ASSAM

Subsidy scheme for farmers launched

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ceremonially launched the Farmers’ Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme.

The scheme has encapsulated three different plans. First is the Assam Farmers’ Credit Subsidy Scheme under which all short-term crop loan availed from scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks and the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank will be availed at 25 per cent government subsidy for any loan availed between April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. The government will provide subsidy to a maximum limit of Rs 25,000 per farmer for a minimum loan amount of Rs 1 lakh.

Secondly, under the Assam Farmers’ Interest Relief Scheme, farmers can avail short-term crop loan up to Rs 2 lakh at zero per cent interest rate. Thirdly, the scheme will provide a one-time cash incentive up to Rs 10,000 per account for activating the overdue and NPA KCC account provided the account would be turned into a standard account.

The Chief Minister said the scheme has been launched to achieve doubling of farmers’ income by 2022. At the same time, he advocated that there should be a team of farmers, bankers and government officials to provide financial help and other logistic support for the farmers to enhance agricultural output in the State and help the sector to contribute significantly to the GDP.

Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma speaking at length on the scheme said that during February 11 to 15, 2019 a new scheme will be launched to provide Rs 5,000 each to five lakh farmers in the State.

INTERNATIONAL

Sugarcane juice declared ‘national drink’ of Pakistan

The Pakistan government on Friday declared sugarcane juice as the “national drink” of the country.
The announcement came after the government conducted a Twitter poll where people were asked to decide on the country’s national drink with two other options — orange and carrot — besides sugarcane
Over 7,600 people participated in the poll and declared sugarcane as national drink ok Pakistan with 81 percent votes. 15 percent of the participants voted in favor of orange juice while 4 percent choose carrot juice.

NATIONAL

Padma Awards 2019 announced

President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian awards of the category.

The awards were conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The list, which was approved by the President, comprises of four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri awardees.

Recipients of Padma Vibhushan awards are as follows:

Ms. Teejan Bai

Shri Ismail Omar Guelleh

Shri Anilkumar Manibhai Naik

Shri Balwant Moreshwar Purandare

Gk bit – Padma Awards

one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh, Bhupen Hazarika to be conferred with Bharat Ratna

Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, singer Bhupen Hazarika and former President Pranab Mukherjee will be conferred with country’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna.

Nanaji Deshmukh and Bhupen Hazarika will be awarded with the honour posthumously.

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of India.

The Bharat Ratna awardee receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India and a medallion in the form of a Peepal leaf.

· South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa to be Chief Guest at R-Day Parade

South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosawill be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade. He is the second President of South Africa after Nelson Mandela to be the Chief Guest at the parade.

Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi is revered in the African nation as he had an important role in the non-violent movement in South Africa.

India was at the forefront of the international community in its support to the anti-apartheid movement there. India is among the top five trading partners of South Africa.

Both countries have close cooperation in the areas of vocational training and capacity building.

ICAR’s ‘Kisan Gandhi’ tableau wins first prize at R-Day parade

The ICAR tableau in the Republic Day Parade has won the first prize for its Kisan Gandhi theme.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research tableau with the theme “Mishrit Kheti, Khushiyon Ki Kheti” portrayed Gandhi with goats and a cow and Kasturba engaged with charkha and caring animals. The tableau showcased a view from Bapu Kuti at Wardha Ashram.

Tripura bagged the first prize for the state tableau while tableau from Jammu and Kashmir was adjudged the second and Punjab won the third prize.

Southern Railway won number one for cleanliness
The Southern Railway has bagged the number one position for cleanliness in all the 17 railway zones in the country.

This achievement was under the category of other than Premium Category trains in the recent Trains Cleanliness Survey conducted by IRCTC on all India level.

The survey is conducted once a year to periodically monitor the progress of ‘Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat’ mission.

APSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for APSC Prelims and APSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by APSC Notes are as follows:-

For any doubt, Just leave us a Chat or Fill us a querry