TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017,21 for Group 2, Group 4, VAO and Constable

1.National green Tribunal cancels environmental clearance given to Neutrino project .

National Green Tribunal has cancelled the Environmental Clearance given by the Ministry of Environment, forests and climate change for the Neutrino project which was proposed to set up in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) which is proposed to come in Bodi East hills in Theni District, Tamil Nadu.

It is a particle physics research project to study about the atmospheric Neutrino.

  

2.Union Cabinet approves four GST bills,

Union Cabinet has approved the four supporting Good and Service Tax (GST) bills and will be introduce in the current budget session of Parliament.

Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime minister has approved the following four GST related Bills

1 Central GST (CGST Bill)

2.The Integrated GST (IGST Bill )

3.The Union Territory GST (UTGST Bill)

4.the Compensation to the States Law Bill .

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017,21 for group 1 & group 2 (mains)

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1.National green Tribunal cancels environmental clearance given to Neutrino project .

National Green Tribunal has cancelled the Environmental Clearance given by the Ministry of Environment, forests and climate change for the Neutrino project which was proposed to set up in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

The southern bench of National Tribunal has cancelled the environmental clearance and asked the he project team to file for a fresh clearance from the Environmental Ministry

About the Neutrino Project: 

• India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) which is proposed to come in Bodi East hills in Theni District, Tamil Nadu.
• It is a particle physics research project to study about the atmospheric Neutrino.
• INO has going to construct the Detector to detect the naturally Producing Neutrino in atmosphere. It will be very difficult to detect neutrino signals which are produced in atmosphere because of other particles signal’s in atmosphere.
• To overcome this difficulty scientist has planned to build the observatory inside the mountain so they can detect Neutrino signal easily, because Neutrino’s can easily penetrate anything because of its weakly interactive nature.

About Bodi Lab:

The lab is under mountain about 1300 m deep. The Neutrino Detector is called Calorimeter. It consists of detector called RPC(Resistiv plate chamber) arranged in stack of  layers and it also consists of ,50,000 tonnes of magnetised iron plates arranged in stack layer spaces. This is massive detector weighing 50k tons and it’s the world's largest electromagnet.

What is Neutrino?

Neutrinos are elementary particle like electron, but which is not the part of Electron. It is the Elementary particle which will not break further.

Previous Scientific Discoveries has found that there is 2 more particles similar to Electron called Muon and Tau. These 3 has Neutrino partner called Electron Neutrino, Muon Neutrino, and Tau Neutrino. The Electron, Muon and Tau are negatively charged particles and Neutrino is chargless and doesn’t have mass.

Neutrons are found in abundance, because of weakly interactive nature, it is very difficult to study about it. Initially there was a thought that neutrino is massless particles but recent studies reveal that it has small mass.         

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017,21 for group 1 & group 2

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

National green Tribunal cancels environmental clearance given to Neutrino project .

National Green Tribunal has cancelled the Environmental Clearance given by the Ministry of Environment, forests and climate change for the Neutrino project which was proposed to set up in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

The southern bench of National Tribunal has cancelled the environmental clearance and asked the he project team to file for a fresh clearance from the Environmental Ministry

About the Neutrino Project: 

• India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) which is proposed to come in Bodi East hills in Theni District, Tamil Nadu.
• It is a particle physics research project to study about the atmospheric Neutrino.
• INO has going to construct the Detector to detect the naturally Producing Neutrino in atmosphere. It will be very difficult to detect neutrino signals which are produced in atmosphere because of other particles signal’s in atmosphere.
• To overcome this difficulty scientist has planned to build the observatory inside the mountain so they can detect Neutrino signal easily, because Neutrino’s can easily penetrate anything because of its weakly interactive nature.

About Bodi Lab:

The lab is under mountain about 1300 m deep. The Neutrino Detector is called Calorimeter. It consists of detector called RPC(Resistiv plate chamber) arranged in stack of  layers and it also consists of ,50,000 tonnes of magnetised iron plates arranged in stack layer spaces. This is massive detector weighing 50k tons and it’s the world's largest electromagnet.

What is Neutrino?

Neutrinos are elementary particle like electron, but which is not the part of Electron. It is the Elementary particle which will not break further.

