11
SEP
2014
SEPTEMBER 11 2014 CURRENT AFFAIRS UPSC MYSORE
‘J&K floods grim reminder of climate change’
Unprecedented rains, unplanned urbanisation are behind the J&K floods, the Delhi-based environment research and advocacy organisation said.The worst floods in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 60 years and the subsequent devastation are due to a combination of unprecedented and intense rain, mismanagement, unplanned urbanisation and a lack of preparedness, Sunita Narain, director-general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A CSE analysis showed the floods were a manifestation of an extreme weather event linked to climate change. Ms. Narain said the changing rainfall pattern in India was part of extreme events which followed a trend. She called for a national action plan to forecast floods.
Unprecedented rains, unplanned urbanisation are behind the J&K floods, the Delhi-based environment research and advocacy organisation said.The worst floods in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 60 years and the subsequent devastation are due to a combination of unprecedented and intense rain, mismanagement, unplanned urbanisation and a lack of preparedness, Sunita Narain, director-general, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). A CSE analysis showed the floods were a manifestation of an extreme weather event linked to climate change. Ms. Narain said the changing rainfall pattern in India was part of extreme events which followed a trend. She called for a national action plan to forecast floods.
Extreme events
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its fourth assessment report, said extreme rainfall events were set to increase over the Indian subcontinent. In its fifth assessment report, the IPCC said the intensity of rainfall in India would increase. A study by B.N. Goswami of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in 2006 had predicted changes in rainfall across India and especially over the Himalayan range, which would have a high impact in the region, apart from the west coast and central India.
The study of data between 1950 and 2000 showed that the incidence of heavy and very heavy rainfall (more than 100 mm and 150 mm/ a day) had increased and moderate rainfall decreased.
Jammu and Kashmir does not have a flood forecasting system, not even a separate disaster management plan, said Ms Narain. In 2004, a remote sensing data-based study of Jammu and Kashmir had shown that 55 per cent of wetlands, drainage channels and water bodies had been encroached upon.
The CSE called for more research on environment, and a shift from denial to internalising climate change adaptation.
Jammu and Kashmir does not have a flood forecasting system, not even a separate disaster management plan, said Ms Narain. In 2004, a remote sensing data-based study of Jammu and Kashmir had shown that 55 per cent of wetlands, drainage channels and water bodies had been encroached upon.
The CSE called for more research on environment, and a shift from denial to internalising climate change adaptation.
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Chouhan hopes for a consensus on GST
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has been highlighting the States’ concerns over the long-pending Goods and Services Tax Bill, expressed the hope that a consensus on the proposed tax regime would be reached by next year.The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said the Constitution had clear provisions on separation of powers between the Centre and the States on the distribution of tax revenue. “Past experiences regarding compensation have been very bad … we would keep running after the Centre and they wouldn’t compensate us. The rights of the States need to be protected … everything can’t just rest with the Centre,” he said
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has been highlighting the States’ concerns over the long-pending Goods and Services Tax Bill, expressed the hope that a consensus on the proposed tax regime would be reached by next year.The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said the Constitution had clear provisions on separation of powers between the Centre and the States on the distribution of tax revenue. “Past experiences regarding compensation have been very bad … we would keep running after the Centre and they wouldn’t compensate us. The rights of the States need to be protected … everything can’t just rest with the Centre,” he said
Gadkari, Tribal Ministry at loggerheads over ‘dilution’ of Forest Act
Union Minister for Rural Development Nitin Gadkari may have little to do with the tribal affairs department. Yet, within six days of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs keeping in abeyance the new village forest rules issued by the Maharashtra forest department, Mr. Gadkari sent a letter to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on August 19 demanding that the Ministry review its objections.
The Tribal Affairs ministry had stayed the new rules since objections were raised that it contravenes the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in many ways and gives more powers to the forest department, something the FRA had sought to redress. The MoEF too issued a memorandum, with the approval of the Minister, asking the Tribal Affairs Ministry to withdraw its order to stay the rules.
the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, said his government had notified the Indian Forests (Maharashtra) Regulation of assignment, management and cancellation of village forests rules, 2014, and prima facie it was in violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and rules. The Tribal Affairs ministry decide to keep these rules in abeyance till it examined it legally and came to a conclusion. The new rules say that if there is any “encroachment”, fire, death of more than 40 per cent of trees in plantations the forest will be taken back. Bamboo can only be harvested as per the Forest department’s plan, forest officials will be the secretaries of the management committees i.e. they will control all proceedings. This is the same as Joint Forest Management and demolishes any notion of community control, the Campaign said.
