UTTARAKHAND

· CM expresses concern at global warming impact on Himalayas in Conclave of Himalayan States

ð Referring to the impact of global warming on 968 glaciers in the Himalayas, he said that this also threatens the existence of perennial rivers originating from the Himalayas. ð With 11 major rivers originating here, the Himalayan rivers meet about 65 %of the nation’s drinking water needs. Referring to decrease in agricultural land in the region due to human influence, he said that such land has decreased by about 50% in Uttarakhand to about seven lakh hectare.

INTERNATIONAL

India is world’s most depressed country

According to a World Health Organization report, India is the world’s most depressed country, closely followed by China and the US.

According to the 2015-16 National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), every sixth person in India needs mental health help of some sort.

At least 6.5 per cent of the Indian population suffer from some form of the serious mental disorder.

NATIONAL

India’s first Cryptocurrency ATM opens in Bengaluru

Despite the government and Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) crackdown on cryptocurrency in India, virtual currency exchange Unocoin has installed a currency deposit and dispensing ATM at Kemp Fort Mall in Bengaluru.

The kiosk, installed by Unocoin, allows its customers to deposit and withdraw minimum amount of Rs 1000 from the platform.

First of its kind in India, this ATM circumvents the RBI regulation against bitcoins transaction.

· UIDAI proposal for SIM cards impacts privacy

In a grave infringement of privacy, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) have announced a proposed process wherein live photographs along with location and time stamp will be captured for the purpose of issuing SIM cards.

In the proposed process, a live photograph of the person with latitude, longitude, and time stamp will be captured. The photo of his/her ID such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc will be captured. The SIM card agent will be authenticated through OTP and a SIM card will be issued.

Taking the photo ID such as Aadhaar card for offline verification is against the Aadhar Act itself. The UIDAI had previously informed the apex court that it was not possible to track the Aadhar holder by location. Experts have said if this proposal is implemented, it will become a form of mass surveillance.

Furthermore, if in future, telecom companies decide to issue SIM cards at home, as part of customer choices, this adds to the mass surveillance by private companies.

· Union Government launches Swastha Bharat Yatra campaign to create awareness about Food Safety

The Campaign is Launched by Central Government association with the State Government and it is led by theFood Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’ is launched simultaneously at Leh(in Jammu & Kashmir), Panaji(Goa), Thiruvananthapuram(Kerala), Puducherry, Ranji(Jharkhand) and Agartala(Tripura).

· Detailed Project Report is set for new rail corridor

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is set for the proposed 510-km third and fourth rail line from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to improve connectivity and operate more trains to the Kerala State. Kerala Railway Development Corporation Ltd(KRDCL) gave its approval for appointing Systra as the general consultant.
Systra, the Paris-based engineering and consulting group, has been appointed as general consultant for preparing the DPR, which includes the traffic study, initial design, and financial model. It also includes the internal rate of return for laying the line on a cost-sharing basis between Railways and the State through KRDCL.

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