Current Affairs September 2019 - Regional

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1 - Haryana government announced about Rs 4,750 cr interest, penalty waiver on crop loans

The Haryana Government has announced a Rs 4,750 crore waiver on interest and penalty on crop loans. This will benefit around 10 lakh farmers of the state.

Around 85,000 farmers had taken loans worth 3,000 crore rupees from the District Cooperative Central Banks. Out of which, accounts of 32,000 farmers involving an amount of 800 crore rupees have turned NPAs. Farmers will have to pay 2% interest for loans less than Rs five lakh, 5% for loans between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and 10% for bigger loans.

2 - Gujarat CM launched ‘Vhali Dikri Yojna’

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has launched the ‘Vhali Dikri Yojna’ for the welfare of girl child with a view to raising the female birthrate at par with male to achieve gender equality. Rs.133-crore has been allocated for this scheme.

According to scheme, the State Government will pay Rs. 4,000 to every girl child at the time of admission to Standard 4^th, Rs. 6,000 at the time of taking admission to Standard IX, Rs. 1-lakh at the time of taking admission for higher education at the age of 18 and another Rs. 1-lakh at the time of marriage.

3 - First set of anti-riot vehicles introduced in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh State Home Minister Bamang Felix flagged of Five Anti-Riot police vehicle, also known as Vajra, from Police Headquarter in Itanagar. This is the first set of anti-riot vehicles introduced in the state police department.

These vehicles come with special features for quick response, automatic multi-barrel launchers for tear gas, with a capacity of 12 persons and a battery backup for long hours stuck in the rioting crowd.

4 - “Aadi Perukku” festival celebrated in Tamil Nadu

The “Aadi Perukku” festival was celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated on the 18^th day of the Tamil month of Adi (mid-July to mid-August) to pay tribute to water's life-sustaining properties. It is celebrated near river basins, water tanks, lakes and wells etc.

The festival is to show reverence by the public to rivers, as the traditional season of sowing of seeds for the next crops begin.

5 - UNESCO signed MoU with Rajasthan government

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has signed a MoU with Rajasthan state government with the aim to revive traditional cultural heritage and improve livelihoods.

According to the MoU, now UNESCO with an NGO, Contact Base will build a special tourist circuit in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer and Jaisalmer for around three-and-a-half years. Under this, 10 new cultural hubs will be developed, which help promote various types of cultural heritage through hosting of events, performances, and sale of handicrafts.

6 - Chandrayaan-2 orbiter located Lander Vikram on surface of moon

ISRO lost communication from the Lander, after reaching up to 2.1kms above the surface and few minutes before its scheduled soft-landing due to which ISRO made efforts to restore contact with it.

In a significant development, the Lander Vikram was located on the surface of the moon and a thermal image of the Lander was captured by the Orbiter of Chandrayaan-2.

The Imaging Infra-Red Spectrometer added to orbiter, is for studying the nature of minerals on the moon, confirm the presence of water and help locating Lander.

7 - India & ADB signed $200 million loan to improve rural connectivity in Maharashtra

The Asian Development Bank and the Government of India signed a $200 million loan to upgrade rural roads to all-weather standards in 34 districts of Maharashtra to improve road safety and better connect rural areas with markets and services.

The project will improve the condition of about 2,100 kms of rural roads to all-weather standards, connecting rural communities with productive agricultural areas and socioeconomic centers. The loan is a technical assistance grant of $1 million for institutional strengthening of the MRRDA in areas such as road asset management, road safety, climate-resilient design.

8 - GeM and Punjab Government signed MoU for setting up project management unit

Government e Marketplace (GeM) under the Department of Commerce and Government of Punjab, signed MoU to set up a GeM Organizational Transformation Team (GOTT) Project Management Unit (PMU) in the state Punjab. GeM, the national public procurement portal launched in August 2016 has facilitated procurement worth over Rs. 34,000 crore of goods & services by various Government Departments, Organisations and PSUs.

Government of Punjab is the first State which will establish GOTT PMU for effectively utilising this transformational initiative towards inclusive, efficient and transparent procurement.

