ASSAM

The Union Government is to release an amount of Rs 893.01 crore against the Flood Management Programme (FMP) schemes the State has executed during the Eleventh and Twelfth Five Year Plans. The State Government, on the other hand, is to release an amount of Rs 110.92 crore against these schemes.Besides, repeated revision of the funding patterns by the Union Ministry of Finance for the FMP schemes has also been adding to the problems of the State in implementing such schemes. These schemes are implemented with the required funds being shared by both the State and the Union Government between themselves. During the Eleventh Five Year Plan period, flood management schemes worth over Rs 1 crore were eligible to be funded under FMP schemes, while in the Twelfth Five Year Plan period, such schemes worth over Rs 10 crore are regarded as eligible for funding under the FMP schemes.

Highly-placed sources in the State Water Resources Department (WRD) told this correspondent that till the Eleventh Five Year Plan (covering the five year period between 2007 and 2012), the funding pattern for Assam FMP schemes was 90:10, that is — 90 per cent of the funds to be spent by the Union Government and the rest of the ten per cent being spent by the State Government on such schemes. But during the 12th Five Year Plan, the Union Finance Ministry revised this funding pattern as 70 (Union Government):30 (State Government) for the 27 FMP schemes of the State, leaving the rest of the 14 schemes to be funded in the earlier pattern of 90:10.

During the financial year of 2018-’19, the budgeted provision for the State’s FMP schemes under the Water Resources Department are Rs 48 crore and Rs 53 crore respectively as Central share and State share. The Union Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR) has also recommended five flood management schemes of the State during this financial year, at an estimated cost of Rs 259.77 crore, for investment. These schemes are also proposed for funding under the FMP

INTERNATIONAL

Russia has unveiled the world’s first floating nuclear power station in the port of the city of Murmansk, where it will be loaded with nuclear fuel before heading to eastern Siberia.

Constructed by the state nuclear power firm Rosatom, the 144 by 30 metre holds two reactors with two 35 megawatt nuclear reactors that are similar to those used to power icebreaker ships.

It will be primarily used to power oil rigs as Russia pushes further north into the Arctic to drill for oil and gas and needs electricity in far-flung locations.

· South Korea Won Asian Champions Trophy 2018

The Indian women’s Hockey team failed to defend its crown at the fifth Asian Champions Trophy, as it lost to hosts South Korea, 0-1 in the summit clash at Donghae City, South Korea.
A goal by Youngsil Lee clinched the Korean team as the winner of Champions Trophy.
The final was India’s first defeat of the tournament. South Korea has lifted the title for the third time after having won it in 2010 and 2011.
India, on the other hand, finished second best for the second time after having lost to Japan in the final of the 2013 edition.
Indian striker Vandana Katariya was declared player of the tournament while youngster Lalremsiami was named as the upcoming player of the tournament.

· India-us 2+2 dialogue likely in early July, US to confirm date

The much-awaited India-us two-plus-two dialogue is expected to take place in the first week of July with the impact of Countering America’s Adversaries Through the Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on New Delhi’s national and energy security needs high on the agenda.
The two-plus-two dialogue was to take place on April 18-19 but was postponed due to appointment of a new secretary of state by US President Donald Trump.

India currently purchases nearly 29 million tons of crude from Iran; almost 62% of its military hardware and ammunition comes from Russia.

Apart from the impact of CAATSA, the two-plus-two dialogue will also focus on all aspects of the bilateral relationship and the growing Chinese influence in Indo-pacific region, including freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The US and India are party of the so-called Quad initiative which seeks to counter China’s influence in the region.

NATIONAL

The Anti Terrorism Dayis observed on 21 May every year in our country to make the people aware of the anti-social act of terrorism and its impact on human suffering and lives.
The official announcement of National Anti Terrorism Day was made after the assassination of India’s seventh Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on 21 May 1991.

Then, under V.P. Singh government the center has decided to observe 21st May as Anti Terrorism Day.

For the first time, the railways will use artifical intelligence to control air circulation, signages and even supervision and maintenance work in the 10.28 km-long tunnel in Imphal as part of its 110 km railway line from Jiribam to Manipur’s capital city.

While the national transporter is already using this technique to detect flaws or problems in the signalling system, this is the first time that such a technology will be used in a tunnel in the country.

The system will control air circulation in the system, along with other aspects.

It will alert the passenger in case of fire and help us in quick evacuation in case of any issue.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned LED Solar Street Lighting system for Arunachal Pradesh under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund with a total grant of Rs 87.83 lakh.

The project would be implemented in the four districts of the state Tirap, Longding, Namsai and Tawang.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched the scheme in presence of NABARD Chairman Harsh Kumar Bhanwala.