GS- 2nd Paper
Topic covered- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance
Context
Union Cabinet has approved the Promulgation of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement) Ordinance, 2019.
What are Electronic Cigarettes (e-cigarettes)?
- Electronic-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution containing nicotine, which is the addictive substance in combustible cigarettes.
- These include all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Heat Not Burn Products, e-Hookah and the like devices.
- It is a battery-powered vaporizer that mimics tobacco smoking. It works by heating up a nicotine liquid, called “juice.”
- Nicotine juice (or e-juice) comes in various flavors and nicotine levels.
- Its use has increased exponentially and has acquired epidemic proportions in developed countries, especially among youth and children.
ICMR’s recommendations
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended ‘complete’ ban on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes.
- e-cigarettes and other such devices contained not only nicotine solution, that was highly addictive, but also harmful ingredients like flavoring agents and vaporisers.
- Availability of flavour variants and attractive designs are adding to allure of devices, and globally there was an increasing trend of e-cigarettes consumption among youth and adolescents.
- Use of ENDS or e-cigarettes can open a gateway for new tobacco addiction among the masses as on the balance, these have a negative impact on public health.
- Prolonged use of ENDS or e-cigarettes has documented adverse impact on humans which includes DNA damage, respiratory/cardiovascular/ neurological Disorders and have adverse effects on fetal development and pregnancy.
- Research has found that youths using e-cigarettes are more likely to use regular cigarettes in later period.
Major Impact of the Ordinance
- Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Ordinance will ensure effective and timely action against the trend of use of e-cigarettes, especially among the young generation.
- It will advance tobacco control efforts, leading to better public health outcomes.
- It will contribute to reduction in tobacco usage, and decline in associated economic and disease burden.
- The decision to prohibit e-cigarettes will help protect population, especially the youth and children, from the risk of addiction through E-cigarettes.
WHO on e- cigarettes
- As per the WHO report, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), also known as e-cigarettes, emits nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco products.
- The WHO report says that although nicotine itself is not a carcinogen, it may function as a “tumour promoter”.
- Nicotine seems to be involved in the biology of malignant disease, as well as of neurodegeneration.
- Nicotine can have adverse effects on the development of the foetus during pregnancy and may contribute to cardiovascular disease, as well as it make addictive.
- Foetal and adolescent nicotine exposure may have long-term consequences for brain development, potentially leading to learning and anxiety disorders.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic covered– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Atomic Energy Commission
Context
The 63rd General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in Vienna on September 16 -20, 2019).
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental forum for the scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field world-wide.
- It was established as autonomous organisation on 29 July 1957.
- IAEA is widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family.
- The IAEA is the international center for cooperation in the nuclear field.
- The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
- The apex body of the IAEA is responsible for policy-making, programmes and budgets.
- It consists of the General Conference of all Member States and the 35-member Board of Governors.
- The Board meets five times per year in Vienna.
Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India
- The Atomic Energy Commission is the governing body of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India.
- The DAE is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.
- The Indian Atomic Energy Commission was set up on 10 August 1948 under the late Department of Scientific Research.
Functions of AEC
The functions of the Atomic Energy Commission are-
- To organize research in atomic science in the country
- To train atomic scientists in the country
- To promote nuclear research in commission’s own laboratories in India
- To undertake prospecting of atomic minerals in India
- To extract such minerals for use on industrial scale.
It has five research centres in India
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
- Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu)
- Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore
- Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata
- Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic covered- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
WAWE Summit 2019
Context
Union HRD Minister launched Waste Management Accelerator for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs (WAWE Summit 2019).
About WAWE Summit 2019
- WAWE Summit 2019’ is a great initiative because women have skills in their hands and it will further empower and motivate them.
- The WAWE Summit will be held in November-December 2019.
- It will be jointly organized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Institute of Waste Management (IIWM) at Jaipur.
- It will be the largest gathering of young women students to promote entrepreneurship in waste management and providing alternatives to single use plastic carry bags.
- Theme: Make your own bag – empowering women to take up income generation activity and entrepreneurship in waste management through making a business out of this record creating concept.
- This conclave will be part of a series of activities to encourage entrepreneurship amongst young graduates.
GS-2nd Paper
Topics Covered– Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
National Recruitment Agency (NRA)
Context
Finance Ministry has approved the proposal for creation of a National Recruitment Agency (NRA).
About NRA
- A new National Recruitment Agency (NRA) will be set up to conduct the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for all various competitive examinations.
- NRA will conduct preliminary examinations for recruitment, which are conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) and the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
- It will then subsequently forward the list of qualifying candidates to the respective recruiting agencies to conduct the mains examinations.
- Its main Aim is to streamline recruitment of some posts in the government along with various recruitment in public sector banks.
For Prelims-
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
Context
New research facility of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) proposed at Thupilipallam village in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh.
Highlights
- The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) was established in November 1993 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
- Major aim of starting NIOT under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is to develop reliable indigenous technologies to solve the various engineering problems associated with harvesting of non-living and living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is about two-thirds of the land area of India.
Objectives
- To develop world class technologies and their applications for sustainable utilization of ocean resources.
- To provide competitive, value added technical services and solutions to organizations working in the oceans.
- To develop a knowledge base and institutional capabilities in India for management of ocean resources and environment.
Center- 2019 International Command Exercise
Context
Russia is holding its annual Center-2019 International Command Exercise involving six other nations.
Highlights
- Russia is holding this annual exercise.
- Military Forces from India, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will join Russia’s Central Joint Strategic Command (JSC) for military exercises.
Objectives of the exercise
- To demonstrate the readiness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the states of the Central Asia region to protect national interests.
- To Increase compatibility and level of interaction in solving joint tasks to preserve peace, protect interests and ensure security in the region.
- To train troops to conduct military operations in modern conditions and improve the interoperability of the military command and control units of the armed forces of Russia and the allied States.
- To improve interoperability of military command and control units of armed forces of Russia and allied States.
