Daily Current Affairs 25 April 2020 | UPSC Current Affairs 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute develops magnetic nanoparticle-based RNA extraction kit for PCR and LAMP tests for COVID-19

Chitra Magna, an innovative RNA extraction kit, has been developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), an Institution of National Importance under the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, as an innovative technology for isolating RNA from swabs for COVID 19 tests.
SARS-COV-2, the causative virus of COVID-19 pandemic, is an RNA virus-- a long single-stranded polymeric substance present in all living cells that carries the genetic information of the organism necessary for life. One of the critical steps in detecting this virus is by confirming the presence of the RNA of the virus in the sample taken from the throat or nose. The sample collected is transported under specified conditions in a viral transport medium to the testing laboratory.
The protocol for the kit uses magnetic nanoparticles to capture and concentrate the RNA from the patient sample. This is of significant advantage because even if some viral RNA disintegrates during the storage and transportation of the patient samples, all of it is captured by the magnetic bead-based extraction technology. The magnetic nanoparticle beads bind to the viral RNA and, when exposed to a magnetic field, give a highly purified and concentrated level of RNA. As the yield of PCR or LAMP test is dependent on getting an adequate quantity of viral RNA, this innovation enhances the chances of identifying positive cases. The Institute has filed for a patent for this technology, which is simpler than in imported kits.
Chitra Magna can be used to extract high purity RNA from patient samples not only for LAMP testing but also for the RT-PCR test. The first step of isolating high quality and high concentration of RNA without degradation is critical to the outcome of the PCR or LAMP test in which RNA is converted to DNA. Barring a few Indian manufacturers, the majority of RNA isolation kits are imported, and its non-availability often becomes a severe bottleneck for RT-PCR testing in large numbers across the country.
The technology of Chitra Magna has been transferred to the Agape Diagnostics Ltd Ernakulam. The company has already taken the Chitra GeneLAMP-N technology, which uses RT-LAMP for the identification of the N gene of SARS-COV-2. It is a potential confirmatory test with accuracy matching RT-PCR in its initial validation at NIV by ICMR. The test kits are now being validated in larger test samples for ICMR approval, followed by a commercial manufacturing license from DCGI. Dr. Anoop Thekkuveettil and his team, who developed Chitra GeneLAMP–N has developed the technology of Chitra Magna. All technology transfers of Sree Chitra are nonexclusive. Sree Chitra is an Institute of national importance under the department of Science and Technology, Govt of India.

Source: PIB

2) Article 164(4) of the Indian Constitution

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray may end up losing his seat if he is not elected to the Legislative Council of the state before May 24th.

He took the oath of his office on November 28, 2019, without being a member of either the State legislature or council.
But, he will have to get elected to either of the houses of the state legislature before May 24, as Article 164(4) of the Constitution stipulates.
However, the Election Commission has already postponed Rajya Sabha polls, byelections, and civic body elections in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic.

What does the Constitution say?

Article 164 of the Constitution allows a non-legislator to occupy a post in the council of ministers, including the office of the chief minister for six months.

What’s the alternative available now?

Article 171 of the Constitution says the governor can nominate eminent persons from the field for literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service.
Uddahv Thackeray does not directly fit into any of the criteria mentioned but social service has a wider scope. And, if governor nominates somebody to the legislative council, his/her decision cannot be challenged in the court, at least as of the precedent right now.
The Maharashtra legislative council has two vacancies to be filled by the governor’s nominations.

Then, what is the problem now?

There are some legal hurdles.
Section 151A of Representation of the People Act 1951 puts a bar on the governor’s discretionary power to nominate a person to the legislative council.
It says election or nomination to vacant seats in the legislative council cannot be done “if the remainder of the term of a member about a vacancy is less than one year”.
The tenure of the two vacancies that arose on the account of resignations by members recently ends in June. So, the remainder of the term is less than a year.

So, what next?

