U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposes new testing rules to ensure cosmetics are asbestos-free.

About Asbestos

• Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibres. 
  • There are six main forms of asbestos, and the main form in current use is chrysotile (white asbestos).
• Key Property: Resistant to heat and corrosion.
• Application: Used as building materials, automobile industry, etc.
• Health Concern: Asbestos exposure, causes cancer of the lung, larynx and ovaries, and mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings).

RBI has allowed Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) holders to make and receive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through third-party mobile applications.

About PPI

• PPIs are instruments that facilitate the purchase of goods and services, conduct of financial services, enable remittance facilities, etc., against the value stored therein. E.g. Mobile wallets, digital wallets, gift cards
• PPIs can be issued by banks and non-banks.
• Classified under two types: Small PPIs (issued after obtaining minimum details of the PPI holder) and Full KYC PPIs.

PM CARES (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund) Funds received Rs 912 crore crore in 2022-23, as per the latest audited accounts.

About PM CARES Funds 

• It is a Public Charitable Trust under Registration Act, 1908.
• Purpose: To provide relief and assistance during emergencies or calamities.
• Chairperson and Members: Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson, and members include the Defence Minister, Home Minister, and Finance Minister.
• Tax Benefits: Donations are eligible for 100% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
  • Donations to fund will also qualify to be counted as CSR expenditure under the Companies Act, 2013. 
• It does not use government budget allocations.
• It is not subject to Right to Information (RTI) scrutiny.

Recently, strong Western Disturbances brought snow to parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand causing changes in weather. 

Western Disturbances

• About: Extra-tropical storms (Low pressure systems) originating in the Mediterranean region that bring winter rain to the north-western parts of the Indian subcontinent.
• Movement: Eastward, carried by westerly winds (Subtropical Jet).
• Weather Impact: Rain, snow, or hailstorms in the northern and north-western parts of India.
• Significance for India: Crucial for Rabi crops (e.g., wheat, mustard), replenishing glaciers in the Himalayan region, etc. 

Recently, Prime Minister distributed over 50 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme.

SVAMITVA Scheme

• About: SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) is a Central Sector Scheme.  
• Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Objective:
  •  Establish clear property ownership in rural inhabited ("Abadi") areas.
  •  Issues legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) to property owners.
  • Provide a Record of Rights through the latest surveying drone technology.
• Potential Benefits: Monetization of properties and enabling institutional credit through bank loans; reducing property-related disputes, etc. 
• Progress 
  • 92% of targeted villages surveyed using drones.
  • 2.2 crore property cards prepared. 

Recently, Freight operation information system of the Indian Railways has been integrated with the E-Way Bill (EWB) system of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

E-way bill

• It is a document required to be carried by a person in charge of the conveyance carrying goods of value exceeding Rs. 50,000/-. 
• Mandated by section 68 of the Goods and Services Tax Act. 
• It is generated from the GST Common Portal by the registered persons or transporters, before commencement of movement of goods. 

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) hosted a webinar series on biomanufacturing and biofoundry initiatives, with the theme “biomanufacturing of enzymes”.

• It is a critical domain under the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) Policy.

Enzymes

• It is a biological catalyst (usually a protein) that accelerates the rate of a specific chemical reaction in the cell.
• They are continuously used and not destroyed during the reaction.
• Example:  lipases, amylases, proteases, etc. 
• Applications: Industrial (Fermenting of wine, curdling of cheese, etc.); Pharmaceutical (Manufacturing of drugs), etc. 

Recently, Rajasthan government introduced the M-Sand, 2024 policy for sustainable construction and infrastructure. 

About M - Sand

• About: It is produced by crushing rocks or quarry stones, serving as a substitute for river sand in concrete construction. 
• Advantages: 
  • Better Workability: It does not contain organic and soluble compounds that affect the setting time and properties of cement.
  • Higher Strength: It does not have the presence of impurities such as clay, dust and silt coating.
  • Eco-Friendly: Prevents dredging of river beds leading to environmental disaster like ground water depletion, water scarcity, etc.