The State

31.01.18 Meghalaya(MeghalayaPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Nagaland receives no instruction from EC

 

  • Nagaland state election authority has not received any instruction from the Election Commission 24 hours after all major political parties agreed not to contest the upcoming assembly polls slated for February 27 alleging the Centre’s failure to resolve the main political problem.

 

  • According to state election department sources, the authority was aware of the decision and they passed the message to the ElectionCommission.

 

  • Many political functionaries in Kohima callerstate chief election officer Abhijeet Sinha on Tuesday who said that they won’t halt the process until they receive any instruction from the country’s poll panel which announced the poll scheduled two weeks back.

 

  • All major political parties on Monday signed a joint statement prepared by the civil society organizations not to contest the polls without a complete solution of the vexed decade old problem.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

  • India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign $250 Million Loan

 

  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $250 million loan to finance the construction of 6,254 kilometers all-weather rural roads in the States of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal under the Prime Minister’s Rural Roads Program (PMGSY).

 

  • The First Tranche Loan is part of the $500 million Second Rural Connectivity Investment Program for India approved by the ADB Board in December 2017.

 

  • The program is aimed at improving rural connectivity, facilitating safer and more efficient access to livelihood and socio-economic opportunities for rural communities through improvements to about 12,000 kilometers Rural Roads across the 5 States.

 

·        India Ranks 6th In The List Of Wealthiest Countries

 

  • India ranked sixth in the list of wealthiest countries with the total wealth of 8,230 billion US dollars.
  • The list was topped by the United States of America, according to a report by New World Wealth.
  • He was the best-performing wealth market globally in 2017 as its total wealth swelled from 6,584 billion dollars in 2016 to 8,230 billion dollars in 2017, registering a 25% growth.

 

 

  • India ranks 62th in inclusive development index by World Economic Forum

 

Inclusive Development Index

 

  • 103 countries
  • 74 –developing countries
  • India ranked 62th
  • Three individual pillars — growth and development; inclusion; and inter-generational equity — has been divided into two parts. The first part covers 29 advanced economies and the second 74 emerging economies.

 

  • Growth score (6 level)— receding, slowly receding, stable, slowly advancing and advancing.

 

  • The top-five most inclusive emerging economies are Lithuania, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Latvia and Poland.

 

  • India ranks 72nd for inclusion, 66th for growth and development and 44th for inter-generational equity.

 

  • Three parameters -Standard of living-  Environment stability – future generation indebtedness

 

  • India is above only from South africa in BRICS countries.

 

NATIONAL

 

·        India becomes third largest producer of crude steel

 

  • According to a recent report published by World Steel Association (WSA), India overtook the US to become the world’s third-largest steel producer in 2018.
  • China has remained world leader by producing 831.7 MT in 2017, up 5.7% from 786.9 MT in the year-ago period.
  • Japan is second largest global steel producer.
  • The Global steel production had reached 1,691.2 MT in 2017, up by 5.3% compared to 2016 when output was 1,606.3 MT.
  • It includes over 160 steel producers with 9 of the 10 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes.
  • It was founded in July 1967 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

 

  • Stree Swabhiman Initiative launched for Women Health and Hygiene

 

  • The Information Technology and Electronics Ministry of the country has announced to launch the new scheme initiative under Stree Swabhiman Drive.

  • The new initiative has been introduced by the Ministry and CSC to ensure and maintain perfect health for Women and at the same time to maintain Health Hygiene.

 

  • Prime Minister to launch Khelo India School Games in the Capital

 

  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch the first Khelo India School Games at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on January 31, 2018.

 

  • The Khelo India programme has been introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establishing India as a great sporting nation.

 

  • Talented players identified in priority sports disciplines at various levels by a High-Powered Committee will be provided annual financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for 8 years.

 

  • The Khelo India School Games are being held from 31st January to 8th February, 2018 in New Delhi.

 

  • It is being implemented in 150 Colleges and 20 Universities.

 

  • Under-17 athletes have been invited to participate across 16 disciplines.

 

·        India to witness super blue moon with lunar eclipse

  • India would witness a ‘super blue blood‘ moon between 5:15 PM and 7:37 PM on as the Moon goes from east to west.
  • Occurring for the first time since 1866, the second Full Moon of the month, often called a Blue Moon, would coincide with a lunar eclipse giving it a blood-red tint, with the Moon also being a supermoon.

 

·        Indian Navy launches third Scorpene class submarine Karanj

 

  • The Indian Navy launched ‘Karanj,’the third Scorpene class submarine.
  • The submarine, constructed by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL)in Mumbai.
  • The first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, Kalvari, was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.
  • He had called its induction a big step in the country’s defense preparedness.
  • On the occasion, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had called submarine building a sophisticated and exacting craft, which only a handful of countries possess in their industrial capacity.

 

  • The second one, INS Khandari, was launched on January 12 this year is currently undergoing sea trials.

 

  • The Scorpene submarines are a primary modernization requirement of the Indian Navy, which is currently faced with an ageing submarine fleet, and that too when the Chinese navy has a growing presence in the Indian Ocean.

