{"id":54473,"date":"2020-02-04T21:00:53","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T15:30:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/?p=54473"},"modified":"2020-02-26T18:14:32","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T12:44:32","slug":"9-pm-current-affairs-brief-february-4th-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-current-affairs-brief-february-4th-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Current Affairs Brief \u2013 February 4th, 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unenvironment.org\/news-and-stories\/story\/wetlands-and-biodiversity-theme-world-wetlands-day-2020\"><strong>World Wetlands Day<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> The World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2<sup>nd<\/sup>\nFebruary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Background<\/strong>: the date of adoption of\nRamsar Convention on Wetlands on 2<sup>nd<\/sup> February, 1971.<\/li><li><strong>2020 Theme<\/strong>: \u201cWetlands and Biodiversity\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\nInformation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Ramsar Convention on Wetland\n(1971):<\/strong> It is an intergovernmental treaty which\nprovides the framework for national action and international cooperation for\nthe conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources<\/li><li><strong>Montreux Record<\/strong>: It is a register of wetland sites on the List of Ramsar wetlands\nof international importance. It shows such sites where there has been or likely\nto be adverse ecological changes due to anthropogenic activities. Indian sites\nin the Montreux Record are Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan), Loktak Lake\n(Manipur).<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndtv.com\/health\/world-cancer-day-2020-these-are-the-most-common-cancers-in-india-facts-and-figures-you-should-be-awa-2174123\">World\nCancer Day<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> world Cancer Day is celebrated every year on 4<sup>th<\/sup>\nFebruary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is organized by the Union\nfor International Cancer Control (UICC)&nbsp;<\/li><li>2020 theme: \u2018I Am and I Will\u2019<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\nInformation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>National\nProgramme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular\nDiseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It was launched in 2010 by the\nMinistry of Health and Family Welfare<\/li><li>It focuses on strengthening\ninfrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, early diagnosis,\nmanagement and referral.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/maharashtra-records-highest-number-of-missing-women-ncrb\/article30728296.ece\">Most\nmissing women from Maharashtra, M.P.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has released a study on\nmissing women and children based on the annual Crime in India Report compiled\nby the agency for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Background:<\/strong> In 2019, the Supreme Court had directed the NCRB to analyse the\ndata on missing persons (especially on women and children) so that areas prone\nto persons being trafficked can be identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key\ntakeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>States where the highest number\nof women went missing were Maharashtra, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.<\/li><li>Mumbai and Pune recorded the\nhighest number of such incidents<\/li><li>The maximum number of missing\nchildren reports were recorded in Maharashtra and West Bengal<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/newsite\/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=198884\">States\/ UTs\nand Districts Awarded for Best Performance under PMMVY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong> Ministry of Women and Child Development gave away the Pradhan\nMantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) awards to States, Union Territories and\nDistricts for best performance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Best performance since inception of the Scheme to States\/ UTs having\npopulation of more than 1 crore<\/strong>: Madhya Pradesh,\nfollowed by Andhra Pradesh and Haryana<\/li><li><strong>Best performance since inception of the Scheme to States\/ UTs having\npopulation of less than 1 crore:<\/strong> Dadra and Nagar\nHaveli, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\nInformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana\nYojana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It is a conditional Maternity Benefit Programme launched by the\n Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2017. It is in accordance with\n the National Food Security Act 2013.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Objectives: <\/strong>Providing\npartial wage compensation in terms of the cash incentive to improve\nhealth-seeking behaviour amongst Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&amp;\nLM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Benefits:<\/strong> A\ncash incentive of 5000\/- is provided directly to the Bank \/ Post Office Account\nof Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers (PW&amp;LM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Beneficiaries:<\/strong> All eligible Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers who have their\npregnancy on or after 1<sup>st<\/sup> January 2017 for the first child in the\nfamily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em>Exclusion:<\/em> PW&amp;LM who are in\n regular employment with the Central\/State Government or PSUs or those who\n are in receipt of similar benefits under any law.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Implementation:<\/strong> PMMVY is implemented using the platform of Anganwadi Services under\nthe Ministry of Women and Child Development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Matru\nVandana Saptah (MVS): <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Held from 2<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;to\n8<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;December 2019.<\/li><li>Objective: to increase the\nimplementation of the Scheme and create a healthy competition amongst States\/\nUTs. <\/li><li>Theme \u201ctowards building a healthy\nnation \u2013 Surakshit Janani, ViksitDharini\u201d.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sport\/new-mascot-for-national-games-flame-throated-bulbul\/article30724107.ece\"><strong>New\nmascot for National Games: flame-throated bulbul<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nflame-throated bulbul has been chosen as the mascot of the 36th National Games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Flame\nthroated Bulbul:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The flame-throated bulbul\n(Pycnonotus gularis) is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds.<\/li><li>They are also called the Rubigula\nand they are the State bird of Goa.<\/li><li>They are found only in the forests\nof the Western Ghats in southern India.<\/li><li>IUCN Status : Least Concern&nbsp;<\/li><li>They are listed as Schedule IV\nspecies under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1601729\"><strong>SATHI\nInitiative<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Department\nof Science &amp; Technology has launched a scheme called Sophisticated\nAnalytical &amp; Technical Help Institutes(SATHI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nSATHI:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>To provide\nshared, professionally managed and strong Science and Technology infrastructure\ncentres in the country which is readily accessible to academia, start-ups,\nmanufacturing, industry and R&amp;D labs.<\/li><li>These Centres houses major\nanalytical instruments to provide common services of high-end analytical\ntesting thus avoiding duplication and reduced dependency on foreign sources<\/li><li>Currently,DST has already set up\nthree such centres in the country, one each at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi and\nBHU.It is planned to set up five SATHI Centres every year for the next four\nyears.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Significance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>This will foster a strong culture\nof collaboration between institutions and across disciplines to take advantage\nof developments, innovations and expertise in diverse areas.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.financialexpress.com\/india-news\/sc-directs-states-to-issue-notification-for-establishing-gram-nyayalayas\/1854657\/\"><strong>SC\ndirects states to issue notification for establishing \u2018Gram Nyayalayas\u2019<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nSupreme Court has directed the states to establish Gram Nyayalayas within four\nweeks\u2019 time span.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Gram\nNyayalayas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Gram Nyayalayas are mobile village\ncourts established under Gram Nyayalayas Act,2008.<\/li><li>They are aimed at providing speedy\nand inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps.<\/li><li>The Gram Nyayalayas should be\nestablished for every Panchayat at the intermediate level or a group of\ncontiguous Panchayats at intermediate level in a district or where there is no\nPanchayat at intermediate level in any State for a group of contiguous\nPanchayats.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Composition:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Nyayadhikaris who will preside over\nthese Gram Nyayalayas are judicial officers and will be drawing the same salary\nand deriving the same powers as First Class Magistrate working under High\nCourts.<\/li><li>These presiding\nofficers(Nyayadhikari) are to be appointed by the State Government in\nconsultation with the High Court.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Powers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>They shall exercise the powers of\nboth Criminal and Civil Courts which are specified in the First Schedule and\nthe Second Schedule to the Act.<\/li><li>They are not bound by the rules of\nevidence provided in the Indian Evidence Act,1872 but shall be guided by the\nprinciples of natural justice and subject to any rule made by the High Court.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/news\/forests\/economic-survey-2019-20-afforestation-under-gim-over-126-916-ha-69086\"><strong>Economic\nSurvey 2019-20: Afforestation under Green India Mission(GIM)<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>According\nto the Economic Survey,a sum of Rs 343 crore has been released under the Green\nIndia Mission (GIM) for undertaking afforestation activities.However,data for\nafforestation undertaken under GIM from Parliamentary questions paint a\ndifferent picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Green\nIndia Mission(GIM):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of\nEnvironment, Forest &amp; Climate Change.<\/li><li>It is one of the eight missions\nlaunched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change(NAPCC)<\/li><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>Toincrease\ngreen cover in India to the extent of five million hectares (mha) and improve\nthe quality of existing green cover on another 5 mha.<\/li><li>It also aims to improve ecosystem\nservices like carbon sequestration, hydrological services and biodiversity and\nprovisioning services like fuel, fodder, and timber and non-timber forest\nproduces.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It also has a target to increase\nforest-based livelihood income for about three million households.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindubusinessline.com\/news\/science\/dbt-backed-global-coalition-funding-coronavirus-vaccine-attempts\/article30725143.ece\"><strong>CEPI to\nfund coronavirus vaccine attempts<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Coalition\nfor Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI),a Department of Biotechnology(DBT)\nbacked global coalition is funding research for coronavirus vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About CEPI:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>CEPI is a global partnership\nbetween public, private, philanthropic and civil society organisations launched\nat World a Economic forum(WEF), Davos in 2017.