Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – CARE (26-06-2024)
| News at a Glance |
| Polity and Governance: Urban Affairs Ministry to revamp affordable housing scheme |
| Madhya Pradesh Ministers to now pay Income Tax; Cabinet revokes 52-year-old rule |
| Science and Technology: Defence Ministry signs 350th contract under iDEX for miniaturised satellite |
| International Relations: EU targets Russia’s ‘ghost fleet’, expresses concern over its ‘hybrid attacks’ |
| Environment and Ecology: Denmark will be first to impose CO2 tax on farms |
Urban Affairs Ministry to revamp affordable housing scheme
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2 (Polity and Governance)
Context: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)
Why in News
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) would be revamped with new features based on learning from the past nine years since when it has been operational, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said on Tuesday.
Key Highlights
- A senior official of the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said that the revamp would focus on ensuring that there are no delays on reaching out to beneficiaries who have signed up for the scheme.
- The Ministry had also announced a scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 and 2022-23 and for improving and speeding up basic urban planning ecosystem in the cities by incentivising the States.
- Both the schemes among other things also incentivised States for creating an enabling ecosystem for affordable housing for built up area up to 66 sq m through favourable bye-laws and adoption of enabling policy by the States.
- Under the scheme, the States have reported that through the enabling provisions under their affordable housing policy, approximately 5,00,000 dwelling units have been constructed in the last four to five years in States like Gujarat, Haryana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Uttar Pradesh.
- During 2023-2024, as reported by States, approximately 44,000 dwelling units have been constructed in five States – Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- Further, under urban planning reforms, projects for in-situ slum rehabilitation have also been incentivised. States of Gujrat and Odisha have done considerable work in this field.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)
- The PMAY (Urban), launched in 2015, has been given an extension till December 2024.
- The mission aims to address urban housing shortage among the poor and middle-income groups, including slum dwellers, by ensuring a pucca house to all eligible urban households.
Objective
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission launched on 25th June 2015 which intends to provide housing for all in urban areas by year 2022.
- The Mission provides Central Assistance to the implementing agencies through States/Union Territories (UTs) and Central Nodal Agencies (CNAs) for providing houses to all eligible families/ beneficiaries against the validated demand for houses for about 1.12 cr. As per PMAY(U) guidelines, the size of a house for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) could be upto 30 sq. mt. carpet area, however States/UTs have the flexibility to enhance the size of houses in consultation and approval of the Ministry.
Beneficiaries:
- The Mission addresses urban housing shortage among the EWS/LIG and MIG categories including the slum dwellers.
- Economically Weaker Section (EWS) – with a maximum annual family income of Rs. 3,00,000.
- Low Income Group (LIG) – with maximum annual family income of Rs. 6,00,000) and
- Middle Income Groups (MIG I & II) – with a maximum annual family income of Rs. 18,00,000)
- A beneficiary family will comprise husband, wife, unmarried sons and/or unmarried daughters.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q1. Which of the following categories of beneficiaries are eligible to receive housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)?
Select correct Answer codes: A. 1 and 2 B. 2 and 3 C. 1 and 4 D. 2 and 4 |
Q. Among other things, which one of the following was the purpose for which the Deepak Parekh Committee was constituted? (2009)
(a) To study the current socio-economic conditions of certain minority communities (b) To suggest measures for financing the development of infrastructure (c) To frame a policy on the production of genetically modified organisms (d) To suggest measures to reduce the fiscal deficit in the Union Budget Ans: (b) |
| Answer 1– B
Explanation Explanation:
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Defence Ministry signs 350th contract under iDEX for miniaturised satellite
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS3- Science and Technology
Context: Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), is the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence
Why in News
- The 350th contract under the iDEX was signed with SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt Ltd for the design and development of a ‘miniaturised satellite capable of carrying electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar, and hyperspectral payloads up to 150 kgs’
Key Highlights
- The contract was exchanged between Additional Secretary (Defence Production) & CEO, Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) Shri Anurag Bajpai and Founder & CEO of SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt Ltd Shri Awais Ahmed Nadeem Alduri in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and other senior civil & military officials of the Ministry of Defence.
- SpacePixxel has been actively working to build and launch high-resolution hyperspectral imaging satellites to provide detailed earth observation data.
