Waning of Arctic sea ice
- Arctic sea ice is a key indicator of climate change.
- According to the research undertaken by the Cryosphere Climate Research Group, Arctic sea ice could be dwindling faster than predicted.
- Dwindling ice cover led to reduction in the amount of solar radiation reflected back in to space and increases its absorption.
- Thereby it hastens the warming of oceans which has an impact on weather phenomena like the El Nino that influences the Asian Monsoon.
- The thinning ice would make it difficult for animals like polar bears and seals and organisms like phytoplankton to survive
- The researchers have found that satellite measurements over the years have overestimated the thickness of Arctic sea ice by as much as 25% because of the presence of salty snow.
- This is because of salty snow (brine is expelled upward from the ice surface) does not allow radar waves from satellites to penetrate, leading to skewed measurements.
Vikram Class offshore Patrol Vessel
- Vikram is the first of a series of seven offshore patrol vessels (OPV).
- OPV are long-range surface ships capable of coastal and off-shore patrolling, policing maritime zones, control & surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations.
- It is the country's first-ever such defence craft to be built in a private shipyard (L&T).
- It is likely to be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in April 2018.
Kala Azar
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is caused by the protozoan Leishmania parasites.
- It is transmitted to humans through infected sandflies.
- It is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia.
- The parasite migrates to the internal organs such as the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and, if left untreated, may result in the death.
- It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent in 119 districts in four countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal).
- India itself accounts for half the global burden of the disease.
- Scientists have recently identified an unknown virus that may be responsible for the persistence of kala-azar.
- However, scientists are still not clear how the parasites cause the infection and how they manage to hide within the body.
Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
- PFMS, earlier known as Central Plan Schemes Monitoring System (CPSMS), is a web-based online software application.
- It is developed and implemented by the Office of Controller General of Accounts.
- It is launched with the objective of tracking funds released under all Plan schemes of GoI, and real time reporting of expenditure at all levels of Programme implementation.
- In 2013, its scope was enlarged to cover direct payment to beneficiaries under both Plan and non-Plan Schemes.
- In 2014, it has been envisaged that digitization of accounts shall be achieved through PFMS.
- The biggest strength of PFMS is its integration with the Core banking system.
- Union Finance Ministry has recently ascertained the mandatory use of PFMS will help in monitoring the flow of funds to beneficiaries of different government welfare schemes.
VARUNA
- Recently, India and France discussed about enhancing the scope of their joint exercises, in particular the VARUNA naval exercise scheduled in early 2018.
- Both countries will also actively explore additional measures to facilitate operational level interactions between their respective armed forces.
'Udyami Mitra' portal
- Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has revamped its Udyami Mitra with enhanced features.
- The portal was launched to improve accessibility of credit for the MSMEs.
- It helps MSMEs for submission of loan applications which can be picked up by multiple lenders.
- It aims at bringing in transparency in processing of loans by the banks.
- Now non-banking finance companies and small finance banks are being on-boarded on the platform for enhancing flow of credit to MSMEs.
- Under the new capitalisation plan banks will have to compete for loans through the revamped udyamimitra portal.
Source: PIB, The Hindu
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