Current Affairs April 2017 - Regional
News 1 - Madhya Pradesh government launched 'MP e-nagarpalika' app
The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a mobile app ‘MP e-nagarpalika’ to provide various municipal services online. Around 378 services like online payment of property tax, seeking building permission, birth/ marriage/death certificates, etc., would be available round the clock on this app.
This app will also register complaints related to garbage, water, streetlights etc. It also has the facility of Online Payment gateway. The mobile app is a part of Rs. 225-crore ‘e-nagarpalika’ project.
News 2 - Mizoram became the 27th state to join UDAY
The Government of India and the State of Mizoram signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the scheme Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) for operational improvement of the State’s Power Distribution Department. It became the 27th state to join UDAY.
Mizoram would derive an overall net benefit of approximately Rs.198 crores by opting to participate in UDAY. The scheme would also allow speedy availability of cheaper power to 22,007 households in the State that are still without electricity.
News 3 - Uttar Pradesh to waive off farmer's agriculture loan of up to Rs 1 lakh
Uttar Pradesh government decided to waive off farmer’s agricultural loan of up to 1-lakh rupees and to provide free electricity to BPL families in urban areas. About 86 lakh small and marginalized farmers of the state will be benefited and about 36 thousand crore rupees of financial burden will be on the public exchequer to meet out the decision of waiving off the Agri-loans.
The Uttar Pradesh government announced setting up of three separate committees of Ministers on formulation of new Industrial policy, check illegal mining and protect the interests of potato growing farmers.
News 4 - The 5-day Namami Brahmaputra festival held in Assam
Assam celebrated their five-day long Namami Brahmaputra festival. A MoU to dredge the Brahmaputra was signed among the Assam government, NHAI and Inland Waterways Authority of India.
The dredging of the Brahmaputra will change the entire economic corridor of Assam as Brahmaputra National waterway-II and will have direct access to Chittagong port of Bangladesh and Haldia port of West Bengal. It was announced that Sagarmala project will be carried out at the cost of 15 lakh crore rupees.
News 5 - CM Mamata Banerjee declared Jhargram as the 22nd district of WB
The West Bengal Chief Minister declared Jhargram as the 22nd district of West Bengal, fulfilling a longstanding demand of its residents. Several developmental projects for the district were announced including a stadium and several schools, colleges, and hospitals and an archery academy in Jhargram will be established to train talented youths.
Chief Minister recalled that earlier, nearly 35,000 persons were recruited in the police from Junglemahal (forested stretches comprising large areas of Bankura, West Midnapore, etc.) and announced that henceforth, the day will be celebrated as ‘Jhargram Divas’.
News 6 - ‘Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana’ to be launched in Nellore
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana”, a ‘Scheme for providing Physical Aids and Assisted-living Devices for Senior citizens belonging to BPL category’ was launched in District Nellore, Andhra Pradesh on 1st April, 2017.
The devices will help the Senior Citizens to overcome their age related physical impairment and to lead a dignified and productive life with minimal dependence on caregivers or other members of the family. The ambitious Scheme is expected to benefit 5,20,000 Senior Citizens during 3 years. The expected financial outlay is Rs. 483.6 Crores.
News 7 - J&K government imposed ban on polythene manufactured below 50 microns
The Jammu and Kashmir government banned polythene bags manufactured below fifty microns to make the state's environment and ecology pollution free. Ministry to introduce guidelines and regulations and improve proper recycling of plastic waste, reducing its impact on the environment.
Some other measures were also adopted such as awareness camps will be organized to educate masses about ill effects of non-biodegradable products and manufacturer's name and address will be printed on the bag.
News 8 - First biogas bus launched in Kolkata
Kolkata introduced first biogas-fueled bus for public transport with the help of company Phoenix India Research and Development Group. Public will be charged flat Rs. 1 fare. It is first of such launch in the entire south East Asia.
Phoenix India Research is in process of seeking government approval for providing cheap fuel to old buses, which have run for 15 or 20 years. Kolkata will introduce four more buses. The first bus will cover distance of 17 km between Ultadanga and Garia in the southern fringes of the city.
News 9 - Berhampur Thakurani Yatra festival observed in Odisha
Southern Odisha’s biggest festival Berhampur Thakurani Yatra was celebrated in Odisha. It is a festival, which is celebrated for one long month. This year, it is expected to conclude by May 1. Festival marks celebration of weaving community, known as Devangiris, and is organized by P Durga Prasad Desibehera, every year since generations.
Every year, Desibehera, head of the Devangiris, and his wife along with several others visit Thakurani temple in a manner to invite the goddess 'home' at midnight on the first day.
News 10 - Uttar Pradesh to set up six AIIMS like institutes in the next five years
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced to set up six AIIMS like institutes and 25 new medical colleges in the state in the next five years.
Expressing concern over the poor medical facilities in rural areas, Mr. Adityanath appealed to medicos to come forward to work in those areas in the early days of their careers. Underlining the contribution of KGMU in the field of medicine, the Chief Minister announced that government would provide all possible help to the university and upgrade it to an AIIMS like institution.
News 11 - Uttar Pradesh to allow liquor shops only under the excise act
The Uttar Pradesh government asked the officials that liquor shops will be allowed only under excise act and guidelines issued by the Supreme Court. Government has issued directions to administrative and police officers after people began picketing against liquor shops demanding their closure.
The Government has clarified that alcohol establishments will not be allowed near to educational institutions, hospitals, religious places, and residential areas as per guidelines of the apex court. It has also been said that officers will be held responsible if illegal alcohol shops were found and manufacturing and selling of illicit alcohol come to notice.
News 12 - Haryana to provide Rs 21,000 to families under 'Aapki Beti, Hamari Beti' scheme
In order to implement scheme 'Aapki Beti, Hamari Beti', Haryana government will provide one-time grant of Rs. 21,000 to all those eligible families whose third girl child was born on or after August 24, 2015. Scheme was launched with an aim to increase girl child sex ratio.
There has been improvements observed in sex ration of Haryana, on implementation of scheme. Haryana government observed sex ration at birth 938 girls per 1,000 boys in February 2017.
News 13 - Assam Government to make Girls Education free up to the University Level
The Assam government proposed to make girls education free up to the university level. The policy proposed to implement two child norms for getting government jobs. The minimum age for marriage must be followed for getting benefits of the Government Employment Generation Schemes.
The two child norms will also be followed for aspiring candidates of gram panchayat and municipality board. Policy proposed strict measures to prevent child marriage. State Population Resource Centre will be set up in the state as per the proposal.
News 14 - Madhya Pradesh launched Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Yojana
Madhya Pradesh became the third state to launch popular subsidized meal scheme under name ‘Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Yojana’. The scheme has been already launched in two other states Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. In Tamil Nadu, it has been launched under name ‘Amma Canteens’.
The first phase of the scheme was launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 49 districts headquarters across Madhya Pradesh state. In order to implement Deendayal Antyodaya Rasoi Yojana’, food centers (canteens) will be opened at each district.
News 15 - Chattisgarh CM Raman Singh announced liquor ban in state
Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh announced that liquor prohibition would be enforced in Chattisgarh. Chief Minister announced that there would be no sale of liquor in those villages, where population is less than three thousand and rules will be formulated accordingly.
He made this historic announcement in Munger, Bihar, following a meeting with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, who has emerged as an icon for the pro-prohibition movement after implementing liquor ban in his state in April 2016.
News 16 - Madhya Pradesh decided to ban plastic carry bags from May 1
In Madhya Pradesh, the state government has decided to ban plastic carry bags from 1st of May in the state. The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting held in Bhopal under the leadership of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The state cabinet also gave approval to Chief Minister Young Professionals for Development Program on the lines of Maharashtra and Haryana.
The state cabinet also gave approval to Chief Minister Young Professionals for Development Program on the lines of Maharashtra and Haryana.
News 17 - Uttar Pradesh to draft proposal for 24 hours power supply by 2018
In Uttar Pradesh, the government has given nod to draft proposal for giving 24-hour electric power in state by 2018 under 'Power to all scheme'. In this regard, a MOU will be signed with union government on coming 14th April.
