[CA] March 01, 2020

FARMER PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS (FPOs) To increase the income of the farmers of the country and empower them, Prime Minister launched a scheme to create 10,000 FPOs i.e. Farmer Producer Organizations. The farmer who was a producer till now, will also conduct business through FPO. Prime Minister said that the FPOs will help in collectivisation of the efforts of the farmers so that they can sell their produce at a better price. In the same spirit, the Prime Minister said the government decided to give more incentives to FPOs in more than 100 Aspirational Districts- 'Aspirational Districts' of the country with at least one FPO formed in every block. US STRIKES A DEAL WITH TALIBAN The U. S. signed a deal with the Taliban that could pave the way towards a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step towards ending the 18 – year – war in the nation. The deal was signed in Doha (Qatar) by Taliban fighter-turned-dealmaker Mullah Baradar and US Special representative Zalmay Khalilzad. Afghanistan President, Mr. Ashraf Ghani expressed hope that the deal would pave the way towards lasting peace. KERALA HIGH COURT BANS ALL FORM OF AGITATIONS IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES The Kerala High Court has ruled that strikes, rallies and gheraos that affect regular classes should not be held on the campuses of schools and colleges. Observations made by the Court: è Those who are not participating in the strike have every right to attend their classes and no one should force them to participate in agitations that affect smooth conduct of classes. è Academic institutions are only meant for studies and they should not be venues for strikes and protests. è Nobody has the right to override a student’s right to study and action can be against those who indulge in strikes, rallies and gheraos that affect regular classes. UGC TO SET UP 11 CHAIRS IN THE NAME OF WOMEN SCIENTISTS Union Government said that, 11 Chairs will be set up by UGC across India in the names of women scientists. The Chairs will be set up for 5 years in the Universities to honor their contribution in the field of science. RESTAURANT ON WHEELS  Indian Railways launched its first ‘Restaurant on Wheels’ at the circulating area of Asansol Railway station for the use of Railway passengers as well as general public of Asansol.   GOVERNMENT TO CAMPAIGN FROM MARCH 01 – 07 FOR IWD Government of India launching a campaign to observe International Women’s Day (IWD) 2020 as a run-up to March 08, celebrated as International Women’s Day all over the world. The campaign has a theme for all the days beginning from March 01, 2020. The themes that are being observed are: March 01: education March 02: health and nutrition March 03: empowerment of women March 04: skills & entrepreneurship and participation in sports March 05: special circumstances March 06: rural women & agriculture March 07: urban women March 08: International Women’s Day with the theme “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”  WORLD PRODUCTIVITY CONGRESS 2020  The 19th edition of World Productivity Congress (WPC) will be held in Bengaluru from May 6 - 8, 2020 with the theme "Industry 4.0 – Innovation and Productivity". WPC is the world’s largest convention for productivity development that shape future productivity growth and to be held in India after 45 years. WPC was held in India in 1974. NIMAD CHILI FESTIVAL 2020 A 2 day unique initiative “Nimad Chilli Festival 2020” organised by Madhya Pradesh Government begins at Kasrawad in Khargone district, Madhya Pradesh. The aim of this festival is to promote Chilli production & Chilli based industries in the state & especially to promote Nimari brand of chillies in India & abroad. This festival is locally called ‘Mirch Mahotsav’. DIGITAL PAYMENTS IN INDIA In accordance with the report by online payment processor Worldline India titled “Wordline India Digital Payments 2019”, Bengaluru accounted for the highest number of digital transactions in India in 2019, followed by Chennai, Mumbai and Pune. Among states, Maharashtra has topped with the highest number of digital transactions. The most preferred mode of payment was United Payments Interface (UPI).