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Assam Current Affairs – January 16-18, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 16-18, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 16-18, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 16-18, 2024 

Assam Govt Unveils Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

The Assam government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) to empower rural women entrepreneurs.

About Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

  • The scheme is designed to foster the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups, transforming them into “rural micro-entrepreneurs” with a target annual income of Rs 1 lakh per member.
  • To qualify for the grant, women from the general and other backward caste (OBC) categories must have no more than three children. 
  • However, specific exemptions are made for women from the Moran, Muttock, and tea-tribe communities, who can apply with four or fewer children. 
  • For women belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) categories, the eligibility criteria dictate that they should have no more than four children.
  • If beneficiaries have daughters, they must be enrolled in school. For girls not attending school, a signed commitment for future enrollment is necessary. 
  • Beneficiaries need to ensure that the trees planted under the government’s tree plantation campaign, Amrit Brikshya Andolan, are thriving.

Assam Baibhav Award 

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi will be honored with Assam’s highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav’. The decision to confer this year’s award upon Ranjan Gogoi reflects the state government’s acknowledgment of his exceptional service and achievements.

This marks the third year of the Assam Baibhav awards, with the inaugural award presented to business magnate Ratan Tata in the first year, followed by journalist Tapan Saikia in the second year. 

About ‘Assam Baibhav’ Awards

  • It is one of the highest civilian awards given by the state of Assam. As an award, Gogoi will be given a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. 
  • Ranjan Gogoi held the office of the 46th Chief Justice of India. 
  • During his tenure, the Supreme Court had given a historic verdict on the decade-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

Assam Saurav Award 2023: 

This award will be given to four personalities. 

  1. Mainly among these Hima Das – Athletics 
  2. Dr. Kishan Chand Nauriyal: Art and Culture 
  3. Elvis Ali Hazarika: Swimming and 
  4. Nadiram Deuri: Tiwa Dance 

This award will include a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh. 

Assam Gaurav Award 2023: 

This year 17 personalities will be given the ‘Assam Gaurav’ award. 

  1. Ranjit Gogoi (Folk and Bihu dance exponent) 
  2. Parvati Barua (animal protection activities) 
  3. Debojit Chiangmai (sound engineer) 
  4. Drono Bhuyan (Oja Pali) 
  5. Neelam Dutta (Organic Farming) 
  6. Anupam Deka (industrialist) 
  7. Soumyadeep Dutta (Wildlife Conservation) 
  8. Basant Chiring Phukan (Mushroom Cultivation) 
  9. Manendra Deka (Handicraft) 
  10. Meenakshi Chetia (Social Service) 
  11. Pakhila Lekhtepi (Karbi Lok) 
  12. Tenzing Bodosa (Elephant Friendly Tea Garden) 
  13. Nirmal De (mat) 
  14. Jessin Kumbang Pao (weaving) 
  15. Mary Hassa (social services) 
  16. Upendra Rabha (black rice cultivation) and 
  17. Rahul Gupta (Hydroponic Farming). 

Assam Gaurav Award winners will be given a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.

Indian Army launched Operation Sarvashakti

The Indian Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, deploying forces on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to target terrorists who have carried out a series of attacks on troops in the area.

About Operation Sarvashakti

  • Recent years have witnessed three major terrorist attacks in the area, resulting in the loss of 20 soldiers.
  • Operation Sarvashakti is an initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range. 
  • As part of the operation at least three brigades of additional troops are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps formations in order to increase the density of troops.
  • It is similar to Operation Sarpvinash. 
  • In 2003, Indian forces launched Operation Sarpvinash to flush out terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range, especially in the Hilkaka area in Poonch. 
  • The operation flushed out terrorists and brought peace to the area that lasted until 2017-18, even as terrorist incidents continued to take place in the valley.

The deposits raised under the framework are covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023

Surat and Indore have been jointly recognized as the cleanest cities in India at the Union Urban Affairs Ministry’s annual Clean City Awards 2023. Indore achieved the top rank for the seventh consecutive time.

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred the Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 

The theme for the year 2023 was -“Waste to Wealth”. 

The theme for the Cleanliness Survey 2024 is “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”

The President launched the Swachh Survekshan 2023 dashboard, emphasizing the importance of everyone’s contribution to and participation in the survey.

Key Points

  • In the category of cities with a population of less than 1 lakh, Sasvad, Patan and Lonavala secured the top three spots. 
  • Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was adjudged the Cleanest Cantonment Board. 
  • Varanasi and Prayagraj won the top two awards amongst the Cleanest Ganga Towns. 
  • Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh won the top three awards for Best Performing State.
  • Chandigarh walked away with the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher, acknowledging initiatives that prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of sanitation workers.  

About Swachh Survekshan Awards

  • It was launched in 2016, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission initiated by the Government of India to promote cleanliness and sanitation in urban areas. 
  • The annual survey ranks cities based on various sanitation parameters like door-to-door waste collection, waste treatment, public toilet management, citizen participation, and innovation in sanitation practices.
  • Winning cities and states receive recognition and financial incentives, aiming to motivate them to maintain and improve their sanitation standards.

NHAI Introduces ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ Initiative

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative that aims to discourage user behavior of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.

About the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative:

  • The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas. 
  • The new arrangement Of ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ has also been introduced to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
  •  The initiative encourages FASTag users to complete ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) process of their latest FASTag by updating KYC as per RBI guidelines.
  • FASTags with valid balance but with incomplete KYC will get deactivated/blacklisted by banks post 31st January 2024.
  • NHAI has taken this initiative after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate. 
  • The ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative will help to make toll operations more efficient and ensure seamless & comfortable journeys for the National Highway users.

About FASTag

  • FASTag is a device that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable toll payments while the vehicle is in motion. 
  • It is essentially an RFID passive tag on the vehicle’s windscreen linked to a customer’s prepaid or savings/current account. 
  • It allows customers to drive through toll plazas without stopping for toll payments. 
  • The toll fee is deducted from the customer’s linked account. 
  • It is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)State’s Startup Ranking 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report. Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the best-performing states in the Startup Ranking for 2022.

Categories and Participation 

A total of 33 states and union territories actively participated in the evaluation, categorized under five distinct groups – best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems. The rankings serve as a testament to the varied and evolving nature of the startup ecosystem in different regions of the country.

About State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report

Category A States (Population more than 1 crore)

  • Best performing states: Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala 
  • Top performing states: Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Orissa and Maharashtra
  • Leading states: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Andhra Pradesh 
  • States with Ambitious Leadership: Bihar and Haryana 
  • States developing emerging startup ecosystems: Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir 

Category B States (Population less than 1 crore)

  • Best performer: Himachal Pradesh 
  • Top Performer: Arunachal Pradesh Meghalaya 
  • Leader: Goa, Manipur and Tripura 
  • Aspiring leader:  Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Nagaland
  • Emerging Ecosystems: Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, Ladakh Mizoram, Puducherry and Sikkim

MeitY Secretary Launches India’s First Graphene Centre and IoT CoE in Kerala

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Secretary S Krishnan inaugurated the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors in Kerala.

About India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG): India’s first Graphene Center

  • Digital University Kerala (DUK) (formerly IIITMK) and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET)-Thrissur are the technical partners for setting up these centers at Makers Village Kochi. 
  • The complete full-fledged facility for R&D, incubation, innovation, skilling, capacity building, testing & certification shall be established at these centers by the experts of these agencies.
  • The creation of a complete eco-system for start-ups in the area of IoT Sensors and Graphene & 2D Materials are the main objectives for setting up these centers in the country. 
  • The complete solution with material to product/system development shall be provided at these centers in the respective areas. 

Indian Army Develops Encrypted Mobile Ecosystem “SAMBHAV”

Indian Army develops end-to-end encrypted mobile ecosystem SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version). SAMBHAV’ has been developed in collaboration with leading national centers of excellence from academia and industry.

About SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version)

  • SAMBHAV is an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem developed by the Indian Army. 
  • It operates on 5G technology and aims to provide secure communication and instant connectivity. 
  • It aims to address the information security challenges faced by the Indian Army.
  • Command Cyber Operations Support Wings enhance cyber capabilities at operational and tactical levels. 
  • SAMBHAV addresses the vulnerability of mobile networks to eavesdropping, offering end-to-end security. 

Command Cyber Operations Support Wing (CCOSW)

  • The Command Cyber Operations Support Wing (CCOSW) is being established which increases cyber security capability. 
  • The CCOSWs are specialized units of the Indian Army that assist formations in carrying out mandated cyber security functions. 
  • According to a report, six CCOSWs are being established for all commands. Additionally, specialized training will be provided to personnel involved in this initiative.

Assam Current Affairs – January 13-15, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 13-15, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 13-15, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 13-15, 2024 

Buffalo Fights Revived in Assam 

The Assam Government revived the traditional buffalo fight (Moh-Juj) after nine years.

About Moh Juj:  A Traditional Buffalo Fight in Assam

  • The riverside town of Ahatguri has hosted buffalo fight tournaments as part of Magh Bihu since 1972. But these large-scale events were stopped after the 2014 prohibition.
  • In May 2022 there was a major development – a Supreme Court bench upheld amendments to animal cruelty legislation by certain states. 
  • This allowed the resumption of specific bull-taming sports and related rural events. 
  • Following this, in October 2022, the Assam Government assured the Gauhati High Court that it would formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate traditional practices like buffalo fights. 
  • Subsequently, in December 2023, the Assam cabinet formally approved the revival of buffalo fights under strict rules and protocols. 
  • This nod from the state government paved the way for restarting this cultural event in a regulated manner after years of prohibition. 

Seven products from Odisha Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

Recently, seven products from Odisha, ranging from the Similipal Kai chutney made with red weaver ants to the embroidered Kapdaganda shawl, have bagged the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Lanjia Saura Painting

  • Lanjia Saurpa Painting is one of the oldest tribal art forms.
  • It is also known as Idital. The artworks are famous for their beauty, aesthetics, ritualistic association and iconography. 
  • It belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG largely residing in the Rayagada district. 
  • These paintings are in the form of exterior murals painted on the mud walls of homes.

About Kapdaganda Shawl 

  • It is woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria Kondh tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. 
  • The shawl reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs. 
  • The shawl is worn by both men and women and the Dongrias gift it to their family members as a token of love and affection.

Koraput Kala Jeera Rice 

  • Famous for its aroma, taste, texture and nutritional value. 
  • As the rice grains resemble cumin seeds, it is also called Kala Jeera. 
  • Its consumption helps in increasing haemoglobin levels and improves metabolism in the body. 

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal 

  • It is known for its prickly thorns on the stems and the whole plant. The green and round fruits contain more seeds as compared to other genotypes. 
  • It is famous for its unique taste and relatively short quick cooking time. 
  • The plants are resistant to major insects and can be grown with minimal pesticide. 

Odisha Khajuri Guda (Jaggery) 

  • It is a natural sweetener extracted from date palm trees and has its origin in the Gajapati district. 
  • Traditionally, the jaggery is prepared in a trapezoidal form called ‘Patali Gur’ and is organic by nature. 
  • It is dark brown and has a unique taste. 

Dhenkanal Magji 

  • It is a type of sweet made from cheese from buffalo milk, with distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, taste, flavour, shape, and size. 
  • It also has unique nutritional values that distinguish it from other cheese-brd sweets.

SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) Scheme

Recently, the State Bank of India (SBI) launched the SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) to mobilize funds to support environment friendly initiatives and projects.

About SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) Scheme

  • The SGRTD is a deposit scheme that aims to raise funds for environmentally-friendly initiatives and projects.
  • The scheme is open to NRIs, non-individuals, and resident individuals.
  • It offers investors the flexibility to choose from three distinct tenors: 1,111 days, 1,777 days, and 2,222 days.
  • Pre-mature withdrawals are allowed under the scheme. 
  • Loan/ overdraft facility will be available against the deposit. 
  • Senior Citizens/ Staff/ Staff Senior Citizens are eligible for an additional interest rate over the applicable rate for the public. 
  • The benefit of additional interest shall not be available to NRI Senior Citizens/NRI Staff.

About Green Deposit

A Green deposit is an interest-bearing deposit, received by the regulated entities (RE) for a fixed period, the proceeds of which are earmarked for being allocated towards green finance. 

The deposits raised under the framework are covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

IUCN Assessment of the Himalayan Wolf

The Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and categorised as ‘Vulnerable’.

 

About Himalayan Wolf

  • The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas.
  • The Himalayan wolf resides on the Tibetan Plateau in China, particularly in Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, and western Sichuan provinces.
  • It is a subspecies of the gray wolf found in the Himalayan region, spanning areas such as Nepal, India, and the Tibetan Plateau.
  • Himalayan wolf has now  been categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List

Reason for the declining population of Himalayan Wolf 

  • Hybridization Threats: Increasing populations of feral dogs in regions like Ladakh and Spiti pose a threat of hybridization. 
  • Illegal Hunting: The Himalayan Wolf is hunted illegally for its fur and body parts, contributing to its declining numbers.
  • Conflict with Livestock: Livestock depredation conflicts are significant, exacerbated by habitat modification and depletion of wild prey.
  • Habitat Destruction: The IUCN Red List Assessment has highlighted an ongoing reduction in the area, extent, and quality of habitat for Himalayan wolves.

Measures should be taken to enhance the protection of Himalayan wolves

  • Securing and restoring healthy wild prey populations and landscapes and setting aside wildlife habitat refuges. 
  • Enhancing livestock guarding methods, including predator-proof corral pens, sustainable herding practices, and holistic management practices.
  • Management of feral dog populations.
  • Trans-boundary efforts in conservation of the species in range countries through research and monitoring.

Pench Tiger Reserve Becomes India’s first Dark Sky Park

The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been marked as India’s first Dark Sky Park and the fifth Dark Sky Park in Asia for protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution. The certification was given by the International Dark-Sky Association, a global dark-sky movement to promote astronomy.

About India’s First Dark Sky Park: 

  • Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky. 
  • The reserve’s certification recognizes its commitment to protecting the night sky, reducing light pollution, and creating an ideal environment for astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers.
  • This designation positions PTR as a sanctuary where tourists can witness celestial spectacles, shielded from the intrusion of artificial light pollution.

About Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR)

  • The Reserve is named after the Pench River, which flows from north to south through the Reserve.
  • It is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary.
  • The reserve is famous for large herds of Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison), and wild boar.
  • It was declared a sanctuary in 1965, raised to the status of national park in 1975.

The Rural Development Ministry and State Bank of India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

The Ministry of Rural Development and State Bank of India signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate Enterprise Financing for rural Self-Help Group (SHG) women.

Key Points

  • State Bank of India introduced Svyam Siddha, a financial product tailored for SHG women entrepreneurs, offering loans up to Rs 5 lakhs. 
  • This initiative is uniquely designed to alleviate the challenges associated with extensive documentation requirements for bank loan applications and reduce the Turn Around Time (TAT). 
  • The requirement of burdensome documents like quotations and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) has been dispensed with, allowing an easy application process where a simple loan application with KYC details can be submitted at local SBI bank branches. 
  • DAY-NRLM will facilitate the loan application process and oversee loan repayment through its dedicated field cadre.
  • A training toolkit package was also launched to promote access to formal finance by SHG women entrepreneurs, marking a significant milestone in DAY-NRLM’s commitment to empowering communities and advancing financial inclusion at the grassroots level. 
  • The toolkit covers crucial topics like fundamentals of banking, concepts on financial statements, working capital calculation etc. The key modules of this toolkit have been converted into animated videos for self-capacity building of entrepreneurs. This will facilitate access to formal finance for its SHGs women entrepreneurs.

‘Sinomicrurus Gorei’ a new species of coral snake was discovered in Mizoram

Researchers from Mizoram University’s zoology department have discovered a new species of coral snake in the state. It has been named Sinomicrurus gorei after British India doctor Gore.

This newly discovered coral snake species is locally recognised as “Rul Thi Hna” due to its striking resemblance to Thi Hna, a traditional amber necklace in the Mizo culture.

It has unique patterns and different scales, hemipenis, DNA, and skull.

In Mizoram, Sinomicrurus macclellandi is primarily found in hilly or elevated areas, while Sinomicrurus gorei is found in both low-lying and hilly areas.

Green Fuels Alliance India

Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) is an alliance between Denmark and India to boost collaborative efforts in the sustainable energy solutions sector.

The initiative is part of the Green Strategic Partnership signed in 2020 between India and Denmark.

Key Points

  • This strategic alliance, led by the Danish Embassy and the Consulate General of Denmark in India, aims to boost collaborative efforts in the sustainable energy solutions sector and advance the joint global goal towards carbon neutrality.
  • The initiative aims to advance the green fuels sector, including green hydrogen, through innovation and partnerships.
  • It promotes sustainable energy growth in India by establishing an ecosystem that encourages collaboration among businesses, government entities, research institutions, and financial stakeholders.
  • The alliance is significant in its potential contribution to global decarbonization efforts.

