Current Affairs August 2020 - National

1 - Government formulated draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020

The Union Ministry of Defence has formulated a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP-2020). The policy aims to provide impetus to self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Scheme.

The objectives of the policy are as follows:

Achieve a turnover of Rs. 1,75,000 Crore including an export of Rs. 35,000 Crore in the Aerospace and Defence goods and services by the year 2025.
Emphasis on reducing dependence on imports and taking forward the Make in India initiatives through domestic designs.
Developing a dynamic, robust and competitive Defence industry, including Aerospace and Naval Shipbuilding industry to cater to the needs of Armed forces.

2 - MoD signed tripartite MoU with IIT Kanpur and Dept of ARPG

The Ministry of Defence signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK).

The MoU envisages IIT Kanpur to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Techniques to conduct exploratory and predictive analysis of Public Grievances received on the web based Centralised Public Grievances Redress & Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) pertaining to the MoD. The DARPG will provide the data dump on the Public Grievances pertaining to MoD to IIT Kanpur to facilitate their analysis.

3 - Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched 'Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan 2020-21'

Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched 'Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan, 2020-21'. This initiative is a national programme for popularising science among school students of Class 6^th to 11^th. It was designed to identify the bright minds with a scientific aptitude among the student community.

Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) is an initiative of Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) and Vigyan Prasar. VIJNANA BHARATI (VIBHA) is a national movement for the propagation and popularisation of Science & Technology among students and masses.

4 - Union Minister for MSME Nitin Gadkari approved Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission

Union Minister for MSME Nitin Gadkari has approved Khadi Agarbatti Aatmanirbhar Mission (KAAM). It is a unique employment generation program proposed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to make India Aatmanirbhar in Agarbatti production.

The programme aims to create jobs for unemployed and migrant workers across the country, while increasing domestic Agarbatti production substantially. KVIC will provide 25% subsidy on the cost of the machines used for making Agarbatti.

5 - KVIC launched Gift Box of handcrafted silk masks

Union Minister for MSME Nitin Gadkari launched the Gift Box, developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The gift box consists of four handcrafted silk masks in different colors and prints.

The Silk Masks have three pleats and come with adjustable ear loops and attractive beads. It has two inner layers of 100% Khadi cotton fabric and one top layer of Silk fabric. The silk mask gift boxes are priced at just Rs. 500 per box.

6 - National Digital Conference on “Easing Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat”

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized the National Digital Conference on ‘Easing Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Investment and Internal Trade (DPIIT). More than a thousand relevant stakeholders participated in the one-day virtual conference.

The participants discussed on issues pertaining to improve the business environment of India. The conference provided a forum to enhance the regulatory reform of the government in various indicators of doing business.

7 - India's first Kisan Special Parcel Train flagged off

Indian railways began the Kisan Rail service to transport perishables at affordable cost. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar flagged off the First Kisan Rail train from Maharashtra's Devlali station to Danapur in Bihar. As per this initiative, the Kisan Rail will run through public-private-partnership mode to provide a seamless supply chain of perishable goods.

Apart from carrying fruits and vegetables like capsicum, onion, chillies, banana and grapes; the Indian Railways’ first ever multi commodity trains will have frozen containers to ensure a cold supply chain even for fish, meat and milk.

8 - Serum Institute of India partners with Gavi to accelerate manufacture of Covid19 vaccines

Serum Institute of India has entered into a new landmark partnership with Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to accelerate the manufacturing and delivery of up to 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for India and low- and middle-income countries.

The collaboration will provide upfront capital to SII to help them increase manufacturing capacity now so that, once a vaccine gains regulatory approval and WHO prequalification, doses can be produced at scale for distribution to India and LMIC as part of the Gavi COVAX AMC mechanism as early as the first half of 2021.

9 - NHAI signed MoU with IIT Delhi

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Data Driven decision making and Advance Data Management System for Highways.

Under the partnership, IIT Delhi will work with NHAI on developing advance analytics based on AI and ML, prepare simulation models, enhance data storage and retrieval capacities to further strengthen NHAI’s capabilities in data-driven decision making.

