Current Affairs August 30 2019

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INDIAN AFFAIRS

ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao pledges over $12 Billion to India in support of New Flagship Initiatives
On August 29, 2019, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Mr. Takehiko Nakao met India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in New Delhi and committed over $12 billion in lending to India over the next 3 years (2020-22) in support of new flagship initiatives, averaging annually over $3 billion for sovereign operations and $1 billion for non sovereign operations.

• He announced a $100 million investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
• ADB estimates India’s growth in 2019 at 7.0% and in 2020 at 7.2%
• India is hosting the first South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Finance Ministers’ meeting in March 2020…………….Click here to Read more

7th Community Radio Sammelan for 2019 held in New Delhi
On August 27, 2019, The 7th Community Radio Sammelan for the year 2019 was inaugurated by Shri Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting at Dr. BR Ambedkar Bhawan, New Delhi in the presence of the representatives of all operational Community Radio Stations across India along with senior officials of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. It was held from August 27-29, 2019 and was organized by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The theme of this year’s Sammelan was ‘Community Radio for SDGs’ (Sustainable Development Goals).
i. Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar presented the National Awards for Community Radio for 2018 and 2019. He also released the booklet “Jan Connect: Clear Intentions, Decisive Actions” on key decisions taken by the Government in the first 75 days of its second tenure.
ii. Shri Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting informed that Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications has agreed to dedicate 2 additional frequencies viz. 89.6 and 90.0 MHz for running Community Radio Stations……………….Click here to Read more

3rd Advanced Estimate (2018-19) of Area and Production of various Horticulture Crops released
i. On August 29, 2019, The Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare released the 3rd Advanced Estimate (2018-19) of Area and Production of various Horticulture Crops based on the information received from different States & Union Territories (UTs) and other source agencies.
ii. The total Horticulture Production of India for 2018-19 is estimated to be 313.85 Million Tonnes which is 0.69% higher than the Horticulture Production in 2017-18 which stood at 311.71 Million Tonnes…………………Click here to Read more

HM Amit Shah flags off the first fleet of eco-friendly e- buses in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
On August 29,2019, In a bid to make the city cleaner & greener, the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah has flagged off the first fleet of eco-friendly e-buses (electric buses) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which will be operated on major junctions in the city. He also inaugurated the India’s 1^st automated battery charging & changing station for e-buses there.Key points:
i. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will operate the electric buses on a regular basis. In the 1^st phase, a total of 50 buses will be rolled out, of which 18 e-buses will have swappable battery technology facility, while other 32 e-buses having fast charging facility will become operational.
ii. FAME scheme: Under the Faster Adaption and Manufacture of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, Gujarat will get 550 electric buses, which aims to give 5,595 electric buses to 64 cities across India. Ahmedabad alone will get 300 e- buses.
iii. e-buses: Each bus can hold up to 50 passengers & as these are electric buses it will be silent and will not release smoke. These are AC(Air Conditioner) buses with automatic door sensors and won’t able to start if the doors are open.
iv. Mission Million: Amit Shah also culminates the Mission Million Trees project, which was organized by the AMC at the Science City on World Environment Day (5 June 2019). Under this mission, AMC has enabled planting of one million saplings since the launch of the initiative.
About FAME scheme:
♦ It is an incentive scheme for the promotion of electric and hybrid vehicles in India with the objective to develop electric mobility. It was launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in 2015.
♦ It gives financial incentives for enhancing electric vehicle production and the creation of electric transportation infrastructure.
♦ The Scheme run in 2 phases.
Phase I: It started in 2015 and was completed on March 31st, 2019.
Phase II: It started from April 1st, 2019 and will be completed by March 31st, 2022.
♦ Focus: It focuses on 4 areas i.e. Technology development, Demand Creation, Pilot Projects and Charging Infrastructure.
About Gujarat:
♦ Capital: Gandhinagar
♦ Chief minister: Vijay Rupani
♦ Governor: Acharya Dev Vrat

