Current Affairs July 2017 - National

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1 - Government imposed levy of 10% basic customs duty (BCD) on mobile phone parts and some electronic goods

The Government had constituted Inter Ministerial Committee [IMC] comprising of officers from various departments to identify electronic / IT / telecom products, which are not Information Technology Agreement [ITA] – I bound, for customs duty enhancement on them.

With effect from 01.07.2017, the Government has imposed 10% basic customs duty (BCD) on −

• Cellular mobile phones and specified parts of cellular mobile phones like charger, battery, wire headset, Microphone and Receiver, Key Pad, USB Cable etc.

• Certain other specified electronic goods.

2 - GSTN unveiled excel template to help taxpayers perform easy data entry

Goods and Services Network (GSTN) has unveiled a simple excel based template that will facilitate the taxpayers in preparing and filing their monthly returns with maximum ease and minimal cost.

The excel template is a part of GST Council’s approach to make tax compliance highly easy and convenient for taxpayers and also reduce the time of compliance to improve ease of doing business.

This excel workbook template can be freely downloaded from the GST Common portal (www.gst.gov.in), and can be used by taxpayers to collate all invoice related data on a regular basis.

3 - Mou signed between Department of Defence Production and MDL

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), a Miniratna Schedule ‘A’ DPSU under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the financial year 2017-18 with the Ministry.

The MoU outlines the targets and various performance parameters for the company. The revenue from operations has been targeted at 4500 crore. Significant milestones to be achieved under Project 75 (Scorpene Submarines) and shipbuilding projects of 15B (destroyers) and 17A (frigates) also form part of the MoU.

4 - ADB and India Sign $220 Million loan agreement for State Highways of Rajasthan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $220 million loan for improving connectivity as well as transport efficiency and safety on State Highways of Rajasthan.

The loan is the first tranche of the $500 million Rajasthan State Highways Investment Program, approved by ADB Board, that will upgrade about 2,000 kilometers of state highways and major district roads to two-lane or intermediate-lane standards to meet road safety requirements. It will have a 25-year term, including a grace period of 8 years. The total cost of the project is $1.415 billion.

5 - Centre sanctioned Rs 107 crore for tourism development in Puducherry

The Union Government sanctioned Rs 107 crore for tourism development in Puducherry. The Union Ministry of Tourism has approved two projects, Spiritual Tourism Circuit and Heritage Tourism Circuit in the Union Territory.

Puducherry is striving hard to develop the city as a premier Tourist destination in the South.

Spiritual Tourism circuit aims to connect the famous temples and other places of worship to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.

The department will take up beautification of the beach promenade and development of Franco-Tamil village under the Heritage circuit project.

6 - India contributed $500,000 to UN Peacebuilding Fund

India has contributed $500,000 to the UN Peacebuilding Fund. India has so far contributed $5 million to the Peacebuilding Fund. India has been a member of the Peacebuilding Commission since its inception in December 2005.

The Peacebuilding fund was launched to support activities, actions, programmes and organisations that seek to build a lasting peace in countries emerging from conflict.

The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is currently supporting more than 120 projects in 25 countries.

7 - Foundation stone of country’s biggest Global Skill Park laid in Bhopal

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudy and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid the foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The government has allocated 37 acre land in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal for the Global Skill Park.

The park will be constructed at a cost of 645 crore rupees with the support of Singapore's Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES).

8 - India Signed 7 Agreements with Israel

India and Israel signed seven agreements to increase cooperation in key sectors like space, agriculture and water conservation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in-depth talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for setting up of USD 40 million worth India-Israel Industrial Research and Development (R&D) and Technical Innovation Fund.

• MoU for Water Conservation in India

• MoU on State Water Utility Reform in India

• India-Isreal Development Cooperation - three year Work Program in Agriculture 2008-2020

• Plan for Cooperation in Atomic Clocks

• MoU regarding cooperation in GEO-LEO Optical Link

• MoU regarding cooperation in Electrical Propulsion for Small Satellites

9 - 10^th Session of the India- Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC)

The 10^th India-Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) Meeting was held in New Delhi on 4^th and 5^th July, 2017. The two countries emphasized the need for diversification of bilateral trade and deepening their engagements for greater cooperation in investment sector.

During the TEJC meeting, the two sides also reaffirmed their mutual interest and discussed the roadmap for cooperation in various fields such as Fertilizer Sector, Customs, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, Visa and Consular issues, Health and Pharmaceuticals, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Maritime Transport, Rail Transport, and Air Transport, Renewable Energy, Agriculture sector etc.

10 - MERIT app and e-Bidding portal launched

Union Minister of State for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal launched ‘MERIT app (Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency - http://meritindia.in/)’ and the e-bidding portal for providing e-Bidding solution to States to select Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for procurement of power by transferring their domestic coal under the scheme of flexibility in utilization of domestic coal.

The app displays extensive array of information regarding the merit order such as daily state-wise marginal variable costs of all generators, daily source-wise power purchases of respective states.

11 - India declared itself free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

India had reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza at various epicenters in Delhi, Gwalior (MP), Rajpura (Punjab), Hissar (Haryana), Bellary (Karnataka), Allappuzha and Kottayam (Kerala), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Daman (Daman) and Khordha and Angul.

All the outbreaks of Avian Influenza (HPAI) mentioned above were notified to OIE and the control and containment operations were carried out as per the Action Plan on Preparedness, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza. In view of the above, India has declared itself free from Avian Influenza (H5N8 and H5N1) from 6^thJune, 2017 and notified the same to OIE.

12 - “JIGYASA” - Student-Scientist connect programme launched

Jigyasa, a student- scientist connect programme was officially launched in Delhi. The focus is on connecting school students and scientists so as to extend student’s classroom learning with that of a very well planned research laboratory based learning.

The “JIGYASA” would inculcate the culture of inquisitiveness on one hand and scientific temper on the other, amongst the school students and their teachers.

