Tag: Tripura Current Affairs

Assam Current Affairs – November 29 – 30, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – November 29 - 30, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of November 29 – 30, 2019 )

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November 29, 2019

Manoj Kumar takes over as new Tripura Chief Secretary
  • The Tripura government appointed senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar as the new Chief Secretary.
  • A 1990 batch Tripura cadre IAS officer, and currently Additional Chief Secretary, Electricity, Finance and Forest Departments, Manoj Kumar would succeed Usurupati Venkateswarlu, who is retiring from service on November 30.
  • Manoj Kumar would look after the General Administration (Confidential and Cabinet, Personnel and training), Finance and Home (excluding Jail and Fire Service) Departments.

FACTFILE – Chief Secretary in States/UTs

  • The post of Chief Secretary is the senior-most position held in the civil services of the states and union territories of India. The position is a cadre post for the Indian Administrative Service.
  • Chief Secretaries are members of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) who are the administrative head of state governments. A Chief Secretary functions as the central point of interdepartmental coordination at the departmental level and is classified as being in the Apex Grade.
  • Chief Secretary is considered to be the Chief Executive of the state government and considered to be ‘a linchpin’ in the administration.
  • Chief Secretary of the state also acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the State Civil Service Board, which recommends transfer/postings of officers of All India Services and State Civil Services in the state.
  • Chief Secretaries are chosen by the state’s Chief Minister.
  • State Chief Secretaries are IAS officers generally equivalent in rank to a Secretary to Government of India and are placed 23rd on Indian Order of Precedence.
 Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan introduced the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Bill, 2019
  • Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan introduced the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Bill, which will replace the ordinance promulgated in September, has already received the Lok Sabha”s approval.
  • Moving the the Health Minister said it would also ban online sales and advertising of e-cigarettes.
  • The Bill is about prohibiting all commercial operations for the trade of e-cigarettes, which includes manufacturing, production, import, export, distribution, sale and advertising including online sales and advertising.
Uddhav Thackeray sworn-in as the CM of Maharashtra
  • Shiv Sena President Uddhav B. Thackeray sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at a function held in Shivaji Park. Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath of office and secrecy to Thackeray.
  • Thackeray is the third from the Shiv Sena to be Chief Minister after Manohar Joshi and Narayan Rane in the late 1990s.
Bill to regularise unauthorized colonies in Delhi passed in LS
  • A Bill to regularize Delhi’s 1,731 unauthorised colonies was passed in the Lok Sabha with voice vote to benefit over 40 lakh residents who have been residing in such colonies for years.
  • The Bill will provide special provision for the national capital by recognising the property rights of ownership or transfer or mortgage in favour of residents of such colonies who are possessing properties on the basis of power of attorney, agreement to sale, will, possession letter, or any other documents, including documents evidencing payment of consideration.
  • The Bill seeks to levy stamp duty and registration charges on the amount mentioned in the conveyance deed or authorisation slip issued by the Delhi Development Authority and non-payment of any stamp duty and registration charges on any previous sale transactions made prior to the last transaction.
The Rajya Sabha passed the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019
  • The Rajya Sabha passed the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2019 by voice vote. Besides raising the monetary limit in collections, the Bill also provides for increasing commission for the person managing the fund to 7 per cent from 5 per cent.
  • As per the bill, the collection limit for individuals has been raised to Rs 3 lakh, up from the present Rs 1 lakh. For firms, the limit would be 18 lakhs from Rs 6 lakh now.
  • Introducing the bill Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said that the collection limit has been raised in view of inflation rate since 2001.
  • The Chit Fund Act, 1982 was enacted to provide for regulation of chit funds which have conventionally satisfied the financial needs of the low income households.
Industrial Relations Code bill introduced in LS
  • The Central government introduced the Industrial Relations Code Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier had approved the Industrial Relations Code Bill, which is the third code under labour reforms.
  • The Bill provides for setting up of a two-member tribunal (in place of one-member), thus introducing a concept that some of the important cases will be adjudicated jointly and the rest by a single-member resulting in speedier disposal of cases.
  • It also provides for imparting flexibility to the exit provisions relating to retrenchment and others, for which the threshold for prior approval of appropriate government has been kept unchanged at 100 employees, but added a provision for changing such number of employees through notification.
  • The Bill also provides for definition of Fixed Term Employment and that it would not lead to any notice period and payment of compensation on retrenchment excluded.
  • It also provides for vesting of powers with the government officers for adjudication of disputes involving penalty as fines thereby lessening the burden on tribunals.

November 30, 2019 

 Water conservation projects commissioned in Hailakandi
  • Under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, water conservation projects will be set up in several schools in Hailakandi district of Barak Valley.
  • Deputy Commissioner, Keerthi Jalli commissioned such projects in two educational institutions under the Katlicherra education block.
  • Inaugurating the first water conservation project at Sahabad ME Madrassa, Deputy Commissioner Jalli called upon the students to conserve water and make judicious use of the precious resource at school and at home.
Biren Singha gets Guruji Adya Sarma award
  • The Guruji Adya Sarma Award 2019 was presented to renowned sculptor Biren Singha at a function held at the Nalbari Harimandir premises.
  • The award comprising Rs 25,000 in cash, a memento, citation, sarai, cheleng sador, japi, etc.was presented by Nalbari Deputy Commissioner Bharat Bhusan Dev Choudhury.
  • Mobile theatre group Brindaban Theatre in collaboration with Nalbari Harimandir Committee presents the award every year.
The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 moved in Lok Sabha
  • The government in the Lok Sabha moved a Bill for rationalising and facilitating the licensing procedures for use of firearms by individuals as well as to curb crimes committed by using illegal firearms and provide effective deterrence against violation of law.
  • The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which seeks amendment to the Arms Act, 1959, provides for enhancement of period of arms licence from three years to five years and also to issue arms licence in electronic form.
  • Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy, while introducing the Bill, said the move is to deal with the future issues as the fire power and sophistication of illegal firearms have increased over the years.
  • The trans-border dimensions of illegal arms trafficking are causing threat to internal security.
  • To prevent the usage of illicit firearms so trafficked has also become a prime concern.
  • To effectively curb crimes related to or committed by using illegal firearms and to provide effective deterrence against violation of law, there is an urgent need to strengthen the existing legislative framework by making appropriate amendments in the Arms Act, 1959.
  • The Bill seeks to enhance punishment for existing offences such as illegal manufacture, sale, transfer; illegal acquiring, possessing or carrying prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition; and illegal manufacture, sale, transfer, conversion, import, export, of firearms.
  • The Arms Act, 1959, which was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to arms and ammunition, and the rules made thereunder regulate the acquisition, possession, use, manufacture, transfer, sale, transport, export and import of arms and ammunition and punishment for contravention in order to curb illegal weapons and violence stemming from them.
Indian-Origin Researcher turns banana plant into packaging material
  • An Indian-origin researcher-led team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) announced it has discovered a novel way to turn banana plantation waste into packaging material that is not only biodegradable but also recyclable.
  • Associate Professor Jayashree Arcot and Professor Martina Stenzel looked at ways to convert agricultural waste into something that could value-add to the industry it came from, while potentially solving problems for another.
  • Using a reliable supply of pseudostem material from banana plants grown at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the duo set to work in extracting cellulose to test its suitability as a packaging alternative.
  • The team brought the pseudostem into the lab and chopped it into pieces, dried it at very low temperatures in a drying oven, and then milled it into a very fine powder.
  • The team then took this powder and washed it with a very soft chemical treatment.
  • When processed, the material has a consistency similar to baking paper.
  • Depending on the intended thickness, the material could be used in a number of different formats in food packaging.
  • The material is also recyclable. Tests with food have proved that it poses no contamination risks.
Toshiba ink EoI with Kerala Govt for making lithium-ion batteries
  • The Toshiba Group signed an Expression of Interest with the Kerala government for technology transfer and manufacturing lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for electric vehicles.
  • The agreement is an outcome of the Japan visit by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the head of a high-level state delegation and was signed in Tokyo at the investment seminar organised in the Japanese capital.
  • Vijayan addressed the Kerala State Investment Promotion Seminar organised with the participation of 150 major Japanese investors at the Indian Embassy, Tokyo.

 

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Assam Current Affairs –November 22 – 28, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – November 22 - 28, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of November 22 – 28, 2019 )

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November 22, 2019

Assam CM inaugurated several infrastructure projects in Goalpara
  • CM Sonowal laid foundation stones of community radio station at Goalpara College to be set up by the district administration and also a project under City Infra Development Fund (CIDF). It includes schemes like development of Bihutoli field, construction of approach road of KV, Bhalukdubi and widening and improvement of the road from ASTC Point to Boro Bazar.
  • Construction of swimming pool and multipurpose indoor stadium at the DN Singha Stadium,Golapara and renovation of the Community Centre at Bapujinagar. Inaugurated the new police station at Agia under the Mission for Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image (MOITRI).
  • Angwadi Model Centre at Budhipara which will have all the composite facilities and the first in the state. Smart Class and Hanging Library at Baladmari High School, solarisation of all the health and wellness centres in the district and that of the plastic shredder machine under Goalpara Municipal Board,GOAL-MART.
  • E-commerce website of the district administration, project under RIDF for construction of RCC bridge at 13 locations and then one-stop centre to support women in distress. A guest house for ASHA workers at Lakhipur, and ceremonial distribution of power tillers under Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI).
Bolo App launched in Hailakandi
  • Bolo App, an effective tool for enhancing learning, has been installed and activated on the smart phones of more than 100 teachers in Hailakandi district.
  • Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) of Mohanpur, West Mohanpur and Mohanpur Burnie Brase 1 launched the campaign ‘Bolo App on every smart phone’ and invited the teachers with smart phones to attend the programme held at Premlochan HS School at Mohanpur.
  • Bolo is speech-based app designed to help elementary grade kids learn to read – anytime, anywhere – just using their voice.
  • Designed for primary and upper primary grade children, Bolo helps to improve their reading skills, by encouraging them to read aloud and giving them instant feedback – even when completely offline.
  • Bolo listens to what your children read, encourages them when they read well and helps them when they get stuck – just like a real reading tutor.
  • Children can also play interesting word games and earn in-app awards, helping reading become both fun and a daily habit.
  • Multiple children can use the same app, and track their progress separately. Over time the difficulty level of recommended stories will adjust to their reading skills.
Odisha signs MoUs to improve urban service delivery system
  • The Odisha government signed three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) to transform urban service delivery system in the state.
  • The Housing and Urban Development department signed MoUs with e-gov Foundation, Janagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, and Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation.
  • The E-gov foundation of Nandan Nilekani and Srikanth Nadhamuni will provide a full stack of municipal services applications.
  • These include a feature-rich dashboard portal for all urban local bodies (ULBs), public grievance management system, finance and accounting, property tax management, water and sewerage system, trade licence system, and online building plan approval system.
  • Janagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy of Ramesh and Swathi Ramanathan will undertake a transformative reform of property taxation in ULBs resulting in growth in revenue of ULBs and investment in better service and infrastructure.
  • The Indian Heritage Cities Network foundation entered into an MoU with the Housing and Urban Development and Tourism departments for promotion of heritage-based sustainable development.
Andhra Pradesh Govt has roped in IIM Ahmedabad to work with the ACB
  • Andhra Pradesh has roped in Indian Institute of Management (Ahmedabad) to work with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
  • IIM (A) professor Sundaravalli Narayana Swamy and ACB chief Viswajit on Thursday signed an agreement to work in coordination to identify corruption in high places.
  • After a detailed study, they will submit a report to the government by February third week next year.
  • The panel will frame guidelines to curb corruption right from the village level to all the government departments. A detailed study of the functioning of government departments, the income and expenditure needed for the governance would be taken up. The lacunae in the present governance would be identified and corrective measures suggested.
  • Similarly, a study would be conducted for the proper utilization of the existing resources, increasing the quality of governance and to achieve positive results.

November 23, 2019

 4th India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 at Shillong 
  • The 4th edition of India International Cherry Blossom Festival, 2019 was celebrated in Shillong, Meghalaya from 13 to 16 November 2019. The festival is a great example of how natural resources and sustainable tourism can be utilised in an effective manner and create value of something which already exists.
  • The festival celebrates the unique autumn flowering of Himalayan Cherry Blossoms with several cultural events. With the annual festival the state government seeks to focus on Meghalaya’s natural strength such environment and beautiful landscape to enhance the experience of tourists.
  • It was organized to celebrate the mass flowering of autumn Himalayan Cherry Blossoms with several cultural events in Shillong.
  • This year the Republic of Korea was the partner country in the festival. The festival was thus visited by ambassador of South Korea and also showcased stalls with state’s food, wine and crafts alongside several Korean Cultural events, including K-Pop concert and stalls featuring Korean Cuisine and Educational Opportunities at South Korea.
  • Dinabandhu Sahoo, the brain behind Cherry Blossom Festival however highlighted that with every edition of the festival, the footfall of tourists visiting it has increased.
Central Govt plans rail link with NE state capitals
  • The Centre said it has firmed up plans to connect the capitals of the northeastern states (except Sikkim) with the Indian Railway network.
  • The capitals of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura have been connected by Broad Gauge (BG) network. Emphasis has been laid by the Centre during the last five years on quick execution of rail infrastructure projects.
  • The average annual expenditure in New Line, Gauge Conversion and Doubling infrastructure projects during 2014-19 was Rs 26,022 crore per year as against Rs 11,527 crore per year during 2009-14, which is around 126 per cent more than during 2009-14.
  • Similarly, the average budget allotment per year for NE States was Rs 2,122 crore per year during 2009-14. However, it increased by 161 per cent to Rs 5,531 crore per year for this region during 2014-19.
  • In Arunachal Pradesh, a BG railway line was commissioned in February 2015 up to Naharlagun and the first Broad Gauge train was started on February 20, 2015, from Naharlagun (Itanagar) to New Delhi.
  • The work of the Bogibeel Bridge on the Brahmaputra river was completed in 2018 leading to further reduction of rail travel distance from Dibrugarh to Naharlagun by 705 km.
  • In some states, the progress of new line projects of capital connectivity has been affected mainly due to delay in land acquisition and law and order issues. All these capital connectivity projects being in hilly terrain of the Himalayas involve a large number of tunnels and major bridges in a very challenging geological environment.
  • Works on new BG lines have been taken up by the Railways through the Government of India fund to connect the remaining capitals of NE states including Meghalaya (Shillong), Manipur (Imphal), Nagaland (Kohima) and Mizoram (Aizawl).
Prabhat Jha moved Bill to make cleanliness a fundamental duty
  • Prabhat Jha moved the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2017 (amendment of article 51A) in the Upper House seeking to make cleanliness a fundamental duty and called for a mass movement to propagate the message of Clean India.
  • Jha demanded that cleanliness be made a fundamental duty under Article 51A of the Constitution. Swachh Bharat mission should be a part of the fundamental duties and for that there is a need to amend the Constitution. It should be made a national campaign.
Defence  Ministry plans product testing facilities for MSMEs
  • The Ministry of Defence plans to set up 6-8 product testing facilities to enable the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to test their products for defence supplies.
  • The government has allocated about Rs 400 crore for this scheme whereby it would provide a grant-in-aid of up to 75 per cent of the cost of equipment for the product testing facility.
  • The balance 25 per cent has to be brought in by a consortium of private investors. The product test facility will be a special purpose vehicle (SPV).
  • The test facilities are to come up in the two defence corridors planned in the country, one facility outside the defence corridor may come up early in order the meet the demand.
Scientists developed new material that turns toxic air pollutant into industrial chemical
  • An international team of scientists has developed a new material that can capture a toxic pollutant produced by burning fossil fuels and convert it into useful industrial chemicals using only water and air.
  • The technology could lead to air pollution control and help remedy the negative impact nitrogen dioxide has on the environment.
  • The metal-organic framework (MOF) material provides a selective, fully reversible and repeatable capability to capture nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a toxic air pollutant produced particularly by diesel and bio-fuel use.
  • The NO2 can then be easily converted into nitric acid, a multi-billion dollar industry with uses including, agricultural fertiliser for crops; rocket propellant and nylon.
  • MOFs are tiny three-dimensional structures which are porous and can trap gasses inside, acting like cages.
  • The material, named MFM-520, can capture nitrogen dioxide at ambient pressures and temperatures even at low concentrations and during flow in the presence of moisture, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.
  • The team also used the National Service for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at Manchester to study the mechanism of adsorption of nitrogen dioxide in MFM-520.

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November 24, 2019

 Union Cabinet approveds strategic disinvestment in five PSUs
  • Union Cabinet approved strategic disinvestment in five PSUs, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), THDC India Ltd and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO). The government will also give up the management control in these companies.
  • Two of the PSUs under the strategic disinvestment plan, THDC and NEEPCO, will be taken over by another state-run power major, NTPC.
  • The government would lower its stake below 51 per cent in select PSUs while retaining their management control. The decision to bring down Centre”s stake will be taken on a case-to-case basis.

FACTFILE – Disinvestment in PSUs

  • Disinvestment in Public sector units in India, is process of public asset sales by President of India on behalf of Govt of India.
  • There were 331 CPSEs in 2017-18, out of which 257 were in operation. Rest (74) of the CPSEs were under construction.
  • As in need of Economic Liberalism and Infrastructure development, in Union Budget of India Total Expenditure of Government of India increased from ₹ 1,13,422 crore (1991-92) to ₹ 21,46,735 Crore(2017-18). To raise the funds partially for these Expenditures and also to minimize fiscal deficits in union budgets, Indian Government started divestment in public sector undertakings. Conceding to demands of privatization and with tough resistance from labour unions, government of India is slowly divesting from PSUs.
  • Major divestment steps were taken in past by the government when they made four strategic disinvestment’s – in Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) and Hindustan Zinc, Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited and VSNL.
  • In budgetary announcement of financial year 2017-18 The Finance Minister noted that the government initiated strategic disinvestment in 24 PSUs, including Air India, this fiscal.
  • Since financial year 1991-92 to 2017-18 government led by political parties sold total public assets of ₹ 3,47,439 Crore. In past recent years Public sector undertaking units performed well as compared to other private competitors and paid huge dividends to government.
 G20 foreign ministers commit to WTO reforms
  • G20 foreign ministers have pledged to push for reforms in the World Trade Organization (WTO) during a meeting in the Japanese city of Nagoya.
  • The announcement was made by Japan”s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the agreements reached at the event.
  • The G20 shared the view that the WTO needed to be reformed to be able to address current problems.
  • WTO reforms being contemplated included the possibility of improving mechanisms for resolving trade disputes.
  • Motegi also reflected on the need to conclude negotiations for establishing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership for Asia and Oceania with the agreement of 16 countries that have promoted the initiative since its inception.
  • Motegi said the RCEP was one of the initiatives that should be defended to strengthen global free trade.
  • The G20, a forum initially promoted by finance and central bank officials, brings together the richest countries and the world”s major emerging economies in a common platform.
AIIA has inked a MoU with Western Sydney University
  • The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Western Sydney University, Australia aimed at promoting collaboration in research and developing guidelines for integrating Ayurveda principles with modern medicine.
  • All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signed the MoU on Friday during the visit of the delegation led by Dan Tehan, Minister for Education, Australian government.
  • The memorandum was agreed and exchanged on the occasion of the event ”India- Australia International Education and Research Workshop” held at the Ambedkar International Centre.
  • Complementing the traditional Ayurveda medicine with conventional concepts of modern medicine is expected in generating scientific evidences that further help in contributing to the global healthcare.
  • Both institutions are committed to take the collaboration to the next higher level by identifying specific areas for collaboration in education, research and practices of traditional medicine while ensuring the quality standards and also by encouraging investment in traditional medicine related infrastructure.
President of India awarded the President’s Colour to Naval Academy
  • President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the President’s Colour, the highest honour that is bestowed upon a military unit, to the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kannur in Kerala.
  • The President mentioned that our Armed forces are completely equipped to face any kind of challenges be it in conventional or in the asymmetric domain.
  • He urged the Naval officers to fully utilize the training and be prepared to deliver in all situations for the country.
  • He complimented the commandants, instructors and officers involved in training for producing multi-faceted officers for Indian Navy.
  • President received the Guard of honour from the Academy Cadets.
  • Kerala Governor Arif Muhammed Khan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, and State Minister, Kadamkampally Surendran graced the occasion.
 Karnataka Govt felicitates 7 Bengaluru-founded Unicorns
  • The Karnataka government awarded seven city-founded Unicorns as part of Bengaluru Impact Awards at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2019.
  • Bengaluru Impact Award winning Unicorns include Ola, MuSigma, Big Basket, Swiggy, InMobi, Quikr and Flipkart.
  • The awards were presented by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary, department of IT, BT and S& T E.V. Ramana Reddy and Director of the same department of IT, BT and S& T Prasanth Kumar Mishra.

November 25, 2019

 Assam is the Most Improved state in Economy and Overall category in the India Today State of the States Conclave 2019
  • The annual ‘India Today State of the States Conclave and Awards – 2019’ has adjudged Assam in the ‘Most Improved Big State – Overall’ and ‘Most Improved Big State for Economy’ categories.
  • Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary received both the awards from Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting in New Delhi.
  • The India Today ‘State of the States’ study is an attempt to find out which of India’s States offers its citizens the best opportunities, both at work and outside.
  • The categories based on which the States are judged include economy, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, inclusive development, law and order, governance, entrepreneurship, environment and cleanliness.
India, Afghanistan exchanges treaty over Extradition
  • India and Afghanistan exchanged the instruments of ratification of their bilateral extradition treaty.
  • The instrument of ratification of Extradition Treaty between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Republic of India, approved and ratified by the relevant authorities of the two governments.
  • The agreement was signed by the authorized representatives of the two countries in New Delhi in September 2019.
50th conference of Governors
  • Five groups of Governors submitted their reports to President Ram Nath Kovind on issues related to tribal welfare, water, agriculture, higher education and ease of living, and identified actionable points in which they can play a facilitating role.
  • These reports were submitted during the 50th conference of Governors which concluded at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The conference took keen interest in tribal welfare issue and pointed out that policies for tribal uplift had to be tailored in accordance with local requirements.
  • Kovind said that the discussions held by Governors and Lt. Governors proved to be a fruitful exercise. On observing November 26 as the 70th anniversary of Indian Constitution, he said a campaign will be launched to create awareness about fundamental duties on the occasion.
  • It is the fundamental duty of every citizen to protect the natural environment including water resources like forests, lakes and rivers. It is also a constitutional duty to continuously strive for excellence in all areas for the progress of the country.
  • Individual and collective efforts for excellence in the areas of higher education, agriculture, inclusive growth and governance will give impetus to public welfare.
 India ranked 44th in Nomura’s Food Vulnerability Index
  • According to a new report by Nomura Global Market Research, India is ranked 44 out of 110 countries in Nomura’s Food Vulnerability Index (NFVI). India has been ranked 44 out of 110 countries.
  • Nomura’s Food Vulnerability Index (NFVI) ranks countries on the basis of their exposure to large swings in food prices.
  • NFVI has three components:
    1. country’s GDP per person,
    2. the share of food in household consumption and
    3. the net food imports.
  • Lower per capita GDP, higher share of food in household consumption and high net food imports would make a country more vulnerable to spikes in food prices.
  • The 50 countries most vulnerable to food price surges in the coming months largely belong to the Emerging Market group. The top 50 together account for almost 60 per cent of the global population.
  • Nomura is an Asia-headquartered financial services group with an integrated global network spanning over 30 countries.

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November 26, 2019

 Seng Kut Snem Festival celebrated in Meghalaya
  • The annual festival of the Khasi community, Seng Kut Snem, was celebrated at Shillong with traditional gaiety and fervour.
  • The yearend festival marks the Seng Khasi movement, in which the local people of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region launched a stir against British atrocities on the indigenous way of life. As part of the movement, 16 young men formed an organisation called the Khasi Young Men’s Association on November 23, 1899 to preserve and safeguard the indigenous way of life, also known as ‘Niam Trai Niam Tre’.
  • To commemorate the first anniversary of the movement in 1900, the Seng Kut Snem was celebrated and this has continued till date to remind the people of the movement and its objectives.
  • The festival is also a form of community prayer for protection of the distinct identity of the Khasi race.
 Commonwealth sign pact to reduce violence against women
  • The Commonwealth has announced a new partnership designed to reduce domestic violence in member countries, including India.
  • Secretary-General Patricia Scotland signed a memorandum of understanding with the NO MORE Foundation, a global movement of 1,400 allied organisations and 40 international chapters working together to stop and prevent domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • The two parties have agreed to work together to implement initiatives that work on the prevention of domestic violence and sexual abuse as part of wider efforts to achieve the 2030 sustainable development goals.
  • The partnership is designed to help member countries record accurate data on the prevalence of violence, deliver grassroots projects, train community leaders, educate bystanders” responses and provide awareness resources.
  • The partnership was announced at an event hosted at Commonwealth headquarters in London, to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
 Andhra Pradesh launches helpline for complaints against corruption
  • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, launched the Citizens’ Help Centre to register complaints of bribery in government offices and also launched a citizens’ helpline number 14400. Any citizen can call on this toll-free number to make complaints about corruption in government offices.
  • The help centre has been launched in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. It will register complaints and complete the investigation in 15-30 days.
  • The IIM and the ACB signed an agreement to work in coordination to identify corruption in high places. After a detailed study, they will submit a report to the government by February third week.
 70th Constitution Day celebrated on 26 November
  • To commemorate the 70th Constitution Day, President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated a digital exhibition through videoconferencing from the Central Hall of Parliament.
  • The function, organised to commemorate the Constitution Day, attended by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other dignitaries.
  • The Constitution Day is also celebrated as National Law Day (Samvidhan Diwas) in India. It is celebrated on November 26 every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
  • On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India. It came into force on January 26, 1950.
  • The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day on 19 November 2015 by a gazette notification. PM Narendra Modi made the declaration on 11 October 2015 while laying the foundation stone of the B. R. Ambedkar’s Statue of Equality memorial in Mumbai.
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry signs MoAs with 6 states on Light House Projects
  • Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri signed the memoranda of agreement (MoAs) for Light House Projects (LHPs) with Gujarat, Jharkhand, MP, Tamil Nadu, Tripura and UP government.
  • Puri also launched a web portal for the CLSS (credit-linked subsidy scheme) Awas Portal (CLAP), saying it would help stakeholders to work in synergy for on-time release of subsidy to beneficiaries.
  • To meet the demand for over 10 million houses by 2022, the central government had launched the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban in June 2015.
  • For LHPs, the Ministry has introduced a Rs 2 lakh per house technology innovation grant, which is over and above the existing Rs 1.5 lakh per house under PMAY(U).
  • The Ministry developed a web-based real-time monitoring system called CLAP in which all stakeholders, like MoHUA, CNAs, PLIs and beneficiaries, had been integrated.
Special Protection Group (SPG) Amendment Bill introduced in Lok Sabha
  • The Centre introduced the Special Protection Group (SPG) Bill, 2019, in Lok Sabha to change the law that will entitle only the Prime Minister to security services from the elite SPG personnel and former Prime Minister only for a year after he demits office.
  • Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy introduced the Bill which seeks amendment to the Special Protection Group Act, 1988 which provides for the constitution and regulation of an armed force of the Union for providing “proximate security” to the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers and members of their immediate families and for matters connected therewith.
  • At present, the law allows the SPG to protect former Prime Ministers and their families for a period of 10 years after the end of term. Additionally, it leaves the scope for an extension of the cover beyond ten years in case the perceived threats justify it.

FACTFILE – Special Protection Group (SPG)

  • The Indian Special Protection Group (SPG) is a special force for providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and members of their immediate families wherever in the world they are.
  • The SPG was set up in 1985 after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, on the recommendation of the Birbal Nath Committee for raising a Special Protection Unit (SPU).
  • Parliament passed the SPG Act in 1988, dedicating the group to protecting the Prime Minister. At the time, the Act did not include former Prime Ministers. This Act was earlier amended in 1991, 1994 and 1999.
  • Arun Kumar Sinha, IPS is the Director of SPG.
  • 3000 active personnel are active in SPG.

