NATIONAL MARCH 2016

NATIONAL MARCH 2016

• President's rule imposed in Uttarakhand
  President's rule has been imposed in Uttarakhand and state Assembly has been kept in suspended animation. The recommendation for central rule was made by the Union Cabinet at its emergency meeting on 27th March, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
  
  Earlier, State Governor KK Paul had asked Chief Minister Harish Rawat to prove majority of his government in Assembly by March 28 after nine rebel Congress MLAs joined hands with Opposition BJP. 
  
  Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has justified Union Cabinet's decision to impose President's rule in Uttarakhand citing constitutional crisis in the state. According to Jaitley, the Union Cabinet met and discussed Governor's reports and finally decided to recommend to the President the imposition of President's rule. 
  
  Responding to Mr Rawat's allegations that BJP had destabilised his government by resorting to allurements, Mr Jaitley questioned the credibility of his remarks who himself has been caught on camera offering positions and money to rebel Congress MLAs. 
  
• Haryana launches scheme for differently-abled persons
   Haryana Government has launched a new scheme ‘Adapting Homes for the Differently-abled’, under which pension of six months would be given in advance to such persons for adapting their homes as per their requirement. 
  
  Stating this at Chandigarh, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Mrs. Kavita Jain, said that the aim is to facilitating persons with disabilities and the amount given in advance would be recovered over a period of 42 months. 
  
  She informed that Haryana had been selected by the Central Government as a pilot state for universal ID for persons with disability (DIvyangs), for which work has been started. 
  
  The Minister said that a home for abandoned and mentally-challenged persons has been established at village Bandhwari in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation Earth Saviours. 
  
  Minister said that the grant for diet money to hearing impaired has been increased from Rs 400 to Rs 1,000 per month. Similarly, the grant for the visually-impaired children has also been increased from Rs 600 to Rs 1,600 per month. 
  
• Supreme Court seeks report from Centre on Uniform Civil Code within six weeks
  The Supreme Court on 28th March asked the Centre to file before it the report of a committee which was constituted earlier to look into the aspects of personal laws relating to marriage, divorce and custody prevalent in various religious minorities, including Muslims. 
  
  This is seen as a step closer to evolving a uniform civil code for the country. A bench comprising Chief justice T S Thakur and Justice U U Lalit asked Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to submit the report within six weeks in the court. 
  
  The bench also asked the Ministry of Minority Affairs to file its response to the petition filed by one Shayara Bano challenging the constitutionality of Muslim practices of polygamy, triple talaq (talaq-e-bidat) and nikah halala. The petitioner has also challenged the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, saying that it fails to provide Indian Muslim women with protection from bigamy. 
  
  Meanwhile, the bench directed the apex court registry to make available within six weeks the copy of judicial records of a petition on the issue. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had sought response of the Centre on Bano's plea challenging constitutionality of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. 
  
• Haryana Cabinet approves draft of Jat Reservation Bill
  Haryana Cabinet, on 28th March under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal, has approved the draft of Jat Reservation Bill. Cabinet has also approved legal status to the State Backward Commission. Notably government had assured the Jat bodies the bill will be brought in the Vidhansabha in the ongoing session after which they have postponed their proposed fresh agitation till March 31. 
  
  Meanwhile Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on 28th March said that the Bill on Reservation for Jats could be brought any day in the ongoing session of the State Assembly, which would continue for three more days. 
  
• IISER-Tirupati gets new logo
  The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Tirupati got its Memorandum of Association (MoA) as well as its official logo. Foundation stone for the institute was laid on 28 March 2015 by Union Minister for Human Resources Development Smriti Irani. 
  
  IISER-Tirupati is one of the seven national institutes Andhra Pradesh was promised in the A.P. Reorganisation Act and the sixth one in the country after Pune, Kolkata, Tiruvananthapuram, Mohali and Bhopal. IISERs were formed to offer science education and research of highest standards and had made a distinct name at the global level. 
  
  The logo of IISER-Tirupati depicts a golden spiral that grows to form an abstraction of the alphabet ‘i’. The subtle graphic form of lotus petals lends Indian nature, while the use of blue colour depicts trust, confidence, wisdom and intelligence. 
  
• Govt launches skill development program Manas
  Minister for Minority Affairs Dr. Najma Heptulla on 29th March launched innovative entrepreneurship and skill development program of Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS)- through leading national/ international experts in different skill sets in New Delhi. She also inaugurated online two training centres of Beauty and Wellness Sector, one in Okhla and another in Daryaganj area. 
  
  In Okhla Centre Sh. Jawed Habib known for impetus to revolutionize the art of Hair Styling will provide scientific and systematic training to the aspirants wishing to pursue a career in cosmetology. 
  
  Ms. Shahnaz Hussain will impart training to aspirants at Daryaganj centre in the area of natural care and cure. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Heptulla said it is the desire and striving for excellence in any field of activity that brings recognition to the practitioner and establishes the dignity of labour. 
  
  Under a unique and first time initiative, MANAS has come up with an innovative scheme under which it proposes to use leading celebrities in various skill sets as the driving force behind the skill development projects, in their respective fields, for the benefit of marginalised sections of minority communities. 
  
• Haryana Assembly passes Jat Reservation Bill unanimously
  Haryana Assembly on 29th March passed the Haryana Backward Classes ( Reservation in services and admission in educational institutions) Bill,2016 and Haryana Backward Classes Commission Bill, 2016 unanimously. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal tabled both bills in the Assembly. 
  
  Haryana Backward Classes ( Reservation in services and admission in educational institutions) bill has been passed to provide reservation in services and admission in educational institutions to persons belonging to backward classes including Jats and five other castes. 
  
  The backward classes have been divided into three blocks as Block A,Block B and Block C in the new bill. Jats, Jat Sikhs, Ror, Bishnoi, Tyagi and Mulla or Muslim Jat have been included in the Block C and bill provides to give 10 percent reservation to these castes for class 3 and class 4 posts and six percent in class 1 and class 2 posts. 
  
  These castes will be given 10 percent reservation for admission in educational institutions also after the bill becomes Act. Chief Minister said that the government has fulfilled it's promise made to Jat community. 
  
  In the bill, 71 castes have been included in Block A and 6 castes in Block B backward class. The castes included in the block A will get sixteen percent reservation for admission in educational institutions and in appointment to class 3 and class 4 posts and eleven percent reservation in class 1 and class 2 posts. 
  
  Similarly Backward class Block B castes which include Yadav, Gujjar and Saini will get 11 percent reservation in admission to educational institutions and for appointment to class 3 and class 4 posts and six percent reservation in class 1 and 2 posts. 
  
  The 10 percent reservation given to Jats, Jat Sikhs, muslim or mulla jats and three other castes is other than 27 percent reservation being given to other backward classes. 
  
• Govt frames rules to manage construction, demolition waste
  The Centre has notified Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016 to effectively tackle the issues of pollution and waste management. Outlining the salient features of Rules Environment, Minister Prakash Javadekar, said in New Delhi that the basic concept of the Rules is to recover, recycle and reuse the waste generated through construction and demolition. 
  
  He said, at present, 530 million tonnes of waste is generated annually additing that construction and demolition waste is not a waste, but a resource. 
  
  He said, segregating construction and demolition waste and depositing it to the collection centres for processing will now be the responsibility of every waste generator.The Environment Minister also said, the local bodies will have to utilize 10 to 20 per cent of waste in municipal and government contracts.He said cities with a population of more than ten lakh will commission processing and disposal facility within 18 months from the date of notification. 
  
  Cities having population of five lakh to 10 lakh will have to provide such facilites within two years and and those with a population of less than 5 lakh will have to provide such facilities within two years. He said, permission for construction will be given only when the complete construction and demolition waste management plan is presented. 
  
  The Minister also pointed out those large generators of waste will have to pay relevant charges for collection, transportation, processing and disposal, as notified by the concerned authorities. 
  
• Rajasthan village votes in favour of liquor ban in unique poll
  In Rajasthan a village in Rajsamand district witnessed a different type of voting. This polling was held in Kachbali village of Bhim Panchyat Samiti to get a mandate on total prohibition on liquor. 
  
  The pattern of polling was same as it is there in any other election. Polling began at eight in the morning in which more than seventy percent voters exercised their franchise. This polling was held at instance of state government. 
  
  The result has been declared which has gone in favour of prohibition. This result will be communicated to district collector who will decide the fate of liquor shop in the village. This unique poll not only symbolizes women empowerment but it will also go a long way in checking the menace of liquor consumption. 
  
• HC stays floor test in Uttarakhand assembly tomorrow, adjourns hearing till April 6
  Uttarakhand High Court on 30th March stayed the floor test in the assembly scheduled for 31st March. The court adjourned the hearing of the case till April 6. The court observed that several legal issues have to be considered. 
  
  Appearing on behalf of the Centre, Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi argued that the court order on directing a floor test amounted to suspending presidential proclamation. He said, no purpose would be served by a floor test as there was no government in place. 
  
  The Centre and Uttarakhand rebel Congress MLAs moved the High Court challenging an interim order by a single bench directing a floor test in the Assembly tomorrow, days after President's Rule was imposed in the state. A petition was mentioned before a division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bisht by Mr Rohatgi. 
  
