Press Information Bureau – 15th Novmber 2017

Table of Contents

President

17th foundation day of Jharkhand today.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated “Jharkhand’s Opportunities For Harnessing Rural Growth” (JOHAR) scheme
1,500 crore rupees
Aided by: The World Bank JOHAR
Aim: Doubling the income of two lakh rural poor.
President said Jharkhand is progressing fast and is ahead of many other states in ease of doing business.
The state has 40 per cent of the minerals of the country, which is conducive for the development of trade and industry in the state.

Government says, anti-militancy operations will be further intensified in Jammu and Kashmir.
The security forces have been instructed to take action against terrorists.
The directive was given after Home Minister Rajnath Singh today chaired a meeting to reivew a high level meeting in New Delhi today.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and top officials of Ministries of Home and Defence.
Operations against terrorists will continue even though the Centre appointed a special representative for talks with all stakeholders to bring lasting peace in the state.
Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, S P Vaid had recently said, around 170 terrorists were gunned down by the security forces in the state this year.

Chief Ministers of Delhi and Haryana have resolved to make sustained efforts to tackle air pollution due to crop residue burning and vehicular emissions.
Mr Arvind Kejriwal and Mr Manohar Lal met in Chandigarh today and agreed upon the need for action on many measures aimed at preventing recurrence of smog.
Addressing a joint press conference, the Haryana Chief Minister said that there has been curtailment in stubble burning in the state.
The Delhi Chief Minister said that polluted air is a serious health risk and requires concrete and quick action.
Particulate Matter levels in Delhi and NCR have declined further following improvement in weather conditions and measures taken by implementing agencies at ground level.
Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan today said, the PM level reached Very Poor category as compared to severe category yesterday.

Petroleum Ministry in consultation with Public Oil Marketing Companies has decided for introduction of BS-VI grade auto fuels in the National Capital Territory from 1st April next year instead of 1st April, 2020.
This is part of government’s concerted efforts to reduce vehicular emissions and improve fuel efficiency with an aim to reduce carbon footprints and keep a healthy environment.
India has followed the regulatory pathway for fuel quality and vehicle emissions standards termed as Bharat Stage.

CM of Punjab refused to meet: He said that he does not want to politicize such serious issue.
- Life and health
Snowfall and rainfall in the North will help a little bit.
Weather relief is temporary: may be for a week or so
Contribution: Dust, Vehicle pollution, Garbage burning, Construction dust
- Nearly 30% of PM particles are dust
- Lack of rainfall makes this area dry
- This makes top soil loose and with wind it mixes up with air.