Niti Aayog had setup a panel headed by Sumit Bose, to define poverty line and to identify the beneficiaries for various anti-poverty schemes.
According to the panel’s recommendation, Socio-Economic Caste Census will replace the existing poverty line and the central government has accepted the recommendations.
Socio-Economic Caste Census was begun in 2011, the first national census to collect caste-based data since 1931.
Existing Poverty lines are
Suresh Tendulkar poverty line – Those spending at least Rs.27 in rural and Rs.33 in urban areas in 2011-12 were identified as being above the poverty line.
Rangarajan Poverty line – It raised the limit to Rs.32 and Rs.47 for rural and urban areas, respectively.
7th Pay Commission
The 7th Pay Commission revision will not directly apply to autonomous bodies.
The autonomous organizations manage their affairs without financial support from the central government.
Pay Commission is setup intermittently by Government of India to give recommendation regarding changes in salary structure of its employees.
Justice A.K.Mathur headed the Seventh Pay Commission and suggested 2.5 times hike in basic salary and rate of 3% increment in annual term.
The pay commission submits its report within four months of its formation to Union Finance Minister and suggestions on allowance shall be referred to committee headed by Finance secretary.
World Record in Carbon Storing
The Scandinavian bay in Denmark has the world record in carbon storing due to the presence of potential sea grasses. The carbon stored by them is called Blue carbon.
Why Denmark bay? – Sea grasses in this bay are more protected and productive. So when the plants die, they remain in the sea and carbon stored by it remains in the meadow itself in the form of sediments.
Sea grass is not seaweed, but a plant with flowers, leaves and roots. Denmark eelgrass – Zostera Marina is the most common sea grass.
It needs light and grows only in shallow water.
Importance of Sea grass
Sea grasses are home for many small and large animals including commercial species such as Shrimps, cod and flatfish.
Sea grasses function as particle filters, keeping the water clean.
