Current Affairs November 2016 - Regional

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News 1 - Environment Ministry Reviewed Ambient Air Quality Status of Delhi

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change reviewed the ambient air quality status of Delhi. It has been observed that open burning of solid waste in and around Delhi, vehicular emissions in Delhi, dust by the roadside and around construction sites in Delhi and stubble burning of crop residue in neighboring States of Delhi are major contributors to pollution in Delhi.

Therefore, it has been decided that CPCB will direct Punjab, Haryana and other NCR States to effectively enforce ban on stubble burning in agriculture fields and check open burning of solid waste.

News 2 - First instalment of Special Assistance for Permanent Restoration of Damaged Infrastructure in State of Jammu & Kashmir

Ministry of Finance, Government of India has released the ‘Special Assistance’ amounting to Rs.1093.34 crore towards first instalment for repair and permanent restoration of damaged public buildings such as schools, hospitals and other critical public infrastructure in the State of J&K under the Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan. A total sum of Rs. 2,000 crore has been provided under PM Reconstruction Plan for J&K.

The Government of India has also given its approval for one-time relaxation of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture cost norms for restoration of damaged horticulture areas and development of horticulture in State.

News 3 - Kerala became 3^rd Open Defecation Free state

Kerala became the third Open Defecation Free state in the country. The state government had constructed about 175,000 toilets in the last four months. The day marked the 60^th anniversary of the state.

On the occasion, the state also launched four major programmes — Parippida Mission, Haritha Keralam, Ardram and Life — in the education, health, housing and sanitation sectors. Earlier, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim had declared themselves Open Defecation Free. Over 1 lakh villages across the country have become ODF.

News 4 - 'Saur Sujala Yojana' launched in Chhattisgarh state to benefit 51000 farmers

In order to provide facility of solar powered irrigation pumps to farmers of state Chhattisgarh, Prime minster Modi launched ‘Saur Sujala Scheme’ for farmers. Under this scheme, beneficiaries will get solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity worth Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh by March 31, 2019.

Around 51,000 farmers would be benefitted in the state, giving priority to areas with frequent power cut. Scheme has been launched with aim to generate good number of jobs with less investment.

News 5 - Maharashtra first state to launch cyber police stations in all districts

Maharashtra is converting 42 state-of-the-art cybercrime labs into cyber police stations. The move is part of BJP-led government's strategy to take on cyber criminals. Maharashtra is the first state in the country which will have a cyberpolice station in each district.

Any offence related to cyber-crime will be registered in these police stations at the district level. Additional cyber police stations will also be set up in some cities. Cyber police stations will also be set up at police commissionerate and Range IG offices.

News 6 - WB CM distributed 43,000 bicycles to students

West Bengal Chief Minister distributed 43,000 bicycles under 'Sabuj Sathi' to class eleventh students of state-run, aided and sponsored schools at a function at Jamboni, West Midnapore.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated a nursing training college in Lalgarh, a number of Karma Tirthas, government buildings, road projects, flood shelters, marketing hubs and a host of other projects. She also distributed benefits of various schemes including Kanyashree, Yuvashree, Geetanjali, land-pattas, agricultural equipment, computers and books.

News 7 - Assam inked MoU with Civil Aviation ministry, AAI under Regional Connectivity Scheme

Assam Government inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India under Regional Connectivity Scheme.

As per the MoU, the State Government shall reduce VAT to 1% or less on ATF at RCS Airports and for RCS flights from other airports located within the state.

Security and fire services shall be provided free of cost at RCS Airports and electricity, water, other utility services shall be provided at substantially concessional rates. Assam shall also provide minimum land, if required, free of cost for development and expansion of RCS Airports.

News 8 - Maharashtra CM sets new deadline for Indian, African safari at Gorewada Zoo

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has set a fresh deadline for African and Indian safari of the Gorewada Zoo Project. He has directed the State Forest Department to start both the safaris by November 2017.

Chief Minister Fadnavis approved up-gradation of 16 kilometer stretch of roads for the jungle safari in the ambitious Gorewada Zoo Project.

Fadnavis also gave in-principle clearance to a four-Kilometre long ropeway ride. The forest officials have been instructed to prepare a detailed project report for the ropeway and submit it to the Centre for approval.

News 9 - Nagaland state’s Disaster Management Authority issued weather warning

Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority issued a weather warning, as Indian Meteorological Department cautioned a list of states including neighboring states of Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram of heavy rainfall and cyclonic storm.

In this regard, the State Department and concerned Disaster Control Special Force was asked to keep close watch on the weather condition and the State Disaster Response Team on alert 24 by 7. State Disaster Management Authority informed all concerned groups and individuals to keep a close co-ordination and update the State Emergency Operation Centre.

News 10 - Haryana Govt conferred with e-governance award

The Haryana government was conferred with prestigious award for outstanding work in the field of e-governance at the 'State of the States Conclave 2016' organized by private media channel, India Today, in New Delhi.

On behalf of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, his Additional Principal Secretary Dr Rakesh Gupta received the award from Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Notably, the Haryana government has taken many initiatives using information technology like e-birth registration, e-registry of land, e-PDS system to provide e-governance to the people.

News 11 - Odisha Govt signed MoU to set up four more STPI centres

Odisha Government signed MoU with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) for setting up of four more centres in the State. The new centres would come up at Angul, Jajpur, Koraput and Sambalpur. With this, the number of STPI centres will rise to eight in the State which is highest in the country.

The state government would provide 3 acres of developed land and minimum 20,000 sq ft built-up space for each centre. The STPI centres would act as resource centres for IT and IT enabled services and export of software.

News 12 - Odisha Govt offered special monetary aid to drought-affected farmers

The Odisha government offered special monetary assistance of Rs 100 per quintal of paddy to the drought-affected farmers of three districts of the state. The financial assistance will be given up to 50 quintals of paddy sold to the government.

The compensation amount will be directly credited to the bank account of the farmers whose crops were destroyed due to drought in the 2015 Kharif season. At least 3 lakh farmers will be benefited from the scheme. Farmers of the remaining 25 of the 28 drought-affected districts will get the special assistance in different phases.

News 13 - Punjab CM dedicated Jang-E-Azadi Memorial to the nation

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash singh Badal inaugurated Jang-E-Azadi Memorial at Kartarpur near Jalandhar. He thanked the freedom fighters because of whom we are living in the free country. He dedicated the memorial to the country.

Families of freedom fighters were honored on the occasion. The project is worth 200 crore rupees and is spread over 25 acres.

The memorial displays scenes from the freedom struggle including the Gadar movement, Kuka movement, Pagri sambhal Jatta movement, Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Barbara Akali movement. The Memorial will be opened for public.

News 14 - Delhi government starts deregistration of 15-year-old diesel vehicles to check pollution level

Delhi government has started deregistration of 15-year-old diesel vehicles plying on the roads in the national capital to check rising pollution level.

Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung at a highlevel meeting asked the Registering Authority and Motor Licensing Officers to start the deregistration of such vehicles in the city.

The decision will lead to the reduction of two lakh vehicles on the city roads. The City Police and Transport Department have also been directed to immediately stop entry of overloaded trucks and non-destined trucks in Delhi.

News 15 - Haryana government to implement multi-pronged strategy to deal with air pollution

Haryana Government decided to implement a multi-pronged strategy to effectively deal with the prevailing menace of air pollution. State are being encouraged to use ‘Happy Seeder’, a unique technique which is used for sowing wheat without burning of paddy residue.

A high-level committee has been constituted to explore the possibilities of setting up plants in the State for converting agriculture and urban waste into energy and submit the report within a month. Straw-baler would also be set up at each block to deal with the problem of burning of agricultural residue in the fields.

News 16 - Meghalaya government to amend IT policy to new digital policy

Meghalaya Government decided to amend its existing Information Technology Policy to a new digital policy. The new policy is set would focus on several issues pertaining to Information Technology besides improving the internet and mobile connectivity in the state.

The proposed IT Park would have call centres and workshops for IT related infrastructure to make Shillong an IT destination. The State Government has also allotted 70 acres of land to the department for the setting up of the proposed park. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 550-600 crores.

News 17 - More islands to be opened for tourists in Andaman Nicobar

The Andaman-Nicobar Administration is promoting tourism to attract more tourists and some more islands will be opened for the tourists. The islands administration is promoting water sports activities. Apart from these efforts are being made to re-start the Sea Plane service.

To promote islands as a year-long tourist destination and make the visitors aware of unity and diversity aspect of the islanders, the home stay project is also being implemented. The administration also has plans to introduce adventure sports like submarine scooter.

News 18 - Operation School Chalo launched in South Kashmir

After ‘Operation Calm down’ in South Kashmir, Indian Army launched ‘Operation School Chalo’ under which it aims to provide students with free coaching and involve them in sports. It has been launched because over 30 schools were burnt down over the past weeks and many educational institutions remained closed for about five months.

Various teachers and classes are being identified to hold classes in schools or community houses to teach children. The army has also come up with “Naujawan Club” where children and youth get a chance to show their talent in sports.

News 19 - First LNG fuelled bus in the country launched by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in Kerala

For the 1^st time in the Country, an LNG fueled bus has been launched in Kerala. The LNG fueled bus is being launched as part of a plan of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to use LNG directly for mass transportation and to reduce carbon emissions in the Country simultaneously generating savings.

The Government of India has already announced that it is planning to use LNG, which is cheaper than diesel, as a fuel for Railways and long-haul transportation. Introduction of LNG in transport segment will also help India to meet its COP21 commitment.

News 20 - Uttarakhand High Court orders declaring hill stations as eco-sensitive

A Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Rajeev Sharma and Justice Alok Singh ordered Uttarakhand state’s all hill stations and glaciers to be declared as eco-sensitive within three months, put a ban on all construction within 25 km radius of the glaciers and no fossil fuel be burnt within a radius of 10 km around rivers.

It has also been advised to restrict on the number of people visiting the glaciers even after levying tax on them. It was decided as a plea was filed requiring the court's action to stop illegal construction in Nainital.

News 21 - 1^st Indian National Open Accuracy Paragliding held in HP

In Himachal Pradesh, as many as 107 pilots from 15 countries took part in the first Indian National Open Accuracy Paragliding Championship at Bir-Billing, 60 kilometres from Dharamsala.

Nine women paragliders, three of them Indians, two Russian and one each from South Africa, Italy, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey completed four-day international meet.

One has to complete at least three of a total of four tasks assigned during the course of the competition.

News 22 - Maharashtra signed MoU with Canada for improvement of state’s urban infrastructure

In order to implement a joint action plan on improvement of the Maharashtra’s urban infrastructure, an MoU was inked between Maharashtra government and Canada. It would benefit smart city project financing, improve affordable housing, skill and training. This would also strengthen Indo-Canadian relationships.

Projects under this plan will be overviewed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and a group of officials from the Consulate General of Canada and Maharashtra’s housing development, labour, information and technology departments.

News 23 - Centre approves over Rs 70 crore disaster relief to Uttarakhand

Centre has approved the assistance of over 70 crore rupees for Uttarakhand from the National Disaster Relief Fund, which was announced at Centre has approved the assistance of over 70 crore rupees for Uttarakhand from the National Disaster Relief Fund.

The Committee examined the proposal based on the report of the Inter-Ministerial Central Team which visited the state affected by severe drought.

News 24 - Nitish Kumar launched free power connection programme

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar launched free power connection programme, “Har Ghar Bijli Lagataar”. Under the programme, the state government will provide free electricity connection to about 50 lakh households above the poverty line.

It aims to supply power to every household in Bihar by 2018. The aim is to provide free electricity connection and not free power. Beneficiaries will have to pay for the power consumed by them. The budget set aside is Rs 1857.5 crore, supported by Asian Development Bank.

News 25 - Maharashtra became first state to adopt Fly Ash Utilization Policy

Maharashtra became the first state to adopt Fly Ash Utilization Policy. Maharashtra Cabinet approved a policy for 100% use of fly ash generated from thermal power plants and biogas plants for construction activities.

This fly ash will be used to make bricks, blocks, tiles, wall panels, cement and other construction materials.

It will protect the environment and help soil excavation. It will also create employment opportunities.

News 26 - Union Government launches ‘Kahin Bhi-Kabhi Bhi’ medical facilities for ESIC beneficiaries of Delhi

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment, Bandaru Dattatreya launched the Kahin Bhi-Kabhi Bhi’ initiative of Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for its beneficiaries of Delhi. Kahin Bhi means any dispensary/Hospital and Kabhi Bhi means anytime.

With this initiative, all the network of dispensaries of Delhi has been made accessible to insured persons and their family members all the time. Besides, Bandaru Dattatreya also inaugurated the ‘06 bedded Day Care Unit’ of ESI Dispensary in Sector 7, Dwarka in Delhi.

News 27 - J&K Govt provides free education for school girls

With an aim to provide free education to all girls, the Jammu and Kashmir government ordered waiving off their school fees in the state-run educational institutions up to highersecondary level.

An order to this effect was issued by Commissioner Secretary of Education Department, Shaleen Kabra in Jammu.

The move will help encourage enrolment of the girl students in the schools and further incentivise their education. The step comes as a fulfilment of the announcement in the budget of PDP-BJP government in 2016.

News 28 - Mehbooba Mufti launched World Bank funded Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project

In order to implement World bank funded Rs 1,600-crore Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti formally launched mega development Jhelum-Tawi flood recovery project to give massive progress for reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure post-2014 floods in the state.

World bank funding was inked in January 2016 between the Government of India and the World Bank of worth US $250 million under the Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project.

News 29 - UP CM Akhilesh Yadav launched integrated emergency services

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav launched state-wide integrated emergency services UP-100. It is the official name of the Police Emergency Management System of Uttar Pradesh.

Previously, it was known as dial 100 Project. The state government has allocated 2200 crore rupees for the project.

It will be available initially in 11 districts of the state. It will ensure that police reach a caller in a maximum of twenty minutes in rural areas and within 15 minutes in urban areas. It is a 24-hour service.

News 30 - Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu launched water distribution monitoring portal

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched the ‘Smart Water Distribution Monitoring’ web interface through which people can check the status of drinking water in the water tanks nearby.

The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system helps in reduction of water wastage as well as ensure seamless supply to the households. The monitoring portal is a part of ourvmc.org from where it can be accessed.

News 31 - Andhra Pradesh CM launched Water Monitoring Portal

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, launched the ‘Smart Water Distribution Monitoring’ web interface, which will enable the people to check the status of drinking water in the nearby water tanks.

The Water Distribution Monitoring portal is a part of the website ourvmc.org from where it can be assessed. The portal has Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that helps in reduction of water wastage as well as ensures seamless water supply to the households.

News 32 - AROGYA fair organized in Himachal Pradesh

The Union Ministry of AYUSH, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the State Ayurveda Department has organized AROGYA fair in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

The Fair aims to promote and popularize Indian Systems of Medicine among the general public as well as bring the industry up to date about new developments in the sector.

It is for the first time that such kind of AROGYA fair has been organized in the state.