RAJASTHAN

The Rajasthan government is contemplating to hand over development of the state’s two historical monuments to private companies even as the Union tourism ministry’s move to allow the Dalmia Bharat Ltd to “adopt” the Red Fort sparked controversy.

The plan is to develop the Amer Fort and Nahargarh Fort on PPP (public-private partnership) model but finer details are yet to be worked out.

Located on a hill in Amber, about 11 km from Jaipur, the 16th century Amer Fort is one of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan. The fort, which is constructed of red sandstone and marble, has large ramparts and series of gates and cobbled paths.

Nahargarh Fort, located on the outskirts of Jaipur, was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur.

INTERNATIONAL

· World Press Freedom Day is celebrated on 3rd May

Every year 3 May is a date which celebrated as the World Press Freedom Dayto evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
This year’s global theme for WPFD is ‘Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law’.
In 2018, UNESCO will lead the 25th celebration of World Press Freedom Day.
The main event, jointly organized by UNESCO and the Government of the Republic of Ghana, will take place in Accra, Ghana.

India has joined the U.S. and China as one of the world’s five biggest military spenders, reflecting geopolitical tensions as well as the country’s reliance on imported weapons and sprawling personnel costs.

India’s defense spending rose by 5.5 percent to $63.9 billion in 2017 and has now passed France, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute said in a report

According to the arms watchdog, the five top military spenders in 2017 were the US, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and India.

The WHO global air pollution database reveals that India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations, with the worst being Kanpur.

Kanpur topped the 2016 list with a PM 2.5 concentration of 173 micrograms per cubic metre, followed by Faridabad, Varanasi and Gaya.

NATIONAL

· Union Cabinet Approves Accession to Protocol under WHO Framework Convention

The Union Cabinet gave the approval to accede to the Protocol under World Health Organization (WHO)Framework Convention on tobacco control to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products.
It will be applicable to both smoking and chew or smokeless tobacco (SLT) forms as negotiated and adopted under Article 15 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).
India is a party to WHO FCTC.

The Union Cabinet chaired by chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for extending the investment limit from Rs 7.5 lakhs to Rs 15 lakhs as well as extension of time limits for subscription from 4^thMay 2018 to 31^stMarch, 2020 under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandan Yojana (PMVVY) as part of Government’s commitment for financial inclusion and social security.

Further, as a boost to the Social Security initiatives for senior citizens, the investment limit of Rs 7.5 lakh per family in the existing scheme is enhanced to Rs 15 lakh per senior citizen in the modified PMVVY, thereby providing a larger social security cover to the Senior citizens.

The PMVVY is being implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.

The scheme provides an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly / quarterly / half yearly and annual basis.

The differential return, i.e. the difference between the return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8% per annum would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) beyond 12th Five Year Plan for a period 2017-18 to 2019-20 with a financial outlay of Rs. 14,832 crores.

Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for his constant support, Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare said that the Government is consciously working towards improving health infrastructure as well as health manpower in the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the Umbrella Scheme, “Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana” in agriculture sector beyond 12^thFive Year Plan for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with the Central Share of Rs. 33,269.976 crore.

These schemes look to develop the agriculture and allied sector in a holistic and scientific manner to increase the income of farmers by enhancing production, productivity andbetter returns on produce.

The Schemes will be continued with an expenditure of Rs.33,269.976 crore for three financial years, i.e., 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Maharashtra became the first state to provide digitally-signed land record receipts (also known as 7/12 receipts), which Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed would check irregularities and bring in transparency.
The 7/12 receipt is the most important document which establishes the ownership of the land and is primarily used by farmers while applying for loans.
It is also used by the government during crop surveys and to extend various facilities.

The union government released the draft of the new Telecom policy named National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.
The policy aims at creating 40 lakh new jobs by 2022, attracting 100 billion US dollars investment in the sector and ensuring broadband coverage at 50 Mbps for every citizen.
The draft proposes one Gbps connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022. It also proposes to address woes of the Telecom sector by reviewing license fees, spectrum usage charges, the universal service obligation fund levy for enhancing ease of doing business in the sector.