10 - Education Minister laid the foundation stone of IIM-Dhaula Kuan

Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Dhaula Kuan in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. The campus is spread in a 210-acre land.

The government has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 531.75 Crore out of which Rs. 392.51 Crore is for construction works. IIM Sirmaur was operationalised by IIM Lucknow from August 2015, as the mentor Institution through its temporary campus at Paonta Sahib, Sirmaur.

11 - NIDM organised webinar series on “Hydro-Meteorological Hazards Risk Reduction”

National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in collaboration with India Meteorological Department organised a webinar series on “Hydro-Meteorological Hazards Risk Reduction”. The webinar series included four webinars focusing on Thunderstorms and Lightning, Cloudburst and Floods, Cyclones and Storm Surges and Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events.

The webinar series exhorted on enhancing human capacity in terms of better understanding of Hydro-Meteorological Hazards Risk and effective collaborative actions, by implementing Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, for reducing the risk and enhancing the resilience of affected communities and surroundings.

12 - Indian Railways introduced OHE Inspection app

India Railways has introduced “OHE Inspection” application for real time capturing of OHE (Overhead Equipment) defects as well as sends alerts. It will help prevent delays in running time of passenger trains and improve customer experience.

The OHE Inspection app includes GPS based tracking of patrol man, real time capturing of OHE defects and provision of taking photographs. It has been launched across the country. Indian Railways recorded 100% punctuality of trains, for the first time in its history on 1^st July, 2020.

13 - Prime Minister Modi inaugurated first ever optical fibre cable for Andaman, Nicobar Islands

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 2,300 km submarine optical fibre cable network between Chennai and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The project is Union government’s commitment for Ease of living. Andaman and Nicobar is an important centre for India’s Economic-Strategic Co-operation.

The cable project will be provided over 2,313 kms under-sea between Chennai and Portblair at the cost of rupees 1,224 crores. This will boost digital services like tele-education, tele-health, e-governance services and tourism on the island.

14 - Prime Minister Modi launched Rs. one lakh crore worth agriculture infrastructure fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched one lakh crore rupees agriculture infrastructure fund to boost post-harvest management and marketing of agricultural produce. The scheme will provide better warehousing and cold storage facilities for farmers and create job opportunities in food processing industries.

Under the infrastructure scheme banks and financial institutions will provide Rs. one lakh crore in loans to co-operative societies, farmer producer companies, self-help groups, entrepreneurs, startups and infrastructure providers. The objective is to provide medium to long-term debt financing for setting up of post-harvest infrastructure and community assets for marketing of farm produce.

15 - PM Modi launched platform for 'Transparent Taxation-Honoring the Honest'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the platform for “Transparent Taxation-Honoring the Honest”. The “Transparent Taxation - Honoring The Honest” platform will initiate major tax reforms aimed at bringing transparency in income tax systems and empowering taxpayers.

The major initiatives are as follows:

Introduction of Document Identification Number (DIN) wherein, every communication of the department would carry a computer generated unique document identification number.
Prefilling of income tax returns to make compliance more convenient for individual taxpayers.

16 - Jal Shakti Minister launched Swachh Bharat Mission Academy

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the Swachh Bharat Mission Academy. It is an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) based free mobile online training course with modules on the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus programme. The ODF Plus is an extension of the ODF programme under the Swachch Bharat Mission.

The SBM Academy will be crucial in achieving goals underlined in Phase - 2 of Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). It was launched as part of the 'Gandagi Mukt Bharat' campaign.

17 - Katra-Delhi express road corridor by 2023

The government has announced that the work on the first-of-its-kind Katra (Jammu and Kashmir)-Delhi Express Road Corridor has started and is expected to be ready by 2023. Once functional, travel time from Katra to Delhi will get reduced to around six and half hours, and from Jammu to Delhi to just about six hours.

The project is estimated to cost over Rs. 35,000 crores. The corridor will pass through Jammu and Kathua in J&K, and Jalandhar, Amritsar, Kapurthala and Ludhiana in Punjab.

