Tag: assam current affairs march 2020

Assam Current Affairs – March 29 – 31, 2020

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Current Affairs Assam – March 29 - 31, 2020

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of March 29 – 31, 2020 )

March 2020 Current Affairs Monthly PDF   |  Assam 2020 Yearbook  |  March 2020 Quiz Monthly PDF

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MARCH 29, 2020

Meghalaya forms medical expert team for COVID-19 handling
  • The Meghalaya government constituted a state-level medical expert committee for providing advice and guidance to deal with the coronavirus outbrea.
  • The committee which will be headed by Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner and Secretary, Sampath Kumar.
  • The members of the committee include doctors of state-run hospitals and specialists in rehabilitation and community empowerment.
  • The committee shall provide advice and guidance to the government and other medical practitioners working in various hospitals to handle and treat COVID-19 patients and to assess and examine various lines of treatment used and recommended by affected states and countries.
  • The committee will recommend key insights to the state government and also advice on any matter related to COVID-19
Odisha govt to train MBBS students for treatment of COVID-19
  • The Odisha government has decided to give training to MBBS students so that they can be deployed in hospitals meant for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
  • In the first phase, MBBS students of government establishments would be trained. Private medical colleges will also be required to train doctors and students simultaneously.
  • Considering the dearth of doctors, it has been decided that seventh, eighth and ninth semester MBBS students of all medical colleges will be trained who could be deployed in case a need arises, an order issued by state Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy.
  • It is also necessary to train the medical community, doctors, paramedics and others who will be involved in the direct management of patients in COVID-19 hospitals and isolation wards of various health facilities.
  • Considering the nature of the disease, extreme care and caution, as well as a professional approach, need to be adopted. Therefore, it is decided that intensive training of the personnel with available protocols will be conducted.
ISRO to design ventilators, oxygen canisters, make hand sanitisers
  • ISRO is doing to meet the emergency needs of the people and owing to lockdown, Designing simple to operate ventilators, manufacturing of sanitisers, oxygen canisters and masks while putting on hold manufacture of rockets.
  • The VSSC part of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) makes the rockets that launches the Indian and foreign satellites
  • Designing ventilators that are different from what is already there. And designing ventilators that can be operated in a simple manner and when power supply is not there.
Centre sets up PM-CARES fund to deal with COVID-19 pandemic
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the constitution of the PM’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund.
  • This will be a dedicated national fund with the primary objective of dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Prime Minister is the Chairman of this trust and its Members include Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.
  • Citizens and organisations can go to the website pmindia.gov.in and donate to PM CARES Fund.
  • This fund will enable micro-donations allowing a large number of people will be able to contribute with smallest of denominations.
  • Donations to this fund will be exempted from income tax under section 80(G).

  • People can also donate to the fund on pmindia.gov.in using UPI, Net Banking, RTGS, NEFT and debit and credit cards.

MARCH 30, 2020
Rs 25 crore to northeastern states from DoNER Ministry
  • The Ministry of DoNER has decided to sanction Rs 25 crore to the northeastern states for gap funding to fight the COVID-19 outbreak in the region effectively.
  • In the nature of untied fund, it can be utilised on any activity relating to COVID-19 pandemic, and not covered under existing Central packages.
  • The flexibility of untied funds will enable the states to respond quickly. This fund would be in addition to the funds otherwise allocated by the Ministry of DoNER to the northeastern states under existing schemes.
China develops nanomaterial to combat coronavirus
  • A team of Chinese scientists has reportedly developed a novel way to combat the new coronavirus that causes the Covid-19 disease which has killed over 32,000 people globally.
  • The new weapon is not a drug or a compound but some nanomaterial that can absorb and deactivate the virus with 96.5-99.9 per cent efficiency.
  • Nanomaterials are used in a variety of manufacturing processes, products and healthcare including paints, filters, insulation and lubricant additives.
  • Nanotechnology can be used to design pharmaceuticals that can target specific organs or cells in the body such as cancer cells, and enhance the effectiveness of therapy.
  • However, while engineered nanomaterials provide great benefits, very little about the potential effects on human health and the environment is known.
DRDO body suit to protect doctors from Covid-19
  • A body suit developed by India’s premier research and development organisation DRDO can protect doctors and other health workers attending on Covid-19 patients.
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said the body suit can shield doctors, medical staff, sanitation workers and others.
  • The body suit developed earlier for medical and paramedical staff to manage and evacuate the causalities in the event of radiological emergencies has now been converted into a full body suit to stop contamination.
  • The suit is washable and has passed the ASTM International standards. The suit is widely tested by DRDO and other agencies and found suitable for the cause.

  • Each suit costs Rs 7,000. Frontier Protective Wear Pvt Ltd, Kolkata and Medikit Pvt Ltd, Mumbai are producing 10,000 suits per day.

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MARCH 31, 2020
Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for July 23-August 8 in 2021
  • The Games were scheduled for July 24-August 9, but a historic joint decision was taken for the first postponement of an Olympics in peacetime.
  • Tokyo organisers said the opening ceremony will take place on July 23, 2021 almost exactly one year after the games were due to start this year. Last week, the IOC and Japanese organisers postponed the Olympics until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • After holding out for weeks, local organisers and the IOC last week postponed the Tokyo Games under pressure from athletes, national Olympic bodies and sports federations.
  • It’s the first postponement in Olympic history, though there were several cancellations during wartime.
  • Both Tokyo organising committee president Yoshiro Mori and CEO Toshiro Muto have said the cost of rescheduling will be massive. Billions of dollars with most of the expenses borne by Japanese taxpayers.
  • Miyamoto, an emeritus professor of sports economics at Kansai University, puts the costs as high as $4 billion. That would cover the price of maintaining stadiums, refitting them, paying rentals, penalties and other expenses.
  • Japan is officially spending $12.6 billion to organise the Olympics. However, an audit bureau of the Japanese government says the costs are twice that much.
  • The Switzerland-based International Olympic Committee is contributing $1.3 billion, according to organising committee documents. The IOC’s contribution goes into the operating budget.
  • The Olympics planned for 1940 in Tokyo were cancelled because of World War II.
G20 countries to inject $5 trillion into global economy
  • The Group of 20 global leaders decided to inject $5 trillion into the global economy to counter the adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • All the members at the G20 virtual summit were cooperative and focused on the resolution of the crisis, the goal that had been set by this year”s chair King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.
  • The leaders of the 20 most powerful countries in the world unanimously agreed to collectively protect lives, provide help to all countries in need of assistance, coordinate on public health and financial measures, safeguard people”s jobs and incomes, restore confidence, preserve financial stability, revive growth and recover stronger.
  • All the members also extended full support to the WHO mandate even as the organisation has drawn enormous flak for not alerting the world in time about the nature of the pandemic.
  • It was for the first time that the G20 members came together to address a humanitarian crisis that erupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected over 490,000 people around the globe besides claiming more than 22,000 lives.
New India Assurance initiates risk coverage for health workers
  • Public sector insurance company New India Assurance announced the commencement of the risk coverage of Rs 50 lakh per healthcare personnel in treating coronavirus positive patients
  • It is a tailor-made comprehensive personal accident which includes accidental loss of life due to novel coronavirus infection.
  • The premium payment process has been initiated and the risk coverage therein has commenced with immediate effect.
Anna University team develops washable, reusable mask
  • A team of researchers from Anna University said that it has developed a reusable and hence cost-effective mask made of polyester pile fabric.
  • The mask can be washed up to 20 times and reused. It costs about Rs 30 a piece,” S. Subramanian, said the team leader from the Department of Textiles, Alagappa College of Technology, Anna University.
  • The team had earlier worked on developing mask for pollution protection.
  • After checking out several materials, the team zeroed in on polyester pile fabric which is breathable and washable and also offers good filteration capabilities.
  • A cotton-based mask will retain the moisture and be wet whereas the polyester pile fabric will remain dry.
  • Pointing out that the mask developed the team is thicker, it does not however block air flow, is breathable and washable with any soap.

  • The Anna University has supplied a sample batch to the Health Department and production on a larger scale has to be done by an outside unit.

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Assam Current Affairs – March 22 – 28, 2020

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Current Affairs Assam – March 22 - 28, 2020

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of March 22 – 28, 2020 )

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MARCH 22, 2020

Assam cabinet approve Assam Elementary and Secondary School Teachers (Regulations of Posting and Transfer) Bill, 2020

  • The Assam state cabinet approved the Assam Elementary and Secondary School Teachers (Regulations of Posting and Transfer) Bill, 2020.

  • The bill seeks to fix posting tenures of teachers in a bid to rationalise their deployment in schools.
  • As per the bill, there will be an online system, in which a teacher will apply for transfer after completion of 10 years of service and it will be considered on merit.
  • A Teachers Accountability Commission will be setup. Anyone violating this act will be punished with three years of imprisonment.
  • The cabinet also approved The Assamese Language Learning Bill, 2020, which aims to make Assamese a compulsory subject in all schools — government and non-government — across Assam. However, the schools in the Barak Valley, BTAD and also the two Hill districts where Assamese will not be a compulsory subject.
  • The cabinet further gave its nod to the Guwahati Building Byelaws, which will enable construction of ground-plus-two-storey houses under Chief Minister’s housing scheme.
  • The cabinet also gave its nod to the bills to create four autonomous councils – Kamatapur, Motock, Moran and Bodo-Kachari.
  • To ensure VAT exemption to BCPL for fifteen years, the State government will spend Rs 1,714 crore, the cabinet further decided.

Union Cabinet approved a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of medical devices

  • Union Cabinet has approved a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of medical devices, with financial implications of Rs 3,420 crore.
  • The Cabinet also approved another promotion of medical device parks scheme worth Rs 400 crore for financing common infrastructure facilities in four medical device parks.
  • The expenditure to be incurred for the said schemes will be for the next five years i.e. from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
  • Under the sub-scheme for promotion of medical device parks, common infrastructure facilities would be created in four medical device parks, which is expected to reduce manufacturing cost of medical devices in the country.
  • The PLI scheme for promoting domestic manufacturing of medical devices would boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in the medical device sector, particularly in the identified target segments.
  • It will lead to expected incremental production of Rs 68,437 crore over a period of five years.
Cabinet approved signing of an extradition treaty between India and Belgium
  • The Cabinet approved signing of an extradition treaty between India and Belgium. The treaty would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic offenders and other criminals from and to Belgium.
  • The new treaty will replace the pre-Independence extradition treaty between Great Britain and Belgium that was made applicable to India through the exchange of letters in 1958 and is currently in force between India and Belgium.
  • Under the new treaty, each party will agree to extradite any person found in its territory accused or convicted of an extraditable offence in the territory of the other party.
  • An extraditable offence means an offence punishable under the laws of both the parties with imprisonment for a period of one year or more severe punishment.
  • Under the treaty, when extradition of a convicted person is sought, the duration of the sentence remaining to be served must be at least six months at the time of making the request.
  • Offences relating to taxation or revenue or one of a fiscal character also fall within the scope of this treaty.
  • The extradition can be refused if the offence is a political or military offence. It, however, specifies certain offences which will not be considered as political offences.
  • The request will not be entertained if it is for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing the person on account of his race, sex, religion, nationality or political opinion.
  • Extradition of nationals is discretionary. The nationality will be determined at the time the offence was committed.

FACTFILE – Belgium

  • The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in Western Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest.
  • It is a sovereign state and a federal constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
  • It covers an area of 30,689 km2 and has a population of more than 1.15 crore, making it the 6th most densely populated country in Europe.
  • The capital and largest city is Brussels.

AYUSH Health and Wellness Centre (HWCs) component of Ayushman Bharat to be included in National AYUSH Mission (NAM)

  • The proposal entails an expenditure of Rs 3399.35 crore for operationalization of AYUSH HWCs within a period of five years, from financial years 2019-20 to 2023-24.
  • The operationalization of HWCs component under NAM will achieve objectives such as establishment of a holistic wellness model based on AYUSH principles and practices focusing on preventive promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative healthcare by integration with the existing public health care system.
  • It will also provide informed choice to the public by making the AYUSH services available.
  • The services include community awareness about lifestyle, diet, Yoga, medicinal plants and provision of medicines for selected conditions as per the strength of AYUSH systems.
  • The Ministry of AYUSH, in consultation with States and Union Territories, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and other line Ministries has also proposed models for operationalization of 12,500 AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres across the country.
  • Approximately 10,000 dispensaries and 2,500 sub-health centres (SHCs) will be upgraded.
  • It will enhance accessibility to achieve universal health coverage for affordable treatment, reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary health care facilities.

