1) 14.13 lakh BPL LPG connections released under PM Ujjwala Yojana.

• 14.13 lakh LPG connections have been released to women of BPL families under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY). The scheme is currently under operation in 487 districts of 17 states.
• Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas has been drawn to a number of fake website which have come up on the internet on the recently launched Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. The official website of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is www.pmujjwalayojana.com. General public and other stakeholders are requested to consult only the official website for any attention information with regard to the Ujjwala Yojana.

2) BHEL commissions 250 MW power plant in Gujarat.

• State-run BHEL has commissioned another 250 MW unit based on eco-friendly Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) technology, using low quality coal (lignite) as the primary fuel.
• The unit has been commissioned at Bhavnagar Energy Company (BECL) 2x250 MW thermal power project, located at Padva village in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.

3) Commerce Ministry launches e-marketplace for government departments.

• The Commerce Ministry has launched an e-marketplace for online purchase of goods and services by various central government ministries and departments.
• The move is aimed at bringing in more transparency and streamlining the government procurement of goods and services. The Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) has developed the portal for the purpose. The department, which is under the Commerce Ministry, carries out the procurement.
• Particular specification of a computer, various brands and specifications are available at the portal with cost.
• Departments that for the success of the marketplace, it is necessary to upload the demands of common user goods and services required by government buyers.

4) Railways to unveil vintage hotels on Palace on Wheels.

• According to the proposal by the heritage wing of the railways, the vintage hotels-cum-restaurants would be built in the coaches of the train set amid the ambience of an old station to serve the dual aim of preserving the transporter’s heritage and harnessing its potential to earn revenue.
• The vintage hotel proposal to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for consideration. Each vintage hotel will have two to three coaches and would cost an estimated Rs 16 crore.
• These coaches can be refurbished and transformed into vintage hotel-cum-restaurants and placed at suitable locations. The locations could be a prominent in-bound tourist destination or a place easily accessible by road from a prominent destination point.

5) Government launches online skill training platform.

• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched an online platform for imparting skills with an aim to reach millions of skill seekers in the country.
• The web portal (indiaskillsonline.com) is a part of the government’s Skill India campaign that aims to provide vocational training to 1 crore workers in the next four years. It will provide free online courses to aspirants registered for skill training schemes that can also be downloaded as mobile applications.
• Apart from domain specific, qualification pack courses, the website will also offer courses on soft skills, languages, digital literacy, Orientation to regional cultures as well as modules on entrepreneurship, many of which are hurdles faced by skilled workers when they try to get jobs.

6) Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) signs seven Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs).

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) entered into seven Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with Indian taxpayers. Some of these agreements also have a ``Rollback`` provision in them.
• The scheme endeavors to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and setting the prices of international transactions in advance.
• The 7 APAs signed pertain to various sectors of the economy like banking, Information Technology and Automotives. The international transactions covered in these agreements include software development Services, IT enabled Services (BPOs), Engineering Design Services and Administrative & Business Support Services.
• The progress of the APA Scheme strengthens the Government’s mission of fostering a non-adversarial tax regime. The CBDT expects more APAs to be concluded and signed in the future.

7) Supreme Court accepts Lodha panel recommendations on structural reforms in BCCI.

• The Supreme Court accepted the major recommendations of the Lodha Committee on reforms to the BCCI, including ministers and civil servants and those above 70 from becoming its members.
• The court accepted the recommendations of the committee headed by retired Chief Justice of India Justice R.M. Lodha to have a CAG nominee in the BCCI.
• The recommendation that one person should hold one post in cricket administration to avoid any conflict of interest and scrapping of all other administrative committees in the BCCI.
• The Board to decide whether there is need for any change in the existing agreement relating to broadcasting rights and whether a franchise member should be in the Board to avoid any conflict of interest.

8) Government mulling law with stern provisions against river polluters.

• Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti announced a law having stringent provisions against polluters, industrial and sewage waste discharged into river Ganga was the primary source of its pollution.
• There are 764 industries located along the river Ganga.
• Government is carrying out a survey for resolving the issue of discharge of religious material into the river by evolving a project connecting the livelihood of people living along the river.

