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Azad Pattan hydel project deal signed by Pakistan, China:

              Recently, Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project on the Jhelu river in Sudnoti district of Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK).

             The 1.5 billion USD project is under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC).

             The Azad pattan project is one of Five hydro power schemes on the Jhelum, the other four are Mahl, Kohala, Chokothi Hattian and Karot Projects.

              Azad pattan, Kohala and Karot are being developed under the CPEC framework.

              It is a run-of-the-river scheme with a 90 meter high dam, and a 3.8 sq km reservoir.

              It will be developed on the 'Build, Own, Operate Transfer(BOOT)' model. It is expected to be commissioned by 2024. The project will be transferred to the government of Pakistan after 30 years.

   China-Pakistan Economic Corridor:  

    The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) is a part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) , intended to improve infrastructure within Pakistan for better trade with China and to further integrate the untries of the region.   OBOR has two main components. One Belt- the land-based belt, and One Road refers to the ocean going 'Maritime Silk Road' which aims to connect the East Asian economic region with the European economic circle and runs across the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa.

   India has boycotted the Belt and Road Forum organized by China. China's insistence on establishing the CPEC project through PoK is seen by India as a deliberate disregard of its territorial claims.

NABARD extends grant assistance of Rs 221.89 cr to support 298 watershed projects in Karnataka:      

                            In Karnataka, NABARD has extended grant assistance of 221.89 crores rupees to support 298 watershed projects in over three lakh hectares benefitting 66,500 families.

The state has about 75 percent of rain fed area.

The projects have resulted in improving the crop productivity, diversification, soil and water conservation and socio-economic condition of the beneficiaries.

The mitigate the COVID 19 impact on rural population, NABARD has released 2200 crore rupees in the state to the Co-operative and Regional Rural Banks under a special line of credit over and above the normal limits.

  Watershed:    An area of land that drains into a common body of water.

NABARD:  National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is an apex development Financial Institution in India. The  Bank has been entrusted with “matters concerning Policy Planning and Operations in the field of credit for Agriculture and other Economic activities in Rural areas in India”. NABARD is active in developing Financial Inclusion Policy. It Formed on July 12, 1982. It's  headquarter in Mumbai and chairman is Harshkumar Banbala.

Poba Reserve Forest in will be upgraded to Wildlife Sanctuary:     

                        Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced, Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji District would be upgraded to a wildlife sanctuary.

      Poba Reserve Forest declared in 1924 with an area of 10,522  hectares is home to a large number of flora and fauna. It is one of the richest rain forests of North East India.

About Assam: State: 26 January 1950

                        Capital: Dispur

                        Number of District: 33

                        Governor: Jagdish Mukhi

                        Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal

                        Members of the Legislative Assembly: 126

                         Lok Sabha seats: 14

                         Rajya Sabha seats: 7

         Festivals of Assam: Bihu, Me-Dum-Me-Phi,Baishagu, Ambubachi Festival, Majuli Festival, Dehing Patkai Festival etc.

Dance of Assam:  Bihu dance, Bagurumba, Sattriya, Banjar Kekan, Mishing Bihu etc.

Important National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam:  Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Parks,Orang National Parks, Dibru choikhwa National Park, Nameri National Park, Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary,Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary, Pobitara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary etc.

Mandaviya asks officials to raw strategy to turn Vallarpadam terminal into transshipment hub:

        Recently, the Ministry of Shipping reviewed the development of the country's first trans-shipment hub-Kochi international Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT).

        ICTT is locally known as the Vallarpadam Terminal.

         Trans-shipment Hub is a terminal at a port which handles containers, stores them temporarily and transfers them to other ships for the onward destination.

        It basically acts as a switching point for cargo carried by deep-sea vessels operating  on transcontinental trade routes.

        It will cut India's dependence on neighboring hub ports such as colombo in Sri Lanka, Jebel Ali in Dubai and Port Klang in Malaysia to send and receive container cargo, thus saving time and cost for exporters and importers.

  Vallarpadam Terminal:   It is a part of the Cochin  port in Kochi, Kerala. It is located on Vallarpadam Island. It was built with an investment of about Rs. 3,200 crore, shared by the government and the Dubai-government-owned entity (Dubai ports World).

   It was opened in February2011 and can handle cargo up to one million TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units) per annum.

    It is proposed to be a  leading transshipment hub of South Asia. This is because of its:  1) Proximity to International sea routes.

2) Location with respect to all Indian feeder(secondary/smaller) ports.

3) Proximity to key hinterland markets of India.

4) Large infrastructure to manage large ships and capacity to scale it up as per requirement.

About Kerala: Capital: Thiruvananthapuram

                        CM: Pinarayi Vijayan

                        Governor: Arif Mohd Khan

Alcohal based hand sanitizer to attract 18% GST:     

                    Goa Bench of GST Authority of Advance Ruling (AAR) pronounced that alcohol based sanitizers will attract 18% GST.

    The Springfields Distilleries had moved to Goa AAR over the GST rates and the classification of hand sanitizers as essential commodity. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and recently classified hand sanitizers as essential commodity.

   Essential commodity Act was enacted in 1955 to ensure delivery of certain products and commodities. These products are those whose supply when obstructed would affect normal life of the people.

   The list of commodities under the law include fertilizers, drugs, edible oils. Petroleum and petroleum products. Under the law, the center can include new commodities as when needed. Currently there are 9 commodities included. They are.....

1) Fertilizers-Organic, Inorganic and Mixed

2) Food items (including edible oils)

3) Seeds of food crops and seeds of fruits and vegetables

4) Face Masks

5) Hand Sanitizers

6) Drugs

7) Petroleum and Petroleum products

8) Raw jute and jute textiles.

Haryana government launches 'Samadhan se Vikas' scheme

        Recently, the Haryana government has introduced a one-time settlement scheme called 'Samadhan se Vikas' for the recovery of long pending dues on account of External Development Charges(EDC) and Infrastructural Development Charges(IDC). The scheme is modeled on the central scheme of 'Vivad se Vishwas-2020'.Similar EDC Reschedulement Policy offer was also made in 2018. Hundreds of real estate builders/developers in Haryana are yet to pay the state government over Rs. 10000 cr as EDC and IDC.

      Vivad se Vishwas scheme:  The bill provides a mechanism for resolution of pending tax disputes related to direct taxes(Income tax and Corporate tax) in simple and speedy manner.

   The bill in current form allows taxpayers to settle cases pending before the Commissioner (Appeals), Income Tax Appellate Tribunals(ITATs), Debt Recovery Tribnals(DRTs), High Courts and the Supreme Court.

    Under the Vivad se Vishwas scheme, a taxpayer would be required to pay only the amount of the disputed taxes and will get complete waiver of interest and penalty provided he pays by March 31, 2020.

    But, if the tax arrears relate to disputed interest or penalty only, then 25% of disputed penalty or interest will have to be paid.

Karur Vysya Bank partners with star Health insurance

          The Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) has entered into a tie-up with star Health and Allied insurance to provide health insurance products to its customers.

          By the agreement, all the health insurance products of star Health & Allied Insurance will be made available through all 780 branches of he Tamil Nadu based Bank. This agreement helps the bank to provide cost effective insurance products and quick settlement of claims for its customers.

      Karur Vysya Bank: Founded- 1916

4^th edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action:

         Recently, the 4^th edition of the virtual Ministerial on Climate Action was organised to advance discussions on implementation of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC). It was co-chaired by European Union, China and Canada. The participating countries exchanged their views on how they are aligning economic recovery plas amid COVID-19, with the Paris Agreement.

        India highlighted that developed country parties have not fulfilled their promise for extending financial and technological support to developing countries as envisaged under UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement.

        The developed countries had promised to provide USD 1 trillion by 2020.