November 27, 2019

 Guwahati to host 65th Filmfare Awards show
  • The Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) inked a memorandum of understanding with the Times Group for organising the 65th Filmfare Awards.
  • The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Bennett Coleman and Company Limited managing director Vineet Jain.
  • Fifty per cent of the proceeds from sale of tickets for the awards show would be given to the Chief Minister’s relief fund.
  • The awards show is being organised to promote Assam tourism in the world encashing the popularity of Bollywood and a huge global reach of the Filmfare award show to nearly two billion people. This is the first time the main Filmfare awards show is being held outside Mumbai.
India’s PSLV-C47 successfully launched Cartosat-3
  • India’s PSLV-C47 successfully launched Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. 
  • PSLV-C46 was the 74th launch vehicle mission from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration.
  • Cartosat-3 satellite is a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability.
  • 13 3U cubesats including twelve SuperDoves by Planet Labs and one Meshbed by Analytical Space of United States from USA were also successfully injected into designated orbit. These satellites were launched under commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • India successfully placed into orbit its own earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and 13 American nano satellites in a text book style.
  • India crossed the milestone of putting into orbit 300 foreign satellites. By putting the 13 American nano satellites into orbit.
IIT-K partners TalentSprint for cybersecurity course
  • IIT-Kanpur has partnered TalentSprint, a Hyderabad-based Ed-Tech firm to undertake an advanced certification programme in cybersecurity and cyber defence.
  • The collaboration has been designed for aspiring professionals who are keen to explore the latest trends in cybersecurity technologies.
  • The IIT-Kanpur(IIT-K) has already taken a lead in cybersecurity by setting up the Interdisciplinary Centre for Cyber Security and Cyber Defence of Critical Infrastructures (C3i).
  • The mission and vision of C3i is to do research, education, training, and to spawn startups to create technological safeguards and to protect critical infrastructure.
  • The centre, which is headed by Prof Sandeep Shukla and Prof Manindra Agarwal, will engage with international partners from Israel and the USA in developing research and technology exchange, student training, as well as hosting conferences, workshops, and cyber security competitions to create awareness.
LS passes bill to declare four NIDs in Assam, Andhra Pradesh, MP and Haryana as Institutions of National Importance
  • The Lok Sabha unanimously passed the National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2019 which declares the four National Institutes of Design (NID) in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Haryana as institutions of national importance.
  • These institutes are currently 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, they will be able to grant degrees and diplomas.
  • The Bill, which seeks amendment in the National Institute of Design Act, 2014, will help these four NID institutes to become socially inclusive and address the needs of design in various sectors including agriculture, health care, and transportation.

 FACTFILE – The National Institute of Design (NID)

  • NID is a design schools located in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar. It has 3 active campuses, Main Campus-Ahmedabad, Post Graduate Campus – Gandhinagar and the third one is R&D Campus – Bengaluru.
  • NID is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under Ministry of Science and Technology, government of India, as a scientific and industrial design research organisation.
  • NID is accorded as “Institute of National Importance” by Act of Parliament, under the National Institute of Design Act, 2014.
  • Other NIDs are established by Government of India from 2015 onward at Vijayawada, Jorhat, Kurukshetra and Bhopal.

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November 28, 2019

 Assam’s Dr Prerana Keshan awarded ‘Wonder Fogsian’ award
  • Dr Prerana Keshan, a gynaecologist of Tinsukia was awarded with the ‘Wonder Fogsian’ award in recognition of her exemplary efforts towards uplift of women’s health in India.
  • She received the award from former Miss World Diana Heyden at the World Conference on Conception to Delivery held at the St Regis Hotel and Resorts Mumbai.
  • FOGSI is the biggest professional body for gynaecologists in India with Dr Nandita Palshetkar as the president.
Indian Army successfully test fires Spike anti-tank missiles
  • The Indian Army has successfully test fired two Spike long-range anti-tank missiles at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Spike is a fourth generation missile which can engage any target with precision at ranges up to 4 km.
  • The Spike missile was the only one to qualify after going through a complex procurement process.
  • To overcome the critical capability void, the Indian Army procured a limited quantity of Spike LR missiles to meet the urgent operational requirement.
Union Cabinet extended term of 15th Finance Commission
  • Its term was scheduled to end on November 30.
  • Post the extension, the Commission will submit two reports, the first for financial year 2020-21 as well as the final report for financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26.
  • The extension of the term will enable the Commission to examine various comparable estimates for financial projections in view of reforms and the new realities, to finalise its recommendations for the period 2020-2026.

FACTFILE – The Fifteenth Finance Commission

  • The Fifteenth Finance Commission is an Indian Finance Commission constituted in November 2017 and is to give recommendations for devolution of taxes and other fiscal matters for five fiscal years, commencing 1 April 2020.
  • The commission’s chairman is N. K. Singh, with its full-time members being Ajay Narayan Jha, Ashok Lahiri and Anoop Singh.
  • In addition, the commission also has Ramesh Chand as part-time member.
Union Cabinet nod to increase authorised capital of FCI to Rs.10,000 crore
  • The Cabinet approved the proposal to increase the authorised capital of Food Corporation of India (FCI) to Rs.10,000 crore from it’s current authorised capital of FCI is Rs 3,500 crore.
  • With the increase of authorised capital, additional equity capital can be infused in FCI through the Union Budget to fund the foodgrains stock perpetually held by FCI.
  • This will reduce the borrowings of the FCI, save its interest cost and reduce food subsidy in consequence.
  • FCI operations require maintaining perpetual stock of foodgrains which needs to be funded by the Centre through equity or long term loans.

FACTFILE – The Food Corporation of India

  • Food Corporation of India is an organization created and run by the Government of India and also run by state Governments. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Govt. of India.
  • The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was set up on 14 January 1965 having its first District Office at Thanjavur – rice bowl of Tamil Nadu – and headquarters at Chennai, later this was moved to New Delhi. It also has regional centers in the capitals of the states.
IIT-Mandi develops device to screen cervical cancer
  • Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi, have developed an artificial intelligence-powered point-of-care device to screen with high accuracy cervical cancer cases by analysing microscopy images.
  • The project has been taken up in collaboration with Aindra Systems, Bengaluru.
  • The research team comprised Anil Sao and Arnav Bhavsar, Associate Professors, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, and Srishti Gautam and Krati Gupta.
  • Cervical cancer is among the deadliest forms of cancer, and early detection and treatment are vital for the patient.
  • They have applied for international patent for the device and algorithm in 2016.
  • The prototype of device is undergoing clinical trial at Kidwai Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru; Manipal Hospital, Karnataka; and Raja Rajeswari Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru.
  • The accuracy of the prototypes has been around 88 per cent.
Scientists develop bacteria which ‘eat’ Carbon Dioxide
  • Israeli researchers have developed bacteria fed only with carbon dioxide, these bacteria, which build the entire biomass of their body from the carbon in the air, may help develop future technologies that reduce greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere and fight global warming.
  • These bacteria were completely weaned off sugar, after a nearly decade-long process.
  • The Israeli scientists have been able to “reprogram” E.coli bacteria, which consume sugars and release carbon dioxide, so they use carbon dioxide from the environment and produce the sugars they need to build their body.
  • The researchers mapped the genes that are essential to this process and added some of them to the bacteria genome in their lab. The researchers believe that the “healthy” habits of these bacteria may prove to be mostly healthy for Earth.

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Assam Current Affairs –November 08 – 14, 2019

Posted on by admin 
Current Affairs Assam – November 8 - 14, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of November 8 – 14, 2019 )

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November 08, 2019

Assam State Child Scientist Award for class VIII student Raj Sharma
  • A project on an alternative source of fibre, developed from the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) by Hiranya Raj Sharma, a class VIII student of Dhekiajuli town of Sonitpur district, was awarded the Khagendra Nath Brahma State Child Scientist Award in the lower age group at the 27th State-level National Children’s Science Congress (NCSC) 2019.
  • Hiranya Raj, a student of Polestar Academy of Singri area in Dhekiajuli town conducted research under the guidance of an assistant teacher of Dhekiajuli High School, Sailendra Sharma to understand that the plant which is locally popular as ‘khoru gumoni gos’ has enough utility.
  • The snake plant is a wild evergreen perennial plant locally available and spreads by way of its creeping rhizomes. It is a common weed of the roadsides, abandoned gardens and waste areas. Its leaves are thick and the mature leaves are dark green in colour, usually ranging from 60-160 centimetres in length and 6-10 centimetres in width.
  • The student undertook the project to study the snake plant and to explore its potential to be used as a substitute/supplement to the conventional fibres and also to protect and preserve the traditional knowledge and to scientifically test these ideas.
  • The lack of proper knowledge on possible benefits from the snake plant, has led to a situation where it is uprooted from fields.
  • A survey was conducted about the plant among the farmers where it was found that nearly 97.64 % had no knowledge about its usefulness. But if awareness is created, the snake plant could be used for producing an eco-friendly fibre from which goods of daily use can be made.

 Highlights of the India Justice Report 2019

  • Tata Trusts in collaboration with the Centre for Social Justice, Common Cause, and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative has prepared the India Justice Report (2019).
  • This is the first-ever ranking of Indian states on justice delivery.
  • The India Justice Report 2019 is based on publicly available data of different government entities on the four pillars of justice delivery — police, judiciary, prisons, and legal aid.
  • The report has divided states on the basis of the population into two parts: (1) The large-medium states (Population 1 crore and above) and (2) The small states and Union Territories (Population less than 1 crore)
  • Maharashtra has topped the list among large-medium States in delivering justice to people followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Haryana. In this category, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are at the bottom.
  • Among the small states (where the population is less than one crore each), Goa has topped the list followed by Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh.
  • On average, the police have a vacancy of 23% (2017), and the judiciary between 20%-40% across the high courts and lower judiciary.
  • No State/ UT is able to meet all its diversity quotas (ST, SC, and OBC). Karnataka comes closest to achieve diversity quotas (missed its SC reservation target by 4%).
  • Women are poorly represented across the Justice system. They account for 7% of the Police, 10 % of Prison staff and about 26.5 % of all judges in the High Court and subordinate courts.
India expresses commitment to fully implement FATF standards
  • India expressed its commitment to fully implement the standards of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and establish Anti-Money Laundering as well as Countering Financing of Terrorism regimes to dismantle the terror financing networks.
  • Union Minister of State for Home G. Kishan Reddy Presenting India”s concern over terror financing issues on the second day of the second ”No Money For Terror” conference being attended by 65 countries.
  • FATF is an inter-governmental “policy-making body” which works to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
  • The FATF has developed a series of recommendations that are recognised as the international standard for combating of money laundering and the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
  • The FATF recommendations form the basis for a co-ordinated response to these threats to the integrity of the financial system and help ensure a level playing field.
  • A First issued in 1990, the FATF recommendations were revised in 1996, 2001, 2003 and most recently in 2012 to ensure that they remain up to date and relevant, and they are intended to be of universal application.

 FACTFILE – The Financial Action Task Force (on Money Laundering) (FATF)

  • The Financial Action Task Force (on Money Laundering) (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.
  • In 2001 its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing. It monitors progress in implementing the FATF Recommendations through “peer reviews” of member countries.
  • The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
  • Since 2000, to fight money laundering and terror financing the FATF maintains the current list of nations: FATF blacklist (formally called the “Call for action”) and the “FATF greylist”.
  • As of 2019 FATF consists of thirty-seven member jurisdictions and two regional organisations.
  • Regional organizations: European Commission & Gulf Cooperation Council
  • Member Nations:
    1. Argentina
    2. Australia
    3. Austria
    4. Belgium
    5. Brazil
    6. Canada
    7. China
    8. Denmark
    9. Finland
    10. France
    11. Germany
    12. Greece
    13. Hong Kong, China
    14. Iceland
    15. India
    16. Ireland
    17. Israel
    18. Italy
    19. Japan
    20. South Korea
    21. Kingdom of the Netherlands
    22. Luxembourg
    23. Malaysia
    24. Mexico
    25. New Zealand
    26. Norway
    27. Portugal
    28. Russian Federation
    29. Saudi Arabia[25]
    30. Singapore
    31. South Africa
    32. Spain
    33. Sweden
    34. Switzerland
    35. Turkey
    36. United Kingdom
    37. United States

November 09, 2019

 Akil Kureshi appointed as Chief Justice of Tripura High Court
  • Centre has appointed Justice Akil Kureshi, the judge of Bombay High Court, as the Chief Justice of Tripura High Court.
  • The Centre’s counsel had told the Supreme Court that nearly all administrative formalities in connection with the appointment had been completed, except the last signature.
  • A senior judge from the Gujarat High Court, Justice Akil Kureshi is serving as a judge of the Bombay High Court at present following a transfer.

FACTFILE – Tripura High Court

  • The Tripura High Court is the High Court of the state of Tripura, established on 23 March 2013, after making suitable amendments in the Constitution of India and North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971.
  • The seat of the High Court is at Agartala, the capital of Tripura. The first Chief Justice is Justice Deepak Gupta.
  • Earlier, the state of Tripura along with the other six states of the North – East of India was under the Gauhati High Court, a permanent bench of the Gauhati High Court was established in Agartala in the year 1992 having territorial jurisdiction of the state of Tripura.
India-Indonesia joint naval exercise Samudra Shakti
  • Anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kamorta is jointly exercising with Indonesian warship KRI Usman Harun, a multi-role corvette, in the Bay of Bengal as part of an ongoing bilateral exercise ’Samudra Shakti’.
  • The joint exercises include, manoeuvres, surface warfare exercises, air defence exercises, weapon firing drills, helicopter operations and boarding operations..
  • KRI Usman Harun arrived at Visakhapatnam to participate in the second edition of Ex ‘’Samudra Shakti’’.
  • The harbour phase concluded with professional interactions in the form of subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE), cross deck visits, simulator drills, planning conferences, sports fixtures and social interactions.

FACTFILE  – Samudra Shakti Exercise

  • Samudra Shakti is a bilateral maritime exercise between India and Indonesia.
  • IT’s objective is to strengthen bilateral relations, expand maritime co-operation, enhance interoperability and exchange best practices between the Navies of India and Indonesia.
  • Garuda Shakti is the joint military exercise between India and Indonesia.
India, UAE discuss boosting trade & investment ties
  • Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan held talks with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh on further enhancing the countries” trade, investment and tourism ties.
  • Muraleedharan is in Abu Dhabi to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) ministerial meeting.
  • The UAE takes over from South Africa as IORA Chairman for a two year period to 2021.
  • The theme of the meeting is “Promoting a Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity in the Indian Ocean”.
  • Founded in 1997, the Association, whose headquarters are in Mauritius, is an inter-governmental organisation with 22 member states as well as nine dialogue partners.
  • These partners are countries situated outside the region but who have interests within it. It seeks to promote sustained growth and balanced development within the Indian Ocean region.

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November 10, 2019

 World Bank’s $110 million deal for river transport in Assam
  • A loan negotiation for an amount of $110 million was successfully concluded for the Assam Inland Water Transport Project (AIWTP) to be executed by the Government of Assam and the World Bank.
  • The negotiation was carried out in the presence of the Director, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India at the Country Head office of World Bank in New Delhi.
  • The Indian delegation on behalf of the Government of Assam was represented by Virendra Mittal, State Project Director, AIWTDS; Dhrubajyoti Das, Additional Secretary, Transport Department and Director, IWT, Assam, and Rahul Chandra Das, Deputy State Project Director, AIWTDS.
  • The team representing the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance was led by Bandana Preyashi, Director, DEA. The World Bank team was led by Atul Agarwal, Team Leader, World Bank.
  • The objective of the project is to develop an efficient river transport system which would be safe, secure and comfortable for the large volume of passengers and cargo carried by vessels.
India, France begin counterterrorism Exercise ‘Shakti 2019’
  • Shakti 2019, a 14-day joint military exercise involving India and France, started at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Bikaner. The joint exercise will facilitate both armies to know each other better, share their operational experience and enhance awareness through information exchange.
  • This will help them in undertaking joint operations at platoon level for countering terrorist threats under the mandate of the United Nations.
  • The ceremony saw the unfurling of the national flags of both countries amidst playing of their respective national anthems.
  • The ceremony also witnessed synchronised marching of troops to martial tunes.
  • This was followed by evocative speeches by the Reviewing Officers of both countries.
New Zealand passes zero carbon bill to combat climate change
  • New Zealand passed a bill to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2050 and meet its commitments under the Paris climate accord.
  • The law commits New Zealand to keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as stipulated by the Paris Agreement and marks an important step in the fight against the climate emergency looming over the world according to more than 11,000 scientists worldwide.
  • The zero emissions target excludes methane emissions but the law pledges to reduce them gradually.
  • The law includes the establishment of a green investment fund worth NZ$100 million ($64 million), a carbon trading scheme and inclusion of agriculture in emissions pricing by 2025, and the plantation of one billion trees by 2028.
  • The law also stipulates suspending the release of new permits for hydrocarbon explorations at sea and supports the production of cheaper electric vehicles apart from setting a goal of 100 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2035.
  • The legislation aims to cut biological methane emissions from agriculture by 10 per cent until 2030, and targets 24-47 per cent reduction in emissions by 2050.

November 11, 2019

 Brahmaputra Valley Samaj Hitoishi Award to DN Chakravarty
  • The Dayal Krishna Bora memorial Brahmaputra Valley Samaj Hitoishi Award-2019, under the auspices of Sahai, a socio-cultural organisation, was formally conferred on veteran journalist Dhirendra Nath.
  • The Finance and PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formally handed over the award to the 93-year-old journalist.
  • DN chakravarty always advocated for the unity and integrity of Bharat and its Sanatani civilisation. Vaishnavite scholar Dayal Krishna Bora was a worthy son of Morigaon district, who sacrificed his whole life for the cause of the society.
  • Speaking on the occasion, DN Chakravarty said that he is still writing for the society and is a senior working journalist of entire Asia by now. Presenting the socio-economic history of Assam and India, Chakravarty said that we have a golden history right from Mahabharat days and we must uphold the century-old historical tradition.
Sanjay Karol is the new Chief Justice of Patna High Court
  • Justice Sanjay Karol took oath as the new Chief Justice of Patna High Court. He was sworn-in by Bihar Governor Phagu Chauhan at a ceremony organised at the Raj Bhawan.
  • The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, senior judges and other dignitaries.
  • Justice Karol was the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court. His predessor at the Patna High Court has been transferred to the Madras High Court.

 FACTFILE – Patna High Court

  • The Patna High Court is the High Court of the state of Bihar.
  • It was established on 3 February 1916 and later affiliated under the Government of India Act 1915. The court is headquartered in Patna, the administrative capital of the state.
  • In 1948, Patna High Court exercised jurisdiction over the territories of the Province of Bihar & Orissa till 26 July 1948, when a separate High Court was constituted for Orissa.
  • In 1972, Patna High Court opened a Circuit Bench at Ranchi and in 1976, the Circuit Bench of Patna High Court at Ranchi became Permanent Bench and in 2000 it became Jharkhand High Court on November 2000, under the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000.
  • Patna High Court celebrated Centenary Celebrations in 2015.
Environment Ministry nod to Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat ethanol plant
  • The Union Environment Ministry has given its clearance to Indian Oil Corporation for setting up a 2G ethanol plant in Panipat.
  • The ethanol project at the Panipat refinery is being set up a cost of Rs 909 crore.
  • The benefit of the plant is that blending of ethanol with motor spirit leads to reduction of import of crude oil with corresponding savings in foreign exchange.
  • This project envisages production of 100 kl ethanol a day from multi-feedstock lignocelluloses using indigenous technology.
CJI office falls within ambit of RTI Act, says SC
  • Observing that judicial independence and accountability go hand in hand, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is a public authority and falls within the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
  • Pronouncing a landmark verdict, the apex court at the same time said transparency cannot be allowed to run to its absolute and that RTI Act should not be used as a surveillance tool. It also observed there should be a balance between right to privacy and right to information and they have to be treated as “co-equals”
  • A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi unanimously upheld the 2010 Delhi High Court judgement and dismissed three appeals filed by Secretary General of the Supreme Court and the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the top court.
  • The high court on January 10, 2010 held that the CJI office comes within the ambit of the RTI law, saying judicial independence was not a judge’s privilege, but a responsibility cast upon him.
  • Hailing the apex court verdict, RTI activists said “no one is above the law” and it is a great step towards transparency and building the trust of people in the justice system.

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November 12, 2019

 Assam signs pact with Malaysia trade body
  • The Industries and Commerce Department, Assam, signed an MoU with Malaysia India Business Council (MIBC) in the presence of Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary and MIBC president Tan Sri Ir Kuna Sittampalam.
  • Both the parties agreed to explore and improve two-way trade and investment between India and Malaysia in sectors like education, tourism, primary industries, etc.
  • Assistance will be accorded to business or trade missions from India visiting Malaysia and vice versa in seminars, conferences, exhibitions, economic and technical fairs, information bureau, symposia, or similar events taking place in both the countries.
  • It was also decided to accelerate engagement, trade and cultural exchange to unlock the potential sectors between Assam and Malaysia.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hands over Rs 3 crore to two defence start-ups
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed over Rs 3 crore to two start-ups in the defence sector, to help them build upon their innovative ideas, during the inaugural session of DefConnect 2019, an initiative to showcase innovations in defence excellence.
  • The start-up firms, North Street Cooling Towers and Chipspirit Technologies were handed over cheques of around Rs 1.5 crore each by Singh.
  • The initiative Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) had been launched by the central government in April 2018 to create an ecosystem that will foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace.
  • Under the initiative, the government is also committed to provide grants, funding and other support to carry out research and development that has the potential to cater to the needs of the Indian defence sector.
  • More than 350 start-ups selected by the iDEX, partner incubators, Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), nodal agencies including the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, apart from DRDO, Defence PSUs and Ordnance Factories were part of DefConnect 2019.
Environment Ministry’s launches beach cleanliness drive
  • The Environment Ministry is launching a mass cleanliness drive at 50 beaches under the “Swachh – Nirmal Tat Abhiyaan”.
  • The government”s effort is to clean up the beaches and create awareness among citizens about the importance of coastal ecosystems.
  • Will clean the beaches in 10 coastal states/Union Territories (UTs), namely Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
  • The beaches have been identified after consultations with the states/UTs.
  • The cleaning drive will involve school/college students who are part of eco-clubs, district administration, institutions, volunteers, local communities and other stakeholders.
  • State nodal agencies for the eco-clubs will be facilitating the week long cleanliness drive.
  • The beach cleaning drive will be of two hours” duration daily, and a minimum of a one kilometre stretch of the beach will be identified.
  • Sand cleaning machines will be deployed at about 15 beaches. The collected waste will be processed as per Waste Management Rules, 2016.
  • The Environment Education Division of the Ministry and the Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) will be responsible for the overall coordination for the drive.
Himachal Pradesh Govt & Dutch companies sign 14 MoUs
  • The Himachal Pradesh government and Dutch companies have signed 14 memorandum of understanding of Rs 200 crore.
  • The pacts mainly in agriculture, horticulture, sports, water management, waste to energy and ecotourism were signed at Global Investment Summit held in Dharamsala.
  • The Netherlands had the largest overseas delegation led by Vikas Chaturvedi, CEO of Valucent Group and founder Chairman of ASSOCHAM Europe.
Samsung Innovation Award at IIT Indore
  • Samsung India conducted the 9th edition of the ”Samsung Innovation Award” at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore to recognise and reward innovations that have the potential to revolutionise everyday living.
  • This year, the theme was ”Systems that learn” and students were encouraged to think creatively and propose practical ideas around multi-modal sensing, applications of learning systems, VR, XR, 3D imaging, distributed AI and more.
  • Prizes worth Rs 3.5 lakhs were awarded to the top three winners, while the other three finalists received award of merit from Samsung.
  • The first prize went to Ram S. Mohril for the project ”AR/VR Enhanced Textbook reading and learning experience”.
  • The second Prize was grabbed by Chaitanya Mehta forhis project ”Tree Climbing Quadraped Robot”.
  • The third prize was awarded to Nemath Ahmed, Suraj Polamaina and Shavez Malick for their project ”Immersive Acoustic Spatial Awareness for Visually Impaired”.

November 13, 2019

 Union Govt approves Assam Police’s intelligence sharing project
  • The Centre has approved Assam Police’s plan to create a seamless intelligence sharing online platform among the police forces of all the eight northeastern states that might prove to be a game changer in destabilising the inter-state criminal network.
  • Equipped with geo-tagging, the project, is one of its kind in the country where, for the first time, police forces of eight states would share inputs and facilitate each other’s investigation on request, under an organised technological set-up.
  • The application-based platform would encompass police officers from the rank of the officer-in-charge of a police station to the entire chain of top hierarchy of the respective state police of the region.
  • The much-awaited project envisages creating a proactive network among the neighbouring states when it comes to handling organised crimes with cross-border ramification, including abduction, smuggling of precious items and vehicle theft, among others. There are also plans to share database of criminals among the state police forces.
Justice Rafiq took charge as Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court
  • Justice Mohammed Rafiq sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court Governor Tathagata Roy administer the oath of office and secrecy to him at Raj Bhavan.
  • Rafiq, 59, succeeds Ajay Kumar Mittal who is now the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
  • He will be the 8th Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
  • Rafiq started his law practice in 1984. He practiced exclusively in the Rajasthan High Court in almost all branches of law. He served as an advocate from 1999 to 2006.
  • In 2008, he was appointed as Justice at the Rajasthan High Court. Rafiq also served as acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court twice.

 FACTFILE – Meghalaya High Court

  • The Meghalaya High Court is the High Court of the state of Meghalaya.
  • It was established in March 2013, after making suitable amendments in the Constitution of India and North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act of 1971. Earlier, a bench of the Gauhati High Court had jurisdiction over the state of Meghalaya.
  • The seat of the High Court is at Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.
  • The strength of judges as for this High Court is 3 permanent judges including the Hon’ble Chief Justice and 2 Hon’ble Judges.
India has successfully conducted the night trial of Agni-II
  • India has successfully conducted the night trial of Agni-II, its versatile surface-to-surface medium-range nuclear-capable missile from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
  • Agni-II, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), has already been inducted into the armed forces.
  • This was the first time that the sophisticated missile was testfired at night.
  • The entire trajectory of the trial was tracked by a battery of sophisticated radars, telemetry observation stations, electro-optic instruments and two naval ships located near the impact point in the down-range area of Bay of Bengal.
  • The test was carried out by the specially formed Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the Army with logistic support from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The two-stage ballistic missile can carry a payload of 1000 kg over a distance of 2000 km. 
India, US tri-services exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’
  • A nine-day tri-services exercise between India and the US on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief will began with the aim of strengthening the bilateral relationship and defence cooperation.
  • In the exercise, named Tiger Triumph, Indian Naval ships Jalashwa, Airavat and Sandhayak, Indian Army troops from 19 Madras and 7 Guards, and Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters and Rapid Action Medical Team would be participating.
  • The US would be represented by US Navy Ship Germantown with troops from US third marine division. The exercise is aimed at developing inter-operability for conducting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
  • The Harbour Phase is scheduled at Visakhapatnam. The opening ceremony along with a joint flag parade would be held onboard INS Jalashwa.
  • Personnel from both the navies would also participate in training visits, subject matter expert exchanges, sports events and social interactions.
  • On completion of the Harbour Phase, the ships, with troops embarked, would sail for the sea phase and undertake maritime, amphibious and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
  • On reaching the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief area at Kakinada, the landing of relief forces would be undertaken to the exercise scenario.

