Daily Current Affairs 1st February, 2024
Daily Current Affairs 1 February 2024 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.
NATIONAL NEWS
India’s first beachside startup fest from Feb 16
The first-ever Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest is set to unfold from February 16th to 18th, marking a significant milestone in the region’s entrepreneurial landscape. With a focus on nurturing and promoting nascent ventures, this event promises to be a catalyst for the burgeoning startup ecosystem in Mangalore.
- Under the banner of Tapasya Beach Festival (TBF), the Mangalore Beachside Startup Fest is poised to become a hub of creativity and innovation. Beyond merely showcasing startups, it endeavors to foster meaningful connections, spark innovation, and cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit among participants.
Cabinet approves popular refund scheme for garments, made-ups exports till March 31 2026
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the popular scheme for remitting embedded taxes and levies on garments & made ups exports – Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) by another two years, till March 31 2026.
- Continuation of the scheme for proposed duration of two years will provide stable policy regime which is essential for long term trade planning, more so in the textiles sector where orders can be placed in advance for long term delivery.
- The RoSCTL, which helps to remove the burden of taxes and levies and provides level playing field on the principle that “goods are exported and not domestic taxes”, had first been approved by the Cabinet up to March 31 2020, after which further approval was given till March 31 2024.
- Most of the other products not covered under the RoSCTL are eligible to avail benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP).
Cabinet approves extension of Sugar Subsidy for Antyodya Anna Yojna families under Public Distribution System
The Union Cabinet has approved extension of sugar subsidy scheme for Antyodya Anna Yojna families distributed through Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) for two more years till March 2026.
- Under the Scheme, the Central Government gives subsidy of Rs.18.50 per kg per month of sugar to AAY families of participating States. The approval is expected to extend benefits of more than Rs.1850 crore during period of 15th Finance Commission (2020-21 to 2025-26). The scheme is expected to benefit about 1.89 crores AAY families of the country.
Dhankhar reconstitutes panel of vice-chairpersons with 50% women MPs
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons comprising eight members with the presence of 50 per cent women parliamentarians.
- The eight-member panel will now have four women members- Congress MP Phulo Devi Netam, and Bharatiya Janata Party’s MPs Phangnon Konyak, Darshana Singh and Sonal Mansingh.
- Dhankhar made the announcement regarding the reconstituted panel in the Upper House on the first day of the Winter Session of the Parliament.
- The vice chairpersons are eligible to preside over the house in the absence of the chairman or the deputy chairman.
Cabinet approves extension of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the continuation of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to be implemented under Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) with an outlay of Rs.29,610.25 crore for another three years up to 2025-26.
- The scheme will incentivize investments for Dairy processing and product diversification, Meat processing and product diversification, Animal Feed Plant, Breed multiplication farm, Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agri-waste management) and Veterinary vaccine and drug production facilities.
IAF to conduct mega exercise Vayu Shakti 2024 at Pokharan Range in Jaisalmer
In a massive firepower display, IAF conducted Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 at Pokhran Air to Ground Range in Jaisalmer. The exercise saw participation of 121 aircraft, including the indigenous Tejas, Prachand and Dhruv.
- According to the Indian Air Force, 77 fighter aircraft including Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, Sukhoi 30 MKI, 41 Helicopters including MI 17, Apache and five transport aircraft including C130 and C17 will participate in the Vayu Shakti 2024.
- Air Marshal A P Singh said, that Vayu Shakti, 2024 will witness the participation of more than 100 aircraft, and helicopters.Mr. Singh said, Air to air and surface-to-air missile systems including MICA, R-73, SAMAR, and Akash will also demonstrate fire power.
Assam Cabinet approves new bill to develop tourism sector
Assam, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, advances with key decisions. The recent cabinet meeting saw approvals crucial for the state’s growth. These include the Assam Tourism Development and Registration Bill 2024 and the Mising Autonomous Council Amendment Bill 2024. Additionally, infrastructure strides are evident with the approval of a significant flyover project in Guwahati.
- Assam Tourism Development and Registration Bill 2024 – This bill, set for introduction in the upcoming Legislative Assembly session, aims to regulate and boost tourism. Sarma emphasizes its role in fostering economic growth, a testament to Assam’s commitment to development under his leadership
- Mising Autonomous Council Amendment Bill 2024 – This bill expands council representation, underscoring Sarma’s inclusive governance approach. Such reforms reflect Assam’s dedication to equitable development. Under this amendment, the number of elected members will be increased from 36 to 40, while the count of nominated members will rise from 4 to 5.
