NATIONAL NEWS
1)Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics
The Unified Portal of Central Bureau of Narcotics was recently launched to facilitate the ease of doing business of Narcotic Drugs and Controlled Substances in India. The launch of this portal is expected to be a significant stepping stone towards achieving better compliance and transparency.
The Primary Objective of CBN
CBN is a central government organization that regulates the international trade of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Precursor Chemicals. The NDPS Act, 1985, provides the legal framework for regulating Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and Controlled Substances in India.
2)India gives $2 million to African Union Transition Mission in Somalia
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn of Africa by handing over a contribution of USD 2 million to the United Nations Trust Fund.
Significant of the fund
The fund is aimed at supporting the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). By making this contribution, India seeks to support the efforts of the international community to promote peace and stability in the region.
3)Criteria for becoming national party
The Election Commission of India (ECI) revised the list of national and state political parties on Monday, elevating Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to national party status while demoting veteran politician Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The EC made its decision after reviewing the poll results of the parties in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, as well as the election results of 21 state assemblies since 2014.
How does EC grant national status to a party?
- First, it must receive at least six per cent of the votes cast in four or more states in Lok Sabha or assembly elections, and it must also have at least four Lok Sabha members.
- Second, it holds at least two per cent of the Lok Sabha seats and has candidates from at least three states.
- Third, at least four states recognise it as a state party.
STATE NEWS
1)Country’s first 3D-printed post office coming up in Bengaluru
Bengaluru will soon have India’s first post office constructed using 3D printing technology. The project at Cambridge Layout in Ulsoor is being implemented by Larsen & Toubro, which has experience in constructing 3D-printed buildings.
According to S Rajendra Kumar, chief postmaster general of the Karnataka circle, the Ulsoor Bazaar post office is being relocated to Cambridge Layout with the aim to reduce the construction cost. The 1,100 sqft building is expected to cost 30-40 per cent less than conventional buildings because of the technological intervention. The post office is being built at a cost of Rs 23 lakh.
2)Tamil Nadu govt’s ‘TN REACH’ initiative to use 80+ unused helipads soon
The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (Tidco) has developed a mechanism called Tamil Nadu Regional Aerial Connectivity through Helicopters (TN REACH), which aims to utilize over 80 unused helipads across the state to provide intercity and town connectivity.
This would be possible by leveraging the National Civil Aviation Policy and the Helicopter Policy of the Government of India.
According to Thangam Thenarasu, the Industries Minister of Tamil Nadu, TN REACH would establish an intra-state network of aerial routes to enable people to travel between cities and towns using helicopters.
The mechanism would rely on two existing initiatives – Heli Disha, which is an administrative manual for helicopter operations, and Heli Sewa, which is an online portal for providing landing clearance for helicopter operations.
BANKING NEWS
RBI’s Green Deposits Framework
The Reserve Bank of India has announced a new framework to offer green deposits to the customers, aiming at developing a Green Finance Ecosystem (GFS) in India.
- The framework will come into effect from June 1, 2023.
- A green deposit refers to an interest-bearing deposit received by an RE (Regulated Entity) for a fixed period, with the proceeds earmarked for allocation towards green finance.
- Allocation
- REs will be required to allocate the proceeds raised through green deposits towards a list of green activities and projects that encourage energy efficiency in resource utilization, reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, promote climate resilience and/or adaptation, and improve natural ecosystems and biodiversity.
BIO-DIVERSITY
India’s Tiger Census – 2022
India is home to the largest population of tigers in the world, and their protection and conservation is of utmost importance. The country conducts a scientific estimation of its tiger population once every four years, and the latest report was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently.
The Total Number of Tigers in India
The report revealed that as of 2022, India’s tiger population stands at 3,167, which is a significant increase from the 2006 figure of 1,411. This growth indicates that conservation efforts in India are working and that the government’s initiatives and measures are helping in preserving the species.
Previous current affairs:https://www.pmias.in/tnpsc-important-current-affairs-april-12/
Source :https://www.dinamalar.com/
