- EDUCATION
IMPLEMENT SCHOOL SAFETY GUIDELINES, CENTRE TELLS STATES
- School Safety Guidelines by the Union Education Ministry (2021
- Context: In response to incidents of sexual assault in schools, the Union Education Ministry has urged all States and Union Territories to implement the guidelines issued in 2021 to ensure the safety and security of children in schools.
- Key Aspects of the Guidelines:
- Accountability: The guidelines stress the importance of fixing accountability on school management for ensuring the safety and security of children. This applies to both government and private schools.
- Coverage: The guidelines are applicable to all schools, including government, government-aided, and private institutions.
- Specific roles and responsibilities are outlined for school management, principals, teachers, and administrators.
- Preventive Education on safety and security: Incorporates training for teachers and students on how to handle and report incidents of abuse or unsafe situations.
- Stakeholder Accountability: The guidelines outline the roles of various stakeholders, including school authorities, parents, and law enforcement, in maintaining a safe school environment.
- Legal Provisions: Aligns with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, ensuring that the legal framework supports the protection of children in schools.
- Counselling and Support for students, especially those who are victims of abuse.
- Reporting Procedure: Clear guidelines on the reporting procedure for any incidents of abuse or unsafe conditions.
- Encourages prompt and transparent reporting to the relevant authorities.
- Customizability: States and UTs are allowed to modify or add to these guidelines based on local requirements, with the stipulation that any changes be notified and implemented effectively.
- Zero Tolerance Policy towards negligence by any individual or management in ensuring the safety of students
2. ECONOMY
SPACE SECTOR CONTRIBUTED RS.20,000 CRORE TO INDIA’S GDP OVER THE LAST DECADE
- Economic Contribution: The space sector has added approximately $24 billion (₹20,000 crore) to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the last decade.
- Employment: It has directly supported around 96,000 jobs across both public and private sectors.
- Multiplier Effect:
- Economic Multiplier: For every dollar generated by the space sector, there has been a multiplier effect of $2.54 on the broader Indian economy.
- Productivity: India’s space sector workforce is 2.5 times more productive compared to the country’s broader industrial workforce
3. AGRICULTURE
THE ROAD TO 2047 FOR INDIAN AGRICULTURE
- Vision for 2047
- Goal: India aims to become a developed nation by 2047, requiring a sixfold increase in per capita Gross National Income (GNI).
- Agriculture’s Role: Critical to achieving sustainable growth, improving productivity, and ensuring environmental health.
- Key Challenges
- Climate Change: Adverse effects on crop yields.
- Land Degradation: Threatens long-term productivity.
- Market Access Issues: Farmers struggle to get fair prices.
- Major Schemes and Initiatives
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY):
- Coverage: 78 lakh hectares.
- Focus: Promotes micro-irrigation to improve water-use efficiency.
- Budget: ₹93,068 crore for 2021-26.
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):
- Coverage: 49.5 crore farmers with ₹1.45 lakh crore in claims settled.
- Objective: Cornerstone of agricultural risk management.
- Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM):
- Integrated 1,361 mandis.
- Trade Value: ₹2.88 lakh crore.
- Aim: Provides farmers better market access.
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):
- Payout: ₹6,000 annually to farmers.
- Beneficiaries: 11.8 crore farmers.
- Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC):
- Objective: Promote optimal fertilizer use.
- Agriculture Infrastructure Fund:
- Budget: ₹1 lakh crore.
- Focus: Modernization and post-harvest management.
- Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improved Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA):
- Goal: Ensure transparent property ownership.
4. STATES
CAUVERY NIGAM WRITES TO CENTRE ON MEKEDATU
- The Mekedatu project is a balancing reservoir-cum-drinking water project proposed by Karnataka’s Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Limited (CNNL).
- The project is designed to provide drinking water and generate hydroelectric power by constructing a dam across the Cauvery River.
- Environmental and Legal Considerations: CNNL has approached the Union Ministry of Environment for the approval of the Terms of Reference (ToR) required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and develop an Environment Management Plan (EMP).
- The project has been pending for six years due to opposition from Tamil Nadu and the need for environmental clearances.
- Inter-State Water Dispute: Tamil Nadu opposes the project, arguing that it would reduce the water available to the state downstream. This is a significant aspect of the ongoing Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Karnataka argues that the project will be more beneficial to Tamil Nadu, particularly in helping the lower riparian state during distress periods.
- Recent Developments: The CNNL has escalated the issue by writing to the Ministry, emphasizing that there has been no hindrance in processing the ToR approval, and the delay is unwarranted.
- The issue is seen as a priority by Karnataka’s state government
5. ECONOMY
ANIL AMBANI AND 24 OTHERS BANNED BY SEBI FINED RS 624 CR
- Corporate Governance and Legal Precedent:
- This case highlights SEBI’s role in enforcing corporate governance standards and its commitment to holding corporate executives accountable for financial irregularities.
- The order also serves as a significant legal precedent for handling cases of financial fraud and misconduct in the Indian corporate sector.
- Impact on Market Regulation:
- The decision reinforces the importance of stringent market regulations and the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public companies.
- The case could influence future regulatory actions and policies to prevent similar financial misdeeds in the corporate world.
ONE LINER
- New Literacy Programme (NILP) 2022-2023 to 2026- 27. Aim – To cover a target of 5.00 crore non-literates in the age group of 15 years and above
- NASA has launched satellite known as Tanager – 1 a by using Space X Falcon 9 rocket to detect major emitters of carbon dioxide and methane
