RAJASTHAN

87 lakh metric tonnes minerals illegally excavated in Rajasthan: CAG report

A whopping 98.87 lakh metric tonnes of minerals were illegally excavated in a period of five years in five Rajasthan districts, says a latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which highlights rampant unlawful mining and gross violations in the desert state, including flouting of Supreme Court orders pertaining to the Aravali hills.

The CAG report, tabled in the state Assembly , claims that apex court directions regarding Aravali hills were not followed by the state’s department of mines as mining leases falling within the mountain range area were granted and renewed. Even the Union ministry of environment and forests granted clearance for mining leases despite the area falling under the Aravali hill range.

Rajasthan has a rich reserve of copper, lead, zinc, rock phosphate, soapstone, silica sand, limestone, marble and gypsum, and most of these minerals are found in the Aravali mountain range.

The audit also castigated authorities claiming there was inadequate follow up of illegal mining cases, lack of deterrence due to delay in issuing of notices and non-implementation of policy measures.

The Rajasthan mineral policy, 2011, stipulated certain measures for curbing illegal mining in the state but perusal of records of selected offices disclosed that no concrete measures like regulatory supervisions, proper vigilance, non-initiation of incentives schemes, modernisation of check posts and restoration and reclamation of mined out pits were taken, the CAG observed.

Another finding of the audit was that the state government had levied an environment and health cess in 2008 on selected major mineral proceeds which was to be utilised for the protection of environment and health and maintenance of ecological balance, especially in the mining areas.

INTERNATIONAL

List of MoUs signed during the Visit of the King of Jordan to India

MoU on Defence Cooperation
Visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders
Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP)
Manpower Cooperation Agreement
MoU for cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine between India and Jordan
MoU for setting up of the next generation Centre of Excellence (COE) in Jordan
MoU for long term supply of Rock Phosphate and Fertilizer/NPK
Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
Twining Agreement between Agra and Petra (Jordan)
Cooperation between Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and Jordan Media Institute (JMI)
MoU between PrasarBharati and Jordan TV
MoU between University of Jordan (UJ) and ICCR regarding setting up of a Hindi Chair at the University.

· IOC Restores Russia’s Olympic Membership

The International Olympic Committee (IOC)restored Russia’s Olympic membership with immediate effect following its suspension from the Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang in South Korea.
Russia was banned from February’s Games by the IOC over state-sponsored doping.
Before closing ceremony of Winter Olympics, the IOC had stated that the ban would be lifted, as long as there were no more anti-doping violations.

NATIONAL

First Mega Food Park in Maharashtra at Satara Inaugurated

The first Mega Food Park in the state of Maharashtra, M/s Satara Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. at Village Degaon, District Satarawas inaugurated on 1stMarch, 2018 by Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries in the presence of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, of Maharashtra.
This is the 12th Mega Food Park operationalized in the country so far and the 10th operationalized during the tenure of present government.

Under the Scheme, Government of India provides financial assistance upto Rs. 50 Crore per Mega Food Park project.

Western Naval Command Concludes Exercise Paschim Leher (XPL-18)

The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy concluded a large scale operational exercise in the Arabian Sea.

The three week long exercise termed Exercise ‘Paschim Leher’ (XPL), tested the operational readiness of the Western Naval Command and the execution of it’s operational plans.

Over 40 naval assets including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, frontline ships of the Western Fleet and Eastern Fleet (including the newly inducted Kolkata class), submarines, potent missile vessels of the 22nd Killer Squadron, Patrol vessels and craft of the Local Flotilla and Indian Coast Guard participated in the exercise.

Finance Minister Inaugurates GPF and EPPO Modules on 42nd Civil Accounts Day

The Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Shri Arun Jaitley said that there is a certain amount of sanctity which must remain attached to the Government Accounting System.

Delivering the Inaugural Address at the 42nd Civil Accounts Day function in national capital, the Finance Minister said that while there are Government Departments that can function with a fairly high amount of accuracy, the Civil Accounts Department is one that cannot afford to err because a small error can lay a huge foot prints.

Delhi govt to set up State Sanskrit Education Council

The Delhi government has decided to set up its State Sanskrit Education Council to improve the state of formal education of the language in the national capital.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has directed the education department to examine various representations received by the Delhi government pertaining to Sanskrit education in schools and colleges.

NHAI to deploy all women toll collecting staff on international Women’s Day

The National Highways Authority of India has decided to deploy all women toll collecting staff in day shift on at least one toll plaza close to the city area, in every state and UT of the country on 8th March 2018, International Women’s Day.
If this initiative is successful, then it will be implemented across all toll plazas under operation by NHAI within the next 3 months.

The Regional Officers have been instructed in this regard.

Cabinet approves Establishment of National Financial Reporting Authority

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for establishment of National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and creation of one post of Chairperson, three posts of full-time Members and one post of Secretary for NFRA.

The decision aims at establishment of NFRA as an independent regulator for the auditing profession which is one of the key changes brought in by the Companies Act, 2013.

The inclusion of the provision in the Act was on the specific recommendations of the Standing Committee on Finance (in its 21st report).

EESL to install energy-efficient LEDs across all airports in India

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for installing energy-efficient LED lights at airports, buildings and facilities owned by AAI across India.

EESL will make the entire upfront investment of Rs. 24.41 crore on the project.

The MoU is signed under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP).

Tamil Nadu launches 24 hour helpline for students

Calming the students over the stressful situation created because of the ongoing exam fever, the State of Tamil Nadu has launched a 24 hour helpline for the first time in the country.
This helpline would provide information on education and offer guidance to the students.
Chief Minister K Palaniswami formally launched the toll-free number 14417 through the 24-hour Education Guidance Centre set up at the Secretariat that would offer information relating to school education and offer guidance to students.
Palaniswami launched the facility at a function, following the announcement in the Assembly that a toll-free helpline would be set up at Rs 2 crore. Earlier, the Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan had informed that a special student helpline shall be set up.
This would serve as a platform where students and parents can get their grievances addressed. And career guidance will also be provided for higher secondary students.

This will be of great help for the students in rural areas.

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