National current affairs
- NITI Aayog announced that the establishment of the first of its kind the Frontier Technologies Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC) on October 19, 2020. This is being developed in order to address societal challenges through digital innovation. For developing the system, NITI Aayog is collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This also align with the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and NOTI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission.
What is Cloud Innovation Centre (CIC)
This CIC is a part of the AWS CIC Global Programme. It provides an opportunity to the government agencies, non-profits and educational institutions in order to come together on pressing challenges, to test new ideas, to apply design thinking, and to access the technology expertise of AWS. The Frontier technologies CIC will enable the budding innovators and start-ups to help in piloting the state-of-the-art, cloud-centric digital innovations by using the emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet Of Things, robotics and blockchain.
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) stated that on October 20, 2020 that environmental clearance granted to the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project in Telangana, having a retrospective effect, is in violation of legal requirement. The NGT have also formed a committee to assess the extent of damage that the project has caused and to identify the restoration measures. The panel have directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to constitute a seven-member expert committee to suggest relief and rehabilitation measures.
Some Background are mentioned below
This decision of the tribunal came in the backdrop of a plea filed by Telangana-based Mohammad Hayath Udin. He had alleged that the construction of the project was started without environmental and other statutory clearances. The plea had seek a ban on any non-forest activities including felling of trees, blasting and tunnelling activities in the forest areas. Since these activities are in violation of the Forest Conservation Act.
Defination of Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project
It is a multipurpose irrigation project of the Telangana government. The project is being constructed on the meeting point of River Godavari and River Pranahita. The project was earlier called as the pranahita chevella project and named as Kaleshwaram project in 2014. The project will provide irrigation and drinking water to backward areas of Telangana. It will further help to restore the groundwater level by shifting the usage of ground water from irrigation towards usage of surface water for irrigation.
- The central government have increased the election campaign expenditure limit of the candidates by 10%. This norm will be applicable on all future elections. The announcement was made on October 19, 2020 ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections 2020.
Highlights and key facts are given below
The Union Ministry of Law and Justice notified the amendment to the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. The campaign expenditure limit has been specified under Rule 90 of the Conduct of Election Rules.
The Ministry have cited thee difficulty being amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the hike.
Election campaign expenditure limit was increased last time before the 2014 lok Sabha Election.
Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 will be the first to benefit from this amendment.
Expenditure limit for the state polls have been increased to Rs 30.8 lakh from Rs 28 lakh.
Backgrounds are given below
The election commision had issued guidelines for election campaigning amid a pandemic. The guidelines had capped the size of the campaign squad to three people for door-to-door visits. Further, It only allowed five cars in roadshow instead of 10 as usually used. Further, the parties cited that the pandemic will increase the spending on masks, PPE kits, soap, sanitizers, and thermal screening during campaigning. Thus, the parties had requested for increasing the expenditure. All the parties had also requested that more expenditure will be required for ‘digital campaign’ as it is costlier than the normal campaign.
- The Development of North East Region (DoNER) minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh has invited the United Kingdom (UK) government and the private sector to explore business opportunities in North-East India.
Key facts are given below
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India and UK are two democracies that share the mutually rewarding business relationships. So, both of these countries can work jointly in exploiting and exploring new opportunities in the North East region.
Definition of India-UK Collaboration
The minister had a talk on new avenues in scientific research, trade, economy and other diverse areas that can be a win-win opportunity for both the countries and will be beneficial of the region as well. The British Council proposed a collaboration in the education sector for teaching mathematics and science in all the 8 states of North East India. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between North East Council and the British council to take the collaboration further. British council highlighted that Britain is a pioneer of Agri-Tech thus can explore setting up cold chains in the North East region as they did in Haryana for the food processing.
Why UK’s interest is growing in North East Region?
North East region is having a huge biodiversity. British officials highlighted and appreciated the vegetables, handicrafts, fruits, and spices that are grown in the North East states. They are interested in branding and selling them to international market.