The Programme is expected to connect 1151 Kendriya Vidyalayas with 38 National Laboratories of CSIR targeting 100,000 students and nearly 1000 teachers annually. The program will also enable the students and teachers to practically live the theoretical concepts taught in science by visiting CSIR laboratories and by participating in mini-science projects.

13 - Scheme for IPR Awareness – Creative India; Innovative India launched

Taking forward the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy 2016, a ‘Scheme for IPR Awareness – Creative India; Innovative India’ has been launched by Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) under the aegis of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

The Scheme for IPR Awareness aims to conduct over 4000 IPR awareness workshops/seminars in academic institutions (schools and colleges) and the industry, including MSMEs and Startups, as also IP training and sensitization programmes for enforcement agencies and the judiciary. The Scheme for IPR Awareness would be implemented through partner organizations to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

14 - NSG organised first International Aviation Security seminar

National Security Guard (NSG) organised the seminar, with the aim of bringing all major stakeholders under one roof and facilitate them sharing views/opinion, discussions, brain storming with the matters concerning Aviation Security.

Prominent personalities/speakers from various organizations/aviation sector delivered lectures and shared valuable views on the matter of aviation security.

Weapons and equipment were also displayed showcasing the current weapons and systems used by the forces and cutting edge systems considered for future planning. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri Jayant Sinha addressed the seminar.

15 - First Edition of WINGS 2017 hosted in Delhi

The First edition of WINGS 2017 – “Sab Uden, Sab Juden”- Expanding Regional Connectivity was hosted in New Delhi by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Around 338 delegates from Government and Civil Aviation sector participated in the first edition of WINGS-2017.

The event saw participation from 28 States and Union Territories and out of this 19 states and Union Territory made presentation emphasizing the incentives or special packages to the airlines other than the support offered by Government of India under RCS- UDAN.

The States enthusiastically capitalized upon the unique platform provided by the ministry.

16 - Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley launched a Mobile App “GST Rates Finder”

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley launched a mobile app “GST Rates Finder”. This Mobile app helps users find rates of GST for various goods and services. The user can determine the GST rate for a good or a service by entering the name or Chapter heading of the commodity or service.

These initiatives are aimed to serve as a ready reckoner on GST rates. This will empower not only the taxpayers, but every citizen of the nation, to ascertain the correct GST rate on goods and services. CBEC has also provided a GST rate finder on its portal cbec-gst.gov.in.

17 - Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurated first Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centre in Hyderabad

The Minister of State for Minority Affairs Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centre at Hyderabad. Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centres of Ministry of Minority Affairs will also offer certificate course in Goods and Services Tax accounting/programming and other related subjects.

Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centres will be established in 100 Districts of the country. These centers will prove to be “centres of empowerment” of Minority youths.

The Minority Affairs Ministry has launched Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Training for Minorities for providing short term job oriented skill development course for youths belonging to minority communities.

18 - President of India inaugurated ‘Ashiana Annexe’ in Dehradun

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the ‘Ashiana Annexe’ in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, which comprises of twelve low cost dwelling units constructed to accommodate officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan during Presidential visits to the Retreat at ‘Ashiana’.

These dwelling units have been constructed using the Habitech-NivaraTantra - Onsite Sanitation Integrated Community Housing Technology Innovations developed at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).

Other salient features of these dwelling units are that they are disaster resilient, sustainable and cost effective.

19 - FM launched a new tax payer service module ‘Aaykar Setu’

A new tax payer service module ‘Aaykar Setu’, was launched by the Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley. This e-initiative would help in reducing physical interface between assesses and tax assessing authorities and thereby minimizing the chances of any tax harassment.

The new step is an effort by the Income Tax Department (ITD) to directly communicate with the taxpayers, on a range of multiple informative and useful tax services aimed at providing tax information at their fingertips. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) constantly endeavours to provide better taxpayer services and reduce taxpayer grievances.

20 - Ministry of Health signed MoU with Government of West Bengal

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed a MoUwith Government of West Bengal to formalize its support to set up a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine at Kolkata.

Government of India has approved this important initiative with an outlay of approximately Rs.200 Crores towards equipment, manpower and running costs.

The move intends to strengthen the blood transfusion services in the State and the surrounding region. Metro Blood Bank Project is conceived to be a Central Sector Scheme to set up state-of-the-art Centres of Excellence in the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.

21 - Shri J P Nadda launched new family planning initiatives on World Population Day

Shri J P Nadda launched new family planning initiatives on World Population Day called as ‘Mission Parivar Vikas’. “Mission Parivar Vikas will focus on 146 high fertility districts in 7 states with high TFR. Under this, specific targeted initiatives shall be taken for population stabilisation through better services delivery”.

Mission Parivar Vikas is a new initiative conceived by the Ministry with a strategic focus on improving access through provision of services, promotional schemes, commodity security, capacity building, enabling environment and intensive monitoring. Shri Nadda congratulated the team for undertaking micro-planning for these districts and developing need-based programmes to address TFR.

22 - Railways launched RailCloud to enable faster connectivity at reduced cost

Railways launched RailCloud, a virtual server with an inbuilt security system that will enable faster connectivity at a reduced cost. Cloud computing is an emerging technology for faster and on demand commensurate deployment of server resources which results in reduced cost.

The technology enables maximising the usage of available server and storage resulting in accommodation of bigger data and more applications within same server space. He said, currently all IT applications have separate servers which increase the cost of operations and purchases.

23 - India advanced its target of eliminating malaria by three years to 2027

India has advanced its target of eliminating malaria by three years to 2027. Earlier the target was 2030. In its efforts to eliminate the disease, Health Ministry launched the National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination in the country.

Efforts will be made to create awareness among the people, checking breeding of mosquitoes and improving health facilities. Long Lasting Insecticidal (LLI) nets are being used in controlling malaria from past three years.

The five-year plan will focus at district level to strengthen the strategy to eliminate the disease.

24 - Cabinet approved MoU between India & Palestine on cooperation in field of Health & Medicine

Union Cabinet gave its ex-post facto approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Palestine on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine. It will cover capacity building of health staff, prevention and control of communicable diseases, physiotherapy and rehabilitation and drugs, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.

