Current Affairs Of Today Are

Daily Current Affairs Of 8th February 2020







1) Ease of Living Index and Municipal Performance Index 2019 Launched

To help assess the progress made in cities through various initiatives and empower them to use evidence to plan, implement & monitor their performance, two Assessment Frameworks, viz. Ease of living index (EoLI) and Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2019 have been launched by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. Both these indices are designed to assess the quality of life of citizens in 100 Smart Cities and 14 other Million Plus Cities. With the Municipal Performance Index 2019, the Ministry has sought to assess the performance of municipalities based on five enablers namely Service, Finance, Planning, Technology and Governance which have been further divided into 20 sectors which will be evaluated across 100 indicators. This will help Municipalities in better planning and management, filling the gaps in city administration, and improving the liveability of cities for its citizens.

Ease of Living Index is aimed at providing a holistic view of Indian cities - beginning from the services provided by local bodies, the effectiveness of the administration, the outcomes generated through these services in terms of the liveability within cities and, finally, the citizen perception of these outcomes. The key objectives of the Ease of Living Index are four-folds, viz.

generate information to guide evidence-based policy-making;



catalyze action to achieve broader developmental outcomes including the SDG;



assess and compare the outcomes achieved from various urban policies and schemes; and



obtain the perception of citizens about their view of the services provided by the city administration.

EoLI 2019 will facilitate the assessment of ease of living of citizens across three pillars: Quality of Life, Economic Ability and Sustainability which are further divided into 14 categories across 50 indicators.

All participating cities have appointed nodal officers whose responsibility is to collect and collate the relevant data points from various departments both within and outside of the ULB and upload the same along with supporting documents in the exclusive web portal designed for this purpose. This portal was formally launched by Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, on the 19thof December 2019.

The Ministry has made several provisions for providing assistance to cities in this process of collection, collation, and uploading of data. There is a central helpdesk which is used by nodal officers to seek process-specific and indicator specific clarifications and assistance as and when required. 50 + assessors have been posted on the ground to work with the nodal officers to collect and collate information from various departments, as well as to assist in uploading data and documents to the specifications of the assessment protocol.

For the first time, as part of the Ease of Living Index Assessment, a Citizen Perception Survey is being conducted on behalf of the Ministry (which carries 30% of the marks of the Ease of Living Index). This is a very important component of the assessment exercise as it will help indirectly capturing the perception of citizens concerning the quality of life in their cities. This survey, which is being administered both online and offline, has commenced from 1st February 2020 and will continue till 29th February 2020. The offline version involving face-to-face interviews will commence on the 1st of February and will run parallel to the on-line versions. The same is being promoted through bulk SMS push as well as extensive coverage in social media. Source: PIB





2) Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative Report

The report observes that in India, there were 271 million fewer people in poverty in 2016 than in 2006, which shows improvement in status. The report noted that of the 10 selected countries for which changes over time were analyzed, India and Cambodia reduced their Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) values the fastest—and they did not leave the poorest groups behind.

The Government of India accords high priority to the issue of poverty alleviation in India. Ministry of Women and Child Development has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is making serious efforts to eradicate malnutrition. Several schemes with direct as well as indirect interventions to address the problem of malnutrition among women and children are being implemented as direct targeted interventions across the country like Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) and PradhanMantriMatruVandanaYojna (PMMVY) under the Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. These schemes are universal and open to all the eligible beneficiaries. Further, the Government has set up POSHAN Abhiyaan on 18.12.2017 commencing from 2017-18. The goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan are to achieve improvement in the nutritional status of children from 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in a time-bound manner with fixed targets. Source: PIB





3) Sharang: 130mm M­-46 artillery gun upgraded to 155mm

The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) handed over Sharang, the first 130mm M­46 artillery gun upgraded to 155mm to the Indian Army. It was formally handed over by OFB Chairman Hari Mohan to Army Chief Gen. Manoj Naravane at the ongoing Defexpo.

Sharang is the 130mm artillery gun ‘up­gunned’ to 155mm, 45 caliber up­gunning based on the Army’s tender

The Army had issued the Request For Proposal (RFP) in 2013 for both OFB and private industry.