26th Ladakhi-Kisan-Jawan-VigyanMela inaugurated by Rajnath in Leh
On August 29, 2019, the 26th edition of “Ladakhi-Kisan-Jawan-VigyanMela” organized by  Leh-based Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was inaugurated by the Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh. The mela seeks to meet the fresh food requirements for soldiers serving in the harsh terrain regions.Key points
i. Members present:  GyalPhunchokWangyal, Chief Executive Counselor(CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), and JamyangTseringNamgyalLadakh Member of Parliament(MP).
DIHAR: This institute produces organic farm produce to the Army by its advanced technologies and is also recently engaged in food production to the remotest areas of the Himalayan region.
About DIHAR:
♦ Established- 1960.
♦ Director- Dr Om Prakash Chaurasia, Scientist ‘G’.
♦ The institute has its research stations at the world’s highest terrestrial Research & Development (R&D) Centre at Changla, Ladakh and at several other places of the region.

Government gives nod to set up Gorewada International Zoo in Nagpur, Maharashtra
On August 29,2019, The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar has announced the approval for the establishment of new International Standard Zoo and Biopark on 1914 hectares in the forest land at Gorewada in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Key points:
i. The Zoo will be equipped with Bio Park, Indian Safari, African Safari, Night Safari, Research, Education and Training, facilities for tourists among others. Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (FDCM), a wholly-owned company of the Government of Maharashtra (GoM) has been established for this purpose.
 ii. The Government will provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of Rs 200 crore for this project.
iii. Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) formation was approved between the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra  (FDCML) (having 51% shareholding) and the Joint Venture(JV) Company of private investors under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode Partner (with 49%).
iv. The cost estimate is Rs. 392 Crores for this project.
About Maharashtra:
♦ Capital: Mumbai
♦ Chief Minister: Devendra Fadnavis
♦ Governor: C. Vidyasagar Rao
♦ National Parks: Chandoli National Park ,Gugamal National Park ,Nawegaon National Park , Pench National Park ,Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park.

Health Ministry’s TB division signs MoU to explore AI based solutions for combating TB
On August 30, 2019 a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed between the Central TB Division of the Health and Family Welfare Ministry (MoHFW) and Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence  (independent, nonprofit research institute and global hub in AI development) to explore future possibilities of tackling TB (tuberculosis) through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The MoU was signed by Shri VikasSheel, Joint Secretary of MoHFW and Dr P Anandan, ChieF Executive Officer(CEO) of Wadhwani AI.
Key points
i. Function: The Wadhwani AI would support the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) which aims to eliminate TB by providing AI-based solutions in screening diagnostics etc.
ii. RNTCP:  It is the revised or rechristened form of the National TB Control Program(NTP) which aims at eliminating TB with its additional technology implementations.
iii. TB free India: Best outcomes are expected through this MoU as the nation is committed to eliminate TB by 2025, which is 5 years ahead of the Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) target.
About MoHWF:
♦ Founded- 1976
♦ Headquarters- New Delhi.
♦ Union minister- Harsh Vardhan.(constituency- ChandniChowk,Delhi).
♦ Minister of State(MoS)-Ashwini Kumar Chowbey(constituency-Buxar, Bihar).
About RNTCP:
♦ It is a state-run TB control initiative of the Government of India which aims to achieve Universal Access to TB control services.
♦ ♦ Launched-1997.

