Current Affairs Feb 1, 2024
National news
1) Gujarat Airport in Gujarat Declared an International Airport by Government of India
Key Points:
- Government of India officially declares Surat Airport in Gujarat as an ‘International Airport.’
- The announcement, effective immediately, is confirmed by a notification from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
- The decision follows the recent inauguration of Surat Airport’s new terminal building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, involving an investment of ₹353 crore.
- The move aims to enhance connectivity and promote international travel from Surat, supporting the region’s economic and infrastructural development.
2) India Adds Five New Ramsar Sites, Total Reaches 80, Emphasizing Environmental Conservation
Key Points:
- Union Minister Bhupender Yadav announces the designation of five new Ramsar sites, increasing India’s tally to 80.
- Certificates for the new sites handed over by Dr Musonda Mumba, the Secretary-General of Ramsar Convention.
- Emphasis on environmental protection and conservation, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and the Amrit Dharohar initiative.
- Tamil Nadu and Karnataka states applauded for contributing wetlands to the Ramsar Sites list.
- The move signifies a paradigm shift in India’s approach to wetland conservation, aligning with global environmental priorities.
They are:
- Karaivetti bird sanctuary- Thiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu, India.
- Magadi kere conservation reserve- Gadag district, Karnataka, India.
- Longwood shola reserve forest- Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India.
- Askasamudra bird conservation reserve- Channarayapatna Taluk of Hassan district, Karnataka, India
- Aghanashini estuary – Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India.
Banking news
RBI Directs Paytm Payments Bank to Halt Fresh Deposits and Transactions from March 1, 2024
- Order: RBI instructs Paytm Payments Bank to cease new deposits, credit transactions, and fund transfers, including UPI, after February 29, 2024.
- Scope: Prohibition extends to customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, NCMC cards, etc.
- Exception: Only interest, cashbacks, or refunds may be credited post-February 29, 2024.
- Background: Part of Paytm, one of India’s major payment firms.
Sports news
india Excels at ISSF World Cup with Gold in 10m Air Pistol and Silver in 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Events
Key Points:
- Rhythm Sangwan and Ujjwal bag gold, showcasing exceptional skill in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
- Arjun Babuta and Sonam Uttam Maskar display resilience, securing silver in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the ISSF World Cup.
Ranks and reports
India’s Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) Sees Marginal Decrease in December 2023
Key Points:
- The All-India CPI-IW for December, 2023, registers a slight decrease, standing at 138.8 points.
- Monthly percentage change shows a decrease of 0.22%, compared to the previous month, with a more significant drop recorded a year ago.
- The Labour Bureau compiles the CPI-IW based on retail prices from 317 markets across 88 industrially important centres in India.
- Data is released on the last working day of the succeeding month, providing insights into changes in the cost of living for industrial workers.
Agreements news
India and Oman Sign MoU for Enhanced Defence Collaboration, Including Military Equipment Procurement
Key Points:
- India and Oman ink an agreement facilitating collaboration in new aspects of defence engagement and the acquisition of military equipment.
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) finalized during a meeting of the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) in Muscat.
- Reflects the commitment to strengthen bilateral defence ties and explore areas of mutual interest in the defence sector.
- Marks a step forward in strategic cooperation between the two nations.
ECONOMY NEWS
1) IMF Raises India’s Growth Forecast to 6.7% for FY24 Citing Strong Domestic Demand Resilience
Key Points:
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) revises India’s GDP growth forecast upward to 6.7% for the fiscal year 2023-24.
- Improved domestic demand resilience contributes to the positive revision from the earlier forecast of 6.3% in October 2023.
- India’s GDP growth projected to remain steady at 6.5% for both fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26, according to the latest World Economic Outlook update.
- The upward revision reflects optimism about India’s economic performance in the coming years.
2) Interim Union Budget 2024-25: Capital Expenditure Outlay Increased to Rs 11.11 Lakh Crore, 3.4% of GDP
- Key Points:
- Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman unveils the Interim Union Budget for 2024-2025 in Parliament.
- Capital expenditure outlay for the upcoming year raised by 11.1 percent to Rs 11,11,111 crore.
- The increased allocation represents 3.4 percent of the GDP, signaling a commitment to robust economic development.
- The budget emphasizes strategic investments and fiscal measures to bolster India’s economic growth in the coming fiscal year.
3) FICCI Commends Interim Budget 2024-25, Highlights Robust Growth Momentum and Fiscal Discipline
Key Points:
- FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) praises the Interim Budget, noting strong growth momentum and economic formalization.
- Fiscal deficit projection for the financial year 2024-25 set at 5.1 percent, reflecting a commitment to fiscal discipline.
- FICCI Past President Subhrakant Panda commends Finance Minister’s confident articulation of government achievements and commitment to inclusive development.
- The Interim Budget underscores the government’s focus on sustaining economic growth and fostering a formalized economy.
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Appointment news
1)Malaysia’s Sultan Ibrahim from the southern state of Johor was installed as the country’s 17th king on Wednesday, taking the oath of office in a ceremony at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur.
2) Former Railway Board chairman and CEO Anil Kumar Lahoti has been appointed as the chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).Top of Form
Important day:
Indian coastal guard day 2024 is yearly fallowed in February 1
- 1st feb 1977 the interim indian coast guard was established to prevent the sea-brone smuggling of goods
- On 18 august 1978 the indian parliament officially declared the ICG day to be celebrated on 1 febraury of every yearTop of Form
