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(The Gist of PIB) DBT, ICAR sign MoU for promotion of agricultural biotechnology research

DBT, ICAR sign MoU for promotion of agricultural biotechnology research

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has undertaken several activities and programs to promote Biotechnology Research & Development in the areas of Agriculture Biotechnology.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in Agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
• In order to leverage the efforts, the DBT and ICAR has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for much-needed emphasis on multi-disciplinary R&D activities and nurturing innovations in Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Education.

Important highlights

• Five to ten focused programmes both short, medium and long term will be developed and implemented.
• The secretary informed that major facilities and technology platforms created by both the agencies will be accessible to the National systems and a joint working group will be constituted to take the partnership forward.
• The collaborations also encompass to promote agri-innovations and start-ups, through the well established BIRAC mechanism.
• This flagship synergistic approach would be taken-up in mission mode through networking with the elite institutions in the Country.
• The MoU between ICAR and DBT is for mutual collaboration to explore the possibility of cooperation, convergence and synergy to promote and accelerate the progress of research and training in various disciplines of agricultural biotechnology between ICAR and DBT.
• The MoU will be implemented with the aim to collaborate with one another in mutually agreed-upon research programmes in the areas of agricultural biotechnology, funding of projects, policy issues, regulatory aspects, and other specified areas of National interest.

Objectives

• The specific objectives are to plan and implement jointly the mutually agreed major National programmes through joint funding and sharing of resources in the priorities areas of agricultural biotechnology;
• To form common think tank of experts from ICAR and DBT and others to formulate policies; to establish National platform/centres for services related to genomics, genotyping, data banking, agriculture bioinformatics, GM food detection, validation of technologies such as vaccines, diagnostics of veterinary/ fisheries use, molecular markers in crop and animal breeding;
• To formulate and introduce courses/training programmes in the area of IPR, biosafety, biodiversity conservation and germplasm exchange, genomic selection and breeding for faculty and students through appropriate mechanisms and; research prioritization with other ministries and foreign collation like Indo-UK SIC, BRICS, African countries and ‘Look East’ programme in relation to agricultural biotechnology.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) iHaper DL1 Smart Desk Lamp

iHaper DL1 Smart Desk Lamp

• LED Desk Lamp Company has created iHaper DL1 Smart Desk Lamp designed for Apple users.
• The brightness of this lamp can be easily adjusted by a voice command from Siri.
• The lamp has a unique branch structure which can be split into two different parts and each has a unique function like the larger “twigs” for table lamps; the 14 cm/5.5 inches “twigs" can be taken down as emergency flashlights.
• The lamp uses high quality LED beads with no stroboscopic and blue light.
• It has four brightness levels like height and angle adjustment, support and touch controller system.
• The lamp will automatically turn on when you come closer and dim or go off when you are away from it.
   

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

Current Question : The unregulated use of private datasets in governance has made more visible, or are being invisiblised, through the use of this data. Discuss (15 Marks/250 words)

Model Answer :

The unregulated use of private datasets in governance also has consequences for the people and communities who are being made more visible, or are being invisiblised, through the use of this data. While the government has historically relied on qualitative methods like the census for understanding populations and their needs, the shift to quantitative methods and “big data” relies upon private datasets, which were created and used in a completely different context and for different purposes.

Inevitably, such data will be incomplete for the purpose of governance, and replete with the biases of the private entity creating and analysing the data. In the absence of regulation which carefully considers its limitations, using such data to target beneficiaries or for economic planning can have hazardous consequences — including arbitrary denial or exclusion from critical government services; or through biased and discriminatory planning which replicates biased data and risks undermining important legal principles such as the right to equality before the law.

The regulation of non-personal data must take into account both the potential harms to individual privacy as well as the wider social and political consequences of such “datafication” of government.

This is ostensibly why an expert committee was established to look specifically into the governance of non-personal data, even while the PDP Bill was expected to limit its scope to personal data of individuals. Instead of jeapordising both these goals and putting the cart before the horse, as the PDP Bill has done, the Gopalakrishnan committee must be allowed to deliberate and inform a public consensus on the appropriate models of governance of non-personal data. (Total Words- 264)

(Linkages : Private Datasets and Governance, Private Data and Regulation, Non- Personal Data and Gopala krishnan Committee )

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) JUTE INDUSTRY: SCENARIO AND OPPORTUNITIES

JUTE INDUSTRY: SCENARIO AND OPPORTUNITIES

Introduction:

• Jute industry is one of the oldest textile industries involving directly or indirectly a large number of people.
• Today, sustainability of this industry is being questioned in different forums. Possible facts which are responsible to sustain this industry have been discussed elaborately. It also covers different segments of this industry wherein, their present scenario and future requirements for sustainability and opportunities are explained.
• A study has been made to cover product manufacturing, machine manufacturing and marketing industries associated with this industry. Diversification of process and product are the important aspects for self-sustenance of this industry.