  Rebel Congress MLAs had moved the High Court challenging their disqualification by Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal. 
  
  The petition sought clarity on whether the floor test can be held in the state Assembly after the promulgation of President's rule when the House is in suspended animation. 
  
• Toilets at home must to contest elections in Maharashtra
  Maharashtra government on 30th March passed the Bill making it mandatory for a candidate to have proper toilet facility at home in order to contest the corporation and local body elections. 
  
• Govt launches Startup India portal, mobile app
  Commerce Ministry on 31st March launched Startup India portal www.startupindia.gov.in and mobile app. Launching the app in New Delhi secretary Department of industrial Policy and Promotion Ramesh Abhishek said, this will provide up­to­ date information on various notifications, circulars issued by the Ministries and departments towards creation of a conducive ecosystem for Startups. 
  
  The portal and mobile app will also provide information regarding incubators and funding agencies recognized for the purpose of recommending Startups. A comprehensive list of frequently asked question is also available on the app to help Startups, Incubators and Funding Agencies. 
  
• Kolkata flyover collapses, 18 killed, several trapped
  At least 18 people were killed, over 60 others injured and many trapped as portion of an under- construction two-kilometre flyover collapsed on a congested road intersection, crushing people, vehicles and hawkers. 
  
  A number of vehicles were also crushed under the concrete and steel debris. CCTV footage showed people, cars, autorickshaws and hawkers coming under the collapsed structure. Some trying to flee the spot were also trapped. Construction of the 2.2 kilometre-long flyover had started in 2009 during Left Front rule. Huge cranes and other rescue vehicles were pressed into service to clear the debris and rescue the injured. 
  
• Telangana CM makes power-point presentation in assembly
  Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on 31st March made history by making a power-point presentation on irrigation projects in the newly created state. The chief minister made a detailed presentation on redesigning of projects to ensure optimum utilization of water from Krishna and Godavari rivers. 
  
  Three giant LCD screens were installed in the assembly while another screen was put up in the legislative council to enable legislators to watch the presentation. 
  
  KCR, as the chief minister is popularly known, was seated in his chair with the permission of Speaker Madhusudhana Chary to make the presentation with the help of a laptop and a large monitor in front of him. He began the presentation with the help of Google maps to show how upper riparian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka constructed 480 barrages on the two rivers and their tributaries. 
  
  Before beginning the presentation, KCR explained how Telangana suffered in irrigation sector due to injustice and discrimination in united Andhra Pradesh. 
  
  Explaining why his government re-designed the projects, he declared that all irrigation projects will be completed to irrigate one crore acres of land and to turn Telangana into a lush green and prosperous state. 
  
• AYUSH Ministry in agreement with WHO for global positioning of AYUSH
   The Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health & Family Welfare Shri Shripad Yesso Naik on 20th March inaugurated the National Arogya Fair at Auto Cluster Development & Research Institute (ACDRI), PCMC, at Chinchwad in Pune
  
  The Fair has been organized by AYUSH Ministry in collaboration with the State Government of Maharashtra and Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO). The fair will continue till 22nd March, 2016. To popularize AYUSH system of medicine across the world, the AYUSH Ministry is entering into an agreement with the World Health Organization for global positioning of AYUSH
  
  According to the Minister MOUs have already been signed with several countries for bilateral cooperation in the field of traditional medicine. In view of the suggestions received, the National Health Policy would be reviewed in the next 6 months to incorporate this aspect of propagation of AYUSH
  
  Shri Shripad Naik said that India is entering into a very important partnership with the United States for research in AYUSH for treatment of cancer. 
  
  The Arogya Fair aims to create awareness among the members of the public about the efficiency of the AYUSH Systems, their cost-effectiveness and the availability of herbs and plants used for prevention and treatment of common ailments at their door steps through various mass-media channels to achieve the objective of Health for All. 
  
• World Sufi Forum condemns all forms of terrorism
  The World Sufi Forum has passed a resolution against terrorism, condemning it in all form. On the concluding day of its conference in New Delhi on 20th March, the forum came out with a declaration against extremism and outrightly condemned terrorism. 
  
  Pitching for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, Mr Qadri said both the countries must decide whether they want to continue nearly seven decades of hostility or would prefer a path of peace, economic growth and development. 
  
  The event was organised by All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board, AIUMB, which is the apex body of Sufi Dargahs in India. Hundreds of scholars, Sufi luminaries, Imams and Muftis from across the world were gathered to take part in the conclave. 
  
• Kisaan Suvidha app launched by PM Modi
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20th March launched a mobile application for farmers – "Kisan Suvidha. This will provide information to farmers on subjects such as weather, market prices, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and agriculture machinery. 
  
  Kisaan Suvidha is an omnibus mobile app developed to help farmers by providing relevant information to them quickly. With click of a button, they can get the information on weather of current day and next 5 days, dealers, market prices, agro advisories, plant protection, IPM Practices etc. 
  
  Unique features like extreme weather alerts and market prices of commodity in nearest area and the maximum price in state as well as India have been added to empower farmers in the best possible manner. 
  
• Ten more States to come under food security scheme
  As many as 10 States are set to implement National Food Security Act (NFSA) from April 1, taking the total number of States covered under the subsidized food scheme to 21. 
  
  According to Union Food and Civil supply Minister Ram Vilas Paswan from April 1, 10 States, including Gujarat, are going to launch the food security programme and all preparations for the smooth launch have been made
  
  The Minister held a review meeting with the officials of the Gujarat government and Food Corporation of India (FCI) on how the subsidized food programme was being launched in the State. 
  
  In the last two years, the Centre and the States have worked for digitization, linking ration cards with Aadhaar, computerization of PDS shops and supply chain network, which are required to implement the act nationally. 
  
  Of the 24.18 crore ration cards in the country, almost 99 per cent have been digitized while 48 per cent have been linked with Aadhaar cards. 
  
• DAC clears new Defence Procurement Procedure
  The Defence Acquisition Council, DAC which is the top Committee of Defence Ministry, has cleared the new Defence Procurement Procedure, DPP. It will focus on India-made products and fast-tracked acquisition process. 
  
  Under the new DPP, Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured, IDDM will be the first preferred category of preference which will guide how India buys its arms and equipment for its armed forces. The new DPP also allows the DAC to take a fast-track route to acquire weapons, something which was limited to only the armed forces till now. 
  
  According to the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the new Procurement Procedure will be uploaded on the Ministry's website by 28th of this month and It will be effective from 2nd of next month. However, the DAC chaired by Mr Parrikar, did not finalise the key chapter on strategic partnership. 
  
• India ranks 101 in Social Progress Index
  For decades, Gross Domestic Product has been used to evaluate the economic performance of a nation. It measures the value of final goods and services that are produced in a country in a given period of time. It has, thus, been of critical importance to policymakers in assessing economic growth. 
  
  Despite its great significance, this measure of growth is unable to capture many aspects of life that are essential for the general well-being of the people. 
  
  A high rate of growth for an economy may not necessarily relate to the societal progress, which could be indicated by factors such as access to clean drinking water and sanitation, availability of affordable housing, access to basic or higher education, health and wellness, level of crime, property rights, environmental quality and the like. 
  
  To account for such dimensions of wellbeing, the Human Development Index (HDI) was developed about 25 years ago and since then has been published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 
  
  The index incorporates three key dimensions of human development - life expectancy, years of schooling and a decent standard of living measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. One of the shortcomings of using this index as a measure of social progress is that it doesn't include all the aspects of human well-being. Moreover, by incorporating income, it is unable to unveil any impact that societal progress may have on economic growth and vice versa. 
  
  In 2013, a Social Progress Index (SPI) was launched by the Social Progress Imperative (SPI), a nonprofit organisation, based in Washington. Its methodology was developed by Professor Michael Porter of Harvard Business School along with a few other advisory board members of the SPI. Its conceptual framework is based on the seminal work of Amartya Sen on the role of capabilities and on the role of institutions in economic and social performance. 
  
  The 2015 Social Progress Index for the world which includes 133 countries with complete data and 28 countries with partial data scores 61 on a scale of 100. While the world performs best in terms of nutrition and basic medical care (87.47) and water and sanitation (68.57) in basic human needs, access to advanced education (46.24), personal rights (43.10) and tolerance and inclusion (42.36) remain the areas of concern. 
  
  Top three countries in terms of social progress are Norway (88.36), Sweden (88.06) and Switzerland (87.97). The US has been ranked 16 on social progress despite of its higher per capita GDP than most of the higher social progress countries. This is due to its weak performance in ecosystem sustainability and health and wellness. 
  
  Similarly, countries such as the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia have been ranked low on social progress compared to their level of economic progress. 
  
  India has been ranked 101 with a low score of 53.06. It faces challenges in all the aspects of social progress except for nutrition and basic medical care and access to basic knowledge. One of the areas where India is severely lagging is tolerance and inclusion, which is driven by culture, norms and policies. Thus, for lower middle income countries like India, economic prosperity alongside institutional changes could bring about greater social progress and thereby, inclusive growth. 
  
