First-ever Ladakh Literature Festival

NATIONAL NEWS

Health Ministry observes Vigilance Awareness Week

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHF&W) is observing the Vigilance Awareness Week from 28th October to 2nd November, 2019 as per directions of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Government of India.
• The theme of the vigilance awareness this year is ‘Integrity- a way of life’. Vigilance Awareness Week commenced with the administration of ‘Integrity Pledge’ to the officers/staff of the Ministry by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan, to fight against corruption and commit to highest standards of honesty and integrity.
• It is also proposed to award prizes to winners of the competitions to be conducted by the ministry.

Govt accords 'Maharatna' status to Hindustan Petroleum, Power Grid Corp

• The government accorded 'Maharatna' status to state-owned Hindustan Petroleum and Power Grid Corporation, thus giving them greater operational and financial autonomy.
• Two separate orders to this effect were issued by the Department of Public Enterprises, under the Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprises.
• The grant of Maharatna status to the PSUs will impart enhanced powers to their Boards to take financial decisions.

First-ever Ladakh Literature Festival

• Ladakh administration is organizing the first-ever Ladakh Literature festival. The 3-day Literature Festival is being organized from 29 to 31 October 2019.
• The first-ever Ladakh Literature festival aims to celebrate the uniqueness of the region in the fields of Art, Culture and Literature.
• To provide an opportunity to children, youth and women to participate in the 3 Day Ladakh Literature Festival several competitions and events like Calligraphy, Culinary art are also incorporated.

USD 165 mn loan agreement for Odisha’s Integrated Irrigation Project

• The Government of India along with the state government of Odisha has signed USD 165 million loan agreement with the World Bank to Support Climate Resilient Agriculture for 125,000 Small holder Farmers in Odisha.
• The project aims to support smallholder farmers strengthen the resilience of their production systems as well as diversify and improve the marketing of their produce, for increased income.
• The Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture will be implemented in rural areas vulnerable to droughts and largely dependent on rain-fed agriculture.
• The project will benefit about 125,000 smallholder farmer households from 15 districts of Odisha managing 128,000 ha of agricultural land.

Global Bio-India 2019” Summit to be held in New Delhi

• The Global Bio-India 2019 will be held for the first time in India in New Delhi from 21st to 23rd November, 2019. It is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders integration programme.
• India is hosting this mega event for the biotech community to attract investments and showcase our indigenous strengths and aspirations of the indigenous talent pool.
• A brochure of Global Bio-India 2019 was also released at the Curtain Raiser ceremony.
• The DBT, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India will organize the event with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
• The Summit is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate to be held in India for the first time.
• The event will bring together stakeholders from 30 countries, 250 start-ups, and 200 exhibitors.

BANKING

IOB launches health care plus insurance policy

• Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in association with Universal Sompo General Insurance Co Ltd. has launched upgraded health care plus insurance policy.
• It is a co-branded insurance scheme exclusively designed for IOB customers with a sum insured starting from ₹50,000 and going up to ₹15 lakh.
• The policy issuance will be made on a real-time basis at the IOB branches to its customers. Self, spouse, dependent children, dependent parents can be covered under the policy.

APPOINTMENT

Manohar Lal Khattar sworn in as CM of Haryana for a second term

• Senior BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar was sworn in as the chief minister of Haryana for second straight time, with the support of Dushyant Chautala led Jannayak Janta Party.
• Dushyant Chautala took oath as deputy chief minister of Haryana. Governor administered him the oath of office and secrecy at a function at Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh.