KANISHKBIOSCIENCE E -LEARNING PLATFORM - Help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.
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Ethanol production:
Context:
The Union Cabinet has approved a modified scheme for interest subvention for ethanol production, expanding the scheme to include grain-based distilleries and not just molasses-based ones.
Implications:
The decision would encourage ethanol production from grains like barley, maize, corn and rice.
The scheme would boost production and distillation capacity to 1,000 crore litres and help in meeting the goal of 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2030.
About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme:
Launched in 2003 on pilot basis.
Ethanol:
1 Ethanol can be produced from sugarcane, maize, wheat, etc which are having high starch content.
2 In India, ethanol is mainly produced from sugarcane molasses by fermentation process.
3 Ethanol can be mixed with gasoline to form different blends.
4 As the ethanol molecule contains oxygen, it allows the engine to more completely combust the fuel, resulting in fewer emissions and thereby reducing the occurrence of environmental pollution.
5 Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered as renewable fuel.
Prelims Link:
1 What is ethanol? How is it produced?
2 Difference between ethanol and molasses?
3 What is ethanol blending programme?
4 Benefits of ethanol blending?
Mains Link:
Write a note on the 2013 EBP programme.
Sources: the Hindu.
Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA):
Context:
The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared the entire State of Nagaland as a “disturbed area” for six more months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA).
MHA said the area comprising the whole of Nagaland is in such a “disturbed and dangerous condition” that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary.
What does the AFSPA mean?
In simple terms, AFSPA gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”.
Powers given to armed forces:
1 They have the authority to prohibit a gathering of five or more persons in an area, can use force or even open fire after giving due warning if they feel a person is in contravention of the law.
2 If reasonable suspicion exists, the army can also arrest a person without a warrant; enter or search premises without a warrant; and ban the possession of firearms.
3 Any person arrested or taken into custody may be handed over to the officer in charge of the nearest police station along with a report detailing the circumstances that led to the arrest.
What is a “disturbed area” and who has the power to declare it?
A disturbed area is one which is declared by notification under Section 3 of the AFSPA. An area can be disturbed due to differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities.
The Central Government, or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area.
Has there been any review of the Act?
On November 19, 2004, the Central government appointed a five-member committee headed by Justice B P Jeevan Reddy to review the provisions of the act in the north eastern states.
The committee submitted its report in 2005, which included the following recommendations: (a) AFSPA should be repealed and appropriate provisions should be inserted in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967; (b) The Unlawful Activities Act should be modified to clearly specify the powers of the armed forces and paramilitary forces and (c) grievance cells should be set up in each district where the armed forces are deployed.
The 5th report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission on public order has also recommended the repeal of the AFSPA.
Sources: the Hindu.
Facts for Prelims:
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park:
Context:
Assam CM sets Jan. 31 deadline to rehabilitate Dibru-Saikhowa National Park dwellers.
What’s the issue?
It has been hanging fire since 1999, when the Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary was upgraded to a national park.
About the National Park:
1 It is situated in the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in Assam.
2 It is the largest swamp forest in north-eastern India.
3 It is an identified Important Bird Area (IBA), notified by the Birdlife International.
4 It is most famous for the rare white-winged wood ducks as well as feral horses.
5 The forest type comprises semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, littoral and swamp forests and patches of wet evergreen forests.
6 Maguri Motapung wetland is a part of the Reserve.
Govt. nod for missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic:
Government of India to open three missions in Estonia, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic in 2021.
This will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations, enable growth of bilateral trade, investment and economic engagements.
(Note: Have a general idea about geographical locations of the above mentioned countries).
Akash missile:
Cabinet gives approval for Akash missile export.
Akash is an indigenously developed and manufactured short-range Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system.
Range:
Can take off at a speed of around 2.5 Mach and reach a high altitude of 18 kms and as low as 30 meters.
{ With input from news agency language)
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