Daily Prelims Notes 25 August 2020

August 25, 2020
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Table Of Contents

1. DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill

Subject: Polity

Context:

DNA Bill can be misused, flags draft report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology

Features:

The Bill regulates the use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of persons in respect of matters listed in a Schedule. These include criminal matters (such as offences under the Indian Penal Code, 1860), and civil matters such as parentage disputes, emigration or immigration, and transplantation of human organs.
The Bill establishes a National DNA Data Bank and Regional DNA Data Banks. Every Data Bank will maintain the following indices: (i) crime scene index, (ii) suspects’ or undertrials’ index, (iii) offenders’ index, (iv) missing persons’ index, and (v) unknown deceased persons’ index.
The Bill establishes a DNA Regulatory Board. Every DNA laboratory that analyses a DNA sample to establish the identity of an individual, has to be accredited by the Board.
Written consent by individuals is required to collect DNA samples from them. Consent is not required for offences with punishment of more than seven years of imprisonment or death.
The Bill provides for the removal of DNA profiles of suspects on filing of a police report or court order, and of undertrials on the basis of a court order. Profiles in the crime scene and missing persons’ index will be removed on a written request.

2. Excavations at the Keeladi cluster

Subject: History

Context:

Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology released an interim status report with the sixth phase of the excavations at the Keeladi cluster and the excavations at other sites to come to a close in September for the year.

Concept:

In the current season of excavations, a fine variety of red-slipped ware containing Tamizhi letters was found embedded in the soil at Keeladi, apart from semi-precious stones, weighing units and terracotta seals.
At Kondagai, a burial site, 40 urn burials, one pit burial and 16 surface burials were identified. Also, 17 human skeletons and two animal skeletons were unearthed with bowls of red-ware, red-slipped-ware and black-and-red ware.
At Adichanallur, Microlithic tools were found, consisting of blade, point and scraper made of chert.
The excavation at Sivagalai, being undertaken to know the Iron Age burial culture and locate the earliest settlement of the region, yielded finds such as potsherds, Mesolithic tools and other artefacts.
Kodumanal excavation reaped Tamizhi inscribed potsherds and structures built of stone masonry.
Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology has tied-up with nearly 10 institutions to scientifically analyse the excavated material. Madurai Kamaraj University has taken steps to establish an ‘ancient DNA lab’ at a cost of ₹3 crore and this would help in faster turnaround times of identifying the artefacts’ antiquity

3. Negative import list

Subject: Economy

Context:

A list of 108 military subsystems and components has been identified for development by the Indian industry and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will provide support for the process

Concept:

Items in negative list cannot be imported.
India has been among the top three defence importers in the world
So the government wants to reduce the dependence on imported items in defence and give a shot in the arm to the domestic defence manufacturing industry.
By denying the possibility of importing the items on the negative list, the domestic industry is given the opportunity to step up and manufacture them for the needs of the forces.
As per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks defence exports and imports globally, India has been the second largest importer between 2014 and 2019 with US$ 16.75 billion worth of imports during this period.

4. Bondas and Particularly vulnerable tribal group

Subject: Society

Context:

The COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Bondas, a tribal community residing in the hill ranges of Malkangiri district in Odisha.

Concept:

Bondas

The Bondas are Munda ethnic group who live in the isolated hill regions of the Malkangiridistrict of southwestern Odisha.
They are a scheduled tribe of India and are also known as the Remo (meaning “people” in the Bonda language).

Particularly vulnerable tribal group

75 tribal groups have been categorized categorized by Ministry of Home Affairs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)s.
The criteria for identifying Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups are: –
- Pre-agricultural level of technology
- Low level of literacy
- Economic backwardness
- A declining or stagnant population.
PVTGs reside in 18 States and UT of A&N Islands.
Besides a number of schemes of Government of India and the State Governments where PVTG population are also benefitted along with other population, Ministry of Tribal Affairs administers a scheme namely ‘Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)’specifically for the PVTG population.
The scheme covers the 75 identified PVTGs in 18 States, and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The scheme aims at planning their socio-economic development in a comprehensive manner while retaining the culture and heritage of the communities by adopting habitat level development approach.
Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to the State/UT Governments based on their proposals for development of tribal people in the sectors of education, housing, land distribution, land development, agricultural development, animal husbandry, construction of link roads, installation of non-conventional sources of energy for lighting purpose, social security or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs and to fill in the critical gaps. The projects taken up under this scheme are demand driven.

5. Pesticide ban

Subject: Environment

Context:

Punjab government has banned the usage of nine pesticides, generally used for Basmati and non Basmati crops, for 60 days

Concept:

The nine pesticide that have been banned temporarily include Acephate, Carbendazim, Thiamethoxam, Triazofos, Tricyclazole, Buprofezin, Carbofuron, Propiconazole, and Thiophanate Methyl.
Farmers use these pesticides even after the grain formation stage in the rice crop. It leads to the presence of pesticides beyond the permissible maximum residue limit (MRL) on the grains after harvesting of the crop.
The European Union has fixed the MRL for all these agro-chemicals at 0.01 mg per kg except for Triazophos for which the MRL is 0.02 mg.
The harvesting of early varieties of Basmati and non-Basmati crops starts in late September and early October, respectively. If farmers do not stop spraying these pesticides at least 40-50 days before the harvesting, a MRL cannot be ruled out.
Also, the 60-day ban has been ordered with the main focus on Basmati varieties, which is mainly grown for export.
Government does not want to annoy big exporters who face rejection of the consignments by the European Union (EU), the USA, and the Middle East. The EU had earlier rejected Indian Basmati due to the presence of MRL beyond the specified limit.

6. Dedicated Freight Corridors

Subject: Economy

Context:

Minister of Railways and commerce & industry has reviewed the progress of Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation India (DFCCIL)

Concept:

Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) is one of the largest rail infrastructure projects undertaken by the Government of India.
The overall cost is pegged at Rs 81,459 crores.
DFCCIL has been set up as a special purpose vehicle to undertake planning, development, mobilization of financial resources, construction, maintenance and operation of Dedicated Freight Corridors.
In the first phase the organisation is constructing the Western DFC (1504 Route km) and Eastern DFC (1856 route km) spanning a total length of 3360 route km.
Railways lost the share in freight traffic from 83% in 1950-51 to 35% in 2011-12.
Not only this, the National highways along these corridors comprising 0.5% of the road network carried almost 40% of the road freight.

7. FRBM act

Subject: Economy

Context:

The consolidated deficit of the Union and States could be as high as 12% of GDP and the overall debt could go up to 85%.

Concept:

The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003, intends to bring transparency and accountability in the conduct of the fiscal and monetary actions of the government.
The central government agreed to the following fiscal indicators and targets, subsequent to the enactment of the FRBMA
Revenue deficit to be eliminated by the 31st of March 2009. A minimum annual reduction of 0.5% of GDP.
Fiscal Deficit to be brought down to at least 3% of GDP by 31st of March 2008. A minimum annual reduction – 0.3% of GDP.
The FRBM Act made it mandatory for the government to place the following along with the Union Budget documents in Parliament annually:
- Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement
- Macroeconomic Framework Statement
- Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement
The FRBM Act proposed that revenue deficit, fiscal deficit, tax revenue and the total outstanding liabilities be projected as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) in the medium-term fiscal policy statement.
Several years have passed since the FRBM Act was enacted, but the Government of India has not been able to achieve targets set under it. The Act has been amended several times.
In 2013, the government introduced a change and introduced the concept of effective revenue deficit.
This implies that effective revenue deficit would be equal to revenue deficit minus grants to states for the creation of capital assets.
In 2016, a committee under N K Singh was set up to suggest changes to the Act.

8. Super app

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

Tata Group is planning to launch an all-in-one super app

Concept:

A super app is a platform developed by a company offering various services under one umbrella.
For example, China’s WeChat, which started out as a messaging app, expanded into payments, cabs, shopping, food ordering, cab services to become a super app.
A physical world comparison of a super app would be a mall, which allows retail space to various brands and shops across businesses and verticals.

9. Cultural heritage of Hyderabad

Subject: Arts and Culture

Context:

Ministry of Tourism’s DekhoApnaDesh Webinar Series reached a landmark of 50th session with the webinar titled “Cultural heritage of Hyderabad”.

