Current Affairs Daily Digest – February 19 2019
1.Scientist W S Broecker passed away
A scientist who raised early alarms about climate change and popularised the term “global warming” has died. Wallace Smith Broecker was 87. The long-time Columbia University professor and researcher died at a New York City hospital.
Broecker brought “global warming” into common use with a 1975 article that correctly predicted rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere would lead to pronounced warming.
2.Commerce Minister launches ‘SWAYATT’ on GeM
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, launched SWAYATT in New Delhi . SWAYATT is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM). This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government e-Marketplace the national procurement portal.
On this occasion, Commerce Minister also dedicated GeM Start-up Runway-an initiative of GeM in association with Start -up India to facilitate Start-ups registered with Start -up India to access the public procurement market and sell innovative products and services to government buyers.
3.Suresh Prabhu addresses first stakeholder consultation on Draft Logistics Policy: Safar App launched in 8 languages
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, addressed the first stakeholder consultation on the draft logistics policy prepared by the Department of Logistics of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in New Delhi . Suresh Prabhu informed that the two-day national conference has been organized to seek inputs of the policy from all the stakeholders who will be the end users of the National Logistics Portal.
On this occasion, Commerce Minister launch the SAFAR Mobile App. This app will help to gauge the actual issues faced by transporters on the road. The app tracks the incidence of a number of parameters faced by transporters and automatically records the location of the issue. Transporters, truck drivers, and general public may use the app for reporting their logistics issues to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The app is available in 8 languages.
On this occasion, Special Secretary, Logistics, N. Sivasailam, said that the logistics business in the country is worth USD 160 billion and is growing at 7% – 8 % every year. The key objectives of the policy are to reduce logistics cost from 14% to 10% of GDP.
4. NITI Aayog to organise National Workshop to Promote Healthy Diets from Local Food Systems
The NITI Aayog, in collaboration with National Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research on Diets (NCEAR-D), Lady Irwin College and UNICEF India, is organizing a two-day national workshop to seek a common understanding of diet diversity problems in selected districts under POSHAN Abhiyan across India.
The workshop seeks to arrive at potential region-wise action plan between State Government and Nutrition/Agriculture Colleges to systematically work together to promote healthy diets as part of POSHAN Abhiyaan – Jan Andolan. The workshop will include exhibition of more than 250 best practices, innovations and local food products developed by pan-India Agriculture and food technology institutions.
The inaugural session of the workshop will be addressed by Dr Vinod Paul, Member, NITI Aayog. Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, MsPreeti Sudan, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dr.
5.Two-day Regional Maritime Safety Conference 2019 begins in Mumbai
The Regional Maritime Safety Conference 2019, being organized by India for the first time, commenced in Mumbai . The two-day conference will deliberate on issues related to assuring maritime safety in the India-ASEAN sub-region, safeguarding our shores and promoting maritime trade.
The conference will address a range of issues that affect regional maritime safety, including transport safety, maritime law, ship building, transportation of hazardous goods, marine oil spill, pollution and environmental safety. The inaugural edition is being organized by the National Maritime Foundation (NMF), in coordination with Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of External Affairs.
6.National Tourism Advisory Council to meet on 21st – 22nd February 2019
Union Tourism Minister, Shri K J Alphons, will chair the National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC) meeting to be held on 21st – 22nd February 2019, at the site of the newly made Statue of Unity, Kevadiya in Gujarat. Apart from regular members of the NTAC, experts from the hospitality, travel and tour industry have been invited to attend the meeting. The objective of the brainstorming would be how to achieve a target of 5 million visitors to the Statue of Unity by next year. The world’s tallest statue of the iconic leader Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel is 182 meter tall.
The National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC) serves as a think tank of the Ministry of Tourism. The present NTAC was constituted on 20th October, 2016 under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Tourism with tenure of 3 years.
7. Textiles Minister Launches four projects in North East for the development of Silk Sector
Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, launched four projectsin North East for the development of silk sector through video conference in New Delhi . Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated Muga silk seed production centre in Tura, Meghalaya, silk printing and processing unit in Agartala, Tripura, Eri spun silk mill in Sangaipat, Imphal and development of sericulture in Mamit, Mizoram. The Minister also inaugurated new office building of Weavers Service Centres (WSC) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Kannur, Kerala.
