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The operation to save 41 men trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel witnessed a setback on Saturday when the auger joint of the drilling machine broke inside the rescue pipes and blocked the passage.
A horizontal auger machine, often called a horizontal boring machine or directional drill, is a specialised tool to create horizontal bores or underground tunnels without disturbing the surface.
It typically consists of a rotating helical screw blade called an auger, attached to a central shaft or drill, which penetrates the material by rotating. These machines are commonly employed in construction, utility installations such as laying pipes or cables, and infrastructure projects.
World
US destroyer entered our territorial water without permission says China (Page no. 11)
(GS Paper 3, Defence)
The Chinese military said that American naval destroyer USS Hopper entered China’s territorial waters without the approval of the Chinese government.
According to a post on the official WeChat account of the Chinese People Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command, the Chinese military deployed its naval and air forces to “track, monitor and warn away” the vessel.
It went on to say that the incident “proves that the United States is an out-and-out ‘security risk creator’ in the South China Sea.
This latest announcement comes days after China accused the Philippines of enlisting “foreign forces” to patrol the South China Sea, referring to joint patrols held since Tuesday by Philippine and U.S. forces.
Earlier this month, the United States and China held “candid” talks on maritime issues, including on the contested South China Sea, and the U.S. side underscored its concerns about “dangerous and unlawful” Chinese actions there, the U.S. State Department said.
Express Network
CJI: Caste still resilient, affirmative action works to dismantle inequalities (Page no. 13)
(GS Paper 2, Judiciary)
Affirmative action has emerged as a strong force to challenge caste dynamics in India and is a beacon of hope for removing caste-based inequalities, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said.
“In India, affirmative action has been prescribed and even mandated by the Constitution in the context of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Classes,” CJI Chandrachud said, addressing the Lawasia Conference in Bengaluru in virtual mode on the topic ‘Identity, the Individual and the State: New Paths to Liberty’.
Affirmative action emerges as a transformative force challenging established caste dynamics,” the CJI said, adding that reservation for socially underprivileged groups in education and jobs is among the affirmative actions prescribed in the Constitution of India.
Caste, far from being a vestige of the past, continues to exert significant influence on contemporary socio-economic and political landscapes. Its resilience is evident in the social stratification, economic disparities and access to opportunities experienced by different caste groups.
The findings of many reports such as the Sachar Committee report and the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission report, which have put the focus on social segregation, untouchability, limited access to education and under-representation of the marginalised “underscore the pressing need for affirmative action to address deeply rooted discrimination.
Economy
Govt panel sets target for blending sustainable aviation fuel with ATF from 2027 (Page no. 15)
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
The National Biofuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) has set the initial indicative targets for blending of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with aviation turbine fuel (ATF), potentially setting the ball rolling for introduction of compulsory blending mandates in the future.
“Based on the comments received from the stakeholders… the capacities of sustainable aviation fuel plants coming up in the country and projected ATF sales, the following initial indicative blending percentages of SAF in ATF are approved: 1% SAF indicative blending target in 2027 (initially for international flights) (and) 2% SAF blending target in 2028 (initially for International flights),” the Petroleum Ministry said in a statement on Saturday following the NBCC’s meeting.
The decision is in line with the mandatory phase of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which will take effect from 2027.
CORSIA, which applies to international flights, would require airlines globally to offset any growth in carbon dioxide emissions beyond the 2020 levels.
Centre brings roadmap for mandatory blending of compressed biogas (Page no. 15)
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
The Centre Friday announced a roadmap for mandatory blending of compressed biogas (CBG) in the transportation and domestic segments of the city gas distribution (CGD) sector in a phased manner.
The government expects this decision will push manufacturing and consumption of CBG, which has so far failed to take off in the country.
In a meeting on Friday, the National Biofuels Coordination Committee (NBCC) gave its nod to mandatory blending of CBG with compressed natural gas (CNG) for transportation and piped natural gas (PNG) for households starting 2025-26 (FY26), the petroleum ministry said in a statement.
The compulsory blending obligation will be 1 per cent of total CNG and domestic PNG consumption for FY26, 3 per cent for FY27, and 4 per cent for FY28.
The obligation mandates 5 per cent blending from FY29. A Central Repository Body (CRB) will be responsible for monitoring and implementing the blending mandate.