Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment launched the ‘Mobile App and Facebook Page’ of the National Trust at a function to mark the ‘National Trust Foundation Day’  on the theme “Celebrating Inclusion” here today. Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gujjar and Shri Ramdas Athawale, Secretary, DoEPwD Shri N.S. Kang, Shri Kamlesh Pandey, Chairman National Trust  and Shri Mukesh Jain, CEO of the Trust also graced the occasion. The objective of the function was to create awareness amongst various professionals and stakeholders and also the creation of support network for these persons with disabilities by sensitizing unreached section of society.
 
●    Addressing on the occasion, Shri Thawarchand Gehlot said that the National Trust Act for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities was passed in the Parliament on 30th December 1999 and it is working for the welfare of Divyangjans with commitment. He said that the National Trust is having 10 schemes for overall development of persons with disabilities which have been revised and launched last year and it has reached more than 74000 PwDs through its schemes. The Government is working on providing “Universal Identity Cards” to all Divyangjans which will be valid in all States for all schemes, he added.
●    Shri Ramdas Athawale in his address said that the objective of National Trust is to create the support network for the persons with disabilities by sensitizing unreached section of society. Shri Krishan Pal Gujjar addressing on the occasion said that the Government is committed to the objectives set for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities. Shri Kamlesh Pandey dwelt upon the various schemes and programmes of the National Trust for the welfare of the Divyangjans.
●    On this occasion many cultural performances were presented by Divyangjan children, viz. Group performed by Cheshire Homes India Delhi Unit; All religion Prayer by  Manovikas Charitable Society; Dance performance on ‘Maa’Song by Akshaya Pratisthan; Dance performance on  ‘Raghupati Raghav Rajaram’ song by Tamanna; Music performance on “Char Kadam” by Sense International and Anthem of “Vishwaas” by Vishwas.     
●    The National Trust is a Statutory Body under Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The National Trust Act for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities was passed in the Parliament on 30th December 1999. Thus-30th December- the Foundation Day of National Trust- is a day on which National Trust re-commits itself to the objectives set before it for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities.

Target of 1.5 crore connections fixed for the current financial year for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has been achieved within a span of less than 8 months and the scheme is being implemented now across 35 States/UTs.
●    Vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra  Modi to provide  clean cooking fuel to poor households in the country has been  taken forward through implementation of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).  An adult woman member of BPL family identified through Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC)  data is given a deposit free LPG connection with financial assistance  of  Rs. 1600/- per connection by Government of India.  
●    The announcement of releasing 5 crore LPG connections to BPL families over a period of three years was made with allocation of Rs 8000 crore in the Union Budget on 29.2.2016. Hon’ble  Prime Minister, Shri Narendra  Modi launched PMUY on 01.05.2016 from Balia, Uttar Pradesh. 
●    14 States/UTs having LPG coverage less than the national average, hilly states of J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and all North-East States are identified as priority states for implementing the scheme. 
●    The top five States with maximum connections are UP (46 lakh), West Bengal (19 lakh), Bihar (19 lakh), Madhya Pradesh (17 lakh) and Rajasthan (14 lakh).  These States constitutes nearly 75% of the total connections released.  The households belonging to SC/ST constitute large chunk of beneficiaries with 35% of the connections being released to them. 
●    It is also noteworthy that with the implementation of PMUY, the national LPG coverage  has increased from 61% (as on 1.1.2016) to 70% (as on 01.12.2016).

In continuation with its earlier announcement of providing 10% rebate in the basic fare on the vacant berths/seats after preparation of first chart in Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi trains.
●    Indian Railways has decided to extend this rebate in the reserved class of all other trains w.e.f. 01.01.2017 on an experimental basis for six months.
●     The detailed provisions are as under
●    1.1. 10% rebate shall be applicable on the base fare of last ticket sold for a particular class and train just before preparation of first chart.
●    1.2. Reservation fee and superfast charge as applicable shall be levied in full & service tax etc. as applicable shall be levied.
●    1.3. 10% discount shall also be applicable for allotment of vacant berths (due to non-turned up passengers) in the train by TTEs.

The Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, had held a review meeting on implementation of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 on 26.10.2016. During the meeting, some cases of sexual harassment pending with certain ministries/ departments were also examined. On the basis of the discussions, it was decided that DoPT will issue fresh instructions so that some of the issues can be suitably addressed.
●    On the basis of the decisions taken, DoPT has issued fresh guidelines regarding Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace vide their Office Memorandum dated 22.12.2016. According to the O.M., following have to be observed by the ministries/departments and Internal Complaints Committees:
●    Brief details of the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act including the number of cases received and disposed shall form a part of the Annual Report of all ministries/ departments and authorities there under.
●    The enquiry of cases must be completed within 30 days and under any circumstances within 90 days from the date of the complaint.
●    The ministries/ departments etc. have to keep a watch on the complainant so as to ensure that she is not victimized in any manner because of her having filed the complaint. The aggrieved woman has been given further option to send representation to the Secretary or head of the organization in case she feels that she is being victimized because of her complaint. The concerned authority will be required to dispose of this complaint within 15 days.
●    All ministries/ departments etc. are now required to submit a monthly progress report to the Ministry of Women and Child Development so that the progress can be monitored.

Government has suspended the deemed recognition, granted by it to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) until the IOA reverses its decision to appoint Shri Suresh Kalmadi and Shri Abhay Chautala as Life Presidents.   
●    Following the suspension, IOA will cease to enjoy the privileges and prerogatives bestowed on it by the Government as the National Olympic Committee (NOC).  All Government assistance, financial or otherwise, to IOA will also be stopped. 
●    Government issued a show cause notice to IOA on 28th December, 2016 after the General Body meeting of IOA passed a resolution on 27th December,2016 to appoint Shri Suresh Kalmadi and Shri Abhay Chautala, both of whom have been charge-sheeted, as its Life Presidents.  
●    IOA was required to reply to the show cause notice by 5 p.m. today.  In their response, IOA today sought extension of time up to 15th January,2017 for replying to the show cause notice, stating that President, IOA was out of the country and they needed to consult him. 
●    Government is not satisfied with the response of IOA since they have not given any substantive reply especially with regard to the non-eligibility of Shri Suresh Kalmadi and Shri Abhay Chautala. Government considers the reply of IOA only as a ploy to buy time. 
●    This is a serious violation of the norms of good governance by IOA which is the mother sports body and corrective action needs to be taken immediately as it is a matter of national prestige and public sentiments.

The President of India has approved the promulgation of the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Ordinance, 2016 today i.e. on 30th December, 2016.
●    The Ordinance is a follow-up to the decision taken by the Government of India to cancel the legal tender character of the existing series of banknotes, as on November 8, 2016, in the denominations of Rs.500 and Rs.1000 (Specified Bank Notes-SBNs) in circulation.
●    The main objectives of the Ordinance are
●    to provide clarity and finality to the liability of the Reserve Bank of India and the Government of India for the SBNs; 
●    to provide an opportunity to those persons who were unable to deposit the SBNs within the time provided; and 
●    to declare holding, transferring or receiving SBNs as illegal, with provisions for penalty for contravention of any of the provisions of the Ordinance.
 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched ‘BHIM’ mobile App to make digital payments and transactions easier for citizens. Named after Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the ‘BHIM’ App can be downloaded from android phones.
●    On the last day of the 50-day window provided by the government to citizens to exchange or deposit their old currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denominations, PM Modi launched the new App at the ‘DigiDhan Mela’ programme at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi.
●    PM Modi awarded students who have made posters, songs and slogans to spread the message of digital payments to their families, schools. 
●    Village level entrepreneurs who have helped their fellow villagers move to digital payments were also awarded by the PM.
●    The government is organising ‘DigiDhan Mela’ in 100 cities of the country over 100 days to promote digital payments and announce the winners of Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana. 
●    Conceptualised by the Niti Aaayog, DigiDhan Melas will take place until March.

During the current Sugar Season 2016-17, the sugar mills of the country have commenced the crushing operation smoothly and  have produced about 66 Lakh MT of sugar so far. 
●    The sugar production is expected to be about 22.5 million MT by the end of the season. 
●    With a carryover stock of 7.71 million MT, the total availability of sugar is sufficient to meet the estimated domestic requirement of about 25 mMT.  
●    The stock position at the close of the current sugar season (Sept. 2017) is likely to be 5.21 mMT which will be carried forward for the next sugar season 2017-18.
●    Further, the sugar production in the next sugar season (2017-18) is expected to be good and is likely to start early and therefore there will be no shortage of domestically produced sugar in India. 
●    By November 2017, another 2 mMT would be available from early crushing. 
●    The government has taken necessary steps to maintain sufficient stocks in the country and keep the sugar prices under control.

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri J P Nadda and Union Minister of Human Resource Development ShriPrakashJavadekarlaunched ‘SwachhSwasthSarvatra’ to commemorate Good Governance Day at a function, here today. SwachhSwasthSarvatra is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to achieve better health outcomes through improved sanitation and increased awareness and healthy lifestyles.
●    ShriNadda informed that the Health Ministry is working on the theme of “Catch them Young” and is working on effecting positive behavior change among the young to keep away from such habits that cause Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). 
●    He added that through pictorial books- ‘SwasthBaccheSwasth Bharat’ prepared by Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB), health messages shall be brought out that will educate the children and youth about healthy living habits and activities. The Ministry has distributed these books on healthy living across schools in India, the Minister added.
●    To complement and leverage the efforts and achievements made so far, the MDWS and the MOHFW have launched a joint initiative today- SwachhSwasthSarvatra. The three key components of SwachhSwasthSarvatra are:
●    Community Health Centres (CHCs) in ODF blocks supported to achieve Kayakalp certification
●    Gram Panchayat of Kayakalp Primary Health Centres (PHCs) prioritized to become  ODF
●    Training in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ) of CHC/PHC nominees

The Bihar Government on 27 December 2016 approved 50 per cent reservation in all judicial services for candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
●    The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting. The reservation will be applicable in both Superior Judicial Services and Subordinate Judicial Services.
●    The Cabinet stated that the aspiring candidates belonging to EBC will get 21 per cent reservation and those belonging to OBC will get 12 per cent reservation.
●    In addition, candidates falling in the Scheduled Castes category will have 16 per cent reservation and those in the Scheduled Tribe category will get 1 per cent reservation in all judicial services under the state. 
●    Aside from this, 35 per cent ‘horizontal reservation’ will be provided to women and 1 per cent reservation to those who are differently abled.