Current Affairs November 2017 - Regional

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1 - Assam signed MoUs with Singapore for Skilling State’s Youth

The Assam state government has inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and Terms of Reference (ToR) with Singapore for skilling youth of the state. These include −

• MoU and ToR was signed for North East Skills Centre (NESC).
• MoU for Guwahati City Greening

The NESC will train up to 400 students each year. The state government has initiated an innovative project for beautification of Guwahati city through a Project called ‘Guwahati Open Space and Park Integrator (GOPI) Network’.

2 - Shivaji statue in Maharashtra to be the world’s tallest statue

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has approved the state government’s application to build a 210-metre-high statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the sea off the Mumbai coast. Once built, it would be the world’s tallest statue.

Currently, the Spring Temple Buddha statue, which stands at 208 meters in China, is the world’s tallest statue. The project is expected to cost Rs. 4,000 crore. The equestrian statue of the warrior king has been planned on a rocky outcrop of 15.96 hectares.

3 - AIIB grants a Rs. 13,000 crore loan granted to Andhra Pradesh

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved USD 2 million loan (Rs. 13,000 crores) for five project in Andhra Pradesh. The five projects include two roads and buildings department, one each for rural safe drinking water department, municipal and urban development department and Panchayat Raj department.

AIIB was opened with an authorized capital of USD 100 Billion. China is the largest shareholder with 26.06% voting shares while India is the second largest with 7.5% voting shares.

4 - Assam launched 647 Schemes for development of Majuli

The Assam State Government announced an investment of Rs. 24.57 crore for the improvement and renovation of the world's largest river island Majuli. This investment will be made in various 647 schemes. Out of these 647 schemes, 448 schemes require investment of Rs. 21.90 crore and 199 schemes require investment of Rs. 2.67 crore. Majuli is the world's largest river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam and it is the first island district of the country.

Various schemes will protect villages from threat of flood and erosion. Implementation of these schemes will be monitored through gaon sabhas.

5 - Haryana signed MoU of Rs. 2,000 crores at World Food India

The Haryana government signed initial pacts worth Rs. 2,069 crore with 44 agro-based and food processing enterprises and establishments that will provide employment to 5,012 persons.

The state government would soon implement the Agri-Business and Food Processing Policy, 2017 to double the income of farmers by making agriculture profitable. New drivers of growth such as agro-marketing reforms, development of mega-food parks, registration of more FPOs, establishment of start-ups in agri-business and providing conducive business climate have been given due emphasis in the policy.

6 - President of India launched Bihar Krishi road map 2017-2022

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, launched the Bihar Krishi Road Map 2017 2022 in Patna. The President stated that the centenary year of the Champaran Satyagraha is being commemorated from April 2017. As such, this was the best time to introduce the new 'Agricultural Road Map' in the interests of farmers.

It provides comprehensive and coordinated plans for the development of agriculture. The President expressed confidence that the third Agricultural Road Map' released will further energize the agricultural sector's performance in Bihar and empower the farming community.

7 - Kerala government inked pact with Intel, UST Global

In order to bring in digital economy and make Kerala, an electronic hardware manufacturing hub, state government of Kerala inked MoU with Intel and UST Global. Kerala Electronics and Hardware Mission will also be established by Kerala government.

Intel and UST Global will help in designing road map for electronics system’s manufacturing, marketing and promotion of the Kerala’s startup ecosystem. Prior to this initiative, Kerala state announced in its budget regarding promotion of electronics hardware manufacturing in the state via policy initiatives and setting up hardware parks.

8 - Kerala became first state to launch ‘She Pad’ scheme

A scheme named as ‘She Pad’ was launched by the Kerala government. Under this scheme, free sanitary napkins are being distributed to the girls of various government and (aided) private schools, which are affiliated to the State Board. This scheme aims to cover 300 schools in 114 panchayats by the Kerala Women Development Corporation. Kerala is the first such state to introduce such a scheme.

Under this scheme, an awareness about the need for menstrual hygiene will be created among girls. ‘She Pad’ scheme also includes a storage space for napkins and an incinerator to dispose used pads.

9 - Delhi inked twin city agreement with Seoul

A twin city agreement was inked between Seoul Metropolitan Government and state government Delhi to boost cooperation in the fields of e-governance, transportation, climate change and smart city.

