14-12-21 Daily-Karnataka-KPSC Current Affairs

Amid the kickbacks controversy, the government has decided to use new-age technology to ensure transparency in the tendering process. This is to track every authenticated vendor/contractor before allocating new projects.

Over the years, incomplete or pending public projects have resulted in several private firms being blacklisted from applying for government tenders. Yet, the same companies shift their base to other states to apply afresh for new projects and continue to misuse public funds without adequate expertise or track record, sources say.

Using crypto technology, theCentre for Smart Governancehas developed a vendor blockchain that will keep a chronological record of every vendor/contractor who has registered on theKarnatakae-procurement portal or in any other state, and intends to bid for a project.

The government plans to complete the repository of vendors registered on the e-procurement portal after securing their Consent. Once the vendor agrees to be part of the blockchain, all his records will be available to tender-inviting parties. It will also help the vendor prove his antecedents without having to run from pillar to post for a physical completion certificate and letter of recommendation from his previous employer, said the official.

The CSG will try to get on board other state governments and tender-inviting agencies across the country, so that more stakeholders will utilise the blockchain.

India successfully launched Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo System (SMART) from Abdul Kalam Island, off the Odisha coast.

During the mission, full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated.

SMART system has been designed for enhancing anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of torpedo.

This was a textbook launch, in which entire trajectory of the test was monitored by the electro optic telemetry system and several range radars, including down range instrumentation & down range ships.

SMART carried a torpedo, release mechanisms and parachute delivery system.It was launched from a ground mobile launcher and can cover a range of distances.

The DEFENCE Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed the weapon for INDIAN NAVY.

SMART is a next-generation, missile based standoff torpedo delivery system. It has been designed to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability. Missile will work beyond the conventional range of the torpedo. It is a canister-based missile system comprising of advanced two-staged solid propulsion, precision inertial and electromechanical actuators.

The Asian released its Asian Development Outlook Report and reduced its Growth forecasts for developing Asia for year 2021.

This move came in line with the uncertainty that new Omicron coronavirus variant has brought.

ADB now sees 2021 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 7.0% for developing Asia, as opposed to 7.1% forecast.

For 2022, it forecasted the growth of 5.3%.

Most of developing Asias subregions are expected to grow slower than previous forecast in 2021.

ADB has projected Chinas growth as 8.0% in 2021 and will slow down to 5.3% in 2022. Chinas economy, which staged an impressive rebound from last years pandemic slump, has lost momentum in recent months as it grapples with surging prices, a slowing manufacturing sector, debt problems in the property market and persistent COVID-19 outbreaks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the valedictory session of National Summit on Agro & Food Processing.

His summit is being organised as part of Vibrant Gujarat Summit which is scheduled to be held in Anand, Gujarat from December 14 to December 16.

Conference will be witnessed and attended by 5000 farmers.

80 central institutes of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ATMA Network in states and Krishi Vigyan Kendras will also connect farmers to witness this event live.

During the event, farmers will get to know and learn about practice and benefits of Natural Farming.

Government has also implemented Zero Budget Natural Farming as a promising tool for minimizing the dependence of farmers on purchased inputs and reducing the cost of <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture by using traditional field-based technologies. It emphasizes on shifting agriculture practices from mono-crops to diversified multi-crops system. Cow and its dung & urine play an important role in making inputs like Beejamrit, Jivamrit and Ghanjivamrit, on the farm.

Western Allies namely, the United States, Australia and Japan have announced to jointly fund the construction of an undersea cable in the Pacific Ocean.

The undersea cable in the pacific will be used to boost Internet access in three small Pacific countries, since the Western allies seek to counter increasing Chinese influence in this region.

Allies will develop the cable for providing faster internet to Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

This service will support the increased economic Growth, help in improving living standards and drive development opportunities, as the region is recovering from harsh impacts of COVID-19.

A submarine communications cable is laid on sea bed in between land-based stations in a bid to carry Telecommunication signals across ocean & sea stretches.

India voted against a UN Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution to securitise <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change.

The draft resolution linkedclimate changewith global security challenges.

India argued that; this move seeks to undermine the hard-won consensus which was reached at the recent Glasgow Summit.

The new climate agreement was accepted by the negotiators from around 200 countries, after the COP26 summit, which recognises Indias intervention to phase down rather than phase out the fossil fuels.

The draft resolution was moved jointly by Niger and Ireland.

It called the UN Secretary General Antonion Guterres to integrate climate-related security risk into comprehensive conflict-prevention strategies, as central component.