9) TRI-NETRA - Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers Infra-red, Enhanced Optical & Radar Assisted system.

• Ministry of Railways, Railway Board has initiated a proposal to install TRI-NETRA systems on locomotives for enhancing the vision of Locomotive Pilots in inclement weather.
• TRI-NETRA stands for - Terrain imaging for diesel dRivers INfra-red, Enhanced opTical & Radar Assisted system.
• TRI-NETRA system shall be made up of high-resolution optical video camera, high sensitivity infra-red video camera and additionally a radar-based terrain mapping system.
• These three components of the system shall act as three eyes (Tri-Netra) of the Locomotive Pilot.
• TRI-NETRA is designed to “see” the terrain ahead of the running locomotive during inclement weather by combining the images captured by the three sub-systems and to create a composite video image which shall be displayed in front of the Loco Pilot on a computer monitor.

10) LS Speaker launches e-portal to reduce paperwork.

• Reduce paper work in the day-to-day functioning of Parliament; Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan launched an e-portal for the members that will enable them to interact with various branches of the secretariat online.
• The initiative to make the Parliament paperless has saved around Rs. 80 lakhs so far. The e-portal has been launched. The members can put questions and give notices online as well.
• Every member will be given a login id and password. Using that the members will be able to access the portal. It can be used for issuing notices, calling adjournment motion, calling attention motion. The portal will be available in Hindi and English.

11) National Disaster Plan for Animals.

• The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has prepared and launched Disaster Management Plan (DMP) for protecting animals and preventing and mitigating loss of livestock resources during various disasters.

DMP is divided into three parts:

(a) Pre-disaster preparedness,
(b) Disaster response and
(c) Post-Disaster Plan

1. DMP aims to supplement the efforts of States/UTs in managing disasters and lays down the broad guidelines for management of animal during disasters like drought, floods, cyclones, earthquakes and other man-made disasters etc. in the states/UTs.

12) Setting up of Ripening Chambers for the Benefit of Farmers and Entrepreneurs.

• Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for holistic development of horticulture in the country including creation of post harvest management infrastructure to reduce losses of perishable horticulture produce.
• Post harvest management component includes establishment of setting up of pack house, pre-cooling, primary processing, cold chain, refrigerated transport, ripening chambers etc.
• State Horticulture Missions are organizing regular training programmes and workshops on Post-harvest Management (PHM) including ripening chambers for the benefit of farmers and entrepreneurs.
• Govt releases Rs. 100 crore towards co-contribution in APY.

13) Government has released Rs. 100 crore towards its co-contribution for Atal Pension Yojana (APY) for 2015-16.

• Under the scheme, individuals who have registered before March 31, 2016, will get a co-contribution from the government, which will be 50 per cent of the subscriber contribution up to a maximum of Rs. 1,000. The co-contribution will be for 5 years from 2015-16 to 2019-20.
• Government`s co-contribution is payable only when accounts are regular and the admissible co-contribution is paid into the savings bank account of the subscribers.

14) Centre released Rs. 28,000 crore under MGNREGA this year.

• The Centre has released Rs. 28,000 crore to states under MGNREGA to clear the last year`s liabilities and for running the programme in the ongoing year.
• Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), funds are released to the states on the basis of agreed to labour budget and performance of the states.
• MNREGA provides a supplementary means of livelihood for the rural people, primarily during the lean periods and is not a substitute for all other employment opportunities.

15) Parliament passes Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016.

• Rajya Sabha passed a bill providing for setting up a regional centre for Biotechnology, which will act as a mentor institution and focus on training of skilled manpower as well as work on research and development.
• The bill provides for establishing a regional biotechnology centre that will work on education, training and research, under the auspices of United Na the National Capital Region and declare it to be an institution of national importance.tions Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in

16) Government sets incubation cell for export start-ups.

