Morning Brief: NITI Aayog’s Blueprint For Growth; Showcase For ‘Desi Bofors’; Aadhaar Pay Push

Good Morning, Swarajya Readers! Here's What You Need To Know Today.

NITI Aayog Draws Up New Action Plan For Growth: After deciding to do away with the Nehruvian era five-year plans, the government’s policy think tank NITI Aayog has almost completed the preparation of a three-year action plan. The focus of the plan is on employment generation through agriculture and manufacturing-led economic growth.

Improving Facilities For CRPF Soldiers: Amid growing dissatisfaction among paramilitary ranks, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is mulling a slew of proposals, including a grievance redressal mechanism and allowances, to improve facilities for soldiers. A proposal to get an app developed for facilitating leave application, general provident fund (GPF) loan and other welfare measures is also being actively considered.

Republic Day Showcase For Desi Bofors: The Republic Day parade in New Delhi will see India’s first indigenous, long-range artillery gun Dhanush, or Desi Bofors, showcased for the first time. Dhanush, manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), is comparable to the latest weapon systems used by different countries. The 155-mm gun costs about Rs 14.50 crore a piece.

New Government Push For Aadhaar Pay: The government is pushing to popularise Aadhaar Pay in a bid to expand digital payments among the poor and illiterate in rural areas of the country, which ensures financial transactions by just using fingerprint. Aadhaar Pay, which is merchant version of the already in use Aadhaar-enabled payment system, will become an alternative for all online and card transactions, which require password and PIN.

GM Puts $1 Billion India Investment On Hold: US auto major, General Motors, has put on hold its investments on new models in India as the company undertakes a full review of its future product portfolio in the country. The company, which had in 2015 announced plans to invest $1 billion to enhance manufacturing operations and roll out 10 locally produced models, has not put any timeline for lifting freeze on investments on the new products.

Congress-SP Seal UP Polls Alliance: The Congress and the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday sealed a poll alliance in Uttar Pradesh, a move expected to consolidate the Muslim vote that would have a bearing on at least 100 of the 403 assembly seats. The SP will contest 298 seats and the Congress, the remaining 105. However, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad indicated that the deal was still well short of the party’s expectations of 150 seats.

Two Die During Jallikattu: Jallikattu was organised in parts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday with tens of thousands taking part, but two participants were killed at one of the events and about 83 more were injured. A day after Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao promulgated an ordinance, paving the way for Jallikattu to be held, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s plan to inaugurate a Jallikattu in Alanganallur near Madurai was foiled with over 2,000 local residents calling off the event, demanding a permanent law with immunity from any court intervention.

Assamese Seek To Lift Ban On Buffalo And Bulbul Fights: After the Union government introduced an ordinance on Jallikattu, people in Assam are now demanding they be allowed to hold the centuries-old buffalo and bulbul fights, which are part of the state’s harvest festival Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. Such animal and bird fights were not held officially for the past two years in deference to court orders.

Security Personnel Ambushed: Two security personnel were killed and three others were injured as militants ambushed an Assam Rifles vehicle on Sunday. Two terrorist were killed in the ensuing encounter in Tinsukia district of Assam, days ahead of the Republic Day. Banned ULFA (I) claimed that it had carried out the attack along with four other organisations.

Trump Brands Journalists Most Dishonest: US President Donald Trump called journalists “the most dishonest human beings on earth” and blamed them for trying to pit him against the CIA. Speaking at the CIA headquarters, he said he has been “running a war” with the media and warned them of consequences for false reporting. Trump said his first stop was the CIA as he wanted to dispel media lies about him having differences with the top spy agency.

MUST READ OP-EDS

Connecting India’s States With Good Logistics: A start in logistics reforms could be made by removing unnecessary delays at inter-state checkposts. To reap the full benefits of GST on inter-state trade, both hard and soft logistics infrastructure need to improve.

A New Disorderly World Order Is Emerging Under A Donald Trump-Led US: Donald Trump represents a certain moment in US political churning that is historically not all that unfamiliar – except that it’s lot more complicated this time.

The Great Indian Home Loan Puzzle: At the moment, we are witnessing a rate war on the Rs 13 trillion home loan market. Competition is welcome and the drop in interest rates will help expanding the home loan market but there are a few key questions about whether lenders will be able to sustain it.

Following Herd Mentality Has Become Our Destiny: Thanks to the shenanigans of politicians in the blind race for power, the issues essential to Uttar Pradesh’s development are pushed out of the discourse.

SWARAJYA SPECIAL

SP-Congress Alliance In UP Polls: A Second Place Finish May Not Be A Bad Thing For BJP: It is much better for the BJP to contest 2019 with a relatively fresh slate than to be burdened with double anti-incumbency at the Central as well as State level.

We hope you enjoyed reading our morning brief. Have a great day ahead!

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