General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - January 2016

Jan 2016

Jul 14, 2024

India Pitches for Infusing New Energy into BIMSTEC Grouping

India called on the seven-nation BIMSTEC grouping to infuse new energies, resources and a fresh commitment to bolster cooperation among the Bay of Bengal countries. The appeal was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar while hosting his counterparts from the BIMSTEC member states at a two-day retreat in the national capital.
Besides India, the BIMSTEC comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.
"For India, BIMSTEC represents the intersection of its 'Neighbourhood First' outlook, the 'Act East Policy' and the 'SAGAR' vision," said S. Jaishankar.
The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers had last met in a similar format in Bangkok in July 2023.

Centre Launches 321 Fisheries Projects Worth over Rs. 114 crore in Tamil Nadu

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh virtually inaugurated 321 projects at the Fisheries Summer Meet held in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
These initiatives, approved under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), represent a total investment of Rs. 114 crore.
The projects covering 19 states and Union Territories include fish retail kiosks, shrimp hatcheries, brood banks, ornamental fish units, biofloc units, fish feed mills, and fish value-added enterprises.
PMMSY, a flagship programme of the Centre, aims to foster sustainable development in the fisheries sector.

This Indian City is the First One in the World to Ban Non-vegetarian Food

Situated in the Bhavnagar district of the Indian state of Gujarat, the city of Palitana emerged as the first city in the world to declare non-vegetarian food as illegal.
The historic decision to ban non-veg foods was taken after the sale and consumption of meat as well as the butchering of animals for meat was declared illegal and punishable by law in the city of Palitana. The city is a famous pilgrimage site for Jains.
The decision was taken after nearly 200 Jain monks held protests demanding that nearly 250 butcher shops in the city be closed.
Palitana, which is located in Gujarat, is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Jains. The place, which is located around Shatrunjaya Hills, is also known as the Jain Temple Town.
There are more than 800 temples in the city, the most famous among them is Adinath Temple.

Sikkim Govt. Declares Second, Fourth Saturdays Holiday for Employees

The Sikkim government declared the second and fourth Saturdays of every month as a holiday for its employees.
In a circular issued by the Department of Personnel, the state government said it would give additional time to the employees to rest.
The government also asked its employees to strictly comply with the working hours, from 10 am to 4.30 pm.
Half-day casual leave would be deducted if an employee is found to have reported after 10.30 am or left the place of duty before 4.30 pm without valid official reasons, the circular said.

Jul 13, 2024

The 7th India-Japan Medical Product Regulatory Symposium Held at New Delhi

The 7th India-Japan Medical Product Regulatory Symposium, organised by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, was successfully held at the FICCI Convention Hall in July 2024. The event was conducted in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan, aimed at fostering collaboration in medical product regulations.
The symposium brought together approximately 200 delegates from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India, and the Ministry of Health, Law and Welfare, Japan. Regulatory authorities from CDSCO, India, and PMDA, Japan, along with industry representatives from the Pharmaceutical Sector, Medical Devices Sector, and Biologicals-Biosimilar sector, actively participated in constructive discussions.
The MoC, originally signed in December 2015 between CDSCO and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) and the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) of Japan, underscores mutual cooperation in medical products regulations until December 2025. These Regulatory Symposiums are held alternatively in India and Japan, serving as crucial platforms for exchanging insights and enhancing regulatory practices.
The symposium featured insightful presentations by Indian and Japanese Drug Regulatory Authorities, followed by in-depth discussions on emerging topics in Pharma, Medical Devices, and Regenerative Medicines. These deliberations were pivotal in updating industry stakeholders on the latest regulatory initiatives in both countries.

Arunachal Re-constitutes Six Regional Committees to Examine Status of Border Dispute with Assam

The Arunachal Pradesh government re-constituted six regional committees to examine and exercise the present status of border dispute with Assam.
As per a notification issued by the Home and inter-state border affairs department, the Terms of Reference for the regional committees, as established, will continue to be governed by the provisions set forth in the original notification issued on June 1, 2022.
The remaining six districts of the state where border dispute with Assam still persists as people from both states have not agreed to demarcation of villages along the inter-state border includes, Pakke Kessang, Papum Pare, Kamle, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Longding districts, respectively.

Punjab, Haryana among Top 5 States in Niti Aayog's Index

Uttarakhand and Kerala jointly claimed the top position in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) India Index for 2023-24, which was released by government think tank Niti Aayog. Himachal Pradesh (77), Punjab (76) and Haryana (72) were ranked fourth, fifth and 13th, respectively in the SDG index.
The top two states scored 79 points, compared to the overall national SDG score of 71. Among the union territories, Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir were the top two performers with a score of 77 and 74, respectively. Ladakh with a score of 65 stood at the bottom of the table among UTs.
Bihar, with a score of 57, stood at the bottom of the table among states.
According to the Niti Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24, India's overall SDG score increased to 71 in 2023-24, compared to 66 in 2020-21, supported by significant progress on eliminating poverty, providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land.

India, Austria Agree to 'Sustainable' Economic and Tech Partnership

India and Austria agreed to a future-oriented "bilateral sustainable economic and technology partnership" after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met in Vienna.
The two leaders, who met held official talks, recognised that the two countries have the potential to significantly upgrade their bilateral partnership to a higher level.
This was the Prime Minister's first visit to Austria and that of an Indian Prime Minister after 41 years. This year (2024) marks the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Jul 12, 2024

Rajasthan to Become First State to Adopt a Road Safety Action Plan for 10 Years

Rajasthan will shortly become the first State in the country to adopt an action plan for road safety for the next 10 years. The action plan, to be accompanied by a government policy, will be aimed at reducing road accidents in the State by 50% till 2030.
Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa said that the policy would generate awareness among the public at large about road safety provisions and bring about behavioural changes for complying with road safety rules. The action plan, being formulated by the Transport Department's road safety cell, forms part of the 100-day blueprint of the BJP government.