 India's Effort in Combating Climate Change:   India has provided 80 million LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in rural areas, providing the people with clean cooking fuel and a healthy environment.

   It has distributed more than 360 million LED bulbs under the UJALA scheme, which has led to energy saving of about 47 billion units of electricity per year and reduction of 38 million tones of CO2 per year.

  India has also shifted from Bharat Stage -IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage -VI(BS-VI) emission norms from 1^st April 2020 which was earlier to be adopted by 2024.

Indian Coast Guard & Indonesia Coast Guard sign MoU to boost maritime relations:

     In a significant step towards bolstering the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Indonesia, a MoU has been signed between the Indian Coast Guard and Indonesia coast Guard. This will enhance collaborative and cooperative engagements in the domains of maritime law enforcement, maritime search and rescue and marine pollution response. This is likely to entail exchange of information towards combating transnational maritime crimes, facilitation of coordinated search and rescue operations at sea and conduct of capacity and capability building activities.

        Indonesia:  Indonesia is the world's largest island country and the 14^th largest country by land area.

     Capital – Jakarta

      President- Joko Widodo

      Currency – Indonesian rupiah

The Assam government decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai wildlife Sanctuary

              Recently Assam government decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a National Park. The announcement comes just months after the National Board of Wildlife's (NBWl) conditional clearance to a coal mining project by coal India Limited(CIL) in the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve Sparked a spate of virtual protests in the state.

             Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary:    The Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as the Jeypore Rainforest. It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam. Dehing is the name of the river that flows through this forest and Patkai is the hill at the foot of which the sanctuary lies. Fauna: Rare fauna found in the region include Chinese pangolin, flying fox, wild pig, sambar, barking deer, gaur, serow and Malayan giant squirrels.It is the only sanctuary in India which is home to seven different species of wild cates-tiger, leopared, clouded leopard, leopard cat, gloden cat, jungle cat and marbled cat.

      About Assam:  state: 26 January 1950

   Capital: Dispur

    Number of District: 33

   Governor: Jagadish  Mukhi

   CM: Sarbananda Sonowal

   MLA Seats:  126

   Lok Sabha Seats: 14

  Rajya Sabha Seats: 7

Karnataka Government launches “Nekar Samman Yojane”

          The Chief Minister of Karnataka B.S. Yediyurappa has launched a scheme for the weaver's community in the state of Karnataka. The name of the scheme is “Nekar Samman Yojane”, which means Weaver Samman Yojona.

           For becoming a beneficiary of the scheme, Silk, Cotton, Woolen and other handloom weavers in the state of Karnataka have to register themselves at the Seva Sindhu Portal (an initiative  to deliver the various schemes and services of the Karnataka State Government at the doorstep of the citizens).

         Under the scheme, the state government is transferring Rs 2000 of support to all weavers in the state registered with the Seva Sindhu Portal.

        About Karnataka:   Capital: Bengaluru

                                        Chief Minister: B.S. Yediyurappa

                                        Governor: Vajubhai Vala                  

 Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry will Launches Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for Junior Athletes:

      In order to groom young athletes in the country for the upcoming Olympics of 2024 (Paris) and 2028 (Los Angeles), the Union Ministry and Youth Affairs and Sports will launches Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for the Junior Athletes.

     The Objective of the Scheme will be to ensure that efforts are being made so that India finishing in the top 10 of the overall medals tally at the 2028 Olympics.

   About Target Olympic Podium Scheme(TOPS):   This Scheme was formulated in the month of July 2014. The aim of the scheme was to identify individuals with medal prospects from across the country, further groom and prepared them for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics. For assisting the athletes selected under the TOPS, within the Sport Authority of India(SAI), Mission Olympic Cell was constituted as a dedicated body.

     Now, the TOPS will be implemented for the Junior Athletes in the country, 10 to 12 years old talented will be chosen under the scheme through various talent identification programs by the authorities. Further, the chosen individuals will be provided with all possible facilities such as top coaches in the World, customized, training etc.