Uddhav Thackeray cannot continue unless elected to any of the houses of Maharashtra legislature after May 28.
Technically, he can be reappointed as the Maharashtra chief minister again after he resigns on May 27 or 28 and takes oath afresh.
But, if Uddhav decides to resign and takes oath afresh, there could be another obstacle. This relates to a case in Punjab, where Tej Parkash Singh of the Congress was appointed a minister in 1995 and was reappointed at the expiry of six months’ period in 1996 without getting elected to the state assembly.
Litigation followed. And, in 2001, the Supreme Court declared the resign-and-reappoint bid as “improper, undemocratic, invalid and unconstitutional”.
This judgment did not have a bearing on Tej Parkash Singh but may come in the way of Uddav Thackeray if he takes the same route.

Source: Indian Express

3) National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended coal mining in a part of an elephant reserve in Assam.
The NBWL’s Standing Committee had on April 7 discussed a proposal for use of 98.59 hectares of land from the Saleki proposed reserve forest land for a coal mining project by NorthEaster Coal Field (NECF), a unit of Coal India Limited.
The NBWL is under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Saleki is a part of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve that includes the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary covering 111.19 sq km of rainforest and several reserve forests in Sivasagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.
57.20 ha of hilly forestland had already been broken up by the user agency (NECF) and the remaining 41.39 ha was unbroken.
Standing committee recommended a “cautious approach” for preserving the “basic integrity of
this forested hill slope” that is a part of the elephant reserve in Assam adjoining Arunachal Pradesh’s Deomali Elephant Reserve with “a sizeable population of elephants”
After detailed discussions, the Standing Committee “recommended for approval” the proposal for mining in the brokenup area after the user agency submits a rectified site-specific mine reclamation plan in consultation with the Assam Forest Department.
Green activist Rohit Choudhury said the MoEFCC overturned its own adverse remark on “rampant violation of local forest laws” in November 2019 to fasttrack coal mining in the Saleki forestland.
The remark followed the local wildlife division’s report pointing to illegal coal mining in the Tikak open cast pit mining in Saleki. The division also said 4,800 tonnes of coal from “unauthorized breaking up” of 16 ha of the area had been seized. “The Assam Forest Department has completely failed in protecting the biodiversity of the State and has allowed all illegal mining of coal, stone, sand, etc., violating all rules and regulations. It is obvious that there is a corrupt nexus in operation and the State Forest Minister has become a mute spectator

About National Board for Wildlife:

It is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Its roles are “advisory” in nature and advise the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country.
The primary function of the Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
It has the power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.
No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without the approval of the NBWL.
Composition: The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. It has 47 members including the Prime Minister. Among these, 19 members are ex-officio members. Other members include three Members of Parliament (two from Lok Sabha and one from Rajya Sabha), five NGOs and 10 eminent ecologists, conservationists, and environmentalists.

Source: The Hindu

4) 15th Finance Commission holds a meeting with its Advisory Council

The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XVFC) had online meetings with its Advisory Council on 23-24 April 2020 and discussed various issues confronting the Commission now.
The Members of the Advisory Council felt that the impact of the Covid pandemic and the national lockdown on the Indian economy can come through the slowdown in the domestic activity, its impact on the cash flows of financial institutions and business enterprises and the loss of global demand for Indian products because of a steep global recession. All of them were unanimous to suggest that the projections of real GDP growth made before March 2020 need to be relooked into entirely, and, revised downwards considerably. Once the lockdown of the economy is released, the recovery can only be excepted to be gradual, depending on the ability of the workforce to get back to work soon, restoration of supplies of intermediates and cash flows, and, of course, the demand for output. Therefore, the full magnitude of the economic impact of Covid will only be clear only over time.
The Advisory Council also felt that the magnitude of the impact of these developments on public finances is uncertain, but will certainly be significant. Governments will have substantial expenditure burden on account of health, support to poor and other economic agents. The Council Members felt that the shortfall in tax and other revenues will be largely due to subdued economic activity. Hence, fiscal response to the crisis should be much more nuanced. It is important not just to look at the size of fiscal response but also carefully at its design. The Council apprised the Finance Commission of the different suggestions floating around in terms of public expenditure support to the economy. They felt that the following considerations, inter alia, would be very important.

