A landmark for Indian scientists (Editorial The Hindu 19/02/2016)

• The Union Cabinet has finally granted in-principle approval for a gravitational wave detector in India. The clearance, awaited for five years, comes close on the heels of the detection of the elusive gravitational waves for the first time; the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) based in Washington and Louisiana in the U.S. found evidence of gravitational waves coming from two black holes colliding and fusing together 1.3 billion light years away. 
• By virtue of having the same sensitivity as the LIGO detectors in the U.S. and being geographically separated by thousands of kilometres, the Rs.1,200-crore LIGO-India project, scheduled to become operational in about eight years, will at once vastly improve the level of accuracy and ability to detect new gravitational wave events. Since all detectors may not be operational all the time — for instance, the VIRGO detector, based near Pisa in Italy, had remained shut on September 14, 2015 — the addition of an Indian detector will increase the chances of detecting events that generate gravitational waves. 
• When the advanced LIGO and LIGO-India detectors reach their full sensitivity, many more events will become detectable and the ability to detect faraway signals would also increase dramatically. For instance, 50 to 100 gravitational wave-generating events a year may become detectable. And in the case of neutron stars, signals from as far away as 600 million light years could be detected as compared with 200 million light years now.
• Though Indian scientists were part of the LIGO project, their involvement was limited to theoretical aspects and data analysis. The LIGO-India project will change this altogether as the construction, commissioning and running of the observatory will be India’s responsibility. It will offer unprecedented opportunities for Indian industry and scientists from diverse fields to be actively involved in a scientific project of a scale never before seen in the country. For instance, though many of the critical components such as mirrors and lasers will be shipped from the U.S., an ultra-high capacity vacuum system that can handle one million litres of vacuum (as in the case of CERN), and secondary optics, have to be manufactured in India.
•  An active programme to develop optics for the laser system that could be used in future upgrades to the detectors is already under way at the Indore-based Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology. Currently only a few students from Indian institutions are able to participate in the LIGO project, but this will change completely when the observatory becomes operational in India, providing easier access for a larger number of students. Besides playing a pivotal role in gravitational wave astronomy, the Indian observatory could thus be a catalyst in changing the landscape of Indian scientific efforts. Together with other mega projects such as the India-based Neutrino Observatory project, experimental science will at last get a much-needed boost in the country.

Delivering on Make in India (Editorial The Hindu 22/02/2016)

• In its last 18 months, the UPA government faced up to an economic reality: new investments had come to a halt and projects worth lakhs of crores of rupees caught in red tape were turning unviable, posing a threat to banks that had lent for them. The then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, heeded Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s concern about the impact on public sector banks if these projects were not brought back on track through high-level intervention. 
• When the NDA government assumed office, it found that the mechanism that Dr. Singh had approved to fix the problem — a project monitoring group in the Cabinet Secretariat to steer around roadblocks to big-ticket manufacturing and infrastructure projects — had helped clear projects worth Rs.6.5 lakh crore. In June 2014, the Prime Minister’s Office asked the group to ascertain if the projects it had helped had begun operations. The PMO wanted to know if more chimneys were billowing smoke, if production was going up and jobs were being created on the ground. 
• Three months later, the government launched its Make in India programme to encourage the world to use the country as a global production hub. It promised reforms on norms for foreign direct investment — many of which it subsequently delivered — and a fix for problems that gave the country a poor reputation among foreigners, including unpredictable tax policies and a difficult regulatory environment.
• Over the last week, about 1,000 CEOs and 4,000 delegates representing 2,000 overseas firms were in Mumbai at a glitzy event to showcase Make in India, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented as the biggest brand to emerge from the country. He said India was adding deregulation to its strengths of democracy, demography and demand, and promised to end retrospective taxation that had spooked investors during the UPA rule. The Industries Ministry has claimed that Rs.15.2-lakh crore worth of investments were committed at the event. These include some by foreign firms such as Oracle (Rs.2,749 crore) and Ascendas (Rs.4,571 crore), but the list is dominated by Indian players making announcements to coincide with the occasion, including a Rs.6,204-crore project by public sector undertaking Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers. 
• Instead of doubting the numbers, it may be more pertinent to focus on two other developments of the week. Authorities served Vodafone a reminder for tax, which warned of asset seizure in case of failure to pay the dues, prompting a sharp reaction from the British firm. It also emerged that Foxconn was yet to follow through on a $5-billion investment it had announced in Maharashtra last August. 
• To capitalise on the success of Make in India, the government must now show sustained improvement on the ease of doing business and create a transparent and stable tax environment to prove it is capable of delivering on its intent. It should use the same yardstick to measure Make in India’s success as it did for the earlier stalled projects.

