18th April, 2023 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
National Mission for Clean Ganga approves 8 projects worth Rs 638 crore

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved eight projects worth around 638 crore rupees.
The projects were approved at the Executive Committee meeting of NMCG chaired by its Director General G Asok Kumar.
Of them, four projects amounting to around 407 crore rupees were approved for pollution abatement in the Shamli district with an aim to clean River Hindon, which is a tributary of River Yamuna.
These projects are part of the comprehensive Hindon Rejuvenation Plan as this river is identified as Priority-I polluted river stretch.
As part of preparations for the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh in 2025, one project for development of seven ghats was approved. The ghats include DashashmedhGhat, QuilaGhat, Gyan Ganga Ashram Ghat and SaraswatiGhat. These ghats will have amenities such as area for bathing, universal access ramp and drinking water points.
For Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, one sewerage management project each was approved at the meeting. In Bihar, a project to construct three Sewage Treatment Plants among other works was approved at a cost of nearly 77 crore rupees. These projects will prevent the flow of polluted water into River Kiul which is a tributary of Ganga. In Madhya Pradesh, a project to construct 22 Million Litres per Day Sewage Treatment Plant and other works, was approved at a cost of about 93 crore rupees. It will prevent the flow of polluted water into River Kshipra, sub-tributary of Yamuna.
Another project for ghat development was approved for Haridwar in Uttarakhand where Akhand Param Dham ghat will be constructed at a cost of over 2crore rupees.

Key infrastructure projects pick up pace with projects worth over Rs 5 Lakh Crore evaluated under PM Gati Shakti initiative

The Government says projects worth five lakh 14 thousand crore rupees have been evaluated under the PM Gati Shakti initiative in the last one and a half years.
The initiative was launched in October 2021 for integrated and holistic planning across concerned Ministries and Departments in the country. The initiative aims at improving multi-modal connectivity, and logistics efficiency, and addressing critical infrastructure gaps, for seamless movement of people and goods.
Around 76 key infrastructure projects were evaluated during this period. Ms Dawra added that two hundred projects have been evaluated and sanctioned so far under the PM Gati Shakti initiative.

Members of Danish Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs call on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

The Members of the Danish Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs led by its Chairman, Niels Flemming Hansen called on Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Parliament House.
Expressing the view that both the countries support peace, democracy and human rights, Mr Birla emphasized on regular parliamentary exchanges between India and Denmark. He also suggested to develop a regular process of dialogue between the two countries to ensure that both the Parliaments can learn from each other and share best practices.

The Lok Sabha Speaker also referred to the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark signed in September 2020.
This partnership has improved coordination between the two countries. While India is the 5th largest economy in the world today, there is a lot of potential for the two nations in areas of mutual interest such as global and regional security issues and trade and economic ties.
During the meeting, Mr. Birla informed the delegation that India has assumed the presidency of G20 with the motto- 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' and India's fight against climate change will unite the entire world as one family. He hoped that Denmark and India's commitment to democratic values would lead to a stronger partnership in international fora.

Supreme Court begins hearing arguments on pleas seeking legal validation of same-sex marriages

The Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing arguments on a batch of pleas seeking legal validation of same-sex marriages.
The case is being heard by a five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y Chandrachud and Justices S.K Kaul, S.R Bhat, Hima Kohli and P.S Narasimha.
The Centre has raised preliminary objections to the Supreme Court hearing, saying Parliament is the only constitutionally permissible forum to decide on creation of a new social relationship. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Constitution Bench that participants to the proceedings do not represent the views of the nation and that the court must first examine if the court can at all hear this matter.

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INTERNATIONAL

Kuwait's Crown Prince announces dissolution of National Assembly and calls for new elections

Kuwait's Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, has announced the dissolution of the 2020 National Assembly and the call for new elections in the coming months.
The decision was made based on Article 107 of the constitution, which allows for such action as a constitutional solution.
Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Crown Prince stated that the decision was a victory for the popular will and that the people of Kuwait would have the final say in determining their fate. He also emphasized the need to adhere to the constitution, respect the will of the people, and rally around the leadership of the Supreme Commander, His Highness, the Emir of the country.
The decision to dissolve the National Assembly came after the Constitutional Court ruled on March 19 to invalidate the 2022 National Assembly due to the invalidity of the decree dissolving the 2020 parliament and reinstating the latter. The court also nullified the parliamentary elections process that took place last September in the five constituencies and invalidated the membership of those declared victorious.

Putin visits Russian-controlled Ukraine's Kherson and Luhansk regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Russian-controlled Ukraine's Kherson and Luhansk regions. The Kremlin said that Mr. Putin attended a military command meeting in Kherson and visited a national guard headquarters in Luhansk on Monday.
According to media reports, the visit comes as Ukrainian troops prepare for a fresh counteroffensive to reclaim the territories. Last month, the Russian President visited Crimea and Mariupol in the Donetsk region which are also under Russian control.
Ukraine’s ground forces said that Russian forces are stepping up their use of heavy artillery and air attacks in Bakhmut.

Multilateral Military Exercise Orion begins at Mont-de-Marsan airbase in France

Multilateral exercise Orion in which the Indian Air Force is also taking part began at Mont-de-Marsan in France. This is the first overseas exercise for the Indian Air Force Rafale aircraft. The exercise will see the IAF engage in realistic combat scenarios with other participating Air Forces.
Participation in this exercise will further enrich the employment philosophy of the India Air Force, by imbibing the best practices from other Air Forces.
The Indian Air Force Contingent comprises four Rafale, two C-17, two IL-78 aircraft and 165 air warriors. Air Forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and United States of America are also participating in the exercise which will be continue till 5th of next month.

Russia discussing free trade agreement with India, says Deputy PM Denis Manturov

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is also the Trade Minister of the country has said that they are discussing a free trade agreement with India.
India and Russia pay special attention to the issues of mutual access of production to the markets in the two countries.
Russia and Eurasian Economic Commission are looking forward to intensifying negotiations on a free trade agreement with India.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has expressed hoped that both countries will pick up on the issue as it will make a real difference to the trade relationship between them. Addressing the India-Russia Business Dialogue 2023 in New Delhi yesterday, Dr S Jaishankar said that the India-Russia partnership is a subject of attention and comment today because it has not changed. He underlined that it has been among the steadiest of the major relationships of the world in the contemporary era.

SPORTS

Shaili Singh qualifies for Asian Games; logging 2nd longest jump in India's history

At the Indian Grand Prix-4 in Bengaluru, Shaili Singh won in the women's long jump. Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has congratulated Shaili on her win.
Shaili's win at the Indian Grand Prix-4 is a major milestone and will have a significant impact on the future of Indian sports. The Union Minister said Target Olympic Podium, TOP Scheme, Athlete Shaili has been training hard at NCOE Bangalore and her dedication and commitment to her sport are truly inspiring.

Published date : 01 May 2023 05:40PM