Small scale enterprises were cash-starved even before the onset of Covid. As their activity levels and cash flows are affected, a support mechanism must be devised to help them overcome this problem.
Non-banking financial companies are also affected by the slowdown. To avoid bankruptcies and deepening of NPAs in the financial sector, measures should be appropriately designed. Measures like partial loan guarantee may help. The Reserve Bank of India will have a key role in ensuring that financial institutions are well-capitalized.
The finances of the Central and State Governments need to be watched carefully. As of now, adequate provision for ways and means advances can largely help governments to manage cash-flow mismatches. As we move ahead, we need to think of options for financing the additional deficit. It is important to ensure that the State governments get access to adequate funds to undertake their fight against the pandemic.
The Council also felt that it is likely that different States may come out of the severity of the impact of the pandemic in different stages. Hence, the revival of activity in different States will be at a varied pace.

Fifteenth Finance Commission along with its Advisory Council is keenly watching the evolving situation globally as well as domestically.

Fifteenth Finance Commission

The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC or 15-FC) is an Indian Finance Commission constituted in November 2017 and is to give recommendations for devolution of taxes and other fiscal matters for five fiscal years, commencing 2020-04-01. The commission's chairman is Nand Kishore Singh, with its full-time members being Ajay Narayan Jha, Ashok Lahiri, and Anoop Singh. Also, the commission has a part-time member in Ramesh Chand. Shaktikanta Das served as a member of the commission from November 2017 to December 2018.

Source: PIB

5) Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan

The Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan (KKA) is being implemented in 112 Aspirational districts of the country.

About Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan:

Launched in 2018 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
Aim: to aid, assist, and advise farmers to improve their farming techniques and increase their incomes.

Implementation:

Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan will be undertaken in 25 Villages with more than 1000 populations each in Aspirational Districts identified in consultation with the Ministry of Rural Development as per directions of NITI Ayog.
In districts where several villages (with more than 1000 population) are less than 25, all villages will be covered.
The overall coordination and implementation in the 25 villages of a district are being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra of that district.

Various activities to promote best practices and enhance agriculture income are being undertaken under this plan such as:

Distribution of Soil Health Cards to all farmers
100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in each village
100% coverage of Sheep and Goat for the eradication of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) also known as sheep and goat plague
Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all
Distribution of Horticulture/Agro-Forestry/Bamboo plant @ 5 per family(location appropriate)
Making 100 NADAP Pits in each village
Artificial insemination saturation
Demonstration programs on Micro-irrigation
Demonstrations of integrated cropping practice

Sources: PIB

6) Operation Twist

The Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) has decided to conduct simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities under Open Market Operations (OMO) for ₹10,000 crores each on April 27, 2020, considering the current and evolving liquidity and market conditions.

Such Open Market Operations are known as ‘Operation Twist,’ which was used by the RBI in December 2019 for the first time.

Key Points

Operation Twist is the RBI's simultaneous selling of short-term securities and buying of long term securities through Open Market Operations (OMO) to bring down long-term interest rates and bolster short-term rates.

Operation Twist was first used in 1961 by the US Federal Reserve (central bank) as a way to strengthen the U.S. dollar and stimulate cash flow into the economy.

Under this mechanism, the short-term securities are transitioned into long-term securities.
Impact of Operation Twist:

As the central bank buys long-term securities (bonds), their demand rises which in turn pushes up their prices.
However, the bond yield comes down with an increase in prices (inverse relationship).

Yield is the return an investor gets on his (bond) holding/investment.

The interest rate in an economy is determined by yield. If the yield is low, interest rates decrease.
Thus, lower long-term interest rates mean people can avail of long-term loans (such as buying houses, cars, or financing projects) at lower rates.
This will lead to a boost in consumption and spending in the economy which in turn will revive the growth.

Government Security

A G-Sec is a tradable instrument issued by the Central Government or the State Governments.
It acknowledges the Government’s debt obligation. Such securities are:
Short term securities

They are usually called treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year- presently issued in three tenors, namely, 91 days, 182 days, and 364 days.

Long term securities

They are usually called Government bonds or dated securities with an original maturity of one year or more.

