Today's GK(29-8-13)

Accent on indigenous textile machinery

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday gave its approval for implementing Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) during the 12th Plan period with a major focus on power looms with a total outlay of Rs. 11,900 crore.

An official statement said here that CCEA meeting, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, approved Rs. 2,400 crore under the TUFS for 2013-14.

The scheme is aimed to promote indigenous manufacturing of the textile machinery. Interest reimbursement (IR) on second hand imported shuttleless looms shall be reduced from 5 per cent to 2 per cent. On the other hand, for new shuttleless looms capital subsidy would be raised from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, IR from 5 per cent to 6 percent, capital subsidy from 10 per cent to 15 per cent and margin money subsidy from 20 per cent to 30 per cent with an increase in subsidy cap from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.5 crore.

The capital subsidy for handloom and silk sectors would be increased from 25 per cent to 30 per cent. In addition to this, margin money subsidy cap would be increased from Rs.45 lakh to Rs. 75 lakh in respect of MSME and jute sectors. Sectoral cap of 26 per cent will be applicable only for the spinning segment and sectoral caps for all other segments have been removed to enable balanced growth across the value chain.

A pilot project for Hire-Purchase of new shuttleless looms shall be introduced with a plan outlay of Rs.300 crore within TUFS to enable poor powerloom weavers, having limited capacity to make capital investments, to upgrade their looms. This will help induce capital investment in the textile sector to achieve growth in the fibre, yarn, fabric and garment production chain.

Tourist Visa on Arrival Facility extended at Four More Airports

The Union government of India on 28 August 2013 decided to extend Tourist Visa on Arrival facility at four more airports of the country. They are Trivandrum, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi. Presently, such facility is available at four International airports - Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

The facility of visa on arrival can be availed by citizens of 11 countries in these airports. Citizens of Japan, Cambodia, Singapore, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia can avail the facility in the eight airports.

The visa on arrival facility would also be extended to Goa airport as soon as infrastructure and manpower requirements are in place.

What is TVOA?

TVOA is allowed for a maximum validity of 30 days with single entry facility by the Immigration Officers on payment of a fee of 60 US dollars or equivalent amount in Indian rupees per passenger.

TOVA is allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum gap of two months between two visits. TVOA shall be non-extendable and non-convertible.

UN Security Council failed to reach an Agreement on the Use of Military Force against Syria

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council on 28 August 2013 failed to reach an agreement on a resolution that could authorise the use of military force against Syria. Britain put forth a resolution at the UN Security Council, seeking authorisation of necessary measures to protect civilians in Syria. Russia reiterated its objections to international intervention in the Syrian crisis during the discussions.

USA charged the Assad government of using deadly chemical weapons near Damascus last week. Russia, however, reiterated its objections to international intervention in the Syrian crisis. Chapter 7 of the UN Charter allows action with respect to threats to the peace, breaches of the peace, and acts of aggression

Need more study on CO2 effect on Marine Fauna: Researchers

Researchers in the last week of August 2013 highlighted the need of conducting more research on the response of ocean and ocean fauna to the anthropogenic climate change. The need for the research was highlighted in three different studies published in the Nature Climate Change on 25 August 2013.

As per the research studies, oceans acting as a carbon dioxide sink absorbs a quarter of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, resulting in the formation of Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃). The amount of CO₂ observed by the ocean is directly proportional to the increase in the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, leading to formation of more H₂CO₃, which in turn results in acidification of the ocean.

The Three Study Reports

1. Study from the scientists of Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
The study from the scientists of Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research has highlighted the level of adaptability in different organisms and reported that corals and echinoderms (like starfish) faces fear of extinction over a period of time, may be by 2100.
  
Finds of the scientists from Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research is more applicable because these are based on the emission scenarios used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for drafting the fifth assessment report (to be released in September 2013).

Effects on About Corals

Corals that spend their complete life at one place lacks necessary physiological mechanism as a result of which it may not pay off to the higher acidity of ocean water. Calcium Carbonate secreted by these corals helps in creation of the coral reefs (most productive ecosystem). Higher acidification of the ocean and regular warming of climate may harm the formation of the reefs, leading to its extinction over a period of time.

2. Study from Researchers from Plymouth University, England

The study from the researchers and marine biologists from Plymouth University, England claimed that the ocean worms have developed genetic responses against the climatic change. Response of polychaete worms was studied, which lives around the carbon dioxide-rich volcanic vents off the southern coast of Italy. The study displayed a different genotype (this is the first time that the genetic adaptation of a complex animal species has been figured following its response to climate change).

3. Study of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Hamburg
The study figured out that acidification of Ocean reduced the amount of biogenic emissions of Sulphur compounds like dimethylsulphide. Dimethylsulphide generally plays a major role in cooling the atmosphere as it reduces the amount of solar energy that reaches to earth’s surface and its reduction would increase ocean acidification directly.
About Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃) and its Role in Ocean Chemistry

Carbonic acid is the chemical compound with the formula H₂CO₃. It is also a name sometimes given to solutions of carbon dioxide in water (carbonated water). H₂CO₃ plays an important role in acidification of the ocean water and has lead to shift the pH value of the ocean by about 0.1 units from the pre-industrial levels.

Formation of Carbonic Acid      

• CO₂ + H₂O = H₂CO₃

Carbonic acid is a weak acid and forms two kinds of salts, the carbonates and the bicarbonates.

China and Pakistan to hold Joint Air Exercise called Shaheen (Eagle)-2

The Chinese and Pakistani air forces on 28 August 2013 decided to hold a joint exercise next week in a region bordering Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The joint drill will be held during September 2013 in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The exercise, code-named Shaheen (Eagle)-2, is another cooperative project between the two air forces after the Shaheen-1 drill in Pakistan in March 2011. The drill between the two close allies is being held ahead of an India-China military exercise planned for November 2013.

The exercise, codenamed Hand-in-Hand, is scheduled to be held in China's Chengdu Military Command area from November 4 to 14 2013.
India and China are expected to field about 150 troops each for the exercise, which is likely to focus on anti-terrorism manoeuvres.

E-Commerce Firm Snapdeal.com entered into a Partnership with Hypercity Retail

E-commerce firm Snapdeal.com on 29 August 2013 entered into a strategic partnership with Hypercity Retail to sell Hypercity's products on its portal. Hypercity is a part of the K Raheja Group.

This partnership will leverage strengths of both the companies and will deliver greater assortment to a much wider consumer base. It will lead to increased market access and higher sales for both partners.

A large variety of Hypercity merchandise as well as the various domestic and international brands across categories such as personal care, sports & fitness, home furnishing and kitchenware, among others, which are sold in Hypercity stores, will now be available on Snapdeal.com.

SepakTakraw Super Series kicked off in Delhi

The International Sepaktakraw Super Series 2013 kicked off in New Delhi on 29 August 2013. The tournament will be held from 29 August to 1 September 2013.

In the Men's section, India is placed in Group-D alongside Singapore. Thailand, Japan, Korea, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, USA and Iran are the other teams participating in the Men's section.

In the Women's section, India has been given a slot in Pool-A, alongside Indonesia, Korea and Vietnam, while the other Pool comprises of Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

Sepaktakraw is a popular sport in South East Asia, and in general terms is called, kick volleyball. The sport differs from volleyball, as players are not allowed to touch the ball with hands, but can only use their feet, knee, chest and head to kick the ball.

Second ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (Plus) issued the Joint Declaration

The second ADMM (ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting) Plus meeting was held in Brunei on 29 August 2013. The Ministers issued a joint Declaration at the end of the meeting in which it has been decided that the ADMM Plus countries will establish practical measures that reduce vulnerability to miscalculation and avoid misunderstanding and undesirable incidents at sea.

Among other decisions taken at the meeting of the ADMM Plus, was the establishment of an additional (sixth) Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action which will be co-chaired by India with Vietnam. ADMM Plus was established in 2010. It was built with the objective of developing synergy and cooperative frameworks to enable nations to address the complex security challenges. This forum is convened every two years.

The Minister of State for Defence Shri Jitendra Singh represented India at the meeting.

India’s stance at ADMM Plus meeting

India stated that terrorism represents a major threat to the peace, stability and security of the entire region. India urged that the global regime against terrorism needs to be strengthened through the early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism at the UN. India stressed on to combine efforts to ensure that terrorist sanctuaries, safe havens and the networks for financing to terrorist groups are dismantled.

India supported that the reconciliation process must be Afghan- led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled, within the framework of the Afghan constitution and internationally accepted redlines.The recent attack against our Consulate in Jalalabad will not deter us in our efforts to assist Afghanistan in the reconstruction and development efforts.

India supported calls for stopping of violence and commencement of an inclusive national dialogue to resolve the conflict through peaceful political means in Syria. India expressed deep concern about the nuclear test conducted by North Korea in February 2013. India also stressed on the need to discuss maritime security in this region.