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 […]

Kerala raises minimum liquor drinking age to 23 from 21 On December 6, 2017, Kerala State Government issued an ordinance raising the minimum age for liquor consumption from 21 to 23. i .This ordinance seeks to make suitable amendments to Kerala’s Abkari laws. ii. The decision has been taken with an objective to curb the liquor consumption among

Centre allows NGT to form one-member benches On December 1, 2017, Union Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a notification to amend the National Green Tribunal (Practices and Procedure) Rules, 2011. i. As per this notification, National Green tribunal (NGT) chairperson has been allowed to constitute a single-member bench in ‘exceptional circumstances’.  ii. However, term ‘exceptional circumstances’ has not been defined in

Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli District included in National Capital Region On 4th December 2017, Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district was included in the National Capital Region (NCR), taking the total number of districts in the NCR to 23. Shamli included in NCR: i. The decision to include Shamli in the NCR was taken at the 37th meeting of the National Capital Region

11th Annual MedTech Summit of Biodesign Programme held in New Delhi Department of Biotechnology under Union Ministry of Science and Technology has implemented Biodesign Programme with an objective to develop innovative and affordable medical devices as per unmet clinical needs of India. Under this programme, 11th Annual MedTech Summit was organised in New Delhi on December 2, 2017. i. The

Andhra Pradesh assembly passes Kapu Reservation Bill On December 2, 2017, Andhra Pradesh State Assembly unanimously passed A.P. Kapu (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in Services under the State) Bill, which provides 5% reservation in education and employment to Kapu Community in Andhra Pradesh. i. With this 5% reservation to Kapus, total reservation in Andhra

22nd Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium held in New Delhi On November 30, 2017, 22nd meeting of Board of Mangement (BOM) of Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) was held in New Delhi. i. This meeting was chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh. ii. During this meeting, Mr. Singh was briefed about ongoing activities of SFAC. iii. Mr.

Rajnath Singh releases NCRB Publication Crime in India 2016- Statistics On November 30, 2017, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh released ‘Crime in India – 2016’ published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). i. Number of Murder cases across India decreased by 5.2% from 2015-16. In 2015, 32127 cases were reported, which reduced to 30450 cases in 2016. ii. Number of cases

Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 held in Hyderabad, India Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 was held in Hyderabad from 28th – 30thNovember 2017.GES 2017 (eighth edition of GES) was hosted by NITI Aayog in partnership with Government of the United States of America. i. Theme of GES 2017 was “Women First, Prosperity for All”.The US delegation to GES 2017 was

48th International Film Festival of India(IFFI) held in Goa 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in Panjim, Goa from 20th – 28thNovember, 2017. i. This event was jointly conducted by the Union Ministry of Information and broadcasting, Directorate of Film Festivals and the Government of Goa. ii. Theme of 48th IFFI was “Celebrating the Future of Cinema”. Mumbai to host 15th Mumbai International

Skill India partners with Airbnb to Upskill Hospitality Entrepreneurs On 28th November 2017, a tripartite MoU was signed between National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and Tourism and Hospitality Sector Skill Council (THSC) with Airbnb. Skill India partners with Airbnb: i. The MoU will provide hospitality skills training to hospitality micro-entrepreneurs in India. The signing of this MoU is in line with the

Maneka Gandhi launches training program for Elected Women Representatives of Panchayats On November 26, 2017, Union Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD), Maneka Gandhi launched an intensive training program for Capacity Building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions in New Delhi. More Information about Capacity building of Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) Programme: i. This program is

Rajnath Singh chairs 12th meeting of Standing Committee of Inter-State Council (ISC) held in Delhi On 26th November 2017, the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of Inter-State Council (ISC), in Delhi. i. Rajnath Singh said that, Volumes-I & II were discussed during the eleventh meeting of the Standing Committee in April 2017 and Volumes-VI

Punjab govt notifies ban on truckers’ cartelisation On November 24, 2017, Punjab State Government notified the ‘Punjab Goods Carriages (Regulation and Prevention of Cartelization Rules), 2017’, banning goods carriage operators from forming cartels in the state. i. This notification is aimed at creating a favourable environment for industries and business houses in the state which will encourage industrial

Consultative Workshop on New National Policy on Biofuels held in New Delhi On 23rd November 2017, a consultative workshop on ‘New National Policy on Biofuels & Pradhan Mantri Ji- Van Yojana (VGF for 2nd Generation Ethanol Bio Refineries)’ was held in New Delhi. Consultative workshop on ‘New National Policy on Biofuels & Pradhan Mantri Ji- Van