A new concept called ecological engineering to reduce pests

Erode district alone has 32,000 hectares under paddy cultivation. The district runs across the Cauvery and Bhavani river basin.

Due to unfavourable climatic conditions pest infestation such as rice stem borer, leaf folder, ear head bug, gall midge, rice thrips — all common in paddy cultivation — create havoc every season leading to nearly 30 per cent yield loss.

Many farmers mostly rely on chemical pesticides (insecticide and fungicide) for managing both pests and infestations. If they are advocates of organic farming then they use bio pesticides to keep the menace under control.

Biodiversity

Presently a new technology called Ecological engineering for pest management has been introduced by National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad to aid farmers maintain the biodiversity and keep pests under control while at the same time maintaining the paddy eco-system.

Since in southern Tamil Nadu, it is season for paddy cultivation efforts are currently in progress to popularise this concept for promoting bio-intensive integrated pest management method.

The technology trial was adopted in Singiripalayam village and Mr. Karthikeyan, a paddy farmer who adopted this technology in his field, says:

“Due to excessive pesticide use farmers like me often encountered environmental problems. The soil health also got deteriorated. I find the new technology encouraging, since there is a 45 to 50 per cent reduction in pest population.

“I have also observed natural predators on pests like damsel fly, praying mantises and spider population have increased in my field.”

The specialist team conducted an analysis to study the pest defender ratio for plant health and found that the natural enemies are able to maintain the pest population which are infesting the paddy crop.

Natural predators

“In normal situation we use to go for chemical spray, sometimes even three to four sprays to control pests and diseases. By adopting this technique no chemical spray is required. Natural enemies which prey on the pests are allowed to flourish in the fields. By adopting this method I could save nearly Rs.5,000 for a hectare towards the cost of purchase of chemical pesticides during one cropping season,” says Mr.Haridas another farmer. The trial has been implemented for different crops such as blackgram, cowpea, green gram, mustard, sesame, marigold, tulsi, castor and sunflower and found effective.

The Kendra initiated a capacity building programme for farmers in the district and on farm training was given on production of bio-control agents and bio-pesticides to ensure the timely availability of bio-inputs at the farmer level.

Community approach

“A collective approach by the farming community on adoption of this technology will not only suppress the pest population but also enhances the soil health through organic bio-fertilizer utility.

“About 25 farmers from Andhipalayam village near Gobichettipalayam and 30 farmers from Kallipatti in T.N.Palayam block have been initiated into this concept,” explains Dr. P. Alagesan, Programme Coordinator, Myrada Krishi Vigyan Kendra,, Gobichettipalayam, Erode.

A three days field training was organized for the farmer club members, to get first hand information on this approach and an exposure visit was organized by National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), Hyderabad for a week.

In both the villages, farmers are collectively involved in the production of bio-inputs, predators and parasites for managing the pest population.

Pesticide free

The community approach on this ecological engineering is expected to bring the region as pesticide free zone and enhance the soil microbial activity in the paddy eco system. Plans are on to introduce this method in other crops like cabbage, cotton and groundnut in the coming season.

India, Iran sign pact on developing ‪#‎Chabaharport‬

Notwithstanding US objections,India today went ahead with the signing of an agreement with Iran for the development of the strategically important Chabahar portwhich will give India sea-land access route toAfghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The pact was signed after comprehensive talks between visiting Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari with the Iranian leadership here.

"The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed after the talks between the two sides," a source said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in his meeting with Gadkari, said, "Resumption of Iran-India cooperation in the southeastern Iranian port city of Chabahar would lead to a new chapter in relations of two countries."

Chabahar port is located in Sistan-Balochistan Province on Iran's southeastern coast and is of great strategic utility for India which will get sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The US has been asking India and other countries not to "rush" into doing business with Iran as Washington was yet to work out a deal with Tehran on the latter's contentious nuclear programme.

The port will be used to ship crude oil and urea, saving India transportation costs.

India intends to lease two berths at Chabahar for 10 years. The port will be developed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) which will invest USD 85.21 million to convert the berths into a container terminal and a multi-purpose cargo terminal.

The agreement was signed by Gadkari and Iran's Minister for Transport and Urban Development Dr Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi.