Concept:

Hyderabad is “City of Pearls” and the “City of Nizams”, and has been the centre of a vibrant historical legacy, ever since its inception by the QutubShahi dynasty.
The city was later conquered by Mughal Empire and finally falling in the hands of AsafJahi dynasty.
Muhammad QuliQutb Shah established Hyderabad in 1591 to extend the capital beyond the fortified Golconda.
In 1687, the city was annexed by the Mughals.
In 1724, Mughal governor NizamAsaf Jah I declared his sovereignty and founded the AsafJahi dynasty, also known as the Nizams.
Hyderabad served as the imperial capital of the AsafJahis from 1769 to 1948. As capital of the princely state of Hyderabad, the city housed the British Residency and cantonment until Indian independence in 1947.
Hyderabad has been selected as a creative city in the category of gastronomy by UNESCO
The following important cultural sites of Hyderabad were highlighted in this session:
- Golconda Fort, Hyderabad– A massive fortress whose ruins stand proudly even today displaying the glory of its rich past and some untold sagas of the city’s history. The place oozing charm is a must visit historical place in Hyderabad.MohammedQuli understood the need of a new City and made Bhagnagar (after the name of his beloved) with Charminar in its centre.
- Chowmahalla Palace– Once the seat of the AsafJahi Dynasty, the Chowmahalla Palace was built in Hyderabad and is located near the famous monument, Charminar and Laad Bazar. The palace is designed very intricately and holds that Nawabi Charm in itself. Chowmahalla Palace, the seat of power of Nizams, has bagged the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Merit Award for Culture Heritage Conservation.
- Charminar– The monument was erected when QuliQutab Shah shifted his capital from Golcondo to Hyderabad. The monument got its name from its structure as it consists of four minarets.
- Warangal Fort– This fort appears to have existed since at least the 12th century when it was the capital of the Kakatiyadynasty. The fort has four ornamental gates, known as Kakatiya KalaThoranam, that originally formed the entrances to a now ruined great Shiva temple.

10. Asteroid 2018 VP1

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

A day before the US will vote in its presidential elections, an asteroid that is on a collision course with Earth could come very close to the planet, according to the Center for Near Objects Studies at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Concept:

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid’s potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth. Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) of 0.05 au or less are considered PHA.

Threats:

NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program finds, tracks and characterises over 90 per cent of the predicted number of NEOs that are 140 metre or larger which according to the space agency are of “the greatest concern” due to the level of devastation that their impact is capable of causing.
No asteroid larger than 140 metre has a “significant” chance of hitting the Earth for the next 100 years.

Measures:

Over the years, scientists have suggested different ways to ward off such threats, such as blowing up the asteroid before it reaches Earth, or deflecting it off its Earth-bound course by hitting it with a spacecraft.
Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA), which includes NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera. The mission’s target is Didymos, a binary near-Earth asteroid, one of whose bodies is of the size that could pose the most likely significant threat to Earth.

11. Covid-19 miscarriage

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

A Mumbai woman in her late 20s has become the first to suffer a miscarriage due to Covid-19 in India.

Concept:

There are not many known Covid-19-related complications in pregnancy, and there is limited research on how the novel coronavirus affects the unborn child.
The placenta acts as a barrier that protects the foetus in the uterus from external infections. But some studies have suggested it may in fact act as a reservoir for the coronavirus, allowing it to replicate.
The woman had contact with a Covid-19 positive case when she was eight weeks pregnant. She had no symptoms, but a precautionary nasopharyngeal test returned positive for the virus, and she was admitted to institutional isolation.
About four weeks later, a second test showed no trace of the virus in her nasopharyngeal tract. She was healthy, but a week later (when she was 13 weeks pregnant), a routine ultrasound test found that the foetus had died.
The unborn baby suffered from a condition called ‘hydrops fetalis’, which is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body. It was suspected to have been caused by inflammation.
The pregnant woman had tested negative for Covid-19 in a repeat test, which meant the virus had cleared from her throat and nasal tract, but the infection may have travelled towards the womb.
The placenta, amniotic fluid from the gestational sac, and the foetal membrane were tested – and the placenta and amniotic fluid showed active SARS-CoV-2 virus replication.
Doctors concluded that placental infection due to Covid-19 had led to inflammation and the death of the foetus.

12. First vaccine to be authorized

Subject: IR

Context:

While Russia is facing criticism for approving a novel Coronavirus vaccine without completing all the mandatory tests, it has now emerged that China has already begun injecting its people with a vaccine which is still under development.

Concept:

The vaccine in question, being developed by state-owned Sinopharm, is currently undergoing phase-3 trials in the United Arab Emirates. But senior Chinese health official revealed on state television that it was already being administered to people since July 22 under emergency use authorisation.
This vaccine is different from the one that has been approved for use only on the soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army.
That vaccine, developed bCanSino Biologics in collaboration with Academy of Military Medical Sciences, was approved for limited use in the last week of June.
Sinopharm vaccine, therefore, is the first vaccine to be authorised for use on general public, though only on special groups right now.