The Cabinet was apprised of the MoU between India and Palestine on Cooperation in the field of Information Technology and Electronics. The MoU intends to promote closer co-operation in the areas of e-Governance, m-Governance, e-Public Services Delivery, cyber security, software technology parks and start-ups ecosystem.

25 - India to host next edition of Theatre Olympics

India will host next edition of Theatre Olympics, the biggest theatre celebration of the world. The eight edition of the greatest carnival will start from February 17-April 08, 2018. The Theatre Olympics will put India firmly among the top nations in the world theatre map.

The Theatre Olympics will take place simultaneously in various cities across the country. There will be five hundred plays and seven hundred ambiance performances from across the world. Established in 1993, the Theatre Olympics is the foremost international theatre festival, presenting the finest productions of well-known theatre practitioners from around the world.

26 - Urban development & housing ministry merged as MoHUA

Government merged the urban development and housing and urban poverty alleviation ministries and together termed as Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Mr Venkaiah Naidu will chair the ministries of urban development, and housing and urban poverty alleviation.

It has been for the third time that the ministries have been merged. In January, a group of secretaries proposed the merger of urban development with housing and bringing department of pharmaceuticals under the health ministry, for which former has been executed.

The group had also suggested the measures to corporatize the Central Public Works Department.

27 - Government to conduct global food fair in November 2017

Minister of Food Processing Industries announced that India will conduct World Food India 2017 during 3 – 5 November 2017, in New Delhi, where all small, big and multinational companies from world over would represent and meet Indian potential companies to partner with.

All raw produce and processed food shall be showcased. It will be organized by Food Processing Ministry, where industry body CII will be an event partner.

It is aimed at creating India a 'Global Food Factory' and 'Global Food Retail Market'. The event will focus on showcasing achievements and opportunities of the Indian Food Processing Sector.

28 - Cabinet approved establishment of the IRRI ISARC and NSRTC

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional Center (ISARC) at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) in Varanasi.

Under the proposal, a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be set up in Varanasi. This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. The Centre will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain.

29 - Cabinet approved Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for signing a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany on cooperation in the field of Health.

The JDI covers the following areas of cooperation:

• postgraduate education;
• training of medical personnel;
• pharmaceuticals and pharmacoeconomics; and
• health economics.

A Working Group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this JDI.

30 - Cabinet approved Joint Interpretative Notes on the Agreement between India and Bangladesh

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the Joint Interpretative Notes (JIN) on the Agreement between India and Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of Investments.

The JIN would impart clarity to the interpretation of the existing Agreement between India and Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (BIPA).

The JIN includes interpretative notes to be jointly adopted for many clauses, including, the definition of investor, definition of investment, exclusion of taxation measures, Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET), National Treatment (NT) and Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment.

31 - Cabinet approved SASEC Road Connectivity Investment Program

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for upgradation and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur at a cost of Rs. 1630.29 crores.

The project is being developed with ADB's loan assistance under the South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program which aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) in order to improve the regional connectivity among BBIN nations.

32 - Minister of Railways launched various Railway initiatives

Minister of Railways launched the following Initiatives:

• RAIL CLOUD PROJECT-To achieve the goal of single digital platform for IR a few foundational projects need to be implemented first, establishment of RailCloud is one such project.

• NIVARAN-Grievance Portal (First IT Application on Rail Cloud)- ‘NIVARAN-Grievance Portal’ is the first IT application to be launched on the RailCloud.

• Cashless treatment Scheme -To provide immediate care to its retired employees in ‘Golden Hour’ Railway Board has decided to roll out a “Cashless treatment Scheme in Emergency’ (CTSE), in empanelled hospitals, for retired employees and their dependent family members.

33 - Nationwide ban on nylon and synthetic manja

National Green Tribunal directed the state governments to prohibit the “manufacture, sale, storage, purchase and use” of synthetic manja or nylon threads and all other synthetic strings used for flying kites on the grounds that it poses threat to life and environment.

National Green Tribunal, under the chairmanship of Justice Swatanter Kumar, ordered the authorities to ban import of any synthetic manja.

It has also been reported by PETA that minor children engaged in manufacture of 'manja' suffered from respiratory problems as they inhaled harmful substances and thus manja should be banned.

34 - Venkaiah Naidu launched revamped NHB RESIDEX

The revamped and expanded official online user friendly NHB RESIDEX that captures movements in the prices of residential real estate prices was released by Venkatesh Naidu.

NHB RESIDEX for January-March,2017 revealed that price indices for residential properties based on actual market prices for ongoing construction prices have increased over the previous quarter in 24 of the 47 cities.

RESIDEX, the country’s first official housing price index (HPI) was launched in 2007. NHB RESIDEX helps buyers and sellers to check and compare prices before entering a transaction.

35 - Government sets up new wing to provide intelligence inputs

The government has set up a new wing, Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management, DGARM, to provide intelligence inputs and do big data analytics for taxmen for better policy formulation and taking action against tax evaders.

The DGARM will function as an apex body of CBEC for data analytics and risk management and will report to the CBEC Chairman.

The DGARM will utilize internal and external data sources for detailed data mining and analysis to generate outputs for focused and targeted action by field formations and investigation wings of the CBEC.

36 - DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New Delhi to establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab, under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program.

The objective of the TISC is to stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and innovation, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing social, economic and cultural development by establishing a network of TISCs in India.

37 - Centre to set up high-power committee to review Employees' Pension Scheme-1995

The Centre will set up a high-power committee to review the Employees' Pension Scheme-1995. The committee will look into all the aspects of the scheme and accordingly the government will revamp it.

The government has also decided to extend the coverage of medical benefit scheme to all the pensioners through Employees State Insurance Corporation.

The government is also implementing new Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana with the objective of promoting employment generation and one thousand crore rupees have been allocated for this scheme.

