NATIONAL AUGUST 2014
- Paper on Death Penalty
The Law Commission has issued a public consultation paper on capital punishment with a detailed questionnaire open to the public to send in their views on the issue. The move comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court commuting the death sentence of 19 persons after their mercy pleas were rejected since January this year. In one of the cases, the apex court referred to the conundrum and observed that "perhaps the Law Commission of India can resolve the issue by examining whether death penalty is a deterrent punishment or is retributive justice or serves an incapitative goal".
Besides inviting the views of the public, the commission said it was also planning to collect data related to the death penalty from various trial courts, high courts and the apex court. It will also engage law schools to conduct research on the issue.
Death Penalty in India:
The Indian Supreme Court has allowed the death penalty to be carried out in only 4 instances since 1995. However the number of people executed in India since independence in 1947 is a matter of dispute; official government statistics claim that only 52 people had been executed since independence.
In December 2007, India voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. In November 2012, India again upheld its stance on capital punishment by voting against the UN General Assembly draft resolution seeking to ban death penalty
The Supreme Court of India ruled in 1983 that the death penalty should be imposed only in "the rarest of rare cases." While stating that honour killings fall within the "rarest of the rare" category, Supreme Court has recommended the death penalty be extended to those found guilty of committing "honour killings", which deserve to be a capital crime. The Supreme Court also recommended death sentences to be imposed on police officials who commit police brutality in the form of encounter killings. In an appeal filed by Vikram Singh and another person, facing the death sentence, the constitutional validity of Section 364A of the Indian Penal Code has been questioned - Nagpur gets India's first ethanol-run bus
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched Country’s first ethanol r un bus on pilot basis in Nagpur. During launching he said that the country imports petrol, diesel and gas worth over Rs 6 lakh crore every year. India can reduce the imports by at least Rs 2 lakh crore by using alternative fuels. Ethanol-run bus project is the first initiative in this direction.
Four states-- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu -- will be the major beneficiaries from the project as they produce ethanol in large quantities, Gadkari said. - IIEST inaugurated
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) of the country at Shibpur, Howrah, and West Bengal on 24th August
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, formerly known as Bengal Engineering and Science University, was established in 1856. It is the second oldest institution for engineering education in India. - Andhra seeks Rs 15,718-crore central aid for 24X7 power supply
The Andhra Pradesh government has urged the Centre to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 15,718 crore to support its round-the-clock Power For All (PFA) Programme. The PFA initiative requires a total expenditure of Rs 54,332 crore during the next five years up to 2018-19. The state government is contemplating meeting the balance amount by taking financial assistance from PFC, Rural Electrification Corporation and various banks.
Coal allocations illegal: SC
In a major verdict, the Supreme Court on 25th August declared illegal all coal block allocations between 1993 and 2010, saying these were done in an unfair, arbitrary and non-transparent manner without following any objective criteria. A special bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, however said further hearing was required to determine whether there is a need for cancelling around 200 coal block allocations.
The apex court held that 36 screening committees breached guidelines and that the coal block allocations were made without following any objective criteria.
The bench, also comprising Justice MB Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph, fixed September 1 for further hearing to decide what action can be taken against the illegal coal blocks allocations, most of which were made by the Manmohan Singh government.
Regarding 12 Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) for which coal blocks were allocated through competitive bidding, the SC said the companies involved can extract coal from these blocks only for the power projects these were meant for, and not for other commercial purposes. This was done in view of allegations that in some cases the government had allowed diversion of coal from UMPP to other end uses. The petitions were based on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report that the exchequer suffered a loss of Rs. 1.64 lakh crore due to the arbitrary allocations of coal blocks.
The coal blocks allocated to private companies between 2004 to March 2010 are situated in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
The top court has been monitoring the CBI probe into the scam and additional sessions judge Bharat Parashar at Patiala House Court has been appointed as a special judge to exclusively deal with cases arising out of it. - Education programme launched
To improve quality of schools in the country, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani on 26th August launched ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ programme which focuses on early reading, writing and comprehension and early grade mathematics. At the inauguration of Conference of State Education Secretaries held here, Irani requested States to roll out this programme in their respective States so that children in early grades acquire proficiency in writing, reading and comprehension. - Government to spend Rs.20,000 cr for Mobile Connectivity in Villages
The government will spend Rs 20,000 crore to provide mobile connectivity in 55,000 villages, which are still untouched by wireless telephony, in the next five years, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg said on 26th August. Garg added that according to various estimates, the number of villages that do not have mobile coverage range between 42,000 to 55,000.
The amount of Rs 20,000 crore will come through the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Garg added. Under the Digital India programme, the government will initially spend Rs 69,524 crore on various IT and telecom projects. It has identified broadband and mobile networks as the key growth pillars under Digital India. - Panel to identify outdated laws
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a committee to identify laws that need to be repealed in an attempt to eliminate outdated legislation from the statute books. The committee has to submit its report in three months.
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that outdated laws would be scrapped soon. In the just-concluded session of the Lok Sabha, Prasad tabled a repeal Bill that covered 36 outdated laws. The Bill is awaiting passage.
