PUNJAB

State front-loads borrowings to disburse salaries, pensions

Punjab is facing its worst-ever fiscal crisis with the state government having to advance its borrowings to pay even salaries to its 3.5 lakh employees and pensions to around 1.5 lakh beneficiaries.

This is not all. Bills worth Rs 5,000 crore submitted at the state Treasury are yet to be paid.

The state government remained in overdraft for 14 days last month, and even now it is availing ways and means advances.

Punjab needs Rs 1,950 crore each month to pay salaries and another Rs 950 crore for the payment of pension.

To meet this liability, the state government has advanced its borrowings.

INTERNATIONAL

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 03 December

International Day of Persons with Disabilities is being observed on 03 December.

This day is observed every year to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness.

The theme this year is ‘Promoting the Participation of Persons with Disabilities and their leadership: Taking Action on the 2030 Development Agenda’.

Typhoon Kammuri makes landfall at Luzon, Philippines

In the Philippines, typhoon Kammuri has made landfall at Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island.

Around two lakh residents have been evacuated from coastal and mountainous areas over fears of flooding, storm surges and landslides.

Kammuri is now expected the pass to the south of the capital Manila, which is hosting thousands of athletes for the regional Southeast Asian Games.

NATIONAL

MSME sector has contributed over 29 percent of GDP

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises reported that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector has contributed over 29% of Gross domestic product (GDP) and over 49% of Indian exports. The report was submitted by the Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The Indian government has taken many initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs.

Government has introduced various schemes like Micro and Small Enterprises–Cluster Development Programme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Upgradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS), Procurement and Marketing Support and support for MSMEs to participate in international exhibitions and trade fairs.

It has also conducted many conferences, summits, workshops, etc, to enhance the sector.

Ministry of Power introduces a new method to revive the power sector

The Ministry of Power, Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) has introduced a methodology help reduce stress in the power sector.

The new method is expected to revive stressed power stations. It will enable the deepening of the power market being traded through power exchange.

As per the new method, the Ministry of Power, CIL, SCCL will mark power plants that do not have power purchase agreements (PPAs) and supply to such plants. They will also conduct auctions every quarter.

Earlier, PPA was a pre-requisite to get coal linkage. But, the Central government has relaxed the norms under SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India) policy from March 2019.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) is an agreement between the one who generates electricity (the seller) and the one who purchase electricity (the buyer).

Law Ministry launched a drive on fundamental duties

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a programme to create awareness of their fundamental duties among the citizens. The year-long drive is a part of the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Constitution Day that was celebrated on 26 November.

The department will conduct activities such as online quizzes, essay competitions, and preamble pledge signing contest. It will be organized to educate them about their constitutional responsibilities.

The Fundamental Duties were incorporated in Part IV-A of the Constitution by the 42nd amendment. Article 51-A describes 11 Fundamental Duties. In 2002, one more duty was added by the 86th amendment. It was borrowed from USSR.

ECI to implement Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System (PPRTMS). ECI has reviewed the system and process of registration of political parties. The new guidelines will be effective from 1 January 2020. The guidelines are available on the ECI’s website https://eci.gov.in. PPRTMS will be implemented through an online portal.

The portal will track the status of application by applicants. The applicant who applies for the party registration from 1 January 2020 onwards will be able to track the progress of the application.

Shivangi became the first naval woman pilot in India

Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi of the Indian Navy became the first naval woman pilot in India. She joined operational duties at the Kochi naval base on 2 December 2019. Shivangi received the qualification wings from Vice Admiral AK Chawla, the chief of Southern Naval Command. She will fly the Naval Dornier.

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