Articles from General Knowledge Today

Foreign telecom equipment serving critical networks must be banned: Panel

2012-08-11 21:08:19 puneet

Inter-ministerial panel in its report has recommended ban on use of foreign telecom equipments for all critical networks. The panel supported 100% domestic sourcing of such equipments. Objective: The move was taken due to apprehension over intrusion and control of vital cyber networks by foreign countries like China which can compromise with the security of the country. The report suggests that India should not use telecom apparatus from unfriendly countries. It highlights networks in countries such as Taiwan, Japan and South Korea which also do not use telecom equipment for their critical networks manufactured by countries hostile to them. However it does not call for violation of WTO norms as preferential treatment in buying equipment will be given to domestic manufacturers only for projects that have security implication for the country. Projects recommended for complete domestic sourcing are: National Optic Fiber Network Network for spectrum Other defense communication networks National Knowledge Network All communication projects of all utility companies such as the Indian Railways, and oil, gas and power companies. The current preferential access policy directs that both state-owned and private phone, mobile and landline companies buy up to 30 % of network equipment and other related infrastructure from domestic manufacturers. The new policy wants these licensees to increase this up to a minimum of 80 % by 2020.

NATIONAL WATER LAW under consideration

2012-08-11 21:08:54 puneet

Centre has decided to constitute National Water Framework Act with guiding principles on water laws the States may implement. Incentives will be given for water projects to states who adopt the Act. Head of the panel: Former Planning Commission member, Y.K. Alagh

Water Resources Ministry established another panel to amend the River Board act to aid holistic development of water resources with a river basin as a unit. Panel headed by T.S. Doabia. It involves establishing of River Boards, with the Chief Minister or Water Resources/Irrigation Minister as a member, of all basin States for prompt solution of disputes. So far some of the upper riparian States were against establishment of River board organizations for basin development as they are reluctant to share surplus waters with a lower riparian State. The proposed framework law will address issues such as amendments to the InterState Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Rivers Board Act and the Easement Law to make groundwater a public property with government in the role of a trustee. Progress is on to amend Inter-State River Disputes Act to establish a single tribunal with several benches for speedier resolution of disputes in a time-bound manner. It will facilitate in faster decisions over issues like: Ravi-Beas issue among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan Mandovi dispute among Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra Krishna river water sharing quarrel among Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Mullaperiyar Dam dispute b/w Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Suntech develops cheap and most efficient solar cells

2012-08-11 21:08:54 puneet

Suntech Power, the Chinese solar power manufacturer developed a new process for manufacturing silicon wafers for solar cells that could slash the cost of solar power by 10 to 20 %. It uses wafers made up of a single crystal of silicon. These are called monocrystalline wafers.

China successfully tests LOX/kerosene engine

2012-08-11 21:08:01 puneet

China successfully tested its new 120-tonne-thrust Liquid OXygen (LOX) and kerosene engine for its new generation carrier rocket- the Long March-5. The engine: High-performance High-pressure staged combustion cycle engine

 Non-toxic Pollution-free Highly reliable Powerful than the 75-tonne-thrust engine used in the launch of Shenzhou spacecraft, the institute said. China comes second after Russia, to use the core technologies for an LOX/kerosene high-pressure staged combustion cycle rocket engine. Long March-5 expected to make its maiden journey in 2014.

RBI sets up Panel for deeper penetration of Rural credit

2012-08-11 21:08:22 puneet

The Reserve Bank of India set up a panel to recommend ways to strengthen the rural co-operative credit structure. Head of the committee : NABARD Chairman Prakash Bakshi, Focus: Review the existing Short-Term Co-operative Credit Structure (STCCS) Finding structural constraints in the rural credit delivery system Device methods to enhance the rural co-operative credit architecture In-depth examination of the STCCS Analyse alternatives to cut the cost of credit Test the possibility of establishment of a two-tier STCCS as against the existing three-tier structure. The STCCS provides credit to the small and marginal farmers in the country.