"With the signing of this MoU, Indian and Iranian commercial entities would now be in a position to commence negotiations towards finalisation of a commercial contract under which Indian firms will lease two existing berths at the Port and operationalise them as container and multi-purpose cargo terminals," a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

"The availability of a functional container and multi-purpose cargo terminal at Chabahar Port would provide Afghanistan's garland road network system alternate access to a sea port, significantly enhancing Afghanistan's overall connectivity to regional and global markets, and providing a fillip to the ongoing reconstruction and humanitarian efforts in the country," it said.

Touching upon Iran and India's ancient and historical relations, Rouhani, in his meeting with Gadkari, underscored that undoubtedly the level of mutual cooperation could be expanded day by day.

Pointing to Iran's transit position for connecting east to west and north to south, he stressed that the Islamic Republic could play a pivotal role in connecting India to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe via railway.

President Rouhani reiterated that Iran is fully ready to lure foreign investors.

Noting the importance of North-South Transport Corridor and development of Iranian ports, Rouhani stressed that Iran fully welcomes the Indian investors to make investment in construction of roads, railways and development of Chabahar port and other southern ports in Iran.

Referring to the cordial relations between the two countries, Gadkari said New Delhi is fully ready to cooperate with Tehran on development of Chabahar port.

Last year in October, India had approved the framework of an inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up an USD 85.21 million joint venture firm for equipping two fully-constructed berths at Chahbahar port.

As per the framework, approved in the Cabinet last year, an Indian joint venture company would lease two fully constructed berths in Chahbahar port's Phase-I project for a period of ten years, which could be renewed by "mutual agreement".

The Indian side will transfer ownership of the equipment to be provided through the investment to Iran's port and Maritime Organisation (P&MO) without any payment at the end of the tenth year.

The Cabinet had given nod for constituting a Joint Venture or other appropriate Special Purpose Vehicle comprising the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the Kandla Port Trust.

Approval was also given for incurring annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million to support operational activities of the Indian Joint Venture.

From Chahbahar port using the existing Iranian road network, a link up to Zaranj in Afghanistan and then using the Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009, access to Afghanistan's Garland Highway can be made.

This would establish road access to four of the major cities of Afghanistan -- Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

The port would cut transport costs and freight time for India to Central Asia and the Gulf by about a third.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of India's commitment to building the port.

Earlier in 2003, the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had signed an agreement with Iran for the Chabahar Port, but it could not be materialised.

India, Iran sign pact on developing ‪#‎Chabaharport‬

Notwithstanding US objections,India today went ahead with the signing of an agreement with Iran for the development of the strategically important Chabahar portwhich will give India sea-land access route toAfghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The pact was signed after comprehensive talks between visiting Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari with the Iranian leadership here.

"The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed after the talks between the two sides," a source said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in his meeting with Gadkari, said, "Resumption of Iran-India cooperation in the southeastern Iranian port city of Chabahar would lead to a new chapter in relations of two countries."

Chabahar port is located in Sistan-Balochistan Province on Iran's southeastern coast and is of great strategic utility for India which will get sea-land access route to Afghanistan bypassing Pakistan.

The US has been asking India and other countries not to "rush" into doing business with Iran as Washington was yet to work out a deal with Tehran on the latter's contentious nuclear programme.

The port will be used to ship crude oil and urea, saving India transportation costs.

India intends to lease two berths at Chabahar for 10 years. The port will be developed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) which will invest USD 85.21 million to convert the berths into a container terminal and a multi-purpose cargo terminal.

The agreement was signed by Gadkari and Iran's Minister for Transport and Urban Development Dr Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi.

"With the signing of this MoU, Indian and Iranian commercial entities would now be in a position to commence negotiations towards finalisation of a commercial contract under which Indian firms will lease two existing berths at the Port and operationalise them as container and multi-purpose cargo terminals," a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

"The availability of a functional container and multi-purpose cargo terminal at Chabahar Port would provide Afghanistan's garland road network system alternate access to a sea port, significantly enhancing Afghanistan's overall connectivity to regional and global markets, and providing a fillip to the ongoing reconstruction and humanitarian efforts in the country," it said.

Touching upon Iran and India's ancient and historical relations, Rouhani, in his meeting with Gadkari, underscored that undoubtedly the level of mutual cooperation could be expanded day by day.

