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1. General Studies-I Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society Topic: Festival 1)Destination East-2020 North In News The Union Home Minister, who is the chairman of the North Eastern Council, inaugurated the “Destination North East-2020”. The theme for Destination North East 2020 is “The Emerging Delightful Destinations”  Aim & Objective The ‘Destination North East-2020', which runs till 30 September, aims to introduce 

2. various cultures of the country to each other along with the tourist destinations of the North East. It has been conceptualized with the objective of taking the North East Region to other parts of the country.  About NE Region North Eastern Region is ideal for both passive and adventure forms of Eco-Tourism with wildlife sanctuary/parks, good scenic beauty, waterfalls, forests etc. The region has much to offer for the active adventure segment including river rafting among others, trekking of various grades and levels, rock climbing, hang gliding etc. Culture is an important aspect and has the potential to attract selective culture tourists to North Eastern Region. The diverse and rich tribal heritage and culture is what differentiates North East with the rest of India. Another major differentiator is the rich and varying Arts and Crafts across the 8 North Eastern States. Here unlike most places, handicrafts are part of everyday life.  

3. One significant aspect is the local community’s active participation towards increasing tourist- community cultural interfaces. Heritage tourism has picked up considerably in the Region with a participatory approach where tourists also get to actively participate than just seeing the monuments, old tea estates etc. The region has many famous and old religious spots, which have been integrated with national tourism circuits for the benefit of the pilgrims. In view of attractive natural environment and growing trends of outbound business meets, the NER also offers ample opportunities for business tourism segment. Domestic and international connectivity, High-end hotels, Convention Centres, resort based convention facilities etc. have all contributed to the expansion of this Sector.     Source: PIB Press Release

4. General Studies-II Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations Topic: Social welfare 2) Family Pension In News Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions said that rules have been relaxed for divorced daughters to receive Family Pension. Details Now a daughter will be entitled to receive the Family Pension even if the divorce had not finally taken place but the divorce petition had been filed by her during the lifetime of her deceased parent employee/pensioner. Earlier, the rule provided for payment of Family Pension to a divorced daughter only if  

5. the divorce had taken place during the lifetime of deceased parent pensioner or his spouse. Orders have also been issued for grant of Family Pension to a Divyang child or sibling even if the Disability Certificate is produced after the death of the pensioner parent but the disability had occurred before the death of the parents. To bring ease of living for the Divyang pensioners, the Attendant Allowance for the helper has been increased from Rs. 4,500 per month to Rs.6,700 per month. Another initiative taken by the Pension Department is with regard to the Digital Life Certificate. Consolidated Instructions on Life Certificate and commencement of Family Pension for those living abroad vide which the concerned Bank Branch abroad and the Indian Embassy/ Consulate/High Commission have been instructed to provide Life Certificate and commencement of Family Pension there itself. All Pension Disbursing Banks have been instructed to provide doorstep Life Certificate to those pensioners who are unable to visit the bank.    

6. Divyang is a Hindi word meaning the one with a divine body. The Prime Minister said that persons with disabilities should no longer be referred to as disabled persons or viklang. The word viklang is Hindi for someone with non-functional body parts.    Source: PIB Press Release Topic: Social welfare 3) National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority In News The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority capped the prices of oxygen cylinders and medical oxygen cylinders in a bid to stop their black marketing and hoarding due to surging demand amidst covid-19 pandemic.

7. Currently, demand for medical oxygen in the country has increased from 750 metric tonnes per day to 2,800 metric tonnes per day.  Issue The present situation of covid-19 has resulted in increased demand of medical oxygen (MO) in the country. The demand of MO has gone up almost four times, from 750MT a day to 2,800 MT a day. This has caused strain at all levels in the value chain of production and supply. As there was no price cap on liquid medical oxygen, the manufacturers in the country hiked the prices of fillers. This is the main reason for the medical oxygen prices to shoot up. Thus, NPPA has capped the prices.     Capping The NPPA has decided to cap the ex-factory price of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) at manufacturers' end at ₹15.22/CUM exclusive of GST. It has further capped the ex-factory cost of medical oxygen cylinder at fillers' end at ₹25.71/CUM exclusive of GST in suppression of  

8. the existing ceiling price of ₹17.49/CUM, subject to transportation cost fixation at state level, for six months. National Authority Pharmaceutical Pricing The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) is a government regulatory agency that controls the prices of pharmaceutical drugs in India. It was formed on 29 August 1997. The NPPA regularly publishes lists of medicines and their maximum ceiling prices.    Functions To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it. To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority. To monitor the availability of drugs, identify shortages, if any, and to take remedial steps. To collect/ maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc, for bulk drugs and formulations.    

