Important Points @ Glance: Part 12
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Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje recently
launched two apps. One, a mobile app ‘RajVayu‘ for sharing information about
air quality index of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Another app ‘Drishti‘ for
monitoring of pollution levels in industrial regions. Both apps were launched
on the eve of World Environment Day. RajVayu is based on the data collected by
sophisticated air quality monitoring equipment and weather sensors. It would
share details about the air quality, such as levels of pollutants likes
Particulate Matter, SOx, NOx, CO, Ozone particles with the city residents and
tourists.
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Also, temperature, humidity, wind speed, weather
forecast and advisories would be issued through this. Rajasthan State Pollution
Control Board (RSPCB) is the first state Board in the country to have this app
for its citizens. This is based on the System of Air Quality and Weather
Forecasting Research (SAFAR-India). Presently, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune are
connected with this system.
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Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the
country to have a State Data Centre (SDC), designed using green data centre
concept, to offer 101 people-oriented service online through an integrated data
base. SDC would integrate the websites of various departments and all services
could be accessible through the integrated data base, saving time and money
spent on creation of infrastructure. It is a major green initiative as all
services would be provided online and online and paperless governance will
become a reality.
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Multilateral lending agency Asian Development Bank has
approved a USD 100 million loan to strengthen a key irrigation system and
improve water management in the Vennar sub-basin of Cauvery Delta in Tamil
Nadu. The Vennar irrigation project will support both physical improvements and
stronger water management, giving a significant boost to the lives of coastal
communities who often go without sufficient irrigation water. The project will
strengthen the embankments of six major irrigation water channels in Vennar
system to make them more resilient to floods and upgrade water regulators. The
Cauvery delta, on the east coast of Tamil Nadu, is known as the ‘rice bowl’ of
the state, with over 70 per cent of the delta population engaged in farming and
fishing, but access to water is unreliable and flooding common during the monsoon
season.
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With its oil demand galloping 8.1% in 2015, India has
surpassed Japan to become the world’s third-largest oil consumer. India is the
third-largest consumer behind the U.S. and China. Also, global demand for
primary energy grew only 1% in 2015, which is significantly slower than the
10-year average. Oil remained the world’s leading fuel, accounting for 32.9% of
global energy consumption and is gaining market share for the first time since
1999. Coal came in as the second-largest fuel by market share (29.2%). Natural
gas’ market share of primary energy consumption stood at 23.8%.
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India and Seychelles are working together to ensure
safety and security in the Indian Ocean. In this regard, both countries have
agreed to jointly build a naval base in Assumption Island. This will enhance
maritime security along India’s west and south coast.
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Unprecedented new details of medieval cities hidden
under jungle in Cambodia near Angkor Wat have been revealed using lasers
shedding new light on the civilisation behind the world’s largest religious
complex. Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site seen as among the most
important in south-east Asia, is considered one of the ancient wonders of the
world. It was constructed from the early to mid 1100s by King Suryavarman II at
the height of the Khmer Empire’s political and military power and was among the
largest pre-industrial cities in the world. While the Khmer Empire was
initially Hindu, it increasingly adopted Buddhism and both religions can be
seen on display at the complex.
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Public sector banks have increased their presence
across the country in the last four years—in terms of ATMs and points of sale
devices—far faster than private sector banks have recent data released by the
Reserve Bank of India shows. There are 27 public sector banks and 19 private
sector banks in operation currently. One common view is that this increase in
the number of ATMs by PSBs is due to the government-mandated rural financial
inclusion programme. Also, PSBs have a higher share of ATMs than private banks
in metro, urban, and semi-urban areas as well. However, the issuance of credit
cards and the share in credit card transactions are two areas where the private
sector outshines the public sector.
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With the country set to celebrate the second
International Yoga Day (IYD) on June 21, the government has proposed
instituting ‘Yoga medals’ for Central paramilitary troops for displaying
exceptional skills in the ancient discipline for physical, mental and spiritual
well being. It has also planned to re-employ retiring personnel of the Central
Armed Police Forces as Master Yoga Trainers in order to create a constant
resource pool of teachers for about 9 lakh personnel of the CRPF, the CISF, the
ITBP, the SSB and the BSF.
Important Points @ Glance: Part 2
Important Points @ Glance: Part 3
Important Points @ Glance: Part 4
Important Points @ Glance: Part 5
Important Points @ Glance: Part 6
Important Points @ Glance: Part 7
Important Points @ Glance: Part 8
Important Points @ Glance: Part 9
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