Union Power Ministry to launch GARV-II Mobile App to monitor rural electrification programme

The Union Power Ministry is going to launch new mobile application GARV-II to provide real time data of all six lakh villages of the country. The purpose of the mobile application is to ensure transparency in implementation of rural electrification programme. 

Key Facts 

GARV-II mobile app has incorporated village-wise; habitation-wise base line data on household electrification for all states. It also has mapped village-wise works sanctioned under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) to monitor progress of works in each village. It also incorporates the status of release of funds to the states for electrification projects sanctioned under DDUGJY. GARV-II allows peoples participation for rural electrification work. It opens rural electrification work to public scrutiny and input about rural electrification programme It also has a citizen engagement window ‘SAMVAD’ to enhance participation. It automatically forwards feedback and suggestions of people to the concerned authorities through SMS & Email. It aims to ensure electricity access to all households as government has already electrified over 11,000 villages out of 18,452 un-electrified villages. 

Comment 

The earlier version of GARV mobile application was only providing data about rural electrification regarding 18,452 un-electrified villages. The GARV-II will provide real time data of all six lakh villages of the country in real time.

Telecom Ministry to launch Tarang Sanchar portal check radiation compliance of mobile towers

The Department of Telecom (DoT) will soon launch ‘Tarang Sanchar’ portal that will let users check radiation compliance status of mobile towers and transmitters across country. Using this portal user can also request to get a particular BTS tested by DoT to assess its electro-magnetic frequency (EMF) compliance level. 

Key Facts

 The portal has data from 12.5 lakh base transceiver stations (BTS). It will enable users to view tower-specific details such as the operator, the supporting technology (2G/3G/4G). It will also help user to check with mobile tower meets electro-magnetic frequency (EMF) by putting in a specific request to DoT. DoT will test mobile towers for free if the prescribed ceiling in a particular service area for testing of BTS has already been reached. It may also charge user fee of Rs. 5000 to get the radiation level checked of mobile towers in case the tests are not undertaken earlier.

Haryana becomes first state to launch Mahila Police Volunteer initiative

Haryana became the first state in the country to launch Mahila Police Volunteer (MPV) initiative for safety of women. It was launched by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Mahila Police Volunteer is a joint initiative of Union Ministry of Women & Child Development and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

 Key Facts

 MPV initiative is a voluntary service under which Mahila Police Volunteers (Gram Sakhi) will be inducted. It aims to bridge gap between Police and Civil society for safety of women. Under it, one MPV is envisaged per Gram Panchayat across the country to provide a link between police and community and facilitate women in distress. These MPVs will be selected through a laid out procedure from among the empowered, responsible, socially aware women who will facilitate police outreach on gender concerns. The volunteers will be trained by the respective state police authorities on their role and responsibilities. They will be appointed by state government.

SC bans liquor shops on national, state highways across India

The Supreme Court has ordered a ban on all liquor shops on national as well as state highways to reduce drink driving and road accidents that claim thousands of lives every year across the country. The three-judge SC bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur gave its order on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO called ‘Arrive Safe’. The petitioner had mentioned that easy availability of liquor from stores on highways was a major reason for drunk driving. This results into around 1.42 lakh death annually in road accidents, many of which are caused by drunk driving. 

Supreme Court 

order All liquor shops on national as well as state highways to be completely banned. Licenses of existing Liquor shops will not be renewed after March 31, 2017. All ads indicating presence of liquor vends must be prohibited on national and state highways. Liquor Shops must be at least 500 metres away from the outer edge of the highways or service lanes. This ban will also extend to stretches of such highways that fall within limits of municipal corporations, city towns and local authorities.

5th India-Arab partnership conference held in Muscat, Oman

The fifth edition of the India-Arab Partnership Conference was held in Muscat, Oman from December 14 to 15, 2016. Theme of the conference was ‘Partnership towards innovation and cooperation in IT’. It was organised by the Oman Foreign Ministry, Arab League Secretariat in association with the Union Ministry of External Affairs of India. 

Key Facts

 The aim of the conferences was to enhance flow of investments from both sides, accelerate the investment projects of prioritized sectors, provide conducive environment for export promotion. It discussed several important topics in fields of technology, innovation, health, pharma sector, clean technology, renewable energy, food security, education, skills development and tourism sector. Around 500 representatives including from the Arab League and Indian government officials, businessmen, investors and academicians participated in the conference. Other collaboration partners of the conference included Federation of Arab Businessmen (FAB) and the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture (GUCCIA). Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Oman Chamber of Commerce were the coordinating agencies. Besides, nine other chambers from the Arab States also participated.

e-Tourist visa extended to citizens of 161 countries: Government

The Union Government has extended the facility of e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) Scheme for citizens of 161 countries. It was announced by Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. The reply also mentioned that number of foreign tourist arrivals on e-TV during January to November 2016 was 9,17,446. This period registered a growth of 168.5% over same period of previous year. This indicates success of the e-TV Scheme. 

About E-Tourist Visa Scheme 

Union Government had launched e-Tourist Visa Scheme (as Tourist Visa on Arrival scheme) on November 27, 2014. The scheme facilitates pre-authorization of Visa i.e. electronic travel authorisation is given to foreigners prior to travel after applicant registers for visa online. After registration applicant receives an email authorising him or her to travel to India after it has been approved. The tourist can travel with a print-out of this authorisation. The scheme aims to tap the vast tourism potential of India which still remains untapped and explored.

Union Cabinet approves MoU between Rural Development Ministry & FAO

The Union Cabinet has approved MoU between Ministry of Rural Development and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to improve effectiveness of rural development programmes in country. The Inter-Governmental MoU on Joint Technical and South-South Cooperation will provide for collaboration on activities of common interest to support an integrated approach to rural poverty reduction through activities. These activities will aim to promote economic empowerment of rural women, access of rural poor to natural resources. 

Key Facts

The MoU aims to improve effectiveness of rural development programmes in India and facilitate knowledge sharing by exchange of visits and dialogue for knowledge and experience sharing. It will facilitate South-South cooperation mechanisms around Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)’s experience. It will strengthen vertical upscaling of livelihoods of rural populations supported by DAY-NRLM, develop inclusive and sustainable value chains for key crops and agro-industrial products. It will also facilitate employment diversification, skills development for rural youth, strengthen social protection, risk management mechanisms. It will also provide collaboration to support an integrated approach to rural poverty reduction through activities aimed to promote economic empowerment of rural women, access of rural poor to natural resources and their sustainable use and social protection.

About Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY -NRLM) 

DAY-NRLM is a flagship rural poverty reduction program of Union Ministry of Rural Development. It launched with an objective of social mobilization, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods promotion. It aims at creating effective and efficient institutional platforms for rural poor by increasing household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improving access to financial services. One of its major focus areas is promotion of existing livelihood portfolios of the rural poor in farm and non-farm sectors.