- Abhay takes charge as new Narcotics Control Bureau DG
PS officer Abhay has taken charge as the new chief of the of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The 1986-batch police officer of Odisha cadre took charge as the Director General (DG) at the NCB headquarters in Delhi.
The NCB, under the command of the Union Home Ministry, is the apex coordinating and enforcement agency in the country against drug crimes and for countering drugs abuse.
- Indian-origin philanthropist in S Africa elected to PIO group
An Indian-origin philanthropist in South Africa has been elected to a US-based global organisation which works for the welfare of the community.
Ishwar Ramlutchman, an appointed Prince of the Zulu Kingdom, received 63 per cent of the votes in a tightly-fought election for the Executive Vice President of the new international executive council of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).
- Sonowal launches free CT Scan service at Majuli
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has launched a free CT Scan service under ‘Chief Minister Free Diagnostic Services’ at Shri Shri Pitambar Dev Goswami Civil Hospital in Majuli island.
The newly introduced CT Scan service installed at an expenditure of Rs two crore would greatly benefit the people of the district.
The state government has taken up several new schemes to ensure quality health care service in the government health institutions, Sonowal urged the people to take the benefit of schemes like Atal Amrit Yojana, CM Free Diagnostic Scheme, etc.
- Cabinet nod for AIIMS in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
The Union Cabinet has approved setting up of an AIIMS in Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh with an outlay of Rs 1,350 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Surakhsa Yojna (PMSSY).
The new AIIMS which will have 20 speciality and super speciality departments including 15 operation theatres will be completed in 48 months.
- Cabinet apprised of India-Italy pact on clean energy
The Cabinet was apprised of a pact between India and Italy for cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
India and Italy aim to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues.
The MoU envisages establishing a Joint Working Committee to review, monitor and discuss matters relation to areas of cooperation. It aims for exchange of expertise and networking of information and helps in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries
Majuli is world’s largest river island. It is also the home constituency of Sonowal.
- Cabinet nod to pact signed with US for co-hosting GES 2017
The Union Cabinet has gave its ex-post facto approval for a pact signed between India and the US for co-hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in India.
The MoU delineated the responsibilities, areas of co- operation, including logistics and venue related requirements between the parties for smooth conduct of the summit.
The GES-2017 was held in Hyderabad from November 28-30, 2017. The summit provided a forum to enhance economic opportunities to young entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs and marginalised groups in the long run.
- Meghalaya signs host city contract for 39th National Games
Meghalaya was signed the Host City Contract with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for hosting the 39th National Games in 2022.
The tripartite contract was signed between the IOA, the Meghalaya State Olympic Association and the state government.
Meghalaya had made the bid to host the 39th National Games after successfully co-hosting the South Asian Games last year.
| State sports director | Matsiewdor W Nongbri |
| Sports Minister | Zenith Sangma |
| IOA secretary general | Rajiv Mehta |
- Govt approves Rs 6,809-cr Zojila Pass tunnel project in J-K
The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of Asia’s longest bi-directional Zojila Pass tunnel at an estimated cost of Rs 6,089 crore, which will reduce the travel time between Srinagar and Leh to 15 minutes from the current 3.5 hours.
Zojila tunnel will be the longest bi-directional tunnel in Asia. The tunnel shall be a engineering marvel as first of its kind in such a geographical area.
The project would enhance the safety of travellers crossing Zojila Pass and reduce the travel time from 3.5 hours to 15 minutes.
- Cabinet nod to India, UK pact to improve public transport
The government has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and London’s transportation authority to improve public transport in the country.
The MoU is aimed at improving the overall public transport system, improve passenger services and promote the use of high capacity buses in India.
- Cabinet approves ICT cooperation pact between India, Belgium
The Cabinet has approved an agreement signed between India and Belgium to increase cooperation in the field of information and communication technology.
The agreement was signed between the two countries during the state visit of King Philippe of the Belgium to India on November 7, 2017.
The MoU intends cooperation between India and Belgium including sharing of best practices in the area of ICT&E policy, digital agenda technology and research with special emphasis on developing ICT&E manufacturing and services, e- governance…cyber security and to resolve issues of data adequacy, market access, trade and services
- Former Maharashtra Minister Madhukarrao Kimmatkar no more
Former Maharashtra Minister Madhukarrao Kimmatkar passed away. He was 86. Kimmatkar served as the minister of state of Finance, Labour as well as Law and Judiciary.