India-Taiwan Mutual Recognition Agreement for Organic Products

The India-Taiwan Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for Organic Products, effective from July 2024, aims to enhance trade by allowing certified organic products from each country to enter the other's market. India's Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Taiwan's Agriculture and Food Agency are the respective implementing agencies for this landmark agreement.
This agreement facilitates the export of Indian organic products like Aromatic and Medicinal Plants, Rice, and Herbal Tea to Taiwan, provided they meet India's National Programme for Organic Production standards. Conversely, Taiwan's certified organic products can enter the Indian market under similar conditions, bolstering bilateral trade in organic goods.
India's National Programme for Organic Production promotes chemical-free farming practices, ensuring organic certification and setting standards for organic produce. India ranks among the world's largest producers of organic products, with significant organic farming areas in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Sikkim.

CSIR and MSSRF Sign MoU for Rural Livelihood Generation

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing livelihood opportunities among rural, tribal, and farming communities in India. This collaboration aims to leverage CSIR's technological innovations and MSSRF's grassroots outreach to empower marginalised groups.
Under the MoU, CSIR will transfer affordable and impactful technologies developed in its laboratories to MSSRF-selected groups, including SHGs, NGOs, and FPOs. These technologies will focus on sectors crucial to rural development such as agriculture, nutrition, and healthcare.
MSSRF, recognised for its pro-poor and pro-nature approach, will facilitate the adoption of these technologies among tribal and rural communities. The foundation aims to address practical challenges in agriculture, food security, and nutrition through localised research and application.

Sixteenth Finance Commission Constitutes Five-Member Advisory Council

The Sixteenth Finance Commission, led by Arvind Panagariya, set up a five-member Advisory Council aimed at expanding the scope of the Commission's work. This panel will be chaired by Poonam Gupta, who currently serves as the Director General of the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The council's formation is a strategic move to leverage expert insights and ensure a comprehensive approach to the Commission's objectives.
The Sixteenth Finance Commission was constituted in December 2023 with Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog as its Chairman. The Commission's primary task is to determine revenue sharing between the Central Government and State government for a period of five years. The Sixteenth Finance Commission comprises a chairman and various members who are appointed by the President of India. It also consists of one secretary post.

Jul 10, 2024

Haj Committee Now under Minority Affairs Ministry

In further strengthening the role of Kiren Rijiju-led Ministry of Minority Affairs, the government notified the latter as a nodal ministry instead of Ministry of External Affairs, for the Haj Committee.
Earlier, the work related to management of Haj pilgrimage, including administration of the Haj Committee Act, 2002, and rules made was handled by the MEA.

Union Cabinet Approves India's Signing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Ag...

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved India to sign the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. This landmark decision marks a significant step towards the conservation and sustainable utilisation of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Often referred to as the 'High Seas', areas beyond national jurisdiction are the global common oceans open to all for internationally lawful purposes such as navigation, over flight, laying submarine cables and pipelines, etc. The Ministry of Earth Sciences will spearhead the country's implementation of the BBNJ Agreement.

Jul 09, 2024

Union Minister Jitendra Singh Launches Indo-French Liver And Metabolic Disease Network

Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched Indo-French Liver and Metabolic Disease Network (InFLiMeN) a virtual node to prevent and cure metabolic liver diseases at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences today in New Delhi.
Addressing the launch programme Jitendra Singh highlighted that the Indo-French Node, InFLiMeN, aims to address key issues related to a common metabolic liver disorder, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can progress to cirrhosis and primary liver cancer eventually. It predates diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and many other diseases. As an endocrinologist myself, I understand the nuances of fatty liver and its relation with diabetes and other metabolic disorders.

India to Sign, Ratify High Seas Treaty

India decided to sign and ratify the High Seas Treaty, a global agreement for conservation and protection of biodiversity in the oceans that is often compared to the 2015 Paris Agreement in its reach and impact.
The High Seas Treaty was negotiated in March 2023. "India remains committed and proactive to the global cause of environmental conservation and sustainable development. We will be signing (the BBNJ Agreement) and are propitious of subsequently ratifying it through the necessary legislative processes," Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said.
The United Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction or BBNJ Agreement, also referred to by some stakeholders as the High Seas Treaty or Global Ocean Treaty, is a legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. There is some controversy over the popularised name of the agreement. It is an agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The text was finalised during an intergovernmental conference at the UN on March 4, 2023 and adopted on June 19, 2023. Both states and regional economic integration organisations can become parties to the treaty.

Sri Lanka Appoints Rakesh Ramanlal Shah as Honorary Consul in Gujarat

Rakesh Ramanlal Shah, Chairman & Managing Director for GSEC Limited, was appointed by the Sri Lankan government as the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad, with consular jurisdiction covering Gujarat.
Shah received his Commission of Appointment from High Commissioner Kshenuka Senewiratne.
The creation of this post is with the objective of strengthening Sri Lanka's relations with that State, in view of the trade, investment and tourism potential. Gujarat earned its reputation as one of the key States for leading industries in India, especially port development & infrastructure, renewable energy, ICT, chemical & petrochemical, agro & food, start-ups, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

India to Open 2 New Consulates in Russia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India has decided to open two new consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg cities of Russia in a bid to further boost travel and trade with the country.
India currently has two consulates in Russia at St Petersburg and Vladivostok.
The Prime Minister made the announcement of the opening of new consulates at Kazan and Yekaterinburg while addressing the Indian community in Moscow during his two-day visit to Russia.

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