Current Affairs December 2016 - Regional

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News 1 - Asia’s first and longest cycle highway inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh

A 207-km-long cycle highway that runs between Etawah and Agra was inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh by state Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The cycle highway is the Asia’s first and longest cycle highway.

It has been constructed by the UP Public Works Department and is about 7-feet-wide. The track begins from the lion safari in Etawah. On its way it has tourist destinations like Naugava ka Quila, Raja Bhoj ki Haveli, and Bateshwarnath Temple.

News 2 - M M Kutty appointed as the Chief Secretary of Delhi

Senior IAS officer M M Kutty has been appointed as Chief Secretary of Delhi. He will replace K K Sharma, who was transferred as OSD in the Union HRD Ministry.

The 1985 batch IAS officer was working as Additional Secretary in the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. Mr. Kutty was principal secretary to then chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

Mr. Kutty has also been finance secretary in the present AAP government.

News 3 - Chief Minister of Odisha inaugurated Tata Steel's ferro-chrome plant in Gopalpur

Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the 55,000 tonne per annum (TPA) ferro-chrome plant set up by Tata Steel in the company’s Gopalpur Industrial Park in Ganjam district of Odisha.

The plant has been set up at a cost of Rs542 crore and is the first green field ferro-chrome plant of Tata Steel in India. It has 100% water harvesting facility that caters to most of the water needs of the plant. It has an indigenously built semi-closed hybrid furnace, which is first of its kind in India.

News 4 - India’s first Digital Village: Akodara in Gujarat

Akodara village in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat became India’s first digital village in India. The village was adopted by ICICI Bank under its Digital Village Project in 2015 and made cashless by adopting digital technology.

The villagers’ most important transactions — selling Agri-produce at the local mandi or selling milk at the co-operative society — have been digitized and made cashless. All transactions in the village are carried out through digital modes like SMS, net-banking or debit cards.

News 5 - Hailakandi in Assam becomes the 1^st district to pay wages through Cashless Transactions

Hailakandi in Assam has become the first district to pay wages to tea garden workers through individual bank accounts before the December 15 deadline set by the State Government for Cashless Transactions to the plantation workers.

At least 504 workers of Burnie Braes tea estate received their wages through bank accounts and the payment was made through five Banking Correspondents (CSPs) of Assam Gramin Vikash Bank.

News 6 - O Panneerselvam sworn-in as new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

O Panneerselvam was sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after the AIADMK Supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa passed away. Earlier, he had served Tamil Nadu as its Chief Minster, during 2001-02 and 2014-15, after Jayalalithaa was unseated by the courts. Panneerselvam is the 19^th chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

He also served as the Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu in the Jayalalithaa cabinet from 2011 to 2014. He represents the Bodinayakanur Assembly constituency in the current assembly.

News 7 - International Gita Mahotsav begins in Kurukshetra, Haryana

The International Gita Mahotsav-2016 began at Kurukshetra in Haryana. The Mahotsav is being organized to mark Gita Jayanti.

The Governor and Chief Minister of the state inspected the model of Krishna Circuit, which would be developed at a cost of 97.35 crore rupees under 'Swadesh Darshan Yojana'. They also went around the exhibition organized by Saraswati Heritage Development Board and viewed the model of Saraswati project.

News 8 - Liquor banned in three districts of Uttarakhand

The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government to impose a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Uttarkashi districts of the state from the next fiscal year. The Chardham temples are located in these three districts - Kedarnath and Badrinath are located in Rudraprayag and Chamoli respectively while Gangotri and Yamunotri are located in Uttarkashi.

A Government Order dated February 24, 2002 prohibits sale and consumption of liquor in Haridwar because of the religious significance of the place.

News 9 - Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launched Haritha Keralam Mission

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched Haritha Keralam Mission to create new developments by the optimum utilization of the natural resources.

The main purpose of Harithas Keralam Mission is the cleaning of vacant lands which will be used for vegetable cultivation. This mission is a comprehensive waste management plan to collect, separate and recycle waste in villages and municipalities. Eminent Carnatic vocalist and playback singer K J Yesudas is the Brand Ambassador of the mission.

News 10 - Kerala launches mobile apps to fight corruption

Kerala government launched two mobile applications, 'Arising Kerala' and 'Whistle Now'. The applications were launched on the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Arising Kerala − Users have the facility to upload the audio, video related to corruption, automatically that media file will be sent to authorities, and immediate action will be taken.

Whistle Now − Users can blow whistles and expose any information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical and govt will take actions on it.

News 11 - Rajasthan High Court scraps SBCs 5% quota

The Rajasthan high court scrapped special backward class reservation in the state after the state Assembly passed two separate bills for providing 5% quota to the SBC, and 14% to Economically Backward Classes of unreserved categories in September 2015.

Two separate petitions were filed challenging constitutional validity of the SBC Reservation Act, 2015. According to the Act 5% reservation in jobs and educational institutes were given to five communities namely, Gujjars (Gurjars), Banjara (Baldia, Labana), Gadia-Lohar (Gadolia), Raika (Rebari, Debasi), Gadaria (Gaadri, Gayari).

News 12 - Punjab Government launched the country's 1^st Amphibious Bus Project

The Punjab Government launched country's first Amphibious Bus Project at the Harike wetland near Amritsar. The project has cost the State Government over Rs 11 crores.

The bus run by the Punjab Tourism department has a seating capacity of 34 people and is equipped with life-jackets for everyone. The current route of the bus includes a 13-km ride from Amritsar to the Harike wetlands, which the bus is expected to traverse over 45 minutes. It will then traverse 4km on water.

News 13 - Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan inaugurated the 3^rd edition of KOCHIMUZIRIS BIENNALE

The Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the third edition of the KOCHIMUZIRIS BIENNALE, one of the largest celebrations of contemporary art in South Asia at a program in Kochi.

Titled ‘Forming in the pupil of an eye’, Kochi Biennale, will feature the performances of ninety-seven artists from thirty-one countries including thirty-six from India.

It is a 3-month long festival. The main exhibition is spread across 12 different venues.

News 14 - The Narmada Seva Yatra launched by the Madhya Pradesh Government

The Narmada Seva Yatra from November 11 to 8 March 2017 was launched by the Madhya Pradesh Government to prevent Narmada river from pollution and conserve water. It will be a 5-month long yatra, covering 2,930 kilometers spanning close to 16 districts. Plantation of trees along the banks of the Narmada river and sewage water treatment before it flows into river, will be implemented by campaigners.

It will involve public participation from various districts and follow up action on measures to be undertaken by Narmada Sewa Samiti. A website on the proposed 'Narmada Sewa Yatra' has also been launched with an appeal to attract commoners to join the yatra.

News 15 - Gujarat inaugurated Border Viewing Centre to promote tourism

On the annual 'Rann-Utsav' at Dhordo in the Rann of Kutch, Gujrat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced to open a Border Viewing Centre at Nadabet near Suigam village of Banaskantha to promote state tourism, by providing all the facilities which are available to tourists at Wagah Border. Minister inaugurated ten `Bhungas, traditional Kutchi huts, which will be rented to tourists.

Various other Lion Safari Parks at five locations in Gir Wildlife Sanctuary will also be opened soon.

News 16 - Mahila Police Volunteer Initiative launched in Haryana

The Mahila Police Volunteer initiative was launched in Haryana, the first state to adopt this scheme. Mahila Police Volunteer is a joint initiative with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Haryana inducted the first batch of 1000 Mahila Police Volunteers. In order to provide a link between police and community and facilitate women in distress, one Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV) is envisaged per Gram Panchayat across the country.

News 17 - Rajasthan launches Amma canteen-type meal scheme

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has launched Annapurna Rasoi Yojana at the Jaipur Municipal Corporation by flagging off vans which will sell meals, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. As per the scheme, the poor and the needy will get breakfast for Rs. 5 and lunch or dinner for Rs. 8.

In the first phase, the scheme is being implemented simultaneously at 80 places in 12 districts - Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Baran, Banswara, Dungarpur, Pratapgarh and Jhalawar.

