Sakshi Education
- NITI Aayog organizing Sustainable Development Goals Conclave 2020
NITI Aayog is organizing Sustainable Development Goals Conclave 2020: Partnerships, Cooperation and Development of North Eastern states- in Guwahati, Assam
The inaugural session will be in presence all Chief Ministers of North Eastern states among others.
The three-day event will see representations from the North Eastern states, Central Ministries, academia, civil society and international development organizations.
The technical sessions would include SDG localization in the North East, economic prosperity and sustainable livelihoods, climate adaptive agriculture, health and nutrition among others.
NITI Aayog has the mandate of overseeing the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national level. Progress in the northeast region is crucial in this decade of action for the country to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi completes one year today (24 Feb)
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme completes one year today i.e., 24 February, 2020. Prime Minister NarendraModi had launched the scheme on 24th February 2019 at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Under the Scheme, an amount of 6000 rupees per year is transferred in three equal installments of 2000 rupees in every four months directly into the bank accounts of the farmers.
The scheme will help farmers in meeting their agricultural and domestic needs. Over 8.46 crore farmers have been given the benefits of the scheme till 20th February, 2020.
- Vice President Venkaiah Naidu asks governments to link employment with languages
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has asked the governments to link employment with languages.
Emphasizing the need for promoting the use of Indian languages in the administration, he said, it will not only bring the administration closer to the people but also help in preservation of country’s rich linguistic heritage.
The need for imparting morals, ethics, and values to students through education and said a teacher can play key role in shaping the life of a student.
The youth to develop 4Cs - Character, Capacity, Conduct and Caliber and asked them to be hardworking and disciplined to achieve success in life. He also advised them to shun sedentary lifestyle and keep physically fit.
- GSI denies discovery of 3000-tonne gold deposits in UP's Sonbhadra
Geological Survey of India (GSI) has said there has been no discovery of gold deposits estimated to be around 3,000 tonnes in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, as published by various media.
The GSI clarified that it has not estimated such kind of vast resource of gold deposit in Sonbhadra district. It informed that GSI, Northern region has carried out several exploration works for gold but the results were not encouraging.
It added that this exploration was carried out in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and in the report, GSI has estimated a probable category resource of 52806.25 tonnes of Ore with 3.03 grams per tonne for a strike length of 170 meters in Sonaphari area of Sonbhadra district.
It clarified that the total gold which can be extracted from the total resource of 52806.25 tonnes of ore is approximately 160 kg and not 3350 tonnes as mentioned in media.
- India’s First Floating Jetty inaugurated in Goa
On February 21, 2020 Union Minister of State for shipping Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the India’s first floating jetty on the banks of Mandoviriver, Goa and also an immigration facility office at a cruise terminal in Vasco, Goa.
Key Points:
i.About floating jetty: The floating jetty is made up of cement concrete which was built on a short time, will boost inland waterways, they are environment friendly and 3 more will be built in Goa.
ii.The new floating jetty can be resized, realigned and relocated as per requirement.
iii.About Immigration office: Immigration counter at the cruise terminal in Mormugao Port, Goa, will help foreign nationals who arrive on cruise ships.
iv.The State receives 45 international cruises annually in addition to domestic cruise boats.
v.Goa Chief Minister (CM) PramodSawant, Union AYUSH (Ayurvedic, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) Minister ShripadNaik and RajyaSabha MP (Member of Parliament) Vinay Tendulkar were present on the occasion.
- Ministry of MSME launched National Level Awareness Programme (NLAP) 2020
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched a National Level Awareness Programme (NLAP) 2020 from 17th to 28th February, 2020.
Objective: The main objective of NLAP is to spread awareness about the schemes & activities undertaken by the Ministry and its attached organizations such as Office of Development Commissioner (MSME), Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Coir Board, National Small Industries Corporation Limited, National Institute of MSME, MSME Technology Centres, and Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization.
Key Points:
i.About Awareness Programme: A total of 126 field offices of the Ministry & its organisations are conducting the awareness programmes across the country to spread the information among students of colleges and educational institutes.
ii.The awareness drive will be conducted in more than 600 colleges covering almost 60,000 students from all parts of the country.
iii.Audio-Video films about the activities of the Ministry & its organizations, details of the schemes implemented by the Ministry are displayed to the students.
- Indian Army is set to get New Headquarters – the ThalSenaBhawan
Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone of the Army Headquarters new building “ThalSenaBhawan” in Delhi Cantonment. ThalSenaBhawan, the multi-storeyed complex adopting Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA-5 rating) norms, designed like a “rising sun” and spread over nearly 39 acres.
Key Points:
i.The Army Headquarters is currently housed in the iconic South Block at Raisina Hill, Delhi.
ii.At present, the Army headquarters is split into 8 pockets across New Delhi such as South Block, SenaBhawan, Hutments Area, R.K.Puram, Shankar Vihar etc., and the new building accommodates Army headquarters in one place ensures that they can work under one roof.
iii.The newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA) will be headed by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General BipinRawat.
iv.Nearly 1,700 officers (both military & civilian) and 1,300 sub-staffs will be accommodated in the new building and the cost of the project will be in excess of Rs 700 crore and will be constructed within 5 years.
- Government amends provisions of Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 2016
Government has amended provisions of Arms Act, 1959 and Arms Rules, 2016 to increase the number of firearms that can be kept by shooters and enhanced quantity of ammunition fixed for practice for the year.
Shooting is an important Olympic sport in India and Indian shooters have excelled in international competitions.
The Ministry has made provisions to provide adequate firearms and ammunition to the shooters for their practice. The Ministry said, the provisions will greatly facilitate their shooting practice.
As per the new rules, now international medallists and renowned shooters are allowed to keep additional weapons up to a total of twelve under the exempted category, which earlier was seven. Through the amendments it has also been clarified that no license is required for Indian citizens for acquisitions, possession of small arms falling under the category of curio.
However, appropriate license as prescribed would be required for use or to carry or transport such small arms. Without the endorsement of such firearms in the prescribed license of the owner, no ammunition shall be sold for their use.
- Government plans to construct 1,000 more urbanized clusters in rural areas
After evaluating the success rate of Rurban Clusters scheme, government is intending to move ahead to construct 1,000 more urbanized clusters in rural areas.
Sense of mutual cooperation between people, who want urbanization in their rural space and concerned ministry officials, will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the scheme.
A mobile app to be used for Geo-tagging for the assets in the rurban clusters.
This flagship scheme of Centre, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21st February in 2016, aims at transforming these Rurban clusters by stimulating local economic development, enhancing basic services, and creating well planned Rurban clusters.
- Government approves constitution of 22nd Law Commission
Government has formally announced the constitution of the 22nd Law Commission. The law panel advises the government on complex legal issues and has a term of three years. With the president giving his nod for the creation of the Law Commission, government will now appoint a chairperson to head the panel and other members.
The chairperson usually is a retired Supreme Court judge or a retired chief justice of a high court. The term of the previous commission had ended on August 31, 2018. Union Cabinet had last week given its nod to reconstitute the panel.
- National Integration Camp themed Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat inaugurated in Sikkim
A National Integration Camp (NIC) themed Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat was inaugurated at the Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism Institute at Chemchey, South Sikkim.
The camp is being organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Sikkim. Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim Indra Hang Subba inaugurated the camp.
The high percentage of youth in the population the engine for India's growth.
Sikkim has been paired with Delhi under Ek Bharat-Shreshth Bharat.
- First anniversary of National War Memorial being observed today (25th Feb)
The first anniversary of the iconic National War Memorial is being observed today (25th February, 2020).
The memorial is a fitting tribute to those heroes who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty during various wars and internal security challenges since Independence.
The memorial was built in the memory of those who had laid down their lives for the country.
The National War Memorial commemorates the soldiers who made supreme sacrifice during the Counter Insurgency Operations and Peace Keeping Missions.
More than 25 thousand soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces have laid down their lives to defend the country's sovereignty and integrity.
The memorial helps in strengthening the sense of high moral values, sacrifice and national pride in the citizens. Over the last one year, more than 21 lakh people including dignitaries, both domestic and foreign, have visited the memorial.
- Kuchipudi to host national classical dance festival from March 5
The Akhila Bharata Kuchipudi Natya Kala Mandali (ABKNKM) and Chennai-based Kuchipudi Art Academy (KAA) will conduct one-week Siddhendra Yogi national dance festival at Kuchipudi village in Krishna district from March 5.
Krishna University (KRU) Vice-Chancellor K.B. Chandrasekhar is the chief guest. The festival will begin with the Kuchipudi dance performance by the KRU students and another troupe from Visakhapatnam.
Saantanu Roy from Kolkata will perform Bharatanatyam. The performers trained by Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar award recipient Chinta Ravi Balakrishna will perform Kuchipudi.
The classical dancers from the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai,
D. Yamini Narasambika from Odisha and Himanchi Chowdary from Warangal will perform Kuchipudi during the festival, according to ABKNKM founder-secretary Pasumarthy Kesava Prasad.
- GoI successfully installed 10 lakh smart meters under SMNP
Government has successfully installed 10 lakh smart meters across India under the Government of India's Smart Meter National Programme (SMNP).
The announcement was made by the Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, New & Renewable Energy R.K. Singh.
The Minister inaugurated commissioning of 100 MW decentralized solar power plants connected to agriculture feeders in Maharashtra.
Highlights:
The smart meters are operational in Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
The aim of the programme is to bring efficiency in the distribution system leading to better service delivery.
In every substation, the capacity of the solar power plants ranges from 0.5 MW to 10 MW.
The programme is being implemented through Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
The SMNP aims to replace 250 million conventional meters in India with smart meters.
- Government formally approved the 22nd Law Commission for 3 years
Government formally approved the twenty-second Law Commission of India for a period of three years.
The law commission will provide a recommendation on different aspects of law, to the government, which are entrusted to the Commission for its study and recommendations, as per its terms of reference.
Members of the Commission:
The 22nd Law Commission will consist of:
a full-time Chairperson- The chairperson is usually is a retired Supreme Court judge or a retired chief justice of a high court)
four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary)
Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex-officio Member
Secretary, Legislative Department as ex officio Member
part-time Members (not more than five)
Roles of Law Commission:
Law Commission does research in law and review of existing laws in India for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations.
It will undertake studies to bring reforms in the justice delivery systems for elimination of delay in procedures, speedy disposal of cases, reduction in the cost of litigation, etc.
It will provide a measure that is necessary to harness the law and the legal process in the service of the poor.
The commission will revise various Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and remove anomalies, ambiguities, and inequities.
Law Commission of India:
The Law Commission of India was constituted by the Government of India in 1955. The non-statutory body is reconstituted every three years.
The tenure of the twenty-first Law Commission of India ended on 31 August 2018. Law Commission has made a significant contribution towards the progressive development and codification of Law of the country. It has submitted 277 reports so far.
- NITI Aayog reported 28 percent payments for maternity benefit scheme credited to wrong account
A progress report on Poshan Abhiyaan (Nutrition Mission) released by the NITI Aayog stated that one in three Aadhaar-based payments for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), the Centre's maternity benefit scheme, was credited to a wrong bank account.
This is the second report released by GoI on the implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan.
Report Highlights:
The report stated that 28% of all Aadhaar-based payments, of 31.29 lakh, are credited to different bank accounts than what had been provided by the beneficiaries.
For better comparison and analysis, the States were divided into large and small categories.
It causes dissatisfaction among beneficiaries, which needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.
It stated that 66% of the direct benefit transfers were based on Aadhaar.
Out of 5,525 beneficiaries, only 60% were aware of the receipt of the benefits and the bank accounts to which the money was transferred.
The report analyzed the States and Union Territories (UT) across four themes namely service delivery and capacities; governance and institutional mechanism; strategy and planning; and programme activities and intervention coverage.
- MHRD reviewed the progress of Institutions of Eminence Scheme
Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of the Public and Private institutions which were considered to be given the status of Institutions of Eminence (IoE) on 24th February.
The approval of the status is upon the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Empowered Expert Committee under the leadership of N. Gopalaswamy.
Highlights:
The focus of the government under the IoE Scheme is to provide quality education to the students of the country in the areas of research and innovation.
The institutions that are recognized under the Scheme works to improve their position in global rankings and to make these institutions, the centres of excellence at a global level.
The meeting reviewed the status of infrastructure and human resources in these institutions.
The Ministry of HRD assured to extend maximum support to the institution for high-quality teaching and research and for the advancement of knowledge.
In order to make it world-class teaching and research institutions, it will invite Nobel laureates, academicians, professors, foreign faculty, etc to visit Indian educational institutions to enlarge and deepen the interface of India's institutions of higher learning and globally recognized institutions of academic eminence.
One Project Monitoring Unit will be established to monitor the progress of these institutions and activities undertaken by them.
These institutions will adopt and develop model villages under the Unnat Bharat scheme for sustainable development in rural India.
- Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission completed 4 years
The Union Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the 4th Anniversary celebration of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on 24th February.
The theme of the event was 'AatmaGaon Ki, SuvidhaSheher Ki'.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission:
The Mission was launched on 21 February 2016 by Prime Minister NarendraModi.
The aims of the mission are to deliver catalytic interventions to rural areas on the threshold of growth.
The focus is to develop the clusters by providing all the basic amenities, infrastructure, and economic development opportunities in an integrated and time-bound manner.
Under the mission, 300 clusters have been allocated by the Ministry out of which 296 have been approved so far.
The mission leads to convergence of the schemes of Union and State government that leads to the overall development of the region in a planned and organized manner.
The mission has provided good employment opportunities, basic and urban facilities to rural India such as waste management, smart classrooms, piped water supply, Roads, Agro-processing and value addition to primary produce, etc. It is critical for holistic development.
- Cabinet approves issuance of an order for adaptation of Central laws in JK
The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the issuance of an order for an adaptation of Central Acts in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir under Section 96 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 by the Government of India.
Highlights:
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 has been reorganized into Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh on 31 October 2019.
All the central government laws which are applicable to the whole of India except the J&K before appointed date (31.10.2019) are now applicable to Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (31.10.2019).
It is necessary to adapt the Central Laws made under the Concurrent List, with required modifications and amendments, for ensuring administrative effectiveness and smooth transition with respect to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir thereby removing any ambiguity in their application in line with the Constitution of India.
Section 96 of J&K Reorganization Act, 2019:
According to the section 96 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, the Central Government has powers to make adaptations and modifications of the laws, whether by way of repeal or amendment, as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of facilitating the application of any law made before the appointed date till the expiration of one year from the appointed date in relation to the successor Union territories.
- High-level committee on Assam Accord submitted report to CM Sarbananda Sonowal
A high-level committee, constituted by GoI, submitted its report on Assam Accord's Clause 6 to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Guwahati.
The Assam state government is now expected to send the report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the follow-up action
Report Highlights:
The committee gave recommendations and measures to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord.
The committee prepared the report within the stipulated time and submitted the report.
Background:
On 16 July 2019, the Centre constituted the high-level committee for the recommending measures to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The first meeting of the committee was held on 24 July 2019 in New Delhi. Clause 6 protects the cultural, linguistic identity, social, and heritage of the Assamese people. The committee was directed to assess the level of reservation of seats in the Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for the Assamese people.
- Sanjay Agarwal chaired a high-level meeting on Desert Locust Control
The Union Minister of Agriculture, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Co operation & Farmers Welfare Sanjay Agarwal chaired a high-level meeting on Desert Locust Control on 25 February.
Desert Locust Control:
The meeting discussed by the challenges and achievements the locust control operations done from May 2019 to February 2020.
The losses caused by the locust attack in Rajasthan and Gujarat and the status of support under SDRF/NDRF were discussed.
The Inter-Ministerial teams had visited both Rajasthan and Gujarat to assess the crop loss so that additional funds if required may be issued from NDRF as per norms.
Control Operations were reviewed and Secretary DAC&FW appreciated the excellent cooperation and coordination between State Governments and Central Government Departments.
The Central Government conducts Awareness campaigns and training for State Government Officials, BSF personnel, Revenue Department officials and farmers at the village level.
The officials were directed to organize training and awareness programmes in all 4 states namely Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana during March-April 2020.
- Indo-UK Joint Military Exercise Ajeya Warrior 2020 concluded
The 5th edition of Joint Military Exercise Ajeya Warrior 2020 concluded at West down Camp, Salisbury Plains Training Area, UK.
The exercise was held between India and the United Kingdom. Brigadier Tom Bewick, Commander of UK 7 Infantry Brigade and Brigadier Gavin, DefenceAttache of the UK in India attended the closing ceremony of the event.
The exercise was aimed to conduct company-level joint training with an emphasis on counter-terrorist operations in urban and semi-urban areas.
Highlights:
The exercise included joint training in urban and semi-urban areas.
Important lectures, demonstrations, and drills related to counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations were rehearsed and executed jointly.
The exercise highlighted the Bonhomie and Camaraderie displayed by the troops. It ensured the integration and achievement of interoperability at all levels.
The exercise promoted understanding and interoperability between the two armies, it further helped in cementing ties between both the nations.
Both countries shared their experiences gained during various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in the past.
The exercise is conducted alternatively in India and the UK.
Over 120 soldiers each from the two armies participated in the exercise.
The exercise displayed a bilateral willingness to work jointly and shared operating procedures to deal with a situation in a specified operational setting.
- Cabinet approved the 2020 Surrogacy Regulation Bill
The Union Cabinet approved the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2020, on 26 February. The Bill will allow widows and divorced women to be surrogate mothers.
The Bill has incorporated all recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha Select Committee.
The amended Bill is the reformed version of the draft legislation, which was passed by Lok Sabha in August 2019.
Aim:
The Bill aims to ensure effective regulation of the surrogacy service. It bans commercial surrogacy and allows altruistic surrogacy.
Bill provisions:
The Bill aims to ensure effective regulation of the surrogacy service.
The Bill has now proposed that the surrogate mother should be a "willing" woman. Earlier it was termed and instructed as "close relative." The Bill has recommended that not only close relatives but any woman, whether she is a widow or divorcee, who is "willing" should be allowed to act as a surrogate mother.
The Bill stated that only Indian couples (both partners being of Indian origins) could opt for surrogacy in the country.
The Cabinet decided that the insurance cover of the surrogate mother, which was proposed for 16 months, should be increased to 36 months.
As per the Bill, National Surrogacy Board at the central level and State Surrogacy Board and appropriate authorities in states and Union Territories (UT) respectively, will be established to regulate surrogacy.
The commercial surrogacy, including sale and purchase of human embryo and gametes, ethical surrogacy to Indian married couples, will be prohibited.
- Ratan Tata appointed as the chairman of the advisory council of Mumbai University
Industrialist Ratan Tata is appointed as the chairman of the advisory council of Mumbai University.
Tata was nominated by Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of Universities in the state Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Tata was appointed for his vast experience in education, entrepreneurship and employment creation.
He has navigated the companies to greater heights in India and globally as the head of the Tata Group.
Advisory council:
The appointment of Tata comes under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act 2016 that states the appointment of any eminent industrialist to the council as the chancellor's nominees.
For the first time, the Act makes a provision for the advisory council in the state. The state government plans to form councils in all universities across the state.
The advisory council will provide recommendations and advises the vice-chancellor on reports and action plans academics, research and development (R&D), administration and generation of financial resources. The council will devise a mechanism for the overall monitoring of the university.
Dr. Anil Kakodkar and SujataSaunik, additional chief secretary, Maharashtra government, have been nominated as members for the council.
- IGI Airport ranked highest in duty-free revenue per passenger
Knight Frank India reported that Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport ranked highest in duty-free revenue per passenger at $10-11 per passenger.
Highlights:
The share non-aeronautical revenue of the joint venture airport in New Delhi is at 70%. The global average is 40%.
From this 70%, 34% comes from retail, food and beverage, and duty-free components.
Delhi is the only Indian city to feature in world's top 10 business metro rails.
Noida airport in Jewar will also add significant value and volume to Delhi's transit retail market.
- Marathi to be made compulsory in schools
The Maharashtra state government passed the Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020.
The bill makes Marathi a compulsory subject in all schools across boards, including the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), IB and Cambridge, from the forthcoming academic year.
Bill provisions:
As per the Bill, compulsory teaching of Marathi will be a condition for a school to register or obtain a NOC from the government.
The bill will allow the state government to exempt a student or any class of students from any or all of its provisions.
The state government aims to cover all classes in five years in 2020-21.
Marathi will be compulsory for Class 1 in the primary and for Class 6 in the secondary section. The rule will be extended to the other grades progressively till it becomes compulsory up to Class 10 by 2024-25.
Previously, in 2012, the state government asked schools to teach Marathi up to Class 8. It was not implemented so far.
- Centre lifts the ban on onion
The government decided to lift the ban on the export of onions as the price of onion has been stabilized.
The move will protect the interests of farmers as prices are likely to fall sharply due to a bumper rabi crop.
The decision was approved in a meeting of a Group of Ministers (GOM) headed by Home Minister Amit Shah.
The lifting of ban on onion is expected to be effective. GOM will also discuss whether to reduce or scrap the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onion to facilitate outbound shipments.
- Bihar passed a resolution demanded caste-based 2021 census
The Bihar state assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding a caste-based census in 2021 on 27 February.
The move comes after state assembly passed a resolution stating that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is "not needed in Bihar".
Highlights:
It also emphasized that the state will stick to 2010 proforma for National Population Register (NPR).
The state will add only a new column for transgenders for the census.
Bihar is the second assembly in the country that sought a caste-based census in 2021.
On 8 January 2020, the Maharashtra assembly passed a resolution for caste-based census. The state emphasized that the need for a caste-based census is required in order to increase the percentage of SC/ST and OBC quotas which is currently capped at 5096 as per a Supreme Court verdict.
- PM to distribute Daily Living Aids and Devices to senior citizens and Divyangjan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute Assistive Aids and Devices to Senior Citizens under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) and to Divyangjan under ADIP Scheme at a ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ and a mega distribution Camp organized by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on 29 February 2020.
Highlights:
The event will be the biggest ever distribution camp being conducted under RVY and ADIP schemes.
In the new mega camp, 56905 numbers of daily living Assistive Aids and Devices of different types for various categories will be distributed free of cost among Divyangjan and senior citizens, belonging to the BPL category under RVY Scheme.
The total cost of the value of the aids and assistive devices amounted approximately to Rs.19,37,76,980.
The event will also address the issues of the day-to-day living of the senior citizens and how to generate other avenues for their Socio-economic development.
The major appliances to be distributed include Motorized Tricycle, Tricycle Conventional, Wheelchair, Walking sticks, Brail cane, Artificial Denture, Spectacles, Walker Foldable, Tripod & Tetrapod, MSIED Kit among others.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath will be the Guest of Honour of the function. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, ShriThaawarchandGehlot; Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, ShriKeshav Prasad Maurya; Dr. Dinesh Sharma; Secretary, DEPwD, Smt. Shakuntala D. Gamlin and other senior officers from the Ministry and Government of Uttar Pradesh will be present in the event.
- CAPS-HQ MC Joint Seminar on Challenges of the Evolving Threats Facing India held in New Delhi
A Joint Seminar on the theme "Challenges Of The Evolving Threats Facing India" was held at Air Force Station Tughlakabad, New Delhi.
It was organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) and Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force (MC, IAF) on 25 February.
The event was inaugurated by Air Marshal ShashikerChoudhary AVSM VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, MC IAF.
Highlights:
The seminar hosted three sessions.
The first session focussed on 'Politico-Military Environment with respect to India-China Relations post-Wuhan and Mahabalipuram' and 'India–Pakistan Relations post-Balakot and Abrogation of Article-370'.
The second session covered on ‘New Challenges with respect to Trajectory of China’s Nuclear Weapons Programme& Safeguarding India’s Critical Information Infrastructure,' which was chaired by Dr. ShaliniChawla, Distinguished fellow, CAPS.
The third session was titled 'Capability building at Base Repair Depots and Equipment Depots of the IAF.'
- Centre approves establishment of 80,000 Micro Enterprises under PMEGP
Centre approved the establishment of 80,000 Micro Enterprises to be assisted in the current financial year under the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). The approval was decided in a meeting chaired by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of MSME, and Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister with senior management of all Banks.
The meeting reviewed the key schemes of the Ministry of MSME which generate a large number of jobs with low capital investment. It focused on PMEGP and Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) to generate employment. Discussion to restructure stressed loans due to sector-related problems or issues with the large industries to which they supply was addressed.
PMEGP:
PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme. It promotes self-employment through the setting up of micro-enterprises. Under the scheme, a subsidy up to 35% will be provided by GoI through the Ministry of MSME. The loan can be availed for loans up to Rs.25 lakhs in manufacturing and Rs.10 lakhs in the service sector. No income ceiling for setting up the project under the scheme.
The scheme will generate self-employment opportunities by establishing micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth in rural and urban areas. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is the nodal implementation agency of the scheme at the national level.
- Maharashtra to undertake the genetic study to conserve the native species of cattle
Maharashtra state government has announced that it is to undertake the genetic study to conserve the native species of cattle.
A meeting regarding the approval and initiation of the project on initiating was held in Aurangabad recently.
Project Highlights:
The aim of the move is to conserve the native species of cattle and domesticated animals in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
Under the project, the genetic character/nature of Red Kandhari cow, Deoni bull, Osmanabadi goat, Caravan or Pashmi dogs will be studied. These animals have never been studied at the genetic level before.
The abilities and adaptation capabilities of the native cattle species will be analyzed.
The project will be funded by the Maharashtra state government.
The objective of the project is to help in the conservation of the native species of animals in the region.
The genetic study is significant as the number of breeds like Red Kandhari and Deoni bulls, which are useful for farming purposes, has declined.
- Cabinet approved to accord National Importance status to NIFTS at Kundli, Thanjavur
The Union Cabinet approved to grant the status of National Importance to National Institutes of Food Technology (NIFT) at Kundli, Haryana, and Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, on 26th February.
It was announced by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar.
Benefits:
The approval to grant National Importance status will bring more professionalism and lead to faster growth of these institutes.
The status will lead to improved quality in the institutes.
The Bill to confer the status to the institute will be introduced in Parliament to declare the National Institutes of Food Technology at Kundli and Thanjavur of National Importance.
- Losar festival is celebrated in Himachal Pradesh
Losar festival was celebrated by the Tibetans from 24-26 February. The festival was celebrated in the Dharamshala, Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
The festival is aimed to preserve its unique identity and rich traditions. The festival includes sacred and secular prayers, several ceremonies, rituals, and folk dancing.
Highlights:
The special feature of the festival is the 'Chham Dance.'
During the festival, people prepare famous dishes like the 'Kapse' (cake) and drinks like the 'Chang' (alcoholic beverage).
An occasion of "khepa" is observed, a day before the start of the Losar Festival. On this occasion, people fetch small branches of a thorny bush and keep on the doors of the houses to protect them from evil spirits.
During the festival, the lighting of butter lamps by the lamas, with each lamp signifying Buddha's enlightenment.
History:
Losar is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated in Tibet during its pre-Buddhist period. It was known as the Agrarian Festival. The festival was organized to celebrate the blossoming of the apricot trees.
According to the Tibetan lunar calendar, the lamas decide the date of celebration of Losar Festival. The festival is celebrated on the first day of the New Year. The festival marks the beginning of the winter season in Lahaul and Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The festival is celebrated for 15 days. The main celebrations will be held on the first three days (24-26 February 2020).
- National Science Day is celebrated on 28th February
National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated on 28th February every year to commemorate the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' by the Indian physicist Sir CV Raman.
The main objective of the day is to raise awareness to people about the importance of science in daily life. The day aims to encourage people by popularizing Science and Technology.
The theme of 2020 National Science Day is 'Women in Science'.
Events:
Various activities such as debates, science exhibitions, speeches, quiz competitions, lectures, etc. are organized in all the schools, colleges, universities and other academic institutions across the country.
On this, President Ram NathKovind will confer awards to women scientists for their research achievements at a function at VigyanBhawan, New Delhi.
5 Indian women scientists are to be awarded under SERB Women excellence awards and National Award for Young Woman Showing Excellence.
