GS PAPER II NEWS
Marriage Amendment Bill 2021
Why in News
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- The Rajasthan government has withdrawn the controversial Marriage Amendment Bill 2021. Through this bill, all social organizations and opposition parties were accused of recognizing and promoting child marriage in Rajasthan.
Key point
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- The Rajasthan government had recently passed a bill from the assembly. In this bill passed by the Rajasthan government, it was made mandatory to register child marriage.
- Controversy started on this bill of Rajasthan only when the government introduced it in the assembly for its passage.
- Along with the opposition, social organizations across the country were opposing this bill. Now the Rajasthan government has announced to step back on this controversial bill on International Girl Child Day.
- provision for registration
- Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has also announced that the government will not send this bill to the Governor for consent.
- The provision of registering child marriages in the compulsory marriage registration bill in Rajasthan was also made by the government. Due to which this bill came into controversy.
- Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that it is necessary to register the marriage as per the order of the Supreme Court.
- Before this many child marriages took place but they were not registered.
- Our aim was to register these child marriages and end property disputes.
- This bill is being opposed all over the country, but it is not our aim to promote child marriage.
Hearing in Rajasthan High Court
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- Social organizations had approached the Rajasthan High Court regarding the mandatory registration of child marriages, where the matter is being heard.
- The Compulsory Registration of Marriages (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on September 17.
Child marriage still a social challenge
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- Child marriage still remains a social challenge in all the districts of Rajasthan. However, due to increasing literacy and government efforts, this has been stopped to a great extent.
GS PAPER II
International Energy Agency (IEA)
Why in News
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- The International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited India, the world’s third largest energy consumer, to become a full-time member of the agency.
Key point
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- If India accepts this proposal, New Delhi will have to increase the strategic oil reserves by 90 days.
- At present, India’s strategic oil reserves are equal to 9.5 days of its requirement.
- Oil Minister Hardeep Singh, however, did not say whether the government has approval for full-time membership.
- India in March 2017 became an associate member of the Paris-based body, which advises industrialized countries on energy policies.
- In January this year, a strategic partnership was agreed between the IEA member and India.
- Under this cooperation will be strengthened in many important areas including energy security and adoption of clean energy.
- In line with its commitments to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, India has pledged to reduce the emissions intensity of its economy by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
- In the context of reducing carbon emissions
- India has committed to get 40 percent of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030 in terms of reducing carbon emissions, as well as ensured to set up 100 GW of solar power plants by the year 2022.
International Energy Agency: at a glance
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- The International Energy Agency (IEA) has 30 member states and eight partner countries.
- Four countries – Chile, Colombia, Israel and Lithuania, are seeking full membership.
- IEA is an autonomous inter-governmental organization.
- It was founded (in 1974) after the 1973 oil crisis when the OPEC cartel shocked the world with a massive increase in oil prices.
- The core areas of the IEA are energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement from around the world.
GS PAPER II
Clean Energy Transformation Campaign
- Why in News
- India and the United Kingdom have drawn up a number of concrete action plans to promote clean energy transition in the power sector which were also discussed at the Ministerial Energy Dialogue for the Third India-UK Development Partnership.
Salient Features of the Ministerial Energy Dialogue
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- The Ministerial Energy Dialogue for the Third India-UK Energy Development Partnership was co-chaired by the Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh from the Indian side and Hon Kwasi Quarteng MP, Secretary of State for Trade, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) from the UK side. ) done by. The talks were held virtually last evening.
- Clean energy transition was a key area of discussion in this conversation and the two energy ministers focused on renewable energy including solar, offshore wind, storage, electric vehicles (EV) and alternative fuels, as well as the energy going on in their respective countries. Talked about the change activities in detail.
- The UK side presented a detailed summary of the significant work done in bilateral cooperation over the past two years, which was appreciated and supported by both sides.
- The two sides discussed and agreed on further action plans on electricity and clean transport, renewable energy, green finance and clean energy research as a part of Roadmap 2030, including smart grids, energy storage, green Covers a range of topics including hydrogen, charging infrastructure, battery storage.
- The discussion also emphasized the need for mobilizing investment in renewable energy among other proposals under multilateral cooperation.
- The Energy Minister detailed ambitious targets especially in areas such as green hydrogen, storage, offshore wind and power markets.
- The One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative launched by the Prime Minister can act as a promising alternative to support RE integration in the grid.
GS PAPER III
Indian Space Association
Why in News
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- Prime Minister launched the Indian Space Association on 11 October 2021.
Key point
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- It is the goal of the Prime Minister to make India self-reliant and leading in every field towards self-reliant India.