Union Cabinet cleared incentive schemes of Rs 48,000 crore to boost electronics manufacturing

  • The Union Cabinet has cleared three schemes involving a total incentive of around Rs 48,000 crore to boost electronics manufacturing in the country.
  • Government is expecting to generate manufacturing revenue potential of Rs 10 lakh crore and create direct and indirect jobs for 20 lakh people by 2025 through these schemes.
  • The Cabinet also approved incentives for medical devices to reduce dependency on import of electronic products for medical care in the country.
  • Under the scheme, electronic manufacturing companies will get an incentive of 4 to 6 per cent on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies over a period of next 5 years.
  • The Cabinet approved scheme for promotion of manufacturing of electronics components and semiconductors with a budget outlay of Rs 3,285 crore spread over a period of 8 years.
  • It also approved revised version for electronics manufacturing clusters with a total incentive outlay of Rs 3,762.25 crore spread over a period of 8 years with an objective to create 10 lakh direct and indirect jobs under the scheme.
MARCH 23, 2020
Union Cabinet cleared incentive schemes of Rs 48,000 crore to boost electronics manufacturing
  • The Union Cabinet has cleared three schemes involving a total incentive of around Rs 48,000 crore to boost electronics manufacturing in the country.
  • Government is expecting to generate manufacturing revenue potential of Rs 10 lakh crore and create direct and indirect jobs for 20 lakh people by 2025 through these schemes.
  • The Cabinet also approved incentives for medical devices to reduce dependency on import of electronic products for medical care in the country.
  • Under the scheme, electronic manufacturing companies will get an incentive of 4 to 6 per cent on incremental sales of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies over a period of next 5 years.
  • The Cabinet approved scheme for promotion of manufacturing of electronics components and semiconductors with a budget outlay of Rs 3,285 crore spread over a period of 8 years.
  • It also approved revised version for electronics manufacturing clusters with a total incentive outlay of Rs 3,762.25 crore spread over a period of 8 years with an objective to create 10 lakh direct and indirect jobs under the scheme.
Bengaluru Salem students create apps to help tackle COVID-19
  • Engineering students of Sona College of Technology, Salem and engineers from Vee Technologies, Bengaluru on Saturday announced they have created two apps to help the country tackle the growing new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
  • One app called ‘Corona-Scan’ proactively allows public health officials to map individuals who were in close proximity with a possibly infected or active coronavirus patient.
  • The second is a corresponding user app, ‘Corona-Support,’ that asks the public for their voluntary registration.
  • If an individual tests positive a voluntary status update can be entered in the app, helping health authorities and experts tracking the spread of the virus get accurate information.
  • By tracking and recording people within 3 to 5 metres every two minutes, the ‘Carona-Scan’ app generates live data of people in close proximity to one another.
  • By mapping people who may have been infected and risk infecting others, public health officials can identify and take appropriate action to connect with them over the phone and keep them under observation, isolation or recommend testing.
Tamil Nadu to reserve medical college seats for govt school students
  • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said the government will reserve certain percentage of medical college seats for students from government schools who clear the entrance exams.
  • A special law will be brought by the government to reserve seats for students who had cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) after studying in government schools from 1st to 12th standard.
  • TN CM Palaniswami also said the government will appoint Commission headed by a retired High Court judge to gather data and statistics for bringing in the law and make necessary recommendations in this connection.
  • The Commission will also study the reasons for government school students for joining medical college in low numbers and recommend the action to be taken.

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MARCH 24, 2020
Assam making 20,000 isolation beds available
  • Assam State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the State, in its effort to prepare for COVID 19 outbreak, is trying to make 20,000 isolation beds available.
  • Addressing the State Legislative Assembly, Sarma said that the month of April and May would be a challenging one for the State since it is also the time when cases of Japanese Encephalitis, which has higher mortality rate.
  • He further informed that along with the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital and Sonapur civil hospital, the State Government has also decided to turn Singimari hospital into a set-up dedicated to Corona.
  • The Health Minister while laying special onus on a private-public partnership to deal with the health emergency, informed that the Government’s flagship scheme – Atal-Amrit Health Card – which earlier covered five major ailments, will now cover all the diseases.
  • As far as providing financial assistance to the low income groups or daily wage earners is concerned, we do not have an extensive mechanism in place. The State Government could access bank accounts of around 40 lakh people including daily wage earners and members of the low income groups who have been covered under schemes like Ujala which could be used for the it.
Lok Sabha passes Finance Bill 2020
  • The Lok Sabha passed the Finance Bill, 2020 by voice vote, The Bill gives effect to the financial proposals of the Central government for the financial year 2020-21.
  • In the Union Budget 2020-2021, the government proposed to spend Rs 30,42,230 crore in 2020-21, which is 12.7 per cent higher than the revised estimate of 2019-20.
  • The receipts are expected to increase by 16.3 per cent to Rs 22,45,893 crore, owing to higher estimated revenue from disinvestments.
  • The government has assumed a nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 10 per cent in 2020-21. The nominal growth estimate for 2019-20 was 12 per cent.

FACTFILE – Finance Bill

  • As per Article 110 of the Constitution of India, the Finance Bill is a Money Bill. The Finance Bill is a part of the Union Budget, stipulating all the legal amendments required for the changes in taxation proposed by the Finance Minister.
  • It is an umbrella legislation which encompasses all amendments required in various laws pertaining to tax, in accordance with the tax proposals made in the Union Budget.
  • The Finance Bill, as a Money Bill, needs to be passed by the Lok Sabha — the lower house of the Parliament. Post the Lok Sabha’s approval, the Finance Bill becomes Finance Act.

Point2Remeber – Difference between Money Bill and Finance Bill

  • A Money Bill has to be introduced in the Lok Sabha as per Section 110 of the Constitution.
  • It is sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. The Rajya Sabha has to return the Bill with recommendations in 14 days.
  • Article 117 of the Constitution categorically lays down that a Bill pertaining to sub-clauses (a) to (f) of clause (1) shall not be introduced or moved except with the President’s recommendation.
  • The bill that makes such provisions shall not be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
National Supercomputing Mission to develop more computing power
  • The National Supercomputing Mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India.
  • A first of its kind attempt to boost the country’s computing power, the National Super Computing Mission is steered jointly by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. 
  • The target of the mission was set to establish a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022.
  • This network of Supercomputers envisaging a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs), a jump of 6 times more compute power within the same cost and capable of solving large and complex computational problems. 
  • 11 new systems are likely to be set up in different IITs, NITs, National Labs, and IISERs across India by December this year, which will have many sub-systems manufactured and microprocessors designed in India which will bring in a cumulative capacity of 10.4 petaflops.

MARCH 25, 2020

NE’s first COVID-19 case reported in Manipur
  • The first COVID-19 case was reported in Manipur today, official sources said. It is also the first positive case of novel coronavirus in the Northeast.
  • Director of Health Services, Manipur, Dr K Rajo Singh in a press release said one 23-year-old Manipuri person returning from the United Kingdom has tested positive
Complete Nationwide Lockdown for 21 Days to combat coronavirus outbreak
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days from 24th March midnight, asserting that social distancing is the only way out for the country to fight a decisive battle against coronavirus outbreak.
  • Modi made a fervent appeal to the countrymen not to cross the ‘lakshman rekha’ of their homes in the next three weeks.
  • He said, if the situation is not handled in these 21 days, the country and your family could go back by 21 years. If situation is not handled in these 21 days, several families will get devastated forever
  • The Centre and state governments have taken measures to ensure that the supply of all essential items continue smoothly.
  • Separately, the government issued detailed guidelines about the restrictions, along with certain exemptions.
Vivaad Se Vishwas direct tax scheme extended till June 30
  • The government has extended durations of the dispute settlement schemes for direct taxes (Vivaad Se Vishwas) and indirect taxes (Sabka Vishwas) till June 30.
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said under the ”Vivaad Se Vishwas” scheme, 10 per cent additional charge would not be levied till June 30.
  • The scheme in its earlier version provided complete waiver of interest and penalty for payments made by March 31 and involved settlement with additional payment of 10 per cent between April 1 and June 30.

  • The Direct Tax Vivaad Se Vishwas Bill 2020 intends to resolve direct tax disputes and offers a waiver of interest, penalty and prosecution for settlement of these disputes.

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MARCH 26, 2020

SEBA online classes for Class X students

  • In an attempt to compensate for the losses of academic days of students who would sit for their HSLC exams next year, SEBA has launched online classes through YouTube for students of Class X standard.

  • Lectures of subjects English, Mathematics and Science would be uploaded through YouTube videos every day in Assamese, English and Bodo languages so that maximum number of students can keep themselves updated during the lockdown period.

  • Students would get intimated about the video upload through SMSes on their mobile numbers registered in the Board database.

  • The digital materials of the current curriculum are being uploaded in YouTube by SIQUES EDUAID LLP in association with the SEBA.

  • Approximately 4.5 lakh students would sit for their Board examination next year. Initially the curriculum of February and March would be covered through the videos.

  • As in case of any YouTube video, the SEBA video contents would be available for repeat playing. In the comment section, the students can ask their questions and get their queries answered by the teachers.

Union Cabinet approved MoU between India and Germany for technological cooperation in railway
  • Union Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding signed between India and Germany for technological cooperation in the railway sector.
  • The Cabinet was apprised of a MoU signed between Ministry of Railways with DB Engineering and Consulting GMBH of Germany for technological cooperation in railways.
  • India and Germany had signed the MoU in February this year for technological cooperation in railway sector that will enable cooperation in freight operations, passenger operations, infrastructure building and management.
  • The MoU will also help the Indian Railways in development of a modern, competitive railway organisation, IT solutions for railway operations, marketing and sales as well as administrative purposes, predictive maintenance, private train operations and any other areas which may be mutually agreed in writing between the two sides.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved recapitalisation of RRBs with Rs 1,340 crore
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the recapitalisation of regional rural banks with total outlay of Rs 1,340 crore, to improve their capital adequacy during the coronavirus crisis.
  • Out of the total approved Rs 1,340 crore, the Central government will infuse Rs 670 crore and the rest would be put in by the state government and other sponsoring banks.
  • The government has off late announced a slew of measures to provide relief to the general public and businesses in terms of regulatory compliances, including deferment of deadlines for IT and GST return filings.
WHO partners Microsoft, Facebook for global coronavirus hackathon
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) has partnered with tech giants like Facebook and Microsoft for a global hackathon, asking developers to build software solutions that drive social impact, with the aim of tackling some of the challenges related to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
  • Along with Facebook and Microsoft, tech companies Twitter, WeChat, TikTok, Pinterest and Slack are also participating in the hackathon.
  • The #BuildforCOVID19 hackathon would begin accepting project submissions.
  • Given the isolation currently being experienced within communities right now, we want to create an online space where developers could ideate, experiment and build software solutions to help address this crisis.

MARCH 27, 2020

Installation of supercomputing facility at IIT Guwahati got approved

  • The Technical Advisory Committee of National Supercomputing Mission (MSM-TAC) has approved the installation of a supercomputing facility of the compute power of 650 TF (approximately 838 TF peak, 70:30 CPU and GPU Hybrid Supercomputing System) at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG).
  • The Department of Science and Technology (DST), along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), is coordinating the mission and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune, and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, are the implementing agencies of the mission.
  • This new hybrid supercomputing system will not only boost the HPC usages and research environment in the institute but also enhance the research capability of the North East, since around 40 per cent of the compute power will be allocated to the external users as per the guidelines approved by the NSM-TAC.
  • This also aligns with the policy of IIT Guwahati to build a ‘Network of Excellence’ among the institutes of Northeastern region.
Rs 1.7 lakh crore stimulus to help poor hit by lockdown
  • Central government announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore stimulus that included free foodgrain and cooking gas to poor for three months, and cash doles to women and poor senior citizens as it looked to ease the economic impact of the nationwide lockdown.
  • While over 80 crore poor ration card holders will each get 5 kg of wheat or rice, and 1 kg of preferred pulses free of cost every month for the next three months, 20.4 crore women having Jan Dhan bank accounts would get one-time cash help of Rs 1,500 spread over three months.
  • Over 8.3 crore poor women, who were handed out free cooking gas connections since 2016, will get free LPG refills for the next three months, while poor senior citizens, widows and disabled will get an ex gratia cash of Rs 1,000.
  • The package included advancing the payment of one-third of the Rs 6,000 a year pre-2019 general election cash dole scheme for farmers, government contributions to retirement funds for the next three months of small companies with 90 per cent of staff earning less than Rs 15,000, and a Rs 50 lakh insurance cover to healthcare workers.
  • For rural workers, the daily wage under the MNREGA employment guarantee programme has been increased to Rs 202 from Rs 182, benefiting five crore workers of about Rs 2,000 in all.
  • Rs 50 lakh insurance cover for healthcare workers fighting COVID-19; 22 lakh people to be covered under the scheme
  • 80 crore poor people to get 5 kg wheat or rice and 1 kg of preferred pulses for free every month over the next three months
  • 20 crore women Jan Dhan account holders to get Rs 500 per month for next three months
  • Increase in MNREGA wage to Rs 202 a day from Rs 182; to benefit 13.62 crore families
  • An ex-gratia of Rs 1,000 to 3 crore poor senior citizen, poor widows and poor disabled
  • To front-load Rs 2,000 payment to farmers in first week of April under existing PM Kisan Yojana to benefit 8.7 crore farmers
  • Free gas cylinders will be provided under PM Ujjwala Yojana to 8 crore poor families for the next three months
  • PF contribution to be paid for next three months for workers earning below Rs 15,000 per month in units having less than 100 workers.
Apollo Hospitals launches ”Project Kavach” to fight pandemic
  • Apollo Hospitals Group announced a new initiative called ”Project Kavach (shield), a comprehensive and integrated response plan to fight the COVID-19 disease.
  • Apollo Hospitals Group, they have specially designed an AI-based Coronavirus Risk Assessment scan for screening and initial assessment, which is available in the form of an app and on the website (https://covid.apollo247.com/).
  • The Risk assessment scan, which is available in 6 regional languages, will guide individuals about the potential risk of having the Virus through simple interactive questions.
  • According to the hospital, the digital app also offers virtual and telephony consultation with facility to tele-connect with all doctors at Apollo Hospitals enabling patients to seek healthcare while staying at home.

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MARCH 28, 2020

Home delivery of essential items through online service in Meghalaya

    • Amid the ongoing lockdown across the country to check spread of COVID-19, the Meghalaya Government launched an online platform, store.meghamart.com, for home delivery of essential commodities.

    • People in Tura, Garo Hills, Jowai and Jaintia Hills will be able to access the service of the online delivery platform from March 28.
    • esides, meghabazzar.com, IEW (app on Google Play Store), narifresh.com and syllad.com are additional digital platforms to buy essentials.
    • Big retail stores like Vishal Mega Mart and some local entrepreneurs have also been roped in to deliver essential commodities at people’s doorsteps.

    • Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has cautioned the people against overcrowding during the curfew relaxation hours.

Union Govt approves Rs 5,751 crore for 8 disaster-hit states
      • The Centre decided to provide additional assistance of Rs 5,751.27 crore to eight states who faced disasters such as landslides, floods, drought and cyclone during 2019.
      • The decision was taken in a High Level Committee (HLC) under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
      • The committee approved additional Central assistance under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Bihar, Kerala, Nagaland, Odisha, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Karnataka, which were affected by floods, landslides, cyclone and drought during 2019.
      • The HLC approved additional Central assistance of Rs 5751.27 crore to eight States from NDRF subject to the adjustment of 50 per cent of balances available in the SDRF account as on April 1 of the financial year.
        • Of the Rs 5,751.27 crore, a total of Rs 953.17 crore has been allocated to Bihar
        • Rs 460.77 crore to Kerala
        • Rs 177.37 crore to Nagaland
        • Rs 179.64 crore to Odisha
        • Rs 1,758.18 crore to Maharashtra
        • Rs 1,119.98 crore to Rajasthan
        • Rs 1,090.68 crore to West Bengal
        • Rs 11.48 crore to Karnataka
RBI cuts repo rate to 4.40%, maintains accommodative stance
    • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) massively reduced the key lending rates in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
    • The Monetary Policy Committee of the central bank in an unscheduled meet reduced the repo rate, the key interest rate at which the RBI lends short term funds to commercial banks, by 75 basis points to 4.40 per cent from 5.15 per cent. The reverse repo rate was also reduced by 90 basis points to 4 per cent.
    • The marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate stand reduced to 4.65 per cent from 5.40 per cent.
    • The Apex bank instituted a moratorium on interest payments on term loans for three months. This move is expected to benefit corporates and MSMEs. Even interest on working capital loans have been deferred for three months.
    • The cash reserve ratio (CRR) of all banks have been reduced by 100 basis points to 3 per cent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) with effect from the reporting fortnight beginning March 28, 2020 for a period of one year.
    • Lending institutions are being permitted to allow a deferment of three months on payment of interest in respect of all such facilities outstanding as on March 1, 2020.
    • The moratorium on term loans and the deferring of interest payments on working capital will not result in asset classification downgrade.
Abbott’s portable test ”ID NOW COVID-19” can detect COVID-19 in 5 minutes
    • US-based healthcare technology maker Abbott has unveiled a test that can deliver positive results in as little as five minutes. The test can also be used outside the four walls of a traditional hospital such as in the physicians.
    • Testing remains a crucial step in controlling the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Continuing to supply healthcare providers with new technologies to help curb the spread of infection is a top priority for public health officials and healthcare providers.
    • The new Abbott ”ID NOW COVID-19” test runs on Abbott”s ID NOWTM platform — a lightweight box (6.6 pounds and the size of a small toaster) that can sit in a variety of locations.
    • Because of its small size, it can be used in more non-traditional places where people can have their results in a matter of minutes, bringing an alternate testing technology to combat the novel coronavirus.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses C-40 leaders, commits to contain COVID-19
    • Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal represented India and the national capital in a global meet organised by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, to discuss strategy to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
    • Kejriwal was joined by top leaders of several megacities from around the world, such as mayors of Los Angeles (Eric Garcetti), Seoul (Won-soon Park), Paris (Anne Hidalgo), Milan (Guiseppa Sala), Istanbul (Ekrem Imamoglu) and Rome (Virginia Raggi), Johannesburg (Geoff Makhubo), London (Sadiq Khan) and Madrid (Jos Luis MartAnez-Almeida), amongst 45 mayors who were present in the meet.
    • He said that Delhi aggressively pursued the policy of identifying contacts and isolating them through learning from the experiences of other countries.
    • Counting the steps taken by the Delhi government towards the welfare of all sections of the society, the Chief Minister said that the government has already released a two months advance social security pension for widows, senior citizens and the specially-abled.

FACTFILE – The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40)

    • The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is a group of 96 cities around the world that represents one twelfth of the world’s population and one quarter of the global economy.
    • C40 is focused on tackling climate change and driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens.
    • C40 started in October 2005 when London Mayor Ken Livingstone convened representatives from 18 megacities to forge an agreement on cooperatively reducing climate pollution and created the ‘C20’.
    • The rotating Steering Committee of C40 mayors provides strategic direction and governance.
    • Steering Committee members include: Amman, Boston, Copenhagen, Durban, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, Seoul, and Tokyo.
    • Working across multiple sectors and initiative areas, C40 convenes networks of cities providing a suite of services in support of their efforts, including: direct technical assistance; facilitation of peer-to-peer exchange; and research, knowledge management & communications.
    • C40 is also positioning cities as a leading force for climate action around the world, defining and amplifying their call to national governments for greater support and autonomy in creating a sustainable future.
    • C40’s work is made possible by three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Realdania.
    • Indian member cities are Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi

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Assam Current Affairs – March 15 – 21, 2020

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Current Affairs Assam – March 15 - 21, 2020

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of March 15 – 21, 2020 )

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MARCH 15, 2020

Assamese versions of The Ahoms and The Principia released
  • The Assamese versions of The Ahoms and Principia, The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, were released at an event held at Swahid Nyas.
  • The translated version of The Ahoms, authored by Arup Kumar Dutta, was released by eminent writer and veteran journalist HomenBorgohain.
  • The book was translated into Assamese by senior research fellow in the Department of English, Gauhati University Parag Kumar Deka.
  • The Assamese edition of Sir Isaac Newton’s Principia, The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, was released by retired professor of physics, Gauhati University Dr Barindra Kumar Sarma.
  • The book was translated into Assamese by Professor of physics, Tezpur University Dr Jayanta Kumar Sarma and edited by retired assistant professor of physics, Handique Girls’ College BasantaDeka.
IIT Madras launched “Career Back 2 Women (CB2Women)” to skill women in technical profession
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) launched a “Career Back 2 Women (CB2Women)” initiative through its “Digital Skills Academy” to skill women who aspire to return to a technical profession after a break in their career.
  • Overall, as many as 150 hours of training will be offered to skill the women on their journey back to their careers.
  • Candidates will get a choice to opt for any level as certificates will be issued for each level.
  • The IIT Madras Digital Skills Academy is using latest platforms and has tied-up with the Forensic Intelligence Surveillance and Security Technologies (FISST) to offer this programme.
  • All participants will take “Back To Technical Track (BTCUBE)”, which is a 20 hour programme that will bring them up-to-date on technologies and demystifies latest jargons.
  • At the end of this programme, they will have a choice to select a specialisation.
  • All participants will take “Back To Technical Track (BTCUBE)”, which is a 20 hour programme that will bring them up-to-date on technologies and demystifies latest jargons.
  • At the end of this programme, they will have a choice to select a specialisation.
  • There are 4 tracks offered initially. Track 1 – Data Science and Big Data, Track 2 – Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Track 3 – Cyber Security with Digital Forensics, Track 4 – Software Engineering with Programming in Python with MongoDB.
  • The Institute also plans to offer more courses at various levels for students and working professionals in association with NASSCOM and in partnership with training companies incubated at IIT Madras Research Park and industry partners.
IIT Mandi designs algorithms for HVAC systems in buildings
  • The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) said its researchers have developed new algorithms for component failure detection and diagnosis that can enhance the energy efficient operation of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems used in buildings.
  • In centralised HVAC systems in buildings, climate control and ventilation are performed at a centralised location outside the building by an Air Handling Unit (AHU) which results in better maintenance and no indoor noise.
  • The processed air is distributed to every room with the help of controlled ducts and excess air in the room is recirculated through the unit.
  • According to the researchers, the algorithm developed for detection and estimation of the magnitude of the failure of VAV dampers uses analytical models that are applicable over a wide range of unpredictable operating conditions, such as weather dynamics, outside air temperature, zone occupancy profile, and so on.
  • The researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness through exhaustive simulation studies and have shown that the developed algorithm can successfully detect and estimate the magnitude of VAV multiple damper faults.
  • The research team is working towards developing decentralised and distributed fault diagnosis algorithms and fault-tolerant control strategies for large scale buildings in order to ensure more energy-efficient operation of HVAC systems and hopes to extend this work to real time testing and validation on a real building monitoring platform.

 

MARCH 16, 2020
TRIFED Launches transformational “Tech For Tribals” program
  • A game changing and unique project aimed to transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs under the name “Tech for Tribal” has been launched by TRIFED.
  • It was launched by TRIFED and IIT-Kanpur along with IIT-Roorkee, IIM Indore, Kalinga Institute of Social Science, Bhubaneshwar and SRIJAN, Jaipur in the first phase of organising tribal entrepreneurship and skill development program.
  • Tech for Tribals, an initiative of TRIFED supported by Ministry of MSME, aims at capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills totribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana(PMVDY).
  • The trainees will undergo a 30 days program over six weeks comprising 120 sessions.
  • Under the Tech for Tribals program, the Partners will develop course contents relevant to Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces.
  • The Tech for tribals capacity building program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.

FACTIFLE – The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)

  • The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987.
  • It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India.
  • TRIFED has its registered and Head Office located in New Delhi and has a network of 13 Regional Offices located at various places in the country.
  • The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depends heavily as they spend most of their time and derive major portion of their income.
  • The activity of TRIFED is divided into two categories :
  • Minor Forest Produces(MFP) Development
    • MFP Development
    • MSP for MFPs
    • R&D of MFPs
  • Retail Marketing Development
    • Retail Marketing Development
    • Handicraft / Handloom development Training
Centre clears 52 Master Plans of North East river basins
  • The Centre has cleared 52 Master Plans of River Basins of Northeast region, including main stem of Brahmaputra and Barak rivers prepared by the Brahmaputra Board for implementation of its recommendations by respective State governments. The control of floods and erosion is also part of recommendations.
  • Every year Assam, Manipur and other Northeast region suffer losses due to heavy rains and flood. Flood management being a State subject, schemes for flood management and erosion control are formulated and implemented by the State governments.
  • In addition, the Government of India has also released funds to Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland under the Flood Management Programme in the last four financial years for execution of their flood management schemes.
  • The Government of India through Central Water Commission issues flood forecasts for Northeast States which facilitates them to manage the flood.
PM Modi proposes SAARC fund to combat coronavirus
  • Making a strong pitch for SAARC nations to jointly combat coronavirus, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed setting up a COVID-19 emergency fund with India committing $10 million initially for it, and asserted that the best way to deal with the pandemic was by coming together, and not growing apart.
  • Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Bhutanese premier LotayTshering, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza also participated in the video conference.
  • The message of the video conference was unitedly taking on the pandemic.
  • Modi asserted that it was important for the SAARC member countries to work together. He said it was important to focus on collaboration, not confusion, and preparation, not panic.

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MARCH 17, 2020
India to fund NPR 107 million for construction of three school buildings in Nepal
  • The Government of India will provide 107.01 million Nepali Rupees (NPR) for three new school buildings in Nepal. The schools will be constructed in Darchula, Dhanusha and Kapilvastu districts.
  • The Embassy of India and Nepal’s Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Mahakali Municipality, Darchula and MukhiyapattiMusharniya Rural Municipality, Dhanusha in Kathmandu for the construction of two new school buildings.
  • These school will be built under the India-Nepal Development Partnership programme at a total estimated cost of NPR 73.96 million.
  • The new infrastructure will be used by Shree Malikarjun Higher Secondary School at Dhap in Darchula district and BaidyanathDevnarayan Public Higher Secondary School at Tulsiyahi in Dhanusha district. 
  • The Government of India will provide funds while construction work, including call for tender, award of work and day to day supervision, will be by Mahakali Municipality, Dharchula and MukhiyapattiMusharniya Rural Municipality, Dhanusha.
  • The projects will be monitored at the federal level by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration of Nepal and Embassy of India.
  • The Government of India has also committed an amount of NPR 33.05 million for the construction of new school building for Shivbhari School, Mahrajgunj Municipality in Kapilvastu district.
  • The Embassy of India handed over a cheque of NPR 8.26 million as the first installment to of its total commitment to District Coordination Committee Kapilvastu.
Lok  Sabha passes Appropriation Bill 2020-21
  • The Lok Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill 2020-21, authorising the government to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for its working as well as implementation of its programmes and schemes.
  • The house passed the bill after the Speaker applied ”guillotine” on demands of grants for various ministries.
  • Once the speaker applies the guillotine, all the outstanding demands for grants, whether discussed or not, are put to vote at once. After this, appropriation bill is taken into consideration.

InDepthKnowledge: Procedure for enactment of Budget

The stages through which the budget goes through in the parliament.

  1. Presentation of budget
  2. General discussion
  3. Scrutiny by departmental committees
  4. Voting on demands of grants
  5. Passing of the appropriation bill
  6. Passing of finance bill

 

  1. Presentation of Budget

The General Budget are presented in the Lok Sabha. In an election year, the budgets may be presented twice—first to secure a vote on account for a few months and later in full. After the budget speech by the finance minister, the budget is laid before the Rajya Sabha, which can discuss it but has no power to vote on the demands for grants. Immediately after the presentation of the Budget, the following three statements under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 are also laid on the Table of Lok Sabha:-

 (i) The Medium-Term Fiscal Policy Statement;

(ii) The Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement; and

(iii) The Macro-Economic Framework Statement

  1. General Discussion

After a few days of the budget presentation, general discussion starts which usually, lasts for three to four days. The House can discuss the budget as a whole or any question of principles involved but no motion can be moved at this stage. The scope of discussion is confined to an examination of the general scheme and structure of the budget. The finance minister has the general right of reply at the end of the discussion.

  1. Scrutiny by Departmental Committees

After the general discussion on the budget is over, the House is adjourned for a fixed period. During this period, the demands for grants of the ministries/ departments are examined and discussed by the 24 departmental standing committees. These committees prepare their reports on the demands for grants of each ministry and submit to both the Houses of the parliament. 

  1. Voting on Demands of Grants 

After the reports of the Standing Committees are presented to the House, the House proceeds to the discussion and voting on demands for grants. The demands for grants are presented to the Lok Sabha ministry-wise and are voted upon, after which they become grants. Though the budget is discussed in both the Houses, but only the members of Lok Sabha vote on demands for grants.

No Voting is done on those matters which are related to the expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India. The members can discuss the budget in details and also move motions to reduce any demand of grant. This motion is called cut motion.

Cut motions are of three types:

(i) Disapproval of Policy Cut Motion: The motion states that the amount of the demand be reduced to Re. 1 which means that the mover disapproves of the policy underlying the demand. The mover can advocate for an alternative policy.

(ii) Economy Cut Motion: The motion states that the amount of the demand be reduced by a particular amount. The motion represents the effect of proposed expenditure on the economy. The amount suggested for reduction may be either a lump-sum reduction in the demand or omission or reduction of an item in the demand.

(iii) Token Cut Motion:  The objective of the motion is to ventilate a specific grievance within the sphere of responsibility of the government. It states that the amount of the demand be reduced by Rs. 100. Discussion on such a cut motion is confined to the particular grievance specified in the motion which is within the sphere of responsibility of the government of India.

If such a motion is passed in the Lok Sabha, it may lead to the resignation of the government for want of majority.

On the last of the allotted days for the discussion and voting on demands for grants, the Speaker puts every question necessary to dispose of all the outstanding matters in connection with the demands for grants. This is known as the guillotine, which concludes the discussion on demands for grants.

  1. Appropriation Bill

After the demands for grants have been passed by the House, an appropriation bill is introduced  for the appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of India, all money required:

(i). To meet the grants passed by the Lok Sabha

(ii). The expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India

No amendment can be proposed to an Appropriation Bill which will have the effect of varying the amount or altering the destination of any grant so made or of varying the amount of any expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. The decision of the Speaker as to whether such an amendment is admissible is final.

The appropriation bill becomes an act after it receives assent from the president. Until that time, the government cannot take out money from the Consolidated Fund of India. As the process takes some time, usually till the end of April, the constitution provides for a provision called the ‘vote on account’.

The constitution allows the government to take any grant in advance according to the estimated expenditure for that part of the year. Usually, it is granted for two months which is equivalent to one-sixth of the total expenditure.

  1. Passing of the Finance Bill

The finance bill is introduced every year to give effect to the financial proposals of the Government of India for the next following financial year.

The finance bill is introduced immediately after the presentation of the budget. The introduction of the bill cannot be opposed. According to the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, the finance bill has to be passed by parliament and assented to by the president before the expiry of the seventy-fifth day after the day on which it was introduced.

As the finance bill contains taxation proposals, it is considered and passed by the Lok Sabha only after the demands for grants have been voted and the total expenditure is known. The Finance Act completes the process of the enactment of the budget.

Parliament passes Central Sanskrit Universities Bill
  • The Rajya Sabha passed the Central Sanskrit Universities Bill by voice vote, paving the way for converting three deemed varsities into central Sanskrit universities.
  • The three deemed varsities to be converted into central Sanskrit universities are Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi; Lal Bahadur ShastriRashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi; and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati.
  • The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on March 2 by Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal ”Nishank”.
Moghai Ojah award presented to Paramananda Majumder
  • Noted writer and researcher Dr Paramananda Majumder, who compiled the first book on the life and works of folk musician Moghai Ojah, was presented the 10th Moghai Ojah Award at a function held at Jorhat Science Centre and Planetarium.
  • The award instituted in 2011 by the Jorhat district unit of the AJYCP, was given away to Dr Majumder by AJYCP general secretary Palash Changmai.
  • The award carried a cash prize of Rs 21,000, a citation, a gamosa, a selengchadar and a memento. The award is annually presented on March 15, on the death anniversary of Ojah.
  • First recipient of the award was prominent sattriya dance exponent Padmashri Jatin Goswami.

BIOGRAPHY – Moghai Ojah

  • Moghai Ojah (1916–1978) was a musician from Assam who popularized the Dhol of Assam to the world audience.
  • Moghai Ojah had also acted in a few films, which include Pioli Phukan, Ranga Police, Pratidhwani, Mahut Bandhu Re (Bengali) and Maram Trishna.
  • Ojah was born in Naosolia Gaon, Jorhat, Assam in a family of Chutia ethnicity and died in Jorhat, Assam on 15 March 1978.
  • Srijanasom Trust, a charitable institution set up with an objective of promotion of Indian art and culture has instituted an award titled “Moghai Ojah Srijan Award” in memory of Moghai Ojah in 2015.

 

MARCH 18, 2020

Rajya Sabha passes National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill 2019
  • Rajya Sabha passed the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill 2019 and the National Commission for Homoeopathy Medicine Bill 2019
  • Union minister for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik said, the two bills aim at providing a quality and affordable medical education system ensuring high quality medical professionals in Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy, in all parts of the country.  
  • The Commission will also ensure adoption of latest medical research in the work of such professionals.
Madhya Pradesh to get 3 new districts
  • The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet gave in-principle approval to the formation of three new districts in the state.
  • The state Cabinet approved in principle to constitute three new districts including Chachaura, Maihar and Nagda.
  • Following the formation of the new districts the number would rise to 55.

Three new districts of MP:

  • Chachaura is currently part of Guna district.
  • Maihar, currently part of Satna district.
  • Nagda is currently part of Ujjain district.
Assam CM reviews flood prevention measures of Guwahati Development Department
  • Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed the measures taken by the Guwahati Development Department (GDD) to prevent artificial floods in the city.
  • The Chief Minister directed the officials of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to complete the de-silting of drains and water-bodies by the first week of May so that free flow of rainwater can be ensured before the onset of monsoon.
  • He also urged the officials to explore ways to revive the Bharalu river and look at ways to develop water-bodies to retain excess water coming from the hills of Meghalaya during the rainy season.
  • The Chief Minister stressed the need to make people the stakeholders in the fight against flash floods so that they do throw garbage and plastics into the drains.
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas test flies for final operational clearance
  • The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was test flown for final operation clearance (FOC) standard for certification.
  • The home-grown fighter aircraft was test flown for about 40 minutes by chief test pilot Air Commodore (retired) K.A. Muthana from the city’s eastern suburb airport.
  • Designed and developed by the Aeronautics Development Agency (ADA) of the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The fourth-generation fighter aircraft is manufactured by the defence behemoth (HAL) for deployment in the frontline combat fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The single engine, delta wing, multi-role fighter, equipped with advanced features such as air-to-air refuelling and beyond visual range missile system, will go into serial production after regulatory certification by Cemilac and endorsement by the IAF for FOC and deployment into its depleted fleet.
  • The LCA’s 45 Squadron Flying Daggers is based at the Sulur air base near Coimbatore in southern Tamil Nadu.

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MARCH 19, 2020

Justice B P Dharmadhikari appointed as new Chief Justice of Bombay HC
  • Acting Chief Justice Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari was appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
  • The senior most judge, Justice Dharmadhikari was appointed as acting chief justice following the retirement of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court.
  • In exercise of the power conferred by Clause (I) Article 217 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Bhushan Pradyumna Dharmadhikari, Judge of Bombay High Court, to be the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.
Assam Govt orders closure of all Aadhaar centres
  • In yet another measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, the state government has decided to close all Aadhaar registration centres across the State till March 31, 2020.
  • The step has been taken to ensure that the mandatory biometric collection system does not contribute to spreading infection.
  • It needs to be mentioned here that Aadhaar centres in many parts of the country have already been closed because of the pandemic. In private institutions also, biometric systems have been closed.
  • A notification from the Commissioner Secretary of the State General Administration department has asked all the deputy commissioners of the state to ensure strict implementation of the instruction in this regard.
DAC approved procurement of 83 Tejas fighters for the IAF
  • The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved procurement of 83 Tejas fighters for the IAF. The proposal will now be placed for consideration of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
  • The DAC has also approved for acquisition of indigenous defence equipment for about Rs 1,300 crore.
  • The proposals were for procurement of Aerial Fuses and Twin-Dome Simulators for Hawk Mk32 aircraft for the IAF.
  • Light Combat Aircraft ”Tejas” is indigenously designed by Aircraft Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • The DAC also approved an amendment to the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016 to enable review by a costing committee of bids submitted by joint ventures of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs)/Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)/DRDO.
Uttarakhand abolishes quota in promotion for govt employees
  • Uttarakhand government abolished reservation in promotion in the state government jobs. The state government also issued orders regarding departmental promotion committee (DPC).
  • The state government’s order said that as per the Supreme Court’s decision, the government has abolished the promotion ban dated September 11, 2019.
  • Besides, the state government order dated September 5, 2012 banning reservation in promotions has also come into effect.

MARCH 20, 2020

Meghalaya present Rs 1,532 crore deficit budget
  • Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tabled a Rs 1,532-crore deficit budget for 2020-21, projecting a total expenditure of Rs 17,432 crore, including a developmental budget of Rs 8,616 crore.
  • The total receipts for the fiscal is estimated at Rs 17,375 crore, of which revenue receipts are pegged at Rs 15,353 crore and capital receipts at Rs 2,022 crore, the Chief Minister said.
  • The budget of 2020-21 has a fiscal deficit of Rs 1,532 crore, which is around 3.53 per cent of the GSDP,” Sangma, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said.
  • “Our strategy revolves around prioritising the four core pillars of human development, primary sector, infrastructure and entrepreneurship,” he added.
  • The Chief Minister also said that the State Government is committed to take all necessary measures to effectively deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
PM Modi calls for daylong ‘Janata Curfew’ on March 22
  • In wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of the country to opt for a ”Janata Curfew” on March 22 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • This is public curfew. Janata curfew means for the public, curfew imposed on public by themselves.
  • He urged people to follow this ”curfew”, not go out on the streets or even gather in their societies and stay inside their homes.
  • The Prime Minister further urged people above the age of 60 should avoid going out in the coming weeks.
  • The Prime Minister also urged the people to follow the instructions issued by the state governments.
  • The Prime Minister also said that if one thinks that by roaming on the streets is safe, then it is not good.
Lok Sabha passes bill to merge three Ayurveda institutes at Gujarat
  • The Lok Sabha passed a bill for conglomerating three Ayurveda institutes at Gujarat Ayurved University campus Jamnagar and to declare the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar as an institution of national
  • Ayush Minister ShripadNaik said there had been no discrimination with any state and more projects will be undertaken depending on availability of funds.
  • He said research at various institutes in Ayurveda was being published in peer journals and the institute at Jamnagar with its enhanced status will help boost research.
  • The bill provides for conglomerating the cluster of Ayurveda institutes at Gujarat Ayurved University campus Jamnagar – Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Shri Gulabkunwerba Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Institute of Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Sciences including Pharmacy Unit.
  • It provides for subsuming the MaharshiPatanjali Institute for Yoga and Naturopathy Education and Research into the Department of Swasthvritta of the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda.
CSIR develops bio hand-sanitizer
  • A laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Himachal Pradesh has developed a hand-sanitizer that contains natural flavours, active tea constituents and alcohol content as per WHO guidelines.
  • The product is free from parabens, triclosan, synthetic fragrance and phthalates, says CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology that is based in Palampur town in Kangra district.
  • It says the technology was transferred to a private unit through an agreement made on March 16 between CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology and A.B. Scientific Solutions, which is also based in Palampur.
  • As per the agreement, CSIR-IHBT will transfer its expertise for making hand sanitizers and other disinfectants to the company.
  • The firm with a strong marketing network will establish this facility at Palampur and will market hand sanitizers and other disinfectants across the country.
Nepal has committed 100 million rupees to SAARC fund to fight Coronavirus
  • Nepal has committed 100 million rupees to SAARC fund set by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fight Coronavirus
  • Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said during SAARC leaders video conference on Coronavirus he had committed to contribute amount for the fund announced by Indian Prime Minister to fight the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • In his first speech after the renal transplant Nepali Prime Minister Oli urged the citizens to make necessary changes in their daily activities incorporating precautionary measures to fight against the new pandemic that started from China.
  • Nepali Prime Minister also announced ban on all International flights into the Himalayan Nation from March 22 to 31 along with the strict health check-ups at border sides to rein COVID-19. He said compulsory health check-ups would be introduced at border points for travelers entering Nepal via roads. 

