Daily Current Affairs for UPSC – 13 December 2022

Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 2022

Q) Recently seen in news, the term ‘Lecanemab’ is best related to which one of the following:

1. An anti-viral drug to treat mild symptoms of SARS-CoV-19.
2. A newly developed medicine for treating sickle-cell anemia.
3. A vaccine approved by the WHO for emergency use to prevent monkey pox.
4. A monoclonal antibody-based drug to reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Explanation:

• Option (4) is correct: A drug known as lecanemab has shown promise in reducing the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab drug belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. These antibody-mediated drugs target beta amyloid protein. This protein deposition is seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which disrupts cells function. Amyloid plaques are considered to be an important target for treatment in Alzheimer’s and the drug performs the same job. However, only those in the early course of the disease are likely to benefit from the drug. However there are some concerns such as, the drug needs to be delivered via weekly IV injections requiring hospital visits and close monitoring. Amyloid disposition monitoring has to be conducted regularly using amyloid PET, which is not available in developing countries. The drug may not benefit low-income and middle-income countries where most people with dementia live. This is due to the high cost associated with the treatment. Fast-track approval of a drug with limited studies raises serious concerns about its possible side-effects. There are chances of serious side effects like hemorrhages in the brain and oedema (brain swelling).

Q) With reference to the Namami Gange programme (NGP), consider the following statements:

1. It is a solely dedicated mission to the River Ganga for pollution abatement as well as improvement in its ecology.
2. The funds are provided to Green India Mission for afforestation works along the river Ganga.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Government of India has launched Namami Gange Programme, an integrated umbrella programme, aimed to ensure effective abatement of pollution and conservation of river Ganga and its tributaries by adopting a river basin approach. Under Namami Gange comprehensive set of interventions in the areas of wastewater treatment, solid waste management, river front management (ghats and crematoria development), e-flow, afforestation, biodiversity conservation and Public
• Statement 2 is incorrect: National Mission for a Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change. It aims at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s forest cover and responding to Climate Change. The target under the Mission is 10 m ha on forest and non-forest landsfor increasing theforest/tree cover and to improve the quality of existing forest. Whereas, under NGP, funds are being provided to the Ganga bank State Forest Departments of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal for afforestation works along the river Ganga based on APOs (Annual Plan of Operation) submitted by States. Till date, 30,071 hectares area has been covered with plantation under the Namami Gange programme.

Q) Consider the following statements about the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS):

1. MSCS are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
2. The state of Maharashtra has the highest number of MSCS.
3. MSCS have to submit their annual report to the central government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) are societies that have operations in more than one state- for instance, a farmer-producers organization which procures grains from farmers from multiple States. Such MSCSs are registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act 2002, and their regulation lies with the Central Registrar.
• Statement 2 is correct: According to the Ministry of Cooperation, there are around 8.5 lakh cooperatives in India, with about 1.3 crore people directly attached to them. As per NCUI data from 2018, the percentage of cooperative members in proportion to the total population increased from 3.8% in 1950-51 to 22.2% in 2016-17. There are close to 1,500 MSCSs registered in India, the highest number being in Maharashtra. A large number of MSCSs are credit societies, while agro-based societies, dairies and banks are also sizeable in number.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Unlike state cooperatives, which have to submit multiple reports to the state registrar, multistate cooperatives need not. The central registrar can only allow inspection of the societies under special conditions — a written request has to be sent to the office of the registrar by not less than one-third of the members of the board, or not less than one-fifth of the number of members of the society. Inspections can happen only after prior intimation to societies.

Q) Consider the following statements, about the Udyam Sakhi Portal:

1. The portal provides funding support for women entrepreneurs.
2. It was launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Udyam Sakhi Portal provides the information regarding financial schemes, policies, and programmes of the government to existing/prospective women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector. The portal is a network for nurturing entrepreneurship and creating business models for low cost products and services in order to empower women and make them self-reliant and self-sufficient. It provides assistances primarily through providing entrepreneurship learning tools; incubation facility; training programmes for fund raising; one to one Investor Meet; provide market survey facility; learning and Development (Education, Information, Technical Assistance & Training).
• Statement 2 is correct: The portal was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). The Udyam Sakhi helps Indian women to start, build and grow businesses. It recognises that women entrepreneur in the industry is critical to economic recovery and strength, in building nation’s future, and to helping India compete in today’s global marketplace.

Q) Consider the following statements:

1. In India, the centre government’s subsidy on food has increased successively over the past five years.
2. Recently, the Government has notify to exclude the Pradhan Mantri UjjwalaYojana from subsidy programme due surge in global prices of petroleum.

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The expenditure of the central government on food subsidy has decreased continuously only since 2020.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Government continues to modulate the effective price to consumer for domestic LPG. The subsidy, as admissible, is credited to the bank account of eligible beneficiaries. In addition, the Government has announced a targeted subsidy of Rs. 200 per 14.2 Kg cylinder for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries for upto 12 refills for year 2022-23.

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