National Current Affairs October 2015 (Part 3)

Prime Minister Modi Launched IPDS at Benaras

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) on September 18, 2015 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Under IPDS, Varanasi will get Rs 572 crore.
• Objective of this scheme is to provide 24 x 7 power-supply. The Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) is one of the flagship schemes of the Ministry of Power and will be at the core attempt to ensure 24 x 7 power for all.
• The IPDS announced in the Union Budget 2014-15 envisages strengthening of sub-transmission network, Metering, IT application, Customer Care Services, provisioning of solar panels and the completion of the ongoing works of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and completion of the Reforms Programme (RAPDRP).

Read Also – State Level Current Affairs for September 2015.

‘Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana’ Launched

• The Central government launched the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) on September 17, 2015 meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).
• The objective of PMKKKY scheme will be

• To implement various developmental and welfare projects/ programs in mining affected areas that complement the existing ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central government.
• To minimise/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts.
• To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas. Care has been .taken to include all aspects of living, to ensure substantial improvement in the quality of life.
• High priority areas like drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, education, skill development, women and child care, welfare of aged and disabled people, skill development and environment conservation will get at least 60% share of the funds.
• For creating a supportive and conducive living environment, balance funds will be spent on making roads, bridges, railways, waterways projects, irrigation and alternative energy sources.

Indian Railways Developed Hybrid Vacuum Toilets

• The Development Cell of the Railway Board has come up with a design on September 18, 2015 that combines the advantages of Vacuum toilets and those of Bio toilets to create a new design of ‘Hybrid Vacuum Toilet’. This newly developed toilet has been fitted in one coach that is running in Dibrugarh Rajdhani for trail.
• The toilet has been made by modifying the standard flushing protocol of a vacuum toilet so as to create water seal and additional post flush cycles and this concept has been converted into a working prototype by Indian Railways as a first ever system of its kind to have been developed and built by any railway system in the world.
• It will help to maintain hygiene and cleanliness in toilets or tracks of Indian Railways as there will no direct evacuation of human waste.

Government Banned Militant Outfit NSCN(K) for Five Years

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi banned Naga militant outfit NSCN-K for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on September 16, 2015. It has been involved in a series of attacks, including the killing of 18 soldiers of the Army in Manipur in June, 2015.

• The ban on NSCN-K, led by SS Khaplang, came days after the National Investigation Agency, probing the June 4 incident in Manipur, where the outfit’s cadres killed 18 Army soldiers, declared a reward of ? 7 lakh for giving information about Khaplang and Rs 10 lakh about one of his deputies Niki Sumi.
• In August, 2015, NSCN-IM had entered into an historic Peace Accord (Framework Agreement) with Union government to bring lasting peace in Nagaland.

Visit Current-Affairs.org for latest current affairs, previous year question papers, free online quiz for SSC and others, Study material and lot more.