All India Radio News Summary: 22 FEBRUARY 2018

All India Radio News Summary: 22 FEBRUARY 2018

1. Water Resources Ministry approved projects worth four thousand crore rupees for National Mission for Clean Ganga

The projects include a 20 Million Litres per Day Common Effluent Treatment Plant at an estimated cost of 629 crore rupees for tannery cluster at Jajmau in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

• This is a major step forward in arresting the pollution in Ganga emanating from the crucial industrial town of Kanpur.
• Another project in Kanpur was approved at an estimated cost of over 967 crore rupees for rehabilitation and integration of sewage treatment infrastructure in Jajmau, Bingawan, Sajari zones.
• In Allahabad, a project worth 904 crore rupees for rehabilitation and integration of sewage treatment infrastructure was approved.
• One project of bio-remediation treatment of drains going into river Ganga has also been given approval at an estimated cost of 410 crore rupees

2. First sale of Electoral Bonds to commence from 1st March

The first sale of Electoral Bonds will commence from the 1st of next month for a period of ten days.

• State Bank of India has been authorized to issue and encash Electoral Bonds initially at its four authorised branches.
• Electoral Bond will be valid for 15 days from the date of issue and no payment shall be made to any payee Political Party if the Bond is deposited after expiry of the validity period.
• The Bond deposited by any eligible political party to its account shall be credited on the same day.

Background:

• The Centre had notified the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018 last month.
• As per provisions of the Scheme, Electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person, who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India.
• Only Political Parties registered under Representation of People Act, which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last General Election to the House of People or Legislative Assembly of the State shall be eligible to receive Electoral Bonds.

3. Maldives Prosecutor General says, extension of emergency is unconstitutional.

In Maldives, Prosecutor General has reportedly termed the extension of emergency as unconstitutional, even as the country’s Supreme Court ruled to temporarily maintain the State of Emergency.

• Opposition MPs and some local media have claimed that Prosecutor General and some officials in Attorney General’s office have opposed the extension of emergency saying the procedure was void.
• The Prosecutor General was not present during the President’s address to Parliament last night, thus fueling speculations of her differences with government.
• However, the Supreme Court has ruled for continuation of emergency till it rules on the validity of vote for extending emergency.
• In another development, the Maldives government has refused mediation by UN to carry out all party dialogue for resolving the crisis.
• Earlier, President Yameen called for all-party talks but opposition parties had requested for UN mediation to participate.

4. Canada Prime Minister asks Indian Industries to enhance trade and investment ties for the benefit of both countries

Highlights of Canadian PM visit

• India and Canada have to deepen and broaden the historical relationship.
• India and Canada must champion diversity as it leads to better decision making and spurs Innovation.
• This week’s trip has resulted in over one billion Dollar investment between Canada and India. Both countries are committed to pursuing and upholding democracy.
• Canada and India have immense scope to collaborate in various spheres including cold chain and refrigeration.