 

  • The technology being used for construction of the Scorpene class submarines has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels and hydrodynamically optimized shape. These stealth features give it an invulnerability, unmatched by most submarine.

 

·        Environment Minister Harshvardhan Launches PetaFlop Super Computer

 

  • Environment Minister Harshvardhan launched a 8 PetaFlop capacityhigh-performance computer system ‘Mihir’ in Noida.
  • The system will be able to predict weather and climate accurately. This will be helpful in addressing the various issues of agriculture operations and fishing in the country.
  • The system will help the department in predicting severe climate-related calamities and warnings for fishermen.
  • With the launch of the system, India has joined the elite 30 member group of countries which have this advanced technology.

19.01.18 Meghalaya(MeghalayaPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

 

  • New moth species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

 

  • Researchers have discovered a new species of moth from the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

  • The new species, scientifically named Elcysma Ziroensis, be commonly called Apatani Glory, named after a local tribe called Apatani.

 

  • This species has only been seen during autumn, notably in the month of September, indicating that it is a univoltine species, meaning it has one brood of young in a year.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

  • Romania to have first female prime minister, Viorica Dancila

 

  • Viorica Dancila has been named as Romania’s first female PM following the sudden resignation of Mihai Tudose.

 

  • Ms Dancila, a member of the European Parliament, is regarded as an ally of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea.

 

  • Ms Dancila, 54, is Romania’s third prime minister in seven months.

 

·        Google awarded 72 lakh for finding bugs in Pixel phone

 

  • Google awarded nearly 72 lakh to researcher Guang Gong for finding bugs in its Pixel devices.
  • The exploit chain consisted of two bugs which together could inject arbitrary code into system server by accessing a malicious URL in Chrome.
  • Around 67 lakh of the reward was given from Google’s Android Security Rewards program, the highest in the program’s history.

 

 

NATIONAL

 

·        India Ratings Projects Economic Growth at 7.1 Next Fiscal

 

  • India Ratings and Research have projected the country’s economic growth to improve to 1 percentin 2018-19 from 6.5 percent in 2017-18, buoyed by robust consumer demand and low commodity prices.
  • In its outlook for 2018-19, according to the agency, there will be a gradual pickup in growth momentum owing to structural reforms like GST and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in place.
  • The projection is a tad lower than 7.4 percent growth estimated by Asian Development Bank and International Monetary Fund for next fiscal.

 

  • Government to set up $350 million fund to finance solar projects

 

  • Government will set up a $350 million fund to finance solar projects, as the country steps up efforts to achieve its ambitious target of adding 175 gigawatts (GW) in renewable energy by 2022.

 

  • India will need at least $125 billion to fund a plan to increase the share of renewable power supply in the country’s grid by 2022.

 

  • The country, which receives twice as much sunshine as European nations, wants to make solar central to its renewable expansion.

 

  • Installed renewable power capacity is currently about 60 GW

·        HDFC Bank Becomes 1st Indian Bank to Cross Rs5 trillion Market Capitalisation

  • India’s most-valued lender HDFC Bank Limitedcrossed Rs5 trillion capitalization action for the first time, making it only the third Indian company to achieve this milestone.
  • In intraday trade, the stock touched a fresh record high of Rs1,53.75 on the BSE, up 3.31% from its previous close.
  • Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) are the other two companies which crossed market capitalisation of Rs5 trillion.

 

·        NPPA fixes retail price of 30 drug formulations

 

  • Drug price regulator National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)fixed retail price for 30 drug formulations, including those used for the treatment of Diabetics, bacterial infections, and high blood pressure.
  • NPPA is an independent body under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It was set up in 1997.
  • Its mandate is to fix/review.
  • Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the country’s population.

 

·        Maharashtra becomes first state to unveil Public Cloud Policy

 

  • Maharashtra became the first state in the country to unveil Public Cloud Policy that virtually mandates state government departments to shift their data storage.
  • The State Government had formed a four-member committee to draft policy framework on cloud usage.
  • The policy will result in additional private sector investments worth the US $2 billion for cloud industry as the government is one of biggest creators.

 

·        Virat Kohli named as Captain of ICCs Test and ODI Teams of the Year

 

  • Virat Kohli was named the captain of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test and One-Day International (ODI) teams of the year that included four other Indians as well.
  • Kohli scored 2,023 runs at 77.80, including eight centuries and three half-centuries in 18 matches during the qualification period.
  • He surprisingly pipped Australian skipper Steve Smith for the ICC’s Test team captaincy.
  • The Test team also comprises Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin.

20.01.18 Meghalaya(MeghalayaPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

·         Nagaland stands divided on assembly election announcement

 

ð  The announcement of election dates invited a polarised response in Nagaland, with political parties welcoming the move and local organizations strongly protesting against it – with the apex tribal body of the state threatening to boycott the electoral process.