The contract, worth ₹200 crores, was signed in October 2018

The gun’s range has now gone from 27km to over 36km with the upgrade. It also has the more explosive capability and hence and more damage potential, the official stated. In all, OFB will upgrade 300 130mm guns to 155mm and the contract will be completed in four years.

This step will reduce the logistic trail of the Army as it does away with the need to carry 130mm shells and support equipment as the mainstay of the Army’s long-range artillery is 155mm guns. As part of the development and validation, OFB had ‘upgunned’ six guns for testing. An artillery regiment of the Army consists of 18 guns

The Army inducted its first modern artillery guns system in November 2018. These include M­777 Ultra Light Howitzers (ULH) from the U.S. and K9 Vajra­T self-propelled artillery guns. The Army has the older, battle-proven Bofors 155mm guns in service. The 155mm Dhanush towed gun system, developed based on the Bofors guns, is under induction. Source: The Hindu Source: The Hindu





4) Global Gender Gap Index

Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) published by the World Economic Forum in 2018 ranks 149 countries on their status of gender equality through various parameters. On this index, India ranked 108th on its performance on gender equality. In the Global Gender Gap Index 2020, the number of countries increased to 153 in which India’s ranking was 112th. India’s score has moved from 0.665 in 2018 to 0.668 in 2020.

The government of India has given utmost priority to end gender-based inequities, reducing the disparity between men and women, improving the socio-economic status of women and increasing their participation in various fields. Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government of India to ensure that women gain equal rights, opportunities and access to resources are:

Constitutional Provisions – Articles such as Article 14, Article 15 (3), Article 39A, and Article 42 make special provisions for the rights of women to ensure gender equality.



Legislative Provisions – Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostics Act (PCPNDT), 1994; Sexual Harassment of Women and Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013; Equal Remuneration Act, 1976; Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amended in 2017) aimed at mandating women’s rights. Economic Participation & Opportunity:

Various programs/Schemes that are intended towards women development and empowerment are: BetiBachaoBetiPadhao (BBBP) ensures the protection, survival, and education of the girl child.

Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) aims to empower rural women with opportunities for skill development and employment.

Working Women Hostel (WWH) ensures the safety and security of working women.

Mahila Police Volunteers(MPV)envisages engagement of Mahila Police Volunteers in States/UTs who act as a link between police and community and facilitates women in distress.

Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) is an apex micro-finance organization that provides micro-credit at concessional terms to poor women for various livelihood and income-generating activities.

The National Crèche Scheme ensures that women take up gainful employment through providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment to the children.

Pradhan MantriMatruVandnaYojnaaims to provide maternity benefit to pregnant and lactating mothers.

Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana aims to provide housing under the name of the woman also.

DeenDayalUpadhyay National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) focuses on creating opportunities for women in skill development, leading to market-based employment.

Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana empowers women and protects their health by providing an LPG cylinder free of cost.

Pradhan MantriSukanyaSamriddhiYojna- Under this scheme girls have been economically empowered by opening their bank accounts.

Female Entrepreneurship: To promote female entrepreneurship, the Government has initiated schemes like Stand Up India and Mahila e-Haat (online marketing platform to support women entrepreneurs/ SHGs/NGOs). Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) provides access to institutional finance to micro/small businesses. Educational Attainment

Several steps and initiatives have also been taken up in the school education systems such as the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 and flagship program like SamagraShiksha and the subsequent Right to Education Act (RTE). Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBVs) have been opened in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs). Gender sensitization is also done which includes gender sensitization module- part of in-service training, construction of toilets for girls, construction of residential quarters for female teachers and curriculum reforms.

Political Participation

Also, to bring women in the mainstream of political leadership at the grass-root level, the government has reserved 33% of the seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions for women. Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) program by the Ministry of Women and Child is conducted to empower women to participate effectively in the governance processes.





