NATIONAL NEWS
New India Literacy Programme launched to cover target of 5 crore non-literates in age group of 15 years and above
The government has introduced a new program called the “New India Literacy Programme” (NILP), which is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that will be implemented for five years from FY 2022-23 to 2026-27.
The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs. 1037.90 crore, with the Central government contributing Rs. 700.00 crore and the State governments contributing Rs. 337.90 crore.
The primary objective of the program is to provide literacy to 5.00 crore individuals in the age group of 15 years and above who are currently unable to read or write.
Committee for Pension reforms
The Government of India announced the formation of a committee to look into improving the system of pension for government employees.
The committee aims to find a middle ground between the fiscally imprudent old pension system and the reform-oriented National Pension System.
This move comes against the backdrop of at least five Opposition-ruled states adopting the Old Pension Scheme.
The committee will be headed by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan.
STATE NEWS
Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra tea gets European GI tag
The European Commission (EC) has awarded protected geographical indication (PGI) status to Kangra tea, a unique variety of tea grown in the Kangra district of India’s Himachal Pradesh
The PGI will be effective from April 11, 2023, as per the notification issued by the EC on March 22.
This move comes at a time when the EC has been delaying granting a similar status to Basmati rice, for which India applied in 2018.
However, the EU wants India and Pakistan to hold discussions so that Basmati rice from Pakistan can also be recognized, but Pakistan is currently not meeting the necessary requirements for the recognition.
The tag will help Kangra tea to get an opportunity to enter the European market.
Haryana becomes first state in India to have 100% electrified railway network
In March 2023, the railway network in the state of Haryana in India was completely electrified by Indian Railways, making it the first state in the country to achieve 100% electrification of its railway network.
The existing Broad Gauge network of Haryana is 1,701 Route kilometre, which is now 100% electrified, resulting in saving on account of reduced line haul cost (about 2.5 times lower), heavier haulage capacity, increased sectional capacity, reduced operating & maintenance cost of electric loco, energy efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil, saving of foreign exchange.
India-Romania Defense Agreement
Recently, India and Romania have signed the Defense Cooperation Agreement, aiming to set up and expand Military Cooperation between both countries.
What Is The Agreement
- The agreement will provide the legal framework for future cooperation in the field of defense through the exchange of expertise and knowledge on subjects of mutual interest including co-development and co-production of military hardware.
- The agreement will promote cooperation in the field of defense between both countries and open up enormous opportunities in sectors like defense medicine, scientific research, cyber defense, technology and research and development.
REPORTS AND INDICES
Triple Threat Report
The UNICEF’s “Triple Threat” report discuss the three water-related threats – inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
Globally, 600 million children still lack safely managed drinking water.
1.1 billion lack safely managed sanitation and 689 million lack basic hygiene service
149 million children still face the indignity of practising open defecation and unsafe water.
Ten countries alone – with a combined population of over 190 million children and all in sub-Saharan Africa – face this triple burden.
Around 2 out of 5 deaths from unsafe WASH are concentrated in these countries.
Access to households with at least basic sanitation rose to 78% in 2020 from 56% IN 2000
ENVIRONMENT
World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023
Global investment in energy transition technologies reached a new record of USD 1.3 trillion in 2022. It was released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The Developing countries attracted only 15 percent of global Renewable Energy investments in 2022. The least developed countries attracted only 0.84 per cent of the total RE investments on average between 2013 and 2020.
Investments declined from 27 per cent of the total investment in Renewable Energy in 2017 to 15 per cent in 2020. In South Asia, investments per capita fell 26 per cent between 2015 and 2021. As per the report, the world will require annual investments of $5.7 trillion on average between 2021 and 2030. $3.7 trillion required between 2031 and 2050 to meet the target.
Previous current affairs: https://www.pmias.in/tnpsc-important-current-affairs-march-3031/
Reference :https://www.dinamalar.com/