 

ð  The demand for a resolution of the Naga crisis, talks for which have been on for decades, before the assembly polls has been gaining ground in the state. The Naga peace talks have centred around the creation of Nagalim, or greater Nagaland, encompassing Naga-dominated areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. In 2015, the Centre signed a framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah). Since then, the Naga people have been hoping for a resolution and had expected it to come by the end of 2017, especially after President Ram Nath Kovind hinted at the possibility in December last year.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        India became 43rd Member of Australia Group

 

  • India joined the Australia Group export control regime and has become the 43rd Member of that Group.
  • It is an informal forum which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.
  • The inclusion will raise India’s stature in the field of non-proliferation and help in acquiring critical technologies.
  • India managed entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

 

Gk bit – Australia Group

 

  • The Australia Group (AG) is an informal forum of countries which, through the harmonisation of export controls,seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons.

 

  • Coordination of national export control measures assists Australia Group participants to fulfil their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention to the fullest extent possible.

 

  • This is achieved by members through the harmonisation of export controls like using licensing measures.

 

  • It was established in the background of use of chemical weapons (in the form of nerve agents and sulphur mustard) by Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s.

 

  • It has 43Members + European Union

 

 

·        India to offer Yoga classes at World Economic Forum

 

  • India will offer Yoga training sessions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, in a move aimed at promoting Indian traditions abroad.
  • More than 70 heads of states are expected to attend the summit next week. PM Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to attend the summit in 21 years.
  • Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes next week at the summit, which has attracted 70 heads of state and government, including U.S. President Donald Trump as well as celebrities, chief executives and top bankers.
  • Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to attend the WEF in 21 years, since when the economy has more than doubled to $2.3 trillion and become the world’s seventh largest.

 

NATIONAL

 

  • MEITY launches Cyber Surakshit Bharat to strengthen Cybersecurity

 

  • The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), announced the Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative in association with National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and industry partners at an inaugural event in Delhi.

  • It will include an awareness program on the importance of cybersecurity; a series of workshops on best practices.

 

  • Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the first public-private partnership of its kind and will leverage the expertise of the IT industry in cybersecurity.

 

  • Silvassa tops the List of Cities selected in Round 4 of Smart Cities

 

  • Shri Hardeep S. Puri , Minister of State (I/C) for Housing & Urban Affairs has announced the Round 4 winning cities of National Smart Cities Challenge.

 

  • The Minister informed that Silvassa from Dadar & Nagar Haveli has topped the list of winning cities in this round of competition.

 

  • Other winning cities are –

Erode, Tamil Nadu

Diu, Daman & Diu

Biharsharif, Bihar

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh

Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and

Kavaratti, Lakshwadeep

  • Maitre-2 bus services to connect India and Bangladesh

 

  • Maitre-2, the second passenger bus to Kolkata via Dhaka is started from Agartala, Tripura, to give a boost to the trans-border relationship between India and Bangladesh.

 

  • Recently, the Maitre-2 buses were flagged off by Tripura Road Transport Corporation Chairman.

 

  • The first Maitre bus service was launched in the year 2015.

 

  • Mauritius largest source of FDI in India, says RBI

 

  • Mauritius was the largest source of foreign investment in India, followed by the US and the UK, according to a census by the Reserve Bank.

 

  • Singapore and Japan were the next two sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), said the Reserve Bank of India.

 

Animal husbandry in Meghalaya

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Animal husbandry in Meghalaya

Livestock including Poultry is an integral part of agriculture and contributes significantly to rural economy. While agriculture contributes about 30% of the total output of GDP, livestock including poultry constitutes about 25% of the total agricultural output. Rearing of livestock and poultry is an age old practice in the country with no exception to the State of Meghalaya. Livestock production has a much larger contribution to manpower employment than agriculture, while eggs, milk and meat production help in stepping up crop production through the availability of cash to the livestock farmer which is utilised for purchase of seed, manure and fertilizers for agricultural operation. Establishment of dairy, poultry, goat, pig farms help solve unemployment problems and provide valuable protein, vitamin and mineral rich materials like eggs, milk and meat. Organic manure from livestock and poultry enrich the soil for higher production of crop, vegetable and flower as well as horticultural produce.

In the State of Meghalaya, due to peculiar topography, varying climatic situation and socio-economic condition, the agriculture operation constitute to only about 10% of the total land under cultivation, thereby livestock and poultry provide the alternative avocation to the farmers for a subsidiary living.

Though the present output of livestock production in the State has been increasing at higher proportion to the growth of human population, the overall availability situation is not encouraging to the extent that as against the requirement of 220 gm of milk per person per day, only 75 gm is now available in the State. Similarly, availability of eggs per person per year is only 35 as against the requirement of 150. Therefore greater efforts are necessary to close the gap between demand and supply.Animal husbandry in Meghalaya

The department of Animal husbandry & Veterinary has taken up various measures to bring about a noticeable improvement in production, processing and marketing of livestock and livestock products. One such measure is to establish more farms with quality germplasm for making availability to farmers.

