Pangong Lake
Indian Army installed Shivaji statue on the banks of Pangong Lake.
- Location – Ladakh
- World’s highest saltwater lake.
- Area – 1/3rd of the Lake lies in India and other 2/3rd lies in China.
- Endorheic (landlocked) lake
- Known to change colors, appearing blue, green and red at different times
H1B Visas
Indians continue to dominate the list of recipients with more than 70% of total H1-B Visa approvals.
- Allows US to fill skill gaps in the country by allowing employers to hire immigrant workers in specialized occupations requiring “a high level of skill”.
- Validity – For up to 6 years.
- After this period, the visa holder must either leave the U.S. for at least 12 months or apply for permanent residency.
Coastal Security Scheme
During a recent review of Coastal Security Scheme, 13 coastal states flagged critical shortages.
- Objective – Providing additional infrastructural support to all the Coastal States/UTs for marine patrolling and to supplement other coastal security initiatives
- Involves infrastructure supports like jetties, Marine Operational Centres, motorcycles, etc.
Private Members’ Bill
17th Lok Sabha spent only 9.08 hours on Private Members’ Bills.
- A legislative proposal initiated by a Member of the Parliament, who is not a Minister.
- Period of notice to introduce a Bill is 1 month.
- Till date, only 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed & received assent.
- No Private Members’ Bill has been passed by Parliament since 1970.
Calamity of Severe Nature
Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) has declared Wayanad landslides as a ‘calamity of severe nature’.
- No specific criterion for declaring a natural calamity as a calamity of severe nature.
- However, based on the intensity and magnitude of losses to life and property, the Central government treats it as a calamity of severe nature
- Funding – For a “calamity of severe nature,” additional funding comes from the NDRF in excess of the balances available in the state’s own SDRF.