29-30 JUNE 2016
World Bank approves $63 million for Tejaswini Project in Jharkhand
The World Bank Board on 21 June 2016 approved the 63 million US dollar project, Tejaswini: Socioeconomic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Womenin Jharkhand.
Tejaswini is the first World Bank project in India that is solely focused on the welfare of adolescent girls and young women.
The project will support adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 24 to complete their secondary level education. It will also help them to acquire relevant skills for the job market.
Key highlights of the project
•The project will support market-driven skills training, secondary education and broader socio-economic empowerment for adolescent girls and young women in 17 select districts of the state.
•It is expected to benefit about 680000 adolescent girls and young women in the state.
•In the 17 project districts, there are about 2.1 million adolescent girls and young women in the 14-24 age group, of which 13% belong to Scheduled Castes and 25% to Scheduled Tribes.
•The project will intervene at two levels, i.e., at the community and at the institutional level.
•The community-based platforms will hold regular counselling and guidance sessions, life skills education, livelihood support services and more.
•At the institutional level, it will work with partner institutions through performance-based contracts to deliver vocational training, business skills training and non-formal education.
•Life skills education will include four core elements:
(a) Resilience and soft skills: It includes communication and problem-solving skills, goal-setting and techniques to maintain psychological wellbeing through adversity.
(b) Rights and protections: This is related to early marriage, child labour, safe migration, gender-based violence and more.
(c) Health and nutrition: It includes sanitation and hygiene, nutritional habits for self and children and sexual and reproductive health.
(d) Financial literacy: It will help teach numeracy, saving, budgeting and accessing credit and financial institutions.
Sanjeev Rajput wins silver in ISSF World Cup
India's Ace shooter Sanjeev Rajput on 28 June 2016 clinched the silver medal for India in men's 50-metre rifle 3 position event of the ISSF World Cup in Baku, Ajerbaijan.
To claim the silver medal, Rajput shot 456.9 points. This was his third World Cup medal and first in five years (he won gold at 2011 Changwon World Cup).
This was also India's second medal of the competition and of the same colour as well, after pistol ace Jitu Rai's silver winning effort in the men's 10m air pistol earlier in the competition.
Croatia's Petar Gorsa won the gold medal with 457.5, while Hyeonjun Kim of Korea bagged the bronze after he shot 445.5.
This was the last World Cup before the Rio Olympic Games.
Rajput finished seventh in the qualification with a score of 1167 in kneeling, prone and standing position, while Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang was 23rd with 1161. Chain Singh was placed 32nd with a total of 1159.
Naga rebel leader Isak Chishi Swu dies
Naga rebel leader Isak Chishi Swu died on 28 June 2016 following a prolonged illness at Fortis hospital in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. He was 87.
He was the co-founder and chairman ofNationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM).
About Isak Chishi Swu
• Swu, who belonged to the Sumi tribe, hailed from Nagaland’s Zunheboto district.
• In the 1950s, Swu joined the Naga National Council (NNC) and served in various capacities in the organisation.
• Opposed to the Shillong Accord signed by the then NNC with the Centre, he formed the NSCN-IM in 1980.
• Swu played a significant role in bringing out the Framework Agreement for Naga peace.
Background
Isak Chishi Swu's death has brought the focus back on the status of the Naga peace accord negotiations that are going on since the signing of a framework agreement between the Union Government and the NSCN-IM in August 2015.
The signing of the pact came after over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 16 years with first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah) is the biggest Naga rebel group which has been maintaining the ceasefire.
World Economic Forum released the Human Capital Report 2016
The World Economic Forum (WEF) on 28 June 2016 released the Human Capital Report 2016.
The WEF prepared the report in collaboration with Mercer, an American global human resource and related financial services consulting firm.
The report presents an analysis by focusing on a number of key issues that can support better design of education policy and future workforce planning.
The Human Capital Index 2016 ranks 130 countries on how well they are developing and deploying their human capital potential.
