Saksham (Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav) 2017
- Draft fuel efficiency norms for heavy duty vehicles to be released on 1st April, 2017
- BS IV fuel will be available across the country from April, 2017
- The Ministry is already planning and working on bringing in BS VI fuel by 2020
- By turning off vehicle engine at red light stops of traffic signal, about 2 % of fuel can be saved which translates to Rs 14000 Cr of saving for the country
India & Mauritius Sign MoU for Cooperation in the field of Cooperatives
- The MoU will enable the two countries to collaborate in the Co-operatives sector and will benefit thousands of Mauritians.
- India has offered to exchange its expertise and technology with Mauritius in agro industry, fisheries and dairy sector
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) Commissions Higher Resolution Weather Prediction Model
- MoES has commissioned a very high resolution (12 km) global deterministic weather prediction model for generating operational weather forecasts
- This will be able to track severe cyclonic storms such as Vardah and cold waves in Northern India
- It was under trial since September 2016 and has been operational since 16th January 2017
Nagaland Health Project
- A financing agreement for IDA (International Development Assistance) credit US $ 48 million has been signed between India and World Bank
- This is to finance Nagaland Health Project
The objectives of the project are
- To improve health services and increase their utilization by communities in targeted locations in Nagaland
- The population of the state as a whole will benefit from improvements in higher-level facilities as well as system-wide investments.
- The project will directly benefit about 6, 00, 000 people.
- It will support and complement existing systems and mechanisms involving communities under the National Health Mission
- The Nagaland health Project will be till 31stMarch, 2023.
About IDA
- It is part of the World Bank and complements the functions of IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development – it is an arm of World Bank)
- It is overseen by the 173 nation shareholders
- It helps the world’s poorest nations
- IDA aims to
- Reduce poverty by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for programs that boost economic growth
- Reduce inequalities
- Improve people’s living conditions
Draft National Steel Policy
- The steel production capacity in 2015-16 has been 122 million tonnes
- The draft policy envisions that the Indian steel sector follows a sustainable path of development and increases steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030-31
- Presently per capita consumption has been 61 kgs and the policy envisions increasing it to 160 kgs by 2030-31
To achieve the targets
- The Ministry has constituted four committees with representatives from INSDAG, steel producers, consultants, architects, users and government authorities to promote steel usage.
- The committees have been given the mandate of formulation of codes and standards, life cycle cost analysis and sustainability, development of designs of various utility structures and skill development in steel sector.
- Similarly, four task forces have been constituted for increasing steel usage in Railways, Urban development, Road Transport and Highways and Shipbuilding sector.
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