeling Program for Solar Inverter

• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has introduced a Standards and Labeling Program for solar inverters in the voluntary phase.
• Objective of the Program:
  • The program aims to assist consumers in making informed decisions about energy-consuming appliances to promote energy savings.
  • It also seeks to reduce energy consumption without compromising the performance of appliances.
• Current Scope of the Program:
  • The program currently covers 34 appliances and equipment, including solar inverters.
  • Appliances are categorized under mandatory and voluntary labeling, with examples such as ceiling fans and microwave ovens.

Voyager 1

• NASA discovered a clue while investigating Voyager 1's communication breakdown issue.
• Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 flew by Jupiter and Saturn before entering interstellar space in 2012.
• It was the first spacecraft to cross the heliosphere, marking the boundary where solar system influences weaken.
• Voyager 1 made significant discoveries at Jupiter and Saturn, including new moons and rings.
• Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA)

IEPFA is seeking feedback from stakeholders to improve the claims settlement process.

• Established in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013, IEPFA operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• It is charged with overseeing the management of the IEPF fund as well as advancing investor education, awareness, and protection.
• The Companies (Amendment) Act, 1999 established the IEPF in accordance with Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956, to safeguard the interests of investors.

Grievance Redressal Assessment & Index (GRAI)

• Ministry of Home Affairs ranked among top 10 ministries in GRAI for 2023-24
• Objective: Provide comparative insights on grievance redressal mechanisms
• Conceptualised and designed by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG)
• Based on dimensions Efficiency, Feedback, Domain, and Organisational Commitment
• Uses data from Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS)

Pilot Program for Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims

• Developed under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
• Establishes ecosystem for timely medical care for road accident victims, including golden hour
• National Health Authority to implement in coordination with police, hospitals, State Health Agency, etc.
• Victims entitled to cashless treatment up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per accident per person for 7 days
• Applicable to all road accidents
• Hospitals can raise claims for reimbursement from Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Fisheries scheme

• Department of Fisheries integrates Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme with JanSamarth Portal
• JanSamarth connects lenders with beneficiaries for loans under Central government schemes
• KCC facility extended to fishers and fish farmers in 2018-19 for working capital
• Covers individual farmers, Joint Liability Groups, Self Help Groups
• Farmers get 2% interest Subvention annually, 3% for Prompt Repayment

Ethanol 100

• Petroleum Ministry launches Ethanol 100 fuel
• Ethanol 100 is cleaner alternative to gasoline
• Blend of 92-94% ethanol, 4-5% motor spirit, 1.5% Co-solvent higher saturated alcohol
• Produces lower greenhouse gas emissions, 63% reduction on well to wheel basis
• High-octane rating suitable for high-performance engines, enhances efficiency and power output
• Significant reductions in foreign exchange savings.

Nana Jagannath Shankarseth (1803-1865)

• Maharashtra cabinet proposes renaming Mumbai Central station after Nana Jagannath Shankarseth
• About Nana Jagannath Shankarseth:
  • Social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist
  • Often called the architect of Mumbai (then Bombay)

• Contributions:
  • First Indian nominated to Legislative Council of Bombay
  • Founder of Bombay Association in 1852
  • Advocate for education of girls and women
  • Established Native School of Bombay, which later became Elphinstone College
  • Part of committee that initiated India's first train project between Boribunder and Thane in 1853
• Values:- Courage, Compassion, Leadership, etc.

National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) launched by Government.

• NAP-SE was initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to reduce snakebite envenoming risk
• The goal is to decrease snakebite deaths and disability cases by half by 2030
• The approach involves a 'One Health' strategy to improve the health of people, animals, and ecosystems
• States and union territories are encouraged to create their own action plans tailored to their specific needs
• Key Strategic Actions Identified by NAP-SE for Snakebite Prevention:
• Human Health Component:
  • Provision of anti-snake venom at all health facilities
  • Strengthening surveillance of snakebite cases
  • Institutionalization of Regional Venom Centre's
• Wildlife Health Component:
  • Education awareness
  • Systematic research and monitoring
  • Snake venom collection and snake relocation
• Animal and Agriculture Component:
  • Prevention of snakebites in livestock
  • Community engagement
  • Production and use of Anti-Venom
• Snakebite Envenoming as a Neglected Tropical Disease: Caused by the bite of venomous snakes
• In India, the 'big four' snakes account for around 90% of snakebites - Common Krait, Indian Cobra, Russell's Viper, and Saw Scaled Viper.

Initiatives taken to control Snakebite Envenoming:

• Global:
  • WHO launched a Global strategy in 2019 to reduce snakebite deaths by 50% by 2030.
  • WHO developed a Regional Action Plan for snakebite prevention and control in South-East Asia.
• India:
  • A Snakebite Helpline number (15400) has been introduced in five states to provide assistance to those affected by snakebites
  • The helpline will be piloted in Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi.

Government Promotes Electric Car Manufacturing in India

• Key Highlights of Scheme
• Ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)
• Implementation: Project Management Agency (PMA) responsible for secretarial, managerial, and implementation support
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Minimum investment of Rs 4150 Crore (USD 500 million) within 3 years
  • No limit on maximum investment
  • Domestic Value Addition (DVA) criteria: 25% within 3 years, 50% within 5 years from approval letter issuance.
• Bank guarantee conditions for EV scheme: - Bank guarantee will only be returned when 50% DVA is achieved and at least Rs 4,150 crore has been invested, or duty foregone in 5 years, whichever is higher.
• Performance criteria for electric passenger vehicles: - All electric passenger vehicles must meet the performance criteria of the PLI Auto scheme.
• Tenure of the scheme: - The scheme will have a tenure of 5 years or as notified by the Government of India.
• Rationale of the scheme:
  • Attract investments from global EV manufacturers
  • Promote India as a manufacturing destination for EVs
  • Encourage healthy competition among EV players
  • Reduce imports of crude oil
  • Generate employment opportunities.

Other Initiatives to Promote EV:

• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of EVs (FAME) India scheme: Launched in 2015 and expanded with Phase II in 2019 to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
• PLI Scheme for Automobile and Automotive Components (PLI-Auto): Introduced in 2021 to provide financial incentives for domestic manufacturing and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing industry.
• EV 30@30 initiative: Aims to deploy electric vehicles and achieve at least 30 percent of new vehicle sales as electric by 2030.

Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2022 by UNDP

• Released in Human Development Report 2023/2024: Breaking the gridlock Reimagining cooperation in a polarized world
• Key Highlights:
  • Denmark tops the list, followed by Norway and Switzerland
  • India ranked 108 out of 193 countries with a score of 0.437
  • In 2021, India was at rank 122 out of 191 countries
  • Neighbouring nations like Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives have performed better
• Gender Inequality Index (GII) measures inequality between women and men in three dimensions
  • Reproductive Health: Includes maternal mortality ratio and adolescent fertility rate
  • Also includes Female reproductive health Index
  • Empowerment: Includes share of parliamentary seats and secondary attainment level by gender
  • Also includes Female and male empowerment Index
  • Labour market: Includes labour force participation rates by gender
  • Also includes Female and male labour market Index
• GII score ranges from 0 (equality between genders) to 1 (significant inequality)

Initiatives Improving India's Rank:

• 'Mission Shakti' for safety, security, and empowerment of women
• Code on Social Security, 2020: Enhances paid maternity leave to 26 weeks
• Code on Wages 2019: Prohibits discrimination based on sex in recruitment
• Other initiatives include Mission Poshan 2.0 and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduces Digital Criminal Case Management System (CCMS) Platform

• Developed by National Investigation Agency (NIA)
• User-friendly, customizable, browser-based software for State Police forces.
• Significance of Digital CCMS:
  • Digital CCMS helps NIA personnel coordinate more effectively in cases related to terrorism and organized crime, leading to better justice delivery.
  • State Police forces can organize, integrate, and digitalize data generated during investigations, making it easier to access case documents, extracted data, collected evidence, and charge-sheets presented to court.
  • Digital CCMS fosters stronger cooperation between central and state agencies, including Anti-Terror Squads of State Police, improving overall coordination in handling sensitive cases.
  • The system brings standardization into investigations, streamlining the compilation of terror-related data and improving conviction rates in sensitive and complex cases nationwide.
  • Digital CCMS helps NIA and State Police forces prepare for implementing new Criminal laws such as Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakhsya Sanhita, ensuring better compliance and enforcement.
• Sankalan app launched by MHA:
  • Compendium of New Criminal Laws by National Crime Records Bureau
  • Bridge between old and new criminal laws
  • Works in offline mode, available in remote areas

National Investigation Agency (NIA):

• Central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency
• Established under NIA Act, 2008
• Headquartered in New Delhi.

India and Brazil hold their first '2+2' Defence and Foreign Ministerial Dialogue

• In the dialogue, both countries discussed expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals, technology, and counter-terrorism
  • The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue involves Foreign and Defense Ministers from both countries discussing mutual interests
  • India also has 2+2 Ministerial Dialogues with other countries like the US, Australia, and Japan
• India-Brazil Bilateral Relations
• Political Relations:
  • India and Brazil have been strategic partners since 2006.
  • Both countries cooperate in multilateral forums such as the UN, G20, BRICS, and IBSA.
  • The G4 countries, including Brazil and India, support each other for permanent seats in the UNSC.
  • Brazil is part of India-led alliances like the International Solar Alliance.
  • Brazil enables India's close cooperation with MERCOSUR, a regional trading bloc in South America.
• Trade: - India is the 5th largest trading partner of Brazil as of 2021.
• Space: - ISRO launched Brazil's satellite Amazonia-1 in 2021.
• Security: - A joint statement and action plan for enhancing defense and security cooperation were signed in 2020.
• Cooperation in Bio-fuels: Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of biofuels.
• Brazil is part of the Global Biofuels Alliance, an India-led initiative
• Mechanisms like Trade Monitoring Mechanism and Strategic Dialogue (NSA) are important in enhancing the relationship between India and Brazil by resolving issues.

Government Notifies New Cinematograph Certification Rules for 2024:

• New Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 replace the old rules from 1983
• Aim of the new rules is to modernize and streamline the film certification process for the digital age
• The rules will enhance transparency, efficiency, and ease of doing business for the film industry
• Key Provisions of the Rules:
• Three Age-Based Certification:
• 'UA' category includes 'UA 7+', 'UA 13+', and 'UA 16+'
• Meant for parents/guardians to decide if children can watch the film
• Recommendations, not mandatory
• Other Existing categories: - U (Universal), A (only for adults), S (Only for few class of persons)
• Equity:
• Greater representation of women in CBFC Board
• One-third of members must be women, preferably half
• Perpetual Validity of Certificates: - Certificates no longer valid for only 10 years
• Change of Category of Film for Television:
  • Edited films must be recertified for television broadcast
  • Only Unrestricted Public Exhibition category films can be shown on TV.
  • Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 has amended the Cinematograph Act, 1952

About CBFC:

• Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
• CBFC regulates the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952
• CBFC is headquartered in Mumbai and has 9 regional offices.