Source: PIB





5) Blue Revolution through CSS

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying since 2015-16 has been implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) on Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries with a total central outlay of Rs.3000 crore for development of fisheries. The CSS is being implemented in all the States and Union Territories to supplement their efforts by providing financial assistance for the development of the fisheries sector in the country.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has eight fisheries research institutes and thirty-three research centers which are located at a different strategic location. The Institutes and research centers of ICAR are located in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam and have been extending their services to different stakeholders of the country. Under the CSS, financial assistance is also provided to ICAR Institutes for various fisheries-related activities like technology up-gradation, fish disease surveillance, and control program, propagation of fisheries technologies and fish culture activities. Source: PIB





6) Indian Leopards habitats are in danger

India’s leopard population may be only a tenth of what it was a little over a century ago, experiencing catastrophic declines due to human pressures. Given the threats, the animal faces – conflicts with humans, poaching, habitat loss and availability of prey – a group of scientists with new insights on the loss of leopard abundance say that an initiative similar to ‘Project Tiger’ is required for the cat.

The leopard population, perceived to be stable due to broad geographic distribution, suffered a possibly human­induced population decline of 75% to 90% between 120 and 200 years ago, the scientists propose, in a paper titled, ‘Genetic analyses reveal population structure and recent decline in leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) across the Indian subcontinent’ published in the journal PeerJ – Life and Environment

Scientists from the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS India) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) used genetic data from leopards from across the subcontinent to investigate population structure and patterns of decline. They probed the demographic history of each sub­population and compared genetic decline analyses with countrywide local extinction probabilities

The authors argue that the population decline in a species seen as wide­ranging and locally abundant suggests that leopards demand attention just like tigers

Authors Supriya Bhatt, Suvankar Biswas, Bivash Pandav and Samrat Mondol from WII, and Krithi K. Karanth from CWS India, collected fecal samples from the Terai­Arc landscape of northern India and identified 56 individuals using a panel of 13 microsatellite markers, and merged this data with those of 143 other leopards. Genetic analyses showed four sub­populations — Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau­Semi Arid, Shivalik and Terai region with high genetic variation Source: The Hindu

7) Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

The indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) crossed a milestone as it received the initial operational clearance (IOC) at the ongoing Defexpo. The choppers will replace the aging Cheetah and Chetak helicopters along with the Russian Ka­-226T helicopters

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said this edition of Defexpo had witnessed the signing of about 200 Memoranda of Understanding, technology transfer agreements and product launches in the three business days.

The LUH has complied with all the requirements of the users and with the completion of hot and high altitude testing, it is close to operational clearance certification

The LUH is a 3­ton class helicopter with a glass cockpit for reconnaissance and surveillance roles. Source: The Hindu





8) State Bank of India cut interest rates

A day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced measures to ease interest rates, the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Bank of India (BoI) have reduced their lending rates by cutting the marginal cost of fund­based lending rate (MCLR).

The SBI has reduced the MCLR by 5 bps across all maturities.

The one­year MCLR will become 7.85% with effect from February 10.

The country’s largest lender indicated that the lending rates would come down further.

The impact of the recent RBI policy measures and the reduction in deposit rates will be reflected in the next review of MCLR

The BoI, another state-run lender, reduced MCLR by 10 bps for maturities up to 6 months.

Additionally, the bank has reduced interest rates on the housing loan, which will now be available from 8.00% and vehicle loan at 8.50%.

The SBI also lowered the deposit rates, given the ‘surplus liquidity’ in the system.

The bank lowered term deposits rates by 10­50 bps in the retail segment (less than ₹2 crores) and 25­50 bps in the bulk segment (₹2 crores and above). Reason

To improve the economy so that the consumer could take a loan for the housing and vehicle so that the automobile sector and the real estate sector could show a boost in its growth





Source: The Hindu

9) DRDO Signs Technology Development Contract with Rosoboronexport Russia

High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is the DRDO laboratory working in the development of a spectrum of high energy materials required for missiles, rockets, and guns.

During DefExpo 2020, HEMRL, Pune signed a technology development contract with Rosoboronexport, Russia for the development of Advanced Pyrotechnic Ignition Systems.

This will enable advancement in the field of energetic materials and pyrotechnic technology leading to the development of advanced ignition systems. This will meet the futuristic requirements of high-performance propulsion systems. He added that the propulsion systems are the power behind the rockets and missiles. This technology development will facilitate design and development of state of art solid rocket motors for upcoming products. These products will be based on compact and energy-efficient propulsion systems. Source: PIB

10) International Companies Helping Different Training Programmes of Skill India Mission