HIMACHAL PRADESH
Himachal Pradesh’s fiscal liabilities rose by 6.41%: CAG
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report on Himachal Pradesh government’s accounts tabled in the assembly has revealed that overall fiscal liabilities at the end of 2018-19 were 54,299 crore, with growth of 6.41% over the previous year. It said that fiscal liabilities were 36% of GSDP and 1.75 times the revenue receipts while total public debt had increased from Rs 25,729 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 736,425 crore in 2018-19, registering an annual average growth rate of 9.60%.
The State Finances Audit Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India contains audit observations on the finance and appropriation accounts of the state government for the year 2018-19 and provides an overview of the status of the state government’s compliance with various financial rules, procedures and directives relating to financial reporting.
According to the report, share of market borrowings in total public debt went up from 59% in 2014-15 to 65% in 2018-19. During 2018-19, total public debt increased by 5% over the previous year. In the next 10 years, out of total outstanding market loans and UDAY bonds of 26,573 crore, the state has to repay principal of market loans and UDAY bonds of 325,005 crore (94.10 %) and interest amounting to 12,521crore.
It said that during 2018-19, the state’s revenue receipts (Rs 30,950 crore) increased by 13% over the previous year (Rs 27,367 crore). Only 33% of the revenue receipts came from the state’s own resources comprising taxes and non-taxes, while the remaining 67.7% was contributed by central transfers comprising the state’s share in central taxes and duties (18%) and grants-in-aid from government of India (49%).
It said the supplementary provision of Rs 1,916,49 crore in 12 sub-heads proved unnecessary and inadequate as expenditure either did not come up to the level of original provision or exceeded the total provision leaving an aggregate uncovered excess expenditure.
Re-appropriations made proved injudicious in view of excessive surrenders or insufficient augmentation and resulted in excess expenditure of over Rs 617.17 crore in 18 sub-heads and savings of over Rs 196.22 crore under 12 sub-heads (one crore or more in each case).
INTERNATIONAL
World Alzheimer’s Day: 21 September
World Alzheimer’s Day is observed on September 21 across the world.
The day is observed to raise awareness about the neurological condition, underlying causes, symptoms and its management.
Alzheimer’s is a neurological disorder that causes problems of memory loss, thinking skills, and behaviour.
The theme for World Alzheimer Day 2020 is ‘Let’s talk about dementia’.
International Day of Peace: 21 September
International Day of Peace is observed globally on 21st September every year.
It is observed to spread awareness and preach peace and harmony all across the globe.
On this day, the body encourages countries to observe the day by creating an environment of “24 hours of non-violence”.
Theme for world peace day 2020 is- “Shaping Peace Together”
NATIONAL
Govt launches Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 272 most affected districts
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated and is implementing a National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025.
The Plan aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy.
The activities under the NAPDDR include awareness generation programmes in schools, colleges, Universities, workshop and provisioning of treatment facilities and capacity building of service providers.
The Ministry has also launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan in 272 most affected districts with focus on institutional support, community outreach and awareness generation.
Ministry of AYUSH partners with Ministry WCD to control Malnutrition
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of Women and Child Development to control Malnutrition as a part of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
The MoU will see some time-tested and scientifically proven Ayush-based solutions being adopted for controlling malnutrition in the country.
The MoU will help in tackling the problem of malnutrition in mothers and children in the country.
The Ministry of AYUSH and Ministry of WCD will work together towards integrating Ayush in POSHAN Abhiyaan and management of malnutrition through the principles and practices of Ayurveda, Yoga and other Ayush systems.
Tamil Nadu becomes first state to unveil ethical AI, blockchain, cybersecurity policies in country
Tamil Nadu became the first state in the country to come out with policies on Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Cybersecurity policies.
The policies go by the names Tamil Nadu Cyber Security Policy, 2020, Tamil Nadu Blockchain Policy, 2020, and Tamil Nadu Safe and Ethical Artificial Intelligence Policy, 2020.
In order to promote IT/ITeS industry in the State and to attract more investments, eight Special Economic Zones were established in Chennai and tier-II cities by Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (ELCOT) and a start-up warehouses were set up in Chennai and Coimbatore.
State Family DataBase (SFDB) and Block-Chain Backbone infrastructure will be established in the state for the implementation of these policies.
Indian Railways observes “Swachhta Pakhwara”
Indian Railways is observing “Swachhta Pakhwara” from 16th to 30th September 2020.
During the inaugural day of Pakhwara, Swachhta pledge was administered to Railway employees at all Zonal Railway HQs, Divisional Offices and other establishments.
During the Pakhwara, intensive cleaning and sanitization of stations, trains, tracks, colonies and other railway establishments is being carried out with special focus on plastic waste management.
Railway Board through Northern Railway, in partnership with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), organised a webinar on “Swachhata and Environment”.
The Webinar was held to flag off the “Swachhata Pakhwada” beginning from September 16 and ending on September 30, 2020.
HDFC Bank tops the BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands 2020 report
For the seventh straight year, HDFC Bank remained the top-ranked brand in India with a total brand value of more than $20.2 billion, according to the 2020 BrandZ Top 75 Most Valuable Indian Brands ranking released by WPP and Kantar.
According to the report, the total value of the BrandZ India Top 75 fell by 6 per cent in 2020, shedding $13 billion in value for a total brand value of $215.608 billion.
LIC is ranked second while Tata Consulting Services has been ranked at no.3.
Indian Army organises annual ‘Shikara Race’ in Srinagar
Fifteen Shikaras participated in the annual ‘Shikara Race’ organised by 20 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Indian Army for the people in Srinagar.
The aim behind the race was to promote tourism in the newly formed Union Territory.
This event is organised by Indian Army every year along with boat races and other races for children but could not do the same this year due to COVID-19 outbreak.
The tourists who came to Srinagar to enjoy the race said that events like this should be organised more often as they help in developing good bonds with the locals.
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