PM Modi launches Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan at Mandla, MP
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the ‘Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan’ at Ram Nagar in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh.
The scheme focuses on training, building infrastructure and stepping up initiatives for e-governance under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project.
He also inaugurated a three-day Aadi Mahotsava program on the conservation of ancient Tribal culture and heritage.
Prime Minister felicitated 6 states (Sikkim, Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tripura, and Karnataka) for the Rashtriya E panchayat puruskar.
Suresh Prabhu Chairs first meeting of think tank on a framework for National Policy on E-Commerce
Today, the Minister of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, ‘Suresh Prabhu’ has chaired the first meeting of the think tank on the Framework for National Policy on E-commerce.
The think tank will explore options for providing a fillip to entrepreneurship in the digital economy.
It will identify specific policy interventions for nurturing domestic firms and create jobs in e-commerce.
It will provide a credible forum for an inclusive and fact-based dialogue leading to recommendations for informed policymaking.
Note: The think tank on the Framework for National Policy on E-commerce has been established by the Department of Commerce.
AFSPA removed from Meghalaya
The Union Home ministry has withdrawn the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) totally from Meghalaya as well as from 8 police stations in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Act had been in force in Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh for almost 27 years.
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA), are Acts of the Parliament of India that grant special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in what each act terms "disturbed areas".
Diu Smart City becomes first to run on 100% renewable energy during daytime
The ‘Diu Smart City’ has become the first city in India, that runs on 100% renewable energy during the daytime.
Diu had been importing 73% of its power from Gujarat until last year.
According to Urban Affairs Ministry, the city has developed a 9-MW solar park spread over 50 hectares rocky barren land, besides installing solar panels on the rooftops on 79 government buildings, generating 1.3 MW annually.
Earlier, Diu offers its residents a subsidy of Rs 10, 000-50,000 for installing 1-5KW rooftop solar panels.
Note:Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.
Uttarakhand to get 1,700 crore rupees aid from ADB for Infrastructure development
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to give an aid of 1,700 crore rupees (in principle) to Uttarakhand for infrastructure development and creation of sewerage treatment facilities in urban areas.
According to Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, 100% of the aid given by the institution will be utilized for the purpose.
Note:The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through loans, grants, research and technical assistance to its member countries & investments in private companies.
Subsidised food grain for SC, ST, OBC hostel students: Paswan
According to the Union Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, all students living in the hostels, (where two-thirds belong to SC, ST and OBC communities) will be entitled to 15 kg of food grain per month at subsidized rates.
The Welfare Institutions and Hostels Scheme will be rolled out at the earliest.
The scheme will benefit over one crore students including girls from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes and backward from minorities.
International Affairs
Mario Abdo Benitez elected as Paraguay's president
Mario Abdo Benitez (46-yr) (Conservative) of Paraguay's ruling Colorado Party narrowly defeated his opponent Mr. Alegre. in the country's presidential elections.
The group has dominated the country's political landscape for more than 70 years.
Benitez vowed to focus on Paraguay's persistent poverty by stimulating foreign investment.
Note: The President of Paraguay is the head of the executive branch of the Government of Paraguay, both head of state and head of government.
Banking & Finance
IOB inks information Utility Pact with NeSL
The Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) entered into an agreement for information utility services with the National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL).
Now, the IOB branches will be able to provide high-quality, authenticated information about debts and defaults.
It will have more transparency in maintaining the list of borrowers, debtors, creditors and loan defaulters.
Iran bans banks from using Cryptocurrencies
Iran has banned the use of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies by banks and financial institutions.
The ban came because "all cryptocurrencies have the capacity to be turned into a means for money-laundering and financing terrorism and in general can be turned into a means for transferring criminals' money.
Important Dates
National Panchayati Raj Diwas being observed today
The ‘National Panchayati Raj Diwas’ being observed on 24th April every year across India.
West Bengal’s Digambarpur Gram Panchayat (GP) has won the Centre’s award for the best Gram Panchayat in the country.
Digambarpur GP at Patharpratima block in South 24-Parganas has come up as the best out of 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats in the country.
The survey was conducted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Note: This day marks the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24 April 1993.