18 - Government of India launched National Portal “SURAKHSYA” on Human Elephant conflict

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched National Portal on Human Elephant conflict called “SURAKHSYA”. The beta version of the portal on Human-Elephants Conflict is for the collection of real-time information.

The portal will also help to set data collection protocols, data visualisation tools and data transmission pipelines. The Minister also released a booklet on “Best practices of Human-Elephant Conflict Management in India”. The portal and the booklet were launched on the occasion of World Elephant Day celebrated on August 12 every year.

19 - India to fund Greater Male Connectivity Project in Maldives

India will fund the implementation of Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) through a 400 million dollar Line of Credit and 100 million dollar grant. The 6.7 kilometre bridge project will connect Male with three neighbouring islands -- Villingili, Gulhifahu and Thilafushi.

The two countries also plan to start a regular cargo ferry service between India and Maldives to boost trade and commerce. India is also starting an air travel bubble with Maldives.

20 - Atal Innovation Mission and Dell Technologies launch Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, in collaboration with Dell Technologies launched Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0 (SEP 2.0) for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs). SEP 2.0 will allow student innovators to work closely with Dell volunteers.

The students will receive mentor support; prototyping and testing support; end-user feedback; intellectual property registration and patenting of ideas, processes, and products; manufacturing support; as well as the launch support of the product in the market.

21 - Reliance Foundation tied up with W-GDP and USAID

Reliance Foundation has partnered with US Agency for International Development (USAID) and Women’s Global Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) to bridge the gender digital divide in India. The W-GDP WomenConnect Challenge will be launched across India in the fall of 2020.

The W-GDP Women’s Connect Challenge (WCC) supports private sector-led approaches that seek to close the gender digital divide, expand business opportunities, and empower women. W-GDP seeks to reach 50 million women in the developing world by 2025.

22 - CII organized “India@75 Summit – Mission 2022”

The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) organised the “India@75 Summit – Mission 2022”. The summit was focused on ‘reinventing technology in India’ in its 75^th year of independence in 2022 and seeks to bring together stakeholders such as industry and government to work on a vision.

CII took India@75 as a grassroots initiative and converted it into a vision for our country shared by people from all geographies and all walks of life.

23 - Prime Minister announced health IDs for all under National Digital Health Mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of National Digital Health Mission under which, every Indian will get a unique health ID. Every test, every disease, medicines prescribed by doctors, reports and related information will be contained in this one health ID.

The Health ID is created by using a person’s basic details and mobile number or Aadhaar number. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister during his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort.

24 - Every village to have Optical Fibre Connections in next 1000 days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that all 6 lakhs village in the country will be connected with optical fibre cable in the next 1000 days. Lakshadweep will be connected with submarine optical fiber cable. OFC connectivity to the villages will help the people with all the benefits of Digital India.

PM Modi had recently inaugurated the first-ever undersea optic fiber link between Chennai and Andaman and Nicobar to ensure high-speed broadband connectivity for the Union Territory (UT) at par with services in the cities like Delhi and Chennai.

25 - Union Sports Minister launched nation-wide initiative of Fit India Youth Clubs

Union Minister of Youth and Sports Kiren Rijiju launched a nation-wide initiative of Fit India Youth Clubs. It is a part of the Fit India Movement. This initiative brings together fitness and voluntarism in a unique way.

Under this initiative, 75 lakh volunteers of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and National Service Scheme, along with Scouts and Guides, National Cadet Corps and other youth organisations will come together to register as Fit India Youth Clubs in every block in the country. Each member will motivate people from the community to take up fitness activities of 30 to 60 minutes daily.

26 - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched 'Nasha-Mukt Bharat' campaign in J&K

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Directorate of Social Welfare launched 'Nasha-Mukt Bharat'- Drug free India campaign of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India with an aim to curb the menace of Drug Addiction in the society.

The campaign is being run in ten districts of J&K including Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Badgam and Bandipora. The objective of the campaign is to increase community participation and sensitisation of the people about Drug Abuse.

