1. Kerala tops Urban Governance Index (UGI)
Tags: INDEX
A two-year study by Praja Foundation assessing the governance quality of Indian cities. Kerala ranks first with a score of 59.31, ahead of Odisha's 55.10.
News Overview
The UGI promotes efficient urban governance and attracts investments for sustainable development.
Kerala excelled in financial empowerment, scoring 23.22 out of 30, better than Maharashtra (21.15).
Strong financial management at the local level is a key factor in Kerala's success.
Kerala is ranked 20th in urban governance empowerment, indicating a need for improvement.
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Chief minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Districts - 14
Rajya Sabha - 9 seats
Lok Sabha - 20 seats
2. Pune Airport to be Renamed Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport
Tags: State News
The Maharashtra government approved the renaming of Pune Airport to Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Pune International Airport. The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting.
An Overview of the News
The proposal for renaming was put forward by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, who is from Pune.
The state cabinet has approved the proposal, which will now be sent to the Centre for final approval.
About Sant Tukaram:
Sant Tukaram was a renowned saint and poet from the Bhakti movement.
He was born in Pune district and is revered for his spiritual contributions.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister -Eknath Shinde
Governor - C. P. Radhakrishnan
Additional Information:-
Maharashtra Adopts 'One Village, One Ganapati' Initiative for Unified Ganeshotsav
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.
Sujata Saunik Appointed Maharashtra's First Woman Chief Secretary.
Maharashtra becomes the first state in the country to approve Good Governance Regulations.
3. Maharashtra Adopts 'One Village, One Ganapati'Initiative for Unified Ganeshotsav
Tags: State News
The 'One Village, One Ganapati' initiative is being widely adopted across Maharashtra for this year's Ganeshotsav to promote unity and streamline celebrations.
An Overview of the News
The festival was initiated by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to unite people and support India's independence.
The 'One Village, One Ganapati' initiative is being embraced by numerous villages in Maharashtra, reflecting the festival's spirit of unity.
In Palghar’s Urse, the initiative has been in place since 1973, uniting local communities with a single communal idol and creating a Dekhava to celebrate major events.
The scheme is gaining traction in Hingoli (305 villages), Nashik (804 villages), Washim (225 villages), and Satara (571 villages), demonstrating a strong response to celebrating Ganpati Bappa together.
Nashik District
In Nashik, 804 villages are participating in the initiative, maintaining the same number as last year.
The local police, led by Additional SP Aditya Mirkhelkar, support this approach to prevent competition and foster social integration.
Kolhapur District
Kolhapur has 289 villages following the 'One Village, One Ganpati' model.
Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit emphasized strict arrangements and enforcement of High Court orders regarding sound levels.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister -Eknath Shinde
Governor - C. P. Radhakrishnan
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
Additional Information:-
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.
Sujata Saunik Appointed Maharashtra's First Woman Chief Secretary.
Maharashtra becomes the first state in the country to approve Good Governance Regulations.
Maharashtra was awarded Best Agriculture State for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.
4. Union Bank of India Becomes the First Major Bank to Sign On with PCAF
Tags: Economics/Business
Union Bank of India has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), aligning with global trends in climate risk management.
An Overview of the News
PCAF is a global coalition of financial institutions focused on creating and implementing standardized methods to assess and disclose greenhouse gas emissions from loans and investments.
Significance of Financed Emissions:
Financed emissions, also known as Scope 3 emissions, are the indirect emissions arising from a bank's lending and investment activities.
These emissions often exceed the bank's direct operational emissions and present significant risks due to climate change and evolving regulations.
RBI Draft Guidelines:
The Reserve Bank of India's draft guidelines on 'Disclosure Framework on Climate-Related Financial Risks, 2024', issued on February 28, 2024, highlight the importance of tracking financed emissions.
The framework requires regulated entities to disclose information in four key areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.
The guidelines represent a move towards stricter climate risk reporting standards for Indian banks.
