Why is it in the News?

The Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, deploying forces on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to target terrorists who have carried out a series of attacks on troops in the area.

What is Operation Sarvashakti?

• In a bid to combat increasing terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army has initiated Operation Sarvashakti, under which terrorists operating on both sides of the Pir Panjal mountain ranges in the Union Territory will be neutralised.
  • There were three major attacks on the security forces in 2023, and over the past few years, 20 soldiers have been killed in terrorist ambushes in this area.
• Operation Sarvashakti, as part of which at least three brigades of additional troops are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps formations in order to increase the density of troops and, therefore, the likelihood of contact with terrorists, recalls an earlier operation by the Army in the same forests more than two decades ago.
• Back in 2003, Indian forces launched Operation Sarpvinash to flush out terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range, especially in the Hilkaka area in Poonch.

What was Operation Sarpvinash?

• Operation Sarpvinash, launched in April 2003, marked a significant counter-insurgency effort in Jammu and Kashmir.
• In response to intelligence indicating over 300 foreign terrorists establishing secure camps in Surankote and Hilkaka post-infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC), the three-month-long operation involved 10,000 troops in a challenging 150 sq km area.
• Employing helicopters and ground forces, the operation neutralized approximately 100 terrorists, dismantled bunkers, and recovered weapons, explosives, and supplies.
• Operation Sarpvinash successfully restored peace to the region until 2017-18, impacting the region's security dynamics.
  • However, since 2021, there has been a resurgence of high-intensity attacks on security forces in this area.

Why is this area important strategically?

• The areas south of Mendhar leading to the Pir Panjal range through Hilkaka constitute among the shortest routes of access for infiltrators from across the LoC into the Kashmir valley.
• The terrorists chose this region to set up camps because dominating this area can potentially provide a conduit to personnel in the event of a military operation by the Pakistanis, and easier infiltration of terrorists.
• The dense forests and steep mountain slopes offer both adequate cover and visual domination of the area.
• Terrorists were able to merge with the foliage whenever Indian troops carried out searches in the area and inflicted casualties in case of contact.
• All of these locational advantages for terrorists remain intact to some degree even now.

Why is it in the News?

In a bid to achieve the target of coal gasification of 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal by 2023 in India, the government recently approved Rs 8,500 crore incentives.

What is Coal Gasification?

• Coal gasification is a thermo-chemical procedure wherein the pressure and heat of the gasifier disintegrate coal into its chemical components.
• The resulting "syngas" are mostly carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen, with some other gaseous substances thrown in for good measure.
• Coal gasification is an in-situ method wherein oxygen is infused into the seam together with water and ignited at high temperatures, causing coal to partly oxidised into hydrogen, CO, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
• Ex-situ reactors are designed to simulate the gasification process above the ground's surface.
  • Sulphur in coal is transformed to H2S and trace volumes of carbonyl sulphide during the gasification process (COS).
  • Acid gas removal technology can easily and cost-effectively discard these sulphur compounds.
• There is no scrubber sludge produced by coal gasification plants, which necessitates careful and expensive disposal.
• The majority of the wash water is reprocessed, and residual wastewater from gasification plants can be treated effectively.
• As a result, coal gasification is regarded as a cleaner coal technology when compared to coal combustion.
• Furthermore, coal could be used to generate a range of products using clean coal innovations such as hydrogen, methanol, and fertilisers via coal gasification.
• Carbon fibres and plastic composites made from coal power plant ash/residue.

How can it be used?

• Syngas, according to proponents of coal gasification, can be used to generate power, in energy-efficient fuel cell technology, or as chemical "building components" for industrial applications.
  • The hydrogen can also be extracted and used to power a hydrogen economy.
• Coal gas can also be transformed into a transportation fuel to be used in automobiles as a replacement for gasoline, but it is less efficient than the current output and combustion of petroleum-based gasoline.
• Coal gasification is said to be more efficient than traditional coal burning since it can use the gases two times: the coal gases are first purified of contaminants before being fired inside a turbine to produce energy.
• The gas turbine exhaust heat can be then collected and used to produce steam for a steam turbine generator.
  • This is known as a combined process, and according to DOE, a coal gasification processing facility using this dual method can possibly attain an efficiency of 50% or higher, compared to the customary coal power plant, which is typically just above 30%.

Significance of Coal Gasification:

• India announced environmental targets as its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement in 2016.
  • In order to meet these objectives, coal gasification aids in the decrease of emission levels and the advancement of non-fossil fuel-based energy resources.
• The syngas produced by coal gasification can be used to generate urea and a variety of products such as methanol, Dimethyl ether (DME), and olefins, allowing India to minimise imports and become self-sufficient.
• Syngas CO and H2 are essential reducing agents for steel production and are regarded as an environmentally friendly technique of steel production because they reduce the import of furnace oil.
• India has ambitious plans to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) domestically rather than importing them from China.
  • As a result, the potential of Syngas requirement for making APIs, as well as methanol as a solvent, is being investigated.
• The synthesis gas can be used in an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) system to generate electricity in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

Initiatives taken by India:

• The Ministry of Coal, through Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, has taken the initiative, National Coal Gasification Mission, that is to utilise coal through coal gasification, with the goal of achieving 100 MT coal gasification by 2030.
  • It has also been recommended that all coal companies assign a nodal officer and formulate a plan for gasifying at least 10 per cent of their coal production.
• SHAKTI policy was implemented in coal gasification projects to minimise operating costs by allocating long-term coal linkages through auction.

Why is it in the News?

India today is celebrating its 14th National Voters’ Day. It is celebrated annually on January 25 since 2011 to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India. The ECI was founded on January 25, 1950.

Why is National Voters’ Day celebrated?

• National Voters’ Day aims to promote people’s participation in elections by encouraging and felicitating young voters and increasing voter enrolment.
• It is also utilised to spread awareness among voters and to promote informed participation in the electoral process.
• The day is celebrated at the national, state, district, constituency and polling booth levels, which makes it one of the largest celebrations in the country.
• The date chosen for National Voters' Day commemorates the formation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 25, 1950.
  • The ECI is an autonomous constitutional body under Article 324 entrusted with the sacred responsibility of conducting free, fair, and credible elections across the country.
  • Since its inception, the ECI has played a pivotal role in upholding the democratic principles of India, ensuring the voice of every citizen is heard.
• The first National Voters’ Day was celebrated in 2011 under the leadership of the then Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi.
  • Emulating India’s example, six countries, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, have started celebrating National Voters Day.
• National Voters’ Day pledge: As a part of the celebrations, all government offices, autonomous bodies, and organisations take a pledge on the day.
  • Schools and educational Institutions across the country are encouraged to conduct activities such as debates, discussions, and competitions on the theme of Voters’ Day.

What is the theme for National Voters’ Day 2024?

• The theme for this year is ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure’, which is a continuation of last year’s theme, and conveys an individual’s feeling and aspiration towards participation in the electoral process through the power of their vote.
• The logo for this year’s theme is designed in such a way that it showcases the festivity and inclusivity of the electoral process.
  • The Ashoka Chakra in the background represents the largest democracy in the world, whereas the inked finger represents the participation of each and every voter of the country.
  • The tick mark in the logo stands for informed decision-making by the voter.

Why is it in the News?

Scientists have discovered a lake that could be a good match for Darwin's "warm little ponds" where life got started on the primordial Earth.

What is a Soda Lake?

• A soda lake is a lake with a pH value of more than the usual measure of 6 or 7, usually between 9 and 11.
• High carbonate concentration, especially sodium carbonate, is responsible for the alkalinity of the water.
  • A soda lake may also contain a high concentration of sodium chloride and other salts making it saline or hypersaline Lake.
• Soda lakes are highly productive ecosystems compared to freshwater lakes with a global primary production rate of over 10 grams of carbon per square meter per day.
• Therefore Soda lakes are the most productive aquatic environment on Earth because of the availability of dissolved carbon dioxide.
• Soda lakes occur naturally in both arid and semi-arid areas.

Geology And Genesis Of Soda Lakes:

• A topography that limits the outflow of water from the lake is needed.
• An endorheic basin is formed when the water is confined without the outflow.
• The pH of the water in the depression rises through the evaporation of the lake which requires a suitable climate like the desert climate to balance between the inflow and evaporation.
  •  The rate at which carbonate salt dissolves in the lake water depends on the ecology of the surrounding area.
• The relative absence of magnesium and calcium is critical in the formation of the soda lake since magnesium or calcium is likely to dissolve quickly and displace the carbonate ion thus neutralizing the PH of the lake water.

Biodiversity Of Soda Lakes:

• Soda lakes are inhabited by a rich diversity of microbial life making them a productive ecosystem.
• They are permanent and seasonal habitats for algae which are visible in many of the lakes.
• Soda lakes are dominated by prokaryotes like bacteria and archaea, especially in lakes with higher levels of alkalinity.
• Multicellular organisms such as brine shrimp and fish are found in plenty if not most of the soda lakes.
• Soda lakes also harbour unique species which are adapted to the alkali conditions.
  • These organisms which are adapted to the high alkalinity are called haloalkaliphiles.

Examples Of Soda Lakes:

• Africa and Asia have the highest number of soda lakes since the two continents have vast desert conditions which are perfect for the formation of soda lakes.
  • Most of the soda lakes in Africa are located in Eastern Africa, especially in Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
• Lake Natron in Tanzania is one of the most outstanding soda lakes in Africa because of the high PH of water which is always about 12.
• India and China have the highest number of soda lakes in Asia.
  • Some of the soda lakes in India include Tso Kar Salt Lake, Pangong Salt Lake, and Lonar Lake.

Why is it in the News?

The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is going to inspect the Big Four audit firms as well as other top auditors of large listed entities in 2024, an official familiar with the development told FE.

What is the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)?

• The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is a statutory body and was constituted on 1st October 2018 by the Government of India under Sub Section (1) of section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• It is responsible for setting accounting standards in the country.
  • The Punjab National Bank fraud prompted the government to establish an NFRA as the legal regulator for the auditing profession.
• Its mandate is to improve the quality and consistency of financial statements in the country and ensure that businesses and financial institutions disclose accurate and fair information.
• The National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is located in New Delhi.
• The chairperson since March 2022 is Ajay Bhushan Pandey.
• The NFRA can probe listed as well as unlisted public companies.
  • Companies must have a paid-up capital of ?500 crores and an annual turnover of ?1,000 crores.

Functions and Duties:

• As per Sub Section (2) of Section 132 of the Companies Act, 2013, the duties of the NFRA are to:
• Recommend accounting and auditing policies and standards to be adopted by companies for approval by the Central Government;
• Monitor and enforce compliance with accounting standards and auditing standards;
• Oversee the quality of service of the professions associated with ensuring compliance with such standards and suggest measures for improvement in the quality of service;
• Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary or incidental to the aforesaid functions and duties.

Composition of the NFRA:

• As mandated by the Companies Act, NFRA is comprised of a chairperson appointed by the Central Government and a maximum of 15 members.
• The individuals selected for these roles must possess expertise in accountancy, auditing, finance, or law.
• Furthermore, they are required to declare to the Central Government that there is no conflict of interest or lack of independence in their appointment.

Membership Qualifications:

• All members, including the chairperson, who are in full-time employment, are prohibited from association with any audit firm (including related consultancy firms) during their term of office and for a period of two years after the completion of their term.

Powers of the NFRA:

• The NFRA has the same powers as the Civil Court.
• The NFRA has the authority to investigate matters of misconduct involving CAs and Chartered Accountants.
• It can impose a penalty of not less than ?1 lakh but not exceeding 5 times the fees collected.
• Also, the NFRA may also investigate and take action against individuals who violate the rules of professional conduct.
• It has the power to initiate investigations on its own and upon referral from the Central Government.