Government

27.01.18 Arunachal Pradesh(APPSC) Current Affairs

by

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Model Code of Conduct in full swing in Nagaland
  • Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinhahas asked banks to report daily to the district election officer on suspicious withdrawal of cash from the bank account of any individual.

 

  • If cash exceeding Rs 50,000 was found in a vehicle carrying a candidate, his agent or party worker, it would be seized.

 

  • The directives were issued as part of the Model Code of Conduct which is in force in Nagaland in view of the elections to the 60-member Assembly on February 27.

 

  • Posters, election materials or drugs, liquor, arms or gifts items valued at more than Rs 10,000, likely to be used for inducement of electors, or any other illicit articles also found in a vehicle, shall also be seized, the statement said.

 

  • Unauthorized political advertisements at private property should also be removed.

 

  • There is a total ban on the use of official vehicles by any political party, candidate or agent for campaigning, electioneering or election-related travel during elections.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        Doomsday Clock set to 2 mins to midnight closest since 1953

 

  • The Doomsday Clock close the planet is to an apocalypse was set at2 minutes to midnight, the closest since 1953 during the Cold War.
  • The Clock was moved 30 seconds forward compared to 2017, citing growing nuclear risks and climate dangers.
  • The Clock is maintained since 1947 by scientists worldwide including 15 Nobel Laureates.

 

Gk bit – Doomsday Clock

 

  • The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight, from two-and-a-half minutes to two minutes.

 

  • The Doomsday Clock was created by the board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientistsin 1947 as a response to nuclear The concept is simple – the closer the minute hand is to midnight, the closer the board believes the world is to disaster.

 

 

  • The clock was originally conceived by a group of atomic scientists who had been involved with the Manhattan Project, the scheme responsible for the first nuclear weapons. The scientists regularly produced a bulletin detailing progress and updates in nuclear weaponry and the clock was first designed as an illustration for the cover of the first edition.

 

  • Since then, the clock has moved backwards and forwards – from seventeen minutes to midnight in 1991 to two minutes to midnight in 1953.

 

 

  • India offers to create digital villages in ASEAN countries

 

  • India has offered to enhance rural connectivity in fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.

 

  • Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said, “India offers to undertake a pilot project on rural connectivity, which would create digital villages in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam.”

 

  • PM Modi also proposed the ASEAN countries declare 2019 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.

 

 

 

NATIONAL

 

  • President of India Receives Asean Heads of State and Government

 

  • The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, received the ASEAN Heads of State and Government at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 25, 2018 and hosted a lunch in their honour.
  • Speaking on the occasion, the President said that India-ASEAN relations have come a long way since we established our Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN on January 28, 1992.

 

  • Today, ASEAN is a Strategic Partner for India.

 

  • We have 30 dialogue mechanisms between India and ASEAN, including Annual Summits and 7 Ministerial Meetings in a wide range of sectors.

 

  • Ministry of Highways signs MoU with IL&FS for construction of Zojila tunnel

 

  • An MoU was signed between National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, and M/S IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd for construction of the 14.150  km long,  2-lane bi-directional Zojila Tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir .

 

  • This would be India’s longest road tunnel and the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia.

 

  • The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions.

 

·        Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks to offer Atal Pension Yojana

 

  • Payments Banks and Small Finance Banks are a New Model of banks conceptualized by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • 11 Payment Banks and 10 Small Finance Banks have received a license from Reserve Bank of India to start banking operations in India.
  • Small Finance Banks and Payment Banks are new age banks and given the strength of the bank, expertise and it reaches, Small Finance Bank and Payment Bank can play a pivotal role in the outreach of 83 lacs subscribers under Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
  • APY is a Government’s Old Age Pension Scheme being implemented through all Banks across the country as per the mandate received from the Ministry of Finance and monitored periodically at PMO. PM Narendra Modi had launched the Social Security Scheme on May 9th, 2015 and dedicated the First Ever Guaranteed Pension Product to the people of the country.

 

·        Maharashtra wins best tableau prize in Republic Day parade

 

  • The Punjab Regiment has bagged the award for the best marching contingent among the three services and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police among the paramilitary and other auxiliary forces in the Republic Day parade.

 

  • Maharashtra got the first prize for the best tableau.

 

  • Maharashtra’s tableau was titled Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj coronation.

 

  • Assam’s tableau depicting traditional “masks and sastras” bagged the second prize.

 

  • The third prize went to Chhattisgarh’s display of Ramgarh’s ancient amphitheatre and artistes performing dance based on Kalidasa’s Meghadootam.

 

  • Among the tableaux by Union Ministries and departments, the first prize went to KheloIndia of the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry.

 

  • Of the 23 tableaux, 14 were from the States and Union Territories.

 

  • The External Affairs Ministry presented two tableau depicting the “long socio-cultural, religious, educational and trade relations” between India and ASEAN countries.

 

·        Govt. to set up apex cybercrime coordination centre

  • To deal with cybercrimes such as financial frauds, circulation of communal and pornographic contents, the Union Home Ministry is planning to set up an apex coordination centre and has asked States to establish a similar mechanism in every district.
  • It has also released ₹83 crore for setting up of a cyber forensic training laboratory-cum-training centre for police officials in each State. The funds were given under the Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children Scheme.
  • The apex centre — Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) — would be set up in Delhi.
  • It would coordinate with State governments and Union Territories, and closely monitor the cyberspace and social media with due emphasis on vernacular content.
  • The centre would also block those websites which flout India’s laws and circulate child porn, and communally and racially sensitive content.
  • State governments have also been asked to set up a State cybercrime coordination cell at the headquarter-level and also establish district cybercrime cells.
  • The Ministry has already created a new wing — Cyber and Information Security Division — to deal with the new-age challenge.
  • The cybercrime cases are of varied types. These range from defacement of government websites, online financial frauds, online stalking and harassment, and data thefts. Each requires specialised investigative skill sets and forensic tools.
  • Phishing, scanning or probing, website intrusions and defacements, virus or malicious code and denial of service attacks are some types of cybercrimes.

 

Quality of life, life expectancy, literacy, standard of living and migration in India

by

Quality of life, life expectancy, literacy, standard of living and migration in India

Human development—a comprehensive approach

  • Human development is a process of enlarging people’s choices. But human development is also the objective, so it is both a process and an outcome. Human development implies that people must influence the processes that shape their lives. In all this, economic growth is an important means to human development, but not the end.
  • Human development is the development of the people through building human capabilities, by the people through active participation in the processes that shape their lives and for the people by improving their lives.
  • It is broader than other approaches, such as the human resource approach, the basic needs approach and the human welfare approach

Measuring human development

  • The composite Human Development Index (HDI) integrates three basic dimensions of human development.
  • Life expectancy at birth reflects the ability to lead a long and healthy life.
  • Mean years of schooling and expected years of schooling reflect the ability to acquire knowledge. And gross national income per capita reflects the ability to achieve a decent standard of living.
  • To measure human development more comprehensively, the Human Development Report also presents four other composite indices.
  • The Inequality-adjusted HDI discounts the HDI according to the extent of inequality.
  • The Gender Development Index compares female and male HDI values.
  • The Gender Inequality Index highlights women’s empowerment. And the Multidimensional Poverty Index measures nonincome dimensions of poverty.

