May 2018

INTERNATIONAL ·        World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on 31 May   Every year, on 31 May, World Health Organization and partners mark World No Tobacco Day (WNTD).   The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2018 is “Tobacco and heart disease.” The day highlights the health and other risks associated with tobacco use, and advocating for … Read more

RAJASTHAN State to electrify all households by September   The Rajasthan government aims to electrify 19,000 dhanis (hamlets) and about 10 lakh rural households under rural electrification schemes by September this year.   According to government records, 95,000 dhanis and all 43,199 inhabited villages have been electrified in the state. A village is said to … Read more

INTERNATIONAL   ·        China’s Alibaba Buys Pakistan E-Commerce Firm Daraz   Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba purchased leading Pakistani online retailer‘Daraz’,continuing its overseas expansion by gaining a foothold in the growing South Asian consumer market. China is seeking closer economic ties with Asian neighbors including Pakistan through its Belt and Road initiative, a strategy to increase … Read more

RAJASTHAN Jaipur to have night flights from June 1   The completion of ongoing construction work of parallel taxiway at Jaipur airport, scheduled for May 31, will see launch of four new flights and also result in easing of traffic congestion during the day time.   flights to Bangalore, Chennai and Pune will commence from … Read more

INTERNATIONAL   Nepal first country in south-east Asia to eliminate trachoma   Nepal has become the first country in south-east Asia to eliminate trachoma, world’s leading cause of preventable blindness of infectious origin, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.   Trachoma was the second leading cause of preventable blindness in the Himalayan nation in the … Read more

RAJASTHAN Rajasthan launches ‘Nidaan’ software for disease monitoring   A new software, ‘Nidaan’, has been launched in Rajasthan for presumptive diagnosis and monitoring of seasonal and non-communicable diseases as well as the trends of ailments found in specific areas.   It is expected to help in formulation of specific action plans for control of diseases. … Read more

RAJASTHAN D B Gupta is Rajasthan’s new chief secretary   1983 batch IAS officer Devendra Bushan Gupta was announced as the chief secretary of the state. He succeeds Nihal Chand Goel, who retired on Monday. He is the sixth chief secretary in four years of the present BJP government. He will also hold the post of chairman, Rajasthan State Mines and … Read more

RAJASTHAN Rs 900 crore Benami properties attached in Rajasthan in 16 months   A total of 201 benami properties including bank accounts worth Rs 921-cr, claimed to be the biggest haul in the country, were attached by the income tax department under Benami Transaction (prohibition) Amendment Act 2016 in Rajasthan till March 31 this year.   Procedure: once a … Read more

INTERNATIONAL   Raaya’ becomes India’s official entry for Cannes   A short film, ‘Raaya’, about an autistic girl has been chosen as India’s official entry into the Cannes Film Festival 2018.   The film is scheduled to exhibit at the 71st Cannes Festival on May 18, second to last day of the festival.   ‘Raaya’ … Read more

RAJASTHAN Now panchayats get rights to transfer land mutation deeds   The government decision will benefit 295 panchayat samitis, and 46,229 villages that fall under 9,891 panchayats. Earlier, there was no provision to transfer land deeds at panchayat level.   Rural development and panchayati raj minister Rajendra Rathore said the gram panchayats can now transfer … Read more