PIB October

IASbaba Press Information Bureau
(PIB)- 3rd OCT to 9th Oct, 2016

ARCHIVES
GS-1
All ASI Protected Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites Declared
Polythene Free Zones
(Topic: Historical Monuments and Archaeological sites)
About- All ASI Protected Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites have
been declared Polythene Free Zones.
What has been done?
Advisory has been issued to all State Governments/UTs to support ASI in
keeping Monuments Polythene Free up to 300 meters from the protected
boundaries of the Monuments.
Facilities ProvidedMinistry of Culture has sanctioned Rs.350 crores to provide facilities likeProtected Boundaries + Toilets + Disabled Friendly Access in all ASI
Protected Monuments.
Work allotted to and target yearWork has been awarded to PSUs like WAPCOS and TCIL. They have been
directed to complete the work in the current financial year 2016-17.
ASI-
ASI has ranked top 25 Adarsh Monuments on the basis of Cleanliness

parameters such as amenities like- toilets, green lawns, Polythene Free
Zone, signage for awareness, disabilities access, drinking water and
provision for garbage bins etc.
Rani ki Vav (Gujarat) a World Heritage Site has been declared as

the cleanest iconic place in the country.
75 more Adarsh Monuments protected by ASI have been identified to be

included in the Swachh Paryatan Mobile App launched by the
Ministry of Tourism.
With this a total of 100 Adarsh Monuments protected by ASI will be

included in the Swachh Paryatan Mobile App. App is monitored by the
Project Monitoring Unit of Swachh Bharat Mission in Ministry of
Tourism.
Initiative Launched by Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism
Creating permanent mechanism of cleanliness for all organisations under

Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism
To spread awareness through various cultural activities by involving all

their organisations
Spread of swachhata awareness through Music, Dance and Drama by

their Academies/Institutions and maintaining cleanliness at all ASI
Protected Monuments etc.
Citizen Participation and awareness
General public and the tourists are the largest stakeholders in keeping
the monuments clean; the Ministry of Tourism has decided to facilitate
the general public to communicate their complaints about any unclean
area/garbage piles in and around tourist destinations.
Useful mobile App enables a citizen to take photograph of garbage at the

monument and upload the same along with his/her remarks. Application
then sends an SMS to the ASI Nodal Officer concerned with the
monument upon receipt of which the Nodal Officer gets the garbage
cleared/removed.
Nodal Officer thereafter sends confirmation about the redressal of the

complaint through an SMS to the complainant. Mobile App is available
on Google Search Engine as Swachh Paryatan.
President Presents Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak

Akademi Awards for the Year-2015
(Topic: Awards and Honour)
About- President of India presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships
(Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskars) for
the Year-2015 at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Fellowship given to
General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of

Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi at its meeting held on 20th & 21st
April 2016 in Agartala (Tripura) elected one (1) eminent personality in the
field of performing arts, namely Shri C V Chandrasekhar as Sangeet
Natak Akademi Fellow (Akademi Ratna).
Fellowship of the Akademi is the most prestigious and rare honour,

which is restricted to 40 numbers at any given time. Presently there are
only 40 Fellows of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.General Council of the
Akademi also selected forty-three (43) artists from the field of Music,
Dance, Theatre, Traditional/Folk/Tribal Music/Dance/Theatre and
Puppetry and Overall contribution/scholarship in Performing Arts for the
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) for the year 2015.
These forty-three (43) artists include two joint awards.
Selection of artists in different fields
In the field of Music, eleven eminent artists, namely Krishna Bisht and
Mashkoor Ali Khan for Hindustani Vocal Music, Kartik Kumar for
Hindustani Instrumental MusicSitar, Brij Narayan for Hindustani
Instrumental MusicSarod, R N Thyagarajan and R N Tharanathan (joint
award) for Carnatic Vocal Music, Suguna Varadhachari for Carnatic
Vocal Music, Lalgudi G J R Krishnan for Carnatic Instrumental Music

Violin, Mambalam M K S Siva for Carnatic Instrumental MusicNagaswaram, Bhupinder Singh, Hridyanath Mangeshkar and Prafulla
Kar for Other Major Traditions of MusicSugam Sangeet, have been
selected for the Akademi Awards 2015.
In the field of Dance, nine eminent artists have been selected for the
Akademi Awards 2015, namely, Ranganayaki Jayaraman for
Bharatanatyam, K Kunhiraman Nair for Kathakali, G Padmaja Reddy for
Kuchipudi, Aloka Kanungo for Odissi, Sharodi Saikia for Sattriya Dance,
Mandakini Trivedi for Mohiniattam, Sadashiva Pradhan for Chhau
Dance, W Lokendrajit Singh for Contemporary/Experimental Dance and
Rajkumar Bharathi for Music for Dance.
In the field of Theatre, nine eminent artists have been selected for
Akademi Awards 2015: Nand Kishore Acharya and Shafaat Khan for
Playwriting, Parvez Akhtar and Mushtaq Kak for Direction, Manoj N
Joshi and Himani Shivpuri for Acting, Pradeep Mulye for Allied Theatre
ArtsScenic Design, Sarojini Nangiar for Other Major Traditions of
TheatreKutiyattam and Rani Balbir Kaur for Overall Contribution in
Theatre.
In the field of Traditional/Folk/Tribal Music/Dance/Theatre and

Puppetry, ten artistes have been selected for Akademi Awards 2015, they
are Khuman Lal Sao (Folk Music of Chhattisgarh), Ramchandra Singh
(Folk Theatre of Bihar), Khem Raj (Folk Music of Jammu and Kashmir), S
R D Prasad (Martial Art of Kerala), Chhaya and Maya Khutegaonkar (joint
award for Folk Dance of Maharashtra-Lavani), Gangmei Aluna Kabuini
(Traditional Dance and Music of Manipur), Paramjit Singh Sidhu (Folk
Music of Punjab), Sayeed Sabri Jaipuri (Qawwali, Rajasthan), K K
Ramachandra Pulavar and T N Sankaranathan for Puppetry.Shanta
Gokhale and Chaman Ahuja have been selected for the Akademi Award
2015 in the field of Overall Contribution/Scholarship to Performing Arts.
Akademi FellowshipThe honour of Akademi Fellow has been conferred since 1954 and Akademi
Award since 1952. These honours not only symbolize the highest standard of
excellence and achievements, but also recognize sustained individual work and
contribution. The honour of Akademi Fellow carries a purse money of Rs
3,00,000/- (Rupees three lakh) and Akademi Award carries Rs 1,00,000/(Rupees one lakh), besides a Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
GS-2
20th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities / Colleges /
Institutions Meet concludes
(Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and further
structure, mandate)
About- The 20th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Heads of Defence
Universities / Colleges / Institutions Meet (HDUCIM) concluded with a clear
commitment to contribute towards promotion and maintenance of peace and
prosperity in the region and the world at large through collective efforts to
counter non-conventional threats and violent terrorism in the South East Asia
Region. The participating nations reinforced their commitment to reinvigorate
professional military education to meet the contemporary challenges to military
leadership.
Meet hosted by the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi under the aegis
of Ministry of Defence
Highlights
Member states renewed their pledge to fulfil the core objectives of ARF
and enhance its relevance and effectiveness by promoting and
accelerating the process of preventive diplomacy in parallel with
strengthening of confidence building measures and conflict resolution
mechanisms through dialogue, cooperation and mutual trust.
India to host first AMCDRR after Sendai Framework

structure, mandate)
About- GoI is hosting the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk
Reduction (AMCDRR) next month in collaboration with the United Nations
Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). The hosting of the Conference reaffirms Indias commitment to the cause of Disaster Risk Reduction
Aim- Transforming the commitments of governments and stakeholders during
the Sendai Conference into national and local action.
AMCDRR
This is the first AMCDRR after the advent of the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRRR), adopted at the third UN World
Conference in Sendai, Japan in March, 2015.
It will set the direction of Sendai Framework implementation in the

region.
Established in 2005, AMCDRR is a biennial conference jointly

organized by different Asian countries and the UNISDR. So far, six
AMCDRR conferences have been organised. India had also hosted the
second AMCDRR in New Delhi in 2007.
Conference will adopt the Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the
Sendai Framework endorsed by the Asian countries.
It will also consolidate the political commitment of governments towards

preventing and reducing risk as well as strengthening resilience in the
form of a political declaration. Voluntary statements of action of
stakeholder groups towards a shared responsibility approach in
implementation of the SFDRR would also be adopted.
Discuss issues related to DRR in six technical, 22 thematic and three

featured sessions during the Conference. The technical events will be
broadly based on themes related to Risk Sensitive Development for
Community Resilience.
The thematic and featured events will centre on themes related to-
Inclusive development such as Risk Resilient Infrastructure for

Sustainable Development
Application of Science and Technology for prevention of new risks;

Strengthening Community Resilience
Gender sensitive DRR
Child-centred DRR
Risk financing Disaster Risk: Identification and Financing Solutions.
Various DRR-centric activities will be organised during the Conference to

spread awareness about disaster risk reduction and its role in
safeguarding lives, livelihoods and infrastructure. These activities include
a national-level painting competition for school children aged 10-14
years, a short films competition and an exhibition to showcase best
practices in DRR.
Commemoration of the first World Tsunami Awareness Day, to spread

awareness about the dangers of tsunami and the importance of Early Warning
Systems in mitigating its impact, will also be held on the closing day of the
Conference.
India and Disaster Management
Indias commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is evident from the

fact that it became one of the first countries to align its National
Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) with SFDRRR.
AMCDRR 2016 will focus on collaboration, consultation and partnership

with governments and stakeholders to mainstream DRR in the regions
development narrative.
Heritage Infrastructure projects worth Rs. 350 cr approved

(Topic: Urban Development)
About- Minister of Urban Development inaugurated a two day conference on
Heritage Cities.
Jointly organised by Ministry of Urban Development and Indian Heritage
Cities Network (IHCN).
Heritage site in India-
India is blessed with tangible and intangible heritage assets and it

consists of 32 World Heritage Sites, cultural and natural, recognized by
UNESCO
India ranks 5th in the world and 2nd in Asia, in terms of number of
World Heritage Sites. The Minister highlighted the importance of heritage
sites for tourism.
India attracts millions of tourist every year and in 2013, India received
69 lakh foreign tourists and 114 crore domestic tourist visits, generating
revenue of Rs. 2 lakh crore. i.e. 6 % of GDP
The Minister further said that HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and
Augmentation Yojana) scheme was launched by the Government in 2014
for heritage/ tourism oriented urban development. He said that, the
scheme is 100% centrally sponsored with an outlay of Rs 500 crores and
in the pilot phase, 12 cities have been selected. He highlighted that there
is need for convergence of schemes like Smart City, AMRUT and other
state Government schemes to reinforce the cultural and Heritage India.
Projects worth about Rs. 350 cr have so far been approved for
implementation.
France had expressed interest to intervene on the subject of heritage and

urban renewal heritage around waterfronts and accordingly two cities, namely
Puri and Varanasi, have identified the projects relating to waterfront
development.
Cabinet approves amendments to the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and
Control) Bill, 2014
(Topic: Cabinet Decision)
About- Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister has given its
approval to introduce official amendments to the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and
Control) Bill, 2014.
HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014
It has been drafted to safeguard the rights of people living with HIV and
affected by HIV.
Provisions of the Bill seek to address HIV-related discrimination,

strengthen the existing programme by bringing in legal accountability
and establish formal mechanisms for inquiring into complaints and
redressing grievances.
Bill seeks to prevent and control the spread of HIV and AIDS, prohibits
discrimination against persons with HIV and AIDS, provides for informed
consent and confidentiality with regard to their treatment, places
obligations on establishments to safeguard rights of persons living with
HIV arid create mechanisms for redressing complaints.
Bill also aims to enhance access to health care services by ensuring

informed consent and confidentiality for HIV-related testing, treatment
and clinical research.
Bill lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive

persons and those living with them is prohibited. These include the
denial, termination, discontinuation or unfair treatment with regard to-
Employment
Educational establishments
Health care services
Residing or renting property
Standing for public or private office, and
Provision of insurance (unless based on actuarial studies). The

requirement for HIV testing as a pre-requisite for obtaining employment
or accessing health care or education is also prohibited.
Every HIV infected or affected person below the age of 18 years has the
right to reside in a shared household and enjoy the facilities of the
household.
Bill also prohibits any individual from publishing information or

advocating feelings of hatred against HIV positive persons and those
living with them.
Bill also provides for Guardianship for minors. A person between the age
of 12 to 18 years who has sufficient maturity in understanding and
managing the affairs of his HIV or AIDS affected family shall be
competent to act as a guardian of another sibling below 18 years of age to
be applicable in the matters relating to admission to educational
establishments, operating bank accounts, managing property, care and
treatment, amongst others.
Bill requires that No person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV

status except with his informed consent, and if required by a court
order.
Establishments keeping records of information of HIV positive persons

shall adopt data protection measures. According to the Bill, the Central
and State governments shall take measures to-
Prevent the spread of HIV or AIDS,
Provide anti-retroviral therapy and infection management for persons

with HIV or AIDS,
Facilitate their access to welfare schemes especially for women and

children
Formulate HIV or AIDS education communication programmes that are

age appropriate, gender sensitive, and non-stigmatizing, and
Lay guidelines for the care and treatment of children with HIV or AIDS.
Every person in the care and custody of the state shall have right to HIV
prevention, testing, treatment and counseling services.
Bill suggest that cases relating to HIV positive persons shall be disposed
off by the court on a priority basis and duly ensuring the confidentiality.
Accountability
There are no financial implications of the Bill.
Most of the activities are being already undertaken or can be integrated

within the existing systems of various Ministries under training,
communication and data management, etc.
Bill makes provision for appointment of an ombudsman by State

Governments to inquire into complaints related to the violation of the Act
and penal actions in case of non-compliance.
The Ombudsman need not be a separate entity, but any existing State
Government functionary can be deputed or given additional charge.
Indian scenario
There are approximately 21 lakh persons estimated to be living with HIV

in India. Even though the prevalence of HIV is decreasing over the last
decade, the Bill would provide essential support to National AIDS Control
Programme in arresting new infections and thereby achieving the target of
Ending the epidemic by 2030 according to Sustainable Development
Goals.
Three agreements between India and Switzerland on Mutual Visa

Exemption, Return of Illegal Migrants and Arrangement for Dependent
Persons of Diplomatic and Consular Mission to Perform Gainful
Employment signed
(Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements
involving India and/or affecting Indias interests)
About- Union Home Minister met the visiting Minister for Justice and Police of
Swiss Confederation, Ms. Simonetta Sommaruga. Union Home Miniter stated
that the two countries have made significant contributions to strengthen peace
and prosperity based on their shared vision of a peaceful and progressive
future.
Highlights
Union Home Minister proposed training facilities for Indian Police

Officers in Switzerland Police Academies/other Training Institutes in the
fields of Anti-Hijacking and Cyber Forensic etc. he said India looks
forward for cooperation with Switzerland on the issue of exchange of tax
information since the black money issue is the main corruption issue
which needs to be tackled
The two sides signed three agreements including-
Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic Passports
Technical Arrangements on Identification and Return of Illegal Migrants

and Arrangement for Dependent Person of Diplomatic
Consular
Technical and Administrative Staff of Diplomatic and Consular Mission to

Perform Gainful Employment.
More liberal visa regime for Indian business people since India has been
offering multi-year multiple entry visas to Swiss businesses in a bid to
enhance bilateral trade and investment.
Cooperation in transfer of sentenced persons and Mutual Legal

Assistance Treaty in Criminal matters that would help in combating
terrorism, transnational organized crimes and corruption including
money laundering.
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding with the African Asian

Rural Development Organization in the field of rural development
About- Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval to
the signing of a MoU between India and the African Asian Rural Development
Organization (AARDO) for capacity building programmes in the field of rural
development.
MoU
MoU for the triennium 2015 2017 is being signed under which capacity
building programmes for AARDO member countries will be organized
every year during the triennium at various Institutions of Excellence in
India such as National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj
(NIRD & PR), institutions governed by the Indian Council of Agricultural

Research (ICAR), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and others.
Duration of each training programme shall be of two to three weeks. The

Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development Management Course at
NIRD & PR under this scheme is for one year.
AARDO
AARDO, which has its headquarters in New Delhi, is an autonomous,

inter-Governmental organization established in 1962 with the objective of
promoting cooperation among the countries of the African Asian Region
in the direction of eradicating thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease and
poverty in the region.
India is one of the Founder Members of the Organization and is the

largest contributor in terms of membership contribution of US$ 141,100
apart from contributing by way of providing 70 fully paid training
scholarships for Human Resource Development Programme under the
Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) to the
Organization.
India has also provided a building for housing the AARDO Secretariat in
Delhi and considerable financial assistance is given to AARDO for
maintenance of the building. AARDO currently has 31 countries of the
African Asian Region under its fold.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and European Union on water

cooperation
About- Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister has given its
approval for the signing of MoU between India and European Union in the field
of water resources.
Aim-
To identify key environmental issues and approaches to sustainable

development where exchange of experiences and cooperation could be
mutually beneficial to strengthen and further develop cooperation
between India and the European Union in the field of water management.
MoU envisages
STrengthening the technological
Scientific and management capabilities of India and the European Union

in the field of water management on the basis of equality
Reciprocity and mutual benefit. It provides technical exchange on water

issues
Including on integrated water resource management plans within river

basins and through study visits.
It envisions a more sustainable management of water resources in India

with an objective of tackling the challenges posed by water management
in the context of growing population, competing water demands and a
changing climate.
Joint Working Group shall be formed to monitor the activities to be

carried out in fulfillment of the MoU.
Background
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation

has been envisaging bilateral cooperation with other countries in water
resources development and management through- Sharing of policy and
technical expertise + Conducting of training courses + Workshops +
Scientific and technical symposia + Exchange of experts and study tours.
Keeping in view the success of the European Union in distribution of

water resources, water pricing, water use efficiency by encouraging the
changes in agricultural practices necessary to protect water resources
and quality, such as switching to less water-demanding crops, etc., it has
been decided to have an agreement with Israel to benefit from their
experience and expertise.
EU States have adopted water pricing policies to provide adequate

incentives for users to use water resources efficiently thereby
contributing to environmental objectives.
India offers slice of Make in India cake to Czech companies for high
Technology Cooperation, Trade and Investment
What?
With a view to enhancing greater economic engagement with the central and
eastern Europe, a high level delegation of Indian officials and industry leaders
has shared with their Czech Republic counterparts a slew of measures being
taken by India to encourage foreign investors, particularly in the areas of high
technology, including Capital goods & Engineering, under the governments
flagship, Make in India programme.
India Czech high technology cooperation, Trade and Investment
Keen on engaging actively with Czech Republic and other eastern and
central European nations, India has been working under a framework of
an Indo-Czech Working Group in the area of Heavy Engineering and
Advanced Manufacturing, since 2013.
Fourth meeting of the JWG held at Brno to coincide with MSV Brno Fair
between October 3-6, 2016 wherein a review of the progress in bilateral
ties was taken up and a roadmap for future cooperation was finalised.
India is actively seeking foreign direct investment in the engineering and

high technology including defence. India has liberalized the FDI policies
and procedures, assuring the global investors the maximum ease of
doing business.
Initiatives like hike in the FDI limit, integrating India into a single market
through the tax reforms through legislations like Goods and Services
Tax, have enhanced the confidence of global investors into the Indian
economy, which has emerged as the fastest growing in the world.
DoNER Ministry proposes revised guidelines for Northeast projects

(Topic: Development of North Eastern Region)
About- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North
Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions,
Atomic Energy and Space, announced in Guwahati that a new revised
guidelines will be prepared by the Ministry of DoNER.
Objective of Expediting development projects in Northeast by simplifying
procedures to avoid delay and at the same time bring in more transparency
Highlights
At a joint meeting of Ministry of DoNER and Government of Assam,

disclosed that judicious time-bound planning and monitoring of projects
using Space technology, satellite imaging and IT tools like Portal and App
will be put to optimum use to avoid undue delays.
Use of Space technology can bring in more transparency and

authenticity in Utilisation Certificates (UCs) submitted for various
projects.
Emphasising on the completion of the ongoing projects without resorting

to parking of funds, he made it clear, no fresh sanction for new projects
will normally be issued if unspent balance of the State is more than 1.5
times of the normative allocation of the State on account or Utilisation
Certificates (UCs) due is more than 5 per cent of the total release. The
introduction of online submission of documents should leave no excuse
for delay in file work.
Advised the State Governments to prepare Department Project Reports

(DPRs) and get them vetted techno-economically and recommended from
SLEC in order to avoid delay.
Lauding the innovative and fast track approach adopted by the Ministry
of DoNER, said that there has been a substantial jump in the release of
funds and submission of UCs in the last two and a half years in which a
total of Rs.252.54 crores has been released.
Citing the figures, in 2014-15, when the present Government took over, a
total of Rs. 60.46 crores was released for NLCPR projects in whole of the
year while in the current financial year of 2016-17, in the first 6 months
itself, Rs. 92.67 crore has already been released.
Government unveils sustainable Urban Development strategy for next 20

years
(Topic: Urban Development)
About- Government made public the Urban Development strategy for the next
20 years intending to give a big push to use growing urbanization for rapid
economic development while at the same time committing itself to address
issues of sustainable development and climate change.
Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation released India Habitat IIINational Report ahead of the UN Habitat III Conference in Quito, Ecuador late
this month where a global New Urban Agenda for the next 20 years is going to
be adopted.
Challenge
The challenge is about ensuring sustainable development while taking

advantage of economic growth that results from rapid urbanization in the
country.
For long, urbanization has been looked at from the limited perspective of
providing basic services.
But our contemporary response shall be wide ranging aiming at serving

larger macro-economic transformational goals together with meeting local
priorities. Need to go for a big push to harness fully the potential of
urbanization
What needs to be done?

Cities need to be made efficient, productive, inclusive, safe and sustainable,
the agenda for the next two decades proposed in the National Report will be
ensuring economic growth and productivity, improving quality of life and
importantly, addressing issues of inclusivity, sustainability and climate change.
How?
Elaborating on the strategy for transforming urban India, the Minister said it
will be achieved through elimination of barriers to the flow of factors of
production like capital, land and labour, development of rural and urban areas
in a synergetic manner adopting a regional planning approach, promoting
inclusivity by ensuring urban services to all, sustainable urban planning,
empowering municipalities to improve governance and deal with exclusion
issues, housing for all urban poor and ensuring social justice and gender
equity.
Outcomes of new urban agenda based on sustainable urban planning would
include reducing water and electricity use by 50% from that of normal
use, enabling over 60% of urban travel by public transport, generating
half of power from renewable sources, promoting walking and cycling
for last mile connectivity, compact and cluster urban development,
promoting natural drainage patterns, reducing waste generation of all
kind, promoting greenery and public places etc.
GS-3
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna & Organic Value Added Development
Schemes to Promote Organic Farming in the Country
(Topic: Agriculture development)
About- Government of India has launched a Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna
(PKVY) and Organic Value Added Development (OVCDNER) schemes under
National Sustained Agriculture Mission to promote organic farming in the
country.
PKVY
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY) is the first extensive scheme

which has been initiated in the form of Centre Sponsored Programme
(CSP).
Implementation of this scheme is carried out by the State Governments

based on the cluster for every 20 hectare land.
Under clusters the farmers are granted financial assistance for maximum
one hectare land and Government of India has earmarked Rs. 50,000 for
every hectare land during the period of transformation of three year
ceiling. Objective in this regard has been chalked out for 10,000 of
clusters while covering area of 2 lakh hectare land.
OVCDNER
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched a scheme

as Central Regional Scheme Organic Value Added Mode Development
Mission for North-Eastern regions for implementation in Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim as
well as Tripura during 2015-16 to 2017-18 while keeping in view the
potentiality of farming in North-Eastern region.
Scheme aims at to develop authentic organic products in value added

mode so that the consumers might be linked with consumers and from
input, seed certification to unification, processing, marketing as well as
grant formation initiative. Assistance might be extended for the entire
value added development. He said that the scheme has been approved
with Rs. 400 crore for a span of three years.
Pandit Deen Dayal Updhyay Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojna
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry has launched a new scheme

named as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Unnat Krihsi shiksha Yojna to
fish out the talent of Indian youths and all over development of rural
India has launched.
Scheme is being implemented by Agriculture Education Division related

to Indian Council of Agricultural Research Council (ICAR).
Under this course of action the trainers will be selected on village level so
as to establish training centre, to impart knowledge about
natural/organic/sustainable farming/rural economy. Various training
programmes will be conducted in different regions in these centers.
Almost 100 training centers will be set up throughout the country for the
participation of teachers in various activities for the Advanced India
Campaign conducted by Agriculture Research Council/Human Resource

Development Ministry under this scheme alongwith.
Steps taken by government
Agreement carried out between Ministry of Water Resources, River

Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Agriculture and
Farmers Welfare so as to promote the organic farming along the banks of
river Ganga.
Under this scheme an organic farming system will be developed under

1657 clusters in the perspective of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna with
Namami Gange project in 1657 village panchayats from Uttarakhand to
West Bengal along the bank of Ganga.
Yogic Farming
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed people

present there about Yogic farming.
Farmers first of all process seeds based on yoga proceedings that is to

say that the seeds are recharged by dint of divine powers resulting in the
escalation of their sprouting powers. Thereafter the five elements are
made conducive through yoga proceedings before the seeds are sown.
Raj yoga shoots out the fertilizing strength of the soil along with the
increased activation of micro metabolism thereof. It strengthens the
plants and their roots.
The farmers through the modus operand of vibration conveys to the

plants about peace, love as well as purity which leads the resistance
power of crops and its growth along with the increasement of production.
Consequent upon the enhancement in proteins like elements the
nutritious, purity and quality based the crops is also enhanced.
Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister launches e-NAM Mobile

App
(Topic: Agriculture and farmers welfare)
About- Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, announced successfully

completion of e-NAM first phase and launched e-NAM Mobile App in New Delhi.
e-NAM to connect with
Most of the implementation issues faced in pilot phase have been

addressed and e-NAM platform is connected to 250 markets across 10
States as of now (Andhra Pradesh (12), Chhattisgarh (05), Gujarat (40),
Haryana (36), Himachal Pradesh (07), Jharkhand (08), Madhya Pradesh
(20), Rajasthan (11), Telangana (44), Uttar Pradesh (67). Union Minister
informed that so far, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for integrating 399
mandis with e-NAM has been received from 14 states and all of them
have been approved.
Success of initiative lies in
Active involvement of all stakeholders, and in particular mandi and

marketing board officials; the NAM programme is a success and is going
ahead of schedule.
Minister is sure that e-NAM will significantly contribute towards

enhancing the farmers income. Agriculture Minister informed that so far,
1, 53,992.7 MT of agriculture produce worth Rs. 421 crore has been
transacted on e-NAM platform and 1,60,229 Farmers, 46,688 Traders
and 25,970 Commission Agents have been registered on the e-NAM
platform.
Quality parameters
Quality parameters for 69 agricultural and horticultural commodities

including cereals, Pulses, Oil seeds, Spices, Fruits and Vegetables have
been notified for trading on e-NAM platorm. States have been asked to set
up the quality assaying facilities to ensure quality assessment of the
farmers produce in a scientific and professional manner.
Online payment
Online payment of the sale proceeds to the farmers is made available in

the e-NAM portal and States are requested to encourage direct transfer of
sales proceeds to the farmers bank account. A total number of 585
markets are targeted to be integrated in first phase with e-NAM by March

2018, out of which 400 markets will be integrated by March 2017.
Status of APMC Act reforms regarding e-NAM, carried out by various
States/UTs is as under
17 States and 1 UT have fully / partially modified their APMC Acts. Their
names are : Andhra Pradesh, Gurajat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka,
Rajasthan, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram,
Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand,
Nagaland, Haryana and Chandigarh (UT).
03 States and 1 UT have APMC Act and they have consented to bring
changes in the act which is under process. Their names are: Tamil Nadu,
Odisha, Assam and Puducherry.
06 States have APMC Act but no change has been made as yet. Their
names are: Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal,
Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi. Out of them, West Bengal has demanded
the e-NAM software for online trading.
01 state Sikkim does have APMC Act but is not implemented
03 States and 04 UTs do not have any APMC Act. Their names are: Bihar,
Kerala, Manipur, Andman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshwadeep Islands,
Dadar & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. These states have been
requested to frame Act/Regulations to enable trading through e-NAM. A
meeting with Bihar and Kerala has been scheduled on 14/10/2016 in
this regard.
Outcome of e-NAM
It will bring forth more profit to farmers, availability of trade at lesser

cost to the buyers and development of permanent mandis. It will enable
the farmers to have access to the National Market having wide choice.
President of India inaugurated the first edition of the World Sustainable

Development Summit
(Topic: Sustainable development)
About- President of India inaugurated the first edition of the World Sustainable
Development Summit.
Theme- Beyond 2015: People, Planet and Progress organized by The Energy
and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi. Theme motivates us to transform
the way we think about progress. The barometer of prosperity is not merely
economic growth but the well-being and availability of opportunities for all.
Concerns
The threat of climate change is real and immediate.
It concerns the whole world as its ill-effects are all-pervasive. As a

developing country with shared concerns on climate vulnerability, India
has a vital stake in an equitable and multi-lateral approach towards
climate change. India ratified the landmark Paris Agreement four days
ago. This will be a major boost to our fight against climate change.
Approach needed
We need to follow a twin-tracked approach of limiting the rise of climate

change while ensuring the existence of sufficient resources to meet our
future developmental requirements.
This objective mandates the efficient use of earths natural resource. We

should aim at creating a society that is prosperous but not wasteful.
We should make use of our abundant renewable sources to create a

society that is self-sustaining and mindful of its responsibilities towards
the present and future generations. Our society must learn to exercise
restraint in consumption while continuing to use resources in
moderation.
World Sustainable Development Summit would deliberate on policy discourse

and conceptualize new solutions to find innovative pathways of development.
Launch of dedicated website for DGAD, Department of Commerce
(Topic: Commerce)
About- Commerce Secretary launched a more informative, user-friendly,

dedicated website (http://www.dgtr.gov.in/) for DGAD for disseminating
information/activities being performed by DGAD. Also inaugurated the
additional office space developed by NBCC to meet the requirements of
increased work responsibilities and to ensure optimal functioning of the
Directorate
Highlights
Commerce Secretary appreciated the activities of a dedicated CVD Cell

that was created in DGAD to defend the interests of Indian exporters
against the anti-dumping/countervailing investigations initiated by
foreign governments on Indian exports.
DGAD has continuously raised its working standards, which are reflected
in the record number of 51 cases of findings issued by DGAD in 201516. In the current FY 2016-17, DGAD has already issued 18 cases of
final findings and 3 cases of preliminary findings.
DGAD has also in collaboration with Centre for WTO Studies and WTO
Secretariat organized a Regional Anti-Dumping Workshop in New Delhi,
India during 3rd 5th October, 2016 to exchange information and views
on laws and regulations relating to trade remedy measures and to
enhance cooperation in the area of trade remedies.
Commerce and Industry Minister says steps have been taken to sort out
the implementation issues related to CEPA and improve bilateral trade as
well as trade balance with Japan
(Topic: Commerce and Industry)
Improve bilateral trade
Promoting Indias exports to Japan under India-Japan CEPA and release

of RIS report on India-Japan CEPA in New Delhi, Commerce and
Industry Minister said Japan is one of the closest and most reliable trade
partners of India and we recognise that Japan will play an increasingly
important role in Indias economic transformation and development.
PM of India visited Japan in 2014 and it was occasioned by the elevation

of our bilateral partnershipto the status of special strategic and global
partnership.
India Japan partnership has expanded over the past few years and now
the identified complementarities are being harnessed through trade and
investments to our mutual advantage.
CEPA
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement i.e. CEPA between

India and Japan came into force on 1stAugust, 2011 and is one of the
most comprehensive agreements concluded by India.
Bilateral trade between India and Japan pre-CEPA in 2010 was 10.4 USD
billion and currently in 2016 stands at 14.5 USD billion. However, trade
deficit of India with respect to Japan has also increased from 3.1 USD
billion pre CEPA to 5.2 USD billion post CEPA
Need to address the implementation issues of CEPA, Some examples
Japan accorded a preferential tariff of 1.9 % as against an MFN rate of

3.5 % to Fish Surimi from India. However, as per the requirement to
preserve the protein content during storage, a negligible amount of an
imported Cryo-protectant called TSPP is applied to the fish.
Though the value of the TSPP is less than half a per cent of the overall
cost of the product, the interpretation under rules of origin preclude it
from availing the CEPA benefits on the grounds that the Product is not
of Indian origin.
In this report, RIS has made a detailed analysis of such issues through
extensive research including consultations with various stakeholders and
authorities both in India as well as in Japan.
Mission Raftaar of Indian Railway Starts To Yield Results

(Topic: Indian Railways)
About- Mission Raftaar project of the Indian Railways has now picked up and
started yielding results.
Mission Raftaar Project
Under this project measures are being taken to raise average speed of
both passenger carrying trains and freight carrying trains. The Mission
is being spearheaded by a cross disciplinary mobility Directorate in the
Railway Board. The average speed is reckoned as one of the key
indicators of all the railway productivity and efficiency in operations and
utilization of assets.
Under this project the busiest Ghaziabad Allahabad Mughalsarai

route which was taken up on priority basis, for increasing average speed
which now has been successfully implemented.
This was achieved by replacement of loco hauled commuter trains with