The panel, to be chaired by secretary in the PMO R. Ramanujam and comprising former secretary, legislative department, V K Bhasin, will examine all Acts recommended for repeal by the Committee on Review of Administrative Laws appointed in 1998 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. - NSSO survey on agricultural sector employment
According to National Sample Survey Office the conditions of employment for workers in India’s non-formal sector had deteriorated over the years. In a survey it found that more people came out of social security benefits and fewer laborers had a written job contract or provision for paid leave. These are the findings of the 68th round of the NSSO survey, informal sector and conditions of employment in India, during July 2011 to June 2012.
The other points of report are…- 68.8 per cent of workers across India in 2011-12 neither had a written job contract nor were eligible for paid leave, compared to 63 per cent in 2004-05.
- The report covered workers in the non-agriculture and agriculture sectors (excluding growing of crops, plant propagation and combined production of crops and animals (termed AGEGC).
- In 2011-12, 79 per cent of the workers in these sectors had no written job contract, up from 74 per cent in 2004-05.
- The proportion of casual laborers without a written job contract remained almost at the same level (95 per cent) but had increased for salaried employees.
- In 2011-12, 65 per cent of employees getting a regular salary had no job contract in hand, compared to 59 per cent in 2004-05.
- The data showed 72 per cent of workers in the non-agriculture and AGEGC sector in 2011-12 had no social security benefits, such as provident fund, pension, gratuity or health care, against 71 per cent in 2004-05.
- The gap between the average salary of a worker in the informal sector and the all-sector average shrunk between 2004-05 and 2011-12.
- The average daily earning by a worker in the informal sector stood at Rs 195 a day in 2011-12, about 40 per cent less than the Rs 322 all-sector average. In 2004-05, the differential was 46 per cent.
- The share of temporary workers in the AGEGC and non-agriculture sectors declined from 45 per cent in 2004-05 to 42 per cent in 2011-12.
- Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, the proportion of temporary employees reduced among casual labourers and among regular wage employees. Temporary workers are defined as those who are not likely to continue in the same employment.
- Government clears defense deals worth Rs 17,000 cr
The Union government has cleared acquisitions and renewals worth Rs 17,000 crore on 29th August. The apex Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) favored manufacturing in India, even when clearing the procurement of foreign equipment. A long-running tender for buying 197 light utility helicopters (LuH) from the global market has been scrapped, and re-issued in the "Buy & Make (Indian)" category. This requires Indian companies to build the LuH in India, in collaboration, if necessary, with foreign partners.
The emphasis on indigenization is evident also in the decision to overhaul and refit six of the navy's 13 submarines. The so-called Medium Refit and Life Certificate (MRLC) programme is a two-year process that involves stripping down the submarine, repairing its hull extensively, and replacing worn parts.
The Rs 4,800 crore sanction clears the overhaul of four Russian-origin, Kilo-class, and two German-origin HDW submarines. Of the Kilo-class vessels, two will be refitted in Russia, and the other two in Mumbai naval dockyard. Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai, will overhaul both HDW submarines. - First Natural World Heritage Center coming up at Wild Life Institute of India
To conserve natural heritage sites in Asia and the Pacific region, the foundation stone of the world’s first Natural World Heritage Centre was laid at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in Dehradun on 30th August.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Category 2 centre on ‘Natural World Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region,’ would be established with the objective of achieving a more balanced representation of properties from Asia and the Pacific on the World Heritage List, and raising awareness towards protection and conservation of the natural world heritage.
The centre at WII was the result of the Central government’s ‘Request for Action’ submitted to UNESCO in the year 2012 for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Natural World Heritage for Asia and the Pacific region at WII. The proposal was approved by UNESCO in November, 2013.
UNESCO- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN)
- UNESCO has 195 member states and nine associate members
- It founded on 4th November 1946, head quarters is at Paris, France
- Sivaramakrishnan committee on capital of Andhra Pradesh
The Sivaramakrishnan Committee on the capital for Andhra Pradesh, suggested that the distribution of capital functions and other institutions to three sub-regions, instead of one region. The regions are Vizag region in North Andhra; Rayalaseema Arc comprising Kurnool, Anantapur, Tirupati, Kadapa and Chittoor and Kalahasti-Nadikudi Spine, the land along the proposed Kalahasti- Nadikudi railway line which, the committee feels, may emerge as development region. The 188-page report submitted to Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 29th August - Open defecation: Center for linking Water, Sanitation department
The Centre has made a suggestion to the states to merge their Water and Sanitation departments with an aim to give a push to the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, which seeks to make the country free of open defecation by 2019.
In a communication to the state chief secretaries, the Centre has sought better coordination between the Drinking Water and Sanitation departments to effectively deal with water and sanitation issues in rural areas. “To achieve ‘Swachh Bharat’, it may be better to have the same department at the state level to deal with water and sanitation issues,” it said.
Yearly action by the states needs to be stepped up to at least three or four times that of the current levels in order to achieve the goal of ‘Swachh Bharat’ (Clean India), says the communication signed by Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry Secretary Pankaj Jain. “In case that is not immediately possible, then better coordination between two departments at the state level may kindly be done,” it said. - India ranked 5th in Wind Power
India ranked fifth among top ten wind power producers in the world by adding 1,700 MW capacity in 2013, a global report on renewable energy said. More than 35,000 MW wind power capacity was added worldwide in 2013 taking the total to 3,18,000 MW, to which India contributed 1,700 MW, said the Renewables 2014 Global Status Report.
