02-03.07.22

Tripura government to make 50 km road in Agartala with plastic waste

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With the decision of the central government to phase out single-use plastic items by this year,Tripurahas decided to build about 50 km of road stretch in the city using plastic waste in a phased manner.

Taking a cue from the success of 1km road stretch in the city made by plastic waste and the decision to phase out single-use plastic, our PWD department has proposed to make all the major roads with non-degradable waste, largely single-use plastic and the cabinet has given the go-ahead.

Tripura generates about 50 MT solid waste everyday and almost 60% of it is non-degradable, especially plastic, which is gone for sanitary land filling.

Assam recognises native status of 40 lakh Assamese-speaking Muslims

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The Assamcabineton Tuesday recognized around 40-lakh Assamese-speaking Muslims of the state, who do not have any history of migration from erstwhile East Pakistan and now Bangladesh, as “indigenous Assamese Muslims” and a sub-group of the greater native Assamese community.

Assam has the second largest group of Muslims after J&K. The 2011 Census states that out of Assam’s total population, the Muslim population is over 34% of which just a little over 37% are native Assamese-speaking Muslims.
The cabinet decision has also recognized the long aspiration of the Assamese-speaking Muslims for whom their identity as native Assamese preceded their religious identity.

Each dept of Utkal varsity to get smart class

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One classroom of each department ofUtkal Universitywill be converted into a smart classroom, higher education minister Arun KumarSahoosaid.

The state government has released Rs 60 crore over the past three years for varsitys development. Constructing a boundary wall around the campus and an auditorium, renovating four hostels and other works have been completed with the funds.

The new generation scholars should be guided and motivated for better research and publication of world-class articles. The state government has already taken steps in terms of development of research as per the provisions of the National Education Policy.

Tamil Nadu drops night safari project at zoo despite central nod

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Several zoos in the country including those in Greater Noida, Indore and Nagpur are working to introduce night safaris, butTamil Naduhas silently dropped plans for a facility at Arignar Anna Zoological Park (AAZP),Vandalurdespite the Centres nod.

The decision was taken by the board of Tamil Nadu Wilderness Experiences Corporation Private Limited (TNWECPL), a special purpose vehicle for eco-tourism headed by TN Forest & Environment Secretary.

The project was based on the recommendation of V Irai Anbu, present TN chief secretary, in 2007 after a visit to Singapore. The state sanctioned 5 crore and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved it.

Kerala has demanded increase in GST share: Minister K N Balagopal

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The state has demanded the Centre that the states share of the revenue from the GST, which is 50% at present, should be increased to 60% since the share of expenditure of the states is very high when compared to the Centre, financeminister K N Balagopal.

As per the 15th finance commission report, 62.7% of the total revenue of the country goes to the Centre, at a time when the 62.4% of the total expenses are borne by the states. Because of this, we have said that the GST sharing should be on a 60:40 ratio and not 50:50 ratio, between the states and the Centre.

The Centre used the provision in the Constitution to impose additional cess on the petroleum tax. In 2011-12, only 10% of the total revenue of the Centre was through cess, which has now increased to more than 20%. As much as Rs 5.3 lakh crore was raised by the Centre through the cess in 2021-22 alone. This money also should be shared with the states.

Finding accommodation in and around Hampi, a Unesco world heritage site, has always been a problem for both domestic and overseas tourists who flock daily to the worlds largest open-air museum of monuments. But it may not be a problem for long.

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The government has proposed to allow construction of at least 100 homestays in villages around Hampi, besides allowing setting up of wayside amenities including emergency treatment, vehicle parking and charging stations.

To facilitate this tourism-related infrastructure, the state has proposed amendments to the Hampi Master Plan-2021. Under the proposed amendments, the government will allow at least 10 homestays to be built in each of the revenue villages identified by the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA).

Hampi was the first Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site in the country to draw up a master plan to regulate tourism and commercial activities in its vicinity.

Telangana takes startup ranking race with pinch of salt

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Telanganamay have moved two rankings up to emerge as challenger to Best Performer states likeKarnataka, Gujarat and Meghalaya in the States Startup Rankings 2021 that were released by the Centre, but the Telangana government is taking these rankings with a pinch of salt.

For those puzzled at Meghalaya being ranked a rung above Telangana, it may be pertinent to mention that Telangana was judged in Category A, where states with population of over one crore were ranked, while states and UTs with less than one crore population like Meghalaya were judged under Category B.

Telangana ITE&C and industries principal secretaryJayesh Ranjansaid the state government does not take these rankings seriously because of the sudden ups and downs in the rankings despite states not doing anything different.

Andhra Pradesh : 40% rural houses in state lack tap water

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Of the 95.69 lakh rural households inAndhra Pradesh, 54 lakh homes were provided with water tap connections by March 31, 2022. About 2.26 lakh more houses have so far got these connections in this fiscal, leaving nearly 39 lakh or 40% of the total households of the state out of this transition.
In fact, Andhra Pradeshs tap connection coverage was limited to some 32% before the rollout ofJal Jeevan Missionin August 2019. The number of households having tap connections has almost doubled in just the last three years. The key objective of Jal Jeevan Mission being implemented by the Union government is to provide piped water supply for all the households by 2024 with minimum service level of 55 litres per capita per day.

Now, the state government aims to complete the remaining works by 2024 through various measures such as augmentation of water sources and development of supply infrastructure and water treatment plants in villages.

The water supply department has also proposed to provide these tap connections in theJaganannahousing colonies currently being developed across the state. For all this to happen, sanctions have been accorded to the tune of 18,932 crore.
The state government will also cover all schools, Anganwadi centres and residential schools under Jal Jeevan Mission.

Tap connections in these institutions will provide them with water for drinking, cooking mid-day meals, hand washing, and use in toilets.

Cabinet OKs changesto startup, IT policies

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The state cabinet on Wednesday granted approval to amend theGoa Startup Policy 2022 and IT Policy 2018to reinstate the Seed Capital Scheme.

The amendment also provides for creating a Startup IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) to cater to the Startup Policy 2021 and IT Policy 2018.

The promotion cell will be the nodal agency to register, recognise, certify the startups. The IT secretary will be its convener, while the director (IT) and CEO (SITPC) will certify the ventures.
The cell will have to report to the empowered committee (EC). The committee will oversee policy implementation and grant approvals for the disbursement of incentives. Applications received under this policy and the IT Policy 2018 will be processed by the cell.

The approval was granted to make necessary amendments to the IT Policy 2018 for reconstitution of the empowered committee and to broaden its purview to oversee the implementation of the Startup Policy 2021.

The cabinet also granted ex post facto approval to extend the nine schemes that were defined under the Startup Policy 2017 to the Startup Policy 2021 with enhanced benefits.

Maharashtra to follow Tirupati model to develop Pandharpur as religious centre

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The Maharashtra government will replicate the Tirupati model and develop Pandharpur as a religious centre with adequate facilities and infrastructure.
The government also plans to waive toll for warkaris (devotees) travelling to the temple town forAshadhi Ekadashi.

The annual Ekadashi celebration that is of great importance will be held coming Sunday and will see lakhs of warkaris converging to this temple town in Solapur district.