Current Affairs July 2016 - Regional
News 1 - Rapid Rural Police Response System launched in Punjab
The Punjab police has launched the Rapid Rural Police Response System (RRPRS) across the state with an aim to ensure prompt and effective police response in the state's over 12,000 villages. Close to 400 new motorcycles and 220 new Bolero jeeps were also flagged off under the new system.
People would get help within 20 minutes of calling at the helpline number 100. The police department had divided 446 villages spread over four blocks of the district into 25 beats.
News 2 - Radha Mohan Singh launches a web-based App CMRS for Bihar Farmers
The Union Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh launched Crop Manager for Rice-based Systems (CMRS) – a web based App for better crop and Nutrient management released for Bihar farmers in a program organized at ICAR-RCER in Patna.
CMRS provides irrigated and rain-fed farmers with rice-based cropping systems in Bihar with a crop and nutrient management guideline customized to the needs of an individual farmer. It can be used with computer, mobile and tablet.
News 3 - Haryana to develop a new Industrial Township in Gurgaon at an expense of $5 billion
The Haryana State Government has signed an MoU with China Fortune Land Development (CFLD) company to develop a new industrial township, spread in over 1,500 acres in Sohna and Manesar areas of Gurgaon, at a cost of $5 billion. HSIIDC and CFLD Company would execute the project as a joint venture (JV).
These projects would be completed within the next 10 years. The Chinese firm would develop infrastructural facilities, industrial units and residential and commercial projects in the township.
News 4 - Kerala Government bans 'Electronic Cigarettes'
The Kerala State Government has decided to ban the manufacture, sale, marketing and advertising of e-cigarettes in the State, following study reports that the use of e-cigarettes could lead to cancer and heart diseases. The expert committee set up by the Union government in 2014 had recommended banning it.
The e-cigarettes are popular as a “Healthier Alternative” to conventional cigarettes and as an aid to help quit smoking. However, experts have pointed it out as an electronic form of delivering a mixture of nicotine, glycerin and ethylene glycol.
News 5 - India’s first Commercial Court and Commercial Disputes Resolution Centre inaugurated in Raipur
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh inaugurated country's first commercial court and a commercial dispute resolution centre in Raipur. The center will facilitate speedy disposal of commercial disputes. These centers host some of the ultra-modern facilities like video-conferencing, e-court, e-library, e-filing and e-summons.
The commercial court is located in Naya Raipur area of the city. The court also consists of arbitration centre and a mediation centre.
News 6 - MP Cabinet approves proposal to impose entry tax on online shopping
The Madhya Pradesh State Cabinet gave its approval to a proposal for imposing entry tax on online shopping. Now 6% entry tax will be levied on the online shopping in the state in the wake of losses to the state exchequer due to the online shopping.
In another significant step, the state cabinet has made a toilet in home mandatory for contesting the panchayat elections. Now those not having toilets in their house cannot contest panchayat elections. There are four lakh panch-sarpanchs in the state.
News 7 - MP Cabinet approved “Madhya Pradesh Tax on Entry of Goods in Local Areas Amendment Bill, 2016”
The Madhya Pradesh State Cabinet gave its nod to Madhya Pradesh Tax on Entry of Goods in Local Areas Amendment Bill, 2016.
This Bill seeks to levy 6% entry tax on goods brought to local areas for consumption after purchase under e-commerce. This step has taken in the wake of losses to the state exchequer due to the online shopping.
News 8 - Rajasthan becomes the first state to introduce minimum wages for part time workers
Rajasthan became the first state in the country to introduce minimum wages for the part time workers. According to a notification released by the Labour Department, it is now mandatory to pay 50% of the prescribed a day minimum wage to a person who works for less than four hours in a day.
With this notification, part time workers now come under the Minimum Wages Act 1948. In another decision government has increased minimum wages in all categories of scheduled employments by Rs 104 per month.
News 9 - West Bengal to have three Biotechnology Hubs in its state
The West Bengal Government will set up three biotechnology hubs across the state to welcome more biotechnology innovations. In the beginning, the three hubs will be established at Bardhaman, Kalimpong and Medinipur districts.
