04 June 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Conference of Governors 2018

• The two-day Conference of Governors and Lt. Governors commenced today (June 4, 2018) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• This is the 49th such Conference held in Rashtrapati Bhavan and the second Conference presided over by President Kovind.
• In his opening address, the President said that as per the Constitution, the post of Governor has an exalted place in the scheme of governance. The Governor is a mentor and guide to the state government and an important link in the federal structure. 
• The President said that there are approximately 100 million people in our country who belong to the Scheduled Tribes. A majority of this population lives in regions that are covered under the Fifth and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• Governors can help in the shaping of a road map for the betterment of lives of our fellow citizens, who have not benefited as much as expected from our development journey.
• The two-day 2018 Conference will discuss important thematic issues in various sessions which include briefings and presentations on flagship programmes of the Government of India and on internal security; higher education in state universities and skill development for employability; 
• It will also discuss steps taken on the report of Committee of Governors, constituted during the 48th Conference of Governors; and commemoration of the 150thbirth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

World Environment Day

• June 5th around the world will be celebrated as World Environment Day.
• The theme for this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.
• Prime Minister in the 44th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ had underlined that India being the official host of the World Environment Day Celebrations is a recognition of India’s growing leadership in tackling climate change issues.

Some of the initiatives of the government are

• With an aim to achieve zero carbon foot print, ‘Energy Efficiency’concept of sustainable green technologies/norms based on GRIHA, LEEDS, Green Fuels, MARPOL compliance and alternative energy resources are being adopted in all future plans for augmentation and acquisition of assets/ infrastructure.
• In an endeavour towards fulfilment of ‘Paperless Office’,initiatives undertaken in the field of IT through digital work processes have ensured gross reduction in paper consumption. 
• 95 percent of conventional street lights of the repair yards have been replaced with LED lights and over 1000 have been changed over with Smart timer based street light. 

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