Prelim Bits 29-11-2017

Alappuzha – A Leading Urban Centre in Waste Management

The report by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) titled ‘Solid approach to waste: how 5 cities are beating pollution” was released.
Alappuzha in Kerala is among the five cities recognized by the UNEP as global success stories in solving the problem of solid waste.
The other four cities are Osaka (Japan), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Penang (Malaysia) and Cajicá (Colombia).
Alappuzha, which is known as ‘the Venice of the East’ for its backwaters and coastal lagoons adopted decentralized waste management system.
The biodegradable waste was segregated at the ward level, and treated in small composting plants which provide biogas for residents.
Alappuzha has also received the Clean City Award from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in 2016.

UN Environment Assembly

The UN Environment Assembly is the world's highest-level decision-making body on the environment.
The third UN Environment Assemble will gather in Nairobi, Kenya in December 2017 under the overarching theme of “pollution”.
The Assembly has the universal membership of all 193 UN Member States.
It is prepared throughout the year by a Committee of Permanent Representatives which is based in Nairobi.
It aims to deliver a number of tangible commitments to end the pollution of air, land, waterways, and oceans, and to safely manage chemicals and waste.

First CoP of Minamata Convention

The Minamata Convention is a global treaty established to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force in August 2017 with ratification by over 50 countries.
The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (Mercury COP1) was held at Geneva, Switzerland.
The report, ‘Towards a pollution-free planet’, was launched during the COP1.
Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the financial mechanism for Minamata Convention.

India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI)

IHMI is a collaborative project of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Union Health Ministry, State Governments and WHO.
The primary goal of this project is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to Cardiovascular Disease, the leading cause of death in India.
IHMI will be progressively rolled out in 25 districts in the first two years across districts selected by the Health Ministry.
It involves active screening and intensification of treatment activities for hypertension by improving the control of high blood pressure, which is the leading cause.

SC’s order on Hadiya’s Case

Supreme Court has recently overturned Kerela HC’s decision and protected her freedom to choose her religion (Article 25) and her freedom of movement (Article 19)
HC made some fault observations like that a woman’s marriage requires the involvement of her parents and that even if she had attained the age of majority she was still at a “vulnerable age” were flawed.
The Supreme Court has also made it clear that the National Investigation Agency can continue its ongoing probe into radicalisation.
Click here to know more about the case.

NTPC & Reverse Bidding

The power sector has been languishing in recent times due to stressed power units.
NTPC is the largest thermal power generating company in the country.
It has decided to rescue the power sector by issuing a tender to buy stressed units via reverse bidding.
In a regular auction, a seller puts up an item and buyers place bids until the close of the auction and the item goes to the highest bidder.
In a reverse auction, the sellers compete to obtain business from the buyer.
The sellers typically underbid each other.
At the end of the auction the seller with the lowest amount wins.
Here operators of plants with stressed units, principle lenders and banks are the bidders.
NTPC is the buyer.
NTPC’s rate last year was Rs 3.18 per unit. So as per the principle, bidders would quote tariff below Rs.3.18

Source: The Hindu, PIB, Business Standard