All India Radio News Summary:06 JANUARY 2018
- PM says, regional imbalances should not be allowed to increase indefinitely; stresses on development of backward areas.
Prime Minister said relative backwardness of some regions is an injustice to the people of those regions.
Addressing collectors and Officers-in-charge of aspirational districts, in New Delhi PM said, there is a need to make efforts to develop the 115 backward districts of the country.
- Giving the examples of the Jan Dhan Yojana, the construction of toilets, and rural electrification, the Prime Minister said nothing is impossible in the country if people have a firm resolve.
- The Government has embarked upon a major policy initiative for the rapid transformation of 115 backward districts that are lagging on specific development parameters.
- The Prime Minister emphasized that there is a limitless potential, limitless possibilities and limitless opportunities now available in India. In this context, PM mentioned the improvement in ease of doing business.
- Niti Aayog says, prospect of country’s GDP growth to be more robust in 2018-19.
Niti Aayog Vice Chairman said that the country’s GDP growth will become more robust in 2018-19. He was reacting to the growth estimates of 2017-18 released by the Central Statistics Office yesterday.
- He said the second half GDP growth in 2017-18 has risen to 7 per cent, bringing the annual growth rate to 6.5 per cent.
- Niti Aayog Vice Chairman pointed out that economic activity has been picking up over the last three quarters and can be expected to strengthen in the coming period with the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index now reading at a five-year high and FMCG demand going up.
- He added that estimates assume significance in the wake of the fact that the higher second half growth has come despite a weaning of public sector expenditures which had peaked in 2016-17 on account of the implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.
According to the CSO data, economic growth is expected to slow to a four-year low of 6.5 per cent in 2017-18, mainly due to poor performance of agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
- Government plans to connect railways with Asian nations
The Centre plans to connect the Indian Railways with Asian countries for effective implementation of government’s Act East Policy.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Railways at the flagging-off ceremony of the Agartala-Bengaluru Cant Hamsafar Express at the Agartala railway station.
The North Eastern Region is being connected with neighbouring Bangladesh through the Agartala-Akhaura rail line, and a survey is underway in Manipur for the extension of railways up to Moreh on the India-Myanmar border.
- Atal Pension Yojna subscriber base touches eighty lakh mark
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority of India (PFRDA) run Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has reached a subscriber base of 80 lakhs.
- The PFRDA said in a statement that the subscriber base under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has reached more than 80 lakhs and is growing at a good pace.
- Uttar Pradesh is the highest contributing state at 11.41 lakh APY subscribers, followed by Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
APY became operational from June 1st, 2015 and is available to all citizens of India in the age group of 18 to 40 years. Under the scheme, a subscriber will receive a minimum guaranteed pension of 1000 to 5000 rupees per month, depending on his contribution, from the age of 60 years.
- There has been a substantial increase in the enrolment of girl students – All India Survey on Higher Education 2016-17
A report of the All India Survey on Higher Education 2016-17 reveals a fact that there has been a substantial increase in the enrolment of girl students in the last three and half years.
The Government has decided to allow supernumerary seats for girl students in IITs and NITs, to increase their enrolment in higher education.
Quality, autonomy, research and innovation must be the key pillars of the Government’s vision for improving higher education.
- India eager to enhance economic and defence cooperation with ASEAN region, says External Affairs
External Affairs Minister said, India wants to evolve a regional architecture based on the twin principles of shared security and shared prosperity in South-East Asian region after inaugurating the 5th Round Table of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, and India Network of Think Tanks in Jakarta.
India looks out for a deeper economic integration with the dynamic ASEAN region. The Minister said, India stresses on enhancing maritime security, trade and investment, education and cultural heritage among the grouping of ASEAN.
