West Bengal CM Banerjee launches flagship road 'Pathashree- Rastashree'
Current Context: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has inaugurated the 'Pathashree Rasta shree' project in Singur, Bengal. 'Pathashree-Rastashree' is a flagship project of the Government of West Bengal to strengthen road infrastructure and enhance connectivity to villages by building 12,000 km of roads in 22 districts of the state.
About
- This will be a fully state funded scheme. Notably, the project was announced by state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya on February 15 in West Bengal while presenting the budget in the Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Telangana Urban Development Minister launches 'Lake Development Program'
Current Context: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao launched the 'Lake Development Program' on 28 March 2023.
Details
- These lakes have been adopted by real estate developers under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme.
- The benefits of the Telangana Lake Development Program include rejuvenating and developing 50 water bodies in and around Hyderabad.
- The tanks and lakes are dug to remove silt for increasing water storage capacity.
- The household agricultural income has also increased by 78.50% in the tank ayacut area.
New India Literacy Program' started from the financial year 2022-23 to 2026-27
Current Context: Recently, the Government has launched a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme “New India Literacy Program” (NILP) for implementation over five years from FY 2022-23 to 2026-27 with a financial outlay of Rs 1037.90 crore.
Key Facts
- The New India Literacy Program has been launched to cover a target of 5.00 crore illiterates in the age group of 15 years and above.
- The scheme is mainly implemented through online mode and is based on technology. Teaching and learning materials and resources are available on the DIKSHA platform of NCERT and can be accessed through the mobile app.
Foreign Trade Policy 2023 released by Union Minister Piyush Goyal
Current Context: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal has launched the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 on 31 March 2023. He said India's total exports including services and merchandise exports have already crossed US$ 750 billion and are expected to cross US$ 760 billion this year.
Key Points
- It is a policy document which is a continuation of time-tested schemes facilitating exports.. Earlier FTP 2015-20 was working.
- It is based on principles of ‘trust’ and ‘partnership’ with exporters. The policy emphasizes export promotion and development, moving away from an incentive regime to a regime which is facilitating, based on technology interface and principles of collaboration.
- The key features of the policy include ease of doing business, reduction in transaction cost and e-initiatives. Automatic approval of various permissions under Foreign Trade Policy based on process simplification and technology implementation.
The second Tourism Working Group meeting Begins in Siliguri
Current Context: The second G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting will be held in West Bengal’s Siliguri and Darjeeling from 1-3 April 2023.
Key Highlights
- This meeting will carry a message about the prospects and potential of the North Eastern part of India.
- The meeting is to be attended by more than 130 Delegates from the G20 Member Countries, Invite Countries, and International Organizations along with Tourism Industry partners, State Tourism, and local tour operators.
- The main aim behind holding this meeting at Siliguri is to showcase the typical features of the area, tea ploughing to the foreign delegates as well as to expose the opportunities for adventure tourism and local art and culture.
This digest is not complete. Read the complete digest on the General Awareness Course.
