Asian Development Bank and USAID ink MoU to develop solar parks in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Unites States Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for devlopment of solar parks in India. The MoU will facilitate 848 million US dollars in funding to develop solar parks across India. The collaboration of Asian Development Bank and USAID will initially focus on the state of Rajasthan.
Key facts:

• The funding will assist India in developing the clean energy infrastructure by the collaborating on design and development of PPP investment models for solar parks.


• It will help finance the development of solar parks in support of the Government of India’s renewable energy targets.


• The co-operation between 2 agencies will help to design & develop public private partnership (PPP) models as well as study options for managing grid reliability.


• Under this agreement, USAID will align the technical resources of its existing Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Deployment (PACE-D) Program.


• USAID will support ADB’s investments in the development of solar parks and renewable energy transmission infrastructure in states.

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Asian Development Bank and USAID ink MoU to develop solar parks in India

Union Government has signed the Raptor MoU on conservation of birds of Prey

The Union Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on conservation of birds of prey in Africa & Eurasia at the Convention on Migratory Species Office in Abu Dhabi.

The MoU was signed by the T.P Seetharam, the Ambassador of India to the UAE.

With the signing of the Raptor MoU, India became the 56th signatory state to sign it.

The MoU is also in conformity with the provisions of the existing Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, where in the birds have been accorded protection.
What is Raptor MoU?

• MoU on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa & Eurasia is an international, legally non binding, agreement to protect migratory birds of prey.

• It was concluded on 22nd October 2008 and came into effect on 1st November 2008.

• It is an agreement under Article IV paragraph 4 of the CMS.

• It seeks willingness of the signatory Range States for the working conservation of the raptor species and their habitats.

• An action plan has been formulated which primarily envisages the conservation action for Raptor species.

• The MoU extends its coverage to 76 species of birds of prey out of which 46 species including vultures, falcons, eagles, owls, hawks, kites, harriers, and more which are also found in India.

• The CMS or Bonn Convention, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to conserve migratory species throughout their range.

• India has been a party to the CMS since 1st November 1983.

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Union Government has signed the Raptor MoU on conservation of birds of Prey

India and Nepal ink 7 Agreements

India & Nepal have signed 7 agreements for co-operation in various fields. These agreements were signed at a summit meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Nepali counter part KP Sharma Oli in New Delhi. This is the 1st official foreign visit of K.P. Sharma Oli after he became Prime Minister of Nepal.

Signed Agreements are:

• MoU on Post earth quake re-construction assistance:
  
  It deals with utilization of US 250 million dollars Grant component India’s Assistance package for Post earthquake reconstruction assistance of Nepal.


• MoU on strengthening of road infrastructure in Nepal:
  
  It will enable speedy implementation of remaining work on 17 Roads in Terai area of Nepal.


• MoU in the field of performing arts:
  
  Singed between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama & Sangeet Natak Academy. It aims to enhance relations in the field of performing arts between both countries.


• Letters of Exchange on Transit Routes:
  
  (i) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port. (ii) Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor.


• Letters of Exchange on Rail Transport:
  
  (i) Rail transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s Trade with Bangladesh. (ii) Rail transport to and from Vishakhapatnam.


• Inauguration of Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line:
  
  Initial supply of 80 MW from Nepal to India. It will be later augmented to 200 MW by October 2016 & 600 MW by December 2017.


• Establishment of Eminent Persons Group (EPG):
  
  It will comprise Eight members with each country nominating Four members. Its mandate would be to review bilateral relations and recommend measures including institutional frameworks in order to enhance bilateral ties.

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India and Nepal ink 7 Agreements

Prasar Bharati signs a MoU with EBC

Prasar Bharati has been signed a MoU with Empressa de Brazil Communicacao (EBC) in connection with several broadcast related activities including exchange of news, programmes & co-production. This MoU is being described as historical as it is the 1st agreement that Prasar Bharati has signed with any South American country. It was signed between the Prasar Bharati Chief Executive Officer Jawhar Sircar & EBC Vice President Mr Mario in Brasilia, Brazil. The MoU includes long list of Indian programmes to be broadcast on EBC network including documentaries, science programs, serials and Portuguese programs from Goa. Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati already has signed similar MoUs with Russia & China realising the importance of BRICS in this field.

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Prasar Bharati signs a MoU with EBC

Canada, United State, Mexico ink MoU to Co-operate on Climate Change

Canada, United States and Mexico have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate Change & Energy Collaboration to tap into energy co-operation among 3 countries. The MoU was signed at the North American Energy Ministers Meeting held in Winnipeg, Canada and hosted by the Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr.
Key facts:

• This energy co-operation MoU reflects shared vision of 3 North American countries for a future where an expanding clean energy sector, a sustainable environment.


• Under the MoU, the 3 countries will collaborate & share information in key areas such as clean energy technologies, low carbon electricity & energy efficiency.


• They will also share information in areas like carbon capture, climate change adaptation, use & storage or reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector including from methane (CH4).


• They will also work together to increase policy alignment and ensure that North American energy sector is developed effectively, efficiently & responsibly.

During the meeting, the 3 ministers also discussed the importance of trilateral co-operation and continental approach to energy.They are also launched a web platform featuring new energy maps. These maps for the 1st time depict North American energy resources, production and infrastructure in a single place.

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Canada, United State, Mexico ink MoU to Co-operate on Climate Change

Rajasthan Government inks MoU to join Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana Scheme

Rajasthan Government along with its power distribution companies (DISCOMS) has signed a MoU to join UDAY (Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana) Scheme. State DISCOMS part of this MoU are Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVNL), Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) and Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVNL).
Key facts:

• With this, Rajasthan became third state to sign the MoU under UDAY scheme after Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.


• By joining the UDAY Scheme, discoms in Rajasthan will be able to overcome permanent and sustainable solution for their debt-ridden utilities and achieve financial stability and growth.


• Presently, discoms in Rajasthan have a total debt of 80,500 crore rupees which accounts for 18.7 % of the country’s total discom debt of 4.3 lakh crore rupees.

About Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojna (UDAY):

• UDAY Scheme has been launched by Union Ministry of Power for financial restructuring of debt of power distribution companies.


• It aims for financial revival and turnaround of Power Distribution companies and also ensures a sustainable permanent solution to the problem.


• By becoming part of it, states power DISCOMs can convert their debt into state bonds as well as roll out number of measures to improve efficiency at power plants.


• It seeks to make DISCOMs financially and operationally healthy so they can supply adequate power at affordable rates and play important role in Union Government’s ambition of meeting target of 100% Village electrification and 24X7 Power For All.

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Rajasthan Government inks MoU to join Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana Scheme

India and France singed 14 pacts for co-operation various fields

India and France have singed Fourteen pacts for enhancing bilateral co-operation various fields including the defence, space, railways, education etc. These agreements were signed between the 2 countries after extensive talks between india’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande.
The Signed Agreements are
Defence:MoU on purchase of 36 Rafale Aircrafts.

Space: Implementation Arrangement between ISRO & CNES on hosting Argos 4 Payload onboard Oceansat 3 satellite of India. Implementation Arrangement between ISRO & CNES on a future joint Thermal Infrared earth observation mission. Letter of Intent (LoI) on France’s (CNES) participation in India’s (ISRO’s) next Mars Mission.
Railways: Joint Venture Shareholding Agreement between Indian Railways & Alstom for production of 800 electric locomotives in Madhepura plant in Bihar. Agreement between Indian Railways & French Railways (SNCF) for the joint feasibility study for the renovation of Ambala (Punjab) , Ludhiana (Punjab) railway stations.
Food safety: MOU between Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) & ANSES in food safety.

Public Administration: Partnership Agreement on Co-operation in Public Administration between Union Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances & France. 

