Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 10 Aug 2023

Amazon Summit by the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization

  • Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is an international organization “aimed at the promotion of sustainable development of the Amazon Basin”.
  • Colombia at the Amazon summit proposed that 80% of the Amazon should be protected from deforestation and degradation by 2025 but did not find support from all the members.
    • Scientists have warned for long that if the combined deforestation and degradation of the Amazon crosses a 20-25% threshold, the forest could reach an irreversible tipping point that may result in the dieback of the entire ecosystem.
  • The Belem Declaration released during the Amazon Summit recognises Indigenous knowledge as a condition for biodiversity conservation and calls for ensuring full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making and public policy formulation processes.

Read more: Amazon Rainforest

Jeevan Pramaan

  • The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) has taken proactive steps to enhance the ease of living for Central Government pensioners through the widespread promotion of Digital Life Certificates (DLC), known as Jeevan Pramaan.
    • Pensioners must submit DLC every November (with a provision for those aged 80 years and above in October) to ensure continuous pension disbursement.
  • Initially, the submission of DLCs involved biometric methods. Subsequently, in collaboration with MeitY, the department introduced a pioneering Face Authentication technology system linked to the Aadhar database.
    • This innovation enables pensioners to generate their Life Certificates via any Android-based smartphone. This reduces reliance on external biometric devices, rendering the process more accessible and affordable, especially for the broader population.
  • To ensure the success of the campaign, detailed guidelines have been issued These guidelines include :
    • Nodal officers nominated for the campaign.
    • Awareness through banners, posters, and ATMs.
    • Utilization of technology during doorstep banking and branch visits.
    • Camps for easy submission, and home visits for bedridden pensioners.

Read more: Jeevan Pramaan

GeM: Transforming India's Public Procurement Landscape

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) marks its 7th Foundation Day as a landmark in India's procurement landscape.

  • The GeM is an online platform launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India in 2016 to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various government departments and organisations.
    • GeM has saved over ₹45,000 crore since 2016.
  • It is open to all government departments, public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies and other organizations.
    • GeM has surpassed the achievements of renowned public procurement platforms such as South Korea's KONEPS and Singapore's GeBIZ.

Read more: Government e-Marketplace

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis cases have been surging in India during the monsoon season, as the high humidity and rainfall create a favorable environment for the transmission of the infection

  • Also known as "pink eye," conjunctivitis is an eye condition characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner eyelids.
    • It leads to redness, itching, discharge and pain in the affected eye.
  • It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens or other factors.
    • Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread through direct contact with contaminated hands or surfaces.
    • Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and results from exposure to allergens.
  • To prevent conjunctivitis, one should wash hands frequently, avoid touching or rubbing eyes, not share personal items with others, wear sunglasses or protective eyewear, and stay away from people who have conjunctivitis.