1.India’s first dolphin observatory coming up in Bihar
News: Bihar government is setting up India’s first Dolphin observatory in the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary(VGDS).
Facts:
- Gangetic river dolphin: It is India’s national aquatic animal found in parts of the Ganges, Meghna and Brahmaputra river systems in India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
- They are locally known as Susu which refers to the noise the dolphin is said to make when it breathes.
- Significance: They can be an indicator of the health of the freshwater ecosystem as they can only live in freshwater.
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I
- Threats: Declining water level, Climate Change, Poaching and increase in pollution level.
Additional Facts:
- Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary(VGDS): It is located in Bhagalpur District of Bihar.It was designated as a protected area for the Gangetic dolphins in 1991.
2.Electronics incentive schemes launched
News: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched three Electronics incentive schemes.
Facts:
Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors(SPECS):
- Aim: To help offset the disability for domestic manufacturing of electronic components and semiconductors in order to strengthen the electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
- Under this, the government will provide a financial incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for a list of products that constitute the supply chain of electronic products such as electronic components, semiconductor, specialized sub-assemblies.
Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0) Scheme:
- Aim: To develop world class electronics manufacturing infrastructure by providing support for setting up of Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) and Common Facility Centres(CFCs).
Production Linked Incentive Scheme(PLI):
- Aim: To offer production linked incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components.
- Under this, the government will provide an incentive of 4% to 6% on goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments to eligible companies for a period of five years.
3.Non-profit Organisations Can Directly List on Social Stock Exchanges: Sebi Panel
News: Sebi-constituted panel under the chairmanship of Ishaat Hussain has submitted its recommendations on social stock exchange(SSE).
Facts:
Key Recommendations:
- Direct listing of non-profit organisations(NGO) through the issuance of bonds and a range of funding mechanisms.
- Tax Sops: It has recommended exemptions from securities transaction tax (STT) and capital gains tax (CGT) to ensure that social stock exchanges(SSEs) take off in the country.
- Philanthropic donors and first time Retail investors should be eligible to claim 100% tax exemption.
- Funding to non-profit organisations(NPOs) on SSEs to be considered as corporate social responsibility(CSR) spends.
- Trading of CSR spends between companies with excess CSR spends and those with deficient CSR spends on SSEs.
- Reporting and disclosure framework to ensure transparency.
Additional Facts:
- Social Stock Exchange(SSE): It is a platform that allows investors to invest in select social enterprises or social initiatives.
- Aim: To help social and voluntary organisations which work for social causes to raise capital as equity or debt or a unit of mutual fund.
- Global Examples: SSE exists in countries such as Singapore,UK among others. These countries allow firms operating in sectors such as health, environment and transportation to raise risk capital.
- Social Enterprise: It is a revenue-generating business whose primary objective is to achieve a social objective such as providing healthcare or clean energy.
4.Democratic Republic of Congo declares new Ebola outbreak
News:Democratic Republic of Congo has declared a new Ebola epidemic in the western city of Mbandaka.
Facts:
- Ebola virus disease(EVD) formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever is a severe often fatal illness in humans.
- Origin: Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Transmission: It is transmitted to people from wild animals and then spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
- Symptoms: Sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and a sore throat.It progresses to vomiting, diarrhoea and both internal and external bleeding.
- Treatment: There is no proven treatment for Ebola but interventions early on includes rehydration with fluids and body salts and treatment of specific symptoms such as low blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea and infections.
- Vaccine: An investigational vaccine called rVSV-ZEBOV has shown to be safe and protective against the Ebola virus.
5.Delhi Government Launches ‘Delhi Corona’ App
Facts: Delhi government has launched Delhi Corona App that aims to provide information related to availability of hospital beds and ventilators in the Union Territory of Delhi.
6.Khelo India Community Coach Development programme launched
News: Union Sports minister has launched the Khelo India Community Coach Development programme.
Facts:
- Aim: It is a 25 day programme to equip physical education teachers and community coaches with the right set of knowledge and skills to help children of all ages to take up a variety of fitness-related activities and conduct age-appropriate fitness tests.
Additional Facts:
- Khelo India: It was launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country.
- Under this, talented players are identified in priority sports disciplines at various levels by the High-Powered Committee and each will be provided annual financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh for 8 years.
- Fit India Movement: It was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives.
7.Indian Energy Exchange launches its Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM) platform
News: Indian Energy Exchange has launched its Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM) platform.
Facts:
- Real-Time Electricity Market(RTM): It is a platform that enables consumers including power distribution companies to buy power on exchanges just an hour before delivery.
Additional Facts:
- Indian Energy Exchange(IEX): It is the first energy exchange in India providing a nationwide, automated trading platform for physical delivery of electricity, Renewable Energy Certificates and Energy Saving Certificates.It is regulated by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
