Daily Current Affairs Date 19th June 2021

Daily Current Affairs Date 19th June 2021

TOPICS

  • Stygarctus Keralensis: New Tardigrade species named after Kerala.
  • IMD’s World Competitiveness Index.
  • Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centers for children.
  • Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project.
  • Union Cabinet has approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021.
  • Global Peace Index 2021.
  • Govt reduced Tariff on Edible Oil Import.

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Questions-

Q- Consider the following statements in reference to Stygarctus Keralensis. 

  1. New species named “Stygarctus Keralensis” has been named after Kerala because it is first identified in Kerala.
  2. They are the hardiest animals on Earth.
  3. This belongs to tiny & tough species of Tardigrades. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

a)1 and 2 only

b)2 and 3 only

c)1 and 3 only

d)1, 2 and 3

Stygarctus Keralensis: New Tardigrade species named after Kerala.

  • A new species named “Stygarctus Keralensis” has been identified in Kerala. 
  • This tiny & tough species of Tardigrades has been named after Kerala.

Tardigrades

  • Tardigrades are small specie which are commonly called as ‘water bears’ and ‘moss piglets. 
  • They are so tiny that require high-end microscopes to study them. 
  • They are also the hardiest animals on Earth despite their size. 
  • They were first described by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773.
  •  He called these species as Kleiner Wasserbar.

Stygarctus keralensis

  • This new tardigrade species belongs to genus Stygarctus. They are the first taxonomically described marine tardigrade from Indian waters. 
  • Stygarctus keralensis was discovered from Vadakara in north Kerala. 
  • They are the eighth species named under genus Stygarctus. 
  • They grow up to the length of 130 micrometers (0.13 mm) and are found on mountain tops as well as deep sea. 
  • They have survived five mass extinctions. 
  • They get involved in curious process dealing with environmental stress called ‘cryptobiosis’ which brings their metabolic activities to reversible standstill.

Stygarctus

  • Stygarctus is a genus of tardigrades of family Stygarctidae. 
  • It was named in 1951 by Erich Schulz , Greek Styx and arktos.

Question

 Q- Recently World Competitiveness Index was compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD).

Consider the following Statement regarding it.

1) This Index is going to examine the impact of COVID-19 on economies worldwide.

2)  India was ranked at 33rd position among 64 countries.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

IMD’s World Competitiveness Index

  • World Competitiveness Index was compiled by Institute for Management Development (IMD) which examine the impact of COVID-19 on economies worldwide.
  • India was ranked at 43rd position among 64 countries.
  • Switzerland has topped the list and is followed by Sweden (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Netherlands (4th) and Singapore (5th).
  • Taiwan was ranked at 8th position, reaching among top-10 for the first time in 33 years.
  • UAE (9th) and USA (10th) maintains the same spots as in 2020.
  • Top performing Asian economies include Singapore (5th), Hong Kong (7th), Taiwan (8th) and China (16th).

About IMD World Competitiveness Ranking

  • This index ranks 64 economies and assesses extent to which any country promotes prosperity of its people. 
  • This index started ranking countries 33 years ago by measuring countries well-being through hard data and survey responses from executives.
  • It is released by IMD World Competitiveness Center.

BRICS Nations

  • Among BRICS, India (43rd) is ranked second after China (16th).
  • India is followed by Russia (45th), Brazil (57th) and South Africa (62nd).

How India’s rank improved?

  • India witnessed improvements in government efficiency factor because of relatively stable public finances amid covid-19 pandemic. 
  • As per the report, qualities like investment in innovation, welfare benefits & leadership, digitalization have helped countries to get higher ranks.

QUESTION

Q- Consider the following statement related to Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centers.

1)Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment inaugurated 14 Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centers at 7 National Institutes and 7 Composite Regional Centers (CRCs).

2)The purpose of these services is to provide services like screening, identification, rehabilitation, counselling and therapeutic for different disabilities.

3)Main aim of these centres is to identify all types of disabilities.

Which of the following statement is or are correct?

a) 1 & 2

b) 2 only

c) All of the above

d) None of the above

Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centers for children.

  • Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot inaugurated 14 Cross-Disability Early Intervention Centers at 7 National Institutes and 7 Composite Regional Centers (CRCs).

What is the purpose of these centers?

  • Centers will provide services like screening, identification, rehabilitation, counselling and therapeutic for different disabilities under one roof in a contiguous manner. 
  • It will help in identifying children with disabilities or infants who are vulnerable to develop a disability and provide them early assistance to ensure optimal development of the child.

First Phase

  • In the first phase, 14 cross-disability centers were launched in our institutions. 
  • By 2022, such centers will be set up in all CRCs across 25 States and Union Territories. 
  • 14 Early Intervention Centers have been started in Dehradun, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Secunderabad, Cuttack, Chennai, Surendranagar, Bhopal, Lucknow, Patna, Rajnandgaon, Nellore, and Kozhikode.

Background

  • Existing National Institute and CRCs have been providing rehabilitation services to differently-abled. 
  • But national institutions have been working only for specific disabilities. 
  • With the launch of cross disability Early Intervention Centers, all types of disabilities will be identified and medical & rehabilitation services will be provided under one roof.

Data on Children with disabilities

  • As per 2011 Census, there are 20 lakh children with disabilities in age group of 0-6 years. 
  • They belong to the categories of visually impaired, hearing impaired, locomotor disability. 
  • Thus, about 7 percent of children in this age group suffer from one or other form of disability. 
  • Numbers are expected to increase with enactment of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 as it has 21 categories in disability category instead of 7.

Questions

Q- Consider the following statements regarding Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project.