Main line Electric Multiple Units (MEMU) and Diesel Electric Multiple
Units (DEMU) trains has been undertaken. MEMU / DEMU trains have a
potential for average speed increment upto 20 kmph in comparison to
loco driven passenger trains. The Ghaziabad Allahabad Mughalsarai
section is now free from conventional trains.
Steps taken by Railways
Railway Ministry is working on a target to do this kind of replacement on

all identified routes viz., Delhi Mumbai, Delhi Howrah, HowrahChennai, Chennai Mumbai, Delhi Chennai and Howrah Mumbai
(Diamond Quadrilateral routes along with diagonals). These are the
principal routes of the railways as they carry 58% of freight traffic and
52 of coaching traffic with a share of only 15 of the network.
Progress and Road Map
A cross disciplinary, Mobility directorate has been set up in April 2016 to

spearhead the mission.
For a focused action, Golden Quadrilateral routes along with diagonals

(Delhi Mumbai, Delhi Howrah, Howrah- Chennai, Chennai Mumbai,
Delhi Chennai and Howrah Mumbai) have been taken up for initial
emphasis. These are the principal routes of the railways as they carry
58% of freight traffic and 52% of coaching traffic with a share of only
15% of the network.
Multi-pronged strategy has been developed to overcome the existing

impediments due to fixed infrastructure, movable infrastructure,
operational practices and institutional mechanisms.
Thrust of the strategy:
To move in the direction in which these routes are developed in a unified

way making them seamless and free from congestion points. So far such
development works have been largely guided and governed by needs of
individual division/ zone due to which the works were dispersed/
distributed/ discontinuous and speed gain commensurate to the inputs
could not be realized.
To establish operating systems in which the trains technically have the

best capability to achieve maximum possible speed in least time along
with quickest acceleration and deceleration capability so that the transit
time is reduced.
Strategy and institutional mechanism for implementation:

Railways decided for a paradigm shift in approach to works. Route to be the
primary unit for decision about works as against existing practice of zonal/
divisional jurisdiction. This fundamental shift will prove to be a game changer
for achieving unified development of the routes essential for achieving Mission
Raftaar goals.
Key Elements of the decision:
Planning and Sanction of Works: Only one work for each route clubbing
all activities. Works to be planned centrally.
Financing: Works to be financed through EBR-IF as there is high

likelihood of favourable ROR on the route basis.
Execution: Route wise execution. The work of each route to be entrusted

to one execution authority for accountability and expeditious execution
by deploying state-of-the-art engineering technology/machines. There is
a big role of technology in saving the execution time and minimizing the
requirement of interruption to train flow in traffic block. This is very
important because chosen routes are very busy hence the objective will
be to cause minimum inconvenience to the passengers and setback to
operations. A Traffic Block Optimization System on an IT platform is

being developed to provide a congenial environment for execution of
works required to achieve mission goals.Board has decided to implement
this approach initially on Delhi Mumbai and Delhi- Howrah routes.
Human capital is our key resource. Thrust will be given to training, skill
development of the staff involved in operations and maintenance of
assets so that they maintain pace with the new machines and
technology.
Addressing the Restricted Session of the International Monetary and

Finance Committee (IMFC) and the Plenary Session of IMFC in
Washington D.C. the Finance Minister stresses to focus on the
coordinated policy actions and growth strategies
(Topic: Finance)
About-Union Finance Minister stressed that since the forces of globalization
and multilateralism can go a long way in expanding global growth
opportunities, we must focus on the coordinated policy actions and growth
strategies. He emphasized that there is a strong case for realigning quota
shares with the changed global economic realities. While expressing Indias
extreme disappointment with delay in completion of 15th General Review of
Quota (GRQ) by Annual Meeting of 2017, the Finance Minister emphasized that
the Fund should strictly abide by the new deadlines set for completing the 15th
Review.
IMFC
IMFC is a key body providing strategic direction to the work and policies
of the IMF.
The events were attended by select Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors. The closed door discussions centered on the policy responses
to prolonged period of subdued global growth, low commodity prices and
negative interest rates in some large economies.
Highlights-
Union Finance Minister also participated in the Plenary Meeting of the

Development Committee (DC), which is the Ministerial-Level forum of the
World Bank Group and the IMF for inter-governmental consensus
building on development issues.
The meeting focused on the Forward Look exercise carried-out by the

World Bank and discussion on the Dynamic Formula of Shareholding of
member countries in IBRD.
In view of the World Bank being capital-constrained, emphasized upon

the need for re-capitalizing the Bank to enable it to meet SDGs and twin
goals. Expressed hope that World Bank would be more agile, efficient
and less expensive.
While addressing the gathering at forums like the Goldman Sachs

Growth Markets Conference and the FT-Citi Forum, the Finance Minister
elaborated on the significant improvement in the macro-economic
fundamentals of Investment and growth in the Indian economy.
Finance Minister also highlighted the major transformative initiatives

taken by the Government which have created a positive business
environment for Indian and global investments, impressive increases in
FDI, $100 billion solar energy investment programme, changing 770
million incandescent and fluorescent bulbs to save 20 GW of electricity,
Clean India (Swachh Bharat) Program, International Solar Alliance,
Make-In-India, total transformation of indirect taxes regime, passage of
GST bills, bankruptcy code, etc.
Jharkhand becomes first state to launch Direct Benefit Transfer in

Kerosene
(Topic: Petroleum and Natural gas)
About- Jharkhand has become the first state in the country to implement
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in Kerosene in four identified districts namely,
Chatra, Hazaribagh, Khunti and Jantara from 1st October, 2016.
Initiative of the governments is aimed at Rationalising subsidy, based on
the approach to cut subsidy leakages but not subsidy per se.
Under the DBTK Scheme, PDS kerosene is being sold at non-subsidised price,
and, subsidy, as admissible, is being transferred to consumers directly into
their bank accounts.

(PIB)- 10th Oct to 16th Oct, 2016
ARCHIVES
GS-1
Second Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav-2016 to be held in IGNCA Premises
from 15th to 23rd October, 2016
(Topic: Indian Culture)
About- Second Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav (RSM)-2016 will be held from
15th to 23rd October, 2016 in the premises of Indira Gandhi National Centre for
Arts (IGNCA), Janpath, New Delhi.
Aim- To showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Country in all its rich and
varied dimensions, viz Handicrafts, Cuisine, Painting, Sculpture,
Photography, Documentation and Performing Arts-Folk, Tribal, Classical and
Contemporary- all in one place.
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was conceived by the Ministry of Culture

in the year 2015 and after the grand success of the First Rashtriya
Sanskriti Mahotsav in November-2015.
Highlights of Mahotsav-
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav would showcase all these aspects of Indian

Culture in different areas designated for the same. Accordingly, there will
be a Shilp Haat in which pavilions called Aaangans would be put up
by each of the seven Zonal Cultural Centers (ZCCs) of the country as well
as the Academies and IGNCA.
In this Shilp Haat master craftsmen from all over the country will
display and sell their crafts to the general public and sale of the
publications of these autonomous bodies on various aspects of Indian
Culture is also a salient feature.
Demonstrations of the process of creation of the wares based on their

crafts by the master-craftsmen will also be done here. The Aangans will
be decorated by expert traditional painters and sculptors, in styles most
representative of the regions that each of the ZCCs represents.
Day-long performances of traditional performers of fringe-folk arts like

Behroopiyas, Baazigars, Kacchi Ghori etc will take place in the Shilp
Haat and the rest of the campus. These artists are also known as
Maidaani Kalaakar as they perform in the open without any need for a
stage.
Facing the Shilp Haat will be a Food Court where master chefs of
traditional delicacies from different regions of the country will treat the
visitors to an unparalleled culinary experience. In the lawns opposite the
Maati Ghar and in the Art Gallery of the IGNCA, two photo exhibitions
will run concurrently.
One of these exhibitions is on Vandalism of places of historical and

national importance in order to draw public attention to this very
damaging activity done by misguided and insensitive people which
causes irreparable damage and loss to irreplaceable national heritage.
This exhibition will be as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan of the
Prime Minister of India-albeit focused on a dimension of this Abhiyaan
which has till now not received its due share of attention. The second
exhibition will be on the recently Concluded Simhastha Kumbh Mela
showcasing its splendor and magnificence as well its importance in the
cultural consciousness of the Nation.
The Seven Zonal Cultural centers of the country have been enjoined
upon with the task of organizing the RSM in Delhi as well as taking it to
different cities of the country under the banner of the slogan EK
BHAARAT SHRESTH BHAARAT.
Emphasize on
There is an urgent and pressing need to re-connect the people-especially

the youth- with their indigenous culture, its multi-faceted nature,
magnificence, opulence and historical importance in the context of India
as a Nation over the millennia.
In order to connect the youth, a massive exercise in the online and social
media sphere is being undertaken and a mobile app for Android based
smart phones has been designed, which was launched by the Culture
Minister in the Press Conference.
GS-2
Launch of Enhanced Foreign Trade Data Dashboard
About- As part of the initiative of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to
provide easy access to the public with regard to Indias export, import and
balance of trade data in an analytical format, over time and space, Commerce
& Industry Minister launched a new enhanced Dashboard on Foreign Trade
Data.
Usability- It will be used for transparent decision making and reaching out to
people using real time data.
Help
Digitization of the government records and data analytics is also crucial

for fast and effective evidence based planning and policy evaluation.
This has an important role to play in effective and transparent

governance.
Dashboard would provide an enabling environment to importers and

exporters to identify and access global trade opportunities based on
reliable and updated information, directly accessible to the public
through Government sources.
Foreign Trade Data Dashboard
Dashboard is an improved version of the earlier EXIM Analytics

Dashboard developed with many added features. It is more users friendly
and would facilitate the general public to have an accurate picture on
dynamics of foreign trade performance of India.
New Dashboard gives a graphical collection of exports, imports and

balance of trade of India; e.g., the Export turnover of the country how it
performs over time and space? What are the export destinations? What
items are being exported? Which are the ports inland, sea or airports
from which the exports are taking place? The new interface is broadly
divided into Exports, Imports and Balance of Trade views.
Each of these views provide the user with features to inspect the trade
that happens between India and a particular country, zoom into the
activities of a particular port and reflect trade pattern over any months of
the users choice.
Import View
Import viewgives a sharp perspective of how Indias imports have

changed compared to the previous year. The user may also observe how
the import value has fared across the months of that year.
The Top Commodities and Ports section details the top 5 commodities
and ports, in addition to the ones at the lower end. The clickable world
map reflects the performance of India in imports to rest of the world. The
darker the country shade, the higher the import from it.
The flow diagram to the right of the world map will visualise what
percentage of the top commodities have been imported from the various
ports (thickness of the line reflects the magnitude).
Export View-
If users are curious to see how their selected choices were to behave in
the Exports area, they merely need to click on the Export view on the
top navigation bar.
Balance of Trade view
They can see a world map detailing countries with positive/negative

balance of trade with India. Countries can be sorted by Import value and
the corresponding value of Export trade.
Visual comparison of import-export trade values over the years is also

available.
Touching a monthly value in Trade Performance would highlight

corresponding value in the Balance of Trade performance chart as well,
making it easy to understand Indias position on Balance of Trade (BoT)
in that month compared to the previous months.
First World Tsunami Awareness Day to be celebrated at AMCDRR

(Topic: Disaster Management)
About- First World Tsunami Awareness Day will be celebrated on November 5,
2016. To commemorate the occasion, an event will be organised with Disaster
Risk Reduction (DRR) Champions at the Asian Ministerial Conference for
Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016.
ScheduleConference is being organised from November 3-5, 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan in
New Delhi by the Government of India in collaboration with the United Nations
Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR).
Significance
Significance of this day, the 5th November, to tsunami awareness can be

traced back to the year 1854. A villager in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan,
was concerned about an impending tsunami after a high-intensity
earthquake on November 5, 1854. He set up a fire to rice sheaves on the
top of a hill. Fellow villagers, who went atop to put off the fire, were saved
even as a tsunami destroyed their village down below. This was the first
documented instance of a tsunami early warning.
To commemorate that day of Inamura no Hi (the burning of rice

sheaves), a resolution was jointly proposed by 142 countries including
Japan as a follow up of the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk
Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The
United Nations designated the 5th November as World Tsunami
Awareness Day
Help- The observance of the day would help to spread awareness among people
across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami and shall stress
on the importance of early warning systems in order to mitigate damage from
the often devastating natural hazard. It also aims at reviving traditional
knowledge about tsunamis.
Highlights of Conference
Awareness raising activities will be organized throughout the Conference

through thematic events, exhibitions, and distribution of awareness
materials.
Following the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, the

Government of India established an Indian Tsunami Early Warning
Centre (ITEWC) under the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information
Services (INCOIS) at Hyderabad.
The Centre, operational since October 2007, has state-of-the-art

infrastructure for generating and disseminating tsunami bulletins for the
entire Indian Ocean region.
India, along with 23 other Indian Ocean countries, participated in a tsunami

mock drill on September 7-8, 2016. Besides increasing awareness, the drill
evaluated the preparedness of participating nations to handle tsunami and
other similar emergency situations.
Cabinet approves MoU between Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank)
on General Cooperation with the New Development Bank (NDB), along
with other Development Financial Institutions of BRICS nations
(Topic: Cabinet decision)

About- Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of PM has given its approval for
signing of a MoU on General Cooperation with New Development Bank (NDB)
through the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism by Government at the
level of Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs/ Export Import Bank of
India.
Benefit
It will enhance trade and economic relations among the BRICS countries.
There is no financial implication involved with signing of the MoU. The
participating institutions from the BRICS nations will be benefitted by
this MoU.
MoU
MoU is a non-binding umbrella agreement aimed at establishing a

cooperation framework in accordance with the national laws and
regulations, besides skills transfer and knowledge sharing amongst the
signatories.
Establishment of the NDB reflects the close relations among the BRICS
countries and provides a powerful instrument for increasing their
economic cooperation and help India play an enhanced international
role.
Keeping in view the strategic relevance of cooperation for sustainable

development and inclusive economic growth, the signing of MoU is
necessary in the context of cooperation extended by the Members in
various forms for promoting and facilitating trade of goods and services
as well as investments in mutual projects among the BRICS countries.
Background
Five banks from the BRIC nations had established the BRICS Interbank
Co-operation Mechanism to enhance trade and economic relations
amongst the BRIC countries, and enterprises.
BRICS Interbank Co-operation Mechanism now proposes to sign a

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on General Co-operation with the
New Development Bank.
Inauguration of Women of India Festival 2016 of organic products at Dilli

Haat at INA
(Topic: Women and Child Development)
About- Minister of Women & Child Development inaugurated Women of India
Festival 2016 of organic products by women at Dilli Haat at INA, New Delhi.
Schedule- Festival to be held from October 14-23 will offer on sale the biggest
selection of organic products ranging from food, fabrics and furniture to
wellness, personal care and solar products.
Organised and sponsored by- Union Ministry of Women & Child Development,
the Women of India Festival 2016celebrates and promotes women
entrepreneurs from across India. Participants from the remotest areas of the
country will travel to Delhi for the entire duration of the festival and sell their
unique products in the capital.
Aim- Initiative is a move to benefit women entrepreneurs, and also actively
promote organic food and products. The Women of India Festival is intended to
highlight the health and environmental advantages of organic goods, provide a
platform for women engaged in this economy and encourage the development of
sustainable and easily accessible sales outlets for organic producers from
remote areas.
Significance of Organic foods
Organic foods have been proven to contain more vitamins, minerals and
nutrients than similar foods produced with chemical fertilizers,
pesticides and preservatives.
Organic farming relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green

manure, compost, and natural methods of pest control.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticide

exposure
Organic plants and food crops have also been found to contain higher
amounts of salicylic acid which fights bowel cancer; it helps to fight
stress and disease.
Last years edition of Women of India Festival selling organic produce saw
thousands of people thronging to Dilli Haat each day. For the first time in India,
over 500 women entrepreneurs from Leh to Kanyakumari and from Kohima to
Kutch, came together with their organic products. This year will feature even
more products including cereals, rice, pulses, spices, fabrics, dyes and dresses,
cosmetics, household products, pickles, organic ice cream, preserves, oils,
honey, tea, hair care, bath care, beauty care, aromatherapy products, kitchen
composters, organic seeds and other bio products.
This years Festival will have 230 stalls and about 372 participants. The list
includes producers from Delhi, NCR and 23 states/UTs. Apart from producers
of locally grown and manufactured products, the participants also include
Nourish Organic, The Altitude Store, Dew Drops, Organic World, Inhere
Aajivika Utthan Samiti, Sonal White Cub, Aura Herbal Textiles, ASAL, Pro
Nature Organics, Eco Green Unit, Avani, who will add further variety with their
vast lifestyle range at the Organic Extravaganza.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Hungary on cooperation in the
field of water management
(Topic: Cabinet Decisions)
signing of a MoU between India and Hungary on cooperation in the field of
water management.
MoU will be signed between Ministry of Water Resources, River Development
and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India and the Ministry of Interior,
Government of Hungary.
Benefit
It will enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of water management, on

the basis of equality and mutual benefits.
This will encourage the development of bilateral relations between public

and private organizations concerning water resources of both the
countries.
Both the countries will get benefited by joint activities and mutual
exchange of scientific delegations and experts in the field of water
resources development and management.
The cooperation, particularly on river basin management/ integrated

water resources management, efficiency in water supply and irrigation
technology innovation and flood & drought management will help
improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of both the
countries.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is

entering into a MoU with Hungary with wide-ranging areas on water sector for
the first time.
Union Textiles Minister to inaugurate India International Silk Fair
(Topic: Textile industry)
About- The flagship event of the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, the
5th edition of India International Silk Fair, will be inaugurated by the Union
Textiles Minister, on 15th October, at New Delhi.
Help
Provides an opportunity to small and medium entrepreneurs in

showcasing their unique products to visiting overseas buyers.
The fair will provide a unique opportunity to exporters in showcasing

their products and to overseas buyers in sourcing the merchandize they
require
Indian Silk Industry
Indian Silk Industry is very important, being rural and agriculturebased, providing livelihood to around 7 million people in the country.
India is the second largest producer of silk in the world. While silk
production in all other silk-producing countries is in decline, the silk
production in India has consistently been on a rise.
India is the only country in the world which produces all major
varieties of silk, namely, Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga.
Exhibition
Indian Silk Export Promotion Council is sponsoring the visit of

around 100 buyers from various overseas countries to visit stands of 120
exhibitors of silk and silk blended products that are manufactured in
various parts of the country and exported all over the world.
The 3-day exhibition is expected to generate a business of over US $50

million for SMEs engaged in producing silk and silk blended garments,
fabrics, accessories and floor coverings.
The fair is in line with the commitment of carrying forward the Make in
India programme of the Government of India.
Cabinet approves establishment of an Indian Institute of Management at

Jammu
About- Union Cabinet, chaired by PM, has approved the establishment and
operationalisation of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Jammu in a
transit/temporary campus at Old Government College of Engineering &
Technology from the Academic Year 2016-17.
Project involves
This is a part of Prime Ministers development package for Jammu &

Kashmir. The Institute coupled with opening of IIT at Jammu,
modernization of NIT Srinagar and opening of two new AIIMS
institutions, one each in Kashmir region and Jammu region, would go a
long way in meeting the requirement of high quality living and education
in Jammu & Kashmir.
Project will involve a cost of Rs.61.90 crore in temporary campus for the
initial four years from 2016 to 2020.
The student strength intake for this year in the Post Graduate Diploma
Programme (PGDP) in Management is 54 which will progressively go up
to cumulative student strength of 120 in the 4th year.
Steps would also be taken up for setting up campus at Jammu and an

out-campus in Kashmir region. The Detailed Project Report for the
permanent campuses is under preparation and thereafter the process for
setting up of the campuses would start.
Cabinet decision
Cabinet also approved formation of an IIM Jammu Society under the

Societies Registration Act, 1860. IIM Jammu will be run and managed by
the Society with a Board of Governors (BOGs) to be constituted by the
Government of India, which will administer the Institute and would be
responsible for establishment and operationalisation of the Institute.
Background
Indian Institutes of Management are the countrys premier institutions

imparting best quality education in management on globally
benchmarked processes of education and training in management
education and allied area of knowledge.
At present, there are nineteen IIMs. Out of these, thirteen IIMs are
located at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Lucknow, Indore,
Kozhikode, Shillong, Ranchi, Raipur, Rohtak, Kashipur, Trichy,
Udaipur. Another six IIMs which have been started in 2015 are located
at Amritsar, Sirmaur, Nagpur, Bodhgaya, Sambalpur and
Vishakhapatnam.
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Hungary on cooperation in the

field of water management
About- Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship PM has given its approval for
signing of a MoU between India and Hungary on cooperation in the field of
water management.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is
entering into a MoU with Hungary with wide-ranging areas on water sector for
the first time.
MoU signed between- Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and
Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India and the Ministry of Interior,
Government of Hungary.
Benefit
It will enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of water management, on

the basis of equality and mutual benefits.
This will encourage the development of bilateral relations between public

and private organizations concerning water resources of both the
countries.
Both the countries will get benefited by joint activities and mutual
exchange of scientific delegations and experts in the field of water
resources development and management.
The cooperation, particularly on river basin management/ integrated

water resources management, efficiency in water supply and irrigation
technology innovation and flood & drought management will help
improve the socio-economic conditions of the people of both the
countries.
4th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation Ministerial Meeting at

Jaipur
structure, mandate)
About- India will host the 8th BRICS Summit, in Goa on 15-16 October 2016
during its Chairmanship of BRICS, which it assumed on 15 February 2016.As
the precursor the same, the 4th BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation
Ministerial Meeting was convened on 8 October, 2016 at Jaipur.
Aim- to further strengthen the collaboration amongst the BRICS countries in
the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
Highlights
Emphasis on adopting a five-pronged approach, viz. Institution Building,

Implementation, Integration, Innovation and Continuity.
Emphasis is on institution building, implementation of previous

commitments, tapping synergies of the existing BRICS cooperation
mechanisms, exploring some new areas of cooperation and maintaining
continuity in the existing areas
In alignment with the theme of Indias Chairmanship Building,

Responsive Inclusive and Collective Solutions, the Jaipur Declaration
was unanimously adopted by all the BRICS countries. The member
countries resolved to intensify, diversify and institutionalize STI
cooperation through the BRICS research & innovation initiative.
During Indias Chairmanship, significant progress have been achieved in

joint knowledge creation in the areas of Photonics; Material Science &
Nanotechnology; Biotechnology & Biomedical Sciences; Energy;
Geospatial Technology; Astronomy; Prevention & Mitigation of Natural
Disaster, Water and Solid State Lighting.
In fulfillment of Prime Minister of India special attention on engagement

of youth, who comprises 65% of workforce of BRICS countries together,
India hosted the 1st BRICS Young Scientists Conclave at Bengaluru and
Hampi last week. More than 40 young scientists from BRICS countries
participated in the event and discussed some exciting ideas in the field of
affordable healthcare, energy solutions and computational intelligence.
In order to stimulate and encourage young minds, BRICS Innovative Idea
Prize for Young Scientists has been instituted.
In order to harness the innovativeness of the youth, Indias proposal to

establish a BRICS Science and Technology driven Entrepreneurship and
Innovation Partnership Programme was agreed by all the member

countries.
GS-3
INS Sumitra visits Surabaya, Indonesia
(Topic: Indian Navy)
Outcome of- In pursuit of Indias Act East policy and outreach to friendly
countries, the Indian Navys Offshore Patrol Vessel Sumitra, has arrived at
Surabaya, Indonesia on a two day visit from 10-12 Oct 16, as part of its
deployment to the South Western Pacific Ocean.
Aimed at- Strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing maritime security
cooperation between the two countries.
HighlightsIndia and Indonesia Relations
India and Indonesia have extensive historic, cultural and maritime

linkages.
Regular maritime interaction through- training exchanges, port calls,

PASSEXs, biannual Coordinated Patrols (CORPATs) and the recently
initiated annual bilateral maritime exercise, have reinforced the historic
maritime relationship.
Sumitras visit to Surabaya would further strengthen the bilateral

relations between the two countries and contribute to overall maritime
security in the region.
Sumitra
Sumitra, is the fourth of the Saryuclass ships, based on an indigenous

design and constructed by M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd, India.
Since commissioning in 2014, the ship has been deployed for multiple
operational tasks, the most notable being Operation Rahat, which
entailed the evacuation of personnel of various nationalities from wartorn Yemen in 2015.
The ship has a range of 6,500 nautical miles and is capable of embarking
one Dhruv/ Chetak helicopter.
Coordinated Patrol and India-Indonesia Bilateral Maritime Exercise

Commence at Belawan, Indonesia
(Topic: India maritime security)
About- In a demonstration of Indias commitment to its ties with Indonesia and
to the maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, Indian Naval Ship
Karmuk, an indigenously built missile corvette, based under the Andaman and
Nicobar Command, alongwith a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, is
participating in the 28th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol and Second
Bilateral Maritime Exercise, scheduled from 10-27 Oct 16 in the Andaman Sea.
Benefit
These interactions would also provide opportunities for extensive

operational and training engagements, and contribute substantively to
the maintenance of good order at sea.
Exercise seeks to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship between

India and Indonesia, and underscore Indias partnership and solidarity
with friendly countries of the region.
Defence relations between India and Indonesia
Defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing

steadily with regular joint activities and interactions between the Armed
Forces of the two countries.
The two navies have been carrying out Coordinated Patrols (CORPAT) on
respective sides of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)
twice a year since 2002, with the aim of keeping this vital part of the
Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping,
International trade and legitimate marine activities.
The CORPAT has strengthened understanding and interoperability

between the two navies and promoted net maritime security in the
region.
HIMANSH, Indias Remote, High-Altitude Station opened in Himalaya

(Topic: Earth sciences)
About-As part of the Indian governments initiatives to better study and
quantify the Himalayan glacier responses towards the climate change, National
Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa, under the Ministry
of Earth Sciences has established a high altitude research station in
Himalaya called HIMANSH (literally meaning, a slice of ice), situated above
13,500 ft (> 4000 m) at a remote region in Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
Himalayan region- Himalayan region has the largest concentration of glaciers
outside the polar caps, as this region is aptly called the Water Tower of Asia is
the source of the 10 major river systems that provide irrigation, power and
drinking water for over 700 million people live in India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh nearly 10% of the worlds population. Understanding the
behaviour of these glaciers and their contribution to the sustainable supply of
water for mankind and agriculture is one of the grand challenges of Indian
scientific community.
HIMANSH
The station houses many instruments to quantify the glacier melting and
its relation to changing climate.
Some of the instruments that are available at this research facility

include, Automatic Weather Stations for weather monitoring, water level
recorder for quantifying the glacier melt, ground penetrating radar to
know the thickness of glaciers, geodetic GPS systems to study the glacier
movements, snow fork for studying snow thickness, steam drill, snow
corer, temperature profilers, as well as various glaciological tools.
Further, the researchers would be using this as a base for undertaking
surveys using Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) and Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAV) that would digitize the glacier motion and snow cover
variations with exceptional precision.
Himansh will provide the much needed fillip to the scientific research
on Himalayan glaciers and its hydrological contribution.
Initiative by
The ongoing initiatives by NCAOR would contribute to the integrated

study the glaciers in the upper Indus basin (Chandra basin) in Himachal
Pradesh and their contribution to discharge.
According to the UN data, the contribution of snow/glacier melt in

annual stream runoff is substantially higher (>40%) in Indus basin as
compared to Ganga and Brahmaputrabasins (<10%).
Therefore, understanding the glacier mass balance and their

contribution to the Indus River is more critical than other basins towards
the understanding on the impact of glacier retreat on the water cycle in
the northern India and Pakistan.
Some of the bench mark glaciers that are already being studied under
this project include Bada Shigri, Samudra Tapu, Sutri Dhaka, Batal,
Gepang Gath and Kunzam.
An integrated study using glaciological, geodetic, glacio-hydrological

methods will shed light on the glacier response to the changing climate
in this region and will also quantify the contribution from glacial melt
water to the river discharge in Indus basin.
Make in India to make a mark at AMCDRR

(Topic: Disaster and Risk Reduction)
About- An exhibition with a thematic focus on Make in India will be organised
in New Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan, the venue of the Asian Ministerial Conference
for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016.
Conference is being organised from November 3-5, 2016 by the Government
of India in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction (UNISDR).
Aim at- Showcasing good practices in Disaster Risk Management through the
initiatives displayed by various governmental and Non-Governmental
Organisations as well as other stakeholders.
India is one of the signatories of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction (SFDRR) adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai,
Japan in March, 2015. Reaffirming its commitment to address DRR and
strengthen resilience to disasters, India launched its National Disaster
Management Plan earlier this year in line with the priorities defined in the
Sendai Framework.
Introducing DRR in governance is key to sustainable economic development
and is linked to indicators of growth such as eradication of poverty and
malnutrition, improved standards of healthcare and education, better
sanitation, protection of environment, among others.
Highlights
Visual material, publications, posters, multimedia and latest

technological innovations showcasing Indias efforts at Disaster Risk
Reduction, mitigation and preparedness will be displayed at the
exhibition.
The exhibition will also be leveraged to showcase Indias rich cultural

heritage, handloom and handicraft products to the international
delegates from 60 Asian countries that are participating in the
Conference.
Besides the exhibition, a national-level painting competition for

schoolchildren aged 10-14 years, a short films competition and the first
World Tsunami Awareness Day are also being organised during the
Conference. All these events are aimed at generating awareness on issues
related to DRR.
PetroFed signs MoU with TERI to undertake a study on Climate Change

Risks
(Topic: Petroleum and Natural gas)
About- PetroFed, an apex society of entities in the Hydrocarbon sector, signed a

MoU with TERI to undertake study on Climate Change Risks: Preparedness for
Oil and Gas Sector.
Help- It will provide a missing link between the policy and the practice in the
Hydrocarbon sector.
Indias Energy scenario
India is a low per capita energy consumer but as the country is moving
towards double-digit growth rate, its energy consumption is bound to
increase.
Share of gas in the Indian energy basket is 6.5 to 7 per cent while the
world average is 24 per cent. India aspires to take the share of gas to 15
per cent in the next 3 to 5 years so as to have a new gas based economy
Government is focusing on gas, renewable energy and bio-energy to meet

its requirements.
It is important to understand the implications of various energy sources

and to develop an Indian model for the nations energy sector.
Need to emphasise on- Scientific research, appropriate business models and

creation of awareness among the people.
Beneficial outcome of study
The study will provide important inputs for future strategy on oil and gas
infrastructure development.
The study will also provide a comprehensive analysis of threats posed by

Climate change to Oil & Gas sector and shall provide a way forward to
tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
The study will suggest suitable measures for the Oil & Gas sector to
achieve Indias INDC target of reducing emission intensity of GDP by 33
35 per cent below the levels in 2005 by 2030.
The study would further highlight how the global market and
technological options are likely to change as a result of global climate
policy measures; and how the 1.5 degree and 2 degree scenarios of global
warming are likely to affect the infrastructure and operations in different
climatic zones of India.
India Welcomes Landmark HFC Agreement at Kigali
(Topic: Environmental Protection)
About- India joins the nations of the world in lauding the Hydroflurocarbon
(HFC) Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, agreed to at the 28th Meeting of
Parties at Kigali, Rwanda.
Kigali AgreementKigali Agreement is a reaffirmation of the global intent to mitigate climate
change and exemplifies international co-operation in this regard. The Kigali
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is legally binding and will come into force
from January 1, 2019.
Agreement upholds
Principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective

Capabilities (CBDR & RC).
It recognizes the development imperatives of high-growth economies like

India, and provides a realistic and viable roadmap for the implementation
of a phase-out schedule for high global warming potential (GWP) HFCs.
On Indias Part
India is happy to have played a positive, constructive and collaborative

role towards reaching this agreement.
Right from the outset, India demonstrated exemplary flexibility and an

open mind to work with all nations. This enabled a fair and equitable, yet
ambitious Agreement that is in the best interest of our people, in the best
interest of all developing nations, and in the best interest of the world.
Germany to collaborate with India to improve rail connectivity of Indian

ports: may also bring in technology for scrapping old vehicles; India ready
for flex-fuel compatible automobiles
(Topic: Indian Railways)

About-Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping has said that
India and Germany are all set to collaborate on projects for improving rail
connectivity of Indian ports.The two countries will work together on projects
worth Rs one lakh crore being implemented by the Indian Port Rail Corporation
Ltd (IPRCL).
Why needed?
For efficient evacuation of cargo from the Ports and to reduce logistics
cost, last mile rail connectivity of Ports is extremely important. Indian
port Rail Corporation Ltd. has been set up specifically to work in this
area.
This would help bring in foreign investment and cost effective,

environment friendly, innovative technology for the port rail connectivity
projects.
Highlights
It was proposed in meeting to form groups with representatives of IPRCL

and DB to identify areas of cooperation and potential projects, as also to
identify cost effective new rail technologies that can be implemented.
In the transport sector, discussions were held on cooperation for

developing vehicle scrapping capacity in India. India has invited Germany
to share environment friendly technology for scrapping of old vehicles
and also for processing of the waste thus generated.
In what may be a major step towards reducing pollution, Minister

informed that India has put in place all required regulations for the use
of Flex-fuel like ethanol mixed with petrol.
German automobile manufacturers can be called upon to produce cars

that can run on flex-fuel for India, like the ones being produced in
Canada and USA.
Cabinet approves new link between Sahibganj bypass in Jharkhand to

Manihari bypass in Bihar including four lane bridge on river Ganga
(Topic: Economic Affairs)

About- Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the PM, has
approved the construction of new link between Sahibganj bypass in Jharkhand
to Manihari bypass in Bihar including four lane bridge on river Ganga.
Help
Project will help in expediting the improvement of infrastructure in Bihar

and Jharkhand and also in reducing the time and cost of travel for
traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying in the area in these States.
Development of this stretch will also help in uplifting the socio-economic

condition of this region in the State.
It would also increase employment potential for local labourers for project
activities. It has been estimated that a total number of 4,076 mandays
are required for construction of one kilometre of highway. As such,
employment potential of 89,000 (approx.) mandays will be generated
locally during the construction period of this stretch.
Work will be done under the National Highways (Others) on Hybrid Annuity
Mode. The concession period of the Project is 19 years including a construction
period of four years.
Background
New project highway is a new formation of the missing link at NH-131A

to NH-133B connecting Sahibganj in Jharkhand and Manihari in Bihar.
At present, there is a missing link between Jharkhand to Bihar as there
is no Bridge on the river Ganga at this location.
Vehicular traffic uses Vikramshila Setu at Bhagalpur on Farakka barrage

thus travelling a long distance to reach their destinations in North Bihar.

