Current Affairs 18 September 2020 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 18 September 2020 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

1. Earth Observation Sensors
2. Two New Farm Bill Introduced
3. India has Air Bubble Agreements
4. International Telecommunication Union and BRICS
5. Social Audit Team For NREGA Work Demand

Earth Observation Sensors

Why in News ?

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Atomic Energy and Space reply in Rajya Sabha that there are 32 Earth Observation Sensors with advanced capabilities, currently in orbit, providing space based information.

• Five earth observation satellites and five communication payloads were realized since January, 2018.
• Information support was provided for all the major disaster events viz. floods, cyclones and forest fires occurred since January 2020.
• Value added products comprise of geophysical & remote sensing data products derived using the data from meteorological, oceanographic and land remote sensing satellites.
• Total number of satellites launched by ISRO currently in orbit are 47
  • 26 satellites are in LEO/Low-Earth-Orbit
  • 21 are in GEO/Geosynchronous-Equatorial-Orbit

What are Earth Observation Sensors?

• Process of acquiring observations of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere via remote sensing instruments.
  • Satellites allow for reliable, true global coverage even above the most remote locations enabling regular repeat observations.
• Types of Earth Observation
  • Passive Imagery : Designed to detect electromagnetic emissions from constituents of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
  • Active Imagery : instruments are composed of a transmitter that sends out a specific electromagnetic signal and of a sensor receiving the interaction of the signal with the Earth’s surface.
• Indian Earth Observation Satellites
  • India has one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in operation.
  • Currently, there are thirteen operational satellites are in Sun-synchronous orbit like RESOURCESAT-1, 2, 2A CARTOSAT-1, 2, 2A, 2B, RISAT-1 and 2, OCEANSAT-2, Megha-Tropiques, SARAL and SCATSAT-1, and four in Geostationary orbit– INSAT-3D, Kalpana & INSAT 3A, INSAT -3DR.

What is Sun-Synchronous Orbit ?

• It is a kind of Polar orbit satellite usually travel past Earth from north to south rather than from west to east, passing roughly over Earth’s poles.
• Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) is a particular kind travelling over the polar regions, are synchronous with the Sun.
• Always be in the same ‘fixed’ position relative to the Sun for instance passing a particular city every day at exact time say evening. 
• A satellite in a Sun-synchronous orbit would usually be at an altitude of between 600 to 800 km.
• How can it be useful ?
  • They can used for observing a particular place for many days or weeks or even more.
  • This helps in analysing the changes in the area.

What is Geostationary orbit ?

• Geostationary orbit is a circular orbit 36,000 km above Earth’s Equator in which a satellite’s orbital period is equal to Earth’s rotation period of 23 hours and 56 minutes.
• They are seen as stationary in the sky and used for Telecommunication and meteorological purpose.
• What is the difference between Geostationary and Geo Synchronous Satellite ?
  • Geosynchronous satellites can have any inclination with equal rotation period of Earth. 
  • At the same time Geostationary are placed at the equator only with same rotation speed of Earth.
  • Thus all the Geostationary satellites are Geo Synchronous Satellite but all Geo Synchronous satellites are not the same as Geostationary. 

Source : PIB

Topic

GS III : Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights

Two New Farm Bill Introduced

Why in News?

Two new farm bill introduced aimed at transforming agriculture in the country and raising farmers’ income were passed by Lok Sabha.

• The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020
• The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 

Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020

• This Bill replaces the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance, 2020.
• Provide for the creation of an ecosystem where the farmers and traders enjoy the freedom of choice relating to sale and purchase of farmers’ produce.
• Facilitates remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels to promote efficient, transparent and barrier-free inter-State and intra-State trade.
• To provide a facilitative framework for electronic trading and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• Trade of farmers produce
  • Intra-state and inter-state trade of farmers’ produce outside
    • Physical premises of market yards run by market committees formed under the state APMC Acts
    • Other markets notified under the state APMC Acts.
• Electronic trading
  • Permits the electronic trading of scheduled farmers’ produce in the specified trade area.
  • An electronic trading and transaction platform may be set up to facilitate the direct and online buying and selling of such produce through electronic devices and internet.
  • Following entities may establish : 
    • Companies, partnership firms, or registered societies.
    • Farmer producer organisation or agricultural cooperative society.
• Market fee abolished 
  • • Prohibits state governments from levying any market fee, cess or levy on farmers, traders, and electronic trading platforms for trade of farmers produce.
• How it benefit ?
  • Promote barrier-free inter-state and intra-state trade and commerce outside the physical premises of markets notified under State Agricultural Produce Marketing legislation.
  • This is a historic-step in unlocking the vastly regulated agriculture markets in the country.
  • More choices for the farmer, reduce marketing costs for the farmers and help them in getting better prices
  • Help farmers of regions with surplus produce to get better prices and consumers of regions with shortages, lower prices.
  • Electronic trading in transaction platform for ensuring a seamless trade electronically.
  • No cess or levy for sale of their produce under this Act. 

Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020

• To provide for a national framework on farming agreements that protects and empowers farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters or large retailers for farm services
• Sale of future farming produce at a mutually agreed remunerative price framework in a fair and transparent manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• Farming agreement
  • The Ordinance provides for a farming agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce.
  • Duration of Agreement
    • The minimum period of an agreement will be one crop season, or one production cycle of livestock.
    • The maximum period is five years, unless the production cycle is more than five years.
• Pricing of farming produce
  • The price of farming produce should be mentioned in the agreement.
  • For prices subjected to variation, a guaranteed price for the produce and a clear reference for any additional amount above the guaranteed price must be specified in the agreement.
  • The process of price determination must be mentioned in the agreement.
• Dispute Settlement
  • A farming agreement must provide for a conciliation board as well as a conciliation process for settlement of disputes.
    • The Board should have a fair and balanced representation of parties to the agreement.
    • All disputes must be referred to the board for resolution.
      • If the dispute remains unresolved by the Board after thirty days, parties may approach the Sub-divisional Magistrate for resolution.
      • Appeal to an Appellate Authority against decisions of the Magistrate.
      • Required to dispose of a dispute within thirty days from the receipt of application.
• How it benefit ?
  • Empower farmers for engaging with processors, wholesalers, aggregators, wholesalers, large retailers, exporters etc. without any fear of exploitation.
  • Transfer the risk of market unpredictability from the farmer to the sponsor.
  • There will be a separate dispute resolution mechanism for the farmers.

What happens to Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act ?

• These bills do not affect the State APMC Act.
• APMC will be in the state but there will be inter-state trade outside its periphery.
• The farmers will be able to sell their produce from their field, home and any place after the legislation comes into existence.

What are the concerns ?

• Concern that the Centre will end the current system of open-ended FCI procurement.
  • Farmers in Punjab think that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other central agencies will shut down annual wheat and rice purchases from the states
  • Thus leaving them at the mercy of traders predatory practices.
• The repeated assurances that the MSP will continue are being called deceptive by various farmers collectives.
• A shift towards further corporatisation of the farming industry since this sector shown an improvement during the nation wide lock down.

Source : PIB

Topic

GS II : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

GS III : Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing

India has Air Bubble Agreements

Why in News?

India has entered into Air Bubble Agreements with 10 countries. 

Air Bubbles Agreements, What is it ?

Temporary agreements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• They are reciprocal in nature i.e. airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.
• Tickets for the flights are sold through the airlines’ website, travel agents and Global Distribution Systems.
• USA, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Maldives, UAE, Qatar, Afghanistan and Bahrain, till 13.09.2020.

Why is it necessary for such agreement ?

• There are restrictions on international flight operations to/from India.
• The Indian aviation and health infrastructure is currently trying its best to efficiently handle the large scale Vande Bharat Mission and Air Bubble operations.

Source : PIB

Topic

GS II : Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

NB : This is more general topic. Can be included the answers related questions like “How India responded to Non-resident Indian’s requirement during the pandemic ?”

International Telecommunication Union and BRICS

Why in News ?

Government of India participated in the meeting of sixth BRICS Communication Ministers Meeting held  in virtual format. International Telecommunication Union and BRICS forum discussed. 

Sixth BRICS Communication Ministers Meeting

• Broad consensus was built to continue cooperation among BRICS Countries on important areas such as
  • Role of Information and Communication Technologies in the fight against COVID-19
  • Building trust and security in the use of ICTs
  • Children online protection
  • Granting the access and connectivity of people living in rural areas, as well as groups of persons with disabilities
  • Role of the digital economy in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
• Various initiatives taken by Indian Government for Covid Management
  • AarogyaSetu App, Covid Quarantine Alert System (CQAS), CovidSavdhan
  • Also ICT solutions to facilitate movement of migrant workers back to their home
  • Video Conferencing Solutions to facilitate work from home and learn from home.

About BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meetings

• Held annually under the rotating Chairship of member countries, i.e. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• India will take over the Chairship of the next BRICS Communications Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted in 2021 by India.

Source : PIB

Topic

GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Social Audit Team For NREGA Work Demand

Why in News ?

Jharkhand government says is the first such move by any state, the Rural Development Ministry has started capturing work demand under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) through its social audit unit (SAU).

• Aims at generating nearly 6 lakh demands for work in around a month since the system began in mid-August.

What is Social Audit Unit (SAU) ?

• Social Audit is the assessment of programme/scheme conducted with the involvement of people and comparing official records with actual ground realities..
  • Social Audit is different from Financial Audit.
  • At the same time Financial audits involve inspecting and assessing documents related to financial transactions in an organisation to provide a true picture of its profits, losses and financial stability.
• Social Audit is a powerful tool for social transformation, community participation and government accountability.
• Section 17 of the MGNREGA has mandated Social audit of all Works executed under the MGNREGA.
• It mainly focus on the objectives completed under the a particular programme or scheme.
  • In short it is a fact finding process of the programme by verifying the facts available in the records.

About Jharkhand Social Audit Team For NREGA

• SAU state during the period in the last three financial years, around 2 lakh person days of work was generated under MGNREGA
  • This shows a representative from each household is eligible to get 100 days of work each year.
• SAU personnel doing social audit of work already done and those underway can get more people to demand work than Rozgar Sewaks.
  • Earlier work through ‘Rozgaar Sewaks’ where one in each panchayat of the state who would go village to village and raise awareness about the concept of MGNREGA, get demands for work, sanction the schemes, and finally make the payments.
• Within 15-20 days nearly 6 lakh people demanded work under MGNREGA.

Source : Indian Express

Topic

GS II : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Current Affairs 18 September 2020 : Our major Sources for the Current Affairs are The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB. For more queries and mentor-ship please contact us.