India’s Human Development Index 2016

  • India was ranked 131 in the 2016 Human Development Index (HDI) among the 188 countries.
  • India scored 0.624 and was placed in medium human development category.
  • The index was unveiled recently as part of the Human Development Report (HDR) 2016 titled Human Development for Everyone published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • India related facts: India’s HDI value increased from 0.428 in 1990 to 0.624 in 2015. However, its average annual growth in HDI (1990-2015) was higher than that of other medium HDI countries.
  • Life expectancy at birth: In India, it has increased from 68 years to an average of 68.3 years — 69.9 years for women and 66.9 years for men.
  • Access to knowledge: India’s expected years of schooling remains at 11.7 years, while mean years of schooling increased from 5.4 to 6.3 years.
  • India’s Gross National Income (GNI) based on per capita purchasing power parity (PPP): It has risen from $5,497 to $5,663.
  • Gender Inequality Index (GII): India ranked 125 among 159 countries. Only 12.2% of Parliament seats are held by women. 8% of women above the age of 15 years are part of India’s labour force — compared to 79.1% men. The ratio of maternal mortality is 174 against every 100000 live births.
  • Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI): It is difference between the HDI and IHDI, expressed as a percentage of the HDI, indicating the loss in human development due to inequality.
  • India’s HDI was pegged at 0.624, but its value falls 27.2% after being adjusted for inequalities, resulting in a HDI value of 0.455.
  • Life expectancy adjusted with inequalities between 2010 and 2015 fell 24%, resulting in a value of 0.565.
  • The percentage of inequality in education in 2015 was 39.4% or 0.324 and inequality in income 16.1% or 0.512.

Social Progress Index: India’s quality of life improves

  • The measurement of quality of life is critical to understand whether economic growth is fostering social development across the globe or not.
  • It is essential to ranks countries on the basis of government’s effectiveness at meeting basic human needs, at providing a foundation for well-being with basic education and environmental protection, and at creating opportunities for all citizens to make personal choices and reach their full potential.
  • This kind of framework is being used by the Social Progress Imperative to create the Social Progress Index. It is observed that the world incorporating 128 countries scores 64.85 on social progress.
  • It registers a 2.6 percent increase from 2014.
  • The performance is best in Basic Human Needs with a score of 89.62 followed by Foundations of Well-being and Opportunity.
  • The major factors that contribute to the improvements in social progress are increased access to information & communication and enhanced advanced education landscape. On the other hand, Personal Rights which includes measures of political rights and freedom of expression is declining in most countries.
  • A rapid deterioration of rights, especially in terms of falling political participation and worsening freedom of expression and assembly, points out that the choices of citizens are being threatened.
  • Also, the advancements in Personal Safety have been intangible. This is mainly due to the reverse changes in the homicide rate and violent crimes which some countries are experiencing.

Quality of life: Which is the best Indian city to live in?

  • One of the most difficult financial decisions one has to make in life is to decide the place where they would choose to stay. The location one chooses is influenced by a host of pros and cons. The cost of living, the availability of economic opportunities, the quality of life, education facilities, among others are some of the many deciding factors.
  • Mercer, the global human resources consulting firm, has released its 18th annual Quality of Living Survey, listing 2016 city rankings of best places to live in.
  • Mercer evaluated local living conditions in more than 440 cities surveyed worldwide according to 39 factors, grouped in 10 categories such as political and social environment, economic environment, socio-cultural environment, medical and health considerations, schools and education, public services and transportation, recreation, consumer goods, housing, and natural environment.
  • As per the Mercer ranking, Hyderabad has been ranked as the best city in India to stay in with a ranking of 139 out of 230 cities in the world.
  • Pune has been selected as the second best Indian city with a rank of 144.
  • Other Indian cities that found a place in the list are: Bangalore (145), Chennai (150), Mumbai (152), Kolkata (160), and New Delhi (161).

Literacy in India

  • The 15th official census in India was calculated in the year 2011. In a country like India, literacy is the main foundation for social and economic growth. When the British rule ended in India in the year 1947 the literacy rate was just 12%.
  • Over the years, India has changed socially, economically, and globally.
  • After the 2011 census, literacy rate India 2011 was found to be 74.04%.
  • Compared to the adult literacy rate here the youth literacy rate is about 9% higher. Though this seems like a very great accomplishment, it is still a matter of concern that still so many people in India cannot even read and write.
  • The numbers of children who do not get education especially in the rural areas are still high. Though the government has made a law that every child under the age of 14 should get free education, the problem of illiteracy is still at large.
  • Now, if we consider female literacy rate in India, then it is lower than the male literacy rate as many parents do not allow their female children to go to schools. They get married off at a young age instead.
  • Though child marriage has been lowered to very low levels, it still happens. Many families, especially in rural areas believe that having a male child is better than having a baby girl. So the male child gets all the benefits.
  • Today, the female literacy levels according to the Literacy Rate 2011 census are 65.46% where the male literacy rate is over 80%.
  • The literacy rate in India has always been a matter of concern but many NGO initiatives and government ads, campaigns and programs are being held to spread awareness amongst people about the importance of literacy. Also the government has made strict rules for female equality rights. India literacy rate has shown significant rise in the past 10 years.
  • Here are some facts about different states literacy rate, Kerala is the only state in India to have 100% literacy rate. It is followed by Goa, Tripura, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, Sikkim.
  • The lowest literacy rate in India is seen in the state of Bihar.
  • We also need to think why is the literacy rate is low here in India compared to other developed countries. Basically the population in India is very high. Being the 7th largest country its population stands 2nd in the world after China. There are over 1 billion people in India.
  • The number of schools and educational centers especially in rural areas is less. Even today many people are below the poverty line. Also people aren’t aware that children should get free education according to the law

Standard of living in India

  • Standard of living in India varies from state to state.
  • With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, clocked at a growth rate of 7.6% in 2015, India is on its way to becoming a large and globally important consumer economy.
  • According to Deutsche Bank Research, there are between 30 million and 300 million middle-class people in India. If current trends continue, India’s share of world GDP will significantly increase from 7.3 in 2016 to 8.5 percent of the world share by 2020.
  • In 2011, less than 22 percent of Indians lived under the global poverty line, nearly a 10 percent reduction from 29.8 percent just two years prior in 2009.
  • According to NCAER, India’s middle class population would be 267 million in 2016.
  • Further ahead, by 2025-26 the number of middle class households in India is likely to more than double from the 2015-16 levels to 113.8 million households or 547 million individuals.
  • Another estimate put the Indian middle class as numbering 475 million people by 2030.
  • It is estimated that average real wages will quadruple between 2013 and 2030.
  • The standard of living in India shows large disparity.
  • For example, there is widespread poverty in rural areas of India, where medical care tends to be very basic or unavailable, while cities boast of world class medical establishments. Similarly, the very latest machinery may be used in some construction projects, but many construction workers work without mechanisation in most projects.
  • However, a rural middle class is now emerging in India, with some rural areas seeing increasing prosperity. In general, the southern Indian state of Kerala ranks top for most of the indices.
  • In 2010, the per capita PPP-adjusted GDP for India was US$3,608.

Migration in India

  • One important facet of study on population is the study of migration arising out of various social, economic or political reasons.
  • For a large country like India, the study of movement of population in different parts of the country helps in understanding the dynamics of the society better.
  • At this junction in the economic development, in the country, especially when many states are undergoing faster economic development, particularly in areas, such as, manufacturing, information technology or service sectors, data migration profile of population has become more important.
  • When a person is enumerated in census at a different place than his / her place of birth, she / he is considered a migrant. This may be due to marriage, which is the most common reason for migration among females-or for work, what is the case as generally among males, etc.
  • It also happens that many return to their place of birth after staying out. To capture such movements of population census collect information on migration by last helps to understand the current migration scenario better.
  • In India, as per census 2001, about 307 million person have been reported as migration by place of birth. Out of them about 259 million (84.2%), migrated from on e part of the state to another, i.e., from one village or town to another village or town. 42 million (2%) from out side the country.
  • The data on migration by last residence in India as per Census 2001 shows that the total number of migrants has been 314 million. Out of these migrants by last residence, 268 million (85%) has been intra-state migrants, those who migrated from one are of the state to another.
  • 41 million (13%) were interstate migrants and 5.1 million (1.6%) migrated from out side of the country.

