1. Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 released for stakeholder consultation
Tags: National National News
To amend the British-era law for the port sector, the government has released the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 for stakeholder consultation.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- It has been drafted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to ports for prevention of pollution at ports and to ensure compliance of the country's obligation under maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party.
Measures for the protection of ports have also been mentioned in the bill.
This Bill 2022 will repeal and replace the existing Indian Ports Act, 1908.
The proposed bill will streamline the development of the maritime sector, while also promoting ease of doing business by defining unnecessary delays, disagreements and responsibilities.
Objectives of the bill :
To promote inter-state and Centre-State integrated planning through a purely advisory and recommendatory framework.
Ensuring prevention of pollution measures for all ports in India involving India's obligations under international treaties.
Addressing the gaps in the dispute resolution framework required for the growing port sector
Introducing transparency and collaboration in development and other aspects through the use of data.
To empower and establish State Maritime Boards for effective administration, control and management of non-major ports in India.
To provide an adjudicatory mechanism for redressal of port related disputes.
To set up a National Council to promote the structured growth and development of the port sector.
Ensuring optimum utilization of India's coastline.
Why was this bill brought ?
The Indian Ports Act, 1908 is over 110 years old.
It is now imperative that the law be amended to reflect the current framework, incorporate India's international obligations, address emerging environmental concerns and assist in the consultative development of the port sector in the national interest.
Importance of Ports in India :
India has 7,500 km of coastline, 14,500 km of potential navigable waterways and strategic bases on major international maritime trade routes.
About 95% of India's trade by volume and 65% by value is carried out through sea transport facilitated by ports.
Several port-led development initiatives have been identified and taken up under the aegis of the Sagarmala Project of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
2. Goa is the first Har Ghar Jal State in the country and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu the first Union Territory
Tags: National Government Schemes
According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Goa has become the first 'Har Ghar Jal' certified state in the country, where now all households have access to clean water through taps.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The people of all the villages in both these states and union territories have declared their village as 'Har Ghar Jal' through a resolution passed by the Gram Sabha and certified that safe drinking water is provided to all the households in the villages through taps.
The ministry said potable water is available through tap connections to all 2.63 lakh rural households in Goa and 85,156 households in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
All two lakh 63 thousand rural households of Goa and more than 85 thousand families of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are now getting clean and safe drinking water through taps.
First 'Har Ghar Jal' certified district in the country :
Last month, the ministry had informed that Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh has become the first 'Har Ghar Jal' certified district in the country.
Till then, Burhanpur was the only district in the country where people from each of the 254 villages had declared their villages as 'Har Ghar Jal' through a resolution passed by the Gram Sabha.
Jal Jeevan Mission :
It is a flagship programme of the Government of India which was announced from the ramparts of Red Fort by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2019.
The objective of the mission is to supply potable tap water in adequate quantity, prescribed quality and on a regular and long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024.
It is implemented by the Government of India in partnership with the States/Union Territories.
This mission comes under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Funding Pattern :
The fund sharing pattern between the Center and the states under the mission is 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern states and 50:50 for other states.
In the case of Union Territories, 100% contribution is made by the Centre.
3. HAL to open office in Kuala Lumpur for business operations in Southeast Asia
Tags: International News
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a MoU to set up an office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This office will help HAL to tap new business opportunities for Fighter Lead-in Trainer (FLIT) and other requirements of Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) such as Su-30 MKM and Hawk upgrade.
This will strengthen India's commitment in supporting the Malaysian Defence Forces and industry for a sustainable aerospace and defence landscape in Malaysia.
HAL had submitted a proposal in October 2021 for the supply of 18 FLIT LCAs against a global tender issued by RMAF to the Ministry of Defence, Malaysia.
Being one of the largest producers of Russian-origin Su-30 aircraft, HAL stated that it has the capability to provide necessary support to the RMAF for the Su-30 MKM fleet, which is facing low serviceability due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Other HAL platforms such as HTT-40, Do-228, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) are likely to be inducted by the RMAF in the future.