38 - India's first high-speed rail training centre to come up in Gujarat

The first high-speed rail training centre of India will be set up at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. The training centre is being constructed over railway land measuring 4,400 metres. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 600 crore.

The training centre will have a sample track fitted with the overhead electrical systems to enable testing of bullet trains that will run on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. The Managing Director if National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) is Achal Khare.

39 - Green Tribunal declared 100m from the edge of Ganga as “No Development Zone”

The National Green Tribunal has declared as area of 100 metres from the edge of the Ganga between Haridwar and Unnao as a “No Development Zone”. No-development zones are zones where no construction, including commercial or residential buildings, can come up.

The NGT has also prohibited dumping of waste within 500 metres of the river. People dumping waste in the Ganga will be liable to pay Rs 50,000 in environmental damages.

40 - Income Tax Department pushed additional cases in 2^nd phase of Operation Clean Money

The Income Tax Department has used information received under the Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT) to identify 5.56 lakh new persons in the second phase of “Operation Clean Money”.

These are the persons whose tax profiles were found to be inconsistent with the cash deposits made by them during the demonetization period.

Another 1.04 lakh persons who did not disclose all bank accounts during e-verification in the first phase have also been identified.

In the first phase, 17.92 Lakh persons had been identified for e-verification of large cash deposits, of which 9.72 Lakh people had submitted online response.

41 - Third Meeting of the Governing Council of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund held

The 3^rd Meeting of the Governing Council of the “National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)” was held under the Chairmanship of the Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley where in the Finance Minister reviewed the performance of NIIF so far and action taken by it in order to attract investment from foreign Sovereign Wealth Funds among others in the infrastructure sector in the country.

The Governing Council expressed its desire for NIIF to function as a major platform in India, to leverage and attract overseas long-term investments in various infrastructure sectors in the Country.

42 - New Integrated Mobile App “Rail Saarthi” launched

Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu launched Integrated Mobile Application for passengers. Integrated App Rail Saarthi will be convenient for the users, as all the social media channels are on one platform.

In order to provide better customer experience, there is a need for an integrated application which will give a single window interface for these services.

8 apps will become available in the new Integrated Mobile App ‘RAIL SAARTHI’. 8 apps are IRCTC Rail Connect, IRCTC Air, IRCTC Tourism, IRCTC Food-On-Track, UTS, COMS, COACH MITRA and NTES.

43 - Ministry of Water Resources inked MoU with Ministry of Skill Development

Union Ministry for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation inked MoU with Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for the success of Namami Gange programme in New Delhi.

The MoU intends to develop skilled manpower for laying sewerage pipeline, plumbing works, construction of toilets, civil masonry works, waste collection and its disposal activities.

As per the MoU the Ministry of Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation shall develop the market for reuse/recycle of treated wastewater to be released from STP/ETPs for various non-potable purposes. The MoU will remain in effect for a period of three years.

44 - Railways Min dedicated India's first solar powered DEMU train to nation

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu dedicated India's first solar powered DEMU train to the nation at an event in New Delhi. The 1600 Horse Power train with solar powered coaches has special battery bank for use during night hours.

The train will run from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. It is a path breaking leap towards making Indian Railways greener and more environment friendly.

The train will save about 21,000 Litres of Diesel and thereby bring cost saving of 12 Lakh rupees per year.

45 - BRPL and TERI inked MoU for solar rooftops, e-vehicles

In order to provide smart grid technologies and better energy efficiency for solar rooftop, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) signed MoU for a period of 2 years.

This will not only explore newer collaboration opportunities in the domain of emerging technologies but also provide impetus in rooftop PV sector in NCT of Delhi by mitigating challenges faced by discoms.

BRPL has installed 8 MW solar rooftop in its licenses area and estimates addition of another 20 mw during 2017-18.

46 - National Cooperative Development Corporation released Rs 28771.31 crore for 2014-17

National Cooperative Development Corporations provided assistance to the cooperatives for their overall development, which includes grants and loans from the Government. In Gujarat, financial assistance has been provided for the computerization of dairies, storage and cold storage cooperatives as well as sugar, textile and consumer cooperatives.

Under these schemes, Rs.663.23 crore has been approved during the year 2014-2015, 2015-16 and 2016-17; and Rs.133.45 crore, Rs.272.97 crore and Rs.424.04 crore were released respectively.

NDA Government increased the grant by 89.98% and released Rs.28117.31 crore during the three years (2014-17).

47 - NDMC seeks control over Central Vista for smart management

NDMC Chairman requested the Ministry of HUA to transfer ‘Central Vista’ to the Council for smart redesign and management.

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has been asked by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs to ensure completion of smart city projects ahead of time so as to lead by example in smart city making across the country.

Timelines for the same have been fixed at a two-hour review of implementation of NDMC’s Smart City Plan. Most of the projects getting into implementation mode will be finished by 2020.

48 - Cabinet approved sale of Govt's stake in Hindustan Petroleum to ONGC

Union Cabinet approved sale of government's stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). It will fetch 30 thousand crore rupees.

The ONGC will buy government's 51.11% stake in HPCL but will not have to make an open offer as the government's holding is being transferred to another state-run firm and the ownership is not changing. The HPCL will become a subsidiary of ONGC and will remain a listed company post acquisition. The board of the refining and marketing company will continue to remain in place.

49 - Lok Sabha passed IIIT Public Private Partnership Bill 2017

The Lok Sabha has passed the IIIT Public Private Partnership Bill 2017. The Bill provides to establish 20 IIITs under Public Private Partnership mode across the country and authorise them to award degrees to the students.

The Bill intends to address the challenges faced by the Indian information technology industry and growth of the domestic information technology market.

At present, there are fifteen functional Indian Institutes of Information Technology in public-private partnership mode, which are proposed to be declared as Institutes of national importance under the Bill.

50 - Cabinet approved signing of MoC in respect of tax matters between India and BRICS nations

Union Cabinet has given its approval for the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in respect of tax matters between India and BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.