1. Introduction: History and Present Scenario of Jute Industry-An overview

• Among several natural fibres, Jute is next to cotton as per availability is concerned. It is second to flax origins in Mediterranean region and later it came to India. Based on the records, jute was known as 'patta' in 800 BC. It has been popular for more than a century for its industrial applications mainly as packaging material in different sectors, agricultural and geo-textile application and carpet backing.
• Since 17th to 20th century, the jute industry in India was delegated by the British East India Company, which was the first jute trader. Palit and Kajaria, 2007 documented several historical events which were evidence for the growth of the jute industry.
• In 1854, the first jute mill/factory in India was established at Rishira, which is about 20 km north of Calcutta. The jute industry made tremendous progress in the later part of the 19th century. Later during the 19th century, the manufacturing of jute has started in other countries like in France, America, Italy, Austria, Russia, Belgium and Germany. Most of the Jute tycoons had started to quit India, leaving the set up of jute mills during Independence after which the Indian businessmen owned most of the jute mills.
• In recent days, jute textile industry is one of the major industries catering the eastern part of India, particularly in West Bengal. This industry supports around 40 lakh farm families and provides direct employment to 2.6 lakh industrial workers and 1.4 lakh in the tertiary sector.
• The production process in the Jute Industry passes through a variety of actions, which begins with the cultivation of raw jute, processing of jute fibres, spinning, weaving, bleaching, dyeing, finishing and marketing of both, the raw jute and its finished products. As such its labour-output ratio is also high in spite of various difficulties being faced by the industry. Capacity utilization of the industry is around 75 per cent. Jute industry contributes to the export earnings in the range of Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1, 200 crore annually.

2. Problems Associated in Jute Industries:

• In India, jute industry suffered a serious setback in 1947 due to the partition of the subcontinent. After partition about 80 percent of the jute growing areas went to East Pakistan (Bangladesh), while nearly 90 per cent jute mills remained in India. In 1959, the international demand of jute products decreased substantially as a result of which 112 jute factories were closed down. At present there are only 60 jute producing mills in India. Most of these mills are along the Hooghly River, especially to the north of Kolkata.
• Since the establishment of this industry, most of the jute industries till today are being producing the age old products like jute sacking and hessian as packaging material and some extent carpet backing. These products in total account around 95 per cent of the total production of the industry. Only countable industries are involved in diversified product development process for commercial purposes. These products are mostly laminated jute fabric, geo-textile, industrial textiles, etc.
• This specific industry is also using the age-old machinery to produce jute yarns and fabrics (except 2-3 countable industry). Due to the use of very old primitive machinery, the efficiency of the machines is not up to the mark (in an average within 80 per cent). Due to frequent breakdowns, defective and inferior quality products are being made. No modernization has been made in machinery development and automation. This in total requires more manpower with the cost of production is increasing day-by-day which proves to be a challenge for the industry.
• Apart from these, there is stiff competition with synthetic industry for similar packaging material, as the synthetic material is much cheaper in nature.
• According to the Jute Packaging Norms and Legal Protection to Jute Cultivators the Parliament of India had enacted the JPM (Jute Packaging Mandatory) Act, 1987 with an objective to protect the Jute industry. As per this act, the food grain and sugar produced is reserved and mandatorily packed in jute bags manufactured every year.
• The Government of India, recently found that the jute industry could not match demands in 2011- 12 for supply of 13 lakh bales or 4.33 lakh tons of gunny bags for Rabi crop supply of 2012 - 13. Government said that with 10 mills remaining closed the jute industry is short in capacity by 1.5 lakh ton. Presently, it can produce 11lakh tons of jute sacks / gunny bags. Its installed capacity however is 15.02 lakh tons and assuming 83 per cent utilization its stated capacity is 12.47 lakh tons. The industry earns a business of around Rs. 10,000 crore by selling its entire produce to FCI (Food Corporation of India), sugar mills, co-operatives and in the Indian market apart from the export. FCI makes a bulk purchase of almost 35-40 per cent of jute mills produce. In 2012-13 FCI is expected to purchase 6.34 lakh tons and 4.33 lakh jute/ gunny bags.
• Apart from the above problems, in India, jute industry suffers a lot from different political interference, labour problem, shortage of jute fibre supply due to low rainfall among other issues leading to challenge the sustainability of the jute industry.

3. Sustainability and Opportunities in Jute Industry:

• Today with the advent of science, a lot of diversified products has been developed from jute and jute-based material, which has more cost-benefit ratio. The Indian Jute industry has been expanding really fast spanning from a wide range of lifestyle consumer products, courtesy to the versatility of Jute.
• Innovative ways of bleaching, dyeing and finished goods processes – the jute industry now provides finished jute products that are softer and have luster with aesthetic appeal. Today Jute has been defined as eco-friendly natural fiber with utmost versatility ranging from low value geo-textiles to high value carpets, decorative, apparels, composites, upholstery furnishings, etc.
• One can look into the important properties of jute fibre since it has huge diversifying potentiality. Advantages of jute include good insulating and antistatic properties, as well as having low thermal conductivity and a moderate moisture regain.
• It include acoustic insulating properties and manufacture with no skin irritations. Jute has the ability to be blended with other fibres, both synthetic and natural, and accepts cellulosic dye classes such as natural, basic, vat, sulfur, reactive, and pigment dyes. While relatively cheap synthetic materials in many uses are replacing jute, but jute's biodegradable nature is suitable for the storage of food materials, where synthetics would be unsuitable.

Conclusions and Impending:

• Application of jute area must be increased. India needs to work on quality by adopting new technologies. Jute Research organizations such as ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata, IJIRA, Kolkata, Department of Jute and Fibre Technology, Kolkata, Directorate of Jute Development, National Jute Board, etc.must work together to utilize resources for the betterment of the industry.
• Government must make efforts in R&D to strengthen the jute industry and implement newer technologies, diversified products and improved machinery through intensive modernization. These will fetch more profit and has less market competition (synthetic counterpart) due to its eco-friendly property which has good prospects in the coming days.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(GIST OF YOJANA)  Mission Indradhanush 2.0

Mission Indradhanush 2.0

Introduction:

• The Government of India is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of health and well-being for the nation. Immunisation programme is a critical component of its commitment towards Universal Health Coverage. It is integral to India’s efforts of reducing the burden of vaccine preventable diseases and achieving universal care for children.
• Over the years, efforts have been fruitful and proved India’s belief in quality, equitable, and affordable health care for all.
• An Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 2.0 is being carried out between December 2019-March 2020 to deliver a programme that is informed by the lessons learnt from the previous phases and seeks to escalate efforts to achieve the goal of attaining a 90% national immunisation coverage across India.
• The programme will be delivered in 271 districts of 27 States and 652 blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar among hard-to-reach and tribal populations.

