NATIONAL NEWS
Centre to release over 95 thousand crore rupees as tax devolution to States this monthFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the Centre will release 95 thousand 82 crore rupees as tax devolution to States in the current month after including one advance instalment to help them push their capital expenditure.
- She said States should leverage this opportunity to scale up investments and growth. Also urged states to help India become the fastest growing economy in coming years, through facilitating investment attractiveness and expediting ease of doing business measures.
For the first time, Arunachal Pradesh’s cabinet meeting was held outside the state capital of Itanagar and at the Pakke Tiger Reserve in Pakke Kessang district instead.
- The state cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, adopted the Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 Declaration on Climate Change-Resilient and Responsive Arunachal Pradesh. The declaration is aimed at lowering emissions and achieving sustainable development.
- At the meeting, the chief minister launched the e-Cabinet portal, which aims to make the state’s top decision-making body ‘paperless.
- The Cabinet also approved the adoption of the rare species of butterfly, 'Kaiser-e-Hind' (Teinopalpus imperialis), as the state butterfly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the Nation various Railway projects in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
- He dedicated to the nation the redeveloped Rani Kamalapati Railway Station in Bhopal.Rani Kamlapati Railway Station is the first world-class model station in the country and has all the facilities that are available at international airports. It has been developed under a public-private partnership and built by a private company.
- The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation many other initiatives of the Railways in Madhya Pradesh including Gauge- Converted and Electrified Ujjain-Fatehabad Chandrawatiganj Broad Gauge section, Third line in Bhopal-Barkhera section, Gauge- Converted and Electrified Mathela-Nimar Kheri Broad Gauge section and Electrified Guna-Gwalior section.
- The Prime Minister also flagged off two new MEMU trains between Ujjain-Indore and Indore-Ujjain.
The Department of Expenditure under Ministry of Finance has released an amount of over 8,453 crore rupees as health sector grant for rural and urban local bodies of 19 States. The grants have been released as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
- The Fifteenth Finance Commission in its Report for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26 has recommended a total grant of 4,27,911 crore rupees to local governments. The grants recommended by the Commission include health grants of 70,051 crore rupees. Out of this amount, 43,928 crore rupees have been recommended for Rural Local Bodies and 26,123 crore rupees for Urban Local Bodies.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India launches 41st Scientific Expedition to AntarcticaIndia has successfully launched the 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica with the arrival of the first batch of its contingent at the southern white continent.
- The first batch comprising of 23 scientists and support staff reached the Indian Antarctic Station Maitri last week.
- The 41st expedition has two major programmes. The first programme encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice-shelf at Bharati Station. The second programme involves reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling of 500 metres of ice core near Maitri. It will help in understanding the Antarctic climate.
The WePOWER India Partnership Forum, held through a virtual platform launched the efforts to scale up the South Asia Women in Power Sector Professional Network (WePOWER) in India.
- This important initiative was attended by 168 key energy sector stakeholders. The event was organized by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank in association with the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF).
- India is significantly investing in clean energy, grid modernization, and digitalisation of its utilities. Consequently, job profiles in the Indian energy sector are evolving with more emphasis on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and renewable energy solutions.
- There is a growing demand for skilled human resources to fill these new green jobs. Women can help to fill this skills gap required for the energy transition. However, the participation of women in the energy sector remains very low. To address this, the energy sector must attract, develop and retain talented women professionals.
BANKING & FINANCE
RBI projected Retail (CPI) inflation at 5.3% for 2021-22The central bank RBI has projected the CPI inflation at 5.3 per cent for financial year 2021-22, with 5.1 per cent in the second quarter, 4.5 per cent in third, and 5.8 per cent in the last quarter of the fiscal, with risks broadly balanced.
- India’s retail inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose slightly in October to 4.48% year-on-year from 35% in September due to an uptick in food prices. The inflation was 61% in October last year.
The Union Government and Asian Development Bank, ADB signed a 61-million dollar loan to improve livability, harness technology and promote new developments to accommodate the expanding population in Agartala city while building the capacity of State agencies for improved service delivery.
- The project will build and upgrade 48 kilometres of new or existing stormwater drainage and construct 23 kilometres of climate-resilient urban roads.
- Other interventions would include renovating open spaces and creating water recreation and lakeside walkways in the Maharaja Bir Bikram College lake and the Ujjayanta Palace which are major tourist attractions in the city.
SPORTS
Lewis Hamilton wins Brazilian Grand Prix 2021Lewis Hamilton has won the Brazilian Grand Prix, climbing from 10th place to overtake Max Verstappen and narrow the gap to his Formula 1 title rival to 14 points. While Valtteri Bottas came third.
- Max Verstappen is leading the World Drivers’ Standings with 312.5 points, 19 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton (318.5).
APPOINTMENTS
Centre brings ordinance to extend tenure of ED, CBI directors up to 5 yearsThe Centre has brought ordinance to extend the tenure of Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) directors up to 5 years.