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November 14, 2019

 IIT Guwahati researchers develop sensor to assess milk freshness
  • The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G) said its researchers have developed a paper-based sensor that can make assessment of the freshness of milk by a simple method and instantaneous.
  • Bacteria and other microbes that can grow in milk can not only affect the taste and freshness, but can also result in health issues.
  • Pasteurisation is commonly used to kill the microbes in milk and various tests are used to ensure the effectiveness of pasteurisation.
  • Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) is a metalloprotein found naturally in raw milk samples and is considered an important biomarker in quality control of milk. It is found in raw milk and is destroyed during pasteurisation.
  • Detection of ALP in milk can thus point to inadequate pasteurisation and perhaps contamination.
  • The researchers have used simple filter paper, chemically modified it, and loaded it with a recognition element anti-ALP, which captures the ALP present in the milk.
  • Upon treatment of the colour forming compound BCIP to the captured complex of ALP forms a blue-green coloured precipitate, that otherwise does not gives any colour in the absence of ALP.
  • The intensity of the colour indicates the amount of ALP present. The team used a smartphone to capture the image of the colour and used the RGB (Red Green Blue) filter in the phone to profile the colour obtained, which could be co-related to the concentration of ALP present in the test sample.
  • The researchers successfully tested milk obtained from villages and commercially available milk samples using their paper-based sensor kit, and found that they could detect down to 0.87 units of ALP per millilitre of milk to about 91-100 per cent accuracy.
  • This detection limit and accuracy make it possible to discriminate raw milk (often contains as high as 191U/mL ALP) from boiled milk which contains ALP in ultra-trace amount.
Indo-France joint military ‘Exercise Shakti-2019’
  • The closing ceremony of the joint military exercise between Indian and French Army, ”Exercise SHAKTI-2019” concluded at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan.
  • The ceremony was reviewed by Brigadier General Jean Christophe Bechon, Commandant 6th Light Armoured Brigade, French Army and Major General Inderjit Singh, General Officer Commanding, Gandiv Division of Sapta Shakti Command.
  • An infantry platoon group of The Sikh Regiment part of Sapta Shakti Command and a platoon group of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment, part of 6th Armoured Brigade, represented India and France respectively in the exercise.
  • Exercise SHAKTI-2019 was a two-phased exercise. In the inter-operability phase, the contingents underwent rigorous combat conditioning and tactical training.
  • The training received by both the armies in inter-operability phase was put into practice in the validation phase.
  • The contingents jointly took part in the validation exercise which included establishment of observation posts, cordon and search operation and house clearing drills.

Defence Exercises between India and France:

  • Varuna – Naval exercise
  • Garuda – Air exercise
  • Shakti – Army exercise
Punjab signs pact for promotion of products of MSMEs
  • A memorandum of understanding was signed by state-run Invest Punjab with startup Pumpkart for e-commerce promotion and selling of products of micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
  • Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC) Managing Director Sibin C. signed the pact on behalf of the state government with Pumpkart Co-Founder and CEO K.S. Bhatia.
  • Additional Chief Secretary (Investment Promotions and Industry and Commerce) Vini Mahajan said the government is committed to promote the MSMEs at a time when there is economic recession in the country.
  • She also said industry in the state attracted more than 50,000 crore investments and these are under implementation stage.
  • Keeping in line with the Make in India programme, state govt have formulated the Make in Punjab policy.
Nilam Sawhney appointed as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh
  • Senior IAS officer Nilam Sawhney was appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, order was issued by the General Administration Department appointing Sawhney, a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, to the top post.
  • Sawhney is the first woman chief secretary of the truncated state of Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved repatriation of Sawhney, who was serving as Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment.

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Assam Current Affairs – October 08 – 14, 2019

Posted on by admin 
Current Affairs Assam – October 8 - 14, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of October 8 – 14, 2019 )

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October 08, 2019

  IAF celebrates 87th Air Force Day
  • Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated 87th anniversary on Air Force Day at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria were present at the event.
  • Every year, the Air Force Day is celebrated at Hindon base in presence of the IAF chief and senior officials of the three armed forces.
  • The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, and the force has participated in several crucial wars and landmark missions.

 FACTFILE – Indian Air Force (IAF)

  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world.
  • Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflict.
  • It was officially established on 8 October 1932 as an auxiliary air force of the British Empire which honoured India’s aviation service during World War II with the prefix Royal .
  • After India gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, the name Royal Indian Air Force was kept and served in the name of Dominion of India. With the government’s transition to a Republic in 1950, the prefix Royal was removed after only three years.
 Nobel prize in physics awarded to James Peebles, Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz
  • 2019 Nobel Prize in physics awarded to James Peebles, Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz for research on cosmology and exoplanets.
  • Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm awarded half of the 9 million Swedish kronor (£740,000) prize to Canadian scientist Peebles for his theoretical discoveries about the evolution of the universe.
  • A Swiss duo of astronomers, Mayor and Queloz, have awarded the prestigious prize for their discovery of the first planet beyond our solar system. The duo has succeeded in discovering the first exoplanet 50 light years away in the constellation of Pegasus.
 William Kaelin and Gregg Semanza and Peter Ratcliffe win Nobel Prize in Medicine for work on how cells adapt to oxygen  
  • Three Americans, William G. Kaelin and Gregg. L. Semanza and Briton Peter J. Ratcliffe, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
  • The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute announced that the three recipients were recognized for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability.
  • With their work they were able to understand how oxygen levels affect cell metabolism and physiological function.
  • Their discoveries could pave the way in the development of new strategies to fight anemia, cancer and other diseases, according to the institute.
  • Kaelin, born in New York in 1957, is a specialist in internal medicine and oncology.
  • Semenza, born in 1955 and also a New Yorker, is a paediatrician.
  • Ratcliffe was born in Lancashire in 1954, and is an expert in nephrology, a medicine specialising in kidneys.

FACTFILE – The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

  • It is awarded yearly by the Nobel Foundation for outstanding discoveries in the fields of life sciences and medicine.
  • One of five prizes bequested in 1895 by Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, it is an award for scientific progress through laboratory discoveries in experimental physiology.
  • As of 2019, 110 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine have been awarded to 207 men and 12 women.
  • The first one was awarded in 1901 to the German physiologist Emil von Behring, for his work on serum therapy and the development of a vaccine against diphtheria.
  • n 1902, the award went to Ronald Ross for his work on malaria while staying in India.
  • The prize consists of a medal along with a diploma and a certificate for the monetary award.
 India receives first Rafale fighter in France
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally received the first of the 36 Rafale fighter jets in France, The fighter jet was handed over at Merignac at a facility of Dassault Aviation.
  • Rajnath Singh was shown a short audio-visual clip on the history of aircraft manufacturing by Dassault before the handing over ceremony.
  • His French counterpart Florence Parly was also present during the handover ceremony.
  • India chose October 8 for receiving the first Rafale jet not only because it is the occasion of Dussehra, but the day is also celebrated as Air Force Day every year.
  • The first jet bears the tail number RB 001 which is the initials of Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, who played a key role on behalf of India in the Rafale negotiations with France.
  • India had entered into an inter-governmental agreement with France and Dassault in September 2016 to acquire 36 Rafale jets in flyaway condition at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.
  • Rafale, a 4.5 generation multi-role combat aircraft, will greatly increase India”s geo-political stature in South Asia because no other country, including Pakistan, has as advanced an aircraft in its inventory.
  • The first squadron of the Rafale aircraft will be stationed at the Ambala Air Force Station in Punjab, considered as a strategic air base given its proximity to the Indo-Pakistan border.
  • The second Rafale squadron will be based at the Hashimara Air Force Station in Alipurduar district of West Bengal which at present is home to the ageing MiG 27 Russian aircraft.

 October 09, 2019

  India ranks 68th on Global Competitiveness Index
  • India has moved down 10 places to rank 68th on the annual global competitiveness index, while Singapore has replaced the U.S. as the world’s most competitive economy.
  • India, which was ranked 58th in the annual Global Competitiveness Index compiled by Geneva-based World Economic Forum (WEF), is among the worst-performing BRICS nations along with Brazil.
  • India ranks high in terms of macroeconomic stability and market size, while its financial sector is relatively deep and stable despite the high delinquency rate, which contributes to weakening the soundness of its banking system.
  • India is ranked also high at 15th place in terms of corporate governance, while it is ranked second globally for shareholder governance.
  • India also punches above its development status when it comes to innovation, which is well ahead of most emerging economies and on par with several advanced economies.
  • The healthy life expectancy, where India has been ranked 109th out of total the 141 countries surveyed for the index.
  • India needs to grow its skills base, while its product market efficiency is undermined by a lack of trade openness and the labour market is characterised by a lack of worker rights’ protections, insufficiently developed active labour market policies and critically low participation of women.
  • India is followed by some of its neighbours including Sri Lanka at 84th place, Bangladesh at 105th, Nepal at 108th and Pakistan at 110th
National Health Mission index: Haryana, Assam, Kerala among top 5 performers
  • Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Assam, Kerala and Punjab have emerged as the top five states or Union Territories in the first ever exercise to rate their performance on several parameters of the National Health Mission.
  • Twenty per cent of NHM funds are based on the states’ performance, which means better performing states received a financial incentive — Rs 3,000 crore is set aside for incentive-based payments.
  • West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Bihar were penalised as they didn’t achieve the set benchmarks for mental health services.
  • Twenty-three states earned an incentive for screening of 30-plus population for non-communicable diseases, including 11 states that earned full points for screening more than 15 per cent of the 30-plus population.
  • Tamil Nadu reported 100 per cent screening, followed by Goa (68 per cent) and Daman and Diu (57 per cent).
  • Only six states — Assam, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Punjab and Tripura — earned full incentive for implementation of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS). Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and UP were able to partially achieve the target in terms of HRIS implementation.
  • Among the parameters, the highest weightage was given to incremental improvement as per the NITI Aayog ranking of states on ‘Performance on Health Outcomes’. Other parameters include operationalisation of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), provisioning of mental health services in districts covered under the National Mental Health Programme, screening of 30-plus population for non-communicable diseases, implementation of HRIS and grading of Primary Health Centres (both urban and rural).
  • Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim did not make the cut for assessment.
 Union Govt launches Ganga Aamantran Abhiyan
  • Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat yesterday launched a unique initiative called ‘Ganga Amantran’ to connect with the stakeholders of the river.
  • It is a pioneering exploratory open- water rafting and kayaking expedition on the Ganga River and will continue till 11th of next month.
  • The expedition will start at Devaprayag and culminate at Ganga Sagar covering the entire stratch of over 25,000 kilometres of the River.
  • This is the first ever effort by National Mission for Clean Ganga to raft across the entire stretch of the river.
  • And also the longest ever social campaign undertaken through an adventure sporting activityy to spread the message of River Rejuvenation and Water Conservation on a massive scale.  
 Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launches eDantseva
  • Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched a website and mobile application of ‘eDantseva’, the first-ever national digital platform on oral health information and knowledge dissemination.
  • e-DantSeva is the first-ever national digital platform that provides oral health information both in the form of a website and mobile application.
  • The initiative of the Union Health Ministry with the AIIMS and other stakeholders aims to sensitize the public about the significance of maintaining optimum oral health and equips them with the tools and knowledge to do so, including awareness on the nearest oral health service facility.
  • The Union Health Minister also released the Braille booklet and voice over on oral health education for the visually impaired individuals along with the oral health posters for pregnant women and children.
  • e-DantSeva contains information about the National Oral Health Program (NOHP), detailed list of all the dental facility and colleges, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material.

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 October 10, 2019

 Study finds poor wages, housing, healthcare in Assam TEs
  • Assam Govt initiated study report ‘Addressing The Human Cost of Assam Tea’ on the working and living conditions of plantation workers found crumbling houses with no toilets, poor wages, lack of quality health and education entitlements.
  • The new research, commissioned by Oxfam India and undertaken by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), found that the State government’s commitment to increase the minimum wages of tea plantation workers to Rs 351 met with hurdles of financial viability of the sector.
  • The research showed that the relentless squeeze by supermarkets and brands on the share of the end consumer price for tea makes poverty and hardship for workers in Assam.
  • Combined with rising costs and the impacts of the climate crisis, it is also contributing to a severe economic crisis for the entire Indian tea industry.
  • The research also found that despite working for over 13 hours a day, tea workers earn between Rs 137 and Rs 167.
  • Many women tea-leaf pluckers regularly work upto 13 hours a day receiving between Rs 110 and Rs 130 per day.
  • Tea brands and supermarkets typically capture over two-thirds of the price paid by consumers for Assam tea in India – with just 7 per cent remaining for workers in tea estates.
  • Indian tea estates are legally obliged under the Plantation Labour Act to provide decent working condition, besides housing, healthcare and education facilities.
  • The condition of housing and sanitation is very poor in majority of tea estates with dilapidated or nonexistent facilities.
  • The Indian tea sector continues to be the largest private sector employer but poor implementation of labour laws is putting at risk the viability of the tea industry as a whole.
 WHO to collaborate with govt to accelerate Ayushman Bharat
  • The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) provides a strategic roadmap for WHO to work with the Central government towards achieving its health sector goals, in improving the health of its population and bringing in transformative changes in the health sector.
  • The WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019-2023 has identified accelerating progress of the Ayushman Bharat programme as the top strategic priority.
  • The CCS covers the period 2019-23 and it notes that significant improvements in health have been achieved in the past two decades.
  • The document notes that the government has set a series of ambitious goals in its National Health Policy 2017, including achieving universal health coverage, with a focus on poor and vulnerable populations, and doubling public spending on health.
  • The four areas identified for strategic cooperation of WHO with the country encompass: to accelerate progress on UHC, to promote health and wellness by addressing determinants of health, to protect the population better against health emergencies, and to enhance India’s global leadership in health.

FACTFILE – Ayushman Bharat Yojana or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) or National Health Protection Scheme

  • It is a national scheme that aimed at making necessary interventions in primary, secondary and tertiary health-care systems,in a holistic fashion.
  • It was launched in 2018, under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India.
  • 26 states and union territories accepted the scheme, except four states: Delhi, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana. More than a lakh (100,000) people have taken benefit of the scheme till October 2018.
  • More than 825,000 e-cards were generated and there was a push to recruit private hospitals to the scheme
 Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval to MoUs in radio, TV
  • The Union Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) signed between Indian and foreign broadcasters in radio and television.
  • The MoUs will help the public broadcaster explore new visions and strategies to address the demands of new technologies and competition, media liberalisation and globalisation.
  • Broadcasting of programmes to be obtained through mutual exchange, co-production will lead to equity and inclusiveness among viewers and listeners of DD (Doordarshan) and AIR (All India Radio).
  • Exchanges of technical know-how, expertise and training of manpower will help the public broadcaster meet challenges in the field of broadcasting.
 IIT Madras students develop AI-based Drones for disaster relief
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras students have developed an Artificial Intelligence(AI)-based solution called ‘Eye in the Sky’ for disaster management and aid services, utilizing drones with swarm intelligence for collecting data and analyzing it in real-time.
  • A team of engineering students is building drones enabled with AI and computer vision to develop an end-to-end solution for identifying accurate and critical information on people trapped in disaster-hit areas and communicate them to relief task force.
  • Its analytical modules are based on the latest available technology with the team creating their own databases for some of the modules.
  • The team plans to collaborate with hardware companies that can provide scalable drone technology to conduct the required spot surveillance of disaster struck areas.
  • According to the students, the final aim of the startup is to make end-to-end drone software solutions which can be used by any disaster response force of the world and thus help in saving lives.
  • The project uses some innovative technologies that can help in among other things accurate detecting of people from high and low altitudes, detecting whether a person is able to move or not, detection of people buried under the debris where only a part of the body is visible to the outside world.
 India, Thailand seek to enhance physical & digital connectivity
  • India and Thailand discussed ways to enhance physical and digital connectivity between them as well as identifying areas for cooperation in fields such as agriculture, science and technology, and information technology.
  • The issues were discussed in the 8th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Thai counterpart Don Pramudwinai.
  • The Ministers had a restricted bilateral meeting, which was followed by delegation-level talks.
  • Both sides reviewed the progress made in all areas of bilateral relationship, including political, defence and security, economic and commercial, connectivity, cultural, tourism and people-to-people ties.
  • Both sides noted that bilateral trade has grown by 20 per cent last year and the investment is also growing.
  • Both sides decided to hold the next meeting of Joint Trade Committee to discuss ways and means to enhance trade and investment.
  • They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC), UN and other sub-regional and international organizations.
  • Both Ministers also witnessed the signing of MOU between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of India”s Ministry of External Affairs and Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of Foreign Affairs of Thailand”s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 October 11, 2019

 Audiovisual archive for NE region comes up in Shillong
  • An archive aimed at preserving the rich audiovisual productions of the Northeastern region has been inaugurated at St Anthony’s College in Shillong.
  • Documentary films, newsreels, interviews, amateur footage, sound recordings and photographs related to the states of the region are available in analogue and digital formats in the archive located at the St Anthony’s College.
  • The Northeast India Audiovisual Archive can also be accessed online at www.nearchive.in.
  • Supported by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan, the archive will also be working in collaboration with Japan’s Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival for their expertise. The SPF carries out a range of programmes aimed at promoting international understanding, exchanges and cooperation.
 Union HRD Ministry launches Dhruv platform to promote talents in childrens
  • The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry launched the Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme called ”Dhruv”, a platform to help meritorious students achieve excellence in science, performing arts and creative writing.
  • The programme has been launched to identify and encourage talented children to enrich their skills and knowledge.
  • HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal said the programme included students of performing arts, since it had the power to move ideas and people.
  • In the first batch, 60 outstanding students have been selected. To begin with, it will cover science and performing arts. The students have been broadly chosen from classes IX to XII. At the 14-day programme science and performing arts students will be separated into two groups.
  • The programme was launched at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru.
 Kolkata’s e-plan bags global award at C40 meet
  • The low carbon commute transition of Kolkata with planned introduction of 5,000 e-buses and electrification of all ferries that run across the Ganges river by 2030 won the world”s seven best climate projects.
  • The announcement of the 2019 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards was made at the C40 World Mayors Summit.
  • The awards showcased projects that demonstrated ambitious climate action while ensuring better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.
  • Each of the seven winning cities are formidable examples of what leadership looks like in building an innovative, resilient, and inclusive future.
  • Worldwide, cities account for about 70 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, making them uniquely positioned to have a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
  • Finalists for the 2019 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards were selected from projects featured in Cities100, which showcases 100 of this year”s most forward-thinking and inclusive climate action projects from around the world.
  • Cities100 is a collaboration between C40 and Nordic Sustainability and is funded by the Danish philanthropic association Realdania.
 Andhra Pradesh launches free mass eye screening programme
  • The Andhra Pradesh government launched a free mass eye screening programme with an aim to eradicate blindness.
  • Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the programme ”Dr YSR Kanti Velugu” at Anantapur on the occasion of ”World Sight Day”.
  • As a part of health reforms the government decided to implement the programme to provide cashless comprehensive primary, secondary and tertiary quality eye care services to the state”s entire population.
  • The programme, to be implemented in six phases over the next three years, is estimated to cost about Rs 560.88 crore including free eye screening, spectacles, strengthening of government institutions, hiring of temporary staff, cataract surgeries and other secondary and tertiary eye care management.
  • The first phase will continue till October 16, over 70 lakh students will receive primary basic screening by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), teachers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and other staff members.
  • The two-months-long second phase will be launched on November 1. In this phase, secondary screening and prescription of spectacles will be provided to the students.
  • From the third to sixth phase, the state government will provide primary mass eye screening, prescription and distribution of spectacles, secondary and tertiary care management.
  • The Program will be conducted through village volunteers, ASHA, ANM, Primary Health Centre staff, Para Medical Ophthalmic Officers (PMOOs), all government institutions, Vision Centres, NGOs and all other healthcare functionaries.
 AASHRAY’s best eco-friendly Puja pandal award to Bishnupur Guwahati puja
  • Bishnupur Bimalanagar Durga Puja Samiti of Guwahati with a theme of Eco-system was adjudged as the best eco-friendly Durga Puja pandal in Assam by AASHRAY an organisation working for environment conservation.
  • The Subhash Pally Kalibari Durga Puja Samiti Dibrugarh with the theme Education was declared as the second.
  • While Dergaon Rajahuwa Durga Puja Samiti with the theme of forest conservation and traditional dhak and Barowary Durga Puja Samiti with the theme Assamese Culture were declared jointly third.
  • The Sripuria Purbanchal Durga Puja Samiti with the theme rhino conservation was named for the fourth position.
  • To make awareness on cutting down the use of plastic in Durga Puja pandals and to ensure cleanliness during the puja celebration, the best puja pandal award was announced at the state level.

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October 12, 2019

 Environmentalist Chandi Prasad gets Indira Gandhi award
  • The Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for this year has been awarded to eminent environmentalist, Chandi Prasad Bhatt.
  • The award carries a citiation and cash of Rs 10 lakh will be given to Bhatt by Congress President Sonia Gandhi on October 31, the martyrdom day of Indira Gandhi .
  • Bhatt, who hails from Uttarakhand, is an eminent Gandhian environmentalist and has been associated with the Chipko Andolan
  • Bhatt has been the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Padmi Shri, Padma Bhushan and Gandhi Peace Prize in the past.
  • The award was announced by Motilal Vora, Member Secretary to the Advisory Committee for the award.

BIOGRAPHY – Chandi Prasad Bhatt

  • Chandi Prasad Bhatt is an Indian Gandhian environmentalist and social activist, who founded Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh (DGSS) in Gopeshwar in 1964, which later became a mother-organization to the Chipko Movement, in which he was one of the pioneers.
  • He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1982, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
  • He is known for his work on subaltern social ecology, and considered one of India’s first modern environmentalists.
Asian Development Bank approved the first installment of Rs 1,650 crore for Tripura
  • The first instalment of Asian Development Bank”s (ADB) Rs 1,650 crore loan for infrastructure development in seven of the eight district headquarter towns in Tripura, has been approved.
  • The Department of Economic Affairs, under the Finance Ministry of the Indian government has approved the first instalment of Rs 17.75 crore ($2.5 million) of the ADB loan to take up development of seven district headquarters through Urban Development Department of the state government.
  • The first instalment of Rs 17.75 crore would be spent mainly for conducting engineering survey, preparing estimates and DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) for roads, water supply, drainage, sewerage and major urban infrastructure works in these seven district towns.
 Union Ministry of Health launches ‘Mission 2023’
  • The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the ”World Health Organization (WHO) India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019-2023: A Time of Transition programme in New Delhi.
  • The Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) aims to provide WHO with a strategic roadmap to plan its work with India to achieve its health sector goals.
  • Four areas have been identified for strategic cooperation with WHO.
  • The objective of the programme is to protect people”s health, promote healthy lifestyle and strengthen India”s global leadership in the health sector
  • The government has also launched several initiatives to support the same including the Fit India movement, Poshan Abhiyaan and the Eat Right India movement

October 13, 2019

 ‘Lachit-I’ the first sailing expedition on Brahmaputra to start
  • NCC Directorate of North Eastern Region has embarked on a pioneering project to conduct the first-ever sailing expedition on the Brahmaputra to commemorate the Battle of Saraighat.
  • The ‘Lachit-I’ 10-day expedition will be flagged off from Biswanath Chariali on October 16 and after traversing 220 km, it will culminate at Pandu on October 25.
  • ADG NCC Maj Gen Bipin Bakshi said the waters of the mighty Brahmaputra have been selected for this ambitious initiative, using the expertise available with the military personnel of NCC, three sturdy whaler sailing boats of the Naval NCC Units and support from the Army Eastern Command as well as the Assam government.
  • The focus of this expedition on the same waters where the famous Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671, is to rekindle the memories of the epic bravery of the sons of the soil of Assam, while fostering a spirit of adventure amongst the youth.
 Assam CM opens Kaziranga park for tourists
  • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal opened the Kaziranga National Park for the visitors for this season.
  • Sonowal ceremoniously put the Bagori and Kohora Range of the park open for the tourists at functions held at Bagori and Mihimukh.
  • Sonowal said that it is a matter of great pride and prestige that Kazirnaga National Park has earned its name in the 17 most iconic centres of the country.
  • Sonowal also called upon every stakeholder to make a united effort for the serenity and beauty of the park.
  • Emphasising on the cleanliness of Kaziranga National Park, Sonowal said that all households, restaurants, hotels, resorts must keep their peripheral areas clean to make Kaziranga more beautiful and serene.
 Lieutenant General Harsha Gupta named new Commander of White Knight Corps
  • Lieutenant General Harsha Gupta has been appointed as the new Commander of the White Knight Corps, the XVI Corps of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • He took over from Lieutenant General Paramjit Singh Sangha, who relinquished the post with a traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Nagrota Military Station
  • Lt Gen Gupta, who belongs to the Sikh Light Infantry, asked officers and troops to remain combat ready on order to thwart the enemy”s designs by maintaining synergy between the Army, the civil administration and the para-military forces.
  • Lt Gen Sangha conveyed his appreciation to all ranks for their professionalism and steadfast dedication to duty.

FACTFILE  – The White Knight Corps

  • The White Knight Corps, a part of the Northern Command of the Indian Army, was raised in June 1972
  • It has its headquarters at Nagrota Cantonment, Nagrota, Jammu district, Jammu and Kashmir.
  • In 2005 IX Corps (India) was raised in part of the XVI Corps’ area, taking over two of its divisions. It includes 10th Infantry Division (India), headquartered at Akhnoor, 25th Infantry Division, headquartered at Rajauri and 39th Infantry Division, with its headquarters at Yol.
  • It is the largest wheeled formation in the world.

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October 14, 2019

 Khasi film ‘Iewduh‘ wins award at Busan film fest in South Korea
  • Iewduh, a Khasi film directed by Pradip Kurbah and produced by Shankar Lall Goenka, has won the Kim Ji-seok Award at the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea.
  • Iewduh was the first film from Meghalaya to enter the BIFF, which is an important destination for Asian filmmakers.
  • Iewduh director Pradip Kurbah dedicated the Kim Ji-seok Award to the people of Meghalaya and thanked Goenka for producing the film.
  • Iewduh, also known as Barabazar, is one of the oldest and largest daily markets in Shillong. The film talks about the daily lives of the people in the market.
  • The film, made under the banner of Shiven Arts, will premiere in India at the 21st Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival later this month.
  • Iewduh has also been selected for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa.
 IIT Madras inks pact with ExxonMobil for research on energy and biofuels
  • The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT M) has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company for conducting collaborative research on energy and biofuels.
  • The five-year agreement is focused on data analytics, gas conversion and transport and is aimed towards finding low-emission solutions. 
  • One of the projects being taken up is for developing novel approaches to convert agro residue biomass to sugars and high value chemicals.
  • The current trend is to develop fuels and fine chemicals from non-food lignocellulosic biomass and agricultural residues, known as second-generation biomass.
  • Lignocellulosic biomass is the only source of renewable carbon with the ability to maintain carbon neutrality in the environment by reducing the net greenhouse gas emissions.
  • India is the third highest producer of agro-residues globally with surplus potential of over 230 million tonnes annually, after China and Brazil.
  • The biofuel potential is expected to get realised in the near future with the new biofuel policy of the government.
 Indian origin Abhijit Banerjee and his wife Esther Duflo wins Nobel Prize in Economics
  • Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Michael Kremer of Harvard University were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics “for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.”
  • In just two decades, their new experiment-based approach has transformed development economics, which is now a flourishing field of research.
  • Banerjee, born 1961 in India, got his PhD in 1988 from Harvard University. Duflo, who was born in 1972 in Paris, obtained her Ph.D in 1999 from MIT. Kremer, who was born in 1964, got his doctorate from Harvard in 1992.
  • The three were recognized for their ability to divide the vast issue of tackling global poverty into smaller subjects.

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Assam Current Affairs – October 01 – 07, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – October 1 - 7, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of October 1 – 7, 2019 )

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October 01, 2019

  Seaplanes set to be introduced in Assam
  • The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will introduce water aerodrome or seaplanes in three locations in Assam for the first time, which will boost tourism and connectivity in the state.
  • Three river fronts were selected in Assam to introduce the water-based ferry for the first time in India.
  • The three locations selected for the seaplanes include Guwahati, Umrangso and the Kaziranga National Park.
  • At the end of next year or by early 2021, the water aerodrome or seaplane services would be launched in the Brahmaputra river and Umrangso reservoir.
  • Three jetties would be built in three locations at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
  • An area of open water that can be used by seaplanes or amphibious planes for landing and take-off is called a water aerodrome.
  • The water aerodrome or seaplane services were planned to be introduced under the UDAN scheme, announced by the Central government earlier.
  • The Union government had earlier planned to launch water aerodrome or seaplane services in six or seven sites. These are Guwahati river front, Umrangso reservoir and Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Nagarjuna Sagar in Andhra Pradesh-Telangana, Sabarmati river front, Shatrunjay Dam and Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat).
  • SpiceJet on a trial basis had conducted seaplane operations in Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
 Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria takes over as IAF chief
  • Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, took over as the new air chief with an assertion that India is ready for any kind of threat. Bhadauria, succeeds Birender Singh Dhanoa.
  • The 26th Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has over 4,250 hours of flying experience with 26 different fighter and transport aircraft. He was also extensively involved in the flights of the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas” initial prototypes. Bhadauria was the key negotiator in the deal for 36 Rafale fighters which India is acquiring from Dassault company of France.
  • Bhadauria said the induction of the Rafale fighter would be a game-changer for India as it would give a big boost to the IAF”s capability.