 

The activities of the Department were mainly centred round the broad objectives of :

  • Providing Health coverage to the Livestock and poultry population from the ravages of diseases through treatment and preventive vaccination.
  • Introducing improved breeding techniques for upgrading the Local Stock.
  • Ensuring better Animal Husbandry practices through scientific adoption and approach of Extension and Research.
  • Building up of adequate technical and professional man-power through Education and Training.
  • Encouraging setting up of livestock and poultry industries.

Infrastructure of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department

Veterinary Hospital – 4

Veterinary Dispensaries – 113

Veterinary Aid Centres – 50

Mobile Veterinary Dispensaries – 15

Vigilance Unit – 7

Stockman Centres – 34

Key Village Centres – 15

Check Posts – 4

Disease Diagnostic Laboratories – 8

Cattle farm – 4

Buffalo Farm – 1

Poultry farm – 13

Pig farm – 13

During the last 40 years, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary has initiated various developmental programmes on different aspects of Livestock and Poultry sector for the interest of the State in general and the farmers in particular are as follows:

  • Cattle & Buffalo Development
  • Fodder Development
  • Poultry Development
  • Piggery Development
  • Sheep, Goat & Rabbit Development
  • Animal Health & Veterinary Services
  • Veterinary Research
  • Education and Training
  • Dairy Development
  • Subsidy Schemes
  • CSS Schemes

Cattle and buffalo development

This is an integrated programme of cattle & buffalo development which includes breeding, feeding and management practices to boost up milk production as well as to develop a suitable marketing network for milk and other milk products. There are four Cattle Farm and one Buffalo Farm in the state of Meghalaya. The department is also having 2 Intensive Cattle Development Project (ICDP) Centre for production of quality semen by establishing Liquid Nitrogen Plant. One at Upper Shillong and one at Tura. Artificial Insemination programmes in cattle are carried out in the field through 40 Stockman Centres and Key Village Centres spread throughout the State. The Objective is to upgrade the local cows and to augment milk production in the State.

Piggery development

Since the demand of pork in the State of Meghalaya is very high, the Government have established 13 Pig Farms in the State with the ultimate aim to augment production of pork. Pigs from these farm are being distribute to the farmers for further multiplication and up gradation of local stock The Pig farms are (i)Regional Pig Breeding Farm, Kyrdemkulai, (ii) Pig Farm, Mawryngkneng (iii) Pig Farm, Pynursla, (iv) Pig Farm, Thadlaskein (v) Pig Farm, Mairang (vi) Pig Farm, Nongstoin (vii) Pig Farm, Gindo(Waram Songma) (viii) Pig Farm, Dalu (ix) Pig Farm, Rongjeng (x) Pig Farm, Baghmara (xi) Pig Farm Laitryngew (xii) Pig Farm Nongkasen and ((xiii) Pig Farm Nongpiur.

Dairy development

The objective of the scheme is to supply wholesome milk to the consumers whereby milk is being procured from producers and distributed to the public after pastuerisation. The procurement and distribution has been given to their respective Agency/Society. The Department has got 3 Dairy Plants at Shillong, Jowai and Tura, and 2 Milk Chilling Plants, one each at Nongstoin and Resubelpara.

 

 

Cropping pattern of Meghalaya

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Cropping pattern of Meghalaya

Meghalaya is predominantly an agrarian state where majority of population live in rural areas. Traditional shifting or slash-and-burn cultivation (locally known as ‘Jhum’) is a primitive method of agriculture, largely practised by the hill tribes, major residents of the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, is not only a source of livelihood for them but is also a culture, weaning away from which is difficult, if not impossible. Since ‘Jhum’ is unsustainable it is time that there is some basic diversification in the agriculture of the state which may be in any one sector or across some of the sub-sectors of agriculture.

Crop diversification provides efficient use of farm inputs and contributes to a strong rural economy. Based on several micro level studies, it is argued that diversification could be a tool to augment farm income, generate employment, alleviate poverty and ensure environmental safety.Cropping pattern of Meghalaya

Meghalaya’s cropping pattern was rice/cereal dominated, but by 2006, there had been a decline in the relative share of total paddy in the state’s gross cropped.area. Intra paddy variation tells us that both winter paddy and autumn paddy lost area to spring paddy. Though there was a declining trend in cereal (except other cereals and small millets) including paddy, area under pulses showed rising trend. Total food grains showed a declining trend. Percentage share of area of total oilseeds to its GCA remained almost constant over the period of study and relative area share of vegetables had gone up marginally over the period of study; Percentage share of area under total fibre (jute, mesta, cotton) had gone down whereas total fruits have gained area. Area under condiments and spices and field crops had increased. Though absolute area under plantation crop had increased, in terms of relative share, there had been a decline in area under plantation crop. Gross cropped area in the state has gone up by 8.85 percent over a period of three decades i.e., the reference period under study.

West Garo Hills cropping pattern is food grain dominated, though share of area under total food grain is on the decline. Area under Jhum paddy, has been declining in all the blocks of West Garo Hills due to diversification and replacement by other high value crops like arecanut, cashew nut, citrus fruits, black pepper etc. Wheat is also losing area continuously since 1977.

