Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 13 May 2022


Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 13 May 2022

::NATIONAL::  

Martial Rape 

  • Two judges of the Delhi High Court giving a split verdict on the question of criminalising rape within marriage, leaving the law unchanged.

Key highlights:

  • Justice Rajiv Shakdher, who headed the two-judge Bench, struck down as unconstitutional the exception to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which says that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife aged 18 or above is not rape even if it is without her consent. 
  • However, Justice C. Hari Shankar rejected the plea to criminalise marital rape noting that any change in the law has to be carried out by the legislature since the issue requires consideration of various aspects, including social, cultural and legal.
  • The right to withdraw consent at any given point in time forms the core of the woman’s right to life and liberty which encompasses her right to protect her physical and mental being,” Justice Shakdher said, calling for a change in the 162-year-old law.

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Utkarsh Samaroh

  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed ‘Utkarsh Samaroh’ in Bharuch, Gujarat today via video conferencing. 

About:

  • The programme marks the celebration of 100% saturation of four key schemes of the state government in the district, which will help provide timely financial assistance to those in need. 
  • Bharuchdistrict administration had carried out a special drive -- "Utkarsh Initiative" --from January 1 to March 31 this year, with the aim to ensure the complete coverage of schemes providing assistance to widows, elderly and destitute citizens. 
  • A total of 12,854 beneficiaries were identified across the four schemes.
  • During the drive, taluka-wise WhatsApp helpline numbers were announced to collect information about those who were not receiving benefits of the scheme. 
  • Utkarsh camps were organised in all villages and wards of municipality areas of the district for applicants to provide necessary documents for on spot approval.  Incentives were also given to Utkarsh assistants to further facilitate the drive

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::INTERNATIONAL::

Drought in Numbers Report 2022

  • The frequency and duration of drought is increasing at an alarming rate across the world since the onset of the 21st century.

Key highlights: 

  • According to the Drought in Numbers, 2022 report released at the ongoing 15th Conference of Parties (CoP15) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
  • The latest assessment analysed droughts and impacts on life and livelihood over 122 years covering 196 countries. It said an entire new generation is growing up being “water scarce”.
  • India has featured in the assessment as one of severely drought-impacted countries. Nearly two-thirds of the country suffered drought during 2020-2022.
  • India features on the Global Drought Vulnerability Index, which is part of the assessment. Geographically, India’s drought vulnerability compares with that of sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The effect of severe droughts was estimated to have reduced India’s gross domestic product by 2-5 per cent over the 20 years from 1998-2017.
  • India’s drought-prone area has increased by 57 per cent since 1997.
  • One-third of India’s districts have faced more than four droughts over the past decade and 50 million people are affected by drought every year.

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Global reporton Infection Prevention andControl

  • WHO launches first ever global report on infection prevention and control.
  • Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a practical, evidence-based approach preventing patients and health workers from beingharmed by avoidable infections.

Key highlights of the report:

  • The report revealed that out of every 100 patients in acute-care hospitals, seven patients in high-income countries and 15 patients in low- and middle-income countries will acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI) during their hospital stay. 
  • On average, 1 in every 10 affected patients will die from their HAI.
  • 70% of infections can be prevented through good hand hygiene.
  • 11% of countries still did not have an IPC programme or an operational plan.
  • Need to integrate IPC and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices.
  • National Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities integrates IPCpractices for healthcare facilities in India.

::ECONOMY::

Ethanol plants

  • The Oil Marketing Companies, OMCs - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited have entered into a long-term purchase agreement for upcoming dedicated ethanol plants across the country.

About:

  • The first set of Tripartite Agreement was signed among Oil Marketing Companies and Banks of the respective Ethanol Plant Projects.
  • State Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank and Indian Bank are three banks involved in this agreement with Oil Marketing Companies.
  • As per the agreement, ethanol produced by these dedicated ethanol plants shall be sold to Oil Marketing Companies for blending with Petrol as per government Ethanol-Blended Petrol Programme. 
  • In Ethanol Supply Year 2021-22, India has achieved 9.90 per cent ethanol blending, consuming 186 crore litre of ethanol and saving of over nine thousand crore rupees of foreign exchange.

::SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY::

African swine fever

  • At least 259 pigs have died in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district this year due to African Swine Fever (ASF).
  • As per the department’s livestock census, there are over 53,000 pigs in the district and a total of 3.85 lakh pigs were registered across the state.
  • The instructions were issued under the Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009, banning slaughter, movement of pigs and supplies at Umshorshor village and within 10 km of its vicinity.

About African swine fever:

  • African swine fever is a serious viral DNA disease affecting wild and domestic pigs, usually causing acute haemorrhagic fever.
  • African Swine Fever does not affect harm but can be catastrophic for pigs.

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