Current Affairs August 2016 - Regional

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News 1 - Resolution passed to rename Madras HC as Tamil Nadu HC

The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to rename the Madras High Court as the Tamil Nadu High Court. Chief minister J.Jayalalitha referred to the High Courts Alteration of Names Bill, 2016 introduced by the Centre in the Lok Sabha on 19^th July, 2016. She said the Madras High Court has jurisdiction over the entire state and therefore it is necessary to change the name as the Tamil Nadu High Court.

The Opposition DMK and Congress supported the resolution and was later passed unanimously through voice vote.

News 2 - Andhra Pradesh inked MoU with Japan to develop food value chain

The Andhra Pradesh government inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan to develop a food value chain in the state.

Under the MoU, MAFF will encourage direct investments by Japanese companies in the fields of agriculture and food-related industry in Andhra Pradesh. MAFF will also establish food industrial parks and develop cold chains. AP occupies a premier position in agribusiness with a major contribution in agriculture, horticulture, dairy, poultry, fisheries and marine production.

News 3 - Odisha government to recruit transgenders as prison warders

Odisha government has allowed the transgender community to participate in Independence Day parade and has initiated the process to recruit them as prison warders.

They will compete in women categories as per the observation of the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD). As per the direction of the Directorate of Prison, members of transgender community could apply for 185 warders’ posts in jails.

Odisha is the first state to include transgender as a gender category in any government recruitment process. Odisha has around 15,000 transgender.

News 4 - Rajasthan becomes first state to approve sewage & waste water policy

Rajasthan has become the first state to approve sewage and waste water policy. All district headquarters, heritage cities, and cities which have more than one lakh population will be included in this policy. Water treated in the scheme will be used in irrigation and agriculture work. The requirement of next 30 years will be covered in this scheme.

It will be compulsory for every house to connect with sewage system in those cities which have 100% sewage system in next five years. Second phase of Mukhyamantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan will be started in 4200 villages on 16^th November 2016 with a cost of Rs. 6300 crores.

News 5 - Gujarat HC quashes state government ordinance for upper caste poor

The Gujarat High Court rejected the government's notification granting 10% quota for EBCs (economically backward classes) in educational institutions. The government, in April 2016, had declared the 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections among higher castes with an annual income of Rs 6 lakh.

A division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi observed that 10% reservation for poor among the unreserved category takes the total quota beyond 50%.

News 6 - Odisha government decides to open 100 new multi-purpose calamity shelter units

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced to open 100 multi-purpose shelter houses built across 17 districts to the people of Odisha for use during floods and cyclones. A move taken by government to tackle calamities and assure zero casualty.

These newly constructed 100 shelters, will add to the state’s existing 526 multi-purpose shelter houses, thus resulting into 879 multi-purpose shelter houses by end of 2016. The new 100 multi-purpose shelter houses are located in Puri, Ganjam, Balasore, Bhadrak and Kenrapara, Malkangiri, Keonjhar and Cuttack, Boudh and Jajpur, besides in Bargarh, Kalahandi, Nayagarh and Subarnapur.

News 7 - Goa Assembly passes resolution to have well trained Anti-Terrorist squad to tackle terrorism

Goa Assembly passed a resolution to have well trained Anti-Terrorist squad in the state to tackle security threat of terrorism. Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, stated that Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Goa police is keeping a close watch on those people who have flown to the state from ISIS conflict zones and keeping a check on the online activity through social media.

Resolution was passed to train ATS in a better way. The Chief Minister explained how ATS’ Intelligence wing has been keeping a close watch on the migrants and tenants, and also are having periodical inspection of the registered and unregistered tenants.

News 8 - Telangana ties up with ISRO for Water Resources Information System

Telangana State Irrigation Department inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Space Research Organization for setting up Telangana Water Resources Information System (TWRIS) to assess accurate reserves of water in thousands of Tanks and reservoirs across the state. The new system will be set up by ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre.

The project is likely to be completed in one year and will cover all major, medium and minor irrigation projects.

News 9 - 14 projects worth Rs 2,229 Crore to be accomplished in Jaipur

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje laid the foundation of 14 projects worth Rs 2,229 Crore in Jaipur to make the 47-km long water body pollution free in upcoming 2 years, under the leadership of Jaipur Development Authority, Tata Projects Limited and Shanghai Urban construction group.

The projects include converting Amanishah Nala into its original form of Dravyawati river, plantation of 16,000 saplings in 65,000 sq meters across river, development of 100 parks and the projects of 2.8 km long elevated road.