Union Minister for Rural Development Nitin Gadkari may have little to do with the tribal affairs department. Yet, within six days of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs keeping in abeyance the new village forest rules issued by the Maharashtra forest department, Mr. Gadkari sent a letter to Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on August 19 demanding that the Ministry review its objections.
The Tribal Affairs ministry had stayed the new rules since objections were raised that it contravenes the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in many ways and gives more powers to the forest department, something the FRA had sought to redress. The MoEF too issued a memorandum, with the approval of the Minister, asking the Tribal Affairs Ministry to withdraw its order to stay the rules.
the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs in a letter to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, said his government had notified the Indian Forests (Maharashtra) Regulation of assignment, management and cancellation of village forests rules, 2014, and prima facie it was in violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and rules. The Tribal Affairs ministry decide to keep these rules in abeyance till it examined it legally and came to a conclusion. The new rules say that if there is any “encroachment”, fire, death of more than 40 per cent of trees in plantations the forest will be taken back. Bamboo can only be harvested as per the Forest department’s plan, forest officials will be the secretaries of the management committees i.e. they will control all proceedings. This is the same as Joint Forest Management and demolishes any notion of community control, the Campaign said.
Govt. to reconstitute wildlife board
The government has decided to reconstitute the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) after the Supreme Court stayed decisions of its newly constituted standing committee in August for violating provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Supreme Court on August 25 had in response to a petition put on hold the over 100 proposals approved by a truncated standing committee of the Board notified on July 22 which had only two non-official members and one government organisation on board, apart from a representative only from Andhra Pradesh. The government did not constitute a full fledged Board.
The government has decided to reconstitute the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) after the Supreme Court stayed decisions of its newly constituted standing committee in August for violating provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. The Supreme Court on August 25 had in response to a petition put on hold the over 100 proposals approved by a truncated standing committee of the Board notified on July 22 which had only two non-official members and one government organisation on board, apart from a representative only from Andhra Pradesh. The government did not constitute a full fledged Board.
India not to impose anti-dumping duty on solar panels: Nirmala
The recommendations were against the backdrop of the U.S. dragging India to the WTO with respect to domestic sourcing norms for the national solar mission.
Side-stepping a Commerce Ministry investigation, the Finance Ministry did not notify its recommended anti-dumping duty on imports of solar panels from four countries, including the U.S. and China. Owing to the Finance Ministry’s inaction, the window that was available to India for slapping these restrictive duties aimed at protecting the struggling domestic industry has lapsed.
Following a three-year long investigation, the Commerce Ministry had proposed to the Finance Ministry in May restrictive anti-dumping duties in the range of $0.11-0.81 per watt on solar cells imported from the U.S., China, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.
The investigation had upheld the Indian solar panel manufacturers’ contention that the subsidies the U.S. and Chinese competitors receive from their governments allowed them to dump their products in India at artificially low prices.
The recommendations were against the backdrop of the U.S. dragging India to the WTO with respect to domestic sourcing norms for the national solar mission.
Side-stepping a Commerce Ministry investigation, the Finance Ministry did not notify its recommended anti-dumping duty on imports of solar panels from four countries, including the U.S. and China. Owing to the Finance Ministry’s inaction, the window that was available to India for slapping these restrictive duties aimed at protecting the struggling domestic industry has lapsed.
Following a three-year long investigation, the Commerce Ministry had proposed to the Finance Ministry in May restrictive anti-dumping duties in the range of $0.11-0.81 per watt on solar cells imported from the U.S., China, Malaysia and Chinese Taipei.
The investigation had upheld the Indian solar panel manufacturers’ contention that the subsidies the U.S. and Chinese competitors receive from their governments allowed them to dump their products in India at artificially low prices.
Vistara airline awaits formal clearances
The wait has just got longer for the full service domestic airline Vistara, jointly promoted by Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
Having launched the brand through a series of carefully crafted public relations events that included a high profile all-hands-on-board media event just to announce the name of the airline, Vistara did not seem to have taken into account the formalities it has to go through when it said the airline would take to the skies in October.
It now appears that the aircraft, which will join the fleet, would first have to undertake route proving flights after which Vistara will be permitted to operate normal scheduled commercial flights.
The wait has just got longer for the full service domestic airline Vistara, jointly promoted by Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.