Why do people migrate?

  • People migrate for many different reasons. These reasons can be classified as economic, social, political or environmental:
  1. economic migration – moving to find work or follow a particular career path
  2. social migration – moving somewhere for a better quality of life or to be closer to family or friends
  3. political migration – moving to escape political persecution or war
  4. environmental causes of migration include natural disasters such as flooding
  • Some people choose to migrate, eg someone who moves to another country to enhance their career opportunities. Some people are forced to migrate, eg someone who moves due to war or famine.
  • A refugee is someone who has left their home and does not have a new home to go to. Often refugees do not carry many possessions with them and do not have a clear idea of where they may finally settle.

Push and pull factors of Migration

Push factors are the reasons why people leave an area. They include:

  1. lack of services
  2. lack of safety
  3. high crime
  4. crop failure
  5. drought
  6. flooding
  7. poverty
  8. war

Pull factors are the reasons why people move to a particular area. They include:

  1. higher employment
  2. more wealth
  3. better services
  4. good climate
  5. safer, less crime
  6. political stability
  7. more fertile land
  8. lower risk from natural hazards

Migration usually happens as a result of a combination of these push and pull factors.

20.01.18 Arunachal Pradesh(APPSC) Current Affairs

by

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

·         Nagaland stands divided on assembly election announcement

 

ð  The announcement of election dates invited a polarised response in Nagaland, with political parties welcoming the move and local organizations strongly protesting against it – with the apex tribal body of the state threatening to boycott the electoral process.

 

ð  The demand for a resolution of the Naga crisis, talks for which have been on for decades, before the assembly polls has been gaining ground in the state. The Naga peace talks have centred around the creation of Nagalim, or greater Nagaland, encompassing Naga-dominated areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. In 2015, the Centre signed a framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah). Since then, the Naga people have been hoping for a resolution and had expected it to come by the end of 2017, especially after President Ram Nath Kovind hinted at the possibility in December last year.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        India became 43rd Member of Australia Group

 

  • India joined the Australia Group export control regime and has become the 43rd Member of that Group.
  • It is an informal forum which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.
  • The inclusion will raise India’s stature in the field of non-proliferation and help in acquiring critical technologies.
  • India managed entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

 

Gk bit – Australia Group

 

  • The Australia Group (AG) is an informal forum of countries which, through the harmonisation of export controls,seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.

 

  • Coordination of national export control measures assists Australia Group participants to fulfil their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention to the fullest extent possible.

  • This is achieved by members through the harmonisation of export controls like using licensing measures.

 

  • It was established in the background of use of chemical weapons (in the form of nerve agents and sulphur mustard) by Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

 

  • It has 43Members + European Union

 

 

·        India to offer Yoga classes at World Economic Forum

 

  • India will offer Yoga training sessions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in a move aimed at promoting Indian traditions abroad.
  • More than 70 heads of states are expected to attend the summit next week. PM Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to attend the summit in 21 years.
  • Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes next week at the summit, which has attracted 70 heads of state and government, including U.S. President Donald Trump as well as celebrities, chief executives and top bankers.
  • Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to attend the WEF in 21 years, since when the economy has more than doubled to $2.3 trillion and become the world’s seventh largest.

 

NATIONAL

 

  • MEITY launches Cyber Surakshit Bharat to strengthen Cybersecurity

 

  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), announced the Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative in association with National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and industry partners at an inaugural event in Delhi.

 

  • It will include an awareness program on the importance of cybersecurity; a series of workshops on best practices.

 

  • Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the first public-private partnership of its kind and will leverage the expertise of the IT industry in cybersecurity.

 

  • Silvassa tops the List of Cities selected in Round 4 of Smart Cities

 

  • Shri Hardeep S. Puri , Minister of State (I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs has announced the Round 4 winning cities of National Smart Cities Challenge.

 

  • The Minister informed that Silvassa from Dadar & Nagar Haveli has topped the list of winning cities in this round of competition.

 

  • Other winning cities are –

Erode, Tamil Nadu

Diu, Daman & Diu

Biharsharif, Bihar

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and

Kavaratti, Lakshwadeep

  • Maitre-2 bus services to connect India and Bangladesh

 

  • Maitre-2, the second passenger bus to Kolkata via Dhaka is started from Agartala, Tripura, to give a boost to the trans-border relationship between India and Bangladesh.

 

  • Recently, the Maitre-2 buses were flagged off by Tripura Road Transport Corporation Chairman.

 

  • The first Maitre bus service was launched in the year 2015.

 

  • Mauritius largest source of FDI in India, says RBI

 

  • Mauritius was the largest source of foreign investment in India, followed by the US and the UK, according to a census by the Reserve Bank.

 

  • Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), said the Reserve Bank of India.

 

Budgets of Arunachal Pradesh

by

Budgets of Arunachal Pradesh 2016-17

  • The estimated amount of money to be spent this financial year 2016-17is Rs.700 crore extra as compared to the last financial year, BE which stood atRs.12,533.62 crore,
  • The State’s share of Central Taxes under the 14th Finance Commission stood at Rs.7868.94 croreand central grants stood at Rs.3705.66crore, for FY 2016-17 The revenue receipt for the non-plan segment to be received from the centre is Rs.235.66 crore and for the plan segment is Rs.3470.00 crBudgets of Arunachal Pradeshore. Altogether, the revenue receipts from both centre and state amounts to Rs.12774.16 crore, a shortfall of Rs. 469.05 crore to meet the projected BE for FY 2016-17.
  • the plan segment for the FY2016-17, the Govt. projected the expenditure to be at Rs.6569.00 crore, this include revenue expenditure, capital expenditure and loans. Altogether the total expenditure projected for this FY2016-17 stands at Rs.13906.08 crore.

 

Health:

–From April 2016 onwards students pursuing BSc (Nursing), ANM and GNM would be given stipend of `1400 per month. With book grants of `3000, `2000, `1000 to BSc, GNM and ANM students respectively.
-De-addiction centre in Pasighat, Tezu, Hayuliang, Khonsa, Changlang and Longding. Proposed fund of `16 Crore in 2016-17
-Government proposed an allocation of ` 973.97 Crore in 2016-17

Education:

-State Govt. will create additional post of 184 teaching staff and 166 non- teaching staff.
-All schools shall be provided with 24X7 power supply by having provision from main line, solar inverter and DG Set in a phased manner
-Internet facility shall be made available wherever possible.
-From April 2016 onwards, Salaries of all SSA teachers will be paid regularly on a monthly basis.
-Enhanced rate of stipend to students; Class I to VIII – ` 900 Monthly, Class IX to XII- `1,100 and College Students – `1,400.
-Enhanced Annual Book grant to students;  MMBS students – ` 10,000, BAMS/BHMS/BDS – `  5,000, BE/BTech – ` 1,000 and Other Students – ` 1,000.  – Government proposed an allocation of ` 1985.98 crore in 2016-17 for education.

Labour and Employment:
-Government raised the minimum wages from `4500 to `6000 per month for unskilled and fixed ` 7000 for skilled labour.

Agriculture:

-Government proposed an allocation of about `182 Crore in 2016-17.

Horticulture:

-Government proposed to make a provision of `5 crore for a scheme to provide alternative source of livelihood to opium and cannabis growers. Under this scheme, farmers will get ` 7 lakh to setup large cardamom and kiwi gardens.
-Government propsed an allocation of about `27 Crore in 2016-17.

Environment and Forests:

-Proposed to make a tentative allocation of ` 10 Crore for raising 2 battalions of Eco-task force.
-7 Crore provision for up gradation of Itanagar Zoological Garden

Municipal Council:

-Allocation of `8.96 Crore for construction of collection points, dustbins in various locations of Capital Complex region.

