Surat hosts the ‘Smart Cities, Smart Urbanization’ conference
The three-day “Smart Cities, Smart Urbanization” conference kicked off today in Surat. Under the clarion call of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM), given by Hon’ble Prime Minister to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Independence, the event is being organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, in collaboration with Surat Smart City Corporation Development Ltd.
KEY POINTS:
- The event’s chief guest was Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs. Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, delivered a video message to the audience.
- Shri Kaushal Kishore, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Ms Darshana Jardosh, Shri Vinod Moradiya, Minister of Urban Development and Urban Housing, Government of Gujarat, Dr Audimulapu Suresh, Minister of Education, Andhra Pradesh, Shri C.R. Patil, MP, and Smt. Hemali Kalpeshkumar Boghawala, Mayor, Surat, were among those who attended the inaugural session.
- The event was attended by all key urban stakeholders from the Central and State Governments, including Secretary, MoHUA Shri Manoj Joshi, Principal Secretaries of States/UTs, Municipal Commissioners of Cities, MDs/CEOs of 100 Smart Cities, State Level Nodal Agencies/ Mission Directorates, professionals, industry representatives, media, and members of academia.
- During the inaugural, award winners of the India Smart Cities Awards Contest (ISAC) 2020 were honoured with an awards distribution ceremony. In 2021, these prizes were first announced during a virtual conference.
However, because to the COVID-19 scenario at the time, the prize distribution ceremony was postponed. The Best City award went to Surat and Indore, and the Best State award went to Uttar Pradesh. Annexures I, II, and III contain a list of awards.
Important Takeaways:
- Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs: Shri Kaushal Kishore
- Minister of Education, Andhra Pradesh: Dr Audimulapu Suresh
- Mayor, Surat: Hemali Kalpeshkumar Boghawala
- Secretary, MoHUA: Shri Manoj Joshi
PM Modi inaugurated Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit 2022
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will open the Global Ayush Investment & Innovation Summit 2022 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The three-day conference will bring together key policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, startups, and other national and international players to discuss innovation and how India can become a global Ayush destination for entrepreneurship.
KEY POINTS:
- Shri Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius, and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will attend the summit’s opening ceremony, as will Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai.
- The global ayush investment and innovation conference 2022 will have 5 plenary sessions, 8 roundtables, 6 seminars, and 2 symposiums over the course of three days.
- After the opening ceremony, technical sessions will take place on the first day of the summit. Two roundtables will be held during these sessions, one on the diplomat’s conclave and the other on Indian ayush prospects for the rest of the globe.
- Embassy representatives from the Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mali, Mexico, Rwanda, Togo, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Chile, Cuba, Gambia, Jamaica, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, and the US Department of Health and Human Services will attend the diplomat conclave.
- The second roundtable on the first day will focus on collaboration – G2B interactions between major Ministries and Industries/Entrepreneurs/Start-ups, Ayush in FMCG sector, and globalisation of yoga certification.
- A plenary discussion on Ayush-Global Industry Prospects: Investment Opportunities will conclude the first day (Industry Size & Projections, Regulatory Aspects, Export of Products & Services).
The event, which will take place in several phases from April 20 to 22, 2022, will promote global awareness of Ayush education, research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and long-term health across all Ayush systems.
Important Takeaways:
- Prime Minister of Mauritius: Shri Pravind Jugnauth
- Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO): Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Insurance Scheme – PMGKP for health workers fighting COVID-19 extended
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP), an insurance policy for health care workers fighting COVID-19, has been extended for another 180 days. It was decided to extend the programme in order to continue to provide a safety net for the dependents of health workers assigned to COVID-19 patients.
KEY POINTS:
- A letter to this effect was sent to the Additional Chief Secretaries (Health)/Principal Secretaries (Health)/Secretaries (Health) of all States/UTs on April 19, 2022, requesting that they publicise the event widely among health workers in their respective States/UTs.
- The PMGKP was launched on March 30, 2020, to provide Rs. 50 lakh in comprehensive personal accident coverage to 22.12 lakh health care providers, including community health workers and private health care providers, who may have had direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and are at risk of being impacted.