• The government set up an incubation cell at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to provide support to export start-ups.
• The cell would enable young entrepreneurs to get all the expert advice and technical guidance at one point.
• The cell has been designed to provide export start-ups with necessary hand holding support towards expanding their existing domestic business to foreign markets.
• The initiative is named as - KITTES (Knowledge for Innovation in Trade and Technology for Entrepreneurial Start-ups). It is dedicated to startups in the domain of international business.
• Incubation cell will be supported by an advisory body consisting of industrialists, venture capitalists, technical specialists and managers established to help entrepreneurs through a range of infrastructure, business advisory, mentoring and financial services.

17) Blue Revolution: Odisha aims to create 400 hectares new water area.

• The state government has planned to create 400 hectares of new water area in private land. The government has also made a provision to provide 50 per cent subsidy assistance to fish farmers for increasing of the inland fish production to meet the demand of the state and generate income of farmers.
• This project proposal submitted by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (FARD) Department was approved in a state-level sanctioning committee of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

18) Netherlands-UP signs agreement for setting up skill development centre for farmers.

• The Netherlands and Uttar Pradesh signed a MoU to set up a skill development centre to help farmers.
• Farmers would get information of not only food processing but also of how modern techniques can be also used for better produce of sugarcane, potato, dairy development and flowers.
• According to the MoU, Netherlands would assist Uttar Pradesh in solid waste management, urban development and infrastructure, water management, water supply, cleanliness of water resources, sewage treatment, transport management and revival of water bodies.

19) Cabinet approves amendment in the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) amendment Bill.

• Cabinet approves a MoU signed between India and the Swiss Confederation for cooperation in skill development.
• Cabinet approves establishment of new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences at Gorakhpur.
• Cabinet approves signing of Air Services Agreement between India and Mozambique.
• Cabinet approves procurement of Control Units, Ballot Units and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail Units during the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
• Cabinet approves India and Tunisia for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technology and Digital Economy.
• Cabinet approves the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016.
• Cabinet approves Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s proposal for installation of 1980 MW coal based thermal power project at Ghatampur in Uttar Pradesh.
• Cabinet approves proposal of M/s. Ambuja Cements Limited for acquisition of 24% shares in its holding company-Holcim (India) Private Limited.
• Cabinet approves construction of a New Dry Dock of Cochin Shipyard Limited.

20) Government Approved for setting up of IT/ITES SEZs.

• Government has approved the proposal for setting up of IT/ITES Special Economic Zones in many parts of the Country. As on date, the Board of Approval (BoA) has approved 259 proposals for setting up of SEZ relating to Information Technology/ Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES)/ Electronic Hardware sectors SEZs in many parts of the Country.

21) Bill introduced in Lok Sabha to bring 6 new IITs, ISM.

• A bill introduced in the Lok Sabha which aims at bringing the six new IITs as well as the Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad under the ambit of the IIT Act.
• These institutes need to be brought within the ambit of the aforesaid Act for the purpose of declaring them as institutions of national importance.
• The bill also aims at declaring ISM Dhanbad as an institute of national importance, integrate it with the IIT system and it would be called IIT (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad.
• The new IITs which the bill intends to incorporate in the system are IIT Tirupati, IIT Palakkad, IIT Goa, IIT Dharwar, IIT Bhilai and IIT Jammu.

22) Approval for Second Unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station.

• The second unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP-2) attained after accord of regulatory and statutory clearances. This will be followed by various tests, connection to the grid and rising of power in steps to full power in line with the stage-wise clearances of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
• The compliance certificates from Ministry of Environment and Forest and Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board are issued for the plant.
• The capacity of KKNPP Unit-2 on full power operation would be 1000 MW. Electricity generated by central sector generating stations is allocated to the beneficiary states and union territories in the electricity region by the Ministry of Power.

23) Strategic Partnership for Skill Development in Aviation Sector.

• Airports Authority of India has entered into a strategic partnership for skill development in the aviation sector. AAI has already imparted skills training to 1000 youth in partnership with the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) and released funds to CIDC based on the progress of the project and placement offers to the candidates.
• Priority for job opportunity has been given while finalizing the partnership. NSDC, the Implementation organization has been advised to carry out market survey so as to ensure employment opportunity to at least 70% of the trained candidates.

