Also in News

• NASA found clue while solving Voyager 1's communication breakdown case, which was sending back incoherent data.

• About Voyager 1
  • Launched in 1977 to flyby Jupiter and Saturn, it crossed into interstellar space in 2012.
  • It was the first spacecraft to cross heliosphere, the boundary where the influences outside our solar system are stronger than those from our Sun.
  • It discovered a thin ring around Jupiter and two new Jovian moons: Thebe and Metis.
  • At Saturn, it found five new moons and a new ring called G-ring.

• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has launched Standards and Labeling Program for the solar inverter under voluntary phase.

• About Standards and Labeling Program (2006)
  • Objective: Help consumers make an informed choice about various energy-consuming appliances, in terms of energy savings.
    • Also aims to reduce the end-use energy consumption of appliances without diminishing the service levels.
  • Currently invoked for 34 appliances/equipment (apart from solar inverter)
  • Appliances/equipment have been notified under mandatory (e.g. Ceiling Fans, tubular Fluorescent Lamps Stationary Storage Type Electric Water Heaters etc. ) and voluntary (Microwave Ovens etc.) labeling.

• Ministry of Home Affairs has been ranked among 10 top ministries in GRAI during 2023-24.

• About GRAI
  • Objective: To present organisation-wise comparative picture and provide valuable insights about strengths and areas of improvement regarding grievance redressal mechanism.
  • It is conceptualised and designed by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
  • It is based on dimensions Efficiency, Feedback, Domain and Organisational Commitment. 
  • It uses data from the Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS).

• India’s first Oil Palm Processing Mill inaugurated under NMEO-OP.

• About NMEO-OP
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2021 to promote oil palm cultivation and reduce import burden on edible oils.
  • Targets by 2025-26
  • Increase area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares. 
  • Increase in Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes.

• About Palm Oil
  • Around 90% of world’s oil palm trees are grown in Malaysia and Indonesia.
  • Used in food products, detergents, cosmetics and biofuel.
  • Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala accounts for 98% of total production.

• IEPFA invites comments from stakeholders to simplify, expedite and streamline claims settlement process.

• About IEPFA
  • Established in 2016 under provisions of section 125 of Companies Act, 2013 under Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
  • It is entrusted with responsibility of promoting Investor Education, Awareness and Protection and administration of IEPF fund.
    • IEPF has been established under Section 205C of Companies Act, 1956 by way of Companies (Amendment) Act, 1999 for protection of interests of investors.

• Program was developed under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways to establish ecosystem for providing timely medical care to road accident victims, including during golden hour.

• About Pilot Program
  • National Health Authority shall be implementing agency, in coordination with police, hospitals, State Health Agency etc.
  • Victims entitled to cashless treatment upto maximum of Rs. 1.5 lakhs per accident per person for maximum period of 7 days from date of accident.
  • Applicable to all road accidents.
  • Claims raised by hospitals for providing treatment to be reimbursed from Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

• Ethanol 100 fuel was launched by the Petroleum Ministry. 

• About Ethanol 100:
  • A cleaner and greener alternative to gasoline
  • It is a blend of 92 to 94 percent ethanol, 4 to 5 percent motor spirit to provide colour to flame and 1.5 percent Co-solvent higher saturated alcohol.
  • Significance: 
    • It produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases, a reduction by around 63% on well to wheel basis. 
    • Its high-octane rating makes it suitable for high-performance engines, ensuring enhanced efficiency and power output.
    • Significant reductions in foreign exchange savings.

• Department of Fisheries successfully inaugurates the integration of the Kisan Credit Card Fisheries scheme with the JanSamarth Portal.
  • JanSamarth is a first-of-its-kind online platform for directly connecting lenders with beneficiaries.
  • Citizens can avail loans under certain Central government schemes. 
• In the year 2018-19, KCC facility has been extended to fishers and fish farmers to meet their working capital requirement.
  • It covers Farmers either individual or joint borrower, Joint Liability Groups or Self Help Groups etc.
  • Under it, farmer get interest Subvention of 2% annually and in case Prompt Repayment subvention will be 3%. 

Nana Jagannath Shankarseth (1803- 1865)

• Maharashtra cabinet decided to ask Ministry of Railways to rename Mumbai Central station after him.
• About Nana Jagannath Shankarseth
  • Social reformer, educationist, and philanthropist and often described as architect of Mumbai (then Bombay).
• Contributions
  • Became the first Indian to be nominated to Legislative Council of Bombay.
  • Founder of Bombay Association (1852).
  • Worked for education of girls and women.
  • Founded Native School of Bombay which evolved into prestigious Elphinstone College.
  • Part of committee that gave project impetus for India’s first train that ran between Boribunder and Thane in 1853.
• Values: Courage, Compassion, Leadership, etc.