The main objective behind the decision taken was to improve the productivity and quality of various products in the field of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing and provide germ-free food to the common people.
News 10 - Andhra Pradesh’s Lohit District Administration introduces mobile app “Apna Lohit”
In order to implement and moving towards digital India, the Andhra Pradesh Government introduced a mobile app called “Apna Lohit” through which people can have access to detailed useful information about the district at one go. It works like a mini Wikipedia to help people know about the geography, culture, location, history and all kind of helpline numbers through one mobile app.
This Mobile app will also help in checking corruption, improve transparency and monitoring various schemes.
News 11 - Delhi Government agrees to new slum and Jhuggi-Jhopdi Rehabilitation Policy
The Delhi Government approved the new slum and jhugg-jhopdi rehabilitation policy under which slums which came up before January 2015 will not be demolished without providing alternative accommodation to its dwellers.
As per the policy approved, the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) will work as the nodal agency and rehabilitate the eligible JJ dwellers before removal of jhuggies as per this policy. In the budget, the Government had also allocated Rs. 100 crores funding for rehabilitation of these JJ clusters.
News 12 - The 139th Lord Jagannath 9-Day Rath Yatra begins in Puri
The annual 9-days Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath started in Puri, to be witnessed by more than 10 lakh devotees from India and abroad. Every year this festival is celebrated on Ashadha Shukla Paksha Dwitiya (second day in bright fortnight of Ashadha month). One of the special attribute about the temple is that the three chariots of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannatha are newly made every year with wood of specified trees.
During the journey, the chariots on which the deities are carried, will be pulled by thousands of devotees. The three deities will remain in the Gundicha temple for a week and then return. The return journey of Puri Jagannath Ratha Jatra is known as Bahuda Jatra.
News 13 - Maharashtra Police launched four safety and emergency helpful apps for public security
In order to have better public security, Maharashtra Police launched four mobile apps for timely delivered services into emergency situations. They are named as Pratisaad-Ask, Police Mitra, Vahan Chori Takrar and Railway helpline.
It was launched by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur. This will help citizens to inform police and report any emergency situation or crime like robbery or assault on women, anytime and from anywhere. The apps are currently supported on Android platform but will be soon be made available on iOS platform.
News 14 - Supreme Court reinstated Nabam Tuki Government in Arunachal Pradesh
A five-judge Constitution Bench ordered status quo ante and reinstated the Congress Government led by Nabam Tuki in Arunachal Pradesh. The constitutional bench headed by Justice JS Khehar termed removal of former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and all decisions of Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa as unconstitutional.
The bench ruled in one voice that the Governor cannot interfere in the activities of the Assembly, cannot fix a date for an Assembly session or decide how the Assembly functions. This judicial bench comprised of Justices Dipak Misra, Madan B Lokur, P C Ghose and N V Ramana.
News 15 - Kerala introduces ‘World’s First’ Digital Student Incubator
Kerala launched the first of its kind ‘Digital Student Incubator’ as a digital makeover of the Startup Village in Kochi. The state will fund 1,000 startups every year with Rs. 2 lakhs for turning ideas to prototypes. The best prototypes will be funded Rs. 1 crore interest free loan to turn the prototype idea into a successful startup.
The Kochi Startup Village between years 2012 to 2015, co-operated more than 500 startups and helped generating more than 3,000 jobs. Students can indulge themselves in teams and apply at SV.CO.
News 16 - West Bengal Government sets target to make rural Bengal open defecation free by March 2019
The West Bengal Government has set a target to create toilets across all villages of the state by March 2019 and help rural Bengal become open defecation free (ODF) place to live in. According to, Dibyendu Sarkar, Commissioner in the State's Panchayat and Rural Development Department, they have planned to create toilets across all rural households.
The Government plans to make Hooghly, East Midnapore and North Parganas districts free from ODF by September 2016. Burdwan and South Paraganas will be free from ODF by March 2017. As in 2015, Nadia district became the first to achieve ODF status in the country.
News 17 - ADB gives a 100-million-dollar loan to help tackle climate threats in the Cauvery Delta
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $100 million loan agreement to strengthen a key irrigation and drainage system and improve water management in the Vennar Sub-Basin of the Cauvery Delta in Tamil Nadu.
