Why in news:

• The state government of Himachal Pradesh has announced e-governance initiatives aimed at increasing transparency in governance and make state services more accessible to general public.

Key Points:

• The state government’s strategy in this regard also involves increasing the ambit of Aadhar based authentication in order to avoid duplication and prevention of fraud.
• As per the recent step taken by the state government in the direction, the people of Himachal Pradesh can now obtain learner’s licence from the comfort of their homes as the state government has launched a new initiative allowing online process, leveraging Aadhaar-based authentication.
• As per the newly mandated rules, the applicants can now submit their learner’s licence applications, upload necessary documents and signatures, and make the required fee payment online. However, for the driving licence test, individuals still need to schedule an appointment and physically visit the RLA as per their slot booking.
• The state government in this regard, has underlined that the Aadhaar-based learner’s licence process eliminates the need for physical verification, scrutiny, and approval, streamlining the application procedure.
• According to the concerned officials, The initiative will not only save time and resources but also reduce the un-necessarily burden on the regional transport offices (RTO) and regional and licensing authorities (RLA’s) offices.

Context:

• The state government of Himachal Pradesh is working on an ambitious plan to become country’s first Green state. The plan will involve bringing about transformative changes in society as well as economy. Undertaking major overhaul of the transport sector is one of the major components of the ambitious plan.

Key Points:

• As part of the plan, the state government is undertaking major steps in order to transform the state transport sector. In this regard, the concerned officials have recently announced that a new electric vehicle policy was being implemented in Himachal Pradesh with innovative ideas and the state government was taking steps towards reform in the transport sector.
• As per the policy envisaged, positive efforts would be made in the direction of radical change in the transport sector in the state. In this regard, discussions are being held at various levels to implement the new electric vehicle policy. In the initial phase, the operation of electric vehicles will be promoted in the HP Secretariat and thereafter the use of electric vehicles will be increased in public transport services as well.
• The state government has further planned that a fleet of electric vehicles would also be inducted in the Transport Department very soon and for which necessary instructions have been issued to the Director Transport.  Apart from this, talks would also be held with the central government. It is noteworthy herer that the concerned officials have underlined that environmental protection in the hill state and promoting the operation of electric vehicles in this tourism state is the priority of the state government and a decision will be taken soon about the purchase of electric vehicles.
• Further, while strengthening the vehicle licensing system, appropriate steps would also be taken in the direction of setting up new driving test tracks to ensure compliance with road safety standards. The officials have already been directed to conduct detailed study on viability of the plan. Himachal Road Transport Corporation currently has about 1000 vehicles of zero book value and these would be replaced by electric vehicles in a phased manner. It has further been planned that Electric buses would also be included in the corporation's fleet in the new electric vehicle policy.

Context:

• The state government of Himachal Pradesh has announced measures to develop the horticulture sector which is major source of livelihood for state’s farmers.

Key Points:

• Development of the horticulture sector is crucial for the state government as it ensures higher returns for farmers and therefore remains a major component of state’s economy. Increase in the consequent spending power further leads to boost in wider economy.
• As part the efforts initiated in this regard, the Horticulture Development Ministry has announced that the state government will make concerted efforts to develop Himachal Pradesh as fruit hub. The state government in this regard has selected the Dharampur area of Mandi district as a major hub. As part of the efforts, fruit clusters are being developed under the HP Shiva project of the Horticulture Department at Dabrot in the Dharampur Assembly constituency. The concerted officials have further underlined that  the plantation of fruit plants would be promoted in medium and low-altitude areas as well.
• The guava plantation done under the HP Shiva project in Dabrot has yielded good results. Here, 9,981 guava saplings were planted on about 8.5 hectares belonging to 73 farmers. In only three years, the plants have started bearing fruits in good quantity.
• Notably, through the Horticulture Development Project (HDP) and the HP Shiva project, the state government would ensure a large-scale plantation of fruit plants in all districts of the state in conformity with the local geographical conditions and climate. It will also increase the local farmers’ income.

Context:

• Due to its peculiar geography and locale, the state of Himachal Pradesh continues to be a major tourist spot.  The tourism sector remains a major source of income for the locals and therefore is a chief component of state’s economy.

