UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 12-02-2021
iasparliament
February 12, 2021
Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020
The Bill aims at decentralizing decision making and to infuse professionalism in governance of major ports.
It will empower the Major Ports to modernize and expand port infrastructure, and facilitate trade and commerce.
The Bill is more compact in comparison to the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963 as the number of sections has been reduced.
Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) can now fix tariff, which will act as a reference tariff for purposes of bidding for PPP projects.
An Adjudicatory Board has been proposed to carry out the residual function of the erstwhile TAMP for Major Ports, to look into disputes between ports and PPP concessionaires, etc.
A simplified composition of Board of Port Authority (BPA) with professional independent Members has been proposed.
BPA has been delegated the power to fix the scale of rates for other port services and assets including land.
BPAs have full powers to enter into contracts, planning and development, fixing of tariff except in national interest, security and emergency arising out of inaction and default.
Provisions of CSR & development of infrastructure by Port Authority have been introduced.
SAKSHAM
SAKSHAM (Shramik Shakti Manch) is an initiative of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC).
It is a dynamic job portal for mapping the skills of Shramiks (Labourers).
It will help in identifying skill proficiency level and development of Skill Cards for Shramiks.
It will directly connect Shramiks with MSMEs eliminating middlemen/ labour contractor.
It will facilitate placement of 10 lakh blue-collar jobs (pan-India).
This portal will reduce the hardship of Shramiks in finding jobs in nearby MSMEs.
Seaweed Mission
It is an initiative for commercial farming of seaweeds and its processing for value addition towards boosting national economy.
It is initiated by Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC).
If sea weed cultivation is done in 5% of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area of India, it can
Set up new seaweed industry;
Provide employment to people and Contribute to national GDP;
Improve ocean productivity and create a healthier ocean;
Abate algal blooms, sequester millions of tons CO2;
Produce bio-ethanol approx. 6.6 billion litres.
Specialty Steel
Specialty Steel (Alloy Steel) contain additional alloyed materials that deliver special properties under specific conditions.
Government has approved inclusion of ‘Specialty Steel’ under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.
This will promote the manufacturing of 'Specialty Steel' within the country to meet the domestic demand by attracting capital investment, generate employment etc.
To know more about Production Linked Incentive Scheme, click here.
Meri Saheli Initiative
It was launched as a pilot project by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) across South Eastern Railway for security of women passengers in trains originating in that zone.
This initiative has been rolled over to all zonal railways across Indian Railways’ network from October, 2020.
It was launched to provide safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey.
Dedicated teams of lady RPF personnel have been formed across all zonal railways for its implementation.
Section 58 of the Railways Act, 1989 provides for earmarking of accommodation for female passengers in trains.
National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation
National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organization (NATMO) is a subordinate department under the Department of Science & Technology.
With it’s headquarter at Kolkata, it is a sole national agency with the responsibility to depict national framework data in the form of thematic maps and atlases to cater the various needs of different sectors.
It has the largest repository of spatial and non-spatial data processed with greater accuracy for delivering good quality products.
To ensure precision and value addition, NATMO keeps pace with the most modern technologies. Main functions of this organization are :
Compilation of the National Atlas of India in Hindi, English and other regional languages.
Preparation of thematic maps based on socio-economic, physical, cultural, environmental, demographic and other issues.
Preparation of maps/atlases for visually impaired.
Digital mapping and training using remote sensing, GPS and GIS technology.
Cartographic and geographical researches at national level.
