Gujarat Government Announced Biotechnology Policy
- With an aim to establish Gujarat as a’preferred destination for manufacturing of biotechnology products, the state government announced its ‘Biotechnology Policy-2016’.
- Under the policy, the State government would provide capital subsidy up to Rs 25 crore on the total investment for developing a Biotechnology (BT) Park.
- In addition, the developer of such park will be eligible for 100% reimbursement of stamp duty paid on sale or lease of the land for setting such park, stated the policy document. BT Park developer will be given 100% reimbursement for electricity duty paid for a period of five years.
Nedumkayam became First ‘Digital’ Tribal Colony in the Country
- The Nedumkayam tribal colony at Nilambur in Malappuram lacks basic facilities including toilets. However, the colony now become a role model to the country by becoming the first ‘digital’ tribal colony in India on December 28, 2016.
- The people in this colony (which also faces threats from Maoists) are all set for digital transactions.
- The training was completed with the support of National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of EMEA Arts and Science College Kondotty and Jan Sikshan Sansthan (JSS), Malappuram.
Assam Launched Health Insurance Scheme Atal-Amrit Abhiyan
- Assam government rolled out ‘Atal-Amrit Abhiyan’ health insurance scheme which will provide coverage against several critical illnesses on December 26, 2016.
- The scheme will offer coverage against 437 illnesses in six disease groups, namely, cardiovascular, cancer, kidney, neo-natal, neurological conditions and bums.
- Both Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) families, with annual income below Rs 5 lakh, cure eligible for the scheme.
- Atal-Amrit Abhiyan is an endeavour of the government to make quality health care affordable to every individual member of a family.
Odisha Launched Intensive Malaria Control Drive ‘DAMaN’
- The State government introduced an intensive malaria control drive called ‘DAMaN’ (Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran) in remote tribal-dominated areas on December 26, 2016.
- The drive would supplement the routine malaria control activities and bridge the gaps in case finding and treatment among the high risk population of inaccessible villages and hamlets.
- The programme will be implemented in 8000 villages/ hamlets under 79 blocks in eight districts such as Koraput, Malakangiri, Nabarangapur, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Nuapada and Kandhamal.
- This programme includes mass screening for malaria with treatment of positive cases along with intensified surveillance, vector control measures and regular health education activities throughout the year.
Odisha Launched Biju Sishu Suraksha Yojana for Orphan, HIV Affected Children
- Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Biju Sishu Suraksha Yojana aimed at facilitating care and protection towards orphans and HIV affected children of the State on December 22, 2016.
- The State government will bear the educational expense of these children and provide them scholarship for higher education among other benefits.
- Besides, the girl beneficiaries will be given Sukanya accounts and the government will facilitate assistance at the time of their marriage.
- This action plan is being jointly worked on by the State government and Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI). It will be launched in 2017 and will continue till 2020.
Gujarat Government Announced Aerospace and Defense Policy 2016
- The Gujarat government announced Aerospace and Defense policy 2016.
- The policy was announced with an aim to attract investment into fields of aerospace and defense design, development and manufacturing in the State on December 21, 2016.
- As per the data, Gujarat granted 18 out of total 99 industrial licenses for private companies to set-up units for defense related items which is highest for any State for the period of 2015 and 2016.
- With the Gujarat government’s recent introduction to aerospace and defense policy with a host of incentives and tax sops, the development of this industry it is going to get a major progress.
- Gujarat will be manufacturing a host of defense equipment such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones, light and medium artillery guns, armored vehicles, medium tanks, helicopters, aircraft and their parts.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Announced Created Separate OBC Ministry
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that a separate ministry would be created for OBCs which would be headed by an independent Minister on December 21, 2016.
- A policy would be prepared by the government under which villages giving land for dam projects would be entitled to get water from that particular project.
Read Also – State Current Affairs
Manipur Chief Minister Inaugurated Two New Districts
- Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh inaugurated two new districts—Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi on December 16, 2016.
- While Kangpokpi is dominated by the Kukis, Tengnoupal has a mixed population comprising Kukis, Nagas, Meiteis and Tamils.
- The economically important town of Moreh on the India-Myanmar border also falls under the Tengnoupal district now.
- Kangpokpi was previously in Senapati while Tengnoupal was carved out of Chandel.
Chief Minister Inaugurated Karnataka’s First Air Ambulance Service
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated Karnataka’s first air ambulance service on December 16, 2016.
- Newly built helicopters are specially designed to fulfill the requirements of the patients while transporting therp from one place to another.
- For the time being, only three choppers are available for the service and named as H 130.
Haryana became the First State to Adopt the Centre’s Mahila Police Volunteer Scheme
- Haryana became the first State to adopt the Centre’s Mahila Police Volunteer scheme in two of its districts and has inducted 1000 women as part of the programme on December 15, 2016.
- Kamal and Mahindergarh are the two districts which have adopted this initiative, which aims to have a gender responsive police service with increased presence of female personnel within the police force and in community outreach. It has now increased from 6% to 8%.
India’s First Transgender School Inaugurated
- Sahaj International School in Kochi is the first residential transgender school inaugurated on December 15, 2016 in the country.
- The school will initially accommodate 10 transgenders, who will study upder the National Open School system.
- The school will be led by six transgenders working with the Translndia Foundation. The students have been selected from different sections of the transgender community itself, which includes a disabled person and a migrant.