 

Assam Current Affairs – January 10-12, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 10-12, 2024

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 10-12, 2024 

Chandubi festival

The 14th Chandubi Festival was recently held near the Chandubi Lake in Assam’s Kamrup district from January 1 to January 5.

About Chandubi festival

  • It is an annual five-day celebration that takes place at Chandubi Lake in Assam’s Kamrup district.
  • Chandubi Lake is a natural lake that was formed due to massive landslides during the 1897 Assam earthquake, blocking the flow of the Chandubi River.
  • The festival’s main goal is to encourage eco-tourism and protect the lake, which has been losing water. 
  • Preserving the lake and helping the tribes like Rabhas, Garos, Gorkhas, and tea tribes are reasons for holding the festival. 
  • The festival is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the region, celebrating the diversity, customs, and traditions of the local communities. 
  • It represents the confluence of various indigenous tribes and communities, each contributing their unique rituals, arts, crafts, and cultural practices. 
  • The festival features a rich tapestry of cultural performances including traditional dances like Bihu, Sattriya, and tribal dances, showcasing the vibrant folk culture of Assam.

National Sports Awards 2023

The national sports awards are given annually to recognize and reward excellence in sports, highlight extraordinary performance at the national and international competitive events, encourage sportsmanship and promote nation-building by creating a sense of national pride and unity in a country as diverse as India. 

The awards are administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.

The six categories of the National Sports Awards are: 

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: 

  • It is considered India’s highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna was established in 1991-92.
  • The award is named after the Indian hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand.
  • The award is given for outstanding performances in sports spanning over a period of four years and the Khel Ratna winners receive a medallion, certificate and a cash prize. 
  • Legendary sports figures like MC Mary Kom, S. MirabaiChanu, PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Vijender Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli amongst others have received this highest sporting honour in the past.
  • In 2023, Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy (badminton) were awarded with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Arjuna Award

It is awarded for consistent good performance over a period of four years. The winners of the Arjuna Award receive a statuette of Arjuna, a certificate and a cash prize.

Dronacharya Award: It was instituted in 1985, is India’s highest sports honour for coaches. It is awarded to individuals for producing medal winners at prestigious international events. Awardees receive a bronze statue of Dronacharya, a certificate and a cash prize.

Ganesh Prabhakaran (mallakhamb), Mahavir Saini (para athletics), Lalit Kumar (wrestling), RB Ramesh (chess), Shivendra Singh (hockey) were awarded with Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games 2023. 

Major Dhyan Chand Award: This award represents India’s highest honour for lifetime achievements in sports. Presented for good performance and contributing towards the promotion of sports in an individual capacity since 2002, the winners get a Dhyan Chand statuette, a certificate and a cash prize. 

Manjusha Kanwar (badminton), Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey), Kavitha Selvaraj (kabaddi) were awarded with Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award 2023

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA): It was instituted in 1956–1957. It is given to an institution or university for top performance in inter-university tournaments over the last one year. 

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (winner), Lovely Professional University, Punjab (1st runners-up), Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (2nd runners-up).

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar:

Instituted in 2009.

Awarded to organisations or corporates (both private and public) and individuals for playing a role in the area of sports promotion and development over the last three years. 

In 2023, JAIN (Deemed-to-be-University), Odisha Mining Corporation Limited won this award.

DRDO conducts successful flight-test of New Generation Akash missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. 

The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at  very low altitude. 

During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar and Command, Control & Communication system.

About AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile

  • It is a new generation state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile (SAM) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to destroy high manoeuvring low radar cross section agile aerial threats. 
  • It has been indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO and produced by defence public sector units along with other industries. 
  • Multiple advanced versions of the missile are under development by the team.

Global Risks Report 2024

The World Economic Forum recently released the Global Risks Report 2024. 

Key Highlights of the Report

  • Various global events in 2023, including lethal conflicts, Extreme Weather Conditions, and societal discontent, have contributed to a predominantly negative outlook. 
  • Misinformation and disinformation are listed as the most severe risks over the next two years, highlighting how rapid advances in technology also are creating new problems or making existing ones worse.
  • A persistent cost-of-living crisis may lead to uncertainties in the global economic stability.
  • Inflation and economic downturn have emerged noteworthy top risks.
  • The risk of interstate armed conflict is the immediate concern. The ongoing conflicts, coupled with underlying geopolitical tensions pose the risk of conflict contagion. 
  • In the absence of secure livelihood options, individuals may be prone to crime, militarization, or radicalization. 
  • The countries with a history of conflict or vulnerability to climate change may face growing isolation from investment, technologies and job opportunities. There is continued dominance of environmental risks in the World. 
  • Extreme weather events, critical shifts in Earth systems, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, natural resource shortages, and pollution emerge as severe risks over the next decade.

Global Risks Report 2024: Key Recommendation 

  • To mitigate the risks of AI-enabled misinformation campaigns, the report suggests: Increasing societal resilience through renewed focus on critical thinking, media literacy, and civic responsibility education Governments collaborating with tech firms to promote information integrity while respecting digital rights Fostering international cooperation for early identification and containment of misinformation campaigns
  • Policymakers need to balance measures to control inflation with targeted relief for vulnerable groups to maintain social cohesion, as per the WEF.
  • Urgent climate mitigation and adaptation efforts are essential to prevent catastrophic outcomes, the WEF stresses. Similarly, reversing nature loss through conservation and restoration initiatives is vital for our collective future.
  • The collective actions of individual citizens, companies and countries may seem insignificant on their own, but at critical mass they can move the needle on global risk reduction. 

ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024

The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare launched Anubhav Portal in 2015, for sharing experiences of retiring/retired Central Government employees while working with the Government. It is envisaged that this culture of leaving notes by retirees will become the foundation stone of good governance and administrative reforms in future.

About ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024

  • The scheme aims to create a database of significant suggestions and work experiences. 
  • It channels the human resource of retiring employees for nation building and also enables Ministries/ Departments to take crucial steps while considering useful and replicable suggestions.
  • To participate in the scheme, retiring Central Government employees/pensioners are required to submit their Anubhav write ups, 8 months prior to retirement and up to 1 year after their retirement. 
  • Thereafter, the write-ups will be published after assessment by concerned Ministries/Departments. The published write-ups will be shortlisted for Anubhav Awards and Jury Certificates. 
  • The last date for submission under ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024 is 31.3.2024. 
  • To encourage broader participation in the Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2024, the DOPPW has undertaken an Outreach Campaign to reach out to every pensioner to submit his ANUBHAV experience. 
  • As of now, 54 ANUBHAV Awards have been conferred since the inception of the scheme.

Ujjain Unveils India’s First Hygienic Food Street ‘Prasadam’

Union Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav jointly inaugurated the country’s first Healthy and Hygienic Food Street (Prasadam) at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, Ujjain.

Key Points

  • It is in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’. 
  • The initiative aims to connect people in every corner of the country with pure and safe local and traditional food. 
  • The ‘Prasadam’ initiative aims to enhance Ujjain’s tourism attraction and preserve its culinary heritage while also playing a role in promoting economic development.
  • The newly launched food street is designed to provide various facilities including a kids’ play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences and seating spaces. 
  • In addition to enhancing Ujjain’s tourism appeal and preserving its culinary traditions, “Prasadam” will also contribute to economic growth and community engagement.

Indian Navy gets first India-made long endurance Drishti 10 Starliner drone 

The Indian Navy has recently received its first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

About Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

  • It is developed by Adani Defence and Aerospace with technology transfer from Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
  • It is India’s first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone. 70% of the drone is made using indigenous components.
  • With an endurance of 36 hours and the ability to carry a payload of 450 kg, the drone is well-equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
  • It is a variant of Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 Starliner drones.

Divyakriti Singh Becomes 1st Indian Woman Arjuna Awardee for Equestrian Sports

Divyakriti Singh has been conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award for Equestrian Sports, making her the first woman from Rajasthan to achieve this honour.

Divyakriti Singh’s remarkable journey in the equestrian world reached new heights with the Arjuna Award, recognizing her outstanding contribution to the sport. 