27 - National Digital Health Mission rolled out on pilot mode in 6 UTs

The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address, has been rolled out on a pilot mode in six Union territories - Chandigarh, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Under NDHM, every Indian will get a health ID that will ease access to medical services in the country. The government has given the responsibility to National Health Authority (NHA) to design, build, roll-out and implement the NDHM in the country.

28 - HRD ministry officially renamed as Ministry of Education

President Ram Nath Kovind, through a gazette notification, has given assent to the change in name of the Ministry of Human Resource Development as Ministry of Education. The name change was among the key recommendations of the draft new National Education Policy, NEP.

In 1985, the Ministry of Education was renamed as the HRD ministry when Rajiv Gandhi was prime minister. The Union Cabinet had approved the new education policy which will replace the existing National Policy on Education.

29 - Government launched Tribal Health & Nutrition Portal – ‘Swasthya’

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the Tribal Health and Nutrition Portal ‘Swasthya’ and e-newsletter on health and nutrition ALEKH. ‘Swasthya’ is a first of its kind e-portal, providing all health and nutrition related information of the tribal population of India in a single platform.

The Ministry, in partnership with Facebook, has initiated the ‘Going Online as Leaders (GOAL)’ Programme. With this, it aims to mentor 5,000 Tribal Youth across India and enable them to become village-level digital young leaders for their communities.

30 - Prime Minister Modi announced “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “One Sun, One World, One Grid” (OSOWOG) initiative to offer trans-national electricity grid, for supplying solar power across the globe. It will connect 140 countries through a common grid that will be used to transfer solar power. OSOWOG plan was first announced by Prime Minister Modi in 2018 during the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

OSOWOG plan will be launched in three phases thereby, connecting the Indian grid with Middle East and South Asia in first phase, Africa in second phase and remaining global nations in third phase.

31 - MPEDA launched Quality Control Lab in Porbandar

Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) inaugurated a Quality Control Laboratory in the coastal city of Porbandar, Gujarat, facilitating tests for seafood processors and exporters. It will help to confirm product safety as per international regulatory requirements.

MPEDA is a co-ordinating agency under the Union Ministry of Commerce for central and state-level establishments engaged in fishery production and allied activities. The set up is started with secure accreditation by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Export Inspection Council (EIC).

32 - Google partnered with Central Water Commission for flood forecasting initiative

Google in association with the Central Water Commission (CWC) launched flood forecasting initiative and sent numerous public alerts to people in impacted regions across the country. Any user in the affected region will receive alerts and can ‘search’ to enter a query on a flood-affected area. The user can see a visual overview of key information, including the rise or fall in the water level in the next day.

With this partnership, Central Water Commission becomes first governmental partner of Google to measure water levels on an hourly basis using around 1000 stream gauges across India. Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organisation of India in the field of Water Resources.

33 - NHAI developed mobile App ‘Harit Path'

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed a mobile App, ‘Harit Path', to facilitate creation of Green Highways across the country. The App will also be used to monitor location, growth, species details, maintenance activities, targets and achievements of each of the PSU’s field units for every plant under the Highway plantation projects.

NHAI had also recently undertaken a nation-wide plantation drive, Harit Bharat Sankalp, under which, it planted over 25 lakh plants in 25 days along the stretches of the National Highways across the country.

34 - India, Israel signed cultural agreement to further boost people-to-people ties

India and Israel signed a cultural agreement that outlines a three-year programme of co-operation to further strengthen their strategic bilateral relations. It aims to promote greater people-to-people exchanges.

The major areas of cooperation identified to promote cultural ties include −

Exchange of culture and art experts.
Encourage co-operation in the protection of cultural heritage and archaeology with the help of Israel Antiquities Authority (IIA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Organise literary fests and book fairs, while promoting the translation of famous works in each other's language.

35 - Government sets up National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19

The Union Government has set up an National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19. The purpose of the group is to keep India in the forefront of any ongoing effort worldwide to innovate, prepare, produce and launch candidate vaccines to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, for India and for the world.

