Cabinet approves Categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

• The Union Cabinet has approved the categorization of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as an ‘International Organization’ and signing of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) with CDRI for granting it the exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under the United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act, 1947.
• Deputing experts to other countries, that are particularly vulnerable to disaster risk and / or require support for post disaster recovery and also bringing in experts from member countries to India, for similar purposes;
• Deploying funds globally and receive contributions from member countries, for CDRI activities;
• Providing an independent and international legal persona so that it can efficiently and effectively carry out its functions internationally.
• On 28th August, 2019, the Cabinet had approved the setting up of CDRI with its Secretariat in New Delhi along with a support of Rs. 480 crore to CDRI.
• The CDRI was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India during the United Nations Climate Action Summit on the 23rd September, 2019, at New York.
• Since its launch, thirty-one (31) Countries, six (06) International Organizations and two (02) private sector organizations have joined as members of CDRI.

India''s largest floating solar power project fully operational

• NTPC declared Commercial Operation of the final part capacity of 20 MW out of 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project at Ramagundam, Telangana with effect from July 01, 2022.
• With the operationalisation of 100-MW Solar PV Project at Ramagundam, total commercial operation of Floating Solar Capacity in Southern Region rose to 217 MW.
• Earlier, NTPC declared Commercial operation of 92 MW Floating Solar at Kayamkulam (Kerala) and 25 MW Floating Solar at Simhadri (Andhra Pradesh).
• The solar modules are placed on floaters manufactured with HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) material.

ISRO''s ''POEM''

• The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module is a platform that will help perform in-orbit experiments using the final, and otherwise discarded, stage of ISRO’s workhorse rocket, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• The PSLV is a four-stage rocket where the first three spent stages fall back into the ocean, and the final stage (PS4) — after launching the satellite into orbit — ends up as space junk.
• However, in PSLV-C53 mission, the spent final stage will be utilised as a “stabilised platform” to perform experiments.
• POEM is carrying six payloads, including two from Indian space start-ups Digantara and Dhruva Space.
• According to ISRO, POEM has a dedicated Navigation Guidance and Control (NGC) system for attitude stabilisation, which stands for controlling the orientation of any aerospace vehicle within permitted limits.
• The NGC will act as the platform’s brain to stabilize it with specified accuracy.
• POEM will derive its power from solar panels mounted around the PS4 tank, and a Li-Ion battery. It will navigate using “four sun sensors, a magnetometer, gyros & NavIC.

Dak Karmayogi

• This portal has been developed ‘In-House’ under vision of ‘Mission Karmayogi’, which was conceptualized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a view to bring efficiency in actions of all the employees of Government of India and transforming efficiency of bureaucracy with ‘Minimum Government’ and ‘Maximum Governance’.
• ‘Dak Karmayogi’ portal will enhance the competencies of about 4 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks & Departmental employees by enabling the trainees to access the uniform standardized training content online or in blended campus mode to enable them to effectively deliver a number of G2C services for enhanced customer satisfaction.

IFSCA issues regulatory framework for Angel Funds to facilitate investments in start-ups

• A Fund Management Entity (FME) in IFSC will be able to launch Angel Fund by filing a placement memorandum with the Authority under a Green Channel, i.e. the schemes can open for subscription by investors immediately upon filing the placement memorandum with the Authority.
• Angel Funds shall accept investments from accredited investors or investors who are willing to commit at least USD 40,000 over 5 years.
• Angel Funds are permitted to invest in start-ups as well as other regulated angel schemes in IFSC, India, foreign jurisdictions upon receiving consent from the desirous investors.
• While investment(s) by an Angel Fund in a start-up is capped at USD 1,500,000, the Angel fund is permitted to invest in subsequent rounds of fund raising by the start-up in order to protect its shareholding from dilution, subject to certain conditions.