International Forum on adopting ICT Perspective to Education and Learning begins in New Delhi

The International Forum on adopting ICT Perspective to Education and Learning has begun in New Delhi. It will be held from 31th October to 4th November 2016. It has been organised by the International Bureau of Education (IBE), UNESCO in partnership with Google and the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. 

Key Facts 

The forum targets mainly countries which are implementing the UNESCO developed General Education Quality Analysis Framework (GEQAF). Participating countries include Egypt, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Gabon, India, Lithuania, Oman, Seychelles, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Mauritius, US and Swaziland. It has been designed differently than the common practice of conferences and workshop characterized by extensive presentations. It seeks to build on concrete cases of ICT integration and inclusion thought practical hands-on activities. Best practice cases from countries will be presented. 

About International Bureau of Education (IBE) 

IBE is a UNESCO category 1 institute mandated as the Centre of Excellence in curriculum and related matters. It supports countries efforts both through direct technical assistance and also by proving platform to share experiences and best practices from around the world. It also helps to build country’s capacity to harness technology to strengthen education systems for sustained improvement of education quality, equity and inclusion.

Union Government notifies rules for Real Estate Act for five UTs

The Union Ministry of Housing has notified the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) (General) Rules, 2016, to be applicable to the five Union Territories. These five Union Territories are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh. 

Key Facts 

These Rules have been notified as stipulated in the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016 for ensuring timely completion of projects in five Union Territories As per provisions of the Act, Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERA) and Real Estate Appellate Tribunals (REAT) have to be set up by the end of April, 2017. The Rules provide for compounding of punishment with imprisonment for violation of the orders of REAT against payment of 10% of project cost in case of developers and 10% of the cost of property purchased in case of allottees and agents.

 Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016

 The Real Estate Act that seeks to regulate the housing sector besides bringing transparency and ensuring timely completion of projects. The law is touted as a major reform measure to regulate the vast real estate sector. It requires registration of all projects with state-level Real Estate Regulatory Authorities to ensure protection of the interests of both buyers and builders.

Sushil Chandra takes charge as CBDT chairman

Senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sushil Chandra took over as chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) today. He succeed Rani Singh Nair who retired from service. Chandra is a 1980-batch officer of Indian Revenue Service. Prior to this appointment he was working in the board as Member (Investigation).

 About Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) 

CBDT is nodal policy-making body of the Income Tax (IT) department under the Union Finance Ministry. It is a statutory authority established under The Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963. The composition of CBDT includes Chairman and six members. It is responsible for framing policy and administrative issues related to direct taxes and the Income Tax department.

More differently abled attend schools than before: 2011 Census

According to recently released new 2011 census data, nearly two-thirds of the disabled population in the age-group of 5-19 in 2011 were attending educational institutions. It was mentioned in the table C-22 of census which gives distribution of the disabled population in the age-group 5-19 by their attendance status in educational institution, type of disability, sex, age and residence. 

Highlights of the table C-22 of census

As many as 40.2 lakh (61.2%) out of the total of 65.7 lakh disabled population in the specified age group were attending educational institutions in 2011. Besides, 8.0 lakh (12.1%) had attended educational institutions earlier and 17.5 lakh (26.7%) never had attended any educational institutions. The census shows improvement of 11% points from 2001 when 33 lakh (50%) of the 65.3 lakh differently abled persons had attended educational institutions. The enrolment figure is 10% points lower than that of the total population — 71% attending educational institutions. 27% of the disabled people in the age group of 5-19 have never attended any educational institute. Data show those who reported to have ‘any other disability’ has the highest percentage (71.2%) of the people attending any educational institution. This was followed by those having visual disability (68%) and hearing difficulty (67%), Movement (59.6%), Speech (58.9%), Mental retardation (47.2%), Multiple disability (37.2%) and Mental illness (34.1%)

Maharashtra tops in 2016 Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index of NITI Aayog

Maharashtra has been ranked first state in the country in 2016 Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index. The first-ever index based on initiatives taken by the states in implementing farm sector reforms was issued by the NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog. 

What is Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index? 

