implementation

Nagaland tax and economic reforms

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Nagaland tax and economic reforms

The Commissionerate of Taxes, Nagaland was created in August 1964 with the appointment of the then Commissioner, Nagaland because the ex-officio Commissioner of Taxes. The department started functioning with a Superintendent of Taxes and an Inspector deputed from Assam Taxation Service. A fully fledged post of Commissioner of Taxes, Nagaland was created on August 20, 1976, with its Headquarter at Kohima. Later on, the Headquarter was shifted right down to Dimapur in November, 1976, for higher tax administration. Presently, the commissionerate workplace is found opposite to the workplace of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur. The Department functions underneath the executive management of the Finance Commissioner through the Revenue Branch of Finance Department, Kohima. The department is headed by the Commissioner of Taxes who is typically from the I.A.S. cadre. He is assisted by 2 further and 2 Deputy Commissioners of Taxes. For higher tax administration the department is split into 3 Zones of Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung. The Zonal offices area unit headed by Assistant Commissioners of Taxes. All the Districts Tax offices area unit manned by Superintendent of Taxes. The Department of Taxes is that the highest revenue generating department within the State. the whole revenue assortment throughout the year 2011-2012 was Rs 258.36 crores.

The Finance Department is chargeable for all matters regarding money administration of the government, together with preparation of the States’ Annual Budget. It exercises management and supervising over the Receipts and Expenditure of the govt. and initiates numerous measures for improvement in financial management, further resources mobilisation, economy and potency in Government expenditures etc. It conjointly formulates policies regarding levy and assortment of varied taxes like price additional Tax, oil Tax, Central nuisance tax, Professions Tax, recreation Tax etc. The Department exercises body management and supervising over the 3 Directorates of Treasuries and Accounts, Nagaland State Lotteries and Taxes.

Till attainment of Statehood, the then Naga Hills District was an administrative body underneath Assam. Among others, sales tax Law of Assam was extended to Naga Hills effective from 2-2-1948. However, it’s not obtainable on record, to determine whether or not any revenue was collected from the Naga Hills District.

(i) Year of Establishment: The Department of Taxes, Nagaland was established in August 1964, with the appointment of the Commissioner, Nagaland because the ex-officio Commissioner of Taxes vide Government Notification NO.SGN.182/63/29 (a) 14-6-63

(ii) Structure set-up at the time of inception: A full fledged Commissioner of Taxes was created on 20th August 1976, with its Headquarters at Kohima. Within the same year, the Headquarter was shifted right down to Dimapur, the business hub of the State, for higher tax administration. A post of Superintendent of Taxes was conjointly created and an official from Assam Taxation Service was brought on deputation to start out the functioning of the Department beside skeleton workers.

(iii)        Activities of the department at the beginning: With the establishment of the Department, the question of adoption of the prevailing Taxation Laws of Assam as applied to the erstwhile Naga Hills District to the freshly formed State by the Nagaland Adoption of Laws Order, 1965 were examined however owing to some confusion the provisions of Taxation Laws couldn’t be enforced by adoption/modification. Meanwhile, the govt. took a call to own its own Laws that crystal rectifier to the enactment of the subsequent Taxation Laws.

  1. The Nagaland sales tax Act, 1967.
  2. The Nagaland Finance (Sales Tax) Act, 1967.
  3. The Nagaland Profession, Trade, Callings and Employment Taxation Act, 1968.
  4. The Nagaland (Sales of petroleum & petroleum products, together with Motor spirit and Lubricants) Taxation Act, 1967.
  5. The Nagaland passenger and goods Taxation Act, 1967.

District Tax Offices: All the District Tax offices perform underneath the superintendence of the Zonal Assistant Commissioners of Taxes. Every District Tax office is headed by a Superintendent of Taxes. Dealers register their business and file tax returns within the District Tax workplace. Tax is directly deposited within the several Government heads of account by the tax remunerator through the District Treasury workplace. Nagaland Taxation Check Gates: The department has erected four Check Gates at the strategic entry points specifically Zubza and Tsutapela underneath Kohima and Mokokchung severally and Dillai Road and New Field Gate at Dimapur with a read to forestall evasion of tax. These Check Gates monitor the movement of merchandise – each coming into and going out of dutiable goods through the State. The Nagaland Taxation Check Gates at Dillai Road and Gologhat Road, Dimapur, perform underneath the management of the Assistant Commissioner of Taxes, Mobile Squad. The Zubza and therefore the Tsutapela Check Gates perform underneath the direct management and supervision of the Assistant Commissioners of Taxes Kohima and Mokokchung Zones respectively.

One of the strengths of Nagaland lies in her natural resources however presently natural resources that can not be replaced particularly the non-renewable resources are empty at can greatly. Sadly the policies relating to the extraction of natural resources area unit inadequate thereby the economic performance stay not solely poor however has opened the window towards way reaching harmful consequences. On another level, sound of natural resources ought to be backed by policies that might enhance revenue generation. The pattern of development ought to be such; it ought to scrutinize diversifying the revenue to different sectors to reinforce development. This needs correct investment policies particularly on revenue generation with target shifting the pattern of economic development towards producing and service sectors.