Cultural exchange: Declaration of Intent (DoI) for conducting Bonjour India (French festival) in 2017 and Namaste France (Indian festival) in 2016, Cultural Exchange Programme between both countries for the period 2016-2018 Science and Technology: Arrangement for establishment of an Indo French Ministerial level Joint Committee on Science and Technology.
Education: MoU between IIT Mumbai & Thales Systemes Aeroportes for Industry Sponsored Ph.D Fellowship. Co-operation Agreement for joint research, teaching, exchange of personnel etc between IISER, Pune & ENS de Lyon (France). Agreement of Co-operation in the field of Higher Education and Research between IIT Mumbai and CNRS, TB, UBO, UBS,ENSTA Bretagne,ENIB. Apart from signing these agreements, both countries also discussed on ways to enhance co-operation in counter terrorism, security & civil nuclear energy.

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India and France singed 14 pacts for co-operation various fields

Andhra Pradesh Govt. ink MoU with the Microsoft India on technology initiatives

The Andhra Pradesh Government has signed Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the tech giant Microsoft India on various technology initiatives for governance. The MoU was signed after a meeting between the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella in Hyderabad, Telangana. The technology provided by the Microsoft would be utilized by state government to check school dropouts, improve agricultural productivity and providing better citizen services.
Key features of MoU:

• The MoU seeks to improve use of Information & communications technology (ICT) drive for digital inclusion and provide better IT based services to citizens.


• For digital inclusion Microsoft India will provide technical knowledge to Andhra Pradesh Government & support building 3 proof-of-concept (PoC) solutions.


• PoC solutions would be supported by applying Microsoft Azure Machine Learning and Advanced Visualization method in the fields of agriculture, eCitizen services & education.


• These solutions would use the lab method for data gathering, analysis, predictive analysis and policy planning which would be built and deployed to address specific problems within each of the fields to achieve better outcomes for the State.


• The company will set up a Centre for Excellence (CoE) in Visakhapatnam to train state Government’s key IT executives.

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Andhra Pradesh Govt. ink MoU with the Microsoft India on technology initiatives

India and South Korea inked new MoU on taxation treaty

India and South Korea have inked a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on suspension of collection of taxes during the pendency of mutual agreement procedure. This MoU will relieve the burden of double taxation for taxpayers in both the countries during the pendency of Mutual Agreement Procedure proceedings. Besides, both countries also have agreed that transfer pricing dispute cases will be taken up for MAP under the revised Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between India & Korea.
What is Mutual Agreement Procedure?

MAP is an alternate dispute resolution mechanism that allows competent authorities of particular nation and its treaty partner to negotiate a mutually acceptable settlement. Under it, 2 signatory sides can negotiate settlement on a case that can subsequently be taken off from the formal legal process. As a resolution process, MAP draws up parameters for taxation in 1 country for which credit would be available in another.
Main advantages:

MAP is a preferred way used to settle cross border tax cases globally. Eliminates of double taxation arising out of transfer pricing tax disputes, characterisation of income & attribution of profits and existence of Permanent Establishment.

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India and South Korea inked new MoU on taxation treaty

Union Government & National Textile Corporation signed MoU for establishing a Technology Centre at Kanpur

The Union Ministry of Textiles, Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and National Textile Corporation (NTC) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a Technology Centre at Kanpur.

Highlights of the MoU:

• Under the MoU, Ministry of MSME will fund the project, while NTC will provide the land in a closed unviable mill.

• Management will be through a Governing Council where Development Commissioner of MSME will be Chairman and Ministry of Textiles representative will be the co-chairman.

• The Ministry of Textiles will skill the youth in textile sector, thus, providing requisite skilled manpower to the textile industry.

• The Centre will provide support in manufacturing of quality tools that will improve productivity of MSMEs and enable them to become competitive in national & international markets.

• It will also provide trained manpower & consultancy in related areas.

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Union Government & National Textile Corporation signed MoU for establishing a Technology Centre at Kanpur

NTC LTD signed MoU with Transparency International India For Integrity Pact

The National Textile Corporation (NTC) Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Transparency International India (TII) for adopting Integrity Pact..