There is a downward movement in absolute area occupied by maize, but relative area allocation under maize shows an upward trend. Area under total pulses was almost double in 30 years and there has been a rise in area under other cereals and small millets also. Area under total oil seed is almost constant, though area under sesame and rape and mustard both had gone up since 1977.

 

04-05.02.18 Meghalaya(MeghalayaPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Arunachal Pradesh nods to much awaited Advertisement Policy 2018

 

  • Arunachal Pradeshgave a nod to much awaited “Arunachal Pradesh Advertisement Policy 2018.” State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu approved Arunachal Pradesh Advertisement Policy 2018 which will enable the government to make payment of government advertisement bills to media houses on a timely basis.
  • In another decision, the Cabinet approved the release of gratuitous relief of Rs 2,000 for all contingency and casual workers serving under Arunachal Government.
  • Apart from approving the creation of 25 posts of Assistant Professors for government colleges of the state under Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), the Cabinet also approved enhancement of salary of teachers working under SSA and RMSA on contractual basis up to 22% with effect from April 1, 2018.
  • The Cabinet directed the education department to ensure that salaries are disbursed by the first week of the subsequent month through the Aadhaar-based DBT through PFMS method. 

    INTERNATIONAL

     

    • World Cancer Day: 4 February

     

    • World Cancer Day is an international day marked on February 4 to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.

     

    • World Cancer Day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the goals of the World Cancer Declaration, written in 2008.

     

    • The primary goal of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer by 2020.

     

    • The theme for the World Cancer Day 2016-2018 is ‘We can. I can.’

     

    • Nepal gets a high Rs. 650 crore outlay

     

    • India’s annual financial allocation to Nepal for 2018-19 has nearly doubled under the Union Budget presented on February 1.

     

    • The External Affairs Ministry has been allocated a total Rs. 15,011 crore, which indicates a marginal increase of Rs. 1,321 crore over the previous year’s grant.

     

    • For India’s development and diplomatic engagement under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Budget has allocated Rs. 5545 crore.

     

    • Bhutan is traditionally the largest recipient of Ministry’s allocation.

     

     

    NATIONAL

     

    • Venkaiah Naidu to Inaugurate First International Kala Mela

     

    • The Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate the First International Kala Mela in New Delhi on February 4.
    • The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Mahesh Sharma will also grace the occasion.

     

    • Lalit Kala Akademi, the premier institution for the promotion of Art and Culture is organizing it at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi (IGNCA).

     

    • Environment Ministry launches ‘Green Good Deeds’ campaign

     

    • Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has appealed to the teaching community to join the “Green Good Deeds” campaign, launched by his Ministry to sensitise the people about climate change and global warming.

     

    • The Minister reminded the teachers of their “Green Social Responsibility similar to corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

     

    • CRISIL, SIDBI Launch India’s First MSE Sentiment Index

     

    • The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Shri Arun Jaitley launched CriSidEx , India’s first sentiment index for micro and small enterprises ( MSEs) developed jointly by CRISIL & SIDBI.

     

    • CriSidEx is a composite index based on a diffusion index of 8 parameters and measures MSE business sentiment on a scale of 0 (extremely negative ) to 200 ( extremely positive) .

     

    • The parametric feedback was captured through a survey of 1100 MSEs in November –December.

     

    • CriSidEx will have 2 indices , one for the ‘survey quarter’ and another for the ‘next quarter’ once a trend emerges after few rounds of the survey , providing independent time series data.

     

    • The crucial benefit of CriSidEx is that its readings will flag potential headwinds and changes in production cycles and thus help improve market efficiencies and by capturing the sentiment of exporters and importers , it will also offer actionable indicators on foreign trade.

     

    • India’s biggest floating island released in Neknampur lake

     

    • On the occasion of World Wetland Day, city-based NGO Dhruvansh has introduced biggest floating island of India at Neknampur Lake, Hyderabad.
    • The duo of Dhruvansh NGO, Madhulika and Neeraj Singh started Neknampur restoration programme in June 2016 adopting various cost effective methodologies to clean the lake.
    • After successful introduction of 10×10 feet floating islands last year, the NGO introduced 2,500 square feet floating island with 3,500 wetland plants floating on this platform.

     

    • “A Century is Not Enough”: Autobiography of Sourav Ganguly

     

    • Former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly’s autobiography is soon-to-be-published and it is named “A Century is Not Enough”.

     

    • The book is co-authored by Gautam Bhattacharya and published by Juggernaut Books.

     

    • The book covers the ups and downs in more than a decade long career of the former Indian captain fondly called ‘Dada’.

     

    ·        Railways Ministry may introduce dynamic pricing system

     

    • The Railways Ministrythe current flex-fare system and is considering introducing a dynamic pricing system for train tickets, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said. Under dynamic pricing system, fares will be decided as per the season and demand.

     

    • The Fares will be automatically adjusted via artificial intelligence, algorithms or technology, to help trains have more occupancy.

    ·        India Lifts U-19 World Cup 2018

    • India defeated Australia to lift the Under 19 World cup for the fourth time.
    • The Men in Blue defeated the three-time champions Australia at Bay Oval, New Zealand.