-Government will create 60 posts including two executive engineers, four assistant engineers, and 7 junior engineers apart from ministerial staffs like UDC, LDC, Computer Operators and fourth grade staffs.

Building and Road:

-Proposal of `14 Crore for Jully bypass road and `12 Crore for Itanagar-Jote road.

Police:

-Government will provide 224 vehicles for mobility of police force.
– Provision of `44 Crore for construction of women police stations including housing facilities in all districts.

–Community Policing Suvidha Centre will be established to provide police services to the citizens and the aim behind it is to reduce fear psychosis of general public towards police.  Services to be provided by the CPSC are registration of foreigners, tenant verification, Registration and investigation of servants, Passport verification, Police clearance Certificate at the time of foreign immigration, Vehicle verification, Character verification, Copy of FIR, Missing reports etc.

-`1000 per month to police personnel as ration allowance.

IPR:

-Enhance the Corpus fund for journalist welfare from existing `1 crore to `2 crore. Additional `2 crore for construction of media colony increasing the total allocation from`3 crore to `5 crore.

Sports and Youth Affairs:

-Proposed `2 crore for CM football and Volleyball Trophy tournaments.

-`10 crore for setting up of a Youth Convention hall with resource centre and multi discipline hall at SLSA complex, Chimpu.

District Administration:

-Earmarked  `60 lakh to each Deputy Commissioner as untied fund for meeting the development needs of the district.

-Increased honorarium of `1500 to Head Gaon Burah and ` 1000 to the Gaon Burah.

DoTCL:

-Government proposed to keep a provision of `50 Crore in this budget for the overall development in the districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding.

MLALAD:

-Proposed to increase MLALAD allocation from the current ` 1.25 Crore per annum to `2 Crore per annum.

Arunachal Pradesh Schemes and Projects

by

Arunachal Pradesh Schemes and Projects

Chief Minister’s Adarsh Gram Yoiana 2017

  • The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to implement the Ghief Minister’s Adarsh Gram Yojana 2017 fot creating model villages in the state.

OBJECTIVE

  • The Objective of the scheme is to develop 60 Model Villages in Arunachal Pradesh, which are equipped with all basic amenities such as 24×7 Piped Drinking water,
  • Electricity at household level, primary school, primary health infrastructure, internal roads, avenues of employment generataon and are open defecation free.

SALIENT FEATURES

  1. A total of 60 model villages (l village per Legislative Assembly Constituency) will be developed initially within a period of 2 years.
  2. Selection of villages will be done by a committee headed by Deputy Commissioner along with HOO’s of respective districts and the concerned MLAs.
  3. A total outlay of Rs 1.5 Crores per village has been provided.
  4. Block Development Office will be the nodal implementing Agency.
  5. In order to generate rural employment, all works that do not require specific skills will be done by the villagers who are willing to work and are above 18 years of age. Wages will be paid as per latest MGNREGA guidelines and works will be dovetailed with MGNREGA scheme of Government of lndia.
  6. A shelf of works for the village will be recommended and approved by Gram Sabha and submitted to the BDO. This would be forwarded to the office of the Deputy Commissioner for Administrative and Technical Approval and Sanctions.
  7. All account and records relating to the scheme would be available for public scrutiny.
  8. There would be an effort on convergence with other CSS / State Plan Schemes including MLALAD for optimal results.

 

Chief Minister’s District Innovation and Challenge Fund

  • The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to implement the Scheme of “Chief Minister’s District Innovation and Challenge Fund” to ensure that public investment in the district is responsive to local requirements of the districts.
  • The following would be the key objectives of the scheme:
    1. To fill in vital gaps in public infrastructure available at the district level which is not being fully utilized in absence of relatively small investment e.g. Gove:nment hospital witfr non-functional diagnostic equipment.
    2. Catalyze opportunities for Skill Development, Sustainable Livelihood and entrepreneurship.
    3. Schemes which have positive impacts of eFficient service delivery system.
    4. Schemes which are oriented towards social sectors – Health and Education.
    5. Schemes which are targeted on welfare of marginalized section of the society. Sub:- Chief Minister’s District Innovation and Challenqe Fund.
    6. Development of Eco-tourism

Chief Minister’s Krishi Rinn Yoiona

  • The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to provide a facility of Zero interest crop loan to farmers of the State to enable them easy access to formal credit through banking channels.
  • The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to launch “Chief Minister’s Krishi Rinn Yojana” which will have the following features:-
  1. The Government of Arunachal Pradesh would provide interest subvention oi 4o/o on crop loan / Kisan Credit Card limit up to Rs.3.00 lakhs sanctioned by all banks to all farmers of the State during the current financial year. This interest subvention will be over and above the subvention given by Govt of lndia to banks and the farmers as per policy circular issued by RBI/NABARD
  2. The farmers would also get interest relief @ 30k per annum who promptly repay their short term production credit (crop loan) within one year of disbursement / drawal of such loan. ln effect, farmers who take loan of upto Rs 3.00 lakhs and make timely repayments will get access to zero interest credit facility.
  3. NABARD will act as channel partner for reimbursement to banks against interest subvention amount claims in prescribed format, for which a circular will be issued to all the banks separately.
  4. The State Government will be issuing a notification wherein a certificate of area and crop being cultivated issued by Circle Officer which will be accepted as valid documents by bank for issuance of Kisan Credit Card to the farmers.
  5. This scheme will not be available for production of perennial food crop, plantation crop.
  6. Banks and district will give adequate publicity to the above scheme so that th6 iarmers can avail the benefits.
  7. Beneflt under scheme will be extended to farmers availing KCC / crop production loan from commercial banks, APRB and APSCAB Ltd at the same terms and conditions prescribed by RBI / NABARD. Banks will make available the KCC loan application formats being used at present to all the farmers willing to apply for KCC in short term crop loan.
  8. The State Government has set a target of 7500 farmers to be covered under crop loan under Chief Minister’s Krishi Rinn Yojana in this financial year. The districl wise/bank wise target will be circulated separately to all DCs and concerned banks. These targets will be reviewed in the DLCC meetings and SLBC meetings. Any bank which fails to meet the stipulated target would be reported to RBI and Department of Financial Services.
  9. The Circle Officers will function as Financial Extension Officers of the State Government and also help the banks in timely recovery of crop loans.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Bunkar Yojana

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to launch the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Bunkar Yojana to encourage the women weavers to access affordable credit from banks for working capital requirements.Arunachal Pradesh Schemes and Projects

  1. It has been decided to introduce 7% interest subvention on short term credit / Cash Credit limit / working capital limit / Weavers Credit Card / Swarojgar Credit card availed by the women weavers of the State. The Scheme will be applicable for loans availed from Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Bank on or after 01 .04.2017 and disbursed during current financial year.
  2. lnterest subvention will be qalculated on the short term loan amount from the date of its disbursement / drawl upto the date of actual repayment of the loan by the weavers or upto the due date of the loans fixed by the banks, whichever is earlier, subject to a maximum period of one year.
  3. The benefit of the Scheme will not be applicable to term loans and other loans extended by the Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks to weaVers.
  4. The loan application will be forwarded through Circle Officer who will certify that the applicant is in p6ssession of a working loom(s).
  5. The Scheme will cover all categories of women weavers, irrespective of unit size /no. of looms and will be covered under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana.
  6. Only individual women weaVer or group of woman weavers will be eligible under the Scheme. Cbmpanies and partnership firms will not be eligible.
  7. The interest subvention will be applicable for working capital loan upto Rs. 2.00 lakh irrespective of the quantum of loan extended to the weaver by the bank.
  8. A target of 3000 women weavers has been fixed for this financial year and the bank wise / district wise target will be circulated in due course. Banks who default in targets would be reported to RBl.
  9. NABARD will act as channel partner for reimbursement of interest subvention to banks which have to be claimed by the banks in the prescribed format. NABARD will issue detailed circulars to the banks in this regard.
  10. The District Administration and the bank will make all efforts for wide publicity of the scheme and the Circle Officers shall educate women self-help groups and individual weavers for timely loan repayment.