24) ECI launched National Electoral Roll Purification 2016.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) gives importance to enrolment of all eligible citizens and to assist electors to reach and cast their votes in a hassle free way by establishing Polling stations (PSs) at a conveniently located building. ``No voter to be left behind`` is the motto of ECI for year 2016.
• National Electoral Roll Purification (NERP) programme has been launched this week across the country with intensive verification by the Commissions’ field functionaries and stakeholders interaction, to enhance the purity and fidelity of Electoral Rolls (ERs) and to standardization of PS for electors convenience and facilitate electors reach his PS with ease.

25) Odisha to Set up Judicial Commission to Reform Jagannath temple.

• The people of Odisha over breaking of age-old traditions in Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri, the state government announced that a judicial commission will be set up to bring reforms in the management of the 12th century shrine.
• Stating that former administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Mohinimohan Tripathy would assist the commission to deal with six subjects.
• The subjects on which the judicial commission would deal would include security arrangement of the temple, proper management of the Lord`s rituals, devotees` amenities, training and amenities for the family members of servitors, propaganda of Jagannath cult and whatever the commission deems to be required for the best management of the Temple.

26) Green nod for Odisha power project.

• A State green panel has given first-stage clearance to Orissa Integrated Power Ltd (OIPL) for diverting 17.02 hectares of revenue forestland to set up a 4,000 MW in Sundargarh district in Odisha at a cost of Rs. 29,000 crore.
• The ultra mega power project (UMPP) requires a total of 1,302.36 hectares, Regional Empowered Committee (REC), the proposal of the Orissa Integrated Power Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of State-run Power Finance Corporation of India.

27) NDMC signs MoU with NEERI to develop sewage treatment plants.

• Develop green areas and revamp big and small parks under its jurisdiction, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) have signed an agreement with National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to develop 12 sewage treatment plants (STP).
• The council has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the agency that has an expertise in the field and the project will help increase the green cover in NDMC areas and curb dust pollution.
• There are 200 small parks in several colonies under NDMC and five big parks including Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park, and Sanjay Jheel, where the footfall is huge.

28) LokSabha passes Bill to establish new NIT in Andhra Pradesh.

• The Lok Sabha passed the National Institute of Technology, Science, Education and Research (Amendment) (NITSER) Bill, 2015fu6 to establish a National Institute of Technology in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Bill amends the NITSER Act 2007 so as to establish an additional NIT in Andhra Pradesh. While Rs. 40 crore has been allocated for the establishment of the new NIT in the current financial year, an outlay of Rs. 226 crore has been made for the institute over the next three years.

29) Solar power tree developed for generation of electricity.

• The Ministry of Science and Technology has come up with a `Solar Power Tree`, an innovative way to generate electricity using solar power in a limited space.
• Developed by the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, a laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Solar Power Tree model is actually designed like a tree with branches made of steel to hold the photovoltaic panel.
• It holds the panels at a higher height - thus gets more sun (by 1 hour) in a day in comparison to that of conventional layout on ground. This could also be rotated so that the photovoltaic panel gets more sunlight.

30) India first to contribute to UN trust fund.

• India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries in UN peacekeeping operations, has contributed USD 100,000 to a trust fund set up for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers, becoming the first country to make a contribution to the fund.
• The United Nations Department of Field Support (DFS) announced that India provided USD 100,000 for the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
• The department also announced the launch of a new mandatory e-learning programme for all uniformed and civilian personnel to strengthen training on the standards of conduct, as well as the expectations of accountability and individual responsibility in matters of conduct and discipline, with a special focus on sexual exploitation and abuse.

31) India to become Daimler`s mobility strategy hub.

• Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz announced plans to multiply the engineering workforce at its Bangalore research facility.
• The facility, which currently has Daimler`s second-biggest team of dedicated software professionals, will become the strategy hub for testing Daimler`s plans for becoming a mobility services company following recent trends in the automotive industry.