She underwent three years of training in Germany at the Hof Kasselman dressage yard in Hagen. She secured an Individual Silver and two Bronze medals at the International Dressage Competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Assam Current Affairs – January 07-09, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 07-09, 2024

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 07-09, 2024 

Aditya-L1 successfully placed in a Halo Orbit around L1 Point

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone by placing the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1).

About Aditya-L1

  • Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space mission to observe the Sun, was launched in September 2023, using a PSLV-C57 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
  • Aditya-L1 is in a periodic halo orbit around L1, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. 
  • The satellite carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer of the Sun (corona) using electromagnetic and particle detectors.
  • With a mission life of five years, Aditya-L1 aims to study the sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, along with in-situ studies of particles and fields at L1. 

Lagrange Point

  • Lagrange Points are positions in space where a small object can maintain its position relative to two larger bodies due to the gravitational balance.
  • Spacecraft leverage these points to minimize fuel consumption and allow spacecraft to maintain their position efficiently.

Ministry of Education launches PRERANA program

The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’, aiming to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.

About PRERANA program

  • Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of Class IX to XII. 
  • It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.
  • A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from various parts of the country. 
  • It will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat.
  • The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in nine value based themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya. 
  • The program based on the above themes will inspire the youth and foster respect for Bharat’s unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and will contribute by making the youth of today, a flame holder for Viksit Bharat. 
  • The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands-on interesting learning activities.

Rejupave Technology

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has utilised road construction technology i.e. Rejupave technology to construct parts of the world’s highest Sela Road Tunnel and the LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY) road near the China border in Arunachal Pradesh.

About the Rejupave Technology

  • It is developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
  • Rejupave asphalt modifier is a bio-oil-based product that lowers the heating requirement of bituminous mixes besides preserving the bituminous mix’s temperature during transit.
  • It is beneficial in constructing high-altitude bituminous roads at low and sub-zero temperature conditions.
  • It brings down the temperature of bituminous mixes by 30 to 40 degrees Celsius with negligible heat loss in the bituminous mix during transit.

Raghuram Iyer’s extensive experience in sports management and administration, particularly his previous roles as CEO of Indian Premier League teams Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, has been recognized as making him an ideal candidate for this position.

India will host the 46th Session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

This will be the first instance for India to chair the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024.

About the World Heritage Committee: 

  • It is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 
  • The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. 
  • It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. 
  • It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Structure:
  • The World Heritage Committee is composed of representatives from 21 member states, elected by the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention.
  • According to the World Heritage Convention, a Committee member’s term of office is for six years.

World’s First Functional Semiconductor Made From Graphene

Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have successfully developed the world’s first functional semiconductor composed of graphene.

About Graphene 

  • Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the building-block of Graphite.
  • It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
  • It is almost perfectly transparent, as it absorbs only 2% of light.
  • It is impermeable to gases, even those as light as hydrogen and helium. 
  • It can be used to enhance the strength of other materials. 
  • It is a great material for making heat-spreading solutions, such as heat sinks or heat dissipation films. 
  • This could be useful in both microelectronics and in larger applications, for example, thermal foils for mobile devices. 
  • It also has an extremely high surface-area-to-volume ratio. 

This makes graphene a very promising material for use in batteries and supercapacitors.

Graphene may enable batteries and supercapacitors (and even fuel cells) that can store more energy and charge faster, too.

India Signs Bilateral Hajj Agreement 2024

The Indian government has recently signed a Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), marking a significant development in the facilitation of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

A total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims to proceed through Hajj Committee of India and 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through Haj Group Operators.

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the sacred city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,  the holiest city for Muslims.

It takes place during Dhu’al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and is performed over five to six days. 

The pilgrims wear simple white garments (Ihram) to symbolize equality and purity.

The first meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council held in Kolkata 

The first meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) concluded on January 8, 2024 in Kolkata to strengthen the inland water transport system in the country. It was organized by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for inland waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.

Key Points

  • The agenda of the first IWDC meeting had sessions centered around fairway development, enhancing cargo and passenger transport in IWT, potential of river cruise tourism to boost economic activity, sustainability practices in terms of non-fossil fuel-based vessel operations among others. 
  • One of the key highlights of the meeting was the launch of Harit Nauka- Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels and River Cruise Tourism Roadmap, 2047.
  • The agenda also includes promoting eco-friendly vessels for passenger transportation, exploring economic advantages in river cruise tourism, and advocating for sustainable practices in inland waterways development.
  • The River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047 focuses on four vital pillars, including Infrastructure, Integration, Accessibility, and Policy for promoting river cruise tourism.
  •  As a part of the roadmap, over 30 possible routes and tourist circuits along inland waterways have been identified for further development.
  • MoPSW stressed upon the importance of State-level institutional structure and rules in ensuring that the planning and development of the state’s inland waterway ecosystem accounts for its unique characteristics and requirements.

Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day is an annual event celebrated every year on 9th  January to honor the Indian diaspora and the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the country’s development.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is celebrated to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915.
  • It was first celebrated in 2003. It was an annual event earlier, but in 2015, the government revised its format to celebrate PBD once every two years.
  • It has become a platform to connect the Indian diaspora with their roots and encourage their continued engagement with India’s progress. 
  • It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India. 
  • Till date, 17 conventions have been held. The last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated in the Indore of Madhya Pradesh in 2023 with the  theme “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”

Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 352: January 2024, Week 4

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Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 352: January 2024, Week 4

(Daily and Monthly Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz & MCQ for APSC Exams and various Assam exams)

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Current Affairs Assam Quiz - Assam exam

Q1. India’s first Girls’ Military School inaugurated in

  1. Vrindaban
  2. Bhopal
  3. Guwahati 
  4. Shillong

Vrindaban

India’s first Girls’ Military School inaugurated in Vrindavan, Mathura. The Samvid Gurukulam Girls Military School, located within the Vatsalya Gram campus and established by Sadhvi Ritambhara, aims to provide education and training to female students. 

This initiative marks a significant step in extending military education traditionally reserved for male students in India to female students as well.

 

Q2. Vijay Raghavan Committee, recently seen in news is related to

  1. To provide free electricity to 1 lakh households.
  2. To make provisions for rural panchayats.
  3. To review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation
  4. Frame guidelines to tackle the sensitive and far-reaching problems of cybercrimes

To review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation

Q3. Exercise Cyclone was held between the Indian special forces and which of the following countries?

  1. Myanmar
  2. Sri Lanka
  3. Egypt
  4. Indonesia

Egypt

The 2nd edition of Exercise CYCLONE, a joint special forces drill between India and Egypt, is taking place in Anshas, Egypt. 

Indian Army contingent, consisting of 25 personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) with the Egyptian contingent represented by the Egyptian Commando Squadron and Egyptian Airborne Platoon.

The exercise focuses on enhancing bilateral military cooperation and understanding operating procedures in desert terrain under UN Charter Chapter VII. It involves three phases, including Military Exhibitions, IED training, and Joint Tactical Exercises, fostering stronger ties between the two friendly nations.

 

Q4.The ‘Operation Sarvashakti’, recently seen in news is related to

  1. Operation by the IAF to evacuate Indian citizens from Ukraine.
  2. An initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range
  3. Operation by the Indian Navy to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Sudan during the 2023 Sudan conflict.
  4. Repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic

An initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range

Q5. ‘Hatti community has been granted Scheduled Tribe status by which state government recently?

  1. Madhya Pradesh
  2. Haryana
  3. Manipur
  4. Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh

The Hattis are a close-knit community that got their name from their tradition of selling homegrown vegetables, crops, meat, wool, etc. at small markets called ‘haat’ in towns. They follow a Rigid Caste System. 

The Hattis are governed by a traditional council called Khumbli, which like the Khaps of Haryana, decide community matters. 

The Khumbli’s power has remained unchallenged despite the establishment of the Panchayati Raj System. 

Q6. What is the name of India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine?

  1. Havisure
  2. Rotavac
  3. Comvac
  4. Indirab

Havisure

  • Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), has launched India’s first domestically developed Hepatitis A vaccine, named ‘Havisure.’
  • It is a two-dose vaccine.The first dose given to those above 12 months of age and the second dose is administered at least six months later. 
  • The vaccine is advised for routine immunization in children and individuals at risk due to exposure or travel to regions with high hepatitis A prevalence. 
  • Individuals with occupational infection risks and those suffering from chronic liver diseases can also receive Hepatitis A vaccination.

Q7. Which among the following institutions has been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award-2024 in the ‘Institutional Category’?

