Pradhan Mantri Jl-VAN yojana
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the "Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana"
- It is for providing financial support to Integrated Bio-ethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.
- It focuses to incentivize 2G Ethanol sector and support it by creating a suitable ecosystem for setting up commercial projects and increasing Research & Development in this area.
- The ethanol produced by the scheme beneficiaries will be mandatorily supplied to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
- This is to further enhance the blending percentage under the ethanol blending program.
- Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical body under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum &Natural Gas, will be the implementation Agency for the scheme.
IEA Bio-energy Technology Collaboration Program (TCP)
- Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India joined IEA (International Energy Agency) Bio-energy TCP as its 25th member recently.
- It is an international platform for co-operation among countries.
- It aims to improve cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programs in bio-energy research, development and deployment.
- It works under the framework of International Energy Agency (IEA)
- The primary goal of joining is to facilitate the market introduction of advanced bio-fuels with an aim to bring down emissions and reduce crude imports.
- India is an Associate member of IEA.
- Click here to know more about IEA.
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prizes for Science and Technology
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) prizes for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 were conferred recently.
- It is awarded each year on the basis of contributions to human knowledge and progress, made through work done primarily in India during the five years.
- It was instituted in the year 1957.
- It comprises a citation, a cash award of 5 lakh rupees and a plaque.
- It was instituted in the memory of late Dr (Sir) Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the founder director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
- Any citizen of India engaged in research in any field of science and technology up to the age of 45 years is eligible to be nominated.
Lactic Acid
- It is an organic acid produced in the muscles during the strenuous exercises.
- It is a by-product produced during the conversion of glycogen into glucose even in the absence of oxygen.
- Muscles keep energy stored in the form of a substance called glycogen.
- When energy is required by our body, muscles convert this glycogen into glucose, with the help of oxygen.
- The body prefers to generate most of its energy using aerobic methods, meaning with oxygen.
- The breaking down of glycogen in the absence of oxygen results in accumulation of lactic acid in muscles.
- The release of lactic acid acts like a signal for the body to rest.
- While resting, oxygen is restored and lactic acid is converted back into glycogen by the liver.
National Mineral Policy, 2019
- The Union Cabinet has approved National Mineral Policy 2019.
- It replaces the extant National Mineral Policy 2008 ("NMP 2008").
- It will lead to sustainable mining sector development in future.
- It will address the issues of project affected persons especially those residing in tribal areas.
- The new changes include the focus on make in India initiative and Gender sensitivity in terms of the vision.
- It also focuses on use coastal waterways and inland shipping for evacuation and transportation of minerals.
- It encourages dedicated mineral corridors to facilitate the transportation of minerals.
- It introduces the concept of Inter-Generational Equity that deals with the well-being not only of the present generation but also of the generations to come.
- It also proposes to constitute an inter-ministerial body to institutionalize the mechanism for ensuring sustainable development in mining.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
- India will participate in the OIC meet for the first time following its invitation to the same.
- It is a major development in boosting India’s relations with the West Asian and Muslim majority countries.
- It is a gathering of 57 Muslim majority countries.
- It is second largest intergovernmental organization in the world next to United Nations.
- It was established in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco on 1969 .
- It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
- India is neither a member nor observer of the group.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, Business Standard