Udhayanidhi announces ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ scheme
Tamil Nadu Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced that the State government would launch an initiative called the ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’, under which sports equipment would be distributed in 12,000 village panchayats to mark former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s birth centenary.
- The launch of the Kalaignar Sports Kit scheme coincides with the birth centenary of Kalaignar Karunanidhi, a towering figure in Tamil Nadu politics and culture. The initiative seeks to honor his legacy by promoting sports development among the youth of Tamil Nadu.
- The inaugural distribution of the sports kits under the Kalaignar Sports Kit scheme is scheduled to take place on February 7 in Trichy. This event marks the beginning of a concerted effort to equip village-level athletes with the necessary resources to pursue their sporting aspirations.
“Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” scheme launched in Erode, Salem and Namakkal
As part of “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” scheme, Erode Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara inspected various development schemes implemented in the district. He also held discussions with officials. This scheme aldo launched in Salem and Namakkal.
- This innovative initiative aims to bridge the gap between the government and the public by ensuring that the benefits of various schemes reach the grassroots level.
- “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” is designed to enhance the efficiency and transparency of service delivery in the state. Under this scheme, Collectors and senior district-level officials are mandated to spend 24 hours in one taluk on the fourth Wednesday of every month.
Centre says it is implementing Scheme of PVTGs for socio-economic & holistic development
The Centre says it is implementing the scheme of Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) for the socio-economic and holistic development of such groups in the country.
- In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Bishwewar Tudu said under the Ekalavya Model Residential School flagship scheme, five percent of seats in each Ekalayva Model School are reserved for PVTG students.
- In the scheme of National Fellowship, 25 slots out of 750 slots and in the National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students, three out of 20 slots are reserved for PVTG candidates.
MY Bharat portal surpasses one crore 45 lakh youth registrations in three months
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) portal has surpassed one crore 45 lakh youth registrations in three months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the MY Bharat platform for the youth of the country on 31st October, National Unity Day.
- The portal is envisioned as a pivotal, technology-driven facilitator for youth development and youth-led development, with the overarching goal of providing equitable opportunities to empower the youth in realizing their aspirations and contributing to the creation of a Viksit Bharat.
- MY Bharat has rapidly emerged as a pivotal tool for youth development, offering a diverse array of opportunities, events, and volunteering activities with Police, Urban Local Bodies, and various Ministries.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines partnered with VFS Global to introduce pre-approved visa-on-arrival
Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has partnered with VFS Global to introduce a pre-approved visa-on-arrival facility for select Indian passport holders, who have booked their travel with the airline.
- Emirates said that the pre-approved visa on arrival is tailored for Indian passport holders who have booked their travel with the airline. The service is exclusively available to Indian passport holders, who have a valid six-month visa for the US, US Green Card, EU Residency, or UK Residency.
- Fulfilled by the Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC) and issued as a 14-day single entry visa, the new initiative will enable Emirates customers to skip queues when arriving in Dubai, simplifying their arrival formalities by breezing through customs before heading out to visit the city, the airline said.
- The Emirates currently serves nine destinations in India with 167 weekly flights, connecting travellers to Dubai and onwards to a global network of more than 140 destinations. The airline’s network in India includes Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt confirmed they are joining BRICS
Five of the six countries invited to join the BRICS bloc of developing nations from 1 January have confirmed they are joining, South Africa announced.
- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Iran and Egypt have all agreed to join the bloc, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said.
- The expansion of the group would add economic heft to BRICS, whose current members are China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa. It could also amplify its declared ambition to become a champion of the Global South.
Saudi Arabia’s first Luxury Train service set to debut by the end of 2025
In an upcoming collaboration between Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) and Italy’s Arsenale Group, Saudi Arabia will unveil a luxury train experience, called ‘Dream of the Desert.’
- The MoU was signed by Dr Bashar bin Khaled Al-Malik, CEO of SAR, and Paolo Barletta, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Arsenale Group to develop the project which aims to contribute towards promoting national tourism goals.
- Connecting Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, the 1,300-kilometer journey is one of the many experiences the country is launching to succeed in their plan of attracting 150 million visitors by the end of the decade. The nation has allotted over $800 billion to travel and tourism elevating their standing in the international market.