Top ten Countries in the Human Capital Index are:
Finland (1)
Norway (2)
Switzerland (3)
Japan (4)
Sweden (5)
New Zealand (6)
Denmark (7)
The Netherlands (8)
Canada (9)
Belgium (10)
Bottom ten Countries in the Human Capital Index are:
Lesotho (121)
Senega (122)
Côte d'Ivoire (123)
Burundi (124)
Guinea (125)
Mali (126)
Nigeria (127)
Chad (128)
Yemen (129)
Mauritania (130)
India’s position in the Human Capital Index
•India occupied the 105th positionamong the 130 countries surveyed in the Index. In 2015, India's position was 100th among the 124 countries surveyed in the Index.
•In the Asia-Pacific region, it is placed behind Sri Lanka (50), China (71), Indonesia (72), Iran (85), Bhutan (91) and Bangladesh (104).
•India has secured 62nd, 98th, 106th, 119th and 120th position in the 0 to 14, 15 to 24, 25 to 54, 55 to 64, and 65 and Over categories respectively.
•It has also ranked poorly on labour force participation. However, it received solid rankings on Quality of education system, Staff training and Ease of finding skilled employees indicators.
About the report
The Human Capital Index assesses Learning and Employment outcomes on a scale from 0 (worst) to 100 (best) across five distinct age groups to capture the full demographic profile of a country:
• 0 to 14 years:The youngest members of the population for whom education is assessed among the most critical factors
• 15 to 24 years: Youth for whom factors such as higher education and skills use in the workplace are assessed
• 25 to 54 years:The bulk of the labour force, for whom continued learning and employment quality are assessed
• 55 to 64 years:The most senior members of most workforces for whom attainment and continued engagement are assessed
• 65 and Over:The oldest members of the population, for whom both continued opportunity and health are assessed
Exercise Jalrahat for flood Relief in Assam started
Exercise Jalrahat: a Joint Initiative by State Government and Armed Forces for Flood Relief in Assam
Armed Forces and state government of Assam on 28 June 2016 started exercise JALRAHAT at Narangi Cantt of Assam. It is an initiative that is being carried on for flood relief in the state.
The Exercise spread over three days terminates on 30 June 2016.
Exercise Jalrahat, a joint initiative led by GAJRAJ Corps with full support from HQ Eastern Command, is based on Flood Relief in an urban setting.
It is a clubbed name of the relief works that will be carried by all the three forces of India that is, Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Indian Navy will be carrying out Exercise Prakampana based on relief and assistance in case of a super cyclone at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh in August 2016.
Indian Air Force will be undertaking Exercise Sahayta based on relief and assistance in case of a major earthquake at Bhuj, Gujarat.
Union Cabinet approves recommendations of 7th Pay Commission
Union Cabinet on 29 June 2016 approved the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. The salaries and arrears, effective from 1 January 2016, will be made applicable now.
The commission recommended 23.55 percent hike in pay and allowances of government employees.
Approved Recommendations are
• The minimum pay for government employees is recommended to be set at 18000 rupees per month.
• The maximum pay is recommended to be 225000 rupees per month for Apex Scale and 250000 per month for Cabinet Secretary and others presently at the same pay level.
• The increase in pay will be 16 percent, increase in allowances will be 63 percent and increase in pension will be 24 percent.
• The present system of pay bands and grade pay has been dispensed and a new pay matrix has been designed. Grade Pay has been subsumed in the pay matrix. The status of the employee, determined by grade pay, will now be determined by the level in the pay matrix.
• The rate of annual increment for employees will be 3 percent.
• Abolition of 52 allowances and introduction of a Health Insurance Scheme.
• One Rank One Pension proposed for civilian government employees on line of OROP for armed forces.
• Increase in Military Service Pay and revised pension formula for civil employees including Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Defence Personnel retiring before 1 January 2016.
• Military Service Pay (MSP), which is a compensation for the various aspects of military service, will be admissible to the defence forces personnel only.
• Ceiling of gratuity enhanced from 10 lakh rupees to 20 lakh rupees and ceiling on gratuity will be raised by 25 percent whenever DA rises by 50 percent.
• Short service commissioned officers will be allowed to exit the armed forces at any point in time between 7 to 10 years of service.
• A fitment factor of 2.57 which will be applied uniformly to all employees.
• Systemic change in the process of Cadre Review for Group A officers recommended.
