Daily Current Affairs 25 May 2020 | UPSC Current Affairs 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

Daily Current Affairs 25 May 2020 | UPSC Current Affairs 2020 Daily News Teller


    1) Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

    China suggests a shift in the BRI approach amid debt concerns the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Background:

    • China’s grants and loans:
      • A report notes that China’s grants and loans totaled $354.4 billion between 2000 and 2014, of which 23% were granted while the rest were commercial loans at the market or close-to-market rates.
      • The world’s debt to China grew 10 times between 2000 and 2017, with developing countries owing $380 billion to China.
    • COVID-19 crisis:
      • Recently, China has faced calls from countries in Asia and Africa to delay or waive debt repayments because of the economic challenges induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Details:

    • China has hinted at a shift in how it will pursue its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) amid growing concerns about debt repayments from partner countries.
      • China has stated that it will focus on quality in the joint pursuit of the BRI.
      • Instead of offering write-offs, China proposes to offer tailored plans including rescheduling or increasing funding to help related projects resume operation and return profits.
      • China has offered to add grants to help bring projects back to life, conducting debt-to-equity swaps, or hiring Chinese firms to assist the operation of the projects.

    One Belt One Road initiative

    • The OBOR initiative was announced in 2013 by China’s President Xi Jinping. The ‘Belt’ refers to the ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’, which is a series of overland routes reminiscent of the Silk Road of antiquity and the late middle ages, while the ‘Road’ refers to the sea routes, which is also referred to as the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.
    • The OBOR has been referred to as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) since 2016 due to the Chinese government’s consideration of the word ‘one’ is prone to misinterpretation. The Chinese media however still refers to it as the One Belt One Road to this day.

    Objectives of the OBOR

    • Creation of a unified large market that makes use of both international and domestic markets.
    • Facilitate cultural exchange and integration
    • Enhance mutual understanding and trust of member nations that will foster an innovative environment with capital inflows, talent pool, and technology database.
    • To summarise it the ultimate objective of the OBOR will address the infrastructural gap and accelerate potential economic growth across the Asia Pacific region, Africa and Eastern Europe

    India’s Stand on the OBOR initiative

    • The Indian security establishment is deeply suspicious of China’s silk road initiatives.
    • Delhi’s strategic community has long objected to China’s road construction on land frontiers and port-building in the Indian Ocean as “strategic encirclement”.
    • The problem is even more compounded with the presence of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It is the presence of CPEC that actually lends credence to the “strategic encirclement” theory.
    • However, optimists feel India needs to take a fresh look. Canning the issue will be paving the way for India’s marginalization from the unfolding geo-economic Options for India
    Source: The Hindu 

    2) HIL( INDIA) geared to provide locust control Pesticide to Iran

    • Despite logistics and other challenges posed by Covid 19 lockdown HIL (India) Limited a PSU under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers ensured timely production and supply of pesticides for the farming community. 
    • HIL is now in process of production and supply of  25 MT Malathion Technical for supply to locust control program to Iran under Government to Government arrangement.   Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA ) has approached HIL for manufacturing and supply of the said commodity to Iran.
    • The credit rating of Central PSU upgraded to BBB- from BB.which is a stable investment grade.
    • The Company has exported 10 MT of fungicide - Mancozeb to Latin American country, Peru and another 12 MT will be exported in the next one week. 
    • HIL has also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare for the supply of Malathion Technical to Rajasthan and Gujarat for the Locust Control Programme. HIL had manufactured and supplied 67 MT of Malathion Technical  till last week 
    • HIL supplied to malathion Technical to municipal corporations for dengue and chikungunya control program.
    • Supply of 314 MT of DDT 50% up to various states like Rajasthan,  Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, etc was executed as per the supply order placed by the ministry of family welfares, NVBDCP programs .the company is in process of supplying balance quantity of 252 MT to other states.
    • During the lockdown period till 15th May 2020, HIL produced 120 MT of Malathion Technical, 120.40 MT of DDT Technical, 288 MT of DDT 50%, 21 MT of HILGOLD (Water Soluble Fertilizer), 12 MT of Mancozeb Fungicide for Exports and 35 MT of different agrochemical formulations so that farming community and health department may not feel the heat of lockdown. 
    Source: PIB

    3) Emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS-VI notified

    • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification GSR 308(E ) dated 22nd May 2020 regarding the emission norms for the L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS-VI. These norms are applicable from the date of notification. This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all L, M, and N category vehicles in India. The emission norms are in line with the EU with the WMTC cycle. The procedure for testing is laid down in AIS 137-Part 9.

    WHAT ARE BS-VI NORMS

    • Bharat stage (BS) emission standards are laid down by the government to regulate the output of air pollutants from the internal combustion engine and spark-ignition engine equipment, including motor vehicles.
    • The central government has mandated that vehicle makers must manufacture, sell, and register only BS-VI (BS6) vehicles from April 1, 2020.
    • The first emission norms were introduced in India in 1991 for petrol and in 1992 for diesel vehicles. Followed these, the catalytic converter became mandatory for petrol vehicles and unleaded petrol was introduced in the market.

    Difference Between BS4 and BS6

    • Both BS-IV and BS-VI are unit emission norms that set the maximum permissible levels for pollutants that an automotive or a two-wheeler exhaust can emit. Compared to the BS4, BS6 emission standards are stricter. Whereas makers use this variation to update their vehicles with new options and safety standards, the biggest modification comes in the permissible emission norms.

    What area unit BSI, BSII, BSIII, BSIV, and BSVI emission norms?

    • The abbreviation BS, as mentioned above, refers to ‘Bharat Stage’. It is prefixed to the iteration of the actual emission norms. The primary rules with the soubriquet Asian nation 2000 were introduced in the year 2000, with the second and third iterations being introduced in 2001 and 2005 with the soubriquet BSII (BS2) and BSIII (BS3), respectively.
    • The fourth iteration, BSIV, was introduced in 2017 and therefore the delay between the introduction of BS3 and BS4 resulted in fast-tracking the BSVI or BS6 emission norms rather than BSV (BS5) norms.
    • On 29 April 1999, the Supreme Court of India ruled that all vehicles in the country had to meet Euro I or India 2000 norms by June 1, 1999, and Euro II would be mandatory in the National Capital Region (NCR) from April 2000. Carmakers were not prepared for this transition and in a subsequent judgment, the implementation of Euro II was deferred.
    • In 2002, the government accepted the report submitted by the Mashelkar Committee, which proposed a road map for the rollout of Euro-based emission norms in India. It also recommended a phased implementation of future norms, with regulations being implemented in major cities first and extended to the rest of the country after a few years.
    • Based on the recommendations of the committee, the National Auto Fuel policy was announced officially in 2003. The road map for the implementation of the BS norms was laid out until 2010. The policy also created guidelines for auto fuels, reduction of pollution from older vehicles, and R&D for air quality data creation and health administration.
    • The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
    • Since October 2010, Bharat Stage (BS) III norms were enforced across the country. BS-IV emission norms were put in place in 13 major cities from April 2010, and the entire country from April 2017.
    • In 2016, the government announced that the country would skip the BS-V norms altogether and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020.
    • In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court banned the sale and registration of motor vehicles conforming to Bharat Stage IV emission standard in the entire country from 1 April 2020.
    • On 15 November 2017, the Union petroleum ministry, in consultation with public oil marketing companies, decided to bring forward the date of BS-VI grade auto fuels in NCT of Delhi with effect from 1 April 2018, instead of 1 April 2020.
    • In fact, the ministry asked OMCs to examine if introducing BS-VI auto fuels in the whole of the NCR area from 1 April 2019 was possible. The step was taken due to the problem of air pollution faced by Delhi, which became worse around 2019. The decision was met with disarray by the automobile companies, as they had planned their production according to a 2020 road map
    • The phasing out of the 2-stroke engine for two-wheelers, the cessation of production of the Maruti 800, and the introduction of electronic controls have been due to the regulations related to vehicular emissions.
    Source: PIB

    4) Extend loans without fear of 3Cs: FM

    • Financial crisis due to the COVID-19 impact.

