Daily Prelims Notes 17 March 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

17 March 2023

Table Of Contents

1. National Institute of Ocean Technology to set up green, self-powered desalination plant in Lakshadweep
2. IQAir Report: Take the findings with a pinch of salt
3. Second home for Gujarat lions
4. Treasure in excreta: Fast-depleting phosphorus can be extracted from faecal sludge
5. Waste-to-energy
6. The all-powerful Sri Lankan Presidency
7. e-postal ballot for overseas Indian voters
8. Japan-South Korea summit what has kept the two side apart
9. Iran- Saudi Deal
10. U.S. releases video of alleged collision of drone and Russian jet
11. BRO opens strategic Zojila Pass in record 68 days
12. Defence acquisition proposals valued at ₹70500 cr. Cleared
13. Is depositors’ money safe?
14. 2.5 tonnes of uranium missing in Libya, says UN nuclear watchdog
15. 10 fishermen on board TN trawler ‘hunt’ dolphins, held

1. National Institute of Ocean Technology to set up green, self-powered desalination plant in Lakshadweep

Subject : Geography

Section: Physical Geography

Context: NIOT is providing potable water in six islands of Lakshadweep using Low Temperature Thermal Desalination technology.

More on the News:

• Stepping up from its ongoing initiative of providing potable water in six islands of Lakshadweep using Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology, the Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is working at making this process free of emissions.
• Currently the desalination plants, each of which provides at least 100,000 litres of potable water every-day, are powered by diesel generator sets — there being no other source of power in the islands.
• However, the need for diesel power to reduce the water pressure means that the process is not fossil-fuel free and also consumes diesel, a precious commodity in the islands that has to be shipped from the mainland critical for powering the electric grid.

Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology

• Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) is a technology used for desalination of seawater, developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), India.
• LTTD is a process that uses the difference in temperature between surface seawater and deep seawater to produce fresh water.
• Working principle: LTTD works on the principle of thermodynamic heat exchange, where the heat from warm surface water is used to evaporate a low-boiling-point fluid, such as ammonia, which is then condensed using the cold deep seawater.
• Efficiency: LTTD technology has an efficiency of up to 35%, which means that it can produce one cubic meter of fresh water using only 2-3 kWh of energy.
• Applications: LTTD technology has applications in areas where there is a shortage of fresh water, such as islands, coastal regions, and arid regions.
• Advantages: LTTD technology has several advantages over other desalination methods, including low energy consumption, low operating cost, and minimal environmental impact.
• Challenges: One of the main challenges of LTTD technology is the maintenance of the heat exchanger, which requires special materials and techniques to withstand the corrosive nature of seawater.
• Future prospects: LTTD technology has the potential to be a sustainable and cost-effective solution for desalination, and can play a crucial role in addressing the global water crisis.

National Institute of Ocean Technology

• The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
• NIOT was established in 1993 with the aim of developing technology related to ocean exploration and ocean resource utilization.
• The main objectives of NIOT include developing technology for offshore exploration and exploitation of ocean resources, promoting sustainable development of coastal areas, and providing technical support for marine science research.
• NIOT is involved in research areas such as ocean observation, marine biotechnology, underwater vehicles, ocean renewable energy, marine minerals, and coastal engineering.
• NIOT has state-of-the-art facilities for oceanographic research, including research vessels, underwater vehicles, moored buoys, and coastal monitoring systems.
• NIOT collaborates with other national and international organizations to advance research and development in ocean technology.
• NIOT has implemented several projects related to offshore oil and gas exploration, marine aquaculture, deep-sea mining, coastal protection, and ocean renewable energy.
• NIOT provides technical support for environmental impact assessment studies related to coastal and offshore development projects.
• NIOT provides training and capacity building programs for scientists, engineers, and technicians in the field of ocean technology.

2. IQAir Report: Take the findings with a pinch of salt

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context: Many developing countries, unlike India, do not have proper air monitoring systems; if they did, India’s ranking would be better.

More on the News:

• The fifth World Air Quality Report by IQAir shows that India is still facing a severe air pollution crisis. The report revealed that 39 Indian cities were among the world’s 50 most polluted cities based on PM2.5 levels in the air.
• Delhi was ranked fourth on the list of the world’s most polluted cities, and it was also the most polluted metropolitan city in the world.
• Bhiwadi in Rajasthan was the most polluted city in India and the third most polluted city in the world with an annual average PM2.5 level of 92.7.
• Out of 131 countries, India ranked eighth with a population-weighted average PM2.5 level of 53.3 μg/m3 in 2022.
• According to the report, there was a slight decline in pollution levels in Delhi’s neighboring towns of Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. The decline ranged from 34% in Gurugram to 21% in Faridabad.

IQAir Report

• IQAir is a company that specializes in air quality monitoring and solutions. The company produces an annual report on air quality around the world, called the IQAir Report.
• The IQAir Report is an annual report that provides information on air quality levels in countries and cities around the world.
• The report draws on data from ground-based monitoring stations, satellite data, and other sources.
• The report uses a global Air Quality Index (AQI) to rank countries and cities based on their air quality.
• The report provides information on different sources of air pollution, including industrial emissions, transportation, and indoor pollution.

3. Second home for Gujarat lions

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Context: The Gujarat government has planned to translocate 40 adult and sub-adult lions to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary in the state, according to a new report by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.

More on the News:

• Barda sanctuary, about 100 kilometres away from Gir National Park, has been identified as a potential site to accommodate the Asiatic Lions, said the report entitled Lion@2047: A vision for Amrutkal
• As per the last count in 2020, there are 674 lions in the state.
• Experts have demanded translocation of lions in India for the past two decades as the big cats have been geographically isolated in Gir. A second home would protect the lion population from extinction in case of diseases like the Canine Distemper Virus leads to their deaths.
• The Supreme Court of India in 2013 had also ordered relocating some lions to Madhya Pradesh; however, 10 years later, the transfer has not yet happened.
• Gir and Barda are too geographically close to make the latter a solution for creating an alternative lion habitat in the country.
• Members of the Maldhari community will also have to be relocated along with the big cats as it is important to restore around 1,000 km of ‘exclusive lion habitat’ under Project Lion through incentivised voluntary relocation of forest villages.
• Maldharis are local pastoral communities settled within Gir Protected Areas and the Barda WLS. The report also talks about providing ‘an appropriate rehabilitation package for incentivised relocation’ to the communities.

Asiatic lion

• Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) is a sub-species of lion that is found only in the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat, India.
• The Asiatic lion is one of the most endangered big cats in the world, with a population of less than 700 individuals in the wild.
• The Asiatic lion is found only in the Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a protected area covering an area of about 1412 sq km in Gujarat.
• The Asiatic lion is slightly smaller than its African counterpart, with a distinctive fold of skin on its belly and a shorter, less bushy mane.
• The Asiatic lion’s diet mainly consists of deer, antelope, and wild boar, although it may also prey on domestic livestock in areas surrounding the Gir forest.
• Cultural significance: The Asiatic lion has cultural significance in India, where it is revered as a symbol of power, courage, and royalty, and is depicted in several ancient Indian artworks and scriptures.
• Conservation Status
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule 1
  • CITES :Appendix I
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
• The Asiatic lion faces several challenges to its survival, including habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict.

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary

• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Porbandar district of Gujarat, India. It covers an area of about 192 sq km and is located in the foothills of the Aravalli Range in Gujarat.
• The vegetation in the sanctuary includes dry deciduous forest, scrubland, and grassland.
• The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including leopard, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, jungle cat, Indian civet, and several species of birds and reptiles.
• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is connected to several other protected areas in the region, including Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Pania Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jamjir Wildlife Sanctuary, which together form a contiguous wildlife habitat.
• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
• Threats: The Barda Wildlife Sanctuary faces several threats, including poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict.

4. Treasure in excreta: Fast-depleting phosphorus can be extracted from faecal sludge

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context: India needs more nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for its agriculture.

More on the News:

• Presence of phosphorus is essential in soil for crop growth and its shortfall can result in reduction of crop yield. But the reserves of phosphate rock, the main source of the element is fast depleting.
• With an annual increase of 2.3 per cent in its demand, phosphorus reserves will most likely get exhausted in another 50 to 100 years, states a 2015 study by professors of the West Bengal State University, Kolkata.
• An important phosphorus resource from where a huge reserve can be generated has been largely ignored. Human excreta is indiscriminately disposed into drains every day.
• About 11 per cent of phosphorus entering Earth systems is lost in human urine and excreta, but phosphorus and nitrogen in it can be recovered by up to about 90 per cent. If recovered, this could supply 22 per cent of the current global demand for phosphorus.

