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  • Current Affairs 30th January 2019

    Updated : 30-Jan-2019

    Current Affairs 30th January 2019 - Important Points

    • K J Alphons to inaugurate first Swadesh Darshan Project in Sikkim on - 30th January 2019
    • Common digital currency called 'Aber' launched by  - UAE, Saudi Arabian central banks
    • Maharashtra Government launched special scheme to curb infant deaths on - 29th January 2019

    Current Affairs 30th January 2019 - Details

    K J Alphons to inaugurate first Swadesh Darshan Project in Sikkim on - 30th January 2019

    K.J. Alphons, Union Minister for Tourism will  be  inaugurating the first project under the Swadesh Darshan Project of the Union Ministry of Tourism at the Zero Point, Gangtok, Sikkim on  30th January  2019. The Ministry of Tourism sanctioned this project  in June 2015 for Rs. 98.05 crores.

    This project is officially termed as “Development of North East Circuit: Rangpo– Rorathang- Aritar- Phadamchen- Nathang-Sherathang- Tsongmo- Gangtok-Phodong- Mangan- Lachung-Yumthang- Lachen- Thangu-Gurudongmer- Mangan- Gangtok-Tuminlingee- Singtam”.

    Important Highlights

    • Swadesh Darshan Scheme is one of the flagship scheme of Ministry of tourism for development of thematic circuits in a planned manner in the country. 
    • The Government is focussing on development of quality infrastructure in the country with objective to provide better experience and facilities to the visitors under this scheme and on fostering the economic growth. 
    • The scheme was launched in 2014 -15 when the Ministry sanctioned 77 projects worth projects for Rs. 6121.69 crore to UTs and 30 States. 
    • These 30 projects are expected to be completed by the 2019 end , Out of them 11 projects have already been inaugurated.

    Common digital currency called 'Aber' launched by  - UAE, Saudi Arabian central banks

    The central banks of the UAE and Saudi Arabia have launched a common digital currency called ‘Aber’, which will use in financial settlements between both the countries through Distributed Ledgers technologies and Blockchains.   The UAE central bankmentioned that in a statement that it will  establish an additional means for the central financial transfer systems of both the countries and enabling banks to directly deal with each other in conducting financial remittances.

    Important Highlights

    • In order to implement Aber project, both the two countries have emphasised that concentration in the initial stages will be on technical aspects.
    • The use of the currency will be getting restricted to a limited number of banks in each state. 
    • In case that no technical obstacles are economic, encountered  and legal requirements for future uses will be considered.
    • The central bank-based digital currency will be making cross-border financial transactions  financially efficient and more secure.
    • The Central Bank of UAE and SAMA share the same desire in  launching pilot projects in using the Blockchain and Distributed Ledgers technologies to identify them and learn how to benefit from them.

    Maharashtra Government launched special scheme to curb infant deaths on - 29th January 2019

    The state government of Maharashtra  has launched a special scheme to curb infant deaths on 29th January 2019. The government  has started distributing baby-care kits to the children born in government hospitals and primary health centres, as part of its efforts to minimize the infant mortality rate.

    While speaking after the launch, the state’s Women and Child Development Minister Pankaja Munde mentioned that the scheme is only applicable for the first child and it is expected to benefit around 4 lakh women all across the state.

    Important Highlights

    • Each of the baby-care kits contains a blanket, a towel, a thermometer, nail-cutter, gloves, a small mattress, baby oil, shampoo, toys and socks among other things.
    • The total cost of each kit is around Rs 2,000.
    • The baby-care kits will be given to the women, who get admitted to a state-run hospital, after their first delivery.
    • The government has also allocated Rs 20 crore for the scheme but would be increasing the amount if needed.