General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2018

May 2018

Feb 15, 2024

Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolutions against Delimitation, 'One Nation One Election'

The legislative assembly in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu passed two resolutions, one against the proposed delimitation exercise, the other against the proposed 'One Nation One Election' system. The resolutions found overwhelming support with even Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) having to voice support.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin termed the delimitation exercise a 'punishment' for states with smaller population.
The One Nation One Election is out-and-out impractical, and it is against the basic feature of the Constitution. It is fully opposed to the Constitutional guarantee of independent, free and fair polls, said CM Stalin.

Assam Designates Kaji Nemu as the Official State Fruit

Assam, the state government officially declared kaji nemu (Citrus limon), a variety of lemon unique to the region, as the 'State Fruit'. The announcement was made by State Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, following a Cabinet meeting, underscoring the fruit's cultural, traditional, and nutritional significance to the state and its people.
The decision to declare kaji nemu as the State Fruit comes as a strategic move to spotlight this agricultural jewel on the global stage. Assam has a dedicated community of farmers specialising in the cultivation of kaji nemu, with its demand steadily rising, especially in West Asian markets. The fruit's ability to be produced throughout the year, peaking in two seasons, adds to its appeal and potential for boosting local economy and self-dependency in agricultural production.
The declaration of kaji nemu as the State Fruit is part of Assam's tradition of recognising its natural heritage through state symbols. In February 2016, the Assam government declared the one-horned rhino as the State Animal, the white-winged wood duck as the State Bird, the hollong as the State Tree, and the foxtail orchid as the State Flower. These symbols play a crucial role in conservation efforts and in raising awareness about the state's rich biodiversity.

'Watan Ko Jano' Programme

250 specially abled children of Jammu and Kashmir visited Delhi and Agra under 'Watan Ko Jano Programme organised by Social Welfare Department of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir in coordination with Ministry of Home Affairs.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Government of Jammu and Kashmir have been conducting Youth Exchange programme with the objective to give an exposure of the social and cultural diversity of our country to the youth and children of Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, MHA is committed to such initiatives for development and progress of the youth and children of Jammu & Kashmir.
Under the initiative of Watan Ko Jano, children of terrorism affected families and/or weaker sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir identified by Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Council are taken for exposure trip.

Feb 14, 2024

Rajya Sabha Polls: BJP Renominates Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw from Odisha, L. Murugan from MP

The BJP named Union ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and L. Murugan as its Rajya Sabha candidates from Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, respectively.
If elected, a near certainty, it will be the second Rajya Sabha term for the two leaders from these states.
Railway Minister Vaishnaw is likely to get elected with the support of the state's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), as was the case during the former IAS officer's election for the first term in 2019.
From Madhya Pradesh, the BJP named three more candidates besides Murugan, the MoS in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, for the five vacancies from the state.

Feb 13, 2024

Nitish Kumar Wins Trust Vote for NDA Government

Two weeks after rejoining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's government won the trust vote in a floor test (129-0) in the Bihar Assembly. Earlier during the Assembly proceedings, the Speaker of the House and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Awadh Bihari Choudhary was voted out by a 125 to 112 vote share.
Last month (January 2024), Nitish took the oath as Bihar's chief minister for the ninth time after dumping the Mahagathbandhan and the INDIA bloc to create a new government with the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) support.

India to Replace Military Personnel with Technical Staff in Maldives

India announced the replacement of military personnel operating aviation platforms in the Maldives with competent Indian technical personnel. This decision came after negotiations between Indian and Maldivian authorities, with the latter expressing a clear demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops.
This move aims to maintain operational expertise while addressing the Maldives' request for the withdrawal of Indian troops.

Sikkim Becomes First North-eastern State to Restore Old Pension System for Government Employees

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang of Sikkim announced the revival of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state government employees hired on or after April 1, 2006, during the State Level Temporary Employees' Convention. This made Sikkim the first north-eastern state to restore Old Pension System for Government Employees.
Under the provisions of the Sikkim Services Pension Rules, 1990, employees appointed on or before March 31, 1990, would benefit from the reinstatement of the OPS.
This revival marks a crucial step towards ensuring the financial security of state government employees, particularly in light of the upcoming state assembly elections.
As part of broader welfare measures, the government has introduced amendments to policies regarding the regularisation of temporary employees.
These amendments aim to enhance inclusivity and job security, particularly for those with benchmark disabilities.
The revised policies offer opportunities for regularisation to employees serving continuously for two years or more in specific posts, reflecting the government's commitment to inclusivity and stability.

Feb 12, 2024

ADB and Government of India Sign $200 Million Loan for Brahmaputra River Project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $200 million loan to enhance flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. This project aims to build on previous successful initiatives and address the persistent challenges of flooding and erosion in the region.
The signatories to the loan agreement for the Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project in Assam were Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance for the Government of India, and Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director of ADB's India Resident Mission, for ADB.
As per Juhi Mukherjee, the project interventions will contribute to broader stabilisation of the Brahmaputra River in high-priority flood- and erosion-prone areas and build the state's disaster resilience.

NITI Aayog's Economic Transformation Plans for Mumbai, Surat, Varanasi, and Vizag

The NITI Aayog has prepared a plan for economic transformation of Mumbai, Surat, Varanasi and Vizag and help India become a developed economy by 2047, its CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said.
He also said that the Aayog plans to prepare economic planning of 20-25 more cities, as they are the centre of economic activities.
In 2023, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had held a meeting with NITI Aayog officials during which steps needed to take the GDP of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to USD 300 billion by 2030 were discussed.
Subrahmanyam said that the Centre had sought views of the country's youth in December, to drive its vision for making India a developed nation by 2047.

Ashok Chavan Quits Congress in 3rd Maharashtra Exit

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Congress heavyweight Ashok Chavan resigned from the party, in another setback to the opposition alliance INDIA bloc, months ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
This development came days after senior Maharashtra Congress leaders Baba Siddique and Milind Deora quit the grand old party.
Chavan, who served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from December 2008 to November 2010, was considered one of the most influential leaders of the Congress in Maharashtra. He is the son of another former Chief Minister, Shankarrao Chavan.
He has held various positions within the party, including General Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.

Feb 11, 2024

Agriculture Minister Launches Sarathi Portal for Insurance Products, helpline to Resolve Crop Ins...

Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda launched portal 'SARATHI' that aims to provide a comprehensive suite of insurance products including PMFBY, tailored explicitly for farmers and the rural population of India. To strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), the minister also launched the Krishi Rakshak portal and helpline number 14447 to enable farmers to lodge their concerns.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Inaugurates Construction Skill Training Centre in Assam

In a collaborative effort between the Assam government and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Construction Skill Training Centre in Assam. This initiative aims to address unemployment by providing comprehensive training opportunities to the youth and enhancing their employability in the construction sector.
The centre is designed to cater to the needs of Assam's youth by offering specialized training programs focused on skill enhancement and modern construction techniques. By equipping the youth with relevant skills, the initiative aims to empower them to secure gainful employment and contribute to the state's economic growth.

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