1. Bihar college astronomy lab on Unesco heritage list
Tags: State News
UNESCO has included the 106-year-old astronomical observatory at Langat Singh College in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, in the list of important endangered heritage observatories of the world.
Important facts
The observatory was built in 1916 in the 123-year-old college, which is now affiliated to the Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University.
Probably the first planetarium in India was also established in the college in 1946.
The observatory and planetarium were functioning satisfactorily until the early 1970s. But gradually their use started decreasing over time.
At present, it is lying completely idle and most of the expensive machines in the observatory have either disappeared or become junk.
What is the List of World Heritage in Danger?
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) compiles the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The list includes world heritage sites that are under threat from various conditions such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, wars, pollution, uncontrolled urbanization, poaching and uninterrupted tourist development.
2. African swine fever confirmed in Kannur, Kerala
Tags: State News
Recently, African Swine Fever has been confirmed for the first time in a private pig farm in Kerala, in the last ten days more than 15 pigs died on the farm due to the disease.
About African Swine Fever
African swine fever is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild boars.
It was first found in Africa in the 1920s.
Historically, infections have been reported in Africa and parts of Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.
However, since the year 2007, the disease has been reported in domestic and wild pigs in several countries in Africa, Asia and Europe.
It has a mortality rate of around 95-100% and there is no cure for this fever, so the only way to stop its spread is to kill animals.
African swine fever does not pose a threat to humans, as it only spreads from animal to animal.
African swine fever is a disease listed in the Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
World animal health organisation
It is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving the health of animals around the world.
It currently has a total of 182 countries as its members. India is one of its member countries.
It develops standard documents relating to the rules by which member states can protect themselves from diseases and pathogens. One of these is the Regional Animal Health Code.
Its standards are recognized by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as reference to the organisation's International Sanitation Rules.
Its headquarter is located in Paris (France).
3. 7 new districts in West Bengal
Tags: State News
The West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee decided to create seven new districts in the state to ease the administrative work.
Important facts
Earlier there were 23 districts in Bengal which has now increased to 30.
The names of the seven new districts are Sunderban, Ichmeti, Ranaghat, Bishnupur, Jangipur, Behrampur, Basirhat.
One new Sunderbans district will be created from South 24-Parganas district and two new districts will be created from North 24-Parganas district.
Ichhamati district in Bongaon subdivision and another district (whose name is yet to be decided) in Basirhat will be created.
Ranaghat, a town and municipality in Nadia district, will become the fourth new district.
A new district named Bishnupur will be created from the existing Bankura district and two new districts Baharampur and Jangipur will be created from Murshidabad district.
How and why are districts created or abolished in India?
The state governments have the right to create districts or change their borders.
The government can pass a law in the Legislative Assembly or simply issue an order and notify it in the Official Gazette.
There is no interference of the Centre in this matter.
According to a website run by the Government of India, there are currently 718 districts in the country.
About West Bengal
Neighbouring Countries - It is bordered by Bangladesh in the east, Nepal and Bhutan in the north.
Neighbouring States - Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim and Odisha are joined by its border.
Capital- Kolkata
Governor- Jagdeep Dhangarh
Chief Minister- Mamata Banerjee
Number of Assembly seats - 294
Lok Sabha seats- 42
Rajya Sabha seats- 16
4. Chamba's Minjar fair got international status, notification issued
Tags: State News
After the Governor's approval to the 'Minjar Mela' to be celebrated in Chamba Valley of Himachal Pradesh, the Secretary, Department of Language and Culture, Rajesh Kanwar has issued its notification.
Important facts
This year it has been celebrated from 24 July to 31 July 2022.
Actually, the inflorescence of the maize plant is called Minjar.
When the flowers bloom on the maize, Minjar Mela is celebrated and tourists from all over the country come to participate in this fair.
Minjar Mela is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the king of Chamba over the ruler of Trigarta (now known as Kangra) in 935 AD.
It is said that on the return of their victorious king, people greeted him with garlands of paddy and maize, which are symbols of prosperity and happiness.
This fair is organised on the second Sunday of the month of Shravan.
