Current Affairs For Bank, IBPS Exams - 5 July, 2015

Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams

5 July 2015

:: National ::

DoT panel denied Facebook's Internet.org; ok with Airtel Zero

A DoT panel on net neutrality is learnt to have opposed projects like Facebook's Internet.org, which allow access to certain websites without mobile data charges, while suggesting that similar plans such as Airtel Zero be allowed with prior clearance from Trai.
The panel has stated however that "collaborations between telecom operators and content providers that enable such gate-keeping role to be played by any entity should be actively discouraged", sources said. Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had directed the Department of Telecom (DoT) to form a panel on net neutrality and give its recommendation on the matter.
Net neutrality implies that equal treatment be accorded to all Internet traffic and no priority be given to an entity or company based on payment to content or service providers such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory.
The neutrality debate heated up in India after telecom operator Airtel launched a platform, Airtel Zero, that would allow free access of some websites on it network. However, the companies were asked to pay Airtel for joining the platform.
Internet.org, on the other hand, is a Facebook-led initiative which aims to bring 5 billion people online in partnership with tech giants like Samsung and Qualcomm as well as mobile operators. In India, it had tied up with Reliance Communications.
Sources said the DoT panel has stated that this project has been criticised for violating net neutrality principle and favouring Facebook's own services over its rivals.
Facebook, however, at various forums has said that the project is pro- Internet access and hence does not violate the principle.

ISRO’s Heaviest Satellite Mission for SSTL, UK on PSLV-C28 Lifts Off on July 10

ISRO is gearing up for the launch of PSLV C-28 launch on July 10 from Sriharikota carrying three optical earth observation satellites of a UK firm and one micro and another nano satellite.
The three optical satellites of Surrey Satellite technology Limited of UK weigh 447-kg each and with two other satellites, the C-28 mission will carry a total payload of 1,440-kg, the heavisest so far for a commercial launch by ISRO.
The Indian space agency said the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will lift off on its 30th flight from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre using XL version of PSLV for the ninth time.
spokesman Deviprasad Karnik explained. Last year, PSLV carried 712kg French satellite.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), in its 13th flight (PSLV-C28), will carry the three identical DMC3 satellites and launch them into a 647 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) using the high-end version of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration.
The other two auxiliary satellites are also from UK, CBNT-1, a technology demonstrator earth observation micro satellite built by SSTL, and De-OrbitSail, a technology demonstrator nano satellite built by Surrey Space Centre.
ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix has has entered into an agreement with DMC International Imaging (DMCii), a wholly owned subsidiary of SSTL, UK to launch the largest payload ever commercially on its workhorse PSLV first time.
Mounting 3 DMC3 satellites each with a height of about 3 metre and weighing 447-kg each was a challenge, said ISRO on its website.

:: Business ::

Centre to convert 90,000 kms NH into green corridors

The government will convert 90,000 kms of country's national highways into green corridors, for which it is planning to create at least 1,000 contractors responsible for planting trees.
"We have taken a decision that one per cent of cost in construction is for tree plantation and other things.
We are going to create 1,000 contractors in the country.
They will have their own nurseries. They will plant new trees and create a green area on national highways," Road Transport & Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.
India's road network of 33 lakh kms is the second largest in the world and consists of 92,851 kms of National Highways, which constitute only 1.7 per cent of the road network but carry about 40 per cent of the total road traffic.