Current Affairs June 2018 - National
1 - Ministry of Railways launched new version of User Interface for its online travel portal, irctc.co.in
The Ministry of Railways has launched a new version of User Interface for its online travel portal, irctc.co.in. The new link features easier navigation and smooth transition of bookings and cancellations.
Users can now inquire and check availability of seats without login, and features like ‘Waitlist prediction' will help to know the probability of a Waitlisted or RAC ticket getting confirmed. E-ticketing constitutes about two-thirds of the total reserved tickets on Indian Railways.
2 - India, Indonesia elevate ties to establish Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
India and Indonesia elevated their bilateral ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia where he met President Joko Widodo. The two nations called for freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The two countries signed 15 agreements including on the cooperation in the field of defence, space, science and technology, railways and health. The two nations plan to take bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2025.
3 - India, World Bank sign $500 mn additional financing for PMGSY Rural Roads Project
India and World Bank signed a $500 million loan agreement to provide additional financing for the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Rural Roads Project. The project was implemented by Ministry of Rural Development, which will build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be constructed using green technologies.
The World Bank has so far invested over 1.8 billion dollars in loans and credits mostly in the economically weaker and hill states across North India - Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. It has built and improved about 35,000 km of rural roads.
4 - Government launched first ever guidelines for Adventure Tourism
The Government has for the first time issued guidelines for Adventure Tourism in India. The guidelines on Safety and Quality Norms for Adventure Tourism in India have been formulated along with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India. The set of guidelines list out the basic minimum standards required for adventure tourism activities in India.
The aim of this initiative is to help adventure tour operators understand and execute safety guidelines in a better manner. These guidelines cover land, air and water based activities which include mountaineering, trekking, bungee jumping, paragliding, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, river rafting etc.
5 - Power Minister R K Singh launched web portal and App called PRAAPTI
Power Minister R K Singh launched web portal and App called PRAAPTI to bring transparency in power payments to generators. The Payment Ratification and analysis in power procurement for bringing Transparency in Invoicing of generators - PRAAPTI App and Portal has been developed to bring transparency in power purchase transactions between Generators and power distribution company - Discoms.
The app will also allow users to know the details related to the payments made by the Discoms to the power generation company and when they were made. The Portal will also help Discoms and companies to reconcile their outstanding payments.
6 - Union Cabinet approved Rs 8,500-cr package to clear dues of sugarcane farmers
The Union Cabinet has approved a Rs 8,500 crore package to ensure cash-starved mills clear dues to sugarcane farmers. The package will boost farmers’ income by creating a buffer stock for sugar, enhancing ethanol production capacity and fixing a minimum selling price to cut mill losses.
The government, in May 2018, had announced over 1,500 crore rupees production-linked subsidy for sugarcane farmers to help millers pay cane payments.
7 - World Bank approved Rs. 6,000 crore Atal Bhujal Yojana
The World Bank has approved a $450 million loan (Rs. 6000 crore) to India for Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)-National Groundwater Management Improvement Program. The program development objective is to arrest the country’s depleting groundwater levels and strengthen groundwater institutions.
The ABHY will be implemented in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and cover 78 districts. The scheme is to be implemented over a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23.
8 - Krishi Kalyan Abhiyan implemented in 25 villages in each of the 111 Aspirational Districts
The government has launched the Krishi Kalyan Abhiyaan from 1st June, 2018 till 31st July, 2018 to be undertaken in 25 villages in each Aspirational District. The overall coordination and implementation is being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra of that district.
Distribution of Soil Health Cards to all farmers
100% coverage of bovine vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease
100% coverage of Sheep and Goat for eradication of Peste-des-Petits ruminants
Distribution of Mini Kits of pulses and oilseeds to all
Distribution of Horticulture/Agro Forestry/Bamboo plant @ 5 per family
Making 100 NADAP Pits in each village
Artificial insemination saturation
Demonstration programmes on Micro- irrigation
Demonstrations of integrated cropping practice
9 - Government launched ‘JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA’ – Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin
The Union Government has launched the ‘JANAUSHADHI SUVIDHA’, the Oxo-biodegradable Sanitary Napkin, under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP. The affordable sanitary napkins will now become available at over 3600 Janaushadhi Kendras functional in 33 States/UTs across India.
Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded. While the average price of sanitary napkins available in the market is around Rs. 8 per pad, the SUVIDHA napkins are priced at Rs. 2.50 per pad, making it affordable for the underprivileged women.
10 - Investment commitment of nearly Rs. 1,00,000 crores in Food Processing Sector in last one year
According to Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the government has investment commitment of nearly Rs. 1,00,000 crores in last one year alone and out of which investment worth Rs. 73000 crores have started grounding. 25 Mega Food Parks would be operationalized by 2018.
Government is creating a Cold Chain Grid to link every nook and corner of India by its 42 Mega Food Parks, 234 Cold Chain Projects and around 700 projects under PM Kisan Sampada Yojana. With the schemes of the Ministry, more than 33 lakh farmers shall be directly benefited every year.
11 - Roundup of investments received since World Food India
Union Ministry for Food Processing Industries gave a roundup of investments received since World Food India.
MoUs for investments worth $14 billion.
FDI inflow between April-17 to Dec-2017 was USD 822 million
Projects worth $11 billion are already being grounded by over 30 companies.
Metro Cash & Carry is adding 25 more stores.
SIAM Makro/CP Wholesale is opening three Big Wholesale stores in New Delhi and one store in Noida.
Amazon has opened a total of 67 warehouses in the country so far.
Grofers has invested in setting up of over 10 vegetable processing centers.
12 - Ministries of MSME and Ayush sign MoU for the Development of Ayush Enterprises
Ministry of MSME and Ministry of AYUSH signed an MoU to create synergies through the institutions and schemes of both ministries for the development of AYUSH enterprises in the country. The objective of this partnership is to position India as a world leader in “Holistic Healthcare”.
AYUSH industry include the Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy drug manufacturing units as well as the healthcare delivery centers in public & private sectors. Both Ministries will organize regional workshops for entrepreneurship development in AYUSH sector and Ministry of MSME will frame new schemes for AYUSH industries to get the benefits of SIDBI.
13 - India signed Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore
India has signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore. This is the first MRA being signed by India with any of the FTA partners.
Singapore agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising seven nursing institutions in the MRA. This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad. It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries.
14 - Government introduced new scheme ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has introduced a new scheme namely ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ with a total outlay of Rs. 325.00 Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
The scheme envisages to reimburse the Central Government share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) on purchase of raw items which go into preparation of food/Prasad/langar/bhandara offered free of cost by religious institutions. The objective of the scheme is to lessen the financial burden of such Charitable Religious Institutions.
15 - MoES commissioned High Resolution Ensemble Prediction Systems for Probabilistic Weather Forecasts
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has commissioned two very high resolution (12 km grid scale) state-of-the-art global Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS) for generating operational 10-days probabilistic forecasts of weather. The EPS involves the generation of multiple forecasts using slightly varying initial conditions.
The EPS will enhance the weather information being provided by the current models by quantifying the uncertainties in the weather forecasts and generate probabilistic forecasts. The probabilistic forecasts will be very useful for various sectors of the economy including agriculture, water resources, tourism and renewable energy as well as disaster management.
16 - New Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018 launched by the Income Tax Department
With the objective of obtaining people’s participation in the Income Tax Department’s efforts to unearth black money and to reduce tax evasion, a new reward scheme titled “Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018”, has been issued by the Income Tax Department.
Under the Benami Transactions Informants Reward Scheme, 2018, a person can get reward up to Rs. One crore for giving specific information in prescribed manner to the Joint or Additional Commissioners of Benami Prohibition Units (BPUs) in Investigation Directorates of Income Tax Department.
17 - National Sports University Ordinance, 2018
The President of India has given his assent to the Union Cabinet’s decision to promulgate the National Sports University Ordinance, 2018. As a part of the ordinance, National Sports University will be established with headquarters at Manipur.
The Ordinance will be on the lines of the National Sports University Bill, 2017, introduced in Lok Sabha on 10.08.2017. This will be a specialized University, first of its kind, to promote sports education in the areas of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management and sports coaching.
18 - Facebook tied-Up with NWC to launch Digital Literacy Programme
Facebook has entered into a partnership with National Commission for Women (NCW) to launch a digital literacy programme. The objective of the partnership is to train 60,000 women in universities across India on safe use of the Internet, social media and email in a year.
The programme is launched in collaboration with Cyber Peace Foundation. The training will be conducted in vernacular languages. Cyber Peace Foundation is a Ranchi, Jharkhanda-based civil society organisation involved in training related to all aspects of cyber security.
19 - PM Narendra Modi launched international RuPay Card, BHIM app and UPI in Singapore
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched international RuPay Card, BHIM app and Unified Payment Interface for international remittance in Singapore. As part of Digital India Initiative, these financial remittances are for Indian diaspora in Singapore.
India's RuPay digital payments system was linked up with Singapore's 33-year old Network for Electronic Transfers (NETS). It will enable RuPay users to make payments at all of NETS acceptance points across Singapore.
20 - India, Singapore exchange eight key agreements
India and Singapore exchanged eight key agreements in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Naval cooperation
Economic co-operation
Fintech
Cybersecurity
Nursing
Combating Narcotics smuggling & Human Trafficking
Personnel Management and Public Administration
MoU between the NITI Aayog and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) on Cooperation in the Field of Planning
21 - First long-term LNG cargo from Russia arrives in Gujarat
With an aim to diversify the import basket to meet its huge energy needs, India received its first Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG under a long-term deal from Russia. LNG carrier 'LNG Kano', carrying a cargo from Russian supplier Gazprom, docked at Petronet LNG's import facility in Gujarat's Dahej.
