HARYANA

Haryana notifies agri-business, food processing policy
In a bid to give impetus to food processing industry and generate employment opportunities in the State, the Manohar Lal Khattar Government in Haryana has notified the ‘Haryana Agri-Business and Food Processing Policy 2018’.

The policy aims to attract an investment to the tune of Rs 3,500 crore and generate 20,000 new jobs in the food processing sector.

One of the primary goals of policy is to increase the level of processing in perishables such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fishery by 10 per cent in the next five years, said Haryana Industries Minister Vipul Goel.

He said the new policy endeavours to give the required impetus to the food processing industry in the State and make Haryana a final destination of choice for investments in food processing sector. Further by establishing efficient forward and backward linkages, it aims to create greater employment opportunities across the entire food value chain, thus promoting agriculture and rural prosperity,

At present, Haryana has more than 3,000 operative food processing units. The State is equipped with four food parks with two fully functional food parks at Rai and Saha.

Apart from this, mega food parks at Barhi and Rohtak are being set-up with the state-of-art common infrastructure facilities under the Union Ministry of Food Processing scheme of mega food parks.

To promote registered farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and Agro/Food Cooperatives, the policy has proposed assistance of 25 per cent capital investment subsidy on Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) limited to Rs 1 crore to be made available to new units to be set-up only by registered FPOs and agro/food cooperatives in “C” and “D” category blocks.

Also, women entrepreneurs/women co-operatives/women self help groups (SHGs) shall be provided 8 per cent interest subsidy on term loan up to limit of Rs 12 lakh per year for five years per units across State. Apart from this, special assistance of 50 per cent of project cost for developing/acquiring packaging technologies leading to increase in shelf life of products, limited to Rs 20 lakh per unit is proposed.

The State Government will also constitute Haryana State Agro awards to encourage industrial units’ set-up in Haryana to nurture organic linkages with farming community thus enabling farmers to prosper along with industry. The award shall carry a cash price and a citation.

Notably, agriculture is one of the biggest employment generators providing employment to more than 50 per cent people in state. Even in case of industrial employment, share of agriculture based industries is more than 31 per cent.

Agriculture sector in Haryana contributed around 17.3 per cent to State’s GSDP (constant prices) in 2015-16. Food processing sector had been identified as a focus sector in the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Policy 2015.

INTERNATIONAL

India–Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT)

INS Kulish, a Kora class Missile Corvette commanded by Commander Deepak Bali and one Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Andaman and Nicobar Command arrived at Belawan, Indonesia for the closing ceremony of the 31st edition of the India – Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) from 06 to 09 Jun 18.

The opening ceremony of IND-INDO CORPAT was earlier conducted from 24 – 25 May 18 at Port Blair followed by co-ordinated patrol (CORPAT) from 26 May to 02 Jun 18.

· World Bank approves Rs 6000 crores for Atal Bhujal Yojana aims to improve groundwater management in country

The World Bank approved a whopping amount of6000 croreto Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY).
Notably, Atal Bhujal Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation aim to improve groundwater management in priority areas in the country through community participation.
Notably, the scheme is to be implemented over a period of five years from 2018-19 to 2022-23, with the Rs.6000 crore assistance of World Bank.
The priority areas identified under the scheme fall in the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
These States represent about 25% of the total number of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks in terms of groundwater in India.
They also cover two major types of groundwater systems found in India – alluvial and hard rock aquifers- and have varying degrees of institutional readiness and experience in groundwater management.

NATIONAL

Cabinet approves the joint issue of postage stamp between India and Russia
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of the agreement signed in connection with release of Joint Stamps between Department of Posts, India and Russia Post (Joint-Stock Company “MARKA” of Russian Federation) to establish postal cooperation and strive towards mutually beneficial operational excellence in the field of issuance of stamps.

Bilateral relations between India and Russia are marked by broad understanding on issues of mutual interest.

India and Russia enjoy enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all areas of the bilateral relationship.

India shows impressive gains in reduction of Maternal Mortality with 22% reduction since 2013

India registered a significant decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio. According to the just released SRS bulletin (2016), India has shown impressive gains in reduction of Maternal Mortality with 22% reduction in since 2013.

Nearly one thousand fewer women now die of pregnancy related complications each month in India.

Maternal Mortality Ratio of India has declined from 167 in 2011-2013 to 130 in 2014-2016.

· Central Government Constitutes Group to Suggest Changes in SEZ Policy

The Centre constituted a group of eminent persons headed by Bharat Forge’s Baba Kalyani to study the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) policy of the country and suggest measures to make it more relevant for exporters and compatible with World Trade Organisation (WTO)
The SEZ Act was passed in 2005 giving tax incentives to investors, but investments in the zone were subsequently brought under the ambit of Minimum Alternate Tax and Dividend Distribution Tax leading to a dwindling in the flow of money into the SEZs.

· Union Cabinet approves revised guidelines for time-bound closure of sick PSUs

Union Cabinet approved the revised guidelines of the Department of Public Enterpriseson the time-bound closure of sick and loss-making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and disposal of movable and immovable assets.
The revised guidelines will reduce delays in implementation of closure plans of sick and loss-making CPSEs.
These guidelines provide a broad framework for expeditious completion of various processes and procedures for closure of CPSEs by laying down important milestones in the closure process along with timelines, outlining the responsibilities of the concerned Ministries, Departments and CPSE in the process.

· Election Commission of India launches its online RTI Portal

The Election Commission of Indialaunched it’s online RTI Portal.
The portal – rti.eci.nic.in will facilitate applicants seeking information under the Right to Information Act.
The portal also facilitates online reply to applications and also for making first appeal and reply there to.

· IIT Bombay Displaces IIT Delhi As Best-Ranked Indian University

Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) are in the top 200 in QS World University Rankings 2019.
The number of Indian universities in the top 1,000 increased from 20 to 24.
IIT-Bombay is now the top institute in the country rising to 17 positions from 2018 to 162, displacing IIT-Delhi which has remained at 172.
The Indian Institute of Science too has overtaken IIT-Delhi and is now ranked 170.
The 15th edition of the QS World University Rankings, released by global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds and considered one of the most authoritative and prestigious rankings in the world sees six of India’s eight top-ranked IITs/IISCs improving their rank, with two remaining stable year-on-year.

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