‘Angikaar campaign’ launched by HUA to bring PMAY(U) beneficiaries into Ujjawala, Ayushman Bharat fold
On August 29, 2019 ‘Angikaar campaign‘ was launched by Shri Hardeep Singh Puri,Minister of State(MoS-independent) of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA), in order to bring the  PMAY(U) (Pradhan MantriAwasYojana-Urban) beneficiaries into the fold of other schemes like the Ujjawala(free gas connections) and Ayushman Bharat(health protection scheme). The campaign will be rolled out on October 2 till December 10, 2019 in all the cities with PMAY(U).
Key points
i. HUA secretary DurgaShanker Mishra and other officials were present in the occasion.
ii. Implementation: Around 88 lakh houses were approved so far after 2.99 lakh houses being sanctioned in the event, whereby the Angikaar aims at reaching the beneficiaries of the PMAY(U) in a phased manner with the help of volunteers in visiting the beneficiaries and making them enrolled in the scheme.
iii. Vulnerability atlas e-course: An e-course on vulnerability atlas was also launched at the event in collaboration with School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), New Delhi, and the Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC). This course is about awareness and understanding about natural hazards.
About MoHUA:
♦ Founded- 1952.
♦ Headquarters- New Delhi.
♦ Union Minister- Shri PiyushGoyal (constituency- Maharashtra).
♦ Mos-SomParkash(constituency- Hoshiarpur, Punjab).
♦ Other portfolios of Hardeepsinghpuri- MoS (independent charge) of civil aviation and MoS of commerce and industry.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Mumbai ranks 45th & Delhi 52nd in 2019 world’s Safe Cities Index
On August 29, 2019, According to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit sponsored by NEC corporation’s (formerly Nippon Electric Company), World’s Safe city index(SCI) for the year 2019, Mumbai was ranked 45th safest city whereas Delhi stood at the 52nd position. The overall list was topped by Tokyo(Japan) followed by Singapore and Osaka in 2nd and 3rd spots respectively.Key points
i. A total of 6 out of 10 cities of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, made it to the top 10 spots. Other cities Sydney and Melbourne were also placed in the top 10 list.
ii. Seoul (South Korea) along with Copenhagen (Denmark) took the eighth spot.
iii. Low scored states: Yangon (Myanmar), Karachi (Pakistan) and Dhaka (Bangladesh) were ranked at the bottom of the list.
iv. The SCI ranks 60 cities based on 57 indicators under digital security, health security, infrastructure security and personal security. While the overall spot was topped by Tokyo, several other cities topped in those certain individual categories. They are as follows,

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI releases its Annual Report for the year 2018-19
On August 29,2019, India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has released its annual report for the fiscal year (FY) 2018-19. The report, which is released annually, analyses the working and operations of the RBI and suggests measures to improve the economic performance.
i. The number of cases of bank frauds reported by banks in 2018-19 increased 15 % on a year-on-year(Y-O-Y) basis to 6,801 cases from 5,916 cases in 2017-18. The amount of frauds touched at Rs 71,542.93 crore in 2018-19 as against Rs 41,167.04 crore in 2017-18, a 73.8 %.
ii. The circulation of bank notes in the economy has increased 17% in FY2018-19 to Rs 21.1 trillion as against Rs 18.03 trillion in FY2017-18…………………...Click here to Read more

Banking license of Rupee Cooperative Bank extended by RBI till Nov 30, 2019
Apex bank of the country, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) extended the banking license of Rupee Cooperative Bank Ltd till November 30, 2019. The Bank has paid Rs.338.20 crores to 85,462 needy depositors under hardship scheme of RBI and it has deposits of Rs.1291.00 crores. The Rupee Co-op Bank & MSC (Maharashtra State Cooperative) Bank are going to submit a joint proposal for the merger to RBI. The decision has been taken by RBI after exercising its power under sub-section (1) of Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
About Rupee Cooperative Bank:
♦ Established: 1912
♦ Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra
♦ Chairman:C/A Sudhir Pandit

Samsung India inks with Mastercard, RBL Bank for mobile payments through Samsung Pay
American multinational financial services corporation, Mastercard, Indian private sector bank, RBL Bank and Samsung India have jointly launched the Samsung Pay for RBL Bank’s Mastercard credit card customers.
Key points:
i. The tie-up will allow the customers of RBL bank to make contactless transactions with enhanced security on their Samsung Pay-compatible smartphones efficiently.
ii. The payments can be done through any PoS (Point of Sale) machine where a card can be dipped, swiped or tapped, both in India as well as abroad without the physical presence of a card.
iii. RBL customers can easily add their Mastercard credit cards on Samsung Pay, which authenticates them based on their fingerprint, iris scan or PIN (personal identification number). After the successful authentication, they can complete their purchases by easily tapping their devices on a compatible terminal.
About RBL Bank:
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai
♦ Founded: August 1943
♦ MD & CEO: Mr. Vishwavir Ahuja
♦ Tagline: Apno ka Bank
About Samsung India:
♦ Headquarters: Noida
♦ Founded: 2002
About Mastercard:
♦ Founded: 1979 (as Mastercard)
♦ Headquarters: New York, U.S.
♦ President and CEO: Ajaypal Singh Banga

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Mou signed between GeM and SIDBI to enable growth of MSMEs, Start-ups and Women Entrepreneurs
On August 29, 2019, A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Government e Marketplace (GeM), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in New Delhi to benefit Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Women Self Help Groups and various loan beneficiaries under Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) and Stand-up India scheme. Key Points:
i. It will promote special initiatives of GeM like Womaniya and Start-up Runway with SIDBI stakeholders.
ii. It will strengthen capacity building through GeM-specific training programmes of personnel from partner agencies, value-added services through networking, workshops, marketing events, awards and recognition of MSMEs with special focus on SHGs, women entrepreneurs, artisans, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Start-ups and micro-enterprises.
About SIDBI:
♦ Headquarters: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
♦ Founded: 2 April 1990
♦ Chairman & MD: Mohammad Mustafa
About GeM:
♦ CEO: Talleen Kumar

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

DAY-NULM bagged SKOCH Governance Gold Award for the year 2019
On August 29, 2019 At Delhi’s constitutional club, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’  flagship mission, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) bagged 2019 SKOCH Governance Gold Award for its Portal for Affordable Credit and Interest Subvention Access (PAiSA) portal.
Key points
PaiSA:
i. It is a centralized Information Technology (IT) platform launched in November 2018 for quick processing of loans under the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Mobile message will also be sent instantly after crediting the amount. Currently, there are about 1.50 lakh beneficiaries paid a total of Rs. 27 Cr.
ii. End to end Claims for subvention (subsidy) are uploaded by banks through their CBS (Core Banking Solution) and are verified and approved by the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and State concerned.
iii. Postal design: The design and development was done through Allahabad bank.
iv. Banks in portal: A total of 21 Public Sector, 18 Private and 35 Regional Rural Banks are boarded on the portal.
About DAY-NULM:
The DAY-NULM reduces poverty and vulnerability of the urban poor households enabling them self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in improvement in their livelihoods.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

CBDT Chairman P C Mody’s tenure extended by the Govt
The Appointment Committee of Cabinet(ACC) headed by the Prime Minister(PM), has given its approval to extension/reappointment of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Pramod Chandra Mody for an additional period of 1 year.Key points
i. The ACC has also appointed 1983-batch IRS (Indian Revenue Service) officer Prabhash Shankar as a new member in the CBDT. while the other members of the board are P K Dash, AkhileshRanjan and Neena Kumar, the CBDT still has two vacant vacancies.
About CBDT:
♦ The CBDT which frames policy for Income-Tax (IT) Department, is headed by a chairman and can have a maximum of six members.
♦ Functions under- Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963.
♦ The CBDT and all field offices celebrated the 159th Income Tax Day which is also known as AaykarDiwas on 24th July, 2019.

MD and Group CEO of ICRA Naresh Takkar expelled by BoD
The Board of Directors (BoD) of rating agency ICRA (formerly Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited), an affiliate of Moody’s, has terminated the services of its Managing Director (MD) and Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Naresh Takkar. He was facing an enquiry into allegations related to the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) case. Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) Vipul Agarwal will hold the responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company until a new CEO is appointed.