Gazprom supplied the 3.4 trillion British thermal unit (TBtu) of cargo from Nigeria. India will import LNG worth an estimated $25 billion over the contract period of 20 years from Russia. First US long-term LNG cargo from the Houston-based Cheniere Energy Inc had arrived in India in March.
22 - Asia's first 13 'Blue Flag' beaches to be developed in India
13 Indian beaches are being developed by the Society for Integrated Coastal Management according to the Blue Flag certification standards. These beaches will be environment friendly, clean and equipped with amenities of international standards for tourists.
The first of its kind in Asia, 'Blue Flag' beach has to be plastic-free and be equipped with a waste management system. The Blue Flag beach standards were established by Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 1985. SICOM is an environment ministry's body working for the management of coastal areas.
23 - NTPC adopted Charminar under Swachh Iconic Places Project
NTPC Ltd has adopted the iconic Charminar in Hyderabad under the Swachh Iconic Places Projects of India. NTPC Ltd and Greater HyderabadMunicipal Corporation (GHMC) signed a MoU for implementation of development and beautification works under 'Charminar Pedestrianization Project' in Hyderabad. NTPC will contribute Rs 8.19 crore towards implementation of the project by GHMC.
NTPC will provide battery-operated vehicles for visitors, bollards to prevent traffic, Swachh Auto Tippers (SAT) for carting garbage, mechanical sweeping vehicles and litter picking machines, decorative and halogen lighting of four arches, construction of public utilities, toilets and drinking water ATM kiosks.
24 - President approved promulgation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018
The President gave assent to promulgate the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018. The Ordinance provides significant relief to home buyers by recognizing their status as financial creditors. This would give them due representation in the Committee of Creditors and make them an integral part of the decision making process. It will also enable home buyers to invoke Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 against errant developers.
Another major beneficiary would be Micro, Small and Medium Sector Enterprises (MSME). The Ordinance empowers the Government to provide them with a special dispensation under the Code.
25 - Press Council of India reconstituted
The Union Government has reconstituted the Press Council of India for a three-year term. Members of the newly reconstituted PCI body are −
| Category |
Nominated Members |
Working Journalists-Editors |
Chandramani Raghuvanshi, Uttam Chandra Sharma, Pradeep Kumar Jain, Om Prakash Khemkarni, Sayed Razza Husain Rizvi and Baldev Raj Gupta. |
Working journalists other than Editors |
Amar Devulapalli, Balwinder Singh Jammu, Sarat Chandra Behera, Pravat Kumar Dash, M A Majid, Kamal Nain Narang and Chhayakanta Nayak. |
Big newspapers category |
Vijay Kumar Chopra and Rakesh Sharma |
Small newspapers category |
Shayam Singh Panwar and Keshav Dutt Chandola |
Persons who manage news agencies |
Ashok Upadhyay, editor of United News of India (UNI), |
26 - India and Norway sign MoU to extend health cooperation
India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Norway to extend the cooperation within health sector through the Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI) for a period of three years starting from 2018 to 2020.
It is aligned with the development goals of Government of India as outlined in its National Health Policy 2017 for achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The partnership shall also include areas related to maternal, new-born, child health, and shall build on experiences from NIPI phase I and II.
27 - EFC approved revised cost estimate of DRIP for Rs. 3466 crore
Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has approved revised cost estimate of World Bank funded Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP) for Rs. 3466 Crore and extended time period for conclusion of this project till June, 2020. The total original cost of DRIP was Rs. 2100 Crore with State component of Rs. 1968 Crore and Central Component of Rs. 132 Crore.
DRIP is a state sector scheme to improve safety and operational performance of selected dams. The participating States/Agencies in the DRIP are Damodar Valley Corporation, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited and Central Water Commission.
28 - Ministry of Water Resources accepts two major irrigation and four flood management projects from six states
The Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has accepted two major irrigation/multipurpose projects and four flood management schemes/master plans with a cumulative cost of Rs. 84,748 Crores from six States/ UT.
Kaleshwaram Project of Telangana with an estimated cost of Rs. 80190.46 Crores
Upper Pravara (Nilwande-II) Project of Maharashtra with an estimated cost of Rs. 2232.62 Crores
Mahananda Flood Management Scheme (Phase-II) of Bihar, Seer Khad Project of Himachal Pradesh, Yanam Flood Protection Works of Union Territory Puducherry and Ghatal Master Plan (Phase-I) of West Bengal
29 - Rural sanitation coverage under Swachh Bharat crosses the 85% mark
The rural sanitation coverage of India has now risen to 85% under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Through mobilization of rural communities, 7.4 crore toilets have been built across rural India, and as an outcome, over 3.8 lakh villages and 391 districts have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Two independent surveys conducted in the past by the Quality Council of India in 2017, and National Sample Survey Organization in 2016, have pegged the usage of these toilets at 91% and 95% respectively.
30 - CSIR lab to give technology for India’s first indigenous Lithium Ion Battery project
Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu under Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and RAASI Solar Power Pvt Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Agreement for transfer of technology for India’s first Lithium Ion (Li-ion) Battery project.
