Current Affairs 3rd March 2017

Current Affairs 3rd March 2017 - Important Points

• SC appointed SIT detects black money of - 70 thousand crore rupees
• World wildlife Day Observed on - 3rd March 2017
• Historic city of Palmyra recaptured from IS by - Syrian troops with Russian support
• 3 Products handed over by DRDO to - Indian Army

Current Affairs 3rd March 2017 - Details

SC appointed SIT detects black money of - 70 thousand crore rupees

Special Investigating Team (SIT) appointed by The Vice-Chairman of the Supreme Court, Justice (retd) Arijit Pashayat on 2nd March 2017 said that so far the amount of unearthed black money across the country stands to Rs 70 thousand crore.

This information was shared after a high-level meeting of SIT on black money by Justice Arijit Pashayat.The meeting was held in Cuttack. 

Key Highlights

• On SIT’s recommendation, the Government has already declared that cash transactions beyond Rs 3 lakh is to be treated as illegal and punishable.
• The SIT was reconstituted by the Supreme Court on 1st May 2014 on black money with an objective to provide guidance and direction in investigation of all cases of black money in the country and abroad.

Do you know?

 Retired Judge MB Shah and retired Judge Arijit Pasayat have been appointed as Chairman and Vice Chairman by the Apex Court.

World wildlife Day Observed on - 3rd March 2017

• The World Wildlife Day was observed across the world on 3rd March 2017 with the theme of 'Listen to the young voices'. 
• It aims in engaging and empwering youth.
• The day is seen as an opportunity to celebrate many beautiful and varied forms of flora and fauna.
• It is also an opportunity for them to engage together for an inspired path of a better world.
• Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), in collaboration with other relevant United Nations organizations celebrated this day.

Do you know?

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 December 2013 proclaimed 3 March as the World Wildlife Day.

Historic city of Palmyra recaptured from IS by - Syrian troops with Russian support

Syrian troops backed by Russian jets recaptured the historic city of Palmyra from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on 2nd March 2017 .

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, they recaptured the historic city after ISIS withdrew from the city.

Important Highlights

• IS militants mined many areas before withdrawing completely.
• The oasis city has traded hands several times and become a symbol of the meaningless destruction of cultural heritage in areas under ISIS control during Syria's six-year civil war.
• Militant group seized Palmyra in May 2015 and then destroyed UNESCO world heritage site systematically. 
• The city was listed in UNESCO’s world heritage site for hosting numerous ancient monuments and temples.

Do you know?

The militant group was driven out of the city later in March 2016 but they again recaptured it in December 2016 when the Syrian government was focussing on recapturing rebel-held East Aleppo.

3 Products handed over by DRDO to - Indian Army

The Defense Research and Development Organization handed over three products to Indian Army in New Delhi on 2nd March 2017.  This function was presided by Minister Manohar Parrikar on behalf of DRDO to Army Staff General Bipin Rawat.

These products are- 

• Swathi, Weapon locating Radar ( WLR)
• NBC Recce Vehicle
• NBC Drugs

Key Highlights-

Swathi

• It was developed by the DRDO's Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, LRDE (Locating Radar Development Establishment). 
• It features in providing accurate location of enemies weapon fastly like mortars , rockets and shells.
• It can handle multiple projectiles fired from different weapons during different time, at a time only.
• This weapon includes 81mm or higher calibre mortars, 105mm or higher calibre shells and 120mm of higher calibre free flying rockets.

NBC Recce Vehicle

• Vehicles Research and Development Establishment ( VRDE) developed this recce. 
• This can collect solid and liquid samples of biologically contaminated areas and transfer the data speedily to support formations.

NBC Drugs

• Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) developed this drug. 
• These drugs can be used as antidotes for Radiological and Nuclear emergencies.
• There are 15 such drugs which have been identified for induction.