Current Affairs July 2018 - Regional

1 - Gujarat government to set up JWG in agriculture and horticulture with Israel

The Gujarat state government will set up JWG in agriculture and horticulture along with Isreal. The JWG will be headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture. The Gujarat Chief Minister was on a six-day visit to Israel to strengthen cooperation in the fields of internal security, water management and agriculture.

The JWG will help in introducing technological advancements in the field of agriculture and horticulture such as precision farming, digital Agriculture, optimum usage of water, fertiliser and other inputs to Agriculture.

2 - Madhya Pradesh will be awarded for reducing maternal mortality under Prime Minister's Safe Motherhood Campaign

Madhya Pradesh will be rewarded for reducing maternal mortality under Prime Minister’s Safe Motherhood Campaign. The maternal mortality rate was 221 in the year 2011-13, which has now dropped down further to just 173. There has been a significant decline of 22% in the last three years in the state.

The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. The program aims to provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on the 9^th of every month.

3 - Ayushman Bharat Yojana under PMRSS Mission to be implemented in MP

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission will be implemented in Madhya Pradesh from August 15. An annual Health Security Cover of 5 lakh rupees will be provided to each family under the scheme. A total of 84 lakh families of deprived section have been included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme on the basis of socio-economic caste census.

An expenditure of over Rs. 1600 crore at the rate of Rs. 1200 per family has been estimated. An amount of Rs. 600 crore in the form of Grant-in-Aid will be provided by central government, whereas around Rs. 400 crore will be shared by the state.A MoU has been signed with National Health Agency for the implementation of the scheme.

4 - Maharashtra government announced 'Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana'

The Maharashtra government has announced a new scheme called 'Kanya Van Samruddhi Yojana' with an aim to empower women and promote tree plantation. Under the scheme, farmers families where girl children are born, will be given saplings for plantation.

It is expected that the income from these trees will be utilised for safeguarding the future of the girls. At least two lakh farmers families will benefit from the scheme every year. The beneficiaries will also be helped under the horticulture scheme.

5 - Odisha, RIMES inked MoU for effective Disaster Management

The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for effective management of disasters. It will help enhance early warning system for effective management of all kinds of disasters in the state.

The agreement will remain in force for five years with a cost involvement of about Rs 8 crore. RIMES-Thailand, is a UN registered international and inter-governmental institution, owned and managed by its 48 members and collaborating states for building capacities in the generation and application of user-relevant early warning information.

6 - Delhi Government launched 'Happiness curriculum' in over 1,000 Delhi govt schools

The Delhi Government has launched the “Happiness Curriculum” for students of nursery to Class 8 in government schools in the presence of the Dalai Lama. Students will have a 45-minute-long 'happiness' period with a special five-minute session of meditation practice.

The 'Happiness Curriculum', including meditation, value education, and mental exercises, was designed and prepared by a team of 40 Delhi government teachers, educators and volunteers over a period of six months.

7 - Bengaluru to get India’s 1^st e-Waste Plant

The Union Government has decided to set up India’s first government run e-waste recycling unit in Bengaluru. The plant is likely to be up and running within four months and will be set up by the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET).

India produces 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste annually. Bengaluru, with 92,000 metric tonnes of e-waste, is the third in terms of e-waste generation in the country. About 180 e-waste recyclers from across the country recently came together to form the All India e-Waste Recyclers’ Association, based in Bengaluru.

8 - Behdienkhlam Festival concluded in Meghalaya

The Behdienkhlam Festival of the Raij Tuber, one of the most colourful and the biggest festivals in the Jaintia Hills region in Meghalaya concluded amidst thousands of spectators from across the state and outside.

The Tuber Behdienkhlam has under it over 50-60 villages. The celebration was held at the sacred place called the ‘Bear’ situated in the heart of Tuber village which is about 25 kilometers from Jowai.

9 - Gujarat CM launched 'Poshan Abhiyan'

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani launched 'Poshan Abhiyan'. It is a statewide mission to eradicate malnutrition among children by providing them nutritious food through Anganwadi centres. He also launched 'Purna' project to eliminate malnutrition among girls in the age group of 14 to 18.

'Purna' stands for Prevention of Under Nutrition and Reduction of Nutritional Anaemia among Adolescent Girls. The government has allocated Rs 270 crore to control malnutrition among those girls.

