CURRENT AFFAIRS 14-08-2020

ABSCISIC ACID (ABA)

What is in news?

The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, has conducted a study on seed germination that could have a major impact on agriculture in the long run.

About:

• The study focused on the interplay between plant hormones like abscisic acid (ABA) which inhibit the sprouting of the seed and environmental cues like light (which promotes the sprouting process) and darkness.

• Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone.

• ABA functions in many plant developmental processes, including seed and bud dormancy, the control of organ size and stomatal closure.

• It is especially important for plants in the response to environmental stresses, including drought, soil salinity, cold tolerance, freezing tolerance, heat stress and heavy metal ion tolerance.

HINDUSTAN URVARAK & RASAYAN LIMITED (HURL)

What is in news?

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers reviewed the progress of three upcoming projects of Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) at Gorakhpur, Barauni and Sindri in New Delhi.

About:

• Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) was incorporated in 2016.

• It is a joint venture company by Coal India Limited (CIL), NTPC Limited (NTPC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) as the lead promoters with Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HFCL) as other two partners.

• Through HURL, Government of India is reviving three closed urea plants of FCIL and HFCL at Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni, each having annual capacity of 12.7 Lakh MT.

AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BUREAU (AAIB)

What is in news?

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) ordered investigation into the Air India Express aircraft crash at Kozhikode airport. The Probe of the aircraft crash will be done by a five member team headed by Captain S S Chahar.

About:

• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, India (AAIB, India) is an attached office of the Govt of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation.

• AAIB is responsible for classification of "Safety Occurrences" involving aircraft operating in the Indian Airspace into Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents.

• The agency was established in 2011. The Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012 governs its functioning.

SARTHAK

What is in news?

An Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard was launched and re-christened as Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’.

About:

• Sarthak is the 4th in the series of five OPVs deployed by the Coast Guard to enhance maritime security.

• It has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited.

• The Ship is fitted with state-of-the-art Navigation and Communication equipment, sensor and machinery.

• The ship is designed to embark and carry a twin-engine helicopter, four high speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and Search & Rescue operations. 

GREATER MALE CONNECTIVITY PROJECT

What is in news?

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has announced that India will fund the implementation of Greater Male Connectivity Project through a 400 million dollar Line of Credit and 100 million dollar grant.

About:

• This 6.7 kilometre bridge project connecting Male with Gulhifalhu Port and Thilafushi industrial zone will help revitalise and transform Maldivian economy.

• A regular cargo ferry service between India and Maldives will be started to boost trade and commerce.

• India is also starting an air travel bubble with Maldives to sustain and promote the dynamic people-to-people ties between the two countries.

UAE AND ISRAEL ESTABLISH FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

What is in news?

US President Donald Trump announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations as part of a new peace deal.

About:

• UAE and Israel plan to exchange embassies and ambassadors and begin cooperation on a broad range of areas including tourism, education, healthcare, trade and security.

• Under the agreement, Israel would suspend its plans to annex parts of the West Bank.

• UAE will be the third Arab country to open relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.

• The deal is a significant step towards building a more peaceful Middle East.

NAVAL INNOVATION AND INDIGENISATION ORGANISATION (NIIO)

What is in news?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO).

About:

• The NIIO puts in place dedicated structures for the end users to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence.

• The Draft Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 (DAP 20) rolled out by the Defence Ministry last month envisaged establishment of Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation by the Service Headquarters.

• The NIIO is a three-tiered organisation.

• Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide apex level directives.

• A working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects.

• A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has also been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame.

• A compendium of Indian Navy’s Indigenisation perspective plans titled ‘SWAVLAMBAN’ was also released on the occasion.

TRANSPARENT TAXATION - HONOURING THE HONEST

What is in news?

Prime Minister Modi launched a platform for “Transparent Taxation - Honouring the Honest”.

About:

• The platform has major reforms like Faceless Assessment, Faceless Appeal and Taxpayers Charter.

• Faceless Assessment and Taxpayers Charter came into force with immediate effect while the facility of faceless appeal will be available for citizens across the country from 25th September i.e. Deen Dayal Upadhyay's birth anniversary.

• The new platform apart from being faceless is also aimed at boosting the confidence of the taxpayer and making him/her fearless.

• The launch of Taxpayers Charter is a significant step where the taxpayer is now assured of fair, courteous and rational behavior.

Source: The Hindu