1. PM MATSYA KISAN SAMRIDHI YOJANA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana, a Central Sector sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada for the fisheries sector.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana

• Objective: To enhance further the earnings and incomes of fishermen, fish vendors and micro & small enterprises engaged in fisheries sector.
• Targeted investment: 6,000 crore
• Funding: 50% public finance, including the World Bank and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) external financing, and rest 50% being the anticipated investment from the private sector leverage.
• Aim: At facilitating growth of businesses, creation of jobs and creation of business opportunities
• India is the 4th largest exporter of fish and fisheries products, 3rd largest fish producer and 2nd largest aquaculture producer.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

• About: This initiative represents a flagship scheme aimed at fostering sustainable development in India's fisheries sector. 
• Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
• Aim: To drive a blue revolution by promoting the sustainable and responsible growth of India's fisheries sector.
• Income Enhancement: The scheme intends to double the incomes of fishers and fish farmers while reducing post-harvest losses from 20-25% to approximately 10%. Additionally, it seeks to create employment opportunities within the sector.

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2. NEW GUIDELINE FOR CINEMA HALL Syllabus GS Paper 2 – Governance)

Context: The ministry of Information & Broadcasting last month came out with 'Access- ibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment, and invited stakeholder comments on the draft till February 15.

Why the Guidelines

• Legal Foundation: The proposal references Sections 29 and 42 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. These sections require government action to enhance universal access in the information and communication sector, specifically focusing on providing access to films for individuals with hearing and visual impairments.
• Demographic Overview: According to the Census 2011, 2.21% of India's total population is classified as 'disabled.' Within this demographic, 19% of individuals have a disability related to sight, and an additional 19% experience hearing disabilities.

Film Certification Process Requirements

• Dual Film Sets Submission: The producer must submit two sets of films to CBFC for certification.
• Sets include the original version for public viewing and a second version with accessibility features.
• Mandatory CBFC Certification: Cinemas must ensure that both versions of feature films are certified by CBFC for theatrical releases.
• Options for Cinema Halls: Cinemas can schedule specific days and timings for screenings with accessibility services.

oAlternatively, cinemas can use specific equipment during regular shows to cater to the impaired segment.

How will the guidelines be implemented?

• CBFC and Government: The CBFC and relevant government bodies under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, will monitor the implementation schedule.
• Involvement of Film Stakeholders: Film producers and movie theatre licensees will actively participate in overseeing the implementation process.
• Establishment of Monitoring Committee: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) will create a committee, comprising half its members with hearing/visual impairment and representatives from the film industry, to supervise accessibility standards implementation.

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3. FLUE GAS DE-SULPHURISATION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has informed about the installation of Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD) equipment in thermal power plants.

Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD) Equipment

• About: It is a set of technologies used to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from exhaust flue gases of fossil-fuel power plants, and from the emissions of other sulfur oxide emitting processes such as waste incineration, petroleum refineries, cement and lime kilns.
• Three variants: Wet Flue Gas Desulphurisation (WFGD), Spray Dryer Absorber (SDA) and Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI).
• Features

oOver 300 FGD plants have been distributed globally and have garnered a significant market share because of the following attributes:

oThey demonstrate high efficiency in removing SO2, meeting mandated emission standards for all types of fossil fuels.

oThey offer diverse pollutant control capabilities through environmental control equipment.

oThey are renowned for their high reliability.

oThey contribute to energy and utility savings.

Steps are taken to reduce emission by Thermal Power Companies

• They are required to meet the environmental pollution standard set by MoEF&CC from time to time.
• Thermal Power Plants of total capacity of about 181 GW is covered under Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) Scheme and they are given mandatory targets to reduce their specific energy consumption i.e. Net Heat Rate.
• As per revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) submitted to United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in August, 2022, India’s target is to achieve about 50 percent cumulative electric power installed capacity by 2030 from non- fossil fuel-based energy resources to reduce the Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions.
• Ministry of Power has issued revised policy on Bio-mass Utilization for Power Generation through Co-firing in Coal based Power Plants to use 5-10% blend of biomass pellets made, primarily of agro-residue along with coal.

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4. NITROGEN POLLUTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Water scarcity is exacerbated by declining water quality in numerous regions, and the situation is expected to worsen in the years to come, a new report underlined.

