ASSAM
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma urges Muslims to find ways to control population
Calling the state’s indigenous Muslims as ‘Assamese Muslims’, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asked members of the minority community to devise ways to rein in population growth and prepare a roadmap to expedite welfare measures, including financial well-being and overall development of the community.
In order to achieve that goal, Sarma said it has been insisted upon that eight sub-groups be constituted to work on a range of issues – health, education, population control, cultural identity, financial inclusion, women empowerment and skill development.
NORTH-EASTERN STATES
CAG eye on Assam government over pension for families of deceased employees
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has asked the Assam government to review the Compassionate Family Pension (CFP) scheme as it not only defies legal principles but also has put an estimated additional financial burden of Rs 156.91 crore per annum on the state exchequer.
The state government has not asked for separate budget allocation for the CFP scheme and by booking the entire expenditure under ‘pension’ has violated budget and accounting rules applicable to a new scheme, the CAG said in its report for the year 2019 that was tabled in the ongoing budget session of the assembly.
The financial outgo under the scheme, introduced in April 2017, has been Rs 171.55 crore so far and audit has estimated an additional financial burden of Rs 156.91 crore per annum on the state exchequer.
Besides, the state government has extended the benefits of the CFP scheme to cover officers of the All India Services (AIS), whose pension and family pension is borne by the Centre, without consulting the latter, the CAG said.
Moreover, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the high rate of positive cases as well as mortality rate, the financial burden on the state exchequer may increase to an unbearable proportion in the years to come, the report pointed out.
INTERNATIONAL
G7 – Build Back Better World Initiative
At the recent 47th G7 summit, the G7 (Group of Seven) Countries proposed a ‘Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
About B3W:
♦ Goal: To address the infrastructure investment gap in developing and low-income countries, which China is increasingly capturing through 2,600 BRI projects.
♦ This infrastructure plan is led by the United States.
♦ The B3W initiative will provide a transparent infrastructure partnership to assist developing countries in meeting their $40 trillion infrastructure needs by 2035.
♦ It requires hundreds of billions of dollars to be spent in cooperation with the private sector while complying with climate standards and labor practices.
About China’s BRI:
♦ It was established in 2013.
♦ It is a multibillion-dollar initiative that aims to connect Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa, and Europe via land and sea routes.
♦ It entails development and investment initiatives that would span Asia, Europe, and beyond.
♦ Over 100 countries have signed bilateral agreements with China to collaborate on BRI projects such as railways, ports, highways, and other infrastructure.
NATIONAL
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Urban
One of the world’s largest affordable housing missions, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U), has launched two novel initiatives.
It has launched Khushiyon Ka Aashiyana- Short Film Contest 2021 and Awas Par Samvaad, a 75-seminar and workshop series, to advance the Prime Minister’s vision of “Housing for All.”
♦ ‘Awas Par Samvaad’ aims to raise awareness and promote discussion, dissemination and deliberation on ‘Housing for All’ among a wide range of stakeholders from various fields of study and practise, such as engineering, urban community development, planning, finance, and so on.
♦ This will be accomplished through 75 workshops and seminars held across the country.
Registration of Vintage Motor Vehicles
The registration process for vintage motor vehicles has been formalised.
Highlights:
♦ The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, have been amended by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
♦ The registration of Vintage Motor Vehicles has been formalised as a result of this amendment, with the goal of preserving and promoting the heritage of vintage vehicles.
♦ The new rules will ensure a smooth process with notable features such as the retention of old registration numbers for previously registered vehicles and the use of a “VA” series (Unique Registration Mark) for new registrations.
♦ Vintage Motor Vehicles are defined as all two and four wheeler vehicles that are over 50 years old, have been kept in their original condition, and have not undergone any significant overhaul.
MH-60R Multi Role Helicopters – MRH
The Indian Navy has accepted the first two MH-60R Multi Role Helicopters (MRH).
Highlights:
♦ The Indian Navy is obtaining 24 MH-60R MRH (Manufactured by Lockheed Martin corporation) from the US (United States) government at an estimated cost of US$2.4 billion.
♦ The first two Sikorsky MH-60R multi-purpose helicopters have been handed over from the US Navy to the Indian Navy. At present, the MH-60R is the most advanced maritime multi-mission helicopter.
♦ The addition of these all-weather MRHs would improve the Indian Navy’s three-dimensional capabilities.
♦ The helicopters would also be outfitted with a variety of unique weapons and equipment.
Bio-toilets in Railways
A bio-toilet is a dry toilet that treats human waste through a biological process known as composting.
Highlights:
♦ It uses specific high graded bacteria (aerobic or anaerobic) to decompose human excretory waste in a digester tank, converting it into methane gas, carbon dioxide gas, and water.
♦ It treats human waste at the source. A group of anaerobic bacteria has been adapted to enter the biological digester as an inoculum (seed material) at temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius and as high as 50 degrees Celsius to convert human organic waste into water, methane and carbon dioxide gas.
Launch of Kiran Sarathi
Digital Platform Kisan Sarathi launched for farmers.
About Kisan Sarathi:
♦ It is a digital platform to facilitate farmers to get the ‘right information at the right time’ in their desired language.
♦ It is available in Hindi and other regional languages. Farmers can interact & avail personalised suggestions on agriculture and allied areas directly from the respective scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs). These nodal centres ensure growers benefit from research and technology.
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