The Expert Group will help to connect Indian companies that are interested in any candidate vaccines, and facilitate the process of ensuring that the relevant testing data is made available to the regulatory agencies.

36 - Union Cabinet approved setting up of National Recruitment Agency

The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) to conduct Common Eligibility Test (CET). The NRA will conduct a CET to screen and shortlist candidates for the Group B and C (non-technical) posts. The NRA will have representatives from the Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance, SSC, RRB and IBPS.

The CET score of the candidate shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of declaration of the result. Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1,517.57 crore for the National Recruitment Agency.

37 - Cabinet decisions

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Fair and Remunerative Price of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for the sugar season 2020-21 at Rs. 285 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10%.

CCEA also approved one-time relaxation to Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation for extending loans to DISCOMs above limits of working capital cap of 25% of last year’s revenues under Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana. One-time relaxation would help in providing liquidity to the power sector and ensure payments by State Governments to DISCOMs.

38 - Cabinet approved proposal for leasing out Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram airports

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for leasing out airports at Jaipur, Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram through public-private partnership (PPP). Currently, these airports are owned and managed by the government-run Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Adani Enterprises had won the rights to run six airports -- Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Guwahati, through the PPP model after a competitive bidding process in February 2019.

39 - Government launched Logo of Labour Bureau

The Labour Bureau, an attached office of Ministry of Labour and Employment, launched its official logo to visually communicate the vision and objectives of the Bureau. The logo represents that Labour Bureau is a data based organisation.

The logo also represents the three goals that Labour Bureau strives to achieve in producing quality data i.e. Accuracy, Validity and Reliability. The blue colour signifies the blue collar workers in rural and agriculture sectors. The Labour Bureau is engaged in collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistics on different facets of labour at All India level.

40 - AIM partnered with India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog signed a virtual Statement of Intent (SoI) with Business Sweden on behalf of India Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre to collaborate and promote the disruptive potential of Indian entrepreneurs and boost the vibrant start-up ecosystem across the country.

India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre is a collaboration between AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur and Business Sweden. The Innovation Centre aims to create an ecosystem of open innovation.

41 - Ministry of Shipping signed MoU with Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

The Ministry of Shipping has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The MoU aims to reap the benefit for vast employment opportunities in maritime sector and with a view to certify their skill sets.

The MSDE will co-operate in development of Course Curriculum, National Occupational Standards and Content for Cruise Tourism, Logistics, Fisheries, Ship building, Ship repair and Ship breaking, Dredging and Offshore supply chain. The Shipping Ministry will support the funding and implementation of skilling initiatives.

42 - Jute Corporation of India and National Seeds Corporation signed MoU

The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) signed a MoU with National Seeds Corporation (NSC) to provide certified good quality seeds to jute farmers in the year 2021-22. As an outcome of the MoU, JCI will distribute 10,000 Quintals of certified jute seeds of JRO-204 variety in the 2021-22 crop year.

The three agencies in the field - the Jute Corporation of India (JCI), National Jute Board (NJB) and Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres (CRIJAF) are promoting modern agronomic practices for overall improvement of quantity and quality of jute under the jute project ICARE.

43 - ADB approves USD 1 billion loan for Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $1 billion loan to support construction of the modern, high-speed Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System, a first of its kind in India. The 82-kilometer Delhi–Meerut regional rapid transit system (RRTS) network is the first of three priority rail corridors in the country’s integrated transport network under the NCR Regional Plan 2021.

The Government of India will provide $1.89 billion and cofinanciers are expected to provide $1 billion of the total project cost of $3.94 billion. The transit system project aims to help decongest Delhi-NCR.

44 - Ministry of Tribal Affairs signed joint communication with Ministry of Rural Development

Ministry of Tribal Affairs has signed a joint communication with Ministry of Rural Development to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities among tribal women Self Help Groups (SHGs), under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

The Ministry of Rural Development will identify and map the tribal women SHG members including their individual livelihood assets. Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal Ministry for the welfare of tribals. The total Central budget under Schedule Tribe Component (STC) for welfare of tribals during FY 2020-21 is Rs. 51,000 crore.