10 - SC rules Lt. Governor does not have independent powers

The Supreme Court has held that Lieutenant Governor does not have independent decision-making powers, and is bound to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

The apex court was ruling on a batch of appeals filed by the Delhi government challenging the High Court's order holding the LG as the administrative head of the national capital. The judgement pronounced by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, who was heading a five judge Constitution bench, also held that the LG cannot act as an obstructionist.

11 - MP government launched outstanding power bill waiver scheme ‘Sambal’

The Madhya Pradesh state government has launched an outstanding power bill waiver scheme and subsidised power scheme ‘Sambal’ for labourers and poor families. Under the scheme, the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families would be provided electricity at a cost of 200 rupees per month.

One crore 83 lakh workers have registered under Sambal Yojana in the state till now. Under this scheme, outstanding electricity bill worth five thousand 179 crores rupees is to be waived off.

12 - Telangana signed MoU with Singapore’s Surbana Jurong for Genome Valley 2.0

The Telangana government has inked an MoU with Singapore-based engineering & consulting firm Surbana Jurong for Genome Valley 2.0. The pharma-biotech cluster has emerged as the largest life sciences destination in Asia, being home to over 200 companies employing 10,000 people.

The clusters proposed footprint expansion will enable more global companies to establish and expand their operations. The Genome Valley is already home to multinationals such as Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Mylan, DuPont, US Pharmacopeia, etc.

13 - Uttarakhand HC declares animals to be ‘legal persons’

The Uttarakhand High Court declared the “entire animal kingdom including avian and aquatic” as legal entities with a distinct persona and corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person. A division bench consisted of justices Rajiv Sharma and Lok Pal Singh.

The order came in response to a public interest litigation seeking directions to restrict the movement of horse carts/tongas between Nepal and India through Champawat district.

14 - UNESCO to set up Gaming University in Visakhapatnam

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has entered into an agreement with Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to set up a 'Design University for Gaming' in Visakhapatnam.

The UNESCO will develop edutech gaming in the state, with the target of providing 50,000 jobs in 10 years. Visakhapatnam will be developed as International Gaming and Digital Learning Hub. IT giants like UBSoft, Samsung, Microsoft etc are ready to establish their centres in Visakhapatnam.

15 - HP government announced subsidy on rooftop solar power installations

The Himachal Pradesh government announced a subsidy of 10% or four thousand rupees per Kilowatt, whichever is less, to all domestic consumers, institutions and those in the social sectors for installation of solar power plants at the rooftop of their buildings.

The subsidy would be additional to the subsidy given by the Centre. The subsidy amount would be deposited directly to the bank account of the consumer through state-run Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Authority.

16 - Rewa mega solar power project started operations to serve Delhi Metro

In Madhya Pradesh, the 750 megawatts (Mw) Rewa Solar Power Project began its operation. This is the first project in the country supplying power to an inter-state open access customer - Delhi Metro.

Rewa solar plant is India's first and till now the only solar project to get funding from the clean technology fund. It has been estimated that state discoms will get 76% of the power produced from the Rewa solar plant and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will get 24% from the plant.

17 - Sambalpur Railway Division became first to eliminate all unmanned level crossings

With the aim of eliminating all unmanned Level Crossing Gates over Sambalpur Division, East Coast Railway launches highest ever 6 (six) Limited Height Subways (LHS) in Sambalpur Division. Launching of 6 Limited Height Subways in Sambalpur Division is a first of its kind not only in East Coast Railway, but also in the entire Indian Railways.

In spite of the weather challenges involved in launching six LHSs in one go, Sambalpur Division has converted the mighty challenge into a favourable opportunity and thereby has set up a new mile stone in the history of Indian Railways.

18 - Uttar Pradesh orders ban on plastic from July 15

It is for the third time that Uttar Pradesh government has banned the use of polythene bags, plastic cups and plastic glasses. This new order became effective from July 15, 2018.

The use, sale and purchase of polythene bags by shopkeeper, vendor or wholesaler has been banned. It is done so as to save environment. The same ban has been implemented in various states such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Uttar Pradesh is in process to enforce restricted laws against the use of plastic bags.

