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- The Ministry of Textiles has recently unveiled the “Paat-Mitro” mobile app, designed by the Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI), to empower jute farmers with crucial information on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomic practices.
- Key Details about Paat-Mitro:
- Developed by the Jute Corporation of India Limited (JCI).
- Aim: To provide jute farmers with essential information on Minimum Support Prices (MSP) and agronomy.
- Features:
- Available in six languages for accessibility.
- All functionalities are accessible to users free of charge.
- Includes updates on agronomic practices, MSP rates, Jute Gradation Parameters, and farmer-centric schemes like ‘Jute-ICARE’.
- Beachgoers in Chennai recently made an unusual sighting of two venomous marine creatures, the Blue Sea Dragon and the Blue Button, typically found in deep sea habitats.
- About Blue Sea Dragon:
- Also known as the blue angel and blue sea slug, the Blue Sea Dragon is a distinctive sea slug known for its camouflage abilities.
- Scientific Name: Glaucus atlanticus
- It belongs to a class of shell-less mollusks known as sea slugs, displaying a variety of colors and shapes.
- Distribution: Predominantly found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
- About Blue Button:
- Blue Buttons are not individual organisms but colonies of small predators known as hydroids, resembling button-like structures.
- Scientific Name: Porpita porpita
- These colonies drift passively in the ocean, fulfilling specialized roles such as stinging prey, defending against predators, and reproducing.
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- The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment recently briefed the Rajya Sabha about the PM-AJAY scheme.
- Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme that consolidates three previously separate schemes: Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
- Objectives:
- The primary goal of PM-AJAY is to enhance the income of the target population through various income-generating schemes, skill development initiatives, and infrastructure enhancements.
- It aims to lift the target population above the poverty line and alleviate poverty among them.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Scheduled Castes individuals living below the poverty line qualify for benefits under this scheme.
- Implementation:
- PM-AJAY has been operational since 2021-22, structured into three main components.
- PM-AJAY has been operational since 2021-22, structured into three main components.
- Recently, a three-member committee appointed by the principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) conducted an inspection of the Kuruchikuppam drain and beach in Puducherry to investigate the cause behind the recent occurrence of red tide.
- Red tide is a term commonly used to describe a harmful algal bloom (HAB), where colonies of algae—plant-like organisms found in marine and freshwater environments—experience rapid and excessive growth.
- Causes:
- Harmful algal blooms, including red tides, occur when certain types of algae grow uncontrollably.
- The term "red tide" originates from the discoloration of water due to the proliferation of algae.
- Impacts:
- Some species of algae responsible for red tides produce potent toxins harmful to marine life such as fish, shellfish, mammals, and birds.
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- Experts from the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD) are in the process of establishing bird feeding stations at the Ennore Creek, a significant backwater located in Thiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.
- Key Details about Ennore Creek:
- Ennore Creek is an arm of the Kosathalaiyar River and plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem.
- It meets the Bay of Bengal at Mugathwara Kuppam, while its northern channel connects to Pulicat Lake, the second largest brackish water lake in India.
- The initiative to establish feeding stations for birds underscores efforts to support and conserve the diverse wildlife that depends on the Ennore Creek's ecological balance.
- The initiative to establish feeding stations for birds underscores efforts to support and conserve the diverse wildlife that depends on the Ennore Creek's ecological balance.
- The Union Home Ministry has sanctioned the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to safeguard the Parliament complex, as per an official government directive.
- Key Details about CISF:
- Established following the recommendations of the Justice Mukherjee Commission, CISF was formally constituted by an Act of Parliament on March 10, 1969.
- CISF operates as one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, alongside entities such as the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force.
- Currently, CISF provides security cover to individuals classified under categories Z Plus, Z, X, and Y.
- The deployment of CISF at the Parliament complex underscores its pivotal role in ensuring the security and protection of vital national institutions.
- Recently, a Namdapha flying squirrel has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh after an absence of 42 years.
- Key Details about the Namdapha Flying Squirrel:
- The Namdapha flying squirrel is an arboreal and nocturnal species endemic to Arunachal Pradesh.
- The rediscovery of the Namdapha flying squirrel highlights the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in preserving the rich biodiversity of northeastern India's forests.