45 - Union Minister Arjun Munda e-launched “Trifood Project” of TRIFED

Union Minister Arjun Munda e-launched the tertiary processing centres of “Trifood Project” of TRIFED. TRIFOOD is being implemented by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with Ministry of Food Processing (MoFPI).

TRIFOOD aims to enhance the income of tribals through better utilisation of and value addition to the Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) collected by the tribal forest gatherers. To achieve this, as a start, two MFP processing units will be set up in Raigad, Maharashtra and Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.

46 - Government launched Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge

The government has launched “Swadeshi Microprocessor Challenge” to realise the ambition of self-reliance and a momentous stride towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”. It aims to invite innovators, startups and students to use two microprocessors namely “SHAKTI (32 bit) and VEGA (64 bit)” to develop various technology products.

SHAKTI & VEGA microprocessors have been developed by IIT Madras and Center for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC) respectively. The Challenge ends in June 2021. The top 10 teams entering the finale will get the seed fund of total ₹2.30 crore and 12 months incubation support.

47 - Union Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched interactive first-of-its-kind video game 'Corona Fighters'

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched an interactive first-of-its-kind game on COVID-19, the Corona Fighters. The game presents a new and extremely creative way to teach people the right tools and behaviours to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The game is available on www.thecoronafighters.in. It was designed to "influence the players'' actions in the real world, reminding them to take the right precautions and escape infection. The minister also launched IEC’s (information, education and communication) two promotional videos urging adherence to key COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviours.

48 - ESIC to pay 50% of 3 months’ average wages as Unemployment benefit

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) relaxed norms to pay 50% of average wages of three months as unemployment benefit, to cope with job loss between March 24 and December 31 this year, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is implementing the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna under which, unemployment benefit is paid to the workers covered under ESI scheme.

ESIC has relaxed the existing conditions and the amount of relief for workers who have lost employment during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

49 - MEA in partnership with Foreign Ministry of Thailand organise sixth Round Table of AINTT

The Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Foreign Ministry of Thailand has organized the sixth Round Table of ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks (AINTT). The theme of the two day Round Table, which was conducted through video conferencing was 'ASEAN-India: Strengthening Partnership in the Post COVID Era'.

The ASEAN-India Round Table comprising think tanks, policy makers, scholars, media and business representatives was established at the seventh ASEAN-India Summit in Thailand in 2009 to provide policy inputs to Governments on future direction of co-operation.

50 - Aarogya Setu introduced ‘Open API Service’

Aarogya Setu App has been loaded with a new feature called ‘Open API Service’. The Open API Service of Aarogya Setu, can be availed by organisations and business entities, who are registered in India, with more than 50 employees. They can use the Open API Service to query the Aarogya Setu Application in real-time and get the health status of their employees.

The Government of India launched ‘Aarogya Setu’ app to track the cases of COVID-19 and alert the citizens of the country to keep safe. It was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity).

51 - IIMK inked MoU with Switzerland based HELP Logistics

Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Switzerland based HELP Logistics to engage in a collaborative partnership and provide consulting services and logistics training for the humanitarian community.

The MoU will be in force for a year. It will endeavor to carry out the activities that integrate efforts to shape supply chains that benefit humanity, amidst prevailing worldwide uncertainty as a result of natural as well as manmade turmoil.

52 - Government extends validity of Motor Vehicle documents till 31^st December

The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has decided to extend the validity of Motor Vehicle documents till the 31^st of December. With this, the validity of Fitness, Permit, License, Registration or any other concerned documents may be treated to be valid till 31^st of December.

The Ministry had earlier issued advisories on 30^th March and 9^th June regarding extension of validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicle Rules. The decision was taken after considering the situation due to COVID-19 across the country.

