13-14 JUNE 2016
Veteran journalist Inder Malhotra passes away
Veteran journalist Inder Malhotra passed away on 11 June 2016 following a long illness. He was 86.
Who was Inder Malhotra?
•Malhotra worked as the resident editor of The Statesmanin New Delhi from 1965 to 1971.
•He was the also the India correspondent for The Guardianfrom 1965 to 1978.
•He held the position of editor at The Times of Indiafrom 1978 to 1986.
•Since 1986, he had been a syndicated columnist for numerous dailies and periodicals in India and abroad.
•In 1991, he authored a political and personal biography of Indira Gandhi.
•He received the Ramnath Goenka Lifetime Achievement Awardin 2013.
Saina Nehwal lifts Australian Open Super Series Badminton trophy
Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal on 12 June 2016 won the women’s title of the Australian Open Super Series Badminton tournament. In the final match played at Sydney, Saina defeated Chinese Sun Yu 11-21, 21-14, 21-19.
With this win, she also pocketed a cheque of 56250 US dollars.
This was first title of year 2016 for 29-year-old Saina and second Australian Open title of her career. She won her first Australian Open title in 2014.
Besides, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced a reward of 10 lakh rupees for Saina Nehwal for winning the Australian Open Super Series badminton tournament.
On the other hand, Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus won the men’s Australian Open Badminton Super series titles. Vittinghus defeated South Korean Jeon Hyeok-Jin to win his first Super series title.
China launches 23rd BeiDou Navigation Satellite
China on 12 June 2016 launched its 23rd satellite it the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The satellite launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province will support China’s global navigation and positioning network.
The satellite was taken into orbit by a Long March-3C carrier rocket. It was the 229th launch of the Long March carrier rocket.
ALSO READ: China launched 22nd BeiDou navigation satellite
The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is being developed as an alternative to US GPS. The satellite, after entering its designed work orbit and finishing in-orbit testing, will join others already in orbit and improve the stability of the system, preparing for BDS to offer global coverage.
Priyanka Chopra nominated for Choice TV Breakout Star in 2016 Teen Choice Awards
India's bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra was nominated for2016 Teen Choice Awards on 12 June 2016. She got her final nomination in the category of Choice TV Breakout Star.
She was nominated for her role as FBI trainee Alex Parrish in American TV series, Quantico.
Earlier, she also won the Favourite Actress title in a New TV series award at the People’s Choice Awards On 7 January 20162016 for her debut role on an American TV show.
Teen’s Choice award
• The Teen Choice Awards is an annual awards show that airs on the Fox television network.
• The awards are voted by teen viewers who have ages 13 to 19 with-in the 50 states of America.
• The winners will receive a full size surfboard designed with the graphics of that year's show.
• It celebrates year’s achievements in the fields of television, music, film, comedy, video games, sports and fashion.
• The Ceremony of 2016 Teen Choice Awards will be on 31 July 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Noted Playwright and Actor Achyut Lahkar passes away
Noted playwright and actor Achyut Lahkar, doyen of Assam’s mobile theatre movement, passed away on 12 June 2016 following a protracted illness. He was 85.
Lahkar was the pioneering dramatist, veteran actor director and producer who staged numerous memorable plays in mobile theatre.
About Achyut Lahkar
• Born in 1931, Lahkar, a theatre enthusiast from his childhood days.
• He founded Nataraj Theatre, the first Mobile Theatre Company of Assam in 1963 which performed across Assam and in other states for nearly 40 years.
• Lahkar was considered to be the father of the Bhramyaman or Mobile Theatre of Assam.
• Before venturing into mobile theatre, Lahkar published and edited an Assamese illustrated magazine called Deepawali for some time in 1952.
• He was awarded the Kamal Kumari National Award in 1997.
• He also received the Bhaben Barua Award, Mancha Prabhakar Award and Braja Nath Sarma Award.
World Day Against Child Labour observed
12 June: World Day Against Child Labour
The World Day Against Child Labour was observed globally on 12 June 2016 with the themeEnd child labour in supply chains - It's everyone's business!.
