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- India and Japan have recently entered into a Memorandum of Implementation (MoI) for the joint development of the UNICORN (Unified Complex Radio Antenna) mast, designed for installation on Indian Navy vessels.
- About the Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN):
- State-of-the-Art Technology: UNICORN represents a cutting-edge, integrated antenna system.
- Stealth-Enhancing Mast: It is a mast that integrates multiple communication systems, enhancing the stealth capabilities of naval ships.
- Collaborative Development: The technology was developed in partnership by three leading Japanese companies—NEC Corporation, Sampa Kogyo K.K., and The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. These antennas are currently deployed on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Mogami-class frigates.
- Innovative Design: Unlike traditional masts, the UNICORN system combines antennas spread across various points on the mast into a single, compact radar dome (radome).
- Improved Stealth: This design significantly reduces the radar cross-section of naval platforms, improving their stealth profile and allowing them to operate with minimized electronic signatures.
- Enhanced Performance: The placement of the antennas is optimized to extend the range for detecting external radio waves while also simplifying both maintenance and installation.
- This collaboration between India and Japan is expected to further enhance the capabilities of the Indian Navy, aligning with modern trends in stealth and advanced communications technology.
- A division bench of the Madras High Court recently upheld the orders of the Central Administrative Tribunal, granting pension benefits under the General Provident Fund (GPF) scheme to retired teachers of Kendriya Vidyalayas.
- About General Provident Fund (GPF):
- Introduction: The General Provident Fund (GPF) is a government-backed savings scheme that was introduced in 1960, exclusively for government employees in India.
- Primary Objective: The main purpose of the GPF is to provide a secure and reliable income for government employees post-retirement.
- Contribution: Under the GPF scheme, government employees contribute a certain percentage of their salary to the fund. Unlike the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), the GPF only involves contributions from the employee, with no contribution from the employer.
- Accumulation: The total amount accumulated in the GPF account is paid to the employee upon retirement. The amount also earns interest at a fixed rate, which is periodically revised by the government.
- Eligibility:
- The following categories of employees are eligible to subscribe to the GPF:
- All temporary government servants who have completed at least one continuous year of service.
- Re-employed pensioners, except those who are eligible for the contributory provident fund.
- Permanent government servants.
- The following categories of employees are eligible to subscribe to the GPF:
- Contribution Details:
- Mandatory Scheme: Contributing to the GPF is mandatory for all eligible government employees. The contribution is deducted from the employee’s monthly salary, and the employee can decide the percentage of salary to contribute, subject to a minimum of 6%.
- Contribution Flexibility: Employees have the option to contribute up to 100% of their salary if they choose, offering flexibility in savings.
- Withdrawal:
- Post-Retirement: Upon retirement, employees can withdraw the total accumulated amount from their GPF account.
- Other Withdrawals: GPF subscribers can also withdraw money for specific personal reasons such as education, marriage, or medical emergencies during their service.
- Loans Against GPF: Employees may take loans against their GPF account, subject to the conditions outlined in the rules.
- Transfer or Resignation: Employees who transfer to another government department or resign can either withdraw their GPF balance or transfer it to the new employer’s provident fund.
- Nominee Benefits: In the event of an employee's death, the balance in the GPF account is paid to the nominated beneficiary.
- Administration and Benefits:
- Administered by: The GPF scheme is managed by the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare, which falls under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
- Interest and Tax Benefits: GPF contributions earn interest at a rate determined by the government, and the scheme provides tax-saving benefits, low-risk investment options, and guaranteed returns to subscribers.
- This legal decision concerning retired Kendriya Vidyalaya teachers highlights the significance of the GPF scheme in securing financial stability for government employees post-retirement.
- A severe drought has significantly reduced the water levels of Lake Kariba, bringing it dangerously close to record lows. This has raised concerns that the Kariba Dam, which provides electricity to both Zambia and Zimbabwe, may have to shut down for the first time in its 65-year history.
- About Lake Kariba:
- Location: Lake Kariba is situated in central Africa, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Proximity to the Indian Ocean: The lake is located 810 miles (1,300 kilometers) upstream from the Indian Ocean.
- World’s Largest Man-Made Lake: Covering an area of approximately 2,000 square miles (5,200 square kilometers), Lake Kariba is the largest man-made lake in the world.
- Formation: It was created by damming the Zambezi River at the Kariba Gorge, where the river narrows between hard rock hills, around 250 miles (400 km) downstream from Victoria Falls.
- Kariba Dam:
- Design and Structure: The Kariba Dam features a double-arch wall design, standing 128 meters tall and 617 meters long. The dam's top measures 13 meters in width, while the base is 24 meters wide.
- Hydroelectric Power: The dam is a critical source of hydroelectric power, providing significant electricity to both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Economic Impact: Beyond power generation, the lake supports a robust commercial fishing industry, which is a vital source of income for local communities.
- Ecosystem:
- Islands: Lake Kariba is home to 102 islands, with notable ones including Chete Island and Spurwing Island.
- Wildlife: Chete Island is particularly famous for hosting the largest expanse of protected, undeveloped wetlands in the world. It is also home to the largest single population of African elephants, making it a significant wildlife sanctuary.
- The ongoing drought threatens to disrupt the region's power supply and economic stability, putting the future of Lake Kariba’s ecosystem and the communities that rely on it at risk.