Parvatmala Pariyojana | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Posted 12 Mar 2025

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Parvatmala Pariyojana

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects in Uttarakhand under the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.

About Parvatmala Pariyojana

  • Launched: Union budget 2022-23.
  • About: Aims to develop over 250 ropeway projects in five years under PPP mode.
  • Ministry: Implemented by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) through National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML).  
  • Benefits of ropeways: 
    • Multiple cars propelled by a single power-plant and drive mechanism, reducing both construction and maintenance costs.
    • Can handle large slopes and large differences in elevation.
  • Tags :
  • Ropeway
  • Parvatmala
  • Hilly Areas

Chagos Archipelago

India has supported Mauritius in its stance on sovereignty over Chagos archipelago.

  • Chagos archipelago has been under British control since 1814 when they were ceded to Britain with Mauritius. 
  • It was constituted as British Indian Ocean Territory in 1965 and kept under British control even after Mauritius’s independence in 1968.
  • In 2024, UK and Mauritius signed an agreement to return sovereignty of Chagos archipelago to Mauritius

About Chagos archipelago

  • It is a group of atolls comprising 58 islands, located in Indian Ocean.
  • Its largest atoll – Diego Garcia – hosts a major US military base. 
  • Tags :
  • Mauritius
  • Indian Ocean
  • Diego Garcia

Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR)

China has reportedly deployed a new Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan province near the Myanmar border, significantly enhancing its surveillance capabilities over India.

  • LPARs can track multiple targets including ballistic missiles, with high precision, playing a critical role in early warning system and air defence networks
  • Unlike traditional radars, which rely on mechanical rotation, LPARs use electronically controlled antennas to scan vast areas almost instantly.
  • Besides China, only the US and Russia operate similar LPAR systems.
  • Tags :
  • Radar
  • Anti-Missile System

75/25 Initiative

As of now, the 75/25 initiative has achieved 89.7% of its target, providing treatment for hypertension to 42.01 million individuals and treatment for diabetes to 25.27 million individuals. 

About 75/25 Initiative

  • Launched: On World Hypertension Day 2023.
  • Aim: To provide standardized care to 75 million individuals living with hypertension and diabetes by December 2025 through Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
  • It utilizes the strategies under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD)
  • Tags :
  • Diabetes
  • Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Hypertension

Venture Capital

India’s Venture Capital (VC) funding surges 43% to $13.7 billion in 2024.

About VC

  • It is a form of private equity and a type of financing for startup companies and small businesses with long-term growth potential.
  • Venture capital usually takes the form of equity shares or a future claim on equity, such as convertible debt, which in return allows the venture capital firm to receive a share of ownership in the business
  • Venture capitalists provide backing through financing, technological expertise, or managerial experience.
  • Tags :
  • Venture Capital
  • Startup Ecosystem

UAPA, 1967

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the Jammu and Kashmir-based organization as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, imposing a five-year ban on the organization.

About Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

  • Origin: Introduced as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Ordinance, 1966, in response to secessionist movements like the Naxalbari uprising.
  • Objective: It provides for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities.
  • 2019 amendment added key provisions: 
    • Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) can now approve seizure of terrorist-linked properties, expediting investigations.
    • Central Government can designate individual terrorist
  • Tags :
  • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
  • UAPA 1967

Gene-edited Bananas

Recently, a UK-based biotech company developed gene-edited bananas that are less likely to turn brown when bumped during harvesting and transportation.

Browning process of Bananas

  • Bananas boast a colourful life cycle, they start at a deep green, change to bright yellow, and end at an unappetising brown.
  • These changes are a product of their ripening process, which is caused by a hormone called ethylene
  • Ethylene triggers the activity of genes linked to the production of enzyme Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO), responsible for turning bananas brown. 
    • In gene-edited bananas, genes linked with PPO have been silenced. 
  • Tags :
  • Ethylene
  • Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO)

Bills of Lading Bill, 2025

Lok Sabha Passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025.

About the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025

  • It will replace the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856
  • It empowers the Central Government to issue implementation directives.
  • It also includes a standard repeal and saving clause to eliminate colonial elements.

Need of New Bill

  • Supports India’s growing role in global trade by simplifying shipping processes and reducing disputes.
  • Streamlines business processes and reduces litigation risks.
  • Provides clarity for carriers, shippers, and lawful goods holders
  • Tags :
  • Maritime Sector
  • Shipping Sector
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