Union Cabinet approves Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
1. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved Central Government spending of about one lakh crore on urban development under two new urban missions over the next five years.
2. The Cabinet has approved the Smart Cities Mission and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation of 500 cities (AMRUT) with outlays of Rs.48,000 crore and Rs.50,000 crore respectively.
3. Under the Smart Cities Mission, each selected city would get central assistance of Rs.100 crore per year for five years. Smart City aspirants will be selected through a ‘City Challenge Competition’.
4. Smart City Action Plans will be implemented by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) to be created for each city and state governments will ensure steady stream of resources for SPVs.
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ISRO successfully tests indigenous cryogenic engine
1. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 28 April 2015 successfully tested an indigenous cryogenic engine.
2. The powerful version of the cryogenic engine was tested successfully at ISRO’s propulsion complex at Mahendragiri in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
3. This engine will allow launch vehicles to carry satellites of up to capacity of four tonnes in geostationary orbit.
4. It will also make India self-reliant in sending heavier satellites to the required orbits and eliminate need of dependence on foreign launch vehicles.
5. It should be noted that India sixth spacefarer after US, Russia, the European Space Agency, China and Japan to develop a cryogenic engine.
6. Earlier in January 2015, India had successfully launched GSLV-D5, the first successful launch vehicle with an indigenous cryogenic engine.
Facts about cryogenic engine
1. A cryogenic rocket engine is a rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer, that is, its fuel or oxidizer (or both) is gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures.
2. These engines were one of the main factors of NASA’s success in reaching the Moon by the Saturn V rocket.
NGT bans burning of waste in open
1. NGT
imposed complete ban on burning of waste in open including garbage, leaves,
plastic and crop residues
2. National
Green Tribunal said violators will be fined Rs. 5,000, in yet another
significant order to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
3. The
order comes three weeks after the Tribunal banned plying of diesel vehicles
which were more than 10 years old in the region.
Veteran Marathi actor Bimba Modak passes
away
1. Shanta
alias Bimba Modak (97), eminent Marathi film and stage actress of yesteryear,
has passed away.
2. Modak,
who entered the industry when it was a taboo for women to work in cinema, made
her debut in the film Chul aani Mul directed by noted playwright and
writer Vishram Bedekar in 1946.
3. Her
other films included In Min Sadetin and Un Paus. She was
honoured with a lifetime award by Maharashtra government in 1980 for her
versatile acting talent.
CCTV, GPS to be mandatory in Odisha
passenger buses
1. The
Odisha government has proposed to make installation of close circuit television
(CCTV) cameras and global positioning system (GPS) mandatory in passenger buses
to ensure safety of passenger and keep a check on errant drivers.
2. The
State Transport Department has issued a notification proposing to insert two
sub-rules in the Odisha Motor Vehicle Rules, 1993.
Maharashtra collaborates with Israel on
Smart Cities
1. In
collaboration between the State and Israel, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra
Fadnavis and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai agreed to cooperate in building smart
cities.
2. After
the discussions held on Smart City partnership, the two parties-Maharashtra
government and Municipality of Tel Aviv-agreed to discuss common challenges
faced by modern cities and possible solutions.
3. They
would also explore the possibility of using Indian IT capabilities to increase
efficiency of smart urban solutions.
Sri Lankan Parliament adopts 19th Amendment
1. Marking
the beginning of a new chapter in the contemporary political history of Sri
Lanka, the Parliament on Tuesday night adopted the 19th Constitutional
Amendment with an overwhelming majority.
2. The legislation envisages the dilution
of many powers of Executive Presidency, which had been in force since 1978.
Features of 19th Amendment
1. The
reduction in the terms of President and Parliament from six years to five years
2. Re-introduction
of a two-term limit that a person can have as President
3. The
power of President to dissolve Parliament only after four and a half years (unlike one year, as prevalent now)
4. The
revival of Constitutional Council and the establishment of independent
commissions.
5. The
President remains the head of Cabinet. However, he can appoint Ministers on the
advice of Prime Minister.
Novelist Siddhartha Gigoo wins 2015
Commonwealth Short Story Prize
1. Novelist
Siddhartha Gigoo has won 2500 pounds 2015 Commonwealth Short Story Prize in
Asia region for his novel Umbrella Man.
2. With
this win he will compete with the other four regional winners for the 5000
pounds grand prize which will be announced in London on 8 September 2015.
Other region winners are African Region:
1. Lesley
Nneka Arimah (Nigeria) for Light.
2. Canada
and Europe Region: Jonathan Tel (UK) for The Human Phonograph.
3. Caribbean
Region: Kevin Jared Hosein (Trinidad) for The King of Settlement 4.
4. Pacific
Region: Mary Rokonadravu (Fiji) for Famished Eels.