rural areas

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.

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.

 

02.02.18 Nagaland(NPSC) Current Affairs

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NORTH-EASTERN STATES

  • Budget brings hope to bamboo-rich northeast

 

  • Bamboo is essentially a type of grass, but its classification as a tree for 90 years prevented the northeast, which grows 67% of India’s bamboo, from exploiting it commercially unlike China, the only country with richer bamboo genetic resources.

 

  • Now Budget 2018 has ignited farm hope for this tree-turned-grass which once fuelled insurgency in the northeastern states. The allocation of ₹1,290 crore for a restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has raised hopes for a range of bamboo-based industries – from food professing to construction.

 

  • Bamboo is a wonder, multi-utility grass that more than 300 ethnic groups in the northeast have traditionally been using in every stages of life, from birth to death, besides it being a delicacy. Bamboo’s commercial journey began when it was struck off the list of trees by amending the Indian Forest Act last year.

 

  • The Budget provision is one of the best initiatives to promote holistic development of bamboo. But the restructured NBM needs to be more focussed on value-chain management and value-addition of bamboo at community level which will bring more income to the bamboo farmers and bamboo processors.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

·        India Slips to 42nd Place On EIU Democracy Index, Norway Tops

 

  • India slipped to 42nd place on an annual Global Democracy Index according to the data compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). India has moved down from 32nd place last year.
  • The top 5 Countries in the list are

    Norway,

    Iceland,

    Sweden,

    New Zealand and

    Denmark

 

  • The index ranks 165 independent states and two territories on the basis of five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation and political culture.

 

  • The list has been divided into four broad categories- full democracy, flawed democracy, the hybrid regime and authoritarian regime.

 

  • North Korea is ranked the lowest at 167th, while Syria is a notch better at 166th place.

 

 

·        India Joins Ashgabat agreement

 

  • India joined Ashgabat Agreement on the establishment of an International Transport and Transit Corridor between the Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
  • The agreement was signed in 2011, which envisages facilitation of transit and transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.
  • According to the External Affairs Ministry, the accession to the Agreement would diversify India’s connectivity options with Central Asia and have a positive influence on its trade and commercial ties with the region.

 

NATIONAL

 

  • Union Budget 2018: Key takeaways and sector-wise highlights

 

  • Finance Minister Arun Jaitley delivered the current government’s fifth and last full financial budget (Budget 2018 for the fiscal year 2018-19) amid subdued economic growth, challenging fiscal situation and farm distress.

 

Here are the key highlights from the Union Budget 2018:

Economic Health

  • Economy firmly on course to achieve high growth of 8%
  • GDP growth at 6.3% in the second quarter of 2017-18 signals turnaround of the economy
  • Growth in the second half likely to remain between 7.2% to 7.5%

Agriculture and Rural Economy

  • MSP for all unannounced Kharif crops increased to 150%
  • Institutional credit for agri-sector increased to Rs.10 lakh crore in 2017-18
  • Fisheries, aquaculture and animal husbandry corpus at Rs.10,000 crore
  • New scheme Operation Greens with an outlay of Rs 500 Crore
  • Govt to develop and upgrade existing 22,000 rural haats
  • Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund with a corpus of Rs.2000 crore
  • Allocation for Ministry of Food Processing doubled to Rs.1400 crore
  • Loans to Self Help Groups (SHG) of women to increase to Rs.75,000 crore by March 2019.
  • Increased allocation of National Rural Livelihood Mission to Rs 5750 crore
  • Under Ujjwala Scheme distribution of free LPG connections will be given to 8 crore poor women
  • Housing for All by 2022 – more than one crore houses to be built by 2019 in rural areas

Education, Health, and Social Protection

  • Estimated budgetary expenditure on health, education and social protection at Rs.1.38 lakh crore
  • Ekalavya Model Residential School to be set up for tribal children
  • Investments for research & infra in premier educational institutions at Rs.1 lakh crore in next 4 years
  • Allocation on National Social Assistance Programme at Rs. 9975 crore
  • NHPS to cover over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries)
  • NHPS to provide coverage up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year for hospitalisation
  • Rs 1200 crore for the National Health Policy, 2017 – additional Rs.600 crore for TB patients
  • 24 new Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals

Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) and Employment

  • Major thrust for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) – allocation at Rs. 3794 crore
  • Target of Rs.3 lakh crore for lending under MUDRA Yojana
  • 70 lakh formal jobs to be created this year
  • Govt to make 12% contribution of new employees in the EPF for all the sectors for 3 years
  • Outlay of Rs.7148 crore for the textile sector
  • Increase budgetary allocation on infrastructure for at Rs.5.97 lakh crore
  • To develop 10 prominent tourist sites into Iconic Tourism destinations
  • 35000 kms road construction in Phase-I at an estimated cost of Rs.5,35,000 crore

Railways

  • Railways Capital Expenditure pegged at Rs.1,48,528 crore
  • 4000 kilometers of electrified railway network slated for commissioning
  • Work on Eastern and Western, dedicated freight corridors
  • Over 3600 km of track renewal targeted in current fiscal
  • Redevelopment of 600 major railway stations
  • Mumbai’s local train network to have 90 kilometers of double line tracks at Rs.11,000 crore cost
  • 150 km of additional suburban network planned for Mumbai
  • Suburban network of 160 km at for Bengaluru metropolis

Air Transport

  • To expand airport capacity more than five times to handle a billion trips a year
  • Regional connectivity – 56 unserved airports and 31 unserved helipads to be connected
  • To establish unified authority for regulating all financial services

Digital Economy

  • NITI Aayog to initiate a national program to direct efforts in artificial intelligence
  • Department of Science & Technology to launch Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems
  • Allocation doubled on Digital India programme to Rs 3073 crore
  • To set up 5 lakh wifi hotspots to provide net-connectivity to five crore rural citizens
  • Rs. 10000 crore for creation and augmentation of telecom infrastructure

Defence

  • Development of two defence industrial production corridors.
  • Allocation of Rs 2.95 lakh crore to defence sector.

Emoluments

  • To revise emoluments to Rs.5 lakh for the President
  • Rs 4 lakhs for the Vice President
  • Rs.3.5 lakh per month to Governor
  • Pay for Members of Parliament – law for automatic revision of emoluments every 5 years
  • 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi- Rs.150 crore for commemoration programme

Fiscal Management

  • Budget Revised Estimates for Expenditure at Rs.21.57 lakh crore
  • Revised Fiscal Deficit estimates at 3.5% of GDP
  • To bring down Central Government’s Debt to GDP ratio to 40%

Jaitley announces ‘world’s largest healthcare programme’

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced two new initiatives under the Ayushman Bharat Programme in the Union Budget 2018.

  • Under the programme, Mr. Jaitley announced a new flagship National Health Protection Scheme, providing a health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh a family per annum.
  • The scheme will cover 10 crore vulnerable families, with approximately 50 crore beneficiaries.
  • Mr. Jaitley also announced the creation of health and wellness centres, which will “bring healthcare closer to home”.
  • These centres, 1.5 lakh in number, will provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services. A sum of Rs. 1200 crore had been allocated for this.

·         Thirty Second Surajkund International Crafts Mela Begins

 

  • The 32nd Surajkund International CraftsMela begun in Faridabad, Haryana.

    The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.

    The 17-day cultural extravaganza will see a spectacular showcase of regional and international crafts, handlooms, traditions along with some mouth-watering multi-cuisine food for the visitors.

    This year Uttar Pradesh is the theme state and Kyrgyzstan is the Partner Nation.

1.02.18 Nagaland(NPSC) 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.

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.

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.