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Salient Features:

• Immunisation activity will be in four rounds over 7 working days excluding the RI days, Sundays and holidays;
• Enhanced Immunisation session with flexible timing, mobile session and mobilisation by other departments;
• Enhanced focus on left outs, dropouts, and resistant families and hard to reach areas;
• Focus on urban, under-served population and tribal areas;
• Inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination;
• Enhance political, administrative and financial commitment through advocacy;
• Intensified Mission Indradhanush Immunisation drive, consisting of 4 rounds of Immunisation will be conducted in the selected districts and urban cities between December 2019- March 2020;
• After the completion of the proposed 4 rounds, the States will be expected to undertake measures to sustain the gains from IMI, through activities like inclusion of IMI sessions in routine Immunisation plans. The sustainability of IMI will be assessed through a survey.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter)  Bizarre World of Plant-Animal Chimaera

Bizarre World of Plant-Animal Chimaera

• The term ‘chimaera’ is used to refer to organisms with their bodies encompassing parts from other organisms. As a figment of human imagination, one can find chimaeras in mythologies around the world.
• Many humans have also claimed to possess plant-like photosynthetic attributes. The concept of breatharianism or “Inedia” (Latin for fasting) is based on the belief that human beings have plant-like essence within, and can live without food forever; all we need is water and sunlight. However, most of these claims have been invalidated by modern scientific research; breatharianism is now considered to be a form of pseudoscience.

Endosymbionts

• Hatena arenicola is one such extraordinary animal discovered in the year 2000 by two Japanese scientists. The scientists observed single-celled animals (flagellate eukaryotes) living on a beach in Japan with chloroplasts the photosynthesising organelle.
• Animal cells usually do not contain chloroplasts one of the principal distinguishing characteristics between animals and plants.
• Endosymbiosis (endo = inside, symbiosis = living together) is a prominent theory in cell biology first formulated by Russian botanist Konstantin Mereschkowski in 1905 explaining the origin of organelles intracellular membrane–bound structures of eukaryotes (cells with true nucleus and organelles). The theory posits that eukaryotes originated when a prokaryote (bacteria) ingested yet another bacteria. The ingested bacteria, instead of getting digested, stayed there and evolved into an organelle that divides when its host cell divides.

Symbionts

• A relationship with algae has been reported for yet another amphibian, the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus). Tadpoles of this toad secrete inorganic nutrients that render green algae of the genus Chlorogonium attracted to it. The algae grow on the tadpoles as an appendage, providing oxygen and food to the developing frog. The tadpole provides nutrients and carbon dioxide for the growth of the algae.
• The mutualism between tadpoles and algae is an example of symbiosis long-term interaction of two organisms – and is different from endosymbiosis. The key difference is that in the case of endosymbiosis, one organism becomes an organelle within the cells of another organism, while in the case of symbiosis both the organisms are separate living entities. Animal-plant symbiosis is indeed a well-documented phenomenon.

Solar-powered Animals

• There are some animals that can harvest solar energy without these algal partners; they don’t even need chloroplasts. Like the pigment chlorophyll, xanthopterin traps sunlight and converts it into electricity. The voltage through biochemical intermediates including ATPs (Adenosine Triphosphate, the ubiquitous intracellular fuel), powers the hornet’s locomotion. Stored electricity is also released as light during darkness.

Plant-like Animals and Animal like Plants

• There are several plant-like animals, such as sea anemones, northern corals, hydroids, bryozoans, tube worms, barnacles, sponges, sea squirts and so on.
• These sessile (immobile) marine animals would look like plants for a non-specialist diver.
• Keeda jadi (“Insect Plant”), a pricey mountain product especially from Uttarakhand region and an ingredient in traditional medicine with supposedly aphrodisiac properties, is not exactly a plant. It is the product of entomopathogenic fungal (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) fruiting bodies parasitizing on ghost moth (Hepialus humuli) caterpillars, and contain a dangerous amount of heavy metal arsenic.

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(The Gist of PIB) Saksham 2019

Saksham 2019

• Saksham’, an annual high intensity one-month long people-centric mega campaign of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• It was launched by Sh. Rajiv Bansal, Addl. Secretary & Financial Adviser, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• Various interactive programs and activities are being planned by PCRA, Public Sector upstream /downstream Oil & Gas companies during the month long ‘Saksham-2019’.

Key highlights

• ‘Saksham’ Cycle Day in 200 cities, Cyclothons, Short Film making contest on MyGov, Workshops for drivers of commercial vehicles, Seminars for housewives/cooks on adopting simple fuel saving measure, Nationwide campaign through Radio, TV, Digital Cinemas, Outdoor media etc.
• It will be conducted, with a focus on reaching out to various segments of fuel users.
• PCRA is going to utilize the social media platforms for various customized campaigns through Facebook, twitter, MyGov platform.

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(The Gist of PIB) Atal Bhujal Yojana

Atal Bhujal Yojana

The World Bank has approved Atal BhujalYojana (ABHY), a Rs.6,000 Crore Central Sector Scheme, for sustainable management of ground water resources with community participation.

Key highlights:

• The scheme envisages active participation of the communities in various activities such as formation of Water User Associations, monitoring and disseminating ground water data, water budgeting, preparation and implementation of Gram-Panchayat wise water security plans and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities related to sustainable groundwater management.
• The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank.
• The identified over-exploited and water stressed areas for the implementation of the scheme fall in the States of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• The States have been selected according to a number of criteria, including degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation, established legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and experience in implementing initiatives related to groundwater management.

