Rythu Bima Group Life Insurance Scheme. Successful flight test of ATGM HELINA

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1 20 August 2018 Dialy News Pedia Rythu Bima Group Life Insurance Scheme (GS- Prelims and Mains 2 Government schemes and policies; Farmers issue.) This scheme introduced by the Telangana government for all the landholding (pattadar) farmers in the age group of years from August 14 is proving to be an instant succour to their families in case of death of the enrolled farmer, irrespective of the cause either natural or otherwise. At the outset, the Rythu Bima group life insurance is being claimed as the most unique of life insurance schemes wherein the death of farmers with any reason is compensated within a maximum time of seven days. Successful flight test of ATGM HELINA (GS -Prelims and Mains 3 Science and Technology, Defence) Indigenously developed Helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile HELINA has been successfully flight tested from Army Helicopter at 1400hrs in the ranges of Pokhran, today. The weapon system has been tested for its full range. The HELINA weapon system released smoothly from the launch platform has tracked the target all through its course and hit the target with high precision. All the parameters have been monitored by the telemetry stations, tracking systems and the Helicopters. The Missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker (IIR) operating in the Lock on Before Launch mode. It is one of the most advanced Anti-Tank Weapons in the world. Senior officials from DRDO and Indian Army were present during the mission Indian Air force 'Operation Karuna' in Kerala (GS- Prelims and Mains 3 Security and Disaster Management.) Indian Air Force is operating 'Operation Karuna' for rescue and relief of flood affected people in Kerala. This operation started on August 9, helicopters of the IAF have been installed in this huge and great operation. These include MI-17B (The Knight) helicopter. Indian Navy is also operating 'Operation help' for rescue and relief from floods in Kerala.

2 When Rupee Falls (GS - Prelims and Mains 3 Economy) Country s imports become more expensive and exports cheaper. It takes more rupees to pay for the same quantum of imports and fewer dollars for a buyer to pay for the same quantity of exports. More expensive imports are likely to drive inflation upward, especially in India where input products constitute a large part of our imports. GDP growth On the one hand, costlier inputs and the subsequent increase in the prices of finished goods should have a positive impact on GDP. But the consequent decrease in demand due to higher prices could nullify this. Household consumption of goods and services plays a big role here. Domestic tourism could grow as more tourists visit India since their currency now buys more here. In the medium term, export-oriented industries may also create more jobs. India building new fighter jet (GS - Prelims and Mains 3 Science and Technology, Defence) The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India s next indigenous fighter, is expected to make its first flight by Development work on the jet is under way. The AMCA will feature geometric stealth and will initially fly with two GE-414 engines. Once we develop our own engine, it can be replaced with that. We expect the first flight in 2032, a defence source said. There are two major ways of making a military platform stealthier. One is geometric stealth and other is material stealth. In geometric stealth, the shape of the aircraft is designed at such angles so as to deflect away maximum radar waves thereby minimising its radar cross section. In material stealth, radar-absorbing materials are used in making the aircraft which will absorb the radio waves thus reducing the radar footprint. The Indian Air Force has given land to the Defence Research and Development Organisation to set up facilities for the project. The plan is to build on the capabilities and expertise developed during the development of the light combat aircraft (LCA) and produce a medium fifth generation fighter aircraft

3 EDITORIAL To read Simultaneous polls pose too big a legal and logistical challenge to be implemented now Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat s view that it is not possible to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies soon is a realistic assessment of the humongous task ahead of the Election Commission before it can embark on such an ambitious venture. Mr. Rawat has, in particular, ruled out the possibility of holding elections to the Lok Sabha this December along with polls to the Assemblies of four States. In addition to the basic requirement of a legal framework under which the extension or curtailment of the term of any Assembly is constitutionally permissible, simultaneous elections would demand a massive increase in the number of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units. Mr. Rawat has pointed out that altering the term of an Assembly needs an amendment to the Constitution. Moreover, ensuring the availability of VVPATs everywhere poses a logistical challenge. Mizoram is due for elections in December, as the term of the Assembly ends on December 15. This will be followed by Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with the terms of their Assemblies ending on January 5, 7 and 20, respectively. A new batch of VVPAT units is expected only by the end of November, and it takes a month for first-level checking, rendering the possibility of using them in the next round of elections remote. The logistics are bracing, too. Simultaneous elections will require the use of 24 lakh EVMs, needing the procurement of 12 lakh EVMs and an equal number of VVPAT units, according to its estimate. These figures ought to give pause to the clamour to hold simultaneous Assembly elections with the next Lok Sabha polls. It goes without saying that a wide political consensus, as well as legislative cooperation from various parties at the Centre and in the States, is required for holding simultaneous elections. It is natural that parties that control legislatures constituted in recent months or years would resist any curtailment of their tenures, while those in the Opposition may prefer simultaneous polls if it means Assembly elections being advanced. Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah has written to the Law Commission favouring simultaneous polls, giving a fillip to the idea. The crux of the argument in favour of the concept is that the country is perpetually in election mode, resulting in a lack of adequate focus on governance. The second contention is that scattered polling results in extra expenditure. The question before India is, in order to address these two issues; can legislature terms be curtailed without undermining representative democracy and federalism? Given the procedural and logistical challenges that holding of simultaneous elections pose, it would be far more productive for political parties to focus on basic electoral reforms and find ways to curb excessive election expenditure.

4 PRELIMS QUESTIONS 1. Which state introduced the Rythu Bima group life insurance scheme recently with regard to suicide of farmers a. Karnataka b. Telangana c. Andhra Pradesh d. Tamil Nadu 2. HELINA is related to a. Anti Tank Missile. b. Anti Tank Guide Missile. c. Surface to Surface Missile. d. Inter Continental Ballistic Missile. 3. 'Operation Karuna' in Kerala is launched by a. Union Ministry of External Affairs. b. Indian Air Force. c. Defence Minister. d. Ministry of Home Affairs. 4. Consider the following statements regarding UN-Habitat 1. It was established in 1978 as an outcome of the First UN Conference on Human Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development. 2. It is headquartered at Athens, Greece Which of the given statements is/are not correct? a. 1 only. b. 2 only. c. Both 1 and 2. d. None.

5 5. The main objective of India s vision of SAGAR isa. To protect the Arabian Sea from pollution. b. To prevent piracy in Arabian Sea region. c. To develop tourism in Indian coastal cities. d. Security and growth in Indian Ocean region. MAINS Writing practice. Important for GS-2 Preparation/ Syllabus (Under International Relation) Q. Recently, the government of India has decided to set up a group of ministers (GoM) to examine the issues related to the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (RCEP). Examine how India will benefit by joining RCEP.