  1. Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM)
  2. 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh
  3. Disaster Mitigation & Management Centre, Uttarakhand
  4. Lunglei Fire Station (LFS), Mizoram

60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh

    • 60 Parachute Field Hospitals of Uttar Pradesh have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award for the year 2024 for their excellent work in the field of disaster management. 
    • Under this award, the winning organization in the institutional category is awarded a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh and a certificate. In case of an individual, Rs 5 lakh in cash and a certificate is provided.

Q8. Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is related to

  1. Rooftop solar panels
  2. Cultivation of Honey
  3. Child Health
  4. Cultivation of Sunflower

Rooftop solar panels

  • Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme, under which rooftop solar panels will be installed on more than 1 crore houses, with the help of which people will get a clean source of energy. 
  • The objective of this scheme is to include poor and middle class persons under the rooftop solar program and also to bring self-reliance in the energy sector.

Q9. Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’, is conducted between which two countries?

  1. India and Turkey
  2. India and Indonesia
  3. India and Saudi Arabia
  4. India and Kazakhstan

India and Saudi Arabia

  • The first joint military exercise between India and Saudi Arabia, “SADA TANSEEQ”, took place from January 29 to February 10, 2024. 
  • The exercise was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. 
  • The exercise aims to improve synergy, interoperability by sharing best practices between the two countries’ armies.
  • The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain. 
  • It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both sides.

Q10. Which state’s products Adi Kekir and Wancho wooden craft have recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag status?

  1. Assam
  2. Himachal Pradesh
  3. Goa
  4. Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

  • Recently, three items of Arunachal Pradesh have received the prestigious Geographical Indication tag, officials said on Wednesday. These are Adi kekir (ginger), Handmade carpets by Tibetan settlers and Wooden items made by the Wancho community.

Q11. Who was the President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly?

  1. Judge Nawaf Salam
  2. H.E. Dennis Francis
  3. Mr. Peter Thomson
  4. Ajay Banga

H.E. Dennis Francis

Q12. International Purple Fest 2024 was organised in 

  1. Punjab
  2. Assam 
  3. Goa
  4. Uttarakhand

Goa

International Purple Fest 2024 was organised in Goa. The objective of this festival is to showcase the talents of persons with disabilities through attractive performances in music, dance and entertainment. 

An extraordinary moment of the inauguration ceremony was the presentation of Purple named ‘Dhumal’. In this, performances will be given by disabled people from different areas of Goa as well as respected composers of the Indian music industry. Thus, events are primarily a symbol of inclusivity and unity. 

Q13. A book named “Gandhi A Life in Three Campaigns” is authored by

  1. Chetan Bhagat
  2. Aravind Adiga
  3. M.J. Akbar
  4. Vivek Singh

M.J. Akbar

Q14. Which country has been selected to host the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee?

  1. Japan
  2. India
  3. Russia
  4. Kazakistan 
India

India is set to chair the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024.

Q15.  ‘Polygonum Chaturbhunjam’ recently seen in the news, belongs to which of the following species?

  1. Fungi
  2. Plants
  3. Fishes 
  4. Reptile
Plants

A new plant species named Polygonum Chaturbhujanum has been discovered at Gol Pahadi island in the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra. It is an herb.

Additionally, the survey revealed the presence of six plant species endemic to India within the Pench Tiger Reserve, namely Aegineta indica, Boerhavia crispa, Habenaria gibsonii var foetida, Iphigenia pallida, Petalidium barlerioides, and Barleria gibsonii.

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APSC Prelim 2022 Cutoff Marks & Minimum Qualifying Score

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APSC CC (Prelim) Exam 2022 Cutoff Marks & Minimum Qualifying Score

 

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

It’s an essential part of a successful strategy for any task and if the challenge is a competitive exam like APSC Combined Competitive Exam, then knowing the passing parameters i.e. Cutoff Marks for APSC Prelims & Mains Exam is a very basic enquiry. 

APSC has declared the Cut-Off marks against the respective categories in the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination, 2022. Cutoff Marks i.e. the minimum score needed to clear the APSC CC Prelims Exam 2022 and qualify for appearing for APSC CC Mains Exam 2022.

The category-wise Cut-off for 2022

Category
 Minimum Score
General (Open) Male: 74.5
Female:71
Other Backward Classes (OBC)/MOBC 54.5
Scheduled Class (SC) 50.5
Scheduled Tribe (Plains) 49.5
Scheduled Tribe (Hills) 38.5

 

 

APSC Prelims 2023 – CSAT General Studies GS-2 Paper 2 Question Paper & Answer Key | Download PDF

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APSC Prelim 2023 CSAT GS-2 Question Paper Download PDF

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APSC Prelims 2023 General Studies GS & CSAT Paper 1 & Paper 2 Answer Key Download PDF

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APSC prelims questions

 

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Assam Current Affairs – January 04-06, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 04-06, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the January 04-06, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 04-06, 2024 

North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) sanctions over ₹750 crores for 5,300 Northeast Projects

North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) has sanctioned Rs 766.47 crore and disbursed Rs 547.11 crore for 5338 projects in the NorthEast region, in diverse sectors – education & training food processing, handlooms & handicrafts, healthcare, hotels & tourism, microfinance etc.

Important Initiatives of NEDFI

  • NEDFi in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in setting up ₹100 crore North East Venture Fund to promote regional startups.
  • It also partners with banks, microcredit organisations and NGOs for last-mile delivery to remote areas.
  • North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) plays an important role in facilitating setting up of new industrial and service sector projects in the NE Region.
  • ₹547 crore disbursed at concessional interest rates to micro and small businesses 
  • ₹41 crore credit extended via microfinance institutions ₹53 crore direct micro lending to benefit over 9 lakh individuals.
  • ₹98 crore venture capital commitments to 67 startups.

About North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) 

  • It is a public limited company registered under the Companies Act 1956 on August 9, 1995.
  • It provides financial assistance to MSMEs in the NE region for setting up industrial, infrastructure and agriculture-related projects. 
  • It also provides micro financing through MFIs/NGOS. It also provides consultancy and advisory services to state governments, private sectors and other agencies.

Three New Frogs Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

The Scientists have reported three new frog species belonging to new genera from Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha-Kamlang protected area network along the Myanmar border.

About the discovery 

  • Gracixalus patkaiensis – A translucent green tree frog with jelly-like appearance and insect-like call
  • Alcalus fontinalis – A tiny brown frog inhabiting fast-flowing hill streams with unique trickling vocalization 
  • Nidirana noadihing – A marsh-dwelling “music frog” named after the Noa-Dihing river

About Namdapha Tiger Reserve: 

  • It is located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the international border with Myanmar.
  • It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 on 2nd Oct.’1972. 
  • In the 1983 year it was declared as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger Scheme of the Govt. of India on 15th March 1983.

India, Nepal hold Seventh Joint Commission Meeting

The Seventh Meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission was held in Kathmandu. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Nepal counterpart NP Saud recently attended the 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission.

 

Key Points

  • Nepal and India signed a long-term agreement for the export of 10,000 MW of power to India for the next 10 years. 
  • Inauguration of Cross-Border Inauguration of 3 cross-border transmission lines which was completed with the help of India (132 kV Raxaul-Parwanipur, 132 kV Kushaha-Kataiya and New Nautanwa-Mainahiya lines). 
  • An agreement for the launch of Nepali satellites was formalized between the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology and NewSpace India Limited under the Indian Space Research Organisation.
  • Inaugurated 3 132-kV cross-border transmission strains, which include the second circuits of the Raxaul-Parwanipur line and the Kataiya-Kusaha line, and the New Nautanwa-Mahiya line.

About India-Nepal Joint Commission: 

It was established in 1987 as a platform for the Foreign Ministers of both countries to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.

Raghuram Iyer appointed as CEO of Indian Olympic Association 

Raghuram Iyer has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

His appointment follows a meticulous selection process conducted by the nomination committee of the IOA.

The appointment comes after a significant delay and repeated reminders from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Raghuram Iyer’s extensive experience in sports management and administration, particularly his previous roles as CEO of Indian Premier League teams Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, has been recognized as making him an ideal candidate for this position.

XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the PSLV-C58 XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission.

About XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)

  • XPoSat is designed to study X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band, offering insights into celestial sources’ radiation mechanisms and geometry. 
  • This study is crucial for understanding the physics behind these celestial bodies.
  • The satellite carries two main payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing).
  • It is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources.
  • It is designated for observation from low earth orbit.
  • After this launch, India became the second nation after the US to send an observatory to study astronomical sources, such as black holes, and neutron stars, among others.