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(The Gist of PIB) National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management

The Ministry set up the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai to undertake studies and research in the area of Coastal Zone Management including coastal resources and environment.

Key Objectives:

• Strive for being a World Class Knowledge Institution related to coastal zones, environment, resources and processes,
• To promote integrated and sustainable management of the coastal and marine areas in India for the benefit and wellbeing of the traditional coastal and island communities, and
• Advise the Union and State Governments and other associated stakeholder(s) on policy, and scientific matters related to Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

Other highlights:

• The six (06) research divisions of the NCSCM are: Geospatial Sciences, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Integrated Social Sciences and Economics, Coastal environmental impact assessment, Conservation of Coastal and Marine Resources, Knowledge, Governance and Policy, and Futuristic Research and Integrated Island Management Unit.
• Survey of India and NCSCM have mapped the Hazard Line for the entire coast of India, which includes vulnerability mapping of flood, erosion and sea level rise.
• The outputs will be used by all the coastal States and UTs in managing coastal vulnerability in the coming years and as a tool for preparation of disaster management plans.
• The Government of India is committed to taking all necessary steps in supporting NCSCM to achieve its goals, in its efforts to develop into a world class institution.
• NCSCM is partnering with leading national and international research institutions and agencies through advanced research, networking, scientific committees and peer reviewed publications in international journals.
• NCSCM is mandated to disseminating knowledge pertaining to coastal management by capacity building at all levels for the benefit of coastal communities and stakeholders.
• NCSCM’s Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Plan has been developed on international standards that can be replicated in other parts of the World. Science based knowledge on coastal management developed by the Centre is used extensively for policy decisions.
• NCSCM’s cutting-edge research infrastructure provides for world class research outputs and decision support system that directly enables policy decisions. NCSCM’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities provide an excellent opportunity to other Indian universities, Research Institutes, Government agencies for a collaborative research with NCSCM in the field of integrated coastal management.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) Fidmi Enteral Feeding Device

Fidmi Enteral Feeding Device

• ISRAEL based company Fidmi Medical has created a low profile Enteral Feeding Device.
• The device is mainly designed to overcome dislodgements and clogging type of conditions.
• The device has semi rigid internal bumper, flexible port and disposable feeding tube.
• The low profile gastrostomy system helps patients to receive long-term nutritional support.
• These are typically placed endoscopically and need to be replaced every 3-6 months.
• The device can be utilized for both initial placement and replacement and have many more features which make patients comfortable.
• The device’s improved low-profile gastrostomy tube is placed just like any standard Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube but has an easily replaceable inner tube that can be changed by patients without the need to re-enter the healthcare system for replacement procedures.

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) BAMBOO INDUSTRY: CRAFTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL PEOPLE

BAMBOO INDUSTRY: CRAFTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL PEOPLE

Introduction:

• Bamboo is an integral part of our life and culture, as it is used in religious ceremonies, art and music. Thus it is o mystical plant that engulfs our daily lives. For tribal and forest dwellers “bamboo for living and living with bamboo” is still the norm.
  This offers an excellent starting point in increasing employment, income generation and improving nutritional status of rural poor. Since bamboo can provide the basis for expanding small and medium enterprise sector, it offers an effective mechanism for rural poverty alleviation and livelihood securities.

New Initiatives boosting bamboo cultivation:

1. In order to boost bamboo cultivation on a commercial level, the Government of Himachal Pradesh (HP) will constitute a State Level Bamboo Development Agency (SLBDA) along with setting up of bamboo economic zones as per industry requirement. Many areas in the lower parts of HP have immense potential for growing bamboo which is in great demand by industries. As such, the setting up of a board would help farmers to take to bamboo cultivation, specifically in view of heavy demand from industries.
2. The Government of Telangana has decided in June, 2018 to launch a massive bamboo plantations project on 506 hectares (1,250 acres) to provide a source of sustainable income to farmers.
3. Maharashtra State is quite keen on promoting bamboo as a source of income for farmers. In August, 2018 it created the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board (MBDB) for this purpose. It ensures that village communities have total control over the sale of bamboo and not the Forest Department. It even set up a bamboo research centre funded by the Tata Group.
4. Japanese Government may extend help to Mizoram in the development of its bamboo industry and road construction projects. Along with this, it may help in alleviating the impact of natural disasters in the area. The push will be towards setting up an industry for the value addition to the state's bamboo resources. It lacks major industry that could harness the potential of its resources.
5. TRIFED, an apex body under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India would open establishments to train tribal people in using bamboo optimally with zero waste and make agarbatti, matchboxes and even textiles. This would help in augmenting tribals' income and opening of markets.

Way forward:

• To arrest the pace of land degradation in the country, a national programme of intensive bamboo plantation involving all stakeholders need to be undertaken beyond 2019-20.
• Following the footsteps of China, Indian Government needs to support rural farmers to establish bamboo plantations in barren lands and slopes. The national housing scheme (PMAY) should utilize bamboo as a construction material. Developing bamboo as a load bearing structural element would pave the way for its high value application in construction which can make bamboo cultivation an economically viable way of greening the vast wastelands (Smita Chugh, Bamboo-A Green Option for Housing).
• Edible bamboo has huge demand in East Asian cuisine and medicine. Bamboo grown in the North East (which is 66 percent of growing bamboo stock in India) can be exported to East Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan for competitive prices with the Government's support. There is a big market in the agarbatti industry. India imports 35,000 tonnes of round sticks from Vietnam and China. Earlier, square ones were hand made from bamboo, in the North East. But when the technology changed and machines took over, round sticks were preferred.
• India produces 3,000 tonnes of them. The entire activity can be indigenised by local cultivation of bamboo of a particular variety required by the industry. It is observed that illegal bamboo export to Bangladesh and Myanmar accounts for 13 percent of usage. As mentioned before that the country imports sizeable bamboo stocks due to shortage, there is an urgent need to stop this illegal trading of bamboo.