    Background:

    • Credit guarantee:
      • As part of the Rs. 20.97 lakh crore economic package, the government has announced the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) worth Rs. 3 lakh crore for the MSME sector.
    • Fear of 3C’s:
      • It has often been alleged that genuine bonafide decisions in the banking sector are being impacted because of the worry of undue harassment by 3Cs — Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

    Details:

    • The Finance Minister has called on the banks to extend loans automatically to eligible borrowers without ‘fear of 3Cs — CBI, CVC, and CAG’.
    • The government has argued that the banks should not be scared to extend loans like a 100% guarantee is being given by the government.
    • In case of default, the individual bank or official will not be hauled up.

    Way forward:

    • Everybody eligible for additional term loan and additional working capital should be given loans from the bank.
    • The government has also emphasized that loans should be sanctioned simply and if possible, digitally to avoid any physical contact.
    • The government hopes that this step will ensure that liquidity would start flowing from banks without any new collateral.
    Source: The Hindu

    5)  More area under cotton crop this season

    Kharif season sowing in Punjab and Haryana.

    Details:

    • Farmers in Punjab and Haryana have sown more cotton this Kharif season as against last year on account of a possible labor shortage owing to the migrant labor movement. The farmers are apprehensive about the return of the migrant labor by June-July.
    • Cotton is a less labor-intensive crop than paddy.
    • The state governments of Punjab and Haryana have also discouraged farmers from growing rice given the high water requirements for rice. The government has been promoting diversification of crops in the light of declining groundwater levels in the state.

    Additional information:

    • In Punjab and Haryana, Bt cotton is sown in over 95% of the total area under cotton cultivation, the remaining 5% usually has indigenous cotton varieties.
    Source: The Hindu

    6) Data leak detected by the Cybersecurity firm, Cyble.

    Personal details of about 2.90 crore Indian job seekers have been found dumped on the darknet, raising concerns among cybercrime agencies and experts in India over a massive data breach.

    Concerns:

    • Sensitive information:
      • This breach includes sensitive information such as names, addresses, email, contact numbers, home address, qualification, work experience, etc. of job seekers.
      • Such personal information could aid cybercriminals to conduct various nefarious activities such as identity thefts, scams, and corporate espionage.
    • The leak from job sites:
      • Though the exact source of the leak is not yet detected, the leak appears to have occurred from a resume aggregator service. This is a concern given the high popularity of such sites among the job-seeking populace.
    Source: The Hindu

    7) Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)

    • Adivasi Ekatmik Samajik Sanstha” of Shahapur in Thane, which markets Giloy and other products. Giloy is a medicinal plant with huge demand from pharmaceutical companies. They Marketed through 
    Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)

    About Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)

    • Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is a retail marketing-led value addition plan for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), meant for forest-based tribes to optimize the tribal income, locally. Under the program, MFP-based tribal groups/enterprises of around 300 members are formed for collection, value addition, packaging & marketing of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs).
    • These tribal enterprises will be in the form of Van Dhan SHGs which will be a group of 15-20 members and such 15 SHG groups will further be federated into a larger group of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKS) of around 300 members.
    • TRIFED will support the VDVKs through providing them with model business plans, processing plans & a tentative list of equipment for carrying out the value-added work of MFPs. The details would be made available on the TRIFED’s website.
    Source: PIB

