ANDHRA PRADESH

Andhra Pradesh govt to develop portal for sale of movie tickets

The state government plans to sell movie tickets online soon.
An online portal is in the final stages of development through which the government wants to make tickets available for filmgoers.

The government has already constituted a high-level committee to execute the task of developing the portal and linking all theatres in the state to the portal.

The state government earlier issued orders fixing movie ticket prices across the state for non-AC and AC theatres and multiplex screens.
The intervention was to avoid indiscriminate hike by the theatres during the release of big banner films.

INTERNATIONAL

Piyush Goyal appointed as India’s Sherpa for G20

Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, has been appointed as India’s Sherpa for G20.

G20 is an influential grouping which brings together the major economies of world.

Next G20 Summit is scheduled to take place from October 30 to 31, 2021 under Italian Presidency.

India will hold the G20 Presidency from December 1^,2022 and will also convene G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2023 for the first time.

India will also be part of the G20 Troika (preceding, current, and incoming G20 Presidencies) from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2024.

Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been leading India’s representation at G20 Summits.

G20 is an intergovernmental forum consisting of 19 countries and the European Union (EU). This grouping works to address major issues related to the global economy like international financial stability, sustainable development and climate change mitigation. G20 comprises of largest economies, including industrialised & developing nations, of the world. it collectively accounts for 90 percent of gross world product, 75-80 percent of international trade, half of world’s land area and two-thirds of the global population.

Sherpa is the personal representative of the head of state or government who prepares an international summit, specially the annual G7 and G20 summits. Sherpa is generally influential, but they do not have any authority to make final decision regarding any given agreement.

NATIONAL

Jal Shakti Ministry launches Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021

Minister of State of Jal Shakti Ministry, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, launched the “Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021” under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase -II.

It was launched at an event organized by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) on September 9, 2021.

Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2021 will be undertaken by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) across the country. DDWS has commissioned the Survekshan in 2018 and 2019 earlier.

This programme was launched with the aim of supporting acceleration of ODF (Open defecation free) Plus interventions and increase momentum of improving ODF Sustainability and Solid & Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) activities in villages. It seeks to achieve the goal of comprehensive cleanliness.

Swachh Bharat initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. Under it, a national behaviour change movement was started comprising of two primary yardsticks that is, Transparency and people’s participation. With the help of this movement, Swachh Bharat initiative succeeded in achieving its goal of safe sanitation across rural India.

DRDO hands over MRSAM System to IAF

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over the first deliverable Firing Unit (FU) of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) System to Indian Air Force (IAF).

In a significant boost to defence capabilities of India, MRSAM was handed over to IAF at Air Force Station, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

Handing over of the system to IAF is a giant leap towards becoming “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and it will be a game changer in the air-defence-system.

Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM)

MRSAM is an advanced network centric combat Air Defence System. It was jointly developed by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in collaboration with Indian industry consisting of private and public sectors as well as MSMEs. It is a surface-to-air-missile, 4.5m in length. Contract for MRSAM programme was signed in February 2009. Under the contract, IAF was to buy 450 MRSAMs and 18 firing units at the value of $2bn.

MRSAM system provides point and area air defence for ground assets against threats like fighter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, sub-sonic & supersonic cruise missiles guided & unguided munitions, etc. This system is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kms in severe saturation cases. It is powered by indigenously developed rocket motor and control system which helps in achieving high manoeuvrability during the terminal phase.

India Rankings 2021 of National Institutional Ranking Framework

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), listing the top universities and colleges across India.

NIRF India Ranking 2021 has been announced for eleven categories, namely, Overall, University, Management, Pharmacy, College, Architecture, Engineering, Medical, ARIIA (Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements), Law and Research Institutions.

NIRF India Ranking parameters and weighted averages were adopted to rank colleges and universities for all the categories.

Broad categories adopted to rank the colleges, universities and institutes are- Teaching, Learning and Resources; Graduation Outcomes, Research and Professional Practice; Outreach & Inclusivity and Peer Perception.

Number of institutes participating in NIRF rankings has increased over the years. Thus, categories in which institutes are ranked were changed this year. In 2016, there were four categories to rank the institutes which increased to eleven in 2021.

About 6,000 colleges and universities participated in the sixth edition of NIRF 2021 Rankings.

MSP increased for all Rabi crops for 2022-23

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all the mandated Rabi crops.

MSP was increased for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2022-23 with the aim of realigning MSPs in favour of pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals. The Differential remuneration aims to encourage crop diversification.

This move will encourage farmers to shift to larger area under these crops and adopt best technologies & farm practices in order to correct the demand-supply imbalance.

With this step, government seeks to ensure remunerative prices for the growers for farmer’s produce.

MSP for Rabi crops for RMS 2022-23 was increased in line with the Union Budget 2018-19 announcement. In budget it was announced to fix the MSPs at the level of at least 1.5 times of the all-India weighted average cost of production.

Other Steps by Government

1. National Mission on Edible Oils-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

Government announced this centrally sponsored scheme recently to help in increasing the domestic production of edible oils and reduce imports dependency. It was announced with a total outlay of Rs 11,040 crore. Scheme will aid farmers in expanding area and productivity of the sector and benefit them by increasing their income and generation of additional employment.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA)

This scheme was announced in 2018 to aid farmers in providing remunerative return for their produce. It has three sub-schemes namely, Price Support Scheme (PSS), Private Procurement & Stockist Scheme (PPSS) and Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS).

APPSC GROUP 1 Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for APPSC GROUP 1 Prelims and APPSC GROUP 1 Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by APPSC GROUP 1 Notes are as follows:-

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