GUJARAT
Gujarat govt launches digital services programme for panchayats
The Gujarat government launched the first phase of "Digital Seva Setu" programme, under
which 2,792 village panchayats have been connected with optical fibre network to provide
public welfare services online.
As per a government release, under this initiative, 27 different government services and
welfare schemes will be available at panchayat offices and villagers won't have to go to
taluka or district-level offices to procure forms, certificates and documents.
These services include ration cards, affidavits and certificates for widows, residence, caste,
senior citizen, language-based minority, religious minority and income certificates, it was
stated.
The move will change the administration's work culture and reduce crowding at government
offices, besides helping save villagers' time and money by providing various services at their
doorstep.
By December this year, the state government aims to cover another 8,000 villages and all
14,000-odd village panchayats by 2021.
INTERNATIONAL
India extends $1 bn credit line to Central Asian countries for priority projects
India extended a $1-billion line of credit to Central Asian countries for priority projects in
connectivity, energy, IT and health care.
This move being perceived as part of New Delhi’s efforts to boost its role as a transparent
development partner.
The line of credit was welcomed by ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan during the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue
held via video conference under the chairmanship of external affairs minister S Jaishankar.
Acting Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar joined the meeting as a special invitee.
NATIONAL
National Unity Day: 31 October
National Unity Day is celebrated in India on 31 October.
It was introduced by the Government of India in 2014.
The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.
In 2018, the Government Of India accomplished the task of building the tallest statue across
the world.
SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) Scheme
Union Minister for Science & Technology launched “SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities
for Women in Exploratory Research)” Scheme, designed exclusively for women scientists.
The scheme will have two components: SERB-POWER Fellowship and SERB-POWER
Research Grants
SERB-POWER Fellowship:
Goal: Women researchers in 35-55 years of age. Up to 25 Fellowships per year and not
more than 75 at any point in time.
Components of support: Fellowship of Rs. 15,000/- per month in addition to regular
income; Research grant of Rs. 10 lakh per annum; and Overhead of Rs. 90,000/- per annum.
Duration: Three years, without the possibility of extension, once in a career.
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body established through
a SERB Act 2008.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II & Phase III with the financial assistance from the World
Bank (WB), and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project aims to improve the safety and
operational performance of selected dams all over the country, along with institutional
strengthening with a system-wide management approach.
The project cost is Rs 10,211 crore. The project will be implemented over a period of 10
years duration in two phases, each of six years duration with two years overlapping from
April 2021 to March 2031. The share of external funding is Rs.7000 crore.
The Project aims to improve the safety and performance of selected existing dams and
associated appurtenances in a sustainable manner.
DRIP focuses on strengthening the dam safety institutional setup in participating states as
well as at the central level.
DRIP will explore the alternative incidental means at a few selected dams to generate
incidental revenue for sustainable operation and maintenance of dams.
The scheme envisages the comprehensive rehabilitation of 736 existing dams located across
the country.
‘Gully Boy’ wins best original score at 14th Asian Film Awards
The 14th Asian Film Awards (“AFA14”) were announced on 28 October 2020 virtually by the
Asian Film Awards Academy (“AFAA”).
Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt starrer Gully Boy bagged the award for the Best Original Score
at the event.
The award went to Karsh Kale and The Salvage Audio Collective.
- GPSC Mains 2024 Tests and Notes Program
- GPSC Prelims Exam 2024- Test Series and Notes Program
- GPSC Prelims and Mains 2024 Tests Series and Notes Program
- GPSC Detailed Complete Prelims Notes