INDIAN AFFAIRS

“SMB” & “Maareech” dedicated to Nation by Defence Minister
Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar dedicated a Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin (SMB) to the nation and handed over the Advanced Torpedo Defence System “Maareech” to the Indian Navy at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam.
About SMB – Seakeeping and Manoeuvring Basin
The Rs.168-crore SMB is a state-of-the-art hydrodynamic testing infrastructure facility to validate the design of naval platforms and weapon systems. The facility was designed and developed using Indian equipment.
TRAI’s views on spectrum cap consented by Telecom Commission
Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission has in-principle approved TRAI’s (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) recommendation on determining spectrum holding limits and sought suggestions from the sector regulator to implement it in future auctions.
(Minister of Communications and Information Technology – Ravi Shankar Prasad)
The spectrum cap, the limit of radio- waves a telecom operator can hold for providing wireless services is:

• 50% in a spectrum band identified fit for transmitting mobile signals.
• 25% of the total such spectrum assigned in a telecom circle.

India’s food industry to be worth $65 bn by 2018: Report
As per research report of IIM-Calcutta and Academic Foundation, Indian Food industry is expected to grow 11% annually to reach $65.4 billion (about Rs 4 lakh crore) by 2018.

• Currently Nation’s food industry is valued at $39.71 billion (Rs 2,476.8 billion)

As per report

• Food and grocery constitute a substantial part of India’s consumption for around 31% of the consumption basket. On the contrary US spend 9%, Brazil spends 17% and China spends 25%.
• Food is the largest segment in India’s retail sector, which was valued at $490 billion in 2013.
• India’s retail market is expected to ↑ to $865 billion by 2023, which is presently valued at $490 billion.
• The share of modern retail is expected to ↑ 24% of the total retail market from 8% currently.

The report also suggests that India may have benefitted from the presence of foreign businesses in the food supply chain that established backward.
J&K Govt to implement National Food Safety Act in state
Jammu and Kashmir government will soon implement the National Food Safety Act (NFSA) in the state. The new Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department office at Baramulla has been constructed at a cost of Rs 80 lakh.

• It was announced by Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public distribution Choudhary Zulfkar Ali while inaugurating a new CA&PD office complex at Baramulla, Srinagar.
• Under the NFS Act, 5 kilograms of foodgrains would be given per person at subsidized rates.

Shri Zulfkar also sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the construction of Gujjar hostel at Baramulla.
Vulture reintroduction programme launched in Haryana
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme by putting ten captive bred vultures in pre-release aviaries close to Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore.
About Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme :

• The exercise was part of reintroduction programme in the pre-release aviary, where birds will have an unobstructed view of the surrounding.
• The ten vultures released by the CM include two Himalayan Griffons, which were brought as sick birds. They have been in captivity for last ten years.
• The rest were all white-backed vultures, of which six were hatched in captivity at the centre and are of two-three years of age. The other two were adult birds rescued from the wild about ten years.
• Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, run by Haryana Wild Life Department and the Forest Department, has been constantly working to increase their numbers through breeding and conservation.

Key points :

• Haryana CM : Manohar Lal Khattar
• Haryana Governor : Kaptan Singh Solanki
• Haryana Capital : Chandigarh

Swachh Bharat Cess: PAN Card Gets Costlier
With the imposition of the Swachh Bharat cess on all services getting a new Permanent Account Number (PAN) card for income tax purposes has become costlier

• It will levy a surcharge of 0.5 per cent on all taxable services from November 15.
• New Cost : Rs 107, Rs.989(Outside India)
• Previous Cost : Rs 106, Rs. 985(Outside India)

PAN card :

• PAN is a 10-digit unique alphanumeric number allotted by the I-T department to taxpayers and it has authorised two domestic organisations UTIITSL and NSDL to issue them on its behalf.
• This card was issued by the Income Tax department to an individual or entity to keep a track on all their financial activities.