Daily Prelims Notes 21 October 2023

October 21, 2023
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Daily Prelims Notes

21 October 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Scientists spot most distant ‘fast radio burst’ recorded in history

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Space technology

Context: Scientists spot most distant ‘fast radio burst’ recorded in history

More about the news:

Researchers have identified a remote “fast radio burst” (FRB), the most distant ever detected, originating in a galaxy eight billion years away.
This highly energetic burst, lasting less than a millisecond, can help measure the “missing” matter between galaxies and potentially revolutionize our understanding of the Universe’s mass.
FRBs can detect ionized material between galaxies, providing insights into this elusive matter.
While the cause of FRBs remains uncertain, their frequency suggests they can enhance our comprehension of the Universe’s structure.

What is Fast Radio Burst (FRB):

FRBs are bright flashes (radio Pulses) of light and are super intense, millisecond-long bursts of radio waves produced by unidentified sources in the distant cosmos.
Their origins are unknown, and their appearance is unpredictable.
They were first discovered in 2007 when scientists combed through archival pulsar data.
Pulsars refer to spherical, compact objects in the universe, which are about the size of a large city but contain more mass than the sun.
They often look like flickering stars but are not stars.

2. How MPs ask questions in Lok Sabha

Subject: Polity

Section: Parliament

Context: The BJP MP had accused Mahua Moitra of accepting money from a businessman to ask questions in Parliament.

What is the procedure for raising the questions:

The procedure for raising questions is governed by:
- Rules 32 to 54 of the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha”
- Directions 10 to 18 of the “Directions by the Speaker, Lok Sabha‟.
To ask a question, an MP has to first give a notice addressed to the lower house’s Secretary-General, intimating their intention to ask a question.
The notice usually contains:
- The text of the question,
- The official designation of the Minister to whom the question is addressed,
- The date on which the answer is desired,
- The order of preference, in case the MP tables more than one notice of questions for the same day.
A Member is allowed to give not more than five notices of questions, both for oral and written answers, in all, for any day.
Notices received in excess of five from a Member for a day, are considered for the subsequent day(s) concerning that Minister during the period of that session only.
Usually, the period of notice of a question is not less than 15 days.
There are two ways through which MPs can submit the notices of their questions.
- First, through an online ‘Member’s Portal’, where they have to enter their ID and password to get access.
- Second, through the printed forms available in the Parliamentary Notice Office.
After submission of the notices, the next stage is when the Speaker of Lok Sabha examines the notices of the questions in the light of the laid-out rules.
It is the Speaker, who decides if a question, or a part thereof, is or isn’t admissible.

What are the conditions for the admissibility of questions:

There exist several regulations that dictate the eligibility of a question presented by a Member of Parliament.
For instance, these questions are generally limited to 150 words in length and must abstain from including arguments, defamatory remarks, or references to an individual’s character or behavior unless it relates to their official or public role.
Additionally, questions addressing broad policy issues are typically not permitted due to the limitations of providing a comprehensive policy within a question’s response.
Furthermore, a question is not admissible if its subject matter is pending judgment before any court of law or any other tribunal or body set up under law or is under consideration before a Parliamentary Committee.
A query also cannot seek information on matters which may weaken the unity and integrity of the country.

What are the different types of questions:

There are four types of questionsi.estarred, unstarred, short-notice questions, and questions addressed to private Members.
Starred Questions: These questions are asked by MPs and are answered orally by the Minister-in-charge. MPs can ask one starred question per day, and they must be submitted at least 15 days in advance. Only 20 starred questions can be listed for oral answers on a given day, and supplementary questions can be asked after the oral response.
Unstarred Questions: Unstarred questions receive written replies from the Ministry. They also need to be submitted at least 15 days in advance, but they do not allow for follow-up questions. A total of 230 unstarred questions can be listed for written answers in a day.
Short Notice Questions: These are questions related to urgent public matters and can be asked with less than 10 days’ notice, provided reasons for the short notice are given. Short notice questions are answered orally, and supplementary questions can follow.
Questions to Private Members: These questions are addressed to the MP themselves. They are asked when the subject matter relates to a Bill, Resolution, or any matter concerning the Business of the House for which that MP is responsible. The procedure for these questions is similar to questions addressed to a Minister, with variations as determined by the Speaker.

What is the importance of raising questions:

Asking questions in the Lok Sabha is an inherent parliamentary right for MPs, serving as a means of legislative control over the executive branch.
This practice is used to acquire information, critique government policies, highlight shortcomings, and encourage ministers to take action for the public’s benefit.
It also allows the government to gauge public reactions and can lead to the formation of commissions, inquiries, or new legislation.

3. Government not clearing all collegium picks in one go disturbs seniority says Supreme Court

Subject: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context: Supreme Court concern on Government selectively clearing Collegium picks

More about the news:

The Supreme Court of India expressed concern over the selective clearance of names from the list recommended by the Collegium for the appointment and transfer of judges.
The court highlighted the issues related to seniority when some names are notified while others are held back.
Two petitions were filed, seeking contempt of court proceedings against the government for delaying the Collegium’s recommendations.
The court noted that some candidates withdraw their names due to selective clearances, and stressed the need to address this issue.
The matter is scheduled for a hearing on November 7.

What is the collegium system:

The ruling in theThird Judges Case,gave legal backing to the current system of appointment of judges and created the collegium of the CJI and four senior-most judges.
The principal objective of the collegium is to ensure that the best available talent is brought to the Supreme Court Bench.
The collegium system is not rooted in the Constitution or a specific law promulgated by Parliament.
The SC collegium is headed by the incumbent CJI and comprises the four other senior most judges of the court at that time.

What the Constitution says:-

Articles 124(2) and 217 of the Constitution deal with the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
The appointments are made by the President, who is required to hold “consultations” with “such of the judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts” as he may think is needed.
For appointments other than the Chief Justice, “the Chief Justice of India shall always be consulted”.

Evolution of the system-

The collegium system evolved out of a series of judgments of the Supreme Court that are called the “Judges Cases”.
FIRST JUDGES CASE:
- In SP Gupta vs Union of India, 1981, the Supreme Court held that the concept of primacy of the CJI was not really rooted in the Constitution.
- The Constitution Bench also held that the term “consultation” used in Articles124 and 217 did not mean “concurrence” .
- Therefore though the President will consult these functionaries, his decision doesn’t have to concur with them.
- This judgment tilted the balance of power in favour of the executive.
SECOND JUDGES CASE:
- In The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association vs Union of India, 1993, a nine-judge Constitution Bench overturned the decision in SP Gupta, and devised a specific procedure called the ‘CollegiumSystem’.
- The verdict in the case accorded primacy to the CJI in appointment and transfers, and ruled that the term “consultation” would not diminish the primary role of the CJI.
- The verdict said that the recommendation should be made by the CJI in consultation with his two senior most colleagues.
- It added that although the executive could ask the collegium to reconsider the matter, if the collegium reiterated the recommendation, the executive was bound to make the appointment.
THIRD JUDGES CASE:
- In 1998, then President K R Narayanan issued a Presidential Reference to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution over the meaning of the term “consultation”.
- The question was whether “consultation” required consultation with a number of judges in forming the CJI’s opinion, or whether the sole opinion of CJI could by itself constitute a “consultation”.
- In response, the SC laid down nine guidelines which has come to be the existing form of the collegium.
- The SC laid down that the recommendation should be made by the CJI and his four seniormost colleagues instead of two.
- It was also held that even if two judges gave an adverse opinion, the CJI should not send the recommendation to the government.

4. Canada recalls 41 diplomats

Subject: IR

Section: International conventions

Context: Canada recalls 41 diplomats

More about the news:

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the Indian government for making life difficult for people in India and Canada.
This comes after Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India due to concerns about their safety and India’s decision to seek parity in diplomatic presence.
Canada accused India of violating international norms, while India defended its actions as consistent with diplomatic conventions.
The dispute has led to a slowdown in Indian visa applications for Canada, particularly affecting students.
Tensions initially arose over Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in a separatist’s killing, which India rejected as absurd.

