CHHATTISGARH

Public Distribution System (PDS) coverage in Chhattisgarh has grown from 45 per cent in 2003 to 82 per cent in 2017-18, Civil Supplies Minister Punnulal Mohle told reporters

The free LPG gas connections under Prime Minister Ujjawala Yojana started on August 13, 2016 now has 16.50 lakh subscribers from economically weaker sections, he said.

In 2003 there were just about 6.80 lakh connections which has now been registered at 36.38 lakh connections, the Minister said.

He said that during the last 14 years, State Government has made continuous improvements in Public Distribution System, relieving poor people of the concern for food.

Chhattisgarh is the first State of the country that made Food Security and Nutrition Security Law in year 2012 and gave lakhs of poor people the right to food for malnutrition eradication

Under PDS, nearly 57.72 lakh ration card holder families in Chhattisgarh are being provided monthly supply of rice at only Rs 1/kg. Two crore 10 lakh members of such families are being benefitted under the scheme. in year 2003, PDS coverage in Chhattisgarh was only 45% but after implementation of Mukhyamantri Khadyann Sahayta Yojana in year 2007-08 and Food and Nutrition Security Law in year 2012-13, the PDS Coverage has increased to 82%. Chhattisgarh is the first and the only state of the country, where beneficiaries of this scheme are being provided double burner stove and first free refill at the nominal registration cost of Rs 200.

INTERNATIONAL

The ‘Silence Breakers’ who started the #MeToo movement have been named Time ‘Person of the Year’.

Last year’s winner, President Trump, and China’s President Xi Jinping came in second and third place.

Time Editor-in-Chief Edward Felsenthal called the movement ‘the fastest moving social change we’ve seen in decades’.

· United States officially recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel

The United States of Americarecognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
It’s a move that upends decades of U.S. policy, was the announcement made by the U.S President Donald Trump which invited lots of criticism but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed this as ‘historic day’ for Israel.
The Israeli leader says his country “will continue to work with the president and his team to make that dream of peace come true.
Donald Trump is pledging to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, and Netanyahu is urging other countries to follow suit.
The Members of Israel’s cabinet have praised the move as “destined” and “overdue.”

NATIONAL

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar will promote the government’s flagship agriculture schemes like soil health card and crop insurance.

The Union Agriculture Ministry has roped in the actor for television advertisements to intensify the publicity of the agri-schemes.

Besides soil health card scheme, the actor will promote Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and others.

The Taj Mahal, India’s iconic ivory-white marble mausoleum in Agra, is the second best UNESCO world heritage site in the world, according to a new survey.

With over 8 million visitors per year, the monument built by mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, is rated after Cambodia’s Angkor Wat.

Conducted by online travel portal TripAdvisor, the survey lists the UNESCO Cultural and Natural heritage sites best rated by travellers around the globe.

· Vice President Inaugurated 12th Annual Convention

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 12th Annual convention of central information commission at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The Vice President stressed on maintaining transparency and accountability in public life. As per the Minister of State in PMO Dr. Jitender Singh, the government has filled all vacant posts in the commission.
He accused the earlier government of being negligent on the matter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
There are three auditoriums and an extensive library with a rich digital repository.
He will also launch Dr Ambedkar International CentreFor Socio-Economic Transformation.
The institution will show the way and further discussions on vital issues as well as encourage research, original thinking among the youth.
The bill is all set to be introduced in the coming winter session of parliament.

Indiawon the first-ever South Asian Regional Badminton Team Championship. In the title clash played in Guwahati, India defeated Nepal, 3-0.
In the boys’ singles competition Aryaman Tandon defeated Dipesh Dhami 21-9, 21-15 while Ashmita Chaliha defeated Rashila Maharjan 21-9, 21-6 in the Girls’ singles event.
In Boys’ Doubles, the pair of Arintap Dasgupta and Krishna Prasad came back from a game behind to beat the duo of Dipesh Dhami and Nabin Shrestha 19-21, 21-14, 21-11.