1. Gujarat Government accords minority status to Jain community
1. The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the state. In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR) giving minority status to the Jain community.
2. The decision has nothing to do with reservations and the new status will benefit the poor among the Jain community. The poor among the minority community can avail of various scholarships, government welfare schemes. Jain institutions will also get special status like the one given to Christian and Muslim institutions as per Article 30 of Indian Constitution.
2. Karnataka Government decides to set up Asia’s first Rice Technology Park in Gangavati
1. Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the . establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district. Apart from it state government has decided to set upa Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.
2. Both parks will be established on the public-private participation . model as a one-stop solution to all problems of rice and maize growers. As a value addition, the rice technology park would have facilities for rice flour, rice bran oil, rice rava, rice-based alcohol, noodles, animal and poultry feed and paddy husk used for power generation and brick-making.
3. Indian Railways launches Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims
1. Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and Jyotirlingams among others. The tourist train comprises 10 coaches and bookings are being done by IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). The service offers budget-friendly package for pilgrims.
2. The package includes train journey, road transportation, accommodation, sightseeing at tourist locations and onboard and off-board meals. Bharat Darshan will cover pilgrimages destinations like Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham, Gaya, Banaras and Ayodhya. It will also cover 7 Jyotirlinga package and also offers “Dakshin Darshan with Shirdi” tour package that will cover Shirdi, Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore and Bangalore.
4. Union Government starts UBIN drive for budding entrepreneurs
1. The Union Government has started the process for issuance of Unique Business Identification Number (UBIN) to enable budding entrepreneurs set up their business without any delays. The drive has been launched by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. The UBIN would be automatically linked to Ministry Of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal after it is issued to the intended beneficiary. It will be subsequently sent to the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) which would nomenclature it as PAN for UBIN. The move is seen as a major step towards boosting ease of doing business and the start-up India initiative of the government.
5. South Indian Bank announces tie-up with National Australia Bank
1. South Indian Bank has announced its new tie-up with National Australia Bank (NAB) for online inward remittance from Australia at competitive rates. The remittance fee is as low as AUD 7 and the arrangement enables faster, hassle-free remittance through internet at the best exchange rates.NAB is South Indian Bank’s main banking correspondent in Australia.
2. As the exchange rate is decided by South Indian Bank, NRI customers in Australia would get the best possible rates. The remitted money can be either converted into Indian rupee or maintained in Australian dollar, said K N Reghunathan, Executive Vice President (Treasury) of South Indian Bank.
3. South Indian Bank is also having tie-ups with leading banks and exchange houses in the USA, Europe, and Asia. It has also extensive arrangements with the leading exchange houses in West Asia with special facilities for NRE account opening through welcome kits and online mode.
6. India’s single emergency number ‘112’ to be active from Jan 1
1. The single emergency number ‘112’ will be operational throughout India from January 1 to help people reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire department.
2. The service will also be accessible even through those SIMs and landlines whose outgoing call facility has been stopped or temporarily suspended.
2. A person in distress will need to call only 112, which will direct the call to concerned departments immediately for help. All existing emergency numbers will be phased out within a year of rolling out 112, depending upon the awareness about this new facility.
3. In India, different emergency communication and response systems are in place — police (100), fire brigade (101), ambulance (102) and Emergency Disaster Management (108).
1. Gujarat Government accords minority status to Jain community
1. The Gujarat Government has accorded minority status to the Jain community in the state. In this regard state government has issued a government resolution (GR) giving minority status to the Jain community.
2. The decision has nothing to do with reservations and the new status will benefit the poor among the Jain community. The poor among the minority community can avail of various scholarships, government welfare schemes. Jain institutions will also get special status like the one given to Christian and Muslim institutions as per Article 30 of Indian Constitution.
2. Karnataka Government decides to set up Asia’s first Rice Technology Park in Gangavati
1. Karnataka Government has decided to go ahead with the . establishment of Asia’s first Rice Technology Park at Gangavati in Koppal district. Apart from it state government has decided to set upa Maize Technology Park at Ranebennur in Haveri district.
2. Both parks will be established on the public-private participation . model as a one-stop solution to all problems of rice and maize growers. As a value addition, the rice technology park would have facilities for rice flour, rice bran oil, rice rava, rice-based alcohol, noodles, animal and poultry feed and paddy husk used for power generation and brick-making.
3. Indian Railways launches Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims
1. Indian Railways has launched the Bharat Darshan Tourist train for pilgrims to visit Shirdi, Tirupati, Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham and Jyotirlingams among others. The tourist train comprises 10 coaches and bookings are being done by IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). The service offers budget-friendly package for pilgrims.
2. The package includes train journey, road transportation, accommodation, sightseeing at tourist locations and onboard and off-board meals. Bharat Darshan will cover pilgrimages destinations like Jagannath Puri, Gangasagar, Baidyanath Dham, Gaya, Banaras and Ayodhya. It will also cover 7 Jyotirlinga package and also offers “Dakshin Darshan with Shirdi” tour package that will cover Shirdi, Tirupati, Kanchipuram, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Kanyakumari, Mysore and Bangalore.
4. Union Government starts UBIN drive for budding entrepreneurs
1. The Union Government has started the process for issuance of Unique Business Identification Number (UBIN) to enable budding entrepreneurs set up their business without any delays. The drive has been launched by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
2. The UBIN would be automatically linked to Ministry Of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal after it is issued to the intended beneficiary. It will be subsequently sent to the CBDT (Central Board of Direct Taxes) which would nomenclature it as PAN for UBIN. The move is seen as a major step towards boosting ease of doing business and the start-up India initiative of the government.
5. South Indian Bank announces tie-up with National Australia Bank
1. South Indian Bank has announced its new tie-up with National Australia Bank (NAB) for online inward remittance from Australia at competitive rates. The remittance fee is as low as AUD 7 and the arrangement enables faster, hassle-free remittance through internet at the best exchange rates.NAB is South Indian Bank’s main banking correspondent in Australia.
2. As the exchange rate is decided by South Indian Bank, NRI customers in Australia would get the best possible rates. The remitted money can be either converted into Indian rupee or maintained in Australian dollar, said K N Reghunathan, Executive Vice President (Treasury) of South Indian Bank.
3. South Indian Bank is also having tie-ups with leading banks and exchange houses in the USA, Europe, and Asia. It has also extensive arrangements with the leading exchange houses in West Asia with special facilities for NRE account opening through welcome kits and online mode.
6. India’s single emergency number ‘112’ to be active from Jan 1
1. The single emergency number ‘112’ will be operational throughout India from January 1 to help people reach immediate services of police, ambulance and fire department.
2. The service will also be accessible even through those SIMs and landlines whose outgoing call facility has been stopped or temporarily suspended.
2. A person in distress will need to call only 112, which will direct the call to concerned departments immediately for help. All existing emergency numbers will be phased out within a year of rolling out 112, depending upon the awareness about this new facility.
3. In India, different emergency communication and response systems are in place — police (100), fire brigade (101), ambulance (102) and Emergency Disaster Management (108).