UPSC EXAM QUIZ 04.09.2024

Explanation:

• According to a study conducted by the University of Chile, Chile's Atacama Salt Flat is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 centimetres per year due to lithium brine extraction.
• The most affected area is in the southwestern part of the salt flat, where lithium miners mine, extending 8 km north to south and 5 km east to west.

Key Revelations of the Study

Findings

• Rate of Sinking: The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 centimetres per year due to lithium brine extraction.Lithium brine extraction involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and into evaporation ponds to obtain lithium.The sinking is caused by the extraction of lithium-rich brine at a rate faster than the natural recharge of aquifers, leading to subsidence.

Explanation:

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 crore on the Punjab government for failing to manage solid and liquid waste in the state despite several warnings. This amount has to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCP) within a month.

NGT impose a fine on the Punjab government

• Penalties imposed in the last six months: The NGT has imposed this fine for failure in solid and liquid waste management. The fine was calculated on the basis of six environmental fines imposed for 5.387 million tonnes of waste in the last month and untreated sewage due to gap in sewage treatment capacity.
• Repeated violations: The tribunal found that the Punjab government had also failed to comply with its previous orders in the year 2022, including creation of a ring-fenced account for Rs 2,080 crore under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010. The NGT has issued show cause notices to the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) of Punjab, seeking their explanation.

Explanation:

• A recent article in The Lancet estimated that the Indian population has inadequate intake of 15 dietary micronutrients.
• The study estimated intakes of 15 micronutrients in 185 countries, based on unsupplemented diets.

Key findings of the study

• Nearly 70% of the world’s population, or more than 5 billion people, are deficient in iodine, vitamin E and calcium.
• More than 4 billion people (65% of the population) are deficient in iron, while on average more than 50% of the population have inadequate intakes of riboflavin, folate and vitamin C.
• Deficiencies of iodine, vitamin B12 and iron are found in a larger proportion of women than men.
• In contrast, deficiencies of magnesium, vitamin B6, zinc and vitamin C are found in a larger proportion of men than women.

Explanation:

The constitution of the 23rd Law Commission for three-year term sanctioned by President.The constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India sanctioned by President Droupadi Murmu, which will serve from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.

According to the notification issued on September 2, the commission will consist

1. A full-time Chairperson
2. Four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary)
3. Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, as ex officio Member
4. Secretary, Legislative Department, as ex officio Member
5. Not more than five part-time Members

The role of the Commission will be to review and recommend legal reforms to improve the Indian legal system.The term of the 22nd Law Commission of India ended on August 31.The Commission has been functioning without a chairperson for several months, and several important reports, including on Uniform Civil Code and holding of simultaneous elections, are still pending.The Law Commission of India's Chairman, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, resigned in March 2024 following a 17-month term in office.

Explanation:

• Cabinet approved Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd's proposal to setup a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
• With this decision, government aims to develop vibrant semiconductor ecosystem.
• The proposed unit will be established with an investment of 3,300 crore rupees.
• This unit can produce 60 lakh chips in a day. This unit will manufacture chips that are suitable for a broad range of applications.
• These cover markets like telecom, mobile phones, consumer electronics, automotive, electric vehicles, and industrial.
• With a 76 thousand crore rupee total expenditure, the Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was announced in December 2021.
• All four semiconductor units are under construction. About 1.5 lakh crore rupees will be invested in these four units.
• These units have a daily capacity of roughly seven crore chips.