Headlines at a Glance – 3rd June 2021
Centre bars security officials from publishing info after retirement
The Centre has amended the Pension Rules for Civil Servants, prohibiting retired officials in intelligence or security related organisations to publish any information related to their organisation without clearance from the competent authority. The amended rule states that “No government servant, having worked in any Intelligence or Security-related organisation included in the Second Schedule of the Right to Information Act. The order is said to have a bearing on retired police chiefs and intelligence agency officials who have either penned a book or regularly write columns in newspapers and magazines. The rules are called the Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2020 and amend rule 8 (3A) pertaining to “pension subject to future good conduct.” The retired officials will have to sign “form 26” where they will have to give a legal undertaking to not share such information in public domain.
SOURCE: The Hindu
Govt launches seed minikit programme to boost production of pulses, oilseeds
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar recently launched a seed minikit programme by distributing high yielding varieties of seeds of pulses and oilseeds to farmers. The mini-kits are being provided by the central agencies National Seeds Corporation (NCS), NAFED and Gujarat State Seeds Corporation and wholly-funded by the Centre through the National Food Security Mission. The Seed Minikit Programme was launched by the agriculture minister by distributing seed minikits (higher yielding varieties of seeds) to farmers, an official statement said. Tomar said the Centre, in collaboration with states, has been implementing various activities to enhance production and productivity of pulses and oilseeds under the National Food Security Mission. From the year 2014-15, there has been a renewed focus on increasing the production of pulses and oilseeds, the agriculture ministry said.
SOURCE: The Indian Express
India launches global initiative for clean energy innovation
India on June 2 launched the Mission Innovation CleanTech Exchange, a global initiative that will create a network of incubators across member countries to accelerate clean energy innovation. The network, launched virtually at the Innovating to Net Zero Summit hosted by Chile, will provide access to the expertise and market insights needed to support new technologies to access new markets globally. India among 23 governments collectively launched bold new plans to catalyse action and spearheaded a decade of innovation to drive global investment in clean energy research, development and demonstrations. The goal is to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all this decade, to accelerate action towards the Paris Agreement and net zero pathways.
SOURCE: Economic Times
Cabinet approves Model Tenancy Act for circulation to all States
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Model Tenancy Act to be sent to the States and Union Territories to enact legislation or amend laws on rental properties. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The model Act, if passed by the States and UTs, would prescribe the norms for lease agreements, deposits, dispute handling and other aspects of rental properties. Among the provisions in the model Act is a cap of two months rent on the security deposit to be paid by tenants for residential properties and six months rent for non-residential spaces and appointment of a rent authority to settle disputes in each district. The Act also makes it mandatory for there to be a written agreement between the property owner and the tenant.
SOURCE: The Hindu
Union Cabinet give nod to India-Japan MoC on urban development
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved a memorandum of cooperation with Japan in the field of sustainable urban development which is expected to create employment opportunities. According to an official statement, the memorandum of cooperation (MoC) will be signed between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan in supersession of an existing MoU of 2007 on urban development. The MoC is expected to create employment opportunities in the areas of sustainable urban development, including urban planning, smart cities development, affordable housing, urban flood management, sewerage and waste water management, urban transport – including intelligent transport management system – transit-oriented development and multimodal integration and disaster resilient development.
SOURCE: The Hindu
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