1) Shri Radha Mohan Singh Inaugurates Two-Day Conference on ``Innovations in Agricultural Mechanization – Development of linkage among R&D Institutes - Industry – Farmers``.
- The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated two-day Conference on ``Innovations in Agricultural Mechanization – Development of linkage among R&D Institutes - Industry – Farmers`` at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- Shri Radha Mohan Singh congratulated Agricultural Engineers/ Scientists of the country who have contributed a great for increasing the productivity of farm produce through mechanization.
- The need to transfer the latest technology to the farmers so that their income may be doubled by way of reducing the cost of cultivation and increasing production.
2) Air Conditioned Coach developed for DEMU Train.
- Indian Railways has developed the first ever air conditioned coach (car) for its Diesel-electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains. Till now the existing DEMU trains consisted only of non-air conditioned coaches.
- The first ever AC coach has been manufactured at Indian Railways’ Chennai based Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Existing 8-coach DEMU train will have 2 such newly developed AC coaches. Soon such DEMU trains will be rolled out for passenger services.
- Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has planned to roll out 4 DEMU train sets each provided with two AC coaches.
3) 231 Projects under Namami Gange to be Launched all over the Country.
- Giving a major boost to Namami Gange Programme Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has announced that 231 projects will be inaugurated at various locations in Uttrakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Haryana and Delhi.
- These projects involve modernization and redevelopment of Ghats and crematoriums, development of sewage infrastructure and treatment, afforestation, tree plantation (medicinal plants), pilot drain project, interceptor drain project, trash skimmers and conservation of biodiversity.
4) Goa government to distribute 15 lakh free LED bulbs.
- 15 lakh free LED bulbs will distributed to 4.89 consumers by the Goa government as a part of Central government`s `Ujala Scheme`.
- The state government has earmarked Rs 11 crore for procurement of the bulbs.
- The electricity department has signed an agreement with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for providing affordable LEDs to its consumers in a bid to make their homes energy efficient.
5) Shri Radha Mohan Singh Launches Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Portal.
- The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh launched Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) portal (kvk.icar.gov.in) in New Delhi.
- There are 645 Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs) in the country. These centers are established in the Rural Districts of the country. Each KVK has direct interface with at least 1000 farmers.
- The farmers and other stakeholders had difficulty in accessing the information and also there was no online monitoring system at the National level to review and monitor the functioning of KVKs against the mandates and objectives.
- This portal will provide a platform to provide the information and advisory to the farmers and facilitate online monitoring of the KVK activities.
6) West Bengal to set up three biotechnology hubs.
- The West Bengal Government has taken up a project to set up three biotechnology hubs across the state to bring in more biotechnology innovations to the State.
- The three proposed biotechnology hubs will come in Bardhaman, Kalimpong and Medinipur districts; they will help in the co-ordination of various departments with the Biotechnology Department in a better way.
- The Biotechnology Department of the State has already taken up an elaborate scheme to not only tie up with other departments like Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing to increase the productivity and quality of various products, but to also provide germ-free food to the common people.
7) Uttar Pradesh government to plant 5 crore saplings in a single day.
- Uttar Pradesh to create a world record by planting five crore saplings at different locations across the state in a single day.
- More than 10 lakh people across the state were involved in the record-breaking drive which aimed at planting five crore saplings at 6,161 places in one day.
- Various schools, NGOs, government departments, military and Para-military forces were roped in by the state government.
- While the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) was verifying the digging of pits for the plantation, a third party was also tasked to monitor the entire process.
8) Kerala announces pension scheme for transgenders.
- Kerala’s Left Democratic Front government announced a pension scheme for transgenders aged 60 and above while detailing its maiden budget.
- Aimed at protecting the rights of India’s third gender, Kerala’s move comes a year after its unveiled a transgender policy, the first in the country, directed at bringing the community to the mainstream.
- The government is committed to protect the rights of all including those in the transgender community. Introduce a pension scheme for members of the community who cross sixty years of age.
- Transgenders, who often face discrimination and are socially isolated, struggle to hold regular jobs and do not receive benefits such as medical insurance and pension.
9) Cabinet approves slum rehabilitation policy.
- The Delhi Cabinet approved the Delhi Slum & JJ Relocation and Rehabilitation Policy.
- The decision, taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is being seen as a strategic move ahead of the civic polls slated.
- The policy had been a major poll promise made by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the run-up to the Delhi Assembly elections in 2015.
- Under the guidelines, slums will not be demolished without providing alternative accommodation, preferably near their current location or in-situ, to their residents.
10) DRDO inks pact with IITs for Centre for Propulsion Technology.
- The agreement is aimed at achieving synergy between DRDO and IITs for channelizing research efforts towards developing products and aerospace technologies.
- The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) signed an agreement with IIT-Bombay and Madras to establish a bi-nodal ‘Centre of Propulsion Technology’ (CoPT) at the two institutions.
- The investment in the field must be effectively utilized to gain knowledge leadership in the subjects. The development as an opportunity to generate enthusiasm and energy into new research.
11) Dumping duty imposed on PTA imports from 5 countries.
- The Finance Ministry has imposed definitive anti-dumping duty on purified terephthalic acid (PTA) imports from China, Iran, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia.
- PTA - a white, free flowing crystalline powder - is the primary raw material for the manufacture of polyester chips which in turn is used in a number of applications in textiles, packaging, furnishings, consumer goods, resins and coatings.
12) Rajasthan ties up with Applicant IT Solutions to help village retailers access B2B ecommerce.
- The Rajasthan government has joined hands with business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce firm Applicant IT Solutions to enable 35,000 e-mitra kiosks in the state for traders and retailers to procure products directly from manufacturers.
- The kiosks are usually installed and run at shops or stores and in return traders earn a certain percentage as commission on the government fees paid by the users.
- As per the agreement entered between Rajasthan government`s Raj COMP Info Services (RISL) and Bangalore-based Applicant IT Solutions, `Trade GINI`, a proprietary platform of the company will be added to the e-mitra kiosks that will enable traders and retailers in towns, cities and villages to access products directly from the manufacturers and at best rates.
13) Ministry of Health launched Nationwide ``Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)``.
- The Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda launched nationwide ``Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF)``. The Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) will be observed from 11th to 23rd July across the country.
- The Ministry also unveiled a package of measures putting the Government’s resolve to end child diarrhoea deaths on the overdrive.
- Under-five children, the timing of the programme is very critical as this is just the onset of monsoon and diarrhoea is beginning to show up. Various activities shall form part of this fortnight.
- ASHAs shall visit all households with children below five years of age for pre-positioning the ORS. The importance of this activity is that ORS will be available in the household when needed at the time of diarrhea.
14) Shri Kiren Rijiju inaugurates two weeks’ BOP training module of SSB.
- The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the two weeks` BOP Training Module of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) through video conferencing.
- This Training Module is being conducted simultaneously at 270 Company locations in which personnel of 625 BOPs are participating.
- The country is getting security and peace due to services provided by the SSB and other security forces. SSB has transformed into not only a border guarding force, but also a specialized force.
- The SSB provides various other services such as VIP security and services in LWE-affected areas.
15) Maharashtra Police launches four apps to strengthen public security system.
- In order to strengthen public security system, Maharashtra police has launched four mobile apps for timely intervention into emergency situations.
- The four applications - Pratisaad - Ask, Police Mitra, Vahanchoritakrar and Railway helpline app - were launched by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- These apps, dependency on police emergency number 100 would reduce substantially and citizens can reach out to police to report any emergency situation or crime like robbery or assault on women 24X7.
- Through app Vahanchoritakrar, one can lodge complaint about stolen vehicles, while railway helpline app has been devised to offer help to railway passengers during emergency.
- Police Mitra app aims at improving police administration by assisting police force in crime prevention and detection as well as ensuring safety of women, children and senior citizens.
16) Government to set up panel to tackle shortage of pulses.
- The government has set up a committee to review the Minimum support price (MSP) and bonus for pulses to promote cultivation of the staple commodity which has seen a fresh spike in prices.
- The inter-ministerial review meeting headed by finance minister Arun Jaitley The government has decided to set up a committee under the chief economic adviser to frame a long-term policy on pulses, which will look into various options including MSP (minimum support price) and bonus.
- The government has also decided to increase the buffer stock for pulses to 20 lakh tonnes from eight lakh tonnes to contain price rise. There could be more incentive in the form of a bonus if the panel decides.
17) President to embark on three-day visit to Darjeeling.
- President Pranab Mukherjee embarks on his three-day visit to Darjeeling, where he will attend various functions.
- The West Bengal Government will host a state reception in honour of the President at Chowrasta (The Mall).
- President Mukherjee will attend the birth anniversary celebrations of `Shri Bhanubhakta Acharya.
18) Bihar signs MoU with Bangkok firm for disaster risk reduction.
- As part of programmes to implement the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bihar, the state government signed a MoU with Bangkok-based Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC).
- Bihar often faces disasters like flood, drought and earthquake. As per provisions of the MoU, the ADPC will provide technical assistance to the state government to implement the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction in Bihar.
- The state also faced specter of natural calamity like earthquake with the region falling under the seismic zone four and five.
19) Karnataka trade body inks pact with Sanya City.
- The Karnataka Region Economic and Trade Organization (KRETO) and the Sanya People Municipal Government, China, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to foster trade between Sanya City and Karnataka.
- The delegations visiting Karnataka from China, in turn, will be exposed to the traditional values of yoga, apart from encouraging tourism and bilateral trade.
- Both cities have a lot in common starting with the vibrant coastlines to the salubrious climate, not to mention enterprising populations of both these cities.
20) Arunachal Pradesh to set up 21 women police stations.
- Arunachal Pradesh will soon set up 21 women police stations across the state and create over 400 new posts to run these police stations. This decision of the state government, cleared in a cabinet meeting in Itanagar.
- The state that shares 1090 kms of international boundary with China had registered 351 cases of crimes against women. The National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) ‘Crimes in India Report’ for 2014 had also put the state’s crime rate against women at 57.4 per one lakh female population.
21) Cabinet approvals.
- Cabinet approves revival of defunct Fertilizer Units in Gorakhpur, Sindri and Barauni.
- Cabinet approves Official amendment to the Bill for change of name from ``Rajendra Central Agricultural University`` to ``Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University``.
- Cabinet approves the facilities being extended to persons residing in India on Long Term Visa.
- Cabinet approves the Revised Cost Estimate of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan.
- Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 60 lakh youth to be trained afresh.
- Cabinet approves disinvestment of 15% in National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC).
22) Bangladesh, India sign Rampal power plant construction agreement.
- Bangladesh and India signed a landmark deal for the construction of a 1,320 megawatt coal fired power plant, the biggest project under bilateral cooperation that would mark the transition from electricity export to generation level.
- Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BIFPCL), the joint venture enterprise inked the deal with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), which was selected under an open international tender for constructing the super thermal plant at Bangladesh`s southwestern Rampal near the Sundarbans.
- India`s Exim Bank will provide $1.49 billion for the project, scheduled to start generating power in 2019.
23) Pokhara-New Delhi direct bus service launched.
- New Delhi and Nepal`s famous tourist spot Pokhara are now connected by road after a direct bus service was launched between the two cities.
- The first direct bus service between Pokhara and New Delhi, South Asia`s two important cities, was flagged off by Nepal Home Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet and India`s ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae from Pokhara.
- The Motor Vehicle Agreement, a new bus service between Pokhara and New Delhi was proposed by the Uttar Pradesh State Road transport Corporation (UPSRTC).
24) Railways launch time-tabled Auto Express from Gurgaon to Nidvanda.
- Targeting 25 per cent rail share in automobile traffic, railways launched time-tabled Auto Express from Gurgaon to Nidvanda to ensure faster delivery of cargo.
- Time-table run of auto-car freight train would ensure timely delivery of the automobiles which would increase confidence of auto industry on railway`s credibility.
- At present about 2000 cars move per month between Gurgaon and Nidavanda. With launch of the time tabled run of the freight train for automobile traffic, the volume will go up and the numbers of trips are likely to increase resulting transportation of about 6000 cars a month.
25) India to extend e-visas to 36 more countries.
- Indian government released statistics indicating surge in e-tourist visa travel by 137 per cent, it now plans to extend the facility to 36 more countries such as Iran, Egypt, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Italy, Nigeria, Turkey, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Morocco.
- Total 186 countries will have access to online visa facility to travel to India. The scheme has been working wonders for the Indian government and draws maximum tourists from the USA.
26) Cabinet allows ITI to transfer shares to SNIF.
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the following proposal of Department of Telecommunication regarding transfer of shares by M/s ITI Limited to Special National Investment Fund (SNIF) to meet Securities and Exchange Board of India`s minimum public shareholding requirement.
- M/s ITI Limited will be allowed to transfer the requisite number of shares from President of India to SNIF as and when Capital grant is released in the form of equity infusion to M/s ITI Limited as part of revival plan approved by Cabinet to meet for SEBI`s minimum 10% Public Shareholding requirement.
27) Agreement Signed Between Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC) And Bansal Group.
- Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu in a programme held at Rail Bhawan an agreement was signed between Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited and Bansal Group for the redevelopment and modernization of Habibganj Railway Station located in Bhopal, M.P.
- The Habibganj station would now be the first station to be redevelopment and this station is one of the eight such railway stations which have been allocated to IRSDC by the Ministry of Railways.
28) President of India inaugurates `India Skills-2016`.
- The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the India Skills Competition - `India Skills-2016` in New Delhi on the occasion of the World Youth Skills Day.
- The President congratulated the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) for their achievements in a short span of time. The Ministry was extremely important for the socio-economic development of our country.
- The President mentioned that recently skill development of 1500 employees of Rashtrapati Bhavan was undertaken by the MSDE. In India in the age group of 18-29 years, the unemployment rate is 12.9%.
- The importance of infusing skills in our youth as this would improve the employment situation which would in turn generate wealth and translate our vision of economic development into reality.
29) Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad Launches Transforming India Website.
- The Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Law & Justice, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad formally launched new Transforming India website - www.transformingindia.mygov.in - in New Delhi.
- `Transforming India` website is a repository for sharing the impact of various governance initiatives with citizens in real-time.
- This website provides information in a user-friendly format enabling citizens to view the content in the form of Info graphics, e-books, performance dashboard, videos, daily news corner, etc. and engage with the content by comments and sharing the content through Social Media.
30) Govt organizes National Workshop on Solid and Liquid Waste Management under Swachh Bharat.
- The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has organized a two day National Workshop on Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) under Swachh Bharat Mission. The workshop was inaugurated by Minister of State for Drinking Water & Sanitation, Shri Ramesh Jigajinagi.
- Segregation, collection, treatment and disposal of garbage should preferably be done in a decentralized manner. Most villages of Kerala are doing this sustainably through vermin composting, biogas plants, soak pits, and water treatment practices, which can be an example for replication in many other States of the country.
31) HRD Ministry signs ADDENDUM X to MoU with Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI).
- Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) have signed an ADDENDUM X to the MoU providing for the details of Programme of Co-operation.
- Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, a bi-national organization, was created by a joint announcement of Governments of India and the Government of Canada for promoting understanding between India and Canada through facilitation of academic exchange between the two countries.
- MoU will facilitate SICI to continue with promotion of knowledge and understanding between Canada and India in the areas identified earlier and in the new areas as identified by the Government of India which include Faculty-in-Residence Programme, Faculty Development Programme for vocational Education and Facilitation cum information services etc.
- SICI is also expected to promote and identify eminent academicians from Canada for the Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN) programme, a new initiative of the Ministry, aimed at bridging the faculty gaps in frontier areas of knowledge and forging research partnerships between educational institutions in India and Canada.
32) A Joint Venture Agreement Signed between Ministry of Railways and Government of Haryana.
- Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Minister of Railways a Joint Venture Agreement was signed between Ministry of Railways and Government of Haryana. In order to expand Railway network in State of Haryana signing programme was held at Rail Bhawan.
- Ministry of Railways has taken initiative for formation of JV Companies with States. 17 States have consented for formation of such companies and 8 states have signed MOUs with Ministry of Railways.