Current Affairs 25th November 2018

Current Affairs 25th November 2018 - Important Points

• Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems  Services (ACROSS) scheme approved by - CCEA
• PM Modi lays foundation stone of City Gas Distribution Projects on - 22nd November 2018
• Construction of Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district to International Border by - Cabinet 

Current Affairs 25th November 2018 - Details

Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems  Services (ACROSS) scheme approved by - CCEA

PM Narendra Modi led Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs has sanctioned continuation of 9 sub schemes of umbrella scheme ‘Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services-ACROSS’ during 2017-2020. The scheme purposes at refining skill of weather and climate forecast through sustained observations, intensive Research and Development.
The scheme refers to the atmospheric science programmes of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Its aim is to provide reliable weather and climate forecast for benefit of society. It also goals at improving skill of
weather and climate forecast via sustained observations, intensive Research & Development. It consists of 9 sub-programs which are multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional in nature and will be implemented in integrated method.
Benefits

• It will deliver improved weather, climate and ocean forecast, thereby making sure transfer of
  commensurate advantages to the various services.
• It will also deliver a sizable number of scientific and technical staff along with necessary administrative support, thereby producing employment.
• It will produce employment openings to many people as large number of agencies similar to the Krishi Vigyana Kendras of ICAR, Universities and local municipalities are roped to make sure last-mile connectivity of the weather-based services to the end–users.

PM Modi lays foundation stone of City Gas Distribution Projects on - 22nd November 2018

PM Narendra Modi on November 22nd, 2018 laid the foundation stone of City Gas Distribution- CGD Projects in 65 Geographical Areas in 129 districts under the 9th City Gas Distribution bidding round, remotely from Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 
The Prime Minister also released the 10th City Gas Distribution Bidding Round in 50 Geographical Areas distributed over 124 districts in 14 states. Further talking on the occasion, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan informed that the Government is working to move ahead creating a gas-based economy.
Significant Highlights

• Presently, the share of gas in the India’s energy mix is just more than 6% and the objective is to reach the 15% figure, while the world average is 24%.
• India goals to bring down its carbon emission and a number of initiatives have been taken in this direction such as LED bulbs, BS-VI fuel, bio-energy, International Solar Alliance, Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana, and providing clean piped gas supply to extra cities.
• India would also be ornamenting the LNG terminal capacity, renegotiating Indo-Qatar Gas deal and inspiring positive Indo-US engagement in this direction. 
• India is not only focussing on growing the usage and supply of gas, but also on generating gas through agro-wastes and other produces and including the same into the City Gas Distribution network.
• India has also amplified its focus on promoting the use of eco-friendly clean fuel, natural gas as a fuel and feedstock across the nation to move towards a gas based economy.
• As per, the development of City Gas Distribution networks has been intended to upsurge the availability of cleaner cooking fuel such as PNG and transportation fuel as CNG to all the inhabitants of the nations.

Construction of Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district to International Border by - Cabinet 

PM Narendra Modi led Union Cabinet has permitted building and development of Kartarpur Corridor
from Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, Punjab to international border with Pakistan. It was
permitted as part of 550th birthday festivities of Guru Nanak Dev, which falls in 2019.
More about Kartarpur corridor

• It will simplify pilgrims from India who visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, on the banks of the River Ravi in Pakistan every year. It was 1st proposed by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999.
• If connected on both sides, this could also deliver major improvement to religious tourism as additional pilgrims will be able to visit holy shrine throughout year.
• It will be executed as integrated development project with Centre government’s funding. Central
  Government will put in place suitable amenities for smooth passage of pilgrims.
• It will also request Pakistan Government to “recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community, and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory.