Daily Current Affairs - 06-11-2021

China successfully launched three new remote sensing satellites on November 6, 2021 from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre located in southwestern Sichuan province.

Key facts

Background

China’s Long March-3B rocket has completed its 300th launch in March 2019 successfully. It put a new communication satellite into orbit. This rocket is regarded as the main stay of Chinese space programme since 1970.

About Long March carrier launches

Long March carrier rocket series has been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is responsible for around 96.4 per cent of all the Chinese launch missions in China. Long March rockets took 37 years to complete first 100 launched. While, second 100 launched were completed in 7.5 years. It only took four years to accomplish the final 100 launches. The average number of launches per year increased from 2.7 to 13.3 and then to 23.5.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)

CASC is the main contractor of Chinese space program. It is state-owned. It comprises of a number of subordinate entities which are involved in designing, developing and manufacturing a range of spacecraft, strategic & tactical missile systems, launch vehicles and ground equipment. This corporation was officially established in July 1999.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones and dedicated several development projects in Kedarnath, to the nation on November 5, 2021.

Key Points

Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya was an Indian philosopher and theologian. His works had a strong impact on doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He founded four monasteries (Mathas). These four mathas are believed to have helped in historical development, propagation and revival of Advaita Vedanta. He travelled over Indian subcontinent for propagating his philosophy through discourses and debates with other thinkers belonging to orthodox Hindu traditions as well as heterodox non-Hindu-traditions. His commentaries on Prasthana Trayi Vedic canon like Brahma Sutras, Principal Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, argue on unity of Atman & Nirguna Brahman.

Advaita Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta is a school of Hindu philosophy. Advaita term refers to the idea that Brahman alone is ultimately real, while transient phenomenal world is an illusory appearance of Brahman.

As per Central Pollution Control Board’s data, air quality of Delhi has deteriorated to “severe” category on November 5, after Diwali.

Highlights

What is National Air Quality Index?

National Air Quality Index was launched in 2014, with the tagline ‘One Number – One Colour -One Description’. It was launched for the common man to judge air quality locally. Air quality is measured on the basis of eight pollutants- Particulate Matter (PM10), Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Lead (Pb) and Ammonia (NH3).

Categories of AQI

AQI has six categories of air quality namely, Severe, Very Poor, Poor, Moderately Polluted, Satisfactory and Good.

How AQI is determined?

AQI between 0 & 50 is considered Good, between 51 & 100 as satisfactory, between 101 & 200 as moderate, between 201 & 300 as poor, between 301 & 400 as very poor while in between 401 & 500 as severe.

Who developed the AQI?

AQI was developed by Central Pollution Control board (CPCB) in association with the IIT-Kanpur and an expert group consisting of medical & air-quality professionals.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

CPCB is a statutory organisation, that works under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change. It was established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act. It was entrusted with functions and responsibilities later in accordance with Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Indian government has issued a Draft Mediation Bill for Public Consultation, that seeks to safeguard the interest of litigants to approach competent adjudicatory forums.

Key Points

Registration procedure

According to the draft bill, registration of Mediation Settlement Agreement has been provided with the legal authorities in State, District and Taluk within 90 days for ensuring maintenance of authenticated records of the settlement.

Mediation Council of India

Bill provides for the creating a Mediation Council of India.

Other provisions of the bill

Mediation as an ADR

As an Alternate Dispute Redressal (ADR), mediation provides an informal, simple, non-adversarial approach for resolving several types of disputes like civil disputes, commercial disputes and family disputes etc. In such cases, parties are not able to start any negotiation and reach to the settlement on their own.

In its battle against COVID-19, Delhi Cabinet has approved a budget of Rs 1544 crores for improving health systems in the union territory.

Key Points

  1. To enhance testing & labs
  2. To procure supplies
  3. To mobilize additional human resources
  4. To increase health facilities in hospitals
  5. To manage Covid Care Centres.

Background

The ECRP 2021 was approved because, there was a common consensus that the pandemic is not over yet and a third wave can be expected. Thus, to avoid any hesitations with respect to control and prevention of the spread of virus, cabinet approved the Rs 1544.24 crore for the State ECRP 2021-22.

Significance of the move

ECRP will help in enhancing the management of resources in Delhi. It will be crucial in the advent of any future wave of Covid-19. This fund will allow expenditure on all the long term & short-term activities for managing the pandemic.

Distribution of budget

Out of total allocated budget, Rs 415 Crores will be used to strengthen COVID-19 Testing & Labs. Rs 445 Crores will be used to procure supplies, Rs 280 crore will help in improving Health Facilities and Hospitals while Rs 125 Crores have been allocated to aid the Management of Covid Care Centres.

Improving health infrastructure

Delhi Government is enhancing the infrastructure of hospitals on a rapid scale. 6836 ICU beds will be added across 7 hospitals in Delhi. Thus, capacity of ICU beds in Delhi will now become 17000.

India is set to host “security dialogue on Afghanistan, on November 10, 2021.

Key facts

Why India is hosting the dialogue?

India is hosting the dialogue for discussing the overall security situation in Afghanistan in the aftermath of Taliban’s capture of power.

Who will hold the meeting?

The security dialogue will be held at the level of national security advisers of the participating countries. From India, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will chair the meeting.

Background

In the past, two meetings in this format have been held. Meetings were held in Iran in September 2018 and December 2019. Third meeting could not be held in 2020 due to covid-19 pandemic.

India’s view on Afghanistan peace process

India’s aid in Afghanistan

India has made contributions of around $3 billion to Afghan redevelopment. Developmental projects include:

  1. Building of Afghan parliament as a gift from India
  2. Construction of Salma dam in Herat province.
  3. Building of Zaranj-Delaram highway for improving connectivity.
  4. Setting up health infrastructure.
  5. Mid-day meal sent to the schools of Afghanistan.
  6. Scholarships for Afghan students to study in India.
  7. Vocational training for Afghan women.

On November 4, 2021, Assam cabinet approved “Industrial Relation Rules, 2021” with the aim of safeguarding the rights of employers and employees.

Highlights

Transfer of Land in protected areas

Assam cabinet has also authorised the deputy commissioner of Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup (Rural) for granting permission to transfer land in protected areas or blocks without prior approval of the state government. Provision of para 17.5 of Land Policy 2019 will be removed.  As per provision, revenue department or the deputy commissioner will allot land to indigenous landless people after receiving their application.

Mission Basundhara

State government also launched this portal called “Mission Bashundhara”. On this portal, conversion of allotment certificate to periodic patta was included as a service. Cabinet allowed conversion of allotment certificate to periodic patta in rural areas within three years of allotment.

Cabinet decision on reserved seats for Students

State cabinet decided that reserved seats for students belonging to tea garden community in Brahmaputra and Barak valleys will be proportionately divided between two areas in medical and dental colleges of the state. Out of 24 medical seats, 18 will be for students from Brahmaputra valley while 6 will be for students from Barak valley.

Tamil Nadu government, in a big leap towards climate action, has set up the first setting up the first ever Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage natural conservation missions in the state.

Key Points

Members and funds of SPV

The authorised capital of SPV will be Rs 5 crore. Its member includes-

  1. Chairperson & MD: State Environment Secretary
  2. Members: Top officials from the departments of finance, municipal administration, energy, agriculture and forests.

Mission of SPV

Mission of SPV comprise of:

  1. Planning, execution and monitoring of several programme in the state on climate change adaptation & mitigation.
  2. Wetlands mapping & restoration.
  3. Enhancing forest & tree cover to 33 per cent.
  4. SPV will also create strong policy support for climate change, cutting over all sectors of governance.
  5. It will formulate strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benchmarking the industries for moving towards green manufacturing.
  6. SPV will also promote eco-friendly technologies for a sustainable future.

Background

While presenting the revised budget for 2021-2022, State Finance Minister announced three missions. Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission was launched with a total outlay of Rs 500 crores, to focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.

Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission

This Mission was launched to identify and map 100 wetlands in 5 years. It will also help in restoring the ecological balance with focus on livelihood at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) published its ‘Statement of Commitment to Support Greening India’s Financial System – NGFS’ on November 3, 2021 in order to contribute towards global response for meeting the climate goals.

Highlights

What is Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)?

NGFS is a network of 83 central banks and financial supervisors. The network aims to accelerate the scaling up of green finance. It also seeks to develop recommendations for role of central banks for climate change. This network was established in 2017. NGFS’s secretariat is hosted by the Banque de France. Dutch central banker Frank Elderson is the current chair of NGFS. Centralbanking.com had awarded NGFS as the best green initiative of the year 2020.

Background

The NGFS was announced in the year 2017, at the Paris “One Planet Summit”. It was launched by 8 founding central banks.

Gujarati New Year, dubbed as Bestu Varas, was observed on November 5.

Key Points

About Bestu Varas

How this day is celebrated?

To mark this day, traders close their old account books & open new ones, a day before this. They paint the sacred Swastika symbol and write shubh labh on it. People worship Devi Lakshmi, who is the Goddess of wealth and Devi Saraswati, who is the Goddess of learning.

Significance of the day

It is believed that, the day brings luck and profit throughout the year. During this day, no tithi is observed to pray and perform the rituals. Gujarati New Year coincides with Govardhan Puja. Thus, the whole day is considered promising and auspicious. On this day, Chopda Puja is also performed. It is devoted to Goddess Laxmi.

India and Bhutan are set to have seven additional entry and exit points for trade in order to increase trade connectivity.

Key Points

Agenda of the meeting

What are seven entry or exit points?

Seven entry or exit points include-

  1. Nagarkata Land Customs Station without commodity restriction
  2. Agartala Land Customs Station
  3. Pandu port at Guwahati Steamerghat. It is subject to cross border control at Dhubri
  4. Jogighopa port. This port is also subject to cross border control at Dhubri.
  5. Asian Highway 48 that connects Torsha Tea Garden in India with Ahllay in Bhutan. This highway acts as an additional route corresponding to the Land Customs Station at Kamardwisa, Jaigaon and Birpara.

Trade between India and Bhutan

Trade between both the countries has more than doubled in 2020-2021, as compared to USD 484 million in 2014-15. In 2020-21, the trade stood at USD 1,083 million.