In terms of annual investment in the wind energy sector and production, China ranked number one followed by Germany, Britain, India and Canada. The costs of electricity generation from onshore wind and solar energy have fallen sharply over the past few years, which have resulted in an increase in wind and solar power projects being built without public financial support, according to the report. About 40,000 MW of new hydro power capacity was commissioned in 2013 increasing the total global capacity by 4 percent to around 1,000,000 MW. China commissioned the most capacity in 2013 with 29,000 MW, while significant capacity was also added in Turkey, Brazil, Vietnam, India and Russia, the report said. India plans to increase its generation capacity to 55,000 MW by 2017 from the current level of around 30,000 MW.
What is wind energy?
Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetative cover. This wind flow, or motion energy, when "harvested" by modern wind turbines, can be used to generate electricity
The terms "wind energy" or "wind power" describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes, businesses, schools, and the like.
Advantages of wind energy:
Wind energy is a free, renewable resource, so no matter how much is used today, there will still be the same supply in the future. Wind energy is also a source of clean, non-polluting, electricity. Unlike conventional power plants, wind plants emit no air pollutants or greenhouse gases
Disadvantages:
Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators. Roughly 80% of the cost is the machinery, with the balance being site preparation and installation. If wind generating systems are compared with fossil-fueled systems on a "life-cycle" cost basis (counting fuel and operating expenses for the life of the generator), however, wind costs are much more competitive with other generating technologies because there is no fuel to purchase and minimal operating expenses.
Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and birds and bats having been killed (avian/bat mortality) by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants - Opposition status not granted to Congress
Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan has finally conveyed to the Congress that it would not have a leader of opposition in Lok Sabha. In a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, she has cited three reasons — past precedents, the 10% rule and legal opinion.
In 1980, 1984 (The seventh and eighth Lok Sabhas) and in 1971 (fifth Lok Sabha), when the Congress swept elections and no opposition party managed to get 10 per cent seats, there was no Leader of Opposition in the House.
The speaker conveyed to the Congress that it did not fulfill the condition that for a leader of opposition, a party has be a recognized one with at least 55 seats. The Congress has 44 seats in Lok Sabha.
Mahajan had taken legal advice from Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and others before taking a formal call on the matter.
The Congress, which had given a letter to the speaker with 60 signatures which included those of its allies requesting that it be granted the post, had been using the argument that in the 80s, the absence of a leader of opposition was because no party staked claim for it.
The government had lobbed the ball into the speaker's court saying it would be her discretion. Though the speaker had written the letter on August 14, the last day of the budget session, it was delivered to Gandhi on Tuesday after the long weekend.
The leader of opposition serves on several important panels including those for the selection of Chief Vigilance Commissioner, CBI director and Lokpal members. The post got statutory recognition in 1977 through the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act.
In the Judicial Appointments Commission, replacing the Collegium system of appointing judges, the government has made provision for "leader of the largest party" if there is no leader of opposition, in the six-member committee. However, there is no clarity on whether government would adopt the same pattern in other selection panels. - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka top tourism destinations:
ASSOCHAM
Gujarat followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka are leading states attracting significant investments in India’s hotels and tourism industry together accounting for about 61 per cent share, noted an ASSOCHAM study.
Maharashtra has ranked second with about 18 per cent share in total outstanding investments attracted by tourism sector across top 20 states in India followed by Karnataka (about 14 per cent share), Odisha and Andhra Pradesh (six per cent each) amid top five states, highlighted the study prepared by the ASSOCHAM Economic Research Bureau (AERB).
However, Gujarat ranks 15th in foreign tourist arrival in India as the state attracted about 1.7 lakh foreign tourists in 2012 which had increased from 1.6 lakh a year ago thereby registering an annual growth rate of about five per cent.
The Government of Gujarat should provide clear land bank policies to further improve physical infrastructure in order to attract more private sector based investors in Gujarat’s hospitality sector, suggested the ASSOCHAM study.
Public-private partnership (PPP) framework must be adopted to build and manage tourist facilities by laying down industry standards, ethics and practices, ensuring preservation and protection of tourist attractions, recommended the ASSOCHAM study.
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra are top five states with highest share in domestic tourist arrival. While Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are amid top five states with highest share in attracting foreign tourist arrivals.
ASSOCHAM:
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is one of the apex trade associations of India.
The organization represents the interests of trade and commerce in India, and acts as an interface between industry, government and other relevant stakeholders on policy issues and initiatives. The goal of this organization is to promote both domestic and international trade, and reduce trade barriers while fostering conducive environment for the growth of trade and industry of India. - ADB Study predicts more floods for India
Flooding of hilly regions in India is only likely to increase in coming years, a study by the Asian Development Bank has predicted. The report, Assessing the Costs of Climate Change and Adaptation in South Asia, says, “Water-related hazards in the region are bound to increase with climate change.”
Between 1990 and 2008, more than 750 million people in South Asia were affected by at least one type of natural disaster, resulting in almost 230,000 deaths. Half of the disaster events have been due to floods and landslides, in turn associated with extreme weather events,” the report says.
It added that going forward such climate change-related events would become even more destructive, especially in India where the Himalayan region has become even more vulnerable to natural disasters spawned by melting glaciers.
Even as northern States, such as Uttarakhand, are already facing catastrophic floods, which have taken hundreds of lives in just two monsoon seasons, in 2013 and this year, the ADB study predicts that the frequency of such floods, which has increased in recent decades, will rise.
