Daily Prelims Notes 12 December 2020

December 12, 2020
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Table Of Contents

Subject : Geography

Context : A new study carried out by researchers of the Indian Institute of Science’s (IISc) Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (CAOS) has found that El Niño alone is not be blamed for droughts that in the Indian subcontinent.

Concept :

El Nino refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific. It is associated with high pressure in the western Pacific. El Nino adversely impacts the Indian monsoons and hence, agriculture in India.

El Nino impacts on India:

In a normal monsoon year (without El Nino), the pressure distribution is as follows:
The coast of Peru in South America has a higher pressure than the region near northern Australia and South East Asia.
The Indian Ocean is warmer than the adjoining oceans and so, has relatively lower pressure. Hence, moisture-laden winds move from near the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean.
The pressure on the landmass of India is lower than on the Indian Ocean, and so, the moisture-laden winds move further from the ocean to the lands.
If this normal pressure distribution is affected for some reason, the monsoons are affected.
El Nino means lesser than average rains for India. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the monsoons and because of this, lesser rainfall during the monsoons generally translates to below-average crop yields.

What happens because of El Nino?

The cool surface water off the Peruvian coast goes warm because of El Nino. When the water is warm, the normal trade winds get lost or reverse their direction.
Hence, the flow of moisture-laden winds is directed towards the coast of Peru from the western Pacific (the region near northern Australia and South East Asia).
This causes heavy rains in Peru during the El Nino years robbing the Indian subcontinent of its normal monsoon rains. The larger the temperature and pressure difference, the larger the rainfall shortage in India.

2. ROSSBY WAVES

Subject : Geography

Concept :

The meandering jet streams are called Rossby Waves.
Rossby waves are natural phenomenon in the atmosphere and oceans due to rotation of earth.
In planetary atmospheres, they are due to the variation in the Coriolis effect (When temperature contrast is low, speed of jet stream is low, and Coriolis force is weak leading to meandering) with latitude.
Rossby waves are formed when polar air moves toward the Equator while tropical air is moving poleward.
The existence of these waves explains the low-pressure cells (cyclones) and high-pressure cells (anticyclones).

Jet Stream

The Jet Stream is a geostrophic wind blowing horizontally through the upper layers of the troposphere, generally from west to east, at an altitude of 20,000 – 50,000 feet.
Jet Streams develop where air masses of differing temperatures meet. So, usually surface temperatures determine where t/he Jet Stream will form.
Greater the difference in temperature, faster is the wind velocity inside the jet stream.
Jet Streams extend from 20 degrees latitude to the poles in both hemispheres.

Where does it actually begin?

Air when warmed in the tropics, around the equator, fuel the Jet Stream as it rises. Hitting the tropopause at about 58,000 feet (the layer of the atmosphere separating the troposphere from the stratosphere), it is drawn toward the colder air at the north and south poles.

Types of Jet Streams

Sub Tropical Jet Streams are best developed in winter and early spring. Their maximum speed approaches 300 knots which are associated with the merger with polar-front jets. A subsidence motion accompanies subtropical jets and gives rise to predominantly fair weather in areas they pass over. Sometimes they drift northward and merge with a polar-front jet.
Tropical Easterly Jet Stream occurs near the tropopause over Southeast Asia, India, and Africa during summer. This jet implies a deep layer of warm air to the north of the jet and colder air to the south over the Indian Ocean. The difference in heating and cooling and the ensuing pressure gradient is what drives this jet.
Polar-Night Jet Stream meanders through the upper stratosphere over the poles. They are present in the convergence zone above the sub polar low pressure belt.

3. 3D PRINTING

Subject : Science & tech

Context : Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will soon come up with a policy aimed at promoting 3D printing on an industrial scale and helping domestic companies “overcome technical and economic barriers”.

Concept :

Three-dimensional printing (3-D printing), also known as Additive manufacturing (AM) is a process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer. It is basically a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file.
This is opposite of ‘Subtractive Manufacturing’ which works on removal of material to create a desired object. It is similar to a man who cuts a stone to create a sculpture.

Process of 3D Printing:

3D printing starts by making a virtual design of the object to be created. Virtual design can be made using a 3D modelling program such as CAD (Computer Aided Design) or 3D scanners.
The 3D digital copy is then put into a 3D modelling program. The model is then sliced into hundreds or thousands of horizontal layers in preparation for printing.
This prepared file is thus uploaded in the 3D printer which reads each slices in 2D format and then proceeds to create the object layer by layer and the resulting object has no sign of layering visible, but a 3 dimensional structure.

3D Printing in India

The government has launched several initiatives such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’ and ‘Skill India’ to improve investment opportunities and to enhance manufacturing capabilities in the country.
Given the government’s interest in boosting manufacturing, major manufacturers have established 3-D printing assembly lines and distribution centres in partnership with foreign technological firms.
A PwC report titled ‘The Global Industry 4.0’ in 2016 shows that in India, 27% of industries have either already invested or will be investing in AM technology within the next five years.

4. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Subject : Polity

Context : Karnataka government defers tabling anti-cow slaughter bill in Legislative Council.

Concept :

Abolition or Creation – Article 169

The Parliament can abolish a legislative council (where it already exists) or create it (where it does not exist) by a simple majority, that is, a majority of the members of each House present and voting, if the legislative assembly of the concerned state, by a special majority, passes a resolution to that effect.
Special majority implies , a majority of the total membership of the assembly and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the assembly present and voting.

Composition

Under Article 171 of the Constitution, the Legislative Council of a state shall not have more than one-third of the total strength of the State Assembly, and not less than 40 members.
Like the Rajya Sabha, the legislative council is a continuing chamber, that is, it is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. The tenure of a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) is six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years.

Manner of Election

One-third of the MLCs are elected by the state’s MLAs,
Another 1/3rd by a special electorate comprising sitting members of local governments such as municipalities and district boards,
1/12th by an electorate of teachers and another 1/12th by registered graduates.
The remaining members are appointed by the Governor for distinguished services in various fields namely, literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.

LC vis-à-vis Rajya Sabha

The legislative power of the Councils are limited. Unlike Rajya Sabha which has substantial powers to shape non-financial legislation, Legislative Councils lack a constitutional mandate to do so.
Assemblies can override suggestions/amendments made to legislation by the Council.
Again, unlike Rajya Sabha MPs, MLCs cannot vote in elections for the President and Vice President. The Vice President is the Rajya Sabha Chairperson while a member from the Council itself is chosen as the Council Chairperson.

5. COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Subject : National Organisation

Context : CCI initiates investigation against cement companies in India.

Concept :

Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002, it was duly constituted in March 2009.
The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act) was repealed and replaced by the Competition Act, 2002, on the recommendations of Raghavan committee.
Competition Commission of India aims to establish a robust competitive environment.
Through proactive engagement with all stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government and international jurisdictions.

Competition Act, 2002

The Competition Act was passed in 2002 and has been amended by the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2007. It follows the philosophy of modern competition laws.
The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position by enterprises and regulates combinations (acquisition, acquiring of control and M&A), which causes or likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition within India.
In accordance with the provisions of the Amendment Act, the Competition Commission of India and the Competition Appellate Tribunal have been established.
Government replaced Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) with the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in 2017.

Composition of CCI

The Commission consists of one Chairperson and six Members as per the Competition Act who shall be appointed by the Central Government.
The commission is a quasi-judicial body which gives opinions to statutory authorities and also deals with other cases. The Chairperson and other Members shall be whole-time Members.
Eligibility of members: The Chairperson and every other Member shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing and who, has been, or is qualified to be a judge of a High Court, or, has special knowledge of, and professional experience of not less than fifteen years in international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs, administration or in any other matter which, in the opinion of the Central Government, may be useful to the Commission.

6. SHAHTOOT DAM

Subject : International Relations

Context : The Union Minister of External Affairs recently announced at the Geneva Donors conference that India is to construct the Shahtoot Dam across the Maidan river, a tributary of river Kabul in Afghanistan.

Concept :

The Shahtoot dam is to be constructed in Kabul river basin, one of the five river basins of Afghanistan. The dam will provide irrigation, drinking water for the Kabul province of the country. The cost of the project has been estimated as 305 million USD.

Benefits of the project

The dam will provide irrigation facilities to about 10,000 hectares of agricultural land. It will supply drinking water to around 2 million people in the city of Kabul.
Also, it will recharge the underground water for drinking purposes in and around Kabul.
It will contribute to national food security by helping in the production of fishery, crops and industries. It will also promote tourism and increase opportunities of income.

Other projects

Along with the Shahtoot dam, India has pledged to rebuild Afghanistan committing to 80 million USD worth projects. Around 150 projects have been announced by India in the conflict-ridden country.

7. NO CONFIDENCE MOTION

Subject : Polity

Context : Stating that he intends to move a no-confidence motion against the BJP-JJP government in Haryana, former chief minister has written to Governor.

Concept :

A no-confidence motion is a parliamentary motion which is moved in the Lok Sabha against the entire council of ministers, stating that they are no longer deemed fit to hold positions of responsibility due to their inadequacy in some respect or their failure to carry out their obligations.
No prior reason needs to be stated for its adoption in the Lok Sabha.

Procedure to move a “No Confidence Motion”:

A motion of “No Confidence Motion” against the Government can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha under rule 198.
The Constitution of India does not mention about either a Confidence or a No Confidence Motion. Although, Article 75 does specify that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
A motion of No Confidence can be admitted when a minimum of 50 members, support the motion in the house.
The Speaker then, once satisfied that the motion is in order, will ask the House if the motion can be adopted.
If the motion is passed in the house, the Government is bound to vacate the office.
A no-confidence motion needs a majority vote to pass the House.
If individuals or parties abstain from voting, those numbers will be removed from the overall strength of the House and then the majority will be taken into account.

