Namaste Orchha festival
Context :
The three-day-long Namaste Orchha festival kick-started to promote tourism showcasing the rich culture and history of the town.
The festival was organized by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to improve the state as a leading tourism destination. Brijender Singh Rathore announced the construction of the bridge for Betwa and the Jamni river. The Permission has been granted to build Bridge for Jamni and Betwa. The tenders have been passed for the same.
About Namaste Orchha festival :
- Namaste Orchha is an initiative by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to promote the state as a leading tourism destination in India.
- Madhya Pradesh government plans to develop the ancient Ram Raja Temple in Orchha into a major pilgrimage and tourist attraction on the lines of Somnath Temple, Tirumala Tirupati, and Golden Temple.
- The exhibitions with the majestic Orchha fort, showcasing the state handicraft heritage and legacies, sustainable fashion and design presentations in collaboration with master-craftsmen and well known global-local brands.
- The debut edition of the festival also brings forth a unique set of dance performances that narrate the hidden history of the town. The festival will feature diverse activities of music, art, wellness, travel, nature, adventure, history, and culture on the other two editions of the program.
- Notably, Orchha won the Best Heritage City at the National Tourism Awards 2017-18 and is on the shortlist for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Mineral Law Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha
Context :
The Lok Sabha approves Mines and Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill over the Delhi violence and other issues.
Mines and Mineral Laws :
The Bill proposes to remove end-use restrictions for participating in coal mine auctions, and it will open up the coal sector fully for commercial mining for all domestic and global companies. The process for the passage of the bill was underway when the House was adjourned following protests by Opposition members over controversial remarks by a Rajasthan MP against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her family members.
Highlights :
- The bill explains about the coal sector completely for commercial mining. It intends to remove end-use restrictions to participate in coal mine auction.
- The ordinance allows coal mining by any company present in industries other than steel and power and does away with the captive end-use criteria.
- While the move will help create an efficient energy market, usher, in competition, and reduce coal imports, it may also bring an end to state-run Coal India Ltd’s (CIL) monopoly.
- It is world’s fourth-largest coal reserves, India imported 235 million tonnes (mt) of coal last year, of which 135mt valued at ₹171,000 crore could have been met from domestic reserves, coal and mines minister.
Source : pib
Mahila Sabhas on the International Women’s Day
Context :
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has directed all the States and Union Territories to organise Special Gram Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas (Women’s Assemblies) in all Gram Panchayats on 8th March, 2020 to mark the International Women’s Day.
Theme :
- The theme of the International Women’s Day 2020 is “Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”.
- The Gram Sabhas will hold discussions on “Poshan Panchayat”, land rights, education, safety, reproductive health and equal opportunity.
- It will also highlight issues like the importance of breastfeeding during the first 1,000 days of the new-borns for their ideal physical and mental growth; and raising awareness about Child Helpline – 1098.
Role of Women in Panchayati Raj Institution :
- PRI was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.
- The act provides for a Gram Sabha as the foundation of the panchayati raj system.
- The act provides for the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging the SCs and STs).
- So far 20 States have enacted legislation to raise women’s reservation to 50% in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- As a result, out of the 30.41 lakh elected representatives of PRIs, 13.74 lakh (45.2%) are elected women, some of them from socially disadvantaged groups.
Child Adoption Regulatory Authority (CARA)
Context :
The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has invited suggestions and feedback for simplification of the adoption process from all stakeholders, including prospective adoptive parents, specialized adoption agencies, child welfare committees, state adoption resource agencies and the general public.
Adoption in India :
In India, an Indian citizen or a non-resident Indian (NRI) can adopt a child under the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act of 1956 and the Guardian and Wards Act of 1890.
Eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents :
- The prospective adoptive parents shall be physically, mentally and emotionally stable, financially capable and shall not have any life-threatening medical condition.
- Any prospective adoptive parents, irrespective of his marital status and whether or not he has biological son or daughter, can adopt a child subject to following, namely: –
- the consent of both the spouses for the adoption shall be required, in case of a married couple;
- a single female can adopt a child of any gender;
- a single male shall not be eligible to adopt a girl child;
- No child shall be given in adoption to a couple unless they have at least two years of stable marital relationship.
- The minimum age difference between the child and either of the prospective adoptive parents shall not be less than twenty-five years.
- The age criteria for prospective adoptive parents shall not be applicable in case of relative adoptions and adoption by step-parent.
- Couples with three or more children shall not be considered for adoption except in case of special need children.
About CARA :
- Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory body of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.
- It functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.
- CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptionsin accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003.
- CARA primarily deals with adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated /recognised adoption agencies.
- CARA is also mandated to frame regulations on adoption-related matters from time to time as per Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
North East Venture Fund (NEVF)
Context :
The NEVF (North East Venture Fund) disbursed over Rs.18 crore to 12 start-ups till date- information given in Parliament.
About North East Venture Fund (NEVF) :
- Launched in September 2017.
- Set up by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi)in association with Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (M-DoNER).
- It is a close ended fund with capital commitment of Rs 100 crore.
- It is the first dedicated venture capital fund for the North Eastern Region.
- Objective: to contribute to the entrepreneurship development of the NER and achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns through long term capital appreciation by way of investments in privately negotiated equity/ equity related investments.
- The investment under this schemer ranges from Rs. 25 lakh to Rs.10 crore per venture, which is long term in nature with investment horizon of 4-5 years.