19 - Tamil Nadu Assembly passed Lok Ayuktha Bill

Tamilnadu Assembly passed the Lok Ayuktha Bill. State Administrative Reforms Minister D. Jayakumar introduced the Bill in the Assembly. The Government has decided to establish Lokayukta to inquire into the allegations of corruption against public servants.

The act will be called as the Tamilnadu Lok Ayuktha Act 2018.

The Chairperson and the members will be appointed by the State Governor on The recommendation of the selection Committee. The Bill when enacted and brought into operation, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of the State in the implementation of the Act.

20 - Gujarat state government gave religious minority status to Jews

Gujarat state government stated that Judaism shall get the religious minority rights envisaged in the Constitution and various acts and rules of the state government and will be benefitted from welfare schemes formulated for religious minority communities within the jurisdiction of Gujarat. As per census, the Jewish community in Gujarat has around 170 members.

The Jewish community of India is the fourth largest Asian Jewish community after Israel, Asian Russia, and Iran. At present India has Jewish population of approximately7000.

21 - ADB accorded approval for lining project of the Son canal in Bihar

ADB accorded approval for lining project of the Son canal in Shahabad – Bhojpur region of Bihar. A meeting was held where timeframe for the completion of the project was discussed. The estimated cost of this project is USD 503 million (Rs 3272.49 crore) out of which USD 352 million is being provided by ADB. This project will bring immense benefits to the agriculture sector of Shahabad – Bhojpur region of Bihar.

The tender, design study, consultation with stakeholders, feasibility report, preparation of tenders etc. is under process for the first phase of the lining of the main canal.

22 - Uttar Pradesh to provide revenue status to 3 forest villages under FRA, 2006

Uttar Pradesh state government will provide status of revenue village under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, (FRA) to three villages inhabited by the Tongia Scheduled Tribe in and around forests in Saharanpur district. Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, (FRA), village area will come under the revenue department instead of forest department so as to provide civic facilities in these areas.

Forest Rights Act, 2006, has been enacted to recognize the forest rights and occupation of forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, whose rights could not be recorded.

23 - Bihar government approved amendments in stringent provisions of Prohibition & Excise Act 2016

Bihar government has approved amendments in stringent provisions of the Prohibition and Excise Act 2016. A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved scrapping of harsh provisions to confiscate property including house, land and vehicle in case of recovery of liquor.

After the Cabinet nod, Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act (Amendment) bill will be tabled in upcoming session of the state legislature. More than 1.4 lakh people have been booked under the liquor law ever since it was implemented in 2016.

24 - Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani gives approval for Rs 39-cr ‘Seema Darshan’ project

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has given in-principle approval for the 39-crore rupees ‘Seema Darshan’ project for developing more infrastructure facilities from T-Junction to Zero Point at Nadabet near Suigam in Banaskantha district to instil patriotism through a unique Gujarat initiative for border tourism.

The project being developed on Wagah Border pattern, entails an exhibition hall, a parade ground with amphitheatre for 5,000 people.The phase-1 of the project worth 22-crore was launched on December 24, 2016.

25 - Microsoft signs MoU with Rajasthan government for digital training to 9,500 students

Microsoft India signed an MoU with the Department of College Education, Govt. of Rajasthan to improve the integration of technology in teaching and skilling of students and educators in government colleges.

Through this initiative the government aims to build tech capacity and enhance digital literacy among students and faculty in colleges under the ambit of the Department of College Education, Govt. of Rajasthan, as well as improve digital citizenship in the state.

26 - Andhra Pradesh topped 'ease of doing business' ranking

The World Bank and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) released ease of doing business ANNUAL business ranking of states and UTs.Andhra Pradesh has topped the ranking with 98.42 points. Telangana is in second place with 98.33 points and Haryana in third with 98.02 points.

Others in the top ten are

• Jharkhand (4) 97.99,
• Gujarat (5) 97.96,
• Chhattisgarh (6),
• Madhya Pradesh (7),
• Karnataka (8),
• Rajasthan (9) 95.68,
• West Bengal (10).
• Meghalaya was ranked last at 36^th position.

