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

Madhya Pradesh approves Rs 7546 crore Narmada, Parvati river linking project Madhya Pradesh State Government has approved Rs 7546-crore project for linking Narmada  River with Parvati River. This project aims to create irrigation facilities on two lakh hectares of agriculture land in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Narmada-Parvati River Linking Project: i. Approval in this regard was given by Narmada Control Board (NCB), at a

Rajasthan Cabinet to accord ‘fighters for democracy’ status to MISA detainees during Emergency period The Rajasthan Cabinet has decided to accord those detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Rules (DIR) during Emergency period 1975-77 outside the state, the status of ‘fighters for democracy’. Fighters for democracy status: i. Parliamentary

West Bengal announces life insurance of Rs. 5 lakh each for pilgrims West Bengal State Government has announced that pilgrims coming to upcoming Gangasagar fair will be provided life insurance cover amounting to Rs 5 lakh each. i. Gangasagar fair is held annually on the occasion of Makar Sankranti at the confluence of the Ganges at Sagra Islands in

Khelo India programme to be launched at cost of 1,756 cr rupees On December 10, 2017, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore announced that Khelo India programme will be relaunched at a cost of Rs 1756 crore for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. While making this announcement, Mr. Rathore also stated that 2018 will

Aadhaar-PAN linking deadline extended to March 31, 2018 On 8th December 2017, the government extended the deadline for mandatory linking of PAN with Aadhaar by three months to March 31, 2018. Aadhaar-PAN linking deadline extended to March 31, 2018: i. This is the third extension given by the government to individuals to link the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar. ii. Section 139

New Delhi to hosts ICOMOS at 19th Triennial General Assembly International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) will be organising ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium 2017 in New Delhi from 11th – 15th December 2017. i. Theme of the Scientific Symposium is “Heritage and Democracy“. ii. The objective of this event is to promote international co-operation and strengthen understanding in

Govt sets up panel under Amitabh Kant to address NPAs in the power sector Central Government has set up a high-level panel to address the problem of Non-performing assets (NPAs) in India’s power sector. Panel to address NPAs in Power Sector: i. This panel is headed by NITI Aayog chief executive Amitabh Kant and comprises secretaries in the