BIOGRAPHY – Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

  • Bhadauria served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command from 1 March 2017, succeeding Air Marshal Sunderraman Neelakantan, to 1 August 2018.
  • He also served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Training Command from 1 August 2018 after retirement of Air Marshal S R K Nair, and held the office till his elevation to the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
  • He took office of Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 1 May 2019 after superannuation of Air Marshal Anil Khosla.
  • Bhadauria has been awarded several medals: the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2013), the Vayu Sena Medal (January 2002) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (January 2018).
  • He was appointed as the honorary air force ADC to the President of India on 1 January 2019
 India successfully test-fired the BrahMos missile
  • India successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the coast of Odisha along the Bay of Bengal.
  • The missile was launched from the Interim Test Range in Chandipur.
  • Featuring an Indian propulsion system, airframe, power supply and other major indigenous components, the missile was successfully test-fired for its full range of 290 km during the launch that was jointly conducted by the DRDO and BrahMos Aerospace.
  • The indigenous content in the formidable weapon has reached a high value with the successful mission thus bolstering India”s defence indigenization and the flagship ”Make in India” programme of the Central government.
  • The BrahMos, which derives its name from the rivers Brahmaputra of India and Moskva of Russia, has been jointly developed by India and Russia.
  • The versatile weapon has been operationalized in the Indian armed forces with all three services.
 Cisco MOU with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to launch e-learning solutions at NSTIs
  • Cisco signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Directorate General of Training (DGT) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, to bring the benefits of digital technology to six National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
  • Under the initiative, NSTIs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida and Kanpur will be equipped with Cisco connected classroom solution.
  • Which uses Cisco”s collaboration solutions, like Cisco TelePresence and Cisco Webex, to offer next-generation digital learning experience to students and faculty.
  • The platform is aimed at providing NSTIs with access to new learning experiences, like virtual field trips and specialised skill modules, guest lecturers, as well as industry-connect and mentorship programmes irrespective of location.
  • Interested trainers and trainees across all ITIs will also have access to new educational resources through the Bharat Skills portal, using their smartphones and other connected devices, enabling them to learn anywhere, anytime and on any device.
 Naval version of India’s LCA-Tejas has successfully completed
  • The naval version of India”s indigenously-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has successfully completed in a single sortie the cycle of short take-off and arrested recovery, necessary for operating on an aircraft carrier.
  • The sortie was undertaken at a shore-based test facility of INS Hansa in Goa.
  • A prototype of the LCA”s naval version took off a ski jump from the shore-based location and was subsequently trapped on an arresting gear site.
  • This was the first occasion when the complete cycle of short launch and arrested recovery necessary for aircraft carrier operations was accomplished in a single sortie.
  • The experiment was conducted to test the capability of the aircraft, which is under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), to take off and land on shorter runways on an aircraft carrier.

October 02, 2019

  Sushil Mishra takes charge as CMD of Oil India Limited
  • Sushil Chandra Mishra assumed the charge of Chairman and Managing Director of Oil India Limited. He has over 35 years of experience in Oil India Limited (OIL).
  • He also holds a unique distinction of achieving OIL’s first ever overseas discovery as operator in Gabon, setting a foundation for OIL to carry out extensive exploration and production activities at global landscape for its growth.
  • Prior to taking over the charge as the CMD, he held the position of Executive Director (Rajasthan project), Jodhpur and was responsible for successfully implementing India’s first and deepest cycle system.

FACTFILE – Oil India Limited (OIL)

  • Oil India Limited (OIL) is the second largest hydrocarbon exploration and production Indian public sector company with its operational headquarters in Duliajan, Assam, India.
  • The company is a state-owned Navratna under the administrative control of India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with its corporate offices in Noida in the New Delhi-NCR region.
  • OIL is engaged in the business of exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas, transportation of crude oil and production of liquid petroleum gas.
  • It’s history spans the discovery of crude oil in the far east of India at Digboi, Assam in 1889 to become a upstream petroleum company is present.
 Indian Army to help strengthen Maldivian security forces
  • Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat handed over some transport vehicles to the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) as part of India”s efforts to boost the operational capacities of the island nation.
  • Talks are underway to hand over different types of weapons and ammunition to the Maldives army.
  • Assistance will also be given to Maldives to set up an engineering workshop and a diagnostic set-up for the vehicles and other equipment that have been given.
  • Rawat, who is on a five-day visit to the country has met Maldives Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi, MNDF Chief Major General Abdulla Shamaal and MNDF Vice Chief Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdulla.
  • Discussions during the meeting revolved around the assistance that India”s military could provide in order to boost the training and operational capabilities of the archipelago nation.
 TN govt partners with Facebook to boost blood donations in state
  • The Tamil Nadu government announced that it has directed all blood banks in the state to use the blood donation feature on Facebook to reach out to the voluntary donors.
  • The government feels social media can help to create awareness and enable voluntary blood donations.
  • The state government has issued a directive to all blood banks and hospitals in the state to use the Facebook blood donation feature, in order to bridge the gap between blood donors and nearby blood banks.
  • All banks have gone through comprehensive training workshops to join on board the Facebook blood donation feature and have also learnt how they can connect with donors on this social media site, based on their needs.
  • Over 22 million people in India have registered as blood donors on Facebook.
  • Launched in 2017, blood donation feature on Facebook connects people willing to donate blood with opportunities nearby.
  • People can sign up as donors on this social media platform and get notified when blood banks nearby post about their blood requirements.

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October 03, 2019

  IIT Guwahati implements PM’s scholarship scheme for J&K students
  • The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) along with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has begun implementing the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir Students.
  • IIT Guwahati signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AICTE for extending internships to students from Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The objective of the MoU is to provide exposure to the youth from Jammu and Kashmir to advanced academic culture at the higher learning institutes of the country.
  • As per the MoU signed, IIT-G will enrol 100 meritorious students from Jammu and Kashmir in batches of 25, for internship at the institute from May 1 to 30, 2020.
  • The MoU includes academic, education and research collaboration where IIT Guwahati will design a detailed programme with popular science lectures from its faculty as well as guest faculty from outside the institute.
  • The internships will be primarily in the field of research and will be done under various professors at the institute.
 Odisha launches Mo Sarkar initiative
  • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the ”Mo Sarkar” initiative on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Under the programme, the Chief Minister and Ministers will call the people to seek their feedback on the kind of response and service they received during their visit to the government hospitals and police stations.
  • The Chief Minister made phone calls and spoke to people from Balangir, Sundergarh, Malkangiri, Jajpur and Baripada to seek feedback on their experiences at government hospitals.
  • He also spoke to people from Nayagah, Ganjam, Balasore and Bhawanipatna regarding the service offered at police stations.
  • In the first phase, the programme would cover all police stations and district headquarters hospitals (DHHs).
  • Under the programme, when a complainant visits a police station for filing a complaint, his or her mobile number will be uploaded by the police personnel onto the centralised database.
  • The ”Mo Sarkar” initiative is an important transformative move under the 5T programme introduced by Patnaik. The 5Ts aim at achieving progress through Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time and Transformation.
 India sets up integrated control room to handle natural calamities
  • The government is setting up an integrated control room for emergency response especially to handle natural disasters and to carry out a strategic level of monitoring.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs proposes to establish an integrated Control Room for Emergency Response in the national capital for handling natural disasters and emergency situations with situational awareness and strategic level of monitoring.
  • The comprehensive backend and control room infrastructure will be primarily located at New Delhi City Centre-II towers at Jai Singh Marg in New Delhi with an additional room infrastructure in North Block, which will serve as a front office to the control room.
  • is also planned to augment existing National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM), a GIS-based repository of data, at Shadnagar in Hyderabad and integrate it with control room.
  • NDEM supports the total cycle of disaster, emergency management for the country, in near real time with a complete database.
  • The control room will be based on state-of-the-art information technology and will be equipped with latest video walls.
 Indian Army Chief, Maldivian President discuss defence ties
  • Indian Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat met Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who hailed efforts to revitalise the bilateral defence cooperation.
  • Gen Rawat is on a five-day official visit to Maldives which is aimed at giving a boost to the bilateral defence ties at a time when China is making aggressive moves to make inroads in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.
  • The Indian Army Chief discussed with the Maldivian President issues related to the defence cooperation and ways to step it up.
  • The Maldivian President commended the joint efforts of both Armed Forces at enhancing and revitalising the bilateral defence cooperation.
  • Rawat had met Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid to discuss mutual relations between the two countries and on working out ways to make the Indian Ocean Region a conflict-free zone.
  • He also handed over a fleet of transport vehicles to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in order to help it increase its operational capability.

October 04, 2019

  Silchar ranked 8th in list of 10 most unclean cities in India
  • Silchar received a embarrassing distinction of being ranked at 8th position in the list of ten most unclean cities across the country.
  • Despite atmospheric and territorial challenges, the workers at the SLRM centre have been able to convert a substantial quantity of waste into saleable resource in just 79 days of its journey.
  • Project Coordinator C Srinivasan informed that assignment at the SLRM centre is for a period of 18 months only while his team has only 15 more months left to accomplish the target.
  • Deputy Commissioner Laya Madduri expressed the possibilities of turning Silchar free of trash and urged all the stakeholders to pitch in efforts to make it worth a resource-oriented destination for sustainable development in the coming days.

 Assam in Swachh Survekshan 2019 Ranking

  • Rank #303 Guwahati
  • Rank #370 Nagaon
  • Rank #415 Dibrugarh
  • Rank #423 Silchar
 ISRO showcase Space Science in 7 Karnataka colleges
  • To mark the ‘World Space Week’ of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said it would showcase the benefits of space science to students of seven colleges in Karnataka from October 4 to 10.
  • The U.R. Rao Satellite Centre has teamed up with seven colleges to tell students the benefits of our space programme to attract them to science & technology stream.
  • The seven institutions are: Poornaprajan Pre-university College at Udupi; SJM Institute of Technology, Chitradurga; Konkan Education Trust High School, Kumta; R.V. College of Engineering, Bengaluru; Tontadarya College of Education, Gadag; Sri Sai Vidyaniketan Residential School, Shahpur; and Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumkur.
  • Competitions for students, exhibition models of satellites, posters, videos and talks about the Indian space programme were part of the agenda.
  • The satellite centre designs, develops and makes satellites for the space programme to serve key sectors and spur national development.
  • The UN observes the space week every year from October 4 to 10, coinciding with the launch of the first man-made earth satellite — Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957 — and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on October 10, 1967.
 Indian Oil launches drive to turn plastic waste into bitumen
  • Indian Oil Corporation has taken up various initiatives to support the government”s drive to eliminate single use plastic by converting these toxic wastes to productive use.
  • These initiatives were launched to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi and as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
  • The company will use its refinery operations to convert the single use plastic waste into specialised bitumen that can be used for construction of roads and highways.
  • A pilot project has been done at Faridabad via the creation of a “Single Use Waste Plastic” based bituminous road.
  • The company will commercially supply the specialised bitumen for use in road construction going ahead.
  • Has developed special grade crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB55) which has been designed using waste single use plastic material.
  • The company issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for procurement of single-use plastic waste which can be economically converted into the specialised bitumen.
  • The national EoI is for assessing the market availability and willingness of various organised aggregators and NGOs to supply different types of waste plastics in commercial quantities on consistent basis.
 New French, EU envoys present credentials to Indian President
  • New French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain and the European Union Ambassador Ugo Astuto presented their credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
  • Lenain underscored the historic ties of friendship and trust between the two nations and said the two sides are united by a strategic partnership since 1998, which recently expanded to include digital technology and cybersecurity.
  • Lenain also highlighted France’s determination to deepen the two countries’ strategic cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • He shared France’s desire to forge a partnership for the future with India by supporting the major programmes shaping tomorrow’s India.
  • Astuto said the European Union and India upgraded their long-standing relationship to a strategic partnership in 2004, based on their common goals and principles.
  • Since then, the EU and India have been cooperating closely, reinforcing political, economic and people-to-people ties.
  • This cooperation was further broadened at the last summit in 2017 and has received new momentum through the adoption of the EU’s strategy on India, in November 2018.
  • The EU and India enjoy strong trade and investment relations and are members of the G20, where they co-operate in shaping the global economic agenda, supporting sustainable development and the multilateral international trade system.
  • The EU is also collaborating with India on several flagship initiatives such as Smart Cities, Clean Ganga, as well as in the context of the International Solar Alliance.
 Flipkart and UP Khadi & Village Industries Board ink pact
  • Flipkart has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board (UPKVIB) as part of the Flipkart ‘Samarth’ initiative.
  • This initiative is aimed at enabling artisans, weavers and craftsmen from diverse backgrounds and rural parts of the country to set up their business on Flipkart.
  • The MoU was signed in the presence of Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
  • As part of the Samarth programme, eligible entities and artisans will receive incubation support in the form of onboarding, cataloguing, account management, business insights, dedicated seller support, reduced commission (where eligible) and warehousing.
  • The Uttar Pradesh government is supporting the initiative by fast-tracking collaboration between Flipkart and UPKVIB registered affiliates that work in the arts, handicrafts and textile space.
  • UPKVIB and Flipkart will work together to help weavers and artisans sell Khadi fabrics and village industries products across Flipkart’s pan-India customer base of over 160 million.

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October 05, 2019

  IIT Guwahati-AICTE pact to benefit J-K students
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for implementing the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme for students from Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The objective of the MoU is to provide exposure to the youths from Jammu and Kashmir to advanced academic culture at the higher learning institutes of the country.
  • The exchange of agreements was held at the IIT Council meeting recently between Prof TG Sitharam, Director of IIT Guwahati, and Prof Anil D Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of AICTE, in the presence of Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.
  • As per the pact, IIT Guwahati will enroll 100 meritorious students from Jammu and Kashmir in batches of 25, for internship at the institute from May 1 to 30 next year.
  • The MoU includes academic, education and research collaboration where IIT Guwahati will design a detailed programme with popular science lectures from its distinguished faculty as well as guest faculty from outside the institute.
 NHA, Google tie up for Ayushman Bharat implementation
  • The National Health Authority (NHA) has joined hands with Google to collaborate and strengthen the implementation of the government”s flagship health scheme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
  • The two organizations will be working closely to explore various user cases for increasing process efficiencies in day-to-day applications.
  • Google will also support NHA in improving PM-JAY”s digital presence and showcasing relevant content to the 50 crore entitled beneficiaries.
  • Google will also help provide training and support to NHA personnel to build on digital skills.
  • The collaboration will seek to bolster PM-JAY”s objective of reaching the poor and vulnerable, reducing their high out-of-pocket health expenditure, and improving access to quality healthcare.
  • The NHA is implementing the programme, hailed as the world”s largest public funded health insurance scheme aimed to bring quality healthcare to around 50 crore poor and vulnerable Indians across India.
  • The mission of NHA is to create the world”s best health assurance programme on an efficient and technologically robust eco-system.
 WHO, FIFA sign deal to promote healthy lifestyle through soccer
  • The World Health Organization and FIFA signed a four-year cooperation deal that aims to encourage people to follow a healthy lifestyle through soccer.
  • WHO, in return, will provide FIFA with a series of technical health advice aimed at improving hygiene and preventing diseases.
  • Measures include banning smoking at stadiums or during events organized by the soccer international governing body.
  • Both parties have already collaborated in order to ban smoking at soccer competitions, as happened at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
  • The deal also includes initiatives that boost physical activities through soccer with the backing of national soccer federations, goodwill ambassadors, soccer players, coaches and volunteers.

October 06, 2019

 ‘Brahmaputra Dialogue’ discussion on promotion of startups in NE, South East Asia
  • The 2nd edition of the Brahmaputra Dialogue, an initiative to provide a platform for thought leaders across all sectors to discuss, deliberate and arrive at outcome-based solutions regarding key issues concerning India’s North-east and the greater South East Asia region held at Guwahati.
  • The topic of the event was ‘Accelerating the Startup Ecosystem in North East India and the Future of Business and Trade in the South East Asian region’ where Arjun Vaidya, Aryata Agarwal, Shyamkanu Mahanta, Pranjal Konwar and Sriparna Baruah took part as the panelists.
  • More than 60 young leaders and entrepreneurs from diverse professional backgrounds attended the session.
  • Discussions were also held about the challenges and opportunities of doing business in the region, and key steps to promote North-east as a startup hub in India.
 India, Bangladesh sign 7 pacts
  • India and Bangladesh marked the “sonali adhyay” (golden era) in bilateral ties with the inking of seven agreements, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting Bangladesh Premier Sheikh Hasina.
  • During the talks, the Bangladesh PM voiced concerns over Assam’s National Register of Citizens (NRC) and raised the Teesta water and the Rohingya refugee issues.
  • The two sides hailed the bilateral ties. The agreements, included pact for a joint coastal surveillance system.
  • Through video link, the two leaders inaugurated three development partnership projects
  • 1. Import of bulk LPG from Bangladesh to Tripura through trucks
  • 2. Vivekananda Bhaban (student’s hostel) at Ramakrishna Mission, Dhaka
  • 3. Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute (BIPSDI) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB), Khulna.
  • The two leaders emphasised on initiatives for development of closer maritime security partnership, and noted the progress made in the finalisation of an MoU for establishment of a coastal surveillance radar system in Bangladesh.
  • Both sides agreed to expedite commissioning of a joint study on prospects of signing a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA).
  • Modi and Sheikh Hasina also agreed to expedite work towards drawing upon a $500 million defence line of credit, extended by India to Bangladesh. The implementation arrangements for this was finalised in April.
  • They also signed an MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from the Feni river by India for the drinking water scheme for Sabroom town in Tripura.
  • The two leaders agreed that the loss of civilian lives at the border was a matter of concern and asked border forces to enhance coordinated measures to bring such border incidents down to zero.
 School kids plant 350 trees near Mumbai station
  • As part of the ongoing ”Joy of Giving Week” organised by the Western Railway (WR), around 150 students of the Ryan Group of Institutions (RGI) planted more than 350 Ashoka tree saplings near the Jogeshwari station.
  • The children were accompanied by a favourite cartoon character, Nicktoon ”Dora the Explorer” and child actor Abhishek Sharma in the event organised by the WR, Nickelodeon and RGI to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
  • During the week, there will be more activities for the children focusing on awareness and conservation of the environment, educating them on the consequences of carbon footprints and related aspects.
  • Pioneering children-related empowerment themes, Nickelodeon has also organized campaigns like ”Surakshabandhan”, International Day of Yoga and Road Safety Week.

 

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October 07, 2019

  IIT Guwahati develops AI powered Smart-Engineer
  • The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) announced the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted engineering system design tool called the ‘Smart-Engineer’.
  • The current version of the Smart-Engineer is able to address the fundamentals involved in the design of induction motors.
  • The early results are very promising, and we now intend to expand the capability of Smart-Engineer to include the finer aspects of motor design.
  • The tool is built by a team comprising PhD and Masters students, Rajendra Kumar, Bikash Sah, Ankit Vishway and Rajendra Kumar, by leveraging the IBM Watson AI Platform and IBM Cloud.
  • The ‘Smart-Engineer’, built by the e-mobility lab at the IIT-G seeks to address one of the primary hurdles in indigenising the EV technology, which is the lack of trained human resources in engineering design and system integration.
  • It will enable companies to store and maintain the collective knowledge of expert engineers, which in turn can preserve and promote further theoretical and practical advancements in design thinking/philosophy.
 Indian women in UAE launch mission to protect environment
  • The Indian Ladies Association (ILA), a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based community welfare body, has launched a year-long mission to protect the environment through a series of initiatives, including collection of discarded paper, e-waste, cleaning of beaches and tree planting in Abu Dhabi.
  • The ILA has committed to run sustainable environmentally friendly and social awareness campaigns in the community each month and this would continue throughout the year to educate people about the environment and seek their participation in making the world a greener place.
  • The ILA just provides a platform to the community to come forward and participate in the environmentally friendly campaigns.
  • The ILA is one of the five Indian community organisations in Abu Dhabi which are registered with the UAE’s Ministry of Community Development.
  • It was also planning to spread environmental awareness among labourers. As part of the mission, the ILA will visit labour camps to give saplings to workers to plant.

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Assam Current Affairs – August 15 – 21, 2019

Posted on by admin 
Current Affairs Assam – August 15 - 21, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of August 15 – 21, 2019 )

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August 15, 2019

‘Shillong Declaration’ adopted at 22nd National Conference on e-Governance
  • The 22nd edition of the National Conference on e-Governance held here concluded today. The two-day conference, attended by 535 delegates representing 28 States and all Union Territories, made the ‘Shillong Declaration’ in connection with the e-Governance.
  • The 10-point declaration is an outcome of the commitment made at the inaugural session on Thursday. It was prepared after two days of deliberations by participants representing States and Union Territories.
  • The 10-point ‘Shillong Declaration’ said that the Government of India and State governments would collaborate to improve the citizen’s experience with government services by promoting timely implementation of India Enterprise Architecture (IndEA) and implementing a single sign-on for interoperability and integration among e-Government applications throughout the country, to consolidate the successful State-level e-Governance projects and domain-based projects with the focus on replicating them as a common application software with configurable features, to ensure improvement in ease of living and ease of doing business by making a big shift in the role of the Government from service provider to service enabler.
  • It also agreed to take steps to enhance the activities of the Electronics Sector Skill Council in the North Eastern States and explore the possibility for opening an electronics skill centre in Shillong, to promote use of e-Office and move towards less paper State Secretariats in the North Eastern States and in the district-level offices, to improve the quality of delivery of e-Services in the North East to fulfill the vision of improved citizen experience.
  • The declaration further agreed to develop India as a global cloud hub and facilitate development of government applications and databases on cloud by default, to adopt emerging technologies for finding e-Governance solutions and to promote the Digital India Projects with focus on Smart Cities and Smart Villages through startups and smart entrepreneurship.
Rail Minister Piyush Goyal inducts first CORAS commandos in railways
  • Railway Minister Piyush Goyal inducted the Commando for Railway Security (CORAS) and promised to set up a commando training centre in Haryana to modernize and train commandos of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
  • These CORAS commandos will be posted in Left extremist wing affected areas, northeastern region and Jammu and Kashmir where providing security to the passengers and the railway network is of utmost priority.
  • A new state-of-the-art commando training centre for RPF will be started in Jagadhri (in Haryana) which will have access to latest technology and equipment.
  • The RPF’s crack commando team of 1,200 officers will get the most modern equipment and world-class training. This will help train the other 60,000-65,000 fellow officers of RPF.
  • A network of CCTV cameras will be set up at every station.The link of these cameras will be given to the local stations, GRP, RPF, divisional office and even to the Minister’s office.
UP government signed a MOU with the Russian region of Zabaykalsky Krai
  • The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Russian region of Zabaykalsky Krai for cooperation in the fields of agriculture and food processing.
  • There are possibilities of development of agriculture and its allied areas in about 8 million hectares of far east Russia. This will open up investment opportunities in the region.
  • The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are top research and development institutions in the field of agriculture and contract farming in India.
  • Their expertise and guidance will help in preparing the road map for integrated development of agriculture in far east Russia.
IIT Madras develops multimodal robot with human-like grasp
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) researchers have developed a multimodal robotic system with good grasping, manipulation and locomotion abilities for use in industrial and field applications.
  • Called ‘GraspMan,’ the system comprises a pair of graspers that are capable of holding objects securely and manipulate it much like the human hand.
  • A prototype of the grasper has been fabricated at the Robotics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, and the experimental results confirm manipulation capabilities of the robot.
  • Two such graspers, equipped with the robotic platform provides behavioural adaptation, which is the capability to change the locomotion behaviour to adapt to the environment.
  • The research is being led by Prof Asokan Thondiyath, Robotics Laboratory, Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras with his student and Research Scholar Mr. Nagamanikandan Govindan.
  • This new class of robot developed by the IIT Madras team has various industrial applications such as pipe climbing and inspection, which involves climbing, holding and assembling, all of which are possible in their design.
  • The robotic platform features a multipurpose grasper that is designed to perform complex manipulation and locomotion tasks, without the need for dedicated motors for manipulation, locomotion, and grasping.

August 16, 2019

Centre to fund model tribal villages in Tripura
  • The Centre will provide financial assistance to the Tripura Government to raise ten tribal model villages covering eight districts of the State, said Tribal Welfare Minister Mever Kumar Jamtia.
  • The proposed model villages will have all modern facilities – all-weather roads, pucca houses, toilets, electricity, drinking water supply, community halls, market sheds, Internet and mobile telephone network. A sum of Rs 10 crore will be spent on each model village.
  • Once the project is implemented, all the model villages will be transformed into a mini township with all modern facilities available.
  • The project will also lay emphasis on socio-economic development of the villagers. Special focus will be given on agriculture, animal resources and vocational training to upgrade skills of the villagers.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up a high-powered modality committee to look into aspects of socio-economic and linguistic development of the indigenous people of the State.
  • The committee is learnt to have recommended establishment of 10 model villages to ensure welfare of the indigenous people.
Odisha Govt announces ”Mo Sarkar” Initiative
  • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a new initiative ”Mo Sarkar” based on 5T model of governance which will be implemented from coming Gandhi Jayanti.
  • The Chief Minister said that the new initiative will be implemented at all police stations and district headquarters hospitals in first phase from Gandhi Jayanti.
  • In the next phase, all the departments will execute the ”Mo Sarkar” initiative by March 5, 2020.
  • The state government is implementing the 5T model governance – Teamwork, Transparency, Technology, Time leading to Transformation.
  • Under ”Mo Sarkar” initiative, the Chief Minister and other Ministers would dial common citizens to seek their feedback on the kind of response they got during their visits to police stations and district headquarters hospitals.
  • He also announced that electricity connection will be provided to villagers within 48 hours of submission of application at concerned panchayat offices.
BRICS Minister of Environment Meeting
  • Acknowledging the importance of urban environmental management for improving quality of life in cities, the Environment Ministers of BRICS countries presented at the 5th Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Minister of Environment Meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, agreed to work together to resolve the multifaceted environmental issues faced by the BRICS cities
  • Speaking on the occasion, Indian Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar highlighted the path breaking work done by India in achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
  • India is walking the talk on NDC’s and it has achieved reducing energy intensity by 25 percent  and already 78 Giga Watts  of renewable energy has been made possible.
  • The forest cover of the country has also increased by nearly 15,000 sqkm and tree cover outside the forest is increasing rapidly.