5. Rajesh Verma Appointed Chairperson of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR
Tags: Person in news
Rajesh Verma, a 1987-batch IAS officer from the Odisha Cadre, took charge as Chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas on September 9, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Rajesh Verma's appointment is for three years from the date of assuming office or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
He has over 35 years of experience in public administration and governance.
Professional Experience and Key Roles
Verma has served in various departments of both the Central and State Governments, including the President’s Secretariat, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Ministry of Power.
He has also worked with the Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd. (REC), Departments of Education, Steel & Mines, Agriculture, Energy under the Government of Odisha, and Industrial Development Corporations in Odisha and Rajasthan.
His roles have made him a key stakeholder in addressing air pollution in various capacities.
Successor to Dr. M.M. Kutty
Rajesh Verma succeeded Dr. M.M. Kutty, who completed his tenure as the full-time Chairperson of CAQM after serving for three years.
Prior to his current role, Verma served as Secretary to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, until his retirement on August 31, 2024.
6. Amit Shah Unveils '200 Not Out' Documentary on Mumbai Samachar in Mumbai
Tags: Books and Authors State News
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, released the documentary '200 Not Out' on Mumbai Samachar in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
An Overview of the News
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, and other dignitaries were present.
Historical Reporting: Mumbai Samachar has reported on major historical events including the 1857 revolution, formation of Congress, Ganesh Utsav by Lokmanya Tilak, the Quit India Movement, and India's independence.
Preservation of Gujarati Language: The newspaper has played a crucial role in preserving the Gujarati language and culture, despite the challenges it faced over the years.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister -Eknath Shinde
Governor - C. P. Radhakrishnan
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
Additional Information:-
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.
Sujata Saunik Appointed Maharashtra's First Woman Chief Secretary.
Maharashtra becomes the first state in the country to approve Good Governance Regulations.
Maharashtra was awarded Best Agriculture State for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.
7. 16 National e-Governance Awards presented at Mumbai Conference on September 3-4, 2024
Tags: Awards
27th National Conference on e-Governance held on 3rd and 4th September 2024 at Mumbai, Maharashtra.
An Overview of the News
16 National Awards for e-Governance 2024 announced on 23 August 2024 were presented.
List of Key Award-Winning Projects
Poshan Tracker
Organisation: Ministry of Women & Child Development
Project Head: Indevar Pandey, Former Secretary
iGOT
Organisation: Karmayogi Bharat
Project Head: Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary
Area Officer, the Worksite Monitoring and Inspection Management System
Organisation: Department of Rural Development
Project Head: Amit Kataria, Former Joint Secretary, DoRD
Shiksha Setu Axom
Organisation: Samagra Shiksha, Assam
Project Head: Dr. Om Prakash, Mission Director
Rajkisan Saathi Phase - II
Organisation: Department of Information Technology and Communication, Government of Rajasthan
Project Head: Inderjeet Singh, Commissioner and Special Secretary
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
Organisation: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
Project Head: Sanjiv, Joint Secretary
Use of Teleradiology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Chest Radiograph and Auto Approval for Direct Bank Transfer of Relief to Silicosis Patients
Organisation: Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Rajasthan
Project Head: Dr. Samit Sharma, Secretary to Government of Rajasthan
JHAR - JAL Portal
Organisation: Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Government of Jharkhand
Project Head: Dr. Manish Ranjan, Former Secretary, Government of Jharkhand
Lab Mitra
Organisation: District Administration, Varanasi, Government of Uttar Pradesh
Project Head: S. Rajalingam, District Magistrate
Wokha SAATHI (Smart AI-based Assistant for Timely Help & Interface) Whatsapp Chatbot
Organisation: District Administration Wokha, Government of Nagaland
Project Head: Ajit Kumar Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner
AI Enabled Adaptive Traffic Control System & Smart Hawking Solution
Organisation: Rajkot Municipal Corporation, Government of Gujarat
Project Head: Devang P. Desai, Municipal Commissioner
PCMC Smart Sarathi Project
Organisation: Pimpri Chinchwad Smart City Limited, Government of Maharashtra
Project Head: Shekhar Singh, Municipal Commissioner
India Hypertension Control Initiative
Organisation: ICMR - National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai
Project Head: Dr. Ganeshkumar Parasuraman, Scientist ‘E’
National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases
Organisation: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow
Project Head: Dr. Uttam Kumar Sarkar, Director
Karnataka GIS
Organisation: Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Center, Government of Karnataka
Project Head: Dr. D. K. Prabhuraj, Former Director
Use of Barcode in Digitizing Property Registers of Police Station Inventory – e-Malkhana
Organisation: Commissionerate of Police, Chandannagar, Government of West Bengal
Project Head: Amit P. Javalgi, Commissioner of Police.
8. Varanasi’s 'Lab Mitra' Initiative Wins National e-Governance Gold Award
Tags: Awards
The 'Lab Mitra' initiative from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, has been honored with the National e-Governance Gold Award.
An Overview of the News
The award was presented at the National e-Governance Conference 2024 held in Mumbai.
'Lab Mitra' received the award for its contributions to Administrative Reforms and district-level initiatives in e-governance.
Initiative Detail
'Lab Mitra' was launched by the district administration of Varanasi in collaboration with a private bank and an NGO.
Due to its success, the model has been expanded across Uttar Pradesh under the name 'Lab Report.'
The initiative is currently operational in 20 hospitals, including all government hospitals in Varanasi.
Over 2.5 lakh patients have benefited from the 'Lab Mitra' service so far.
Service Functionality
Through the 'Lab Mitra' portal, patients at government hospitals are registered for laboratory tests based on their doctor’s prescription.
The system generates an online report after the test, which is sent as a link via text message to the patient’s phone number.
Patients can access their complete lab test reports after four hours at Community Health Centers (CHCs) and after 12 hours at government hospitals.
9. Tarun Chugh Unveils The Book 'Modi’s Governance Triumph'
Tags: Books and Authors
The book, “Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity,” was released on August 17 in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
The event featured Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy.
Author and Content
Author: The book is written by BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh.
Focus: It offers a detailed analysis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance, highlighting transformative initiatives and reforms, including the ‘Make in India’ campaign and the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Key Themes
Governance Achievements: The book explores Modi’s policies, such as the Antyodaya mission and economic reforms, and their impact on India’s socio-economic landscape.
Challenges and Critiques: It provides a balanced view of both successes and controversies during Modi’s tenure.
Vision for the Future
Forward-Looking Perspective: The book envisions India’s trajectory towards 2047, aiming for global economic prominence and sustainable development.
Call to Action: It encourages readers to draw lessons from Modi’s governance to foster a more inclusive and forward-thinking society.
10. World Water Week - 20 to 24 August 2024
Tags: Important Days
World Water Week, a global event organized annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute since 1991, will take place at the Waterfront Congress Center from 20 to 24 August.
An Overview of the News
This non-profit event serves as a platform to address the global water crisis and various related challenges.
It aims to develop solutions to the international water crisis (along with many other problems).
World Water Week 2024 will occur from August 20–24, 2024, in Stockholm, Sweden, and online.
Theme 2024: The conference theme is "Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future," focusing on water cooperation, peace, and security.
Sessions: Topics will include innovation, behavioral change, technology, and governance related to water issues.
Venue: The in-person event will be held at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre, a prominent 14,000 square meter venue on the water’s edge.
History of World Water Week
World Water Week is a recurring global event that has taken place every year since its inception in 1991.
The event is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a non-profit organization committed to advocating for sustainable water solutions.
The first World Water Week was held in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden.
The theme of the opening ceremony was "Water: An Imminent Crisis."
The event brought together water experts and professionals from around the world to discuss and address challenges related to water scarcity and pollution.
Since its inception, World Water Week has been held continuously in Stockholm.
The event serves as an important platform for international stakeholders to engage in discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative efforts to tackle various water-related issues.