Discom and UDAY Scheme

Q) What are the challenges faced by power distribution companies ?

Ans) The challenges faced by the power distribution companies or DISCOMs are as follow: -

1. High Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses (which is about 28 per cent)
2. Improper consumer database is one of the biggest challenges before DISCOMs for proper billing and collection of revenues. 
3. Recent studies estimate that accumulated loss of state owned discoms are as huge as 4 trillion rupees.
4. Lack of proper information hinders decision in estimating losses, arresting thefts or making investments.
5. Infrequent tariff fixation and Inadequate coverage of increasing cost.
6. Adoption of better and energy efficient technology and funds required to upgrade the existing technology.
7. Reforms and restructuring of loss making state owned discoms. 
8. India has over 250 gigawatt production of power but DISCOMs are unable to list it because of huge losses.

Q) What is UDAY scheme ? 

Ans) UDAY or Ujjawal Discom Assurance Yojana is a Government of India initiative to provide solution to the problems faced by the discoms through four initiatives. The initiatives are as follow: -

• Improving operational efficiencies of discoms(Operational efficiency improvements like compulsory smart metering, upgradation of transformers, meters etc., energy efficiency measures like efficient LED bulbs, agricultural pumps, fans & air-conditioners etc. will reduce the average AT&C loss )
• Reduction of cost of power (Reduction in cost of power would be achieved through measures such as increased supply of cheaper domestic coal, coal linkage rationalization, liberal coal swaps from inefficient to efficient plants, coal price rationalization based on GCV (Gross Calorific Value), supply of washed and crushed coal, and faster completion of transmission lines.)
• Reduction in the interest costs of discoms
• Enforcing financial discipline on discoms through alignment with state finances

Q) How the UDAY scheme would benefit the country ?

Ans) The UDAY scheme or Ujjawal Discom Assurnce Yojana is an GoI initiative to provide solution to problems faced by power distribution companies. The benefits of this scheme would be as follow:

• Achievement of 24*7 power supply across the country.
• Power to 5 crore households which are without electricity.
• Speedy electrification of remaining 18,500 villages.
• Energy security through coal and renewable sources.
• Revive investments in power sector to generate employment.
• Lower risk for existing investments and loans in power, coal and renewable energy sectors.
• Increase procurement of power by DISCOMs 
• Reduce investment uncertainty across the sector.

Q) Why have initiatives taken before by the government to reform DISCOMs failed ?

Ans) Government schemes taken earlier to reform DISCOMs have not yielded desired result because of various reasons. Some of them are as follow:

• Delays in the filling of the tariff petitions and issuance of tariff orders.
• Non implementation of periodic fuel cost pass through mechanism. 
• Inadequate measures towards efficiency improvements including reduction in AT&C loss.
• Inability to meet operating and financial parameters set down by regulators.
• Delays in takeovers of the debts by the state governments. 
• All this resulted into accumulated losses and debt levels for the affected utilities. 
• It resulted into tightening of lending from the banking sector.

Q) Critically analyse the UDAY scheme?

Ans) UDAY or Ujjawal Discom Assurance Scheme is an GoI initiative to provide solution to the problems faced by power distribution companies. DISCOMS are facing following challenges: 

1. High Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses (which is about 28 per cent)
2. Improper consumer database is one of the biggest challenges before DISCOMs for proper billing and collection of revenues. 
3. Recent studies estimate that accumulated loss of state owned discoms are as huge as 4 trillion rupees.
4. Lack of proper information hinders decision in estimating losses, arresting thefts or making investments.
5. Infrequent tariff fixation and Inadequate coverage of increasing cost.
6. Adoption of better and energy efficient technology and funds required to upgrade the existing technology.
7. Reforms and restructuring of loss making state owned discoms. 
8. India has over 250 gigawatt production of power but DISCOMs are unable to list it because of huge losses. 

                                                 To meet these challenges the GoI will take the four initiatives. The steps to be taken include improving operational efficiency, reducing the cost of power generation, reducing the interest cost of the DISCOMs and enforcing financial discipline on the DISCOMs through alignment with state finances.