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August 17, 2019

Assam’s Golden Butterfly tea gets Rs 75,000 a kg
  • The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) saw another record when a lot of 1 kg tea was sold at Rs 75,000. The tea – ‘Golden Butterfly’ – is a speciality tea and was produced by Dikom Tea Estate owned by Rossell Tea Company.
  • The tea is bought by one of the oldest tea shops in Guwahati – M/s Assam Tea Traders for their customers. They have bought a lot of speciality tea in the past auctions at high prices.
  • The tea is named Golden Butterfly because only the soft golden tips go into making this exceptionally rare and special tea. In the evenings, these exclusive tea bushes witness a fleet of butterflies and hence the name reflects the meticulous care and attention to crop husbandry in Dikom’s tea fields.
  • An exotic tea is judged by its aroma, taste and colour, and this tea is characterised by extremely mellow and sweet caramel flavour that matches the exoticness it deserves.
  • One of the oldest tea buyers in the State, Assam Tea Traders has been providing quality tea to the buyers across India and even abroad.
  • Last month, the Gold Special tea of Manohari Tea Estate was sold for Rs 50,000 a kg, and a day later, the Maijan Ortodox Golden Tea tips broke the record, fetching Rs 70,501 per kilogram.
IIT-Madras researchers working on power from estuaries
  • Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) are working on ‘Osmotic Power’ or power from estuaries, an alternative source of power.
  • Osmotic power generation is, based on the osmotic pressure that is generated when a semi-permeable membrane separates salt water from fresh water. This pressure can be converted into electricity.
  • The first osmotic power plant was built in 2009 in Tofte, Norway, and produced 4 kilowatt of power, which, while sufficient to perhaps run a clothes dryer, is inefficient for any large scale use.
  • The IIT-M team is trying to first produce membranes in the scale of square centimetres rather than square micrometres that are currently possible, with future plans to increase size further
  • This is based on the calculation that a single membrane, roughly one square meter wide, would generate enough power to light up 50,000 energy-saving light bulbs.
Indian Army emerges champion in Scout Masters contest
  • Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the champions trophy to the Indian Army team which won the 5th Army International Scout Masters Competition held at Jaisalmer Military Station from August 6 to 14 in which teams from Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Sudan and Uzbekistan also participated.
  • The Indian Army team was selected and trained under the aegis of Southern Command.
  • The closing Ceremony of the Fifth Army International Scout Masters Competition was held in Jaisalmer in which Rajnath Singh was the chief guest.
  • The ceremony was attended by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General S.K. Saini, Southern Army Commander, delegations of participating countries, members of the International Organising Committee and several civilian and military dignitaries.
  • The Defence Minister gave away the Champions Trophy to the winning Indian team, Runners Up Trophy to Uzbekistan and the Second Runners Up trophy to Russia.
  • The International Army Games are organised by the Ministry of Defence of Russia. This year the games have 32 disciplines to be hosted by 10 countries — Russia, India, China, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. India hosted Stage 2 of the games.

 

August 18, 2019

Meghalaya’s economy to double in 5 years, says state CM Conrad Sangma
  • Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has clear vision to improve the well-being of every section of the society.
  • “I want to assure all of you that my government has a clear vision and strategy to improve the well-being of every section of the society including farmers, youth, entrepreneurs, elderly, school-going children, and citizens in rural areas,” Sangma said after unfurling the Indian flag and taking the salute at a parade here on the occasion of 73rd Independence Day.
  • “We are specifically focussing on Human development, Primary sector rejuvenation, Infrastructure expansion, Entrepreneurship promotion, Environmental protection and Governance reform,” CM Sangma said.
  • In order to achieve the goals and aspirations of the 3 million Meghalayans, the state’s economy needs to grow more strongly than in the past decade.
  • The present size of Meghalaya’s economy is about 30,000 Crore or 4.2 billion US dollar, the Indian economy will expand to 5 trillion dollars by 2024-25 in which Meghalaya’s economy also needs to double in the next five years and at least become 10 billion US dollars.
  • State’s growth rates should be higher than 10 percent in the next few years. To make such growth rates possible, investments by both the Government and Private Sector are necessary.

PM Modi launches several Projects in Bhutan, signs 9 MOUS

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Rupay card in Bhutan and signed nine memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including one on the ISRO-built earth station in Thimphu and a power purchase agreement.
  • One power purchase agreement for the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant was also signed between the two countries.
  • Modi and Bhutan Prime Minister jointly inaugurate the 720 MW Mangdechu Hydroelectricity Project in Bhutan.
  • One of the MOUs include establishment of SATCOM Network in Thimphu for the utilisation of South Asia Satellite.
  • Other MoUs include cooperation in aircraft accident and incident investigation, peering agreement, cooperation in judicial education and mutual exchanges, and academic and cultural interchange in the areas of legal education and research.
  • The Prime Minister also inaugurated the ground station built by India’s space agency ISRO to allow Bhutan to use the South Asian Satellite for communication and disaster management.
  • Modi also announced linking Bhutanese students and researchers to Indian universities.
  • Royal University of Bhutan and IITs will cooperate under this programme and five Post Graduate scholarships for Bhutanese students will be provided by the Nalanda University in Bihar for five years.
High-level committee for Defense procurement formed
  • A 12-member high-level committee has been formed by the Union government to revise and align the procedure of Defence procurement with the aim of strengthening the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
  • The panel headed by the Director-General (Acquisitions) has been tasked to review the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2006 and the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2009.
  • The DPP contains policies and procedures for procurement and acquisition from the capital budget of the Defence Ministry in order to modernise the Armed Forces including the Coast Guard.
  • The DPM contains principles and procedures relating to procurement of goods and services for the Defence Services, organisations and establishments.
  • The panel will also include provisions in the policies in order to promote Indian start-ups and boost research and development.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the constitution of the panel that has been given six months to submit its report of recommendations.
  • The panel will examine and incorporate new concepts, such as life cycle costing, life cycle support, performance-based logistics, Information Communication Technology (ICT), lease contracting, codification and standardization.
Bihar signs MOU to set up lightning alert system
  • The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) has signed an agreement with Bangaluru-based Earth Networks to set up a lightening forecast system in the state.
  • Earth Networks monitors and collects data on lightning strikes around the world.
  • Its system will inform the BSDMA, District Collectors, Municipal Officers and other public representatives about an impending lightening strike 30 minutes before its occurrence.
  • The authorities will then sends alerts on a mobile application, which will help save lives in the state.
 

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August 19, 2019

Assam CM launches state’s first CNG station in Dibrugarh
  • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first-ever CNG fuelling station of the state in Dibrugarh.
  • Sonowal said that to make Assam free from air pollution and to promote the use of clean and green fuel, State government is preparing a roadmap for setting up CNG fuelling station in all districts of the state.
  • The Government is working sincerely to promote the use of compressed natural gas in the state.
  • Making a pollution free state is one of the primary objectives of the government and therefore, the government, has been taking series of steps to make Assam free from the scourge of pollution and its manifestations.
Prof PJ Handique takes over as VC of Gauhati University
  • Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi had appointed Prof PJ Handique as the new Vice Chancellor of the Gauhati University. He takes over the charge from the outgoing VC Dr Mridul Hazarika.
  • A biotechnologist of repute, Prof Handique obtained his PhD degree from Gauhati University in the year 1992. He did post-doctoral research on molecular biotechnology at Leicester University, UK, during 2005-06 in the laboratory of Prof JS Heslop-Horrison.
  • Dr Handique is one of the pioneers who worked for the development of biotechnology in Assam as well as in North East India. He has been involved in frontline areas of research in biotechnology for the last 30 years.
  • Currently he was working as a Professor of Biotechnology in GU. He was the Head of the Department of Biotechnology of the University during 2010-13.
  • During the same period, he was also the Member of Executive Council and Member of the Gauhati University Court; Chairman, DRC-Biotechnology and Chairman, CCS-Biotechnology. Besides, he worked as a ‘Coordinator–Administration and Logistics’ in the GUIST (2009-12).
  • The newly appointed VC shall hold his office for a period of five years or till he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier, as per provision under the Gauhati University Act-1947.

BIOGRAPHY – Gauhati University

  • Gauhati University is located in Jalukbari, Guwahati, is the oldest and one of the most renowned universities in North East India.
  • It was established in 1948 as a teaching-&-affiliating university.
  • Starting with 18 affiliated colleges and 8 Post Graduate Departments in 1948, Gauhati University, today, has 39 Post Graduate Departments, besides IDOL (Institute of Distance and Open Learning), a constituent Law and Engineering College.
  • It has 341 affiliated colleges offering undergraduate and post graduate courses in the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, and Engineering. Gauhati University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
  • The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked Gauhati University 65 overall in India and 42 among universities in 2019.
  • It is accredited grade “A” by National Assessment and Accreditation Council.
Union Govt notifies amended Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code law
  • The government has notified the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2019, under which a deadline of 330 days has been set for completion of corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP), including litigation and other judicial processes.
  • The new law aims to provide greater clarity on the permissibility of corporate restructuring schemes, rights and duties of authorised representatives of voters, manner of distribution of amounts among financial and operational creditors and the applicability of the resolution plan on all statutory authorities.
  • The “resolution plan” under the new law, mandates an explanation why the insolvency resolution of a corporate debtor is a growing concern and may include provisions for corporate restructuring — by way of merger, amalgamation or demerger.
  • It also mandates that votes of all financial creditors covered under Section 21(6A) shall be cast in accordance with the decision approved by the highest voting share (more than 50 per cent) of the financial creditors on present and voting basis.
  • The new law also makes the resolution plan binding on all stakeholders, including the Central government, any state government or local authority, to whom a debt in respect of payment of dues may be owed.
India and Bhutan agree on close coordination on security and national interests matters
  • India and Bhutan has agreed to maintain close coordination on matters linked to each other’s security and national interests, and emphasised on the hydro-power development as one of the important areas of mutually beneficial cooperation.
  • They reiterated their commitment during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Bhutan. Modi and Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering reviewed all aspects of the bilateral ties as well as other regional and international developments. They also reviewed the bilateral discussions on the Sankosh Reservoir hydroelectric project.
  • PM Modi reiterated India’s commitment to advancing the economic and infrastructural development of Bhutan.
  • The two Prime Ministers jointly released Bhutanese stamps, commemorating five decades of mutually beneficial Indo-Bhutan cooperation in hydro-power sector.
  • They also launched the facility for use of Indian RuPay cards in Bhutan, which would facilitate Indians’ travel to Bhutan by reducing the need to carry cash, boost the Bhutanese economy and further integrate the two economies.
  • The two Prime Ministers inaugurated in Thimpu the Ground Earth Station of the South Asian Satellite, constructed with the support of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • They also agreed to collaborate on the joint development of a small satellite for Bhutan and form a joint working group to implement the project and other related activities, including developing a geo-portal system for Bhutan for natural resources and disaster management, using remote sensing and geo-spatial data.
  • They also inaugurated the inter-connection between India’s National Knowledge Network and Bhutan’s Research and Education Network.

August 20, 2019

Assam CM Sonowal inaugurates Khagen Mahanta Udyan
  • Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Khagen Mahanta Udyan – the park set up by the State government in memory of cultural doyen Khagen Mahanta at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
  • The programme was organised by Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society and the Cultural Directorate, Government of Assam.
  • Union Minister of State for Food Processing Rameswar Teli, Cultural Minister Naba Kumar Doley and noted singer and Khagen Mahanta’s son Angarag Mahanta also spoke on the occasion.
  • MP Queen Ojha and Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami were also present among other dignitaries in the programme.

FACTFILE – Khagen Mahanta Memorial Park

  • The Khagen Mahanta Smriti Udyan (Khagen Mahanta Memorial Park) is to be constructed at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra.
  • The Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society had submitted a proposal for the construction of the memorial park to the government an amount of Rs 1.5 crores in October 2015.
  • Finally, in March 2019, the work began at the Kalakshetra. While the structural work will be completed within the stipulated time, the beautification work will take some more time.

BIOGRAPHY – Khagen Mahanta

  • Khagen Mahanta was a singer and composer of folk and traditional music of Assam. Khagen Mahanta was a notable person in Assamese folk music and known as the “King of Bihu”.
  • His Bihu songs, Borgeet and other folk songs remain popular in Assam.
  • The artist, along with his wife Archana Mahanta and son Angaraag Mahanta who is known as Papon, represent one of the most influential families in Assamese music. He died on 12 June 2014.
  • He was also awarded the Sangeet Natak Academy award for folk and traditional music in 1992.Some of his awards/ recognitions are listed below: 1988 – Film Craft Award, 1992 – Sangeet Natak Academy, 1994 – Shrimoy Award, 1999 – Sangeetacharya
IIT Guwahati researchers develop oil-water separating device
  • The researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, (IIT-G) have developed two membranes that can separate oil and water.
  • The research, by Uttam Manna, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT-G, and his team, comprising Avijit Das, Dibyangana Parbat and Arpita Shome.
  • The membranes – super-water repellent in air, and super oil-repellent in water — could separate complex mixtures of oil and water. The oil-water separation membranes could also be used in oil spill management.
  • Scientists have studied the surface structures of lotus leaves and fish scales to understand superhydrophobicity (super-water repellence) and superoleophobicity (super-oil repellence), to replicate them for oil-water separation applications.
  • Manna and his team also developed a system of ‘super liquid-repellent’ materials, by combining the lotus leaf superhydrophobicity and fish scale superoleophobicity.
  • Layer-by-layer deposition technique was used to obtain alternating layers of ‘chemically reactive polymeric nano-complex’ and ‘amino graphene oxide nanosheets’ on a stretchable and fibrous substrate.
  • These systems allow continuous, parallel and selective separation of oil-water mixtures, irrespective of surface tension, density, and viscosity of the oil phase and chemical complexity in the water phase.
IIT-Mandi developing technology to convert heat into electricity
  • Indian Institute of Technology Mandi researchers in Himachal Pradesh are developing thermoelectric materials that can efficiently convert heat into electricity.
  • Generating power from heat, for example, is attractive as there is a lot of energy that is generated through human activity in industries like power plants, home appliances and automobiles, where most of this heat is lost.
  • A research team led by Ajay Soni, Associate Professor (Physics) with the School of Basic Sciences, IIT-Mandi, is studying materials that can convert heat into electricity.
  • The team has been engaged in research on thermoelectric materials and many of its papers have been published in reputed peer-review international journals, including Applied Physics Letters, Physical Review B and Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
  • About 70 per cent of energy globally is wasted as heat and this heat is released into the environment, becoming one of the key drivers of global warming.
  • The trapping and conversion of waste heat into electricity can serve the dual purpose of energy self-sufficiency and environmental preservation.

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August 21, 2019

Tripura to build IT hub
  • Tripura will soon have an IT hub at the Old Central Jail land to ease the unemployment problem in the State, said the Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in his speech on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations.
  • The State has a population of 37 lakh and over 7 lakh registered unemployed youths. He said the tender process for setting up the IT hub has already started and the Government is determined to build the project at the earliest.
  • “Once the project is completed, youths need not rush to Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Chennai to get jobs in the IT sector. There will a lot of jobs for local IT professionals,” Deb claimed.
  • The Chief Minister said that the Government has been giving due importance to the development of the transport sector in the State.
 President Ram Nath Kovind launches plantation drive
  • President Ram Nath Kovind planted a sapling of Maulsari in the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate and launched a plantation drive as part of Van Mahotsav celebrations.
  • On the occasion, the President met students and urged them to encourage fellow citizens to plant more trees and reaffirm the commitment to a greener and sustainable planet.
  • As part of ”Van Mahotsav” celebrations, the President”s Secretariat over the next few weeks will be planting 3,252 trees and 2,962 shrubs in the President”s Estate
  • This will include ornamental and fruit trees such as Peepal, Neem, Maulsari, Champa, Gul Mohur, Mango, Chiko, Anjir and Amrud among others.
  • The President’s Estate, spread over 330 acres, harbours a rich biodiversity with noted trees of the Estate include Sita Ashok, Bistendu, Shisham, Gab, Gourd Trees, Wild Almond, Lemon-Scented Gum, Doon Siris and more.
DRDO hands over design of mobile metallic ramp to Army
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over the design of Mobile Metallic Ramp (MMR) to the Indian Army at an event held at DRDO Bhawan.
  • DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy handed over the design of MMR to Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Devraj Anbu.
  • With a load-bearing capacity of 70 metric ton (MT), MMR has been designed and developed by DRDO’s premier research laboratory -Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES).
  • Based on requirements projected by Army for reducing mobility time for mobilising armoured vehicles.
  • The ramp will provide strategic mobility for armoured and mechanized units and formations of the Army.
  • It is portable, modular in design, which can be easily assembled or disassembled.
Punjab launches health insurance scheme
  • In a tribute to late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 75th birth anniversary, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh launched his government’s flagship universal health insurance scheme, benefiting nearly 46 lakh families, i.e. 76 per cent of the total population.
  • E-cards were handed over to the first 11 beneficiaries from Mohali district to kick-off the ”Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana”.
  • Which would entitle beneficiaries to avail annual cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year, including pre-existing diseases.
  • The scheme is aimed at ensuring the best possible treatment to the beneficiaries free of cost.
  • With this scheme, Punjab has become the first state in the country to offer medical insurance cover to the maximum number of its people, the Chief Minister said.
  • It would cover a total of 20.43 lakh smart ration card holder families, in addition to 14.86 lakh families enrolled as per Socio Economic Caste Census Data, and 46,000 small traders, among others.
  • The scheme has also been extended to around 4,500 journalists accredited to the state or those holding yellow cards.

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Assam Current Affairs – August 08 – 14, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – August 8 - 14, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of August 8 – 14, 2019 )

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August 08, 2019

Assam CM lays foundation of one lakh houses under PMAY(G)
  • Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of more than one lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Grameen) at a function held at the Sarusajai Sports Complex.
  • The Chief Minister handed over sanction letters for loan to one thousand Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission and three thousand appointment letters to youths under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana`
  • The Panchayat and Rural Development department has set a target of making two lakh houses under the PMAY.
  • In the financial year 2019-20, of the total 1,94,338 registered houses, the State government has received sanctions for 1,22,304 houses.

FACTFILE – Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana (PMGAY),

  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana (PMGAY), previously Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), is a social welfare flagship programme, created by the Indian Government, to provide housing for the rural poor in India. A similar scheme for urban poor was launched in 2015 as Housing for All by 2022.
  • Indira Awaas Yojana was launched in 1985 by Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, as one of the major flagship programs of the Ministry of Rural Development to construct houses for BPL population in the villages.
  • Modern technology like information communication and space technology are being used to make sure the accurate selection of beneficiaries.
  • PMGAY combines all of the following schemes together – Aadhaar platform, Skill India and Jan Dhan Yojana, and Make in India. Besides this, the government is also planning to deploy MGNREGA scheme to train and allocate labour
  • The Swachh Bharat and MGNREGA amongst other institutions funded totilets for the PMGAY scheme.
  • 1 crore pucca houses are to be constructed for the people of the rural areas in the next three years.
  • Totally, 4 crore households will be constructed under the PMAY-G scheme by the year 2022
  • The estimated total expenditure of PMAY-G is Rs.60,000 crore.
The New Consumer Protection Bill, 2019 passed in Parliament
  • The new Consumer Protection Bill, 2019 proposes penalty for celebrities endorsing false or misleading advertisements of a product, along the manufacturers of the products.
  • The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha and was already approved by the Lok Sabha earlier. It will replace the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
  • A Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) will be set up to protect, promote and enforce consumer rights, under the Bill.
  • The CCPA will have an investigation wing headed by a Director General to inquire into violations of consumer rights and for imposing penalties.
  • The CCPA can impose a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh on celebrity endorsers and manufacturers for a false or misleading advertisement under Clause 21.
  • The authority can also order imprisonment of up to two years for false advertising.
  • In case of a repeat offence, the authority can impose a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh and a jail term of up to five years.
  • Endorsers can be barred from promoting advertisements for up to a year, extending up to three years for repeat offenders.
  • The Bill defines “endorsement”, as any message, verbal statement, demonstration or depiction of the name, signature of an individual.
  • Endorsement can also be a depiction of the name or seal of any institution or organisation, which makes the consumer to believe that it reflects the opinion, finding or experience of the person making such endorsement.
RBI slashes lending rate by 35 base points to 5.40 %
  • The Reserve Bank of India reduced its key lending rates by 35 basis points, the RBI’s monetary policy committee (MPC) in its third policy review of the current fiscal reduced the repo, or short term lending rate for commercial banks, by 35 basis points to 5.40 per cent from 5.75 per cent.
  • The reverse repo rate was revised to 5.15 per cent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate to 5.65 per cent.
  • On growth, the MPC reduced the growth forecast to 6.9 per cent from 7 per cent in FY2019-20.
  • The GDP growth for the first quarter of FY2020-21 is projected at 7.4 per cent.
  • Real GDP growth for 2019-20 is revised downwards from 7 per cent in the June policy to 6.9 per cent — in the range of 5.8-6.6 per cent for H1:2019-20 and 7.3-7.5 per cent for H2 – with risks somewhat tilted to the downside.
Rajasthan launches new higher education model
  • A new higher education model has been launched in Rajasthan for distribution of faculties and movable assets among the government colleges at the district level to rationalise the availability of resources.
  • Minister of State for Higher Education Bhanwar Singh Bhati inaugurated the model, titled Resource Assistance for Colleges with Excellence, in the presence of principals of colleges.
  • The colleges in need will submit their requirement to the nodal college in the district, which will send the teachers on deputation, if needed, and provide the facilities such as projectors, digital libraries, equipment and technicians
  • The model will help the colleges situated in small towns facing shortage of faculties and infrastructure.
  • Though the sanctioned posts of teachers in the government colleges are 6,500, the State at present falls short by about 2,000 teachers.
  • Until the additional posts are created and new appointments made, the RACE is expected to help channelise resources and ensure quality education.

August 09, 2019

Guwahati slips to 81st spot from 26th spot in Smart Cities list
  • The delay in starting the major projects under the Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL), has made Guwahati slump from the 26th position to the 81st in the list of smart cities in the last three years.
  • High officials of GSCL said that at the initial stage they had proposed some major projects like pan city, development of the Borsola Beel, development of the Bharalu river, development of the Deepor Beel, development of the Morabharalu river, development of the Brahmaputra riverfront, installation of smart bio-toilets and water ATMs, refurbishment of the Gandhi Mandap, etc.
  • But due to various technical reasons and delay caused by dragging official formalities, the GSCL could not start most of these projects except installation of bio-toilets and water ATMs along with refurbishment of the Gandhi Mandap.
  • Due to some technical reasons, the GSCL has handed over the Deepor Beel Development Project to the forest department. The forest department is yet to take any step to implement the project.
  • The GSCL is going to start developing the Brahmaputra riverfront and the pan city project soon. They have already obtained ‘no objection certificates’ from most of the line departments for these two projects and the work will start soon.
  • Under the Brahmaputra riverfront development project the GSCL will prepare a master landscape design for a 6-km stretch of the riverfront for development of a walkway, cycle track, jogging track, smart city pavilions, etc. It will also take bank protection measures along with various infrastructural works like development of viewpoint, water stairs, fountains, interactive pond, ramps, stairs, jetty, ferry terminals, kiosks, bridges over outflow structures, etc.
Delhi Cabinet approves Free wifi Hotspot in the Capital
  • The Delhi cabinet approved free WiFi hotspots across the national capital, there will be 11,000 hotspots all over the city.
  • A total of 4,000 hotspots will be installed at bus shelters and 7,000 in various colonies. Each of the 70 Assembly constituency will get 100 hotspots
  • The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore, will be on ground in three-four months.
  • Each user will get 15 gb limit per month.
  • About 200 users can use the hotspots simultaneously having a speed of 200 mbps in a radius of 50 meters.
  • The free WiFi will be an addition to what people are already getting from the telecom companies.
Indian firm develops MedGeneome Labs test to detect drug-resistant TB mutation
  • Genetic diagnostic and drug discovery research firm MedGeneome Labs claimed to have developed the first whole genomic sequencing-based test to detect early drug-resistant mutation in tuberculosis (TB) bacteria.
  • The breakthrough DNA test will enable a doctor to correctly prescribe the most effective drug to a TB patient without a time-consuming trial and error process.
  • The test is based on the whole genome sequencing of mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the TB causing bacteria, to assess the mutations in bacteria”s genome and allows a clinician to determine which drug will work for a patient.
  • The conventional tests available in the country equip us to identify resistance in a limited fashion. Mtb (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) is slow-growing, taking 6-8 weeks for culture growth, thereby delaying not only TB diagnosis, but also the drug resistance testing.
  • Spit sequence is a culture-free method to identify Mtb and predict drug resistance in 10 days.
IIT-M, NIOT working on generating power from ocean waves
  • Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) are working towards developing better turbines that can harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity.
  • The research is being headed at IIT-M by Dr Abdus Samad, Associate Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, who works towards extracting energy from the ocean waves.
  • The recent research by IIT-M and NIOT, is being funded by Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, and focuses on improving the devices and machines used for wave energy harvesting.
  • The challenges to realising practical wave energy have been that while waves harbour copious energy, they are also unsteady and the ocean has unpredictable forces acting on the energy devices.
  • Efficient recovery of energy from waves hinges on improving the performance of devices that convert inconsistent wave movement to electricity.
  • The aerodynamic performance of the turbine plays a major role in the wave-to-wire conversion efficiency.
  • The turbine is the heart of the wave energy system and a huge amount of research works are done through fluid dynamic analysis, experimental system development, design, and tests.

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August 10, 2019

Indo-Bangla talks on NE connectivity with Chittagong
  • India and Bangladesh held preliminary discussions on the proposed new connectivity between the North Eastern States and the port city of Chittagong in Bangladesh.
  • The discussions took place during the delegation-level meeting held between Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and visiting Bangladesh minister Nurul Islam Sujan at the Rail Bhavan.
  • India and Bangladesh have decided to enhance railway connectivity between the two neighbours.
  • The Railway Minister announced that the frequency of the Kolkata-Dhaka Moitree Express and the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express would be increased to meet growing demand of passengers from both countries.
  • On the proposed connectivity between the North East and Chittagong, the details would be firmed up during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi when the former is expected to visit India in October.
  • India and Bangladesh are in the process of laying a new railway line connecting Tripura and Bangladesh. Work had already started on the 45-km rail link between Agartala and Akhaura, a sub-district of Chittagong.
Two wildlife reserves near Mumbai declared as ‘Eco-Sensitive Zone’
  • The Centre has declared two wildlife sanctuaries near Mumbai as ”Eco-Sensitive Zone”(ESZ), according to Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar.
  • There are 11 more such ESZs in Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh,
  • The two wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra are Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWLS) and Tansa Wildlife Santuary (TWS), both lush green areas spread across several hundred square kms in Palghar and Thane districts adjoining Mumbai.
  • They also serve as the catchment areas for lakes and reservoirs supplying drinking water to the country”s commercial capital.
  • The total protected area of the TWLS is around 86 sq km and will have the ESZ of 67 sq km.
  • For the TWS, the total protected area would be around 305 sq kms with the ESZ of around 490 sq km which will also include 150 villages.
  • Both the TWLS and TWS are ranked as major habitats for several wildlife, including leopards.
  • Declaring an ESZ, or a buffer zone, around a wildlife reserve would help conserve the ecosystem since only agriculture, a few small scale industries and minor infra-works are permitted within the ESZ.
UP Govt plants 22 crore saplings in a day
  • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a massive plantation drive by planting a sapling in Jaiti Khera village of Lucknow. The state government plans to create a world record by planting 22 crore saplings in a day.
  • The Chief Minister said that next year, the state would set a target of planting 25 crore saplings in a day.
  • He asked the forest officials to identify the trees that are over 100-year-old and take steps to preserve them as heritage trees.
  • A sum of Rs 100 crore had been provided from the Chief Minister”s Contingency Fund for the plantation drive, under which saplings planted have been geotagged to ensure monitoring of their growth.

August 11, 2019

J&K Re-organisation Act gets President”s approval
  • President Ram Nath Kovind gave his approval to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was passed by the Parliament.
  • Notwithstanding the controversy, the Bill was passed in the Parliament with the Lok Sabha giving its nod after a little over seven hours discussion. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha earlier.

FACTFILE – Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

  • The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 is an act of the Parliament of India. It contains provisions to reconstitute the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, a part of the larger region of Kashmir, which has been the subject of dispute among India, Pakistan, and China since 1947, into two Indian-administered union territories, one to be called Jammu and Kashmir, and the other Ladakh, on 31 October 2019.
  • The introduction of the bill was preceded by a Presidential Order under the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which superseded the 1954 Presidential Order.
  • A bill for the act was introduced by the Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah, in the Rajya Sabha, on 5 August 2019. The bill was passed in Rajya Sabha the same day and was passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 August 2019.
  • The introduction of the bill was preceded by a presidential order under Article 370 of the Indian constitution that revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Jharkhand govt launches direct money transfer scheme for small farmers
  • Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the Jharkhand government’s ‘Mukhya Mantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana’ under which money will be directly transferred into the bank accounts of farmers in the state
  • Under the scheme, beneficiaries having farm land of less than one acre to five acres, will get 5,000 to 25,000 rupees in their bank accounts.
  • As soon as Mr Naidu launched the scheme, money was transferred into the bank accounts of farmers, and some them showed their mobile phones with the money transfer message to the vice-president.
  • Mr Naidu said conservation of rainwater should be made people’s movement and hoped that farmers will use traditional method to help conserve ground water.
  • Praising the Centre and the state government’s efforts in protecting the interests of farmers, Mr Naidu stressed on the importance of developing village and recalled the efforts made by him when he was the Union Rural Development minister.
    Under the Mukhya Mantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana, approximately 35 lakh farmers will benefit and by October 3,000 crore rupees will be sent in the accounts of the beneficiaries.
TCIL signs MoUs with Benin, Guinea
  • Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd, a PSU under Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, has entered into a strategic alliance with the African countries of Benin and the Republic of Guinea, as part of a larger pan-African e-network project on education and medicine.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by President Ram Nath Kovind during the first ever state visit from India to Benin, Gambia and Guinea.
  • The MoU is for setting up of the e-VBAB Network as part of a larger pan African e-network project on education and medicine. The e-VBAB is e-vidhyabharti and e-arogyabharti (e-VBAB) network.
  • TCIL will, initially, extend free tele-education courses to about 15,000 African students and tele-medicine courses to 5,000 doctors and paramedics in Africa, which may be extended more on a self-sustainable model later after looking at its success.
  • The PAN African e-network project has been now renamed as e-Vidya Bharati and e-Arogya Bharati (e-VBAB) Network Project.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs has initially proposed to start a pilot project with 14 African countries namely Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Liberia, Benin, Republic of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Sudan. TCIL has initially signed an MoU with two countries — Benin and The Republic of Guinea – during the President’s recent visit to West Africa.
 