Delhi Government Launches an E-Portal, 'LEAD' for its students

      Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and education minister Manish Sisodia launched an e- portal, 'Learning through E-Resources Made Accessible for Delhi' (LEAD) for its students to strengthen the children's online education. The e-portal contains 10000 instructional materials and course content for classes I to XII.

    It is developed by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SERT), the Delhi government.

  The State government will upload its curriculum and share teaching learning material on the ministry of Human Resources Development's (HRD) online platform, DIKSHA through this portal.

  About LEAD:   This portal will enable students to access the textbooks, study material and course content as per the syllabus of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The National Council of Educational Research and Training  (NCERT) and Delhi government's curriculum online. It will include digital QR coded textbooks, explanatory videos, practice questions and evaluation. The support study material produced by Delhi Government teachers will also be available in this portal.

AIR starts its First Ever Sanskrit News Program 'Sanskrit Saptahiki'

          All India Radio(AIR) FM channel will be broadcasting its first ever news program in Sanskrit Language for 20 minutes duration. All India Radio has named the news program 'Sanskrit Saptahiki'. Sanskrit Saptahiki will be broadcasted every Saturday . Repeal broadcast will be available on Sundays. The news program will have the following components:

i) Sukti: This will be the opening segment. It will be in the form of a shloke, a quote from Sanskrit literature will be in the form of Shloka, a quote from Sanskrit liturature will be explained in this segment as a shloka.

ii) Prasang: A story from Indian epics. History or from the art and culture field of India.

iii) Saptahiki: Top news of week

iv) Sanskrit Darshan: News from the world of Sanskrit

v) Gyan Vigyan: An Interview with a Prominent Sanskrit language literate.

vi) Ek Bharat- Shrestha Bhart: Sanskrit to Hindi translation of five commonly used words.

vii) Anvikshiki: This will be the closing segment in which with focus on India's culture and tradition, Major historical events of the week will be covered.

viii) 'Vaartavali' completed the 5 years of continues broadcast.

ix) DD News has completed the 5 years of continuous broadcast of Sanskrit News Magazine 'Vaartavali'.

'Fit Hai to Hit Hai India' under Fit India Campaign launched:

       In the presence of P V Sindhu (Olympic Silver Medalist) and Sunil Chetri (all time top goal scorer of Indian National Football team), 'Fit Hai to Hit Hai India' program was launched by Ramesh Pokhriyal(Union Minister of Human Resources Development) and Kiren Rijiju (Union Minister of State I/C for Youth Affairs and Sports)

        As a part of the Fit India Campaign, the Fit Hai to Hit Hai India program will be organized. The union HRD Minister stated at the launch event that in various programs under the Fit India Campaign to date a total of 13,868 CBSE affiliated schools from across the country have participated out of which 11,682 have also been awarded the Fit India flag. He further added that now at the time of a global pandemic it is equally important for the students to stay fit in order to fight the COVID-19 disease.

         A total of six sessions will be organized until 14^th July. Leading sports celebrities will participate in these Talk sessions to share their life experiences from failures, struggles and to success, also will be sharing fitness tips. In the first session on 3^rd July PV Sindhu and Sunil Chetri participated.

MoU  signs between Maharashtra Government and UKIBC

        A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed virtually between the non-profit organization UKIBC(UK India Business Council and the MIDC(Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation). MIDC is the Maharashtra government's premier agency for industrial infrastructure development.

        The MoU will help in strengthening the collaboration of Maharashtra Government with the business in the United Kingdom(UK), also it will proactively improve the business environment in the state.

       UKIBC is headquarter in London and was founded in 1993 to foster , promote and increase the business relations and the bilateral trade between the two countries (the United Kingdom and India).

Defence deals between India and Russia:

           Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was on Russia vist recently, has given a go ahead for the proposal for upgrading armed forces to further strengthen Indian Air Force's fighter jet portfolio and missile systems.

