PUNJAB

Punjab Govt releases Rs114 cr for Mid-Day Meal Scheme

As outstanding dues in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme forced many schools to stop cooking meals, the state government on Wednesday released around Rs 114 crore to the school Education Department.

Four days back, The Tribune had highlighted the hardship of teachers in 19,680 government and government-aided schools in the state who were forced to stop the meals in view of piling up liabilities as the state government had not released any funds for the scheme since October 2020.

Even the paltry salary of Rs 1,700 per month of cook-cum-helpers was not paid for the past over two months. Other than releasing rice and wheat by the food procurement agencies to many schools in the state, the school Education Department also started releasing the cooking cost and salary of cook-cum-helpers.

The scheme guarantees one meal for at least 200 days in a year to all 16,88,769 students in government, government-aided primary and elementary schools in the state under Samagra Shiksha, a programme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

INTERNATIONAL

Italy Joins International Solar Alliance

The Ministry of External Affairs of India informed that Italy had signed a framework agreement with India to join the International Solar Energy Alliance (ISA).

After the amendments to the ISA framework agreement came into effect on January 8, 2021, the Republic of Italy signed the ISA framework agreement. This amendment opens the membership of the Solar Energy Alliance to all members of the United Nations.

ISA is an intergovernmental coalition formed by treaties, composed of 121 countries/regions. The establishment of the alliance was initiated by India. Most member states are sunny countries. These countries are completely or partially located between the Tropic of Cancer and Mori. However, countries that are not in the tropics can also join the alliance and take advantage of all membership benefits except voting rights. The goal of ISA is to effectively use solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This initiative was originally proposed by Narendra Modi at Wembley Stadium in London in November 2015.

MoU On Cooperation In Sports Between India and Maldives

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between India and Maldives in sports and youth affairs.

The bilateral exchange program between the two countries in the field of sports and youth affairs under the memorandum of understanding will help expand the expertise of sports science, sports medicine, coaching techniques, and participation in youth festivals and camps.

The two countries signed the “Maritime Boundary Treaty” in December 1976, reaching an agreement on the maritime boundary. The treaty placed “Minicoy Island” on the side of India’s border.

NATIONAL

MMDR Amendment Bill Propesed In Lok Sabha

The 2021 “Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Amendment Bill”, proposed in Lok Sabha. MMDR bill amended the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act of 1957. Highlights:

Removal of restrictions on mineral end-uses: The Bill stipulates that no mines may be reserved for specific end-uses.

Sale of minerals from captive landmines: The Bill stipulates that captive landmines (except atomic minerals) can sell 50% of their annual minerals production on the open market after meeting their own needs. The central government can raise this threshold through notification.

In some cases, auctions are conducted by the central government: The Bill authorizes the central government to negotiate with the state governments to specify a time period for completing the auction process. If the state government cannot complete the auction process during this period, the auction can be conducted by the central government.

RS Passed The NIFTEM Bill

Rajya Sabha passed the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Bill in 2019. Highlights:

The bill declares that food technology, entrepreneurship and management agencies as institutions of national importance.

The institutes are – (1) National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (Kundli, Haryana); (2) Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu).

The bill declares these institutions as the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management.

Indias Per Capita – National Steel Policy

In Rajya Sabha’s written response, the Minister of Steel pointed out that India’s per capita steel consumption is 74.7 kg, compared to the world average level of 229 kg during 2019-20. About National Steel Policy:

The “National Steel Policy” issued in 2017 aims to achieve 300 tons of steel production capacity in India by 2030.

It has a long-term vision to increase domestic consumption, produce high-quality steel, and make the industry globally competitive. National Steel Policy Objectives:

Increase crude steel production capacity to 300 tons by 2030-31.

By 2030-31, per capita steel consumption will increase to 160 kg

By 2030-31, domestic production will meet all demands for strategically used high-end automotive steel, special steel and alloys, and electrical steel.

Become a net exporter of steel by 2025-26.

Increase the domestic supply of washed coking coal in order to reduce the dependence on imported coking coal to 50% by 2030-31.

Formulate and implement quality standards for domestic steel products.

By 2030-31, assist the industry to become a global leader in efficient steel production of energy and raw materials.

Har Medh Par Ped – Sub-Mission On Agroforestry

The Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (Har Medh Par Ped) Scheme is planned to be launched in 2016-17. About Sub-Mission on Agroforestry:

Initiated the scheme to encourage tree planting and crops/cropping systems on farmland to help farmers earn more income and make their farming systems more climate-resilient and adaptable.

The 60:40 funding model is implemented between the Center and the State government. for all States except NE and Hilly states, the ratio of UTs & National Level Agencies is 90:10, 100%.

Under the scheme, assistance is provided to farmers through the state government to develop nursery, border planting and monolith planting of important tree species to promote the nurturing of tree-bearing oilseed fruits, medicinal and aromatic plants, silk and lac rearing host plants, in addition to wood species, enable farmers to obtain early returns.

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