53 - India and AIIB signed USD 500million loan agreement for Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III

The Union Government, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation under the Maharashtra Government and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), signed a loan agreement for a USD 500 million Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III. This will improve the network capacity, service quality and safety of the suburban railway system in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III will benefit 22% of the female passengers from improved safety and the quality of the service. The project will cut the total journey time and help to avoid fatal accidents.

54 - Union Minister Gadkari launched 45 highway projects worth over Rs. 11,000 crore

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stones and inaugurated as many as 45 highway projects in Madhya Pradesh. The length of the roads is 1361 km with a budget of Rs. 11,427 crore.

The Union Minister also announced Rs. 700 crore from Central Road Fund (CRF) for Madhya Pradesh to be utilised in the road sector. The better roads lead to savings in time and fuel and as well lower emission of pollutants. Further, these projects will decongest roads and the enroute towns contributing to improved road experience.

55 - Union Minister Arjun Munda inaugurated “Tribes India Showroom”

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, inaugurated ‘Tribes India Showroom’ in Indian Globe Chambers of LIC Western Zonal Office, Fort, Mumbai. The outlet is the third in the city of Mumbai; there are two existing outlets at Panvel and Juhu.

The TRIBES INDIA outlet is the 122^nd Tribes India outlet across the country. This is the first stop to focus primarily on Van Dhan essentials and immunity boosters – essential products during this pandemic.

56 - Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launched Online system of “Registration and Renewal” for Jewellers

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswan launched the online system of Registration and Renewal of Jewellers and online system of recognition and renewal of the Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. This was launched to bring about ease of doing business for both the jewellers and the entrepreneurs who have established Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.

The online system will ensure that the applications to start a new center or renew the existing license can be submitted online. It facilitate expeditious disposal of complaints regarding malpractices in the Hallmarking of jewellery items.

57 - Tourism Ministry united with TAAI & FICCI’s FLO to promote tourism

Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture signed MoU with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) with primary objective of women empowerment. The aim of signing this MoU is to skill and upskill women during these Covid times.

With this MoU, FLO & TAAI aims to look at the systematic planning, skill enhancement and policy integration in the tourism sector, to work towards our mission of creating sustainable livelihood for women’s economic upliftment, empowering women to become self-sufficient and job creators from mere job seekers.

58 - APEDA signed MoUs with AFC India Ltd and NCUI, Delhi

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed MoUs with AFC India Ltd. and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI), Delhi to utilise their expertise in the agri sector.

AFC, wholly-owned by NABARD and EXIM Bank, provides consulting and policy advisory and implementation support for agriculture, rural development and other strategic socio-economic sectors. NCUI objective is to educate, guide and assist people in their efforts to build up and expand the cooperative sector.

59 - Ministry of Culture announced seven new circles of ASI

The Ministry of Culture announced seven new circles of Archaeological Survey of India. The new circles have been created in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal and Gujarat to facilitate and strengthen the process of preservation and registration of archaeological monuments along with registration of artefacts with self declaration.

Prior to this, there were 29 ASI circles across the country. Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Raiganj (West Bengal), Rajkot (Gujarat), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) and Meerut(Uttar Pradesh) have been announced as new circles.

60 - NHA released Draft Health Data Management Policy of National Digital Health Mission

The National Health Authority released the Draft Health Data Management Policy of the National Digital Health Mission. The Draft Health Data Management Policy is the maiden step in realising NDHM’s guiding principle of “Security and Privacy by Design” for the protection of individuals’ data privacy. It encompasses various aspects pertaining to health data like data privacy, consent management, data sharing and protection.

One of the main objectives of this draft policy is to provide adequate guidance and to set out a framework for the secure processing of personal and sensitive personal data of individuals, who are a part of the national digital health ecosystem.

61 - NITI Aayog to virtually launch India component of NDC- TIA

NITI Aayog will virtually launch the India Component of the Nationally Determined Contributions - NDC-Transport Initiative for Asia -TIA. The event will inform the transport, energy and climate stakeholders in India about planned project activities for the upcoming year.

The NDC-TIA India Component will focus on establishing a multi-stakeholder dialogue platform for decarbonising transport in India and providing technical support on Green House Gas emission reduction measures. It will also offer the opportunity to provide input about India’s transport challenges and how they relate to CO2 reduction ambitions.