The financing will be used to strengthen embankments of six major irrigation water channels in the Vennar system and rehabilitate 13 irrigation pumping schemes. The Cauvery River Basin is a critical source of water for agriculture, both within Tamil Nadu and neighboring states. The loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources has a 25-year term. The project is expected to be completed by December 2020.
News 18 - ‘Ramayana Month’ begins in Kerala
The annual ‘Ramayana Month’ began in Kerala on the 16th July. ‘Karkkidakam’ which is the last month in the Malayalam calendar is observed as the auspicious Ramayana month in the state. The decade old tradition is celebrated across temples and Hindu houses in the state resonating with the chanting of the epic, Ramayana.
Devotees recite "Adhyatma Ramayana" authored by medieval devotional poet Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, in the next one month to mark the period. Karkkidakam month comes ahead of Chingam that brings colorful festival of Onam for the Malayalis.
News 19 - Madhya Pradesh becomes the first state to have a Happiness Department
Madhya Pradesh became the first state in the country to set up a 'Happiness Department'. This department will work to ensure "happiness in the lives of common people". The Happiness Department will function as a "Knowledge Resource Centre" on the subject of happiness. It will include a chairman, a CEO, a director each for Research and Coordination and an accounts officer, four posts of Research Assistant, six Junior Assistant and five peons. The cabinet also decided to establish a state Happiness Institute under the Happiness Department and approved an estimated budget of Rs. 3.6 crores for the Happiness department.
The concept of happiness is already there in Bhutan which has a "Happiness Index" to measure the happiness of its people.
News 20 - Maharashtra CM launches virtual, digital classrooms across 32 ITIs in state
On the occasion of World Youth Skills Day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the facility of virtual and digital classrooms across 32 ITIs in the state. The facilities will be soon extended to all ITIs. The facility is supported by Tata Trusts, Wadhwani Foundation and Valuable Group.
The Chief Minister also announced an initiative to make these classrooms and course content 3D enabled and use of simulators to give hands-on training to youths. The Chief Minister also announced an initiative called 'Skill Sakhis' for women empowerment.
News 21 - Delhi Airport rolls out portable, common use check-in device
The Delhi Airport rolled out portable, common use check-in device for the first time in the country, which is expected to reduce flight check-in time significantly at India's busiest aerodrome. The hand-held vMUSE portable check-in facility offers a cost effective way to accommodate rapid passenger growth at the airport. The specialized check-in tool helps reduce queues, eases check-in process and enables airlines to offer an added level of service to their passengers.
The mobile device was launched after successful trial at the Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. During the trial, commuters experienced smooth check-in through this Wi-Fi enabled gadget, which has a Bluetooth-based printer attached to it to print the boarding pass.
News 22 - Pema Khandu took oath as the 9th Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
Pema Khandu took oath as the ninth Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh and Chowna Mein as the Deputy Chief Minister in the presence of Governor Tathagata Roy at the Rajbhavan.
It was initially directed by Governor to take floor test in the Assembly of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki but later Congress Legislature Party decided to elect Pema Khandu, son of late Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in place of Tuki to the Chief Minister's post on the basis of voting done by 45 party MLAs along with two independents.
News 23 - Delhi Chief Minister launches live interactive session ‘Talk to AK’
A live interactive program ‘Talk to AK’ was launched by the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal so as to involve public in interactive programs or decisions taken by the Government and reach out to the people to solve their queries. People, from anywhere in India can ask queries by dialing 01123392999 or log on to its website ‘talktoak.com’ or by sending text message through social media.
First such session was interactive and lasted for 2 hours where Chief Minister replied to a various questions asked by the public.
News 24 - Cabinet approves 1980 MW coal based thermal power project at Ghatampur in UP
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for installation of Ghatampur Thermal Power Project (GTPC) of 1980 MW (3 X 660 MW) capacity through a Joint Venture Company named “Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL)” formed jointly by Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL).
The project will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 17,237.8 crores including Interest During Construction component of Rs. 3,202.42 crores. The commissioning of Unit I, II and III will be 52 months, 58 months and 64 months respectively from starting date.
News 25 - UP signs agreement with Netherlands for setting up a Skill Development Centre for farmers
The UP Government signed an MoU with the Netherlands to set up a skill development centre to help farmers. According to the agreement, farmers would get information of food processing and of use of modern techniques for better produce of sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers.
In addition, the Dutch Government would also help in cleaning the Yamuna in Agra and in sewage treatment. Further, Netherlands would also help in land reclamation of 1,500 acres in the Ganga basin in Kanpur and development of cultural heritage.
News 26 - Odisha Government announces to Celebrate Bicentenary of 1817 Paik Revolt
The Odisha Government will celebrate the Bicentenary of the 1817 Paik revolt in 2017. Many historians claim the Paik Revolt to be the first War of India's Independence. Paikas (a martial race) had first raised the banner of revolt against the British Raj in 1817 at Barunei near Khurda.
The Historians from Odisha claim the Paik revolt should be acknowledged as the first war of Independence, and not the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. As part of the event, an Amar Jyoti Pillar will be installed at Barunei Hills and Khurda Fort will be conserved and protected and a road leading to it will be developed by the State Government.
News 27 - Kerala Assembly passed the Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualifications) Amendment Bill 2016
The Kerala Assembly passed the Legislative Assembly (Removal of Disqualifications) Amendment Bill 2016 with retrospective effect from 1951. The Bill paves way for the appointment of CPI-M Veteran V S Achuthanandan as the Chairman of the proposed Fourth Administrative Reforms Commission.
This bill seeks to amend the Section 2 of the 1951 Act by adding sub-section 2 and is envisaged to make necessary amendments in the present law to remove technical obstacles to confer Achuthanandan, also a legislator in the state Assembly, the post with Cabinet rank.
News 28 - Kerala State Government constitutes State Technical Advisory Group on Immunization
The Kerala state government has constituted a State Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (STAGI) for advising it on policies and practices to be adopted and implementation of the National Immunization Program. The advisory group will have the Director of Health Service as the chairman and the Director of Medical Education as cochairman. Apart from the chairman and the co-chairman, it will have eleven members.
The committee will be responsible for timely recommendations on the choice of vaccines to be included in the State’s immunization program as well as modifying the current guidelines based on the State’s surveillance data.
News 29 - NDMC inked MoU with NEERI to develop sewage treatment plants
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). The MoU will help NDMC develop green areas and revamp big and small parks under its jurisdiction.
In the first phase, 12 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) will be installed and each plant will have a capacity of treating sewage water ranging from 50,000 to 1 lakh liters. As part of the agreement, NDMC will bear only pumping cost which is economic and NEERI will bear the cost of the project.
News 30 - The State Green Panel gives clearance for Odisha’s power project
A State Green Panel has given first-stage clearance to Orissa Integrated Power Ltd (OIPL) for diverting 17.02 hectares of revenue forestland to set up a 4,000 MW UMPP in Sundargarh district in Odisha. REC (Regional Empowered Committee) has recommended "Stage-I" approval to the proposal with some conditions. The company has been asked to raise compensatory afforestation to 27.89 hectares in one compact block. It has also been asked to furnish revised Forest Rights Act (FRA) certificate for 17.02 hectares before issuance of stage-II approval.
The project cost is pegged at Rs. 29,000 crores and is estimated to generate over 4,500 jobs in the state.
News 31 - MP State Cabinet lays down mandatory rules for Panchayat Elections
The MP State Cabinet has made toilet in home mandatory for contesting the panchayat elections. It also extended special recruitment drive being conducted for filling backlog/carry forward vacancies of SCs, STs, OBCs and disabled persons. The cabinet has authorized the Finance Minister to hear problems of daily wagers and work charged employees in the state who would further inform the Chief Minister.
The cabinet also sanctioned amended self-finance pension scheme’s sixth pay scale in accordance with the terms and conditions of 1st April 2014 in Rajmata Scindia Agriculture University, Gwalior.
