21ST December, 2017 .................................................................................................................................................................... 1 ECONOMY ................................................................................................................................................ 1

India's first Railway University .......................................................................................................... 1 Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SCBTS) ............................................................. 1 Project Swarn ....................................................................................................................................... 2

POLITY ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Article 35A, Article 370 and the concept of Asymmetrical federalism ..................................... 2

ENVIRONMENT ....................................................................................................................................... 3 National Wetland Committee and State Wetland Authority ..................................................... 4 Neelakurinji .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Dipor Bil ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Ecological Character of a wetland ................................................................................................... 3

GOVERNANCE......................................................................................................................................... 5 Urban Frame Survey ........................................................................................................................... 5 OPEC ...................................................................................................................................................... 5

WORLD AFFAIRS ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Kimberley Process ............................................................................................................................... 6

SECURITY .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Central Armed Forces and their duties ........................................................................................... 6

Also in news ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Houthis .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Fiscal Slippage ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Bitcoins .................................................................................................................................................. 7

ECONOMY

India's first Railway University

Why in news?

The Union Cabinet has approved the Ministry of Railways' transformative initiative to set up the first

ever National Rail and Transport University (NRTU) in Vadodara to skill its human resources

and build capability.

More on Railway University

A not-for-profit Company under the Companies Act, 2013 will be created by the Ministry of

Railways which shall be the Managing Company of the proposed university. The University will be set up as a Deemed to Be University.

Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector (SCBTS)

Why in news?

0484-3190310

9446331522

9446331522

TPS 18 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS Date: 19-12-2017

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for a new skill development scheme

covering the entire value chain of the textile sector excluding Spinning & Weaving in organized Sector,

titled "Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS)" from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with an

outlay of Rs. 1300 crore.

The scheme will have National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant training courses with

funding norms as per the Common Norms notified by Ministry of Skill Development and

Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

The objectives of the scheme

to provide demand driven, placement oriented skilling programme in the organized textile and

related sectors;

to promote skilling and skill up-gradation in the traditional sectors

to provide livelihood to all sections of the society across the country.

Features of the Scheme

Web-based monitoring.

Atleast 70% of the certified trainees are to be placed in the wage employment.

Mandatory Post Placement tracking.

Project Swarn

Why in news?

The Ministry of Railways has decided to launch “Project Swarn” with the objective of significantly

improving the passenger experience.

More about the Scheme

Purpose: Improve passenger experience across 9 dimensions which include coach interiors, toilets,

onboard cleanliness, staff behavior, catering, linen, punctuality, security, on-board entertainment.

Presently it covers Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.

POLITY

Article 35A, Article 370 and the concept of Asymmetrical federalism

Why in news?

And the Union government in formed Rajya Sabha that there was no proposal as of now for the

abolition of Articles 35A and 370. There were debates on whether to repel Article 35A from the

constitution or not.

What is Article 35A?

Article 35A was added to the Constitution by a presidential order in 1954 and it empowers the

State legislature to define the State‟s “permanent residents” and their special rights and

privileges.

Article 370

Article 370 provides temporary provisions to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, granting it special

autonomy.

Article 370 and Article 35A are finest examples asymmetrical federalism in India.

What is asymmetrical federalism?

“Asymmetric federalism" is federalism based on unequal powers between the units which

constitute a federation.

In Asymmetrical federalism the division of powers between sub states is not symmetric.

This is opposite to a symmetric federation, where no distinction is made between constituent

states.

Rationale for Asymmetrical Federalism

Generally „Asymmetric federalism‟ is preferred as a solution when one or two constituent units or

states feel significantly different needs from the others, as the result of an ethnic, linguistic or cultural

difference.

Instances of asymmetrical federalism in India

Special power granted to J&K and several other states through Article 371.

States in India are represented by Rajya Sabha not on the basis of formal equality between states

{as in United States} but has on the basis of their population.

asymmetries with regard to the administration of tribal areas.

ENVIRONMENT

Neelakurinji

Why in news?

Mass flowering of Neelakurinji expected in 2018.

What is NeelaKurinji?

Neelakurinji is a shrub that is found in the shola

forests of the Western Ghats in South India.

The plant is known for its 12-year flowering

cycle. It blossoms only once in 12 years.

Nilgiri Hills, which literally means the blue

mountains, got their name from the purplish blue

flowers of Neelakurinji. (Neela means blue color)

The Paliyan tribal people living in Tamilnadu

used it as a reference to calculate their age.

Dipor Bil

Why in news?

There were reports of unabated pollution in Dipor Bil in Assam

More about the wetland

permanent freshwater lake.

located in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River, to the south of the main river.

Listed under the Ramsar convention for undertaking conservation measures on the basis of its

biological and environmental importance.

It is the only Ramsar site from Assam.

Ecological Character of a wetland

Why in news

Environmentalists argue that the newly notified Wetland Rule focus only on protecting the Ecological

Character of a wetland and leave out certain other relevance of a wetland.

Learn through a question

1) Consider the following statements with regard to the governance of wetlands in the country:

1. National Committee on Wetland is responsible to prepare a comprehensive list of

activities to be regulated and permitted within the notified wetlands.

2. State Wetland Authority recommend designation of wetlands of international

importance under Ramsar Convention.

Which of the statement/s given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of the above

Answer: D | Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 notified in September 2017

regulate the governance and conservation of wetlands in the country. As per the rules, two major bodies are created – National Wetland Committee and State Wetland Authorities.

