Current Affairs March 13, 2024
National News
Establishment of the International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED) by CWC and IISc Bangalore
- Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between Central Water Commission (CWC) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore.
- Aimed at establishing an International Centre of Excellence for Dams (ICED) under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) Phase II and III.
- Focus on enhancing capability and expertise in dam safety to empower the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- MoA is valid for ten years or until the duration of the DRIP Phase-II and III Scheme, whichever is earlier.
- ICED expected to contribute to building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and facilitating knowledge dissemination in dam safety to underdeveloped and developing nations.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) is a premier technical organization in India in the field of water resources. Here are some key points about the Central Water Commission:
- Establishment: The Central Water Commission was established in 1945 as a government agency under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
- Role: It plays a crucial role in the development, maintenance, and management of water resources in India. The commission is responsible for planning and implementing schemes related to water resources development and management.
Cabinet Committee on Security Approves Rs 15,000 Crore AMCA Fighter Jet Project
- Approval was granted for the indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Funding of Rs. 15,000 crore was allocated for the development of five prototypes over the next five years by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The initiative aims to bolster India’s defence capabilities and promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is a high-level government body in India responsible for making decisions on matters about national security and strategic issues. It is one of the most powerful committees in the Indian government, and its decisions are binding on all other government departments and agencies.
The CCS is chaired by the Prime Minister of India and includes the following key members:
- Prime Minister of India (Chairperson)
- Minister of Defence
- Minister of External Affairs
- Minister of Home Affairs
- Minister of Finance
Launch of ‘NITI for States Platform’ and ‘Viksit Bharat Strategy Room’ by Minister Ashwini Vaishnav
- Minister Ashwini Vaishnav inaugurated the ‘Policy for States Platform’ at Rang Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi, aimed at enhancing digital public infrastructure for policy and good governance.
- Additionally, the ‘Viksit Bharat Strategy Room’ was launched at NITI Aayog, facilitating personalized decision-making through comprehensive insights and information.
- The platform boasts features such as a repository of 7,500 best practices, 5,000 policy documents, over 900 datasets, 1,400 data profiles, and 350 policy publications.
- It spans various sectors including agriculture, education, manufacturing, tourism, and urban development, incorporating knowledge products from ten areas, including the World Health Organization’s WASH strategy, with a focus on ‘gender and climate change’.
- Designed with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, the platform ensures easy navigation and accessibility across multiple devices, including mobile phones.
About Ashwini Vaishnav: Ashwini Vaishnaw is an Indian politician and former IAS officer who is currently serving as the 39th Minister of Railways, 55th Communications Minister and 2nd Electronics & Information Technology Minister in the Government of India since 2021
Prime Minister Modi Inaugurates Marathwada Rail Coach Factory and Various Projects in Maharashtra
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Marathwada Rail Coach Factory in Latur, Maharashtra, through a video conference in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
- The factory is set to manufacture Vande Bharat train sets and is established under the government-owned Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL).
- Additionally, PM Modi inaugurated five Jan Aushadi Kendras for affordable and quality generic medicines at various locations in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Nashik, Pimpri, Solapur, and Chandrapur.
- Other inaugurated projects include a wagon repair workshop at Badnera and a Vande Bharat chair car maintenance-cum-workshop depot in Pune.
Maharashtra State:
- Capital: Mumbai
- Chief minister: Eknath Shinde
- Governor: Ramesh Bais
PM Modi Launches ‘Mahtari Vandana Yojana’ Scheme in Chhattisgarh
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the ‘Mahtari Vandana Yojana’ scheme in Chhattisgarh, fulfilling a pre-poll promise made by the BJP.
- The scheme offers financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month through direct benefit transfer to eligible married women in the state.
- 70 lakh beneficiaries have been identified, with ₹655 crore transferred on Sunday as the first payment instalment under the scheme.
Chhattisgarh State:
- Capital: Raipur (Executive Branch)
- Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
Banking News
SEBI Introduces Guidelines for Small and Medium REITs to Regulate Fractional Ownership of Real Estate
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) revamps REIT Regulations 2014 to facilitate the creation of Small and Medium Real Estate Investment Trusts (SM REITs).
- The aim is to regulate fractional ownership of real estate and safeguard investor interests, covering commercial and residential properties.
- SEBI (REIT) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 stipulate that the SM REIT listing process will resemble an IPO, with a key difference in asset completion requirements.
- At least 95% of assets for SM REIT schemes must be fully developed and generate revenue, compared to the 80% requirement for larger REITs, ensuring a higher level of asset maturity.
SEBI stands for the Securities and Exchange Board of India:
- It is the regulatory body for the securities market in India, similar to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States.
- SEBI was established on April 12, 1992, as an autonomous body to regulate and oversee the functioning of the capital markets in India.
Appointment News
Justice Satyendra Kumar Singh has been appointed the new Lokayukta of Madhya Pradesh. Governor Mangubhai Patel administered the oath at Raj Bhavan.
Madhya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal (Executive Branch)
- Formation: 26 January 1950
Science and Technology News
IIM Sambalpur and IG Drones Partner to Launch Drone Centre of Excellence
- IIM Sambalpur and IG Drones sign an MoU during the 100-Cube Start-up Conclave to establish a drone centre of excellence at IIM Sambalpur’s Delhi campus.
- The collaboration focuses on advanced applications of drone technology in business analytics, management strategies, and public policy.
- Aimed at fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of drone technology through strategic partnership and knowledge exchange.
Agreement News
NHAI Signs MoU with HLL Life Care Limited to Enhance Incident Management and Emergency Medical Response on National Highways
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) collaborates with HLL Lifecare Limited to improve incident management systems and emergency medical response on national highways.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for a five-year duration under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- The objective includes reducing fatalities from road accidents and enhancing timely assistance to accident victims.
- This will also provide support for NHAI the toll-free number of 1033
National Highways Authority of India:
- Founded: 1988
- Founder: Parliament of India
- Under: Nitin Jairam Gadkari is an Indian politician from Maharashtra who is the current Minister for Road Transport & Highways in the Government of India.
Award News
India Receives ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award for Exemplary Disease Prevention Efforts
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India honoured with the Measles and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA.
- The award recognizes India’s relentless efforts in combating Measles and Rubella diseases.
- Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Washington D.C., accepted the award on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- Officeholders: Bharati Pawar (Minister of State), Mansukh L. Mandaviya (Minister)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founded: 1947
Sports News
Indian Men’s Test Cricket Team Clinches Anthony de Mello Trophy 2024
- Led by Rohit Sharma, the Indian men’s test cricket team secured victory over England (captained by Ben Stokes) in the five-match test series.
- The Anthony de Mello Trophy is a cricket trophy awarded to the winner of the Test series
- The series was held from January 25th to March 9th, 2024, across five venues in India.
- India emerged triumphant with a commanding 4-1 win, claiming the Anthony de Mello Trophy.
- Ravichandran Ashwin played his 100th test for India in the 5th test against England at Dharamshala, where he also took 5 wickets in the second innings
- Ashwin is the ninth bowler and the second Indian (after Anil Kumble-619) to pick up 500 test wickets
- Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top run scorer in the series with 712 runs he won the Player of the Series award
BCCI (Board of control for cricket in India):
- President – Mr. Roger Binny
- Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established in 1928
Important Days
No Smoking Day is celebrated every year on the second Wednesday of March. This year in 2024, ‘No Smoking Day’ is being celebrated on 13 March. On this occasion, emphasis is laid on spreading awareness about the harmful effects of smoking. The theme of No Smoking Day for this year 2024 is, ‘Protecting children from tobacco industry interference’.