News 18 - Odisha Government sets target for construction of 2000 kms of concrete road

The Odisha Government has decided to construct more than 2,000 kilometers of cement concrete roads under the Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana in rural areas by March 2017.

The State Government has allocated 1,000 crore rupees for the Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana in the current year’s Budget.

The sanctioned funds will be utilized in 30 districts of the State for road construction and drinking water facilities in rural areas.

News 19 - Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation to receive Digital India Silver Award

The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has been selected for Digital India Award in the category of "Most Innovative Citizen Engagement" and installing and implementing free Wi-Fi Scheme in its various offices.

The award is instituted by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for leveraging use of Information and Communication Technology to solicit active engagement of public in the process of governance. mygov.in won the Platinum award and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna got the gold award.

News 20 - First Cybercrime police station opens in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The first Cybercrime Police Station was opened at state police headquarter in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. The main objective of this police station is to deal with increasing crime based on misuse of information technology by the High tech criminals.

The cyber offences like hacking of government web sites and its data, prevention and detection of cyber terrorism & financing all types of cyber fraud cases would be investigated by this police station.

News 21 - Himachal Pradesh becomes the 6^th State in India to attain 100% Aadhaar saturation

Himachal Pradesh has become the 6^th State/UT in the country to have achieved 100 percent Aadhar saturation based on the population of year 2015. Earlier, Delhi, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh have achieved this milestone.

Aadhaar numbers have been generated for 72, 52,880 residents of the state. About 240 Permanent Enrolment Centers are operational for updation and enrolment activity while 22 Aadhaar Mobile Vans are also covering any left out citizen or elderly person in the remote areas.

News 22 - PM Modi to inaugurate Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January 2017

To promote sustainable long-term growth and inclusive development, Gujarat will organize the 8^th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit from the 10^th to 13^th of January 2017 in Gandhinagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

CEOs of Fortune 500 companies from India and abroad will witness the 2-day event. It will bring together heads of states and governments, ministers, senior policy makers and heads of international institutions to promote cooperation.

News 23 - Manipur CM inaugurated 2 new districts carved out of Naga dominated districts

Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh announced creation of two new districts Pherzawl and Noney. Pherzawl has been carved out of Churachandpur district and Noney has been carved out of Tamenglong district of Manipur, so as to bring infrastructure improvement in the interior hill areas.

Now, the total toll of the district stands at 11. Recently, Manipur government resolved to create Kangpokpi, Jiribam, Noney, Tengnoupal, Pherzol, Kamjong and Kaching districts by carving up seven of the existing nine districts.

News 24 - Telangana got Rs. 450 crore Central aid for backward districts

The Centre has released a special assistance of 450 crore rupees to Telangana this fiscal for development of backward areas in terms of provisions under Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. The Centre has so far provided 900 crore rupees to the State for this purpose.

The backward districts which are being supported are Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Rangareddy, Nalgoda and Khammam. The developmental activities will improve the physical and social infrastructure bringing these districts at par with the more developed districts of the state.

News 25 - Chhattisgarh CM dedicates the country’s first cashless bazaar to people in Raipur

The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh launched India’s first cashless bazaar in Raipur with nearly over 900 shops. These shops provide the facilities of cashless payments using POS, UPI and other digital systems to its customers.

The following table has the names of the First Cashless Villages from different states −

News 26 - The Gujarat Government announced Aerospace and Defence Policy – 2016

The Gujarat State Government announced Aerospace and Defence Policy – 2016 with an aim to attract investment into fields of aerospace and defence design, development and manufacturing.

The State Government offered the following benefits and incentives for investors −

• 100% reimbursement on stamp duty and registration charges paid for purchase, lease or mortgage of land meant for setting up the facility in the areas of Aerospace and Defence(A&D)

• Cash subsidy of 25% on capital investment made by MSME units to set up their facility in the A&D sector

• Government lands will be allotted at 50% of prevailing market rates decided by Government

• Reimbursement up to 100% of the net Value Added Tax or Central Sales Tax

• 100% exemption on electricity duty for the first five years

• 50% subsidy on the construction cost of R&D centre

News 27 - Mizoram's Aizawl became first free Wi-Fi city in North-East

Aizawl became the first free Wi-Fi city in the North-East region. Free Wi-Fi is a pilot project of the Aizawl Municipal Corporation. The free Wi-Fi facilities would enable the much-needed internet accessibility to one and all.