• India to host BRICS summit in October
  India will host the eighth annual summit of BRICS from October 15-16 in Goa, in its capacity as chair of the influential bloc comprising five countries — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made the announcement on 22nd March 
  
  India assumed chairmanship of BRICS from Russia on February 15 and will hold the position till December 31. The seventh summit was held in Ufa, Russia. The External Affairs Minister said India’s core theme during BRICS chairmanship will be building responsive, inclusive and collective solutions for the grouping. 
  
  The logo for the summit is a lotus with colours from all the five member-countries and a traditional ‘namaste’ in the centre. 
  
• Govt approves implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana
  The Cabinet on 23rd March approved implementation of rural housing scheme of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana(PMAY) for construction of pucca houses to all houseless and households living in dilapidated houses. Under the scheme, one crore houses will be built in next three years. The scheme would be implemented in rural areas throughout the country except Delhi and Chandigarh. 
  
  The cost would be shared between centre and States. It is part of government's effort to provide housing for all by 2022. Under the scheme, Rs 1.2 lakh financial assistance will be given per unit in plain areas and Rs 1.3 lakh in hilly and difficult areas. 
  
  Construction of one crore proposed houses will cost Rs 81,975 crore . Identification of beneficiaries for the assistance will be done on the basis of Socio Economic and Caste Census data. Funds will be transferred directly to the account of the beneficiary. 
  
  It will run parallel to the the existing Indira Awaas Yojana. No doubt, the new scheme will be a substantial augmentation of housing effort in rural areas . 
  
  The cabinet also cleared additional six percent Dearness Allowance for serving government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners from 1st January this year. 
  
  The cabinet also gave its nod to Ashgabat Agreement, to build an international transport and transit corridor between Central Asia and Persian Gulf. It has also approved procurement of launch services and realization of ground segment for GSAT-11. It will cost Rs 1117 crore, and enable early deployment of satellite to augment Ku-band capacity for various services like VSATS, and broadband. 
  
  The Cabinet also gave its approval to 1 thousand 500 million dollar project of World Bank Support to Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). 
  
  Cabinet also gave its nod for six venues for FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be held in India in 2017. The venue are JLN Stadium, New Delhi, D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, JLN Stadium, Kochi, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, JLN Stadium, Fatorda, Goa and I.G. Stadium Guwahati. 
  
  It also gave its approval for extending the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis beyond 31st March 2016 for three years. 
  
  Cabinet also gave its approval to Revised Cost Estimate of Rs 4,021 crore for the ongoing 720 Mega Watt Mangadechhu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan. 
  
  The cabinet also gave its ex post facto approval to the Letter of Intent signed last month between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India and the National Qualifications Authority of the United Arab Emirates. It will strengthen relations between the two countries and pave the way for bilateral cooperation on skill development. 
  
  It has also approved MoU between India and Lithuania for cooperation in the field of agriculture. Meanwhile, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has cleared doubling of Kiul-Gaya Railway line of 124 kilometres costing Rs 1354.22 crore. The project will be completed by 2019-2020. 
  
  CCEA has also approved doubling of the Ranchi (Hatia) Railway line of 158.5 kilometres to be completed within next six year. The project will cost Rs 1921.94 crore. 
  
  The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for extension of time period of the Scheme Special Industry Initiative for J&K Udaan till 2019-20. Initially the time period of Udaan was upto 2015-16. 
  
  The Cabinet also approved fixation of Nutrient Based Subsidy rates for Phosphatic and Potassic fertlizers for the year 2016-17, due to decreasing trend in international prices of finished fertlizers and raw materials. 
  
• David Coleman Headley admits funding LeT in cross examination 
  Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley accepted today that he had funded 80 Lakh Pak Rupees to terror outfit Lashkar e Taiba (LeT). During his cross-examination, he also informed that he offered last funding to LeT in the year 2006 in Pakistan currency and he utilized his personal property to arrange the money. 
  
  Abdul Wahab Khan, the lawyer of Abu Jundal cross questioned him in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case. On being asked about investments, Headely accepted to have properties in UAE and Pakistan. 
  
  He also accepted that he was arrested twice in US for drug smuggling and visited Pakistan thereafter. Headley said that his first passport was prepared in US by his parents and he himself prepared his new US passport with the name Headly. 
  
  Headley also revealed that Tahawwur Rana was not member of the terror outfit Lashkar e Taiba. Headley also accepted that his wife, Shaziya Khan is from Pakistan and she was aware of Headley's association with LeT. 
  
  He denied her visit to Mumbai and also refused to provide any further information regarding his wife. Headley also accepted that he had used Tahawwur Rana's office in Mumbai. 
  
  Meanwhile, Abu Jundal's lawyer had demanded to make Shaziya Khan and Tahawwur Rana co-accuse in this case, during last round of hearing. Headley, who is testifying as an approver in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case was deposed before a Special Court in Mumbai earlier March, 2016. 
  
• LeT attempted to kill Bal Thackeray: David Headley
  Pakistani-American terrorist David Headley on 24th March revealed that an attempt to kill Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray was made by Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, he said that he didn't have firsthand knowledge about it. 
  
  Headley said this during his cross-examination in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case that began on 23rd March and continued on 24th March in Mumbai before sessions Judge G A Sanap via video link from the US. He said that he visited Sena Bhavan in Mumbai twice on instructions of his supervisor Sajid Mir as the target was to kill the Shiv Sena chief. 
  
  He said that he did not know who else was a target of the LeT apart from Thackeray. He also informed the court about his purchase of two shops in the UAE and he is still the owner. Abdul Wahab Khan, the lawyer of Abu Jundal started cross questioning him in 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case on 23rd March. 
  
• Mission Kakatiya Phase II: 524 tanks to be restored with 313 crore
  Administrative sanctions were given for restoration of 524 tanks in Warangal district with an expenditure of Rs 313 crore under phase-II Mission Kakatiya according to Minister Harish Rao under the first phase of Mission Kakatiya, the government restored 1,075 tanks by spending Rs 418 crore. 
  
  Besides reviving tanks in rural areas, it was decided to focus on water bodies in urban areas. The revival of tanks would increase water storage capacity, improve the ground water level and helps availability of water at lower depths for borewells, he explained. Harish Rao further informed that the Centre has selected Devadula project under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to grant central funds. 
  
• Pakistan team gets visa to probe terror in India
  Decks have been cleared for the Pakistani joint investigation team (JIT) to come and probe Pathankot terror attack as the all the five members of the team were granted visa on 25th March. This will be the first time that Pakistani intelligence and police officials are travelling to India to investigate a terror attack. If all goes well, the move may pave the way for furthering of the dialogue between India and Pakistan that got stalled after Pathankot attack. 
  
  The five-member JIT is expected to leave for India on 25th March. The team, according to reports, is coming fully prepared with 50-point questionnaire in hand to investigate the Pathankot attack. 
  
  Sources in the government said visas were cleared after the modalities under which the JIT will work were cleared together by the Indian and Pakistan governments. 
  
  The Pakistani probe team is led by Punjab counter-terrorism department IG Muhammad Tahir Rai and includes Lahore deputy director general of intelligence Mohammad Azim Arshad, ISI's Lt Col Tanvir Ahmed, Pakistan army intelligence's Lt Col Irfan Mirza and Gujaranwala investigating officer Shahid Tanveer. 
  
  The JIT will begin its work from 28th March, which will also include deliberations with India's National Investigation Agency and other officials concerned. The government has allowed restricted access to the Pakistani team at the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot. 
  
  Though initially JIT's duration of stay in India was given to be around three days, it may be extended close to a week after Pakistan conveyed that minimum 7 days would be needed for a thorough probe. 
  
  The JIT member reportedly also claimed that it would work under its own Cr PC in India and would visit the crime scene and collect evidences. It is still not clear if the JIT will be allowed to meet and take records of witnesses or will be just given their statements recorded by the NIA and Punjab Police. 
  
• Nadda launches Rotavirus vaccination programme
  The Centre has launched Rotavirus vaccine as part of Universal Immunization Programme to prevent child mortaility due to Rotavirus diarrhoea. 
  
  Launching the vaccine at a function in Bhubaneswar, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said, the vaccine is initially being introduced in four States which are Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha. He also informed that it will be expanded to the entire country in a phased manner. 
  
  He said, the introduction of Rotavirus vaccine will enable the government to directly address the problem of diarrheal deaths. 
  
• Woman officers in Paramilitary forces
   Women will be inducted as officers in combat roles in all five Central Armed Police Forces. The Union Home Ministry recently published new rules allowing women to apply as direct-entry officers in border guarding force Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the only paramilitary which hitherto did not allow women to join in supervisory combat roles owing to its task of guarding the difficult Sino-India border. 
  
  Among five of the Central Armed Police Forces, the Central Reserve Police Force, the Central Industrial Security Force, the Border Security Force and the Sashastra Seema Bal have been allowing women to apply as direct-entry officers. Now, by allowing women to apply as direct-entry officers in ITBP, all restrictions have been lifted on women. 
  