News 32 - Centre approves projects worth Rs. 19 Crores for Mewat and Sirsa districts of Haryana
The Central Government has approved projects involving an investment of Rs. 19.50 crores for Mewat and Sirsa districts of Haryana, under the Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP).
The share of the Central and State Governments would be Rs. 11.71 crore and Rs. 7.81 crore rupees respectively, for the implementation of these projects. The class rooms, toilets for students and separate toilets for children with special needs would be constructed under this project.
News 33 - Kochi to have the Country’s First Water Metro
Kochi will be the first Indian city where water connectivity will be developed as a feeder service to the Metro Rail and will be called as 'Water Metros'. Procurement of modernized boats for the Water Metro Project will begin in year 2018.
The related agreement was signed between the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and German Development Bank KfW for an 85 Million Euro (Rs. 597 Crores) loan for the Water Metro Project. The remaining amount of Rs. 102 Crores will be funded by the Kerala Government. The project will be financed by the Indo-German Bilateral Cooperation, under the ‘Climate Friendly Urban Mobility Plan.’
News 34 - Haryana Government notifies Freight Assistance Scheme for MSME Exporters
The Haryana Government has notified the "Freight Assistance Scheme" for the exporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) situated in the State and has given them time till September 9th to submit the claim application for 2015-16. The decision was taken in lieu of the additional transportation cost borne by the exporters which made their product uncompetitive.
The FoB value of 1% or actual freight assistance, whichever is less and maximum up to Rs. 20 lakhs will be provided to all exporting MSMEs. The assistance would be admissible only in case of direct export of the goods manufactured by the exporting unit and no amount would be given for export by air.
News 35 - Rajasthan aims to double its farmers’ income in six years
The Rajasthan Government, in an attempt to double the income of farmers by 2022, plans to bring in latest technological innovation and introduce best farming practices by inviting experts to Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM) in Jaipur from November 9 to 11.
The primary objective of GRAM 2016 is to ensure the economic empowerment of the farmers and double their income by 2022. Farmers would be taught various new techniques to improve yields and on use of drip irrigation to overcome drought-like situations.
News 36 - Karnataka opens a dedicated start-up cell
The Karnataka Government has set up a dedicated Start-up Cell to fuel the implementation of the initiatives under its Start-up Policy 2015-2020 for start-ups registered with it.
The Government launched a portal, www.startup.karnataka.gov.in, to enable and educate start-ups on the State Government’s policies and provide access to various benefits under the policy. Under the Innovate Karnataka initiative, the State Government will provide start-ups with financial support equivalent to approximately Rs. 400 crores in the form of grant/equity, through the various funds.
News 37 - Dakshayani set to enter Guinness World Records as the oldest Elephant
At the age of 86 years, Dakshayani – an Elephant in Kerala, is all set to enter the Guinness World Records as the oldest living elephant. The Travancore Devasom Board (TDB) is the owner of the elephant. The TDB owns 1,250 temples in South Kerala districts, including the famed Sabarimala temple. They have 33 elephants which take part in the festivals of their temples.
The TDB claims that Dakshayani is with them since 1949. Elephants are an integral part of the cultural milieu of Kerala and are prominently displayed in festivals and processions.
News 38 - India's first set of Humboldt Penguins reach the Mumbai Zoo from Seoul
Eight Humboldt Penguins (three males, three females and two female babies) reached the Byculla Zoo, Mumbai from Seoul, South Korea. The Humboldt Penguin is a South American species found in cold climate of coastal Peru and Chile.
The BMC has revealed that it is set to incur an expenditure of Rs. 45 crores for a period of five years. The BMC has appointed three separate agencies for this venture — Oceanis, an Australian agency to care for the penguins; SIVAT, a US-based company, and Hindustan Construction Company.
News 39 - Pashudhan Bima Yojana launched in Haryana
Haryana Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister, Mr. O. P. Dhankar launched Pashudhan Bima Yojana in the state. Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department has set a target to cover one lakh cattle under the Pashudhan Bima Yojana.
Under this scheme, insurance cover would be provided for cows, bulls, buffaloes and camel at a premium of Rs. 100 and for sheep, goats, pigs at Rs. 25 for a period of three years. The insurance companies would give compensation in case of death of animal. The scheme is free of cost for cattle breeders belonging to Scheduled Castes.
