Pib

Pib

1. Vice President Delivers 19th Convocational address at Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology

The Vice President said that Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, which started its journey as School of Agriculture in 1893 has been playing a pioneering role in agricultural education. This institution has maintained a rich tradition of quality education and research ever since its inception, he added.

The Vice President said that high-yielding varieties of food crops developed here have made a significant contribution to the Green Revolution, building a vibrant agricultural sector in our country. Agriculture is the basic culture of Indians and the Green Revolution has enabled us to be self-sufficient and feed the growing population.

The Vice President said that there has to be a multi-pronged approach in making agriculture profitable and sustainable. He further said that apart from encouraging crop diversification, impetus has to be given to infrastructure in terms of rural roads, electricity, cold storage facilities, rural godowns and refrigerated vans. Also, there is a need to ensure timely credit to farmers and increase in public spending on agriculture, he added.

2. First ever International Conference cum Exhibition on AYUSH and Wellness inaugurated in New Delhi today

The three day exhibition cum conference is being held at Vigyan Bhawan from 4th to 7th December, 2017. ‘Arogya 2017’ has been jointly organized by Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Commerce and Industry of Government of India including Pharmexcil in partnership with FICCI to showcase the strength and scientific valuation of traditional system of medicine. Nearly 1500 delegates from India and 60 countries are participating in ‘Arogya 2017’.

‘Aroyga 2017’ is a comprehensive exhibition cum conference on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddhha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy and wellness. More than 250 manufacturers of alternative medicine are showcasing their products and services at International Arogya 2017. The mega event has brought key stakeholders of AYUSH sector together under one roof to showcase latest research and developments in alternative medicine systems of India and boost exports of AYUSH products.

A White Paper "AYUSH for the World" by Frost & Sullivan was launched at the event to offer a roadmap for AYUSH regulations and registration in ASEAN and BIMSTEC countries. It notes that India is the second largest exporter of Ayurvedic and alternate medicine to the world and has a potential to generate 3 million job opportunities. The Indian herbal market is valued at around Rs 5,000 crore currently, with an annual growth rate of 14%.

3. First Meeting of the Fifteenth Finance Commission held today under the Chairmanship of Shri N.K.Singh

The Commission held preliminary discussions on the Terms of Reference for the Fifteenth Finance Commission as per the Order made by the President of India and notified by the Ministry of Finance on 27th November, 2017.

The Commission was cognisant that it has been assigned wide-ranging Terms of Reference which needed to be suitably addressed. Towards this objective, it was felt that wide-ranging consultations with all stake holders including various Ministries of the Union Government, all State Governments, Local Bodies, Panchayats and Political parties of each State Government needed to be expeditiously initiated.

4. Government of India and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany Sign Government to Government Umbrella Agreement and other agreements

(a) Loan Agreement for the project “ Community based sustainable Forest Management – Component I Manipur” was signed with KfW, Germany for a loan of Euro 15 million. The broad objectives of the Project are restoration of degraded forests in upper watersheds, reclamation of abandoned shifting cultivation areas, biodiversity conservation, water resources conservation and livelihood improvement of forest dependent rural tribal people in the project area.

(b) Loan Agreement for the project “Madhya Pradesh Urban Sanitation and Environment Programme” for Euro 50 million Reduced Interest Loan and Euro 2.5 million grant. The broad objective of the Project is to improve facilities for water supply, sanitation and sewerage treatment plant in selected towns of Madhya Pradesh, improve solid and liquid waste management and disposal systems, improvement of surface drainage systems for flood mitigation in selected towns of Madhya Pradesh.

(c) Loan Agreement for the project “Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Development Odisha – Phase II for EUR 55 Million Reduced Interest Loan with EUR 2 Million as Grant. The basic objective of the project is to improve Urban Infrastructure by linking them with Government priority. The broad objective of the Project is to improve the urban infrastructure of Odisha and to provide better quality of life to the people.

(d) Loan Agreement for the project “Green Energy Corridor – Intra-State Transmission System in Maharashtra” for EUR 12 million Reduced Interest loan. The broad objective of this project is to put in place a transmission system for evacuating renewable ener.

5. National Crisis Management Committee meets on cyclone ‘Ockhi’

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) chaired by the Cabinet secretary, Shri P K Sinha met this evening and reviewed the relief and rescue operations in States and Union Territories affected by the ongoing cyclone ‘Ockhi’. The Committee also took stock of the preparedness activities in Maharashtra and Gujarat which are likely to be impacted by the cyclone. The very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi over east central Arabian sea moved further northwards with a speed of 13 kmph early morning today. It is very likely to move North-North Eastward and weaken gradually. It will then cross coasts of south Gujarat and adjoining North Maharashtra near Surat as a deep depression by midnight of December 5.

The NCMC also took note of another depression being formed in the South East Bay of Bengal adjoining South Andaman sea and reviewed the preparedness activities undertaken by States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Necessary advisories have been issued to fishermen and others. The Chief Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar Islands have taken necessary steps to deal with any eventualities occurring in their respective States.

A total of 243 fishermen in Tamil Nadu, 250 in Kerala and 1047 persons in Lakshadweep have been rescued so far. Relief material is also being provided to inmates in relief camps set up by the government agencies. State Governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep administration also took prompt action in dealing with the situation. The Central Government have deployed Coast Guard – Ships (10), Aircraft (3), Helicopters (1); Navy – Ships (10), Aircraft (2), Helicopters (2); Airforce – Aircraft (1), Helicopters (3) for rescue and relief.