  With this new rule coming into effect, women can now apply for combat roles in any of the five paramilitary forces of the country. Women will be recruited as Assistant Commandants, which is the direct-entry level for officers in ITBP. Then, they have to undergo a training of about 52-weeks after which they will be commissioned in the force. 
  
• Not taking sides: Centre to SC on SYL Canal dispute
  The Centre told Supreme Court it is not taking sides in the dispute between Punjab and Haryana over the sharing of water through Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal. The Centre's submission came a few hours before the Punjab Assembly passed the bill against the construction of contentious SYL canal providing for transfer of proprietary rights back to the land owners free of cost. 
  
• JNU committee recommends rustication of Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and 3 others
  A high-level committee of JNU has recommended rustication of Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya and two other students for their alleged role in a controversial event February, 2016 at which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised. 
  
  A decision on the recommendation by the panel will be taken by Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar and Chief Proctor A Dimri after a thorough scrutiny of the suggestions. 
  
  A meeting of the university's top brass chaired by the Vice Chancellor on 14th March discussed the report following which the varsity issued show-cause notice to 21 students including Kanhaiya and Umar, who were found guilty of having violated university rules and discipline norms. 
  
  The committee was formed on 10 February to probe the event organised to protest hanging of Afzal Guru, the Parliament attack convict. Kanhaiya, Umar and Anirban were arrested on charges of sedition in connection with the programme. Kanhaiya was released on bail from Tihar on 3 March while Umar and Anirban are still in judicial custody. 
  
  The university had on 11 March revoked the academic suspension of eight students including Kanhaiya after completion of the probe by the five-member panel. It was decided to keep them under suspension from academic activities till the inquiry was over. However, they were allowed to stay in the hostels. 
  
  The panel, which was granted three extensions before it finally submitted its report, also faced difficulties in the probe as students refused to depose before it demanding that the enquiry be constituted afresh. 
  
  The varsity, however, turned down the demand and maintained that the students will be given three chances to appear before the disciplinary committee and, if they fail to do so, the committee will finalise its recommendations on the basis of evidence available, eyewitness accounts, students' deposition, if any, and other material available on hand. 
  
  Those issued show-cause notices include the eight students who were debarred earlier in connection with the case and ten others about whom police had sought information from the university. 
  
  Besides Kanhaiya, the eight suspended students included Umar Khalid, Anirban Bhattacharya, Ashutosh, Rama Naga, Anant Kumar, Shweta Raj and Aishwarya Adhikari. 
  
  The committee has faced a series of hiccups since its constitution. While the varsity's proctorial committee was first given the task to probe the issue, a day later it was replaced by a high-level committee. The committee initially had three members but under pressure from teachers and students for broad basing it, the university had added two more members to the panel. 
  
• AP, Telangana jointly rank fourth
  The Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle, which includes both Telugu speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State, jointly ranks fourth in the country for opening the highest number of Sukanya Samriddhi (SS) accounts. As per the last quarterly statement of November 2015, the National Savings Institute (NSI) recorded a total of 76,31,574 SS accounts were opened across the country and deposits made in these accounts was Rs. 2,862.06 cr. 
  
  According to the state-wise data on the number of accounts opened, the Andhra Pradesh Postal Circle opened 6,79,766 SS accounts with a deposit of Rs. 220.45 cr. Since the bifurcation of AP and TS postal circles has not yet been done, the NSI has considered the existing one as a single postal circle for both states. 
  
  Tamil Nadu currently ranks first, where 11.35 lakh SS accounts were opened with a deposit of Rs. 407.07 cr., followed by Karnataka with 8,80,212 SS accounts and a deposit of Rs. 466.49 cr. Uttar Pradesh ranks third having 8,77,008 SS accounts and deposit of Rs. 211.09 cr. 
  
  Launched on January 22, 2015 by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a part of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign, the SS account can be opened for a girl child from her time of birth till she attains 10 years with a minimum deposit of Rs. 1,000 only, which would enjoy an interest rate of 9.1 per cent and other benefits exempted from income tax. One can deposit Rs. 1.5 lakh in each financial year. 
  
  The scheme was launched with the intention to provide enough support to the parents of girl child for their daughter’s marriage or for educational purposes. Parents can apply for the scheme in any post office and in all commercial banks across the country. 
  
• Lok Sabha approves Constitutional Amendment Bill empowering States to modify SCs list
  A bill to amend the Constitution Scheduled Castes Order 1950 was passed in the Lok Sabha on 14th March. The Constitution Scheduled Castes Order Amendment Bill, 2016 seeks to give effect to proposals of Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Odisha and West Bengal to modify the list of Scheduled Castes. 
  
  The proposal relates to the inclusion of certain communities modification and removal of area restriction in respect of certain Communities and exclusion of certain communities in the case of State of Odisha. The Registrar General of India and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes has already conveyed their concurrence to the modifications. 
  
• Alam Ara – India’s first sound film completes 85 years
  ‘Alam Ara’ was the first sound film to be released in India by Ardeshir Irani on March 14, 1931 which completed 85 years on 14th March, 2016. 
  
  Marking the emergence of filmi music, Indian film industry achieved a milestone when Alam Ara was first screened at the Majestic Cinema in Bombay (now Mumbai). 
  
  The film ran for 124 minutes and used a Tanar Sound System to record the dialogues. 
  
  The film was adaptation of a Parsi theatre play written by Joseph David and depicted the story of an ageing king’s two queens and the rivalry between the two queens to take over the reign in their hands. 
  
  Master Vithal and Zubeida were the lead pair. Music was given by Ferozshah M. Mistri and B. Irani. The film was a huge hit at the box office. Prithviraj Kapoor and the legendary producer, director and actor from the south L. V. Prasad also acted in the film. 
  
  ‘Alam Ara’ occupied its position in Indian film history displacing an era of Silent Films which started way back in 1913 after the release of Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke. 
  
  Microphones were placed around actors to pick up their dialogues in such a way that they were hidden from the camera, while instrumentalists climbed trees or hid behind them to provide invisible musical support. 
  
  In the year 2008, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially confirmed that no prints of the country's first talkie were available with the National Archives of India (NFAI). The last existing prints were destroyed in a fire at Pune's National Film Archives in the year 2003. 
  
• Parliament passes Aadhaar Bill with Lok Sabha rejecting amendments proposed in Rajya Sabha
  Parliament has passed the Aadhaar Bill with Lok Sabha rejecting amendments made by the Rajya Sabha in the bill on 16th March. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha had returned it to the Lok Sabha with five amendments. Finance Minister Arun Jaitely explained that since money is being spent from consolidated fund for providing subsidies, it makes it a money bill. 
  
• AP Assembly adopts resolution for special Status
  The Andhra Pradesh State Assembly and Legislative Council on 16th March unanimously adopted a resolution seeking speedy grant of special status, railway zone and implementation of assurances given in the AP State Reorganisation Act. 
  
  Moving the resolution, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that it was obligatory on the part of the Centre to help the state till it achieves level-playing field with the neighbouring states. The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh was the only state in southern part of the nation which was facing numerous problems on all fronts when compared to states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. 
  
  Naidu also sought liberal assistance for construction of new capital at Amravati. Among other demands made in the resolution were setting up steel factory at Kadapa, green field airports in the state, petrochemical complex, Dugarajapatnam port, Greyhounds Training Centre, speedy division of assets and liabilities, sanctioning institutions under the Schedule 9 and 10 of the AP State Reorganisation Act and increase in the number of seats in the State Assembly from 175 to 225. 
  
  The resolution also sought amendment to the presidential order to provide nativity to the children of those who belong to Seemandhra region but studied in Hyderabad in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. It said following the bifurcation, a student who studied in Hyderabad or any other part of Telangana would become a non local in Andhra Pradesh due to zonal regulations. This anomaly has to be immediately corrected, the resolution added. 
  
  Reacting to the resolution, Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy said that this was perhaps the second time that the Assembly was passing such a resolution. He said while sending the copy of the resolution to the Centre, the Chief Minister should serve an ultimatum to the NDA government that if it failed to implement the promises within a month, he would withdraw support to the government. 
  
• Telangana achieves second place
  With the Centre giving its nod for the upgradation of roads on a stretch of 1,800 km as highways this year, Telangana State has achieved second place after Tamil Nadu in having the highest density of national highways in the country. 
  
  Telangana State now has overtaken Andhra Pradesh in the network of national highways. Earlier, the rank of Andhra Pradesh was fourth and Telangana State stood at the 25th place. 
  
  The demand for the upgradation of roads as national highways has been pending before the Union government since July 2014. As the Centre assured Telangana State to strengthen the road network under 13th schedule in the AP Re-organisation Act after the division of Andhra Pradesh, the TS government submitted proposals to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and National Highways two years ago. 
  
  After the Centre's approval, highway density has risen to 3.7 km per one lakh square km from 2.4 km in Telangana State, higher than the national average of 3.06 km per one lakh square km. The total length of national highways is 4,423 km from the existing 2,573 km in Telangana. 
  
