UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 05-08-2020

Draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020

Recently, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has formulated a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020).
It aims to provide impetus to self-reliance in defence manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package.
The policy aims to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 Cr (US$ 25Bn) including export of Rs 35,000 Cr (US$ 5 Billion) in Aerospace and Defence goods and services by 2025.
The Policy brings out multiple strategies under the following focus areas:

Meghnaghat Combined-Cycle Power plant

A combined-cycle power plant is a relatively more efficient way of producing electricity.
It uses both a gas and a steam turbine together to produce up to 50 % more electricity from the same fuel than a traditional simple-cycle plant.
It will reduce the share of environmentally harmful and expensive fuels like coal and oil.
Recently, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $ 200 million financing deal with the Reliance Bangladesh LNG and Power Limited (RBLPL).
The deal aims to build and operate a 718-megawatt combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Bangladesh.
The plant is proposed to be located on land allotted by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), in Meghnaghat, Narayanganj District near Dhaka.

Integrated Market Surveillance System

Market surveillance is the prevention and investigation of abusive, manipulative or illegal trading practices in the securities markets.
It helps to ensure orderly markets, where buyers and sellers are willing to participate because they feel confident in the fairness and accuracy of transactions.
Without market surveillance, a market could become disorderly, which would discourage investment and inhibit economic growth.
Market surveillance can be provided by the private sector and the public sector.
In India Financial Markets Regulation Department (FMRD) undertakes surveillance of financial markets regulated by the RBI.
RBI has shortlisted few private vendors for implementation of Integrated Market Surveillance System.

FDI in Commercial Coal Mining

Union government clarified process on FDI in commercial coal mining.
Any country that shares land borders with India, which wishes to invest in commercial coal mining will be allowed only after government approval.
A citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest only under the government route in sectors/activities other than defence, space, atomic energy, and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment.
While the central government auctions coal blocks, state governments need to handle local issues efficiently and with sensitivity.

Ebrahim Alkazi

Recently Ebrahim Alkazi, the longest-serving director of the National School of Drama passed away.
Ebrahim Alkazi is remembered as the father of Indian theatre.
He revolutionized Indian theatre.
He was the first person to bring regional language plays to NSD.
He was the first recipient of Roopwedh Pratishtan's the Tanvir Award (2004) for lifetime contribution to the theatre.
He received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
He received Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime contribution to theatre.

Source: PIB, Economic Times, News on Air, the Hindu