Daily Current Affairs 28th and 29th August

Solid Waste Management

Why in news?

Recently, the National Green Tribunal fined the Punjab government for legacy waste and sewage management failure.

About Solid Waste Management

• The solid-waste management refers to collecting, treating, and disposing of solid material that is discarded because it has served its purpose or is no longer useful.
• The aim of waste management is to reduce the dangerous effects of such waste on the environment and human health.
• Waste can be classified as solid, liquid, or gaseous, and each type requires a different approach to management and disposal. All forms of waste, including organic, radioactive, biological, household, municipal, and industrial wastes, are dealt with by waste management.

Solid Waste Status in India

• India is among the world’s top 10 countries generating municipal solid waste (MSW).
• India generates over 62 million tons (MT) of waste in a year. Only 43 MT of total waste generated gets collected, with 12 MT being treated before disposal, and the remaining 31 MT simply discarded in wasteyards.
• Most of the waste generated remains untreated and even unaccounted for. Inadequate waste collection, transport, treatment, and disposal have become major causes for environmental and public health concerns in the country.

Harmful Impacts of Poor Waste Management

• Soil Contamination: Poor waste management can cause soil degradation in a number of ways, for instance
  • The weight of waste materials, especially in landfills, compacts the soil, reducing pore space and making it harder for the soil to drain and aerate.
  • Waste disposal can mix soil layers, which can reduce the overall quality of the soil.
  • Waste materials can create barriers in the soil, preventing roots from accessing nutrients and water. 
• Water Contamination:
  • Hazardous wastes contain a toxic mix of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, pathogens, microplastics, heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors. These contaminants can threaten food and water security, as well as marine life.
  • Plastic waste is especially concerning because it's so widespread and doesn't break down easily.
• Air Pollution: 
  • When waste is disposed through open dumping and burning, it releases harmful substances into the air, this pollutes the air by releasing nitrogen oxides, soot and carbon monoxide.
  • Landfill fires and incineration is a source of air pollution.
• Climate Change: 
  • Waste management contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through the generation of methane and nitrous oxide. These rise up to the atmosphere and trap heat. This adversely causes extreme weather reactions in the form of storms and typhoons.
  • Methane is produced when organic waste decomposes in landfills without air, while nitrous oxide is emitted from solid waste combustion facilities.
• Health impacts: 
  • Exposure to improperly managed e-waste can cause adverse health and developmental impacts. Poor waste collection can lead to flooding and standing water, which can favor the spread of cholera and other vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
• Impact on Wildlife:
  • Garbage dumping sites have both physical and toxicological implications on animal life. 
  • Plastics present in garbage gets ingested by wild animals, leading to lethal injuries and damage to digestive tract which results in starvation, ulceration of stomach, reduced fitness, growth problems and premature death.

Challenges 

• Role of Municipal Corporations: In India solid waste management (SWM) has been traditionally viewed as the responsibility of local municipal authorities or urban local bodies (ULBs). However, very few municipal authorities have set up proper waste processing centres, while even fewer have adequate waste disposal facilities in place.
• Lack of Resources: Municipal authorities are responsible for managing MSW in India but have budgets that are insufficient to cover the costs associated with developing proper waste collection, storage, treatment and disposal.
• Growing Waste Generation: India generates 62 million tons of waste each year, with an average annual growth rate of 4%. Due to changing consumption patterns and rapid economic growth, urban municipal solid waste generation is expected to increase to 165 million tonnes by 2030. 
• Processing of Waste: Urban areas in India lack adequate land resources for waste processing plants. Scavengers and scrap dealers are the primary recyclers of waste in India, and this work is highly hazardous.
• Waste Collection Infrastructure: India's waste collection infrastructure is inadequate. The country has only 21 million garbage collectors, compared to China’s 700 million. The urban areas in India lack adequate land resources to set up waste processing plants.
• Recycling infrastructure: In addition, India’s recycling rate currently stands at only 18 percent, which is well below the global average of 35 percent. Only about 30% of waste in India is sorted by resource type, so valuable materials like aluminum and plastics end up in landfills instead of being recycled.
• Waste Segregation: India lacks a formal system for sorting waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories. This means that hazardous and non-biodegradable waste is often mixed with organic waste in landfills.

Suggestions

• Creation of Statutory authority: A strong and independent authority is needed to regulate waste management if SWM is to improve in India. Without clear regulation and enforcement, improvements will not happen. Strong waste regulations can drive innovation.
• Waste Tax: Finance for waste management companies and funding for infrastructure must be raised from waste producers through a waste tax. 
• Waste Segregation: Waste management must involve waste segregation at source to allow much more efficient value extraction and recycling. Separating dry (inorganic) and wet (biodegradable) waste would have significant benefits and should be the responsibility of the waste producer.
• Awareness Campaign: There is a need to develop training and capacity building at every level. All Indian school children should understand the importance of waste management, the effects of poor waste management on the environment and public health, and the role and responsibilities of each individual in the waste management system.

National Quantum Mission

Why in news?

India’s first quantum computer set for launch under National Quantum Mission.

About National Quantum Mission

• National Quantum Mission is an initiative by the Government of India to position the nation as a global quantum technology leader.
• The mission aims to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). 
  • Quantum technology is a field of science and engineering that deals with the principles of quantum mechanics, which is the study of the behaviour of matter and energy at the smallest scale.
• This will accelerate QT led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).
• The National Quantum Mission is also set to advance India's quantum technologies across four key verticals—quantum computing, communication, measurement, and sensing.
• The Mission objectives include developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
• The National Quantum Mission will focus on developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications, and navigation.
• It will also support the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices. 
• Single photon sources/detectors, and entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications.

New India Literacy Programme

Why in news?

Recently, the Ministry of Education has defined ‘literacy,’ and ‘full literacy,’ under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP).

More about the news

• Literacy may be understood as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, i.e. to identify, understand, interpret and create along with critical life skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy etc.
• The goal of ‘full literacy’ is to be achieved when a State or Union Territory attains a 95% literacy rate, which will be considered equivalent to 100% literacy under the NILP guidelines.
• As per 2011 census, the literacy rate in India is 74.04%. The literacy rate by gender is, Males: 82.14% and Females: 65.46%.
• The top three states with the highest literacy rates are: Kerala (93.91%), Lakshadweep (92.28%), and Mizoram (91.58%).
• The bottom three states with the lowest literacy rates are: Bihar (63.82%), Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%), and Rajasthan (67.06%).
• The government of India has set a goal of achieving 100% literacy by 2030.

About New India Literacy Programme 

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, under implementation for five years from the FYs 2022-23 to 2026-27.
• The scheme aims to cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above. 
• The Scheme has five components: (i) Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, (ii) Critical Life Skills, (iii) Vocational Skills Development, (iv) Basic Education and (v) Continuing Education.
• The beneficiaries under the scheme are identified through door to door surveys on Mobile App by the surveyors in the States/UTs. 
• The non-literate can also avail the benefit of the scheme through direct registration from any place through mobile app. The scheme is mainly based on volunteerism for teaching and learning. Volunteers can also register through a mobile app for this purpose.
• The scheme is based on technology and implemented predominantly through online mode. 
• The teaching learning material and resources have been made available on the DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through the mobile-apps.
• Further, other modes like TV, Radio, Samajik Chetna Kendra etc. are also to be used for dissemination of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. All the non-literate above 15 years of age can avail the benefits of the scheme

Classical Languages

Why in news?

Recently, the special centres set up for the promotion of designated classical languages are demanding autonomy in their functioning in order to better carry out their functions.

About Classical Languages

• India has six classical languages — Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
• Tamil was declared a classical language in 2004, Sanskrit in 2005, Kannada in 2008, Telugu in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014.
• Criteria for Selection: The criteria evolved by the Government to determine declaration of a language as a Classical language is as under.
  1. High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1000 years.
  2. A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.
  3. The literary tradition is original and not borrowed from another speech community.
  4. The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
• Once a language is notified as a classical language, the Education Ministry provides certain benefits to promote it, including two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the said languages.
• Special centers have been established to promote these languages. 
• The Centre for Tamil is autonomous, while the other centers operate under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysuru. The Government of India is promoting Sanskrit Language through three Central Universities. 

Problems Faced by Special Centres

• The Chief problem facing these four language centres was that any event or activity planned for them had to get financial sanction from the Central Institute of Indian Languages. 
• Many positions for research scholars as well as administrative staff remain vacant in the absence of regular funds.
• The lack of autonomy makes it difficult for these centers to run their daily operations.

National Medical Register (NMR) Portal

Why in news?

Recently, the Union Health Minister launched the National Medical Register (NMR) Portal.

About

• The National Medical Register (NMR) is mandated under Section 31 of the NMC Act 2019.
• The section 31 states that the Ethics and Medical Registration Board shall maintain a National Register in electronic form, containing the name, address, and all recognised qualifications possessed by a licensed medical practitioner.
• The NMR will serve as a comprehensive and dynamic database for all allopathic (MBBS)-registered doctors in India. Its uniqueness lies in its linkage to the Aadhaar ID of the doctors, ensuring the authenticity of the individual.
• The NMR portal offers a variety of features, including the ability to add additional qualifications, track applications, suspend licenses, and issue NMR ID cards and digital doctor certificates.
• The speedy and easy registration process on the portal will facilitate the timely updation of the data. This will lead to transparency and quality of the medical professionals and will ensure the trust of the people in the healthcare system. 

Cholera

Why in news?

Recently, the Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) launched a novel single-strain Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) named HILLCHOL.

About Cholera

• Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which spreads through food and water contaminated with faeces.
• It continues to be a global health hazard and a sign of inequality and underdevelopment in society.
• Symptoms: Severe acute watery diarrhoea, vomiting, cramping in the legs, etc.
• The disease spreads quickly in places where drinking water and sewage are not properly treated.
• The long-term solution for cholera control lies in economic development and universal access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. 

Comprehensive Guidelines for Effective Redressal of Public Grievances

Why in news?

Recently, the Union Government issued Comprehensive Guidelines for Effective Redressal of Public Grievances

About the guidelines

• The Guidelines for Effective Redressal of Public Grievances seek to empower citizens, streamline process, bring greater clarity and focus to redressal of public grievances.
• An integrated user-friendly grievance filing platform is the common open platform on which grievances can be registered by citizens which will operate as a single window experience.
• The timeline for effective redressal has been reduced to 21 days, reduced from the earlier guideline of 30 days. In the cases where the redressal is likely to take longer than the timeline, citizens are to be given an interim reply informing them of the same.
• Central Ministries and Departments have to appoint Nodal Officers for Public Grievances, who will address grievances promptly, fairly and efficiently. 
• Under the guidelines, the Central Ministries and Departments have been asked to set up Dedicated Grievance Cells with sufficient resources, knowing schemes and activities. The feedback on disposed grievances shall be sent to the citizen by SMS and email.
• The government is also planning to analyze the feedback of the citizens using AI-powered analytical tools, namely the tree dashboard and the intelligent grievance monitoring dashboard.

Plea Bargaining

Why in news?

According to a report by the Ministry of Law and Justice, only 0.11% of cases were resolved through plea bargaining in 2022.

About Plea Bargaining

• A “plea bargain” is a practice whereby the accused forgoes his right to plead not guilty and demand a full trial and instead uses a right to bargain for a benefit.
• Plea bargaining was incorporated into the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in 2005 with the expectation that it would streamline the judicial process by allowing accused persons to admit guilt in exchange for leniency in sentencing. 
• The procedure applies only to offences punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment, with further restrictions excluding cases involving crimes against women, children, or socio-economic offences.
• Plea bargaining is a less lucrative alternative for an accused to end the proceedings in contrast with other mechanisms such as compounding (compromise), quashing (of criminal proceedings), and ‘witness turning hostile’ (account of compromise between the parties).

Wular Lake

Why in news?

Recently, the Jammu & Kashmir administration has recently called for taking additional measures to clean and beautify Wular Lake.

About

• Wular Lake is the 2nd largest fresh-water lake of Asia, situated on the foothills of Harmukh Mountain. 
• It is spread over a total area of 200 square km and the lake lies at an altitude of 1,580 m.
• Main source of water for Wular Lake is River Jhelum. This lake also has a small island in its centre called the ‘Zaina Lank’.
• The lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic activity.
• In 1990, it was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Wular Lake is also an important habitat for fish and contributes about 60 percent of the fish yield of the Kashmir Valley.
• Wular Lake plays a significant role in the hydrographic system of the Kashmir Valley by acting as huge absorption basin for annual floodwater
• Increasing agricultural and horticulture activities on banks of Wular and its catchment is not only contributing to silt influx but pesticides and chemicals harmful for the lake’s flora and fauna.