Daily Current Affairs and GK | 25 March 2023

Topic: Defence

1. Ministry of Defence signed a contract with BEL for the procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems.

• Ministry of Defence and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad signed a contract for the procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’ at a cost of Rs 3000 crore.
• This project is under the Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category comprising contemporary and niche technologies.
• Indian Electronics and associated industries are encouraged to participate as sub-vendors of BEL under the ‘Project Himshakti’.
• It will generate employment of about three lakh man-days over two years.
• This project is part of the government initiative to make India ‘Aatmanirbhar’.
• Himshakti:
  • It is an integrated EW System for mountainous terrain for Indian Army.
  • It has been designed & developed using DLRL’s indigenous technology for interception.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

2. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the ‘Sagar Manthan’ real-time performance dashboard.

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the real-time performance monitoring dashboard, Sagar Manthan, of MoPSW.
• Sagar Manthan is a digital platform for all the integrated data related to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• This platform has been developed by MoPSW under the guidance of Shri Sudhanshu Pant in less than 1.5 months.
• The launch of the ‘Sagar Manthan’ Dashboard is a step towards digitalization and transparency in the maritime transport sector.
• It will promote real-time project tracking, risk management, resource allocation, and progress reporting.
• Important features of ‘SAGAR MANTHAN’ dashboard are given below:
  • Data visualization
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Improved communication
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Increased accountability

(Source: PIB)

Topic: National News

3. Subsidy of two hundred rupees on twelve cylinders per year extended for one year for beneficiaries of the Ujjwala Yojana.

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has extended the subsidy of Rs 200 per LPG cylinder under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for one year.
• As on March 1, 2023, the total number of beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana is nine crore 59 lakh.
• There has been a sudden rise in the prices of LPG in the international market, in view of which it has been decided to provide relief to the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
• Rs. 6 thousand 100 crores would be spent on this item in 2022-23 and Rs. 7 thousand 680 crores in 2023-24.
• Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies Namely Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited are giving this subsidy from 22 May 2022.
• The subsidy is deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
• The average LPG consumption of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana consumers has increased by 20 percent from 3.01 refills in 2019-20 to 3.68 in 2021-22.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched in May 2016 with the objective of providing LPG gas in rural areas and to the underprivileged.
• Under this, free LPG connections are provided to poor women.

Topic: Personality in News

4. 'Parineeta' director Pradeep Sarkar passed away at the age of 67.

• On 24 March, renowned writer, director and ad filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar passed away in Mumbai.
• He made some famous Bollywood movies, including Parineeta, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Mardaani, and Helicopter Eela.
• Mr. Sarkar had also worked in several web series like 'Cold Lassi Aur Chicken Masala', 'Forbidden Love' and 'Arrange Marriage'.
• The founder of Apocalypso Filmworks, Sarkar had also worked on more than 3000 ad films, including iconic campaigns like Cadbury’s “Pappu Paas Ho Gaya”, Eveready’s “Give Me Red” and Catch Masala’s “Chinese Whisper”.

(Source: News on Air)

Topic: Sports

5. Pankaj Advani retained his Asian Billiards title.

• Star Indian player Pankaj Advani defeated compatriot Brijesh Damani 5-1 in the final to retain his Asian Billiards title in the 100-up format at Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation (QBSF) Academy.
• In the women’s category, China’s Bai Yulu won the title beating Panchaya Channoi of Thailand 3-0 in the final.
• This is the eighth Asian Billiards title for Advani. Last year, Advani had won the same title in Doha.
• Pankaj Advani had clinched his 25th gold medal on the world stage at the 2022 IBSF World Billiards Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
• Advani has also won gold medals in English Billiards singles in the 2006 and 2010 Asian Games.
• He has been bestowed the Arjuna Award in 2004, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2006, Padma Shri in 2009 and Padma Bhushan in 2018.
• Some terms used in billiards:

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

6. NHIDCL and CSIR-SERC signed an MoU on 23 March.

• An MoU has been signed between National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL), a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, and Council of Industrial Research-Structural Engineering Research Center (CSIR-SERC).
• The MoU has been signed for sharing knowledge on innovative ideas and technologies in the field of highway engineering.
• Shri Chanchal Kumar, Managing Director of NHIDCL, and Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director of CSIR-SERC, Chennai, signed the MoU.
• This MoU is to establish the basis of cooperation between the two parties, so that NHIDCL and CSIR-SERC can share knowledge on various activities of common interest and undertake other infrastructure works.
• This collaboration will strengthen R&D activities in the road sector.
• The agreement is expected to provide leadership in conducting, coordinating research, development and training in the field of highway infrastructure development.
• This MoU sets a new benchmark of Government-Academia partnership that can enhance the process of learning & open up new opportunities for development of faculty in CSIR-SERC & NHIDCL’s Technical officers.
• SERC is a Chennai-based constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. Its aim is to be a center of excellence in education and research, creating global leaders in science, technology and management.
• National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL):
  • It is a government-owned company of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
  • It is responsible for the management of a network of National Highways.
  • Chanchal Kumar is the Managing Director of NHIDCL.

Topic: Agriculture

7. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has fixed MSP for Raw Jute at ₹5,050 per quintal for the 2023-24 season.

• Farmers will get a return of 63.20% over the all-India weighted average cost of production.
• The new MSP of raw jute is in line with the principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of all India’s weighted average cost of production.
• This principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times of all India’s weighted average cost of production was announced by the government in the Budget 2018-19.
• It assures a minimum of 50% as the margin of profit.
• CCEA has fixed the Minimum Support Price (MSP) based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
• The Jute Corporation of India will remain Central Government Nodal Agency to carry out Price Support Operations.

Topic: Committees/ Commissions/Taskforces

8. Finance Minister has proposed to set up a committee to look into the issue of pensions.

• As per the proposal, the committee would be set up under the finance secretary.
• The committee would also evolve an approach that addresses the needs of employees while maintaining fiscal prudence.
• The committee would be set up to improve the New Pension System (NPS) to deal with the concerns of employees and maintain fiscal prudence.
• FM Nirmala Sitharaman said that the new approach to NPS will be designed for adoption by both central and state governments.
• Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have reverted to the old pension scheme (OPS).
• Under the OPS, retired government employees get 50% of their last drawn salary as monthly pensions.  
• National Pension System (NPS) has been implemented for all government employees joining the central government on or after January 1, 2004. This excludes government employees in the armed forces.
• As per the PFRDA, 26 state governments have notified and implemented NPS for their employees.
• Since 1 May 2009, NPS has been made available to every Indian citizen on a voluntary basis.
• On June 1, 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana was launched.

Topic: Indian Polity

9. Rahul Gandhi disqualified as a member of Loksabha after his conviction in a criminal defamation case.

• Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha after being convicted in a defamation case over his ‘Modi surname’ remark in 2019 by a Surat Court.
• Rahul Gandhi is a member of Lok Sabha from the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala.
• He has been disqualified under the provisions of Article 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India along with Section 8 of the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951.
• Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh has issued the notification of disqualification.
• According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a member convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified for six years.
• Rahul Gandhi can file an appeal against the sentence in the higher court.
• A lawmaker is disqualified under these three situations:
  • A Member of Parliament and a member of the Legislative Assembly can be disqualified under Article 102 (1) and 191 (1) respectively on the grounds including holding an office of profit, being of unsound mind or insolvent or not having valid citizenship.
  • Under the RPA 1951, a member can be disqualified for conviction in criminal cases.
  • A Member of Parliament or Legislative Assembly can be disqualified on the grounds of defection.