9 - 313 Anganwadi centres developed as Child Education Centre in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh, 313 Anganwadi centres have been developed as Child Education Centre under Rashtriya Poshan maah - National Nutritional Campaign. These centres are now providing primary education along with distribution of nutritious food. 27000 smartphones have also been provided in the state for monitoring by loading photos of inspection in the app of nutritional food distribution in Anganwadi centres.

Women and child department introduced a Whatsapp number for complaints and suggestions regarding Anganwadi and distribution of food, to take action through the special cell formed at the state level.

10 - J&K govt rolled out Special Market Intervention Price Scheme to procure Apple crop

Jammu and Kashmir Governor’s administration rolled out the Special Market Intervention Price Scheme (MISP) of Government of India to procure nearly 12 lakh metric tons of apple from farmers of Kashmir on remunerative prices for 6 months. Under this scheme, 60% of the estimated annual apple production will be procured from the apple growers nearer their doorsteps

directly by central government.

The scheme costing 8000 Crore rupees is expected to enhance the income of the growers in Kashmir Valley by about 2000 crore rupees.

11 - Bandaru Dattatreya sworned in as governor of Himachal Pradesh

BJP senior leader Bandaru Dattatreya was sworned in as 27^th full-time governor of Himachal Pradesh succeeding Kalraj Mishra, who has been appointed the governor of Rajasthan.

Dattatreya got elected to the Lok Sabha from Secunderabad four times and served as Union Minister of State for Urban Development in the second Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and as Minister of State for Labour and Employment in Narendra Modi government. He served as joint secretary of A. P. Cyclone Committee and general secretary for Voluntary Organisations, India.

12 - UP state government announced Agriculture Export policy 2019 PICS

In a major step towards doubling the income of farmers in the state, Uttar Pradesh Government announced it's maiden Agriculture Export policy, 2019.

The government aims at doubling the export of agricultural commodities by 2024 with the help of farmer producer organisations and various steps like giving incentives and promoting startups. In another major decision, government had for the first time decided to allow procurement of paddy from contract farming and share croppers with certain riders to ensure payment of minimum support price to genuine farmers.

13 - Kalraj Mishra took oath as Rajasthan Governor

Former Union Minister Kalraj Mishra took oath of as 22^nd governor of Rajasthan state replacing Kalyan Singh who has completed the tenure of 5 years at Governor's office. Prior to this, Kalraj Mishra served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Kalraj Mishra served as Cabinet Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the BJP-led NDA government (2014-2017) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and as President of Uttar Pradesh state unit of the BJP. He was known for playing an important role in the formation of Uttarakhand.

14 - Centre sets up 3-member panel to oversee bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories

Centre has set up a three-member panel to oversee the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. The committee will look into the distribution of assets and liabilities of Jammu and Kashmir between two successor Union territories, which will come into existence on 31^st of October 2019.

The committee headed by Former Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra will have Retired IAS officer Arun Goyal and Retired Indian Civil Accounts Service officer Giriraj Prasad Gupta as members. Centre had announced bifurcation of the state into the two UTs in August 2019.

15 - Kerala to set up India’s first iWTC in Kozhikode

India's first Global Trade Centre for Women will be set up in Kozhikode, Kerala under the Gender Park in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to provide a safe space away from home for women and encourage their entrepreneurial capabilities. The project is part of state’s gender park “Vision 2020 under the department of social justice, scheduled to be completed by 2021.

iWTC, a first-of-its-kind space in India will have world class shopping destination, women’s start-up and incubation centre, health & wellness centers and high-tech enviroment with fully-automated private and shared offices.

16 - Gurugram Police collaborated with tech giant Google

The Gurugram traffic police collaborated with Google maps for dissemination of traffic related information in real time for public use so as to let commuters make their commuting experience hassle-free. Gurugram traffic police will share information on planned road closures, diversions, traffic alerts regarding road crash, road accidents etc. with Google Maps which will be immediately updated on its public maps.

Google Maps is a web mapping service developed by Google. It offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, real-time traffic conditions, and route planning for traveling.

17 - First-ever helicopter summit held in Uttarakhand

The Aviation Ministry organised the country's first helicopter summit in Uttarakhand's Dehradun where issues related to "enhancing connectivity through helicopters" were discussed. The Indian Air Force was invited to talk on 'Role of IAF helicopters in MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) at National level'.

