Rajya Sabha passes Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Bill, 2016
The Rajya Sabha has passed the Maternity Benefits (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to raise maternity leave for working women from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for two surviving children. The Bill seeks to amend the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The law protects the employment of women during the time of her maternity and entitles her of a ‘maternity benefit’
Union Government launches data bank portal of MSMEs
The Union Government has launched two important initiatives of the Union Ministry of MSME, viz. MSME Databank Portal and Online Finance Facilitation Web Portal. They were launched by Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley on the sidelines of 14th Meeting of the National Board of MSME in New Delhi. Key Facts
Parliament passes Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016
Parliament has passed the Central Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2016 to help the north-eastern state achieve higher growth in animal husbandry sector. The Bill proposes to amend the Central Agricultural University Act, 1992 to include Nagaland under the jurisdiction of Imphal Central Agriculture University (CAU).
Assam Government launches Rhino horn verification process
The Assam Government has launched Rhino horn verification process for verifying rhino horns stored in various treasuries of Assam since 1980. The process will be responsible for verifying the genuineness of the rhino horns, which were recovered since 1980s and stored in various treasuries. The process of verification will be conducted by 12-member Rhino Horn Verification Committee which was recently instituted by state government. Key Facts
China launches Gaofen-3 high-resolution radar imaging satellite
China has successfully launched a new high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) dubbed as Gaofen-3. It was launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province on the back of a Long March 4C rocket. It was 233rd flight mission by a Long March carrier rocket. The Gaofen-3 satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), under guidance of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CATC).