News 10 - Odisha Govt. launches new website of state Home department which is disabled-friendly

The Odisha Government launched a newly designed web portal of the state home department. The website has accessibility guidelines to enable the differently-abled persons to see and hear the website.

The portal has been designed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It is available in both English and Odia language. The portal has been hosted in National Cloud MeghRaj and audited for cyber security. The portal facilitates access to various citizen services like Secretariat Pass, Tracking the Missing Child, Reservation of Odisha Bhawan, Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems etc.

News 11 - Taxis in Dubai to promote Kerala Tourism

The Kerala Tourism launched a promotional campaign in Dubai targeting Arab travelers and showcasing the state’s backwaters and waterfalls on the Kerala-branded taxis running on the streets of Dubai.

As many as 200 taxis will display the message of ‘A Faraway Land Four Hours Away’– with eye-catching visuals featuring hill stations, backwaters, waterfalls and also Ayurvedic therapies. The campaign will run till August 15. A similar successful campaign was run in London. The government has given the administrative sanction for a budget of Rs. 60 lakh for Kerala Tourism’s marketing strategy. In addition, the advertisements will also be aired in BBC (English) and Al Jazeera (Arabic).

News 12 - Cash awards to five sportspersons in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalitha awarded a total cash incentive of Rs.1.45 crore to five sportspersons of the state.

Jenitha Anto of Tiruchirappalli was awarded Rs. 25 lakhs after she won the international chess tournament for differently abled for the fourth time. The Chief Minister gave Rs. 1.20 crore incentive to four other sportspersons, C. Ajith Kumar, R. Naveen, L. Samayasri, and S. Priyadarshini who had won medals in different events at the World School Athletics Championship in Turkey in July.

News 13 - Odisha government launched Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana

Odisha government launched ‘Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana’, a pension scheme for weaver community in the state to mark the National Handlooms Day (7^th August).

Under the scheme, the state government would provide Rs 500 pension to the weavers above 60 years of age and Rs 700 to those above 80 years. The beneficiary must have worked at least preceding 20 years in the weaving profession. The pension would be transferred directly to the bank account of the weavers.

News 14 - IRCTC inked MoU with Manipur Govt to promote hospitality & tourism services

IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Manipur government to provide better hospitality and tourism services.

Under the MoU, both the parties will identify areas of cooperation and draw up detailed plans for development of joint tourism products and opening and managing various catering and hospitality outlets, budget hotels and handicrafts shops at railway as well as non-railway locations.

News 15 - Odisha Cabinet accords in-principle approval to implementation of Kalinga Siksha Sathi Yojna

The Odisha Cabinet accorded in-principle approval to the implementation of Kalinga Siksha Sathi Yojna to provide education loans to poor meritorious students who want to pursue higher studies at a nominal 1 per cent interest. Under the scheme, students whose parents have an annual income of six lakh rupees or less will be eligible to avail the loan.

The Cabinet approved a total of 14 proposals, which included amendments to Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1964, Odisha Electricity (Duty) Act, 1961 and setting up of Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation.

News 16 - Maharashtra launches Quit India Movement 2 against social evils

On the 75^th anniversary of the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Government is launching Quit India 2-from Swaraaj to Suraaj initiative at historic August Kranti Maidan.

It would emphasize on freedom from illiteracy, farmer suicide, wastage of water, addiction among youth and corruption. Various initiatives were organised in Mumbai to mark the Quit India movement which has been one of the major milestones in the history of India's struggle for independence.

News 17 - Odisha Crime Branch rescues 1051 children in first phase of Operation Muskan-2

The Odisha Crime Branch, jointly in association with the Women and Child Development Department, has rescued as many as 1,051 missing children from various places across the state during the first phase of Operation Muskan-2. The Operation Muskan which was started on 25 July 2016.

As per the direction of the Supreme Court for protection of missing children, the Odisha Police have launched a month-long drive called ‘Operation Muskan’ each year in two phases.

News 18 - Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry join UDAY scheme

The Government of India, the State of Madhya Pradesh and the DISCOMs of Madhya Pradesh signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the Scheme UDAY – “Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana” for operational and financial turnaround of the DISCOMs. Union Territory of Puducherry has also signed MoU under UDAY.

With this, the number of States/UT that have joined UDAY goes up to 16. The combined DISCOM debt (including CPSU dues) that would be restructured in respect of these states is around Rs.2.51 lac crore as on 30^th September, 2015.

News 19 - Haryana to launch scheme for students providing milk with midday meal

The Haryana State Government will launch the ‘Swaran Jayanti Bal Doodh Yojana’ for students of Classes I to VIII in all government schools from November 1. Under the scheme, school students would get 200 ml milk per child along with midday meal.

The State Government introduced this ambitious scheme to provide nutritious diet to children and the scheme would also help in increasing the attendance of students in government schools.

News 20 - Karnataka and Haryana to build houses for urban poor

Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation approved construction of 36,254 houses for Economically Weaker Sections in Karnataka with an investment of Rs.1,468 cr and 759 houses in Haryana at a cost of Rs.23 cr.

Central government will provide a total assistance of Rs.558 cr for construction of these houses for urban poor in Karnataka Rs.11 cr in this regards to Haryana. In Karnataka, 12,371 dwelling units will be constructed in 8 cities under Affordable Housing in Partnership component of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for rehabilitation of slum dwellers.

News 21 - Assam becomes first state to pass The Constitution (122^nd Amendment) (GST) Bill, 2014

Assam became the first state in the country to ratify the constitution amendment bill on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after the assembly passed the bill unanimously.

Of the central GST portion, 42% tax will be given back to the state. The deadline for the rollout of the GST is April 1, 2017. At least 50% of the states have to pass the Bill. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 8 August 2016 and by the Rajya Sabha on 3 August 2016.

News 22 - Badal inaugurates first 'Sewa Kendra' in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has inaugurated the state's first 'Sewa Kendra' at Ladhewali where people will be able to avail 243 services under one roof. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal inaugurated Sewa Kendras at Mansa, Pathankot, Bholath and Amargarh.

A total of 2,147 Sewa Kendras have been constructed at a cost of Rs 500 crore. Of these, 389 are in urban areas and 1,758 in rural areas. These kendras will enhance efficiency of the administration and delivery of services to common people.

News 23 - 12-Day long Krishna Pushkaralu starts in AP and Telangana

12-day long Krishna Pushkaralu started in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. People took holy dips at several pushkar ghats constructed in the districts of Mahbubnagar and Nalgonda districts along river Krishna.

The sacred event kicked off with religious fervour all along the 82 Pushkar ghats in the two districts with devotees taking the holy dip. A daily 'harati' programme will be organized at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada, where the Godavari flows into Krishna.

News 24 - NABARD sanctions Rs 26.06 crore to Punjab

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) sanctioned Rs 26.06 crore to the Punjab government. The fund has been sanctioned for tackling waterlogging by constructing lift schemes in low-lying areas, village ponds and other allied works.

The project will reclaim 5,913 hectares of land in 87 villages of Muktsar and Fazilka districts. With this, the total sanctions to the Punjab government under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), since its inception, stood at Rs 7,826.17 crore.

News 25 - Odisha government makes Aadhar Card mandatory for procurement of paddy

Odisha government has decided to make Aadhaar card mandatory for paddy procurement in the State. The payment to farmers will be directly credited to their bank accounts online from Odisha State Cooperative Bank.

Aadhaar cards will be linked with the National Food Security Scheme (NFSS) and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). The date for registration of farmers was extended to August 30.

News 26 - Nagaland to grant 33% reservation to women in Urban Local Bodies

The Nagaland Government, during a cabinet meeting held in Kohima, has decided to grant 33% reservation to women in Urban Local Bodies under Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.

Elections to the state ULBs have been pending for several years as the tenure of the first municipal bodies came to an end between December 2009 and March 2010. The dates for conducting the elections would be announced soon. The state has also not been able to avail the annual developmental funds granted by the Centre for ULBs.

News 27 - Nasscom launches operations of its startup warehouse in Visakhapatnam

National Association of Software and Services (Nasscom) has launched operations of its startup warehouse at Sunrise Startup Village at Rushikonda, AP. It will provide co-working space for start-ups, to be housed for six-month incubation terms. Entrepreneurs can also lease co-working spaces on daily/weekly basis.

Nasscom will incubate, fund and provide support for 10,000 technology startups in India over the next decade. It has set up startup warehouses in Bengaluru, Kolkata, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Kochi, Gurgaon and Hyderabad.

News 28 - Rajasthan signs MoU with India Trade and Exhibition Centre

Rajasthan state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India Trade and Exhibition Centre (ITEC), Dubai for promotion of skill development, investment and tourism sectors. ITEC would work as a service providing agency for promotion of skill development, investment and tourism sectors in Rajasthan as part of the agreement.

