ODISHA
Odisha welcomes Centre’s decision on transfer of mining clearances to new lease holders
The state government has welcomed the Centre’s recent decision to transfer the existing forest and environment clearances of mining blocks, lease period of which will end on March 31, to the new lease holders, who will be selected through the ongoing auction process.
The decision will help the new lease holders to start mining production immediately. It, generally, takes two years for new lease holders to start mining operation from a block by obtaining various approvals like forest and environment clearances.
As many as 20 mines including 12 iron ore ones, lease period of which would end on March 31, have been put on auction by the state government.
Immediate start of ore production from these blocks by the new lease holders after March 31 is crucial as these 12 iron ore blocks produce around 50 million tonne of ore annually against state’s total annual iron ore production of 120 MT.
Delay in start of production of production from these blocks would also have a negative impact on state’s revenue collection as Odisha earns a major portion of its revenue from mining and metal sector.
INTERNATIONAL
Russia S-400 missiles air defence systems to be delivered to India by 2025
Russia started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India. The five units will be delivered to India by 2025.
The S-400 air defence missile systems are among the best in the world. This will significantly bolster India’s air defence mechanism. In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal to buy the air defence missile systems.The S-400, an upgraded version of the S-300 previously been available to the Russian defence forces.
It is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and has been in service in Russia since 2007.The Triumf interceptor-based missile system can destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km. S-400 is known as Russia most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.The US imposed sanctions on Russia under the stringent Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
PM Modi, Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli to inaugurates ICP Biratnagar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart K P Sharma Oli inaugurated Integrated Check Post (ICP) Biratnagar.
ICP Biratnagar has been built on 260 acres of land at a cost of around 140 crore rupees.
It has the facilities for immigration clearance of foreign passengers, export and import cargo handling.
It is designed to handle around 500 trucks per day.
India and Nepal share over 1,850 kilometre- long border which is characterized by a unique and long tradition of free movement of people.
Jogbani-Biratnagar international trade point is one of the important trade points between the two countries.
Biratnagar is also the third-largest Revenue Collecting Customs Office of Nepal.
Presently, over 65 percent of Nepal’s trade is with India and also over 65 percent of Nepal’s exports are to India.
NATIONAL
India prepares for Corona Virus-Steps of Health Ministry
India monitoring the happenings in China and other countries after two died and 41 were confirmed to be infected with Coronavirus.
India is preparing from WHO (World Health Organization) that the infections of the virus are linked to the seafood market. International travelers from China examined thoroughly using thermal scanners. These are currently being done at Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata.
India is one of the world’s largest seafood producers and top exporter of fish and fish products to the major developed markets of the world such as US, Europe, South East Asia, Japan, and the Middle East. The sector contributes 1.1% of India’s GDP and 5.2% of the share of agriculture’s GDP of India. India’s buoyant seafood industry emerged as the largest group in agricultural exports of the country.
The government initiatives and policy support, The Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA), forecasts that India will achieve an export target of USD 10 billion by 2022.
Cabinet approves Model MoU for recognition of Certificates of Competency of seafarers
The Union Cabinet approved the Model Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for unilateral and bilateral recognition of Certificates, pursuant to Regulation 1/10 of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers, 1978. It will be signed between the Directorate General of Shipping, GoI and its counterparts in foreign countries after the approval of Minister-in-charge of Shipping and the Minister of External Affairs (MEA).
The MoU will facilitate unilateral recognition by another country of the certificates issued by the Directorate General of Shipping to Indian seafarers. It will not seek similar recognition by India of the certificates issued by that country.
Under this MoU, Indian Seafarers will be eligible to be placed on ships under the flag of that country for employment
It will lead to increased employment opportunities.
Indian Navy signed MoU for offshore Data with GSI
Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Geological Survey of India (GSI).
The MoU aims to ensure the sharing of seabed sediment data, products and expertise for Naval Application in Meteorology and Oceanography.
GSI’s Marine and Coastal survey Division based at Mangaluru has mapped most of India’s 2.1 Million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone and has a vast repository of offshore data.
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