Case Study:

• In Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri district, a project was started in 2018 to use recycled water for agriculture. It also helped treat and reuse faecal sludge as co-compost for farming. Started by Rural Development Organisation Trust, along with FINISH and WASTE, it now sells compost at Rs 8 per kg to replace chemical fertilisers, which costs Rs 15 per kg.
• The project found 15 per cent increase in crop yield and 20 per cent increase in farmers’ annual income. Some farmers who used the compost to grow garlic, beetroot and carrot reported that the size of garlic increased and beetroot and carrots were more shiny and rich in colour.

Phosphorus

• Phosphorus is a chemical element with the symbol P and atomic number 15
• Phosphorus exists in several forms, including white, red, and black phosphorus. White phosphorus is the most reactive and is used in the production of chemicals and munitions. Red phosphorus is used in the production of flame retardants and other materials, while black phosphorus has potential applications in electronics and other fields.
• Phosphorus is an abundant element in the Earth’s crust, but is typically found in nature in the form of phosphates, which are compounds that contain phosphorus and oxygen.
  • Phosphate is naturally found in rocks, soil, and water, and is a key component of many biological processes. It is also present in several food sources, including dairy products, meat, fish, and nuts.
• Phosphorus has many important uses in industry and agriculture. It is used to make fertilizers, detergents, and other chemicals. It is also used in the production of steel and other metals.
• Phosphorus is generally safe for consumption in small amounts, but excessive intake of phosphorus can have negative health effects, including kidney damage, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
• Phosphorus can have both positive and negative environmental impacts. It is essential for plant growth and is a key component of many ecosystems.
  • However, excessive use of phosphorus fertilizers can lead to runoff into waterways, causing eutrophication, algal blooms, and other environmental problems.
• Phosphorus is primarily mined from phosphate rock deposits, which are found in several countries, including Morocco, China, and the United States.
• The global demand for phosphorus is expected to increase in the coming years, driven by population growth and increasing demand for food. However, the supply of phosphate rock is limited, and there are concerns about future shortages and price volatility.

Phosphorus cycle

• The phosphorus cycle is a biogeochemical cycle that describes the movement of phosphorus through the Earth’s ecosystems.
• Phosphorus sources: The primary source of phosphorus is rock, which contains phosphorus-rich minerals. Weathering and erosion of rock releases phosphorus into the soil, where it becomes available to plants.
• Uptake by plants: Plants take up phosphorus from the soil through their roots, and use it to build DNA, RNA, and other important molecules.
• Transfer to animals: Animals obtain phosphorus by eating plants or other animals that have consumed plants.
• Decomposition and mineralization: When plants and animals die, their bodies are decomposed by bacteria and fungi, which release phosphorus back into the soil in the form of inorganic phosphate ions.
• Runoff and erosion: In some cases, phosphorus can be carried away from the soil by runoff or erosion, and can accumulate in bodies of water. This can lead to eutrophication, or the overgrowth of algae and other aquatic plants, which can have negative impacts on water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
• Geological processes: Over long periods of time, some phosphorus may be buried and eventually incorporated into rock, where it can remain for millions of years.
• Human impact: Human activities such as agriculture, mining, and wastewater treatment can greatly alter the phosphorus cycle. For example, excessive use of phosphorus fertilizers can lead to runoff and eutrophication, while mining of phosphorus-rich rock can deplete this nonrenewable resource.

5. Waste-to-energy

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

Context: The Kerala government recently announced the State’s first waste-to-energy project in Kozhikode. The planned facility is expected to be built in two years and generate about 6 MW of power.

Waste to energy:

• Waste-to-energy is a process that involves the conversion of various types of waste materials into energy, typically in the form of electricity or heat.
• Waste-to-energy can be used to convert a variety of waste materials, including municipal solid waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, and sewage sludge.
• Waste-to-energy systems typically generate electricity or heat, which can be used to power homes and businesses, or sold to the grid.
• Generally, solid waste in India is 55-60% biodegradable organic waste, which can be converted into organic compost or biogas; 25-30% non-biodegradable dry waste; and around 15% silt, stones, and drain waste.
• Waste-to-energy systems can provide several benefits, including reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste, and generating renewable energy.