HAL's office in Kuala Lumpur will market promotion of HAL's range of products and services not only in Malaysia but throughout Southeast Asia.
4. Thai Public Broadcasting Service signs MoU with Prasar Bharati
Tags: International Relations International News
The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) on 18 August signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati for comprehensive cooperation between Thailand and India to strengthen their bilateral ties.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Thai PBS and Prasar Bharati share the same values as public broadcasters.
The MoU will contribute to better understanding between the peoples of the two countries and is the first step in cooperation in exchange of news and programmes.
Indian Ambassador to Thailand Suchitra Durai represented Prasar Bharati in signing the MoU.
Both countries also signed MoU on Health and Medical Research Cooperation between Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand.
India -Thailand relations :
The year 2022 is the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both countries share a maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea.
Thailand was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947.
In 2021, Thailand became India's fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN.
In 2021-22, Thailand was India's 22nd top trading partner, with a total trade of US$6.6 billion.
The MoU on Defence Cooperation between India and Thailand was signed on 25 January 2012.
Since 2015, India has participated in the largest Asia Pacific military exercise Ex-Cobra Gold as an 'Observer Plus' category.
5. Thai Public Broadcasting Service signs MoU with Prasar Bharati
Tags: International Relations International News
The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) on 18 August signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati for comprehensive cooperation between Thailand and India to strengthen their bilateral ties.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Thai PBS and Prasar Bharati share the same values as public broadcasters.
The MoU will contribute to better understanding between the peoples of the two countries and is the first step in cooperation in exchange of news and programmes.
Indian Ambassador to Thailand Suchitra Durai represented Prasar Bharati in signing the MoU.
Both countries also signed MoU on Health and Medical Research Cooperation between Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand.
India -Thailand relations :
The year 2022 is the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both countries share a maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea.
Thailand was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947.
In 2021, Thailand became India's fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN.
In 2021-22, Thailand was India's 22nd top trading partner, with a total trade of US$6.6 billion.
The MoU on Defence Cooperation between India and Thailand was signed on 25 January 2012.
Since 2015, India has participated in the largest Asia Pacific military exercise Ex-Cobra Gold as an 'Observer Plus' category.
6. India, Thailand jointly inaugurate Indian Embassy Residence Complex in Bangkok
Tags: International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar inaugurated the Indian Embassy Residence Complex in Bangkok along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai on 17 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Jaishankar is on a visit to Thailand to attend the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission meeting.
He also paid a visit to the Temple of Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.
9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting was held in Bangkok on 17 August.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs of Thailand and S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India.
Both countries discussed advancing contacts in political, economic, security as well as defence, connectivity and health domains.
The two sides also discussed cooperation within ASEAN and BIMSTEC and shared their perspectives on the Indo-Pacific.
About Thailand :
Primeminister - Prayuth Chan-ocha
Capital - Bangkok
Head Of State - King Vajiralongkorn
Official Language -Thai
Official Name - Ratcha Anachak Thai (Kingdom of Thailand)
7. Amit Shah inaugurates National Security Strategies Conference
Tags: National News
Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a two day National Security Strategies (NSS) Conference 2022 in New Delhi on 18 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- 600 officials from across the country are participating physically and virtually in this conference.
The conference is organized by the Intelligence Bureau.
On the first day of the conference, various aspects of national security were discussed, including terrorism, radicalization, issues related to cryptocurrencies, unwanted drone technology and challenges posed by Maoist organisations.
During the conference, the Home Minister emphasized the importance of human intelligence to combat terrorism.
He underlined the important role of district level police officers in identifying emerging terror hotspots.
National Security Strategy (NSS) :
It is an important framework for a country to meet the basic needs and security concerns of its citizens.
It addresses external and internal threats to the country.
Such a strategy should be executed within the parameters laid down by the Constitution of India and the democratic political system of the country.
