GUJARAT
Gujarat’s cotton output likely to dip
The reduction in area under cultivation is expected to bring down cotton production
in Gujarat this year. The cotton output in the state is estimated to hover around 85-90 lakh
bales (one bale equals to 170kg) in 2020-21as compared to 95 lakh bales in 2019-20.
The cotton acreage in Gujarat dropped 15% to 23 lakh hectares in kharif season this year
from nearly 27 lakh hectares last year, shows data compiled by the state agriculture
department.
Stating that Gujarat’s crop is expected at 85 lakh bales, a pan-India cotton trade body’s
member said, “Gujarat’s cotton crop is now expected at 85 lakh bales as compared to 95
lakh bales due to low acreage. The flow of cotton from other states to Gujarat may also be
low due to cotton procurement (by Cotton Corporation of India) at minimum support price
(MSP).”
INTERNATIONAL
Railway Line to Connect China and Tibet
China has begun to build a strategic railway line (this is the second major railway line to
Tibet) that will connect Sichuan Province in southwest China with Linzhi, Tibet, near the
border of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Linzhi (also known as Nyingchi) is located near the
border of Arunachal Pradesh.
The India-China border dispute involves a 3,488-kilometer line of actual control, which is the
actual border between the two countries. China claims that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of
southern Tibet, but India firmly rejected it.
Just like the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Line (which connected Lhasa (the capital of the Tibet
Autonomous Region (TAR)) to the mainland in 2006), this will be the second route to
connect the Tibet Autonomous Region with the mainland.
The Sichuan-Tibet Railway departs from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and
enters Tibet via Qamdo, shortening the journey from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 hours to 13
hours.
When there is a crisis on the border, the railway can act as a "fast track" for the
transportation of strategic materials.
NATIONAL
DRDO Successfully Test-fired QRSAM
The Defense Research and Development Organization – DRDO successfully tested the Quick
Response Surface-to-Air Missile System (QRSAM). The test was conducted at the
comprehensive test field in Chandipur on the Odi Saha coast. The test is a continuation of a
series of missile tests conducted by DRDO in the past two months.
QRSAM is a tank-based system, which means it is stored and operated from specially
designed compartments.
In the tank, the internal environment is controlled, so not only is it easy to transport and
store, but the shelf life of the weapon is also greatly improved. The system can detect and
track moving targets and engage them after a short pause.
It is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, mainly designed and developed by
DRDO, to provide a defensive barrier for the army's mobile armored forces to protect them
from enemy air attacks.
The entire weapon system has been configured on a mobile mobile platform that can
provide air defense capabilities while on the move. It was designed to introduce it to the
Army, with a range of 25 to 30 kilometers.
The QRSAM weapon group that functions on the move consists of a fully automated
command and control system.
It also consists of two radars-active array battery surveillance radar and active array battery
multifunctional radar-with a transmitter.
Ministry Notified Draft Rules Under the Code on Social Security
The Ministry of Labor & Employment has notified the draft rules of the 2020 Social Security
Act. The draft rules provide for registration based on Aadhaar, including self-registration by
unorganized workers, gig and platform workers, construction workers and other
construction workers on the central government portal.
The rules also stipulate the remuneration for regular hire of employees.
The rules provide for a single electronic registration of enterprises, including cancellation of
registration at the end of business activities.
It also provides regulations on the methods and conditions for exiting the enterprise from
EPFO and ESIC coverage.
The rules have detailed self-assessment and Cess payment procedures for buildings and
other construction workers.
The interest rate for late payment of such taxes has been reduced from 2% of the monthly
or monthly portion to 1%.
Scientists Selected for Swarna Jayanti Fellowships
The Department of Science and Technology – DST has selected 21 scientists to participate in
the 2020 Swarna Jayanti Scholarship.
Scientists selected for this award will be allowed to carry out unfettered research freely and
flexibly in accordance with the expenditures approved in the research plan.
The Swarna Jayanti Scholarship Program is established by the government. Commemorate
the 50th anniversary of India's independence.
It provides specialist help and support to selected young scientists who have a good track
record and enables them to engage in basic research in the frontier fields of science and
technology.
Under the plan, the winners will receive support from DST, which will cover all
requirements for performing research and will include Rs scholarships. 25,000/- per month
for five years.
In addition, DST also provides support to the winners by providing them with a five-year
research grant of 500,000 rupees. In addition to the salary received from his alma mater, a
fellowship is also provided.
In addition to fellowships, grants for equipment, computing equipment, consumables,
emergency expenses, domestic and international travel, and other special requirements (if
any) are also covered based on the results.
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