However, agreement is awaited for Union government approval. Other areas covered in the agreement are environment, culture & tourism, education, wastewater, solid waste management, public health and youth exchange among others. The agreement is signed to establish Friendship City Relationship between Seoul and Delhi.

10 - Telangana state announced Urdu language as its second official language

Urdu language is to be accepted as the second official language in Telangana. Telangana’s Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao made the announcement. With this move, all government offices of Telangana state will accept petitions in Urdu as well and all state level competitive examinations will be conducted in Urdu language as well.

Telangana state has taken various initiatives for the minority community and Muslim community in the past, such as development of exclusive IT Corridor for Muslims and 12% quota reservation announcement for minorities.

11 - Haryana became the first state to cure Hepatitis-C patients with Oral Medicine

Haryana state became first state to introduce free of cost oral medicine to cure Hepatitis C patients. State government will provide free of cost oral medicine to permanent residents of all categories at district level. A team of nodal officers will be appointed by state government to ensure that Hepatitis-C patients would not suffer at any cost. At present, Hepatitis-C medicine costs Rs 28,000 to Rs 30,000 in the market.

Haryana became first to introduce health screening of all residents, by visiting their home and conducting 35 to 40 necessary tests for record-keeping of decline observed in Hepatitis-C patients.

12 - Gujarat to have India's first cartoon network theme park

Amaazia, a cartoon network theme park, will be established in Surat, Gujarat. It will be considered as India’s first cartoon network theme park. Gujarat’s entertainment group Rajgreen will set up Amaazia Park, in partnership with Turner International India, which owns the Cartoon Network brand. Amaazia will be set up in 2019, at the cost of Rs. 450 crore.

Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. is the Indian subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, which entered the Indian marketplace in 2007. It does not have their own theme parks but work on similar business model, as that of Walt Disney.

13 - Delhi launched doorstep facility of 40 public services

The Delhi government rolled out a scheme within three to four months to enable citizens to get 40 public services, including caste certificates and driving license, at their doorstep. The scheme will be implemented through a private agency, which will hire facilitators to set up call centers.

Various certificates will be covered under the scheme in the first phase and 30 more services will be added to the scheme in the second phase. With this, Delhi became first state to launch doorstep facility of 40 public services.

14 - Uttar Pradesh to establish 10 new Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Uttar Pradesh government plans to establish 10 new Krishi Vigyan Kendra in different districts. Krishi Vigyan Kendras are proposed to set up in Sambhal, Amroha, Amethi, Kasganj, Hardoi, Baharaich, Shamali, Gonda, Jaunpur, and Badaun districts. Uttar Pradesh government will provide land free of cost for setting up these Kendras.

These Kendras will be set up under supervision of concerned Agriculture Universities and Indian Council of Agricultural Research, to enhance agro production and promote modern farming technology among farmers. Farmers will be made aware to adopt modern technology of farming, proper use of fertilizers and high productive seeds.

15 - Uttar Pradesh state topped ‘Jan Dhan Accounts mobilization activity’

Uttar Pradesh has topped in opening new PMJDY accounts after demonetization and mobilizing more than four crores in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana accounts. Uttar Pradesh was followed by Bihar with three crores mobilization. Other states such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal opened 2.2 crore new accounts. Around one-sixth of the total deposits in PMJDY accounts was mobilized by state Uttar Pradesh.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched in 2014 to increase the financial-inclusion process in India.

16 - Chennai to have India's first wave-powered navigational buoy

Chennai’s Ennore Kamarajar Port will have India's first wave-powered navigational buoy. The buoy is powered by wave energy and stores energy generated by waves in a battery. Buoy is developed by National Institute of Ocean Technology. The buoy will guide ships in and out of ports.

The other benefits associated with buoy is that it can record data on wind speed and direction various other aspects, which would be relayed to port authorities. A buoy is a floating device that can drift with ocean currents.

17 - AP AgTech Summit 2017 held in Vizag

The AP AgTech Summit 2017 was organized in Vizag, as combine ‘Agricultural Technology with Information Technology is important to improve Agricultural Sector in the country. The AP AgTech Summit 2017 is an excellent opportunity for global leaders, start-up founders and technology experts to discuss innovative ideas for agricultural transformation in Andhra Pradesh as well as in the rest of India.

Technology can help improve farmers’ to know the health of the soil and help him choose from a variety of crops that can be grown on the land; forecasting the seasonal conditions in advance etc.