The Aizawl Municipal Corporation urged net users to use free Wi-Fi facilities for more productive purposes rather than misusing the same. Providing free Wi-Fi facility to the residents of Aizawl city was an election manifesto of the Mizo National Front.

News 28 - Odisha Government launched Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana

The Odisha state Government launched the Biju Sishu Surakshya Yojana for safety of HIV positive orphan children.

Highlights of the Yojana:

• Financial support for studies up to higher secondary.

• Rs. 20,000 reward after passing higher secondary.

• Scholarship to 3 meritorious students every year in each district.

• Rs 1,000 per year deposit in the Sukanya Samridhi Account of the girl child till she attains the age of 18 years.

• One time token assistance of Rs 50,000 for girls and Rs 40,000 for boys on completion of 18 and 21 years respectively to facilitate marriage ceremony.

News 29 - Odisha Cabinet approved six proposals

The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved six proposals. The Cabinet has decided to name all Lift Irrigation projects after eminent female freedom fighter Parbati Giri, nicknamed as Mother Teresa of Western Odisha.

The Cabinet also approved 13 lift irrigation projects that would come up in eight blocks in Mayurbhanj district and one project in Keonjhar district of the state at a cost of 7,600 crore rupees. Besides, the Cabinet has approved mega sanitation project for Rourkela city and extension of VAT relaxation on Dal till March 31 next year.

News 30 - Maharashtra Government to create new ministry for welfare of VJNT, OBCs and SBCs

The Maharashtra State Government Cabinet has decided to create a new ministry for welfare of Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT), OBCs and Special Backward Classes.

The cabinet also approved hike in the grant provided for Ramai and Shabri Awaas Gharkul Yojana. It was also decided that State Agriculture Corporation land will be available for allocation to those affected by notified projects as compensation. Cabinet also decided to grant extension to individuals, companies and institutions who have been given government land on lease or ownership for carrying out constructions.

News 31 - Bihar Government to provide 50 percent reservation in state judicial services

Bihar Government will provide 50 percent reservation in the state judicial services as the decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar. As per the cabinet decision, 35 percent reservation will be given to women in all categories.

About 21 percent reservation will be given to Extreme Backward Classes (EBC), while 16 percent will be given to schedule Caste (SC). There will be 12 percent reservation for other backward castes (OBC) and remaining one percent reservation will be for schedule tribes (ST).

News 32 - Nagar Uday Abhiyan launched in Madhya Pradesh

The Madhya Pradesh government launched “Nagar Uday Abhiyan” in all 378 urban bodies in the state with an aim to assess services provided to citizens.

The Nagar Uday Abhiyan inform lower income class people residing in slums in urban areas about public welfare schemes and provide benefit of Antodaya, also inform them about works carried out for urban development and ensure contribution of citizens and other agencies in urban development schemes.

News 33 - Haryana Government to set up country’s first Caterpillar Train

Haryana Government has decided to set up a pilot corridor for an innovative concept of 'Caterpillar Train', also known as C-Train. The concept was co-designed by Ashwani Upadhyaya, an Indian Railway officer, which won a global award at the MIT in the United States.

These C-Trains are elevated train coaches running on a track supported by poles bent into arches. It can run at about 100 kmph.

News 34 - Haryana inked MoU with Andhra Pradesh to prepare a citizen’s database

The Haryana Government inked a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh Government to assist it compile a centralised database of its population to ensure efficient and effective implementation of welfare programmes.

The database is a comprehensive portal for managing demographic (name, gender, age, photograph and address) and biometric information for facilitating "Unique ID" based identity authentication. It would also help in effective implementation of various programs of the Government and preparedness of schemes in future.