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August 12, 2019

Government signs peace pact with Tripura terror outfit National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT)
  • A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed in New Delhi between the Central and Tripura governments and National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) facilitating to surrender of 88 terrorists of the banned outfit.
  • After the signing of the MoS, the NLFT (SD) representatives called on Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
  • the MoS was signed by Union Home Ministry’s Joint Secretary (North-East) Satyendra Garg, Tripura government’s Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Kumar Alok and Sabir Kumar Debbarma and Kajal Debbarma on behalf of the NLFT (SD faction). 
  • NLFT (SD faction) has agreed to abjure the path of violence, join the mainstream and abide by the Indian Constitution.
  • It was agreed that the 88 NLFT cadres would surrender soon with their arms and ammunition.
  • The government also told the NLFT (SD) leaders that surrendered members of the outfit would be given surrender benefits as per the Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme, 2018 of the Union Home Ministry. 

FACTFILE – National Liberation Front of Tripura

  • The National Liberation Front of Tripura (abbreviated NLFT) is a Tripuri nationalist militant organisation based in Tripura, India. It has an estimated 550 to 850 members.
  • The NLFT seeks to secede from India and establish an independent Tripuri state, and is an active participant in the Insurgency in Northeast India.
  • The NLFT is currently designated as a terrorist organisation in India.
  • T he Baptist Church of Tripura was initially set up by missionaries from New Zealand in the 1940s. Despite their efforts, even until the 1980s, only a few thousand people in Tripura had converted to Christianity. In the aftermath of one of the worst ethnic riots, the NLFT was born in 1989 with the backing of the Baptist Church of Tripura.

FACTIFLE – Tripura Peace Accord

  • Tripura Peace Accord is the tripartite accord signed-in on 10 August 2019 by the Government of India, Government of Tripura and the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) to end the insurgency.
  • The tripartite memorandum of understanding was signed by Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary (Northeast) of Ministry of Home Affairs, Kumar Alok, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Tripura and Sabir Kumar Debbarma and Kajal Debbarma of NLFT.
Two crore farmers to be enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana
  • The CSC e-Governance Services India, which manages over 3.5 lakh common service centres across the country, has set a target of enrolling 2 crore small and marginal farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan-Dhan Yojana by August 15.
  • The PM-KMY was launched by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh which entitles eligible farmers for monthly pension of Rs 3,000 per month.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has roped in CSC, a special purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, as exclusive “enrolling agency” for enrollment of subscribers.
  • Any eligible farmer who wants to join the scheme can visit his nearest CSC along with his Aadhaar card and bank passbook or account details.
  • Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who manage CSCs, will complete online registration process after taking all relevant details of farmers.
  • After the authentication process is completed, the enrolled farmer will be informed and his PM-KMY Pension Card with a unique Pension Account Number will be generated.
  • The scheme is being implemented across the country, including Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Farmers holding up to 2 hectare farm land will be eligible for the PM-KMY scheme.
GRSE launches 5th Fast Patrol Vessel for coast guard
  • The fifth and last Fast Patrol Vessel for the Indian Coast Guard was launched at the Raja Bagan Dockyard Unit of premier warship maker Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
  • Inspector General Rajan Bargotra, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) and others senior GRSE and ICG Officials graced the occasion.
  • The ship – 50M long, 7.5 M wide and with a displacement of around 308 Tons – has a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles.
  • The FPVs come with an efficient hull form developed in-house and proven after extensive model testing.
  • The FPV designs, which are exclusive to GRSE are an improvisation on the Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) built by the defence PSU for the Indian Coast Guard in 2013.
  • The fuel- efficient and powerful platforms are well suited for patrolling, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and rescue operations.

August 13, 2019

‘Bulbul Can Sing’ wins Rajat Kamal Award at the National Film Award
  • ‘Bulbul Can Sing’ by renowned director Rima Das has won the National Film Award and has been declared the best Assamese film. The 66th National Film Awards were announced by chairperson, feature film category Rahul Rawail, chairperson, non-feature film category, AS Kanal, and chairperson, best writing on cinema Utpal Borpujari.
  • Gujarati film Hellaro was declared the best feature film, while Badhai Ho bagged the award for best popular film providing wholesome entertainment. Hindi movie Padman was declared best film on social issues, while Kannada film Ondalla Eradalla got Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.
  • Ayushman Khurana and Vicky Kaushal jointly won the best actor award for their performances in Andhadhun and Uri: The Surgical Strike
  • Keerthy Suresh was declared winner of the best actress trophy for her performance in Telugu movie Mahanati.
  • Aditya Dhar won the best director award for Uri: The Surgical Strike.
  • Marathi movie Naal received the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director.
  • Rima Das of Village Rockstar fame won the Rajat Kamal Award, which carries a prize money of Rs 1 lakh. Produced by Flying River Films, the film was awarded for capturing the trials, tribulations and aspirations of a group of teenagers in rural Assamese backdrop.
  • The Land of Poison Women directed by Manju Bora and produced by Aaas Productions also won Rajat Kamal Award for depiction of an individual’s effort to break the myth of “poison women” in a remote part of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Bobby Sarma Baruah was awarded the Rajat Kamal for Best Sherdukpan Film for the film Mishing, which was produced by BB Entertainment Trade Private Limited.
  • Ma’ama directed by Dominic Sangma and produced by Anna Films was adjudged the best Garo film.

FACTFILE – National Film Awards

  • The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremonies in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government’s Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.
  • Every year, a national panel appointed by the government selects the winning entry, and the award ceremony is held in New Delhi, where the President of India presents the awards. This is followed by the inauguration of the National Film Festival, where the award-winning films are screened for the public.
  • Declared for films produced in the previous year across the country, they hold the distinction of awarding merit to the best of Indian cinema overall, as well as presenting awards for the best films in each region and language of the country. Due to the national scale of the National Film Awards, it is considered the Indian equivalent of the American Academy Awards.
Goa CM signs MoU for business ties with Russian province
  • Chief Minister Pramod Sawant signed and exchanged a memorandum of understanding for business cooperation with Governor of Russian province of Kamchatka, Vladimir Ilyukhin, at Vladivostok, Russia.
  • Sawant is in Russia, as part of a 150-member-strong Indian delegation led by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, which includes Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
  • Russia, chaired a sectoral session on minerals, metals, rare-earths and fisheries with business representatives of India and Russia.
  • Goa is one of the favourite beach tourism destinations for Russian tourists, near a lakh of who visit the state every year.
World’s largest water pump house begins operation in Telangana
  • Lakshmipur pump house, a key component of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) and claimed to be the world’s largest pump house, has successfully commenced operations in Telangana.
  • Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) unveiled Laximpur Underground Pumping Station (LUPS), also called as the Package 8 of the mega project across the Godavari river.
  • Around 3,000 cusecs of water was lifted to a height of 111 meters and flown into Mid-Manair reservoir through the gravity canal.
  • LUPS would enable live storage of water in reservoirs throughout the year in the Godavari river belt.
  • MEIL described the pump house as outstanding engineering marvel as it is the world’s largest underground pumping station constructed at 470 feet below the earth’s surface.
  • Billed as the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, Kaleshwaram was formally inaugurated in June.
  • It is designed to irrigate 45 lakh acres for two crops in a year, meet drinking water requirement of 70 per cent of the state and also cater to the needs of industry.
Reliance jio in long-term strategic partnership partners with Microsoft
  • Reliance Jio has announced a long-term strategic partnership with Microsoft. The two companies working together on a number of solutions comprising connectivity, computing, storage solutions, and other technology services and applications essential for Indian businesses.
  • Microsoft will be working with Jio to give a push to data analytics, AI (Artificial Intelligence), cognitive services, blockchain, Internet of Things, and edge computing among small and medium enterprises to make them ready to compete and grow, at the same time help in the GDP growth in India.

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August 07, 2019

North East Startup and Craft Fair gets under way
  • The North East Startup and Craft Fair-2019 organised by NEDFi at the newly constructed NEDFi Haat at Rupnagar, was inaugurated by Dr Inder Jit Singh, Secretary, Ministry of DoNER.
  • The fair has a total of 54 participants out of which 27 are startups. Seven participating startups have been funded by NEDFi. With varieties of tea stealing the show at national and international exhibitions, the NEDFi event has white tea from Nagaland and white and purple tea from Barpathar in Karbi Anglong on offer.
  • The state-specific products include sun-dried roselle, non-fermented bamboo shoots, sun-dried Mizo lomba flower, hatkora candy, zinger drink and roasted inca seeds of Mizoram. Sikkim has brought yacon syrup, organic buckwheat, beaten rice and organic pulses.
  • Assam’s startups and food processing units have brought purple tea, green tea, orthodox tea, passion fruit squash, pickles, king chilli sauce, lemon juice, orange juice, exotic variety rice, mustard oil, etc.
  • Dried and smoked chicken and pork pickle are on offer for foodies at the Manipuri stalls along with vegetarian and non-vegetarian ground spices, dry fish, black rice, etc.
  • The Nagaland stalls are offering ginger powder, white tea, dried cardamom, fruit candies of pineapple, wild apple and gooseberry. Meghalaya has brought turmeric latte brand, red sticky rice, lakadong turmeric powder, coffee and black pepper.
  • The craft section has masks from Majuli, wrap-around dresses from Nagaland, Arunachal, Mizoram and Manipur, tribal jewellery from Arunachal and Nagaland, black pottery and kauna craft from Manipur and other traditional attire and handicraft from the eight NE states.
Government issues scheme for PSBS purchase of pooled assets of NBFCS
  • The Government has issued a scheme regarding partial credit guarantee, The Scheme would enable the public sector banks (PSBs) to purchase pooled assets of financially sound NBFCs amounting to Rs.One lakh crore.
  • It is expected that this measure would provide liquidity to the NBFC Sector and, in turn, enable them to continue to play their role in meeting the financing requirements of the productive sectors of economy including MSME, retail and housing.
  • The scheme has been named as ‘Partial Credit Guarantee offered by Government of India (GoI) to Public Sector Banks (PSBs) for purchasing high-rated pooled assets from financially sound Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)/Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)’.
  • The aim of the scheme is to address temporary asset liability mismatches of otherwise solvent NBFCs/HFCs without having to resort to distress sale of their assets for meeting their commitments.
  • The window for one-time partial credit guarantee offered by GoI will open from the date of issuance of the Scheme by the Government for a period of six months, or till such date by which Rupees One lakh crore assets get purchased by banks, whichever is earlier.
All India Radio to train students in English
  • The All India Radio (AIR) will now help students brush up their English speaking skill. From September 1 “Aao Angrezi Seekhein (Come lets learn English)” will be on air from 11 a.m. onwards on all working days.
  • The joint project by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Uttar Pradesh government and the UN International Children”s Fund (UNICEF) will include a total of 120 episodes of 15 minutes each that would be broadcast for the 2019-20 academic session.
  • The pilot project will be launched from the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) where students of Class 5 to 8 of and junior high schools will take their English lessons by listening to the radio programme.
  • The programme will guide students on how to use English language in daily conversation and also stress on pronunciation of words.
  • The teachers have been directed to note down the highlights of each episode in a register and revise the lesson with students.
  • The programme is meant to improve their English speaking skill just by listening. Students will not be required to do any writing work.

FACTFILE – All India Radio (AIR)

  • All India Radio (AIR), officially known since 1956 as Akashvani, is the national public radio broadcaster of India and is a division of Prasar Bharati.
  • It was established in 1936 It is the sister service of Prasar Bharati’s Doordarshan, an Indian television broadcaster.
  • Headquartered in the Akashvani Bhavan building in New Delhi, it houses the Drama Section, the FM Section, the National Service, and is also home to the Indian television station Doordarshan Kendra, (Delhi).
  • All India Radio is the largest radio network in the world, and one of the largest broadcasting organizations in the world in terms of the number of languages broadcast and the spectrum of socio-economic and cultural diversity it serves.
  • AIR’s home service comprises 420 stations located across the country, reaching nearly 92% of the country’s area and 99.19% of the total population. AIR originates programming in 23 languages and 179 dialects.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee opens World’s 1st museum on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Inaugurated the world”s first museum dedicated to the life and teachings of 16th century saint and social reformer Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
  • The Gaudiya Mission, a spiritual and philanthropic organisation established in 1935, propagates the teachings of Sri Chaitanya and the Vaishnava faith. It has many centres in India and temples in London and New York.
  • The museum is a three-storey structure built on an area of approximately 1,350 square metres and includes galleries, public utility areas and a library.
  • Each floor is dedicated to different phases of the saint”s life starting from his birth, his marriage with Vishupria, journey throughout the country up to the period after he attained ”Sanyasa” (sainthood).
  • Life-size models, 3D films, audio tracks and animatronics will ensure maximum engagement of the visitors.
  • The museum has been designed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM).

BIOGRAPHY – Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

  • Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was a Bengali Hindu mystic, saint, and the chief proponent of the Achintya Bheda Vedanta school and the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism.
  • He also expounded the Vaishnava school of Bhakti yoga, based on Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita.
  • Of various forms and direct or indirect expansions of Krishna such as Lord Narasimha, Mahavishnu and Garbhodaksayi Vishnu respectively, he is Krishna in the mood of a devotee.
  • He popularised the chanting of the ‘Hare Krishna mantra’ and composed the Siksastakam (eight devotional prayers) in Sanskrit.
  • His followers, Gaudiya Vaishnavas, revere him as a Krishna with the mood and complexion of his source of inspiration Radha.
  • His birthday is celebrated as Gaura-purnima.
  • Chaitanya is sometimes referred to by the names Gauranga or Gaura due to his fair complexion, and Nimai due to his being born underneath a Neem tree.

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Assam Current Affairs – August 01 – 07, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – August 1 - 7, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of August 1 – 7, 2019 )

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August 01, 2019

Aminul Laskar elected as the Deputy Speaker of Assam Assembly
  • BJP legislator from Sonai constituency Aminul Haque Laskar was today elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly.Laskarwas the lone candidate for the post and he was elected unopposed.
  • Assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami declared Laskar elected during today’s session of the House.
  • After the announcement, senior leaders, including Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and other ministers as well as MLAs belonging to both the treasury benches and the Opposition, escorted Laskar to his chair, amidst thumping of desk.
  • Extending his felicitations, Goswami exuded confidence that the newly elected Deputy Speaker will fulfil his role and responsibilities with dedication, and by taking into confidence everyone in the House.
  • Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said he and members of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) are happy at Laskar’s elevation to the post of Deputy Speaker and assured all cooperation in the running of the House.

FACTFILE – Assam Legislative Assembly

  • The Assam Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of the Indian state of Assam.
  • It is housed in Dispur, the capital of Assam, geographically situated in present Western Assam region.
  • The Legislative Assembly comprises 126 Members of Legislative Assembly, directly elected from single-seat constituencies. Its term is five years, unless sooner dissolved.
  • According to provisions of the Government of India Act 1935, a bicameral legislature of Assam province came into existence in 1937. After the Government of India Act, 1935 was passed, it paved the way for the formation of Assam Legislative Assembly, and became a bicameral legislature.
Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 passed in Rajya Saba
  • The Rajya Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to improve road safety, raise penalties for traffic violations, curb RTO (Regional Transport Office) corruption and other measures to transform the transport sector.
  • Under the amendments, the minimum penalty for driving without licence has been increased to Rs 5,000 from Rs 500 while the fine for driving despite disqualification has been increased to Rs 10,000.
  • Also, driving without wearing a helmet will attract a penalty of Rs 1,000.
  • A new provision has been added to the Bill with regard to underage drivers under which the guardians or vehicle owners shall be held guilty in case of an offence by a juvenile.
  • A fine of Rs 25,000 with three years imprisonment will be imposed and the juvenile will be tried under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act while the registration of the vehicle will be cancelled.
  • Over speeding will now attract a fine of Rs 1,000 for light motor vehicle and Rs 2,000 for medium passenger vehicle while not wearing seat belt will cost Rs 1,000.
  • Fine of Rs 10,000 for not providing passage to emergency vehicles.
  • The Bill also provides for a National Road Safety Board, to be created by the Central government through a notification.
  • The Board will advise the Central and state governments on all aspects of road safety and traffic management, including standards of motor vehicles, registration and licensing of vehicles, standards for road safety and promotion of new vehicle technology.
  • The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is based on the recommendations of the Group of Transport Ministers (GoM) of states constituted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to address the issue of road safety and to improve the facilitation of the citizens while dealing with transport departments.
Lok Sabha passes Bill for adjudication of river water rows
  • Bill to streamline the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes and make the present legal and institutional architecture robust was on Wednesday passed in the Lok Sabha.
  • The draft legislation proposed to introduce a mechanism to resolve the water disputes amicably by negotiations through a Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC).
  • The DRC would be established by the Centre consisting of experts from relevant fields before the water dispute was referred to the Tribunal.
  • The Bill seeks amendment to the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 considering the increase in demand for water by the states and that inter-state river water disputes were on the rise.
  • The Bill seeks to provide for a single standing Tribunal (with multiple benches) instead of multiple Tribunals, which shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and not more than six members (three judicial and three experts).
  • The term of office of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be five years or till they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
  • It is proposed that the assessors, who provide technical support to the Tribunal, shall be appointed from amongst experts serving in the Central Water Engineering Service not below the rank of Chief Engineer.
  • The total time period for adjudication of a water dispute has been fixed at a maximum of four and a half years.
  • The decision of the Bench of the Tribunal shall be final and binding on the states concerned.
Cabinet approves new subsidy rates for fertilizers
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved subsidy rates for P&K (phosphatic and potassic) fertilizers for the year 2019-20.
  • The subsidy rates for nitrogen will be Rs 18.90 per kg, Rs 15.21 per kg for phosphorus, Rs 11.12 per kg for potash and Rs 3.56 per kg for sulphur.
  • The expected expenditure for release of subsidy on P&K fertilizers during 2019-20 will be Rs 22,875.50 crore.
  • This will enable the manufacturers and importers to formalize supply contracts for fertilizers and fertilizer inputs and make fertilizers available to the farmers.

August 02, 2019

Centre releases Rs 191 crore, State Govt Rs 189 crore to implement Guwahati Smart city
  • The Central government has till now released Rs 191 crore to implement the Guwahati Smart City Project, while another Rs 189 crore has been released by the State government.
  • Various projects have been taken up with funds allotted by the Centre and the State government and these include beautification of Gandhi Mandap, setting up of 30 smart bio-toilets and 20 water ATMs and project management consultancy, among other activities.
  • The West Guwahati Water Supply Project implemented by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), is progressing at a fast pace and over 95 per cent work has been completed.
  • The South East Guwahati Water Supply Project is targeted for completion by 2023.
  • The JICA-funded water supply scheme has witnessed progress of 56 per cent so far and steps have been taken to complete it by 2020.
  • GMDA is also undertaking work on cleaning and dredging of water bodies like Silsako, Bondajan, Pamohi river and Borsola Beel to increase their water retaining capacity.
  • Work has been completed on clearing and widening of the Pamohi river and the drain along the National Highway 37 from ISBT to ensure passage of excess water of the Basistha and Mora Bharalu rivers to the Deepor Beel.

The Arbitration and Conciliation Amendment Bill passed in Lok Shaba

  • A Bill seeking to make India a hub of arbitration for settling commercial disputes in a shorter period of time was passed in the Lok Sabha.
  • The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, moved by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for passage, seeks to set up the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) for creating an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalized arbitration.
  • The Bill seeks to amend section 11 of the Act relating to “Appointment of Arbitrators” so as to change the present system of appointment of arbitrators by the Supreme Court or the High Court, to a system where the arbitrators shall be appointed by the “arbitral institutions” designated by the Supreme Court or the High Court.
  • Government’s move to amend the earlier law on the alternative dispute resolution mechanism is aimed at making India a major arbitration centre in the world on the lines of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) among others.
  • The draft legislation provides for establishing an independent body to lay down standards for timely and cost-effective disposal of cases and eventually improving ease-of-doing business.
  • The proposed law provides for setting up of an independent Arbitration Council of India (ACI) to frame arbitral institutions and grade arbitrators.
President Kovind gives assent to multiple Bills
  • President Ram Nath Kovind has given his nod to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 that abolishes the practice of instant Triple Talaq. 
  • The law comes into force retrospectively from 19th September 2018. A Gazette Notification to this effect was issued.
  • The bill seeks to declare the practice of instant Triple Talaq as void and illegal and makes it a cognizable offence. 
  • It also provides allowance to women victims and their dependent children. The offence is made compoundable with the permission of the Magistrate at the instance of the married Muslim woman upon whom talaq is pronounced
  • President Ram Nath Kovind has also given his assent to the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
  • The Bill seeks to amend the Companies Act, 2013. It aims to tighten Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR compliance, transfer certain responsibilities to National Company Law Tribunal and recategorise certain offences as civil offences. 
  • President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill 2019. The law comes into force retrospectively from 21st February, 2019.
  • The bill seeks to provide for a comprehensive mechanism to ban the unregulated deposit schemes other than deposits taken in the ordinary course of businesses and to protect the interest of depositors.
  • It will work as a crackdown on Ponzi schemes and will help protect the interests of poor people and their hard-earned money. Depositors have been given a top priority in the bill.
  • The bill also proposes adequate provisions for repayment of deposits in cases where such schemes nonetheless manage to raise deposits illegally. 
Scientists create new technique to 3D print heart scaffold
  • Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University used soft and living materials to create a biological scaffold, making a step closer to being able to 3D print a full-sized, adult human heart.
  • The study reported the first-of-its-kind technique that could print tissue scaffolds out of a major structural protein in the human body.
  • Human organs like the heart are built from specialised cells that are held together by a scaffold called the extracellular matrix (ECM).
  • It has not been possible until now to rebuild the complex ECM using traditional methods.
  • The technique called FRESH can print pieces of the heart out of collagen and cells into truly functional parts like a heart valve or a small beating ventricle.
  • The collagen is a desirable 3D-printing biomaterial since it makes up literally every single tissue in human body. But it starts out as a fluid and tends to deform during printing.
  • The FRESH technique allows collagen to be deposited layer-by-layer within a support bath of gel, so that the collagen could solidify in place before being removed from the gel.
  • Then, the support gel would be melted away by heating from room temperature to body temperature without damaging the printed structure.
  • The FRESH is a robust and adaptable tissue engineering platform since a wide range of other soft gels including fibrin, alginate, and hyaluronic acid can be used.

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August 03, 2019

North East gets 49 projects worth Rs 1,232 crore
  • The Centre has sanctioned 49 development projects worth Rs 1,232 crore for the northeastern region in the first 50 days of the Modi government.
  • The projects include construction and renovation of roads, bridges and upgrading of tourist spots. The Ministry of Development of North-East Region (DoNER) has sanctioned 49 projects worth Rs 1,232 crore in the first 50 days of Narendra Modi government’s second term which began on May 30.
  • While eight new projects have been sanctioned for Rs 586.3 crore under the North East Road Sector Development Scheme (NERSDS) and the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS), some other projects are upgrade of the AT Road from Tsusangra to Input Junction (26 km) with three bridges, Tenning-Lekie Road (37 km) in Nagaland, and the Dikhow Bridge-Amguri road leading to Nagaland.
  • Upgrade of the Tuensang- Longleng road in Nagaland, construction of the Mukroh-Umspar road linking Jrikyndeng in Meghalaya, improvement of eco-tourism centre connectivity from Amarpur (Fatiksagar) to Chabimura in Tripura, improvement of Gandacherra-Raishyabari road for easy access for the tourists from Dhalai to Narikel Kunja Island in Tripura are also part of the projects.
  • In addition, 36 ongoing projects under various schemes like the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme, special packages and schemes of the North Eastern Council were completed at an approved cost of Rs 529.18 crore.

FACTFILE – Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

  • The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region is a Government of India ministry, established in September 2001, which functions as the nodal Department of the Central Government to deal with matters related to the socio-economic development of the eight States of Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
  • It acts as a facilitator between the Central Ministries/ Departments and the State Governments of the North Eastern Region in the economic development including removal of infrastructural bottlenecks, provision of basic minimum services, creating an environment for private investment and to remove impediments to lasting peace and security in the North Eastern Region.
  • Jitendra Singh is the current Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (Minister of state, Independent Charge).
Indian, Chinese soldiers mark 92nd year of PLA
  • Defence personnel from India and China gathered at Nathu La, Damai, Bumla and other places along the Line of Actual Control to mark the 92nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
  • Special border personnel gathering between India and China, was held at Nathu La (Sikkim), Damai, Bumla (both Arunachal Pradesh) and other places along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to celebrate the 92nd anniversary of PLA foundation day.
  • The PLA troops interacted with the visiting Indian delegation and presented a cultural programme comprising of several events to celebrate the occasion.
  • As a gesture of goodwill, the Indian side also reciprocated with traditional cultural performances to mark the occasion.
  • The LAC with China traverses the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

FACTFILE – Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

  • The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and of its founding and ruling political party, the Communist Party of China (CPC).
  • The PLA consists of five professional service branches: the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and the Strategic Support Force. Units around the country are assigned to one of five theater commands by geographical location.
  • The PLA is the world’s largest military force and constitutes the second largest defence budget in the world. China is one of the fastest modernising military powers in the world and has been termed as a potential military superpower, with significant regional defense and rising global power projection capabilities.
  • As per Credit Suisse, the PLA is the world’s third-most powerful military.
  • The PLA is under the command of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the CPC. It is legally obliged to follow the principle of civilian control of the military, although in practical terms this principle has been implemented in such a way as to ensure the PLA is under the absolute control of the Communist Party.
  • Its commander in chief is the Chairman of the Central Military Commission (usually the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China).
Parliament approves bill to scrap 58 obsolete laws
  • Parliament passed a bill to repeal 58 old central laws which the government said has been done to achieve maximum governance. The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2019 was passed by the Rajya Sabha through voice vote.
  • Moving the bill in the Upper House, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said government has decided to get rid of redundant and absolute laws. A committee has identified 1824 old laws.
  • So far, 1,428 old and archaic central Acts have been repealed and about 75 laws — which the Centre drafted for states in view of the President rule — have also been repealed till date.
  • The current bill aims to repeal 58 old central laws, which have become “irrelevant”. This is being done to ensure minimum legislation and maximum governance.
Rajya Sabha passes UAPA Bill to tag individuals as terrorists
  • A Bill amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 that allows the government to tag individuals as terrorists was passed by the Rajya Sabha.
  • The Bill, under which the government can designate individuals as terrorists if they commit or participate in acts of terrorism, prepare for acts of terror, promote terrorism or are otherwise involved in terrorism.

