Current Affairs Assam – September 15-21, 2018
( Covers all important Assam Current Affairs & GK topics for the week of September 15-21, 2018 )
September 2018 – eBook Monthly PDF | eBook Monthly Quiz
Go To Assam Current Affairs Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz
September 15
Over 37 lakh women benefited under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
- More than 37 lakh women have been benefited across the country under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maternity scheme, Pradhan MantriMatruVandanaYojana, said Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- A fund of Rs 1,168.63 crore has been disbursed so far and more than 48 lakh women have enrolled under the scheme till September 13.
- As per the of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Uttar Pradesh has been ranked best among the top performing states, with around 6 lakh beneficiaries out of more than 8 lakh enrolled women.
- Madhya Pradesh has the second most women enrolled under the scheme which is around 7 lakh while beneficiaries paid stood near to 6 lakh. Followed by MP is Rajasthan which has around 5 lakh women enrolled while paid is close to 4 lakh.
FACTFILE – Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY),
- Previously Indira Gandhi MatritvaSahyogYojana (IGMSY), is a maternity benefit program run by the government of India.
- It was introduced in 2010 and is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women of 19 years of age or above for the first live birth. It provides a partial wage compensation to women for wage-loss during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices.
- Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries get Rs. 5,000 after delivery of a child in an institution like a hospital and the remaining cash incentive of Rs. 1,000 is given as maternity benefit under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for a Rs. 6,000.
- In 2013, the scheme was brought under the National Food Security Act, 2013 to implement the provision of cash maternity benefit of ₹6,000 (US$84) stated in the Act.
- Presently, the scheme is implemented on a pilot basis in 53 selected districts and proposals are under consideration to scale it up to 200 additional ‘high burden districts’ in 2015-16.
Delhi signs MoU with Seoul on environment transport
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on environment, transport, education, solid waste management, infrastructure, public health among others.
- The MoU was signed in South Korea’s capital Seoul.
- Air pollution is a major issue faced by Delhi today and our government is very serious in tackling this menace.
- Delhi faces smog every winter sometimes very severe.
Union Ministry of Tourism inaugurated First Tribal Circuit Project in Chhattisgarh
- Union Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated India’s first Tribal Circuit Project connecting 13 tourism sites in Chhattisgarh under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The circuit connects Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Kamleshpur, Maheshpur, Kurdar, Sarodadadar, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Nathiya Nawagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, and Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh.
FACTFILE – Tribal Circuit Project
- It is carrying out an array of activities for development and promotion of tourism in the tribal region.
- Major components sanctioned under tribal circuit project in Chhattisgarh includes developing eco log huts, craft haats, souvenir shops, open amphitheatre, tribal interpretation centres, workshop centres, tourist amenities centres, viewpoints, nature trails, solar illuminations etc.
- These components will improve the existing tourist facilities, enhance the overall tourist experience and help in getting more visitors which in return will increase job opportunities in the area.
- Chhattisgarh was considered for the first Tribal Circuit theme for acknowledging the sovereignty of tribes and to promote the rich and diverse primitive assets in the state.
- Chhattisgarh is known for its exceptional scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. Tribes make up over one-third of state population who have retained their culture and traditions for centuries.
- Under Tribal Circuit theme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Tourism Ministry has sanctioned four projects to Nagaland, Telangana and Chhattisgarh for Rs. 381.37 crore.
FACTFILE – Swadesh Darshan scheme
- The scheme was launched by Union Tourism Ministry with an objective to develop theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
- These tourist circuits will be developed on principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner.
- Under this scheme, 13 thematic circuits have been identified for development, viz. Buddhist Circuit, North-East India Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit and Heritage Circuit.
- It is 100% centrally funded scheme for the project components undertaken for public funding.
- It also has a provision for leveraging voluntary funding under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and corporate sector.
- The funding of projects under this scheme varies from state to state.
- It is finalised on the basis of detailed project reports prepared by Programme Management Consultant (PMC) which is a national level consultant for implementing the scheme.
- So far, Tourism Ministry has sanctioned 74 projects worth Rs. 5997.47 crore to 31 states and Union Territories under this scheme.
Agri. Ministry launched Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund Scheme
- Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10881 crore, to boost the dairy sector. First installment of Rs. 440 crore was given to National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
FACTFILE – Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme
- It is managed by NDDB and will be implemented from 2017-18 to 2028-29.
- Milk unions, multi-state milk cooperatives, state dairy federations, milk producer companies and NDDB subsidiaries can avail financial assistance under this scheme.
- It will be also used for creation, modernisation and expansion of processing infrastructure and manufacturing faculties for value-added dairy products.
- The scheme will provide direct and indirect employment to many skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers and benefit 95,00,000 farmers in about 50,000 villages.
September 16
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer observed on 16th September
- The International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer is observed every year on 16th September for the preservation of the Ozone Layer. Theme for this year’s Day is ‘Keep Cool and Carry On: The Montreal Protocol’.
- It aims to spread awareness of the depletion of the Ozone Layer and search for solutions to preserve it.
- The day was designated by UN General Assembly on December 19, 1994. Its observance commemorates the date in 1987 on which Montreal Protocol was signed on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
FACTFILE – Ozone Layer
- The Ozone layer is a blanket of Ozone gas which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of Sun and thus helping preserve life on the planet.
- Stratospheric Ozone is not harmful but its presence on land it is harmful.
- The main causes of ozone depletion are manufactured halocarbon refrigerants, solvents, propellants and foam-blowing agents (chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), HCFCs, halons), which are called as Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS).
FACTFILE -Montreal Protocol or Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
- It is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out production of numerous Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs) that are responsible for ozone depletion.
- It was agreed on 26 August 1987 in Montreal, Canada and entered into force on 26 August 1989.
- Under this protocol, production and consumption of key ODSs like chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs), Methyl Chloroform, CTC halons and Methyl Bromide have been phased-out globally.
- It is legally binding on the member countries.
- It has been ratified by 197 parties making it a universally ratified protocol in UN history.
- It is also a highly successful international arrangement, as it has phased-out more than 95% of the ODS so far as per its main mandate in less than 30 years of its existence, which helped in recovering the ozone hole in Antarctica.
FACTFILE – Vienna Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer
- It is a multilateral environmental agreement agreed upon at the 1985 Vienna Conference and entered into force in 1988.
- It is one of the most successful treaties of all time in terms of universality.
- It acted as a framework for international efforts to protect the fragile ozone layer.
- These are laid out in accompanying Montreal Protocol.
PM Narendra Modi launches nationwide ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ Movement
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva Movement, which is organized as run up to the fourth anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd
- The mass movement will strengthen the efforts to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a Clean India.
FACTFILE – Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Mission is a campaign in India that aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, smaller towns, and rural areas.
- The mission aims to achieve an Open-Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, by constructing 90 million toilets in rural India at a projected cost of ₹1.96 lakh crore (US$30 billion).
- The mission will also help India reaching Sustainable Development Goal Number 6 (SDG 6).
FACTFILE – Sustainable Development Goal (SGD)
- Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6 or SDG 6), one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN in 2015. It calls for clean water and sanitation for all people.
- “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” It has eight targets to be achieved by at least 2030.
- SDG6 has eight targets. Six of them are to be achieved by the year 2030, one by the year 2020 and one has no target year. In total there are 11 indicators for SDG6.
Cabinet Committee approves 100% electrification of Railways by 2021-22
- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved for electrification of all broad gauge routes of Indian Railways by the year 2021-22.
- The 100% electrification will reduce use of imported fossil fuels thereby improve energy security. Reduction in consumption of high speed diesel oil will also result in reduction of GHG emissions, thus, reduce environmental impact of Railways.
- Currently, around 48% of the country’s 61,680 km broad gauge railway network is electrified. And this approval is to covers only electrifying remaining 13,675 kilometers (16,540 track kilometers), and it does not cover 3,479 km of metre gauge and 2,209 of broad gauge network.
- After completing the electrification, India will be having second largest electrified railway networks in the world after China, which has 87,000 km electrified network (around 68% of its network) and only large railway with 100 % electrification.
DRDO successfully flight-tests man-portable anti-tank missile
- India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted the first successful test firing of a new indigenously designed and developed man portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) at the Ahmednagar test range. It was followed by another MPATGM test launch on September 16.
- The two missions on 15 and 16 September 2018 have been successfully flight tested for different ranges including the maximum range capability.
- The MPATGM is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which has been under development by DRDO in partnership with Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Ltd. since 2015. Fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, the MPATGM reportedly boasts a top attack capability and has a maximum engagement range of about 2.5 kilometers.
FACTFILE – The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- DRDO is charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.
- It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.
- It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- With a network of 52 laboratories, which are engaged in developing defence technologies covering various fields, like aeronautics, armaments, electronics, land combat engineering, life sciences, materials, missiles, and naval systems.
- DRDO is India’s largest and most diverse research organization, having around 5,000 scientists belonging to the Defence Research & Development Service (DRDS) and about 25,000 other scientific, technical and supporting personnel.
September 2018 – eBook Monthly PDF | eBook Monthly Quiz
Go To Assam Current Affairs Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz
