1. 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 Some members of the committee believe that it contains some strange and outdated provisions related to marriage.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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Lumpy skin disease kills 1,500 cattle in Gujarat
Tags: State News
More than 1,500 animals, mainly cows and buffaloes, have died in Gujarat due to the infectious lumpy skin disease, which has spread to 14 districts of the state.
What is Lumpy Skin Disease?
It is caused by infection of cattle or buffalo with the poxvirus Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV).
The virus is one of three closely related species of the genus Capripoxavirus.
The other two species are Sheeppox virus and Goatpox virus.
Due to its infectious nature and its impact on the economy, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has declared it a notable disease.
Symptoms of disease
The main symptoms are fever in animals, discharge from eyes and nose, saliva from the mouth, lump-like soft blisters all over the body, decreased milk production, difficulty in eating, which sometimes leads to the death of the cattles.
Transmission of disease
The virus is easily transmitted through blood-sucking insects such as mosquitoes, flies and ticks, and through saliva and contaminated water and food.
The virus was first reported in Asia and the Pacific region in 2019 in north west China, Bangladesh and India.
There is no treatment available for the disease.
7. PM to lay foundation of India's maiden International Financial Services Centre
Tags: Economy/Finance State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFACA) headquarters building in Gujarat on July 29, 2022.
Important facts
This authority is the unified regulator for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in International Financial Services Centres in India.
The Headquarters building of this Authority is envisaged as an iconic structure, reflecting the growing reputation and structure of Gujarat International Finance Tech as a premier international financial hub.
The Prime Minister will also launch India's first International Bullion Exchange i.e. Bharat International Bullion at Gujarat International Finance Tech- International Financial Services Centre.
About International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
IFSCA was established in April 2020 under the International Financial Services Centre Authority Bill, 2019.
An IFSC provides essential services to customers outside the jurisdiction of the domestic economy.
Its headquarter is located in GIFT City of Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
It has been established to promote 'Ease of Doing Business' in IFSC and to provide a world class regulatory environment.
Recently the International Financial Services Centre Authority has become an associate member of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
8. 16th Meeting of National Association of Street Vendors of India
Tags: State News
Recently, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Puri addressed the 6th meeting of the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) organised on the topic "From encroachers to self-employment".
Street vendors
Street vendors are individuals who offer to sell goods to the public on a large scale without a permanent built structure to sell the goods.
Street vendors permanently occupy pavements or other public/private places to sell goods or temporarily move their goods from one place to another by carrying their goods in push carts or head baskets.
Street vendors population
The number of street vendors has increased significantly in major cities around the world, especially in developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Around 49.48 lakh street vendors have been identified in India.
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of 8.49 lakh street vendors, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 7.04 lakh street vendors.
There are only 72,457 street vendors in Delhi.
No street vendor has been identified in Sikkim.
Constitutional Provisions for Street Vendors
Article 19(1)(g) gives fundamental right to Indian citizens to practice any profession or to carry on business, trade or commerce.
According to Article 14 of the Constitution, the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
Under Article 38(1), the State shall direct the State to promote the welfare of the people by ensuring a social order in which social, economic and political justice shall be ensured in the national institutions.
Article 38(2) directs to 'reduce inequalities in income status, facilities and opportunities'.
Article 39 (A) directs the State to formulate policy to ensure that citizens, men and women alike, have the right to access to an adequate means of livelihood.
Article 41 specifically provides for the 'right to work' within the limits of the economic capacity of the state.
9. Andhra Pradesh Government decided to implement the “Family Doctor Project”
Tags: State News
Andhra Pradesh State Government has decided to implement the “Family Doctor Project” on a pilot basis in Padmanabham mandal of Visakhapatnam district.
Important facts
This project will be taken up with an aim to improve health services among the rural population.
The project is likely to be implemented from 15 August 2022.
Under the “Family Doctor Project”, a doctor from the Primary Health Centre (PHC) will be made available to look after the health needs of the people in the ward and the village secretariat.
Doctors will provide patient services for the residents of the ward from 9 am to 12.30 pm.
Lunch break will be given from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm.
The same doctors will again visit patients who are critically ill and need antenatal and postpartum care from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
Prior to the doctor's visit, ANMs, ASHA workers and Mid-Level Health Providers (MLHPs) will go door-to-door to identify those who require the services of a doctor.
The detailed list will be submitted by them to the doctor. After this the doctors of PHC will visit these houses and provide health services.
About Andhra Pradesh State
Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956. It is the first state in India to be formed on linguistic basis.
In February 2014, the Indian Parliament approved a separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh is a mineral rich state, which ranks second in India in terms of mineral wealth.
Andhra Pradesh ranks first in terms of hydropower generation.
Kuchipudi is the most famous classical dance form of the state.
Andhra Pradesh is the state with the largest number of cinema halls in India.
The major rivers of the state are Godavari and Krishna.
Capital - Amaravati
Governor - Biswa Bhushan Harichandan
Chief Minister - Jagan Mohan Reddy
Legislative Council - 58 seats
Legislative Assembly - 176 seats
Rajya Sabha - 11 seats
Lok Sabha - 25 seats
10. Assam Government Approves Creation Of 2nd Wildlife Sanctuary In Barak Valley
Tags: State News
Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi has approved the proposal for creation of Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary.
Important facts
"In exercise of the power conferred by section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Governor of Assam has declared to constitute the area mentioned in the Schedule as Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary in the Barak Valley of Assam will be spread over an area of 320 sq km between the Barak River and the Sonai River.
Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary will be home to slow loris, rhesus macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque, Assamese macaque, capped langur, faire leaf monkey and hoolock gibbon.
This will be the second wildlife sanctuary in the Barak Valley of Assam after the Borel Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Assam State
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Jagdish Mukhi
Number of Districts - 33
Lok Sabha seats - 14
Rajya Sabha seats - 7
State Animal - Indian Rhinoceros
State Bird - White Winged Duck
National Parks – Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park