News 40 - Centre Sanctions Rs. 623 Crores Drought Assistance to Uttar Pradesh
The Centre has sanctioned 623 Crore Rupees to Uttar Pradesh as an assistance for the recent drought situation in the state. It also approved over 79 Crore Rupees for Rajasthan which was affected by hailstorms and 15 Crore Rupees to Manipur, which was affected by an earthquake.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting in New Delhi chaired by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The funds were cleared after examining the report of the Central Team, which visited these states.
News 41 - MoU Signed for Establishing Hydro Engineering College in Himachal Pradesh
The Government of Himachal Pradesh, NTPC Ltd. & NHPC signed an MoU for setting up Hydro Engineering College in the State of Himachal Pradesh to promote technical education in the State.
The NTPC & NHPC are committed to contribute Rs. 37.50 crores each in the first tranche for setting up of Hydro Engineering College at Badla, District Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. The NTPC & NHPC will also consider to release Rs. 12.5 crores each in the second tranche and will also contribute Rs. 2.5 crores each per year for five years (total Rs. 25 crores) towards operating expenses.
News 42 - Manipur Becomes the 14th State to join the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana
The Government of India, the State of Manipur and the DISCOM of Manipur signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Scheme UDAY – “Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana”. Manipur becomes the fourteenth State to join UDAY and the first North Eastern State to opt for UDAY for improving the efficiency of the DISCOM.
An overall net benefit of approximately Rs. 263 crores would accrue to the State by opting to participate in UDAY, by way of cheaper funds, reduction in AT&C and transmission losses, interventions in energy efficiency, coal reforms etc. during the period of turnaround.
News 43 - Yoga Centers to be set up by Haryana for Municipal Committees, Councils and Corporations
The Haryana State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Mr. Anil Vij announced to set up yoga centers in all Municipal Committees, Councils and Corporations of Haryana state for Senior Citizens, Women, Youth and Children of the urban areas to practice yoga.
There are 800 Vyayam and Yog Shalas in various districts will be inaugurated for Health Improvement of the people. It is an initiative towards State’s Health Improvement. The recruitment process of 1,000 yoga trainers for these Vyayam and Yog Shalas has already been initiated.
News 44 - Odisha gives nod to three Investment Projects worth Rs. 874 Crores
Three projects with a total investment of Rs. 874 Crores and employment opportunities to 630 persons was approved by the Odisha Government to generate employment. A First such project is approved by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Mr. A P Padhi for Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited to generate employment for 348 persons.
Another project is being started with an investment Rs. 102 crores which would offer employment for 116 persons for P & A Bottlers Limited. A third project is by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited Common User Facility Centre with an investment of Rs. 272 Crores and provide employment to around 166 persons.
News 45 - Motorcycle rally ‘Ride for Accessibility’ flagged off in Delhi
A motorcycle rally named Ride for Accessibility was organized in the National Capital on 24th July, 2016 to spread awareness about ‘Universal Accessibility’ through ‘Ride for Accessibility’ for the Accessible India Campaign. The rally saw 500 young men and women motorcycle riders participate in the event.
Accessible India Campaign also known as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is aimed at creating universal accessibility in built environment, public transportation and Information and Communication Technology eco-system for Divyangs.
News 46 - Maharashtra CM launches the pilot project of E-Complaint System
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched a pilot project of EComplaint System on an experimental basis in Pune. The citizens can now register a police complaint online at any city police station from anywhere. After the pilot project, the system will be launched across the state.
To register an online complaint, a citizen will have to first create a user name and password on www.mhpolice.maharashtra.gov.in. People can write their complaints in up to 12,000 words. Also, a new SMS gateway has been launched wherein people get acknowledgement of the FIR on phone through a system generated SMS.
News 47 - AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched 'Mission Harita Andhra Pradesh'
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched ‘Mission Harita Andhra Pradesh’, with the theme ‘Green Cover for a Happy Living’. The slogan for the mission is "Vanam-Manam (Forest and We)". He planted saplings at Sunkollu Village in the Krishna District.
