Factly :-News Articles For UPSC Prelims | Feb 3, 2021

What is the News?

Delhi High Court has provided interim relief to e-commerce major Amazon. It directed Future Retail Limited(FRL) to maintain the status quo with regard to the transfer of its retail assets to Reliance Retail.

What are the issues in the Future-Reliance deal?

1. What is the Future-Reliance deal? In 2020, Biyani’s Future Group has entered into an agreement with Reliance Retail. Under this deal, Future was to sell its retail, wholesale, logistics and warehousing to Reliance.
2. Why has Amazon objected to the deal? In 2019, Amazon had acquired a stake in Future Coupons in an agreement. As per Amazon, under this agreement, it has a first right of refusal in any stake sale in future retail.
3. Why did Amazon approach Singapore International Arbitration Centre(SIAC)? Amazon and Future Group have under their agreement agreed to refer their disputes to SIAC. Hence, Amazon approached SIAC to appoint an emergency arbitrator to get urgent interim relief.
4. SIAC ruling: SIAC emergency arbitrator had ruled in Amazon’s favour. It  put the Future-Reliance deal on hold.

What is the issue now?

1. Enforcement of Ruling: Currently under Indian law, there is no mechanism for the enforcement of the orders of the Emergency Arbitrator. However, a party can move the Indian High Court under Arbitration & Conciliation Act,1996 to get similar reliefs as granted by the Emergency Arbitrator.
2. What has the Delhi High Court said? It ruled that the order of the SIAC was enforceable in India in the same manner as an order of this court. This provision is covered under Section 17(2) of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act.

Source: The Hindu

“Jal Jeevan Mission” to revive urban water bodies

What is the News?

In the Budget 2021-22, the Government has announced the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission(Urban).

About Jal Jeevan Mission(Urban):

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

Objective: To provide universal coverage of water supply to all households in all 4,378 statutory towns, through functional taps.

Duration: The duration of the mission is over five years.

Features of the Mission

1. It will rejuvenate the water bodies to facilitate sustainable freshwater supply and the creation of green spaces.
2. It will promote a circular economy of water through the development of city water balance plan in each city. The plan will focus on recycling/reuse of treated sewage water and water conservation. 20% of water demand is to be met by reused water.
3. Awareness Campaign: Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign is proposed. It will spread awareness among the masses about the conservation of water.
4. Pey Jal Survekshan will be conducted in cities. It will ascertain the equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater, and mapping of water bodies
5. Technology Submission For water: It is proposed to leverage the latest global technologies in the field of water.
6. PPP Model: The mission has mandated that cities having a million plus population will take up PPP projects. These projects shall constitute a minimum of 10% of their total project fund allocation.

Funding:

• For Union Territories, there will be 100% central funding.
• For North Eastern and Hill States, central funding for projects will be 90%.
• Central funding will be 50% for cities with less than 1 lakh population, one-third for cities with 1 lakh to 10 lakh population, and 25% for cities with million plus population.

Source: The Hindu

India gets its first “Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM)”

What is the news?

The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management(CWCM) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This announcement came on the occasion of World Wetland Day.

About Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management(CWCM):

1. The Centre has been established as a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management(NCSCM). This center comes under the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
2. Aim: To address specific research needs and knowledge gaps in the conservation and management of wetlands.
3. Key Functions of the centre:
   • It will help in building partnerships and networks with relevant national and international agencies.
   • Center will serve as a knowledge hub. It enables exchange between State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, managers, researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners.
   • Moreover, it will assist the national and State/ UT Governments in the design and implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks for conservation.

Additional Facts:

1. World Wetlands Day: It is celebrated every year on 2 February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.
2. Aim: To raise global awareness about the vital role played by wetlands for people and our planet.
3. Theme for 2021: ‘Wetlands and Water’. This year’s theme is most significant as the UN Decades of Ocean Science and Ecosystem Restoration begins in 2021.
4. Wetlands in India: Nearly 4.6% of India’s land is designated as wetlands. They cover an area of 15.26 million hectares.
5. Moreover, India has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 1.08 million hectares.

Source: PIB

“Global Climate Litigation Report 2020” released by UNEP

What is the News?

The United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) has released the Global Climate Litigation Report 2020.

About Global Climate Litigation Report 2020

• Published by: The report was published by the UNEP in cooperation with the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.
• Objective: The provides an overview of the current state of climate change litigation cases.

Key Findings of the report:

1. Increase in Climate litigation cases: The climate-related cases have nearly doubled over the last three years. It has made the courtrooms increasingly relevant to address climate change across the world.
2. These cases of pushing governments and corporations to implement climate commitments in their countries.
3. Common climate litigation charges:
   • Violations of “climate rights” that impact fundamental human rights including the right to life, health, food, and water.
   • Government failure to enforce climate change mitigation and adaptation commitments.
   • False and misleading Corporate messaging about climate change impacts.
4. Climate litigation Petitioners: The background of plaintiffs is becoming increasingly diverse. Plaintiffs are from non-governmental organizations, political parties as well as senior citizens, migrants and indigenous peoples.