- The Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways recently announced that 1467 projects of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have been integrated into the Bhoomi Rashi Portal.
- About Bhoomi Rashi Portal:
- Bhoomi Rashi Portal is an e-Governance initiative led by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- Its primary objective is to streamline and expedite the land acquisition process for National Highways across India.
- Key Features:
- Bilingual interface available in Hindi and English for ease of use.
- Modules for entering project details, including land acquisition sanctions.
- Tools for specifying Land Acquisition locations such as villages.
- Integration with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) of the Ministry of Finance to ensure real-time deposit of compensation into the accounts of affected/interested persons.
- The integration of NHAI projects into the Bhoomi Rashi Portal marks a significant step towards enhancing the efficiency and transparency of land acquisition processes for highway development in India.
- India's badminton talents, Chirag Shetty and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj, have been honored with the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:
- Named after the legendary Indian field hockey player Major Dhyan Chand (1905–79), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award) stands as India's highest sporting honor.
- Eligibility:
- It recognizes exceptional and outstanding performances in sports at the international level, including events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, World Cup, and other globally recognized tournaments over the preceding four years.
- General Conditions:
- The award is not given to the same individual more than once.
- Typically, only one award is conferred each year, though exceptions may be made under extraordinary circumstances.
- The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) recently overturned a SEBI ruling that imposed a one-year ban from the securities market on Future Retail's chairperson and several other promoters in an insider trading case.
- About Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT):
- SAT is established as a statutory and autonomous body under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992.
- Composition:
- SAT comprises a Presiding Officer and both Judicial and Technical members, as determined by the Central Government.
- The Presiding Officer must meet specific qualifications, such as being a retired or sitting Supreme Court judge, Chief Justice of a High Court, or a High Court judge with at least seven years of service.
- Tenure:
- Members including the Presiding Officer serve a term of five years from the date of appointment, with the possibility of re-appointment for another five-year term, provided they do not exceed the age of 70.
- Powers:
- SAT exercises powers equivalent to those of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure while adjudicating cases.
- Scientists have recently identified the world’s tiniest species of Fanged Frogs, known scientifically as Limnonectes phyllofolia, in Indonesia.
- About Fanged Frogs:
- Fanged Frogs are a group comprising 75 species within the genus Limnonectes, characterized by distinctive fang-like projections from their jaw bones.
- They are native to East and Southeast Asia.
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- Recently, the Union Minister for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched three sub-schemes under the RAMP programme aimed at boosting MSME performance in India.
- About RAMP Programme:
- The Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme is supported by the World Bank.
- Launched in 2022, its primary goal is to enhance the performance of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.
- Sub-schemes under RAMP Programme:
- MSME GIFT Scheme (MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation):
- Aimed at facilitating MSME adoption of green technologies.
- MSE SPICE Scheme (MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy):
- Supports circular economy projects in MSMEs to achieve zero emissions goal by 2070.
- Offers credit subsidy to eligible projects.
- Recently, the Sahitya Akademi announced its prestigious awards, recognizing Tamil author Rajasekaran (Devibharathi), Telugu writer T. Patanjali Sastry, and Malayalam litterateur E.V. Ramakrishnan among the recipients.
- About Sahitya Akademi Award:
Key points about Sahitya Akademi:
- Inaugurated by the Government of India on 12th March 1954, Sahitya Akademi serves as India's National Academy of Letters.
- It is the central institution for literary discourse, publication, and promotion in the country, fostering literary activities across 24 Indian languages, including English.
- Recently, the Union Minister of Cooperation provided details to the Lok Sabha about the establishment of the National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL).
- About National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL):
- NCEL was established under the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, by the Ministry of Cooperation.
- Its primary objective is to create a comprehensive ecosystem to promote exports, particularly of agricultural commodities, leveraging India's comparative advantage in these sectors.
- All cooperative societies, from the grassroots level to apex bodies, that are interested in exporting are eligible to become members of NCEL.
- This initiative underscores the government's commitment to enhancing cooperative sector participation in international trade, fostering economic growth, and benefiting farmers by ensuring better market opportunities for their agricultural products.