India’s first agri index
Why in news?
- In a major move, the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) has launched India’s first agri index — ‘NCDEX Agridex’, for easy reference to price variations in agricultural commodities.
News summary
- It has been launched with a composition of 10 leading liquid contracts on the NCDEX platform at present. Leading commodities such as guar seed, guar gum, soybean, chana, mustard seed, and jeera, etc, will be the index’s constituents.
- The index is now available as ‘indicative’. It will be made tradable after being approved from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- For indices, the NCDEX has partnered with NSE Indices, a leading index service provider, as a third party, to maintain and disseminate real-time NCDEX Agridex values.
- Futures trading on Agridex will enhance overall liquidity on the exchange platform.
Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Why in news?
- The Central Bureau of Investigation has set up an On-line Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation(OCSAE) Prevention/Investigation Unit at New Delhi under its Special Crime Zone.
Key facts
- The newly specialized Unit will collect, collate and disseminate information regarding publication, transmission, creation, collection, seeking, browsing, downloading, advertising, promoting, exchanging, distribution of information relating to On-line child sexual abuse and exploitation; and investigation of such offences covered under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012 (32 of 2012) and the Information Technology Act 2000 (21 of 2000) and under various Laws of the land, as applicable.
- It may be noted that the rapid growth of the Internet and Information & Communication tools over the past two decades has created unparalleled opportunities for children and adults alike to learn and explore the world around them.
- Today, in many countries, these technologies are ubiquitous, permeating every aspect of our lives personal and professional, individual and social.
- These technologies have simultaneously created a new dimension, wherein the sexual exploitation of children can multiply, if unchecked. Children, every day, all around the world are prone to suffer On-line sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Numerous references related to dissemination of CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) are received from INTERPOL and other National / International Organizations, etc.
- The incidence of On-Line Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation generally transcends International borders. Victims are mostly helpless innocent children.
- The territorial jurisdiction of the On-line Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (OCSAE) Prevention/Investigation Unit of CBI will be throughout India.
DPIIT
Why in news?
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has set up a Development Council for Bicycle for vision planning in design, engineering and manufacturing of lighter, smarter, value added, safe and faster premium bicycles which are comparable with global standards for exports and domestic market.
- A Twenty-three-member Council will be headed by Secretary DPIIT. The constitution of the Council is for a period of two years. Joint Secretary, Light Engineering Industry Division in DPIIT will be Member-Secretary.
News summary
- The Council will stimulate value chain and fuel accelerated demand growth of Make-in-India through the following activities:
- To improve competitiveness and level of services.
- To transform Indian bicycle technology and its value chain.
- To ensure development of holistic eco-system through close, coordinated and continuous stakeholder persuasion.
- To undertake all possible measures for leveraging bicycle demand, it may inter-alia include ensuring enabling (safe and segregated) cycling infrastructure and operations.
- To enhance export competitiveness of bicycle through support of schemes and favourable trade policies.
- To popularize the incredible benefits of cycling through the campaigns piloted by the concerned Ministries/ Departments of Government of India such as Ministry of Health (health benefits), Ministry of Environment and Forest (air/ noise pollution free benefits), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (energy saving benefits), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (decongestion benefits).
- Development of medium and small industries to usher in a new mind-set through innovative schemes in a structured and synergetic way.
- Development of skilled human resources development for bicycle manufacturing and repair shops.
- To identify and study best international practices and successful story to adopt for bicycle manufacturing, recycling and infrastructure development in India.
Ganjifa Art
Why in news?
- Bengaluru’s Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (CKP) recently released the book, Splendours of Ganjifa Art, containing 12 chapters by well-known Ganjifa artists, scholars and historians to document the fading form. This book is considered the first comprehensive and detailed documentation of the art form with contributions from practising artists and art scholars.
Important facts
- Ganjifa, an ancient card game, is believed to have been brought to India during the Mughal period.
- The Persian word, Ganjifeh, means playing cards.
- These cards, mainly circular (there were some square decks too), were used by kings and noblemen across the country.
- Typically Ganjifa cards have coloured backgrounds traditionally hand-painted by artisans, with each suit having a different colour.
- The colours and iconography differed across regions. Some of the variants are Moghul Ganjifa (Odisha), Dashavatara Ganjifa (Sawantwadi in Maharashtra), Mysore Chad Ganjifa, Ramayan Ganjifa, Akbar’s Ganjifa etc.
Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act
Why in news?
- The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009 is being blamed for contributing to the air pollution over Delhi and surrounding areas.
About:
- The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009 aims at conserving groundwater by mandatorily delaying the transplanting of paddy to beyond June 10, when the most severe phase of evapotranspiration (transfer of water from land to the atmosphere through evaporation from the soil and plant transpiration) is over.
- Farmers were forbidden from sowing paddy before May 10, and transplanting it before June 10. Haryana has a similar law.
The law’s link with air pollution:
- Farmers’ organisations say late sowing and transplanting delays the harvesting as well (it is end-October by the time operations end), and they are left with a very small window to prepare their fields for the next (wheat) crop. In this situation, setting the stubble ablaze is a quick-fix solution.
- By this time, temperatures have started to fall, and a combination of atmospheric and meteorological conditions ensure that the smoke cannot disperse easily.
- A part of the smoke from the farm fires is carried by westerly winds towards the NCR and further down the Indo-Gangetic plain.