Previous Scientific Discoveries has found that there is 2 more particles similar to Electron called Muon and Tau. These 3 has Neutrino partner called Electron Neutrino, Muon Neutrino, and Tau Neutrino. The Electron, Muon and Tau are negatively charged particles and Neutrino is chargless and doesn’t have mass.

Neutrons are found in abundance, because of weakly interactive nature, it is very difficult to study about it. Initially there was a thought that neutrino is massless particles but recent studies reveal that it has small mass.          

Neutrino Oscillation: 

Recent Discovery that neutrino changes from one type to another as they travel. An electron neutrino which is produced in sun which converts into Muon Neutrino or Tau Neutrino on its flight to the earth which is called Neutrino Oscillation. This is the discovery which reveals that Neutrino has Mass.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017,21 for group 1 & group 2

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

Union Cabinet approves four GST bills

Union Cabinet has approved the four supporting Good and Service Tax (GST) bills and will be introduce in the current budget session of Parliament.

Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime minister has approved the following four GST related Bills

1 Central GST (CGST Bill)

2.The Integrated GST (IGST Bill )

3.The Union Territory GST (UTGST Bill)

4.the Compensation to the States Law Bill .

About the GST Bills(official Release).

The GST Council has already finalised the 4 tier tax structure 5,12,18 and 28 Per cent and overall cap of 40 Per cent. 

• Central GST bill makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods or services or both by the central government
• IGST Bill makes provisions for levy and collection of tax on inter-state supply of goods or services or both by the Central government.
• The UTGST Bill makes provisions for levy on collection of tax on intra-UT supply of goods and services in the Union Territories without legislature.Union Territory GST is akin to States Goods and Services Tax (SGST) which shall be levied and collected by the States/ Union Territories on intra-state supply of goods or services or both.
• The Compensation Bill provides for compensation to the states for loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the goods and services tax for a period of five years as per section 18 of the Constitution (101th Amendment) Act, 2016.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017,21 for group 1 & group 2

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

Talks on Indus water treaty begins.

India and Pakistan discuss problems relating to the Indus Basin at Indus Water Commission meeting.  previous meeting  of the commission was held in 2015. India side is headed by P.K Saxena and Mirza Asif saeed from Pakistan Side .

This is the 113th session of Permanent Indus water commission,. It was established in 1960.

Issue: 

• India built  1000 MW Pakul Dul on Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir, 120 MW Miyar, located across Miyar Nalla tributary of River Chenab located in Himachal Pradesh, and the 43 MW Lower Kalnai hydro project on Lower Kalnai Nalla, a tributary of river Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir,
• India is also planning to the build Kishanganga 330 megawatts and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric plants.
• Pakistan contends that the above projects were violating the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.
• India said that it is ready to engage in further  consultation with pakitan on matter of resolving current differences over the project as per the treaty.

About Indus Water Treaty: 

• Indus water treaty is between India and Pakistan , which was signed in 1960 by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan.
• As per the treaty India will control the 3 eastern rivers of Indus basin – Beas, Ravi and Sutlej and Pakistan has control over western rivers, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.
• As per the treaty India can use only 20 Per cent of water in Indus River.
• This treaty is considered as one of the most successful treaty in world today withstood frequent tension between two countries.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017,21 for group 1 & group 2

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

Major Rohit Suri awarded Kirti chakra award

Major Rohit Suri has awarded the second highest Peace time Gallantry award Kirti Chakra by President Pranab Mukherjee in the ceremony held in Durbar hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Rohit Suri has led the army which carried out surgical strike in Pakistan occupied Kashmir 2016.

The surgical strike is response for the attack by  terrorists belonging to the Pakistani jihadi group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) struck at an Indian Army camp in Uri.

About Kirti Chakra Award: 

• Kirti Chakra is an second highest Peace time Gallantry award after Ashoka Chakra was awarded for Valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice in battle.
• It was previously known as Ashoka Chara ,class II award and it was established in 1952.
• It is given to both civilians and military personnel including posthumous awards.
• It was renamed to Kirti Chakra in 1967.
• Col N.J Nair is the only soldier who has been awarded both Kiti chakra and Ashoka Chara till date.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017, 20 for Group 2,4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1. Offshore Patrol Vessel Shanuk has joined the eastern region fleet.

The Offshore patrol vessel has joined the Eastern Region Fleet and will be based in Vishakhapatnam.

Indian coast Guard ship Shanuk has given a ceremonial Welcome at Chennai port which is organised by Coast Guard Easter region. ADGP Coastal Security Group C Sylendra Babu has participated on the ceremony.

2.TN Government to replace 10% of existing agricultural pump with energy efficient pumps

Tamil Nadu Government planning to replace the 10 per cent of existing agricultural pump with energy efficient pumps under UDAY scheme.

Tamil Nadu has recently joined the Central Government sponsoring UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) scheme has committed to replace at least 10 Per cent of existing agricultural pump set with energy efficient pumps by March 2019.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 20 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains (ALL)

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1.TN Government to replace 10% of existing agricultural pump with energy efficient pumps

Tamil Nadu Government planning to replace the 10 per cent of existing agricultural pump with energy efficient pumps under UDAY scheme.

Tamil Nadu has recently joined the Central Government sponsoring UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) scheme has committed to replace at least 10 Per cent of existing agricultural pump set with energy efficient pumps by March 2019.

Farmers Concern 

• In 2010 the then government has provided energy efficient free pumps to around 15 lakhs farmers but the use of pump came to exit few years later
• Farmers are eligible for free electricity only if they use upto 5 horse power pumps to draw underground water.
• But the ground water depleting rapidly, farmers are pushed to use high power more than 5hp capacity pumps to draw water.
• If government replace the existing pumps with energy efficient pumps, it will difficult to draw water from underground because capacity of energy efficient pumps are only up to 5 horse power.

What is UDAY?

Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana is a central Government Scheme to financial turnaround and revival package for electricity distribution companies of India to get permanent solution for financial Crisis for Electricity board. It is introduced in November 2015 by Power, Coal & New Renewable Energy, Minister of State, Shri Piyush Goyal.

Four Important Initiatives:

• Improving Operational efficiencies
• Reduction of Cost Power
• Reduction of Interest Cost
• Enforcing Financial Discipline

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 20 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

TN Government to replace 10% of existing agricultural pump with energy efficient pumps

Tamil Nadu Government planning to replace the 10 per cent of existing agricultural pump with energy efficient pumps under UDAY scheme.

Tamil Nadu has recently joined the Central Government sponsoring UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) scheme has committed to replace at least 10 Per cent of existing agricultural pump set with energy efficient pumps by March 2019.

Farmers Concern 

• In 2010 the then government has provided energy efficient free pumps to around 15 lakhs farmers but the use of pump came to exit few years later
• Farmers are eligible for free electricity only if they use upto 5 horse power pumps to draw underground water.
• But the ground water depleting rapidly, farmers are pushed to use high power more than 5hp capacity pumps to draw water.
• If government replace the existing pumps with energy efficient pumps, it will difficult to draw water from underground because capacity of energy efficient pumps are only up to 5 horse power.

What is UDAY?

Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana is a central Government Scheme to financial turnaround and revival package for electricity distribution companies of India to get permanent solution for financial Crisis for Electricity board. It is introduced in November 2015 by Power, Coal & New Renewable Energy, Minister of State, Shri Piyush Goyal.

Four Important Initiatives:

• Improving Operational efficiencies
• Reduction of Cost Power
• Reduction of Interest Cost
• Enforcing Financial Discipline

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 20 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

Offshore Patrol Vessel Shanuk has joined the eastern region fleet.

The Offshore patrol vessel has joined the Eastern Region Fleet and will be based in Vishakapatnam.

Indian coast Guard ship Shanuk has given a cermeonial Welcome at Chennai port which is organised by Coast Guard Easter region. ADGP Coastal Security Group C Sylendra Babu has participated on the ceremony.

The 105-metre-long vessel can travel up to a speed of 23 knots an hour and it was commanded by Deputy Inspector General T Sashi Kumar, and manned by 14 officers and 98 men.

Commander, Coast Guard Region (East) will control the administrative and operations of ICGS Shanuk.

The induction will give a fillip to the maritime protection in the Eastern coast especially in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 20 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

International Buddhist conference conclude at Rajgir, Bihar

The Three day International Buddhist conference began on 16 march 2017 at Rajgir International Convention Center (RICC) in Rajgir, Bihar has concluded.. It was inaugurated by tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Indian President Pranab Mugherji attended the concluding ceremony.