Previous exercises undertaken under NSS was the Kargil Review Committee report (2000), the Report of the Naresh Chandra Task Force on Security (2012).
National Automated Fingerprint Identification System :
Amit Shah also inaugurated the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
This system will help in quick and easy disposal of cases with the help of a centralized fingerprint database.
It has been developed by the National Crime Records Bureau.
8. Cabinet approves interest subvention of 1.5% per annum on Short Term Agriculture Loan upto Rs 3 lakh
Tags: National Government Schemes Economics/Business
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved restoration of interest subvention on short-term agricultural loans to 1.5 percent for all financial institutions.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This decision has been taken to ensure adequate credit flow to the agriculture sector.
Against short term loans of up to Rs 3 lakh given to farmers for the financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25 to lending institutions (public and private sector banks, small finance banks, regional rural banks, co-operative banks) 1.5 percent interest subvention will be given.
Under this, an additional budgetary provision of Rs 34,856 crore would be required for the period from 2022-23 to 2024-25 for increasing the interest subvention.
Background :
Ensuring uninterrupted credit to farmers at affordable rates has been the top priority of the Government of India.
Keeping this in mind, the Kisan Credit Card scheme was launched for the farmers, to empower them to buy agricultural products and services by taking loans at any time.
To ensure that farmers can pay the minimum rate of interest to the bank, the Government of India launched the Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS), which has now been renamed as the Revised Interest Subvention Scheme (RISS).
Its objective is to provide short term loans to farmers at low interest rates.
Benefit to farmers :
The increase in interest subvention will help in ensuring stability of credit flow to the agriculture sector.
This will ensure the financial position and viability of the lending institutions especially the Regional Rural Banks and Co-operative Banks.
This will ensure adequate agricultural credit to the rural economy.
More and more farmers will get the benefit of agriculture loan.
This will help in employment generation, as short term agricultural loans are provided for all activities including animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, fisheries.
Kisan Credit Card Scheme :
It provides loans to farmers all over India so that farmers can reduce the financial crunch during farming.
It was introduced in 1998 by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development on the recommendation of R V Gupta.
In 2004, it was extended for investment in non-farm activities keeping in view the credit requirement of farmers.
In Budget-2018-19, the government announced the extension of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) facility to fisheries and animal husbandry farmers.
9. London home of Dadabhai Naoroji gets Blue Plaque honour
Tags: International News
Dadabhai Naoroji's south London home, where he lived for eight years in the late 19th century, has received a commemorative 'blue plaque' award.
Important facts
Under the 'Blue Plaque' scheme, the English Heritage Charity honours historically significant buildings across London.
Naoroji made seven trips to England and lived in London for more than three decades.
Naoroji's plaque was unveiled on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence.
Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji (4 September 1825 – 30 June 1917) was a Parsi intellectual, educationist, cotton merchant and early political and social leader of British India.
He is also known as 'Grand Old Man of India' and 'Official Ambassador of India'.
He proposed the principle of economic exit or drain of money.
Dadabhai Naoroji founded the East India Association in London in 1866.
Poverty and UnBritish Rule in India is a major book written by him.
10. Centre notifies India’s 31st elephant reserve in Tamil Nadu
Tags: National News
The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced notification of one more elephant reserve (ER) in the country in Tamil Nadu on 12 August 2022.
Important facts
The new reserve will be spread over an area of 1,197 sq km at Agasthyamalai.
This will be the 31st ER of the country after the Singphan Elephant Reserve (ER) in Nagaland was notified in 2018.
Agasthiyamalai is Tamil Nadu’s 5th Elephant Reserve and also a Bioshphere Reserve.
The Indian elephant (Elephas maximus) is found in the central and southern Western Ghats, northeast India, eastern India and parts of northern India and southern peninsular India.
It is included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
According to the 2017 Census the population of elephants in India has reached up to about 27,312.
Karnataka has the highest number of elephants (6,049), followed by Assam (5,719) and Kerala (3,054).