(PIB)- 17th Oct to 23rd Oct, 2016
ARCHIVES
GS-2
Election Commission of India to Organize International Conference on
Voter Education for Inclusive, Informed and Ethical Participation
(Topic: Election Commission)
About- The first ever Global Conference on Voter Education titled Voter
Education for Inclusive, Informed and Ethical Participation is being
organized by the Election Commission of India in association with UNDP
from 19th to 21st October, 2016 at New Delhi.
Aim- To learn from the experiences of EMBs, government and non-government
by way of sharing the best practices, policies and initiatives of voter education
Why needed?
For inclusive participation of voters through the exercise of informed and
ethical choice as the key to strengthening the fabric of democracy.The Voter is
the central point of the electoral framework and every voter must be thoroughly
aware and educated about the electoral processes and procedures, so as to
ensure his or her informed and ethical participation.
Highlight
Conference will deliberate upon 5 topics ranging from- Electoral Literacy

to Enhanced participation by special categories of voters, Role of ICT in
Voter Education and Strategies for Informed and Ethical Voting
International as well as national experts on the subject will be sharing

insights during the Conference.
ECI envisages a number of initiatives towards achieving international

synergy in Voter Education and awareness. In this regard, the following
components, during the Conference, shall be of significance:
Global Platform- The Conference shall provide the first ever global platform
for the sharing of best practices in voter education. The participants
consist of a varied conglomeration of nations ranging from relatively young
democracies to nations spreading across all continents of the world. This
diverse variety of knowledge and experience would enable to bring out best of
the best global practices in the Conference.
Overseas Indian Survey cum Competition- With the Conference, the ECI also
launches the NRI survey cum competition.
What? The survey competition is a novel way ahead in touching a chord with
the Overseas Indians. It aims to not only gather useful data through the survey
but also attract and engage NRIs about their voting eligibility and rights.
How it will help? This will also help guide the Commission in formulating
further voting initiatives especially designed for the Overseas Indian
population. The survey competition has designed by ECI in collaboration with
TISS.
The Voice.net -The Conference will see the launch of the ambitious project of
VoICE.NET.
What? It is a Global Knowledge Network on voter education with
membership from participating EMBs and Organisation working in the field of
elections and democracy VoICE.NET.
How it will help? This network will provide an innovative wide platform to
share knowledge resources, interact on discussion board, sharing platform for
events and practices in member countries and also extend its knowledge and
resource support to stakeholders e.g. CSOs, Departments and other
organisations associated with elections besides Academic Institutions.
The Exhibition-An exhibition showcasing Voter Education tools and materials
from India and across the world consisting of informational material, model
polling station, provision of live voting on EVM, photos, videos, 3D models,
interactive games developed by ECI shall be on show. The EVM and VVPAT have
especially being demonstrated for the delegates on their request.
The substantial quantum of Voter Education material developed by ECI, the
voter education guides/brochures, the compilation of Human Stories and other
literature including the praiseworthy Braille brochures on voting education
shall also be on display.
The Resolution-The Conference will also aim to achieve a Resolution to
strengthen Inclusive, Informed and Ethical electoral participation
among member countries with the help of Voter Education and outreach.
Government to bring an anti-trafficking legislation in Parliament soon
About- Minister of Women & Child Development, has said that the Government
will soon bring an anti-trafficking legislation into the Parliament, the draft of
which is ready.
The bill will cover- Rescue, Relief and Reintegration of trafficked persons, and
for the first time will make a distinction between those trafficked and
the traffickers.
Steps being taken by the Government
Ministry of Women and Child has launched POCSO e-Box which is a

simple and easy facility for children or any adult to register complaints of
child sexual abuse or harassment. 81 complaints have already been
received on this e-Box, the Minister disclosed.
In another important initiative to track missing children, Khoya Paya

portal has already reported nearly 6000 cases of missing/sighted
children since its launch last year. Runaway/Missing children are also
being helped under Special Operating Procedures developed in
association with Railways.
Some of the other landmark initiatives taken by the Government include

decision to install panic buttons on all cell phones for women in
distress from 1st of January 2017, setting up of nearly 170 One Stop
Centres for women affected by violence by March 2017.
Flagship programme Beti bachao Beti Padhao to reverse the declining

child sex ratio, 33% reservation for women in police force, and setting up
a large Home for 1000 widows in Vrindavan.
Guidelines for Matrimonial Websites are being implemented to prevent

their misuse
An online portal Mahil e-Haat for women to sell their products has been
set up on which business worth nearly six lakh rupess was transacted in
the first six months itself, STEP programme of training women has been
completely revamped, women sarpanches are being trained to empower
them to administer the villages professionally, and scheme of Gender
Champions has been launched in schools
Last but not the least, the Government is now working full time to
revamp the anganwadi system to change ways in which nutrition is
being administered to children and pregnant women.
To ensure healthy children, the Government is now working for six

months mandatory maternity leave for working women for which the
Ministry of Labour and Employment has moved to introduce
amendments in the Act.
MoU Signed between NICPR and All India Institute of Ayurveda for Cancer
Prevention and Research
(Topic: Health and Family Welfare)
About- MoU was signed between the National Institute of Cancer Prevention
and Research (NICPR), an autonomous institute under Department of Health
Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and All India Institute of
Ayurveda (AIIA), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of AYUSH.
MoU would pave the way to carry forward the ongoing bilateral dialogue and
facilitate collaboration with National Cancer Institute, USA.
Objective of the MoU is- To set up a Center of Integrative Oncology at NICPRNoida as joint venture of Ministry of AYUSH and Department of Health
Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for collaboration in the areas of
cancer prevention, research and Care.
Collaborative research should aim at developing traditional medicine as
adjuvant therapy to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
Setting up of this Centre is an outcome of?
Deliberations held in Indo-US Workshop where in the invited US delegates from
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of
Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NIH) deliberated with the eminent
experts from India having expertise in Cancer research and other promising
areas for two days to share experiences and work out a road map for future
collaborations.
Web portal on Network for AYUSH Cancer Care (NFACC) also launched
Developed by the AIIA
Help to- Collect the national data of experts, scientists, practitioners,

institutes, universities located across the country and engaged in cancer
care & research. An online App of NFACC has also been developed.
This app will be available on the website of various AYUSH institutions

which will provide a hyperlink to the main Portal. In future, this portal
will have collection of research papers related to Cancer care, information
about the facilities available for Cancer care through AYUSH systems.
Consumer Mela for spot registration of consumer grievances

(Topic: Consumer, food and public distribution)
About- Department of Consumer Affairs is organizing Consumer Mela 2016
on 20th October, 2016 at New Delhi
Ojective of- Bringing Consumers, Companies, Regulators and DoCA on one
platform for Consumer Awareness and possible grievance redressals, on the
spot registration of grievances.
Partners in the Mela would be Industry bodies like ASSOCHAM, CII, DICCI,
FICCI and PHD Chambers while regulators like FSSAI, TRAI, BEE would also
participate.
Consumer Counseling Mechanism of Department of Consumer Affairs
popularly known as National Consumer Helpline (NCH) will be in the mela to
educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities, the procedure for
seeking Grievance Redressal, assisting them in registering Grievances, etc. It
would also register on the spot Grievances, if any.
As the Department of Consumer Affairs is observing Swachhta Pakhwada
from 16th to 31st Oct, 2016, this opportunity would also be utilized to educate
consumers about their responsibilities to keep their surroundings clean.
Nukkad Nataks on consumer awareness and Swachhta and Poster making
competition by School children would be organized during the event.
Why needed? When lots of purchasing are done, it is important that
Consumers make informed choices, they do not fall prey to counterfeit
products, unfair trade practices etc.
Women of India Exhibition 2016 draw a tremendous response
About- Women of India Exhibition 2016 being held at Dilli Haat, INA, New
Delhi is receiving a tremendous response from the visitors.
Organised by- Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, the unique
exhibition is being held from 14th to 23rdOctober, 2016.
Aim- To promote women entrepreneurs engaged in manufacture and promotion
of organic products ranging from food, fabrics, wellness, personal care among
others.
Highlights
Exhibition of organic products in this fair mainly promotes women

entrepreneurs across the country to showcase their organic products to
visitors at the exhibition.
Major objectives of the exhibition are to-> Support and encourage

women entrepreneurs engaged in- Promotion of organic products/
farming + Provide an opportunity to exhibit their products for wider
publicity and recognition + Share their experiences in promotion of
organic products in their rural areas with other participating women
entrepreneurs.
Exhibition also focuses on generating awareness among the public, on

the benefits of organic products aiming at sustainable healthy life.
Exhibition is held for a period of two weeks every year during the
month of October-November, which encourages grass root level women
entrepreneurs to participate in the exhibition.
Women entrepreneurs also gather information on preparation of organic

product highlighting health and environmental advances of organic food
etc, from their counterparts.
Participants- Nearly 300 women entrepreneurs from Leh to Kanyakumari and

Kohima to Kutch, have come to participate in the exhibition with their organic
products, ranging from cereals, rice, pulses, spices, fabrics, dyes and dresses,
cosmetics, household products, pickles, organic ice cream, preserves, oils,
honey, tea, hair care, bath care, beauty care, aromatherapy products, solar
products, kitchen composters, organic cotton fabric, linen, organic seeds, sikki
grass art & crafts, handicrafts made of recycled scrap, sea shells, papier mache
products, ready to eat snacks, water hyacinth craft, cowdung air purifier, jute
craft, jackfruit products, wild edible forest products, agarbatti, loban and other
bio products etc.
Three daylong Global Conference to Make India the Centre for Arbitration
(Topic: NITI Aayog)
About-The first ever Global Conference to Strengthen Arbitration and
Enforcement in India gets underway in New Delhi.
Conference titled- National Initiative on Strengthening Arbitration and
Enforcement In India from October 21st to 23rd, 2016.
Aim- To provide impetus to commercial arbitration in India, this is fast gaining

pace across the world, for faster, more efficient dispute resolution outside the
court room
Launched by Government and Judiciary as a major initiative to change the
face of dispute resolution in India.
Collaboration of
NITI Aayog, Ministry of Law & Justice, DIPP, National Legal Services
Authority, International Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution,
National Institute of Labour Economics Research and Development has
collaborated to make India the centre of arbitration.
Also for the first time six leading international arbitral institutions
(HKIAC, ICC, KLRCA, LCIA, PCA and SIAC) and all major industry
associations (FICCI, PHD Chamber, CII and ASSOCHAM) have come
together to drive this initiative.
Benefit- Conference will serve as a platform for discussing critical issues,

sharing experiences on the best international practices and creating a roadmap
to strengthen arbitration and its enforcement in the country.
Why needed?
Conference comes in the backdrop of the immense losses suffered by the

business enterprises and the economy at large, due to enormous
backlogs involved in dispute resolution in Indian courts.
This keep resources and money of the businesses trapped till resolution
of the dispute. This is a major disincentive for foreign companies coming
to invest in India. So they seek alternatives. One such alternative is
arbitration which can be cost effective and quick.
World Bank Report on Ease of Doing Business
Increasingly, foreign companies that partner with Indian businesses are

approaching countries outside of India for dispute resolution.
In the World Bank Report on the Ease of Doing Business India has
improved its position by 12 ranks. However, on the Enforcement of
Contracts India fares extremely poorly and ranks 178 out of 189
countries.
World Bank Report suggests that improving the mechanism to resolve

commercial disputes in India will go a long way in bettering Indias rank.
Many Indian companies are going to foreign arbitration centres like

Singapore, London and Paris taking a huge chunk of dispute resolution
business outside India.
Statistics make this picture clear- In 2012, 49 of the total 235 cases in
Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) involved an Indian
party. This figure grew to 85 out of 259 cases in 2013.
Steps taken to overcome
India has already undertaken major structural reforms to facilitate ease

of doing business recently, including legal reforms to revamp the existing
arbitration framework.
Parliament has recently passed an Amendment to the Arbitration and

Conciliation Act, 1996. Moreover, the Commercial Courts, Commercial
Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Act, 2015 has
been passed to fast track commercial dispute resolution.
Building over these reforms, the initiative by Government and Judiciary

will help to improve the institutional capacity necessary to create a
vibrant ecosystem to make India the next big hub for international
commercial arbitration.
GS-3
India Signs Guarantee Agreement with the World Bank for IBRD
(Topic: Economic Affairs)
About- A Guarantee Agreement for World Bank (IBRD) lending of US$ 650
million to the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL) for
Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor-III (EDFC-III) Project has been signed
between the Government of India and the World Bank here today in the
national capital.
Agreement was signed by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of
Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Acting Country Director,
World Bank, India on behalf of the World Bank.
Objective of the EDFC-III Project
To augment rail transport capacity, improve service quality and enhance

freight carriage throughput on the 401 km Ludhiana-Khurja section of
the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor
Develop institutional capacity of DFCCIL to build, maintain and operate

the entire DFC network. This project is in continuation of Phase-I and II
of the EDFC Projects being implemented by the DFCCIL with the World
Bank loan of US$ 975 million and US$ 1100 million respectively on the
Dadri-Khurja-Kanpur
Kanpur-Mughal Sarai stretches of the Eastern Rail Corridor (LudhianaDelhi-Kolkata).
Project will directly benefit- Power and heavy manufacturing industries of

Northern and Eastern India, which rely on railway, network for transportation
of their material inputs and also for the distribution of bulk processed and
semi-processed commodities and consumer goods. Railway passengers will also
be benefitted through decongestion of the existing passenger lines.
Leading institutions especially educational institutions can play an
important role in creating mass awareness about issues like financial
inclusion in the country
(Topic: Education)
About- Union Finance Minister said leading institutions especially educational
institutions can play an important role in creating mass awareness about
issues like financial inclusion in the country. Government has taken various
steps in last two and a half years to link every household with a bank account.
Initiatives taken-
Under PMJDY Government has been able to open 240 million bank
accounts and now except in certain remote and inaccessible areas,
people who are in a position to connect with bank, have a bank account.
Government had launched MUDRA Yojana so that small traders,

businesses and new entrepreneurs can have access to banking finance
without security. Major beneficiaries under the Scheme were women and
those from weaker sections of society.
Vittshala
It is a Centre For Community Engagement (CCE) initiative, aimed at

making communities equipped enough to manage financial resources
effectively through community engagement, workshops, seminars, and
discussions. Founded by a group of motivated teachers and students, the
Cell wants to create an impact through its well-planned, communityoriented projects.
Vittshala envisions a nation where every individual is financially literate

and is empowered to act as a catalyst for economic growth.
Vittshala will act as a multi-faceted programme involving peercounseling, developing interactive apps and events to promote financial
literacy with respect to-
Basics of Financial Planning
Channelisation of savings
Investments
Banking and Insurance services
Opening and operating of bank accounts and related Government

schemes
Workshop for the liaison officers of CPSES regarding Implementation of

Reservation Policy in CPSES begins
(Topic: Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise)
About- Additional Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises, M/o

Heavy Industry & Public Enterprises has advised the Officers of Central Public
Sector Enterprises to follow the Guidelines devised by the Deptt. of Personnel,
Public Grievances and Pensions and Training (DoPT) in letter and practice. A
two day workshop for the liaison officers of CPSEs regarding Implementation
of Reservation Policy in CPSEs held in New Delhi.
Policy launched in view of- Concern raised by NCSC in regard to
implementation of reservation policy in CPSEs, it was decided to organize a
training programme on the subject matter of Implementation of Reservation
Policy in CPSEs through Institute of Secretariat Training & Management
(ISTM), an autonomous body under DoPT.
Workshop will enable the participants to
List out relaxations and concessions available to reserved category

employees
Describe procedure for operations and maintenance of Roster for small

cadre
Describe procedure for operation and maintenance of Roster for large

cadre
List issues involved in Reservation in promotion, and direct recruitments

(DR)
Why needed?
It is informed by NCST that most of the CPSEs did not comply with
Commissions recommendations
NCSC had requested Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) to issue

suitable instructions to Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) for
early implementation of the Commissions recommendation.
Nearly 56 officials from 28 CPSEs out of around 80 nominations are

participating in the workshop.
Steps taken- National Commission for Schedule Castes (NCSC) has informed
DPE that NCSC has taken review meetings with several Central Public Sector
Enterprises (CPSEs) and anomalies in respect of implementation of DoPT
orders in respect of issues pertaining to Reservation in CPSEs like Reservation
Rosters, non-filling of Backlog vacancies meant for SCs and OBCs,
appointment of liaison officers etc. as noticed by commission brought to the
notice of the concerned CPSE.
PM launches National SC/ST hub
(Topic: Steps to improve SC/STs)
About- Prime Minister launched the National SC/ST hub.
It will work towards
Strengthening market access/linkages
Monitoring
Capacity building
Leveraging financial support schemes and sharing industry best

practices.
Help- Enable central public sector enterprise to fulfil the procurement target
set by the government.
Sports Authority of India collaborate with some identified universities
across the country to improve standards of training
(Topic: Sports)
About- Sports Authority of India (SAI) will collaborate with some identified
universities across the country to improve standards of training with a view to
achieving excellence in sports. For this purpose, each Regional Director of SAI
will identify one or two universities with good sports infrastructure and
sporting traditions. This decision was taken at a meeting of Heads of SAI
Regional Centres, Academic Institutions, SAI Training Centres (STCs) and
Special Area Games (SAG) Centres held in New Delhi.
Why Important?
Collaboration between SAI and chosen universities is imperative in view

of the fact that several universities across the country have excellent
sports infrastructure which is not being optimally utilized.
Such collaboration is also essential in view of the fact that in big sporting
nations like the USA, international athletes mostly come from their
universities.
How it can be improved?
To closely monitor the performance of SAI coaches, take steps to

constantly upgrade their skills and also to incentivize them.
Every SAI Centre has been discussed to select sports disciplines for
focused attention, keeping in view factors like infrastructure and local
traditions.
The issue of identification of talent by SAI was also discussed at length.