Muga Silkworm Seed Production Centre (SSPC), Tura, Meghalaya is one of the projects taken up directly by Centre Silk Board(CSB) for implementation under Integrated Sericulture Development Project (ISDP) of NERTPS for creation of seed infrastructure units in NE States.
Silk Printing & Processing unitin Agartala, Tripura has been setup at a total project cost of Rs.3.71 crore for production, printing and processing of 1.5 lakh meter silk per annum.
The project for development of sericulture in the aspirational district of Mamit, Mizoram, was approved with a total cost of Rs.11.56 crore, which includes Government of India share of Rs.10.82 crore.
8. 3 Day International Conference and Exhibition On Energy and Environment to be inaugurated by President of India
CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad is organizing an International Conference and Exhibition on Energy and Environment – Challenges and Opportunities (ENCO-2019), from 20th to 22nd February 2019 in New Delhi. The 3 day conference aims to deliberate and identify the R&D needs to innovate new techniques, technologies and applications for clean, safe, symbiotic sustenance of society, environment, energy and industries in post-2020 era.
The conference will be inaugurated by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and will have keynote addresses by Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Member, NITI Aayog Dr. V. K. Saraswat and DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR Dr Shekhar C Mande.
Around 1000 delegates from India and abroad will participate in the conference representing policy makers, regulators, thought leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, administrators, practicing engineers, Environmentalist, geo-environmentalists, researchers, academicians and technocrats. The startups, young researchers and students will also attend the conference.
9.Department of Justice Launches Tele-Law: Mobile Application & Dashboard and Nyaya Bandhu(Pro Bono Legal Services)Mobile Application
The Government is trying to make every citizen get justice and efforts are on to ensure that road to justice is available at the door step. Union Minister for Law and Justice and IT Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said this while launching mobile application and dashboard and Nyaya Bandhu mobile application to ensure empowerment of common man by popularizing technology to a level that it becomes a instrument of change.
He said with this purpose Government has directed that CSC be permitted to extend its services for tele-law throughout the country. a pilot project in this regard has proved useful and more than 50,000 affected people have already availed this service in the States of UP, Bihar and J&K.
Benefit from towards fulfilling the Constitutional commitment under Article 39A for providing Access to Justice to all and aiming to realize the government mandate of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Nyaya, Department of Justice (DoJ) has successfully endeavored to spearhead its two key programmes namely Tele –Law: Mainstreaming Legal Aid through Common Service Centers and Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services), through leveraging with different technology based channels to boost legal advice and aid in the country.
10.Col. Rathore presents 7th National Photography Awards
Union Minister of State (IC) for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore presented the 7th National Photography Awards in a function organized at National Media Centre in New Delhi.
A total of 13 awards were given comprising of one Lifetime Achievement Award with cash prize of Rs.3,00,000; one award each in Professional Photographer of the Year category and Amateur Photographer of the Year category with cash prize of Rs.1,00,000 and Rs.75,000 respectively; and 5 Special Mention Awards in both Professional and Amateur categories with cash prize of Rs.50,000/- and Rs.30,000/- each respectively.
The list of the Award winners is as under:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Shri Ashok Dilwali
- Amateur Photographer of the Year – Shri Gurdeep Dhiman
- Special Mention Awards (Professional) – Shri Arun Sreedhar, Shri P.V. Sunderrao, Shri Kailash Mittal, Shri Mihir Singh, Ms. Ranita Roy.
- Special Mention Awards (Amateur) – Shri V. Ravi Kumar, Ms. S. Neelima, Shri Manish Jaisi, Shri Mahesh Balasaheb Lonkar, Shri Avijit Datta.
The theme for the Professional category was “Women led Development”, while the theme for Amateur category was “Fairs and Festivals of India”.
11.Development Projects worth Rs. 3350 crores unveiled by PM in Varanasi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi unveiled development projects worth Rs. 3350 crores for Varanasi . These projects pertain to various sectors of Health, Sanitation, Smart City, Connectivity, Power, Housing and others. Governor of UP Shri Ram Naik, CM of UP Shri Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Addressing a public gathering at Aaure village on the outskirts of Varanasi, PM said that his Government is working on two fronts to give a boost to development. The first one relates to building infrastructure like Highways, Railways etc. while the other is to ensure that the benefits of development reach out to the people. He added that several announcement were made in the Budget to this effect.
12.PM visits BHU in Varanasi; unveils Statue of Madan Mohan Malaviya and inaugurates several project
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, visited BHU in Varanasi . He unveiled statue of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya along with Murals of Varanasi Ghats. He offered floral tributes at statue of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Governor of UP Shri Ram Naik, CM of UP Shri Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
He also inaugurated Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Hospital and Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Lahartara. These Hospitals will provide comprehensive treatment to the patients from UP, and nearby states of MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar. PM also dedicated first New Bhabhatron with precision technology, to the nation.
13. Shri Rajnath Singh chairs fifth meeting of Island Development Agency
The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, chaired the fifth meeting of the Island Development Agency (IDA). The Island Development Agency reviewed the progress made towards the program “Holistic development of islands”. Bids for private sector participation in three tourism-based projects have already been invited by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. They include eco-tourism projects in Smith Island & Long island and tent city project in Aves island. Bids will be invited shortly for one more project in Neil island of Andaman & Nicobar.
Three projects in Lakshadweep have been identified for issue of bids. They include tourism projects in the islands of Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli Cheriyakara.
The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce has issued a notification extending tax incentives for investments made in manufacturing and service sector in islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep. The tax incentives are
I). Central Capital Investment Incentive for access to credit (CCIIAC)
II). Central Interest Incentive (CII)
III). Central Comprehensive Insurance Incentive (CCII)
IV). Goods and Services Tax (GST) Reimbursement
V). Income Tax (IT) Reimbursement
VI). Transport Incentive (TI); and
VII). Employment incentive (EI)
14.Pan-India Emergency Number ‘112’ launched
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi jointly launched the Women Safety initiative of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) in 16 States/UTs and Mumbai city. People in these states and UTs can now call a single pan India number 112 for any emergency. In addition, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and Safe City Implementation Monitoring Portal were also launched.
The 16 States/UTs where the ERSS has been launched today are Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, J&K.
One can dial 112 or use Panic Button on their phones or 112 India Mobile App to connect to a single emergency services number 112 which will combine Police, Fire, Health and other helplines through an Emergency Response Centre in the State.
15.2019 edition of India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 launched at Guwahati
With an aim at developing entrepreneurship in India, the 2019 edition of the India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 (IIGP 2.0) was launched by Assam industries & commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in Guwahati .
Established by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, Lockheed Martin Corporation & Tata Trusts, the India Innovation Growth Programme 2.0 was launched in 2017.
Aimed at accelerating indigenous innovations through incubation of affordable, accessible and acceptable solutions, the programme offers an opportunity for innovators across India to bring breakthrough ideas to market in areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, water, energy, life sciences, etc .
16. Assam: Himanta launches Mukhya Mantrir Krishi Sa-Sajuli Yojana in Darrang
Assam finance, health and PWD minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched ‘Mukhya Mantrir Krishi Sa-Sajuli Yojana’ for the farmers of Darrang district and announced a slew of new schemes will become effective from next month. BPL beneficiary families, who have been getting rice at Rs 3 per kilo under NFS Act will now get the same quantity of rice at Re 1 per kg.
Moreover, under a proposed new scheme called “Arundhuti”, each girl child going to get ready for wedding will be provided each with a gold of ten grams whereas in another new scheme for a widow, the government will provide an one-time financial grant of Rs 25,000 within one month of the demise of the woman’s husband.
17. Actor Bishnu Kharghoria conferred with 1st Biju Phukan Award
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal conferred the first Biju Phukan Award 2019 to Assamese national award winning actor Bishnu Kharghoria during a programme at Chowkidinghee field here.The award carries Rs 2 lakh, a citation and an angabastra.
The Biju Phukan Award 2019 has been instituted for the first time jointly by the Assam State (Film and Finance) Development Corporation (ASFFDC) and the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, government of Assam.
18.Chanel’s artistic director Karl Lagerfeld dies
Chanel’s iconic couturier, Karl Lagerfeld, whose accomplished designs as well as trademark white ponytail, high starched collars and dark enigmatic glasses dominated high fashion for the last 50 years, has died. He was around 85 years old.
19. Anuj Sharma replaces Rajeev Kumar as Kolkata Police Commissioner
Additional Director General of West Bengal Police (law and order) Anuj Sharma was appointed as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner after his predecessor Rajeev Kumar was transferred as ADG & IGP of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Mr. Kumar recently faced CBI interrogation at Shillong over chit fund scam in West Bengal. He headed the probe instituted by the State Government on the scam.
