1. Total enrolment under Atal Pension Yojana crossed 5.20 crore mark
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The Finance Ministry has said that the total enrollment under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has crossed the figure of five crore 20 lakh till March 31 this year.
An overview of the news
The scheme envisages enrollment of more than one crore 19 lakh new subscribers in the financial year 2022-23 as compared to 99 lakh in the previous financial year, showing a growth of over 20 per cent.
According to the ministry, the total assets under management in APY is more than Rs 27 thousand 200 crore and the scheme has earned an investment return of 8.69 per cent since the inception of the scheme.
In the public sector banks (PSBs) category, nine banks achieved the annual target, while Bank of India, State Bank of India and Indian Bank opened more than a hundred APY accounts per branch, according to ministry data.
Under the category of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), 32 banks achieved the annual target, while Jharkhand State Gramin Bank, Vidarbha Konkan Gramin Bank, Tripura Gramin Bank and Baroda Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank opened more than 160 APY accounts per branch.
About Atal Pension Yojana
Atal Pension Yojana is a guaranteed pension scheme of the Government of India administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
The scheme allows any citizen of India between the age group of 18-40 years to join through bank or post office branches where the person has a savings bank account.
Under this scheme, a subscriber will receive a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs 1000 to Rs 5000 per month from the age of 60 years, depending on his contribution.
On the death of the subscriber, the pension is guaranteed to the spouse for life.
In the event of death of both the subscriber and his/her spouse, the full pension amount is paid to the nominee.
2. Pennsylvania Recognizes Diwali as an Official State Holiday
Tags: International News
The United States state of Pennsylvania officially recognized the Hindu festival of Diwali as a state holiday.
An Overview of the News
State Senators Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval introduced legislation to make Diwali a state holiday in February this year.
The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate. According to My Twin Tears, there are approximately 200,000 South Asian residents in Pennsylvania, many of whom celebrate Diwali as a time to gather and reflect.
Pennsylvania:
It is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States of America.
It is one of the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and became a kingdom on December 12, 1787.
The state's capital is Harrisburg, and its largest city is Philadelphia, which is known as the birthplace of the United States of America.
Pennsylvania is bordered by six other states, including New York to the north, New Jersey to the east, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, and Lake Erie to the northwest.
The state has a diverse geography, including the Appalachian Mountains in the central and eastern parts of the state, the Allegheny Plateau in the western part of the state, and a coastal plain in the southeastern part of the state.
3. Ministry of Finance approves Navratna status to Rail Vikas Nigam
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Government of India upgraded the status of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) to 'Navratna' Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).
An Overview of the News
Prior to this upgrade, RVNL was earlier classified as a 'Miniratna' CPSE.
The decision to upgrade RVNL was approved by the Finance Minister and is effective from April 26, 2023.
RVNL is a mid-cap company under the Ministry of Railways.
For the year 2021-22, RVNL has an annual turnover of Rs 19,381 crore and a net profit of Rs 1,087 crore.
This upgrade makes RVNL the 13th Navratna company among CPSEs in India.
About Navratna CPSE
It is a select group of public sector enterprises in India that have been granted greater autonomy in decision making and financial management by the government.
The term "Navratna" means "Nine Gems" in Hindi and refers to the original nine CPSEs that were granted this status in 1997.
Navratna CPSEs are also subject to certain obligations, such as achieving certain performance targets and maintaining minimum levels of public shareholding.
Some examples of Navratna CPSEs include Bharat Electronics Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
List of Navratna Companies in India 2023
Shipping Corporation of India Limited
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited
Oil India Limited
NMDC Limited
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
National Building Construction Corporation Limited
National Aluminum Company Limited
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Engineers India Limited
Container Corporation of India Limited
Bharat Electronics Limited
4. WHO issues alert over India-made cough syrup Guaifenesin
Tags: International News
The WHO has issued a red alert due to "unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol" in the tested samples of Guaifenesin TG syrup manufactured by Punjab-based QP Pharmachem Ltd.
