Daily Current Affairs: December 2022 Part-I

December Current Affairs Part-I 2022:

Daily Issues 3's Current Affairs section provides daily/recent/latest and contemporary issues of Current Affairs of December 2022 Part First (from 1st Dec to 15th Dec) for UPSC, UPPSC, BPSC, IAS/PCS, SSC and other competitive exams. This Current Affairs post  cover Daily News by choosing the most relevant topics from a number of newspapers like The Hindu, The Indian Express etc. and  news websites like PIB, News AIR for national, international, environment, sports, awards etc., current issues.

💠 ECOSOC votes to Remove Iran from Commission:

The UN Economic and Social Council have voted to immediately oust Iran from the U.N.’s premiere global body fighting for gender equality because of its systematic violation of the rights of women and girls.

• The United States has hailed it as a “historic” decision. The US-sponsored resolution was sparked by Iran’s ongoing brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters.

The vote in the 54-member UN council known as ECOSOC to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women for the remainder of its 2022-2026 term. Twenty-nine members supported the resolution and eight opposed it, and 16 abstained from voting.

 

💠 Panchayat Development Index:

• Committee has been constituted for Preparation of Panchayat Development Index (PDI).
• Indicators Framework on 9 themes of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals has been prepared for developing the measures of Panchayat Development Index and other SDGs progress.
• No State/ UT including Jammu & Kashmir specific local indicators are developed for formulation of PDI.
• The Ministry has been implementing scheme for capacitating elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Government has approved revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan for implementation from 2022-23 to 2025-26.
•  Focus on Capacity Building and Training of elected representatives and functionaries to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions.

 

💠 India Water Impact Summit 2022:

The Ministry for Jal Shakti will inaugurate the 7th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS 2022) on 15th December, 2022. The summit is being organized by National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga).

• To developing water and environmental infrastructure to protect rivers and water bodies in India.

Theme: ‘Restoration and Conservation of Small Rivers in a Large Basin’.

Key Points of the Summit:

• Experts from the country and abroad will discuss ways in which small rivers facing near-extinction in large river basins can be protected.
• Summit aims to give insight into potential causes for divergence and formulate strategy to achieve convergence.
• 5 broad Tracks of summit are Science and Policy, Finance and Economics, Technology and Innovation, International and Implementation Challenges.
• Event will host a finance forum to bring together global financial institutions and investors interested in river restoration and conservation programmes.
• It emphasis on ‘Mapping and Convergence of 5Ps’ - People, Policy, Plan, Programme and Project.

 

💠 Special initiatives under NEP for education of the Girl Child:

The objectives of NEP for equitable and quality education for girl children are being met through specific provisions under Samagra Shiksha 2.0.

•  Allocating dedicated resources for Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs).

Key Points:

• Samagra Shiksha have been targeted for providing quality education to girls.
• Opening of schools in the neighbourhood to make access easier for girls.
• Free uniform and text-books to girls up to class VIII.
• Additional teachers and residential quarters for teachers in remote/hilly areas.
• Appointment of additional teachers including women teachers, stipend to CWSN girls from class I to class XII.
• Separate toilets for girls.
• Teachers' sensitization programmes to promote girls participation, gender-sensitive teaching-learning materials including text books etc.

 

💠 Nevada wildflower' as endangered species:

In the United States, wildlife officials declared a Nevada wildflower endangered at the only place it’s known to exist - on a high-desert ridge where a lithium mine is planned to help meet the growing demand for electric car batteries. 

💠 India’s Presidency of UNSC:

India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) preside over two High-Level Ministerial signature events under India’s Presidency of United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

• It held at New York, US.

Theme: "New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism and the High-Level Briefing tomorrow is on Global Approach to Counter Terrorism - Challenges and Way Forward.”

Both these themes have been key priorities for India during its current tenure at the UN Security Council.

EAM unveiling first Mahatma Gandhi sculpture at the premises of the UN Headquarters.

India will also be launching a "Group of Friends for Accountability for Crimes against Peacekeepers.

India’s initiative on "International Year of Millets 2023” along with a millets-based luncheon will also be hosted by External Affairs Minister for UN Secretary-General and United Nations Security Council member states.

 

💠 New and Renewable Energy:

The Prime Minister’s announcement at COP26, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is working towards achieving 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030, and achieving Net Zero by 2070.

• A total of 172.72 GW capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources has been installed in the country as on 31.10.2022. Which includes –
• 119.09 GW Renewable Energy,
• 46.85 GW Large Hydro and
• 6.78 GW Nuclear Power capacity.

This constitutes a share of 42.26% of total installed generation capacity in the country i.e. 408.71 GW as on 31.10.2022.

