Environment Ministry launches new regional project to tackle stubble burning On December 28, 2017, Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved a regional project on ‘Climate Resilience Building among Farmers through Crop Residue Management’ under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC). Salient features of Project on ‘Climate Resilience Building among Farmers through Crop Residue […]
Lok Sabha passes GST (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017 On December 27, 2017, Lok Sabha passed the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Amendment Bill, 2017.This amendment bill seeks to increase maximum rate at which compensation cess on the entry relating to certain category of motor vehicles is being collected by the states. i. It applies
India’s 1st pod taxi on the way, to follow U.S. safety norms The five-member committee headed by transport expert S K Dhramadhikari, set up for technical and safety standards of India’s pod taxi scheme (also known as Personal Rapid Transit – PRT) has recommended to invite fresh bids incorporating strictest safety standards on the lines of those prescribed by an American body.
Centre releases Rs 167 crore to 9 states for border development under BADP Union Home Ministry has released Rs 167 crore to nine states – Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Sikkim – under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP). i. All these nine states have an international border. Funds released under BADP will
Mission Antyodaya – Ranking of 50000 gram panchayats completed Union Rural Development Ministry, in partnership with State Governments, has completed the ranking of 50000 Gram Panchayats (selected under ‘Mission Antyodaya’) on three broad parameters of physical infrastructure, human development and economic activities. i. Gram Panchayats have been selected by the State Governments on the basis of social
Andhra Pradesh bans New Year festivities in temples Andhra Pradesh Endowments Department has issued a circular banning festivities and special darshans at temples to celebrate New Year. Andhra Pradesh bans New Year celebrations in temples: i. The circular was issued by the Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Trust of the Endowments Department. It bans festivities and special darshans for New Year at
Government launches ‘Ganga Gram’ project at Ganga Gram Swachata Sammelan On December 23, 2017, Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation held ‘Ganga Gram Swachhta Sammelan’ in New Delhi to formally launch the ‘Ganga Gram Project’ under the Namami Gange Programm. i. The meet was presided over by Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Uma Bharati. ii. Ganga Swachhata Manch, created for awareness creation,
MEA launches SAMEEP to take Indian foreign policy to students across the country Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched Students and MEA Engagement Programme (SAMEEP), which aims to take Indian foreign policy and its global engagements to students in small towns and cities across India. i. The objective behind this programme is not only
‘DARPAN’ project launched for Financial Inclusion of Rural Population On December 21, 2017, Union Minister of Communications, Manoj Sinha launched DARPAN – “Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India”. i. DARPAN project will be implemented with financial outlay of Rs. 1400 Crore. ii. Under the project, each Branch Postmaster (BPM) will be provided a low power technology solution that will
NITI Aayog proposes scheme for saving jobs from automation NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Rajiv Kumar has stated that Central Government should consider setting up a labour utilisation fund in order to handle the challenge of growing redundancy of low-skilled labour in India with increase of automation and advent of artificial intelligence. Suggestions for Labour Utilisation Fund: i. The fund
BJP retains power in Gujarat for the sixth time and also wins in Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won Gujarat legislative assembly elections for the sixth straight time despite a strong challenge from Rahul Gandhi-led Congress. i. In 182-member Gujarat assembly, BJP won 99 seats. This marks a loss of 16 seats as compared to 2012
24th GST Council Meeting held tn New Delhi through video conferencing 24th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting was held on December 16, 2017 through video conferencing. Highlights of 24th GST Council Meeting: i. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley. ii. During the course of this meeting, it was
International herbal fair held in Bhopal On 14th December 2017, the seven-day International Herbal Fair started in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh International herbal fair: i. Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the International herbal fair at the Lal Parade Ground. ii. Delegations from Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and other countries are taking part
Cabinet Approvals on December 15, 2017 Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the current Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme for North Eastern India. i. Cabinet approves capital investment subsidy to industrial units located in North Eastern Region ii. Cabinet approves special package for employment generation in leather and footwear sector iii. Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of
Phase I, II of Ken-Betwa link project to be merged Union Water Resources Ministry is planning to merge phase-I and II of Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers (ILR) project. Details about Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers (ILR) project: i. This project aims to link the rivers Ken in Madhya Pradesh and Betwa in Uttar Pradesh. Estimated cost for the first phase was Rs 18000 crore while second phase would cost