National Council on Nutrition under Chairmanship of Vice-Chairman of NITI Ayog to report to Prime Minister every six month T he Government has recently approved the setting up of new National Nutrition Mission (NNM) to address the problem of malnutrition in the country at a total cost of Rs. 9046.17 crore for a period of three years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20. The salient features of the Mission are e nsuring convergence - NNM will ensure convergence with various programmes; incentivizing States/ UTs for achieving goals; IT enabled Real Time Monitoring (ICT-RTM); Evaluation; weighing efficiency and making nutrition visible; Community mobilisation awareness advocacy; IEC , Jan Andolan - to educate the people on nutritional aspects, on-line Course on Nutrition for Children, Nutrition message from folk songs and songs on WASH, sending messages on nutrition and also creating ring-tones, Yoga for children at AWCs; s trengthening human resource; m easuring height and length of c
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Use of Bio-Diesel in Railways Indian Railways has tested the bio-diesel of different feed stock (Jatropha, Mahua, pongamia, waste cotton seed, Fish Oil, Soyabeen oil, Palm stearin etc.) in the different blending ratio such as B5, B10, B20, B50 and B 100 on its 16 cylinder ALCo and EMD engine test beds. The power performance of engine has been found satisfactory without any adverse impact on engine working. Besides, bio-diesel is found to reduce certain emission parameters which would have otherwise caused pollution in environment. Key Advantages of Bio-Diesel: (i) Renewable Energy source (ii) Derived from Vegetable oil (iii) Non-toxic & Biodegradable (iv) Contains no sulphur that causes acid rain (v) Higher Cetane number, better ignition quality (vi) Used directly in unmodified Diesel engines, neat or blended in any ratio with HSD (vii) Higher Lubricity – Can prolong engine life (viii) Flashpoint higher than HSD-safer to store & transport (ix) Environment
High Ash content Ash content of coal produced in the country is generally 25 to 45 % whereas average ash content of imported coal varies from 10 to 20 %. Indian Coal has comparatively higher ash content than imported coal due to drift theory of formation of coal deposits in India. Coal seams formed due to drift theory contains higher ash as compared to in-situ theory of formation . As per Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MOEF&CC) stipulation, coal based thermal power plant (situated beyond 500 km from the pit-head) be supplied with, and shall use, raw or blended or beneficiated coal with ash content not exceeding thirty-four percent, on quarterly average basis. Coal Companies are supplying coal to their customers maintaining ash percentage below 34% on quarterly average basis as per the aforesaid MOEF&CC stipulation. Coal India Limited has taken following steps to adopt international standards in Coal Mining: Deployment of surface miners (during
Promotion of North East Indian tribal culture As per information available, an amount of Rs.23.50 crore has been sanctioned for construction of a Regional Convention Centre at North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Complex, Dimapur. Out of an amount of Rs.13.00 crore released to NEZCC, Rs.5.72 crore has been spent towards construction of the Convention Centre. Under Tagore Cultural Complex Scheme, from 2013 till date, an amount of Rs.41.65 crore has been allocated and Rs.22.50 crore spent for construction of Tagore cultural complexes at Chedema, Aboi, and Dimapur in Nagaland and at Raga and Upper Subansiri District in Arunachal Pradesh. Government has set up Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram during 2016-17 and 2018-19, which, inter alia , function as a body of knowledge & research and preservation of tribal art and culture. From 2014-15 till date, Rs.86.18 crore have been provided to the TRIs in North East Region to carry
Cabinet approves restructuring of National Health Agency as "National Health Authority" for better implementation of Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the restructuring of existing National Health Agency as "National Health Authority" for better implementation of Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). With this approval, the existing society "National Health Agency" has been dissolved and will be replaced by National Health Authority as an attached office to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The existing multi-tier decision making structure has been replaced with the Governing Board chaired by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India which will enable the decision making at a faster pace, required for smooth implementation of the scheme. The composition of the Governing Board is broad based with due representations from the Government, do
Cabinet gives ex post facto approval to India's Approach for COP 24, Katowice, Poland (2-15 December 2018) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the negotiating stand of India at the 24 th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Katowice, Poland from 2-15 December 2018. This is in continuation to the earlier approval dated 28 th November 2018. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The key focus of meeting was to finalize guidelines for implementation of Paris Agreement in post 2020 period. India's approach was guided by principles and provisions of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBPR-RC). India reiterated its commitment to Paris Agreement and highlighted its leadership
Cabinet approves first-ever three way merger in Indian Banking with amalgamation of Vijaya, Dena and Bank of Baroda The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the scheme of amalgamation for amalgamating Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, with Bank of Baroda as the transferee bank and Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank as transferor banks. The amalgamation will be the first-ever three-way consolidation of banks in India, with the amalgamated bank being India's second largest Public Sector Bank. The amalgamation will help create a strong globally competitive bank with economies of scale and enable realisation of wide-ranging synergies. Leveraging of networks, low-cost deposits and subsidiaries of the three banks has the potential of yielding significant synergies for positioning the consolidated entity for substantial rise in customer base, market reach, operational efficiency, wider bouquet of products and services, and improved access for cu
Benefits of RCEP Agreement The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is a proposed Free Trade Agreement between ten ASEAN member states and their six Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners namely India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and Republic of Korea, is expected to provide market access for India’s goods and services exports and encourage greater investments and technology into India. It would also facilitate India’s MSMEs to effectively integrate into the regional value and supply chains. On the other hand, India is not a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) which is a grouping of twenty-one countries in the Asia Pacific region with an aim to deepen and strengthen economic and technological cooperation amongst APEC member countries.