Industrialization of each little and massive industries is another major concern for economic development. Today, of the 2 major industries, one is within the ‘processes of revival and therefore the different is detected no additional. The revival of Tuli manufactory is an imperative necessity if Nagaland is to revive economy. Further, having a pulp centre for the paper mill in every district will certainly cause work potency, employment generation and inflated production. to the current finish of end of industry, power and electricity is another major concern.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive indirect tax on manufacture, sale, and consumption of goods and services throughout India. GST would replace respective taxes levied by the central and state governments.

What is GST?

  • It is a destination-based taxation system.
  • It has been established by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act.
  • It is an indirect tax for the whole country on the lines of “One Nation One Tax” to make India a unified market.
  • It is a single tax on supply of Goods and Services in its entire product cycle or life cycle i.e. from manufacturer to the consumer.
  • It is calculated only in the “Value addition” at any stage of a goods or services.
  • The final consumer will pay only his part of the tax and not the entire supply chain which was the case earlier.
  • There is a provision of GST Council to decide upon any matter related to GST whose chairman in the finance minister of India.

What taxes at center and state level are incorporated into the GST?

At the State Level

  • State Value Added Tax/Sales Tax
  • Entertainment Tax (Other than the tax levied by the local bodies)
  • Octroi and Entry Tax
  • Purchase Tax
  • Luxury Tax
  • Taxes on lottery, betting, and gambling

At the Central level

  • Central Excise Duty
  • Additional Excise Duty
  • Service Tax
  • Additional Customs Duty (Countervailing Duty)
  • Special Additional Duty of Customs

Benefits of GST

For Central and State Governments

  • Simple and Easy to administer: Because multiple indirect taxes at the central and state levels are being replaced by a single tax “GST”. Moreover, backed with a robust end to end IT system, it would be easier to administer.
  • Better control on leakage: Because of better tax compliance, reduction of rent seeking, transparency in taxation due to IT use, an inbuilt mechanism in the design of GST that would incentivize tax compliance by traders.
  • Higher revenue efficiency: Since the cost of collection will decrease along with an increase in the ease of compliance, it will lead to higher tax revenue.

For the Consumer

  • The single and transparent tax will provide a lowering of inflation.
  • Relief in overall tax burden.
  • Tax democracy that is luxury items will be taxed more and basic goods will be tax-free.

For the Business Class

  • Ease of doing business will increase due to easy tax compliance.
  • Uniformity of tax rate and structure, therefore, better future business decision making and investments by the corporates.
  • Removal of cascading effects of taxes.
  • Reduction in transactional cost will lead to improved competitiveness.
  • Gain to the manufacturer and exporters.
  • It is expected to raise the country GDP by 2% points.

GST Council

  • It is the 1st Federal Institution of India, as per the Finance minister.
  • It will approve all decision related to taxation in the country.
  • It consists of Centre, 29 states, Delhi and Puducherry.
  • Centre has 1/3rd voting rights and states have 2/3rd voting rights.
  • Decisions are taken after a majority in the council.

Supporting Laws to implement GST

For the implementation of GST, apart from the Constitution Amendment Act, some other statutes are also necessary. Recently 5 supporting laws to the GST were recommended by the council. 4 for the bills should be passed by the parliament, while the 5th one should be passed by respective state legislatures. The details are given below.

  • The Central Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The CGST Bill).
  • The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The IGST Bill).
  • The Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 (The UTGST Bill).
  • The Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to the States) Bill 2017 (The Compensation Bill).
  • And a state GST will be passed by the respective state legislative assemblies.
  • Tax slabs are decided as 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% along with categories of exempted and zero rated goods for different types of goods and services.
  • Further, a cess would be levied on certain goods such as luxury cars, aerated drinks, pan masala and tobacco products, over and above the rate of 28% for payment of compensation to the States.
  • However, which goods and services fall into which bracket is still an enormous task to be completed by the GST council.
  • Highest tax slab is pegged at 40%.

Another massive challenge to economic development comes from road and connectivity. Roads and property area unit important to economic development, however the condition of the roads is hampering the economic and social progress of the state. Proper roads and a viable transport system could be a lifeline. It will effectively bring multiple socio-economic reforms in terms of economic transformation particularly within the rural areas through accrued social mobility, booming market, production of commodity, reduced impoverishment which is able to end in a reworked means of life. These area unit incentives to reinforce socio-economic development and a property growth. On the full, the ‘lack’ of correct roads in Nagaland could be a real presentation of a serious ‘stumbling block’ within the emergence of Nagaland as associate economic powerhouse. The pattern of development particularly within the rural sector ought to essentially address the issues related to fast urbanization. To the present finish, improved roads and property, a system of agriculture that encourages farming and faculty education can go a protracted manner in solving the issues of urbanization.

09.02.18 Nagaland(NPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Manipur to set up fast-track court for drug offenders: CM

 

  • Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh  said a fast-track court will be set up by March to try increasing drugs-related cases in the state.