Sir CV Raman:
Sir CV Raman was born on 7 November 1888, at Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu. In 1904, he obtained a B.Sc degree from the University of Madras and won the gold medal in Physics. In 1907, he got his Master's degree at the University of Madras.
He worked at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata from 1907 to 1933. He did various research on various topics in Physics. On 28 February 1928, Raman and Indian physicist KS Krishnan led an experiment on the scattering of light.
In 1930, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. He then discovered the Raman effect. Raman Effect explains the effect on the scattering of light as it passes through different materials. Raman established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. Raman passed away on 21 November 1970.
- National Protein Day was observed on 27th February (>GK)
National Protein Day was observed on 27 February. The day marks the annual commemorative day to rally Indians towards the mission of protein awareness and sufficiency.
Theme:
The theme of India Protein Day 2020 is #ProteinMeinKyaHai. The theme aims to spread more knowledge about protein. The main objective of the day is to bring about a behavioral change by persuading Indians to eat adequate protein in every meal.
History:
The India Protein day was launched on 27 February 2020 under the Right to Protein, a national-level public health initiative. The day was launched to draw public attention, raise awareness, and educate India on the health benefits of protein. The day is observed in many countries globally.
Right to Protein:
Right to Protein initiative is India's first advocacy program that calls for the right to adequate protein as the core of nutrition for India. The initiative aims to improve the quality and consistency of different types of protein consumed in India. It also aims to lead to greater protein consumption by poultry, livestock, and pisciculture& aquaculture, including fish & shrimp farming.
- PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate UN Conference on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals at Gandhinagar
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
The theme of the Conference is "Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home."
The CMS COP 13 logo is inspired by ‘Kolam’, a traditional art form from southern India.
In the logo, Kolam art form is used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale and marine turtles.
As the host, India will be designated the President for the next three years. India is a signatory to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory wild Animals since 1983.
- Supreme Court says women officers can be given permanent commission in the Army
Supreme Court today (17th February, 2020) directed the Centre to grant permanent commission to all women officers who opt for it in the Army within three months. It said there will not be any bar on giving them command postings. A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud rejected the Centre's argument of physiological limitations and social norms for denying them permanent commission and command postings, saying it is disturbing. The Court also observed that women officers will be eligible for command posts and that barring women in the army from such posts was irrational and against the Right to Equality.
The bench said women officers in the past have brought laurels to the country and change of mindset is required on the part of the government to put an end to gender bias in armed forces.
The apex court said that despite there being no stay on the 2010 Delhi High Court verdict allowing grant of permanent commission to women officers, the Centre showed little regard in implementing the directive in past one decade.
Women officers in the army have expressed delight at the judgement, calling it progressive and historical.
- CDS Gen Bipin Rawat announces plan to create Peninsula Command
Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat today (17th February, 2020) said there are plans to create a Peninsula Command with Navy’s Eastern and Western Command under it.
General Rawat said India is looking at setting up two to five theatre commands. He said Air Defence command will be rolled out by beginning of next year and peninsula command will be rolled out soon. He also said that India may have a separate Jammu and Kashmir theatre but the shape would be finalized later. He added that India is also working on separate joint commands for logistics and training.
He informed that a study has been ordered under the Air Force Vice Chief, on the Air Defence Command, which will be helpful in avoiding fratricides and timely implementation of orders in case of aerial attacks. General Bipin Rawat added that the shape of different theatre commands would be clear after the studies to be ordered in this regard are completed. He said India is looking at overseas bases for logistics.
- Draft of National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 soon be sent to key ministries for comment
The draft of National Cyber Security Strategy 2020, that envisages creating a secure cyberspace in India, is ready and will soon be sent to key ministries for comments before seeking the Cabinet approval.
There is need to create separate cadre of cyber security specialists from IT personnel because those who roll out IT infrastructure are generally unable to detect the flaws.
Trials are also going on to use face or iris recognition before processing of payments through mobile phone.
India is actively walking towards a National Cyber Security Policy which is imperative for the goal of a 5 trillion dollar economy.
- 22nd Ethnologue: Hindi ranks 3rd, Bangla 7th most spoken language in the World
Hindi has been ranked as third and Bangla ranked as the seventh most spoken language of the world in 2019.
The 22nd edition of the world language database Ethnologue stated that Hindi comes at third position with 615 million speakers and Bangla has 228 million native speakers that making it the seventh-largest spoken language of the world.
Ethnologue brings out a yearly database of living languages of the world since its establishment in 1951. The current round of the database covers 7,111 living languages of the world.
The latest report places English at the top of the list with 1,132 million speakers. Chines Mandarin is at second position with 1117 million speakers.
Sylheti and Chittagaonian languages spoken in Sylhet and Chittagong regions of Bangladesh are separately counted as languages. Chittagonian language has 13 million speakers and it is placed at 88th position while Sylheti was ranked at 97th with 11.8 million speakers.
In addition to living languages, Ethnologue also contains data on languages that have gone out of use in recent history. This edition lists 348 such languages.
- Soil Health Card Scheme to complete five years tomorrow (19 Feb)
The ambitious Soil Health Card Scheme is completing five years tomorrow (19th February, 2020). The scheme was launched in 2015 to assess the nutrient status of every farm holding in the country.
The objectives of the scheme are to issue Soil Health Cards to farmers every two years so as to provide a basis to address nutritional deficiencies in fertilization practices.
Soil Health Card provides information to farmers on the nutrient status of their soil along with recommendations on the appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.
From 2015 to 2017, over 10 crores Soil Health Cards were distributed to farmers in the first phase. In the second phase, over 11 crore cards have been distributed to farmers across the country.
- AP government to set up 30 Skill Development Centres
With an objective to make Andhra Pradesh a ‘skill development’ hub and impart training for youth to make them better employable, the YSRC government has decided to set up 30 Skill Development Centres in the State and a centralised monitoring system for those SDCs.
It was also decided to set up a high-end skill centre for information technology in Visakhapatnam. With a financial closure of 45 days, construction of all these SDCs will be completed within a year.
The Chief Minister directed officials to set up one SDC each in every Parliamentary constituency in the State, which has 25 segments. Four centres will be set up in collaboration with the four IIITs and one centre will be attached to Pulivendula JNTU. After witnessing the performance of these centres, the future expansion plans will be made.
The proposed high-end skill development centre in Visakhapatnam is aimed at fostering the IT sector. Such centres will be established in Central Andhra and Rayalaseema regions later. A committee will be set up for taking skill development forward in the State.
- AP CM Jagan to launch hospital Nadu-Nedu in Kurnool today (18 Feb)
‘Nadu - Nedu’ (Now and then) in hospitals, a scheme initiated by the State government to upgrade facilities in government hospitals for ensuring quality medical treatment to patients, will be launched by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Kurnool on 18th February, 2020.
The government plans to spend `11,737 crore for the implementation of Nadu-Nedu in hospitals in three phases in the next three years.
Besides upgrading the infrastructure in the existing hospitals, the government has also decided to construct new hospitals wherever required.
In the first phase, the government will spend `1,129 crore for setting up 7,548 Health and Wellness centres (sub-centres). While 1,086 sub-centres are located in government buildings, another 1,084 are in Primary Health Centres and there is need to construct another 4,906 health sub centres. Each building, to come up in an area of 888 sqft, will have a staff quarter, bedroom, kitchen and toilet, diagnostic laboratory, clinic and medical equipment and required furniture. A sum of `23 lakh will be spent on each health sub centre.
In the second phase, the government will focus on strengthening the Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and Area Hospitals, besides constructing additional hospitals, if required. It is estimated to spend `1,907 crore under the second phase.In the third and final phase, the government will spend `8,701 crore for taking a mammoth exercise of strengthening the District Hospitals and Teaching Hospitals and construction of superspeciality hospitals, medical and nursing colleges.
- Custody battle: Supreme Court says child is always the loser
The Supreme Court on 18th February, 2020 sought to remind that irrespective of which party wins in a custody battle, “the child is always the loser”.
Hearing one such matter where the parents had been unable to come to terms over the custody of their two children, a bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and Ajay Rastogi said in such cases, “it is the children who pay the heaviest price as they are shattered when the court by its judicial process tells them to go with the parent whom he or she deems fit”.
The court said that “the rights of the child need to be respected as he/she is entitled to the love of both the parents” and underlined that a breakdown of marriage “does not signify the end of parental responsibility”.
It is well established in law that while deciding a custody dispute, “primary and paramount consideration is always the welfare of the child”.
The courts should decide the issue of custody on a paramount consideration which is in the best interest of the child who is the victim in the custody battle,” the bench ruled.
In the case, the apex court noted that the Delhi High Court made an attempt to effect a settlement.
The judgment also noted that the Supreme Court too had time and again made efforts “to resolve these disputes amicably sitting across the table but unfortunately the ego of the warring parents come forward and the sufferings of the children are shadowed”.
- Shree Ram janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust to hold first meeting in New Delhi
The first meeting of the Shree Ram janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on 19th February, 2020. The trust is mandated by the Central Government to complete the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya.
In the meeting, the trust is likely to finalise the date for starting the construction of the temple. The 15-member trust has religious as well as civilian members among others.
- Election Commission holds discussions on various issues of electoral reform with Law and Justice Ministry
Election Commission discussed the various issues of electoral reform with the Law and Justice Ministry.
During the meeting, more than one qualification date in a year for becoming elector, Aadhar linkage with the electoral roll, paid news, a false affidavit as electoral offense and corrupt practice were discussed. Issues related to covering print media and social media intermediaries under the Representation of the People Act were also discussed.