A group at CSIR-CECRI headed by Dr. Gopu Kumar has developed an indigenous technology of Lithium-ion cells. Currently, Indian manufacturers source Lithium Ion Battery from China, Japan and South Korea among some other countries. India is one of the largest importers. In 2017, it imported nearly 150 Million US Dollar worth Li-Ion batteries.
31 - Election Commission of India launched its online RTI Portal
Election Commission of India has launched its online RTI Portal. The online portal will facilitate applicants seeking information under the Right to Information Act. The portal can be accessed by general public on the Home Page of the Commission’s website `eci.nic.in’ by clicking on `Online RTI’.
The portal also facilitates online reply to applications and also for making first appeal and reply thereto. There will be timely notification alerts to RTI applicant via SMS and E-Mail.
32 - Government launched 'Rail Madad' App and 'Menu on Rails' App
The Ministry of Railways launched two apps, 'Rail MADAD' and 'Menu on Rails' to ease the traveling experience. The Rail Madad--Mobile Application allows passengers to lodge complaints through mobile application/web platform, and enables them to check real-time feedback on the status of redressal of their complaints.
'Menu on Rail' will display menu to passengers traveling in Mail/Express, including Humsafar Train, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Gatiman Express and Tejas Express. The rates (inclusive of taxes) for standard food items are given for trains as well as stations.
33 - IMD to use FFGS to forecast floods
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will use the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) for the first time in the country to forecast floods and guide the disaster management agencies on prevention techniques. Currently, the Central Water Commission issues flood warnings.
Using the FFGS, the IMD will be able to issue accurate flood forecasts for different regions by assessing their specific geographical conditions and on the basis of the surplus rain forecast.
34 - Shri Piyush Goyal launched “Rail Madad” for railway passengers
Indian Railways has for the first time completely digitized the Complaint management system. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways & Coal launched a new App “Rail Madad” – An App to expedite & streamline passenger grievance redressal.
Rail MADAD (Mobile Application for Desired Assistance During travel) registers complaints by passengers through mobile phone/web. It relays real time feedback to passengers on the status of redressal of their complaints- the passenger gets an instant ID through SMS on registration of complaint followed by a customized SMS communicating the action taken thereon by Railway.
35 - Minister of Railways & Coal launched a new App ‘Menu on Rails’
Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways & Coal launched a new App ‘Menu on Rails’, a Mobile Application developed by IRCTC for creating awareness to the Railway Passengers for the items served to them on their Rail Journey. Mobile App displays menu served on all type of trains, rates for standard food items and help in controlling the overcharging of catering items.
Mobile App will help in creating awareness among Railway passengers about food items available and price.
36 - Minister of Rural Development conferred National Awards on best performing SHGs
The Union Minister of Rural Development conferred the National Awards on Best Performing Self Help Groups (SHGs) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) to provide public recognition to the outstanding performance of the community institutions. For the assessment year 2017-18, a total of 34 SHGs were awarded National Awards.
The National Awards to the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are intended to provide public recognition to the outstanding performance of the community institutions and incorporate a sense of pride among the poor community members.
37 - Cabinet approved agreement between India and Peru
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved an agreement between India and Peru at Lima, Peru.
The agreement aims to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable issues on the basis of mutual benefit equality and reciprocity. The agreement envisages establishing a Joint Committee to develop Work Plans in order to implement the Agreement. The agreement will help in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
38 - Cabinet approved proposal for enactment of Dam Safety Bill, 2018
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the proposal for introduction of Dam Safety Bill, 2018 in the Parliament. It will help all the States and Union Territories of India to adopt uniform dam safety procedures which shall ensure safety of dams and safeguard benefits from such dams. This shall also help in safeguarding human life, livestock and property.
The draft bill has been finalized after wide consultation with leading Indian experts and international experts.
39 - Cabinet approved MoU between the ICMR and INSERM, France
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the INSERM, France.
The MoU aims at cooperation in areas of common interest within the medical, life sciences and health research fields. The MoU will further strengthen relations between ICMR and INSERM within the framework of international scientific and technological cooperation in fields of mutual interest. The scientific excellence on two sides will help to successfully work on health research in specified areas.
40 - Cabinet approved 3-year action plan of agricultural education division & ICAR Institutes
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of the Three Year Action Plan (2017-2020) of the scheme for Agricultural Education Division and ICAR Institutes with an outlay of Rs. 2225.46 crore for strengthening and developing higher agricultural education in India.
The scheme is aimed to generate quality human resources from the institutions of higher agricultural education. It encompasses several new initiatives including, steps to attract talented students, reducing academic inbreeding and addressing faculty shortage.
41 - Cashless Ticketing through 'Utsonmobile' app developed by CRIS
Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS) has developed a mobile based application ‘utsonmobile' which enables booking and cancellation of unreserved tickets, issue and renewal of season and platform tickets, check and load R-wallet balance and helps maintain user profile management and booking history.
