Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban Launches Smart Star-Rating for Garbage Free Cities On January 20, 2018, Minister of State (I/C) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri along with the Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar launched the ‘Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities’ in Goa. Information about Protocol for Star Rating of Garbage-Free Cities: i. This seven star-rating system has been developed by the Swachh […]
Amit Shah to launch ‘Yuva Udghosh programme’ in Varanasi On January 20, 2018, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah launched “Yuva Udghosh programme” in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. About ‘Yuva Udghosh programme’: i. Mr. Shah launched this programme in presence of Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and UP BJP President Mahendra Nath Pandey. ii. The launch programme was held at sports ground
25th GST Council meet held in New Delhi 25th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council was held in New Delhi on January 18, 2018. GST Meeting: i. The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley ii .Highlight of the 25th GST Council meet was the reduction of tax rates on 29 goods and 53 categories
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to India Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on a six-day official visit to India starting from January 14, 2018. i. It is to be noted that Mr. Netanyahu is the second Israeli Prime Minister after Ariel Sharon to visit India in the last 25 years of India-Israel diplomatic relationship. ii. India and Israel inked following
Maharashtra cabinet approves 1% quota for orphans in govt jobs On January 17, 2018, Maharashtra State Cabinet approved one per cent reservation for orphans in government jobs under general category. Reservation for orphans – Maharashtra: i. Maharashtra State Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde stated that this decision will help to rehabilitate orphan children and secure their
NITI Aayog initiates the first course on Sustainable Urban Planning in Noida On January 15, 2018, Ratan P. Watal, Principal Adviser of NITI Aayog inaugurated the first Global Initiative on Academic Network (GIAN) course on Sustainable Urban planning using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur’s outreach centre at Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Information about
CIPAM-DIPP launches IP IPrism competition for college & university students Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) a professional body under Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has launched a one of its kind Intellectual Property (IP) Competition, ‘IPrism’ for college and university students. More Information about ‘IPrism’ Competition: i. CIPAM-DIPP has launched this competition in collaboration with Associated Chambers of Commerce
Chhattisgarh HC Makes Aadhaar Mandatory for Bail Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a directive to all trial courts in the state to mandatorily obtain Aadhaar Cards of accused persons and sureties before issuing release warrant of a prisoner/accused. i. The order is an attempt to curb the rampant practice of obtaining bail on the basis of forged revenue
Bhogali Bihu celebrated in Assam with traditional fervour & gaiety On 14th January 2018, the Bhogali Bihu also called as Magh Bihu festival began in Assam. Bhogali Bihu: i. The Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam. The festival kick-started with the burning of traditional Meji and Bhelaghar made from thatch and fire woods. ii. People offered prayers
Delhi is the richest state, Bihar the poorest: NFHS-4 As per data collected through National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted among more than 6 lakh households in 2015-16, Delhi is the richest state while Bihar is the poorest. i. The report outlines that poverty is widespread in rural India as 29% of the rural population
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates National Youth Festival On January 12, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the events of the National Youth Festival (NYF) through Video conferencing. This is the 22nd edition of National Youth Festival. i. 22nd National Youth Festival is a five-day event being held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh from
Governors’ committee submits report to President Kovind On January 10, 2018, Committee of Governors submitted a report, titled ‘Rajyapal —Vikas Ke Rajdoot: Catalytic Role of Governors as Agents for Change in Society’ to President Ram Nath Kovind. i. The report outlines best practices that have been adopted by offices of Governors, issues and an action-outcome framework
Cabinet Approvals On January 10, 2018 In a bid to liberalise and simplify the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and to provide ease of doing business in India, Union Cabinet has approved a number of amendments in the existing policy. i. Cabinet approves MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in Science & Technology ii. Cabinet approves
Central Government notifies the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 On January 3, 2018, Central Government notified the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017. Certain provisions of this amendment act will ease the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. Key Provisions of Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017: i. As per Section 53 of the Companies Act, 2013 companies were prohibited
Govt proposes rolling out e-Sansad, e-Vidhan in Parliament & State Legislatures 18th All India Whips’ Conference began in Udaipur, Rajasthan on January 8, 2018. The two-day conference was inaugurated by Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Ananth kumar. About e-Sansad and e-Vidhan projects: i. Among other things, rolling out of e-Sansad and e-Vidhan