Prelims Daily current affairs
Section- Economy
1.Core Sector Shrinks by 23.4%
Why in News
- Ministry of Commerce and Industry, released data the eight core sector industries contracted by 23.4% in May, 2020. In April 2020 the eight core sectors had contracted by 37%. In May 2019 the eight core sectors had grown by 3.8%.
Key Points
- Except fertiliser, all seven sectors — coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, steel, cement, and electricity — had recorded negative growth in May.
- The fertiliser production showed growth at 7.5% after two consecutive months of contraction. The steel and cement showed a shrinkage of 48.4% and 22.2% respectively.
Reason: The main reason for contraction was factories remained affected by a lack of labour and cash shortages owing to the nationwide lockdown.
Impact: Experts are of the opinion that aftershocks of the lockdown will continue to affect domestic industry in coming months. They will see a lower but certain contraction.
Core Sector Industries
The eight core sector industries include coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity The eight Core Industries in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.
Source- https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/march-core-sector-output-slumps-65/article31477076.ece
Section : Polity
2.Attorney General of India
Why in News
- The central government has extended the term of K.K. Venugopal as Attorney General (AG) for one year.
About Attorney General (AG) of India
- The Attorney General (AG) of India is a part of the Union Executive. AG is the highest law officer in the country. Article 76 of the Constitution provides for the office of AG of India. AG is appointed by the President on the advice of the government. S/he must be a person who is qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court, i.e. s/he must be a citizen of India and must have been a judge of some high court for five years or an advocate of some high court for ten years or an eminent jurist, in the opinion of the President.
- Term of the Office: Not fixed by the Constitution.
- Removal: Procedures and grounds for the removal of AG are not stated in the Constitution. S/he holds office during the pleasure of the President (may be removed by the President at any time).
- Duties and Functions: To give advice to the Government of India (GoI) upon such legal matters, which are referred to her/him by the President. Performing other duties of a legal character that are assigned to her/him by the President. To appear on behalf of the GoI in all cases in the Supreme Court or in any case in any High Court in which the GoI is concerned. To represent the GoI in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 (Power of the President to consult the Supreme Court) of the Constitution.
- S/he has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting and any committee of the Parliament of which s/he may be named a member, but without a right to vote.
- S/he enjoys all the privileges and immunities that are available to a member of Parliament. S/he does not fall in the category of government servants. S/he is not debarred from private legal practice. However, s/he should not advise or hold a brief against the GoI. Solicitor General of India and Additional Solicitor General of India assist the AG in fulfillment of the official responsibilities.
- Corresponding Office in the States: Advocate General (Article 165).
Section : Environment
3.Rajaji National Park
Why in News
- Recently, a clash took place between Van Gujjars(forest-dwelling nomadic community) and the Uttarakhand forest officials in the Rajaji National Park.
- Location: Haridwar (Uttrakhand), along the foothills of the Shivalik range, spans 820 square kilometres.
- Background: Three sanctuaries in the Uttarakhand i.e. Rajaji, Motichur and Chila were amalgamated into a large protected area and named Rajaji National Park in the year 1983 after the famous freedom fighter C. Rajgopalachari; popularly known as “Rajaji”.
Features:
- This area is the North Western Limit of habitat of Asian elephants. Forest types include sal forests, riverine forests, broad–leaved mixed forests, scrubland and grassy. It possesses as many as 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species such as elephants, tigers, leopards, deers and ghorals, etc. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2015.
- Other Protected Areas in Uttarakhand: Jim Corbett National Park (first National Park of India). Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and Sanctuary.
Source-2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajaji_National_Park
Science & Technoloy
4.CogX 2020: Festival of AI & Emerging Technology
Why in News
- Recently MyGov Corona Helpdesk Chatbot has bagged two awards under categories (1) “Best Innovation for Covid-19 – Society” and (2) “People’s Choice Covid-19 Overall Winner” at the recently held CogX 2020
More Information
- CogX is a Global Leadership Summit and Festival of Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology held annually and are given out to the best-of-the-best in AI and emerging technologies across the world.
- MyGov Corona Helpdesk demonstrated the true Public, Private Partnership (PPP), wherein, citizen centric services were provided by MyGov. It was designed, developed, and deployed by a private partner- JioHaptik Technologies Limited.
- This Chatbox has been developed by MyGov, JioHaptik Technologies Limited and WhatsApp. MyGov (launched in 2014) is the world’s largest citizen engagement platform, which facilitates two-way communication between the Government and Citizen and facilitates participatory governance in India.
Section – Social Issue
5. ‘Matsya Sampada
Why in news
- Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Giriraj Singh launched the first edition of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Newsletter “MATSYA SAMPADA” published by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and the Operational Guidelines of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
- It is a flagship scheme under which for development of fisheries sector an investment of Rs. 20050 crore will be done .
- The PMMSY with an array of 100 diverse activities is by far the largest ever investment in fisheries sector. Achieving the ambitious targets under PMMSY of an additional 70 lakh tons fish production, rupees one lakh crores fisheries exports, generation of 55 lakh employment over next five years, etc. require multipronged strategies along with collaborative and concerted efforts between the government and the stakeholders
Source- https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1626941
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