NATIONAL
Union Government recognizes Yoga as Sports discipline
On 1 September 2015,the Sports Ministry has decided to recognize Yoga as a sports discipline and place it in the Priority category. The Ministry also decided to upgrade Fencing from ‘Others’ to ‘General’ category, based on the past performance in major international events. The sports ministry reviewed the categorization of various disciplines and also revised the scale of financial assistance admissible to each category.
Internet user base in India reached 302 million in 2014: IAMAI
The number of Internet users in India rose 32% last year, to reach 302 million, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India, which includes members such as Google, Microsoft, eBay, IBM, Flipkart, Ola Cabs and LinkedIn. The Internet in India took more than a decade to move from 10 million to 100 million and three years from 100 to 200 million. However, it took only a year to move from 200 to 300 million users .Mobile Internet in India also grew significantly last year. The mobile Internet user base reached 213 million by June 2015. The country had 159 million mobile Internet users by October 2014, out of which 119 million users were from urban users and the rest 40 million were from rural India.
Central Government accepted One Rank – One Pension (OROP) Scheme
The Central Government on 5 September announced the acceptance of 40 year old demand of ‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP) scheme for the retired military personnels. The scheme will be effective from July 1, 2014. New pensions will be fixed with 2013 as the base year. The scheme expected to benefit three million pensioners retiring in the same rank with the same length of the service, regardless of the date of retirement. The Government will engage a one member committee on this issue.
Indian Army organises cycle rally to commemorate 1965 victory over Pakistan in the name of ‘The Victory Car Rally’
The Indian army’s Udhampur headquartered Northern Command on 12 September commemorated the victory in the 1965 India-Pakistan war.Thirty-six army officials began a cycle rally from the northern Jammu town to New Delhi to commemorate the golden jubilee of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1965 war. ‘The Victory Car Rally’ comprises a team of ex-servicemen and serving officers who traverse 1700 kms from Udhampur to New Delhi.
Government of India launches Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)
The Central Government on 17 September 2015 announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna (PMKKKY). This is a new programme meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations,
using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).