Goa Affairs
Goan-built vessel to help Maldives with maritime research, environment protection
A 30-meter catamaran built byVijai Marine Shipyardat Rassaim was handed over to the Maldives government to undertake marine research. Funded by the (WB), the vessel – Thimaaveshi will help the Maldivian ministry of Environment,Climate Changeand Technology to track the effects of Climate Change, impact on coral reefs and Fisheries. IIT Kharagpur helped Vijai Marine with the design and vessel construction.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant flagged off the vessel which will set sail for Maldives. This 30 meter catamaran ship has been built in Goa and this ship is a proud moment as it symbolizes Make in India and Make in Goa too. This ship has been built for the Maldives government, said Sawant.
National and International Affairs
Rs 200 cr spent in 2 yrs on RS MPs, says RTI
Around Rs 200 crore was spent on salaries, allowances and facilities for Rajya Sabha MPs over the last two years with around Rs 63 crore spent on their travel alone.
According to an RTI reply, in 2021-22, in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, the exchequer spent over Rs 97 crore on Rajya Sabha members.
The amount includes Rs 28.5 crore on domestic travel and Rs 1.28 crore on international travel. Salaries amounted to Rs 57.6 crore, medical bills of Rs 17 lakh and office expenses of Rs 7.5 crore. It also spent Rs 1.2 crore on information technology assistance to the MPs.
In the 2021-23, Rs 100 crore was spent in total which included Rs 33 crore in domestic and foreign travel expenses, according to the reply by Rajya Sabha Secretariat to a query filed under the Right To Information (RTI) Act by Madhya Pradesh-based Chander Shekhar Gaur.
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has said that during 2022-23, Rs 58.5 crore was spent on the salaries of members, while Rs 30.9 crore on domestic travel and Rs 2.6 crore on foreign travel.
During the conference, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & WaterwaysShri Sarbananda Sonowalunveiled five initiatives that concentrate on green shipping and the digitization of ports.
He stressed the governments commitment to promoting environmentally friendly shipping practices and enhancing port efficiency. These new efforts aim to foster within the maritime sector.
Indias First-ever Innovation State Robotics Framework, Telangana to further Establish TRIC Agency
comes up with the first-of-its-kind initiative of the latest Robotics framework for India. The mission is to build a robotics ecosystem and further promote research & development, innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Telangana Government is dedicated to bringing transformation in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This will be the first time in India that a Robo Park will be created to facilitate the users with a wide-ranging machinery including testing, co-working Options and co-manufacturing options available at competitive rates.
Telangana state will also launch a Robotics Accelerator for startups so that they will be able to accelerate their business with the required Infrastructure, market knowledge, authorisation support, investor links and much more for their venture.
India now has its First Reading Lounge
The Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the first one across the country to establish a reading lounge for visitors. This place will have books on literature, young budding authors and even include international languages. Young authors are promoted under the Yuva Yojana launched by Modi Government. The National Book Trust (NBT) has provided assistance in setting up this reading area.