27 - Andhra Pradesh Government launches 60 Anna Canteens

The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the 'Anna Canteens' in various parts of the state. 60 'Anna Canteens' were opened in the first phase across the state.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation will run these canteens. Breakfast, lunch and dinner would be offered at Rs 5 each at the canteens. The canteens were named after Telugu Desam Party founder and former chief minister NT Rama Rao who was fondly called Anna.

28 - Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan inaugurated NTPC's Rs 1,500 crore solar plant

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan inaugurated NTPC's 250 MW Solar Power Plant in Suwasra at Mandsaur district. The cost of the project is about Rs 1500 crore.

The project has been set up without affecting the natural eco-system with zero carbon emission. Under the Make in India initiative, this is one of the biggest solar plant developed using domestically manufactured Solar cells and modules. The Project has been commissioned in June 2017.

29 - Ravi Shankar Prasad unveiled Goa IT Policy 2018

Union Minister for Electronics and IT and Law and Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad unveiled the Goa IT Policy 2018 at the Inox complex in Panaji on the final day of Goa IT Day celebrations. The programme is designed to empower all Indians and break the digital divide through developmental, low-cost and transformative technology.

The Goa IT Policy focuses on infrastructure development, fiscal incentives, governance and human resource development. The policy offers special incentives for solar power-based units, internet subsidy and assistance for campus recruitment.

30 - Odisha Govt constitutes Heritage Cabinet to preserve history and culture

The Odisha State Government has constituted a Heritage Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to preserve the history and culture of Odisha. The Cabinet comprises eight members, including the Chief Minister.

The Heritage Cabinet will maintain coordination between the institutions and departments working to preserve and spread Odia language, culture and literature. Its aim is to spread and preserve history and culture of Odisha and enrich Odia language further.

31 - Haryana top state in per capita revenue collection under GST

Haryana has topped the states in per capita revenue collection under GST and become 4^th highest generator of e-way bills in the country. The state also widened the tax base by 82.22%, and logged 19% hike in revenue collections.

GST collected during 2017-18 (for nine months) averaged Rs 1,505.93 crore which increased to Rs 1,804.96 crore during the first three months of 2018-19, implying year-on-year growth of 19.85%. Haryana’s per capital revenue collection under GST is the highest in the country at Rs.1876.

32 - Bihar to get world’s cheapest clean drinking water

Sulabh International has launched the first of a kind water project in Bihar's Darbhanga district that will help people get pure and clean water only in 50paisa/litre making Bihar the state to provide the cheapest drinking water in the world.

The 'Sulabh Jal' project converts contaminated pond and river water into safe drinking water. Sulabh International is an organisation that introduced the concept of 'Sulabh Sauchalya' in the country. The founder of Sulabh International is Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.

33 - Bihar government to grant reservation in promotions to SCs and STs

The Bihar government has introduced reservation in promotions to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes personnel in its services. 16% reservation will be given to SCs, and 1% to STs.

The decision was taken following an advice received from the Union Personnel and Training Department in the light of the orders passed by the Supreme Court on May 17^th and the 6^th June on a special writ petition.

34 - ePragati launched in AP for better online services for citizens

The government of Andhra Pradesh in partnership with EY consultancy has launched an ePragati Core platform. ePragati will help the government take many of its services online and provide integrated services to its citizens. It will help connect 34 departments, 336 autonomous organisations and 745 plus services to the citizens.

The state-of-the-art platform is expected to reduce corruption. For the ePragati project, Rs 800 crore has been invested so far.

35 - Infosys Foundation signed MoU with Bangalore Metro

Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Infosys, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) towards the construction of a station at Konappana Agrahara, in Electronics City.

This station is under the second phase of Bangalore Metro’s expansion plans and the Foundation has committed to maintaining this station for the next 30 years. The station will be named Infosys Foundation - Konappana Agrahara Metro Station.

36 - Chhattisgarh launched “Abhar aapki sewa ka” app for pensioners

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh launched Chhattisgarh Online Pension Management System. This online management system has been prepared by the Department of Finance for the pensioners by the Directorate of Funds, Accounts and Pension.

The Chhattisgarh Online Pension Management System launched an app called “Abhar aapki sewa ka”. Through this application, 80,000 pensioners of the state will now get all the information related to pension and payment online.