  The new highways would be: Hyderabad – Medak - Bodhan- Bhanswada- Bhainsa covering 230 km stretch, Nizampet - Narayankhed – Bidar (50 km), Suryapet - Khammam - Ashwaraopet (177 km), Khanapur via Mallapur to Jagityal (87 km), Madnur – Bodhan- Nizamabad (75 km), Hyderabad – Moinabad- Kodangal (133), Kodad - Miryalaguda- Devarakonda - Kalwakurthy- Jadcharla (220 km), Karimnagar - Siricilla- Kamareddy- Pitlam (149 km), Mancherial to Chandrapur in Maharashtra (90 km) , Siricilla – Siddipet- Jangaon – Suryapet (192km) , Warangal to Khammam(120 km) and Sarapaka – Eturunagaram- Tupakulaguda , Chennuru – Sirpur on the 3,300-km stretch would be improved as national highways. 
  
• 108 ft tall Jain idol makes Guinness World Record
  A 108-feet tall idol of the first Teerthankar of Jains Lord Rishabhdeva, located at Nasik in Maharashtra, has entered the "Guinness World Records" as the world's tallest Jain statue. Before this statue, the 57 feet idol of Lord Bahubali at Shravana-bela-gola in Karnataka was considered the world's tallest Jain statue. 
  
  A 108-Feet tall idol of Lord Rishabhdeva, the first Teerthankar of Jains, carved out of a single rock, has entered the 'Guinness World Records' as the world's tallest Jain statue. 
  
  The impressive statue is located atop Mangi Tungi mountain near Teharabad village of Baglan tehsil in this North Maharashtra district. The idol was consecrated last month during a grand ceremony where rituals were performed for several days. 
  
• India has space for minorities, non-believers: PM
  Indian Prime Minister Modi used the forum of a world Sufi meet on 17th March to declare terrorism as "anti-religion" and state that India can accommodate minorities, including "micro minorities" like Parsis, and has the space for "believers and non-believers".
  
  Holding up the example of Sufi saints like Amir Khushro, Moinuddin Chisti etc, he said Sufism is the voice of peace and enshrines universal brotherhood. Islam means peace, he said, quoting the Quranic verse that says "there is no compulsion in religion". 
  
  The World Sufi Forum organised by AIUMB, the apex body of Sufi dargahs in India, got underway at Vigyan Bhavan on Thrusday. It was marked by by sporadic chants of 'Bharat Mataki jai' while PM spoke. 
  
  Modi referred to the rise of ISIS in the Middle East and the destabilising effect this has had. 
  
  Stating that the world's spends $100 billion a year on security and 19 nations experienced terror attacks last year, the PM spoke of the pain parents experience in losing children and the plight of refugees trapped between conflict the rough seas. 
  
  PM Modi said that Sufism is one of the greatest contributions of Islam to this world. He dwelled on the impact of terrorsim and he began by speaking of the principles of Islam. 
  
• Surat cleanest railway stations in India
  Surat Railway Station in Gujrat is at number one in premilenary survey of cleaniness ranking order of top ten major railway stations in the country. Rajkot, Bilaspur, Solapur, Mumbai Central and Chandigarh are other stations in the list of the report, which was released by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi on 17th March. 
  
  The assessment is based on the survey, conducted through interviews with passengers on cleanliness indicators at 75 A1 category and 332 A category stations across 16 railways Zones. Additionally, feedback from the non-railway survey providers at stations and Railway officials who are part of the Service Improvement Group at stations were also captured in the survey. 
  
  Railway Minister in his Rail Budget speech this year had announced series of measures to improve the cleanliness on stations to take forward the momentum of Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat. One of the measures given in the Budget is ranking of A1 and A category stations based on regular periodic third party audit and feedback from passengers. 
  
• Supreme Court allows pictures of CMs, Governors, ministers in govt ads
  The Supreme Court on 18th March allowed publication of photographs of Governors, Chief Ministers and the Ministers of the department concerned in government advertisements. 
  
  A Bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi allowed the publication of photos while modifying its earlier order by which the court had permitted photographss of President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India only in the government ads. 
  
  The verdict came on pleas by Centre and states including poll-bound West Bengal and Tamil Nadu which had sought review of the Supreme Court judgement. The apex court had on March 9 reserved its verdict on the review pleas. 
  
  Earlier, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, had strongly favoured review of the verdict on various grounds including that if Prime Minister's photograph is allowed in the advertisements then the same right should be available to his cabinet colleagues. 
  
  Attorney General had also said that the Chief Ministers and their cabinet colleagues too should be allowed to feature in advertisements. 
  
• IAF conducts day – night exercise ‘Iron Fist’ in Rajasthan
  In a day-night exercise demonstration, Indian Air Force displayed its combat and fire power at Rajasthan’s Pokhran firing range on 18th March. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the air force's show of strength along with Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha . 
  
  The event comprised six packages depicting six themes in which more than 180 aircraft, including fighters, transport and helicopters participated. 
  
  Fly Past: The great journey of the IAF over eight decades was summed up by means of this package, with the aircraft of yesteryear flying wing to wing along with the latest acquisitions of the Indian Air Force. 
  
  A MiG-27 aircraft heralded the commencement of the flypast by towing the Ex “Iron Fist” banner, which was followed by Supersonic run by the MiG-29 aircraft. The “real time recce” capability of the IAF was displayed by a Jaguar aircraft. 
  
  Vintage aircraft flypast by “Tigermoth” evoked the memories of the birth of military aviation in India and was followed by the Pilatus, the latest trainer aircraft of the IAF. 
  
  The fly past by a mixed formation comprising a MiG-21 Bison, MiG-27 Upgrade, MiG-29 and the mighty Su-30, showcased the transformation of the IAF over the decades. 
  
  Net Enabled Operations: This segment commenced by the majestic fly past of the indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning and Control System and the display of AWACS aircraft. 
  
  The flypast was followed by a synchronized multiple aircraft weapon delivery demonstration of precision based bombing at simulated enemy targets by Mirage-2000, Su-30, MiG-27 Upgrade aircraft and the Jaguar. 
  
  Air Defence Operations: After demonstrating the offensive capabilities, the exercise demonstrated the multi-layered Air Defence Operations of the IAF. 
  
  It comprised of the fly past by the Flight Refuelling aircraft (IL-78 FRA) along with two Su-30 aircraft and the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’, which displayed its swing role attack capabilities by delivering Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) followed by firing an air to air missile, engaging both targets with deadly precision. 
  
  The phase also included Surface to Air Guided Weapons like the IGLA shoulder-fired missile system and the OSA-AK missiles striking down airborne targets successfully. 
  
  There was also a spectacular simulation of a Combat Search and Rescue operation carried out by the IAF’s versatile helicopters, the Mi-35, Mi-25 and Mi-17V5. 
  
  Combat Support Operations: This phase showcased the very important role played by the Indian Air Force in support of the ground forces. There were numerous targets simulating the enemy’s vital assets, engaged on the ground from the air by a variety of aircraft on the IAF’s inventory. 
  
  Apart from the fighters, the assault landing capability of versatile C-130 J aircraft and the fire fighting capability of the Mi-17V5, were also displayed in this phase. 
  
  Flying Displays: After the demonstration of live weapon, an array of aerobatic displays by the Sarangs, the Suryakirans and the Su-30 added a dash of colour. 
  
  The Air Warrior Drill Team (AWDT) and Air Force Symphony Orchestra (AWSO) enthralled the audience with their performances. 
  
  All Weather Operations: As the night drew upon the desert skies, the night capabilities of the IAF came to the fore. 
  
  A number of targets were engaged in this phase by fighters, transport aircraft and helicopters using rockets as well as bombs. 
  
  The “Search light” and Slithering Operations engaged the attention of the audience while the Combat Free Fall during the night phase showed how the IAF could take on insertion of troops in the enemy territory undetected. The Akash Missile firing was a first in the history of Fire Power Demonstration. 
  
  The exercise inched towards a close by a beautiful and awe-inspiring display of Flare dispensation by a C-130J and an An-32 aircraft. 
  
  The final event of the exercise was the awesome display of firepower by a MiG-27 Upgrade aircraft, giving a befitting close to a grand display. 
  
  The event showcased more than 22 types of platforms and Weapons Systems. Frontline fighter aircraft including Sukhoi-30, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, Attack helicopters, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and high tech AWACS displayed their potential during the show in which prestigious indigenous project – Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas” was also a part. 
  
  Transport aircraft like An-32, Embraer, IL-76, IL-78 and C-130J participated in all their glory while medium lift helicopters (Mi-17, Mi-17 1V, Mi-17 V5) and attack helicopters (Mi-25, Mi-35) constituted the rotary wing ingredients. 
  
• Government notifies new Plastic Waste Management Rules
  Government notifies new Plastic Waste Management Rules. The new norms are aimed at curbing the over 6,000 tonnes of uncollected plastic waste generated daily by industries. 
  
  Government has reviewed and revised the rules related to plastic waste management to give thrust on plastic waste minimization, source segregation,recycling, involving waste pickers, recyclers and waste processors in collection of plastic waste. 
  
  Rules related to usage and production of plastic have become more stringent now as Government tries to bring in more eco friendly society. 
  
  According to revised rules Rural areas have been included and responsibility is given to Gram Panchayat. Responsibility of waste generators is being introduced. 
  
