ACHIEVERS IAS ACADEMY IMPORTANT NEWS ANALYSIS

FOR UPSC (28-04-2016) 1 India successfully launches 7th navigation satellite; Prez, VP & PM greet scientists

 

• India has successfully put into orbit its seventh and final navigation satellite called IRNSS-1G with its own rocket. On the historic occasion at the Indian space centre, PSLV C33 rocket carried the seventh satellite of the IRNSS series precisely at 12:50 this afternoon.

• The 1425 kilogram satellite was ejected by the launch vehicle around 20 minutes after take off.

• President Pranab Mukherjee has congratulated the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO on the successful launch of PSLV-C33 carrying IRNSS-1G.

• In his message to Chairman of ISRO A.S. Kiran Kumar, Mr Mukherjee said, the launch of PSLV-C33 is an important landmark in the country's space programme with India now joining the small group of nations having their own regional satellite navigation system.

• He said, it demonstrates, yet again, India’s growing capabilities in space launch technology. He said, the nation is proud of this achievement. Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari has also congratulated the ISRO for the

 

 

achievement. In his message, Mr Ansari said, the flawless launch has again demonstrated India’s capabilities in the space sector.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the entire team of ISRO scientists and the nation for the successful launch. Speaking to the scientists from New Delhi, Mr Modi said, with the launch, India will determine its own paths powered by its technology.

• He said, in space science, Indian scientists have achieved many accomplishments. He said, lives of people can be transformed through space science.

• The Prime Minister said, till now India was dependent on other countries for GPS but now due to the satellite it has become self dependent.

• Mr Modi said, it will also help in disaster management. He said, the new technology will benefit the nation's people especially the fishermen. Mr Modi announced that the world will know it as NAVIC. The Prime Minister said, fellow SAARC nations can also benefit from it.

• He said, India has launched seven such navigation satellites which have been successful. Mr Modi said, it is example of Make in India, made in India and made for Indians.

• The constellation of the Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) is similar to GPS (global positioning system) of the US, Glonass of Russia, and Galileo of Europe as well as China's Beidou. India can take pride in formally joining the select group of nations once IRNSS is declared operational after checking the systems-space (satellites), ground (ground stations) and the user end signal receivers.

• Only on declaration of the system as operational, user end signal receiver makers will seriously get into manufacture of the equipment for use at the retail end.

• The system will provide accurate position information service to users across the country and the region, extending up to an area of 1,500 km. The full system comprises of nine satellites seven in orbit and two on the ground as stand-by.

• The applications of IRNSS are: terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, vehicle tracking and fleet management, terrestrial navigation for hikers and travellers, disaster management, integration with mobile phones, mapping and geodetic data capture and visual and voice navigation for drivers.

 

 

2 Parliament passes Constitution (SCs) Order Amendment Bill 2106:

• Parliament has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill,

2016 with Rajya Sabha approving it today. • The Lok Sabha had passed it in the last session. The Bill seeks to give effect to

proposals of Chhattisgardh, Haryana, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal to modify the list of Scheduled Castes.

• The proposal relates to the inclusion of certain communities, modification and removal of area restriction in respect of certain communities and exclusion of certain communities in the case of State of Odisha.

• Replying to a discussion over the Bill Social Justice and Empower Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said, the government is committed to the welfare of the SCs and STs communities and it has taken several steps in this direction. He said, the backlog vacancies in central government department are being filled.

• The Minister also added that the law has been made stringent to check atrocities against these communities.

 

 

3 India, Afghanistan & Iran hold consultations on Afghanistan:

• The first round of Director General/Joint Secretary level India, Afghanistan, and Iran

trilateral consultations on Afghanistan were held in New Delhi yesterday. • During the consultations, the Afghan delegation gave a briefing on the status of

efforts for peace and reconciliation following which the three delegations discussed various dimensions of the current situation.

• Both the Indian and Iranian delegation extended support to the efforts of Afghanistan government for peace, stability and prosperity of the country and to preserve the gains of the past fifteen years.

• The delegations also had fruitful exchange of views on mutual cooperation in strengthening economic and commercial cooperation among the three countries including by promoting regional connectivity such as through Chahbahar.

• They also agreed to explore avenues for attracting investment from other countries in the region and beyond.

