Daily Current Affairs - 07-07-2021

Rajasthan government has planned to develop a tiger corridor connecting Ranthambore tiger reserve, Ramgarh Vishdhari tiger reserve and Mukundra tiger reserve.

About new Ramgarh Vishdhari sanctuary

Proposed Tiger Corridor

A tiger corridor will be developed by relocating eight villages. It will be a functional corridor to deal with issue of overpopulation of tigers which Ranthambore tiger reserve is facing currently. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve has a population of above 65 tigers currently. On the other hand, Mukundra reserve is left with just one Tiger. Thus, this tiger corridor was proposed to balance the population distribution.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

This reserve is located at the junction of Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges. It comprises of Ranthambore National Park, Sawai Mansingh sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuaries. Vegetation of the reserve includes grasslands on plateaus while dense forests along seasonal streams. Typically, tropical dry deciduous forest is found here. Common tree species is ‘dhak’ (Butea monsoperma), that is capable of withstanding long periods of drought. This tree is also called as ‘Flame of forest’. It is one of many flowering plants adding colours to dry summer in the reserve. It is rich in wildlife with tigers at apex of food chain. It is also a home to leopards.

About Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve

This reserve was established in 2013. It is located between two parallel mountains, Mukundra and Gagrola. It runs for a length of about 80 km.

First edition of Indo Pacific Business Summit is being organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with External Affairs Ministry. It was inaugurated on July 6, 2021.

Key Points

Significance of Indo-Pacific

Idea of Indo-Pacific as a single strategic space is an outcome of China’s growing influence in Indian Ocean region. It signifies interconnectedness of Indian & Pacific Oceans and importance of oceans in security & commerce.

About Indo Pacific Business Summit

This summit was organised in the backdrop of Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI). IPOI was announced by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi during 14th East Asian Summit. It is a 2-day summit starting from July 6 to July 8.  It will focus on how India and countries of Indo-Pacific region can boost their economic partnership and collaborate towards sustainable use of maritime resources. They can also work for future economic development and towards the idea of free trade. 21 countries in total are participating in Indo-Pacific Business Summit 2021.  Summit will provide an industry perspective on IPOI as maritime and trade connectivity are the key pillars of IPOI.

Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)

IPOI was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 4, 2019 at East Asia Summit. This initiative seeks to ensure security and stability of regional maritime sector. It is an open, non-treaty-based initiative for countries to work together to find a cooperative and collaborative solutions of common challenges in Indo-Pacific region.

Delhi government has formulated a policy for welfare of street children in light of covid-19 pandemic situation.

Highlights

Provisions of Policy

District Task Force

Women and Child Development Department of Delhi Government had constituted a ‘District Task Force’ to assist COVID-19 positive children who are in Child Care Institutes or who lost their parents due covid-19 virus. Department had set up two quarantine centres for children in order to take admissions sent through child welfare committee separately.

Recently, Department of Justice commemorated the milestone of crossing nine lakh beneficiaries under its Tele-Law programme.

Highlights

Tele-Law programme

This programme was launched by Ministry of Law and Justice in collaboration with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It was launched in 2017 to tackle cases at pre–litigation stage. It connects Lawyers to Litigants through video conferencing facilities and telephone service to provide legal advice. It was launched with the aim of reaching out to needy especially the marginalized and disadvantaged. Under the programme, smart facilities like video conferencing, telephone or instant calling facilities are available through Common Service Centres at Panchayat level. These technologies are used to connect indigent, downtrodden, vulnerable, unreached groups with the Panel Lawyers for timely and valuable legal advice.

Significance of Programme

Tele Law programme enables people to get legal advice without wasting time and money. This service is free for those who are eligible for free legal Aid in accordance with Section 12 of Legal Services Authority Act, 1987.

Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government passed a resolution in state assembly on July 6, 2021 for creation of a legislative council in state under Article 169 of Constitution.

Highlights

Background

Creation of a legislative council was a key poll promise of Mamata Banerjee. In run-up to assembly polls, Mamata Banerjee had said, TMC leaders who did not get tickets would be sent to legislative council.

What does law say?

According to law, West Bengal can have a maximum of 94 members in legislative council, accounting for one-third of total assembly seats, after this resolution gets support of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Can States have legislative council?

Yes. Presently six states; Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka; have a Legislative Council. West Bengal too had Legislative Council. it was the first state to have upper house in 1937. But in 1969, legislative council was abolished because the then government considered it a “symbol of elitism”.

Recent demands on Legislative Council

Creation of legislative council has been a bone of contention in Tamil Nadu for three decades. Assam Assembly and Rajasthan Assembly also passed a resolution to set up legislative councils in 2010 & 2012. On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh passed a bill to abolish legislative council. Bill is yet to be introduced in Parliament. Jammu & Kashmir too had a legislative council. However, it was dissolved after state was downgraded into a Union Territory in 2019.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Giriraj Singh launched Online Course Mobile App “Matsya Setu” for fishermen.

About Matsya Setu App

Why this app was launched?

This online course app was launched with the aim of disseminating latest freshwater aquaculture technologies for aqua farmers across India.

