PUNJAB

‘My village my pride’ campaign in Punjab
To motivate all stakeholders in the State’s rural areas to participate in the cleanliness drive of villages, Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Razia Sultana launched ‘My Village My Pride’ Campaign under the aegis of Mission Swachh and Tandrust Punjab from August 1 to 31.

Sultana, after formally launching the ‘Swachh Survekshan Grameen-2018’ and ‘My Village My Pride’ campaign, also announced special prizes, amounting to Rs 1.88 crore, for cleanest village, school, anganwari and health center in each district. Prizes were also announced for the best ‘Swachhta Champions’ in all districts.

As a part of the campaign, the Minister also launched a ‘Swachh’ mobile application which the citizens can download and give feedback on open defecation, demand a toilet if eligible and register activities related to cleanliness drives in their village with photographs.

This ranking will be based on a comprehensive set of parameters including district level surveys of public places like schools, anganwaris, primary health centres, haat bazars, Panchayat, citizens suggestions on swachhta and infrastructure development for sanitation. The top performing states and districts will be awarded on October 2, 2018, by the Central Government.

INTERNATIONAL

· International Army Games 2018 declared open in Moscow

TheInternational Army Games 2018 at Patriot Park in Moscow region was declared open by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Indian teams are taking part in two major competitions– Tank Biathlon event at Alabino ranges and Moscow region and Elbrus Ring competition in Caucasus mountains.
The games are being held from July 28 to August 11 at 24 training grounds in seven countries namely Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, and Russia.
For the first time that Armenia and Iran are co-hosting events of the Army Games.
The opening ceremony was attended by Indian Ambassador to Russia, Pankaj Saran along with Indian attaches attended the ceremony.

· Swelect introduced a technique to produce pure drinking water using sunlight and air

Swelect Energy Systems Ltd. has partnered with the U.S. based Zero Mass Waterfor the project ‘Source’, a hydro (solar) panel. It aims at providing pure drinking water using sunlight and air.
In this, the water vapour from the air will be drawn into the Source through fans. As the air flow passes through a condenser, the vapour will be collected. It then flows into a reservoir where it is mineralised with calcium and magnesium. Water is pumped through a polishing cartridge before being delivered to a dispenser.
The cost of one panel is Rs.2 lakh. It can generate up to 5 litres of water/day depending on humidity and sunlight.

· India plans to buy missile shield from U.S. for USD 1 billion

Indiais aiming to buy an advanced air defence system from the S. to defend the National Capital Region (NCR) from aerial attacks like 9/11-type. The cost estimated for buying National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II) is $1 billion. The buying process has been initiated.
India is also planning to buy a very long range S-400 air defence systems from Russia. India is also developing an indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. Phase-I of the BMD will be deployed soon.

NATIONAL

· LS passes Bill on rape of girls

The Lok Sabha passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018, that provides for the death sentence for raping a girl under 12 years and enhances the minimum punishment for rape of a woman from seven to 10 years.
It amends the IPC, CrPC, Indian Evidence Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The Bill, once passed by the Rajya Sabha, will replace the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated in April, 2018, after outcry over the Kathua rape case.
The minimum punishment for the rape of a girl under 12 will be 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, the maximum being death sentence or life imprisonment. Earlier, the punishment was rigorous imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.
The minimum punishment for rape of a girl under 16 will be 20 years of rigorous imprisonment, extendable to life imprisonment.
The minimum punishment under the Bill for the rape of a woman over 16 is 10 years, extendable to life (under Section 376, IPC). The minimum punishment earlier was seven years and the maximum, life imprisonment.

· ONGC conferred with INFRA Icon Award

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)was awarded the INFRA Icon Award in the ‘Global Energy’ category at the mid-day INFRA Icons Awards 2018, in Mumbai.
The award was given away by Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA),Pravin Darare.
The theme of the event was:‘Smart cities envisages to take infrastructure development to a next level’.
ONGC received this award as a recognition of its valuable contribution in upgrading India as a whole.
It aims to bring a change with trendsetters related to the infrastructure of India.

· States agree to supply milk under Mid-Day Meal, Anganwadi schemes

Most states, including Rajasthan, have agreed to supply milk for two days a week through Mid-Day Meal and Anganwadi schemes in order to absorb surplus stock and ensure better prices to farmers

Currently, the country has a stock of 2.30 lakh tonnes SMP and 60,000-70,000 tonnes of white butter.

Stating that the government is taking all possible measures to alleviate the distress of farmers, the secretary said import of whey milk powder has been hiked to 40% from 30% and also incentives have been provided to boost export of dairy products.

As per the official data, milk production is estimated to have increased by 6.6% to 176.35 million tonnes during the last financial year. The government expects milk production to touch 254.5 million tonnes by 2021-22.

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