Punjab to start Census of Indus River Dolphin

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  1. Punjab to start Census of Indus River Dolphin
  • Punjab is going to start the census of Indus river dolphins . Indus river dolphins are scientifically called Platanista gangetica minor. It is a freshwater dolphin, which is found in the Beas river. Under a project of the central government, the census will start in winter. However, the Wildlife Conservation Wing of Punjab will go a step ahead and protect not only the dolphins but their natural habitat as well. The project will be implemented in five years. In the IUCN Red List, the Indus river dolphin is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
  1. Ministry of Rural Development signs MoU with Flipkart
  • The Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) under its ambitious Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) program has empowered local businesses and Self Help Groups (SHGs) led especially by women and empowered them to e- It has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s domestic e-commerce marketplace Flipkart to bring it under the ambit of commerce . This partnership is aligned with DAY-NRLM’s goal of strengthening the capacities of rural communities for self-employment and entrepreneurship. In this way the vision of the Prime Minister of ‘ Self-reliant India ‘ will get an impetus.
  1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches Infrastructure IRIS Initiative for Vulnerable Island Countries on the sidelines of Climate Summit in Glasgow
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi had Glasgow at climate summit include infrastructure for flexible island countries – Aiarais launched. It aims at developing small island countries – SIDSSustainable development through a systematic approach to resilient, sustainable and inclusive infrastructure. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Modi said that the launch of IRIS has given new hope, confidence and satisfaction to do something for the most vulnerable countries. He said that in the last few decades it has been proved that no one can escape the ill effects of climate change and the developing small island countries are facing the biggest threat of climate change. The Prime Minister said that the Indian Space Research Organisation-ISRO will provide a one-stop destination for special data for such small island countries so that they can get timely information about cyclones, coal-reef monitoring and coastal surveillance. More than 100 delegates attended the joint event of Australia and the UK for the launch of IRIS. Leaders from SIDS including Fiji, Jamaica and Mauritius also attended the event.
  1. Ministry of Women and Child Development launched ‘Nari Se Purchadari’ campaign in association with Facebook
  • The festive season has started in India and in this sequence, the Ministry of Women and Child Development in association with social networking site Facebook has started ‘ Nari Se Purchadari ‘ campaign. Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has asked people to shop from women on Diwali and extend cooperation and help to local women vendors and entrepreneurs. Smt. Irani has asked people to provide information about women sellers or entrepreneurs who want to expand their business. He has asked people to share this information on shopping with the hashtag Nari.