At first, the passenger will get registered by providing his/her mobile number, name, city, default booking train type, class, ticket type, number of passenger and frequently travelling routes. The app does not allow advance ticket booking (i.e.) the journey date will always be current date.
42 - NITI Aayog to launch Composite Water Management Index
NITI Aayog has come up with the Composite Water Management Index as a useful tool to assess and improve the performance in efficient management of water resources. This index is an attempt to inspire States and UTs towards efficient and optimal utilization of water, and recycling thereof with a sense of urgency.
The index would provide useful information for the States enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources. The index can be utilised to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.
43 - 20 States signed MoU for implementing Ayushman Bharat
Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding with the State Health Ministers of 20 states marking their commitment towards the launch of the Ayushman Bharat – National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) at a Health Ministers conclave.
The scheme will give cashless benefits in any public or private hospital across the country, ensuring accessible and equitable quality health care to the marginalized and vulnerable sections. A web portal for initiating the empanelment of hospitals under the mission was also launched.
44 - Tourism Minister launched the new Incredible India website
The Minister of State (I/C) for Tourism Shri K. J. Alphons launched the new Incredible India website in New Delhi. The website follows the trends and technologies of international standards with an aim to project India as a “must-visit” destination, among its overseas travellers.
Tourism has partnered with Google Arts & Culture, in bringing online a series of compelling visuals that will give the user an immersive experience of India’s spectacular heritage, festivity, spirituality, museums and adventure, on the new website.
45 - Export promotion offices to open in 10 missions abroad
The Department of Commerce is set to open ten offices in Indian missions abroad for accelerating export promotion activities. The branding of Indian products and export credit are considered as important focus areas for export promotion.
The efforts are made for getting priority sector lending status for export credit and the logistics division has been directed to work upon measures like bulk cargo transportation to reduce freight costs. Brand Equity Foundation is formulating a proposal to support line ministries for branding export products.
46 - President Ram Nath Kovind launched Solar Charkha Mission
The Solar Charkha Mission of the Ministry of Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), was launched by Honorable President Shri Ram Nath Kovind in New Delhi. The Mission will cover 50 clusters and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. The Mission has been approved by the Government of India and will disburse subsidy of Rs. 550 crore to the artisans.
Fifteen new state-of-the-art technology centers are being set up all over the country including North-East, of which 10 centers will become operational by March 2019.
47 - Union Steel Minister dedicated to nation rebuilt Blast Furnace-1 of Rourkela Steel Plant
The Union Minister of Steel, Chaudhary Birender Singh dedicated the rebuilt Blast Furnace-1 ‘Parvati’ of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) to the Nation. Parvati is the first Blast Furnace of SAIL that was dedicated to the nation by the first President of India, Dr.Rajendra Prasad. With the rebuilding, the annual production capacity, of the furnace has increased from 0.438 Million tonnes (MT) to 1.015 MT.
The Steel Minister also laid the foundation stone of the Burns and Plastic Surgery Department at Ispat General Hospital. This unit is the only burns and plastic surgery in the region.
48 - WHO appreciated India for reducing maternal mortality ratio by 77%
WHO commends India for its ground-breaking progress in recent years in reducing the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 77%, from 556 per 100000 live births in 1990 to 130 per 100000 live births in 2016. India’s present MMR is below the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target and puts the country on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of an MMR below 70 by 2030.
WHO South-East Asia’s Flagship Priority of advancing new-born child health ensures to support India to end preventable deaths due to pregnancy and childbirth.
49 - Centre increased monthly cash relief to Kashmiri and Jammu migrants by 30%
Centre increased monthly cash relief to Kashmiri & Jammu migrants by 30%. The relief given to Kashmiri and Jammu migrants was increased to Rs 10000 in 2015 which has now been increased to 13000 per month per family. The relief is being provided to most of the Kashmiri Pandit families along with some families of Sikhs and Muslims who migrated from Kashmir Valley to Jammu, Delhi and other places of the country, due to onset of militancy in 1990.
It has been the Government’s stated policy to provide various rehabilitation facilities to the Kashmiri migrants.
50 - Union Minister for Electronics & IT launched Wi-Fi Choupals and other railway services
Union Minister for Electronics & IT launched major services such as 5000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages, railway ticket delivery through CSC centres and digital literacy of 3 lakh candidates through CSR fund. Through Wi-Fi facility, people in 5,000 villages can now enjoy Internet connectivity. Wi-Fi Choupal aims to connect 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in the country through highly scalable network infrastructure i.e. optical fiber cable.
CSC centres will be able to work as IRCTC agents and book general tickets. IndusInd Bank is supporting CSC SPV for the digital literacy of 3 lakh candidates through CSR fund.
51 - India and China inked MoU on Brahmaputra water data sharing and rice export
India and China signed two MoUs for sharing Brahmaputra water data during flood situational crisis and exporting non-Basmati rice to China. India will benefit from China by export of rice for reducing trade deficit to a certain extent. Under the MoU, China will facilitate hydrological data to India in case water level exceeds mutually agreed level during non-flood season. The two countries have set a trade target of 100 billion dollars by 2020.