Waste-to-energy technologies:

• Incineration: Incineration is a waste-to-energy technology that involves burning waste at high temperatures to produce heat and electricity. This process can be used for both municipal solid waste and industrial waste. Incineration systems typically have advanced pollution control systems to minimize emissions of pollutants.
• Pyrolysis: Pyrolysis is a process that involves heating waste materials in the absence of oxygen to produce a liquid or gaseous fuel. Pyrolysis can be used for a variety of waste materials, including plastics and rubber.
• Gasification: Gasification is a waste-to-energy technology that involves heating waste at high temperatures in the presence of limited oxygen to produce a gas that can be used to generate electricity or heat. Gasification can be used for a variety of waste materials, including municipal solid waste, biomass, and industrial waste.
• Plasma gasification: Plasma gasification is a high-temperature process that involves heating waste materials in the presence of plasma to produce a gas that can be used to generate electricity or heat. Plasma gasification can be used for a variety of waste materials, including municipal solid waste and hazardous waste.
• Hydrothermal carbonization: Hydrothermal carbonization is a process that involves heating wet organic waste materials in the presence of water to produce a solid fuel. This process can be used for a variety of waste materials, including sewage sludge and agricultural waste.
• Anaerobic digestion: Anaerobic digestion is a waste-to-energy technology that involves the breakdown of organic waste materials by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. This process produces biogas, which can be used to generate electricity or heat. Anaerobic digestion can be used for a variety of waste materials, including food waste, agricultural waste, and sewage sludge.
• Mechanical biological treatment: Mechanical biological treatment (MBT) is a waste-to-energy process that involves first separating recyclable materials from waste, and then using biological treatment (such as composting or anaerobic digestion) to break down the remaining organic waste. The resulting biogas can be used to generate electricity or heat.

Why do waste-to-energy plants often fail?

Waste-to-energy plants can fail for a variety of reasons, including technical, economic, and environmental factors.

• Technical issues: Waste-to-energy plants can be complex and require specialized equipment and processes. If the technology is not properly designed or maintained, it can result in breakdowns or inefficiencies that can impact the plant’s ability to operate effectively.
• High capital costs: Waste-to-energy plants can require significant investment in capital equipment and infrastructure, which can make them expensive to build and maintain. If the plant is not able to generate enough revenue from energy sales or other sources, it can result in financial difficulties.
• Lack of waste feedstock: Waste-to-energy plants require a consistent and sufficient supply of waste feedstock to operate effectively. If there is a shortage of waste feedstock due to changes in waste generation or management practices, the plant may not be able to operate at full capacity or may be forced to shut down.
• Environmental concerns: Waste-to-energy plants can generate emissions and produce ash or other waste products that can have negative environmental impacts. If these impacts are not properly managed or mitigated, it can result in public opposition or regulatory challenges that can lead to the closure of the plant.
• Regulatory challenges: Waste-to-energy plants are subject to a range of regulations related to environmental and health impacts, as well as energy and waste management policies. If the plant is not able to comply with these regulations or faces challenges in obtaining necessary permits, it can result in delays or shutdowns.

How can the plant overcome these challenges?

There are several ways in which waste-to-energy plants can overcome the challenges that may lead to their failure:

• Technical improvements: Waste-to-energy plants can improve their performance and reliability by investing in better equipment and maintenance practices. This can involve upgrading existing systems or adopting new technologies that are more efficient and cost-effective.
• Diversification of revenue streams: Waste-to-energy plants can reduce their financial risks by diversifying their revenue streams. This can include selling excess heat or steam to nearby industrial users, or partnering with local utilities to sell electricity to the grid.
• Increased waste collection and sorting: Waste-to-energy plants can work with local governments and waste management companies to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality waste feedstock. This can involve increasing waste collection and sorting efforts to ensure that the plant receives the right mix of waste materials to optimize energy generation.
• Environmental management and monitoring: Waste-to-energy plants can mitigate environmental concerns by implementing rigorous management and monitoring practices. This can include measures to reduce emissions and ash production, as well as monitoring air and water quality to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Stakeholder engagement: Waste-to-energy plants can build support for their operations by engaging with local communities and stakeholders. This can involve providing information about the benefits of waste-to-energy, addressing concerns and feedback from stakeholders, and involving the community in decision-making processes.
• By addressing these challenges and implementing effective management practices, waste-to-energy plants can overcome the barriers to success and continue to provide a valuable source of renewable energy while reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