<\/li><li>It\u2019s aim is to accelerate the\ndevelopment of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and enable\nequitable access to these vaccines for people during outbreaks.It is\nheadquartered in Oslo,Norway.<\/li><li>It is being funded by the Wellcome\nTrust, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Economic Forum (WEF),\nGovernments of Norway, Japan, India (Department of Biotechnology) and Germany.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1601761\"><strong>Santusht\nPortal&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Union\nMinister of State (I\/C) for Labour and Employment has launched the Santusht\nPortal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\nPortal:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It has been constituted under the\nOffice of Minister of State for Labour and Employment.<\/li><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>To promote\ntransparency, accountability, effective delivery of public services and\nimplementation of policies, schemes of Ministry of Labour and Employment at\ngrassroot level through constant monitoring.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nCPGRAMS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Centralized Public Grievance\nRedress And Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) is an online web-enabled system.<\/li><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>To enable\nsubmission of grievances by the aggrieved citizens to Ministries or departments\nwho scrutinize and take action for speedy and favorable redress of these\ngrievances.<\/li><li>Developed by the National\nInformatics Centre in association with Directorate of Public Grievances(DPG)\nand Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances(DARPG).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/lifestyle\/health\/10-indians-to-develop-cancer-1-in-15-will-die-of-disease-who-6249711\/\"><strong>10%\nIndians to develop cancer, 1 in 15 will die of disease:WHO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nWorld Health Organization(WHO) has released a report on World Cancer Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\nreport:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The report aims to set the global\nagenda on cancer, mobilise stakeholders and help countries set priorities for\ninvesting in cancer control and universal health coverage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Report on\nIndia:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>One in 10 Indians will develop\ncancer during their lifetime and one in 15 Indians will die of cancer.<\/li><li>There were an estimated 1.16\nmillion new cancer cases, 7.8 lakh cancer deaths and 2.26 million 5-year\nprevalent cases in India in 2018.<\/li><li>The six most common cancer types in\nIndia are breast cancer, oral cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, stomach\ncancer and colorectal cancer.Together,these account for 49% of all new cancer\ncases.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About World\nCancer Day:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Union for International Cancer Control\n(UICC) organizes World Cancer Day February 4 every year since 2000.<\/li><li>The primary goal of the day is to\nprominently reduce illness and death caused by cancer.<\/li><li>Theme for 2020:&#8217;I am and I\nwill&#8217;.This theme has been proposed for the next three years.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\nUnion for International Cancer Control:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Union for International Cancer\nControl is a membership based, non-governmental organization that exists to\nhelp the global health community accelerate the fight against cancer.&nbsp;<\/li><li>It was founded in 1933 and is based\nin Geneva, Switzerland.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/tamil-nadu-port-poompuhar-chola-dynasty-6248053\/\"><strong>Poompuhar:Scientists\nto digitally recreate Tamil Nadu port city<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nDepartment of Science and Technology (DST) has launched \u2018Project Digital\nPoompuhar\u2019 to recreate the Chola Dynasty port city,Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nPoompuhar:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Poompuhar was once an ancient port\ncity which served as the capital of the early Chola kings in Tamilakam.It is\nalso mentioned in works of Sangam Tamil literature.<\/li><li>The port city flourished in\ninter-continental trade but shifted with time. Finally,it was re-established at\nthe present location at the mouth of the river Cauvery around 3,000 years ago.<\/li><li>The shifts took place due to the\ncontinuous kadalkol or rising sea levels and the submergence of the delta.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"455\" height=\"381\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture1-9.png?resize=455%2C381&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54487\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the\nproject:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The reconstruction of Poompuhar is\na part of DST\u2019s Indian Digital Heritage(IDH) project.An exhibition of its first\nproject \u2018Digital Hampi\u2019 is currently on display at the National Museum.<\/li><li>The project involves underwater\nsurveys and photography by remotely operated vehicles and remote sensing-based\ngeodynamic studies to bring out comprehensive information on the time series\nevolution and extinction.<\/li><li>It also involves the visualisation\nof geodynamic processes of the last 20,000 years like land subsidence,\nsea-level rise, Cauvery\u2019s migration, floods, tsunami, cyclones and erosion.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About India\nDigital Heritage Project:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>India Digital Heritage is a unique\ninitiative by the Department of Science and Technology(DST).