PIBMONTHLYMAGAZINE

MARCH2017
www.IASTODAY.inALLRIGHTSRESERVED

SuccessfulTestFiringofAADEndoAtmospheric

InterceptorMissile

DRDOconductedthesuccessfullaunchofthe
interceptormissileAdvancedAreaDefence(AAD)
fromAbdulKalamIsland,Odisha.
Theendoatmosphericmissile,capableof
interceptingincomingtargetsatanaltitudeof15
to25kmssuccessfullydestroyedtheincoming
missile.Allthemissionobjectiveswere
successfullymet.
Theweaponsystemradarstrackedthetargetand
providedtheinitialguidancetotheinterceptor
whichcouldpreciselyhomeontothetargetand
destroyeditinendoatmosphericlayer.
Thecompleteeventincludingtheengagementand
destructionwastrackedbyanumberofelectro
opticaltrackingsystemsusinginfraredimagery.
 Radarsandtelemetrystationstrackedthetarget
andtheinterceptortillthedestructionofthe
target.ThelaunchhasprovedtheBallisticMissile
Defence(BMD)prowessofthecountry.

Mujirisproject
TheBiennale,whichistodayknownasthe
PeoplesBiennale,hasbecomeanintegralpartof
theculturalcalendarofourcountry.Ithas
rejuvenatedKeralaslongstandingcontributionto
visualartsandculture,andcementedKochis
statusasacosmopolitancitybrimmingwith
potentialandideas.
Contemporaryartisoneofthemostsignificant
waysofexpressingthoughts,emotions,concerns
 andideasthatarecurrent,thatarerelevanttous
inthetimewelivein.
ThefactthatKerala,thislandofhistoryand
tradition,nowhoststhelargestshowof
contemporaryartintheregion,andthattooa
showthatwasseededbygovernment,speaksto
theuniquewaysofthisstateanditspeople.
Keralahasalwaysbeenknownforitssecular
approachtowardsartandculture.TheKochi
MuzirisBiennaleisaproudsymbolofthis
approachandthesenseofonenessandinclusivity
thatexistshere.
TheKochiBiennaleFoundationhasmadea
wonderfulinnovationinattemptingtouseartto
linkthehistoriclegacyofpresentdayKochiwith
therichculturalinfluencesofitspredecessor
Muziris,afinancialandtradecentrethatwas
 believedtohavebeenvanishedinfloodsin1314
A.D.Theevent'sresoundingsuccesscanbe
gaugedfromthefactthatithassofarattracted
morethanamillionvisitors.

MaidenAntiShipMissilelaunchbyKalvari

TheIndianNavy,successfullyconductedthe
maidenfiringofanAntiShipmissilefromthe
firstoftheindigenouslybuiltKalvariclass
submarines,duringatestfiringintheArabian
Sea.
Themissilesuccessfullyhitasurfacetargetat
extendedrangesduringthetrialfiring,heldthis
morning.Thismissilelaunchisasignificant
milestone,notonlyfortheKalvari,whichisthe
firstinaseriesofScorpeaneclasssubmarines
 beingbuiltinIndia,butalsoinenhancingthe
IndianNavyssubsurfacewarfarecapability.
AllsixKalvariclasssubmarinesbeingbuiltin
Indiawillbeequippedwiththisantishipmissile,
whichhasaprovenrecordincombat.These
missileswillprovidethesubmarinestheabilityto
neutralizesurfacethreatsatextendedranges.

OPERATIONTHUNDERBIRDand

OPERATIONSAVEKURMA

Inamajorsuccessinthefightagainstwildlife
crime,WildlifeCrimeControlBureau(WCCB),
MinistryofEnvironment,ForestandClimate
Change,coordinatedOPERATIONTHUNDER
BIRDinIndia,fromJanuary30February19,
2017.OperationThunderbirdisthecodenamefor
 INTERPOLsmultinationalandmultispecies
enforcementoperation.
Theoperationbroughtaboutaunanimous
approachbythestateenforcementagenciesinthe
fightagainstwildlifecrimeinthecountry.
Precedingthisoperation,WCCBhadconveneda
speciesspecificoperationonturtles,codenamed
OPERATIONSAVEKURMATheoperation
broughtaboutanawarenessamongthe
enforcementagenciestofocusontheexisting
traderoutesandmajortradehubsinthecountry,
whichwillbespecificallyfocusedinfuture.

GandhianModelofDecentralized,Distributed

andDiversifiedInnovationBased.

theglobaleconomycontinuestoremainweak.The
industrialgrowthisbecomingmorejoblessin
nature,eveninemergingeconomies.Insucha
scenario,theGandhianmodelofdecentralized,
distributedanddiversifiedinnovationbased
enterprisesisperhapsthebestwayforwardto
solvetheproblems.
Gandhijihadalwayswantedtoblendmodern
scienceandtechnologywithcommunity
knowledgeandinstitutions.Hismessagehas
becomeextremelyrelevantintodayscontext.
tofurtherenrichtheecosystemaroundinclusive
innovations,weneedallpublicandprivate
systemsaroundgrassrootsinnovationstobecome
 empatheticenablers.Andweneedtodoit,notjust
forIndia,butforthewholeworld.
Theemergenceofaninclusiveinnovationeco
systemuniquelysuitedtoIndiarequiresseveral
morestepsthanwhathasalreadybeentakenby
thegovernmentandcivilsociety.
itisimportanttoimbibeinchildrenaspiritof
scientificinquiry.Wemustencouragethemto
pursuetheircuriosityandcreativity.Wemust
helpthemdiscoverthefascinationofcreating
somethingnew.
Indiaispoisedtotakethefruitsofdevelopment
throughinitiativeslikeStartupIndia,Digital
IndiaandSwachhIndiatoallcornersofthe
country.Ideasofinnovatorswillmakeatrue
differenceonlyifallofusindifferentrolesand
institutionsjoinhandsincreatingsamvedan
 sheeltaandsrijansheelta(compassionand
creativity)inthecountry.

GoodsandServicesTaxGST)Councilapproves

theCentralGoodsandServicesTax(CGST)Bill

andtheIntegratedGoodsandServicesTax

(IGST)Bill.