The MoC aims at promoting cooperation amongst the BRICS Revenue administrations in international forum on common areas of interest in tax matters and in the area of capacity building and knowledge sharing. It also accords confidentiality and protection to information exchanged under the MoC.

51 - Cabinet approved implementation strategy for both phase of Bharat Net project

Union Cabinet has approved the implementation strategy for phase one and two of Bharat Net project.

The project aims at providing broadband connectivity to over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats by the end of 2018. The ambitious digital connectivity project is unique in many of its dimensions and will provide reliable and quality broadband connectivity to rural areas. The Cabinet approval entailed a total estimated expenditure of Rs 42,068 crore for the implementation of BharatNet, which will be funded from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

52 - Cabinet apprised of MoU between India and Netherlands on cooperation in space technology

The Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Netherlands on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes. The MoU was signed on May 11 & 22, 2017 at Bangalore and The Hague respectively.

The MoU shall enable the following areas of cooperation such as, space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.

53 - Cabinet approved IRDAI's admission as a signatory to International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS)

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for IRDAI's admission as a signatory to International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU).

The International Association of Insurance Supervisors is a global framework for cooperation and information exchange between insurance supervisors.

International Association of Insurance Supervisors, Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding is a statement of its signatories’ intent to cooperate in the Field of information exchange as well as procedure for handling information requests.

54 - Inland Waterways Authority of India to Raise Rs 660 cr through Bonds

The Union Cabinet has approved the Revalidation of permission to raise Extra Budgetary Resource (EBRs) of Rs. 660 crore as Government of India Bonds by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in 2017 18.

The proceeds from the bonds will be utilized by IWAI for development and maintenance of National Waterways (NWs) under National Waterways Act, 2016 (effective from 12.4.2016). Funds received through issue of bonds will be used exclusively for capital expenditure to improve infrastructure funding.

55 - Cabinet approved Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the promulgation of the Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu & Kashmir) Ordinance, 2017 and replacement of the Ordinance by the Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The Ordinance has extended the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 referred to as (CGST Act) to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Ordinance has been promulgated on 8^th July, 2017 and the Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017 will be tabled in the current session of the Parliament.

56 - Cabinet approved Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the promulgation of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu & Kashmir) Ordinance, 2017 and replacement of the Ordinance by the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

The Ordinance has extended the provisions of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 referred to as (IGST Act) to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Ordinance has been promulgated on 8^th July, 2017 and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017 will be tabled in the current session of the Parliament.

57 - Cabinet approved revision of Indian Community Welfare Fund guidelines

The Union Cabinet has approved revision of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) guidelines. ICWF, set up in 2009, is aimed at assisting Overseas Indian nationals in times of distress and emergency in the most deserving cases on a means tested basis.

The guidelines would cover three key areas namely Assisting Overseas Indian nationals in distress situations, Community Welfare activities and Improvement in Consular services. They are expected to provide Indian Missions and Posts abroad greater flexibility in swiftly addressing to requests for assistance by Overseas Indian nationals.

58 - Cabinet approved alternative mechanism for creation and launch of a New Exchange Traded Fund

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has authorized the Alternative Mechanism on the following −

• To take decision for divestment through Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) out of all the listed CPSEs including CPSEs listed subsequently subject to GoI retaining 51% in these CPSEs;

• To take decision on the divestment in respect of Public Sector Banks, other listed Public Sector Financial Institutions and Public Sector Insurance Companies (when listed) through ETF or other methods subject to GoI retaining 52%; and

• To take decision on matters related to divestment through ETF like constitution of ETF portfolio

59 - Construction of New Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)

The Government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for construction of 10 indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in fleet mode.

The reactors are planned at Kaiga, Karnataka (Kaiga-5&6), Gorakhpur, Haryana (GHAVP-3&4), Chutka, Madhya Pradesh (Chutka-1&2) and Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan (Units-1 to 4).

The total cost of setting up the ten reactors is estimated at Rs.1,05,000 crore. The details of power to be generated by these projects, State/UT -wise are as follows −

60 - Development of Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor

Government of India gave its concurrence for engaging Asian Development Bank (ADB) for carrying out feasibility study and preparing the Conceptual Development Plan (CDP) for East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC) linking Kolkata in East through Chennai to Tuticorin in South in a phased manner in May, 2014.

In the first phase, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) segment of ECEC was taken up. Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) is implementing the project. In September 2016, ADB approved US $631 million (loans and grants) for VCIC. GoAP is to provide Counterpart funding of US $215 million.

61 - Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY)

Ministry of MSME through Coir Board is implementing the Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY) scheme which is exclusively for rural women. Under MCY, training is given in spinning of coir yarn/various coir processing activities to rural women in regions producing coir fibre in the country, through all training centres of the Coir Board.

The scheme envisages distribution of motorized ratts/motorized traditional ratts and other coir processing equipments at 75% subsidy subject to a maximum of Rs. 7500 to set up their coir unit which can be operated by women after completion of the 2 months training programme. During the training period, the women artisans are given stipend.

62 - National Board for Promotion and Development of Yoga and Naturopathy constituted

The Ministry of AYUSH has constituted a National Board for Promotion and Development of Yoga & Naturopathy (NBPDYN) for regulation of education & practice of Yoga & Naturopathy.

Also, Ministry of AYUSH has in association with Quality Council of India (QCI) has developed a scheme for voluntary certification of Yoga professionals. Also, under the centrally sponsored scheme of National AYUSH Mission, as many as 25 ‘fifty-bedded’ integrated AYUSH hospitals with an outlay of Rs 145 crore were approved in 2016-17.

63 - National Bamboo Mission renamed as National Agro-Forestry & Bamboo Mission (NABM)

National Bamboo Mission has been renamed as National Agro-Forestry & Bamboo Mission (NABM). It is being implemented as per the set objectives and targets of the Mission.

As per available reports 3,61,791 ha. area have been covered in forest & non-forest land, 91,715 ha. area taken up for improvement of existing stock for higher productivity (forest & non-forest areas) under the Mission against targets of 3,62,848 ha., 69,410 ha. respectively.