            The Government has approved Rs, 38900 crore deal with Russia to buy MIG 29 fighter jets, upgrading over 50 MiG-29s, procuring Su-30 MKI from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL) and for indigenously developing advanced missile, rocket systems amid tension with China at the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

           Apart from these, In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deals with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile system.

   The S=400 Triumph{NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is an air defence missile system developed by Almaz Central Design Bureau of Russia. The new system replaced the S-300P and S-200 air defence system of Russian Army.

Union HRD Minister and Union Health Minister Launched Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020:

    Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank the union Minister of Human Resources Development and Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Science and Technology launched the Drug Discovery Hackathon(DDH2020) through an Online Platform. It is a first of its kind national initiative supporting the Drug Discovery Process.

       The main aim is to identify drug candidates against SARS-COV-2 by in-silico drug discovery through the hackathon and follow up by chemical synthesis and biological testing utilizing computational methods such as machine learning, AI and big data.

    About Drug Discovery Hackathon 2020

          The DDH2020 is a joint initiative of the Ministry of HRD. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and is supported by Council for Development of Advanced computinf (CDAC) , My Gov Schrodinger and ChemAxon.

PM Modi launched Aatmanirbhar Bharat App Innovation challenge

        For building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat using Digital Technologies, an App Innovation Challenge was launched by the prime minister of India Narendra Modi. In Partnership with NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission, the App Innovation Challenge is an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

       Objective of the App Innovation challenge- The objective is to explore the vibrant tech and startup ecosystem that India has by identifying those existing Applications from each respective category(that are already in use in the country), those have the potential to become a world class application.

      NITI(National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog: It is a policy of government  of India, formed to achieve sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of state government of India in the economic policy making process. It was formed on 1 January, 2015. Headquarter in New Delhi.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan Released the Good Clinical Practice Guidelines Handbook and Prospectus for FPIS of NBE:

         Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan with the Minister of state of Health, Ashwini kumar Choubey, released the Good Clinical practice Guidelines Handbook and prospectus for fellowship program for International Students(FPIS) of the National Board of Examination (NBE) on a virtual platform. The launch becomes more significant as it was launched on National Doctor Day.

        The Handbook provides the guiding points for the Diplomats of National Board(DNB) to follow the principles of ethical and  professional conduct.

        The handbook is aimed to provide safety to both the Doctors and Patients.

     This is the First International fellowship program at post MD/MS level launched for the International students all over the World including the SAARC Nations through Fellowship Entrance Test.

  About National Board of Examinations:

       Executive Director- Pawanindra Lal

        Headquarter: New Delhi

ICICI bank Launched a Facility, “Insta Loans against Mutual Funds”, in Partnership with computer Age Management Services:

      ICICI Bank in partnership with computer Age Management Services (AMS) launched “Insta Loans against Mutual Funds”, a facility for retail customers to avail loans up to Rs. 1 Cr instantly by pledging their holdings in both debt and equality Mutual Funds. The facility is an extension of the Insta Against Shares (LAS). It is a full digital and paperless facility. It empowers customers to get this loan as an overdraft within a few minutes without having to visit a branch and submit physical documents.

      Loan Amount: Minimum loan amount for debt and equity schemes of Mutual funds is Rs. 50000 maximum loan amount for debt schemes of MFs is Rs, 1 Cr and for equity schemes of MFs is Rs. 20 lakh.

Homogenized Assamese Nationalism- triggered by recent moves of Assam Govt:

       The Assamese Language Learning Act, 2020. Its objectives to provide of Assamese as one of the language in all schools in schedule areas Assam except school in sixth, Bodo medium schools of Bodo inhabited areas and Barak valley areas. ( 6^th schedule areas – districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Dima  Hasao and BTAD areas).

     From Nursery and Class 1 to 10, Assamese will be taught as a compulsory language from Academic year 2021.

   Education Minister of Assam announced that government is considering a separate legislation regarding eligibility for government jobs in Assam- only those who learned Assamese till their Matriculation.