GUJARAT

Gujarat’s coastal zone plan still in limbo

Despite instructions issued in 2011 by the Union ministry of environment and forests to prepare a Coastal Zone Management Plan , to protect the state’s 1,600km coastline, the Gujarat government has failed to prepare even a draft of the plan. The state has not even started the process of public consultations. There are allegations the plan and its implementation are being delayed by vested-interest groups in the state government because it would affect the interests of major ports and other industries.

The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) law came in 1991. Since then, in one way or the other, it is not being implemented properly. In 2004, when South India witnessed devastation due to the tsunami, suddenly the need for effective implementation of CRZ norms was felt. After that, the authorities have lost interest in it again.

According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, the respective state governments/Union territory administrations have to prepare Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) by engaging reputed and experienced scientific institutions in consultation with stakeholders. The draft CZMPs prepared by the state governments/Union territory administrations are required to be considered by the concerned state/Union territory Coastal Zone Management Authority for appraisal, including public consultations in accordance with the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Thereafter, these draft CZMPs are to be approved by the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).

After the MoEF approval, all developmental activities listed in the CRZ Notification and the CZMPs are regulated by the concerned state governments within the framework of the CRZ Notification, 2011 including, protection and conservation of ecologically sensitive areas.

According to the CRZ Notification 2011, every state government/SCZMA has to prepare the State Coastal Zone Management Plan according to the guidelines and procedures laid down.

INTERNATIONAL

G7 summit 2018 held in Canada

The 44th G7 summit was held on June 8–9, 2018, in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada.This was the sixth time since 1981 that Canada has hosted the meetings.
The summit received significant attention due to a significant decline of relations of members with the United States.
Due to this, the summit was dubbed the “G6+1” by France and some members of the media.

· India and Belgium gears up to celebrate International Yoga Day

India, Belgium, and the European Union are jointly organizing events in the Belgian capital and across the country to celebrate the 4th International Day of Yoga.
In this regard, the Embassy of India, Brussels, on 21 June 2018 in partnership with the European Parliament and the Art of Living Foundation, and on 24 June 2018 in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Environment, and Energy of the Brussels Capital Region Government, the City of Brussels and Vidonne Asbl will organize events on yoga, wellness and harmony of body and mind.
At the European Parliament, a special yoga session will be held on 21 June 2018 from 1200-1330 hrs at the Yehudi Menuhin Space.
The event will be graced by Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, and Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister of India.
The yoga and meditation session will be led by renowned Indian spiritual leader and Yoga Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Members of European Parliament, officials from the
European Commission and European External Action Service and other dignitaries are expected to participate in the event.
The Embassy of India in Brussels, in association with local authorities and yoga foundations, is organizing “Brussels Yoga Day” events at the city’s Bois de la Cambre Park on June 24.

NATIONAL

· Highway Tunnel Dedicates To Nation In North Sikkim

Minister of State for Defence, Dr, Subhash Bhamre dedicated a highway tunnel at Theng near Chungthang in north Sikkim to the nation.
The tunnel will benefit the tourism and rapidly propel the growth of the state.
The double-lane tunnel stretching about 600 meters has been constructed by the Border Roads Organisation at cost of over 42 crore rupees.

· Reserve Bank of India Amends Gold Monetisation Scheme To Make It More Attractive

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made changes in the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) to make it more attractive.
The revamping of the scheme is aimed at enabling people to open a hassle-free gold deposit account.
The short-term deposits should be treated as bank’s on-balance sheet liability. These deposits will be made with the designated banks for a short period of 1-3 years (with a facility of rollover). Deposits can also be allowed for broken periods (e.g. 1 year 3 months; 2 years 4 months 5 days; etc.).

Union Government launches 5000 Wi-Fi Choupals in villages and delivery of rail tickets through Common Service Centres

Union Government launched 5,000 Wi-Fi Choupalsin villages and delivery of rail tickets through Common Service Centres (CSCs).
It was inaugurated by Electronics and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi yesterday. The move is aimed at transforming rural Internet connectivity through BharatNet.
The WiFi Choupals will enable people in rural areas with an effective Internet access for their various digital processes.
Ravi Shankar Prasad with the concept of the power of information, CSCs are running a mass movement of digitalization which, in turn, empower the common man.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated CSCs efforts in Singapore which is a great recognition for all the Common Services Centres- Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
Mr Prasad announced that the Prime Minister will address CSC- VLEs on 15th of this month.

· V K Singh Flags Off 1st Batch Of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh flagged off the 1st batch of three-month-long Kailash Mansarovar Yatra-2018in New Delhi.
The Yatra will continue till the 8th of September 2018.
There are two routes for the Yatra, one through Lipulekh Pass in Uttarakhand which involves some trekking also.
The other route is through Nathu La Pass in Sikkim, which is motorable and suitable for senior citizens who unable to undertake arduous trekking.

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