BIHAR
Industries minister writes to 24 industrialists for setting up their units in Bihar
Bihar’s industries minister Shyam Rajak has written to 24 leading industrialists in the country, inviting them to set up their units in the state. In his letters, the minister has stated that there is vast scope in Bihar for industrial units in 
food processing sector, agriculture equipment manufacturing, healthcare, IT and ITes, energy, chemical, leather and textiles.
Letters have been sent to Nestle India Ltd, Finolex Industries Ltd, Khadim India Ltd, GRM Overseas Ltd, Hindustan Food Ltd, Relaxo Footwears Ltd, KRBL Ltd, L.T. Food Ltd and Bata India Ltd, among others.
Rajak said since Bihar is located in eastern India, it can emerge as manufacturing base for markets of eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and north-eastern states.
Emphasizing on food processing sector, Rajak said many major food processing companies, including ITC, Britannia, Coca Cola and Pepsi are running multiple plants in Bihar.
INTERNATIONAL
Nepal approves new map including Lipulekh, Kalapani, Limpiyadhura amid border row with India
Nepal’s cabinet has endorsed a new political map showing Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under its territory, amid a border dispute with India.
The move announced by foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali came weeks after he said that efforts were on to resolve the border issue with India through diplomatic initiatives.
The Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani. Both India and Nepal claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory – India as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and Nepal as part of Dharchula district.
India has said that the recently-inaugurated road section in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand lies completely within its territory.
NATIONAL
Cabinet approves Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises
Union Cabinet gave its approval to a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme named Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises for the Unorganized Sector on All India basis with an outlay of Rs. 10 thousand crore.
The expenditure will be shared by the Centre and the States in a ratio of 60:40.
The objectives of the scheme is to increase in access to finance by micro food processing units, increase in revenues of target enterprises, enhanced compliance with food quality and safety standards, strengthening capacities of support systems and transition from the unorganized sector to the formal sector, special focus on women entrepreneurs and aspirational districts, encourage Waste to Wealth activities and focus on minor forest produce in tribal districts.
Scheme will be implemented over a five-year period from 2020-21 to 2024-25 and two lakh micro-enterprises are to be assisted with credit linked subsidies.
Union HRD Minister launches IGNOU’s Online MA Hindi Programme
Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched IGNOU’s Online Programme, MA (Hindi) through Facebook Live session.
This would strengthen our ‘Padhe India’ Online initiative and commended IGNOU’s role in promoting online education.
He stressed on the role Hindi language plays not in India but in other countries including Mauritius, Fiji, Surinam etc.
Apart from MA in Hindi, the university has also launched programmes in MA in Gandhi and Peace Studies, BA in Tourism Studies, certificate course in Arabic, certificate in information technology, certificate programme in Library and Information Science.
The session was broadcast live through IGNOU’s Gyan Darshan TV Channel, Gyan Dhara, and Facebook page.
Cabinet approves Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
The Union Cabinet has approved Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
The scheme aims to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in the country.
It will be implemented at a total investment over Rs. 20 thousand crore .
The investment will comprise a Central share of nine thousand 407 crore rupees, State share of Rs. 4,880 crore and beneficiaries’ share of Rs 5,763 crore.
The scheme will be implemented during a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
It will create direct employment opportunities to about 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, fish vendors and other rural and urban populations in fishing.
The scheme will also help in doubling the incomes of fish farmers and fish workers by 2024.
Cabinet approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana up to 31st March, 2023
Union Cabinet has approved extension of Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, PMVVY for the welfare of and to enable old age income security for senior citizens.
The scheme has been extended up to 31st March, 2023 for a further period of three years beyond 31st March, 2020.
Cabinet to allow initially an assured rate of return of 7.40 per cent per annum for the year 2020-21 per annum and thereafter to be reset every year.
PMVVY is a social security scheme for senior citizens intended to give an assured minimum pension to them based on an assured return on the purchase price or subion amount.
IMD launches weather services in UMANG app
WeatherSeven services hosted on the website of Indian Meteorological Department, IMD have been onboarded to UMANG application.
These services are Current Weather, Nowcast, City Forecast, Rainfall Information, Tourism Forecast, Warnings, Cyclone.
The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, UMANG, is a unified, multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-lingual, multi-service mobile app.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi launched the UMANG App in 2017 to bring all government services on a single mobile App with a larger goal to make the government accessible on the mobile phone of our citizens.
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