    8) Kangra Tea could lower coronavirus activity better than HIV drugs

    • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is likely to replace hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with anti-HIV drugs to improve immunity and possibly reduce viral replication, in the revised protocol. However, the chemicals in Kangra tea could also be effective in boosting immunity as they can block coronavirus activity better than anti-HIV drugs
    • The benefits of Kangra tea for society and industry,  medicinal properties of tea for human health, and the technologies developed and transferred by IHBT for combating COVID-19 disease. “Using computer-based models, the scientists screened 65 bioactive chemicals or polyphenols that could bind to a specific viral protein more efficiently than commercially available anti-HIV drugs approved for treating COVID-19 patients. These chemicals might block the activity of the viral protein that helps the virus to thrive inside human cells
    • IHBT, a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has also produced and supplied the alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing tea extract and natural aromatic oils through its technology partners. The Institute has developed herbal soap with tea extract, natural saponins, and without SLES (sodium Laureth sulfate), SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), and mineral oil. This soap provides anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, cleansing, and moisturizing benefits. The soap is being produced and marketed by two companies based in Himachal Pradesh.
    • “Tea catechins production process which has been transferred to M/s Baijnath Pharmaceuticals, and Ready to Serve Teas and Tea wines which could be game-changer for Kangra tea”, added Dr. Kumar. Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits.
    • On this occasion, Tea vinegar technology has been transferred to a company based in Dharmshala. Tea vinegar has anti-obesity properties. Also Herbal Green and Black Teas blended with AYUSH-recommended herbs were launched. These products could be very useful for boosting immunity against COVID-19, say IHBT scientists.
    Source: PIB

    9) World Turtle Day

    • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), along with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), its project partner in the ‘Biodiversity Conservation Initiative Phase II’, celebrated World Turtle Day
    • Padma Vibhushan Dr. Anil P Joshi appreciated the success of Ganga Praharis to further the awareness of biodiversity conservation in villages. He said, “More than 41% amphibian, 31% Coral, and 33% fish species are now extinct. We have to take up biodiversity conservation as a very serious subject”.

    About

    • The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
    • World Turtle Day is celebrated around the globe in a variety of ways, from dressing up as turtles or wearing green summer dresses, to saving turtles caught on highways, to research activities. Turtle Day lesson plans and craft projects encourage teaching about turtles in classrooms.

    Promoting organizations

    • Founded in 1990, American Tortoise Rescue is the founding sponsor of World Turtle Day invented by Miss E. Russell. The term "WORLD TURTLE DAY" is trademarked by Susan Tellem of Malibu, California.
    • Featured in Chase's Book of Annual Events, the day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.
    • In 2013, over 160 free Turtle Day lesson plans and teaching materials were sent out to classrooms for use with over 5,500 students. Lesson plans were provided by the Turtle and Tortoise Preservation Group (TTPG), an organization that is open to all people interested in the welfare of chelonians.
    Source: PIB

    10) “Hunar Haat” to restart from September 2020

    • After a gap of about 5 months due to the Corona pandemic, “Hunar Haat”, which has become “Empowerment Exchange” of artisans and craftsmen from across the country, will restart from September 2020 with the theme of “Local to Global” and comparatively larger participation of artisans.
    • “Hunar Haat”, which has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 5 lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts, and other people associated with them in the last 5 years, have become popular among the people. “Hunar Haat”, which provides market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country, has become a credible brand of rare exquisite indigenous handmade products.
    • As a matter of fact, the repertoire comprising traditional attires, handicrafts, carpets, utensils, Bamboo & brass products, Phulkari of Punjab, exotic leatherwork of Andhra Pradesh, beautiful paintings from Tamilnadu, brass products of Uttar Pradesh, Bhadohi carpets, copper work of Kutch, several musical instruments & innumerable stories; the vivid mosaic of the pan- Indian art & culture was truly unique.
    • The Minority Affairs Ministry has organized more than 2 dozen “Hunar Haat” so far across the country where lakhs of artisans, craftsmen have been provided employment and employment opportunities through these “Hunar Haat”.
    • In the coming days, “Hunar Haat” will be organized in Chandigarh, Delhi, Prayagraj, Bhopal, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Dehradun, Patna, Nagpur, Raipur, Puducherry, Amritsar, Jammu, Shimla, Goa, Kochi, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Indore, Ranchi, Lucknow, and other places.
    Source: PIB

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