1. NGT fines Telangana government 3,800 crore rupees for improper waste management
Tags: Science and Technology State News
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an order delivered on 1 October 2022 has imposed a penalty of ₹3,800 crore on the Telangana government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said huge gaps exist in the management of solid and liquid waste in the southern state.
Providing clean air, water, hygiene and environment have to be the top priorities for good governance, the bench said, adding that the state could not avoid its constitutional responsibility of providing a pollution-free environment.
The NGT said compliance would be the chief secretary's responsibility and directed him to file progress reports every six months.
The NGT is monitoring compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and other environmental aspects by the states and Union territories.
National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. It deals with matters related to environmental protection and conservation of forest. Its headquarter is in New Delhi.
2. NASSCOM Foundation, DXC Tech to offer digital-skilling to over 1 million people
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
NASSCOM Foundation on September 28 announced its partnership with DXC Technology to open resource centres for imparting digital skills to rural communities in 20 aspirational districts.
Important facts
It will focus on skilling Indian youth as part of an eight-month project that is expected to collectively benefit 1 million people.
It will address the digital divide, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III cities where there are access barriers to technology.
20 resource centers for digital literacy and e-governance will be set up in aspirational districts of seven states namely Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
These centres will help in providing need-based information, e-resources and digital services that will impact citizens’ lives in alignment with the United Nation's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Resource centers will be equipped with digital resources such as computers and printers, online resources such as subscription channels, and physical resources such as books, magazines and newspapers to make digital tools accessible to the entire community.
Communities will also be linked to appropriate government schemes and e-governance services apart from receiving training in digital skills.
Through this initiative, youth in India will receive advanced technical training that will improve their employability skills to meet the market demands and 60% of the beneficiaries will get placement facilities after completing the course.
National Association of Software and Services Companies- NASSCOM
It is a not-for-profit industrial association which is the apex body for the IT industry in India.
It was established in 1988.
Due to its significant efforts, India's IT (Information Technology) and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry is getting a lot of support.
NASSCOM has made unprecedented contributions to India's GDP, exports, employment, infrastructure and global visibility.
3. BRICS members endorse South Africa's presidency in 2023
Tags: International News
The BRICS Foreign Ministers held their annual meeting on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 22 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The foreign ministers of BRICS member countries Brazil, Russia, India and China extended their full support to South Africa for the presidency of BRICS in 2023 and to hold the fifteenth summit.
The Ministers welcomed the Transforming Education Summit convened by the United Nations Secretary-General from 16-19 September 2022.
Member countries also welcomed the first "BRICS Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting", which was held virtually on 13 July.
The Ministers encouraged cooperation against corruption among BRICS countries on the basis of full consultation and consensus.
The Ministers reiterated their commitment to further strengthen cooperation within the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group in accordance with the existing International Drug Control Regime.
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development :
The Ministers called for the implementation of its three dimensions - economic, social and environmental - in a balanced and integrated manner by mobilising the necessary tools to implement the Sustainable Development Agenda in 2030.
They reaffirmed that the BRICS countries are committed to implementing the UN Education 2030 Agenda.
UN Education 2030 Agenda - promoting education accessibility and equity, accelerating the development of quality education and training, encouraging exchanges among the youths, strengthening knowledge on sustainable development, and providing BRICS contributions for global governance.
4. 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas', a collection of selected speeches of the Prime Minister, released
Tags: Books and Authors
A collection of selected speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was released on September 23 at Akashvani Bhawan in New Delhi.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The book titled 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas - Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks' depicts the Prime Minister's vision of a New India.
The book was released by former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan and Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About the book :
The book is a collection of 86 speeches delivered by the Prime Minister from May 2019 to May 2020.
The speeches are divided into ten thematic areas.
The thematic areas are - Atmanirbhar Bharat - Economy, People - First Governance, Fight Against COVID-19, Emerging India - Foreign Affairs, Jai Kisan, Tech India - New India, Green India - Resilient India - Clean India, Fit India - Efficient India, Eternal India - Modern India focuses on cultural heritage and 'Mann Ki Baat'.
The book will be available in both Hindi and English languages.
It reflects the ideas, determination, and decisiveness of Modi's government.
The book portrays the Prime Minister's vision of a new India and the leadership shown by him to make India the 5th largest economy in the world.
5. Supreme Court appoints Justice ‘L Nageswara Rao’ to frame the constitution of IOA and oversee its election
Tags: Sports Person in news
The Supreme Court on 22 September 2022, has appointed former Supreme Court judge L Nageswara Rao to prepare a road map for amending the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) constitution and conducting the election of the IOA by December 15, 2022.
This move of the court comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on September 8 issued a final warning to IOA to “resolve its governance issues” and hold elections by December, failing which the world sports body will ban India.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Background to the Issue :
- The IOA President Narendra Batra had to resign after the Delhi High Court ruled on 26 May 2022 that provision of life membership and life president in Hockey India was illegal.
- Narendra Batra contested and won the election of the IOA in 2017.
- He contested the election as being the Life Member and Life President in Hockey India.
- The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi high court order and asked the IOA to frame a new constitution which was in conformity with the National Sports guidelines of the country.
- However this move of the Court was seen as an interference by the IOC and it warned that it will suspend IOA.
