- Bengal’s Kanyashree initiative wins United Nations Public Service Award
The West Bengal Government’s Kanyashree Prakalpa was awarded the first prize in United Nations Public Service Award for Asia Pacific. Out of 552 initiatives from 62 different countries, West Bengal Government’s initiative was chosen the best.
The award was presented at The Hague, Netherlands. Kanyashree Prakalpa is a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in schools and other educational and skill development institutions and preventing child marriage.
- Premji to get Carnegie Medal for philanthropy
Wipro Chairman Azim Premji is among the recepients of this year’s Carnegie Medal, for his efforts to reform India’s public school system. Mr. Premji is among the nine recipients recognised “for their outstanding and innovative leadership in philanthropy”.
Carnegie Medal is considered the most prestigious prize in philanthropy. The Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy was established in 2001 and is awarded every two years.
- Indian anti hunger activist to be honoured by Queen Elizabeth II
Anti-hunger activist Ankit Kawatra is all set to receive the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award with 60 others from all 53 Commonwealth countries. Ankit Kwatra has been committed to solving problems of hunger and malnutrition in India. Queen Elizabeth II will honour him on June 29.
- Rajiv Gauba named new Home Secretary
The Union Cabinet’s appointments committee has appointed Rajiv Gauba as secretary in the union ministry for home affairs. He replaces Rajiv Mehrishi, who will retire on 30 August. An IAS officer of the 1982 Jharkhand batch, Gauba is currently posted as urban development secretary as officer on special duty. Gauba will join the home ministry on 30 August.
- In a first for Manipur, 24/7 helpline for women launched
To battle the ever increasing crimes against women in Manipur, the Biren Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has launched a toll free 24/7 helpline number 181 for women in the state.
This is first time in the history of Manipur. A helpline just for women was launched at Kuranga Nayani Hall, D C office complex of Lamphel by Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) and department of social welfare. The helpline 181 was launched by State Minister for Social Welfare and Corporation Nemcha Kipgen.
- Haryana govt to implement health insurance scheme for poor
To provide free health services to the poor, the Haryana government will implement a health insurance scheme in the state, for which it will bear the cost of premium. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also said the state was establishing medical colleges in every district to meet the shortage of doctors in government hospitals.
The Haryana government is also looking to provide modern healthcare services through medical colleges. Social service organisations are installing MRI and CT scan machines in government hospitals in five districts on PPP model.
- EPFO, HUDCO inked pact for housing subsidy under PMAY
Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has signed an MoU with the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) to enable members of its housing scheme to avail subsidy and interest subvention under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Under the housing scheme, the EPFO allows its subscribers for withdrawing up to 90 per cent of their EPF accumulations to buy homes.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi. Now, EPFO members can avail interest subsidy upto two lakh twenty thousand rupees in Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme through HUDCO and National Housing Bank for those members whose annual income is less that the amount specified in Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna.
- Centre approves proposal to set up airport in Greater Noida
The proposal for a greenfield airport in Jewar in Greater Noida was cleared by the Centre and is likely to be operational in the next 5-6 years. The airport has been planned to reduce the load of passengers on the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the country’s main aviation hub and one of its busiest airports. “In Delhi, we are expecting 91 million passengers by 2020 and 109 million passengers by 2024.
- RBI widens scope of Banking Ombudsman Scheme
The Reserve Bank the extended the scope of Banking Ombudsman Scheme under which banks could be penalised for misselling third-party products like insurance and mutual funds via mobile or electronic banking. The pecuniary jurisdiction of the Banking Ombudsman to pass an award has been doubled to Rs 20 lakh.
The RBI had widened the scope of its Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006, to include, inter alia, deficiencies arising out of sale of insurance, mutual fund, and other third-party investment products by banks.
- Narendra Modi holds talks with Portugal PM Antonio Costa, 11 pacts signed
India and Portugal have announced a €4 million joint fund to bolster research in science and technology as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in-depth talks with his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa on cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism, space and climate studies.
The agreements signed included cooperation in outer space, double taxation avoidance, nano technology, improving cultural ties, youth and sports, higher education and scientific research, and Portugal-India business hub and Indian Chamber of Commerce.
- Modi launches India-Portugal Intl Startup Hub in Lisbon
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa have launched the India-Portugal International Startup Hub, a platform developed to strengthen and foster the connection between the startup ecosystem of the two countries. Start-up sphere is an interesting space for cooperation.
The India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) is a platform for all stakeholders of the startup ecosystem in India, including startups, investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators, aspiring entrepreneurs, service providers and government bodies.
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