CURRENT AFFAIRS 21 MAY 2021

1. PLASMA

Scientists from Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute under the DST have recently developed a theory that helps understand the complicated nature of Sun-Earth interaction's happening in the magnetosphere-- an area of space around Earth that is controlled by the Earth’s magnetic field.

About:

• This new theory has opened up a plethora of opportunities to unlock the mysteries of the ion-hole structures (a localized plasma region where the ion density is lower than the surrounding plasma).
• They have completely ruled out the necessity of the upper limit in the temperature ratio between ions and electrons for the generation of a special kind of wave called Bernstein Green Kruskal (BGK) waves, named after the scientists who predicted this wave. They revealed that the electrons that are not part of ion hole dynamics also play a vital role.
• The new theory developed by the IIG team sheds light on the nature's greatest mystery that causes phenomena ---plasma transport and heating of plasma -- the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas, which is the most natural and widely observed state of matter in the entire universe.

Source : PIB

2. EXPORT OF BUFFALO MEAT

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry has said India is following guidelines of international organizations and adhering to quality, food safety and environment management systems regarding Buffalo meat.

About:

• Top Indian buffalo meat importing countries are Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Philippines and UAE. The Buffalo meat is prepared and exported in accordance with OIE guidelines for any risk mitigation. Only boneless buffalo meat is allowed for export from India which is safe and risk free.
• There have been several interventions by the Government of India to control and eradicate various livestock diseases. The Launching of National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) in June, 2019 to control Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis by 2025 with vaccination and eradication of disease by 2030 is one of the flagship scheme of GOI.
• International organizations such as OIE, WHO and FAO have issued guidelines which categorically mention that it is highly unlikely that people can contact Covid -19 from food or food packaging.

Source : PIB

3. WORLD BEE DAY

On the occasion of World Bee Day, Union Agriculture Minister launched the project to establish a regional honey quality testing laboratory at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi.

About:

• It has been setup for quality testing of honey and other products of beekeeping under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission.
• 300 crore has been approved for the overall promotion of National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), development of scientific beekeeping and achieving the target of "sweet revolution". Besides, Rs 500 crore has been allocated to NBHM by the Centre under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign.
• A world-class state of art Honey Testing Lab has been established at National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand with the help of Rs 5 crore.
• The UN has designated 20 May as World Bee Day. The fourth observance of World Bee Day was celebrated by the FAO on 20 May 2021 under the theme “Bee engaged – Build Back Better for Bees”.

Source : The Hindu

4. LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS

The Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal approved the setting up of a Legislative Council in the state.

About:

• The West Bengal Legislative Council remained in existence till 1969. it was abolished 50 years ago by a coalition government of Left parties.
• Currently, six states — Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka — have a Legislative Council.
• The setting up of a second chamber is not exclusively in the hands of the state government. The central government also has to pilot a Bill in Parliament.
• Article 169 of the Constitution empowers the Legislative Assembly to create or abolish a Legislative Council by passing a resolution. The resolution has to be passed by two-thirds of the Assembly members. Then a Bill to this effect has to be passed by Parliament.

Source : Indian Express