  Persons organising public events like marriages, public gatherings are responsible for the management of waste generated during these events. Minimum thickness of the plastic bags increased from 40-50microns. 
  
  Introduction of collect back system of plastic waste by the producers/brand owners as per extended producers responsibility, Plastic bags will be available only with shopkeepers pre-registered with local bodies. Manufacturing and use of non-recyclable multi-layered plastic to be phased out in two years. 
  
• Political crisis in Uttarkhand
  The political crisis in Uttarakhand continued, as Governor K.K. Paul gave Chief Minister Harish Rawat of the Congress a deadline of March 28 to prove his majority in Assembly. 
  
  Mr. Rawat met the Governor on 19th March after 10 Congress MLAs turned rebel. Mr. Rawat maintained that he still enjoyed a majority in the 71-seat Assembly (with one nominated member), even as Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, in his report to the Governor, said the Finance Bill, being considered for passage, was passed through a voice vote. 
  
  The Speaker’s report also says the demand for division was made after the House was adjourned. A video-recording of the proceedings was also handed over to the Governor. The Opposition BJP and the rebel MLAs are claiming that the Bill, a money bill, was defeated through a voice vote as at least 10 Congress MLAs had cross-voted and called ‘nay.’ 
  
  Mr. Rawat called a meeting of his Cabinet before meeting the Governor and recommended the expulsion of rebel Congress MLA Harak Singh Rawat from the party. Sources said there was also talk that Subodh Uniyal, another MLA, was to be expelled. 
  
• Govt releases four colour classification scheme for industries based on pollution potential
  Centre has released a new four-colour classification scheme for industries based on their pollution potential and exempted over 30 industries that have zero-pollution load from taking environmental clearance. 
  
  Under the new categorization system, industries which pollute the most have been put in the red category while the moderately polluting units are classified orange. Industries that have a significantly low pollution load have been placed in the green category while those that operate without causing any pollution have been categorised as white. 
  
  Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar released new categorisation system in New Delhi and termed it a landmark decision which gives a fair picture of the industries. He said the new system is based on an elaborate scientific exercise. 
  
  According to an official release, 60 industries including sugar, thermal power plants, paints and others, which have a high pollution index will be in the red category. 83 industries like coal, washeries and automobile servicing which have medium scores will be in the orange category. 
  
• Govt launches online marketing platform Mahila E-HAAT
   Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on 7th March launched an online marketing platform Mahila E-HAAT to facilitate women entrepreneurs to sell their products to buyers. The initiative has been started jointly by the Ministry and Rashtriya Mahila Kosh for meeting the needs of women entrepreneurs. 
  
  She said, women can sell their products like cloths, bags, jewelries through this web portal. AIR correspondent reports that the objective of the E-HAAT is to strengthen the financial inclusion of such entrepreneurs by providing continued support to their creativity. It also aims at supporting Make In India porgramme through a digitally marketing platform. 
  
• Major income of 1.75% rural families from livestock: NSSO
  Less than two per cent of rural households earn a major portion of their income from self-employment in livestock farming, says a government survey. Around 1.75 per cent of the total rural households derived the major income from self-employment in livestock farming, which comprises around 2.7 million rural households, owning around 0.489 hectare of land per household, according to an NSSO survey conducted in January-December 2013. 
  
  The major use was made for dairy (53.8 per cent during Jul-Dec '12 and 69.7 per cent during Jan-Jun '13). The lowest share was for piggery, which is less than 1 per cent of the total area under animal farming, during both the seasons. 
  
  The survey showed that around 0.75 per cent of the total Scheduled Tribes (ST) households, 1.50 per cent of the total Scheduled Castes (SC) households and 2.17 per cent of the total other backward classes (OBC) households reported the major income from self-employment in livestock farming. 
  
  As much as 3.67 per cent of the households owning large holdings (more than 10 hectares) were found to have derived major income from self-employment in livestock farming, which is the highest among all ownership land-holding class. 
  
  The least (0.70 per cent) was recorded for the households owning small holdings (1 to 2 hectares). 
  
  The percentage of households reporting animal farming was found to be the highest in the marginal category of operational holdings, registering more than 73 per cent of household operational holdings in both the periods. 
  
  The land area used for livestock farming is less than 5 per cent of the total area under different types of land uses. 
  
  It said that the bovine population during 2012-13 was 204.5 million, out of which 135.6 million were cattle and 68.8 million were buffalo. 
  
  During 2012-13, sheep and goat (ovine) population were found to be 99 million. The number of ovine per 100 households was 63.4. 
  
  It further said that 5.8 million pigs were estimated during 2012-13, accounting for 3.7 per 100 households. 
  
  During 2012-13, 254.7 million poultry was estimated, which was found to be 163.1 per 100 households. 
  
  This report is based on the information on livestock ownership of the households collected during the Land and Livestock Holdings Survey (LHS) conducted in the 70th round of NSS during January 2013 to December 2013. 
  
  The survey was conducted only in the rural areas of the country, and covered 4,529 FSUs (sample villages). 
  
• Telangana, Maharashtra ink pact on five irrigation projects
  Telangana and Maharashtra governments on 9th March signed Memoranda of Understanding to construct five barrages across Godavari and Pen Ganga rivers. A high level meeting to sign the MoUs was held in Mumbai in which Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took part. 
  
  The two states have already expressed mutual consent to construct barrages at various points on these rivers to benefit farmers in both states. Of the five barrages, Maharashtra Government will take up construction of Rajapet and Penpahad barrages while Telangana will take up Chanak-Korata across Penganga River. 
  
  Telangana will also construct Tummidihatti barrage across Pranahita a tributary to Godavari in Adilabad district and Medigadda barrage across Godavari in Karimnagar district. 
  
  The two states will share irrigation water from Medigadda. On completion of all these projects, over 18 lakh acres will get irrigation facility in the two states. 
  
  Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis informed that a joint inter-state control board has been formed in order to take decisions, control and expedite these projects. 
  
  He said that the most important thing is this board will also help in execution of both existing and new projects. He further said that this will also help the existing projects at Gadchiroli, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Nanded districts of the state. 
  
• Parliament approves National Waterways Bill 2015
  Parliament has approved National Waterways Bill, 2015 with the Rajya Sabha approving it on 9th March. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in the last session. The bill aims at declaring 106 additional inland waterways as National Waterways. 
  
  After the inclusion these waterways to the existing five national waterways, the total number of national waterways goes upto one hundred and eleven. 
  
  Replying to a debate on the bill, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said, the declaration of National Waterways and its subsequent development will enhance the industrial growth and tourism potential of the hinterland along the waterway. 
  
  He said, it will also provide an additional, cheaper and environment friendly mode of transportation throughout the country. The Bill would enable Inland Waterways Authority of India to develop the feasible stretches for Shipping and Navigation. 
  
• NGT nods for World Cultural Festival on Yamuna riverbed with condition
  The National Green Tribunal, NGT on 9th March allowed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's 'World Cultural Festival' on the banks of the river Yamuna slated to start on 11th March with conditions. The green tribunal imposed five crore rupees fine as environment compensation on the festival's organiser Art of Living Foundation. 
  
  The tribunal also imposed a fine of five lakh rupees on DDA and one lakh rupees on Delhi Pollution Control Committee for not discharging statutory functions. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar asked the foundation, headed by Sri Ravi Shankar to deposit five crores rupees as environmental compensation before the event begins on 11th of this month. 
  
  The green tribunal clearance came on a day the Delhi High Court described the event as a disaster from the ecological point of view. The tribunal also asked the organisers to give an undertaking by tomorrow that enzymes will not be released into Yamuna River and that no further degradation of environment will happen. 
  
  Besides slapping the fines, the tribunal directed the Art of Living to develop the entire area in question into a biodiversity park. The tribunal's order came on the pleas by NGOs and environmentalists who had sought cancellation of the festival on the ground that it would seriously endanger the fragile ecosystem on the riverbed. 
  
• India inks pact for saving birds of prey
  India has become the 56th country to sign a pact on conservation of birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia, a move that will help the country gain knowledge in effectively managing the habitats of such raptors. 
  
  The government signed the ‘Raptor MoU’, covering 76 species, out of which 46 including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers and others are also found in India. 
  
  The agreement was signed on March 7 this year at the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in Abu Dhabi by Ambassador of India to the UAE T P Seetharam. The agreement, under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS, is not “legally binding”. 
  
  The Union Cabinet had on December 30 last year approved the proposal of the Environment Ministry to sign the pact on conservation of migratory birds of prey in Africa and Eurasia with CMS or Bonn Convention with regard to United Nations Environment Programme. 
  
  The CMS aims to conserve migratory species and India is a signatory to it since November 1, 1983. An earlier official statement had said that given that the ‘Raptor MoU’ is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, wherein the birds have been accorded protection, India would gain domain knowledge which would be helpful in effectively managing the habitats of these raptors. 
  
  It would also include concerted trans-boundary efforts for conservation through interaction with other range countries by signing of the pact with the CMS. 
  
  The agreement also seeks willingness of the signatory range states for working for conservation of the raptor species and their habitats. An action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages conservation action for raptor species, the statement had said. 
  