32) Centre approves 12 India Reserve Battalions.

• Thirteen new armed police battalions, including one comprising mostly tribals from the worst Maoist-hit districts, will be raised by the government to tackle the Naxal menace.
• The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 12 India Reserve
• Battalions for the Left Wing Extremism affected states. Of the 12 battalions, four will be raised in Chhattisgarh, three each in Jharkhand and Odisha and two in Maharashtra.

33) Kerala Government launches first ever Water Metro project in the country.

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched integrated water transport the Kochi Water Metro project would be completed in four years.
• Water transport expected to give a much needed fillip to the city’s huge but untapped potential of waterways.
• The government would closely monitor the project to ensure that it was implemented in a time-bound manner. The potential to influence the development of the greater Kochi area and improve the standard of living of its residents.
• The Water metro project involves purchase of two variants of air-conditioned and Wi-Fi enabled catamaran passenger ferries with a capacity of 50 and 100 passengers.
• The boats will operate at an optimal speed of eight knots, with the potential to go up to 12 knots once the dedicated water transit corridor is established.

34) Maharashtra CM launches pilot project of e-complaint system.

• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis flagged off a pilot e-complaint project by the Pune Police which enables citizens to file a police complaint from home.
• The police for improving the conviction rate and help the state rise from the lowest rankings in the country to become one with the highest conviction rates.
• The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) will help the police analyze data, and trends in crime to formulate a strategy.

35) All India Institute of Homoeopathy proposed to be set up at Narela, New Delhi: Construction of the three new Institutes of AYUSH: Shri Shripad Yesso Naik.

• The Government plans to establish an All India Institute of Homoeopathy (AIIH) at Narela, New Delhi. It will be a Post Graduate and Doctoral Research institute.
• The civil works of the three new institutes namely, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy (NEIAH), Shillong and North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine (NEIFM), Pasighat is complete and these institutes are to be operationalized during the current year (2016-17).

36) India-US Launch Innovative Agriculture Programme to Address Global Challenges.

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the second phase of the Feed the Future India Triangular Training Programme, bringing specialized agriculture training to 1,500 agricultural professional across Africa and Asia.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. 

• Kerala government has decided to ban `electronic cigarette` in view of studies claiming that its use can cause various health issues, including cancer and heart ailments.
• E-cigarettes are handy devices that emit doses of vaporized nicotine.
• A series of studies conducted in the US and Japan has proved that the usage of e-cigarette would cause cancer and heart ailments.

• Emphasizing on the need to ensure quality of teachers, HRD minister Smriti Irani Launches a teacher`s education portal `Prashikshak`.
• `Prashikshak` is launched with a vision to strengthen District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) and bring quality teachers into the Indian school education system.
• Prashikshak is a unique IT initiative, a first of its kind in the country, which will contain a comprehensive database of all DIETs in the country with all relevant performance indicators.
• It will help benchmark DIETs to enable aspiring teachers to make informed choices about their future. At the same time, it will give the opportunity to Central and State Governments to do real time monitoring of the institutions.

• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received environment clearance for upgrading the 146 km long carriageway of Kanpur (Chakeri) to Allahabad section of NH-2 in Uttar Pradesh at a cost of Rs. 1,246 crore.
• Based on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) the Environment Ministry gave environment clearance to the NHAIs proposal.
• The total length of the proposed road section is 145.31 km, which passes through three districts Kanpur, Fatehpur and Kaushambi in UP.

• In a pro-workers move, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu launched NIVARAN portal, an online system for redressal of service related grievance of serving and former railway employees.
• This online system facilitates the employees to lodge their grievances and also monitor their progress.
• Railways being the single biggest civilian employer in the country with over 13 lakh strong workforce have created a well-structured multi-layered enterprise wide mechanism for addressing staff matters.

• It is a consensus amongst geoscientists that India is endowed with large mineral resource and has geological environment for many others on account of similarity of geological set up with Australia, South Africa, South America etc.
• The MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 has brought in transparency in allocation of mineral concessions in terms of Prospecting License and Mining Lease. The present Non Exclusive Reconnaissance Permit (NERP) which does not allow seamless transitions to prospecting and mining licenses.
• The private sectors do not seem to be enthused to take up high risk of exploration. National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) prescribes for incentivizing the participation of private companies in exploration.

• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a smart model village pilot project at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The five villages which will be developed into smart villages under this pilot project are Dhaula, Alipur, Harichandpur and Taj Nagar in Gurgaon district; and Rojka Meo in Mewat district of Haryana.
• this pilot project on the occasion of the inauguration of the Intelligent Operations Centre (IOC) at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the launching of a Mobile App ‘Monitor’ for transformation of President’s Estate into a smart township

• The Indian railways will be claiming Rs. 500 crore, half of the Nirbhaya fund, to install and maintain CCTV cameras at railway stations around the country. This comes after the government failed to utilize Rs. 1,000 crore allotted to the Nirbhaya fund for women safety projects after the first two years of it being set up.
• There are roughly about 8000 railway stations in the country, which brings us to 156 CCTV cameras per railway station in the country. But the railways don`t even plan to implement this nationwide! They only plan to equip 1,000 stations - which mean 1250 cameras per station.

• A Rapid Rural Police Response System was launched across Punjab to ensure prompt and effective police response in the state`s over 12,000 villages.
• Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who launched the scheme, also flagged off 400 new motorcycles and 220 new Bolero jeeps under the new system.
• Police will respond to any crime or law and order situation within 20 minutes of it being reported. Any resident of a rural area in Punjab can make a call to police helpline 100 for any kind of police assistance. The new round-the-clock system will respond to all kinds of emergencies or `call-for-help`.

• The Sports Ministry granted recognition to Paralympic Committee of India, giving a huge confidence boost to the several para-athletes who have qualified for Rio Paralympics.
• The International Paralympics Committee announced temporary lifting of suspension imposed on the national body last year so that Indians can take part under the tri-color in the showpiece event in September.

• Texts from the holy books of various religions will be incorporated in the curriculum of government schools in Haryana from this month.
• The subject of moral education which includes religious texts from `Bhagavad Gita` (Hindu religion), `Quran` (Islam), the `Bible` (Christianity) and `Guru Granth Sahib` (Sikhism) will be introduced at a programme to be held in the Kurukshetra University auditorium.

• Assam government has decided to introduce "File tracking" mechanism as part of its effort to bring in transparency in governance and to allow common people track the position of a file.
• Finance Department will also take recourse to `on-line` system to prepare budget and distribute the same to all offices and maintain a constant link with the Reserve Bank of India through a Core Banking Solution `e-Kuber`.
• The Chief Minister also stressed on the need for a comprehensive and planned development of the tourism sector in Assam.

• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh inaugurated country`s first commercial dispute resolution centre and commercial court in the state capital.
• Commercial Court will serve as a milestone for resolving law related problems and improving the law functionary in the state.
• The commercial court is located in Naya Raipur area of the city.

• Ministries of external affairs and skill development & entrepreneurship have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for implementing Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY), a skill development initiative.
• PKVY will train and certify Indian workforce keen on overseas employment in select sector, in line with international standards. It will be implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) through its training partners, in consultation with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) and the skill development ministry.

• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Swami Vivekananda Sabhagar at Kathak Kendra of Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi.
• In carrying forward and strengthening the great artistic legacy of India, the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Kathak Kendra have done an exemplary job.

• It is a consensus amongst geoscientists that India is endowed with large mineral resource and has geological environment for many others on account of similarity of geological set up with Australia, South Africa, South America etc.
• Survey and exploration have been broadly concentrated on surficial and shallow mineral deposits. Exploration for deep and concealed deposits is a cost-intensive and high-risk enterprise which requires state-of-the-art technology and expertise.

• Kerala government has decided to ban `electronic cigarette` in view of studies claiming that its use can cause various health issues, including cancer and heart ailments.
• The e-cigarettes are being marketed in Kerala through unauthorized courier services and online sites.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port becomes the first port in the country to implement logistics data tagging of containers. Jawaharlal Nehru Port implemented the logistics data bank tagging of containers, first of its kind facility, which will help importers/ exporters track their goods in transit through logistics data bank service.
• An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) tag would be attached to each container which would be tracked through RIFD readers installed at different locations.
• This would provide the ‘Visibility’ and `Transparency` of the EXIM Container Movement by covering the entire movement through rail or road till the ICDs (Inland Container Depot) and CFSs (Container Freight Station).
• This has been one of the important `Ease of Doing Business` initiatives implemented at Jawaharlal Nehru Port focused towards document, time and cost reduction for the benefit of trade 

• MoU between India and Mauritius in the field of Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation.
• Cabinet approves Redevelopment of seven GPRA colonies in Delhi.
• Joint issue of postage stamp between Department of Posts and Portugal Post.
• Cabinet approves Revision of pension of BSNL Pensioners Removing Anomalies.
• MoU between India and Mozambique in the field of Drug demand reduction and prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and import of pulses through long-term contract.
• The High Courts (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 for enabling changing the names of High Courts of Bombay and Madras.
• Cabinet approves creation of one post of Chief Works Manager in the Mechanical Department on Eastern Railway.
• Cabinet approves the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.
• MoU between India and Tanzania in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
• Cabinet approves setting up a Major port at Enayam near Colachel in Tamil Nadu.

• Cabinet Ministers
• Venkaiah Naidu: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
• Ananth Kumar: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
• Prakash Javdekar: Ministry of Human Resource Development
• Ravi Shankar Prasad: Ministry of Law & Justice
• Narendra Singh Tomar: Ministry of Rural Development Ministry
• Smriti Zubin Irani: Ministry of Textiles

Ministers of State

• Vijay Goel: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Independent Charge)
• Piyush Goyal: Ministry of Mines (Independent Charge)
• Anil Madhav Dave: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge)
• Santosh Kumar Gangwar: Ministry of Finance
• Faggan Singh Kulaste: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• S. Ahluwalia: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
• Ramdas Athawale: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Rajen Gohain: Ministry of Railways
• Jayant Sinha: Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Arjun Ram Meghwal: Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs
• Mahendra Nath Pandey: Ministry of Human Resource Development
• Ajay Tamta: Ministry of Textiles
• Anupriya Patel: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• R. Chaudhary: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
• P. Chaudhary: Ministry of Law & Justice

• Thirteen districts in Madhya Pradesh will be covered under the upcoming phase of the Centre`s "Mission Indradhanush" initiative aimed at full immunization of all children in the country.
• This Workshop organized by the Department of Health and Family Welfare and UNICEF
• 53.6% children under two years of age are fully immunized in Madhya Pradesh according to NFHS-IV (National Family Health Survey).

• TRAI Launched an app for measuring real time mobile Internet speed that consumers get. TRAI start the process within a month to frame new service quality norms for wireless data.
• TRAI had issued service quality benchmark for wireless data earlier but telecom operators have complained that ``law of physics`` does not guarantee minimum speed that they can provide to consumers.

• Rajasthan has become the first state in the country that has fixed minimum wages for part-time workers and employees. According to major decision taken by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
• A part-timer employee will certainly get full day salary if he or she completes four hours of duty and will be paid half salary if he or she works for less than four hours. After this landmark decision, part-time workers have now come under Minimum Wages Act 1948.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the chair approved the interest subvention scheme for farmers for 2016-17.
• The government has earmarked a sum of Rs. 18,276 crore for this purpose. This will help farmers getting short term crop loan payable within one year up to Rs. 3 lakhs at only 4 per cent per annum.
• According to the scheme, the central government will provide interest subvention of 5 per cent per annum to all farmers for short term crop loan up to one year for loan up to Rs. 3 lakh borrowed by them during 2016-17.