1. Cabinet approves increase in MSP for various Kharif crops
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Union Cabinet on June 8 approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various Kharif (summer) crops for the year 2022-23.
In the cabinet meeting, the MSP of 14 kharif crops was approved.
The approved rates are at least 1.5 times the All India Weighted Average Cost of Production.
MSP of common grade variety of paddy - increased to ₹2,040 per quintal for the 2022-23 crop year from ₹1,940 in the previous year.
The support price of 'A' grade variety of paddy - increased to ₹2,060 per quintal from ₹1,960.
The increase in MSP over the previous year is recommended by -
Sesamum 523 rupees per quintal
Moong 480 rupees per quintal
Sunflower seed 385 rupees per quintal
Tur, Urad and Groundnut 300 rupees per quintal
Cotton (Medium Staple) 354 rupees and Cotton (Long Staple) 355 rupees
Farmers benefit from increase in MSP
It will provide assured remunerative prices to the farmers and will help in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
It will also lead to more investment and production.
It will empower crores of farmers of the country.
What is the Kharif Season?
It starts in June and ends in October where monsoon crops are cultivated and harvested.
Some important Kharif Crops
Bajra
Jowar
Maize
Millet
Rice (paddy and deepwater rice)
Soybean
What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
MSP is the rate at which the government buys food grains from farmers.
This is based on the calculation of at least one and a half times the cost of production incurred by the farmers.
The Government of India fixes the MSP for 24 items twice a year.
When the market price falls below the declared MSP, the government buys food grains from the farmers at the MSP rate.
2. PM Modi inaugurated Biotech Startup Expo 2022
Tags: Popular National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 9 June.
The Biotech Startup Expo – 2022 is a two-day event being held on June 9 and 10.
The organiser of the expo is the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
This expo is being organised to commemorate the ten years of the establishment of BIRAC.
The theme of the Expo - ‘Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
The expo will act as a platform to connect entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, scientists, researchers, bio-incubators, manufacturers, regulators, government officials, etc.
Around 300 stalls will be set up at the expo, showcasing the applications of biotechnology in various sectors such as healthcare, genomics, biopharma, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, waste-to-value, clean energy.
The event will also witness the launch of an e-portal of 750 biotech products.
About Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
It was set up by the Department of Biotechnology on 20th March, 2012.
It is an industry-academia interface agency to strengthen and empower the emerging biotech enterprise.
It conducts strategic research and innovation while addressing nationally relevant product development needs.
DBT and BIRAC have been at the forefront of India's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by intervening in the development of indigenous vaccines etc.
India ranks among the top 12 biotechnology destinations in the world and third in the Asia-Pacific.
3. Bajram Begaj has elected as the new President of Albania
Tags: Person in news International News
Bajram Begaj, who held the post of Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces (AAF), has been elected as the new President of Albania country.
He is the 8th President of Albania and the third President by military rank.
Bajram Begaz will be sworn in as the new President on 25 July 2022 to replace the incumbent President 'Ilir Meta', who will remain in office till 22 July 2022.
About Albania
The Republic of Albania is a country located in northeastern Europe.
Albania is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the European Organisation for Security and Cooperation, the European Council, the World Trade Organisation, the Organisation of Islamic Conference, etc.
The national and ethnic symbol of the Albanian people is "eagle".
In 1967, Albania became the first atheist country in the world.
The capital of the country is "Tirana".
4. Environmental Performance Index 2022
Tags: Popular National News
Recently, India has been ranked 180th out of 180 countries in the 'Environmental Performance Index' released biennially by 'Yale University'.
The 'Environmental Performance Index' is a joint initiative of Yale University's Centre for Environmental Law and Policy and Columbia University's Centre for International Earth Science Information Network.
The 'Environmental Performance Index'(EPI) is prepared in collaboration with the 'World Economic Forum'.
The EPI scores 180 countries based on climate change performance, environmental health and ecosystem status using 40 performance indicators across 11 categories.
Denmark tops the list
Denmark topped the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), followed by Britain and Finland.
These countries have received the highest scores for greenhouse gas emissions reductions in recent years.
India ranks lowest
According to the report, India stood at the bottom (180th) with the lowest score (18.9).
India's neighbouring countries have performed better, with Pakistan at 176th and Bangladesh at 177th.
Ranking of other major countries
In the Environmental Performance Index, America was ranked 43rd, France 12th, Germany 13th, Australia 17th, Italy 23rd and Japan 25th.
China has been ranked 161 in the report with 28.4 points.
Top 10 countries
Country | Ranking |
Denmark | 1 |
United Kingdom | 2 |
Finland | 3 |
Malta | 4 |
Sweden | 5 |
Luxembourg | 6 |
Slovenia | 7 |
Austria | 8 |
Switzerland | 9 |
Iceland | 10 |
5. NHAI created World Records for laying 75 Km long Bituminous Concrete Road in record 5 days
Tags: International News
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its contractors entered the Guinness World Records for laying 75 km long continuous bituminous concrete road in a record 5 days.
The work was carried out in a single lane on the NH-53 section between Amravati and Akola in West Vidarbha.
This section was constructed by private contractor Rajput Infracon.
Earlier also Rajput Infracon had created a world record by building a road between Sangli and Satara in 24 hours.
The NH-53 highway passes through the mineral rich region of India.
It connects major cities like Kolkata, Raipur, Nagpur, Akola, Dhule and Surat.
Earlier this record was held by the Public Works Authority of Qatar - Ashghal on February 27, 2019.
The road was part of the Al-Khor Expressway and took 10 days to complete.
6. Indian Rubber industry can double its exports by 2025
Tags: National News
According to the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), the $2 billion non-tire rubber sector is aiming to double its exports by 2025.
AIRIA organised an event for the exchange of ideas and suggestions for the smooth functioning of the rubber industry in the coming years.
The objective of the meeting was to highlight the problems and prospects of the rubber industry in India.
The meeting emphasised that Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) and Export Promotion Councils should educate MSMEs on export procedures, documentation requirements and export finer points.
All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA)
Established - 1945
Head Office - Mumbai
Regional offices - New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai and a Chapter Office at Pune
It is the largest not-for-profit non-government body serving the rubber industry and trade.
Its objective is to safeguard and promote the interests of the Indian rubber industry with over 1200 country-wide members.
It provides a forum for interaction between Indian entrepreneurs within India and the rest of the world.
Some important facts about rubber
Natural rubber is a polymer of isoprene.
Rubber is obtained from the latex of a number of tropical trees of which Hevea brasiliensis is the most important.
Thailand is the largest Producer of Rubber in the World followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, India, China etc.
India is the fourth largest producer and consumer of rubber in the world.
The leading countries importing natural rubber from India are Germany, Brazil, the United States and Italy.
The first rubber plantation in India was established in 1895 on the hill slopes of Kerala.
Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India.
Some other rubber producing states are Tripura, Assam, Andaman and Nicobar, Goa etc.
7. U.K. PM Boris Johnson faces no-confidence vote
Tags: International News
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won the trust vote on 6 June. The no-confidence motion was brought by MPs from his ruling Conservative Party. Johnson garnered the support of 59% of his lawmakers. He got 211 votes out of a total of 359 MPs.
What is a No-Confidence Motion?
In a parliamentary democracy, the government can be in power only if it has a majority in the directly elected house.
Article 75(3) of the Constitution of India specifies the rule that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
But there is no mention of a no-confidence motion in the Constitution.
Rule 198 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha provides a mechanism for examining this collective responsibility.
According to this rule, any Lok Sabha MP who has the support of 50 colleagues can move a no-confidence motion against the Council of Ministers.
The MPs who supported the proposal highlight the shortcomings of the government.
The prime minister or minister then responds to the allegations made.
If the government loses the vote of confidence, it is expected to resign.
There is no procedure for bringing a no-confidence motion against the government in the Rajya Sabha.
Process of voting
Voting can be conducted by following mode-
By voice vote the legislators (MPs) respond orally.
By division vote voting is done using electronic gadgets, slips or in a ballot box.
By ballot vote just like how people vote during state or parliamentary elections.
8. Amit Shah inaugurates National Tribal Research Institute in New Delhi
Tags: National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated National Tribal Research Institute in New Delhi on 7 June.
The National Tribal Research Institute will play a crucial role in tribal development.
It is being established at a cost of ten crore rupees.
It will be a premier institution that will provide the necessary resources and expertise to address the educational, legislative and executive concerns of the tribal communities.
It will collaborate with other research organisations and academic institutions and supervise the activities of its various research departments and award scholarships to the best students.
It will provide policy inputs to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and State Welfare Departments along with programs and studies that support the socio-economic aspects of the tribes.
It will also help in setting up and running effective tribal museums.
It will also maintain a database of PMAGY, an online repository of information about the tribes of India.
Some important facts about Tribes
Population of Scheduled Tribes in India - Approximately 10.43 crores
Rural population of STs in India - approximately 9.38 crores
Urban population of STs in India - approximately 1.05 crores
Notified Tribes in India - 705
Indian state that has the largest population of STs - Madhya Pradesh has 14.7% of total STs population, followed by Maharashtra (10.1%)
Indian states/UTs have no listed STs - Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, NCT of Delhi, Puducherry
9. Nirmala Sitharaman launched single nodal agency dashboard
Tags: International News
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Single Nodal Agency Dashboard on 7th June during the iconic week celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in New Delhi.
About Single Nodal Agency (SNA) dashboard
This Single Nodal Agency (SNA) dashboard will provide a platform to the Ministries/Departments to monitor the transfer of funds to the States and their utilisation.
SNA Dashboard is developed by the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
This is a part of a major public financial management reform that was initiated in 2021 with regards to the manner in which funds for Centrally Sponsored Schemes are released, disbursed and monitored.
This revised process, now referred to as the SNA model, requires each state to identify and designate one SNA for each plan.
All funds for that state in a particular scheme will be deposited in this bank account, and all expenses will be borne by all other implementing agencies linked to this account.
The SNA model ensures that funds for centrally sponsored schemes are allocated to the states in a time bound manner and after fulfilling various conditions.
Significance of SNA Dashboard
It will bring greater efficiency in fund utilisation, tracking of funds, viability and timely release of funds to the states of Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
This will contribute to better cash management of the government.
10. UN agrees to change Turkey’s official name to ‘Türkiye’
Tags: International News
Turkey will henceforth be officially known as 'Turkeys' at the United Nations, after agreeing to Ankara's formal request.
This is a part of a rebranding campaign launched by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2021.
Why does Turkey want to change its name?
Turkish President Erdoan argued that instead of matching the name of a bird (Turkey), it better represented the country if it was called Turkiye.
According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, the meaning of turkey is fool or loser.
Erdoan said that Turkiye best represents the culture, civilization and values of the people of this country and it also best expresses them.
The country's government was not happy with the Google search results for the word 'Turkey'.
Some of these results included the large bird that is served for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in North America.
Countries that changed its name in the past
The Netherlands was changed from Holland in 2020.
Macedonia changed its name to North Macedonia due to a political dispute with Greece.
Swaziland, a landlocked country in Southern Africa changed to Eswatini in 2018.
Iran used to be called Persia, Siam is now called Thailand, and Rhodesia was changed to Zimbabwe.