• Union Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojna 
  Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA on 10th March approved an 8,000-crore rupee scheme to provide cooking gas, LPG connections free of cost to women members of poor households. According to Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri Ujwala Yojana which will be implemented from ensuing financial year, 2016-17. 
  
  It will provide access to clean cooking and preserve the health of women and families. The decision will fuel Make in India in petroleum sector, and will also create lots of jobs. He said the scheme is a boost for women's health as it brings free LPG to poor families that suffered the curse of smoke while cooking. 
  
  CCEA has also approved policy for grant of extension to Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs for small and medium sized discovered fields. 
  
  The policy deals with 28 fields and will grant extensions in fair manner and enable companies to take investment decisions on reserves. CCEA also gave its nod to proposal to grant marketing including pricing freedom for gas from High Pressure High Temperature, Deep water and Ultra Deep water areas. 
  
  The marketing freedom will be capped by a ceiling price arrived at on basis of landed price of alternative fuels. It will help in incentivizing production of natural gas in country and help in enhancing country’s energy security. In a boost to firms like ONGC and Reliance Industries, the Cabinet today approved a new price formula for their undeveloped gas discoveries in difficult areas. This will lead to a near-doubling of rates. 
  
  With the current rates, the price of gas will come to 7 dollar per million British thermal unit (mmBtu). Gas price in India is currently at 3.82 dollar per mmBtu, which will fall to 3.15 dollar in April. Since this rate is not enough to incentivise exploration, the government approved the new price formula for undeveloped gas discoveries in deep-sea, ultra-deep sea and high-temperature, high-pressure areas using average of landed price of naphtha, fuel oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). 
  
  About two dozen discoveries of the state-owned ONGC, Reliance Industries and the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) in KG Basin alone are languishing for want of right price. 
  
  Government cleared a proposal to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to include the provisions of allowing transfer of captive mines granted through procedures other than auction. The step will help in checking the stressed and non-performing assets of banks by allowing them to liquidate the same where a firm or its captive mining lease is mortgaged. It will also spur mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the sector. The MMDR Act, passed by Parliament in March last year, allows transfer of mining leases only in cases where the mine has been acquired through auction. 
  
  The Cabinet also approved new hydro carbon exploration and licensing policy. It will be uniform licensing policy for award of hydrocarbon acreages with new contractual system and fiscal model. The new policy will usher a new era in exploration of hydrocarbons in the country. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, the decision aims to take Indian hydrocarbon sector to new levels globally. 
  
  Cabinet approved MoU with International Monetary Fund, IMF for setting up of South Asia Regional Training Centre by IMF to help in capacity building of Government officials. Cabinet also approved MoU between India and Bahrain on cooperation for prevention of human trafficking especially trafficking in women and children. Cabinet also gave its ex-postfacto approval for MoU between India and United Arab Emirates on Technical Cooperation in Cyber Space and Combating Cyber-Crime. 
  
  Cabinet approved proposal to remove minimum capacity utilisation criteria for Single Super Phosphate manufacturing companies. The companies had to use a mandatory 50 per cent of production capacity or produce 40 thousand MT per year to become eligible for subsidy. The manufacturers had been representing for relaxation in order to allow them freedom of production as per market conditions. The decision will help increasing domestic production of Single Super Phosphate and reduction in prices to farmers and savings in subsidy. 
  
• TG Speaker recognizes 12 TDP MLAs as TRS members
  Telangana Assembly Speaker Madhu Sudhana Chary has accepted the request of 12 TDP MLAs to consider them as TRSLP members and allotted seats to them with the members of TRSLP. Telangana Assembly released a bulletin quoting the house allotted seats to 12 TDP MLAs to sit along with TRS members . 
  
  Earlier Errabelli Dayakar Rao’s gave a letter to Madhu Sudhana Chary . With speakers decision, 12 Telangana TDP MLAs will be here with officially considered as TRS MLAs . Only Revanth Reddy,Sandra and R Krishnaiah are still considered as TDP MLAs . 
  
• 1st AIIMS-like hospital for AYUSH being set up in national capital
  The first AIIMS-like hospital for Ayurveda,Yoga and Naturopathy ,Unani,Siddha and Homeopathy,AYUSH, is being set up in the national capital and is likely to become fully operational in four months. 
  
  In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik said the Centre encourages setting up of AYUSH dispensaries, hospitals and AIIMS-like institutions in states. He said, under National AYUSH Mission, the Centre provides funds to states for setting up a 150-bed AYUSH Hospital in each district and funds are also given for running and maintenance of such hospitals. 
  
• Cleanliness in trains: Railway Ministry launches 'Clean My Coach Service'
  Railway Ministry on 11th March launched Clean My Coach Service to ensure cleanliness in trains. The service was announced by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in his budget speech for 2016-17. As per the scheme, for any cleaning requirement in the coach, the passengers will have to send an SMS on mobile number 58888. Passenger can also use android app Cleanmycoach Indian Railways’ or webpage ‘cleanmycoach.com’ for logging the request. 
  
  The Ministry said, passenger’s request is immediately acknowledged via SMS on mobile phone along with a code. A message is also sent by the server to the mobile number of on board house keeping staff travelling on the same train along with the details of the passengers such as coach number, berth number. The house keeping staff contacts the passengers, carries out the cleaning work as per demand. 
  
  Launching the service in New Delhi through video conferencing, Mr Prabhu said, this service will empower the citizen to get an important service on board and is in line with the objectives of the Digital India Programme launched by the Prime Minister. He said, maintaining cleanliness in trains is the equal responsibility of railways and passengers. 
  
• Election Commission proposes 2-yr imprisonment for candidates filling wrong affidavits 
  Chief Election Commissioner of India Syed Nasim Ahmed Zaidi on 12th March said that Election Commission has proposed two-year imprisonment for candidates contesting in elections who either conceal facts or provide false information in the affidavits while filing nominations. 
  
  Inaugurating a two-day National Conference on Electoral and Political Reforms organized by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in Hyderabad, he said Section 29-b of the Representation of Peoples’ Act needs to be amended to check funding of political parties through Electoral Trust. 
  
  Paid news should be considered as electoral offence and the candidates will be punished with two-year imprisonment, he added. 
  
  Referring to linking of Adhar Number with the Voter Identity Cards, he said 23 out of total 85 crore voters in the country have already been covered. Appreciating the services of Voluntary Organizations in the country, he said Bihar Assembly Election was conducted without any violence. 
  
• NGT panel recommends Rs 120-cr fine on Art of Living for damage to Yamuna
  A committee appointed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recommended fining spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living Foundation Rs 120 crore for damage to Yamuna floodplains while making preparations for an event. The Art of Living Foundation plans to hold a World Culture Festival from March 11 to 13 on the banks of the river. 
  
  In its report, the committee comprising Prof A K Gosain, Prof Brij Gopal, Prof C R Prabhu and Shashi Shekhar, secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, has stated the event could have a severe environmental impact. 
  
  The report does not seek cancellation of the event, but does, however, point out the harm that a crowd of more than 3.5 million people can cause the Yamuna’s delicate ecology. The committee has sought a revised plan from the organisers through a court affidavit and a detailed site map. The NGT has scheduled a hearing on March 1. 
  
  The venue spans an area of more than 1,000 acres. Structures including a 40-ft-high multi-stage, large white portable cabins and a makeshift parking lot are putting stress on the floodplains, as per the report. 
  
  Earlier in the February, 2016, the NGT formed the committee due to discrepancies between the reports of Prof Gosain (member of the first inspection team) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). 
  
  The NGT set up the committee in response to a petition by activist Manoj Misra of the Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan. In its report, the committee has stated that small water bodies, which existed earlier, have been filled up, and all natural vegetation removed, because of which birds and natural life that thrived there have disappeared. 
  
• PM forms task force to rationalise central govt staff
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted a five-member task force to rationalise central government staff and ensure their maximum optimisation. The task force will be headed by Rajiv Kumar, Additional Secretary in Department of Personnel and Training. 
  
  Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, the task force will submit its report next month. He said, rationalisation of staff is of paramount importance for good governance and the decision has been taken keeping in line with the Modi government's commitment of maximum governance and minimum government. 
  
  He also said, government is considering restructuring existing tribunals, autonomous bodies and central public sector undertakings to ensure better optimisation of human resources. 
  
  Finance Ministry Arun Jaitley in his budget speech for 2016-17, had spoken about the task force for rationalisation of human resources in various ministries. 
  
• Railways gives nod for high speed Talgo train trial on two routes
  Railway has given permission for the trial run of high speed Talgo trains on two routes, including Delhi-Mumbai section. The trains manufactured by Spanish firm Talgo will undertake trial runs at speeds between 160 and 200 kmph on the existing tracks on two routes - a route taken by Rajdhani Express and another non-Rajdhani route. 
  
  Depending upon the results of the trial, Railways will consider introduction of high speed trains. If the Talgo train runs at speeds varying between 160 and 200 kmph on the existing infrastructure without any upgrade, the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai is expected to be cut down to about 12 hours from the current 17 hours. 
  