It was decided that SAI would pro-actively hunt for talent by sending its
teams to interior areas. Sports science experts will also be part of such
teams. SAI will also collaborate with Defence forces to ensure that
talented children get selected for nurturing in SAI Centres.
Need for seeking contribution of the corporate sector to upgrade facilities

at the SAI Centres.
Initiating steps to utilize every nook and corner of SAI complexes.SAI

facilities should be opened to public without disturbing their normal
activities of training.
Need for SAI Centres to closely work with the State Governments and
involve local representatives of people so that concerted and coordinated
efforts can be made for achieving sports excellence.
10th India and United States Trade Policy Forum

(Topic: Commerce and Industries)
About- A high level delegation led by Ambassador, United States Trade

Representative is attending the 10th India-United States Trade Policy Forum
(TPF) meetings scheduled from 19th October, 2016 to 20th October, 2016 at
New Delhi.
Trade Policy Forum meeting has focussed on
Increased bilateral interaction and momentum on resolving trade

concerns.
As part of the annual work plan jointly agreed between India and US
working groups on- Agriculture + Trade in services and goods +
Promotion of investment in manufacturing and intellectual property have
been meeting with an intention of understanding the best practices +
Facilitating investment and raising concerns relating to the trade.
The previous 9th TPF was held in October, 2015 at Washington D.C, USA
Both the sides would be reviewing the progress achieved on the issues
agreed upon in work plans for 2016, under all the four work streams and
would be working out the way forward for 2017.
Bilateral commercial ties between the United States and India are
growing stronger as reflected by increased bilateral trade in Goods and
Services of $109 billion and highest ever FDI inflows in 2015-16.
Bilateral cooperation under TPF has resulted in resolving several market

access issues and cooperation in services, manufacturing and IPR. India
is looking forward to maintain the momentum further in the current TPF.
Prime Minister dedicates three Hydro Projects to the Nation

(Topic: Power Generation)
About- PM dedicated three flagship 800 MW Hydro Power Station of NTPCKoldam, 520 MW Parvati Project of NHPC and 412 MW Rampur Hydro
Station of SJVNL projects to the Nation in Mandi , Himachal Pradesh.
NHPCs Parbati-III Power Station
NHPCs Parbati-III Power Stationis a run of the river scheme having a

43m high rockfill dam, underground Power House and 10.58 km long
water conductor system.
A net head of 326 meter is utilized to run four vertical Francis turbines
with an installed capacity of 520 MW (4130 MW).
The power plant is designed to generate 1963.29 Million Units annually.
The power generated from the Parbati-III Power Station is distributed to

beneficiary states i.e. Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab,
Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Union
Territory of Chandigarh.
Power Station is supplying 13% free power to home state i.e. 12% as
home state share and 1% for Local Area Development fund. The
completion cost of the project is around Rs 2600 crore and as on
30.09.2016 the total power generation is 1880 MU with revenue
realization of Rs 816 crore.
NTPC- Koldam
With commencement of generation from four 200 MW units, NTPCKoldamhas achieved capacity of 800 MW and provides peaking capacity
to the Northern grid.
It shall annually generate 3054 GWh electricity at 90% dependable year

basis.
Twelve percent of the electricity generated from Koldam is being supplied

to the home state Himachal Pradesh free of cost while 1 percent to the
state on account of Local Area Development fund.
All the Project Affected Families are being provided 100 units of
electricity every month free of cost which accounts for 0.62 percent of the
total generation.
Thus a total 13.62 percent of electricity generated from the plant is

supplied free of cost to Himachal Pradesh, remaining power supplied to
other beneficiaries namely Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttrakhand and

Chandigarh.
SJVNs Rampur Project (412MW)
SJVNs Rampur Project (412MW) in Kullu districtwill be operated in

tandem with Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (HPS). This project will
provide 13 percent free power to the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Commerce and Industry Minister launches the CIPAM Logo

About- The logo of the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) was
launched by the Commerce & Industry Minister.
Logo has been designed keeping in mind the slogan of the National IPR
Policy: Creative India, Innovative India.
Specification
While the logo stands for Cell for IPR Promotion and Management, the
letter I stands for Intellectual, and is represented by a pencil, denoting
the expression of creativity, and in the tri-colours of the Indian flag.
The curve of the letter P stands for Property, and is denoted by a gear
which depicts Innovation and Industry.
CIPAM
Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) has been created as a
professional body under the aegis of DIPP to take forward the
implementation of the National IPR Policy that was approved by the
Government in May 2016, with the slogan Creative India; Innovative
India: ;
CIPAM is working towards creating public awareness about IPRs in the

country, promoting the filing of IPRs through facilitation, providing
inventors with a platform to commercialize their IP assets and
coordinating the implementation of the National IPR Policy in
collaboration with Government Ministries/Departments and other

stakeholders.
Foundation Stone for Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan
(Topic: New and Renewable energy)
About- Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy
and Mines, laid the foundation stone for Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan. The
building has been named after former PM of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
as he laid the foundation stone for the Wind Turbine Testing Station of the
National Institute of Wind Energy at Kayathar, Thoothukudi District, Tamil
Nadu on 5th September, 2000.
Highlights
Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan will be the integrated headquarters building for
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. At present the office of MNRE
is located in three different building blocks at CGO Complex with its
current strength of about 400 officials.
Bhawan will be an iconic landmark symbolizing an energy efficient

renewable energy integrated building. It would be a state-of- the art,
Net-Zero-Energy Green Building designed on the concept of Solar
Passive Architecture. This interactive and use-responsive building will
have an Urja pavilion showcasing Renewable Energy systems and
devices.
Building will provide an environment friendly atmosphere with renewable

energy and energy efficiency utilization in the building. This iconic
building will be a symbol of our country marching ahead to lead
renewable energy revolution.
Launch of Implementation of Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India

(Topic: Tourism)
About-Ministry of Tourism launched the Implementation of the Sustainable
Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) in association with Ecotourism Society of
India (ESOI).
STCI
Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) had been developed for the
accommodation, tour operators and beaches, backwaters and lakes
sectors of the tourism industry after thorough discussions with the
stakeholders.
STCI follow the guidelines set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria
(GSTC) that has been evolved under the guidance of the United Nations
agencies viz. UNEP and UNWTO.
STCI were developed with the need for developing criteria for sustainable
tourism specific to India given the specific environment that Indias
tourism industry operates in and drawing inspiration from Indias
attainments in sustainability.
After much deliberations, the STCI were defined finally launched on

26thAugust 2014 by the then Minister of Tourism in Hyderabad in
association with the leading Travel Trade Associations.
Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik : Civil Aviation Ministrys Regional

Connectivity Scheme UDAN Launched
(Topic: Civil Aviation)
About- Ministry of Civil Aviation took a major step towards making flying a
reality for the small town common man. The Civil Aviation Minister launched
the Ministrys much awaited Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN in New
Delhi.
UDAN
UDAN is an innovative scheme to develop the regional aviation market

which envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served
airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
The scheme would be in operation for a period of 10 years.
It is a market-based mechanism in which airlines bid for seat subsidies.
This first-of-its-kind scheme globally will create affordable yet

economically viable and profitable flights on regional routes so that flying
becomes affordable to the common man even in small towns.
UDAN has a unique market-based model to develop regional connectivity.

Interested airline and helicopter operators can start operations on
hitherto un-connected routes by submitting proposals to the
Implementing Agency.
The operators could seek a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) apart from
getting various concessions.
All such route proposals would then be offered for competitive bidding
through a reverse bidding mechanism and the route would be awarded to
the participant quoting the lowest VGF per Seat.
The operator submitting the original proposal would have the Right of
First Refusal on matching the lowest bid in case his original bid is within
10% of the lowest bid. The successful bidder would then have exclusive
rights to operate the route for a period of three years. Such support
would be withdrawn after a three year period, as by that time, the route
is expected to become self-sustainable.
Objective of the scheme- Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik, ensure affordability,

connectivity, growth and development.
Benefit
It would provide a win-win situation for all stakeholders citizens would

get the benefit of affordability, connectivity and more jobs.
Centre would be able to expand the regional air connectivity and market.
The state governments would reap the benefit of development of remote
areas, enhance trade and commerce and more tourism expansion.
For incumbent airlines there was the promise of new routes and more
passengers while for and start-up airlines there is the opportunity of
new, scalable business. Airport operators will also see their business
expanding as would original equipment manufacturers
The UDAN is likely to a give a major fillip to tourism and employment

generation in the hinterland. Through introduction of helicopters and
small aircraft, it is also likely to significantly reduce travel timings in
remote and hilly regions, as well as islands and other areas of the
country.
Achieved through
Financial stimulus in the form of concessions from Central and State

governments and airport operators and
Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations

from such airports so that the passenger fares are kept affordable.
Steps taken
Central Government would provide concessions in the form of reduced

excise duty, service tax, permission to trade ASKMs for Non-RCS (UDAN)
Seats and flexibility of code sharing at the RCS (UDAN) airports.
State governments will have to lower the VAT on ATF to 1% or less,

besides providing security and fire services free of cost and electricity,
water and other utilities at substantially concessional rates.
Airport operators shall not impose Landing and Parking charge and
Terminal Navigation Landing Charges in addition to discounts on Route
Navigation Facility Charges.
A Regional Connectivity Fund would be created to meet the viability gap

funding requirements under the scheme. The RCF levy per departure will
be applied to certain domestic flights.
States have key role
States have a key role under the scheme. The selection of airports where
UDAN operations would start would be done in consultation with State
Government and after confirmation of their concessions.
It may be recalled that revival of dysfunctional airports and starting

operations on un-served airports has been a long standing demand of
most States and this will be addressed through UDAN to a large extent.
State Governments (other than North Eastern States and Union

Territories where contribution will be 10 %) would contribute a 20%
share to this fund. For balanced regional growth, the allocations under
the scheme would be equitably spread across the five geographical
regions of the country viz. North, West, South, East and North-east.
Indo-Italy Scientific and Technological Cooperation Re-Launched

(Topic: Science and Technology)
About- Indo-Italian Joint Committee established under the Scientific and
Technological Cooperation Agreement re-launches cooperation in the sectors of
science, technology and innovation. The original agreement was signed between
Italy and India in 2003.
Aim- Facilitating the mobility of researchers who will be jointly selected and cofinanced within the framework of the 2017-2019 Indo-Italy Executive
Programme of Scientific and Technological Cooperation.
Areas covered- Information and Communication Technology, energy,
environment and sustainable agriculture, health care, biotechnology and
medicine, nanotechnology and advanced materials, physics and astrophysics
and technology applied to the cultural and natural heritage, are the areas
agreed upon by the two countries for joint projects.
Committee expressed appreciation for the launch of the next phase of
cooperation established between Italian and Indian researchers in the IndiaTrento Programme for Advanced Research (ITPAR).
Inaugurate two Indian experimental beam lines at the Synchrotron

facility in Trieste for the ELETTRA XRD2 and XPRESS accelerators
which is funded by DST at a cost of 6 million Euros.
Discussed a new scientific and technological cooperation programme on

applied science, aimed at developing technologies and processes to be
applied in industry
Joint workshops are to be alternatively held in Italy and India, starting

from 2017. An Indo-Italian Innovation Forum will be established to
promote and connect the world of research with the world of business
and investment.
Sagarmala funds flagship project of Ro Pax Ferry Service in Gulf of
Cambay, Gujarat
(Topic: Shipping)
About- As part of promoting coastal shipping in the country under Sagarmala
programme, the Ministry of Shipping has sanctioned the Capital Dredging
Project for Ro Pax Ferry Services between Gogha & Dahej, in Gulf of Cambay in
Gujarat. The total project cost is estimated to be Rs 234 Crore and of which
50% will be funded by Centre Government under the Sagarmala programme.
Project would result in
Reduction in motorable distance of 231 kms between Gogha & Dahej to

mere 31 kms and reduce the travel time from 7 hours to 1 hour only by
crossing the Gulf in Cambay in 17 Nautical Miles.
Initiative would not only reduce the travel time but also result in savings
in fuel, reduction in CO2 emission and reduction in road congestion.
About Project
Project is first of its kinds in India as it will be executed in the area of

Worlds 2nd highest tidal range.
It is one of the flagship projects under Sagarmala which aims to increase

share of waterways transportation in modal mix to 10 per cent from
present level of 7 per cent by year 2025.
Project would open up new avenues in coastal shipping & tourism and
help in socio-economic development of proximate areas.
It would also help in utilisation of inland waterways through River

Narmada for shipping goods from industries located upstream.

