NATIONAL NEWS

Management Effectiveness Evaluation of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries

• The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released the management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of 146 National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries in the country.
• According to this evaluation, India has a protected area covers 5% of the total geographic area of the country.
•  The minister launched the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Indian Zoos framework which proposes guidelines, criteria and indicators for evaluation of zoos of the country.

Single Window Clearance Portal of Ministry of Coal – Launched

• Ministry of Coal on 11^th January launched “Single Window Clearance Portal”, a unified platform that facilitates grant of clearances and approvals required for starting a coal mine in India.
• Presently, about 19 major approval or clearances are required to be obtained before starting a coal mine in the country.
• Now, the complete process shall be facilitated through Single Window Clearance Portal, which will map not only the relevant application formats, but also process flow for grant of approval or clearances.
• The Coal mines spread over 5 states - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra

CBDT launches e-portal for filing complaints

• CBDT launched an automated dedicated e-portal for filing complaints regarding tax evasion/Benami Properties/Foreign Undisclosed Assets
• The complainant can file complaints in respect of violations of the Income- tax Act, 1961, Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Assets and Income) Imposition of Tax Act, 1961 and Prevention of Benami Transactions Act (as amended) in three separate forms designed for the purpose.
• This e-portal is yet another initiative of the Income Tax Department to bring about enhanced ease of interaction with the Department, while strengthening its resolve towards e-governance.

Indian Navy to coordinate largest coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil-21

• The two-day naval exercise Sea Vigil which is held biennially was inaugurated on 12^th January 2021.
• The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs and other maritime agencies are the participants of this exercise.
• The exercise is a build up towards the major Theatre level exercise TROPEX [Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercise] which Indian Navy conducts every two years.
• The 2021 exercise is being undertaken along the entire 7516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

2^nd National Youth Parliament Festival

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 2^nd National Youth Parliament Festival through video conferencing.
• The objective of National Youth Parliament Festival is to hear the voice of youths between the age of 18 and 25 years, who will join various careers in coming years, including public services.