Power and Composition of National Wetland Committee

To oversee the work carried out by States

advise the Central Government on appropriate policies and action programmes for

conservation and wise use of wetlands

recommend designation of wetlands of international importance under Ramsar

Convention

advise on collaboration with international agencies on issues related to wetlands etc.

Composition: Committee will be headed by the MoEFCC Secretary.

Power and Composition of State Wetland Authority

to develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within the

notified wetlands and their zone of influence

define strategies for conservation and wise use of wetlands

undertake measures for enhancing awareness within stakeholders and local communities

on values and functions of wetlands.

to prepare a list of all wetlands of the State or union territory within three months

prepare a comprehensive digital inventory of all wetlands within one year which will be

updated every ten years.

Composition: headed by the State‟s environment minister and include a range of

government officials. They will also include one expert each in the fields of wetland ecology,

hydrology, fisheries, landscape planning and socioeconomics to be nominated by the state

government.

National Wetland Committee and State Wetland Authority

Learn through a question

Q) Which of the following best describe the ecological character of a wetland

(a) Processes that make wetland unique ecosystem

(b) location and biodiversity that make wetland important for conservation

(c) Unique process and components of a wetland ecosystem

(d) Amount of ecological carrying capacity of a wetland ecosystem

Answer: C | Rules for wetlands emphasize that the ecological character of wetlands

ought to be maintained for their conservation. „Ecological character‟ refers to

processes and components which make the wetland a particular, and

sometimes unique, ecosystem. For example, as lagoons like Chilika (Odisha) and

Pulicat (Tamil Nadu/Andhra Pradesh) are characterised by a mix of saline and fresh water.

GOVERNANCE

Urban Frame Survey

Why in news?

The Chief Statistician said that he Urban Frame Survey will soon be completed and provide up-to-date

maps of urban area. These could be used for sampling purposes with necessary location indicators.

More about Urban Frame Survey

National Sample Survey Office under Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation conducts large scale surveys on various Socio- Economic subjects to facilitate

policy formulation in the country. Urban Frame Survey provides frame for sample selection for

such surveys in urban areas.

A sampling frame is an essential pre-requisite for organizing and conducting any sample survey.

Urban Frame Survey (UFS) conducted by Field Operations Division (FOD) of National Sample

Survey Office (NSSO).

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)’s geo platform Bhuvan is used for the purpose.

Rational for Urban Frame Survey:

For the rural areas, list of census villages comes in handy as an operationally convenient and readily

accessible frame of first stage units. In the urban sector, however, the population census does not

provide an analogous list of geographical units that could be conveniently adopted as a sampling

frame. Thus, the UFS was conceived and formulated to obviate this particular situation.

OPEC

Why in news?

The price of oil rose this year as the supply­cut agreement signed by the Organisation of the Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2016.

More about OPEC

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, with the

signing of an agreement in September 1960 by five countries namely Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq,

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

What is it? permanent intergovernmental organization of 14 oil-

exporting developing nations that coordinates and unifies

the petroleum policies of its Member Countries.

Headquarters of the

Organization

Vienna

Founding Members Iran,

Iraq

Kuwait

Saudi Arabia

Venezuela

Other Countries Algeria

Angola

Ecuador

Gabon

Indonesia

Libya

Nigeria

Qatar

United Arab Emirates

WORLD AFFAIRS

Kimberley Process

Why in news?

A delegation consisting of Government officials and Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

attended the Kimberley Process Plenary Session held at Brisbane, Australia.

More about it

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a joint governments, industry and civil society initiative to

stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars

against legitimate governments.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) imposes extensive requirements on its

members to enable them to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free' and

prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade.

Participants can only legally trade with other participants who have also met the minimum

requirements of the scheme.

KP and India

India is one of the founding members of the Kimberley Process.

It was the Chair of the KP for the year 2008.

India was again appointed as the Kimberly Process (KP) Vice Chair for 2018 & Chair for 2019.

SECURITY

Central Armed Forces and their duties

Why in news?

Sashastra Seema Bal enhances security next to Doklam area.

Central Armed Police Force

The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) refers to uniform nomenclature of five security forces

under the authority of Ministry of Home Affairs. Forces and their major responsibilities are:

Central Armed Police

Forces

Responsibilities

Border Security Force

(BSF)

Guard India's land border during peace time and preventing

transnational crime. | World‟s largest border guarding force.

Central Reserve Police

Force (CRPF)

Crowd control | Riot control | Counter Militancy / Insurgency

operations. | Dealing with Left Wing Extremism | Overall co-

Also in news Houthis

Iran denies arming Houthis

Please Refer to 5th December NEO IAS TPS Current Affairs

Fiscal Slippage Rising crude oil prices, fiscal slippage a concern, says RBI Governor.

Please refer to 12th November NEO IAS TPS Current Affairs

Bitcoins According to SEBI Chairman , there is no systemic risk due to bitcoins as yet.

Please refer to 30th November NEO IAS TPS Current Affairs.

ordination of large scale security arrangement especially with regard

to elections in disturbed areas.

Indo-Tibetan Border

Police (ITBP)

border guarding duties from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La

in Arunachal Pradesh.

Sashastra Seema Bal Deployed in the International border across Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar,

West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

Central Industrial

Security Force (CISF)

to provide security to major critical infrastructure installations of the

country in diverse areas.