A high-level meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to discuss various sectors of mutual cooperation.

News 29 - Five electronic manufacturing clusters to be set up in Andhra Pradesh

The Union government will set up five electronic manufacturing clusters in Andhra Pradesh. The first two clusters would be set up in Anantapur and Chittoor (in the integrated business township Sri City) districts. In addition, two will be set up in Tirupati.

Tirupati cluster, where 30 electronic companies are operating, in total made a business of 80 crore rupees, while at national level 41,000 crore rupees was exported.

News 30 - Jharkhand Assembly convened to ratify GST Bill

Jharkhand became the third state to ratify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament. Assam became the first state in the country followed by Bihar to ratify the bill.

The GST Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament recently, needs to be ratified by at least 15 state legislatures before the President can notify the GST Council. The government has set a deadline of April, 2017 for the roll-out.

News 31 - 7^th Pay Commission recommendations to be implemented from 1st Jan in Gujarat

The Gujarat state government has announced to give 7^th Pay Commission benefits to the state government employees with retrospective effect from January 1, 2016, raising salaries of over 8.5 lakh state employees and pensioners, in a move that would cost Rs 8,513 crore annually to the exchequer.

For pensioners, the actual implementation would commence from October 1. The government has constituted a committee of senior bureaucrats under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary J N Singh to address the issues related to disbursement of arrears from January to August as well as fixation of new rates of allowances.

News 32 - Uttar Pradesh cabinet approves Allahabad Metro Rail Project

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, has approved a Metro Rail project for Allahabad. The work for Lucknow Metro is already underway while the Detailed Project Report for Varanasi and Kanpur Metro Projects have already been approved. This makes UP the lone state in which Metro Rail projects are underway in four major cities.

The state cabinet also approved a scheme to provide free school bags and books to students till class VIII in government schools.

News 33 - Telangana gets highest gallantry medals in country

Telangana State has received the highest number of gallantry medals, record 26 medals, for police personnel in the country on the eve of Independence Day.

Counter Intelligence Cell SP Rajesh Kumar has been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry while Sub-Inspector Duddekula Siddaiah and Constable Chougoni Nagarajus who died in an exchange of fire with terror suspects were bestowed with the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry. Telangana also got a President’s Police Medal for distinguished service to Fire Services Director General Rajiv Ratan.

News 34 - Tata Power Solar commissions 100 mw project for NTPC in Andhra Pradesh

Tata Power Solar has commissioned a 100 MW solar project for NTPC in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh using domestically manufactured solar cells and modules, in line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ mission.

The vast construction was completed almost 3 months ahead of schedule. The plant is expected to generate nearly 160 million units (kWh) of energy per year. Tata Power Solar has commissioned over 250 MW of ground-mount utility scale projects across India.

News 35 - Haryana Govt. to install 3050 solar water pumps

Haryana Government has decided to install 3050 solar water pumps of 2 HP, 5 HP and 10 Horse Power during current financial year in the state. The farmers will share 10% of the body of solar pump and the remaining 90% cost would be shared by the Central and State Government as financial assistance.

This will result in solar capacity addition of 14.64 MW. It is in line with the national goal of 1.75 lakh MW capacity addition by year 2022.

News 36 - Tripura: Over 40,000 poor families to be provided housing under PMAY

In Tripura, 42,896 poor families living in urban areas will be provided housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna. Under this scheme, a house will cost 1,66,666 rupees, of which the State Government will bear 16,666 rupees and the rest amount will be provided by the Centre.

The beneficiaries will be selected through 20 numbers of urban bodies like Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats. In a review meeting in Agartala today, the state government has finalized necessary guidelines and action plan for the purpose.

News 37 - Assam Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2016 passed

The Assam Assembly passed the Assam Amusements and Betting Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2016. This bill proposes to reduce the service charge of cinema tickets with an aim to give a boost to the local film industry. However, the government raised the entertainment tax on cinema tickets by up to ten percentile points.

The government proposed to make service charge Rs 8 per ticket for the halls without air conditioning system and Rs 12 for the halls with air conditioning system with back-up generator.

News 38 - Kerala Government allocates Rs 10,000 crore for Govt schools

Kerala Govt has allocated Rs 10,000 crore for state-run and aided schools for the next 5 years. The IT@School project has been entrusted the responsibility of forming a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to oversee the programme.

As part of the drive, around 60,000 new hi-tech class rooms will be set up in all government and aided schools while about 1,000 schools will be elevated to international standards. The government has set aside Rs 450 crore for the first year of these two programmes.