If India, along with the rest of the world, doesn’t pull up its socks and work on mitigating climate change, economic losses to the tune of about 2 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2050 for these countries, including India. This could quickly escalate to about 8.8 per cent of GDP by 2100 if mitigating measures aren’t put into place.
ADB:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 which is headquartered in Metro Manila, Philippines to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia. ADB now has 67 members - of which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. ADB was modeled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with member's capital subscriptions. - Rs 1 lakh crore for digital India
The Union Cabinet on 20th August approved a blueprint for the Digital India programme, which envisages all government services be delivered electronically by 2018. It also seeks to provide unique identities to all citizens.
Aim of the programme:- To bring public accountability through mandated delivery of government services electronically
- To provide a “unique ID and e-Pramaan, based on authentic and standards-based interoperable and integrated government applications and data bases”.
- Digital India would provide “high-speed internet as a core utility” down to the Gram Panchayat level and a “cradle-to-grave digital identity — unique, lifelong, online and authenticable”
- The unique IDs would facilitate identification, authentication and delivery of benefits.
- The initiative will make financial transactions above a threshold electronic and cashless.
- Mobile Towers
The Cabinet approved the long-pending proposal to install mobile towers in nine naxal- affected states by BSNL at cost Rs 3,216 crore that will be borne by the government. The government has identified areas in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. - SC questioned Union Government
Apex court issues notice to Centre, to hear U’khand Governor’s plea after six weeks. The Supreme Court will examine a plea by Uttarakhand Governor Aziz Qureshi questioning the legality of Union Home Secretary directing Governors to step down from their posts. Qureshi has contended that such orders can only come from the President of India.
A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court will hear this issue after six weeks as the subject required interpretation of Article 156 of the Constitution. Under Article 156(1), the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
After formation of new government at national level, many governors were removed, the following is the list……………..- Puducherry governor Virendra Kataria was sacked.
- Mizoram governor Vakkom B Purushothaman resigned because he was unhappy with his transfer to Nagaland.
- Kamla Beniwal former governor of Gujarat initially transferred to Mizoram and later she was asked to step down from her post.
- BL Joshi of Uttar Pradesh resigned from his post.
- Shekhar Dutt in Chhattisgarh resigned from his post.
- Ashwani Kumar in Nagaland resigned from his post.
- BV Wanchoo in Goa resigned from his post.
- M K Narayan in West Bengal resigned from his post.
- National war memorial at India gate
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on 21st August gave the final nod to the much-delayed National War Memorial project which would be built in the India Gate complex at a proposed cost of around Rs 400 crore. The Defence Minister agreed to the proposal made by the Army for building a war memorial at the 'Chhatri complex' of India Gate after visiting the national war museum site at the Princes' Park locality near India Gate The memorial will have names of more than 21,000 Indian troops who have lost lives in various operations since 1947. - Kerala to close all bars by April 2015
A high-power committee meeting of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) has decided to close all the 312 bars, which are in operations, from April 1, 2015. Chief minister Oommen Chandy announced.
The Government also decided not to open the 418 bars, which were closed three months ago. Besides, all the star category hotels, except 5-star, will not to be allowed to serve Indian made foreign liquor (IMFL). In short, from April only 5-star category hotels/resorts can serve liquor. Kerala, at present, has 36 hotels in this category.
Kerala, which comes second in per capita consumption of liquor after Punjab, gets a tax revenue of roughly Rs 8,500 crore annually — 22 per cent of the total tax revenue —from the sale of IMFL. The per capita consumption in Kerala is around seven litre per year while the national average is only 2.5 litre. - Supreme Court sets dead line on Leader of Opposition issue
The Supreme Court on 22nd August decided to go into the issue of interpreting the provision of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha in the matter of selection of statutory bodies, when there is no recognized LoP.
Asking the government to make its stand clear within two weeks, a Bench headed by Chief Justice R M Lodha emphasized the importance of the post, saying the Leader of Opposition conveys the voice of representation different from the government in the House. It said LoP is a very important component (under the Lokpal law) and the issue needs objective consideration in view of current political dispensation when there is no Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. The Bench granted the government two weeks time to make its stand clear and come prepared on next date of hearing on September 9, saying that matter is very significant. - Chandigarh to be smart city
The Centre will ensure that the entire Chandigarh is "rebuilt" and it comes up as a "smart city", Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijuju said. On his maiden visit to the city as a Minister, he said that he held meetings with the officers of the local administration and discussed the issues of development of the city.
What is a smart city?
The concept of the smart city has been introduced as a strategic device to encompass modern urban production factors in a common framework and to highlight the growing importance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), social and environmental capital in profiling the competitiveness of cities The significance of these two assets - social and environmental capital - itself goes a long way to distinguish smart cities from their more technology-laden counterparts, drawing a clear line between them and what goes under the name of either digital or intelligent cities - NABARD’s financial literacy campaign
The National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), as part of its ongoing financial literacy campaign today launched 'Vithiya Saksharatha Abhiyan' on trains. The campaign, aimed at creating awareness on banking services was launched by flagging off Secunderabad -Guntur Golconda Express at Secunderabad Railway station. - Maiden Agricultural Budget of Andhra Pradesh
Agriculture Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao on 22nd August presented Rs 13,110.39 crore Agriculture Budget for the State of Andhra Pradesh for the year 2014-15. Of this, the plan outlay for agriculture and allied activities stands at Rs 6,736.44 crore and non-plan expenditure at Rs 6,373.95 crore.- The minister said that Rs 5,000 crore has be allocated for agriculture crop loan waiver.
