News Today (Sep 01-02, 2024) PDF

1st&2nd September, 2024 Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024 notified Rules have been notified by Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in exercise of powers conferred by the Te...

1st&2nd September, 2024 Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024 notified Rules have been notified by Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in exercise of powers conferred by the Telecommunications Act, 2023 to operationalize the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). About Digital Bharat Nidhi DBN was established through the Telecommunications Act, 2023 for funding telecom schemes in underserved remote/rural areas at affordable prices. It replaced the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) created under the erstwhile Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. USOF was a non-lapsable pool of funds generated by a Universal Access Levy through the license fee charged on licensee of DoT @ 5% of the Adjusted Gross Revenue. Key Highlights of the Notified Rules Criteria for undertaking Schemes and Projects: To provision telecom services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas; to introduce next-gen telecom technologies; to encourage startups; to promote sustainable and green technologies; etc. Sharing of telecom networks established under DBN: DBN implementer shall share and make available such network and services on an open and non-discriminatory basis. Process of allocation of funds under DBN Bidding: To promote and support Telecommunication services for promoting access to and delivery of established telecommunication services in underserved areas. Selection by Application: To promote and support R&D of new or emerging telecommunication technologies or products or services, through co-funding, Viability Gap Funding (VGF), etc. Judiciary is considered as the Guardian of our Democracy, says PM The PM highlighted the achievements of the Judiciary at the National Conference of District Judiciary, organized as part of the 75th year celebrations of the Supreme Court of India. Constitutional provisions that empower Judiciary to be guardian of Democracy Article 13 implicitly lays the ground for judicial review for the Supreme Court. Article 32 and 226 empowers the Supreme Court and High Courts to issue writs for enforcement of the Fundamental Rights. Role played by Indian judiciary as a guardian of Indian Democracy Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalavaru vs. State of Kerala, 1973: By formulating the doctrine of “the basic structure of the constitution” placed limitations on the amending powers of the Parliament. Way Forward (Law commission report 245): Appointment of judges on a priority basis, Special Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975): Upheld the essence of democracy i.e. Traffic Courts, Periodic Needs Assessment for free and fair elections. the Judiciary, encouraging Alternative Dispute Resolution methods, etc. S. R. Bommai v. Union of India case, 1994, restricted the arbitrary dismissal of state governments under Article 356. ADR vs UOI case 2024: By declaring electoral bond scheme unconstitutional and upholding the transparency in political funding. Challenges: Low judge-population ratio, Pendency of cases, judicial activism or overreach, threat of contempt of court, corruption in judiciary. AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 1/4  Researchers studied mitochondrial dynamics to treat Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of brain cells. Presence of environmental toxins and toxic proteins causes fragmentations and dysfunctions in mitochondria. E.g. Manganese induced Parkinsonism. Researchers have found that inhibiting Dynamin-related protein (Drp1) activity could restore mitochondrial function and serve as a potential treatment. Naturally abundant in cells, Drp1 protein travels to mitochondria when they divide into smaller sizes for higher mobility and quality control. However, too much Drp1 activity causes excessive division, leading to fragmented mitochondria with impaired function. About Mitochondria Mitochondria are membrane-bound cell organelles that generate most of the cell's energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Functions Energy Production: Sites of aerobic respiration, producing ATP, hence termed the power houses of the cell. Genetic Material: Contains its own circular DNA (Mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA), RNA, ribosomes, and components for protein synthesis. ♦ mtDNA is useful for tracing genetic lines. Mitochondrial Diseases These are caused by genetic mutation of mtDNA or nuclear DNA. ♦ mtDNA is inherited exclusively from the mother, making these diseases maternally inherited. ♦ Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT) prevents the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from mother to child. Recent Study found faster Upward Growth of cities leading to high rise structures While taller buildings can accommodate more people in lesser space, they also tend to negatively impact the existing infrastructure and the local climate. Permissible height of buildings is determined by Floor Area Ratio (FAR). It is the ratio of the combined covered area (plinth area) of all floors by the total plot area. Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 provides regulations for the height. Reasons for upward growth Economic Growth: High rise buildings house mix-use structures including residential, office spaces, etc. Urbanization: Urban population has witnessed an increase of about 2 billion between 1990 -2020. Developments in Construction technology: use of elevators, innovative and centralized heating/cooling systems, designs to counteract high speed winds, etc. Challenges associated with Upward Growth Increased Population Density: Requiring greater need for public resources and greater energy demand, impacting quality of life. Urban Heat Island: Leading to localized heating impacting temperatures, rainfall and wind speeds of the cities. Economic Viability: Adhering to building codes and incorporating disaster resilience structures is relatively costly. Social Divide: Higher cost of construction makes them affordable to higher income groups. Other Challenges: Impact on disaster relief; solid waste management, etc. AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 2/4  DoT notified Draft Rules for protection of Critical Telecom Infrastructure Recently, Department of Telecommunication (DoT) notified Telecommunications (Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure) Rules, 2024 and Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. About Critical Telecommunication Infrastructure (CTI) CTI are any telecommunication network or part thereof, designated by the Central Government, disruption of which shall have debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety. Threats to CTI Cyberattacks and espionage: Targeted malware and ransomeware attacks, Distributed Denial of Service attacks, etc. Physical: Vandalism