Key Points:

• Adopting a holistic approach, aimed at enhancing the ambit and reach of the tourism sector and to reap multiple dividends, the state government of Himachal Pradesh has announced its plans to promote medical tourism in the state.
• Taking active steps in the direction, the state government has announced its plans to promote medical tourism in Lahaul-Spiti. As per the plans, Lahaul-Spiti will be developed for the purpose by leveraging the infrastructural facilities available in the region.
• In this regard, the concerned officials have underlined that medical tourism will be promoted in the tribal district in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur. In order to discuss the possibilities and issues if any, a meeting was held the state government officials with Bilaspur AIIMS representatives. The concerned officials of the state government have pointed out that Atal Tunnel allows easy access to this district through the year. After the opening of this tunnel, the tribal district has already become a tourism hub. The opportunity needs to be taken advantage of to turn the region into a medical hub.
• It has further been pointed out that in order to promote medical tourism in the tribal district, the backing of AIIMS, Bilaspur is required. In this context, the state government representatives have urged the AIIMS Director to ensure services of medical experts for visitors in Lahaul and Spiti. Further the officials have given full assurance that the state government will provide requisite infrastructure for that purpose. The AIIMS representatives in this regard have decided that a team of doctors will visit Lahaul and Spiti soon to chalk out a strategy to promote medical tourism there.

The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is collaborating with the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) to establish a Global Hydrogen Trading Mechanism at GIFT City in Gujarat.

• A key aspect of this collaboration is the subsequent launch of the Global Hydrogen Price Index, a benchmark that will play a pivotal role in price discovery and market information on the burgeoning green hydrogen market in India.
• This mechanism is expected to enhance transparency, boost investor confidence and facilitate the growth of the green hydrogen market on a global scale, stated an official release here.
• GSPC jointly with Indian Gas Exchange will develop mechanism to create index for Hydrogen and attract global institutions to trade in GIFT IFSC. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in this regard in the just concluded Vibrant Gujarat summit, the release added.

The Union Cabinet approved the creation of three posts at the level of joint secretary for assisting the 16th Finance Commission, chaired by Arvind Panagariya.

• Out of three officer-level posts, two are joint secretaries and the other one is economic adviser.
• The newly created posts are required to assist the commission in carrying out its functions. All other posts in the panel have already been created as per the delegated powers.
• The finance commission is a constitutional body, which gives suggestions on the centre-state financial relations.
• This prior announcement comes after the Cabinet’s appointment of former vice chairman of Niti Aayog Arvind Panagariya as the chairman of the commission on December 31, while Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey was named as the secretary to the commission.

Engineers India Limited (EIL) has been conferred with the prestigious SCOPE Eminence Award in the category of Women Empowerment for the period 2019-20.

The award has been presented to EIL by the Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar and received by EIL's Director (Finance) Sanjay Jindal and Director (Commercial) Atul Gupta on January 18, during an award ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

The award recognises EIL’s exemplary commitment to fostering an inclusive & diverse work environment and celebrates the outstanding achievement of its women workforce.

Union Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Parshottam Rupala inaugurated the artificial reef project through videoconference.

• The minister said it will boost sustainable fishing, enhance the marine landscape and foster better livelihood for the fishing community.
• The deployment of artificial reefs off the coast of 42 fishing villages in Thiruvananthapuram district . 
• The project is meant to boost fish resources and promote sustainable management. In all, 6,300 artificial reef units - 150 for each of the villages - will be deployed under this initiative.conference, said it will boost sustainable fishing, enhance the marine landscape and foster better livelihood for the fishing community.
• The Rs. 13.02 crore project is being implemented under the Central Government’s Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The Department of Fisheries, Government of India, has proposed artificial reefs in 3,477 fishing villages across the coastline of the country, according to Mr. Rupala.
• Under PMMSY, the Centre has cleared Rs. 302 crore for artificial reef installation and promotion of sustainable fisheries and livelihood in Kerala.

REC Wins ICAI Award: New Delhi, January 18, 2024, Public sector lender REC Limited has been conferred the ‘Plaque’ under the Financial Services category at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Awards 2022-23 for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  

• The Maharatna company received the award from Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at a ceremony held in Raipur on January 17. ICAI President Aniket Sunil Talati and other dignitaries were also present.
• REC Recognized for Accounting Practices, Disclosure Standards  
• The ICAI award recognizes REC’s accounting practices, financial disclosures, presentation quality, and compliance with Indian Accounting Standards during FY22-23.  

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shared glimpses of the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, which commenced here. The foreign minister can be seen meeting various foreign dignitaries participating in the tow-day summit.

