ASSAM

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

India’s longest bridge to bring NE closer to rest of India, Bhutan, Bangladesh

PM Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for building the country’s longest bridge—Dhubri (Assam)-Phulbari (Meghalaya) bridge over Brahmaputra river, which will provide a third alternative link to Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Barak valley region of Assam with the rest of the country as well as reduce the time and distance to travel to Bhutan and Bangladesh.

This 19-km long four-lane bridge to be built at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore once completed will be double the length of the current longest bridge in the country—the 9.15 km long Dhola–Sadiya Bridge, also referred to as the Bhupen Hazarika Setu, over Brahmaputra river. The Dhubri-Phulbari bridge will be the eight bridge over the might river.

The bridge will reduce travel distance from 205 km to only 19 km and travel time from six hours to 20 minutes and will serve more than two million commuters. The contract has been bagged by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. Heavy Civil Infrastructure IC Larsen & Toubro Ltd with September, 2028 as the target date for completion.

INTERNATIONAL

Italy Joins International Solar Alliance

The Ministry of External Affairs of India informed that Italy had signed a framework agreement with India to join the International Solar Energy Alliance (ISA).

After the amendments to the ISA framework agreement came into effect on January 8, 2021, the Republic of Italy signed the ISA framework agreement. This amendment opens the membership of the Solar Energy Alliance to all members of the United Nations.

ISA is an intergovernmental coalition formed by treaties, composed of 121 countries/regions. The establishment of the alliance was initiated by India. Most member states are sunny countries. These countries are completely or partially located between the Tropic of Cancer and Mori. However, countries that are not in the tropics can also join the alliance and take advantage of all membership benefits except voting rights. The goal of ISA is to effectively use solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This initiative was originally proposed by Narendra Modi at Wembley Stadium in London in November 2015.

MoU On Cooperation In Sports Between India and Maldives

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between India and Maldives in sports and youth affairs.

The bilateral exchange program between the two countries in the field of sports and youth affairs under the memorandum of understanding will help expand the expertise of sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, and participation in youth festivals and camps.

The two countries signed the “Maritime Boundary Treaty” in December 1976, reaching an agreement on the maritime boundary. The treaty placed “Minicoy Island” on the side of India’s border.

NATIONAL

MMDR Amendment Bill Propesed In Lok Sabha

The 2021 “Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Amendment Bill”, proposed in Lok Sabha. MMDR bill amended the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act of 1957. Highlights:

Removal of restrictions on mineral end-uses: The Bill stipulates that no mines may be reserved for specific end-uses.

Sale of minerals from captive landmines: The Bill stipulates that captive landmines (except atomic minerals) can sell 50% of their annual minerals production on the open market after meeting their own needs. The central government can raise this threshold through notification.

In some cases, auctions are conducted by the central government: The Bill authorizes the central government to negotiate with the state governments to specify a time period for completing the auction process. If the state government cannot complete the auction process during this period, the auction can be conducted by the central government.

RS Passed The NIFTEM Bill

Rajya Sabha passed the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Bill in 2019. Highlights:

The bill declares that food technology, entrepreneurship and management agencies as institutions of national importance.

The institutes are – (1) National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (Kundli, Haryana); (2) Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu).

The bill declares these institutions as the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management.

Indias Per Capita – National Steel Policy

In Rajya Sabha’s written response, the Minister of Steel pointed out that India’s per capita steel consumption is 74.7 kg, compared to the world average level of 229 kg during 2019-20. About National Steel Policy:

The “National Steel Policy” issued in 2017 aims to achieve 300 tons of steel production capacity in India by 2030.

It has a long-term vision to increase domestic consumption, produce high-quality steel, and make the industry globally competitive. National Steel Policy Objectives:

Increase crude steel production capacity to 300 tons by 2030-31.

By 2030-31, per capita steel consumption will increase to 160 kg

By 2030-31, domestic production will meet all demands for strategically used high-end automotive steel, special steel and alloys, and electrical steel.

Become a net exporter of steel by 2025-26.

Increase the domestic supply of washed coking coal in order to reduce the dependence on imported coking coal to 50% by 2030-31.

Formulate and implement quality standards for domestic steel products.

By 2030-31, assist the industry to become a global leader in efficient steel production of energy and raw materials.

Har Medh Par Ped – Sub-Mission On Agroforestry

The Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (Har Medh Par Ped) Scheme is planned to be launched in 2016-17. About Sub-Mission on Agroforestry:

Initiated the scheme to encourage tree planting and crops/cropping systems on farmland to help farmers earn more income and make their farming systems more climate-resilient and adaptable.

The 60:40 funding model is implemented between the Center and the State government. for all States except NE and Hilly states, the ratio of UTs & National Level Agencies is 90:10, 100%.

Under the scheme, assistance is provided to farmers through the state government to develop nursery, border planting and monolith planting of important tree species to promote the nurturing of tree-bearing oilseed fruits, medicinal and aromatic plants, silk and lac rearing host plants, in addition to wood species, enable farmers to obtain early returns.

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