(PIB)- 24th Oct to 30th Oct, 2016
ARCHIVES
GS-1
Foundation stone of new building of Institute of Archaeology
(Topic: Culture)
About- The Foundation stone laying ceremony of the new building for Institute
of Archaeology of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under Ministry of Culture
held on 28 October, 2016, Delhi NCR.
Aim- Providing an opportunity for students to achieve excellence in their
passionate fields of archaeology.
Institute of Archaeology
The Institute of Archaeology (IA) is an academic wing of

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture.
This Institute provides an outstanding environment for the academic

research through its Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology, continuing
its long established reputation for distinction in this field.
Students are provided with a supportive, enthusiastic and challenging

academic atmosphere which enables them to achieve their full potential.
The Institute along with two years Post Graduate Diploma in Archaeology
also conducts professional workshops on different fields of archaeology.
GS-2
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
National Consultative Committee meeting on De-addiction and
Rehabilitation (NCCDR) held
(Topic: Rehabilitation)
About- The Meeting of National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and
Rehabilitation (NCCDR) held under the chairmanship of Minister of State for
Social Justice and Empowerment.
Participants- Representatives of States and Union territories and Regional
Resource & Training Centres (RRTCs) and many NGOs.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Ministry for

drug demand reduction.
It coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which

include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action,
treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and
public awareness.
Ministry provides community-based services for the identification,

treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through voluntary organizations.
Issues discussed
Evolving and strengthening appropriate models for the prevention of

alcoholism, drug and substance abuse, treatment and rehabilitation of
drug dependent individuals.
Ensuring the facility of De-addiction Centres in each District and

increasing the number of Regional Resource & Training Centres (RRTCs).
Establishing separate and specialised de-addiction treatment

centres/facilities for drug dependent females and children, especially in
Central Government Hospitals/Medical colleges.
Organizing awareness generation programmes in different parts of the

countryand conducting sensitization and preventive education
programmes in schools and colleges throughout the year.
Establishing a system of accreditation of facilities offering services

connected with drug abuse.
Formulation of National Alcohol Policy.
Establishing appropriate facilities for highly vulnerable groups like

spouses and children of addicts, street children, homeless, beggars,
people living in slums, IDUs, sex workers etc.
Cooperation on various fronts from the stakeholders for successful

conduct of the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use.
Strengthening the monitoring mechanism of IRCAs and improving service

delivery.
Inauguration of first National Tribal Carnival

(Topic: Tribal Affairs)
About- Prime Minister inaugurated First National Tribal Carnival in New Delhi.
Aim
To promote a sense of inclusiveness amongst the tribal and promote

various facets of tribal culture on a large scale
To preserve and promote various facets of the tribal life relating to

culture, tradition, customs and their skills and to expose it to the general
public with a view to utilizing the potential for overall holistic
development of the Scheduled Tribes.
Highlights of Carnival-
Activities like displaying documents on traditional socio-culture aspects,

exhibition of art/artifacts, cultural performances, demonstration of skills
like sports, paintings, traditional healing practices etc. will be part of the
four day event.
Workshop on issues like Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled

Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) its implementation, benefit to tribal
community and its drawbacks, Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 and its
implications and reservation in politics and recruitment will also be part
of the carnival.
The events during the carnival will be a mix of live musical and dance
performances, exhibitions, display of craft, fashion show, panel
discussion, book fair etc.
The carnival promises to be a mix of art, music, traditional food and one
of its kind of non-stop venues for lively entertainment of Indias
traditional tribal way of life full of experience and knowledge. Ministry of
Tribal Affairs27-October, 2016 16:43 IST
e- Postal Ballot System for Service Voters

(Topic: Election Commission)
About- The Government has issued Notification on 21st October, 2016
amending rule 23 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 enabling service
voters, including armed forces personnel, to cast their vote in elections through
e-postal ballot.
What is there in the system?
Under this system a blank postal ballot paper would be transmitted

to them electronically.
This would cut short the delay experienced in the present system in
two-way transmission of ballot paper by the postal services.
The armed forces personnel serving in remote and border areas

would be greatly benefitted since the present system of two-way
transmission of ballot paper by the postal services has not been able to
meet the expectations of the service voters.
Why needed?
The difficulties and hardships encountered by the service voters,

especially by the armed forces personnel serving the border and
remote areas of the country, have been receiving the attention of the
Government in recent times.
The issue was also agitated before the Honble Supreme Court, in the
matter of Neela Gokhale vs. Union of India & Anr. pleading for creating
effective mechanism for the Armed Forces Personnel (AFP) and their
families to exercise their right to vote easily and effectively.
Steps taken
In the above backdrop, the Government approached the Election

Commission with a view to mitigating the difficulties faced by service
voters in the matter of exercising their franchise.
The technical team of the Election Commission has developed a system

whereby blank postal ballot could be electronically transmitted to the
voter, namely, e-postal ballot system.
E-postal Ballot system
Voters entitled to postal ballot such as service voters, can download the
postal ballot and print the blank postal ballot.
After marking his vote in the blank postal ballot, the same would be
returned to the concerned Returning Officer by post as in the present
system of postal ballot.
The Election Commission proposed that the categories of voters

mentioned at rule 18 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 may be
made eligible for e-postal ballot system.
However, on a pilot basis, e-postal ballot system has been introduced by

Notification dated 21st October, 2016 for service voters consisting of-
Armed police forces of the Union
Other forces subject to the provisions of the Army Act, 1950
Armed forces of a State serving outside that State; and
Employed under the Government of India in a post outside India.
Two-way electronic transmission has not been recommended by the

Election Commission for security and secrecy reasons.
Major Impact
One-way electronic transmission of blank postal ballot would

considerably cut short the delay in receipt of the marked postal ballot by
the Returning Officers on or before the date fixed for the counting of
votes.
Major beneficiaries would be the entire category of service voters as

stated above, especially the armed forces personnel posted in border and
remote areas of the country.
With the issue of the aforesaid notification, a long-pending and nearunanimous demand of the service voters, including the armed forces
personnel, has been fulfilled.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Workshop on the provisions of The Panchayats Extension to The
Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996 held
(Topic: Tribal Affairs)
About- As a sequel to various activities planned under National Tribal Carnival
being held in New Delhi from 25th to 28th October, 2016, a series of Workshop of
thematic areas concerning tribal population have been planned. The first such
Workshop on the Provisions of the Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled
Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) Implementation, benefits to Tribal Community and its
Challenges was held in New Delhi.
Workshop highlighted
Importance of PESA to tribal communities, challenges being faced, way

forward and key areas which need to be focused. The Rurban Mission
presentation, while bringing out key features also highlighted coverage
under the Mission of a large number of tribal areas.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj the constitutional provisions for Fifth

Schedule Area, implementation of PESA Act, Ministry of Panchayati Rajs
initiatives and how do the Act empowers and benefits to tribal
community and way forward were explained in detail. Ministry of
Women and Child Development26-October, 2016 18:15 IST
WCD Ministry to set up Inter-Ministerial Committee and an e-platform for

effective redressal of complaints of sexual harassment at workplace
About- Minister of Women and Child Development held a review meeting on
implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 in New Delhi.
Concerns
The complaints of sexual harassment are not being handled in a timely

as well as sensitive manner.
The harassment often continues over a period of time and it is only after
it becomes unbearable that a woman comes out to complain.
In such situations, it is the duty of Internal Complaints Committee to

decide on the complaint in the shortest possible time. The Minister also
pointed out that the transfer of the aggressor can never be a solution to
such a complaint and there should be harsher punishments when the
complaint is found to be true.
Decisions taken
The Ministry of WCD will set up an inter-ministerial committee

headed by a senior official of the WCD Ministry. This committee will
review the progress of disposal of complaints of sexual harassment, get a

standardized training module prepared in collaboration with ISTM, and
ensure that heads of Internal Complaints Committee of all
ministries/departments are given training on how to handle the
complaints.
The ministry will be establishing a secure electronic platform for any

woman employee of the government to file a complaint under the Act
directly to the Ministry of WCD. These complaints will be then taken up
with the respective ministries/ departments. This will enable a
monitorable and transparent system of grievance redressal under the
Act.
All ministries/ departments will furnish a monthly report to WCD

ministry on the number of complaints received, disposed, pending and
action taken etc.
All ministries/ departments and attached offices will furnish the annual
statistics of complaints received and disposed under the Act in their
Annual Reports. It was also decided that inter ministerial committee will
create a panel of resource persons from which ICCs can take the external
members. In another important decision taken at the meeting, all the
training programmes of all services will have a module on the Act and
DoPT will issue necessary instructions for this.
It was also decided that the respective cadre controlling authority will
keep every complainant under observation for a period of five years so
that she is not subjected to any further administrative harassment as a
result of her having complained against a male superior.
It was agreed that the Act, the rights of a woman official and the
responsibility of the ICC must be given adequate publicity through
different methods including the websites of the ministries/ departments/
attached offices.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Agreement between India and Estonia on the transfer of
sentenced persons

About-Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of PM has given its approval for
signing and ratification of an Agreement between India and Estonia on the
transfer of sentenced persons.
Agreement facilitate- Indian prisoners imprisoned in Estonia or vice-versa to
be near to their families, for serving remaining part of their sentence and shall
facilitate their social rehabilitation.
Background
Prior to 2004, there was no domestic Legislation under which foreign

prisoners could be transferred to the country of their origin to serve the
remaining part of their sentence, nor was there a provision for the
transfer of prisoners of Indian origin convicted by a foreign court to serve
their sentence in India. The transfer of such prisoners to their own native
countries shall facilitate their social rehabilitation
Hence, the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 was enacted for serving
the above purpose. For achieving the objectives of the Act, a
Treaty/Agreement is required to be signed with countries having mutual
interest with India and later to the notified in the Official Gazette.
Agreement signed so farThe Government of India has so far signed bilateral Agreements on Transfer of
Sentenced Persons with United Kingdom, Mauritius, Bulgaria, France, Egypt,
Sri Lanka, Cambodia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Brazil,
Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina, UAE, Italy, Turkey, Maldives-, Thailand, Russian
Federation, Kuwait, Viet Nam, Australia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Mongolia,
Kazakhstan and Bahrain. So far total 65 prisoners have been exchanged, out of
which 55 were Indians.
Establishment and operationalization of new Indian Institute of Science
Education and Research at Berhampur, Odisha
(Topic: Education)
the following
Ex-post facto approval for formation of an Indian Institute of Science

Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur Society under the Societies
Registration Act, 1860
Establishment and operationalisation of IISER, Berhampur in a transit/

temporary campus from the Academic Year 2016-17, which will involve a
cost of Rs.I52.79 crore, for the initial three years (2016-19), and ex-post
facto approval of starting the academic session of 2016-17 from 1st
August, 2016
Accepting land, free of cost, from the State Government of Odisha
Creation of the post of Director of the Institute in the Pay Scale of

Rs.80,000 (Fixed)
Introduction of a Bill, namely, the National Institutes of Technology,

Science Education and Research (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016
(Appendix-Ill) in Parliament for inclusion of IISER, Tirupati and IISER,
Berhampur in the Second Schedule of National Institutes of Technology,
Science Education and Research (NITSER) Act, 2007 (29 of 2007) with
such modifications/ changes of the drafting and consequential nature as
may be considered by the Legislative Department.
IISER
The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) have

been declared as Institutes of National Importance under the National
Institutes of Technology, Science Education & Research (NITSER) Act,
2012.
These Institutes are envisaged to carry out research in frontier areas of

science and to provide quality science education at the Under-Graduate
and Post-Graduate level. Earlier there were five IISERs at Kolkata, Pune,
Mohali, Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram. After coming to power this
Government started an IISER at Tirupati in 2015.
To increase the presence of IISERs in various States/ geographical

locations to cater to the need for quality education in science and
research, the Union Finance Minister, in his Budget Speech (2015) had
announced setting up of an IISER in the State of Odisha.
Cabinet approves establishment of National Academic Depository
About- Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of PM has accorded its
approval for establishment and operationalisation of a National Academic
Depository (NAD).
Aims at- Bringing another dimension and enhancement of the vision of Digital
India
NAD established and operationalised within- Next three months and would
be rolled out throughout the country in 2017-18.
Decision taken after- The Finance Ministers Budget Speech of 2016-17, in
February this year, incorporated this commitment to establish a Digital
Depository for school learning certificates, degrees and other academic awards
of Higher Education Institutions, on the pattern of a Securities Depository.
Facilitate
NAD shall maintain the authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of its

database.
It will also train and facilitate academic institutions/boards/ eligibility

assessment bodies to efficiently lodge academic awards in the database
It will provide digital or a printed copy of the academic award with

security features to the students or other authorized users. NAD will
verify academic awards online on the same day of request initiated by
any authorized user.
Requests for access to academic awards, for example, from potential

employers, and academic institutions would be only on the basis of
consent of the student.
NAD
The NAD would be operationalised by NSDL Database Management

Limited (NDML) and CDSL Ventures, Limited (CVL) two of the wholly
owned subsidiaries of the Depositories registered under Securities
Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992.
Academic institutions would be responsible for the authenticity of data

digitally uploaded by them into the system.
The depositories will ensure the integrity of the data in the NAD.
The NAD will register educational institutions/boards/eligibility

assessment bodies, students and other users/verifying entities like
banks, employer companies, government agencies and academic
institutions.
Cabinet approves the new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit

between India and Bhutan
(Topic: Bilateral Agreement)
About-Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has approved an
Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan.
Bilateral trade agreement
The bilateral trade relations between India and Bhutan are governed by
the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between the Government
of India and Bhutan.
Agreement provides for a free trade regime between two countries.
The Agreement also provides for duty free transit of Bhutanese

merchandise for trade with third countries.
Validity and ExtensionThe Agreement was renewed on 29th July 2006 for a period of ten years. The
validity of this Agreement was extended, with effect from 29th July 2016, for a
period of one year or till the new agreement comes into force, through exchange
of Diplomatic notes.
OutcomeThe traditionally unique bilateral relations characterized by trust and

understanding between India and Bhutan have matured over the years and
would be further strengthened by execution of the proposed Agreement on
Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement.
National Ayurveda Day to be celebrated throughout the Country on 28th
October- Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda to be launched
(Topic: Health)
About- On the occasion of National Ayurveda Day, the Ministry of AYUSH is
organizing a one day National Seminar on Prevention and Control of Diabetes
through Ayurveda on 28th October 2016 at New Delhi.
Government of India has decided to celebrate National Ayurveda Day every
year on the occasion of Dhanwantari Jayanti.
Mission Madhumeha
Ministry of AYUSH is also going to launch Mission Madhumeha

through Ayurvedaon the occasion.
The Mission Madhumeha will be implemented throughout the country

through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol for effective
management of Diabetes through Ayurveda. The national treatment
Protocol will be also released on the occasion of National Seminar.
Steps taken
In this regard , Ministry of AYUSH has communicated to various State

Governments (Department of AYUSH/Department of Health/Department
of Medical Education), State AYUSH Directorates, All Ayurveda
Educational Institutes, Ayurveda Pharma to celebrate the National
Ayurveda Day in a befitting manner by organizing Public
lectures/Seminars/Exhibitions on the theme of Prevention and Control
of Diabetes through Ayurveda.
Several State Government AYUSH departments have taken proactive

steps in this regard and have planned for various activities on this day by
providing free Ayurvedic health care services for the patients of Diabetes
by organizing health check-up camps, public lectures for creating
awareness in public regarding Diabetes etc.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas to be observed on 31st October with Integration of

India theme
(Topic: Government initiatives for National integration and unity)
About- The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will be observed on 31st October, 2016
Theme- Integration of India
Objective- It provides an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and
resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the
unity, integrity and security of our country.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
The Government had decided to observe the birth anniversary of Sardar

Vallabhbhai Patel as the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)
on 31st October every year.
Various activities are being organised across ministries/departments all

over the country
On the occasion, floral tributes will be paid to Sardar Patel across the
country.
It will be followed by Run for Unity involving people from all sections of
society to be organised from the National Stadium to the C-hexagon of
India Gate.
A Run for Unity will also be organised at the State/District Headquarters

involving people from all sections of society, so that a message of national
unity permeates to every part of the nation and the society.
All the Government Offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other Public
Institutions will arrange a pledge taking ceremony to observe the
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
Various Ministries are also organising activities on the above occasion

such as Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in collaboration with Nehru
Yuva Kendras will organise sports competition in rural areas to engage
youth. Ministry of Human Resource Development will organise an essay
competition and special programs in schools across the country.
The Department of Posts will release a Postage Stamp in memory of

Sardar Patel and an exhibition on Sardar Patel is being organised by the
Ministry of Culture at National Science Centre.
Ministry of External Affairs will organise special programs in major

Missions/ Embassies across the world.
A mobile exhibition will also be launched at the Red Fort, which will be
further taken to all seven regional zones of Ministry of Culture. Besides
this, other activities are also being organised to observe Rashtriya Ekta
Diwas.
Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988

(Topic: Amendments)
About- Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 has been amended by the
Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 (BTP Amendment
Act).
Come into force- The rules and all the provisions of the BTP Amendment Act
shall come into force on 1st November, 2016. After coming into effect of the BTP
Amendment Act, the existing Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 shall
be renamed as Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 (PBPT
Act).
Benami Property Transactions
The PBPT Act defines benami transactions, prohibits them and further
provides that violation of the PBPT Act is punishable with imprisonment
and fine. The PBPT Act prohibits recovery of the property held benami
from benamidar by the real owner. Properties held benami are liable for
confiscation by the Government without payment of compensation.
An appellate mechanism has been provided under the PBPT Act in the
form of Adjudicating Authority and Appellate Tribunal. The Adjudicating
Authority referred to in section 6(1) of the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and the Appellate Tribunal referred to in
section 25 of the PMLA have been notified as the Adjudicating Authority
and Appellate Tribunal, respectively, for the purposes of the PBPT Act.
A Joint / Additional Commissioner of Income-tax, an Assistant / Deputy