This year, the focus for World Day Against Child Labour is on child labour and supply chains. With 168 million children still in child labour, all supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing, services to construction, run the risk that child labour may be present.
To support businesses in their actions to remove child labour from their supply chains, the ILO and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) jointly created the Child Labour Guidance Tool, a resource for companies to increase their knowledge and ability to conduct business in line with international labour standards on child labour.
Background
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it.
• Each year on 12 June, the Day brings together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be done to help them.
Kishore Tiwari-headed Task Force on Farmers submitted its report to Maharashtra Government
Maharashtra Government appointed taskforce headed by agriculture expert Kishore Tiwari, on 12 June 2016 submitted its report to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The taskforce appointed to address agrarian issues has suggested a five-point agenda to bring at least 80 percent of farmers into the institutional credit net.
Recommendations include
• It suggested direct collectors of 14 suicide-prone districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada region to start a crop loan helpline.
• It suggested setting up village and taluka-level crop loan committees comprising of ground staff and sarpanch which will prepare a list of hardships being faced by credit-starved farmers.
• It said, tehsildars, block development officers, taluka agriculture officers and other government and bank officers along with the local MLA should be a part of the committee.
• They should be empowered to take corrective action so that a smooth crop loan disbursement is done.
• All banks should put big flex boards requesting farmers to come for fresh crop loans, and contact numbers of all senior bank officials, the district collector and the VNSSM chairman should be displayed prominently.
• It suggested that the banks which do not comply with government norms of disbursing loans should be sent notice for criminal action and list of such banks should be sent to RBI for further action.
• It said that district collector should appoint a nodal officer for each bank branch who would be required to provide a daily update of crop loan disbursement.
Earlier, Tiwari highlighted the agrarian distress in Vidarbha aggressively through his organisation Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) from Pandharkawda in Yavatmal district.
International Albinism Awareness Day observed worldwide
13 June: International Albinism Awareness Day
Second International Albinism Awareness Day was observed on 13 June 2016. The day is observed to recognize the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of albinism in order to fight against global discrimination and stigma against persons with albinism.
Albinism
• Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth.
• In almost all types of albinism, both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves.
• The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world.
• Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light.
• As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone to developing skin cancer.
• There is no cure for the absence of melanin that is central to albinism.
Myths associated with Albinism
• People with albinism face multiple forms of discrimination worldwide.
• Albinism is still profoundly misunderstood, socially and medically.
• The physical appearance of persons with albinism is often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition, which foster their marginalization and social exclusion.
• This leads to various forms of stigma and discrimination.
• In some communities, erroneous beliefs and myths, heavily influenced by superstition, put the security and lives of persons with albinism at constant risk.
• These beliefs and myths are centuries old and are present in cultural attitudes and practices around the world.
United Nations resolution on Albinism
On 18 December 2014, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming, with effect from 13 June 2015, as International Albinism Awareness Day.
The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in 2013 calling for the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. Moreover, in response to the call from civil society organizations advocating considering persons with albinism as a specific group with particular needs that require special attention, on 26 March 2015, the Council created the mandate of Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.
Apart from this, the United Nations in its 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in which it pledges to leave no one behind also includes people with albinism. On this second International Albinism Awareness Day, it also appointed the first Independent Expert on the human rights of people with albinism.
The Rise of Environmental Crime Report released by UNEP and INTERPOL
The report titled The Rise of Environmental Crime was released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and INTERPOL on 4 June 2016. The report revealed that environmental crime grew up by 26 per cent larger than previous estimates of 2014.
Environmental crime is the world's fourth-largest criminal enterprise after drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking.
INTERPOL and UNEP have joined forces to bring awareness in the world about the environmental crime.
The crime includes the illegal trade in wildlife, corporate crime in the forestry sector, the illegal exploitation and sale of gold and other minerals, illegal fisheries, the trafficking of hazardous waste and carbon credit fraud.
Highlights of the report
• The report finds that weak laws and poorly funded security forces are enabling international criminal networks and armed rebels to profit from a trade that fuels conflicts, devastates ecosystems and is threatening species with extinction.
• The vast sums of money generated from the environmental crimes keep sophisticated international criminal gangs in business, and fuel insecurity around the world.
• The report recommends the world to come together to take strong national and international action to combat environmental crime.
• It includes measures targeted at disrupting overseas tax havens; an increase in financial support commensurate with the serious threat that environmental crime poses to sustainable development; and economic incentives and alternative livelihoods for those at the bottom of the environmental crime chain.
• The last decade has seen environmental crime rise by at least 5-7 per cent per year. This gives an impression that environmental crime is growing two to three times faster than global GDP.
• The report also looks at how money generated from the illegal exploitation of natural resources funds rebel groups, terrorist networks and international criminal cartels.
• The report notes that transnational organized criminal networks are using environmental crime to launder drug money.
• The report looks at the rise of white collar environmental crime, from the use of shell companies in tax havens to launder money generated from illegal logging to transfer mispricing, hacking and identity theft.
Norway becomes first country to prohibit deforestation
Norway in the first week of June 2016 became the first country to prohibit deforestation.
On 26 May 2016, the Norwegian Parliament had pledged to make government’s public procurement policy deforestation-free. The step was taken after a committee of MPs recommended imposing regulations to ensure the state did not contribute to deforestation of the rainforest.
The step taken by the government means that the parliament will no longer award government contracts to any company that cuts down and destroys forests.
Norwegian lawmakers also committed to find a way to source essential products such as palm oil, soy, beef and timber so that they leave little to no impact on their ecosystems. Norway had pledged to do that at the U.N. Climate Summit in 2014, alongside Germany and the United Kingdom.
Importance of rainforests
•A natural rainforest emits and absorbs vast quantities of carbon dioxide.
•They are referred to as lungs of Earth.
•They help to stabilize Earth’s climate. Scientists believe carbon dioxide is a major contributor to climate change. By absorbing carbon dioxide, rainforests help to reduce the effects of worldwide climate change.
•They are an important home to about half of the species of plants and wildlife on the planet. Many of the species found in rainforests are endangered and can only survive in rainforests.
•They help maintain the water cycle by producing large amounts of rainfall every year.
Why are rainforests disappearing?
•Tropical and temperate rainforests have been subjected to heavy logging and agricultural clearance throughout the 20th century.
•Biologists have estimated that large numbers of species are being driven to extinction due to the removal of habitat with destruction of the rainforests.
•Another factor causing the loss of rainforest is expanding urban areas.
•Almost 90% of West Africa's rainforest has been destroyed.
•Since the arrival of humans, Madagascar has lost two thirds of its original rainforest.
•Several countries, notably Brazil, have declared their deforestation a national emergency.
•As per a 2007 report from WWF, deforestation could wipe out or severely damage nearly 60% of the Amazon Rainforest by 2030.
Donald Carr, former England Cricket captain, dies aged 89
Donald Carr, the former captain of England Cricket team, died on 12 June 2016. He was 89.
Beside prominent batsman Carr was also one of the most prominent administrators of the post-war era.
About Donald Carr
• His first-class career spanned from 1945 to 1968 in which he scored nearly 20000 runs and claimed 328 wickets with his left-arm spin for Oxford University, Derbyshire and England.
• He captained England at Madras in 1951-52 in his second and final appearance.
• In 1945, he played in the third victory test against England.
• He retired from cricket in 1986.
• He captained Derbyshire between 1955 and 1962.
• In 1960, he was named as Wisden Cricketer of the Year.
• From 1962 to 1974, he was assistant secretary of MCC.
• In from 1974 to 1986, he served as the secretary of the Test and County Cricket Board (TCCB) and the Cricket Council.
In mark of respect to Carr, the MCC flag over the Main Ground at Lords during match between England and Sri Lanka as well as at the Cross Arrows flag over the Nursery Ground will be at half-mast.
USA wins FINA Women Water Polo World League Super Final
The USA Women’s Senior National Team on 12 June 2016 won gold at the FINA Women Water Polo World League Super Final. The team defeated Spain 13-9 in the championship match in Shanghai, China.
The victory marks the United States’ third straight FINA World League Super Final title and 10th overall.
On the other hand, Australia defeated China 11-3 for the bronze medal.
About FINA Water Polo World League
•The FINA Water Polo World League is an international water polo league organized by FINA, which plays annually.
•League play features continental tournaments for men and women, from which the top teams emerge to play in the Super Final where the league champion team is crowned.
•Men's league play began in 2002 to capitalize on increased worldwide popularity of water polo created by the 2000 Olympic Games.
•The women’s league was added in 2004, based on growing interest in women's play.
About FINA
•International Swimming Federation (FINA) is the international federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for administering international competition in Aquatics.
•It was founded on 19 July 1908 at the end of the 1908 Summer Olympics by the Belgian, British, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian and Swedish Swimming Federations.
•It is one of several international federations which administer a given sport/discipline for the IOC and/or international community.
•It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
•FINA currently oversees competition in five aquatics sports: swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, water polo and open water swimming.
Popcorn-like fossils give evidence of environmental influence on species richness
The research by analysing the fossil record of microscopic aquatic creatures called planktonic foraminifera, whose fossil remains resemble miniaturised popcorn and date back millions of years, provided the first statistical evidence that environmental variations can alter species richness.
According to new research led by the University of Southampton, the number of species that can exist on Earth depends on the changes in the Environment.
Dr Thomas Ezard, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Southampton was the lead author of the study.
The study was published in the June edition of the journal Ecology Letters.
Highlights of the study
• The idea of infinite species on a finite Earth is clearly fanciful; the relevance of upper limits to diversity is a fractious debate amongst evolutionary biologists, ecologists and palaeontologists.
• The study showed statistically for the first time that the upper limit is environmentally dependent.
• It is easy to use and understand that the variations in the environment can alter the spatial gradient of more species in the tropics than at the poles. It is pervasive evidence for its large-scale influence.
• However, on the analysis of species numbers that have changed over time that have assumed that any limit was always been the same, even through periods of massive climate upheaval.
• The data rejected the idea of fixed rules for competition among species and instead show that the limit to the number of species that can co-exist on Earth is much more dynamic.
• Climate and geology are always changing, and the limit changes with them.
• While previous research typically focused individually on either biological, climate change or geological explanations, this new research examined the co-dependence of these factors on how species interact.
• The study found that the number of species was almost certainly controlled by competition among themselves and probably kept within a finite upper limit.
• It was found by observing the fossil history of 210 evolutionary species of macroperforate planktonic foraminifera in the Cenozoic Era from 65 million years ago to the present.
• Mathematical models were used to reveal the environmental changes that influence both the rate of diversification among species and the number of species that can co-exist at once.
• The result of the models suggested that the world is full of species, but that the precise fullness varies through time as environmental changes alter the outcome of competition among species.
14 June
Tata Power signed agreement to acquire Welspun Renewables
Tata Power Co. Ltd on 12 June 2016 agreed to acquire renewable energy company Welspun Renewables Energy Pvt. Ltd.
Tata Power took the step in a bid to grow its clean energy portfolio to 2.3 gigawatts (GW).
Key highlights of the agreement
•Tata Power’s renewable energy unit Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has signed an agreement to acquire Welspun Renewables Energy Private Ltd (WREPL).
•It is the largest transaction in renewables space in India.
•The acquisition is being made at an enterprise value of 9249 crore rupees.
•TPREL will acquire 1140 MW solar and wind power assets of Welspun Energy Private Ltd.
•The deal is expected to close in September 2016.
Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad takes charge of Chief Justice of Manipur HC
Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad, the senior-most Judge of the Manipur High Court on 13 June 2016 assumed charge of the Chief Justice of the High Court.
He succeeded Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra who relinquished the office on 9 June 2016.
Earlier on 9 February 2016, Justice Prasad was transferred from Jharkhand High Court to Manipur High Court. He was transferred by President of India in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 222 of the Constitution of India.