- Private hospital staff/retired/volunteer/local urban bodies/contract/daily wage/ad-hoc/outsourced staff requisitioned by states/central hospitals/autonomous hospitals of central/states/UTs, AIIMS & Institute of National Importance (INI)/hospitals of Central Ministries specifically drafted for care of COVID-19 patients are also covered under the PMGKP due to the unprecedented situation.
So far, 1905 requests of health workers who perished while performing Covid-related tasks have been settled since the program’s inception.
PMGKP
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package is the full form of PMGKP. The plan covers death caused by COVID-19 and unintentional death caused by COVID-19 related duty. A sum of INR 50 lakhs will be given to the insured person’s claimant in the event of an occurrence. The system was first introduced last year, and policies under it will begin on March 30, 2020. Under this proposal, all government health centres, wellness centres, and hospitals in the federal and state governments will be covered, with about 22 lakh health workers receiving insurance coverage to combat the epidemic. The government recently established a new mechanism for the District Collector to certify claims, with the insurance provider approving and settling claims within 48 hours.
Mumbai to host India’s first International Cruise Conference
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and AYUSH, said that the 1st Incredible India International Cruise Conference-2022 will be hosted in Mumbai.
KEY POINTS:
- The two-day event in Mumbai is being organised by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mumbai Port Authority, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
- The Minister noted during a news conference in Mumbai that the Indian cruise market had the potential to develop tenfold over the next decade, owing to increased demand and disposable incomes.
- According to the minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship Sagarmala programme connects the ports of Chennai, Vizag, and Andaman with Goa, which attracts the most tourists.
- Sarbananda Sonowal also revealed the Conference’s brochure, logo, and mascot, Captain Cruzo. During the press conference, he also launched the event website, www.iiicc2022.in. The focus of the conference will be on Developing India as a Cruise Hub.
Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Rajiv Jalota, Chairman of the Mumbai Port Authority, and Sanjay Bandopadhyay, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India, all spoke at the event.
Important Takeaways:
- Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and AYUSH: Sarbananda Sonowal
- Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan
- Chairman of the Mumbai Port Authority: Rajiv Jalota
- Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India: Sanjay Bandopadhyay
Delhi’s new Chief Secretary has been appointed, Naresh Kumar
According to a home ministry notification released, senior IAS officer Naresh Kumar has been appointed as the chief secretary of Delhi. Kumar, an IAS officer from the 1987 batch of the AGMUT cadre, has been shifted from Arunachal Pradesh to Delhi. Before being transferred, he was the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh.
KEY POINTS:
- Following the voluntary retirement of Vijay Dev, IAS (AGMUT:1987), Naresh Kumar IAS (AGMUT:1987) is hereby appointed as chief secretary of GNCTD with effect from April 21, 2022 or from the day of joining, whichever is later.
- Kumar had previously served in Delhi as chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and managing director of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
- Dev, who stepped down as Delhi’s chief secretary after a voluntary retirement, will take over as the state’s election commissioner on April 21.
- Puduchery Chief Secretary Ashwini Kumar (Arunchal Goa Mizoram Union Territories (AGMUT): 1992) was also sent to Delhi, according to the Home Ministry decision.
- Dharmendra (AGMUT 1989), the current NDMC chairman, would be the new Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, according to the statement.
With the merger of the city’s three municipal corporations into the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), a key position of special officer has been formed, which requires an experienced officer to lead the civic body’s operations.
Important Takeaways:
- Puduchery Chief Secretary: Shri Ashwini Kumar
- NDMC chairman: Shri Naresh Kumar
SEBI reconstituted its advisory committee for leveraging regulatory and technology solutions
Securities and Exchange Board of India’s advisory council on leveraging regulatory and technological solutions has been reconstituted advisory committee on leveraging regulatory and technology solutions (ALeRTS). Sunil Bajpai will now lead the seven-member panel.
KEY POINTS:
- The Advisory Committee for ALeRTS will now be led by Sunil Bajpai, the former Principal Advisor (Information Technology) of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, according to SEBI’s website (TRAI).
- Puneet Narang, Deutsche Bank’s head of corporate banking technology in India, Girish Keshav Palshikar, TCS Research and Innovation’s Principal Scientist, Ratnakar Pandey, Amazon’s Senior Data Scientist, Rohan Rao, H2O.ai’s Senior Data Scientist, Subir Saha, ICICI Group’s Head of Compliance, and, ISD’s CGM, are among the other members of the committee. Harini Balaji
- In December 2021, SEBI established a seven-member committee for ALeRTS, which was chaired at the time by Madhabi Puri Buch, who is currently the regulator’s chairperson.
- The committee’s mission is to make recommendations for future roadmaps and enhancements to various ongoing technology initiatives. They will also assist SEBI in the design and setting of requirements for various in-house systems.
Furthermore, the committee assists the regulator in identifying relevant technological solutions from a domain viewpoint, as well as determining the suitability of SupTech/RegTech tools envisaged/proposed for use in-house to improve its capabilities.
Important Takeaways:
- Deutsche Bank’s head of corporate banking technology in India: Puneet Narang
- TCS Research and Innovation’s Principal Scientist: Girish Keshav Palshikar
For Rs 184 crore, HDFC will sell a 10% interest in HDFC Capital to Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
HDFC Ltd, a mortgage lender, announced the sale of a 10% share in its private equity arm, HDFC Capital Advisors, to an Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) wholly-owned subsidiary for Rs 184 crore on Wednesday.
KEY POINTS:
- ADIA is also the largest shareholder in HDFC Capital’s USD 3 billion alternative investment vehicles.
- HDFC Capital, which was established in 2016, is the investment manager for the HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Funds 1, 2, and 3. It is aligned with the government’s goal of increasing housing supply and supporting the Pradhan MantriAwas Yojana – ‘Housing for All’ initiative, according to a statement from HDFC Ltd.
- HDFC Capital manages funds that provide long-term, flexible capital for affordable and middle-income housing projects, including early-stage funding, according to the company.
- In addition, the funds will invest in technology businesses involved in the affordable housing ecosystem, such as fin-tech and clean-tech.
- HDFC said earlier this month that it would merge with HDFC Bank, the country’s largest private lender, to form a financial behemoth.
- According to stock exchange records, HDFC Bank will be 100% held by public shareholders after the merger is completed, with existing HDFC shareholders owning 41% of the bank.
World’s largest electric 3-wheeler making plant will set up in Telangana
Biliti Electric Inc (Biliti), based in California, United States of America, has announced its intention to establish the world’s largest electric three-wheeler manufacturing facility in Telangana. The plant will be built in 2 phases over an area of 200 acres. Phase I of 13.5 acres with a capacity to produce 18000 Electric Vehicles (EV) per year will become operational in 2023 and the larger facility of 200 acres with a production capacity of 240000 EV per year will become operational in 2024.
The facility will produce all the products of Biliti including the cargo model TaskmanTM and the passenger version UrbanTM. The facility is estimated to drive private investment of USD 150 million (around Rs 1,144 crore) and is expected to create more than 3000 jobs in Telangana.
Important takeaways for all competitive exams:
- Telangana Capital: Hyderabad;
- Telangana Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan;
- Telangana Chief minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao.
NITI Aayog and UNICEF India collaborated to develop India’s first report on State of India’s Children
The latest report on the State of India’s Children: Status and Trends in Multidimensional Child Development will be jointly developed and launched by NITI Aayog and UNICEF India. This was determined, when the two organisations signed a Statement of Intent (SoI), reiterating their joint commitment to achieving children’s rights in India.
Key Points:
- The report will create frameworks for understanding health and nutrition, education, water and sanitation, household living standards, and a child-friendly environment across states.
- This endeavour will contribute to India’s commitments to the 2030 Agenda by providing a set of policy suggestions for concerted action in terms of speeding progress toward the SDGs and ensuring holistic development for all children.
- One in every third person in India is a juvenile under the age of 18, while one in every fifth person is an adolescent between the ages of 10 and 19.
- The NITI Aayog and UNICEF India collaboration will develop the methods, technical analysis, reporting, and action planning for the first report on the ‘State of India’s Children,’ focusing on multidimensional aspects of child development such as health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation, protection, and other relevant issues.
- This project will take a whole-of-society approach, incorporating all stakeholders, including Union Ministries, State Governments, Academia, Civil Society Organisations, child rights and civil rights groups.
Important Takeaways for all Competitive Exams:
- Hyun Hee Ban, UNICEF India’s Chief of Social Policy
- Arjan de Wagt, Officer in Charge – Deputy Representative UNICEF
- Shri Amitabh Kant is presently posted as CEO, NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India).
