KERALA

Kerala government for biometric authentication of social welfare pension process

The state government’s proposed verification process of welfare pension beneficiaries will be based on biometric authentication.

The verification process of around 42 lakh beneficiaries of social welfare pension in the state will be done using tablets enabled with Aadhar authentication facility through iris. The total cost for the project is estimated at Rs 23.6 crore.

A total of 10,331 fingerprint and 5,600 iris scanners will be used for the purpose. A total of 4,731 tablets will be purchased at an estimate of Rs 9 crore, while fingerprint and iris scanners will cost Rs 10.9 crore. The proposal was prepared by Kerala State IT Mission, which has been approved by the finance department under digital

empower campaign, said sources in the government. Tablets will be equipped with 4G connection at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. The survey will be done by Mahila Pradhan agents.

At present, five types of social welfare pension are being disbursed to 42.17 lakh beneficiaries and government spends Rs 483.30 crore per month to disburse social welfare pension. A major share of pension being distributed comes under old age pension and widow pension.

INTERNATIONAL

· United Nations Postal System issues special postal stamps to mark Diwali celebration

United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued special stamps with Diyas lamps (special event sheet) to commemorate India Hindu festival of Diwali. These stamps are available at UN headquarters post office in New York, US and also online.

The special event sheet (stamps) issued by UNPA are in denomination of US $1.15. It contains ten stamps and tabs featuring festive lights and symbolic lamps known as diyas.

UNPA is postal agency of United Nations. It issues postage stamps and postal stationery, denominated in United States dollars for United Nations offices in New York, in Swiss francs for offices in Geneva and in euros for the offices in Vienna.

· India participates in China’s First International Import Expo

It is the world’s firstimport-themed national-level expo that will feature enterprise and business exhibitions, country pavilions for trade and investment.
Leaders from 18 countries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khanparticipate in the six-day mega event in Shanghai, which is aimed at exhibiting China’s import potential.

The expo is being held amid China’s trade war with the US, which slapped additional tariffs on Chinese goodsworth about USD 250 billion, demanding Beijing to bring down the trade deficit amounting to USD 375 billion.

· India pledges contributions of USD 13.36 mn for UN agencies, development activities

India announced contributions of $13.36 million(over ₹97.2 crore) for various United Nations (UN) agencies and development activities at the 2018 ‘United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities’.
Around 19 countriespledged a total of $425.69 million at the conference.
India has committed over $100 million to the India-UN Development Partnership Fund which was set up last year.

1st WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health Held in Geneva

The first Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health was held at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 30 October – 1 November 2018.

The conference responds to a World Health Assembly mandate to combat one of the world’s most significant causes of premature death, causing some 7 million deaths annually.

NATIONAL

· Union Cabinet approves opening up of International Solar Alliance membership to all UN countries

The decision was taken to put solar energy on the global agenda with the universal appeal for developing and deploying solar energy.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an alliance dedicated to the promotion of solar energy among its member countries and is headquartered at Gurugram, India.
The main objective of ISA is to include global deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation capacity and mobilisation of investment of over US$ 1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.

· Government approves operationalisation strategy for Operation Greens

Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) approved operationalisation strategy for Operation Greens. Operation Greens was announced by Union Government in Budget 2018-19 to stabilise supply of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) crops. It is aimed at ensuring availability of TOP crops throughout the country round the year without price volatility.

ð Operation Green was announced in Union Budget 2018-19 on line of Operation Flood to promote FPOs, agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management. It aims to promote farmer producers organisations, processing facilities, agri-logistics and professional management.

Advanced Motor Fuels Technology Collaboration Programme

The Union Cabinet has been apprised of India joining as Member of Advanced Motor Fuels Technology Collaboration Programme (AMF TCP) under International Energy Agency (IEA).

The primary goal of joining AMF TCP by India to bring down emissions and achieve higher fuel efficiency in transport sector.

AMF TCP is an international platform under the framework of International Energy Agency (IEA) for co-operation among countries to promote cleaner and more energy efficient fuels & vehicle technologies.

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