January 2016 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Dress Code For Devotees Visiting Tamil Nadu Shrines From January

Devotees entering temples in Tamil Nadu will have to follow a new dress code from January 1st as several important shrines have put up notice boards highlighting this.The dress code for entering the temples was being followed on the orders of the Madras High court on December 1st. According to a notice board outside the Palani temple, male devotees have been advised to wear dhoti, shirt, pyjama or pant and shirt while women and girls should wear saris or churidhar or ‘pavadai’ with half-sari. Devotees wearing lungi, bermudas, jeans and tight-leggings would not be allowed.

Jharkhand first state to sign MoU with Centre for power scheme UDAY

Jharkhand state become first state in country to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme with Union Government on 5 January 2016. In this regard a tripartite MoU was signed between the state government, Union Ministry of Power and state power distributor Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL). With this, the total number of states that would be joining UDAY become 15. The other states that are on board UDAY are Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu&Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Besides, four major states — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Odisha have already given their in-principle approval to join UDAY.

Kerala became first State to achieve 100% primary education

Kerala became the first state in the country to achieve 100 percent primary education.This was declared by the Vice President of India Hamid Ansari on 12th January 2016 at a special ceremony organised at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The success of Kerala in achieving total primary education can be attributed to various initiatives undertaken by the Kerala Literacy Mission in the last two decades. Especially, the Athulyam Scheme, which was implemented in two stages, played a key role in addressing the educational needs of illiterate adults. The second stage of the scheme, namely Mission 676, targeted those between ages 15 and 50 who, for one reason or the other, dropped out of the formal education process. Prior to the Athulyam Scheme, the fourth standard equivalency programme was started in 2000 in association with local bodies. As a result, Kannur became the first district in the country to achieve total primary education in 2001.

Maharashtra Government inks MoU with Tata Trust for skill training of youth

The Maharashtra Government and Tata Trust on 19 January 2016 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a skill training programme for the youth in the state. The programme has been undertaken under the Maharashtra Government’s Kushal Maharashtra, Rojgaryukt Maharashtra initiative.

Bihar Government announced 35% reservation for women in all govt jobs

Bihar government on 19 January 2016 announced 35% reservation to women in government jobs in the state at all levels.The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by chief minister Nitish Kumar. The state government which had provided 35% reservation to women in police job extended it in all other jobs.Other important decisions approved by the cabinet included a proposal to increase entry tax on electronic items, bidi and tobacco items, ready made garments and footwear among others in the range of 5% to 12%.

Decmber 2015 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Broad gauge rail line in Assam

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has inaugurated the land mark Silchar-Lumding broad gauge rail line in the state of Assam. The rail lines brings Assam’s under developed Barak Valley on the broad gauge map. The Lumding-Silchar broad gauge line project under Northeast Frontier Railway was sanctioned in 1996-97 and was declared a National Project in 2004.

Maharashtra is the biggest economy in India

The latest report by credit rating agency Brickwork Ratings said that Maharashtra is the biggest economy in India at Rs. 16.87 lakh crore in terms of gross state domestic product (GSDP). Maharashtra is followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra’s GSDP has grown by 11.69 per cent for the financial year ended March 31, 2015. Maharashtra earns approximately 70 per cent of its total receipts through tax revenue.

First International festival on Birds in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Government has launched International festival on Birds to promote state as an international bird-watching destination. The three-day international festival (from 4 to 6 December 2015) on birds was inaugurated by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) in Agra. It has been jointly organised by the State Forest department in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). Over 80 Indian ornithlogists and around 25 top international bird experts and are participating in the first-of-its-kind festival.

NGT bans registration of new diesel-run vehicles in Delhi

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ordered ban on registration of new diesel-run vehicles in Delhi to curb the growing menace of air pollution in the capital city. The ban on registration of new diesel vehicles will be valid till 6th January 2016. NGT also ordered the central and state government to stop buying diesel cars in Delhi.

Delhi became first state to implement Road Safety recommendations

To deal with traffic violations in the city, the Delhi Traffic Police decided to start implementing recommendations of the Supreme Court appointed committee chaired by Justice KS Radhakrishnan from 15 December 2015 onwards. With this decision, Delhi Traffic Police is the first in the country to implement the directions of the Supreme court appointed three-member committee on Road Safety. Expected Effects of implementation include Suspension of driving licences for three months and other fines for drunken driving, over-speeding, using mobile phone while driving, and carrying passengers in goods vehicles. Fines for first offence and subsequent offences in case of over speeding will be 400 rupees and 1000 rupees respectively and others.