 

  • Manipur had become a conduit for drug trafficking in the northeast since border trade with Myanmar was legalised in 1995.

 

  • Officials are concerned over increasing smugglings of gold, precious stones, narcotics drugs and chemicals used in manufacturing drugs.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        India Ranks 44th In Global Intellectual Property Index, US Tops

 

  • India increased “substantially”its score in the International Intellectual Property (IP) Index, ranking 44th among 50 nations, according to the US Chambers of Commerce report.
  • Last year, India ranked 43rd out of 45 countries in the Index.
  • The top 3 countries in  the list are-
  1. The USA.
  2. The United Kingdom.
  3. Sweden

 

  • India’s overall score has increased substantially from 25% in the 5th edition of the Index to 30% in the 6th edition, according to the annual report prepared by the Global Innovation Policy Centre (GIPC)of the US Chambers of Commerce.

 

·        Guinness World Record attempted for playing Ice Hockey at highest altitude

 

  • To set a record in the Guinness book for ice hockey on the world’s highest altitude, an international level tournament was organized at Chiba Kargyam in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Five international teams from USA, Germany, Canada, Slovakia and Russia and a local team participated in the tournament.
  • It was jointly organized by the Hockey Foundation, USA, Ladakh Winter Sports Club and Lalok Winter Sports Association.
  • AIR correspondent reports that with a mission to set a record in Guinness World Record, the ice hockey tournament was held at recently built international standards open ice hockey rink at an altitude of 4371 meters above the sea level.

 

  • 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony
  • The opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics will take place at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea on February 9, 2018.

 

  • The site of the opening ceremony Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium was built specifically for the games.

 

  • These Games will feature 102 events in fifteen sports disciplines.

 

  • Peace will be the central theme of the games.

 

 

NATIONAL

 

  • 11 states are now open defecation free: Government

 

  • The government informed the Lok Sabha that till date 11 states and union territories (UTs) have been declared open defecation free (ODF) under Swachh Bharat Mission.

 

  • The government is taking various steps under the SBM to make all states in the country ODF, the minister of state in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, said in a written reply.

 

·        Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on 4-day visit to Palestine, UAE, Oman

 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the Gulf and West Asian regionfor the fifth time since 2015.
  • In his statement prior to his departure to Palestine, United Arab Emirates, and Oman, the Prime Minister said, this region is a key priority in India’s external engagement and he is looking forward to strengthening India’s growing and important ties with West Asia and the Gulf region through the visit. He said India enjoy vibrant multi-dimensional ties with the countries in West Asia.
  • Expressing his gratitude to the King Abdullah II of Jordan for facilitating the transit, he said he looks forward to meeting him in Amman today.
  • On his first visit to Palestine, he was looking forward to the discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirmed India’s support for the Palestinian people and the development of Palestine.

 

·        First Ever Chat Based Job Search App ‘Empzilla’ Launched

 

  • The first ever of its kind in the country chat-based job search mobile app ‘Empzilla‘ is being launched that will do away with existing limitations of employers and job seekers making selection process quick and cost-effective.
  • The mobile app gets the conversation between employers and job seekers going in seconds and the latter can chat with the potential employers.

 

 

 

·        Haryana emerges as first champion of Khelo India School Games with 38 gold medals

 

  • Haryana youngsters outclassed others by achieving the highest number of medal tally in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India School Games.
  • The competition concluded in New Delhi.
  • The sports powerhouse won 102 medals including 38 gold medals, 26 silver medals, 38 Bronze medals. Maharashtra (110) finished second overall while Delhi (94) came third.
  • Punjab and Kerala won the boys’ and girls’ gold medals respectively in Basketball competition.
  • On the final day, Haryana emerged with the best haul of five medals, including one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
  • Haryana archers showed impressive performance and won one gold medal on the final day. It clinched two silver and two bronze medals from Archery on the same day.

 

 

·        CCEA approves enhancement of target under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

 

  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved to enhance target base of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) from 5 crore to 8 crores.
  • The revised target of PMUY will be achieved by 2020 with an additional allocation of Rs. 4,800 crore.
  • The decision comes in the wake of the huge response to PMUY from the women particularly in rural areas and to cover such households not having LPG connection.
  • This move will address practical difficulty faced in implementation of MUY, namely, targeting genuinely poor households left out of Socio-Economic Cards.

Nagaland schemes and projects

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Nagaland schemes and projects

Nagaland is one among the north-eastern states in India. It’s deckled on its west and north by Assam, on its east by Myanmar (formerly called Burma), on its north by Arunachal Pradesh, and on its south by Manipur.

Nagaland is one among India’s smallest states, with a complete area of 16,579 sq kilometres. The Naga Hills run through this tiny state that has Saramati as its highest peak at a height of concerning 12,600 ft. Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu and Jhanji are the rivers that flow through this state. The piece of land is mountainous, thickly wooded, and cut by deep river valleys. There’s a good variety of plant and animal life. Nagaland features a monsoon climate with usually high humidity; rain averages between 1800 to 2500 millimeter (70 to 100 inches) a year.

Nagaland features a single-chamber legislative assembly with sixty seats. The state sends 2 members to the Indian Parliament: one to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and one to the Lok Sabha (Lower House). There are seven government body districts – Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek and Kohima.

These are Centrally Sponsored scheme for provision of housing to the rural poor. Village development board VDB –Wise allocation are created to the VDBs. choice of beneficiaries are created by the VDBs on the factors of BPL and poorest of the poor being given the preference. The beneficiaries undertake construction of homes with community help.

This is a State Sponsored scheme whereby family allocations are provided for the VDBs develop infrastructure and implement financial gain generation activities. Schemes are designated by the VDBs, supported the quantum of the village allocation.25% ;20% of the entire village allocation is earmarked for women and Youth Programmes to make sure profits of the scheme benefit all the section of the village voters.

This is a State Sponsored scheme for mobilizing VDB resources through an identical funding mechanism whereby the quantities that are being mobilized by the villagers are matched by the State. Every VDBs is anticipated to mobilized Rs. 5.00 lakhs, which incorporates a State contribution amounting to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs.

This is a Centrally Sponsored credit joined theme to implement financial gain generation Programmes within the villages. This scheme covers individual/Self facilitate teams. The funding within the variety of grant is joined to 500th of to project value with loans through financial organisation.

This is a Centrally Sponsored Empolyment Generation scheme implementated in consonance with the social control of the section four of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (NREGA). The scheme is funded on the idea of 90:10 between the Centre and also the State. The NREGS was launched in Mon district on 2nd February. ’06 and presently enforced within the entire District. The objectives of this scheme is

(i)         To offer a hundred days of guaranteed employment in year to each home within the rural areas notified by the Central Government below section 3(1) of the NREGA and whose adult member, by application, are willing to figure

(ii)        To produce durable assets in rural areas:

(iii)       To strengthen the livelihood security to the rural family as per the provision created within the guidelines.

The Programme of Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) has been enforced by the board of directors of below Developed areas until June ’07 that but transferred to Rural Development Deptt. By the State advisory board in its meeting held on 29-06-07. The Backward Region Grant Fund could be a cent percent sponsored programme. It’s designed to redress regional imbalances in development. The fund can offer monetary resources for supplementing and coverage existing development inflows into indentified District. This programme are going to be enforced within the designated District on constant line of the VDB Grant-in-Aid programme and so the fund meant for Rural Development of rural areas are going to be allotted to the VBDs on the basis of household. This fund are going to be discharged to VBDs saving accounts by District designing Committee (DPC/DRDA) some of the fund below the Programme are going to be allotted to the urban native bodies i.e. Municipal town Councils. Fund allocation between VDB and city Councils are going to be calculated on the idea of population as per 2001 Census.

To promote small funding Activities throughout 2004-05, the Department has designated twenty five VDBs as money Intermediaries as a pilot program. A Corpus Fund of Rs.1 lakhs was created through the contribution of VDBs, State Govt., Central Govt. and NABARD at the rate of 40:20:20:20. By experiencing the productive implementation of the pilot program, the Department had designated 406 VDBs throughout 2006-07; 2007-08 within the twenty one unbanked Blocks. Below small funding, the Corpus Fund of Rs. 2.40 lakhs had been created with the contribution of VDBs Rs. 40,000/- , State Govt. Rs.1.00,000/- and Govt. of Asian country Rs.1,00,000/- (yet to be released). This innovative venture can go an extended method in providing credit facilities to the agricultural individuals.

NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY (NCE) CELL:

The NCE Cell headed by a Project Director below the directorate of Rural Development with Director Rural Development act because the administrative head, implements varied renewable energy programmes within the State.

(i)INTREGATED RURAL ENERGY PROGRAMME (IREP):

The Department has been implementing the IREP programme since the 8th set up. This can be a Centrally Sponsored scheme with the State Govt. providing the executive expenditure and also the Govt. of India funding the scheme element through grants. However, the programme has been re-casted from the year 2003-04 wherever the funding pattern currently on a 50:50 Centre: State basis. The programme is to showcase and supply basic energy demand for rural individuals like cookery, heating and lighting.

(ii) NATIONAL MANURE MANAGEMENT ANS BIOGAS DEVELOPEMNT:

Implementation of this theme within the State began throughout 1991-92. It’s a 100% Centrally Sponsored scheme. The Programme is predicated on the employment of bio-gas for production of Biogas for cooking and lighting purpose.

(iii) ENERGY PARK:

This is a replacement programme, geared toward popularizing the employment of Innovative and Renewable Sources of Energy System (NRSE). The Park is to be put in in major instructional establishments and different fashionable places to exhibit varied systems altogether the Districts.

(iv) COMMUNITY/INSTITUTIONAL BIOGAS PROGRAMME:

The programme was introduced within the State throughout 1997-98 and enforced as a100% CSS until 2003-04. a complete of twenty units are put in. Presently, it’s been transferred to the sate as per the look Commission’s call.

(v) Star THERMAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME (STEP):

The theme was introduced on experimental basis for fixing star Water heat. Below the programme, GoI provides five hundredth of the entire project value and remaining are to be borne by the State and by the beneficiaries.

