29 July 2016 – Daily Current Affairs

New AIIMS approved by Union Cabinet

Establishment of new AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) announced on 27^th July 2016. The approval came from Union Cabinet. The AIIMS will be established in Bhatinda, Punjab. It got approval under the PMSSY (Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana). The objective is to create super-specialty health care for the population. It will also create large doctor’s pool & similar health workers. These caregivers will be for primary & secondary level facilities/institutions. This pool has been created under the NHM (National Health Mission). Establishing cost for AIIMS will be INR 925 crore. Cost is exclusive of recurring costs such as salaries, wages, maintenance & operation. The project completion date is 48 months after UG approval.

Lok Sabha passes LL (Lokpal and Lokayukta) Amendment Bill, 2016

On 27^th July 2016, Lok Sabha passed LLAB (Lokpal and Lokayukta- Amendment Bill) 2016.This bill passed without discussion. The bill will be amending the current Lokpal & Laokayukta Act of 2013. The previous bill gives Centre Lokpal and States Lokayukta statutory backing. They could inquire into corruption allegations against public functionaries. As per the new bill, the assets & liabilities of each public servant has to be declared. Central government has the power of the prescribing manner & forms for declaration. Within 30 days from taking oath, the public servant will have to share details of assets & liabilities. This also includes their families and all beneficiaries.

India & US find major NGR (Natural Gas Reserve)

USGS (US Geological Survey) published a new report on 19^th July 2016. According, a joint expedition was taken by US and India in the BOB (Bay of Bengal), Indian Ocean. The expenditure was titled INGHPE (Indian National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition-02). Large & highly enriched NGH (natural gas hydrate) have been discovered in the area. ONGC led the expedition with USGS, JAM-EST (Japanese Agency for Marine-Earth Science & Technology) and JDC (Japanese Drilling Company). It is the 1^st potential discovery across Indian Ocean. The discovery took place at Krishna-Godavari Basin. The next step is product testing for its practicality & profitability.

ITD (International Tiger Day) observed

On 29^th July 2016, ITD was observed. The objective is worldwide attention towards tiger reservation. The goal is promoting global systems for protection of the natural habitats of tigers. It also aims to raise global public awareness & support towards tiger conservation concerns. The day was established in 2010 during St. Petersburg-Tiger Summit. The objective of the summit was doubling the tiger populace by 2022.

Union Government formed ‘Disha’

On 28^th July 2016, Union Government formed ‘Disha’. It is a DDCM (District Development Coordination and Monitoring) Committee. Its first meeting will take place on 13^th August 2016. The objective behind Disha is effective coordination and development of the central schemes. These can be human resource, social or infrastructure development. It will oversee 28 programs & schemes of the various ministries. It will ensure convergence and synergy for better results. It will look into funding irregularities, complaints, setbacks etc.