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swalamban Yoiona

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to launch the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swalamban Yojana to encourage unemployed youth to gain access to low cost capital for entrepreneurship.

  1. Under this scheme, a provision of 30% back ended capital investment subsidy has been made for entrepreneurs, who wish to set up small and medium enterprises with a loan from Rs. 10.00 lakhs upto Rs.1 .00 crore excluding the cost of land and building.
  2. Women entrepreneurs will be additionally eligible for 5% interest subsidy annually provided the entrepreneurs does not become Non-Performing Asset (NPA).
  3. Entrepreneurs will be required to be registered under Stand Up lndia Scheme. The sectors are covered under this scheme :-.
  1. Value addition in agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors including packaging, cold chain, cold storage, milk processing, food processing etc.
  2. Ecotourism including home stays and tour operators.
  3. Traditional textile weaving for modernisation of traditional looms and ‘ purchase of new looms to start a new weaving unit.
  4. (Small scale manufacturing units to be set up by qualified graduates.
    • Entrepreneurs would be required to contribute at least 10% of project cost as their contribution. Preference will be given to those who contribute a greater proportion.

Government sanctions a major power transmission scheme for Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim to bring them fully into the grid

  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, approved the Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening of Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Systems (CSST&DS) in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim at an estimated cost of Rs.4754.42 crore.
  • The scheme is to be taken up under a new Central Sector Plan Scheme of Ministry of Power (MoP).
  • As the intra-state T&D systems in the North-Eastern states have remained very weak, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) developed the CSST&DS for the North East Region (NER) in consultation with the Power Grid Corporation of the India Limited (PGCIL) and State Governments concerned.
  • Presently, only 5 out of 20 districts of Arunachal Pradesh are connected to transmission network at 132/220 KV.
  • The 33 KV system is the backbone of power distribution system in the State.
  • Due to low population density spread over its geographical area of 84,000 sq.km, power demand in Arunachal Pradesh is scattered over large distances. Hence it is necessary to provide 132 KV connectivity in the state for proper voltage management and lower distribution losses.
  • Similarly, the distribution system in Sikkim mainly relies on 66 KV network, which needs to be strengthened substantially.
  • In view of this, it is proposed to take up projects for strengthening intra-state T&D systems of the two States through 31 new 132 KV sub-stations, 14 substations of 66/11 KV, 2035 km of transmission lines (132 & 220 KV) and 2204 km of transmission lines (33 & 66 KV).
  • The project would be implemented through PGCIL with its consultancy fee of 1.2 percent of the execution cost.
  • After commissioning, the projects would be owned and maintained by the State Governments.
  • Initially the project was proposed to be funded under Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resource (NLCPR – Central) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER).
  • But DONER has conveyed its inability due to budgetary constraints.
  • Hence it is proposed to take it up through a new Central Sector Scheme under the MoP’s budget.
  • The project is to be implemented within 48 months from the first fund release to PGCIL

50 Biotech Laboratories to be established in Senior Secondary Schools of Arunachal Pradesh

  • Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, will set up 50 Biotech Laboratories in Senior Secondary Schools of Arunachal Pradesh under the scheme Biotech Labs in Senior Secondary Schools (BLISS) to encourage young dynamic students.
  • 75 to 100 crores have been earmarked for the implementing the projects.
  • This project will be jointly funded by Department of Bio-Technology and Rural Technology Centre of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
  • A State Level Biotech Hub will also be set up in the State for conducting high-end researches and training North Eastern Region Researchers and students, to create and train employable manpower.
  • For protection of indigenous traditional knowledge of the State, an Intellectual Property(IP) Cell will be set up in the State Science and Technology Council.
  • Five centres of excellence will also be established in different areas of Biotechnology in the State.
  • Setting up biotechnology labs in the schools will directly benefit more than ten thousand students and teachers of the state towards promoting education in biotechnology and attracting billion young students with multidisciplinary research areas.
  • The outreach programme will immensely help in generating awareness and enhancing literacy and promoting public understanding of biotechnology in the state.

 

India’s longest bridge brings Assam closer to Arunachal Pradesh

  • The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated India’s longest bridge – the 9.15 km long Dhola-Sadiya bridge over the River Brahmaputra, in Assam.
  • The bridge will ensure 24X7 connectivity between upper Assam and Eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, marking a major transformation from the ferry-based, day-only connectivity that collapsed during floods.
  • It will also reduce the distance and travel time between the two states.
  • The distance between Rupai on NH- 37 in Assam to Meka/Roing on NH-52 in Arunachal Pradesh will be cut down by 165 KM. The travel time between the two places will come down from the current six hours to just one hour – a total five hour reduction.
  • Dhola-Sadiya bridge opens the door for economic development in the North East on a big scale.

 

Arunachal Pradesh Planned Development

by

Arunachal Pradesh Planned Development

Till the first plan period there was practically no accent of economic or social development in Arunachal Pradesh. The tribal economy was backward and non monetized economy, land was scarce, technology primitive, manpower was scarce and unskilled, malnutrition, and illiteracy were some of the visible problems.

First and Second Five Year Plan

The first five year plan sanctioned a total outlay of only Rs. 3 crore. The plan was ushered only in 1953 as a result of which the final expenditure was even lesser than the actual outlay with just Rs. 2.01 Crore.

The top priority during the first two plans were given to the transport and communication services accounting for 35 to 40 percent of total plan expenditure in order to construct all weather roads in the territory. Next priority sector was social and community services, which received 32 to 35 percent of the total plan expenditure. In the field of education, more attention was given to consolidation and improvement of existing schools, rather than setting up new ones.

The extension of medical services got into stride in 1951 with the establishment of a separate medical department. In the agriculture sector emphasis was given to draw the attention of farmers to practice settled cultivation from the usual jhum cultivation.

Third Five Year Plan

The total outlay for the third five year plan ( 1961-66) was Rs. 7.15 Crores, which was because of extra allocation of Rs. 2 Crores for improvement of communication. The urgency for the development of transport and communication was felt after the Chinese aggression in 1962. As a result of which 306 kms of road was added during the third plan. During the third plan period, the highest priority was given to social and economic infrastructure of the territory.

During the three Annual Plans (1966-69) the topmost priority was given to extension of social and community services followed by transpo.rt and communication sector. Under Social and Community Services activities were confined to motivate the people in the field of education, covering more villages with water supply schemes, provision of health facilities, etc. Industry got very meager percentage of total o_utlay in all the plan period and the possible reason could be the absence of infrastructural development coupled with the absence of manpower and other resources.

Fourth Five Year Plan

During this period the fourth five year plan (1969-74) was already underway with the total outlay of Rs. 17.99 crores but actual expenditure at the end of the plan period went up to Rs. 21 crores as shown in Table 3 .1. In the agricultural and allied sectors the objective continued to be on increase in food production through various schemes such as land reclamation and development, terracing improved jhuming, irrigation etc. And from the general framework it appeared that more emphasis was given on land development and terracing, but food production was far from the required quantity.

Fifth Five Year Plan

During Fifth Plan the Pradesh Council was converted into a provisional legislative council in 1975. Arunachal Police was established in 1974. In the same year Arunachal Pradesh Planned DevelopmentState transport Department was set up with the aim to connect the administrative headquarters and to promote greater interaction to build economic, social and cultural link within and outside the territory. Transport and communication continued to be one of the topmost priority areas, with about 35 percent of states total plan expenditure devoted for its development. New roads-both surfaced and unsurfaced were constructed connecting the sub-divisional headquarters.

