AT Kearney FDI Confidence Index
India has slipped by three notches to 11th position in the FDI Confidence Index 2018 of global consultancy firm A T Kearney, down from 8 in 2017 and 9 in 2016.
India in 2018 has fallen out of the top 10 destinations for FDI in terms of its attractiveness.
The report highlighted several of the reforms — such as removing the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and liberalising FDI limits in key sectors — that have maintained India’s high rankings in terms of FDI attractiveness.
The top 3 countries were:
(1) United States
(2) Canada
(3) Germany
It headquarters is in Franklin Center in Chicago, United States.
Topic-GS-2- Organisations and agencies
Source- Economic Times
National Culture Fund
As per the latest data, about Rs. 904.80 Lakhs has been received as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under NCF for development Works at Historic Monuments in last 3 yrs.
Related Information
National Culture Fund (NCF)
National Culture Fund (NCF), under the Ministry of Culture, was set up in 1996, as a Trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890, with a view to mobilizing extra resources through Public-Private Partnerships.
It is headed by Hon’ble Culture Minister for deciding the policies.
The Executive Committee headed by Secretary, Culture actualizes those policies.
The donations or contributions under NCF are eligible for 100% tax deduction under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Topic-GS-2-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Source-PIB
Parliament passes Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill
The Lok Sabha passed the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2018 that seeks to punish bribe-givers and bribe-takers.
The Bill provides for jail terms of three to seven years, besides fine, to those convicted of taking or giving bribes to public officials.
The Bill also extends the ambit of public servants who will be protected by the provision of a prior government sanction for prosecution.
There is also a provision now to get prior permission for starting an investigation and that has prompted many to say that the law has been “diluted” from its original draft.
Topic-GS- 2-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Source- The Hindu
The sharp decline in maternal, infant mortality rates in India
India has achieved a remarkable feat in arresting maternal and infant mortality rates and would surpass SDG goals of reducing maternal mortality to 70 per lakh live births by 2025 instead of the target of 2030.
The maternal mortality rate (MMR) per lakh live births has reduced to 130 in the country while there has been a significant improvement in checking infant mortality rate (IMR) deaths.
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have shown significant performance.
The low performing states are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir.
Related Information
Infant Mortality Rate
Infant Mortality Rate refers to the deaths of infants under the age of one year per 1,000 live births.
Maternal Mortality Rate
Maternal mortality Rate refers to the number of women who die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth complications per 100,000 live births in a given year.
Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY)
It was launched on 12 April 2005 by the Prime Minister of India.
It aims to decrease the neonatal and maternal deaths happening in the country by promoting institutional delivery of babies. This is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
It is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme it integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care.
Topic- GS- 3- Inclusive Development
Source- The Indian express
Swachh Survekshan Grameen launched in UP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra
The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) announced by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on July 13th, 2018, was launched by three States.
Under the SSG 2018, an independent survey agency will conduct the survey in all districts from 1st to 31st August 2018.
The results will be announced in the form of a ranking of all districts and States on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation (Swachhata) parameters. The top-performing States and Districts are expected to be awarded on 2nd October 2018.
Related Information
Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018
Under Ministry of drinking water and sanitation
It is a rural cleanliness survey to rank all states and districts.
It is conducted by an independent survey agency.
Topic-GS-2- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Source-PIB
The government reviewed the implementation of ambitious reform initiative for the Indian Army based on recommendations of a committee headed by Lt Gen (retd) DB Shekatkar.
Shekatkar Committee was tasked with suggesting steps to enhance combat capability of the armed forces.
Formed by Ministry of Defence in the year 2016.
Some measures as recommended by the Committee and taken up for implementation include:
Optimization of Signals Establishments
Restructuring of repair echelons in the Army
Better utilization of Supply and Transportation echelons and Animal Transport Units.
Closure of Military Farms and Army Postal Establishments in peace locations.
Enhancement of standards for recruitment of clerical staff and drivers in the Army.
Improving the efficiency of the National Cadet Corps.
Topic-GS-2- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Source-PIB
Khelo-India scholarships
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has finalised 734 names under the Khelo India Talent Identification Development scheme for training and support.
The High Powered Committee for the first time also has accredited various private, state and SAI academies for nurturing talent. It has also accredited 21 non-SAI academies as well.
An annual stipend of ₹1.2 lakh will be given to each player on a quarterly basis to meet their out of pocket expenses, treatment of injuries and other expenses.
The identified youngsters would be trained at SAI, State-run and private academies with 21 non-SAI academies accredited according to the facilities available.
The names were cleared by the Sports Ministry’s High Powered Committee on the recommendation of the Talent Identification Committee (TIC) comprising Arjuna and Dronacharya Awardees.
The plan is to develop more such academies so that young athletes can get access to the best training without having to travel long distances.
Related Information
Khelo India Talent Identification Development scheme
The scheme was introduced by Ministry of Sports and Youth affairs to revive sports culture in India at the grass-root level.
The scheme is a unique programme to nurture sporting talent.
Through this programme, the athletes will get training at government-accredited residential academies.
Topic-GS-3- Inclusive Development
Source-PIB
The first meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Committee on Border Haats.
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement to set up six new border haats (markets) in the northeastern states adjoining the international border with Bangladesh by March 2019.
Currently, four border haats are operational, along with the India-Bangladesh border.
Two border haats are located in Meghalaya at Kalaichar and Balat and two are located in Tripura at Srinagar and Kamalasagar.
Related Information
Border Haats
Border haats means rural market.
It seeks to organize marketplace for the two countries for one day each week.
It acts as a reunion spot for families living on both sides of the border.
The border haats aim at promoting the wellbeing of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries, by establishing the traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets.
Topic- GS- 2- India and its neighbourhood- relations
Source-PIB
The expediting of 5 major dam projects saw an overall cost escalation of 2,341 per cent: CAG
The five are among a total 16 projects approved by the Indian Government as part of ‘a Scheme of National Projects’ for water resource development and irrigation.
The 16 projects identified before were languishing due to various constraints and hurdles including land acquisition, inter-state coordination, financial constraints and issues relating to rehabilitation and resettlement of affected populations.
Only five projects— Indira Sagar Polavaram Project in Andhra Pradesh, Gosikhurd Irrigation Project in Maharashtra, Shahpur Khandi Dam Project in Punjab, Saryu Nahar Pariyojana in Uttar Pradesh and Teesta Barrage Project in West Bengal—with an envisaged irrigation potential of 25.10 lakh hectares, are under implementation.
Related Information
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP)
AIBP was launched by the Centre from 1996-97 for extending loan assistance to states for the incomplete major/medium irrigation projects which were at an advanced stage of completion and to create additional irrigation potential in the country.
Topic- GS-3- Infrastructure
Source-PIB
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