Minjar, a silk pendant worn by men and women alike on parts of the dress, is distributed at the time of the announcement of the fair.
The week-long fair begins when the Minjar flag is hoisted at the historic Chaugan.
Other world famous fairs of India
Fair | State |
Gangasagar Fair | West Bengal |
Kumbh Mela (in 12 years) | Nashik, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Ujjain |
Pushkar (Camel) Fair | Rajasthan |
Sonepur Cattle Fair | Bihar |
Hemis Gompa Fair | Ladakh |
Ambubasi Fair | Assam |
Chandrabhaga Fair | Jhalawar (Rajasthan) |
Nauchandi Fair | Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) |
Surajkund Handicraft Fair | Haryana |
Magh Mela | Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) |
Medaram Jatara | Telangana |
Surajkund Fair | Haryana |
Onam fair | Kerala |
Elephant Festival | Jaipur (Rajasthan) |
Sonpur fair | Bihar |
Rath Yatra | Odisha |
Kans Mela | Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) |
5. Assam CM launches digital process of issuance of caste certificate for students
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 1 launched 'Mission Bhumiputra', a digital way to issue digital caste certificates to students.
Important facts
The Chief Minister inaugurated the Bhumiputra Portal in a program organized at Shrimant Sankardev Kalakshetra.
This mission is being implemented by the Department of Tribal Affairs and Social Justice and Empowerment.
Now the manual system of issuing caste certificates will be abolished.
The Deputy Commissioner will give the format of applications for caste certificates to the headmasters of educational institutions from August 8.
The Headmaster will fill the application forms and send it to the Deputy Commissioners, after which the application will be forwarded to the respective caste or tribe boards.
Thereafter, the Deputy Commissioner will hold a meeting with the boards to decide on the protocol for issuance of caste certificates to the students.
If any doubts arise in the process, the application may be sent for further verification.
The certificates will be available in Digi Locker under the IT Act, digitally signed by the respective Deputy Commissioners.
With the launch of Mission Bhumiputra, the problems people faced earlier regarding securing documents will be solved.
6. Parliamentary panel reviews Goa’s uniform civil code
Tags: State News
A parliamentary committee reviewed Goa's Uniform Civil Code. Some members of the committee believe that it contains some strange and outdated provisions related to marriage.
Important facts
The Goa Civil Code, applicable to citizens of all religions and origins of the coastal state, is at the centre of discussion amid calls for a uniform civil code across the country.
States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have proposed to implement Uniform Civil Code.
Members of Parliament's Standing Committee on Law Personnel Affairs, headed by Sushil Kumar Modi, had visited Goa in June and reviewed the civil code there.
Goa Civil Code
In 1867, Portugal enacted a Portuguese civil code, and in 1869 it was extended to the overseas provinces of Portugal (which included Goa).
It is considered a Uniform Civil Code.
Generally, the Goa Civil Code is far more gender-justifiable than other laws in the country.
The law does not recognize bigamy or polygamy, including by Muslims.
The law provides for compulsory registration of marriage before a civil authority, ensuring that the wife is an equal heir and entitled to half of the "common property".
The parents have to compulsorily share at least half of the property with their children including daughters.
What is a Uniform Civil Code?
Uniform Civil Code means one law for the whole country, which is applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
Article 44 of the Constitution talks about securing a Uniform Civil Code for every citizen of the country.
Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Article 37 of the Constitution makes it clear that the DPSP "shall not be enforced by any court"but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance.
The Supreme Court for the first time directed the Parliament to frame a uniform civil code in the year 1985 in Shah Bano case.
7. PM Modi inaugurates India’s first international bullion exchange at GIFT city, Gandhinagar
Tags: Economy/Finance State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29 July launched 'India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX)', the country's first international bullion exchange near Gandhinagar.
Important facts
He visited India's first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) on 29 July.
Gandhinagar’s GIFT city is an international financial services hub set up by the Gujarat government outside the State capital.
The exchange will facilitate efficient price discovery with responsible sourcing and quality assurance, besides promoting financialization of gold in India.
