Kerala Affairs
Kerala government allots Rs 2 crore for Chellanam
The decided to allot Rs 2 crore for implementing emergency coastal protection measures in the Chellanam coast before monsoon. Also, the ongoing projects along the coast will be completed in a time-bound manner.
The decision was taken in the high-level meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the difficulties faced by the residents of Chellanam. Vijayan Canal and Uppu Thodu will be desilted within a week to ensure free flow of water in case of sea flooding. Project worth Rs 45 lakh to repair seawalls and geobags will be completed by the first week of June.
The Irrigation Design & Research Board (IDRB) has been entrusted with the responsibility to complete the tendering of the projects worth Rs16 crore that was earlier announced by the government.
National and International Affairs
Panel of state ministers to examine valuation of services by casinos, online gaming for GST
The government has set up a panel of state ministers for better valuation of Services ofcasinos,online gamingportal and race courses for levying goods and services tax (GST).
The seven-member panel, convened by Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, will also examine whether any change is required in the legal provision for better means of valuation of these services.
It will also examine the administration of such valuation provisions and if an alternative means of valuation is recommended.
The panel would also look into the impact of such valuation on other similarly placed services like lottery.
The Ministry of Power has decided to establish a National Mission to promote the use of in coal-fired thermal power Plants.
Increase the level of co-firing from the current 5% to higher levels in order to have a greater share of carbon neutral power generation from thermal power plants.
Conduct R&D in boiler design to handle the higher levels of silica and alkalis in biomass pellets.
To make it easier to overcome constraints in the supply chain of bio mass pellets and agro- residue, as well as their transport to power plants.
Subodh Kumar Jaiswal takes charge as CBI director
Subodh Kumar Jaiswal, a 1985 batchIPSofficer serving as CISF DG, on Wednesday took charge as theCBIdirector.
TheCentral Bureau of Investigationwas working without a regular chief for over three months afterRishi Kumar Shuklacompleted his two-year tenure on February 3.
Jaiswal, ex-Maharashtra DGP and former Mumbai top cop, was the seniormost officer in the panel.