November 2015 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

2016 South Asian Rugby Championship in Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir Valley will host South Asian Rugby 7’S Championship in 2016. The decision was made during the 131st Standing Committee meeting of J-K State Sports Council. The championship will be held at Bakhshi Stadium from 18 June to 20 June 2016. The Championship will be participated by eight teams consisting of 180 participants from various countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India.

India’s first Paragliding World Cup

The 2015 Paragliding World Cup (PWC) was held in Bir village of Himachal Pradesh. It was for the first time India hosted a PWC and it is the biggest aero sport event held in India so far. Ajay Kumar from India emerged as the best pilot by positioning himself at the 31st rank overall. Gurpreet Dhindsa (63) and Arvind Paul (70) were the only two other Indians figured in the top 100 list. At the end of the event, while Swiss pilot Michael Kuffer topped the table in the men’s category, Yuki Sato of Japan topped the table in the women’s league.

Maharashtra approved APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna

The Maharashtra Government on 3 November 2015 approved a revised scheme, named APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Yojna, for pregnant and lactating women in the tribal areas of the state. The scheme aims at providing at least one full hot cooked nutritious food to every pregnant lady and lactating mother. The food will be provided for six months, beginning from third trimester of pregnancy to the three months period after delivery. The meal will include pulses, rice, fruits, vegetables and boiled eggs with occasional supply of milk.

Indian Railways signed MoU with Odisha

The Odisha Government and Indian Railways on 4 November 2015 inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementation of railway projects in the state. The MoU aims at forming a Joint Venture Company to develop railway infrastructure in Odisha.

Northeast India’s first elephant hospital at Kaziranga National Park

Northeast India’s first exclu-sive hospital for elephants has been established at the Kazir-anga National Park in Assam. The hospital was set up at Mark Shand Memorial Learning Centre in Kaziranga National Park. It was inaugurated by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild who is founding patron of the UK-based charity Elephant Family. Kaziranga National Park was designated with National Park status in 1968 and was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its unique natural environment.

October 2015 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Jammu & Kashmir High Court ruled that Article 370, granting special status to the state is permanent

Jammu and Kashmir High court has ruled that Article 370, granting special status to the state, has assumed place of permanence in the Constitution and the feature is beyond amendment, repeal or abrogation. The Court also said that Article 35A gives “protection” to existing laws in force in the State. Article 370 though titled as ‘Temporary Provision’ and included in Para XXI titled ‘Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions’ has assumed place of permanence in the Constitution.

‘House of Kalam’ launches international foundation in Chennai

Three months after former President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam died, his family ‘House of Kalam’ has launched an international foundation to carry forward his good deeds and accomplish the vision envisaged by Abdul Kalam. Legendary music director Illayaraja officially launched the logo of the foundation and pledged his support for the initiative. The family promised that it will realise the dreams of Dr Kalam and hold his flag of education and human values.

Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu declared as ‘AMRUT’ town

Rameshwaram town in Tamil Nadu has been declared as ‘AMRUT’ town on 15 October, 2015 by the Minister of Urban Development. Rameshwaram has been included in Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for providing basic urban infrastructure.

Tamil Nadu Government banned drug Ketoprofen to save vultures

Tamil Nadu in the second week of October 2015 banned the use of Ketoprofen, a non-steroid antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), which is used extensively for veterinary purposes. The step has been taken to save critically endangered vultures in the state.This drug has been banned in the three western districts of state viz in Erode, Coimbatore and Nilgiris where the vulture population is in danger.

Swadhar Greh scheme approved by Haryana Government for women in distress

The Haryana Government on 18 October 2015 approved Swadhar Greh scheme, which will assure economic and social security to women in distress. The scheme aims at creating a supportive institutional framework catering to their primary needs in difficult situations. The scheme will work upon providing basic amenities, such as shelter, food, clothing and health along with economic and social security to women in distress.

September 2015 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Punjab Government wins award for achievement in rooftop solar power output

Punjab Government has won first award in the category of highest capacity addition in grid connected solar rooftop power in the country during the financial year 2014-15. It is one of 5 awards won by Punjab New and Renewable Energy Department (PNRED) for outstanding performance in the various fields of Renewable Energy and Power Generation.

West Bengal Government declassified 64 secret files on Subhash Chandra Bose

West Bengal Government on 18 September in Kolkata declassified 64 secret files on ‘Netaji’ Subhash Chandra Bose. The declassified files contained total 12,744 pages. The files were kept under secrecy for 70 years. The files are being kept at Kolkata police museum. It will be open for public from September 21.

