Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 21 July 2021

SSC CGL Current Affairs

Current Affairs for SSC CGL Exams - 21 July 2021

::NATIONAL::

NMCG approves rejuvenation projects of 6 polluted river stretches in Uttarakhand

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in its 36th Executive Committee on Friday approved new projects for rejuvenation of six rivers in Uttarakhand, an official statement said.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there are a total of nine polluted stretches in Uttarakhand and six of them are in the Udham Singh Nagar district on various tributaries or small rivers such as Bhela, Dhela, Kichha, Nandor, Pilankha and Kosi.
Two stretches are on Rispana-Bindal and Suswa, while one stretch is on main river Ganga (downstream Jagjeetpur) already covered by the Jagjeetpur STP project, it added.
"At the 36th Executive Committee meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director General, NMCG, new projects for rejuvenation of six polluted river stretches in Uttarakhand were approved," the NMCG said in a statement.
executive Committee has approved the project of Interception and Diversion (I&D) and STP work of six polluted river stretches to rejuvenate rivers --- Bhela, Dhela, Kichha, Kosi, Nandhore, Pilakhar and Kashipur,” the statement said.
It also approved Sewerage (I&D) scheme (Dhela River) Phase-1 of District Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand under NamamiGangeProgramme at a sanctioned cost of Rs 199.36 crore, the statement added.
The project will ensure tapping of a total of 17 nalas which will be intercepted and diverted to nine STPs to be constructed for a total treatment capacity of 30.30 MLD, it said.

::INTERNATIONAL::

Jeff Bezos launches to space aboard New Shepard rocket ship

He was accompanied by Mark Bezos, his brother, Wally Funk, an 82-year-old pioneer of the space race, and an 18-year-old student.
They travelled in a capsule with the biggest windows flown in space, offering stunning views of the Earth.
When the capsule touched back down after the 10-minute, 10-second flight, Jeff Bezos exclaimed: "Best day ever!"
New Shepard, built by Bezos' company Blue Origin, is designed to serve the burgeoning market for space tourism.
Amazon founder Mr Bezos - and other participants in the "billionaire space race" - have been criticised for offering what some see as joy rides for the super-wealthy. Critics say the money could be spent on pay rises for employees or fighting climate change.
However, Mr Bezos insists he has an environmental vision: "We need to take all heavy industry, all polluting industry and move it into space, and keep Earth as this beautiful gem of a planet that it is," he told MSNBC.

::ECONOMY::

Supreme Court upholds the validity of the 97th constitutional amendment relating to issues relating to the management of cooperatives

The Supreme Court in a 2:1 majority verdict upheld the validity of the 97th constitutional amendment that deals with issues related to effective management of cooperative societies but struck down a part related to their setting up and functioning.
A bench of Justices R.F. Nariman, K.M. Joseph and B.R. Gavai said, “We have struck down part IX B of the Constitution related to cooperative societies but we have saved the amendment.”
Justice Nariman said, “Justice Joseph has given a partly dissenting verdict and has struck down the entire 97th constitutional amendment.”
The 97th constitutional amendment, which dealt with issues related to effective management of cooperative societies in the country, was passed by parliament in December 2011 and had come into effect from February 15, 2012.
The change in the constitution has amended Article 19(1)(c) to give protection to the cooperatives and inserted Article 43 B and Part IX B, relating to them.
While Article 19(1)(c) guarantees freedom to form association or unions or cooperative societies subject to certain restrictions, Article 43 B says that states shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies.
The Part IX B of the constitution inserted by the 97th amendment deals with incorporation, terms of members of the board and its office bearers and effective management of cooperative societies.
The Centre has contended that the provision does not denude states of their power to enact laws with regard to cooperatives.

::SCIENCE AND TECH::

DRDO successfully test-fires surface-to-air missile 'Akash-NG'

A new generation of Akash surface-to-air missile was successfully flight-tested by the DRDO from an integrated test range off the Odisha coast in a boost to India's air defence capabilities.
The Defence Ministry said the missile was test-fired at around 12:45 PM from a land-based platform and that the "flawless performance" of its weapons system was confirmed by the complete flight data.
"Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force," the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Air Force and production agencies Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the successful test-firing of the missile.
Separately, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also successfully flight-tested an indigenously developed low weight man-portable anti-tank guided missile, paving the way for its production for the Army.

::SPORTS::

“FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER – TOGETHER” – IOC SESSION APPROVES HISTORIC CHANGE IN OLYMPIC MOTTO

The Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a change in the Olympic motto that recognises the unifying power of sport and the importance of solidarity. The change adds the word “together” after a dash to “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. The new Olympic motto now reads: “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”.
The IOC members unanimously approved the update and amended the Olympic Charter.
In his remarks before the vote, IOC President Bach explained the link between the change and the original motto: “Solidarity fuels our mission to make the world a better place through sport. We can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger by standing together — in solidarity.”