Some details about India- Canada Consulate:

Canada has a High Commission in New Delhi and Consulates in Chandigarh, Bengaluru and Mumbai.
It also has Trade Commissioner Service offices – a total of eight – in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
India has a High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates in Toronto and Vancouver.

What is Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations was adopted in 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria.
It came into force on April 24, 1964 and is nearly universally ratified, with Palau and South Sudan being the exceptions.
It provides a complete framework for the establishment, maintenance and termination of diplomatic relations on a basis of consent between independent sovereign States.
The Vienna Convention applies not only to diplomats but also to both military and civilian personnel from the military departments, who are present in the country under the authority of the chief of the diplomatic mission.
It explains the functions of a diplomatic mission, including representing the State, protecting the State, promoting friendly relations between the sending and receiving State.
The security of any High Commission or Embassy is the responsibility of the host nation.
While diplomatic missions can also employ their own security, ultimately, the host nation is accountable for security.
The Convention codifies the longstanding custom of diplomatic immunity.
Under this, the diplomatic missions are granted privileges that enable diplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country.

What is Article 11.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:

It deals with the size of the diplomatic mission
In the absence of specific agreement as to the size of the mission, the receiving State may require that the size of a mission be kept within limits considered by it to be reasonable and normal,havingregard to circumstances and conditions in the receiving State and to the needs of the particular mission.

What are the other key provisions of Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations:

As per the Vienna Convention, a “receiving State” refers to the host nation where a diplomatic mission is located.
Article 9: The host State can prohibit a member of the Sending state (persona non grata) from entering or remaining in the host State. The host State can expel the envoys.This person could be the head of mission, member of the diplomatic staff, or any other member of the mission.
Article 22: It confirms the inviolability of mission premises.
- It bars the enforcement officers of the host State from searching the premises of the diplomatic mission and seizing its property or documents.
- Diplomatic bags may not be opened or detained.
- The host State has a special duty to protect the premises of the diplomatic mission against intrusion, damage, disturbance of the peace or infringement of dignity.
Article 27: The host State shall permit and protect free communication of the mission for official purposes.
Article 29: Diplomatic members are not subject to any form of detention or arrest.
Article 31: Diplomats are exempt from the criminal, civil and administrative jurisdiction of the host State.It is possible for the diplomat’s home country to waive immunity but this can happen only when the individual has committed a ‘serious crime’.
Article 34: Sets out the tax exemption accorded to diplomats along with detailed exceptions in respect of matters unrelated to their official duties or to ordinary life in the receiving State.
Article 36 :Provides for exemption from customs duties on diplomatic imports throughout a diplomat’s posting.
Article 38 : It bars from all privileges and immunities, except for immunity for their official acts, nationals, and permanent residents of the receiving State.

India and Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

India acceded to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in 1965.
India has enacted the Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act, 1972 to give effect to the Vienna Convention.

5. Eradicate manual scavenging, SC tells Centre, States

Subject: Polity

Section: legislation in news

Context:

The Supreme Court on Friday said claims of fraternity, equality, and dignity among citizens remain a mere illusion if a sizeable section of society is forced to enter sewers for a living and die trapped in them even a decade after the outlawing of the inhuman practice of manual scavenging.

Manual Scavenging in India:

As per International Labor Organisation (ILO), manual scavenging includes mainly the disposal of human excreta from dry latrines, public streets and the maintenance and sweeping of septic tanks, sewers and gutters.
Though found in other regions of the world, the practice is most popular in India, where people from lower castes (over 90% are SC) are typically involved in carrying out manual scavenging, which is considered the worst remaining evidence of being an untouchable.
In India, ~58,098 people worked as manual scavengers as of 2018 and 941 people have died (since 1993) due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks.

Attempts to Abolish Manual Scavenging in India:

The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993:
It covered only dry latrines and the definition of manual scavenging was restricted to a person employed for manually carrying human excreta.
Also, there was no stress laid upon the rehabilitation of these workers and the lenient penal punishment could not create deterrence in society.
The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation(PEMSR) Act 2013 replaced the Act of 1993.
Unlike the previous act, which was drafted with cleanliness in mind, the current legislation emphasizes the human dignity, rights and rehabilitation of manual scavengers.
Safai KaramchariAndolan v. Union of India (2014): The SC highlighted the importance of rehabilitation, to prevent present as well as future generations from working as a manual scavenger.

Salient Features of the PEMSR Act 2013:

It bans manual scavenging and widened the definition of manual scavengers – to include all forms of manual removal of human excreta like an open drain, pit latrine, septic tanks, manholes and removal of excreta on the railway tracks.
It calls for a survey of manual scavenging in urban and rural areas and the conversion of insanitary latrines into sanitary latrines.
It makes it obligatory for employers to provide protective tools to the workers.
It lays key focus on rehabilitating the manual scavengers by providing them with ready-built houses, financial assistance and loans for taking up alternate occupation on a sustainable basis.
The offense of manual scavenging has been made cognizable and non-bailable.

Other Efforts to Abolish Manual Scavenging in India:

Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS): It was revised in 2013, with the:
Provision of One Time Cash Assistance of Rs. 40,000/- to one identified manual scavenger in the family.
Capital subsidy upto Rs. 3.25 lakh to identified manual scavengers and their dependents for self-employment projects upto Rs. 10.00 lakh.
Skill Development Training upto two years to identify manual scavengers and their dependents with stipend @ Rs. 3,000/- per month during the training period.
NAMASTE scheme: The National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme was launched in 202223 for 100% mechanization of sewer work by 2025-26. The SRMS has now been merged with the NAMASTE scheme.
Launch of the Swachata mobile app in 2016: To complain for possible signs of ongoing manual scavenging.

Concerns Regarding the Implementation of above Measures:

Non- compliance: With mandated safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOP) still causes fatal accidents in sewers and septic tanks.
330 people have died while being engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the last five years.
Lack of financial assistance: For example, the Union Budget 2023-24 showed an allocation of only ₹100 crore for the NAMASTE scheme.
Low conviction rate: In cases either under the Prohibition of Manual Scavenging Act or under the SC/ST Act.

6. Low-Pressure System In Arabian Sea Set To Intensify Into Cyclonic Storm ‘Tej’

Subject: Geography

Section: Physical geography

Context:

A low-pressure area over the southeast and the adjoining southwest Arabian Sea has developed into a depression and is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by October 21 morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said today.

How a Tropical Cyclone is Formed?

Tropical Cyclones are a weather phenomenon.
A tropical cyclone is formed only over warm ocean waters near the equator.
Warm, moist air rises up and away from the ocean surface, creating an area of low pressure.
It causes the air from surrounding areas with higher pressure to move towards the low-pressure area.
This leads to warming up of air and causes it to rise above.
As the air rises & cools, the water in the air forms clouds.
This complete system of clouds and wind spins & grows, along with the ocean’s heat.
As the wind rotation speed increases, an eye gets formed in the middle.

Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone

The center of a cyclone is very calm and clear with very low air pressure.
The average speed is 120 kmph.
They have closed isobars which leads to greater velocity.
Isobars are imaginary lines on a weather map that connect locations with equal atmospheric pressure.
They develop over oceans and sea only.
They move from east to west under the influence of trade winds.
They are seasonal in nature.

How are Cyclones Classified?

Cyclones are classified on the basis of wind speed by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
Depression: Wind speeds of between 31–49 km/h
Deep Depression: Between 50-61 km/h
Cyclonic Storm: Between 62–88 km/h
Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 89-117 Km/h
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 118-166 Km/h
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 166-221 Km/h
Super Cyclonic Storm: Above 222 Km/h

How are Tropical Cyclones Named?

There are five tropical cyclone regional bodies in the world:
ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee,
WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones,
RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee,
RA IV Hurricane Committee,
RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee.

WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones is responsible for naming of cyclones in the Indian Ocean.

About WMO/ESCAP Panel

It is an intergovernmental regional body jointly established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP) in 1972.

Objective:

To promote measures to improve tropical cyclone warning systems in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea region.
It comprises thirteen countries in the region – Bangladesh, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
They contribute to a set of names which are assigned sequentially whenever a cyclonic storm develops.

7. From Nov. 1, only electric, CNG, BSVI diesel buses to run in NCR

Subject: Environment

Section: Legislation and authority

Context: From November 1, only electric, CNG, and BS VI compliant diesel buses will be allowed to operate between Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region that fall in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, the decision was announced on Friday by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

About CAQM:

Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was established by the CAQM Ordinance, 2020 and CAQM, Act 2021.
The Act provides for the constitution of a Commission for better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh adjoining the NCR where any source of pollution may cause adverse impact on air quality in the NCR.
Apart from consolidating all agencies that monitored, investigated and planned mitigation of air pollution in the region, the commission has replaced the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) which had been running for 22 years.

Powers of the CAQM:

The rulings by the Commission on air pollution will override anything contained in any other law.
The powers of the Commission will also supersede that of any other body in matters of air pollution.
Therefore, in cases where conflict may arise between orders or directions issued by the other State governments, State Pollution Control Boards or even the Central Pollution Control Board, the orders of the Commission will prevail.
The Commission will have the power to take measures, issue directions and entertain complaints “for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of air in the National Capital Region”.
It will also coordinate action taken by states on air pollution and will lay down parameters for air quality and emission or discharge of environmental pollutants.
It will also have powers to restrict industries in any area, carry out random inspections of any premises including factories and be able to close down an industry or cut its power and water supply in case of non-compliance.
It will also be monitoring the measures taken by the States to prevent stubble burning.

8. As part of ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’, Railways plans special trains

Subject: Schemes

Context: The Indian Railways will operate special trains to transport volunteers carrying mitti (soil) from State capitals and other major stations across the country to reach New Delhi on October 29.

About Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign:

Under this campaign soil collected from different parts of the country in August will be used to develop a garden along the Kartavya Path in Delhi.
Events have been planned at the panchayat, village, block, urban local body, and State and national levels, respectively.
The five-point agenda includes the installation of a shilaphalakam (memorial plaque), as per specifications, bearing the “names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice”.
Work for the shilaphalakam may be executed through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), leveraging local materials and resources.
‘Vasudha Vandhan’ envisages every gram panchayat or village renewing “Mother Earth by planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and developing an Amrit Vatika”.
‘Veeron Ka Vandan’ will felicitate freedom fighters, and the families of deceased freedom fighters.
Young volunteers and others will collect soil from every panchayat/village and bring it to the block, from where the ‘Mitti Kalash’ will be transported to Delhi.
In urban areas, events will be organised at local bodies, notified area councils, Cantonment Boards, and town panchayats from August 9 and 15, and in bigger municipalities and municipal corporations from August 16 to 20.
The ‘Mitti Kalash’ are to be brought ceremoniously to the larger municipalities/corporations and transported to Kartavya Path.

9. IMF-World Bank annual meetings 2023: Did talks advance climate justice?

Subject: Environment

Section: International conventions

Context:

The annual meetings of the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), concluded on October 15, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Details:

Global climate investment of at least $4-6 trillion per year is required to achieve the transition to a low-carbon economy.
World Bank woes:
- About 60 per cent of the world’s poor will be living in fragile and conflict-affected countries.
- World Bank’s vision- “end poverty on a livable planet.”
- WB’s climate finance has tripled from $11 billion to $39 billion.Direct investments in fossil fuels have been slashed to only $180 million.
- The WB recently unveiled its Evolution Roadmap (ER), with an emphasis on leveraging private sector money for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
WB has listed some of the concrete steps to address the crises:
- Building-in contingencies for countries whose budgets are preoccupied with debt service and disaster relief to prevent ‘fund squeeze’ during crisis
- Harmonizing macroeconomic standards and procedures globally to cultivate more partnerships and collaboration
- Mobilizing new financial and debt relief instruments and helping clients move money in their portfolios and focus on resilience.
Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET-IP):
- Implemented in South Africa
- The JET-IP aims to deliver a finance package from G7 countries to fossil-dependent emerging economies like South Africa to decarbonise and shift to clean energy.
IMF’s climate strategy include:
- Assisting high emitting countries’ policy formulation for reducing carbon intensity,
- assisting vulnerable countries in maintaining financial stability through climate induced shocks,
- Allocating Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to member countries and creating the Resilience Sustainability Trust for climate focused assistance.
IMF’s accomplishment in 2023:
- Increasing basic votes,
- Establishing a third IMF chair for Sub-Saharan Africa,
- Lowering IMF surcharges or interest rates, and
- Improving SDR reallocation.

Source: DownToEarth

10. PM Modi flags off RRTS: What is this mass transport system, how it can benefit NCR

Subject: Geography

Section: Economic geography

Context:

India’s first mass rapid system {Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)} dedicated to regional connectivity, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS):

Core objective of RRTS: Semi high-speed rail connectivity.
It is an integrated, mass transit network which aims to ensure “balanced and sustainable urban development” through better connectivity and access across the NCR.
Capable of running at speeds up to 180 km/hour.
It will cut the journey time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour.
Timeline:
- 1998-99: A study identified the possibility of an RRTS network to connect various locations in the NCR through fast commuter trains.
- 2006: The proposal was re-examined with the extension of the Delhi Metro lines to some NCR towns such as Gurgaon, Noida and Ghaziabad.
It was then taken up by National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) while developing its “Functional Plan on Transport for NCR-2032”.
The NCRPB identified and recommended eight RRTS corridors to connect NCR towns with high speed rail-based commuter transit services.

RRTS- Namo Bharat:

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is a joint venture company of the Central government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, has constructed the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) also known as Namo Bharat.
This joint venture company is under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It is mandated with implementing the RRTS project across the National Capital Region, which is spread across an estimated 55,000 square kilometres and is home to a population of over 46 crorewith a combined GDP of an estimated $370 billion.

How is the RRTS different from existing metro or railways systems?

RRTS trains will travel significantly faster than metro trains.
- It will operate at a speed of 160 km/hour but is designed to be able to run at speeds up to 180 km/hour. Delhi Metro trains can operate at 100 km/hour to 120 km/hour.
It will cater to commuters who want to travel relatively longer distances across the NCR in a short time.
Compared to Indian Railways:
- It will cover shorter distance
- Higher frequency of RRTS
- Higher speed
- Provide relatively more comfortable coaches
The RRTS is modelled on systems such as the RER in Paris, Regional-Express trains in Germany and Austria as well as the SEPTA Regional Rail in the United States, among others.

Objective behind the RRTS project:

Enhancing multi-modal connectivity at the existing transportation hubs.
To nudge commuters towards public transportation and have a positive impact on relieving the congestion both on its road/highways as well as existing metro and railway networks.
To give a push to employment generation and the opening up of newer commercial hubs along the current contours of the NCR.

Which corridors are being developed under the RRTS project?

Eight corridors will be developed under the project, of which three are being constructed under phase I: the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, the 164-kmDelhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar, and the 103-kmDelhi-Panipat corridors.
The corridors to be developed in future include Delhi – Faridabad – Ballabgarh – Palwal; Ghaziabad – Khurja; Delhi – Bahadurgarh – Rohtak; Ghaziabad-Hapur; and Delhi-Shahadra-Baraut.
All three corridors are being constructed under phase I – connecting the city to U.P, Haryana and Rajasthan – converging at Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi.

What part of the RRTS is being thrown open? How long will it take for the entire project to be operational?

The 17-km stretch, classified as the ‘priority section’ of the 82-km-long Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor, has been inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
It has 16 stations, of which the priority section has five: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot.
The entire corridor is expected to be operational by 2025.

Source: IE

11. Traditional salt workers contribute to wild ass conservation and regain access to Little Rann of Kutch

Subject :Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

The forest department of Gujarat has officially acknowledged the role of Agariyas, the salt workers of the Little Rann of Kutch, in wildlife conservation, particularly of the wild ass that is predominantly found in the region.

Agariyas:

Agariyas have traditionally been making salt from underground brine in the Little Rann of Kutch.
The 60,000-odd Agariyas at the Little Rann produce 30 percent of India’s inland salt. The forest department is issuing ‘Agar’ cards to some Agariyas for extraction of salt. The card is only valid for a year and lists 23 conditions. Use of heavy machinery is not allowed.
In 1973, the area was designated as a Wild Ass Sanctuary and their (Agariyas) access to it was restricted by the forest department.
- As per law, a sanctuary can only be ‘declared’ once the Survey and Settlement (S&S) of the rights of people dependent on it has been completed. An incomplete S&S, over the last 50 years, is delaying the declaration of the sanctuary.
The latest acknowledgment gives theAgariyas official access to land and in turn, access to bank finance and markets. But legal recognition of their traditional rights, by rights settlement, is still awaited.
The wild ass population improved from a meager362 in 1969 to 4451 in 2014 and 6082 in 2020, shows that salt production activities have no negative impact on wildlife.
The forest department stated that as per the Mines Act, 1952, salt production is not a mining activity.

The history and geography of Little Rann of Kutch (LRK):

LRK is a low-lying bowl-shaped tract of land.
During monsoon, 11 big and small rivers drain into LRK while water from the Arabian Sea also enters from a conical creek at another end, making it a large wetland from July to October.
Gujarat produces 76% of India’s salt. During monsoon it becomes a fishing ground, while during dry season it becomes a large underground brine from whichAgariyas extract salt.
Salt was being produced in LRK from the Mughal period. Kharagoda railway station, right at the edge of LRK, is one of the oldest railway stations in the country that the British administration set up to transport salt to various parts of the country.
No permissions and licenses were required by Agariyas, who made salt in 10-acre patches of land as they were considered small producers. They were not charged any cess either because India was still heavily dependent on imports despite many natural sources for salt making and known traditional technologies to produce salt.

Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary:

Located in the Little Rann of Kutch in the Gujarat state of India. It is spread over an area of 4954 km².
The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1972 and came under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The sanctuary is one of the last places on earth where the endangered wild ass sub-species Indian Wild Ass (Khur) (Equus hemionus khur) belonging to Asiatic Wild Ass species Onager (Equus hemionus) can be spotted.
Indian Wild Ass:
- The Indian wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), also called the Indian onager or, in the local Gujarati language, Ghudkhur and Khur, is a subspecies of the onagernative to South Asia.
- It is currently listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.
- The population has risen by 37% since 2014, reveals data released by the Gujarat forest department. The population has reached 6,082, according to the census conducted in March 2020.

Source: Mongabay

12. Cotton Curse: Damage by pink bollworm to Bt Cotton worst in two decades

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic Geography

The pink bollworm (PBW) pest has decimated Bt Cotton crops in the northern cotton zone of Haryana, Rajasthan and Punjab this year. Many farmers have reported being unable to complete even one harvest.
at least 80 to 90 per cent of their crop was damaged by the infestation of PBW (Pectinophoragossypiella), also known as Saunders. This is the pest’s most severe damage in the last two decades.
PBW is a worm that damages parts of the developing cotton fruit, like the square (the flower bud) and the boll (rounded sac of seeds with cotton fibres). The adult worm is a thin, grey moth that lays eggs on buds, flowers and bolls. The eggs hatch into larvae and burrow into bolls to feed on the the seeds. In the process, it cuts through the lint and stains it, resulting in quality loss.
The disease is common in cotton crop and has made its presence in the northern cotton zone in recent years. However, the damage this year has been the highest since 2001, according to both government officials and farmers. Before 2001, the American bollworm created havoc and ruined the lives of farmers.
The Indian government introduced the genetically modified pest-resistant cotton variety Bt Cotton (Bollgard II seed) to provide resistance against the American bollworm, pink bollworm, and spotted bollworm. However, the pink bollworm has developed resistance to Bt cotton over time.

More on Pink Bollworm :https://optimizeias.com/pink-bollworm-is-wreaking-havoc-on-cotton-fields/