DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB -20th March 2020- IASbhai

IASbhai DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS(THE HINDU+LIVEMINT+PIB)

Opportunities do not happen, you create them.-Chris Grosser

HIGHLIGHT INFO:

ORANGE COLOUR: Important for Prelims.

RED COLOUR: Important for Mains.

BLACK COLOUR: Must Read !

BLUE COLOUR : Important Links/Survey.

PINK COLOUR: Reports/Themes/Summits.

Page Contents:

Conservation of Sanskrit language

HEADLINES:

Government of India has taken several measures for the promotion, publicity and conservation of Sanskrit language-HRD Minister

WHY IN NEWS:

Hot from PIB!

MINISTRY?Ministry of Human Resource Development

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2:3: Institutions : Education

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS we have covered this portion completely with respect to Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan.

For MAINS you have to coin some more ideas to propagate Sanskrit language such that more research and development can be expected in coming years.

ISSUE:

Government of India has taken several measures for the promotion, publicity and conservation of Sanskrit language through Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan.

RASHTRIYA SANSKRIT SANSTHAN:

The Sansthan was established in 15th October, 1970 as an autonomous organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (Act XXI of 1860) for the development and promotion of Sanskrit all over the country.

MEASURES TAKEN BY THE RASHTRIYA SANSKRIT SANSTHAN:

Providing financial assistance to Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas / Shodha Sansthans.
Award of merit scholarships to student of Sanskrit Pathasala to College level.
Financial assistance to NGOs / Higher Educational Institutions of Sanskrit for various Research Projects / Programmes.
Retired eminent Sanskrit scholars are engaged under the Shastra Chudamani scheme for teaching.
Sanskrit is also taught through Non-formal Sanskrit Education (NFSE) programme, by setting up Non-Formal Sanskrit learning centres, in reputed institutions like Indian Institutes Technology, Ayurveda institutions, Modern Colleges and Universities.
Presidential awards for Sanskrit Language are awarded annually to 16 senior scholars and to 5 young scholars.
Financial Assistance for Publication, Reprint of rare Sanskrit books.
Ashtaadashi containing eighteen Projects for sustaining the growth of Sanskrit has been implemented.
Development of Sanskrit Dictionary to school students.
Development of E-content in Sanskrit language for online professional development programme for teachers at secondary stage.
21-day refresher course for Sanskrit teachers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands at Upper primary stage.
Development of Sanskrit workbook “Abhyasavan Bhava” at Secondary stage.
Development of various e-contents for teachers and students
Ongoing project: Development of compendium of ancient Indian education thoughts in Sanskrit.

IASbhai WINDUP:

Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan are to propagate, develop and encourage Sanskrit learning and research.

This also serves as central, administrative and coordinating machinery for the management of all Campuses.

The Government of India has formulated various schemes and programmes for the development of Sanskrit education and is implementing these through Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and other agencies.

SUGGESTED READING : http://www.sanskrit.nic.in/about_us.php

SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Aquifer Mapping

HEADLINES:

Aquifer Mapping

WHY IN NEWS:

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM)

MINISTRY?Ministry of Jal Shakti

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Ground Water

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS this article will tell you how and why Aquifer Mapping are important.This is a important method to preserve ground water resources.

For MAINS go through the result or outcome of such initiatives.This is very important!

ISSUE:

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM), which envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterisation and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of Ground Water Resources.

INTRODUCTION

Aquifer mapping is a process wherein a combination of geologic, geophysical, hydrologic and chemical field and laboratory analyses are applied to characterize the quantity, quality and sustainability of ground water in aquifers.

India has the world’s largest groundwater well equipped irrigation system (China with 19 mha is second, USA with 17 mha is third).

There has been a paradigm shift from “groundwater development” to “groundwater management”.

An accurate and comprehensive micro-level picture of groundwater in India through aquifer mapping in different hydrogeological settings will enable robust groundwater management plans at the appropriate scale to be devised and implemented for this common-pool resource.

This will help achieving drinking water security, improved irrigation facility and sustainability in water resources development in large parts of rural India, and many parts of urban India as well.

The aquifer mapping program is important for planning suitable adaptation strategies to meet climate change also. Thus the crux of NAQUIM is not merely mapping, but reaching the goal – that of ground water management through community participation.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the Aquifer Mapping Exercise can be summed up as “Know your Aquifer, Manage your Aquifer”.

Demystification of Science and thereby involvement of stake holders is the essence of the entire project.

The involvement and participation of the community will infuse a sense of ownership amongst the stakeholders.

This is an activity where the Government and the Community work in tandem.

The aquifer mapping approach can help integrate ground water availability with ground water accessibility and quality aspects.

Implementation Plan

RESULT

The Outputs and of Aquifer mapping will be both scientific and social.

