UPSC EXAM QUIZ 16.09.2024

Explanation:

• A study published in the journal Nature suggests that India is the biggest contributor to global plastic pollution. According to the study, about 20 per cent (or one-fifth) of the total plastic waste generated worldwide is generated in India.
• India burns about 5.8 million tonnes (MT) of plastic every year and releases 3.5 billion tonnes of plastic into the environment (land, air, water).
• Overall, India contributes 9.3 billion tonnes of plastic to the world, which is significantly higher than other countries on this list - Nigeria (3.5 billion), Indonesia (3.4 billion) and China (2.8 billion).

Main reasons for high plastic pollution in India

The main reasons for high plastic pollution in India are as follows –

• Burning of plastic waste in the open: Every year about 5.8 million tons of plastic waste/garbage is burnt in the open in India, causing pollution and emission of toxic substances, which are harmful from both human health and environmental point of view. Rapidly increasing population and urbanization: Due to the rapid growth of population and urbanization in India, plastic consumption and waste generation is also increasing. This is increasing the demand for plastic products and packaging, which is increasing the problem of pollution.

Explanation:

• Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT), under the Union Education Ministry, launched a unique website ‘shabd.education.gov.in’ to provide access to technical terms in all 22 official Indian languages.
• The portal serves as a central repository for scientific and technical terms, offering 322 glossaries with 22,00,000 searchable words, with plans to expand to 450 glossaries.
• Users can search for terms by language, subject, or dictionary type, and provide feedback on existing terms.
• This initiative aligns with the broader effort to deliver technical education in Indian languages, including fields like medicine and engineering.CSTT, established in 1961, focuses on evolving scientific terminology and regularly publishes textbooks, monographs, and journals such as Vigyan Garima Sindhu and Gyan Garima Sindhu.
• Key Initiatives in India to Promote Technical Education are All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF), Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT), and Scheme for Trans-Disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy (STRIDE), and Scheme for Transformational and Advanced Research in Sciences (STARS) etc. are implemented in the Ministry of Education for promotion of technical education and research ecosystem in Higher Education Institutes.

Explanation:

• Lokpal has constituted an inquiry wing to conduct a preliminary probe into graft-related offences committed by public servants.
• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 also has provision to constitute a prosecution wing headed by the “Director of Prosecution” for the purpose of prosecution of public servants, which is yet to be constituted.

Key Highlights of the Inquiry Wing of Lokpal

• Legal Backing: Section 11 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, mandates the Lokpal to establish an inquiry wing. This wing is responsible for conducting preliminary inquiries into offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, allegedly committed by specified public servants and functionaries.
• Organisational Structure: There will be a Director of Inquiry under the Lokpal chairperson. The director will be assisted by three Superintendents of Police (SPs) SP (general), SP (economic and banking) and SP (cyber).  Each SP will be further assisted by inquiry officers and other staff.

Explanation:

• Tamil Nadu government inked a pact with U.S. machinery manufacturer Caterpillar.
• U.S. machinery manufacturer Caterpillar will set up its equipment manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu.
• An MoU with Autodesk to provide skill development for youth and to support MSMEs and startups was signed during Chief Minister MK Stalin’s ongoing visit to the U.S.
• An Rs 2,000-crore investment by Jabil in Tiruchirappalli will generate 5000 jobs and will also establish a new electronics manufacturing cluster.
• A Rs 2,000-crore MoU was signed with Trilliant for the development of a manufacturing unit.
• Agreements with Nokia, PayPal, Yield Engineering Services, Microchip, Infinx Healthcare, and Applied Materials were also finalized.
• Rs 900 crore investments will generate 4,100 job opportunities in the state.

Explanation:

• The revised scheme of budgetary support to hydropower projects (HEPs) with an allocation of Rs 12,461 crore approved by the Union Cabinet.
• Running from FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32, the scheme aims to enhance infrastructure and support the development of hydropower in India.
• The scheme addresses key challenges such as remote locations and inadequate infrastructure by broadening its scope to cover additional costs.
• This includes financing for the construction of transmission lines, upgrading pooling substations, ropeways, railway sidings, and the development of communication infrastructure.
• The scheme will provide support to hydro power projects with a cumulative generation capacity of approximately 31,350 MW over the next eight years.
• The budgetary support limit has been revised to Rs 1 crore per MW for projects up to 200 MW and Rs 200 crore plus Rs 0.75 crore per MW for projects above 200 MW.
• This is likely to be increased to Rs 1.5 crore per MW in exceptional cases.