- At present, director of CBI and ED have been appointed for two-year tenure in office by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) Act, 2003.
- The order states that "whereas Parliament is not in session and the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action."
The Centre issued a notification on extension of the tenure of Defence Secretary, Home Secretary, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing for the period of two years.
- The notification said, the Centre may give extension in service to these top officers, if the government considers it necessary. It said that the decision in this regard will be taken on a case to case basis, subject to the condition that the total term of such top officials, as the case may be, who are given such extension in service under this rule, does not exceed two years or the period provided in the Act or rules made thereunder, under which their appointments are made.
- At present, these officers have a fixed tenure of two years.
AWARDS
Malayalam writer M. Mukundan wins 2021 JCB Prize for LiteratureMukundan's "Delhi: A Soliloquy", translated from Malayalam by Fathima E.V. and Nandakumar K., was announced winner of the JCB Prize for Literature.
- While Mukundan will receive a prize amount of Rs 25 lakh, Fathima and Nandakumar will receive an amount of Rs 10 lakh.
- Besides the cash amount, M. Mukundan won a trophy created by Delhi artist duo Thukral & Tagra, titled 'Mirror Melting'.
Two Indian teenage brothers have won the 2021 KidsRights International Children's Peace Prize for tackling pollution from household waste.
- Vihaan (17) and Nav Agarwal (14) have developed the "One Step Greener" initiative segregating recyclables and organising pickups for trash from thousands of homes.
- The duo received the prestigious award by Indian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju launches Citizens' Tele-Law Mobile AppAs part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju launched Citizens' Tele Law Mobile App and felicitated frontline functionaries at a function in New Delhi.
- This App would connect the beneficiaries directly with Panel Lawyers offering legal advice and consultation.
- Post this launch this Mobile App, in Android version would be available on Google Playstore for download. He said, this App will go a long way in serving the people of the country in terms of legal aspects.
OBITUARIES
Former news reader of All India Radio, Guwahati Abon Borpujari passes awayFormer news reader of All India Radio , Guwahati Abon Borpujari passed away in a private hospital Guwahati. He was 82.
- Mr. Borpujari also served in the Assamese section of News Services Division of All India Radio.
Former Kerala Santosh Trophy football player James Fenn, who played for Mohun Bagan for three years in the 1960s, has died at Colorado Springs in the USA due to age-related problems. He was 87.
- He began his senior career with KSRTC before moving to other top clubs in the country, including Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
- He retired in 1966 and became the coach of Rajasthan Club, where he served for eight years.
Eminent Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari passed away at a private hospital in Gurugram. She was 90.
- Mannu Bhandari was known for her novels 'Aapki Banti' and 'Mahabhoj'. Her famous novel 'Yahi Sach Hai' was adapted into a Hindi movie 'Rajnigandha' in 1974.
Acclaimed short-story writer and literary figure of Bangladesh Hasan Azizul Haque passed away at Rajshahi. He was 82.
- Hasan Azizul Haque was especially known for his short stories in Bangla. He has published several collections of short stories including Atmoja O Ekti Karabi Gaach, Jibon Ghoshe Agun and Naamhin and Gotrahin.
- One of the most prominent literary figures of Bangladesh, Hasan Azizul Haque received the Ekushey Padak in 1999 and the country’s top civilian honour Independence award in 2019. He also received literary awards like Bangla Academy award, Adamjee Sahitya Puraskar and Ananda Sahitya Puraskar in 2018 in Kolkata for his novel Agunpakhi.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Salman Khurshid's new book says about unitySenior Congress leader Salman Khurshid has said that he never called Hindutva and ISIS same in his new book, but similar as a major controversy continued over the issue.
- Meanwhile, an injunction suit has been filed before a Delhi court seeking a bar on publication, circulation, and sale of the book, titled ‘Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times’, for allegedly hurting the sentiments of a large section of society. The suit was filed by right-wing group Hindu Sena's president Vishnu Gupta.
- Khurshid’s book was released last week following which he got embroiled in a controversy for allegedly comparing a "robust version" of Hindutva to the jihadist Islam of terror groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram.
Chandigarh Punjab sports and higher education minister Pargat Singh launched a book ‘Uddna Baaz’ a biography on Olympian Gurbachan Singh Randhawa.
- The book is written by the sports writer Navdeep Singh Gill, an officer with the state public relations department.
IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day for ToleranceNovember 16 commemorates the International Day of Tolerance, every year. This is a UN declared day that aims at creating public awareness on the dangers of intolerance.
- The theme for International Day of Tolerance is based upon the basic premise that ‘Tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human’.
National Press Day is observed on November 16th every year to acknowledge and honor the Press Council of India, a statutory and quasi-judicial establishment.
- The day marks the presence of an independent and responsible press in India. The media is known as the fourth pillar of democracy.
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