Daily Currentaffairs: 17 Sept 2020

Tables of contents

1. Export of Onion banned by Government

2. Phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus 

3. Hybrid Warfare

4. Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (SSF) 

5. United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women 

6. Bahrain-Israel deal

7. Amendments to 3 Labour Codes

8. Publicity of Criminal Records by Contesting Candidates.

9. Novichok: Newcomer

10. Postage Stamp India’s First Anti Satellite Missile

1. Export of Onion banned by Government

A worker carries a sack of onions at the APMC market in Ahmedabad (Image Credit Indian Express Photo: Nirmal Harindran)

Recently, the central government has issued a notification on prohibiting the export of onions.

Factors led the export ban on onions

• The ban came just about after the government tweaked the archaic Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to make the imposition of stock limit and movement restrictions on food grains, edible oilseeds, potatoes, onions and other essential commodities only applicable in extreme conditions like war or natural calamity.

• The steady increase in wholesale prices of onions which has seen the kitchen staple becoming costlier in the urban markets.

• The immediate trigger which led to the ban can also be found in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI).

  • It measured that the inflation was 6.69 per cent, lesser than the 6.73 of last month but well above the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s target of 6 per cent.

Why are onions costlier in wholesale markets?

• Geographical Reason: The heavy rainfall in the monsoon season which has led to a near-complete washout of the almost market-ready onion crop in Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

• Increase in demand of Onion in international markets: The domestic supply-demand situation was heavily tilted towards the latter and the demand for Indian onion was also rising from international markets.

  • Indian onions, normally shipped out countries in the Gulf, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have a year-round steady demand.

  • The landed cost of Indian onions at Dubai port at this moment is around Rs 32-35 per kg which has led many exporters to increase their shipments from Nashik.

Possible Outcome of Export ban on Onions

• A sharp depreciation in prices is expected to take place in view of the export ban, once the markets open for trade.

• The traders feel that the prices are again going to rise as the overall supplies will remain stressed.

Source: The Indian Express

2. Discovery of Phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus

Art impressions of Venus, following the confirmation of phosphine in the atmosphere. On the left, a representation of phosphine molecules in the inset. (ALMA, JCMT, ESO, NASA/JPL/Caltech via ESO)

Recently, an international team of astronomers has made an announcement about the discovery of phosphine gas in the atmosphere of Venus.

What does discovery of Phosphine gas means?

• It triggered global excitement about the possibility of the presence of life-forms on the neighbouring planet.

• It is the most credible evidence yet for the possibility of life away from Earth.

• The detection of phosphine had raised Venus “higher up on the ladder of interesting targets” where the possible presence of life-forms can be explored.

About Phosphine Gas

• It is a colourless but smelly gas which is known to be made only by some species of bacteria that survive in the absence of oxygen.

• It is a chemical which is known to be produced only through biological process, and not through any naturally occurring chemical process.

• It is a flammable and explosive gas at ambient temperature that has the odor of garlic or decaying fish.

• Phosphine is used in semiconductor and plastics industries, in the production of a flame retardant, and as a pesticide in stored grain.

• It is used as an insecticide for the fumigation of grains, animal feed, and leaf-stored tobacco.

• Acute inhalation exposure to phosphine may cause headaches, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, burning substernal pain, nausea, vomiting, cough, labored breathing, chest tightness, pulmonary irritation, pulmonary edema and tremors in humans.

• Chronic occupational exposure of workers to phosphine may cause inflammation of the nasal cavity and throat, weakness, dizziness, nausea, gastrointestinal, cardiorespiratory, and central nervous system symptomology, jaundice, liver effects, and increased bone density.

Why Venus cannot support life?

• The temperature of Venus is too high and its atmosphere is highly acidic which makes it impossible to sustain a life.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is also planning a mission to Venus, tentatively called Shukrayaan, in the near future.

Source: The Indian Express

3. Hybrid Warfare

Recently the Chinese-only website of Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co was pulled down because of engaging in a Hybrid Warfare.

What does Zhenhua Data do?

• It targets individuals and institutions in politics, government, business, technology, media, and civil society.

• It monitors the subject’s digital footprint across social media platforms, maintains an “information library,” which includes content not just from news sources, forums, but also from papers, patents, bidding documents, even positions of recruitment.

• It builds a “relational database”, which records and describes associations between individuals, institutions, and information.

Concerns associated with Data collection

• It is not data per se but the range and the use to which it may be put to that raises red flags.

• The Zhenhua’s 24 x 7 watch collects personal information on the target from all social media accounts; keeps track of the target’s friends and relationships; and analyses posts, likes and comments by friends and followers.

• The domestic security agencies use such data for law and order applications such as tracking protests but in the hands of foreign agencies with no supervision or oversight.

• Zhenhua uses the open information environment liberal democracies take for granted to target individuals and institutions.

About Hybrid Warfare

• The Unrestricted Warfare, a publication by China’s People’s Liberation Army, mapped the contours of hybrid warfare which is a shift in the arena of violence from military to political, economic and technological.

Monitoring Laws in India

• Under the Information Technology Rules, 2011 and the IT Act, 2000, personal data is any information regarding a natural person, which either directly or indirectly, in combination with other information available or likely to be available, is capable of identifying such person.

• It does not include information available freely or accessible in the public domain.

• The rules also do not impose any conditions on the use of personal data for direct marketing etc.

Source: The Indian Express

4. Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (SSF) 

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh state government issued a notification on forming the Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (SSF).

About Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (SSF)

• The SSF, on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force, will be responsible for security of vital government and private buildings, and industrial establishments.