News 39 - India’s first Crime Criminal Tracking Network System launched by Maharashtra government

The Maharashtra Government became first state in the country to launch India’s first comprehensive ‘Crime Criminal Tracking Network System’ (CCTNS) in Mumbai. Through this network, all police stations would be connected with each other and share information about crimes in their respective jurisdictions. It was launched through the operationalization of 34 cyber laboratories.

The CCTNS has been developed by Pune based Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). Under it, the state government will raise a special cyber police force of around 1,000 policemen well trained to handle the growing incidents of cybercrimes.

News 40 - Kerala Cabinet approves new debt relief scheme

The Kerala government approved a new debt relief scheme for low income and poor people. The scheme is expected to benefit more than 10,000 persons. It creates an additional burden of Rs 40 crore to the government. The principle amount, interest and penal interest on loans up to Rs 5 lakh would be waived.

The relief is for those who had taken loans from the State Housing Board, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Backward Welfare Corporation, State Women’s Development Corporation, The Kerala State Handicapped Persons Welfare Corporation and Revenue Departments.

News 41 - Andhra Pradesh police launches pilot project on DNA profiling

Andhra Pradesh Police launched DNA Index System (DIS). It is the first-of-its-kind initiative that allows generation of DNA profiles from live samples like buccal swabs, blood stains, saliva and other live samples in less than two hours.

The AP Police launched a pilot to generate DNA profiles of a batch of convicts and suspects involved in various crimes. The system uses the latest DNA technology tool called RapidHIT developed by IntegenX of USA.

News 42 - Bihar becomes second state to pass GST bill

After Assam, Bihar becomes second state to pass Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in its legislative assembly with 443 members voting in favor of the legislation. As per constitutional provision before enacting the law of GST, the bill has to be voted in favor and passed by at least 50 percent of the state assemblies.

Other states who will be conducting a special assembly session include Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The GST Bill is aimed at bringing uniform tax regime in the country by subsuming state levies.

News 43 - Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa announces hike in pension to freedom fighters

On the occasion of the 70^th Independence Day, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa announced Rs 1,000 increase in the freedom fighters pension from Rs 11,000 to Rs 12000 and family pension to the legal heirs from Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000. The special pension given to the descendants of freedom fighters would be increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000.

The government took decision to ensure growth and development of sectors like priority sector, industrial sector and services sector.

News 44 - Sailing campaign 'Jal Tarang' flagged off in Himachal Pradesh

In Himachal Pradesh, the sailing campaign “Jal Tarang” was flagged off by state assembly Speaker Brij Behari Lal Butail from Bilaspur. The event was organized by the state NCC Navel Unit. The sailing campaign aims to strengthen the national unity and integrity.

50 NCC cadets from Bilaspur and Mandi districts including 19 girls are taking part in the campaign - Jal Tarang. During the twelve days’ campaign the cadets would cover nearly 415 kilometers distance in Beas River to reach different locations.

News 45 - Puducherry observes “De Jure Transfer Day”

Puducherry observed De Jure Transfer Day on 16^th August. It was on this day in 1962 French colonies of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe were formally acceded to the Indian Union.

Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi unfurled the nation flag at the monument for freedom struggle at Keezhur opening the celebrations. It was in this village a referendum on whether to merge with India was held way back in 1954.

News 46 - Odisha Govt to use Odia language as official language

The Odia language will be used as an official language in all transactions of the Odisha government from 16^th August. The rules of the Odisha Official Language Act, 2016, have been approved and would be implemented from 16^th August.

A committee has been formed to review the implementation of the Odia language for official purposes in every six months. A special division under the General Administration department will oversee implementation of the use of Odia language in official transactions.

News 47 - Telangana government plans to create 17 new districts

The Telangana state government has issued draft notification on rearranging district borders to create 17 new districts by October 2016. Once completed, the number of districts in the State will go up to 27 from the present 10.

The 17 new districts will be called Acharya Jayashankar, Hanamkonda, Jagtial, Kamareddy, Komaram Bheem, Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Malkajgiri, Nagarkurnool, Nirmal, Peddapally, Sangareddy, Shamshabad, Siddipet, Suryapet, Wanaparthy and Yadadri.

News 48 - Maharashtra became first state to draft own law for internal security

Maharashtra became the first state in the country to draft its own law for internal security, The Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act (MPISA), 2016. It gives special emphasis on maintaining law and order and combating terrorism, insurgency, casterelated violence and communalism in the state.