A stadium with the name of Sachin in Kerala

The Kerala Cricket Asso-ciation (KCA) decided to name a newly built cricket stadium in the name of Sachin Tendulkar. There is already a pavilion in the name of Sachin at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi. Sachin Tendulkar act as brand ambassador for the National Games of 2015 which were held in Kerala.

Perumanna Grama Panchayat becomes first Panchayat in Kerala to declare a water policy

In Kerala, Perumanna Grama Panchayat in Kozhikode district has become the first Panchayat in the State, to declare a water policy on the lines of the State government’s water policy declared in 2008.The water policy of Perumanna was drafted with the help of the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management, Kunnamangalam, after a detailed study of water resources and usage in the Panchayat over the last two years.

Rajasthan Assembly passed two bills on Reservations

Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on 22 September 2015 passed two seperate bills providing for 5 percent and 14 percent reservation for Specially Backward Classes (SBC) and Economically Backward Classes (EBC) respectively. The purpose of the bills is to ensure advancement of backward communities and financially weaker sections fo unreserved categories in the State. The names are Rajasthan Special Backward Classes Bill 2015 and Rajasthan Economically Backward Classes Bill 2015.

August 2015 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Union Government signed historic peace accord with NSCN (I-M)

Union Government on 3 August 2015 signed a landmark peace accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah (NSCN (I-M)), putting an end to almost two decades long pending peace talks.The signing of the pact is the end of over 80 rounds of negotiations that spanned 16 years with first breakthrough in 1997 when ceasefire agreement was sealed. Government’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi. inked the document on behalf of the Union government, while NSCN (IM) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah were the signatories on behalf of the Naga organisation.

Jharkhand empowered ACB to arrest Ministers & civil servants in bribery cases without permission: Jharkhand Government on 4 August 2015 empowered Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to arrest Minister, MLA and senior civil servants without taking permission from the concerned authorities in cases of being caught on taking bribes.The decision to change the rule of ACB was taken during the state’s cabinet meet chaired by Chief Minister Raghubar Das. With this, the earlier known Vigilance Bureau has been given new name and greater power.

Rajasthan HC banned ‘Santhara’ ritual in Jain Community:

The Rajasthan High Court banned Jain’s ritual ‘Santhara’ (a voluntary and systematic fasting to death), making it punishable under IPC Section 306 (Abetment of Suicide). The ban on the Jain ritual comes after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by human rights activist and advocate Nikhil Soni a decade ago. The activist claimed the ritual is a social evil and should be considered as suicide.

Amitabh Bachchan as Brand Ambassador for ‘Save the Tiger’ campaign of Maharashtra:

To promote eco tourism, especially tiger tourism in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Govt. appointed Amitabh Bachchan as ambassador for Maharashtra’s “Save the Tiger“ campaign. At present Maharashtra has six tiger reserves and the tiger population has increased from 103 in 2006 to 169 in 2010,according to the tiger census.

Gujarat to become 1st state to launch ‘agro-solar policy’

‘Agro-solar policy’ is to be launched in Gujarat, making it the first state in India to do so. Under this policy, the farmers will have to tap energy from the sun. This will help them earn additional income from power generation companies. According to officials in Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute, farmers and power generation companies will be in a win-win situation with generation of solar energy in agricultural fields.

July 2015 Year State Current Affairs Bit Bank

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Adani Group To Set Up 650 MW Solar Power Plant in Tamil Nadu

Adani Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tamil Nadu Government to set up 650 Mega Watt (MW) solar power plant in Ramanathapuram district. The group will set up five solar power units at a cost of 4,536 crore rupees.

Uttar Pradesh Tops List of States with Highest Mobile Penetration

Uttar Pradesh has highest number of households with a mobile phone (86.63 per cent). In other hand Odisha (33.56 per cent) has the least number of households with a mobile phone as per the Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011.

Asia’s First Armed Forces Preparatory Institute For Women

Asia’s first ever institute to train young women to join armed forces Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute was inaugurated by the Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Mohali, Punjab on 25 July. With 25 girls being selected, the one-of-its-kind institute will equip students with skills required in army, navy and air force.

India’s First Railway-Line Built Under PPP model Inaugurated In Gujarat

Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu on 14 July inaugurated the broad-gauge railway-line between Gandhidham and Tuna-Tekra Port in Gujarat by flagging off a goods train.The rail line is India’s first railway-line built with private sector participation under Non-Government Railway (NGR) Policy 2012 of Indian Railways.