June 26th Current Affairs

1. Pinaka Rocket.

IN NEWS:

Continuing the development of Artillery Rocket Systems, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on 24th and 25th June 2021 at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. 

KEY POINTS:

• The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to 45 kms.
• The rocket system has been developed jointly by Pune based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) with manufacturing support from M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur.
• The Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launch system that can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. The weapon system, mounted on a Tatra truck, is equipped with state-of-the-art guidance kit comprising an advanced navigation and control system.
• The Navigation system of the missile is also aided by the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

SOURCE:PIB

2. 6 years of Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT and PMAY-U

IN NEWS:

• Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organised an online event to commemorate six years of the three transformative Urban Missions vis. Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U).
• The day also marked the 45 years of establishment of National Institute of Urban Affairs, an autonomous body of MoHUA, tasked to bridge the gap between research and practice on issues related to urbanization.

KEY POINTS:

• These schemes were launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25 in 2015.
• These schemes were part of visionary agenda for urban rejuvenation and designed as part of multi-layer strategy in order to meet aspirations of 40 percent of India’s population living across cities.
• June 25 also marks 45 years of establishment of National Institute of Urban Affairs. It is an autonomous body of MoHUA which focuses on bridging the gap between research and practice on issues with urbanization.
• Projects implemented under these three Missions is now bringing about perceptible change in lives of India’s urban residents.
• These missions have led to development of urban infrastructure viz., better water supply, sanitation and housing for all. It has also pioneered the use of data, technology and innovation in planning and managing Indian cities.
• Missions also played an important role during COVID-19 pandemic.

Important Information:

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)

• PMAY-U, under the aegis of ‘Housing for All’, cater to urban housing shortage among EWS/LIG and MIG categories including slum dwellers and seeks to provide them a ‘pucca’ house by 2022. About 1.12 crore houses have been sanctioned under it out of which 82.5 lakh houses have been grounded and 48 lakh have been completed.

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

• AMRUT mission was launched to tackle the issues of Water Supply, Storm Water Drainage to reduce flooding, Sewerage and septage management, Non-motorized Urban Transport and creating green space or parks across 500 cities with population of more than 1 lakh.

Smart Cities Mission

• It is a transformational Mission launched with the aim of bringing a paradigm shift in practice of urban development.
• Projects developed under it are multi-sectoral and mirror aspirations of local population. 69 Smart cities have developed and operationalised their Integrated Command & Control Centres (ICCCs) as of now.
• These operational ICCCs functioned as war-rooms for COVID management.

SOURCE:IE

3. LiDAR Based Survey of Forest Areas.

IN NEWS:

• Recently, the Union Environment Minister in a virtual event released the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based survey of forest areas in ten states.
• The 10 mapped states are Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura.

Key Points

• The project was awarded to WAPCOS in July 2020 at a cost of over Rs. 18 crore for implementation in 26 states over 261897 hectares.
• WAPCOS is a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Jal Shakti Ministry.
• It is a first of its kind and a unique experiment using LiDAR technology which will help augment water and fodder in jungle areas thereby reducing human-animal conflict.
• LiDAR technology has been found to have 90% accuracy.
• States will be given Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds to use in this project.
• CAMPA is meant to promote afforestation and regeneration activities as a way of compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest uses.
• CAMPA was established to manage the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) and it acts as the custodian of the CAMPA fund.
• One major ridge inside a forest block is identified in these states with an average area of 10,000 ha selected in each State; the area should have average rainfall of the state, and requires assisted natural generation.

Significance:

• Besides reducing human-animal conflict, it will help us in identifying areas which need groundwater recharge which will in turn help local communities.
• It will help in catching rainwater and prevent stream run-off, which will help in recharging groundwater.
• It will help in recommending different types of Soil & Water conservation structures such as Anicut, Gabion, Gully Plug, Mini percolation tank, Percolation Tank, Field bund, Sunken pond, Farm pond etc.

Important Information:

LiDAR

• It is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges & variable distances.
• These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
• A LiDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.
• Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring LiDAR data over broad areas.
• LiDAR follows a simple principle — throw laser light at an object on the earth surface and calculate the time it takes to return to the LiDAR source.

• Given the speed at which the light travels (approximately 186,000 miles per second), the process of measuring the exact distance through LiDAR appears to be incredibly fast.

SOURCE:IE

4. International Day of the Seafarer 2021.

IN NEWS:

• International Day of Seafarer is observed every year on June 25.
• This day is marked to appreciate the efforts of seafarer in boosting global economics and commerce.

KEY POINTS:

• Seafarers play an important role in boosting global economics and commerce.
• Several industries rely on sea routes and ships to transport their good to get the business. Therefore, seafarers are extremely imperative in facilitating these things.
• This day was first celebrated in 2011 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• The day was designated by organization which is a United Nations agency focussed on shipping.
• It was designated by a resolution adopted by “Conference of Parties to International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)”. This conference was held in 1978 in Philippines.

Significance:

• This day is significant for economy and commerce.
• On this day, governments of different countries and shipping corporations etc are invited to celebrate and promote awareness regarding the day.
• On the occasion, awareness is raised about the role that sailors play in facilitating business and boosting commerce worldwide.
• IMO also discusses rights of the sailor at foreign posts.
• Private shipping companies are also asked to provide sailor adequate facilities.
• Theme :This year, international day of seafarers was observed under the theme- “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future”.

SOURCE:TH

5. Itat e-dwar.

IN NEWS:

Union Minister for Law & Justice, Communications and Electronics & IT, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, launched a e-filing portal of Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) called ‘itat e-dwar’ .

KEY POINTS:

• While launching the portal, Minister highlighted the power of Digital India.
• According to him, Digital India means empowering ordinary Indian with power of technology in order to bridge the digital divide between digital haves and digital have nots.
• As per the minister, data of more than 18 crore cases are available in National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG). He suggested to integrate cases of ITAT with NJDG.

About itat e-dwar’

• Itat e-dwar is a larger narrative of transformation that India is undergoing through digital medium.
• It will enable innovation & empowerment and open new avenues for growth. 
• This e-filing portal will enhance accessibility, accountability and transparency in working of ITAT. 
• It will result into economization of use of paper, savings in costs and rationalization of fixation of cases which in turn help in quicker disposal of cases. 
• It would help parties to file their Appeals, Miscellaneous Applications, documents, etc electronically.

SOURCE:PIB