The MPISA has proposed setting up of Special Security Zones (SSZ) where movement of arms, explosives and inflow of unaccounted funds will be prohibited. The Act also brings Critical Infrastructure Sectors (CIS) under its ambit.

News 49 - Union Government, Maharashtra Government and AAI sign MoU on Regional Connectivity Scheme

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, State Government of Maharashtra and Airports Authority of India today signed a tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for successful launch of the Regional Connectivity Scheme. Maharashtra became the first state in the country to sign such an agreement.

The 10 airports that will be developed are - Kolhapur, Shirdi, Amravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. The state will contribute 20 percent cost of Viability Gap Funding, whereas the centre will bear the remaining 80 percent cost. These airports will be provided with roads, rail, Metro and waterway connectivity.

News 50 - Odisha cabinet approved Startup Policy 2016

Odisha Cabinet has approved the “Odisha Startup Policy 2016” to promote entrepreneurship for start-up ventures with provision of government incentives. The policy will chart out a roadmap to place Odisha among the top three investment destinations in the country by 2020.

The implementation of the policy would be monitored by a Startup Council headed by the Chief Secretary and a Review Committee headed by Principal Secretary MSME.

The state government has planned to set up 1000 start-ups in five years. The state government would come up with a startup capital infrastructure fund up to Rs 25 crore to support the startup units and young entrepreneurs.

News 51 - Maharashtra plans to transform 1,000 villages with the help of corporates

Maharashtra State government plans to transform 1,000 villages with the help of corporate sector, and the civil society over the next few years. The corporate sectors’ expertise would be used to set up an institutional mechanism to amalgamate work done by different companies in different areas to transform 1,000 villages in collaboration with the State government.

50% of the villages will be chosen by partnering agencies where some work is currently under way and the remaining would be those villages that score low on the Human Development Index.

News 52 - CTTC-Bhubaneswar signs agreement with ISRO

Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar, has signed an agreement with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for technology transfer and a contract for supply of spacecraft component.

As a part of the agreement, ISRO would transfer three types of temperature-sensor technology to CTTC to further strengthen its manufacturing capability while CTTC would supply spacecraft component for next five years for a total value of Rs 23 crore.

News 53 - Odisha attracts Rs 90,490 Cr investment at Bangalore investors' meet

Odisha has received investment of Rs. 90,490 crore with employment potential of more than 70,000 during the two-day Odisha Investors’ Meet concluded in Bengaluru.

The JSW Steel topped the proposers’ list expressing interest to invest 50,000 crore rupees to set up a steel plant in the State. The Odisha Government is organising the meet in an attempt to encourage investments in sectors like manufacturing, IT, electronics, petrochemicals, food processing and tourism.

News 54 - Maharashtra CM unveils Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway project

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has unveiled the 46,000-crore rupee, ambitious Mumbai-Nagpur Super Communication Expressway project in Mumbai.

The project to be implemented by Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation will create state-of-the art road connectivity within a period of three years and give a boost to investment. A key feature of the project is that it would be carried out in the Land Pooling model with farmers being made partners and some percentage of developed land given back to them.

News 55 - West Bengal assembly passed resolution to rename the state

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to change the name of the State. The name will be changed from West Bengal to 'Bangla' in Bengali, 'Bengal' in English and 'Bangal' in Hindi. It was passed by 189-31 votes.

The proposal to pass the resolution was approved by the special session of the West Bengal Assembly, which was convened on August 26 to discuss the renaming of the state.

News 56 - Mehbooba Mufti launches Ujala Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti formally launched the Ujala Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir with the distribution of LED bulbs among consumers. The scheme will be implemented in the state by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).

The National LED programme was launched by the Prime Minister in January 2015 with a target of replacing 77 crore incandescent lamps with LED bulbs. Under this scheme consumer can buy five LED bulbs at the rate of Rs 20 each by showing monthly electricity bills or ID cards.

News 57 - Gujarat becomes the first state to distribute 2 crore LED Bulbs under UJALA

Under the Government of India’s UnnatJyoti by Affordable LEDs for all (UJALA) scheme, Gujarat has become the first state to distribute 2 crore LED bulbs. Gujarat has reached this milestone in just 96 days and over 42 lakh households have already benefitted from the scheme.

The distribution of 2 crore LED bulbs has led to an annual energy savings of 259 crore kWh which is equivalent to lighting up 5 lakh Indian homes for an entire year. Alongside the savings in units, the state has also benefitted from daily CO₂ emission reduction of 5,000 tonnes.