  1.  It was formed by damming natural valley systems. 
  2.  Forest Department proposed to felled 6,316 trees to develop Singanayakanahalli lake.
  3.  This project was launched with the aim of filling 65 tanks in Bengaluru Urban, Rural and Chickballapur.
  4.  It spreads over an area of 65 ha with plans for extending it up to 133 ha.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 2, 3

c) 2, 3, 4

d) 1, 2, 4

Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project 

  • Citizens and Environmentalists are fighting against the proposal to clear over 6,000 trees in Singanaya kanahalli to construct a lake under Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project by Minor Irrigation Department in Karnataka. 
  • Forest Department, in a recent notification, proposed to felled 6,316 trees to develop Singanaya kanahalli lake, Yelahanka hobli, because they are coming in way of this project.

Hebbal-Nagawara Valley Project

  • This project was launched with the aim of filling 65 tanks in Bengaluru Urban, Rural and Chickballapur.
  • Bagaluru lake was the first lake to receive treated water from this project.
  • The project was meant to act as an impounded reservoir to supply water in 11 other lakes in this region.
  • Direct use of treated water for drinking and agricultural purposes was prohibited but farmers were of the view that, project is increasing the water table.

What is the issue?

  • Activists are questioning the need and logic of removing such huge number of trees.

Hebbal Lake

  • The lake is located in Bangalore at the mouth of National Highway 7, near the junction of Bellary Road and Outer

Ring Road.

  • These lakes were created in 1537 by Kempe Gowda. 
  • It was formed by damming natural valley systems. 
  • It spreads over an area of 75 ha with plans for extending it up to 143 ha.

Question

Q- Consider the following statements regarding Inland Vessels Bill, 2021.

  1.  Bill provides for a central data base to record details of vessel, vessel registration and crew on an electronic portal.
  2.  Bill will regulate safety, security and registration of inland vessels.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Union Cabinet has approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021

  • Union Cabinet has approved the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, which will replace Inland Vessels Act, 1917.
  • As of now, total 4,000 km inland waterways have been operationalized.
  • Bill will regulate safety, security and registration of inland vessels.
  • Bill provides for a unified law for entire India instead of separate rules framed by each States.
  • Bill grants certificate of registration which will be valid in all States and Union Territories.
  •  No separate permissions will be required from States.
  • Bill provides for a central data base to record details of vessel, vessel registration and crew on an electronic portal.
  • Central database would require all mechanically propelled vessels to be mandatorily registered.
  • Non-mechanically propelled vessels will also require to be enrolled at district, taluk or panchayat or village level.

Inland Water Transport in India

  • India has about 14,500 km of navigable waterways comprising of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks.
  • It is a fuel-efficient and environment-friendly mode of transportation. 
  • Under National Waterways Act 2016, 111 waterways have been declared as National Waterways.

Questions-

Q- Consider the following statement regarding Global Peace Index 2021

1) Bangladesh ranked above India and Pakistan.

2) Afghanistan is the least peaceful country again for fourth consecutive year.

3) Iceland is the most peaceful country worldwide since 2008 

4) India has moved down by two positions from last year to 135th  

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 2, 3

c) 2, 3, 4

d) 1, 2, 4

Global Peace Index 2021.

  • At the International Labour Conference (ILC), 181 countries’ delegates have unanimously adopted a global call to action for a human-centred COVID-19 recovery. This recovery prioritises the creation of decent jobs for all and addresses the inequalities caused by the crisis
  • The global call to action for a human-centred COVID-19 recovery outlines a comprehensive agenda. 
  • It commits countries to ensure that their economic and social recovery from the crisis is “fully inclusive, sustainable and resilient”, stated the International Labour Organisation in a note.
  • The first covers measures to be taken by national governments and their employer and trade union ‘social partners’, to achieve a job-rich recovery. 
  • This will substantially strengthen worker and social protections and supports sustainable enterprises.
  • ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said, “Creating a recovery that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient must become a top priority for public policy. 
  • This resolution provides a clear and comprehensive way forward that will enable countries to convert the moral and political aspiration of leaving no one behind into concrete action.”
  • He added, “The effectiveness and resilience of the recovery from COVID-19 will depend heavily on how broadly-based and socially inclusive it is.
  • Unless we specifically address the inequalities that have deepened during this crisis there is a very real risk that the economic and social consequences will cause long-term scarring, particularly for disproportionately-affected groups such as young people and women, and the small and microenterprises that provide most of the world’s employment.”

Q- Consider the following statements regarding Govt. reduced Tariff on Edible Oil Import.

  1. Union government has reduced tariff value for import of edible oil including palm oil by USD 112 per tonne.
  2. This move will help in softening the edible oil prices in domestic market. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Govt reduced Tariff on Edible Oil Import 

  • Union government has reduced tariff value for import of edible oil including palm oil by USD 112 per tonne.
  • This move will lead to reduction in domestic prices. 
  • Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) reduced the tariff import value of crude palm oil by USD 86 per tonne.
  • Import price on RBD and crude palmolein reduced by USD 112 per tonne.
  • Base import price of crude soyabean oil was reduced by USD 37 per tonne.

Significance of the move

  • This move will help in softening the edible oil prices in domestic market as with reduction in import tariff, customs duty on base import price would also reduce.

Also Read: Daily Current Affairs Date 18th June 2021

Import of edible oils

  • In India, there is a big gap between domestic production and consumption of edible oils. 
  • This leads to massive imports. 
  • India’s two-third of edible oil demand is fulfilled through imports. 
  • According to data of Solvent Extractors’ Association of India, overall import of edible and non-edible oils during November 2020 to May 2021 have increased by 9 percent to 76,77,998 tonnes.
  •  With rise in imports, retail prices of edible oils have also increase while, domestic edible oil prices have increase two-fold in past year.