- Under National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), soil mapping and testing will be taken up in every village of AP to bring down input costs of farmers and increase agriculture productivity
- A budget of Rs 212 crore has been allocated for 2014-15 for popularizing better seed varieties and supply of certified seeds on subsidy to farmers.
- In order to modernize agriculture by using best machinery and for setting up different agri-related service centres, the government has allocated Rs 90 crore.
- The government has also decided that crop loan interest for loan between Rs.1 lakh- Rs.3 lakh would be 0.25 paise (Pavala Vaddi) if repaid in time and will be continued.
- The government has said farmers can avail interest-free loans for crop loans below Rs 1 lakh.
- The government's flagship Polam Pilustondi scheme, will reach nearly 7.6 million farmers, the minister informed. To improve livelihoods of farmers, the state government will replace Aadharsha Rythus will be by qualified Multi-purpose Extension Officers (MPEOs) to improve productivity in agriculture.
- Under Rajiv Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), an additional central assistance during 2014-15, an interim allocation of Rs 237 crore has been made to agriculture and allied sectors. The state government has allocated Rs 192.92 crore for Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University.
- The government, Pulla Rao informed, is committed to improve micro-irrigation with a total outlay of Rs 348.33 crore. While Horticulture University got an outlay of Rs 30.61 crore for 2014-15, the State Government's boost for Sericulture stands at Rs 122.92 crore. The budget for Veterinary University at Tirupati is Rs 112.80 crore.
- The total expenditure allocated for animal husbandary department for 2014-15 is Rs 723.32 crore (non-plan expenditure stands at Rs 527.32 crore and Plan outlay at Rs 196 crore). The budget allocated for fisheries is Rs 60.07 crore.
- The State Government has allocated Rs 3,188 crore for power subsidy to farmers for the year 2014-15. It is proposed that every year 10,000 new solar pump sets will be installed in a phased manner in the next five years. In the state government's efforts to link MGREGA to agriculture, Rs 1,386.30 crore has been allocated for agriculture and allied activities under MGNREGA.
- Archaeologists discover 8th century inscription in West Bengal
Archaeologists from University of Calcutta have found an 8th Century inscription in a village in West Bengal’s Purulia district. The inscription running into four lines was found from Dhuluri village on the corner of a long stretch of rock surface surrounded by dense vegetation and beyond the habited area of the village, Rajat Sanyal, Assistant Professor of the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta, The rock is located in the Saturi block of the district on the banks of a local rivulet emerging from the Damodar.
A study of the characteristic features of the inscription suggests that the short epigraph is carved in an unusual and extremely calligraphic Siddhamatrka script. The only other example of such an inscription is datable to the 6th Century and found in the Sushnia hills in adjoining Bankura district so far the archaeologists have only been able to decipher one line of the inscription that reads ‘sriyuvaraja’ which may be referring to a crown prince. The inscription was actually spotted by a local school teacher, Madhab Mondal, who informed Saturi’s block development officer Dibyendu Sekhar Das. - CAG raps MEA fro ‘inefficient’ management of properties
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India rapped the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for “inefficient” management of its properties across the world, costing the exchequer several crores. Criticizing the “Global Estate Management” of the MEA, in its latest report, said, “Properties were purchased or developed without assessing the basic requirement and purpose of their acquisition.” - Kerala Tourism trumps Paris on Face Book
Kerala Tourism reached a milestone when the number of its followers on Facebook hit the 10 lakh (one million) mark. Kerala Tourism is the first tourism board in the country to post this achievement. It is well ahead of global boards such as Singapore Tourism (8 lakh followers), Thailand Tourism (6 lakh), and Paris Tourism (3.2 lakh). Launched in 2010, Kerala Tourism’s Face book page gives information on the latest events and news in the State in areas ranging from art to culture. - Lok Sabha passes Apprentice Bill
The Lok Sabha passed a Bill to amend the Apprentices Act, 1961 with a voice vote. The Bill seeks to open up apprenticeship to non-engineering graduates and diploma holders among others to expand the base of skilled workers in the country. Moving The Apprentices (Amendment) Bill, 2014 for passage, Labor Minister Narender Singh Tomar said the measure was “revolutionary” and would help the country meet the growing requirement of skilled people, whose number could rise to 23.75 lakh from the current level of 4.29 lakh. He said the new law would entitle apprentices to enjoy facilities, such as leave on par with regular employees in any unit with five or more staffers.
The Bill, a long-standing demand from industry chambers, had initially been brought in by the previous UPA Government, and seeks to empower employers to formulate their own policies for recruiting apprentices and providing for exchange of information through a web portal. - Mizoram Governor removed
Mizoram Governor Kamla Beniwal was removed by President of India. Beniwal is the second Governor to be sacked after the removal of Pondicherry Lt Governor Virendra Kataria.
The issue of removal of Governor:
A Governor of a State cannot be removed on the ground that he/she is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the party in power at the Centre.
Removing the Governor after a change of guard at the Centre will be against the spirit of the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2010 that a change in government was not a ground for removal of Governors to make way for those favored by the new government. Such a removal could be done only for special and compelling reasons.