                                                 However, there are challenges which can hinder the path of the scheme. They are:-

1. There have been previous attempts too for sequestering funds for central transfers that ended up unsuccessful. 
2. Unless DISCOMs are not allowed to charge prices that reflect cost of delivery , including a return on capital, they would always be on financial blink. 
3. As it is voluntary scheme so it is not sure whether how many states would participate in the implementing it. 
4. States do not have sufficient initiatives built in to implement this scheme on priority.

The government needs to accelerates the process of reform across the entire power sector to ensure that power is accessible, affordable and available for all. 

Current Affairs Quiz- 37

1. 1. Question

   2 points
   One of the new approaches for mosquito eradication that show promise in the war against Zika and Dengue Virus is the use of Genetically Engineered (GM) Mosquitoes. In what way do these mosquitoes help?

   •  a) Male GM Mosquitoes indirectly block dengue transmission to humans, as their sperms kill the virus inside the body of the mosquitoes they breed with
   •  b) Female GM mosquitoes pass on ‘dominant lethal’ genes – which prevent the multiplication of virus strains – to their offspring and gradually all female mosquitoes will contain this gene
   •  c) ‘Tetracycline’ is a chemical compound which GM Mosquitoes produce. This compound prevents mosquitoes from successfully reproducing, thus reducing population significantly in a few weeks
   •  d) Male GM Mosquitoes pass on a ‘dominant lethal’ gene to offspring which prevents mosquito larvae from growing properly and causes them to die before adulthood
   Solution: d.

   “Two novel strategies have shown promise in recent years. One involves the use of genetically modified male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry a dominant lethal gene. The gene is passed down to offspring when they mate with wild female mosquitoes that are not genetically altered. The lethal gene in the offspring produces a protein that stops their cells from functioning normally by producing more of itself and prevents other genes essential for survival from turning on. This prevents the mosquito larvae from growing properly and causes them to die before adulthood, essentially breaking the insect’s life cycle.”

   http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/with-zika-indian-firm-scales-up-trials-for-gm-mosquitoes/article8206480.ece

2. 2. Question

   1 points
   ‘Point NJ9842’ refers to

   •  a) The southernmost point on the demarcated Line of Control (LoC)
   •  b) The northernmost point on the Siachen Glacier
   •  c) The northernmost point on the demarcated Line of Actual Control
   •  d) The northernmost point on the demarcated LoC
   Solution: d.

   

   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NJ9842

3. 3. Question

   1 points
   Consider the following statements:

   1. Altitude sickness occurs at higher altitudes due to lower percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere
   2. Acclimatisation, or homeostasis, refers to any of the numerous gradual, long-term responses of an organism to changes in its environment

   Which of the statements above is/are correct?

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: d.

   “At sea level, because air is compressible, the weight of all that air above us compresses the air around us, making it denser. As you go up a mountain, the air becomes less compressed and is therefore thinner. The important effect of this decrease in pressure is this: in a given volume of air, there are fewer molecules present. This is really just another way of saying that the pressure is lower. The percentage of those molecules that are oxygen is exactly the same: 21%. The problem is that there are fewer molecules of everything present, including oxygen. So although the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere is the same, the thinner air means there is less oxygen to breathe.”

   Homeostasis: The numerous sudden changes that evoke rapid and short-term responses via the nervous and hormonal systems are not examples of acclimatization (What is acclimatisation?). An individual organism can regulate its internal processes rapidly to sustain itself within the usual range of environmental changes that it encounters hourly or daily. But this rapid regulation, or homeostasis, is limited in its operation to a small range of environmental variations.

   http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/armys-unseen-enemy-in-siachen/article8206435.ece

4. 4. Question

   1 points
   With reference to the Civil Liabilities for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

   1. Section 17(b) permits victims of a nuclear incident to sue the operator or the supplier for damages applying tort law and thus exposing suppliers to unlimited liability
   2. Under Section 46 liability for a nuclear accident can be channelled from the operator to suppliers of nuclear material

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: c.

   Both are incorrect. Provisions of each section have been interchanged in the statements above.

   Under Section 17(b), liability for a nuclear accident can be channelled from the operator, which is the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, to suppliers of nuclear material, specifically if the accident is due to an act of the supplier or his employee, which includes supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services.

