Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 17 December 2021

Daily Current Affairs 17/12/2021

Haiderpur wetland in Uttar Pradesh recognised as Ramsar Site

Why in News

The Haiderpur wetland in Uttar Pradesh has been designated as the country's 47^th Ramsar site and 2,463rd Ramsar site internationally.

Key Points

Haiderpur Wetland covers an area of 6,908 hectares and is situated on the Muzaffarnagar-Bijnor border in Uttar Pradesh.
It was formed in 1984 by the construction of Madhya Ganga Barrage at the confluence of Solani and Ganga rivers and is a part of Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary.
Uttar Pradesh is now home to 9 Ramsar wetlands.

About Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty, aims at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, the convention was signed in 1971.

Note:

Earlier in August 2021, four more wetlands from India were recognized as Ramsar sites – Thol and Wadhwana from Gujarat and Sultanpur and Bhindawas from Haryana.
Recently, Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand has been declared as the Askot Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ).

Source: TOI

Maharashtra tops chart with maximum Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana beneficiaries

Why in News

Maharashtra has topped the list of states with maximum number of beneficiaries under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

Key Points

As on December 4, 2021, as many as 6,49,560 beneficiaries were recorded in Maharashtra, followed by Tamil Nadu (5,35,615) and Gujarat (4,44,741).

About Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY):

The government had launched ABRY to incentivize employment generation in Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered establishments during COVID-19 for a period from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022.
Under the ABRY, the government is paying both employees' and employers' contributions of 24 percent of wages (12 percent of wages for each) in respect of establishments having 1,000 employees and employees' contribution of 12 percent of wages to establishments employing more than 1,000 employees.

Other Employment Initiatives:

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme
The Atma Nirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat package 3.0

Source: Business Standard

India’s first Green Hydrogen Microgrid Project to be set up in Andhra Pradesh

Why in News

National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has awarded a project of Standalone Fuel-Cell based Micro-grid with hydrogen production using electrolyser in NTPC Guest House at Simhadri (near Visakhapatnam).
It is India’s first Green Hydrogen based Energy Storage Project.

Key Points

This unique project configuration is designed in-house by NTPC.
It would be a precursor to large scale hydrogen energy storage projects and would be useful for studying and deploying multiple microgrids in various off grid and strategic locations of the country.
The hydrogen would be produced using the advanced 240 kW Solid Oxide Electrolyser by taking input power from the nearby Floating Solar project.
The hydrogen produced during sunshine hours would be stored at high pressure and would be electrified using a 50 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.

Note:

The project is in-line with the vision of India for becoming carbon neutral by 2070.
Earlier, NTPC had commissioned the development of India’s biggest floating solar plant in Telangana’s Ramagundam.

Source: Business Standard

UNESCO inscribes ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of ICH of Humanity

Why in News

The Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage has inscribed ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity during its 16^thsession being held at Paris, France from 13^th to 18^th December 2021.

Key Points

The Committee commended Durga Puja for its initiatives to involve marginalized groups, and individuals as well as women in their participation in safeguarding the element.

Note:

With the inscription of Durga Puja in Kolkata, India now has 14 intangible cultural heritage elements on the prestigious UNESCO Representative List of ICH of Humanity.
In recent years, the ICH elements that saw inscriptions are Kumbh Mela (inscribed 2017), Yoga (inscribed 2016) among others.
India is a signatory of the 2003 UNESCO Convention which aims for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage along with traditions and living expression.

Source: PIB

Cabinet approves Treaty between India and Poland concerning Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

Why in News

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Government of the Republic of India and the Republic of Poland.

Key Points

The Treaty aims to enhance effectiveness of both the countries in investigation and prosecution of crime, through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
In the context of transnational crime and its linkages to terrorism, the proposed Treaty will provide a broad legal framework for bilateral cooperation with Poland in investigation and prosecution of crime as well as in tracing, restrain and confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crime as well as the funds meant to finance terrorist acts.

Note: India has entered into Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties/Agreements with 42 countries (November 2019).

Facts about Poland:

Capital: Warsaw
Currency: Polish złoty
President: Andrzej Duda

Source: PIB

Cabinet approves implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for 2021-26

Why in News

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of Rs.93,068 crore.

Key Points

Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Har Khet ko Paani (HKKP) and Watershed Development components have been approved for continuation during 2021-26.
Total additional irrigation potential creation targeted during 2021-26 under AIBP is 13.88 lakh hectares.
Central funding of 90% of water components for two national projects, namely Renukaji Dam Project (Himachal Pradesh) and Lakhwar Multipurpose Project (Uttarakhand) has been provisioned.
The two projects would provide beginning of storage in Yamuna basin benefitting six states of upper Yamuna basin, augmenting water supply to Delhi as well Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UP, Haryana, and Rajasthan and a major step towards rejuvenation of Yamuna.

About Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):

Launched in 2015, PMKSY is an umbrella scheme, providing central grants to the State Governments for specific activities.
It consists of two major components by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
HKKP, in turn, consists of four sub - components, being Command Area Development (CAD), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies, and Ground Water Development.
In addition, the Watershed Development part is being implemented by Department of Land Resources.
Another component of PMKSY, Per Drop More Crop, is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Source: PIB

National Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs/STs launched

Why in News

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar has launched a National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) on SCs/STs.
The Helpline is now available round the clock on toll-free number“14566” across the country in Hindi, English and regional language of the State/UTs.

Key Points

The Helpline number will ensure proper implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) [PoA] Act, 1989 and can be accessed by making a voice call /VOIP either from a mobile or landline number of any Telecom Operator across the country.

Note: Recently, Chairperson, Lokpal of India, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose inaugurated’ a digital Platform for Management of Complaints called ‘LokpalOnline’ that can be accessed by all citizens of the country and complaints can be filed from anywhere, anytime.

Source: newsonair

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveils commemorative stamp marking 50 years of India’s victory in 1971 Indo-Pak War

Why in News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled an India Post special day cover and a commemorative stamp marking the golden jubilee of India’s victory during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, in New Delhi on December 16, 2021.
The day is the culmination of year-long ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ celebrations, which began in December 2020.

Key Points

December 16 is celebrated as ‘Vijay Diwas’ each year to mark the day of surrender and decisive victory of Indian Armed Forces over Pakistani Armed Forces.
With the launch of the ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ stamp, India celebrates the professionalism and valour of its Armed Forces and reaffirms its commitment to its old friend and close neighbour, Bangladesh.

Source: PIB

Elon Musk named Time magazine's ‘Person of the Year 2021’

Why in News

Time magazine named Tesla chief and space entrepreneur Elon Musk as ‘Person of the Year 2021’.

Key Points

Musk is also the founder and CEO of SpaceX, and leads brain-chip startup Neuralink and infrastructure firm The Boring Company.

Note: Last year, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were jointly given the "Person of the Year" title.

Source: TOI

A book titled ‘Pride, Prejudice and Punditry’ by Dr Shashi Tharoor

Why in News

Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Dr Shashi Tharoor‘s 23rd book titled ‘Pride, Prejudice and Punditry’ was launched in Hyderabad, Telangana.

Key Points

There are ten sections in this book, each devoted to a particular topic such as modern Indian history, Indian Politics, etc.
The book is published by the Aleph Book Company.
Tharoor has won ‘Sahitya Akademi Award’ for 2019.