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MARCH 21, 2020

Rs 19,891 crore budget tabled in Tripura Assembly
  • Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented a Rs 19,891-crore budget, which is a 13.46 per cent increase over last year’s budget of Rs 17,530 crore.
  • The budget leaves an uncovered deficit of Rs 511 crore, which the Government intends to cover by higher mobilisation of internal resources and an austerity drive. However, there is no new tax proposal in the budget.
  • Other highlights of the budget are a whopping 229.50 per cent hike in allocation for the Department of Information Technology, 52.79 per cent for the Department of Planning, 46.11 per cent for Forest, 37.98 per cent for PWD (DW&S), 37.91 per cent for Tribal Welfare (Research), 36.02 per cent for PWD (R&B) and 10.27 per cent for the Department of Agriculture.
  • There are announcements of constitution of the Innovation and Transformation Aayog of Tripura, and introduction of Tripura Beti Bachao Beti Padao Abhiyan and Chief Minister’s Fasal Bima Yojana.
  • Deputy Chief Minister Dev Varma announced that the Government would provide free sanitary napkins to girl students of classes VI to XII, incurring an annual expenditure of Rs 4.10 crore.
  • Dev Varma said the State Government was on course to make Tripura a model State and this endeavour of the State Government has been appreciated by the Centre.
  • The expenditure on payment of salaries, wages and pension takes away 44.68 per cent of the total budgetary allocation, while 10 per cent more is to be borne on interest payment and repayment of loans.
  • It is only with the remaining 54.67 per cent that the State Government will have to cover its development expenditure which may not prove to be enough.
  • Dev Varma said the reduction in the State’s share of Central taxes by 1 per cent, which is now 41 per cent compared to 42 per cent earlier, and shrinking of the divisible pool was due to higher allocations for internal security and defence.
  • According to the Centre, Tripura has topped the good governance index among the North Eastern States.
Lok  Sabha passes Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020
  • The Lok Sabha passed a Bill that seeks to declare five Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) in public-private partnership mode as institutions of national importance along with existing 15 Indian Institutes of Information Technology.
  • Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal ”Nishank” said the Bill seeks to declare five IIITs set up under the PPP mode in Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala, and Raichur as institutions of national importance.
  • Currently, these institutes are registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas.
  • On being declared institutions of national importance, the five institutes will be granted the power to grant degrees.
  • The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership) Act, 2017 declares certain Indian Institutes of Information Technology established under Public-Private Partnership mode as institutions of national importance. Under the Act, 15 institutes are currently incorporated as institutions of national importance.

FACTFILE – Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)

  • Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) are a group of institutes of higher education in India, focused on information technology.
  • Five of them are established, funded and managed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The rest are set up on the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
  • Prior to 2010, the IIITs at Gwalior, Allahabad, Jabalpur and Kancheepuram were set up by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
  • In 2015, a fifth institute was set up by the MHRD in Kurnool, as part as the government obligation under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
  • In 2020 Prime Minister lead Union Cabinet has been approved to setup new IIIT in Agartala, Tripura alongside 4 new IIIT under PPP mode
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Gwalior
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sri City
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Guwahati
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Vadodara
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota
Indian Institute of Information Technology Tiruchirappalli
Indian Institute of Information Technology Una
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sonepat
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Lucknow
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Dharwad
Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Manipur
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Nagpur
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Pune
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Surat
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bhopal
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bhagalpur
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Agartala
Assam Govt initiates phone-based learning for students
  • The State government initiated phone-based learning for students during school closure to mitigate learning gaps among children.
  • In order to meet the learning gaps of children and reduce the probability of dropout of children from schools, some initiatives have been proposed by the education department.
  • As per these initiatives, the heads of the institutions or teachers of the schools will open a WhatsApp group with parents/guardians. Groups may be opened class-wise, if number of students and teachers are more in the school.
  • Teachers have been instructed to provide necessary learning support through phone-based learning materials, including homework.
  • Students will do the homework and teachers will check the answers on WhatsApp itself, and by visiting children who need special attention.
  • Teachers can also share short videos on academic areas and can upload them on the WhatsApp for the students.
  • Teachers have also been instructed to pay home visits to students in general and those with learning issues in particular.
  • The academic support may be provided by teachers through phone/WhatsApp during morning hours from 7 am to 9 am or evening hours from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Defence Ministry signs capital acquisition contract with Israeli firm
  • The Defence Ministry has signed a capital acquisition contract with Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) for procurement of 16,479 light machine guns (LMGs) at a cost of Rs 880 crore.
  • The contract was signed with the approval of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
  • IWI, which is based out of Ramat HaSharon city in Israel, would be providing Negev 7.62*51 mm LMGs to the Indian armed forces under the contract.
  • The contracted Negev 7.62X51 mm LMG is a combat proven weapon and currently used by several countries around the globe.
  • The Indian Armed Forces’ long-standing requirement of a modern state-of-the-art LMG has finally fructified.
  • The acquisition wing of Ministry of Defence has signed the capital acquisition contract with IWI for procurement of 16,479 LMGs at a cost of Rs 880 crore with the approval of Defence Ministry.
Ministry of HRD and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have jointly developed comprehensive School Health Programme
  • Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resources Development and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have jointly developed comprehensive School Health Programme (SHP) under Ayushman Bharat to foster the growth, development and educational achievement of school going children by promoting their health and wellbeing.
  • A total of eleven themes have been identified under the SHP which include Reproductive Health and HIV Prevention.  These modules create awareness on the subject among adolescents.
  • In pursuance of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005, the Department of School & Literacy is implementing the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) as part of the National Population Education Project (NPEP). 
  • One of the learning outcomes of AEP is to make the learners aware of the concerns of adolescence, i.e. process of growing up during adolescence, HIV/AIDS and Substance (Drug) Abuse and to inculcate in them positive attitude regarding these concerns.

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Assam Current Affairs – March 08 – 14, 2020

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Current Affairs Assam – March 8 - 14, 2020

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of March 8 – 14, 2020 )

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MARCH 08, 2020

Delimitation Commission for north-eastern states constituted
  • Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai will head the Delimitation Commission that will redraw Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly constituencies of the north-eastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
  • Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and a representative of the state election commission of the four northeastern states will be the ex officio members.
  • The commission will delimit the constituencies of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland in accordance with the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 2002.

FACTFILE – Delimitation Commission of India

  • The Delimitation commission (Boundary commission) of India is a commission established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act.
  • The main task of the commission is redrawing the boundaries of the various assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies based on a recent census.
  • The representation from each State is not changed during this exercise. However, the number of SC and ST seats in a state are changed in accordance with the census.
  • The present delimitation of constituencies has been done on the basis of 2001 census under the provisions of Delimitation Act, 2002.
  • The Commission is a powerful and independent body whose orders cannot be challenged in any court of law.
  • Delimitation commissions have been set up four times in the past — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 — under Delimitation Commission Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.
  • The union government had suspended delimitation in 1976 until after the 2001 census so that states’ family planning programs would not affect their political representation in the Lok Sabha. This had led to wide discrepancies in the size of constituencies, with the largest having over three million electors, and the smallest less than 50,000.

FACTFILE – Delimitation Commission of 2002

  • The most recent delimitation commission was set up on 12 July 2002 after the 2001 census with Justice Kuldip Singh, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court as its Chairperson.
  • The Commission has submitted its recommendations. On December 2007, the Supreme Court on a petition issued notice to the central government asking reasons for non implementation. On 4 January 2008, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) decided to implement the order from the Delimitation Commission.
  • The recommendations of the Commission was approved by President Pratibha Patil on 19 February. This means that all future elections in India for states covered by the commission will be held under the newly formed constituencies.
  • The present delimitation of parliamentary constituencies has been done on the basis of 2001 census figures under the provisions of Delimitation Act, 2002.
  • However, the Constitution of India was specifically amended in 2002 not to have delimitation of constituencies till the first census after 2026. Thus, the present constituencies carved out on the basis of 2001 census shall continue to be in operation till the first census after 2026.
  • The assembly election in Karnataka, conducted in three phases in May 2008, was the first to use the new boundaries as drawn by the 2002 delimitation commission.
President of India confers Nari Shakti Puraskar for 2019
  • The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind presented Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2019 at a special ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
  • The awards were conferred on 15 eminent women in recognition of their efforts in rendering distinguished services towards emancipation of women, especially vulnerable and marginalized women.
  • Nari Shakti Puraskar is an initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development to acknowledge the exceptional contribution made by individuals and institutions, to celebrate women as game changers and catalyst of positive change in the society.

The winners of the Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2019 are

NAME STATE
Padala Bhudevi Andhra Pradesh
Bina Devi Bihar
Arifa Jan Jammu and Kashmir
Chami Murmu Jharkhand
Nilza Wangmo Ladakh
Rashmi Urdhwareshe Maharashtra
Sardarni Mann Kaur Punjab
Kalavati Devi Uttar Pradesh
Tashi and Nungshi Malik Uttarakhand
Kaushiki Chakroborty West Bengal
Bhageerathi Amma

Karthyayini Amma

 Kerala
Avani Chaturvedi

Bhawna Kanth

Mohana Singh

Madhya Pradesh

Bihar

Uttar Pradesh

 

PM hands over Twitter handle to women achievers
  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said that women achievers will share their life journey through his social media accounts on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
  • Women from across India are sharing their life stories on the Prime Minister’s twitter handle. The journeys shared by women from all walks of life are exemplary and motivating. 
  • A Chennai-based food activist, Sneha Mohandoss was the first women to take over the PM’s account Sunday morning. Founder of Food Bank India, Mohandoss is striving for a hunger-free planet.
  • Malvika Iyer is a bomb blast survivor, who lost her hands and damaged her legs in the grenade blast in her home in Bikaner in 2002, when she was 13 years old. Iyer was bedridden for over 18 months and underwent multiple surgeries for over two years to get back on her feet.
  • Arifa is a Kashmiri activist seeking to revive the traditional Namda crafts of the region.
  • A Hyderabad-based architect, Kalpana Ramesh runs a city-based project to conserve lakes and rivers. The government and forest authorities have also been collaborating with her in the endeavour to conserve water.
  • An artisan from the Banjara community of rural Maharashtra, Vijaya Pawar was the fifth woman to take over Modi’s social media account.
  • Kalavati is an activist who campaigns against open defecation, A mason who hails from Kanpur, Kalavati is on a mission to build toilets across the lower income households in the city.
  • An organic farmer, Veena Devi has been growing mushrooms at home for several years now, through some unique farming-at-home techniques. She has also encouraged several other women to do grow mushrooms in a similar manner.
Tech Mahindra launches women-led ‘Ideathon‘ to drive tech innovation
  • Makers Lab, the research and development arm of IT major Tech Mahindra launched a women-led “Ideathon” aimed at solving real world challenges through technology, especially in the defence space.
  • Announced on International Women”s Day, the Ideathon will run for four weeks and will end on April 7.
  • Makers Lab, is to promote technology innovation and provide a common platform where academia and industry can come together to create disruptive solutions to solve real world problems.
  • The Ideathon will consist of two rounds. The top 20 ideas will be rewarded and will get a chance to interact with instructors as well as Army officers of College of Military Engineering (CME), Pune.
  • College of Military Engineering is a premier technical and tactical training institute of the Indian Army (Corps of Engineers) with a focus on promoting innovative technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for the Indian Army.

MARCH 09, 2020
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief presents deficit budget
  • The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang presented Rs 38.97-crore deficit budget for the year 2020-21 for the council.
  • The budget also proposed an estimated expenditure of Rs 225 crore for the fiscal to carry out developmental activities.
  • The Council’s main sources of revenue are derived mostly from forest products, entry tax, professional tax, trade callings, land revenue, share of motor vehicle tax, sale proceeds from weekly markets, ghats, fisheries and cattle pounds.
  • In order to increase the revenue kitty, the CEM also proposed new fee hike on trading license, transfer of land and other trades.
  • The KAAC is likely to receive an amount of Rs 50 crore of administrative charges and share of motor vehicle tax from the state government. Similarly, the KAAC would receive excise and export revenues from 2021
  • The MAC development fund has been increased to Rs 30 lakh from Rs 15 lakh. The state government has assured that the excise and export revenues will be handed over to the KAAC fully and the amount may touch Rs 100 crore from April next year.
NITI Aayog organizes the fourth edition of the Women Transforming India Awards
  • NITI Aayog organized the Fourth Edition of the Women Transforming India Awards and Rajnath Singh, presided over as the chief guest of the event and conferred the WTI Awards.
  • WTI Awards are NITI Aayog’s initiative to highlight the commendable and ground-breaking endeavours of India’s women leaders and changemakers.
  • Since 2018, the Awards have been hosted under the aegis of NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform with a special focus on entrepreneurship. 

The winners of WTI Awards are

  • Priyanka Mokshmar is the co-founder of Vaayu Home Appliances
  • Ramya Venkataraman’s Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA)
  • Shilpi Kapoor BarrierBreak
  • Rinka Banerjee Thinking Forks
  • Nidhi Pant Science for Society team
  • Anupriya Balikai Spookfish Innovations
  • Kalpana Sankar Hand in Hand
  • Khushboo Jain ImpactGuru
  • Sneha Sundaram Kutuki, Jayanti Pradhan an agro-processor and farmer from Odisha
  • Jugnu Jain founder and CSO, of Sapien Biosciences
  • Pratyusha Pareddy NemoCare
  • Poonam BirKasturi Daily Dump
  • Ruchi Jain Taru Naturals
  • Sujata Sahu 17000 ft Foundation
  • Dr Praveen Nair Founder Trustee of Salaam Baalak Trust.
Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar Presents Awards to Divyang Artisans & Entrepreneurs
  • Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment presented awards to Divyangs artisan and entrepreneurs who participated in exhibition cum fair “Ekam fest” organized by National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation under M/o Social Justice & Empowerment.
  • 82 Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs from 17 States/UTs showcased their products in the week long Ekam Fest.
  • The Ekam fest gave platform to PwD artists to present their skill in the cultural evenings. In the Ekam Fest, Divyang Entrepreneur and artisans from all over the country.
  • The Fest presented vibrant products of from J&K and NE with products ranging from handicraft, handloom, Embroidery work and dry fruits.
  • In the fest, live demonstrations of products making were given by around 12 organisations and artisans which included: live demo of looms, embroidery, free and paintings, wheat grass paintings etc.
  • NHFDC provides financial assistance to the Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) for their economic rehabilitation and provides number of skill development programmes to empower them to grow & sustain their enterprises.
Odisha govt creates ‘Mission Shakti’ Dept for women development
  • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the creation of a ”Mission Shakti” department, exclusively for the development of the women.
  • He announced that Odisha will be the first state to have an exclusive department for the self-help groups. This will be called the Department of Mission Shakti and will be dedicated to all the women of Odisha.
  • 70 lakh women are getting benefits under Mission Shakti and Mamata Scheme and 50 per cent reservation in Panchayati Raj has ushered in a new era for the socio-economic development of women.
  • He said that the state government has introduced an independent Nutrition Budget whose focus will be on mother-child nutrition.