Importance of Fisheries in India

India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture across the world. it is also the 4th largest exporter of fish worldwide because it contributes 7.7% in global fish production. Fish exports accounts for 10% of total exports from India and about 20% of agriculture exports, as of 2017-18. Fisheries and aquaculture production contribute about 1% to India’s GDP and 5% to agricultural GDP. This sector provided employment to 28 million people in India.

Challenges in Fisheries sector

According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 90% of global marine fish stocks have been fully exploited or overfished or depleted up to an extent that recovery would not be possible biologically Discharge of harmful substances such as plastics and other waste into water bodies also causes devastation to aquatic life. Changing climate is another challenging factor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government announced for creation of a new “Ministry of Cooperation” on July 6, 2021 ahead of cabinet reshuffle.

Key Points

Background

First reshuffle after PM Modi-led NDA government started its second term in office in 2019 is likely to be massive. It will see several new faces being appointed as ministers. Proposal to set up separate administrative structure for cooperatives was first proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while delivering union budget speech in 2021. Demand for a separate ministry for cooperative sector at national level also came from Sahakar Bharati.

Demand for merging ministries

There have been recommendations since 2014 from bureaucratic panels to merge ministries linked to same sector. However, not much has happened till date. In first term, PM Modi led government had merged two ministries, urban development, and housing & urban poverty alleviation and a new ministry “urban affairs ministry” was created in 2017 by merging them.

Second Ministry under Modi govt 2.0

Ministry of Cooperation is second ministry to be created since 2019, after the Modi government came to power for second term. After taking charge in 2019, government had created Jal Shakti ministry. However, it is all way different than new Ministry of Cooperation. Jal Shakti Ministry was created by integrating two existing ministries namely, Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, and Drinking Water & Sanitation ministry. This integration was done in line with Modi’s mantra of ‘minimum government, maximum governance.

Delhi’s Excise Policy 2021-22 was launched for public on July 5. Delhi government has made new norms for bars in hotels, clubs and restaurants under the policy.

Why excise policy reformed?

As per policy document, Delhi is the 28th most visited city worldwide by foreign visitors. In India, Delhi holds first rank in the most visited city list. Excise is an important source of revenue in State. Thus, reforms were made in excise policy and new policy was put forward with the aim of boosting revenue in Delhi. It will also crack down on liquor mafia.

Key reforms

Concerns

Policy does not highlight home delivery of liquor which is included in Excise Rules. It does not highlight anything about legal drinking age which was proposed to be reduced from 25 to 21 years.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) launched India’s first FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based parking facility on July 6, 2021.

Key Facts

About FASTag or UPI-based Parking facility

Background

Cashless parking project is a major step under government’s ‘Digital India’ initiative.

Intermediate Public Transport (IPT) lanes

Intermediate public transport lanes for Auto, taxi and e-Rickshaws were also inaugurated to enable smooth movement of vehicles and to enhance last mile connectivity of Kashmiri Gate station. The initiative is a part of Multi-model Integration (MMI) project taken up at station.

Multi-model Integration project

Second phase of MMI project is under construction under which there will be a Food Court. It will be established by DTIDC. A Bus-Terminal will also be constructed by DMRC. After completion of second phase, Kashmiri Gate will become a transportation hub by integrating metro connectivity with parking facility, city bus service & taxi, ISBT Kashmiri Gate, auto, e-Rikshaw services.

Trafficking in Persons report 2021 was recently released by US State Department. As per the report, Covid-19 pandemic has increased vulnerability to human trafficking and interrupted existing anti-traffic efforts.

Key Findings of report

Three-tier system

Countries were designated on the basis of three-tier system:

  1. Tier 1 countries- Countries where governments completely comply with minimum standards of Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). TVPA is US’s law on human trafficking. USA, UK, Australia, Bahrain and South Korea are tier 1 countries.
  2. Tier 2 countries– Countries whose governments do not comply with TVPA’s minimum standards completely. However, they are making efforts to comply with those standards. India is in this category.
  3. Tier 3 countries– Countries where governments do not comply with minimum standards of TVPA and are not making significant efforts for same. Afghanistan, China, Burma, North Korea, Cuba, Eritrea, South Sudan, Iran, Russia, Syria and Turkmenistan are under this category.
  4. Special Case– There are some “Special Cases” like Yemen where civil conflict and humanitarian crisis makes it difficult to gain information.

Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has cleared a provision of using satellite connectivity in telecom networks in accordance with TRAI recommendations.

Highlights

Significance of the move

Satellite connectivity in telecom networks will help telecom companies in providing services to flung areas.

Digital Communications Commission (DCC)

DCC was earlier called as ‘Telecom Commission’. It was set up by Government of India on April 11, 1989. It has been given administrative and financial powers to deal with several aspects of Telecommunications. Telecom Commission was redesignated as DCC on October 22, 2018.

Members of DCC

DCC comprises of,

  1. A Chairman, who is Secretary to Government of India in Department of Telecommunications.
  2. Four full time members viz., Member (Finance), Member (Production), Member (Services) & Member (Technology). These members are ex-officio Secretaries to Government of India in Telecommunications department.
  3. Four part time members viz., Chief Executive Officer, NITI Aayog, Secretary (Department of Economic Affairs), Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion) and Secretary (Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology).

Function of DCC

DCC is involved in formulating policy & preparing budget for each financial year and getting it approved by Government. It also implements Government’s policy in all matters of telecommunication.