• Two PSU cos setting up nuclear power plants in country: Govt
  Two public sector companies, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and Bhaaratiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited are presently setting up nuclear power plants in the country. For this, the government amended the Atomic Energy Act of 1962. Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh said this in the Lok Sabha on 2nd March. 
  
  In reply to a question he ruled out private partnership in nuclear power generation. But he admitted that private sector companies have joined hands in a big way in setting up nuclear power plants through supply of components, equipment and building construction.
  
• Alappuzha backwaters to get India’s first solar ferry
  A 75-seater solar-powered passenger ferry, the first of its kind in the country, is quietly taking shape at Aroor in Alappuzha district. The boat is expected to be commissioned within the next three months. 
  
  The boat is being built by NavAlt, a Kochi-based joint venture, in collaboration with a French company. “Construction of the hull has been completed and the superstructure is being worked on now. The battery and motor console, which have undergone testing, are to be flown in from France
  
  The 20 metre long, 7 metre wide boat, with a maximum cruising speed of 7.5 knots, is to be deployed in the backwaters of Alappuzha by the Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD). 
  
  The Rs.1.7-crore boat will make no noise or cause any pollution, unlike the diesel powered ones. It may work out to be a cheaper option too. An ordinary boat, made of steel and with a carrying capacity of 75 passengers, may cost around Rs.1.9 crore. 
  
  The cost of diesel fuel for operating it will be around Rs. 25 lakh. But the solar powered boat, obviously, will cost nothing to operate for most part, Mr. Thandasherry pointed out. 
  The solar boat will also be eligible for subsidy from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The boat will be capable of plying the waters for 5-6 hours on normal sunny days. It will have an alternative power system to meet emergencies. 
  
  Its battery will be charged by plugging on to the normal electric circuit at the end of the day’s journey. The KSWTD plans to operate the boat in the 2.5 km-long Vaikkom-Thavanakkadavu route. 
  
  The crew will be trained to handle the boat as the operating system is slightly different from conventional diesel-powered ones. The company has already made a 20-seater solar powered boat for a tourism operator in Bhatinda in Punjab. 
  
• Clean chit to Kanhaiya in Magisterial probe appointed by Delhi govt
  Delhi government appointed Magisterial probe has found nothing adverse against JNU leader Kanhaiya Kumar, facing sedition charge. 
  
  According to the report, the committee has found no witness or video available to it could support allegation leveled against Kumar. Kanhaiya was released on interim bail on 3rd March. 
  
  The probe headed by New Delhi district magistrate Sanjay Kumar said three out of seven videos which were sent for the verification were found to be doctored including one clipping of a news channel. The report said JNU student Umar Khalid was visible in many videos and that his support for the role of Kashmir and Afzal Guru was known. 
  
  The report said, Khalid was the organizer of the event and his role should be further investigated. Khalid who is accused of raising anti-India slogans at JNU campus is presently under judicial custody. As per report, anti-national slogans were shouted at the campus and JNU administration has already identified few faces who were clearly heard raising the slogans. The probe panel said their whereabouts must be found out and their role must be investigated. 
  
• Govt to set up 33 solar parks to reduce production cost of power: Goyal
  The government on 3rd March said it will set up 33 solar parks across the country to reduce the production cost of solar power. According to the Power Minister Piyush Goyal government has taken a number of steps to reduce the production cost of solar power in the country, including fiscal and financial incentives, concessional customs and excise duties and preferential tariffs. 
  
  He said other incentives include procurement of solar power by financially strong intermediaries like NTPC, long term vision and stable policy framework so that investors can plan better investment. Mr Goyal said cost of solar power has already come down due to transparent E-reverse auction for its procurement. 
  
• BCCI opposes Lodha panel recommendations
  The Supreme Court on 3rd March questioned BCCI's objection to Justice Lodha Committee's recommendation prohibiting ministers and government servants from holding any BCCI post. 
  
  Supreme Court has asked BCCI to detail its expenditure for the last five years. The directive came while hearing report of Lodha committee which has reviewed the functioning of this apex body of cricket in the country. 
  
  BCCI has raised objection of many of the recomendation of Lodha committee, however the Court rejected most of them them. BCCI opposed recommendation of one state one cricket association, saying that there are states where cricket is not that popular and Giving them voting right will not serve any purpose. 
  
  Justice T S Thakur hinted that very limited issue can be sent back to Lodha Committee for a rethink. BCCI also opposed CAG representative in BCCI, which was rejected by the supreme court. BCCI said it fears lossing ICC membership as ICC rule book prohibits a Govt representative from becoming a part of the board. 
  
  The court said that the presence of CAG representative is to ensure transparency in the cricket body. and questioned why BCCI should have any objection to this. 
  
  SC observed that BCCI wants free hand to deal with crores of rupees without maintaining an account of expenditure. The court also asked why BCCI wants to keep ministers on board. Earlier, BCCI in its affadavit had said that implementing Lodha committee's recomendation would not be possible. Next date of hearing has been sheduled for 18th of March. 
  
• Telangana, Maharashtra to ink pact for five irrigation projects
  The Telangana and Maharashtra governments have reached an understanding on constructing five dams on Godavari, Penganga and Pranahita rivers for irrigation purposes. A release from Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's office said on 2nd March, a delegation led by Mr. Rao will leave on next 7th March for Mumbai to sign the agreement with Maharashtra. 
  
  The five proposed projects include Kaleswaram, a barrage at Rajapet on Penganga, a barrage between Chankha-Kovata, a barrage at Penpahad and another one at Tammidihatti on Pranahita river in Adilabad district. A barrage would also be built at Medigadda in Karimnagar district. 
  
• Hyderabad to host Amazon’s largest facility outside of US
  Amazon, a leading e-commerce and cloud services firm, is setting up a facility in India, its largest facility outside of the US. The firm will be setting up a 29 lakh square feet facility in Gachibowli, the IT hub in Hyderabad on 10 acres. 
  
  The firm, which has been negotiating with the State government in the last few years for clearances, has received all the permissions to set up the facility. 
  
  The facility will take care of operational support that it needs for its global operations. The site would also help the firm ramp up its cloud services Amazon Web Services in the Indian market. The location is close to Microsoft, CA, Infosys and Wipro offices. Google too is setting up a huge facility in the vicinity. 
  
  The facility, which will be ready by 2018, is likely to house 12,000-14,000 employees. 
  
  The company has recently opened its 11th fulfilment centre at Kothur in the neighbouring Mahboobnagar district. John Schoettler, Director (Global Real-estate and Facilities) had met Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao to discuss the project. Amazon is planning an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore to develop the facility. 
  
• PM launches Setu Bharatam project to make all national highways free of Railway crossings
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government is making all out effort for infrastructure development as it is key for the nation's progress. Launching the Setu Bharatam project in New Delhi on 4th March, Mr Modi said, the government knows the problems and it want to change it with strength. 
  
  He said, government has taken a comprehensive and integrated approach on the infrastructure development. Mr Modi said, the infrastructure will give speed and strength to the nation. He said, rural roads have got lot of resources in this year's Budget and it is a focus area for the government. 
  
  Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan were also present during the launch. 
  
  Setu Bharatam aims to make all national highways free of railway crossings by 2019. 208 places have been identified for construction of rail over-bridges or underpasses under the project. Around 1,500 bridges that are over 50 to 60 years old will be rebuild under the project. More than 50 thousand crore rupees will be spent on the project. 
  
• EC announces schedule for Assembly polls 
  Election Commission on 4th March announced the schedule for the forthcoming Assembly elections in four States and one Union Territory. 
  
  The States are Kerala, Tamil Nadu,West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. 
  
  Announcing the poll schedule in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said that election in West Bengal will be held in 6 phases in which the polling for 1st phase will take place on 4th and 11th April. Polling for the second phase will be held on 17th April, third phase on 21st April, fourth on 25th, Fifth on 30th April and sixth phase on 5th of May. 
  
  Assam will go to poll in two phases on 4th and 11th of April. 
  
  Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will go to poll in a single phase on 16th May. 
  
  The Counting for all Assembly Constituencies in all five States will be held on 19th of May. With the announcement of the poll schedule, the model code of conduct has come into force. Mr Zaidi said, more than adequate number of Central Paramilitary Forces will be deployed at all polling locations in the states. 
  
  He said, the commission is committed to curb the use of money and muscle power in the poll bound states and for this it has taken several initiatives in this direction. He said, this time in the electronic voting machines, the commission had decided to display photos of the contesting candidates to dispel confusion about the identities of the candidates, as many have similar names. This time a symbol of NOTA will also be provided in the EVMs. 
  
• Madras HC makes it mandatory to sing National Anthem in all schools
  The Madras High Court has made it mandatory that the National Anthem should be sung in all schools including private institutions. Hearing a public interest litigation , the first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishen Kaul and Justice MM Sundaresh directed the Central and State education departments to make endeavours to verify whether the National Anthem is being sung in all private schools during the morning assembly. 
  
  The petitioner contended, while the state and central government-run schools follow the instruction to sing the National Anthem, some private schools do not honour the obligation. The Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE in its reply said a circular has been issued in November last insisting singing the National Anthem with decorum and to respect the National Flag.