Airports at Bhopal, Indore and Raipur to be Declared International Airports

The Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri G.M. Siddeswara informed the Lok Sabha today that presently the Government is considering the proposals to declare Bhopal, Indore and Raipur airports as international airports. The upgradation of an airport as international airport depends upon various factors like traffic potential, demand from airlines for operation of international flights and presence of facilities like a runway length of 9000 feet to cater to medium capacity long-range aircraft or equivalent type of aircraft, ground lighting facilities, Instrument Landing System for operation of aircraft at night and availability of Customs, Immigration, Health and Animal and Plant Quarantine

National Centre for Research & Development in Bulk Drugs

To fill the crucial existing gap in Research and Development in bulk drugs a National Centre for Research & Development in Bulk Drug (NCRDBD) is to be set at NIPER, Hyderabad with a project cost of over 52 crore rupees and with an operating cost of over 37 crore rupees for five years. Approvals for the purpose have been given. The performance of Bulk Drug sector is one of the critical factors that affect the overall efficiency and cost competitiveness of the pharmaceutical sector. There are nearly 2500 bulk drugs manufacturing units in India. The estimated turnover of the Bulk Drug Industry in 2012-13 was around 12.5 billion US dollars. The industry has shown a Cumulative Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17 percent in the last three years and has a share of about 10% of the global bulk drugs market of about US$ 110 Billion. However, the import of Bulk Drugs has seen a CAGR of 18% during last three years indicating an increasing level of dependence on international supply for this critical input of pharmaceutical sector. This is further compounded by the fact that more than 60% share in imports of Intermediate for Active PIs is from a single country. The centre is to be set up to urgently address these concerns and make the industry cost competitive. In Bulk Drug Industry, the reduced processes and improved technology can help in reducing the cost significantly. The NCRDBD would be an innovative R&D provider in the field of bulk drugs and offer competitive and eco-friendly technologies in specified areas products and processes. This center will also provide centralized research facilities and technologies, analytical facilities and consulting services for process improvement and optimization. It would give special emphasis to the empowerment of MSME sector. The Pharmacy Industry specially the SME sector requires such center since the individual units cannot afford to have their captive R&D facilities.

President of India to present Gandhi peace prize 2013

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee will present the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2013 to Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt tomorrow (July 15, 2013) at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted by the Government of India in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. This annual award is given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. Previous recipients of the award include Dr. Julius K. Nyerere, former President of Tanzania; Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, Founder President of Sarvodaya Sharamadana Movement, Sri Lanka; Dr. Gerhard Fischer of Germany; Rama Krishna Mission; Baba Amte; Dr. Nelson Mandela and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh (jointly); Dr. John Hume, Ireland; Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan; Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of Czechoslovakia and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South Africa. It carries a plaque, citation and an amount of Rs. one crore.

President appoints Governors

The President has been pleased to appoint the following as Governors:- 1. Shri Ram Naik as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh; 2. Shri Balramji Dass Tandon as the Governor of Chhattisgarh; 3. Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi as the Governor of West Bengal; 4. Shri Om Prakash Kohli as the Governor of Gujarat. The above appointments will take effect from the dates the incumbents assume charge of their respective offices.

PM meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Fortaleza

• India and China have enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity • PM suggests opening of a second route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra • China invites India to APEC meeting in November; says India should deepen engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met Chinese President Xi Jinping shortly after his arrival in Fortaleza, Brazil, today on the eve of the Sixth BRICS Summit. The 80-minute meeting was the Prime Minister’s first summit-level interaction with China. The two leaders observed that India and China had enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity. President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship and said: When India and China meet, the whole world watches. The two leaders were pleased with the opportunity to meet within a few weeks of the assumption of office by Prime Minister. They expressed satisfaction at the high momentum of bilateral engagement during the past few weeks, including the visit of Vice-President of India Shri Hamid Ansari to China and the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India as President Jinping’s Special Envoy, in June. Both sides emphasized on the need to find a solution to the Boundary Question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border. He said that if India and China could amicably resolve the Boundary Question, it would set an example for the entire world, on peaceful conflict resolution. Shri Narendra Modi suggested the addition of one more route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, keeping in view the terrain difficulties. President Xi Jinping accepted this as a suggestion for consideration. The Prime Minister called for enhanced Chinese investment in the infrastructure sector in India, and hoped that the trade imbalance between the two countries is resolved. President Xi Jinping agreed that balance in trade is necessary for a sustainable economic relationship. He also said enhanced services exports from India to China could be one way to address the issue. China has invited India to attend an APEC meeting in November this year. President Xi Jinping also said India should deepen its engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Prime Minister said India currently has observer status in the SCO, and was ready to accept additional responsibility, if asked to. Shri Narendra Modi warmly recalled his visits to China as Chief Minister. He underlined that relations between countries are built on the strength of relations between their people. He expressed hope for increase in tourism and ties between the people of the two ancient civilizations. Prime Minister expressed hope that President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to India this year was an opportunity to chart a new and ambitious agenda for the strategic partnership between India and China. He expressed appreciation for the invitation extended to him to visit China and looked forward to an early visit.