Source: UN

PM Praises “Pattachitra Painting”

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has praised the Odisha ‘pattachitra’ painting in the Mann Ki Baat.

About Patachitra Painting

• Pattachitra or Patachitra Painting: The name Pattachitra has evolved from Sanskrit words patta meaning canvas and chitra meaning picture.
• It is a traditional, cloth-based scroll painting based in Odisha and West Bengal.

Odisha Pattachitra:

1. Based on: These paintings are based on Hindu mythology. They are especially inspired by Jagannath and the Vaishnava sect.
2. Colours: All colours used in the Paintings are natural. Material like Gum of tree, shells, and lam soot, etc. are used for making the color.
3. Paintings are made fully in the traditional way by Chitrakaras, i.e. Odiya Painter.
4. Style: The style is a mix of both folk and classical elements but leaning more towards folk forms. The dress style has Mughal influences.
5. Popular Themes: Some of the most popular themes represented through this art form are
   • Thia Badhia – depiction of the temple of Jagannath;
   • Krishna Lila – enactment of Jagannath as Lord Krishna displaying his powers as a child;
   • Dasavatara Patti – the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu;
   • Panchamukhi – depiction of Lord Ganesh as a five-headed deity.

Bengal Patachitra

1. Pattachitra has been a component of an ancient Bengali narrative art. It originally served as a visual device during the performance of a song.
2. Based on: The paintings are mostly based on mythological, religious stories, folklore, and social. The artist of the Bengal Patachitra is called Patua.
3. Colour: Use of natural color is one of the characteristics of the Bengal Patachitra.
4. The Kalighat Patachitra, the last tradition of Bengal Patachitra is developed by Jamini Roy.
5. Buddhist Literature: Bengal Patachitra is referred to in the Buddhist literature in Haribansha(1st century A.D), Abhigyan Shakuntalam(2nd century A.D) and Malavikagnimitra (4th century), Harshacharita (6th Century).

Source: Hindustan Times

National Tribal Festival “Aadi Mahotsav”

What is the News?

The Vice President of India has inaugurated “Aadi Mahotsav”, a National Tribal Festival.

1. Aadi Mahotsav: It is an annual Tribal Festival that was started in the year 2017.
2. Organized by: It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
3. Aim: It aimed to familiarise the people with the rich and diverse craft, and the culture of the tribal communities, in one place.
4. Theme: “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce”, which represents the basic ethos of tribal life.

Key highlights of the festival:

• Tribal Handicrafts: The festival showcased several tribal handicrafts such as:
  • Maheshwari sarees of Madhya Pradesh
  • Toda embroidery from Tamil Nadu
  • Moga silk from Assam
• Tribal dishes: The festival also showcased several tribal dishes from different parts of the country namely:
  • Dal Pitha, Dhooska, Chilka roti from Jharkhand
  • Gurudi, Jowar papad and roti on Mahalpatta from Maharashtra, and
  • Samai urundai, Ragi kali and Thenai rice preparations from Tamil Nadu.

What is the significance of this festival?

1. Tribes constitute over 8% of our population. However, they are among the most disadvantaged sections of society.
2. Their crafts are characterised by natural simplicity, with a timeless appeal. The wide range of handicrafts which include hand-woven cotton, silk fabrics, wool, metal craft, terracotta, bead-work, all needs to be preserved and promoted.
3. Hence, TRIFED as the nodal agency is working to improve the income and livelihoods of the tribal people, while preserving their way of life and traditions.

Source: PIB

Awareness Campaign to dispel ‘rumours’ on NPR, Census

What is the News?

The Union Home Ministry is planning an awareness campaign for the National Population Register(NPR) and Census.

Facts:

• Need: As per a parliamentary committee, there is a lot of dissatisfaction and fear among people regarding the upcoming NPR and Census exercise.
• Communication Campaign: Ministry will use the right kind of messaging to tackle the miscommunication and rumors around NPR and Census. All kinds of media like social media, digital, outdoor, print, and word of mouth will be used for that.
• During the NPR exercise, no document is to be collected. Only the demographic and other particulars of each family and individual are to be updated/collected.
• Information Collected in Census: As per the provisions contained in Section 15 of the Census Act,1948, all individual-level information collected in Census is confidential. In Census, only aggregated data are released at various administrative levels.
• Postponed Census and NPR: The first phase of the Census and National Population Register(NPR) has been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19.

Read Further on the postponement of Census and NPR

Source: The Hindu