Under the Mission, 108 nos. of markets (Bamboo wholesale & retail markets near villages, etc.) have been established for providing marketing avenues to bamboo farmers for their raw bamboo as well as finished products.

64 - 455 markets from 13 States have been integrated to e-NAM

585 markets across the country are targeted for integration to e-NAM by March, 2018, out of which 455 markets from 13 States have been integrated so far.

For this purpose, financial assistance of Rs. 30 lakh per market is given. This has been increased to Rs.75 lakhs per mandi in Union Budget for 2017-18. The details are given below −

List of markets integrated with e-NAM −

65 - Rs. 834.71 crores have been allocated for NFSM-Pulses

For the year 2017-18, an amount of Rs.1720.00 crores (Government of India Share) has been earmarked for National Food Security Mission (NFSM), out of which an amount of Rs 834.71 crores has been allocated, so far, for NFSM-Pulses to States for increasing the production of pulses in the country. An amount of Rs.169.28 crores has been released so far to States for implementation of the pulses programme.

In order to create awareness among the farming community with regard to cultivation of pulses, Government of India has been taking steps like organization of cluster/cropping system based demonstrations on latest crop production technology, cropping system based training, etc. through State Governments and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

66 - mAadhaar app launched by UIDAI

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched the mAadhaar app for syncing Aadhaar data on the mobile phone. The app is currently available on Android platform only.

mAadhaar app will help carry Aadhaar information on smartphone, like name, address, DOB, photograph which are linked with your unique Aadhaar Card. The app will let users share their Aadhaar profile and data with third-party applications via NFC, QR codes, barcodes or even email their details.

67 - India-Japan agreement on peaceful uses of N-energy comes into force

India-Japan agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy has come into force. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and Ambassador of Japan to India Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu exchanged diplomatic notes in this regard.

The agreement was signed on 11^th November 2016 in Tokyo during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan. The agreement seeks to promote full cooperation between the two countries in the development and uses of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes on a stable, reliable and predictable basis.

68 - Construction of Greenfield Airports

Government of India (GoI), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted 'in principle' approval for setting up of 18 Greenfield Airports in the country.

The list of these airports along with the estimated cost is as under:

• Mopa in Goa (approx. Rs. 3100 cr)

• Navi Mumbai (approx. Rs. 16704 cr)

• Shirdi (approx. Rs. 320.54 cr) and Sindhudurg (approx. Rs. 520 cr) in Maharashtra

• Bijapur (approx. Rs. 150 cr), Gulbarga (approx. Rs. 13.78 cr in initial phase), Hasan (approx. Rs. 592 cr) and Shimoga (approx. Rs. 38.91 cr) in Karnataka

• Kannur in Kerala (approx. Rs. 1892 cr)

• Durgapur in West Bengal (approx. Rs. 670 cr)

• Dabra in Madhya Pradesh (approx. Rs. 200 cr)

• Pakyong in Sikkim (approx. Rs. 553.53 cr)

• Karaikal in Puducherry (approx. Rs.170 cr)

• Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh (approx. Rs. 448 cr)

• Dholera in Gujarat (approx. Rs. 1712 cr)

• Dagadarthi Mendal, Nellore Dist. (approx. Rs. 293 cr)

• Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram District near Visakhapatnam (approx. Rs. 2260 cr)

• Oravakallu in Kurnool District (approx. Rs. 200 cr), Andhra Pradesh

69 - FM launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has formally launched the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY). PMVVY is a Pension Scheme announced by the Government of India exclusively for the senior citizens available from 4^th May, 2017 to 3^rd May, 2018.

The Scheme can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India which has been given the sole privilege to operate this Scheme.

Scheme provides an assured return of 8% p.a. payable monthly (equivalent to 8.30% p.a. effective) for 10 years. Pension is payable at the end of each period, during the policy term of 10 years, as per the frequency of monthly/ quarterly/ half-yearly/ yearly as chosen by the pensioner at the time of purchase.

70 - Rs 19,000 crores invested on National Highways in the North East

An investment of Rs 14,916 crore under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) and Rs 4,095 crore under National Highway (Original) were made during the last two years for strengthening the road infrastructure in the north eastern region of the country.

The roads under SARDP-NE were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs while the development of highways under NH (O) are taken up on the basis of inter-se priority, traffic volume and availability of funds.

71 - Ministry of Rural Development to launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana

The Ministry of Rural Development will launch a new sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) which will be named as “Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY)”.

The main objectives of AGEY are to provide an alternative source of livelihoods to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM by facilitating them to operate public transport services in backward rural areas.

The sub-scheme will be implemented in 250 blocks in the country on a pilot basis for a period of 3 years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

72 - Union Steel Minister launched dedicated E-Portal for online sales of steel products in NER

Union Steel Minister Shri Birender Singh launched a dedicated e-portal for online sales of steel products by RINL through MSTC Metal Mandi, in North Eastern Region.

The portal provides information regarding the different products available, their specifications, pricing, etc. Delivery at the doorstep is one of the attractive features of this initiative. The entire process is transparent and the interaction is enabled by a user-friendly interface.

Sale through the web is enquiry based system, where the registered buyer shall be sending the enquiry for its requirement of steel (mainly TMT Rebars & Structural products) through the portal. On receipt of the enquiry RINL shall take further action to execute the sale.

73 - Centre accepted proposal to set up Aerospace University

The Union Government has accepted a proposal to set up an Aerospace University in the country. A high-powered Expert Group headed by former Cabinet Secretary B.K. Chaturvedi has made the recommendation. The detailed project report on setting up the proposed Aerospace University has been approved.

Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. Aerospace engineering, particularly the astronautics branch, is often referred to as "rocket science".

74 - India to host 5^th Global Conference on Cyber Space in Nov 2017

India will be hosting the 5^th Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) in November 2017. It is one of the world’s Largest conference on Cyber Space and related issues.