<\/li><li>The initiative supports\ncollaborative projects between researchers in the areas of Technology and\nHumanities for digital documentation and interpretation of our tangible and\nintangible heritage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newsonair.com\/News?title=723-Pradhan-Mantri-Kaushal-Kendras-established-till-Jan-2020%3A-Govt&amp;id=380747\"><strong>Pradhan\nMantri Kaushal Kendras&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Government\nhas informed that around 723 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras has been\nestablished till January,2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About\nPradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras(PMKK):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra(PMKK)\nare Skill training centres established by the Ministry of Skill Development and\nEntrepreneurship ( MSDE).<\/li><li>The National Skill Development\nCorporation(NSDC) is the implementing agency.<\/li><li>The initiative focuses on the\ncreation of standardised infrastructure for delivery of skill development\ntraining which is equipped to run industry driven courses of high quality with\na focus on employability and to create an aspirational value for skill\ntraining.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Additional\ninformation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Jan\nShikshan Sansthan:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Aim:<\/strong>Toprovide\nvocational training to non-literates, neo-literates as well as school drop-outs\nin rural regions by identifying skills that have a relevant market in that\nregion.<\/li><li><strong>Ministry<\/strong>:It\ncomes under the Ministry of Skill Development &amp; Entrepreneurship.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iccwbo.org\/media-wall\/news-speeches\/unprecedented-number-of-crew-kidnappings-in-the-gulf-of-guinea-despite-drop-in-overall-global-numbers\/\"><strong>International\nMaritime Bureau(IMB):Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>The\nInternational Chamber of Commerce has released the International Maritime\nBureau\u2019s (IMB) annual piracy report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key takeaways\nfrom the report:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>There was an overall decline in\npiracy incidents globally in the year 2019.<\/li><li>However,there was an alarming\nincrease in piracy related incidents across the Gulf of Guinea.<\/li><li>The number of crew kidnapped in the\nGulf of Guinea increased more than 50% from 78 in 2018 to 121 in 2019.This\nequates to over 90% of global kidnappings reported at sea.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Gulf\nof Guinea:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Gulf of Guinea is the\nnortheasternmost part of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.<\/li><li>The intersection of the Equator and\nPrime Meridian (zero degrees latitude and longitude) is in the gulf.<\/li><li>Among the many rivers that drain\ninto the Gulf of Guinea are the Niger and the Volta.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogadmin.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Picture2-8.png?resize=750%2C467&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-54488\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/m.economictimes.com\/industry\/indl-goods\/svs\/metals-mining\/govt-approves-ordinance-to-auction-coal-mines\/articleshow\/73153778.cms\"><strong>Government\napproves Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>News:<\/strong>Union\nCabinet has approved the promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance\n2020 to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 and\nCoal Mines (Special Provisions) Act 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Facts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key\nprovisions of the ordinance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eligibility\nfor auction:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Earlier,the government used to\nauction coal and lignite mining licences only to companies engaged in iron and\nsteel.<\/li><li>The ordinance opens up coal mining\nto any firm whose office is registered in India.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Removal of\nrestriction end-use of coal:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Currently,companies acquiring coal\nmines through auctions can use the coal produced only for specific end-uses\nsuch as power generation and steel production.<\/li><li>The Ordinance removes this\nrestriction on the use of coal mined by such companies.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Composite\nlicense for prospecting and mining:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Currently,separate licenses are\nprovided for prospecting and mining of coal and lignite called prospecting\nlicense and mining lease respectively. Prospecting includes exploring,\nlocating, or finding mineral deposits.<\/li><li>The Ordinance provides for a\ncomposite type of license called prospecting license-cum-mining lease.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Significance\nof the ordinance:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>This opens up the sector to players\noutside steel and power as well as removes end-use restrictions.<\/li><li>It will create an efficient energy\nmarket and bring in more competition as well as reduce coal imports.It might\nalso put an end to Coal India Ltd\u2019s monopoly in the sector.<\/li><li>It would help India gain access to\nhigh-end technology for underground mining used by miners across the globe.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>World Wetlands Day News: The World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2nd February. Facts: Background: the date of adoption of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 2nd February, 1971. 2020 Theme: \u201cWetlands and Biodiversity\u201d Additional Information Ramsar Convention on Wetland (1971): It is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-current-affairs-brief-february-4th-2020\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Current Affairs Brief \u2013 February 4th, 2020<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":48116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/9-PM-Brief.png?fit=1000%2C500&ssl=1","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1704941050},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54473"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54473\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}