1. 31.4% of Indian children will be stunted by 2022: UN report
Almost one in three Indian children under five years will still be stunted by 2022 going by current trends, according to an analysis of the country’s food and nutrition security released on Tuesday. Over the last decade, child stunting — which is a measure of chronic malnutrition — has reduced at a rate of about 1% per year, the slowest decline among emerging economies. At this rate, 31.4% of children will still be stunted by the 2022 deadline. India must double its rate of progress to reach the target of 25% by that time, says the report.
2. BDC under EAC-PM headed by Professor Bibek Debroy submitted its report
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister set up a Beekeeping Development Committee under the Chairmanship of Professor Bibek Debroy. The Beekeeping Development Committee (BDC) has released its report today. BDC was constituted with the objective of identifying ways of advancing beekeeping in India, that can help in improving agricultural productivity, enhancing employment generation, augmenting nutritional security and sustaining biodiversity. Further, beekeeping can be an important contributor in achieving the 2022 target of doubling farmer incomes.
3. Centre constituted panel for better coordination among ministers
The power ministry has proposed a “power sector council" comprising the political executive as well as the energy bureaucracy to tackle issues between the Union and state governments as part of the ministry’s 100-day action plan for the second term of the Narendra Modi government. With power being on the concurrent list of the Constitution, many sectoral issues face hurdles due to differences between the Union and state governments. The council will help the Centre and states work on a common agenda and ensure round-the-clock power to all.
4. Korean Ambassador to India Bong-Kil Shin signed an agreement with BMVSS and launched ‘Jaipur Foot Korea’
Korean Ambassador to India Bong-Kil Shin on Monday launched 'Jaipur Foot Korea', a collaborative initiative between Korea and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), a prosthetic limb organization. Under this agreement, Korea will provide financial and technical assistance to further research and development collaboration in the med-tech sector specifically in the area of prosthetic limbs, bionic arms, 3-D printing-based Flat foot solution, and mobility solutions, according to a release issued here.
5. MHA released the rankings of Police Stations for 2018; Rajasthan tops the list
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released the rankings of police stations for the year 2018. It covered 15,666 police stations. 20% weight was assigned to the police station’s infrastructure and citizen feedback on the performance of the police personnel posted at the police station and they were evaluated on the basis of crimes against women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes & property related offenses. The scores were calculated based on the number of FIRs (First Information Reports) chargesheeted within 60 days.
6. India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat of UNSC received Asia-Pacific Group’s unanimous endorsement
India has won the unanimous support of all countries in the 55-member Asia-Pacific Group at the United Nations in support of its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term in 2021-22. The development is particularly significant given that Pakistan and China, both countries with which India has had diplomatic challenges at the UN, supported the move.
7. RBI panel led by U.K. Sinha suggests Rs.5,000 crore stressed asset fund for MSMEs
According to the committee, the fund could operate on the lines of the Textile Upgradation Fund Scheme. It also recommended an amendment to the MSMED Act, requiring all MSMEs to mandatorily upload all their invoices above an amount to be specified by the government, from time to time. A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee has suggested a ₹5,000 crore stressed asset fund for domestic micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in relief to small businesses hurt by demonetization, the goods, and services tax and an ongoing liquidity crunch.
8. Wilful Defaulters in State-Run Banks increased by 60% in 5years
The figure stood at 8,582 at the end of FY19(fiscal year) against 5,349 at the end of FY15.The silver lining is about Rs.7,600 crore has been recovered from those defaulters. In PSBs (public sector banks), out of 9856 wilful defaulters, 960 accounts from Punjab National bank followed by Union Bank of India and Central Bank Of India. In Private sector banks, Axis Bank reported the maximum number of defaulters. As of March 2019, PSBs filed suits for recovery in 8,121 cases however it recovered about Rs.3.59-lakh crore over four fiscal years (FY16 to FY19).
9. World Bank commits $31.58 mn loan for Uttarakhand Public Financial Management Strengthening Project
The Government of India, the Government of Uttarakhand and the World Bank today signed a loan agreement of $31.58 million for the Uttarakhand Public Financial Management Strengthening Project that will help improve the state’s ability to manage its finances and better utilize funds for development purposes. The project is part of World Bank's public financial management engagements at the state level, following similar projects in Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. The project will support the state government’s initiative to build and modernize the technical and financial management capabilities of its local bodies and state-owned enterprises.
10. Tech Mahindra signed a contract with Airbus for cabin and cargo design engineering
Tech Mahindra said it is aiming to grow its cabin engineering business over the next few years. This will strengthen our aerospace engineering portfolio, says Karthikeyan Natarajan, Global Head of Engineering and IoT, Tech Mahindra. Software and business re-engineering services firm Tech Mahindra on Thursday announced the signing of a multi-year contract with Airbus for cabin and cargo design engineering. "Airbus is a strategic customer and partner of Tech Mahindra and it has been our constant endeavor to develop innovative engineering and digital solutions for our customers," said Karthikeyan Natarajan, Global Head of Engineering and IoT, Tech Mahindra, in a statement.
11. Malayalam film ‘Veyilmarangal’ won an award at Shanghai International film festival
Veyil Marangal, directed by Dr. Biju, has received the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival, one of the largest fests in East Asia. A photo of the director with his actors Prakash Bare and Indians and producer Baby Mathew Somatheeram, being given the red carpet welcome at the festival, has been circulating online. “Yes we got that and ours was the only Indian film in the main competition for the Golden Goblet Award,” says Prakash Bare who has come back to India before the others. All of them will reach the international airport in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday night where they will be given a reception.
12. Amitabh Kant, NITI Aayog CEO gets a 2-year extension
The Union government on Wednesday gave a two-year extension to Amitabh Kant as the chief executive officer of the Niti Aayog. “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of tenure of Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog, for a further period of two years beyond 30.06.2019 i.e. up to 30.06.2021,” the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in a notification. The other terms and conditions, as approved earlier for the top post, would remain the same. Kant, a 1980 batch IAS officer from the Kerala Cadre, was appointed CEO of Niti Aayog on Feb 17, 2016, after his superannuation as a secretary in the Department of Industry and Promotion.