 

 

4 VVIP Chopper deal: BJP asks Cong to come clear on issue; Cong calls for expediting CBI inquiry:

• Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu today asked the Congress to come out

clear in the Agusta Westland helicopter controversy. • Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr Naidu said, the government is pursuing

the case with all seriousness. He wondered why Congress is accusing the ruling dispensation of the deal which was not even signed in its tenure. Mr Naidu said Congress is spreading lies in the matter.

• The Minister also asked Congress to brush its facts before making statements like Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met his Italian counterpart Matteo Renzi at United Nations General Assembly in September 2015.

• The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had clarified yesterday that there was no such meeting between the two Prime Ministers.

• Countering Mr Naidu, Congress said instead of playing politics, the government should speed up the inquiry by the CBI which the UPA had ordered in the case. Party leader A K Antony said the truth should come out and the middleman be punished.

• Another party leader Veerappa Moily said, present government is targeting the opposition unnecessarily. He said the BJP is deliberately making attempts to malign the image of party president and vice president.

• Meanwhile, reacting to controversy, BSP Chief Ms Mayawati said, there should a Supreme court monitored probe in the Agusta Westland deal.

 

 

5 Would ask China to rein in North Korea: Donald Trump

• Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has said he would ask China to

rein-in North Korea. • He said, otherwise the US will not be doing business with the world's second largest

economy which, he said, can not even survive without America. Trump said there would be a depression in Chinese economy if its business with the US comes down.

• In 2009, China, the world's second largest economy, jumped to become the third biggest market for US exports. American companies have invested over 62.2 billion US dollars in 58,000 projects in China .

 

 

6 India to have around 15 crore population of elderly persons by 2021: Minister

• India would have around 15 crore population of elderly persons by 2021. • Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Vijay Sampla told Rajya

Sabha in a written reply today that the projected population of male 60 year and above will be over 7 core and female 7.26 core by then.

• The population of elderly persons would be around 12 crore by the end this year. Mr. Sampla said the government is taking several steps for their welfare.

 

 

7 Parliament passes Industries Amendment Bill, 2015

• Parliament has passed the Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,

2015 with Rajya Sabha approving it today. • Lok Sabha had passed the Bill in Winter Session of the Parliament last year. The bill

seeks to bring industries engaged in the manufacture of potable alcohol under the exclusive control of States in all respects.

• However, the Centre will continue to be responsible for formulating policy and regulating foreign collaboration for all products of fermentation industries, including industrial and potable alcohol.

• The Centre conformed to the Supreme Court order in the Bihar Distillery versus Union of India case, wherein it held that where the removal or clearance is for industrial purposes, the levy of excise duty and all other control should be with the Centre.

• Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Bill. Anand Bhaskar Ropolu of Congress, Rangasayee Ramakrishna of BJP and Bhupinder Singh of BJD participated in the discussion.

 

 

8 Govt plans to set up 20 world class universities in country: Irani

• Government is planning to set up 20 world class universities in the country. • In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Human Resources Development Minister

Smriti Irani said there is a proposal to establish a regulatory architecture to enable ten each public and private institutions in the country to emerge as world class teaching and research institutions. She said, the details in this regard are being worked out.

 

 

9 LS discusses Demands for Grants for Skill Development Ministry:

• The Lok Sabha today took up the discussion on the Demands for Grants for Ministry

of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for 2016-17. • Initiating the discussion, Rajiv Satav of Congress demanded raising the budgetary

allocations of Skill Development Ministry from 1800 crore rupees to 20 thousand crore rupees.

• He said, the current allocation is inadequate to meet the skill training goal of the government.

• He also demanded constitution of Standing Committee on Skill Development Ministry which has so far not been established.

• He also stressed on the need of opening of more ITIs in various States to impart skill training to the youth. He said, there is lack of master trainers in the country and the government’s proposed move of setting up of 1500 multi skill Training Institutes will be of no use.

• Participating in the debate, Om Birla of BJP said, the NDA government has set a target of opening of ITIs in all blocks of the country.

• He said, the Startup India scheme will promote the youth for innovations and creating entrepreneurship.

• He said, the government is focusing on imparting quality skill training to the people to make them employable and financially self-dependent.