Indian Polity - Current Affairs for December, 2015

Union Cabinet on 30th December 2015 provided approval for forming a joint venture company with state governments to mobilise resources for numerous rail infrastructure projects to provide a bid to push the infrastructure sector. For improving the connectivity between India and neighbouring country Myanmar, Union Cabinet also approved construction of 69 bridges on the TKK or Tamu-Kylgone-Kalewa route of the Trilateral Highway in Myanmar. In the railways JV, Union Cabinet has taken the decision to limit initial paid up capital for Ministry of Railways to INR 50 crore for each state. JVs aim at financial participation of states and quicker decision making to ensure speedy implementation of rail projects.

BJP leader and former cricketer Kirti Azad was suspended by party chief Amit Shah for targeting FM Arun Jaitley with allegations of irregularities in the DDCA, Delhi’s cricket body. The Darbhanga MP has been suspended from the party w.e.f immediate date for anti party activities. A show case notice has also been issued asking him to explain his anti-party conduct. Ad spoke at a press conference highlighting DDCA corruption allegations against the FM who was president for 13 years till 2013.

In a significant move, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare signed a Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Doordarshan (DD), Prasar Bharati on 10th December2015. The MoU was signed by Shri K B Agarwal, and Shri C Lalrosanga. This marks the first time such a strategic partnership agreement has been formed between DD and a Ministry for showcasing IEC activities.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 8th December 2015 among Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Ministry of Textiles & National Textile Corporation (NTC) for setting up a Technology Centre (Tool Room) at Kanpur. Under the MoU, Ministry of MSME will fund the project, while NTC would provide the land in a closed, unviable mill.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for skill development in the manufacturing sector, with focus on capital goods and automotive sector was signed on 8th December 2015 The MoU was signed between Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI). The MoU will aim to create CoE for different manufacturing skills.

The new commission will have the mandate to provide recommendations regarding new pay scales for employees. The 6th Punjab Pay Commission’s composition, terms and conditions will be finalised shortly by the State Personnel Department. New pay commission will provide recommendations with regard to new pay scales for employees and revision for pensioners.

An MoU regarding the use of non-potable water released following treatment from effluent treatment plants in Ganga and Yamuna rivers for railway purposes was signed between Ministry of Railways and Water Resources on 3rd December 2015. Indian Railways is committed to the cause of water conservation. Water Recycling Plants will be installed in major water consumption centres in association with report of water audit for the Indian Railways.

Government has granted in principle approval to 20 National Investment and Manufacturing Zones, 12 of which are located outside DMIC namely:

1. Nagpur, Maharashtra;
2. Tumkur, Karnataka;
3. Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh;
4. Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh;
5. Medak, Telangana;
6. Kolar, Karnataka;
7. Bidar, Karnataka;
8. Gulbarga, Karnataka;
9. Jajpur, Odisha;
10. Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu;
11. Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh
12. Jhansi, UP