Assam Current Affairs – February 22 – 29, 2020

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Current Affairs Assam – February 22 - 29, 2020

( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of February 22 – 29, 2020 )

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FEBRUARY 22, 2020

Assam CM lays foundation of 32 schemes in Majuli
  • Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stones of 32 schemes and projects and inaugurated 21 other projects in Majuli island that included the blood bank at the Shree Shree Pitmambar Devagoswami Sub-divisional Civil Hospital at Garmur.
  • The Rs 25.92-crore Majuli District Science Centre and Planetarium under Assam Technology and Environment Council of the State Science and Technology department, 28 pure drinking water supply schemes under the State Public Health Engineering department that will cost Rs 104.9 crore
  • Construction of the building to house District Transport Officer’s office that will cost Rs 2.03 crore.
  • Zonal office complex of the Brahmaputra Board at a cost of Rs 9.46 crore, a Rs-75-lakh project to check erosion by drone surveillance.
  • The Chief Minister in the same function launched 20 hybrid solar-powered and electricity irrigation schemes for Majuli the total cost which was Rs 37.53 lakh
  • Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the blood bank at the Shree Shree Pitambar Devagoswami Sub-divisional Civil Hospital at Garmur.
18 percent growth in the collection of  State GST (SGST) in Assam
  • Speaking at the 3rd edition of ‘Emerging Northeast 2020’ – organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal said there is 18 percent growth in the collection of State GST (SGST) in the state and refunds have been made on time.
  • CM Sonowal urged the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman to release the Central GST (CGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) refunds so that business community here gets encouragement to increase business activity.
  • Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary invited investors to take advantage of Assam’s strategic location and rich resources in the state and said the Government is aiming to turn Assam as the investment destination.
  • During the round table meet, discussions were held on government initiatives and schemes for development of North Eastern region; opportunities for investment in various sectors like energy, services and infrastructure, food processing based on locally available resources, etc.
India, Maldives discuss expansion of bilateral cooperation
  • India and Maldives discussed expanding their bilateral cooperation and mutual interests in areas of security and law enforcement cooperation.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his Maldivian counterpart Sheikh Imran Abdulla discussed these issues among other specific points related to both the countries in day long meet in presence of delegation from both sides.
  • It was Shah’s first meeting with Abdulla, who is on a four-day visit to India beginning.
  • The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest in the area of security and law enforcement cooperation.
  • Both the Ministers welcomed the expansion of bilateral cooperation between their counties in diverse fields including policing and law enforcement, counter-terrorism, counter-radicalisation, against organised crime and drug trafficking and in capacity building.
  • The meeting was also attended by the Maldives” Minister of State for Home, the Union Home Secretary and other senior officers from both sides.
  • The Maldivian delegation also met the Director General, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Director, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the Director General, Central Bureau of Investigation, and Director, Enforcement Directorate.
Kerala IT startup launches social digital assistance platform
  • Kerala based IT startup launched a ”social digital assistance platform” – Bitdle.
  • This brings together the features of hybrid social networking, search engine, social shopping, sharing economy, online reputation building, CRM, data analytics, social service, entertainment, and above all, ”empowerment of society”.
  • Its Acore competency will be its social commitment as it will not end up making its users just consumers, killing time and other resources along.
  • Bitdle will deliver a wise concoction of hybrid virtual community platform, smart devices, virtual med pad, AI and VR (Intelligent Personal Assistance – IPA) and Facial and Object Identification System (FOIS).
  • Bitdle targets people in the age group of 18 to 35 while it”s ideal for businesses of any size – from startups to big corporates.
  • Connecting with peers, monitoring real-time situations and events, offer entertainment, collaborating ideas and events, educating masses, mobilizing public opinion and instant messaging/video chatting are some of the add-ons, besides people can spot trends, follow brands, share great finds and make purchases.
  • For businesses, the application can be used for optimization of costs, targeted marketing of products, targeted sourcing and human resources development.
FEBRUARY 23, 2020
Dr Amiya Rajbongshi receives NCSTC National Award
  • Eminent science writer and retired vice-Principal of North Lakhimpur College Dr Amiya Rajbongshi received the National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science and Technology Communication through Print Media for the year 2019 from President Ram Nath Kovind at New Delhi.
  • Instituted by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), the award was presented to Dr Rajbongshi at a glittering function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on the occasion of National Science Day– the day which commemorates the discovery of Raman Effect by Nobel laureate physicist Dr CV Raman.
  • Dr Amiya Rajbongshi was presented a plaque, a citation and a of cash Rs 2 lakh.
  • Dr Rajbongshi was shortlisted for the prestigious award for her “science communication efforts are extended for dissemination of science to masses through print media and popular talks”.
Assam to remove “Maktab” from names of govt schools
  • The Assam government has decided to delete the Arabic word ”maktab” – traditional islamic elementary school – from the nomenclature of 63 state and state-aided primary schools immediately.
  • The state government has passed an order directing these schools to drop the word ”maktab” from their names”.
  • However, these schools would be allowed to retain the remaining part of their names.
  • The classical definition of Maktab refers to the traditional Islamic elementary school primarily teaching literacy and the Quran.
Scientists from BSI Shillong Centre discover new Balsam plant species
  • Botanical Survey of India (BSI) scientists have discovered a new species of Balsam plant in the North East region, again pointing to the rich plant biodiversity of the vast area.
  • Balsam plants are known as Demdeuka in Assamese, Gulmehendi in Hindi and Dushparijat in Sanskrit.
  • They have immense potential in the horticultural sector as beautiful flowers and as pot plants.
  • A few of them are used as wild leafy vegetables by different ethnic communities in states like Arunachal Pradesh.
  • A team of scientists comprising Dr M Murugesan, LR Meitei and C Lyngwa of the BSI Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong, collected a few interesting species of Balsam plants from various parts of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve of Garo Hills in Meghalaya.
  • They collected the Balsam plant species as a part of live plants collection for ex-situ conservation in the Barapani Experimental Botanical Garden.
  • Out of those samples, one species emerged to be a species unknown to science so far and it is distinctly different from all known species of the group due to the presence of smaller habit, pink and white bi-colour flowers and true bucciniform lower sepal with curved spur.
  • The species has been named in honour of a renowned botanist Professor Shasin Kumar Barthakur of the Gauhati University (GU) Botany Department for his contribution towards better understanding of the flora of North East India, along with his outstanding contribution to ethnobotany of the region.
  • This striking bi-coloured new species grows at an altitude ranging between 1,200 metres and 1,600 metres at the Nokrek peak.
PM  Modi opens Khelo India University Games in Cuttack
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the first Khelo India University Games in Cuttack.
  • Modi inaugurated the Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack through video link from Delhi.
  • The Khelo India campaign had played an important role in attracting youth towards sports and recognising young talents in every corner of the country.
  • When it started in 2018, 3,500 players took part in it. But just in three years, the players” number had crossed over 6,000.
  • The event was attended by several dignitaries and sportspersons, including Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
  • As many as 3,400 athletes from 159 universities will take part in 17 disciplines, including rugby that”s among the six team events.
  • The disciplines include archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball and kabaddi.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Punjab CM conferred with ”Adarsh Mukhya Mantri Puraskar”
  • The Bhartiya Chhatra Sansad (BCS) conferred the prestigious ”Adarsh Mukhya Mantri Puraskar” (Ideal Chief Minister Award) on Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for his initiatives to ensure good governance and holistic development in the state.
  • The award was presented to Amarinder by former President Pranab Mukherjee at Vigyan Bhawan during the valedictory function of 10th edition of four-day national conclave of BCS.
  • The BCS also acknowledged Amarinder”s vast experience and the values he had practised, which had earned him recognition and eminence in society.
  • Ex-Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had received this award in 2015, followed by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in 2016 and ex-Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar in 2017.
  • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik won the award in 2018 and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2019.
IIMs, IITs Form Consortium to Promote Entrepreneurship
  • The IIMs and IITs have formed a consortium to promote entrepreneurship ecosystem through research and collaboration around innovation.
  • IIMs in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Kozhikode and IITs in Bombay and Madras have formed the Innovation-Venturing and Entrepreneurship in India Network (iVEIN) to leverage their strengths and work with incubators, investors and the government for disseminating knowledge.
  • The iVEIN network will facilitate research in the field among the academic fraternity and create avenues for disseminating knowledge through conferences and journal publications.
  • The network will also create a strategic bridge between stakeholders, strengthen the ecosystem and synthesise the knowledge that is in silos among different groups.
  • The network will also document Indian experiences in entrepreneurship and innovation and create a data-based knowledge for all stakeholders.
  • The initiative will give a fillip to entrepreneurship in the country by aiding policy formulation, implementing innovation and helping managerial practice.
Himachal Pradesh sets up two waste-to-energy plants
  • Himachal Pradesh has set up two waste-to-energy plants in the state, one of them is of 1.75 MW with an outlay of Rs 42 crore in Shimla, while another is of 1 MW in Manali.
  • Also, 5,633 individual households, 1,198 public and 370 community toilets have been set up.
  • They all have been commissioned under Swachh Bharat Mission in two years to ensure hygiene, waste management and sanitation.
  • The main objective of the mission is to eliminate the practice of open defecation by providing toilet facilities to the citizens of the state, converting dry toilets into flash toilets, ending the practice of manual scavenging and ensuring management of solid waste in modern and scientific manner.
  • The state government is also organising various awareness activities for behaviour change and public participation in the state.
  • Plants for waste manure are being set up in 40 urban bodies. A memorandum of understanding has been signed with cement companies to use waste collected from urban bodies as fuel.
Jagaddhatri-Harmohan Das Literary Award presented to Bhupendra Raichoudhury

The 17th Jagaddhatri-Harmohan Das Literary Award was presented to litterateur Dr Bhupendra Raichoudhury at a function organised at the Pandit Tirthanath Sarma Conference Hall.

  • Dr Raichoudhury, a former professor at Gauhati University, received the award for his book Jugo Sandhikshyanar Guwahati, a brief write-up about the history of the city from 1851 to 1950.
  • The award, instituted in 1985, has completed its 35 years. During the period, several noted personalities in the fields of philosophy, literature, religion, art and culture have been honoured with this award.
  • The biennial award, instituted in the name of educationist Harmohan Das and his wife Jagaddhatri Das, carries a citation, a memento and also a cash amount.

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

CM Sonowal launches Asom Darshan scheme
  • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the Rs 710 crore Asom Darshan scheme, calling it a fulfilment of the promise to preserve and promote the state”s spiritual and historical heritage.
  • The comprehensive scheme seeks to develop religious places of all faiths, including 915 institutions.
  • He said the scheme would protect, conserve and develop Assam”s religious sites and tourism spots, which are not only mesmerising for their scenic beauty and historic importance, but are also icons of the state.
  • The scheme has four components — annuity grant to Devalayas; improving basic infrastructure of places of natural beauty and historical significance; improving key infrastructure in religious places; improved connectivity for visitors.
  • The 915 religious institutions include 459 temples, 186 ”satras” (Vaishnav monasteries), 123 namghars (prayer and community halls), 47 mosques and 27 churches.
  • To make the experience of tourists pleasant and seamless, a budget of Rs 10 lakh will be given to each tourist destination under the Asom Darshan scheme.
  • A budget of Rs 150 crore has been allocated under the Asom Darshan scheme to improve the infrastructure of 316 listed destinations.
  • A fixed amount would be provided to each place for construction of restrooms and providing clean drinking water and garbage disposal facilities.
  • The project has raised the annuity given to each religious and charitable institution of public nature by Rs 2 lakh and also promises one-time grant of Rs 1 lakh for CCTV set up.
Google launched 4th batch of ”Startups Accelerator India”
  • Google announced that it is inviting applications for the fourth batch of Google for Startups Accelerator India programme.
  • The programme mentors early-stage startups on various aspects of their business, across the areas of technology, product strategy, marketing, UX/UI and leadership.
  • According to the company, startups that use technology like AI/ML to solve systemic problems in India can submit their application by visiting ”Google for Startups Accelerator India” by 15th March 2020.
  • Successful applicants will be notified in early April. The batch will commence with a week”s mentorship-bootcamp in April 2020, in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
  • At Google for Startups Accelerator India programme, a batch consisting of 10 startups receive (for three months) intense mentorship bootcamps, tech workshops, design sprints, and marketing growth labs along with the opportunities to forge crucial connections to tech teams within Google and experts in the industry.
Microsoft, SBI partner to help youth with disabilities
  • Microsoft announced a collaboration with the SBI Foundation to create opportunities for youth living with disabilities across India.
  • Through this collaboration, Microsoft and the SBI Foundation will equip youth living with disabilities with the technology and training needed to better prepare them for integration into the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) workforce.
  • In its first year, the programme aims to upskill 500 youth for the BFSI jobs across five major geographies, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and the National Capital Region.
  • The programme will be driven in collaboration with various government organisations, industry skilling bodies and non-profits.
  • The goal of the programme is to build a sustainable and scalable programme that not only empowers youth with the skills they need to find employment in the financial services industry, but also advances cross-industry advocacy efforts to drive inclusion for and hiring of people living with disabilities.
  • As part of this joint effort, Microsoft and the SBI Foundation will also develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered marketplace that will enable the BFSI industry to more easily connect to people living with disabilities for upskilling and employment opportunities.

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FEBRUARY 26, 2020

North East states’ CMs reiterated for 90% central funding for all schemes, projects
  • Chief Ministers of north-eastern states have reiterated to maintain the funding pattern to 90:10 ratio in all central government sponsored schemes and projects including Smart City projects.
  • The demand to revise the funding pattern for all schemes and projects from 50:50 ratio to 90:10 ratio was raised by the chief ministers of northeastern states in the ongoing three-day Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Conclave 2020 in Guwahati.
  • Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb has demanded revision of existing 50:50 fund sharing pattern to 90:10 for various schemes and projects like Smart City for the northeastern states.
  • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also supported the Tripura Chief Minister”s demand for 90:10 funding pattern.
  • NITI Aayog has the mandate of overseeing the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national level.
  • The Guwahati conclave is part of NITI Aayog”s continuous efforts towards fostering partnerships at the sub-national level. In terms of SDG localisation, the states in the region have taken major strides in integrating the “Agenda 2030”.
India to launch Geo Imaging Satellite
  • India will launch its Geo Imaging Satellite (GISAT-1) with its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV- F10).
  • According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), its GSLV-F10 rocket carrying the GISAT-1 is expected to lift off on March 5.
  • The launch is subject to the weather conditions.
  • Weighing about 2,275 kg, GISAT-1 is a state-of-the-art agile Earth observation satellite which will be placed in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) by GSLV-F10.
  • A four metre diameter Ogive shaped payload fairing (heat shield) is being flown for the first time in this GSLV flight. This is the fourteenth flight of the GSLV.
  • Operating from geostationary orbit, GISAT-1 will facilitate near real time observation of the Indian sub-continent, under cloud free condition, at frequent intervals.
3 Bilateral pacts inked during Trump visit to India
  • India, US have concluded three bilateral agreements in the health and energy sectors during Trump visit to India.
  • Two of the agreements finalised during the US President’s visit include a memorandum of understanding on mental health, and one that deals with the safety of medical products.
  • The MoU on safety of medical products was signed between the USFDA and India”s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
  • The MoU on mental health is between India”s Department of Health and Family Welfare and the Department of Health and Human Services of the US.
  • A Letter of Cooperation was also signed by Indian Oil Corporation and ExxonMobil India LNG Limited, with Chart Industries of the US.
Joint Ministerial Commission between India and Australia
  • The 16th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) between India and Australia was convened in New Delhi.
  • The Session was co-chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Government of India and Senator Simon Birmingham, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Government of Australia.
  • India and Australia agree to enhancing bilateral trade and investment through revival of the bilateral CECA negotiations, and harmonise standards and regulations on important products.
  • Work on market access issues in both directions to increase trade.
  • Work on mutual recognition of educational qualifications of the two countries .
  • Continue collaboration to encourage increased direct flights between Australia and India.
  • The two sides acknowledged the considerable growth in the India-Australia economic relationship in strategic, trade and people-to-people links since the last Joint Ministerial Commission in June 2018.
  • Both sides welcomed efforts to elevate the bilateral economic relationship. They agreed to consider reviving the negotiations on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
  • Both sides noted the visits by three delegations of Australian superannuation funds over the previous year. They agreed to continue to work together to foster awareness of the opportunities in India among Australian investors.
  • Both sides reflected on the important role the private sector played in building the bilateral economic relationship.
  • India raised the issue of taxing of off-shore income of Indian firms through the use of India-Australia Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) and sought early resolution of the issue.

FEBRUARY 27, 2020

PepsiCo to invest Rs 400 crore in Assam to set up manufacturing plant
  • Assam’s Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said PepsiCo India has proposed to invest Rs 400 crore in the state to set up a greenfield project for manufacturing snacking products.
  • A delegation from PepsiCo India comprising Viraj Chouhan, Chief of Government Affairs and Communications Officer for India, Rahul Sharma, Public Policy and Government Affairs Officer, and Nitin Jindal, Associate Director- Business Planning, met Patowary in Guwahati to discuss the proposal.
  • The team informed the minister that PepsiCo India has submitted a proposal to set up a greenfield project for manufacturing Lays and Kurkure in Assam worth Rs 400 crore.
  • The company would engage in contract farming, whereby it would provide seeds to farmers and buy back the matured potatoes from them. The company would also provide handholding support to the farmers.
  • Minister assured the team of the State Government’s support and said that the Industries and Commerce Department would take up an initiative with the State’s Agriculture Department so that PepsiCo can directly train farmers.
  • Minister Patowary also requested Feiner to open a German business chapter in Guwahati which would exclusively work with the state’s Industries and Commerce Department to take forward and expand the initiatives at the next level.
Guwahati  resident Kapil Jain awarded with Digital Marketer of the Year Award
  • Kapil Jain, a resident of Guwahati and founder CEO of Graphitto Labs, a new-age Mumbai-based communication company, has been honoured with the ‘Digital Marketer of the Year Award’ at the World Digital Marketing Congress held in Mumbai .
  • The award has been instituted in association with CMO Asia & The World Federation of Digital Marketing Professionals as Knowledge Partner.
  • Dr RL Bhatia, global chairman and patron of the World Marketing Congress, presented the award to Jain at the awards function attended by over 350 industry leaders from various nationalities.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved setting up National Technical Textiles Mission
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved setting up of a National Technical Textiles Mission with an outlay of Rs 1,480 crore for four year implementation period in line with the announcement made in Budget 2020 presented earlier this month.
  • Textile Minister Smriti Irani said the idea behind the mission is to integrate technology and manufacturing.
  • The Mission will aim at increasing the size of the domestic market to $40 billion which would require an average growth of at least 10 per cent per annum.
  • The Mission will also promote technical education at higher engineering and technology levels related to technical textiles and its application areas covering engineering, medical, agriculture, aquaculture and dairy segments. Skill development will be promoted and adequate pool of highly skilled manpower resources will be created for meeting the need of relatively sophisticated technical textiles manufacturing units.
  • Another component of the mission aims at export promotion of technical textiles enhancing from the current annual value of approximately Rs 14,000 Crore to Rs 20,000 crore by 2021-22 and ensuring 10 per cent average growth in exports per year upto 2023-24.
  • An Export Promotion Council for Technical Textiles will be set up for effective coordination and promotion activities in the segment.
Early Warning Dissemination System for natural disaster alerts launched for coastal Andhra Pradesh
  • An Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) to send alerts about natural disasters to coastal Andhra Pradesh was launched
  • Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharitha inaugurated the system in the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
  • The EWDS has been enabled in 76 ”mandals” or blocks, 16 fish landing centres and eight tourism destinations in all nine coastal districts of the state.
  • Andhra Pradesh is the second state in the country to be equipped with an advanced mechanism of the early warning system.
  • During natural calamities like floods, cyclones and lightning strikes, the early warning system will help in shifting people to safer places and minimizing loss of human lives.

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FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Swami Vivekananda Karmayogi Award for Jadav Payeng
  • Environmental activist and forestry worker from Assam Jadav Payeng, who is known as the Forest Man of India, will be conferred the prestigious Swami Vivekananda Karmayogi Award instituted by My Home India for his consistent efforts in creating a real man-made forest through massive reforestation.
  • The award would be given to him at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, in the presence of General VK Singh, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, and Sunil Deodhar, national secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party.
  • wami Vivekananda Karmayogi Award is an annual award function organised by My Home India, a voluntary national organisation having its reach across the country.
  • Every year, this award is bestowed to an individual from North East India, who dedicates his/her life to promote and preserve the art, culture, sports, environment, education, industry, science and technology, etc.
  • The award is composed of a trophy, a recitation and a reward of Rs 1 lakh.
Indian Coast Guard’s 6th off-shore patrol vessel launched
  • The sixth OPV of Coast Guard was launched by Geeta Mandaviya, the Minister”s wife at the L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli.
  • The asset needs of Indian Coast Guard are on a rapid expansion path requiring ships and aircraft to strengthen the maritime security mechanism in the prevailing security scenario, Union Minister of State for Shipping, Chemicals and Fertiliser Mansukh Mandaviya said.
  • The 6th OPV launched is likely to be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in October 2020 after completion of extensive trials and testing for the equipment and machinery fitted onboard.
  • The OPV with a gross tonnage of 2,100 ton has a length of 98 metres and a breadth of 15 metres.
  • The endurance of the vessel is 5,000 nautical miles and powered by two diesel engines, it can touch a maximum speed of 26 knots.
  • The ship will be fitted with one CRN -91 and two 12.7 mm guns and will be capable of carrying an Integral Twin Engine Helicopter which will enhance its operational, surveillance and search and rescue capability.
  • The OPV will be used for day and night patrol/surveillance, anti-terrorist/smuggling operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone and also for coastal security.
  • It will have two navigation radars with ultra-modern technology, sophisticated navigational and latest communication systems.
MP government, Tatas sign MoU for healthcare
  • The Madhya Pradesh government signed an MoU with Dorabji Tata Trust to provide better healthcare services in the state.
  • Primary health services will be improved through Arogyam Health and Wellness Centres in the state under the MoU.
  • Chief Secretary S.R. Mohanty, on behalf of the state government, and former state chief secretary and Vice President of the Dorabji Tata Trust, Vijay Singh signed the MoU.
  • A committee comprising representatives of National Health Mission and Tata Trust will be formed to monitor the implementation of the project.
  • The Health Department and Tata Trust will initially work in five centres each in 23 high priority districts.
  • Thus, the 115 identified health and wellness centres will provide technical and managerial support to the programme.
  • In the fourth year, Tata Trust will expand the programme to 500 health and wellness centres.
  • Each of these districts will have an electronic record saved in an urban primary health centre.
  • Tata Trust will also provide healthcare support by creating data for referrals and follow up about cases of pregnancy, hypertension, diabetes and cancer.
HAL offers new multirole chopper to Indian military
    • State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) offered an indigenous multirole helicopter to the Indian military for replacing its medium lift choppers such as MI-17s, Kamovs and Seakings.
    • The city-based defence behemoth displayed a mockup of the multirole helicopter to Rajnath Singh at its helicopter production facility in the city’s eastern suburb.
    • The aerospace major has submitted to the Defence Ministry a project report for sanctioning funds by the Cabinet committee on security to develop the new helicopter
    • The HAL Chairman also told the Defence Minister that it was waiting for the ministry’s order to roll out its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) for the IAF and the Army.
    • The public sector enterprise has submitted a techno commercial proposal to the ministry for rolling out 15 combat choppers under the limited series production.
    • The indigenous 5.5-tonne LCH is powered by two Shakti engines and has many features of the company”s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
    • LCH is the first attack helicopter to land in forward bases at Siachen, 4,700m above sea level, with 500kg load.