Wetland City Accreditation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).

The nominated cities include Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Udaipur (Rajasthan).

 These are the first three Indian cities for which nominations have been submitted for WCA based on the proposals received from respective State Wetlands Authorities in collaboration with the Municipal Corporations.

About Wetland City Accreditation:

  • The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system.
  • The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
  • It recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands and also recognizes the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.
  • This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.

About the cities nominated for WCA

  1. Indore: Founded by Holkars. Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site in the city has been recognised as an important site for water bird congregation and is being developed as a Bird Sanctuary. 

A strong network of wetland mitras is engaged in bird conservation and sensitising the local community to protect Sarus Crane. 

  1. Bhopal: Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site is the city’s lifeline, equipped with the world-class wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang. Additionally, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation has a dedicated Lake Conservation Cell. 
  2. Udaipur: The city is surrounded by five major wetlands, namely, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. These wetlands are an integral part of the city’s culture and identity, help maintain the city’s microclimate, and provide a buffer from extreme events.

Union Cabinet approves overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)”

The Union Cabinet recently approved the comprehensive scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This overarching initiative, with an allocation of Rs 4,797 crore for the period 2021-26.

About PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) Scheme

Objectives:

The major Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are: 

  • Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change 
  • Development of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change 
  • Exploration polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources; 
  • Development of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications ·
  • Translation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.

The Prithvi scheme integrates five existing sub-schemes: 

  1. Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS) 
  2. Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART) 
  3. Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER) 
  4. Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE) 
  5. Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).

Additionally, the scheme focuses on providing advanced warning services for natural disasters like cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and earthquakes, facilitating prompt and effective disaster management. 

The scheme ensures precise weather forecasts for both land and oceans, enhancing safety and minimizing property damages in adverse weather conditions.

‘Clean and Green Village’ Programme  for Solar Power Expansion

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is prioritizing the ‘Clean and Green Village’ theme as part of its Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). 

About ‘Clean and Green Village’ Programme

  • Clean and Green Village’ is the fifth theme under the GPDP.
  • The programme aims to install solar power capacities on a commercial basis. 
  • It aims to develop sustainable business models for solar initiatives at the grassroots level. 
  • The programme focuses on access to safe water, sanitation, and low pollution environments for healthier lives. 
  • It emphasizes sustainable natural resource management for better livelihoods, food security, and environmental protection.
  • It aims to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG13 (climate action). 

Areas of Action: Includes 10 specific areas like Open Defecation Free (ODF) Village, Clean and Green School, promotion of Organic Farming, and more.

Initiatives and Schemes for Clean and Green Village: 

  • Organic and natural farming initiatives like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana. 
  • Reducing chemical fertilizers through schemes like PM-PRANAM. Waste to wealth initiatives like GOBARdhan and SATAT.

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru have observed a significant shift in the habitat of numerous bird species in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary due to the escalating temperatures in the region.

About Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

  • It is a protected area of India in the Himalayan foothills of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. 
  • It conjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the northeast and Pakhui Tiger Reserve across the Kameng river to the east. 
  • It is situated in the biodiversity hotspot of Eastern Himalayas and home to over 500 bird species.
  • It is also a part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve. 
  • It derives its name from the Red Eagle Division of the Indian army The temperate cloud forest is intermixed with dense bamboo patches and broadleaved evergreen forest across a wide altitudinal range, with conifers and rhododendrons at the higher elevations.

Assam Govt and Indian Govt sign peace Pact with ULFA (All Provisions) – Assam/Northeast Polity Notes

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Assam Govt and Indian Govt sign peace Pact with ULFA (All Provisions) - Assam/Northeast Polity Notes
Assam Polity - Assamexam

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Recently, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Assam government and the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) signed a memorandum of settlement (MoU). The agreement was signed with the pro-talks faction of ULFA under Arabinda Rajkhowa while the other faction led by Paresh Baruah (known as ULFA-I) has not joined the peace process.

Major provisions in the ULFA Peace Accord

  1. Development Measures- The peace agreement encompasses a comprehensive package for the all-round development of Assam. It includes provisions for various developmental projects and a commitment to resolving long-standing issues. The government has pledged investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore, staggered through the years.
  2. Political Inclusion- The agreement addresses the issue of political insecurity among indigenous people, reserving 97 out of 126 seats for them in the recent delimitation exercise. It ensures the continuation of this principle in future delimitation processes, aiming to address political insecurities.
  3. Non-Violence- ULFA has agreed to renounce violence, disarm, disband the armed organization, vacate their occupied camps, and participate in the peaceful democratic process established by law. This commitment aims to ensure the integrity of the country and marks a shift towards non-violent engagement.
  4. A time-bound program will be made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to fulfil the demands of ULFA and a committee will also be formed for its monitoring.
  5. Govt. of India and the Govt. of Assam remain committed to protect the interests of the indigenous communities, ULFA agreed to shun the path of violence, join the peaceful democratic process as established by the law of the land, and uphold the integrity of the country. 

 

Political Demands

  1. The Govt. of India agrees to maintain the territorial integrity of the State of Assam. However, the Govt. of India and the Govt. of Assam are committed to amicably resolve boundary disputes of Assam with neighbouring States.
  2. The Govt. of India will consider recommending to the Election Commission of India to follow, as far as possible, the broad guidelines and methodology, which was adopted for the delimitation exercise held in Assam in 2023, in future delimitations as well. Some of these parameters used in the exercise are rate of growth of population, density of population, principles of historicity of areas and communities, geographical continuity, physical features, facilities of communication and public convenience. 
  3. Effective measures will be taken to prevent enrolment of illegal migrants in the voter lists. All precautions will be taken to ensure thorough scrutiny of new voters at the time of revision of electoral rolls. The verification exercise should be carried out under the direct supervision of the District Electorar Registration Officer.
  4. ST Status for Communities: The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been introduced by the Govt. of India in the Rajya Sabha to include certain communities in the list of the STs in relation to the State of Assam. The Govt. of Assam has constituted a Committee of Group of Ministers (CGoM) to examine and suggest on the different aspects of reservation of six communities in the State. The Govt. of India and the Govt. of Assam will make efforts to expedite the process after signing of the MoS.
  5. Reservation in Education/Employment: The Govt. of Assam agrees to consider initiating measures to divide OBCs/MOBCs into separate categories and specify quantum of reservation for each category for the purpose of reservation in educational institutions and employment under the State Govt. The State Govt. has already constituted the Assam Backward Classes Commission in April 2022 under the Assam Backward Classes Commission Act, 1993 towards this objective.
  6. NRC/Illegal Immigration: Foreigners detected after preparation of the corrected and error-free NRC shall be dealt with as per the law of the land. Effective measures, including use of latest state of the art technologies, will continue to be taken jointly by the Govt. of India and the Govt. of Assam to secure international borders to prevent fresh illegal influx into the country.
  7. Land/Forest: For efficient management of land resources, the Govt. of Assam will take steps to digitalise all land holdings, preferably within 3 years of signing of the MoS. The Govt. of Assam will take necessary steps to prevent shrinkage/decrease of prime agricultural land. No agricultural land will ordinarily be allotted or settled for any other purpose except when the State Govt. is of the view that the intended purpose is in public interest such as establishment of industry for employment generation, construction of public institution/office, hospital, dispensary, etc.
  8. Tea Gardens: The Govt. of Assam will consider constituting a Committee under the Chairmanship of a Cabinet Minister to examine the issue of sick tea gardens and recommend steps as to how to revive them. The Committee will also study various issues relating to welfare of the tea garden workers and recommend appropriate measures to address their grievances, in consultation with all stakeholders including the plantation owners. Persons belonging to Tea and Ex-Tea garden community will be given preference in allotment of land acquired from Tea Estate under the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1956, as amended from time to time. 
    Efforts will be made by the Govt. of India to re-locate the Office of Tea Board of India from Kolkata to a suitable location in Assam.
  9. The Govt. of India may consider facilitating acquisition of land at Delhi and provide financial assistance for constructionn of a Community Centre, which will inculcate the spirit of Srimanta Sankardev and Lachit Borpukhan, at the national level.
  10. The Govt. of India may consider setting up a Visual Art University in Assam to promote film production, performing arts, animation etc.
  11. The Govt. of India may consider establishing a Regional Centre of Lalit Kala Academy for the North East in Assam.
  12. Govt. of Assam will set up an Archaeology Research Centre at Tezpur.
  13. An Ethnic Museum will be set up by the Govt. of Assam in Dhemaji, which was the second capital of Ahom kingdom (Dhemaji Habung).
  14. A heritage centre will be set up by the Govt. of Assam at Jamugurihat (Sonitpur district) for preserving the “Bhaona Culture”.
  15. Cultural Academy and Research Centres will be set up by the Govt. of Assam in erstwhile Lakhimpur, Darrang, Goalpara (to be named after Pratima Pandey Baruah), Kamrup, Sivasagar, Cachar and Nagaon districts, which are known for their rich cultural tradition since pre-Independence days.
  16. The Govt. of India will take up a number of developmental projects in Assam in the next few years covering core infrastructure sectors such as Road Transport & Highways, Railways, Flood and Soil Erosion, Petroleum & Natural Gas, MSME, Textiles, MEITY, etc. A list of identified projects is at Annexure — I. 10.2 The Govt. of Assam will also take up a number of developmental projects in the State in the next few years covering various sectors such as Energy, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Roads & Bridges, Floods and Soil Erosion, Wetland Development, Education, Cottage Industry and Delivery of services to improve ease of living. A list of identified projects is at Annexure — II.
  17. Special Development Package: A Special Development Package of Rs. 5000 Crores will be provided over a period of five years with matching contributiorf by the Govt. of India and the Govt. of Assam for various developmental initiatives in the State.

