- BCRC SEEKS REMUNERATION REVIEW OF BANK MITRAS AS COSTS INCREASE
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Business Correspondent Resource Council (BCRC) appeals to the Parliamentary Finance Committee to review Bank Mitras’ remuneration.
- Bank Mitras’ pay unchanged since 2014; costs have risen significantly.
- Bank Mitra—shall be preferably a lady from amongst the community who is provided with the knowledge of doing subsidiary banking works like documents preparation of SHG’s for account opening, credit linkage, receipt filling in the bank when the members reach the bank premises either for withdrawing or depositing the amount and supporting the bank with such similar works as required by the branch.
- Solution: Use Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS)for rural banking remuneration.
- Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF)to subsidize costs in underserved areas.
2. SHIPPING INDUSTRY TACKLING EMISSIONS
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC-83)of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- MEPC-83 focused on global shipping emissions levy.
- Objective: Achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Proposals included a universal Greenhouse Gas (GHG)levy, managed by the IMO. Proposals Discussed:
- Market-Based Measures (MBM):First proposed in 2010; revisited at MEPC-83.
- Universal GHG Levy:Suggested by the Marshall Islands and others; not adopted due to geopolitical tensions.
- Carbon Levy:Supported by the EU but opposed by Brazil, China, India, and others due to economic concerns
3. INDIA, PAK AGREE TO TAKE STEPS TO REDUCE TROOPS ON BORDERS
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- India and Pakistan agreed to “consider immediate measures to ensure troop reduction” from the borders and forward areas
- Their commitment to not fire a single shot or initiate any aggressive and inimical action will continue.
- The agreement came during talks between the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs)of India and Pakistan.
- The agreement effectively takes forward the understanding reached between the DGMOs to stop all firing and military activity.
4. INDIA’S RISING E-WASTE THE NEED TO RECAST ITS MANAGEMENT
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- India generates 151.03% more e-waste in 2023-24 (1,69,233 metric tonnes) compared to 2017-18.
- Annual increase: 17,18,400 metric tonnes in 2023-24.
- Globally, India ranks among top e-waste generators(after China, US, Japan, Germany).
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): EPR mandates producers to manage e-waste post-use, promoting sustainability.
- E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 introduced stable pricing certificates.
- Only 10% of e-waste is formally recycled; 90% handled by informal sector.
5. PADDY, PULSES ACREAGE HAS INCREASED THIS KHARIF SEASON
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- Paddy:Increasedby 3.44 lakh hectares (28.57 lakh hectares in 2023-24).
- Pulses:Increasedby 2.20 lakh hectares (20.67 lakh hectares in 2023-24).
- Oilseeds:Increasedby 1.70 lakh hectares.
- Coarse Grains:Increasedarea noted but not quantified.
- Comparison with Previous Years: Paddy: 9.76 lakh hectares more than 2023-24.
- Pulses: 0.47 lakh hectares more than 2023-24.
- Stock Levels:
- Rice: 389.05 lakh tonnes (buffer: 135.8 lakh tonnes).
- Wheat: 177.08 lakh tonnes (buffer: 74.6 lakh tonnes).
- Water storage in reservoirs:117% of last year, 161% of 10-year average.