- IDSA to be renamed as Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses
Union Government has decided to rename the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, IDSA as Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The decision has been taken to honour the commitment and legacy of late Manohar Parrikar. It will align the vision and aspiration of the premier defence institute with the contribution of the former Defence Minister and Padma Bhushan awardee.
An epitome of integrity and dedication in public life, throughout his career, late Manohar Parrikar showed a tremendous fighting spirit, taking on the odds with fearlessness.
He was Defence Minister from 9th November 2014 to 14th March 2017 and steered the Ministry through the tough challenges of attacks like Pathankot and Uri and responded to these with exemplary boldness.
During his tenure as Defence Minister, India witnessed a series of decisions that enhanced India's security capacities, boosted indigenous defence production and bettered the lives of ex-servicemen. His biggest contribution was towards the implementation of long-standing One Rank, One Pension, OROP demand for the Armed Forces. He initiated major military reforms with the objective of having better teeth-to-tail ratio by setting up an expert committee under Lieutenant General (Retd.) D B Shekatkar for enhancing combat capability and rebalancing defence expenditure.
About IDSA:
An autonomous body under Ministry of Defence, IDSA was established as a registered society in New Delhi in 1965, dedicated to objective research and policy relevant studies on all aspects of defence and security.
Its aim is to promote national and international security through the generation and dissemination of knowledge on defence and security-related issues. To achieve its goals, the institute undertakes scholarly research, policy-oriented research, dissemination of research findings, training and capacity building and public education.
Research at the Institute is driven by a comprehensive agenda and the need to provide impartial analysis and policy recommendations.
Since its inception, IDSA has served as a forum to debate important aspects of national and international security. The institute conducts several national and international conferences every year and regularly holds round tables and workshops on important developments.
- Union Cabinet approves constitution of 22nd Law Commission of India
Union Cabinet approved the constitution of the Twenty-second Law Commission of India. The commission will function for a period of three years from its date of official constitution.
The Commission will give recommendations on different aspects of law which are entrusted to it.
It shall also undertake studies and research for bringing reforms in the justice delivery systems for elimination of delay in procedures and speedy disposal of cases among others.
Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government from time to time. The tenure of the twenty-first Law Commission ended in August 2018.
- Cabinet approves constitution of empowered Technology Group
Cabinet has approved the constitution of an empowered Technology Group which will advise the Government on priorities and strategies for research on emerging technologies across sectors.
The group intends to ensure that India has appropriate policies and strategies for effective, secure and context-sensitive exploitation of the latest technologies for economic growth and sustainable development of the Indian Industry.
This Group is mandated to render timely policy advice on the latest technologies, mapping of technology and technology products, commercialization of dual-use technologies developed in national laboratories and government Research and Development.
- Cabinet approves phase two of Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen
Union Cabinet has approved the Phase- 2 of the Swachh Bharat Mission, Grameen till 2024-25, which will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus).
The program will work towards ensuring that no one is left behind and everyone uses a toilet.
The phase-2 of the mission will be implemented in a mission mode with a total estimated budgeted financial implication of 52 thousand 497 crore rupees.
The ODF Plus programme will also converge with MGNREGA, especially for grey water management and will also complement the newly launched Jal Jeevan Mission.
More than 10 crore individual toilets have been constructed since the launch of the mission.
- Cabinet approves the Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill 2020
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved a historic Bill for the welfare of Women in the Country – the Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill 2020.
This follows the introduction in Parliament of the Surrogacy Regulation Bill 2020, and the approval of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill 2020. These legislative measures are path breaking steps to protect women’s reproductive rights.
Once the Bill is enacted by the Parliament, the Central Government shall notify the date of the commencement of the Act. Consequently, the National Board will be constituted.
The National Board shall lay down code of conduct to be observed by persons working at clinics, to set the minimum standards of physical infrastructure, laboratory and diagnostic equipment and expert manpower to be employed by clinics and banks.
The States and Union Territories shall constitute the State Boards and State Authorities within three months of the notification by the Central Government.
The State Board shall have the responsibility to follow the policies and plans laid by the National Board for clinics and Banks in the State.
The Bill also provides for National Registry and Registration Authority to maintain a Central database and assist the National Board in its functioning. The Bill also proposes for a stringent punishment for those practising sex selections, sale of human embryos or gametes, running agencies/rackets/organisations for such unlawful practices.
- Cabinet approves Revamping of "PMFBY" and "RWBCIS"
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved revamping of "Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)" and "Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)" to address the existing challenges in implementation of Crop Insurance Schemes.
It is proposed to modify certain parameters/provisions of ongoing schemes of PMFBY and RWBCIS as under:
- Allocation of business to Insurance Companies to be done for three years (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- Option shall be given to States/UTs to choose Scale of Finance or district level Value of Notional Average Yield (NAY) i.e. NAY* Minimum Support Price (MSP) as Sum Insured for any district crop combination (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS). Farm gate price will be considered for the other crops for which MSP is not declared.
- Central Subsidy under PMFBY/RWBCIS to be limited for premium rates upto 30% for unirrigated areas/crops and 25% for irrigated areas/crops. Districts having 50% or more irrigated area will be considered as irrigated area/district (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- Flexibility to States/UTs to implement the Scheme with option to select any or many of additional risk covers/features like prevented sowing, localised calamity, mid-season adversity, and post-harvest losses. Further, States/UT can offer specific single peril risk/insurance covers, like hailstorm etc, under PMFBY even with or without opting for base cover (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- States not to be allowed to implement the Scheme in subsequent Seasons in case of considerable delay by States in release of requisite Premium Subsidy to concerned Insurance Companies beyond a prescribed time limit. Cut-off dates for invoking this provision for Kharifand Rabi seasons will be 31st March and 30th September of successive years respectively (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- For estimation of crop losses/admissible claims, two-Step Process to be adopted based on defined Deviation matrix" using specific triggers like weather indicators, satellite indicators, etc. for each area along with normal ranges and deviation ranges. Only areas with deviations will be subject to Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) for assessment of yield loss (PMFBY).
- Technology solutions like Smart Sampling Technique (SST) and optimization of number of CCEs to be adopted in conducting CCEs (PMFBY).
- In case of non-provision of yield data beyond cut-off date by the States to implementing Insurance Companies, claims to be settled based on yield arrived through use of Technology solution (PMFBY alone).
- Enrolment under the Scheme to be made voluntary for all farmers (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- Central Share in Premium Subsidy to be increased to 90% for North Eastern States from the existing sharing pattern of 50:50 (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- Provisioning of at least 3% of the total allocation for the Scheme to be made by Government of India and Implementing State Governments for administrative expenses. This shall be subject to an upper cap fixed by DAC&FW for each State (Both PMFBY/RWBCIS).
- Besides above, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare in consultation with other stakeholders/agencies will prepare/develop State specific, alternative risk mitigation programme for crops/areas having high rate of premium. Further, as the scheme is being made voluntary for all farmers, therefore, to provide financial support and effective risk mitigation tools through crop insurance especially to 151 districts which are highly water stressed including 29 which are doubly stressed because of low income of farmers and drought, a separate, scheme in this regard would also be prepared.
- The concerned provisions/parameters of scheme and operational guidelines of the PMFBY and RWBCIS shall be modified to incorporate the above said modifications and shall be made operational from Kharif 2020 season.
- Cabinet approves Elevation of BISAG as BISAG (N) under MEITY, Government of India
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved Elevation of Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG), Gujarat as Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG (N)) under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY), Government of India.
Benefits
- To maintain efficiency and innovation of services, the current skilled manpower working at BISAG may join the national level institute on as-is and where-is basis.
- To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities
- To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities and efficient rollout of GIS projects.
- To facilitate implementation of expanded scope of activities, aid research & development and technology development.
- Facilitate development planning and good governance through spatial decision support systems.
- Government to set up Central Consumer Protection Authority by first week of April
Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has said the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will be set up by the first week of April, 2020.
The CCPA to be set up under Consumer Protection Act 2019, will address issues related to consumer rights, unfair trade practices, misleading advertisements and impose penalties for selling spurious and adulterated products.
An investigative wing will be formed under the aegis of the authority and it will carry out inquiries in matters related to unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. He also said the rules related to Consumer Protection Act will be finalized within one and half months.
The Minister asserted that protecting the interest of consumers is paramount for the government
It is also stressed on the need to regulate e-commerce and direct selling as there is no regulatory body for these sectors right now.
- Around 300 rural clusters developed under Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission
Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission is completing four years. It was launched by Prime minister NarendraModi from Kurubhat in Rajnandgaon District of Chhattisgarh on 21st February 2016.
It aims at developing clusters in all States and Union Territories which would trigger overall development in the region.
The objective is to give a boost to economic activities, skill development and infrastructure amenities in the regions.
At the launch ceremony, the Prime Minister had asserted that the mission is intended to make Indian villages as smart villages. Around 300 rural clusters developed under Shyama Prasad Mukherji National Rurban Mission.
These clusters are being developed by provisioning of economic activities, developing skills and local entrepreneurship and providing infrastructure amenities.
Spurred by the success of Rurban clusters, NITI Aayog has proposed a new and extended programme for over 1,000 clusters in next three years.
15 clusters in Jharkhand have been selected under Phase 3 of Rurban Mission which includes Saradu cluster under Tandwa block of Chatra district.
The Central government in coordination with the district administration has taken measures to bring about multi-layered phased development of the rural gram panchayats and villages on the lines of urban cities with proper civic amenities keeping the soul of villages intact.
- Department of Telecommunications launches '5G Hackathon'
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched ‘5G Hackathon’ in association with government, academia and industry stakeholders.
Aimed at short-listing India's focused cutting edge ideas that can be converted into workable 5G products and solutions, the Hackathon that began will be spread across three phases.
The 5G technology provides quantum leap over 4G in terms of speed, peak data rate, latency, spectrum- efficiency and connection density.
The Hackathon will convert innovating ideas into products and solutions in different verticals and develop India specific use cases around 5G. The 5G Hackathon is open to developers, students, start-ups, SMEs, academic institutions, registered companies in India and NRIs.
Stakeholders can participate as individuals or as a team to present use cases for the 5G network in the Indian context.
- GSI discovers gold deposits of over 3,000 tonnes in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered gold deposits to the tune of around 3,000 tonnes in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, almost five times India's current reserve of the yellow metal. District Mining Officer K.K. Rai said the gold deposits were found in Son Pahadi and Hardi areas.
Work on finding gold reserves in Sonbhadra was started almost two decades back in 1992-93 by the GSI, he said, adding that auctioning of these blocks through e-tendering would start soon.
The deposits in Son Pahadi area estimated to be around 2,943.26 tonnes, while that at Hardi block is around 646.16 kilograms.
Besides gold, some other minerals have also been found in the area.
- Centre reiterates convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case cannot be released without its approval
The Centre has reiterated its stand in the Madras High Court that the convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case cannot be released without its approval.
The Additional Solicitor General, ASG, Mr. G. Rajagopalan said the state cabinet recommendation will have zero-effect without the Centre’s consent. He also referred to the apex court order in a case filed earlier by the convicts which says the Centre’s concurrence for their release is necessary as the case was investigated by the CBI.
The State Public Prosecutor A. Natarajan also agreed with the Additional Solicitor General saying, some of the offences by the accused come under the Central Act and therefore, any commutation or remission of sentences requires the Centre’s permission. Meanwhile, the counsel for Ms. Nalini contended that the resolution passed by the State Council of Ministers in September 2018 for the release of the convicts was binding on the Governor.
To this, the ASG said the Cabinet resolution is only of the nature of a recommendation to the Governor.
- National Deworming Day: Children, adolescents to receive single dose of Albendazole on 10th Feb 2020
The National Deworming Day (NDD) is being observed across the country today. Children and adolescents in the age group of 1-19 years will be administered single dose of a safe medicine Albendazole in all states and Union Territories on the occasion.
Organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the objective of the day is to deworm children and adolescents to reduce the prevalence of parasitic worms in the intestine. It ensures that the worms are no longer a public health problem.
Albendazole tablet also takes care of children's nutritional requirement.
- National Conference on e-Governance 2020 concluded
The National Conference on e-Governance 2020 concluded in Mumbai yesterday with deliberations on transforming governance using digital technologies. In the keynote address at the valedictory session, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that e-Governance is the key to the future of India's developmental journey.
The minister stated that whether it is e-NAM or Ayushman Bharat, e-Governance is essential to good governance. The Mumbai Declaration on e-Governance was unanimously adopted on a concluding day.
In recognition of excellence in the implementation of e-Governance initiatives, the National e-Governance Awards 2020 were presented at the valedictory session.
- Tamil Nadu govt decides to declare Cauvery Delta Region as protected special agricultural zone
The Cauvery Delta Region in the state will be declared a protected special agricultural zone.
The foundation stone for what is touted as Asia’s largest livestock farm at Thalaivasal village near his hometown Salem yesterday.
The legal team to bring a special law to make the Delta region a protected zone.
- Supreme Court Upholds Changes to Sc/St Atrocities Law
Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act 2018.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, upheld the amended Act, which said neither is a preliminary inquiry required before lodging an FIR under the Act nor is approval needed from higher authorities for arrests.
The amendment also restores the unconditional ban on the grant of anticipatory bail put in place by the March 2018 judgement of the apex court. The bench had reserved the order on 3rd October.
- Directorate General of Training (DGT) proposed to issue digital 'E-Credentials/E-Certificates'
Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship proposes to issue digital ‘e-Credentials / e-Certificates' which are freely portable for candidates and easily verifiable at scale by employers and job matching platforms but continue to allow print and other visual forms for human consumption. This would enable candidates to verifiably state their skill levels with a high degree of trust in authenticity to aggregators, matchers, and employers. Now in the DGT ecosystem, all the certificates are ‘e-Certificates’, digitally signed.
e-Credentials are an electronic scheme-based standard for describing credentials data in a machine-readable format (JSON-LD representation of RDFa- Resource Description Framework, a web standard) along with its printable human-friendly version to make credential exchange between digital agents open and reliable. Certificates issued according to this specification can be aligned to one or more educational standards. They are secured using digital signatures. These will also be pushed in DigiLocker.
- Supreme Court frames 7 questions on Religious Rights
The Supreme Court on 10 February, 2020 held that its five-judge Bench can refer questions of law to a larger Bench while exercising its limited power under review-jurisdiction in the Sabarimala case.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde framed seven questions to be heard by a nine-judge Constitutional Bench on issues relating to freedom of religion under the Constitution and faith.
The seven questions framed by the Bench include those on the scope and ambit of religious freedom, and the interplay between religious freedom and freedom of beliefs of religious denominations.
These are
- What is the scope and ambit of religious freedom under Article 25 of the Constitution?
- What is the interplay between religious freedom and rights of religious denominations under Article 26 of the Constitution?
- Whether religious denominations are subject to fundamental rights?
- What is the definition of ‘morality’ used in Articles 25 and 26?
- What is the ambit and scope of judicial review of Article 25?
- What is the meaning of the phrase “sections of Hindus under Article 25 (2)(b)?
- Whether a person not belonging to a religious group can question the practices, beliefs of that group in a PIL petition?
- India’s 1st novel coronavirus patient tested negative in fresh test
In a sign of relief to Kerala, India's first novel coronavirus patient has tested negative for the infection in fresh test at the National Institute of Virology's local centre in Alapuzha. Her condition is stable.
However, an official announcement on the 'recovery' of the patient would be made only after her blood test result from NIV at Pune confirm the findings of the Alappuzha centre. Around 3367 patients are under observation in the State presently. As no fresh case of corona infection had been reported since Feb 3 the State calamity was withdrawn last week.
- World Population Prospects 2019 Report; India to surpass China by 2027
The population of India is expected to exceed that of China around 2027as per World Population Prospects 2019 Report.
As per Census 2011, the country’s Decadal Growth Rate was 17.7%; Andhra Pradesh decadal growth is 11.0%
The Government conducts periodic surveys viz. the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and the Sample Registration System (SRS) to study the impact of various awareness programmes being conducted.
The key findings of the surveys are as follows:
- The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined from 2.9 in 2005 to 2.2 in 2017 (SRS).
- The Wanted Fertility Rate has declined from 1.9 in NFHS III to 1.8 in NFHS IV.
- The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has declined from 23.8 to 20.2 from 2005 to 2017 (SRS).
- The Teenage Birth Rate has halved from 16% (NFHS III) to 8% (NFHS IV).
- 99.5 percent currently married men and women have knowledge about any modern method of contraception (NFHS IV).
- Steps Taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs for Police Modernization
While ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State Subject as per schedule VII to the constitution of India, in order to supplement the efforts of the States for equipping and modernizing of their police forces, under the scheme of ‘Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police’ {erstwhile scheme of Modernisation of Police Force (MPF)}, the States have been provided central assistance for training gadgets, advanced communication, police buildings, police housing, mobility, and forensic equipment etc. as per the proposals of the State Governments in accordance with their strategic priorities and requirements.
The Union Government has created an all India digital network –Crime & Criminal Tracking Networking System (CCTNS) in 15152 out of 15985 police stations of the country which has digitised police processes like registering complaints, FIRs, Investigation details, etc. 100% FIRs are being recorded in 14,992 police stations.
In addition, the Government has launched Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) which integrates the process of speedy justice by facilitating data-exchange between the courts, police, prosecution, jails and the forensic laboratories.
With a view to achieve the objectives of completion of police investigation within two months of filing FIR by police for sexual assaults, Government has facilitated monitoring of timelines in police investigation through the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) Portal, using CCTNS data. ITSSO is available to law enforcement agencies and gives details on pending cases.
The Government has also launched a National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO) for law enforcement officers. NDSO allows tracking of repeat and habitual sex offenders as well as initiate preventive measures against sexual offences. A cyber crime portal is also functional.
- Cabinet approves changes in 'Vivad se Vishwas Bill'; gives nod to capital infusion in 3 Insurance cos
Union Cabinet approved changes in the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Bill, 2020.
It seeks to increase its scope to cover litigations pending in various debt recovery tribunals (DRTs). The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier this month.
It was proposed to cover tax disputes pending in Income Tax Appellate Tribunals, High Courts and the Supreme Court. It has been decided to cover disputes pending in DRTs also.
In another decision, the Cabinet has given its in-principle approval for capital infusion of 2,500crore rupees in three Public Sector General Insurance Companies. They are Oriental Insurance Company, National Insurance Company and United India Insurance Company. The decision has been taken in the wake of the critical financial position and breach of regulatory solvency requirements of these companies.
- Cabinet approves Pesticide management bill 2020
Union Cabinet has approved the Pesticide Management Bill 2020. The Bill is aimed at protecting the interest of farmers by ensuring that they get safe and effective pesticides. The legislation will promote organic pesticides in the country.
