1. Anisa Rasouli nominated as first female judge of Afghanistan Supreme Court
Anisa Rasouli, the head of the Afghan Women Judges Association and a former juvenile court judge, was nominated as the first ever female Supreme Court judge of Afghanistan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated her name as the female judge of the nine-member bench Supreme Court and now, Rasouli’s nomination will require an approval from the Parliament.
Under the Afghan Constitution, Supreme Court judges have a fixed tenure of ten-years.
2. Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan appointed as CFO of Tata Motors' Group
Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of India's biggest auto maker Tata Motors' Group with immediate effect. With this, he will continue as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel for Tata Motors Limited.
Now, CFOs of all Tata Motors subsidiaries like Jaguar Land Rover, Daewoo will report to Ramakrishnan. Chandrasekaran has been the CFO of Tata Motors since 2007 and was one of the senior executives to bring Jaguar Land Rover under the company's fold in 2008.
3. U P Singh appointed as Interim CMD of Oil India Limited
U P Singh was appointed as the Interim Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-run Oil India Limited. He succeeded S K Srivastava, who superannuated on 1 July 2015.
U P Singh is a Joint Secretary (Exploration) under Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Singh was made acting chairman after questions were raised over selection of Rupshikha Saikia Borah, Director (Finance), OIL by government headhunters Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB).
4. Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher named for US Presidential Award
Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher from Illinois, US in July 2015 was named for prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by President Barack Obama.
Along with Jain, President named 108 Mathematics and Science teachers as recipients of the Award.
Jain has taught mathematics at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois for eight years. Right now, he is serving the school as the director of mathematics. He is a BA in mechanical engineering and a MS in secondary mathematics education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
5. Sanjeev Galande selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014
Sanjeev Galande was selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014. The name was announced by the K K Birla Foundation and he is the 24th recipient of the award.
Prof. Galande is a professor of Biology and Team Leader at the Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He joined IISER in 2010 and his focus area is epigenetics and studies regulation of gene expression, and nuclear organization and function. Epigenetics is an area of study about changes that influence gene function.
6. Cuba becomes first nation to eliminate mother-to-child HIV and syphilis: WHO
Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby, the World Health Organisation has announced.
The WHO’s director general, Margaret Chan, said it was “one of the greatest public health achievements possible” and an important step towards an Aids-free generation.
Over the past five years, Caribbean countries have had increased access to antiretroviral drugs as part of a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.
HIV and syphilis testing for pregnant women and their partners, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding have also contributed to the breaking of the infection chain, said the WHO.
7. Industrial Policy 2015 for Chandigarh city launched
The Governor of Punjab, Haryana and Administrator of UT Chandigarh Kaptan Singh Solanki released the Industrial Policy 2015 for the Chandigarh city. The policy is aimed at boosting employment and motivates medium and small industries in the city.
The policy was formulated by the Department of Industries after inviting suggestions from Industries Association of Chandigarh, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chandigarh.
The Industrial Policy will be reviewed at periodic intervals by the Administration.
Highlights of the Industrial Policy 2015
• The objectives of the policy are to promote non-polluting industry in Chandigarh and to maximize production, achieve higher productivity through modern and efficient work techniques and optimum utilization of available resources.
• The services like water connection, sewer connection, acknowledgement under Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (MSMED, Act 2006) and power connection, CST/TIN number, and license services under Factories Act, 1948 will be provided in a time bound manner.
• If the department does not provide these services within the prescribed time limit, the services will then be deemed to have been approved.
• The administration would start self certification under various Acts of the Labour Law and exemption would also be given from inspection there under. VAT forms will now be issued online.
• Under the policy, the administration will set up a Centre of Excellence for fasteners/nut screws/tractor parts and bath fitting enterprises.
• Certain additional activities such as IT/Electronics Hardware/Software/ITES units are allowed in Industrial areas.
• Industrial plots vacant in Industrial Area will be allotted as per the policy of the Administration
• The policy mandated creation of online single window system by 2 October 2015. This would save the new and existing entrepreneurs from the hassle of going from one office to another for various applications.
8. Digital Guddi-Gudda Board of Jalgaon district adopted as Best Practice under BBBP scheme
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development adopted the ‘Digital Guddi-Gudda Board’ as a Best Practice under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. It was named as the best practice on the occasion of Digital India Week that is being observed from 1 July to 7 July 2015.
The Digital Guddi-Gudda Board is an innovation of District Jalgaon in Maharashtra. It was initiated by its Collector, Rubal Aggarwal with the support of Raksha Khadse, Member of Parliament from Raver and AT Nana Patil, Member of Parliament from Jalgaon.
Features of the digital board
• It works as a platform for dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Material on BBBP.
• It is also used to update monthly birth statistics.
• It displays audio video material as well as still frames for disseminating information.
9. Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme launched in Haryana
The Haryana Government launched the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon scheme, aimed at providing 24 hour uninterrupted power supply to rural domestic consumers in a phased manner with their active participation.
With this, Haryana became the first state in the country to launch such an innovative voluntary scheme. The state will bear an additional expenditure of 15 to 20 lakh rupees per village for implementation of this scheme.
Highlights of the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme
• The scheme is aimed at strengthening the distribution network system for the convenience of the people.
• In the first phase of the scheme, 83 feeders have been identified covering 310 villages having minimum line losses and which have made payment of their electricity bills. Power supply would be ensured for 15 hours in these villages instead of 12 hour power supply they were getting at present.
• The consumers in these 310 villages falling under these 83 feeders would now be urged to install their meters outside their houses and get their old electricity wires replaced with insulated wires.
• If this happens, power supply in these villages would then be increased by three more hours and these would be supplied power for 18 hours. In the next step, the power supply would be further increased to 21 hours on those feeders where the payment of bills would cross the mark of 90 percent.
• The feeders where the outstanding amount of electricity bills has been paid in five equal installments, their penalty and interest would be waived off and power supply for 24 hours would be ensured on those feeders.
• Bijli Panchayat would also be organized in all villages falling under such feeders. The officers of electricity department would also be present in these panchayats who would resolve the complaints of consumers on the spot.
• Complaints like replacement of meters, electricity wire, installment of new poles and enhancement of load will be resolved within a week.
• Apart from this, a Nodal Officer of the level of a Junior Engineer will also be appointed on every feeder, who will coordinate various activities at village level to ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.
• Under the scheme, the electricity bills will depict the information like line losses on the particular feeder and pending amount of electricity bill so as to ensure transparency.
10. CCEA approved Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval to the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). The scheme envisages creation of a common electronic platform deployable in 585 regulated markets across the country with an outlay of 200 crore rupees from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Key characteristics of the scheme
• Common e-platforms will be set up by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) through the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). These platforms will provide farmers and traders with access to opportunities for purchase/sale of agri-commodities at optimal prices in a transparent manner across the country.
• SFAC will be the lead agency for the development of the National e-Market by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. It will implement the national e-platform in three phases with 250 mandis targeted to be integrated with e-platform in 2015-16, 200 mandis in 2016-17 and 135 mandis in 2017-18.
• DAC will meet expenses on software and its customisation for the States and provide it free of cost to the States and UTs.
• DAC will also give grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of 30 lakh rupees per Mandi for related equipment/infrastructure in the 585 regulated mandis, for installation of the e-market platform.
• Big private mandis will also be allowed access to the e-platform for purposes of price discovery. However they will not be supported with any funds for equipment / infrastructure.
• The Scheme is applicable on All-India basis and there is no State wise allocation under the Scheme though States would need to meet the pre-requisites in carrying out necessary agri-marketing reforms. These pre-requisites are:
a) a single license to be valid across the State
b) single point levy of market fee and
c) provision for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery
11. CCEA approved Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yoiana (PMKSY)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for a new scheme called Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The Yojana was approved with an outlay of 50000 crore rupees over a period of five years, that is, from 2015-16 to 2019-20 and the allocation for the financial year 2015-16 has been kept at 5300 crore rupees.
Aim of PMKSY
Bringing concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies/Research and Financial Institutions engaged in creation/use/recycling/potential recycling of water under a common platform so that a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire water cycle is taken into account and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
Objectives of PMKSY
(i). To provide convergence to existing schemes of water management, thus bringing efficiency to the use of water
(ii). Expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani)
(iii). Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water
(iv). Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop)
(v). Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture
(vi). Attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system
12. India banned trade with ISIS, other terror groups
India announced a ban on trade with the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked entities, the al-Nusra Front and other groups and individuals associated with the Al-Qaeda.
The move comes in compliance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution of February 2015 to act against militants active in oil-rich countries such as Iraq, Syria and Libya. With this, India joined the worldwide efforts to squeeze terror finances.
The Union Commerce Ministry in its notification has prohibited the trade of oil and refined oil products (hydrocarbons) and items of scientific, cultural (including antiquities)and religious importance with the IS and related terrorist organizations.
13. Rahul Yadav sacked as CEO of Housing.com
The board of Housing.com sacked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder Rahul Yadav with immediate effect. The decision was taken during the regular board meeting held in New Delhi.
The board unanimously agreed to sack Yadav saying that his behaviour towards investors and media was not befitting of a CEO and is detrimental to the company.
The board further said that Yadav will not be an employee or part of the SoftBank backed portal in any manner, the company said.
Since last few months Yadav has hogged the limelight, first for putting in his papers questioning the intellectual capability of his company’s board and later in May 2015 for giving away all his holding in the company worth 2000 crore rupees to the employees.
Anisa Rasouli, the head of the Afghan Women Judges Association and a former juvenile court judge, was nominated as the first ever female Supreme Court judge of Afghanistan.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated her name as the female judge of the nine-member bench Supreme Court and now, Rasouli’s nomination will require an approval from the Parliament.
Under the Afghan Constitution, Supreme Court judges have a fixed tenure of ten-years.
2. Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan appointed as CFO of Tata Motors' Group
Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of India's biggest auto maker Tata Motors' Group with immediate effect. With this, he will continue as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel for Tata Motors Limited.
Now, CFOs of all Tata Motors subsidiaries like Jaguar Land Rover, Daewoo will report to Ramakrishnan. Chandrasekaran has been the CFO of Tata Motors since 2007 and was one of the senior executives to bring Jaguar Land Rover under the company's fold in 2008.
3. U P Singh appointed as Interim CMD of Oil India Limited
U P Singh was appointed as the Interim Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-run Oil India Limited. He succeeded S K Srivastava, who superannuated on 1 July 2015.
U P Singh is a Joint Secretary (Exploration) under Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Singh was made acting chairman after questions were raised over selection of Rupshikha Saikia Borah, Director (Finance), OIL by government headhunters Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB).
4. Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher named for US Presidential Award
Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher from Illinois, US in July 2015 was named for prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by President Barack Obama.
Along with Jain, President named 108 Mathematics and Science teachers as recipients of the Award.
Jain has taught mathematics at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois for eight years. Right now, he is serving the school as the director of mathematics. He is a BA in mechanical engineering and a MS in secondary mathematics education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
5. Sanjeev Galande selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014
Sanjeev Galande was selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014. The name was announced by the K K Birla Foundation and he is the 24th recipient of the award.
Prof. Galande is a professor of Biology and Team Leader at the Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He joined IISER in 2010 and his focus area is epigenetics and studies regulation of gene expression, and nuclear organization and function. Epigenetics is an area of study about changes that influence gene function.
Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby, the World Health Organisation has announced.
The WHO’s director general, Margaret Chan, said it was “one of the greatest public health achievements possible” and an important step towards an Aids-free generation.
Over the past five years, Caribbean countries have had increased access to antiretroviral drugs as part of a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.
HIV and syphilis testing for pregnant women and their partners, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding have also contributed to the breaking of the infection chain, said the WHO.
7. Industrial Policy 2015 for Chandigarh city launched
The Governor of Punjab, Haryana and Administrator of UT Chandigarh Kaptan Singh Solanki released the Industrial Policy 2015 for the Chandigarh city. The policy is aimed at boosting employment and motivates medium and small industries in the city.
The policy was formulated by the Department of Industries after inviting suggestions from Industries Association of Chandigarh, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chandigarh.
The Industrial Policy will be reviewed at periodic intervals by the Administration.
Highlights of the Industrial Policy 2015
• The objectives of the policy are to promote non-polluting industry in Chandigarh and to maximize production, achieve higher productivity through modern and efficient work techniques and optimum utilization of available resources.
• The services like water connection, sewer connection, acknowledgement under Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (MSMED, Act 2006) and power connection, CST/TIN number, and license services under Factories Act, 1948 will be provided in a time bound manner.
• If the department does not provide these services within the prescribed time limit, the services will then be deemed to have been approved.
• The administration would start self certification under various Acts of the Labour Law and exemption would also be given from inspection there under. VAT forms will now be issued online.
• Under the policy, the administration will set up a Centre of Excellence for fasteners/nut screws/tractor parts and bath fitting enterprises.
• Certain additional activities such as IT/Electronics Hardware/Software/ITES units are allowed in Industrial areas.
• Industrial plots vacant in Industrial Area will be allotted as per the policy of the Administration
• The policy mandated creation of online single window system by 2 October 2015. This would save the new and existing entrepreneurs from the hassle of going from one office to another for various applications.
8. Digital Guddi-Gudda Board of Jalgaon district adopted as Best Practice under BBBP scheme
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development adopted the ‘Digital Guddi-Gudda Board’ as a Best Practice under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. It was named as the best practice on the occasion of Digital India Week that is being observed from 1 July to 7 July 2015.
The Digital Guddi-Gudda Board is an innovation of District Jalgaon in Maharashtra. It was initiated by its Collector, Rubal Aggarwal with the support of Raksha Khadse, Member of Parliament from Raver and AT Nana Patil, Member of Parliament from Jalgaon.
Features of the digital board
• It works as a platform for dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Material on BBBP.
• It is also used to update monthly birth statistics.
• It displays audio video material as well as still frames for disseminating information.
9. Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme launched in Haryana
The Haryana Government launched the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon scheme, aimed at providing 24 hour uninterrupted power supply to rural domestic consumers in a phased manner with their active participation.
With this, Haryana became the first state in the country to launch such an innovative voluntary scheme. The state will bear an additional expenditure of 15 to 20 lakh rupees per village for implementation of this scheme.
Highlights of the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme
• The scheme is aimed at strengthening the distribution network system for the convenience of the people.
• In the first phase of the scheme, 83 feeders have been identified covering 310 villages having minimum line losses and which have made payment of their electricity bills. Power supply would be ensured for 15 hours in these villages instead of 12 hour power supply they were getting at present.
• The consumers in these 310 villages falling under these 83 feeders would now be urged to install their meters outside their houses and get their old electricity wires replaced with insulated wires.
• If this happens, power supply in these villages would then be increased by three more hours and these would be supplied power for 18 hours. In the next step, the power supply would be further increased to 21 hours on those feeders where the payment of bills would cross the mark of 90 percent.
• The feeders where the outstanding amount of electricity bills has been paid in five equal installments, their penalty and interest would be waived off and power supply for 24 hours would be ensured on those feeders.
• Bijli Panchayat would also be organized in all villages falling under such feeders. The officers of electricity department would also be present in these panchayats who would resolve the complaints of consumers on the spot.
• Complaints like replacement of meters, electricity wire, installment of new poles and enhancement of load will be resolved within a week.
• Apart from this, a Nodal Officer of the level of a Junior Engineer will also be appointed on every feeder, who will coordinate various activities at village level to ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.
• Under the scheme, the electricity bills will depict the information like line losses on the particular feeder and pending amount of electricity bill so as to ensure transparency.
10. CCEA approved Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval to the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). The scheme envisages creation of a common electronic platform deployable in 585 regulated markets across the country with an outlay of 200 crore rupees from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Key characteristics of the scheme
• Common e-platforms will be set up by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) through the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). These platforms will provide farmers and traders with access to opportunities for purchase/sale of agri-commodities at optimal prices in a transparent manner across the country.
• SFAC will be the lead agency for the development of the National e-Market by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. It will implement the national e-platform in three phases with 250 mandis targeted to be integrated with e-platform in 2015-16, 200 mandis in 2016-17 and 135 mandis in 2017-18.
• DAC will meet expenses on software and its customisation for the States and provide it free of cost to the States and UTs.
• DAC will also give grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of 30 lakh rupees per Mandi for related equipment/infrastructure in the 585 regulated mandis, for installation of the e-market platform.
• Big private mandis will also be allowed access to the e-platform for purposes of price discovery. However they will not be supported with any funds for equipment / infrastructure.
• The Scheme is applicable on All-India basis and there is no State wise allocation under the Scheme though States would need to meet the pre-requisites in carrying out necessary agri-marketing reforms. These pre-requisites are:
a) a single license to be valid across the State
b) single point levy of market fee and
c) provision for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery
11. CCEA approved Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yoiana (PMKSY)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for a new scheme called Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The Yojana was approved with an outlay of 50000 crore rupees over a period of five years, that is, from 2015-16 to 2019-20 and the allocation for the financial year 2015-16 has been kept at 5300 crore rupees.
Aim of PMKSY
Bringing concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies/Research and Financial Institutions engaged in creation/use/recycling/potential recycling of water under a common platform so that a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire water cycle is taken into account and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
Objectives of PMKSY
(i). To provide convergence to existing schemes of water management, thus bringing efficiency to the use of water
(ii). Expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani)
(iii). Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water
(iv). Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop)
(v). Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture
(vi). Attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system
12. India banned trade with ISIS, other terror groups
India announced a ban on trade with the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked entities, the al-Nusra Front and other groups and individuals associated with the Al-Qaeda.
The move comes in compliance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution of February 2015 to act against militants active in oil-rich countries such as Iraq, Syria and Libya. With this, India joined the worldwide efforts to squeeze terror finances.
The Union Commerce Ministry in its notification has prohibited the trade of oil and refined oil products (hydrocarbons) and items of scientific, cultural (including antiquities)and religious importance with the IS and related terrorist organizations.
13. Rahul Yadav sacked as CEO of Housing.com
The board of Housing.com sacked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder Rahul Yadav with immediate effect. The decision was taken during the regular board meeting held in New Delhi.
The board unanimously agreed to sack Yadav saying that his behaviour towards investors and media was not befitting of a CEO and is detrimental to the company.
The board further said that Yadav will not be an employee or part of the SoftBank backed portal in any manner, the company said.
Since last few months Yadav has hogged the limelight, first for putting in his papers questioning the intellectual capability of his company’s board and later in May 2015 for giving away all his holding in the company worth 2000 crore rupees to the employees.
1. Anisa Rasouli nominated as first female judge of Afghanistan Supreme Court
Anisa Rasouli, the head of the Afghan Women Judges Association and a former juvenile court judge, was nominated as the first ever female Supreme Court judge of Afghanistan.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated her name as the female judge of the nine-member bench Supreme Court and now, Rasouli’s nomination will require an approval from the Parliament.
Under the Afghan Constitution, Supreme Court judges have a fixed tenure of ten-years.
2. Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan appointed as CFO of Tata Motors' Group
Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of India's biggest auto maker Tata Motors' Group with immediate effect. With this, he will continue as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel for Tata Motors Limited.
Now, CFOs of all Tata Motors subsidiaries like Jaguar Land Rover, Daewoo will report to Ramakrishnan. Chandrasekaran has been the CFO of Tata Motors since 2007 and was one of the senior executives to bring Jaguar Land Rover under the company's fold in 2008.
3. U P Singh appointed as Interim CMD of Oil India Limited
U P Singh was appointed as the Interim Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-run Oil India Limited. He succeeded S K Srivastava, who superannuated on 1 July 2015.
U P Singh is a Joint Secretary (Exploration) under Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Singh was made acting chairman after questions were raised over selection of Rupshikha Saikia Borah, Director (Finance), OIL by government headhunters Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB).
4. Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher named for US Presidential Award
Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher from Illinois, US in July 2015 was named for prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by President Barack Obama.
Along with Jain, President named 108 Mathematics and Science teachers as recipients of the Award.
Jain has taught mathematics at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois for eight years. Right now, he is serving the school as the director of mathematics. He is a BA in mechanical engineering and a MS in secondary mathematics education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
5. Sanjeev Galande selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014
Sanjeev Galande was selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014. The name was announced by the K K Birla Foundation and he is the 24th recipient of the award.
Prof. Galande is a professor of Biology and Team Leader at the Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He joined IISER in 2010 and his focus area is epigenetics and studies regulation of gene expression, and nuclear organization and function. Epigenetics is an area of study about changes that influence gene function.
6. Cuba becomes first nation to eliminate mother-to-child HIV and syphilis: WHO
Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby, the World Health Organisation has announced.
The WHO’s director general, Margaret Chan, said it was “one of the greatest public health achievements possible” and an important step towards an Aids-free generation.
Over the past five years, Caribbean countries have had increased access to antiretroviral drugs as part of a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.
HIV and syphilis testing for pregnant women and their partners, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding have also contributed to the breaking of the infection chain, said the WHO.
7. Industrial Policy 2015 for Chandigarh city launched
The Governor of Punjab, Haryana and Administrator of UT Chandigarh Kaptan Singh Solanki released the Industrial Policy 2015 for the Chandigarh city. The policy is aimed at boosting employment and motivates medium and small industries in the city.
The policy was formulated by the Department of Industries after inviting suggestions from Industries Association of Chandigarh, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chandigarh.
The Industrial Policy will be reviewed at periodic intervals by the Administration.
Highlights of the Industrial Policy 2015
• The objectives of the policy are to promote non-polluting industry in Chandigarh and to maximize production, achieve higher productivity through modern and efficient work techniques and optimum utilization of available resources.
• The services like water connection, sewer connection, acknowledgement under Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (MSMED, Act 2006) and power connection, CST/TIN number, and license services under Factories Act, 1948 will be provided in a time bound manner.
• If the department does not provide these services within the prescribed time limit, the services will then be deemed to have been approved.
• The administration would start self certification under various Acts of the Labour Law and exemption would also be given from inspection there under. VAT forms will now be issued online.
• Under the policy, the administration will set up a Centre of Excellence for fasteners/nut screws/tractor parts and bath fitting enterprises.
• Certain additional activities such as IT/Electronics Hardware/Software/ITES units are allowed in Industrial areas.
• Industrial plots vacant in Industrial Area will be allotted as per the policy of the Administration
• The policy mandated creation of online single window system by 2 October 2015. This would save the new and existing entrepreneurs from the hassle of going from one office to another for various applications.
8. Digital Guddi-Gudda Board of Jalgaon district adopted as Best Practice under BBBP scheme
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development adopted the ‘Digital Guddi-Gudda Board’ as a Best Practice under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. It was named as the best practice on the occasion of Digital India Week that is being observed from 1 July to 7 July 2015.
The Digital Guddi-Gudda Board is an innovation of District Jalgaon in Maharashtra. It was initiated by its Collector, Rubal Aggarwal with the support of Raksha Khadse, Member of Parliament from Raver and AT Nana Patil, Member of Parliament from Jalgaon.
Features of the digital board
• It works as a platform for dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Material on BBBP.
• It is also used to update monthly birth statistics.
• It displays audio video material as well as still frames for disseminating information.
9. Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme launched in Haryana
The Haryana Government launched the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon scheme, aimed at providing 24 hour uninterrupted power supply to rural domestic consumers in a phased manner with their active participation.
With this, Haryana became the first state in the country to launch such an innovative voluntary scheme. The state will bear an additional expenditure of 15 to 20 lakh rupees per village for implementation of this scheme.
