Asbestos
U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposes new testing rules to ensure cosmetics are asbestos-free.
- A group of naturally occurring mineral fibers.
- Forms: 6 main forms, with chrysotile (white asbestos) being the most commonly used.
- Key Property: Resistant to heat and corrosion
- Applications: Used in building materials and the automobile industry.
- Health Concerns: Exposure can cause lung cancer, larynx and ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma (cancer of the pleural and peritoneal linings).
M Sand
Rajasthan government introduced the M-Sand, 2024 policy for sustainable construction and infrastructure.
- Produced by crushing rocks or quarry stones, serving as a substitute for river sand in concrete construction.
- Advantages:
- Better Workability: Lacks organic and soluble compounds that affect cement setting time and properties.
- Higher Strength: Free from impurities like clay, dust, and silt coating.
- Eco-Friendly: Prevents dredging of river beds, avoiding environmental issues like groundwater depletion and water scarcity.
Prepaid Payment Instruments
RBI has allowed Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) holders to make and receive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments through third-party mobile applications.
- Instruments that facilitate the purchase of goods and services, conduct financial services, and enable remittance facilities (e.g., mobile wallets, digital wallets, gift cards).
- Issuers: Can be issued by banks and non-banks.
- Types:
- Small PPIs: Issued after obtaining minimum details of the PPI holder.
- Full KYC PPIs: Issued after completing full Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
Landslide Dam Lake
Some experts have raised concerns over nondescript pond, created by landslide, growing into a massive lake in less than a year in the Kumaon-Himalaya range in Uttarakhand.
- Created as a result of a broad range of mass movements
- Formed as a result of earth slumps & slides, mudflows, rock and debris avalanches in areas where narrow river valleys are bordered by steep and rugged mountain slopes.
- Behind the dam, a lake was formed as a result of the continuous inflow of water from the river.
Excess Grants
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) flagged excess spending by ministries.
- Refers to any money that has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service and for that year.
- Article 115 of the Indian Constitution provides for supplementary, additional, or excess grants.