The conclave was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. Several officials of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), many leaders from the tourism industry and officials from all Indian helicopter operators were present at the conclave.

18 - Madhya Pradesh government to allow people to adopt cows online

The Madhya Pradesh government is going to launch an online service for those wanting to adopt a cow through its ‘Project Gaushala’. People can adopt a cow for a minimum of 15 days and can go on supporting it till the animal’s lifetime.

The cost of adoption for lifetime is Rs 3 lakhs, for a year is Rs 21,000, for a month is Rs 2,100 and for 15 days is Rs 1,100. The state government has announced to build 1000 gaushalas for a budget of Rs 132 crore.

19 - Maharashtra state to draft sustainable rehab plan for flood-hit areas

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met representatives of the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) and announced to draft a sustainable rehabilitation plan for the flood-hit parts of the state with the help of the World Bank and ADB. The state had sought financial assistance of Rs 6,000 crore for carrying out the rehabilitation and relief works in the flood-hit regions.

Maharshtra announced the implementation of Rs 16,000 crore water grid scheme for the Marathwada region, where a sizeable amount of water from western Maharashtra will be diverted to meet the irrigation and drinking water demands.

20 - Maharashtra CM approved Rs 1680 cr water supply scheme for Aurangabad

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved a 1680.50 crore rupees water supply scheme for Aurangabad in Marathwada region. Around 16 lakh people of Aurangabad will be benefitted by the scheme which envisages supply of water directly from the Jayakwadi dam. Marathwada comprising eight districts has traditionally been a low-rainfall area. The region has been reeling under drought conditions for the last four years.

The state Cabinet had approved for the first phase recently of 4,293-crore rupees Marathwada Water Grid Project to mitigate water woes in the region.

21 - Haryana launched two insurance schemes for traders

The State Government of Haryana launched two insurance schemes for registered small and medium traders named as “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Samuhik Niji Durghatna Beema Yojana” (cover of Rs 5 lakh ) and “Mukhyamantri Vyapari Kshatipurti Beema Yojana“(Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh). State government will bear the cost of premium covering accidental death, permanent disability and partial disability.

About 3.13 lakh registered small and medium traders would benefit from the scheme on the basis of their turnover to compensate for loss of stock due to fire, theft, flood and earthquake.

22 - J&K: Rs 827-crore plan approved under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes

In Jammu & Kashmir, a plan of 827 crore rupees has been approved under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. State Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam reviewed the implementation of the schemes during 2018-19 and subsequently approved the Action Plan for 2019-20.

Indian Army has been conducting various people-friendly campaigns in the state to highlight the benefits of removing Article 370 among the local population. These include community empowerment drives, medical aid camps and communal harmony workshops.

23 - West Bengal to implement 6^th Pay Commission from Jan 1, 2020

The recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission for West Bengal Government Employees will come into effect from January 1, 2020. As per Recommendations of the Pay Commission, the Minimum Gross Pay of an Employee will stand at Rs. 20146.

The Government also accepted the recommendations for hiking the ceiling of Gratuity from 6 lakh to 10 lakh rupees and the merger of Dearness Allowance with new Pay Bands. Around 10000 crore rupees will be spent additionally from State exchequer for implementing the Pay Commission’s recommendations.

24 - Uttarakhand launched Dal Poshit Yojana

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat launched the 'Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana'. As a part of the scheme, ration card holders in the state will get two kgs of pulses at subsidised rates every month.

23.32 lakh ration card holders of the state will benefit from the scheme. They will get two kgs of Chana dal (chickpeas split) at the rate of Rs 44 per kg as against Rs 65-Rs 70 per kg in the open market.

25 - Telangana Assembly passed resolution against proposed Uranium mining in Nallamala forest area

Telangana State Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution against proposed Uranium mining in Nallamala forest area. The state Government has proposed the resolution following an assurance by Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao to the Congress members.

The Assembly urged the Central Government to withdraw proposal of Uranium mining in Nallamala Forest Area in view of the possible threat to the habitation and biodiversity in and around Nallamala due to mining besides public fears of air and water pollution due to Uranium mining.