• Allowances relating to Risk and Hardship will be governed by the newly proposed nine-cell Risk and Hardship Matrix.
• It recommends that House Rent Allowance (HRA) be paid at the rate of 24 percent, 16 percent and 8 percent of the new Basic Pay for Class X, Y and Z cities respectively. The rate of HRA will be revised to 27 percent, 18 percent and 9 percent respectively when DA crosses 50 percent.
• It recommended abolition of all non-interest bearing advances and increased the limit for interest-bearing advances for buying home from 7.5 lakh rupees to 25 lakh rupees.
• Introduction of a Health Insurance Scheme for Central Government employees and pensioners has been recommended.
• It recommends that in case of death in the line of duty, the force personnel of CAPFs should be accorded martyr status, at par with the defence forces personnel.
• A consolidated pay package of 450000 rupees and 400000 rupees per month for Chairpersons and Members respectively of select Regulatory bodies.
• Introduction of the Performance Related Pay (PRP) for all categories of Central Government employees, based on quality Results Framework Documents and Annual Performance Appraisal Reports.
• All India Service officers and Central Services Group A officers who have completed 17 years of service should be eligible for empanelment under the Central Staffing Scheme and there should not be two year edge.
• The age of superannuation for all CAPF personnel should be 60 years uniformly.
Background
The 7th Pay Commission was set up on 28 February 2015 to revise remuneration of over one crore central government employees and pensioners. The commission headed by Justice AK Mathur submitted its report to the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on 19 November 2015.
Other members of the Commission were: Vivek Rae (full time Member), Dr. Ratin Roy (part time member) and Meena Agarwal (Secretary).
Later, the government constituted a panel headed by Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha to study the recommendations of the pay commission.
Comment
This implementation of the recommendations will put an additional burden of 1.02 lakh crore rupees on the exchequer annually or nearly 0.7percent of GDP.
CSIR-CIMFR inked MoU for coal quality analysis with coal supplying companies
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) on 28 June 2016 inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coal Supplying companies and Power Utilities for quality analysis of coal being supplied to power utilities by coal companies.
Highlights of the MoU
• The CSIR-CIMFR would make use of its knowledge base support in maintaining the quality of coal at national level for the entire power sector.
• It is estimated that about 300 million metric tons of coal samples would be analyzed for quality per year.
• The contract value of the project is around 250 crore rupees per annum at minimum.
• It is also expected that this project will result in improvement in performance of power plants besides leveraging benefits to the consumer in particular and society as a whole.
• The endeavour would help the nation in sustainable energy supply and security planning for future as it may reduce import of thermal coal.
NS Vishwanathan appointed Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on 28 June 2016 announced the appointment of NS Vishwanathan as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Vishwanathan will succeed Harun R Khan who will retire on 3 July 2016.
Who is NS Vishwanathan?
•Vishwanathan served as the Principal Chief General Manager in the Department of non-banking supervision at Reserve Bank of India.
•He has been an Executive Director at Reserve Bank of India since April 2014.
•From 6 September 2012 to 31 May 2013, he served as the Director of Punjab National Bank.
•From 30 May 2011 to 6 September 2012, he worked as Nominee Director at Dena Bank Ltd.
•He also worked as the Chief General Manager of Vigilance at IFCI Ltd.
Deputy Governors of RBI
•The Banker’s Bank has provision for four Deputy Governors.
•Two of the Deputy Governors are appointed from outside. They are S S Mundra(commercial banker) and Urjit Patel(monetary policy department). Patel was given a three-year extension in January 2016 after his first three-year term.
•The other two Deputy Governors are traditionally appointed from those working within RBI. They are are NS Vishwanathanand R Gandhi.
World Bank approves $201.50 million for Technical Education Quality Improvement Project in India
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on 24 June 2016 approved 201.50 million US dollars for Technical Education Quality Improvement Project III (TEQIP III) in India to improve the quality of engineering education in select Indian states.
The objective of the project is to enhance quality and equity in participating engineering education institutes and improve the efficiency of the engineering education system in focus states.
The maturity period for the project if 25 years with an additional 5 years grace period.
