GS- 3rd Paper
Topic- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Setting Up of Rocket Launching Pad
Context
- Government is planning to set up rocket launching pad near Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu.
- Currently, the Indian Space Research organisation (Isro) has two launch pads at Sriharikotta, Andhra Pradesh
Need
- The development comes on the backdrop of increasing launches from India, both for domestic and international customers.
- Number of launches every year by the space agency has increased over 30.
- In 2018, the space agency launched 17 missions.
Applications
The new launch pad is intended to be used for future Indian rockets like-
- The Unified Modular Launch Vehicle,
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III
- Avatar RLV (Avatar Reusable Launch Vehicle),
- Small satellite launch vehicle, as well as the older ones like Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
Current Status
- Today, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR spaceport at Sriharikotta is responsible for integration of launchers.
- It houses two operational launch pads from where all GSLV and PSLV flights take place.
- ISRO has launched most of its customer satellites with its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- From 1994 to 2015, PSLV has launched as many as 84 satellites, of which 51 were for international customers, as per the agency.
Upcoming Projects of ISRO
- ISRO is developing the next variant of GSLV is GSLV Mk III.
- It will have indigenous high thrust cryogenic engine and stage and having the capability of launching 4 tonne class of communication satellites.
- The space agency is also working on small rockets to carry small satellites.
- The indigenously developed Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is being designed by scientists to carry smaller commercial satellites into the low-earth orbit less than 2,000 km above the earth’s surface.
- The SSLV, which can carry 500 kg to the low earth orbit, can be assembled within days by a smaller team and at a drastically reduced price as compared to PSLV.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019
Context
The Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019 Introduced in Lok Sabha.
About
- The Industrial Relations Code has been prepared after wide consultations with Trade union representatives, Employer’s organizations and State Governments.
- The draft code on Industrial Relations has been prepared after amalgamating, simplifying and rationalizing the relevant provisions of following three Central Labour Acts viz-
- The Trade Unions Act, 1926,
- The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946,
- The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
Objective
- The Bill aims to consolidate and amend the laws relating to trade unions, conditions of employment in industrial establishment or undertaking, investigation and settlement of industrial disputes.
Key features
- Setting up of two-member tribunal (in place of one member).
- Introducing a concept that some of the important cases will be adjudicated jointly and the rest by a single member resulting speedier disposal of cases.
- To impart flexibility to the exit provisions (relating to retrenchment etc.).
- The re-skilling fund is to be utilised for crediting to workers in the manner to be prescribed.
- Definition of Fixed Term Employment and that it would not lead to any notice period and payment of compensation on retrenchment excluded.
- Vesting of powers with the government officers for adjudication of disputes involving penalty as fines thereby lessening the burden on tribunal.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topics– Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
Context
Ministry of MSME has been providing loans to unemployed youth for promoting Khadi and Village Industries.
About
- Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and Goa Government and have joined hands with an aim to generate employment opportunities in Goa.
- KVIC along with GOA Govt.distributed electric potter wheels to 160 families and new models Charkhas (spinning wheels) to 50 trained women.
- This will create direct employment to 700 people.
- KVIC is also establishing a Lijjat Papad unit in Goa, which will create 200 direct jobs to the local women.
- Further for the first time electric potter wheels have been given to replace the traditional potter wheel which was highly labour intensive and less efficient in terms of production.
- KVIC has already helped 1,000 people to get employment with these initiatives.
About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament of 1956, as amended by act of 1987 and Act of 2006.
- In April 1957, it took over the work of former All India Khadi and Village Industries Board.
Objectives
The broad objectives that the KVIC has set before it are-
- The social objectiveof providing employment.
- The economic objectiveof producing saleable articles.
- The wider objectiveof creating self-reliance amongst the poor and building up of a strong rural community spirit.
Functions
- It is an apex organization under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India.
- It seeks to – plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assistin the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
Char Dham Pariyojna
Context
The Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna is an ambitious initiative to improve connectivity to the Char Dham pilgrimage centres in the Himalayas.
About Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna
- Char Dham Pariyojna involves developing and widening 900-km of national highways connecting the holy Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri .
- The highway will be called Char Dham Mahamarg (Char Dham Highway).
- The highway construction project will be called as Char Dham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana (Char Dham Highway Development Project).
- The roads will be widened from 12m to 24m and the project will involve construction of tunnels, bypasses, bridges, subways and viaducts.
Key facts
- The project’s main objective is to develop around 900 km of national highways.
- These highways will be built at an approximate cost of Rs 12,000 crore.
- It will allow uninterrupted access for pilgrims to the four Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in Uttarakhand.
- The all-weather roads will have tunnels, bridges and fly-overs to enhance road safety and uninterrupted access.
- It will have proper slope stabilisation to ensure protection against landslides. It will benefit people visiting holy shrines in Uttarakhand.
- It will generate additional employment for the local population and will change the economy of the State as it will give strong boost to connectivity and tourism
Issues regarding the Project
- The proposed four-lane expressway to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Bardinath in the hill state is one of the flagship projects of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- The idea of the 900-kilometre road network in the sensitive mountains of Uttarakhand drew scepticism from environmental activists.
- They concerned that the highways and the tourists they would bring in will be at the cost of the ecological balance.
For Prelims
Golden Peacock Award at IFFI 2019
Context
Golden Peacock Award-2019 was announced at the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which concluded in Goa.
Highlights
- Golden Peacock Award– ‘Particles’
- Best Director Award – Lijo Jose Pellissery for film ‘Jallikattu’
- Best Actor (Male) Award– Seu Jorge for Brazilian movie ‘Marighella’.
- The Best Actor (Female) Award – Usha Jadhav Marathi film ‘Mai Ghatt: Crime No. 103/2005’.
- Special Jury Award – Pema Tseden’s ‘Balloon’
- ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal– Italian film ‘Rwanda’