India, a bright spot in global economy Right time for foreign investors to tap the huge potential Industry, Govt must work in unison to reduce the urban rural divide. Industry bodies should promote business ethics, values, transparency & accountability Promote innovation & invest more time, money in R&D Step up skilling programmes to train youth Terror is enemy of Humanity, we must see to it that is eliminated World community must chalk out strategy to extradite economic fugitives Addresses the inaugural Session of CII’s Partnership Summit The Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu said that a steady growth rate of almost 7% coupled with a series of reforms made India, the most favourite destination for investments in the world. Shri Naidu said that it was the right time for foreign investors to tap the huge potential offered by India in various sectors from real estate to healthcare. Shri Naidu said that government’s initiatives and reforms helped India achie
Regulation of Functions of MSMEs In order to promote the Ease of Doing Business, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has introduced various initiatives including online filing of UdyogAadhaar Memorandum (UAM). The Ministry has also taken the following steps: MSME SAMADHAAN Portal- for empowering micro and small entrepreneurs across the country to directly register their cases relating to delayed payments. MSME SAMBANDH Portal- to help in monitoring the implementation of public procurement policy for micro and small enterprises. MSME SAMPARK Portal – A digital platform wherein jobseekers (passed out trainees/students of MSME Technology Centres) and recruiters get connected. Digital Payments- to pass on the benefits of the schemes of Ministry of MSME through digital payment gateway.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment is considering to formulate a National Policy on Domestic Workers which is in the draft stage. The salient features of the proposed draft National Policy on Domestic Workers are as under:- (i) Inclusion of Domestic Workers in the existing legislations (ii) Domestic workers will have the right to register as unorganized workers. Such registration will facilitate their access to rights & benefits. (iii) Right to form their own associations/unions (iv) Right to minimum wages, access to social security (v) Right to enhance their skills (vi) Protection of Domestic Workers from abuse and exploitation (vii)Domestic Workers to have access to courts, tribunals for grievance redressal (viii) Establishment of a mechanism for regulation of private placement agencies. (ix) Establishment of a grievance redressal system for domestic workers. The Central Government is already implementing Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 20
Issues at WTO United States has been blocking the appointment of members of the WTO Appellate Body on some systemic and procedural issues. About 1/4 th of the 164 WTO members, including India, have expressed concerns on the matter at every relevant WTO meeting. Further, India along with EU and 12 other countries have submitted a communication to the WTO General Council for addressing the issues raised by United States on functioning and operations of Dispute Settlement Body, including appointment of Appellate Body members. India has 7 disputes at WTO which are at different stages of settlement. India is defending its interest in these disputes with the help of experienced Law Firms. DS430 - Import of poultry and poultry products from United States, Complainant: India, DS436 - Countervailing duty by United States on Indian steel products, Complainant: India, DS456 - National Solar Mission dispute with United States, Complainant: United States, DS510 - United States’ Sub-Fe
The first ever direct image of black hole
First ever image of a black hole revealed: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/first-real-image-of-blackhole-unveiled/article26796800.ece
Cabinet approves MoU between India and France on technical bilateral cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and France on technical bilateral cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy. The MoU was signed on 3 rd October, 2018. Salient Features India and France aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable issues on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity. The technical cooperation will cover joint research working groups, pilot projects, capacity building programs, study tour, case studies and the sharing of experience/expertise
Report of the Committee on Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 Submitted to The Commission The task of maintaining campaign silence during last 48 hours before the conclusion of polling is becoming increasingly onerous in the light of the increasing influence of digital media. So, apart from the regulation by law and ECI instructions, the resolve, proactive support and sustained effort by all stake holders which include political parties, media, civil society organizations, academia and educational institutions, the youth and citizens at large, will remain necessary to contain the evil impact. The Committee constituted under the chairmanship of Sr. Deputy Election Commissioner Sh. Umesh Sinha to review and suggest modifications and changes in the provisions of the Section 126 and other sections of the Representation of the People Act 1951, provisions of Model Code of Conduct and any other ECI instruction in this regard has submitted itsreport toda
Cabinet approves Bilateral Swap Arrangement between India and Japan The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for entering into an Agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) between India and Japan and authorizing the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to sign the Agreement for Bilateral Swap Arrangement between the RBI and the Bank of Japan for a maximum amount of USD 75 billion. Salient Features: The swap arrangement is an agreement between India and Japan to essentially exchange and re-exchange a maximum amount of USD 75 Billion for domestic currency, for the purpose of maintaining an appropriate level of balance of payments for meeting short-term deficiency in foreign exchange. Benefits: The BSA is a very good example of mutual cooperation between India and Japan for strategic objective of assisting each other in times of difficulty and for restoring international confidence. This facility wi
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Japan on Development of Advanced Model Single Window The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Japan on Development of Advanced Model Single Window. Benefits: The MoU would lead to cooperation between India and Japan on the development of ‘Advanced Model Single Window’ and its operationalization in Central and State Governments in India for taking administrative procedures necessary for business operations, and to develop a structure in which those procedures are completed in an expeditious manner, so as to accelerate India’s effort to promote Ease of Doing Business in India. The ‘Advanced Model Single Window’ is based on the best practices in and outside India, with measurable parameters and identify possible obstacles for establishment of the Single Window in India. It will thus, facilitate investments.
NITI Aayog & RMI Release Technical Analysis of FAME II Scheme Report looks at potential saving in areas of energy, oil and carbon emissions The NITI Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) released a report on opportunities for the automobile sector and government under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles II (FAME II) scheme. The technical report titled ‘ India’s Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future Opportunities’, quantifies the direct oil and carbon savings that the vehicles incentivized under FAME II will deliver. RMI is an Indian and global nonprofit organisation focused on driving the efficient and restorative use of resources. The report also quantifies the catalytic effect that FAME II and other measures could have on the overall Electric Vehicle(EV) market. According to the analysis, if FAME II and other measures – in public and private space - are successful, India could realize EV sales penetration of 30% of pr
UPSC 05-April, 2019 19:38 IST Highlights of UPSC Result 2018 The final results of Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2018 have been declaredtoday, the 5 th April, 2019. The following are the highlights of the result: The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2018 was conducted on 3 rd June, 2018. 10,65,552 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 4,93,972 candidates actually appeared. A total of 10,468 candidates qualified for appearance in the Written (Main) Examination which was held in Sep – Oct, 2018. A total of 1994 candidates qualified for the Personality Test conducted in Feb - Mar, 2019. A total of 759 candidates (577 men and 182 women) have been recommended by the Commission for appointment to various Services. Shri KanishakKataria (Roll No. 1133664) has topped the Civil Services Examination, 2018. He belongs to SC Category. He qualified the examination with Mathematics as his optional subject. hHe has graduated with B. Tech (Computer Scien
Sustainable development by optimal harnessing of scarce resources of water, air, energy, land, biodiversity and use of new technologies need of the hour: Durga Shanker Mishra CPWD organizes National Seminar on “Greenery and Landscaping” Over 40 papers presented by experts CPWD Publications and e-Modules also released Green Urban Areas play an important role in the social and natural sustainability and improve quality of life. This was the focus of a National Seminar on “Greenery and Landscaping” organized by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) here today, as a part of its continued effort for green and clean sustainable development The Seminar was inaugurated by Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Horticulturists, Architects and Engineers from within CPWD and from other Government and Private organizations participated in the Seminar. Over 40 papers were received for the Seminar and presentations were made by the eminent experts. C
Promote new & renewable energy to ensure energy security, to protect climate & to reduce pollution: Vice President Encourage environment friendly modes of transport; Educate common man on the need to cut down GHG emissions & use RNE; Electricity key to development; address with pilferages in transmission & distribution on war footing; Inaugurates GRIDTECH 2019 - International Exhibition and Conference The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has called for the promotion of new and renewable energy in a big way. He said moving to renewable would not just ensure energy security but also protect the climate, reduce pollution. ‘Adequate growth in renewable energy would serve dual purpose - firstly, it would contribute towards achieving energy security to the nation and it would address the environmental concerns, which need to be tackled on a war-footing,’ he said. Addressing gathering after inaugurating the GRIDTECH 2019, an International Exhibition and Co