6. Sequoia Capital Rajan Anandan appointed as the new chairman of Venture Capital Council
Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news
Sequoia India Managing Director Rajan Anandan has been appointed as the chairman of the eight member VC Council for 2022-24 by the Indian Venture & Alternate Capital Association (IVCA), on 21 September 2022.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The Indian Venture & Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) is apex body of the Venture fund and Alternate capital fund in India.
- The council was formed to strengthen governance practices for VCs and start-ups and continue working with government and its agencies to improve the environment for venture capital in India.
- The Venture Capital and Alternate Investment Fund is regulated by Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
7. 26th meeting of FSDC held in Mumbai
Tags: place in news Economy/Finance Summits
The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 26th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in Mumbai on 15 September 2022.
The meeting, which was attended by the chief of various financial sector regulators, discussed important financial issues which can affect the country’s financial sectors and its stability.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Financial issues discussed :
- It discussed the Early Warning Indicators for the economy and India’s preparedness to deal with them, improving the efficiency of the existing Financial/Credit Information Systems, issues of governance and management in Systemically Important Financial Institutions including Financial Market Infrastructures, strengthening cyber security framework in the financial sector,etc.
The meeting was attended by :
- Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Minister of State for Finance ;
- Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State for Finance ;
- Dr. T. V. Somanathan, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance;
- Shri Ajay Seth, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance;
- Shri Tarun Bajaj, Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance; Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance;
- Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance;
Head of Financial Sector Regulators :
- Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India;
- Ms. Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson, Securities and Exchange Board of India;
- Debasish Panda, Chairperson, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India;
- Supratim Bandyopadhyay, Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority;
- Ravi Mittal, Chairperson, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India, Shri Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson, International Financial Services Centers Authority, and the
- Secretary of the FSDC, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) :
- It was set up on the recommendation of the Raghu Ram Rajan committee on “Financial Sector Reform”.
- FSDC was set up by the Government of India in 2010.
Function of the FSDC :
- The Council monitors macro prudential supervision of the economy, including functioning of large financial conglomerates, and addresses inter-regulatory coordination and financial sector development issues.
- It also focuses on financial literacy and financial inclusion.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Sub-Committee of FSDC :
- The FSDC Sub-committee has also been set up under the chairmanship of Governor, RBI.
- All the members of the FSDC are also the members of the Sub-committee.
- All four Deputy Governors of the RBI are also the members of the Sub Committee.
Full Form :
- Financial Stability and Development Council
8. Nirmala Sitharaman releases N K Singh book “Recalibrate: Changing Paradigm”
Tags: Books and Authors
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released the book “Recalibrate: Changing Paradigm” authored by the 15th Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh and Former Agricultural Secretary P K Mishra in New Delhi on 13 September 2022.
The book has been published by Rupa and Co.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Other books authored by NK Singh :
- The New Bihar: Rekindling Governance and Development
- Not By Reason Alone
- The Politics of Change : A Ringside View
- Portraits Of Power'
About NK Singh :
- Nand Kishore Singh (NK Singh) is a former Indian Administrative Officer.
- He was the chairman of the 15th Finance Commission
9. Sheikh Hasina confers scholarships on descendants of Indian soldiers killed in Bangladesh Liberation War
Tags: International Relations International News
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship at a function in New Delhi on 7 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This scholarship was awarded for the first time to the descendants of soldiers, officers of the Armed Forces of India who were martyred or grievously injured during the historic liberation war of 1971.
This scholarship was awarded to 100 - 100 students of class 10 and 12 which is a tribute to the Indian heroes who made supreme sacrifice for the country.
The award is named after Hasina's father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A total of 200 family members of Indian Army personnel have received scholarships.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Liberation War of 1971 :
In the 1950s, Pakistan was ruled by a military-bureaucratic rule that ruled the entire country (East and West Pakistan) in an undemocratic manner.
The Bengalites had no political representation in this system of governance.
This dominance of West Pakistan was challenged by the Bengalis during the general elections of 1970.
In the general election of 1970, the Awami League of East Pakistan's Sheikh Mujibur Rahman got a clear majority.
West Pakistan was not ready for any leader of East Pakistan to rule the country.
On March 26, 1971, West Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight in East Pakistan.
As a result, lakhs of Bangladeshis had to take refuge in India.
The Pakistani army had to face defeat due to the bravery of the 'Muktiwahini Sena' and Indian soldiers who fought for the independence of Bangladesh.
On 6 December 1971, a new nation Bangladesh was born out of 13 days war with the intervention of India.
10. Haridwar declared best aspirational district in India
Tags: National National News
Haridwar city of Uttarakhand has been declared as the best aspirational district by NITI Aayog on the basis of five parameters.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- NITI Aayog has ranked Haridwar district first among 112 aspirational districts of the country in the theme of basic infrastructure.
As an award, an additional allocation of three crores will be made to the district.
The aspirational district Haridwar has got the first prize twice before this. In February 2019, the district got the first prize on the theme of Agriculture and Water Resources, while in July 2019, it got the first position in all the sectors.
Aspirational District Program :
The program, launched in January 2018, aims to rapidly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country.
This scheme has been implemented along with the central and state schemes.
In its successful implementation, central, state level 'in-charge' officers and district collectors play an important role.
The ranking of aspirational districts combines innovative use of data with practical governance, placing the district at the centre of inclusive growth.
Parameters for Best Aspirational District :
It envisages rapid development of selected districts on the basis of a composite index based on five parameters -
Health and Nutrition
Education
Financial Inclusion and Skill Development
Agriculture and Water Resources
Basic Infrastructure
