Current Affairs Feb 13, 2024
NATIONAL NEWS
Empowering MSMEs: Launch of DigiReady Certification Portal
Key Points:
- Collaborative Effort: Quality Council of India (QCI) and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) join hands to launch the DigiReady Certification (DRC) portal.
- Digital Inclusion: Aimed at fostering digital inclusion in the MSME sector by assessing and certifying digital readiness of entities.
- Seamless Onboarding: MSMEs can evaluate their preparedness to onboard as sellers on the ONDC platform through the online self-assessment tool.
- Streamlined Seller Journey: The DRC portal ensures a streamlined seller journey, enabling MSMEs to integrate seamlessly into existing digitized workflows.
- Certification Process: Evaluation includes aspects such as documentation for online operations, proficiency in technology usage, integration with digitized workflows, and efficient management of orders and catalogue offerings.
Launch of Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) in Rural Areas
- Introduction: The Education Ministry launches APAAR in rural regions through Common Service Centres (CSCs).
- NEP 2020 Mandate: Conceptualized under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), APAAR facilitates registration of college/university-going students on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
- Purpose: APAAR aims to streamline academic records and facilitate easy access to student data, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the education system.
- Access via CSCs: Rural students can now access APAAR services conveniently through Common Service Centres, bridging the digital divide and ensuring inclusivity.
- Alignment with NEP Goals: The launch of APAAR aligns with NEP 2020 objectives, emphasizing technology integration in education and promoting a flexible credit system for students
CM Yogi Emphasizes Infrastructure Development in Uttar Pradesh Assembly
Key Points:
- Budget Discussion: CM Yogi responds to queries in the state assembly, highlighting the importance of stability and sustainability in driving infrastructure and industrial development in Uttar Pradesh.
- Proactive Measures: The state government’s proactive measures include the establishment of the Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) between Kanpur and Jhansi, a significant development after 46 years.
- Strategic Importance: CM Yogi underscores the strategic importance of semiconductors in advancing industrial growth, highlighting the location’s significance between Kanpur and Jhansi after 46 years.
inauguration of 2nd SARAS Aajeevika Mela in Jammu & Kashmir
Key Points:
- Inauguration: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo inaugurates the 2nd edition of SARAS Aajeevika Mela organized by the Jammu & Kashmir Rural Livelihoods Mission (JKRLM).
- Objective: SARAS Aajeevika Mela aims to empower rural women by providing a market for their products, enhancing marketing skills, and fostering cultural exchange.
- Activities: The Mela features exhibitions, sales, and cultural programs to promote economic empowerment and preserve cultural heritage in Jammu & Kashmir.
BANKING NEWS
Empowering Farmers: MoU Between WDRA and Punjab & Sind Bank for Accessible Financing
- MoU Signing: The Warehousing Development Regulatory Authority (WDRA) partners with Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) to enhance access to financing options for farmers and traders.
- Objective: The collaboration aims to raise awareness and accessibility to low-interest loans secured by electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs), facilitating agricultural pledge finance across India.
- Empowering Agriculture: By providing accessible financing options, the initiative seeks to empower farmers and traders, enabling them to meet their financial needs and improve agricultural productivity.
- Enhanced Efficiency: Utilizing e-NWRs enhances efficiency in agricultural financing by digitizing documentation processes, reducing paperwork, and streamlining operations.
- Impact: The MoU between WDRA and PSB is expected to have a positive impact on agricultural pledge finance, fostering growth and development in the agricultural sector.
LeRemitt and Yes Bank Collaborate for Cross-Border Platform for MSMEs
Key Points:
- Partnership: Fintech startup LeRemitt and Yes Bank join forces to launch a cross-border platform catering to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- International Transactions: The platform facilitates international transactions in major currencies like US dollars and euro, enhancing the global trade capabilities of MSMEs.
- Transparency and Efficiency: Along with multi-currency support, the platform offers transparency, efficiency, and cost benefits, providing small businesses with accessible solutions for global trade.
- Empowering MSMEs: By providing accessible cross-border solutions, the collaboration aims to empower MSMEs, enabling them to expand their business horizons and compete effectively in international markets.
- Impact: The partnership between LeRemitt and Yes Bank is poised to have a significant impact on MSMEs, fostering growth, and promoting economic development through enhanced global trade opportunities.
India and ADB Sign $200 Million Loan for Brahmaputra River Flood Management
Key Points:
- Loan Agreement: The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign a $200 million loan to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
- Signatories: Ms. Juhi Mukherjee from the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Mr. Hoe Yun Jeong, Deputy Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, sign the loan agreement.
- Project Objective: The Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project aims to mitigate flooding and riverbank erosion along the 650 km main stem of the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
- Project Continuation: Building on the success and lessons from previous ADB-financed projects, this initiative will continue efforts to address recurrent flooding and riverbank erosion in the region.
- Impact: The project will contribute to enhancing climate resilience and reducing vulnerability to natural disasters in Assam, benefiting local communities and enhancing sustainable development in the region.
Scheme news
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Launch Announcement
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces the launch of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana for sustainable development and people’s well-being.
- The project, with an investment exceeding 75 thousand crore rupees, aims to provide free electricity of up to 300 units per month to one crore households.
- Substantive subsidies will be directly deposited into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, and heavily concessional bank loans will be provided to ensure no cost burden on the people.
- All stakeholders will be integrated into a National Online Portal for enhanced convenience and accessibility.
Sports news
Sumit Nagal Breaks into ATP Top 100 After Chennai Open Challenger Win
Key Points:
- ATP Singles Rankings: Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal rises 23 ranks to enter the top 100 in ATP singles rankings for the first time in his career.
- Chennai Open Victory: Nagal’s title win at the Chennai Open challenger event propelled him to the 98th spot in the latest ATP singles rankings.
- Final Match: In the final, Nagal defeated Luca Nardi of Italy with a score of 6-1, 6-4, securing his fifth Challenger-level singles title.
- Career Milestone: Breaking into the top 100 is a significant achievement for Nagal, reflecting his continuous improvement and potential in the world of tennis.
- Future Prospects: Nagal’s rise in the rankings bodes well for Indian tennis and signals a promising future for the young athlete on the international stage.
Obituary news
Demise of Renowned Writer Dr. Usha Kiran Khan
- Passing Away: Dr. Usha Kiran Khan, a celebrated Hindi and Maithili writer, passed away at the age of 79 at a hospital in Patna, Bihar.
- Literary Legacy: Dr. Khan was a distinguished litterateur and Padma Shri awardee, known for her significant contributions to Hindi and Maithili literature.
- Accolades: Throughout her illustrious career, she earned prestigious awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award for her exceptional literary works.
- Loss to Literature: Her demise is mourned by the literary community and admirers of her work, marking a significant loss in the realm of Hindi and Maithili literature.
- Legacy: Dr. Usha Kiran Khan leaves behind a rich literary legacy, inspiring future generations of writers with her profound contributions to literature.
Important days
World Radio Day: Celebrating the Power of Radio
- February 13th is observed annually as World Radio Day to highlight the significance of radio in providing access to information.
- Proclaimed by UNESCO member states in 2011 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day.
- Aims to raise awareness about the importance of radio and encourage its accessibility to all for dissemination of information.
- Recognizes radio’s role in promoting dialogue, understanding, and cultural diversity, particularly in remote and marginalized communities.