62 - ADB signed $200 million financing deal with Reliance for power plant in Bangladesh

The Asian Development Bank signed a $200mn financing deal with the Reliance Bangladesh LNG and Power Limited (RBLPL) to build and operate a 718 megawatt combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Bangladesh. This funding will ease ongoing energy shortages and drive further private sector investments in the country’s power sector.

A combined-cycle power plant is a relatively more efficient way of producing electricity. It uses both a gas and a steam turbine together to produce up to 50 percent more electricity from the same fuel than a traditional simple-cycle plant.

63 - Government approved 78 new routes under fourth round of Regional Connectivity Scheme -UDAN

Government has approved 78 new routes under the fourth round of Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik, UDAN to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country. North East Region, Hilly States and Islands have been given priority in the approval process for the new routes.

29 served, 8 unserved and 2 under-served airports have been included in the list for approved routes. Under UDAN 4, the operation of helicopter and seaplanes has also been incorporated.

64 - Indian Railways set to meet all its energy needs of over 33 billion units by 2030

With the ambitious plan of achieving 100% electrification for Railways by the year 2023, Indian Railways energy consumption is set to become more than 33 billion units by 2030 from its current annual requirement of about 21 billion units.

Railways have developed a mega plan for installing solar plants of 20 Gigawaat capacity by utilizing its vacant land by 2030. The use of solar power will accelerate the mission to achieve conversion of Indian Railways to ‘Net Zero Carbon Emission Railway’.

65 - NeGD signed MoU with CSC E-Governance Services India Limited to make UMANG app available to citizens

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) has signed an MOU with Common Service Center (CSC) e-Governance Services India Limited. The MoU aims to facilitate delivery of Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) services at CSCs, in an assisted mode.

This will make services on UMANG app available to citizens through the network of 3.75 lakh CSCs. The CSC operators Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) will enable citizens to avail e-Governance services of 140 Departments through the UMANG App.

66 - NHAI developed a “Vendor Performance Evaluation System”

NHAI has developed a 'Vendor Performance Evaluation System' to establish a transparent and comprehensive 'Performance Rating' System for its Consultants, Contractors and Concessionaires. It will help track the performance of the vendors for various NHAI projects.

The vendors are required to conduct a self-assessment and upload the documents related to the project activities being executed by them, on the portal. NHAI will review the submissions and accordingly rate a vendor.

67 - Piyush Goyal e-launched “National GIS-enabled Land Bank system”

Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal e-launched the National GIS-enabled Land Bank system (https://iis.ncog.gov.in/parks). The system is developed by integration of Industrial Information System (IIS) with State GIS Systems. This is a prototype only and will be developed further with inputs from states, to make it an effective mechanism of land identification and procurement.

IIS portal is a GIS-enabled database of industrial areas/clusters across the states. More than 3,300 industrial parks across 31 States/UTs covering about 4,75,000 hectare land have been mapped on the System. Information available includes forest, drainage; raw material heat maps (agricultural, horticulture, mineral layers); multiple layers of connectivity.

68 - Central Government to fund 112 startups to promote Agri firms

The Central Government will spend 12 crore rupees for funding 112 startups to promote agri firms in the current financial year. The funds will be given to the start-ups selected by different knowledge partners and agribusiness incubators in the area of agro-processing, food technology and value addition.

The funds will be provided under the Innovation and Agri-entrepreneurship Development Programme launched under the revamped Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. These start-ups were trained for two months at 29 agri-business incubation centres spread across the country.

69 - Government launches contest “Chunauti” to promote startups in small towns

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has launched “Chunauti”- Next Generation Startup Challenge Contest to further boost startups and software products with special focus on Tier-II towns of the country. The government has earmarked a budget of over Rs. 95 crore over a period of three years for this programme.

The programmme aims at identifying around three hundred startups working in identified areas and providing them seed funds of upto Rs. 25 lakh and other facilities.