Daily Current Capsules 16 & 17^th October 2020

Science & Technology
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Good Laboratory Practice + about OECD + role of NGCMA)
What's the NEWS

• India has been designated the ‘Vice-Chair' of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Working Group of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), recognising the contribution of the Indian GLP programme.

Know! about GLP

• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system, which has been evolved by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to ensure that safety data generated on various chemicals like industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals (Human and Veterinary), agrochemicals, cosmetic products, food/ feed additives, and medical devices, etc., can be relied upon by regulatory authorities.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, established the National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority (NGCMA) with the approval of the Union Cabinet on April 24, 2002.

National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority (NGCMA)

• NGCMA is the National body which grants GLP certification to test facilities (TFs) conducting safety studies on new chemicals in accordance with OECD Principles of GLP and OECD Council norms. The Grant of the first GLP certificate by NGCMA in 2004 was a milestone.
• The non-hazardous nature of chemicals needs to be established through studies and data, which is examined by the regulators of the concerned countries to certify that the use of these chemicals does not pose any hazards to human health and the environment.

Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD)

• On March 3, 2011, India became full adherent to the Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) in the OECD
• The MAD status has given global recognition to India's non-clinical safety data by tremendously augmenting its credibility and acceptability across the globe.
• This has not only boosted the confidence of Indian GLP TFs but also led to removal of technical barriers to trade.
• The spectrum of activities of Indian GLP TFs is wide, involving eight (8) types of chemicals/test items and nine (9) areas of expertise.
• The National GLP program has not only helped to build a network of GLP TFs in the country but also created a huge quantum of highly competent human resources.

Know! about OECD

• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a group of 37 member countries that discuss and develop economic and social policy.
• OECD are typically democratic countries that support free-market economies.
• The stated goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.
• It was established on Dec. 14, 1960, by 18 European nations, plus the United States and Canada.
• It has expanded over time to include members from South America and the Asia-Pacific region.
• It includes most of the world's highly developed economies.
• The organization is headquartered in the Chateau de la Muette in Paris, France.
• Understanding the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Over the years, it has dealt with a range of issues, including raising the standard of living in member countries, contributing to the expansion of world trade, and promoting economic stability.
• The OECD maintains a so-called "black list" of nations that are considered uncooperative tax havens, although there are not any nations currently on the list since by 2009

Prelims Factoids
Work begins on Zozila Tunnel - the longest tunnel road in Asia

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Zozila Tunnel and its geographical location)
What's the NEWS

• Work on the Zozila Tunnel in J&K began today with ceremonial blasting.

Know! all about Zozila Tunnel

• The tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar valley and Leh (Ladakh plateau) on NH-1
• It involves construction of a 14.15 Km long tunnel at an altitude of about 3000 m under Zojila pass (presently motorable only for 6 months in a year) on NH-1 connecting Srinagar and Leh through Dras & Kargil.
• It is one of the most dangerous stretch in the world to drive a vehicle & this project is also geo-strategically sensitive.
• Zojila Tunnel length = 14.15 Km and Approach road length = 18.63 Km.
• Total project length is 32.78 km.
• NHIDCL invited the bids and M/s. Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Limited was awarded the work

Significance

• The construction of Zojila Tunnel will provide all-weather safe connectivity between Srinagar, Dras, Kargil and Leh regions.
• The all-weather safe connectivity of the road is immensely important from the strategic point of view.
• This Project will make the travel on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Section of NH-1 free from avalanches.
• Project would enhance the safety of the travelers crossing Zozila Pass and would reduce the Travel time from more than 3 hours to 15 minutes.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL)

• Highways Connectivity Company Ltd. was set up under Companies Act, 2013.
• The name of the company was subsequently changed to National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. and started functioning w.e.f. 18.07.2014. NHIDCL under the MORTH dedicated exclusively to the task of constructing/upgrading/widening of National Highways in parts of the country which shares international boundaries with neighbouring countries in order to promote regional connectivity on a substantial basis.
• Secretary (RT&H) is the ex-officio Chairman of the company.

Prelims Factoids
EpicVacCorona
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about EpicVacCorona)
What's the NEWS

• Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the registration of the second Russian vaccine against the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus which will be produced under the name EpicVacCorona.
• The vaccine was developed at the Vektor Scientific Center for Virology and Biotechnology.
• The new vaccine is based on synthetic materials, that is why its third phase or post-registration tests will be carried out in people over 65 years of age, unlike the first Sputnik-V, whose registration on August 11 was the first one of its kind in the world.

