Prelim Snippets- 04.03.2020

1.Mission Purvodaya

Why in news?
  • A workshop on “Enabling Procedures for Increase of Steel Usage for the Growth of Economy” was conducted at Bhubaneswar, Odisha recently.
Highlights:
  • The workshop was organised by Ministry of Steel in partnership with Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Government of Japan and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).
  • With Japan as the partner country, India is looking forward to make Odisha, the nerve centre of Purvodaya in Steel sector.
  • Beyond just producing primary steel, it is envisioned to create an ecosystem of ancilliary, value added products, capital goods with industry participation.
Mission Purvodaya:
  • Mission Purvodaya is an initiative launched in 2020 for accelerated development of Eastern India and thus driving the national growth and propelling India towards becoming a $5 trillion economy.
  • Accelerated development of eastern India through integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.
  • The eastern states of India i.e. Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and northern part of Andhra Pradesh which collectively hold 80% of the country’s iron ore, 100% of coking coal and significant portion of chromite, bauxite and dolomite reserves are to be focused.
  • Through this programme, the government aims to transform logistics and utilities infrastructure which would change the socio-economic landscape in the eastern India.
  • The steps, under mission, also include growth of steel industry along with employment opportunities across the entire value chain.
Integrated Steel Hub:
  • The steel hub encompasses Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Northern Andhra Pradesh.
  • It aims to attract investment of nearly $70 billion in the steel sector and spur economic growth across eastern India.
  • It is a part of Mission Purvodaya initiative which has been launched for the focused development of eastern states.
    • Capacity addition through easing the setup of greenfield steel plants.
    • Development of steel clusters near integrated steel plants as well as demand centres.
    • Transformation of logistics and utilities infrastructure in the eastern region.
Significance of the Steel Hub:
  • Government estimates suggest capacity addition in the steel hub would entail capital investments of over $70 billion.
  • It will lead to an incremental Gross State Domestic Product of over $35 billion through steel alone.
  • It will create over 5 million jobs across the steel value chain in the region.
  • The steel hub which will serve as a catalyst in the transformation of the eastern region following the Rs 100 lakh crore infrastructure investment (through National Infrastructure Pipeline) announced by the government in the next 5 years.
The Eastern States:
  • The eastern states are rich in natural resources and collectively hold nearly 80% of the country’s iron ore, most of domestic coking coal reserves and significant portion of chromite, bauxite and dolomite reserves.
  • The eastern belt has the potential to add more than 75% of the country’s incremental steel capacity envisioned by the National Steel Policy.
  • Out of the 300 MT steel capacity by 2030-31, the region alone is capable of contributing over 200 MT.

2.Star Labelling Programme

Why in News?
  • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has included Deep Freezer and Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC) under its Star Rating Programme on a voluntary basis
Highlights:
  • The program will be initially launched in voluntary mode from 2ndMarch, 2020 to 31st December, 2021.
  • Thereafter, it will be made mandatory after reviewing the degree of market transformation in this particular segment of appliances.
  • In order to cover split ACs beyond the scope of existing BEE star labeling program upto a cooling capacity of 18kW, BEE has prepared a star labeling program for split ACs having cooling capacities in excess of 10.5kW and upto 18.0 kW.
  • This category of Air conditioners is termed as LCAC primarily due to their application in commercial air conditioning.
  • Through this initiative, it is expected to save around 2.8 Billion Units by FY2030, which is equivalent to GHG reduction of 2.4-million-ton Carbon Dioxide.
Why such Move?
  • Energy Efficiency has the maximum GHG abatement potential of around 51% followed by renewables (32%), biofuels (1%), nuclear (8%), carbon capture and storage (8%) as per the World Energy Outlook (WEO 2010).
  • India can avoid building 300 GW of new power generation up to 2040 with the implementation of ambitious energy efficiency policies (IEA – India 2020).
  • Successful implementation of Energy Efficiency Measures contributed to electricity savings of 86.60 BUs i.e. 7.14% of total electricity consumption of the country and emission reduction of 108.28 million tonnes of CO2 during 2017-18.
Star Labeling Programme:
  • The programme has been formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, as part of its mandate, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  • Under this Programme, BEE has covered 24 appliances till date wherein 10 appliances are under the mandatory regime.
  • The existing BEE star labelling program for Air Conditioners is based on Indian Standard IS 1391 part 1, part 2 and covers AC with cooling capacities up to 10.5kW.

