Union Cabinet approves creation of PDF to catalyse Indian economic presence in CLMV countries
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to create a Project Development Fund (PDF) for catalysing Indian economic presence in the CLMV countries viz. Cambodia, Laos Myanmar and Vietnam.
The PDF will have corpus of Rs 500 Crore and shall be housed in Department of Commerce. It will be operated through the EXIM Bank.
Key Facts
- The PDF will be governed by an Inter-Ministerial Committee under the chairpersonship of the Commerce Secretary.
- It will benefit India’s industrial community for business expansion in the CLMV countries.
- Besides it will also help to maintain cost competitive supply chains, besides integrating with global production networks.
Cabinet approves dissolution of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to proposal for dissolution of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited (CIWTC).
CIWTC was incorporated in February 1967 as Public Sector Undertaking under the Companies Act 1956 by the Central Government. It was under the administrative control of Ministry of Shipping (MOS).
It had taken over the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile River Steam Navigation Company Limited (RSNCL) under a scheme approved by the Calcutta High Court.
Union Cabinet apprises MoU between CERT-In and CERT-UK
The Union Cabinet has apprised the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and CERT-UK. The MoU was signed between CERT-In and Ministry of Cabinet Office, UK (United Kingdom) represented by CERT-UK, a unit of the Cabinet Office on Cyber Security in May 2016.
Key Facts
- The MoU intends to promote closer cooperation between India and UK for exchange of knowledge and experience in detection, resolution and prevention of security-related incidents.
- It will facilitate both countries to exchange technical information on Cyber-attacks, response to cyber security incidents and find solutions to counter the cyber-attacks.
- They can also exchange information on prevalent cyber security policies and best practices.
- This MoU helps to strengthen cyber space of both countries in terms of capacity building and improving relationship between them.
Gujarat becomes first state to distribute 2 crore LED bulbs under UJALA scheme
Gujarat has become the first state in the country to distribute two crore LED bulbs under the Centre’s UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) scheme.
The state has reached the milestone in just 96 days and over 42 lakh households have already benefited from the scheme.
Key Facts
- State-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of the Union Power Ministry had distributed about 2 lakh bulbs daily in Gujarat.
- The distribution of 2 crore LED bulbs has led to an annual energy savings of 259 crore kwh, (Kilowatt Hour).
- It is equivalent to lighting up 5 lakh Indian homes for an entire year. Besides energy savings, the state has also gained from daily CO2 emission reduction of 5,000 tonnes.
PV Sindhu to be appointed as brand ambassador of CRPF
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has decided to appoint Olympic silver medallist P. V. Sindhu as its honorary commandant and brand ambassador. It was announced by CRPF’s Director General K.Durga Prasad after she had agreed to become the India’s largest paramilitary force’s brand ambassador.
In this regard, CRPF also has moved the proposal before the Home Ministry. She will be given honorary Commandant rank in the CRPF which is equivalent to the position of a Superintendent of Police (SP) and such an officer who commands a battalion of about 1,000 personnel.
- CRPF is the largest central armed police force or paramilitary force in India. It functions under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- Its primary role is to assist States/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and contain insurgency.
- It was established in 1939, under Crown Representative’s Police but after independence it was made statutory CRPF after enactment of the CRPF Act, 1949.
- At present, CRPF is the world’s largest paramilitary force with 228 battalions and over three lakh personnel.