Topic: Defence

10. Indian Army and Air Force conducted ‘Vayu Prahar’ exercise along LAC in Northeast.

• Indian Army and the Air force jointly conducted a Multi Domain Air-Land Exercise Vayu Prahar along the LAC.
• Army’s Special Forces along with Indian Air Force participated in the 96-hour exercise in the Eastern Theatre.
• Multi-Domain operations aim is to increase military activities across all domains.
• Coordination and rehearsal amongst various agencies for quick mobilization, transportation and deployment of forces were part of this exercise.
• India is constructing several advanced landing grounds (ALGs) near the border to facilitate more air operations.
• India is constructing several advanced landing ground (ALGs) in near border to facilitate more air operations.These ALGs have also been opened for use by civil aircraft.
• All arms and services of the Army, the IAF and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were involved in the exercise.
• India and China have been locked in a military standoff along the Tibetan border since 2020.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

11. State Youth Policy and Youth Portal unveiled by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

• On 23 March, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the State Youth Policy and a Youth Portal in Madhya Pradesh during the “Youth Mahapanchayat” in Bhopal.
• While making several announcements for the youth on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the State Level Youth Commission will be reconstituted by April 5.
• In order to connect the youth with employment, the MP government has given many concessions in the youth policy.
• The most important thing among these is that to participate in the recruitment process for all government posts in the state, the examination fee will have to be paid only once.
• Another noteworthy announcement is that a separate merit list will be made for admission to MBBS and BDS for the students studying in government schools of the state.
• For this purpose, 5 percent of seats will be reserved in colleges.
• The implementation of Mukhya Mantri Yuva Kaushal Earning Scheme was also announced by Shri Chouhan.
• Under the scheme, youth will be given at least Rs 8,000 per month based on their learning and earning.
• The Chief Minister told that from next year a youth budget will also be made and Khelo MP Youth Games will be organized every year.

Topic: Important Days

12. World Tuberculosis Day 2023: March 24

• Every year on 24 March, World TB Day is observed.
• It is celebrated to mark the date when Mycobacterium tuberculosis was discovered by Dr. Robert Koch in 1882.
• The theme of World TB Day 2023 is 'Yes! We can end TB!'.
• It is observed annually to raise awareness about the health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis.
• In 1982, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) established World TB Day on 24 March to mark the 100th anniversary of Koch's discovery.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target to eradicate the disease by 2030 because it is one of the top 10 causes of death globally.
• India has also set the target to eradicate Tuberculosis by 2025.
• According to the WHO Global TB Report 2022, there were an estimated 3 million new cases of tuberculosis in India and more than half a million deaths from the disease.
• Tuberculosis:
  • Tuberculosis spread through the air and usually attacks the lungs. It can also affect other parts of the body.
  • Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • It is treatable and preventable.

Topic: International News

13. US and Canada reached a deal on a decades-old asylum agreement.

• The US and Canada have reached an agreement on a decades-old asylum accord that will restrict some migrants from seeking protection in Canada.
• As part of the deal, Canada will create a new refugee programme for 15,000 migrants fleeing violence in South and Central America.
• The deal is an amendment in the 2004 Safe Third Country Agreement between the US and Canada.
• The new arrangement will close the loophole in the Safe Third Country Agreement that prevents Canada from turning away those crossing the border at unofficial crossing points.
• The accord is expected to allow both sides of the border to turn back such asylum seekers heading in either direction.
• The discussions on the agreement were going on over the years but after the sharp increase of people crossing into Canada from the US, this decision has been taken.
• Safe Third Country Agreement:
  • Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement came into force on 29 December 2004.
  • The agreement was signed on December 5, 2002.
  • It is an agreement between Canada and the United States for better management of refugee claimants at the shared land border.
  • Under the Agreement, refugee claimants are required to request refugee protection in the first safe country they arrive in, unless they qualify for an exception to the Agreement.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

14. Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security' in Bengaluru.

• Representatives from 5 Southern States and 3 UTs attended the conference.
• During the meeting, emphasis was laid on various aspects like ways to curtail drug trafficking through maritime routes, stringent punitive action on drug traffickers, etc.
• The government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against drugs to make a Drug-free India.
• Ministry of Home Affairs has adopted a three-pronged formula to deal with this menace, including strengthening the institutional structure, empowerment and coordination of all narcotics agencies and a comprehensive awareness campaign.
• The government is also considering for using latest technology in the fight against drugs. Satellite mapping will be used for the identification of areas cultivating opium.
• The cases of drugs will be investigated thoroughly from their source to destination to find out the entire network.