Highlights of the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme
• The scheme is aimed at strengthening the distribution network system for the convenience of the people.
• In the first phase of the scheme, 83 feeders have been identified covering 310 villages having minimum line losses and which have made payment of their electricity bills. Power supply would be ensured for 15 hours in these villages instead of 12 hour power supply they were getting at present.
• The consumers in these 310 villages falling under these 83 feeders would now be urged to install their meters outside their houses and get their old electricity wires replaced with insulated wires.
• If this happens, power supply in these villages would then be increased by three more hours and these would be supplied power for 18 hours. In the next step, the power supply would be further increased to 21 hours on those feeders where the payment of bills would cross the mark of 90 percent.
• The feeders where the outstanding amount of electricity bills has been paid in five equal installments, their penalty and interest would be waived off and power supply for 24 hours would be ensured on those feeders.
• Bijli Panchayat would also be organized in all villages falling under such feeders. The officers of electricity department would also be present in these panchayats who would resolve the complaints of consumers on the spot.
• Complaints like replacement of meters, electricity wire, installment of new poles and enhancement of load will be resolved within a week.
• Apart from this, a Nodal Officer of the level of a Junior Engineer will also be appointed on every feeder, who will coordinate various activities at village level to ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.
• Under the scheme, the electricity bills will depict the information like line losses on the particular feeder and pending amount of electricity bill so as to ensure transparency.
10. CCEA approved Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval to the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). The scheme envisages creation of a common electronic platform deployable in 585 regulated markets across the country with an outlay of 200 crore rupees from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Key characteristics of the scheme
• Common e-platforms will be set up by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) through the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). These platforms will provide farmers and traders with access to opportunities for purchase/sale of agri-commodities at optimal prices in a transparent manner across the country.
• SFAC will be the lead agency for the development of the National e-Market by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. It will implement the national e-platform in three phases with 250 mandis targeted to be integrated with e-platform in 2015-16, 200 mandis in 2016-17 and 135 mandis in 2017-18.
• DAC will meet expenses on software and its customisation for the States and provide it free of cost to the States and UTs.
• DAC will also give grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of 30 lakh rupees per Mandi for related equipment/infrastructure in the 585 regulated mandis, for installation of the e-market platform.
• Big private mandis will also be allowed access to the e-platform for purposes of price discovery. However they will not be supported with any funds for equipment / infrastructure.
• The Scheme is applicable on All-India basis and there is no State wise allocation under the Scheme though States would need to meet the pre-requisites in carrying out necessary agri-marketing reforms. These pre-requisites are:
a) a single license to be valid across the State
b) single point levy of market fee and
c) provision for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery
11. CCEA approved Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yoiana (PMKSY)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for a new scheme called Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The Yojana was approved with an outlay of 50000 crore rupees over a period of five years, that is, from 2015-16 to 2019-20 and the allocation for the financial year 2015-16 has been kept at 5300 crore rupees.
Aim of PMKSY
Bringing concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies/Research and Financial Institutions engaged in creation/use/recycling/potential recycling of water under a common platform so that a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire water cycle is taken into account and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
Objectives of PMKSY
(i). To provide convergence to existing schemes of water management, thus bringing efficiency to the use of water
(ii). Expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani)
(iii). Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water
(iv). Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop)
(v). Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture
(vi). Attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system
12. India banned trade with ISIS, other terror groups
India announced a ban on trade with the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked entities, the al-Nusra Front and other groups and individuals associated with the Al-Qaeda.
The move comes in compliance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution of February 2015 to act against militants active in oil-rich countries such as Iraq, Syria and Libya. With this, India joined the worldwide efforts to squeeze terror finances.
The Union Commerce Ministry in its notification has prohibited the trade of oil and refined oil products (hydrocarbons) and items of scientific, cultural (including antiquities)and religious importance with the IS and related terrorist organizations.
13. Rahul Yadav sacked as CEO of Housing.com
The board of Housing.com sacked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder Rahul Yadav with immediate effect. The decision was taken during the regular board meeting held in New Delhi.
The board unanimously agreed to sack Yadav saying that his behaviour towards investors and media was not befitting of a CEO and is detrimental to the company.
The board further said that Yadav will not be an employee or part of the SoftBank backed portal in any manner, the company said.
Since last few months Yadav has hogged the limelight, first for putting in his papers questioning the intellectual capability of his company’s board and later in May 2015 for giving away all his holding in the company worth 2000 crore rupees to the employees.
Anisa Rasouli, the head of the Afghan Women Judges Association and a former juvenile court judge, was nominated as the first ever female Supreme Court judge of Afghanistan.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani nominated her name as the female judge of the nine-member bench Supreme Court and now, Rasouli’s nomination will require an approval from the Parliament.
Under the Afghan Constitution, Supreme Court judges have a fixed tenure of ten-years.
2. Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan appointed as CFO of Tata Motors' Group
Chandrasekaran Ramakrishnan was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of India's biggest auto maker Tata Motors' Group with immediate effect. With this, he will continue as Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel for Tata Motors Limited.
Now, CFOs of all Tata Motors subsidiaries like Jaguar Land Rover, Daewoo will report to Ramakrishnan. Chandrasekaran has been the CFO of Tata Motors since 2007 and was one of the senior executives to bring Jaguar Land Rover under the company's fold in 2008.
3. U P Singh appointed as Interim CMD of Oil India Limited
U P Singh was appointed as the Interim Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of state-run Oil India Limited. He succeeded S K Srivastava, who superannuated on 1 July 2015.
U P Singh is a Joint Secretary (Exploration) under Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Singh was made acting chairman after questions were raised over selection of Rupshikha Saikia Borah, Director (Finance), OIL by government headhunters Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB).
4. Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher named for US Presidential Award
Darshan Jain, an Indian-American teacher from Illinois, US in July 2015 was named for prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by President Barack Obama.
Along with Jain, President named 108 Mathematics and Science teachers as recipients of the Award.
Jain has taught mathematics at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois for eight years. Right now, he is serving the school as the director of mathematics. He is a BA in mechanical engineering and a MS in secondary mathematics education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
5. Sanjeev Galande selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014
Sanjeev Galande was selected for G D Birla Award for Scientific Research for 2014. The name was announced by the K K Birla Foundation and he is the 24th recipient of the award.
Prof. Galande is a professor of Biology and Team Leader at the Centre of Excellence in Epigenetics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He joined IISER in 2010 and his focus area is epigenetics and studies regulation of gene expression, and nuclear organization and function. Epigenetics is an area of study about changes that influence gene function.
Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby, the World Health Organisation has announced.
The WHO’s director general, Margaret Chan, said it was “one of the greatest public health achievements possible” and an important step towards an Aids-free generation.
Over the past five years, Caribbean countries have had increased access to antiretroviral drugs as part of a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.
HIV and syphilis testing for pregnant women and their partners, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding have also contributed to the breaking of the infection chain, said the WHO.
7. Industrial Policy 2015 for Chandigarh city launched
The Governor of Punjab, Haryana and Administrator of UT Chandigarh Kaptan Singh Solanki released the Industrial Policy 2015 for the Chandigarh city. The policy is aimed at boosting employment and motivates medium and small industries in the city.
The policy was formulated by the Department of Industries after inviting suggestions from Industries Association of Chandigarh, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chandigarh.
The Industrial Policy will be reviewed at periodic intervals by the Administration.
Highlights of the Industrial Policy 2015
• The objectives of the policy are to promote non-polluting industry in Chandigarh and to maximize production, achieve higher productivity through modern and efficient work techniques and optimum utilization of available resources.
• The services like water connection, sewer connection, acknowledgement under Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (MSMED, Act 2006) and power connection, CST/TIN number, and license services under Factories Act, 1948 will be provided in a time bound manner.
• If the department does not provide these services within the prescribed time limit, the services will then be deemed to have been approved.
• The administration would start self certification under various Acts of the Labour Law and exemption would also be given from inspection there under. VAT forms will now be issued online.
• Under the policy, the administration will set up a Centre of Excellence for fasteners/nut screws/tractor parts and bath fitting enterprises.
• Certain additional activities such as IT/Electronics Hardware/Software/ITES units are allowed in Industrial areas.
• Industrial plots vacant in Industrial Area will be allotted as per the policy of the Administration
• The policy mandated creation of online single window system by 2 October 2015. This would save the new and existing entrepreneurs from the hassle of going from one office to another for various applications.
8. Digital Guddi-Gudda Board of Jalgaon district adopted as Best Practice under BBBP scheme
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development adopted the ‘Digital Guddi-Gudda Board’ as a Best Practice under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme. It was named as the best practice on the occasion of Digital India Week that is being observed from 1 July to 7 July 2015.
The Digital Guddi-Gudda Board is an innovation of District Jalgaon in Maharashtra. It was initiated by its Collector, Rubal Aggarwal with the support of Raksha Khadse, Member of Parliament from Raver and AT Nana Patil, Member of Parliament from Jalgaon.
Features of the digital board
• It works as a platform for dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Material on BBBP.
• It is also used to update monthly birth statistics.
• It displays audio video material as well as still frames for disseminating information.
9. Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme launched in Haryana
The Haryana Government launched the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon scheme, aimed at providing 24 hour uninterrupted power supply to rural domestic consumers in a phased manner with their active participation.
With this, Haryana became the first state in the country to launch such an innovative voluntary scheme. The state will bear an additional expenditure of 15 to 20 lakh rupees per village for implementation of this scheme.
Highlights of the Mhara Gaon- Jagmag Gaon Scheme
• The scheme is aimed at strengthening the distribution network system for the convenience of the people.
