What is INTERPOL?
- International Criminal Police Organization is an inter-governmental organization.
- It was established in 1923.
- Headquarter Lyon, France.
- It has seven regional bureaus worldwide and a National Central Bureau (NCB) in all 194 member states, making it the world’s largest police organization.
- India has been a member since 1956.
- Functions:
- Manages 18 police databases with information on crimes and criminals
- Investigative support around the world.
- Expertise supports national efforts in combating crimes including terrorism, cybercrime and organized crime.
- The Interpol doesn’t have law enforcement powers such as arrest.
Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020
- NITI Aayog in partnership with the Institute of Competitiveness released the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020.
- The first report to examine export preparedness and performance of Indian states.
- It can identify challenges and opportunities; enhance the effectiveness of government policies.
- The structure of Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020 comprises of 4 pillars:
- Policy
- Business Ecosystem
- Export Ecosystem
- Export Performance
- Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu occupied the top three ranks in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020.
- In the landlocked states, Rajasthan has performed the best.
- Himalayan states, Uttarakhand is the highest.
- Across the Union Territories, Delhi has performed the best.
National Clean Air Programme
- The National Green Tribunal has slammed the Ministry of Environment and Forests over its report on the National Clean Air Programme.
- The report proposes 20-30% reduction of air pollution by 2024.
- The Ministry had further said that pollution could not be controlled except to the extent of certain per cent.
- The target was to achieve norms in 10 years and reduce load to the extent of 35% in the first three years with further reduction of pollution later.
- Failure to address air pollution is a denial of Right to Life under Article 21.
- It is also not clear what type of pollutants or all pollutants would be reduced.
- NCAP:
- Launched by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in 2019.
- First-ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management with a time-bound reduction target.
- Function: To provide the States and the Centre with a framework to combat air pollution.
- Target: 20%–30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024.
BRICS innovation base
- China has proposed the creation of a BRICS innovation base in China.
- It will take forward 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation among BRICS countries.
- India is unlikely to allow Chinese participation in the roll-out of its national 5G network.
- While other countries are willing to work.
- BRICS
- Association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
- Founded: June 2006
- The first BRICS Summit was held in 2009.
Average income of MGNREGA workers doubled during lockdown: CRISIL
- CRISIL said according to its report, the average income of MGNREGA workers has doubled in the time period of the COVID-19 outbreak lockdown.
- Nearly doubled to around 1,000 rupees per month during the first four months of the current fiscal
- The primary reason for the government’s thrust on MGNREGA is the covid-19 pandemic, which has pushed urban labourers back into their villages.
- The push to the scheme has been higher in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat.
- MGNREGA:
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act is a labor law in India.
- Aim: Ensure the ‘right to work’
- 100 days of wage employment is provided in a financial year to every household.
- Enhances livelihood security in rural areas.
AstroSat discovers one of the earliest galaxies
- A team of Scientists from the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) has discovered one of the earliest galaxies called AUDFs01 using AstroSat.
- The galaxy is 9.3 billion light years away from Earth.
- The team comprises scientists from India, Switzerland, France, USA, Japan and Netherlands.
- AstroSat:
- Lunched on 28 September 2015 by ISRO into a near-Earth equatorial orbit.
- It is India’s first multi-wavelength space telescope
- It has five telescopes seeing through different wavelengths simultaneously — visible, near UV, far UV, soft X-ray and hard X-ray.
Current COVID19 Situation in India
QUIZ TIME
Which of the following state topped in the Export Preparedness Index (EPI) 2020?
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
- Mumbai
Answer – B
Export Preparedness Index is prepared by:
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of External Affairs
- NITI Ayog
- None of the above
Answer – C
National Clean Air Programme launched in the year:
- 2000
- 2010
- 2009
- 2019
Answer – D
AstroSat was launched by:
- NASA
- ISRO
- JAXA
- CNES
Answer – B
Question of the Day
What are the objectives of the MGNREGA?
Answer in next session…