Brahmaputra is one of the major rivers in China that originates from Tibet flows down to India and later enters Bangladesh where it joins the Ganga.
52 - India Meteorological Department to use Flash Flood Guidance System
In order to have better flood forecast, India Meteorological Department has decided to use flash flood guidance system. It is first of its kind in India. The said service is meant to launch from July 2018. On the basis of soil testing, IMD will issue flood warnings as well as accurate flood forecasts.
The flash flood guidance system (FFGS) was designed and developed by the Hydrologic Research Center of USA for use by meteorological and hydrologic forecasters throughout the world.
53 - 10 New Swachh Iconic Places launched under Swachh Bharat Mission
Ten new iconic sites have been taken up under Phase III of the flagship project Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) of the Swachh Bharat Mission. These new sites have joined 20 iconic places under Phase I & II where special Sanitation work is already underway.
- Raghavendra Swamy Temple (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)
- Hazardwari Palace (Murshidabad, West Bengal)
- Brahma Sarovar Temple (Kurukshetra, Haryana)
- VidurKuti (Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh)
- Mana village (Chamoli, Uttarakhand)
- Pangong Lake (Leh-Ladakh, J&K)
- Nagvasuki Temple (Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh)
- ImaKeithal/market (Imphal, Manipur)
- Sabarimala Temple (Kerala)
- Kanvashram (Uttarakhand)
54 - Centre plans to expand BPO promotion scheme to create more jobs for rural youth
The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) plans to expand its India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) to create more jobs for rural youth. Under the BPO movement, seats will be extended from current 48,000 to 1,00,000. The government also plans to set up country's largest data centre in Bhopal which will be 5th and country’s largest National Data Centre (NDC).
India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) aims to set up BPOs in small towns and rural areas in a bid to generate employment opportunities for youths.
55 - Fourth Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog concluded
The fourth meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog was held under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Governing Council of NITI Aayog comprises the Prime Minister of India, Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with Legislatures and Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and four Union Ministers as ex-officio members and three Union Ministers as Special Invitees.
The Governing Council is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in shaping the development narrative.
56 - KVIC bagged Air India contract
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), for the third successive time, received an order of Rs 8 crore from Air India for the supply of amenity kits consisting of Khadi herbal beauty care products for its international passengers.
The amenity kits include Khadi hand sanitizer, moisturizer lotion, handmade soap, lip balm, Khadi rose face wash and essential oils. Air India placed an order with KVIC for getting 1.85 lakh units of amenity kits.
57 - Swajal launched in 115 Aspirational Districts of India
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has launched Swajal Scheme in 115 Aspirational districts of India. Swajal schemeswill involve an outlay of Rs 700 crores through flexi-funds under the existing National Consultation on the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) budget.
Swajal schemes will aim to provide villages with piped water supply powered by solar energy. The scheme will train hundreds of rural technicians for operation and maintenance of Swajal units.
58 - 4 MoUs signed under ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme
Under ‘Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme, following four MoUs have been signed.
Mount Stok Kangri Trek Route, Ladakh − Signed between Ministry of Tourism, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) and Jammu & Kashmir government.
Gangotri Temple Area & Trail to Gaumukh, Uttarakhand − Signed between Ministry of Tourism, ATOAI and Uttarakhand Government.
Red Fort, Delhi − Signed between Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, ASI and Dalmia Bharat Limited.
Gandikota Fort, Andhra Pradesh − Signed between Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, ASI and Dalmia Bharat Limited.
59 - India and Suriname sign range of bilateral agreements
India and Suriname signed a range of bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in the field of foreign affairs and tourism.
A Line of Credit for USD 27.5 million was signed regarding the EBS project
A Line of Credit for USD 3.5 million was signedregarding the project "Service and Maintenance of three Chetak Helicopters"
MoU in the field of elections
MoU to set up a Centre for Excellence in Information Technology
MoU in the field of archives
60 - World’s first International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics launched in India
The world's first International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics (ICHF) was launched on 20 June 2018 in Gujarat, India. The centre was launched by Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (GFSU) in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation for India, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives.
ICHF is the first definitive effort at institutionalizing humanitarian forensic action within an existing university system. The Centre will conduct various academic and professional programmes, training, research and provide technical expertise to support operations in the field of humanitarian forensics.
61 - Government launched National Digital Library of India
The government has launched the new digital initiative ‘National Digital Library of India’. NDLI is a project of the Ministry of Human Resource Development under the aegis of National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT).
The objective of NDL is to make digital educational resources available to all citizens of the country to empower, inspire and encourage learning. National Digital Library of India is developed by IIT Kharagpur. NDLI has 1.7 Crore content from more than 160 sources, in over 200 languages.
62 - 5th National Standards Conclave held in New Delhi
Department of Commerce, Government of India in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and other knowledge partners is organizing the 5th National Standards Conclave in New Delhi.