Nitrogen Pollution

• About: Nitrogen, constituting the majority of the atmosphere, remains inert and unreactive in its natural state.
• Reactivity in Anthropogenic Releases: When released through agricultural, sewage, or biological waste, nitrogen transforms into reactive compounds, potentially causing pollution and exhibiting a strong greenhouse gas effect.
• Potent Greenhouse Gas Impact: Nitrous oxide (N2O), though less prevalent than carbon dioxide, possesses a greenhouse gas potency 300 times greater. Nitrogen pollution is associated with diverse environmental impacts, including the depletion of biodiversity, river and sea pollution, ozone depletion, and consequences for health, economy, and livelihoods.
• Sources of Nitrogen Pollution: Emissions from chemical fertilizers, livestock manure, and the combustion of fossil fuels contribute significantly to nitrogen pollution.
• Impact on Air Quality and Human Health: Ammonia (NH3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) released into the air contribute to poor air quality, exacerbating respiratory and cardiac conditions, resulting in millions of premature deaths worldwide.
• Nitrate Pollution in Water Systems: Nitrate pollution stemming from chemical fertilizers, manure, and industrial activities contaminates rivers and seas, posing health risks for humans and threatening aquatic ecosystems, including fish, coral, and plant life.
• Harmful Algal Blooms and Dead Zones: Nitrogen pollution leads to the formation of harmful algal blooms and dead zones in water bodies, causing the production of toxins that harm both humans and aquatic organisms. This, in turn, negatively impacts fisheries and biodiversity in coastal regions.

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5. INDIA MYANMAR BORDER (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar.

India–Myanmar Border

• About: It is the international border between India and Myanmar (formerly Burma). 
• Length: 1,643 kilometres (1,021 mi) in length and runs from the tripoint with China in the north to the tripoint with Bangladesh in the south.
• The border between India and Myanmar runs along four states: Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Capital city: Naypyidaw

Free Movement Regime (FMR)

• About: The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
• Implementation: It was implemented in 2018 as part of the Act East policy, at a time when diplomatic relations between India and Myanmar were on the upswing.
• Geographical Scope: Under the FMR, residents of hill tribes, whether Indian or Myanmar citizens, are allowed to travel within a 16 km radius on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB).
• Border Crossing Procedure: To cross the border, individuals need to present a border pass issued by the competent authority, valid for one year.

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6. KMTTP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: A key connectivity initiative of India targeting improved road and maritime links with Southeast Asia encountered a significant setback following the recent capture of a vital town in Myanmar by a rebel group, as reported by a senior figure in Myanmar's Opposition.

Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP)

• About: The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) stands as a pivotal element in India's strategic and infrastructural advancements, aligning closely with its 'Act East' policy and regional integration objectives.
• Collaborative Initiation: The project's inception involved a collaborative effort between India and Myanmar, emphasizing the cooperative nature of this infrastructural endeavor.
• Multi-Modal Components

oSea Route: The project encompasses sea, river, and road transportation. The sea route spans from Kolkata to Sittwe, covering a distance of 539 km.

oRiver Route: Connecting Sittwe to Paletwa via the Kaladan River, this component extends over a distance of 158 km.

oRoad Component: The project includes a road segment from Paletwa to the Indo-Myanmar border (110 km) and further into Mizoram.

• Connectivity Objectives: The primary goal of KMTTP is to establish a novel connectivity pathway, linking different modes of transportation and enhancing economic development, especially for the landlocked northeastern states of India.
• Significance: This project aims to decrease the distance from Kolkata to Sittwe by approximately 1328 km, minimize reliance on transporting goods through the narrow Siliguri corridor, and establish an alternative route linking northeast and mainland India.