- This 350th iDEX contract enables innovation in space electronics, wherein many payloads earlier deployed on dedicated large satellites are now being miniaturised.
- The modular small satellite will integrate multiple miniaturised payloads as per requirement, providing advantages like faster and economical deployment, ease of manufacturing, scalability, adaptability, and less environmental impact.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
- Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the flagship initiative of the Ministry of Defence, signed the landmark 350th contract in New Delhi on June 25, 2024.
- The contract was inked with SpacePixxel Technologies Pvt Ltd for the design and development of a ‘Miniaturised satellite capable of carrying Electro-Optical, Infrared, Synthetic Aperture Radar, and Hyperspectral payloads up to 150 kgs’.
- This challenge is being led by the Indian Air Force.
- The 150th iDEX contract was signed in December 2022, and within a span of 18 months, the 350th contract has been signed.
What is iDEX?
- iDEX, the recipient of the esteemed Prime Minister Award for Public Policy in Innovation Category in 2021, has emerged as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem.
- Established by the DIO under Department of Defence Production, iDEX has launched 11 editions of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC), and recently unveiled the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies.
- In a brief period, iDEX has successfully gained momentum, fostering a burgeoning community of start-ups within the defence sector. It is currently engaged with over 400 start-ups and MSMEs.
- Till now, procurement of 35 items, worth over Rs 2,000 crore, has been cleared. iDEX has facilitated the creation of numerous job opportunities and played a pivotal role in the development of the defence ecosystem.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q2. Consider the following statements:
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
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Q. What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (2018)
(a) An Israeli radar system (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme (c) An American anti-missile system (d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea. Ans: (c) |
| Answer 2 – D
Explanation –
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EU targets Russia’s ‘ghost fleet’, expresses concern over its ‘hybrid attacks’
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS2- International Relations
Context: Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, about -260°F (-162°C), to make it easier and safer to store and transport
Why in News
- The European Union (EU) on June 24 slapped new sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine, targeting Moscow’s shadow fleet of tankers moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) through Europe.
Key Highlights
- At a meeting in Luxembourg, where the sanctions were endorsed, EU Foreign Ministers also expressed concern about a rise in hybrid attacks by Russia — including allegations of election interference, cyber-attacks and sabotage.
- In an effort to push Russia into using more costly routes for energy purposes, the EU will “forbid reloading services of Russian LNG in EU territory for the purpose of transshipment operations to third countries.
- The EU estimated that about 4-to-6 billion cubic metres of Russian LNG was shipped via EU ports last year.
- Russia is suspected of running a “ghost fleet” of up to 400 ships to evade sanctions and keep up the flow of energy earnings so that it can finance the war.
Sanctions
- The measures will target ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers as well as reloading operations.
- It also involves a crackdown on the re-export of LNG via the EU, plus a ban on new investments to help Russia complete LNG projects it is working on.
- Scores of new “entities” — often companies, banks, and other agencies — were also added to the EU’s list, including some in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
- Many are accused of circumventing the bloc’s sanctions or providing sensitive equipment to Russia.
Targeted Entities
- More than 50 officials were also being targeted with asset freezes, as well as travel bans.
- Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and scores of lawmakers and oligarchs are among more than 1,700 people already listed by the EU.
- Over 400 entities previously hit include companies working in the military, aviation, shipbuilding and machinery sectors, the Wagner mercenary group, political parties and banks.
- There is no observer status in Europe anymore to Russia’s aggression.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
- Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, about -260°F (-162°C), to make it easier and safer to store and transport.
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is a natural gas composed of mainly methane, CH4, with some mixture of ethane, C2H6 which has been cooled down to liquid form for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport.
- Nature: It is odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive.
- Natural gas is a cleaner and more economical alternative to conventional hydrocarbons like coal and oil, making it crucial in India’s transition towards greener energy sources.
- The primary component of natural gas is methane, comprising 70-90% of its composition.
- According to the IEA, Natural gas accounts for about a quarter of global electricity generation.
- Presently in India the share of natural gas in the energy basket is 6.7%.
- The top natural gas producing countries are the United States, Russia and Iran.
Advantage of Using Liquefied Natural Gas as Transport Fuel
- Reduce oil Import bill: A switch to Liquefied Natural Gas from diesel (10 percent of new diesel vehicles switched to LNG by 2032) could result in the reduction in oil import bill by $1.5 billion by the year 2032
- Reduce tank-to-wheel emissions
- Air pollution: The HDV sector alone contributes up to 66 percent of the particulate matter from the road transport sector, therefore switching to Liquefied Natural Gas will improve air pollution in cities.
Hybrid Warfare
- This warfare is a combination of activities, including disinformation, economic manipulation, use of proxies and insurgencies, diplomatic pressure and military actions.
- It tends to target areas which are highly vulnerable and where maximum damage can be caused with minimum effort.
- It usually involves non-state actors indulging in subversive roles supported by states in order to exonerate themselves of any involvement if their activities are detected.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q3. Consider the following statements:
(1) Liquified natural gas (LNG) is transformed into a liquid state through intense cooling and high pressure, enabling its storage or transport in specialized vessels. (2) The first LNG terminal in India was constructed in Hassan. (3) Natural gas liquids (NGL), which include ethane, propane, butane, and natural gasoline, are separated from LPG. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. (1) only B. (1) and (3) C. (2) and (3) D. (1), (2) and (3) |
Q. With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: (2020)
Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Ans: (d)
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| Answer 3 A
Explanation
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Denmark will be first to impose CO2 tax on farms
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS3- Environment and Ecology
Context: Denmark will be first to impose CO2 tax on farms
Why in News
- Denmark, a major pork and dairy exporter, will introduce a tax on livestock carbon dioxide emissions from 2030, making it the first country to do so and hoping to inspire others to follow, the government said on Tuesday.
Key Highlights
- A tax was first proposed in February by government-commissioned experts to help Denmark reach a legally binding 2030 target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels.
- The centrist government late on Monday reached a wide-ranging compromise with farmers, industry, labour unions and environmental groups on policy linked to farming, the country’s largest source of CO2 emissions.
What is Denmark’s CO2 tax?
- The broad idea is to make it more expensive for farmers to pollute, while income from the tax will be returned to the agricultural sector as subsidies that make green initiatives cheaper.
- The CO2 tax is sometimes expressed as ‘CO2e’ – meaning CO2 equivalent, and covers several different types of greenhouse gases that are commonly produced in agriculture.
- Despite lending its name to the tax, CO2 is not the worst offender.
- Large quantities of methane, for example, are emitted by livestock and released from manure spread on fields.
- Methane is over 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
- Emissions also come from lowland soils, which are typically drained and therefore emit both CO2 and nitrous oxide – a gas that is more potent than methane and up to 100 times more potent than CO2.
- While lowland soils make up only seven percent of Denmark’s agricultural area, they account for around a third the sector’s emissions.
Proposal and Implementation
- The tax on livestock carbon dioxide emissions was first proposed in February by government-commissioned experts.
- It is scheduled to be introduced from 2030 onwards.
Government Action
- The centrist government of Denmark reached a broad compromise with various stakeholders including farmers, industry, labor unions, and environmental groups.
- This compromise was finalized late on Monday and includes policies linked to farming, which is the country’s largest source of CO2 emissions.
Global Implications
- Denmark aims to become the first country to implement such a tax on livestock carbon dioxide emissions.
- The government hopes that its initiative will serve as an example and inspire other countries to adopt similar measures.
Regenerative farming
- A tax on meat, dairy and agriculture may be a challenge to our collective ingrained habits and practices, but farming has incredible potential to participate in climate action.
- Given the importance of soil for carbon storage, agriculture could be as much of a tool to fight climate change as it is now one of its major contributors.
- A new generation of climate-friendly agriculture, termed ‘regenerative farming’, can achieve this by actively supporting ecosystems, capturing carbon from the air and creating healthier soils.
- Some independent resources are already in place to help the agriculture sector: Climate Farmers, for example, facilitates information exchange, measures data on the effects that sector transformation has on soils, and develops financial support for farmers.
- However Denmark’s green tax reform legislation takes shape, it must pave the way for a long-sighted shift to regenerative agriculture.
- This is a crucial piece of legislation that will set the socio-economic playing field for Denmark’s, and Europe’s, green future.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Denmark’s recent environmental policy initiative?
Select the correct answer using the codes below: A. 1 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2, and 3 |
Q. Consider the following statements (2023)
Statement—I Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. Statement—II Carbon markets transfer resources from the private sector to the State. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (a) Both Statement—I and Statement—II are correct and Statement—II is the correct explanation for Statement—I (b) Both Statement—I and Statement—II are correct and Statement—II is not the correct explanation for Statement—I (c) Statement—I is correct but Statement—II is incorrect (d) Statement—I is incorrect but Statement—II is correct Ans: B |
| Answer 4 C
Explanation
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Madhya Pradesh Ministers to now pay Income Tax; Cabinet revokes 52-year-old rule
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2- Polity and Governance
Context: Income Tax on Ministers
Why in news
Madhya Pradesh cabinet on June 25 decided that State Ministers will have to pay their Income Tax, instead of the state government bearing such burden.
Background
-
- Madhya Pradesh cabinet has taken a decision to strike off the 1972 rule, under which the State government was paying the Income Tax on the salaries and perks of Ministers.
- The Cabinet decided that all Ministers will pay the Income Tax on their salaries and allowances.
- State Urban Administration Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said during the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister gave a suggestion that the Ministers themselves pay their Income Tax.
- The suggestion was accepted and hence the decision was taken in this regard.
Recent Changes
- According to section 9K of the Madhya Pradesh Ministers (Salary and Allowances) Act, “No income tax shall be levied on any Minister, Minister of State, Deputy Minister, or Parliamentary Secretary for all allowances payable to them, for the facility of a furnished residence provided without payment of rent, and for other perquisites permissible to them under this Act.”
- The income tax, as applicable, shall be payable by the State Government at the maximum rate payable by a Minister, Minister of State, Deputy Minister, or Parliamentary Secretary,” the Act read.
- Officials from the Finance department said the law was enacted to ensure “ministers from poor backgrounds did not have to bear income tax burden”.
- The Madhya Pradesh cabinet also removed the minimum limit of 10 hectares of land required for tree plantation under corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives because smaller companies were left out.
- Now, under CSR, companies would also be able to take up one or two hectares of land for tree plantation.
- Among other decisions, the government announced that many of the students from the state, who are studying in Sainik schools outside Madhya Pradesh and have not been eligible for the state-sponsored scholarship so far, will now be included in the scholarship.
- Additionally, the coordination work of the railway projects under execution in the state, which were until now looked after by the transport department, will now fall under the purview of the public works department.
Examples from Other States
- There are other states that have in the past amended provisions exempting ministers from paying tax.
- In 2019, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet decided to amend the law that exempted the Chief Minister and other ministers from paying their own income tax.
- The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet had in 2022 also said that all ministers and MLAs would pay their own income tax, which was till then being paid by the state government.
Income Tax
- Income tax is levied on individuals, Hindu undivided families, unregistered firms, and other groups of people.
- In India, the income tax system is progressive.
- All forms of income are aggregated and taxed by the individual’s income tax brackets.
- Depending on the amount of net income, different rates of income tax are applied. For instance, if net taxable income is between Rs. 5 and 7.5 lakhs, an income tax of 10% is levied.
- There is a 10% surcharge on income tax in cases when the total income is greater than Rs 50 lakh but not greater than Rs 1 crore.
| CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
| Q5. What recent decision did the Madhya Pradesh cabinet make regarding the income tax burden of State Ministers?
A) Ministers are now exempt from paying income tax on their salaries and allowances. B) The state government will continue to pay income tax on behalf of Ministers. C) Ministers will have to pay income tax on their salaries and allowances themselves. D) Income tax on Ministerial salaries has been increased to the maximum rate payable. |
Q. Which one of the following effects of creation of black money in India has been the main cause of worry to the Government of India? (2021)
(a) Diversion of resources to the purchase of real estate and investment in luxury housing. (b) Investment in unproductive activities and purchase of precious stones, jewellery, gold, etc. (c) Large donations to political parties and growth of regionalism. (d) Loss of revenue to the State Exchequer due to tax evasion. Ans: (d) |
| Answer 5 C
Explanation
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