by terrorist and other miscreant groups, natural disasters, etc. Supply-chain vulnerabilities: Over-reliance on foreign hardware and software raising concerns of potential ‘bakdoors’ in equipment, geopolitical tensions resulting in disruptions in supply chains, etc. Technological evolution and complexity: 5G roll out, increased interconnectivity through IoT, etc. Key highlights of the Draft Rules Obligations of Telecom entities: To maintain security measures, keep supply-chain records of equipment used in CTI, undertake periodic vulnerability assessment, etc. Upgradation of CTI: Requires certification from the Central Government or an authorized body. Draft Rules on Telecom Cyber Security mandates each telecom entity to adopt a telecom cyber security policy which shall include security safeguards, risk management approaches, risk assessment and identification, forensic analysis of security incidents, etc. Also in News Challenges in regulating AYUSH Drugs Grey Wolf Supreme Court criticized the Union Ministry of AYUSH for its Recently, man-eating wolf attack in Bahraich (UP) has put around 35 notification requesting state licensing authorities not to take action villages on high alert. And ‘Operation Bhediya’ has been launched by the forest officials to capture wolves. under Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. About Grey Wolf Rule 170 governs the manufacture, storage, and sale of Distribution in India: India has two species of wolves - medicines in the country, “specifically for controlling inappropriate advertisements of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani medicines”. Indian Wolf (Canis Lupus Pallipes): In peninsular India including Rajasthan, Gujarat, etc. Ministry’s notification and subsequent observations by the Himalayan wolf or Tibetan wolf (Canis Lupus Chanco): In Supreme Court highlights the challenges in regulating AYUSH Upper trans-Himalayan ranges. drugs. Behavioral characteristics extremely social living in a pack of 6-8 individuals, Challenges in regulating AYUSH Drugs Run at very high speeds, Most AYUSH drugs can be approved simply based on the rationale monogamous and follow male dominance hierarchy, provided in authoritative texts of that particular stream. communicate with different vocalizations and scent-marking. Safety trials are required only for formulations that use around Conservation Status 60 specific ingredients listed in the act, such as snake venom, IUCN: Least Concern (Grey Wolf), Vulnerable (Himalayan heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, etc. Wolf). WPA, 1974: Schedule I AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 3/4  Special China Problem India Post Payment Bank Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister recently flagged India’s Recently, India Post Payment Bank (IPPB) marked its 7th Foundation Special China Problem over the world’s general China problem. Day. He stressed on the careful examination of the investments from About IPPB China. Established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of India’s outstanding issues with China Communication with 100% equity owned by the Government of Border Disputes: Lack of consensus on Line of Actual Control, India. incursions in Ladakh, etc. Aims to provide every household in India an access to efficient Economic: Disproportionately higher trade deficit (~ USD 85 banking services and enable them to become financially secure billion in 2022-23). and empowered by leveraging postal network of 1,61,000+ Post Offices. Security and strategic: Chinese tactics of ‘Salami Slicing’ Grey zone warfare, String of Pearls in the Indian Ocean Region, Belt and Services offered: Saving/ Current account, Direct Benefits Road Initiative, etc. Transfers, Bill and Utility Payments, access to 3rd Party products such as loans, insurance, etc. Neighborhood presence: Increasing influence in the Indian Ocean Region, pro-China governments in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, etc. Windfall Tax The Centre has reduced the windfall tax on domestically produced LGBTQIA+ crude oil. About Windfall Tax The government has implemented various interim measures for the LGBTQI+ community. A windfall tax is a tax imposed by governments on certain industries that experience significantly above-average profits Important measures for LGBTQIA+ due to favorable economic conditions. The Centre announced that LGBTQIA+ couples and partners in The purpose is to redistribute excess profits in one area to raise Queer relationships will now be considered part of the same funds for the greater social good. household for ration cards. Governments justify the tax by asserting that these profits are not The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged all solely due to the taxed entity's efforts but also due to external stakeholders to ensure LGBTQI+ rights in healthcare, including factors. prohibiting conversion therapy, etc. MoHFW has framed guidelines in respect of medical intervention required in infants/ children with disorders of sexual Polygraph Test differentiation (intersex) to have medically normal life without complications. CBI has recently conducted polygraph tests, in connection with the rape of a resident doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata. DNA Repair It is one of the deception detection tests, which also includes Recently, scientists have discovered a new target for cancer treat- Narco-analysis and brain-mapping. ment which is used by cancer cells to regulate DNA repair during About Polygraph tests Cell division. Cancer cells use the enzyme TDP1 to repair DNA damage caused It operates on the presumption that specific physiological by chemotherapy drugs like camptothecin, leading to treatment responses are triggered when a person is lying. resistance. Tests measure physiological responses like blood pressure, About DNA Repair sweat, breathing, and pulse rate, to determine truthfulness or DNA repair is a mechanism of a cell to maintain the integrity of deception. its genetic code. However, the efficacy of such tests remains contentious in the It exists in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. medical field. DNA repair ensures the survival of a species. 3-types of repair mechanisms: direct reversal of the damage, excision repair, and post-replication repair. Mission Poshan 2.0 Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched 7th Rash- triya Poshan Maah 2024 Focus is on comprehensively addressing malnutrition which is a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0. About Mission Poshan 2.0 Key schemes: POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi Services, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls to address malnutrition in children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Key Achievements Reduction in Malnutrition: NFHS-5 shows improvements in key child nutrition indicators (wasting, underweight, stunting) compared to NFHS-4. AHMEDABAD | BENGALURU | BHOPAL | CHANDIGARH | DELHI | GUWAHATI | HYDERABAD | JAIPUR | JODHPUR | LUCKNOW | PRAYAGRAJ | PUNE | RANCHI 4/4