With this signing, NTC became the 51st Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and 49th Central PSU to sign a MoU with Transparency International India.

Integrity Pact is a tool which ensures that all activities and transactions between a Company or Government Department and their Suppliers are handled in a fair, transparent & corruption free manner. It also prohibits any kind of bribing, favour or any other unethical practice, which is closely monitored by honorary Independent External Monitors (IEMs). The IEMs
National Textile Corporation (NTC) Limited

NTC ltd. is a Schedule A Public Sector Undertaking engaged and entrusted with Management and operation of Sick Textile Under-takings taken over and nationalized through various Acts. From a sick corporation NTC Ltd. has moved to a turnover of 12 billion rupees in the year 2013-2014 and operation loss to Zero.
Transparency International India (TII)

Transparency International India (TII) is an accredited chapter of Transparency International, Berlin. TII has been working in the field of public procurement since 2005 with an aim to bring about transparency in the tendering process. Integrity Pact, a Transparency International conceptualized instrument, has been vital in promoting clean procurement.

ONGC in 2006 became the 1st PSU to sign MoU with TII and implement Integrity Pact in its procurement process. Orissa Power Generation Corporation Limited is the only state PSU and New Delhi Municipal Corporation is the only municipality to sign a MoU with TII for implementation of Integrity Pact.

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NTC LTD signed MoU with Transparency International India For Integrity Pact

In the field of energy,MoU between India and Belgium has been approved by Union Cabinet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi,when chaired with Union Cabinet has approved a (MoU) Memorandum of Understanding with Belgium for collaboration in development of technologies related with New and Renewable Energy.The MoU will be signed amid Ministry of Power and corresonding Belgian government authority at the Federal and regional level.
Key facts of MoU

Objective: To establish cooperative Organizational relationship between these two countries to promote and encourage bilateral cooperation on new and renewable energy issues.

It will be on the basis of mutual equality,benefit and reciprocity of both countries in the field of energy sector.

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In the field of energy,MoU between India and Belgium has been approved by Union Cabinet

To ease fuel crisis Nepal inks MoU with China

In order to ease fuel crisis in the Nepal ,they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China in order to import all kinds of Petroleum products.

It was signed by Nepal Oil Corp (NOC) and China National United Oil Corporation (PetroChina) in Beijing,china to grant all kind of the petroleum products for Nepal needs.

Now China will commercially supplying petroleum to Nepal and already had agreed to contribute 1.3 million litres of petrol to Nepal.

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To ease fuel crisis Nepal inks MoU with China

For Preservation of Written Heritage,India and France ink MoU at National Library in Kolkata

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop ,conserve and publicize written heritage had been signed between India and France at the National Library in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was signed by Bruno Racine, President of the National Library of France and  Sreya Guha, Joint Secretary (Library) in the Union Ministry of Culture.

Key facts of MoU

• Demands development of competency, digital  co-operation, and skill-building, sharing of technical and non-technical expertise and cultural co-operation between the both countries.


• It will assist a programme on digitization of old cultural manuscripts and documents which had begun earlier in France 7 years ago. It will also make Indian side to gain some new experiences and other high quality expertise in this field from France.

 

 

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For Preservation of Written Heritage,India and France ink MoU at National Library in Kolkata

Maharashtra Government inks Memorandum of Understanding with Tiawan based company Foxconn

Maharashtra government has signed a MoU with the Tiawan based company Foxconn to set up its manufacturing facility in the state. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in presence of the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

As per MoU:

• Foxconn will invest Five billion US dollars over the next 5 years in Maharashtra.


• State will provide the company 1500 acres of land for setting up its plant in state. Foxconn’s facility in Maharashtra will focus on research and development as well as manufacturing.


• It will create direct employment of 50,000 people in the state.


• The company has chosen the Maharashtra as its centre keeping in view it as a financial centre, availability of quality talent and software and hardware integration facilities.