Sixth Five Year Plan

The sixth five-year plan (1980-85) period brought in lot of changes in addition to the . already existing institutions as well as development process. Top-most priority was given to social and community services accounting for 31 percent of the total plan allocation. By the end of same year Plan 3 colleges, 62-higher/ high school, 132 middle/ senior basic schools and 1144 primary/ junior basic schools with the total of 1338 schools were in existence in the territory.

About. 25 percent of total fund were allocated for the further development and maintenance of the transport and comm·unication services. As a result of which 300 krn , surfaced and 800krn unsurfaced road was constructed in the VI plan.

Emphasis was also laid on the development of agriculture and allied activities, village and small-scale industries and extension of essential services in the rural and backward areas.

Seventh Five Year Plan

With an outlay of Rs. 549 crores, the main thrust in the seventh five-year plan ( 1985-90) continued to be on the development of physical and social infrastructure facilities, agriculture and allied services, power, transport and communications .

In agriculture sector the main emphasis continued to be on increase in foodgrain production to generate surplus production, to wean the jhumias to settled cultivation.

Attempt was made by government to provide subsidised transport facilities to help the farmers to dispose off their produce in nearest markets. To overcome the endemic marketing problem Arunachal Pradesh Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act was passed in 1989.

During the seventh plan and subsequent Annual plans ( 1990-91 & 1991-92) governments objective was to execute micro as well as comparatively large hydel schemes

Eighth Five Year Plan

The proposed outlay for the VIII plan was Rs. 1728.62 crores. However, the actual expenditure turned out to be Rs. 1714.62 crores. The broad objectives of the Eight five-year Plans (1992-97) were:

  • Development ofbasic infrastructure

(ii) Self-sufficiency in food. ·

(iii) Promotion of horticulture

(iv) Rapid development of local resources based on industries

(v) Development of manpower resources (vi) Welfare programme: literacy, health care, minimum needs programmes etc.

 

 

Arunachal Pradesh Food security

by

Arunachal Pradesh Food security

It means to provide Food and nutritional Security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Food and agriculture organization (FAO) says Food security is made up of four pillars viz. Availability, Affordability, Nutrition, and Stability.

Availability of Arunachal Pradesh Food security

Food should be available in sufficient quantity at all times and at all places. Various steps were taken to diversify the agriculture economy by encouraging the cultivation of cash crops like potatoes, and horticulture crops like apple, oranges, guavas, and pineapples, etc. Many important projects such as Regional Seed Foundation Potato Farm at Tawang, Regional Apple Nursery at Dirang, and State Horticulture Farm at Sheragaon were set up with the help of North-Eastern Council to boost agro-horticulture activities.

Apart from these Gramsevak Training Centre and farmers Training Centre located at various parts of the state impart training in scientific methods of rural development and agriculture respectively. In this way pre-agricultural level of technology in 1950 is now firmly established in the world of hybrid varieties, genes and biotechnology.

Affordability of Arunachal Pradesh Food security

Food should be affordable to poor people.

Through Targeted-PDS and National Food Security Act (NFSA), Government provides cheap grain to poor.

Public Distribution System of Arunachal Pradesh Food security

Arunachal Pradesh’s unique set of problems impinge on the implementation of the public distribution system in the state. Most significantly, many regions in the hill state are hard to access. Further, the state does not have a civil supplies corporation to manage the movement of foodgrains from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns to Fair Price Shops (FPS). The FCI does not have its own godowns in the state either. In the prevailing situation, the task of procuring and transporting PDS .

The practical challenges of implementing the Public Distribution System (PDS) in Arunachal Pradesh led to the conceptualization of the Arun ePDS initiative to improve delivery through process re-engineering and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The first phase, currently under implementation, is already showing significant impact in reducing the pilferage of food rations. The initiative has resulted in rapid redressal of grievances, detection of ghost ration cards and issuance of cards to people hitherto excluded from the system.

Nutrition

Food should be nutritious to ensure healthy development of body of mind.

Through Mid-day meal, Food-security Act, Integrated-Child Development scheme (ICDS) and half dozen other schemes, Government ensures nutritious food to children.

Stability

In food prices and supply must be stable. Otherwise political and social unrest.

FCI keeps ‘buffer-stock’ of grains. It can be sold to open market or distributed among people during high inflation, natural disaster etc.Arunachal Pradesh Food security

National Food Security Act (NFSA)

Govt. of India promulgated and issued National Food Security Ordinance on  5th July’2013 to provide Food and nutritional Security in human life cycle approach by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity and for matters connected therewith or  incidental thereto. The Food Security Ordinance envisage right to receive foodgrains at subsidised price by persons belonging to eligible households under Targeted Public Distribution System, nutritional support to pregnant woman, lactating mother and nutritional support to children etc. Under NFSA  every identified beneficiaries is entitled to get 5kg of foodgrain per month @ Rs. 3/- Rs. 2/- & Rs.1/- for rice, wheat and Coarse grain.
As approved by the Cabinet in the meeting on 08.08.2013, the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh had launched the NFSO’2013 in the State on 20th Aug/2013 at Itanagar.

Identification of Eligible Households

For the state of Arunachal Pradesh, the targetted coverage of population under the priority group (including AAY) is Rural 66.31% and Urban 51.55%. the state of Arunachal Pradesh took it as an opportunity under NFSA to prepare a new list of eligible households under NFSA by not only relying on old BPL and AAY lists.

Digitization of NFSA Beneficiaries
           After identification of the eligible households under NFSA, the  beneficifiaries data were digitized manually as per the standard presecribed by the GoI ensuring demographic data, FPS linkage, Family members data and PLC encoding (as per RGI standard) in ration cards for upload in the state portal for transparency and social audits. For centres with Arun ePDS running, the the data enumerations were done in the centres itself.

 

19.01.18 Arunachal Pradesh(APPSC) Current Affairs

by

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

 

  • New moth species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

 

  • Researchers have discovered a new species of moth from the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

  • The new species, scientifically named Elcysma Ziroensis, be commonly called Apatani Glory, named after a local tribe called Apatani.

 

  • This species has only been seen during autumn, notably in the month of September, indicating that it is a univoltine species, meaning it has one brood of young in a year.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

  • Romania to have first female prime minister, Viorica Dancila

 

  • Viorica Dancila has been named as Romania’s first female PM following the sudden resignation of Mihai Tudose.

 

  • Ms Dancila, a member of the European Parliament, is regarded as an ally of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea.

 

  • Ms Dancila, 54, is Romania’s third prime minister in seven months.

 

·        Google awarded 72 lakh for finding bugs in Pixel phone

 

  • Google awarded nearly 72 lakh to researcher Guang Gong for finding bugs in its Pixel devices.
  • The exploit chain consisted of two bugs which together could inject arbitrary code into system server by accessing a malicious URL in Chrome.
  • Around 67 lakh of the reward was given from Google’s Android Security Rewards program, the highest in the program’s history.

 

 

NATIONAL

 

·        India Ratings Projects Economic Growth at 7.1 Next Fiscal

 

  • India Ratings and Research have projected the country’s economic growth to improve to 1 percentin 2018-19 from 6.5 percent in 2017-18, buoyed by robust consumer demand and low commodity prices.
  • In its outlook for 2018-19, according to the agency, there will be a gradual pickup in growth momentum owing to structural reforms like GST and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in place.
  • The projection is a tad lower than 7.4 percent growth estimated by Asian Development Bank and International Monetary Fund for next fiscal.

 

  • Government to set up $350 million fund to finance solar projects

 

  • Government will set up a $350 million fund to finance solar projects, as the country steps up efforts to achieve its ambitious target of adding 175 gigawatts (GW) in renewable energy by 2022.