The objective of the mission is to increase the green cover in the state to 50 per cent by the year 2029. Andhra Pradesh currently has 23 per cent Green Cover (forest area) and another 3 per cent non-forest, besides 13 lakh hectares of degraded forest.
News 48 - Cochin Chamber launching Aadhaar-based e-certificate of origin
The Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry launched an Aadhaar based e-Certificate of Origin service. This user-friendly online solution enables the Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry to manage digital requests and digitally sign-off electronic Certificates of Origin on behalf of exporters and freight forwarders.
The online service and platform is provided by Myeasydocs, an IIT Madras Incubated Company. A certificate of origin is a critical document in the course of export and is issued to exporters by the Chamber of Commerce to avail duty benefits under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or prove from where the goods originated.
News 49 - Madhya Pradesh adjudged as the best state for Comprehensive Development of Tourism
Madhya Pradesh has been adjudged as the best state for comprehensive development of tourism, followed by Gujarat and Karnataka at the National Tourism Awards for the year 2014-2015 to various segments of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry.
Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur Railway Station received the Best Tourist Friendly railway station award while Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport got the Best Airport award and Telangana's Warangal received the best heritage city award. (FYI: India attracts less than 1% of tourists globally.)
News 50 - Gujarat to exempt small private vehicles from paying toll tax from Aug. 15
Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, addressing the 67th Van Mahotsav function at Valsad, has announced to exempt small private vehicles from paying toll tax in the state. The decision will come into effect from 15th August after issuance of a Notification. The Gujarat Government will bear the losses incurred to toll booth operators due to exemption granted to small private vehicles.
Surveys are being conducted on what exactly will be the amount that Gujarat Government will have to pay to toll road operators to compensate the exemption.
News 51 - Odisha announces Rs. 60 lakhs special incentive for Olympic Qualifiers
The Odisha Government has announced a special incentive of Rs. 60 lakhs cash for six sportswomen of the state who have qualified for the Rio Olympics. The six sportspersons are sprinters Dutee Chand and Srabani Nanda and four Hockey Players – Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Lilima Minz and Sunita Lakra, would receive 10 lakh rupees each.
While Dutee has qualified to participate in the 100-metre run, Srabani has qualified for 200metre run event. Both have also qualified for the 4X100 metre relay race. Besides, the four hockey players of the state have found places in the Indian team.
News 52 - A Rs. 2,880 crores Deficit Budget for 2016-17 tabled in the Assam Assembly
In Assam, Rs. 2,880 crores deficit budget for 2016-17 was tabled in the state Assembly. Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, laying the first budget for the newly formed BJP-led coalition government, announced a mega mission for farmers 'Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana', under which nine sub-missions will run to double the farm income by 2021-22.
Among the items that would be cheaper are e-rickshaws, candles, jaggery, tamarind, kerosene stoves, LED bulbs, packaged drinking, hospital equipment. The items that would get costlier include readymade gold ornaments, amusement tax, mobile phones, cigarettes.
News 53 - Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac proposed 14.5% fat tax on Junk Food
Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac proposed a 14.5% fat tax on junk food like pizzas, burgers, pasta and doughnuts to help people inculcate healthy eating habits. Fat tax was proposed in the State Budget of May 2016. The National Restaurant Association of India has decided to take legal opinion if the Kerala government levies fat tax.
Kerala is the first Indian state to consider imposing such a tax. Industry estimates suggest there are at least 50-60 organized restaurant chains in Kerala, including global brands such as McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's and Subway.
News 54 - 'Smart Pulse Survey' to be organized by the Andhra Pradesh Government
The Andhra Pradesh Government will conduct a Smart Pulse Survey for collecting socioeconomic data of 1.48 crore households in the state from 8th to 30th July. Considering a loophole in the Aadhaar database that does not provide the socio-economic details like caste, community education, income and livelihood details of a citizen, the A.P. Government decided to conduct this smart pulse survey.
The State Government appointed senior IAS officers, who will supervise the survey as nodal officers for the 13 districts. Survey will be conducted by visiting houses and details could be provided by citizens over the internet also.