5. Odisha announces full tax exemption for electric vehicles

  • The Odisha government has given complete exemption in motor vehicle taxes and registration fee on Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the state.Of. Announced this decision has been taken to encourage faster adoption of electric vehicles. This exemption has been given under the Odisha Motor Vehicle Taxation Act and will be applicable till 2025. The state government has also proposed some incentives for manufacturers, buyers, batteries and charging stations of electric vehicles as per the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy. The government announced 100% rebate in motor vehicle taxes and registration fee for battery operated vehicles. The state transport ministry has proposed to increase the subsidy by 15% on two wheelers, three wheelers and four wheelers. The maximum amount on the respective vehicles is Rs 5,000, Rs 12,000 and Rs 100, 000 should not exceed Rs. The ministry also proposed to provide interest free loans on electric vehicles to state government employees. It also proposes to provide incentives to government departments and PSUs to hire such vehicles.
  1. Defense Acquisition Council approves proposals for modernization of Armed Forces at a cost of eighty nine billion sixty five crore rupees
  • The Defense Acquisition Council , chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh , has approved proposals for modernization of the Armed Forces under the Make in India program at a cost of ninety nine billion sixty five crore rupees . The Council approved H.A.L. Twelve Light Utility Helicopters and B.El. Proposals for procurement of Lynx U2 fire fighting systems have been approved. This will enhance the search and action capability of the Navy’s combat ships. All these proposals have been approved under Make in India. These will focus on design, development and manufacturing in India.
  1. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah launched the ‘Ayushman CAPF’ scheme at the national level in New Delhi.
  • The Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah launched the ‘ Ayushman CAPF ‘ scheme at the national level in New Delhi . The Home Minister started this by handing over the Ayushman cards to the NSG personnel , as well as handing over the health cards of the ‘Ayushman CAPF’ scheme to the Director General of NSG, so that these cards can be given to all NSG personnel. On the auspicious occasion of ‘ Dhanvantari Puja ‘, the ‘ God of Medicine ”, the process of distribution of health cards to CAPF personnel has started. Health cards will be distributed to all the CAPFs and the daily details of the number of cards distributed will be displayed on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The distribution of about 35 lakh cards will be completed by December 2021. The Union Home Minister had launched the ‘Ayushman CAPF’ scheme on a pilot basis in the state of Assam on January 23, 2021, to provide health services to all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel and their dependents. The scheme is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Health Authority (NHA).
  1. IREDA launches ‘Whistle Blower’ portal
  • Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) , a PSU under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) , launched a ‘ Whistle Blower Portal ‘ as a part of ‘ Vigilance Awareness Week 2021 ‘ . The portal was launched by Mr. Pradeep Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), IREDA and Dr. Praveen Kumari Singh, Additional Secretary, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Mr. Chintan Shah, Director (Technical), Ms. Manisha Saxena, CVO, In the presence of IREDA and other senior officials. Through this portal, IREDA employees can raise concerns regarding matters like fraud, corruption and abuse of power etc. This portal has been developed by the company’s IT team.
  1. CCI approves acquisition of 100% shareholding in Exide Life Insurance Company Limited by HDFC Life Insurance Company
  • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of 100% stake in Exide Life Insurance Company Limited (Lakshya) by HDFC Life Insurance Company (buyer) under Section 31(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 . The proposed combination involves acquisition of fully paid-up capital shares, representing 100% of the target, by the buyer from Exide Industries Ltd. After completion of share acquisition, Exide Life (which is a wholly owned company of HDFC Life) is proposed to be merged with HDFC Life.
  1. The Government of India has constituted a 20-member Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) to oversee the development and implementation of PM Gati Shakti NMP.
  • The Government of India has constituted a 20-member Empowered Group of Secretaries which will be a monitoring mechanism for the development and implementation of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) . cabinet secretarywill be its chairman. Its members include the Chairman of the Railway Board, Roads, Transport and Highways; Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Civil Aviation, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Power, Telecommunications, Coal, Mines, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Fertilizers, Steel ; DPIIT; Secretaries of the Ministries/Departments of Food and Public Distribution, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Tourism. The key member of the Logistics Division will be the Convenor. In addition, EGOS may co-opt any other Secretary or Secretaries as per the requirement. Recently the Government of India has launched the ambitious Gati Shakti Yojana or ‘ National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity Plan ‘ for coordinated and execution of basic infrastructure projects to reduce logistics cost . Launched in the year 2019 under Gati Shakti Yojana110 lakh crore ‘ National Infrastructure Pipeline ‘ will be included. Apart from cutting down on logistics cost, the objective of the scheme is to increase cargo handling capacity and reduce turnaround time at ports to boost trade.
  1. 36th Raising Day of ‘Army Aviation Corps’
  • November 1, 2021 , the ” Army Aviation Corps adopted ‘ 36th Foundation Day Celebrated. The ‘Army Aviation Corps’ or Army Aviation Corps is a component of the Indian Army which was formed on 1 November 1986. The main roles performed by the ‘Army Aviation Corps’ include military testing, surveillance, evacuation of casualties, transportation of essentials, Search and rescue operations during the war, etc. Army Aviation Corps helicopters also participate in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in peacetime. In some situations, the Army Aviation Corps can also function as ‘Airborne Command Posts’ and if necessary they can also replace ‘Ground Command Posts’. It is worth noting that it plays an important role in the deployment of the army in high altitude areas including the Siachen Glacier. In June 2021, two women officers were selected for helicopter pilot training for the first time in the Army Aviation Corps. She will join front-line flying duty after completing her training in July 2022.
  1. Best Public Transport System: Surat
  • According to a recent announcement by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs , Surat city has won the award for ‘ Best Public Transport System ‘ in the country , while Kochi has got the ‘Most Sustainable Transport System ‘ award.’ is considered a city. These awards were presented by the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri at the end of the one-day ‘Urban Mobility India Conference’. Apart from this, the capital Delhi got the award for the city with the best non-motorized transport system for ‘Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Project’. Along with this, Delhi also won the award for ‘Best Metro Passenger Service’. It is to be known that currently the urban population of the world is about 56% of the total population, which will increase to 60% by the year 2030 and about 90% of this growth will be recorded in Asia and Africa. In such a situation, the purpose of this award is to recognize the efforts being made to promote sustainable urban development.
  1. PM Modi proposes Panchamrut strategy to help the world achieve 1.5°C target
  • On the first day of the Global Climate Meet (COP26) in Glasgow , Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed the Panchamrut strategy to help the world achieve the 1.5°C target . Prime Minister Modi called his scheme ‘Panchamrut’, which means ‘ five nectar ‘. Traditionally, ‘Panchamrita’ is a method of mixing five natural foods namely milk, curd, ghee, honey and jaggery . Panchamrit is used as a technique in Ayurveda. It is also used in Hindu and Jain worship rituals. Prime Minister Modi has proposed the following ‘Panchamrit’:
  1. India will increase its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
  2. India will meet 50% of its energy needs with renewable energy by 2030.
  3. India will reduce carbon emissions by one billion tonnes by 2030.
  4. India will reduce its carbon intensity by 45% by 2030.
  5. India will achieve net zero emission by 2070.

