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Indian Affairs
Maharashtra imposes tax to tackle drought
Maharashtra government has decided to impose drought tax for raising funds around Rs 1,600 crore in the next 5 months to cope with a drought situation. This tax is temporary.
ITEMS ON WHICH TAX WILL IMPOSED
Petrol, Diesel, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Cold drinks, Diamond and Gold jewellery
- Surcharge of Rs 2 will imposed on petrol and diesel
- Alcohol, cigarettes and cold drinks will imposed by 5% VAT
- There will also 20% increase in VAT on Gold and diamond jewellery
This is the first time after 1973 disastrous famines that state government had levied a tax to tackle with crisis.
Government has already spent around Rs. 3,332.57 crore through various schemes and programmes to help the drought-hit farmers.
Mid-day Meals to be tested by Labs Every Month
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has issued guidelines as Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015 under the National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA, 2013).(Union HRD minister – Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani)
According to provisions mid-day meals provided to students at schools will be tested every month by certified government food research laboratories or any other laboratory recognised by law to ensure nutritional standards and quality.
AS PER RULES
- Children in the age group of 6-14 and are studying from classes I to VIII will be provided with free of charge nutritious cooked meal on all regular days.
- Cooking of meal with hygienic facilities is mandate for every school.
- School management committees should keep a thorough check of the implementation of the meal scheme, quality of the food served and cleanliness of the cooking place.
- Meal should meet the nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12 gm of protein for primary classes and 700 calories and 20 gm of protein for upper primary classes.
- Available funds with schools should be utilized further under this scheme.
West Bengal launched 1000 Days campaign for mother
On the commemoration of “1000 Days” 40 years of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS)campaign launched by West Bengal Department of Child Development and Social Welfare and UNICEF to reach out to every mother and child across the state for their healthier and prosperous future.
TIME PERIOD – 12 Months & OUTLAY – Rs 1,474 crore
- The campaign is funded by both the centre and the state Government.
- Currently malnutrition among children in the state is 19.84%
- The right nutrition and care during this period can have a profound impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn and rise out of poverty
- 1,000 Days promotes action and investment to improve nutrition for mothers and children in the 1,000 days from a woman’s pregnancy through her child’s 2nd birthday
Andhra Pradesh set to allot 2,720 acres to DRDO for missile testing project
- The Andhra Pradesh cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, decided to allot 2,720 acres of land near Orvakallu in Kurnool district for DRDO’s missile testing project.
- The cabinet also decided to allot 1,965 acres of land to build a naval base at Rayavaram village in Visakhapatnam district.
International Affairs
- India-Bangladesh electricity link backed by ADB with $120mn
- India numbered in FACTA list of US Treasury Department
Controversial resolution on Sri Lanka adopted by UNHRC
After 2 years of debate the controversial resolution titled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” has been adopted by United Nations Human Rights Council during its 30th session to undertake an investigation of war crimes which led to serious violations and abuses of human rights during Sri Lanka’s battle against LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam).
The resolution was backed 25 countries and also with US, UK and Sri Lanka itself which results in consensus i.e. without any vote during the session of 47 member states United Nations Human Rights Council.
AIM
It is aimed at to establish a judicial process which includes foreign judges and prosecutors, to investigate alleged war crimes during Sri Lanka conflict with Tamil rebels that were ended in 2009 and those who are responsible for crime should be punished.
Awards
Five GPs to get “Gandhi Grama” award
Five district Gram Panchayats have been selected for the “Gandhi Grama” award. The award was presented by Mr. Siddaramaiah at a function organised by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department at the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha on October 2.
The selected panchayats are; Kanamadi of Vijayapura taluk, Chimmalagi of Basavanabagewadi, Rudagi of Muddebihal, Baradol of Indiand Gabasavalagi of Sindgi taluk of the district of Karnataka.
- Award is presented to those gram panchayats who have properly utilised the funds provided by Government for the implementation of programmes which are approved by the Rural Development and Panchayat raj Department.
- Award comprises of Rs. 5 lakh and a citation money which can be used for various development programmes by Gram Panchayats
Zenia Bhumgara bagged Merlin Award
Teen magician Zenia Bhumgara, daughter of Magician Mhelly Bhumgara and sister of Magician Pearl honoured with the prestigious Merlin award by the International Magicians Association (IMA) in Mumbai
The best female teenage magician of India award is presented by Toni Hassini chief executive officer of the IMA.
- She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Mass Media course from Jai Hind College (Mumbai)
- She had performed for schoolchildren hit by the tsunami in Tokyo and also performed with the great American illusionist David Copperfield
- Merlin Award is presented IMA New York in recognition of their contributions that the performer has done around the world.
Human Rights Activists Named Winners of 2015 Right Livelihood Awards
- Human rights and global crisis activists have been named winners of the 2015 Right Livelihood Awards.
- These winners are also called” alternative Nobels.”
- This year’s award will be shared by Canada’s Sheila Watt-Cloutier, cited for promoting Inuit livelihoods and culture; Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera from Uganda, for her struggle for gay rights and sexual minorities; and Italian surgeon Gino Strada, for providing medical assistance to victims of war.
- The people of the Pacific islands and their foreign minister, Tony de Brum, will receive an honorary award for what was described as their visionary and courageous legal action against nuclear powers “for failing to honor disarmament obligations.”
- The awards were founded in 1980 by Swedish-German philanthropist Jakob von Uexkull.
Appointments
I S Jha takes charge as interim CMD of Power Grid
- State-run transmission utility Power Grid today said its Director (Projects) I S Jha has taken over the additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director of the company.
- PowerGrid’s Director (Projects) I S Jha has taken over additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director of the company with effect from 1.10.2015.
Science & Technology
Sports
BCCI launched special toss coin in commemoration of Gandhiji’s birth anniversary
- On the commemoration of Mahatama Gandhi’s 146th birth anniversary, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) launched a 20 grams gold-plated sterling silver toss coin with the images of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela for the India-South Africa cricket series.
- The coin is launched by the BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur along with the Indian captains MS Dhoni and South African captain Faf du Plessis at the start of the first T20I match at Dharamshala
- Heads side of toss coin features an impression of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela and on Tails side featured with Freedom Series.
Books & Authors
Book on Gandhian Philosophy Set for Auction
- A book on Gandhian philosophy with a handwritten note by J B Kriplani is set to be auctioned on October 13-14 by domestic auctioneers Bidsvilla.com who has partnered with London-based auction house Conferro Heritae.
- The original picture book titled “Gandhi Ke Paath Par” authored by Bharat Sahai was published by Dhoomimal Dharam Das in December 1948 and highlights the various ideals Mahatma Gandhi put forward for a better India.
- With an estimated price of Rs. 5 to Rs. 7 lakhs, the book is expected to sell for at atleast Rs. 10 lakhs
Important Days
International Day of Non-Violence
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October on the 146th birth anniversary of “Father of Nation” Mahatma Gandhi. This day is observed annually from 2007.
- This day is celebrated to recognize the Gandhiji’s philosophy of non-violence and create awareness among public around the globe through various seminars, educational campaigns, awareness programmes organised by Government and non- governmental organisations.
- As a part of this day UNESCO already started an international initiative for the period 2013 – 2022 which leads to a creation of wide range of creative projects that teaches the power of diversity and dialogue as forces for peace.