Clause (1) of Article 222 of the Constitution empowers the President to transfer a judge from one high court to other high court, which can be done after consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad
• Born on 1 July 1955, Prasaddid his schooling and graduation from Bihar.
• He is a Science graduate and obtained his LL.B. Degree from Patna Law College, Patna.
• He was enrolled as an Advocate in Bihar State Bar Council, Patna on 17 September 1980 and practiced in the area of Civil, Criminal and Writ matter at Patna High Court, Patna.
• He joined into Superior Judicial Service as Additional District Judge on 6 May 1991 and was promoted to the post of District Judge on 8 June 2001.
• He was joined as Registrar General, High Court of Jharkhand on 8 June 2001.
RBI introduces Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 June 2016 issued the guidelines on the Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets.
The guidelines were issued with an aim to further strengthen the lenders’ ability to deal with stressed assets and to put real assets back on track.
Highlights of the Scheme
• RBI formulated the Scheme for Sustainable Structuring of Stressed Assets (S4A) as an optional framework for the resolution of large stressed accounts.
• The S4A envisages determination of the sustainable debt level for a stressed borrower.
• It also envisages bifurcation of the outstanding debt into sustainable debt and equity/quasi-equity instruments which are expected to provide upside to the lenders when the borrower turns around.
• In order to make sure that that the entire exercise is carried out in a transparent and prudent manner, S4A envisages that the resolution plan will be prepared by credible professional agencies.
• An Overseeing Committee, set up by the Indian Banks Association, comprising of eminent experts will independently review the processes involved in preparation of the resolution plan for reasonableness and adherence to the provisions of these guidelines.
• The scheme is applicable to those projects that have started commercial operations and have outstanding loan of over 500 crore rupees.
Reasons behind the formulation of S4A
Resolution of large borrowal accounts which are facing severe financial difficulties may require co-ordinated deep financial restructuring which often involves a substantial write-down of debt and/or making large provisions.
Often such high write-downs act as a disincentive to lenders to effect a sustainable change in the liability structure of borrows facing stress.
Accordingly, RBI, after due consultation with lenders, has formulated the scheme
Indian men's 4x400m relay team breaks 18-year-old national record
The Indian men's 4x400m relay team on 12 June 2016 created a new national record, clocking3:02.17at theInternational Sprint and Relay Teams Cup at Erzurum, Turkey.
The team improved the previous record of 3:02.62 set at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
On the other hand, the Indian women's 4x400m relay team clocked 3:30.16 and jumped to world No 12 in the rankings. In the 2016 South Asian Games, the women's relay team finished the race with a timing of 3:35.44 to win the gold. They also recorded their fastest time of 3:29.08 in the 2016 IAAF World Championships which took place in Beijing.
About 4x400 metres relay
•The 4×400 metres relay or long relay is an athletics track event in which teams consist of four runners who each complete 400 metres or one lap.
•It is traditionally the final event of a track meet.
•Relay race runners typically carry a relay baton which they must transfer between teammates.
•Runners have a 20 m box in which to transfer the baton.
•Unlike the 4 × 100 m relay, runners in the 4 × 400 typically look back and grasp the baton from the incoming runner.
•Internationally, the U.S. men's team has dominated the event, but have been challenged by Jamaica in the 1950s and Britain in the 1990s.
Ranu Langthasa appointed as first woman chairperson of NCHAC in Assam
Ranu Langthasa was unanimously appointed as the chairperson of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Assam on 13 June 2016.
With this, she also became the first women chairperson to be appointed to the post since the formation of Autonomous Council in 1950s.
The North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC)
• The NC Hills Autonomous Council can be described as a state in miniature having all the paraphernalia of a Government like Legislative, Executive and Judiciary.
• On the 29 April 1952, the Dima Hasao District Council came into being as an autonomous body under the provision of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• It has full autonomy to legislate and administer the subjects like land, revenue, primary education, customary laws etc. assigned to it under Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• The Deputy Commissioner runs the Civil Administration including the law and order is the head of the District.