6. The all-powerful Sri Lankan Presidency

Subject :Polity

Section: Constitution

Context: Srilanka crisis

• Structure: Sri Lanka is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, in which the President of Sri Lanka is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system.
• Origins of unlimited power:
• Since its Independence in 1948, Sri Lanka was a parliamentary democracy.
• It adopted a republican constitution in 1972, in which parliamentary democracy continued.
• In 1978, the second republican constitution changed it into a presidential form of government and vested the President’s office with enormous powers.
• Details:
  • Executive power is exercised by the government
  • Legislative power is vested in both the government and Parliament.
  • The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
  • The Politics of Sri Lanka reflect the historical and political differences between the three main ethnic groups, the majority Sinhala and the minorities Tamils and Muslims, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island.
• President:
  • The President is directly elected for a six-year term, and is the head of state, head of government, and commander in chief of the armed forces.
  • The election occurs under the Sri Lankan form of the contingent vote.
  • Responsible for Parliament for the exercise of duties under the constitution and laws, the president may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of Parliament with the concurrence of SC.
• PM and Cabinet of Ministers:
  • The President appoints and heads a cabinet of ministers responsible to Parliament.
  • The President’s deputy is the prime minister, who leads the ruling party in Parliament.
  • A parliamentary no confidence vote requires dissolution of the cabinet and the appointment of a new one by the President.
• Indian Presidential System:
  • India follows a parliamentary system of government, which means that the President of India is a ceremonial head of state and the real power lies with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
• Election Process: The President of India is elected by an Electoral College consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all Indian states. The election is conducted through a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
• Powers of the President: The President of India has both executive and legislative powers. Some of the key powers of the President are:
• Appointment of the Prime Minister: The President appoints the Prime Minister of India and, on the Prime Minister’s advice, appoints other members of the Council of Ministers.
• Summoning and Proroguing of Parliament: The President summons and prorogues the sessions of both houses of Parliament and can also dissolve the Lok Sabha.
• Promulgation of Ordinances: The President can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session. These ordinances have the same force and effect as an act of Parliament.
• Assent to Bills: The President gives assent to bills passed by Parliament, which are then enacted into law.
• Pardoning Power: The President has the power to grant pardons,reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.
• Term of Office: The President of India holds office for a term of five years and is eligible for re-election for any number of terms.
• Removal from Office: The President of India can be impeached by Parliament for violation of the Constitution. The procedure for impeachment is similar to that of a criminal trial, with the Rajya Sabha Upper Houseacting as the court and the Lok Sabha Lower House acting as the prosecutor.
• Role in Government: The President of India is not a part of the government and does not participate in the day-to-day functioning of the government. However, the President does play an important role in the appointment of judges, governors, ambassadors, and other high-ranking officials.

7. e-postal ballot for overseas Indian voters

Subject : Polity

Section: Election

Context:

• The Law Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that an Election Commission proposal to facilitate Electronically-Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) for overseas Indian voters is under discussions with the Ministry of External Affairs.

What is the current process of voting by NRIs/overseas Indian voters:

• Currently, Election Commission of India (ECI) allows NRIs to register as overseas electors as long as they have not acquired the citizenship of another country.
• An NRI can vote in the constituency in which his/her place of residence, as mentioned in the passport, is located.
• He/she can only vote in person and will have to produce her passport in original at the polling station for establishing identity.
• Voting rights for NRIs were introduced only in 2011, through an amendment to the Representation of the People Act 1950.

What has been proposed by the EC:

• To extend voting facility for NRI electors, EC had proposed the extension of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) facility to these voters.
• ETPBS enables the voters to cast their vote on an electronically received postal ballot from their preferred location.
• ETPBS facility is so far available to:
  • Members of the armed forces and central armed police forces posted outside their home constituencies
  • Members of Indian embassies and diplomatic missions.
  • Voters on election duty
  • Voter above 80 years of age or person with disabilities (PwD)
  • Voter who are under preventive detention
  • Media persons (Journalist)
• According to the EC proposal, any NRI interested in voting through the postal ballot in an election will have to inform the Returning Officer (RO).
• RO should be informed in a time period not later than five days after the notification of the election.
• On receiving such information, the RO will dispatch the ballot paper electronically.
• The NRI voters will download the ballot paper, mark their preference on the printout and send it back.
• This ballot is to be sent back along with a declaration attested by an officer appointed by the consular representative of India in the country where the NRI is resident.

8. Japan-South Korea summit what has kept the two side apart

Subject :International relations

Section: International Events

Context:

• Japan and South Korea agreed to resume regular visits between their leaders after 12 years.

What are the issues:

• Colonization of Korean Peninsula by Japan

1. Japan effectively colonized the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945, in a regime that imposed Japanese names and language on Koreans.
2. During this period, Japan conscripted many into forced labor or forced prostitution in military brothels.
3. Japan paid $800 million in reparations to South Korea’s military-run government in 1965, but this money was never distributed to victims.
4. Recently, Seoul has offered Tokyo concessions on South Korean demands for compensation over wartime forced labor.However, it remains to be seen whether the South Korean public will accept reconciliation.

• Longstanding territorial dispute

1. The two sides also have a longstanding territorial dispute over a group of islands controlled by South Korea and claimed by Japan. 
2. Regular visits between top leaders of both the countries ended in 2012 after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak visited the disputed islands.

• Escalation of tensions in recent years

1. Tensions escalated in the past 10 years as conservative Japanese governments moved to rearm the country while stepping up attempts to whitewash Japan’s wartime atrocities.
2. In 2018 South Korea’s Supreme Court ordered Japan’s Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to compensate forced labour victims.
3. In 2019, Japan placed export controls on chemicals used to make semiconductors and displays used in smartphones and other high-tech devices.

9. Iran- Saudi Deal

Subject : International relations

Section: International Events

Context:

• Saudi Arabia and Iran have announced that they are restoring full diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by China.

More about the Deal:

• Saudi Arabia and Iran, represented by their national security advisers, signed an agreement in Beijing, China, to re-establish diplomatic ties, respect each other’s sovereignty and maintain non-interference in the other’s domestic affairs.
• This agreement ends seven years of diplomatic estrangement between the two Gulf neighbours.
• The deal has been necessitated by mutual interests of both nations.
• For instance, Saudi Arabia, which is undergoing rapid changes, wants peace in its neighbourhood. Also, Iran, which is under the U.S.-imposed sanctions, wants more diplomatic and economic openings.

Earlier Efforts Towards Brokering Peace Deal:

• Saudi Arabia and Iran started directly talking to each other in 2021 and had held multiple rounds of negotiations thereafter, first in Iraq and then Oman.
• However, no breakthrough was achieved as issues that divide the two countries like the wars in Syria and Yemen, and Saudi concerns relating to Iran’s mobilization of Shia communities in the region against the Arab states were left unaddressed.

Emergence of China as a Power Broker in West Asia:

• China has been involved in multilateral peace talks such as the 2015 Iran nuclear deal from which the U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
• But this is the first time Beijing is using its leverage directly to bring conflicting parties to reconciliation.
• Also, unlike the U.S., which has hostile ties with Iran, Beijing enjoys good ties with Tehran and Riyadh, as a leading oil buyer and trading partner, respectively.
• This has hence put China in a unique position to bring two of the region’s most significant powers closer.

West Asia’s Strategic Realignments in Recent Years:

• In 2020, the UAE became the first Arab country to normalize relations with Israel in a quarter century.
• In the following years, Israel and Arab countries deepened their partnerships.
• In 2021, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their allies decided to end their failed blockade of Qatar.

Govt. names Mohanty as chairperson of PFRDA 

• PFRDA is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament to promote old age income security by establishing, developing and regulating pension funds, to protect the interests of subscribers to schemes of pension funds and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto.
• PFRDA performs the function of appointing various intermediate agencies like Pension Fund Managers, Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) etc.
• It develops, promotes and regulates the pension industry under National Pension System and also administers the Atal Pension Yojana.

Atal Pension Yojana

• The scheme was launched on 9th May, 2015, with the objective of creating a universal social security system for all Indians, especially the poor, the under-privileged and the workers in the unorganised sector.
• Administered By: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority through National Pension System (NPS).
• Any citizen of India can join the APY scheme. The age of the subscriber should be between 18-40 years. The contribution levels would vary and would be low if a subscriber joins early and increases if she joins late.
• Benefits:
  • It provides a minimum guaranteed pension ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 on attaining 60 years of age.
  • The amount of pension is guaranteed for lifetime to the spouse on death of the subscriber.
  • In the event of death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the entire pension corpus is paid to the nominee.
  • Contributions to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) are eligible for tax benefits similar to the National Pension System (NPS).

