#polity
Clarifications over allegation of discrimination in Budget
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the Congress government in Karnataka for a “separatist” mindset and spreading a “false narrative” on fund allocation by the Centre to states.
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- Asserted that tax devolution and grants to Karnataka have been in line with the Finance Commission award, with no discrimination.
- Stated that regarding the state government’s claim on funds for drought relief, the Centre has allocated the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), and additional relief is released upon submission of a memorandum by the
- Confirmed a budget provision for the Upper Bhadra Project, stating it will be sanctioned by the centre.
- The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is established under Section
46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to complement the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) during severe disasters when sufficient funds are lacking in the SDRF.
- NDRF is held in the “Public Account” of the Government of India as part of reserve funds that do not accrue
- Expenditures from the NDRF do not necessitate approval from the
- The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) is constituted under Section 48(1)(a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, serving as the primary fund for State Governments to address notified disasters.
- The Central Government contributes 75% of the SDRF allocation for general category States/Union Territories (UTs) and 90% for special category States/UTs (including Northeastern States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir).
- The annual Central contribution to the SDRF is released in two equal installments based on the Finance Commission’s recommendations.
- SDRF funds are specifically designated for immediate relief expenditures to aid disaster victims.
Disasters covered under the SDRF include cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, pest attacks, frost, and cold waves.
Upper Bhadra Project
A significant lift irrigation project is currently underway in the central region of Karnataka State with the following objectives:
- To establish a sustainable irrigation system during the kharif season.
- The project aims to replenish groundwater levels and ensure the availability of drinking water by filling 367 tanks with six tmcft water in taluks prone to drought.
#governance
Karnataka Government bans Hookah
The Karnataka health department has issued a notification banning the sale and consumption of hookah in the state with immediate effect. The decision, aimed at protecting public health, cites violations of state fire control and safety laws. The ban follows a fire accident at a non-compliant hookah bar in Koramangala last year.
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- Violators will face legal action under various acts, including COTPA 2003 and the Indian Penal
- The government emphasized the health risks associated with hookah consumption, pointing out its role in spreading infectious diseases and its equivalence to smoking 100 cigarettes in a 45-minute
- The move aligns with the state’s commitment to regulate hookah bars, as announced during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly winter season
Prohibition of Smoking, advertisement and Protection of Health of Non- Smokers Act:
Sectioin 3 of Prohibition of smoking, advertisement, sale and storage of smoking substances.-
No person shall,- (1) Smoke in any public work or area where smoking is prohibited and indicated through audio, visual, or in Public Service Vehicles is strictly forbidden.
(2) Despite any conflicting provisions in other laws, it is prohibited to advertise smoking or the sale of cigarettes and beedies in public places or Public Service Vehicles. Exceptions include advertisements on the packaging or within the premises where these products are sold, such as warehouses or shops.
- sell cigarettes, beedis or any other smoking substance to any person who is below the age of eighteen years.
- Prohibits the storage, sale, or distribution of cigarettes, beedis, or any smoking substance within the premises of hospitals, health institutions, public offices, courts, libraries, colleges, schools, educational institutions, and places of worship.
PRELIMS BYTES
#governance
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
The Lok Sabha has recently introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, with the goal of ensuring transparency, fairness, and credibility in the Public Examinations System. Once enacted, the law will also act as a model draft for States to adopt as per their discretion.
Provisions of the bill:
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, defines “Public Examination” under Section 2(k) to include exams by authorities like UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and
- Central Government Ministries are covered, with the provision to add new Offenses are serious, being cognizable and non-bailable, with imprisonment of 3-5 years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Failure to pay may result in additional imprisonment as per Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita,
- Service providers aiding in illegal practices can be fined up to Rs 1 crore and bear examination
Unfair means in Section 3 encompass actions like question paper leaks, document tampering, and creating fake websites for financial gain.
#environment
World's First Melanistic Tiger Safari
Odisha is introducing the world’s first melanistic tiger safari near the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
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features.
- Melanism, a genetic condition causing increased melanin production, results in black or nearly black skin, feathers, or hair in
- The Royal Bengal Tigers in Similipal exhibit pseudo-melanistic traits, with distinctive black and yellow interspersed
- As per the All India Tiger Estimation 2022, Similipal Tiger Reserve is home to 16 tigers, with 10 displaying melanistic
- The melanistic tiger safari will cover around 200 hectares near Dhanbad- Balasore National Highway-18, providing a landscape similar to
Initially, the safari will house three melanistic tigers from Nandankanan Zoo, along with rescued or orphaned tigers, in open enclosures.
sci and Tech
Neuralink device
Elon Musk recently announced the successful implantation of a Neuralink device in a human subject.
- The device, approximately the size of a large coin, is designed for implantation in the skull to create a brain-computer
- Neuralink received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the “investigational device “
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI):
- BCI is a technology facilitating direct communication between the brain and external devices like computers or
- Traditional neuromuscular pathways, such as nerves and muscles, are
- BCIs use sensors to detect brain activity, translating it into commands or
- This technology enables individuals to control devices or interact with the external
world using their thoughts.
#IR
Honour Roll of the UN for 2024
On January 31, 2024, India contributed USD 32.895 million (approximately Rs. 273 Crore) to the United Nations (UN) Regular Budget (RB) for 2024, securing a place in the “Honour Roll of the UN for 2024.”
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- India’s assessed contribution to the UN budget for 2023 amounted to USD 30,540,402.00, and consistently, India has been included in the UN Honour
- As of February 5, 2024, a total of 43 member states, including India, met the deadline for full payment of their regular budget assessments as outlined in Financial Regulation 3.5, due by February 8, 2024.
Honour Roll of the UN:
- The Honour Roll is a compilation of UN member states that fulfilled their mandatory financial obligations by paying their full regular budget assessments within 30 days of receiving a payment note from the
- The UN Regular Budget covers a range of programs across various domains, including political affairs, international justice and law, regional cooperation for development, human rights, humanitarian affairs, and public
- The UN Regular Budget also includes provisions for the establishment of a multi-year Peace-building Account, dedicated to financing the UN’s Peacebuilding fund.
- The UNGA decided to allocate almost USD 50 million in additional funding for decisions made by the Human Rights Council and established the Peace- building
It is noteworthy that the UN maintains a separate budget for peacekeeping operations, with a fiscal cycle from July 1 to June 30, while the Regular Budget cycle aligns with the calendar year.