(vi) BIOMASS GASIFIER PROJECT:

As a vicinity of the special incentive for north eastern States, this programme has been introduced within the state throughout 2000-2001 for active power generation. three  comes with a complete capability of 600 power unit (each of two a hundred power unit capacity) is being enforced within the State. Another four project with a complete capability of one hundred forty kilowatt are sanctioned.

(vii)NAGALAND RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPEMNT AGENCY (NREDA):

In accordance with the directive received from the government of India, Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources to ascertain an autonomous Nodal Agency for effective implementation of all the schemes beneath NRSE Sector. NREDA has been registered throughout the year 1999-2000 and is that the State Nodal Agency for implementation and observation of all renewable energy within the state. For the institution of the NREDA, the GOI sanctions as grant to the Agency for revenant and non-recurring expenditure.

(viii)DISTRICT advisory COMMITTEE (DAC):

According to the rules of the Ministry of Non- conventional Energy Sources, the District consultative Committee (DAC) has been shaped all told the Districts of the have. The Committee is to publicise data of Renewable Energy Devises; monitor and prepare the energy conceive to the agricultural individuals. The Ministry of Non- conventional Energy Sources, GOI sanctioned Rs.1.00 lakhs every to any or all District a token grant. The Deputy Commissioner is that the Chairman of DAC.

(ix)RAJIV GANDHI AKSHAY URJA DIWAS RENEWABLE ENERGY DAY:

Under the direction of the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) GOI, Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas Renewable Day is being celebrated on the 20th Auguest, per annum all told the Districts of Nagaland. On at the present time. School children and college students hold rallies, essay and painting competition etc and unfold the message of renewable Energy and energy conservation. The Ministry has sanctioned Rs.1.50 lakhs to the complete District.

The National Rurban Mission (NRuM) follows the vision of development of a cluster of villages that preserve and nurture the essence of rural community life with target equity and inclusiveness while not compromising with the facilities looked as if it would be primarily urban in nature, therefore making a cluster of “Rurban Villages”. With an objective to stimulate native economic development and enhance basic services, the Union cupboard chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission in the year 2015. This formidable bid to remodel rural areas to economically, socially and physically property areas was launched by the Prime Minister in 2016.

08.02.18 Nagaland(NPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address elections rallies at Sonamura & Kailasahar in Tripura

 

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address rallies at Sonamurain Sipahijala districtand Kailasahar in Unakoti district.
  • Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Sarbanand Sonowal addressed public meetings in Teliamura and Majlishpur yesterday.
  • Assam’s former Chief Minister and Congress leader Tarun Gogoi campaigned in Badarghat constituency.
  • Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar addressed rallies in Kumar ghat and Kailasahar of Unakoti district. The state will go to polls on the 18th of this month to elect a new assembly.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing rallies in Sonamura of Sipahijala and Kailasahar of Kailasahar districts. In view of PM’s rally, the security arrangement has been beefed up in the state.
  • Also, yesterday addressing a rally in Teliamura, Assam’s Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to develop each and every state of the country.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        Forbes Releases Its First-Ever Cryptocurrency Rich List

 

  • Business magazine Forbes released its first-ever Crypto Rich List, comprising 20 wealthiest peoplein the cryptocurrency space.
  • The list was topped by Ripple Co-founder Chris Larsen, who is estimated to have a crypto net worth of $7.5-8 billion.
  • He is followed by Ethereum Co-founder Joseph Lubin ($1-5 billion) and Founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance Changpeng Zhao ($1.1-2 billion).

 

·        Bermuda Becomes first Country In World To Abolish Same-Sex Marriage

 

  • Bermuda becomes the first country to legalize and then repeal same-sex marriage.
  • Bermuda’s governor John Rankin approved a bill reversing the right of gay couples to marry, despite a supreme court ruling last year authorizing same-sex marriage.

 

 

NATIONAL

 

·        Google and NCERT Join Hands To Teach Students Digital Safety

 

  • Google and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)signed a pact to integrate a course on ‘Digital Citizenship and Safety’ in information and communication technology curriculum.
  • It was signed on the occasion of Safer Internet Day (06th February).
  • The curriculum developed by NCERT in collaboration with Google will be used to train students from class I – class XII across 1.4 million schools in India where they will learn how to become good and responsible digital citizens. The curriculum is spread into four themes – being smart, being safe, being a digital citizen and being future ready.

 

·        HAL Develops First Hawk-I Flight

 

  • The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited developed the first flight of Hawk-i with indigenous Real Time Operating System (RTOS).
  • Hawk-i is the first indigenous RTOS developed in India from scratch and certified by Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC). 
  • The RTOSis the system software which provides a standard run-time environment for real-time applications execution in a safe and reliable manner.

 

·        Fifth South Asia Region Public Procurement Conference Held In New Delhi

 

  • The Fifth edition of South Asia Region Public Procurement Conferencewas held in New Delhi.
  • It was hosted by Public Procurement Division (PPD) of Ministry of Finance and All India Management Association (AIMA).
  • It was held under auspices of South Asia Region Public Procurement Network (SARPPN),which is sponsored and facilitated by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Islamic Development Bank.
  • The theme this edition of the conference was “Public Procurement and Service Delivery”.