MD & CEO of LVB, Parthasarathi Mukherjee announces resignation
The Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Lakshmi Vilas Bank(LVB),Parthasarathi Mukherjee announced his resignation from the bank on August 28, 2019 owing to personal reasons.
Key points
He was first appointed as MD and CEO of the bank on January 25, 2016, and was reappointed for a tenure of two years from January 25, 2019. His resignation comes effectively from August 31, 2019. Previously he served in Axis bank prior to serving LVB.
About LVB:
♦ Founded- 1926.
♦ Headquarters- Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
♦ The bank is waiting for its approval from Reserve Bank of India(RBI) to merge with Indiabulls Housing Finance (IBHFL) and its wholly owned subsidiary Indiabulls Commercial Credit Ltd (IBCCL).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

‘Ghaznavi’ surface-to-surface ballistic missile test fired by Pakistan
On August 28, 2019, the Pakistan army successfully test-fired its 290km range surface to surface(SSM) name “Ghaznavi” during its night training launch. Key points
The missile was launched from Sonmiani flight test range of Balochistan and is developed by National Development Complex (NDC) which is a missile developer for Pakistan army headquartered at Fatehjang, Punjab (Pakistan).
About Pakistan:
♦ Capital- Islamabad.
♦ President- Arif Alvi.
♦ Prime minister- Imran Khan.
♦ Currency- Pakistani Rupee.

ENVIRONMENT

IPCC “special report” on oceans and Earth’s frozen zones warns of rising seas, storm surges, melting permafrost
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “special report” on oceans and Earth’s frozen zones, known as the cryosphere, has warned on rising seas, storm surges and melting permafrost. It is a draft of a major United Nations (UN) report obtained by AFP, slated for release in Monaco on September 25, 2019.

• The concentration of life-giving oxygen in marine environments has dropped 2% in 60 years, and is on track to lose another 3-4% by 2100 at current rates of carbon pollution.
• In the 22nd century, the pace of sea level rise is likely to increase 100 fold from 3.6 millimetres per year today to “several centimetres” annually…………………..Click here to Read more

SPORTS

Kerala all-rounder Jalaj Saxena has become the 1^st  Indian cricketer to set rare record in Indian first-class cricket history
Jalaj Saxena (32), an Indian cricketer who plays as an all-rounder for Kerala has set a big record in first-class cricket.i. The record was made during the 58^th season of Duleep Trophy 2019–20 match between India Red and India Blue played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ii. Saxena took 3 wickets for India Blue with which he completed his 300 wickets in first-class cricket. With this, he became the only cricketer to score 6044 runs in first-class cricket, as well as 305 wickets and still not have played for Team India.
Key points:
i. The Indore-born cricketer Saxena started his career in Madhya Pradesh. Then, he moved to Kerala for better opportunities.
ii. He has been the recipient of prestigious Lala Amarnath award for best all-rounder by BCCI(Board of Control for Cricket in India) in January 2016.

Mizoram’s Saidan Secondary School clinched U-14 Subroto Cup International Football tournament title 2019 by beating Unique Model Academy, Manipur
On August 29, 2019, Saidan Secondary School of Mizoram clinched their maiden Subroto Cup International Football tournament title 2019 by defeating defending champions Unique Model Academy, Manipur by 2-0 in the U-14 boys’ category at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi. It is Asia’s largest youth football tournament.i. The winning team was awarded Rs 3,00,000 while the runners-up team was awarded Rs 1,75,000.
ii. B Romalsawma and Hunmawia scored the goals for the Mizoram school.
iii. Other awardees:

OBITUARY

Ex-South American Football Boss Nicolas Leoz passed away in Asuncion, Paraguay
On August 28, 2019, Former South American football chief Nicolas Leoz, aged 90, passed away in Asuncion, Paraguay after heart failure. He was a key suspect in the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) corruption scandal investigated by the United States (US) Justice Department in 2015. He had served as the President of the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL) from 1986 to 2013.i. He was born on September 10, 1928 in Pirizal, Paraguay.
ii. He was under house arrest in Asuncion in connection with the scandal and was suspected of receiving millions of dollars in bribes in exchange for marketing and TV rights for games.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances observed on 30 August 2019
The United Nations (UN) jointly with the Amnesty International observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance every year on August 30. The day aims to increase awareness about the number of enforced disappearances around the world. Background: 
i. Activists and family of the victim of enforced disappearances in the Philippines country declared august 30 to be observed as the International day of the disappeared in the year 2007.
ii. Resolution: After increased disappearances globally, the UN expressed its concern in December 20,2010 during the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances under the resolution 65/209 and declared August 30th of each year to be International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance in 2011 onwards.

What is enforced disappearance?
It is a situation where people literally disappeared; from their loved ones and their community when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state (or someone acting with state consent) and then refuse to say where they are. It is used as a strategy to spread terror within society.

About UN:
♦ Founded- 24 October 1945.
♦ Headquarters- New York, America.
♦ Secretary general-AntónioGuterres.

STATE NEWS

Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik presents Biju Patnaik Award for Sports, Bravery and State Award for Social Service
On the occasion of National Sports Day(August 29,2019) The Chief Minister(CM) of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik conferred the Biju Patnaik Awards for Sports, Bravery and State Award for Social Service for the year 2018 to the players of the state at Jaydev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. In total 9 awards were given out.
i. The award winners are as follows,……………………..Click here to Read more

Delhi cabinet approves free ride to women in buses from 29 October 2019
On August 29,2019, Transport Minister of Delhi Kailash Gehlot stated that the Delhi Cabinet has approved free travel for women in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and cluster buses from October 29,2019.
Key points:
i. In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it was decided that women will be able to enjoy a free ride in the national capital from the day of Bhai Dooj, a festival celebrated by Hindus of the Indian subcontinent on october 29,2019.
ii. Female employees of the city government, local bodies and undertakings will not be entitled for transport allowance (TA) if they pick free ride in DTC and cluster buses.
iii. A single journey pass will be issued by the conductor for the woman to travel with DTC and cluster buses. The women who want to pay for their journey can buy tickets.
iv. The Delhi assembly also approved an additional grant of Rs. 479 crore for the transport sector, including the amount given as subsidy for free travel for women in DTC buses. Of this, Rs. 140 crore was included for the free transportation of women in buses & Rs. 150 crore as subsidy for free travel in the Delhi metro.
v. There are around 38 lakh passengers traveling daily in DTC buses, while about 12 lakh passengers use cluster buses, of this 30 % are women passengers.
vi. The government also asked DTC as well as  DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System) to strengthen their ticket checking mechanisms so that the facility is not misused.
About Delhi:
♦ Capital: New Delhi
♦ Governor: Anil Baijal

Campaign to tackle Dengue and Chikungunya launched by Delhi CM
A 10 week Special campaign to tackle Dengue and Chikungunya was launched by the Chief Minister of Delhi Shri Arvind Kejriwal on August 28, 2019 in New Delhi. The campaign titled “10 Weeks, 10 AM 10 minute every Sunday, War against Dengue” (“10 Hafte, 10 Baje, 10 Minute – Har Ravivar, dengue par war”), will be rolled out in 1st September 2019, where people were asked to spend 10 minutes at 10 am on every Sunday to check for mosquito breeding spots.
Key points
i. There has been a decline in the mosquito Borne disease since 2015, as only 75 cases have been reported so far in 2019 compared to 15,867 cases in 2015 resulting in 80% decline rate in 4 years.
ii. Special awareness programs and mohalla clinics (primary health centre in Delhi) were also set up as a preventive measure.

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