17% of the world’s population lives in India. However, it contributes only 5% to emissions. India ranks fourth in terms of renewable energy capacity.

  1. International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) was launched at the G20 summit

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has launched the “ International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) ” at the G20 summit . The Methane Observatory has been launched to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . It has been launched with the support of the European Union . It was launched because methane is one of the most dangerous gases for the climate. IMEO will monitor methane emissions via satellite . The observatory will produce a global public dataset of empirically verified methane emissions. It will initially focus on the fossil fuel sector, as it accounts for a third of anthropogenic emissions. This area is most likely to be cut.

  1. Union Ministry of Minority Affairs announces Haj 2022
  • Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on November 1, 2021 at South Mumbai ‘s Haj House in Hajj 2022 announced. The online application process has started and the last date to apply is January 31, 2022. People will be able to apply through Haj mobile app. Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage performed annually in the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Every year two lakh Haj pilgrims from India go to Saudi Arabia. The new arrangement will help in saving crores of rupees of Indian Haj pilgrims. The Union Minister for Minority Affairs announced significant reforms and enhancement of facilities this year. Indian Haj pilgrims will further promote ‘Vocal for Local’. They will go on Haj with indigenous products purchased in India and will avoid buying sheets, pillows, towels etc using foreign currency. These items will be available in Saudi Arabia at around 50 per cent of their prices and will be made available to pilgrims at embarkation points in India.
  1. The first major agreement of the COP-26 Climate Change Summit promises to stop deforestation and increase forest cover by 2030
  • The leaders of more than one hundred countries of the world have signed the first major agreement at the COP-26 Climate Summit . The agreement promises to stop deforestation and increase forest cover by 2030 . Brazil has also signed the agreement, where the tropical forest of the Amazon has been cut. A commitment of $19 billion 200 million has been made in public and private assistance to achieve the goal of the agreement. Experts welcomed the deal, but warned that the 2014 agreement had failed to slow deforestation. He said there is a need to convert commitments into realities. The cutting down of trees increases the temperature of the earth because trees and plants absorb a large amount of carbon-dioxide.
  1. Fund shortage in MNREGA (MGNREGS) in 21 states
  • According to the financial statement of the “ Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) Scheme ”, 21 states I do not have sufficient funds for this scheme. Funding for the scheme has run out within the half-time period of fiscal year 2021, and supplementary budgetary allocation for compensation will not be provided until the next parliamentary session begins. It is showing a negative net balance of Rs 8,686 crore. The paucity of funds means that there will be delay in payment of MGNREGA workers and material cost. MGNREGA is a demand based scheme. It guarantees 100 days of unskilled work to a rural household in need. The scheme was given the highest budget of Rs 1.11 lakh crore during the lockdown period in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund was used to provide a vital lifeline for 11 crore workers. But in the Union Budget 2021-22, Rs 73,000 crore was allocated to this scheme, Because the nationwide lockdown had ended. The Center also announced that a supplementary budget would be allocated when the money ran out. As of October 29, the total expenditure, including payment of dues, reached Rs 79,810 crore. 21 states including Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are showing negative net balance.

 

18. Enforcement Directorate arrests former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh in money laundering case

  • ED by Maharashtra ‘s former home minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh has since been questioned more than twelve hours in the money laundering case, arrested. Mr Deshmukh had resigned from the post amid allegations of bribery against him. He had petitioned the Bombay High Court to quash the summons of the investigating agency but the court refused to grant him relief on Friday.

 

19. National Ayurveda Day

  • November 2, the National Ayurveda Day was celebrated. This day is celebrated on Dhanwantri Jayanti to bring awareness about the health benefits of Ayurveda and to promote Ayurvedic life. The main theme of Ayurveda Day this year is Ayurveda for Nutrition . The purpose of this day is to focus on the important aspects of Ayurveda and the principles associated with its unique treatment. The main goal of Ayurveda is the prevention of disease and promotion of health. The main program of Ayurveda Day Rajasthan ‘s Jaipur in National Institute of Ayurveda. National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur celebrated the 6th National Ayurveda Day by hosting a two day event to promote Ayurvedic principles of health and healing in line with the theme ‘Ayurveda for Nutrition’. Union Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal will release a short film based on scientific achievements in the field of Ayurveda nutrition and release a booklet on the benefits of ayurvedic based nutritious diet.

20. International Day for the Prevention of Crimes Against Journalists

  • The International Day for the Prevention of Crimes Against Journalists was observed globally on 2 November . In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2 November every year to be the International Day for the Prevention of Crimes Against Journalists. The reason for choosing this day on November 2 is also that on this day two French radio journalists were murdered after being kidnapped in northern Mali . The purpose of this day is to create awareness and motivate the member states to make laws to prevent crimes against journalists.