STATECURRENTAFFAIRS

Himachal Pradesh launches artificial propagation programme of mahseer fish

for conservation
May 21, 2016
Himachal Pradesh fisheries department has started an artificial propagation programme for rehabilitation and conservation of
Golden Mahseer fish.
Under this programme, a hatchery has been set up in the state with an outlay of Rs 6 crore to rear mahseer fish and release its
fingerlings into the wild.

Population Decline
The population of the golden mahseer has seen decline in recent times in rivers of Himachal Pradesh as they are hunted for
sport and food.
It also has declined due to various reasons such as construction of dams, barrages, indiscriminate fishing of juvenile and
brood fish, pollution, introduction of exotic species and habitat deterioration.

About Golden mahseer

Golden mahseer is the longest-living freshwater fish. It is also known as the tiger of Indian rivers and belongs to the
genus Tor.
It is native to mountain and sub-mountain regions and is found at altitudes of up to 2,000 metres above sea level.
During the southwest floods it migrates upstream for spawning and after spawning, it returns to the original feeding grounds
International Union of Conservation of Natural Resources (IUCN) has declared itendangered.

West Bengal Assembly Election 2016 Results

May 20, 2016
Ruling All India Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has emerged
victorious in the 2016 West Bengal Assembly Election.
TMC has won 211 seats i.e. two-third seats of total 295 seats. Coalition of Indian National Congress (INC) and Left combine
has won 76 seats emerging as largest opposition front.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamta Banerjee has won from Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency.

Party wise Result

All India Trinamool Congress (TMC): 211 seats.
Indian National Congress (INC): 44 seats.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M): 26 seats.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 3 seats.
Revolutionary Socialist Party: 3 seats.
Gorkha Janmukti Morcha: 3 seats.
Communist Party of India (CPI): 1 seat.
Independent: 1 seat.
Background
West Bengal legislative assembly election was held for the 294 seats (out of 295 seats). The Election Commission of India
had conducted election in six phases between 4 April 2016 and 5 May 2016. The first phase was held in Naxalite-Maoist
affected Red corridor areas with two polling dates, April 4 and April 11, 2016.

Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2016 Results

May 20, 2016
Ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Party under the leadership of Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha
has emerged victorious in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly Election.
AIADMK Party emerged victorious by winning 134 seats (38.4% votes) out of 234 seats of the Legislative Assembly in the
state. The opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has won 89 seats (35.6% votes) while Indian National Congress
(INC) won 8 seats.

With this victory, AIADMK Chief J. Jayalalitha became the first Chief Minister in 32 years to be voted back to power. She
won from Dr. RK Nagar constituency in Chennai.
DMK Patriarch M. Karunanidhi has won for a record 13th time (since 1956) from his home turf of Tiruvarur.
Background
The election for fifteenth Assembly of Tamil Nadu was held in single phase on 16 May 2016 for the 234 seats.

Assam Assembly Election 2016 Results

May 19, 2016
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its alliance partners have won an absolute majority in 2016 Assam state assembly election by
winning 87 seats (16.46% votes) in the 126 member House.
BJP alone has won 60 seats (29.5% votes) on its own, thus making history by winning an Assam assembly election for the
first time.
BJPs ally Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has won 14 seats (8.1% votes) while another ally Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) has
bagged 13 seats (3.9% votes).
Indian National Congress (INC) has won 26 seats (31% votes), while its ally All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)
won 13 seats (13% votes) and one seat was won be an independent candidate.
BJPs Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal has won from Majuli seat, defeating his nearest rival by more than
18000 votes. Outgoing Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has won in Titabar seat, with a margin of over 17000 votes.
Background
The general election for the 14th Assam legislative assembly was held in two phases on April 4 and 11, 2016 to elect
members of the 126 constituencies in Assam.
The overall voters turnout was 84.72% which is highest in the history of Assam. The turnout saw an increase from the 2011
Assembly election turnout which was 75%.
Election Commission of India (ECI) also conducted trials of 2300 Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines
attached along with EVMs (electronic voting machines) in 10 assembly constituencies in the state.

Kerala Assembly Election 2016 Results

May 19, 2016
The coalition of Left Democratic Front (LDF) has won the 2016 Kerala Assembly Election by the absolute majority by
winning 91 seats (44.94% votes) of the total 140 seats.

Among the LDF, Communist Party of India (Marxist) by winning 58 seats has emerged single largest party. Other LDF
allies have won
Communist Party of India: 19 seats.
Janata Dal (Secular): 3 seats.
Nationalist Congress Party: 2 seats.
Other LDF supporters: 9 seats.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) led by outgoing Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has emerged as largest opposition
front. It has won total 47 seats (45.83% votes). Party wise result is as follows
Indian National Congress: 22 seats.
Indian Union Muslim League: 18 seats.
Kerala Congress (M): 6 seats.
Kerala Congress (Jacob): 1 seat.
BJP opens account in Kerala
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for the first time has managed to open an account in Kerala by winning single seat from the
Nemom constituency, a suburb of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. BJP was able to secure 10.60% votes in this election.
The seat was won by former Union minister O Rajagopal (86) who won by over 8000 votes. He becomes first BJP MLA in
Keralas 140-member assembly history.
Background

The general election for the 14th Kerala legislative assembly was held on May 16, 2016 in single phase to elect
representatives of the 140 constituencies.
The voter turnout for this assembly election was higher at 77.35 per cent as compared to 75.12 per cent in the previous 2011
general election.

Odisha Government launches Green Passage Scheme for orphan students

May 18, 2016
Odisha Government has decided to launch Green Passage scheme for orphan students to ensure that they get free of cost
higher education in the state.
A proposal of the higher education department in this regard, was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

As per the scheme

Orphan students pursuing higher education (from Plus-II level) to post-graduation level, will no longer have to bear the
education expenses.
Students pursuing higher education will be exempted of tuition fees, admission fee and laboratory fees for higher studies.
It will be applicable to all government, government aided, private colleges and universities. Students also will be provided
free hostel facilities and food.
These educational institutions have to ensure that the orphan students are not charged in any form.

Worlds largest Single Rooftop Solar Power Plant inaugurated in Amritsar

May 18, 2016
Worlds largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 MegaWatt (MW) capacity was inaugurated at Dera Baba Jaimal
Singh in Beas near Amritsar in Punjab.
This is the largest Solar Power Plant spread over 82 acres of rooftop in single campus on multiple roofs with installed
capacity of 19.5 MW.

Key facts
The plant has been set up with the cost of 139 crore rupees and would generate clean and green energy sufficient to power
approximately 8,000 homes.
It will also help in abating 4-lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the next 25 years.
The clean power produced from this plant will be purchased by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) as per
the power purchase agreement signed Dera for 25 years.
The first phase (7.5 MW) of this project was launched in September 2013 and was synchronised with the grid in April 2014.
Later, the second phase (12 MW) was launched in February 2015 and synchronised in December 2015.
Besides, seven rooftop solar power plants of 8MW capacity were also inaugurated in Beas Dera campus. With this it
becomes the highest single campus generating solar power of 19.5 MW at multiple rooftops in the country.
Currently, Punjab is generating 470 MW of solar power and projects of 500 MW capacities are in the pipeline. On
completion of these projects, state would be able to generate solar power of close to 1,000 MW by the end of FY 2016-17.

Delhi Metro conducts trial run of countrys first driverless train

May 18, 2016
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) conducted the trial run of the countrys first ever Metro train equipped to run in
the driverless mode.
The train was ceremonially flagged off by Union Minister for Urban Development M. Venkaiah Naidu and Delhi Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
The driverless trains will run on the over 58 km-long Majlish Park-Shiv Vihar (Line 7) and the over 38 km-long Janakpuri
(West)- Botanical Garden (Line 8) corridors of the Phase-III.

Key facts
This new-generation driverless metro train equipped to travel on Unattended Train Operations mode and is also with
advanced features.

It is suitable to eventually run on UTO mode as the train has extremely high levels of automation. Thus, train operators will
not be required to operate these trains.
The Operations Control Centres (OCC) of the Delhi Metro system will directly regulate the movement of the trains.
The On-board CCTV cameras provides inside and outside view of the train. The images from CCTV can be directly accessed
by the control centre in driverless mode.
In addition, a green Receiving Sub Station (RSS) was also inaugurated at Mukundpur. It will help to meet the power
requirements of the Majlis Park Shiv Vihar corridor. The RSS has been designed as a green structure with features such as
solar power plant, rain water harvesting and sewage water treatment facilities.

Justice Deepak Gupta sworn-in as Chief Justice of Chhattisgarh High Court

May 17, 2016
Justice Deepak Gupta has sworn-in as the new Chief Justice (CJ) of the Chhattisgarh High Court.
He was administered the oath of office as per by Chhattisgarh Governor Balram Das Tandon at Raj Bhawan in Raipur as per
the provisions of the Article 219 of Constitution.

Background
Justice Deepak Gupta was transferred from Tripura High Court by President Pranab Mukherjee as per provisions Article 222
of Constitution.
He was transferred by President following recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India
(CJI) T.S. Thakur.
Prior to the transfer, Justice Naveen Sinha was Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court since 2013.

About Justice Deepak Gupta

Born on 7 May 1955 in Nurpur in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh in a family of lawyers.
He started practicing law in the Himachal Pradesh High Court from 1978 receiving his Law degree from the Delhi University
after and continued till 2004.
He was elevated as Judge of Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2004. He had served twice Acting Chief Justice of the
Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Later he was transferred as the first Chief Justice of Tripura High Court in March 2013.

Justice Naveen Sinha sworn-in as Chief Justice of Rajasthan HC

May 14, 2016
Justice Naveen Sinha has sworn in as the 31st Chief Justice of Rajasthan.
He was administered the oath to the office by Governor Kalyan Singh as per the provisions of the Article 219 of
Constitution.
He was transfered by President Pranab Mukherjee as per provisions Article 222 of Constitution after following
recommendation of the Supreme Court collegium headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) T.S. Thakur.
Prior to the transfer, Justice Naveen Sinha was Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court since July 2014.

About Justice Naveen Sinha

Born on 19 August 1958. He had obtained LL.B. degree after completing a bachelors degree in arts.
He had joined bar in July 1979 and had practised for 23 years primarily at Patna High Court.
He was specialised in civil, constitutional, labour, service, commercial, company, criminal laws.
He was elevated as a judge of Patna High Court and later was made a permanent judge of in February 2004. He was
transferred to Chhattisgarh High Court as Chief Justice in July 2014.

UP Government approves bicycle highway between Taj and lion safari

May 12, 2016
Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has given its approval to develop over 197 km long bicycle highway from Agra up to the lion safari
in Etawah to encourage eco-tourism in vicinity of Taj Mahal.
Decision in this regard was taken by State Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Key facts
The bicycle highway will not run along the Agra-Etawah main road but will cover various historical and tourism centres.
It will start from eastern gate of the Taj Mahal and will cover other historical areas such as Bateshwarnath Temple, Raja Bhoj
ki Haveli, Mela Kothi Jarar, and Naugava ka Quila and other rural areas to reach lion safari in Etawah.
Other Cabinet Decisions
State Cabinet also approved the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana in the state from the Kharif season
2016.
Transfer policy for 2016-17 for employee was approved. Under it Group A and B will be transferred from a district on
completion of six years and 10 years in a division.
Cabinet also approved the construction cost for an international cricket stadium in Saifai.

Harish Rawat led Congress Government wins the Floor Test in Uttarakhand
Assembly
May 11, 2016
Harish Rawat-led Congress Government has won the floor test in the state legislative assembly conducted on 10 May 2016
on the order of the Supreme Court.
In the floor test Harish Rawat Government recieved 33 votes against 28 votes out of 61 qualified members who voted in the
assembly.
Based on this, the apex court has allowed Mr Rawat to assume office as Chief Minister after Presidents rule is revoked in the
state.
After the mandate of floor test in Uttarakhand Assembly, the Union Cabinet has taken decision to revoke President Rule in
Uttarakhand.

Background
The Himalayan state had plunged into a political crisis after nine legislators from ruling Congress had revolted against the
Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
It had brought government into minority in the 70-member state legislature. Since then President Rule under Article 356 was
imposed in Uttarakhand in March 2016.
Prior to imposition of President Rule, 9 rebel legislators were disqualified by the speaker under the anti-defection law.
However, Harish Rawat had challenged the President Rule in the Uttarakhand High Court which in its April 21, 2016 order
had quashed the President Rule.
Later, the Supreme Court on 5 May 2016 ordered to conduct of composite floor test in the Uttarakhand legislative assembly
based on its previous directives in the R. Bommai v. Union of India case.

MP Tourism wins Lonely Planets Best Indian Destination for Wildlife Award
May 11, 2016
The Madhya Pradesh Tourism (MPT) won the Lonely Planet Groups Best Indian Destination for Wildlife Award.
The award was handed over to MPT at a function in Mumbai by actress Amy Jackson. On behalf of MPT Chairman, the
award was received by his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Vinod Kumar Amar.
Madhya Pradesh located in Central India has 25 wild life sanctuaries including 9 National Parks. Among them Bandhavgarh,
Kanha and Pench are ideal habitat for tigers.
State Government has launched numerous programmes for the conservation of flora and fauna because of which Pench and
Kanha were regarded as the most beautiful national parks in Asia. While Pench and Bandhavgarh also are known all over
the world because of tiger reserves.
It should be noted that Lonely Planet is worlds largest travel guide book publisher owned by the American billionaire Brad
Kelleys NC2 Media since 2013.

Gujarat Government accords minority status to Jain community

May 8, 2016
The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the state.

In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR) giving minority status to the Jain community.

Key facts
The decision has nothing to do with reservations and the new status will benefit the poor among the Jain community.
The poor among the minority community can avail of various scholarships, government welfare schemes.
Jain institutions will also get special status like the one given to Christian and Muslim institutions as per Article 30 of Indian
Constitution.
The previous UPA Government at the Centre had conferred the minority status on the Jain community at the national level in
January 2014. Jains were the 6th community to have minority status after Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis.
Under the Constitution, religious and linguistic minorities enjoy special rights. The minority status helps to give
constitutional safeguards to minority communities and make them eligible for welfare programmes of the Union Minority
Affairs Ministry.

Karnataka Government decides to set up Asias first Rice Technology Park in

Gangavati
May 8, 2016
Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the establishment of Asias first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in
Koppal district.
Apart from it state government has decided to set upa Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.

Key facts
Both parks will be established on the public-private participation model as a one-stop solution to all problems of rice and
maize growers.
As a value addition, the rice technology park would have facilities for rice flour, rice bran oil, rice rava, rice-based alcohol,
noodles, animal and poultry feed and paddy husk used for power generation and brick-making.
These parks would pave the way for opening new avenues for rice and maize growers.
It will help growers to add value to their produce and get better returns and also enhance quality of the produce.

Andhra Pradesh Harita-Priya Agriculture Project wins 2016 WSIS Prize

May 5, 2016
Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Project has won the prestigious World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2016 prize
in the e-Agriculture category.
Harita-Priya (Harmonized Information of Agriculture, Revenue and Irrigation for a Transformation Agenda Precision
Technology for Agriculture) Project is meant to collect very specific climate data from farms and give farmers personalised
information through SMS.

Key facts
The Harita-Priya Project uses wireless sensor networks to collect micro-climatic information from farms.
The data is used to create advisories and alerts on irrigation schedules and pests and plant diseases.
Based on this state agriculture officers disseminate personalised crop advisories in Telugu language to farmers by way of
SMS.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) in Hyderabad has developed the project and is having a pilot
run in Anantpur district.
Andhra Pradesh government, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) station and Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University also have partnered for the project.

BHEL commissions 600 MW thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh

May 4, 2016
Public Sector Power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned 600 MW coalbased thermal power plant in Madhya Pradesh.

The unit was commissioned at the 1600 MW Jhabua Thermal Power Project (TPP) located in Seoni district in Madhya
Pradesh.
The project has been developed by Jhabua Power Ltd (JPL), a subsidiary of Avantha Power & Infrastructure Limited (APIL).
This is the second project of APIL commissioned by BHEL after the 1600 MW Avantha Bhandar TPP at Raigarh in
Chhattisgarh.
Presently, BHEL is also executing two supercritical units of 800 MW for NTPC at Gadarwara in Madhya Pradesh.
BHEL is a power plant equipment manufacturer completely owned by Union Government. It is largest engineering and
manufacturing company of its kind in India. It was established in 1964 and was awarded a Maharatna Company status in
2013.

Andhra Pradesh Government launches Chandranna Bima Yojana

May 3, 2016
Andhra Pradesh Government has launched Chandranna Bima Yojana, an insurance scheme for the working class people.
The scheme was launched by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on the occasion of May Day in Vijayawada.

About Chandranna Bima Yojana

Any insured worker who meets an accidental death and permanent disability will be paid 5 lakh rupees.
Any insured worker who suffers partial disability will be paid 3 lakh rupees.
Under it, about 1.5 crore workers of the state will be covered.

Former J&K Minister Romesh Sharma passes away

May 3, 2016
Former Jammu and Kashmir Minister and senior Congress leader Romesh Sharma passed away after a prolonged illness in
New Delhi. He was 65.
By profession Mr. Sharma was an Ayurvedic doctor. He had joined politics in 2000 and won the state Assembly elections in
2002 from Nowshera Constituency.
He had served as MoS (Minister of State) Commerce and Industries in late Chief Minister Mufti Sayeeds led PDP-Congress
government in 2002. Later he had served as MoS PHE and Flood Irrigation Control in CM Ghulam Nabi Azad led
government till 2008.

Maharashtra Government launches Adi Praman app for caste validity

certificate
May 1, 2016
Maharashtra Government has launched Adi Praman, a web-based application for states tribal population to get the caste
validity certificates online.
It was launched along with portal namedetribalvalidity.mahaonline@gov.in by Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao.
The application is first of its kind for any state in India.

Key features of Adi Praman

The tribal people from the state can obtain caste validity certificates online using this application.
The validity certificate will be bar-coded with a unique identification number and enable authorities to directly verify the
status of validity certificate using the unique barcode number.
The web portal will show the real-time status of the applications through email and text messages.
The applicants will also be informed on the status of their application through SMS alert and Email.
The app will make the entire process of securing caste validity certificate easy, fast and transparent and would effectively
curb the menace of bogus certificates.
It will also help the state government to achieve the goal of inclusion as envisioned under the Digital India programme.

Madhya Pradesh High Court terms reservation in promotions in the State as

unconstitutional
May 1, 2016
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has termed reservation in promotions in the state as unconstitutional.
Ruling in this regard was given by HC division bench chaired by Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar on the petitions filed several
employee associations and social organisations.
Petitioners had challenged the rules of the state government which provided reservation in promotion for Scheduled Castes
and Schedule Tribes.

HC Ruling
Stated that the reservation to underprivileged during appointments is logical but reservations in promotions frustrate talented
people.
Giving priority to reserved categories over general classes in promotions is not justice.

South Indias first underground metro services flagged off in Bengaluru

May 1, 2016
South Indias first underground metro services flagged of in Bengaluru i.e. at East-West corridor (Purple Line) of Bangalore
Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).
The underground metro corridor has been named as Namma Metro and was flagged off Dr BR Ambedkar station by the
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The newly inaugurated 28-km metro line has 5.12-km underground stretch and connects Cubbon Park to the City Railway
station.
With the opening of the east-west corridor of Namma Metro, a total of 28 km of the first phase of Bengaluru Metro (spanning
total 42 km) has become operational. Phase II of Namma Metro work has already commenced and it may become
operational by 2020.

Gujarat Government to provide 10 % reservation to economically backward of

higher castes
April 30, 2016
Gujarat Government has decided to provide 10 percent reservation for economically backward classes (EBCs) in general
category.
In this regard, state government is going to promulgate ordinance and will be applicable in government jobs as well as
admission to the educational institutions from next academic year.
This 10 percent reservation for EBCs in general category will be available to all non-reserved class, whose total family
income is less than 6 lakh annually. The new reservation will not affect the present reservation available to Scheduled Castes
(SC)/ Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
This decision will breaches Supreme Courts reservation limit of 50 percent as the State Government is already providing 50
percent reservation to SC, ST and OBC.

Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi to head Odisha Skill Development

Authority
April 30, 2016
IT major Mindtree co-founder Subroto Bagchi has been appointed as head of the Odisha Skill Development Authority.
He would report directly to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and has been given the rank of cabinet minister with a token
monthly salary of Re 1.
Bagchi was born in Patnagarh block of backward Bolangir district of Odisha.

About Odisha Skill Development Authority

Aims to unify the initiatives on the ground and create momentum for unemployed youth to receive skill-based training to
make them employable in the state.
Functions: It will be overseeing skill development programmes in the state. It will also guide state government to implement
and oversee all skill development programmes in the state.
Earlier in January 2016, Odisha Government had roped Sam Pitroda as its technology adviser for development of telecom,
electronics, IT, ITES sectors.

EC launches mobile app e-voter for Kerala assembly polls

April 29, 2016
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched an innovative mobile application titled e-voter with comprehensive
details about the forthcoming 2016 Assembly polls in Kerala.
The app is envisaged for voters facilitation for search in electoral roll, information regarding candidates, location of polling
station, affidavit filed by them, filing of complaint and so on.

Key facts
The e-voter app was developed by the state IT Mission. It aims at ensuring great transparency and conduct of free and fair
elections.
The app has know your candidate option that would provide constituency wise details of candidates.
It has constituency list option that would give segment wise details of voters (total number of voters, number of male voters
and female voters) and total polling stations.
The app will also provide information about previous elections results and names of Chief Ministers.
The e-voter app can be downloaded from the Google Play store and can be installed on any android phone

SC stays Uttarakhand HCs order revoking Presidents rule in Uttarakhand

April 22, 2016
The Supreme Court has stayed the judgement of the Uttarakhand High Court quashing the imposition of Presidents rule
imposed under Article 356 in the Constitution till April 27, 2016.
With this President rule has been again restored in Uttarakhand as the High Court judgement will be kept in abeyance till the
next date of hearing of SC.
The apex court stay order came after the Union Government had moved the Court against the Uttarakhand High Court
verdict quashing Presidents rule in the state.

Background
Uttarakhand High Court Order: On 21 April 2016, Uttarakhand HC had quashed the imposition of President Rule in the
state. It also had revived the term of Congress Government headed by Harish Rawat and had asked him to prove his majority
on 29 April 2016.
Political Crisis: The Himalayan had plunged into a political crisis after nine legislators from ruling Congress part including
former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna had revolted against the Chief Minister Harish Rawat. Since then the state was under
thePresidents Rule.

Goa Government appoints Justice PK Mishra as Lokayukta

April 20, 2016
Goa Government has decided to appoint former Chief Justice of Patna High Court Justice P.K.Mishra as Lokayukta of the
state.
It was announced by the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar after state government obtained the concurrence of the Chief
Justice of Bombay High Court and the Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly as stipulated in the Lokayukta Act.
Now the state Cabinet will be recommend name of Justice Mishra to the Governor of Goa for appointment. Justice Mishra
earlier had worked as the Chairman of the Goa State Human Rights Commission.

The post of the Lokayukta in the state was vacant for the last two years. Goas first Lokayukta Justice (Retd) Sudarshan
Reddy had resigned within seven months of his appointment in October 2013 and since then the post was vacant for more
than two years.

Presidents decision is subject to judicial review: Uttarakhand HC

April 20, 2016
The Uttarakhand High Court has observed that the legitimacy of Presidents decision to suspend the state assembly under
Presidents rule is subject to judicial review.
Observation in this regard was given by a HC bench comprising of Chief Justice K M Joseph and Justice V K Bist. The
bench was hearing arguments on the petition filed by the ousted Chief Minister Harish Rawat challenging imposition of
Presidents rule in Uttarakhand.
HC observed that President can take wrong decisions by referring to Union Governments argument that he took the decision
to impose President Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution in his political wisdom.
It also ruled that legitimacy of inference drawn by President from the material placed before him by Governor is open to
judicial review.

Maharashtra Government to use hologram technique to check spurious liquor

April 19, 2016
Maharashtra Government has decided to make it mandatory to have a hologram on every alcohol bottle manufactured and
sold in the state in order to check sale of spurious liquor.
Henceforth, no liquor bottle will be allowed to be sold in the state without the hologram. The decision was taken keeping in
mind the 2015 tragedy at Malwani where about 100 people died after consuming spurious liquor.

How it will work?

It will be mandatory to paste polyester base track and trace hologram on every alcohol bottle.
It will be supported by a mobile application that will be developed by the Government and will be made available at free of
cost.
When the mobile app is brought in contact with the hologram, it will immediately generate a green or red mark.
The mark generated will indicate the buyer whether the liquor, wine, country made liquor, Indian Made Foreign Liquor
(IMFL) is fake or genuine.
Besides, this technique will also help prevent loss of revenue due to cheap liquor being imported into Maharashtra from
neighbouring States.

Maharashtra Government bans digging of bore wells beyond 200 feet

April 19, 2016
Maharashtra Government has banned digging of borewells beyond 200 feet in order to check the steep decline in ground
water level across the state.
It was announced by Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Babanrao Lonikar. State Government has taken this decision in
the wake for severe drought and decreasing ground water level across various regions in the state.
This ban will be implemented under the Maharashtra Groundwater Development and Management Act in order to control
the excess water pumping through borewell. Henceforth, digging of borewell that violates prescribed rules will punishable
offence. The violators of the rule would now face fine or even imprisonment.

Delhi Government launches Phase 2 of odd-even scheme

April 17, 2016
Delhi Government has launched the second phase of odd-even car rationing scheme to check pollution in the national capital.
The second phase will be from 15 April 2016 till 30 April 2016. The scheme aims at curbing vehicular pollution and
reducing traffic congestion on the roads of NCR Delhi.

Key facts
Under it, four wheelers with licence plates ending in an odd number will ply on odd dates and those ending with an even
number can run on even dates.
It will be between 8am and 8pm and on Sunday no restrictions are applied. The penalty in case of a violation is Rs. 2,000.

During this implementation, public transport including buses and the Metro will be run at high frequency. Residents are
being urged to carpool in order to reduce pressure on public transport.
Exemptions: President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers and other VIPs have been exempted. Besides
emergency vehicles, vehicles driven by women, CNG vehicles and cars carrying school children in uniforms will be also
exempted.

Jharkhand Government launches Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Yojana for

widows
April 17, 2016
Jharkhand Government has launched Bhimrao Ambedkar Awas Yojana for widows to create equality and harmony in
society, ensuring all round development enshrined in the Constitution.
It was launched by Chief Minister Raghubar Das on the occasion of 125th birth anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar.

Key facts
The scheme (Yojana) aims at building 11000 units (houses) for widows in 2016-17 financial year with the budgetary
allocation of 80 crore rupees.
Under it, beneficiaries would get an amount of 75000 rupees to build a house in hilly terrains districts and 70000 rupees in
plains area.
The amount would be distributed among the beneficiaries in three installments directly in their bank accounts. Under it
widows will also get pension.

Maharashtra becomes first state to pass law against social boycott

April 14, 2016
The Maharashtra legislature has unanimously passed theMaharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2016 to end the menace social boycott practiced by extra-judicial institutions
like caste and community panchayats.
With this Maharashtra became first state in the country to adopt a comprehensive law to root out oppression carried out by
parallel justice delivery system (kangaroo court) in the name of age old traditions, caste and religion.

Key Features of Bill

The Bill terms social boycott as a crime and says anybody indulging in it would face imprisonment maximum upto three
years and a fine of 1 lakh rupees or both.
It disallows social boycott of any individual or groups by caste panchayats or groups of individuals or gavki or by its
members or by social or economically influential persons.
Persons involved in practice of social boycott for reasons like rituals of worship, inter-caste marriage, any connection to
lifestyle, dress or vocation will face stringent punishment.
The offence registered under the act will be congnizable and bailable. It will be tried by a judicial magistrate of the first class.
The victim of social boycott or any member of the victims family can file a complaint either to police or directly to the
magistrate.
The bill has indicated speedy trial within six months of filing chargesheet in such cases in order to ensure time-bound results.
Government will recruit social boycott prohibition officers to ensure monitoring and to detect offences and assist the
magistrate and police officers in tackling such cases.
Background
In recent times, Maharashtra had witnessed an increasing number of incidents of social boycott and violence at the orders of
caste panchayats. However, existing laws were found to be inadequate in dealing with such practices. For years, number of
activists and academicians in the state were demanding stringent law to root out menace of social boycotts from the state.

Haryana Government decides to rename Gurgaon as Gurugram

April 12, 2016
Haryana Government has decided to rename Gurgaon as Gurugram. State government also has renamed Mewat as Nuh. In
this regard, Chief Minister Manohar Lal has approved the proposal to change the names of Gurgaon and Mewat.
Decision to change the name of Gurgaon has been taken on the basis of the representations received at several forums. Since
ancient times, Gurgaon had been a centre of learning where the princes used to get education and known as Gurugram since
the times of Guru Dronacharya.

The town had derived its name Gurugram from Guru Dronacharya, who was gifted the village as gurudakshina by the
Pandavas, his students. In the course of time got distorted to Gurgaon.
While, Mewat is not a town and in fact it is a geographical and cultural unit spread beyond Haryana in the adjoining States of
Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Headquarters of Mewat district is at Nuh town. The elected representatives and the people
of area had been demanding that the name of Mewat be changed as Nuh.

Sajibu Cheiraoba festival celebrated in Manipur with religious fervor

April 9, 2016
The traditional festival of Sajibu Cheiraoba was celebrated in Manipur to mark the beginning of a new year with cultural
gusto and religious fervor.
The festival is mainly observed on the first lunar day of the lunar month Sajibu (March/April) by the Meiteis community, a
majority ethnic group of Manipur.
Celebrations
On the occasion of Sajibu Cheiraoba, People clean and decorate their houses and arrange joint family feast. Traditional
cuisines are offered to local deities at the entrance gates of the houses.
After meals, people start climbing nearby hills in the afternoon to offer prayers. Thabal Chongba, a local folk dance is also
being organized at different locations of Manipur valley.

Rajasthan becomes the first state to pass land title Bill

April 9, 2016
Rajasthan state assembly passed the Rajasthan Urban Land (Certification of Titles) Bills, 2016 for providing statutory
backing to land records
With this Rajasthan has become the first state to pass land title bill for effectively guaranteeing land and property ownership.

Key provisions of the bill

State residents living in urban areas, which are governed by the municipalities or state development authorities, can seek a
certificate of ownership of their lands by paying a nominal fee to the state government.
The state government will set up an authority which will be headed by an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer.
The authority will seek all the documents from the landowners, and will verify it against records held by the state. It will first
issue a provisional certificate for which the state will not stand guarantee.
If there are no objections or dispute arises, the authority will issue a certificate and a map to the owner with state guarantee.
This Bill is seen as one of the key steps towards land reforms as it will create an efficient and transparent modern land
market, provide certainty of tenure and end litigation that often mires development projects. It will give a clear title to the
owner and will reduce litigations in the courts.

Union Government gives nod to Indias first Metrino Pod Taxi project
April 9, 2016
The Union Government has approved countrys first Metrino Pod project i.e. personal rapid transit (PRT) network for
Gurgaon, Haryana.
It was announced by Haryana Public Works (Building and Roads) Minister, Rao Narbir Singh. It will be completely private
project and as for financing, the entire investment will be made by the private company that sets up the PRT.

Key facts
The pilot project will span a 13 km stretch from the Gurgaon-Delhi border to Badshapur Mod on Sohna Road.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has submitted the feasibility report for this project.
The private company implementing project will recover its investment in 25 years through tickets. The fare of Metrino Pod
taxi would be similar to that of Metro.
What is Personal rapid transit (PRT) network?
A PRT network is made up of small automated vehicles (dubbed as pod) running at close intervals on a guideway with
docking stations for passengers to get on and get off.
The pod can accommodate up to five people. The average speed of the pods is 60kmph

Passengers have an option to hire an entire pod that will take a passenger straight to the destination, skipping the scheduled
stops.

Odisha Government launches Adarsh Vidyalaya Project

April 7, 2016
Odisha Government has launched Adarsh Vidyalaya (AV) project to provide modern schools facilities on the lines of
Kendriya Vidyalayas in the underdeveloped rural areas of the state.
It was launched by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Sasan Ambagaon village in his home constituency Hinjli in
Ganjam district.

Key features of the project

Schools under AV project will provide free education to students the classes from VI to XII along with free uniforms and
other study materials.
These schools will be affiliated under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and shall have hostel facility in
future.
Under this project, one Adarsh Vidyalaya will be set up in each of the 314 revenue blocks of the state.
They will be managed by the Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya Sangathan (AVS) and will be formed on the lines of the Kendriya
Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
In these schools, English will be the first language and Odia will be the second language as medium of instruction.
The project will be implemented in phases and in the first phase 100 such schools will start functioning on 5 April 2016.
The teacher-pupil ratio of these schools will be 1:25 and classroom-student ratio of 1:40. 50 per cent of total seats will be
reserved for the girls and scheduled categories.

Foundation stone for Haryanas first Horticulture University laid in Karnal

April 7, 2016
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singhlaid the foundation stone of Haryana State University
of Horticultural Sciences at Karnal.
It is the first Horticulture University in the state that will cater the needs to support the gap between research, teaching and
extension activities in the state.

Key facts
The Horticulture University will be built on 118 acres to disseminate latest technology and horticulture education to the
young generation.
It will help in improving productivity levels by promoting adaptation of appropriate crop diversification to suit the agro
climatic conditions of the region.
It will also act as a skill development centre in order to cater the larger demand for skilled (trained) manpower in the
production, post-harvest and processing industries.

BHEL commissions Andhra Pradeshs first canal top solar plant at

Bhimavaram
April 7, 2016
Public Sector Power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned a seasonwise
tiltable canal top solar PV plant at Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh.
It is the first canal top project in Andhra Pradesh and also of its kind project to be executed by BHEL.

Key facts
The project has been developed by New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd
(NREDCAP).
Its power generation is about 10 per cent more than a fixed Module Mounting Arrangement (MMA).
It also has movable walkway which provides easy access, facilitating efficient maintenance of the plant.
The plant has elevated control room with bottom cable entry which prevents it from the water during floods.
The Module Mounting Structure (MMS) of the plant has a unique design which incorporates additional functionalities like
cable support, lighting and fencing.

Bihar Government imposes complete ban on alcohol

April 5, 2016
Bihar Government has taken a decision to completely ban on all types of liquor (alcohol) throughout the state including
Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL).
Decision in this regard was taken by the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna. Earlier on 1st April
2016, state government had banned country made liquor in the state except IMFL in the first phase.
Now in the second phase, foreign liquor (IMFL) will also be banned with immediate effect. The production, sale and
business of all types of liquor have been banned in the state.
Henceforth person found indulging in manufacturing trade, transportation, sale and consumption of liquor across the state
will be punished under the stringent provisions of the Bihar Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016.
The Act has various stringent provisions including awarding capital punishment for those who manufacture and sell illicit
liquor that causes death.
Alcohol prohibition in India is in force: Gujarat, Nagaland, Lakshadweep (UT) and parts of Manipur. Since
2014, Kerala has been implementing prohibition in a phased manner.

Worlds first White Tiger Safari opens in Madhya Pradesh

April 5, 2016
Worlds first White Tiger Safari was inaugurated at Mukundpur in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.
It was inaugurated and opened to public by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The first of its kind safari is situated adjacent to the Mukundpur Zoological Park. It is spread over an area of 25 hectares and
has been built at cost of 50 crore rupees.
The safari houses three white tigers, including two females named Vindhya and Radha and one male named Raghu.
Background
The first white tiger in Madhya Pradeshs was spotted in Vindhya region in 1915. However, the rare breed of the big cat
spotted for first time died in 1920.
In 1951, a white tiger cub named Mohan was captured by Rewa Maharaja Martand Singh. Later the cub later became the
progenitor of all known white tigers in the world after the Maharaja arranged for its breeding.
White Tigers in India: It is a pigmentation variant of the Bengal tiger. They have been reported in the wild from time to
time in the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar.
These tigers have white fur because lack of the pigment pheomelanin, which is found in Bengal tigers with orange colour
fur.

Mehbooba Mufti sworn in as first woman Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir
April 4, 2016
Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed (56) took oath as the first woman Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing to an end the
three-month Governors Rule in the state.
She was administered oath to the office by Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan in the winter capital city of Jammu. Along
with her 22 member council of ministers from BJP-PDP alliance also took oath. BJP leader Nirmal Singh took oath as
Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
Mehbooba Mufti succeeds her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the role who had died in January 2016.
She is also second Muslim woman to become the Chief Minister of a state in India after Syeda Anwara Taimur who had
served as the first Muslim woman CM of Assam from 1980 to 1981.

About Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed

Born on 22 May 1959 in Akhran Nowpora, Jammu and Kashmir.

She is the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
She is currently a Member of Parliament, representing Anantnag constituency in the 16th Lok Sabha and shall vacate this
role in light of her Chief Ministership.
Previously, she also had represented Anantnag constituency in the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-09).
Background

After the death of then CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on 7 January 2016 due to ill health, the state government of J&K had
lapsed. Since then it was under the Governors rule.
The PDP-BJP coalition has 56 MLAs in the 87-member J&K Assembly. The PDP have 27 members while BJP have 25.

Indian Scientists develop biopolymer for water purification

April 4, 2016
Indian scientists have developed an eco-friendly biopolymer using nanotechnology for water-softening and water purification
applications.
It was developed by the team of scientists from Guwahati (Assam) based Institute of Advance Study in Science &
Technology (IASST).

Key highlights of research

The eco-friendly biopolymer has been created using a naturally occurring substance, called chitosan.
The chitosan has been obtained naturally from the hard outer skeleton of shellfish including crab, lobster, and shrimp as a
backbone for the carbon nanoparticles to sit on.
In this biopolymer, nanoparticles are the functional parts of the technology as they remove calcium and magnesium
components of water through ion exchange. Thus, it shows the same process that is used by common water purifiers.
Significance: This natural material is the first of its kind with potential to act as a biodegradable and green material for
water-softening applications.
Potential Applications: This eco-friendly biodegradable biopolymer can be used in civic water treatment plants for
generating potable water.
It will reduce dependency on conventional water-softening techniques that uses synthetic resins as they do not have very
effective water-softening methods and produced very crude treated water.

Germanys Development Bank KfW to provide loan assistance to metro

system for Nagpur
April 2, 2016
Germanys Development Bank KfW will provide loan assistance of 3750 crore rupees for the modern and sustainable metro
system for Nagpur city.
In this regard, a loan agreement was signed by Joint Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs S Selvaraj and Director
General of KfW Roland Siller in New Delhi.
The loan period is 20 years with a moratorium of 5 years and disbursal will be based on the progress of the project over three
years.
With this Nagpur metro project becomes first metro to be financed under the Indo-German partnership for clean, socially
inclusive and climate friendly mobility for people in cities.
The project is being executed by Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited and its total costing is of 8,680 crore rupees.

Kachhabali becomes first liquor-free village in Rajasthan

April 1, 2016
Kachhabali village in Bhim tehsil of Rajsamand district has become the first in Rajasthan to liquor-free village.
The village achieved this feat after villagers voted to close down its lone liquor shop to stop alcohol sale in village in the
referendum by 67.11%.
The referendum was conducted by the excise department of the state. It is for the first time the provision of the Rajasthan
Excise Act, 1975, that provides for the closure of a country liquor shop, was invoked.
Under this provision of the Act, 51% of all registered voters not just those present and voting should opt to close down the
shop.
Prior to conducting the poll, at least 20% of the voters of the Gram Panchayat or municipal Ward must seek a referendum on
the issue in a letter to the district collector.

Bihar Government partially bans sale of country-made and spiced liquor

April 1, 2016

Bihar Government has banned the sale of country-made liquor and spiced liquor throughout the state in the first phase.
Person found indulging in manufacturing trade, transportation, sale and consumption of country-made and spiced liquor
across the state will be punished under the stringent provisions of theBihar Excise (Amendment) Act, 2016.
The Act has various stringent provisions including awarding capital punishment for those who manufacture and sell illicit
liquor that causes death.
However this ban will be not valid to Indian Manufactured Foreign Liquor (IMFL) sold in Municipal and Town Council
areas through retail outlets of the Bihar State Beverage Corporation Limited. However state government is also planning to
ban the sale of foreign liquor in the second phase.
SHOs across the State would be only responsible for ensuring total ban on production, sale and consumption of countrymade liquors. In case of violation, SHOs would be immediately suspended and even its revocation may not guarantee
posting on the same job for six months.

