1. Digital Communications Commission (DCC)

Why in News?

• Recently, The Digital Communications Commission (DCC) approved the recommendation of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to auction over 8,300 MHz of spectrum.
• It also includes airwaves to be used for offering 5G service.

Composition:

• Telecom secretary is ex-officio chairperson of DCC.
• The full-time members of panel include DoT’s Additional Secretary, Member (finance), Member (services) and Member (technology).
• The part-time members of body are NITI Aayog’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) secretary and Ministry of Electronics and IT secretary.

About DCC:

• The Government of India has re-designated the ‘Telecom Commission’ as the ‘Digital Communications Commission’ in 2018.
• It is responsible for formulating the policy of Department of Telecommunications
• It prepares the budget for the Department of Telecommunications for each financial year and getting it approved by the Government
• It implements Government’s policy in all matters concerning Telecommunication.

2. National Population Register (NPR)

Why in News?

• Recently, Both Kerala and West Bengal states put on hold all the activities related to NPR.

About NPR:

• It is a register of usual residents of the country.
• It is been prepared at village/sub-town, sub-District, District, State and National level.
• It is under the provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.
• It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR.
• It defines usual resident as a person who has resided in a local area for the past 6 months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next 6 months or more.

3. PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana

Why in News?

• The Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare stated that over 18 lakh farmers registered under the PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana.

PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (PM-KMY):

• Under this Scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/- is provided to the eligible small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion clauses, on attaining the age of 60 years.It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with entry age of 18 to 40 years.
• The beneficiary can opt to become a member of the scheme by subscribing to a Pension Fund managed by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
• The beneficiary is required to make a monthly contribution of between Rs.55/- to Rs.200/- to the Pension Fund, depending on the age of entry into the scheme, with the provision of equal contribution by the Central Government.
• Exit from the scheme may be voluntarily or on the failure of contribution or on demise. On exit from the scheme, the beneficiary will receive his/her accumulated share and the Government’s contribution will be deposited in the LIC Fund.
• After the subscriber’s death, the spouse or heir shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension as family pension, provided he/she is not already an SMF beneficiary of the scheme.On the death of the subscriber during the period of contribution, the spouse shall have the option of continuing the scheme by paying a regular contribution.
• All small and marginal farmers in the country, who are of the age of 18 years and above and up to the age of 40 years, and who do not fall within the purview of the exclusion criteria, are eligible to avail the benefits of this scheme.
• LIC is the pension fund manager for the scheme.

4. Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) Report, 2019

Why in News?

• India saw the most pollution deaths — about 2.3 million — a new report has found. Air pollution — both ambient and indoor — is one of the largest and most obvious types of pollution affecting global health.

Highlights:

• The report is titled Pollution and Health Metrics: Global, Regional and Country Analysis.
• It is released by the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP).
• It seeks to update findings from The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health, and provides a ranking of pollution deaths on global, regional and country levels.
• The report uses the most recent Global Burden of Disease data from the Institute of Health Metrics Evaluation.
• India is followed by China in the number of pollution deaths, with about 1.8 million.
• The United States makes the top 10 list with 1,97,000 pollution-related deaths, while ranking 132nd in the number of deaths per 100,000 people.
• The report includes three lists on pollution-induced deaths. India is the only country that features in the top 10 in all three lists.
• The top 10 countries with the most pollution deaths include both the world’s largest and wealthiest nations, and some of its Poorer Ones.