PM’s ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha-2020’ programmes to be held on Jan 20

NATIONAL NEWS

Army Chief MM Naravne makes first visit to Siachen after assuming office

• Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Narawane visited Siachen base camp. This was his maiden visit to any forward post after assuming the charge of Army Chief.
  During his visit to forward post in the Siachen, He underlined the importance of the armed forces in the inhospitable conditions.

PM’s ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha-2020’ programmes to be held on Jan 20

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction Programme with school students, Pariksha Pe Charcha-2020 will be held in New Delhi on 20th this month. In this programme, the Prime Minister will interact with the cross section of Students and Teachers from India and abroad to beat exam stress.
• Around two thousand students, parents and teachers will be participating in it. A lot of excitement and enthusiasm is being seen among the student’s teachers and parents to not only participate in the unique event but also to receive valuable tips from the Prime Minister.

Over eight cr farmer families benefited under PM Kisan Scheme

• Over eight crore farmer families have been benefitted under PM Kisan Scheme. The Scheme was launched in February, last year under which income support of six thousand rupees per year in three equal installments of two thousand rupees is provided to each eligible farmer.
• Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry reported more than 48 thousand 937 crore rupees has been released under the scheme till date.
• The Scheme initially covered only small and marginal farmer families with landholding up to two hectares. Later the government extended the scheme to all farmer families irrespective of landholding size.
• A new facility has been provided on PM-KISAN Web-portal www.pmkisan.gov.in through Farmers’ Corner link to facilitate the farmers for self-registration and edit his or her name in PM-Kisan database as per Aadhar Card.
• The farmers are being facilitated for self registration and data correction through Common Service Centers.

Institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University to get status of Institution of National Importance

• The Cabinet approved conferring the status of Institution of National Importance to a cluster of Ayurvedic institutions at Gujarat Ayurved University campus in Jamnagar.
• The elevation of the status of institution will provide it with the autonomy to upgrade the standard of Ayurveda education, frame various courses in Ayurveda as per national and international demand.
•  It will help the institute to develop tertiary care in Ayurveda and to secure inter-disciplinary collaborations to give a contemporary thrust to Ayurveda.
• The strengthening of Ayurveda will reduce government expenditure on health as Ayurveda is cost-effective because of its preventive and curative approaches. A bill to that effect will be introduced in the ensuing Session of Parliament.

ENVIRONMENT

Centre notifies new Wetland Conservation Rules

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the new Wetland Conservation Rules which prohibit setting up or expansion of industries and disposal of construction and demolition waste within the wetlands.
• A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and it takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.

CONSERVSTION RULES

• That each state and Union Territory will have to set up an authority that will define strategies for conservation and wise use of wetlands within their jurisdiction.
• The Authority will prepare a list of all wetlands of the State or UT within three months from the date of publication of these rules. It will develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within the notified wetlands and their zone of influence.
• It will also recommend mechanisms for maintenance of ecological character through promotional activities for land within the boundary of notified wetlands.
• The Ministry has also created a web portal for sharing information regarding the implementation of Wetlands Rules where the central government, state governments are required to upload all relevant information and documents pertaining to wetlands in their jurisdiction.

STATE NEWS

Jagan set to launch 'Amma Vodi' scheme

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will launch the Jagananna Amma Vodi programme at the PVKN government Degree College grounds in Chittoor on (January 9).

KEYPOINTS

• Under the scheme, a financial assistance of ₹15,000 will be given to nearly 43 lakh mothers or guardians who send their children to school. Student enrolment has already increased by 30% in the current academic year after the announcement of the scheme.
• Funds to the tune of ₹ 6,455.80 crore have been allocated for implementation of the scheme in the academic year 2019-20 in all government, private aided, private unaided schools/junior colleges. School and college dropouts are not eligible for this scheme and neither are government employees and income-tax payers.

Periodical reports

• The initial rule of 75% mandatory attendance has been waived to encourage mothers to send their children to school.
• Orphans and street children studying in schools through voluntary organisations have been covered under the scheme and the money will be given to the organisations.
• The promised aid of ₹15000 will be directly deposited in the beneficiaries’ savings bank accounts in January every year until the child completes class 12.

Kashmir to be connected with rest of India through rail by December 2021

• Kashmir will be connected to rest of the country through Railway network by December next year as the government has set a fresh deadline for completion of the world's highest Railway Bridge.
• The Rail line is expected to be 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. It was most challenging project in the post-independent history of Indian Railways.
• Construction of this bridge is the most challenging part of Kashmir Rail Link Project undertaken in post-independence era and once completed, it will be an engineering marvel.
•  The massive arch-shaped structure, being constructed in hostile terrain, which will consume over 5,462 tonnes of steel and will be 359 metres above the river bed.

‘Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020’ to be inaugurated today

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will inaugurate Advantage Maharashtra expo 2020 in Aurangabad.
• The four-day mega industrial exhibition has been organised by the Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA).
• Growth of Marathwada industries in technology and innovation and the products produced and exported from the region will be showcased in this exhibition.
• Convener of the expo Sunil Kirdak informed that over 450 exhibitors from within the state as well as outside the state are participating in this exhibition.
  This exhibition will provide the opportunity for ambitious businesses and will serve as the platform for small entrepreneurs.

AGREEMENT

Cabinet approves India-Mongolia agreement on space cooperation

• The Cabinet today gave its approval for an Agreement between India and Mongolia on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful and Civilian Purposes.

IMPORTANT DAY

Jan-16th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas being celebrated

• Today is Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The day is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community in the development of India. It also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915.
• Established in 2003 the celebratory event is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs every year on this day.
• On the occasion of 16th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas today, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will interact with Indian Diaspora across the globe through a digital video conference.

SPORT

Third Khelo India youth games to begin in Guwahati in Jan 10

• The third Khelo India youth games to begin in Guwahati, the game is all set to be the biggest sporting event in the country with close to 12 thousand participants including athletes.
• Nearly 6500 athletes to take part in the event which is the highest in comparison to last 2 events. That game will be held in 20 disciplines in Guwahati.
• The inaugural ceremony will be held in an open stadium and expected a large number of audiences to see the event. The Star Sports will show live of at least 11 disciplines for 8 hours daily.