According to the court, if the aggrieved person was able to demonstrate prima facie that his or her removal was arbitrary, mala fide, capricious or whimsical, it would call upon the Union government to disclose to it the material upon which the President took the decision to withdraw the pleasure. If the Union government did not disclose any reason, or if the reasons disclosed were found to be irrelevant, arbitrary, whimsical, or mala fide, it would interfere with such a decision.
Qualifications of a Governor:
Article 157 and Article 158 of the Constitution of India specify eligibility requirements for the post of governor. They are as follows:- be a citizen of India;
- be at least thirty-five (35)years old;
- not be a member of the either house of the parliament or house of the state legislature.
- Not hold any other office of profit.
- Cabinet nod for changes in Juvenile Law
The Union Cabinet on 6th August approved amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act. The amendments proposed to the Juvenile Justice Act will allow the Juvenile Justice Board to decide whether those in the age group of 16 to 18 can be tried as adults in case of heinous crimes. - Centre, 5 states to set up solar power projects
The Union Government moved towards expanding India's solar generation capacity. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh would soon tie up with the Centre to execute ultra mega solar power projects with more than 500-Mw capacity each.
To put at least 5,000-7,000-Mw solar power generation under operation as soon as possible, Power Minister Piyush Goyal has asked officials to ensure agreements are signed with interested states by the end of the month, a government official said.
Madhya Pradesh is eyeing 750 to 800 Mw, while Rajasthan is looking at developing 4,000 Mw. Andhra Pradesh is looking to add 1,000 Mw of solar power and it is likely that Union government-owned NTPC might take up this project. NTPC has 95 Mw of solar power projects.
The project developers would bid for viability gap funding support from the Centre. The price of solar power, if the SPV is formed, might be Rs 5.5-5.4 a unit, said an official who did not want to be named. - World’s tallest railway bridge construction started
The NF Railway Construction Organization has started construction of a bridge with height of pillars upto 141metres near Noney in Manipur. This bridge is slated to become tallest in the world from the point of view of pillar height surpassing the existing tallest of Mala-Rijeka viaduct on Belgrade-Bar railway line in Europe where the height of pillars is 139m.
The railway bridge under construction on river Chenab in Jammu-Kashmir line is of arch type which is bridging a gorge of about 360m deep from bed of river to the rail level and is being considered as the highest railway bridge in the world.
The proposed bridge in Manipur is part of the 111 Km long Jiribam-Tupul-Im-phal railway line to connect the capital of Manipur with the broad gauge network of the country. The alignment of the railway line passes through steep rolling hills of Patkai region, eastern trail of the Himalayas. While Jiribam, a small town of Manipur near Assam –Manipur border, is situated at 37m above mean sea level, the capital city Imphal is situated at 780m above MSL. The alignment has to traverse through not only a number of deep gorges but over several rivers flowing at low ground levels.
As a result it has necessitated to construct 46 nos. of tunnels measuring total 54.5 Km in length and tall bridges in order to maintain a suitable gradient for efficient operation of railway. The longest tunnel will be 4.9 Km long between Jiribam-Tupul and 10.75 Km between Tupul-Imphal sections.
Mala-Rijeka Viaduct:
The Mala Rijeka Viaduct is a viaduct on the Belgrade - Bar railway, located about 20 km north of Podgorica, Montenegro. The project was started in 1969 and was completed in 1973. The viaduct is 498.8 metres (1,636 ft) long and at its highest is 200 metres (660 ft) above the Mala Rijeka, meaning literally Little river). It is also the longest bridge on the Belgrade - Bar railway. - MoU to train labor
The Labour Ministry, on 8th August signed four flexi-MoUs with Tata Sons, Flipkart, Raymonds and the Gujarat Industrial Power Company Ltd (GIPCL).
According to CII MoUs were ‘would give companies the flexibility to design training programmes at Industrial Training Institutes tailored to their specific needs.- Under the MoUs, online market leader Flipkart, which is working on a mission ‘Flipkart Karigaar Ke Dwaar’, will benefit artisans and small and micro enterprises in building their capabilities and improving their competitiveness
- Tata Sons will provide ‘thought leadership’.
- Raymond will conduct training programmes on customised garment manufacturing in formal men’s wear, such as shirt-making, trouser-making, jacket-making and so on.
- GIPCL has adopted two ITIs in tribal-dominated areas of Gujarat where it will provide two courses — instrument mechanic (power plant) and electrician (power plant).
- Sindhu Sadhana sets sail for the Andamans
The National Institute of Oceanography - Council of Scientific and Industrial Research flagging off the indigenously built Research Vessel Sindhu Sadhana for its maiden month-long expedition in Andaman Sea at Visakhapatnam Port on 27th July. The ship built at ABG Shipyard in Gujarat and equipped with ultra modern research facilities was flagged off by MP K. Haribabu in the presence of NIO-Goa Director S.W.A. Naqvi.