9. To undertake and/ or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ pharmaceuticals. To recruit/ appoint the officers and other staff members of the Authority, as per rules and procedures laid down by the Government. To render advice to the Central Government on changes/ revisions in the drug policy. To render assistance to the Central Government in the parliamentary matters relating to the drug pricing.     Price monitoring and resource unit (PMRU) NPPA under its program called "Consumer awareness, publicity and price monitoring" has set up 12 Price monitoring and resource units in various States and UTs. It will help the NPPA and State drug controller to ensure the accessibility of drugs at affordable prices. The PMRUs are societies registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 under the direct supervision of State drug controller with its "board of governors" containing nominees of   

10. state and central government apart from other stakeholders. They will be funded by NPPA for their recurring and non-recurring expenses.  Source: The Hindu General Studies-III Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management Topic: International Day Important 4) World Tourism Day In News

11. Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as international observances on September 27. The theme of the day for 2020 is “Tourism and Rural Development”  Details This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. For the first time, nations from the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with Chile joining with observer status) will serve as joint hosts.   Tourism and its role in the SDGs Tourism creates jobs, promotes local culture and products, works in the sustainable use and management of the environment, like marine resources. That is the spirit of our Sustainable Development Goals, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.  

12. World Tourism Organization The UNWTO is a leading UN international agency in the field of tourism. Its mission is to promote tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.   Source: UN Organisation Topic: Environment 5) CAG report on forest cover in Gujarat In News The Comptroller and Audit General (CAG) submitted its reports on forest cover at both the houses of the parliaments.

13. According to the report, forest cover in Gujarat increased between 2006 and 2017 but the tree cover decreased.  Key Findings "Tree cover" comprises tree patches outside recorded forest area, exclusive of forest cover. The tree cover in the state was 8,390 sq km in 2006 but it shrank to 6,910 sq km in 2017. While the forest cover in the country is 21.67 per cent of the total area, in Gujarat it is 7.57 per cent. "Forest cover" includes all lands more than one hectare with a tree canopy density of more than 10 per cent, irrespective of ownership and legal status. Out of the 1,96,000 sq km area of Gujarat, 14,620 sq km area was under forest cover in 2006, which increased to 14,860 sq km in 2017. During the same period, tree cover decreased from 8,390 sq km in 2006 to 6,910 sq km in 2017. At the national level, the forest cover grew from 690.90 thousand sq km to 712.25 thousand sq km, while tree cover grew from       

14. 92.77 thousand sq km to 95.03 thousand sq km during the same period. The aggregate forest and tree cover of India rose from 783.67 thousand sq km in 2006 to 807.28 thousand sq km in 2017. In Gujarat, it decreased from 23.01 thousand sq km to 21.77 thousand sq km.   The National Forest Policy of 1988 The policy was launched with the aim of ensuring environmental maintenance of ecological balance, including atmospheric equilibrium which is essential for the sustenance of all life forms - plant, animal, and human. stability and Objectives Maintenance of environmental stability through preservation and, where necessary, restoration of the ecological balance that has been adversely disturbed by serious depletion of the forests of the country. 

15. Conserving the natural heritage of the country by preserving the remaining natural forests with the vast variety of flora and fauna, which represent the remarkable biological diversity and genetic resources of the country. Checking soil erosion and denudation in the catchment areas of rivers, lakes, reservoirs in the "interest of soil and water conservation, for mitigating floods and droughts and for the retardation of siltation of reservoirs. Checking the extension of sand-dunes in the desert areas of Rajasthan and along the coastal tracts. Increasing substantially the forest/tree cover in the country through massive afforestation and social forestry programmes, especially on all denuded, degraded and unproductive lands. Meeting the requirements of fuel-wood, fodder, minor forest produce and small timber of the rural and tribal populations. Increasing the productivity of forests to meet essential national needs. Encouraging efficient utilisation of forest produce and maximizing substitution of wood. Creating a massive people's movement with the involvement of women, for achieving these        

16. objectives and to minimise pressure on existing forests. Forest Survey of India Forest Survey of India (FSI), founded in June 1981 and headquartered at Dehradun in Uttarakhand. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organisation is responsible for conducting forest surveys, studies and research to periodically monitor the changing situation of land and forest resources and present the data for national planning, conservation and sustainable management of environmental protection as well for the implementation of social forestry projects. FSI assesses forest cover of the country every 2 years by digital interpretation of remote sensing satellite data and publishes the results in a biennial report called 'State of Forest Report'(SFR).    Source: Deccan Herald To Know more visit our website https://chahalacademy.com/best-ias-coaching-in-chandigarh