• The 19th NAM Summit under Uganda's leadership is being held under the theme 'Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence' and brings together more than 120 developing countries on a platform of crucial historic significance.
• The NAM is a forum of 120 countries that are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. 
• India wholeheartedly supports Uganda's theme for NAM and looks forward to engaging with NAM countries. As one of the leading and founding members of NAM, India remains committed to the principles and values of the movement, as per a stament by the Ministry of External Affairs.
• On the sidelines of the NAM Summit, EAM Jaishankar held a meeting with counterparts from Egypt and Belarus. 

Former Chief Justice of India and Rajya Sabha MP Ranjan Gogoi will receive the highest civilian award in Assam, the ‘Assam Baibhav’.

• State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made this announcement.
• The news agency ANI said Sarma has noted that the awards will be given on February 10. 
• This is the third year on which the awards will be given. “In the first year, we gave the Assam Baibhav award to Ratan Tata and last year we gave the award to Tapan Saikia.
• This time, the Assam government has selected former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Ranjan Gogoi for the Assam Baibhav award,” Sarma told reporters.

With the initiative of TMP, TWF & YTF 46th KOKBOROK DAY celebration programme has been conducted here in Ampinagar community hall in Gomati Tripura .

• On this auspicious occasion TMP leaders convened all Tiprasa people and organized a road rally on Teliamura-Amarpur road at Ampi.
• Aiming to promote and protect this KOKBOROK language as a main identity of Tiprasa people of Tripura many indigenous man, woman and youths of from different tribes have assembled in the programme venue and took participation in this event with enthusiasm.
• This heritage based motivational programme has created genuine sense of indigenous culture, costume and language amidst the present participants.
• Addressing the gathering Sanjay Jamatia, social activist said, “Our language is our identity and we have fundamental right and responsibility to promote and protect this KOKBOROK language for our next generation.” Ampi MLA Pathanlal Jamatia said, “KOKBOROK language is our herital property.

Japan's Smart Lander Snipper for Investigating Moon (Slim) spacecraft successfully touched down on the lunar surface on Friday(19-01-2024), making Japan the fifth nation to achieve a soft landing on the Moon.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has confirmed the landing of the spacecraft equipped with a variety of instruments, including a camera, a laser altimeter, and a magnetometer, which will be used to study the Moon's geology, environment, and resources.

However, Slim’s solar panel had failed to generate power, which could shorten its activity on the moon, the Japanese space agency said.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have inaugurated five new solar power plants at some of Egypt’s most prominent heritage sites, namely the Giza Pyramids Visitors Centre, Mohamed Ali Palace in Al Manial, Sharm el-Sheikh Museum, as well as Alexandria’s National Museum and Royal Jewelry Museum.

These solar power plants are part of a plan to increase the integration of solar energy in all heritage sites and museums across Egypt, transforming them into green sites to help reach Egypt's sustainable development strategy by 2030.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed an indigenous technological solution namely Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) for the fishermen at sea to send emergency messages from fishing boats. 

• The messages are sent through a communication satellite and received at a central control station (INMCC: Indian Mission Control Centre) where the alert signals are decoded for the identity and location of the fishing boat.
• The extracted information is forwarded to Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) under Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Using this information the MRCC co-ordinates to undertake Search and Rescue operations to save the fishermen at distress.
• The DAT is operational since 2010 and till now more than 20000 DATs are being used.
• The central control centre (INMCC) has a web based network management system called “SAGARMITRA” which maintain a database of registered DAT-SGs and helps MRCCs to access the information about boat, coordinate the boat at distress in real time.
• This helps Indian Coast Guard to undertake Search & Rescue operations at the time of distresses, without any time delay.

As part of their ‘Strengthening Integrated Sustainable Land Management’ project in Enga Province, UNDP and the European Union awarded small grants to 20 new community-based organizations working on sustainable land management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and biodiversity conservation in the province this week.

• The total value of the grants amounts to over US$420,000 (approximately 1.6 million PGK) and they will be used by the recipients to conduct initiatives to combat deforestation, improve food and nutrition security, and adapt to the impacts of climate change across six districts in Enga Province.
• The handover of all grants was officially completed during a workshop held at the Takeanda Museum in Wabag, Enga Province on 17 January 2024.  
• In addition to receiving the grants, the participants received guidance on monitoring and reporting the results of their initiatives, as well as effectively implementing their different project activities.