Ensure Prelims Shots August 5, 2023

 

Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana

• In a written reply submitted to the Lok Sabha recently, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas offered insightful information on the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool Fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana.
• In March 2019, the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana was introduced.
• It focuses on integrated bio-ethanol projects employing lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks to produce Second Generation (2G) ethanol.
• The total amount of money allocated is Rs. 1969.50 crore (from 2018–19 to 2023–24).
• The maximum financial aid allowed under this programme is Rs. 150 crores per project for commercial projects and Rs. 15 crores per project for demonstration projects, both of which are intended to increase commercial viability, encourage R&D, and encourage the adoption of technology in the area of 2G ethanol production.
• Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, Assam, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are the principal beneficiaries.
• Beyond the PM JI-VAN Yojana: Steps to Improve Bioethanol increased excise taxes on non-blended fuels, ethanol purchase agreements (EPA), feedstock diversification, different pricing for 2G ethanol, and a lower GST rate for ethanol used in the EBP Programme.

African Gene Variant CHD1L: Shield Against HIV Progression

• According to a new study in the journal Nature, certain people of African origin possess a special gene variation called Chromodomain Helicase DNA Binding Protein 1 Like (CHD1L), which is essential for controlling the spread of HIV.
• Only the African population possesses this version of the CHD1L gene, which has been related to lower viral loads of HIV-1, the most virulent form of the virus.
• The gene's purpose is to produce proteins that aid in DNA damage repair.
• As a result, they are less likely to spread the virus and their disease is progressing more slowly.
• Although 4% to 13% of people of African descent may have this gene mutation, it is not yet completely known how it affects viral load.

MASI: Revolutionizing Child Care Institution Oversight

• In a recent written reply to the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Women and Child Development offered insightful information on the MASI Portal.
• The Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection (MASI) app was released by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
• This software was created to more efficiently handle inspections required by the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015 and to improve real-time monitoring of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and their inspection processes across India.
• The Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), State Inspection Committees (SICs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), and State Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRs) are just a few of the organisations that can conduct unified inspections under this policy.

 

 

Must Check: IAS Coaching Centre In Delhi