SomeofthemainfeaturesofthetwoBills,as
finalizedbytheGSTCouncil,areasfollows:
i.AStatewisesingleregistrationforataxpayer
forfilingreturns,payingtaxes,andtofulfilother
compliancerequirements.Mostofthecompliance
requirementswouldbefulfilledonline,thusleaving
verylittleroomforphysicalinterfacebetweenthe
taxpayerandthetaxofficial.
ii.Ataxpayerhastofileonesinglereturnstatewiseto
reportallhissupplies,whethermadewithinoroutside
theStateorexportedoutofthecountryandpaythe
applicabletaxesonthem.SuchtaxescanbeCentral
GoodsandServicesTax(CGST),StateGoodsand
ServicesTax(SGST),UnionTerritoryGoodsand
ServicesTax(UTGST)andIntegratedGoodsand
ServicesTax(IGST).
iii.Abusinessentitywithanannualturnoverofupto
Rs.20lakhswouldnotberequiredtotakeregistration
intheGSTregime,unlesshevoluntarilychoosestodo
sotobeapartoftheinputtaxcredit(ITC)chain.The
annualturnoverthresholdintheSpecialCategory
States(asenumeratedinArticle279Aofthe
ConstitutionsuchasArunachalPradesh,Sikkim,
Uttarakhand,HimachalPradesh,Assamandtheother
StatesoftheNorthEast)fornottakingregistrationis
Rs.10lakhs.
iv.AbusinessentitywithturnoveruptoRs.50lakhs
canavailthebenefitofacompositionschemeunder
whichithastopayamuchlowerrateoftaxandhasto
fulfilveryminimalcompliancerequirements.The
CompositionSchemeisavailableforalltraders,select
manufacturingsectorsandforrestaurantsinthe
servicessector.
v.Inordertopreventcascadingoftaxes,ITCwouldbe
admissibleonallgoodsandservicesusedinthecourse
orfurtheranceofbusiness,exceptonafewitemslisted
intheLaw.
vi.InordertoensurethatITCcanbeusedseamlessly
forpaymentoftaxesundertheCentralandtheState
Law,ithasbeenprovidedthattheITCentitlement
arisingoutoftaxespaidundertheCentralLawcanbe
crossutilisedforpaymentoftaxesunderthelawsofthe
StatesorUnionTerritories.Forexample,ataxpayercan
usetheITCaccruingtohimduetopaymentofIGSTto
dischargehistaxliabilityofCGST/SGST/UTGST.
Conversely,ataxpayercanusetheITCaccruingtohim
onaccountofpaymentofCGST/SGST/UTGST,for
paymentofIGST.Suchpaymentsaretobemadeina
predefinedorder.
vii.IntheServicessector,theexistingmechanismof
InputServiceDistributor(ISD)undertheServiceTax
lawhasbeenretainedtoallowtheflowofITCinrespect
ofinputserviceswithinalegalentity.
viii.Topreventlockinofcapitalofexporters,aprovision
hasbeenmadetorefund,withinsevendaysoffilingthe
applicationforrefundbyanexporter,ninetypercentof
theclaimedamountonaprovisionalbasis.
ix.Inordertoensureasingleadministrativeinterface
fortaxpayers,aprovisionhasbeenmadetoauthorise
officersofthetaxadministrationsoftheCentreandthe
StatestoexercisethepowersconferredunderallActs.
x.Anagriculturist,totheextentofsupplyofproduceout
ofcultivationofland,wouldnotbeliabletotake
registrationintheGSTregime.
xi.Toprovidecertaintyintaxmatters,aprovisionhas
beenmadeforanAdvanceRulingAuthority.
xii.ExhaustiveprovisionsforAppellatemechanismhave
beenmade.
xiii.Detailedtransitionalprovisionshavebeenprovided
toensuremigrationofexistingtaxpayersandseamless
transferofunutilisedITCintheGSTregime.
xiv.Anantiprofiteeringprovisionhasbeen
incorporatedtoensurethatthereductionoftax
incidenceispassedontotheconsumers.
xv.Inordertomitigateanyfinancialhardshipbeing
sufferedbyataxpayer,Commissionerhasbeen
empoweredtoallowpaymentoftaxesininstalments.

KoteshwarHydroElectricProjectin

Uttarakhand

TheprojectisbeingimplementedbyTehriHydro
DevelopmentCorporation(THDC)IndiaLimited.
Inadditiontoadditionalgeneratingcapacityof
400MWofpeakingpoweritwillregulatereleases
fromTehriReservoirforirrigationanddrinking
watersupply.
TheProjecthasalreadybeencommissionedfully
inMarch,2012.Onlybalanceworksaretobedone
whicharenotlinkedwithoperationofthePlant
 butessentialforsafetyandcompletionofthe
project.

INSViraatDecommissioned

agloriouseraofINSViraatbeingtheflagshipof
theIndianNavycametoanend.INSViraat,the
secondCentaurClassaircraftcarrierinservice
whichhasspent30yearsintheIndianNavyand
27yearsintheRoyalNavy,wasdecommissioned
ontheday,inasolemnyetgrandceremonyat
NavalDockyard,Mumbai.
INSViraatholdstheworldrecordasmentionedin
theGuinnessBookofrecordsforbeingthelongest
servingwarshipoftheworld.Theindigenous
AdvanceLightHelicoptersDhruvandthe
RussiantwinrotorKamov31havealsooperated
fromtheship.
 ViraatplayedamajorroleinOperationJupiterin
1989duringtheSriLankanPeacekeeping
operation,afterwhichshewasaffiliatedwiththe
GarhwalRiflesandScoutsoftheIndianArmyin
1990.
ShealsosawactionduringOpParakramin2001
2002,posttheterroristattackonParliament.The
shipwasinstrumentalinhoningtheartofflying
operationsfromacarrierdeckintheNavy,which
alsoresultedinseamlessinductionofINS
Vikramadityaanditsintegrationwiththefleet.

TheUnitedNationsEntityofGenderEquality

andEmpowermentofWomen(UNWomen)

Theproposalseekstoprovidetechnicalsupportto
theMinistryofPanchayatiRajinstrengthening
 capacitiesofgovernanceinstitutionsincluding
PanchayatiRajInstitutions(PRIs)tobetter
leverageopportunitiescreatedforgenderequality
throughlegislation,policiesandprogram.
MinistryofPanchayatiRaj(MoPR)andUN
Womenhaveworkedincollaborationwitheach
othertopromoteparticipationofwomenin
PanchayatiRajInstitutions(PRIs),tofocuson
buildingcapacitiesofElectedWomen
Representativestoempowerthemandenhance
theireffectiveness.
TheproposedMoUwillfacilitatetheachievement
oftimeboundresultsintheimplementationof
specificactivitiesidentifiedjointlybyMoPRand
UNWomenwithinthebroaderframeworkfor
cooperationundertheUnitedNations
DevelopmentAssistanceFramework(UNDAF).

Needtomakepeopleawareaboutthenegative

impactofArsenic

Theneedtomakepeopleawareaboutthenegative
impactofArsenicinGangabasinarea.Addressing
aworkshoponArsenicproblemingroundwater
anditsremediationinGangaBasin
Anexhaustiveworkplantomeetthechallenges
posedbypresenceofarsenicingroundwateron
thebasisoftheoutcomeofthisworkshop.
Thereisanurgentneedtostartanationwide
movementtomakepeopleawareaboutthearsenic
problem.
Everyonerightfromanindividualtogovernment
includingsocialorganizationsandNGOshasto
joinhandtomakethismovementasuccess.
 Highvalueofarsenicingroundwaterisgeogenic
innature,butasalargepopulationisdependent
ongroundwaterresourcesfordrinkingpurposesin
Gangabasinandisundertheriskofhealth
hazards,
Itbecomesemergenttogoformitigation
measuresaswellasalternatesourcesofwaterso
thatlocalscanbeprotectedfromnegativeimpact
ofarsenicingroundwater.
Arsenicingroundwaterisageogeniccontaminant
i.e.causedbynaturalgeologicprocesses.Arsenic
containinggroundwaterinGangaRiverbasinis
hostedbythesedimentsdepositedbytherivers
duringthelateQuaternaryorHoloceneage(<12
thousandyears).
Incidenceofhigharsenicingroundwaterreported
fromvariouspartsofthecountry,particularlyin
 theGangaplainsisaseriousthreattothehealth
ofhumanbeing.
Overthelastthreedecadesnumerousmeasures
havebeeninitiatedwhichincludesalternate
arrangementforsupplyofarsenicfreewatertothe
affectedpopulaceandprovidingarsenicremoval
plants.
Arsenicoccurrencesingroundwaterinthese
areasarehighlysporadicinnatureandallthe
sourcesintheseareasarenotnecessarily
contaminated.
Technologicaloptionstocombatarsenicmenace,in
groundwater,toensuresupplyofarsenicfree
water,intheaffectedareascanbeinsitu
remediationofarsenicfromaquifersystem,exsitu
remediationofarsenicfromtappedgroundwater
byarsenicremovaltechnologies,useofsurface
 watersourceasanalternativetothe
contaminatedgroundwatersource,tapping
alternatesafeaquifersforsupplyofarsenicfree
groundwaterorcombinationofabovetechniques.

GenderbiaseshavenoplaceinmodernIndia

whereinclusivedevelopmentisakeyobjective

Governmentisequallyconcernedattherisingrate
ofviolentcrimesagainstwomen.Itisinexcusable
thatwomeninIndiadonotfeelassecureandsafe
astheyshould.
GenderbiaseshavenoplaceinmodernIndia
whereinclusivedevelopmentisakeyobjective.
Agreateremphasisonearlysensitizationof
childrenandyouthinschoolsandinstitutionsof
higherlearningwouldhelpinculcateduerespect
forthefemalegender.
 BetiBachaoBetiPadhaocampaignhasbeen
launchedinresponsetothefallingChildSexRatio
inmanypartsofourcountry.Itisdesignedtoalso
motivategirlchildrenineverypartofourcountry
toenrollinprimaryeducation.

MinistryofRailwaysandUnitedNations

EnvironmentProgramme(UNEP)signed

LettersofIntent(LOI)onEnvironment

Initiatives

IndianRailwaysandUNEPsignedandexchanged
LettersofIntentforexploringtheopportunityand

DevelopingaJointcooperationmechanisminthe
fieldofEnvironment&Sustainability
 Thefocussedareasidentifiedforjointactivities
wouldbeto;
a.CollaborateinFormulatingSpecificRoadmapfor
achieving20%reductioninWaterconsumptionat
Railwayestablishments.
b.CollaborateinthedevelopmentofaDraftactionplan
forestablishingwastemanagementcentresatmajor
stationsonIndianRailways.
c.CollaborateinthedevelopmentofaDraftactionplan
forIndianRailwaysonsustainablepublicprocurement
forgreentechnology.
ThepriorityinRailwaysistoreducethecarbon
footprintswhichwillhelppublicatlarge.Afterthis
partnership,opportunitiesarelargetoworkfor
environmentconservationincollaborationwith
UNEP.
 Railwayisalreadytakingseveralgreeninitiatives
andisgoingtoproduce1000MWsolarenergy.This
jointcooperationwillhelpIndianRailwaysinits
greenobjectives.
IndianRailwaysisaniconicorganizationwhich
providesenvironmentfriendlytransport.Thefocusof
thispartnershipisonthreemainareas:waste
managementwhichisimportantforcommunity,
reductioninwaterconsumptionwhichiscoreof
environmentissuesandsustainablepublic
procurement.
IndianRailwaysisamajorprocurementagency.The
focusshouldbetomovetowardsagreenerstate.
IndianRailwaysunderthereformistleadershipof
MinisterofRailwayswillsuremovetowardsgreener
andefficienttransportsystem.
 IndianRailways,thelifelineofthecountry,with
carrying23millionpassengerseverydayisthe
largestpassengercarryingsystemintheworld.
Itisalsothelargestconsumerofwateraswellas
electricityandmajorcontributortogreen
environmentduetoreducedGHGemissions.Indian
Railwayshavebeentakinganumberofstepstowards
WaterManagement,EnergyConservation,Solid
WasteManagementandGreenbuildings.United
NationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEP),isthe
leadingorganizationwithintheUnitedNations
systeminthefieldofenvironmentandhasasamajor
areaoffocusofitsglobalmandate,theconservation,
protection,enhancementandsupportofnatureand
naturalresourcesworldwide.

MaternityBenefit(Amendment)Bill,2016

passedintheParliament

TheLokSabhahaspassedtheMaternityBenefit
(Amendment)Bill,2016today.TheBillhadalready
beenpassedbytheRajyaSabhaduringtheWinter
Session.Withthis,theBillstandspassedinthe
Parliament.

TheBillseekstoamendtheMaternityBenefitAct,
1961toprovideforthefollowing:

(i)Maternityleaveavailabletotheworkingwomento
beincreasedfrom12weeksto26weeksforthefirst
twochildren.

(ii)Maternityleaveforchildrenbeyondthefirsttwo
willcontinuetobe12weeks.
(iii)Maternityleaveof12weekstobeavailableto
mothersadoptingachildbelowtheageofthree
monthsaswellastothecommissioningmothers.
Thecommissioningmotherhasbeendefinedas
biologicalmotherwhouseshereggtocreatean
embryoplantedinanyotherwoman.

(iv)Everyestablishmentwithmorethan50employees
toprovideforcrchefacilitiesforworkingmothersand
suchmotherswillbepermittedtomakefourvisits
duringworkinghourstolookafterandfeedthechild
inthecrche.

(v)Theemployermaypermitawomantoworkfrom
homeifitispossibletodoso.
 (vi)Everyestablishmentwillberequiredtomake
thesebenefitsavailabletothewomenfromthetimeof
herappointment.

SagarParikramaProject

ProjectSagarParikarmawaslaunchedin2007.The
objectiveoftheprojectwassolocircumnavigationof
theGlobeinasailboat.
SagarParikarmaIIwasundertakenwithasolonon
stopcircumnavigationbyanotherNavalOfficer.
TheobjectivesofSagarParikarmaI&IIwere:
(i ToinspiretheyouthsofIndiatodevelopan
) understandingoftheseaandasenseofadventureand
spirit.
(i ToinstillintheyoungofficersoftheNavyasenseof
i) nationalprideandachievementthroughasuccessful
solocircumnavigationvoyage.

StepstakenbyGovernmenttocurbthe

generationofblackmoney

Actionagainstblackmoneyisanongoingprocess.
Suchactionsincludepolicylevelinitiatives,effective
enforcementactionontheground,puttinginplace
robustlegislativeandadministrativeframeworks,
systemsandprocesseswithduefocusoncapacity
buildingandintegrationandminingofinformation
throughincreasinguseofinformationtechnology.
Recentmajorstepsinthisregardinclude
(i) ConstitutionoftheSpecialInvestigationTeam(SIT)
onBlackMoneyunderChairmanshipandVice
ChairmanshipoftwoformerJudgesofHonble
SupremeCourt,
(ii) EnactmentofacomprehensivelawTheBlack
Money(UndisclosedForeignIncomeandAssets)and
 ImpositionofTaxAct,2015tospecificallydealwith
blackmoneystashedawayabroad,
(iii) ConstitutionofMultiAgencyGroup(MAG)
consistingofofficersofCentralBoardofDirect
Taxes(CBDT),ReserveBankofIndia(RBI),
EnforcementDirectorate(ED)andFinancial
IntelligenceUnit(FIU)forinvestigationofrecent
revelationsinPanamapaperleaks,
(iv) Proactivelyengagingwithforeigngovernments
withaviewtofacilitateandenhancetheexchange
ofinformationunderDoubleTaxationAvoidance
Agreements(DTAAs)/TaxInformationExchange
Agreements(TIEAs)/MultilateralConventions,
(v) Proactivelyfurtheringglobaleffortstocombattax
evasion/blackmoney,interalia,byjoiningthe
MultilateralCompetentAuthorityAgreementin
respectofAutomaticExchangeofInformation
 (AEOI)andhavinginformationsharing
arrangementwithUSAunderitsForeignAccount
TaxComplianceAct(FATCA),
(vi) RenegotiationofDTAAswithothercountriesto
bringtheArticleonExchangeofInformationto
InternationalStandardsandexpandingIndias
treatynetworkbysigningnewDTAAsandTIEAs
withmanyjurisdictionstofacilitatetheexchangeof
informationandtobringtransparency,
(vii) Enablingattachmentandconfiscationof
propertyequivalentinvalueheldwithinthecountry
wheretheproperty/proceedsofcrimeistakenor
heldoutsidethecountrybyamendingthe
PreventionofMoneylaunderingAct,2002through
theFinanceAct,2015,
(viii) EnactmentoftheBenamiTransactions
(Prohibition)AmendmentAct,2016toamendthe
 BenamiTransactions(Prohibition)Act,1988witha
viewto,interalia,enableconfiscationofBenami
propertyandprosecutionofbenamidarandthe
beneficialowner,
(ix) Initiationoftheinformationtechnologybased
ProjectInsightforstrengtheningthenonintrusive,
informationdrivenapproachforimprovingtax
compliance,and
(x) LaunchingofOperationCleanMoneyon31st
January2017forcollection,collationandanalysisof
informationoncashtransactions,extensiveuseof
informationtechnologyanddataanalyticstoolsfor
identificationofhighriskcases,expeditiouse
verificationofsuspectcasesandenforcement
actionsinappropriatecases,whichinclude
searches,surveys,enquiries,assessmentofincome,
levyoftaxes,penalties,etc.andfilingofprosecution
 complaintsincriminalcourts,whereverapplicable.

IndianRailwaysInitiativesToImprove

Sanitation/cleanliness

Regularintensivecampaigns/driveshavebeen
organisedovertheIndianRailwayswiththesole
objectivetowardssignificantandsustainable
improvementsincleanlinessstandardsofTrainsand
Railwaypremises,includingRailwaystations.
SomeofthemajorinitiativestakenbyIndian
Railwaystowardsimprovementof
sanitation/cleanlinessareasfollows:
(i) Paceoffitmentofbiotoiletsincoacheshasbeen
increased.Morethan25000biotoiletswerefittedin
thelasttwoyearsandtargetforthisyearis30,000.
FitmentofBiotoiletsincoacheswillprevent
 dischargeofhumanwasteduringtrainjourneys
directlyontothetrack.
(ii) ThefacilityofOnBoardCleaninghasbeen
extendedtomorethan800trainswhichisbeing
monitoredthroughaclosedloopAPPbased
passengerfeedbacksystem.
(iii) RailwaysareresortingtoSMSbased,webbased
andAPPbasedcomplaintredressalsystem.Daily
IVRSbasedpassengerfeedbackisrandomlybeing
takenfromabout1lakhpassengers.
(iv) Toassesstheimpactofcleanlinesseffortsatmajor
stations,athirdpartysurveyoncleanliness
indicatorshasbeendoneat407stationsin2016
involvingfeedbackfrom1.3lacpassengers.
(v) AdditionaltoiletsatRailwayStations,includingPay
&Usetoilets,havebeenprovided.
(vi) EnforcementofIndianRailways(Penaltiesfor
activitiesaffectingcleanlinessatrailwaypremises)
Rules,2012hasbeenintensified.

(vii) UseofCCTVsextendedformonitoringof
cleanlinessactivitiesatmajorstations.
(viii) Weeklyintensivecleanlinessdriveshavebeen
undertakenatvariousRailwaystations,byZonal
Railways.

(ix) Variousthemebaseddriveshavebeenundertaken
fromtimetotimewithfocusoncleanlinessin
differentareasofRailways.

StrengtheningDisasterManagement

NationalDisasterManagementPlan(NDMP)defines
therolesandresponsibilitiesofvariousstakeholders
 includingCentralMinistries/Departments,State
Governments,UTAdministrations,District
AuthoritiesandlocalselfGovernments.
NDMPenjoinsallstakeholderstodevelopdetailed
plansinaccordancewithrolesandresponsibilities.
Implementationoftheplanisacontinuousprocess.
Primaryresponsibilityofdisastermanagementrests
withtheStates.TheCentralGovernmentconducts
regularmockdrill,communitytrainingand
awarenessprogrammetopreparethecivilian
populationsfordisasters.
Thedetailsofleveragingvarioustechnologiesto
enhancetheefficiencyofthedisasterrisk
managementeffortsbytheNDMAareasunder:
(a) NationalDisasterManagementServices
(NDMS):
NationalDisasterManagementServices(NDMS)
 wasconceivedbyNDMAduringtheFinancialYear
201516forsettingupofVerySmallAperture
Terminal(VSAT)NetworkconnectingMHA,NDMA,
NDRF,36State/UTHQrsand81vulnerable
districts(total120locations).TheNDMSPilot
Projectenvisagesholdingofworkshops&imparting
oftrainingfortheCapacityBuildingofdisaster
managersonusageofCommunicationequipments
coveredintheproject.
UsesoftheseMapsandAtlases:
1.LandUseZoningandbetterhabitatplanning
2.Usefulforleadersandpolicymakers,engineers,
architects,disastermanagementprofessionalsetc.
3.FormulationofPublic&FinancialPoliciesdealing
withDMandEmergencyPlanning
4.Anaidforsettinguptechnolegalframework.
5.UsefulforInsuranceAgencies
6.Atthesubdistrictlevelshallbeusefulinpreparing
DPRstobetakenupundertheSmartCitiesProjects
andvariousprojectsundertheHousingforAll
(Urban)MissionofPradhanMantriAwasYojanaetc.
7. Theconcernedauthoritiesmayidentifythedistricts
requiringpriorityactioninfutureplanning,
formulatingintegratedmitigatingpoliciescovering
awareness,educationandtraining,preventiveand
preparednessmeasures,improvementinwarning
systems.
(c)GeographicalInformationSystem(GIS):
LeveragingthetechnologyofGIS,NDMAhavetakenup
aprojectfordisasterriskmanagementObjectiveofthe
projectistointegratedataobtainedfromvarious
stakeholdersonGISplatformtoincreasedisaster
preparedness,mitigation,damageassessment,response
andreliefmanagementefforts