About the Conference.

• The topic of the conference was Buddhism in 21^st Century.
• The conference, aimed at renewing contacts and discussing Buddhism’s perspectives and responses to global Challenges and Crisis.
• Pali tripitaka book was released by Dalai lama at inaugural session.
• Over thousands of delegates from 40 countries includes, Burma, Sri Lana, Nepal , Singapore are participating in it.
• The conference includes discussion, seminars and deliberating on how to create a balance economic development and conservation of nature and environment with secular ethics.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017, 19 for Group 2,4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1.India’s longest road tunnel will open for traffic soon in Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s longest road tunnel at chennani in Jammu’s Udhampur district is complete and will open for Traffic soon.

The 9 km long tunnel is between Chenani and Nashri which will save travel time of two and half hours.

2.Yogi Adityanath swon in-as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Yogi Adiyanath Swon in as Uttar Pradesh’s new Chief Minister. He is the 21^st Chief minister of Uttar Pradesh . 

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017, 18 for Group 4, VAO and Constable

1.Tamil Nadu urges Centre to speed up 4,000 MW ‘ultra- mega’ power project at Cheyyur.

Tamil Nadu Government urges the Central Government to speed up 4,000 MW ultra-mega power project at Cheyyur,Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu electricity Minister P. Thangamani said that the land acquisition and environment clearance for the project was completed also Tamil Nadu government requested the Centre “to finalise the bidding documents early with an option for using domestic coal, which will bring down the cost of the power_ official release.

2.India, Russia inks long term pacts for maintenance of Sukhoi jets

India and Russia inked long term agreement for maintenance and technical support for Sukhoi -30MKI jets of Indian Air force .

The pact has inked between Hindustan Aeronautics ltd from India and United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation of Russia in the presence of India’s finance cum defence minister Arun Jaitley and Russian industry and trade minister Denis Manturov during first India-Russia Military Industrial Conference.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 18 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains (ALL)

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1.Tamil Nadu urges Centre to speed up 4,000 MW ‘ultra- mega’ power project at Cheyyur.

Tamil Nadu Government urges the Central Government to speed up 4,000 MW ultra-mega power project at Cheyyur,Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu electricity Minister P. Thangamani said that the land acquisition and environment clearance for the project was completed also Tamil Nadu government requested the Centre “to finalise the bidding documents early with an option for using domestic coal, which will bring down the cost of the power_ official release.

About Cheyyur Project.

• The Cheyyur Project is one of the ambitious power stations planned by Government of India under Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) series to achieve the additional 100,000 MW electricity by 2020.
• Central government aimed to produce 4000 MW power under each Ultra Mega power projects including Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project, Tamil Nadu.
• The project is aimed to delivering the power at Minimum cost to consumers. The cost to set up a plant is roughly Rs 15,000 crore and can generate one unit of power with cost Rs 2.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 18 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

Tamil Nadu urges Centre to speed up 4,000 MW ‘ultra- mega’ power project at Cheyyur.

Tamil Nadu Government urges the Central Government to speed up 4,000 MW ultra-mega power project at Cheyyur,Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu electricity Minister P. Thangamani said that the land acquisition and environment clearance for the project was completed also Tamil Nadu government requested the Centre “to finalise the bidding documents early with an option for using domestic coal, which will bring down the cost of the power_ official release.

About Cheyyur Project.

• The Cheyyur Project is one of the ambitious power stations planned by Government of India under Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) series to achieve the additional 100,000 MW electricity by 2020.
• Central government aimed to produce 4000 MW power under each Ultra Mega power projects including Cheyyur Ultra Mega Power Project, Tamil Nadu.
• The project is aimed to delivering the power at Minimum cost to consumers. The cost to set up a plant is roughly Rs 15,000 crore and can generate one unit of power with cost Rs 2.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 18 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

National Health policy -2017

The union Cabinet has approved the National Health policy 2017 which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

National Health policy aims to achieving universal health coverage and delivering quality health care to all at reasonable cost

Important Highlights of National Health Policy:

• Policy aims to achieve everyone to access to quality health care services without anyone having to face financial difficulties as a consequence.
•  The policy aims to raise public healthcare expenditure to 2.5 % of GDP, with two third of resources going to primary health care.
•  The policy proposes increasing access, improving quality, reducing cost, free drugs, free diagnostics and free emergency and essential healthcare services in Government Hospitals.
•  The policy highlights the importance of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) which is safe and cost effective.
•  The policy also aims to increase life expectancy at birth from 67.5 to 70 by 2025, to reduce infant mortality rate to 28 by 2019, and also reduce under 5 mortality to 23 by 2025.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 18 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

India, Russia inks long term pacts for maintenance of Sukhoi jets

India and Russia inked long term agreement for maintenance and technical support for Sukhoi -30MKI jets of Indian Air force .

The pact has inked between Hindustan Aeronautics ltd from India and United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation of Russia in the presence of India’s finance cum defence minister Arun Jaitley and Russian industry and trade minister Denis Manturov during first India-Russia Military Industrial Conference.

About the Agreement:

• As per the Agreement, United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation of Russia will supply Hindustan Aeronautics ltd with spares, engines and technical assistance for 5 years.
•  It also speed up for getting the spares in just a week, instead of waiting for one to two years.
•  India and Russia was a long standing defence partner and most of India’s defence platforms and weapons are from Russia, so maintenance and technical support from Russia is most important.
•  Currently Indian Air Force has 230 Sukhoi MKI jets and it is expected to rise to 270 jets in the future.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017, 17 for Group 4, VAO and Constable

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1 Tamil Nadu Budget 2017

Tamil Nadu Finance minister D Jayakumar presented the Budget for 2017 in Tamil Nadu Assembly. This is the first budget for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.Palaniswami.

2.International Buddhist conference begins at Rajgir, Bihar

The Three day International Buddhist conference began at Rajgir International Convention Center (RICC) in Rajgir, Bihar. It was inaugurated by tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 17 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains (ALL)

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

1 Tamil Nadu Budget 2017

Tamil Nadu Finance minister D Jayakumar presented the Budget for 2017 in Tamil Nadu Assembly. This is the first budget for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.Palaniswami.

Important highlights of Budget:

• As per the current budget, the total revenue of Tamil Nadu is Rs 1,59,363 crore and the total expenditure is Rs 1,75,293 crore and the fiscal deficit is Rs 15,930 crore.
• Ministry will set up two model residential schools at Javvadhu Hills along with hostel facilities for the benefit of tribal communities at a cost Rs 24 crore.
• Kancheepuram will get the medical park at a cost of Rs 130 Crore.
• Tamirabarani-Nambiyaaru river linking project gets Rs 300 crore.
• Allocation of Rs 300 crore to Kudimaramathu project.
• Allocation of Rs 250 crore to Athikadavu-Avinasi project.
• Fishing harbour will be built in Mookaiyur in Ramanathapuram district
• Infant mortality rate has come down to 19/1000 cases and Maternal Mortality rate by 67/1000 cases.Tamil Nadu also achieved the National goal.
• MGNREGA work days has been increased from 100 to 150 days.

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017 17 for Group 1 and Group 2 Mains

TNPSC Current Affairs March 2017

Tamil Nadu Budget 2017

Tamil Nadu Finance minister D Jayakumar presented the Budget for 2017 in Tamil Nadu Assembly. This is the first budget for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.Palaniswami.

Important highlights of Budget:

• As per the current budget, the total revenue of Tamil Nadu is Rs 1,59,363 crore and the total expenditure is Rs 1,75,293 crore and the fiscal deficit is Rs 15,930 crore.
• Ministry will set up two model residential schools at Javvadhu Hills along with hostel facilities for the benefit of tribal communities at a cost Rs 24 crore.
• Kancheepuram will get the medical park at a cost of Rs 130 Crore.
• Tamirabarani-Nambiyaaru river linking project gets Rs 300 crore.
• Allocation of Rs 300 crore to Kudimaramathu project.
• Allocation of Rs 250 crore to Athikadavu-Avinasi project.
• Fishing harbour will be built in Mookaiyur in Ramanathapuram district
• Infant mortality rate has come down to 19/1000 cases and Maternal Mortality rate by 67/1000 cases.Tamil Nadu also achieved the National goal.
• MGNREGA work days has been increased from 100 to 150 days.