 

ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS 

A. ROAD

1. Highway from Diphu to West Karbi Anglong via Hamren 

2. 4-lane Gauripur Bypass from Dumardohan to Baladmara via Khudimari, Fulkumari, Charaldanga, Sajuarkuti, Geramari 

3. Two lane road from Majuli to Jorhat on NH-715K 

4. Stage strengthening of NH-127C from Samthaibari to Dadgiri 

5. New Bridge over River Gai on NH-15 

6. River Training Work for New 2-Lane Major Bridge between Majuli and Jorhat

7. Construction & up-gradation of NH-127C from Samthaibari to Galengphu (Indo-Bhutan Border) 

8. Widening of NH-329

 9. Tamenglong – Mahur Road from Jiri River to Hangrum 

10. 4-Laning of Bilasipara-Tulungia and Silchar-Jiribam 

11. 4-Laning of Silchar ISBT of NH-37 and NH-6 

12. 4-Laning of NH-37/NH-8 near Sutarkandi (Spur Connectivity to Indo/Bangladesh Border) and proposed Nilam bazar/ Cheragi Bypass on Silchar-Churaibari 

13. 4-Laning of NH-8 (proposed Nilambazar/Cheragi Bypass near Chandkhira Village and near Churaibari Village (Assam/Tripura Border) on Silchar-Churaibari 

14. 4-Laning of Malidor-Ratachera-Kalain-Badarpur 

15. 4-Laning of Silchar-Jiribam 

16. Construction of new highway from NH-37 near Pailapool to NH-137 connecting Jaipur, Harinagar, Kumarcherra, Zinam, Hagrum (Mahur-Tamenglomg Road) 

17. (a) 4-Lane Approach road from Numaligarh side to Brahmaputra Tunnel on South Bank

 (b) 4-Laning of Brahmaputra Tunnel Connectivity across River Brahmaputra between Gohpur (on NH-15) and Numaligarh (on NH71) 

(c) 4-Laning of Approach road from End of Brahmaputra River Tunnel to Gohpur side on North Bank 

18. Guwahati Ring Road including Brahmaputra Bridge 

19. Implementation of wild life friendly measures on Kaziranga National Park stretch of NH-715 Baihata to Sonapur section) and (Basistha to Jorabat section) on NH 37 

B. Railways 

20. World Class Station Building at Kamakhya Railway Station 

21. New Railway line Salona-Khumtai 

22. New Railway line Tezpur-Silghat 

23. Saraighat Bridge doubling 

24. Doubling of Kamakhya — New Guwahati — 3rd Line 

25. Doubling of Lumding – Tinsukia Jn – Dibrugarh railway line 

26. Multi-tracking of Azara- Tetelia 

27. Multitracking from Khandikar- Kendukona (Rangia By-pass) 

28. Chandranathpur — Agartala 

29. Agthori – Dekargaon (New line)

 30. New lines : Ledo – Jairampur- Kharsang; Gogamukh—Jorhat; Jowai-Khlieriat— Chandranathpur; Kokrajhar-Gelephu 

C. FLOOD AND SOIL EROSION 

31. Anti-erosion measures at different reaches of river Kushiyara 

32. Raising and strengthening of Dyke from Bahari to Baghbar

33. Anti-erosion measures at different reaches of river Garuphella

 34. Anti-erosion measures at different reaches of river Longa 

35. Protection of Majuli island from flood and erosion of river Brahmaputra 

36. Integrated Water Resources Management of Buridehing Basin 

37. Integrated flood and erosion management of Manas and Beki rivers in Baksa and Barpeta districts 

38. Integrated flood and river bank erosion manaaement works at Rohmoria 

39. Protection of Flood embankment along Kollong river from Raha to Jagi

 40. Construction of Dyke along right bank of river Kollong from Dhankhunda to Gobardhan hill and sluice gate at Dhepuijan, Ghoramarajaan and Kajolijan 

41. Protection of Kolbari and Lality area from the erosion of river Brahmaputra (Construction of three nos of spurs and a check dam) 

42. Protection of various villages from the erosion of river Aie 

43. Rejuvenation, bioremediation and conservation of Silsako Beel at Guwahati 

D. PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS 

44. Pipeline from Duliajan to Majuli 

45. Laying of pipeline from Narayanpur, Assam to Banderdewa & Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh 

46. Pipeline from Guwahati, Assam to Sandrup Jonkhar, Bhutan

 47. Pipelines from Silchar, Assam to Imphal, Manipur via Jiribam 

48. Pipeline from Baihata, Assam to Panikhaiti, Assam and from Sonapur, Assam to Tura & Mairang, Meghalaya. 

49. Capacity augmentation of Bongaigaon LPG Plant 

50. Laying of Guwahati-Silchar-Imphal Product Pipeline (GSIPL)

51. Bongaigaon Refinery Expansion 

52. Geleki Redevelopment Project 

53. Creation Of Captive Power Plant (CPP) at Geleki 

54. Creation of Surface Facilities and Redevelopment of Geleki Field 

55. Pipeline Network Project, Rudrasagar

56. Creation of Captive Power Plant (CPP) at Rudrasagar 

57. Pilot implementation of Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR) in Rudrasagar, Lakwa, Lakhmani 

E. MSME

58. Development of New Industrial Estate at Chenga, Bahari, District Barpeta

59. Setting up of a new industrial estate at 2, Dhemajibari, Biswanath Cherialx

60. Up-gradation of the Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre IIDC, Silapathar, District Dhemaji

61. Development of New Industrial Estate at Maizgram, District Karimganj

62. Up-gradation of the Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre, Titabor, Jorhat

63. Development of New Industrial Estate at Dighalichapari, District-Sonitpur

64. Infrastructure Development Facilities & Up-gradation in the existing Complex, Manja, Karbi Anglong, Assam.

F. TEXTILES

65. Eri and Muga Silk Development Project for creation of livelihood of forest communities

66. Integrated project for Eri Silk Industry

67. Project for empowering women from forest dependant communities in Soil to Silk value chain (Ava Creation – SPV)

G. MEITY

68. Research Centre for Nano-technology. 

Annexure-!!