About Foxconn:

• Foxconn world’s largest contract manufacturer of electronics and makes devices for Apple, Xiaomi, Huawei, Black Berry and Motorola.


• Singing MoU with the Foxconn is 2nd achievement of Maharashtra Government led by the CM Fadnavis in month of June 2015.


• Earlier in this month the state government had reached an agreement General Motors which had proposed to invest 6,400 crore rupees in state for expansion of its manufacturing facility in Pune district.

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Maharashtra Government inks Memorandum of Understanding with Tiawan based company Foxconn

India and Slovak Republic signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical co-operation in Railway Sector

The MoU signed between Union Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic. The MoU signed by Ganga Ram Agarwal, Secretary, Railway Board and Ambassador of Slovak Republic to India Zigmund Bertok in New Delhi.
In the MoU potential co-operation areas mentioned are:

• Infrastructure building, station development and management and workshop modernisation.


• Information & communication technologies especially for passenger amenities.


• Modernisation of rolling stock. Modernisation of Signaling & Telecom.


• The MoU will be valid for a period of 2 years and after completion of valid term it will be automatically renewed for further successive period of 2 years at a time.

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India and Slovak Republic signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical co-operation in Railway Sector

NTPC has signed 2 MoUs with Skill Development fund and National Skill Development Corp.

National Thermal Power Corporation has signed 2 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) and National Skill Development Corp.(NSDC) for skill development training in eastern states and Bihar.
The 1stMemorandum of Understanding:

The Memorandum of Understanding (NTPC) will provide the skill training to 5 Thousand youth and women across 22 locations with the special focus on the eastern states. The MoU is for 2 years with a project cost around Rs 6.5 Crore.
The 2nd Memorandum of Understanding:

As per the MoU NTPC will train over 25 thousand candidates in services and manufacturing sectors across under the served locations in Bihar. The MoU is for 5 years with a project cost of Rs 30 crore rupees.Both projects will be funded by the (NTPC) and executed by the(NSDC) through its Training Partners.
About (NSDC):

National Skill Development Corporation India is a Public Private Partnership Company with the primary mandate of promotion of the skills landscape in India. It main objective is to upgrade skills to international standards through the significant industry involvement and through appropriate Public Private Partnership models. It strives to develop the necessary frameworks for standards,

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NTPC has signed 2 MoUs with Skill Development fund and National Skill Development Corp.

Union Cabinet approved India-Taipei MoU on MSME

The Union Cabinet has approved the MoU between the dia-Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei and Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India. This decision was taken at Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Key facts of MoU

Promote the partnership between the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) between the two signatory parties.

Provide a favourable environment and structured framework to the MSME sector of the two parties in order to understand each other’s policies, markets ,strengths, technologies,etc.

Hold an agreement to enable their respective MSMEs to participate in each other’s trade fairs and exhibitions in order to exchange business.

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Union Cabinet approved India-Taipei MoU on MSME

India and Bangladesh has signed Memorandum of Understanding to tackle the menace of fake Indian currency notes

On 13 August 2015 India , Bangladesh has signed Memorandum of Understanding to tackle the menace of fake Indian currency notes smuggling.The (MoU) was signed during a meeting of the Joint Task Force on Fake Currency Notes in Dhaka.

MoU was signed by the Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh Mohammed Mokhlesur Rahman and Head of National Investigation Agency of India (NIAOI) IG Sanjeev Kumar Singh.

Highlights of the Memorandum of Understanding:

•India and Bangladesh both nations will share intelligence inputs on operatives engaged in circulating (FICN) on real time basis.

• India will provide the Advance note sorting machines to Bangladesh to detect (FICN) circulation at international airports, immigration points, banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh.

• India will help Bangladesh to set upb the Forensic Science laboratory for examination of fake notes and maintaining a digital depository of forensic reports.

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India and Bangladesh has signed Memorandum of Understanding to tackle the menace of fake Indian currency notes