26 - Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath laid foundation stone for metro rail project in Indore

In Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Kamal Nath laid the foundation stone for around 7,500 crore rupees metro rail project in Indore. Mr Kamal Nath formally started the construction work of this project near the toll block on MR-10 Road in the city.

A total of 31.55-kilometre-long ring corridor is proposed to be built under the metro rail project in the largest city in terms of population in the state. The metro rail project will be completed by August 2023 in a phased manner.

27 - Arunachal Pradesh CM dedicated Dikshi Hydroelectric Project to people of state

In Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu dedicated the Dikshi Hydroelectric Project to the people of the state. The 24 Mega Watt Hydroelectric Project has been installed at Dikshi Village in West Kameng District. The State Govt will be getting 10% as free power from the 2^nd year of its operation.

The project comprises of a 20-metre-long diversion structure across Phudung river with an intake structure located on the right bank to divert and regulate the waters into 337-metre-long feeder channel.

28 - J&K: Govt launched awareness campaign to list benefits of Article 370 move

Jammu and Kashmir government launched an awareness campaign through local news papers in Valley to assure people they won’t be compelled to sell off their land while highlighting the need & reasons for scrapping the special status of J&K under Article 370 & 35 A.

Most of the local newspapers carried front page state government advertisements for several days both in English and Urdu highlighting the reasons for scrapping the Articles and reassuring people that their interests won’t be harmed.

29 - Rajasthan launched “Jan Soochna Portal-2019”

Rajasthan launched first-ever public information portal named as “Jan Soochna Portal-2019to provide information about government authorities and departments suo motu to the public in the true spirit of the Right To Information Act. It will provide 23-24 types of information pertaining to 13 departments on a single platform.

Jan Soochna Portal-2019, would ensure compliance with Section 4(2) of the RTI Act mandating the public authorities to disclose information in the public domain, so that the people need not file applications under the law to obtain information

30 - US company TI to set up research lab at NIT in Trichy

Texas Instruments (TI), a US company, engaged in the design and development of semiconductors and software will set up a hi-tech, cutting edge research lab at National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Trichy, Tamilnadu.

As a part of the MoU, TI will deliver products and EVMs worth USD 25,000. It envisages joint R&D projects over a period of three years for the development of new technologies in various engineering domains.

31 - Activists of Aarey protests write to Japanese PM to scrap the project

A group of activists protesting felling of trees for the upcoming metro car shed in Mumbai's Aarey Colony has written a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeking his intervention to scrap the project. The project to build the car shed in Aarey, one of the city's prime green tract involved felling of more than 2,600 trees over a 30-hectare plot in the area.

The Rs. 23,136 crore Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro Line 3 project is part-funded to the tune of Rs. 13,235 crore by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

32 - BMC announced cash prizes ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to 1 crore to encourage waste management

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared cash prizes ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to 1 crore to encourage waste management. The prize will be given to public representatives, NGOs, institutions and schools working in the field of waste management.

The civic body will be picking one Corporator from each of the seven zones whose ward emerges as the best performer and will award him or her Rs. 1 crore as additional development fund for the ward. Apart from this, the BMC will select six NGOs per zone, of which the best performing NGO will be awarded Rs. 50 lakh, the second Rs. 25 lakh, the third Rs. 10 lakh and the others Rs. 5 lakh each.

33 - HP government launched Mukhyamantri Seva Sankalp Helpline

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jairam Thakur has launched the Mukhyamantri Seva Sankalp Helpline, "1100" (Chief Minister's Service Resolution Helpline). The objective of this helpline is to provide timely help to the citizens of the state using modern technology.

Complaints can be registered on the helpline from 7 am to 10 pm. About 6500 officers of 56 departments have been added in this software. All the officers have to resolve the complaint within seven days to 14 days.

34 - Hyderabad-Karnataka region renamed as Kalyana Karnataka

The Karnataka government has approved to rename Hyderabad-Karnataka region of the state as Kalyana Karnataka to do away with any remnants of colonial nomenclature or connection with the Nizams to refer to the six districts on the north eastern part of the state.

The Hyderabad Karnataka region comprises of six north-eastern districts of the State — Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Ballari. The region enjoys special status under the Constitution (Article 371J) owing to its backwardness.