• In the first phase of the scheme, 83 feeders have been identified covering 310 villages having minimum line losses and which have made payment of their electricity bills. Power supply would be ensured for 15 hours in these villages instead of 12 hour power supply they were getting at present.
• The consumers in these 310 villages falling under these 83 feeders would now be urged to install their meters outside their houses and get their old electricity wires replaced with insulated wires.
• If this happens, power supply in these villages would then be increased by three more hours and these would be supplied power for 18 hours. In the next step, the power supply would be further increased to 21 hours on those feeders where the payment of bills would cross the mark of 90 percent.
• The feeders where the outstanding amount of electricity bills has been paid in five equal installments, their penalty and interest would be waived off and power supply for 24 hours would be ensured on those feeders.
• Bijli Panchayat would also be organized in all villages falling under such feeders. The officers of electricity department would also be present in these panchayats who would resolve the complaints of consumers on the spot.
• Complaints like replacement of meters, electricity wire, installment of new poles and enhancement of load will be resolved within a week.
• Apart from this, a Nodal Officer of the level of a Junior Engineer will also be appointed on every feeder, who will coordinate various activities at village level to ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.
• Under the scheme, the electricity bills will depict the information like line losses on the particular feeder and pending amount of electricity bill so as to ensure transparency.
10. CCEA approved Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval to the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of National Agricultural Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF). The scheme envisages creation of a common electronic platform deployable in 585 regulated markets across the country with an outlay of 200 crore rupees from 2015-16 to 2017-18.
Key characteristics of the scheme
• Common e-platforms will be set up by Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) through the Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC). These platforms will provide farmers and traders with access to opportunities for purchase/sale of agri-commodities at optimal prices in a transparent manner across the country.
• SFAC will be the lead agency for the development of the National e-Market by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. It will implement the national e-platform in three phases with 250 mandis targeted to be integrated with e-platform in 2015-16, 200 mandis in 2016-17 and 135 mandis in 2017-18.
• DAC will meet expenses on software and its customisation for the States and provide it free of cost to the States and UTs.
• DAC will also give grant as one time fixed cost subject to the ceiling of 30 lakh rupees per Mandi for related equipment/infrastructure in the 585 regulated mandis, for installation of the e-market platform.
• Big private mandis will also be allowed access to the e-platform for purposes of price discovery. However they will not be supported with any funds for equipment / infrastructure.
• The Scheme is applicable on All-India basis and there is no State wise allocation under the Scheme though States would need to meet the pre-requisites in carrying out necessary agri-marketing reforms. These pre-requisites are:
a) a single license to be valid across the State
b) single point levy of market fee and
c) provision for electronic auction as a mode for price discovery
11. CCEA approved Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yoiana (PMKSY)
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for a new scheme called Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The Yojana was approved with an outlay of 50000 crore rupees over a period of five years, that is, from 2015-16 to 2019-20 and the allocation for the financial year 2015-16 has been kept at 5300 crore rupees.
Aim of PMKSY
Bringing concerned Ministries/Departments/Agencies/Research and Financial Institutions engaged in creation/use/recycling/potential recycling of water under a common platform so that a comprehensive and holistic view of the entire water cycle is taken into account and proper water budgeting is done for all sectors namely, household, agriculture and industries.
Objectives of PMKSY
(i). To provide convergence to existing schemes of water management, thus bringing efficiency to the use of water
(ii). Expand cultivable area under assured irrigation (Har Khet ko pani)
(iii). Improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of water
(iv). Enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop)
(v). Enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility of reusing treated municipal based water for peri-urban agriculture
(vi). Attract greater private investment in precision irrigation system
12. India banned trade with ISIS, other terror groups
India announced a ban on trade with the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-linked entities, the al-Nusra Front and other groups and individuals associated with the Al-Qaeda.
The move comes in compliance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution of February 2015 to act against militants active in oil-rich countries such as Iraq, Syria and Libya. With this, India joined the worldwide efforts to squeeze terror finances.
The Union Commerce Ministry in its notification has prohibited the trade of oil and refined oil products (hydrocarbons) and items of scientific, cultural (including antiquities)and religious importance with the IS and related terrorist organizations.
13. Rahul Yadav sacked as CEO of Housing.com
The board of Housing.com sacked the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and co-founder Rahul Yadav with immediate effect. The decision was taken during the regular board meeting held in New Delhi.
The board unanimously agreed to sack Yadav saying that his behaviour towards investors and media was not befitting of a CEO and is detrimental to the company.
The board further said that Yadav will not be an employee or part of the SoftBank backed portal in any manner, the company said.
Since last few months Yadav has hogged the limelight, first for putting in his papers questioning the intellectual capability of his company’s board and later in May 2015 for giving away all his holding in the company worth 2000 crore rupees to the employees.
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