In India, the Central Government issues both treasury bills and bonds or dated securities while the State Governments issue only bonds or dated securities, which are called the State Development Loans (SDLs).
G-Secs carry practically no risk of default and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged instruments.

Open Market Operations

Open Market Operations (OMO) is one of the quantitative monetary policy tools which is employed by the central bank of a country to control the money supply in the economy.

Other monetary policy tools are such as repo rate, cash reserve ratio, and statutory liquidity ratio, etc.

OMOs are conducted by the RBI by way of sale or purchase of government securities (g-secs) to adjust money supply conditions.

RBI carries out the OMO through commercial banks and does not directly deal with the public.

The central bank sells g-secs to remove liquidity from the system and buys back g-secs to infuse liquidity into the system.

7) Conversion of Surplus Rice to Ethanol

Recently, the Central government has allowed the conversion of surplus rice to ethanol.

Ethanol produced from this will be used for utilization in making alcohol-based hand sanitizers and blending in petrol.
Ethanol is one of the most variable alternatives amongst biofuels.

Key Points

The National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) took the decision which will lead to the utilization of part of a huge stockpile of 30.57 million tonnes (MT) of rice which is almost 128% more than the buffer stock and strategic requirement norms.

At present, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has huge rice stock from previous years excluding the unmilled paddy lying with millers on behalf of FCI.

Using surplus rice for ethanol will address the concern of about 750 million liters of grain-based distillery capacities lying idle, due to the lack of feedstock.

In India, the total capacity of grain-based distilleries is close to 2 billion liters, of which around 38% (750 million liters) were lying unused.

The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 allows the conversion of surplus quantities of food grains to ethanol when there is a projected oversupply of food grains.

Major Criticism

This move has been criticized because how can the government waste food stock for fuel when a considerable number of the population doesn’t have food and is suffering from malnutrition.
On 26th March 2020, the government decided to give 5 kg of wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses free of cost to 800 million people, under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, many poor people are unable to get the benefit out of it, due to loopholes in the PDS network.
For example, a large chunk of ration cardholders may not be eligible for the free grains, as they are not covered under the NFSA.
The NFSA, based on the 2011 census, had not factored in the population increase in over nine years, leaving a huge number of people out of its ambit.

National Policy on Biofuels, 2018

It categorizes biofuels in various categories to enable the extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.

Basic Biofuels or First Generation (1G): Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, Etc.
Advanced Biofuels or Second Generation (2G): Ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, etc.
Third Generation (3G): Butanol.
Fourth Generation (4G): Fuel from genetically engineered crops.

It expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing the use of sugarcane juice, sugar-containing materials like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch containing materials like corn, cassava, damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, rotten potatoes which are unfit for human consumption.
Objective:

To achieve 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030.
It also expands the scope of feedstock for ethanol production and has provided for incentives for the production of advanced biofuels.

Source: PIB

8) Devanahalli Pomelo Trees

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) will plant 500 Devanahalli Pomelo trees as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The plantation drive is also part of the 50th anniversary of World Earth Day.
Devanahalli pomelo, a citrus variety, is almost on the brink of extinction.

Key Points

Devanahalli Pomelo has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. It is grown in Devanahalli taluk, Banglore (Karnataka), and is popularly known as chakota.
The Devanahalli pomelo has a unique, sweet taste, unlike other local varieties which have a bitter taste.
The establishment of the Kempegowda International Airport brought in different livelihood opportunities for people to change their practices and focus shifted away from its cultivation. The absence of an organized market for the fruit was another factor behind the decline in the plantation of the variety.

BIAL owns and operates Kempegowda International Airport.

Pomelo is a parent of the grapefruit and is also known by its scientific name Citrus Maxima. The fruit is rich in Vitamin C.

While each pomelo tree grows 24 inches per season, it can live from 50-150 years and reach a height of 25 feet.
Each tree annually yields an average of 300 to 400 fruit. Each fruit, typically, weighs 2 to 2.5 kg and is identified by distinctive pink or red juicy carpels.

Source: The Hindu

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