Goverment of India Rs 51,600 crore released to states under MGNREGA in 2017-18

The Centre has released more than Rs 51,600 crore to states under rural employment guarantee scheme MGNREGA till January 31 in financial year 2017-18, Rajya Sabha was informed.In written reply to a question, Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav said that the release of funds to states for the implementation of various projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was a continuous process.The ministry has released Rs 51,616.99 crore as on January 31, 2018.

Centre clears Rs 62crore for cleaning Sal river

The central government has approved a project to abate pollution of river Sal at Navelim in Goa at an estimated cost of Rs 61.7 crore. 

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had in 2015 identified the river stretch at Navelim as one of the 302 polluted river stretches across the country based on bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD) levels.

Mumbai Airport Becomes World’s Busiest Single Runway Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport of Mumbai sets record with 980 flights in 24 hours or almost one flight every minute. With this, the Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport bettered its own feat of 974 flights in 24 hours, recorded in December 2017. While Gatwick, the U.K.’s second-largest airport, remains the most efficient single-runway airport in the world.

Source : The HIndu

Sweden Commits Record $370m Of Aid To UN World Food Programme

Sweden and the United Nations World Food Programme signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement committing an unprecedented $370 million dollars to WFP over the next four years. The contribution for the period 2018-2021 is the biggest ever made by a donor within a WFP Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Sweden Capital- Stockholm, Currency- Swedish krona.

Source-  Business Standard

Maharashtra govt approves new wildlife sanctuary at Ghodazar

Maharashtra government has approved Ghodazari in Chandrapur district as a new wildlife sanctuary in the state. The decision was taken at the 13th meeting of the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Source : The Indian Express

Shubhankar Sharma becomes highest ranked Indian golfer  

Shubhankar Sharma was on Monday elevated from 193 to 72, a gain of 121 spots, in the world rankings making him the highest-ranked Indian in the world. 21-year-old's meteoric rise more than the giant strides he's made in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) since his first European Tour win at the Joburg Open . 

Source : newindianexpress

India Successfully Test-Fires Nuclear-Capable Agni-I Missile

India successfully test-fired the indigenously developed short-range nuclear capable Agni-I ballistic missile. The missile was fired from the Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast. The test was conducted by the Strategic Force Command of the Indian Army. The range of Missile is 700 km. It was 18th version of Agni-I.

Weighing around 12 tonnes, the 15-metre-long Agni-I can carry payloads up to 1,000 kg and is capable of hitting a target beyond 700 km. The missile is also capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Source : NDTV

Sushma Swaraj on 3 days visit to Saudi Arabia

INDIA’S External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will embark on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia starting from February 6th. She will also participate in the inauguration of the prestigious National Heritage and Culture Festival ‘Janadriyah’. India is the guest of honour country at the fest. Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj will be leading an Indian delegation for the inauguration of the Janadriyah Festival. 

Saudi Arabia Capital- Riyadh, Currency- Saudi Riyal.

Source : theindianawaaz

Maldives president declares emergency, arrests judges

 President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency in the island nation.  Yameen declared a state of emergency in the Indian Ocean archipelago . that overturned "terrorism" convictions against nine of his opponents was illegal. 

Maldives Capital- Male, Currency- Maldivian rufiyaa.

Source : aljazeera