Pointing to Iran's transit position for connecting east to west and north to south, he stressed that the Islamic Republic could play a pivotal role in connecting India to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe via railway.

President Rouhani reiterated that Iran is fully ready to lure foreign investors.

Noting the importance of North-South Transport Corridor and development of Iranian ports, Rouhani stressed that Iran fully welcomes the Indian investors to make investment in construction of roads, railways and development of Chabahar port and other southern ports in Iran.

Referring to the cordial relations between the two countries, Gadkari said New Delhi is fully ready to cooperate with Tehran on development of Chabahar port.

Last year in October, India had approved the framework of an inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up an USD 85.21 million joint venture firm for equipping two fully-constructed berths at Chahbahar port.

As per the framework, approved in the Cabinet last year, an Indian joint venture company would lease two fully constructed berths in Chahbahar port's Phase-I project for a period of ten years, which could be renewed by "mutual agreement".

The Indian side will transfer ownership of the equipment to be provided through the investment to Iran's port and Maritime Organisation (P&MO) without any payment at the end of the tenth year.

The Cabinet had given nod for constituting a Joint Venture or other appropriate Special Purpose Vehicle comprising the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and the Kandla Port Trust.

Approval was also given for incurring annual revenue expenditure of USD 22.95 million to support operational activities of the Indian Joint Venture.

From Chahbahar port using the existing Iranian road network, a link up to Zaranj in Afghanistan and then using the Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009, access to Afghanistan's Garland Highway can be made.

This would establish road access to four of the major cities of Afghanistan -- Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

The port would cut transport costs and freight time for India to Central Asia and the Gulf by about a third.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of India's commitment to building the port.

Earlier in 2003, the NDA government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee had signed an agreement with Iran for the Chabahar Port, but it could not be materialised.

NASA’s New 10-Engine Drone Is Half Chopper, Half Plane

NASA’s New 10-Engine Drone Is Half Chopper, Half Plane

PLANES AND HELICOPTERS have their strengths and weaknesses. Planes are fast and can carry a lot of stuff a long way, while helicopters are slow but they don’t need enormous runways and they’re extremely maneuverable. So naturally, people want to combine them.

That’s why a team at NASA’s Langley Research Center is developing a drone that’s a hybrid of the two.

The GL-10 Greased Lightning is a ten-engine, battery-powered prototype with a ten-foot wingspan that can change its shape midair to fly either horizontally or vertically. This month, NASA announced it recently took off vertically and, for the first time, successfully rotated its wings to transition from “helicopter” mode to standard “wingborne” flight.

The GL-10 is a relative of the V-22 Osprey, the VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft developed in the 1980s for the US Air Force and Marines. It’s a tiltrotor design: The engines rotate to propel the aircraft either up and down (like a helicopter), or forward (like a propeller-driven plane). The Osprey can take off and land from the deck of a carrier or from a field in the middle of the jungle, instead of from a lengthy runway. It can haul 32 troops or 20,000 pounds of internal cargo up to 2,200 miles. It’s very handy.Because VTOL capability has proven useful on big planes, the US is naturally trying it out on smaller aircraft, like the GL-10. There are four motors on each wing that are controlled together, with two more on the tail that are also controlled together. It’s controlled like a standard triple-engined aircraft such as the MD-11, with three separate throttle controls: two for the the engines on each wing, plus another for the tail.

NASA hopes the GL-10 design will be the basis for drones addressing a wide variety of use cases. “It could be used for small package delivery … long endurance surveillance for agriculture, mapping and other applications,” says Bill Fredericks, an aerospace engineer with NASA. The team has built 12 prototypes, including 5-pound (foam) and 25-pound (fiberglass) models, as well as the 55-pound carbon fiber version shown in the video above. Some early versions were lost to hard landings as the team perfected flight controls, but the current version seems to be performing very well.

Approval to operationalization of the Atal Pension Yojna (#APY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (#PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (#PMSBY)

Approval to operationalization of the Atal Pension Yojna (APY) and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today approved the operationalisation of the Atal Pension Yojna (APY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).

Approval of the Cabinet was given to extend funding support for implementing the APY and apprise the Cabinet on operationalisation of the PMJJBY and the PMSBY. Approval was also given to provide Rs. 50 crore per annum for the next 5 years as the Government contribution for publicity / awareness creation related expenditure for PMJJBY and PMSBY.

