1.Additional funds sought for Jal Jeevan Mission
News: The Ministry of Jal Shakti has asked for additional funds of ₹82,000 crore from the 15th Finance Commission for the Jal Jeevan mission as only 18% of households are currently covered.
Facts:
- Launched Year: 2019.
- Aim: To provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections (HarGharJal) to all rural households by 2024.
- Implementing Agency: It is being implemented by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry.
- Funding: The fund sharing pattern between the Centre and states is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories.
- Features:
- It focuses on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level.
- It will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across India.
- It seeks to generate maximum community participation in the form of ‘jan andolan’ to achieve the target of functional household tap connection by 2024.
2.Even Golden Langurs suffer forced abortion, infanticide
News: Golden Langurs found in the state of Assam is suffering from forced abortion and infanticide.
Facts:
- Golden langur: It is an Old World monkey found in western Assam, India and in Bhutan.
- Vegetation: Moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests as well as some riverine areas and savannas.
- IUCN Red list: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule I
- Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, Poaching among others.
- Chakrashila sanctuary: It is a wildlife sanctuary located in Assam.It is famous for having golden langur as it’s primary species.
News: The 45th India Ideas Summit 2020 will be held virtually on July 21,2020.
Facts:
- The India Ideas Summit is organized by the US India Business Council (USIBC).
- It is a platform to convene scholars, practitioners, diplomats and think tanks for high-level dialogue on key issues related to India.
Additional Facts:
- U.S.-India Business Council(USIBC): It was formed in 1975 as a business advocacy organization to enlighten and encourage the private sectors of both India and the United States to enhance investment flows.
4.India witnesses Annular Solar Eclipse
News: India has witnessed an annular solar eclipse on 21th June, 2020.
Facts:
- Solar Eclipse: It is witnessed when the moon is aligned between the Sun and Earth, blocking the light received by the Earth from the Sun.
- Types of Solar Eclipse: There are three types of solar eclipses:
- Total solar eclipse: It occurs when the moon is closest to the Earth which completely blocks the entire view of the sun.
- Annular Solar Eclipse: It is a particular case of the total solar eclipse. However, annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon is farthest from the Earth because of which, it looks smaller and does not block the entire view of the Sun creating a ring of fire effect.
- Partial solar eclipse: It occurs when the sun, moon and earth are not exactly lined up.
5.Yemeni separatists seize island of Socotra from Saudi-backed government
News: Yemen separatists have seized control of Socotra Island deposing its governor and driving out forces of the Saudi-backed government.
Facts:
- Socotra Island: It is part of the North Indian Ocean located between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea.
- The island is officially part of Yemen and sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden.
- In 2008, it was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
News: International Yoga Day 2020 is being celebrated on June 21.
Facts:
- International Day of Yoga: It has been celebrated annually since 2015 following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
- Theme: Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home
- Yoga is inscribed in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of India in 2016.
- International yoga day also coincides with the summer solstice.
Additional Facts:
- Solstice: It is an event that occurs when the Sun reaches its most northerly or southerly day-arc relative to the equator.When it is the summer solstice at one Pole, it is the winter solstice on the other pole.
- Summer Solstice (June 21): It is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere as the Earth’s North Pole is tilted closest to the sun.
- Winter Solstice (December 21): It is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere as the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun.
- Equinox: It is commonly regarded as the instant when the center of the visible Sun is directly above the Equator.
- This occurs twice each year: around 20 March (called “Spring Equinox” as it marks the beginning of spring in most cultures) and 23 September (called “Autumnal Equinox” as it marks the beginning of autumn).
7.Decide on plea on Rule of Law Index, Supreme Court tells government
News: The Supreme Court has asked the government to decide on the plea for setting up expert panels to boost India’s prospects in the Rule of Law Index.
Facts:
- Rule of Index: It is a quantitative assessment tool designed to offer a detailed and comprehensive picture of the extent to which countries adhere to the rule of law in practice.
- Published by: World Justice Project- an independent organisation.
- Parameters: It measures rule of law performance across eight factors: 1) Constraints on Government Powers 2) Absence of Corruption, 3) Open Government 4) Fundamental Rights 5) Order and Security 6) Regulatory Enforcement 7) Civil Justice and 8) Criminal Justice.
- Top Performers in 2020: The index has been topped by Denmark followed by Norway and Finland.
- India: It has been ranked at 69. India has never been ranked among the top 50 in the Index.
8.PM-JAY saw 57% fall in surgeries, 46% in medical care during lockdown
News: According to the National Health Authority(NHA), Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana(PM-JAY) has seen 57% fall in surgeries, 46% in medical care during lockdown.
Facts:
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(PMJAY) was launched in 2018.It is an umbrella scheme under Ayushman Bharat.Other element is Health and Wellness Centres.
- Aim: To provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crores poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries).
- Coverage: The households included are based on the deprivation and occupational criteria of Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas respectively.
- Financing: It is fully funded by the Government and cost of implementation is shared between the Central and State Governments.
Additional Facts:
- Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): Government aims to set up 1,50,000 Health and Wellness Centres(HWCs) by transforming the existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres.
- These centres are to deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) bringing healthcare closer to the homes of people.
- National Health Authority(NHA): It is the apex body setup to administer the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(PMJAY).It’s governing board is chaired by the Minister for Health and Family Welfare.