 

 

·        Union Cabinet approves implementation of PMRF scheme gives nod to enhance beneficiaries under Ujjwala Yojana from 5 to 8 crores

 

 

  • Union Cabinet approved implementation of Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) schemeat a total cost of 1,650 crore rupees for a period of seven years beginning 2018-19. The scheme was announced in the Union Budget for 2018-19.
  • Under this scheme, the best students who have completed or are in the final year of B. Tech or Integrated M.Tech or M.Sc. in Science and Technology streams from IISc or IITs or NITs or IISERs or IIITs will be offered direct admission in the Ph.D. programme in the IITs or IISc.
  • Such students, who fulfill the eligibility criteria, and are shortlisted through a selection process, as laid down in the PMRF Guidelines, will be offered a fellowship of 70 thousand rupees per month for the first two years, 75 thousand rupees per month for the 3rd year and 80 thousand rupees per month in the 4th and 5th years.

 

·        Defence Ministry constitutes a 13-member advisory committee to expedite capital acquisition for Armed Forces modernisation

 

  • Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharamanconstituted a 13-member advisory committee to monitor and expedite capital acquisition projects for the modernization of the armed forces.
  • In a statement, the Ministry said, the committee will undertake an independent review and check the status of ongoing critical projects worth more than 500 crore rupees.
  • The panel will suggest measures to improve the capital acquisition process.
  • The committee, headed by Vinay Sheel Oberoi, will have to present an initial status report on identified projects to the Defence Minister by March 31.

 

  • Centre to link driving licence with Aadhaar

 

  • The Centre is in the process of linking driving licences with Aadhaar number to weed out fake licences and a software for this covering all states on a real time basis is under preparation, the Supreme Court was told.

 

  • A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta was informed about it by a court-appointed committee on road safety headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice K S Radhakrishnan.

 

  • This assumes significance as a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra is currently hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar scheme and the enabling 2016 law.

 

  • ISRO sets up 473 Village Resource Centres for rural development

 

  • To demonstrate the potential of satellite technology for development of rural areas, ISRO established Village Resource Centres (VRCs) on a pilot scale, in association with selected NGOs, Trusts and State Government Departments.

 

  • VRCs have provided various space technology enabled services such as tele-healthcare, tele-education, natural resources information, advisories related to agriculture, career guidance to rural students, skill development and vocational training etc.

 

  • About Rs 18 crores was spent for establishing 473 VRCs.

 

·        Development of Solar Cities scheme: 60 Solar Cities to be developed

  • Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)under its “Development of Solar Cities” scheme sanctioned the development of 60 Solar Cities including 13 Pilot and 5 Model Cities up to 12th Five-year Plan period (2012–2017).
  • So far, master plans of 49 Solar Cities have been prepared.
  • Under it, local Governments are motivated for adopting renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures.
  • Solar City developed under this scheme will have all types of renewable energy based projects like solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, waste to energy.

·        Nuclear-Capable Prithvi-II Missile Successfully Test-Fired

  • India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile as part of a user trial by the Army from Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, in Odisha. It is a surface-to-surface missile and has a strike range of 350 km.
  • Prithvi-II is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads and is thrust by liquid propulsion twin engines.
  • Inducted into the Armed forces of the country in 2003, the nine-meter-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

 

  • Jhulan Goswami first female cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets

 

  • India’s veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami has added another feather to her illustrious cap by becoming the first female cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets.

 

  • Goswami achieved the feat during the second ODI between India and South Africa.

 

  • The 35-year-old, playing her 166th ODI, dismissed opener Laura Wolvaardt for her 200th scalp.

 

  • She was adjudged ICC Women Cricketer of the Year in 2007.

 

Nagaland Food Security

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Nagaland Food Security

Nagaland, was born on 1st December 1963 and among the farthest lying state in northeast. The state is split into seven districts: Kohima, Phek, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheloto, Twensang and Mon. It is a mostly mountainous state with most area covered by forest. Agriculture is that the most essential economic activity in Nagaland. Principal crops embody rice, corn, millets, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and fibres. Alternative economy boosters are forestry, cottage industries, Insurance, real estate and tourism.Nagaland Food Security

The state is found between the 93°20′ E and 95°15′ E Longitudes and 25°6′ and 27°4′ N Latitudes. The entire space lined by the state is 16,579 sq. kilometer. Nagaland was declared the sixteenth state of the country of India on 1 December 1963. Before this, Nagaland accustomed could be a union territory. The other attention-grabbing knowledge concerning Nagaland is that it homes as many as sixteen entirely completely different ethnic groups. These groups of people have their own separate cultural identities that embrace customs, dresses and languages. Nearly 90% of the population of Nagaland is devout Christians. The state put together options a considerable Hindu people. Kohima, the capital town of the state, options a variety of sites that ought to be visited by the tourists as a result of it will facilitate them in getting an insight of the rich history place. The name ‘Kohima’ has been derived from the name of a plant referred to as ‘Kew Hi’ that thrives inside the mountainous region. Kohima could be a fascinating place, endowed many natural beauty.

