1. India participates in the 2nd Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) negotiating
Tags: International News
An inter-ministerial delegation from India led by the Department of Commerce participated in the 2nd Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Negotiations Round from March 13-19, 2023 in Bali, Indonesia.
An overview of the news
Negotiators from 13 other countries, including, the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam also participated in the Bali negotiating round.
During the Bali Round, discussions covered all the four pillars of the IPEF.
India participated in the discussions related to Pillars II to IV.
The first IPEF round was held in Brisbane, Australia on December 10-15, 2022 and the Special Negotiations round in New Delhi on February 8-11, 2023.
About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
In May 2022, the United States launched IPEF.
It has 14 member states - Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.
The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 percent of global GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.
It has four pillars -Trade (Pillar I), Supply Chains (Pillar II), Clean Economy (Pillar III), and Fair Economy (Taxation & Anticorruption) - (Pillar IV).
Aims
To bring together its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance economic cooperation.
2. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 36th Board Meeting of Stop TB Partnership
Tags: National National News
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 36th Board Meeting of the Stop TB Partnership in New Delhi on 25 March.
An overview of the news
India has identified 3 important health priorities under the G20 Presidency.
All of these focus on universal health coverage and are relevant to the response to TB elimination.
A lot of extraordinary work is being done on the ground through innovations in TB case finding, mathematical modelling, digital interventions and surveillance.
Efforts are being made to bring innovative strategies like Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which will be a unique campaign of its kind in the world.
He pointed out that the TB vaccine is needed urgently for which its fast-track development is important.
About Stop TB Partnership
Stop TB Partnership was founded in 2001.
This is a United Nations-hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB.
It aims to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem.
Secretariat - Geneva, Switzerland.
3. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates real-time performance monitoring dashboard 'Sagar Manthan'
Tags: National News
The real-time performance monitoring dashboard of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), known as 'Sagar Manthan' was recently inaugurated by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal.
An Overview of the News
'Sagar Manthan' is a digital platform designed to hold all the integrated data related to the Ministry and other subsidiaries.
This is a step towards digitization and transparency in the maritime transport sector.
The platform was developed internally under the guidance of Sudhanshu Pant, Secretary, MoPSW and was efficiently completed in less than 1.5 months.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways showcased its commitment to promote the growth of India's maritime transport sector by launching the 'Sagar Manthan' dashboard.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)
It is a department of the Government of India and is responsible for the development and regulation of ports, shipping and inland waterways.
It was earlier known as the Ministry of Shipping and was renamed in November 2020.
MoPSW develops and maintains ports, promotes coastal shipping and modernizes inland waterways.
It implements measures to improve safety and security at ports and on ships.
It is headed by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) and works closely with other government departments and private sector companies.
4. Indian Army and Air Force conduct 'Vayu Prahar' exercise in Eastern Sector
Tags: Defence National News
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The Indian Army and Air Force conducted a 96-hour multi-domain air and land exercise named 'Vayu Prahar' in the eastern sector.
An Overview of the News
The exercise took place in the second week of March amid the ongoing standoff between India and China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Its main objective was to draw up plans that could coordinate multi-domain operations and enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Army and Air Force in the eastern sector.
The exercise involved the use of various combat assets including fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters and ground forces.
The Indian Army and Air Force jointly executed complex operational scenarios during the exercise, which included deployment of troops and equipment, air strikes and air-to-ground warfare operations.
The exercise was conducted to test the readiness and interoperability of the Indian Army and Air Force in a joint operational environment.
About Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)
Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) is a military strategy that involves coordination of activities in various domains such as air, land, sea, cyber and space.
It aims to achieve convergent results by synchronising and integrating capabilities across various branches of the military.
MDO emphasises the importance of information sharing, communication, and cooperation between the various branches of the military.
MDO involves the use of advanced technologies and systems to facilitate joint operations across various domains.
About Vayu Prahar Exercise
Exercise Vayu Prahar is a joint military exercise conducted by the Indian Army and Air Force and aims to enhance coordination and rehearsal between various agencies for rapid mobilisation, transport and deployment of forces.
Its scope is to test the readiness and interoperability of the Indian Armed Forces in a joint operational environment, to prepare them to respond effectively to any potential threat or security challenge in the region.
About Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs)
Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) in India are military airstrips primarily used by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army for tactical or logistical purposes.
They are located in remote and high altitude areas near the borders with China and Pakistan.
ALGs are simple, single runway strips used for safe landing and take-off points for military aircraft.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is responsible for undertaking contingency operations in these high altitude areas.
5. Cabinet approves 4% hike in dearness allowance to central government employees
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The cabinet has announced a 4% increase in dearness allowance for central government employees and pensioners.
An Overview of the News
With a four per cent increase in DA, the total DA becomes 42 per cent of the basic pay.
The increase in dearness allowance will benefit over 47 lakh central government employees and over 69 lakh pensioners.
The Union Cabinet has approved the release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from January 1, 2023.
The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be more than Rs 12 thousand 815 crore per annum.
The increase in Dearness Allowance is as per the approved formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
About Dearness Allowance (DA)
Dearness Allowance (DA) is compensation given to employees to offset the effects of inflation and is calculated as a percentage of an employee's basic salary.
The rate of inflation varies depending on the location, job profile and policies of the organisation.
Dearness Allowance is revised from time to time to keep it relevant and effective.
It aims to provide relief to the employees who are struggling to face the rising cost of living, maintain their standard of living and meet the day to day expenses.
DA is paid in addition to basic pay and is subject to income tax.
6. Amit Shah inaugurated Vedic Heritage portal
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Vedic Heritage Portal on 23 March 2023 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.
About Vedic Heritage portal
The portal aims to communicate message enshrined in the Vedas.
It will help common people to have a general understanding about the Vedas.
The portal will be a one-stop solution for the user, who would like to search any information regarding the Vedic heritage.
The audio visual recording of four vedas have been uploaded on the Vedic Heritage portal.
The portal has over 18 thousand mantras of the four vedas with a duration of over 550 hours.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)
It was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
It is a center for research, academic pursuit, and dissemination in the field of the arts.
7. WHO calls for intensified actions to eradicate Tuberculosis in South East Asia region
Tags: International News
On World Tuberculosis Day (24 March) the World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for intensified actions to eradicate the disease in the South East Asian region which bears the world’s highest TB burden.
An overview of the news
WHO highlighted the urgent need to advance innovations, better address social and economic determinants, and improve multi-sectoral collaboration.
TB burden in Southeast Asia
In 2021, the region is expected to account for more than 45 percent of global TB incidence and more than half of global TB deaths.
According to WHO, the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated key social and economic determinants of TB such as poverty and malnutrition, pushing millions of people in the region into extreme poverty.
An estimated 7 million additional TB cases and 1.5 million additional TB deaths could occur between 2022 and 2026 across the region.
In 2022, the budget allocation for TB programs in the region is set to reach approximately US$1.4 billion.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was founded on 7 April, 1948.
Headquarters of WHO : Geneva, Switzerland
Members : 194 countries
Director General of WHO: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia.
8. MoU signed between Ministry of Ayush and Department of ex-servicemen welfare, Ministry of Defence
Tags: National National News
The Ministry of Ayush and Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare/ECHS, Ministry of Defence on 24 March signed a MoU to integrate Ayurveda in ECHS Polyclinics as an OPD service for a five year period.
An overview of the news
These will be set up in 10 polyclinics located at Ambala, Mysore, Ranchi, Nagpur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Meerut, Danapur and Alleppey (Alappuzha).
Ayurveda centers already exist in 37 Cantonment Hospitals, 12 Military Hospitals of AFMC and AH R&R.
The Ministry will provide technical guidance from time to time and empanel Ayurveda doctors and pharmacists for their appointment and provide a list of essential Ayurveda medicines and other technical support.
The Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defense will provide necessary infrastructure (room/furniture/other facilities) at a suitable location in the concerned polyclinic.
Both the Ministries have agreed to form a Joint Working Group (JWG) comprising representatives from Ministry of AYUSH and Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare to take forward the proposal for setting up OPD as per the MoU.
9. Anti-submarine craft INS Androth launched
Tags: Defence National News
The INS Androth, second in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), was launched in Kolkata on 21 March.
About INS Androth
It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd for the Indian Navy.
It is 77.6 meters long and 10.5 meters wide.
It is powered by three diesel propellers, these ships can reach a top speed of 25 knots.
Its primary Role is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine-laying operations.
The first ship was delivered in December 2022.
The contract for construction of eight ASW SWC vessels was signed on April 29, 2019.
The commissioning of two ships of the same class within three months reinforces the Prime Minister's commitment to indigenous shipbuilding as part of the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
10. Amit Shah chairs regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' in Bengaluru
Tags: Summits National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the Regional Conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' in Bengaluru on 24 March.
An overview of the news
Representatives from 5 southern states and 3 union territories participated in the conference.
The Union Home Minister also supervised the destruction of 9,298 kg of seized narcotics worth Rs 1,235 crore during the meeting.
The Home Minister focused on aspects such as zero tolerance in the regional conference on ways to reduce drug trafficking through sea routes and consequential stringent punitive action on drug traffickers.
Drug addiction in India
India is situated between the world's two largest opium producing regions (the 'Golden Triangle' on one side and the 'Golden Crescent' on the other).
The 'Golden Triangle' region includes Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.
The 'Golden Crescent' region includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
According to the World Drug Report 2021, prescription drugs and their ingredients are increasingly being converted into recreational use in India (the world's largest producer of generic drugs).
India is also linked to shipments of drugs sold in the 19 major darknet markets analysed in 2011-2020.
According to the report released by the Ministry of Social Justice and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on the quantum of substance abuse in 2019.
There are 31 million cannabis users in India (of which 2.5 million were dependent users).
There are 23 million opioid users in India (of which 2.8 million were dependent users).