35 - Arunachal Pradesh CM dedicates Dikshi Hydroelectric Project to people of state

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu dedicated the Dikshi Hydroelectric Project to the state. The 24 Mega Watt Hydroelectric Project has been installed at Dikshi Village in West Kameng District.

The DHP is a Run-of-the-River project constructed on the river Phudung by Devi Energies Private Limited. It was completed in a record time of four years with an investment of about 430 crore rupees. Government of Arunachal Pradesh is the sole beneficiary of the power generation from this project. The State Govt will be getting 10% as free power from the 2^nd year of its operation.

36 - Kerala government signed MoU with Maldives on cancer care

Kerala state government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Maldives to strengthen cancer care in the island nation. Kerala government and the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) have jointly signed the MOU with the health ministry of Maldives.

The state health department and RCC would also provide support in setting up cancer care centres in Maldives and their doctors, nurses, pharmacists and para medical staff would be provided training at RCC. Maldives has also sought RCC's support to create a cancer registry.

37 - Shri Amit Shah launched Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) - Dial 112

Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah launched three citizen centric services of the Chandigarh Police, in Chandigarh. The services include the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS - Dial 112), ‘E-Beat Book’ System and the ‘E-Saathi App’. ERSS provides a single emergency number (112).

The ‘E-Beat Book’ is a web and mobile based application which will ease the collection, updation and analysis of the information related to crime and criminals in a real time. The ‘E-Saathi’ App would help the general public to remain in touch with the police and also give suggestions to facilitate participative community policing.

38 - Ministry of Railways entered into MoU with Government of Odisha

East Coast Railway under the aegis of Ministry of Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Government of Odisha for development of Bhubaneswar station as Multi-Model Transport Hub in New Delhi. The multi-modal Hub expected to completed in three years shall have new terminal building for Railway Station, City Bus terminal, Public Car parking and other allied public utilities.

Under this MoU, Bhubaneswar station will be redeveloped as Multi-modal transport hub, jointly by Ministry of Railways and Government of Odisha.

39 - Delhi Police’s launched Tatpar app for citizen-centric services

In order to facilitate delivery of citizen-centric services, Delhi Police launched app called as ‘Tatpar’ app, developed by the Delhi Police. It is one-stop destination for access to over 50 citizen-centric services.

The Tatpar App has included all the important websites, mobile applications and helpline numbers of Delhi Police. With the help of this app, people can navigate to their nearest police station, traffic pit and prepaid taxi booth and share information to police about a suspicious vehicle or person or of a crime. The app amalgamates all the websites and mobile applications of Delhi Police.

40 - First ever ‘Jammu International Film Festival’ to be held in Jammu

For the first time Jammu is going to host two day long international film festival from September 26 to September 27 to represent the aspirations of the art and cinema loving people. It will showcase 37 short films and documentaries from 11 countries.

The festival will also present an annual 'Inspiring Icon Award', which will be given to a person, who hails from the region and has made it big in the film industry. Film producers Rakesh Roshan Bhat and Rohit Bhat will be the Jammu Film festival directors.

41 - Telangana announced to celebrate 2020 as Year of AI

Telangana government decided to celebrate the year of 2020 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence by organising various activities related to the emerging technology. Recently, IIT-Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) has selected Hyderabad as the place to set up their regional centre to train students in AI in partnership with the State government and Nasscom had announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in AI and Data Sciences in Hyderabad.

Telangana government will organize hackathons and meetings, will give challenges to make available data threats to run algorithms for the AI enthusiasts.

42 - 112 single emergency helpline number launched in Delhi

The government has launched a single emergency number -112- for police, fire and ambulance emergency services in Delhi. Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the Emergency Response Support System.

The government has also launched PRAKHAR which is street crime patrol van, for patrolling at crime hot spot locations. Prakhar vans are different from PCRs as these vans carry more firepower and are equipped with modern technology. Initially, one van will be deployed in each district.

43 - Assam Government launched housing loan subsidy scheme

The Assam Government has launched a housing loan subsidy scheme to provide financial assistance on purchase or construction of the first house for a family. Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the scheme - Aponar Apon Ghar yesterday in Guwahati.

The scheme provides subsidy up to Rs 2,50,000 for loan amounts from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. This scheme is meant for the loan sanctioned in this financial year.

