- NATIONAL
MINISTER LAUNCHES REVAMPED MODEL SKILL LOAN SCHEME
- Revamped Model Skill Loan Scheme
- Key Features: Increased Loan Limit: Loan limit for high-end skilling courses increased from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh.
- Broadened Lending Network: Previously limited to Indian Banking Association (IBA) member banks.
- Now includes Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and small finance banks.
- Course Coverage: Expanded to cover more skill courses aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
- Background: Previous Scheme: Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development (2015).
- Challenges: Low fund uptake: ₹115.75 crore loans to 10,077 borrowers as of March 31.
- Low ticket size of loans (up to ₹1.5 lakh) inadequate for high-cost courses.
- Limited reach of IBA member banks.
- Objectives: Address Inflation: Adjust loan sizes to match rising course costs and fees.
- Increase Accessibility: Broaden the lending network to enhance reach and uptake.
- Support High-End Skilling: Facilitate access to advanced and expensive skill development courses.
- The revamped scheme aims to make skill development more accessible and financially feasible for a larger segment of the population, addressing previous limitations and expanding opportunities for high-end skill acquisition
2. DEFENCE
TRI – SERVICES ON THRESHOLD OF MAJOR REFORMS – CDS
- Reinforcing Lessons: Emphasis on reinforcing the right lessons from the Kargil War.
- Importance of not forgetting sacrifices and avoiding past mistakes.
- Preparedness and Reforms:
- Armed forces must be ready to shed obsolete practices and adopt new ones.
- Tri-services are on the verge of major reforms in organisational, structural, conceptual, and cultural aspects.
- Aim of Reforms: Improve fighting efficiency and maintain battle-readiness.
- Reforms should reflect the uniqueness of the Indian environment and challenges.
- Inspiration and Motivation:
- Supreme sacrifices during the Kargil conflict continue to inspire future generations of soldiers and the nation’s youth.
3. POLITY
KERALA’S DIASPORA ORIENTED POSTING DRAWS MEA’S FLAK
- Issue — The recent appointment of senior IAS officer K. Vasuki by the Kerala government as an officer in charge of “external cooperation” has sparked a debate about the constitutional jurisdiction of state governments in matters of foreign affairs
- Constitutional Framework
- Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution: The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution delineates the distribution of powers between the Union and the States through three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List.
- Union List (List I): This list includes subjects that are exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Central Government.
- Item 10 of the Union List specifically mentions “Foreign affairs; all matters which bring the Union into relation with any foreign country.”
- State List (List II): This list includes subjects that are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the State Governments.
- Foreign affairs are not included in this list.
- Concurrent List (List III): This list includes subjects on which both the Union and State Governments can legislate.
- However, in case of any conflict, the Union law prevails.
- Foreign affairs are not included in this list either.
- Kerala’s Appointment of an Officer for External Cooperation
- Objective: The Kerala government’s decision to appoint an officer in charge of “external cooperation” appears to be aimed at addressing issues related to the large Keralite diaspora, attracting foreign investment, and other international engagements that are relevant to the state’s development.
- Criticism and Clarification: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that foreign affairs are not a Concurrent or State subject and emphasized that state governments should not intrude into matters beyond their constitutional jurisdiction.
- The BJP in Kerala criticized the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for this appointment, arguing that it oversteps the constitutional boundaries
4. NATIONAL
ROW OVER PLAN TO INCLUDE NORTH BENGAL IN NORTHEAST
- Issue — On dividing West Bengal — The proposal to include North Bengal under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
- Political Dynamics: The proposal to include North Bengal under DoNER is seen as a new dimension to the ongoing demands for regional autonomy and development.
- The TMC views this as a political strategy by the BJP to weaken its hold in the state by creating divisions.
- The BJP has been trying to make inroads in West Bengal, and North Bengal has shown some support for the party in recent elections.
- Economic and Developmental Concerns: Proponents of the proposal argue that North Bengal has been historically underdeveloped compared to the southern parts of the state.
- Inclusion under DoNER could potentially bring more focused development and funding to the region.
- Previous Demands for Division
- Gorkhaland Movement: There has been a long-standing demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland, primarily from the Gorkha ethnic group in the Darjeeling hills of North Bengal.
- The demand has led to several agitations and strikes over the years, with the most notable ones occurring in the 1980s and again in the 2010s.
- Kamtapur Movement: Another movement in North Bengal is the demand for a separate state of Kamtapur, primarily by the Rajbongshi community.
- The Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) has been active in this regard, although the movement has not gained as much traction as the Gorkhaland movement.
5. AGRICULTURE
SUGAR MILLS SEEK POLICY FRAMEWORK TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE FUELS
- Policy Framework: Government Support: ISMA has sought a supportive policy framework from the government to facilitate the transition of sugar mills into bio[1]refineries.
- Incentives: Potential incentives could include subsidies, tax benefits, and grants for adopting advanced technologies.
- Infrastructure Development: E-100 Pumps: The Centre has already unveiled 400 E-100 pumps, promoting the use of 100% ethanol as a fuel.
- High-Tech Sugar Mills: Building new, technologically advanced sugar mills capable of producing multiple bio-products.
- Collaboration: Government and Industry: ISMA has assured close collaboration with the government to expedite the development of bio-refineries.
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Production: Derived from bio-based feedstocks, including sugarcane, through processes like Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA).
- Uses: Used as a renewable alternative to conventional jet fuel, reducing the carbon footprint of aviation.
- E-100 (100% Ethanol): Production: Pure ethanol produced from sugarcane or other biomass.
- Uses: Used as a standalone fuel for specially designed engines, offering a renewable alternative to gasoline.
- 2-G Ethanol (Second-Generation Ethanol): Production: Produced from lignocellulosic biomass, such as agricultural residues, using advanced biochemical or thermochemical processes.
- Uses: Used as a biofuel, offering higher efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to first-generation biofuels.
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