37 - Swachh Survekshan Grameen launched in UP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra

The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) announced by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on July 13^th, 2018, was launched by three States – UP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

Under the SSG 2018, an independent survey agency will conduct the survey in all districts from 1^st to 31^st August 2018, and the results will be announced in the form of ranking of all districts and States on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation (Swachhata) parameters. The top performing States and Districts are expected to be awarded on 2^nd October 2018.

38 - Shri Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation for NH Projects worth Rs 5485 Crores in Madhya Pradesh

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated/ laid the foundation for National Highways projects worth Rs 5485 Crores in Madhya Pradesh. He laid the foundation stone for 5 NH projects of total length 226 km, worth Rs 3583 Crore. He also inaugurated 188 km of NH projects worth Rs 1902 Crores in the state.

Two Expressways are proposed to be built in the state – the Rs 3000 Crore Indore – Bhopal Expressway and Rs 6000 Crore Chambal Expressway. About 3180 km of Economic Corridors are planned in the state under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

39 - Sagarmala Project in Andhra Pradesh

104 projects have been identified in Andhra Pradesh under Sagarmala programme. Total investment in these 104 projects is Rs. 164,413 Crore. Details of approved projects and investments across various categories are −

40 - Odisha Government launched 'Green Mahanadi Mission'

Odisha CM launched 'Green Mahanadi Mission' for plantation of two crore saplings across banks of the Mahanadi, Tel and Ib rivers. This involves costing of Rs 500 crore in next five years. The mission has been launched in Subarnapur and Boudh districts. Further, it will involve 1,303 villages spread over 15 districts situated on both sides of the Mahanadi.

The Mahanadi is a major river in East Central India. It drains an area of around 141,600 square kilometres and has a total course of 858 kilometres Mahanadi is also known for the dam Hirakud.

41 - Karnataka becomes top state in renewable energy

According to a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Karnataka has become the top state for renewable energy in India. 27% of the state's power generation is through renewable energy. The State reached 12.3 gigawatts (GW) of total installed capacity as of March 2018, having added 5 GW in 2017-18 alone.

Tamil Nadu was second, after it lost its top spot to Karnataka. However, it still leads in wind energy capacity. Karnataka’s renewable capacity has also exceeded its coal-fired capacity by 2.5 GW.

42 - Meghalaya Milk Mission launched in Shillong

The government has launched Meghalaya Milk Mission in Shillong. The Rs 215 cr project through the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) consists of 2,000 dairy farm units each with a provision for five cows, sheds, storage room, animal insurance, 79 bulk milk coolers of 500 litre capacity and 13 milk tankers of 3,000 litre capacity. There is also provision for Rs 1 crore for training farmers.

2000 farmers will be directly benefitted by this Mission over the next four years. It is also aimed to double the farmer’s income by 2022 through promotion of milk business in the state.

43 - President Kovind launched Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojna

President Ram Nath Kovind launched Chhattisgarh government's Sanchar Kranti Yojna at Jagdalpur in the Naxal-affected Bastar region of the state Chhattisgarh. Under the scheme, 50 lakh smartphones will be distributed free of cost to the people.

President Ram Nath Kovind dedicated the new building of the Government Medical College at Dimrapal village near Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarter of Bastar. President interacted with farmers and members of self-help groups at an integrated agricultural farm in Hiranar village.

44 - India’s first state-run all-woman hotel launched by Kerala Tourism

Kerala Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran launched India’s first state-run all-woman hotel named 'Hostess'. It is expected to start its operations in 6 months. It is first such hotel that will run entirely by women for women customers. It will be developed by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

This launch is a part of KTDC’s milestone initiative project. Hostess hotel will offer automated security features, technology-oriented check-ins and check-outs and facilities of global standards at affordable rates. KTDC will set up 42-room budget hotel at Kanyakumari at the cost of Rs 17.5 crore.

45 - West Bengal assembly passed resolution for name change of state to ‘Bangla’

West Bengal state government has given three options to the Center for name change of state. Out of the three options, Center selected ‘Bangla’ as new name of state West Bengal. The resolution passed in the assembly has moved to Home Ministry for its approval.

Prior to this, West Bengal assembly had passed a resolution to change the name of West Bengal to Bangla in Bengali, Bengal in English and Bangal in Hindi in 2016, however, later on state cabinet passed a resolution to change the name of the state to “Bangla” in all languages.