Telangana Government launches M-Wallet Mobile App

March 31, 2016
Telangana Government has launched M-Wallet, new mobile app to facilitate citizens to get digital copies of documents like
driving licence and registration certificate.
It was launched by Telangana IT minister KT Rama Rao and Transport Minister P Mahender Reddy in Hyderabad. It is first
of its kind application to be launched in any state of India.

Key features of M-Wallet

M-wallet mobile application has been developed by Telangana Road Transport Authority for the Transport Department of the
Telangana Government.
It helps user to download digital copies of documents like driving licence and registration certificate.
These digital documents could be produced by the users before the police and RTA authorities when demanded.
The application lets user to auto-fetch documents and also share documents. It also allows user to have all the documents on
one single screen.
The documents downloaded once using application will be saved for future use in it. Using this application user can add
multiple vehicles owned by him.

Haryana becomes first to launch injectable contraceptive

March 29, 2016
Haryana became the first state in the country to implement the use of injectable contraceptives as a family planning measure.
In this regard, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has launchedProject Salamati in assistance of Pathfinder International.

Key facts
Under the Project Salamati, injectable contraceptives would be available free of cost at all primary health centres, community
health centres, sub divisional and district hospitals.
The sole aim of the project is to maintain healthy gap between the births of children by using injectable contraceptive.
It is being implemented by state health department and will be initially implemented in nine health blocks of four districts of
the state.
These four health blocks are in district Palwal, 3 in district Mewat, Kurali block in district Faridabad and Khor block in
district Rewari.
These districts have been chosen as a pilot project, as mother and infant mortality rate in these districts are more as compared
to other districts.
After the success of this project in these selected districts, it would be implemented throughout the state.
Pathfinder International: It is a global non-profit organization that focuses on reproductive health, family planning,
HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and maternal health.

BHEL commissions 40 MW hydropower plant in West Bengal

March 29, 2016
Public Sector Power equipment manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has commissioned the second 40
MW hydropower generating unit at the Teesta low dam hydroelectric project (HEP) stage IV in West Bengal.
The hydropower generating unit was successfully installed at the Teesta low dam HEP, a run-of-the-river greenfield project,
located in Darjeeling district of the West Bengal.

Key facts
Teesta low dam HEP is being set up by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
BHELs Bhopal, Jhansi, Rudrapur, Mumbai and Bengaluru facilities had supplied equipment for the project and execution of
work was undertaken on site is being.
The estimated annual energy (power) generation from the project is around 720 million units.
It is expected to reduce green-house gas (GHGs) emissions and will help in achieving a low carbon development path for the
state as well as the nation.
So far, BHEL has commissioned nearly 400 hydro generating sets of various ratings with a cumulative capacity of around
20,000 MW in the country.

Presidents Rule imposed in Uttarakhand

March 28, 2016
President Pranab Mukherjee has imposed Presents Rule (State Emergency) in the state of Uttarakhand in the wake of
constitutional breakdown under Article 356 of Constitution.
In this regard, President has signed the proclamation state Emergency based on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet.
With this proclamation, Congress Government headed by Chief Minister Harish Rawat ceased to function and the state
Assembly has been suspended.

Background
The constitutional breakdown in state was due rebellion in the ruling Congress Government after its nine rebel MLAs
rebelled, bringing government in minority in the state legislature.
These 9 rebel MLAs were disqualified by the speaker under the anti-defection law. This disqualification had reduced the
strength of the 70-member house to 61. So the final tally of Congress MLAs was 27 and BJP had 28 MLAs.

About Presidents Rule

Article 356 empowers the President to issue a proclamation of Presents Rule (State Emergency), if he is satisfied that
situation has arisen in which government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution. Notably, he can act accordance with the report of the Governor or without it.

Andhra Pradesh Government inaugurates countrys first lift irrigation project

March 26, 2016
Andhra Pradesh government inaugurated Indias first river linking project viz. Pattiseema lift irrigation project connecting
Godavari River with Krishna River from the ongoing Polavaram Multi-purpose Irrigation Project.
The project has been completed in a record time of one year by the Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure
Limited (MEIL).

Key facts
The project has capactiry to lift 80 tmc (trillion metric cubic feet) of flood water from Godavari River in a span of 110 days
during the flooding season between July and October.
Water is pumped up to a nearby point and discharged into Polavaram Right Main Canal that flows under gravity to a
tributary of River Krishna about 170 km.
The project contains 24 pumps and 24 motors of 5,300 HP and 6,300 HP respectively with a combined capacity to discharge
8,500 cusecs of water.
The project requires 113 mw of power to run all the 24 pumps as each motor require 4.7 mw of power to lift the water.
The first pump of this Godavari-Krishna linking project was installed and switched on in September 2015. It will benefit the
people especially farmers in the Krishna delta in terms of timely availability and adequate quantities of water.
Polavarm project: It was declared as a national project under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and was being
funded by the Union Government. It is being built on Godavari River.

Mizoram Government, JICA ink MoU for promoting Sustainable Agriculture

March 26, 2016
Mizoram government and Japanese International Cooperative Agency (JICA) have signed Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on Capacity Enhancement for Sustainable Agriculture and Irrigation Development.

It was signed by the State government officials of Agriculture, Minor Irrigation, Horticulture and Soil and Water
Conservation departments.
The MoU will pave way for experts of the Japanese company to undertake technical cooperation project on the companys
expense in four rural development blocks in Aizawl, Serchhip, Kolasib and Champhai districts.
The project will be undertaken based on the development study conducted by JICAduring 2013 and 201. Based on this study,
it had formulated a master plan covering 20 years and the technical cooperation project would commence from October 2016
till September 2021.
Under it training programmes would be conducted in Japan both for farmers and officials from Mizoram for three times and
the expenses would be borne by the Japanese government.

Goa Government accords heritage spirit status to country liquor Feni

March 18, 2016
Goa government has classified Feni, country liquor as the heritage spirit of the state.
In this regard, state government has opined not categorise it as country liquor as it is presently defined under the Goa Excise
Duty Act, 1964. State government also has proposed to bring an amendment to the Act to change the status.

Key facts
Feni is a form of spirit produced exclusively in the coastal state of Goa. It is a distilled brew made from coconut or cashew
fruits.
It was accorded Geographical indication (GI) tag in 2000. It was the first liquor product in the country to obtain this status.
It is synonymous with the state ethos and identity and is used in various cultural traditions, cuisines as well as known for its
medicinal value also.

Punjab Government notifies swine flu under Epidemic Disease Act

March 18, 2016
Punjab Government has notified swine flu (H1N1) under the Epidemic Disease Act to prevent the spread of disease in the
state.
In the regard, Health and Family Welfare Department of state has issued notification based on recommendations of state
advisory committee headed by Dr. D Behera.

Key highlights of notification

All government and private hospitals in state will have to inform the Health Department about a case of ILI (Influenza like
Illness) having chronic diseases.
Such medical cases should be treated as early as possible and proper guidelines of the government should be followed.
All hospitals within state will have to keep suspected as well as confirmed cases (patients) of swine flu in isolation in order to
contain the spread of the disease.
It will be mandatory for all hospitals to inform the Health department in case a suspected or confirmed case of swine flu is
reported.
For all the patients infected by swine flu, treatment will be provided free of cost as recommended by the Government.
Background
Dr. D Behera advisory committee had observed that swine flu (H1N1) patients in state who have suffered from other chronic
diseases had a high mortality rate as compared to patients who did not have chronic diseases. It also had mentioned that
patients who were treated by private doctors were referred to higher centres only after they became critical, which had
increased the death rate.

Swine flu (swine influenza):

It is a respiratory disease caused by viruses (influenza viruses) that infect the respiratory tract of pigs.
H1N1 (Hemagglutinin Type 1 and Neuraminidase Type 1) is the subtype of influenza A virus that was the most common
cause of human influenza (flu).
Its common symptoms are nasal secretions, a barking cough, decreased appetite and listless behaviour.

Allahabad High Court celebrates 150th foundation year

March 14, 2016
The Allahabad High Court celebrated its 150th foundation day on 14th March 2016.

President Pranab Mukherjee was the Chief Guest of the celebrations. Chief Justice of India (CJI) TS Thakur and Union Law
Minister DV Sadananda Gowda were some of the dignitaries who attended the function.
On this occasion, CJI Justice Thakur dedicated digitization centre of Allahabad High court. Reserve bank of India (RBI) also
released a 10 rupees coin. Postal department released a postage stamp and a Souvenir of the High court.

About Allahabad High Court

Allahabad High Court was established in 1866 after seat was shifted from Agra to Allahabad in 1869. It had replaced the old
Sadr Diwani Adalat.
At that time, it was known as the High Court of Judicature for the North-Western Provinces and was renamed as Allahabad
High Court in 1919.
It is one of the first high courts to be established in India. It is fourth-oldest High Court in India after Calcutta, Madras and
Bombay established under Indian High Courts Act 1861.
Currently it is the highest judicial body of Uttar Pradesh and it has also a bench in Lucknow. Several political and legal
luminaries were part of this historic court.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates three major railway projects in Bihar

March 14, 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated three major railway projects in Bihar at an estimated cost of 7000 crore rupees.

Three projects are

Rail-cum-road bridge at Patna over the River Ganga: It is 4.56 km long.
Rail-cum-road bridge at Munger.
Additional bridge at Mokama over the River Ganga: It is double line Railway Bridge.
These three bridges will provide connectivity to north and south Bihar and further help in development of North Bihar.
Currently there are three bridges over the entire 460 km length of the river Ganga in Bihar. They are road bridge at
Naugachia, a rail-cum-road bridge at Mokama and road bridge Mahatma Gandhi Setu at Patna.
The inadequate number of bridges had become one of the reasons hindering the development of Bihar which is one of the
most populous state in the country.

Karnataka launches Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish Yojana for free treatment

to accident victims
March 9, 2016
Karnataka government has launched Mukhyamantri Santwana Harish Yojana to provide free medical treatment to road
accident victims for the first 48 hours (2 days) in the nearest government or private hospital.
The scheme has been named after Harish Nanjappa who had donated his eyes moments before his death. He had died as no
help was provided to him after he was severely injured in mishap in February 2016 .

Under the scheme

Immediate medical relief would be provided to the victim during the Golden Hour with financial aid up to Rs 25,000 during
the first 48 hours of treatment.
Financial assistance to victims of road accidents will be provided across the state irrespective of their financial status or
nationality.
All hospitals would be directed not to reject accident victims and they shall be provided proper medical care for first 48 hours
and get treatment at any hospital.

Telangana, Maharashtra ink MoU for five irrigation projects

March 8, 2016
Telangana and Maharashtra Governments have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) to set up an inter-state water
board construct 5 barrages across Godavari and Pen Ganga rivers.
The MoU was signed at a high level meeting held in Mumbai in which Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao and
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took part.

Key facts
Setting up of an inter-state water board on Godavari projects will end decades of discord between the two States on
utilisation of water in the river Godavari and its tributaries.

Both states already have expressed mutual consent to construct barrages at various points on these rivers to benefit farmers in
both states.
Of the five barrages, Maharashtra Government will take up construction of Penpahad and Rajapet barrages while Telangana
will take up Chanak-Korata across Penganga River.
Telangana will also construct Thammidihatti barrage (148 meters height) in Adilabad district across Pranahita a tributary to
Godavari and Medigadda barrage (102 meters) in Karimnagar district across Godavari.
On completion of all these projects, over 18 lakh acres will get irrigation facility in the two states and play key role in
resolving the inter-state dispute over irrigation projects.

Haryana signs 11 MoUs on opening day of Global Investors Summit

March 8, 2016
Haryana Government has signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving a total investment of Rs 18,159 crores
with different companies.
These MoUs were signed in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on the first day of the two-day Happening
Haryana Global Investors Summit-2016 held in Gurgaon.

Singed MoUs are

MoU of Rs 15,000 crores investment with ICICI Bank for financial services.
MoU of Rs 2,000 crore investment with Bharti Airtel for Electronics, Information Technology and Information Technology
Enabled Services (ITeS).
MoU of Rs 283 crores investment with Star Wire (India) Limited for manufacturing special and critical steel adopting hightech technologies.
Rs 200 crores investment MoU with Minda Kosei Aluminium Wheel Private Limited for automobile parts, alloy wheels.
Rs 150 crores investment MoU with Plasser India Private Limited for manufacturing unit for track maintenance machines.
Rs 190 crore investment MoU with Honda for worker housing.
MoUs of Rs 100 crores each were signed with Minda Industries Limited and Mindarika Private Limited for automobile parts
switches.
Rs 80 crores investment MoU was signed with T.G. Minda Private Limited for automobile parts rubber hoses.

Uttar Pradesh Assembly passes UP Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill, 2016

March 5, 2016
Uttar Pradesh Assembly passed the UP Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill 2016 replacing an ordinance issued by the
Governor Ram Naik.
The Bill allows Dalits of the state to sell their land to non-Dalits in the state without approval of the administration even if
their remaining holding is less than 3.5 acres.

Key facts
The bill seeks to bring changes existing revenue laws dating to the British era by further speeding up disposal of litigations
over land ownership in rural areas.
It also provision that allows land owners lease out their land for share-cropping purpose without the fear of losing it after 12
years.
Ensures that wife gets equal rights on the gram samaj land given out on a lease signifying step towards empowerment of rural
women.
The bill has provisions for setting up of a new judicial cadre that will look after land revenue disputes in order to end disputes
especially in cases of partnership.

Delhi launches countrys first HPV vaccine as public health programme in

schools
March 4, 2016
Delhi has become the first state (UT) in the country to launch the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a public health
programme for school children.
The vaccination programme will be completed in the current academic year 2015-16 over two phases. In the first year, girls
studying in Class VI in government schools will be targeted and in the next year girls between the age of 9 and 13 will be
targeted.

In the first phase of the vaccination programme, 1 to 1.5 lakh school girls will be targeted and later this initiative will be
expanded to the private schools.

About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV is a DNA virus from the papillomavirus family which is mainly a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes
genital warts and cervical cancer. The infection can be prevented through routine screening and vaccines that are safe and
effective.

Haryana Government renames Mustafabad Village as Saraswati Nagar

March 2, 2016
Haryana Government has changed the name of Mustafabad village in Yamuna Nagar district of state to Saraswati Nagar
derived from mythological Saraswati River.
In this regard, Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Department has issued an official notification to this effect.
The village is located about 20 kms from the Yamuna Nagar district headquarters. The revenue records of state government
claimed the old dried-up riverbed of mythological Saraswati River exists near the village.
Saraswati River is considered sacred in Hindu religion and has been mention in ancient Hindu scriptures like the Rig Veda,
Ramayana, Mahabharata and others giving credence that it existed during those times.

Background
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar government in 2015 had decided to restore Saraswati creek from Adi Badri (Saraswati
Udgam Sthal ) to Mustafabad in Yamunanagar district.
It also had decided to set up Adi Badri Heritage Board and Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) to
initiate, promote and support research of Saraswati heritage.
In May 2015, aquifers were discovered during the excavation of the alignment of the underground paleo channel in
Muglawali village of the Saraswati River.

East coast of India to get sixth Doppler Radar for weather forecasting
February 29, 2016
The cycloneprone eastern coast of India will get a new doppler radar to boost the weather forecasting system.
It will be commissioned by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Gopalpur in Odisha which had faced the severe
cyclonic storm Phailin in October 2013.
It will be the sixth such radar on the countrys east coast and the other such 5 radars are located in Kolkata, Chennai,
Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam and Paradip.
The move to set up additional radar assumes significance as it will help authorities in taking timely action against cyclones
prone to the eastern coast and also help better forecast
Earlier in November 2015, the IMD had installed a doppler radar in Paradip which is another coastal district in Odisha that
was ravaged by a super cyclone in 1999.

Doppler radar
It is an observational tool for monitoring and predicting severe weather events such as hailstorms, thunder storms, cyclones
and tornados within a radius of 300 km.
It uses the Doppler effect by bouncing a microwave signal off a desired target to produce velocity data.
This data inturn helps in analyzing objects motion by altered the frequency of the returned signal. It mainly gives
information about wind velocity and also about precipitation.

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates Kerala Tourisms Muziris Heritage

Project
February 29, 2016
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first phase Kerala Tourisms Muziris Heritage Project (MHP) at Trissur in
Kerala to reinstate the historical and cultural significance Muziris.
The project is Kerala Governments first green Project and Indias largest heritage conservation project. President also
launched the website of the MHP.

MHP is supported by the Union Government and seeks to conserve ancient seaport of Muziris and showcase its culture of
3000 years.
The project also will play important role in the Spice Route initiative launched by Kerala Tourism with the help of UNESCO
to revive states historic trade ties with 41 countries of the world.

About Ancient Muziris

Muziris was an ancient seaport and urban centre which dates from at least the 1st century BC and located at the mouth of the
Periyar River in Kerala.
It was a key centre for trade and hub of the spice route in ancient times between southern India on one side and Egyptians,
Phoenicians, Greeks and Roman Empire on the other side.
Its historic importance has been mentioned in the bardic Sangam literature and a number of classical European historical
sources.

President Pranab Mukherjee declares Kerala as first digital state

February 27, 2016
President Pranab Mukherjee has formally declared Kerala as the countrys first digital state.
It was announced by President after launching a digital empowerment campaign of state at a function to be held in
Kozhikkode. The campaign aims at bridging the digital divide by 2020.
This declaration was made considering the rapid digital strides of the state which has achieved 100 percent mobile
connectivity, 75 percent e-literacy, maximum digital banking, broadband connectivity upto the Panchayat level, linking bank
accounts with Aadhar cards and e-district plan in all districts.

Key facts
Kerala was able to achieve this feat due to the combined efforts of the government and various social organizations in the
state
State has successfully linked all villages in the state with broadband connectivity under the National Optical Fibre Network
(NOFN) project. It is first state in country to do so.
The broadband connectivity has helped to provide high-speed internet in all gram panchayats and remote areas of the state.
Apart from NOFN it, two projects started by the government in 2002 viz. Akshaya andIT@School also has helped it to
attain high e literacy.
Under these projects over 2,500 Akshaya service centres functioning in rural and urban areas have helped generate awareness
in e-governance.
State also has over 600 e-governance applications covering almost all departments of state that play pioneering role in
delivering e-services to citizens.
As a digital state, Kerala has a mobile tele-density of 95% and Internet access covering over 60 % of the population.

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates Indias first Gender Park at

Kozhikode
February 27, 2016
President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Indias first Gender Park at Kozhikode district of Kerala. It is also the first of its
kind gender equality convergence centre in Asia.
The park is an initiative of the Social Justice Department of the Kerala Government to promote research and other initiatives
to enable total gender equality.

Key facts
The Gender Park seeks to encourage women to take part in developmental and decision making process.
It has been launched as part of supporting the efforts of the State and Central governments in ensuring an inclusive,
discrimination free society.
It covers issues pertaining to all three genders and in accordance with the 2015 gender and transgender policies of the state
government.
The Gender Institute at the park will mainly focus on learning, research and capacity development.
It seeks to bring together the state, civil society and academia on a common platform to promote studies and research on
gender issues to address the gender issues.
This platform seeks to create an environment to share global knowledge and experiences in reducing gender inequalities.

It also seeks to create awareness of the critical linkages between gender equality, economic growth and poverty reduction to
effectively address gender related issues in national development processes.
State Government under its Gender Policy is planning to roll out She Taxi that aims solely at empowering women. Earlier
in 2016, State government had launch Gender Taxi that is owned and operated by transgenders under its Transgender
Policy (first such policy in the country).

Bihar becomes sixth state to join UDAY Scheme

February 23, 2016
Bihar became the sixth state to join Union Governments UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) Scheme for financial
restructuring of debt of power distribution companies.
In this regard, tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bihar government, State Power
Distribution companies (DISCOMs) and Union Power ministry.
Note: Bihar is the 6th state after Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat to become part of the
scheme. It is second Non-NDA state after Uttar Pradesh to join the scheme.

Under the scheme,

Bihar government would take over 75% or 2,332 crore rupees of the state DISCOMs total debt of 3,110 crore rupees as of
September 2015.
The balance 778 crore rupees outstanding debt will be re-priced or issued as state guaranteed DISCOM bonds at coupon rates
of around 3%.
The debt restructuring of state DISCOMs will lead to annual saving in interest cost to the tune of around Rs 117 crore.
The financial restructuring of debt under this scheme will help Bihar to speedily provide power to around 160.60 lakh
households in 1,152 villages that are still without electricity.

Swachh Himachal Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign launched

February 20, 2016
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has launched Swachh Himachal Padhai bhi, Safai bhi campaign in
Dharamsala.
With this unique campaign, HPCA became the first cricket association in the country to work towards Swatch Bharat
Abhiyan initiated by the Union Government.

Key facts
The campaign aims at involving youth to promote good health and sanitation in urban and rural areas in the Himalayan state.
Its objective is to showcase Himachals beauty as Indias cleanest and greenest state.
Under it, the sport of cricket will be linked with Swatch Bharat Abhiyan and youths will be termed as Swatch Captain and
teachers as Swatch Coach.
They will start cleanliness drive with the help of students from universities, educational institutes and then in their local
neighbourhood.

Jharkhand gets first Mega Food Park at Ranchi

February 17, 2016
Jharkhands first mega food park was inaugurated by Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal at village
Getalsud in Ranchi district of state.
This park is promoted by Jharkhand Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd and seeks to give an impetus to the growth of the food
processing sector in the state.

Key facts
The mega food park has been set up with the project cost of 114.73 crore rupees in an area of 51.50 acres.
It will have facilities of multi chamber cold storage, vegetable dehydration line and dry warehouse.
It will also have facilities like modern quality control and testing laboratory and other processing facilities for fruits &
vegetables.
This park has a central processing centre (CPC) located at Ranchi and 6 primary processing centres (PPCs) at Lohardaga,
Hazaribagh, Gumla, Belchampa, Domchach and Patratu to provide strong backward linkages.

It will help in providing better prices to farmers, add value to agricultural produce, reduce wastage of perishables and create
huge opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship for the youth in the state.
The mega food park is expected to provide direct and indirect employment to about six thousand people and will benefit
about 25,000-30,000 farmers in its catchment area.

Haryana, South Korea to collaborate on technology, development

February 17, 2016
Haryana and South Korean state of Chungcheongbuk have agreed to enter into a sister-statehood relationship for
development.
In this regard, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar accepted the proposal for such a relationship made by a visiting
South Korean delegation.
South Korean state is also looking to have a close relationship with Haryana in the field of technology. Besides, Haryana
government also invited South Korean investors and businesses to the 2016 Happening Haryana Global Investors Summit
scheduled to be held in Gurgaon in March 2016.

Chhattisgarh inks MoU with Indian Railways to form Joint Venture Company
February 11, 2016
Chhattisgarh Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Railway to form a joint
venture (JV) company for the expansion of railway tracks in the state.
With this Chhattisgarh became 5th state to join hands with the Indian Railways for speedy execution of rail projects through
JV route.

Key facts
Under the MoU, state government will have 51% share and Indian Railways will have remaining 49% share in the JV
company.
The proposed company will identify viable rail projects in the state and implement them. It will help state to meet is needs of
connectivity and infrastructure development.
This company is free to raise capital from the market to fund the works.
Background
This MoU was signed as part of the rail infrastructure development plan of Indian Railways and shall lay around 762 kmlong rail line in the state.
Presently, Chhattisgarh has 1,187-km long railway line network which is less than half of the national average of rail density.
So far, 17 state governments have consented to formation of joint venture companies with Indian Railways for development
of rail infrastructure.

Indias first Aviation Park to come up in Gujarat

February 10, 2016
Gujarat state government has decided to set up Indias first aviation park near Bagodara village in Ahmedabad district to
strengthen the aviation sector.
In this regard, state government has given this task to Gujarat State Aviation Infrastructure Company Ltd (GUJSAIL) to
carry out the project.

Key facts
It is an integrated aviation park that aims to provide a single platform for manufacturing activities and human resources
related to the aviation sector.
GUJSAI is planning to develop this park on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
It will one-stop destination in the avenues of research, aerospace training, recreation and manufacturing.
This aviation park will have slew of facilities including an airstrip, helipad, training school and space for setting up small
manufacturing units among others.
It has immense potential to create direct and indirect employment for highly-skilled resources in the area of aerospace and
avionics.

Union Government to set up National Organic Farming Research Institute in

Sikkim
February 6, 2016
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has decided to set up the National Organic Farming Research
Institute (NOFRI) in Sikkim.
Decision in this regard was taken by Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh after he met Sikkim Agriculture
Minister Som Nath Paudyal in New Delhi.
The NOFRI will be established by upgrading the existing Gangtok based Regional Centre of the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Apart from this, Union Government also has assured State Government to help in sustaining the organic farming and also in
marketing of the States organic products.
Background
In January 2016, Sikkim was officially declared as first fully organic state in India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The
state has achieved this feat by converting around 75000 hectares of land into certified organic farms by following the
guidelines prescribed by National Programme for Organic Production.

Maharashtra rolls out Deradicalisation Programme in wake of IS threat

February 4, 2016
Maharashtra Government has rolled out Deradicalisation Programme for the minority community to counter both homegrown extremism and the global Islamic State (IS) threat.
The plan has been chalked out by the State Home Department that includes a 50-point socio-economic strategy.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has approved the proposal in this regard and also has passed a government resolution on
it.

Key features of Programme

Aims to bringing youth especially from the minority community into the mainstream and make coordinated efforts and
policies in different 13 sectors for their empowerment.
It also seeks to create an environment of solidarity and trust among the minority community and envisages that various
government schemes to reach out to them.
It includes opening of vyayam shalas in minority areas, making National Cadet Corps (NCC), Bharat Scouts and Guides
(BSG) compulsory in minority schools.
It also has provisions for setting up an independent media outlet in order to deliver mainstream thoughts and values to the
minority youth.
Plans to teach religious texts from all sects in minority schools and teaching merits of democratic states and demerits of
dictatorships as a separate chapter in the Urdu textbooks.
Under it, Urdu language will be taught in 300 Marathi schools. 5 minority areas will be also developed as urban smart
clusters.

Maharashtra announces Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Group Incentives

Scheme
February 3, 2016
Maharashtra government has announced Bharatratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Special Collective Incentive Scheme for the
economically backward Dalit entrepreneurs.
Decision in this regard was taken by state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.

Key features of Scheme

Under it, special facilities will be given to Dalit entrepreneurs besides the present Collective Incentive Scheme 2013.
20% plots for small and medium scale industries will be reserved for the Dalits within Maharashtra Industrial Development
Corporation (MIDC).
The plots in MIDC area will be made available at 30% concessional rate whereas plots in other areas will be available at 20%
concessional rate.

Businessmen in Service and Commodities sector would be able to avail the benefits of this scheme.
It will be limited for only those industries where people from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) have
100% investment.
Only one person from each family will be entitled to benefits under the scheme and there will be no cap on income to launch
any business.

Puducherry Lt Governor AK Singh launches MITRA app

January 30, 2016
Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry Ajay Kumar Singh has launched the MITRA application to ensure protection of women,
children and the elderly in time of distress.
MITRA (Mobile Initiated Tracking and Rescue) application has been developed by Puducherry Police department in
association with National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Features of MITRA application

It is smartphone (Android) based application that helps women to end emergency SOS (alert) messages when they are danger
or distress.
The application gets launched automatically and sends SMS having users precise location to the nearest police station and to
their 3 registered numbers.
It does not require an internet connection and presently is available only in smart phones.

Rajasthan Government inks MoU to join UDAY Scheme

January 28, 2016No comments

Rajasthan Government along with its power distribution companies (DISCOMS) has signed a MoU to join UDAY (Ujwal
Discom Assurance Yojana) Scheme.
State DISCOMS part of this MoU are Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVNL), Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited
(JVVNL) and Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVNL).

Key facts
With this, Rajasthan became third state to sign the MoU under UDAY scheme after Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
By joining the UDAY Scheme, discoms in Rajasthan will be able to overcome permanent and sustainable solution for their
debt-ridden utilities and achieve financial stability and growth.
Presently, discoms in Rajasthan have a total debt of 80,500 crore rupees which accounts for 18.7 per cent of the countrys
total discom debt of 4.3 lakh crore rupees.

About Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY)

UDAY Scheme has been launched by Union Ministry of Power for financial restructuring of debt of power distribution
companies.
It aims for financial revival and turnaround of Power Distribution companies (DISCOMs) and also ensures a sustainable
permanent solution to the problem.
By becoming part of it, states power DISCOMs can convert their debt into state bonds as well as roll out number of measures
to improve efficiency at power plants.
It seeks to make DISCOMs financially and operationally healthy so they can supply adequate power at affordable rates and
play important role in Union Governments ambition of meeting target of 100% Village electrification and 24X7 Power For
All.

AP Government launches Giriputrika Kalyana Pathakam Scheme for tribal

people
January 22, 2016
Andhra Pradesh Government has launched Giriputrika Kalyana Pathakam Scheme to support the tribal women in their
quest for livelihood.
It was launched by Minister for Social Welfare Ravela Kishore Babu. The scheme seeks to reduce rampant infant mortality
and child marriages among tribal people.

Scheme Highlights
The scheme is designed to provide a onetime financial assistance of 50,000 rupees to each tribal woman who gets married.
The amount will be directly disbursed to the bank accounts of the beneficiary through District Tribal Welfare Office.
To avail the benefits of this scheme, each beneficiary would have to fulfil some mandatory conditions.

India inks Loan Agreement with World Bank for Bihar Kosi Basin
Development Project
January 21, 2016
Union Government has signed 250 million dollars Financing Agreement with World Bank for Bihar Kosi Basin
Development Project.
The loan has been sanctioned by the World Banks concessionary lending arm International Development Association (IDA).
The loan has implementation period of 5 years and Bihar Government is the implementing agency.

About Bihar Kosi Basin Development Project

Project objective is to enhance: (i) Resilience to floods from Kosi River which is infamously dubbed as sorrow of
Bihar and increase agricultural production and productivity of targeted districts along the river basin. (ii) States capacity to
respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.
Five components of Project are: (i) Improving Flood Risk Management. (ii) Augmenting Connectivity. (iii) Enhancing
Agricultural Productivity and Competitiveness. (iv) Implementation Support (v) Contingent Emergency Response.
Primary beneficiaries of this Project: Rural households and producers in the Kosi River Basin who are regularly exposed
to floods.
It will mainly include farmers who have lost their agricultural lands by the devastating 2008 Kosi River Flood due to the silt
deposition.
It will also include farmers from the project area currently not having access to irrigation and other technologies, adequate
transport network and improved agricultural practices.

Bihar Government approves 35 per cent job reservation for women

January 20, 2016
Bihar Government has formally approved 35 per cent reservation for women in government jobs in the state.
Decision in this regard was taken by state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna.
This 35 per cent reservation for women will be applicable to in all government jobs including reserved and unreserved
category.
Presently state is already providing 35 percent reservation for women in recruitment as police constables and sub-inspectors.
There is also 50 percent reservation for women as primary school teachers and in the Panchayati Raj system.
Background
During 2015 state assembly election campaigning, Nitish Kumar who was chief ministerial candidate of the Grand Alliance
comprising of Janata Dal-United (JDU), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Indian National Congress (INC) had promised 35
percent reservation for women in all government jobs if he formed a government again.

Maharashtra government inks MoU with Tata Trust for skill training of youth
January 20, 2016
Maharashtra Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Trust for a skill training programme
for the youth in the state.

This programme has been undertaken under the state governments ambitious Kushal Maharashtra, Rojgaryukt Maharashtra
initiative.

Key features of skill training programme

Tata Trust will train around one lakh youths in the state in order to make them employable.
It will set up skill development and vocational training centres in 10 districts across the state.
The Trust will also set up virtual classrooms in 100 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Maharashtra. It will improve
infrastructure these of ITIs.

Sikkim becomes Indias first fully organic state

January 19, 2016
Sikkim has formally become Indias first fully organic state after it successfully implemented organic farming practices on
around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land.
Formal declaration in this regard was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after inaugurating the Sikkim Organic Festival
2016 in Gangtok, Sikkim. PM also handed the Organic Certificate to Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
The Sikkim Organic Festival 2016 has been organised on the sidelines of the National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare.
On this occasion, PM also launched three new orchid species developed in Sikkim which is also known as the Land of
Flowers viz. Cymbidium Sardar (named after Sardar Patel),Cymbidium Deen Dayal (named after Deen Dayal
Upaddhyay) and Cymbidium Namo(named after Narendra Modi).

Background
The journey of landlocked Sikkim to become organic state was initiated in 2003 after Pawan Chamling-led government had
decided to make state an organic farming state.
Later state government had banned entry and sale of chemical inputs for farmland in phases and also moved away from
subsidies to farmers for purchasing chemical inputs.
It forced farmers in state to organic cultivation. Since then agricultural land in state was gradually converted to certified
organic land by using organic practices.
For this state had implemented principles ad guidelines prescribed in National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
What is organic farming?
The organic farming is free of chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. It tries to strike a harmonious balance with a
complex series of ecosystems by rejuvenating it.
This form of agriculture completely relies on traditional techniques such as green manure, green compost, biological pest
control and crop rotation.
What are its benefits?
In the long term, organic farming leads in subsistence of agriculture, bio-diversity conservation and environmental
protection.
It is form of sustainable farming that will also help in building and improving the soil health resulting in sustainable increase
in crop production.

HRD Ministry inaugurates permanent campus of IISER in Thiruvananthapuram

January 14, 2016
Union Government has inaugurated the first phase of permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Science Education &
Research (IISER) at Vithura in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
It was inaugurated by Union Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani in presence of Kerala Chief
Minister Oommen Chandy.
The IISER Thiruvananthapuram is dedicated to scientific research and science education of international standards. It had
started functioning in the state in August 2008 with a transit campus at the College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram
(CET).

About Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER)

IISERs are a group of most premier statutory science education and research institutes in India of national importance and are
intended to be the IITs of basic sciences.

The institutes were created under The National Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2010 (an amendment of the
National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007).
Presently there are six IISERs in operational namely IISER Kolkata (West Bengal), IISER Pune (Maharashtra), IISER
Mohali (Punjab), IISER Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), IISER Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) and IISER Tirupati (Andhra
Pradesh).
In 2015 Union Budget, two new IISERs one at Brahmapur (Odisha) and other one in Nagaland have been announced.

Kerala becomes first state to achieve 100% primary education

January 13, 2016
Kerala has become the first Indian state to achieve 100 per cent primary education.
Declaration to this effect was made by the Vice President Hamid Ansari during his speech at special ceremony organised at
Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala state was able to achieve 100 per cent primary education through its flagship primary education equivalency
drive Athulyam Scheme.

About Athulyam Scheme

The programme was meant to provide primary school education to people aged between 15 and 50. It was launched in March
2013 and was carried out in two phases.
The state level literacy mission aimed at educating those who had been unable to complete their primary education up to
fourth standard.
The mission mainly focused on deprived sections viz. the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, physically, financially weak and
mentally disabled among others.
The second stage of the scheme was Mission 676 that also aimed at targeting those who had dropped out of the formal
education process.
Prior Athulyam Scheme, Kerala state government had launched fourth standard equivalency programme in 2000 in
association with local bodies. Under this programme Kannur district of state became the first district to achieve 100 per cent
primary education in the country in 2001.

RDL inks MoU with AP Government to set up naval facility at Visakhapatnam

January 13, 2016
Reliance Defence Ltd (RDL) has inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Andhra Pradesh Government to set up a
world class naval facility in the state.
It was announced by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the CII Partnership Summit titled
Sunrise Andhra Pradesh Investment Meet in Visakhapatnam.
The proposed naval facility will be established at Rambilli, 70 kilometers south of Visakhapatnam on the East Coast of India
with an initial investment of 5000 crore rupees.
It should be noted that RDL is subsidiary of Anil Ambani led Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. It had acquired the Pipavav
shipyard on West Coast in Gujarat earlier in March 2015.
RDL is going to use these two naval facilities to build submarines and aircraft carriers on lines with Make in India and also
provide services including maintenance and refitting of ships.
Sunrise Andhra Pradesh Investment Meet
During this Investment Meet Andhra Pradesh Government has inked as many as 328 MoUs worth 4.78 lakh crore rupees
with investors from India and the Middle East, US, China and other countries. The signed pacts have a potential to create
employment for nearly ten lakh people.

Telangana becomes first State to make gender education compulsory at

graduate level
January 11, 2016
Telangana has become the first State in the country to introduce compulsory gender education at the graduate level.

In this regard, state government has introduced bilingual textbook titled Towards a World of Equals on a pilot basis in
engineering colleges.
These engineering colleges are affiliated to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU-Hyderabad).

Features of gender education textbook

Discusses gender in its composite form without limiting itself to crime against women without repeating gender stereotypes.
Touches upon complex subjects like male-female relationships and female-centric history. It has been structured into simple
language to suit under-graduates.
Discusses different strands of womens movements across the world along with political movements of Afro-American,
African, Caribbean, minority and Dalit women.

Governors rule imposed in Jammu and Kashmir

January 9, 2016
Governors rule has been imposed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for sixth time as the process of formation new
government following the death of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is taking some time.
It was imposed after President Pranab Mukherjee accepted the recommendations forwarded by Union Home Ministry on the
basis of a recommendation from J&K Governor NN Vohra.

Governors Rule in Jammu & Kashmir

In case of failure of constitutional machinery in any other state of India, the Presidents Rule is imposed under Article 356 of
the Constitution.
But in case of J&K, as per Section 92 of state Constitution, the Governors Rule can be imposed for a period of six months
in the state. Thus, there is little practical difference between the two provisions.
Governors Rule can be imposed only after the consent of the President of India in case of failure of constitutional
machinery.
During the Governors rule, State Assembly is either suspended or dissolved and the state completely comes under direct
Central rule.
If the Constitutional machinery in the state is not restored before the expiry of this six month period, the provisions of Article
356 of the Constitution of India are extended to J&K and the Presidents rule is imposed in the State.

Jharkhand first state to sign MoU with Centre for power scheme UDAY
January 5, 2016
Jharkhand, a mineral-rich but energy-deficit state has become first state in country to sign Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme with Union Government.
In this regard a tripartite MoU was signed between the state government, Union Ministry of Power and state power
distributor Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL).

Key facts
The MoU will help state government in electrifying remaining 2200 villages in state and make Union Governments vision
of providing 247 electricity supply to all a reality.
Through UDAY Jharkhand will also derive an overall net benefit of approximately 5,300 crore rupees.
It will also have significant benefits for JBVNL, as the state government is taking over 100 percent liabilities of outstanding
dues with CPSUs and 75 per cent of the outstanding debts of JBVNL.
The total number of states that would be joining UDAY Scheme now has risen to 15. The other states are Andhra Pradesh,
Punjab, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh.
Besides, four major states Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha also already have given their in-principle approval
to join UDAY.

About Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY)

The Scheme was launched on 20th November 2015 to help financially stressed Distribution companies (DISCOMs) to
supply adequate power at affordable rates.
It aims for financial turnaround and revival of Power DISCOMs and also ensures a sustainable permanent solution to the
problem. Read more

Telangana government launches e-Vahan Bima Scheme

January 4, 2016
Telangana Government has launched e-Vahan Bima Scheme to issue motor insurance policy in digital form.
With this, Telangana became the first state in the country to legally accept motor vehicle insurance policy in digital form.

About e-Vahan Bima Scheme

The scheme is an electronic motor insurance policy issued in digital form with Quick Response (QR) code to scan for
verification of policy details.
It is a joint effort of Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA), Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIBI),
state police and also transport and information technology departments of the state.
The QR code will be used by police and state authorities to scan for verification of policy details. Apart from QR code, an
SMS-based verification also has been installed.
The scheme helps to make verification process easier as the digital version of insurance policy can be stored and accessed on
smart phones.