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(GIST OF YOJANA)  Addressing Stubble Burning with Cooperative Model

Addressing Stubble Burning with Cooperative Model

Introduction:

• Pollution by stubble burning lias become an annual phenomenon in large parts of northern India. Rice-growing States including Punjab. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi add to the problem of stubble burning. Managing the stubble becomes a constraint for the farmers because of the adopted cropping pattern.
• The only reason to burn this asset that can yield income and fertility to the soil is the small gap of time between harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat, the other main crop. Also, the fanners have limited access to dispose of the straw, clean the land and prepare the seedbed for wheat well in time.
• Rice was not a traditional crop of Punjab; but with increased availability of electricity, the number of tube wells increased, which in turn increased the areas for cultivation of paddy replacing the areas under cultivation of pulses and other commercial crops in the kharif season.
• Punjab had been contributing about 60 per cent of the share in the food stocks of paddy even with only 1.5 percent of the area. Apart from burning of paddy straw, the State has other problems like overuse of chemicals, depletion in the water table, etc.

Disposing stubble is not a problem:

• Disposing the paddy straw is not a problem that has no solution; rather, it is simple and remunerative and must be adopted at the earliest. Fanners of Punjab arc known for their ability, initiatives and entrepreneurial spirits.
• They would immediately adopt anything that is remunerative, but sometimes the encouragement and sponsorship of the State become imperative. The Minimum Support Price (MSP) was provided to paddy along with its marketing assurance by State procurement. There are only two crops, wheat and paddy, that have assured marketing through State procurement.
• But for 23 other crops for which MSP is announced, State procurement is not assured. Reduction of the sizable area under paddy would not be a feasible alternative in order to ensure enough food stock.
• The issue of straw burning has to be settled through other measures like manufacturing of paper and cardboard, production of mushroom where paddy straw can be used as raw material, etc. But there is scepticism that an individual farmer may not install such a unit irrespective of the size of the farm he is holding.
• Also, a single unit even of the largest size cannot be economical because the straw is spread throughout the area and transportation to a single point would be a big constraint.
• Therefore, the cooperative model already experienced in the dairy is the most viable and prudent option in addressing this problem. There is a need of at least two cardboard and paper manufacturing units in every block.

Cooperative society:

• A cooperative society in the area with the membership of local farmers and farm labourers can be formed and such units must be affiliated to the apex body of the State federation of cooperative for rice straw management. The Cooperative Department is already in the field to sponsor and help cooperative ventures.
• Such patronisation can yield the most desirable results not only to tackle this problem but also to generate income and employment in the State. Production of bio-gas needs technical help and extension services.
• The cooperative umbrella of the same pattern can however help the farmers and farm labourers throughout the State in this venture.

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Highlights about the model:

• Dr. G.S. Bhalla, renowned economist, in his study had concluded that a holding with less than 10 acre is unable to provide sufficient income to maintain their moderate standard of living but in Punjab 89% of the farmers have their holding less than this size.
• These farmers are therefore unable to take any risk either of volatile price or of marketing. In the case of rice, price and marketing is assured.
• The same assurance has to be granted for the alternative crops to increase the area of cultivation under them. Basmati is a variety of rice that is grown on the river banks, India and Pakistan being its major producers.
• The supply cannot fulfil the demand of foreign orders. Punjab cannot discard this single much paying export crop, albeit it involves the problem of stubble burning. Basmati is the single crop that is exported worth about Rs 2688 million (Raj Kumar and Singh 2019) in the year 2017-18, where Punjab is a main contributor.
• Stubble burning has to be stopped. But looking into the real problem at micro as well as macro level concerned with food security and concerns of the farm community at large, it should be dealt sympathetically with the alternative measures, and cooperative model stands out to be the most appropriate approach to address this problem, which is more viable and sustainable.
• Small-scale farmers would be satisfied with less but assured income than to drift towards commercial crops irrespective of their profit that have any risk of fluctuating price and yield.

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(The Gist of PIB) UNNATI- Uni space Nano satellite Assembly & Training Programme of ISRO

UNNATI- Uni space Nano satellite Assembly & Training Programme of ISRO

• Space Technology has been provided with more budgetary allocations during the last five years and now it is utilised in Infrastructure Developments like roads, Railway lines and most importantly in disaster management, said Union Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
• He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating the UNNATI- (Unispace Nanosatellite Assembly & Training) programme organized by ISRO in Bengaluru today.
• The Minister said that application of Science & Technology has become more in our day-today activities.
• Space Technology in India has entered every household. Space security is the in-thing and it will be on top priority in future.
• The Minister appreciated the efforts of ISRO in launching various satellites and its space programmes, particularly Chandrayaan Mission.

