News In Short 18-12-2024

Moldova 

Syllabus :GS 1/Places in news 

In News

• India expressed gratitude to Moldova for its crucial support in airlifting stranded Indian nationals during the Ukraine crisis, as part of Operation Ganga. 

About Moldova 

• Geography  : It is a landlocked country lying in the northeastern corner of the Balkan region of Europe. 

• It is bordered by Ukraine and Romania.
• Chisinau – the Capital 
• Rivers: Prut river, Dniester river, Danube River etc.
  • It has a well-developed network of streams and rivers draining the land to the Black Sea.
• Moldova declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and  established diplomatic relations with India in 1992
  • The two nations also signed agreements on visa waivers for diplomatic passport holders and  enhanced collaboration between foreign service institutes.

Source :TH

Supplementary Demands for Grants

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity

Context

• The Lok Sabha has approved the Supplementary Demands for Grants-First Batch for 2024-2025. 

About Supplementary Demands for Grants

• Definition: The Supplementary Demand for Grants refers to an additional funding request made by the government when the allocated funds for a particular purpose in the annual budget are insufficient or when a need arises for unforeseen expenditure during the financial year.
  • Governed under Article 115 of the Indian Constitution. Requires the approval of Parliament and the necessary funds are drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI)
• Purpose: To meet the additional requirements when funds sanctioned in the Annual Budget are inadequate.
  • To cover expenses that were not anticipated at the time of the budget’s approval.
• Types of Supplementary Grants: 
  • Supplementary Grant: For additional funds over and above the amount approved in the annual budget.
  • Excess Grant: Granted when money spent exceeds the amount sanctioned in the budget.
  • Token Grant: A small sum (₹1) is sought for the Parliament’s approval to reallocate funds within different heads of accounts.
  • Advances from Contingency Fund: For meeting urgent, unforeseen expenditures, later regularized through supplementary grants.

Source: TH

Banglar Bari Scheme

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• West Bengal Chief Minister launched the “Banglar Bari” scheme to provide houses for the rural poor in the State.

About

• It is a housing scheme funded completely by the West Bengal Government.
• Under the scheme, a total of ₹1.20 lakh will be given to a family for constructing a house, of which ₹ 60,000 in the first instalment. 
• However, beneficiaries in some areas of Jangalmahal and Dargeeling hills will get ₹1.30 lakh.

Source: TH

Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based pledge Financing (CGS-NPF)

Syllabus: GS 3/Economy

In News

• Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR based Pledge Financing (CGS-NPF) with a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore for post-harvest finance for farmers.

About the scheme 

• It aims to minimize distress selling by farmers by providing loans against electronic negotiable warehouse receipts (e-NWRs) for agricultural produce stored in accredited warehouses.
• It is designed to instill confidence in banks to offer pledge finance against e-NWRs for farmers and traders who store produce in WDRA-registered warehouses.
• Targeted Beneficiaries: The scheme mainly targets small and marginal farmers, women, SC/ST, and PwD farmers, with minimal guarantee fees. MSMEs and FPOs also benefit.
• Loan Coverage: Loans up to Rs 75 lakh for small farmers will have an 80-85% guarantee, while loans up to Rs 200 lakh for MSMEs/FPOs/traders will have a 75% coverage under the scheme.

Importance 

• Farmers’ Welfare Focus: The scheme aligns with the government’s commitment to farmers’ welfare, with references to efforts like providing urea at the lowest prices globally despite rising international costs.
• The scheme addresses both credit risks and warehouseman risks, improving trust among banks in post-harvest finance.
• The scheme aims to increase post-harvest lending from Rs 5.5 lakh crore over the next 10 years.

Source  :PIB

Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT)

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

In News

• The INCOIS has developed a newer version of its own Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT)

About SARAT

• Developed by: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) Aids Indian Search and Rescue (SAR) agencies, like the Indian Coast Guard, in search operations at sea.
• First launched: 2016.
• Updated version: SARAT 2 improves accuracy and usability based on feedback from extensive Coast Guard operations.

