Lok Sabha passed the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021 by voice vote. The bill seeks to provide a statutory framework for the functioning of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Dope Testing Laboratory in sports.
Its functions include planning, implementing, and monitoring anti-doping activities as well as investigating anti-doping rule violations.
It also seeks to give effect to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation International Convention against doping in sports and compliance of such other obligations and commitments. The legislation prohibits athletes, athlete support personnel, and other persons from engaging in doping in sports.
Under the new legislation, violation of anti-doping rules may result in disqualification of results including forfeiture of medals, points, and prizes, ineligibility to participate in a competition or event for a prescribed period, and financial sanctions.
Jul 30, 2022
ECGC Unveils Scheme for Benefit of Small Exporters
The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC) launched a new scheme to provide enhanced export credit risk insurance amid rising uncertainties in global trade.
The scheme provides enhanced export credit risk insurance cover up to 90 per cent to support small exporters under Export Credit Insurance for Banks Whole Business Packaging Credit and Post Shipment (ECIB- WTPC&PS).
In this regard it has signed up State Bank of India (SBI) under the Export Credit Insurance for Banks Whole Turnover Packaging Credit and Post Shipment (ECIB- WTPC & PS). SBI has agreed to provide export credit at repo rate plus 1.3%. Other banks are also expected to sign up for this scheme.
Jul 29, 2022
Gujarat First State to Launch Semiconductor Policy with Subsidies
The Bhupendra Patel-led Gujarat government announced a dedicated 'Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-27' with a view to generate at least 2,00,000 new employment opportunities during a period of five years. In addition, the state proposes to develop a special "Semicon City" which would be part of the Dholera Special Investment Region.
With this, Gujarat became the first state in the country to have a dedicated semiconductor policy. In the new policy the state government decided to give heavy subsidies on power, land and water tariffs for entrepreneurs interested in investing in semiconductors or display fabrication manufacturing in the state.
According to a state government, the main objective of the policy is to make Gujarat a pioneer in developing the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) ecosystem.
Tamil Nadu Rolls Out 'Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme
The Tamil Nadu government issued an order to implement the first phase of the 'Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme' at 1,545 government primary schools to benefit more than 1.14 lakh children in Classes I-V across the state during 2022-23, at a total cost of Rs. 33.56 crore.
More than 43,600 students studying in schools in Municipal Corporations, more than 17,400 studying in those in Municipalities, more than 42,800 in village panchayat limits and more than 10,100 students in remote and hilly areas would benefit under the scheme, which is said to be the first-of-its-kind in the country.
Jul 27, 2022
Lok Sabha Passes Family Courts Bill
The Lok Sabha passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that seeks to amend the Family Courts Act, 1984 to establish family courts in Himachal Pradesh with effect from February 15, 2019 and in Nagaland with effect from September 12, 2008.
The Bill also seeks to insert a new Section 3A to retrospectively validate all actions under the said Act taken by the State Government of Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland and the Family Courts of those states prior to the commencement of the Family Courts (Amendment) Act, 2022.
Jul 25, 2022
Burhanpur of MP Becomes First Certified 'Har Ghar Jal' District in India
Burhanpur also known as the 'Darwaza of Dakhin' in Madhya Pradesh became the first 'Har Ghar Jal' certified district in the country.
Only 37,241 rural households (36.54 per cent) out of a total of 1,01, 905 households in Burhanpur had potable drinking water through tap connections at the time of the launch of Jal Jeevan Mission on 15th August 2019.
Despite various disruptions and challenges in face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the consistent efforts by Panchayat representatives, Pani Samitis and district officials of Burhanpur have led to the provision of functional tap water connections to all its 1,01,905 rural households within a span of 34 months.
In addition to the households, all 640 schools, 547 Anganwadi centres and 440 other public institutions now also have tap connections.