02.12.21 Daily [Assam] APSC Current Affairs

The main cause ofHIVinfection in the state is sexual (86.31%), while transmission through infected syringes and needles is merely 5.24%, revealed data released by theAssamState Aids Control Society (AACS) on World Aids Day.

The route of transmission in 82.20% detected HIV positive cases is heterosexual, whereas in 4.11% cases the transmission is by homosexuals or bisexuals. Parent to child infection rate is 4.64%, and in 2.82% cases the reason behind the transmission has not been specified or remains unknown.

The obvious concern has been the areas in and around Guwahati. District wise detection shows that, the maximum number of cases (33%) has been diagnosed in Kamrup (Metropolitan) district as on October 31. Also in the scanner is Cachar district in South Assam where 23% of the state’s total cases have been diagnosed. The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) data shows that Assam has been able to test 67,15,121 persons (22,22,527 general clients and 44,92,594 pregnant Women) till October 31, 2021 and 20,841 cases have been diagnosed as HIV positive, out of which 19,030 are general clients and 1,811 are pregnant women.

In the last 20 years though, the HIV case detection graph has been unevenly on the rise and reached climax in 2019-20 when the highest 1,955 number of cases. In the last two years, however, it has noticeably gone down to 1,288 in 2020-21 and 1,287 in 2021-22 (April to October).

Expert analysis done by ASACS stated that Assam remains a highly vulnerable state as far as HIV transmission possibility is concerned because a large number of young Population from the state is also going to large cities for EMPLOYMENT and get involved in high-risk behaviour. A large number of female migrants from other northeastern states, West Bengal and Nepal, who have come to Assam for employment and Education, got involved in risk behavior favorable for HIV transmission, they observed.

According to India HIV estimations 2019, adult (15 to 49 years) prevalence Percentage in northeast was highest in Mizoram (2.32%), followed by Nagaland (1.45%), Manipur (1.18%), Meghalaya (0.54%), Tripura (0.10%), Assam (0.09%),(0.07%) and Arunachal Pradesh (0.06%).

A committee has been appointed by the Centre to review the criteria for identifying EWS.

Highlights:

Following the explanation requirements to Article 15 of the Constitution, the Ministry of Social and Empowerment has constituted a three-member committee to evaluate the grounds for reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category.

The committee has been given three weeks to conclude its task.

Former Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey will lead the committee. Following The Supreme Court‘s involvement, the government announced the formation of a commission to review the EWS reservation criteria.

The Supreme Court is now considering petitions contesting the government’s July announcement of a 10% EWS quota in NEET admissions.

The Dam Safety Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha, which aims to inspect, survey, maintain and operate Dams in the country which are 100 years old.

Highlights

The bill establishes two national bodies- National Committee on Dam Safety and National Dam Safety Authority.

The National Committee on Dam Safety will develop policies and support regulations associated with dam safety.

The National Dam Safety Authority fulfils the policies enshrined by the National Committee and provides technical support to the State Dam Safety Organisations.

The bill will also constitute two state bodies- State Committee on Dam Safety and State Dam Safety Authority.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill was recently passed in the lok sabha which intends toregulate ART.

Highlights:

ART covers all methods that are used to get pregnant. The procedures shall incorporate handling oocytes (immature eggs) or sperms outside the body.

It shall also involve giving the embryo into the womans body.

The ART Services shall cover the following: Donation of sperm or oocytes, In Vitro Fertilisation – fertilising an egg and a sperm in the lab, Gestational Surrogacy – child carried by biological mother or surrogate mother.

The bill states that every ART bank or clinic should be listed under the National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India. The bill will authorise the National Registry.

The registry will act as a Database holding details of the hospitals and banks providing ART services.

India marks the National Pollution Control Day on December 2 in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Highlights:

The National Pollution Control Day is commemorated in India to make the citizens aware of laws in India that help contain pollution.

The day is observed on the following objectives.

To create awareness in developing Air Pollution.

To educate people on controlling and operating industrial disasters.

To make everyone aware of pollution control laws in the country.

To create awareness on ways to decrease the level of pollution.

To prevent industrial pollution that is affected by human carelessness.

The National Pollution Control Day, 2021 theme is to create awareness about the importance of pollution control and educate people on preventing pollution.

Gk bit : Laws of India To prevent and control pollution.

<a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Environment-impact-assessment”>Environment Impact Assessment, 2006

Maharashtra biodegradable garbage control ordinance, 2006

Batteries management and handling rules, 2001

Municipal solid Waste Management and handling rules, 2000

Noise Pollution regulation and control rules, 2000

Ozone-depleting substances regulation rules, 2000

Recycled plastics manufacture and usage rules, 1999

Biomedical waste management and handling rules, 1998

Chemical accidents emergency, preparedness, planning and response rules, 1996

National environment tribunal act, 1995

Manufacture, import, storage, export and storage of hazardous Microorganisms genetically engineered organisms or cells rules, 1989

Hazardous waste management and handling rules, 1989

Manufacture, import and storage of hazardous chemical rules, 1989

Environment protection act, 1986

Environment protection rules, 1986

Air prevention and control of pollution act, 1981

Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1977