05.07.23 Daily [Uttar Pradesh] UPPSC Current Affairs

In an attempt to accelerate the process of setting up of industries, the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA) will soon initiate the application process for allocation of 253 industrial plots in different sectors, including the plastic and readymade garment park projects among others.

According to GIDA Chief Executive Officer Pawan Agrawal, the allocation process for the new plots will expedite the development of a plastic park.

As per the available data, 92 plots with a total area of 2,18,859 square metre will be allotted in the plastic park located in Sector 28. The sizes of these plots range from 594 square metre to 20,764 square metre. A total of 42 plots will be available with sizes up to 1,000 square metre, 42 plots with sizes ranging from 1,001 to 4,000 square metre, five plots with sizes ranging from 4,001 to 20,000 square metre, and three plots with sizes exceeding 20,001 square metre, for which entrepreneurs/investors can submit their applications.

Similarly, a total of 41 new plots will be allocated at the Garment Park in GIDA Sector 26, covering a total area of 28,340 square metre. These plots will have sizes ranging from 510 to 1,000 square metre.

Notably, GIDA has emerged as the preferred destination for investors over the last six years, similar to Noida, due to improved law and order situation as well as -friendly and transparent policies of the Yogi government. During the Global Investors Summit held in February, Gorakhpur received Investment proposals worth Rs 1.71 lakh crore.

Aadhaar-based face authentication is gaining traction, having jumped to 10.6 million, up 34% since the start of this financial year, due to its increasing use in accessing central as well as several Services. Latest government data estimates that its use has increased over 22 times since last September.

The service, introduced by theUnique Identification Authority of India(UIDAI) in October 2021, initially saw a slow to take off but has gained traction in recent months.

Official sources saidAndhra Pradeshgovernment is one of the top users among the states for its Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme for fee reimbursement to eligible higher Education students and under the EBC Nestham scheme for welfare delivery to Women from economically backward segments.

Face authentication is also used by central government staf for attendance and by senior citizens to provide life certification through the Jeevan Pramaan facility launched by the department of personnel and training.Aayushmaan Bharatand PM-Kisan are the two central schemes where the use of the tool has significantly picked up.

A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) warns that the warming Climate caused by is poised to have a detrimental impact on bird populations, with an estimated 12 per cent decrease in the Average songbird species. Researchers have found that the warmer climate will disrupt the breeding patterns of birds, leading to fewer chicks being produced.

The study, conducted by scientists from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Michigan State University in the United States, highlights that the mismatch between an early spring onset and the birds’ readiness to breed is expected to worsen as global temperatures continue to rise.

The research reveals that birds experience reduced breeding productivity when they initiate breeding either too early or too late in the season. This phenomenon contributes to the projected 12% decline in the average songbird species.

Greater Chennai Police established a Drone Police Unit to assist cops in aerial surveillance. This will particularly be helpful in case of large gatherings, real-time checking of vehicle registration data and spotting of suspects.

According to the police, a total of nine drones under three categories are available in this unit: Quick Response Surveillance Drones (6), Heavy Lift Multirotor Drone (1) and Long Range Survey Wing Place (2). These are all equipped with built-in (AI) capabilities and can be operated up to a distance of 5-10 km from the ground station.

These drones equipped with AI technology can accurate estimate crowds during festivals or other gatherings, thereby enabling police to correctly plan crowd control strategies.

Debt-trappedPakistanwill become the fourth largestIMF borrowerin the world after receiving a fresh loan of $3 billion in the next nine months under the standby arrangement reached with the global lender.
Pakistan, which is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1947, was on March 31, 2023, ranked fifth in the list of countries with the highest borrowing from theInternational Monetary Fund(IMF), The Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the global lender’s data.

However, Pakistan will move to the fourth place in this list when it receives another $3 billion in the next nine months under the Stand-By Arrangement made with the Washington-based global lender.

Earlier, in terms of loans from the IMF, Argentina ranked first with $ 46 billion, Egypt stood in second place with $18 billion, Ukraine came in third with $ 12.2 billion, Ecuador took the fourth spot with $8.2 billion, and Pakistan was at fifth position with $7.4 billion.
With loans from the global lender worth $10.4 billion, Pakistan will overtake Ecuador to become the world’s fourth-largest IMF borrower.

In August 2022, the IMF extended $1.1 billion to Pakistan as part of a $6.5 billion programme agreed back in July 2019.