INDIA & WORLD
India & World Bank signed agreement with NCRMP-II
On 11th August 2015, to support the second phase of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Program (NCRMP-II) an agreement of 308.40 million US dollar was signed between World Bank and Union Government. State Governments of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal also signed the agreement.On behalf of the World Bank, John Blomquist, Program Leader and Acting Country Director in India and Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of the Union Government signed the agreement.
Union Cabinet approves proposal to sign agreement with UNESCO
Union Cabinet gave its nod to a proposal to sign an agreement with UNESCO for establishment of a Centre for World Natural Heritage Management and Training for Asia-Pacific region. This centre will be established as a category-2 centre (C2C) of the UN body at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. By signing this agreement WII Dehradun will be first existing institute to be accorded recognition by UNESCO. It will be also the first institute to get natural heritage recognition by UNESCO as currently there are 9 C2C institutes related to cultural heritage. It should be noted that this agreement has been mooted by the Union Environment Ministry.
Xiaomi launched first India-made phone “Redmi 2 Prime”
Chinese Smartphone maker Xiaomi has announced its first manufacturing unit in India in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. China’s Xiaomi launched it’s first India-made phone, the ‘Redmi 2 Prime’, and announced a tie up with Taiwan’s Foxconn to make smart phones in the country. Foxconn would make Xiaomi phones at the Sri City plant in Andhra Pradesh. Xiaomi is 3rd largest smartphone maker in the World while Samsung and Apple are at 1st and 2nd place respectively.
Union Cabinet approves MoU between India, Nepal for construction of petroleum pipeline
The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Nepal for construction of petroleum products pipeline from Raxaul (Bihar) in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal. The MoU seeks to promote bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector between both neighbouring countries and secure long term supply of petroleum products to Nepal. Raxaul-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline: In the first phase it will be constructed by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on behalf of Indian Government at a cost of 200 crore rupees. IOC will be also engaged in re-engineering and construction of the Amlekhgunj Depot and allied facilities.
Government of India approves MoU bet-ween India &America to establish PACE-setter Fund
The Union Cabinet gave its ex-post-facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between America and India to establish the PACE setter Fund. The PACE setter Fund is a fund that supports the Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) an initiative between US and India through Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE). Accordingly both the countries has raised corpus of about 8 million US dollars (Rs. 50 crore) on a 50:50 sharing basis.