Under the APY, subscribers would receive a fixed minimum pension of Rs. 1000 per month, Rs. 2000 per month, Rs. 3000 per month, Rs. 4000 per month, Rs. 5000 per month, at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions, which itself would vary on the age of joining the APY. The Central Government would also co-contribute 50 percent of the total contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, to each eligible subscriber account, for a period of 5 years, that is, from 2015-16 to 2019-20, to those who join the NPS before 31st December, 2015 and who are not members of any statutory social security scheme and who are not Income Tax payers. The pension would also be available to the spouse on the death of the subscriber and thereafter, the pension corpus would be returned to the nominee. The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. The benefit of fixed minimum pension would be guaranteed by the Government.

Under PMJJBY, annual life insurance of Rs. 2 lakh would be available on the payment of premium of Rs. 330 per annum by the subscribers. The PMJJBY will be made available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account from where the premium would be collected through the facility of "auto-debit".

Under PMSBY, the risk coverage will be Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death and full disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability. The Scheme will be available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account, from where the premium would be collected through the facility of "auto-debit".

Government expenditure is expected to range between Rs. 2,520 crore and Rs. 10,000 crore on account of Government co-contribution to subscribers of the APY over a period of five years. Further, an expenditure of Rs. 2,000 crore for promotional and developmental activities for enrolment and contribution collection under APY and Rs. 250 crore for publicity, awareness building for PMJJBY and PMSBY is envisaged by the Government, over a period of five years.

It is expected that around two crore subscribers would be enrolled during the current financial year under APY.

Background

It was mentioned in the Budget Speech for 2015-16, that a large proportion of India’s population is without insurance of any kind, that is, health, accidental or life. Further, as the young population of India ages, it is also going to be pension and insurance- less. Therefore, Government has decided to work towards creating a universal social security system for all Indians, specially the poor and the under-privileged, to address longevity risks among workers in the unorganised sector and to encourage workers in the unorganised sector to voluntarily save for their retirement. Such workers constitute 88 percent of the total labour force of 47.29 crore according to the 66th Round of NSSO Survey of 2011-12. 

Introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an eligible financial instrument / structure under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to allow the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an eligible financial instrument / structure under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999.

The approval is expected to enable foreign investment inflows into the completed rent yielding real estate projects, which is, as of now, prohibited under the FEMA Regulations.

As a result of this decision, entities registered and regulated under the SEBI (REITs) Regulations 2014 will be able to access foreign investments which as of now are prohibited under the FEMA Regulations. The intent of introducing the instrumentality of REITs is to reduce pressure on the banking system to which the real estate sector looks for funds, free up existing funds of Banks and to encourage construction activities. REITs while attracting long term finance from foreign and domestic sources including NRIs would make available fresh equity to the sector.

Background: 

The Finance Minister in his Budget 2014-15 Speech proposed the introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which have been successfully used as an instrument for pooling of investment by several countries for investments in the real estate, with a view to earning income and distributing earnings from its investments to investors, who have contributed to the pooled corpus. SEBI (REITs) have been issued vide SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, however, on account of restriction under FEMA Regulations, actual investment has not occurred so far.

Introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an eligible financial instrument / structure under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to allow the Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an eligible financial instrument / structure under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) 1999.

The approval is expected to enable foreign investment inflows into the completed rent yielding real estate projects, which is, as of now, prohibited under the FEMA Regulations.

As a result of this decision, entities registered and regulated under the SEBI (REITs) Regulations 2014 will be able to access foreign investments which as of now are prohibited under the FEMA Regulations. The intent of introducing the instrumentality of REITs is to reduce pressure on the banking system to which the real estate sector looks for funds, free up existing funds of Banks and to encourage construction activities. REITs while attracting long term finance from foreign and domestic sources including NRIs would make available fresh equity to the sector.

Background: 

The Finance Minister in his Budget 2014-15 Speech proposed the introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which have been successfully used as an instrument for pooling of investment by several countries for investments in the real estate, with a view to earning income and distributing earnings from its investments to investors, who have contributed to the pooled corpus. SEBI (REITs) have been issued vide SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014, however, on account of restriction under FEMA Regulations, actual investment has not occurred so far.