Prelim Bits 01-03-2019

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