BIHAR

• New crop insurance scheme gets govt nod

 

• The state cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to the Bihar State Crop Assistance Scheme which will replace the existing system of crop insurance with effect from kharif (monsoon) season this year. Sources said once the new scheme comes into effect, farmers would be paid a compensation of Rs 7,500 per acre if less than 20% of the standing crop is damaged and Rs 10,000 if the damage is more than 20%.

 

• In another decision, Rs 864 crore was sanctioned for construction of residential units for different categories of government officials, staff and ministers under the ambitious plan of construction of ultramodern multi-storied residential and non-residential buildings at Gardanibagh by razing the existing dilapidated government quarters.

 

• The cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal seeking increase in the ex gratia amount for persons from Bihar in central paramilitary forces and those of other states deployed in Bihar, who are martyred in naxal violence, from Rs 5 lakh at present to Rs 11 lakh.

 

• The cabinet approved establishment of Gopal Narayan Singh University at Jamuhar in Rohtas district. It also sanctioned setting up of Bihar Road Research Institute for research on roads and training of officials concerned.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

• India Signs Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore

 

• India has signed the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) in Nursing with Singapore. This is the first MRA being signed by India with any of our FTA partners.

 

• In a major gain for India, Singapore agreed to expand coverage of Indian nursing institutions by recognising seven nursing institutions in the MRA.

 

• This has paved way for our healthcare service providers to institutionally access markets abroad.

 

• It will further open up doors for India to enter into similar mutual recognition arrangements with other countries.

 

• India and Singapore concluded the 2^ndReview of India Singapore CECA which was officially announced by both sides today during Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s State visit to Singapore.

 

 

• Committee constituted under to celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

 

• The Government of India has decided to commemorate 150^thBirth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

 

• A National Committee (NC) under the Chairmanship of the  President of India has been constituted for this purpose and the first meeting of the National Committee was held on 2^ndMay 2018 in New Delhi.

 

• As decided in the meeting, an Executive Committee (EC) under the Chairpersonship of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has been constituted comprising of Senior Ministers in the Cabinet, Leader of opposition (Rajya Sabha), Renowned Gandhians, Social Activists and noted public figures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL

·        Ganga Survey By Geographic information system (GIS)

ð   In 15 months time, Survey of India, the country’s principal mapping agency, will map the entire stretch of the Ganga using geographic information system (GIS) technology and provide high-resolution maps to the government.

ð  It will help river cleaning authorities in getting minute details of sewage and effluent discharge outlets and identify pollution hot-spots up to 10 km on both sides of the river.

ð  Since the project will map sewage outlets and other discharges from all units (industrial, commercial and others) from the source to the public drainage network, it will help in monitoring of polluting sources and quicken the process of taking appropriate action.

·        HRD Ministry notifies 75 National Resource Centres

ð  The Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched a major and unique initiative of online professional development of 1.5 million higher education faculty using the MOOCs (Massive online open course) platform SWAYAM.

ð  In the first phase, 75 discipline-specific National Resource Centres have been identified which are tasked to prepare online training material with focus on latest developments in the discipline, new & emerging trends, pedagogical improvements and methodologies for transacting revised curriculum.

ð  Under this initiative, all in-service teachers, irrespective of their subject and seniority will have an enabling opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments in their disciplines through the technology based online refresher course.

ð  HRD Ministry Launches Initiatives for Online Professional Development Using SWAYAM

ð  Human Resource Development Ministry launched a major and unique initiative of online professional development of 1.5 million higher education faculty using the Massive Open Online Courses platform SWAYAM.

ð  In the first phase, 75 discipline-specific National Resource Centres (NRCs) have been identified.

ð  National Resource Centres are tasked to prepare online training material with focus on new and emerging trends, pedagogical improvements and methodologies for transacting revised curriculum.