I. DISPOSITION OF WATER BEARING FORMATIONS

Surface outcrop
Subsurface continuity in vertical and horizontal disposition
Overlay of different litho units to form a group & aquifer system, E.g. – Alluvium – Gravel, sand, silt & clay in different percentage underlain by compact Sandstone,/shale, hard rock etc.

II. WATER BEARING CAPACITY

Variation with depth
Changes in space & time
Run off zone
Recharge zone
Discharge zone
Abstraction status

III. AQUIFER (FORMATION WATER) QUALITY

In-situ (depositional)
Anthropogenic
Vertical zonation
Blending/Migration of pollutants in aquifers with time

IV. STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT

Quantification of water within different layers (Aquifers- 1,2 3 etc)
Quality in each aquifer (group)
Demand-Supply analysis
Estimation of prevailing Development Status
Precise assessment of functional wells for agriculture, industries, drinking water purposes (modified well census as village wise by public participation to be translated into aquifer wise & then administrative unit)

IASbhai WINDUP:

Since water is a State subject, execution of such a Project cannot be successful without taking the States on board.

The involvement of State machinery including various departments, PRIs etc. is essential if the Aquifer Management Plans are to be implemented.

SUGGESTED READING : http://cgwb.gov.in/Aquifer-mapping.html

SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

HEADLINES:

Scheme for Improvement of Ground Water

WHY IN NEWS:

Hot from PIB!

MINISTRY?Ministry of Jal Shakti

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Scheme

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS it is important to understand such scheme relevant which is harnessing ground water through community participation.

For MAINS we have highlighted key take away points here ! Go through them .

ISSUE:

The Government has approved Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), a Rs.6000 Crore Central Sector Scheme, for sustainable management of ground water resources with community participation.

FUNDING

The funding pattern is 50:50 between Government of India and World Bank.

THE SCHEME HAS TWO COMPONENTS:

i) Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component, aimed at strengthening the ground water governance mechanism in the participating States and

ii) Incentive Component, aimed at incentivizing the States for various measures for ensuring the long-term sustainability of ground water resources.

FEATURES

The scheme envisages active participation of the communities, including women, 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 IEC activities related to sustainable ground water management.

Water being a State subject, it is the prerogative of the State Governments to frame various Acts for sustainable management of water for any purpose.

Ministry of Jal Shakti is adopting a mix of ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ approaches in identified ground water stressed blocks

IMPACT

Institutional strengthening for improving ground water monitoring networks and capacity building of stakeholders at different levels which will enhance ground water data storage, exchange, analysis and dissemination.
Improved and realistic water budgeting based on an improved database and preparation of community-led Water Security Plans at Panchayat level
Implementation of Water Security Plans through convergence of various ongoing/new schemes of the Government of India and State Governments to facilitate judicious and effective utilization of funds for sustainable ground water management.
Efficient use of available ground water resources with emphasis on demand side measures such as micro-irrigation, crop diversification, electricity feeder separation.

Model Building Bye Laws 2016: has been issued for guidance of the States/UTs which has a chapter on ‘Rainwater Harvesting’. 33 States/UTs have adopted the rainwater harvesting provisions.

So far, 15 States/UTs have adopted and implemented the ground water legislation on the lines of Model Bill.

IASbhai WINDUP:

This is a step which is likely to help facilitate participation of village communities in ground water resource management including adequate awareness generation, ensuring a sustainable water future.

SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)

HEADLINES:

Cleaning of Rivers

WHY IN NEWS:

Hot from PIB!

MINISTRY?Ministry of Jal Shakti

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 1:3:River:Conservation

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS you have to understand how the rivers are cleaned in India . What are the other key programmes to treat the polluted river.

This article also mentions key points from NRCP which is important!

For MAINS find the measures which have been outdated and are just mere words will less power to clean mighty rivers.

ISSUE:

Rivers in the country are polluted mainly due to discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents.

Non-point sources of pollution like agricultural runoff, open defecation, runoff from solid waste dump sites, etc. also contribute to pollution of rivers.

Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing financial and technical assistance.

NATIONAL RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN (NRCP)

Assistance is provided to State Governments for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers (excluding river Ganga and its tributaries) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis between the Central & State Governments .

THE POLLUTION ABATEMENT WORKS TAKEN UP UNDER THE NRCP INCLUDE:

Interception and diversion works/ laying of sewerage systems to capture raw sewage flowing into the rivers through open drains and diverting them for treatment.
Setting up of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for treating the diverted sewage
Construction of Low Cost Sanitation Toilets to prevent open defecation on river banks;
Construction of Electric Crematoria and Improved Wood Crematoria to conserve the use of wood;
River Front Development works, such as improvement of bathing ghats;
Public participation & awareness and capacity building, etc.

OTHER INITIATIVES:

State Governments, apart from their own budgetary allocation, are also accessing financial assistance for creation of sewerage infrastructure, including Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), in various cities/towns under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

IASbhai WINDUP:

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Draft National Water Policy

HEADLINES:

Draft National Water Policy

WHY IN NEWS:

Hot from PIB!

MINISTRY?Ministry of Jal Shakti

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Water:National Water Policy

LEARNING:

For PRELIMS understand the key points and that should suffice the whole preparation around this issue.

For MAINS there are some bills ands acts relevant to it .Keep an eye !

ISSUE:

Central Government formulated the National Water Policy in 1987, which was subsequently reviewed and revised in the year 2002 and 2012.

The National Water Policy has been sent to all States/ UTs for appropriate action.

16 States/UT have formulated and adopted their State Water Policies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM NATIONAL WATER POLICY (2012) ARE :

The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 25.07.2019 and was subsequently passed by Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Jal Shakti has prepared a draft National Water Framework Bill and draft River Basin Management Bill, 2018, which have been circulated to States / UTs for comments.
Dam Safety Bill, 2019 was prepared and introduced in Lok Sabha on 29^th July, 2019. The bill was subsequently passed by Lok Sabha.
National Water Informatics Centre has been established under National Hydrology Project.
Central Water Commission has completed a study titled “Reassessment of Water Availability in India using Space Inputs”.
Central Ground Water Board has prepared a conceptual document titled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” during the year 2013, which envisages construction of different types of artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting structures in the country.
A web based Water Resources Information System (India WRIS) has been set up and all unclassified data of Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board have been uploaded on the website.

IASbhai WINDUP:

Since the adoption of National Water Policy 2012, many challenges including water scarcity have emerged significantly in water sector.

With a goal to address the present challenges in water sector, revision of National Water Policy 2012 has been envisaged by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and a drafting committee has been constituted on 5^th November, 2019 to revise the National Water Policy.

SOURCES:THE HINDU/DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS for UPSC CSE Prelims & Mains

Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP)

HEADLINES:

Revival of Khadi and Village Industries

WHY IN NEWS:

Hot from PIB!

MINISTRY?Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises

SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Scheme

ISSUE:

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), has been implementing Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP) scheme for revival and increase the production of Khadi, not only in Bihar, but throughout the country.

Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP)

FEATURES

In order to revitalize and reform the activities of Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) Sector, in terms of employment generation, enhancement in earning of artisans and ensure positioning of Khadi in consonance with the current market trend, a comprehensive reform programme namely Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP), approved by Government of India is being implemented with the assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB).

AIM

KRDP aims to revitalize the Khadi and Village Industries through Policy and Institutional Reforms.

OBJECTIVE

Repositioning Khadi and aligning it to market demand and trends.
Enhancing artisan welfare and empowerment.
Undertaking extensive capacity building of Khadi Institutions (KIs).
Strengthening institutional mechanisms.
Implementation of MIS at Khadi Institution level and e-Governance at KVIC.
Strategic development of traditional village industries.

FUNDING

A total of 22 Khadi Institutions were given assistance under KRDP with a financial outlay of Rs.1484.93 lakhs for refurbishment of Khadi programme in the State of Bihar.

ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED UNDER FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:

Modified Market Development Assistance (MMDA): KVIC provides Market Development Assistance to the registered Khadi Institutions and 40% of total MMDA to the Khadi artisans engaged in production activity.
Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC) Scheme: KVIC provides interest subsidy on the working capital loan availed by Khadi Institutions for undertaking production and sales activities under Khadi programme.
Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans: Khadi artisans are provided worksheds for better work atmosphere and storing the materials, under which financial assistance up to Rs. 60000/- is provided per workshed.
For the renovation and modernization of sales outlets run by KVIC, Khadi Institutions and KVIBs financial assistance are being provided under ‘Assistance for Marketing Infrastructure’ scheme.
Rozgar Yukt Gaon (RYG): a new component under Khadi Vikas Yojana has been introduced with objective of introducing enterprise led model replacing subsidy-led model and create an additional 12,500 direct employment opportunities in 50 villages, which are deprived of opportunities and sustainable livelihood support systems, in addition to spinning out secondary and ancillary opportunities of employment in a wider sense.

Ministry of MSME provides financial assistance in the form of grant and subsidy to KVIC for promotion and development of Khadi Programme. Ministry has approved Khadi Vikas Yojana for the development of Khadi programme during the year 2019-20

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IASbhai WINDUP:

For revival of sick Khadi Institutions, assistance upto Rs. 9.90 lakh is provided to weak and problematic Khadi Institutions to bring them back to normalcy.