KERALA

Drone survey in Thiruvananthapuram soon

The town planning department will conduct an aerial survey using UAVs/drones as part of implementing the local area plan (LAP) and town planning scheme (TPS) in the city. The chief town planner (CTP) has reported that the scheme areas have to be surveyed by UAVs/drones for preparing land-use maps and permission for conducting the aerial survey has been sought.

The state government has constituted a committee comprising four members to monitor and supervise the survey as it will require the movement of a drone in restricted areas and taking of photographs and videos of special security zones in the city.

Thiruvananthapuram is one among the 25 cities in India which have been chosen for the implementation of LAP and TPS, as part of AMRUT project, on a pilot basis. The state high-powered steering committee (SHPSC) meeting had approved the proposal of chief town planner (planning) to make necessary amendments in the Kerala Town and Country Planning Act, 2016 for the formulation and implementation of LAP and TPS in the city. The CTP will submit proposal for making these amendments.

TPS is meant to be implemented in areas identified for planned urbanization in the future. The planning process consists of merging and redistribution of land parcels in the urban expansion zone. The area of the TPS can range from 50 to 500 hectares or more.

INTERNATIONAL

Russia Launched First Arctic-monitoring Satellite

The Russian Space agency, Roscosmos, has successfully launched its first ever Arctic-monitoring satellite that will monitor the Arctic’s climate and environment.

The space agency blasted off the Soyuz-2.1b carrier rocket which is also carrying the Arktika-M satellite on board.

The rocket was blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on February 28, 2021. The Arktika-M spacecraft was launched to orbit later.

The development of this satellite system in the highly elliptical orbits is required to collect the information in order to solve the operational meteorology problems as well as the hydrology problems.

The satellite will also monitor the climate and environment of the Arctic region.

Arktika-M satellite will also transmit the overview images of Earth’s northern polar region and the adjoining areas every 15-30 minutes.

Right to Repair – European Union

Companies that sell refrigerators, washing machines, hair dryers or TVs in the European Union (EU) will need to ensure that the repair period for these devices is up to 10 years. About:

The Right to Repair electronic products refers to government legislation designed to enable consumers to repair and modify their own consumer electronic devices. Otherwise, manufacturers of such devices require consumers to use only the services they provide.

The concept of Right to Repair originated in the United States, when the United States’ Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2012 required manufacturers to provide necessary documents and information, allow anyone to repair their vehicles.

NATIONAL

Chabahar Day Commemorated on March 4 by India

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) – India will commemorate the “Chabahar Day” on March 4, 2021, before the 2021 Indian Maritime Summit to be held in Delhi from March 2 to March 4. Highlights:

The virtual event will witness the participation of ministers from various countries which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Armenia, Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

During the event; Minister of Foreign Affairs S Jaishankar will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony at the ministerial level, while Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will deliver a keynote speech.

Ministry of Sports restores recognition of Gymnastics Federation of India

The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has decided to restore recognition of the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) as a National Sports Federation (NSF).

The Sports Ministry in a letter to the GFI president stated that the elections of two office bearers -Sudhir Mittal as President and Kaushik Bidiwala as Treasurer for the term 2019- 2023 have been taken on record of the Ministry.

E-Commerce Portal for KVIC

Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Road Transport and Highway Union, expressed his appreciation for Khadi’s successful e-commerce business, saying that it provides a wide range of marketing platforms for a variety of Khadi and rural industrial products. Highlights:

The Khadi and Village Industry Council (KVIC) is a statutory body established under the Parliamentary Act “The Khadi and Village Industry Council Act of 1956”.

It is under the management control of the Mini, Small and Medium-Sized Ministry (MSME).

KVIC promotes, organizes and implements plans for the development of Khadi and other rural industries in rural areas across the country.

Conference by National Bamboo Mission

The National Bamboo Mission organized a National Conference on the Opportunities and Challenges of Indian Bamboo. About National Bamboo Mission:

The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was implemented as a sub-scheme under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

The National Bamboo Mission is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, which started in 2006-07, and then came under the jurisdiction of MIDH, applicable to 2014-15 and 2015-16. Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission:

Increase yield through improvements and new varieties.

In potential areas, increase the area covered by bamboo.

Promotion and marketing of bamboo and bamboo handicrafts.

Establish coordination and cooperation among stakeholders to promote the development of the bamboo sector.

Promote, develop and disseminate technology through the perfect integration of modern scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom.

Create job opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, especially unemployed youth.

E-Daakhil Portal in 15 States/UTs

E-Daakhil’s consumer grievance redressal portal has been put into use in 15 States/UTs. About E-Daakhil Portal:

It is a portal for e-submission of consumer complaints with the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and other consumer commissions.

NCDRC launched the plan in September 2020, and Delhi is the first state to implement the plan.

The fee for submitting a complaint can also be paid online through the e-Daakhil portal.

The e-Daakhil portal gives consumers and their supporters the right to file consumer complaints online from anywhere, and pay the necessary fees online to redressal their complaints.

It also helps the Consumer Commission to check the complaint online to accept, reject or forward the complaint to the relevant commission for further processing.

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