INDIAN AFFAIRS- JANUARY 01,2019 Overview Of P.M Narendra Modi’s Day Long Visit To Andaman & Nicobar Island On December 30, 2018, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi embarked on a day long visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The PM laid a wreath at the Tsunami Memorial,and lit a candle at the Wall of Lost Souls remembering those who lost their lives in 2004 Tsunami. Mr Modi also dedicated the 150 feet high Flag Mast at South Point in Port Blair to commemorate the first unfurling of the Tricolor on Indian soil by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Port Blair on Dec 30, 1943. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of 50 MW LNG-based power project at Hope Town in South Andaman Highlights: On his one-day visit, he at first visited Car Nicobar and then visited Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Visit in Car Nicobar: On December 30, 2018, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, visited Car Nicobar on the first leg of the tour. i. On his visit, the following happened: The PM laid a wreath at the Tsunami Memorial,and lit a candle at the Wall of Lost Souls remembering those who lost their lives in 2004 Tsunami. He interacted with Tribal Chiefs and Members of Tribal Council and eminent sportspersons from the islands. He laid the Foundation Stone for Shore Protection Work near Mus Jetty, and Extension of Campbell Bay Jetty. He unveiled projects focusing in developing sectors such as education, health, employment, skill development, transportation, power, sports and tourism. He announced that a sum of Rs. 7000 crore has recently been approved for making the fisheries sector in the country more profitable. PM Modi also inaugurated the Industrial Training Institute at Arong and a Modern Sports Complex in Car Nicobar. Visit to Port Blair: On December 30, 2018, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, visited Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. i. On his visit to Port Blair, the following happened: He unveiled a series of development projects related to the energy, connectivity and health sectors. He laid a wreath at the Martyrs Column, and visited the Cellular Jail. At Cellular Jail, he visited the cells of Veer Savarkar, and other freedom fighters. He addressed a public event to mark the 75th anniversary of the hoisting of Tricolour on Indian soil by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and formation of the Azad Hind government in 1943. Here he released a commemorative postal stamp, 75 rupees coin, and First Day Cover. Mr Modi also dedicated the 150 feet high Flag Mast at South Point in Port Blair to commemorate the first unfurling of the Tricolor on Indian soil by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Port Blair on Dec 30, 1943. He also announced setting up of a deemed university after Netaji Bose ii. On this occasion, he announced renaming of three islands of Andaman and Nicobar. The 3 islands are: The Ross Island was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, The Neil Island would now be known as Shaheed Dweep and The Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep. iii. He announced setting up of a new Integrated Terminal Building is coming up at Veer Savarkar International Airport which will provide connectivity once the undersea optical fibre cable from Chennai is completed. iv. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of 50 MW LNG-based power project at Hope Town in South Andaman. v. The power plant will be established by wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Ltd, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) at cost of Rs 387.80 crore in 18 months. vi. Additionally, the PM distributed Solar PV-based induction cook stoves to 99 Tsunami Shelter Homes, at Chouldari village, to provide clean, comfortable and hassle-free cooking option. vii. He also flagged off 20 electric vehicles that will be handed over to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: ♦ Lieutenant Governor: Admiral D K Joshi. ♦ National Parks: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Mount Harriet National Park, Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, Campbell Bay National Park, Galathea National Park. Government Extends CLSS for MIG scheme till 31st march, 2020 On 31st December 2018, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs headed by Minister of State Hardeep S. Puri, extended the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for Middle Income Group (MIG) Scheme by another 12 months till March 31, 2020. Key Points: i. Around 93, 007 beneficiaries have been covered till date and have already received Rs 1,960.45 crore of subsidy in the scheme. ii. The scheme covers two income segments in the MIG viz. Rs 6,00,001 to Rs 12,00,000 per annum for MIG-I and Rs 12,00,001 to Rs 18,00,000 per annum for MIG-II. iii. The dwelling unit carpet area to avail the benefit of the scheme include ‘upto 160 sq.m’ and ‘upto 200 sq.m’ for MIG I and MIG II respectively. iv. In the MIG-I, an interest subsidy of 4 per cent has