15-02-22 Daily-Gujarat-GPSC Current Affairs

Surging prices of and other raw materials have left denim manufacturers inGujarat the countrys denim capital grappling with a spike in production costs to the tune of 30%. With costlier raw materials and availability issues, denim production has declined by at least 30% over the past six months. This has left denim mills operating at an estimated 70% capacity utilisation, suggest Industry estimates.

Raw cotton prices rose from Rs 36,000 per candy in September 2020 to Rs 78,000 per candy in February 2022 over a span of 16 months adding to the Stress of the denim manufacturers. Industry estimates suggest that denim makers contribute at least 10% to the total cotton consumption in India.

Industry experts claim that the worst affected are mills that have recently entered the denim business, as they are faced with a dual hit of not being able to pass on cost escalation to the market and repaying debts.

Parliamentary Committee recently recommended extending guaranteed days of labor from 100 to 150 under the Gandhi National Rural EMPLOYMENT Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Highlights:

This was recommended after observing that MGNREGA may be the last fallback option for several people in rural areas.

The Committee gave recommendations when the job scheme had become a security net for migrant workers who returned to their villages amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, demand for work under this scheme has reached an all-time high in the fiscal year 2021-2022.

Finance Ministry has not increased the allocation for MGNREGA in Union Budget 2022-23. Ministry retained it at Rs 73,000 crore for 2022-23.

The government has prepared a draft National Air Sports Policy (NASP 2022) to promote air sports in India.

Highlights

The government has received the feedback. It examines the comments on the draft National Air Sports Policy.

Under the policy, domestic design, development & manufacturing of air sporting goods will be promoted in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

The policy seeks to form India a worldwide hub for air sports.

It will cover most air sports like aerobatics, amateur-built & experimental aircraft, aeromodelling, drones, ballooning, gliding, paragliding micro-lighting & paramotoring skydiving, glide, and vintage aircraft.

The GST Council will rationalize the GST rate on-air sporting goods to five or less during a bid to form air sports affordable to the common public.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched an Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-04, and two small satellites into the intended orbit.

Highlights:

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched an Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-04, and two small satellites into the intended orbit.

This was the primary launch mission of ISRO within the year 2022. The satellites were launched onboard the launch vehicle PSLV-C52 rocket from the primary Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

EOS-04 may be a Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) designed to supply high-quality images under all weather for applications like <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture, Forestry, and plantations, flood mapping, moisture & hydrology.

The satellite weighs about 1710 kg and can generate 2280 W power. It’s a mission lifetime of 10 years.

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) taskforce started mission in Japan for reviewing controversial planned release of treated water from Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

Since the Fukushima nuclear plant went into meltdown after a tsunami in 2011, about a million tonnes of processed water has accumulated in tanks at crippled plant. Storage space at the plant is running out.

According to Japan, the plan to dilute and release water over several decades is safe because, an extensive pumping and filtration system removes most radioactive Elements.

IAEA has also endorsed the release and says it similar to disposal of wastewater at nuclear Plants at other sites.

IAEA will now conduct a mission for reviewing the action, data, plans, and relevant documents, for assessing their compliance against provisions included in international safety standards. IAEA taskforce would be scrutinising elements including radiological characterisation of water to be discharged and its impact on people and Environment.

Every year, 15 February is observed as International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) to boost awareness about the evil that entails this issue and, therefore, how to affect an equivalent.

Every year, 15 February is observed as International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) to boost awareness about the evil that entails this issue and, therefore, how to affect an equivalent.

The day may be a global collaborative campaign to boost awareness about childhood cancer and precise support for youngsters and adolescents with cancer, survivors, and families.

The most common childhood cancers include leukemias, brain cancer, lymphomas, solid tumors, like neuroblastoma, Wilms’, and bone tumors.

The day promotes increased appreciation and deeper understanding of issues and challenges relevant to childhood cancer and impacting children/adolescents with cancer, the survivors, their families, and therefore Society.