PUNJAB

Punjab Cabinet approves new sand and gravel policy

In a bid to bring transparency in sand mining sector, Punjab Cabinet approved major policy changes to enable the government to grant contracts by auction of mining blocks in strategically established clusters through progressive bidding instead of the earlier process of auction by individual mines.

It was decided that the new policy would come into force two months after the Cabinet approval to the Punjab State Sand and Gravel Policy, 2018 and amendment to the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules, 2013.

As per the new policy, the mining rights of concession quantity of sand and gravel in mining blocks identified by a process would be put to bidding through transparent e-auction process.

Notably, during 2017-18, four progressive bid e-auctions of minor mineral mines were held. Due to speculative bidding in these auctions, it resulted in a significant number of mines being auctioned at increased prices.

INTERNATIONAL

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: 17 October

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on October 17 each year since 1993.

It promotes people’s awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution worldwide, particularly in developing countries.

This year’s theme is ‘Accelerating global actions for a world without poverty’.

· Canada Becomes the Second Country to Legalise Cannabis

Canada is just the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana nationwide. The first was Uruguay in 2013. Nine states in the United States have legalized recreational marijuana and medical use is legal in 30 states.

NATIONAL

Guidelines for PPP for Non Communicable Diseases in launched by NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog launched the Guidelines and Model Concessionaire Agreement, MCA for Public Private Partnership, PPP for Non Communicable Diseases.

The documents have been designed to supplement efforts for provision of prevention and treatment services of non-communicable diseases related to Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, and Pulmonary Sciences at the district hospitals especially in tier 2 & 3 cities.

First National Summit on Invest in AYUSH

On the occasion of Ayurveda Day celebrations, Ministry of AYUSH is organising First National Summit on Invest in AYUSH at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi on 4th November, 2018.

The summit is to encourage public sector undertakings (PSUs) under different Ministries/Departments of the Government and private companies to invest in AYUSH.

NITI Aayog and Department of Industrial and Policy and Promotion are the partner organisations of this first National summit in AYUSH.

Northern Irish Author Anna Burns Wins 2018’s Man Booker Prize

Milkman” by writer Anna Burns scooped the 2018 Man Booker Prize, with the Northern Irish writer winning the literary award for her third full-length novel.

Established in 1969, the annual literary prize recognises the judges choice of “the best original novel written in English and published in the UK”.

Stephen Hawking’s final book “Brief Answers to the Big Questions” launched

Stephen Hawking’s final work, which tackles issues from the existence of God to the potential for time travel, was launched by his children, who helped complete the book after the British astrophysics giant’s death.

Hawking was forever being asked the same things and started work on “Brief Answers to the Big Questions” last year.

· Reserve bank of India norms to facilitate payments between mobile wallets using UPI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)on released guidelines to facilitate payments among different mobile wallets, a move aimed at promoting digital transactions.
The interoperability would be achieved in a phased manner such as interoperability of PPIs issued in the form of wallets through UPI, between wallets and bank accounts through UPI, and interoperability for PPIs issued in the form of cards through card networks.
UPI is a payments system launched by the National Payments Corporation of India in August 2016. It facilitates instant fund transfer between two bank accounts on the mobile platform, without having to provide any detail of the beneficiary’s bank account.

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