Nagaland has created tremendous progress throughout the last forty seven years of its Statehood. Our ability level, these days standing on top of 70th, is on top of the Indian national average. Our growth in agriculture sector, significantly inside the previous couple of years, has even shocked United States. A quick examine the gross domestic product of the State show that the State’s economy has been registered a healthy growth of relating to 15 August 1945. Such tremendous growth in agriculture sector desires corresponding entrepreneurial intervention to want advantage of the potentials, and switch them into economic opportunities.

Meaning of Food security

It is an act to produce for food and organic process security in human life cycle approach , by guaranteeing access to adequate amount of quality food at reasonable costs to individuals to measure a life with dignity and for matters connected with that or incidental to it.

The ‘National Food Security Act, 2013’ was introduced by the govt. to produce quality and nutrient food to the folk, poor and pregnant ladies. the most aim of this Act is – to produce food and organic process security in human life cycle approach, by guaranteeing access to essential and adequate amount of quality food at reasonable costs to folks to measure a life with dignity and for matters connected with that or incidental to it.

The connected provisions and mechanism for providing food and organic process security to common men of this country square measure arranged down within the Act, that square measure as follows:

  • Fair value search
  • Food grains
  • Food Security
  • Rural space
  • Targeted Public Distribution System

Three years after adoption of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013, the state of Nagaland is finally set to implement the Act once abundant talks with the Centre on the financial facet.

 

The Act is enforced in Dimapur and Kohima districts with result from July 1, 2016 and by August next, the NFSA can cover the remaining nine districts. The Nagaland regime can begin execution the NFSA coverage phase-wise from June 1 beginning with Kohima and Dimapur districts. NFSA 2013 was a landmark event within the State’s history. delay in implementation of the Food Security Act in Nagaland was owing to unfavourable funding pattern and varied supplying problems like lack of infrastructure, lack of godowns in most districts of the State, lack of power backup, conversion method and constitution of State Food Commission, vigilance committees, and grievances redress mechanism at the district level.

Under the Act, beneficiaries of Priority Household (PHH) would be provided five metric weight units of backed food grains per head at Rs three per metric weight unit for rice and Rs 2 for wheat within the ratio of 4:1. NFSA 2013 would additionally cover 78.83 per cent of the agricultural people and 61.98 per cent of the urban people within the State.

Department, from high to bottom, was totally mobilized to realize the target of providing extremely backed food grains to the beneficiaries. Informing that each on top of poverty line (APL) and Below poverty line (BPL) beneficiaries are amalgamated beneath the name of Priority home as per the Act, the department had 2,37,434 households with a rise of 44,464 households with feminine members as head of family within the PHH card covering 11,93,922 individual beneficiaries. alongside 2,12,034 Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, the department would cover 14,05,956 beneficiaries.

Three years once adoption of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in 2013, the state of Nagaland is finally set to implement the Act once abundant talks with the Centre on the monetary facet.

The Act are enforced in Dimapur and Kohima districts with result from 1st  of July, 2016 and by August next, the NFSA can cover the remaining nine districts.

In pursuance of National Food Security Act 2013, the Govt. Of Nagaland has approved for the implementation of the NFSA,2013 within the state. The eligible priority households shall be entitled to receive 5(five) kgs of Foodgrains per person per month either @Rs.3/- per kilogram of rice or Rs.2/- per kilogram of wheat. The implementation shall begin solely once completion of identification of eligible households within the state.

There will be no additional ABL/BPL beneficiaries beneath NFSA solely Priority households. The AAY (Antyodaya Anna Yojana) beneficiaries can still receive their monthly allocation as per the theme. The District Administration, native bodies and village Councils square measure requested to help the Department of F&CS to spot eligible priority beneficiaries. Any false declarations by candidates are mechanically rejected and no additional appeal is thought of.

The Criteria For Identification Of Priority Households Under The National Food Security Act, 2013 Are As Under:-

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Households having an annual family income of Rs. 1.5 lakh or less and falling underneath the subsequent class are considered for inclusion beneath priority households.
  • Vulnerable and marginalised section of the individuals infected with HIV+ and punctually registered by Nagaland State Aids control Society (NSACS).
  • Households with a disable person as head of the households (as outlined in persons with Disabilities Act ‘1995) subjected to submission of prescribed certified by a competent medical Authority.
  • Single women (including widows, unmarried, divorced and deserted women).
  • Homeless and indigent households.
  • Occupationally vulnerable teams like Casual Domestic staff, Unskilled staff, Casual Labourers, rickshaw and Cart-pullers, Marginal Farmers, Vegetables Vendors, Rag-pickers etc. also will be enclosed underneath Priority Households.
  • He/She ought to be a bonafide subject of India and apermanent resident of Nagaland.
  • Salaried workers (Public/Private Sectors) falling below the financial gain bar as mentioned on top of.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any member of households possessing a four wheeler.
  • Households receiving Ration/Food grant underneath the other
  • Any member of the house who is a worker of
  • Central/State Govt. With an annual income of over Rs.1.5 lakh

03.02.18 Nagaland(NPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Arunachali yak the first to be registered as new breed

 

  • Yaks, found in the mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh, have been registered by the Karnal-based National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources (NBAGR) as a distinct breed known as Arunachali yak, this being the first instance of such a registration in the country. Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh will formally award the recognition in New Delhi on Wednesday to the representatives of National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY) based at Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh.