     

    • Manjot Kalra scored a sensational unbeaten century and was named Man of the Match.

     

    • Shubman Gill was declared man of the series.

     

1.02.18 Meghalaya(MeghalayaPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Northeast states report spike in HIV rate in those injecting drugs

 

  • Close to 20% injecting drug users (IDUS) in Mizoram have HIV, compared to a nationwide prevalence of 6.26% among drug-users, shows data from National Aids Control Organisation’s (NACO) HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2017 released last month.

 

  • Six states in the region account for 43.5% of IDUS who tested positive for HIV in India.

 

  • The states in the region with higher than usual national prevalence among IDUS are Mizoram (19.81%), Manipur (7.66%), and Tripura (8.55%).

 

  • Needle-sharing among IDUS is one of the reasons driving the HIV epidemic in the region, with seven north-eastern states accounting for about 6% of all new HIV infections.

 

  • The health ministry began an epidemiological investigation in December last year to understand reasons why HIV prevention and treatment programmes are not working in the region.

 

  • The virus has spread in the general population through drug use and controlling its transmission now has become a huge challenge.

 

  • For India to meet the goal of ‘End of AIDS’ as a public threat by 2030, it is imperative to bring the numbers down. 

     

    INTERNATIONAL

     

    ·        Melbourne To Host Final Of 2020 World T20

     

    • Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the final of both the men’s and women’s World Twenty20when the tournaments come to Australia in 2020.
    • It will mark the first time the tournaments are held as stand-alone events in the same year in the same country.
    • The women’s final will coincide with International Women’s Day (8th March).

     

     

    ·        Google Introduces A New App Named as Bulletin

     

    • Google introduced a new app named “Bulletin”that allows anybody to submit stories for and about their communities.
    • This is a free, lightweight app for telling a story by capturing photos, video clips and text right from your phone, published straight to the web.
    • The app is made for contributing hyperlocal stories about your community.
    • The application has been launched as a limited pilot project and is available in Nashville, Tennessee, and Oakland, California.

     

     

    NATIONAL

     

    ·        New e-way bill system comes into force to bring uniformity across the states

     

    ð  New e-way bill system comes into force to bring uniformity across the states for smooth inter-state movement of goods

     

    ð  A new e-way bill system will come into effect.

    • Under the new system, every transporter will have to carry a system-generated bill to move goods from one place to another.
    • The e-way bill systemintroduced to bring uniformity across the states for seamless inter-state movement of goods.
    • Under the Goods and Services Tax, interstate transportation of goods beyond 10 kilometers with a value of 50,000 rupees and above, will mandatorily require the e-way bill.
    • Last month, the GST Council decided to implement the e-way bill mechanism throughout the country from 1st of February, 2018.

     

    • PM Narendra Modi writes a book titled ‘Exam Warriors’ for students

     

    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written a book for students who battle stress and anxiety during examinations.

     

    • The book, slated to be released on February 3, talks about the ways in which students can tackle the stress.

     

    • The book has been titled ‘Exam Warriors’ and mentions various means such as practicing yoga.

     

    ·        Union Government launches GeM 3.0

     

    • The Ministry of Commerce & Industrylaunched the third version of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM 3.0).
    • The earlier version GeM 2.0 was launched a GeM 2.0 was launched as pilot project in August 2016.
    • GeM 3.0 will offer standardized and enriched catalog management, powerful search engine.
    • GeM is an Online Market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of the Government.

     

    • Wi-Fi hotspots for rural areas proposed

     

    • The government has proposed to set up five lakh Wi-Fi hotspots which will provide broadband access to five crore rural citizens.

     

    • Allocation of Rs 10,000 crore has been provided in 2018-19 for creation and augmentation of telecom infrastructure.

     

    ·        Govt proposes key amendments to PMLA

     

    • The Central government has proposed changes to various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) through the Finance Bill, including a crucial amendment that empowers the Special Court to restore confiscated assets to the rightful claimants even during the trial.

     

    • The government has introduced a new Sub-Section (2) of Section 66, making it mandatory for the ED to share relevant details with other agencies.

     

    • A key proposed change is in the definition of “proceeds of crime”, which now also allows the ED to proceed against assets of equivalent value located even outside the country.

     

    • A further limit of ₹1 crore involved in the alleged offence would allow the court to apply bail provisions more leniently to less serious PMLA cases, said the government.

     

    • Another suggested change is the inclusion of Section 447 of the Companies Act in the list of scheduled offences under PMLA. It will allow the Registrar of Companies to report suitable cases to the ED for money laundering probe.

24.01.18 Meghalaya(MeghalayaPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

 

  • Khandu inaugurates World War II Memorial Museum in Arunachal
  • Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the World War II Memorial Museum in the state’s Changlang district bordering Myanmar.

 

  • Built by the Union Culture Ministry, the Rs 2.25 crore museum in memory of those who laid down their lives in WWII is located adjacent to the historic Stilwell Road.

 

  • Khandu visited the war memorial where remnants of the war, personal belongings of the soldiers and others involved were preserved.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        Rachel Morrison 1st Oscar nominated female cinematographer

 

  • Rachel Morrison has become the first female cinematographer to receive an Oscar nomination in the 89-year-old history of the Awards. She has been nominated for her work in the film ‘Mudbound’. “The job of the cinematographer is to visualise emotion – things we as women are inherently good at,” said Rachel.

 

·        India inks $120 million loan agreement with World Bank to fund improved water supply in Uttarakhand

 

  • India signed $120 millionloan agreement with multilateral lending agency World Bank to help increase access to improved water supply services in in peri-urban areas in Uttarakhand.
  • The agreement was signed between Government of India, Government of Uttarakhand and World Bank Board.
  • The loan amount will be used for Uttarakhand Water Supply Program for Peri-Urban Areas to help the state to increase water supply coverage as well as ensure sustainable water supply service delivery in peri-urban areas.
  • The program will develop and implement service-oriented and efficient water supply for peri-urban areas, strengthen current monitoring and evaluation systems.
  • It will also provide dedicated incentives for preparation and adoption of of water supply ‘master-plans’ in peri-urban areas.

 

  • India Ranked 177 in Environmental Performance Index (EPI)

 

  • India has been ranked 177 among 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) – 2018. This index has been developed by Yale University and Columbia University in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

 

  • Top 5 countries are Switzerland, France, Denmark, Malta and Sweden.

 

  • Top bottom countries are Nepal, India, Congo, Bangladesh, Burundi.

NATIONAL

 

·        India to Host 16th International Energy Forum Meet

 

  • The 16th International Energy Forum (IEF) Ministerial meetingwill be held in New Delhi in April 2018.
  • According to the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, the meeting will be hosted by Government of India in New Delhi and co-hosted by the Government of China and South Korea.
  • Representatives from 92 countries will be participating in the conference, including 72 member countries of IEF and 20 guest countries.

 

·        Andhra Pradesh and Zurich Sign Sister State Agreement

 

  • The Andhra Pradesh Governmentand the Canton of Zurich signed a letter of intent, to promote mutual prosperity and development.
  • The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu and Government Counselor Minister Carmen Walker Spah for sister state relation.
  • This will bring the State of Andhra Pradesh and Canton of Zurich closer and ensure that a framework is created, which supports the exchange between both the parties.

 

  • Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palanichamy receives UNESCO Award.

 

  • Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanichamy received UNESCO Award of Merit awarded to the iconic Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple in Tiruchirapalli. The award of merit was awarded by UNESCO Asia Pacific region for the reconstruction activities undertaken in temple without in least affecting its traditional splendour and Vedic rituals.

 

  • It is considered as one of the most important of the 108 main Vishnu temples (Divyadesams). It is Vaishnava temple built in Tamil or Dravidian style of architecture. It is located on an islet formed by twin rivers: Coleroon and Cauvery. The temple complex is situated in sprawling ground of more than 156 acres. The temple and 1000 pillared hall were constructed in the Vijayanagar period (1336–1565) .

 

 

·        Water storage level of India’s 91 major reservoirs drops 2%

  • The water storage available in 91 major reservoirs of the country for the week ending on January 11, 2018 was 80.484 BCM which is 50% of the total storage capacity of these reservoirs. This percentage was at 52 for the week ending January 4, 2018.

 

  • The total storage capacity of these 91 reservoirs is 161.993 BCM, which is about 63% of the total storage capacity of 257.812 BCM which is estimated to have been created in the country. Thirty seven of the 91 reservoirs have hydropower benefit with installed capacity of more than 60 MW.

 

  • The storage during the corresponding period of last year was 58% and average storage of last ten years during the corresponding period was 54% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, the storage during the current year is less than that of the previous year and is also less than the average storage of the last ten years during the corresponding period.

 

·        Monsoon rainfall down only 24mm in country since 1981

  • Over 50% of sub-divisions in India have witnessed a decreasing trend in monsoon rainfall from 1981 to 2016, but the country has seen a 24mm drop during the period, a fresh Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) report has found.

 

  • The study stated that the number of deficient monsoon years during this period have been more than excess monsoon years — with 20 excess and 27 deficient years.

 

Population of Meghalaya

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Population of Meghalaya

As per details from Census 2011, Meghalaya has population of 29.67 Lakhs, an increase from figure of 23.19 Lakh in 2001 census. Total population of Meghalaya as per 2011 census is 2,966,889 of which male and female are 1,491,832 and 1,475,057 respectively. In 2001, total population was 2,318,822 in which males were 1,176,087 while females were 1,142,735.

The total population growth in this decade was 27.95 percent while in previous decade it was 29.94 percent. The population of Meghalaya forms 0.25 percent of India in 2011. In 2001, the figure was 0.23 percent.

Meghalaya Religious Data 

Christianity is most popular religion in Meghalaya with 74.59 % of state population following the same. Hinduism is second most popular religion in Meghalaya state with 11.53 % following it. In Meghalaya state, Islam is followed by 4.40 %, Jainism by 0.02 %, Buddhism by 0.33 % and Sikhism by 0.10 %. Around 8.71 % stated ‘Other Religion’; approximately 0.32 % stated ‘No Particular Religion’.

Meghalaya Urban Population

Out of total population of Meghalaya, 20.07% people live in urban regions. The total figure of population living in urban areas is 595,450 of which 297,572 are males and while remaining 297,878 are females. The urban population in the last 10 years has increased by 20.07 percent.

Sex Ratio in urban regions of Meghalaya was 1001 females per 1000 males. For child (0-6) sex ratio the figure for urban region stood at 954 girls per 1000 boys. Total children (0-6 age) living in urban areas of Meghalaya were 77,944. Of total population in urban region, 13.09 % were children (0-6). Average Literacy rate in Meghalaya for Urban regions was 90.79 percent in which males were 92.46% literate while female literacy stood at 89.24%. Total literates in urban region of Meghalaya were 469,851.

 

Population density and growth rate of Meghalaya

The population density is 132 persons for each square kilometer. The aggregate population growth in this decade was 27.95% while in earlier decade it was 29.94%. The number of inhabitants in Meghalaya shapes 0.25% of India in 2011. In 2001, the figure was 0.23%. The population growth of the state has been higher than the national average in the most recent decade.

 

Rivers and drainage system of Meghalaya

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Rivers and drainage system of Meghalaya

One of the world’s wettest regions is found in Meghalaya. Mawsynram and Cherrapunji (Sohra) in the East Khasi Hills district are geographically considered as the rainiest places in the World. — Cherrapunji, which has an average annual precipitation of about 11,430 mm (450 inches) during monsoon season (from May to September) and Mawsynram, a village directly west of Cherrapunji, where rainfall of around 17,800 mm (700 inches) per year has been recorded. The area receives rainfall on an average for 160 days in a year, spread over 6 to 8 months from March to October.

Physiographically, Meghalaya represents a remanant of an ancient plateau of Pre-Cambrian Peninsular shield, block lifted to its present height and is referred as Meghalaya Plateau or as Shillong-Mikir massif. It is the detached northeastern extension of Indian Peninsular shield, part of which lies beneath the alluvium deposited by Ganga Brahmaputra system of rivers. The rivers of the State are rainfed and therefore their discharge dwindles during summer. Important rivers in Garo Hills region are Daring, Sanda, Bugi, Dareng and Simsang. In the central and eastern part of the plateau are Umkhri, Digaru, Umngot and Myntdu rivers.

The surface water resource is tapped in a number of places by constructing dams across the rivers. The reservoirs, like the Umium and Kopili, so developed are not only used for irrigation and drinking water but also for generating electricity. Inspite of this, the area experiences shortage of water during the summer resulting in crisis for drinking water. This is mainly due to topographical and geomorphological conditions apart from alterations of the natural land surface by way of development, mining and urbanization.

Moreover, the characteristic hilly and steep sloping terrain condition in the area with localized small valleys results in very high surface run-off during the monsoon.

Some of the important rivers of Meghalaya are as follows:

Digaru

Digaru is a river originating in the Garo-Khasi hills of Meghalaya state in India, flowing towards the northeast and then meeting the Kolong river and then merging with the Brahmaputra river. The name Digaru originated from a Kachari/Mech word ‘Di’ which means water and ‘Garo’ means the people living in the Garo hills. Hence Digaru literally means “water of the Garo”.

Kopili River

The Kopili originates in the Meghalaya plateau and flows through southern Assam before its confluence with the Brahmaputra. In Assam it drains the districts of Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Kamrup and Rivers and drainage system of MeghalayaNagaon. The river flows for a total length of 290 kilometres (180 mi) and has a catchment area of 16,420 square kilometres (6,340 sq mi). It is noted for several spectacular waterfalls along its course which has several deep gorges and rapids in the 120 kilometres (75 mi) of its flow before debouching into the plains at Nagaon district.

Myntdu River

Myntdu River is one of the major water bodies in Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, locally known as ‘ka Tawiar ka Takan’ (Our Guardian Angel) in the Pnar dialect. It is a blessing to the residents of the town of Jowai and adjacent places. Its abundant water is used to irrigate the Myntdu Valley, located on the outskirts of Jowai town.  The river, originating at 1,420 metres (4,660 ft) above sea level, is fit for hydro-power development.

The river flows across Jowai, and then through Leshka (where a Hydro Project Dam is being constructed) to reach a village Borghat, within Jaintia Hills, before finally entering Bangladesh, where it is locally called ‘Shari’.

Piyain River

Piyain River a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. It is a tributary of the Surma river, which is originates from the Umgat river of Assam. The river enters Bangladesh through Sylhet district. The length of the river is 145 km. Piyain river has emerged from the river om or Umagat river or Assam.

Someshwari River

Someshwari River, known as Simsang River in the Indian state of Meghalaya, is a major river in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya and Netrakona District of Bangladesh. It divides the Garo Hills into two parts.

 

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