About the program

• UNNATI, a capacity building programme on Nanosatellite development, is an initiative by ISRO to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space (UNISPACE-50).
• The programme provides opportunities to the participating developing countries to strengthen in assembling, integrating and testing of Nanosatellite. UNNATI programme is planned to be conducted for 3 years by U.R. Rao Satellite Centre of ISRO in 3 batches and will target to benefit officials of 45 countries.
• The first batch started today in which 30 delegates from 17 countries are participating.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) Schwarzite – New Form of Carbon Created 

Schwarzite – New Form of Carbon Created 

• A completely new form of carbon has been created. 
• Dubbed ​ Schwarzite’​, ​ this new form of carbon is negatively curved unlike fullerenes (the 3-D form of 
• carbon) and graphene (the 2-D form of carbon) which have positive and zero curvature, respectively. 
• Zeolites, crystalline form of silicon dioxides and more commonly used as water softeners in laundry detergents and to catalytically crack petroleum into gasoline, turned out to be the key component in taking this carbon form from theory into reality. 
• The details of the research have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

Origin of this development 

• The theoretical development of schwarzites dates back to the 1880s when German physicist Herman Schwarz investigated curved surfaces that resembled soap bubble surfaces. Much  later, in the 1990s, when work on carbon cage molecules was in progress, Schwarz’s name became attached to the hypothetical negatively-curved carbon sheets. 
• Researchers working in South Korea and Japan were investigating Zeolite-Templated Carbons (ZTCs) – crystalline form of silicon dioxide with carbon structure built into them and  checking for any interesting properties. 
• They accidentally created schwarzites although they were unaware of it. 
• The importance of the work of the scientists was noticed by the University of California, Berkeley, chemists who identified these ZTC materials as schwarzites based on their negative  curvature. 
• Berend Smit, an adjunct professor of chemistry and biomolecular engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, along with his team demonstrated that it was possible to create these (ZTC) structures by injecting a vapour containing carbon into zeolites. Once inside, the carbon assembles into a graphene-like sheet that lines the walls of the pores in the zeolite. In doing so, the surface stretches to minimise the area. 
• As schwarzites are topologically minimal surfaces, they tend to acquire negative curvature. The zeolite is then dissolved to produce pure schwarzites. 
• According to scientists, ​ it would be possible to pack unusually large amounts of electrical charge into schwarzites which would make them better capacitors than conventional ones used today in electronics. 
• Their large interior volume would also allow storage of atoms and molecules, which is also being explored with fullerenes and nanotubes. 
• Moreover, their large surface area, equivalent to the surface areas of the zeolites they are grown in, could make them as versatile as zeolites for catalysing reactions in the petroleum and natural gas industries. 

Key findings 

• The team found that of the approximately 200 zeolites created to date only 15 can be used as a template to make schwarzites and only three of them have been used to produce schwarzite ZTCs. However, over a million zeolite structures have been predicted. 
• There could be many more possible schwarzite carbon structures made using the elite templating method, say the researchers who developed a way to predict which zeolites can be used to make schwarzites and which cannot be so used. 
• Optimisation of these structures could prove highly beneficial. In the past discovering new forms of carbon has yielded exciting technological revolutions having great potential       applications in the form of fullerenes and graphene discoveries which were awarded by Nobel Prizes in Chemistry in 1996 and Physics in 2010, respectively. 
• Though the application of schwarzites remains to be seen, the scientists speculate that their unique electronic, magnetic and optical properties can make them useful as supercapacitors, battery electrodes and catalysts, and with their large internal spaces ideal for gas storage and separation. 

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(The Gist of Kurukshetra)  MISSION INDRADHANUSH 2.0: REITERATING INDIA’S COMMITMENT

MISSION INDRADHANUSH 2.0: REITERATING INDIA’S COMMITMENT TO VACCINES FOR ALL

Introduction

The government is poised to Lund, intensified Mission Indradhanush (Ml) 2.0 between December 2019-March 2020 to deliver programme that is informed by the lessons learned from the previous phases, and seek, to escalate efforts to achieve the goal of attaining a 90 per rent national immunization coverage across India. The programme will be delivered in 271 districts of 27 states and 652 blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar among hard-to-reach and tribal populations.

Key highlights

The Government had launched 'Expanded Program for Immunization' in 1978, which was later termed as the 'Universal Immunization Program (UIP) in 1985 aiming to reduce mortality and morbidity among children from vaccine preventable diseases. India's immunization programme is the largest in the world, with annual cohorts of around 26.5 million infants and 29 million pregnant women. Despite steady progress, routine vaccination coverage has been slow to increase. According to the National Family Health Survey-42015-16 (NFHS-4), the full immunization coverage is around 62 per cent. The factors limiting vaccination coverage include the rapid urbanization, presence of a large migrating and isolated populations that are difficult to reach, and low demand from under informed and unaware populations.

Salient features

• Immunization activity will be in four rounds over 7 working days excluding the RI days, Sundays and holidays.
• Enhanced immunization session with flexible timing, mobile session and mobilization by other departments’ Enhanced focus on left outs, dropouts, and resistant families and hard to reach areas.
• Focus on urban, underserved population and tribal areas.
• Inter-ministerial and inter – departmental coordination.
• Enhance political, administrative and financial commitment through advocacy.
• Intensified Mission Indradhanush immunization drive, consisting of 4 rounds of immunization will be conducted in the selected districts and urban cities between December 2019-March 2020.
• After the completion of the proposed 4 rounds, the states will be expected to undertake measures to sustain the gains from IMI, through activities like inclusion of IMI sessions in routine immunization plans. The sustainability of IMI will be assessed through a survey.

Way forward

• With the launch of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0, India has the opportunity to achieve further reductions in deaths among children under five years of age, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ending preventable child deaths by 2030.
• By building on the successes of the past, learning from challenges, and consolidating efforts across stakeholder groups, the country can fulfill its aim of attaining a disease-free India. Vaccines are a truly critical intervention in this journey, and are the key to safeguarding our present, and building a healthier tomorrow for our future generations.

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(The Gist of PIB) Chartered Designs of India

Chartered Designs of India

The India Design Council (IDC) has launched two new Initiatives to promote Design Education and Standards namely the Chartered Designs of India (CDI) and the Design Education Quality Mark (DEQM).

Key highlights:

• These two initiatives of IDC and National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad will help to address the 5 challenges of scale, quality of design, quality of education for design, raising the priority for design in industry and design for public purpose.
• The DEQM will benchmark design education programmes on predetermined standards and will accord Design Education Quality Mark to institutions that meet the provisions of the published standard.
• CDI is envisaged as an institution that will establish and uphold the professional standards of design practice in India.

India Design Council (IDC)

• India Design Council (IDC) is an autonomous body of the Government of India established under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• It is a national strategic body for multi-disciplinary design and is involved in promotion of design to make India a design enabled country. It is mandated to implement the National Design Policy (NDP) adopted in 2007.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) Comfy Earbuds

Comfy Earbuds

• WIRELESS Technology Company has created a unique type of comfy wireless earbuds.
• Comfy wireless earbuds are considered to be the most comfortable earbuds ever introduced in the market.
• They have good quality sound system.
• Comfy earbuds almost fit all types of ears and have removable arms that sit discreetly in the ears.
• The buds can also have sensors which sense when you take them out and get automatically paused and resume when they are put back into the ears.
• The buds have innovative batteries, which provide consumers six hours of playback time.

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(GIST OF YOJANA)  Building Urban Infrastructure through AMRUT

Building Urban Infrastructure through AMRUT

Introduction:

India is witnessing a rapid increase in the urban population. As per the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects Report 2018, around 34% of India’s population lives in cities- an increase of about three percentage points since 2011.

• By 2031, it is expected to grow by another 6% and by 2051, more than half of the nation’s population will be living in cities. Such a surge poses significant challenges in terms of demands for basic infrastructure services such as water supply, sanitation, wastewater management, and solid waste management.
• At present, cities contribute nearly 65% of the country’s GDP, which is likely to go up to 70% by 2030 (McKinsey Global Institute, 2010). In view of this, basic infrastructure will play a vital role in enabling the cities to adequately provide civic services to improve the quality of life of citizens in becoming true engines of economic growth.

Urban India: Key challenges and opportunities:

• The Government of India has undertaken significant investments in these areas in the last five years, as a result of which there have been notable improvements in basic services. However, challenges remain.
• For instance, as per Census 2011, while 70% of urban households had access to water supply, only 49% had access to water supply within premises.
• Further, due to lack of adequate treatment capacity and partial sewerage connectivity, more than 65% of the wastewater was being discharged untreated in the open drains resulting in environmental damage and pollution of water bodies (CPCB, 2015).
• Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) of the World Bank (2011) estimated that the total annual economic impact of inadequate sanitation in India amounted to a loss of Rs. 2.4 trillion in 2006, which was equivalent to about 6.4% of India’s GDP.
• Access to safe drinking water and scientific treatment of wastewater including septage are essential for the country in order to accomplish Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6.1 and 6.3 in particular).

AMRUT:

• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) one of the flagship Missions of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 25 June, 2015 in 500 cities across the country.
• It aimed to address the challenges of water supply and sewerage/septage in cities across the country.
• To providing non-motorised transport and public amenities,
• To bringing reform through 54 milestones; and
• To harness the associated opportunities of economic growth.

Coverage of the Scheme:

1. 476 cities/towns with a population of one lakh and above as per 2011 Census;
2. State/UT capitals not covered in (i) above;
3. Heritage cities classified under Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY);
4. Certain cities on the banks of main rivers and from hill States/islands and tourist destinations.

• In all, 500 cities were covered under this scheme.

Allocation of funds:

• The Mission has allocation of Rs. 1,00,000 lakh crore including central share of Rs. 50,000 crore. Balance is to be shared by the States/UTs. Of the total allocation, Rs. 77,640 crore have been allocated to projects. Ten per cent of central share is for Administrative and Office Expenses (A&OE) and another 10% is for reform incentive.
• The projects in the UTs arc fully funded by the Centre. In the North East and Hill States, 90% of the project cost is shared by the centre. In case of other States, one-third of the project cost in the cities with population above 10 lakh and half of the project cost in other cities is shared by the Central Government.
• The Central Assistance (CA) is released in three installments of 20:40:40. First installment is released immediately upon approval of the State Annual Action Plan (SAAP). Subsequent instalments arc released on receipt of utilisation certificates for 75% of CA and corresponding State/ULB share along with report of Independent Review and Monitoring Agency (IRMA).

AMRUT: Aligned with the needs of Urbanising India:

1. Cooperative federalism: Keeping in line with cooperative federalism, State Governments have been empowered to appraise, approve, and sanction projects for their AMRUT cities- a departure from the erstwhile Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) wherein individual projects were sanctioned by the then Ministry of Urban Development.
2. Framework for institutional reforms: AMRUT lays major emphasis on institutional reforms which aim to improve governance and institutional capacities of ULBs. Reforms are targeted for better service delivery and enhanced accountability and transparency. A framework of reforms (including reform types and milestones) has been prescribed to the States and AMRUT cities.
3. Principles of ‘incrementalism’ and prioritisation: In the pursuit of ensuring universal coverage of water supply and improving sanitation coverage for the citizens, a step-wise approach towards service level benchmarking by the ULBs, a principle of ‘incrementalism’ has been introduced under the Mission, which is a gradual process of achieving the benchmarks. Recognising the urgent water and sanitation needs, States had to prioritise water supply and sewerage projects - water supply being the first priority.
4. Incentivising over penalising: During the erstwhile JNNURM, 10% of the Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for projects was retained for non-completion of reforms. This led to all States/UTs losing this 10% as none could achieve 100% of reforms; hence, several projects were starved of funds and remained incomplete. In order to encourage States and reward their initiatives constructively, reform implementation is incentivised under AMRUT - 10% of the budgetary allocation is earmarked for reform incentive and it is over and above the allocation for projects. Incentives of Rs. 400 crore, Rs. 500 crore, Rs. 340 crore, and Rs. 418 crore were distributed during 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 to States/UTs, respectively, as incentive amounts for the reforms achieved against benchmarks in the last four fiscal years of implementation. This amount is untied and can be used on any item recognized under AMRUT with or without State/ULB share.
5. Monitoring of the Mission: Programme monitoring is being done at various levels to understand progress and gaps in implementation. At State level, State High Powered Steering Committee (SHPSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary monitors and approves the Mission projects in its entirety. At Central level, Apex Committee chaired by the Secretary, MoHUA, approves State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) and monitors the progress. Also, projects are monitored on real-time basis via Mission MIS Dashboard with geo-tagging of all projects. In addition, District Level Regional Review and Monitoring Committee (DLRMC) conducts detailed scrutiny of the projects. IRMA appointed for each State reviews and monitors the progress of the Mission on the ground as a third party.