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FEBRUARY 29, 2020

Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal presented with Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee award
  • Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was presented the prestigious Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee award 2020 for Politics at the 6th India Ideas Conclave in Gujarat.
  • The award, instituted by India Foundation, was presented to Chief Minister Sonowal by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Speaker of People’s Majlis of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, which carries a citation, a specially designed trophy and a cheque worth Rs. one lakh.
  • While receiving the award Sonowal said that the award is an inspiration to work for national integration and to take Dr. SP Mukherjee’s vision and philosophy forward. He also dedicated the award to the people of Assam, who have been the source of inspiration and guidance during his public life.
India, Myanmar stress on boosting connectivity
  • India and Myanmar emphasised the centrality of connectivity between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitments to expedite the completion of the various India-funded projects presently under way in Myanmar, with the neighbouring country’s continued support towards their execution.
  • From April 7 the people of the Northeast will be able to travel all the way to Mandalay in Myanmar by bus when a coordinated bus service will be launched from Imphal.
  • India also welcomed the decision by Myanmar to extend tourist visa on arrival for Indian citizens in the neighbouring country till December 2020.
  • A 29-point joint statement signed between the two countries on the occasion of the visit by Myanmar President U Win Myint covers a whole gamut of issues ranging from connectivity to use of digital payment to facilitation of trade and commerce.
  • At least 10 memoranda of understanding were exchanged during the visit.
  • The both sides noted the need to further facilitate easy movement of passenger and cargo traffic by streamlining procedures and expeditiously developing infrastructure.
  • They also agreed to commence establishment of border haats with a priority to carry out a pilot project, which was previously agreed by the both countries in accordance with the MoU signed in 2012.
  • The two sides look forward to setting up of border haats after finalising the mutually agreed mode of operation.
  • The two countries also took note of the positive developments related to Sittwe port and the Kaladan transit transport project.
  • They hailed the appointment of a port operator to operate and maintain the Sittwe port and Paletwa inland water transport terminal and associated facilities from February 1.
  • Both the countries also reaffirmed their commitment to early completion of the Paletwa-Zorinpui road – the final leg of the Kaladan transit transport project.
  • India also expressed its support for the bilateral pacts signed between Myanmar and Bangladesh for the repatriation of the displaced persons from Rakhine state and hoped that Myanmar and Bangladesh would continue to work together for voluntary, sustainable and speedy repatriation of displaced people currently in the Cox’s Bazar area of Bangladesh to Myanmar in accordance with their bilateral agreements.
  • Both sides agreed to work together to enable the launch of India’s RuPay card in Myanmar at the earliest, noting that the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) needs to adhere to Myanmar laws and regulations, and that the launch of RuPay card would stimulate the economy of Myanmar and facilitate tourism and business from India.
PM Modi to launch 10,000 farmer producer organisations (FPO) across India
  • On the occasion of completion of one year of PM Kisan Scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch 10,000 farmer producer organisations (FPO) across the country from Chitrakoot.
  • The Prime Minister has also talked about laying the foundation stone of the Bundelkhand Expressway from Chitrakoot.
  • The Prime Minister will launch a campaign for the distribution of Kisan Credit Card to all the beneficiaries under the PM Kisan Scheme.
  • The number of small and marginal farmers is around 86 per cent, with an average cultivation of less than 1.1 hectare in the country.
  • These small marginal and landless farmers face enormous challenges during agricultural production.
  • The FPO will help in the grouping of small, marginal and landless farmers, so that the collective power of farmers can be increased in dealing with these issues.
  • Members of the FPO will be able to manage their activities under the organisation, so that they can have better access to technology, investment, finance and markets, and their livelihood can grow rapidly.
  • The government had launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan Scheme as an income support for farmers, to help farmers bear the expenses of agriculture, related activities and household needs.
  • Every eligible beneficiary is given a sum of Rs 6,000 per year under the scheme. This amount is given as two thousand rupees thrice in four months instalments.
  • The payment is sent online directly to the bank accounts of the eligible beneficiaries under the direct benefit transfer system.
14th Meeting of India-France Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism
  • India and France held the 14th Meeting of Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism in New Delhi.
  • An inter-agency Indian delegation was led by Mr. Mahaveer Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism, Ministry of External Affairs, while the French delegation was led by Mr. David Bertolotti, Assistant Secretary of State for Strategic, Security and Disarmament Affairs of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
  • Both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed the need for strengthening international cooperation to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner.
  • They exchanged views on current counter-terrorism challenges including countering radicalization, combating financing of terrorism, preventing use of internet for terrorist purposes, threats posed by internationally designated terrorist entities as well as cross-border terrorism in South Asian region.
  • Both sides stressed upon the need to deny safe havens and sources of financing to terrorists.
  • Both sides agreed to further strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation, as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership between India and France, interalia, through regular exchange of information, joint capacity building efforts, mutual legal assistance, sharing best practices for countering terrorism and radicalisation and cooperating in multilateral fora such as Untied Nations and FATF.

 

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