14 September 2024 Curret Affairs

National news

MP tops the list of having AYUSH doctors in PHCs in India

The latest report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare Affairs provides a detailed comparative analysis of health infrastructure across states in India. It highlights improvements in the availability of specialist doctors and technical staff at various healthcare facilities.

Key Findings:

1. Madhya Pradesh’s AYUSH Facilities:
   • Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs): Madhya Pradesh leads in the number of AYUSH doctors available at primary health care centers.
     • Urban Areas: 328 PHCs with AYUSH facilities.
     • Tribal Areas: 228 primary and community health centers with AYUSH facilities.
2. Healthcare Infrastructure Nationwide:
   • Sub-centres (SCs): 169,615
   • Primary Health Centres (PHCs): 31,882
   • Community Health Care Centres (CHCs): 6,359
   • Sub-divisional/District Hospitals (SDHs): 1,340
   • District Hospitals (DHs): 714
   • Medical Colleges (MCs): 362

Focus of the Report: The report assesses health infrastructure, including the presence of specialist doctors like surgeons, gynecologists, pediatricians, and support staff such as pharmacists, lab technicians, nursing staff, and radiographers. It underscores significant progress in the availability and distribution of these resources.

Purpose: Released annually, this report serves to track and improve the health infrastructure across India, aiming to enhance healthcare delivery and accessibility in both rural and urban areas.

Madhya Pradesh:

• Capital: Bhopal (Executive Branch)
• Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
• CM: Dr. Mohan Yadav

Economy news

Retail Inflation Increases to 3.65% in August; IIP Growth at 4.8% in July

Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based Retail Inflation: Rose marginally to 3.65% in August from 3.6% in July. This increase remains below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) medium-term target of 4%, marking the second occurrence of this in nearly five years. The rise is attributed to a high base effect from the previous year.

2. Industrial Production:

• Index of Industrial Production (IIP): Saw a modest increase to 4.83% in July from 4.72% in June.

3. Food Inflation Dynamics:

• Food Inflation: Increased to 5.66% in August from 5.42% in July.
  • Categories with Price Rises:
    • Vegetables: 10.71%
    • Fruits: 6.45%
    • Food and Beverages: 5.30%
    • Eggs: 7.14%
    • Non-Alcoholic Beverages: 2.40%
  • Categories with Slowed Price Growth:
    • Cereals: 7.31%
    • Milk: 2.98%
    • Meat & Fish: 4.30%
  • Pulses: Saw a deceleration to 13.6%, though it remained in double digits.
  • Domestic Edible Oil Prices: Continued to deflate, though global price increases could pose a risk to domestic inflation.

4. Core Inflation and Fuel Prices:

• Core Inflation: Remained steady at 3.5%, excluding volatile food and fuel components.
  • Price Increases Noted In:
    • Clothing and Footwear: 2.72%
    • Recreation: 2.31%
    • Education: 3.74%
    • Health: 4.10%
  • Fuel Prices: Continued to contract at -5.31%.

5. Economic Forecasts:

• Rajani Sinha (CARE Ratings): Attributed the August inflation rise to higher food prices, impacted by lagging sowing of pulses and oilseeds.
• Aditi Nayar (ICRA): Projected a potential slight increase in core CPI inflation due to heightened service demand and reduced cotton sowing.
• Madan Sabnavis (Bank of Baroda): Suggested that the RBI is likely to hold off on rate cuts until inflation trends consistently lower.

6. IIP Sectoral Analysis:

• Overall IIP Performance:
  • Manufacturing Output: Grew by 4.6%.
  • Mining and Electricity Output: Decelerated to 3.7% and 7.9%, respectively.
• Sector-specific Performance:
  • Contractions Noted In: Food Products, Textiles, Leather, and Chemicals.
  • Strong Growth In: Capital Goods (12%) and Intermediate Goods (6.8%).
  • Consumer Durables: Growth decelerated to 8.2%.
  • Consumer Non-Durables: Contracted by -4.4%, reflecting ongoing stress in rural demand.

Conclusion: August 2024 has seen a slight rise in retail inflation, primarily driven by food prices, while industrial production continues its moderate growth. The economic outlook suggests caution with potential inflationary pressures and ongoing sectoral disparities in industrial output. The RBI is expected to monitor inflation trends closely before making any decisions on interest rates.

International news

Algeria Joins BRICS New Development Bank

Algeria has been officially authorized to join the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), as announced by the bank’s president, Dilma Rousseff, during the ninth annual meeting in Cape Town. The NDB, established by the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) in 2015, aims to support infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies and developing nations.

NDB Overview:

• Established: 2015
• Founding Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Objective: To support infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging economies and developing nations.

Expansion and Membership:

• Previous Expansions:
  • 2021: Bangladesh, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
• Algeria’s Admission:
  • Assessment: Favorable evaluation of macroeconomic indicators.
  • Significance: Marks Algeria’s significant step towards greater integration into the global financial system.

Economic Impact:

• Algeria’s Role: Africa’s leading natural gas exporter.
• Expected Benefits: The membership is anticipated to enhance Algeria’s economic growth prospects by accessing development resources through the NDB, providing an alternative to traditional institutions like the World Bank and IMF.

BRICS Key Points

Formation and Evolution:

• Original Formation: BRIC (2009) with Brazil, Russia, India, China.
• Expansion: South Africa joined in 2010, forming BRICS.

Purpose: Goals: Enhance cooperation and dialogue among member countries on economic, political, and developmental issues.

Algeria:

• Capital: Algiers [El Djazaïr]
• Currency: Algerian Dinar
• Official languages: Arabic, Tamazight
• President: Abdelmadjid Tebboune

New Development Bank (NDB):

• Establishment: 2015
• Purpose: Support infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS nations and other emerging economies.
• Function: Mobilize resources for development projects as an alternative to traditional financial institutions.

Current Membership:

• Initial Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa.
• Expanded Membership: Includes Bangladesh, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, and now Algeria.

India to Partner with European Hydrogen Week 2024

India has been announced as the exclusive partner for the European Hydrogen Week, set to take place in November 2024. This announcement was made on the second day of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024), held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The partnership underscores India’s commitment to aligning with EU green regulations to enhance its export potential in the green hydrogen sector.

Significance:

• Exclusive Partnership: India’s role as the exclusive partner highlights its growing commitment to green hydrogen and aligns with EU regulations to boost export potential in this sector.

Key Highlights from ICGH-2024

India-EU Collaboration:

• Focus: Emphasis on India’s alignment with EU green regulations to enhance export growth in the green hydrogen sector.
• Letter of Intent (LoI): Signed between Chane Terminal of the Netherlands and ACME Cleantech of India, focusing on ammonia import terminals. This signifies a significant step in international collaboration for hydrogen infrastructure.

Global Perspectives:

• EU Session:
  • Speakers:
    • Pankaj Agarwal: Secretary of the Ministry of Power, India.
    • Jorgo Chatzimarkakis: CEO of Hydrogen Europe.
  • Discussion Points: The role of green hydrogen in global decarbonization efforts. The EU’s focus on reforming its Emission Trading System (ETS) to support hydrogen as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Pankaj Jain: Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, emphasized the need for international collaboration to address challenges in hydrogen technology, such as:
  • Regulatory frameworks
  • Storage solutions
  • Large-scale renewable energy access

Netherlands’ Strategy:

• Overview Provided by: Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, India.
• Key Participants:
  • Han Feenstra
  • Mark-Simon Benjamins
  • HE Ms. Marisa Gerards
• Focus: Strategies for advancing hydrogen technology and infrastructure in the Netherlands.

Summary: India’s selection as the exclusive partner for European Hydrogen Week underscores its strategic importance in the green hydrogen sector and commitment to international collaboration. The ICGH-2024 conference facilitated significant discussions and agreements aimed at overcoming global challenges in hydrogen technology and expanding market opportunities.

Mexico’s Senate passes controversial judicial reform bill

Mexico’s Senate has approved a judicial reform allowing voters to elect judges at all levels, making it the first country in the world to implement such a system.

• Vote Details: The reform passed with 86 votes in favor and 41 against, achieving the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution.

Supporters’ Perspective:

• Objective: Supporters argue that electing judges by popular vote will enhance accountability and make the judiciary more accessible to the public.
• Chief of Government’s View: Carla Brugada, the new Chief of Government of Mexico City, praised the reform as a significant step toward increasing justice accessibility. She emphasized that the reform aligns with the democratic principle that the people should have the power to establish and remove judges.

Mexico:

• Capital: Mexico City
• President: Andrés Manuel López Obrador
• Continent: North America

Banking news

Union Bank of India Becomes First Major Bank to Join PCAF

Union Bank of India has made a pioneering step in the financial sector by becoming the first major bank to join the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF). This decision underscores the bank’s dedication to addressing climate risks and aligning with global standards for environmental responsibility.

Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF):

• Overview: PCAF is a global initiative that brings together financial institutions to develop standardized methodologies for measuring and disclosing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with their loans and investments.
• Scope of Emissions: By joining PCAF, Union Bank of India commits to assessing financed emissions, which are indirect emissions linked to its lending and investment activities. These are categorized as Scope 3 emissions and can often exceed the bank’s direct operational emissions.
• Objective: PCAF aims to provide a consistent approach for financial institutions to evaluate and manage climate-related risks and disclosures, helping them integrate sustainability into their financial practices.

Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Draft Guidelines:

• Release Date: February 28, 2024
• Framework: The RBI’s draft guidelines, titled ‘Disclosure Framework on Climate-Related Financial Risks, 2024’, focus on enhancing transparency in how financial institutions report on climate-related financial risks.