List of Developmental Projects to be taken up by Govt. of Assam 

A. ENERGY

1. Development of 3000 MW Solar power projects in Assam

2. Increased Hydro-Power generation by expansion of KarbiLangpi Project with additional 50 MW

3. Develop Assam as a region hub by establishing 250 MW Battery Energy Storage.

4. Increased power supply in the State by exploiting green sources by developing 212 MW Solar Parks in the State

5. Development of anew 25 MW Namrup Solar Power Project 

6. Development of 20 MW Sonbeel Solar Power Project at Karimganj

B. PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

 7. Increased oil and gas business in Assam in the midstream and downstream by expanding the capacity and diversification of NRL into 9 MMPTA

C. ROADS AND BRIDGES

8. Improved rural connectivity by construction of new and strengthening of Resilient Rural Bridges in the State 

9. Improvement of communication by taking up of Assam Bridge project connecting Palashbari

10. Special focus and investment for development of Roads in Hill Areas in Assam with suitable designs for Disaster Resilience

D. FLOODS AND SOIL EROSION

11. Protection of lives and livelihoods of people of Assam in flood affected areas by taking up Integrated River Basin Management Projects

12. Long term and sustainable development of Brahmaputra riverine areas by taking up projects like Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and River Erosion Risk Management Programme

13. Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project in: (a) Assam-Dibrugrh and Tinsukia Sub Project (Zone-A) (b) Assam-Morigaon Nagaon Tezpur Sub project (Zone-B) (c) Assam-Guwahati West P:G.P Sub project (Zone-C) (d) Assam-Barpeta Goalpara Dhubri sub project ( Zone D)

E. MISCELLANEOUS

14. Systemic transformation of Governance & Service Delivery in Assam to make it more pro-people and accountable by targeted investments

15. Focussed Investment to develop modern Urban Infrastructure and Urban Sector in Assam to promote Ease of Living

16. Develop and Implement time-bound program to cover all major towns of Assam with urban gas distribution to provide connections to all households in 5 years

F. WETLAND DEVELOPMENT

17. Eco-Conservation and Development of Assam Wetlands and Integrated Fisheries in a sustainable manner G. EDUCATION

18. Mission Mode and focused efforts and investments to support School education in Assam

H. COTTAGE INDUSTRY

19. Bell metal, Brass metal and charcoal depot based industries to be established in Sarthebari (Bajali District). State Govt. to look into the problems of easy availability of raw material to ensure survival of Bell based Assamese handicraft cottage industry. 

Annexure-III

Illustrative list of developmental projects to, be implemented underSpecial Development Packaqe,

A. EDUCATION

1. IIM at Guwahati subject to laid down govt. norms

2. School of Planning and Architecture subject to laid down govt. norms

3. Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) subject to laid down govt. norms

4. A University in the name of Su-Ka-Pha in Charaideo district subject to aid down govt. norms

5. Education Park at Guwahati to impart interacting, demonstrative and physical education to youth on physical science, life and social sciences.

6. Training School for imparting hands on training in Oil and Gas operations

B. RAILWAYS

7. North Eastern Frontier Railways to be re-constituted to cover only the States of North East Region subject to laid down norms of Railway Board.

8. Railway equipment manufacturing plant at Bongaigaon

C. FLOOD AND SOIL EROSION

Flood and erosion problem will be treated as a national priority

D. INDUSTRY

10. Food processing Industrial park in Malinibari of Silchar District.

11. Special Economic Zone at Daranga Mela area of IndoBhutan border (Baksa District).

12. !ndustrial area for value added production from Banana in Goalpara district

13. Industrial area for value added production from Pineapple in Karbi Anglong district

14. A bamboo-based industry in Barak Valley

E. TOURISM

15. Development of Kaziranga as a high-end national level tourist attraction centre with various entertainment amenities, Botanical and Floral Garden, Orchid Centre, Eco Forest Museum and opportunities to showcase local culture, craft, cottage industry, etc.

16. Tea Museum at Dibrugarh

17. Development of tourist spots at .Rangghar, Talatalghar, Karengghar, Khaspur ruins, Brahmaputra waterfront at Guwahati, battlefield of Saraighat war and Bogeebil.

18. Development of water sports activities at Bogeebil (Dibrugarh District).

E. TOURISM

15. Development of Kaziranga as a high-end national level tourist attraction centre with various entertainment amenities, Botanical and Floral Garden, Orchid Centre, Eco Forest Museum and opportunities to showcase local culture, craft, cottage industry, etc.

16. Tea Museum at Dibrugarh

17. Development of tourist spots at . Rangghar, Talatalghar, Karengghar, Khaspur ruins, Brahmaputra waterfront at Guwahati, battlefield of Saraighat war and Bogeebil.

18. Development of water sports activities at Bogeebil (Dibrugarh District).

F. SPORTS

19. A multi-facility sports complex with Centre of Excellence in Volleyball at Nalbari

20. Centre of Excellence for Foot+oail in Dibrugarh and Baksa districts

21. Multi-purpose sports complex at Darrang and Charaideo districts

22. Football Academy at Kaiiabor (Nagaon District).

G. AGRICULTURE

23. An in ernationaliy accredited Organic Produce Certification

Centre to be set up in Assam Agriculture University.

24. A Regional Pesticide Testing laboratory to be set up at Guwahati.

25.  Muga Parks at Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Sivasagar and South Ka,mrup with special incentives to Muga producers. Rural areas (Dhakuakhana, Dhemaji, Charaideo and Boko) to be declared as eco-sensitive zone for survival of Muga silk culture.

26. Setting up of a Germplasm Bank in Horticulture Collage at Nalbari (Lokhopur) for development of indigenous verities of flora and fauna and collection and preservation of indigenous/heirloom seeds.

27. Solar Cold Storage in Sadia

H. ACT EAST POLICY

28. An international cultural centre in Guwahati to promote people to people socio-cultural contact with neighbouring countries.

29. An International level amusement park to be set up near Mayang and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary area in collaboration with private sector.

1. SKILL DEVELOPMENT

30. Skill Development Centres will be set up to function in close coordination with industry and impart specialised training to the youth for enhancing their capabilities in areas that are in demand overseas such as hospitality, healthcare, construction, manufacturing etc.

J. BlO-FUEL SECTOR

31. A Committee will be constituted to study and recommend on promotion of investment and formulation of policy in consultation with Niti Aayog to make Assam a hub for green energy.

32. Green Banks will be set up to provide financial assistance for green energy projects.

K. WETLAND DEVELOPMENT

33. Development of eco-tourism and state of the art water sports hub along with fresh water fisheries at Pahu-Garh (Sivasager district), Kalang River (Nagaon district) and Deuri Silabandha bil (Kaliabar), From Bouta bil to Kapfa bil Wetland (hiafbariBarpeta district), Dheer Bill (Dhuburi district), MatapungMaguri bill (Tinsukia district) and Bagibill of Dibrugarh district.

L.  ROADS AND BRIDGES

34. Bridges at (i) Boko-Mukalmua (ii) Disangmukh-Matmora (Sivasagar district-Lakhimpur district) (iii) Lahorighat (Morigaon district) – Udalguri (Udalguri district), and (iv) Mora Deopani-Amarpur Telia Bari to be constructed.

35. Construction of road from Khatkhati to Namrup Dilighat bridge along Assam-Nagaland boundary.

36. Reopening of road communication on Goalpara – Dalu – Nalitabari axis (road along Indo-Bangladesh boarder which links different border trade points).

 

Peace Pact with ULFA: A Path Towards Peace

  • 2005: United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) formed an 11-member ‘People’s Consultative Group’ (PCG)and the committee mediated three rounds of talks.
  • 2008: Some ULFA commanders like Arabinda Rajkhowa strive for peace talks while Paresh Baruah was opposed and was expelled from Rajkhowa outfit leading to split in ULFA.
  • 2012: The pro-talks faction submitted a 12-point charter of demands (spanning constitutional, political, financial, and cultural concerns), which was finally responded to in 2023.
  • 2023: Peace Accord between Rajkhowa’s faction and the Centre was followed, culminating in the tripartite peace agreement.
  • One of the major key points is that 97 out of 126 Assembly seats would be reserved for indigenous people and the future delimitation exercise would follow this principle.

 

Significance of the Peace Pact

  • Progress and Development: ₹1.5 lakh crore investment had been pledged in the peace accord.
  • Political Will and Implementation: A time-bound program will be made by the Home Ministry to fulfill the demands of ULFA.
  • Ensuring Peace Assam: With an aim to achieve resolution and closure.
    Violent Groups Surrendered: As more than 9000 cadres have surrendered on record.
  • Triumph of Democratic Process: ULFA has also agreed to engage in the peaceful democratic process established by law and maintain the integrity of the country.

 

Way Forward

  • Fulfill Promise: Government needs to fulfill the promises made during the peace agreement, addressing the concerns and aspirations of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and the affected communities.
  • Complete Peace Process: Ensure a comprehensive and thorough peace process.
  • Complete Integration and Assimilation: By involving rehabilitation programs, vocational training, and support for their social and economic integration.
  • Ensure Continued Monitoring: To ensure that all parties adhere to their commitments.
  • Neutralizing ULFA-1: Through collaboration with the Myanmar government. Diplomatic channels must be leveraged to counter any support provided to ULFA-1 by China.

The peace accord is a positive development for Northeast peace. However, challenges persist with the non-participating ULFA-I and cross-border issues. Sustained commitment and diplomatic efforts are essential for ensuring lasting stability in the region.

 

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