• According to the Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (UPSSF) Act, 2020, the force will not require magistrate’s order or warrants to make an arrest or conduct searches.

• Its powers will be governed by a set of rules made by the state government.

• The force will be deployed at places such as metro rail, airports, industrial institutions, courts, religious places, banks and other financial institutions.

• An IPS officer of additional director general (ADG) rank will head the force, but superintendence of the force will vest in DGP.

• In the first phase, the state government will take the assistance of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and use its infrastructure.

Source: The Indian Express

5. United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women (UNCSW)

Recently, India has been elected as a member of the United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women (UNCSW).

• India has become a member of the UNCSW for four years (2021 to 2025).

• India and Afghanistan beat China in the elections to the United Nation's Commission on Status of Women Economic (UNCSW).

About United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women (UNCSW)

• The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW) is a functional commission of the ECOSOC.

• The UNCSW is described as the UN organ promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

• It was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.

• It is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

ECOSOC

 

The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations.

 

It is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.

 

It has 54 members. The General Assembly selects 18 new members for ECOSOC each year for the term of 3 years with a provision that a retiring member can be re-elected.

 

India is the member of ECOSOC (From 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2020).

 

Each member has one vote and voting is done by a simple majority. 

 

It is the UN's central platform for reflection, debate and innovative thinking on sustainable development.

 

The important bodies under the purview of ECOSOC:

• International labour Organization (ILO)
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Bretton Woods Twins (World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Source: India Today

6. Bahrain-Israel deal

Recently, Bahrain became the latest Arab nation to recognise Israel.

Key Highlights of Bahrain-Israel deal

• Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia, had already dropped a prohibition on Israeli flights using its airspace.

• The agreement will likely be seen as a further setback to the Palestinians who tried unsuccessfully to have the Arab League condemn normalization with Israel until they have secured an independent state.

• The Bahrain-Israel deal aims to normalize diplomatic, commercial, security and other relations between the two countries.

• The agreement makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country, after Egypt, Jordan and the UAE, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

Significance of Bahrain

• Bahrain’s location in the Persian Gulf long has made it a trading stop and a naval defensive position.

• The island is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet and a recently built British naval base.

• Bahrain is acutely aware of threats posed by Iran, an anxiety that comes from Bahrain’s majority Shiite population, despite being ruled since 1783 by the Sunni Al Khalifa family.

Bahrain

 

It is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf.

 

It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands.

 

Its name is from the Arabic term al-bahrayn, meaning “two seas”.

 

Saudi Arabia lies to the west across the Gulf of Bahrain, while the Qatar peninsula lies to the east.

 

The subject of Labour falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution.

Source: The Economic Times

8. Detailed Timeline for Publicity of Criminal Records by Contesting Candidates

Recently, the Election Commission of India had put in place a detailed timeline for publicity of criminal records by contesting candidates in walk up to elections.

Background

• The electoral reform related to publicity of criminal antecedents was set in motion by the Supreme Court (SC) in September, 2018 when it had asked political parties to publicize criminal antecedents of contestants in news media.

• The apex court consequently directed that political parties fielding candidates with criminal records must tell the public why they had chosen them over those with clean records along with detailed information about candidates with criminal cases pending against them, including the nature of the offences.

Significance of Publicity of Criminal Records by Contesting Candidates

• The new guidelines will provide that the declaration by candidates with criminal antecedents will have to spread over three rounds of publicity beginning.

• The candidates as well as the political parties, regarding candidates nominated by them, will publish the details of criminal antecedents in newspapers and television.

• The detailed timeline includes first publicity within first four days of last date of withdrawal, second within fifth to eighth day of last date of withdrawal and the last from ninth day till the last day of campaign.

• The detailed timeline is expected to be more stringent from current rules which make it compulsory for contesting candidates to publicize their criminal antecedents in television and newspapers.

• The cost of such publicity is borne by candidates and political parties.

• The candidates who do not end up contesting elections will also have to publicize such records if they file nomination papers.

• The revised guidelines will also be applicable on uncontested winner candidates as well as the political parties who nominate them shall also publicise the criminal antecedents.

• The Supreme Court said that the information shall also be published in:

• • One local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper

  • On the officials social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook & Twitter

  • These details shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate or not less than two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier.

Challenges before New Guidelines for Publicity of Criminal Records

• The Election Commission (EC) felt that in the absence of detailed timelines, candidates had the option of clubbing publicity of such records.

Source: LiveMint

9. Novichok: Newcomer

Recently, a politician and corruption investigator who is one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critics fell ill on a flight back to Moscow and the tests performed at the German hospital showed the presence of Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok.

About Novichok

• The name Novichok means "newcomer" in Russian.

• It is a nerve agent developed by Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s.

• They were known as fourth-generation chemical weapons and were developed under a Soviet programme codenamed Foliant.

• It is 6-10 times more potent than VX.

• It disrupts the communication between the nerves and the muscles.

• Atropine is the first line of treatment against Novichok.

Source: The Indian Express

10. Postage Stamp released on India’s First Anti Satellite Missile

Recently, the Department of Posts released a Customized My Stamp on India’s First Anti Satellite Missile (A-SAT).

About India’s First Anti Satellite Missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’.

• The A-SAT Missile successfully engaged an Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a ‘Hit to Kill’ mode.

• The interceptor missile was a three-stage missile with two solid rocket boosters.

• The Indian A-SAT technology came as a by-product of the Ballistic Missile Defence Programme.

Source: PIB

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