• Initially the District Council got on the saddle of autonomy with 12 elected members, 4 nominated members and a Secretary; with the provision of Chief Executive Member and its 2 Executive Members.
Before turning up to be North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council, the Doima Hasao district was a part of Dimasa Kingdom. The kingdom extended at the time (before the British occupation) up to the whole area of Cachar District, the present Karbi Anglong District, a major portion of Nagaon District and parts of Nagaland including Dimapur right upto Nichu Guard on Dimapur-Kohima Road.
The Dimasa Kingdom was annexed to the British Empire under the Doctrine of Lapse on the 15 August 1832 after the assassination of last Dimasa king Maharaja Govinda Chandra Narayan in 1830.
Microsoft signs agreement to acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion
Microsoft Corporation and LinkedIn Corporation on 13 June 2016 announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement.
As per the agreement, Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for 196 dollar per share in an all-cash transaction valued at 26.2 billion dollar, inclusive of LinkedIn’s net cash. However, LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence.
About Microsoft Corporation
•Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
•It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics and personal computers and services.
•Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, Microsoft Office office suite, and Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers.
•It is the world's largest software maker by revenue, and one of the world's most valuable companies.
•It was founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates on 4 April 1975.
About LinkedIn Corporation
•LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking service.
•It was founded on 14 December 2002 and launched on 5 May 2003.
•It is mainly used for professional networking.
•As of 2015, most of the site's revenue came from selling access to information about its users to recruiters and sales professionals.
India, Ghana sign three agreements to strengthen co-operation in varied fields
India and Ghana on 13 June 2016 signed three bilateral agreements to strengthen co-operation in varied fields. The agreements were signed during the first ever visit of President Pranab Mukherjee to Ghana, a nation on West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea.
Highlights of the agreements
• The three agreements signed with Ghana included one for visa waivers for holders of diplomatic and official passports and one for setting up a Joint Commission.
• The commission will periodically review various aspects of the multi-dimensional relationship between the two countries. A mutually convenient date for its first meeting will be decided later.
• The third agreement was for collaboration in diplomatic training between the Indian Foreign Service Institute and a Ghanaian institute of the same standing.
India- Ghana Relations
• India is the largest foreign investor in Ghana today, with more than 700 projects. More than 222 of these projects are in the manufacturing sector.
• Bilateral trade between India and Ghana has increased to 1.2 billion US dollars from 538 million US dollars in 2010.
• Ghana has also sought India’s civil nuclear cooperation to explore the possibilities of reducing its dependence on traditional energy sources to cut costs and focus on cleaner environment.
• After hosting the third India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) in New Delhi in October 2015, India is working on a plan to consolidate and further strengthen its engagement with Africa.
Jal Marg Vikas Project on river Ganga to enable commercial navigation
Jal Marg Vikas is a project on the river Ganga that is being developed between Allahabad and Haldia to cover a distance of 1620 kilometers.
The project is being implemented with technical and investment support from World Bank and would be completed over a period of six years at an estimated cost of 4200 crore rupees.
It envisages development of a fairway with three metres depth which would enable commercial navigation of at least 1500 ton vessels on the river.
The construction of multi modal terminals, jetties, river information system, channel marking, navigational lock, river training and conservancy works are to be undertaken as part of the project.
They are:
Varanasi: Phase-I (A) of the project is being implemented on 5.586 hectares of land at Ram Nagar, Varanasi, mainly for offshore works of the terminal.
Haldia: 61 acres of land has been taken on 30 years’ lease from the Haldia Dock Complex for construction of the terminal.
Sahibganj: The requirement of land for the main terminal, rail and road connectivity, resettlement and rehabilitation of 235 households has been assessed at 241.63 acres for which land acquisition proceedings are in progress.
Central Port Authorities Act, 2016 drafted to replace the Major Port Trust Act, 1963
The Union Ministry of Shipping in June 2016 prepared a draft bill 'The Central Port Authorities Act, 2016'. The bill seeks to replace the Major Port Trust Act, 1963.
The draft was prepared with an aim to provide more autonomy and flexibility to the Major Ports and to bring in a professional approach in their governance.