In February 2018, the Centre released a draft of the pesticides Bill that aims to replace the existing Insecticides Act of 1968. A key proposal in the 2018 version of the Bill was to raise penalties on the sale of prohibited or spurious pesticides to Rs.50 lakh and up to five years’ imprisonment, from the current ?2,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.
- Cabinet approves Major Ports Authority bill 2020
The Union Cabinet also cleared the Major Ports Authority Bill to enhance the overall efficiency of the ports. The legislation will be introduced in the second part of the Budget session of Parliament.
- Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 amended to make arbitration process user friendly
The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 was amended by the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Act, 2015 in order to make arbitration process user-friendly, cost-effective and ensure speedy disposal and neutrality of arbitrators.
The Amendment Act seeks to a new Part to the Act of 1996 for the establishment and incorporation of an independent body namely, the Arbitration Council of India (ACI) for the purpose of grading of arbitral institutions and accreditation of arbitrators, etc.
Composition:
As per the Act, ACI will be headed by a Chairperson, who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court or an eminent person, having special knowledge and experience in the conduct or administration of arbitration, to be appointed by the Centre in consultation with the Chief Justice of India. Besides, it will also have two Full-time Members from amongst eminent arbitration practitioners and academicians. In addition, one representative of a recognized body of commerce and industry shall be nominated on a rotational basis as a Part-time Member. The Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Secretary Department of Expenditure and Chief Executive Officer, ACI will be ex-officio Members.
Section 43M of the Act provides for the Secretariat to the Council consisting of such number of officers and employees as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
In this regard, the Department of Legal Affairs has prepared the draft Rules. These are, the Arbitration Council of India (the Salary, Allowances and other Terms and Conditions of Chairperson and Members) Rules, 2020, The Arbitration Council of India (the Travelling and other Allowances payable to Part-time Member) Rules, 2020, the Arbitration Council of India (the Qualifications, Appointment and other Terms and Conditions of the service of the Chief Executive Officer) Rules 2020, the Arbitration Council of India (the Number of Officers and Employees of the Secretariat of the Council and the qualifications, appointment and other terms and conditions of the officers and employees of the Council) Rules 2020.
- State government likely to set up IT concept city at Bhogapuram
With no space left for allotment to new investors, the State government is mulling development of an IT concept city, the first of its kind at Bhogapuram, about 45 km from vizag.
The proposal assumes significance in the wake of the government’s decision to set up Executive capital in Visakhapatnam.
A Greenfield international airport is also coming up at Bhogapuram, which is located in Vizianagaram district.
- Supreme Court directs political parties to publish details of pending criminal cases against candidates
The Supreme Court directed political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls.
While pronouncing an order on a contempt plea raising the issue of criminalization of politics, a bench headed by Justice F Nariman said, it appears that there has been an alarming increase in criminalization of politics in the last four general elections.
The Apex court directed political parties to upload reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases on their website.
The top court also asked political parties to publish these details on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and in one local vernacular and one national newspaper.
It also asked political parties to submit a compliance report to the Election Commission within 72 hours of selecting candidates having pending criminal cases against them.
- Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi renamed as Sushma Swaraj Bhawan
Government has decided to rename Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi as Sushma Swaraj Bhawan and Foreign Service Institute in the national capital as Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.
It is solemn tribute to the invaluable contribution of Mrs. Swaraj to Indian diplomacy, the cause of the Indian diaspora and the ethos of public service.
During her four decade long career, Sushma Swaraj was elected to the Lok Sabha four times and thrice to Rajya Sabha. She served as Minister for External Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, Parliamentary Affairs, Health and Family Welfare. She also served as Leader of Opposition in the Lower House. Ms Swaraj also served as Chief Minister of Delhi and also a Minister in the Haryana Government.
- Conference on Combating Drug Trafficking for BIMSTEC partner nations in New Delhi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate a two-day Conference on Combating Drug Trafficking for BIMSTEC Partner Nations in New Delhi.
The conference is being organized by Narcotics Control Bureau. This platform will provide an opportunity to all the member nations to deliberate on the increased threats posed by drug trafficking.
Asian countries are increasingly being affected by drug trafficking and BIMSTEC is one of the most effective platforms to tackle this global threat.
The BIMSTEC is a regional organization comprising seven Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand besides India.
- IRCTC starts booking of ticket for third corporate train Kashi Mahakal Express
Indian Railway’s PSU IRCTC has started booking of ticket for the third corporate train Kashi Mahakal Express. This train will run between Varanasi and Indore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the train from Varanasi on Monday. DRM Northern Railways Sanjay Tripathi told that routine continuous commercial runs will start from 20th February, 2020.
- Ek Bharath Shrestha Bharath programme
Union Territory of Ladakh and Tamil Naidu have been paired under the Ek Bharath Shrestha Bharath programme. UT administration of Art, Culture and Languages Academy has organized a cultural exchange programme with the pair State Tamil Naidu.
Ladakh has a unique cultural Identity and to showcase the rich and composite culture aspect of Ladakh, UT Administration of Art, Culture and Language Academy Leh under the Ek Bhart Shrestha Bhart programme have organized culture trip to Tamil Naidu.
- Delhi, Sikkim paired under Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat programme
National Capital Delhi has been paired with Sikkim under Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat programme.
Resident Commissioner of Sikkim in Delhi Ashwani Kumar Chand said, since 2017, selected Students and Teachers of both states are visiting each other under the programme. He said cultural exchanges are taking place from time to time in Sikkim and Delhi with food festivals, dance festivals etc.
With people to people contact, the Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat initiative has strengthened the bond between Delhi and Sikkim a sense of oneness in the country.
- Defence Budget 2020-21
The Union Budget for the financial year 2020-21, presented by Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on February 01, 2020, envisaged a total outlay of Rs 30,42,230 crore. Out of this, Rs 3,37,553 crore has been allocated for Defence (excluding Defence Pension).
For Defence Pension, an amount of Rs 1,33,825 crore has been provided in Budget Estimates 2020-21. There is an increase of Rs 40,367.21 crore in the total Defence allocations (Rs 4,71,378 crore) including Defense Pension over the financial year 2019-20. Total defence budget accounts for 15.49 per cent of the total central government expenditure for the year 2020-21.
The allocation of Rs 4,71,378 crore represents a growth of 9.37 per cent over Budget Estimates (Rs 4,31,010.79 crore) for the financial year 2019-20.
Out of Rs 3,37,553 crore allocated for the financial year 2020-21, Rs 2,18,998 crore is for the Revenue (Net) expenditure and Rs 1,18,555 crore is for capital expenditure for the Defence Services and the Organisations/Departments under Ministry of Defence. The amount of Rs 1,18,555 crore allocated for capital expenditure includes modernisation related expenditure.
- Rs 69,000 crore provided for Health Care in Union Budget 2020-21
In order to achieve the holistic vision of health care that translate wellness of the citizen, about Rs. 69,000 crore have been provided for health care in Union Budget 2020-21. It includes Rs. 6400 crores for Prime Minister Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
Presently, under PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) there are more than 20,000 empanelled hospitals. We need more in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities for poorer people under this scheme. It is proposed to set up Viability Gap funding window for setting up hospitals in the PPP mode.
In the first phase, those Aspirational Districts will be covered, where presently there are no Ayushman empanelled hospitals. This would also provide large scale employment opportunities to youth. Proceeds from taxes on medical devices would be used to support this vital health infrastructure”.
The health authorities and the medical fraternity can target disease with an appropriately designed preventive regime using machine learning and AI, in the Ayushman Bharat scheme., “TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign has been launched. It is proposed to strengthen these efforts towards our commitment to end Tuberculosis by 2025”.
The Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs also announced to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendra Scheme to all districts offering 2000 medicines and 300 surgicals by 2024.
- Budget 2020 aims for welfare of all citizens
Rs 35,600 Crore outlay for nutrition-related Programmes for 2020-21
Rs 28,600 Crore allocated for programs specific to Women
Gross Enrolment Ratio of Girls exceeds that of Boys across all levels of education
Rs 85,000 Crore outlay for welfare of Scheduled Castes and other Backward Classes for 2020-21
Rs 53,700 Crore allocated for welfare of scheduled tribes for 2020-21
Rs 9500 Crore outlay for welfare of senior citizens and DIVYANG for 2020-21
Task force to be appointed to examine issue about age of girl entering motherhood.
- Supreme Court asks states to issue notification for 'Gram Nyayalayas'
The Supreme Court has directed the states, which are yet come out with notifications for establishing Gram Nyayalayas, to do so within four weeks. The apex court also asked the high court’s to expedite the process of consultation with state governments on this issue.
A bench headed by Justice N V Ramana also took into account the fact that several states have issued notifications for establishing Gram Nyayalayas but all of them were not functioning except in Kerala, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
The bench noted that states like Gujarat, Haryana, Telangana, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha have not yet filed their affidavits on this issue despite the apex court's last year direction.
The apex court had in September, 2019 agreed to hear a plea seeking a direction to the Centre and all states for taking steps to set up Gram Nyayalayas under the supervision and monitoring of the top court.
An Act passed by Parliament in 2008 provided for setting up of Gram Nyayalayas at the grassroots level for providing access to justice to citizens at the doorstep.
- Union government sets target of 30km of highways a day in current fiscal
Union Government has set the target for construction of highways about 30 kilometers per day in the current fiscal.
The average construction of Highways is 25.23 kilometers per day till December in 2019-20 whereas it was 24.37 kilometers per day during the corresponding period in 2018-19.
A total of two thousand one hundred 55 kilometers length of roads have been built in the first three months of the current financial year as compared to two thousand three hundred 51 kilometers in the corresponding period last year.
