RAJASTHAN

• Shortage of forest area has forced tribal population to migrate’

• Rajasthan has lowest share in the country in granting land rights to the tribes under the Forest Rights Act. “Rajasthan has 3.10% of the country’s forest cover. The FRA rights are given only on the notified limited forest areas. There is a clear mismatch between the population and the number of claimants.

• The state has a lion share of 8.8% of the total tribal population in the country has seen just 1.79% of applications claiming forest land under the FRA. The state has a total of 13 notified tribes: Bhil, Bhil Mina, Damor, Dhanka, Garasia, Kathodi, Kokna, Koli Dhor, Mina, Naikda, Patelia including registered sub castes.

• As per the forest survey of India 2017, Odisha’s share in the country’s forest cover is 6.90%, while MP’s share is 10.66%. Rajasthan’s 8.05% land is covered under forest which makes it difficult to adjust 13.48% of population. Odisha’s 37.58% area has a forest cover and MP’s 28.26% land under forest cover is apt to cover its tribal population of 9.2% and 14.7%. According to the experts the solution requires amendment of law.

INTERNATIONAL

• India and Brunei signed TIEA agreement

• The Government of India and the Government of Brunei Darussalam signed an Agreement for the Exchange of Information and Assistance in Collection with respect to Taxes (TIEA) in New Delhi.

• The Agreement enables the exchange of information, including banking and ownership information between the two countries for tax purposes.

• It is based on international standards of tax transparency and exchange of information and enables sharing of information on request as well as on an automatic basis.

• The Agreement also provides for mutual assistance in collection of tax revenue claims between both countries.

NATIONAL

• Government increases MSP for 50 minor forests produces

• Union minister Jual Oram announced that tribal forest produce gatherers will get minimum support price for 50 items under a new scheme.

• Under the “Scheme of Minimum Support Price and Value Addition”, the MSP for 50 items will be hiked by 30 to 40 per cent.

• It will benefit 5.5 crore tribals who depend on forest produce for livelihood.

• Oram also said the government’s flagship Van Dhan scheme for increasing incomes of tribal population is ready to be extended to all tribal districts in phases.

• The ministry will also set up around 6,000 Van Dan Vikas Kendras, each comprising 300 tribal gatherers, in the country.

·         NITI Aayogpartnered with Adobe to enhance digital literacy

• NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and software major Adobehave signed a Statement of Intent to collaborateon enhancing digital literacy and creativity skills.
• Under the agreement, Adobe would implement the Adobe Digital Disha Programmeacross 100 schools under Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) Teachers and Children across these 100 schools would benefit from the creative learning resources via free access to Adobe Spark premium.

·         Union Cabinet approved the National Policy on Software Products

• The Union Cabinet approved the National Policy on Software Products 2019that aims to help the industry grow at CAGR of 40% to reach $70-80 billion by 2025 while creating employment opportunities for 3.5 million people.
• The policy aims to adopt a shift in strategy so that IT products also contribute equitably and significantly to the industry along with IT services. The government’s initial outlay of 1,500 croreis being planned for various schemes under in policy in the next seven years.
• Further, the policy proposes to create a Rs.5,000 crore fund with industry participation to promote emerging technology such as the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Big Data, and robotics.Of this, government contribution will be 1,000 crore.

• Cabinet approved the National Mineral Policy 2019 on 28th February

• The Union Cabinet approvedthe National Mineral Policy 2019 on 28th February 2019. The policy is aimed at bringing about more effective regulation to the sector as well as a more sustainable approach while addressing the issues of those affected by mining.
• The policy will also provide a moreeffective, meaningful and implementable policy that brings in further transparency, better regulation, and enforcement, balanced social and economic growth
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