Salient Feature of the ‘The Central Port Authorities Act’ 2016
• Composition of board has been simplified. The board will comprise of
a) 9 members including 3 to 4 independent members instead of 17-19 under the Port Trust Model
b) Provisions have been made for inclusion of 3 functional heads of Major Port as Members in the Board apart from a Government Nominee Member and a Labour Nominee Member.
• The disqualification of the appointment of the Members of the Board, duties of the Members and provision of the meetings of the Board through video conferencing and other visual means have been introduced on the lines of Companies Act, 2013.
• Port related and non-port related use of land has been defined.
a) A distinction has been made between these two usages in terms of approval of leases.
b) The Port Authorities are empowered to lease land for Port related use for up to 40 years and for non-port related use up to 20 years beyond which the approval of the Central Government is required.
• The need for Government approvals for raising loans, appointment of consultants , execution of contracts and creation of service posts have been dispensed with.
• The Board of Port Authority has been delegated power to raise loans and issue security for the purpose of capital expenditure and working capital requirement.
• The provision for maintenance of books of account and financial statements in accordance with the accounting standards notified under the Companies Act, 2013 or as prescribed by Central Government has been provided.
• Concept of internal audit of the functions and activities of the Central Ports has been introduced on the lines of Companies Act, 2015.
• The Board of the Port Authority has been delegated the power to fix the scale of rates for service and assets. The regulation to tariff by TAMP has been removed.
a) An independent Review Board has been proposed to be created to carry out the residual function of the erstwhile TAMP for Major Ports, to look into
b) Disputes between ports and PPP concessionaries
c) To review stressed PPP projects and suggest measures to review stressed PPP projects and suggest measures to revive such projects
d) To look into complaints regarding services rendered by the ports/private operators operating within the ports would be constituted.
e) At present, there is no independent body to look into the above aspects and the Review Board will reduce the extent of litigation between PPP Operators and Ports.
• Power of Central Govt. to take over the control of the Port Authority is limited to the event of grave emergency or in case of persistent default by Port Authority in performance of their duties.
• Provisions of CSR & development of infrastructure by Port Authority have been introduced.
• The status of Port Authority will be deemed as ‘local authority’ under the provisions of the General Clauses Act, 1887 & other applicable Statutes so that it could prepare appropriate regulations in respect of the area within the port limits to the exclusion of any Central, State of local laws.
Lewis Hamilton wins 2016 Canada Grand Prix of Formula 1
Mercedes racing driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain on 12 June 2016 won the Formula 1 Canada Grand Prix title.
To win the title, he overcame Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel in the final race held in Montreal, Canada.
For Hamilton, the present win in Montreal was the fifth in his career and the second in a row. His previous titles were secured in 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2015.
In the 2016 season, it was the second title for him as he already secured the Monaco Grand Prix on 29 May 2016.
Overall, he has more race victories than any other British driver in the history of Formula One and is currently third on the all-time wins list, with 45 wins.
About Lewis Hamilton
• He is a British Formula One racing driver from England.
• He currently races for the Mercedes AMG Petronas team.
• He is the 2008, 2014 and 2015 Formula One World Champion.
• In his first season in Formula One, he set numerous records while finishing second in the 2007 Formula One Championship.
• He won the World Championship the following season, becoming the then-youngest Formula One world champion in history before Sebastian Vettel broke the record two years later.
• Following his second world title in 2014, he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
• In 2015, he became the first British driver in history to win consecutive F1 titles.
• He is the only driver in the history of the sport to have won at least one race in each season he has competed to date.
World Blood Donors Day 2016 observed with theme Blood connects us all
14 June: World Blood Donors Day
World Blood Donors Day (WBDD) 2016 was observed on 14 June 2016.
The theme of the 2016 World Blood Donor Day campaign is Blood connects us all. The theme highlights the common bond that all people share in their blood.
The slogan for 2016 WBDD is Share life, give blood. The slogan focuses on voluntary donation systems. The voluntary donation systems play a pivotal role in encouraging people to care for one another and promoting community cohesion.
