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All India Radio New Summary

All India Radio New Summary

 

  1. Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba visited India today

Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba is arriving in New Delhi today on 5-day visit to India. During the visit, Mr Deuba will call on President, Vice President and hold talks with Prime Minister.

  • Prime Minister Deuba’s India visit is being seen as significant in Nepal.
  • Numbers of articles have been published in most of the newspapers on likely agenda and importance of the visit.
  • In recent years Indo-Nepal friendship has witnessed significant growth as high level exchange between both the countries has gained momentum. The upcoming visit of Prime Minister Deuba will provide an opportunity to both the sides for holding wide-ranging discussions on the issues of mutual interest.
  • The visit is also expected to add a new chapter in age old special ties between the two countries. 
  • Apart from official engagements in New Delhi, the Prime Minister of Nepal will visit Hyderabad, Tirupati and Bodh Gaya.

 

  1. SC told the Tamil Nadu government to use the NEET as the only basis for admissions to medical colleges

The Supreme Court has told the Tamil Nadu government to use the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET, as the only basis for admissions to medical colleges in the state.

  • A bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra, directed the state government to start counselling for admissions for MBBS and BDS seats based on the NEET merit list and complete the process by the 4th of next month.
  • The court’s direction came after the Centre told the bench that it was not in favour of the recent ordinance passed by Tamil Nadu to exempt it from NEET this year.
  • Parties in Tamil Nadu have called for protest against the State and the Central Governments saying that the admission process will have no place for rural students in the medical studies.

 

  1. Pakistan’s privileged status as a major non-NATO US ally could be in question

The US Secretary of State warned that Pakistan’s privileged status as a major non-NATO US allies could be in question if it continues to give safe haven to terrorists.

  • Pakistan is one of 16 countries to currently enjoy Major non-NATO Ally status, which is not a mutual defence pact like the Atlantic alliance, but allows close military cooperation.
  • US said, India is emerging as a very important regional strategic partner for Washington that can help modernise Afghanistan both politically and economically.
  • The remarks of Secretary of State came after President unveiled the US strategy in Afghanistan which included expanded authorities to target terrorists.
  • Dismissing concerns over Indian development activities in Afghanistan, Official from US said, Pakistan is using a perceived threat of encirclement by India as an excuse to continue its support to terrorists.
  • National Security Council spokesman said that what India is doing in Afghanistan is not a threat to Pakistan. He said India is not building military bases and it is not deploying troops.
  • India is not doing the things that would constitute encirclement, which is one of the things that the Pakistanis complain about.

 

  1. The United States has imposed sanctions on Russian and Chinese companies

The United States has imposed sanctions on a dozen Russian and Chinese companies and individuals for allegedly helping North Korea’s missile and nuclear weapons programme. The sanctions will increase pressure on Pyongyang by targeting those who support the advancement of nuclear programmes, and isolating them from the American financial system.

  1. New 200 rupee notes are likely to be in circulation shortly
  • The Central government has notified bank notes of 200 rupees.
  • It was done in pursuance of RBI Act and on the recommendation of the Central Board of Directors of Reserve Bank of India.
  • The government today gave a go ahead to the RBI to issue 200 rupee notes that will ease pressure on lower-denomination currency bills.
  • The new 200 rupee notes are likely to be in circulation shortly. This is the fourth new note to be announced since November when 1000 and 500 rupee notes were demonetised.

 

  1. Commission to examine sub-categorization of Other Backward Castes
  • Union Cabinet has approved setting up of a Commission to examine sub-categorization of Other Backward Castes and has raised the income Ceiling for creamy layer among OBCs from six lakh to eight lakh rupees.
  • Finance Minister said, the decision to set up the commission is based on the recommendation of National Commission for Backward Classes.
  • The finance minister said the sub-categorization will apply for reservation in Central government jobs.
  • Commission will work out a mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters through a scientific approach for sub-categorization.
  • The Commission will take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes, sub-castes, communities and synonyms in the Central list of OBCs and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
  • The Commission will submit its report within 12 weeks from the date of appointment of Chairperson.

 

  1. Framework for consolidation of public sector banks
  • The Cabinet has approved framework for consolidation of public sector banks.
  • The decision is aimed at creating strong and competitive banks in public sector to
    • meet the credit needs of a growing economy,
    • absorb shocks and
    • Have capacity to raise resources without depending unduly on the State exchequer.

 

  1. Central Sector Scheme – SAMPADA is renamed
  • The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA has approved the renaming of the new Central Sector Scheme – SAMPADA, Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for the period of 2016-20 coterminous with the 14th Finance Commission cycle.

 

SAMPADA (Scheme For Agro-Marine Processing And Development Of Agro-Processing Clusters)

  • SAMPADA is an umbrella scheme incorporating on going schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) like Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, etc. and also new schemes like Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities.
  • The objective of SAMPADA is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agro-waste.
  • The SAMPADA is a comprehensive package to give a renewed thrust to the food processing sector in the country. It includes new schemes of Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages and Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities
  • The implementation of SAMPADA will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet.

 

  1. Five people have died of Swine Flu or H1N1 influenza
  • Five people have died of Swine Flu or H1N1 influenza so far this year in the national capital.
  • According to the Union Health Ministry, a total of 1719 swine flu cases were reported so far since January this year out of which 1416 cases are related to the national capital.
  • Health Minister last week held a high level meeting to review the activities for prevention and control of swine flu, dengue, malaria and chikungunya.
  • He asked Delhi Government to issue an advisory to all chemists to ensure adequate stock of necessary drugs.

 

  1. Prasar Bharati CEO launched a corporate book on ‘Mann Ki Baat’
  • Prasar Bharati CEO launched a corporate book on ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and said that the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ by Prime Minister has set a very high bar on mass outreach initiatives.
  • ‘Mann Ki Baat’ has been highlighting the efforts of many unsung heroes from everyday life and it is a great beginning.
  • Radio continues to be a platform beyond cities to reach the last man in society.
  • The book has very interesting portion on a specific post box that was created for getting all physical mail which continues to pour in; people continue to send inputs, what they would like to hear form the Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat. And it is setting a testimony how Radio continue to be a platform beyond cities beyond FM to reach to the last man in the society.
  • There is a need to have positive stories about India at a time when there is a persistent inflow of negative reports in foreign media about our country.  Mann Ki Baat is bringing about a huge change in this aspect.
  • He praised the patient listener in Prime Minister, which, he said, is an important aspect of speaking well.