Having launched the brand through a series of carefully crafted public relations events that included a high profile all-hands-on-board media event just to announce the name of the airline, Vistara did not seem to have taken into account the formalities it has to go through when it said the airline would take to the skies in October.
It now appears that the aircraft, which will join the fleet, would first have to undertake route proving flights after which Vistara will be permitted to operate normal scheduled commercial flights.
- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Wednesday that Russia had withdrawn most of the troops it allegedly snuck across the border to bolster pro-Kremlin rebels, and vowed greater autonomy for the separatist east in order to sustain a fragile new truce.
- The pro-Western leader’s comments came just as EU envoys were gathering in Brussels to debate a new wave of sanctions aimed at punishing Russia for its perceived attempts to break up the ex-Soviet state.
- Mr. Poroshenko said Friday’s ceasefire — the first backed by both Kiev and Moscow since the conflict erupted five months ago — had dramatically improved security in the war-ravaged industrial rustbelt.
- Moscow has always denied sending in any troops or weaponry across the border, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the claims by NATO were aimed at “reviving” the Western military alliance.
- Mr. Poroshenko, who took office in May pledging to end the bloody pro-Russian insurrection — also said he planned to submit a bill to Parliament next week granting parts of the east temporary self-rule.
- But he stressed this did not mean that the rebel-held territories were slipping out from under Kiev’s control.
Hundreds of people paid their last respects to Nazrul Sangeet legend “Firoza Begum”
Hundreds of people on Wednesday paid their last respects to Nazrul Sangeet legend Firoza Begum who died here on Tuesday at the age of 84.
The body of the eminent singer, who had mesmerised Bengalis with her voice for seven decades, was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital where people from all walks of life paid homage. The singer had been ailing for a long time.
Firoza Begum started singing at a time when it was almost unthinkable for a Bengali- Muslim girl to be allowed to train in music. Poet Nazrul Islam, who was then the chief trainer of HMV, was impressed by her vocal talent and taught her. Even as student of class VI, she won the hearts of Bengalis by singing Nazrul songs on All India Radio. Her first record was released in 1942 by HMV when she was 12.
Hundreds of people on Wednesday paid their last respects to Nazrul Sangeet legend Firoza Begum who died here on Tuesday at the age of 84.
The body of the eminent singer, who had mesmerised Bengalis with her voice for seven decades, was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital where people from all walks of life paid homage. The singer had been ailing for a long time.
Firoza Begum started singing at a time when it was almost unthinkable for a Bengali- Muslim girl to be allowed to train in music. Poet Nazrul Islam, who was then the chief trainer of HMV, was impressed by her vocal talent and taught her. Even as student of class VI, she won the hearts of Bengalis by singing Nazrul songs on All India Radio. Her first record was released in 1942 by HMV when she was 12.
Government reworks Rajiv Arogyasri health scheme for APL families
The State government’s Rajiv Arogyasri health scheme for above poverty line (APL) families has lost its sheen even before it can take off.
Going back on its word to provide subsidised healthcare to APL families by bearing 90 per cent of the cost for up to Rs. 1.5 lakh annually, the government has now reworked the scheme to provide only 70 per cent of the cost up to Rs. 1.5 lakh in general wards. The new proposal is set to be tabled before the Cabinet on Thursday for approval.
The new proposal provides for differential rates for general, semi-private and private wards. While beneficiaries opting for treatment in general wards get 70 per cent of the cost (up to Rs. 1.5 lakh), those who choose semi-private and private wards will get reimbursements up to 50 per cent of the cost. The Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) — entrusted with the implementation of the scheme — will now stipulate package rates only for treatment in general wards.
The State government’s Rajiv Arogyasri health scheme for above poverty line (APL) families has lost its sheen even before it can take off.
Going back on its word to provide subsidised healthcare to APL families by bearing 90 per cent of the cost for up to Rs. 1.5 lakh annually, the government has now reworked the scheme to provide only 70 per cent of the cost up to Rs. 1.5 lakh in general wards. The new proposal is set to be tabled before the Cabinet on Thursday for approval.
The new proposal provides for differential rates for general, semi-private and private wards. While beneficiaries opting for treatment in general wards get 70 per cent of the cost (up to Rs. 1.5 lakh), those who choose semi-private and private wards will get reimbursements up to 50 per cent of the cost. The Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) — entrusted with the implementation of the scheme — will now stipulate package rates only for treatment in general wards.