Significance

• Enhances efficiency in search and rescue operations.
• Supports the Coast Guard and other agencies in saving lives by reducing search areas.
• Incorporates feedback from real-life operations for improved reliability.

About INCOIS

• Autonomous Organization: INCOIS operates as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in India.
• Location: It’s headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Purpose: Continuously monitors the Indian Ocean using a network of buoys, tide gauges, and satellites. This data is used to provide a range of oceanographic information and forecasts.

Source: TH

Arctic Tundra is Emitting More Carbon than it Absorbs

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• A new study confirms that the Arctic tundra, once a stable carbon storehouse, has now turned into a source of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) emissions.

How does the Arctic tundra store carbon?

• In typical ecosystems, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is absorbed by plants through photosynthesis and released back during decomposition
• However, the Arctic tundra’s extreme cold significantly slows decomposition, causing plant and animal remains to remain frozen in permafrost—ground that stays frozen for at least two consecutive years. 
  • This traps carbon for thousands of years, preventing its release into the atmosphere.
• Arctic soils currently store more than 1.6 trillion metric tonnes of carbon, making the region vital for the global carbon cycle.

Reasons for emitting more Carbon

• Rising Temperatures: The Arctic is warming at four times the global average.
  • Thawing permafrost activates soil microbes that decompose frozen organic matter, releasing CO₂ and CH₄.
• Increased Wildfires: The Arctic has seen unprecedented wildfire activity, with 2023 and 2024 recording historic emissions.
  • Wildfires release CO₂, accelerate permafrost thaw, and expose deeper soil layers, further intensifying greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: IE

Hydroxymethanesulphonate

Syllabus :GS 3/Environment 

In News

• Researchers found that in very cold temperatures (-35°C), the chemistry of PM2.5 changes, causing a rise in hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS).

Hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS)

• Hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS) is a harmful component  and its formation, previously thought to occur only in clouds and fog.
  • But recently it is  found to occur in aerosols during winter, when sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde react in the presence of liquid water.
• Acidity Shift: The acidity of PM2.5 changes rapidly in winter, due to the concentration of sulphate and ammonium ions, making conditions more favorable for HMS production.
• Effect of the 2022 Fuel Ban: The ban on high-sulfur fuel led to a relative increase in ammonium ions in PM2.5, lowering the acidity and encouraging the formation of HMS.

Significance of recent study 

• The study’s findings are significant for understanding aerosol formation in cold regions and provide new insights into aerosol thermodynamics, with potential relevance for other cold, urban, and industrial areas globally.
• While the study’s findings are mainly applicable to cold regions, such as parts of the Himalayas or Andes, they provide valuable insights into how temperature changes affect air quality and chemical pathways, especially amid global warming.

Do you know ? – Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air, composed of various elements such as nitrates, sulfates, metals, organic chemicals, dust, and allergens.  – The main sources of PM include motor vehicles, wood burning, and industrial activities, with bushfires or dust storms leading to high concentrations. 1. PM2.5 is especially harmful as it enters the lungs and bloodstream, causing respiratory and heart issues.

Source: TH

Wroughton’s Free-Tailed Bat

Syllabus: GS3/ Species in News

Context

• Wroughton’s free-tailed bat has been spotted at the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park, marking a rare sighting.

About Wroughton’s Free-Tailed Bat

• Scientific Name: Otomops wroughtoni.
• Characteristics: It has large forward-pointing ears, a naked face, and a prominent nostril pad.
  • Its fur is dark brown on the back, with a white border on the flanks and forearms. 
• Habitat: Primarily found in the Western Ghats, India, with a single known breeding colony.
  • Small colonies recorded in Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, and a single individual sighted in Cambodia.
• Ecological Role: It helps to regulate insect populations and assists in pollination of nocturnal plant species.
• Conservation Status: It is classified as Data Deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
  • In India the species is listed on Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

Source: IE