Central Pollution Control Board eased the rules for the clearance of non-polluting industrial projects
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), under the Union Government, on 2 February 2017 eased the rules for the clearance of non-polluting industrial projects. The changes were made under the Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1981.
- These eased rules are aimed at reducing the time taken for clearances and quicken rollout of projects. It will simplify the procedures to fast-track real estate projects.
- Non-polluting industries (White Category) will not be required to obtain consent certificate from respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) under the air and water pollution control laws.
- Furthermore, all the projects that require environment clearance from the State Pollution Control Boards, will be exempted from obtaining the consent under existing Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1981.
Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise is being conducted
- TROPEX 17 exercise, Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Readiness Operational Exercise is being conducted off the Western Seaboard.
- The month long exercise will see participation of all armed forces and will attract participation of over 60 ships,5 submarines & more than 70 naval aircrafts.
- This exercise is aimed at testing combat readiness of the combined fleets of the armed forces.
Axis bank ties up with Earthport Plc
- Axis Bank has tied up with Earthport Plc and thus become the first bank in India to connect with Earthport’s global payments network,which spans over 60 countries
- Withis tie-up now Axis cross-border payment network, to enable faster outbound cross-border payments for its customers through Earthport’s state-of-the-art global payments network.
Telangana launches India's first social innovation hub in Nizamabad
- The Telangana government has launched India's first social innovation centre The ‘Kakatiya Hub For Social Innovation’ in Nizamabad, Telangana.
- ‘Kakatiya Hub For Social Innovation’ funded by the Telangana government and implemented through Kakatiya Sandbox will function like a rural incubator to encourage entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
First National Women’s Parliament in Andhra Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh is set to host the country’s first National Women’s Parliament in Amravati.
- In the 3-day event girl students will connect with 401 women legislators, 91 women members of Parliament and 300 social and corporate women leaders.
- The objective is to facilitate and enhance the network between eminent women personalities and more than 10,000 girl students.
Col Nizamuddin dies at 116
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s driver and INA veteran ‘Colonel’ Nizamuddin born in 1901 had died on 6th Feb 2017 at the age of 116 in his native village of Dhakwa in Azamgarh after a prolonged illness.
- ‘Colonel’ Nizamuddin, who had served in the Indian National Army from 1943-45, had proclaimed himself as one of the most trusted lieutenants of Netaji.
Hidden wonders of Neurocalyx calycinus medicinal plant found
- Scientists came to know of plant in 1988, a medicinal plant endemic to the southern parts of Western Ghats and Sri Lanka could offer the key to treat cancer,wounds & burns.
- Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute have confirmed the multiple therapeutic properties of Neurocalyx calycinus that is used by the Cholanaickan tribe in Kerala.
New species of Ghost Shark found
- Scientists have discovered a new species of Ghost Shark that is 3 feet in length & the second largest species of ghost shark ever discovered.
- It is the 50th species of ghost shark discovered & has rabbit-like teeth with bulky head.
- The new discovery, now called H. erithacus, was made between South Africa and Antarctica, in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
New species of butterfly found
- Researchers have described Limenitis rileyi, a butterfly spotted in Arunachal Pradesh 3 decades ago as the first record of the species in India.
- London-based naturalist Purnendu Roy informed that had found a single male species in July 1987 from Upper Dibang Valley in Arunachal.It was earlier recorded only in Tibet, Myanmar and Vietnam
Navy launches underwater harbour defence
- An Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief, Western Naval Command here today.
- The system will enhance the security of valuable assets against asymmetric threats, a Defence spokesperson said.
- The IUHDSS is a state of the art system with integrated radars, electro optic cameras and sonars.