 

  • India will need at least $125 billion to fund a plan to increase the share of renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022.

 

  • The country, which receives twice as much sunshine as European nations, wants to make solar central to its renewable expansion.

 

  • Installed renewable power capacity is currently about 60 GW

·        HDFC Bank Becomes 1st Indian Bank to Cross Rs5 trillion Market Capitalisation

 

  • India’s most-valued lender HDFC Bank Limitedcrossed Rs5 trillion capitalization action for the first time, making it only the third Indian company to achieve this milestone.
  • In intraday trade, the stock touched a fresh record high of Rs1,53.75 on the BSE, up 3.31% from its previous close.
  • Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) are the other two companies which crossed market capitalisation of Rs5 trillion.

 

·        NPPA fixes retail price of 30 drug formulations

 

  • Drug price regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)fixed retail price for 30 drug formulations, including those used for the treatment of Diabetics, bacterial infections, and high blood pressure.
  • NPPA is an independent body under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It was set up in 1997.
  • Its mandate is to fix/review.
  • Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the country’s population.

 

·        Maharashtra becomes first state to unveil Public Cloud Policy

 

  • Maharashtra became the first state in the country to unveil Public Cloud Policy that virtually mandates state government departments to shift their data storage.
  • The State Government had formed a four-member committee to draft policy framework on cloud usage.
  • The policy will result in additional private sector investments worth the US $2 billion for cloud industry as the government is one of biggest creators.

 

·        Virat Kohli named as Captain of ICCs Test and ODI Teams of the Year

  • Virat Kohli was named the captain of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test and One-Day International (ODI) teams of the year that included four other Indians as well.
  • Kohli scored 2,023 runs at 77.80, including eight centuries and three half-centuries in 18 matches during the qualification period.
  • He surprisingly pipped Australian skipper Steve Smith for the ICC’s Test team captaincy.
  • The Test team also comprises Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin.

1.02.18 Arunachal Pradesh(APPSC) Current Affairs

by

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Northeast states report spike in HIV rate in those injecting drugs

 

  • Close to 20% injecting drug users (IDUS) in Mizoram have HIV, compared to a nationwide prevalence of 6.26% among drug-users, shows data from National Aids Control Organisation’s (NACO) HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2017 released last month.

 

  • Six states in the region account for 43.5% of IDUS who tested positive for HIV in India.

 

  • The states in the region with higher than usual national prevalence among IDUS are Mizoram (19.81%), Manipur (7.66%), and Tripura (8.55%).

 

  • Needle-sharing among IDUS is one of the reasons driving the HIV epidemic in the region, with seven north-eastern states accounting for about 6% of all new HIV infections.

 

  • The health ministry began an epidemiological investigation in December last year to understand reasons why HIV prevention and treatment programmes are not working in the region.

 

  • The virus has spread in the general population through drug use and controlling its transmission now has become a huge challenge.

 

  • For India to meet the goal of ‘End of AIDS’ as a public threat by 2030, it is imperative to bring the numbers down. 

     

    INTERNATIONAL

     

    ·        Melbourne To Host Final Of 2020 World T20

     

    • Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the final of both the men’s and women’s World Twenty20when the tournaments come to Australia in 2020.
    • It will mark the first time the tournaments are held as stand-alone events in the same year in the same country.
    • The women’s final will coincide with International Women’s Day (8th March).

     

     

    ·        Google Introduces A New App Named as Bulletin

     

    • Google introduced a new app named “Bulletin”that allows anybody to submit stories for and about their communities.
    • This is a free, lightweight app for telling a story by capturing photos, video clips and text right from your phone, published straight to the web.
    • The app is made for contributing hyperlocal stories about your community.
    • The application has been launched as a limited pilot project and is available in Nashville, Tennessee, and Oakland, California.

     

     

    NATIONAL

     

    ·        New e-way bill system comes into force to bring uniformity across the states

     

    ð  New e-way bill system comes into force to bring uniformity across the states for smooth inter-state movement of goods

     

    ð  A new e-way bill system will come into effect.

    • Under the new system, every transporter will have to carry a system-generated bill to move goods from one place to another.
    • The e-way bill systemintroduced to bring uniformity across the states for seamless inter-state movement of goods.
    • Under the Goods and Services Tax, interstate transportation of goods beyond 10 kilometers with a value of 50,000 rupees and above, will mandatorily require the e-way bill.
    • Last month, the GST Council decided to implement the e-way bill mechanism throughout the country from 1st of February, 2018.

     

    • PM Narendra Modi writes a book titled ‘Exam Warriors’ for students

     

    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a book for students who battle stress and anxiety during examinations.

     

    • The book, slated to be released on February 3, talks about the ways in which students can tackle the stress.

     

    • The book has been titled ‘Exam Warriors’ and mentions various means such as practicing yoga.

     

    ·        Union Government launches GeM 3.0

     

    • The Ministry of Commerce & Industrylaunched the third version of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM 3.0).
    • The earlier version GeM 2.0 was launched a GeM 2.0 was launched as pilot project in August 2016.
    • GeM 3.0 will offer standardized and enriched catalog management, powerful search engine.
    • GeM is an Online Market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government.

     

    • Wi-Fi hotspots for rural areas proposed

     

    • The government has proposed to set up five lakh Wi-Fi hotspots which will provide broadband access to five crore rural citizens.

     

    • Allocation of Rs 10,000 crore has been provided in 2018-19 for creation and augmentation of telecom infrastructure.

     

    ·        Govt proposes key amendments to PMLA

     

    • The Central government has proposed changes to various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) through the Finance Bill, including a crucial amendment that empowers the Special Court to restore confiscated assets to the rightful claimants even during the trial.

     

    • The government has introduced a new Sub-Section (2) of Section 66, making it mandatory for the ED to share relevant details with other agencies.

     

    • A key proposed change is in the definition of “proceeds of crime”, which now also allows the ED to proceed against assets of equivalent value located even outside the country.

     

    • A further limit of ₹1 crore involved in the alleged offence would allow the court to apply bail provisions more leniently to less serious PMLA cases, said the government.

     

    • Another suggested change is the inclusion of Section 447 of the Companies Act in the list of scheduled offences under PMLA. It will allow the Registrar of Companies to report suitable cases to the ED for money laundering probe.

Natural and Power resources of Arunachal Pradesh

by

Natural and Power resources of Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh has an area of 83,743 sq kms. It is the largest state in the North Eastern region sharing its international boundaries with Bhutan in the west , China in the North and Myanmar in the East. It also shares border with state of Assam and Nagaland in the southern and south eastern area. Total forest cover is about 82% and the state has numerous turbulent streams , fast flowing rivers , deep gorges , lofty mountains , snow clad peaks and rich biodiversity.

Total generating capacity of the state was only 32 MW hydro and 28.63 MW diesel till now, which has increased substantially with the completion of 405 MW Ranganadi hydropower project. 600MW Kameng hydro power project is under construction and these projects will provide electricity not only to the Arunachal Pradesh and other states in the north eastern region but also to the power starved regions of the country.

The per capita consumption of Arunachal Pradesh is below 100 Kwh as compared to the national average of 373Kwh. The state plans to harness its enormous potential from natural resources like forests and hydro power and exploit its mineral wealth to usher in the era of economic development and raise the capita electricity consumption to the 500 Kwh.Natural and Power resources of Arunachal Pradesh

Power Installations In 2016-17

In June 2016, the state accounted for an installed capacity of power generation of 55.41 MW from thermal power plants out of which 43.06 MW is contributed by gas power plants and 12.35 MW from coal power plants.

For the installation of 40,000 MW grid connected solar rooftop system in the country by 2022, the target allocated for the state is 50 MW.