The theme of the conference will be Cyber for all: An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace. The GCCS is a prestigious international conference that aims at encouraging dialogue among stakeholders of cyberspace, which has been taking place since 2011. India is the 2^nd Asian country, after South Korea, to organize such a conference.

75 - Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released National Trade Facilitation Action Plan

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan. It aims to align border procedures with international best practices and improve Ease of Doing Business.

It would not only ensure compliance with the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) but would also give impetus to trade facilitation.

The national plan would be monitored by the steering committee (the operational arm of the National Committee on Trade Facilitation) chaired by the revenue secretary and the commerce secretary.

76 - Lok Sabha passes The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Lok Sabha has passed The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017. The Bill amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009 to extend the deadline for teachers to acquire the prescribed minimum qualifications for appointment.

Through the amending measure inadequately qualified teachers as on March 31, 2015, working after enactment of the RTE Act, 2009 are being given last chance to acquire minimum qualifications within a period of four years i.e. by March 31, 2019 to hold their jobs as teachers.

77 - India, Bangladesh sign pact to connect both countries by waterways

India and Bangladesh have signed a pact to connect both the countries by waterways. The waterways will facilitate movement of passengers and goods between India's northeast and West Bengal with Bangladesh.

Infrastructure for the services would be set up along the major rivers in Bangladesh, West Bengal and Brahmaputra in Assam.

The services are expected to start by the end of 2017.

78 - India extended assistance for construction of school buildings in Nepal

India has extended an assistance of over 66 million Nepalese rupees for construction of school buildings in Nepal. The assistance under the Small Development Programme Scheme is for infrastructure development for education.

According to a press release by the embassy, Indian ambassador in Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri inaugurated one of the school buildings and laid the foundation for construction of another one under the scheme.

79 - Rajya Sabha passed the FDDI Bill, 2017

The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Bill, 2017 received Parliamentary approval after the Rajya Sabha adopted it by voice vote.

The Lok Sabha passed it earlier. The Bill is aimed at establishing and declaring the FDDI as an institution of national importance for the promotion and development of quality and excellence in education, research and training in all disciplines relating to footwear and leather products, design and development.

80 - Rajya Sabha passed the Admiralty Bill, 2017

Rajya Sabha has passed the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017.

The Lok Sabha passed it earlier in March. The Bill aims to establish a legal framework to consolidate the existing laws relating to admiralty jurisdiction of courts, admiralty proceedings on maritime claims, arrest of vessels and related issues while providing protection to owners, charterers, operators, crew members and seafarers at the same time.

The Bill confers admiralty jurisdiction on High Courts located in coastal states of India and this jurisdiction extends up to territorial waters.

81 - Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi launched Sexual Harassment electronic-Box (SHe-Box)

The Minister of Women & Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi launched an online complaint management system titled Sexual Harassment electronic–Box (SHe-Box) for registering complaints related to sexual harassment at workplace.

The SHe-Box portal can be accessed at − http://www.wcd-sh.nic.in/

The complaint management system has been developed to ensure the effective implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (the SH Act), 2013.

82 - Government sanctioned Rs 180 cr to boost tourism infrastructure in Telangana

The central government has sanctioned 180 crore rupees to boost tourism infrastructure in the newly created state of Telangana.

The union government has sanctioned 63 projects including Eco Circuit, Ramayana circuit, Coastal circuit and wildlife circuit for 5000 crore rupees under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

The government has launched two schemes in 2014-15 Swadesh Darshan and Integrated development of theme based tourists’ circuits and PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive).

Under PRASAD scheme, 25 religious sites have been identified for development in the country namely including Amaravati, Ayodhya, Deoghar, Puri and Somnath among others.

83 - Finance Minister Arun Jaitley introduced Banking Regulation Amendment Bill, 2017

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley introduced the Banking Regulation Amendment Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha seeking replacement of Ordinance promulgated in this regard in May 2017.

The object of the Amendment is speedy resolution of Non-Performing Assets in the banking system. The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 is being amended for authorising the Reserve Bank of India to issue directions to banking companies for timely resolution of stressed assets.

84 - Airport Authority of India signed MoU with Govt. of Uttarakhand for aviation sector

Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed an MoU with Government of Uttarakhand and joined hands with Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) to develop the civil aviation sector in the state.

The scope of the MoU is to identify relevant factors influencing the development of civil aviation infrastructure in Uttarakhand, assessing commercial potential of various airports of the state, identifying technical considerations, evaluating site related technical and engineering parameters for development of projects and making estimate of the capital outlay.

85 - Mobile App for Road Maintenance “Aarambh launched

The Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Tomar and ILO Deputy Director General(Policy) International Labour Organization Ms. Deborah Greenfield, launched Mobile App for Road Maintenance “Aarambh”.

This Mobile Phone App aims at use of GIS based mapping for making road inventories, condition surveys, and producing cost estimates and other relevant data for preparation and monitoring of annual road maintenance plans.

Its usage would greatly enhance the service delivery of the state level institutions in planning and implementing performance based rural roads maintenance contracts.

This Mobile App would help improve the service delivery for road maintenance in all the States.

86 - Indo-Canadian Science Programme implemented on clean water technology

The Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology collaborated with Canada through the India-Canada Centre for Innovation multi-disciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-IMPACTS), on programme focusing on Clean Water technology.

Under the programme five projects are being implemented with Indian commitment of Rs 572.00 lakhs and Canadian commitment of Rs 750.00 lakhs.

This is being implemented for ensuring the supply of clean drinking water and efficient water management such as using bio-sensors for detection of toxins, heavy metal detection and removal and bio-recovery.

87 - Revenue Earned from Aviation Sector

The non-tax revenue receipts by way of Dividends, Guarantee Fee and Other Receipts booked to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) by the Ministry of Civil Aviation have grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 87.8%.

The non-tax revenue receipts were Rs. 180.73 crore in 2014-15, Rs. 858.99 crore in 2015-16, and Rs. 1,203.54 crore in 2016-17. CAGR for the aviation sector in terms of total passenger traffic in India was 15.1% and that of air freight handled at Indian airports was 8.8%.

88 - Union Government plans to open 100 new post offices by 2018

The Government has planned to open 81 Sub-Post Offices and 100 Branch Post Offices during the current financial year 2017-18 under the Scheme – “Rural Business & Access to Postal Network”.

The Department of Posts has also planned to open 66 Branch Post Offices by creation of new posts in 32 worst affected Left Wing Extremism (LWE) districts in the country under the aforesaid scheme in the current financial year. Also, out of 25,350 post offices in the States of the Country, 25,348 are computerised.

89 - PM Modi inaugurated APJ Abdul Kalam's memorial at Rameswaram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Dr Kalam Memorial at Rameswaram in presence of Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao, chief minister Edapadi K Palaniswamy, Central and State Ministers and other dignitaries.

Mr Modi inaugurated a slew welfare measures and development schemes and distributed sanction letters to fishermen for getting Long Liner Trawlers which would help Indian fishermen to go deep into the sea and enhance their economic activities besides avoiding crossing international maritime borders. He flagged off a weekly train between the pilgrim centres of Rameswaram and Ayodhya.

90 - NITSER Amendment Bill passed in Rajya Sabha

NITSER (National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research) Amendment Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha. The Bill proposes to introduce two new Institutions namely Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati and IISER Berhampur in the Second Schedule of the NITSER Act, 2007.

Five IISERs at Kolkata (2006), Pune (2006), Mohali (2007), Bhopal (2008) and Thiruvananthapuram (2008) mandated with promoting quality education and research in the sciences were established. With the establishment of the two new IISERs there are now seven IISERs.

91 - Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Institute of Information Technology Public Private Partnership Bill 2017

Rajya Sabha passed the Indian Institute of Information Technology Public Private Partnership (IIIT-PPP) Bill 2017. The bill is required to grant degrees to the students IIITs set up in PPP mode.

It will also grant statutory status to the fifteen IIITs established in PPP mode and declare them Institutes of National Importance.

The bill provide autonomy to the Institutes but at the same time maintain a fine balance between autonomy and accountability of the IIITs in PPP mode.

The bill describes about the details regarding Board of Governors, funding in IIITs, financial provisions and Audit process.

92 - World Bank to provide financial assistance of USD 100 Million for Solar Projects

World Bank financing of USD 100 Million for development of internal infrastructure of solar parks has been planned by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) under the aegis of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

In addition, the World Bank will provide low cost financing to roof-top solar developers under a $625 million Programme for Results to be routed through the State Bank of India.

These programmes will increase the availability of debt financing, de-risk commercial financial flows, and build capacity across the solar PV industry.

93 - Funds for National Highway Accident Relief Service scheme to be implemented

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is implementing a National Highway Accident Relief Service Scheme (NHARSS) under which ambulances and cranes are provided to state Governments to take the accident victims to the nearest hospital and to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the road accident site on the NHs.

NHAI also provides ambulances at every toll plaza on the completed corridor of NHs.

The State-wise details of the funds transferred by the Ministry for procurement of cranes/ ambulances during 2015-16 and 2016-17 were as follows −

94 - Projects amounting to Rs.2209 Crores on Women’s safety under Nirbhaya Fund

Government of India has set up a dedicated fund called Nirbhaya Fund for implementation of initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women in the country.

In addition, the Ministry of Finance has set up an Empowered Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development for appraising and approving various schemes/project proposals proposed to be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.

Under the Nirbhaya fund, 22 proposals on women’s safety and security from Central Ministries and State Governments amounting to Rs.2209.19 Crores have been appraised and recommended by the Empowered Committee as on 21.07.2017.

95 - Food processing sector attracted FDI worth $183 million in last two months

Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the food processing sector has attracted FDI to the tune of 183 million dollars during last two months which will directly or indirectly help about 25 lakh farmers and generate employment for 5 lakh people.

There has been an increase of 40% in the FDI in the food processing sector after allowing 100% FDI in multi-brand retail. Also, funds to a tune of 6,000 crore rupees are being put in by the food processing ministry under the Sampada Yojana which will leverage an investment of about 31,000 crore rupees.

96 - National Centre for Seismology launched app “India Quake”

National Centre for Seismology (NCS) has launched an app “India Quake”.

The Mobile App has been developed by the NCS for automatic dissemination of earthquake parameter (location, time and magnitude) after the occurrence of earthquakes. The App will make information dissemination faster with no restrictions on the number of recipients.

Any citizen can download this App and get the real time earthquake location information on his/her mobile. National Centre for Seismology (NCS) operates national seismological network with 84 stations.

97 - Lok Sabha passed Companies Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016

The Lok Sabha passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2016, making changes, thereby, to the Companies Act, 2013, in relation to structuring, disclosure and compliance requirements for firms.

The Bill was passed through a voice vote with 43 amendments moved by Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The bill will now go to the Rajya Sabha. The bill has been brought to improve ease of doing business.

98 - CAG reported Akash missile with 30% failure rate

The Controller and Auditor General (CAG) reported that a 30% failure rate was found in the surface-to-air missiles Akash during testing and held that such deficiencies posed an operational risk during hostilities.

As per the reports, missile systems we re to be installed at six designated sites between 2013 and 2015. But till date, none of the missile systems procured at a cost of 3,619 crore rupees has been installed due to delay in execution of civil works at the sites concerned.

99 - Dr. Harshvardhan launched “Sagar Vani” - An Integrated Information Dissemination System

Union Minister Dr. Harshvardhan launched an app “Sagar Vani” on the occasion of Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences. The app has been developed by ESSO-INCOIS through the Industry M/s. Gaian Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

The ‘Sagar Vani’ is a software platform where various dissemination modes will be integrated on a single central server.

The ‘Sagar Vani’ includes Multi Lingual SMS, Voice Call / Audio Advisory, Mobile Apps (User / Admin modules), Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), Email, GTS, Fax, Digital Display Boards, Radio / Television broadcast units, IVRS, Cloud Channels, etc.