UNION BANK:

• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: 11 November 1919, Mumbai
• Key people: : Srinivasan Varadarajan; (Non-Exe Chairman); A. Manimekhalai; (Managing Director & CEO);

Defence news

Indian Army Contingent Departs for India-Oman Joint Military Exercise Al Najah V

The Indian Army contingent has departed for the fifth edition of the India-Oman joint military exercise, Al Najah, which will take place from September 13 to 26, 2024, at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman. Al Najah has been held biennially since 2015, alternating between India and Oman. The previous edition was conducted in Rajasthan, India. This year, both India and Oman are sending 60 personnel each, with the Indian team represented by the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and the Royal Army of Oman represented by the Frontier Force.

Background:

• History: Al Najah has been held biennially since 2015, alternating between India and Oman. The last edition took place in Rajasthan, India.
• Participants:
  • Indian Team: Mechanised Infantry Regiment
  • Omani Team: Frontier Force

Objectives:

• Enhancement of Military Capabilities: Focus on counter-terrorism operations, aligning with Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
• Desert Operations: Tactical drills including joint planning, cordon and search operations, fighting in built-up areas, mobile vehicle check posts, counter-drone techniques, and room interventions.

Significance:

• Interoperability: Strengthening operational compatibility between the Indian and Omani armed forces.
• Goodwill and Camaraderie: Fostering stronger bilateral relations and defense cooperation between India and Oman.

Indian Army: Overview

• Founded: April 1, 1895
• Commander-in-Chief: President of India
• Chief of Army Staff: General Upendra Dwivedi
• Size: Over 1.2 million active personnel
• Headquarters: New Delhi
  
  
• Motto: “Service Before Self”

Structure: Divided into 7 commands:

• Northern
• Eastern
• Western
• Southern
• Central
• South Western
• Army Training Command

DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the flight test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, on September 12, 2024, at approximately 1500 hours. The flight test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher, targeting a high-speed aerial target flying at a low altitude. The missile system successfully tracked and engaged the target.

Missile System Tested:

• Type: Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM)
• Launcher: Land-based vertical launcher
• Target: High-speed aerial target flying at low altitude

Objectives and Outcomes:

• Purpose of Test:
  • Validate updated elements of the VL-SRSAM system, including the Proximity Fuse and Seeker.
  • Demonstrate the missile’s ability to track and engage a high-speed target effectively.
• Results:
  • Successful tracking and engagement of the target.
  • Performance confirmed by Radar Electro-Optical Tracking System and telemetry instruments deployed at ITR Chandipur.

Official Statements:

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh: Praised the teams from DRDO and the Indian Navy for their successful test, affirming the reliability and effectiveness of the VL-SRSAM weapon system.
• Dr. Samir V. Kamat: Chairman of DRDO and Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, congratulated the teams, highlighting that the system will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy and act as a force multiplier.

Appointment news

R. Ravindra appointed as Ambassador To Iceland

The Ministry of external affairs (MEA) has appointed Mr. R. Ravindran as the next ambassador to Iceland. He was a bureaucrat and served at many organizations and places.

Current Role:

• Position: Deputy Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN)
• Joining Date: Expected to join his new role soon, as stated by MEA.

Career Highlights:

1. Early Assignments:
   • Indian Embassy in Cairo: 2001-2003
   • Indian Embassy in Tripoli, Libya: 2004-2007
2. Regional Passport Officer:
   • Location: Bengaluru
   • Duration: 2007-2010
3. Other Diplomatic Positions:
   • Indian Embassy in Colombo
   • Indian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire
4. United Nations Career:
   • India’s Permanent Mission in New York, USA: 2010-2013
   • Deputy Permanent Representative at the UN: September 2020 to present

Science and tech news

Launch of “Rangeen Machhli” App: A Milestone for India’s Ornamental Fisheries Sector

In a significant development for India’s ornamental fisheries sector, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh, unveiled the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile application. The launch event took place at the prestigious ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, marking a new era in the dissemination of knowledge and resources for ornamental fish enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Key Attendees:

• Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• Shri George Kurian: Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• Senior Officials: Representatives from relevant departments and institutions

Ministerial Address:

• Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh’s Highlights:
  • Growing Importance: Emphasized the rising significance of the ornamental fisheries sector in India.
  • Ministry’s Focus: The Ministry is dedicated to advancing this sector.
  • Economic Potential: Acknowledged the sector’s potential to create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
  • Promotion of Aquarium Hobby: Stressed the importance of expanding the aquarium hobby across the country.

About the “Rangeen Machhli” App:

Development and Support:

• Developed by: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA)
• Supported by: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Target Audience:

• Hobbyists: Individuals interested in ornamental fish keeping.
• Aquarium Shop Owners: Retailers involved in selling ornamental fish and related supplies.
• Fish Farmers: Those engaged in breeding and raising ornamental fish.

Features and Benefits:

• Resource Access: Provides information and resources to enhance the knowledge base and practices within the ornamental fisheries sector.
• Support for Stakeholders: Aims to support hobbyists, professionals, and businesses in the ornamental fish industry by offering valuable tools and information.