Current Affairs: October 14, 2016

October 14, 2016

CCEA approves revision of ethanol price for supply to Public Sector OMCs

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)

has approved the mechanism for revision of ethanol
price for supply to Public Sector Oil Marketing
Companies (OMCs). The revised administered price
will facilitate OMCs to carry out the Ethanol Blended
Petrol (EBP) Programme for the next sugar season
2016-17. The revision of ethanol prices will facilitate continuation of Government policy in
providing price stability and remunerative prices for ethanol suppliers. Charges will be paid to
the ethanol suppliers as per actuals in case of Excise Duty and GST/ VAT and transportation
charges as decided by the OMCs. However, these prices of ethanol can be reviewed and
suitably revised by Central Government at any time during ethanol supply period (from 1
December, 2016 to 30 November, 2017) depending upon prevailing economic situation and
other relevant factors.

IISER researchers use human hair to produce cheaper cathodes for solar cells

Researchers from Kolkata based Indian Institute of Science

Education and Research (IISER) have produced cost-effective,
metal-free cathodes using human hair for use in solar cells.
This is the first instance where a bio-waste-derived electrode
(in this case human hair) has been used as cathode in a
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quantum dot sensitized solar cell device. IISER researchers have developed graphitic porous
carbon cathode by cleaning and drying human hair and treating with sulphuric acid to achieve
precarbonisation. It was then heated at different temperatures in the presence of inert gas for six
hours to carbonise and bring better electrical conductivity for efficient charge transfer. This
efficient green cathode achieves highly catalytic graphitic porous carbon stage at optimum
temperature of 850 degrees C.

Draft National Water Framework Bill, 2016 suggests basin-level management

The Central Government has brought final draft of the

National Water Framework Bill, 2016 to provide uniform
national legal framework to manage water in a better and
efficient way The comprehensive draft Bill proposes model
law for all states. However, water being a State subject under
VII Schedule of constitution the law will be not binding on States for adoption. The water
shortage problem is escalating and country has witnessed acute drought situation in certain
parts. In future, such situations may increase backdrop of climate change. Besides, presently in
absence of institutional arrangement there are inter-state water disputes because states do not
their contributions to a rivers catchment area to resolve conflicts.

International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed on October 13

The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is

observed annually on 13 October across the world
encourage citizens and governments to take part in

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Current Affairs: October 14, 2016

building more disaster resilient communities and nations. It seeks to spread awareness about
reining the risks of disasters around the world and also reduce exposure of people and
communities to disasters. 2016 Theme: Live to Tell: Raising Awareness, Reducing Mortality.
The 2016 edition of IDDR marks the launch of the new Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction by United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). UNISDRs
campaign for the day is Sendai Seven that seeks to create a wave of awareness about actions
taken to reduce mortality around the world.

Four PSBs may struggle to pay AT1 bond coupons

Four public sector banks (PSBs) may struggle to

make coupon payments on their additional tier 1
(AT1) bond as they have reported heavy losses
due to a surge in bad loans. In this case coupon
payment is an annual interest paid on the face
value of a bond. It is expressed as a percentage. AT1 bond is issued under Basel III capital
regulations. The main reasons that may affect ability of PSBs to pay coupon on AT1 bonds are
decline in profitability and increasing losses that may wipe out their revenue reserves. Union
Government has committed capital support to these PSBs on the coupon on AT1 bonds.
However, this support can only be serviced through PSBs current years profit or from revenue
reserves.

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Current Affairs: October 14, 2016

Union Cabinet approves establishment of IIM in Jammu

The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment and

operationalisation of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at
Jammu. It will become operational from the Academic Year
2016-17 at the transit or temporary campus at Old Government
College of Engineering & Technology. For the initial four years
from 2016 to 2020, the IIM will function in the temporary
campus. The student strength intake in Post Graduate Diploma Programme (PGDP) in
Management for year 2016-17 will be 54. It will be progressively increased to 120 in 4th year.
Meanwhile, steps will also be taken up for setting up campus at Jammu and an out-campus in
Kashmir region.

First World Tsunami Awareness Day to be celebrated at AMCDRR 2016

The first World Tsunami Awareness Day will be

celebrated on November 5, 2016 at the Asian
Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction
(AMCDRR) 2016. The conference will organised from
November 3 to 5, 2016 in New Delhi by the Union
Government in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
To commemorate the occasion, an event will be organised with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Champions at the AMCDRR 2016. The World Tsunami Awareness Day was instituted by the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting a resolution proposed by Japan.

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Current Affairs: October 14, 2016

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