Faulty electricity transformers will be changed within 48 hours instead of 72 hours. Cabinet decided to waive off electricity surcharges and facilitate people by making payment in four installments whose bill amount is over rupees 10 thousand. CAG has been given nod to audit 29 development authorities in state.
News 18 - Himachal achieved 108% target under MGNREGS
In Himachal Pradesh, 240 lakh person-days were generated under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act against the target of 218 lakh person-days during 2016-17. A sum of 625 Crore Rupees was spent against the target of 396 Crore Rupees.
Under the Deendayal Rural Skill Scheme five hundred Crore Rupees project had been adopted by the Union Government and first installment of 133 Crore Rupees has also been received. This scheme will provide job-oriented training for 15,000 unemployed youth between 18-35 years age of BPL families during next three years.
News 19 - Maharashtra Government to supply free seeds, pesticides to marginal farmers
The Maharashtra Government is planning to supply seeds, fertilisers and pesticides free of cost to small and marginal farmers to keep the production costs minimal and to reduce their losses.
The State Government would also include farm labourers into the fold of National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme in the next couple of months. The Government is also coming with a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for food grains.
News 20 - Jharkhand Police initiated Tare Zameen Par program in Naxal-affected areas
Jharkhand Police has initiated 'Tare Zameen Par program' to enlighten children in the Naxal affected areas in the Palamau district of Jharkhand. This program is aimed to restore confidence in the state police force and to encourage children to lead happy lives.
As a part of this program, the state police appealed the locals to donate bags, shoes, books and clothes to improve the basic amenities of the children in the Naxal-affected areas.
News 21 - Gorakhpur and Agra Airports renamed by the Uttar Pradesh Government
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister ‘Yogi Aditya Nath’ changed the name of Gorakhpur and Agra Airports and the name of the department of welfare of the differently abled, in the third meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet.
The Gorakhpur Air Force Station was named after the founder of the Nath monastic movement, as Mahayogi Goraknath Airport. Likewise, the Agra Airport was renamed after RSS ideal Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay airport. The Department of Disabled Welfare will now be called as 'Divyang Jan Vikas Empowerment'.
News 22 - DARPAN web app launched by Manipur
The two web applications were Anti-Corruption Cell and Digital Application for Review by Public and Nation (DARPAN), was launched by Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh to curb corruption, monitor all government-funded projects, check accountability and bring more transparency in system.
DARPAN app would check development of project at every stage such as upload details of projects right from the initial stage until sanction of fund, progress of work and photos the work sites etc.
News 23 - Maharashtra to stage special drive for transgenders to register as voters
In order to ensure that transgenders voting rights in Maharashtra, the state is in process to launch a special awareness drive with the help of Election Commission of India. The day will be observed as Third Gender Day. With this, Maharashtra becomes first state to launch a special awareness drive for transgenders voting rights.
Under the special awareness drive, ECI will screen a two-and-a-half-minute film, slated to run in 400 theatres four times a day and put up posters on two 12-rake locals asking transgenders to register as voters.
News 24 - Haryana Government to provide Accidental Insurance Cover
Haryana Government has decided to provide accidental insurance cover to all residents of the State in the age group of 18 to 70 years under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana’ (PMSBY). The premium would be reimbursed by the state government.
The sum insured would be two lakh rupees each in case of accidental death, and, in case of total and irrecoverable loss. All resident of Haryana having Aadhaar seeded saving bank accounts would be entitled to join the scheme.
News 25 - West Bengal launched Social Security Yojana
West Bengal Government has introduced the Social Security Yojana by converging five separate beneficiary schemes for workers in the unorganised sectors and for self-employed people. Around five crore people will benefit from the Yojana.
State Assistance Scheme for Provident Fund for Unorganised Sector, West Bengal Unorganised Sector Workers’ Health Security Scheme, and Social Security scheme for Construction Workers, West Bengal Transport Workers Social Security Scheme and West Bengal Bidi Workers Welfare Scheme are being converged.
News 26 - UP Government to set up 40 Yoga wellness centres in 40 districts
Uttar Pradesh government has decided to set up 40 Yoga wellness centres in 40 districts during current financial year. Of them 23 will be set up at Ayurvedic hospitals, 12 at homeopathic and 7 at Unani hospitals and colleges. State will seek assistance from union government to set up such centres in remaining 35 districts.
The UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed to develop first herbal garden of the state near to Government National Homeopathic College and Hospital, Lucknow and encourage the farmers for cultivation of herbal plants across the state.
News 27 - Maharashtra CM launched Mumbai BDD chawl revamp
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated an ambitious scheme to revamp one of the oldest chawls in central Mumbai under which the state expects to build at least 16,000 affordable houses in the space-starved city.
The 207 BDD chawls were built in the 1920s by the then British government. Each tenant would get a 500 square feet house in the new buildings after the project. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) has been entrusted with undertaking the revamp of these chawls.
News 28 - Haryana launched a Mobile Application called 'Kilkari'
The National Health Mission (NHM) in Haryana launched a mobile-based application, Kilkari, to create awareness among pregnant women, parents and health workers on the importance of ante and post-natal care, institutional delivery and immunization.
From the second trimester of pregnancy until the child is one-year-old, the application will deliver 72 time appropriate audio messages to registered mobile numbers on pregnancy, child and childbirth care every week.
News 29 - Maharashtra to plant trees on the land near railway tracks
The Maharashtra government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railways to plant trees on the land adjacent to the railway tracks in the state with an aim to expand the green cover.
The Maharashtra state Forest department had planted 2 crore 83 lakh trees across the state on July 1, 2016 and has plans to plant 4 crore trees on July 1 this year.
News 30 - Madhya Pradesh pips Tamil Nadu to lead in houses sanctioned under PMAY (Urban)
With total houses sanctioned of 2,66,842, Madhya Pradesh has emerged the leader for the first time in approvals under PMAY(Urban) with a total investment of Rs. 18,283 crores. Tamil Nadu is second with 2,52,532 houses with a total project cost of Rs. 9,112 crores.
In the latest sanctions, Madhya Pradesh got 57,131 houses, Tamil Nadu - 24,576, Manipur - 6,231, Chattisgarh - 4,898, Gujarat - 4,261, Assam - 2,389, Kerala - 643, Jharkhand - 331 and Daman & Diu - 77.
News 31 - Northeast India's largest IT hub opens in Tripura
The largest Information Technology (IT) hub in Northeast India was inaugurated in Agartala to boost employment and e-governance besides to export software technology. It was set up at a cost of Rs 50 crores. It is the 6th IT hub in the Northeast region.
The IT hub would help to create employment opportunities for the IT educated youths. Tripura last year got the award from the central government for its performance in IT and e-governance.
News 32 - Maharashtra’s Bhilar village to become 1st book village of India
Bhilar, a village in Maharashtra, will become India’s first ‘book village’ from May 4 where tourists and locals can come and read books, magazines, newspapers stacked at 25 premises. The village is already popular for its strawberries. The village is located near picturesque hill station Panchagani.
The idea of ‘pustakanche gaon’ – book village in Marathi – came from Hey-on-Wye, a small place known as ‘town of books’ in Wales, United Kingdom.
News 33 - Kerala organized first ever transgender athletic meet
Kerala successfully organized a first of its sort sports meet for transgenders to promote equality for the transgender community in the state.
At least 130 athletes belonging to the transgender community participated in the event. The athletes participated in six sporting events including sprint in 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m relay, shot put and long jump. Kerala was the first state to formulate a transgender policy. The state set up a transgender justice board to deal with their complaints. The state also introduced a separate column, called intersex, in the birth and death registration form.
News 34 - Ballabhgarh in Haryana renamed as Balramgarh
The Ballabhgarh city in Haryana state has been renamed as Balramgarh derived after its founder king Balram Singh. The princely State was founded by Balram Singh in 1739. Ballabgarh means ‘The Fort of Balram’. The Government has also announced to grant Rs. 10 crores for the restoration of tube wells in the area and reconstruction of dilapidated bypass of Faridabad.
Haryana has recently renamed few cities, viz, Gurgaon as Gurugram, Mewat as Nuh, Mustafabad village in Yamunanagar has been named as Saraswati Nagar.