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Urban Reforms:

Some of the significant reforms are as under:

1. Online Building Permission System (OBPS): With a view to facilitate Ease of Doing Business in construction permits, an Online Building Permission System (OBPS) with Common Application Form and seamless integration of all clearances/No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from internal/external agencies has been made operational in Delhi and Mumbai since April 2016.
2. Replacement of street lights with LED lights: 65 lakh conventional streetlights have been replaced with energy efficient LED lights. It has led to energy savings of 139 crore KWH per annum and reduction in CO2 emission by 11 lakh tonnes per annum.
3. Credit Rating: Four hundred and sixty-nine AMRUT cities have been credit rated out of the total 485 cities where the credit rating work had commissioned. One hundred and sixty-three cities have been rated investable grade (IGR) of which 36 cities have A and higher rating. Cities with lower ratings are the following measures to improve their performance so that they become credit worthy and raise funds for their projects.
4. Municipal Bonds: Rs. 3,390 crore have been raised through municipal bonds during 2017-19 for upgrading urban infrastructure by 8 Mission cities (Ahmedabad, Amaravati, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Indore, Pune, Surat, and Visakhapatnam). As an incentive. The Ministry pays Rs. 13 crore for raising bonds to the tune of Rs. 100 crore, up to the limit of Rs. 200 crore per city. This translates into an interest subvention of 2% over the bond period. Rs. 181 crore has been released for raising bonds in 8 cities. Raising bonds leads to improved governance, accounting systems, finance, transparency, accountability and delivery of services in the ULBs. We target to get at least 50 cities to raise bonds in the next 4 years. That will also enhance their self-dependence and confidence to serve the citizens.

Way Forward:

• AMRUT has made remarkable strides in improving water and sanitation coverage in urban areas. During the Mission period, it envisages to cover over 60% of the urban population living in 500 cities with universal coverage of water supply and over 60% coverage of sewerage and septage services.
• However, more than 3,500 smaller cities/towns out of 4,378 statutory towns at present are not covered under any central scheme for water supply and Faecal Sludge and Septage

Management infrastructure.

• Keeping in view SDG Goal 6 for ensuring sustainable management of water and sanitation for all and announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission for conserving and judiciously using the precious water by Hon’ble Prime Minister and special needs of 115 Aspirational Districts, to be addressed on priority, it is imperative to take forward the achievements of this Mission to smaller cities as well.

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(The Gist of Science Reporter) Quantum Supremacy

Quantum Supremacy

Quantum Computing Research in India

• The Department of Science and Technology (D5T) has launched a mission called Quantum Enabled Science and Technology (QuEST) with seed funding of Rs 80 crores for three years. The first meeting of the QuEST programme was held in January 2D19 at the International Institute of Information Technology (IMT)-Hyderabad to lay out the roadmap for developing quantum computer technology in India. In Phase I the programme will lay out the basic infrastructure that is needed to promote research in this field.
• Work Is likely to also focus on national security, as quantum computers are expected to stimulate quantum level encrypted information as a communication standard.
• The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research [USER] at Mohali is anchoring the work on quantum computers in the country under the Cyber Physical Systems [CPS] programme by the Department of Science and Technology. The multi-institutional, panIndia initiative is being funded to the tune of Rs 300 crores to build an indigenous quantum computer and a quantum communication network.
• Subsequently the Indian Space Research Organisation [ISRO), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Department of Atomic Energy [DAE) are all expected to join the effort.
• The Initiative on Quantum Technology [IQT@IISc] at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore has set itself a task of blending both concrete deliverables and open-ended research investigations. Among its early objectives is to deliver at least 8 qubit quantum superconducting transmon processors, with basic characterisation and demonstration of toy applications, And in preparation for a future demand for engineers in Quantum computing, NT Roorkee became the first in India to introduce a full semester elective on quantum computing in association with Microsoft.

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(The Gist of PIB) Rohne and Rabodih Coal Mines

Rohne and Rabodih Coal Mines

The Ministry of Coal has allotted two Coking Coal mines, Rohne and Rabodih located in Jharkhand, to the Steel Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE’s).

Key highlights:

• Allocated under the Coal Mines (Special Provision) Act, 2015, these mines located in Jharkhand will add more than 10 MT per annum and boost the coking coal production in the country.
• The ‘Rohne’ Coal Mine has been allotted to National Mineral Development Corporation Limited.
• The ‘Robodih OCP’ coal mine has been allotted to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited.
• This allotment is in addition to 5 coal mines which have been allocated to successful bidders and 6 coal mines which have allotted to PSU’s. In all, the 13 mines will add more than 35 MT per annum coal to the domestic availability of coal.

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