August 04, 2019

Agarwood plantation to help ailing tea industry in Assam
  • After the accomplishment of the bid to commercialise the traditional Agarwood plantation and Agarwood-related trades in the State with the provision to infuse artificial inoculation of the fungus, locally known as ‘Sanchi Vecur’ (Agarwood fungus), in the immature Agarwood trees, bids are now afoot to join-up the State’s beleaguered tea industry with Agarwood plantation, so as to open up a new vista for the plantation-based economy of the State.
  • This endeavour would go a long way in providing both the tea industry and the Agarwood-based industry of the State a new direction. The economic prospect of this stitching together of the two traditional industries of the State is tremendous. This can act as a game changer for both the tea and the Agarwood sectors, they asserted.
  • Jehirul Islam, who was the brain behind the State Government’s latest Cabinet decision to accord commercial activities status to Agarwood-based industry, has been engaged in generating public awareness about the importance of Agarwood plantation and Agarwood-based industry for the past over one decade now.
  • Legally, tea estates of the State can use five per cent of their unused land for other plantation activities. So, this much of the TE land in the State could be well used for Agarwood plantation.
  • Resorting to Agarwood plantation on the fallow land, TEs would be highly benefited and since the tea industry is an organised one, its taking to Agarwood plantation is also going to help the Agarwood industry as well.Agarwood trees can also act as shade trees in tea plantations.
  • This will in the long run help the State’s economy to grow.
ISRO to build centre to protect high value Space assets
  • The Indian space agency said that the foundation stone for a centre to monitor and protect high value space assets from space debris has been laid.
  • Sivan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), laid the foundation stone for the Space Situational Awareness Control Centre in Peenya, Bengaluru.
  • Space Situational Awareness & Management (SSAM) has become an internationally significant area due to the ever growing manmade space debris population and the increased collision threat with operational spacecraft.
  • ISRO has set up a Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management aiming at protecting high valued space assets from space debris close approaches and collisions.
  • To carryout systematically all activities related to SSAM, a control centre is being established at Bengaluru.
  • The control centre would facilitate the intensified activities foreseen for SSAM, in view of the increasing debris population and operational space assets.
  • The control centre would host a range of activities pertaining to protection of Indian space assets from inactive satellites, pieces of orbiting objects, near earth asteroids and adverse space weather conditions.
  • It would assimilate the tracking data of inactive satellites from indigenous observation facilities and generate useful information from bare observations through analysis.
Parliament passes Code on Wages bill to ensure minimum wage
  • Parliament approved a bill to enable introduction of minimum wage for every worker besides addressing issues like delay in payment to employees.
  • The Code on Wages Bill, 2019 — which seeks to amend and consolidate the laws relating to wages, bonus and matters connected therewith.
  • The Bill will subsume four labour laws — Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Wages Act, Payment of Bonus Act and Equal Remuneration Act.
  • As per the bill, the tripartite committee comprising representatives of trade unions, employers and state government would fix a floor wage for workers throughout the country.
  • At present there are 12 definitions of wages in the different Labour Laws leading to litigation besides difficulty in its implementation.
  • The definition has been simplified in the Bill and is expected to reduce litigation and also reduce compliance cost for employers.
 

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August 05, 2019

Madhabilata Literary Award to Sarifa Khatoon Choudhury
  • Sarifa Khatoon Choudhury, an Assamese poet, president of the Tinsukia Zila Sahitya Sewa Mancha and retired principal of Dangari HS School, has been selected for the Madhabilata Literary Award 2017-18.
  • Atul Sharma, the managing trustee of the Madhabilata Literary Trust, said that the award will be presented to her at a special programme in October. The award carries a memento, a citation, an anga bastra and Rs 10,000 in cash.
  • The Madhabilata Literary Trust instituted this award in 2005 and since then it has been presenting the award after every two years to an eminent writer of Tinsukia district for his or her contributions to Assamese literature.
  • Authors like Robin Choudhury, Horendra Nath Borthakur, Punnya Saikia, Joykanta Gondhiya, Sushil Kumar Gogoi and Parul Sharma have received this award.

BIOGRAPHY – Khatoon Choudhury

  • Khatoon Choudhury started her poetic career during her school days. Hundreds of her poems have been published in various magazines, periodicals and newspapers of Assam and other places.
  • Three collections of her poems have also been published. She also participated in the South Asian Literary Festival held in New Delhi in 2018. A few of her poems have been translated into English.
India test-fires Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile
  • India test-fired a sophisticated all-weather and all-terrain Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) from a test range in Odisha.
  • The state-of-the-art missile has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the India Army.
  • The air defence system, QRSAM, was test-fired from a mobile truck-based launch unit at complex 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
  • The all-weather and all-terrain missile, which can be mounted on a truck and stored in a canister, is equipped with electronic counter measures against jamming by aircraft radars.
  • QRSAM uses solid-fuel propellant and has a range of 25-30 km.
  • The test flights had successfully demonstrated their aerodynamics, propulsion, structural performance and high manoeuvring capabilities.
UN team for study on transforming Assam into a skilled economy
  • Representatives from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), led by Keshav C Das, Programme Coordinator (Energy and Environment), paid a courtesy call to Dipok Kumar Barthakur, Vice Chairman of the State Innovation and Transformation Aayog (SITA), Assam
  • During the visit, the representatives made their plans known for an assessment study for transforming Assam into a skilled economy.
  • They opined that Assam needs a holistic approach to vocational education and skill development by having a defined approach for both short-term and long-term training courses to meet the objectives of the Skill India programme.
  • The representatives also sought the help of SITA in their future endeavour in organising a State-level workshop or seminar after completion of the study.
  • Discussions took place on the GIS platform for resource-based planning and computing and networking infrastructure for the State designed to integrate in alignment with the national-level GIS infrastructure.
  • GIS asset and GIS portal and applications were also discussed during the occasion.

August 06, 2019

Centre to launch Rs 3,000 crore projects in 100 days in North-East region
  • The Centre has decided to launch 200 projects worth Rs 3,000 crore in the North East in the first 100 days of the new Modi government. Keeping in mind the targeted approach for bringing the rest of India closer to the North East, an action plan has been formulated for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
  • Among the initiatives the DoNER has taken in the 100 days action plan is to sanction or start or complete or operationalise 200 projects worth about Rs 3,000 crore, which means on an average two projects for Rs 30 crore per day.
  • The Narendra Modi government has always accorded top priority to the “hitherto neglected” areas of the country – the North Eastern region being one of them. During the first five years of his term as Prime Minister, Modi undertook over 30 visits to the North East and his personal outreach put all the development activities on a fast track.
  • In the first term of the Modi government, the primary focus was not only to bring the North East closer to the rest of India, but actually to bring the rest of India closer to the North East.
  • A key project under the action plan is setting up of a bamboo industrial park at Manderdisa in Dima Hasao district in an area of 75 hectares at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
  • In addition, 36 ongoing projects under various schemes like the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) Scheme, special packages, schemes of the North Eastern Council (NEC) have been completed with approved cost of Rs 529.18 crore.
Lok Sabha Passes bill to increase number of SC judges to 33
  • Lok Sabha passed a bill which seeks to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from the present 30 to 33 with a view to reduce pendency of cases.
  • As of now, the Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 30 judges, plus the chief justice of India – 31 judges.
  • Once the bill gets parliamentary approval, its sanctioned strength will go up to 33, plus the CJI, according to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill piloted by Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Lok Sabha passes Bill to define identity of transgenders
  • A Bill seeking to empower transgenders by defining their identity and prohibition of discrimination against them was passed in the Lok Sabha.
  • The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, Minister for State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Rattan Lal Kataria said the draft legislation will benefit transgender persons and bring them into mainstream of society.
  • The Bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment in relation to education, employment, healthcare, enjoyment of goods, facilities, opportunities available to the public, right to movement, right to reside, rent, or otherwise occupy property, opportunity to hold public or private office, access to a government or private establishment in whose care or custody a transgender person is.
  • It prohibits government as well as private entities from discriminating against transgender persons in employment matters, including recruitment, and promotion and that every establishment is required to designate a person to be a complaint officer to deal with complaints in relation to the Act.
  • The Bill which also seeks facility to every transgender person to have a right to reside and be included in his household.
  • It defines a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned at birth. A transgender person may make an application to the District Magistrate for a certificate of identity, indicating the gender as ”transgender” as per the Bill.
  • A revised certificate may be obtained only if the individual undergoes surgery to change their gender either as a male or a female, the Bill defines. It states that the relevant government will take measures to ensure the full inclusion and participation of transgender persons in society.
  • It recognizes offences against transgender persons like forced or bonded labour (excluding compulsory government service for public purposes), denial of use of public places, removal from household, and village, physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic abuse. Penalties for these offences vary between six months and two years.

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August 07, 2019

IIT Guwahati builds hand-held device to detect bacteria
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati researchers have developed a low-cost, hand-held device for rapid detection of bacteria, bringing portable bacterial detection kits closer to reality.
  • This novel, low-cost diagnostic device is a biocompatible sensor that can detect bacteria without cell culture and microbiological assays.
  • The ready-to-use diagnostic tool could facilitate rapid detection and diagnosis at the point of care.
  • The researchers believe that besides being useful in a healthcare set up, the device could aid anti-bioterrorism measures and environmental monitoring applications.
  • The Organic Field Effect Transistor (OFET)-based bacterial diagnostic device has been shown to have the ability to distinguish between Gram positive and Gram negative types. The sensor detects the charges on the cell walls of bacteria.
  • Current diagnostic processes are frustratingly time-consuming, especially when time is of the essence in administering treatment.
  • While newly developed techniques such as real time qPCR can detect bacteria faster than conventional assay-based methods, they are restricted by the need for expensive apparatuses and trained personnel.
  • The current device is particularly useful for the detection of bacteria primarily for water-borne diseases. These sensors will also be useful in instantaneous detection of time-critical illnesses such as meningitis.
Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Re-organisation Bill 2019
  • Parliament passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019 and approved the resolution to abrogate the Constitution’s Article 370.
  • The Bill, which was passed by Rajya Sabha, was approved by the Lok Sabha.
  • The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with over 350 members voting in its favour.
  • Home Minister Amit Shah said as Article 370 stops Jammu and Kashmir to associating with India, it should be abolished.
  • Shah asserted that the decision has been taken for the welfare of the Valley.
President declares abrogation of provisions of Article 370
  • President Ram Nath Kovind has declared abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The move came after both houses of Parliament passed a resolution in this regard.
  • In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 370 read with clause (1) of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, the President, on the recommendation of Parliament, is pleased to declare that, as from the 6th August, 2019, all clauses of the said article 370 shall cease to be operative.

FACTFILE – Article 370 of the Indian constitution

  • Article 370 of the Indian constitution gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir state in India, – conferring it with the power to have a separate constitution, a state flag and autonomy over the internal administration of the state.
  • The article was drafted in Part XXI of the Constitution: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions.
  • The Constituent Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, after its establishment, was empowered to recommend the articles of the Indian constitution that should be applied to the state or to abrogate the Article 370 altogether.
  • After consultation with the state’s Constituent Assembly, the 1954 Presidential Order was issued, specifying the articles of the Indian constitution that applied to the state. Since the Constituent Assembly dissolved itself without recommending the abrogation of Article 370, the article was deemed to have become a permanent feature of the Indian Constitution.
  • This article, along with Article 35A, defined that the Jammu and Kashmir state’s residents live under a separate set of laws, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, as compared to residents of other Indian states. As a result of this provision, Indian citizens from other states could not purchase land or property in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • On 5 August 2019, President Ram Nath Kovind issued a constitutional order superseding the 1954 order, and making all the provisions of the Indian constitution applicable to Jammu and Kashmir based on the resolution passed in both houses of India’s parliament with 2/3 majority.
  • Following the resolutions passed in both houses of the parliament, he issued a further order on 6 August declaring all the clauses of Article 370 except clause 1 to be inoperative.
  • In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was passed by the parliament, enacting the division the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories to be called Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh. The reorganisation took place on 31 October 2019.
  • Rajya Sabha passes bill to evict MPs living in govt houses illegally
  • Seeking to swiftly evict illegal occupants from government accommodation, the Rajya Sabha passed the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2019.
  • The bill which amends the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, was moved by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. It has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.
  • The amendment being brought is very limited one and relates to public premise for residential accommodation. It applies to members of Parliament, government officers and employees.
  • The bill has proposed to insert a new sub-section (3A) in section 7 of the Act requiring that if the person challenges the eviction order passed by the estate officer in any court, he has to pay the damages for every month for the residential accommodation held by him.
  • The existing law has lengthy eviction process involving a show-cause notice and appeal provisions. As a result, it takes years at times to evict the unauthorised occupant.
  • The bill has proposed to apply summary eviction procedure to residential accommodation given on licence basis with a short show-cause notice of three days to the unauthorised occupants.

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Assam Current Affairs – July 22 – 28, 2019

Posted on by admin 
Current Affairs Assam – July 22 - 28, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of July 22 – 28, 2019 )

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July 22, 2019

  Tripura set to scale up white tea production
  • The successful completion of pilot projects on white tea has paved the way for planters in Tripura to go for full-scale production of the ‘costly and delicate’ variety.
  • Earlier this year, the 95-year-old Golokpur tea estate in Unakoti district of the State set a record when it sold its white tea for Rs 10,000 a kg to a Banglore-based retailer.
  • White tea is minimally processed. It is harvested even before the plant leaves unfurl fully with the buds still covered by fine white hairs, hence, the name white tea.
  • Besides fetching good money, white tea will also earn the tea estate a good name, as people in the industry know that the production process is difficult. We have been getting more orders for this special variety, De said.
  • Fatikcherra, another 101-year old tea estate in the hill State, has produced 6.8 kg white tea this year, which fetched Rs 5,500 per kg.
  • Around one quintal of white tea has been produced in the State this year. Tripura annually produces nine million kg of tea in 58 gardens.
  • The agro-climatic condition is favourable for tea production in Tripura. Now we have got a logo approved for Tripura tea, and even convinced the tribal villagers to grow wild tea near the Tripura-Mizoram boundary.
  • The Tea Board of India is now trying to convince planters to turn to organic brew, besides encouraging white tea production, he said.
  • Tripura has always had a problem of auctioning tea as there is no auction centre in the State. The Bangladesh Government has, however, agreed to allow planters from Tripura to auction their produce at Sreemangal subdivision of Moulavibazar district, which is near the Tripura border.
 Russia launches manned spacecraft to space station
  • Russia’s Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft carrying three astronauts successfully took off for the International Space Station (ISS) and entered the planned orbit.
  • Soyuz MS-13, carrying Roscosmos astronaut Alexander Skvortsov (commander), Luca Parmitano (flight engineer-1) from Italy and Andrew Morgan (flight engineer-2) of the US, will automatically approach the ISS and dock to it.
  • The new expedition will join Roscosmos astronaut Alexei Ovchinin, and NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch on the ISS.
  • The space launch was conducted on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing of the US Apollo 11 spacecraft.
 Rajasthan government launches ‘police training’ programme for school students
  • The Rajasthan government has formally launched a training programme for school students, in line with the National Cadet Corps practice, which aims to curb rising adolescent delinquency and make them aware of basic laws and legal procedures.
  • The training programme initiated jointly by the state education and police departments will be available in selected government schools in the current academic session.
  • The two-year programme for students of classes 8 and 9 aims to curb rising adolescent delinquency, strengthen the teenagers mentally and physically, and make them aware of basic laws and legal procedures.
  • On the guidelines of the central government, the SPC training programme has been launched in 930 state government schools and 70 KendriyaVidyalayas.
  • As many as 15 modules covering all aspects of public and personal life, including personality development, physical and mental growth and social responsibility, have been developed for the SPC training which would be imparted at three levels that include indoor classes, outdoor activities and visits to relevant places and offices.

July 23, 2019

 Tiger number in Assam goes up to 190
  • Assam now has 190 tigers, marking an increase from 167 recorded in the 2014 Tiger Census. The country’s total tiger population is 2,967 tigers and the growth in the fourth cycle of the Tiger Census has seen a 33 per cent increase.
  • Nine years ago it was decided in St. Petersburg that target of doubling tiger population will be 2022. India completed this target four year early, as per the ‘All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018’.
  • As per the later tiger census, Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of tigers at 526, closely followed by Karnataka at 524 and Uttarakhand at number three with 442 tigers.
  • While Assam witnessed an increase in tiger population, Nameri Tiger Reserve saw a declining trend. Chhattisgarh and Mizoram saw a decline in their tiger numbers while tiger numbers in Odisha remained constant. Loss in North East is due to poor sampling, the Report said, adding that all other states witnessed a positive trend.
  • The Tiger Census 2014 pegged the total number of big cats in the country at 2226 while the 2010 census put the figure at 1706 and the 2006 version at 1411, indicating that tiger numbers have been increasing continuously.
 India successfully launches Chandrayaan-2
  • India successfully launched its second moon mission Chandrayaan-2 from its most powerful rocket with a plan to land the rover on September 7 in the unexplored lunar south pole.
  • The most complex and prestigious mission ever undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), if successful, will also make India the fourth country after Russia, the US and China to pull off a soft landing on the moon.
  • The Rs 978-crore unmanned mission also brought woman power to the fore as it was helmed by two woman scientists of the ISRO–RituKaridhal and M Vanitha, the Mission and Project directors respectively.
  • Joined by President Ram NathKovind and leaders across the political spectrum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the scientists.
  • The ISRO is aiming for a soft landing of the lander in the South Pole region of the moon where no country has gone so far.
  • Immediately after Chandrayaan-2’s separation from the rocket, the solar array of the spacecraft automatically got deployed and the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network at Bengaluru successfully took control of the spacecraft.
  • Chandrayaan-2 comes 11 years after ISRO’s successful first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 which scripted history by making more than 3,400 orbits around the Moon and was operational for 312 days till August 29, 2009.
 IIT Kharagpur students develop AI App for elderly care
  • Students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have developed two interconnected android smartphone applications.
  • The app named ‘CARE4U’, developed by an interdisciplinry team of 2nd year B.Tech students, connects the caregiver to the elderly.
  • While one of these apps can be installed on the phones of the elderly, the other can be attached to the smartphone of the caregiver.
  • The neural network-based fall detection algorithm in the app installed on the phone of the elderly can detect whether the elderly has fallen down.
  • If there is a fall, it automatically calls the caregiver and emergency services with the location of the elderly person.
  • The other features include detecting emotion by taking a picture and calculating the mood index.
  • To make this feature more effective the team has developed a cognitive intelligent chatbot for the elderly person to engage with.
  • Moreover, the app can also do other activities like make a call, send a text, book a cab and so on. It also has a record of medical histories, an account of allergies, an SOS button, real-time location tracking, among others.
  • The ‘CARE4U’ app includes a ‘Medicine Reminder’ feature to remind both the elderly person as well as the caregiver that it is time for the former to take medicine.
 The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019 Introduced in Lok Sabha
  • Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan introduced The National Medical Commission Bill, 2019, to provide for a medical education system that also encourages community health perspective and makes services of medical professionals accessible to all citizens.
  • The Bill seeks to replace the Medical Council of India and usher in major changes in medical education sector as well as promote national health goals that encourage medical professionals to adopt latest medical research in their work and to contribute to research.
  • The Bill that seeks to improve access to quality and affordable medical education and ensures availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals all over the country to promote equitable and universal healthcare.

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July 24, 2019

 Assam relaxes restrictions on Agar tree cultivation
  • The Assam government has relaxed the restrictions on cultivation of the scented Agar tree. The Cabinet approved growing and cutting of Agar and Chandan trees on non-forest lands.
  • The Cabinet also approved setting up of an International Trade Centre for Agar in Golaghat.
  • The plantation of Agar tree is seen in Assam’s Sibsagar, Sadiya, Nagaon, Darrang, Goalpara and Cachar districts of Assam.
  • Apart from Assam, the tree is also grown in Khasi Hills and Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya and also found in the forests of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • As Agar wood was classified under the wood based industries, cutting of Agar tree was not allowed and there was requirement of registration for sending the same outside.
  • At present the Hojai district in Assam is the hub of distilling the agar oil.
 Assam Govt’s important Cabinet decisions
  • Procurement and distribution of free sugar to the tea garden beneficiaries under ANNA Scheme at 2 kg per family per month.
  • Through the Assam Municipal Amendment Act, educational qualifications has been set for Ward Commissioners – Class 12 pass for general category candidates, Class 10 for SC/ST/OBC category.
  • An international trade centre for Agar Tree will be set up at Golaghat.
  • 3-year exemption on levy of cess on green leaves for big tea gardens.
  • New syllabus for APSC examination in line with UPSC exam.
  • Reservation of 80 per cent in managerial and supervisory and 90 per cent in non-managerial cadre in State PSUs and industries availing benefits from State Government.
  • Under the New Assam State Industrial Policy, 2019, power subsidy at Rs 2 per unit will be given for a period of 5 years subject to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh per annum.
  • 50,000 subsidy to the higher education loans.
  • The number of wards in Guwahati Municipal Corporation has been increased to 60.
  • The honorarium for GP Member has been hiked from Rs. 1500 to Rs 2000, AP Member from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3000 and ZP Member from 3500 to Rs. 4000.
  • The New Film Policy approved under which Rs. 25 lakh subsidy will be given for films whose production cost is Rs. 1 crore. Films honoured with National Award will get Rs 1 crore and those nominated for Oscar Rs 2 crore. Moreover, a corpus fund will be created collecting Rs. 1 from each ticket sold for the welfare of artistes.
 UN calls nations to join clean air initiative
  • The United Nations, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Environment and Climate and Clean Air Coalition announced the clean air initiative and urged governments participation.
  • The announcement was made by Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Climate Action Summit.
  • The climate and the air pollution crisis are driven by the same factors and must be tackled by joint actions.
  • The governments at all levels have both an urgent need and huge opportunity not only to address the climate crisis, but also to improve the health and save the lives of millions of people around the world, all while making progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • The clean air initiative calls on national and sub-national governments to commit to achieving air quality that is safe for citizens, and to align climate change and air pollution policies by 2030.
  • According to the World Bank, air pollution costs the global economy around $5.11 trillion in welfare losses.
  • Meeting the Paris Agreement on climate change, however, could save over 1 million lives a year by 2050 and yield health benefits worth $54.1 trillion, twice the costs of mitigation, through reduced air pollution alone.
  • Governments at all levels can join the initiative by committing to specific actions, including implementing air quality and climate change policies that will achieve the WHO ambient air quality guideline values.
  • The initiative comprises implementing e-mobility and sustainable mobility policies and actions with the aim of making a decisive impact on road transport emissions.
 Lok Sabha passes Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill
  • The Lok Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which seeks to transform Indian roads with adequate safety measures to reduce road accidents, imposing stiffer penalties for violations and weeding out corruption.
  • As part of the initiative, the Centre will develop a system for cashless treatment of road accident victims in the so-called golden hour—the period up to an hour after a traumatic injury, during which there is highest likelihood of preventing death by providing medical care.
  • The bill also seeks to protect good Samaritans, ensuring that people who come forward to help accident victims will not be harassed by the law.
  • The proposed law has suggested higher penalty for offences such as driving without a licence, speeding, dangerous driving, drunk driving and for vehicles plying without a permit.
  • There will be strict provisions and suspension of licence for dangerous driving and driving without seat-belts.
  • The bill proposes a fine of as much as ₹10,000 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, up from the existing ₹2,000.
  • Besides, the Govt will have the power to increase the penalty by 10% every year.
  • Under the bill, the Centre can tell an automobile manufacturer to recall motor vehicles in case of defects that cause damage to the environment.
  • The bill caps the maximum liability for third-party insurance in case of an accident at ₹5 lakh, compared with ₹50,000 now.
  • There will also be an eight-time increase in compensation in case of hit-and-runs.
 Bills to overhaul labour laws, boost jobs moved in Lok Sabha
  • Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar, introduced The Code on Wages, 2019, and The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2019.
  • The Code on Wages seeks to consolidate the laws relating to wages, bonus and connected matters.
  • The Bill will replace 44 archaic labour laws and aims to set standards of minimum wages across industry, including small businesses, which employ nearly 90 per cent of India”s work force.
  • It will repeal four existing laws, including one on wage payments passed in 1936 and one on minimum wages dating to 1948.
  • The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code seeks to consolidate and amend the laws regulating the occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment.
  • It proposes a single-registration, single-licence regime for companies, instead of multiple permissions under 13 labour laws and allows women to work night shifts.

July 25, 2019

 Rail link to Gangtok from all NE State capitals by 2022
  • The Railways is set to link Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, to capitals of all North Eastern States by March 2022. With this linkage, all the seven North Eastern State capitals will be connected to the national railway network, the Railways official added.
  • The capitals of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura have already been connected by a broad gauge rail network.
  • Work on new broad gauge lines has been taken up to connect the other State capitals – Shillong (Meghalaya), Imphal (Manipur), Kohima (Nagaland), Aizawl (Mizoram) – which is expected to be completed by 2020.
  • In Sikkim, the project has been riddled with land acquisition issues. The project of laying a broad gauge line from Sivok to Rangpo of length 45 km was sanctioned in 2008-09. However, the project has been in limbo since then with just 19 per cent of the work being completed so far, officials said.
  • Among the most significant of the ongoing projects is the 111-km Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal line, 64 per cent of which has been completed so far will not only put the Manipur capital on the railway map in the next couple of years but also prepare grounds for taking the railways to Moreh on the Myanmar border and beyond to become part of the proposed Trans-Asian Railway.
  • A 10-km section from Jiribam-Vaingaichungpao has already been completed.
  • In Aizawl, 58.43 per cent of the 51.38-km Bhairabi-Sairang line has been completed, while in Kohima, the Railways has made a progress of 25.23 per cent in the 82.5-km Dimapur-Zubza line.
  • In Shillong, the 21.50-km Tetelia-Byrnihat line has seen a 40 per cent progress, while a 10-km section from Tetelia-Kamlajari has been completed. Another line in the State, the 108.40-km Byrnihat-Shillong line has only seen progress of around 5 per cent.
 IIT scientists devise robotic hand for Paralytics
  • The scientists at the IIT-Kanpur have ventured into the world’s first robot hand for the rehabilitation of stroke patients.
  • The device is a two-finger robotic hand (exoskeleton) that uses a four-bar mechanism and has four degrees of freedom (DOF).
  • Professor Ashish Dutta and Professors K S Venkatesh have achieved this feat.
  • The exoskeleton can be used by a patient on the hand.
  • It uses brain signals, with the help of the brain computer interface (BCI) that is worn on the head, and helps paralysed patients to open and close the movement of their thumb, forefinger and middle fingers for physical practice.
  • The exoskeleton is operated by an MEGA microcontroller of 300 Mhz and powered by a battery.
  • The device has sensors that control the pressure of the fingertip applied by the patient.
  • If the patient can close or move the finger, the device follows the movement passively.
  • If it does not, then the device actively forces the finger to close, while taking BCI instructions using signals.
 HAL delivers Chetak helicopter to Indian Navy
  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivered a Chetak helicopter to the Indian Navy. The documents were handed over by S Anbuvelan, General Manager of Helicopter Division-HAL to Commodore Vikram Menon, VSM, CSO(Air), HQNA at an event.
  • HAL entered into a contract with the Indian Navy in August of 2017 for the supply of eight Chetak helicopters with the delivery schedule of the first two in August of 2019 and the rest in August of 2020.
  • These helicopters are fitted with the latest communication and navigation systems developed by HAL and the company is committed to providing continuous support to the Chetak fleet.
  • These helicopters are used by the Navy for communication duties (passenger transport), cargo/ material transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, areal survey and patrolling, emergency medical services, electronic news gathering, anti hijacking, offshore operation and under-slung operation.
  • HAL has so far produced more than 350 Chetak helicopters and delivered around 80 to the Indian Navy. Presently, 51 helicopters are flying with the Navy and the serviceability has always remained high.
 RS passes Bill including death penalty for child abuse
  • Rajya Sabha passed the bill for amending the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was moved by Union Women and Child Development Minister SmritiIrani.
  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for stringent punishment including life imprisonment for using children for pornographic purposes.
  • The new law is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to the strong penal provisions in it.
  • It intends to protect the interests of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensure their safety and dignity.
 The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019
  • The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019, which would replace the ordinance on the same, seeks to tackle the menace of illicit deposit-taking, being done by exploiting regulatory gaps and due to lack of strict administrative measures.
  • A Bill to protect depositors from Ponzi schemes and put in place a mechanism by which the investors can be compensated was passed by the Lok Sabha.
  • The Bill also provides for 1-10 years punishment and Rs 2 lakh to Rs 50 crore fines to deter any such act.
  • The Bill ensures that no hardship is caused to genuine businesses, or to individuals borrowing money from their relatives or friends for personal reasons or to tide over a crisis.
  • It contains a clause, which bans deposit-takers from promoting, operating, issuing advertisements or accepting deposits in any unregulated deposit scheme.
  • The Bill also proposes to create three different types of offences — running of unregulated deposit schemes, fraudulent default in regulated deposit schemes, and wrongful inducement in relation to unregulated deposit schemes.
  • The proposed law also provides for attachment of properties or assets and subsequent realisation of assets for repayment to depositors.
  • It will enable creation of an online central database for collection and sharing of information on deposit-taking activities.
  • The Bill also aims to prevent such unregulated deposit schemes or arrangements at their inception.
 Andhra Pradesh passes law to reserve 75% jobs for locals
  • The Andhra Pradesh government has made it mandatory for existing and upcoming industries in the state to reserve 75 per cent jobs for locals.
  • This hass been done through the passage of a new law called the Andhra Pradesh Employment of Local candidates in the Industries/Factories Bill, 2019.
  • Passed by the state legislative assembly the bill asks existing industries to ensure 75 per cent employment to the local candidates within three years from the date of commencement of this Act.
  • In case there are no qualified/suitable candidates available, the employers will have to train and engage local candidates within three years in close collaboration with government agencies, according to the bill.

