Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: October 19, 2016

Hello readers,

Here are today's important headlines with key details for UPSC, SSC, IBPS and other competitive examinations.

PM Modi inaugurates 3 hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated three flagship hydropower projects- the  800 MW Hydro Power Station of NTPC- Koldam, the 520 MW Parvati Project of NHPC and the 412 MW Rampur Hydro Station of SJVNL projects to the nation in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

• NHPC’s Parvati-III Power Station is a run of the river scheme having a 43m high rockfill dam, underground Power house, and 10.58 km long water conductor system. A net head of 326 meter is utilized to run four vertical Francis turbines with an installed capacity of 520 MW (4x130 MW). The power plant is designed to generate 1963.29 Million Units annually. The power generated from the Parbati-III Power Station is distributed to beneficiary states i.e. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Union Territory of Chandigarh. The Power Station is supplying 13% free power to home state i.e. 12% as home state share and 1% for Local Area Development fund.  
• The completion cost of the project is around Rs 2600 crore, the total power generation is 1880 MU with revenue realization of Rs 816 crore.
• With the commencement of generation from four 200 MW units, NTPC-Koldam has achieved a capacity of 800 MW and provides the peaking capacity to the Northern grid.  It shall annually generate 3054 GWh electricity at 90% dependable year basis. Twelve percent of the electricity generated from Koldam is being supplied to the home state Himachal Pradesh free of cost while 1 percent to the state on account of Local Area Development fund.  
• All the Project Affected Families are being provided 100 units of electricity every month free of cost which accounts for 0.62 percent of the total generation. Thus a total 13.62 percent of electricity generated from the plant is supplied free of cost to Himachal Pradesh, remaining power supplied to other beneficiaries namely Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttrakhand, and Chandigarh. 
• SJVN’s Rampur Project (412MW) in Kullu district will be operated in tandem with Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (HPS). This project will provide 13 percent free power to the state of Himachal Pradesh.

PM launches National SC/ST hub and Zero Defect – Zero Effect schemePrime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National SC/ST hub and the Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ludhiana, Punjab. He presented the National Awards to Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. He also distributed 500 traditional wooden charkhas (spinning wheels) among women.

What is National SC/ST hub?

• The objective of the SC/ST (Schedule Castes/Schedule Tribes) Hub is to provide professional support to entrepreneurs from the SC/ST. It also seeks to promote enterprise culture and entrepreneurship among the SC/ST population and to enable them to participate more effectively in public procurement. It will work towards strengthening market access/linkage, capacity building, monitoring, sharing industry-best practices and leveraging financial support schemes.
• Public Procurement Policy, 2012: It specifies that 4% of procurement done by ministries, departments and CPSEs should be done from enterprises owned by SC/ST entrepreneurs.

What is Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) scheme?

• ZED Scheme aims to rate and handhold all MSMEs to deliver top quality products using clean technology. It will have sector-specific parameters for each industry. MSME sector is crucial for the economic progress of India and this scheme will help to match global quality control standards. The slogan of Zero Defect, Zero Effect (ZED) was first mentioned by PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech in 2014. It was given for producing high-quality manufacturing products with a minimal negative impact on the environment.  

• ZED Scheme is meant to raise quality levels in unregulated MSME sector which is the engine of growth for the Indian economy. MSME sector drives almost 38% of nation’s GDP and around employs 110 million employees. The scheme will be the cornerstone of the Central Government’s flagship Make in India programme, which is aimed at turning India into a global manufacturing hub, generating jobs, boosting growth and increase incomes.

Irom Sharmila announces formation of political party named Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance

• Human rights activist Irom Sharmila announced the formation of her political party named Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA). The announcement was made on October 18, 2016, with a promise to fight for justice and peace among the people. While launching the party, the Iron Lady of Manipur said that she is entering the electoral battle to fight against injustice after ending her nearly 16-year long hunger strike.

Background

• Irom Chanu Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur announced her decision to enter politics on August 9, 2016, when she broke her 16-year-long fast. She was on a fast with the demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the state.
• Earlier on October 5, 2016, a court in Imphal acquitted her from charges under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to suicide).

Saina Nehwal appointed member of IOC's Athletes' Commission

• Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was appointed as a member of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athletes' Commission. The Athletes' Commission is chaired by Angela Ruggiero and it comprises nine vice presidents and 10 other members. Saina's appointment to the prestigious panel has come just when she is set to resume practice after recovering from a knee injury. 

About International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Athletes' Commission

• The IOC Athletes' Commission is a body maintained by the International Olympic Committee for the purpose of representing athletes. It was established in 1981 by the then-President of the IOC, Juan Antonio Samaranch, and its creation was subsequently codified by the IOC in Rule 21 of the Olympic Charter.
• The Commission is a consultative body whose function is to act as 'the link between active athletes and the IOC'. It makes recommendations to the IOC's executive bodies, and its chair serves as a member of the IOC Executive Board.