Government of India is all set to launch ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ by January 2018 and it will improve India’s position in ocean research field.
Achievements in the field of ocean research: The program on Poly metallic nodules was initiated at CSIR-NIO with the collection of the first nodule sample from Arabian Sea on board the first Research Vessel Gaveshani on 26 January 1981.
India was the first country in the world to have been given the Pioneer Area for exploration of deep-sea mineral viz. Polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin in 1987.
Based on the resource evaluation, India has now retained an area of 75,000 sq km with an estimated resource of about 100 million tons of strategic metals such Copper, Nickel, Cobalt besides Manganese and Iron.
A First Generation Mine-site (FGM) with an area of 18,000 sq km has been identified. Latest technologies for extraction of metals from the minerals have also been developed under the programme.
National Commission for Backward Classes
It will be constituted under Article 338B and will commence functioning as a constitutional authority, in the same manner as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes under article 338 and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A.
The new Commission will exercise the function of hearing the complaints/grievances of socially and educationally backward classes.
It will have the powers of a Civil Court for this purpose.
It will have the duty of advising of the socio economic development of the socially and educationally backward classes and evaluate the progress of their development, unlike the present NCBC which does not have this role.
Bicycle Patrols
The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs has flagged off the “Bicycle Patrols” launched by the Delhi Police.
As a 'green' initiative for patrolling the parks, congested lanes and by-lanes, the cooperative societies etc, the Delhi Police has introduced bicycle patrols to complement and supplement its existing motorcycle and PCR patrols which focus mainly on crime prevention along the arterial and main roads of Delhi.
With zero environmental costs and additional health benefits for the riders, the bicycle patrol parties will also bring the concept of 'Policing by community involvement’ close to the largely immigrant and working class population.
Darwaza Band
The centre today launched an aggressive new campaign titled 'Darwaza Band' to promote toilet use and freedom from open defecation across the country's villages.
The campaign produced by the MDWS under Swachh Bharat Mission and has been supported by the World Bank and is being rolled out countrywide immediately after the launch.
It is designed to encourage behaviour change in men who have toilets but are not using them.
