Veterinary Council of India (VCI) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Posted 11 Jun 2024

8 min read

Veterinary Council of India (VCI)

The names of the individuals elected to serve on VCI have been announced.

  • Every three years, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying holds elections to elect 11 members to VCI. 
  • Council also includes nominated members.

About VCI

  • It is a statutory body established under Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984.
  • It receives 100% Grants-in-Aid from Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying to cover its office expenses.
  • It is charged with responsibilities of making provision for regulation of veterinary practice, preparation and maintenance of an Indian Veterinary Practitioners Register etc.
  • Tags :
  • Veterinary Council of India
  • Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984

Lipulekh Pass

Indian traders are demanding resumption of border trade with China through Lipulekh pass which was closed during Covid-19 pandemic.

About Lipulekh Pass

  • It is located close to the tri-junction of India, China (Tibet) and Nepal and is situated in Uttarakhand (Pithorgarh district).
  • It is a major pass of Kumaun region situated in Kali Valley.
  • It has been an ancient trade route used for centuries by traders, pilgrims, and travellers for cultural exchange.
  • Traveling through Lipulekh Pass significantly reduces travel time for Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage. 
  • Tags :
  • Lipulekh Pass
  • Kailash Mansarovar
  • Kumaun Region

Cold lava

Recently Cold Lava rushed through streets as Mount Kanlaon erupted in the Philippines.

Cold Lava(A.k.a. Lehar in Indonesian):

  • It is a dense mixture of volcanic material, debris, and water that behaves like a fast-moving landslide.
  • It occurs when water interacts with volcanic ash and debris on the slopes of a volcano.
  • It remains hot internally due to chemical reactions within volcanic material.

Threats Posed:

  • It can advance rapidly, giving little time to evacuate.
  • Its high density and abrasive nature can cause significant damage to buildings & roads, and human life.
  • Tags :
  • Cold lava
  • Lehar

General Anti-avoidance Rule (GAAR)

Telangana High Courts ruled in favor of GAAR against a taxpayer and has held that colourable devices(transactions without commercial substance) cannot be part of tax planning.

About GAAR

  • It empowers tax authorities to deny tax benefits on transactions or arrangements that have no commercial substance and whose only purpose is to avoid tax.
  • It came into effect on 1st April 2017.
  • Provisions of GAAR are contained in Chapter X-A of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

 

  • Tags :
  • General Anti-avoidance Rule
  • Tax Planning

Xylitol

Recent study has found out that Artificial sweeteners xylitol may pose health risks.

  • According to study, it can increase risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.

About Xylitol

  • It is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener. 
    • Sugar alcohols combine traits of sugar molecules and alcohol molecules.
  • It is a common ingredient in sugar-free chewing gums,diabetes-friendly foods, and oral-care products.
  • It can be found naturally or artificially produced, primarily from plant materials.
  • Tags :
  • Chewing gum
  • Xylitol
  • Artificial sweeteners

Microalgae

CSIR-IICT scientists highlighted microalgae potential as a protein supplement.

About Microalgae:

  • Diverse group of single-cell photosynthetic organisms, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
  • These are groups of autotrophic microorganisms that live in marine, freshwater, and soil ecosystems.

Significance: 

  • Nutrition: These are rich in nutrients and biologically active substances, such as proteins, vitamins, etc.
  • Carbon cycle: They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
  • Food Chain: Phytoplankton, which forms the base of the food chain, includes microalgae.
  • Tags :
  • Microalgae
  • Single cell organism
  • Autotrophic organisms

PM Kisan Nidhi Scheme (PM KISAN)

Prime Minister released 17th instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi scheme.

About PM KISAN

  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • Type: Central Sector Scheme.
  • Aim: To supplement financial needs of land-holding farmers families in procuring various inputs and also domestic needs.
  • Objective: To provide income support to all land-holding eligible farmer families (families include husband, wife and minor children).
  • Beneficiaries: All landholding farmers, subject to certain exclusions.
  • Benefits: Rs. 6,000 is transferred annually in three equal instalments of Rs. 2,000 each every four months.
  • Exclusion: Beneficiaries of higher economic status shall not be eligible.
  • Tags :
  • PM Kisan Yojana
  • Central Sector Scheme

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

AIM, NITI Aayog has launched two initiatives to foster innovation.

  • AIM – Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) Water challenge 4.0 to address critical water-related challenges through inventive solutions.
  • Innovations For You –Sustainable Development Goals Entrepreneurs of India handbook spotlights entrepreneurs from diverse corners contributing to societal betterment through sustainable innovations.

About AIM                                                  

  • Launched in 2016 by NITI Aayog, it is Government of India’s flagship program to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • All the initiatives of AIM are monitored using real-time systems and dynamic dashboards.

 

  • Tags :
  • NITI Aayog
  • Atal Innovation Mission
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