- More than one crore 40 lakh FASTags issued so far
More than one crore 40 lakh FASTags have been issued to the vehicle owners and around one lakh FASTags are being issued on a daily basis.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha that waiting time in the dedicated FASTag lanes has significantly reduced and it will further reduce in the future with the adoption of FASTag by non-FASTag vehicles.
As per the government mandate, all fee lanes except one lane in each direction are to be declared as dedicated FASTag lane of the fee plaza.
- Union Cabinet decides to set up trust for construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya
Union Cabinet has decided to set up a trust for the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya. An announcement to this effect was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha on 4 February, 2020.
The trust has been named as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Shetra. The land of around 67.703 acre will be transferred to the trust for the purpose.
Uttar Pradesh government has agreed to give five acres of land to the Sunni Wakf Board as directed by the Supreme Court in Ayodhya matter.
Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Shetra can take decision independently for the construction of the temple.
Development must take place for every member of the family and his government is moving forward with 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas' policy so that everyone is happy.
- One country, One tax, One ration card to be a reality soon: PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that One country, One tax and One ration card will be a reality soon. Addressing an election rally in Delhi.
The Government is committed towards introducing one ration card system in the national capital as well which will benefit lakhs of migrants who have relocated to Delhi in search of better jobs and opportunities.
People in many states are already using this facility but due to the non-cooperation of the AAP government in Delhi many Government schemes cannot be implemented in the National Capital.
Raising a concern about non-implementation of core central government schemes in Delhi like Ayushman Bharat, PM-Awas and PM-Kisan Samman, Prime Minister Modi said that the people in other states are already utilizing benefits of such social schemes.
- Vivad Se Vishwas Bill to ease compliance by taxpayers tabled in Lok Sabha
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today (5 February, 2020) introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha, The Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill 2020, to provide for the resolution of the disputed tax.
The Bill was allowed to be presented in the Lok Sabha after stiff opposition from the Congress members Adhir Ranjan Chaudhury and Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
Dr. Tharoor also opposed that by introducing this bill, the government’s fiscal collection will come down.
The bill was allowed to be introduced by voice vote after the Finance minister assured the house that the bill was aimed only to ease the taxpayer who was otherwise needed to go to court to defend his case, the government has brought a structured and formula-based solution to the dispute.
- Cabinet approves to confer the status of Institution of National Importance to five IIITs
The Union Cabinet on 5 February, 2020 gave its approval to confer the status of Institution of National Importance to five Indian Institutes of Information Technology, IIITs.
The Five IIITs in PPP mode at Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur will now be able to use the nomenclature of Bachelor of Technology, BTech or Master of Technology or PhD degree.
The cabinet has approved introduction of the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The bill will declare the remaining five IIITs along with the existing 15 IIITs in PPP mode as Institutions of National Importance with powers to award degrees.
It will also enable the institutes to attract enough students required to develop a strong research base in the country in the field of information technology.
- Cabinet gives in principle approval to set up a new major port in Maharashtra
Union Cabinet has given in principle approval to set up a new major port at Vadhavan near Dahanu in Maharashtra. The total cost of the project is likely to be over 65 thousand crore rupees. Vadhavan port will be developed on land lord model.
A Special Purpose Vehicle, SPV will be formed with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust as the lead partner with equity participation equal to or more than 50 per cent to implement the project.
The SPV will develop the port infrastructure including reclamation, construction of breakwater, besides establishing connectivity to the hinterland. All the business activities will be undertaken under public private partnership mode by private developers.
The position of Jawaharlal Nehru Port is the biggest container port in the country and with the development of Vadhavan port, India will break into the countries with top 10 container ports in the world.
Maharashtra has India's largest container port at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust which caters to the hinterland of Maharashtra, North Karnataka, Telangana and secondary hinterland of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, NCR, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
- Cabinet approves amendment to bring cooperative banks under regulatory control of RBI
The Union Cabinet on 5 February, 2020 approved amendments to the Banking Regulation Act to bring cooperative banks under the regulatory mechanism of Reserve Bank of India.
The move will ensure greater accountability and transparency in the functioning of Cooperative Banks. Mr Javedkar said Cooperative Banks need to fulfill regulatory requirements set for scheduled commercial banks.
- National e-commerce policy to create facilitative regulatory environment
Government has prepared a draft of National e-commerce policy to create a facilitative regulatory environment for growth e-commerce sector in India.
It will leverage access to data such that data of Indians can be used for the growth of digital economy in India.
The consultations with concerned stakeholders is ongoing with an aim to finalise a policy which is holistic and takes into account concerns of all stakeholders of the growing digital ecosystem.
The Minister said the government has also introduced National policy on Electronics and National policy on Software Products last year for the growing digital economy.
The minister also informed the House that the Personal Data Protection Bill, currently under review with the Joint Parliamentary Committee seeks to establish a strong and robust data protection framework for the country.
- Government unveils new vaccine to control classical swine fever
The government of India unveiled a new indigenously developed vaccine for controlling classical swine fever (CSF). CSF is a highly contagious fatal pig disease. The new vaccine, developed by Uttar Pradesh-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), will be much cheaper than the existing one.
- 'Lucknow Declaration' adopted at India-Africa Defence Conclave
In the ongoing defence expo, the ‘Lucknow Declaration’ was adopted at the India - Africa Defence Conclave held on the sidelines of the event. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his counterparts from 12 African countries along with representatives of 38 other African countries were present at the conclave, which was organized for the first time.
The ‘Lucknow Declaration’ recalled the Indian contribution to defence and security in the African continent and states that terrorism is a major threat in the region.
India is an all weather friend of Africa and Africa is at the top of India’s priorities. AIR correspondent reports that 14 MoUs had been signed yesterday between India and Russia which will pave way for production of different Russian defence equipment in India.
The main function on the third day of Defexpo is Bandhan - Ceremony in which MoUs will be signed in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath. Seven seminars will also be held on the third day, on various issues.
- PM attends celebrations on signing of Bodo Accord at Kokrajhar in Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend an event at Kokrajhar in Assam to celebrate the signing of the Bodo Accord.
The Tripartite Bodo Agreement was signed between the Centre, Assam Government and the banned Assam-based insurgent group National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) on 27th January, 2020. The Agreement is aimed at bringing political and economic benefits to the Bodo tribe, which is one of the largest tribes of Assam.
The existing structure of the Bodoland Territorial Council will be strengthened with more powers and its seats will be expanded from 40 to 60. An economic programme of 1,500 crore rupees will be implemented in the next three years with equal contribution from Centre and the state. The Assam government will soon notify Bodo language as an associate official language of the state.
- Nagaland State Transport wins Road Safety Award 2018-2019
The Nagaland State Transport (NST) has been adjudged the winner of ARSTU’s Transports Minister’s Road Safety Awards 2018-19 (for lowest rate of accidents) in the category of “Hill.”
The award will be presented during the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Public Transport Innovation, 2020 (ICEPTI-2020) at Manekshaw centre, New Delhi.
- India’s biggest rural technical festival ‘Antahpragnya 2020’ in telangana
M Prashanthi, District Collector of Nirmal, inaugurated National Level India's Biggest Rural Technical Festival titled 'Antahpragnya 2020' in the state of Telangana at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies-Basar (RGUKT-Basar), the temple city, 180 km from Hyderabad, the state capital of Telangana.
The theme for the year 2020 was “Spot and encourage rural tech innovators”.
- Global Hunger Index 2019; India at 102 out of 117 (GK>international)
India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2019 brought out by Concern World Wide is 102 out of 117 countries. India’s ranking in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2018 was 103.
As per GHI Report 2019 of Concern World Wide, the composite GHI scores of India have improved from 38.8 in 2000 to 30.3 in 2019. But, India is ranked below Pakistan (94), Bangladesh (88), Nepal (73) and Sri Lanka (66) among other South Asian countries. In India, only 9.6% of all children between 6 to 23 months of age are given a minimum acceptable diet.
As per the report, the child wasting rate is the highest (20.8%) in the world while the child stunting rate is 37.9% in India.
GHI scores are calculated using a three-step process that draws on available data from various sources to capture the multidimensional nature of hunger. The four indicators used are – Undernourishment, Child Mortality, Child Wasting and Child Stunting.
The 2019 report
The 2019 GHI measures hunger in 117 countries where the assessment is most relevant and where data on all four component indicators are available.
43 countries out of 117 countries have levels of hunger that remain serious
4 countries Chad, Madagascar, Yemen, and Zambia suffer from hunger levels that are alarming and 1 country Central African Republic from a level that is extremely alarming
This year GHI focused on the impact of climate change and hunger.
There is a strong correlation between GHI scores and levels of vulnerability/readiness to climate change. Countries with high GHI scores are often also highly vulnerable to climate change but have the least capacity to adapt; several countries with low GHI scores are the least vulnerable and most ready.
- Telangana CM inaugurates JBS-MGBS corridor-II of Hyderabad Metro Rail
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao has inaugurated the Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) - Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS) corridor -II of Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) in Hyderabad.
The JBS - MGBS stretch is part of 14.78 km JBS - Falaknama metro corridor. With the inaugural of this stretch, a total of 69.2 km metro corridor comes into operational, improving the connectivity between the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. This stretch has nine metro stations and takes 16 minutes to cover against 40 minutes by road.
Hyderabad Metro Rail is considered as the world’s largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project in the metro sector. With the inaugural of corridor - II, Hyderabad Metro Rail is poised to be the second biggest metro network in the country after Delhi Metro.
Published date : 29 Feb 2020 05:05PM
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