22 July 2016 Current Affairs
Solar power tree developed for the generation of electricity
The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has launched ‘Solar Power Tree’, an innovative way to generate electricity by harnessing maximum solar energy in a limited space. It was launched by Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Harsh Vardhan in New Delhi. The Solar Power Tree has been developed by the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI). It can harnesses solar energy for producing electricity with an innovative vertical arrangement of solar cells. It reduces the requirement of land as compared to conventional Solar Photovoltaic layout. It keeps the land character intact and is viable in both rural and urban areas.
India ranks 110th on Sustainable Development index
India has been ranked a low 110th out of 149 countries on Sustainable Development index (SDI). The SDI assesses countries where they stand with regard to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also their progress and ensuring accountability. However, in the latest index the Central African Republic and Liberia are at the bottom of the Index while the US ranks 25th on the index and Russia 47th.
ICICI Bank organises Coin Exchange Mela during the ‘Ratha Yatra’ festival in Puri
ICICI Bank Ltd has organised a coin exchange mela during the ‘Rath Yatra’ festival at the RBI financial literacy camp in Bholanath Vidyapith. The mela took place under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India. The Bank periodically organises exchange melas to offer free facility of exchanging acceptable soiled and mutilated currency notes with fresh currency and coins to the general public. The coin mela saw participation of over 52000 people, where they exchanged coins worth Rs. 6.34 lakh in the denomination of Rs.10, Rs.5, Rs.2 and Re.1.
PM Modi lays foundation stone AIIMS and revival of a fertilizer plant in Gorakhpur
PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and revival of fertilizer factory plant in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The fertilizer factory plant belongs to the Fertiliser Corporation India Ltd (FCIL) and was lying idle since 1990’s. It would be revived through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of public sector units (PSUs) at an estimated cost of 6,000 crore Rupees. The establishment of new AIIMS in Gaurakhpur will serve the dual purpose of providing super-specialty health care to the population.
Ganesh Singh appointed as Head of JPC for Land Acquisition Bill
BJP Lok Sabha member Ganesh Singh was appointed as Chairman of the Joint Committee of Parliament (JCP) to examine provisions of the Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, 2015. With this, Ganesh Singh replaces S S Ahluwalia who was appointed Minister of the State (MoS) for Parliamentary Affairs in the council of ministers reshuffle in July 2016. It should be noted that Minister cannot be appointed as member of any Parliamentary Committee. Ganesh Singh is a member of the 16th Lok Sabha. He represents the Satna constituency of Madhya Pradesh. He was also member of 13th and 14th Lok Sabha.