Two Components of the Projects
Improving quality and equity in engineering institutes in focus states
• It will focus on improving engineering education in all government and government-aided colleges including the ATUs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, LIS, states in the North East of India and hill states.
• It has three sub-components:
(i) institutional development for participating institutes
(ii) widening impact through ATUs
(iii) twinning arrangements to build capacity and improve performance of participating institutes
System-level initiatives to strengthen sector governance and performance
• It will support the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and key apex bodies including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
• It will strengthen sector governance, management, accountability mechanisms and performance in the overall system of engineering education.
Union Cabinet clears National Mineral Exploration Policy
The Union Cabinet on 29 June 2016 approved the National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP). With this, the government can now auction 100 prospective mineral blocks that have been identified by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for exploration.
Through NMEP, the government aims to attract private sector in exploration of minerals, besides involving State-run GSI, MECL and other notified agencies.
To encourage mineral exploration in the country, the Mines Ministry had already notified the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).
Highlights of the National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP)
• It proposed that private entities engaged in carrying out regional and detailed exploration would get a certain share in revenue in mining operation from the successful bidder after the e-auction of block.
• The revenue-sharing could be either in the form of a lump sum or an annuity, to be paid throughout the period of mining lease with transferable rights.
• Selection of private explorer would be done through a transparent process of competitive bidding through e-auction.
• For selection of private explorer, reasonable areas or blocks for regional exploration will be earmarked or identified by the government for auctioning.
As identified by Geological Survey of India (GSI), out of India’s entire Obvious Geological Potential (OGP) area, only 10 percent has been explored yet and mining is undertaken in 1.5-2 percent of this area.
UNICEF released the State of the World's Children 2016 Report
The United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on 28 June 2016 released the State of the World’s Children 2016 report.
The data in the report show that, unless the pace of progress to reach them is accelerated, the futures of millions of disadvantaged and vulnerable children will be jeopardized.
Key highlights of the State of the World's Children 2016 report
•The report mentions that unless the world focuses more on the plight of its most disadvantaged children, by 2030:
Almost 70 million children may die before reaching their fifth birthdays.
Children in sub-Saharan Africa will be 10 times more likely to die before their fifth birthdays than children in high-income countries.
Nine out of 10 children living in extreme poverty will live in sub-Saharan Africa.
More than 60 million primary school-aged children will be out of school.
Some 750 million women will have been married as children.
•The report also indicates that significant progress has been made in saving children’s lives, getting children into school and lifting people out of poverty.
•Global under-five mortality rates have been more than halved since 1990.
•Boys and girls attend primary school in equal numbers in 129 countries.
•The number of people living in extreme poverty worldwide is almost half what it was in the 1990s.
•The number of children who do not attend school has increased since 2011. A significant proportion of those who do go to school are not learning.
•About 124 million children today do not go to primary and lower-secondary school. Almost 2 in 5, who do finish primary school, have not learned how to read, write or do simple arithmetic.
•The report also points that investing in the most vulnerable children can yield immediate and long-term benefits. For example, cash transfers have been shown to help children stay in school longer and advance to higher levels of education.
•For each additional year of schooling completed, on average, by young adults in a country, country’s poverty rates fall by 9 per cent.
India in the report
•The report states that five countries will account for more than half of the global burden of under-five deaths. These countries are India (17 per cent), Nigeria (15 per cent), Pakistan (8 per cent), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (7 per cent) and Angola (5 per cent).
•The average annual rate of reduction in neonatal mortality required for India to reach the target is almost double the current level.
•In India, being born into the poorest households carries a learning ‘penalty’ relative to children from the richest households. The penalty widens between ages 7 and 11, reaching a 19 per cent gap in students’ ability to subtract.
•By age 11 in India, girls and boys who come from the richest homes and have educated parents enjoy a huge academic advantage over other children.
Union Cabinet considers Model Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2016
The Union Cabinet on 29 June 2016 considered the Model Shops and Establishment (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2016.
The Bill will now be sent to States/Union Territories (UTs) to enable them to modify their individual Acts, if they so desire. The States/UTs were given choice to adopt the Bill as it is or after modifying its provisions as per their requirements.
Key provisions of the Bill
• It will cover only establishments employing 10 or more workers except manufacturing units
• The Bill provides for freedom to operate 365 days in a year and opening or closing time of establishment.
• Women to be permitted during night shift, if the provision of shelter, rest room ladies toilet, adequate protection of their dignity and transportation, etc exists.
• No discrimination against women in the matter of recruitment, training, transfer or promotions
• Online one common Registration through a simplified procedure
• Powers of Government to make rules regarding adequate measures to be taken by the employer for the safety and health of workers
• Provision of clean and safe drinking water
• Lavatory, creche, first aid and canteen by group of establishments, in case, it is not possible due to constraint in space or otherwise by individual establishment.
• Five paid festival holidays in addition to national holidays etc.
• Exemption of highly skilled workers (for example workers employed in IT, Biotechnology and R&D division) from daily working hours of 9 hours and weekly working hours of 48 hours subject to maximum 125 over-time hours in a quarter.
Comment
This Bill was finalised after detailed deliberations and discussions with public through internet and with employees/labour representatives, employers’ associations/federations and State Governments through tripartite consultative process.
The Model Bill would bring about uniformity in the legislative provisions, making it easier for all the States to adopt it and thereby ensuring uniform working conditions across the country and facilitate the ease of doing business and generate employment opportunities.
10th National Statistics Day celebrated with theme Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
29 June: National Statistics Day
The 10th National Statistics Day was celebrated on 29 June 2016 across the country with the theme Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
The main function for the celebration was organised by the Ministry of Statistics Programme Implementation at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The National Statistics Day is celebrated annually on the occasion of birth anniversary of Late Prof PC Mahalanobis, India’s eminent statistician.
Its objective is to create public awareness among people, especially the younger generation about the importance of statistics in daily life as well as in the process of planning and development.
The 2015 National Statistics Day was celebrated with the theme social development.
World Statistics Day is celebrated on 20 October 2010 worldwide.
About Prof PC Mahalanobis
• He was born on 29 June 1893. He was an Indian Bengali scientist and applied statistician.
• He is best remembered for the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure.
• He made pioneering studies in anthropometry in India.
• As a member of Planning Commission, he gave the Two-sector Input-output model for the Second Five Year Plan (1956-61) which became famous as Nehru-Mahalanobis model or Basic Industry strategy of economic growth.
• He founded the Indian Statistical Institute, and contributed to the design of large-scale sample surveys.
Union Cabinet approved MoU between UPSC and Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan
The Union Cabinet on 29 June 2016 approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC), Bhutan.
The MoU will strengthen the existing relationship between RCSC and UPSC. It will facilitate sharing of experience and expertise of both the parties in the area of recruitment.
The draft MoU between UPSC and RCSC, Bhutan will be signed to develop institutionalized linkage between the Public Service Commission of both the countries, which share the common ideals.
The MoU covers the areas of cooperation that include
• Sharing of experience and expertise in Civil Service matters such as recruitment and selection, exchange of resource persons and development of professional skills of the officers and staff of the parties through attachment and training programs
• Sharing of expertise on use of Information Technology (IT) in examination processes, Computer Based Recruitment Tests and Examinations, sharing of experience in Single Window System for expeditious scrutiny and speedy disposal of cases, building merit based staffing system, etc.
• Sharing of experience on the modalities adopted on audit of processes and procedures followed by various Government agencies in recruitment for posts under the delegated powers.
• Digitization of records, storage and display of historical records
30 June
SCO Summit 2016 concludes in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
The 2016 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit concluded on 24 June 2016 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The 2-day meeting was conducted under the presidency of Uzbekistan.
Key highlights of the summit
•India and Pakistan signed the Memorandum of Obligationson 24 June 2016.
•The signing of Memorandum of Obligations by India and Pakistan started the formal process of joining the SCO as a full member. They are expected to become full members by the next meeting at Astana in 2017.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organization
•The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation.
•It was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
•These countries, except for Uzbekistan had been members of the Shanghai Five, which was founded in 1996. After the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members renamed the organisation as SCO.
•The 2015 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was held in Ufa, Russia.
