Rs. 39,135 crore allocated under STC for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes for the year 2018-19
Government of India launched “Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (VKY)” during 2014-15 for holistic development of tribal people across the country. The VKY has been adopted as a strategic process. This process envisages to ensure delivery of goods and services to the tribal population across the country with outcome-oriented approach while striking at the critical gaps in the sectors of Housing, Livelihood, Health & Sanitation, Drinking Water, Agriculture & Irrigation, Electricity, Education, Skill development, Sports & Games and Preservation of Cultural Heritage etc. through appropriate convergence of resources and institutional mechanism. State Governments have been impressed upon to endeavour effecting convergence of resources under various Central as well as State Government schemes appropriately while formulating Annual Plan and long-term perspective plan for holistic development of tribals commensurating the objectives of VKY.
Shri Nitin Gadkari to launch Sukhad Yatra App and Toll-free Emergency number for Highway users
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin Gadkari will launch a mobile App and Toll-free Emergency number for Highway users tomorrow in New Delhi.
Sukhad Yatra mobile application has been prepared by National Highways Authority of India, NHAI, to empower the Highway user. The key feature of the app includes provision for the user to enter road quality-related information or to report any accident or pothole on the highway. It also provides users with real-time data related to waiting time expected at Plazas and various facilities like points of interest, highway nest/nest mini, etc., available across the highway. The app can also be used by the users to purchase the FASTag tag and further facilitate the highway user experience.
A toll-free number, 1033, will enable users to report an emergency condition, or highway-related feedback, across the highway. The service has also integrated with various ambulance/tow away services along the road to ensure rapid response time in emergency. The service is supported by a multi-lingual support and user location tracking features to provide the user with accurate and responsive complaint resolution.
49 lakh LED street lights installed till date under the Street Lighting National Programme
49 lakh LED street lights have been installed till date, covering 28 states/UTs under the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP). The Programme which was launched by the Prime Minister, on 5th January 2015, aims to replace 1.34 crore conventional street lights with energy efficient LED lights by March, 2019. SLNP is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture company of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under Ministry of Power.
One Million Solar Study Lamps Scheme successfully implemented
A new project for distribution of 70 lakh solar study lamps in the states of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand Odisha and Uttar Pradesh which was sanctioned by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in December 2016, is currently under implementation. The One Million Solar Study Lamps Scheme which was sanctioned in January 2014 for empowering underserved communities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra has been successfully completed. Following this the Ministry sanctioned 5 lakh solar study lamps in various states in May 2016.
Rs 1000 crore for research in science and technology in next two years under IMPRINT-II: HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar
The Union Minister for Human Resources and Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar today said that in a major boost for research and innovation in the country, the Central Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1000 crore for the phase two of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India programme.
Government of India has entered into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with other Countries on Money Laundering Information
The Government of India has entered into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs) and Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (MAC) with over 130 countries including tax havens. These agreements allow exchange of information between countries for tax purposes including information pertaining to money laundering and funding. On request made by Government of India under the above agreements, these countries provide relevant information including information pertaining to money laundering and funding.
Government of India and the Government of Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine
The Government of India and the Government of Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine on 27th October, 2010. The salient features of the MoU are as follows:
- Cooperation for the promotion of traditional medicine including the regulation for teaching, practice, drugs and drugless therapies of Traditional Systems of Medicine.
- Exchanging experts for training of practitioners, paramedics, scientists, teachers and students in Traditional Systems of Medicine.
- Accommodating interested practitioners, paramedics and students in institutions for educational and training programmes on Traditional Medicine
- Mutual recognition of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Pharmacopeia of Indian and the Malaysian Herbal Pharmacopoeia
- Setting up of Academic Chairs on Traditional Systems of Medicine.
PM inaugurates new building of Central Information Commission in New Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today inaugurated the new building of the Central Information Commission (CIC) in New Delhi.
He noted that the building had been completed before the due date, and congratulated all agencies involved in the construction. He said the environment friendly Griha-IV rating would ensure energy savings, and help conserve the environment.
Committee on Fintech related issues to consider various issues relating to development of Fintech space in India
The Government constitutes a Steering Committee on Fintech related issues to consider various issues relating to development of Fintech space in India with a view to make Fintech related regulations more flexible and generate enhanced entrepreneurship in an area where India has distinctive comparative strengths vis-à-vis other emerging economies-under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), Ministry of Finance.
Mumbai, Delhi airports judged world’s best
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, operated and managed by GVK, and Delhi’s IGI Airport, operated by GMR, have been jointly adjudged the ‘World’s Best Airport’ for customer experience in the 40 mppa (million passengers per annum) category.
This was announced on Tuesday by Airports Council International (ACI). The ACI is a trade association with 1,953 airports from 176 countries among its members.
Melbourne-based Akaal Pharma has entered into joint venture with Bengaluru-based Bal Pharma
Melbourne-based Akaal Pharma has entered into joint venture with Bengaluru-based Bal Pharma.
As a part of this JV, the venture called AB VET, will be funded by Bal Pharma to develop Akaal Pharma’s Intellectual Property (IP) in the veterinary field, the company said in a statement.
The first veterinary indication will be against Atopic Dermatitis in dogs, wherein Akaal’s ABV-119 is used to treat them.
Mofam launches Bfund to aid film financing
As in-film advertising gains ground, Mofam, a financial services company has launched ‘Bfund’, a fund partner to consumer brands to convert their recurring expense for in-movie product placements into a returnable investment.
Bfund is targeting Rs. 120 crore fund size for Bollywood movies and another Rs. 80 crore fund for Tollywood movies.
Resil inks pact with Japan’s Nicca to sell textile chemicals
Resil Chemicals has entered into business alliance with Japan’s Nicca Chemical for joint development and marketing of products used for processing synthetic textiles.
India is a leading textile market with a focus on cotton textiles. However, in recent years processing of synthetic textile products has been growing and India has emerged as the largest synthetic textiles markets in the world after China.
NTPC, IIM-A tie up to churn out future leaders in energy sector
In a bid to churn out management professionals for a niche area like energy, NTPC is collaborating with the Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad for a specialised course.
The collaboration is for a period of five years and will come into effect from June.
NTPC School of Business (NSB) will offer a two-year management programme PG Diploma in Management which will enrol 120 students.
Airtel to acquire India leg of GBI’s intercontinental submarine cable
Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said it will acquire the ownership of the India leg of Gulf Bridge International (GBI) for India-West Asia-Europe submarine cable.
GBI is a cloud provider for the West Asia and Europe and with this acquisition Airtel can unlock the capacity on GBI’s India-West Asia-Europe submarine cable system. The company, however, did not disclose the deal size.
NERL, BoB in tie-up for pledge finance
The National E-Repository, a subsidiary of National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, has tied up with Bank of Baroda to facilitate pledge finance on its electronic negotiable receipt issued against goods stored in the accredited warehouses.
Started five months before, NERL in all has issued 96 eNWRs against 1,000 tonnes of commodities.
UST Global acquires US-based ‘cross-platform orchestration’ start-up Pneuron
Leading digital technology services player UST Global has acquired Pneuron, a Massachusetts, US-based ‘cross-platform orchestration’ start-up.
Orchestration is referred to mean the arranging and coordination of automated tasks, ultimately resulting in a consolidated process or workflow.
Airtel to acquire India leg of GBI’s intercontinental submarine cable
Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said it will acquire the ownership of the India leg of Gulf Bridge International (GBI) for India-West Asia-Europe submarine cable.
GBI is a cloud provider for the West Asia and Europe and with this acquisition Airtel can unlock the capacity on GBI’s India-West Asia-Europe submarine cable system. The company, however, did not disclose the deal size.
International Yoga Festival Held In Rishikesh
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the week-long 29th annual, world-famous International Yoga Festival (IYF) in Rishikesh’s Parmarth Niketan.
The IYF offers daily classes from 4 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. with more than 80 revered saints, Yogacharya, presenters and experts from nearly 20 countries around the world.
Viswanathan Anand Wins Tal Memorial Rapid Chess Title
World rapid champion Viswanathan Anand annexed the Tal Memorial rapid chess title in Moscow, Russia after an easy final round draw against Boris Gelfand of Israel. His solitary loss came at the hands of Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan in the third round.