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MARCH 10, 2020
10 schools in Kamrup (M) adopted under Rural Education Program
  • SRF Foundation in collaboration with the State Education Department has implemented its flagship Rural Education Programme in Dimoria block of Kamrup (M) district by adopting 10 government schools.
  • Under the Rural Education Programme, the SRF Foundation organised an event ‘Academic Mela and Stakeholders Felicitation’ for its 10 adopted government schools at Pub Dimoria ME School ground (Topatali).
  • Under the Rural Education Programme, the Academic Mela and Stakeholders Felicitation is to further motivate and enhance on sharing of innovative ideas, best practices and ensuring sustainable teaching-learning practices of the schools.
  • As many as 12 stalls were installed at the Mela by the students of 10 government schools demonstrating various creativity and innovations.
HAL plans to set up logistics bases in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka
  • Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is looking at setting up logistics bases in Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka as part of initiatives to woo the countries to buy India’s light combat aircraft Tejas and military helicopters.
  • Chairman and Managing Director of HAL R Madhavan said that HAL is now seriously focusing on boosting exports in sync with the government’s priority and identified South East Asia, West Asia and North Africa to sell key platforms like Tejas, attack helicopter Rudra and advanced light helicopter Dhruv.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious defence export target of $5 billion dollars in the next five years and asked all the key military manufacturers to work hard to achieve the target.
MoST launches helpline for women scientists, students, researchers
  • On International Women’s Day, Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan launched a helpline number for women students, researchers, entrepreneurs and scientists to get their queries related to the ministry’s programmes answered.
  • They will also get information about qualifications or other requirements to avail benefits of schemes under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).
  • Launched by President Ram Nath Kovind last month, the Vigyan Jyoti scheme identifies girl students at the district level with interest in science.
  • Selected women from more than 500 districts, would be given opportunities to attend science camps at IITs, NITs and other leading institutions of science and technology education where women are not adequately represented.

MARCH 11, 2020

Indian states advised to invoke Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 on epidemics
  • To combat the coronavirus outbreak, the Central government decided that all states should be advised to invoke the necessary provisions of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 to enforce all advisories.
  • It was decided that all states/UTs should be advised by the Union Health Ministry to invoke provisions of Section 2 of Epidemic Disease Act so that all advisories being issued from time to time by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare/State/UTs are enforceable.
  • Section 2 of the 1897 Act gives the power to take special measures and prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease.
  • It also gives the power for inspection of “persons travelling by railway or otherwise, and the segregation, in hospital, temporary accommodation or otherwise, of persons suspected by the inspecting officer of being infected with any such disease”.
Coronavirus outbreak could cost global economy up to USD 2 trillion, says UNCTAD
  • The coronavirus outbreak could cost the global economy up to USD 2 trillion this year, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said, warning that shock from the epidemic will cause a recession in some countries and depress global annual growth to below 2.5 per cent.
  • “We envisage a slowdown in the global economy to under two per cent for this year, and that will probably cost in the order of USD 1 trillion, compared with what people were forecasting back in September, Director, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies at UNCTAD Richard Kozul-Wright said.
  • The UN agency said that apart from the tragic human consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic, the economic uncertainty it has sparked will likely cost the global economy USD 1 trillion in 2020.
  • A preliminary downside scenario sees a USD 2 trillion shortfall in global income with a USD 220 billion hit to developing countries (excluding China). The most badly affected economies in this scenario will be oil-exporting countries, but also other commodity exporters, which stand to lose more than one percentage point of growth, as well as those with strong trade linkages to the initially shocked economies.
  • Growth decelerations between 0.7 per cent and 0.9 per cent are likely to occur in countries such as Canada, Mexico and the Central American region, in the Americas; countries deeply inserted in the global value chains of East and South Asia, and countries in the immediacy of the European Union.
  • Trade impact of the coronavirus epidemic for India is estimated to be about USD 348 million and the country figures among the top 15 economies most affected as slowdown of manufacturing in China disrupts world trade.
  • Slowdown of manufacturing in China due to the coronavirus outbreak is disrupting world trade and could result in a USD 50 billion decrease in exports across global value chains.
PV Sindhu named BBC Indian Sportswoman of Year
  • Indian badminton player PV Sindhu won the inaugural BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year award following a public vote.
  • The shortlist of five contenders also consisted of sprinter Dutee Chand, boxer Mary Kom, wrestler VineshPhogat and para-badminton player Manasi Joshi.
  • In 2019, Sindhu became the first Indian to win badminton World Championship gold in Basel, Switzerland.
  • She is considered a medal prospect at this year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
  • Sindhu has five World Championship medals and is the first Indian singles badminton player to win an Olympic silver medal.
  • The BBC award ceremony was held in New Delhi in the presence of eminent sportspersons, sports writers and influencers.
  • Former sprinter PT Usha was given the Lifetime Achievement award for her contribution to Indian sports and inspiring generations of players.
  • She won more than 100 international medals and awards during her career.
  • The Indian Olympics Association also named her Best Sportswoman of the Century.

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MARCH 12, 2020

World Health Organization declares Covid-19 as a pandemic
  • World Health Organization (WHO) has characterised the new coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic and a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
  • UN chief Antonio Guterres has urged world governments to urgently scale up their response to the novel coronavirus if they are to stand a chance of stemming its spread.
  • UN Secretary General said, the declaration of coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic is a call to action for everyone, everywhere.
  • It’s the first time the WHO has called an outbreak a pandemic since the H1N1 “swine flu” in 2009. In the last pandemic, the H1N1 influenza virus killed more than 18,000 people in more than 214 countries and territories, according to the WHO.

FACTFILE – Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the virus strain “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2).
  • The disease was first identified in 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread globally, resulting in the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.
  • Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. As of 20 March 2020, the rate of deaths per number of diagnosed cases is 4.1%, but ranges from 0.2% to 15% depending on age and other health problems.
  • The infection is typically spread from one person to another via respiratory droplets produced during coughing and sneezing. Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between 2 and 14 days, with an average of 5 days.
  • The standard method of diagnosis is by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab.
  • Recommended measures to prevent infection include frequent hand washing, maintaining distance from others (social distancing), and keeping hands away from the face. The use of masks is recommended for those who suspect they have the virus and their caregivers, but not the general public.
  • There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Management involves treatment of symptoms, supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.
Govt has formed committee to finalise modalities of Kisan Rail
  • The government has formed a committee under the Ministry of Agriculture which also includes representatives of the Indian Railways to work out the modalities of ‘Kisan Rail’.
  • The committee has been formed under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, which includes representative from Ministry of Railways also, to work out the modalities of ‘Kisan Rail’.
  • Nine such refrigerated vans were already available on its network.
  • These vans, with a carrying capacity of 17 tonnes each for transportation of highly-perishable parcel traffic, were developed and procured through the Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala.
  • Temperature-controlled perishable cargo centres were commissioned at GhazipurGhat (UP), New Azadpur (Adarsh Nagar, Delhi) and Raja kaTalab (UP) as a pilot project under the Kisan Vision Project by Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR) through a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative.
Himachal Pradesh signs pacts with World Bank to boost agriculture
  • The central government, the Himachal Pradesh government and the World Bank on Wednesday signed an $80 million loan agreement to improve water management practices and increase agricultural productivity in selected gram panchayats in the hill state.
  • The Integrated Project for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rain-Fed Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh will be implemented in 428 gram panchayats in 10 districts, benefiting over 400,000 small-holder farmers, including women, and pastoral communities.
  • The loan agreement was signed by Khare on behalf of the government of India; Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest), on behalf of the Himachal Pradesh government and Junaid Ahmad, Country Director, India, on behalf of the World Bank.
  • The project will improve upstream water sources in forests, pastures, and grasslands and ensure sufficient water is available for sustainable agriculture both in Himachal Pradesh and in downstream states.

MARCH 13, 2020

Assam’s innovator Uddhab Bharali to be part of Delhi School curriculum
  • Padma Shri Awardee and internationally acclaimed innovator Uddhab Bharali will be involved in the new school curriculum in Delhi, in a bid to change the mindset of the students.
  • Uddhab Bharali, who hails from North Lakhimpur, has been inducted in the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum (EMC) programme for students of Class 9 to 12, which has been devised to connect knowledge to life outside school.
  • Developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Delhi, the curriculum aims to build awareness and knowledge of various aspects of entrepreneurship among students. Over 1.5 lakh students from over 500 government schools in Delhi are part of the curriculum.
  • The curriculum tries to unleash the inner potential of the students, and aims to make them confident, creative and competent. The curriculum, which has no textbooks and is non-evaluative with no formal examination, aims to enable the students to become job-givers and not job-seekers, after completing their education.
  • The curriculum will give an opportunity to students to meet real-life entrepreneurs and understand their journey and struggles, and Bharali has been included among the icons in this new education system.
  • The objective of the interaction with Bharali is to inspire students with the journey of his entrepreneurship and learn about his dreams, opportunities, challenges and stories of overcoming the struggles.
  • Uddhab Bharali, who has 147 innovations, has been included along with E Sreedharan who built the Delhi Metro, street vendor-turned-entrepreneur Krishna Yadav who has a pickle business with around 2,000 employees, Flipkart founders Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal, visually impaired Srikant Bolla who after repeated rejections by educational institutions in India joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and went on to found a startup called Bollant Industries, that has an eco-friendly product line and employs over 150 disabled individuals, and Dharampal Gulati of MDH spices.
Parliament passes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2020
  • Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2020 has been passed by the Parliament with Rajya Sabha giving its nod.
  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the current government is both responsive and is committed to deliver to its promises in tune with changing times.
  • She said that the amendments brought in by the government are a mechanism to incorporate viable changes in the legislation.
  • She emphasized on the importance of the ordinance before the bill and said that it was needed to avoid any hiatus.
  • The Minister said, as on 1st January of this year, out of around 43 thousand cases disposed off by National Company Law Tribunal, nearly 15 thousand cases were resolved based on Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
‘BaLA’ initiave launched at Hailakandi District of Assam
  • With the vision to ensure the learning outcome and make every child learn with fun, Deputy Commissioner KeerthiJalli ceremonially launched Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) at Greham MV School.
  • Launching BaLA, Deputy Commissioner Jalli said that the concept behind it is to make every child learn with fun in a conducive environment, in which he or she can relate to quickly.
  • She said that a child gets easily attracted to the world of colours and pictures and creating this ambience by making use of the school space aesthetically is the driving force behind BaLA.
  • BaLA is a tool to promote learning, curiosity, care and concern, wonder and lifelong learning.
  • It will help children to practice and revisit concepts. It also helps learning to take place everywhere – in the classroom, the corridor, the verandas, the outdoors, etc.
  • Its impact can be directly observed on Student Learning Outcome (SLO), teacher instruction practices and student enrolment
Women SHGs undergo mushroom cultivation training at CSIR-NEIST
  • CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST) at Pulibor observed International Women’s Day by organising a training programme on mushroom cultivation to women of self-help groups of nearby villages.
  • Training on mushroom cultivation was given to 30 members belonging to different SHGs.
  • Certificates were awarded to the women SHG members during a valedictory session held after the training session. 

