SmartPrep.in Current Events of National Importance - June, 2016 Current Affairs June 1 1. Prime Minister released the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). This is the first ever national plan for disaster management in the country. It aims to make India disaster resilient and to significantly reduce the loss of lives and assets during disasters. The plan is based on the four priority themes of the ''Sendai Framework on Disaster Management''. They are namely: 1. Understanding disaster risk, 2. Improving disaster risk governance, 3. Investing in disaster risk reduction (through structural and non- structural measures) and disaster preparedness, 4. Early warning and building back better in the aftermath of a disaster. Salient Features of the Plan: The plan covers all phases of disaster management, which are Prevention, Mitigation, Response and Recovery. It provides for horizontal and vertical integration among all the agencies and departments of the Government. It also identifies major activities such as early warning, information dissemination, medical care, fuel, transportation, search and rescue, evacuation, etc. to serve as a checklist for agencies responding to a disaster. To prepare people to cope with disasters, it emphasizes on a greater need for Information, Education and Communication activities. 2. Four monthsSmartPrep.in window to disclose black money A four-month disclosure window giving an opportunity to domestic black money holders to come clean by paying tax and penalty of 45 per cent on such assets will open from June 2, 2016. However, people who have made money through corrupt means, will not be allowed to take advantage of the disclosure window. For more information log on to http://SmartPrep.in SmartPrep.in Under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS), persons making disclosure of unaccounted assets will be given time up to November 30 to pay taxes, penalty and surcharge totaling 45 per cent at the fair market value. The declaration made under the scheme will not be used against the declarants, under the Income-Tax Act or Wealth Tax (now abolished). There will also be immunity from Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act. People with undisclosed assets should use this limited period income declaration window. 3. Government raised the retirement age of doctors to 65. Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the retirement age of 65 years for doctors of central services, in an aim to strengthen the healthcare sector in the country. This move will enable the government to retain experienced doctors for a longer period, and to provide better services in its public health facilities, particularly to the poor, who are entirely dependent on public facilities. This will strengthen the efforts of the Health Ministry in conceptualizing and rolling out various people-oriented schemes which will need the services of doctors in implementing them. The decision would benefit 312 doctors, including 57 medical officials, 159 senior medical officials and other senior health officials such as health department directors and Director General Health Services. 4. Cabinet approved the setting up of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB). The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the setting up of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as a Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts, with 100% Government of India (GOI) equity. The total expenditure involved in this project is Rs. 800 Crore. All citizens, especially 40%SmartPrep.in of the country's population that is outside the ambit of formal banking in the country will benefit from this project. The IPPB will obtain banking license from RBI by March 2017 and, by September 2017, its services will be available across the country through 650 payments bank branches, linked post offices and alternative channels riding on modern technology including mobiles, ATMs, PoS/ m-PoS devices etc. The proposal will further the cause of financial inclusion by providing basic banking, payments and remittance services and facilitate financial services like For more information log on to http://SmartPrep.in SmartPrep.in insurance, mutual funds, pensions, credit in rural areas and the unbanked and underbanked segments. It will generate new employment opportunities for skilled banking professionals and will generate opportunities for propagating financial literacy across the country. 5. Cabinet approves MoU between India and other countries. Qatar (1) For cooperation in Skill Development and Recognition of qualifications. (2) For strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. (3) Ratification of Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. USA (1) To enhance cooperation in wildlife conservation. Brunei Darussalam (1) In the field of Youth and Sports Affairs. French (1) Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA) and the French Civil Aviation Authority. 6. Cabinet approved the Proposal for Extension of Corridor-1 of Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-I. The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the proposal for Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I Project from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar. It covers a length of 9.051 km. at a total cost of Rs. 3770 crore. The project will be executed by the existing SPV of Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu having 50:50 equity of each i.e. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2018. This extension will provide improved access to public transport for dense population comprising predominantly industrial workers to move towards the central business district of the city for work. The estimated ridership will be 1.6 lakh passengers per day in first year of operation. 7. Cabinet approved the Mau-Tarighat New Railway line project. The CabinetSmartPrep.in Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for a new broad gauge line between Mau Station of North Eastern Railway and Tarighat Terminal station of East Central Railway. The total length of this new broad gauge line will be 51 kilometers. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 1765.92 crore and expected completion cost is Rs. 2109.07 crore with 5 percent escalation per annum. The project is likely to be completed in the next six years during 12th and 13th Plan period. For more information log on to http://SmartPrep.in SmartPrep.in This project will provide alternative, shorter convenient and better transport infrastructure to the area separated by river Ganga so as to remove the transport difficulties in the area and to boost the socio economic development. 8. Cabinet approved the Additional allocations for the BPL and APL families in non NFSA State. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for additional monthly allocation of 41,800 tonnes of food grains for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at BPL rates and 20,507 tonnes of food grains for Above Poverty Line (APL) families at 2/3rd of Minimum Support Price (MSP) rates to three non-National Food Security Act (NFSA) States, namely, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Nagaland, from April to June, 2016 or till implementation of NFSA by the respective State, whichever is earlier. 9. Cabinet approved the Procurement Quota to M/s. ITI Ltd. in procurements made by BSNL, MTNL and BBNL. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of Department of Telecommunications regarding continuation of reservation quota for M/s. ITI Limited in procurements made by BSNL, MTNL and Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL). The approval consists of the following: To continue the Reservation Quota policy for M/s. ITI Ltd. by reserving. ITI would accept orders under reservation quota only after the price is known and if the same is commercially viable. ITI shall exercise its option under Reservation Quota within 15 days of bid opening. The aforesaid policy measures shall remain in force for a period of two years with effect from the date of approval of CCEA and shall again be reviewed considering the financial health of ITI after the expiry of this period. June 2 1. Minimum SupportSmartPrep.in Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops of 2016-17 season. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for all Kharif Crops of 2016-17 Seasons. Further, to incentivize cultivation of pulses and oilseeds, in the country Government has announced a bonus on these crops, payable over and above the approved MSP. For more information log on to http://SmartPrep.in SmartPrep.in The decision to increase MSPs is based on the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) which takes into account the cost of production, overall demand-supply, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, terms of trade between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, the likely effect of the Price Policy on the rest of economy, besides ensuring rational utilization of production resources like land and water, while recommending MSPs. 2. Delhi Government Launched the 'DVAT M SEWA' Mobile App. CM Arvind Kejriwal launched a mobile app through which city traders can register with the VAT department of the Delhi government, a move that is aimed at boosting tax collection. The 'DVAT M SEWA' app, traders won't be required to submit application for registration at the department's office and just fill the form online. There is also no need for VAT inspector's visit at their premises. There are 41,000 pending requests awaiting registration with the VAT department. 3. Purbashree Emporium at Handloom Haat, Janpath inaugurated. The Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Smt.