- Now another big step is being taken in this direction. Prime Minister Modi interacted with representatives of the space industry through video conference on the occasion.
Based on four pillars
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- The Prime Minister said that when we talk of space reform, our approach is based on 4 pillars.
- First, the freedom of innovation for the private sector,
- Second, the role of the government as giving authority,
- Third, preparing youth for the future
- And fourth, to see the space sector as a resource for the progress of the common man.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s space startups and innovators will get whatever facilities they want. Positive changes will be made in the policies.
- Your suggestions will be included. Because because of our efforts, the next generations will remember us after 25-30 years in the future.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the major changes that are taking place in India today regarding the space sector and space technology are due to the decisive government in India.
- He said that our space sector is a great medium for the progress of 130 crore countrymen.
- The Prime Minister said that Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is not just a vision but also a well-thought-out, well-planned, integrated economic strategy.
- He said that we have seen how the trend of ruling space and space in the 20th century divided the countries of the world.
About Indian Space Association (ISPA)
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- ISPA is the premier industry association of space and satellite companies, which aspires to be the collective voice of the Indian space industry.
- ISPA will advocate the relevant policies as well as ensure its engagement with all stakeholders in the Indian space sector, including the Government and its agencies.
- Underlining the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ISPA will help in making India self-reliant, technologically advanced and a leading country in the space sector.
- ISPA is represented by leading domestic as well as global companies with advanced capabilities in space and satellite technologies.
- The founding members of ISPA include Larsen & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Bharti Airtel, MapmyIndia, Walchandnagar Industries and Anant Technology Limited.
- Its other prominent members include Godrej, Hughes India, Azista-BST Aerospace Pvt Ltd, BEL, Centum Electronics, Maxar India.
GS PAPER III
Malabar 2021
Why in News
- Indian Navy along with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and United States Navy (USN) will participate in the second phase of the multilateral maritime exercise Malabar.
Key point
- This exercise is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 12-15 October 2021. The first phase of the exercise was conducted in the Philippines Sea from 26 to 29 August 2021.
- The Indian Navy includes INS Rannvijay, INS Satpura, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I and a submarine.
- The US Navy will be represented by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson with two destroyers, USS Lake Champlain and USS Stockdale.
- The JMSDF will be represented by JS Kaga and JS Murasame, while the Royal Australian Navy will be represented by HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius.
- The second phase of the exercise will be based on the coordination, coordination and interoperability built during the first phase of the exercise and will focus on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship development and weapon firing.
Background
- The Malabar series of exercises which began as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992 has seen expansion and complexity over the years.
- The 25th edition of Malabar is being held in two phases, adhering to all protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, in favor of a free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific as well as a rules-based international order. Reflects the commitment of the participating countries.
GS PAPER III
Coal crisis in India
Why in News
- The Coal Crisis continues in the country at this time. In the power houses which earlier used to have stock of coal for 17-17 days, now only 4-5 days of stock is left. Whereas, more than half of the power plants have only one or two days’ stock.
- Due to the shortage of coal, there may be a big disaster on the power sector and the country may have to face a huge energy crisis.
Key point
- Such coal crisis was not witnessed in recent years. It may take more than six months for the country to come back from this crisis situation to normalcy.
- The coal crisis in India has increased.
- Godowns are lying vacant due to less supply from behind. In India, coal is the most used for power generation and according to the Ministry of Power, the stock of coal in coal-based power generation stations has become very low.
- 70 percent of the power generation centers in the country are based on coal.
- The major reason behind this is the problems faced in the production and import of coal. Coal production has come down due to monsoon.
- Its prices have gone up and transportation has come to a standstill. These are such problems due to which there may be a power crisis in the country in the coming time.
- Corona period is also a reason behind the power crisis. In fact, during this time there has been a lot of use of electricity and even now the demand for electricity has increased a lot as compared to earlier.
Total power consumption
- According to a data of the Ministry of Power, in the month of August-September 2019, the total consumption of electricity was 10 thousand 660 crore units per month.
- This figure has increased to 12 thousand 420 crore units per month in 2021. To meet this power requirement, the consumption of coal has increased.
- In the month of August-September of 2021, the consumption of coal has increased by 18 percent as compared to 2019.
- India has 300 billion tonnes of coal reserves. But still imports large quantities of coal from countries like Indonesia, Australia and America.
- This concern has arisen due to the depletion of India’s coal reserves. This will not only affect the economy, but can also increase the cost of electricity.
- According to credit rating agency Crisil, the consumer may have to face the hike in electricity prices after a few months. Power distribution companies can get approval from the regulator to increase the price.