 

  • The study found that Arunachali yaks are characterized by their predominantly black body colour and the high fat content in their milk which sometimes goes up to 7.45%. A lactating Arunachali yak produces, on an average, 1.3 kg milk per day. Though the milk is comparatively of poor quantity, it is compensated by the high fat content which makes it useful to produce different milk products.

 

  • However, scientific interventions, especially in the areas of breeding and rearing, have been able to slow down the decline of population as Arunachali yaks still remain the main source of livelihood for many Brokpas (yak rearers). West Kameng and Tawang are mainly dominated by the Monpa community, which treats the yaks as an asset for the rural economy, and rears these animals in organized farms or semi-migratory systems.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

  • Inland Waterways Authority of India signs agreement with World Bank

 

  • Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed a project agreement with the World Bank, even as the latter entered into a US $ 375 million loan agreement with the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance for Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP).

 

  • The signing of the Agreement follows the approval of  the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, for the implementation of the US $ 800 million JMVP for capacity augmentation of navigation on National Waterway-1(River Ganga) from Varanasi to Haldia.

 

  • Out of the remaining amount, US $ 380 million is to be sourced through the Government of India counterpart funds from budgetary allocation and proceeds from the bond issue.

 

  • Another US $ 45 million will come from private sector participation under the PPP mode.

 

  • The JMVP, which is expected to be completed by March, 2023, is being implemented with the financial and technical support of the World Bank.

 

  • The project will enable commercial navigation of vessels with the capacity of 1500-2,000 tons on NW-I.

 

 

·        UAE Launches World’s Longest Zip Line

 

  • The United Arab Emiratesmade a record by opening the world’s longest zip line, measuring 83 kmin length.
  • Guinness World Records officials certified the zip line in Ras al-Khaimah.
  • The Jebel Jais Flight takes thrill-seekers atop the country’s largest mountain peak, from a launch pad 1,680 meters (5,512 feet) above sea level.

 

NATIONAL

 

  • Two athletes to represent India at the Winter Olympics

 

  • Luger Shiva Keshavan and cross-country skier Jagdish Singh will represent India at the PyeongChang Winter Olympicswhich begins on February 9.

  • Thirty-six-year-old Keshavan, the country’s best known Winter Olympian, will be taking part in his sixth Games since his debut at Nagano in Japan in 1998.

  • Meanwhile, this will be Jagdish Singh’s maiden Winter Games appearance.

 

  • Textbooks in 4 states to have QR codes: Nilekani

 

  • Schools in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthanwill have QR codes in their textbooks, enabling students to view video tutorial and customized content from smartphones, informed.

 

  • As part of the initiative, textbooks will have digital links with a QR code printed at the lesson and this code will have digital material related to the particular concept, which could be a short video lecture or a tutorial or a customized content.

 

  • Sharing his experiences of working with the government, Nandan said that one of things that he learnt is that government is a big amplifier. “If intervention happens at an early stage, impact will be bigger. The government is currently spending Rs 18,000 crore on education. At the other end, philanthropic capital is also being funded in the sector.

 

  • Dust mitigation plan must for firms

 

  • The Environment Ministry has made it mandatory for companies seeking environment clearance to ensure that they put in place a dust mitigation plan.

 

  • The requirements, specified in a gazette notification on January 25, say that roads leading to or at construction sites must be paved and black-topped. There could be no soil excavation without adequate dust mitigation measures in place. No loose soil, sand, construction waste could be left uncovered. A water sprinkling system was mandatory, and the measures taken should be prominently displayed at the construction site. Moreover, the grinding and cutting of building materials in open area were prohibited and no uncovered vehicles carrying construction material and waste would be permitted.

 

  • The standards were developed by the Central Pollution Control Board as part of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and will now empower the organisation to fine companies and agencies for not complying with norms.

 

  • Road dust contributed 56% of all PM10 pollution, while it was 38% for PM2.5.

 

  • Before PM2.5 became the focus of attention — for its role in lodging itself in the lungs and for being a key component of diesel emissions — dust was the key villain for a long time. Dust is a generic term for a vast mix of metals and non-metals — silicon, aluminium, titanium, manganese, copper, barium, antimony, selenium and zinc.

 

Gk bit  – PM (particulate matter)

 

  • PM stands for particulate matter (also called particle pollution): the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.

 

Particle pollution includes:

 

 

  • PM10 : inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometers and smaller; and

 

  • 5: fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.

 

 

  • The average human hair is about 70 micrometers in diameter – making it 30 times larger than the largest fine particle.