👮‍♀PSI/Excise Sub Inspector

SEP 03 2020, 18:56 IST   UPDATED: SEP 03 2020, 20:48 IST Representative image. Credit: iStock Karnataka has unveiled its new IT policy for 2020-25, which aims to generate over 60 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the sector. The state government says it wants to “retain its leadership position...through strategic policy interventions.” The policy was approved by the Cabinet on Thursday. Under the policy, Karnataka wants to contribute about 30% to India’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy, Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan, the state’s IT/BT minister, said.  The policy also looks to shift the focus beyond Bengaluru. The government wants to “enable a remote, distributed labour force beyond Bengaluru, required for the IT industry,” the policy says. As part of the policy, a State Cyber Security Policy will be formulated to “employ the necessary data protection safeguards and create and sustain a safe and resilient ecosystem,” Narayan said. According to the Minister, the IT sector in Karnataka is one of the largest employment-generating industries with 80% of global IT firms that have India operations and R&D centres based out of the state. The new policy replaces one that covered a period of 2014-19. The first IT policy was formulated way back in 1997. The new policy promises infrastructure development “to provide impetus to local industry and encourage investments and growth beyond Bengaluru,” the government said. Similarly, the policy will look at market development for IT/ITeS companies by easing public procurement norms and hosting events “specifically beyond Bengaluru.” Ecosystem engagement, talent development (skilling) and ease of doing business are other strategies proposed. Under the previous i4 (IT, ITeS, Innovation and Incentives) Policy that expired last year, the government managed to set up industry-partnered K-Tech Innovation Hubs in 24 districts, the Karnataka Unit for International Co-operation (KUIC) was set up, nearly 500 companies were registered to avail various incentives, 21 projects worth Rs 6,728 crore generating 1.73 lakh jobs were approved among other things. The Cabinet also approved a special incentives scheme for the Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) sector, with which the government expects over Rs 5,000 crore in investments and 43,000 direct employment by 2025. The government will slash 25% of the land price (up to 50 acres) for investments in ESDM outside Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru Rural districts. A similar capital investment subsidy of 20% will be given on the plant and machinery cost. Other sops include 100% reimbursement on stamp duty, registration and land conversion charges, power tariff subsidy of Rs 1 per unit for five years, 1% of annual turnover for five years as production-linked incentive among others

the State Government of Karnataka launched Janasevaka scheme. The Government aims to provide doorstep government services under the scheme. Also, it intends to digitize several services and make these services easily available to the citizens through the scheme.

Highlights Under the scheme, the government has launched an exclusive mobile number (080-44554455), a website (janasevaka.karnataka.gov.in) and mobile application. People can check around 53 services in the site. Features of the scheme The scheme offers to provide health card, ration card, marriage registration certificate, identity card, etc. at the door steps under the scheme. A Jan Sevak is appointed to deliver the services under the scheme Jan Sevak As the citizen places his request of service through the government website, a Jan Sevak is assigned to deliver the service. The Jan Sevak will reach the residence of the citizen, collect required documents and deliver the service at his door step. Cost The Cost of the service is Rs 115. This amount does not include the cost of documentation. The scheme is to be implemented in Bengaluru. Depending on the work load, it is to be extended to the rest of Karnataka.

On February 29, 2020, PM Modi shall launch 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations at Chitrakoot. The event is being organized to commemorate the successful completion of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

Significance There are more than 86% of small and marginal farmers that hold less than 1.1 hectares of land. They face challenges in buying fertilizers, quality seed, pesticides. The Farmer Producer Organization help farmers in addressing these challenges. They help farmers gain better access to market, technology and finance. Therefore, launching more and more of these organizations will help in betterment of life of the farmers. This will also help GoI in achieving its target of doubling farmers’ income by 2022. Kisan Credit Card The PM will also launch a saturation drive on Kisan Credit Card to the beneficiaries PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The motive of the drive is to distribute 2 crore cards to the beneficiaries of the scheme. Today, over 6.5 crore cards have been issued under the scheme.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared Corona Virus as Global Pandemic as it is rapidly spreading across the world. Today there are more than 126,369 people infected with COVID-19 virus. The virus has so far killed 4,634 people.

The Forest Department of the Odisha State Government conducted a census at Chilika lake to count the number of dolphins at Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha. The Sanctuary is a part of Bhitarkanika National Park of Odisha. The report was released in February 24, 2020.

With more than 80 confirmed COVID-19 cases, India has declared “notified Disaster”. With this, the SDRF funds are to be temporarily used for supply of food, medical care and water for patients in quarantine camps.

Chilika lake is a Ramsar Site. This year as the prawn Gherries were dismantled, the dolphins were spread all over the lake. Dolphins are listed in Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) act 1972. The IUCN red list categorizes Dolphins as Endangered.

The changes approved include not only close relatives but “any woman” willing to act as a surrogate mother shall be allowed. It has also approved deleting the definition of infertility. Earlier infertility in the bill was defined as inability to conceive after unprotected intercourse for 5 years. The committee believed that it was too long period for a couple to wait for a child. The Insurance Cover of a surrogate mother is to be increased from 16 months to 36 months