Press Information Bureau – 16th Novmber 2017

Table of Contents

Ministry of Tourism

Shri K. J. Alphons, Minister of State (Independent charge) for Tourism expressed deep

concern at the tragic death of 21 tourists in a boat mishap in the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh.
In a letter to the Chief Ministers of all the States and Lt. Governors/Administrators of the Union Territories, the Minister expressed his astonishment at the fact that the boat in which the tourist were ferried had
No license
Overcrowded beyond the capacity
Had no security equipments like life jackets, etc on board
Which is gross violation of basic stipulations
He has requested the Chief Ministers of the States and Lt. Governors/Administrators of the UTs to put in place a protocol so that in future such incidents do not take place.

Information Technology Minister

India is organising a global conference on Cyberspace.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on 23rd November.
Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, the main objective of the conference is to have mutual understanding of latest practices in cyberspace, more coordination and security measures.
IT ministers from 33 countries will participate in this conference. 10,000 people will participate in the conference through technology.
He said, a special session on Cyber Diplomacy will be held.
Mr Prasad said, the story of Digital India and Digital Inclusion of citizens will be discussed in the conference. 20 Exhibitions will also be organised during the event

National Press Day

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said media needs to have confirmed information to
fight corruption, injustice and other social ills.
Mr Naidu said, media professionals should be guided by a sense of mission.
Truth should not be sacrificed at the altar of sensationalism.
Press in India has an illustrious history and vernacular media played an important role during the national freedom struggle.
The Vice President saluted the journalists who played a big role during the emergency to bring back democracy. He said, media landscape is growing bigger day by day and radio and social media are also expanding.

Media has been doing commendable job in exposing scams and scandals.
He appreciated the role of media in moulding public policy with public opinion.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani has said, self-regulation is the best regulation.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the media persons on National Press Day.
The role of the media in giving voice to the voiceless is commendable.
Over the last three years, the media has added great strength to ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ and effectively furthered the message of cleanliness.
In this day and age we are seeing the rise of social media and news being consumed through mobile phones. I am sure these advancements will further the reach of the media and make the media space even more democratic and participative.

Ministry of Power

Shri R.K. Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, launched the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – ‘Saubhagya’ Web Portal here today.
The portal can be accessed at http://saubhagya.gov.in.
Shri Singh said that the Saubhagya Dashboard is a platform for monitoring household electrification progress, which would disseminate information on Household Electrification Status (State, District, village-wise), Household Progress on live basis, State-wise Target vs Achievement, Monthly Electrification Progress, etc.
The Minister said that achieving electrification of 4 crore households is a big challenge, nevertheless the Government is committed to achieve this target by December 2018, with the cooperation of all the States.
‘Saubhagya’ scheme was launched by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on 25th September, 2017 with an outlay of Rs. 16,320 Crores including Budgetary Support of Rs. 12,320 Crores.

Cabinet

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for the creation of the posts of Chairman and Technical Members of the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) under GST, following up immediately on yesterday’s sharp reduction in the GST rates of a large number of items of mass consumption.
This paves the way for the immediate establishment of this apex body, which is mandated to ensure that the benefits of the reduction in GST rates on goods or services are passed on to the ultimate consumers by way of a reduction in prices.
NAA: To be headed by a senior officer of the level of Secretary to the Government of India with four Technical Members from the Centre and/or the States.
The “anti-profiteering” measures enshrined in the GST law provide an institutional mechanism to ensure that the full benefits of input tax credits and reduced GST rates on supply of goods or services flow to the consumers.

How it works?

Affected consumers who feel the benefit of commensurate reduction in prices is not being passed on when they purchase any goods or services may apply for relief to the Screening Committee in the particular State. However, in case the incident of profiteering relates to an item of mass impact with ‘All India’ ramification, the application may be directly made to the Standing Committee. After forming a prima facie view that there is an element of profiteering, the Standing Committee shall refer the matter for detailed investigation to the Director General of Safeguards, CBEC, which shall report its findings to the NAA.
In the event the NAA confirms there is a necessity to apply anti-profiteering measures, it has the authority to order the supplier / business concerned to reduce its prices or return the undue benefit availed by it along with interest to the recipient of the goods or services. If the undue benefit cannot be passed on to the recipient, it can be ordered to be deposited in the Consumer Welfare Fund. In extreme cases, the NAA can impose a penalty on the defaulting business entity and even order the cancellation of its registration under GST.
The constitution of the NAA shall bolster confidence of consumers as they reap the benefits of the recent reduction in GST rates, in particular, and of GST, in general.

Cabinet allows export of all varieties of pulses

Gives approval for removal of prohibition on export of all types of pulses to ensure that farmers have greater choice in marketing their produce and in getting better remuneration for their produce.
Provide an alternative market for the surplus production of pulses
Encourage them to expand the area of sowing
Also likely to provide higher levels of protein to the population and work towards nutritional security
The integration with global supply chain is also likely to help our farmers in adopting good agricultural practices and better productivity.
Will also help the country and its exporters to regain their markets

Union Cabinet has approved increase in carpet area of houses eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme, CLSS for the Middle Income Group-MIG under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
Briefing media after the Cabinet Meeting in New Delhi this afternoon, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, under it the carpet area in the MIG- I category of CLSS has been increased from the existing 90 square metre to 120 square metre and for MIG II category, from 110 square metre to 150 square metre.
Under the MIG-I category, a four-per cent interest subsidy is provided to the beneficiaries, whose annual income is between 6 lakh and 12 lakh rupees, on a loan of up to 9 lakh rupees.
Similarly, under the MIG-II category, the beneficiaries with an annual income of 12 lakh to 18 lakh rupees get an interest subsidy of three per cent on a loan of up to 12 lakh rupees.

Cabinet also gave nod for continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary beyond 12th Five Year Plan from 1st of April, 2017 to 31st March, 2020.
It will be implemented in a Mission Mode through National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms with an estimated outlay of 3,320 crore rupees.
Ministry of Women and Child Development

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for continuation of Anganwadi Services, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, Child Protection Services and National Crèche Scheme from 1.4.2017 to 30.11.2018.

Umbrella: “Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)”

Anganwadi Services (ICDS) aims at holistic development of children under the age of six years and its beneficiaries are children of this age group and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers.
The objective of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls is to facilitate, educate and empower Adolescent Girls so as to enable them to become self-reliant and aware citizens through improved nutrition and health status, promoting awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition, mainstreaming out of school AGs into formal/non formal education and providing information/guidance about existing public services.
The objectives of Child Protection Services are to provide safe and secure environment for children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, reduce vulnerabilities through a wide range of social protection measures, prevent actions that lead to abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment and separation of children from families etc., bring focus on non-institutional care, develop a platform for partnership between Government & Civil Society and establish convergence of child related social protection services.
National Creche Scheme aims at providing a safe place for mothers to leave their children while they are at work, and thus, is a measure for empowering women as it enables them to take up employment. At the same time, it is also an intervention towards protection and development of children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years.

Questions

1)Name the States through which Krishna river flows.
2)Under SUBHAGYA scheme, poor household will be given free electric supply. True or False? Justify
3)As per Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016, women working in the organised sector will now be entitled to paid maternity leave of how much time period?