The theme of the conclave was "Implementing the Indian National Strategy for Standardization". The objective of the two day Conclave was to bring awareness and prepare Industries, Central Government Ministries, State Governments, regulatory/standards setting and conformity assessment bodies on the growing importance of “Standards” in the changing scenario of global trade.
63 - India launched National Health Resource Repository
The Union Government launched the National Health Resource Repository (NHRR), the country's first-ever national healthcare registry of authentic, standardised and updated geo-spatial data of all public and private healthcare establishments.
The government also released the National Health Profile (NHP)-2018 prepared by the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI). The National Health Profile covers demographic, socio-economic, health status and health finance indicators, along with comprehensive information on health infrastructure and human resources in health.
64 - Government declares national targets for off-shore wind power
The Union Government has declared medium and long term target for off-shore wind power capacity additions, which are 5 GW by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030. Offshore wind turbines are of much larger dimensions and capacities than onshore turbines.
This comes in the backdrop of India calling for expression of interest (EoI) for the first offshore wind energy project in the country being set up in the Gulf of Khambat, off the Gujarat coast. The National Off-Shore Wind Policy was notified in October 2015.
65 - 16 More Steel Products Brought Under Quality Control Order
Ministry of Steel has issued two Quality Control orders namely Steel and Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2018 and Stainless Steel Products (Quality Control) Order, 2018. As a result, 16 more steel products have been brought under the ambit of quality control order.
In effect, these orders now cover 50 carbon steel and 3 stainless steel products. By implementing these orders, around 85-90% of steel and steel products consumed in the country would be covered under Quality Control Orders (QCO).
66 - PM dedicated Mohanpura Irrigation Project to the Nation
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, dedicated the Mohanpura Project to the Nation. This project will facilitate irrigation of agricultural land in Rajgarh district. It will also provide drinking water to villages in the area.
Mohanpura and upcoming Kundulia irrigation projects will collectively irrigate an area of eight lakh acres. Mohanpura project has been built on Nevaj river at a cost of Rs 3,200 crore while Kundulia project is being constructed on Parvati river.
67 - PM Modi Laid Foundation Stone of Paperless Vanijya Bhawan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Vanijya Bhawan in Delhi. The new building will house the Department of Commerce. It will be a completely paperless office. It is to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 226 crore.
The new Vanijya Bhawan will be a completely paperless office with state of the art facilities such as smart access control, video conferencing and completely networked systems. The building will accommodate about 1000 officers and staff.
68 - Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding sets up labs in Mumbai and Vizag
The Centre of Excellence in Maritime & Shipbuilding (CEMS)has announced setting up of 24 labs - 6 in Mumbai and 18 in Vizag campus. The labs being set up include Product Design & Validation, Advance Manufacturing, Hull Design, Automation, Welding Technology, Robotics, Virtual Reality, Advance Machine & Robotics, Electrical and several others.
CEMS aims to build competency in the field of maritime & shipbuilding sector through skill development in the latest manufacturing technologies for shipbuilding/ repair and ancillary sectors.
69 - Government considering making 24 degrees Celsius as mandatory default setting for ACs
The power ministry has advised the manufacturers of air conditioners to keep the default setting of the cooling machines at 24 degrees Celsius. The proposal is part of the campaign initiated by the Ministry of Power that aims to save substantial amount of energy and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The total connected load in India due to air conditioning will be 200 GW by 2030 and it is expected to increase further.
70 - List of MoUs signed between India and Seychelles
| Sr.No |
Mou/Agreement |
| 1 |
MOU regarding Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of Small Development Projects through Local Bodies, Educational and Vocational Institutions |
| 2 |
Twinning Agreement on the Establishment of Friendship and Cooperation between the Corporation of the City of Panaji (Municipal Corporation) and the City of Victoria of the Republic of Seychelles |
| 3 |
MOU between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Republic of India and the Department of Information Communications Technology of the Republic of Seychelles on Cooperation in the area of Cyber Security |
| 4 |
Cultural Exchange Programme between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Seychelles for the years 2018-2022 |
| 5 |
Technical Agreement on Sharing White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and the National Information Sharing and Coordination Center of the Republic of Seychelles |
| 6 |
MOU between the Foreign Service Institute of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Seychelles |
71 - Ministry of Health signed an MoU with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed an MoU with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to scale up the short term healthcare courses through its available robust platform.
Under this MoU, curriculum for 10 courses especially designed for the health sector, will provide more than 14 lakh trained manpower by 2025. The signing of this MoU is under the existing framework of ‘Skills for Life, Save a Life’ initiative.
72 - Saudi ARAMCO and ADNOC signed MoU for participating in the Ratnagiri Refinery project in Maharashtra
Saudi Aramco and ADNOC signed a MoU to jointly develop and build an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. The project will be implemented by Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (RRPCL).