ThirdGenerationNuclearReactors

BhabhaAtomicResearchCentre(BARC)hasdesigned
AdvancedHeavyWaterReactor(AHWR)for
utilisationofThorium.
Thisreactorhasseveralpassivesafetysystemsand
runsoncoolantflowbynaturalcirculation.Itmeets
allthepostFukushimarequirementsandcan
withstandsevereaccidentswithoutexposingradiation
intheenvironment.
Itmeetsallthesafetyfeaturesof3rdgeneration
reactors.AHWRdesignhasbeenreviewedbyNuclear
PowerCorporationofIndiaLimited(NPCIL)and
AtomicEnergyRegulatoryBoard(AERB)has
accordedprelicensingapproval.

LaunchofSatellites

IndianSpaceResearchOrganisation(ISRO)has
successfullylaunched104satellites,inasingle
launch,onboardIndiasPolarSatelliteLaunchVehicle
PSLVC37fromSatishDhawanSpaceCentre(SDSC),
Sriharikota.
Thesesatellitesinclude(i)IndiasCartosat2Series
Satellite(weighing714kg)asprimarypayload,(ii)
twoIndianNanoSatellitesviz.,INS1A&1B
(togetherweighing18.1kg)and(iii)101foreign
nanosatellites(togetherweighing645.9kg)fromsix
countriesascopassengers.
Outofthe104satelliteslaunchedinthismission,101
nanosatelliteswerefromforeigncountriesviz.Israel
(1),Kazakhstan(1),TheNetherlands(1),Switzerland
(1),UAE(1)andUSA(96).
 Thesenanosatellitesfromforeigncountrieswere
launchedunderacommercialarrangementbetween
AntrixCorporationLimited(Antrix),thecommercial
armofISROandtheforeigncustomer.
AfterChandrayaan1andIndiasfirstinterplanetary
missionMarsOrbiterMission,thefeasibilityof
futureinterplanetarymissionstoMarsandVenus
areunderdiscussionandpresentlyastudyteamis
exploringvariousoptionsandopportunitiesforsuch
missions.

ReformsinEducationSector

TheGovernmentiscommittedtoprovideequitable
accesstoqualityeducationtoall,acrossalllevels
fromprimarytouniversitylevel,forwhichreforms
 areundertakenintheeducationsectorasa
continuousandongoingprocess.
The42ndConstitutionalAmendment,1976brought
aboutafundamentalchangebytransferring
educationfromtheStateListtotheConcurrentList
recognizingthefederalstructureofourcountryand
givingequalresponsibilitytoboththeCentraland
StateGovernmentstopromoteeducation.
Recognizingthecentralityofstatesbothinpolicy
formulationandeffectiveimplementationofeducation
reforms,theMinistryofHRDhasbeenregularly
conveningmeetingsoftheCentralAdvisoryBoardon
Education(CABE),whichisacompositebodyandis
alsothehighestadvisorybodyoneducation.
AlltheschemesimplementedbytheGovernmentof
IndiaareinconsultationwiththeStateswhichmeet
regularlythroughthemeetingsofCABE.Similarly,all
 reforminitiativesarealsothroughconsensusevolved
betweentheCentreandtheStatesthroughtheCABE.
Presently,variousinitiatives,suchas,theRightof
ChildrentoFreeandCompulsoryEducation(RTE)
Act,2009,SarvaShikshaAbhiyan(SSA),Rashtriya
MadhyamikShikshaAbhiyan(RMSA),ICTin
Schools,CentrallySponsoredSchemeonTeacher
Education(CSSTE),ShaalaSiddhi,Rashtriya
AvishkarAbhiyanarebeingimplementedwhich
envisagesignificantreformsintheelementary
educationandsecondaryeducation.Inhigher
educationalso,RashtriyaUchchatarShikshaAbhiyan
(RUSA),GlobalInitiativeforAcademicsNetwork
(GIAN),ImpactingResearch,Innovation&
Technology(IMPRINT),TechnicalEducationQuality
ImprovementProgramme(TEQIP),PanditMadan
MohanMalviyaNationalMissiononTeachersand
Teaching(PMMMNMTT),StudyWebsofActive
LearningforYoungAspiringMinds(SWAYAM),
NationalDigitalLibrary,campusconnectprogramme,
UchhatarAvishkarAbhiyan,UnnatBharatAbhiyan
arebeingimplementedtoimprovethequalityof
highereducationinthecountry.Anumberof
initiativesarealsoundertakenbyUGCandAICTE
forqualityimprovementinhigherandtechnical
education.Withaviewtoimprovingthe
competitivenessofthehighereducationalinstitutions,
theNationalInstitutionalRankingFramework
(NIRF)hasbeenlaunched.

CabinetapprovesfourGSTBills

TheUnionCabinetchairedbythePrimeMinister
ShriNarendraModihasapprovedthefollowingfour
GSTrelatedbills:

1.TheCentralGoodsandServicesTaxBill2017(The
CGSTBill)
2.TheIntegratedGoodsandServicesTaxBill2017(The
IGSTBill)
3.TheUnionTerritoryGoodsandServicesTaxBill
2017(TheUTGSTBill)
4.TheGoodsandServicesTax(Compensationtothe
States)Bill2017(TheCompensationBill)
TheabovefourBillshavebeenearlierapprovedbythe
GSTCouncilafterthorough,clausebyclause,
discussionover12meetingsoftheCouncilheldinthe
lastsixmonths.
 TheCGSTBillmakesprovisionsforlevyand
collectionoftaxonintrastatesupplyofgoodsor

servicesforbothbytheCentralGovernment.Onthe
otherhand,IGSTBillmakesprovisionsforlevyand
collectionoftaxoninterstatesupplyofgoodsor

servicesorbothbytheCentralGovernment.

TheUTGSTBillmakesprovisionsforlevyon
collectionoftaxonintraUTsupplyofgoodsand

servicesintheUnionTerritorieswithoutlegislature.
UnionTerritoryGSTisakintoStatesGoodsand
ServicesTax(SGST)whichshallbeleviedand
collectedbytheStates/UnionTerritoriesonintra
statesupplyofgoodsorservicesorboth.
 TheCompensationBillprovidesforcompensationto

thestatesforlossofrevenuearisingonaccountof
implementationofthegoodsandservicestaxfora
periodoffiveyearsaspersection18ofthe
Constitution(OneHundredandFirstAmendment)
Act,2016.

Background:

TheGovernmentiscommittedtoearlyintroductionof
GST,oneofthebiggestreforms,inthecountryas
earlyaspossible.GSTCouncilhasdecided1stJulyas
thedateofcommencementofGST.TheFinance
MinisterinhisBudgetSpeechhasmentionedthat
countrywideoutreacheffortswillbemadetoexplain
theprovisionsofGSTtoTradeandIndustry.

GradedActionPlantoreduceUrbanAir

Pollution

TheGovernmenthasnotifiedaGradedResponse
ActionPlanforDelhiandNCR,whichcomprises
measuressuchasprohibitiononentryoftrucksinto
Delhi;banonconstructionactivities,introductionof
oddandevenschemeforprivatevehicles,shuttingof
schools,closureofbrickkilns,hotmixplantsand
stonecrushers;shuttingdownofBadarpurpower
plant,banondieselgeneratorsets,garbageburning
inlandfillsandplyingofvisiblypollutingvehiclesetc.
Thenature,scopeandrigorofmeasurestobetakenis
linkedtolevelsofpollutionviz.Severe+or
Emergency,severe,Verypoor,Moderatetopoorand
Moderate,afterdueconsiderationbyauthorities
concerned.Theactionsaretobeimplementedinthe
 entireNCR.Besides,actionrelatedtostubbleburning
istobeimplementedbyGovernmentofPunjab.
Majorstrategies/stepstotackleincreasingair
pollutioninIndiancitiesandurbanareasinclude
controlandmitigationmeasuresrelatedtoemissions
fromautomobiles,industrialactivities,notificationof
NationalAmbientAirQualityStandards;formulation
ofenvironmentalregulations/statutes;settingupof
monitoringnetworkforassessmentofambientair
quality;introductionofcleaner/alternatefuelslike
gaseousfuel(CNG,LPGetc.),ethanolblending;
promotionofcleanerproductionprocesses;launching
ofNationalAirQualityIndex;universalizationofBS
IVby2017.

MeasurementofEmissions

EmissionIntensityiscalculatedbydividingTotal
greenhousegas(GHG)emissionsbyTotalGross
DomesticProduct(GDP)ofacountry.
Indiahascommittedtoreduceemissionsintensityof
itsGDPinitsNationallyDeterminedContribution
(NDC)submittedtotheUnitedNationsFramework
ConventiononClimateChange(UNFCCC).
GoalofreducingEmissionsintensityofGDPallowsa
countrytoreduceitsemissionsevenwhileitsGDP
grows.TheNDCwasframedbyadoptinganinclusive
processofconsultationswithkeyMinistries,State
Governments,civilsocietyorganisations,thinktanks,
andtechnicalandacademicinstitutions.Eachcountry
haschosenitsownmetricforclimateaction.Many
otherdevelopingcountriesalsouseEmission
IntensityofGDPforthepurpose.
 EachMissionundertheNationalActionPlanon
ClimateChange(NAPCC)isindependentlyanchored
byrespectiveMinistriesinchargeofimplementing
theMission.
FollowingtheParisAgreement,theMissions
continuetocontributetothedeclaredgoalof
reductionofemissionsintensityofGDPasalsoother
sustainabledevelopmentgoalsoutlinedintheNDC.

PreservationofBiodiversityandResources

SomeimportantstepstakenbytheGovernmentfor
preservationofbiodiversityandresourcesinteralia
include:
1.survey,inventorization,taxonomicvalidationand
threatassessmentoffloralandfaunalresources;
2.assessmentoftheforestcovertodevelopanaccurate
databaseforplanningandmonitoring;
 establishmentofaProtectedAreaNetworkof
NationalParks,WildlifeSanctuaries,Conservation
andCommunityReserves;
3.designatingBiosphereReservesforconservationof
representativeecosystems;undertakingofspecies
orientedprogrammers,suchasProjectTigerand
ProjectElephant;
4.Complementedwithexsituconservationefforts.In
addition,BiologicalDiversityAct2002hasalsobeen
enactedwiththeaimtoconservebiological
resourcesofthecountryandregulationofaccessto
theseresourcestoensureequitablesharingof
benefitsarisingoutoftheiruse,underwhicha
NationalBiodiversityAuthorityandState
BiodiversityBoardsinallStateshavebeensetup
forimplementingtheprovisionsoftheAct.

MakingMedicalEducationaccessibletoall

IncaseofGovernmentmedicalcolleges,therespective
StateGovernmentsareresponsibleforfixationoffees.
However,inthecaseofprivateunaidedmedical
colleges,thefeestructureisdecidedbyaCommittee
setupbytherespectiveStateGovernmentsunderthe
ChairmanshipofaretiredHighCourtJudgein
pursuanceofthedirectionsoftheHonbleSupreme
CourtofIndia.
ItisfortheCommitteetodecidewhetherthefeehike
proposedbyanInstituteisjustifiedandthefeefixed
bytheCommitteeisbindingontheInstitute.
ThefollowingthreeCentrallySponsoredSchemesare
beingrunbyCentralGovernmenttomakemedical
educationaccessibletoall:

i.Strengthening/upgradationofStateGovernment
MedicalCollegesforstartingnewPGcourses/Increase
ofPGseatswithfundsharingbetweentheCentraland
StateGovernment.
ii.EstablishmentofNewMedicalCollegesbyupgrading
district/referralhospitalspreferablyinunderserved
districtsofthecountrywithfundsharingbetweenthe
CentralGovernmentandStates.
iii.Strengthening/upgradationofexistingState
Government/CentralGovernmentMedicalCollegesto
increaseMBBSseatswithfundsharingbetweenthe
CentralGovernmentandStates.

NationalFrameworkforMalariaElimination

TheaimsoftheNationalFrameworkforMalaria
EliminationinIndia20162030are:
1.ToEliminatemalaria(zeroindigenouscases)
throughouttheentirecountryby2030;and
2.Maintainmalariafreestatusinareaswheremalaria
transmissionhasbeeninterruptedandpreventre
introductionofmalaria.
Objectives:

1.Eliminatemalariafromall26Statesincluding15low
(Category1)and11moderate(Category2)transmission
States/UnionTerritories(UTs)by2022;
2.Reducetheincidenceofmalariatolessthan1case
per1000populationperyearinallStatesandUTsand
theirdistrictsby2024;
3.Interruptindigenoustransmissionofmalaria
throughouttheentirecountry,includingall10high
transmissionStatesandUnionTerritories(Category3)
by2027;and
4.Preventthereestablishmentoflocaltransmissionof
malariainareaswhereithasbeeneliminatedand
maintainnationalmalariafreestatusby2030and
beyond.

ForecastofNaturalDisastersbyISRO

ISROisworkingonsystemstoforecastthenatural
disastersthatcouldbeusedasinputbyStates/
disastermanagementagencies.
ISROiscarryingoutstudiestofacilitatebestuseof
thesatellitederivedinformationtodevelop
methodologiesforforecastingthenaturaldisasters.
Someofsuchmethodologiesdevelopedinclude:

i.Cycloneformation,trackandIntensity:ISROhas
developedmethodologiesforforecastingthecyclone
formation,itstrackandintensityusingsatellitebased
observation.Themethodologydevelopedhasbeen
transferredtoIndiameteorologicalDepartment(IMD)
whoismandatedforcycloneforecast.
ii.FloodEarlyWarningSystem:TheNorthEastern
SpaceApplicationsCentre(NESAC)ofISROhas
developedtheFloodEarlyWarningSystem(FLEWS)as
aResearch&Development(R&D)projectinAssam
StateinassociationwithAssamStateDisaster
ManagementAuthority(ASDMA).TheFLEWSmodelis
beingusedinall25floodpronedistrictsofAssam.
AnothermodelforforecastingfloodsinGodavari
floodplainsinAndhraPradeshisdevelopedbyNational
RemoteSensingCentre(NRSC)ofISRO.The
methodologyisbeingusedbyCentralWater
Commission(CWC).ISROisdevelopingsimilarsystems
forKrishna,BrahmaniBaitarani,Ghagra,Gandak,and
Kosirivers.
iii.HeavyRainfall/cloudburstalerts:Space
ApplicationsCentre(SAC)ofISROhasdevelopeda
model,forheavyrainfall/cloudburstalerts,whichis
beingexperimentallycarriedoutforIndianregion.The
informationismadeavailableonISROsMOSDAC
(Meteorological&OceanographicSatelliteData
ArchivalCentre)website.

iv.Rainfalltriggeredlandslidealertsforthe
UttarakhandRegion:Anexperimentalearlywarning
systemforrainfalltriggeredlandslidesisdevelopedfor
usealongthepilgrimageroutecorridorsleadingto
Gangotri,BadrinathandKedarnathaswellasalong
thePithoragarhMalparouteinUttarakhand.The
forewarningisgeneratedbasedonthestatistical
relationbetweentheterrain(geological,morphological)
andtemporal(primarilylongtermrainfallevents)
factors.
v.Extremeweatherevents:ISROhasdeveloped
experimentalmethodologiesforearlywarningextreme
weathereventssuchasheatwaveusingnumerical
weatherpredictions.Theinformationderivedisbeing
madeavailableontheMOSDACwebsite.

ManglevTransportMethod

IndianRailways(IR)havefloatedanExpressionof
Interest(EoI)fordesigning,building,commissioning,
operation,runningandmaintenanceoflevitation
basedtrainsystemonPublicPrivatePartnership
(PPP)basis.Thesalientfeaturesofthelevitation
basedtransportationsystemareasunder:

1.Itisplannedtobebuiltoneitherelevatedcolumns
orunderground.
2.Veryhighspeedscanbeachievedinsuchaground
basedtransportsystem.

3.TheSpeciallydesignedvehiclecarrying
passengers/goodsshallfloatabovetrackorground
magnetsbyusingprincipleofmagnetattraction/
repulsion.

4.Ridingcomfortofsuchvehiclesisexpectedtobe
verygood.

5.Thelevitationbasedtrainsshallbepoweredby
electricity.

6.TheprojectisenvisagedtobeimplementedonPPP
basis.

ImplementationofSarvaShikshaAbhiyan

TheCentrallySponsoredSchemeofSarvaShiksha
Abhiyan(SSA)isthedesignatedschemefor
implementationoftheRightoftheChildtoFreeand
CompulsoryEducation(RTE)Act2009,withtheaim
ofuniversalizingelementaryeducation.
NationalUniversityofEducationalandPlanningand
Administration(NUEPA)annuallycollects
informationintheformofUnifiedDistrict
InformationSystemforEducation(UDISE)onvarious
educationalindicators.SSAhasmadesignificant
progressinachievingnearuniversalaccessand
equity.
AsperUDISE201516,enrolmentinelementary
schoolshasincreasedfrom18.78crorein200910to
19.67crorechildren.Therehasbeenasignificant
 reductioninthenumberofoutofschoolchildrenin
the614yearsagegroup

Measurestoprovide24x7Affordableand

EnvironmentFriendlyPowerForAllby2019

MinistryofPowerhastakenseveralmeasuresto
provide24X7affordableandenvironmentfriendly
PowerforAllby2019.ThiswasstatedbyShri
PiyushGoyal,MinisterofState(IC)forPower,Coal&
NewandRenewableEnergyandMinesinawritten
replytoaquestionintheLokSabhatoday.The
measuresinteralia,includethefollowing:

i.Electrificationof18,452unelectrifiedvillages(as
on1/4/2015):Ason20/03/2017,12,661villageshave
beenelectrified.
ii.Preparationofstatespecificactionplansfor24X7
PowerforAll,coveringadequacyofgeneration,
transmissioncapacityanddistributionsystem:24X7
PowerforAlldocumentshavebeensignedwith35
States/UTs.

iii.LaunchingofschemecalledDeendayalUpadhyaya
GramJyotiYojana(DDUGJY)forruralareas:The
schemeprovidesfor(a)separationofagricultureand
nonagriculturefeeders;(b)strengtheningand
augmentationofsubtransmissionanddistribution
infrastructureinruralareasincludingmeteringat
distributiontransformers,feedersandconsumersend;
and(c)ruralelectrification.

iv.LaunchingofIntegratedPowerDevelopment
Scheme(IPDS)forurbanareas:Theschemeprovides
for(a)strengtheningofsubtransmissionand
distributionnetworksinurbanareas;(b)meteringof
distributiontransformers/feeders/consumersinurban
areas;and(c)ITenablementofdistributionsectorand
strengtheningofdistributionnetwork.

v.OperationalizationofPowerSystemDevelopment
Fund(PSDF):PSDFshallbeutilizedfortheproject
proposedbydistributionutilitiesfor(a)creating
necessarytransmissionsystemofstrategic
importance;(b)installationofshuntcapacitorsetc.for
improvementofvoltageprofileinthegrid;(c)
installationofstandardandspecialprotection
schemes;and(d)RenovationandModernisationof
transmissionanddistributionsystemsforrelieving
congestion;etc.
 vi.LaunchingofUjwalDiscomAssuranceYojana
(UDAY):Theschemehasbeenlaunchedfor
operationalandfinancialturnaroundofDiscoms.

vii.Measuresinitiatedforreducingthegeneration
costofcoalbasedpowerprojects:

(a)Increasingsupplyofdomesticcoal;
(b)Coalusageflexibility
(c)Rationalizationofcoallinkages

