- RED MUD UTILISATION
Why in News?
In a step towards productive utilisation of bauxite residue, commonly known as the ‘Red Mud’, an interactive workshop called ‘Waste to Wealth’ was organized by Ministry of Mines.
What is red mud?
- Red mud is a solid waste generated during the aluminium production by the Bayer process from bauxite.
Global generation of red mud is more than 150 million tons and there exists a global inventory of more than 3 billion tons. Red mud generation in India is around 9 million tons per year
- Red mud contains impurities such as caustic soda and others minerals.
- It contains six major constituents – Silicon, Aluminium, Iron, Calcium, Titanium and Sodium, apart from an array of minor elements. The environmental problems associated with red mud are:
- Its high alkalinity makes it extremely corrosive and damaging to soil and life forms.
- Alkali seepage contaminates the groundwater.
- Problem associated with its storage. Vast area of land required for disposal.
- Alkaline airborne dust emissions. Red mud utilisation Development of suitable metallurgical process for metal recovery from red mud is important for bulk utilisation, value addition and moving towards zero waste. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, red mud can be used in several aspects. Such as
- For treatment of acidic soils and retaining of certain nutrients, such as phosphorus in agriculture
- For making crude and fine ceramics, such as tiles, floor tiles
- For making bricks
- As a component in making cement
- As an additive in ferrous metallurgy
- As a filler in rubber and plastic industry
- As pigment in production of paints
- As a feedstock for making water and sewage treatment agents.
- SEBI tightens norms for liquid funds
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made it mandatory for Liquid funds to hold at least 20% of its net assets in liquid assets while mandating an exit load on investors that exit within seven days of making an investment.
About:
- Liquid funds belong to the debt category of mutual funds.
- They invest in very short-term market instruments like treasury bills, government securities and call money.
- They are getting popular with retail investors due to their higher than savings bank account returns and easy liquidity.
Key highlights
- Liquid funds shall hold at least 20% of their net assets in liquid assets. For this purpose, liquid assets shall include cash, government securities, T-bills and repo on government securities.
- In case the exposure in such liquid assets falls below 20% of net assets of the scheme, the fund house will first have to meet the 20% norm before making any further investments.
- It also barred liquid funds and overnight funds from parking money, pending deployment, in short-term deposits of scheduled commercial banks and also debt securities having structured obligations and/or credit enhancements. Debt securities with government guarantee have been excluded from such restriction.
- The new norms, which will be effective from April 1, 2020, is an attempt to strengthen the risk management framework for liquid funds.
- Government of India has instituted ‘Sardar Patel National Unity Award’ – Highest Civilian Award for contribution to Unity and Integrity of India
Government of India has instituted the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A notification instituting the Sardar Patel National Unity Award was issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Award seeks to recognize notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India. The award will be announced on the occasion of the National Unity Day, i.e. the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st October.
The Award shall be conferred by the President by a Sanad under his hand and seal and presented by him in a presentation ceremony along with the Padma award presentation ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
An Award Committee would be constituted by the Prime Minister, which would include the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the President, Home Secretary as Members and three-four eminent persons selected by the Prime Minister.
The Award would consist of a medal and a citation. No monetary grant or cash award would be attached to this Award. Not more than three Awards would be given in a year. It would not be conferred posthumously except in very rare and highly deserving cases.
Any Indian national or institution or organization based in India would be able to nominate an individual for consideration for this Award. Individuals may also nominate themselves. State Governments, UT Administrations and Ministries of Government of India may also send nominations.
The Nominations would be invited every year. The applications would need to be filed online on the website specifically designed by Ministry of Home Affairs. All citizens, without distinction of religion, race caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation, would be eligible for the Award.
Special Meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE)
- Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ’Nishank’ chaired the Special Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) held in New Delhi.
Key highlights
- The Central Advisory Board of Education is the oldest and the most important advisory body of the Government of India in education. It provides a forum for widespread consultation and examination of issues relating to educational and cultural development.
- It was first established in 1920 and dissolved in 1923 as a measure of economy. It was revived in 1935 and has been in existence ever since.
- The Board consists of nominated members representing various interests in addition to elected members from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and the representatives of the Government of India, State Governments and UT Administrations.