8. CITES

Subject : Environment

Concept :

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily.
It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Aim: Ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP (The United Nations Environment Programme) and is located at Geneva, Switzerland.
It plays a coordinating, advisory and servicing role in the working of the Convention (CITES).
The Conference of the Parties to CITES, is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention and comprises all its Parties.
Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it does not take the place of national laws.
Rather, it provides a framework to be respected by each Party, which has to adopt its own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is implemented at the national level.

Functions

The CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls.
All import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species covered by the Convention has to be authorized through a licensing system.
Each Party to the Convention must designate one or more Management Authorities in charge of administering that licensing system and one or more Scientific Authorities to advise them on the effects of trade on the status of the species.
Appendices I, II and III to the Convention are lists of species afforded different levels or types of protection from over-exploitation.

Appendix I

It lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
Examples include gorillas, sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids, and giant pandas. Currently 931 species are listed.
They are threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except when the purpose of the import is not commercial, for instance for scientific research.
In these exceptional cases, trade may take place provided it is authorized by the granting of both an import permit and an export permit (or re-export certificate).

Appendix II

It lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled.
It also includes so-called “look-alike species”, i.e. species whose specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons.
International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate.
No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires).
Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild.

Appendix III

It is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.
International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates.
Species may be added to or removed from Appendix I and II, or moved between them, only by the Conference of the Parties.
However, species may be added to or removed from Appendix III at any time and by any Party unilaterally.

9. MIXOPATHY

Subject : Current Events/ Governance

Context : The Indian Medical Association (IMA), an apex body of doctors in India, has called for a nationwide strike to express its opposition of the government’s decision to allow Ayurvedic practitioners to perform medical surgeries.

Concept :

On November 19, a government notification listed out specific surgical procedures that a postgraduate medical student of Ayurveda must be “practically trained to acquaint with, as well as to independently perform”.
The notification has invited sharp criticism from the Indian Medical Association, which questioned the competence of Ayurveda practitioners to carry out these procedures, and called the notification an attempt at “mixopathy”.
The IMA has done nationwide protests on December 8 against this notification, and has called for withdrawal of all non-essential and non-Covid services.

How far is surgery part of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda practitioners take pride in the fact that their methods trace their origins to Sushruta, an ancient Indian sage and physician, whose comprehensive medical treatise Sushruta Samhita has also detailed accounts of surgical procedures and instruments.
There are two branches of surgery in Ayurveda — Shalya Tantra, which refers to general surgery, and Shalakya Tantra which pertains to surgeries related to the eyes, ears, nose, throat and teeth.

10. PARIS PLEDGE

Subject : Environment

Context : Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said that India was the only major G20 country that was on track towards keeping to its nationally determined commitments to halt runaway global warming.

Concept :

India had achieved 21% of its emissions intensity reduction target as a proportion of its GDP in line with its pledge to a 33-35% reduction by 2030, he said.

Voluntary Pledge

In 2015, ahead of the United Nations’ significant climate conference in Paris, India announced three major voluntary commitments called the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
It states that India will improve the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33–35% by 2030 over 2005 levels; increase share of non-fossil fuels-based electricity to 40% by 2030, and enhance its forest cover, thereby absorbing 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The Paris Agreement, adopted at COP 21 in Paris, on 2015, constitutes a landmark agreement on climate change that seeks to limit global average temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and endeavour to limit the increase to 1.5°C.
The agreement, which came into force on November 4, 2016, currently has 188 parties.
All parties to it are expected to undertake ambitious efforts to support the agreement’s goals and communicate their related intentions every five years in the form of NDCs.

11. SEVENTH SCHEDULE

Subject : Polity

Context : Fifteenth Finance Commission chairman N.K. Singh has called for a fresh look at the Constitution’s Seventh Schedule and hinted at the need to fill an ‘institutional vacuum’ created by the abolition of the Planning Commission.

Concept :

The Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative subjects between the Union and the states, viz., List-I (the Union List), List-II (the State List) and List-III (the Concurrent List), described in this schedule:
Union List: This List contains matters of national importance and the matters which require uniformity of legislation nationwide. This list has at present 100 subjects (originally 97) like defence, naturalisation & citizenship (entry 17), banking, foreign affairs, atomic energy, communication, census, etc.
State List: This List contains matters of regional and local importance which require state-specific solution and the matters which permit diversity of interest. It presently contains 61 subjects (originally 66 subjects) like public order, police, public health and sanitation, agriculture, local government, gambling, etc.
Concurrent List: This List contains matters on which uniformity of legislation throughout the country is desirable but is not essential. This List at present has 52 subjects (originally 47 subjects) like criminal law and procedure, civil procedure, marriage and divorce, population control and family planning, electricity, economic and social planning, etc.