1) Single-brand retail norms for non-resident entities get liberalization.
- Now non-resident single-branded retailers in India can operate their own outlets, can franchise their stores and can even opt for wholesale business as per central government’s new notification.
- These single-brand retailers can opt for above trading options only when they do business through subsidiaries in India or form a joint venture with Indian entity.
- Central government allowed single-brand retailers because the proceeds from franchise business will come into the current account while proceeds from FDI will be accounted in the capital account which does not violates rules set for non resident entities doing business in India.
- FDI allowed in single-brand: 100 per cent.
2) Lok Sabha passed Delhi High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
- The Bill amends the Delhi High Court Act, 1966.
- Provisions of the Delhi High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2015
- It increases the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts from 20 lakh rupees to 2 crore rupees.
- It proposes that civil suits up to 2 crore rupees will be heard by the 11 district courts in the city instead of the Delhi High Court. Litigants will no longer have to travel to the High Court only.
- It empowers the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to transfer any pending suit to a relevant subordinate court.
- Minister of Law & Justice: D.V. Sadananda Gowd.
3) Tripura Legislative Assembly passed a resolution against death penalty.
- Tripura legislative assembly passed a resolution against the death penalty.
- The resolution passed is apparently the fallout of recent hanging of Yakub Memon, prime accused in 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
- Note: Worldwide, over 2/3rd countries of the world have completely abolished death penalty. 97 countries of the world have abolished death penalty for all the crimes.
Remaining Procedure for implementation of this bill
- The adopted resolution would now be sent to Union government and the Law Commission for consideration.
- If Law Commission agrees with it Union Law minster has right to decide whether to propose it as bill or not in parliament.
Existing Procedure for death penalty:
- In India, as per Supreme Court directive, death penalty is given in "rarest of the rare case" and President under Article 72 is constitutionally empowered to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of death sentence.
4) Haryana’s CM Manohar Lal launched `Thari Pension Thare Pass` scheme.
- Khattar launched the scheme by pressing a button that allowed transfer of social security pensions amounting to about 119 crore rupees directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries under the scheme.
Objective:
- The scheme launched with a view to ensure transparency in disbursement of social security pensions will be implemented phase wise.
5) Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) signed first Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with ‘Rollback’ provision.
- As part of a major initiative to usher in certainty in taxation, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into two unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with two Multi-National Companies (MNCs) which includes the first APA with a “rollback” provision.
- With this, the CBDT has so far signed 14 APAs of which 13 are unilateral APAs and one is a bilateral APA. The 14 APAs signed relate to various sectors like telecommunication, oil exploration, pharmaceuticals, finance/banking, software development services and ITeS (BPOs).
Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs):
- It is an agreement between a taxpayer and the tax authority that settles transfer prices and of setting prices of international transactions in advance and normally covers multiple years.
- Implications: It provides certainty to taxpayers regarding transfer pricing that aim to avoid disputes between taxpayer and tax regulator.
8) Union Govt launches Suraksha Bandhan drive.
- Union Government launched Suraksha Bandhan drive in a Mission Mode through participating banks and insurance companies to facilitate enrolment under social security schemes.
- The schemes comes under it are
- (1) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
- (2) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).
- (3) Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
- The drive launched in the back drop of Raksha Bandhan aims at taking forward the Government’s objective of creating a universal social security system in the country, targeted especially at the poor and the under-privileged.
- Participating Banks supported by the participating Insurance Companies will work towards local outreach, awareness building and enrolment facilitation during this drive.
Extension of Last Date:
- The last date for enrolment under the PMSBY and PMJJBY schemes has been extended till 30 September 2015.
- Persons enrolling within this period would not be required to submit a certificate of good health for Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana enrolment does not in any event require any such certification.
Jeevan Suraksha Gift Cheques:
- The drive will be supported through the Jeevan Suraksha Gift Cheques, which will be available for purchase for 351 rupees in Bank branches by persons wishing to gift them to facilitate one year payment of premium for Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana by the recipient.
- The recipient of the gift cheque would deposit the instrument in his or her bank account for a realizable value of 342 rupees, out of which 12 rupees will be for one year subscription of PMSBY and 330 rupees for PMJJBY. The balance of 9 rupees will be retained by the issuing Bank as a service charge.
9) BHEL commissioned 500 MW Thermal Unit at Vindhyachal STPS.
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) commissioned a 500 MW coal-based power plant unit at Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station (STPS) in Vindhyanagar, Singrauli district of Madhya Pradesh.
- With the commissioning of this unit, BHEL has now commissioned seven sets of 500 MW each aggregating to 3500 MW, the highest by BHEL in a power project.
About BHEL:
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
- Chairman: B. Prasada Rao.
About Super Thermal Power Stations (STPS)
- Super Thermal Power Stations (STPS) are a series of ambitious coal based power projects that were planned by the Union Government in 1990. The capacity of such thermal plant is 1000 MW and above.
- There are over 65 STPS in India and Mundra Thermal Power Station of Adani Power in Kutch district of Gujarat is the largest among all.
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10) Subsidy scheme to boost production : Spices Board.
- The Spices Board has launched a raft of measures to support farmers by offering various subsidies and sensitise them on the need to enhance the quality of spices through post-harvest improvement techniques, as a part of boosting spices production in the country.
Eligibility criteria:
- The eligibility criteria for availing the benefits are based on land held by the grower and is different for each programme
- Under the new schemes, cultivators of small cardamom in Kerala and Tamil Nadu would be provided with a sum of Rs. 70,000 a hectare for replanting, while farmers in Karnataka would get up to Rs. 50,000 a hectare. The cultivators would also be given aid for planting material production.
Subsidy provided:
- To help small scale cardamom farmers in the three southern states in irrigation and land development.
- The Board will provide financial assistance
- (1) up to 25 per cent of actual cost for acquiring irrigation pump sets, sprinkler sets, equipment for gravity-fed irrigation system.
- (2) up to 50 per cent for water storage structure.
- (3) up to 25 per cent for for soil conservation.
- Besides, they would be given a subsidy of Rs.1 lakh for purchasing improved cardamom curing devices and 50 per cent subsidy for GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) kits and bee-keeping boxes.
- The Board also provides assistance up to 50 per cent for post-harvest improvement process of the spices in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and North-eastern states.
11) Maharashtra government announced construction of 800 km Nagpur-Mumbai expressway.
- The Nagpur-Amravati-Aurangabad-Ghoti-Mumbai expressway, also called Communication Super-expressway, would be build at the cost of 30000 crore rupees.
- The expressway would be a six-lane road and in the first phase a four lane road would be constructed. This road will be equipped with CCTV cameras, wi-fi facility and optical fibre network.
- Besides, the state government also plans to develop IT parks, smart cities, and education hubs along the road.
- The project would be completed in coming five years and the travel time between the state capital and second capital would be brought down from 14 hours to 10 hours.
12) Rural Development Minister launched ‘SAMANVAY’ for Gram Panchayats.
Objective:
- For compilation of all schemes of both Union and State governments for Gram Panchayats.
- SAMANVAY was launched with an aim to help MPs in utilising relevant schemes in the planning and implementation of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). It will also act as a database for mapped and compiled information on various gram panchayat activities through schemes undertaken by the Centre and State Governments.
- More than 1800 state schemes from across all states have been documented in SAMANVAY.
- Rural Development Minister : Chaudhary Birender Singh
13) Rural Development Minister launched Panchayat Darpan.
Objective:
- It is magazine to monitor the progress of the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. It will act as a mirror of all the development activities in the village panchayats.
- Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana was launched in October 2014 under which MPs are to develop three Adarsh Gram Panchayats by 2019. The objective of the programme is to create Model Villages.
- Rural Development Minister: Chaudhary Birender Singh
14) School Nursery Yojana launched by Union Government.
- Union Government launched the School Nursery Yojana, an initiative to bring students closer to nature. The Yojana seeks to engage class VI to IX in raising of saplings in nurseries created in schools.
- The Minister also presented a sapling and a packet of seeds to students from each school for planting in their school. He exhorted the students to take the grown sapling planted by them along with their annual results to their homes.
- The underlying theme of the Yojana is to ``plant a tree for sustainable future and to make the nation clean and green``.
- The Yojana was launched by Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi.
About School Nursery Yojana:
- The Yojana in its first phase would cover 1000 schools and would be extended to 5000 schools in 2016 and 10000 schools the following year.
- Under the Yojana, students will grow saplings as part of practical exercise for biology classes and extra-curriculum activities.
- The schools will have eco clubs and school principals will maintain the nursery for at least five years.
- Each school will initially receive first time financial grant of 25000 rupees for creation of the nursery with essential facilities.
- The state forest departments will guide and provide technical support to schools under the scheme.
- Union Environment Minister: Prakash Javadekar
- Human Resource Development: Smriti Zubin Irani
15) An app for tracking rail ticket confirmation.
- Getting a confirmed rail ticket to reach home during festival seasons and summer months is a lottery for many.
- A solution to this is RailYatri app, which can be downloaded from Google Playstore or by a missed call to 08080809551. The free train app can predict, plan, track, and share your train trip in an organised manner, says Manish Rathi, Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder, RailYatri.in.
- ‘Seat Availability Forecast’ predicts the chances of a ticket getting confirmed and helps commuters to be smart and plan their trips better.
- The app helps share real-time trips, which enables family and friends to check how journey is progressing by checking location in the app.
Railway Minister: Suresh Prabhu.
16) New app Launched by Telecom Minister to promote digital literacy in Bihar.
- Ravi Shankar Prasad has launched a new mobile app `DISHA app` to promote digital literacy in Bihar. The app is designed to educate the tribal and Dalit women.
- The minister, who felicitated 10 Dalit women has got training under the Digital Saksharta Abhiyan in Bodh Gaya (Bihar).
Disha handbook:
- Minister also will also launch a Disha handbook that has pictographic lessons on computers.
- The mobile app is prepared to spread digital literacy through self-learning modules. The Disha handbook is framed by the Common Service Centres (CSCs) for the purpose of digital literacy. The book has been composed to ensure that anyone with little or no digital literacy can also learn using this book.
About Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA):
- The Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA) mission was launched, aims to provide digital literacy to non IT literate citizens. The scheme imparts IT training to 52.5 lakh persons that include Anganwadi and ASHA workers and authorised ration dealers in all the States/UTs across the country.
- Telecom Minister: Ravi Shankar Prasad.
17) Suresh Prabhu launched new train services in Northeast.
- Railway Minister launched new train services in the Northeast after the completion of North Lakhimpur-Murkongselek and Balipara- Bhalukpong sections into broad-gauge.
- Prabhu described the occasion as a Golden Day in the history of Arunachal Pradesh and flagged off few train on the occasion.
- Commissioning of Balipara-Bhalukpong gauge conversion is the second Broad Gauge connectivity for the state. Earlier in 2015, the Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar was provided connectivity with the National Capital through a direct train.
Background of the Project:
- These 510 km gauge conversion project was sanctioned in 2002-03 with the budgetary outlay of 3600 crore rupees. However, the project suffered delay mainly due to funds constraints in the past.
- But in 2014-15, a budgetary outlay of 713 crore rupees was provided for this line and an additional balance of 300 crore rupees was provided in 2015-16.
- Note: At present, the Union Government in Northeast India has undertaken 13 new lines, 3 gauge conversion and 4 doubling projects with the balance fund of 37000 crore rupees. These projects on completion will augment railway network by 1915 km.
- Railway Minister: Suresh Prabhu.
18) Rajasthan High Court banned Santhara ritual in Jain Community.
- Rajasthan High Court banned the Santhara ritual prevailing in the Jain Community.
- The ritual was banned by the court on a Public Interest Litigation filed by human rights activist Nikhil Soni a decade ago, claiming that the ritual is a social evil and should be considered as a suicide.
About Santhara:
- Santhara, an ancient ritual also called Sallekhana or Samadhi-marana or Sanyasana-marana, is the voluntary starvation to embrace death. Its purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones.
- Sallekhana, made up from two words sal (meaning `properly`) and lekhana, which means to thin out, is a highly respected practice among the members of the Jain community.
19) SC rules Aadhaar card not mandatory.
- SC had earlier referred the matter to a bench of 5 judges after the government said that Right to Privacy is not a fundamental right under the Constitution.
- The SC has given 4 directions to the government regarding the same.
- The Centre has so far maintained that there is no maintainability to the plea that demands the scrapping of the Aadhaar scheme on the ground there is violation of the right to privacy.
- The apex court had earlier reserved its verdict on Centre`s plea that petitions challenging government`s ambitious project to grant Aadhaar cards to all citizens be referred to a Constitutional bench.
About:
- UIDAI/Aadhaar will not be used for any other purposes except PDS, kerosene and LPG distribution system.
- However, the court made it clear that even for PDS, kerosene and LPG distribution system, the card will not be mandatory.
- It directed that the information received by UIDAI shall not be used for any other purposes, except in criminal investigation with the permission of the court.
- The court did not allow the interim plea of petitioners, challenging Aadhaar scheme, that the ongoing enrolment process for the Aadhaar card be stayed.
- The apex court had referred to a Constitution Bench the batch of petitions challenging the Centre`s Aadhaar card scheme and decide whether right to privacy is a fundamental right.
- The government had also said that persons, having Aadhaar cards, were being asked to provide it to authorities but this was optional.
Background:
- Earlier has given orders that the government and others were in violation of that had said that no person should be denied any benefit or suffer for not having Aadhaar cards.
20) Govt launches `Nai Manzil` scheme in poll-bound Bihar.
- Minority ministry through its special purpose vehicle, Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS), will take up this project on pilot basis in Bihar in at least eight Madrasas covering areas of significant minority population like Patna, Gaya, Motihari and Kishangaj.
- Objective: It also aims to provide trade-based skill training in manufacturing, engineering, services and soft skills.
Background:
- The scheme, announced in the Budget Speech for 2015-16, aims to provide educational intervention through bridge courses to people between 17 and 35 years of age so as to help them pass class XIII and X from distance medium educational system.
- Minister for minority affairs: Najma Heptulla.
21) Cabinet nod for MoU between India, Nepal for construction of petroleum pipeline.
- Union Cabinet has approved a MoU between India and Nepal for construction of petroleum products pipeline from Raxaul (Bihar) in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal.
- The MoU seeks to promote bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector between both neighbouring countries and secure long term supply of petroleum products to Nepal.
- In the first phase it will be constructed by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on behalf of Indian Government at a cost of 200 crore rupees. IOC will be also engaged in re-engineering and construction of the Amlekhgunj Depot and allied facilities.
- Capital: Kathmandu.
- Currency: Nepalese rupee.
- Prime minister: Sushil Koirala.
- President: Ram Baran Yadav.
22) Cabinet nod for MoU between India and Mongolia.
- The Union Cabinet also gave its ex-post-facto approval to MoU between India and Mongolia to establish cooperative institutional relationship and to promote and encourage technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy between both countries.
- Capital: Ulaanbaatar.
- Prime minister: Chimed Saikhanbileg.
- President: Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj.
- Currency: Tughrik.
23) Cabinet nod for MoU between India and France.
- The Union Cabinet also gave ex-post-facto approval to a MoU signed between India and France to establish cooperative institutional relationship to promote and encourage technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues between both countries.
- Capital: Paris.
- President: François Hollande.
- Prime minister: Manuel Valls.
- Currency: Euro.
24) Uttar Pradesh Government approved new guidelines for Begum Akhtar Award.
- Uttar Pradesh Government approved the amended guidelines for Begum Akhtar Award.
- Objective: The amendment empowers the Chief Minister to make any further amendments to the guidelines.
- About Award:
- The award will be annually awarded on singers of ghazal, dadra, and thumri who have achieved a milestone in these forms of music. It will be conferred on a singer who is a local resident of the state and should not be less than 40 years of age.
- The award will carry a cash award of 5 lakh rupees, an ‘angvastram’ and a citation.
About Begum Akhtar:
- Begum Akhtar Award is named after Akhtari Bai Faizabadi, also known as Begum Akhtar who was a well known Indian singer of Ghazal, and Dadra, and Thumri genres of Hindustani classical music.
- She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for vocal music, and was awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan (posthumously) by Union Government.
- She was also given the title of Mallika-e-Ghazal (Queen of Ghazals).
- Chief Minister: Akhilesh Yadav.
- Governor: Ram Naik.
- Capital: Lucknow.
25) 4 MoUs between Indian Railways and Union Power Ministry to save power, improve efficiency.
- Union Railway Ministry has signed 4 MoUs with Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Ministry for energy conservation, transmission and solarisation.
- First MoU seeks to boost knowledge sharing in the field of energy and electricity conservation to reduce the cost of electricity for the Railways.
- Second MoU was signed to promote solar energy usage and provide a framework for providing future energy solutions.
- Third MoU it was signed between India Railways and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to identify technologies to improve energy utilisation.
- Fourth MoU was signed between Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) and Energy Efficiency Services (EES) Ltd for implementation of energy efficient systems and conservation of energy projects for the Railways.
- These agreements will help Indian Railways in increasing savings on the power as it the largest power consumer in the country by providing future solutions (switching to renewable energy) in the power sector.
- Union Power Ministry: Piyush Goyal
- Union Railway Minister: Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu
26) Govt sanctioned 1,500-MW ultra mega solar power park for Andhra Pradesh.
- The Ministry for New and Renewable Energy sanctioned a 1,500-MW ultra mega solar power park for Andhra Pradesh. The 1,500 MW ultra mega solar park will be developed in Kadapa district by NTPC, which will the third mega park of over 1,000 MW to be taken up by the state.
- Earlier two mega parks of 1,000 MW each were executed by NTPC at Anantapur and Kurnool districts, respectively.
- Part from the above projects the state utility Andhra Pradesh Genco has approved a move to set up a 500 MW (250×2) solar park in Anantapur.
Background:
- Andhra Pradesh Government has set target to develop over 9,000 MW energy from renewable sources by 2019, which includes 5,000 MW of solar and 4,000 MW of wind capacity.
- Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy: Piyush Goyal
- Capital: Amaravati
- Governor: E.S.L. Narasimhan
- Chief Minister: Nara Chandrababu Naidu (TDP)
27) Cabinet nod for MoU between India and America to establish PACEsetter Fund.
- The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post-facto approval for the MoU between American and India to establish the PACEsetter Fund.
- Objective: The PACEsetter Fund is a fund that supports the Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) an initiative between US and India through Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE).
- Accordingly both the countries has raised corpus of about 8 million US dollars (Rs. 50 crore) on a 50:50 sharing basis.
Background about PACE:
- PACE is a flagship initiative initiated between the U.S.A and India in 2009, to work jointly on energy security and clean energy, which primly focuses on accelerating the transition to high-performing, low emissions, and energy-secure economies.
- It endeavours to boost joint efforts to demonstrate the viability of existing clean energy technologies as well as identify new technologies that can increase energy access and security.
28) Maharashtra`s Dahi Handi granted with the Adventure Sport status.
- Maharashtra`s famous Dahi Handi (Govinda) was accorded with the status of Adventure Sport through a Government Resolution (GR) 201508131458581621.
- From now on, Dahihandi will be played as per the rules and regulations which will be framed by a State-level association. It will not be limited to Janmashtami only.
- Anyone can participate in the sport now, except those below 12 years. Minors will have to provide letters of approval from their parents. Groups playing this sport would be trained and registered.
Background:
- The decision came following the Bombay High Court order putting restrictions on the festival to curb noise pollution and avoid public nuisance. Going by the injuries and the deaths in the past, the court limited the height of the handi to 20 feet and banned minors from the event.
About Dahi Handi:
- Dahi Handi is a sport in which a human pyramid is formed to break an earthen pot filled with curd hanging mid-air to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna (Janmashtami).
- Capital: Mumbai
- Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
- Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
29) PAHAL scheme enters into Guinness Book of world records.
- Union Government’s ambitious Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme has been acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records.
- The scheme was formally launched as Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy in 2013 in 291 districts under the aegis of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
- It was modified and christened as PaHal in November 2014 and was launched in 54 districts. Later it was extended nationwide on 1 January 2015.
About PaHaL:
- Under the scheme, subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are sold at market rates and consumers are entitled to receive LPG subsidy directly into their bank accounts.
- It is done either through bank account or Aadhaar linkage. Currently it covers more than 9.75 crore LPG consumers across the country. The scheme aims at eliminating duplication or bogus LPG connections and its diversion. It also seeks to meet substantive savings in LPG subsidy.
- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas : Dharmendra Pradhan
30) Delhi government constituted panel to probe CNG fitness scam.
- Delhi Government to constitute an independent Commission of Inquiry to probe the multi-crore CNG fitness scam of Delhi.
- This Commission of Inquiry will be headed by a retired High Court judge, Justice SN Agarwal.
- The Delhi cabinet has mandated that the commission will complete its probe within three months from the date of its first sitting.
- The one-man probe panel was set up under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.
About the CNG fitness scam
- The CNG fitness scam surfaced in 2012 when Anti Corruption Bureau found that the Delhi government had lost over 100 crore rupees by awarding the contract to operate and maintain certification of CNG vehicles at the transport authority in Burari to ESP India instead of ESP USA.
- A number of officials of previous Sheila Dikshit government are under scanner in the multi-crore CNG fitness scam. These officials had been given a clean chit by the Dikshit regime and approved by LG Najeeb Jung in 2013.
- Capital: New Delhi
- CM: Arvind Kejriwal
- Governor: L.G. Najeeb Jung
31) Govt approves Spectrum Sharing Guidelines.
- The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the spectrum sharing guidelines based on the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
- Objective: The decision is part of Union Government’s commitment to improve spectral efficiency and quality of telecom service across the country.
- Spectrum sharing will be allowed only for the access service providers in the first instance in a Licensed Service Area (LSA). In this case both spectrum license holders should have spectrum in the same band and have paid market price for it.
- Access of all spectrums including traded spectrums will be sharable provided that both license holders having spectrum in the same band.
- Ministry of Communications and Information Technology: Ravi Shankar Prasad.