Everything about new initiative to clean,develop and linking of rivers for IAS MAINS

Development of Rivers

Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that the Central Government by a Notification dated 20.02.2009, has set up the ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’ (NGRBA) under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister, for conservation of the river Ganga. Further, for rivers other than Ganga, Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is being implemented by the Central Government jointly with the State Governments on a cost-sharing basis. The pollution abatement works under NRCP presently cover identified polluted stretches of 40 major rivers in 121 towns spread over 19 States in the country. The names of the rivers development of which is being undertaken by NRCP are: Godavari, Yamuna, Mandovi, Sabarmati, Mindhola, Damodar, Subarnarekha, Pennar, Bhadra, Tungabhadra, Cauvery, Tunga, Pamba, Betwa, Tapti, Wainganga, Mandakini, Narmada, Khan, Chambal, Beehar, Kshipra, Krishna, Panchganga, Tapi, Diphu & Dhansiri, Brahamini, Mahanadi, Satluj, Beas, Ghaggar, Rani Chu, Adyar, Cooum, Vaigai, Vennar, Tamrabarani, Musi, Gomti, and Mahananda. Development of river Ganga is being implemented by National Ganga River Basin Authority, and a provision of Rs. 355 crore is envisaged in the financial year 2014-15. For development of rivers other than Ganga, a provision of Rs. 195.74 crore is envisaged in the financial year 2014-15 for implementation under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). However, the subsequent river-wise allocation of funds under NRCP is to be done internally by Ministry of Environment & Forests. Development and Rejuvenation of Ganga During 12th Plan, outlay for Rs. 2200 crore has been provisioned for National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA), which has been entrusted with the work of controlling pollution in the river Ganga. Further, Government is giving special emphasis on rejuvenation of River Ganga. Consultation with different stakeholders viz., Ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests; Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation and River Development; Urban Development; Tourism; Shipping; Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation; Rural Development, etc., as well as academics, technical experts and NGOs associated with cleaning of Ganga, is in progress. Crystallisation of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of River Ganga. This would include issues of ecological flow in River Ganga as also curbing of pollution.   Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are required to implement the effluent discharge standards by the industries. Action is to be taken against the defaulting industries by the SPCBs under powers delegated to them by the Central Government under relevant provisions of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Further, efforts made by the Government for management of Industrial Pollution affecting Rivers includes notifying industry specific effluent standards. The Ministry of Environment & Forests has identified 764 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) discharging 501 million litres per day (mld) of wastewater into Ganga and its major tributaries. 704 industries have been inspected Under NGRBA programme by the NGRBA Cell, CPCB till May, 2014. Directions have been issued to 165 industries, of which 48 are the closure directions under Section -5 of E(P) Act,1986. Government is also promoting setting up of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Environmental Surveillance of industries by CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards and Pollution Control Committees. Status of Ganga Rejuvenation Plan Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that in 2009,National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was set up to control pollution in river Ganga. The key activities include laying of sewerage system, sewage treatment plants, solid waste management, common effluent treatment plant for controlling industrial pollution, river front management, crematoria etc. So far, 67 schemes in 48 towns in five Ganga States and 6 institutional development projects including Automatic Water Quality Monitoring and Ganga Knowledge Centre have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 4683.61 crore under the programme. Till date, Rs. 1229.87 crore has been released from centre and states, of which Central Government’s share is Rs. 912.52 crore and State Governments’ share is Rs. 317.35 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 838.76 crore has been reported till March, 2014 for implementation of the project. During 12th Plan, an outlay for Rs. 1500 crore for National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and Rs. 2200 crore for NGRBA has been provisioned. Government is also giving special attention to rejuvenation of River Ganga. Consultation with different stakeholders viz., Ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests; Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation and River Development; Urban Development; Tourism; Shipping; Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation; Rural Development, etc., as well as academics, technical experts and NGOs associated with cleaning of Ganga, is in progress. Crystallisation of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of River Ganga. There is at present no proposal to prepare a comprehensive plan for the entire stretch of any other river under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) like that being done for Ganga under National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). However, pollution abatement of rivers is an ongoing and collective effort of the Central & State Governments. The Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the problem of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under NRCP for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central & State Governments. NRCP presently covers polluted stretches of 40 rivers in 121 towns spread over 19 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.5334.97 crore. Various pollution abatement schemes taken up by the States under the Plan, inter-alia, include interception and diversion of raw sewage/laying of sewerage system, setting up of sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation/community toilet complexes, setting up of crematoria & river front development. Till end of March, 2014, funds amounting to Rs.3240.30 crore have been released to the States and sewage treatment capacity of 3729.49 mld has been created under NRCP. Further, during 12th Plan, a provision of Rs. 1500 crore has been provisioned for NRCP. Plan to Clean Rivers Pollution abatement of rivers is an ongoing and collective efforts of Central and State Governments. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the problem of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers under National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), Ganga Action Plan (GAP) phase I and II, and National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) programmes for implementation of projects on a cost sharing basis between the Central and State Governments. These programmes have presently covered polluted stretches of 42 rivers in 199 towns spread over 21 States at a sanctioned cost of Rs.10,716.45 crore. Till the end of March, 2014, funds amounting to Rs.5097.50 crore have been released to the States, expenditure amounting to Rs.6454.26 crore (including State share) has been incurred. Under NGRBA, the key activities include laying of sewerage system, sewage treatment plants, solid waste management, common effluent treatment plant for controlling industrial pollution, river front management, crematoria etc. So far, 67 schemes in 48 towns in five Ganga States and 6 institutional development projects including Automatic Water Quality Monitoring and Ganga Knowledge Centre have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.4683.61 crore under the programme. Till date, Rs.1229.87 crore has been released from centre and states, of which Central Government’s share is Rs.912.52 crore and State Governments’ share is Rs.317.35 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 838.76 crore has been reported till March, 2014 for implementation of the project. Further, during 12th Plan, outlay for Rs.1500 crore for NRCP and Rs.2200 crore for NGRBA has been provisioned. Funds for Cleaning Ganga Ministry of Environment & Forests have informed that in the year 2009 National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was set up to control pollution in river Ganga. The key activities include laying of sewerage system, sewage treatment plants, solid waste management, common effluent treatment plant for controlling industrial pollution, river front management (including development of ghats), development of crematoria etc. So far, 67 schemes in 48 towns in five Ganga States and 6 institutional development projects including Automatic Water Quality Monitoring and Ganga Knowledge Centre have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 4683.61 crore under the programme. Till date, Rs. 1229.87 crore has been released from centre and states, of which Central Government’s share is Rs. 912.52 crore and State Governments’ share is Rs. 317.35 crore. An expenditure of Rs. 838.76 crore has been reported till March, 2014 for implementation of the project. In the Financial Year 2014-15, a provision of Rs. 355.0 crore is envisaged for NGRBA. Government is committed for rejuvenation of River Ganga. Consultation within different stakeholders viz., Ministries such as Ministry of Environment & Forests; Water Resources, Ganga Rejuvenation and River Development; Urban Development; Tourism; Shipping; Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation; Rural Development, etc., as well as academics, technical experts and NGOs associated with cleaning of Ganga, is in progress. Crystallisation of action plan, including framing of its salient features, time line and likely expenditure would be known only after the finalisation of the action plan for cleaning of river Ganga. A comprehensive River Basin Management Plan for Ganga is being prepared by a consortium of seven IITs (Kanpur, Delhi, Madras, Bombay, Kharagpur, Guwahati and Roorkee) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed on 6.7.2010 by Ministry of Environment & Forests & the IITs. The objective of the plan is to suggest comprehensive measures for restoration of the wholesomeness of the Ganga system and improvement of its ecological health, with due regard to the issue of competing water uses in the river basin. The Plan would take into consideration the requirements of water and energy in the Ganga Basin, while ensuring that the fundamental aspects of the river system are protected. The IIT consortium is proposing to submit its report by the end of August, 2014. In the 12th Five Year Plan, a provision of Rs. 2200 crore has been kept for cleaning of river Ganga being implemented by National Ganga River Basin Authority.  Inter-Linking of Rivers Under the National Perspective Plan prepared by Ministry of Water Resources, National Water Development Authority has already identified 14 links under Himalayan Component and 16 links under Peninsular Rivers Component. Out of these, Feasibility Reports of 14 links under Peninsular Component and 2 links (Indian portion) under Himalayan Component have been prepared. Five Peninsular links namely (i) Ken – Betwa, (ii) Parbati – Kalisindh – Chambal, (iii) Damanganga – Pinjal, (iv) Par – Tapi – Narmada & (v) Godavari (Polavaram) - Krishna (Vijayawada) have been identified as priority links for preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). The Government is pursuing the inter-linking of the rivers programme in a consultative manner with the States concerned and in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter. The status of various Inter-State water disputes which have been referred to Tribunals for conflict resolution is given below: S. No Name of Tribunal States concerned Date of constitution Present Status 1 Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan April, 1986 Report and decision under section 5(2) given in April, 1987. A Presidential Reference in the matter is before Supreme Court and as such the matter is sub-judice. 2. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puduchery June, 1990 Report and decision given on 5.2.2007 which was published vide Notification dated 19.2.2013. Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by party States in Hon’ble Supreme Courtpending and as such the matter is sub-judice. 3. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal -II Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra April, 2004 Report and decision given on 30.12. 2010. Further report given by the Tribunal on 29.11.2013.  Term of the Tribunal has been extended for a further period of two years w.e.f. 1stAugust, 2014 to address the terms of reference as contained in section 89 of Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. As per Supreme Court Order dated 16.9.2011, decision taken by the Tribunal on references filed by States and Central Government shall not be published in the official Gazette. As such, matter is sub-judice. 4. VansadharaWater Disputes Tribunal Andhra Pradesh &Odisha February, 2010 Report and decision not given by the Tribunal. State of Odisha has filed an SLP in Supreme Court against the appointment of one of the Members of the Tribunal. The SLP in the matter filed by the State of Odisha in the Supreme Court is pending. Thus the matter is sub-judice. Beside, Hon’bleVansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal in its Order dated 17.12.2013 has directed to constitute a 3-member Protem Supervisory Flow Management and Regulation Committee on River Vansadhara to implement its Order.  5. MahadayiWater Disputes Tribunal Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra November, 2010 Report and Decision not given by the Tribunal.     Further, the Central Government has constituted a 3-member Supervisory Committee on;          i.            Mullaperiyar Dam for implementing the order dated 7.5.2014 of the Hon’ble Supreme            Court.        ii.            Babhali Barrage on 24.10.2013 for implementation of the Order dated 28.2.2013 of Hon’ble Supreme Court.   Action has also been initiated by the Central Government as per the provisions of Section 3 of the ISRWD Act, 1956 on the request of Government of Bihar, on river Sone.               Inter-State River Water Dispute Act, 1956 has already been amended in the year 2002 in consultation with the State Governments, whereby adjudication of water disputes by the Tribunals was made time-bound. Further, a committee was also set up by the Central Government to study the activities that are required for the optimum development of a river basin and changes that may be required in the existing River Board Act, 1956.  The report of the Committee has been placed before National Forum of Ministers of Water Resources/irrigation of the States and also been sent to the concerned Central Ministries, all the States and Union Territories

Greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is absorbed by atmosphericgreenhouse gases, and is re-radiated in all directions. Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the surface and the lower atmosphere, it results in an elevation of the average surface temperature above what it would be in the absence of the gases

Solar radiation at the frequencies of visible light largely passes through the atmosphere to warm the planetary surface, which then emits this energy at the lower frequencies of infrared thermal radiation. Infrared radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases, which in turn re-radiate much of the energy to the surface and lower atmosphere. The mechanism is named after the effect of solar radiation passing through glass and warming a greenhouse, but the way it retains heat is fundamentally different as a greenhouse works by reducing airflow, isolating the warm air inside the structure so that heat is not lost by convection.

Contributers to Greenhouse Effect

Those gas molecules in the Earth's atmosphere with three or more atoms are called "greenhouse gases" because they can capture outgoing infrared energy from the Earth, thereby warming the planet. The greenhouse gases include water vapor with three atoms (H₂O), ozone (O₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄). Also, trace quantities of chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFC's) can have a disproportionately large effect.

By their percentage contribution to the greenhouse effect on Earth the four major gases are:

• water vapor, 36–70%
• carbon dioxide, 9–26%
• methane, 4–9%
• ozone, 3–7%

The major non-gas contributor to the Earth's greenhouse effect, clouds, also absorb and emit infrared radiation and thus have an effect on radiative properties of the atmosphere