Suzuki Motors appoints Toshihiro Suzuki as CEO
Suzuki Motor Corp on 29 June 2016 announced the appointment of Toshihiro Suzuki as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
The appointment came after Osamu Suzuki announced that he will decline the CEO position to take responsibility for the automaker's use of incorrect testing methods when calculating vehicle mileage.
Who is Toshihiro Suzuki?
•Toshihiro Suzuki is the son of Suzuki Motor Chairman Osamu Suzuki.
•Toshihiro served as a Senior Managing Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director of Suzuki Motor Corp.
•He joined Suzuki Motor Corp. in January 1994.
•He is a graduate from Tokyo University of Science, Japan.
About Suzuki Motor Corporation
•Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation.
•It specializes in manufacturing automobiles, four-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, outboard marine engines, among others.
•It is headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan.
•The company was founded as Suzuki Loom Worksby Michio Suzukiin 1909.
•In 1937, Suzuki began a project to diversify into manufacturing small cars.
•In 1954, the company name was changed to Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.
Navy inducts Indigenous Heavyweight Torpedo 'Varunastra'
Indigenously developed heavyweight torpedo Varunastra was inducted in the Indian Navy on 29 June 2016. It was handed to the Indian Navy by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
With this India joined a select group of eight countries having the capability to design and develop heavyweight torpedoes.
Key features
• The torpedo was designed and developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory of the DRDO for the Indian Navy. It carries 95 percent of indigenous content.
• It weighs around 1.25 tonnes and is capable of carrying about 250 kg of explosives at a speed of around 40 nautical miles an hour.
• Varunastra, a versatile naval weapon can be fired from the Rajput class destroyers, Delhi class and all future Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy weight torpedoes.
• It is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines both in deep and littoral waters even in intense countermeasure atmosphere.
Torpedo
• Torpedo is a self-propelled weapon with an explosive warhead.
• It can be launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target.
• It is designed to detonate either on contact with its target or in proximity to it.
• The term torpedo was originally employed for a variety of devices, most of which would today be called mines.
• From about 1900, torpedo has been used strictly to designate an underwater self-propelled weapon.
• The original torpedo is a kind of fish: an electric ray.
Earlier, Torpedo Varunastra was showcased for the first time on the 2016 Republic Day Parade at Rajpath.
Climate change impact on animals in Himalayas to be recorded by ZSI
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) on 29 June 2016 started five long-term monitoring plots in the Himalayas to document the impact of climate change on animal world. The project is funded by the Union Ministry for environment, forest and climate change.
Under the project, ZSI will monitor indicators in species like fish, butterflies, bees and other insects to find how their distribution has been affected by climate change.
Project Execution
• The collected data on the distribution of species will be compared with the old records that are available with ZSI.
• This comparison will allow the team of ZSI to depict the impact of climate change in their survival.
The Project
• The project will run for three years in West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• More than two crore rupees have been earmarked for the project.
• In 2015, 262 new animal species were discovered from India out of which 70 have been credited to ZSI scientists.
• As on 31December 2015, India is home to 94515 species from the animal Kingdom
China launches second Shijian-16 series satellite
China on 29 June 2016 launched its second Shijian-16 series satellite. The satellite was carried by a Long March-4B rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The Shijian-16 satellite will be used for space environment measurements, radiation and its effect as well as technology testing.
The first Shijian-16 satellite was launched in October 2013.
This launch was the 231st flight by a Long March rocket.
Long March-4B rocket
• It is used for the launch of sun-synchronous orbit meteorological satellites.
• It was first introduced in May 1999 and was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Space Flight Technology (SAST), based on the Chang Zheng-4.
• It is capable to launch a 2800 kg satellite into low Earth orbit, developing 2971 kN at launch.
• The 248470 kg rocket is 45.58 meters long and has a diameter of 3.35 meters.
Renowned painter KG Subramanyan passes away
Renowned painter and freedom fighter KG Subramanyan passed away on 29 June 2016 following a brief illness in Vadodra. He was 92.
Subramanyan was a versatile painter who blurred the lines between art and artisans by making his mark in pottery, design and terracotta art as well.