   Section 46 permits victims of a nuclear incident to sue the operator or the supplier for damages applying tort law, even though such proceedings would be beyond the scope of CLNDA and its liability cap, and thus exposing suppliers to unlimited liability.

   http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/nuclear-ambiguities/article8206363.ece

5. 5. Question

   1 points
   Consider the following statements:

   1. Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop allowed to be grown by farmers in India.
   2. Bt brinjal was cleared for commercialization by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, but it since has been under an indefinite moratorium on its cultivation

   Which of the statements above is/are correct?

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: c.

   “The Indian GM crops saga is a convoluted one. Currently, it has the world’s fourth largest GM crop acreage on the strength of Bt cotton, the only genetically modified crop allowed in the country.”

   “Following the study of biosafety data and field trials by two expert committees, Bt brinjal was cleared for commercialization by India’s top biotech regulator, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, in 2009. But nothing came of it, with moratoriums imposed by then Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh and his successor Jayanthi Natarajan following opposition from civil society groups and brinjal-growing states.”

   http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/2KSuCjSTz3qvRG9OyqHBJM/Genetically-modified-crops-the-way-forward.html

Current Affairs Quiz- 40 (11/02/16)

1. 1. Question

   1 points
   To ensure energy security, the Government of India is setting up strategic crude oil storages at three locations. Which of the following are among these locations?

   1. Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
   2. Padur, Kerala
   3. Mangalore, Karnataka
   4. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

   Select the correct answer using the code given below

   •  a) 1, 2 and 3 Only
   •  b) 2 and 4 Only
   •  c) 1 and 3 only
   •  d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
   Correct 
   

   Solution: c.

   India is building underground storages in Visakhapatnam and Mangalore and Padur in Karnataka to store about 5.33 million tonnes of crude oil to guard against global price shocks and supply disruptions.

   “These strategic storages would be in addition to the existing storages of crude oil and petroleum products with the oil companies and would serve as a cushion in response to external supply disruptions. The construction of the strategic crude oil storage facilities is being managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB).”

   http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/uaes-adnoc-to-store-crude-in-india/article8220460.ece

2. 2. Question

   1 points
   ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme is administered by

   •  a) Ministry of Women and Child Development
   •  b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
   •  c) Ministry of Human Resource Development
   •  d) a, b and c
   Correct 
   

   Solution: a.

   Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22^nd January, 2015 at Panipat in Haryana. It is a tri-ministerial effort of Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.

   Project Implementation: The Ministry of Women and Child Development would be responsible for budgetary control and administration of the scheme from the Centre. At the State level, the Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development will be responsible for overall direction and implementation of the scheme.

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=136289

3. 3. Question

   1 points
   Consider the following statements:

   1. Pakistan views the Line of Control (LoC) as going from Point NJ9842 along the Saltoro Range to the Karakoram Pass
   2. India on the other hand views the LoC as going straight from Point NJ9842 to the Karakoram Pass

   Which of the statements above is/are correct?

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Incorrect 
   

   Solution: d.

   This question was framed in order to learn about the political geography of this area of dispute.

   

   “Pakistan argues that this means that the line should go from NJ 9842 straight to the Karakoram pass on the Sino-Indian border. India, however, insists that the line should proceed north from NJ 9842 along the Saltoro range to the border with China. Between these two interpretations lies a substantial amount of glaciated territory that both sides want control of.”

4. 4. Question

   2 points
   With reference to the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North-East India, which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

   1. The vision statement lays out a detailed roadmap for the upstream (Exploration and Production) sector of the hydrocarbon value chain only
   2. The Vision aims at doubling Oil and Gas production by 2030 and promoting cooperation with neighbouring countries in the hydrocarbon sector

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   •  a) 1 Only
   •  b) 2 Only
   •  c) Both 1 and 2
   •  d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Solution: a.

   Beyond production, the focus areas include exploring hydrocarbon linkages and trade opportunities with Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal & Bhutan; implementation of ‘Make In India’ in the region; development of health & medical facilities; industrial policy & infrastructure related action points; focus on skill development; and employment generation requirement in the region. The vision statement lays out a detailed roadmap for the entire hydrocarbons value chain, covering upstream, midstream and downstream segments. This report includes an action plan – of immediate, medium-term and long-term initiatives – to help achieve the objectives.

   The Vision aims at doubling Oil & Gas production by 2030, making clean fuels accessible, fast tracking projects, generating employment opportunities and promoting cooperation with neighbouring countries.

   http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=136255