Background
•The World Blood Donors Day was established in 2004.
•The day was established to raise awareness of the need for safe bold and blood products. The day also expresses gratitude towards donors for their voluntary gifts of blood.
•It is one of the eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).
•The day also collides with birthday anniversary of Karl Landsteiner, who is noted for having distinguished the main blood groups in 1900.
•The theme for the 2015 WBDD was Thank you for saving my life.
Telangana government to set up pharmaceutical city in Rangareddy and Mahbubnagar districts
Telangana government on 10 June 2016 decided to set up of a Pharma City on 12500 acres of land in Rangareddy and Mahbubnagar districts of the state.
Telangana has traditionally been the bulk drugs capital of India with almost one-third of the total production in value terms.
The state government intends to facilitate setting up of the most modern facilities along with all necessary where withal in an integrated manner along with maintaining the leader status in the sector.
Accordingly, the state government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical city which will be a one stop shop for pharmaceuticals manufacturing companies, biotech and life sciences companies along with all related activities.
Highlights
• Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) shall send detailed project proposal (DPR) to the government on modalities for implementation and execution of project.
• It will also carry out all aspects related to the development of the park in a transparent manner duly following all relevant rules.
• The proposed park will have components and other related activities with regard to antibiotics, fermentation products, synthetic drugs, large volume chemical synthesis, intermediaries, vitamins, vaccines, drug formulations, nutraceuticals, herbal medicinal products, specialty chemicals, cosmetics among others.
• There will also be efforts to establish Research and Development incubation centre, central testing facilities facilitating clinical trials, testing and certification, contract research and custom synthesis.
• The actual location and exact extent of land will be firmed up based on the availability of government land and private land.
Joint Naval Exercise Malabar 2016 begins
India, the United States and Japan on 10 June 2016 began the annual exercise Malabar 2016. This is the 20th edition of Malabar Exercise that will be conducted till 17 June 2016 .
The main aim of this exercise is to boost the interoperability amongst the three navies and develop common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations.
About Malabar Exercise 2016
• Malabar 2016 will be conducted with the harbour phase at Sasebo and with the sea phase in the Pacific Ocean.
• The scope of MALABAR-16 includes professional interactions in harbour and a diverse range of activities at sea, including complex surface, sub-surface and air operations.
• This year, four Indian ships are participating in the exercise including INS Satpura, INS Sahyadri, INS Shakti and INS Kirch.
• The ships have embarked one Sea King 42B ASW helicopter and two Chetak utility helicopters.
• The US Navy will be represented by ships from CTF 70 of the USN 7th fleet, which is based at Yokosuka, Japan.
• The CTF will include the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis (CVN 74), Ticonderoga class Cruiser USS Mobile Bay and Arleigh Burke class destroyers USS Stockdale and USS Chung Hoon.
• In addition, one nuclear powered submarine, carrier wing aircraft and Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft will also participate in the exercise.
• Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) will be represented by JS Hyuga, a helicopter carrier with SH 60 K integral helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft.
• Additionally, the Special Forces (SF) of the three navies will also interact during the exercise.
Background
The Malabar exercise began as a joint naval exercise between the United States and India back in 1992. It has been the subject of concern over the past few years because of its potential for expansion.
In 2015, Japan participated together with Washington and New Delhi as part of a longstanding effort to get Tokyo involved as a permanent member of the exercise.
Renowned Hindi writer Mudrarakshasa passes away
Distinguished Hindi writer, activist, thinker and cultural personality Mudrarakshasa passed away on 13 June 2016 following a prolonged illness in Lucknow. He was 82.
About Mudrarakshasa:
• Born in Behta near Lucknow in 1931, He graduated from Lucknow University and was then employed as Assistant Editor of Gyanodaya that was published from Calcutta from 1955 to 1958.
• He was the editor of Anuvrata, a Calcutta based magazine.
• He worked as Editor at All India Radio from 1962 to 1976.
• His works of theatrical criticism includes Rang Bhumikayen and a book on Nemichandra Jain.
• He has about thirty stage productions to his credit.