Commissioner of Income-tax and a Tax Recovery Officer in each Pr. CCIT
Region have been notified to perform the functions and exercise the
powers of the Approving Authority, Initiating Officer and Administrator,
respectively under the PBPT Act.
GS-3
Ministry of Agriculture
Centre Constitutes Committee for monitoring Bird Flu
(Topic: Animal Husbandry)
About- Centre has constituted a Committee headed by Joint Commissioner,
Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries (DADF) to maintain
constant vigil on the situation arising out of avian influenza (H5N8).
Committee will have representatives from- Ministry of Health, Ministry of
Environment, Forests and Climate Change and Department of Agriculture
Research and Extension (DARE) and representative of the Delhi Government.
Besides, monitoring the situation, the Committee will assist the State
Government in taking steps to contain the spread of Avian Influenza.
NIHSAD
National High Security lab for animal diseases NIHSAD the world
body OIE recognised facility for disease diagnosis in South Asia and the
Four Regional Laboratories, and the Central lab at IVRI have been
instructed to give all assistance to the State Governments and get sample
tested in an emergency response manner.
In fact all 45 samples obtained from Delhi government at the Bhopal lab
have been tested within the stipulated 72 hour time frame as per Biosecurity level -4 requirements and 13 cases have tested positive for
H5N8. Similarly test results have been given for other cases in Kerala,
Punjab and MP. As per available reports from other states, the disease
incidence is in control.
Case recorded
It may recall that on 17.10.2016 some birds had died in the Delhi
Zoological Park and thereafter birds had died in six other areas.
A sample was sent to NIHSAD, and on the same day it was confirmed
that the birds had died of H5NH8 virus.
A close watch is being maintained and necessary advisories have been

issued to all states to keep a vigil on areas frequented by birds both
domestic and migratory.
Steps taken to overcome
The Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Department of the States

have issued guidelines for maintaining cleanliness in the zoological parks
housing wild birds, water bodies as well as meat / poultry market areas
where meat is sold.
Necessary precautions for human beings coming in the contact with

poultry have also been reinforced although as per WHO observations, the
transmission of H5N8 virus is very low. Also there will be no trade impact
of the incidence as per global OIE criteria.
All bird sanctuaries and areas where there are lakes have been advised to
keep a close watch on the situation and in case of any suspicious death
of birds, the State Government and the Centre may be notified.
No further test results are presently required by Delhi government to

continue with its bio-security measures for implementing the National
Action Plan for Control and Containment of the Avian Influenza, 2015
guidelines.
Full support of the government of India health department, urban

development department, environment department apart from animal
husbandry department under the ministry of agriculture & farmers
welfare is being provided and there is full communication with the Delhi
government on the on-going steps to contain and control the disease
incidence.
Daily meetings are being held at the Animal Husbandry Commissioner

level in DADF to advise the State Governments in case of emergency.
CBDT signs 5 Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) with Indian

taxpayers, raising the total number of APAs to 108
(Topic: Finance)
About- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance entered into five (5) Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements
(APAs) on 27th October, 2016 with Indian taxpayers.
Agreements cover a range of- International transactions, including sale of
finished goods, purchase of raw materials, software development services, IT
enabled services, exports and interest payment.
Agreements pertain to different industrial sectors like- Manufacturing, IT
services, etc.
Agreements provide certainty to the taxpayers for- 5 years with regard to
the covered international transactions.
APA
APA Scheme was introduced in the Income-tax Act in 2012 and the
Rollback provisions were introduced in 2014.
Scheme endeavours to provide certainty to taxpayers in the domain of

transfer pricing by specifying the methods of pricing and determining the
arms length price of international transactions in advance for a

maximum period of five future years.
Further, the taxpayer has the option to roll-back the APA for four
preceding years.
Since its inception, the APA scheme has attracted tremendous interest
among Multi National Enterprises (MNEs) and more than 700
applications (both unilateral and bilateral) have been filed in just four
years.
APA Signed
With this signing, the total number of APAs signed so far has reached
108.
These include 4 bilateral APAs and 104 unilateral APAs since 201314. Of these, 44 APAs have been concluded in 7 months of the current
Financial Year itself.
Launch of dedicated website for DGAD, Department of Commerce

(Topic: Commerce and Industries)
About- Commerce Secretary launched a more informative, user-friendly,
dedicated website (http://www.dgtr.gov.in/) for DGAD for disseminating
information/activities being performed by DGAD. She also inaugurated the
additional office space developed by NBCC to meet the requirements of
increased work responsibilities and to ensure optimal functioning of the
Directorate.
DGAD
Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties was constituted

in April, 1998 and was headed by Designated Authority of the level of
Joint Secretary to the government of India who is assisted by an Adviser.
In addition there are eleven Investigating and Costing Officers with varied
relevant experience to conduct investigation.
The Directorate is responsible for carrying out investigations and

recommending, where required under the Customs Tariff Act, the
amount of ant dumping duty countervailing duty on the identified
articles as would be adequate to remove injury to the domestic industry.
Steps taken
Dedicated CVD Cell that was created in DGAD to defend the interests of
Indian exporters against the anti-dumping/countervailing investigations
initiated by foreign governments on Indian exports.
DGAD has continuously raised its working standards, which are reflected
in the record number of 51 cases of findings issued by DGAD in 201516.
In the current FY 2016-17, DGAD has already issued 18 cases of final

findings and 3 cases of preliminary findings.
DGAD has also in collaboration with Centre for WTO Studies and WTO
Secretariat organized a Regional Anti-Dumping Workshop in New Delhi,
India during 3rd 5th October, 2016 to exchange information and views
on laws and regulations relating to trade remedy measures and to
enhance cooperation in the area of trade remedies.
Mobile Air Dispensary for remote areas of the North-East

(Topic: Development of North Eastern Region)
About- Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North
Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions,
Atomic Energy and Space, has proposed Mobile Air Dispensary service for
remote and far-flung areas of Northeast.
Mobile Air Dispensary
It envisage a mobile dispensary in a Helicopter with a doctor, necessary

equipment and medicines that can fly to remote and far-flung on regular
basis and also, as and when required.
In areas from where patients find it difficult to reach a dispensary, a

doctor with dispensary can reach them. The same experiment, which
would possibly be the first of its kind in the country, can also be
replicated in other hill States and remote areas having poor connectivity
like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh etc.
Idea taken fromRoyal Flying Service of Australia, popularly known as Flying Doctors, which
is meant to provide aid and primary health care service in rural and remote
areas.
Ministry of Communications & Information Technology25-October, 2016
11:46 IST
Ministry of Shipping
Development of National Waterway -1 Driving Economic Benefits and
Employment Opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West
Bengal
(Topic: Water transport)
About- Development of Inland Water Transport is one of the major endeavours
of the Ministry of Shipping.
Project Coverage
The Phase-1 of Jal Marg Vikas project will cover the Haldia- Varanasi
stretch.
The project includes development of fairway, Multi-modal terminals at

Varanasi, Haldia and Sahibganj, strengthening of river navigation
system, conservancy works, modern River Information System (RIS),
Digital Global Positioning System (DGPS), night navigation facilities,
modern methods of channel marking, construction of new state of the art
navigational lock at Farakka etc.
Project is expected to facilitate-
Navigation of commercial vessels with the capacity of 1500-2000 Tons. It

has been taken up with the technical and financial assistance of World
Bank.
The development works on NW-1 is expected to drive the economic

growth of States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Project will help in
De-siltation of the river and will improve the water flow through scientific
dredging allowing navigable depth upto 2.3 to 3 meters over a width of 45
meters.
In this project there will be no need to construct barrages on this stretch

of National Waterway 1 (Haldia to Varanasi) also.
The consolidated environment impact assessment report has not

indicated any adverse impact on the ecology of the river due to this
project, making this project feasible from the environment perspective.
New Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India

and Republic of Korea comes into force with effect from 12th September,
2016
(Topic: Taxation)
About- A new revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between
India and Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of
Fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income was signed on 18th May 2015
during the visit of the PM to Seoul.
Will come into force from
It has now come into force on 12th September 2016, on completion of

procedural requirements by both countries. The earlier Double Taxation
Avoidance Convention between India and Korea was signed on 19th July,
1985 and was notified on 26th September 1986.
Provisions of the new DTAA will have effect in India in respect of income
derived in fiscal years beginning on or after 1st April, 2017.
Some of the salient features of new DTAA are
The existing DTAA provided for residence based taxation of capital gains
on shares. In line with Indias policy of taxation of capital gains on
shares, the revised DTAA provides for source based taxation of capital
gains arising from alienation of shares comprising more than 5% of share
capital.
In order to promote cross border flow of investments and technology, the

revised DTAA provides for reduction in withholding tax rates from 15% to
10% on royalties or fees for technical services and from 15% to 10% on
interest income
The revised DTAA expands the scope of dependent agent Permanent

Establishment provisions in line with Indias policy of source based
taxation
To facilitate movement of goods through shipping between two countries

and in accordance with international principle of taxation of shipping
income, the revised DTAA provides for exclusive residence based taxation
of shipping income from international traffic under Article 8 of revised
DTAA.
The revised DTAA, with the introduction of Article 9(2), provides recourse
to the taxpayers of both countries to apply for Mutual Agreement
Procedure (MAP) in transfer pricing disputes as well as apply for bilateral
Advance Pricing Agreements (APA). Further, as per understanding
reached between the two sides, MAP requests in transfer pricing cases
can be considered if the request is presented by the tax payer to its
competent authority after entry into force of revised DTAA and within
three years of the date of receipt of notice of action giving rise to taxation
not in accordance with the DTAA.
It may be added that a MoU on suspension of collection of taxes during

the pendency of Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) has already been
signed by Competent Authorities of India and Korea on 9th December
2015. The MoU provides for suspension of collection of outstanding taxes
during the pendency of MAP proceedings for a period of two years
(extendable for a further maximum period of three years) subject to
providing on demand security / bank guarantee.
The Article on Exchange of Information is updated to the latest

international standard to provide for exchange of information to the
widest possible extent. As per revised Article, the country from which
information is requested cannot deny the information on the ground of
domestic tax interest. Further, the revised DTAA contains express
provisions to facilitate exchange of information held by banks.
Information exchanged under the revised DTAA can now be used for
other law enforcement purposes with authorization of information
supplying country.
The revised DTAA inserts new Article for assistance in collection of taxes
between tax authorities.
The revised DTAA inserts new Limitation of Benefits Article i.e. antiabuse provisions to ensure that the benefits of the Agreement are availed
only by the genuine residents of both the countries
The revised DTAA aims to avoid the burden of double taxation for
taxpayers of two countries in order to promote and thereby stimulate flow
of investment, technology and services between India and Korea. The
revised DTAA provides tax certainty to the residents of India and Korea.
Ministry of Science & Technology

Impacting Farmers lives through Science Biotech-Kisan & Cattle
Genomics
(Topic: Agriculture)
About- As a part of the Governments focus on the development of programmes
that aim to directly and positively impact peoples lives rapidly, the Ministry of
Science and Technology has been at the forefront in many of these initiatives.
Two Farmer-Centric initiatives of this Ministry areBiotech-KISAN and Cattle
Genomics. The two programs are intended to have major impact on rural
livelihood through science.
Biotech- KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network)
Empowering Small- and Women- Farmers with Science Implementation
Biotech-KISAN is a new programme that empowers farmers, especially

women farmers. Cash crops and horticulture can be a major source of
income but the vagaries of climate, disease and market often prevent
this. Farmers are eager to use scientific tools that can mitigate these
factors.
The Department of Biotechnology is partnering to stimulate these

exciting directions.
The Scheme is for farmers, developed by and with farmers, it empowers

women, impacts locally, connects globally, is Pan-India, has a hub-and
spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers.
Biotech-KISAN is
For Farmers-The Biotech-KISAN is a Farmer centric scheme launched by

of the Department of Biotechnology, where scientists will work in sync
with farmers to understand problems and find solutions.
By Farmers-Developed in consultation with the farmers. Soil, Water,

Seed and Market are some key points that concern small and marginal
farmers. Biotech-KISAN aims to link farmers, scientists and science
institutions across the country in a network that identifies and helps
solve their problems in a cooperative manner.
Empower women- The woman farmer is often neglected. It is important

to empower the women farmer, help her meet her concerns for better
seed, storage of seed and protection of the crops from disease and pest.
The women farmer is also the prime caretaker of livestock and she is
eager to combine traditional wisdom in handling the livestock and with
current best practices, especially in the context of emerging livestock
disease. The scheme includes the-
Mahila Biotech- KISAN fellowships, for training and education in farm

practices, for women farmers.
Scheme aims to support the women farmers/ entrepreneur in their small

enterprises, making her a grass root innovator.
Connects Globally- Biotech-KISAN will connect farmers to best global

practices; training workshops will be held in India and other countries.
Farmers and Scientists will partner across the globe.
Impacts Locally. The scheme is targeted towards the least educated

marginalised farmer; Scientists will spend time on farms and link
communication tools to soil, water seed and market. The aim is to
understand individual problems of the smallholding farmers and provide
ready solutions.
Across India. Biotech KISAN will connect farmers with science in the 15
agro-climatic zones of the country in a manner, which constantly links
problems with available solutions.
Hubs and Spoke. In each of these 15 regions, a Farmer organisation will

be the hub connected to different science labs, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and
State Agriculture Universities co-located in the region. The hub will reach
out to the farmers in the region and connect them to scientists and
institutions.
Farmers as Innovators. The hub will have tinkering lab, communication

cell and will run year-long training, awareness, workshops and which will
act as education demonstration units to encourage grass root innovation
in the young as well as women farmers
Communicating Best Practises There will be a communication set-up

to make radio and TV programmes for local stations, as well as daily
connectivity through social media.
Cattle Genomics: Taking Indigenous Livestock to Pole Position

Why needed?
Livestock contributes significantly to the livelihood of rural poor in our

country and has enormous potential to reduce poverty.
There is a predicted increase in demand for animal food products in India

by 2020.
In the wake of climate change challenges, quality breeding of indigenous

livestock is essential.
When breeding is selective, the native livestock can transform the lives of
small farmers. Genomic selection will ensure high-yielding, diseaseresistant, resilient livestock.
Outcome
Selecting hardy livestock that give high-yields.Better livestock can be

genetically, selected which ultimately leads to enhancement of
productivity in a sustainable, resilient manner.
Issues with Traditional Breeding
Traditional Breeding takes time. Genetic improvement of livestock

through traditional selection for increasing livestock productivity has
major limitations. To overcome these, genomic selection has played a
crucial role in livestock industry globally.
Benefits
Global best methods for local livestock. Genomic selection will transform
local livestock breeding. This uses information on variation in DNA
sequences between animals to predict the breeding value of animals more
accurately.
Development of high-density DNA chips. This will reduce the cost and
time interval of breeding program in future and productivity of
indigenous cattle will be enhanced.
Genome sequencing of indigenous cattle breedsfrom all registered cattle breeds

of India by involving various stakeholders is to start soon.

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IASbaba Press Information Bureau

(PIB)- 3rd OCT to 9th Oct, 2016

ASI has ranked top 25 Adarsh Monuments on the basis of Cleanliness

Rani ki Vav (Gujarat) a World Heritage Site has been declared as

75 more Adarsh Monuments protected by ASI have been identified to be

With this a total of 100 Adarsh Monuments protected by ASI will be

Initiative Launched by Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism

Creating permanent mechanism of cleanliness for all organisations under

To spread awareness through various cultural activities by involving all

Spread of swachhata awareness through Music, Dance and Drama by

Citizen Participation and awareness

Useful mobile App enables a citizen to take photograph of garbage at the

Nodal Officer thereafter sends confirmation about the redressal of the

President Presents Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak

General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of

Fellowship of the Akademi is the most prestigious and rare honour,

Selection of artists in different fields

Vocal Music, Lalgudi G J R Krishnan for Carnatic Instrumental Music

In the field of Traditional/Folk/Tribal Music/Dance/Theatre and

India to host first AMCDRR after Sendai Framework

It will set the direction of Sendai Framework implementation in the

Established in 2005, AMCDRR is a biennial conference jointly

It will also consolidate the political commitment of governments towards

Discuss issues related to DRR in six technical, 22 thematic and three

Inclusive development such as Risk Resilient Infrastructure for

Application of Science and Technology for prevention of new risks;

Gender sensitive DRR

Risk financing Disaster Risk: Identification and Financing Solutions.

Various DRR-centric activities will be organised during the Conference to

Commemoration of the first World Tsunami Awareness Day, to spread

Indias commitment to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is evident from the

AMCDRR 2016 will focus on collaboration, consultation and partnership

Heritage Infrastructure projects worth Rs. 350 cr approved

India is blessed with tangible and intangible heritage assets and it

France had expressed interest to intervene on the subject of heritage and

Provisions of the Bill seek to address HIV-related discrimination,

Bill also aims to enhance access to health care services by ensuring

Bill lists various grounds on which discrimination against HIV positive

Health care services

Residing or renting property

Standing for public or private office, and

Provision of insurance (unless based on actuarial studies). The

Bill also prohibits any individual from publishing information or

Bill requires that No person shall be compelled to disclose his HIV

Establishments keeping records of information of HIV positive persons

Prevent the spread of HIV or AIDS,

Provide anti-retroviral therapy and infection management for persons

Facilitate their access to welfare schemes especially for women and

Formulate HIV or AIDS education communication programmes that are

There are no financial implications of the Bill.

Most of the activities are being already undertaken or can be integrated

Bill makes provision for appointment of an ombudsman by State

There are approximately 21 lakh persons estimated to be living with HIV

Three agreements between India and Switzerland on Mutual Visa

Union Home Minister proposed training facilities for Indian Police

The two sides signed three agreements including-

Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic Passports

Technical Arrangements on Identification and Return of Illegal Migrants

Technical and Administrative Staff of Diplomatic and Consular Mission to

Cooperation in transfer of sentenced persons and Mutual Legal

Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding with the African Asian

(NIRD & PR), institutions governed by the Indian Council of Agricultural

Duration of each training programme shall be of two to three weeks. The

AARDO, which has its headquarters in New Delhi, is an autonomous,