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MARCH 14, 2020

Centre sanctions Rs 365 crore for ICP at Sabroom, Tripura
  • The Centre has sanctioned Rs 365 crore for setting up an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Sabroom in South Tripura to tap the potential for boosting bilateral trade with Bangladesh.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah cleared the proposal for setting up the ICP under a ‘single scheme’ following a request made by Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.
  • During his last visit to Delhi, Deb met the Union Home Minister with a plea to set up an ICP at Sabroom, which could become a gateway to Southeast Asian nations for the North East.
  • Setting up of an ICP has become necessary as the bridge over the Feni river will connect the two sides of the international border. Once the bridge becomes operational, it will give easier access to the Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. This will increase trade manifold. Land Port Station (LCS) will be insufficient to handle bilateral trade once connectivity is established between Sabroom and Chittagong Port.
  • Earlier, the Union Ministry of Commerce had sanctioned a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Sabroom to boost trade and industry. The State, which shares 856-km border with Bangladesh, currently has one ICP at Akhaura, not far from the State capital.
Union Cabinet approved Yes Bank’s reconstruction plan
  • The Union Cabinet approved a reconstruction plan for cash-strapped Yes Bank, under which the State Bank of India will pick up 49 per cent of the equity, while private investors will be allowed to buy the rest.
  • The Cabinet decided that the SBI will hold at least 26 per cent stake in the private bank for a minimum period of three years.
  • Similarly, the other investors will also be mandated to have a similar lock-in period for 75 per cent of their investment in the bank.
  • The authorised share capital of the Yes Bank will be revised upwards from Rs 1,100 crore to Rs 6,200 crore.
  • The office of the administrator shall also stand vacated after seven days from the cessation of moratorium and the new Board will take over the bank.
  • Prashant Kumar, former SBI CFO, is the current administrator.
CCEA approved rehabilitation and upgradation of Green National Highways Corridor Project (GNHCP)
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs CCEA approved rehabilitation and upgradation of 780 kms of roads under Green National Highways Corridor Project (GNHCP) in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
  • The approval involves investment of Rs 7,662.47 crore which includes a loan component of Rs 3,500 crore ($500 million). The loan assistance of the World Bank will be under GNHCP.
  • Green Corridor projects are the ones where cement is used for road construction while there are other parameters of greening the highway with tree line on both sides and extensive use of plastic, fly ash, demolition waste and other reusable products.
  • Apart from upgradation of the two-lane, and four-lane highways, the project also includes the maintenance of these stretches for five years (in the case of flexible pavement) and 10 years (in the case of rigid pavement) after completion of construction.
  • The construction period for the project stretches will be 2 to 3 years.
Parliament passes Vivad Se Vishwas Bill for settlement of Direct Tax disputes
  • Parliament has passed the Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020 the bill provides a waiver on interest, penalty and prosecution for settlement of Direct Tax disputes.
  • It grants a complete waiver on interest and penalty when the disputed amount is paid before 31st of this month, and provisions an additional 10 percent of the disputed amount in cases where the settlement is made by 30th June of this year.
  • Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharam said, all steps will be taken by the government to reduce the tax litigation on a priority basis.
  • She assured that the discretion of tax authorities will be reduced by faceless assessment driven by technology.
  • Tax-related disputes in the country amounting to over 9 lakh crore rupees is pending against over 4 lakh litigations in various appellate forums.
  • Sitharaman assured that the provisions of this bill provide absolute immunity for prosecutions under the Income Tax Act to the appellant once the dispute is resolved. She, however, clarified that it only governs disputes related to Direct Tax and not litigations related to wealth tax.
IIM Shillong team wins Guwahati edition of Tata quiz
  • Akash Verma and Akshay Vinayak Desai from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong emerged victorious in the Guwahati edition of Tata Crucible Campus Quiz 2020.
  • A total of 73 teams battled it out in the city-level finale for the top honours held.
  • The winners took home a cash prize of Rs 75,000 and they will compete in the zonal round to qualify for the national finale.
  • Prasant Bose and SubhraneelAcharjee from Assam Engineering College, Guwahati, were declared runners-up, winning a cash prize of Rs 35,000.
  • The theme for this year’s quiz was ‘Industry 4.0’. Noted quiz master Giri Balasubramaniam hosted the quiz.

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Assam Current Affairs – March 01 – 07, 2020

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Current Affairs Assam – March 1 - 7, 2020

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of March 1 – 7, 2020 )

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MARCH 01, 2020

Assam targets 400 MW of solar power within 2 years
  • The government is planning to harness around 400 MW of grid-connected solar power through developers in about two years’ time.
  • In Phase I, the power utility is developing five projects totalling 100 MW through private entities under ‘Built, Own, Operate’ mode in five locations of the State.
  • M/s Azure Power is developing three 25 MW solar projects at Rowta, Boko and LalangkittaLabocpar (Cachar) and another of 16 MW at Samaguri, Nagaon.
  • A 10 MW solar project is also being developed by M/s Maheswari Mining at Padumoni, Nagaon. 
  • The APDCL will purchase power from them and the rates have been fixed through reverse auction.
  • The APGCL is developing the 70 MW Amguri solar project, the work order for which has been given.
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned a 70 MW solar plant in Dima Hasao, while the Solar Energy Corporation of India has allotted a 30 MW project for Assam under the VGF scheme for supply of power to Central PSUs.
MoS Jitendra Singh launches Pension Adalat & NPS Awareness and Grievance Redressal Programme in Jammu
  • Union Minister of State (independent charge) Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Pension Adalat and National Pension System (NPS) Awareness and Grievance Redressal Programme at the Convention Centre.
  • The redressal programme is being conducted by the Department of Pension and Pensioners” Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India.
  • The minister also launched the “Do You Know” Twitter series on family pension, along with a booklet highlighting case studies with interpretation of pension rules.
  • The minister said that Pension Adalats will help in on-the-spot redressal of pensioners” grievances which will give the right of “ease of living” to the pensioners.
MOU between Indian Air Force and Savitribai Phule Pune University for academic collaboration
  • As a unique initiative of Indian Air Force. the IAF and SavitribaiPhule Pune University entered into an academic collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a ‘Chair of Excellence’ at Department of Defence & Strategic Studies.
  • To pay tribute to the legend and commemorate the centenary birth year of the MIAF, the IAF has named it as “Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh Chair of Excellence”.
  • The Chair will enable IAF officers to pursue Doctoral Research and higher studies in Defence & Strategic Studies and allied fields.
  • The chair will facilitate research and higher studies in the area of National Defence and allied fields of Air Force officers.
  • The chair would facilitate inculcating astrategic outlook and building a pool of strategic thinkers.
Centre to skill women for jobs in auto sector at IIT Haryana
  • A training centre for skilling women to get jobs in the automobile sector was inaugurated at the IIT in Ambala in Haryana.
  • The centre in the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) has been set up by Hero MotoCorp Ltd in association with the state”s Skill Development and Industrial Training Department and the United Nations Development Programme.
  • Industrial skilling to women students would be ensured through fully functional technician training labs.
  • The centre will also train students to drive two-wheelers to ensure their mobility.
  • With the objective of ”Hunar se kamyabitak”, Hero MotoCorp has so far imparted skilling to over 20,000 people through state-of-the-art skill development centres across the country.

 

MARCH 02, 2020
PM Modi launches campaign for setting up of 10,000 FPOs
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a campaign to set up 10,000 new farmer producer organisations (FPOs) across the country in the next five years.
  • Modi said a new FPO will be set up to increase the income of the farmers and to empower them. This will enable the farmers to market and process the crops along with producing them. Rs 5,000 crore will be spent on this in the next five years.
  • Modi also distributed Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to 10 beneficiary farmers of PM-Kisan.
  • The KCCs are being distributed to farmers from 28,000 branches of banks across the country as part of a special campaign by the government to provide KCC facilities to all beneficiaries of PM-Kisan.
ICAR inks MoU with Patanjali Bio Research Institute, Haridwar
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Patanjali Bio Research Institute (PBRI), Haridwar at the National Agricultural Science Centre Complex, New Delhi.
  • TrilochanMohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) and Shri Acharya Balkrishna, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Patanjali& Managing Director, PBRI inked the MoU on the behalf of their respective organizations.
  • As per the MoU, the specific work plans will be developed to work on the collaborative research programmes in the areas of national interest related to sustainable agriculture development suitable to different agro-ecologies of the country.
  • Under the MoU, the ICAR and PBRI will collaborate in mutually identified areas of training and education where the Post Graduate students of Deemed Universities & Research Institutes of ICAR may undertake internships in various areas of specialization with PBRI.
  • The ICAR will support PBRI in technology demonstration, capacity building, seed production for scaling up of the popular varieties developed by the ICAR and transferring them among the farming community of the country.
  • The MoU aims to foster the close interaction in research, capacity building, seed production, entrepreneurship and skill development.  
New explosive detection device, developed by DRDO &IISc Bangalore, unveiled in Pune
  • RaIDer-X, a new explosive detection device, was unveiled at the National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020) in Pune.
  • RaIDer-X has the capability to detect explosives from a stand-off distance.
  • The data library can be built in the system to expand its capability to detect a number of explosives in pure form as well as with the contaminants.
  • Bulk explosive in concealed condition can also be detected by the device.RaIDer-X has been co-developed by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Puneand Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.          
  • The NWED-2020 was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence Research &Developmentand Chairman Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr G Satheesh Reddy.
  • The two-day workshop has been organised by HEMRL Puneon its diamond jubilee celebration. HEMRL
  • It provides a platform to scientists, technocrats and users to share knowledge, experience and updated information on the technological advancements made in the recent past.
  • The workshop will help in the further development of explosive detection devices and keep abreast on the recent development and advancements in the field of explosive detection.
Bimal Julka appointed Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)
  • Information Commissioner Bimal Julka was appointed as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC). President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Julka as the CIC in the Central Information Commission at a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • The transparency watchdog has been functioning without a chief after Sudhir Bhargava retired on January 11 and is at a reduced strength of six information commissioners, against the sanctioned strength of 11 (including the CIC).

FACTFILE – Central Information Commission

  • The Central Information Commission is a statutory body, set up under the Right to Information Act in 2005 under the Government of India to act upon complaints from those individuals who have not been able to submit information requests to a Central Public Information Officer or State Public Information Officer due to either the officer not have been appointed, or because the respective Central Assistant Public Information Officer or State Assistant Public Information Officer refused to receive the application for information under the Right to Information Act.
  • The commission includes one chief information commissioner and not more than ten information commissioners who are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha; a Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister.

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MARCH 03, 2020
Rs 33 crore sanctioned for Kaziranga under Project Tiger scheme
  • Financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1.51 crore has been sanctioned to Kaziranga National Park during the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-2020 under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
  • Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Babul Supriyo said that Rs 94,46,585 and Rs 51,24,670 were sanctioned to Kaziranga National Park during the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-2020 respectively under CAMPA.
  • Under the Project Tiger scheme, financial assistance of Rs 10.30 crore and Rs 22.81 crore were also sanctioned during the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively to Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, which includes Kaziranga National Park.
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides financial assistance to Assam for management of wildlife in national parks and sanctuaries, including for protection of animals during flood under schemes such as Development of Wildlife Habitats, Project Tiger and CAMPA.
  • Highlands and platforms have also been constructed in national parks to give shelter to animals during high flood.
  • Anti-poaching camps in strategic locations have also been constructed with sufficient armed guards, besides deployment of boats during flood and use of modern technologies like ‘electronic eye’ for smart patrolling.
European Investment Bank, UNEP sign pact to enhance climate actions
  • The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) agreed to deepen their cooperation to enhance climate and environmental actions.
  • The memorandum of understanding was signed in Brussels at a meeting between Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP, Inger Andersen, and EIB Vice President responsible for Climate Action and Environment, Emma Navarro.
  • The focus of the strategic cooperation will be on climate change, conservation, protection, enhancement and support of nature and natural resources, including biological diversity worldwide and circular economy.
  • Priority will be identification of a new pipeline of investment projects in the field of environment and climate change.
  • Science, policy responses and investments need to go hand-in-hand. This strategic partnership between UNEP and EIB comes at a crucial time, when scaling up financing for these transformations is essential.
IIT Mandi to set up farmer producer bodies in Himachal Pradesh
  • The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi and Enabling Women of Kamand (EWOK) Society will collaborate on setting up farmer producer organisations in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
  • The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 35 lakhs to IIT Mandi and EWOK Society to promote and set up three farmer producer organisations in three years.
  • IIT Mandi will provide its expertise in tourism, rural marts run by self-help groups, engineering solutions for farm-friendly equipment, research on the impact of climate change on agriculture incomes, among others.
  • The EWOK has been working with the women and families in Kamand area in both farm and non-farm sectors to encourage women entrepreneurs at the grassroots.
  • In the farm-related activities, along with IIT Mandi Medicinal Plant Laboratory, some successful pilot programmes have been run for the past two years.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways launches IRAD System
  • Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) System.
  • The primary purpose of IRAD is to enhance road safety, and thus endeavors to generate various types of insights through the Analytics Dashboard, Trend Analysis etc. and therefore, decision making by Apex Authorities.
  • The six states identified for piloting the project are Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
PM Modi lays foundation stone for Bundelkhand Expressway in Chitrakoot
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays foundation stone for Bundelkhand Expressway in Chitrakoot, distributes nearly 56,000 assistive aids to Divyang-jans and senior citizens at a Mega Camp in Prayagraj.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a SamajikAdhikaritaShivir organised by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Prayagraj.
  • PM Modi interacted with divyangajans at the event which turned out as the biggest ever distribution camp being conducted in the country in terms of the number of beneficiaries covered and number of appliances distributed.
  • PM Modi also distributed 56000 Assistive Aids and Devices of different types to 26000 Senior Citizens and Divyangjans.
  • The cost of aids and devices is over 19 crore. Assistive Aids and devices will help in enhancing economic development of these beneficiaries.

MARCH 04, 2020

President confers 61st Annual Lalit Kala Akademi Awards
  • The President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind, conferred the 61st annual Lalit Kala Akademi Awards on 15 meritorious artists at a function held at RashtrapatiBhavan.
  • Artwork of these artists will be on display till March 22, 2020, at the 61st National Exhibition of Art at the Lalit Kala Akademi galleries in New Delhi.
  • Lalit Kala Akademi organises art exhibitions and award ceremonies every year to promote art as well as to honour talents.
  • The exhibition brings together the works of brilliance from across the country and also encourages budding art talents to learn new tendencies and mediums in the world of painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, drawing, installation and multimedia etc.
  • The National Lalit Kala Akademi awards are conferred to recognize individuals for their outstanding work in the field of art. The awardees are selected by an esteemed panel of judges, nominated by the Akademi.
  • The awardees were honoured with a shawl, plaque and cash prize worth Rs 1 lakh.

