National
Web-based integrated system for Sanction & Disbursement of defence pension
⇒ Recently, the Ministry of Defence has implemented SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)], an integrated system for automation of sanction and disbursement of defence pension.
Facility:
This web-based system processes pension claims and credits pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without relying on any external intermediary.
Service Centres:
SPARSH envisages establishment of Service Centres to provide last mile connectivity to pensioners. In addition to several offices of the Defence Accounts Department, the two largest banks dealing with defence pensioners – State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank – have been co-opted as Service Centres.
New solar thermal components testing facility at Hyderabad
⇒ A newly ‘Concentrated Solar Thermal’ (CST) based test rig facility has been at Hyderabad.
It can help the growing solar industry in India to test capability and performance of solar thermal components like solar receiver tubes, heat transfer fluids, concentrating mirrors.
Testing facility set up by:
The facility has been set up by the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
Amendment in Coconut Development Board Act, 1979
⇒ The Union Cabinet approved amendment in Coconut Development Board Act, 1979 for making the post of Chairman, Coconut Development Board as Non-Executive Chairman.
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare to make the post of Chairman, Coconut Development Board as Non-Executive one. It will be beneficial to the Coconut Growers at large.
International
INS Tabar Exercises With Italian Navy Off Naples
⇒ INS Tabar entered the Port of Naples, Italy, on 03 July 2021, as part of the ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean.
On departure from port, the ship also undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise with ITS Antonio Marceglia (F 597), a frontline frigate of the Italian Navy. The Exercise was held on 04 and 05 July 2021 in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The exercise covered a wide range of naval operations including air defence procedures, replenishment at sea, communication drills and cross deck helo operations by day and night.
Webinar on 'Women in Renewable Energy and Sustainability'
⇒ The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), organized a webinar on “Women in Renewable Energy and Sustainability” on 07 July 2021.
The webinar featured two panel discussions.
» The theme for the first panel was “Women Leadership in Renewables: Envisioning a New World”.
» The theme for the second panel was “Women Entrepreneurs in RE: A gateway to innovation and economic growth”.
The webinar was joined by audiences from around the world. The webinar was also a part of India’s global advocacy efforts in the role of a Global Theme Champion for the UN High Level Dialogue on Energy which is set to take place in September 2021.
India - EU Cooperation in Agriculture
⇒ A virtual meeting between Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Mr. Janusz Wojciechowski, Member of the European Commission, Agriculture was held on 7th July, 2021.
Both dignitaries discussed:
- EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and the recent India market reforms
- EU Farm to Fork Strategy and UN Food System Summit and bilateral cooperation
- G20 Agriculture Minister Process and fixation of the Maximum Residue Limit of Tricyclazole in Indian Basmati Rice by the EU
- » The Member of the European Commission, Agriculture explained in detail the recent reforms undertaken by the EU in the Common Agriculture Policy as well as the EU Farm to Fork Strategy to make agriculture green as well as sustainable.
- » He also mentioned that the EU has set a target of bringing 25 per cent of area in the EU under Organic Farming by 2030.
Death
Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh
⇒ Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Virbhadra Singh, popularly known as Raja Sahib passed away in Shimla on 08 July 2021. He was 87.
He was the longest-serving chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. In the nearly 50 years of his political career, he was the Chief Minister for six terms and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh nine times.
Former head of Sivagiri Mutt, Swami Prakashananda
⇒ Former head of Sivagiri Mutt, Swami Prakashananda died of age-related ailments, on 07 July 2021. He was 99. Swami Prakashananda Ji was a beacon of knowledge and spirituality.