Bilateral Relations
INS Sindhuvir
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about INS Sindhuvir + about SAGAR initiative ) + Mains ( GS II bilateral relations)

What's the NEWS

• India will soon be delivering a kilo class submarine INS Sindhuvir to the Myanmar Navy, This will be the first submarines of the Myanmar Navy and is in accordance with India's vision of SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region

Know! about the INS Sindhuvir

• This submarine has the capability of staying underwater for almost 45 days will be used for training purposes by the Myanmar Navy.
• This diesel-electric Kilo Class submarine is being given through the Line of Credit (LOC), India has extended to help in enhancing the military capability of Myanmar.
• The sailors of the Myanmar Navy have been trained in underwater combat operations onboard on INS Sindhuvir with the help of Indian Navy.
• This is a Russian refitted submarine and is known for its noiseless operational capability. It had joined the Indian Navy in the 1980s and has been modernized since then by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Vizag.
• It is capable of carrying various types of weapons as it has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes and has the capacity to carry 52 personnel.
• It can go to a depth of around 300 meters.
• A permission has been taken from Russia before delivering the sub and an end-user agreement is in place.

Know! about the growing Military Relations (India-Myanmar)

• Both India and Myanmar (which is one of the strategic neighbours) share a 1,640-km border with the north-eastern states, including Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram, and also share 725 km India-Myanmar maritime boundary
• An export deal worth USD 37.9 million between the countries which was inked in 2017
• India last year delivered the first batch of Advanced Light Torpedo (TAL) `Shyena' to Yangon.
• These torpedoes have been manufactured here in India by the state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• India has also supplied the Myanmar Navy with naval sonars and acoustic drones.
• To further enhance their maritime security cooperation, both India and Myanmar inked an agreement in 2017.
• India has also been working on the development of the Sittwe port in that country and also work is going on $484m Kaladan transport project.
• In 2013, Indian Navy had started CORPAT with Myanmar and also carries out with four other regional navies including Thailand, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)

• It is India's policy or doctrine of maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
• SAGAR is a term coined by PM Modi in 2015 during his Mauritius visit with a focus on the blue economy.
• It is a maritime initiative which gives priority to the Indian Ocean region for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of India in the Indian Ocean region.
• The goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency; respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries; sensitivity to each other`s interests; peaceful resolution of maritime issues; and increase in maritime cooperation.
• It is in line with the principles of the Indian Ocean Rim Association

Operations under SAGAR initiative
COVID-19 relief mission

• In the month of May 2020 India dispatched INS Kesari carrying on board 600 tons of food items, two medical assistance teams and essential medicines to the countries in the southern Indian Ocean as part of Mission SAGAR initiative. This relief mission provided assistance to Mauritius, Maldives, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.

MV Wakashio oil spill

• On 17 August 2020 India extended its support to Mauritius government by sending 30 tons of technical equipment and materials, supplementing the oil spill containment and salvage operation.

Prelims Factoids
Electoral Bonds
Relevance IN - Prelims ( all about Electoral bonds)
What's the NEWS

• The State Bank of India (SBI), in the XIV Phase of sale, has been authorised to issue and encash Electoral Bonds through its 29 Authorized Branches

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accorded ‘No objection' from Model Code of Conduct (MCC) angle, subject to the following conditions:

• No Political functionary shall make any reference in this regard during any public speech or communication
• The relevant provisions of Model Code of Conduct issued by the Election Commission shall be strictly followed.

Know! about Electoral Bonds

• The Government of India has notified the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018
• As per provisions of the Scheme, Electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India.
• A person being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals.
• The bonds will be issued in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 100,000 and Rs 1 crore (the range of a bond is between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore).
• Only the Political Parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, shall be eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds.
• The Electoral Bonds shall be encashed by an eligible Political Party only through a Bank account with the Authorized Bank.
• The Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue and no payment shall be made to any payee Political Party if the Electoral Bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period.
• The Electoral Bond deposited by an eligible Political Party in its account shall be credited on the same day.

Know! the controversy over electoral bond

• Neither the purchaser of the bond nor the political party receiving the donation is required to disclose the donor's identity, Voters, will have no idea of how, and through whom, a political party has been funded.
• The identity of the donor has been kept anonymous, it could lead to an influx of black money.
• The concept of donor "anonymity" threatens the very spirit of democracy.

Restrictions that were done away with after the introduction of the electoral bond scheme

• Earlier, no foreign company could donate to any political party under the Companies Act
• A firm could donate a maximum of 7.5 per cent of its average three year net profit as political donations according to Section 182 of the Companies Act
• As per the same section of the Act, companies had to disclose details of their political donations in their annual statement of accounts.
• The government moved an amendment in the Finance Bill to ensure that this proviso would not be applicable to companies in case of electoral bonds.
• Thus, Indian, foreign and even shell companies can now donate to political parties without having to inform anyone of the contribution.

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