PUNJAB

State likely to get Rs 2,130-cr WB aid

The Punjab Government is expected to get a soft loan of $300 million (Rs 2,130 crore) from World Bank in the next three months. This could mitigate the biggest challenge faced by the state — of large portions of its income going towards debt servicing, and thus very little resources being left at its disposal for carrying development works.

This loan to the state will lower the cost of market borrowings and the money thus saved can be used for development. This year, Punjab is spending Rs 30,309.17 crore for servicing of debt of Rs 2.29 lakh crore.

To avail this loan, reforms in key sectors, as suggested by World Bank, have already been initiated by the state. While most of these reforms sought in power sector, water supply and sanitation, governance reforms and finance have already been initiated, the challenge lies in initiating reforms in the agriculture sector.

INTERNATIONAL

World Human Rights Day: 10th December

The world observes Human Rights Day every year on the 10th of December.

The day is observed to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948.

The Declaration recognizes that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of mankind are the foundation of justice, freedom and peace in the world.

It reaffirms the faith of the people of the United Nations in the fundamental human rights.

The United Nations’ theme for this year’s Human Rights Day is – Youth Standing up for Human Rights.

UAE, US joint military exercise ‘Iron Union 12’

commences

The ground troops of the United Arab Emirates and the United States has started a joint military exercise ‘Iron Union 12’.

The drill will see the two sides taking part in military collaboration to enhance combat and tactical skills.

The joint exercise is conducted in the presence of Maj. General Saleh Mohamed Al Amiri, Commander of the UAE Land Forces, and Lt. General Terry Ferrell, Commander of the U.S. Army Central.

India climbs one spot to 129th Human Development Index

According to a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India climbed one spot to 129 among 189 countries in the 2019 human development index. In India, 27.1 crore people lifted out of poverty from 2005-06 to 2015-16.

India ranked 130 last year. The steady progress due to nearly three decades of rapid development, which had seen a dramatic reduction in absolute poverty, along with gains in life expectancy, education, and access to health care.

South Asia is the fastest-growing region witnessing 46 percent growth during 1990-2018, followed by East Asia and the Pacific at 43 percent.

Norway, Switzerland, Ireland are the top three nations on the index. Germany occupies the fourth position along with Hong Kong, and Australia secured the fifth rank on the global ranking. I

NATIONAL

Govt to allow girls’ education in all Sainik School

Union Government will allow girls’ education in all Sainik School in a phased manner.

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said, presently entry of girls in five Sainik Schools has been allowed.

These 5 schools are Kalikiri (Andhra Pradesh), Kodagu (Karnataka), Ghorakhal (Uttarakhand), Chandrapur (Maharashtra) and Bijapur (Karnataka).

The co-educational policy adopted on a pilot-basis at Sainik School in Mizoram and now is being implemented across the country.

Union Government formulated rules to prevent Crime against Women

Union Government took several initiatives for the safety of women across the country.The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 enacted for effective against sexual offenses.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018, enacted to prescribe even more stringent penal provisions, including the death penalty for rape of a girl below the age of 12 years. The Act completion of investigation and trials within two months each.Emergency Response Support System provides a pan-India, single, internationally recognized number (112) based system for all emergencies, with computer-aided dispatch of field resources to the location of distress.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched a cyber-crime portal on 20th September 2018 for citizens to report obscene content.

One-Stop Centre (OSC) scheme is implemented across the country since 1st April 2015 exclusively designed to provide integrated services such as medical aid, police assistance, legal counseling/ court case management, psycho-social counseling, and temporary shelter to women affected by violence under one roof. MHA issued advisories from time to time with a view to helping the States/UTs to deal with crimes against women.

MEA to host 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue, Delhi Dialogue XI

Ministry of External Affairs will host the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi on 13th and 14th of this month.

For the first time, these two track 1.5 dialogues will be held consecutively and on similar Indo-Pacific themes.

The Indian Ocean Dialogue will take place on 13th December and the theme is “Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an Expanded Geography”.

The theme for this year’s Delhi Dialogue is “Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific”, and is being organized with the assistance of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries.

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