India is the second largest consumer of gold in the world and the establishment of IIBX is seen as India's effort to bring transparency in the market for this precious metal.
In addition, setting up of IIBX could lead to standard pricing of gold in the country and make it easier for small bullion dealers and jewellers to trade the precious metal.
India, a leading importer of bullion
India is a major importer of the metal and imported 1,069 tonnes of gold in 2021, up from 430 tonnes in 2020.
Currently, only designated banks and agencies approved by the Reserve Bank of India in the country can import gold and sell it to dealers and jewellers across the country.
Foundation stone of IFSCA
PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the headquarters building of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
IFSCA is the country’s first and only IFSC in line with those in UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong.
IFSCA will support innovation and also act as a catalyst for growth opportunities in the financial services sector in the country.
8. Tamil Nadu established a District Climate Change Mission in 38 districts
Tags: State News
The Government of Tamil Nadu has recently established a District Climate Change Mission in 38 districts of the state.
Important facts
With a view to strengthen the government response at the grassroots level, the Tamil Nadu government has set up District Climate Change Missions.
Earlier in March, the state government had issued orders for the formation of the "Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission", an initiative with a "vision to make Tamil Nadu a climate smart state".
DCCM will be administered by District Collectors as 'Mission Director' while District Forest Officer (DFO) will act as 'Climate Officer'.
Collectors will prepare district-level climate change mitigation and adaptation plans and provide inputs for low-carbon, climate-resilient development plans.
The Tamil Nadu government has allocated Rs.3.80 crore for district level mission activities.
About Tamil Nadu
Formation- 26 January 1950
Capital- Chennai
Governor- Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Chief Minister- M.K. Stalin
Assembly - 234 seats
Lok Sabha - 39 seats
Rajya Sabha - 18 seats
9. Establishment of cooperative bank run by women for the first time in Rajasthan
Tags: Economy/Finance State News
A MoU was signed between Rajasthan Rural Livelihood Development Council (Rajivika) and Streenidhi Telangana for technical assistance in the establishment of the first and country's third "Women Financial Institute" in Rajasthan.
Important facts
The MoU has been signed by Rajivika on behalf of Rajivika by State Mission Director Manju Rajpal and Telangana Managing Director of Women Fund G. Vidyasagar Reddy.
The Rajasthan Women Fund in the state is being set up successfully on the lines of the women's fund model operated in Telangana.
After the establishment of the Women's Fund, the economic empowerment of women of Rajivika's self -help groups will be strengthened and they will be able to receive loans for their enterprise.
This fund will be operated by women of SHG only for women of SHG.
The Rajasthan Women's Fund will serve as a supplementary financial institution with formal banks.
For the establishment of Rajasthan Women's Fund, a total grant of Rs 50 crore (25 crore rupees in the first year) will be given by the state government in two years and proposals have been sent to the Central Government for a grant of Rs 110 crore.
In the budget of 2022-23 by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, it was announced regarding the establishment of banks run by women.
It will be set up on the lines of the Stree Nidhi model of Telangana.
10. Haryana CM launches 'smart e-beat' system for Gurugram police
Tags: State News
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the 'Smart E-Beat System' at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, taking a step towards e-initiative.
Important facts
It is an app based system.
This app based system has been started under the 'Smart Policing Initiative'.
Till now the policemen posted on the beat used to mark their attendance on their own and there was no system of monitoring them.
The attendance of motorcycle rider policemen posted on beat will also be applied on this app and their monitoring can also be easily done.
This system will be linked to the emergency response support system in future so that these riders can also reach for help on the call on Dial-112.
This new system will cover all 33 police station areas located in the urban area of Gurugram.
These will have 119 motorcycle riders and each motorcycle rider will have two policemen.
Gurugram Police has identified 2056 sensitive locations or points in the city, mainly ATMs, petrol pumps, senior citizens residence, school, college, religious places, crime -affected areas, etc.
Earlier it was implemented in the East Gurugram and Manesar region as a pilot project.
Removing the deficiencies in it, this e-beat system has been expanded this month and it has also been applied in South Gurugram and West Gurugram.