Government several steps towards achievement of 500 GW installed capacity from non-fossil sources which includes:

• Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route,
• Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025,
• Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2029-30,
• Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers for installation of RE projects at large scale,
• Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc,
• Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power,
• Notification of standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/devices,
• Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,
• Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.
• Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.
• Notification of Promoting Renewable Energy through Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022.
• Notification of “The electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and related matters) Rules (LPS rules).
• Launch of Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) to facilitate sale of Renewable Energy Power through exchanges.

 

💠 National Family Planning Program:

The National Population Policy 2000 and National Health Policy 2017, to address the unmet need for Family Planning.

The following steps have been taken by the Government:

• Expanded Contraceptive Choices.
• Mission Parivar Vikas (MPV) implemented in 13 states for substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services.
• Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors which provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service provider team for conducting sterilization.
• Post-partum Intra-uterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) services are provided post delivery.
• Scheme for Home Delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries.
• Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) to ensure last mile availability of family planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.

Achievements of the Government:

• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 2.0 in 2019-21 (NFHS 5) which is below replacement level.
• 31 out of 36 States/ UTs have achieved replacement level fertility (NFHS 5).
• The Modern Contraceptive usage has increased to 56.5% (NFHS 5).
• The Unmet Need for Family Planning has decreased to 9.4% (NFHS 5).
• The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has declined to 19.5 in 2020 (SRS).

 

💠 Food Processing Industries in India:

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implement schemes to augment post harvest infrastructure and processing facilities so as to reduce post-harvest losses and augment processing levels of various agriculture produce.

• The Ministry implements a Central Sector umbrella scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) since 2016-17 for overall growth and development of the sector.

Aim: Value Addition of Food Grains.

The aim to augment preservation and processing capacity so as to reduce post-harvest losses, create off farm employment, and enhancing of value addition & exports of processed food with components, namely,

• Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,  
• Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,
• Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities,
• Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure,
• Human Resources and Institutions–Research & Development and
• Operation Greens. Earlier Mega Food Park and Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages schemes were also part of PMKSY during the 14th Finance Commission period.

 

The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme since 2020-21 for providing financial, technical and business support for upgradation / setting up of two lakh micro enterprises based on One District One Product approach.

A Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is being implemented from 2021-22 to 2026-27 in order to support processed fruits & vegetables, marine products, Ready to Eat (RTE)/ Ready to Cook (RTC) products including millet-based products and mozzarella cheese segments of the food processing sector.

Innovative /organic products by SME segment is also covered under the scheme. Promoting Indian food brands abroad, marketing and branding support are also provided for under the scheme.

  

💠 Increase in the use of Green Hydrogen:

In the Independence Day speech on August 15, 2021, the Prime Minister announced the launch of National Hydrogen Mission.

• Green Hydrogen can potentially be used to replace fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based feedstocks in a number of sectors such as fertilizer production, petroleum refining, steel production and transport applications.

 

💠 Gokul Grams:

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, under Rashtriya Gokul Mission has released funds for setting up of 16 “Gokul Grams”.

Aim: To conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific and holistic manner. 

• Setting up of Biogas Plant was also included as one of the components under Gokul Grams and their performance evaluation has not been carried out.
• They have not been connected with the Gobardhan Yojana as the said scheme was not in place during the inception of Gokul Gram component under RGM.

Due to implementation of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission –

• India milk production in the country has increased from 146.31Million Tonnes in 2014-15 to 220.78 Million in 2021-22 that is by 6.3% per annum during the last 8 years.
• Value of output of milk is more than the combined value of Paddy and Wheat.
• The scheme is leading to multiplication of elite animals of indigenous breeds and increased availability of indigenous stock.

💠 Inclusion of Water in Concurrent List:

• The issue of including water in the concurrent list.
• The proposal to bring water in the Union / Concurrent list has earlier been examined by the two Commissions on Centre State Relations chaired by

1. Justice R.S. Sarkaria and
2. Justice M.M. Punchhi respectively.

The said proposal did not find favour with either of the two Commissions.

Recently, Water is a matter of State List in the Constitution of India.

 

 

💠 UNFCCC COP 27 – India's promise to achieve Carbon Neutrality:

According to the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy(LT-LEDS) are determined by countries themselves and communicated to the UNFCCC.

India has submitted its updated NDCs on 26th August 2022 and its long-term low carbon development strategy on 14th November 2022.

• India’s vision and approaches towards reaching net-zero by 2070.

As per LT-LEDS, India’s vision of low carbon development is based on the need to ensure India’s high energy needs for development, including poverty eradication, achieving Sustainable Development Goals and economic growth. 

It is necessary that the plan for the country’s energy security is based both on the expansion of non-fossil fuel sources for power generation and rational utilization of fossil fuel resources. 

Specific steps for such utilization include, expanding renewables and strengthening the grid and focusing on demand-side management.

 

💠 Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0:

Krishi Udan Scheme 2.0 was announced on 27 October 2021. It mainly focusing on transporting perishable food products from the hilly areas, North-Eastern States and tribal areas.

• The scheme primarily covers around 25 airports focusing on North Eastern, Hilly and Tribal region besides 28 airports in other regions/areas.
• After evaluation of Krishi Udan 2.0, five more airports have been included making it to total 58 airports.

Aim: To ensure seamless, cost-effective, time bound, air transportation and associated logistics for all Agri-produce originating especially from North-East, hilly and tribal regions of the country.

• Few successful examples are air transportation of 'King Chillies, Burmese Grapes & Assamese Lemon' from Gauwahati, 'Jackfruit' from Tripura and 'Litchi' from Darbhanga.

 

💠 NITI Aayog and GIZ India: Soil Health Management for Sustainable Farming:

NITI Aayog organized a national conclave on soil health management for sustainable farming on the occasion of the World Soil Day (December 5, 2022).

It was co-hosted by NITI Aayog and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Economic Development (BMZ).

Focus: On sustainable farming, as healthy soil is the basis for a healthy future.

Key Points:

• This brought together policymakers, the scientific community, civil society and sector advocates to understand key initiatives in India and globally.
• The government is playing a pivotal role in encouraging measures to protect the environment.
• By the collaboration – developing a roadmap to improve soil health and sustainable agriculture practices.
• To ensure healthy soil management and long-term food security.
• The role of soil protection, restoration, and sustainable soil management to support an agro ecological transition towards sustainable farming and resilient food systems in India.
• The practice of natural farming and agro ecological farming practices can not only lead the way to rejuvenate and enhance soil heath, biodiversity, and nutrition but also the prosperity of farmers.

These bilateral initiatives to catalyze the transformation towards resilient and sustainable food systems, including nutritional security and improving rural livelihoods through green and inclusive economic development.

 

💠 Indian Railways achieve Net Zero Emission by 2030:

Indian Railways (IR) has envisioned to achieve net zero carbon emission by 2030. Following measures have been undertaken in this regard:

• 100% Electrification of Broad Gauge (BG) Railway network.
• About 142 Mega Watt (MW) of solar plants (both on Rooftops and on its vacant land) and about 103 MW of Wind power plants have been commissioned (till 31.10.2022).
• Use of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) based 3-phase propulsion system with regenerative braking in locomotives, Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) trains, Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains, Kolkata Metro rakes and Electric train sets.
• Conversion of End on Generation (EOG) trains into Head on Generation (HOG) trains to reduce noise, air pollution and diesel consumption.
• Provision of Light emitting diode (LED) lighting in all Railway installations including Railway stations, service buildings, Residential quarters and coaches for reduction in electricity consumption.
• Afforestation of railway land to increase carbon sink.
• Green Certifications- Green Certifications of various industrial units, railway stations and other railway establishments have been done. Further, Environment Management System (EMS): ISO 14001 certification of various railway stations has also been done.
• Construction of Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
• Installation of waste to energy plants.

Further, IR has decided to progressively procure renewable energy to reduce energy consumption through conventional sources.

At present, there is no proposal to induct solar train in the Railway fleet. The solar system works during the day time and generate battery backup of approximately 4 to 5 hours. System does not work properly during fog/rain and winter season and battery backup goes down to 2 to 3 hours depending upon weather conditions. Therefore, the system has not been pursued further.

 

💠 Divya Kala Mela:

Divya Kala Mela in Kartavya Path is the great initiative of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment at India Gate, Delhi.

Aims: To provide a great platform for the products and craftsmanship of Divyang artisans from across the country.

Key Points:

• The objective of the fair is to bring self-reliance in the lives of Divyangjan.
• Around 200 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from 22 states and union territories will showcase their products and skills in the fair.
• The fair products categories –   Home decor & lifestyle, clothing, stationery & eco-friendly products, packaged food, organic products, toys & gifts, personal accessories-jewellery, clutch bags,
• A fair for all 'Vocal for Local'.
• It will host a range of cultural activities including performances by differently-abled artists and eminent professionals.

 

💠 World’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID:

World’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID developed by India has got approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

This vaccine received approval under restricted Use in emergency situations for ages 18 and above for primary 2 dose schedule, homologous booster doses.

The role of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for supporting the development of world’s first Intranasal vaccine for COVID by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL).

 

💠 World AIDS Day:

Actions needed for addressing inequalities in the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Viruses) infected and affected populations across the country and also help in ending AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)

Theme: “Equalize”

• Slogan for a call to action for all connected with this crusade.

World AIDS Day which is globally observed on 1st December since 1988.

 

Also Read: November Current Affairs 2022

References: PIB, News AIR