UTTAR PRADESH

UP government passes anti-organised crime bill – upcoca

In an attempt to control organised crime, the Yogi government has decided to bring Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crime Act (UPCOCA) which will deal with crime and mining mafia, kidnappers and extortionists. The Opposition refrain however was that the Act will target only Muslims.

The Act, quite on the lines of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), was passed by the state cabinet at a meeting held in Lucknow on Wednesday. It would be presented in the Winter session of the state legislature which begins on Thursday. This Act, if passed by the state legislature, needs to be ratified by the President of India.

Previously, former CM Mayawati during her regime, had introduced a similar Act but was forced to withdraw it in September 2008 after the refusal of Presidential assent.

The provisions of the stringent Act has been drafted on lines of MCOCA, which will include crimes like grabbing of government contracts through unfair means, grabbing of government land, illegal mining, blackmailing and manufacturing of fake medicines and spurious liquor.

Accused charged with UPCOCA will not get any police protection. The new law, if implemented, will provide capital punishment for certain crimes and criminals against whom cases are registered under this Act, will not get bail from lower courts.

The new Act is set to have political reactions.

INTERNATIONAL

India ranks 100 in global prosperity index

After rising up in the Ease of Doing Business Index, India has upgraded its ranks in ‘The Legatum Prosperity Index 2017’ as well.

The index ranks India 100th on the list of prosperous countries among 149 countries.

Norway topped the ranking while New Zealand and Finland sealed second and third spot respectively.

· Sri Lanka formally hands over Hambantota Port to China for 99-Year Lease

Sri Lanka formally handed over its southern strategic port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease.
Two Chinese firms managed by China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CM Port) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority will own port and the investment zone around it.
Hambantota port is strategically located right in the middle of vital energy supply lines in the Indian Ocean, connecting the Middle East and East Asia.

· AIIB Grants 1st loan to China to Reduce Dependence on Coal

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved its first loan to China, its largest shareholder, to reduce its dependence on coal by over 600,000 tonnes annually by building a natural gas distribution network for villages.
The USD 250-million-loan will fund a project to connect 216,750 households in approximately 510 villages to the natural gas distribution network.
With an authorized capital of USD 100 billion, China is the largest shareholder with 26.06 percent voting shares.
India is the second largest shareholder with 7.5 percent followed by Russia 5.93 percent and Germany 4.5 percent.

· Second UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture Held in Muscat

The second UN World Tourism Organization/UNESCOWorld Conference on Tourism and Culture was held in Muscat, Capital city of Oman.
The Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Dr Mahesh Sharma led the Indian delegation.
The conference was focused on sustainable development, culture and tourism as a factor of peace and prosperity; tourism development and protection of cultural heritage.

NATIONAL

Indian economy to grow at 7.2% in 2018, says UN report

The Indian economy will grow at 7.2% in 2018 and accelerate to 7.4% in 2019 as a result of robust private consumption, public investment and structural reforms, a United Nations report said.

The report also forecast that inflation in India will be 4.5% in 2018 and 4.8% in 2019, slightly above the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) medium-term consumer price index-based (CPI-based) inflation target of 4%.

· India will share expertise to make Nigeria self-sufficient in agriculture

To boost Agricultural productivity of Nigeria, India has decided to share their Agricultural expertise to make Nigeria food sufficient.
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that India noted with great interest the new initiatives of Nigeria particularly the Green Alternative initiative-a roadmap to make Nigeria self-sufficient in agriculture.
Indian companies to explore the opportunities in Nigerian agriculture field both as investors as well as providers of agri-services, agricultural machinery and technological assistance.

Indian short film ‘The School Bag’ wins award in Vancouver Film Festival

Indian film “The School Bag” has bagged the Best Short Film award at the Vancouver Golden Panda International Film Festival.

The fiction film, directed by Dheeraj Jindal, is based in Peshawar, Pakistan.

The School Bag” also won the Best Short Film award at the Lahore International Children’s Film Festival and Jindal received the Best Director award at the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati, US.

Priyanka Chopra receives Mother Teresa Memorial award

Actor Priyanka Chopra has been honoured with this year’s Mother Teresa Memorial award for social justice.

Priyanka received the award for her contribution towards lending her support to social causes, such as her recent visit to Syria, where she met and interacted with refugee children.

The actor is also UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador and is known for supporting various philanthropic activities.

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