Headlines at a Glance – 24th February 2021
India, World Bank sign $68 mn project for improving education in Nagaland
Indian government, Government of Nagaland and the World Bank on Tuesday signed a $68 million project to enhance the governance of schools across Nagaland as well as to improve teaching practices and learning environments in select schools. The “Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project” will improve classroom instruction; create opportunities for the professional development of teachers; and build technology systems to provide students and teachers with more access to blended and online learning as well as allow better monitoring of policies and programs, a Finance Ministry statement said. Such an integrated approach will complement conventional delivery models and help mitigate the challenges posed by Covid-19. About 150,000 students and 20,000 teachers in the government education system in Nagaland will benefit from the statewide reforms in schools. C.S. Mohapatra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, said that the education project in Nagaland will address the critical gaps faced by students and teachers and play an important role in the development of the state.
SOURCE: Business Standard
DAC approves capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 13,700 crores
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently approved capital acquisition proposals of various weapons, platforms, equipment required by the three armed forces and accorded three Acceptance of Necessities (AoNs) for an overall cost of Rs 13,700 crore. All these AoNs are in the highest priority category of defence acquisition — ‘Buy [Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)]. These will include inter-alia platforms and systems designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The DAC also approved that all capital acquisition contracts (delegated and non-delegated) other than D&D cases shall be concluded in two years. This will be done to meet the Atmanirbhar Bharat goals of the government on the time-bound defence procurement process and faster decision making and to systematically work towards reducing the time taken for capital acquisition. The ministry, in consultation with the services and all stakeholders, will come up with a detailed plan of action for achieving the same, it added.
SOURCE: The Hindu
India, Mauritius sign CECPA
India and Mauritius on Monday signed the long-pending Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) after a similar free trade agreement between China and Mauritius came into effect on 1 January.] After signing the agreement on Monday, the minister of external affairs Jaishankar on Twitter said the deal“Will help focus on post-pandemic economic recovery. Enable business expansion and greater investments.” The Indian commerce ministry on Tuesday said the CECPA–the first trade agreement by India with an African nation–provides for an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries. The CECPA covers 310 export items for India, including foodstuff and beverages (80 items), agricultural products (25 items), textile and textile articles (27 items), base metals and articles thereof (32 items), electricals and electronic item (13 items), plastics and chemicals (20 items), wood and articles thereof (15 items), and others.
SOURCE: The Indian Express
AIIB to give loan for Assam Intra-State Transmission System Enhancement Project
The Centre recently signed an agreement with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for borrowing $304 million (over Rs 2,200 crore) to improve power transmission network in Assam. According to an official release here, the fund will be utilised for the ‘Assam Intra-State Transmission System Enhancement Project’, aiming to improve reliability, capacity and security of the power transmission network in the state. The total estimated cost of the project is $365 million, of which $304 million will be financed by the AIIB and rest by the state government, it said. “The loan from the AIIB has a five-year grace period and a maturity of 24 years,” the release said. The project aims to strengthen Assam’s electricity transmission system by constructing 10 transmission substations, laying transmission lines, upgrading 15 existing substations, transmission lines and the existing ground wire to optical power ground wire.
SOURCE: Business Standard
EAM inaugurates new chancery building of Indian High Commission in Mauritius
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday inaugurated a new and environment-friendly chancery building of the Indian High Commission in Mauritius and reviewed over 950 housing units built with Indian support in the country. He expressed confidence that the new building will inspire the work of the Indian mission even more. Jaishankar inaugurated the new Chancery-cum-Residence building of the High Commission of India in Ebene in the presence of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and Foreign Minister Alan Ganoo, the Indian High Commission in Mauritius said. Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Jugnauth and foreign minister Ganoo for joining him at the ceremony. He also reviewed over 950 housing units built with Indian support. The India-supported Metro Express has emerged as a symbol New Mauritius, Jaishankar wrote. Mauritius is one of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean Region and occupies a special place in the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
SOURCE: Hindustan Times
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