44 - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna completed one year in Assam

The ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, PMJAY, has completed one year of its existence in Assam and has started the third phase of the scheme. The two phases of the scheme saw claims of close to 47 crore rupees in the state.

The third phase of PMJAY covers over 26 lakh families as beneficiaries. The state also has increased the empanelled hospitals from 179 to well over 300 under the phase 3 of the scheme. An MoU was also signed with HLL Life care limited in November 2018 to provide medicines and consumables to the beneficiaries free of cost.

45 - Swachhata hi Seva Abhiyan to be observed in Madhya Pradesh till Oct 25

Madhya Pradesh government has launched a month-long Swachhata hi Seva Abhiyan from September 25 to till October 25, against the single-use plastic. During the campaign, various awareness programmes will be conducted in urban bodies.

The campaign will encourage alternatives by eliminating single-use plastic and non-standard polythene in markets, malls and shops etc. The campaign aims to administer oath to at least 50 lakh citizens against the use of single-use plastic.

46 - J&K becomes first state to issue highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat scheme

Jammu and Kashmir has become the first state in the country to issue highest number of golden cards under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). Over 11 lakh golden cards have been generated within first 90 days of the launch of the scheme with 60% families having at least one golden card which is highest in the country.

Under the scheme, 155 Hospitals including 126 public and 29 private hospitals have been empanelled to provide free and cashless treatment to the entitled beneficiaries while as per Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) 6.30 lakh poor and vulnerable families of J&K are entitled for it.

47 - NTPC to build India’s biggest solar park in Gujarat

NTPC Ltd plans to set up a 5 gigawatt solar park in Gujarat, which would be the biggest in the country at the cost of 250 billion rupees ($3.5 billion) and begin operations by 2024. The plan is part of the NTPC's aim to build 32 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2032.

This will reduce the share of fossil fuels in its energy mix to 70% from about 96% now. NTPC is also considering building a new 500-megawatt hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh.

48 - Ladakhi Shondol dance created history

Ladakhi Shondol dance has created history by breaking into the Guinness book of world records as the largest Ladakhi dance. 408 women artists in traditional dresses performed gracefully the Shondol dance on the occasion of the Annual Naropa Festival.

Shondol is famous dance, which used to be performed by artists for King of Ladakh on special occasion. It was organised by the Live to Love India, Drukpa Charitable Trust and Young Drukpa Association.

49 - AAI takes up projects of Rs 3,500 cr for upgradation of airports in North East region

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has taken up projects of Rs. 3,500 crore for expansion and upgradation of the airports in the North East region. AAI has allocated Rs 1,250 crore for Guwahati airport, Rs 650 crore for Imphal (Manipur), Rs 500 crore for Agartala (Tripura), Rs 650 crore for a Greenfield airport at Hollongi in Arunachal Pradesh, and Rs 450 crore for Lengpui Airport in Mizoram and other airports in the region.

The air connectivity developments in North East Region will play a ‘change agent’ role towards overall development of the region.

50 - Delhi HC launched official mobile app for lawyers, litigants

The Delhi High Court launched an official mobile application for providing digital access of its services to lawyers and litigants. It provides details of case status, display board, cause list and access to other important links of the high court website. The advocates registered with the High Court's e-filing software will also be able to apply for e-inspection and online gate pass.

The advocates and litigants will also be able to view the display board of the High Court and the Supreme Court using the app.

51 - Assam government notified setting up of 200 additional Foreigners Tribunals

The Assam government has notified setting up of 200 additional appellate Foreigners Tribunals for hearing of appeals of those persons who have been excluded from the final NRC. They will be set up in the districts of the state which already have 100 Foreigners Tribunals.

19 lakh people were excluded from the final NRC in Assam published on 31^st of August. The excluded people could challenge their exclusion in the Foreigners Tribunals.

52 - Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launched ‘champions campaign’ against dengue

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched "champions campaign" in the fight against dengue and urged people to call 10 of their friends and encourage them too to inspect their homes and be a Champion in the fight against Dengue.

The campaign is an anti-dengue drive. It is a community-driven campaign and will ensure the citizens are encouraged to take initiative and responsibility for their fellow citizens. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus.