1. Government of India’s flagship programme ’Make In India’ completes 8 years
Tags: National Economy/Finance Government Schemes
The flagship program of the Government of India, 'Make in India’ completed 8 years on 25 September 2022. The programme was launched by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination.
The initiative is an effort of the government to attract foreign investors to invest in India.
Giving the accomplishment of the Make in India Initiative the Union Commerce Ministry highlighted the following accomplishment of the programme.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme across 14 key manufacturing sectors, was launched in 2020-21 as a big boost to Make in India initiative. The PLI Scheme incentivises domestic production in strategic growth sectors where India has comparative advantage.
- Recognising the importance of semiconductors in the world economy, the Government of India has launched a USD 10 billion incentive scheme to build a semiconductor, display, design ecosystem in India.
- The Ministry highlighted that India's export of toys increased to Rs 2601.5 crore in 2021-22 as compared to Rs 1612 crore in 2018-2019, an increase of 61%.
- The Foreign Direct Investment has increased from US $ 45.15 billion in 2014-2015 to record $83.6 billion in 2021-22.
2. Piyush Goel attends G 20 ministers WTO Dispute Settlement reforms meeting in Bali
Tags: place in news Summits International News
The Indian Commerce minister Piyush Goel in a tweet said that he participated in a discussion on WTO’s Dispute Settlement Reform that was convened by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meeting in Bali, Indonesia on 21 September 2022.
The 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference held in Geneva, Switzerland from 12-17 June 2022, had promised to revive the dispute settlement body in the next two years.
WTO Dispute Settlement System
WTO is a global body which was set up in 1995 to promote rule based trading systems in the world and it also settles trade related disputes between the member countries.
A member country can complain against another member country to the WTO if it believes that the country is not following WTO rules regarding trade.
The Dispute Settlement Mechanism is a two tier process in the WTO.
First, the member countries are encouraged to settle their dispute through consultation.
If this fails then the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body appoints a panel to look into the dispute.
The countries have the right to appeal against the ruling of the panel to an Appellate Body set up by the Dispute Settlement Body. The ruling of the Appellate body is binding on the countries of WTO.
Objection of the United States to the Dispute Settlement System
The United States government has blocked the appointment of members to the Appellate Body since 2019. The Appellate body structure is at present not working but the panel system is still functioning.
The United States wants to abolish the Appellate system of the WTO as it believes that it has become synonymous with litigation and has become prolonged, complicated and expensive.
However the developing countries are of the view that a two tier dispute settlement system is essential for the functioning of the WTO dispute settlement system.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
- It was set up on 1st January 1995 replacing the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT).
- Its main purpose is to promote rule based trading systems in the world and it also settles trade related disputes between the member countries.
- The headquarters of WTO is in Geneva, Switzerland.
- There are 164 member countries.
- Director General of WTO : Dr Ngozi -Okonjo-Iweala of of Nigeria
- Report released by WTO : World Trade Report
3. CBI launches a nationwide crackdown against online child sexual abuse, code named Operation Megh-Chakra
Tags: National
In a major crackdown on circulation and sharing of child sexual abuse material online, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 24 September 2022, launched a major operation code named “Operation Megh-Chakra.”
Acting on a tip off from Interpol Singapore, which was alerted by the Interpol New Zealand ,CBI raided 56 locations in around 20 states and Union Territory .
A similar operation “Operation Carbon” was carried out by CBI in November 2021 when raids were conducted at 76 locations across the country against 83 persons and several persons were arrested.
64 countries including India are member of International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) image and video database, of the Interpol, which allows investigators from member countries to share data on cases of child sexual abuse.
Interpol
The International Criminal Police organisation or Interpol is an inter- governmental association of 195 countries which shares and access data on crimes and criminals amongst the member countries' police force.
India is represented by the CBI in the Interpol.
Interpol was set up in 1914 and its Headquarters is at Lyons, France.
4. India exports first consignment of vegetable based meat products to US
Tags: National National News
India has exported the first consignment of plant-based meat products from Nadiad in Kheda district of Gujarat to California.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The first shipments exported to the US from Nadiad include vegetarian food products like momos, mini samosas, patties, nuggets, spring rolls, burgers.
Due to the rich fiber and low cholesterol content, vegan food products are becoming alternative food products around the world.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Authority (APEDA) said that they are working towards promoting plant-based meat products without interfering in the traditional animal-based meat export market.
APEDA plans to promote a variety of vegetarian food products, including pancakes, snacks and cheese, to Australia, Israel, New Zealand and other countries in the coming months.
About “APEDA” :
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December 1985.
This authority functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Headquarters- New Delhi
Chairman- Dr. M. Angamuthu
5. India exports first consignment of vegetable based meat products to US
Tags: National National News
India has exported the first consignment of plant-based meat products from Nadiad in Kheda district of Gujarat to California.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The first shipments exported to the US from Nadiad include vegetarian food products like momos, mini samosas, patties, nuggets, spring rolls, burgers.
Due to the rich fiber and low cholesterol content, vegan food products are becoming alternative food products around the world.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Authority (APEDA) said that they are working towards promoting plant-based meat products without interfering in the traditional animal-based meat export market.
APEDA plans to promote a variety of vegetarian food products, including pancakes, snacks and cheese, to Australia, Israel, New Zealand and other countries in the coming months.
About “APEDA” :
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December 1985.
This authority functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Headquarters- New Delhi
Chairman- Dr. M. Angamuthu
6. President Draupadi Murmu confers NSS Awards 2020-21 at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Tags: Awards National News
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for the year 2020-21 on September 24 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- A total of forty-two Awards were given. Two Universities, ten NSS Units, their Programme Officers, and 30 NSS Volunteers received the awards.
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nishith Pramanik and Youth Affairs Secretary Sanjay Kumar were present on the occasion.
About National Service Scheme (NSS) Award :
The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, awards the National Service Scheme every year.
These Awards were instituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in 1993-94 on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Year of National Service Scheme.
The awards are given to recognize and reward the outstanding contribution for voluntary community service made by Universities and Colleges, 2 Councils, Senior Secondary, NSS Units and Program Officers and NSS Volunteers for promotion of NSS in the country.
About National Service Scheme (NSS) :
It is a Centrally Sector Scheme that was launched in 1969.
Its primary objective is to develop the personality and character of the student youth through voluntary community service.
The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
The motto of NSS is “NOT ME, BUT YOU ‘स्वयं से पहले आप’.
7. NIA nationwide raid on Popular Front of India was code named “Operation Octopus”
Tags: National
The nationwide crackdown on the premises of the Popular Front of India (PFI) carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Enforcement Directorate on 22 September was code named ‘Operation Octopus” by NIA.
The raid in 11 states led to the arrest of more than 100 PFI members and leaders across the country.
The NIA has claimed that the accused were organising camps for imparting training to commit violent and terrorist acts with the objective of promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Popular front of India :
- It was formed in 2006. It describes itself “as a non-governmental social organisation whose stated objective is to work for the poor and disadvantaged people in the country and to oppose oppression and exploitation".
- At present, the PFI, which has a strong presence in Kerala and Karnataka, is active in more than 20 Indian states.
- The Government of India accuses the group of being an Islamic radical group which is engaged in terror activates.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) :
- It was set up by the government of India in 2009 under the National Investigation Agency Act 2008. It was set up after the terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26 November 2008.
- It is the premier counter - terrorist agency in India.
- It comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs
- The NIA has powers to take suo moto cognisance of terror activities in any part of India and register a case, to enter any state without permission from the state government, and to investigate and arrest people.
- Director General: Dinkar Gupta
The first Director General of NIA was Radha Vinod Raju
8. Booker Prize winner British author Hilary Mantel dies at 70
Tags: Person in news International News
Hilary Mantle, the first woman to be awarded the Booker Prize twice and author of the popular novel 'Wolf Hall', died in London on September 22, 2022, at the age of 70.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Mantle was awarded the Booker Prize in 2009 for the first novel in the Thomas Cromwell series, Wolf Hall, and in 2012 for the novel Bring Up the Bodies.
The third novel of the series 'The Mirror and the Light' was published in the year 2020 which was well received by the readers and was listed for the Booker Prize,2020 for a long time.
The Wolf Hall has sold over five million copies worldwide and has been translated into more than 40 languages.
Its TV adaptation became a hit West End show and won a Golden Globe.
She was born on July 6, 1952 in Glossop, Derbyshire, England.
She graduated in law from the University of Sheffield.
In 1973, she married Gerald McEwen, a geologist.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About International Booker Prize :
The International Booker Prize is awarded annually to a translation of a novel published in the UK or Ireland.
The Booker Prize was established in 1969 by the Booker Mcconnell Company of England.
Under this, the amount of 50 thousand pounds i.e. 44 lakh rupees received is divided between the translator and the writer.
French novelist David Diop was awarded the 'International Booker Prize 2021'.
In May 2022 renowned Indian author Geetanjali Shree was awarded the International Booker Prize for her novel 'Tomb of Sand'.
9. Coal India Ltd to ink MoU with Three PSUs for Coal to Chemical Products
Tags: National Economics/Business National News
Coal India Limited (CIL) will sign MoU with three major public sector undertakings – Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and GAIL (India) on 27 September for setting up four Surface Coal Gasification (SCG) projects.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- These public sector undertakings will join hands to set up coal-to-chemical projects through the Surface Coal Gasification (SCG) route.
Through the SCG route, coal is converted into syngas which can then be processed for downstream production of value-added chemicals. They are produced through imported natural gas or crude oil currently.
The envisaged end products are di-methyl ether, synthetic natural gas and ammonium nitrate.
The proposed projects will reduce foreign exchange expenditure and create more than 23,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
A target of achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030 has been set by the Ministry of Coal.
What is Syngas ?
It is an abbreviation for synthesis gas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
This is produced by gasification of a carbon containing fuel to a gaseous product that has some heating value.
10. Coal India Ltd to ink MoU with Three PSUs for Coal to Chemical Products
Tags: National Economics/Business National News
Coal India Limited (CIL) will sign MoU with three major public sector undertakings – Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and GAIL (India) on 27 September for setting up four Surface Coal Gasification (SCG) projects.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- These public sector undertakings will join hands to set up coal-to-chemical projects through the Surface Coal Gasification (SCG) route.
Through the SCG route, coal is converted into syngas which can then be processed for downstream production of value-added chemicals. They are produced through imported natural gas or crude oil currently.
The envisaged end products are di-methyl ether, synthetic natural gas and ammonium nitrate.
The proposed projects will reduce foreign exchange expenditure and create more than 23,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
A target of achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030 has been set by the Ministry of Coal.
What is Syngas ?
It is an abbreviation for synthesis gas, which is a mixture of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
This is produced by gasification of a carbon containing fuel to a gaseous product that has some heating value.
