Current Affairs 13th July 2024 for UPSC Prelims Exam

Table of Contents

New Dogfish Shark Species

Context: Recently, Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered New Dogfish Shark Species in Kerala.

About New Dogfish Shark Species

Scientific Name: Squalus Hima
Family: Squalidae family, commonly referred to as spurdogs.

Characteristics: These sharks are known for their smooth dorsal fin spines.

They feature an angular, short snout and a small mouth that is nearly as wide as the snout itself.
The origin of the first dorsal fin is positioned behind the pectoral fins.
Their bodies are devoid of any spots.
Squalus sharks are harvested for their liver oil, which is rich in squalene. When processed, this becomes squalane, a valuable component in high-end cosmetics and anti-cancer pharmaceuticals.
Squalus hima can be differentiated from its relatives by various characteristics including the number of precaudal and total vertebrae, teeth count, trunk and head heights, as well as the structure and colour of its fins.

NABARD Agri Fund

Context: NABARD has introduced an agricultural fund named Agri-SURE for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises.

About the Fund

Initial Corpus: The fund has an initial corpus of ₹750 crore.
Management: The fund will be managed by NABARD’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Nab Ventures.
Contributions:
- NABARD: ₹250 crore
- Agriculture Ministry: ₹250 crore
- Other Institutions: ₹250 crore
Support Structure: The fund aims to support approximately 85 start-ups.
Investment Size: Each start-up can receive investments up to ₹25 crore by the end of the fund’s term.

Cert-In

Context: The Information Technology (IT) Ministry and the Home Affairs (MHA) Ministry are vying for control over the Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert-In).

Note

Currently, Cert-In operates under the administrative control of the IT Ministry.

Significance of the Initiative

Improved law enforcement capabilities.
Expanding Cert-In’s investigative powers.
Addressing complex online threats.
Unified cybersecurity strategies.

About Cert-In

CERT-In, an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, serves as the principal entity for addressing cybersecurity concerns and fortifying the defences of India’s internet domain.
- In 2022, CERT-In conducted the ‘Synergy’ exercise, which saw global participation.
Under the Information Technology Act of 2000, CERT-In is tasked with a range of cybersecurity functions such as gathering, analysing, and circulating data on cyber incidents, besides executing crisis management for cybersecurity incidents.
- CERT-In has now been added to a list of 26 other intelligence and security agencies that are exempt from the Right to Information (RTI) Act, joining the ranks of RAW, CBI, and IB.

Global Partnerships

CERT-In has forged Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several countries including the UK, Korea, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, and Uzbekistan, and collaborates with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Delhi’s Land Records

Context: The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry is developing legislation to consolidate all urban land and building records in the national capital under the Delhi Urban Lands and Immovable Property Records Authority, headed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Scope and Jurisdiction

Coverage: All notified urban areas within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi will fall under this authority.
Area Statistics: According to the Economic Survey of Delhi 2022-23, the NCT covers 1,483 square kilometres, of which 1,114 square kilometres are urban and the remainder rural.
Constitutional Basis
- Article 239AA: Land in Delhi is a central subject, and the proposed law aligns with this constitutional provision without altering the fundamental control of land policy in the capital.

Current Situation

Lack of Urban Land Law: Delhi currently lacks a specific law or system for urban land and building records.
Existing Rural Records: Rural land records are maintained under the Delhi Land Reforms Act, of 1954, and the Punjab Land Revenue Act, of 1887, applicable only to agricultural lands.
Multiple Agencies: Various bodies maintain different aspects of land records:
- Revenue Department: Manages the Record of Rights (RoR) for village lands.
- NDMC and MCD: Handle property tax records.
- Land & Development Office (L&DO): Manages records dating back to 1911, not updated post-conversion of leasehold to freehold.
- Delhi Development Authority (DDA): Keeps records of acquired lands for development.

The Proposal

Composition: The authority will include officials from DDA, MCD, NDMC, Delhi Cantonment Board, L&DO, and the Revenue Department.
Responsibilities: Survey all urban areas including land, buildings, and apartments.
- Conduct inquiries into property rights and impose penalties for concealing information.
Record of Rights (RoR): The proposed urban RoR will list all holders, occupants, owners, or mortgagees of the land, and assignees of the rent revenue, including government lessees or tenants.

Significance of the Initiative

Urban Planning and Record Accuracy: Accurate and updated maps and robust land records are crucial for effective urban planning.
- NITI Aayog’s September 2021 report highlighted the absence of accurate maps as a major impediment to urban planning.
Need for Updated Records: As per a policy brief by the Indian Institute of Human Settlements (IIHS) in 2023, maintaining updated urban land records is often neglected by Revenue Departments post-urbanization.
Resolution and Taxation: Accurate records would aid in taxation and resolving disputes, providing a uniform standard across various administrative segments.