Jammu govt to announce new horticulture policy:
The Jammu and Kashmir government is to announce a horticulture policy with an aim to tackle upcoming marketing challenges and increase the production manifold. The announcement was made by Secretary, J&K Agriculture Production and Horticulture Department, Manzoor Ahmad Lone.
New Policy for Horticulture:
♦ The new policy will focus on increasing production and tackle climate change, given the unique temperature of the place.
♦ The new Horticulture Policy is expected to increase horticulture revenue in Jammu and Kashmir from current Rs.8,000 crore to Rs.50,000 crore per annum.
♦ Horticulture sectors contribute immensely to strengthen the financial condition of J&K and in employment generation. Over 33 lakh population livelihood depend on Horticulture in the Union Territory of J&K. Around seven lakh families are directly or indirectly involved and depend on the Horticulture sector in J&K.
President Kovind paid homage to martyrs of Pulwama:
President Ram Nath Kovind paid homage to martyrs of Pulwama. In Jammu, a memorial to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was inaugurated at Lethpora camp on 14 February. On the memorial, the names of all the 40 martyrs along with their pictures are engraved as a part of the memorial along with the motto of CRPF `Seva and Nishtha` (Service and Loyalty).
Pulwama attack:
On 14 February 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying CRPF personnel on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Darat in the Pulwama district, J&K. 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attacker died. Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed the attack.
Maharashtra Cabinet approved Rs.2 crore annual fund for juvenile homes in the state:
The Maharashtra state cabinet approved a Juvenile Justice Fund for the welfare and rehabilitation of children in juvenile homes across the state on 12 February 2020. The cabinet also approved a proposal to make an Rs.2 crore annual budgetary provision for the fund. The fund will be used for the welfare of more than 21,178 children in over 560 juvenile homes across the state.
Juvenile Justice Fund:
♦ As per the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, the setting up of Juvenile Justice Fund for children in institutional care is mandatory.
♦ A similar provision in the Maharashtra State Juvenile Justice Rules, 2018 states that a fund must be set up under the Women and Child Welfare Commissionerate, which accepts funds from individuals, trusts and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
♦ The new fund will enable the government to provide finances for the children in juvenile homes.
♦ The fund will be used to implement programmes that are not covered under any state or central government scheme.
Supreme Court Upholds Changes to Sc/St Atrocities Law:
Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act 2018.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra, upheld the amended Act, which said neither is a preliminary inquiry required before lodging an FIR under the Act nor is approval needed from higher authorities for arrests.
The amendment also restores the unconditional ban on the grant of anticipatory bail put in place by the March 2018 judgement of the apex court. The bench had reserved the order on 3rd October.
India-Central Asia Business council was launched:
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) launched the India-Central Asia Business Council in partnership with five of the epic industry bodies of Central Asian countries namely Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The council was formally declared to collaborate and provide an industry view to the governments of the six countries.
India-Central Asia Business council:
♦ The council will share its recommendations to promote business in the region and with each other.
♦ It will examine the viability of establishing air corridors between and Central Asia to boost trade in perishable goods, agricultural and food products.
♦ The Council has prioritized sectors on civil aviation, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive, agro-processing, education, and urban infrastructure and transport, IT and tourism.