National Pension System

• NPS is a government-sponsored pension scheme. It was launched in 2004 for government employees.
• Now, any individual citizen of India (both resident and non-resident) in the age group of 18-65 can join NPS.

ECB backs big rate increase despite Credit Suisse chao

10. U.S. releases video of alleged collision of drone and Russian jet

Subject : International Relations

Section Places in news

• The Black Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and Asia. It is bordered by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
• It is supplied by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper, and Don.
• The Black Sea ultimately drains into the Mediterranean Sea, via the Turkish Straits and the Aegean Sea.
• The Bosporus Strait connects it to the small Sea of Marmara which in turn is connected to the Aegean Sea via the Strait of the Dardanelles.
• To the north, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait.
• The Black Sea covers 436,400 km2 (not including the Sea of Azov), making it the world’s largest inland body of water.

11. BRO opens strategic Zojila Pass in record 68 days

Subject :Geography

Section :Places in news

The Zojila Pass is a strategic link between Ladakh and Kashmir. It is the only road link that connects the Ladakh region to the rest of India. The pass is critical for the Indian Armed Forces’ operational preparedness in the region. The reopening of the pass will also help ease the transportation of essential supplies and trade between Ladakh and Kashmir.

12. Defence acquisition proposals valued at ₹70500 cr. Cleared

Subject : Defence

• The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
• The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
• The objective of the Defence Acquisition Council is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.

13. Is depositors’ money safe?

Subject : Economy

Section :Monetary policy

Serious thought to insuring deposits was given by the RBI and the Centre after the failure of the Palai Central Bank Ltd. and the Laxmi Bank Ltd. in 1960. The Deposit Insurance Act, 1961 came into force on January 1, 1962.

The preamble of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 states that it is an Act to provide for the establishment of a Corporation for the purpose of insurance of deposits and guaranteeing of credit facilities and for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, taking care of insuring bank deposits. The management of the Corporation vests with its Board of Directors, of which a Deputy Governor of the RBI is the Chairman.

Though the scheme’s prime objective is to protect bank depositors from the impact of bank failures, it has also served other unstated purposes like:

• Bailing out cooperative banks at the cost of commercial banks
• Generating income for the central government by way of income tax
• Penalising depositors of government banks without any utility
• Diverting sizable deposit funds to the DICGC.

Banks covered by Deposit Insurance Scheme

• All commercial banks including the branches of foreign banks functioning in India, Local Area Banks and Regional Rural Banks.
• Co-operative Banks – All eligible co-operative banks as defined in Section 2(gg) of the DICGC Act are covered by the Deposit Insurance Scheme. All State, Central and Primary co-operative banks functioning in the States/Union Territories which have amended their Co-operative Societies Act as required under the DICGC Act, 1961, empowering RBI to order the Registrar of Co-operative Societies of the respective States/Union Territories to wind up a co-operative bank or to supersede its committee of management and requiring the Registrar not to take any action for winding up, amalgamation or reconstruction of a co-operative bank without prior sanction in writing from the RBI, are treated as eligible banks. At present all Co-operative banks are covered by the Scheme. The Union Territories of Lakshadweep and Dadra and Nagar Haveli do not have Co-operative Banks.

Under Section 11 of the DICGC Act, 1961, all new commercial banks are required to be registered as soon as may be after they are granted licence by the Reserve Bank of India under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Insurance coverage

Initially, under the provisions of Section 16(1) of the DICGC Act, the insurance cover was limited to 1,500/- only per depositor(s) for deposits held by him (them) in the “same right and in the same capacity” in all the branches of the bank taken together. However, the Act also empowers the Corporation to raise this limit with the prior approval of the Central Government. Accordingly, the insurance limit was enhanced from time to time as follows:

• 5,000/- with effect from 1st January 1968
• 10,000/- with effect from 1st April 1970
• 20,000/- with effect from 1st January 1976
• 30,000/- with effect from 1st July 1980
• 1,00,000/- with effect from 1st May 1993 onwards.
• 5,00,000/- with effect from 4th February 2020 onwards.

Types of Deposits Covered

DICGC insures all bank deposits, such as saving, fixed, current, recurring, etc. except the following types of deposits.

• Deposits of foreign Governments;
• Deposits of Central/State Governments;
• Inter-bank deposits
• Deposits of the State Land Development Banks with the State co-operative banks;
• Any amount due on account of and deposit received outside India
• Any amount which has been specifically exempted by the corporation with the previous approval of the RBI.