The project will be set up as a 50:50 joint partnership (50:50) between the consortium from India and Saudi Aramco and ADNOC. This will be single largest overseas investment in the Indian refining sector. The mega refinery will be capable of processing 1.2 million barrels of crude oil per day (60 million metric tonnes per annum).
73 - Government proposed to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 SHGs across the country
The Government proposed to set up 3000 Van Dhan Kendras involving 30,000 SHGs across the country under the Van Dhan Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Under Van Dhan Scheme, 10 Self Help Groups of 30 Tribal gatherers each have been constituted at Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. They are then trained and provided with working capital to add value to the products, which they collect from the Jungle. Working under the leadership of Collector, these groups can then market their products not only within the States but also outside the States. Training and technical support is provided by TRIFED.
74 - HRD Ministry to replace UGC with Higher Education Commission of India
The HRD Ministry is set to replace the apex higher education regulator body University Grants Commission (UGC) with Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) by repealing the UGC Act, 1951. HECI will only deal with setting, maintaining and improving academic standards in universities. The grant-giving function of the body will be taken over by the ministry.
Currently, UGC releases the names of bogus institutions on its website to warn the public, but cannot take any action against them. HECI will have the powers to enforce academic standards, order the closure of sub-standard and bogus institutions, even levy fines.
75 - NITI Aayog’s WEP signed SoI with Financial Institutions & Social Organisations
NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurs Platform (WEP) signed five separate Statement of Intent (SoIs) with Shri Mahila Sewa Sahakari Bank Limited, Indiabulls Housing Finance Limited, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited, Sreemanta Sankar Mission and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
The SoIs signed with the financial institutions will provide financial assistance to women entrepreneurs and address the finance related challenges faced by them through WEP. SoI with SSM will help empower established as well as aspiring women entrepreneurs in North East India. SoI with SEWA will help mobilize women entrepreneurs in rural areas and promote them in Livelihood Entrepreneurship.
76 - Government approved 2 more strategic oil storages in Odisha and Karnataka
The government has approved to set up two more underground crude oil storages in Odisha and Karnataka to increase emergency stockpile cover by 12 days to 22 days. The Cabinet has approved setting up of 4 million tonne (MT) storage at Chandikhole in Odisha and 2.5 MT storage at Padur in Karnataka.
The storages will be additional to the existing rock caverns to shore 5.33 MT of crude Visakhapatnam (1.33 MT), Mangalore (1.5 MT) and Padur (2.5 MT). The government's strategic reserves in India are run by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd.
77 - Sanitation Action Plans prepared for 10 New Swachh Iconic Places
Ten new heritage sites of the country firmed up action plans for raising their sanitation standards to exemplary levels. These Places are Sri Raghavendra Swami Mutt, Hazarduari Palace, Shri Brahma Sarovar Temple, VidurKuti Temple, Mana village, Pangong Tso, Shri Nag Vasuki Temple, NupiKeithel, Sree Dharma Sastha Temple and Kanvashram, which constitute Phase-III of the Swachh Iconic Places (SIP) initiative of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The Swachh Iconic Places initiative aims to achieve a distinctly higher level of sanitation at these places.
78 - President of India launched Udyam Sangam-2018 on UN SME Day
The President inaugurated the Udyam Sangam-2018 in New Delhi to empower women and weaker sections by providing training to 80 lakh women. “Udyam Sangam 2018” is a step forward towards consolidating the convergence and synergy of all the government initiatives relating to MSME Sector. A portal of the Ministry of MSME called “Sampark” was also unveiled by the President. This portal will act as a bridge between the talent pool and those enterprises seeking trained man power.
The President of India launched the Solar Charkha Mission to cover 50 clusters and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans.
79 - 'Passport Seva App' launched by Sushma Swaraj
A new ‘Passport Seva’ app was launched by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas, observed on 26th June. The app is launched with unique features such as applying for passport from anywhere in India and filling passport application forms from mobile phones. Ministry has inaugurated various passport centers in North east as compared to only one center previously located in Guwahati.
According to newly app introduced, passport applications received through Passport Seva App, will further require address verification and dispatch of passport.
80 - Key decisions taken in 222nd Meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, EPF
The 222nd meeting of the Central Board of Trustees and EPF held under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Labour& Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar announced following key decisions.
A member can avail 75% of the total fund standing to the member’s credit with interest thereon.
The Board took note of the Investment of Rs 47,431.24 crore in Exchange Traded Fundsand notional return on ETF investments which stood at 16.07%.
The Central Board approved the proposal to continue SBI Mutual Fund and UTI Mutual Fund as ETF manufacturer.
81 - Oxytocin formulations banned from July 1
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare banned production of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use to public from 1st July 2018. According to Ministry, Oxytocin is misused by farmers to produce more milk in cattle and make vegetables appear fresh and enlarged thereby harming both animals and humans.
Under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Oxytocin will not be available at retail chemists and will be supplied by only KAPL at registered hospitals and clinics in public and private sector directly. Oxytocin is a reproductive hormone found in mammals that stimulates ejection of milk.