It carries 29 scientists headed by V.S.N. Murthy, in-charge of NIO Visakhapatnam Regional Centre and 28-member crew headed by Captain S.R. Lokhande. The ship including equipment cost NIO around Rs.220 crore. It will be useful for carrying out studies on poly metallic nodules in Central Indian Ocean to explore deep-sea minerals like nickel, copper and cobalt-rich manganese crusts. The vessel is designed for a cruising speed of 13.5 knots and endurance of 45 days. It has 10 modern laboratories fitted with state-of-the art equipment to facilitate high precision data and sample collection. - Government launches E-Service record book portal
With the objective of promoting a paperless regime and better human resource management, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has launched an e-service record book portal for government employees. Earlier documented in paper files, the service record provides
information on various portfolios and posts held by a particular government employee. - Maharaja Sayajirao University selected for UNOOSA Project
Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda has been selected by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affair (UNOOSA) for a scientific project on human space flight and space exploration.
Department of Botany at the university has been selected for the Human Space Technology Initiative's (HSTI) Zero Gravity Project on Microgravity under UNOOSA's HSTI programme and has received a proposal regarding the same on July 18 from the UN agency
Twenty students and eight faculty members will be part of it. The Human Space Technology Initiative was launched in 2010 by the UNOOSA which aims at encouraging international cooperation in activities related to human space flight and space exploration in various countries.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is a part of the United Nations - Google mapping comes under CBI lens
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against internet giant Google over Mapathon 2013, an event organized by the US company, for allegedly violating laws by mapping sensitive areas and defense installations, prohibited under law.
CBI registered the inquiry based on a complaint filed by the Surveyor General of India’s office to the home ministry, in which Google has been accused of indulging in activities of mapping areas not included in the maps of the country
The internet giant had not taken permission from Survey of India (SoI), the country’s official mapping agency, before organizing a competition in February-March 2013 when they asked citizens to map their neighborhoods, especially details related to hospitals and restaurants.
According to the National Map Policy 2005, “The responsibility for producing, maintaining and disseminating the topographic map database of the whole country, which is the foundation of all spatial data, vests with the Survey of India.”
It was alleged that Google India had launched a nationwide contest and people might have passed on maps and other key details of strategic installations located in other cities and states to the US Company, the sources added. - Goa Assembly goes paper less
Goa has gone 'paperless' in its last assembly sessions (happened in the last week of July, 2014). For the first time in the history of India, the Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly started on July 22 is paperless, where all the processes i.e, dealing of applications, proposals and Bills, was made online.
The Legislature department accepted majority of the questions online from the legislators for Session, while the replies tabled during the Question Hour were uploaded on the website of the Assembly. It would not only make the Government's work easier and faster, but also enable the people to have an idea about what is happening in the Assembly. - Rs.500 cr Mission for Cattle breeds
The Union Government on 28th July launched 'Rashtriya Gokul Mission' with an outlay of Rs. 500 crore to be implemented in the ongoing 12th Five Year Plan for protection, preservation and conservation of the indigenous breeds. Out of Rs 500 crore during 12th plan, Rs 150 crore was allocated for this year. This will be allocated under the National Programme for Bovide Breeding and Dairy Development. Under the mission, funds will be allocated for setting up of integrated indigenous cattle centers i.e. 'Gokul Grams', establishing breeder's societies called 'Gopalan Sangh', strengthening of bull mother farmers to conserve high genetic merit indigenous breeds and assisting institutes which are repositories of best germplasm among other activities.- The mission will be implemented via state implementing agencies (SIAs).
- Under the mission, Gokul Grams will be set up near native breeding tracts and near metropolitan cities housing urban cattle. The cattle centers with a capacity to take care 1,000 cattle, will maintain mulch and unproductive animals in the ratio of 60:40.
- The Gokul Gram will be self sustaining and will generate economic resources from sale of milk, organic manure, vermi-composting, urine distillates, and production of electricity from bio-gas
- Out of 37 recognized indigenous cattle breeds, breeds such as 'Krishna Valley" breed in Karnataka, 'Nimari' in Madhya Pradesh, 'Vechur' in Kerala, 'Punganur' in Andhra Pradesh and 'Pulikulam' in Tamil Nadu are rapidly declining in the country warranting immediate attention.
Why Rashtriya Gokul Mission?
The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds of India through professional farm management and superior nutrition is immense, for this it is essential to promote conservation and development of indigenous breeds. The “Rashtriya Gokul Mission” aims to conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a focused and scientific manner
Cattle Rearing in India:
Cattle rearing have been a traditional livelihood in India and are closely linked to agricultural economy. India with 199 million cattle has 14.5% of the world cattle population. Of this, 83% i.e. 166 million are indigenous. Most of the indigenous cattle (about 80%) are non- descript and only 20% belong to breeds recognized by National Bureau of Genetic Resources. The cattle genetic resource of India is represented by 37 well recognized indigenous breeds and there are 13 recognized buffalo breeds. Indigenous cattle, in India, are robust and resilient and are particularly suited to the climate and environment of their respective breeding tracts. They are endowed with qualities of heat tolerance, resistance to diseases and the ability to thrive under extreme climatic stress and less than optimal nutrition. - Gujarat ahead of other states in power sector: ASSOCHAM
According to ASSOCHAM, Gujarat has done well in investments and also in the power sector during 2005-06, 2012-13. The report was prepared by Assocham’s Economic Research Bureau. The study titled as ‘State-wise analysis of power sector: Consumption, demand & investment’ was released, according to that report.- During 2005-06 and 2012-13 Gujarat attracted 17 per cent or Rs 5.3 lakh crore worth of investments out of the total new investments worth over Rs 31.3 lakh crore by power sector (public and private sources) across India.