Ministry of Defence 02-April, 2019 16:20 IST Third Edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Royal Australian and Indian Navies – AUSINDEX-19 set to begin The third edition of AUSINDEX , an acronym for Australia India Exercise is scheduled to commence with the arrival of HMAS Canberra (L02), a Landing Helicopter Dock, HMAS New Castle(06) and HMAS Paramatta(154) , both frigates; HMAS Collins , a conventional submarine and HMAS Success(OR 304) , a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler at Visakhapatnam on 02 April 19. The aim of the exercise is, “ To strengthen and enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability between the IN and RAN, providing opportunities for interaction and exchange of professional views between the personnel of the two navies”. A sign of strengthening of bilateral and defence cooperation between the two countries as envisaged in the Framework for Security Cooperation (FSC) announced by the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers in 20
MOIL registers the highest ever turnover in FY 2018-19 MOIL Limited, the largest producer of manganese ore in the country and a Mini Ratna Schedule-A CPSE under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel, has achieved the highest-ever turnover of Rs. 1440 crores (unaudited and provisional) during financial year 2018-19, registering a growth of 9% over the previous year. Core production (non-fines, i.e., production excluding fines) jumped 15% during the year. Total production crossed 13 lakh MT in FY’19 (up by 9% y-o-y), which is the highest achievement in last ten years. The company has also achieved highest-ever production of non-fines manganese ore. Non-fines sales are also at a record-high of11 lakh MT (up by 13% y-o-y). The total production growth in last three years is around 30%. Currently, MOIL holds 34% of manganese ore reserves of the country and is contributing 50% of the domestic production . MOIL is also giving special focus thrust on expansion and moderniza
GST Revenue collection for March, 2019 crossed Rupees One Lakh Crore and recorded Highest Collectionsin the FY 2018-19 Total Gross GST revenue collected in the month of March, 2019 is Rs. 1,06,577 crore of which CGST is Rs. 20,353 crore , SGST is Rs.27,520 crore , IGST is Rs.50,418 crore (including Rs. 23,521 crore collected on imports) and Cess is Rs. 8,286 crore (including Rs. 891 crore collected on imports). The total number of GSTR 3B Returns filed for the month of February up to 31 st March, 2019 is 75.95lakh . The Government has settled Rs.17,261 crore to CGST and Rs. 13,689 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. Further , Rs. 20,000 crore has been settled from the balance IGST available with the Centre on provisional basis in the ratio of 50:50 between Centre and States. The total revenue earned by Central Government and the State Governments after regular and provisional settlement in the month of March, 2019 is Rs. 47,614 crore fo
NMDC surpasses 30 million tonnes production and sales for 3rd year National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), the largest producer of iron ore in the country, has once again surpassed the 30 million tonnes figure of production and sales for the year 2018-19 for the 3 rd year consecutively. In spite of suspension of Donimalai Mine operations for 5 months, no exports upto August 2018, highest rainfall in Bailadila Sector and poor off take in Karnataka in Q1, NMDC has produced 32.44 MT and sales of 32.38 MT iron ore during FY-19.
Index of Eight Core Industries (Base: 2011-12=100) February, 2019 1. The summary of the Index of Eight Core Industries (base: 2011-12) is given at the Annexure . 2. The Eight Core Industries comprise 40.27 per cent of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The combined Index of Eight Core Industries stood at 125.8 in February, 2019, which was 2.1per centhigheras compared to the index of February, 2018. Its cumulative growth during April to February, 2018-19was 4.3per cent. Coal 3. Coal production (weight: 10.33per cent)increased by 7.3 per cent in February, 2019 over February, 2018. Its cumulative index increased by 7.1 per centduring April to February, 2018-19over corresponding period of the previous year. Crude Oil 4. Crude Oil production (weight: 8.98per cent) declinedby 6.1 per cent in February, 2019 over February, 2018. Its cumulative index declined by 4.0 per centduring April to February, 2018-19over the corres
PSLV-C45 successfully launches EMISAT and 28 customer satellites India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C45) today successfully launched EMISAT and 28 international customer satellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota. This flight marked the first mission of PSLV-QL, a new variant of PSLV with four strap-on motors. PSLV-C45 lifted off at 9:27 Hrs (IST) from the Second Launch Pad and injected India’s EMISAT into a 748 km sun-synchronous polar orbit, 17 minutes and 12 seconds after liftoff. After separation, the two solar arrays of EMISAT were deployed automatically and the ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network at Bengaluru assumed control of the satellite. In the coming days, the satellite will be brought to its final operational configuration. Following the separation of EMISAT, the vehicle’s fourth stage engines were restarted twice to place the 28 international customer satellites precisely into a sun-synchronous orbit of 504 km height.