3.EKAM Fest

Why in News?
  • Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has inaugurated the  Exhibition-cum-Fair “EKAM Fest” organised by National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation (NHFDC).
EKAM Fest:
  • It is an effort for promoting entrepreneurship and knowledge among Divyangjan community, generating awareness among society about potentialities of PwDs; providing a major marketing opportunity to PwDs entrepreneurs.
  • NHFDC Foundation is making efforts for the development of a brand and platform for marketing of products of these determined entrepreneurs.
  • Accordingly, name of the brand has arrived at Ekam (Entrepreneurship, Knowledge, Awareness, Marketing).
NHFDC:
  • NHFDC is an Apex corporation under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and is working since 1997.
  • It is registered as a company not for profit and provides financial assistance to the Divyangjan/Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan/PwDs) for their economic rehabilitation and provides number of skill development programmes to empower them to grow & sustain their enterprises.

4.Jammu University and Airport

Why in News?
  • Recently, resolutions have been passed to rename the Jammu Airport and the Jammu University after Hindu Dogra monarchs Maharaja Hari Singh and Maharaja Gulab Singh.
About:
  • Maharaja Gulab Singh is the founder of the Dogra dynasty and became the first monarch of J&K in 1846.
  • Maharaja Hari Singh was the last Dogra monarch, who acceded to India in 1947.
Instrument of Accession (IoA):
  • It is a legal document executed by Maharaja Hari Singh, the then ruler of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir, declaring that the state accedes to India.
  • It gave India’s Parliament the power to legislate in respect of J&K only on the matters of defence, external affairs and communications.
  • It mentions ancillary subjects that include elections to the dominion legislature, apart from defence, communications and external affairs.
  • Soon after the accession, an interim state government was instituted by a proclamation made by the Maharaja on March 5, 1948.

5.Whale Shark

Why in News?
  • Whale Shark is recently seen in news.
About Whale Shark:
  • Its scientific name Rhincodon typus
  • It is the largest shark and they feed on plankton and travel large distances to find enough food to sustain their huge size, and to reproduce.
  • They are found in all the tropical oceans of the world.
  • It is protected under IUCN Red List status is Endangered, CITES- Appendix II, Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- Schedule I

6.Lesbos

Why in News?
  • Greek Island of lesbos is recently seen in news.
About Lesbos:
  • It is also called Mitilíni, is a greek island.
  • It is the largest island after Crete and Euboea in the Aegean Sea.
  • It is largely volcanic in the west, and numerous thermal springs indicate the unstable subterranean structure that has caused severe earthquakes throughout history.
  • Its irregular coast is penetrated by two narrow-mouthed bays, Géras (southeast) and the Gulf of Kallonís (southwest).

7.Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019

Why in News?
  • Recently, the Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019 was introduced in Rajya Sabha.
About Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019:
  • It was passed in Lok Sabha in December last year.
  • It intended to convert India’s three deemed-to-be Sanskrit universities into Central Sanskrit Universities.
    • Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi.
    • Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi.
    • Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati.
Powers and Functions Include:
  1. 1.Prescribing courses of study and conducting training programmes,
  2. 2.Granting degrees, diplomas, and certificates,
  3. 3.Providing facilities through a distance education system,
  4. 4.Conferring autonomous status on a college or an institution,
  5. 5.Providing instructions for education in Sanskrit and allied subjects.
About Councils of the University:
  • An Executive Council, which will be the principal executive body.
  • Its 15-member council will include the Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Centre, who will be the chairperson.
  • It will have other functions such as create teaching and academic posts and their appointment, and manage the revenue and property of the university.
  • An Academic and Activity Council, which will supervise academic policies.
  • A court, which will review the policies of the university and suggest measures for its development. Like all central universities, the President of India will be the Visitor of the central Sanskrit universities.
  • He may appoint persons to review and inspect the functioning of the University. The Executive Council may take action based on the findings of the inspection.
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