WEST BENGAL

Accidents decline but roads remain unsafe

The number of road accidents under Bengal police’s jurisdiction in the first six months of 2018 declined by 15 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year, according to a study by the traffic department.

Between January and June last year, 6,247 road accidents had been reported in the state, excluding most of Calcutta. The cumulative figure for the same period this year is 5,326.

Statistics might offer some comfort but enforcement continues to be a challenge for the police in terms of vehicle and victim demography. The road behaviour of goods vehicles remains the biggest concern while pedestrians are the most vulnerable.

According to collated police data, accidents involving goods vehicles account for 28 per cent of the incidents reported to various police stations and outposts. Motorbikes are a close second, causing 24 per cent of the total number of accidents.

INTERNATIONAL

· India contributes $1 million to UN’s ambitious solar project

India has contributed a whopping $1 million for the installation of solar panels on the roof of the imposing UN building at the world body’s headquarters

The contribution will help reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable energy.

Earlier India intends to partner with the UN Secretariat to use renewable solar energy at the UN premises.

NATIONAL

Successful Flight Test of Prahar

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the indigenously developed surface-to-surface tactical missile ‘Prahar’, from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Balasore.

Range stations and electro optical systems tracked the missile throughout its flight.

‘Prahar’ is a contemporary weapon system capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and neutralizing a wide variety of targets.

· MSME Insider Monthly e-Newsletter launched by MSME ministry

The e-newsletter will give information of the activities undertaken by the Ministry and also act as a bridge between the Ministry and the millions of MSME units spread across the country.

The e-newsletter will assist in the regular flow of information about the sector to the MSMEs and will also help in developing a two-way communication between the Ministry and its stakeholders.

· Web portal for information on budget and expenditure introduced by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The main information in the Web portal consists of the following
Details of Budget and expenditure,
Details of flagship schemes, Central sector expenditure, North East, SC/ST, Centrally Sponsored Schemes, etc.
A Unique feature of Bill Position for All India Pay & Accounts Offices (PAOs)

Health Ministry launches sputum sample transportation Through Dept of Post , Pilot project starts in Delhi

A pilot for utilising services of Department of Post for transport of sputum specimen for TB Diagnosis in Karawal NagarDelhi was launched by the Health Ministry.

A significant proportion of patients are not tested because the specimen does not reach the laboratory due to non-availability of specimen transport tmechanisms. Transport of collected specimen also spares the patient’s from travelling to the reference laboratory. Prompt transport of specimen followed by efficacious testing will enable appropriate management of the TB patients and reduced disease transmission.

· ISRO setting up launch pad for Gaganyaan mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting up a third launch pad at Sriharikota to undertake the Gaganyaan manned space flight programme. In addition, ISRO is scouting for a location on the western sea coast near Gujarat to set up another launch pad for Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLV).

ISRO will use its GSLV Mk-III launch vehicle, which can carry the heavier payload of the Gaganyaan, and this will take off from the new launch pad.

In addition to the third launch pad at Sriharikota, ISRO is also scouting for a new location near Gujarat for the SSLV.

· Live-in partners can adopt now

Individuals in a live-in relationship will once again be able to adopt children from and within India after the country’s nodal adoption agency decided to withdraw a circular issued earlier this year disallowing them from doing so.
The Child Adoption Regulatory Authority (CARA), in a circular issued on May 31, barred applicants in a live-in relationship from adopting a child.
The eligibility criteria under Adoption Regulations, 2017, permit single women to adopt a child of any gender, while single men can adopt only boys. When a married couple seeks to adopt a child, it needs to give its consent for adoption and should be stable marriage for at least two years. Applicants have to be physically, mentally and financially stable to raise a child.

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