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7. WATER AMENDMENT BILL 2024 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: Parliament has passed the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024

• Empowerment of Central Government: According to the Bill, the central government gains authority to exempt specific industrial plants from the restrictions outlined in section 25, concerning new outlets and discharges.
• Procedures for State Pollution Control Board: Under the proposed law, the central government will define the process for nominating chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards, providing a structured framework.
• Consent Matters: The proposed legislation grants the central government the power to issue guidelines pertaining to the grant, refusal, or cancellation of consent by state boards for the establishment of industries, operations, processes, or treatment and disposal systems, as well as the use of new or modified outlets.
• Discharge of polluting matter:  Under the Act, the SPCB may issue directions to immediately restrain any activity which is leading to discharge of noxious or polluting matter in water bodies.
• Offenses: The Bill aims to decriminalize minor offenses, replacing punitive measures with monetary penalties in cases of continued contravention.
• Penalty for other offences:  Under the Act, an offence for which punishment is not explicitly specified is punishable with an imprisonment term of up to three months or a fine of up to Rs 10,000, or both.  

oThe Bill removes imprisonment as a punishment, and prescribes a penalty between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

• Objective: To provide for the prevention and control of water pollution, and for the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water in the country.
• Enacted in: 1977
• Amendment: 1988
• Regulatory Authority: The Act grants regulatory authority to State Pollution Control Boards. Their mandate includes establishing and enforcing effluent standards for factories.
• Central Pollution Control Board: It assumes a parallel role for Union Territories.

oIt performs functions similar to State Boards, formulating policies and coordinating activities across different states.

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8. WHITE PAPER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Finance Minister of India presented a “white paper” on the Indian economy in Parliament.

White Paper

• About: A white paper typically provides information about a specific issue. 

oA government may present a white paper — say, on black money — to make people aware of the nature and scope of the problem and the possible ways to resolve it.

• Prepared by: Ministry of Finance
• Comparison between: The record of two governments on a variety of economic parameters.
• Objective
• It seeks to inform everyone “of the nature and extent of governance, economic and fiscal crises that were bequeathed” to the NDA government when it assumed office in 2014.
• It informs about “the policies and measures that (NDA) government took to restore the health of the economy” since 2014.
• It “hopes to generate a wider, more informed debate on the paramountcy of national interest and fiscal responsibility in matters of governance over political expediency.”
• It quotes Prime Minister of india’s speech on last year’s Independence Day, “to commit ourselves to national development, with new inspirations, new consciousness, new resolutions, as the country opens up immense possibilities and opportunities.”

Why is it being presented now?

• Timing: The document clarifies the decision to present the white paper after a decade, highlighting the government's strategic approach.
• Negative Narrative: The government chose not to release a white paper earlier to prevent a negative portrayal of the state of affairs, which could have undermined confidence, including that of investors.
• Attraction of Investments: Delaying the white paper allowed for the attraction of both domestic and global investments, contributing to economic stability and growth.
• Building Support for Reforms: The document highlights the intention to build public support for much-needed reforms as a key factor in the delayed release of the white paper.

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9. MAHMUDIA WETLAND (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Wildlife conservation organisation World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has urged the Romanian government to classify Mahmudia wetland as a ‘national interest ecological restoration area’ to protect its natural progress and foster community prosperity.

World Wide Fund  for Nature (WWF)

• Established: In 1961 
• Headquarter: In Gland, Switzerland.
• Previously known as the: World Wildlife Fund
• Mission: WWF's mission is to halt the degradation of the planet's natural environment and create a future in which humans coexist harmoniously with nature.
• Global Reach: The world's largest conservation organization, boasting over five million supporters across 100 countries.

Mahmudia Wetland

• Location: Mahmudia is positioned along the southernmost canal of the Danube Delta, where the renowned river meets the Black Sea.
• Danube River: It holds the title of the most international river globally, traversing or serving as a border for ten countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine. 

oIt also connects four capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade.

• Formation of the Danube Delta: The Delta is shaped around the three principal channels of the Danube, named after the ports they lead to: Chilia (in the north), Sulina (in the middle), and Sfantu Gheorghe (in the south).

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10. KYASANUR FOREST DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Since January 1 this year, two people have died due to Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a viral infection, in Karnataka.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

• About: It is caused by Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae. 
• First Identified: KFDV was identified in 1957 when it was isolated from a sick monkey from the Kyasanur Forest in Karnataka (formerly Mysore) State, India.
• Transmission: Humans may occur after a tick bite or contact with an infected animal, most importantly a sick or recently dead monkey. No person-to-person transmission has been described.
• Signs and Symptoms: Severe muscle pain with vomiting, gastrointestinal symptoms and bleeding problems may occur 3-4 days after initial symptom onset.
• Treatment: There is no specific treatment for KFD,
• Endemic Regions of KFD: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

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