The index ranks states based on their initiatives taken in implementing provision of seven farm sector reforms. These reforms have been proposed under model APMC Act, joining eNAM initiative, special treatment to fruits and vegetables for marketing and level of taxes in mandis. States are ranked based on score on the scale ranging from 0 to 100. The minimum score of 0 implies no reforms at all and score of 100 means state is friendliest to farmers. The index identifies three major parameters. They are (i) reforms in agricultural marketing, (ii) land lease and (iii) forestry on private land.

 What is purpose of the index? 

The index aims at helping states identify and address problems in farm sector, which suffers from low growth, low incomes and agrarian distress to double farm income. It also seeks to bring reform in agriculture sector by ease of doing agribusiness as well as provide opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce. The various indicators of index showcases the levels of competitiveness, efficiency and transparency in agriculture markets of the states. 

Key Highlights of 2016 Index 

Top 5 States are Maharashtra (score 81.7), Gujarat (71.5), Rajasthan (70), Madhya Pradesh (69.5) and Haryana (63.3). Maharashtra has implemented most of the marketing reforms and offers the best environment for doing agribusiness among all states and UTs. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu performed poorly and not even have reached the halfway score mark of 50. Some states/UTs that have not adopted APMC Act or revoked it are not included in the ranking. They include Bihar, Kerala, Manipur, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andaman and Nicobar. 

Rankings and score of states

10th Indo-Nepal joint military exercise Surya Kiran commences

The tenth edition of Indo-Nepal joint military exercise Surya Kiran commenced at Army Battle School, Saljhandi in Nepal. Its emphasis will be on counter terrorism in mountainous terrain. The two weeks (from 31 October to 13 November 2016) military exercise seeks to boost defence ties between India and Nepal.

Key Facts

In this edition of Joint Battalion Level Exercise, Indian Army is being represented by elite Kumaon Regiment, while Nepal Army is being represented by Jabar Jung Battalion. The aim of exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with emphasis on Counter Terrorism in mountainous terrain. Besides, aspects of Disaster Management have also been included in the exercise. It will platform for the contingent of both nations to share their experience and gain mutually. Thus, it will enhance defence co-operation and relations between two nations.

Background 

The Surya Kiran series of military exercises are being conducted annually, alternatively in India and Nepal. Surya Kiran series of military exercises with Nepal is largest in terms of troop’s participation in series of military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries.

Andhra Pradesh, Telangana top Ease of Doing Business list

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have jointly topped the Ease of Doing Business Reforms Ranking 2015-16. The ranking of the states was conducted by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and the World Bank. 

How states were ranked? 

States were ranked on their implementation of DIPP-proposed 340-point Business Reform Action Plan in period between July 2015 and June 2016. They were rated based on their score in the per cent scale i.e. implementation rate regarding the 340 reform measures. These 340 reform areas are broadly under six key categories: tax reforms, single-window systems, environment and labour reforms, construction permits, inspection reforms and commercial disputes and paper-less courts. 32 States and UTs had submitted evidence of implementation of 7,124 reforms. These submissions were reviewed by the World Bank team and validated by the DIPP. 

Key Highlights of the 2016 rankings 

Top 10 states: Andhra Pradesh (Score 98.78%), Telangana (98.78%), Gujarat (98.21%), Chhattisgarh (97.32%), Madhya Pradesh (97.01%), Haryana (96.95%), Jharkhand (96.57%), Rajasthan (96.43%), Uttarakhand (96.13%) and Maharashtra (92.86). The national implementation average of reforms stands at 48.93%, significantly higher than 2015 national average of 32. This demonstrates the great progress made by States in 2016.

Low-income States: Four of seven States with lowest income levels in India had found a place in top 10. All seven such lowest income levels states had an implementation rate of over 75%. These low-income States included Chhattisgarh (97.32%, 4th rank), Madhya Pradesh (97.01%, 5th rank), Jharkhand (96.57%, 7th), Rajasthan (96.43% and 8th), Odisha (92.73%, 11th), Uttar Pradesh (84.52%, 14th), and Bihar (75.82%, 16th rank). 12 states were ranked as leaders with 90-100% implementation record. 17 states and UTs, including Kerala, Goa and most north-eastern states, were ranked as laggards with 0-40% implementation record.