15-sep-2023-daily-current-affairs

1.GS1 (INDIAN GEOGRAPHY)–THE HINDU-LOCATION OF RIVER

Six children among 12 missing as boat capsizes in Bihar’s Bagmati river

The river Kosi is formed by the confluence of three streams namely the Sun Kosi, the Arun Kosi and Tamur Kosi all taking their origin in the Himalayan region of Nepal and Tibet.

Apart from these three streams which form the Kosi, a number of tributaries join the river in course of its flows through the plains from the right bank. These are Trijunga, Bhutahi Balan, Kamla Balan and Bagmati.

To read More –https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/kosi-river-course-change-not-natural-here-s-why-83046

2.GS2(INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE)-THE HINDU-ESSENTIAL DRUGS

Government to tell Supreme Court how essential drugs prices are decided

• • In November 2022, the government had revised the list and prices of essential medicines
  • Under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order of 2013, the work of revising the applicable ceiling price of notified drugs was initiated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority, the government regulatory agency that controls the prices of pharmaceutical drugs in India.
  • Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the majority of the population. The primary purpose of NLEM is to promote rational use of medicines considering the three important aspects i.e. cost, safety and efficacy.

3.GS3 (INDIAN ECONOMY)-THE HINDU-WHEAT STOCKS

Govt. limits wheat stocks to control price rise, hoarding

Sensing an upward movement in wheat prices and fearing hoarding ahead of the festive season, the Centre has decided to reduce the stock limits of wheat for traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors in all States and Union Territories

It added that in case the stocks are at present higher than the prescribed limit, the sellers should bring it down within next 30 days.

When asked about the retail prices of foodgrains, sugar, and edible oil ahead of the upcoming festivities,there will not be any sharp increase in their prices and the Centre has adequate stocks of essential items

4 GS3 (INTERNAL SECURITY)-THE HINDU-UN CYBER CRIME CONVENTION

Disentangling the 2030 global renewable energy target What is the current status of renewable energy?

• Global Renewable Energy Status:
• Installed Capacity: In 2021, the global installed capacity of renewable energy sources (RES) was 3026 GW, constituting 39% of the total capacity from all sources.
• Electricity Generation: Renewable energy accounted for 28% of total electricity generation. Of this, more than half was from hydropower, while solar contributed 13% and wind added 23%.
• Target: The COP28 proposal aims to triple global renewable energy capacity to about 9000 GW by 2030.
• India’s Renewable Energy Status:
• Growth Rate: Electricity consumption in India grew annually at 6.3% between 2010 and 2019.
• Future Goals: At COP26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a target for India to reach 500GW from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

What are the major issues regarding global energy targets?

• Ambitious Goal: Tripling the renewable energy capacity by 2030 from the 2021 levels would mean installing around 6000 GW of renewable capacity in a short span, surpassing the total energy capacity of 2021.
• Discrepancy in Generation: While renewable energy sources (RES) constituted 39% of global capacity in 2021, they only contributed 28% to actual electricity generation.
• Hydropower Limitations: Most renewable energy generation comes from hydropower, but constructing new hydro plants may exceed the 2030 timeline.
• Inequitable Burden: The proposed targets could unfairly place higher demands on developing countries like India, while developed nations like the US and EU might contribute minimally based on their current growth rates and phase-out plans.
• Lack of Transparency: The origin and analysis backing the COP28 renewable energy target are not fully transparent, with the proposal closely mirroring an inequitable scenario from the International Renewable Energy Agency.

What should be done?

• Transparent Analysis: The origin and rationale behind the COP28 renewable energy goal need clearer transparency, avoiding undue influence from reports like that of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

• Equitable Distribution: The burden of the renewable energy target should be distributed fairly among countries. Developed nations like the U.S. and EU should adopt absolute targets that reflect their responsibility and historical emissions.
• Consider Growth Rates: The diverse electricity consumption growth rates across countries should be taken into account. For instance, India’s growth rate of 6.3% versus the EU’s decline of 0.3%.

Commit Developed Countries: Developed countries, especially the U.S. and EU, should commit to phase out fossil fuels and adopt concrete renewable energy targets, easing the transition for developing nations.

5.GS3 (AGRICULTURE) THE HINDU FISHERIES SECTOR

PMMSY: bridging gaps in the fisheries sector

• What initiatives has the Indian government taken to improve the fishing community?
• Separate Ministry: Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the systemic development of the sector by carving out a dedicated Fisheries Ministry.
• Financial Boost: A significant sum of ₹20,050 crore was allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package.
• Addressing Gaps: PMMSY targeted critical gaps in the fisheries value chain, from fish production to post-harvest infrastructure and marketing.
• Strategic Priority Areas: The scheme emphasized marine fisheries, inland fisheries, welfare of fishermen, infrastructure, cold water fisheries, ornamental fisheries, aquatic health management, and seaweed cultivation.
• Technological Infusion: Young entrepreneurs, especially women in Kashmir, are rearing cold water trout using recirculatory aquaculture systems.
• Expanding Fisheries: 20,000 hectares of pond area is now under inland aquaculture, with saline wastelands in Haryana and Rajasthan being converted for aquaculture.
• Empowering Women: Fisherwomen have ventured into ornamental fisheries, pearl culture, and seaweed cultivation, with a ₹127-crore Seaweed Park inaugurated in Tamil Nadu.
• Infrastructure and Research: The PMMSY has enabled the establishment of 900 fish feed plants, 755 hatcheries, and is supporting research in shrimp genetics and breeding.

6.GS2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE)-THE HINDU-AYUSHMAN BHAV CAMPAIGN

All reported births, deaths to be digitally registered from Oct. 1

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 will come into effect from October 1,2023.
• This means from October 1st, birth certificates will become a single-point document for citizens to avail a host of services including admission to educational institutions, marriage registration, issuance of drivers’ license, appointment to a government job among other purposes.

What is the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023?

• The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023 amends the 1969 Act.
• The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 provides for the regulation and registration of births and deaths.
• The registration of births and deaths falls under the Concurrent List, giving powers to both Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on the subject.
• The act introduces the concept of digital birth certificates.
• This will be a single document to be used for admission to educational institutions, applications for driving license, government jobs, passports or Aadhaar, voter enrolment and registration of marriage and others.
• The act makes it compulsory for the States to register births and deaths on the Centre’s Civil Registration System (CRS) portal and share data with the RGI which functions under the Union Home Ministry.

The Act authorizes the government to collect Aadhaar numbers of parents and informants, if available, in case of birth registration.