09-09-21 Daily-Kerala-KPSC Current Affairs

Keralaneeds to focus on challenges emerging from thedemographic transitionas the strategies adopted by the state now will determine the future course of transition, says a recent study by theCentre for Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies,Kochi.
Given its early onset, demographic transition in Kerala is now at the matured stage with fertility below the replacement level, life expectancy at birth above 75 years, decadal Growth rate of Population at 5% during 2001-2011 with negative growth in two districts. The demographic advantage has created certain unique challenges for the state that are yet to be visible at the national level.

With mortality transition, Kerala experienced an obvious shift in the disease pattern from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCD) and emerged as the state experiencing the highest level of epidemiological transition in the country. Between 1990 and 2016, NCD accounts for three-fourths of the total burden of diseases in the state and thus shifted the mortality up to mid-seventies.

Given the global experience, the study highlights that there remains untapped potential in the state to postpone the age-specific mortality from degenerative diseases from the current age group of 70+ further to the advanced age group of 80+.

Kerala, with the highest proportion of elderly among all states in India, has already started recognizing the unique Health needs of elderly as a group. The study calls for further refinement in strategies targeting interventions to address the intra-group differentials in mortality to postpone the death rates to advanced ages of 80 and above. This also calls for age-sex disaggregated data across major killer diseases in the advanced age groups.

The Geological Survey of India has designated 100 mineral blocks with geological potential for auction. Handing over of these a hundred Reports to the State Governments will ensure non-stop grant of Minerals in the country and extra revenue to the State Governments by bringing greater quantities of mineral blocks under auction.

About MMDR Amendment Act, 2021:

The 2015 MMDR Amendment Act introduced transparency in the allocation of mineral concessions in mining leases and exploration licenses.

In this non-stop endeavour, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, has been further liberalized in March 2021.

The latest amendment is anticipated to expand EMPLOYMENT and funding in the mining sector, enlarge the income to the States, increase production and time bound operationalization of mines,maintain the continuity of mining operations after the tenant changes, and accelerate the pace of mineral exploration and auction Resources.

The , Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister established the National Livestock Mission portal.

About National Livestock Mission:

This mission covers all the Indian states.
There are 4 sub-missions under National Livestock Mission:
Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development
Sub-Mission on Livestock Development
Sub-Mission on Development of Pig in North-Eastern Region
Sub-Mission on Technology Transfer, Skill development and Extension
It is a centrally-sponsored scheme. Under White Revolution‘, it runs as a sub-scheme.
It began working in 2014.
The mission ensures quantitative and qualitative enhancement in livestock manufacturing systems, specially in Sheep, Goat, Pig, Poultry, Feed and Fodder sector.

To Prepare Road Map for Coal based Hydrogen Production the Ministry of Coal Constitutes an Expert Committee and Task Force .

Highlights:

On Indias 75th Independence Day, the Prime Minister introduced a Hydrogen Mission. Coal is one of the vital sources of hydrogen making (Brown Hydrogen) aside from Natural Gas (Grey hydrogen) and (Green Hydrogen) through electrolysis.

In the case of renewable energy (green hydrogen), excess Solar Energy is used to electrolyze water into hydrogen and Oxygen

However, Coal has not been prompted elsewhere because of the fear that while extracting hydrogen by coal (from the moisture embedded in coal) there might also be Carbon Emission. Almost

In view of the above situation, the Ministry of Coal has established two committees.

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were in the news. Local sales through Special Economic Zones units except import tag.

Highlights:

The government is considering an idea to enable producers in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to promote their output to the domestic market without treating them as imports.

It is also reviewing the exclusion of special economic zones and export-oriented units from the recently notified export tax refund scheme

It has also recently been emphasized that despite the rising freight and input costs, the special economic zones and EOU units have not benefited under the Remission of Taxes and Duties on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme.

The Common Services Centres has received approvals to operate and manipulate Passport Seva Kendra kiosks in rural areas.

Highlights:

The Village Entrepreneur (VLE) who runs the CSC will be commissioned to collect the documents, photos, and other details required for the passport process, as well as initial non-Police verification.

A nominal charge of up to Rs one hundred should be charged for the same.

The pilot program was launched in some CSCs in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

Full-fledged service is about to roll out across the country.

Indian and Australian navies commenced the bilateral exercising AUSINDEX.

Highlights:

From the INDIAN NAVY, INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt are taking part in AUSINDEX 2021, the fourth version of the bilateral naval exercise.

Under the Eastern Naval Command, they form the part of the Indian Navys Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.

Both are indigenously designed and built.

INS Kadmatt is an anti-submarine corvette and INS Shivalik is a guided missile stealth frigate.