Prelim Bits 26-01-2019

National Voters Day

The National Voters’ Day (NVD) was celebrated all over the country on January 25.
It is celebrated every year since 2011.
The theme for NVD 2019 was ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’.
The day is to mark the Foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was established on 25th January 1950.
The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximize the enrollment, especially for the new voters.
It is dedicated to the voters of the country.
The Day is utilized to spread awareness among voters for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.

Autonomous Council

The Union Cabinet has approved the constitutional amendment which seeks to increase the powers of the autonomous council recently.
The amendment to Article 280 and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution has been approved.
It will significantly improve the financial resources and powers of the autonomous districts councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura, fulfilling longstanding aspirations of the tribal population in these Northeastern states.
At least 1/3^rd of the seats will be reserved for women in the village and municipal councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.
At least two of the nominated members in all autonomous councils in the North East Sixth Schedule areas will also be reserved for women resulting in empowerment of women.
There will be State Election Commissions for holding elections to the autonomous councils, village and municipal councils in the areas of Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.
There will be a provision for anti-defection too.
Meghalaya has for the time being kept out of the purview of the provision for elected village and municipal councils and one-third reservations for women.

UDAN

The union Minister for Civil Aviation and Commerce announced the results of Phase 3 bidders under Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) Scheme
UDAN is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market. It is a market-based mechanism in which airlines bid for seat subsidies.
This first-of-its-kind scheme globally will create affordable yet economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying becomes affordable to the common man.
It envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
The operators could seek a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) apart from getting various concessions.
The scheme also provides for various benefits including no airport charges and three-year exclusivity on the routes.
The States have a key role under the scheme. The selection of airports where UDAN would start would be done in consultation with State Government and after confirmation of their concessions.
The UDAN is likely to a give a major fillip to tourism and employment generation in the hinterland.

CORSIA

Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORISA) is a global scheme to address the increase in total CO2 emissions from international aviation above 2020 levels.
The aviation industry is committed to technology, operational and infrastructure advances to continue to reduce the sector's carbon emissions.
On average (2021-2035), flights subject to CORSIA's offsetting requirements will account for over 600 million tons of CO2 per year.
This makes CORSIA one of the largest carbon pricing instruments in the world in terms of greenhouse gas emissions coverage.

On 2018, International Civil Aviation Organization adopted the international Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for CORSIA.
The adoption of global standards for CORSIA will ensure the necessary level of uniformity in regulations which our industry needs.

Source : PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard