NATIONAL APRIL 2010

NATIONAL APRIL 2010

• The cut motions moved by the Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's economic policies especially price rise, were defeated.Cut motion moved by Sushma Swaraj defeated by- in favour 162 and against 246.The cut motion moved by Gurudas Gupta was defeated by- in favour201 and against 289. 
• The former chief of the Border Security Force, E.N. Rammohan, submitted his report to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on the April 6 massacre of 76 security personnel by Maoists in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
• The 16-digit unique identification number to be assigned to each individual by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will come under the new name ‘AADHAR' or foundation.
• The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh K. Rosaiah launched the Rs. 600-crore Dr. YSR Protected Drinking Water Scheme in Rayadurg of Anantapur dist.
• The 98th executive committee meeting of the All-India Council of Mayors (AICM) was held in Hyderabad.
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a proposal to set up 1,000 additional model schools as a benchmark of excellence in educationally backward blocks (EBBs) through State governments. These schools will have norms and standards equivalent to or better than Kendriya Vidyalayas. The requirement for the 1,000 schools has been estimated at Rs. 3,304 crore, the Centre's share being Rs. 2,478 crore.
• The Navy plans to carve out an air enclave on the campus of the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) for sheltering the Navy's future air assets, especially the medium range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
• The Commission on Centre-State relations headed by M. M. Punchhi, submitted its report to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.The panel was constituted by UPA-I in April 2007 to take a fresh look at the relative role and responsibilities of the various levels of government and Centre-State relations.
• The 59th year of birth of the Bhoodan Movement was celebrated at Bhoodan Pochampalli in Nalgonda district on 18th April. Acharya Vinoba Bhave had secured the first land donation on this day in 1951 at Pochampalli.
• The Andhra Pradesh government launched the Praja Patham, the month-long mass contact programme aimed at taking administration to the doorstep of people. K. Rosaiah started the programme at Katarivaripalem in Vetapalem mandal of Prakasam district. Praja Patham was a brainchild of the late YSR who wanted elected representatives to go to the people during the difficult summer months and redress their grievances pertaining to drinking water and Aarogyasri and other health related services.
• The draft Cinematograph Bill, 2010 could be introduced in the next session of Parliament in which the India’s film rating system is set for a revamp. The Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), better known as the Censor Board, will now be asked to certify films under the U, 12+, 15+, A and S categories. Under the current Cinematograph Act, 1952, there are three categories — U, A and UA.
• The government of Andhra Pradesh acquired the “hazardous material” handling vehicle for the Disaster Response & Fire Service (DSFS) Department at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to tackle nuclear, biological, chemical accidents besides the usual fires.
• The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed the Inter-District Recruitment Bill which bans inter-district recruitment and provides a quota for Scheduled Castes in government jobs in all districts.
• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched the test phase of Unique Identity Number (UID) project in Medak and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• The Union government has decided to soon declare the world's largest river island of Majuli an eco-sensitive zone.
• A new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Bill, likely to be introduced in the next session of Parliament, will bring the institution of CAG under the ambit of the Right to Information Act.
• Delhi Metro Rail Corporation started the country’s first Standard Gauge Railway line. This railway line width is 4ft 8inches.
• Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit dedicated a Rs.40 crore sub-station 66/11 kV ‘green’ grid sub-station constructed by the power distribution company, BYPL, in the record time of 13 months at the Commonwealth Games Village to provide uninterrupted power supply for the event.
• Addressing the nation to mark the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the States and Union Territories to work together as part of a common national Endeavour.
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 comes into effect from April 1st 2010, and will directly benefit close to one crore children who do not go to school. For the first time, education will become a constitutional right in India. According to this act private institutes should provide 25% reservation to economically backward students. Right to education was made fundamental right in 2002 by 86th amendment. The central and state governments should spend money in 55:45 ratio to implement this act.
• The plan outlay for Andhra Pradesh for 2010-2011 has been fixed at Rs.36, 800 crore, which is 9.86 per cent more than the outlay of Rs. 33,497 crore fixed for 2009-2010. The actual increase is Rs.3, 303 crore this year. 
• The Union government has introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha, that provides for constitution of a National Council consisting of representatives from the Medical Council of India, the Dental Council, the Nursing Council etc., to determine the standards for the clinics, classify them, develop the minimum standards and their periodic review, compile, maintain and update a national register of clinical establishments. 
• The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams(TTD) of Andhra Pradesh has deposited 4,475 kg of gold received by way of offerings in its temple Hundi in various nationalized banks. TTD deposited 3,000 kg gold with SBI, 1,125 kg gold with Corporation Bank and the rest 650 kilograms with Indian Overseas Bank and will be earning an interest of over 1.6 and 1.5 per cent respectively over the gold deposits. 
• The government of Andhra Pradesh launched the fifth phase of the government's land distribution programme all over the State from 14th April, 2010 coinciding with the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.An extent of 1.06 lakh acres will be distributed to 69,506 beneficiaries. 
• According to a report released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Gujarat has been declared as the top contributor to the total hazardous waste generation in the country. Gujarat generates almost 29 per cent of the 62 lakh metric tonnes of hazardous waste generated every year. It is followed by Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh (9 per cent). 
• The government of India has reconstituted the National Integration Council (NIC) which will be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Set up in the early 60s by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the NIC held its first meeting in 1962. The council reviews matters relating to national integration and makes recommendations over such issues. 
• According to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the first set of identity numbers will be issued in February 2011. 
• During the sidelines of the 6^thNational Conference on Electoral Reforms organised by the National Election Watch in Bhopal, Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla said that roughly 700 out of 1,000 registered political parties do not contest polls and the Election Commission has no power to de-register them. 
• The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) completed five years on 12^th April 2010.