been provided for loan amounts up to Rs 9 lakh, while in MIG-II, an interest subsidy of 3 per cent has been provided for loan amount of Rs 12 lakh. v. To become eligible for the scheme, a beneficiary family should not own a pucca house (an all weather dwelling unit) either in his/her name or in the name of any member of his/her family in any part of India. Background of the Scheme: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 31.12.2016 announced the commencement of a new Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for the Middle Income Group (CLSS for MIG). The purpose of the scheme was to meet the aspirations of young professionals and entrepreneurs of Middle Class Segment seeking housing loans for acquisition/ construction of houses (including re-purchase) from Banks, Housing Finance Companies and other such notified institutions. About Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs: ♦ Minister: Hardeep Singh Puri (MOS independent charge) ♦ Headquarters: Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched Ujjwala sanitary napkin initiative in Odisha On December 30, 2018, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin initiative in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Objective: To provide access to hygiene products and employment to opportunities in every district of the state. Key Points: i. Around 100 local manufacturing units will be set up by oil marketing companies at Common Service Centres (CSCs) across 93 blocks in all 30 districts of Odisha in the first phase. ii. The units are expected to be ready by March 2019. iii. The cost of setting up each manufacturing unit is expected to be Rs 2.94 crores. iv. The sanitary napkins will be priced at Rs 42 per pack of eight pads. v. Each manufacturing unit will employ five or six Ujjwala beneficiaries and will thus employ nearly 600 women across all districts. vi. The scheme is a central move to counter Odisha government’s Khushi scheme that provides free of cost sanitary napkins to female students of government and government-aided schools in the state. vii. Under the initiative, the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) would sponsor 100 of the 500 units. Background: As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) report, the overall use of sanitary napkins in Odisha is 33.5 per cent. Odisha: ♦ Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik. ♦ Governor: Prof. Ganeshi Lal. ♦ Lakes : Chilika Lake, Kanjia Lake, Anshupa Lake, Balimela Reservoir. ♦ Dams: Rengali Dam, Kala dam, Pitamahal Dam, Kansbahal Dam, Tikhali Dam, Deras Dam, Salia Dam, Ghodahada Dam, Kuanria Dam. ♦ Festivals: Kalinga Mahotsav, Chandan Yatra, Durga Puja, Konark Dance Festival, Rath Yatra, Diwali, Kumar Purnima Gehlot approves amendment in Rajasthan judicial service rules On 29th December, 2018, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal for amendments in Rule-12 and Rule-17 of the Rajasthan Judicial Service Rules, 2010 after State Cabinet’s meeting held under the chairmanship of Ashok Gehlot. Key Points: i. As per the Rajasthan Judicial Service(Amendment) Rule 2018, the minimum age limit for general category in Rajasthan Judicial Service has been reduced from 23 to 21 years and maximum age limit is increased from 35 to 40 years. ii. The benefit of age exemption has been given to differently-able persons of various classes, including general category, OBC and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by 10, 13 and 15 years, respectively. iii. It has been decided to give 1 per cent reservation to the Backward Classes in the Rajasthan Judicial Service. About Rajasthan: ♦ Governor: Shri Kalyan Singh ♦ Capital: Jaipur ♦ National Parks: Ranthambore National Park, Sariska National Park, Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary Madhya Pradesh government to create an Adhyatmik Vibhag(spiritual department) On 29th December 2018, The Congress-led Madhya Pradesh Government announced that it is going to create an Adhyatmik Vibhag (spiritual department) by merging several existing department. Key Points: i. The Congress had promised to form such a department before the last month’s Assembly elections. ii. The proposed Adhyatmik Vibhag (Spiritual Department) going to be formed by merging Dharmik Nyas Evam Dharmasv Department (Religious Trust and Endowment Department), Anand Vibhag (Happiness Department) in addition to the Directorate of Religious Trust and Endowment, Madhya Pradesh Teerth Evam Mela Pradhikaran and Rajya Anand Sansthan.Madhya Pradesh had become the first state in the country to create Happiness Department. About Madhya Pradesh: ♦ Capital: Bhopal ♦ Chief Minister: Kamal Nath ♦ Governor: Anandiben Patel ♦ National Parks: Kanha National Park, Pench National Park, Bandhabgarh National Park UP university, Deen Dayal Veterinary University, to set up first goat fertility lab in the state of Uttar Pradesh On December 30, the Deen Dayal Veterinary University in Uttar Pradesh proposed to set up the first goat fertility lab in the state under Rastriya Krashi Vikas Yojna at the cost of Rs 22 crore.