- During 2012-13, out of the total new investments worth over Rs 1,560 crore by the power industry in Gujarat, private sector accounted for 56 per cent.
- Also, with investments worth about Rs 22 lakh crore, Gujarat has the highest share (44 per cent) in total outstanding investments worth over Rs 49.5 lakh crore attracted by the power sector across India as of FY 2012-13.
- The same was Rs 20 lakh crore in 2004-05, thereby showing a CAGR about 35 per cent. Also, the state's share in the investments has increased from merely seven per cent to 44 per cent during the period.
- The report also noted that Gujarat has registered significant improvement in power situation, as the percentage of non-starter projects has reduced from almost half as of 2004-05 to about 29 per cent as of 2012-13.
- Fixed tenure recommended for judicial appointments
A.P.Shah commission has recommended three major changes in Judicial appointments, these are.- Same retirement age of 65 for Supreme Court and High Court judges,
- A “cooling-off period” for judges after retirement and
- A fixed tenure for Chief Justice of India
According to Shah these three are “intertwined” with the “overhaul” required in the process of judicial appointments. Justice Shah's note titled ‘A Judicial Appointments Commission for India: A Proposal’ became the central point of debate between the Law Ministry and eminent jurists on 28th July.
The meeting discussed the setting up of a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) as a permanent, Constitutional body to replace the Collegium system. - India’s first moored observatory deployed in Arctic
Country’s first multi-sensor moored observatory IndARC was successfully deployed in Kongsfjorden Fjord of the Arctic roughly halfway between North Pole and Norway on July 23.
A team of scientists from the Earth System Science Organization-National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT) Chennai and ESSO-National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) termed the same as a milestone in India’s scientific endeavors in the Arctic region.
This observatory, designed and developed by ESSO-NIOT and ESSO-NCAOR with ESSO-Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, was deployed from the Norwegian Polar Institute’s research vessel R.V. Lance. - SC asked proposals for FT Justice System
The Supreme Court of India on 1 August 2014 directed the Union Government to come up with a proposal to fast-track the Criminal justice delivery system in the country. The government needs to submit its proposal within a month and in consultation with states.
SC asked for the proposal after observing that the pace of criminal justice system is not satisfactory in the country. It said that there is a need to fast-track the cases. While asking the government to improve judicial infrastructure after consulting state government, the Chief Justice of India R M Lodha said he has his own limitations and cannot set up new courts. At present about 2000 cases against politicians of India are pending the Courts. However, the court termed that politicians should not be kept in a special category as there are several categories like women and senior citizens where criminal trail needs to be expedited. - 2.3 crore children in India malnourished: Study
About 2.3 crore children in India, up to 6 years of age, are suffering from malnourishment and are under-weight, according to a status report on the anganwadi (day care center) programme, officially known as ICDS. This staggering number amounts to over 28% of the 8 crore children who attend anganwadis across India.
The status report includes state-wise data for underweight children.- In Bihar, the proportion of under-weight children is nearly 50%. Andhra Pradesh (37%), Uttar Pradesh (36%), Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (both 32%) are some of the other large states with a high proportion of children being malnourished.
- Delhi reported that a shockingly high 35% of the nearly 7 lakh children who attend anganwadis were underweight. This shows that the extent of poverty and malnutrition amongst the urban poor is comparable to rural areas despite all the advantages the cities offer.
- In all the northeastern states except Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, less than 10% of children were underweight children. Other large states with a comparatively low rate of malnutrition are Maharashtra (11%) and Tamil Nadu (18%).
- There has been no comprehensive survey of children's malnutrition in India since the last National Family and Health Survey in 2005-06. That had estimated 46% of children in the 0-3 years age group as underweight after surveying a sample of about 1 lakh households across the country. The data from anganwadis provides a snapshot drawing upon a much larger base.
- There were an estimated 16 crore children of ages up to 6 years in the country, as per the 2011 Census. Of these, about half seem to be attending the anganwadis going by the records of the programme.
- Most of those attending anganwadis belong to poorer sections. But large sections do not get access to it. A 2011 Planning Commission evaluation had said that there is a shortfall of at least 30% in coverage.
- There are over 13 lakh anganwadis which look after the kids and provide `supplementary nutrition' to them.
- As part of their duties, personnel at each anganwadi weigh the attending kids every month and keep a record.
ICDS:
Integrated Child Development Services, Government of India sponsored programme, is India's primary social welfare scheme to tackle malnutrition and health problems in children below 6 years of age and their mothers. The main beneficiaries of the programme were aimed to be the children below 6 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. The gender promotion of the girl child by trying to bring her at par with the male child is a key component of the scheme. - Panel setup to restructure UGC
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has set up a committee to restructure the apex regulatory body for higher education in the country.
The four-member committee will be headed by former UGC chairman Hari Gautam and will have as its members C.M. Jariwala (former head and dean of law at Banaras Hindu University), Kapil Kapoor (former pro vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University) and the Joint Secretary in the Higher Education in the ministry as its members.
The HRD Ministry order said there is a realization that the UGC is not able to do justice to its mandate in light of “massification” of higher education. “Faced with the fact that a lot of private institutions have come up in higher education sector and the growing trend of commercialization of higher education, several States having created private universities which sometimes are not maintaining the laid down standards of higher education, the UGC’s entire functioning continues to be oriented more towards grant giving rather than regulation and enforcement of minimum standards.”
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