18 - Nagaland launched POS facility for Paying Electricity Bills

Nagaland became the first northeastern state to launch Point of Sale facility to make electricity payments. It is done in an effort to ease digital payments and reduce use of cash. This will improve collection efficiency of delayed payments.

The Point of sale is a machine that customer makes a payment to the merchant in exchange for goods or after provision of a service. After receiving payment, the merchant may issue a receipt for the transaction, which is usually printed but is increasingly being dispensed with or sent electronically.

19 - President launched various schemes in Jharkhand

Various schemes involving cost of Rs. 3455 crores were launched in Jharkhand such as 'Mukhyamantri Health Insurance Scheme','108 Ambulance', JOHAR schemes etc. Two flyovers will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 490 crores. '108 Ambulance' service will be launched at the cost of Rs 290-crore. 'Mukhyamantri Health Insurance Scheme' is a scheme that facilitates 68 lakh families to avail Rs. 2 lakh treatment insurance benefit. The said scheme costs Rs 636-crore.

Jharkhand's Opportunities for Harnessing Rural Development scheme (JOHAR) will help in doubling income of tribal and Dalit families. It costs Rs. 1,500 crores.

20 - Centre gave nod to 107 Maharashtra irrigation projects

Centre gave nod to 107 irrigation projects of worth Rs. 10,000 crores. With this approval, state will receive 10,000 crore in the next 2 years. These irrigation projects will ease water scarcity issues of the districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada, known for suicides by farmers.

The Centre and NABARD will unanimously provide funding to projects in the ratio of 25% and 75% respectively. NABARD will provide this funding by giving loans. Out of these 107 projects, around 86 minor and medium irrigation projects are aimed to be finished by 2018-end.

21 - Maharashtra to have India’s first mega coastal economic zone

India’s first mega coastal economic zone will be established at Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra. It is done with an aim to enhance manufacturing, employment opportunities and create industrial clusters. The coastal economic zone will have around 45 companies in 200 hectares of land, at an investment cost of Rs 15,000 crore in the first phase.

CEZ will create job opportunities for 1.5 lakh people. CEZs invite large firms to serve export markets, while small and medium firms to grow.

22 - Maharashtra announced setting up of Gender Budget Cell

Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has announced setting up of a Gender Budget Cell for better implementation of various schemes of the Women and Child Development (WCD) by other government departments.

The Budget Cell will be responsible for coordination between various departments for effective implementation of the schemes. A nodal officer will be appointed in each administrative department to monitor the implementation of the schemes of WCD.

23 - Nagaland gears up for Hornbill Festival 2017

The people of Nagaland are gearing up for the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2017 to be held from first of December until 10 December. The Hornbill Festival is a collaborative celebration of all Naga tribes at one venue and has been coined as “Festival of Festivals.’

The festival is a tribute to the great “Hornbill”, which is the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas, for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. The Festival displays a mélange of cultural displays under one roof at a model village built at Kisama, 12 kilometers away from the State Capital Kohima.

24 - Odisha announced scheme to boost fresh water aquaculture

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Fish Pond Yojana' scheme to boost fish production in the state with a budgetary provision of 96 crore rupees.

The scheme aims to create additional 2,200 hectares of fresh water aquaculture farming with 50% financial assistance to farmers. Fish production in the state has grew from 2.60 lakh tonnes to over 6 lakh tonnes in 17 years while per day milk production grew from 24 lakh liters to 54 lakh liters. Egg production growth also went up by more than 2.5 times.

25 - Punjab government notified ban on truckers' cartelization

The Punjab state government has notified the 'Punjab Goods Carriages (Regulation and Prevention of Cartelization Rules), 2017', barring goods carriage operators from forming cartels in the state.

With this, operators and permit holders of goods carriages cannot form cartel.

This notification also provides for police recourse and penalty in the form of suspension or cancellation of the permit in case of violation.

26 - Korea Tourism Festival 2017 celebrated in Haryana

Korea Tourism Organisation organized a two day festival at Haryana to promote Korea's rich art, music, culture and heritage. Korean performances such as Nanta (non-verbal performance) and B-boying (by Gambler Crew) performed at the event. A MoU was also inked at the event between Korean companies regarding tourism. Korean cuisine was also displayed at the event by Korea Agro Fisheries and Food Trade Cooperation.

The festival was organized with an aim to increase number of Indian travelers to Korea.