PradhanMantriAdarshGramYojana

PradhanMantriAdarshGramYojana(PMAGY)aims
forintegrateddevelopmentofselectedvillageshaving
morethan50%ScheduledCaste(SC)population
throughimplementationofexistingschemeofCentral
andStateGovernmentsinaconvergentmannerand
 byutilizationofgapfillingfundsprovidedasCentral
Assistance.
Theschemewaslaunchedin200910onapilotbasis,
fortheintegrateddevelopmentof1000villagesin5
Statesviz.HimachalPradesh(NorthernRegion),
Bihar(EasternRegion),Rajasthan(WesternRegion),
TamilNadu(SouthernRegion)andAssam(North
EasternRegion)andfurtherextendedin2015to
another1500villagesinAssam,UttarPradesh,
MadhyaPradesh,Karnataka,Punjab,Odisha,
Jharkhand,Chhattisgarh,AndhraPradesh,
TelanganaandHaryana.Worksandprogrammes
takenupunderPMAGYintheidentifiedStates
includeinteralia,constructionofvillageroads,
communityhalls/meetingplaces,communitytoilets,
drainageworks,installationofhandpumps,solar
poweredstreetlights,drinkingwaterschemeetc.
 Asperscheme,detailsforavillagetobedeclaredas
Adarshvillageaminimumofthreeofthetargets
listedbelowhavetobeachievedbytheendofthe
thirdyearofimplementationofPMAGY:

1.Asfaraspossible,eliminationofpoverty,but
reductioninitsincidencebyatleast50%withinthree
years.
2.Universaladultliteracy
3.100%enrolmentandretentionofchildrenatthe
elementarystage(IVIII).
4.Reductionofinfantmortalityrate(perthousandlive
births)to30andmaternalmortalityrate(perlakh)to
100,by2012.
5.VillageshouldfulfilltheNirmalGramPuraskar
normsoftheDeptt.OfDrinkingWaterSupply,M/o
RuralDevelopment,ie,thesevillagesshouldbe100%
opendefecationfree
6.Accesstosafedrinkingwaterfacilitytoallvillagers
onasustainablebasis.
7.100%institutionaldeliveriesforpregnantwomen
8.Fullimmunizationofchildren

9.Achievingallweatherroadconnectivitytothevillage

10. 100%registrationofdeathsandbirthsinthe
village

11. Nochildmarriages,andchildlabour

12. Nopublicconsumptionofliquorandother
intoxicatingsubstances
13. 100%allotmentofPradhanMantriGraminAwaas
Yojana(PMGAY)housestoalleligiblefamilies

RatificationofKyotoProtocol

TheGovernmentofIndiahasdecidedtoratifythe
SecondCommitmentPeriod(20132020)oftheKyoto
Protocol.DevelopingcountrieslikeIndiahaveno
mandatorymitigationobligationsortargetsunderthe
KyotoProtocol.
TheCleanDevelopmentMechanism(CDM)underthe
KyotoProtocolenablesdevelopedcountriestoinvestin
Cleanprojectsindevelopingcountriestogain
emissionscredits(CertifiedEmissionReduction
CER).IndianIndustryhasbenefitedfromtradingin
CERsintheinternationalmarket.Oflate,duetolack
ofdemandinternationally,pricesofCERshavebeen
verylowleadingtolowactivitiesunderthis
 mechanism.

ExtremeChangesinClimate

AsperthefifthAssessmentreport(AR5)of
IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChange(IPCC)
publishedin2014,globallyaveragedcombinedland
andoceansurfacetemperaturehasrisenby0.850C
(0.65to1.06)overtheperiod1880to2012.Many
extremeweatherandclimateeventslikeheatwaves,
heavyprecipitationandtropicalcycloneshavebeen
observedsinceabout1950.
AccordingtotheIndianMeteorologicalDepartment
(IMD),inlinewithrisingtemperaturesacrossthe
globe,allIndiameantemperatureshaverisennearly
0.60Coverthelast110years.
FurtherIMDstudieshavehighlightedthatextreme
eventslikeheatwaveshaveriseninthelast30years.
 Similarly,trendsinextremerainfalleventsinlast
centuryshowedsignificantpositivetrendoverthe
westcoastandnorthwesternpartsofpeninsula.
TheGovernmenthaslaunchedtheNationalAction
PlanonClimateChange(NAPCC)inJune2008to
dealwiththeclimatechangeandrelatedissues.
NAPCCcomprisesofeightMissionsinspecificareas
ofsolarenergy,enhancedenergyefficiency,habitat,
water,sustainingHimalayanecosystems,forestry,
agricultureandstrategicknowledgeforclimate
change,whichaddressestheissuesrelatingto
mitigationofgreenhousegasesandadaptationtothe
adverseimpactsofclimatechangeonenvironment,
forests,habitat,waterresourcesandagriculture.

NationalBiodiversityCongress

AconferenceonMainstreamingBiodiversityfor
SustainableDevelopmentwasheldat
Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala,aspartoftheNational
BiodiversityCongressonFebruary2324.
Theissuesdiscussedintheconferenceincluded:
mainstreamingbiodiversityfornutritionalsecurity
andwellbeing,sustainableutilizationandbenefit
sharing,landscapeapproachestobiodiversity
conservation,empoweringBiodiversityManagement
Committees(BMCs),conservationofindigenous
breedsandvarieties,PeoplesBiodiversityRegisters,
controlofinvasivespeciesetc.
Themajoroutcomeswereprioritizingthemajor
threatstobiodiversity,andmainstreaming
biodiversityfornutritionalsecurityandwellbeing.
 Theconferencehasbroughtoutabout40
recommendations.
AnopenforumconductedonFebruary22,2017during
theNationalBiodiversityCongressdiscussedabout
localactionsbeingtakenforconservationof
biodiversity,whereinseveralpracticalregionalefforts
forbiodiversityconservationwereidentified.

EarlyWarningforTsunamiandEarthquake

TheIndianTsunamiEarlyWarningCentre(ITEWC),
whichisbasedat&operatedbyIndianNational
CenterforOceanInformationServices(INCOIS),
Hyderabadhasallnecessaryinfrastructureand
capabilitiestogivetsunamiadvisoriestoIndiaaswell
astoIndianOceancountries.
ITEWChasbeendesignatedasoneoftheRegional
TsunamiServiceProvidersfortheentireIndian
 OceanRegionbytheIntergovernmental
OceanographicCommission(IOC)ofUnitedNations
Educational,ScientificandCultural
Organization(UNESCO)
TheITEWCconsistsofnationalandinternational
observationalnetworkofseismicstations,sealevel
gaugestationsandtsunamibuoysaroundtheIndian
andPacificOceans.Datafromapproximately400
seismometersisbeingreceivedinrealtimeand
processedautomaticallytodetectanearthquakeof
magnitude4.0andaboveanywhereontheglobe.
Assoonastheearthquakeisdetected,warningcentre
transmitsthefirstbulletinbasedonseismicdata
describingthelocationofearthquake,itsmagnitude,
depthandothercharactersoftheevent.Afterissuing
thefirstbulletin,seismicdataarefurtheranalysedto
improvetheaccuracyofearthquake
 parameters(magnitude,depthandlocation).Theprocessingofseismic
dataisoptimizedtodetectandcharacterizelargeearthquakeswithinearliest
possibletime.

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