An overview of the news
The World Health Organization has said that a consignment of this contaminated cough syrup made in India has been found in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia.
Guaifenesin is used to relieve the symptoms of cough and tightness in the chest.
Samples of Guaifenesin Syrup TG Syrup from the Marshall Islands were analyzed and it was found that the product contained unacceptable amounts of Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol as contaminants.
Ingestion of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol aretoxic to humans, and can prove fatal.
The latest alert comes months after the WHO linked another cough syrup made in India to child deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan.
India is the world's largest exporter of generic drugs, which meet most of the medical needs of developing countries.
But in recent months, several Indian companies have come under scrutiny for the quality of their drugs, with experts raising concerns about the manufacturing practices used to make these drugs.
5. Home Minister Amit Shah launched IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid)
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) in New Delhi on 26 April.
An Overview of the News
The launch of IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) is a significant step towards making India self-sufficient in the fertiliser sector.
The use of Liquid DAP, through spraying on the plant, will help in conservation of land along with increasing both the quality and quantity of production.
One 500 ml bottle of IFFCO Nano DAP (Liquid) is equivalent to a 45 kg bag of granular urea in its effect on the crop.
Cooperatives in India produce 132 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers, out of which IFFCO produces 90 lakh metric tonnes.
The basic mantra of cooperatives is "production by the masses" and IFFCO's efforts to research and venture into new areas are an inspiration to all national cooperatives.
Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
It is a co-operative society which is wholly owned by the Cooperative Societies of India.
Its primary business is manufacturing and marketing of fertilisers.
It functions as a multi-state cooperative society.
It was established in 1967 to provide affordable and high quality fertilisers to the farmers.
Over the years, IFFCO has expanded its business to include other agricultural products such as seeds, agricultural chemicals and agricultural machinery.
It played a key role in the Green Revolution in India by providing the necessary resources to farmers to increase crop yields.
Headquarters -New Delhi
IFFCO President - Dilip Sanghani
Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation - Gyanesh Kumar
6. Cabinet approves setting up of new Nursing Colleges
Tags: National National News
The cabinet approved setting up of 157 new nursing colleges in co-location with existing medical colleges and the total cost of the project would be Rs 1,570 crore.
An Overview of the News
The objective of establishing these nursing colleges is toboost the number of nursing professionals and to provide quality, affordable and equitable nursing education in India.
Co-location of Nursing Colleges with existing Medical Colleges will allow optimum utilisation of existing infrastructure, skill laboratories, clinical facilities and faculty.
The initiative aims to address the geographical and rural-urban imbalance in the healthcare sector and will help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The government plans to complete the project within the next two yearsand has laid out detailed timelines for each phase of planning and execution.
The Empowered Committee will monitor the progress of the work.
The services of Indian nurses are recognized abroad, and it is important to bring Indian nursing education at par with global standards to facilitate their mobility and better job opportunities.
About the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
It is a set of 17 goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015.
The goals aim to tackle global issues such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality and climate change.
Goals include improving access to education, healthcare, clean water and affordable and clean energy.
The SDGs also seek to promote economic growth, reduce inequalities, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, and build strong institutions for peace and justice.
About Union Cabinet
It is the highest decision-making bodyof the executive branch of the Government of India.
It consists of the prime minister, who is the head of the cabinet, and other cabinet ministers who are responsible for various departments and ministries.
The cabinet is responsible for making important policy decisions and making laws.
The cabinet is appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The size of the cabinet is determined by the Prime Minister, but it cannot exceed 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
7. Union Cabinet approves National Medical Devices Policy, 2023
Tags: National National News
The Union Cabinet approved the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 and the Indian medical device sector has come into prominence due to its contribution in the fight against COVID-19.
An Overview of the News
The policy aims to bring the medical device sector on an accelerated path of growth with a patient-centric approach to meet the growing healthcare needs of the patients.
The market size of the medical device sector in India is estimated to be $11 billion in 2020.
The policy is expected to help the medical device sector grow from the current $11 billion to $50 billion by 2030.
The policy outlines six strategies to boost the medical device sector: regulatory streamlining, enabling infrastructure, facilitating R&D and innovation, attracting investments into the sector, human resource development and brand positioning and awareness building.
About Union Cabinet
It is thehighest decision-making body of the executive branch of the Government of India.
It consists of the prime minister, who is the head of the cabinet, and other cabinet ministers who are responsible for various departments and ministries.
The cabinet is responsible for making important policy decisions and making laws.
It meets regularly to discuss issues of national importance, approve bills to be presented in Parliament, and oversee the implementation of government programs.
Thecabinet is appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
The size of the cabinet is determined by the Prime Minister, but it cannot exceed 15% of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
8. MoU signed with Art of Living as part of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
Tags: National National News
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Art of Living, an NGO run by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, on 26 April.
An overview of the news
The MoU, as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), was signed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar.
The objective of this MoU is to spread the message of drug free India campaign among youth, women, students etc.
With the signing of this MoU, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan will get a boost in taking the drug prone India towards de-addiction.
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction
To curb the menace of drug demand, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India is implementing the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).
NAPDDR is an umbrella scheme under which financial assistance is provided to State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity Building, Skill development, vocational training and livelihood support of ex-drug addicts.
About Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
Launched - 15th August 2020 across 272 most affected districts.
Objective - To bring down the consumption of drugs and rehabilitate.
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Focal points of the Campaign - Preventive, capacity building of service providers, augmentation of treatment, rehabilitation and counselling facilities.
Other Initiative - National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction for 2018-2025.
9. Indian Coast Guard conducts Coastal Security Exercise 'Sagar Kavach'
Tags: Defence National News
Coast Guard District Headquarters Haldia, under the aegis of Headquarters Coast Guard Region (NE) conducted the joint Coastal Security Exercise named “Sagar Kavach”, from 25-26 April 23 along the coast of West Bengal.
An overview of the news
The stakeholders who participated in the exercise alongwith Indian Coast Guard included Indian Navy, BSF, Marine Police, West Bengal Police, CISF, Forest Dept., Fisheries Dept., Customs, Haldia Dock Complex, MMD and various intelligence agencies.
Coast Guard, Indian Navy ships and aircraft, BSF patrol boats, Marine Police, Customs and CISF were deployed in the two-day exercise.
The efficacy of men and materials was tested for vigilance in preventing any intrusion into our coastal areas.
Purpose of the Exercise
To assess maritime threats in the current geo-political situation and validate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of all stakeholders.
Strengthening of security system along the coast of West Bengal.
To examine the effectiveness of layered security arrangements such as air-surveillance, deep sea patrolling by large ships of the Coast Guard and Navy and patrolling by boats of Coast Guard air cushion ships, Marine Police, CISF, Customs and BSF.
10. Australia to host third in-person Quad summit
Tags: Summits International News
Australia will host thethird in-person Quad summit in Sydney on 24 May.
An Overview of the News
The Quad Summit will be attended by the leaders of the four member countries –US President Joe Biden, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The Quad summit is a meeting between the leaders of four countries: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.
The Quad was first established as a strategic dialogue in 2007, but remained dormant for several years until it was revived in 2017.
The Quad Summit, to be held in Washington DC in September 2021, was the first in-person meeting of the Quad leaders.
The agenda of the Quad summit focused on four key areas: COVID-19 vaccine delivery, climate change, critical and emerging technologies and regional security.
The Quad leaders announced a new initiative to boost COVID-19 vaccine production in India with a target of distributing one billion doses to the Asia-Pacific region by the end of 2022.
On the subject of climate change, the Quad leaders pledged to work together to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
About Australia
It is a sovereign country located in the Southern Hemisphere and is geographically isolated from the rest of the world.
Capital - Canberra
Government -federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Emperor - Charles III
Governor-General - David Hurley
Prime Minister - Anthony Albanese
