General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2016

May 2016

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.

Jul 08, 2024

Jharkhand's Mica Mines Declared Child Labour-Free by NCPCR

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) declared the mica mines of Jharkhand 'child labour-free' at an event in Koderma, Jharkhand. NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo announced this as the first-ever successful endeavour to cleanse a supply chain of child labour in mica mining.
In India, working children up to 14 years of age are classified as child labour.

Digital Bharat Nidhi: Govt. Releases Draft Rules

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released draft rules to operationalise the Digital Bharat Nidhi, in a fresh attempt by the central government at increasing telecom connectivity in rural areas.
Digital Bharat Nidhi would replace the erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which is a pool of funds generated by a 5 per cent Universal Service Levy charged upon all the telecom fund operators on their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).

Former Spokesperson of Jharkhand BJP Unit Resigns from Primary Membership of Party

BJP leader Kunal Sarangi resigned from the party's primary membership, approximately a month-and-a-half after stepping down from his post as Jharkhand unit spokesperson.
A former MLA from Baharagora, Sarangi sent his resignation to BJP Jharkhand unit president Babulal Marandi, citing various organisational and people-oriented issues in East Singhbhum district.

Jul 07, 2024

Union Home Minister Address 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' Conference

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah addressed the 'Sahkar Se Samriddhi' conference on the occasion of 102nd International Day of Cooperatives in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Ministry of Cooperation organised 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' conference on this day to mark the celebration of International Day of Cooperatives 2024.
During the 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' conference, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation launched the scheme for 50% assistance on the purchase of nano-fertilizer by the farmers under AGR-2 Scheme of the Government for the FY 2024-25. Along with this Shah also initiated the payment for the same to three farmers at the event itself. Shah also launched 'Bharat Organic Atta' produced by the National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL).

Sanjay Singh is Chairperson of AAP Parliamentary Party

The Aam Aadmi Party has appointed senior leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh as the chairperson of the AAP Parliamentary Party. Sanjay Singh also has the responsibility of the party as AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal is in jail in connection with the excise policy case.
Singh joined the Aam Aadmi Party shortly after its inception in 2012 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming one of the party's most visible and influential leaders.
Sanjay Singh was first elected to Rajya Sabha in 2018 and was re-elected this year (2024).

BJP Replaces State in-Charges for HP, Haryana; Retains Rupani in Punjab

The BJP began its process of organisational overhaul after the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, replacing the state in-charges for Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and retaining those in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will continue to be the state in-charge with Narender Singh as his deputy for Punjab. BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh was retained as in charge for Ladakh and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
In poll-bound Haryana, former Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia will replace former Tripura CM Biplab Deb as the BJP in-charge, with Rajya Sabha MP Surendra Singh Nagar as the co-in-charge. Former UP Power Minister Srikant Sharma replaced Avinash Rai Khanna as the party in-charge of Himachal, while Sanjay Tandon who unsuccessfully contested the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat against Congress' Manish Tewari will remain Himachal BJP co-in-charge.

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