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July 26, 2019

 Proposal for a new greenfield airport at Silchar, NE airports to get major face-lift
  • The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received a proposal to develop a new greenfield airport at Silchar. The response from the Minister came in reply to an unstarred question (no. 5361) on whether there is any proposal to build new or develop existing airports in Assam and other states in North East raised by Guwahati MP Queen Ojha on July 25.
  • The Minister mentioned that for the Silchar airport, the AAI has requested the State Government to share the land details for conducting the pre-feasibility study.
  • Referring to the question on the development of existing airports across North East, the minister informed that the AAI has started work to build new terminal building at the LGBI Airport at Guwahati and also at the Imphal airport, re-carpetting of runway at Leelabari airport, extension of runway and other important allied works at Dibrugarh and Barapani airports, strengthening of runway at the Dimapur airport, construction of hangar and cargo building at Agartala airport and other development work at Rupsi and Teju airports.
  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also granted ‘in principle’ approval for setting up of a new greenfield airport at Hollongi in Arunachal Pradesh for which steps for bidding documents are in process.
 Clean Green Arunachal campaign launched
  • The Aalo Forest Division has launched the Clean Green Arunachal Campaign and Vanmahotsav, 2019, under the theme, ‘Plant more trees, make environment pollution free’. As many as 4,900 saplings were planted at various locations on the occasion.
  • Plastic-free zone: The Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Aalo has been declared a plastic and tobacco-free zone under the Swachhata Challenge. Officers and other staff have been given clear instructions not to bring plastic items like water bottles and single-use plastic items and tobacco products within the premises of the office building.
  • Regular water supply will be provided by the PHED, Aalo, and an alternative site for dumping of office waste is being identified. Disciplinary action will be taken against the office staff violating the decision under the Arunachal Pradesh Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1997.
 IIT Kanpur inks pact with Ericsson to deploy NB-IoT to monitor Delhi’s air pollution
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) entered into a partnership with Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson to deploy Narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) to monitor air pollution in Delhi.
  • With support from Ericsson, IIT will develop and deploy India”s first NB-IoT based low cost particulate matter sensors at multiple locations across Delhi.
  • As part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), Ericsson will use locally developed air quality sensors that are capable of sharing environmental data including PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 levels at defined time intervals.
  • This will lead to better monitoring and analysis of data collected from different parts of the capital.
  • The findings will be shared with local authorities and other key stakeholders on a periodic basis.
  • The sensors are automated and will relay information on defined time intervals, providing data on pollution levels, sources and locations in a sustainable and cost-efficient way.
 Whatsapp teams up with NITI Aayog to promote women entrepreneurs
  • India’s Niti Aayog entered into a partnership with Facebook-owned WhatsApp to support the growth of a robust ecosystem to promote women entrepreneurs in India.
  • Under this partnership, WhatsApp, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, will announce an annual calendar of events aimed at capacity building of the women entrepreneurs and evolve specific programmes aimed at addressing challenges being faced by women entrepreneurs.
  • WhatsApp will also provide support amounting to $100,000 for the winners of NITI Aayog’s Women Transforming India (WTI) Awards 2019.

July 27, 2019

 NE police forces join hands to fight human trafficking
  • With human trafficking becoming a major cause of concern for Assam and other states of the Northeast, the police forces of the region have decided to improve coordination with real time input sharing to deal with the menace.
  • The heads of the police forces of the northeastern states have also stressed the need for a detailed research on the issue by a reputed organisation.
  • At least 380 cases of human trafficking were reported in Assam only in the last five years and the actual number can even be higher as in some cases, the families of the affected girls do not come forward to report such incidents to police. As per records of the Assam Police, 82 trafficking cases were reported in 2014, 73 in 2015, 75 in 2016, 79 in 2017 and 70 cases were reported last year.
  • The Assam Police has already created an anti-human trafficking cell in the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and efforts would be made to make the cell more active.
  • Most of the girls trafficked from Assam end up in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and they are often lured with job offers.
 NGT nod for Delhi Government’s water conservation project
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) gave its nod to Delhi Government’s water conservation project on Yamuna floodplains.
  • The project aims to conserve water on floodplains and build mega reservoir between Pall and Wazirabad to meet water demand.
  • Under the project, small ponds will be created to catch water from an overflowing Yamuna during this monsoon season.
 Cabinet approves merger of National Institute of Miners’ Health with ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health
  • The Union Cabinet, has approved to dissolve National Institute of Miners’ Health (NIMH), an autonomous Institute under Ministry of Mines (MoM) and merge with ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad.
  • Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) with all assets and liabilities; and absorb all the employees of NIMH in NIOH in the similar post/pay scale as the case may be and their pay be protected.
  • NIMH, ICMR, NIOH, MoM and Department of Health Research (DHR), MoH&FW to take actions required for effecting dissolution and merger/amalgamation of NIMH with NIOH
  • The merger of NIMH with NIOH will prove beneficial to both the Institutes in term of enhanced expertise in the field of occupational health besides the efficient management of public money.
 Cabinet approves creation of buffer stock of sugar
  • The Cabinet has approved the creation of buffer stock of 40 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of sugar for one year and to incur estimated maximum expenditure of Rs.1674 crores for this purpose.
  • However, based on the market price and availability of sugar, this may be reviewed by the Dept. of Food and Public Distribution any time for withdrawal / modification.
  • The reimbursement under the scheme would be met on quarterly basis to sugar mills which would be directly credited into farmers’ account on behalf of mills against cane price dues and subsequent balance, if any, would be credited to the mill’s account.
  • Creation of buffer stock of 30 LMT of sugar for one year from 1st July, 2018 to 30th June, 2019 was one of the various interventions which were made by the Government.

 

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July 28, 2019

 Assam Police to induct hi-tech Sillinger boats
  • Assam Police is all set to induct a fleet of highly-sophisticated Sillinger boats that could be pressed into action for combat and non-combat operations, especially along the Indo-Bangla riverine border.
  • Sillinger boats, which are used by armed forces across the world, would be deployed with trained operators. Assam shares the riverine border stretch of 110 kilometres with Bangladesh.
  • As many as 70 Sillinger boats would be procured as part of its upgrading exercise in the first phase. Each boat will come with a payload capacity of 1,100 kilograms.
  • Sillinger boats are inflatable and would allow fast movement for the armed forces on the riverine areas. Along with that, it could be deployed for a wide range of missions, including rescue and search operations.
  • Once the boats are procured, a team of technicians would also be developed by the Assam Police.
 Assam Legislative Assembly inks pact with UNICEF
  • The Assam Legislative Assembly signed a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with UNICEF Assam to work together on issues related to children in the State. The letter was signed by the Principal Secretary of State Assembly Mrigendra Kumar Deka and UNICEF Assam officer-in-charge Sweta Patnaik in the presence of Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami.
  • 41 per cent of Assam’s population is children, which is almost the majority. The sustainable development goals which are related to women and children will be the purview for the Committee for the Welfare of Women and Children.
  • Addressing the need for protecting the rights of children, starting with their right to survival, MLA Dr Numal Momin said Assam has made significant strides in improving under-five mortality rate and stunted growth, but a lot is needed to be done to improve quality and access to nutrition, sanitation, drinking water and health interventions, among others, especially in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
  • Assam loses 87 infants and 96 under-five children daily. About 36 per cent children in the State are malnourished, which could be due to several reasons such as mothers not receiving adequate diet during pregnancy and lactation in the first 1,000 days.
 CISCO partners with Google to launch free high-speed Wifi in India
  • Global networking giant Cisco in partnership with Google announced to roll out free high-speed Wi-Fi access globally, starting with India.
  • The first pilot under the partnership has been rolled out at 35 locations in Bengaluru.
  • Cisco will work with Google”s “Station Platform” to provide communities around the country access to a free public Wi-Fi.
  • It will run on https environment — the same environment in which we do online banking transactions.
  • The service will be supported by advertisements.
  • By September this year, 200 locations in Bengaluru will be Wi-Fi enabled, followed by another 300 by in the second phase.
  • The locations include public spaces like bus stops, hospitals and government offices, etc.
  • According to a TRAI report, globally, there is on Wi-Fi hotspot for every 150 people, and in India, eight million additional hotspots must be installed to achieve the same ratio — creating new market opportunities for infrastructure providers and internet service providers.
  • India has only 52,000 Wi-Fi hotspots today, necessitating a proactive strategy to make high-speed Wi-Fi hotspots ubiquitous across the country.
 Delhi to get country’s most advanced & tallest ATC tower
  • National capital’s IGI Airport will soon sport the country’s most technologically advanced and highest ATC tower, which is expected to enhance the safety and the efficiency of air transport management services over the city’s sky.
  • The migration procedures have already commenced from the old ATC to the new tower and the process is expected to be completed before 15 August.
  • At present, AAI which has been mandated to handle the air traffic management services at the airport is running a parallel operation to test the automation and other systems in the new facility.
  • The commissioning of the new tower is expected to enhance the efficiency of air traffic management services at the IGIA which is the busiest airport in India.
  • On an average, Delhi Air Traffic Control handles more than one flight operation every minute throughout the day.
  • At least 1,200 landings and take-offs happen every day from Delhi airport along with overflying traffic of at least 250 planes.
  • Besides, the new facility with its physical and technologically advanced equipment is expected to provide a more robust safety systems.

  • At a height of 102 meters, the tower enables air traffic controllers to have better visibility of all the three runways, apron area and taxiways.

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Assam Current Affairs – July 15 – 21, 2019

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Current Affairs Assam – July 15 - 21, 2019

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of July 15 – 21, 2019 )

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July 15, 2019

 Meghalaya becomes first state to have water policy
  • The Meghalaya cabinet became the first state to approve a draft water policy to address water issues, conservation, and protection of water sources in the state.
  • The policy intends to achieve sustainable development, management and use of water resources with community participation.
  • This will improve health and livelihood and reduce vulnerability among the people.
  • This will also assure of good governance for present and future generations through integrated water resources management and environmental sustainability.
  • Issues such as the protection of catchment areas and river pollution have also been outlined in the policy.
  • The committees will be formed at village level and the issue of groundwater will also be catered through this policy.
  • Also, the department will also monitor the quality of the water to check if it has a high content of iron or if it’s acidic. 
  Motor vehicles Amendment bill introduced for stricter penalty
  • Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari introduced the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Increasing penalties of traffic violations, address issues on third-party insurance, regulation of cab aggregators, road safety are among the changes proposed in the amendment. 
  • The amendment Bill proposes to omit a clause of the Motor Vehicle Act to decide how to maintain their registers for driving licenses, to centralize vehicle registration data and achieve standardization. 
  • It also proposes a National Transportation Policy for ushering guidelines on the transportation of goods and passengers. 
  • The minister said the bill has been approved by the transport ministers of 18 states and the standing committee as also the Joint select committee have already gone through the bill.

 L&T Finance arm get $100 million loan from AIIB

  • The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), has provided a $100-million loan to L&T Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (LTIF), a subsidiary of L&T Finance Holdings Ltd and and a leading non-bank financier of renewable energy in India.
  • This deal with L&T Finance Holdings embarks as AIIB’s first loan first loan to a non-banking finance company (NBFC).
  • The loan proceeds worth $100 million will be used to on-lend to wind and solar power infrastructure projects throughout India.
  • The project named, ‘L&T Green Infrastructure On-Lending Facility’ specifies that the proposed facility will be used by L&T Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (LTIF) to finance mid and large scale solar and wind power projects in India.
  • The facility promotes environmentally and socially and financially responsible project development.

July 16, 2019

 World Bank clears $250 million for Resilient Kerala Programme
  • The first tranche of $250 million of the $500 million fund set aside by the World Bank for the Resilient Kerala Programme (RKP) to help improve the state”s resilience against natural disasters and climate change has been cleared.
  • Kerala had become the first Indian state to get this fund, said Junaid Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank, India.
  • Ahmad along with his team was here to take part in the Development Parties Conclave, organised by the Kerala government with participation of top international agencies, like World Bank, Asian Development Bank, JAICA and UNDP, to discuss ways to help the state rebuild after last year”s floods.
  • Ahmad said they would invest $250 million in the state account for specific programmes, like improving the Ariver basin planning, sustainable agriculture besides improving resilience of the core road network. 
 India signs 10 MoU’s with Afghanistan
  • India went ahead with its development partnership with Kabul, inking 10 MoUs for building roads, buildings, schools, markets places across 10 Afghan provinces.
  • These projects are funded under the High Impact Community Development (HICDP) scheme implemented by India in Afghanistan.
  • The projects for which MoUs were inked are related to construction of buildings for market places, cultural halls, classrooms, jirga halls, administrative offices, laying of roads and water supply networks.
  • The projects are to be implemented in the provinces of Daikundi, Panjshir, Ghazni, Uruzgan, Nangahar, Khost, Farah, MaidanWardak, and Takhar.
  • Since 2001, India has undertaken projects and programmes for over $2 billion.
  • Since 2005, India has committed over $200 million to support over 550 projects throughout Afghanistan under the HICDP scheme.
  • In 2016, India pledged an additional $1 billion over the next five years as part of its renewed commitment to assist Afghanistan emerge as a stable, secure, peaceful, united and prosperous and pluralistic nation.
 Makemytrip Ltd. signs MoU with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
  • In a bid to promote India as a heritage tourism destination, online travel company MakeMyTrip Ltd. has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) the with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for convenient and hassle-free online bookings for 116 historical monuments and sites across India.
  • The agreement, signed, entails listing and offering an online booking gateway to the ASI protected heritage monuments such as Taj Mahal, Red Fort, QutubMinar, Humayun’s Tomb, Khajuraho group of monuments, Charminar, Golconda Fort and so on.
  • The ASI currently offers online ticketing on Zoonga, CityWalkers and Westland platforms. A similar collaboration with Cleartrip, another travel company, is in the pipeline.
  • This partnership will help make it convenient for travellers to plan and book their visit to these heritage monuments online.
 Researchers develop statistical model to predict floods
  • Researchers have developed a novel statistical model for prediction of floods and its duration. It also accurately determines the timescale of flooding.
  • Researchers analysed data from the Missouri river basin from the last 50 years to develop the Bayesian network statistical model.
  • The research team found that long duration floods first require high flow conditions in rivers created by recurrent high-intensity rainfall events, which is then followed by a large stable long-lived low-pressure system — a storm cell.
  • These conditions may then result in large-scale devastating floods.
  • The researchers said that with the help of this statistical model, potential risk imposed by longer duration floods on critical infrastructure systems such as flood control dams, bridges and power plants can be mitigated.
  • It is also possible to predict how long the duration of flooding and inundation will be.

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July 17, 2019

 England won the Title of ICC World Cup 2019
  • England won the trophy of ICC world cup held in its 12th edition ‎‎2019‎ that held in England, Wales. England became the sixth team to win ICC Cricket World Cup.
  • Both teams made 241 runs and also ended in a tie in the super over and Britain defeated the New Zealand on boundary rate as scores tied in super over.
  • All-rounder Ben Stokes was titled Man of the Match and Kane Williamson awarded with the Man of the Tournament.

FACTFILE – ICC Cricket world cup

  • It is a championship of one-day international cricket (ODI)
  • First edition of ICC world cup: 1975, England
  • 12th Edition: 2019, Wales, England
  • Next edition: 2023, India
  • Australia won the ICC world cup 5 times, India and West Indies 2 times, Pakistan, Srilanka, and England(current champion) one time
 CSC partners with Facebook to empower rural women
  • Common Services Centre (CSC), which serves as access point for the delivery of various electronic services to villages in India, announced a partnership with Facebook to provide digital skill training to women village level entrepreneurs.
  • Facebook, in collaboration with CSC Academy, plans to provide tools and digital skills training to more than 250,000 people across over 3,000 villages in 10 states in India.
  • As part of the project CSC will identify and nominate 5,000 women village level entrepreneurs across 10 states – Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Bihar, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
  • These women entrepreneurs will be given training sessions on leveraging various Facebook tools to not just build and grow their business but also on how to train people on the ground.
  • These entrepreneurs will further help build awareness to ensure that the community is able to learn from each other.
  • CSC along with Facebook will co-create a curriculum (online and offline) around digital marketing skills and online safety in over 14 regional languages. 
 Rajya Sabha passes AERA bill
  • The Rajya Sabha passed the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Amendment Bill, 2019 that seeks to raise the threshold for an airport to qualify as a major airport and hence reduces the tariff-fixing power of the airport regulator to fewer airports.
  • Currently, an airport with annual passenger traffic of 15 lakh or more is defined as major airport and tariff at such airports are determined by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India or AERA.
  • The bill raises the threshold to 35 lakh and as a result, many airports would come out of the purview of the regulator.
  • Once the bill becomes an Act, many airports for which various fees like landing and parking charges which are currently determined by the AERA will go away.
  • Tariff at these airports would be determined by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  • The amendment also empowers the Aviation Ministry to bid out airport projects on the basis of pre-determined tariff.

July 18, 2019

 Cinema halls to be categorized as ‘service industry’ as per the Assam State Film Policy Rules, 2019
  • Cinema halls will be categorised as ‘service industry’ and the industry department should give all benefits to them as per the service industry norms, according to the Assam State Film Policy Rules, 2019.
  • The new film policy was passed by the State Cabinet last evening to give a boost to the eight-decade-old struggling industry in Assam. The policy also underscores the need for theatres to allot daily and compulsory shows for regional films of Assam.
  • For this, the Assam Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1953 will be amended so that one prime time show in theatres (as preferred by the producer) is compulsory for regional films of Assam. Additional show will not require guarantee money, but can be arranged after mutual discussion. If the producer demands additional show in prime time subsequently, then he will have to deposit a guarantee money,” the rules state.
  • The policy proposes penal action against exhibitors refusing to release any regional film.
  • Regional films which earn 20 per cent (for less than 200-seat theatres) and 15 per cent (for theatres having more than 200 seats) or more of gross houseful collection of the theatre in the first week will be continued compulsorily for the second week.
  • Subsidy from the government will be granted in three different slabs to the producers in the form of grant-in-aid for high quality films, science fiction, animation films, children films and other genres considering their thrust and focus.
  • Twenty-five per cent of the total subsidy amount will be earmarked for new directors which will include alumni of the government film institute. The subsidy amount will be 25 per cent of the total eligible cost, subject to a cap of Rs 25 lakh. A maximum of 20 films will be given subsidy every year.
  • One producer will be eligible for two subsidies during his career. If the film gets a national award, the remaining 75 per cent of the eligible cost will be returned by the government.
  • The policy also proposes a number of awards. Films from Assam to represent India in Oscars will receive an amount of Rs 2 crore and official award winners in reputed international film festivals will receive an amount of Rs 20 lakh. National award winning films will get a cash award – which will be double the cash amount of the national award. Producers and directors of Swarna Kamal and Rajat Kamal winning films will get a subsidy of Rs 25 lakh each for their next film.
 Union Govt approved Rs 1,600 crore for pre-investment activities in Arunachal Pradesh
  • The Cabinet cleared Rs 1,600 crore for pre-investment activities and granted various clearances for the Dibang Multipurpose Project (MPP) in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The estimated total cost of the project is Rs 28,080.35 crore.
  • The estimated completion period for the project shall be nine years from receipt of government sanction.
 Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
  • Union Minister Smriti Irani introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act that aims to make punishments more stringent and even include death penalty for offenders involved in sexual crimes against minors.
  • The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for stringent punishment, including life imprisonment, for using children for pornographic purposes.
  • The new law is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to the strong penal provisions in the Act.
  • It intends to protect the interests of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensures their safety and dignity.

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July 19, 2019

  Lok Sabha productivity reaches 20-year high at 128 per cent
  • The ongoing session of the 17th Lok Sabha has been the most productive in the last 20 years, with the Lower House registering 128 per cent productivity till Tuesday, according to think tank PRS Legislative Research.
  • Lok Sabha members discussed the General Budget for 17 hours, demands for grants for Ministry of Railways for 13 hours and for Ministry of Road and Transport for 7.44 hours, Speaker Om Birla informed the House.
  • The Lok Sabha has been working for more than its scheduled time and has sat till midnight on two occasions to complete its legislative business.
  • Similarly, the productivity of Rajya Sabha, where the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led dispensation lacks majority, unlike Lok Sabha, is also relatively high. The productivity of the upper house was 98 per.
  • Productivity means the number of hours the House actually functioned compared to the number of hours officially earmarked for it to work.
 Rajya Sabha passed Arbitration & Conciliation Amendment Bill 2019
  • The Rajya Sabha passed the Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill 2019 that seeks to make India a hub of arbitration for settling commercial disputes in a shorter period of time.
  • The Upper House also cleared another bill for setting up the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) for creating an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration.
  • The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019 declares the NDIAC as an institution of national importance.
  • The draft legislation provides for establishing an independent body to lay down standards for timely and cost-effective disposal of cases and eventually improving ease-of-doing business.
  • The proposed law provides for setting up of an independent body Arbitration Council of India (ACI) to frame arbitral institutions and grade arbitrators.
  • The Chairperson of ACI will be appointed by the government in consultation with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
  • Its other members would include eminent persons and government nominees.
 IRCON International Limited to upgrading Maho-Omanthai rail line in Sri Lanka
  • India’s IRCON International Limited and the Sri Lankan government have inked a $91.26 million agreement for upgrading the around 130 km-long Maho-Omanthai rail line.
  • The railway line is being upgraded under Indian concessional financing. This is the first time the track is being upgraded in 100 years.
  • The contract agreement was signed between IRCON International Limited and the Government of Sri Lanka in Colombo.
  • IRCON Chairman Sunil Kumar Choudhury and L.P. Jayampathy, Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka, signed the agreement in the presence of ArjunaRanatunga, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Sri Lanka.
  • The upgradation will include modification of 12 crossing stations, seven halt stations and 78 level crossings.
  • The upgradation would help double the speed potential of the railway track from the current 60 km to 120 km per hour, as well as reduce the maintenance costs.
  • It will also improve the travel comfort of passengers, and further contribute to the modernization Sri Lanka Railways.
  • India has so far committed Lines of Credit worth around $1.3 billion for development of the railway sector in Sri Lanka.

 

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July 20, 2019

 Nagaland govt sets up committee to compile tribal customary practices 
  • The Nagaland government has set up a four-member committee to compile the customary practices and usages of all the tribes of the state.
  • There is a need for compilation of the personal customary practices and usages of all the tribes in the state so as to have a better understanding of the same as well as for the purposes of record and references.
  • The committee will be headed by chief secretary. The other members of the committee are Home commissioner, secretary of Justice and Law departments and the commissioner of Art and Culture department will be the member secretary.
 Lok Sabha passes Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019
  • The Lok Sabha passed an amendment bill that allows a Supreme Court judge besides the Chief Justice of India to be appointed the chairperson of National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and increases the number of members from two to three.
  • The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed with a voice vote.
  • The government seeks a report if there are allegations of human rights violations against security forces, but care needs to be taken of human rights of terror victims.
  • The Centre has incorporated suggestions of states in the bill.
  • The Bill, which amends the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, provides that a person who has been Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the Supreme Court will be the chairperson of the NHRC.
  • It says that of three members of the commission, at least one will be a woman.
  • The bill provides that a person who has been Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court will be the chairperson of a State Human Rights Commission.
  • It seeks to reduce the term of office of chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC to three years from five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
 Kerala to set up state-of-the-art Space Park
  • In a bid to become a major manufacturing hub for space-related technology, and attract global start-ups working on research and development in the space sector, the Kerala government to set up the country’s first state-of-the-art Space Systems Park in the state capital
  • The proposed park will come up at the Technocity campus, the newest destination for IT companies.
  • It will house the APJ Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre and Space Museum, developed with investments from ISRO”s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
  • The state government will transfer 20.01 acres of land as lease to the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd (KSITIL) to develop the space park.
  • The KSITIL will hand over the land required for the APJ Abdul Kalam Knowledge Centre and Space Museum to ISRO through a lease agreement.
  • The entire project will be implemented by the Electronics and IT Department, government of Kerala.
 The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 introduced
  • The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 was introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot.
  • The Bill intends to benefit transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against the marginalised section and bring them into the mainstream of the society.
  • This will lead to inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of the society.
  • The Bill shall empower the transgender community socially, educationally and economically

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July 21, 2019

 ‘Chai Sahyog’ App to integrate tea industry
  • The Tea Board has developed an app with an objective of integrating the small tea growers and bringing about traceability of green leaf, besides circulating advisories, including weather forecast. The technological initiative has been christened as ‘Chai Sahyog’ and the industry feels it will also help in quality control as well.
  • The App has features that cover the entire supply chain from green leaf to made tea. Another important feature of the app is real time weather forecast, with advisories to small growers and two-way communication between board’s officers and stakeholders.
  • The app will facilitate trade of green leaf and help growers follow the activities of the Tea Board officials. There will be provisions for uploading information related to training, notifications, awareness programmes, etc.
  • The app will enable small tea growers to upload quantity and price details of their teas, even as minimum benchmark price will be uploaded every month.
  • The Tea Board has carried out enumeration of small tea growers and issued identity cards with memory chips. This has been further refined to online data capture and issuance of cards with QR code (quick response code like a matrix barcode) so that the cards can be scanned in the mobile app by small tea growers for accessing the various functionalities of the app.
President of India appoints new Governors for six states, including Tripura and Nagaland
  • President Ramnath Kovind transferred Anandiben Patel from Madhya Pradesh and appointed her as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
  • Anandiben Patel has been replaced by LaljiTandon in Madhya Pradesh, who was so far the Governor of Bihar.
  • Fagu Chauhan replaces LaljiTandon as the new Governor of Bihar.
  • JagdeepDhankar as the Governor of West Bengal
  • Ramesh Bais as the Governor of Tripura.
  • N. Ravi has been appointed the Governor of Nagaland.
 Microsoft partners with Telangana’s Women Entrepreneurs Hub
  • Microsoft has announced a partnership with the Women Entrepreneurs Hub, an initiative of the Telangana government aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and technologists in the region.
  • The partnership would focus on designing and execution of learning activities and tools that would enable women to innovate and encourage girls to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
  • Together, they would also provide a platform for deeper and better networking opportunities for women in various technology fields.
  • The partnership would provide the WE Hub communities access to the state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure at Microsoft Garage
 Indian-origin scientists develop AI system to Curb ‘Deepfake’ Videos
  • A team of Indian-origin researchers has developed Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven deep neural network that can identify manipulated images at the pixel level with high precision.
  • Realistic videos that map the facial expressions of one person onto those of another — known as “deepfakes”, present a formidable political weapon in the hands of nation-state bad actors.
  • Led by Amit Roy-Chowdhury, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, Riverside, the team is currently working on still images but this can help them detect “deepfake” videos.
  • A deep neural network is what AI researchers call computer systems that have been trained to do specific tasks, in this case, recognize altered images.
  • These networks are organized in connected layers; “architecture” refers to the number of layers and structure of the connections between them.

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