Meghalaya CM launches ‘walk to work’ campaign in state

NATIONAL NEWS

Mega Vendor Meet 2019 to be held at Lucknow opportunities in Railway Sector

• The research arm of Indian Railways, Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) is organizing a special Mega Vendor Meet at RDSO in a significant move to show-case greater business opportunities in Railway sector in Lucknow, Industries from across the country are invited for this vendor meet to encourage their participation in Indian Railways supply chain development.
• No participation fee for attending the meet has been kept to ensure wider participation. In line with Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ programme, RDSO through such meets and other endeavors continues to reach out to Indian industry and encourage them to be the active partners in nation building.

Meghalaya CM launches ‘walk to work’ campaign in state

• Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took the lead to launch the campaign of Fit India Movement which has been launched in the country by the Prime Minister.
• The Chief Minister took a two-kilometer walk from his residential quarters to his office chamber at Main Secretariat, Shillong launching the #WalktoWorkMeghalaya which is a part of the ‘Fit India Campaign’.
• He told media that the campaign ‘walk to work’ is a part of the Fit India Movement of the Prime Minister. The idea of 'walk to work' will have multiple benefits, cuts the cost of fuel including reduction of CO2 emission, reduce congestion in the city and more importantly for health and fitness.

Health Ministry explores AI for combating tuberculosis

• The Central TB Division of the Health Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wadhwani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to explore the application of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence technology in its fight against tuberculosis (TB).

Special Tiger Force for Corbett Reserve set up, wildlife officials welcome move

• The Uttarakhand government has decided to form a Special Tiger Force for Corbett Tiger Reserve, a move which will help serve as the much needed second layer of protection for the big cat.
• The STPF will be deployed at the maximum on the extremely sensitive southern fringe of the reserve bordering Uttar Pradesh through which criminal elements keep trying to intrude into reserve areas.

CBDT notifies creation of five-member special cell for startups

• The CBDT notified creation of a five-member special cell to address grievances of startups with relation to angel tax and other tax-related issues.
• An order issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the 'startup cell' will be headed by the member (Income Tax and Computerisation) of the board.
• The cell will work towards redressal of grievances and mitigate tax-related issues in case of startup entities with respect to administration of Income-tax Act, 1961.

Dindigul lock, Kandangi saree get GI tag

• The products — the Dindigul lock and the Kandangi saree — were given the GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai
• The famous Dindigul locks are known throughout the world for their superior quality and durability, so much so that even the city is called Lock City.
• The abundance of iron in this region is the reason for the growth of the lock-making industry.
• The original Kandangi saree is manually made using a winding machine, loom, shuttle and bobbin. It is a team effort of the families who live in the town of Karaikudi and it forms part of their livelihood. These sarees are characterised by the large contrast borders, and some of them are known to have borders covering as much as two-thirds of the saree.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCE

Government announces mega merger of public sector banks

1. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the merger of Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank with business of ₹7.95 trillion to make India’s second-largest bank, a week after announcing a slew of measures to boost consumer and investment confidence.
2. The other merger will be between Canara Bank and Syndicate Bank, which will make the fourth-largest bank, with ₹15.2 trillion business.
3. Also, Union Bank will be merged with Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank to build India’s fifth-largest public sector bank with ₹14.59 trillion in business.
4. Indian Bank will be merged with Allahabad Bank to make India’s seventh-largest PSB with a business of ₹8.08 trillion.
5. APPOINTMENTS

Nripendra Mishra resigns, PK Sinha appointed as OSD in PMO

• Pradeep Kumar Sinha has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in PMO. He has been appointed at this position after the resignation of Nripendra Mishra. The announcement came after Principal Secretary to the PM expressed his intention to be relieved of his assignment.
• Pradeep Kumar Sinha is 1977 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh Cadre. Nripendra Mishra resigned at a time when India’s GDP growth slowed down to more than a five-year low of 5% in the June quarter of 2019-20 against 5.8% in the March quarter. Nripendra Mishra was also former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) chairman.

OBITUARY

Veteran Bengali actor Nimu Bhowmik dead

• Veteran actor Nimu Bhowmik who essayed major character roles in Bengali classics such as 'Ganadebata', 'Baghini' and 'Dadar Kirti' died following prolonged illness.