About KG Subramanyan
• Born in 1924 in Kerala, he was a professor at various times at the Faculty of Fine Arts at MS University in Baroda and his alma mater, Kala Bhavan (Santiniketan) from where he finally retired in 1989.
• It was under the tutelege of Nandalal Bose and Ramkinkar Baij in Santiniketan between 1944 and 1948 that Subramanyan developed a penchant for art and social commentary through his works.
• Considered one of the pioneers of Modern Art, Subramanyan was also a freedom fighter and was imprisoned briefly during the Quit India Movement.
• His paintings experimented with the idea of the Indian myth from which he borrowed a number of times.
• Subramanyan was also an art historian and his body of work forms a significant document of Indian art history.
• In 1955, he received a British Council Research Fellowship to the Slade School of Art at the University of London.
• He was awarded with the Padma Vibhushan in 2012.
India Post opens ‘My Stamp' scheme for individuals and corporate
India Post in June 2016 opened up the ongoing scheme of customized printing of ‘My Stamp’for individuals and corporate also. Under the scheme an individual or a corporate entity can get their photo or logo printed inside the postage stamp at a price of 12 lakh rupees.
As per reports, this time there will be 5000 sheets comprising 60000 postage stamps. These stamps can be used for general postal mail.
The plan to go ahead with the scheme of ‘My Stamp’ was reached on specific demands of several like Western Union, SNDT Women's University, Allahabad High Court and others.
Earlier, India Post only allowed printing of photo or design next to postage stamp on a 300 rupees ‘My Stamp’ sheet.
So far the department has issued customised My Stamp for e-commerce platform Amazon India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
My Stamp has helped India Post to receive two crore rupees in fiscal 2016-17. Total revenue from My Stamp fiscal in 2015-16 was of 2.83 crore rupees.
My Stamp scheme
• It is the brand name for personalized sheets of Postage Stamps of India Post.
• The personalization is achieved by printing a thumb nail photograph of the customer images and logos alongside the selected Commemorative Postage Stamp.
• It was first introduced in India during the World Philatelic Exhibition, ‘INDIPEX-2011’.
• The scheme is available in selected Philatelic Bureaux and counters /Important Post offices/Post Offices situated at tourist places.
Researcher develops non-invasive method to kill cancer cells in two hours
Matthew Gdovin, an associate professor in the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Department of Biology, developed a newly patented method to kill cancer cells.
Gdovin’s research was published on 27 June 2016 inThe Journal of Clinical Oncology.
The discovery may help people with inoperable or hard-to-reach tumours.
How the method was discovered?
•The research involved injecting a chemical compound, nitrobenzaldehyde, into the tumour and allowing it to diffuse into the tissue.
•A beam of light was aimed at the tissue, which caused the cells to become very acidic inside. It forced the cells to commit suicide.
•Thereafter, it was estimated that up to 95 percent of the targeted cancer cells were dead within two hours.
Effectiveness of the method
•Gdovin tested the method against triple negative breast cancer, which is one of the most aggressive types of cancer and one of the hardest to treat.
•The prognosis for triple negative breast cancer is usually very poor.
•After one treatment in the laboratory, he was able to stop the tumour from growing and double chances of survival in mice.
Italian film actor Bud Spencer dies
Bud Spencer, Italian actor and filmmaker, passed away on 27 June 2016 in Italy following brief illness. He was 86.
Spencer was known among his fans as the big friendly giant of the screen because of his height and weight.
About Bud Spencer
• Born in Naples as Carlo Pedersoli, he adopted the stage name Bud Spencer- the first name inspired by a Budweiser beer and the last to honour his favourite star Spencer Tracy.
• He first found fame as an Olympic swimmer competing in 1952 and 1956 after becoming the first Italian to swim the 100-metre freestyle in less than one minute.
• Spencer abandoned his swimming career after the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
• He got his first break in 1955 when Italian director Mario Monicelli gave him his first big role in the film Un eroe dei nostri tempi (A hero of our times).
• In 1967, Spencer teamed up with fellow Italian Terence Hill, whose real name is Mario Girotti, and they began starring in the Spaghetti Westerns.
• Some of the famous Spaghetti Westerns of Spencer were God Forgives … I Don’t, Ace High, They Call Me Trinity and Trinity Is Still My Name.
• In 2005, Spencer briefly entered politics but was not elected.
RBI to study Blockchain technology to curtail paper currency
Blockchain: A distributed database that maintains a continuously-growing list of data records secured against tampering and revision
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 24 June 2016 announced that it will soon set up a committee to study the use of Blockchain technology.
The technology will be used to reduce the use of paper currency.
What is Blockchain technology?
•The Blockchain database consists of blocks that hold time-stamped batches of valid transactions.
•Then, digital records are put together into blocks and then leaped together cryptographically and chronologically into a chain using complex mathematical algorithms. The encryption process is termed as ‘hashing’.
•The linked blocks form a chain, with each additional block reinforcing those before it, thus giving the technology its name.
•Hashing is carried out by different computers. If they all agree on the answer, each block receives a unique digital signature.
•Once updated, the ledger cannot be altered or tampered with.
•The Blockchain is seen as the main technical innovation of bitcoin.
How blockchain database can help in reducing the use of paper currency?
The distributed nature of a blockchain database makes it harder for hackers to attack it. The linked blocks make hacking tricky as the hackers would have to get access to every copy of the database simultaneously.
As the hash cannot be converted back into the original data, the blockchain database keeps data secure and private.
Therefore, if the original document or transaction were subsequently altered, it will produce a different digital signature. The network is highly vigilant towards a mismatch. Thus, the blockchain method makes fraudulent activities less likely and easier to spot.
Union Government enhances Financial Powers of Ministries, Departments
The Union Government on 28 June 2016 revised the financial limits of departments and ministries for appraisal and approval of Non-Plan Schemes or Projects by competent authorities.
With this, appraisal and approval process in the Central Government Ministries and Departments will be expedited.
Highlights of the Revised Financial Limits
• As per the revised delegation, the Committee on Non-Plan Expenditure (CNE) will now appraise proposals involving expenditure of 300 crore rupees and above. The earlier limit for this was 75 crore rupees.
• Non-plan Schemes/projects of less than 300 crore rupees can now be appraised by Ministry or the Standing Finance Committee of the Ministry concerned.
• The financial power of the Minister-in-charge of the administrative Ministry can now approve Non-Plan schemes costing less than 500 crore rupees. The earlier limit for this was 150 crore rupees.
• Finance Minister shall be competent financial authority for approving scheme/projects having financial implications of 500 crore rupees and above and upto 1000 crore rupees.
• Proposal having financial limits of 1000 crore rupees and above shall require approval of the Union Cabinet/Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
• Increase in upto 20 percent cost of the firmed up cost estimates can now be appraised by the Financial Adviser and approved by Secretary of the administrative Department, if the absolute cost escalation is upto 75 crore rupees.
• And if the absolute cost escalation is above 75 crore rupees, then it will be approved by the Administrative Minister-in-charge.
India-Israel co-developed Barak-8 missile successfully test-fired
India on 30 June 2016 successfully test-fired a medium range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
The Barak-8 missile, as it is called, was co-developed by the Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) of DRDO in partnership with the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Features of Barak-8
• Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile.
• The missile, along with MF—STAR, will provide the users with the capability to neutralise any aerial threats.
• These missiles will be produced at the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Hyderabad.
• Along with the long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM), it would be inducted in all the three Services once the user’s trials are completed.
• The LR-SAM was successfully test-fired in Israel and India in November and December 2015 respectively.
Argentina Women won 2016 Champions Trophy Hockey title
The Argentina women’s team on 27 June 2016 won the 2016 Champions Trophy Hockey title. To win the title, Argentina defeated the reigning World and Olympic champions the Netherlands 2-1.
The final match was held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, the UK.
For Argentina, it was the 3rd consecutive title and the 7th title overall.
In the championship, while the Argentina captain Carla Rebecchi stood as the top scorer with 7 goals, Netherlands’ shot—stopper Joyce Sombroek was named as best goalkeeper.
In the bronze medal game, the USA defeated Australia. For them, it was the first Champions Trophy medal since wining bronze at the 1995 event in Mar del Plata, Argentina.