UPSC: PM E-DRIVE, Mission Mausam, Montelukast, and More

Table of Contents

UPGC GS 2

PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE)

News: The Union Cabinet has approved a new scheme called PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement replacing an earlier flagship scheme.
Aim: PM E-DRIVE aims to:
- - Expedite the adoption of EVs by providing upfront incentives for their purchase,
  - Facilitate the establishment of essential charging infrastructure for EVs
  - Promote EVs to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and improve air quality.
Replaces:
- - The PM E-DRIVE will replace Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II).
Implementing Agency:
- - Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)
Budget & Duration:
- - Rs.10,900 crore over a period of two years.

Procedure:
- - Demand aggregation will be done by Convenience Energy Services Limited (CESL) in nine cities with a population of more than 40 lakh:
  - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad.
  - Intercity and interstate e-buses will also be supported in consultation with states.
Features:
- - Subsidies: Subsidies/demand incentives worth Rs 3,679 crore to incentivise adoption of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers.
  - E-ambulances: For e-ambulances, a total of Rs 500 crore has been allocated.
  - E-trucks: Rs.500 crore has been allocated for incentivising e-trucks.
  - E-buses: Rs 4,391 crore has been provided for the procurement of e-buses by state transport units and public transport agencies.
  - E-vouchers: E-vouchers for EV buyers to avail demand incentives under the scheme.
    - At the time of purchase, the scheme portal will generate an Aadhaar authenticated e-voucher, which needs to be signed by the buyer and submitted to the dealer.
    - The e-voucher will also be signed by the dealer and uploaded on the PM E-DRIVE portal.
    - The signed e-voucher will be sent to the buyer and dealer via SMS, and will be essential for the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to claim reimbursement of demand incentives under the scheme.

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Parliamentary Committee on Official Language

News: Recently, the Union Home Minister chaired the 38th meeting of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language.
Constitution: The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language was established in 1976 under Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
Section 4 of the Act: This section stipulates that a Committee on Official Language shall be constituted following a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament, with the President’s prior approval.
Chairperson and Structure: The Committee is chaired by the Union Home Minister and functions as per the provisions of the Official Languages Act, 1963.
Reporting to the President: As mandated by the Act, the Committee submits its report to the President, who ensures the report is laid before both Houses of Parliament and shared with all State Governments.
Purpose of the Committee:
- - To review the progress made in the use of Hindi for official purposes.
  - To make recommendations aimed at increasing the use of Hindi in official communications.
Members: The Committee consists of 30 Members of Parliament, with 20 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha.

Mission Mausam

News: The Union Cabinet has approved ‘Mission Mausam’ with an outlay of Rs.2,000 crore over two years.
Aim:
- - Creating a more weather-ready and climate-smart Bharat.
  - Equip stakeholders, including citizens and last-mile users, to better tackle extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.
  - Integrate advanced observation systems, high-performance computing, and cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning.
  - Boost long-term resilience across communities, sectors, and ecosystems.

Implementing Authority: The Ministry of Earth Sciences will primarily implement Mission Mausam, with three key institutions leading the effort:
- - India Meteorological Department (IMD)
  - Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
  - National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)
  - These institutions will be supported by other MoES bodies like the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology.
Technological Infrastructure: Critical elements of Mission Mausam will include:
- - Deployment of next-generation radars and satellite systems with advanced sensors and high-performance supercomputers,
  - Development of improved Earth system models
  - GIS-based automated Decision Support System for real-time data dissemination.
Focus Areas: The mission will focus on:
- - Monsoon forecasts
  - Alerts for air quality, extreme weather events, and cyclones
  - Weather interventions to manage fog, hail, and rain
  - Developing improved Earth system models
  - GIS-based automated Decision Support Systems for real-time data dissemination
Sectoral Benefits:
- - Agriculture, disaster management, defence, environment, aviation, water resources, power, tourism, shipping, transport, energy, and health.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana

News: The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), launched on September 12, 2019, has successfully completed five years of providing social security to land-holding small and marginal farmers (SMFs) across India.
Introduction:
- - It is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in 2019.
  - It aims to provide old age protection and social security to land-holding Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs).
  - As of August 6, 2024, a total of 23.38 lakh farmers have enrolled in the scheme.
Key Features of PM-KMY:
- - Minimum Assured Pension: Farmers will receive a pension of Rs. 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
  - Eligibility: The scheme is open to Small and Marginal Farmers aged between 18 and 40 years. Farmers must have up to 2 hectares of cultivable land, as recorded in the State/UT land records.
  - Fund Manager: The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India manages the Pension Fund.
  - Voluntary and Contributory Pension Scheme: Farmers contribute to the Pension Fund monthly, with contributions ranging between Rs. 55 to Rs. 200, depending on the age of entry into the scheme. The Central government makes a matching contribution to the fund.
  - Family Pension:
  - In the event of the subscriber’s death, the spouse is entitled to receive 50% of the pension that the subscriber was receiving.
  - Provisions for Disability:
  - If a subscriber becomes disabled before reaching 60 years of age, the spouse can continue with the scheme.

UPSC GS 3

Mikania Micrantha

News: Mikania micrantha, an invasive weed, is spreading in Bhadra Tiger Reserve, threatening its biodiversity.
Description: Mikania micrantha is a perennial creeping climber known for its rapid and aggressive growth.
Native Region: It originates from Central and South America.
Invasiveness:
- - It is a major invasive species in parts of Southeast Asia, India, and the Pacific Islands.
  - It was introduced to India in the 1940s as ground cover for tea plantations but has since become a serious threat to plantation crops and forest areas across the country.
Growth Conditions: It thrives in areas with high soil fertility, organic matter, moisture, and humidity.

Impact on Other Plants:
- - It damages or kills other plants by blocking sunlight and smothering them.
  - The climber grows up other plants to reach the canopy for better sunlight access.
  - It has allelopathic properties, producing chemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of other plants.
Reproduction:
- - It produces thousands of lightweight, wind-dispersed seeds.
  - Additionally, it reproduces vegetatively through its roots, leading to rapid and widespread invasion in disturbed areas.
Bhadra Tiger Reserve (BTR)
- - Location: BTR is located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka.
  - Unique Terrain: It is nestled within several hill ranges and is an important Elephant Reserve with a significant elephant population.
  - Tiger Conservation: The reserve supports a thriving tiger population and was declared the 25th Project Tiger Reserve in India in 1998.
  - Rivers: The Bhadra River and its tributaries drain the reserve.
  - Vegetation: The reserve is home to a variety of vegetation types, including dry deciduous, moist deciduous, shola, and semi-evergreen patches.
  - Flora: Common species include Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, and several medicinal plants.
  - Fauna: BTR is home to species such as the Tiger, Leopard, Leopard Cat, Dholes, Indian Civet, and ungulates like Gaur, Sambar, and Barking Deer.

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Montelukast

News: While caution is being exercised globally, the sale of Montelukast in India remains largely unregulated and appears to be increasing exponentially, with concerns over its irrational use.
Usage:
- - Montelukast is an oral medication approved for daily, long-term use as a “preventer” or “controller” of asthma attacks in adults and children aged 2 years and older.
  - It is also used to prevent bronchospasm (breathing difficulties) during exercise in adults and children 6 years and older.
  - Additionally, it helps manage symptoms of allergies such as sneezing, stuffy, runny, and itchy nose.
Development and Approval:
- - Montelukast was developed by Merck & Co., an American pharmaceutical company. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and marketed under the brand name ‘Singulair.’
Mechanism:
- - Montelukast works by blocking leukotrienes, substances in the body that cause inflammation and swelling, thus improving asthma symptoms.
Safety Warnings:
- - In 2020, the U.S. FDA added a ‘black box warning’ to Montelukast, highlighting its potential to cause serious neuropsychiatric adverse effects.
  - Similarly, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the U.K. issued a health warning regarding these risks.