Premium:

The Corporation has revised the premium further to 12 paise per 100 of assessable deposits per annum from the half year beginning April 1, 2020 onwards with the objective of maintaining a strong DIF.

The premium paid by the insured banks to the Corporation is required to be absorbed by the banks themselves so that the benefit of deposit insurance protection is made available to the depositors free of cost. In other words the financial burden on account of payment of premium should be borne by the banks themselves and should not be passed on to the depositors.

Under Section 15A of the DICGC Act, the Corporation has the power to cancel the registration of an insured bank if it fails to pay the premium for three consecutive half-year periods. However, the Corporation may restore the registration of the bank, which has been de-registered for non-payment of premium, if the concerned bank makes a request on this behalf and pays all the amounts due by way of premium from the date of default together with interest.

Tax liability:

The Corporation has been paying income tax since 1987-88. It is assessed for Income Tax as a ‘company’ as defined under the Income Tax Act, 1961, is also subject to service tax on premium income from October 1, 2011 and is liable to Goods and Services Tax with effect from July 1, 2017.

14. 2.5 tonnes of uranium missing in Libya, says UN nuclear watchdog

Subject: International Relations

Section: International Organization

Details

According to the United Nations nuclear watchdog 2.5 tons of natural uranium stored in a site in war-torn Libya have gone missing, raising safety and proliferation concerns.

However, forces allied to a warlord battling the Libyan government based in the capital of Tripoli claimed on Thursday night that they recovered the material. U.N. inspectors said they were trying to confirm that.

Can natural uranium be used to make bomb?

Natural uranium cannot immediately be used for energy production or bomb fuel, as the enrichment process typically requires the metal to be converted into a gas, then later spun in centrifuges to reach the levels needed.

But each ton of natural uranium — if obtained by a group with the technological means and resources — can be refined to 5.6 kilograms (12 pounds) of weapons-grade material over time, experts say. That makes finding the missing metal important for non-proliferation experts.

Uranium enrichment

• Uranium enrichment is a process that is necessary to create an effective nuclear fuel out of mined uranium by increasing the percentage of uranium-235 which undergoes fission with thermal neutrons.
• Nuclear fuel is mined from naturally occurring uranium ore deposits and then isolated through chemical reactions and separation processes.
• These chemical processes used to separate the uranium from the ore are not to be confused with the physical and chemical processes used to enrich the uranium.
• Naturally occurring uranium does not have a high enough concentration of Uranium-235 at only about 0.72% with the remainder being Uranium-238.
• Due to the fact that uranium-238 is fissionable and not fissile, the concentration of uranium-235 must be increased before it can be effectively used as a nuclear fuel.

IAEA

• Widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.

Establishment:

• The IAEA was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology.
• Headquarter: Vienna, Austria.

Objective:

• The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a safe and peaceful world.

Board of Governors:

• 22 member states (must represent a stipulated geographic diversity) — elected by the General Conference (11 members every year) – 2 year term.
• At least 10 members states — nominated by the outgoing Board.
• Board members each receive one vote.

Functions:

• It is an independent international organization that reports annually to the United Nation General Assembly.
• When necessary, the IAEA also reports to the UN Security Council in regards to instances of members’ non-compliance with safeguards and security obligations.

15. 10 fishermen on board TN trawler ‘hunt’ dolphins, held

Subject : Environment

Section: Species in news

Context: 10 fishermen on board a Tamil Nadu fishing trawler were arrested by the Porbandar wildlife division of Gujarat Forest department on Thursday for allegedly hunting 22 common dolphins off the coast of Porbandar.

Dolphin:

• Common dolphin, the most abundant cetacean in the world, is a species listed on the Schedule-2 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972 and hence a protected species in India.
• Indian Ocean humpback dolphins are social delphinids (oceanic dolphins) that live in groups averaging twelve individuals, although group size can be highly variable. The majority of their diet is composed of sciaenid fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Being near shore cetaceans, living in close proximity to coastal development and its repercussions, they experience high rates of mortality due to anthropogenic disturbances such as fisheries entanglement, environmental pollution, habitat loss and noise pollution.
• The IUCN lists the species as Globally Endangered and the Indian Government plans to propose the species to be listed as Appendix I of the CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals) in the next meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to be held in February 2020 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.