By: D.K Choudhary
Cabinet Approvals on February 15, 2017
i. The Union Government chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on February 15, 2017 approved setting up of Food Legumes Research Platform (FLRP) at Amlaha, Sehore in Madhya Pradesh for meeting the emerging food security challenges.
ii. The Cabinet approved the signing of Air Services Agreement between India and Rwanda which will enable the airlines of the two countries to operate services in each others’ territory.
iii. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval to award contract in 31 contract areas under Discovered Small Fields Policy 2016 undertaken last year
iv. The Union Cabinet approved the merger of the State Bank of India with its 5 subsidiary banks namely State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur; State Bank of Hyderabad; State Bank of Mysore; State Bank of Patiala and State Bank of Travancore.
Indian Panaroma Film Festival Begins in Port Blair
i. The Indian Panorama Film Festival kicked off in Port Blair on February 15, 2017.
ii. The five day film festival has been organized by the Directorate of Information, Publicity Indian Panaroma Film Festival Begins in Port Blair& Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration in association with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Directorate of Film Festivals/IFFI, New Delhi, Govt of India.
iii .The festival was inaugurated by the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar at DBRAIT Auditorium, Dollygunj, Port Blair.
iv. The inauguration was followed by screening of the film Bahubali (Telegu) directed by SS. Rajamauli.
v. About 15 films of different languages and different genre will be screened at two different venues including PBMC Auditorium and ITF Ground during the festival.
vi. The event will conclude on February 19, 2017.
Himachal Pradesh Governor Inaugurates Campaign against Drug Addiction
i. The Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat inaugurated a Campaign against Drug Addiction on February 15, 2017 organized by Shimla Press Club in Shimla.
ii. The campaign aims to make the state drug free.
iii .The Governor has announced to grant Rs 1 lakh to the Press Club Shimla for organising the campaign against drugs
iv. Through the campaign, the state will make effort to eradicate drugs that not only affect the physical and mental health of the addict but also lead them towards increase in crime.
Hill stations in Himachal Pradesh
Manali, Shimla, Kufri & Chail, Kasauli, Kaso
Kerala cabinet Gives In-Principle Approval for Greenfield Airport at Sabarimala
i. The Kerala cabinet gave its in-principle approval on February 15, 2017 for setting up a Greenfield Airport at pilgrim centre Sabarimala located at the Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.
ii. The state government has also directed Kerala State Industrial Development Corp (KSIDC) to conduct a study on the proposed airport.
iii. Lakhs of devotees visits the Sabarimala hill shrine each year and in recent years the number of pilgrims visiting the temple had gone up especially during November-January Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrim festival season.
iv. Thus the airport will cater to the needs of lakhs of devotees who visit the famous Lord Ayyappa hill shrine every year by reducing the traffic congestion. Currently, only road ways medium is available to reach the hill shrine.
Airports in Kerala
♦ Cochin International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Calicut International Airport, Kannur Airport, Kollam Airport.
Shri Radha Mohan Singh Inaugurated 2017 Indian Seed Congress in Kolkata
i. The Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated the Indian Seed Congress 2017 in Kolkata on February 12, 2017.
ii. The theme of Seed Congress is “Seed of Joy”.
2017 Indian Seed Congress in Kolkataiii. The theme is in line with vision of PM Modi government to bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of farmers by doubling their farm income by 2022.
iv. The minister emphasized that to enhance the productivity of good quality seeds the centre has directed the state governments to prepare variety wise seed rolling plants to meet year wise, season wise requirements of quality seeds.
v. These rolling plants would help in improving the Seed replacement rate along with Variety replacement rate so that sustainable agricultural production and productivity could be ensured.
vi. Besides vegetable seeds, the conclave also stressed on the production of hybrid seeds of maize, paddy, pearl millet and cotton for export to African countries.
vii. Indian seed industry has the potential to become a major industry to supply quality seeds in global markets.
International Conference on NexGen Technologies for Mining and Fuel Industries-NxGnMiFu-2017 inaugurated in New Delhi
i. Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Science Dr. Harsh Vardhan has inaugurated the three day International Conference on “NexGen Technologies for Mining and Fuel Industries” (NxGnMiFu-2017) in New Delhi on February 15, 2017
ii. Aim : To innovate new techniques, technologies and applications for clean, safe, symbiotic sustenance of society, environment and industries in post-2020 era.
iii. The conference was organised by CSIR-Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad as a part of CSIR-Platinum Jubilee Celebration to commemorate 75th year of its foundation.
iv. An industrial exhibition is also being organised in the Vigyan Bhawan lawns and will run in parallel with the technical sessions.
v. Eight distinguished luminaries from the mining, fuel sectors, 800 delegates from India and 50 delegates from countries like, UK, Australia, China, Republic of Korea, Czech Republic, Germany, USA, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria etc. have expected to participante in the event.