- The train, with 40 elegant cabins designed with “Saudi style and tradition,” in mind will offer one or two-night trips carrying up to 82 passengers for which the booking window will open at the end of 2024.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
India’s Core Sector Growth Slumps to 14-Month Low at 3.8% in December 2023
India’s core sector output growth plummeted to a 14-month low of 3.8% YoY in December, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- This sharp decline from the previous month’s 7.9% was attributed to a high base and a slowdown in six constituent sectors. Notably, only fertilizers (5.8%) and cement (1.3%) sectors saw an output acceleration in December.
- According to the data, only fertilisers (5.8 per cent) and cement (1.3 per cent) sectors saw an acceleration in the output in December as compared to the preceding month. Growth in the output of coal (10.6 per cent), natural gas (6.6 per cent), refinery products (2.6 per cent), steel (5.9 per cent), and electricity (0.6 per cent) decelerated sequentially in December. On the other hand, crude oil production contracted (-1 per cent) for the second consecutive month in December.
APPOINTMENTS
Champion trap shooter Preeti Rajak becomes first woman Subedar in Army
Havildar Preeti Rajak, a champion trap shooter, has been promoted to the rank of Subedar, making her the first woman in the Indian Army to hold that rank, the army said.
- Subedar Preeti Rajak joined the Army in the Corps of Military Police on December 22, 2022.
- She was the first meritorious sportswomen in the shooting discipline enrolled in the Army as a Havildar.During the 19th Asian Games, held at Hangzhou in China, Rajak won a silver medal in the trap women team event.
AWARDS
Three young Indian scientists receive prestigious UK award
Three Indian scientists are also among the nine scientists selected for the prestigious ‘Blavatnik Award’ 2024 given to young scientists in Britain. This award will be given to them for their excellent work in chemistry, physics and life sciences.
- Out of the total nine scientists honoured with the Blavatnik Award, three are young scientists of Indian origin. Mainly among them Professor Rahul R. Nair, Professor Mehul Malik and Dr. Tanmay Bharat.
- This award is given by ‘Blavatnik Family Foundation’ and ‘The New York Academy of Sciences’. This award is mainly given to young scientists for their research work. These selected young scientists will be honoured in a ceremony organised on 27 February 2024 for their research work in various fields of science.
Tamil Nadu Achieves Record with Highest Number of Ramsar Sites in India
Two more Ramsar sites, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, have been approved by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC). With this, the total number of Ramsar sites in the State has increased to 16, the highest in the country.
- The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest spans 116.07 hectares in The Nilgiris and is celebrated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. This verdant reserve is home to over 700 species of flora and fauna, including 177 bird species, 14 of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.
- Covering 453.7 hectares, the Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is nestled in Ariyalur and stands as another Important Bird and Biodiversity Area in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is a sanctuary for over 500 species of flora and fauna and plays a pivotal role in the Central Asian Flyway, acting as a vital breeding and foraging ground for waterbirds.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Woman Robot Astronaut “Vyommitra” to fly into Space ahead of ISRO’s “Gaganyaan” mission: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said that Woman Robot Astronaut “Vyommitra” will fly into Space ahead of ISRO’s “Gaganyaan” mission, which will be India’s first human manned Space Flight carrying Indian Astronauts into Space.
- The uncrewed “Vyommitra” mission is scheduled for the third quarter of this year while a manned mission “Gaganyaan” is scheduled to be launched next year, that is 2025.
- This female robot astronaut is equipped with the capability to monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and execute life support operations. It can perform tasks such as operating six panels and responding to queries.
- The Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human space capabilities by launching a crew of astronauts into an orbit of 400 kilometers and then bringing these astronauts safely back to earth by landing them in India’s sea waters.
IIT Indore’s Ujjain Satellite Campus Secures Central Government Approval
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced the green light for IIT Indore’s Ujjain satellite campus, marking a pivotal moment for education and skill development. With approval from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, this project promises substantial benefits for the region.
- The approval of IIT Indore’s Ujjain satellite campus underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities. CM Yadav highlighted the significance of this initiative, emphasizing its potential to empower students, teachers, and industrial workers.
- IIT Indore has drafted the first Detailed Project Report (DPR) for establishing a satellite center in Ujjain. Spanning across 100 acres, it will focus on international-level research and advanced education—a pioneering educational institution in the nation.
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