 

List of winners of 61st annual National Lalit Kala Akademi Awards

S. No. Award Winner State
1 Anoop Kumar Manzukhi Gopi Thrissoor, Kerala
2 David Malakar Kolkata, West Bengal
3 Devendra Kumar Khare Vadodara, Gujarat
4 Dinesh Pandya Mumbai, Maharashtra
5 Faruque Ahmed Halder Kolkata, West Bengal
6 Hari Ram Kumbhawat Jaipur, Rajasthan
7 Keshari Nandan Prasad Jaipur, Rajasthan
8 Mohan Kumar T Bengaluru, Karnataka
9 Ratan Krishna Saha Mumbai, Maharashtra
10 Sagar Vasant Kamble Mumbai, Maharashtra
11 Satwinder Kaur New Delhi
12 Sunil Thiruvayur Ernakulam, Kerala
13 Tejaswi Narayan Sonawane Solapur, Maharashtra
14 Yashpal Singh Delhi
15 Yashwant Singh Delhi

FACTFILE –  Lalit Kala Akademi

  • The Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Academy of Artswas set up by the central government as an autonomous body on August 5, 1954.
  • The Akademi received statutory authority in 1957 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
  • The Akademi aims to involve all genres of creativity in its activities and has a vision that takes care of both traditional Indian art as well as contemporary art by helping artists imbibe many contemporary happenings in the international art scene.
Ajay Bhushan Pandey appointed to be the new Finance Secretary
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the designation of Ajay Bhushan Pandey as the new Finance Secretary.
  • Pandey, currently the Revenue Secretary in the Union Finance Ministry, will replace incumbent Rajiv Kumar.
  • A 1984 batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, he is known for his work with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and has also served as Chairman of Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN).
  • Pandey had taken charge as the Revenue Secretary in November 2018, replacing Hasmukh Adhia who was to retire at the end of the month.
Shafey Kidwai gets Sahitya Akademi Award
  • Noted bilingual critic, scholar and columnist, Professor Shafey Kidwai has received the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award (2019) for his seminal Urdu work ”Sawanah-e-Sir Syed – EkBazdeed”.
  • The book seeks to revisit the biographical details and literary accomplishments of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and it supplements what has escaped the attention of many biographers of Sir Syed including Khawaja Altaf Husain Hali.
  • Prof Kidwai, also Chairman, Department of Mass Communication, has been honoured with Madya Pradesh government”s prestigious award ”Iqbal Samman” in 2016 and Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy”s ”Amir Khusro Award” in 2018.
  • The SahityaAkademi has published his monograph on R.K. Narayan in 2009.
  • He has translated several books from English into Urdu including ”Michael Madhusudan Dutt” (1995) and ”Our Constitution” (2009). His book ”Khabar Nigari” (1988) is the first on the art of reporting in Urdu.
Mamata launches new housing scheme “Snehaloy” for poor people
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a new housing scheme “Snehaloy” for poor people, under which the beneficiaries will receive Rs 1.20 lakh each from the state government to build houses.
  • The scheme is for those economically backward people who don’t qualify for the state government’s present housing scheme Bangle AwasYojana.
  • The money would be given in two tranches.
TN launches Rs 2,857 crore for TN Health System Reform Programme
  • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami launched the Rs 2,857 crore Tamil Nadu Health System Reform Programme (TNHSRP).
  • The five-year programme focusses on three key areas — improved quality of care, management of non-communicable diseases & injuries, and reduced equity gaps in reproductive and child health.
  • Under the programme, quality certification of the government hospitals will also be undertaken, which will help improve the medical service.
  • It will focus on diagnosing non-communicalble diseases, like diabetes, cancer, blood pressure, breast cancer and psychological disorders at an early stage.
  • Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said for the scheme Rs 1,999 crore would be the share of World Bank loan and the rest be provided by the state government.

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MARCH 05, 2020

Bongaigaon Refinery starts making BS-VI fuels
  • Bongaigaon Refinery, the ninth refinery of Indian Oil located at Dhaligaon in Chirang district, has been successfully producing BS (Bharat Standard)-VI motor spirit (petrol) since December 2019 and has set a target to produce BS-VI high-speed diesel by April 1, to match the government’s Auto Fuel Quality Vision Policy 2025.
  • The content of sulphur in BS-IV fuels is 50 parts per million (ppm) while in BS-VI grade fuels, it is 10 ppm.
  • The production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be increased when the newly installed Indane Maximisation (INDMAX) unit in the refinery becomes fully functional.
  • Steps are being taken to increase the capacity of machinery units so that high-valued petroleum products can be made considering the demand in the market, this development will definitely bring better industrial prospects in the next 5-6 years in the entire region of lower Assam.
  • BGR has been maintaining anti-pollution measures strictly while discharging effluent and gaseous substances.
BRICS CCI announces launch of women’s wing
  • The BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BRICS CCI) has announced the launch of the BRICS CCI Women’s Wing with focus on women empowerment initiatives and policies across geographies.
  • The objective of the women’s wing is to create an enabling support system for women entrepreneurs and professionals across geographies.
  • Founded in 2012, BRICS CCI is empanelled with NITI Aayog and recognized by the United Nations.
  • While the BRICS nations will remain at the centre of all activities, the chamber has taken in its credo to reach out to and enable young entrepreneurs from other friendly nations too and bring stakeholders associated with women entrepreneurship across key countries under one platform.
  • The BRICS CCI Women’s wing will be led by ShabanaNasim, Governing Body Member, BRICS CCI, Shormishtha Ghosh, Director — Business Advisory, BRIC CCI and Ruby Sinha, Convenor, BRICS CCI Women”s wing and Honourary Advisor BRICS CCI.
  • One stop knowledge hub for women entrepreneurs globally, shetatwork.com will be the knowledge partner for the BRICS CCI Women”s wing.
  • An eminent advisory board comprising eminent women professionals from across countries is also being set up.
Govt launches amnesty scheme for late filings by LLPs
  • The government launched an amnesty scheme for condonation of delays in filings of documents by limited liability partnership (LLPs) firms.
  • The move is meant to make life easier for businesses who have been facing problems due to non-filing of returns.
  • It has been decided to give a one-time relaxation in additional fee to the defaulting LLPs to make good their default by filing pending documents and to serve as a compliant LLP in future.
  • The scheme – ”LLP Settlement Scheme, 2020”, will come into force on March 16 and shall remain in operation till June 13.
  • During the period, there would be one-time condonation of delay in filing statutorily required documents with the Registrar.
  • To reduce the burden on LLPs, they would be required to pay only Rs 10 as additional fee for each day delay in filing documents as against the earlier practice of Rs 100 for each day of delay.
  • The penalty on delayed filing will also be capped to a maximum of Rs 5,000 providing relief to LLPs, some of whom have not filed their documents for years.
  • LLPs are unique corporate structure that allows the flexibility of a partnership firm and advantages of limited liability of a company at a low compliance cost. Around 1.5 lakh LLPs are registered in India and about 1.3 lakh are active firms.
Union Cabinet approved consolidation of public sector into 4 big banks
  • The Union Cabinet approved the mega consolidation in public sector banks (PSBs) with effect from April 1, under which 10 state-run banks would be transformed into 4 big banks.
  • It also approved the scheme of merger submitted by the banks concerned which will be part of the process.
  • The amalgamations will enable creation of digitally driven consolidated banks with global heft and business synergies.
  • The amalgamation would result in creation of seven large PSBs with scale and national reach with each amalgamated entity having a business of over Rs 8 lakh crore.
  • The mega consolidation would help create banks with scale comparable to global banks and capable of competing effectively in India and globally.
Lok  Sabha passes Direct Tax ”Vivad se Vishwas” bill
    • Lok Sabha passed direct tax amnesty scheme Vivad se Vishwas bill. With mounting tax disputes, the government has had in Union budget come up with No Dispute but Trust Scheme (Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme) to settle the direct tax disputes.
    • Under the proposed amnesty scheme, a taxpayer would be required to pay only the amount of the disputed taxes and will get complete waiver of interest and penalty provided he pays the amount by March 31, 2020.
    • For disputed penalty, interest and fee not connected with the disputed tax, the taxpayer would be required to pay only 25 per cent of the same for settling the dispute.
    • A taxpayer shall be required to pay 110 per cent of the disputed tax (the excess 10 per cent shall be limited to the amount of related penalty and interest, if any) and 30 per cent of penalty, interest and fees in case of payment after March 31, 2020.
    • Those who avail this scheme after March 31, 2020 will have to pay some additional amount. The scheme will remain open till June 30, 2020.

 

MARCH 06, 2020

NABL accreditation status to State Public Health Laboratory, Assam
  • Minister of State for Health Piyush Hazarika formally inaugurated the NABL-accreditation status, sophisticated instruments facility of the State Public Health Laboratory, Assam and Food Safety on Wheels of the Commissionerate of Food Safety.
  • NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accreditation is the recognition that the laboratory is competent to carry out analysis works as per international standards.
  • The Bamunimaidam-based state public laboratory is the only state food testing laboratory in the entire North East and sixth in the country to be accredited by NABL.
  • Section 43 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 makes it mandatory for all food testing laboratories to be accredited.
  • Three highly sophisticated instruments have been provided by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) under a Central sector scheme.
  • The total cost of the instruments is approximately Rs. 8.50 crore.
4th Edition of the Women Transforming India Awards 2019
  • NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform is organising the Fourth Edition of the Women Transforming India Awards (WTI) on International Women’s Day.
  • The WTI will recognize 30 finalists and 15 winners will be felicitated. On this occasion, the Women Entrepreneurship Platform also completes two years since its inception.
  • The Women Transforming India Awards, instituted four years ago, is NITI Aayog’sendeavourto recognise and celebrate stories of exceptional women changemakers from across India.
  • Since 2018, the Women Transforming India Awards have been hosted under the aegis of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform on the theme of ‘Women and Entrepreneurship’.
  • The fifteen winners were chosen from a pool of more than 2,300applicants.
  • The Women Entrepreneurship Platform undertook an elaboratefive-month long process to identify inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs who are breaking the glass ceiling.
  • This process included a review of applications, jury and super jury roundswith assistance from mentors and partners of Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
  • The Women Entrepreneurship Platform seeks to transform the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women by bringing together stakeholders to offer information and services that will resolve the existing information asymmetry.
ARCI develops Fuel Cell Technology for Disaster Management
  • Scientists at International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) have developed Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).
  • PEMFC, in its entireness, have an advantage of operational capability at low-temperatures with applications in decentralised power generation systems.
  • Through intense R&D efforts in the area of fuel cell technologies, ARCI at its Centre for Fuel Cell Technology, Chennai has developed in-house PEMFC systems in the power range of 1 to 20 kiloWatt (kW).
  • The Government of Tamil Nadu decided to look at the prospect of converting the existing Control Room to EOC backed with 10 kW system along with fuel cell stack, air moving sub systems, power control devices and control and monitoring system.
  • ARCI demonstrated feasibility of providing power to EOCs. PEMFC stack with capacity of 5kW has been installed on mobile truck and demonstrated at Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA).
  • J. Radhakrishnan, Commissioner, Revenue Administration and Disaster Management witnessed the demo and appreciated the prowess of PEMFC technology.
  • ARCI is now planning to set up a PEMFC system up to 10 kW capacity at Tamil Nadu State Emergency Operation Centre (TN SEOC) to operate the systems like early warning systems, VHF set, IP phone, BSNL Ethernet and office equipment like scanner, computers, printers, phone, FAX and normal requirements like lighting and fan.
World Bank announces 12billion aid to combat coronavirus outbreak
  • World Bank has unveiled a 12 billion dollar aid package that will provide fast-track funds to help countries combat the coronavirus outbreak.
  • The funds, some of which are targeted to the world’s poorest nations, can be used for medical equipment or health services and will include expertise and policy advice.
  • World Bank President David Malpass said the money will go to countries that request help. The bank has been in contact with many member nations.

 

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MARCH 07, 2020

Assam Lunches free dedicated bus service ‘BhramanSarathi’ for women, elderly
  • The State government announced a new scheme named ‘BhramanSarathi’ under which free and dedicated bus services will be provided for women and senior citizens within Guwahati.
  • Finance Minister HimantaBiswaSarma said the new scheme will not only ensure safe and comfortable travel but will also encourage them to use public transportation instead of private vehicles.
  • These buses, painted in pink colour, will be on some of the busiest routes through the day and will provide fast, safe and easy mobility to the women and the senior citizens.
  • The ASTC will provide free ride to unemployed youths for appearing in various examinations and job interviews.
  • The call letter and the date therein, provided for the interview will be considered as bus ticket for this purpose and the bus conductor will ensure free ride for these youths once a photocopy of the same is handed over to him.
  • The cost accrued against such free ride will be reimbursed to ASTC so that the financial health of ASTC is not compromised while implementing these schemes.
National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise ‘SAREX-2020’
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was roped into the ongoing National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise (SAREX-2020) organised by the Indian Coast Guard off the coast of Goa.
  • 31 resource agencies, including the armed forces and other civilian agencies participated in the exercise, which was aimed at enhancing maritime search and rescue capabilities.
  • Utilised the services of ISRO for providing satellite images and other requirements
  • Maritime search and rescue operations continue to remain a challenge amid increasing maritime and fishing activity, which is further convoluted by frequent cyclones in Indian waters as well as incidents of plane disasters over the seas.
  • The exercise involved mass rescue operation of 220 personnel with the help of combined assets of multi-agencies including the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Customs and other state government agencies like the Captain of Ports and Marine Police.
  • The search and rescue exercise was co-ordinated by the ICG which is India’s nodal agency for maritime search and rescue operations.
Google India launches skill programme designed for women
  • Google India introduced DigiPivot, a skilling programme designed for women who are looking to return to their corporate careers after a break or simply planning to make mid career shifts to digital marketing.
  • Developed jointly in association with Avtar, a career portal service for women, and the Indian School of Business, the programme aims to influence the overall gender mix in the digital marketing landscape in India and will provide an opportunity for 200 women professionals to re-skill themselves.
  • Selected participants will go through a curated 18 week learning programme and engagement (both offline and online) that aims to empower the participants with digital marketing knowledge and tools as well as mentorship on strategic leadership skills.
  • The programme will culminate in a day long Graduation event at the Google Hyderabad Campus on August 28.
  • The programme is open to both women professionals who are currently working and those who are keen to return to the workforce with 4-10 years of experience in consulting, analytics, branding and sales and support with passion for digital marketing.
  • The programme is completely sponsored by Google and does not require participants to contribute to any registration, participation, travel or accommodation fees.

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