Air Pollution in NCR (National Capital Region)

Fog and Smog

Fog in just condensed water vapour close to the ground. When water vapour saturates the air, the vapour starts to condense back into a liquid, as water droplets. These droplets, suspended in the air, appear as the thick haze that is known as fog.When pollution is high, nitrogen oxides and dust particles interact with sunlight to form ground-level ozone. This is smog, a result of a photochemical reaction of sunlight with pollutants that have been released into the atmosphere.Smog is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ozone, smoke or particulates among others (less visible pollutants include carbon monoxide, CFCs and radioactive sources).Human-made smog is derived from post-harvest crop burning (Stubble burning), coal emissions, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.

Reason of Smog in NCR

In Delhi, winds are coming from two directions — one carrying pollutants from stubble burning in Punjab and the other bringing in moisture from Uttar Pradesh — that are colliding above the national capital.This, combined with the near-still wind conditions near the ground level, have effectively trapped the pollutants, leading to the smog.

Classification of pollutants

WHO classifies particulate matter into two broad types, PM10 and PM2.5, with the numbers indicating the diameter of the particles in microns.In Delhi, the ground-level ozone and PM 2.5 play the most significant role in formation of smog.Chronic exposure to both PM10 and PM2.5 can lead to the “risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as of lung cancer.

Particulate matter

Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous.This complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.

Topic- GS-3- Environment Issues

Source- Indian Express

Second meeting of Island Development Agency (IDA)

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the second meeting of Island Development Agency (IDA).The Island Development Agency reviewed the concept development plans and detailed master plans for holistic development of 09 islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis) and (five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).The project being steered by NITI Aayog aims at promoting and implementing development based on sustainable approach to building a thriving maritime economy of the project islands.

IDA

The IDA was set up on June 01, 2017 following the Prime Minister’s review meeting for the holistic development of islands.

Topic- GS-3- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Source- PIB

Kambala Festival

Recently Supreme Court refused to pass an interim stay on the Ordinance allowing kambala.The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a non-governmental organisation, has challenged the Ordinance.The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance 2017” is valid till January 20, 2018.The State government is expected to table the modified Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the upcoming session of the Assembly.It will give approval to pave the way for organising kambala without legal hurdles once the Ordinance expires.

Ordinance

An ordinance is an executive order issued by the President of India/Governor of State that holds the same force and effect as an Act passed by the Parliament/state legislature.

Ordinance power of President

The President has the power to issue ordinances under Article 123 of the Constitution.If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist, he may promulgate Ordinances.The maximum validity of an ordinance is 6 months and 6 weeks.It shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, or, of before the expiration of that period resolutions disapproving it are passed by both Houses.

Ordinance power of Governor

The governor has the power to issue ordinances under Article 213 of the Constitution.

Topic- GS-1- Indian Culture

GS-2- Indian Constitution

Source- The Hindu

Cross-border train service with Bangladesh

Prime Minister Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly launched a new passenger train service betweenKolkata and Bangladesh's southwestern industrial city ofKhulna.Friendship between India and Bangladesh will gallop with the new passenger train named'Bandhan Express'.The two neighbouring countries already have a cross-border train service named Maitree Express, connecting Dhaka and Kolkata.Bandhan Express will be the second train which will run between the two countries.

Topic- GS-2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Source- DD News

EC allows Centre to release MNREGA funds for poll-bound HP, Gujarat

The Election Commission has allowed the Centre to release the second instalment of funds under the MNREGA scheme for poll-bound Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

MNREGA

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (later renamed as the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act", MGNREGA), is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.Employment is to be provided within 5 km of an applicant's residence, and minimum wages are to be paid.If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance.MGNREGA is to be implemented mainly by gram panchayats.

Fundamental Rights and MNREGA

The Article 21 of the Constitution of India that guarantees the right to life with dignity to every citizen of India, this act imparts dignity to the rural people through an assurance of livelihood security.Article 16 of the Constitution of India guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.

Directive Principles of State Policy and MNREGA

Article 41 that directs the State to secure to all citizens the right to work.MNREGA also seeks to protect the environment through rural works which is consistent with Article 48A that directs the State to protect the environment.

Topic- GS-2- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States

GS-3- Indian Constitution

Source- Indian Express + Wiki