Assam Grants Industry Status to Its Tourism Sector

Assam Grants Industry Status to Its Tourism Sector

• As the growth in the tourism sector is vital for socio-economic development in a state, the Assam State Cabinet led by CM HimantaBiswaSarma approved the proposal for grant of industrial status to the tourism sector in the state.
• It has been highlighted that with such industry status, fresh investments in tourism infrastructures permanent in nature will contribute towards rapid employment generation, public-private partnership and infrastructure development.
• With the grant of industry status to the tourism sector, now, restaurants, cafeterias, health clubs, spas and wellness centres among others are eligible for incentives under the industrial policy. This move will further encourage and boost private investment in the above areas of the tourism sector.
• Assam has now become a nationally and internationally acclaimed all-season tourist destination for its unique wildlife, bio-diversity and experience of an unexploited wonderland. Tourism is to be one of the main sources of income generation for the people over the years.

Centre appoints former SC Judge Hemant Gupta as head of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre

• Former Supreme Court judge, Hemant Gupta has been appointed as the chairperson of New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC). The NDIAC was established for the purpose of creating an independent and autonomous regime for institutionalised arbitration. It was established in 2019 and declared as an Institute of National Importance by an Act of Parliament.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Justice Hemant Gupta (retired) as NDIAC chairperson and that of Ganesh Chandru and Anant Vijay Palli as its part-time members.
• Justice Gupta, who demitted office on October 14, was part of a bench which had delivered a split verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the March 15 judgement of the Karnataka High Court refusing to lift the ban on wearing of hijab in educational institutions in the state.Justice Gupta was elevated as a top court judge on November 2, 2018.

Suhel Ajaz Khan named India’s new ambassador to Saudi Arabia

• Indian Foreign Service official of 1997 batch, Dr.SuhelAjaz Khan who is presently the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lebanon has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He will replace Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, a 1989 batch IFS officer. Dr. Khan is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
• Saudi Arabia which is the largest exporter of crude oil in the world and is the custodian of two of holiest mosques of Islam, Al Haram in Mecca and Al-Haram or forbidden mosques in Medina.
• During the visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to Saudi Arabia in 2010 elevated the India-Saudi Arabia tie to ‘Strategic Partnership’.
• During PM Modi visit to Saudi Arabia in 2019 Strategic Partnership Council Agreement was signed, which established a high-level council to steer the Indo-Saudi relationship.
• Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth largest trading partner after the United States of America, China and the United Arab Emirates.