15 OCTOBER 2021 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS | UPSC CDS CAPF AFCAT NDA SSB

1. UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

India has been re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council (2022-24) for a record 6th term with an overwhelming majority and vowed to continue to work for the promotion and protection of Human Rights through "Samman, Samvad and Sahyog."

About:

India's current term was set to end on December 31 2021.
The UN General Assembly elected by secret ballot Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, UAE and the US.
The United States, which had quit the council in 2018 under the previous Donald Trump's regime, was re-elected to the global rights body for a period of three-and-a-half years.

Important Info :

UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system which consists of 47 Member States elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the majority of the members of the General Assembly.
The members of the Council shall serve for a period of three years and shall not be eligible for immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.
The membership is based on equitable geographical distribution, and seats are distributed among regional groups Group of African States (13), Group of Asia-Pacific States (13), Group of Eastern European States (6), Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (8) and Group of Western European and other States (7).

Source: All India Radio

2. FERTILIZERS

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved that the increased prices of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers vide notification dated 20.5.2021 shall be rolled over for the whole year 2021-22 from 1.10.2021 to 31.3.2022.

About:

The increased international prices of Diammonium phosphate (DAP) have been absorbed by the Union Government.
The Union Government has decided to increase the subsidy by Rs. 438 per bag of DAP as a special onetime package so that farmers can get DAP at the same price.
The increased international prices of raw materials for production of three most consumed NPK grades (10:26:26, 20:20:0:13 and 12:32:16) have been absorbed by the Union Government by increasing subsidy by Rs. 100 per bag on these NPK grades as a special onetime package so that farmers can get these fertilizers at affordable prices.
The Union Government has brought Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM) under Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for the first time since its inception in 2010 to give a push to its manufacturing by Sugar Mills as a byproduct. This Fertilizer is known as PDM-0:0:14.5:0.
This move is expected to reduce India’s dependence on 100% import of more than 42 LMT of Mineral based Potash i.e. MOP which cost around Rs. 7,160 crores annually.
This decision will not only improve the income level of sugarcane growers and sugar mills but also offer Rs. 73 subsidy per 50 kg bag being sold @ Rs 600-800 by Fertilizer Companies to farmers.
It is expected that the Union Government will spend Rs. 156 crores (approx.) annually as subsidy on PDM and save foreign exchange of Rs. 562 crores.

Source: PIB

3. PLI SCHEME FOR TELECOM AND NETWORKING PRODUCTS

Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications launched Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Telecom and Networking Products.

About:

PLI Scheme in telecom sector will help in reducing India’s dependence on other countries for import of telecom and networking products.
The PLI Scheme is being launched by DoT with the objective to boost domestic manufacturing in the telecom and networking products by incentivising incremental investments and turnover with total outlay of ₹ 12,195 crore.
The scheme is effective from 1st April, 2021. Investment made by successful applicants in India from 1st April, 2021 onwards and up to FY 2024-25 shall be eligible, subject to qualifying incremental annual thresholds.
The support under the Scheme shall be provided for a period of five (5) years, i.e. from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.
As per Scheme and Scheme Guidelines, a total of 31 companies, comprising of 16 MSMEs and 15 Non-MSMEs (8 Domestic and 7 Global companies) have been found eligible and are being given approval under Production linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme of Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
As per commitments given by applicants, these 31 applicants are expected to invest ₹ 3345 crore in the next 4 years and generate incremental employment of more than 40,000 people with expected an incremental production of around ₹ 1.82 Lakh Crore over the scheme period.
The scheme is expected to boost domestic Research & Development of new products on which 15% of the committed investment could be invested.

Source: PIB

4. ‘ONE HEALTH’ CONSORTIUM

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI, supported a mega consortium on ‘One Health’ and launched the First ‘One Health’ project of DBT.

About:

This programme envisages carrying out surveillance of important bacterial, viral and parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as transboundary pathogens in India, including the North-eastern part of the country.
Use of existing diagnostic tests and the development of additional methodologies when required are mandated for the surveillance and for understanding the spread of emerging diseases.
This Consortium, consisting of 27 organisations led by DBT-National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, is one of the biggest one health programs launched by Govt of India in post-COVID times.
The One health consortium consists of AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur, IVRI, Bareily, GADVASU, Ludhiana, TANUVAS, Chennai, MAFSU, Nagpur, Assam agricultural and veterinary university and many more ICAR, ICMR centres and wildlife agencies.

Source: PIB

5. RAIL KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA (RKVY)

Indian Railways’ Production Unit, Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) organized a function for distribution of self-employment toolkits and certificates for successful trainees under Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY) on 13.10.2021.

About:

This marks the culmination of the 100-hour training program organized by BLW for training of the first batch, in Technical Trades viz. Electrician, Fitter, Machinist, and Welder, under Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY). Total 54 trainees received toolkits and certificates on 13.10.2021.
RKVY program was launched on 17.09.2021 by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways.
RKVY program empowers local youth by way of providing entry level training in Industry relevant skills through Railway Training Institutes.
The RKVY program is under aegis of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikasa Yojana (PMKVY) – a scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to achieve vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
Total 50,000 Youths will be trained over period of three years in 75 Railway Training Institutes, spread all across India.
Banaras Locomotive Works has been entrusted as nodal agency for implementation of RKVY program. Course content and Assessment procedure for Training has been developed by Banaras Locomotive Works.

Source: PIB

6. BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS)

The government has given go-ahead for inviting the expression of interest for the installation of 1000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) as a pilot project.

About:

This is the joint effort of both Ministry of New and renewable energy and Ministry of Power who have been working on this to provide a road map for the installation of the energy storage system in the country.
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a CPSU under Ministry of New and renewable energy, has called for the expression of interest for procurement of 1000 MWh BESS.
This will be published along with the RFS bid document and the draft comprehensive guideline for procurement and utilization of BESS as a part of generation, transmission and distribution assets and with all ancillary services.
Based on the suggestions and the feedback from various stakeholders, the final RFS document will be floated in the first week of November 2021, along with the final comprehensive guidelines for procurement and utilization of BESS as a part of generation, transmission and distribution assets and with all ancillary services.

Important Info :

Going forward, India plans to use energy storage system under following business cases:

Renewable energy along with the energy storage system
Energy storage system as grid element to maximize the use of transmission system and strengthening grid stability and also to save investment in the augmentation of transmission infrastructure.
Storage as an asset for balancing services and flexible operation. The system operator i.e. load dispatchers (RLDCs and SLDCs) may use storage system for frequency control and balancing services to manage the inherent uncertainty/variations in the load due to un-generation.
Storage for distribution system i.e. it may be placed at the load centre to manage its peak load and other obligations.
As a merchant capacity by the energy storage system developer and sell in the power market
Any other future business models as a combination of the above.

Source: PIB

7. MyParkings App

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur launched MyParkings app in New Delhi.

About:

Parking is a difficult issue and this app is an effort to reduce stress and help people plan their trips better. Smart parking solution through app or through card is an effortless solution towards hassle-free parking.
Booking of online parking slots will enable people to park their vehicles without inconvenience.
Ease of parking through the app will also help reduce pollution from vehicles by minimizing the time spent searching for parking spots. The Minister hoped other Municipal Corporations will take a leaf out of the experience of MyParkings and adopt similar solutions.

Source : All India Radio

15 OCTOBER 2021 DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS | UPSC CDS CAPF AFCAT NDA SSB

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