Use of  Conventional resources and its issues

Conventional resources of energy are rapidly depleting and there is no formation of conventional sources of energies in near future. So there is need to divert our attention to renewable energy resources. The main concern over the rapid consumption of Fossil Fuels is they are depleting at fast pace. And there should be use of renewable resources to meet the growing demands of utilization of  non-renewable products

In order  to preserve the energy resources through proper utilization, the power developers have to create awareness among the people about the use of renewable resources as non-renewable resources declining at a rapid rate due to increasing demands of its use in global market of energy conservation and make it a culture in the long run to be a efficient state. The power is the most important contributing factor of a developed state so to be efficient there should be exploration of  all possible avenues to produce power.

Prospects  on involvement of private sector in Hydro-Power generation is very benefitting. There is need for energy conservation and its efficiency. There is need to look for  Power renewable energy, power trading, T&D loss reduction and technologies  and equipments for effective energy generation.

The reserves of coal, oil and natural gas are limited and they do not regenerate. Hence such energies could be used only as long as they last and their emissions cannot be absorbed by nature. Consequently, none of these energy sources can satisfy both sustainability criteria. Therefore, the sustainability criteria are best satisfied by solar, wind, wave and most hydro-power options. The state will produce adequate energy in all ways and means that is safe and good for the state and its population.

Renewable energy in the state

The government has launched the programme for promoting power generation from renewable sources since the last 25 years. In India, the cumulative power generation from these sources is only around 11,272.13 MW and in State , Power generation from renewable resources is very less. Small hydro-power projects generating up to 25 MW power are also categorized as power renewable sources of energy.

However there are socio socio-economic problems associated with small hydro projects at place where it has caused hydro-projects blockade or diversion in downstream water affecting farming operations and causing drinking water availability problems in villages. India is also lagging behind in power generation from biomass, bagasse and waste despite its high potential.

Technology improvement for Renewable Energy

Technological improvements, better quality control, standardization and increased number of suppliers/ manufacturers/vendors in technologies such as wind manufacturers/vendors turbines, biomass cogeneration and hydro power, biomass gasification, small and micro micro-hydro, bio-diesel and solar photovoltaic are also aiding the growth of renewable energy.

Efficiency in energy utilization needs to be a continuous activity as there is huge continuous un productive energy utilization has seen. The world is moving towards a sustainable energy future with an emphasis on energy efficiency and use of renewable energy sources.

The North East has abundant renewable energy resources but their utilization has not been adequate. Apart from small hydel power projects, biomass holds a lot of scope in the region. Effective utilization of renewable energy could be of immense benefit in electrification of remote villages. The 11th Plan targeted utilization of renewable energy to the tune of 3,500 MW with a capacity addition of another 3,200MW. The private sector participation is very much encouraging in this regard. Continued growth of Indian economy will depend on large scale investments in its large-scale energy sector.

Central and State Governments should also address these issues for faster implementation of projects. Further, any development in the generation and objects transmission / sub-transmission infrastructure can only be sustained through transmission .Continuous cash-flow from end consumers, adequate focus needs to be on  strengthening of the distribution sector through administrative and management sector reforms. the Central Government sponsored schemes such as the R-APDRP, and development of the human resources through appropriately designed training and development programs.

The state is sparsely populated and the wide dispersion in population makes the centralized generation and long T&D network a costly option. This explains the presence of distributed generation, having installed capacities of several KW only which cater for the local areas. The Arunachal Pradesh Electricity Department, a vertically integrated entity, is vertically-integrated responsible for generation, transmission and distribution of power in the State.

Although the state has a huge hydro potential to the order of 55,000 MW, it is mostly unexplored .The State’s own installed capacity is only 61 MW and is primarily dependent on primarily purchase of power from CPSUs (share of 119 MW). Peak demand of the state stood at130 MW in 2008-09 and peak demand and energy deficit stand at 39.2% and 36.4% respectively which are way above the national average figures.

The best way of contributing to the nation is to tap the hydro potentials in Arunachal Pradesh, which can meet the nation’s one one-third power requirements. Of the projected 60,000 MW of power potentials in the State, only 4 5% has so far been exploited. 4-5%Highlighting the vast potentials for renewable energy in North Eastern states

The dams are constructed using best of scientific technologies to maximize power production and minimize the hypothetical negative impact.

Mega Power Policy and Small Hydro Power Policy

The Government of Arunachal Pradesh has formulated Mega Power Policy and Small Hydropower Policy for project under 25 MW under Build, Own, and Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model. Projects are classified according to their size and the project identification, allocation and various statutory clearances are detailed in the policy. various. The private sector companies will have the option to execute hydro projects on Build, Own, Operate (BOO) or Build, Own, Transfer (BOT). The land required for construction of the project shall be acquired and leased to the developer against payment of land.

Objective is to formulate effective policy, proper technology delivery and besides capacity building for realizing the potential of the renewable energy sector.

The State has got abundant renewable energy resources and made a strong pitch for improving power generating capacities. Power-generating through improved technologies so as to meet the future power requirements of the country. Around 15 per cent of energy is being lost in distribution and transmission system, besides the unauthorized tapping of power

Solar Energy

India has abundant solar insolation and state is also have potential for solar energy. There is also need to emphasized on tapping the solar energy to meet the electricity needs of people of border areas in the state.

Focus is on tapping the resources for renewable energy and eradicate hurdles in tapping them. There is need to provide solar power in border areas of the state as it has vast potentials for renewable energy in North Eastern states.

Bio diversity in the state

There is need to conserve power and bio diversity as well. Bio-diversity in Arunachal Pradesh with 82per cent forest cover will put all efforts in saving its natural bio- biodiversity and at the same time will march forward with other states in terms of development by becoming energy efficient.

To protect the bio diversity, the government will soon  eliminate the jhum cultivation and introduce tea and rubber cultivation. It will help in maintaining the economic balance and conserve bio diversity.

Efforts are being done in saving its natural bio diversity and at the same time co operate with other states in conserving bio diversity. Efforts are also done in terms of development by becoming energy efficient by producing adequate energy in all ways and means that is safe and good for the state and its population.

Wind Energy

Emphasizing the need of enhancing renewable energy  wind power could be transform into effective energy in the state. India now ranks as a “wind superpower” with an installed wind power capacity of 1167 MW and about 5 billion units of electricity have been fed to the national grid so far.

In the state, around 15 per cent of energy has been lost while distributing power in various states. State has been focusing on minute details on the energy efficiency and conservation and renewable energy.

Biogas based Power Generation Programme (BPGP)

Biogas based power units can be a reliable decentralized power generation option in the country. In order to promote this route of power generation, specifically in the small capacity range (3 kW to 250 kW), based on the availability of large quantity of animal wastes and wastes from forestry, rural based industries (agro/food processing), kitchen wastes, etc; a number of projects of different capacities and applications will be taken up for refining the technical know-how, developing manpower and necessary infrastructure, establishing a proper arrangement of operation & maintenance and large scale dissemination. Various small bio gas power generations has been installed in the state.

Effective Policy for future generations

Sustainable energy is the provision of energy that meets the needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Technologies that promote sustainable energy include renewable energy sources, such as energy from hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, bio gas,  tidal power and also technologies ,designed to improve energy efficiency needs to be enhanced. The reserves of coal, oil and reserves natural gas are limited and they do not regenerate. Hence, such energies could be used only as long as they last and their emissions cannot be absorbed by nature. Consequently, none of the energy sources can satisfy both sustainability criteria. Therefore, the sustainability criteria are best satisfied by solar, wind, wave and most hydropower options.

Other options help to meet the sustainability goals were energy savings and increase energy efficiency.

 

[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe to APPSC Notes” subscribe_text=”Never Miss any APPSC important update!” subscribe_button=”Sign Me Up” show_subscribers_total=”1″]