K-FON Project of Kerala to be Implemented by December 2020
The Kerala government has announced that its ambitious Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project, envisaged to provide free internet access to the poor, would be rolled out by December 2020.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the decision after a meeting with the heads of companies of the consortium executing the Rs 1,500 crore K-FON project.
The project is being implemented by Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited and Kerala State Electricity Board.
Optical fibre cables were being laid across the state using KSEB posts.
'One Sun One World One Grid' Initiative
India has come up with a 'One Sun One World One Grid' (OSOWOG) initiative to set up a framework for facilitating global cooperation in this regard aiming at building a global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources that can be seamlessly shared.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable energy (MNRE), through this initiative, plans to build global consensus about sharing solar resources among more than 140 countries of West Asia and South East Asia.
The global grid plan may also leverage the International Solar Alliance co-founded by India that has 67 countries as members.
It has become India's calling card on climate change and is increasingly being viewed as a foreign policy tool.
May 30, 2020
Madhya Pradesh Launches 'Rozgar Setu' Scheme for Skilled Workers
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the launch of the 'Rozgar Setu' scheme, that would help secure employment for skilled workers who have returned.
The State is the first to devise such a work plan. They are surveying skilled workers who were employed at industries elsewhere, but have now returned.
After such workers requiring employment are identified, the government will contact factory and workshop owners and contractors overseeing infrastructure projects such as road and bridge construction.
After the finance ministry modified PM Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) pension scheme for senior citizens, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched the non-linked, non-participating, pension plan subsidized by the Centre.
The finance ministry had recently extended the pension plan till 31 March, 2023 with assured interest rate of 7.40% p.a. for FY 2020-21.
This plan will be available for sale commencing for three financial years — up to March 2023, adding that the scheme can be purchased offline as well as online from LIC website.
LIC is solely authorised to run the scheme that offers a total payout not exceeding Rs. 15 lakh.
May 25, 2020
Govt Notifies BS-VI Emission Norms for Quadricycles
The government has notified BS-VI emission norms for quadricycles, paving the way for higher production of the new category of vehicle that was introduced less than two years ago.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification regarding the emission norms for L7 (quadricycle) category for BS-VI.
These norms are applicable from the date of notification. This notification completes the process of BS-VI for all category vehicles in India.
The emission norms are on the lines of the European Union's World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC).
Andhra Pradesh Launches Mega Restart Package for MSMEs
As a lockdown exit plan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced a mega boost for MSMEs with a Rs 1,110 crore restart package.
The government will be immediately releasing Rs 450 crore as the first installment which would benefit nearly 98,000 units. These units employ more than 10 lakh people who were facing hardships due to the lockdown.
May 24, 2020
"Hunar Haat" to Resume From September 2020 With the Theme of "Local to Global"
The union ministry of minority affairs will restart the Hunar Haat or crafts fair for artisans and craftsperson from September, 2020 focusing on the theme local to global.
The crafts fairs have been put on hold in the wake of the corona pandemic.
The Haats have provided employment to more than 5 lakh artisans, craftsmen, and culinary experts and offer a market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas.
GoI Launched Five Key Initiatives to Conserve Biodiversity
Government of India launched five key initiatives towards conservation of biodiversity during the occasion of International Day for Biological Diversity 2020.
The initiatives were launched by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar.
The five initiatives are:
One of the initiatives is the Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme. It was launched by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme proposes to engage 20 students with postgraduate degrees for a period of one year through an open, transparent, online competitive process.
The World Wildlife Fund Model Conference of Parties (COP), including the younger generation, was launched. It will engage in imprinting humanity towards biodiversity.
UNEP Campaign on Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Species: Not all Animals Migrate by Choice initiative was launched.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau campaign called Not All Animals Migrate by Choice was launched.
A Webinar series titled "Biodiversity Conservation and Biological Diversity Act, 2002" was launched.